ADVOCATE ADVOCATEADVOCATE THE
Darlene Denstorff
Master Gardener course planned
ALouisiana Master Gardener training course will be held in Ascension Parish this fall. The Louisiana Master Gardener Program is avolunteer development program offered by the LSU AgCenter Master Gardener volunteers are trained and provide proven, research-based educational programs and outreach.
Classes are scheduled Tuesday mornings from 9a.m. to noonat the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales beginning Aug. 6 through October
For more information or to receive andapplication contact LSU AgCenter Horticulture Agent Mariah Simoneaux at (225) 621-5799 or MJSimoneaux@agcenter.LSU.edu
SweetSpotCocktailTrail
The Ascension ParishTourism Commission’sSweet Spot Cocktail Trail is underway.To take part, order the “Sweet Spot Cocktail” at participating businesses through July 31,and receive astamp in your cocktail trail passport.
Purchase any 10 of the cocktails, get astamp on your passport and turn in your passport to receive agift and to be entered into thegrand prize giveaway valued at over $600. All completed passports must be turned in by July 31 to be entered into the grand prize drawing. Youmust be 21 years of age to participate. Visit visitlasweetspot.com/cocktailtrail for information.
Blood Driveset
Ascension Parish’sdepartment of public works is holding ablood drive from 7a.m.to noonJuly 31.
For information, call (225) 765-8843.
Back to school fests
Ascension 4Youth Fest’s Back-2-School Bashes are planned for Gonzales andDonaldsonville.
The Gonzales fest is setfor 10 a.m. to 2p.m. Saturday at the Gonzales Civic Center,219 S Irma Blvd. The celebration will continue 10 a.m. to 2p.m.Aug. 3atthe WagCenter,1201 Maginnis St., Donaldsonville.
The events willincludefood music, hair cuts, schools uniforms, physicals, immunizations and giveaways of school supplies.
ä See AROUND, page 3G
EVERYBODY IN THEPOOL
TorrenceThomas, swim instructor,explains aswimmingstroke to Rodney Sparrow, 15, whoishearing
by Tankproof organization at Jambalaya Park in Gonzales on July 10.
lessonsinGonzalesthankstoformerDutchtown High grads
BY CAMILLEMILLIGAN
Contributing writer
Thesedays, Torrence and Thurman Thomas areknown nationwide for their soulfully funky and increasingly successful musicduo THEBROSFRESH, but here,the Ascension Parish nativescontinue to maketheir
mark by offering freeswimminglessons and food resources through their nonprofit organization,Tankproof.
In theearly days of Tankproof, theThomas twins soldtheir band merch just to cover the cost of swimming lessons. Now, theorganizationhas growninto anational nonprofit hostingfree swimming lessons in Louisiana, Texas, New York, California and Washington. The lessons in Louisiana took Free swimming
The Thomas twins started Tankproof after recognizing a need forbetter aquatics education in their community,especially for children and minorities.
“The recreation of swimming
gets passed downthrough generations,”TorrenceThomassaid.
“Studies show if mom learnshow to swim thenkid learns how to swim.Eventually what happens is that thecommunity becomes morewater safe and water aware and water confident.”
TouchATruck eventfocuses communityonschoolsupplies
BY WENDYLOUP
Contributing writer
VolunteerAscension hostedits 26th annual school supply collection this weekend while also giving childrenthe opportunity to climb on top of fire trucks and explore the inside of aSWATvan.
The Touch ATruck event was Saturday at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales. Local law enforcement agencies,the Ascension Parish Library and local businesses provided information abouttheir services,aswell as collected school supply donations.
Volunteer Ascensionpartnered with Ochsner Health and the Ascension Parish Sheriff’sOffice for the event.
“The Touch aTruckevent is important because having school supplies is so importantand people don’trealize how expensive supplies are,” said TiaStarr,director of operations over clinics for Ochsner Health.
Another benefittothe eventisfor childrento have the opportunity to look at law enforcement
trucks in-person.
“It’sfun for the children to open up possibilities and see the different law enforcement vehicles,” Starr added. “The children can seethey areall trustedpeople.
Supplies collected, distributed
On Friday,enough supplies were collected to fill atrailer at the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office’s District2substation on Airline Highway,according to Volunteer Ascension ExecutiveDirector Sherry Denig.
The supplies collected on bothFriday and Saturday will be sorted and distributed equally among the kindergarten through eighth grade Ascension Parish schools, Denig said.
Volunteer Ascension has collected morethan $740,000 in school supplies since 1997.
Supporting theneed Fifth grade ELAteacher Haley Babin, of
ä See SUPPLIES, page 6G
Hunter Babin, of Thibodaux, holds 2-year-old son Waylon, during Saturday’s TouchA Truck school supplycollectionatthe Lamar-Dixon Expo Center.Volunteer Ascension partnered with locallaw enforcement agencies to collect school supplies
Teen establishesLittleFreeLibrary to improveaccesstobooks
lovedit.”
