Ascension Advocate 01-28-2026

Flood-control canal could be complete in 2 years

BY DAVID J MITCHELL Staff writer

The Comite River Diversion Ca-

nal federally approved in 1993 as a flood-protection measure for the Baton Rouge area and for over two decades under start-and-stop construction — should be done by mid-2028, officials say

When the latest round of work on the canal started in 2019, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials estimated the $908 million channel would take two years to finish But the project, which will divert Comite River floodwater to the Mississippi River hit roadblocks and repeatedly slipped past expected completion dates.

The newest timeline was discussed recently with a legislative task force tracking the diversion’s construction.

The disclosure prompted a now familiar airing of frustrations over the pace of work and questions about state and federal oversight

Calling all chili cooks

VFW 3693 Auxiliary is hosting a chili cook-off Saturday at the post hall at 42430 Churchpoint Road, Gonzales

The cooking begins at 7 a.m. and winners will be announced at 1 p.m. Cooks’ entry fee is $45 The event is open to the public at 10 a.m., and can pay $10 for all you can eat. For more information, email vfw3693@gmail.com.

Pancake breakfast, jambalaya lunch on Sunday

The Gonzales Lions Club’s annual pancake breakfast is from 7 a.m. to noon Sunday at East Ascension High cafeteria, 612 E. Worthey Road, Gonzales. Entry is $15 per person for pancakes, sausage, juice, milk and coffee. Entertainment provided by Center Stage Performing Arts Academy

Jambalaya will be sold.

Celebrate while sober

The Grove Recovery Center will host Sober Gras at 202 N. Burnside Ave., Gonzales, during the Krewe of Ascension Mambo parade starting at 2 p.m. Feb. 7. Attendees are asked to bring chairs and their family The center will provide jambalaya. Rodeo coming soon

The Southeast Louisiana Junior and High School Rodeo started on Feb. 27 and continues through March 1 at the Lamar-Dixon Center in Gonzales. Action continues at 7 p.m Feb. 28, and 9 a.m. March 1

Rodeo athletes in fifth through 12th grades from all of Louisiana will compete Admission is $10. A weekend pass is $15. Kids 5 and under are free.

Jambalaya Festival is in May

The 2026 Jambalaya Festival is set for May 21-24.

Egg a home for Easter

Cara’s House Animal Shelter is “egging” houses in the Ascension area Prices range from $20 to $85 for 25 to 150 eggs. Stuffed eggs will be delivered to the requested yard after 9 p.m. April 4 for Easter morning. If weather is bad, eggs will be left in a bucket. Orders must be submitted by March 27. The shelter is in need of volunteers, fosters and adopters for the pets at its shelter And if you’re missing your

ä See AROUND, page 2G

“My role in this is to stay committed to moving as fast as possible.”

COL.

SCOTTY AUTIN, commander of

the

Army Corps of Engineers New Orleans District

of day-to-day construction and whether better contracting terms could motivate faster work.

Another complaint centers on why federal officials can’t start the process of refashioning flood insurance rate maps before the canal is finished to account for how much it will reduce risk — which could save homeowners and other policyholders money

State Sen. Rick Edmonds, R-Baton Rouge, and Greenwell Springs builder Brandon Ivey raised the idea of adding performance incentives for bigger contracts that could put a dent in the timeline.

“It would be tragic if we had an-

other event six months before it would be open and have many millions of dollars worth of damage when maybe some performance incentives would have helped,” Ivey said.

Among those fielding the questions was Col. Scotty Autin, the latest commander of the Corps’ New Orleans District to be handed responsibility for the long-running project.

The Houma native who took over in July said the U.S. Army has “a bias for action” and, with the state highway department, would try to find ways to save time in the building contracts.

“My role in this is to stay committed to moving as fast as possible,” he said, adding he would look to trim cushion days built into the contracts where possible.

He said the contracts already contain some incentives, including financial penalties for delays. Also,

Home show and food fest combine to provide information, goodies

BY WENDY LOUP Contributing writer

This weekend’s cold showers did not keep crowds from attending the 11th annual Home & Remodeling Show and Ralph’s Markets Food Fest at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center

The event, which featured 120 vendors, included a dozen youth entrepreneurs in the Children’s Entrepreneur Market.

JAAS Productions hosts the event, along with sponsor Ralph’s Markets. Home improvement, insurance

and appliance businesses were on hand to provide information to attendees.

Ralph’s Markets provided samples of Louisiana foods from its bakery and deli.

