Businesses report trafficwoes
BY CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT Staff writer
On Black FridayatTanger Outlets in Gonzales, lines of cars streamed through the intersectionsalong La. 30 near Interstate 10. In the words of Marathon gas station Manager Timika Gray,“it wasterrible.”
“It’sHighway 30 with these turnarounds going around. That’salot more people than usual,”she said. “…(Drivers) were blocking the intersection where you couldn’teven turn in.”
Construction in the area centers on alongawaited project involving the construction of three roundabouts, which the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Developmentsays will significantly improve safety and traffic flow.But in the meantime, local businesses are feeling the impact.
“I don’tknow if that turnabout that they’re going to do is going to help or not,” Gray added. “I guess after it’sdone, it may be good.” La.30roundaboutproject
Aug. 20, 1994. The popular middle school tournamentconsists of more than adozen teams from both privateand public schools. A few long-distance teamsmake
The La. 30 project will result in roundabouts at the two I-10 ramps and one at the intersection of St.Landry Avenue.The area sees significant traffic due to the Cabela’sand Tangershopping centers and because the highwayisa main thoroughfare to theparish’sindustrial area in Geismar Averagedaily traffic in theareaisaround 24,000, DOTD Communications Director Rodney Mallett told The Advocate. And he added that is expected to increase to around 30,000 by 2042, increasing by around 2% to 2.5% annually But because of the road’salready high use, the construction significantly affects the area. Gray said the worst times were around 5a.m., noon and 6p.m.
BY WENDYLOUP
Contributing writer
Children and their familiesplayedgames, ate breakfast andtook pictures Saturday with the St. Amant High School baseball team, SantaClaus,and even the one and only Grinch. The second annual event sold more than 350 tickets. Baseball head coach
Brandon Bravata said the“Breakfast With Santa and the STAGators” eventisafun way for the team to give back to thecommunity Gatorbaseballplayers celebrateholidays with Santa, breakfast
Two-year-old St. Amant resident Henley Mire poses with Santa Claus during Saturday’s Breakfast With Santa and the St. Amant High Gators in the St. Amant High School’s cafeteria. The Christmas event included pictures with Santa Claus the Grinch, and school mascot, Ally the Gator
PHOTO BY WENDYLOUP
PHOTOSBYWENDYLOUP
St.
girlsbasketball team plays Prairieville Middle School during the 30th
Brett
Basketball Tournament at St.Theresa Middle School.
STAFFPHOTO BY JAVIER GALLEGOS Alook down the closed RobertWilson Road along La. 30 in Gonzales on Dec.3
the trip to Gonzales,including St. Joseph Catholic School in Ponchatoula.
The tournament is open toboys’ grades 6-8 and girls in the eighth grade.
The weeklong tournament ran Dec. 3-7.
Frederic and Leggette were riding to avideo store with Leggette’scousin, 18-year-old Amanda “Mandy” Acosta. The three were traveling on La. 42 in Prairieville, which was wet due to rain, and were involved in an accident with another vehicle. All three teenagers died from the accident.
The two Bretts were scheduled to start their eighth-grade year at St. Theresa two days later
The decadeslong tournament for the boys has always been away to heal the school, the community and hopefully the families of the three young adults who died, said St. Theresa Middle School Principal Micha Ballow
“Brett and Brett were both athletes and had ties to the local community as well as the St. Theresa community,” Ballow said. “The tournament served as an opportunity to bring local teams, other than just Catholic school teams, together to share in the sport and fellowship.
“The tournament has truly evolved into atreasured event for our school community.Alumni come back to help work concessions and watch the teams play,” Ballow said. “Our student-athletes, including cheer and dance members, also help to serve the community by providing items for the hospitality suite for coaches and refs. Moreimportantly,this tournament gives our students arealisticlook at the legacy that youcan leave when you truly embody the spirit ofa warrior.It’satestament to our students that the bonds that are built here at our school last forever even after death.”
The school uses funds generated from the basketball tournament to help buy new athletic uniforms and equipment, Ballow said.
PROVIDED PHOTO Amanda ‘Mandy’ Acosta
St. Theresa alum Darci Landry, aformer classmate and friendofLeggette and Frederic, has continuedto organize and recruit volunteersfor the tournament each year.Along with the help of JessicaYoung Miller,alsoafellow classmate, the tournament continues to grow
“The firstyearwe held the tournament, we reached outtomany of the local public schools just because the boys knew so many of those guys also,” Landry said. “It hasalways been atournament thatdrawsalot of people from not only our diocese. For many years,the tournament alsobrought in Brother Martin from the New Orleans dioceseand several otherparishes.”
