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Ochsner hospitals get A grade for safety

Tue, 11/25/2025 - 9:08am

Showcasing dedication to excellence and patient safety, numerous Ochsner Health hospitals, including Ochsner St. Mary in Morgan City, earned an A hospital safety grade from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit organization. Leapfrog assigns grades to hospitals across the country using evidence-based measures of patient safety focused exclusively on errors, accidents, injuries and infections.
“We are incredibly proud to achieve an ‘A’ grade across multiple Ochsner hospitals, a recognition that reflects the unwavering dedication, skill and compassion of our teams,” said Robert Hart, MD, chief physician executive, Ochsner Health. “This is a testament to their tireless efforts and commitment to safety and excellence in patient care. We are deeply grateful for their hard work and the trust they inspire every day in our communities.”  
Ochsner St. Mary is an acute care 87-bed hospital which offers a range of services including a 24-hour emergency room, intensive care unit, inpatient behavioral health, and both inpatient and outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy. Multiple surgical specialties include general surgery, pain management, cardiology, minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and podiatry. We also offer many advanced medical technologies including MRI, digital mammography, low-dose CT, full service lab and wound care services.

Solar company announces $1.1B plan for New Iberia

Tue, 11/25/2025 - 9:06am
ALTON WALLACE, The Center Square

First Solar on Friday unveiled its $1.1 billion manufacturing facility in Iberia Parish, bringing more than 800 jobs to the local economy.
The New Iberia plant spans approximately 2.4 million square feet and has a footprint about 11 times the size of the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, according to First Solar. More than 700 people currently work at the plant, which began producing solar panels months ahead of schedule in July.
The company said it expects to employ 826 workers at the facility by the end of the year. Manufacturing positions pay $90,000 per year on average, according to First Solar.
First Solar said the plant’s technology automatically finds defects in solar panels during production, while AI-powered tools enable technicians to make operating adjustments and guide decision making.
“This is, beyond doubt, one of the most advanced solar manufacturing facilities in the world and it represents the very best of American manufacturing innovation,” said Kuntal Kumar Verma, First Solar’s chief manufacturing officer.
“Along with its sister facilities in Ohio and Alabama, this factory demonstrates how AI can be harnessed to help American factory workers reach their full potential. Our fleet offers proof that AI can help realize productivity gains that allow us to out-innovate the competition and run our operations smarter, better, and faster,” said Verma.
The New Iberia facility produces the company’s Series 7 modules using American materials that include glass from Illinois and Ohio and steel produced in Mississippi, which is then fabricated in Louisiana into backrails. The plant is not dependent on Chinese crystalline silicon supply chains, First Solar said.
First Solar’s American manufacturing plants will be able to produce solar panels capable of generating 14 gigawatts of power in 2026 and 17.7 gigawatts in 2027. The Iberia Parish facility will have annual nameplate capacity of 3.5 gigawatts, the company said.

Acadian offers tips on avoiding the flu

Tue, 11/25/2025 - 9:05am

With flu and respiratory virus season underway, Acadian Ambulance encourages community members to take simple steps to stay healthy and to know when symptoms require emergency care. 
According to UC Davis Health, flu season is from October to April, with peak activity usually from December to February. 
Reduce risk
•Get your annual flu vaccine. 
•Wash hands often and cover coughs and sneezes. 
•Stay home if you’re sick. The more severe the symptoms, the more contagious you are likely to be.
•Clean and sanitize commonly touched surfaces. 
•Monitor symptoms like fever, cough or fatigue. 
•Most flu and RSV symptoms can be managed at home with rest and hydration. However, some signs indicate a medical emergency. 
Call 911 if you notice:
•Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
•Chest pain or pressure
•Confusion or difficulty staying awake
•Bluish lips or face
•Vomiting and unable to keep fluids down, especially in children or older adults
“Our goal is to help the community stay healthy and safe throughout these colder months. Simple prevention steps and knowing the warning signs can make all the difference,” said Acadian Ambulance Physician Assistant Aaron Webb. 

Moonlight Monday downtown

Mon, 11/24/2025 - 5:12pm

The sun had yet to set, but Morgan City's Moonlight Monday was under way on the dock and on Front Street.

