DONALDSONVILLE • DUTCHTOWN • GEISMAR • GONZALES • PRAIRIEVILLE • ST. AMANT
THE ASCENSION
ADVOCATE T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
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W e d n e s d ay, M a r c h 4, 2026
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Development records public, judge rules Darlene Denstorff AROUND ASCENSION
Spring Merry Market coming March 7-8 More than 300 booths will be lined up inside and outdoors starting at 7 a.m. March 7 at Lamar-Dixon Expo Center. Shop for everything from clothing, home decor, jewelry, food, toys, decorations and other items. Admission is $10, which goes to The Sparrow Foundation.
BY CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT Staff writer
A judge ruled the Ascension Economic Development Corporation is required to turn over public records related to economic development projects in the RiverPlex MegaPark. Brought by the Donaldsonvillebased Rural Roots Louisiana and New Orleans-based Louisiana Bucket Brigade advocacy groups, the case concerned whether cer-
tain AEDC records are subject to public records requests. Although Judge Steven Tureau of the 23rd Judicial District Court partially granted the groups’ writ of mandamus following a hearing in Gonzales on Feb. 23, further litigation is likely to emerge from the decision. Center for Constitutional Rights Attorney Pam Spees, who represents the two plaintiff organizations, called the ruling “really important” because it determined the
Ascension Economic Development Corporation is subject to public records law. “It’s an important day because we got clarity. We got a ruling that says they are subject to it,” she said. “What that means in terms of the records they have to produce is going to be something that we have to determine down the road.” Attorney Kayla Jacob, who represents AEDC and its President and CEO Kate MacArthur, said during the hearing that there were
TRADE, SELL, BUY
Swamp Pop at the Post Listen to the music of Tet Dur from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. March 8 at VFW Post Hall 3693, 42430 Church Point Road, Gonzales. Admission is $10.
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 pet, don’t forget to call the shelter to see if it has been turned over. For information, visit carashouse.com.
ä See TRADE, page 4G
ä See LEBOEUF, page 3G
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 the 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 the Donaldsonville courthouse, 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.
Pokémon enthusiasts crowd into PACE Center to trade Contributing writer
Pokémon enthusiasts gathered Sunday at the Price LeBlanc PACE Center ready to hunt down elusive, valuable and colorful trading cards during the PokéBash Card Show. The family-friendly event, hosted by Bayou Boys Card Shows, attracted both serious and casual collectors. “We have 118 tables with vendors buying, selling and trading cards,” said Matt Carawan, co-owner of Bayou Boys Card Shows. “This is our fourth show, and each one gets bigger with attendance.” The PokéBash featured
Pokémon trading cards, collectibles and accessories. Carawan, along with Clint Hoffman, started Bayou Boys Card Shows to bring trading card events to Ascension Parish and surrounding areas. “Pokémon is popular with children because of the cartoons and the characters on the cards are fun,” Carawan said. “There’s been a big boom recently in Pokémon cards because of the Logan Paul card.” In February, Logan Paul, social media personality and professional wrestler, sold a rare Pikachu Pokémon illustrator card for $16.4 million. Paul reportedly made an $8 million profit because he
Prairieville Hurricanes girls basketball top 28 bound
originally purchased the card five years ago for $5.2 million. Pokémon is the world’s highest-grossing media franchise, according to CNN. Card values have skyrocketed since December, when Paul announced he would auction off the card. The PokéBash in Gonzales featured trading cards from the popular Pokémon television series, as well as the Pokémon Trading Card Game, also known as “TCG.” While most vendors focused on trading cards, others, such as Wyverns Mystery, sold Pokémon buttons and other trinkets.
PHOTO BY WENDY LOUP
Vi Dang, right, of PokeFiendz, traveled from New Orleans to sell trading cards during the PokeBash Sunday at the Price LeBlanc PACE Center in Gonzales.
