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Assumption Parish Sheriff Mike Waguespack is reporting that preliminary autopsy reports for Mitchell Guist, 47, indicate the star of the popular Swamp People reality show died of natural causes. Guist’s manager, friend and part time employer, Todd Alexander, confirmed that Ascension Parish Coroner John Fraiche talked to Guist family members Wednesday. Additional information about the cause of … Continue reading →
VACHERIE — St. James Parish deputies have arrested a Convent man in connection with a shooting at the Magnolia Housing Complex in Vacherie that left one victim wounded and another dead. Joseph Monroe Johnson, 26, 10413 Legion Lane, was booked Monday with first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder, according to a news release from Sheriff … Continue reading →
GONZALES — An autopsy was scheduled Tuesday to determine what caused the death of Mitchell Guist, 47, one of the stars of “Swamp People,” the History channel reality television show. According to information released by the Ascension Parish Coroner’s Office, the final determination could take several weeks. Mitchell Guist, who appeared in the series … Continue reading →
A construction worker was shocked Monday when a piece of metal he was holding came into contact with a power line, Ascension Parish schools’ Public Information Officer Johnnie Balfantz said. According to a release from the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, 44-year-old Michael Chaplin was working on a metal canopy at the back of the shared campus … Continue reading →
Ascension Parish resident Mitchell Guist, a star of the popular History Channel television show “Swamp People,” died Monday after collapsing in his boat in St. Martin Parish, authorities and family members said. “He’d been building on a house boat. He had just put it in the water this morning and was pushing it. … Continue reading →
ST. JAMES — Twin brothers were killed in a crash Saturday morning on U.S. 61 south of Interstate 10 after their car veered off the highway and into a nearby bayou, a State Police spokesman said Sunday. Drew J. Bourgeois, 26, of Mount Airy, was driving a 2006 Pontiac G6 south on U.S. 61 … Continue reading →
GONZALES — Ascension Parish sheriff’s deputies arrested a Gonzales man Friday on one count each of simple robbery and impersonating a police officer. Sheriff’s Lt. Col. Bobby Webre said Wayne A. Melancon Jr., 53, was being held at the Ascension Parish Jail on Friday evening … Continue reading →
The Ascension Parish 4-H Junior Leaders annual dance is set for 6 p.m. Friday at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center. The dance, which has a “Rock Star” theme, is open to all fourth- through eighth-graders. Admission is $5 and concessions will be sold. Dress for the event is casual. The Junior Leaders Club is a service-learning organization … Continue reading →
GONZALES — It took Phillip Weber less than a minute to swim across a pond on Tuesday for the annual East Ascension High School Pond Jump. Weber, who was soaking wet and breathing hard after the quick swim, was followed by more than 90 percent of the 378-member senior class for the traditional plunge on … Continue reading →
Gonzales — Henry Smith touched the white, cinder-block wall behind him with pride. “This is my wall,” he said, during the Howard-Johnson American Legion Post 557’s hall rededication ceremony on Saturday in Gonzales. Smith and other members of the all-African-American post spent more than a year raising money and working to rebuild the structure. Continue reading →
Gonzales — Today’s female caregivers need to learn how to “take care of themselves as well as they take care of others,” Pamela Mong told a group of women gathered May 2 for the St. Elizabeth Hospital Advisory Council’s annual Women’s Health Luncheon. The theme for this year’s event, held at Elegant … Continue reading →
Aquafina’s 2012 local Pitch, Hit and Run competition will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Lowery Middle School in Donaldsonville. Saturday’s event is sponsored by Major League Baseball, local event organizer Mark Peters said. “This event is designed to provide youngsters with … Continue reading →
Eatel Corp. recently partnered with the Ascension and Livingston Parish school systems to host the 2012 Top Scholars Banquet. The sixth annual event honored the academic success of 12 high school students, as well as the teachers who have been most influential in their lives, according to a news release from Eatel Corp. In … Continue reading →
Kimberly Blom-Roemer has been chosen River Region Art Association’s May Artist of the Month. Blom-Roemer’s photography is on display throughout the month at the RRAA Art Gallery at Houmas House Gift Shop on the River Road and the RRAA Art Gumbo Center in Gonzales on Magnolia Avenue. Born in Las Vegas, Blom-Roemer was reared in the … Continue reading →