The event, which will run till 8 p.m., offers music, food, cocktails, a fun jump for the kids, and a book-signing by Rhonda Dennis. Author of the Green Bayou series, Dennis has written her first book for children: "The Spirit of Morgan City Saves Christmas." The book features familiar locales such as City Hall and the Lawrence Park gazebo as first responders join the Spirit of Morgan City in preserving the holiday.

Morgan City High grad Ryan Picou illustrated the book, and Catherine Holcomb designed the book's layout. Proceeds from sale of the book will be donated to the Spirit of Morgan City Christmas Festival, scheduled for 2-7 p.m. Saturday at Lawrence Park.

The Christmas tree on the Morgan City dock will also be lighted at the event.

The Review/Bill Decker

JANICE PROSPERIE COMEAUX

Mon, 11/24/2025 - 3:54pm

Janice Prosperie Comeaux, a native of Montegut, Louisiana, and a resident of Berwick, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, at the age of 95. She was born April 3, 1930.

A time of visitation will be held for Janice at St. Stephen Catholic Church Hall in Berwick 11:30 a.m.-1:40 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26, with a rosary being prayed at 1 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will follow visitation at 2 p.m. at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Berwick. Following services, she will be buried at St. Francis De Sales Cemetery No. 2 in Houma.

She is survived by her two sons, Joseph Comeaux Jr. and John Comeaux; her five daughters, Robin Comeaux Bonvillain, Josel Comeaux Harson, Sharon Comeaux, Tina Comeaux, and Tonya Marie Broussard; 11 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her father; and her mother.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Hargrave Funeral Home of Morgan City.

Man accused of kidnapping juvenile from Amelia

Mon, 11/24/2025 - 2:10pm

St. Mary investigators have arrested a man accused of kidnapping a juvenile from an Amelia home.

Kevin Renan Vargas Aguilera, 20, was arrested at 12:24 p.m. Friday on two warrants alleging simple kidnapping, unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling and indecent behavior with a juvenile, Sheriff Gary Driskell reported Monday.

On Nov. 17, a detective was dispatched to a residence in Amelia for a possible kidnapping. The detective learned that upon returning home, the complainant had discovered a male subject in the complainant’s home with the complainant’s juvenile daughter.

After a confrontation, the male left the residence and took the juvenile with him. Through the investigation, the detective established male subject was Vargas-Aguilera.

Information was provided to the Louisiana State Police, who released a Level II Endangered/Missing Child Advisory.

The SMPSO continued to investigate the incident and attempted to locate Vargas-Aguilera. Subsequently, he was located Nov. 18 in Texas. The juvenile was found safe, and Vargas-Aguilera was arrested and extradited to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking.

Bail was set at $44,000.

Driskell and the Investigations Division of the SMPSO thanked the Louisiana State Police, the Berwick Police Department, Homeland Security investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Lufkin Police Department for their assistance.

Berwick man arrested in sex crime case

Mon, 11/24/2025 - 12:15pm
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.)

A Texas man has been arrested in Berwick on a rape charge.

Berwick

Chief JP Henry reported these arrests:

--Marco Trevino, 33, of West Laco, Texas, was arrested at 2:29 p.m. Friday on a Berwick warrant alleging third-degree rape.
About 5:48 a.m. Friday, the Berwick Police Department was advised by the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office of a sexual assault complaint. Officers responded to the scene and learned that the assault occurred earlier that morning in the Berwick area.

Working together, investigators began gathering information and obtaining evidence. Investigators were quickly then able to identify Trevino as a suspect in the matter.

With the assistance of the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office and Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office, contact was made with Trevino. Interviews were conducted with Trevino and further evidence was obtained linking him to the assault.

Following the initial investigation, a warrant was obtained for Trevino’s arrest. Trevino was placed under arrest without incident at the Berwick Police Department and booked on the Trevino currently remains incarcerated awaiting a bond hearing.

--Ralph Charlot, 29, Berwick, was arrested at 4:40 p.m. Saturday on a charge of violation of a protective order.

--Reandra Taylor, 38, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:57 p.m. Sunday on a Morgan City Police Department warrant alleging failure to appear.

