Daily Archives: March 13, 2022

A vintage sugarcane planting machine one of 154 made by the Louisianan whose invention ended cane-planting's back-breaking hand labor has been brought back home to Ascension Parish, where it was built almost 60 years ago.

Getting the machine back to its roots has been a labor of love by the Walet farming family of Loreauville, which found the old planter on their land, hidden and overgrown by vines. The Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office, which brought the cane planter home by truck and trailer, then spent a year restoring it, and the River Road African American Museum in Donaldsonville, where it will be exhibited in the future.

And, just as important, has been the input of Leonard Julien Jr., the 80-year-old son of the inventor, who has been able to watch the machine's restoration over the last year and provide details about its design to the inmate trustees who "sandblasted it, re-blasted it and primed and painted it," said Julien.

The sugarcane planter was invented and patented by his father, Leonard Julien Sr., who farmed sugarcane in the community of Modeste near Donaldsonville and patented and built his machines, with the help of his brother, Harold, in the machine shop of a Donaldsonville mechanical engineer named John Wiggins.

"One of the machines planted more cane in a day than 12 men could," Julien said. "We used to plant it by hand. I did it."

Ascension Parish Sheriff Bobby Webre said that when he heard about the efforts to bring the old cane planter home and back in the limelight, he knew it would be a good project, providing valuable auto mechanic skills to inmate trustees.

"It was a year's project," Webre said. "It was down to the bare metal."

The planter, made in 1965, can't be operated anymore. Over time, winters froze and broke the engine block, Julien Jr. said.

But it looks to be in ship-shape now, painted its original bright red.

It was Kathe Hambrick, founder of the River Road African American Museum, who first learned of the cane planter.

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She got a call from Amaryllis Walet, whose late husband, Herman Walet, had farmed with the machine on his land near New Iberia for 35 years.

Amaryllis said her son discovered the sugarcane planter hidden in the fields, and she knew it belonged to history.

In 1999, her husband donated another of his sugarcane planters to the River Road African American Museum after he and his wife saw an exhibit about its inventor Leonard Julien Sr.

That sugarcane planter can now be seen at the West Baton Rouge Museum in Port Allen, where it was moved a few years ago to be housed in a protective tractor shed, Hambrick said.

A tractor shed will also be built at the River Road African American Museum for the newly found and restored cane planter, when it's moved to the Donaldsonville museum in the near future.

"It revolutionized the sugarcane industry," said Hambrick.

At some point, Farmer Walet of New Iberia had to replace grabber-like devices on the machine that would open and close to pull the sugarcane stalks into a chute to be dropped into the furrows of the field.

The devices were operated by a spring that stopped being manufactured at some point, so the farmer replaced them with non-moving pieces that resemble hands, called rakes, Julien Jr. said.

"I'm going to have the original pieces made and put back on the machine," Julien Jr. said,"built from my father's original pattern."

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It revolutionized the sugarcane industry. Now, the planting machine returns home to Ascension. - The Advocate

ASCENSION PARISH - A moratorium on new development comes to an end next month. The parish council voted for it in June to give some time to study traffic and drainage issues.

"In 30 years, we have literally doubled in size with no new infrastructure," District 6 Parish Councilman Chase Melancon said.

Since 2010, Ascension parish's population has grown by 2,000 people a year. The number of subdivisions and businesses have also grown wildly.

"We were allowing developments that did not make our community better but had effects on existing neighbors," Melancon said.

Melancon says the parish's building codes are outdated. Eight months ago, a moratorium set in place paused new plans.

Any developer who already had subdivided land or plans approved was still able to build during the moratorium, but the moratorium prevented anyone from subdividing land into new lots.

"We could have been allowing more development under the old codes which would cause more harm," Melancon said.

Major rainfalls have caused homes to flood in the last several years. The recent studies were meant to help solve drainage issues.

"We need to ensure we're not just having runoff, but we are holding the water for the same amount of time that the vacant property held before there was a development," Melancon said.

The new codes will be shown to the public during several open houses before the council votes on them.

"I think we'll have a red version. Existing and proposed, that way they can understand and ask questions," Melancon said.

During the Parish Council meeting on the 18th, the council will vote on the traffic codes and introduce the drainage codes.

The public will be allowed to voice their opinions, and the moratorium may be extended.

Residents have three opportunities to see the codes:

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Developers in Ascension may soon get the green light to build - WBRZ

Returnal is getting cooperative multiplayer and a new survival mode (dubbed The Tower of Sisyphus) in its upcoming 3.0 Ascension update, developer Housemarque announced at Sonys latest State of Play livestream.

