Ascension Advocate 08-20-2025

Cointment to speak at GOP roundtable

Ascension Parish President

Clint Cointment will be the speaker Thursday, Aug. 21 at the Ascension GOP Roundtable at Clarion Inn, 1500 W La. 30, Gonzales.

A meet and greet session starts at 11:30 a.m and the doors open at 11:15 a.m.

Cointment, who was elected to his first term as Ascension Parish president in 2019, has a degree in general studies from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and obtained his professional surveyor’s license from Nicholls State University.

Initially working with his father for many years, Cointment owned and operated his family surveying company from 2007 until 2020.

Cost for the lunch is $30. To prepay, visit paypal.me/ ARW225 or Venmo. The event is open to the public and guests are welcome. Reservations are requested. A $5 room fee will be collected for those not dining.

RSVP: (225) 921-5187 or email: ARWrUS@aol.com.

Upcoming events

Aug. 23-24: HERPS Exotic Reptile and Pet Show (Lamar Dixon)

Aug. 29-31: River Jam (Fred’s on the River) Aug 30: Summer Sips Pop-Up Market (Sugarfield)

Food distributions set Ascension Parish’s commodity distribution is set for the second Tuesday of each month in Donaldsonville and the second Wednesday of the month in Gonzales.

Distributions are from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Frank Sotile Jr Pavilion in Donaldsonville and at Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales.

All recipients must be prequalified by visiting the Ascension Parish Health Unit, 1024 E. Ascension Complex Blvd. in Gonzales, or Donaldsonville courthouse, 300 Houmas St., in Donaldsonville. Call Layne Melancon at (225) 4501006 or email layne.melancon@ fmolhs.org.

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

BY DAVID J MITCHELL Staff writer

Plans for a huge reservoir north of Baton Rouge to help keep the Amite River from flooding densely populated neighborhoods downstream have been sidelined by opposition from people who live in the countryside where it would be built.

Instead, the agency that revived the decades-old reservoir idea will focus on restoring curves in the Amite and keeping sediment out of the river, measures that could help scale down disasters like the widespread August 2016 flood, which damaged nearly 65,500 homes and thousands of businesses in East Baton Rouge, Livingston and Ascension parishes alone.

The agency the Amite River Basin Commission, hasn’t formally opposed the big reservoir in East Feliciana and St. Helena parishes.

But it has now agreed to add the East Feliciana Parish government’s latest objection to the idea in the commission’s new master plan, which includes the reservoir Paul Sawyer, executive director of the commission, said the action means the agency will be “laser focused” on other projects that it has money and support for two elements he called “essential ingredients.” He said the reservoir idea has neither, even though research shows it would reduce flooding.

“What we have been saying even

before this became a household topic in East Feliciana and St. Helena is that we can’t do a project like this without the support and partnership of residents of East Feliciana and St. Helena,” Sawyer said “They have to be on board with this.”

The commission will proceed with $100 million in Amite projects funded through the Louisiana Watershed Initiative, the state-run, federally funded program prompted by the 2016 flood, as well as with a plan to restore parts of the Amite

Athletes are motivated in different ways: It may be a coach’s challenge, a failure in the past or in the case of Braylon Williams, a loss not on the field. Williams is a senior football player for the second-year program at Prairieville High School. The Hurricanes had their first taste of varsity football last fall, the results were mixed, but the experience was priceless. Michael Schmitt is back to lead the program and “I was not really surprised on how last season went being a first-year varsity program. We have many young men competing, the numbers were crazy Our

to reduce downstream flooding.

It already has a deal in the works to buy more than 200 acres in St. Helena for the river restoration and hopes to finalize it soon.

The idea is to rehabilitate former gravel mining pits to restore natural curves along the middle and upper Amite and to find ways to prevent sediment from washing into the river A straighter river with heavier sediment loads is believed to worsen flooding downstream.

Gaining political momentum

after the historic floods of 1983 — and then again in 2016 the idea of a big reservoir has long been floated for the rural, hilly area north of Baton Rouge The preferred location has been a section of the Amite River in East Feliciana and St. Helena just west of the community of Darlington, which gave the concept its name. Repeated analyses by the state and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have shown that the rolling topography there can be used to store water reducing flooding by several feet in more populated, lowlying areas downstream.

Building the storage area, however, would also mean permanently flooding tens of thousands of acres or greatly reducing their use, displacing people and potentially affecting businesses that rely on the land and the river

Chrissie O’Quin, the East Feliciana Police Jury vice president, delivered the parish government’s resolution of opposition to the reservoir to the Amite commission last month.

