On last Thursday at noon during the Rotary Club of Donaldsonville meeting, Thomas Schmitt of Operation Life Saver gave a presentation on how being precautious at railroad crossings and educating yourself on train safety is important. 

Operation Lifesaver is a non-profit, international continuing public education program first established in 1972 to end collisions, deaths and injuries at places where roadways cross train tracks, and on railroad rights-of-way. The Louisiana program was created in 1981.

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On January 19, 2012 detectives investigated a complaint

of a stolen credit card. The victim states that she used the card at a local

store in Plattenville and then possibly misplaced it. Once she noticed the

card missing, she contacted her bank and learned that the card had been

used several times. Upon reviewing the various store security cameras,

Detectives were able to identify Terrance A. Jackson as the suspect using

the card. Jackson is accused of using the card at four different stores

and charged in excess of $2,500.00. On January 24, 2012 detectives

arrested Terrance Jackson and charged him with Felony Unauthorized

Use of Access Card. This is an ongoing investigation because additional

unauthorized use of an access card was made in St. Mary Parish and

Detectives are currently working with St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office to

assist with their investigation.

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Late last Thursday evening on January 26, 2012, the

Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office was called to investigate a sexual

assault of a an adult female from Napoleonville. She stated that her son’s

barber arrived at her residence after calling her and began knocking at the

door. She answered the door asking him what he needed and he began to

push his way through the door. He then forced her into the back bedroom

where he allegedly raped her. She stated she told him several times “to

stop and get off of her”. He eventually quit after slapping her. The victim

then immediately called 911 and deputies responded to the scene. She

was taken to Assumption Community Hospital where she was treated and

released. A Detective later interviewed the Ferrantee D. Alexis, age 34, of

212 Pierre Street, Plattenville, Louisiana who stated he did have sex with

the victim but said it was consensual.

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Tyson Dennis, 18, 5345 Faulkner Dr., Darrow, January 19 for simple burglary. Released January 24 after posting $10,000.

Joseph Jasmin, 22, 41063 Cannon Road, apt 1303, Gonzales, January 19 for theft. Released January 19 after posting $277.50.

Tremaine Joseph, 44, 11053 S Bayou View Dr., Gonzales, January 19 for domestic abuse battery. Released January 20 after posting $2,000.

Travis Whittington, 32, 18217 Brickyard Dr., Port Vincent, January 19 for fugitive warrant from another agency. Released January 19.

Leroy Joseph Parms, 56, 39240 LA 929 Hwy, Prairieville, January 19 in for court. Released January 21.

Terrell Joseph Taylor, 27, 37094 Second St., Darrow, January 19 in for court. Released January 24.

On last Friday afternoon, Deputy Donnie Calamia, Jr. was stopped at the intersection of Highway 998 and Highway 308 in his fully marked patrol unit when he observed a vehicle with a driver not wearing a seatbelt.

Deputy Calamia turned around to get behind the vehicle and also observed the vehicle fail to come to a complete stop at a stop sign posted at the intersection Highway 998 and Highway 1. He then conducted a traffic stop and ordered the driver to step out of the vehicle. The driver who identified himself as Charles Knockum, age 23, of 180 Blackwell Lane, Belle Rose,  said he did not have a driver’s license. He then approached the passenger side of the vehicle to speak to the passenger and detected an extremely strong odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle.

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PPP's student of the week for January 30 - February 3 is Elaina Rivere.

