Officials start
BY DAVID J MITCHELL Staff writer
Darlene Denstorff AROUND ASCENSION
April is Jazz Appreciation Month, and the East Ascension Jazz Legionnaires’ Big Band Time Machine is ready to celebrate Under the direction of Charles J. Lee, III, the band, made up of high school students, will play jazz hits from the past 100 years A performance is set for 6 p.m. Thursday April 17, at the Ascension Parish Library’s Galvez branch.
Lee III is the band director at East Ascension High School. Magical Murder Mystery
Unravel twists, uncover evidence, and solve a magical murder mystery before more chaos strikes A potions competition spells trouble at the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry where Professor Phial has been poisoned. With suspicion brewing and rumors flying, it is up to you to sharpen your quill, put on your thinking hat, and find the killer in this magical murder mystery Call (225) 673-8699 to register for the event at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 24, at the Ascension Parish Library’s Dutchtown branch.
Annual Career, Resource Fair
Explore jobs, careers and educational opportunities with organizations from Ascension Parish and surrounding communities at the Ascension Parish Library’s third annual Career and Resource Fair
Some businesses may be looking to hire immediately with on-the-spot interviews, so attendees are encouraged to dress for success and bring copies of their résumé. Meet representatives from the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance, BASF,
ä See AROUND, page 2G
Ascension Parish government drainage workers are preparing to cap a 4-acre section of the “red mud” waste ponds at a closed refinery in hopes of controlling dust that has plagued nearby neighborhoods for several years south of Gonzales.
The plot is a test site for a larger plan that could take up to four years to cover about 105 acres of ponds with dirt and used asphalt and concrete, partially closing more than 400 acres of the ponds, according to a parish plan and other regulatory papers
That longer term plan is expected to require more than 6,720 truckloads of dirt to be delivered to the site over the life of the job.
The work on the test plot is beginning about two weeks after DEQ, LAlumina and the parish signed a formal agreement after
on
fix for red dust from plant
the Parish Council approved deal last year Earlier this year, residents were submitting comments to DEQ urging it to sign the deal.
“This marks a critical step forward in our efforts to protect our residents and begin the process to mitigate this area,” Parish President Clint Cointment added in a recent statement on the plans.
The red mud ponds were among several legacy problems, including also waste tire dumps, that the new DEQ Secretary Aurelia S. Giacometto has focused on in her first year in office. DEQ and LAlumina officials didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday
The estimated 15 million tons of toxic red mud are the legacy of years of alumina production in Burnside, the waste byproduct of a now shuttered plant that was formerly owned by Ormet, later
See DUST, page 4G
MARKET DAY
and children’s activities. ä Story and
PHOTO BY WENDY LOUP The Gonzales VFW Post 3693 welcomed Jeep
during the April
Ascension Jeep Invasion, Jeepin’ 4 Vets event. More than 100 Jeeps participated in the fundraising event for the VFW ä More
Brian and Jennifer Ezell travel from Kinder to Jeep shows across the state and country in their 2021 Jeep Gladiator
PHOTO BY WENDY LOUP
of families attend
Hippity Hoppity Easter Market at Duplessis Park in Gonzales. The all-day event featured vendors food trucks
PROVIDED PHOTO Red mud dust leaves the LAlumina waste pile on April 7, 2022, during a northwest wind, as photographed by a state Department of Environmental Quality inspector responding to complaints.
St. Amant softball ‘next game approach’ works
Coaches say that the next play or game is the most important. That seems to hold true with the St. Amant softball team and coach Amy Pitre.
The Gators (21-7) are ranked third in the Division 1 nonselect rankings and are poised to add to the trophy case. “I believe if we continue to approach the next game as the most important one, anything is possible with this group,” Pitre said. Pitre is in her ninth season as the head coach of the Gators and has led them to four state titles, including last season. The Gators are looking to four-peat winning the title in 2002, 2023 and 2024.
