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Veto of councilman's rezoning holds up

Thu, 11/13/2025 - 9:32am

But Ina says he has a new business plan

Staff Report

The St. Mary Parish Council on Wednesday upheld Parish President Sam Jones’ veto of a rezoning for one of the council members.
But Councilman J Ina of Franklin, who wanted the rezoning to accommodate a group home for young men at a home he owns on Franklin's Robert Street, says he has a new business plan, and neighbors may like it even less.
The council approved the rezoning from agriculture to neighborhood commercial Sept. 10. The Planning and Zoning Board had recommended approval. The group home was to be licensed and regulated by state officials.
The passage came by a 6-2 vote. Ina and Les Rulf of Patterson abstained, and Gwendolyn Hidalgo of Bayou Vista was absent.
The council’s approval came despite opposition by some of Ina’s neighbors. Some cited safety concerns in an established neighborhood where many seniors live, and others said they worry about what might come after the group home if the project failed.
“Our concerns are having a business like that, and I know kids need homes and everything, but we wouldn’t want that home to be a business like that,” Hospital Drive resident Alice Freeman said Sept. 10.
Later in September, Jones vetoed the council action, setting up Wednesday’s override vote. Jones cited widespread opposition among the Robert Street home’s neighbors.
The parish charter requires a three-quarters majority, or nine of the council’s 11 members, to override a veto.
On Wednesday, five people appeared to speak against the attempt to override the veto. Freeman was back, along with Charmaine St. Germane, who spoke at the Sept. 10 meeting.
Freddy Fournet, another property owner in the area, also asked whether Ina’s role as both a councilman and a rezoning applicant might represent a conflict of interest.
Councilman Dean Adams of Morgan City said that the ethics training required of council members led him to believe that officials who stand to gain from an issue should neither vote on the question nor take part in the discussion.
The council’s legal counsel, Morgan Guillory of the 16th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, said the DA’s Office is prohibited from making ethics law determinations.
On Sept. 10, Ina abstained from voting but took part in the discussion. On Wednesday, he was silent during the discussion but voted in support of the veto override.
Counselor Dr. Tanya Johnson spoke in favor of the group home project.
“We believe that every child is worthy of a second chance,” Johnson said.
Jeffery Beverly, a housing official with the St. Mary/Vermilion Community Action Agency, spoke in general terms for expanding the availability of housing in the parish.
The final vote was 6-4 in favor of the override, which fell short of the needed three-quarters majority. Voting to override were Ina, Mark Duhon of Amelia, James “Jimmie” Davis of Morgan City, the Rev. Craig Mathews of Jeanerette, David Hill of Bayou Vista and Patrick Hebert of Berwick.
Rulf, Adams, Dr. Kristi Prejeant Rink of Centerville and Rodney Olander of Franklin voted to uphold the veto. Hidalgo was absent.
“I’m glad the public was able to see that one small group of opponents doesn’t represent the feelings of the entire community,” Ina said as he thanked those who supported his proposal.
Ina, who is African American, said he believes Jones’ veto was racially motivated. Jones answered that if as many Black residents opposed a rezoning, he’d take the same action.
Ina is also considering a complaint that he didn’t specify.
“But in the meantime,” Ina said, “I anticipated this might happen, so until the legal action has taken its course, I’ve decided to move forward with an alternate business plan that is fully compliant with the [Uniform Development Code] for St. Mary Parish.”
That plan is to work with the St. Mary Re-entry Coalition and the Louisiana Prisoner Re-entry Initiative, and to rent the house to people whose incarceration has ended. Ina said renting the home requires no licensing or zoning approval.
People trying to rebuild their lives need safe homes in good neighborhoods, Ina said. And he plans to encourage his new tenants to introduce themselves around the neighborhood.