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District 2 State Senator Troy Brown officially opens his legislative offices throughout the District and outlines a number of short and long term legislative initiatives that will be on the horizon in the coming months and years respectively.  District 2 is made up of a portion of eight parishes: Ascension, Assumption, Iberville, Lafourche, St Charles, St James, St John the Baptist, and West Baton Rouge. District offices are now open Monday thru Friday from 8:30 to 4:30 in Napoleonville, LA on LA 70 and in Brusly, LA in the Oaks Shopping Center. Two other District offices are located on Canal Blvd. in Thibodaux, LA, and on Belle Terre Blvd in LaPlace, LA. Senator Brown’s strategy in opening his legislative offices is somewhat unique and very advantageous to his constituents, being that he has been a business owner operating throughout the District 2 area for many years, coincidentally operating business locations in each corner of the District over the last 20 years collectively in Assumption, Lafourche, West Baton Rouge, and St John the Baptist. “By utilizing my business offices it provides a convenience to the constituents when they desire to meet with me or my Staff. In spite of the huge size of the District, they will travel less than thirty minutes no matter where they live in my Senate District. This gives them the assurance that I am assessable and the assurance of knowing I can be easily reached,” said Senator Brown.

                On January 9, 2012, Senator Brown took his oath of office and is now living up to the commitments made to the people during the campaign phase.  Legislative priorities planned for this term includes plans to reduce employer payroll taxes to lure and entice more small and large businesses into Louisiana, to expand the use of alternative sentencing for nonviolent crimes to reduce the outrageous cost of our Department of Corrections budget. Senator Brown commented, “This budget is higher than almost all fifty States in this nation due to our continued use of the incarcerate versus rehabilitate concept.” In the end, we now have an out of control Corrections budget and a recidivism rate that proves what we have been doing does not work.” The Senator also intends to legislatively maintain adequate services resources for elderly and Medicaid recipients.

                Senator Brown’s most important legislation in the upcoming Session will be to expand the public school transportation systems statewide, to include all state vocational and technical schools into their service routes. This effort is in keeping with Governor Bobby Jindal’s educational reform initiatives. “The Governor has taken steps to implement bold reform to our educational system because he realizes that the success of this State is directly predicated on the Success of providing a sound and capable workforce”. Employers are speaking over and over about the lack of a skilled and trained work force, so we must do what is necessary to provide what is needed’, said Senator Brown. The goal is to see transportation provided to students who choose to attend the Vo-Tech schools but do not have an available means of transportation. This problem is major in most of rural Louisiana as well as some Cities also. Whatever voids or difficulties our students have, our job to provide reasonable assistance to help when necessary. The more we get employed, the better success Louisiana enjoys in a number of ways”.

                On a district level, Senator Brown has implemented a scholarship program for graduating seniors throughout the district.  Five schools will be selected each year and offered a $500.00 scholarship to a selected student. This program will include the public and private schools throughout the District. “An adequate education is the key to get rid of the level of poverty that continues to rise in this State’, commented Senator Brown.  Brown also intends to empanel a Legislative Advisory Council of citizens throughout the district to assist with identifying the needs and concerns in the various areas. In addition to the State Senate web page and E-Mail  brownte@legis.la.gov,  Senator Brown plans to hold Town/Hall Meetings, public service announcements, and visit various governmental and community meetings to keep citizens abreast on legislative issues and to as well hear the issues and concerns of the people.

                “I encourage the people to contact me and my staff with your comments, questions, and concerns’. In the Senate we work as a group for all of Louisiana, not only our individual District. Input from citizens helps us to craft needed legislation so please do not hesitate to contact me. Please visit the Facebook or Louisiana State Senate website for all contact information. 

The Ascension Parish 2012 Household Hazardous Materials Collection Day is slated for Saturday, May 12 at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center, parish officials said.

Do you remember when basketball shorts stopped above the knee or when cheerleader skirts stopped about mid calf? If you were an athlete during these golden days, your time in the athletic spotlight has probably come and gone. Gone are the days of toe punting footballs and wooden baseball bats, but just because your fondest sporting memories are decades old, it doesn’t mean you can’t relive the glory days.

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The month of January, Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office has reported a rash of vehicle burglaries in Donaldsonville.

According to Chief Deputy Tony Bacala, “I strongly suggest that if you don't want to be a victim of a car burglary, you should take the simple step of removing valuables from your vehicle and then make absolutely certain to keep it locked at all times.”

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