--Logan Francois, 29, Berwick, was arrested at 12:43 p.m. Sunday on St. Mary Pari Sheriff’s Office warrants alleging failure to appear on charges of possession of Schedule II drugs, theft (less than $1,000) and nonsupport.

--Benjamin Cheramie, 55, Morgan City, was arrested at 5:03 p.m. Sunday on a charge of illegal dumping. (Released on summons.)

--Tory Landry, 46, Morgan City, was arrested Sunday on a charge of illegal dumping.

Morgan City

Chief Chad M. Adams reported these arrests:

--Gerson Petronila Perez-Cardona, 27, Headland Street, Morgan City, was arrested 7:06 a.m. Friday on a charge of carnal knowledge of a juvenile.

--Walfred Abimael Mendez-Lorenzo, 20, Patton Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:53 p.m. Friday on charges of driving while intoxicated, reckless operation of a motor vehicle and no driver’s license, and on a hold for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

--Joshua Dee Kiff, 33, Sixth Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:13 p.m. Friday on charges of resisting an officer, improper lighting and failure to appear for trial (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Justin Paul Cheramie, 44, Chestnut Drive, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:21 p.m. Friday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and improper lighting, and on a hold for Probation & Parole.

--Kayla Darnelle Jones, 25, Fifth Street, Berwick, was arrested at 12:59 a.m. Saturday on a charge of hit and run. (Released on summons.)

--Brad Terrebonne, 39, La. 182, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:10 p.m. Saturday on two counts of failure to appear to pay fines (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Dylan Deondre Robinson, 27, Orange Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:58 a.m. Sunday on a charge of violation of a protective order.

--Reandra Wendresse Taylor, 38, Riverview Drive, Patterson, was arrested at 3:24 p.m. Sunday on five counts of failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Carlos Hernandez, 48, Hilda Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:35 p.m. Sunday on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense), possession of an alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle and improper lane usage.

--Eddie Ramirez-Sanchez, 35, Roderick Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:59 a.m. Monday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, improper light and no driver’s license.

--Denisica Starling, 44, Railroad Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:51 p.m. Thursday on a charge of contempt of court (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Octavio Bernal, 44, Napa Street, Chauvin, was arrested at 10:20 p.m. Thursday on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense), driving while intoxicated (child endangerment), child passenger restraint system, light required and no driver’s license.

--Devin Metrejean, 32, Montana Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:31 a.m. Friday on a charge of maximum speed limit.

--Justin Cheramie, 44, Chestnut Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:31 a.m. Friday on a charge of failure to appear for arraignment (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

St. Mary

Sheriff Gary Driskell reported these arrests:

--Charles Alexander Belt Jr., 46, Napoleonville, was arrested at 11:31 a.m. Thursday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on a charge of criminal neglect of family. Bail was set at $3,964.

Franklin

Chief Cedric Handy reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to 34 calls for service over the weekend and made these arrests:

--Kizzy Wheeler, 21, Willow Street, Franklin, was arrested at 11:06 a.m. Friday on a warrant dated Nov. 17 alleging violation of protective order. Wheeler was additionally arrested on the charges of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, illegal use of controlled dangerous substances in the presence of juveniles and possession of drug paraphernalia. Wheeler was booked, processed and held on a $36,500 bond.

--Jaydon Richard, 20, Lee Charles Street, Franklin, was arrested at 2:55 p.m. Friday on charges of battery of a dating partner (child endangerment), disturbing the peace (fighting) and cruelty to juveniles. Richard was booked, processed and held on a $16,000 bond.

--Mario Harris Sr., 44, 12th Street, Franklin, was arrested at 1:26 p.m. Sunday on charges of battery of a police officer and resisting an officer with force. Harris was booked, processed and held on a $10,000 bond.

--Sharnell Ruffin, 39, Sterling Road, Franklin, was arrested at 1:30 p.m. Sunday on two counts of improper supervision of a minor by parent or legal custodian, two counts of resisting an officer with force, resisting an officer and disturbing the peace.

Ruffin was booked, processed and held on a $16,500 bond.

--Sha’Mari Harris, 19, 12th Street, Franklin, was arrested at 1:30 p.m. Sunday on charges of resisting an officer, resisting an officer with force and threatening a public official. Harris was booked, processed and held on a $12,500 bond.

