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Dredging went on during shutdown

Tue, 11/18/2025 - 10:05am

BILL DECKER

@daily-review.com
The 44-day federal government shutdown sent ripples through the economy and the justice system. But it didn’t stop dredging on Port of Morgan City waterways.
Mechanical difficulties may end up causing more delays than a pause in other government operations.
The dredging at the port's federally authorized channel is funded through congressional appropriations to the Army Corps of Engineers, which lets contracts for the work.
At Monday’s Port of Morgan City board meeting, members received an update on dredging projects.
•The Arulaq, a specially designed agitation dredge, continues work at the lower end of the port’s channel, removing sticky “fluff” mud at a fraction of the cost incurred by conventional dredges. Monday marked the second anniversary of the official commencement date, and the $20.9 million project is scheduled to continue through 2027.
•Manson Construction has a contract for dredging at several sites, including the Atchafalaya bar channel, Berwick Bay near Conrad Shipyard and Stouts Pass. A dredge is at work in the bar channel and is expected to move to Stouts Pass within the next few weeks. The bar channel and Stouts Pass portion of the contract is for $8.9 million.
•Mike Hooks LLC has an $18.3 million contract for dredging bayous Chene, Boeuf and Black. But the two dredges assigned to Bayou Chene and Bayou Black, the Lorain Hooks and the Mike Hooks, are sidelined by mechanical breakdowns and are awaiting parts from overseas. The entire project is 56% complete.
•Weeks Marine has a $21.1 million contract for dredging in Atchafalaya Bay, the bar channel and Crewboat Cut. The contract was awarded in September, but a bid protest is holding up that work.

Terrebonne General gets 'A' grade for safety

Tue, 11/18/2025 - 10:01am

Terrebonne General Health System earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit watchdog that sets standards for excellence in patient care, for the fifth consecutive term.
Leapfrog assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries, and infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm.
"I am incredibly proud of the Terrebonne General healthcare team for earning this prestigious national recognition for five consecutive terms, a true testament to the unwavering commitment we have to the safety, quality, and excellence in the care we provide to our patients every day," said Phyllis Peoples, president and CEO of Terrebonne General. "This award reflects the collective dedication of our team, who tirelessly strive to deliver exceptional, compassionate, patient-centered care."
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade stands as the only hospital ratings program focused solely on preventable medical errors, infections and injuries that kill more than 500 patients a day in the United States. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.

Watchdog cautions against reliance on federal aid

Tue, 11/18/2025 - 9:53am

JOHNNY EDWARDS, The Center Square

(Editor’s note This investigative story is part of an occasional series examining increases in state spending over several years and determining what taxpayers’ money is being used for by state elected officials.)