“From the time we opened at 10 a.m. Saturday, people came out of the woodwork,” said Jerry D’Eramo, owner of JAAS Productions. “We’ve been hosting events a long time and there are many variables involved with the weather and we always keep up with the forecasts.”

D’Eramo, along with his sons Anthony, Adam and his wife, Sandy,

organize trade shows and other events in Kenner, Houma and Mandeville.

JAAS Productions recently hosted the Louisiana Marathon Expo at the Raising Cane’s River Center in Baton Rouge.

“I started 40 years ago hosting national sales meetings and trade shows,” D’Eramo said. “I decided to venture into the public sector

“We felt the area was growing in Ascension Parish and thought our type of events would fit and have worked out well at Lamar Dixon.”

The Ralph’s Markets Food Fest offered tastings of a dozen Cajun

dishes including fried fish, gumbo and king cakes.

“We’ve had a very good turnout,” Gonzales Ralph’s Market store manager Travis Munguia said. “We came today to make new friends and show people what

Ralph’s can do and how good our products and food services are.”

Ralph’s introduced new king cake flavors, such as wedding cake and banana.

Munguia said Ralph’s king cakes are different from other local markets because the filling is baked

EA wrestler’s drive for greatness matched by passion for helping others

BY JACKSON REYES Staff writer

The first time East Ascension’s Braylon Stewart stepped on a wrestling mat at 5 years old, his mother was not having it. “I took him and I called (his

do it.” His first attempt at wrestling brought bruises, but the sting of defeat hurt even more. It drove him to stick with the sport and continue improving. More than a decade later, Stewart was an LHSAA state champion as a sophomore. Now a junior, he’s 65-7 this season and recently won the 165-pound final of the 53rd Louisiana Classic without conceding a single point during the tournament that features the state’s best. “Now I can’t see him doing anything else,” Niokia Stewart said. “I absolutely love the sport. He’s enjoying wrestling. He enjoys helping his teammates get better, even when he was younger.”

Experience and chemistry fuel winning attitude for Gators

The St. Amant Gators boys’ basketball team is 21-3 and ranked as the No. 6 team in the latest Division I nonselect power rankings.

Head coach Travis Uzee said he is not surprised by his team’s “we before me” mindset.

“This team is unselfish, they came into the season with high expectations and up to this point, they have played up to that standard They have a great chemistry together and have bought into winning comes first over personal accolades,” said Uzee.

The Gators picked up a key district win over rival East Ascension last week. They trailed late in the game, but a surge with their pressure and some clutch free throws propelled them to a 65-62 win.

Continued from page 1G

the Corps grades its contractors, which can affect the ability of poorly rated companies to get future jobs.

A concept discussed since the 1960s, the 8-mile, rocklined channel is being sliced through forest, pasture and creeks. The route starts just east of La. 67 at the Comite and cuts westward, and downhill, on a path between Baker and Zachary With 4 additional miles of more natural diversion through Mississippi River lowlands west of U.S 61, the canal will essentially become a manmade river able to handle floodwaters equivalent to the Arkansas River Handling so much water has required a massive digging, building and relocation effort to make way for the 300-foot-wide, 50-foot-deep channel. That work has included construction of highway and railroad bridges to cross the new canal and the relocation of more than 60 pipelines and other utilities.

‘Challenging milestone’

Despite missing completion estimates, state officials have hit some big milestones. Fifteen of the 23 construction or land clearing phases of the project have been built or finished. By the end of 2025, construction contracts for all of the remaining phases were awarded, Corps officials said. Autin confirmed the Corps has enough money to finish the work after cost overruns forced a major influx of new cash from Congress a few years ago as the price rose to nearly $1 billion. Perhaps most significantly, one of the largest stumbling blocks in the latest phase of the diversion’s long history relocating two high-pressure gas pipelines owned by Florida Gas Transmission — was completed in January Gas is flowing through the rerouted lines, Autin said.

“It was a challenging milestone for this project. It took long time,” Autin said.

Officials with the Amite River Basin Commission, an original sponsor of the channel, have said they foresaw the problems the gas lines would pose in 2010 but couldn’t generate interest in tackling the problem. And state officials have complained they hit years of resistance in negotiations with the company

AROUND

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pet, don’t forget to call the shelter to see if it has been turned over For information, visit carashouse.com.

