Monthly Archives: September 2020

Ascension Catholic has played football for a long time over 100 years. The 2020 version of the Bulldogs includes a look at the present and the future.

Coach Benny Saia enters his second season after leading his team to a 9-0 record and a playoff loss to Southern Lab. We had a great season. We did not finish like we wanted to as a team, but I am excited about this team and the future, Saia said.

Gone from last years team are several 3- and 4-year starters like Brock Acosta, Eric Simon, Nick Hilliard (Princeton football) and Sam Mire. Also gone are Dorian Barber and Demontray Harry. We lost a great senior class with several 4-year starters. The one that most people ask me about is Jai Williams he was a special talent for sure, Saia said.

Williams has moved on to Nicholls State as Ascension Catholic's all-time leading scorer (106 touchdowns) and nearly 7,600 rushing yards. He only trails his dad, Germaine Williams, who finished with 8,000 yards and 99 touchdowns.

The cupboard is certainly not bare for the Bulldogs. Several starters return on both sides of the ball. The offense will be led by quarterback Bryce Leonard, a sophomore who showed some flashes as a freshman. Bryce got valuable experience last season. He has the respect of his teammates that is a huge plus for us. We are hoping to put more on his plate this season, Saia said.

Leonard threw for nearly 1,000 yards last season and double-digit touchdown passes. Filling the role as the main back will be sophomore Khai Prean. Prean is a talented runner with great vision and finished with nearly 1000 yards rushing and double-digit touchdowns. New running backs will be sophomore Casey Mays, junior Ethan Lewellen and junior Trevion Jacob.

The receivers will be fairly new. Returning is senior Joel Landry and senior Matthew Lafleur. Newcomers include sophomore Brooks Leonard, junior Troy Cole and senior Baylor Leonard. Brooks and Baylor Leonard join their brother, QB Bryce Leonard, with a certain level of comfort. Brooks will be a precise route runner. Cole is coming over from basketball at a tall and long 6'3", he can certainly be a weapon.

The offensive line loses Mire and Hilliard (all state). Back are starters Owen Smith (265), Damien Pedescleaux (230) and LaShawn Bell (295). Smith is a returning all-district and all-parish lineman with some college offers. Bell will be moving to center and should provide good protection for QB Leonard. Pedescleaux returns at tackle and he has really matured. Owen Smith and Devin Pedescleaux have shown leadership up front for us early on, said Saia. Newcomers include junior Jacque Husers (225), freshmen Travis Cedatol (230) and freshmen Tre Williams (240). Senior Grant Richard is injured but is expected to return and be valuable player that can play several positions.

When the Bulldogs use a tight end, look for JMond Tapp (6'4"), senior Gage Breaux and freshman Jackson Landry (6'2") to get some reps. Tapp emerged as a big target in the red zone.

The kicker will be the steady senior Jacob Dunn.

The Bulldog defense will have a major overhaul with only four starters returning. Smith, Tapp, Pedescleaux and Bell return up front in the Bulldogs three-man front. Tapp has received several offers including some SEC offers. Other defensive lineman expected to contribute are Husers and Tre Williams.

The Bulldogs will break in three new linebackers. Dunn is moving down from his defensive back position. Newcomers are senior Brayden Duhon, junior Lewellen, freshmen Jackson Landry and freshmen Adrian Prean. The defensive backfield must replace the starting corners including all district/all parish Eric Simon. Juniors Lex Melancon and Jacob are potential starters along with sophomore Layton Melancon and sophomore Mays. Lafleur and Breaux return in the secondary.

Matt, Gage and Jacob have been some early vocal leaders for us. They have some experience in our defense," Saia said.

Other potential newcomers that will challenge for playing time are sophomore Noah Robicheaux and senior Joel Landry. Replacing all-district/all-parish Brock Acosta will be tough, but early candidates include Khai Prean, Cole and Lafleur. The punter will be LaFleur, who was first team all-district last season. The Bulldogs lose games 1 and 2 due to the delayed start, but will still have some early tests with CCMC and Erath. Winning the district last season for the first time in 20 plus years was exciting, but the coaches know they will have a bullseye on their back.