The update marks the first significant addition of new content to the challenging sci-fi roguelike. A previous 2.0 update from last year focused instead of adding major quality of life additions, like the much-requested ability to suspend a run without losing your progress and a photo mode.

Co-op mode is online only, with no split-screen option available, which means that youll need internet and a PlayStation Plus subscription to team up with a friend to try and survive the murderous mysteries of Atropos. Players also wont be able to play cooperatively in the new Tower of Sisyphus area, the games first-person House sequences, and in challenge mode.

The Tower of Sisyphus, meanwhile, will offer players a series of 20 floors of increasingly difficultly that theyll be able to battle their way through presumably, with some new mysteries to uncover along the way.

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Returnal is getting co-op and a survival mode in a free 'Ascension' update - The Verge

Ascension Parish government is seeing a 50% increase in its property insurance rates for the new year even after it resorted to buying a third as much coverage and tapping multiple insurers to spread out risk, the parish's agent says.

The parish government, which avoided the hardest hit from Hurricane Ida last year, may feel the leading effects on government insurance rates after another threatening and destructive hurricane season hit south Louisiana.

In my 29 years of being in business, the current market conditions for property insurance are the worst that Ive ever seen, Bret Hughes, agent for Ascension government, said in a text message this past week.

In Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes, where Idas powerful winds had more bite even miles inland from the coast, some local governments say they are preparing for the worst or are already seeing it filter into new annual insurance premiums too.

Unlike Ascension government, Tangipahoa Parish government has individual policies for each of its buildings. Increases so far on about half of the buildings have ranged from 3% to 114% as policies have come up for renewal, according to a parish breakdown.

The policy on the parish Health Unit in Amite, which took a tree through the roof during Ida, more than doubled, boosting parish expenses on that one buildings policy by nearly $7,000.

Jeff McKneely, director of finance for Tangipahoa government, said the Health Units premium had been on track to quadruple. The parish insurance agent was able to shop it around and reduce it to a 114% increase over the previous years premium.

The parish governments experience is no different than that of many cities and towns this year, according to John Gallagher, executive director of the Louisiana Municipal Association.

They are also reporting similar experiences with their insurers afterHurricane Ida slammed the Louisianacoast on Aug. 29, following a run of other destructive hurricanes over the past two to three years.

LMA member communities across the state are telling the association, which has its own third-party risk management pool for other kinds of insurance needs, that property insurance costs are going up and many insurers are getting out of the municipal property market because of Ida and past storms.

"We're looking at possibly getting involved," Gallagher said, "and providing the coverage since regular insurance companies are getting out."

Hurricane Ida caused $36 billion in insured losses, the second most for any hurricane in U.S. history, according to theInsurance Information Institute, an insurance industry trade group.

Early modeling estimates put Louisiana's loses at $18 billion, according to the firm Karen Clark and Co., but later estimates push the number closer to $20 billion.

The Category 4 storm, which killed 26 people, is one of19 named stormsthat made landfall in the U.S. in 2020 and 2021 and was part of a hurricane season that had 21 named storms, third most in history, theNational Weather Service says.

The storms potent winds sustained for a time at 150 mph knocked out power for 1.2 million ratepayers in the state.

The string of storms also comes as a key United Nations panel continues to issue increasingly dire warnings about the impact global climate change will have on sea level rise and the states already eroding coastline as hurricanes are also ratcheted up in frequency and intensity.

Ida hit the private homeowner market hard, as tens of thousands of homes were damaged by high winds and flood water.

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Inflation and high labor and materials costs have strained insurers resources, state insurance regulators have said, and three regional insurers have been placed in receivership by the state due to their financial problems. Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance, the states insurer of last resort, was projected late last year to have nearly half billion dollars in losses.

But, data from the state Department of Insurance suggests homeowner rates hadnt gone up too much, about 6.7%, on average, at the end of 2021.

Department of Insurance officials said they have received calls from homeowners about large premium increases, but most have been due to significant increases in the value of the property insured.

One of the problems some agents for governments are identifying is finding insurers willing to take on a lot of risk in south Louisiana.

Hughes, the Ascension Parish government insurance agent, told the Parish Council earlier this month that he couldn't find one insurer to provide all of the $153 million in property coverage that the parish had last year, despite reaching out to more than 40 companies.

A leading broker for other local governments, U.S. Risk, is being told the same thing that he was told by insurers, Hughes added.

"We were literally told by every market we went to, 'You cannot get $153 million in coverage this year for Ascension Parish. It is not possible. You need to figure out, Bret, what's your worst-case scenario and insure that,'" said Hughes, owner of Hughes Insurance Services in Gonzales.

Hughes asked insurers and others to model that worst-case level of risk about $50 million in losses in one event and then he spread the risk over 11 different insurers, or what is called insurance layers.

