Wendel and Tammy Clements of Patterson wish to announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter, Katelyn Marie Clements, to Ryan Matthew Miller, son of William and Karla Miller of Patterson. The wedding will take place at 7 p.m. Sept. 18 at Chapel of the Flowers in Las Vegas.
The 31st World Championship Gumbo CookOff is a free two-day event Oct. 9-10 that takes place in New Iberia.
Also known as the “Superbowl of Gumbo,” every year dozens of cooking teams and thousands of enthusiasts take over Bouligny Plaza in New Iberia to see who will take home trophies for each category, and earn ultimate bragging rights, according to the Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce.
Categories include amateur chicken and sausage, amateur seafood, amateur mélange, professional seafood, and professional non-seafood.
Entry request can be emailed to Kelly@iberiachamber.org.
“Don’t miss this valuable opportunity to honor tradition, listen to live music and celebrate what we do best, gumbo,” said Avery Grubb with the Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce.
The important part of tradition is the passing of customs from one generation to the next. The World Championship Gumbo CookOff continues the tradition of cooking a gumbo through the Youth World Champ-ionship Gumbo CookOff every year. Youth competition is Oct. 9.
Cooks between the ages of 9 and 17 who want to be part of the event, contact should contact Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce at 337-364-1836.
DEAR ABBY: After my divorce 15 years ago, I moved 800 miles away to be near my only family — my older sister — at her request. We are close and talk on the phone every day, but do nothing together because she’s always busy and active with her partner of 50 years and their circle of friends.
I have made few friends (just a couple from work and neighborhood acquaintances), nor have I found a romantic connection despite trying online dating, self-help books and volunteering. I even tried going on vacation alone a few years ago, which was misery. I’ve been through counseling three times. All three professionals have concluded that this is simply my life.
During the COVID quarantine, I actually felt normal for the first time in 15 years because everyone else was spending all their time at home alone, too. While I’m relieved and thankful for the vaccines for bringing us closer to an end to the pandemic, I’m also depressed. I am dreading a return to “normal” because people will resume living and I will sit here and watch. How do I accept that this is how my life will be?
SIDELINED IN SOUTH CAROLINA
DEAR SIDELINED: My late mother once told me that people can be as happy as they choose to be. You appear to be someone who has too much time on her hands. You are not a deprived urchin with her nose pressed against a bakery window. You are a capable adult who, now that so many people have been vaccinated, can get out of your dwelling and involve yourself in activities that INTEREST you.
The time you’re wasting “watching” others live their lives is time you could be spending getting out into the community and perhaps volunteering again, taking a class or searching for a part-time job. If you do, you may meet others with similar interests and — while you may or may not find the romance you crave — you could possibly make some new friends.
DEAR ABBY: I took care of all three of my grandbabies from birth to when my oldest turned 9. Then I found out she was going home and telling her parents “everything” that happened while they were with me (nothing bad at all). Instead of talking to me about it, their mom is now keeping them from me.
I have decided to quit trying to see them, since I feel like their mom “all of a sudden” doesn’t trust me or know me after all these years. I feel the same way about my son. I think he should see what’s going on and do something about it, but I don’t want to cause trouble between them. Am I wrong?
CUT OFF IN NEW MEXICO
DEAR CUT OFF: There is nothing wrong with children telling their parents what happened during a visit with the grandparents. And if the parent(s) feel any concern or discomfort, it would make sense for it to be discussed among the adults.
Something important is missing from your letter. Do you KNOW what your granddaughter told her mother? I see nothing wrong with approaching your son about setting up a “family conference” to discuss this. Frankly, it is overdue.
***
Good advice for everyone — teens to seniors — is in “The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal With It.” To order, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 to: Dear Abby, Anger Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.
Members of the Bayouland Emergency Amateur Radio Service take part Sunday in the International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend from
the Berwick riverfront. About half a dozen club members manned transceivers, using a directional antenna set up two years ago in memory of Berwick Fire Chief Ray Rasberry, to make contact with other lighthouse sites and other amateur radio operators. The club made connections with more than 300 amateur stations, including operators in Cuba, Alaska and Argentina. On the radios here were, from left, Deborah Price, Mike Galler and Rudy Duchan.
The Daily Review/Bill Decker
Submitted Photo/Tashekia Celestine
London Celestine, a Morgan City native and Houma resident, recently attended the Celebrity Experience auditions in Hollywood. This event showcases the acting and modeling talent of young people. She received callbacks from a few different agents. She will be signing a contract with Reign Agents of Beverly Hills, California. Celestine is the daughter of Tashekia Celestine.
Louisiana National Guard
The Louisiana National Guard’s 199th Regiment (Regional Training Institute) held a graduation ceremony to commission 15 new officers at the Camp Beauregard Dabadie Gymnasium in Pineville, on Aug. 8.