Landry said she hopes the tournament carries onthe boys’ memories
“BrettLeggette wasa very bestfriend,and Brett Frederic was alsoa good friend,” Landry said. “I cannot ever imagine losing achild, but Ihope that the tournament brings the parents some senseofcomfortto knowthat their boys were never forgotten.
“As amother,I canonly hope this tournament lets their parents know how important these boys were to us and our class. It was such atragedy,thatI can honestly say,the accident made my heartphysically hurt, so anything we can do to even remotely touch their heartisworthevery minute we put into this tournament.”
Forthe two Bretts, their mothers say the tournament has been abright spotintheir lives through the decades.However, it can be bittersweet at times because their familiesstill miss the boys terribly Brett Leggette’s mother,
Miriam Lacroix, said her son had lost his own father, David, when he was in the fifth grade. Basketball at St. Theresa was away for him to remember his father through playing asport his own father played.
“David died two years before Brett died,” Lacroix said. “Brett loved basketball and played fifthgrade for St. Theresa and made the varsity teams in the sixth and seventh grades. He loved the number 24 because that was his dad’s number when he played basketball.
“Brett had the most beautiful blue eyes and avery sweet smile,” she added. “He loved having his friends over for asleep over.Hewas always planning for what we were going to do next weekend.
“During baseball season, baseball was his favorite sport and during basketball season basketball was his favorite. He stole my heart at birth and took part of it with him when he left.”
Odile Frederic remembers her son, Brett, as an avid sports enthusiast who not only played multiple sports but loved knowing the statistics of players and teams.
“Brett loved all sports, but he played basketball, football and baseball,”
Odile Frederic said. “He was asweet and loving son. He collected baseball cards. He loved watch-
ing ‘SportsCenter’ every morning before school to see what was going on. We used to say he would be a sports announcer because he could remember all the stats.
“He loved his family and friends. He would always hug me, kiss me, and say he loved me and the same with his dad. We misshim terribly.When he died apiece of my,his dad and sister Brianne’sheart was gone and has never been replaced. Your life changes forever and you go on withlife but that piece of you is always missing and you think of them every day even after all these years.”
Lacroix, and her sister, Loretta Templet, who’s Acosta’smother,worked for years to have improvements made on La. 42 after their children’sdeaths. Frederic also provided support for the road changes.
“Loretta started ‘a push’ to improve Highway 42,” Lacroix said. “Wehad a fundraising walk for the boys and collected petitions. She stayed withitfor many years, meeting with politicians and DOTD.
“When the improvements started, she was able to ride on one of the machines to break sections of the road. Twenty-five-plus years later,itseems to be safer.The highway department did straighten the ‘infamous SCurve’ which was where the accident
happened,” Lacroix said.
Lacroix’s memories of Acosta included loving her friends and family dearly
“It would take me forever to write allmyfavorite memories about Mandy and Brett,” Lacroix said.
“Mandy had the most beautiful blonde curlyhair, but she always wanted straight hair
“She loved my homemade French fries, which she’s share with Brett’ssister, Kelly.She wouldsplit the last one with others and, of course, hers would always be alittle longer.She loved her friends and her mother dearly.”
Templet saidthe tournament, especially thepep rally, brings her comfort and joy that they will not be forgotten.
“It’sextremelyheartwarming that after all these years Brett and Brett’smemories still lives on at St. Theresa,” Templet said. “Everyone that has been involved in preparing for this tournamentevery year is to be commended for such an awesome job Their dedication hasnot gone unnoticed in my book, and it’sunbelievable that all their classmates and friends return year after year to show their support.”
Templet wants future generations to learn from the tragedy
“The kids coming up will know about the boys strong
faither with God,St. Theresa and their love of life,” she said. “They were growingupjust being boys,enjoying life,family,friends and sports. Through the tournament, they will know how fragile lifecan be. But they will also takeaway from thisthat theirdeaths were not in vain. Mandy, Brett and Brett’sdeaths helped save other lives.” The tournament is special to Odile Frederic.
“It means alot to us to have the Brett andBrett every year,” Frederic said “Toknow they still remember the boys and have the tournament makes my heart smile. Iknow the boys are smiling down on us and St Theresa school also.
“Wedolove our St Theresa family,and they will always be apart of us. Hard to believe it has been 30 years but sometimes it feels like yesterday.” Lacroix expressed gratitude for the support she’s received and for theannual tournament.