Loss and Grief Education and Support Meeting: 6 p.m., Sister Vernola conference room. Program continues May 17, May 24 and May 31. The event is free; registration is preferred. Call (225) 621-2906. Youth flag football Club Summer registration: Registration information at Donaldsonville and Gonzales city hall during regular business hours through … Continue reading →
Ham with white beans, brown rice, steamed spinach, fruit punch, corn bread, applesauce. Pilates: Gonzales, 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. Baked chicken, broccoli au gratin, tossed salad, macaroni and cheese, strawberry shortcake. AARP 55 Alive Safe Driving Course: Gonzales, 8:30 a.m. Zumba … Continue reading →
Baked potato, chili, cheese cup, butter, salad, pear halves, whole-wheat roll, milk choice Sandwich: Hamburger Manager’s choice or turkey and gravy, steamed white rice, sweet potato casserole, salad cup, blushing pears, whole-wheat roll, milk choice Choice: Taco salad or hamburger Continue reading →
GONZALES — The Ascension Parish Planning Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to appeal restrictions concerning two new subdivisions along La. 42 that originally were approved last month. While The Shadows at Manchac — a 158-lot, 60-acre site — and the River Landing — a 69-lot, 29.2-acre development — were approved, restrictions recommended by parish staff included … Continue reading →
LUTCHER — The St. James Parish School Board unanimously voted to close Romeville Elementary School and send its 88 students to Paulina Elementary School in August. The School Board, in another unanimous vote during its Tuesday meeting, declared Romeville Elementary School as excess property and agreed to put the building up for sale. Continue reading →
GRAMERCY — A personal-care attendant faces prosecution on Medicaid fraud and forgery counts, state Attorney General Buddy Caldwell reported Wednesday. Linda D. Bourgeois, 53, 1530 Rose Lane, Gramercy, allegedly added fraudulent hours to time sheets she submitted to the Medicaid program on 19 separate occasions from May 25, 2009, to June 21, 2009, according to … Continue reading →
GEISMAR — A power failure at Westlake Chemical’s Geismar complex triggered a chemical release Wednesday afternoon that sent three contract workers to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Gonzales. The incident occurred just after 3 p.m., Louisiana State Police Troop A spokesman Russell Graham said. The three workers were treated for inhalation injuries and released. Continue reading →
GEISMAR — Ascension Parish sheriff’s detectives searched Wednesday for a man impersonating a police officer who pulled a Geismar woman’s car over, stole her purse and fled. Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Tony Bacala reported the victim noticed a white van following her from a grocery store as she drove about 9 p.m. Tuesday on Deck Boulevard. … Continue reading →
More than 300 East Ascension High School seniors donned costumes and colorful flotation devices for the annual Pond Jump Tuesday morning. It took less than 30 minutes for the seniors to swim the length of the pond located across the street from the high school. The annual tradition calls for seniors to take the plunge … Continue reading →
The right lane of Interstate 10 westbound in Ascension Parish will be closed from 6 miles west of the La. 73 interchange to the East Baton Rouge Parish line from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. Monday. The state Department of Transportation and Development issued an advisory Tuesday announcing the closure. One lane will remain open at all … Continue reading →
GONZALES — Ascension Parish administrators gave the public a first look Tuesday night at a proposed far-reaching project to improve the parish’s transportation infrastructure. One of multiple funding sources for the proposed $140 million program to enhance numerous roadways in unincorporated areas of the parish would be a proposed half-cent tax that would not … Continue reading →
Nicholls State University in Thibodaux is testing a new kind of eye in the sky to track coastal erosion and the health of Louisiana’s barrier islands more closely. The islands are an important habitant for migratory birds and a frontline protection against hurricanes, but the islands have undergone heavy erosion as the state’s coast has faded … Continue reading →
An 18-wheeler is overturned on Ashland Road near La. 30, blocking one lane of traffic, State Police said. The truck is carrying a non-toxic, alcohol-based soap, said Trooper First Class Russell Graham II. La. 30 is near the Tanger Outlet Mall.
