SNOWFALL BLANKETS ASCENSION
After days of forecasterspredicting snow, Ascension Parish residents witnessedthe rare occurrence Jan. 21 Snowstarted to fallinearly morning andcontinued through mostofthe day Familiestook advantageofthe fluffy stuff, with many seeingsnowfor thefirst time.
Warmingcenterswere opened in Gonzales and Donaldsonville forresidents seekinga help
Roads, schools and businessesclosed andwhenthe melt finally beganon Thursday,someroadswerestill impassable.
ä See SNOWFALL, page 2G
BY CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT Staff writer
See HOMELESS, page 3G
STAFF PHOTO BY HILARYSCHEINUK
PROVIDED PHOTOS
Asnowman sits near the Ascension Parish Sheriff’sDonaldsonville office Jan. 21.
PROVIDED PHOTOBYBILL FEIG
Faye Feig measures snowfall Jan.21 in her Prairieville backyard.
THE ASCENSION ADVOCATE,40444 Cannon Road,Gonzales, LA 70737(225) 388-0215 PUBLISHEDEVERY WEDNESDAY Onlineattheadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/communities/ascension/
COMMUNITY SECTION EDITOR Darlene T. Denstorff ddenstorff@theadvocate.com
OFFICE:(225) 388-0215 CELL:(225) 603-1998
Send your news,photos or lettersby 4p.m.Friday.
ADVERTISING MARY DICHARRY CELL:(225) 937-8717 mdicharry@theadvocate.com. DEADLINE: 5p.m.Fridayprior to publication. BUY ASUBSCRIPTION CALL: (225)388-0200 M–F,6A.M.–5P.M SAT,7A.M.–10:30
EMAIL: classifieds@theadvocate.com
PROVIDED PHOTOBYBILL FEIG
Snowfalls on bird feeders in Bill and Faye Feigs’ Prairieville backyard.
PROVIDED PHOTO
shot
Led by founderDanyell Henriques, Heavens Care worked to help those experiencing homelessness find shelter before the storm, whether that be at the warming center inside the Gonzales Civic Center or elsewhere. Henriques said she has done this before most majorstorms since theorganization started in 2019.
“Every time there’sbad weather,orany kind of storms, we go out,weride around, and we try to findthe homeless,” she explained.
“One of the things that over the years we’ve done is we’ll try to get them to …like a hotel or motel.”
Now,aswarming centers in Gonzales and Donaldsonville close, the roughly 25 to 30 people without housing are back on the street,Henriques said.
Supplies needed
The Baton Rouge region —Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Point Coupee,West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana parishes —had 410 people experiencing homelessness in January 2024, according to data from the Louisiana Balance of State Continuum of Care. That Baton Rouge-basedgroup is acoalition of organizations dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness.
Heavens Care started in 2019 with street outreach, which involves finding those
People experiencing homelessness wait
on Jan. 7.
who need help and providing carepackages withfood and hygiene products. About 19 people in the parish were struggling at that time, Henriques said, adding “it’s growing now.”
“Webasically are the main organization that helps the homeless out here,” she said.
“We’ve gottensome organizations to step up to help us withdonations andsupplies andstuff likethat.”
She also praised Gonzales Mayor TimRiley,the Gonzales Police Department and the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, saying Riley has been “very,veryhelpful.”
“Sheriff Bobby Webre and his team have been amazing. The Gonzales Police Department hasbeen amazing, and the mayor and his officials of Gonzales have been amazing.”
Henriques said theorganization always accepts supplies, with the following currently needed:
n Tents
n Clothing: Socks, scarves, warming headbands, beanie hats, body warmers and gloves
n Nonperishable food, water and hot cocoa packets
People wishing to help or donate can contact the organization via its website.
Livingston church assists Agape Baptist Church in DenhamSprings works with Henriques to help those in the areas around Baton Rouge. Jean Hardison, who oversees children’sministries, said Thursdaythatthe congregation helps assist when it can.
“We’re asmall church of 40
to 50 people. So everything that we do, we do within our church. If we’re cooking, we’re cooking from our own pantries,” she said.
The church tries to feed the community at least once amonth,suchashosting a Thanksgivingdinnerlast year,Hardisonsaid. Sheadded that the church takes donations of most supplies,which it either distributesorgives to people such as Henriques.
“Wewill accept nonperishable items because we don’t have away to store the perishables,” Hardison added.
“… We do the bestthat we can with what we have, which is each other.”
