+3 News New limits on fill adopted after earlier veto but some question secret committee that developed revisions BY DAVID J. MITCHELL | Staff writer Sep 5, 2019 DONALDSONVILLE — More than three years removed from the August 2016 flood, Ascension Parish has taken an important step to limit the potential…
+2 News Ascension Parish adopts ban on dirt to raise homes -- but hopes to end it quickly BY DAVID J. MITCHELL | Staff writer Jul 18, 2019 GONZALES — The Ascension Parish Council has enacted up to a six-month ban on the use of dirt to raise new homes and businesses across more tha…
+2 News Ascension President Matassa's veto of fill limits sustained; override bid by Parish council fails BY DAVID J. MITCHELL | dmitchell@theadvocate.com Jun 6, 2019 DONALDSONVILLE — Ascension Parish President Kenny Matassa's veto of a major flood prevention package narrowly withstood an attempted override …
+2 News After months of delay, Ascension takes 'big step' expanding limits on dirt use in parish's lowest areas BY DAVID J. MITCHELL | dmitchell@theadvocate.com May 17, 2019 GONZALES — Facing public pressure to address the effects of the August 2016 flood, the Ascension Parish Council will expand limits on the use …
News Ascension poised to limit use of fill dirt to raise homes, businesses; invites public comment BY DAVID J. MITCHELL | dmitchell@theadvocate.com Apr 13, 2019 Ascension Parish government is on the cusp of adopting new rules limiting the amount of dirt that can be used to raise homes and businesses in…
News New fill rules inch forward in Ascension Parish as concerns remain about their strength, legality BY DAVID J. MITCHELL | dmitchell@theadvocate.com Mar 25, 2019 GONZALES — Facing criticism they've been dragging their feet, Ascension Parish officials are taking early steps to cap the amount of dirt buil…
News Ascension poised to take up limits on use of fill dirt to raise homes, businesses BY DAVID J. MITCHELL | dmitchell@theadvocate.com Feb 19, 2019 GONZALES — A key policy making committee of the Ascension Parish Council signaled Monday that it's ready to support limits on the use of dirt …
Multimedia More than 2 years after flood, Ascension still wrestling with limits on fill dirt for construction BY DAVID J. MITCHELL | dmitchell@theadvocate.com Feb 5, 2019 GONZALES — A little over two years after the 2016 flood that devastated much of the region, East Ascension drainage board members were in a fu…
News How will leaders, builders account for flood risk with new Ascension courthouse? BY DAVID J. MITCHELL | dmitchell@theadvocate.com Sep 23, 2018 GONZALES — The site of a future three-story, $26 million Ascension Parish courthouse with advanced security features is where the government a…
News Ascension Parish officials question whether old mitigation plans are enough after 2016 floods BY DAVID J. MITCHELL | dmitchell@theadvocate.com Aug 17, 2018 Two years after the 2016 flood that devastated thousands of homes in the Baton Rouge area, public officials are finally taking a hard look at …