The newly commissioned second lieu-tenants received their oath of service from Maj. Gen. Keith Waddell, adjutant general of the Louisiana Guard, in front of family, friends, and mentors.
“Congratulations to class 61 and 62B for achieving this huge milestone in your life. I’ve had the good fortune to meet and talk with this group on several occasions, and my take away each time is how lucky we are to have such a great group,” said Waddell. “Always remember there are no office hours for leaders; your job is to enable success in every mission your unit under-takes.”
The 199th has conducted the Officer Candidate School program since July 1960. Since graduating the first class in August 1961, more than 1,791 second lieutenants have been commissioned through Louisiana’s program. Officer candidates who attend LANG OCS may choose to attend either a traditional course, which replaces drill for one weekend a month and two annual training sessions over a period of 18 months, or an eight-week long accelerated course.
“This class was larger than last year, and we hope to double the size for the next class by using multiple lines of effort,” said Lt. Col. Jacques Comeaux, commander of 2nd Battalion of the 199th. “One of the main goals is to get potential candidates into the program and graduate them to lieutenants in order to produce more company-grade officers throughout the state.”
Among the 15 candidates, the LANG OCS program graduated one Belize Defense Force (BDF) soldier, 2nd Lt. Renon M. Baizar from Punta Gorda, Belize, who is the 22nd candidate from Belize to have completed the program.
For 25 years, Louisiana and Belize have been state partners participating in the state partnership for peace. “We look forward to many more productive years with our Belize partnership, and we wish Lt. Baizar all the best in his service with the BDF,” said Waddell.
“The LANG OCS is a very established program with a great staff. It fosters leader-ship and professionalism, and instills the Army core values in each of its candidates. It has prepared me to be a leader,” said Baizer.
“The most memorable moment for me is the constant look at different leadership roles, to see just how important leadership is even at the lowest level.”
The new officers were pinned their second lieuten-ant shoulder boards by family members during the graduation.
“Having my wife at the commissioning to pin on my gold bars meant a lot to me,” said 2nd Lt. Steven Salassi of Bush, La. “OCS was both physically and mentally demanding; we were confronted with a variety of situations that we had never encountered before.”
“My most memorable mo-ment was the ride home, knowing I am about to go and lead hundreds of soldiers,” said 2nd Lt. Laroya S. Dickens, a Mississippi native. “I learned so much about my-self, and the program really built a good foundation for me as a new lieutenant and as a leader.”
Officer candidates were presented awards for accom-plishments in physical train-ing, leadership and academ-ics.
Second Lt. Andrew Broussard of Youngsville was awarded the Adjutant General’s Award for having the highest combined score in leadership, academics and physical training. He was also awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his exemplary performance.
The National Guard Association of Louisiana Award was presented to Broussard and 2nd Lt. Gavin Scott of Winnsboro,for having the highest physical training scores.
Scott was also awarded the Erickson Award as the runner-up for top graduate and presented with the Army Achievement Medal.
Salassi was awarded the Academic Board Award for prowess in academics.
Dickens was awarded the Leadership Award for highest leadership evaluation.
As a reward for their hard work, 2nd Lt. William Fenton from Haughton, La., and 2nd Lt. Joseph Douglas of Zachary, La., were chosen to attend Air Assault School after graduation.
The global pandemic re-strictions and multiple state emergencies over the past year demanded additional manpower to operate the school house and brought many challenges for the LANG to navigate and still be successful.
Fenton said, “By the end of the course, I felt honored to work with the OCS cadre. These guys really had to pivot and adjust fire throughout the first few months of our training … they did a good job of ensuring we were getting the knowledge we needed to be successful.”
The mission of Louisiana’s Officer Candidate School is to train, mentor and commission the future leaders of the Louisiana Army National Guard.
Submitted Photo./PSB
PSB’s Cheryl Shilling presents a sponsorship donation for Central Catholice High School's Bass Fishing Club for the upcoming school year. Accepting on behalf of CCHS are Carley and Hayden Hymel.
(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.)
St. Mary Parish deputies rounded up a Franklin resident wanted on battery and weapons charges and made three traffic arrests, one of which also resulted in a drug charge.
Morgan City police also helped Berwick and Assumption authorities make arrests on burglary and bank fraud charges (see related stories).
St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 41 complaints and made these arrests:
—Kalley Nichole Murray, 24, Franklin, was arrested at 1:47 p.m. Thursday on a Calcasieu Parish warrant alleging failure to appear on the charges of aggravated battery (two counts), aggravated criminal damage to property (six counts) and illegal use of a weapon in the commission of a crime. Murray is being held for another agency.
—Michael Wayne Lewis, 59, Morgan City, was arrested at 6:14 p.m. Thursday on a charge of domestic abuse battery. Lewis was released on a $2,500 bond.