Rescue Alliance seeks down payment help

As the need continues to grow for animals in need, so does Rescue Alliance’s commitment to answer those calls. The organization is asking the community to help raise $35,000 for a down payment to purchase a new Rescue & Community Resource Center that will more than

“We defended our home court in the game; the kids love playing here in front of an amazing crowd and student section. Senior Kaleb LeBlanc sealed the game at the line, going four for four That was a good win over a well-coached team with talent,” said Uzee.

The Gators have started out 3-0 in district play and are led by a senior-laden group

“We have a rotation of nine seniors; we play fast on offense and utilize a tough man-to-man defense. Our team has played complementary basketball this season so far,” said Uzee.

Leading the way are senior starters DJ Schonberg (16 ppg), Jermichael Millien (11 ppg), Chase Schonberg (10 ppg), Kaleb LeBlanc (7 ppg) and Chandler Keller (6 ppg). Top reserves are Kaven Taylor (6 ppg), Evan Rapp, MJ Dunn and Ronald Joachim.

This senior group has experience and chemistry together, evident by the balanced scoring.

DJ Schonberg and Millien joined the 1,000-point club during a recent game.

“We have multiple kids that have played meaningful minutes

in intense games. Our biggest strength is our chemistry as a group, they are very close, and they share the ball on offense and play as one on defense. We continue to work on new offensive movements and clean up defensive stuff at practices,” Uzee said.

If the Gators can continue to play well and defend their home court in District 5-5A, another matchup at East Ascension and a season finale at the Gold Dome against current No. 4 Denham Springs loom large.

“Our district is very challenging including East Ascension and Denham Springs. All the teams in our district return key players and play with toughness, we must be ready every night,” said Uzee. The games are the fun part and

the reward for preparing, but Uzee understands how important practice time is.

“We must continue to come to practice with a purpose to improve and compete. As we head into the middle of district play and the playoffs less than a month away, getting better each day is important. This group takes care of their business, they are veterans. The chemistry is there, that will give us an opportunity to stay focused and continue the winning mindset,” the coach said.

Troy LeBoeuf covers sports for the Ascension Advocate. He can be reached at troyleboeuf@ hotmail.com or ascension@ theadvocate.com or on Twitter @ Troyleboeuf.

to address the complicated and costly pipeline relocation.

The stalled work ended up delaying two canal digging phases and new bridge construction at La. 19.

It took a personal visit by then-Gov John Bel Edwards with Florida Gas officials in early 2022 and talks among the company, the state and the Corps to agree on reimbursement for the company’s utility relocation costs. That bill wound up at $17 million.

double its capacity The new Rescue Center would provide additional housing, quarantine and medical recovery areas for vulnerable animals, while the Community Resource Center would serve families, volunteers, and partners through adoption events, training, and educational programs. Supporters can contribute directly to the down payment campaign through GoFundMe at tinyurl. com/59ydb5df.

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

Final pieces

Among the key final construction pieces are the diversion structure itself and bridges at La. 19.

Once finished, the big diversion structure will sit in the Comite River just east of the new La. 67 bridge, which was built for the canal. The structure will continuously divert water from the Comite into the new channel once flooding hits a certain level. To hold up against the pushing water, the structure will contain 40,000 cubic yards of

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

All recipients must be prequalified by visiting the Ascension Parish Health Unit, 1024 E. Ascension Complex Blvd. in Gonzales, or the Donaldsonville courthouse at 300 Houmas St. Contact Layne Melancon at (225) 450-1006 or 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

reinforced concrete, enough to fill 12 Olympic-sized swimming pools, and 142,000 linear feet of steel H-piles, enough to stretch from downtown Baton Rouge to Gonzales, Corps estimates say Despite the scope of that

P.J. Varnado, the branch chief for the Baton Rouge Integrated Projects Office, gives a tour of the finished control structure near Lilly Bayou on Aug. 19, 2024 in Zachary. The structure, which was finished in 2011, is part of the Comite River Diversion Canal and slows the 45-foot drop of water flowing from the channel section of the diversion into bottomland swamps along the Mississippi.

piece of the project, it isn’t expected to take the longest to finish. That distinction falls to constructing the final connection between a natural waterway, Bayou Baton Rouge, and the new diversion channel. That work, the last

of three bayou connections, is expected to take nearly three years.

“Is it really going to take that long?” asked state Sen. Valarie Hodges, a Denham Springs Republican who chairs the task force. The work involves rocklining the last sections of the three bayous so they can gradually dump water into the diversion. Two are in various stages of construction or final land clearing. Corps officials said one reason the Bayou Baton Rouge part will take so long is that it requires a new bridge.

