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Shilling-Boyles retiring as Patterson clerk; Dardeau will succeed her

After 41 years with Patterson city government, City Clerk Angela Shilling-Boyles is retiring, at least for a couple of weeks.

Shilling-Boyles, whose retirement is effective July 1, plans to return to work part-time two weeks later, when her duties will include training the new clerk, her longtime assistant Kim Dardeau.

Dardeau was recommended for the city clerk post by Mayor Rodney Grogan and unanimously confirmed at Tuesday's City Council meeting, where Shilling-Boyles' retirement was announced.

Dardeau has worked for Patterson city government 17 years.

Shilling-Boyles noted that she's worked for five mayors, and for aldermen before Patterson became a city. She thanked them all and received a standing round of applause at the meeting.

"Angela is awesome," Grogan said. "Angela has the personality."

Also Tuesday, Grogan recommended and the council confirmed Angie Landry's appointment as tax collector. Landry has worked for city government for 12 years.

The council also recognized a relatively new hire, Regina Wheeler, the city secretary.

New principals named for Hattie Watts, M.E. Norman

The St. Mary Parish School Board has appointed two new principals to lead local elementary schools for the 2021-2022 school year.
Sheryl Gibbons will be retiring as principal of Hattie Watts Elementary. having served as part of the school's administration for eight years. Her impending retirement has led to the appointment of Brianna Comeaux to serve as Hattie Watts' principal for the upcoming school year.
Comeaux is currently assistant principal of Berwick Elementary, a position she has held for the last 6 years.
The recent appointment of Shannon Hoffpauir as elementary/middle school supervisor opened the position of principal at Norman Elementary School. Prior to being named as the district’s newest instructional supervisor, Hoffpauir served as a curriculum facilitator at Wyandotte, Bayou Vista, and Norman Elementary Schools and assistant principal at Hattie Watts and Bayou Vista elementary schools.
Her administrative experience will be of significant benefit to her successor, Superintendent Teresa Bagwell said in a press release. Ronica LaPoint was selected to become the newly installed principal of Norman Elementary. Prior to her appointment, LaPoint served as assistant principal at both Patterson Junior High and Hattie Watts.
"Inevitably," Bagwell said, "the principal selection process leads to further openings in the assistant principal role that will be the focus of upcoming interviews. Both Hattie Watts and Norman Elementary Schools are recognized for their ongoing academic performance growth and innovative approaches to educating students.
"The newly appointed principals will immediately begin training for their new role as the school system conducts workshops for school leaders and teachers throughout the summer."

UPDATED WITH REGION'S ARRESTS: Bayou Vista man accused of wounding another with machete

(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 Jupiter Street man was arrested Sunday and accused of cutting another person with a machete, arrest reports said.

Morgan City
Police Chief James F. Blair reported that over the last 96-hour period, the Morgan City Police Department responded to 156 calls for service and made these arrests beginning Friday:
—Nicholas Anthony Gamble, 41, Jupiter Street, Bayou Vista, was arrested at 9:54 a.m. Sunday on a charge of resisting an officer and on a warrant alleging aggravated second-degree battery.
Morgan City officers were called to the 1400 block of Federal Avenue for a disturbance in which someone was cut with an edged weapon on Saturday evening. They were advised by witness that Gamble struck the victim in the hand with a machete.
The victim was transported to a medical facility for treatment.
After officers were unable to locate Gamble, a warrant was obtained for his arrest. On Sunday morning, the Morgan City Police Department received a tip that Gamble was walking in the area of Fourth Street.
When officers arrived, Gamble fled on foot. After a brief foot chase, Gable was taken into custody. He was transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
—Jerry M Martin, 29, Schriever, was arrested at 12:45 p.m. Friday as a fugitive from the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office.
—Trevor Joseph Landry, 21, La. 182, Franklin, was arrested at 1:29 p.m. Saturday on charges of possession of marijuana (second offense) and operating a vehicle with a suspended license.
—Aalyha Morreal Ward, 24, Orange Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:44 p.m. Sunday on a charge of simple battery.
—Dawn Rumore Height, 52, Railroad Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 4:51 p.m. Sunday on charges of theft under $1,000, criminal damage to property, and entry on or remaining in places or on land after forbidden.
—Paul Miguel Navarez, 58, Fifth Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:47 p.m. Monday on a warrant for simple battery.