BY CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT Staff writer
ASorrento teenager recently unveiledthe town’sfirst “Little Free Library,” hoping to help improve the community’s access tofreebooks
The library,which is asmall,outdoor book exchange located by the Sorrento Community Center on Main Street, is open 24/7 and is part of awider movement led by aMinnesotanonprofit. Alongside the help of community members, Olivia Kidder,15, was the drivingforce behind theproject andunveiled it July 15
“I think it’sgoing to be,like,very helpful for the community,” Kidder said Tuesday about the grand opening. “Everyone that was there
Kidder,who won the title of MissTeen Boucherie Queen at Sorrento’sfestival last year,said theidea beganwhenshe sawalittle freelibrary on aCalifornia trip lastsummer
These book exchange boxes, organized by the Little Free Library nonprofit,aim to combat low literacy rates through free access to books.A few already exist in Ascension Parish, but Kidderwanted to help improve literacy rates by establishing thefirst in Sorrento.
“I started researching literacy ratesinLouisiana, andI realizedhow low they were,” she said.“And so, Iwas wondering howwecould fix this.” Afirstfor Sorrento
ä See BOOKS, page 2G
Miss Teen Boucherie Olivia Kidder, 15, was the driving force behind a newLittle Free Library erected in Sorrento. PROVIDED PHOTO
PHOTO BY APRIL BUFFINGTON
impaired,during swim lessons provided
PHOTO BY WENDYLOUP
ä See POOL, page 2G
PROVIDED PHOTO
Twins Thurman and Torrence Thomas, Dutchtown High alumni, attend the Grammys at the invitation of Google,according to mother Connie King.The brothers performas THEBROSFRESH.
POOL
Continued from page1G
place earlier this month at Jambalaya Park in Gonzales. More than 250childrentoparticipated.
In addition to providing swimming lessons, Tankproof also works to eliminate food insecurity in underserved areas.Bypartnering with grocery stores, local restaurants, women’sshelters, veteran’shomes andmore, the organization redistributes food resourcesto alleviate need and reduce waste.
Thetwins hope to go to greaterdepthswith both their aquatics and food endeavors and possibly expand the scope of Tankproof as awhole.
“Our goals for the future of Tankproof, I thinknumber oneistogodeeper into the communities we arealreadyestablished in, and thentwo,tobeable to expand toreach even more markets, reach more kidsand establishnew relationships there,” Thurman Thomas said.
When they aren’tonTankproof’s summertime swim tour,the twinsare occupiedwriting music, planning meetings, playingshows and even going on their own tours as amusic duo. This August, THEBROSFRESHwill play in Europe for the first time. Theycredit ahardworking team at Tankproof fortheir ability to focus on their music.
“Our team is so good, we’ve been blessed to not have to be in the weeds as much nowadays,”Torrence Thomas said. “Wehelp raise themoney,and we help wavethe bannerof the organization.”
Despite their daily work as professional musicians, the Thomas twins are primarily motivated by the endeavors and impactsof Tankproof.
“It really hits home thefact that the organization is doing realworktochangelives,” Torrence Thomassaid. “That’sthe bestpart to me. Ilove entertainingpeople.
“I love playinginfront of thousands of fans and crowds andall that stuff, butthe real work and the real reward forusisthe work we get to do with Tankproof tobeable to adequately and correctly service communities in the way that we can get them services that weren’tthere before,” he continued.“Thatis ahuge advantage of havingthisorganization and reallyour passion behindit.”
BOOKS
Continued from page1G
According to aJune news release by the Louisiana Department of Education, around 54 %ofstudents between kindergarten and third grade were reading at their grade level at the end of theschool year. And Sorrento does not have its own library,though the Ascension Public Library has amobile library thatvisits the town. Kidder’smom, LaDawna, said therole of Miss Teen Boucherie Queen involves supportingthe local community and networking with other communities around the state. Together,with town approval, the two applied for agrant with the Little Free Librarynonprofit on behalf of the Sorrento Boucherie Festivaltoreceivesupplies to build their own.
Kidder also reachedout tothe Sorrento Volunteer Fire Department to see if they would bring the fire truck to the grand opening. They also decided to help collectbooks for the library In astatement viaemail, Chief Jeremiah Erfle said Kidder “put in
all the work and research” but he was happy to help with whatever needed to be done.
“I …reached outtomyvolunteers, asked if anyone had books
thattheywould like to donate, and told them that we were asked to participate in this event,” he wrote. “… The response was outstanding from the members,
between donating the books and spreading the word about our new LittleLibrary.Ican’task for anything better,weabsolutely love beinginvolvedinour community.”
Email Christopher Cartwright at christopher.cartwright@ theadvocate.com.
Torrence Thomas, swim instructor and co-founder of Tankproof, shows swimmers strokes during lessons.
Swimmers and instructors gather after lessons.