Autin told Hodges that the 1,087 days set aside for the job “matches what we would see on similar complex projects,” but he added that close coordination with the contractor could speed things up.

“That’s the commitment to turn those 1,087 (days) as efficient as we can and really deliver it,” he said.

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

The following people were booked into the Ascension Parish Jail on Jan. 4-14:

JAN. 4

BROWN, TERRY: 1114 St. Patrick St., Donaldsonville; 57; operating while intoxicatedfirst, tail lamps

BABIN, SUZANNE G.: 12440 Chester Diez Road, Gonzales; 56; sale, distribution, or possession of legend drug without prescription, possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (oxycodone), possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine)

ROBERTSON, MAXIE J.: 17950 Airline Highway, Prairieville; 59; operating while intoxicated-first

ZARLENGO, ALEXANDER

JOSEPH: 5324 Courtyard Drive, Gonzales; 31; domestic abuse battery-child endangerment

LAWRENCE, JYREN ANTOINE: 190 Latino Drive, Donaldsonville; 22; violations of protective orders

HERNANDEZ, KELLY BLAINE: 12412 Hackberry Lane, Geismar; 33; failure to appearbench warrant

AUCOIN, RHEMA PAIGE: 43533 Tullier Road, Sorrento; 20; three counts failure to appear-bench warrant, fugitiveother Louisiana jurisdiction

HENRY III, JORDAN TINO: 37313 La. 74 No. 130, Geismar; 17; failure to appear-bench warrant, illegal carrying of weapons, illegal possession of a handgun by a juvenile

JAN. 5

MOLL, JARVIS: 21420 Judge Becnel Lane, Vacherie; 26; failure to appear-bench warrant, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, domestic abuse battery

GIROIR, RUBEN CHACE: 721 Mississippi St, Donaldsonville; 36; resisting an officer, disturbing the peace/language/disorderly conduct

VALLO JR., CARLTON DEWAYNE: 15477 Shirley Drive, Prairieville; 29; two counts failure to appear-bench warrant, in for court

GREY, SAMANTHA: 1565 St Francis Lane, St. Gabriel; 50; terrorizing

LUCAS, TRAVIS C.: 5013 Galaxy Blvd, Darrow; 46; failure to appear-bench warrant

ARCENEAUX, BRAYLIE D.: 12484 Di-D-Bop Lane, Gonzales; 33; two counts failure to appear-bench warrant, bicycles-front lamps/rear lamps/ side and rear reflectors

ALSAY, GLYNDALE LEE: 128 Dville Village Circle, Donaldsonville; 39; theft less than $1,000

JAN. 6

STANLEY, ADAM LEONARD

JACOB: 17783 Old Jefferson Highway, Prairieville; 24; when lighted lamps are required, reckless operation

ROGERS, MARTIN FITZGERALD: 6848 Titian Ave., Baton Rouge; 46; failure to appearbench warrant

GRAY, TDARIUS JALEEL: 41242 New Orleans Drive, Sorrento; 33; aggravated assault upon a peace officer, resisting a police officer with force or violence, aggravated battery, domestic abuse aggravated assault

TRICHE, ANDRE MICHAEL: 38545 East Court, Prairieville; 32; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, two counts child sexual abuse materials

FISHER JR., CHARLES: 118 Oakridge Ave. C, Donaldsonville; 27; failure to appearbench warrant

ALSAY, KENNETH ANTHONY: 149 Dville Village Circle, Donaldsonville; 21; parole violation, aggravated assault upon a peace officer, resisting an officer

DUPUY, LANCE T.: 43277 Elmo Cannon Road, Gonzales; 46; failure to appear-bench warrant

JAN. 7

BEVINS, SHAWN MICHAEL: 20260 Daniel Ln, Plaquemine; 30; failure to appear-bench warrant

GARNER, TOBY J.: 26273 La. 441 S, Holden; 52; failure to appear-bench warrant

AUGUSTINE, DELMERE: 14495 South Harrell’s Ferry Road, Apt. 4704, Baton Rouge; 33; possession of firearm by person convicted of certain felonies, aggravated assault with a firearm, armed robbery

FOBB, KENDRICK ANTHONY: 204 Mockingbird Lane, St Rose; 38; state probation violation

JOHNSON, TROY WILLIAM: 45120 Huntington Drive, St Amant; 48; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction

BRAUD, COBY MITCHELL: 37351 Paris Braud Road, Prairieville; 56; violations of protective orders

DEIHL, BRANDON PERRY: 13093 Elisar Road, Geismar; 49; domestic abuse battery

DAVIS, CARSON JOHN: 1616 W Tabbie Ave., Gonzales; 17; disturbing the peace/language/ disorderly conduct

RILEY JR., KENTRELL JERMAINE: 1611 St. Patrick St., Donaldsonville; 22; disturbing the peace/language/disorderly conduct, two counts violations of protective orders, three counts failure to appear-bench warrant

JAN. 8

WILLIAMS, DEXTER DEWAYNE: 41034 Turo Lane, Gonzales; 36; failure to appear-bench warrant, possession of marijuana-second

RODRIGUE, JAMARIUS: 1606

Phillip St. No. 5, Donaldsonville; 19; domestic abuse battery

SOLOMON SR., QUINCY JERMAINE: 1606 Phillip St. No. 5, Donaldsonville; 48; failure to appear-bench warrant

RODRIGUE, JAMARIUS: 16098 Bluff Road No. 38, Prairieville; 19; domestic abuse battery

SOLOMON SR., QUINCY JERMAINE: 1606 Phillip St. Lot No. 5, Donaldsonville; 48; three counts failure to appearbench warrant

SHAMPINE, BROOKLYN DESHEE: 15041 Sweet Pecan Ave., Prairieville; 37; failure to appear-bench warrant

JOHNSON, DASHAUN: 19053 Mimosa St., St. James; 18; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction

MOSLEY, CHARLES EDWARD: 2824 S. Burnside Ave., Gonzales; 46; operating vehicle while license is suspended, possession of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles, no seat belt, security required,

careless operation, fugitiveother Louisiana jurisdiction

WASHINGTON, KORTEL: 204 Veterans Blvd., Donaldsonville; 29; three counts failure to appear-bench warrant

WILLIAMS, CURTELL DEMOND: 421 Church St., Donaldsonville; 41; two counts theft less than $1,000

PAYNE, CAMREN JAMES: 365 S. Tish Drive, Avondale; 21; obstruction of justice/ all others

TORRES, TARA LYNNAE: 38270 Oakleigh Lane, Prairieville; 45; failure to appear-bench warrant

ALLO, JORDAN DAVID: 710

S Pleasant Ave., Gonzales; 22; failure to appear-bench warrant

FOLSE, CHRISTINA: 32231

Tuck Lane, Denham Springs; 46; failure to appear-bench warrant

GUEDRY, DERRICK DALE: 44391 Braud St., Sorrento; 44; security required, violations of registration provisions, operating vehicle while license is suspended, trafficcontrol signals, stop lamps and turn signals required on new motor vehicles, driving on roadway laned for traffic, maximum speed limit, owner to secure registration, tail lamps, reckless operation, aggravated flight from an officer

SMITH, BRUCE: 207 Charles St., Donaldsonville; 59; illegal carry of weapons-crime or controlled dangerous substance, possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance

HELG, EUGENE ANTHONY: 20975 Mirth Simeon Lane, Livingston; 47; state probation violation, distribution/ possession with intent to distribute Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (amphetamine), distribution/ possession with intent to distribute Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine), distribution/ possession with the intent to distribute heroin

BRADLEY, JACLYN DIANNE: 46501 Lessard Road, St. Amant; 40; distribution/ possession with intent to distribute Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (amphetamine), distribution/ possession with the intent to distribute heroin, distribution/possession with intent to distribute Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine)

JAN. 9

ALLEN JR., WILLIE P.: 1078 E. Worthey Road, Gonzales; 56; failure to appear-bench warrant GIROIR, RUBEN CHACE: 721 Mississippi St., Donaldsonville; 36; illegal carry of weapons-crime or controlled dangerous substance, distribution/possession with the intent to distribute marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids, violations of protective orders BEAUCHAMP JR., DONALD RAY: 32717 Wonderland Dr, Denham Springs; 38; theft less than $1,000, criminal trespass/all other simple burglary (all others) IRVIN, WHITNEY TERRELL: 1319 W. Sidney St., Gonzales; 36; false imprisonment, entry on or remaining in places or on land after being forbidden,

resisting an officer, disturb-

ing the peace/language/disorderly conduct

WHITE, TERRAZ KWANDELL: 327 W. Bordelon St., Gonzales; 26; probation violation

FORSYTHE, ANGELA MARIE: 12524 Leslie Delaune Road No. 7, St. Amant; 61; resisting an officer, entry on or remaining in places or on land after being forbidden