She said people don’t want to be forced to give up their land, particularly for a project they fear may bring unwelcome changes to a rural area.

“They enjoy that peaceful life up there,” she said.

Opponents have appeared at several meetings in recent months,

The following people were booked into the Ascension Parish Jail on July 24-Aug. 14:

JULY 24

TABOR, VICTORIA LEIGH: 6757 Bellaire Drive, New Orleans; 29; no seat belt, careless operation, operating while intoxicated-third

COLLINS, DAVID BILL: 101 Lighthouse Point, Slidell; 44; theft over $25,000, monetary instrument abuse, bank fraud

JOSEPH, TRAMON A.: 529 Eiseman Ave., Marrero; 30; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction

SMITH, TYLER ALEXANDER: 233 Taylor St., Baton Rouge; 23; failure to appear-bench warrant

QUAVE, KAYLEIGH NICOLE: 31523 Violet Circle, Denham Springs; 36; failure to appear-bench warrant

SCOTT, BRIONNE ANGELIQUE: 40336 Coldwater Landing Ave., Gonzales; 19; domestic abuse battery

HERBERT JR., CRAIG J.: 211 Lucky St., Plattenville; 34; parole violation, domestic abuse battery-strangulation, aggravated battery, domestic abuse battery

JULY 25

CHANEY, LINDALE: 203 S. Marshall St., Bunkie; 41; prohibited acts-drug paraphernalia, fraud in obtaining accommodations; worthless checks and other fraudulent acts, theft less than $1,000

STUBBS, JOSEPH HOLLIS: 5804 N. La. 1, Rosedale, Mississippi; 33 possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methadone), possession of a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance, prohibited acts-drug paraphernalia

WARR, APRIL ANNISE: 266 Myrtle Grove Drive, Donaldsonville; 38; failure to appear-bench warrant, theft less than $1,000

WILLIAMS, DEVIN MCKELL: 1005 E. Greenbriar St., Gonzales; 26; probation violation

JULY 26

ROWE, JAZSMEN ITORIE: 16333 Columns Way, Baton Rouge; 27; two counts failure to appear-bench warrant, domestic abuse battery

DOZAR, JOHN: 37113 White Road, No. 38, Prairieville; 65; monetary instrument abuse

PHILLIP, CHRISTOPHER: 800 Riverview Complex, Donaldsonville; 36; criminal trespass/trespassing of real property

CARR, SHEDDERICK LESARGE: 3737 Burkett St., No. 27C, Houston, Texas; 32; illegal transmission of monetary funds, bank fraud, monetary instrument abuse, identity theft

WILLIAMS, SIERRA LUTICIA: 37572 Grand Oak Drive, Prairieville; 40; violations of protective orders

BUCKNER, CHRISTIAN ISRAEL: 38259 La. 621, No. 13, Gonzales; 20; domestic abuse battery-pregnant victim

MILLER, RAHEEM LEE: 36612 Pookey Lane, No. 2, Prairieville; 29; failure to appear-bench warrant, fugitiveother Louisiana jurisdiction

DONALDSON, LACIE NICOLE: 6454 Airline Highway, St. Amant; 24; two counts failure to appear-bench warrant, prohibited acts-drug paraphernalia

JULY 27

URSIN, ALEXIS TYRIANNA: 4530 River Road, Port Allen; 26; entry on or remaining in places or on land after being forbidden, disturbing the peace/language/disorderly conduct, battery of a dating partner

AYO, JACQUELINE ALONJAY: 13230 High Meadow Drive, Gonzales; 25; resisting an officer, disturbing the peace/language/disorderly conduct

MARTIN, OLIVER JOHN: 2402 Cessford Road, Lake Charles; 39; failure to appear-bench warrant, fugitiveother Louisiana jurisdiction

TILLOTSON, QUENTIN TAMIEL: 15012 La. 73, Prairieville; 44; possession of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles, driving on roadway laned for traffic, operating while intoxicatedthird

MCNEAL, BRAD: 42495 Cannon Road, Gonzales; 50; three counts failure to appear-bench warrant, prohibited acts-drug paraphernalia, possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine), probation violation

JULY 28

CHATMAN, JAMAR ARTHUR: 252

Lovers Lane, Baton Rouge; 43; three counts failure to appear-bench warrant, evidence of motor vehicle liability security contained in vehicle, operating vehicle while license is suspended, violations of registration provisions

LANDRY, VANITA MICHELLE: 3108 Lemannville Cutoff Road, Donaldsonville; 39; two counts failure to appear-bench warrant, simple criminal damage to property less than $1000, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction

SIMS, DERRICK LOVEJOY: 35156 La. 1

N., Donaldsonville; 44; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction

CONVERSE, AALIYAH DANIELLE: 116 Oakridge Ave. C, Donaldsonville; 26; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction

JOHNSON, TYRONE JERMAINE: 40472

Baren Road, Gonzales; 47; failure to appear-bench warrant

WILLIAMS, QUENTIN TONELLE: 4343 Denham St. 607, Baton Rouge; 20; theft less than $1,000

KEMP, SAMANTHA LYNN: 9450 La. 44, No. 507, Convent; 33; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction

CONVERSE, TRINA ALLEGRA: 123 Dville Village Circle, Donaldsonville; 51; bank fraud, identity theft, monetary instrument abuse

PRICE, GLENN: 901 Magnolia St., Donaldsonville; 68; obstruction of justice/all others

WELLS, REBECCA JUANITA: 38517 Charleston Road, Prairieville; 28; careless operation, operating while intoxicated-fourth or more

JACKSON, DANIRAN DWAYNE: 14486 Essen Terrace Drive, Gonzales; 21; traffic-control signals, manufacture/distribution/possession with the intent to distribute Schedule I controlled dangerous substance, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, general speed law, distribution/possession with the intent to distribute marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids

FONTENOT, JUSTIN TREMAIN: 6525 Stoneview Ave., Baker; 32; domestic abuse battery-strangulation

JULY 29

REEVES, JUSTIN: 200 Ridgedale Road, No. 53, West Monroe; 39; possession of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles, security required, driver must be licensed, operating a vehicle while intoxicated-child endangerment law

POLANCO-HURTADO, JUNIOR AL-

EXANDER: 2511 Illinois Ave., Apt. C, Kenner; 26; two counts failure to appear-bench warrant

BLAKE, GENESIS: 43309 Meadow Grove Drive, Prairieville; 49; prohibited activities and sanctions (insurance fraud), fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction

JULY 30

MILLER, RICHARD JOSEPH: 5267 Galaxy Blvd, Darrow; 70; state probation violation, probation violation

JOHNSON, FREEMAN F.: 39041 Jupiter Ave., Darrow; 50; parole violation

MOLLERE, MARLON: 183 Ewell St., Paincourtville; 41; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, two counts theft less than $1,000, possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (oxycodone)

HENRY, JASON NATHANIEL: 37372 Southwood Village Ave., Prairieville; 43; stop signs and yield signs, operating vehicle while license is suspended, resisting an officer, possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine), parole violation, theft less than $1,000

STONEMARK, REID GENE: 39430 Lakeland Ave., Prairieville; 18; battery of a dating partner, aggravated assault, unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling

JULY 31

CRANDLE, LAWRENCE: 100 Lafourche St., Donaldsonville; 72; possession of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles, careless operation, operating while intoxicated-second WATKINS, IRVIN: 103 Crescent Place Drive, Donaldsonville; 63; prohibited activities and sanctions (insurance fraud)

SCHEXNIDER, MYLON JOSEPH: 40195 Alise Ave., Prairieville; 32;

two counts pornography involving juveniles

ETHERIDGE, SARAH RAE: 14060 Mire Road, Gonzales; 36; failure to appear-bench warrant

PETTIT, JOSEPH EDWARD: 11329

Family Road, Gonzales; 42; material witness, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction

BENSON, LLOYD: 11414 Bon Terre Blvd., Gonzales; 68; domestic abuse battery

SUTHERLAND, KEITH ANTHONY: 8209 Mill St., St. James; 54; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, domestic abuse battery

DAVIS, PARIS ARMANI: 245 Sherwood Drive, Lafayette; 18; theft $1,000 but less than $5,000

LANOUX, MADDOX JAMES: 12488 Emile Road, St. Amant; 17; unlawful sale/purchase/or possession of tobacco-signs required, reckless operation, hit-and-run driving

SIMPSON, RUSSELL WAYNE: 37084 White Road, Prairieville; 41; telephone communications/improper language/harassment, two counts fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, failure to appear-bench warrant

DUPUY, LANCE THOMAS: 43247 Elmo Cannon Ext., Gonzales; 46; illegal possession of stolen things $1,000 to $5,000, simple criminal damage to property less than $1,000, criminal trespass/all other theft $1,000 but less than $5,000

AUG. 1

JONES, PEYTON EDWARD: 16050 W Lakepoint Court, Prairieville; 21; violations of protective orders