Email Christopher Cartwright at christopher cartwright@theadvocate. com.
AROUND
Continued from page1G
Team fee is $80. For information, visit www stabbalumni-friends.com.
Veron’ssausage will be provided and teams are expected to provide all other ingredients and equipment for a5-pound pork and sausage jambalaya. Cash prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place.
Acornhole tournament and music also is planned for the day
RetroCon returns Louisiana Retro Con returns Saturday and Sunday to Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales.
For tickets, visit https:// www.louisianaretroconvention.com/tickets.
The event will celebrate the Sonic the Hedgehog video gamefranchise’s third appearance on cinema screens, as the film’s game inspiration (Sonic Adventure 2) also turns 24 years old.
Retro Con, from 10:30 a.m.to6:30 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6p.m.Sunday,includes afree arcade area and modern video game tournaments.
Buy,sell and trade with video gamevendors showcasing multiple local artists, comic creators, crafters, cosplayers and special guests. For more information,
visit www.Louisiana
RetroConvention.com.
Senior Sock Hop
AWinter Wonderland is the theme for Friday’s Garney Gautreau Sock Hop, set from 11 a.m. to 2p.m. at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center’sAscension Gym, 9039 S. St. Landry Ave., Gonzales. Mike Broussard and Night Train will perform. For more information, call (225) 450-1200.
Donaldsonville parade
Donaldsonville’sMardi Gras parade is set for 2p.m. Feb. 16. The route is from Marchand Drive and Church Street to Railroad Avenue and will end at Mississippi Street. Text or call (225) 3231918 to obtain acopy of the Mardi Gras parade application. Deadline to apply to participate in the parade is 4:30 p.m.Feb. 6. AscensionMambo
Krewe of Ascension Mambo has set its 2025 parade for 2p.m. Feb. 22. The krewe’sball is planned for Feb. 15 at Price LeBlanc PACE Center in Gonzales.
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
The following people were booked into theAscension Parish Jail on Jan. 2-9:
JAN. 2
CRAWFORD,TRULENA ANNE: 11775 Brown Road, Denham Springs; 44; possession of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles, reckless operation,operating while intoxicated-first PARKS JR., CLEVELAND THOMAS: 39459 Babin Road, Gonzales; 43; twocountsfailure to appear-bench warrant, animal ownerresponsibilities
MITCHELL JR., KURTP.: 158 Evangeline Drive, Donaldsonville; 22; Careless Operation prohibited acts-drug paraphernalia,security required, hit-and-run driving
JAN. 3
DIBENEDETTO, CARSON JUDE: 12429 Old Mill Stone Drive, Geismar; 18; cruelty to animalsaggravated ROBINSON JR., DEQUINCYJAMAR: 3285 Oubre Lane, Vacherie; 26; failuretoappear-bench warrant, fugitive-other Louisianajurisdiction
BAILEY,MARK J.: 36214Bluff OaksAve Prairieville; 37; fivecounts failuretoappearbench warrant, prohibited acts-drug paraphernalia, possessionoffentanyl, twocounts fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction
JIMENEZ, VALERY: 16184 E. Ridgewood Drive, Prairieville; 22; domestic abuse battery MAY, JOSEPH CHARLES: 15098 StaffordEstates Subdivision Road, Gonzales; 51; twocounts failuretoappear-bench warrant, possession of aSchedule IV controlled dangerous substance (clonazepam), possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine)
PHILLIP,FERDINAND ONTARIO: 5284 Clayton Drive, Baton Rouge; 36; violations of protectiveorders CRANDLE, RAMONA JEAN: 1216 S. Burnside Ave Apt. No. 1, Gonzales; 55; twocounts failure to appear-bench warrant
JAMES,BRANDON MICHAEL: 7537ScarletOak Drive, Gonzales; 32; domestic abuse batterystrangulation ROUZER, CHEYENNE KAY: 15307 Floyd Holton Road, Prairieville; 20;domestic abuse battery
JAN. 4
MCCOMAS,MICHAEL SHANE: 17389 Lake St., Prairieville; 43; failuretoappear-bench warrant, entry on or remaininginplacesor on land after being forbidden,disturbingthe peace/drunkenness
BOONE, JAMES RAY: 43813 Hodgeson Road, Prairieville; 31; possessionof alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles,operatingvehicle whilelicense is suspended,operating while intoxicated-first