Louisiana’s annual budgets swelled more than 71% over the past decade, ticking up year after year under a Democratic governor who expanded Medicaid and led the state through the COVID crisis.
While the pace of spending slowed under a Republican governor elected two years ago, the bottom line keeps growing, an analysis of state records by The Center Square found.
Louisiana’s funding increased more than 27% during the peak pandemic years from 2019 to 2022. But since 2023, the budgets went up an additional 14% after COVID abated.
Budget watchdogs blame Louisiana’s heavy reliance on federal dollars, calling the trajectory “unsustainable” and warning of a “fiscal cliff” if Washington ever tightens the spigot. At worst, they say, it could lead to a statewide financial crisis similar to the one facing New Orleans – a massive deficit blamed partly on delayed FEMA payments for post-Hurricane Katrina road repairs.
“That growing dependence on federal money can be dangerous,” said Erin Bendily, a former assistant superintendent for the Louisiana Department of Education and now a policy expert at the Pelican Institute for Public Policy. “But when we look at state funds only, we also see increases that we believe are not sustainable for Louisiana taxpayers.”
The Center Square examined Louisiana’s total appropriated spending each year, which includes money for all three branches of government, infrastructure and local project spending, and the gargantuan portion from the federal government made up mostly of Medicaid funds.
The state’s current budget, signed by Gov. Jeff Landry in June, has Louisiana’s total spending at more than $53.5 billion – a nearly 5% increase over the total when his predecessor, Democrat John Bel Edwards, left office in 2024. In the current budget, federal money totals $23.7 billion, or 44.3%.
Across the last 10 budgets – which cover both terms of the Edwards administration and first two years of Landry – the increase in Louisiana’s funding is more than double the rate of inflation.
“That is mostly being driven by federal funds, and that is almost certainly unsustainable,” said Steven Procopio, president of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana.
Louisiana’s federal dependency has long been tied to disaster relief for hurricanes, floods and COVID-19. But the infusion accelerated when Edwards, on his first day in office in 2016, signed an executive order expanding Medicaid. The poorer a state, the higher the federal Medicaid contribution, and Louisiana currently has one of the nation’s highest poverty rates, topped only by Puerto Rico, according to 2023 census data.
Annual budget increases averaged 7.6% during the Edwards years, but the biggest single-year jump came amid the pandemic between fiscal years 2020 and 2021, when total budgeted spending increased almost 15%. That included an 18.9% increase to the Department of Health, which administers Medicaid.
The Health Department makes up 43% of the current state budget. Of the $23 billion appropriated for Health, $16.4 billion comes from the feds.
“The biggest concern I have about the sustainability of our budget is, at some point, the federal government will start making some changes,” Procopio said. “And that’s either going to affect citizens through their services, or it’s going to affect the states, as some of what the federal government’s paying for will be moved over to them.”
Another budget and tax expert pushed back on The Center Square’s use of total budget numbers to gauge fiscal responsibility.
“Most of this growth is in health care,” said Jan Moller, executive director of Invest in Louisiana. “Louisiana bought something very important with that, which is health care coverage for people who didn’t have it before.”
Moller said it’s the annual state general fund that matters most to Louisianans, a figure whose growth has lagged inflation over the past decade – rising 27% from about $9.6 billion in fiscal year 2017 to the current level of $12.2 billion.
“I would argue that Louisiana has been quite conservative in its budgeting in the part of the budget that it controls that is funded by taxes and fees paid by Louisiana citizens,” Moller said. “It has been keeping pace with the economy, more or less.”
In that time period, state general funds to the state Department of Health rose from $2.8 billion in fiscal year 2017 to nearly $3.2 billion in 2026 – a 13% increase.
State general funds to the state Department of Education went from $3.5 billion in 2017 to more than $4.2 billion in 2026 – a 20.6% increase.
Louisiana finished the last fiscal year with a $577 million surplus. It also managed to reduce this year’s general fund by 2.3% compared to last year.
Landry’s first year in office even saw a 2.6% decrease to the total state budget that includes federal funds, though the sum went back up 7.8% for the current year.
Residents expect to see tax relief this year. In late 2024, the governor called a special legislative session to overhaul the tax system, which resulted in flattening personal and corporate income tax rates, repealing the corporate franchise tax and increasing the sales tax rate, among other changes.
In a video address to Louisianans unveiling this year’s budget, the governor pointed to his own DOGE-like efforts to rein in spending – creating a new government efficiency task force and appointing a Fiscal Responsibility czar to review government expenditures.
The governor’s office did not respond to interview requests from The Center Square.
“This budget was built on the goal of flat funding for this fiscal year when compared to last year,” Landry said in the video. “It continues the trend of decreasing the overall amount of money that we spend. This is a tremendous step forward for fiscal responsibility.”
The Pelican Institute, however, alleges that the state budget remains loaded with fat, pointing to nearly $100 million in surplus funds being spent on 612 line items for local projects. Among them: private museums, community centers, neighborhood associations, fraternity and sorority groups, a sports hall of fame foundation, an art gallery, a dance company, and various churches and ministries.
“If you know anything about Louisiana politics and Louisiana history, you know that old habits die hard,” Bendily said. “Local leaders come to Baton Rouge and kiss the ring and get their projects funded.”