St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that over the last 96-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 143 complaints and reported the following arrests:
—Ronald W. Jones Jr., 41, Franklin, was arrested at 7:06 p.m. Friday on charges of reckless operation (no accident), possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession with intent to distribute Schedule II drugs and no driver’s license.
—Benjamin L. Robicheaux, Sr., 52, Emmerson, was arrested at 11:23 p.m. Friday on a charge of disturbing the peace (fighting). Robicheaux was released on a $1,000 bond.
—Coty J. Robicheaux, 30, Franklin, was arrested at 11:23 p.m. Friday on a charge of domestic abuse battery by strangulation. No bail has been set.
—Jada M. Kern, 33, Franklin, was arrested at 11:23 p.m. Friday on a charge of aggravated domestic abuse battery. No bail has been set.
—Jose Chavarria, 41, Amelia, was arrested at 10:58 p.m. Friday on charges of driving on roadway laned for traffic, driver must be licensed and driving while intoxicated (first offense). Chavarria was released on $3,000 bond.
—Juleisa Shaw, 32, Charenton, was arrested at 12:38 a.m. Saturday on a charge of criminal trespass. Shaw was released on a $1,000 bond.
—Corey Johnson, 22, Napoleonville, was arrested at 1:31 a.m. Saturday on charges of driving on roadway laned for traffic, drivers must be licensed, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Johnson was released on a summons to appear Aug. 25.
—Victoria Cavalier, 21, Bayou Vista, was arrested at 1:40 p.m. Sunday on charges of two counts of theft and failure to appear. Bail was set at $3,000.
—Hugo Ramirez, 42, Morgan City, was arrested at 5:09 p.m. Saturday on charges of reckless operation (no accident), mufflers, no insurance and operating a vehicle under suspension for certain prior offenses. Ramirez was released on a $2,000 bond.
—Devon Mitchell, 45, Franklin, was arrested at 9:03 p.m. Saturday on charges of no license plate, possession of synthetic cannabinoids and misuse of toxic vapors. Mitchell was released on a summons to appear Aug. 25.
—Brontre L. Druilhet, 30, Franklin, was arrested at 9:30 p.m. Saturday on charges of possession of marijuana, turning movements and required signals, and failure to appear. Druilhet was released on a $500 bond.
—Marquelyn Robertson, 45, Jeanerette, was arrested at 9:49 p.m. Sunday on a charge of open container. Robertson was released on a summons to appear Aug. 25.
—Brett L. Marks, 49, Baldwin, was arrested at 9:49 p.m. Sunday on a charge of driving under suspension. Marks was released on a summons to appear Aug. 25.
—Sky Valenciano, 27, Patterson, was arrested at 10:12 p.m. Sunday on charges of license plate required and possession of marijuana. Valenciano was released on a summons to appear Aug. 25.
—Michael P. Lovell, 53, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:38 p.m. Sunday on a charge of failure to appear. Lovell was released due to sentence completed.
—Javorian Conner, 28, Franklin, was arrested at 11:36 p.m. Sunday on charges of open container and possession of marijuana. Conner was released on a summons to appear Aug. 25.
—Charlie Williams Jr., 42, Bayou Vista, was arrested at 12:21 a.m. Sunday on charges of no license plate, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Williams was released on a summons to appear Aug. 25.
—Mitchell Guilbeau, 27, Franklin, was arrested at 6:18 p.m. Sunday on a charge of failure to appear. Bail was set at $500.
—Warren Hawkins Jr., 41, Baldwin, was arrested at 9:06 p.m. Sunday on charges of turning movements and required signals, failure to appear, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Hawkins was released on a $4,000 bond.
—Jermaine Spain, 36, Franklin, was arrested at 11:22 p.m. Sunday on charges of improper lane usage and open container. Spain was released on a summons to appear Aug. 25.
—Adam Davis, 45, Franklin, was arrested at 11:05 p.m. Sunday on charges of resisting arrest or officer, possession with intent to distribute a Schedule II drug, possession with intent to distribute a Schedule I drug, possession of marijuana, possession of synthetic cannabinoids, misuse of toxic vapors, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a drug-free zone, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
—Derrick Colbert, 28, Jeanerette, was arrested at 12:51 a.m. Monday on charges of improper lane usage and open container. Colbert was released on a summons to appear Aug. 25.
—Antoine Booker, 36, Franklin, was arrested at 1:44 a.m. Monday on charges of license plate required, possession of legend drug without prescription and possession of drug paraphernalia. Booker released on a summons to appear Aug. 25.
—William Moye, 48, Patterson, was arrested at 2:26 a.m. Monday on charges of turning movements and required signals, driving on roadway laned for traffic, open container, no driver’s license on person, and driving while intoxicated (first offense). Moye was released on a $3,750 bond.
—Braxton Prince, 28, Franklin, was arrested at 9:52 a.m. Monday on charges of speeding, driving under suspension, illegal possession of a firearm by convicted felon, resisting an officer by giving false information and misrepresentation during booking. Bail was set at $4,000.
—Larry Moore Jr., 46, Houma was arrested at 10:05 a.m. Monday on charges of disobeyed stop sign and driving under suspension. Moore was on a summons to appear Aug. 25.
—Michelle Butler, 20, Doddridge, Arkansas, was arrested at 12:57 a.m. Tuesday on charges of theft of a motor vehicle and possession of stolen things. No bail has been set.