ORTEGA, BAYRON: 10822 Stanley Ave.,Baton Rouge; 32; fugitive-other Louisianajurisdiction, no motor vehicle insurance, possession of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles, registration- commercial vehicles/expiredplate driving on roadway laned for traffic,operating while intoxicated-first
LUCAS, DEYYVON DEMONE: 5156 Mars Drive, Darrow;22; twocounts failure to appearbench warrant, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, simple criminal damage to property less than $1,000, unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling
JAN. 5
DAVIS,ALDONTRE: 8179 Pleasant Hill St., Convent; 26; three counts failure to appear-bench warrant GARCIA ESCALANTE, ADAN: 1029 SedonaPines Drive, Baton Rouge; 27; fugitive-otherLouisiana jurisdiction, security required, possession of alcoholic beveragesinmotor vehicles driver must be licensed,owner to secureregistration, violations ofregistration provisions, switched license plate, traffic-control signals, operating while intoxicated-first CROSS,SETH FRANKLIN: 3211 30th St. UnitG Des Moines, Iowa;27; first-degree rape-victim under 13 years of age PLEASANT,XERES DAJON: 25 BellinaDrive, Donaldsonville; 27; failureto appear-bench warrant, domestic abuse battery-child endangerment
EALOUIS,DANIEL JOSEPH: 15163 Braud Road, Prairieville; 51; careless operation, hit-and-run driving, operating avehicle while intoxicated2nd PRESSER, JACOB BREEN: 38035 Post Office
Road No. 17A, Prairieville; 44; probation violation parish, three counts failuretoappearbench warrant, theft $1,000 but less than $5,000 BREAUX, COREY A.: 2252 Sagona Road, Donaldsonville; 38; criminal mischief /tampering with anyproperty of another,failureto appear-bench warrant HAGERTY,GEORGE PATRICK: 39198 High Creek Ave., Gonzales; 35; illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities
JAN. 6
SIMMONS,DRAKE: 5125 De Milo Drive., Houston; 30; second-degree battery PITTMAN, ABBYNICOLE: 917 N. Anita St., Gonzales; 22; unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, criminal trespass/trespassing of real property,battery of adating partner GARRISON, AQUINDICE LAMAR: 512 Nicholls St., Donaldsonville; 33; twocounts theft less than $1,000, twocounts failuretoappearbench warrant
LANDRY, JAMEL TREMEL: 42458 Harborstone Ave., Prairieville; 36; domestic abuse batterystrangulation WASHINGTON, PORSCHE DANEEN: 42458 Harborstone Ave.,Prairieville; 35; domestic abuse battery-child endangerment
GUIST,DAVID WAYNE: 42284 BayouNarcisse Road, Gonzales; 67; parole violation
GAUTHIER, MICHAEL: 14185 Adam Arceneaux Drive, Gonzales; 41; possessionofSchedule III controlled dangerous substance (suboxone)
JAN. 7
SCOTT,ANDRE MAURICE: 37147 Cornerview Road, Geismar; 54; probation violation parish, possession of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), approaching apeace officer lawfully engaged in lawenforcement duties
HOWARD,BYRON JERROD: 37211 Cornerview Road, Geismar; 43; failuretoappear-bench warrant, distribution/possession with the intent to distribute heroin, distribution/possession with intent to distribute Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (amphetamine), distribution/possession with intent to distribute Schedule II controlled dangerous substance, entry on or remaining in places or on land after being forbidden
REMO,TERRIOUS: 1859 Southpoint Drive, BatonRouge; 23; failuretoappear-bench warrant, twocounts fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction
BALLARD,JOHN MITCHELL: 18014 Autumn View Drive, No. 19, Prairieville; 33; failureto appear-bench warrant
BENTON, JACI MARIE: 37220 Sue St., Geismar; 38; domestic abuse battery
MATERRE, LLOYDA.: 610 Veterans Blvd., Donaldsonville; 63; theft less than $1,000
ORTEGA, LUIS EMANUEL: 40460 W. Hernandez Ave., Prairieville; 40; failuretoappear-bench warrant, simple burglary
ORTEGA, LEYLA: 40258 Bordeaux St., Prairieville; 17; simple burglary
RIVAS, DIOVELIZ: 40460 W. Hernandez Ave. B, Prairieville; 38; simple burglary
COTTON, LETITIA: 13491 BayouGrand South Blvd., Gonzales; 44; resisting an officer obstruction public passage, disturbing the peace/violent and tumultuous manner/disorderly conduct HUTCHINSON, JOSHUA: 29093 Honeysuckle Lane, Livingston; 42; possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine), contraband defined-certain activitiesregarding contraband in penal institutions prohibited, illegal possession ofstolen things $1,000 to $5,000, failureto appear-bench warrant, operating vehicle while license is suspended, no motorvehicle insurance, vehicle license required