White Castle, East Iberville, St. John and Ascension Christian will be tough opponents for the Bulldogs. As the Bulldogs prepare for what looks to be a strange season, one thing is certain.

The boys have responded well. Last season is the past this team is a new one with some unknowns, (but) we are excited to play. Our future is very bright, Saia said.

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2020 Ascension Catholic football should have touches of the past, present, future - The Advocate

ASCENSION PARISH - Ascension Parish DPW has made sand and bags available in anticipation of heavy rains associated with Tropical Storm Sally.

Locations on the East Bank of the parish are:

Darrow Fire Station Butch Gore Memorial Park, 14550 Harry Savoy Rd., St. Amant Ascension Parish Fire Protection District No. 1, 13192 Airline Hwy., Gonzales Stevens Park, 4323 Cannon Road, Gonzales Jackie Robinson Memorial Park, 35638 Coco Road, Geismar Galvez Lake Fire Dept, Joe Sevario Rd. 7th District Fire Dept, Roddy Rd. St. Amant Park Highway 431 curve in Lake Kleinpeter Rd.@ Ridge Rd. Buxton Rd. Prairieville School, Parker Rd. Tullier Subdivision

West Bank locations are:

Modeste Brusly Township Road Lemanville Park Abend Park Saint Jude Subdivision DPW West, Church St, Donaldsonville

Palo Alto Fire Station

Residents need to bring their own shovels.

Requests for service should be made to the Citizens Service Center at 225-450-1200.

At the same time, sign up for the Everbridge Emergency Alert System.

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Ascension Makes Sand and Bags Available Ahead of Sally - WBRZ

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Ascension to resume walk-in clinic for fall sports on Saturday - WNEM Saginaw

GONZALES The owners of 86 acres in Prairieville are accusing Ascension Parish government of an illegal taking that deprived them of a $7 million sale after the parish denied their plans to turn the property into a new neighborhood.

A new lawsuit brought by members of the Delaune family, who have held the property and raised cattle there for nearly 100 years, claims the actions by the Planning Commission and Parish Council were arbitrary and capricious, an abuse of discretion and an "unreasonable exercise of police powers."

Then known as the Antebellum Pointe neighborhood, the 237-home proposal sparked significant controversy in March when it went before the Planning Commission, in large measure because it would have emptied more cars onto a congested and growing stretch of La. 73 between Airline Highway and Interstate 10. Twenty-four people spoke out about the project then, all but two opposed.

GONZALES A retired Baton Rouge doctor is proposing a 60-unit condominium complex in the La. 42 corridor of Prairieville where a handful of o

The suit, which was filed Sept. 9 in the 23rd Judicial District Court, touches on a question that has roiled the Planning Commission for several years: whether and how the commission can say "no" on new development over infrastructure concerns.

The suit also constitutes a major test to a Planning Commission appeal process changed a few years ago over past development fights and to a 2018 revision that toughened the parish traffic impact policy.

Debate over the project in March and again in July before the Parish Council focused on interpretations of that policy's requirements for new developments. It raised the question of whether the parish could rely on the assumption that a $72 million state widening of Interstate 10 underway between Highland Road and La. 73 would alleviate traffic backups on the highway as traffic studies suggested.

GONZALES For the first time, the Ascension Parish Council on Thursday will try out a new appeal procedure for proposed subdivisions its Plan

The plaintiffs have asked the state court to overturn the parish's decisions and authorize the subdivision plan for Delaune Estates, or to award them damages to compensate for their losses on the land, plus attorneys' fees and all other fees and costs.

The plaintiffs William Delaune Jr., Diane Francis King, four other members of the Delaune family and a family partnership claim the combined decisions of the commission and council confine their property to agricultural use, so it isn't worth the $81,500 per acre they had been offered to develop it.