Franklin
Police Chief Morris Beverly said the Franklin Police Department responded to 47 complaints over the holiday weekend and made these arrests:
—Ronnie Boatman, 42, Carl C. Foulcard Drive, Franklin, was arrested at 7:05 a.m. Friday on a warrant dated May 15 for the charges of disturbing the peace by language, criminal trespassing and resisting an officer with force. Boatman was booked, processed and transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.
—Ernestine Sellers, 46, Iberia Street, Franklin, was arrested at 5:40 p.m. Saturday on a warrant dated May 26 for domestic abuse aggravated assault. Sellers was booked, processed, and held with no bond set at the time of press release.
—Precious Blanks, 20, Iberia Street, Franklin, was arrested at 10:03 p.m. Saturday on a charge of simple criminal damage to property.
Blanks was booked, processed and held on a $1,500 bond.
—Henry Randle Jr., 39, Theresa Street, Franklin, was arrested at 8:21 a.m. Sunday on a charge of simple battery. Randle was booked, processed, and released on a $2,500 bond.
—Mitchell Guilbeau, 30, Pecot Street, Franklin, was arrested at 8:25 a.m. Sunday on a warrant dated May 23 on the charges of battery of a dating partner and purse snatching. Guilbeau was additionally arrested on the charge of violation of a protective order.
Guilbeau was booked, processed and transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.
—Shelia Connor, 60, Theresa Street, Franklin, was arrested at 8:30 a.m. Sunday on a charge of possession of marijuana. Connor was booked, processed and released on a $2,000 bond

