Michael Tortorich

Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. announced in a news release that it has terminated its plans to build a $1.3 billion methyl methacrylate manufacturing complex in the Geismar area of Ascension Parish.

Ascension Parish Assessor M.J. "Mert" Smiley was sworn in for the new term during an inauguration ceremony.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announced a full road closure from Jan. 20 at 6:30 a.m. to June 6 at 5 p.m. for Hwy. 18 from Chetimatches St. to Iberville St. in Donaldsonville.

Following reports of teenagers allegedly abusing a kitten, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has offered curricula to Ascension Parish students intended to foster empathy for all living beings.

Gonzales Mayor Tim Riley presented a proclamation for Catholic Schools Week to students from St. Theresa of Avila Catholic School and held the first meeting with the city council.

An online auction for Ascension Parish Public Schools surplus assets, including school buses, commercial food service items and shop machinery, is underway online through Jan. 31.

During the first Donaldsonville City Council meeting of the four-year term, members approved Charles Brown as chair and Michael Sullivan as vice chair.

A former Ascension Parish government employee reportedly pleaded guilty to lesser charges and received two years of probation after his 2023 arrest when surveillance video captured him urinating into a pretreated filtration tank at the Donaldsonville water plant.

The Ascension Parish Council elected Chase Melancon as chair and Blaine Petite as vice chair during the Jan. 16 meeting, the first of the new year, at the courthouse annex in Gonzales.

The Ascension Parish Council and the administration discussed planning and zoning recommendations to add to the code regulating food trucks and food trailers.