New signs show the way around Berwick

Thu, 11/13/2025 - 9:30am

Wayfinding Signs have found their way into Berwick.
These colorful, directional signs will guide visitors to the local points of interest in town.
Wayfinding signs are quite popular in towns and cities across the country and are now proudly displayed in Berwick.
The signs were first proposed by local historian Dale Fangue.
He and members of the Historical Society presented the idea to the Town Council and it was met with unanimous approval.
Berwick Mayor Duval Arthur approved the purchase of the wayfinding signs, which are now located at the entrance to the town on the corner of Sixth and Lima streets, and another sign by the Heritage Museum is on Third Street.
Mayor Pro Tem Lud Henry and Fangue designed the signs.

Honors given, honors received

Thu, 11/13/2025 - 9:25am

Photos from Tuesday's Berwick Town Council meeting.

Morgan City police radio logs for Nov. 12-13

Thu, 11/13/2025 - 9:23am

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.
Wednesday, Nov. 12
7:49 a.m. La. 182/U.S. 90 Junction; Suspicious subject.
8:59 a.m. Victor II Boulevard; Stalled vehicle.
9:03 a.m. 6000 block of La. 6365; Subject removal.
9:12 a.m. 200 block of La. 1008 Napoleonville; Warrant.
10:15 a.m. 400 block of Louisa Street; Check building open door.
10:30 a.m. 1000 block of Lizbeth Drive; Animal complaint.
10:32 a.m. 1000 block of La. 70; Stalled vehicle.
10:36 a.m. 500 block of Marshall Street; Fire.
10:49 a.m. 500 block of Egle Street; Medical.
11:03 a.m. 800 block of Brashear Avenue; Complaint.
11:18 a.m. 600 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard; Criminal mischief.
11:58 a.m. 1000 block of Seventh Street; 911 hang up call.
1:07 p.m. 1000 block of Federal Avenue; Medical.
1:26 p.m. 500 block of Marshall Street; Fire.
1:46 p.m. 6000 block of La. 182; Subject removal.
2:08 p.m. 600 block of Terrebonne Street; Suspicious subject.
2:20 p.m. 6000 block of La. 182; Medical.
2:47 p.m. U.S. 90 West Bridge; Stalled vehicle.
3:18 p.m. 900 block of Spruce Street; Assistance.
4 p.m. 400 block of Laurel Street; Complaint.
4:01 p.m. 1000 block of Chestnut Drive; Complaint.
4:37 p.m. 6000 block of La. 182; Suspicious subject.
4:59 p.m. Greenwood/Fifth streets; Suspicious subject.
6:55 p.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Alarm.
7:35 p.m. 6600 block of La. 182; Complaint.
9:01 p.m. Utah Street; Patrol.
10:01 p.m. Barrow/Second streets; Suspicious subject.
10:21 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Assistance.
10:41 p.m. 600 block of Arenz Street; Arrest.
10:43 p.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Medical.
Thursday, Nov. 13
1:29 a.m. 1000 block of La. 70; Alarm.
2:25 a.m. 100 block of Wren Street; Patrol.
3:03 a.m. Seventh/Marguerite streets; Suspicious subject.
3:30 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
4:08 a.m. 5700 block of Railroad Avenue; Medical.