Lee rushes for 134 yards in Nicholls victory

Tue, 11/18/2025 - 9:51am

Nicholls State Sports Information

Redshirt freshman running back Shane Lee carried the offense with a career-high 134 yards and three touchdowns but it was a senior duo that came up with the game-winning stop as the Nicholls State University football team defeated rival Northwestern State, 26-21, on Saturday's Senior Day at Manning Field at John L. Guidry Stadium.
Lee gave Nicholls (4-7, 4-3 SLC) the lead with his final touchdown run with seven minutes remaining before Northwestern State moved just outside the red zone after a fourth-down conversion. But facing a fourth-and-12 from the 24 with less than a minute to go, the Demons threw to the end zone and the pass was broken up by senior Ty Marsh, and classmate Laurence Sullivan Jr. came up with the interception to seal the victory.
With the win, Nicholls finished its home slate with a perfect 4-0 record in league play. The Colonels also claimed the N-S-U Rivalry trophy for the second straight year as they knocked off the Demons for the eighth time in the last nine meetings. Northwestern State (1-10, 0-7 SLC) fell short of its first Southland win since 2022.
Lee needed just 14 carries to notch his second 100-yard game of the season. His first touchdown put the bow on an eight-play, 71-yard drive as he scored from six yards out. Then after the Colonels forced a punt, Lee scored on the opening play, going untouched for a 59-yard score. Nicholls failed on a two-point conversion on the first touchdown and missed the extra point on the second to lead 12-0.
The Demons answered on their next drive, scoring on an Abram Johnston 8-yard touchdown run. Johnston found Ty Moore for a 39-yard catch on fourth down and three plays later, scampered in for the Demons’ first touchdown of November.
The momentum continued to be in the visitors’ favor as they forced a three-and-out and got the ball back at the Nicholls 24 after a 10-yard punt. Johnston followed up with a 10-yard touchdown run as NSU took a 14-12 advantage early in the second quarter.
But Nicholls regained the lead with another long drive, going 75 yards over five minutes. A Miequle Brock Jr. catch-and-run for 21 yards moved the ball inside the 10, then on third down, Ean Rodrigue found freshman tight end Alec Haynes wide open for his first career touchdown catch.
But before the half, another special teams gaffe doomed the Colonels. A muffed punt return gave the Demons another short field and after converting on two fourth downs, Johnston and Moore connected on a 6-yard touchdown catch, going up 21-19.
Nicholls had a chance to put points on the board by reaching the red zone but Rodrigue threw his first interception of the season to end the threat.
The score remained the same through the third. NSU went for another fourth-down try but was stuffed at the line of scrimmage for no gain.
The Colonels came up empty on the ensuing possession as Gabriel Showalter misfired on a 41-yard field goal.
The Colonels’ go-ahead scoring drive in the fourth lasted over seven minutes.
A big sequence during the possession was on 4th-and-4, Rodrigue had a pass picked off and returned 79 yards.
But the Demons were flagged for holding and Nicholls had a penalty as well, leading to replaying the down.
Rodrigue then scrambled to pick up the first down, and four players later, Lee punched it in for his first career three-touchdown game.
Down but not out, the Demons started their rally with a 50-yard kick return by Amaaz Eugene. But after reaching the Nicholls 22, the Colonel defense stuffed NSU on three consecutive runs before Sullivan’s team-high fourth interception of the season ended the drive.
Marsh totaled two breakups, including his game winner, and finished with a team-high 11 tackles.
Jake Dalmado (2 TFL) and Hayden Shaheen racked up eight stops while Aidan McCowan also had a pair of tackles for loss.
For the offense, Rodrigue completed 12 of 21 passes for 156 yards. Jackson Dufrene registered 55 yards receiving on three catches while Scrappy Osby caught three passes as well for 51 yards.
Nicholls will head to Southeastern for the River Bell Classic on Thursday, Nov. 20, for the regular season finale.
Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Conservative Tax Foundation says La. more competitive

Tue, 11/18/2025 - 9:50am

NOLAN McKENDRY, The Center Square

Louisiana’s tax system now ranks 31st in the country for competitiveness, up six spots from last year, according to the Tax Foundation’s new 2026 State Tax Competitiveness Index.
The group said the state improved after lawmakers approved major changes late last year.
The state also has been performing better on economic metrics.
Immediately after the tax reforms, the state’s economy shrank slightly, but since then has reversed course. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the state’s gross domestic product grew 4% and personal income grew 6.8% in the second quarter of 2025 — both higher than the national average.
Reforming the tax code was said to be crucial to bringing new economic growth to the state.
“We promised you that we would work on Louisiana’s economy. To do that, we knew that we have to overhaul our outdated and bloated tax code — giving people and businesses an incentive to come to Louisiana,” Republican Gov. Jeff Landry said after a 2024 special session.
“We wanted to make our state more competitive, so we can attract more jobs and have higher wages.”
Over the span of 19 days, the legislature enacted a flat 3% individual income tax, cut the corporate income tax to 5.5% and set the state sales tax at 5% through 2029 (dropping to 4.75% in 2030).
Lawmakers also voted to repeal the corporate franchise tax starting Jan. 1 and expanded sales taxes to some digital goods.
Those changes helped Louisiana jump in two key parts of the Index: The state now ranks No. 15 for individual income taxes and No. 10 for corporate taxes, the Tax Foundation reports.
But Louisiana remains last (No. 50) on sales taxes, reflecting both rate and structure, and sits No. 22 on property taxes and No. 9 on unemployment insurance taxes. Overall standing could rise again next year once the franchise tax repeal takes effect.
For households, the new law raises the standard deduction to $12,500 for single filers and $25,000 for married joint filers starting in 2025, which means more income is tax-free before the 3% rate applies.
The Tax Foundation grades states on how simply and neutrally taxes are structured across five areas — income, corporate, sales, property and unemployment taxes — giving more weight to areas where states differ the most.
The franchise tax repeal begins in 2026, and other clean-up items tied to the 2024 package continue to roll out.
The Tax Foundation says those steps could further lift Louisiana’s ranking if lawmakers don’t add new carve-outs or complexity.