COOPER, KYMONDE M.: 1257 Magnolia Heights St., Vacherie; 23; two counts failure to appear-bench warrant, theft $1,000 but less than $5,000, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction

ANDREWS, TORRENCE T.: 3752 Victoria Drive Unit A, Baton Rouge; 53; failure to appear-bench warrant

WEAMS, TREMAINE TERELL: 16131 Tiger Heights Road, Prairieville; 44; violations of protective orders

AGUILAR-MELGAR, JOHAN DELTRAVES: 10612 Stanley Aubin Lane, Baton Rouge; 26; residential contractor fraud $5,000 to $25,000

RANSOM, DOMINIC M.: 2730 Brownlee St., Baton Rouge; 36; two counts theft less than $1,000, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, theft $1,000 but less than $5,000

RICHARD, TERRIANA GERNAISHA: 131 Herbert Road, Lafayette; 25; two counts failure to appear-bench warrant MILES JR., TONY: 1908 S. Gaudin Ave., Gonzales; 17; domestic abuse battery-strangulation

MENDOZA, ERI: 319 N. Bryan Ave., Gonzales; 30; simple criminal damage to property $500 to $50,000, domestic abuse battery

PHILLIPS, BRANDON MICHAEL: 39187 Babin Road, Gonzales; 41; three counts failure to appear-bench warrant

SIMMONS, DANA LISA: 37488 La. 44, Prairieville; 58; failure to appearbench warrant, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction

AUG. 2

GOMEZ-ARIAS, FELIPE: 14246 Bayou Terrace Drive, St. Amant; 30; possession of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles, simple obstruction of a highway of commerce, operating while intoxicated-second BRIGGS, SHANNAYA LARNAE: 41383 Aqua Marine Ave., Gonzales; 27; failure to appear-bench warrant, four counts fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, resisting an officer, theft less than $1,000 MORROW, GREGORY: 31 Mary St., St. Augustine, Florida; 32; prohibited acts-drug paraphernalia

AUG. 3

MCKENNEY, ANWAR JAMAR: 20051

Old Scenic Highway, Zachary; 43; illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities, second degree murder

JIMENEZ HERNANDEZ, RICARDO: 38213 Debbie St., Prairieville; 39; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, resisting an officer, failure to appear-bench warrant, driver must be licensed, general speed law WILLIAMS, RYAN DANDRE: 40127 Pelican Parkway, Gonzales; 26;

resisting an officer, disturbing the peace/drunkenness

DUPLUSH, COLIN CORTEZ: 8347 La. 18, St. James; 31; failure to appearbench warrant, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, general speed law, operating a vehicle while under suspension for certain prior

JONES, JARRED MICHAEL: 2023 S Allen Ave., Gonzales; 39; failure to appear-bench warrant, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, fugitiveother state jurisdiction

GAINES, JEREMIAH: 42575 Wynstone Drive, Prairieville; 18; resisting an officer GOSLIN, CASEY: 16965 Carriage Lane, Prairieville; 32; Operating while Intoxicated-third, prohibited actsdrug paraphernalia

AUG. 4

WINCHESTER, BRIAN ANTHONY: 5290 Barras St., St. James; 53; failure to appear-bench warrant THOMPSON, TATYANA TEARA: 39163 W. Worthey Road, Gonzales; 26; aggravated assault, battery of a dating partner HARGROVE JR., DARRYL WAYNE: 39163 W. Worthey Road, Gonzales; 25; battery of a dating partner WILLIAMS, FREDERICK ROYNELL: 713 Fourth St., Donaldsonville; 30; four counts failure to appear-bench warrant, violations of protective orders, off-road vehicles-authorization for use on the shoulders of certain public roads and highways

AUG. 5

PERKINS, PERCY L.: 7038 Juno Drive, Baker; 58; sexual battery MATTHEWS, KERONTA: 1612 N. Coontrap Road 22, Gonzales; 27; fugitiveother Louisiana jurisdiction, cruelty to juveniles, three counts failure to appear-bench warrant

BENOIT, MANDIE ASHTIN: 43119 Pine Lake Drive, Prairieville; 37; cruelty to juveniles

AUG. 6

ALEXANDER, ROSCOE: 4860B Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, St. Gabriel; 66; Criminal Trespass/Trespassing of Real Property, theft less than $1,000

BOURGEOIS, RODERICK ANTHONY: 40119 La. 74, Gonzales; 42; violations of protective orders