St. Martin
Sheriff Becket Breaux reported these arrests:
—Drake Batiste, 22, Hebert Avenue, Breaux Bridge, was arrested Saturday on charges of registration plate light required, operating a vehicle while license is suspended, simple possession of marijuana, illegal carrying of a weapon and violation of a protective order.
—Caleb Robin, 34, Henderson Highway, Breaux Bridge, was arrested Saturday on charges of failure to appear, resisting an officer, possession of Schedule II drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia.
—Eric Braziel, 36, Westgate Road, Lafayette, was arrested Friday on charges of aggravated domestic abuse/child endangerment and false communication with intent to cause an emergency response.
—Kenneth Houston, 45, Gabriel Circle, St. Martinville, was arrested Friday on charges of possession with intent to distribute Schedule I drugs; manufacture, distribution or possession with intent to distribute Schedule II drugs; and Schedule I drugs.
—Lawrence Leblanc, 53, Champagne Drive, Youngsville, was arrested Friday on a charge of contempt of court.
—Robert Meaux, Royal Road, Kaplan, was arrested Friday by the Broussard Police Department on a charge of simple burglary of a movable or immovable.
—Chuck Patin, 52, Henderson Highway, Breaux Bridge, was arrested Friday on a charge of contempt of court.
—Toni Thomas, 35, Mitchell Boyer Road, Breaux Bridge, was arrested Friday on charges of second-degree feticide, second-degree murder/non-negligent manslaughter, possession of Schedule II narcotics, fire prevention interference, and criminal mischief/tampering with the property of another.
—Denitris Wollgast, 41, Harold Stoutes Road, Breaux Bridge, was arrested Friday on a charge of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Assumption
Sheriff Leland Falcon reported these arrests:
—Tarik Michael Dupaty, 22, Dupaty Lane, Belle Rose, was arrested Friday on charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, aggravated criminal damage to property, attempted second-degree murder and illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities.
The arrest resulted from an unprovoked shooting on a farm to market road off La. 70 East.
On Thursday afternoon, deputies responded to a shooting incident in a farming region between Paincourtville and Belle Rose.
Detectives and deputies initiated an investigation and learned that a man was riding in his pickup truck when his front windshield and back glass shattered suddenly, causing some laceration to the victim’s face.
It was determined at some point that a gunshot had caused the glass breakage and subsequent injuries.
As a result of the investigation, it was determined that Dupaty was in the area riding an off-road vehicle when, suddenly and without provocation, he fired a weapon into the victim’s vehicle.
Detectives obtained arrest warrants for Dupaty’s arrest and took him into custody on Friday.
Dupaty was arrested and booked into the parish detention center with bond set at $275,000.
—Darian Latroy Williams Jr., 20, Michael Drive, Gonzales, was arrested Saturday on charges of aggravated flight from an officer, speeding, driving on a roadway laned for traffic, improper passing and resisting an officer.
A uniformed patrol deputy observed a southbound vehicle near Plattenville commit a traffic violation and attempted a traffic stop of that vehicle. The suspect vehicle pulled over and as the deputy exited his vehicle to address the violator, the suspect vehicle fled south on La. 1.
The patrol deputy pursued the suspect vehicle at speeds in excess of 100 mph. A second patrol unit engaged in the pursuit. As a result, the two patrol units were able to create a box situation, forcing an end to the pursuit.
The driver, identified as Williams, was arrested and booked into the parish detention center and posted a bond set at $30,000.
—Sasha M. Willoughby, 33, La. 1, Labadieville, was Friday on charges of theft and domestic abuse battery.
On April 19, deputies were dispatched to the Labadieville address in response to a disturbance.
Deputies determined that an incident had occurred between two individuals. During that incident, deputies believed that at some point, Willoughby displayed a knife in an aggressive manner toward the other party.
As a result, warrants were obtained for the arrest of Willoughby.
On Friday, Willoughby was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Facility with bond set at $20,000.
As a result of this incident, a protective order was issued against Willoughby and served upon her.
—Jamon Deondre Herbert, 27, Violet Street, Labadieville, was arrested Saturday on charges of four counts of public intimidation, interfering with a law enforcement investigation and four counts of simple assault, and as a fugitive from the Thibodaux Police Department.
The charges result from a series of incidents that occurred at a Plattenville business in the early morning hours of May 22.
Deputies were dispatched to the establishment in connection to an individual with a gun. Deputies arrived and within a brief period of time, a group of individuals gathered, resulting in additional deputies being dispatched to the area.
Deputies became engaged in a physical encounter with the primary violator, Shane Michael Coleman, 20, Laverne Drive, Thibodaux. Coleman was eventually arrested on felony charges, including an attempted second-degree murder charge originating in Terrebonne Parish.
As deputies attempted to arrest Coleman, Herbert and a second suspect taunted and threatened deputies, were aggressive toward deputies and disrupted a lawful investigation.
Deputies secured warrants for Herbert’s arrest. Herbert was arrested on Violet Street on Saturday and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center. He was released on a $90,000 bond.
—Lydre Paul Boudreaux, 42, Shady Oak Court, Houma, was arrested Sunday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and expired motor vehicle inspection tage.
An I.C.E.-assigned deputy observed a southbound vehicle near the 3000 block of La. 1 in Labadieville with an equipment violation. The deputy initiated a traffic stop of the vehicle and made contact with the driver, identified as Boudreaux.
The deputy conducted an interview and requested consent to search the vehicle. The deputy seized drug paraphernalia as well as a quantity of methamphetamine.
Boudreaux was arrested and booked into the parish detention facility and remains incarcerated awaiting a bond hearing.
—James Harris, 19, Jefferson Street, Napoleonville, was arrested Friday on a charge of illegal possession of a stolen firearm and a warrant for failure to appear on a charge of aggravated flight.
Uniformed patrol deputies observed a vehicle on La. 308 in Plattenville with an equipment violation. The deputy attempted a stop of the vehicle, but the suspect vehicle continued on until parking in a residential driveway on Pecan Street in Bertrandville.
The deputy then made contact with the passenger, identified as Harris.
During a computer inquiry, the deputy was advised that Harris was wanted on a warrant for failure to appear on a charge of aggravated flight.
A firearm was recovered during the investigative stop. It had been reported stolen in Ascension Parish.
Harris was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Facility with bond set at $25,000.
—Jerome D. Jones, 27, Magnolia Street, New Orleans, was arrested Monday on charges of home invasion, battery of a dating partner and aggravated battery.
Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Delaune Street in reference to a domestic disturbance. Deputies were advised that the suspect in this matter, Jones had left the scene.
As deputies arrived, they observed a subject matching the suspect’s description running toward a neighbor’s yard. The deputies located and detained Jones and returned to the location of the incident.
Deputies made contact with and interviewed the victim, who detailed a series of violent attacks the suspect committed against her including but not limited to stabbing her multiple times with a knife. The suspect made serious threats towards the victim if she reported the incidents.
Deputies observed injuries which corroborated the victim’s allegations.
Jones was arrested and booked into the parish detention center pending a bond hearing.