St. Amant has nine state titles. Included in that is a five-year stretch of hoisting the trophy from 2002-06. The lineup has several new faces and some returnees from last season’s state championship team and Pitre is excited about the group.
“They are young and fun to coach, this group of players have grown every single game,” Pitre said.
The lineup has six new faces this season Ryliegh Moran starts in center field and is joined by Kenley Triche and Hudsyn Bowler in the outfield. The infield consists of Olivia Johnson, third base; Bailey Ducote, shortstop: Rylie Causey, second base; and Kinley Meche, first base
Brooke Rabalais is the catcher The pitching staff is led by Braylee Decoteau, Hailey Hebert, Brentley Bourque and Kyndall Landry Decoteau and Hebert work in at the designated player and flex positions.
When asked about where her team has improved the most since the beginning of the season, Pitre didn’t hesitate to answer. “We have improved the most in our approach to practice and games. The focus to detail has certainly gotten better as the season has progressed,” she said.
Division 1 nonselect is loaded with teams capable of winning a state championship, including several from District 5-5A.
“Our district is loaded with state contenders, like Dutchtown, Live Oak and Walker. They are in the top ten in power ratings. Other teams with state championship pedigrees
AROUND
Continued from page 1G
Corporation, Brown & Root Kelly Education, Louisiana Department of State Civil Service, Waffle House, River Parishes Community College, and many others from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, from at the library in Gonzales.
1775 … let the fighting begin
In the early morning of April 19, 1775 British troops and American colonists faced each other across a field in Lexington, Massachusetts. To this day, no one knows who pulled the trigger, but the opening shot of the American Revolution became “the shot heard ’round the world. How did Britain and 13 of her American colonies come to shoot at each other across the Lexington Common? On Saturday, April 19, the 250th anniversary of the historic battle, Eddie Vaughn, a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, will lead a discussion at the library in Gonzales, taking you through the background of
THE ASCENSION ADVOCATE
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are Sam Houston, Benton and Hahnville,” Pitre said.
District rival, East Ascension, is right outside to the top 10 at number 15. As St Amant finishes the regular with a nondistrict game with John Curtis on Tuesday, the challenge for winning their 10th state championship begins.
Don’t bet against the Gators, they are a perfect nine for nine when they get to the title game. With Pitre leading the way along with her outstanding staff and players, watch out for the Gators in the next few weeks.
Donaldsonville Recreation World Biddy Basketball runner up 9-10-year-old division includes, first row from left, Ken’zell Littles, Carson Landry, Zerrick Dias, Jace Dorsey and Kendrick Turner; and second row, coach Courtney Landry Sr Jaceon Butler Ra’jon Jacobs, Kayden Nicholas, Tyrone Richard, Sylvester Smith, Courtney Brown Jr., and coach Donald Brown STAFF
Donaldsonville Recreation 11-12 world Biddy Champions
Wanted to share photos of top-ranked Donaldsonville Recreation World Biddy Basketball top teams.
Recreation Director Devin Allen thank his assistant directors Ken Miller and Latrent White for their “efforts and dedication to our youth.”
many of our greatest national stories in 1775.
The program begins at 10 a.m. ConnectTeens
Registration is under way for ConnectTeens, a summer program for youths.
The Volunteer Ascension program helps students build leadership skills, earn service hours, make new friends and support the community To apply, visit www.jotform.com/ sign/250896179305062/invite/01jqpy0bq5de 16564842c8b4cf.
April GOP Roundtable set
Christopher Holton, senior analyst and director of state outreach at the Center for Security Policy will be the keynote speaker at the April Ascension GOP Roundtable, sponsored by Ascension Republican Women.
The roundtable starts at 11:30 a.m Thursday, April 17, at the Clarion Inn, 1500 W. La. 30, in Gonzales.
The league’s 11-12-year-old team won the Biddy Basketball World Championship title.