EPHRON, PAIGE ALEXANDRIA: 3628 Cosa Grande Drive, Baton Rouge; 33; domestic abuse battery-child endangerment

WRIGHT, REGINALD J.: 41237 Zeola Lane, No. 17, Gonzales; 35; domestic abuse battery

DILLON, JENAFER LEA: 45236 La. 429, St. Amant; 38; theft $1,000 but less than $5,000 BATEMAN, DANIEL TROY: 33840 La. 75, Plaquemine; 48; possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (cocaine), telephone communications/improper language/harassment, simple criminal damage to property less than $1,000, unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling

MENDOZA, ERI: 319 N. Bryan Ave., Gonzales; 30; fugitive-other state jurisdiction

SOUKRIDHDY, SACDARA A.: 40121 Parker Road, Prairieville; 51; failure to appear-bench warrant WILLIAMS, ROBERT: 812 Railroad Ave., No. 9, Donaldsonville; 58; failure to appear-bench warrant, entry on or remaining in places or on land after being forbidden

WINKLE, ROY A.: 14819 Picou Road, Maurepas; 21; proper equipment required on vehicles-display of plate, view outward or inward through windshield or windows-obscuring prohibited, reckless operation

AUG. 7

FEATHERSTON, ADAM CHARLES: 41024 Lee Drive, Gonzales; 36; parole violation GREMILLION, MATTHEW: 427 Tcoons Road, Mansura; 38; theft of a motor vehicle $1,000 to $5,000

SHELTON, RONALD K.: 10159 Golden Gate St., Convent; 43; fugitive-other state jurisdiction

MARTIN, CHARISMA D.: 6515 Hanks Drive, Baton Rouge; 27; five counts theft less than $1,000

CLOUD, TROYMESIA RENEE: 42348 Norwood Road, Gonzales; 26; theft

less than $1,000

FRANK, BILAL ASHAD: 4754 Sunnybrook Drive, Baton Rouge; 27; failure to appear-bench warrant, disturbing the peace/language/disorderly conduct, reckless operation, simple battery, purse snatching, theft $5,000 but less than $25,000

RAMIREZ, BRETT AUTHOR: 39364 Brookfield Drive, Ponchatoula; 44; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, aggravated assault with a firearm

ORTIZ, OMAR: 1695 St. Francis Lane, St. Gabriel; 25; failure to appearbench warrant

LEBLANC, MELISSA W.: 12757 Coursey Blvd., Baton Rouge; 57; domestic abuse battery

AUG. 8

NELSON, RICHARD J.: 18146 Little Prairie Road, Prairieville; 39; domestic abuse battery

MOUCH, TREY: 42501 Baystone Ave., Prairieville; 39; driving on roadway laned for traffic, expired driver’s license, operating a vehicle while intoxicated-first

WILLIAMS, GAGE L.: 41394 Merritt Evans Road, Prairieville; 20; simple criminal damage to property $1,000 to $50,000, domestic abuse battery

WARDROP III, PATRICK JACK: 45179 Huntington Drive, St. Amant; 42; state probation violation, failure to appear-bench warrant, in for court

AUG. 9

WELCH, BENJY NEWMAN: 18425 Muddy Creek Road, Prairieville; 62; operating while intoxicated- fourth or more

HOOVER, BRANDON SCOTT: 15356 Country Lane, Maurepas; 45; parole violation, simple obstruction of a highway of commerce, operating a vehicle while under suspension for certain prior unlawful disruption of the operation of a healthcare facility, resisting a police officer with force or violence, battery of a police officer-in legal custody, flight from an officer, driving on roadway laned for traffic, proper equipment required on vehicles-display of plate, reckless operation, hit-andrun driving

BARNES, JAREN: 650 W. McKinley St., Baton Rouge; 23; reckless operation, operating while intoxicated-first

HERNDON, CHANDLER LANE: 119 Meadowlark Loop, Lafayette; 32; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction

WILSON, MIGUEL LEO: 37099 Agnes Webb Ave., Prairieville; 20; state probation violation, domestic abuse battery

CARTER, OBRIAN JEDDRICK: 706 Seventh St., Donaldsonville; 18; bond revocation, simple criminal damage to property less than $1,000, criminal trespass/trespassing of real property, simple burglary (all others)

DUNCAN, JARRED M.: 701 Church St., Donaldsonville; 25; possession of firearm by person convicted of certain felonies SWAYZER, KEIWON DONTAE: 2003 S Ringer Ave.; 39; domestic abuse battery-child endangerment, domestic abuse battery-strangulation