JAN. 8
LINK, DAVANTEA TERMAINE: 105 St. Philip St., Donaldsonville; 23; domestic abuse battery, parole violation, fugitive-other Louisiana
jurisdiction, failuretoappear-bench warrant, driver must be licensed, proper equipment required on vehicles-displayofplate, possession of firearm by person convicted of certain felonies
DIXON, HEATHER DENISE: 14303 Bluff Lakes Drive, Prairieville; 43; unlawful disruption of the operation of ahealthcarefacility,misuse of dealer tag, obstructionofcourt orders, operating avehicle while intoxicated-child endangerment law
KELLY,JOSEPH A.: 18577 Guitreau Lane, Port Vincent; 37; state probation violation JAMES,KEVIN THEOPHILUS: 510 Pine St.,
Donaldsonville; 47; possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (oxycodone), fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, theft less than $1,000
ARGRAVE, DATHAN JASE: 12467 Hackberry Lane, Geismar; 19; Illegal transmission of monetary funds, bank fraud, computer fraud, identity theft
BILLY, DARIUS TREVON: 14033 West Creek Drive, Gonzales; 31; illegal transmission of monetary funds, theft over $25,000 WILSON, JAMARCUS LIONEL: 2115 JakeLane, Sunshine; 31; failuretoappear-bench warrant, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction
STAFF PHOTO BY HILARY SCHEINUK
outside the Baton RougeSt. Vincent de Paul center
Ja’LayahBrown
LEBOEUF
Continuedfrom page 1G
Ja’Myah averages 10.5 points per game and is a primary ball handler and defender withher twin sister,Ja’Layah (8.6 points per game). The Brown twins played as eighthgraders, and their games continue to mature withage and experience.
Senior Kaylee Brown, a post player,with some nice moves around thebasket leads the Bulldogs witha 11.5 average.
Another key player for ACHSissenior Ja’Layah Wilson. Wilson is starting for her third season and averages nearly eleven points per game. Wilson is super quick on defense and can stretch thedefense with her three-point shooting, plus theabilitytodrive to thebasket.
Senior AvaGordon rounds out thelineup. She decided to play her last season after an outstanding volleyball career.Gordon averages four points per game.
“The ShellLiveWireLouisiana AcceleratorProgram helped Germ Slayersgrowintoa business focusedonhealth, innovation andsustainability. Our team uses ecofriendlycleaningproductsand UV-C lighttechnology Germ Slayershas successfullyfulfilled itsmission of offering morethanjustjanitorial services by making ameaningful impactonour community, thanks to thesupportfromShell LiveWire.”
LADARBYWILLIAMS
The biggest difference in this year’steam are the reserves. Lastseason when thestartersgot in foul trouble, the reserves were young and inexperienced. Still young, thegroup of 10thgrader Sophie Crochet, ninthgrader Zivia Green eighth grader Mykayla Carter and seventh grader Aryn Fernandez play valuable minutes and contribute on bothends of the floor
Senior Kyla Fernandez is theolder sister of Aryn and contributes when called upon.
The staff loves the work ethic of the team and how they play unselfishly.More competitive practices have
come with the larger number of players. ACHS plays in astrong district with White Castle, East Iberville, St. John, Ascension Christian and North Iberville.
The goal is to windistrict, the Bulldogs have gotten off to agood start with a5621 over St. John.
The playoffs are about three weeks away and division four looks strong with Southern Lab, Cedar Creek, JS Clark, St. Edmund and Ouachita Christian making up the top five.
According to the staff, the goal is simple; play hard every night and get better Every girls team has the goal of making it to South-
eastern forthe final four, that goal is talked about at ACHS.
Astoried program with the last state championship coming in 2001, the desire to duplicate that is spoken about. As the team looks back on last season, they know the numbers have changed and that may be the key factor in how this season ends.
Troy LeBoeufcovers sports forthe Ascension Advocate. He can be reached at troyleboeuf@ hotmail.com or ascension@theadvocate. com or on Twitter @Troyleboeuf.