—Joyce Adams, 59, Houma, was arrested at 6 p.m. Thursday on charges of for stop signs/yield signs and driving under suspension. Adams was released on a summons to appear Nov. 2.
—Jamerie Thyheim Gash, 18, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:47 p.m. Thursday on charges of speeding, no driver’s license on person and resisting officer by flight. Gash was also named in an active Assumption Parish warrant for failure to appear on the charges of driving on roadway laned for traffic and driver must be licensed. Bail was set on the St. Mary charges at $2,250, and a hold was placed on Gash for another agency.
—Dijonna Shanda Smith, 27, New Orleans, was arrested at 5:11 a.m. Friday on charges of speeding, reckless operation (no accident), possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Smith was arrested on a summons to appear Nov. 2.
Morgan City
Police Chief James F. Blair reports that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 53 calls for service within the last 24-hour reporting period and made this arrest:
—Matthew John Griffin, 20, Walnut Drive, Morgan City arrested 9:22 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession of marijuana (first offense) and stop sign violation.
St. Martin
Sheriff Becket Breaux reported these arrests:
—Devante Brown, 28, University Avenue, Lafayette, was arrested Thursday by the Breaux Bridge Police Department on a charge of cruelty to a juvenile (family offenses, nonviolent).
—Brock Robin, 33, Sidney Drive, Breaux Bridge, was arrested Thursday on warrants alleging failure to appear.
—Harry Wiltz, 67, Main Highway, St. Martinville, was arrested on a warrant alleging failure to appear.
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, Aug. 18
6:56 a.m. Railroad Avenue and Fourth Street; Suspicious person.
7:46 a.m. 1400 block of Nevada Street; Theft.
9:41 a.m. 500 block of Front Street; Suspicious person.
12:01 p.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Welfare check.
12:02 p.m. 1200 block of Victor II Boulevard; Accident.
12:05 p.m. 1100 block of Brashear Avenue; Medical.
12:06 p.m. 900 block of Willard Street; Complaint.
12:17 p.m. 7500 block of La. 182; Fire.
12:23 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Reckless driving.
2:10 p.m. 1100 block of Victor II Boulevard; Accident.
3:04 p.m. 100 block of Oak Street; Assistance.
3:51 p.m. 1600 block of Mayon Street; Forgery.
4:10 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Accident.
4:14 p.m. 100 block of Brashear Avenue; Criminal damage to property.
4:21 p.m. La. 182 Bridge; Traffic incident.
5:06 p.m. 700 block of Everett Street; Complaint.
5:34 p.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Assist Assumption Parish/two arrests.
5:50 p.m. U.S. 90 Eastbound around Martin Luther King Boulevard; Accident.
6:22 p.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Disturbance.
6:29 p.m. Lawrence Park area; Suspicious person.
6:32 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Assist Berwick.
6:45 p.m. 1600 block of Front Street; Complaint.
7:12 p.m. 1200 block of David Drive; Alarm.
7:44 p.m. 2700 block of Shaw Street; Medical Emergency.
8:47 p.m. 100 block of Syles (Amelia); Assist St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office.
9:13 p.m. 400 block of Fourth Street; Theft.
9:21 p.m. Louisiana Alley; Patrol.
9:37 p.m. 900 block of Willard Street; Suspicious vehicle.
10:08 p.m. 300 block of Patton Street; Disturbance.
10:37 p.m. 70 block of Myrtle Street; Medical emergency/jail.
11:14 p.m. 1400 block of Federal Avenue; Remove subject.
Thursday, Aug. 19
12:49 a.m. 700 block of Justa Street; Animal complaint.
3:53 a.m. Chennault Street; Complaint.
7:11 a.m. 700 block Belanger; Animal.
7:57 a.m. 7700 block La. 182; Disturbance.
8:45 a.m. 300 block Patton; Officer stand by.
9:04 a.m. 300 block S Railroad; Assistance.
9:22 a.m. 900 block Willard; Suspicious person.
10:14 a.m. 7200 block La. 182; Medical.
10:16 a.m. U.S. 90 East; Traffic incident.
10:37 a.m. 500 block Egle; Complaint.
12:02 p.m. 600 block Kentucky; Found items.
12:04 p.m. 500 block Brashear; Medical.
12:31 p.m. 300 block Fourth; Welfare check.
12:43 p.m. Veterans; Traffic incident.
1:01 p.m. 1400 block Mayon; Welfare check.
2:40 p.m. 1000 block Victor II; Escort.
3:23 p.m. 400 block Louisa; Medical.
4:35 p.m. Aycock and La. 182; Accident.
5:53 p.m. 1400 block Federal Avenue; Domestic disturbance.
6:55 p.m. 1400 block Federal Avenue; Medical emergency.
7 p.m. 6400 block La. 182; Assistance.