"The adverse finding by the Planning Commission and the Board of Appeals' decision are contrary to the facts and applicable law, are not supported by the evidence, and are arbitrary and capricious," the suit alleges.

These decisions, the suit alleges, have caused financial and other harm to the Delaune family.

GONZALES The second time was the charm for the developers of Oak Grove Townhomes and a $100,000 commitment for drainage improvements to

In March, the Planning Commission had voted 4-3 to deny the project. In July, meeting as the commission Board of Appeals, the 11-member Parish Council failed to get enough votes to overturn the commission's decision. The vote to overturn was 6-4, but, under council rules, a two-thirds majority was needed, or 8 votes.

Councilman Joel Robert was absent from the appeal hearing because he was out of town but has since said he would have voted to uphold the commission's denial. He later drew fire over his comments to a council secretary because his statement about that vote wasn't read out loud at the meeting. He apologized.

The project was known as Antebellum Pointe before the commission, but the Delaunes changed the name to Delaune Estates by the time of their appeal to the council in July.

Martin McConnell, parish government spokesman, said Tuesday the parish has not yet been served with the suit and declined to comment.

Michael Clegg, the plaintiffs' attorney representing the Delaunes, was out of town this week, a person answering his office phone said Tuesday.

GONZALESA homeowners association and three Ascension Parish residents known collectively as Concerned Citizens of Prairieville have asked a

The suit names the parish Planning Commission, Parish Council and the parish Board of Appeals collectively and parish government as defendants.

The suit also takes individual aim at first-term Parish President Clint Cointment, who recommended in public letters to the commission in March and to the Parish Council in July to deny the project over traffic concerns on La. 73 and the lack of parish government sewer service.

In the suit, the plaintiffs accuse Cointment of "likely improper influence" on appeal hearing testimony from parish staff and the parish's contract engineers, though the plaintiffs don't describe what that influence was.

The suit also alleges Cointment wrongfully joined the second of two closed-door sessions during that hearing on July 27 when the Parish Council received legal advice.

"His urging and/or physical presence influenced and dissuaded certain" Council members from casting a vote that would have supported the project by overturning the commission's decision, the suit alleges.

GONZALES The Ascension Parish Planning Commission rejected subdivision plans three times in 2016 on the grounds that construction of each wo

At both hearings in March and July, representatives of the Delaunes had contended they had followed all the parish's requirements for traffic, drainage, sewage and other matters.

But the parish staff and the parish consulting engineer said that without mitigation efforts from state highway officials, including the I-10 widening under construction and also changing traffic light timing on La. 73, the project would not comply with the traffic policy.

The Delaunes did offer to delay the occupancy of homes until 2022 and take other measures to delay the traffic impact on La. 73 until after I-10 was finished. Some parish officials, however, suggested then that the developer wait until I-10 was finished and conduct another study to see how traffic improved; others thought the subdivision met the policy's requirements or didn't want to risk a potentially costly lawsuit.

Ascension Parish Councilman Joel Robert offered one more apology Thursday night to the council secretary for his expletive-laden voicemail las

Rodney Mallett, spokesman for the state Department of Transportation and Development, said Tuesday the widening of I-10 is expected to be finished in November, weather permitting. He added that the developers have not requested light signalization changes on La. 73.

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When can Ascension Parish block new neighborhoods over traffic? A lawsuit puts it to the test - The Advocate

Tropical Storm Sally may be shifting eastward, but officials in Ascension Parish have been going through their standard hurricane preparations.

The pumps at the Marvin J. Braud Pumping Station went on shortly after 7 p.m. Sunday to begin lowering water levels in the east bank's bayous and canals and sand bag sites have been set up across the parish, a government spokesman said.