--Juvenile was arrested at 1:30 p.m. Sunday on charges of resisting an officer, resisting an officer with force and threatening a public official.

Start of a tradition in Bayou Vista

Sat, 11/22/2025 - 5:00pm

Bayou Vista is getting into the Christmas spirit. The community's first Christmas parade rolled (and walked) from the Community Center on Saturday afternoon. A Christmas lighting event is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the center.

The Review/Bill Decker

Pharr Chapel's community Thanksgiving dinner

Sat, 11/22/2025 - 11:41am

Pharr Chapel United Methodist Church of Morgan City hosted its annual free Thanksgiving meal on Saturday at the church on Federal Avenue.

A church tradition for at least 15 years, the event began with people already lined up at 11 a.m. and was to continue until 1 p.m.

Forty-five volunteers got their cooking assignments Friday. The meal was expected to draw 300-400 people.

"I think because the economy is harder this year, we'll have a lot of people," Pharr Chapel Pastor Joy Comeaux said. "But we always do."

The church also hosts an Easter season meal at Lawrence Park. It will draw 1,000 people.

The Review/Bill Decker

Nicolls falls short in River Bell finale

Fri, 11/21/2025 - 4:58pm
Nicholls State Sports Information

After the teams combined for 52 points in the first half, No. 21/20 Southeastern did just enough in the second to stave off a comeback by the Nicholls State University football team as the Colonels fell 38-26 Thursday night in the River Bell Classic at Strawberry Stadium.

Trailing 31-23 after scoring the third quarter's only points on a safety, Nicholls (4-8, 4-4 SLC) drove down the field late in the fourth and kicked a 38-yard field goal by Gabriel Showalter with 5:07 remaining. But the Colonel defense could not get a stop and Southeastern (9-3, 7-1 SLC) put the game away with a touchdown run by Jaedon Henry just after the two-minute timeout.

Nicholls moved to midfield on its final drive before a sack ended the rally attempt, putting a halt to the seven-game winning streak by the road team in the series.

Redshirt freshman Shane Lee continued his impressive second half of the season by rushing for 73 yards and two touchdowns, and senior Corey Warren Jr. accounted for the other TD, rushing 47 yards for a score on his lone carry of the night. For the defense, Jake Dalmado turned in his fifth double-digit tackle effort with 10 and was followed by Ty Marsh (9) and Laurence Sullivan Jr. (8).

SLU grabbed the momentum out of the gate when Khalid Moore poked the ball out on an Ean Rodrigue scramble, giving the Lions the ball at the Colonel 28. SLU went up 7-0 after Jaylon Domingeaux's first of three touchdown catches in the half.

The Colonels then came up with a big play on special teams when Kelvin Gray blocked a punt and Marsh returned it 16 yards to the Lion 14. Two plays later, Lee tied the score with an 8-yard touchdown run.

After the Lions made it 14-7 early in the second, the Colonels put together their longest drive of the night, going 75 yards on nine plays. Miequle Brock Jr. and Jackson Dufrene had 20-yard catches before Lee snuck inside the pylon on a 17-yard touchdown run. Brock totaled 78 yards with 48 on the ground.

The offenses continued to shine with Southeastern scoring on another touchdown pass. Warren then countered with his first touchdown run of the season to tie the score at 21-21. The scoring continued with Lion quarterback Kyle Lowe rushing for a 22-yard touchdown, and SLU ended the half with a field goal for a 31-21 advantage.

The Lions got the ball to start the third quarter and a high snap on the opening play trickled into the end zone, resulting in a safety for the Colonels. But neither offense would score in the third the rest of the way, helped by a fourth-down stop by the Nicholls defense.

In the fourth, the Colonels' field goal drive went 16 plays and took more than nine minutes off the clock. Karaaz Johnson had a clutch 17-yard grab on fourth down to put Nicholls in the red zone, but a fumbled snap resulted in a long fourth-down try and the Colonels settled for a field goal.

On SLU's final drive, Nicholls had a chance to get the ball back earlier but the Lions converted on a 3rd-and-1 before sealing the win with their final touchdown.

Southeastern finished with a 413-308 yard advantage on offense, helped by converting 7 of 12 on third downs. Nicholls was 2 of 3 on fourth downs but totaled 1 of 10 on third down.

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