The tug-of-war over SNAP: a timeline

Thu, 11/13/2025 - 9:20am

By JACOB FISCHLER and ASHLEY MURRAY, Louisiana Illuminator

Payments for November for the nation’s main food assistance program have been delayed during the government shutdown, amid a confusing mess of contradicting guidance from the Trump administration and a flurry of court orders in two cases at every level of the federal judiciary.
The off-and-on freeze of benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, that serves about 42 million people, was among the most consequential effects of the record-setting shutdown. Roughly 1 in 8 Americans use SNAP to help buy groceries.
Lawmakers, advocates and judges all repeatedly called for urgency to restore the program to keep Americans from going hungry. Yet the dizzying back-and-forth continued, often leaving both states and families at a loss.
While the shutdown is likely to end this week, the legal fight continues over the responsibilities of the federal government, which funds SNAP, and the states that administer the program.
Here’s a timeline of events over 42 days since Congress failed to appropriate new funding for the fiscal year that began Oct. 1:
Sept. 30, 2025: On the brink of the current shutdown, the Trump U.S. Department of Agriculture publishes a plan for how its various programs will be affected. It says SNAP benefits will continue to flow from a $6 billion contingency fund during a shutdown.
“Congressional intent is evident that SNAP’s operations should continue since the program has been provided with multi-year contingency funds,” the document reads in part.
States Newsroom discloses the document is later removed from USDA’s website.
Oct. 1: Congress fails to appropriate any money for discretionary government programs. The federal government shuts down. USDA pays October SNAP benefits.
Oct. 10: USDA sends a letter to states telling them not to pay SNAP benefits for November, a reversal from its Sept. 30 plan.
Oct. 24: USDA tells states in a memo that it will not pay November SNAP benefits, even though it held billions in a contingency fund.
Oct. 28: Democratic states sue USDA in Massachusetts federal court, seeking to force the department to pay for November benefits.
Oct. 30: Nonprofits, religious groups and municipal governments bring a similar suit in Rhode Island federal court.
Oct. 31: In an initial hearing in the Rhode Island case, U.S. District Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr. says he is ordering USDA to continue SNAP benefits in November.
In the Massachusetts case, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani rules that withholding November benefits is illegal, but gives the administration until Nov. 3 to respond.
Nov. 1: McConnell issues a written ruling laying out two options for USDA: pay full benefits for November by Nov. 3 or partial benefits by Nov. 5.
Some SNAP recipients begin to miss benefit payments. The program administers benefits on a rolling basis throughout each month, so more people are affected every day the department is not authorizing benefits.
Nov. 3: In a filing in McConnell’s court, USDA says it will pay about half of November benefits. But it says the administrative difficulties of calculating partial benefits could take weeks or even months.
Nov. 4, just after 11 a.m. Eastern: President Donald Trump posts to Truth Social that SNAP benefits will not be paid until Democrats agree to reopen the government. At the White House press briefing in the afternoon, press secretary Karoline Leavitt walks back that post and says Trump was referring to future benefits.
Nov. 5, late: In a memo to states, USDA corrects a table for the amount of partial benefits households should receive based on income, size of household and other factors. USDA says the table fulfills its duty under McConnell’s Nov. 1 order to pay partial benefits by this date.
Nov. 6: McConnell orders the USDA to pay full November benefits by the next day. His earlier order was clear that partial benefits must be paid by Nov. 5, he said. Because recipients did not receive their benefits, the government missed that deadline, and it must pay for the whole month, he says. He also notes Trump’s Truth Social post appeared to defy the order.
States, including Wisconsin, Michigan and Oregon, begin to authorize full November benefits.
Nov. 7, 8:53 a.m. Eastern: The department appeals McConnell’s order the day before to the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Nov. 7, midday: Despite its morning appeal, the USDA issues guidance to states greenlighting full November benefits. A USDA spokesperson says the department must comply with McConnell’s order.
Consistent with the USDA guidance, more states begin to authorize full November benefits.
Nov. 7, evening: The Trump administration asks the U.S. Supreme Court to issue an emergency stay of the 1st Circuit and district court orders that it provide full November benefits that day.
Nov. 7, just before 10 p.m. Eastern: U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson orders an administrative stay while the 1st Circuit appeal is pending. The order temporarily halts the lower courts’ order to provide benefits.
Nov. 8, late: Following the Supreme Court stay, USDA sends states a letter demanding they “immediately undo” any moves to provide full SNAP benefits. The letter threatens to cancel other federal funding for states that don’t comply.
Nov. 9, late night: A 1st Circuit panel affirms McConnell’s order. The trial judge was within his right to order USDA pay full November benefits, the three-judge panel says.
Nov. 10: The Trump administration continues its Supreme Court appeal, even as the shutdown nears its end and the 1st Circuit has ruled on the appeal.
Talwani issues a restraining order on the Nov. 8 letter asking states to “undo” November benefit payments. At a hearing, she says USDA has created the confusion and that states were acting in line with court orders and the department’s own guidance.
The U.S. Senate approves a bill to reopen the government and fund SNAP, sending the measure to the House.
Later this week: The U.S. House passed the Senate bill.
Trump is expected to sign it.
The Supreme Court could rule on the administration’s request to freeze the lower court orders.
It is not clear when full November benefits will flow to households.