Parish officials pump down waterways so they are better able to handle runoff from heavy rain in major storms.U.S. Geological Survey streamgaugesin the New River Canal and in Bayou Francois and Black Bayou near Gonzales showed Monday morning that water levels had dropped about two feet since Sunday evening.

Pumping by the station in the McElroy Swamp in the southeastern corner of the east bank affects drainage in around 76 square miles of that side of the parish, including Gonzales, St. Amant and parts of southern Prairieville and greater Sorrento.

Martin McConnell, the spokesman, said 20 different sites have been set up. He added the parish hasn't been able to replenish the shipping containers that normally hold pre-filled bags. They were used for Hurricanes Marco and Laura a few weeks ago.

"All day, yesterday, we had three dump trucks running and bringing to various places around parish, so people have sand and bags," McConnell said.

The latest forecast track for Tropical Storm Sally shows the storm is still shifting east to a landfall near the Louisiana-Mississippi border,

Though Sally's eastward shift has lessened the risk of heavy rain and wind from a storm that is expected to develop into a slow-moving hurricane, the lower parts of Ascension still face some risk from expected storm surge of four to six feet in Lake Maurepas, the National Hurricane Center says.

Surge modeling from the the National Hurricane Center suggests lowest parts of Ascension, Livingston and St. James parishes could see between and more than 1 feet of water on the ground, though most of those ares are north of I-10 in St. James and the far lower reaches of Livingston and Ascension that are lightly populated swamps.

The National Weather Service office in Slidell says area west of Interstate 55 in Tangipahoa and St. John the Baptist parishes will see between 3 and 7 inches of rain as Sally makes landfall and heads inland. The National Hurricane Center says Ascension and neighboring St. James and Livingston parishes can expect around 2 inches over the next five days.

Parish officials also announced on Sunday that they would be accepting livestock at Lamar-Dixon Expo Center near Gonzales. Owners have to make an appointment to use the center to shelter their animals. Call (225) 450-1009.

GONZALES The dogs and cats of Cara's House, the Ascension Parish animal shelter, will be in their home away from home a little longer than e

The 265-acre complex, which has several horse and cattle shows each year and has several livestock barns, is already home to the parish animal shelter, Cara's House.

The shelter's animals were moved from their home location in Sorrento when Marco and Laura were threatening the state and hasn't yet returned. They occupy one of Lamar-Dixon's barns.

"We are not taking this turn for granted. Water and rain have always been big issue in Ascension Parish," McConnell said.

"We're ready to be ready," he added of the parish's preparations.

Local governments in the Baton Rouge area have begun offering sandbags or materials for sandbags to prepare for the arrival of Tropical Storm

Continue reading here:

'Ready to be ready' in Ascension: Pumps have begun lowering water levels as Sally turns east - The Advocate

Lets celebrate comic books

Visit any Ascension Parish Library location starting Monday, Sept. 21, and pick up a Comic Book Fun packet. Inside, find the instructions and materials you need to create your own comic book as well as a TV bingo sheet. Use the bingo sheet to play TV bingo while you watch an Inspector Gadget cartoon episode on Hoopla! Check out our Comic Book Fun YouTube video atyoutube.myapl.orgto find cool links to e-comic books and more.

Lets take a walk through the decades (1960-2020) at Ascension Parish Library. Come and experience the different eras with popular candy, toys and music during these specific time periods. Join the library staff in Gonzales from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.on Sept. 18, 19 and 21 and from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sept. 20.

This engaging and interactive experience is open to one family or group at a time. The room and all toys are cleaned between time slots. Call (225) 647-3955 to reserve your 20-minute time slot.

Join the Ascension Parish Library for the Build a Better Business Virtual Series of small-business workshops to be provided via Zoom. This series is made possible with a Libraries Lead with Digital Skills Grant through Grow with Google and the Public Library Association.

The grant initiative has also made it possible for the Ascension Parish Library to create its new Business Resource Center website to help small businesses succeed.