Chuck LeBlanc, the Ascension Parish School Boards insurance agent, said he too is seeing this capacity problem.

He asserted that continued reports about the impact climate change may have on Louisiana is making reinsurers, like Lloyds of London, which back up insurance companies, skittish even if they are only being asked to take a share of the risk.

And it used to be easy. We could fill (the insurance layers) up right quick, but everybodys kind of, you know It goes back to capacity, said LeBlanc, an agent and part owner of Bourg Insurance Agency in Ascension.

In a market with rising property insurance premiums, large school boards, like Ascension and Livingston parishes, could face significant costs with dozens of schools that often have many buildings at each site.

Ascension Parish schools, for instance, have about $740 million in property, dwarfing the value in parish government, which owns courthouses, the parish jail and other public buildings.

LeBlanc said he is still trying keep increases for the school system at 20% to 25% but may have to cut insured values to do it.

Wendy Gill, risk manager for Livingston Parish schools, said that parish system saw a small increase in October to insure its 45 school sites worth a combined $347 million.

Gill, however, said the system has been told by its agent to expect a bigger increase next October once the full impact of Ida is felt, perhaps in the range of 20% to 30%.

They gave us a warning that its coming, she said.

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Property insurance for Amite Health Unit more than doubled. Ida is affecting government rates. - The Advocate

NASHVILLE, Tenn. & LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ascension Saint Thomas has entered into a strategic agreement with Southwest Value Partners and AEG, joint venture partners and co-developers of the Nashville Yards entertainment district and music venue, to become a Founding Partner of the 18-acre Nashville Yards as well as the exclusive naming rights partner for the projects open plaza and green space, to be known as Ascension Saint Thomas Landing. As part of the multi-year agreement, brokered by AEG Global Partnerships, Ascension Saint Thomas will serve as the developments official healthcare partner.

As a Founding Partner, a premium and category exclusive designation, Ascension Saint Thomas will be prominently featured at Nashville Yards with custom brand integration across the development. This will include year-round exposure within the developments signage network and messaging within Nashville Yards mobile app and digital channels.

The agreement will also expand the health systems footprint into downtown Nashville with a forthcoming on-site clinic within the developments retail footprint. Ascension Saint Thomas and Nashville Yards will work collaboratively on new initiatives that promote positive health outcomes, encourage overall healthy living, and increase access to quality healthcare to meet the needs of the rapidly growing community.

Ascension Saint Thomas has a long-standing commitment to community partnerships with the goal of making innovative and personalized care accessible to all Middle Tennesseans, said Tim Adams, president and CEO, Ascension Saint Thomas. We are excited to bring best-in-class resources to those who live and work in downtown Nashville through this partnership.

We are thrilled to partner with Ascension Saint Thomas, with whom we so completely share a commitment to health and community, said Cary Mack, managing partner, Southwest Value Partners. We look forward to together elevating the quality of life for residents and visitors alike at Nashville Yards.

Ascension Saint Thomas Landing is a major cornerstone of the partnership and will provide the leading health system with a significant opportunity to introduce millions of people to various health and wellness events. With a beautifully landscaped open area for guests to enjoy, the Landing will span the west side of the project from Broadway to Church Street and will serve as a welcoming front door to Nashville Yards.

Ascension Saint Thomas will engage guests through various entertainment touch points, while strengthening its ties to Nashvilles vibrant urban core. These will include custom on-site activations and impactful community events that benefit the people and businesses of Nashville, such as curated concerts, speaker series and unique event programming at the developments 4,000-capacity, state-of-the-art live music venue.

Ascension Saint Thomas has been a highly respected leader in the Nashville community for more than a century and we could not be prouder to welcome them to the Nashville Yards family of partners, said Scott Emery, senior director, AEG Global Partnerships. At the center of this agreement lies a mutual commitment to community. Together, we look forward to helping people live their healthiest lives possible, bringing new forms of engagement and healthcare to our guests at Nashville Yards, and working hand in hand to give back and make a positive impact for generations to come.

To learn more about Nashville Yards, visit http://www.nashvilleyards.com or follow @NashvilleYards on Twitter and Instagram.

About Ascension Saint Thomas

Ascension Saint Thomas operates 11 hospital campuses in Tennessee with a 12th underway, in addition to a comprehensive network of affiliated joint ventures, medical practices, clinics and rehabilitation facilities that cover a 45-county area and employ more than 8,500 associates. Across the state, Ascension Saint Thomas provided more than $154 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. Serving Tennessee for 22 years, Ascension is a Catholic healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable.