Cassidy: Shut down left homeowners high and dry

Thu, 11/13/2025 - 9:18am

NOLAN McKENDRY, The Center Square

The prolonged government shutdown disrupted the National Flood Insurance Program, leaving roughly half a million Louisiana policyholders in limbo and complicating property sales, U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy said Friday.
In a statement Wednesday, Cassidy said the deal to reopen the government includes reauthorizing the program retroactive to Oct. 1.
The program, administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, had stopped writing policies and paused renewals of existing ones, a scenario Louisiana officials warned in September could hobble real estate transactions and weaken the government’s ability to pay claims if a major storm hits.
Cassidy, R-La., said before the shutdown ended that the lapse in funding was freezing home closings and complicating policy renewals for existing customers. In a speech on the Senate floor, he acknowledged the federal flood program needs long-term reforms but said “shutting it down makes the problem worse, not better.”
“Every day the government is shut down gets worse for Americans in my state who are worried about flooding and losing everything,” Cassidy said. “Reopen the government. Restore certainty to the American people. Protect homes. Protect families. Protect livelihoods.”
“The American people want solutions,” Cassidy said. “They want flood insurance that protects their homes, families and livelihoods.”
The remarks extend months of pressure from Louisiana leaders to stabilize the program. Earlier warnings noted that repeated short-term extensions have created annual uncertainty for policyholders.
Consumer advocates have likewise cautioned that even brief lapses can ripple through housing markets and disaster response.
House Republicans from the Gulf Coast are advancing parallel efforts. Rep. Mike Ezell, R-Miss., introduced the National Flood Insurance Program Retroactive Renewal and Reauthorization Act to restore it and protect policyholders who planned to renew but were caught by the shutdown.
“As evidenced by the ongoing lapse of NFIP, a long-term reauthorization is necessary for sustainability of the program and affordability for its policyholders,” said Michael Hecht, president and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc., speaking for the Coalition for Sustainable Flood Insurance.
Hecht said the coalition’s analysis of FEMA data shows flood insurance premiums under Risk Rating 2.0 are “rising by over 100% on average and by at least 50% in 41 states,” adding that retroactive reauthorization would help keep cost-burdened households insured.

Man who escaped from Berwick jail remains at large

Thu, 11/13/2025 - 6:11am

One of two inmates who escaped Wednesday from the Berwick Police Department Jail remains at large, the department said.
Authorities are searching for Cecil Michael Stratton.
The department said Stratton and Brandon Brunet escaped about 10:12 a.m. Wednesday.
While jailers were securing inmates during lockdown procedures, a brief struggle occurred between Stratton and officers. During the altercation, a chemical substance was thrown into an officer’s face, allowing two inmates to flee the jail.
Brunet was recaptured a short time later, but Stratton remains at large, the department said.
Stratton is known to have violent tendencies and has previously escaped from a prison facility in north Louisiana, Berwick police said.
The public is urged to use extreme caution if Stratton is seen or located. Do not attempt to approach him.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Berwick Police Department immediately at 985-384-7710 or dial 911.

Charenton man arrested on possession with intent charges

Wed, 11/12/2025 - 3:48pm

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.)

The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Section arrested a Charenton man Monday on charges of possession with intent to distribute five drugs, including crack cocaine, and on two weapon charges.

And a Thibodaux woman arrested in St. Mary now faces fentanyl distribution charges in Assumption.