The team was coached by Ken Miller and Devon Allen. The team included Brennan Rodrigue, Robert Sullivan, Malik Williams, Mason Joshua, Jayce Green, Darron Harris Jr., Kenyatta Solomon, Deletrick Boyd Jr., Ryan Bell and Devon Williams.
Donaldsonville Recreation’s 9-10-year-old team was runner-up in their category at the World Biddy Basketball championships
The team included Jaceon Butler, Ra’jon
paid through PayPal at paypal.me/ARW225 or with Venmo. The event is open to the public and guests are welcome. Reservations are requested, and a $5 room fee will be collected for those not dining.
RSVP by calling (225) 921-5187 or email arwrus@aol.com.
Farmers market Saturday
Pick up fresh produce, crafts and other goods from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at 39275 La. 621, Gonzales. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/Hwy621OutdoorMarket.
Cost for the lunch is $30 and can be pre-
COMMUNITY SECTION EDITOR
Darlene T. Denstorff ddenstorff@theadvocate.com
OFFICE: (225) 388-0215
CELL: (225) 603-1998
RIVER PARISHES WRITER Christopher Cartwright christopher.cartwright@theadvocate.com (225) 388-0125
Spring vendor event
Stop by Cole’s Collectibles Spring Vendor Event from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at 407 E. Ascension St., Gonzales. The event will include antiques, gifts, crafts candles, hats, jewelry, art and food.
Resurrection Sunday
Join True Light Worship Center
Bishop Adrien Claiborne and Connie Claiborne at 8 a.m. Sunday for a celebration of
Jacobs, Kayden Nicholas, Tyrone Richard, Sylvester Smith, Courtney Brown Jr., Ken’zell Littles, Carson Landry Zerrick Dias, Jace Dorsey and Kendrick Turner Player Ken’zell Littles was selected as a basketball All American Troy LeBoeuf covers sports for the Ascension Advocate. He can be reached at troyleboeuf@hotmail.com or ascension@ theadvocate.com or on Twitter @Troyleboeuf.
Resurrection Sunday at the Price LeBlan PACE Center, in Gonzales. After the service, an Easter egg hunt and refreshments are planned. For more information, visit www.truelightworshipcenter.com.
‘Cabaret’ coming to Ascension Ascension Community Theatre is stage “Cabaret” April 24-27. The musical tells the story of a Berlin nightclub in the 1920s. For dates and ticket information, visit ci.ovationtix.com/35620/ production/1212131.
Festival de la Prairie
Festival de la Prairie is April 25-27 in Prairieville. The festival is behind St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. The festival includes food, music, rides, 5K run and other activities. Things kick off at 6 p.m. April 25. Contact Darlene Denstorff by phone, (225) 388-0215 or (225) 603-1998; or email, ascension@theadvocate.com or ddenstorff@theadvocate.com. Deadline: 5 p.m. Friday.
Holton
PROVIDED PHOTOS
Donaldsonville Recreation 11-12 World Biddy Champions team includes, first row from left, Kenyatta Solomon, Deletrick Boyd Jr., Ryan Bell and Devon Williams; and second row, coach Ken Milller, Brennan Rodrigue, Robert Sullivan, Malik Williams, Mason Joshua, Jayce Green, Darron Harris Jr., and coach Devon Allen.
Hippity Hoppity Easter Market
offers celebration, shopping
BY WENDY LOUP
Contributing writer
Duplessis Park’s playground and large oak trees served as the backdrop Saturday for the Hippity Hoppity Easter Market.
Families participated in Easter egg hunts while perusing local market and food vendors. The spring event, hosted by Bearded Events, featured 100 market vendors and six food trucks and tents.
The Hippity Hoppity Fest is one of many Chad Brown, owner of Bearded Events, has organized in Ascension beginning with the popular Small Business Owners of Ascension’s Trunk-or-Treat in 2020.
“When COVID happened and the world was shut down, I felt the community needed an outlet to just get out and have an opportunity for the kids to still have fun,” Brown said. “That was the motivation in year one, and, thankfully, we’ve been able to do it ever since.”