Swimmers takeabreak during lessons
PHOTOSBYAPRIL BUFFINGTON
Robbie Larks, swim instructor,guides Cedric Lomas, 17, during swim lessons provided by Tankproof organization at JambalayaPark in Gonzales on July 10.
BY CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT Staff writer
Eight years and $118 million later,Prairieville High School and its mascot —the Hurricanes —have arrived inAscension Parish.
Officials unveiled the long-awaited addition to the parish at aribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday,withafocus on establishing aculture in acommunity with distinctive school spirit and rivalries.
“I tell our students of theculture that we’regoing to build,” Principal Randall “Randy” Loving said. “Everytime wedo something, that’sgoingtobeafirst,so there’sthat excitement.”
Pullingstudents from Dutchtown, East Ascension and St. Amant high schools,the school will have over 1,300 students attend this fall, according to Jackie Tisdell, Ascension schools spokeswoman. In adedicationspeech, Superintendent Edith Walker said the 65-acreschool has been in the works since 2016. Butshe brought attentiontothe originalPrairieville School, an all-Black school that operated at the current site of Prairieville Middle School from 1951 until 1966.
“That campus servedasaschool for African American students in grades one through 12,” she explained. “Prairieville Highclosed after graduating its last class in 1966.”
Graduates of the original school, including Shirley Stephens Jackson, were honored at Thursday’sceremony Jackson, who graduated in 1960, said the former school didn’thave agym until around1959, and the cafeteria wasused for various school events, including assemblies. Althoughata different location, visiting the new Prairieville High School brought back memories for her “It still brought me back to the time when Iwas at Prairieville HighSchool. Different place, but Igot the samefeeling,” she said.
Doris Derozan Holland Green, also from the class of 1960, agreed.
“All the memories are still there. Ithink they will alwaysbethere because it was agood timeinyour life.You were young,
AROUND
Continued from page1G
Found astray?
Cara’sHouse animal shelter is offering anew program to help reduce its shelter population and provide care for lost or abandoned animals. The Found aStray program encouragespeople who find alost pet to call the shelter and posted the animal. For information,
you were active and youwere moving forward,” she said. “You were looking forwardtonot onlygraduating from college, but to getting ajob and having afamily or whatever.Itwas awonderful time.”
During Thursday’s event,incomingsenior CarolinePalmer honored thegraduates with ashort speech, saying she looked forward to building traditions.
“The wholecommunity is ready for this school,” she said. “I’m so excited.”
The school is one of three unveilings being held thissummer.Last week, officials cut the ribbon for the new East Ascension High School. AndrenovationstoDonaldsonville High School will be unveiled at 5p.m.Aug. 6.
As attendees toured the grounds,Loving reflected on what aspects fromthe surrounding schools he wanted to incorporate in Prairieville’sfuture, mentioning East Ascension’sspirit, Dutchtown’sacademic
call Cara’sHouse at (225) 675-0400. Cara’sHouse provides for all theanimal’s needswhile it’sunderfoster care.
Read RenewRepeat
The Ascension Parish Library summer reading program is themed Read Renew Repeat. Eventsare planned to explore the natural world, learn how to conserve resources and reflect on our own journey
Youcan read or listen to
books, audiobooksormagazines and track your reading at myAPL.beanstack. org or in the Beanstack app. Youmay also use a print log available at all library locations. The last day to log summer reading is July 31.
Contact Darlene Denstorff by phone, (225) 388-0215 or (225) 603-1998; or email, ascension@theadvocate. com or ddenstorff@ theadvocate.com. Deadline: 5p.m. Friday
achievement and the “St. Amant way.” “We’re looking to meldfrom the schools that we took our students from,” he said.
looking to take the things that were successful and emulate those things to help build ourculture. But eventually,
we’re going to have our own culture and it’sgoing to be the Hurricane way.”
Email Christopher Cartwright at christopher.cartwright@theadvocate. com.
Ascension Superintendent of Schools EdithWalker, center,and Prairieville Principal RandyLoving cutribbon at thenew school.
STAFFPHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT
Ascension Parish School District Superintendent Edith Walker,East Ascension High School Principal Lauren LambertAvery,school board membersand others gathered July 12 to cut the ribbon on the buildings at the Gonzales high school.
SCHOOLS
AscensionParish school system earns communicationawards
Community news report
Ascension Parish Public Schools
recently earned five national communication awards from the National School Public Relations Association.
The school system was recognized with aGolden Achievement Award and four Publicationsand Digital Media Excellence Awards, celebrating the district’sachievementsinschoolpublic relations, communication, marketing and engagement, according to anews release.
“Weare incredibly excited and honored to receive national recognition for our Public Information Office,” AscensionPublic Schools SuperintendentEdithM Walker said. “Winning theprestigious Golden AchievementAward for our election campaign, along with four additional awards for digital and publication excellence, is atestament to the high caliber of work our teamofcommunication professionals consistently achieves.
“Weare thrilled that they have the skills and talent to share the stories of this great school district with such outstanding quality,” she added.