UL System ponders restructuring

Tue, 11/18/2025 - 9:48am

PIPER HUTCHINSON, Louisiana Illuminator

Following budget crises at several of its schools, the University of Louisiana System is studying how to restructure to minimize costs and maximize oversight.
The system’s governing board voted Thursday to create a task force made up of university administrators, faculty, students and athletics officials from each of its nine universities. The group will look at ways to create shared services across the universities, implement a cross-system course numbering system and create long-term financial stability for college athletics.
University of Louisiana System President Rick Gallot said he has been considering this plan since he took the job in 2023.
The restructure is intended to give the system more power to deal with financial problems at its schools. In the past two years, the University of New Orleans and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette have had to dig themselves out of budget shortfalls, totaling $30 million and $25, respectively, that led to faculty and staff furloughs and layoffs.
The University of Louisiana at Monroe has also had to deal with a $12 million budget shortfall but chose not to furlough any of its employees.
Every university in the UL System is running a deficit in athletics, which are contributing significantly to the budget crunch at some schools.
These fiscal problems largely snuck up on the system and its board members.
“UNO was my alma mater, and I was on the board of supervisors, and somehow we didn’t know all that had gone wrong at UNO,” UL board member Julie Stokes said.
In response to the budget crisis at UNO, the state legislature approved moving the school back to the LSU System, which it had been a part of until 2011. The switch is expected to take place in July.
“I would say the same thing is true here, that the system by which we are managing these schools is not providing us adequate ability to supervise what’s happening at these schools,” Stokes said of ULL, which hosted Thursday’s meeting.
Though it’s not yet known what actions the board will end up taking after receiving the task force report, if it decides to streamline services, such as human resources, accounting and IT, it is possible some people will lose their jobs.
But Gallot encouraged those affected by any restructuring to participate in the study phase. The system will hold town halls about the process at each system university and put up a website to receive feedback, he said.
The LSU System also announced its intent to restructure this month, although its process is very different.
While the UL System will be going through a public process, LSU announced a rough outline of its new structure on Nov. 4, when it also hired a new president and chancellor, and said it would vote to finalize the plan within 30 days, without getting input from the public.

Theft, drug charges reported locally

Mon, 11/17/2025 - 3:19pm

Staff Report

(Editor’s note: The charges listed here and the narratives that go with them are provided by the police agencies that made the arrests. Guilt or innocence has not been determined in court.)

Morgan City police reported a pair of arrests on theft charges in the last week, while Patterson officers made an arrest on drug charges.

A traffic stop in Assumption led to a foot chase and the arrest of a man wanted on home invasion and domestic violence charges in Rapides.

Morgan City

Chad M. Adams reported these arrests:

--Kelton Smith, 28, Mural Street, Bayou L’Ourse, was arrested at 9 a.m. Thursday on charges of theft (less than $1,000) and criminal trespass.

--Richard Ruelas, 34, La. 182, Patterson, was arrested at 9:41 p.m. Saturday on a charge of failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Francell Byrd, 42, La. 70, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:43 p.m. Sunday on a charge of failure to appear for arraignment (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Glen Jude Fangue, 56, South Street, Gibson, was arrested at 4:25 p.m. Thursday on a charge of theft (under $1,000).

--Peggy Alysia Cloud, 31, Ward Cloud Road, Glenmora, was arrested at 3:45 a.m. Nov. 12 on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense), child endangerment law, reckless operation of a vehicle and driving under suspension.

--Curtis Paul Gaudet Sr., 52, Lake Palourde Road, Amelia, was arrested at 9:14 a.m. Nov. 12 on charges of failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court) and failure to appear for arraignment (16th Judicial District Court).

--Ashley Jennies, 38, Two Sisters Lane, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:16 a.m. Nov. 12 on charges of hit-and-run driving and no driver’s license. (Released on summons.)

Patterson

Chief Garrett Grogan reported these arrests:

--Charmain M. Hebert, 39, Main Street, Patterson, was arrested at 10:26 p.m. Sunday on charges of introduction of contraband into a penal institution, possession of Schedule II drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, obstruction of justice (evidence tampering), and driving with license suspended or revoked.

Hebert is incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with no bond set.

--Jared D. Triche, Honeysuckle Drive, Schriever, was arrested at 11:24 p.m. Sunday on a Lafourche Parish warrant alleging failure to appear and a charge of simple battery.

Triche is incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with bond set at $5,000.