About Nashville Yards

Nashville Yards is an 18-acre project located in the heart of downtown Nashville. When complete, the project will be a walkable, urban community featuring high-end hospitality offerings, including the 591-room luxury Grand Hyatt Nashville and the newly renovated Union Station Nashville Yards; exceptional retail and restaurant options; a world-class entertainment district and concert venue developed in partnership with AEG; and creative and Class-A+ office space anchored by Amazon Nashville and a new multi-tenant office tower that will include the future headquarters of Pinnacle Financial Partners and Bass, Berry & Sims. The development will also offer 7 acres of open plazas, courtyards, and green spaces. To learn more about Nashville Yards, visit http://www.nashvilleyards.com or follow @NashvilleYards on Twitter and Instagram.

About AEG

Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, AEG is the world's leading sports and live entertainment company. The company operates in the following business segments: Facilities, which through its affiliation with ASM Global, owns, manages or consults with more than 300 preeminent arenas, stadiums, convention centers and performing arts venues around the world; Music through AEG Presents, which is dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performances, including producing and promoting global and regional concert tours, music and special events and world-renowned festivals such as the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival; Real Estate, which develops world-class venues, as well as major sports and entertainment districts like Crypto.com Arena and L.A. LIVE, Mercedes Platz in Berlin and The O2 in London; Sports, as the world's largest operator of high-profile sporting events and sports franchises including the LA Kings, LA Galaxy and Eisbren Berlin; and Global Partnerships, which oversees worldwide sales and servicing of sponsorships including naming rights, premium seating and other strategic partnerships. Through its worldwide network of venues, portfolio of powerful sports and music brands and its integrated entertainment districts, AEG entertains more than 160 million guests annually. More information about AEG can be found at http://www.aegworldwide.com.

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Ascension Saint Thomas and Nashville Yards Announce Founding Partnership - businesswire.com

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. THE PLAYERS Championship gives local charities a way to raise awareness during tournament week and each day the tournament highlights a different charity of the day.

Thursdays charity of the day is the Ascension St. Vincent Foundation.

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The foundation has been able to help the underserved community throughout Northeast Florida.

Their mobile health outreach ministry is basically a doctors office on wheels.

Its staffed with physicians and nurses to provide primary care and medication to those in need, especially in rural counties.

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Nurse Claudia Portell gave us look inside the Ascension St. Vincent mobile health outreach ministry.

This is where we would do a patient check in. So, think like at your doctors office where you have your blood pressure, your height, and your weight, all that. We would do that here, Portell said.

All the necessary equipment is on board including an exam room.

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Virginia Hall, the President of the Ascension St. Vincents Foundation, said the pandemic has only increased the number of patients these mobile units serve.

Last year, the mobile health clinics helped more than 5,900 hundred patients.

What were seeing is a lot of patients who maybe had insurance at one time and now they dont and maybe theyre only working part time because of family issues, Hall said.

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The foundation helps those who are uninsured and from low-income families and for many of those patients, transportation is an issue.

We try to eliminate that as a barrier, so we take our mobile units to the communities where the patients need to the services, Portell said.

Photos: Day 1 at THE PLAYERS Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach

THE PLAYERS Championship Day 1 THE PLAYERS Championship Day 1

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Ascension St. Vincents Foundation is Thursdays charity of the day at THE PLAYERS Championship - ActionNewsJax.com

After the 104-119 loss last night to the Toronto Raptors, All-Star Dejounte Murray noted You got to fight, NBA, next man up... We tried, but thats a long talented team thats been together. They all get to their spots, whether its driving, kicking or finding the open man.

While much of the fanbase eagerly anticipates the offseason moves and draft picks that await San Antonio, lets continue to appreciate what our young stars bring to the table nightly:

Midway through the first stanza, Keldon re-located on the wing and let fly a quick(er) release that would make Chip Engelland proud:

After a sweet Josh Richardson block, Johnson spaced out appropriately and found a lane to jam it home on a retreating Toronto defense:

Murray continues to carry the team mightily. Despite the suboptimal team results, the All-Star guard is doing what he can to ensure the team has any chance of reaching the play-in game with his two-way brilliance.

Putting defenders in the spin-cycle? CHECK

One-Man Transition Hero? CHECK

Getting to his spots to stack buckets? CHECK

Getting wherever he wants and needs to while exhausting his defender? CHECK

Lonnie Walker IV continued to be a spark off the bench and soars highest in transition:

Heres to seeing more of these sweet corner threes and other silky shots down the stretch from Devin Vassell:

Though we were denied (for now) Coach Popovichs record setting victory, we know that this shirt will still make the rounds until the next Spurs win:

More importantly, we still had the 39th birthday celebration from our favorite pants-optional mascot, The Coyote!

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Keldon Johnsons ascension to second fiddle next to Dejounte Murray - Pounding The Rock