NSPRA’s Golden Achievement Award recognizes exceptional strategic work in all facets of school communications. This award is given to districts that demonstrate excellence increating and implementing comprehensive communication plansthat engage stakeholders and promote public education, according to the release.
In addition to the Golden Achievement Award, Ascension Public Schools also received recognition through NSPRA’s Publications and Digital Media Excellence Awards. These awards commend the district’shigh-quality tactical materials, including publications, newsletters,videos, websites and social media content
The district’sinnovative and effectivecommunication strategies have been instrumentalinkeepingthe communityinformed and engaged, according to therelease.
According to NSPRA, this year saw arecord number of entries submitted across both award programs,highlighting the competitive nature of the 2024 awards.
The followingare Ascension’s awards from NSPRA: 2024 Golden Achievement Award
Ascension Parish Public Schools, Donaldsonville, submitted by: Jackie Tisdell, publicinformation officer; Danielle Evans, digitalmediacoordinator;and Delia Taylor consultant
Award Entry: AchieveSuccess Together Campaign
This campaign was for the renewal of three property taxes dedicated to funding salaries, technology,and facilitiesonMarch 25, 2023. The district’s Public Information Office, in collaboration with Taylor Media Services, crafted acomprehensive commu-
nications plan aimed at engaging both internal and external stakeholders. Key messaging included the unwavering commitment to preserving academicexcellence through strategic investments in people and resources. The campaign was successful with 81% of voters supporting all three millage renewals.
2024 Publications andDigital Media
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Category: Excellence in Writing; submitted by: Tisdell; Taylor Rubach, public information coordinator; andEvans Award Entry: The Best of Both Worlds
This article in the 2024 edition of ASCEND magazine features the Early College Option program. The dual enrollment program with River ParishCommunity College allows students to simultaneously earn ahigh school diploma and an associatedegree. Oneofthe goals of thearticle was toshow students can still participateintraditional high school programs like athletics while attending school on the RPCC campus, getting the best of both worlds.
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Category: Video (produced with acontractor);submitted by: Tisdell and AnntoineMarketing, contractor Award Entry: Ascension’sCareer Tech Program Recruitment Video
This video highlights some of the more than 50 different credentials that students can earn while still in high school in Ascension. Through images of studentsinunique classroom settings to interviews with recent graduates of theprogram, students get an introduction to these opportunities.
AWARD OF MERIT
Category:Social Media
Submitted by: Tisdell, Evans and Rubach
Award Entry: Education Support Professionals Social Media Campaign
This social media recognition for National Education Support Professionals Day spotlighted individuals fromfour integral noninstructional departments: Business Services, Human Resources, Planningand Construction, and Supply Chain. Through insightful interviews and striking photography,the aim was to illuminate the invaluablecontributions these departments make to classroom education, allowing them to tell their stories in their own words.
AWARDOFMERIT
Category:Photo
Submitted by: Tisdell
Award Entry: Lead. Overcome. Educate. Serve.
This photo was taken during Lowery Elementary School’scelebration of achieving its highest School Performance Score to date, a62, giving the school its first “C” grade. The photo alsofeatures a teacher wearing ashirtwith the school’smotto: Lead. Overcome. Educate. Serve.
Boogie Boards anew tool for children at Lake Elementary
Communitynewsreport
Amanda Martinez’ssecond graders at Lake Elementary often “just boogie while theywork” in her math and social living classes thanks to tools purchased with money from the Ascension Fund.
The students use BoogieBoards during classto record their thoughts, solve problems and interact with their peers.
Martinez’sstudents work with theseboards during whole-classinstruction, smallgroup and independent practice. The boards, at times, can replace dry erase boards, which have excited the students to have anew tool to work on.
“Students get excited when it’stime to boogie and work, having anew hands-on tool to express their thinking on,” Martinez said in anews release. “Students can carry the boards around the classroom since they are lightweight andsmall, without making amess.
“Studentsalsoenjoy moving around theroom when they can to explore new opportunities in their lessons,” she added. “The boards help assist the students in various interactions.”
Funds forthis $1,000 grant were provided by the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation through the Ascension Fund. TheAscension Fund is anonprofit organization established in 1991 by the Gonzales Rotary Club as an instrument forprivate sector leaders toinvest directlyinthe workofindividual teachers and schools through grants for innovative ideas and programs in Ascension Parish public schools. Teacher Grants of $500 or $1000 and School Impact Grants of $2,500 are awarded on an annual competitive basis.
Communitynewsreport
St. John Primary and St. Theresa Middle schools have named Amanda Lambert as their recipient of the 2024 Mother Seton Award.
The Mother Seton Award is sponsored each year by the Diocesan Home and School Associationtohonor individuals’ volunteer service and dedication to home,school and church.
The honoree espouses gospel
values and emulates the qualitiesofSt. Elizabeth AnnSeton, the first native-borncitizen of the United States to be canonized by the Roman Catholic Church, anews release said.