Tax overhaul legislation advances

By DAVID JACOBS
The Center Square
The Louisiana Senate’s tax policy committee on Monday advanced three key pieces of a complex income tax overhaul.
The bills collectively call for changing the state constitution to eliminate major tax breaks while lowing the income tax rates, resulting in what supporters hope is a simplified system more conducive to economic growth.
“This is the culmination of a lot of work,” said Sen. Bret Allain, the Republican who chairs the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee.
Personal income is taxed in Louisiana at 2% for the first $12,500, 4% on the next $37,500 and 6% on net income in excess of $50,000. House Bill 278 calls for reducing the rate for each bracket to 1.85%, 3.5% and 4.25%.
For that bill to go into effect, however, lawmakers and voters also would have to approve House Bill 274, which would remove the constitution’s reference to the current rates. The proposed amendment also would remove from the constitution the state’s deduction for federal income taxes paid.

COVID tax?
Louisiana lawmakers have voted to exclude any COVID-19 relief from state income taxes outside of unemployment benefits.
Senate Bill 11 by River Ridge Republican Sen. Kirk Talbot applies to individuals and businesses.
The bill defines “COVID-19 relief benefit” as “any gratuitous grant, loan, rebate, tax credit, advance refund, or other qualified disaster relief benefit directly or indirectly provided to a taxpayer by the state or federal government,” and includes any potential relief legislation yet to be passed.
The bill names several examples, such as the state’s Main Street Recovery Program and Critical Infrastructure Worker’s Hazard Pay Rebate, but makes clear that it’s not necessarily an exhaustive list. Only unemployment benefits, which the federal government has enhanced during the pandemic, are excluded.