BY WENDY LOUP
ä See RECORDS, page 4G
The Prairieville Hurricanes are heading to Hammond after a 65-54 quarterfinal win over Salmen High. The Hurricanes (26-4) are the No. 3 seed and will play at 8 p.m. Thursday at Southeastern against the No. 2 seed, the Slidell Tigers. The Hurricanes are only in their second season of varsity and pushed right into district play and playoffs at the 5A level. Troy Coach Chase Delrie talked LeBoeuf about his team’s resilience ASCENSION and play in their quarterfinal SPORTS win. “Composure and resilience were the biggest factors for us,” Delrie said. “Salmen played a great first half, we had to make some defensive adjustments as a team. Breanna Sanders led the defensive effort on their point guard; her play changed the momentum of the game. We settled in offensively and executed.” “Rhian Comery led us with 25 points and 15 rebounds. Aubrielle Theriot had 19 points and made some crucial free throws down the stretch. Kailey Miles added a doubledouble with 12 points and 11 rebounds. The home crowd was a factor, especially our student section, total team effort to move on and get to Hammond,” Delrie said. Prairieville’s semi-final opponent has one loss this season, and Delrie and his team have respect for Slidell. “They are extremely talented and athletic; they have been near the top of the rankings all season. They won a lot of basketball games and have valuable playoff experience,” the coach said. “They are well coached and we expect a hard-fought game. We will have to bring our best effort to compete at the level required.” The other two teams are Zachary and Neville, the No. 1 and 4 seed respectively. Delrie sees the final four and understands
East Ascension High plans mattress fundraiser Head over to the East Ascension High gym for its 13th annual mattress fundraiser on March 22. East Ascension High School’s one-day event is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For one day only, East Ascension High School will be transformed into a full mattress showroom. Shoppers will find 27 different mattress styles to try, available in all sizes and price ranges. The sale will also feature adjustable bases, luxury pillows, premium sheets and mattress protectors. All products come with full factory warranties, are made to order, and will arrive within two to three weeks. Delivery is available. Every purchase benefits East Ascension High School. For more information, visit bit. ly/beds4eahs26. To watch a video that explains how the Mattress Fundraiser works, visit vimeo. com/637591323 Contact cfslouisiana1@cfsbeds.com or call (337) 991-5033 for more information.
no responsive documents to the request. She reiterated this after the decision, when Tureau asked if the records request needed a timeframe attached. “A timeline would not be an issue for us because there are no documents responsive to this request,” Jacob said. She declined to comment after the hearing, citing the request of her client.
Rodeo kids learn responsibility, competition, camaraderie BY WENDY LOUP
Contributing writer
Hundreds of middle and high school rodeo athletes from across the area competed in this weekend’s Southeast Louisiana Junior and High School Rodeo in Gonzales. Barrel racing, roping and goat tying were among the contests held Feb. 27 to March 1 inside the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center’s rodeo arena. The annual event attracted fifth through 12th grade students throughout the state. The Southeast Louisiana Junior and High School Rodeo Association has existed for more than 25 years, according to President Misty Fairchild. This weekend’s rodeo was a steppingstone for rodeo athletes to advance to state finals, which will be in May in Lake Charles. While the rodeo has been a popular tradition over the years, Fairchild said the competition is becoming tougher and the horses are faster than ever before. The club emphasizes the rodeo is
about more than the competitions. Learning responsibility and discipline in caring for the animals, particularly horses, is a benefit for participants. “We think rodeo kids just mature quicker,” Fairchild said. “Taking responsibility for another life at a young age teaches so much. They build strong bonds with the animals that depend on them for love and care. “Children without animals do not understand the responsibility that livestock requires. We think rodeo kids are a different breed.” Rodeo participant Addy Faulkner, a 16-year-old student at St. Amant High School, found her love for horses as a toddler. “Horse was her first word,” Faulkner’s mother, Adriane, said laughing. “Being around horses and the rodeo runs in our family with me, her dad, grandparents and cousins. “Participating in this is also about the friendships we all make with other families, parents and grandparents. They’ve made
PHOTO BY WENDY LOUP
Amelia Landry, a sophomore at Ascension Catholic, and her horse, Jolene, competed this weekend during the Southeast Louisiana Junior and High School Rodeo. Landry, who is new to the rodeo, competed in ä See RODEO, page 4G barrel racing and pole bending.