For over seven years, Lambert has given selflessly of her time to both St. John Primary and St. Theresa Middle, the release said. She serves with Home and School on various committees, is head of the Sharing and Caring Committee
for both campuses and has facilitated the yearly Catholic School Week Masses at St. Theresa of Avila Church.
She holds aseat on the SJP/ STASchool Advisory Board. All of this is accomplished while she teaches full-time Quest for Success, AP Human Geography,and Educators Rising classes at the high school level. Her family is parishioners at St. Theresa of Avila in Gonzales. Her daughter,Ella, is graduating eighth gradefromSt. Theresa Middle this year
Community news report
Matthew Monceaux has beenappointed the new director ofmiddle schools effective July 1, Ascension Parish Public Schools announced
“Dr.Monceaux is aproven leader with aremarkable trackrecord of success in every endeavor he has undertaken. His extensive knowledge of both middle and high schools will be avaluable asset to this important position. We look forward to the positive impact his leadership will bring to our middle schools,” said Superintendent Edith M. Walker
Originally from Crowley,Monceaux moved to the area to attend LSU, where he earned abachelor’sdegree in historyin2006 and amaster’sdegree in education in 2007. He further advanced his education by earning adoctorate of education from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2017. Monceaux has dedicated his educational careertoAscensionPar-
ish. Hebegan asasocial studies teacher at Dutchtown High School andthen served as an assistant principal at both LoweryMiddle School and East Ascension High School. He later held the position of associate principal at St. Amant HighSchool. Monceauxwas instrumental in openingBluff Middle School as its first principal and subsequently served as principal of Dutchtown High School, a news release said. He is marriedtoHeidi Monceaux, and they have four children: Hayden, Jeremy, Ella and Avey
“I am truly humbled by the trust you have placed in me and am committed to performing my duties to the best of my abilities. Iam dedicated to serving our students teachers, and all faculty members in this district with utmost dedication,” said Monceaux. “I eagerly lookforwardtoembracing this new roleand am profoundly thankful for thechance to contribute.”
Communitynewsreport
St.Theresa and St.JohnPrimary schoolshave named their Neighbors WayAward recipients.
For thepast several years, St. John Primary and St. Theresa Middle, in conjunction with NeighborsFederal Credit Union, have presented the Neighbors WayAwardtostudentsand staff members who best exemplify the ideals of “integrity,respect,trust, stability, communityinvolvement, honesty,empathy, ethical behavior and fairness,” anews release said.
“Weare pleased to participate in this outstanding program and thank Neighbors Federal Credit Union for their effort to honor those who go the extra mile to make adifference and demonstrate atrue concern for their community,” anews release said. “This year’saward winners per-
fectly embody these ideals.” Finn Stromberg and Giana Acosta werenamed eighthgrade recipients. Kim Rome, principal of St. John Primary,was chosen as the faculty/staff recipientfor St John Primary and Micha Ballow, principal of St. Theresa Middle,
was named the faculty/staff recipient of St. Theresa Middle.
“The faculty,staff and students acknowledge that all these recipients go the extra mile to make adifference both at school and in the community,” the release added.
Monceaux
PROVIDED PHOTO
LakeElementarystudents Keller Delaune, Rafe Hughes, Vayda Maynard and AnnieJohnson use Boogie Boards.
St. John Primary/St.Theresa Middle announce Mother Seton Award winner
Lambert
Theresa, St. John NeighborsWay Award
PROVIDED
Receiving the Neighbors WayAware are, from left, Micha Ballow, Giana Acosta, Finn Stromberg and Kim Rome.
STAFFPHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON
receiver Trey’Dez Green (28), shown in Oct. 2023, will be at ameet and greet at Tanger Outlets in Gonzales on July 27.
63rd Kids FishingRodeo setfor July 27 in Geismar
The East Ascension Sportsmen’sLeague’s 63rd Kids Fishing Rodeo is set for July 27 at Twin Lake Mobile Home Estates. This free fishing tournament, open to children ages 2to14, is held at 37313 La. 74. Registration begins at 6:30 a.m. and fishing is from 7a.m. to 9a.m.
Doughnuts and goody bags are available at registration
Childrenwill needto have either acane pole or arod and reel. Crickets willbeprovided, or you can bring your own live bait, but no artificial lures areallowed for the competition. Children will also need abucket to hold thefish they catch. Parents should
bring lawn chairs, hats, plenty of sunscreen, and cold water to drink while fishing. Parents will be able to helptheirchild baitthe hook, but the child must be the one to land the fish. Youwon’twant to throw back any fish, because no matter how small, every fish caught will be weighed and counted. There are lots of prizes
and trophies so that no child will leave thetournament empty-handed, a news release said. Among the many prizes, there are six bicycles to be awarded for ages 2to10. Afterthe fishingends, jambalaya, hot dogs and water will be served. The program encourages families to share in the joy of fishing with the next generation.
