DONALDSONVILLE • DUTCHTOWN • GEISMAR • GONZALES • PRAIRIEVILLE • ST. AMANT
THE ASCENSION
ADVOCATE T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
|
W e d n e s d ay, A p r i l 16, 2025
1GN
Officials start on fix for red dust from plant Darlene Denstorff AROUND ASCENSION
Inside the Big Band celebration 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.
BY DAVID J. MITCHELL Staff writer
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
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
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 ä See DUST, page 4G Environmental Quality inspector responding to complaints.
MARKET DAY
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
PHOTO BY WENDY LOUP
Hundreds of families attend Saturday’s Hippity Hoppity Easter Market at Duplessis Park in Gonzales. The all-day event featured vendors, food trucks and children’s activities. ä Story and photos. PAGE 3G
Ascension Jeep Invasion raises money for VFW Post 3693 BY WENDY LOUP Contributing writer
PHOTO BY WENDY LOUP
The Gonzales VFW Post 3693 welcomed Jeep enthusiasts during the April 5 Ascension Jeep Invasion, Jeepin’ 4 Vets event. More than 100 Jeeps participated in the fundraising event for the VFW. ä More photos. PAGE 4G
Brian and Jennifer Ezell travel from Kinder to Jeep shows across the state and country in their 2021 Jeep Gladiator.
More than 100 Jeep enthusiasts proudly showcased themed vehicles decked out with LED lights, flags and accessories April 5 during the second Ascension Jeep Invasion, Jeepin’ 4 Vets at the Gonzales VFW Post 3693. The daylong event also featured a Vendor Village, silent auction and raffles, food and live musical entertainment. Proceeds from the event went to VFW Post 3693. The post will host a National Day of Service on May 3.