AUG. 10

COBB, ROBERT L.: 18341 Eldon St., Prairieville; 50; failure to appearbench warrant

BUTLER, MARQUEZ DEWAYNE: 7108 N. Buttonwood, Baton Rouge; 28; domestic abuse battery

DUPLUSH JR., TERRANCE ANDRE: 11458 Pipleline Road, Gonzales; 32; failure to appear-bench warrant, failure to appear-bench warrant, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, failure to appear-bench warrant

LALONDE, PATRICK DALE: 8261 Brittany Road, Sorrento; 43; two counts failure to appear-bench warrant JONES, RAVEN TRICE: 35496 La. 1 N, Donaldsonville; 35; resisting an officer, domestic abuse battery WISE, CLIFFORD JOSEPH: 35496 La. 1 N, Donaldsonville; 45; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, domestic abuse battery

MURPHY, SHAUN D.: 44335 Loop Road, three counts failure to appear-bench warrant

AUG. 11

ARNOLD, TATE MICHAEL: homeless; 33; disturbing the peace/language/disorderly conduct, criminal

ä See BOOKINGS, page 4G

including one at a church that drew more than 300 people.

O’Quin said she doesn’t take the commission’s acknowledgment of the parish’s objection to a reservoir as an ironclad rejection of the idea. But she was pleased with the tenor at the commission’s meeting Wednesday and with what was said by its chairman, John Clark, an Iberville Parish representative.

“I just want to remind everybody that East Feliciana Parish is part of the Amite River Basin,” Clark said during the meeting, which was held in Livingston Parish. “They have a designated seat on our board, and they will always be represented here. Not to mention, East Feliciana Parish occupies a vast amount of river frontage along the Amite River compared to other parishes in the basin.”

Despite the official opposition in East Feliciana, one landowner has offered, as an alternative with willing sellers, a few thousand acres for a smaller reservoir

Sawyer said conversations with that landowner haven’t gone forward.

Tried, and tried again

The reservoir has remained an alluring if difficult to realize idea for some because of its potential for flood reduction and economic impact.

After the devastating 1983 flood, the Corps suggested building the Darlington Reservoir along with the Comite River Diversion Canal. The canal, situated between Zachary and Baker and designed to reroute flood water to the Mississippi River, is now halfway built. While the Comite Diversion has progressed in fits and starts over the past four decades, Darlington remained mired in controversy over its cost-effectiveness, its impact and questions about weak soil under the proposed dam

IMAGE PROVIDED BY AMITE RIVER BASIN COMMISSION

The so-called ‘bird’s foot’ reservoir proposal would be built on the Amite River in northern St. Helena and East Feliciana parishes and southern Mississippi near La. 432. Projected at more than $1 billion, the dam and reservoir would protect 13,000 downstream structures from inundation in a 100-year flood and reduce flooding for another 5,700. The proposal is one of three alternatives that the Amite River Basin Commission has proposed for an upstream dam which has proven a controversial in the past. This alternative would have a 110-foot-high, 3.5-mile-long dam. The dark blue area shows areas covered with water in normal conditions; the light blue shows water coverage in a 100-year flood. The red line shows the dam route.

site. After the 2016 flood, the Corps took another look at the idea but shifted from a permanent reservoir in Darlington to a so-called “dry dam” with a temporary storage area of 26,000 acres That dam would have held back water only during floods but still would have forced buyouts of several thousand homeowners and required limits on using land for forestry and gravel mining.

In 2023, faced with local opposition, the Corps ditched the $1.3 billion dam, citing the number of poor and minority households that would be displaced and concerns about weak soils causing the structure to catastrophically fail.

The Corps shifted to a $1 billion home elevation and flood-proofing program downriver, but that idea hasn’t been welcomed by local officials because it won’t stop flood water

Newly revamped a few years ago by the Legislature, the Amite River commission, which had faced years of criticism over the slow pace of the Comite Diversion, was tasked with creating a long-range plan. Finished this spring, it included a handful of reservoir concepts. Commission officials say they were mandated to look at the ideas despite long-standing opposition.

O’Quin, the East Feliciana police juror, recalled a recent conversation with someone who helped his parents fight the Darlington Reservoir in the ‘80s and ‘90s and has fought the more recent dam proposals.

“Are my children going to have to do this, too?” O’Quin said the man asked her “And my answer was, ‘Probably,’” she said.

David J. Mitchell can be reached at dmitchell@ theadvocate.com.

and Debbie

Community news report

The Mississippi College Office of Academic Affairs has released its president’s list after the close of its spring semesters each academic year The spring list included four Ascension Parish students.