SEMAIA, RACHEL TUANAOMI: 2823 S. Meadowood Ave., Gonzales; 39; theft $5,000 but less than $25,000

CROWLEY, IZELY ROLAND: 86 Green St., Macon, Georgia; 36; failure to appear-bench warrant, probation violation

WESSINGER, SHAWN: 9742 Olympic Ave., Baton Rouge; 37; two counts theft $5,000 but less than $25,000, two counts simple criminal damage to property less than $1,000

MITCHELL, AKIYA LASHA: 115 Pugh St., Paincourtville; 18; aggravated battery

BEARD JR., KEVIN JOSEPH: 16095 Crepe Myrtle Drive, Baton Rouge; 32; three counts failure to appear-bench warrant

ACOSTA, ISAAC THOMAS: 36376 The Bluffs Ave., Prairieville; 20; resisting an officer, battery of a police officer

JACKSON, RODERICK S.: 316 E. Hamilton St.; 47; unauthorized use of a motor vehicle

JAN. 10

SAUL, DONELL LAMAR: 1216

S. Burnside Ave., Gonzales; 51; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, when lighted lamps are required, operating vehicle while license is suspended, failure to appearbench warrant, registrationcommercial vehicles-expired plate, security required, possession of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles, operating while intoxicatedthird

NORTH, JAMIL JAMES: 148

Dville Village Circle, Donaldsonville; 39; state probation violation, domestic abuse battery-child endangerment, domestic abuse batterystrangulation

DUNN, TREVEL CARTEZ: 301 W. Sixth St., Donaldsonville; 33; two counts failure to appear-bench warrant, turning movements and required signals, operating vehicle while license is suspended, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction

FRAZIER, LIAM GAGE: 45158 Huntington Drive, St. Amant; 21; disturbing the peace/ language/disorderly conduct, aggravated assault with a firearm, aggravated battery

MCCHESNEY, PATRICK SHANE: 10037 La. 22 No. 7, St. Amant; 39; violations of protective orders

LINDSEY, KEISHIMIE DESHAE: 5065 Ritterman Ave., Baton Rouge; 21; theft less than $1,000, tail lamps, all drivers must secure license, no proof of insurance, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction

FLEMING, TYKERIA UNIQUE: address unknown; 20; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction

DUPUY, TEDDY DUANE: 13447 Bayou Grand South Blvd, Gonzales; 39; disturbing the peace/language/disorderly conduct CAMPER, WILLIE: 39103 Cajun

Bayou Ave., Gonzales; 52; careless operation, operating while intoxicated-third

PEREZ, ARMANDO JOSE: 616 W. 18th St. Apt. 3, Lake Charles; 25; obstruction to driver’s view or driving mechanism, vehicles without required equipment or in unsafe condition, possession of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles, operating while intoxicated-first

JAN. 11

BUTLER, ETHIN: 12483 Cooper Road, St. Amant; 22; disturbing the peace/language/ disorderly conduct, illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities, simple battery

PUCKETT, TIFFANY NICOLE: 14527 Shirley Drive, Prairieville; 43; aggravated assault

SKINNER, DARYL: 1607 St. Patrick St. No. 130, Donaldsonville; 56; theft $1,000 but less than $5,000, operating vehicle while license is suspended, no seat belt

ODELL, CRYSTAL GAIL: 2634 S Remy Robert, Gonzales; 47; possession of a Schedule IV controlled dangerous substance (clonazepam), possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine)

ROBERTSON, DANDRE

AHMAD: 1350 S. Darla Ave Gonzales; 29; violations of protective orders

BRAUD, CHANNA LYNN: 10517 Savoy Road, St. Amant; 62; violations of protective orders

BRAUD, COBY MITCHELL: 37351 Paris Braud Road, Prairieville; 56; violations of protective orders

JAN. 12

JONES, MARVIN JAVANTE: 11610 Sherwood Ave., Baton Rouge; 30; failure to appearbench warrant, fugitiveother Louisiana jurisdiction, possession of marijuana less than 14 grams, failure to appear-bench warrant, obstruction of justice/all others

JAMES SR. COURTNEY

LACOUR: 1210 Bryant St., Donaldsonville; 39; four counts failure to appear-bench warrant

BARCELONA, SUNSHINE: 9520 Greg Court, River Ridge; 45; obstruction of justice/all others