“I’ve read that through struggles we become stronger,” Lacroixsaid. “I thank God every day for my faith, my family,and my friends.
“They all have helped me to survive and face the world each day.Thankyou, St. Theresa, for themany years of support andstill going strong with the Brett and Brett Tournament.”
PHOTO BY WENDYLOUP
Bluff Middle School and St. Jean VianneySchool’sseventh gradeboysteams playDec. 7during the 30th annual Brett and Brett Basketball Tournament at St. Theresa Middle School.
“I just can’twait for it all done,” she said.
In an email, Mallett said work on the St. Landry Avenue intersection was expected to concludesoon, and then crews would begin work on the other two roundabouts.
“The LA 30 Roundabout project is currently installing subgrade materials along LA 30 and at the St. Landry intersection in preparation for new base and asphalt to be installed in the next few weeks,” he wrote. “The only work presently happening on this project is at the LA 30 and St. Landry intersection due to the project’srequired phasing.”
South St. Landry is the access road to Lamar-Dixon, a parish government-owned events and 4-H facility that can draw heavycrowds and traffic during concerts and fairs.
At anews conference about the project in March, DOTD Secretary Joe Donahue said the roundabouts would help improve traffic flow and safety
“By eliminating the traffic signals that are there currently and by implementing roundabouts, we anticipate smoother traffic operationsand continuous traffic flow,reducing any crashes, and definitelysevere crashes, and ultimately enhancing and bringing greater safety throughout the corridor,” he stated.
In hisemail,Mallett said 513 crashes occurred in the stretch between 2010 and 2012, and studies showed the double roundabout configuration would reduce the number of conflict points by 64%.
But managers at area businesses have seen impacts from the project. Denise Moorehead, manager ofBoots Etc.Factory Direct Western Wear,said the
construction hadgreatly slowed thestore’sbusiness.
“It’sjust getting in and out and then thetraffic backed up,” she said. “The customers don’twant to wait for that.”
Lane closures on La.44
The roundabout project isn’t theonlywork happening in the area.Late last month, aDOTD news release announced single lane closures in each direction onLa. 44 from West Edenborne Parkway toLa. 30. Theclosuresbegan earlierthismonth andare
expected to remainuntil 8a.m.Feb.3,according to the release.
It addedthatthe crews are performing asphalt concrete patching, paving andguardrail removal, which Mallettsaid will bring benefitstoresidents.
“The LA.44resurfacing will make for amuch smoother ride and prolong the life of theroadway,” he wrote.
Email Christopher Cartwright at christopher cartwright@theadvocate. com.
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Ascensionwell-representedonall-districtteams
Ascension Parish was well-represented on the alldistrict football teams recently announced
DISTRICT 8-1A
First team
OFFENSE: Ascension Catholic players Chad Elzy,running back, senior; LukeHusers, tight end, senior; JohnnyViallon, wide receiver, sophomore;Trevin Simon, athlete, junior; Austin Paine,offensiveline, senior;Aiden Paine, offensiveline, senior and MikeBlanchard, kicker, freshman
OFFENSIVE MVP: Chad Elzy
DEFENSE: Ascension Catholic players Jamiris Breaux, defensiveline, senior; Josh Barber, defensiveline, junior; Mace Melancon, linebacker, senior; GavinGregoire, defensive back, seniorand TrevinSimon,returnspecialist, junior; andAscensionChristian’sTrevor Russell, punter, senior
COACHOFTHE YEAR: Ascension Catholic’s Lowell Narcisse
Second team
OFFENSE: Ascension Catholic’s GavinGregoire, runningback, senior; Trevin Simon, wide receiver, junior; Cy Landry,widereceiver, sophomore; Jamiris Breaux, tightend, senior; Vaughn Blanchard, offensive in,junior; Christopher Anthens, offensiveline, junior; and Camille LeBoeuf, quarterback, senior Ascension Christian’s RhettRoussell, running back, sophomore; Kason Tanner, wide receiver, sophomore; Kayden Tassin,offensive line, freshman; Dorian Davis, offensiveline, freshman, Trevor Russell, kicker, senior and JayceHarrelson, athlete,sophomore