The following people were booked into the Ascension Parish Jail on July 11-18:
JULY11
CARTER, CHRISTIAN JEWEL: 15466 RoyRogers Road, Prairieville; 33; failuretoappearbench warrant, domestic abuse battery
HAYES,BRIENA NICOLE: 42416 Baystone Ave.,Prairieville; 39; simple burglary
BERGERON, HAYDEN R.: 1918
W. Carriage House Drive, Baton Rouge; 30; twocounts failure to appear-bench warrant
CASSELBERRY, JOSEPH: 11362
E. Paula St., St. Amant; 69; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction
JULY12
JOHNSON, JAZZLYN RA-
CHAUNA: 1509N.Coolidge Ave., Gonzales; 35; failureto appear-bench warrant
BRIDGES,ALEXANDER: 13346 Leah St., Gonzales; 21;domestic abuse battery
RICHARDSON,PENNY: 2824
S. Burnside Ave. No. 2201 Gonzales; 34; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction
ANDREWS, BAKARI DWAYNE: 6174 La. 63, Clinton; 25; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction
CARR, DAVID: 5152 Banks St Baton Rouge; 35; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction
BROUSSARD,KOREY LYNN: 40050 L.P.Gautreau Road, Gonzales; 29; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction
GEORGE, PAUL HOWARD: homeless; 44; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction
LEBLANC, JEROME B.: 6500 Audubon Blvd., Sorrento; 39; three counts failureto
appear-bench warrant
FISHER, GELISHAL.: 1309 St Vincent St., Donaldsonville; 32: failureto appear-bench warrant, theft $750 butless than $5,000 SANCHEZ, WALTER LYNN: 2538 West Highway,Gonzales; 44; drivermustbelicensed, reckless operation,prohibited acts-drugparaphernalia, possession of ScheduleIIcontrolled dangerous substance (cocaine), operatingwhile intoxicated-third MORGAN, JORDAN: 2022 La. 415 Lobdell Highway,Port Allen; 34;parole violation, failureto appear-bench warrant
JULY13
COLLINS,DONALD RAY: 37140 Anderson Road, Geismar; 54; state probation violation, failureto appear-bench warrant, failureto registerand notify as asex offender-first
TURNER, ERIC LEE: 2646 75th Ave., Baton Rouge;23; possession of Marijuanamore than 14 grams, illegal carry of weapons-crime or controlled dangerous substance,illegal possession of stolen firearms
DAIGREPONT, KATHRYN
ANNE: 6415Celestial Drive Baton Rouge; 37; expired license plates, possession of alcoholic beveragesinmotor vehicles, expired motor vehicle inspection,driving on roadway lanedfor traffic, operatingwhile intoxicatedsecond MEDINA, CANDIDAR.: 10059 Lexington Drive, Denham Springs; 35; evidence of motor vehicle liabilitysecurity contained in vehicle, registration-commercial vehicles/expired plate,driver must be licensed,procedure on approach of an authorized
emergency vehicle-passing aparked emergency vehicle, driving on right side of road-exceptions, reckless operation, operating while intoxicated-first
ANDERSON, CARMILLE PAUL: 37343 Anderson Road, Unit A, Geismar; 35; second-degree battery
LEVY JR., ACQUINDUS
ANTHONIO: 213 Evangeline Extension, Donaldsonville; 24; six counts failuretoappearbench warrant, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction
GREEN, TRANCE DARRELL: 1700 N.W. 7th St., Oklahoma City,Oklahoma; 54; fugitiveother state jurisdiction
HENRY, JASPER L.: 1707 Joseph St., Donaldsonville; 33; simple criminal damage to property $1,000 to $50,000
BENN, KRIS DESHAWN: 8370 S. St. Landry Ave.,Gonzales; 40; failuretoappear-bench warrant, simple battery
JULY14
HERNANDEZ, VICTOR ORTIZ: 1906 Southland Court, Baton Rouge; 30; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, driver must be licensed, no seat belt, driving on roadway laned for traffic, reckless operation, operating while intoxicatedthird
PERRY, SAMANTHA ALINE: 12135 Cypress Park Drive, Geismar; 36; possessionofa Schedule IV controlled dangerous substance (clonazepam), possession of heroin
CASTJOHN, CASEY DEAN: 37449 La. 74, Gonzales; 52; possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine) four counts failuretoappearbench warrant, criminal trespass/all other offenses,
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theft less than $1,000
RODRIGUEZ, JOEL ALEXANDER: 22838 Lafourche Lane, Denham Springs; 28; simple assault, disturbing the peace/ simple assault
MALAIN, RYAN TIMOTHY: 10389 Mary’s Lane, St. Amant; 35; state probation violation, theft $1,000 but less than $5,000, simple criminal damage to property $1,000 to $50,000, unauthorized use of amotor vehicle, telephone communications/improper language/harassment, two counts failuretoappearbench warrant
AUCOIN, REBECCADIANE: 6338 La. 412 E., Slaughter;40; theft less than $1,000
JULY15
FLETCHER, MATTHEW CURTIS: 1758 Potwin Blvd., Baton Rouge; 24; failuretoappearbench warrant
BAKER, JAMMIE: 1206 Peytavin St., Donaldsonville; 39; criminal trespass/trespassing of real property
COVINGTON, SHANNON
EDWARD: 12453 Forest Braud Lane, Gonzales; 40; five counts failuretoappearbench warrant