St. Mary

Sheriff Gary Driskell reported these arrests:

--Lacy Rene Lapoint, 31, Patterson, was arrested at 5:55 p.m. Sunday on a charge of battery of a dating partner. Lapoint was released on a $2,500 bond.

--Hilda Darlene Rose Randolph, 34, Patterson, was arrested at 5:55 p.m. Sunday on a charge of violation of protective orders. Randolph was released on a $2,500 bond.

--Laura Ann Rogers, 55, Houma, was arrested at 9:58 p.m. Thursday on a charge of simple battery. Bail was set at $1,500.

--Katherine Nicole Simmons, 37, Larose, LA, was arrested on November 15, 2025, at 10:17 pm on five Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office warrants. Simmons was transported to another jurisdiction.

--Curstone Paul Alfred, 49, Jeanerette, was arrested at 3:35 a.m. Sunday on charges of simple burglary, theft, simple criminal damage to property and unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling.

Franklin

Chief Cedric Handy reported these arrests:

--Wynn Whitehurst, 50, Jupiter Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:52 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for 3rd Ward City Court alleging failure to appear on a charge of speeding. Whitehurst was booked, processed and released on a $338 bond.

--James Knight, 64, Norman Bauer Drive, Franklin, was arrested at 3:59 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for 3rd Ward City Court alleging failure to appear on charges of speeding and no seat belt. Knight was booked, processed and released on a $368 bond.

Assumption

Sheriff Leland Falcon reported these arrests:

--Tori Lee Wesley, 47, La. 308, Napoleonville, was arrested Sunday on charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, illegal possession of a stolen firearm, two counts of cruelty to juveniles, resisting an officer, possession of a firearm by a person convicted of domestic abuse battery and violation of a protective order, and as a fugitive from Rapides Parish on charges of home invasion, resisting arrest with force or violence, domestic abuse battery and traffic offenses.

--Amber Lynn Burgess, 31, La. 308, Napoleonville, was arrested Sunday on charges of cruelty to a juvenile (two counts), harboring a fugitive, turning movements and required signals, two counts of failure to use a child passengers restraint system, flight from an officer and driving on roadway laned for traffic.

The charges arise from an attempted traffic stop Sunday afternoon on La. 1 south of Napoleonville.

A uniformed patrol deputy assigned to the I.C.E. detail observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation and conducted a stop of that vehicle. The vehicle was registered to Wesley, whom the deputy knew was a fugitive.

The deputy recognized Wesley as the passenger. As the vehicle approached the end of the street they were on, the passenger, Wesley, fled on foot with the deputy in pursuit. Wesley was captured following a lengthy pursuit.

The driver of the suspect vehicle, now identified as Burgess, was arrested by assisting deputies. After obtaining consent to search the vehicle, deputies seized one large-caliber firearm.

Wesley was a convicted felon and could not legally possess a firearm. The recovered firearm had been reported stolen to the Alexandria Police Department.

It was further determined that Wesley had previously been convicted of domestic-related charges and was under a permanent protection order that also prohibited him from possessing a firearm. There were two juveniles in the vehicle at the time of Sunday’s incident.

At the conclusion of the investigation, Wesley and Burgess were incarcerated pending bond hearings.

Health Department: SNAP payments go out beginning this week

Mon, 11/17/2025 - 12:55pm

The Louisiana Department of Health is preparing to distribute 100% federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds to eligible recipients, including able-bodied adults, within a week.
Beginning next week, full federal benefits will be paid to eligible SNAP households that have not yet received November benefits. All households that have only received 65% since the beginning of November will also receive their remaining 35% next week.
Recipients who received 25% state-funded assistance November 1-4, namely the elderly and disabled, will keep the state-funded assistance and receive the rest of their November federal benefits.
Benefits are being administered to recipients on their usual distribution day of the month. SNAP benefits are issued on a rolling basis each month based on the last digit of the head of household’s Social Security number.
Eligible SNAP recipients do not need to take action to receive SNAP benefits. However, SNAP recipients must continue to meet all program requirements on time to continue their federal SNAP eligibility.
•Report household changes: Continue to report any changes to your household circumstances.
•Complete paperwork: Ensure you complete simplified reporting or recertification paperwork, if applicable.
•Submit verification: Submit any requested verification documents:
•By mail to the LDH ES Document Processing Center, P.O. Box 260031, Baton Rouge, LA 70826; or
•In person at any LDH ES parish office; or
By fax to 225-663-3164.