To be eligible for the president’s list, a student must maintain a 4.0 GPA, based on a 4.0 system. The student must take a full course load of at least 12 semester hours.

Honorees included Chloe Massey and Gabrielle LeBlanc, of Gonzales, and Cheryl Poche and Lydia Barrow, of Prairieville. Mississippi College, affiliated with the Mississippi Baptist Convention, is a private, co-educational Christian university of liberal arts and sciences serving more than 4,100 students from about 35 states and more then three dozen countries.

State pharmacy group elects officers including from Ascension and Tangipahoa

Community news report

The Louisiana Pharmacists Association held its 143rd Annual Convention at the Natchez Convention Center & The Grand Hotel Natchez in Natchez, Mississippi, July 10-12, where the association installed its 2025-2026 Board of Directors. Several people from the area were elected.

LEBOEUF

Continued from page 1G

The 2025-2026 Board of Directors for the Louisiana Pharmacists Association includes Immediate Past President Scott Black, RPh Gulfcoast Pharmaceutical Specialty, Prairieville; and Treasurer Peggy Dean, RPh, Woman’s Hospital, Baton Rouge.

Regional Directors for 2025-2026 include Capital Region representative Rich-

working to being the best version of yourself,” said Schmitt.

Williams and his teammates believe in what the coaches are preaching and know they have challenges.

“This team will be successful because we have worked hard every single day We know what the outside says about our program, that we aren’t good or won’t be a better team this season. Our goal is to be one of the best team in a very strong district.” said Williams.

Schmitt likes what he sees from his senior cornerback and knows he is invested.

“Braylon is one of those young men you see and think, if they figure it out, they could be great. He has worked on himself physically and mentally He has become a leader for us; the younger guys can feed off his leadership and work ethic. He has put his trust in our staff and for that I am grateful,” said Schmitt.

An important piece for the Hurricanes will be who the starting quarterback will be. Schmitt likes the competition so far

“The starter is yet to be determined and we have two phenomenal kids competing for the job. Skyler Kelly and Charlie Green have great work ethic. They each have a different skill set, our plan is to utilize those skill sets to help out team be successful,” said Schmitt.

Williams plays football for many reasons, and one of them is unusual. “My motivation comes from several areas, my teammates, my coaches and wanting to win every game and every rep.

“However, my biggest motivation is my family I have lost some important people in my life. The ones that are still here pushing me to be great keep me going. I believe that I can be a leader for this team. A good team starts with leadership, doing things by example and holding everyone,

ard Bordelon, RPh, Woman’s Retail Pharmacy, Baton Rouge. Pharmacy Technician for 2025-2026 is Julie Küpper CPhT, Northshore Technical Community College, Ponchatoula. The Louisiana Pharmacists Association, established in 1882, strives to promote the interests of all pharmacists of Louisiana.

have more coaches, several of them bring in experience to add to our amazing staff. This will help with our preparation and with the players in general,” said Schmitt. Being a championship contender was more of a dream last season as a first-year program. Going into this season, the success of the Hurricanes will come from habits. “Consistency will be key, doing what championship do daily We are still three schools merging into one. Every day that passes, we get closer to being the one and only, Prairieville High School,” said Schmitt.

As the season approaches, Williams wants he and his teammates to savor the days, be thankful and make memories.

“I want to soak all of this in, be remembered as someone who kept his head down and worked. I want to leave my mark and be an example for future Hurricane players, work hard and enjoy your time here. So much to be thankful for on this journey my family and especially the ones that are no longer here, that’s my motivation,” he said.

Beta Sigma Phi donates diapers to Junior League

Community news report

Iota Master Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi International Sorority members recently presented diapers and baby wipes to an area diaper bank

The diapers were delivered to Jessica Bergeron, operations director, of the Junior League of Baton Rouge, for its Diaper Bank.

Beta Sigma Phi is a nonprofit international organization founded in 1921 by Walter Ross with a focus on service and community involvement for women of all ages and backgrounds.

Iota Master Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi International’s Baton Rouge chapter has members in Baton Rouge, Gonzales, Denham Springs and Walker The Junior League of Baton Rouge Diaper Bank benefits 23 partner agencies for families in need in East Baton Rouge Parish.