Weapons
The Louisiana House voted overwhelmingly to allow state residents to carry a concealed firearm without a permit or training.
The bill has passed the House and Senate, though the Senate now will review the House’s changes. Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat who generally supports gun rights, opposes the bill.
Senate Bill 118 by Sen. Jay Morris, a West Monroe Republican, would apply to adults who are at least age 21 and have not been convicted of a felony or violent crime. His bill retains the prohibition against carrying a concealed gun while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Concealed carriers still would be required to disclose they have a weapon and submit to a search when asked by law enforcement, which would have the right to disarm the carriers.
Supporters of the change argue law-abiding citizens have a constitutional right to carry concealed weapons unless there is a compelling reason to stop them from doing so. Opponents argue requiring training and a permit to carry a concealed firearm is an appropriate safeguard for the public that falls under the Second Amendment’s call for a “well regulated Militia.”
In other legislative action Thursday:
--The Louisiana Senate voted to allow patients with a doctor’s recommendation to smoke marijuana for medical reasons.
Medical cannabis is legal in Louisiana but smoking the raw plant is not part of the medical marijuana program. While most states have legalized medical cannabis, Louisiana and Minnesota don’t allow smokeable marijuana, according to Rep. Tanner Magee, the Houma Republican who authored House Bill 391.
Patients would be limited to 2.5 ounces every 14 days. The change would go into effect Jan. 1.
The Senate vote for final passage was 23-14 after adoption of technical amendments. The bill returns to the House for approval of the changes.
Magee’s House Bill 514 would dedicate tax revenue from medical marijuana sales to road construction, early childhood education and legal services for defendants who can’t afford to hire attorneys. The full Senate approved that bill Wednesday, but not before picking up a hitchhiker in the form of a permanent extension of a temporary sales tax, which led to redirecting the bill to the Senate Finance Committee for a hearing on the change.
--The House voted, 78-17, for Senate Bill 156 to block transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports. The vote totals in both chambers would be enough to override Edwards’ expected veto.
--The House voted, 78-17, for Senate Bill 156 to block transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports. The vote totals in both chambers would be enough to override Edwards’ expected veto.
Supporters frame the bill, which is similar to others being passed or considered nationwide, as a way to protect “biological girls” from unfair competition.
Opponents said they are worried about further marginalizing youths who already are at increased risk of suicide. Rep. Mandie Landry, D-New Orleans, said it could open the door to abusive adults who would take it as permission to “check” an athlete’s gender.
“This is a discriminatory bill,” said Rep. Aimee Freeman, also a New Orleans Democrat. “It discriminates against our most vulnerable children.”
--The House Education Committee advanced without objection Senate Bill 60, which seeks to let college athletes make money “commensurate with the market value” from their name, image and likeness without losing their eligibility. Among other limitations, schools and boosters would be prohibited from using the compensation as a recruiting tool or as direct payment for competing in a sport.
Sen. Patrick Connick, the Marrero Republican who authored the bill, said 15 states have approved similar legislation and many others are considering doing so.
While star athletes in high-profile sports like football and men’s basketball likely could benefit, Jim Henderson, who leads the University of Louisiana system, said the change also would create opportunities for athletes in other college sports who have a limited window to capitalize on their exposure.
“This is a bill that’s about students,” he said.

Wheel House for June 1

EUCHARISTIC PROCESSION
Mobile procession by Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, traveling through Morgan City Tuesday, June 1, and Wednesday, June 2. More information on Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Church Facebook page.

Around Town for June 1

Happy belated birthday Elton Brown, and happy birthday Collie Humphrey, from family, friends and Ira … Happy 93rd birthday great-grandaddy, Lee Rochel, love, your four great-grandsons, family and friends.

UPDATED: State police: Authorities shot suspect after carjack attempt in Berwick

Staff Report
The man shot and killed by law enforcement officers Tuesday in Berwick was attempting a carjacking, according to the preliminary investigation by Louisiana State Police.
State police identified the man as Robert Pearce, 37, of New Iberia.
The man carried what turned out to be a BB gun, according to the preliminary state police investigation.
According to the investigation by the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations, which was requested by the Berwick Police Department, Berwick officers and St. Mary Parish sheriff’s deputies responded to a suspicious person report about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday.
The subject, later identified as Pearce, fled on contact with law enforcement, which led to a foot pursuit.
Pearce then attempted to carjack a female motorist while armed with what appeared to be a handgun near Sixth and Utah streets, according to a state police press release.
As Pearce made entry into the female motorist’s vehicle with the weapon, responding law enforcement personnel discharged their service weapons, striking Pearce.
He was pronounced dead at the scene by the St. Mary Parish Coroner’s Office.
No other injuries were reported. Louisiana State Police Crime Lab processed the scene for all evidence.
Louisiana State Police is the lead investigating agency. This is an active investigation and information will be released as the investigative process continues, state police said.
A Facebook post by Pearce said he moved to New Iberia from Grand Rapids, Michigan, this year. The post said he is single and has been unemployed since March.
His last public post on Facebook was March 24: “Goodmorning everybody….be blessed…through the will of God…..”