BOUDREAUX, CHEVY DEAN: 7361 Airline Highway, Baton Rouge; 26; sale/distribution/ or possession of legend drug without prescription, prohibited acts-drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana less than 14 grams, possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine), illegal carry of weapons-crime or controlled dangerous substance

SPOONER, SHAYNA: 17090 Jennifer Drive, Livingston; 29; surety, failure to appearbench warrant, prohibited acts-drug paraphernalia, sale/distribution/or possession of legend drug without prescription, possession of marijuana less than 14 grams, prostitution, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, possession of a Schedule IV controlled dangerous substance (alprazolam), possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (hydrocodone), possession of fentanyl,

possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine), possession of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)

DOWNING, BRADLEY CHRISTOPHER: 2219 Sprucewood Drive, Baton Rouge; 40; possession of marijuana less than 14 grams, possession of or dealing in firearms with obliterated number or mark, possession of firearm by person convicted of certain felonies

PATEL, ALAYKUMAR D.: 25270 Burlington Drive, Denham Springs; 29; careless operation, hit-and-run driving DEMBY, HENRY ANDREW: 1005 Elizabeth St., Donaldsonville; 43; three counts failure to appear-bench warrant

JAN. 13

MARTIN, OLIVER JOHN: 2402 Cessford Road; 39; in for court DORSEY, ERIC ANTOINE: 1416 Concetta St., Donaldsonville; 25; failure to appear-bench warrant, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction

WRAY, SARA M.: 40191 Bordeaux St., Prairieville; 37; battery of a dating partner

SINCERE, BREEZE MICHAEL: 733 Elliston Drive, Gonzales; 23; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, second degree murder

JONES, TINA LYNN: 610 Ayo, Raceland; 59; simple kidnapping

PRESCOTT, JAMIE LEE: 17648 Joe Sevario Road, Prairieville; 42; theft of a firearm, theft $1,000 but less than $5,000

TAYLOR, DEMOND GLENN: 12122 Colonial Oaks Road, Gonzales; 34; parole violation, theft of a motor vehicle $5,000 to $25,000 IRVIN, WHITNEY TERRELL: 1319 W. Sidney St., Gonzales; 36; resisting an officer, unauthorized entry of a critical infrastructure

KINCHEN, D’ANGELO MARKEL: 14311 Leola Carter Road, Gonzales; 29; four counts failure to appear-bench warrant, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction

NICHOLAS, ANGELICA ANN: 800 Riverview Complex No. 108A, Donaldsonville; 34; two counts failure to appearbench warrant COLLINS, SHAWN MONTRELL: 8333 Annie Oak Drive, Sorrento; 52; surety, failure to appear-bench warrant

JAN. 14

GIBSON JR., DURIEL JOSEPH: 17548 Eagles Perch Drive, Prairieville; 20; failure to appear-bench warrant, improper display of temporary license plate, owner to secure registration, no motor vehicle insurance BLOUNT, DONALD M.: 40140 S. Autumn Wood Court, Prairieville; 65; distribution/ possession with intent to distribute Schedule II controlled dangerous substance, vehicular negligent injuring, possession of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles, reckless operation, operating a vehicle while intoxicated-first GOLSON, HANNA: 16350 Ole Homestead Lane, Prairieville; 37; computer tampering, criminal conspiracy GREEN, JACQUEZ: 14380 La. 44, Gonzales; 18; carnal knowledge of a juvenile

inside, rather than being injected into the cake.

The expo also gave young entrepreneurs the chance to showcase their homemade jewelry and crafts.

“We wanted to give children the chance to experience talking to people in person and to learn how to sell their products,”

D’Eramo said. “It will give them a background in talking about their business.”

Brie’s Creations owner Aubrie Thomas, 15, of Baton Rouge, sold bracelets, necklaces and purse charms

Thomas, who has been creating her own jewelry for five years, heard about the Home & Remodeling Show on social media.

“I just like wearing bracelets and started making my own,” Thomas said. “I enjoy creating whatever I want.”

Thomas’ mother, Brittany Sout, said this process allowed Thomas to be creative.

“Creating jewelry has given her the opportunity to explore with her own materials,” Sout, said. “She is able to figure out exactly what type and color jewelry she would like to present to others.”

Also on hand at the expo was the Better Business Bureau of South Central Louisiana to provide homeowners with tips on dealing with businesses.