St. Mary

Sheriff Gary Driskell reported that over the last 48-hour reporting period, the Sheriff's Office responded to 54 complaints made these arrests:

--Ulysses Lumpkin, 59, Charenton, was arrested by the Narcotics Section at 6:03 p.m. Monday on charges of improper lane use, obstruction of justice, possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession with intent to distribute alprazolam, possession with intent to distribute amphetamine pills, possession with intent to distribute MDMA, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of firearm or carrying a concealed weapon by a person convicted of certain felonies, and illegal carrying of a weapon in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance.

Bail was set at $96,500.

--Dale Edward Calloway, 37, Houma, was arrested at 3:16 p.m. Monday on a warrant alleging possession of Schedule II drugs. Calloway was released on a $5,000 bond.

Morgan City

Chief Chad M. Adams reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 38 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

--Abner Garcia, 24, Leona Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:39 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of marijuana (first offense) and possession of drug paraphernalia. (Released on summons.)

--Clement Mire, 43, Vine Drive, Morgan City, was booked at 9:15 p.m. Monday on a charge of failure to appear for trial (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

Patterson

Chief Garrett Grogan reported this arrest:

--Don C. Williams, 48, Gabriel Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 5:50 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of simple battery. Williams is incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with bond set at
$465.

Assumption

Sheriff Leland Falcon reported this arrest:
-
-Alexis. L. Gros, 30, Lyndsey Street, Thibodaux, was booked Wednesday on a charge of distribution of fentanyl.

The charges arise from Operation “Fresh Catch.”

As part of the operation, narcotics agents developed information indicating that Gros was trafficking illegal narcotics in Assumption Parish. As part of that investigation, agents established probable cause to obtain arrest warrants for Gros.

Gros was arrested in St. Mary Parish on local charges there.

Gros was released to the custody of the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center. She remains incarcerated pending a bond hearing.

Franklin

Chief Cedric Handy reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to 44 calls for service over the past 48-hour reporting period and made this arrest:

--Amyria Gant, 20, Robertson Street, Franklin, while incarcerated at the Franklin Police Department, was arrested at 4:51 p.m. Monday on a warrant for 16th Judicial District Court alleging failure to appear on charges of disturbing the peace (fighting), simple assault and simple battery. Gant was booked, processed and released on a $250 bond.

Former La. House speaker indicted on theft, malfeasance charges

Wed, 11/12/2025 - 3:33pm

An East Baton Rouge Parish grand jury has indicted former Louisiana House Speaker Clay Schexnayder on charges of malfeasance and stealing a “rare Louisiana state artifact belonging to another,” according to the office of Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill.

The indictment doesn’t identify the item that was stolen, but one count of the two-count indictment says it has a value of at least $25,000.

The Advocate reported that the investigation centered on an ancient cypress board that was last seen in Schexnayder’s legislative office in Gonzales. The board had been displayed in the Capitol for years.

Schexnayder completed a 12-year House term last year.

The second count alleges malfeasance ‘by intentionally refusing to perform a duty required of him as a public officer or employee.”

“You don’t get to keep State property, it doesn’t belong to you,” Murrill said in a news release.

KIMBERLY GILMORE FREYOUX

Wed, 11/12/2025 - 2:59pm

Kimberly Gilmore Freyoux, 44, died Nov. 10, 2025. She was born May 30, 1981, in Morgan City, Louisiana.
She is survived by her parents, Leo and Suzette Acosta Gilmore; two children, Austin Freyoux and wife Rose, Kelsey Taylor; Kimberly’s significant other, Curtis Richard; three grandchildren; two brothers, Troy Gilmore and wife Melinda, and Chad Gilmore; nieces and nephews; and great nieces.
She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, and maternal grandparents.
Services will be at 2 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 13, at Twin City Funeral Home, with Pastor Tommy Fromenthal and Pastor Herb Stanley officiating. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until time of the service at Twin City Funeral Home. Burial will be at the Morgan City Cemetery.