New pastor appointed at Holy Cross; Sacred Heart priest has new assignment

Holy Cross Catholic Church in Morgan City will soon have a new pastor, and two priests who have ministered at Holy Cross and Sacred Heart will move on to new callings.
The Rev. Mike Tran has been named pastor at Holy Cross effective July 1, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux announced Monday.
Tran has served most recently as pastor at Anunziata Catholic Church in Houma.
The current Holy Cross pastor, the Rev. Brice Higginbotham, will leave that post July to pursue doctoral studies in Sacred Scripture.
The Rev. Evelio “Toto” Buenaflor, currently the associate pastor at Sacred Heart in Morgan City, has been appointed pastor for a six-year term at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Chacahoula effective July 1.
Other assignments announced Monday:
—Friar Nathaniel Maria Gadalia, ordained a priest Saturday, has been appointed associate pastor of Holy Family Parish in Dulac effective June 1.
—The Rev. Paul Birdsall has been appointed administrator of Annunziata Catholic Church in Houma, effective July 1. He has most recently served as associate pastor of St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Houma.
—The Rev. Rholly Grecia has been appointed as associate pastor of St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux, effective July 1. He has most recently served as chaplain of Terrebonne General Medical Center in Houma.
—The Rev. Noas Kerketta has been appointed chaplain at Terrebonne General Medical Center, effective July 1, and will be in residence at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral in Houma. He has most recently served as sacramental minister to nursing homes in Houma and associate pastor of Annunziata Catholic Church in Houma.

From the Editor: What's new in hurricanes for 2021

Tuesday is the start of a new hurricane season, but the forecast doesn't seem new at all.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says there's a 60% chance of more hurricane-related weather than average. The forecast from NOAA -- which, ominously enough, is pronounced "Noah" -- is for 13-20 named storms.
Colorado State University is expecting 17 named storms, four of them major.
All the numbers add up to one four-letter word: "Lots."
We've become accustomed to forecasts like that in this century. But that doesn't mean everything will be the same in 2021. Here are some ways this season will be different:

Flood forecast
for a fortnight
The National Weather Service in Lake Charles says that beginning June 15, the service will issue Atchafalaya River level forecasts for 14 days out. Currently, the forecast is for five days out.
The National Weather Service is making the change "to aid in longer planning for navigation and potential flood mitigation efforts," according to its website.
You can go to the webpage for the Atchafalaya River at Morgan City, for example, and find out what the river stage has been for the last three days. (Google "Morgan City river stage."). The forecast will show the anticipated stage every six hours for the next five days. Soon, it will extend to 14 days.
The change doesn't apply only to hurricane times. But on that page, you'll find that during Hurricane Barry on July 13, 2019, the storm surge pushed the river at Morgan City briefly to 10.06 feet. That's the third highest stage on record.

It's not
Greek to us
The 2020 hurricane season ripped through the alphabetical list of 21 traditional hurricane names (which excludes names starting with Q, U, X, Y and Z) and into Plan B, the Greek alphabet.
After the original list of names was exhausted, nine storms bore the Greek letter names, starting with Alpha on Sept. 7 and finishing with Iota Nov. 13.
It was the first time Greek letters had to be used since 2005. It was also the last time.
The World Meteorological Organization committee in charge of hurricane names decided that too much attention was paid last year to the Greek letters and not enough to preparedness.
So the committee has a back-up list of traditional names, a sort of hurricane junior varsity, ready to go.
The supplemental list contains the names Adria, Braylen, Caridad, Deshawn, Emery, Foster, Gemma, Heath, Isla, Jacobus, Kenzie, Lucio, Makayla, Nola, Orlanda, Pax, Ronin, Sophie, Tayshaun, Viviana and Will.
The first-line list of names for this year started with Ana, a tropical storm that drifted into oblivion May 21-23 in the Atlantic.
The next named storm will be Bill.

Closing time
The biggest change in hurricane preparedness this year is the new Bayou Teche Flood Control structure near Baldwin, which is all but finished and awaiting an official opening.
The St. Mary Parish Levee District project, funded mostly with a grant from the state Department of Transportation and Development, cost about $11.4 million.
A barge, constructed in Amelia, can be moved into place in a permanent structure to block storm surge from coming up the Charenton Canal into the Bayou Teche.
Closing the gate will reduce the hurricane flood threat in the Franklin, Garden City and Centerville areas.
The structure was in place but the barge wasn't during Hurricane Delta in October 2020. The district filled the gap in the structure with sheet pilings to block the storm surge.
This year, when a tropical system seemed to threaten the Louisiana coast May 21-23, the gate was ordered closed and operated as it should.
The district is also working on an extension of the Yokely levee and the $80 million Bayou Chene Flood Control Structure.