BOOKINGS

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mischief /tampering with any property of another

JOHNSON, MARKEZ: 157 Dville Village Circle, Donaldsonville; 18 WALKER, THAILAND HENNESSY: 8568 Longwood View Ave., Baton Rouge; 20; battery of a dating partner

JOHNSON, MARKEZ: 157 Dville Village Circle, Donaldsonville; 18; aggravated assault with a firearm, illegal carrying of weapons

IZAGUIRRE-BUSTILLO, DENILSON: 4033 Southpark Drive, Baton Rouge; 27; fugitive-other state jurisdiction, child sexual abuse materials

GREEN, JAMES DAVANTA: 3042 Brasset Road, Donaldsonville; 32; failure to appear-bench warrant, simple criminal damage to property less than $500, possession of firearm by person convicted of certain felonies, aggravated assault with a firearm, simple battery, theft of a firearm, theft $750 but less than $5000, two counts fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, aggravated assault upon a dating partner, possession of firearm by person convicted of certain felonies, battery of a dating partnersecond offense

POLK, JOHNNY MAY: 429 S. Upland Ave., River Ridge; 51; two counts fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, two counts theft less than $1,000, RAMEE, RENNADA JEANNETTE: 6022 Pastuer Blvd Unit A, New Orleans; 38; two counts fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, theft $1,000 but less than $5,000

RODDY, SHANE: 17329 J T Roddy Road, Prairieville; 32; state probation violation, aggravated assault, simple battery

RODRIGUE, DAVID: 608 E. Oak Haven St., Gonzales; 19; failure to appearbench warrant, resisting an officer

AUG. 12

BOURGE, BRODY PAUL: 115 Dville Village Circle, Donaldsonville; 33; failure to appear-bench warrant

CORIO, KEDRIEL ANN: 919 Glen Brook Drive No. 23, Denham Springs; 26; theft, aggravated assault, battery of a dating partner

RILEY, RONTRELL T.: 3290 Ourso Road, Donaldsonville; 36; illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities

NICHOLAS, MONCHEL ANN: 37301 Anderson Road, Geismar; 38; driver must be licensed, criminal mischief/ tampering with any property of another, criminal trespass/trespassing of real property, theft of a motor

vehicle over $25,000

RIVERO, ALEXIA: 45203 Lake Settlement Drive, Prairieville; 22; two counts failure to appear-bench warrant, battery of a dating partner

FERNANDEZ, ALFRED W.: 5813 La. 308, Napoleonville; 50; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction Aug. 13

DIGGS, JAMES LEE: 409 Pine St., Donaldsonville; 26; battery of a dating partner-child endangerment

BOTTOMS JR., RONALD WAYNE: 12488 Hebert Road, Gonzales; 43; domestic abuse battery

LEBLANC, GEORGE: 3060 Lemanville

Cutoff Road, Donaldsonville; 48; two counts failure to appear-bench warrant, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction

STEPHENS, LACI RAE: 13171 Pecan Lane, St. Amant; 37; state probation violation

WILLIAMS, DELANCIA LATRICE: 38300 Dogwood St., Gonzales; 26; four counts failure to appear-bench warrant

JOHNSON, DERYIAH: 3214 E. 61st St., Kansas City, Missouri; 26; domestic abuse battery-child endangerment

JOSEPH, DONTRELL CHRISTOPHER: 420 W. Fifth St., Donaldsonville; 44; resisting an officer, two counts failure to appear-bench warrant

RIVERA, KAREN HERNANDEZ: 16340 Evans Road, Prairieville; 29; domestic

abuse battery

FARR, MICHAEL ANTHONY: 43460 Weber City Road, Gonzales; 61; fugitiveother Louisiana jurisdiction, forgery monetary instrument abuse, bank fraud, identity theft, forgery, theft over $25,000

SEARS, DANIEL RICHARD: 16470 La. 930, Prairieville; 18; hit-and-run driving, theft of a motor vehicle $5,000 to $25,000

WALLACE, CHANCE KELBY: 17860 Old Ferry Road, Maurepas; 33; failure to appear-bench warrant

FOSTER, KAREN ANN: 20270 Steve Hughes Road, Walker; 61; ignition interlock device resisting an officer, security required, careless operation, operating while intoxicated-second WEST, CHRISTIAN LEANNE: 7552 Danielle Ave., Zachary; 34; theft of a motor vehicle over $25,000

JARVIS, MESHELLE LESHAUN: 5776 Atlanta Ave., Baton Rouge; 41; hold for other agency, theft less than $1,000

WARE, OCTAVIA GRAYER: 3123

Evangeline St., Baton Rouge; 42; in for court, organized retail theft $1,000 but less than $5,000, failure to appear-bench warrant

CELESTINE, KEVIN PAUL: 38241 St. Lucia Court, Gonzales; 40; failure to appear-bench warrant