7:01 p.m. 600 block Brashear; Accident.
7:08 p.m. 200 block Leona; Frequent patrols/juvenile.
8:01 p.m. 700 block Federal; Alarm.
8:34 p.m. 6300 block La. 182; Accident.
9:07 p.m. La. 70 and Veterans; Traffic stop.
9:14 p.m. 7700 block La. 182; Theft.
9:20 p.m. 500 block Brashear; Remove a subject.
10:41 p.m. 1100 block Victor II; Complaint.
11:18 p.m. MC area; BOLO/Berwick Police Department
Friday, Aug. 20
12:11 a.m. 6800 block La. 182; Theft.
12:15 a.m. 1200 block Victor II; Disturbance.
12:18 a.m. 800 block Franklin; Complaint.
3:38 p.m. 900 block Spruce; Assistance.
3:54 p.m. 100 block Chennault; Animal complaint.
4:04 p.m. 2300 block La. 70; Complaint.
4:07 p.m. 2300 block La. 70; Complaint.
4:09 p.m. 3000 block Roderick; Reckless driver.
4:24 p.m. 3200 block Roderick; Complaint.
4:43 p.m. 300 block Terrebonne; Complaint.
5:15 p.m. Everett; Suspicious subject.
8:24 p.m. 2300 block La. 182; Complaint.
8:30 p.m. 1400 block North Third; Theft.
8:49 p.m. 700 block MLK; Lost and found. 9:02 p.m. 200 block Brashear; Complaint.
9:06 p.m. U.S. 90 East; Complaint.
9:39 p.m. 1400 block Maple; Lost and found.
10:04 p.m. 900 block David; Alarm.
10:05 p.m. 900 block Duke; Medical.
10:27 p.m. 6800 block La. 182; Alarm.
Saturday, Aug. 21
12:11 a.m. 600 block Kentucky; Complaint.
12:51 a.m. Cottonwood and La. 182 Complaint.
1 a.m. 7200 block La. 182; Theft:
1:18 a.m. 7200 block La. 182; Loud music.
2:19 a.m. Railroad and Grizzaffi; Arrest.
4:13 a.m. 2700 block Shaw; Complaint.
4:21 a.m. 500 block Brashear; Complaint.
A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction against the Biden administration’s practice of releasing criminal undocumented migrants, handing Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton a victory.
Landry sued the administration along with Paxton, alleging President Joe Biden’s Migrant Protection Protocols violated federal immigration laws.
Judge Drew Tipton of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas agreed, saying the immigration protocols cannot replace congressional intent.
“The Court inquires whether the Executive Branch may direct officials to enforce a law enacted by Congress in a way that is contrary to the plain language of the law. That inquiry yields a clear answer: it may not,” con-cludes the 160-page order.
Courts frequently defer to the president regarding federal immigration issues, and, by extension, executive branch agencies such as the U.S. Department of Home-land Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
But a separation of powers problem occurred when Biden changed priority immigration enforcement categories Jan. 20 and Feb. 18 to exclude “aliens convicted of serious drug offenses, aliens convicted of crimes of moral turpitude and aliens subject to a final order of removal,” Judge Tipton said.
“Put simply, the Government has instructed federal officials that ‘shall detain’ certain aliens means ‘may detain’ when it unambiguously means must detain,” the injunction said.
Landry and Paxton immediately issued statements hailing the decision.
“The fact that a judge had to tell the President of the United States to comply with standing law is shameful,” Landry said.
“It’s time for the federal government to wake up and address the chaos that they caused – and in the mean-while, we will fight tooth and nail to protect Texans from their carelessness,” Paxton said.
While they argued the Biden administration is “grinding these required detentions to a halt,” lawyers for the administration insisted the president acted within his lawful discretion.
Immigration enforcement agents were not instructed to cease detention activities, they said, as priority enforcement continued regarding national security risks, aggravated felonies and certain illegal border entries occurring after Nov. 1.
ICE acting Director Tae Johnson, who is named in the lawsuit, maintains the amended Migrant Protection Protocols strike a balance between resources and public safety.
“Like every law enforce-ment agency at the local, state and federal level, we must prioritize our efforts to achieve the greatest security and safety impact,” Johnson said when the protocols were changed shortly after President Biden’s inauguration.
The preliminary injunction is not the final decision in the matter, though it’s the latest blow to the administration’s im-migration stance. Tipton blocked earlier this year a federal 100-day deportation freeze nationwide.
“While our fight is far from over, I am pleased the Court granted preliminary relief against the President’s unlawful attempt to limit deportations,” Landry said.
Franklin Banner-Tribune
P.O. Box 566, Franklin, LA 70538
Phone: 337-828-3706
Fax: 337-828-2874
Morgan City Review
1014 Front Street, Morgan City, LA 70380
Phone: 985-384-8370
Fax: 985-384-4255