DONALDSONVILLE • DUTCHTOWN • GEISMAR • GONZALES • PRAIRIEVILLE • ST. AMANT
THE ASCENSION
ADVOCATE
Flood-control canal could be complete in 2 years BY DAVID J. MITCHELL
Staff writer
The Comite River Diversion Canal — 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
“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,
STAFF FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON
Rock lines the Comite River Diversion Canal just east of La. 964 in Zachary. The 300-foot-wide, 50-foot-deep canal will route flood water from the Comite and larger Amite River Basin to the Mississippi River, ä See CANAL, page 2G reducing risk for 700,000 people in the Baton Rouge region.
Darlene Denstorff AROUND ASCENSION
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
PHOTO BY WENDY LOUP
Ralph’s Market offers samples of foods from its deli and bakery departments during the 11th annual Home & Remodeling Show and Ralph’s Markets Food Fest at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center.
Home show and food fest combine to provide information, goodies BY WENDY LOUP
and appliance businesses were on hand to provide information to attendees. Ralph’s Markets provided samThis weekend’s cold showers did not keep crowds from attending ples of Louisiana foods from its the 11th annual Home & Remod- bakery and deli. “From the time we opened at eling Show and Ralph’s Markets Food Fest at the Lamar-Dixon 10 a.m. Saturday, people came out of the woodwork,” said Jerry Expo Center. The event, which featured 120 D’Eramo, owner of JAAS Producvendors, included a dozen youth tions. “We’ve been hosting events entrepreneurs in the Children’s a long time and there are many Entrepreneur Market. variables involved with the weathJAAS Productions hosts the er and we always keep up with the event, along with sponsor Ralph’s forecasts.” Markets. D’Eramo, along with his sons AnHome improvement, insurance thony, Adam and his wife, Sandy, Contributing writer
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
ä See HOME, page 4G
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 father),” Niokia Stewart said. “I told him, I was like, ‘We’re not doing this.’ “They’re just throwing him around, beating him up. I don’t like this. I don’t STAFF PHOTO BY JAVIER GALLEGOS want to do it.” His first attempt at wrestling St. Amant’s Mason Asevado tries to recover from East brought bruises, but the sting of deAscension’s Braylon Stewart hold during the 53rd Louisiana feat hurt even more. Classic Wrestling Championship at Lamar-Dixon Expo on Jan. 17. 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.”
ä See WRESTLER, page 4G