“We are providing consumers with information and tips and stressing the importance of investigat-

WRESTLER

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Getting started

Braylon’s father, Kevin Stewart, got him into the sport after hearing that Stewart’s cousins had started wrestling.

Stewart struggled in other sports growing up, so he decided to give wrestling a chance.

Rather than shying away from the sport after his first time on the mat, he kept going.

“I didn’t like losing,” Stewart said “I wanted to keep going until one day I could win. Just kept coming back over and over, got better each time.”

The driving factor

Stewart trusts himself each time he steps on the mat. The anticipation leading up to the match and the roar of a crowd bring jitters, but once he steps onto the mat it’s just him and his opponent something he savors.

“I can take matters into my own hands,” he said “I do feel the pressure sometimes. As soon as I step onto the mat, I’ve got nothing else to worry about.”

His confidence stems from his success. He remembers one of the first trophies from the Liberty Nationals America Crown in 2020. He

Outdoor furniture is displayed during the weekend’s 11th

ing and protecting themselves when dealing with home businesses,” said Carmen Million, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of South Central Louisiana. “Our goal is to provide education about new construction and roofing laws, and tips to avoid scams.

“The consumers themselves are their first line of defense when dealing with businesses.”

For more information about upcoming JAAS Productions, visit www.jaaspro.com. To place a bakery or food order with Ralph’s Market, visit www.ralphsag.com.

East Ascension’s

wrestled in two divisions and won both “I was really excited big trophy as a little kid,” Stewart said “That really makes you happy knowing that you won something so grand that nobody else can take it from you.”

He also holds the Division I state title he won last year in high regard as it puts him among the fellow state champions at East Ascension.

“I’m in EA’s history forever now,” Stewart said. “I’m a part of a legacy that’s go-

ing to keep going on forever Nobody can take this away from me. I can come back, with maybe my child, and show them where I put myself in EA’s history.”

Helping others

Stewart’s confidence might be matched only by his passion to help others.

His desire to be there for those he cares about fed into his drive to stay in the sport. Even in fifth grade, he saw wrestling as an opportunity to earn a scholarship and ensure his parents wouldn’t

have to pay college tuition.

That aspect also helped him decide on his future career path of becoming a nurse.

“Wrestling is my pathway to do that,” he said. “Wrestling is teaching me all life lessons that help in everyday life.”

The sport has also become an outlet for Stewart to express his care for others.

“He wants to be around a lot of people,” Spartans wrestling coach Conor Karwath said. Seeing him being open and willing to help ev-

erybody is definitely one of the things that’s changed the most since he’s been a little kid.”

He can help ease the nerves his teammates feel in big tournaments. Stewart also stays after practice to work with his teammates.

“He’s been in so many big matches and scenarios throughout his entire wrestling career,” Karwath said.

“He can pull from a lot of those experiences he had and give those kids guidance.”

Throughout Stewart’s life, his parents have received notes or calls from school about how supportive he is with his classmates.

“He gives everything he’s got to anybody,” Niokia Stewart said. “He’s just that kid. To know Braylon is to love Braylon.”

Overcoming obstacles

While Stewart has experienced success and garnered accolades, his wrestling career has had its setbacks.

Just before his sophomore season, he suffered a torn labrum that sidelined him for six months.

He was cleared the week of last year’s Louisiana Classic wrestling tournament in January Though he had only participated in two days of practice, he was dead set on competing.

“He was like, ‘Coach, I want to do this for the team,’ “ Karwath said

After not stepping on a

mat for six months, he finished third.

“You can tell he was hurting and he was tired,” Karwath said “He didn’t let that bother him at all, and he was ready to compete every match.”

He then pinned his way through the state tournament three weeks later to win the LHSAA state title in Bossier City The grind to work his way back to winning is a testament to his maturity and drive, Karwath said “Even at a young age, it’s like a job,” Karwath said. “Practices are hard You’ve got to watch what you eat. You’ve got to do extra to make sure you’re down at the weight people need you at.”

The expectations have continued to build for Stewart, who continues to do what it takes to be elite.

Stewart puts in the work. He cuts grass during the summer to raise money for the tournaments he attends around the country as he and his mother write letters, looking for sponsors. He’s lost matches before. He’s fallen short of first place. But he’s never lost sight of his pursuit of greatness and refuses to quit.

“He’s going to try and figure out a way to make it work,” Kevin Stewart said. “That’s his biggest asset. He doesn’t need anyone else to push him to do anything.”