Bearded Events specializes in event planning and small business advertising. The company also leases tables, as well as providing scheduled appearances from Santa, Grinch and the Easter Bunny.
“I have been very blessed by the turnouts for the events over the five years,” Brown said. “I would like to give a huge thanks to the businesses that have come and setup, as well as the community for coming and supporting
“I believe that our appeal to the public is that we are community driven, and we put people first. There is a genuine love for supporting local small businesses and bringing people together in an authentic way.”
The spring event gave local small business owners the chance to introduce themselves to the public.
Vendor participant Kitty Landry, owner of Miss Kitty’s Yard Pieces, had a successful day of selling her custom-made Easter-themed yard
signs.
Landry, a Sorrento resident, has been designing and creating her polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material signs for 20 years.
For the Easter market, Landry sold her signs under one of the oak trees at the park.
“The setup for the vendors is nice,” Landry said. “I was so excited when he (Brown) told me I’d be able to sell under the tree.” Activities for attendees scheduled throughout the day included Easter egg hunts, appearances by the Easter Bunny and other children’s activities.
Geismar resident and Bubbly Bo-
tanicals owner Shelly Johnson sold her homemade, all-natural line of soaps and body care specifically created for those with sensitive skin.
“Today was well-organized with the way things were scheduled throughout the day,” Johnson said.
“The different activities were spread out, so everyone stayed
interested all day Today was an enjoyable day for families to hang out with each other.”
Most of Brown’s Ascension Parish events have revolved around the same annual holidays and seasons, such as the Parks and Recreation Christmas Stroll in the Park.
“I think what makes my events appealing is I try to make each one different from the previous one,” Brown said. “That might mean new vendors, or some creative and crazy idea that popped in my head, each one has to stand alone and be new and fresh.”
Brown said organizing market events takes anywhere between 8 and 12 months in advance.
“I love to plan,” Brown added.
“For example, I’ll start my Christmas event ideas in the next few weeks.”
Bearded Events has already scheduled the 2025 Small Business Owners of Ascension’s Trunk-orTreat for Oct. 11.
PHOTOS BY WENDY LOUP
The Hippity Hoppity Easter Market at Duplessis Park in Gonzales showcased 100 local shopping and craft vendors. The day-long market was hosted by Bearded Events and Ascension Parish Recreation.
Bubbly Botanicals owner Shelly Johnson sells her homemade, all-natural line of soaps and body care during Saturday’s Hippity Hoppity Easter Market.
The Hippity Hoppity Easter Market featured 100 business, including Miss Kitty’s Yard Pieces. Owner Kitty Landry has been crafting custom-made yard signs for 20 years.
Trey Hardesty pushes his children, Grace, 7, and four-year-old Curtis, during Saturday’s Hippity Hoppity Easter Market at Duplessis Park in Gonzales.
Almatis and now LAlumina.
The leveed-off impoundments east of La 44 and north of La 22 hold the rust-colored waste, a processed version of bauxite ore with naturally occurring and slight radioactivity as well as trace heavy metals.
The waste mud can dry out and get lifted up by the wind. The dust has been the source of regular complaints to the state Department of Environmental Quality from residents in the Pelican Crossing neighborhood, regulatory papers show, with some as recent as this February
“Red dust still blowing offsite from the old Ormet facility Was really bad Sunday (2/9) and is still blowing today (2/11),” a DEQ complaint description says.
In an interview last week, Cointment said parish crews were still in the logistics phase of capping the test plot, including preparing to work on the unstable red mud that has seen equipment sink into it in the past.
Once the parish begins the work, its crews will place a 6-inchdeep cap across the 4-acre stretch of red mud, the parish president said.
DEQ officials are requiring the parish to test the successfulness of growing grass on the six-inch layer of dirt because the red mud can leach highly alkaline runoff when rain falls and inhibit the grass’ growth.
Cointment said the work timeframe for the first 4-acre test plot will be dependent on weather as crews will try to cover the mud when it is wet to avoid causing dust problems.