Benita Benta Rice, a profit and growth consultant, will be the guest speaker for this virtual series. Rice has over 20 years of corporate experience working with C-level executives in several roles asset management, management analyst and project management roles. This virtual series will provide small businesses with decision-making tools to manage and grow their businesses. Topics for the series include:

Creating a Financial Scoreboard: Using Numbers to Build a Better Business Session 2 on Sept. 16 at 6:30 p.m.

April 15 is Back Again: Maximizing the Benefits of Tax Reporting for Entrepreneurs Sept. 23 at 6:30 p.m.

How to Prevent your Business from Failing: Identifying Strategies and Systems to Grow your Business Sept. 30 at 6:30 p.m.

To register for these virtual sessions, visit the librarys new Business Resource Center website at http://www.aplbusinessresource.com under webinars. You can also register by calling the Donaldsonville location at (225) 473-8052. After registering, you will receive an email with more information on how to join the discussion via Zoom. If you happen to miss a class, training sessions will be recorded and can be viewed later on the Business Resource Center website.

Visit with local folk artist Alvin Batiste and help the Ascension Parish Library celebrate 60 years of library service. Batiste will be painting during the celebration in Donaldsonville from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 22.

A classic car display and other activities are also planned. For more information, call the library at (225) 473-8052.

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Around Ascension for Sept. 16, 2020 | Ascension | theadvocate.com - The Advocate

The nearly 3,000 people who were killed in the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and on United Airlines Flight 93 on Sept. 11, 2001, were honored Friday during a remembrance ceremony in Gonzales.

The 2020 Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony is too important an event to our county and our nation to be postponed or canceled by the pandemic," said Ascension Fire District 1 chairperson James E. LeBlanc. "Our nation was attacked, and we must never forget.

The event featured Gonzales Mayor Barney Arceneaux, Ascension Parish Assessor Mert Smiley, St. Amant Volunteer Fire Department Chaplain Ken Spivey and Ascension Parish Councilman John Cagnolatti and several other Ascension elected officials as guest speakers. The event was hosted by Ascension Funeral Home's Pete and Deidra Cole and Ralphs Supermarket. A flag was presented to the Geismar Volunteer Fire Department from the Ascension Funeral home.

Nineteen years ago, on Sept. 11, 2001, our world was forever changed, when we lost nearly 3,000 souls, during the horror we all witnessed as the twin towers came down, the Pentagon was attacked and a field in Pennsylvania felt the impact of a plane, meant for our nations capital that had its route altered through an example of true American heroism," LeBlanc said. We come together each year on Sept. 11 to honor and remember all of the innocent lives lost, the first responders who ran into danger to save their fellow man, with a promise to never forget this tragic day.

LeBlanc said that "on this day 19 years ago, 246 people went to sleep in preparation for their morning flights, 2,606 people went to sleep in preparation for work the next morning and 343 firefighters went to sleep in preparation for their morning shift."

"In one single moment life may never be the same," LeBlanc said." As you live and enjoy the breaths you take today, tonight before you go to sleep in preparation for your life tomorrow, kiss the ones you love, snuggle a little tighter and never take one second of your life for granted."

LeBlanc said residents should "never forget those we lost in the attack or those who sacrificed their lives to serve others. Sept. 11, 2001, and the many days to follow, demonstrated the full strength and bravery of the American people and proved that our spirit here in America, will never be broken."

As horrible as those attacks were, LeBlanc said, residents joined forces in unity. "I would like to remind all our Ascension Parish residents and our surrounding friends to go out and do something good for someone today. Be nice to one another, spread love, tolerate difference and look out for one another.

This year, more than ever, we should recognize the first responders who died in the line of duty on Sept. 11, 2001, as today their brother and sister first responders are putting their lives on the line every day, providing emergency response during the pandemic," he said. "We should never forget and always be thankful for those who run toward danger, at risk to themselves, to protect everyone else.

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9/11 remembrance ceremony pays tribute to people killed in 2001 terrorists attacks - The Advocate