DEFENSE: Ascension Catholic’s Vaughn Blanchard, defensiveline, junior; Christopher Anthens, defensiveline, junior; Luke Husers, linebacker, senior;Jacob Julien,defensive back, sophomore; Trevin Simon, defensive back, junior; Harrison Ledet,defensive back,
senior; JohnRob Daigle,punter,sophomore and LukeHusers, flex player, senior AscensionChristian’sElijah Poche, defensive line,senior; Rhett Roussell, linebacker, sophomoreand Gage Mixon,defensiveback, sophomore
HONORABLE MENTION: Ascension Catholic’s John RobDaigle, linebacker; Jayden Verner, defensive back and John DavidLandry,offensiveline
DISTRICT 8-3A
First team OFFENSE: Donaldsonville’s BlakeTurner, running back, senior; Tahj Williby, wide receiver senior; KhyJones, wide receiver,sophomore; AshtonGreen, offensiveline, junior; RayshawnDunham,offensiveline, junior; Donald Brown, utility,juniorand Mario Gonzales, kicker,junior; DEFENSE: Decaleb Green, defensiveline, sophomore, Terrill Nicholas, defensiveline, senior; Makhi Landry, linebacker,senior and Traejan Spurlock, defensiveback, senior DEFENSIVE MVP: Makhi Landry
Second team OFFENSE: Donaldsonville’s Anthony Johnson, running back,sophomore; SkylerGarrison quarterback, freshman; Darnell Sterling,offensiveline, juniorand Treshawn Dunham offensiveline
DEFENSE: Donaldsonville’s Jaden Allen, linebacker, senior; KhyJones, returnspecialist, sophomoreand ZaylonPhillips, defensive back, sophomore
HONORABLE MENTION: Donaldsonville’s Tremaine Millien, defensiveline; Johnathon Riley, offensiveline; Isaac Rodrigue, defensive back and Quinton Dabney,wide receiver
DISTRICT 5-5A
DEFENSE: Josh Lewis,defensive line senior, Dutchtown; Gavin Hebert, defensiveline,senior, St. Amant; Chad Christy,linebacker senior, Dutchtown; Wesley Dykes, linebacker,senior, St. Amant; Laithon Riley, defensive back, senior, Dutchtown; CalebRicks, defensive back, senior, St. Amant; Ernest Mitchell, defensiveback, senior, EastAscension and EastonHumphrey
flexplayer, senior, St. Amant
Second team
COACHOFTHE YEAR: Guy Mistretta, Dutchtown
OFFENSE: Ayden Langevin, running back, senior, Dutchtown; Jourden Hickerson, running back, sophomore, St. Amant. CalebDavis tight end, senior, EastAscension; Quentin Elisar, widereceiver, junior, St. Amant; Austin Baxter,offensiveline,senior, St. Amant; Matthew Travis,offensiveline,senior, Dutchtown; Javaughn Mathhews,offensiveline,junior, EastAscension; Ayden Gueho, offensiveline, senior, Dutchtown; Kendrell Green,offensive line,senior, EastAscension and Preston Baker,kicker,senior, EastAscension DEFENSE: Jase Campbell, defensive line, senior, EastAscension; Tim Oluwade, defensive line,senior, Dutchtown; JacobyDavis, defensive line,sophomore, St. Amant; Tony Miles, linebacker,junior, EastAscension; AnthonySalzarulo, linebacker,senior, St. Amant; DemarcusGant,defensive back, senior, East Ascension; Kobe Harris,defensive back, senior, Dutchtown; Anden Millet, defensive back, junior, St. Amant; Dylan Champagne, punter,senior, Dutchtown and Hyland Rentz, flexplayer, senior, Dutchtown
Firstteam OFFENSE: Cooper Babin, quarterback, junior, St.Amant; Lekidrin Harvey,running back, senior, Dutchtown; Jason Blackburn, running back, junior, EastAscension; Justin Oubre, widereceiver, senior, EastAscension; TimothyJohnson Jr., widereceiver, senior, St. Amant; Rylan Mayeux, widereceiver, senior, Dutchtown; Dawson Davis,offensiveline senior, Dutchtown; Christian Gautreau, offensiveline,senior, Dutchtown; Brysten Martinez, offensiveline,junior, EastAscension; Jason Blackburn, return specialist, junior, East Ascension and D’Ron Mczeal,athlete, senior, EastAscension
Troy LeBoeufcovers sports forthe AscensionAdvocate. He can be reached at troyleboeuf@hotmail.com or ascension@theadvocate.com or on Twitter @Troyleboeuf
STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON
St.Amant quarterback Cooper Babinraces upfield against Dutchtown in the second quarter of aDistrict 5-5A matchup
PROVIDED PHOTO BY JASON CASSO
Ascension Catholic’sChad Elzy celebrates atouchdown.
STAFFPHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON Dutchtown head coachGuy Mistretta
PHOTO BY APRIL BUFFINGTON
Ascension Catholic’shead football coach
Narcisse