“I don’t want to create an even bigger problem in helping to solve the problem and so these are things we are going over with our staff, so they understand that,”
Cointment said.
Early work on the partial closure plan, according to the parish, also called for toxicity testing of the red mud and runoff water in the ponds to help determine what kind of protective equipment workers will need.
Under the recently signed agreement the parish will be able to reimburse itself with a $5.5 million fund LAlumina and
its predecessors set aside to close the entire site.
The parish plans to use almost the entire closure fund, however to tackle the two ponds closest to the Pelican Crossing neighborhood, according to parish plans.
About $2 million of that spending is to buy excavators and other special equipment, including amphibious machines, to work on the red mud.
Though parish government is stepping into address the red dust problem, DEQ had required LAlumina and its predecessors to pay into the closure fund to be permitted to dump its waste for years. LAlumina currently has one employee associated with the site.
Under the recently signed deal, the remaining three ponds, which contain red mud below their containment levee and generally are
covered with water, will be left to LAlumina. Maintenance of the ponds that the parish will cap will also remain the company’s responsibility
In all, Ponds 4 and 5 cover about 150 acres but the parish plans to apply dirt on 100 acres combined, covering the slopes and stacked peaks that rise above the height of the pond containment levees by nearly three times.
Parish officials believe it is these elevated sections of the ponds that are causing the dust problems. Left uncovered would be the outer perimeters of the ponds, which dip lower than the containment levees and routinely hold standing water from rain runoff.
Under the parish plan, once the full capping job begins, work would be conducted in 1-acre plots
in a grid-like pattern designed to minimize dust, starting on the east and working west. The parish also plans to install an irrigation system and drainage culverts.
The parish plans to use dirt from drainage projects, state highway projects and the nearby Air Products site in Burnside for the cover material. Air Products is planning on building a $4.5 billion low-carbon hydrogen plant along the Mississippi River.
DEQ allowed the parish to use spent concrete and asphalt from road work to fill in gaps but required that it be covered with dirt also for grass cover.
The current owner, LAlumina, closed the alumina plant in 2020 and now has the operation in caretaker status. DEQ officials say LAlumina has a sprinkler system to control dust, but agency inspec-
tors routinely point out in reports about residents’ complaints that the system isn’t large enough for the entire waste site
The red mud ponds in Burnside are among several dumping sites in the Mississippi River corridor between Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
Plants in Geismar, Convent, Gramercy and western St. James use mined rock to make alumina or agricultural fertilizers and then dump either red mud or gypsum tailings in large piles and impoundments. The wastes are toxic and slightly radioactive with limited reuse options. Federal regulators have opted for stacking as the safest plan.
David J. Mitchell can be reached at dmitchell@ theadvocate.com.
The Ascension Jeep Invasion, Jeepin’ 4 Vets in Gonzales included a Vendor Village featuring a dozen craft and food vendors. A Southern Fleur, based in St. Amant, sold Easter-themed custom-made signs.
and her
Wrangler features a Dr Pepper theme.
Loranger resident, Christina Thibodeaux, drove her 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon to Ascension Jeep Invasion, Jeepin’ 4 Vets at the Gonzales VFW Post 3693.
Thibodeaux said she nicknamed her Jeep ‘Sassy’ after her own personality
PHOTO BY WENDY LOUP
Kylie Dailey, of Biloxi,
two-year-old dog, Rubicon, participate April 5 in Ascension Jeep Invasion, Jeepin’ 4 Vets event at the Gonzales VFW Post 3693. Dailey’s 2017 Jeep
FILE PHOTO BY DAVID J MITCHELL
Two children ride their scooters Wednesday, Aug 19, 2020, on the sidewalk in a new section of the Pelican Crossing neighborhood built next to one of the red mud ponds holding waste ore from the LAlumina complex in Burnside. Neighbors to the ponds complain about red dust whipping up from the waste site.
JEEPIN’ FOR VETS