JAMES,KIMBERLYJO: 19431 Shady Oak Lane, Franklinton; 44; nonconsensual disclosure of aprivate image
BELL, NICHOLAS S.: 14054 La. 44, No. 45, Gonzales; 42; resisting an officer, battery of apolice officer-in legal custody,threatening apublic official-penalties/definitions, disturbing the peace/drunkenness
JULY16
ROSALES,JENNIFER: 18071 Terraceside Drive, Prairieville; 28; domestic abuse battery
WATTS,KEELYELIZABETH: 37472 La. 22, Darrow;36; three counts fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, prohibited acts-drug paraphernalia, possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine), parking spaces for certain disabled persons, registration-commercial vehicles/expired plate, no motor vehicle insurance, operating vehicle while license is suspended, failure to appear-bench warrant
WEBB, SERHONDAP.: 2007 Aubinwood Drive, Baton Rouge; 51; possession of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles, stopping/parking/or standing upon the highway shoulder, driving upon the highway shoulder, operating while intoxicated-first BATEMAN, BENTON: 11237 Denham Road, Gonzales; 48; pornographyinvolving juveniles AUZENNE JR., CLINTON JOHN: 108 PardrewLane, Scott; 41; identity theft, criminal conspiracy,bank fraud, criminal conspiracy anti-skimming act, criminal conspiracy,forgery,fraud/access device, monetary instrument abuse, injuring public records, prohibited acts-drug paraphernalia, illegal carry of weapons-crime or controlled dangerous substance, possession of firearmbyperson convicted of certain felonies distribution/possession with intent to distribute Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine), illegal possession of stolen things $5,000 to $25,000, illegal transmission of monetary funds, bank fraud, monetary instrument abuse, theft $1,000 but less than $5,000, identity theft ARDOIN, JAMARKUS J.: 3565
Greentree Drive, Baton Rouge; 25; state probation violation, simple assault, domestic abuse battery-child endangerment, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction
DUPAS,JERMAINE ALEXAN-
DER: 108 Tara Drive, Derrider; 37; state probation violation, resisting apolice officer with force or violence
WILSON, MIGUEL: 37099 Agnes Webb Ave., Prairieville; 18; prohibited acts-drug paraphernalia, twocounts distribution/possession with the intent to distribute marijuana or synthetic cannabis HUE, LAINE M.: 41110 Lakeway Cove Ave., Gonzales; 61; owner to secureregistration, evidence of motor vehicle liability security contained in vehicle, vehicle turning left
“Within this premier facility, we will preparethe next generation of
STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON Cousins GageBourgeois, 8, and Dakota Davis, 13, fish together during the 2023 East Ascension Sportsman’sLeague’sKidsFishing Rodeo in Geismar
Shellpersonnel at ground breaking from left to right; Jordan Tremblay, Katie Mitchell,Makesha Judson, Rochelle Touchard,BrennaMiguez, Joseph Hollins,David Mustain
Followinginthe footstepsofa Gatorquarterback
Seth Babin played quarterback forthe St. Amant Gators in the early 2000s before heading to Southeastern to play footballfor the Lions.
Coach Babin is now the offensive coordinator for his alma mater and his quarterback, well let’ssay,heknows him well.
Meet Cooper Babin, class of 2026, the starting QB for David Oliver and the Gators. Cooper will be starting for his third season after leading the Gators to a10-2 record and adistrict championship before falling to Mandeville in the second round of the D1 nonselect playoffs last season. Cooper is the son of Seth and their relationship goes far beyond football.
“I would say my dad is the coach that influences me the most, he pushes me everyday to be better,onand off the field,” Cooper Babin said. Cooper threw for nearly 1,000 yards last season with 10 touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns. Oliver knows he has aspecial player and is fond of hissignal caller.“Cooper is the type of player that makes St. Amant special, he was raised as aGator at the Pit (home football field). Many of our players have dreamed of wearing the black and gold since they werelittle boys. Cooper knows what we stand for and the mission of our program,” said Oliver
As the quarterback, Babin understands the assignment and what goes along with it. “Lead-
ership is something that my teammates and Iare working on this summer, we don’twant that to fallonjustone guy,wewill share the duties,” Cooper Babin said.
Grinding in the summer with histeammates in the weight room and on the field with 7-on-7 games has prepared Babin for theseason.
“All summer,myteammates and Ihave been working to get better each day and be readyfor the season,” Cooper Babin said.
St.Amant is part of arivalry that in my opinion is the bestin thestate of Louisiana, but Babin
knows all of thegames arebig.