Morgan City police radio logs for Nov. 13-17

Mon, 11/17/2025 - 12:48pm

The following are the radio dispatch logs from the Morgan City Police Department. To report unlawful or suspicious activity, call the Police Department at 985-380-4605.
Thursday, Nov. 13
6:32 a.m. 1400 block of Chatsworth Drive; 911 hang up.
7:44 a.m. 700 block of Franklin Street; Suspicious vehicle.
8:40 a.m. 1400 block of Railroad Avenue; Theft.
10:48 a.m. 1100 block of Seventh Street; Medical.
10:59 a.m. 7300 block of La. 182; 911 hang up.
11:49 a.m. La. 182; Crash.
12:46 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Arrest.
2:53 p.m. 700 block of Marshall Street; Complaint.
2:58 p.m. 600 block of Bush Street; Animal complaint.
3:08 p.m. 600 block of Arenz Street; Medical.
3:44 p.m. 1300 block of Nebraska Street; Complaint.
3:47 p.m. 1900 block of Federal Avenue; Assistance.
3:55 p.m. 1200 block of David Drive; Assistance.
4:10 p.m. 1300 block of Nebraska Street; Arrest.
4:20 p.m. 3100 block of Wytchwood Drive; Complaint.
5:04 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Theft.
5:14 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Disturbance.
5:28 p.m. Jennie/Chestnut drives; Animal complaint.
4:44 p.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Alarm.
4:49 p.m. 1500 block of Sandra Street; Complaint.
4:58 p.m. 600 block of General Patton Street; Suspicious subject.
5:35 p.m. 7800 block of La. 182; Open door.
6 p.m. 800 block of Levee Road; Telephone harassment.
6:30 p.m. 100 block of Wren Street; Patrol.
6:39 p.m. 300 block of Oriole Street; Medical.
7:18 p.m. 700 block of David Drive; Medical.
7:33 p.m. 1000 block of Florence Street; Medical.
7:45 p.m. Redwood Street/Victor II Boulevard; Suspicious subject.
8:03 p.m. La. 182/Seventh Street; Signal.
8:27 p.m. 100 block of Glenwood Street; Theft.
8:35 p.m. 1200 block of Brashear Avenue; Suspicious vehicle.
11:08 p.m. 600 block of Arenz Street; Welfare check.
Friday, Nov. 14
12:44 a.m. 800 block of Brashear Avenue; Suspicious subject.
4:30 a.m. 2000 block of Keith Street; Complaint.
7:43 a.m. 2000 block of Tiger Drive; Fight.
7:48 a.m. 1000 block of Victor II Boulevard; Alarm.
9:40 a.m. 1000 block of La. 182; Assistance.
10:43 a.m. 700 block of Federal Avenue; Theft.
12:04 p.m. 400 block of Canton Street; BOLO.
12:10 p.m. 500 block of Aucoin Street; Complaint.
12:47 p.m. 700 block of Sixth Street; Disturbance.
1:32 p.m. 3000 block of Wytchwood Drive; Officer stand by.
2:12 p.m. Federal Avenue/Orange Street; Complaint.
3:55 p.m. U.S. 90 East before Federal Avenue Exit; Accident.
4:27 p.m. 7000 block of La. 182; Building check.
5:02 p.m. U.S. 90 East before Martin Luther King Boulevard Exit; Traffic incident.
5:17 p.m. 900 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard; Suspicious person.
5:42 p.m. 1000 block of Brashear Avenue; Stand by.
6:09 p.m. 600 block of Louisa Street; Complaint.
7:49 p.m. 8300 block of La. 182; Suspicious person/vehicle.
7:55 p.m. Second Street; Suspicious person/vehicle.
7:56 p.m. 500 block of Aucoin Street; Complaint.
8:14 p.m. 1100 block of Siracusa Street; Assistance.
8:37 p.m. 500 block of Aucoin Street; Medical.
9:21 p.m. Elm Street; Complaint.
9:34 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
9:52 p.m. 3000 block of Keith Street; Complaint.
10:42 p.m. 1000 block of Levee Road; Disturbance.
Saturday, Nov. 15
8:47 a.m. 1000 block of Eighth Street; Alarm.
9:25 a.m. 4000 block of Railroad Avenue; Subject removal.
9:49 a.m. 700 block of Justa Street; Alarm.
10:59 a.m. 7000 block of La. 182; Disturbance.
11:02 a.m. 600 block of Fifth Street; Medical.
11:47 a.m. 800 block of Brashear Avenue; Walk through.
11:55 a.m. 800 block of Brashear Avenue; Stalled vehicle.
11:55 a.m. 4000 block of Railroad Avenue; Alarm.
12:26 p.m. 2000 block of Tiger Drive; Complaint.
12:37 p.m. 200 block of Onstead Street; Complaint.
1:51 p.m. Belanger Street/Federal Avenue; Loud noise complaint.
1:55 p.m. 1000 block of Hickory Street; Medical.
2:12 p.m. U.S. 90 West elevated portion; Traffic incident.
2:35 p.m. 6000 block of La. 182; Theft.
3:38 p.m. 500 block of Hilda Street; Complaint.
7:42 p.m. 1400 block of Front Street; Complaint.
8:45 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Suspicious person/vehicle.
9:59 p.m. 600 block of Terrebonne Street; Disturbance.
Sunday, Nov. 16
12:17 a.m. 600 block of Brashear Avenue; Complaint.
1:43 a.m. Glenwood Street; Suspicious person/vehicle.
2:57 a.m. 1400 block of Sandra Street; Alarm.
7:24 a.m. La. 70/Victor II Boulevard; Signal problem.
8:41 a.m. 1000 block of Front Street; Officer stand by.
8:51 a.m. 1000 block of Chatsworth Drive; Medical.
9:10 a.m. Oil Tank Alley; Welfare concern.
11:01 a.m. 7000 block of La. 182; Complaint.
11:02 a.m. 600 block of Seventh Street; Welfare concern.
12:32 p.m. 100 block of Wren Street; Complaint.
1:40 p.m. 100 block of Wren Street; Complaint.
1:49 p.m. 300 block of Oriole Street; Complaint.
2:46 p.m. 200 block of La. 70; Theft.
2:45 p.m. 200 block of Anne Drive; Complaint.
4 p.m. 2000 block of La. 70; Complaint.
4:34 p.m. 1000 block of Marguerite Street; Animal complaint.
7:37 p.m. 400 block of Justa Street; Complaint.
8:13 p.m. Laurel Street/Federal Avenue; Medical.
10:48 p.m. 900 block of Florence Street; Medical.
11:02 p.m. Willard Street; Suspicious person/vehicle.
Monday, Nov. 17
1:40 a.m. 700 block of Onstead Street; Loud music.