DONALDSONVILLE — Ascension Parish President Tommy Martinez says he believes the parish needs to look at setting up a dedicated funding mechanism to pay for parish animal control. The current user fee structure, coupled with flat fees the municipalities pay for parish services, generates about $140,000 per year. But parish animal control costs about … Continue reading →
St. Mark Catholic Church’s Light Lane Festival starts at 6 p.m. Friday with food, carnival rides, bingo, music and a silent action. Kenny Fife is set to play at 8 p.m. Friday. The fair, held on the church grounds in Gonzales, continues at 8 a.m. Saturday with a car show, jambalaya mini-pot cooking contest, food and … Continue reading →
DONALDSONVILLE — The Ascension Parish Council granted final backing Thursday on a 33 percent pay increase for themselves and rejected a push to allow voters to decide on the increase and delay its effect until the next council term begins. Approved on a 7-3 vote, the increase will boost the pay … Continue reading →
A woman was convicted in New Orleans federal court of using counterfeit checks to buy a car and motorcycles, including from a dealership in Ascension Parish, prosecutors said. Gina M. Seawright, 26, of Bay St. Louis, Miss., pleaded guilty Wednesday before U.S. District Judge Martin L.C. Feldman to making, uttering and possessing counterfeit securities between Dec. 3, … Continue reading →
CONVENT — The St. James Parish Council voted 7-0 to move forward with plans to expropriate 13 acres on three undeveloped tracts near the Convent Courthouse as a location for building a public community center and emergency supplies warehouse. Parish Councilmen Jason Amato, Alvin St. Pierre, Terry McCreary, Jimmy Brazan, Ken … Continue reading →
GONZALES — Detectives arrested a man accused of molesting four girls between 4 and 8 years of age at a Gonzales residence, the Police Department reported Thursday. Detective Sgt. Steven Nethken said in a news release that Morris Buckner, 27, 3003 River Road, Baton Rouge, did not know anyone living at the Gonzales home, … Continue reading →
The Ascension Parish Recycling Road Show will be held Saturday at the Walmart store in Prairieville. A recycling vehicle will be stationed in the parking lot from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For information, call Terance Irvin at (225) 621-5722. Continue reading →
MAY 3 --National Day of Prayer: 11:30 a.m., Lamar-Dixon Expo Center Trademart Building. Public invited. For information, email tracymarquette@aol.com FRIDAY --Light Lane Festival: 6 p.m., St. Mark Catholic Church. Fair continues Saturday and Sunday on the grounds of the church. Food, carnival rides, bingo, music and a silent action SATURDAY --Recycling Road Show: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Walmart parking lot in Prairieville. A … Continue reading →
GONZALES -- Colby Lomas, 11, listened as former Southern Lab School golf instructor Larry Horton talked about the keys to perfecting the putt. Lomas was one of more than 40 G.W. Carver Primary School fifth-graders taking part in a morning-long golf clinic on April 25 hosted by Hope Youth Development. “I … Continue reading →
Friends and relatives of Janet Capone, a Donaldsonville resident who suffered traumatic injuries in a Feb. 21 car crash, are hosting a fundraiser Saturday to defray medical expenses. “JanetFest”, is set 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the grounds of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Donaldsonville, 818 W. 10th St.. Admission to the … Continue reading →
GONZALES — The teacher of the year award Agnes Pizzolato received last week from area Knight of Columbus chapters was not the first honor she received from the group for her years of teaching at a Donaldsonville Catholic school, but it will be her last. Pizzolato, a sixth-grade teacher at Ascension Catholic Diocesan Regional … Continue reading →
Volunteer Ascension’s ConnecTeens is holding its registration meeting at 6 p.m. May 10 at the Ascension Parish Library in Gonzales. Youth ages 12 to 17 can register for summer volunteer opportunities, Volunteer Ascension Executive Director Sherry Denig said. ConnecTeens is a Volunteer Ascension program that matches young volunteers with areas of need throughout the parish, she said. Continue reading →
June 11 is the last day for commercial property owners in the Donaldsonville Main Street district to apply for grant money to make upgrades and repairs to buildings, Downtown Development District Director Missy Jandura said. The Redevelopment Incentive Grant program is through the Louisiana Main Street program, she said. The program offers $10,000 grants for major projects … Continue reading →
The final round of the Ascension Idol contest is set for 7 p.m. on Tuesday in the Gonzales Civic Center. The singing competition is a fundraiser for the Ascension Fund. Finalists from Dutchtown, Donaldsonville, East Ascension and St. Amant high schools will be competing for prizes. Fans of the students can vote online for their … Continue reading →
Prairieville Middle School seventh-graders got a first-hand lesson in Louisiana culture thanks to talks from an alligator hunter, a jambalaya king, Cajun musicians, storytellers and others who shared stories of living in the bayou state. The volunteer speakers were part of the school’s annual Living in the South program. Matthew Lambert talked about growing up in … Continue reading →
More than 30 visiting queens from various pageants and events across Louisiana gathered for a Queens Day Event and evening pageant in Gonzales.
The Ascension Parish Library is planning parties around the parish to celebrate Mother’s Day. The Donaldsonville library branch will host its annual Mother’s Day Tea Party at 6:30 p.m. on May 10. The party is for children of all ages and their mothers and/or grandmothers. Refreshments will be provided. Registration is required. For more … Continue reading →
--Fast Exercise: Gonzales, 10:45 a.m. --Pilates: Gonzales, 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. --Cajun Needlers: Gonzales, 12:30 p.m. --Zumba Gold: Donaldsonville, 9 a.m. and Gonzales, 10:30 a.m. --Karaoke: Gonzales, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. --Fast Exercise: Donaldsonville, 9:30 a.m. and Gonzales, 10:45 a.m. --Beading … Continue reading →