“Everygame is big for us,but we always look forward to our games withthe Ascension parish schools,” Cooper Babin said.
Oliver has watched his QB mature over thelasttwo years and theexperience he has gotten is invaluable.
“Cooper has grown into our system, as he enters his junior year,hehas aton of game experience. He was thrown into the fire as afreshmen and played every other series that season.We expect to see more growththis season.Hehas dedicated himself to theweight room in theoffsea-
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Thibodaux, experiences firsthand theneedfor events such as TouchATruck forchildren who do nothaveschoolsupplies.
Babinattendedthe event withher husband, Hunter, and 2-year-old son, Waylon.
“I came today to support teachers and students because there is aneed and necessity for school supplies,” Babin said. “I work at aTitle Ischool and not all students are as fortunate as others in having adequateschool supplies.”
CASA,CAS lend ahand
Representativesfor Child Advocacy Services and CourtAppointed Special Advocates passed outinformation at theevent
Amy Onxley, forensic interviewer with Child Advocacy Services AscensionParish,saidthe event brought an opportunity to educatefamilies on the services offered, as well as recruiting volunteers.
“Our primary goal is to keep children safe and events like this one gives us away to promote our services in the community,” Onxley said.
Codie Whitmer,arecruiter for CASA, said the two programs serve 10 parishes and currently provide services
to 100 children.
son to increasehis durability,he missed some games last season due to injury,” Oliver said.
College coaches are starting to takenotice of the junior signal caller and Babin got his first offer after competing at alocal camp. “I received my first offer from Kentucky State at acamp,” theyounger Babin said. “I have always dreamed of playing at thecollege level and to get that first one, that was agreat feeling for sure.”
For now,the mainfocus will be on the 2024 season and his academics.The excitement of leading theGators as their starting
Child Advocacy Services and CASA volunteers help follow abused children through thecourt system.
VA helpscommunity
Denig said VolunteerAscension works with local businesses,government andlaw enforcementagencies and volunteers to pro-
QB, following in the footsteps of his dad is surreal.
All eyes will be on Babin and his teammates as they open the season with agood team in Archbishop Shaw at the Pit.
“This season will be fun for our team; we have been working hard to prepare for the season,” he said. “Wetake it one day at a timeand we will see the results in the Fall. The last thing Iwould like to say is Go Gators.”
Summer football
Ascension Parish teamsparticipated in a7-on-7 summer league at Lutcher and St. Charles for the last few weeks. The league has wrapped up as we head closer to the start of fall football practices.
Coach Brock Matherne of East Ascension:
“It was agreat league to be apart of, real quality of work out there. Iwas pleased with our progress each week we got better each and every game”
Coach Darnell Lee of Donaldsonsonville:
“I’m pleased with our progress. Our kids understand that the difference in success and not is in the fine details of execution. The competition in that league makes you better because it’sfull of great competition with exceptional coaching and schemes.”
St. Amant, Dutchtown and Ascension Catholic got some7-on-7 work in as well.
Troy LeBoeufcovers sports for theAscensionAdvocate. He canbereached at troyleboeuf@ hotmail.com or ascension@ theadvocate.com or on Twitter @Troyleboeuf.
vide services such as school uniform donationcollections andhelpproviding food to families in need.
Denig saidanother popularsummerprogramprovided by Volunteer Ascension is “Special Tuesdays.”
On each of the first four summer Tuesdays, special needs individuals have aday of food, games and fun.
DenigsaidVolunteerAscension will host itsEvening of Hope masquerade ball on Sept. 26. Visit www.volunteer.orgto donate school suppliesorto volunteer forVolunteer Ascension.
For more information about Child Advocacy Services and CASA services, visit www.childadv.net.
STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON
St.Amant quarterback Cooper Babin takes the snap in the first quarter of the first round of the DivisionInon select playoff game against Ouachita on Nov. 10 in St.Amant.
PROIVIDED PHOTO
St. Amant quarterback Cooper Babin.
Amy Onxley, forensic interviewerwith CAS AscensionParish, left, and CASA recruiter Codie Whitmer,attended theTouch ATruck event to pass out information about services offered by CASA.
Volunteer Ascension’s26thannual TouchATruck eventwas held Saturdayatthe LamarDixon Expo Center.The Ascension ParishLibraryand Mathnasium were among those on hand to helpcollect school supply donations.
TiaStarr,director of operations over clinics forOchsner Health, left, and Volunteer Ascension ExecutiveDirector Sherry Denig stand together during Saturday’sTouch ATruck event at the Lamar-DixonExpo Center.Ochsner,Volunteer Ascension, lawenforcement and government agencies partnered for the annual event.
PHOTOSBYWENDY LOUP Volunteer Ascension hosted its annual Touch ATruck school supply collection event this weekend at the Lamar-Dixon ExpoCenter in Gonzales. The event gave children the opportunity to see lawenforcement vehicles up close.