Public notices for Nov. 14, 2025

Fri, 11/14/2025 - 6:00am

PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE: The City of Morgan City has submitted a Coastal Use Permit application for the project des-cribed below and hereby notifies owners of the land on which the proposed described activity is to occur. Application for the proposed work may be inspected at 617 North 3rd Street, Baton Rouge, LA or on the Louisiana De- partment of Conservation and Energy database at:
https://sonlite.dnr.state.la.us/ords/f?p=129:570::::: P570_CUP_NUM,P570_SHOW_APPL_EMAIL:P202 50799,N
NAME: City of Morgan City; 512 1st St, Morgan City, LA 70380; c/o C.H. Fenstermaker & Associates, L.L.C; 135 Regency Square, Lafayette, LA 70508
LOCATION: Lat. 29-42-18.6N, Long. -91-11-51.82W (see plats for additional coordinates); Morgan City, Louisiana. Project Area 1 is bounded by Levee Road, Sixth Street, Veterans Boulevard, and Franklin Street. Project Area 2 is bounded by David Drive, Ninth Street, Marguerite Street and Victor II Blvd. Project Area 3 is the Lakeside Subdivision, bounded by Roderick Street, Justa Street, Lake Palourde Drive, and Walnut Drive.
DESCRIPTION: Proposed replacement of existing gas mains (approx. 65,755’) with new, polyethylene gas mains, the installation of new service connections to residential properties, and the re- placement of gas meters to ensure compliance with modern safety standards across three project areas in Morgan City, LA. The existing gas mains are proposed to be abandoned in place. The contractor will have discretion on means and methods, but the contractor is expected to utilize horizontal directional drilling for the majority of gas main installation. If the contractor were to excavate and trench for the entire project length, approximately 29,225 cy of excavation would be required. All excavations will be temporary and backfilled up- on installation of the gas mains.
Adv. Nov. 7, 12 and 14, 2025

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PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the St. Mary Parish Board of Adjustments will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on MONDAY, De- cember 1, 2025, AT 5:45 P.M. in the Parish Council Meeting Room, Fifth Floor Courthouse, Franklin, Louisiana, for the following purposes:
Dwain Mayon represented by Matthew Fore with Miller Engineers and Associates, Inc. for a Rear Yard Setback Variance to deviate from the required five (5) ft. to zero (0) ft., a Front Yard Setback Variance to deviate from the required 15 ft. to five (5) ft., and a Variance to deviate from the re- quired 50 ft. Right of Way/ Utility Easement to 20 ft. in an Existing Neighborhood (EN3) Zoned District on a proposed subdivision of property located at 2117 Hwy 182, Morgan City, LA- Sec.21 T15S R12E; -Parcel Id# 2984341002.00 Lot Rem 12B Clarke Bayou Vista Subd Per Plat 90 290593 Acq 44S 275988 Improvement On The Land Of Mayon Dwain A Acq 44S 275988. Pending Subdivision approval from Planning and Zoning Commission. (Zon-1472)
All persons are invited to this meeting to submit their approval or objections to the above VARIANCE REQUEST.
St. Mary Parish
Board of Adjustments
Barry Druilhet,
Chairman

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PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the St. Mary Parish Board of Adjustments will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on MONDAY, De- cember 1, 2025, AT 5:45 P.M. in the Parish Council Meeting Room, Fifth Floor Courthouse, Franklin, Louisiana, for the following purposes:
Shane Cook for a Variance to deviate from Div. 1.6 Agricultural and Residential Standards; Sec. 1.6.2 Residential Accessory Uses, Building, and Structures; Table 1.6.2; Detached Accessory Building Standards – Setbacks- Front, Generally-behind the principal building in an Agricultural (AG) Zoned District located at 1120 Victoria Riverside Rd., Patterson, LA -Sec.3 T15S R12E; -Parcel Id# 2954364035.00- Lot 1 Per Plat 37I 246738 the Resub of 10-A 10-B 10-C Riverside Est Per Plat 30Q 220249 ACQ 376 331247. (Zon-1478)
All persons are invited to this meeting to submit their approval or objections to the above VARIANCE REQUEST.
St. Mary Parish
Board of Adjustments
Barry Druilhet,
Chairman
Adv. Nov. 14, 21 and 28, 2025

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PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice to
Bidders
HUNTING AND TRAPPING BIDS INVITED
Notice is hereby given that the St. Mary Parish School Board, in accordance with the provisions of Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, Title 41, Section 1211, will receive sealed bids until 10:00 A.M., Friday, December 05th, 2025 at the Central Office Complex(Maintenance Department) in Centerville, Louisiana, when the sealed bids will be opened in public session for the hunting and trapping on the following Section land:
Bateman Is- land: Section 16, Township 16 South, Range 12 East, Approx. 240 Acres
Specifications may be obtained by contacting the Maintenance Director, Mr. William Regard at (337)836-9661 or electronically at www.centralauctionhouse.com
The St. Mary Parish School Board reserves the right to re- ject any and all bids and to waive any informalities. Lease does not include hunting alligators or harvesting alligator eggs.
Adv. Nov. 14, 21 and 28, 2025

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PUBLIC NOTICE
AGENDA
ST. MARY PARISH 911 COMMUNICATIONS DISTRICT
1200 David Dr. Building B
Morgan City, LA 70380
November 20, 2025
1:00 P.M.
1. Meeting Called to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of Minutes: October 23, 2025
4. Guest(s): None
5. Public Comment
6. Income Statement: October 2025
7. Expense Statement: October 2025
8. Old Business: None
9. New Business: Engagement with Kolder, Slaven, & Co for the 2025 Audit; 2026 Health Insurance; Cost of Living Raises; Selection of a Call Handling System; 2025 Budget Revision; 2026 Budget Proposal
10. Director Up- dates
11. General Discussion
12. Adjournment
Adv. Nov. 14, 2025

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PUBLIC NOTICE
A MEETING OF THE LEPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL BE HELD AT THE LEPA MAIN OFFICE LOCATED AT 210 VENTURE WAY, LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA 70507, ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2025 AT 10:30 A.M.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
AGENDA
MEETING DATE: November 20, 2025
MEETING PLACE: LEPA Main Office, 210 Venture Way, Lafayette, LA
TIME: 10:30 A.M.
ITEM 1 Call to Order
ITEM 2 Pledge of Allegiance
ITEM 3 Roll Call
ITEM 4 Approval of the Minutes of the September 18, 2025 Board of Directors Meeting
ITEM 5 Ratification of the final actions authorized by the Operating Committee at the Meetings of such Committee held on August 21, 2025
ITEM 6 OLD BUSINESS
(a) Report on Wholesale Power Costs and Residential Retail Rates
(b) Update on Rodemacher Unit No. 2
(c) Recommendation for Approval of the 2026 LEPA Budgets:
1) Rodemacher Unit No. 2
2) Full Requirements
(d) Discussion on any other Outstanding Items of Old Business
ITEM 7 NEW BUSINESS
(a) LEPA Talk-ing Points – Member Cities’ Retail Electric Rate Adders
(b) Consideration for Approval of the 2026 Meeting Calendar for the LEPA Board of Directors
ITEM 8 AD- JOURNMENT
Individuals with a disability that falls under the Americans with Disabilities Act who wish to participate electronically in the meetings, please call (337) 269-4046 at least 24 hours in ad- vance of the meeting in order for us to accommodate you.
Adv. Nov. 14, 2025

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