The new normal
NOAA's Climate Prediction Center has updated its calculation for the average hurricane season, basing the new number on the 1991-2020 period.
The average number of named storms is now considered to be 14 each season, up from 12 for the 1981-2010 period. Seven storms become hurricanes in the average season, up from six, and the average number of major hurricanes (Category 3 or stronger) remains unchanged at three.

The number you
are calling ...
State and local officials met virtually April 27 to talk about hurricane preparedness. NOAA's Tim Osborn noted that damage to cellphone towers made work difficult for first responders in areas that sustained heavy damage.
In addition to the lack of convenient communication, responders couldn't use their cellphone GPS to get where they needed to go.
Osborn asked the state to consider setting up portable cellphone infrastructure in areas where towers were knocked offline.
The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security agreed to check with service providers to see if the equipment is available.
Bill Decker is managing editor of The Daily Review.

Legion riders remember fallen veterans during annual event Sunday

During Sunday’s first of five wreath-laying ceremonies at St. Mary Parish veterans’ memorials, Edward Perot, commander of American Legion Riders Post 328 in Pierre Part, took a few minutes to explain two flags present.
First, he explained the Killed in Action flag before proceeding to the Prisoner of War/Missing In Action flag during the ceremony at the Fallen Warriors Memorial in Morgan City.
While he never mentioned it during the brief ceremony, Memorial Day’s importance is magnified even more so for him.
His father, Army 1st Lt. Larry Douglas Green, left to fight for American in the Vietnam War.
“My dad went to Vietnam, and he never made it back (alive),” Perot said, while coincidentally holding the Killed in Action Flag prior to the second ceremony of the day at the Berwick Civic Complex. “So I really pay a lot of homage to what we do here.”
The Killed in Action flag, Perot said, “means a lot to me.”
While many think of Memorial Day as a celebration, Berwick Mayor Duval Arthur posed a question to that notion.
“What are you celebrating? Most of them have not a clue what Memorial Day even stands for,” Arthur said. “They get confused about Veterans Day and about Memorial Day. (They) don’t really know what it is, but there’s certainly a difference.”
Arthur, who served 32 years in the Army before retiring as a sergeant major, said Memorial Day is a day to honor those lost serving in battle.
“They’re not here today to celebrate with us,” he said, adding those alive can celebrate them and what their sacrifices provided Americans the freedoms to do.
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Memorial Day was first celebrated as Decoration Day in honor of Civil War servicemen who died.
While the department said there is much debate over where the idea for the event began, in 1966, Waterloo, New York, was deemed the origin of Memorial Day by Congress and then-President Lyndon Johnson. One hundred years earlier on May 5, 1866, area Civil War veterans were honored. In accordance with the day, businesses were closed, and residents lowered their flags to half-staff.
After World War I, the celebration began including those who died in all American wars, and Congress decreed it a national holiday in 1971, the department said. The move by Congress also set the holiday for the final Monday of May.
“I escaped a lot of things,” Arthur told the group gathered in Berwick for their wreath-laying ceremony. “I got all my fingers, got all my toes. A lot of people weren’t so lucky. A lot of people weren’t so lucky, and some left a little bit. Some left everything.”
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, about 1.19 million military personnel lost their lives in wars from 1775-1991.
More recently, the U.S. Department of Defense reported that 7,057 combined lives have been lost in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, as of its May 24 update of data.
According to Troy LaRive, commander of W.L. Bernauer Jr. American Legion Post 242 in Patterson, a combined 107 military personnel who were St. Mary Parish residents were killed in action in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He and the post’s 1st Vice Commander, Kenneth Lodrigue, read the names of those who died during a separate ceremony that is available to watch at youtube.com/watch?v=fHvNj3dmTpQ. The names of the fallen St. Mary Parish military members are listed on a war memorial in front of the post where Patterson’s wreath-laying ceremony was held.
Sunday’s wreath-laying ceremonies marked the 19th year the event was held. While there was initially some hesitation about holding the freedom ride a year ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic, those involved in the event said it must go on.
“And socially distancing is perfect on bikes, so it worked out pretty good last year,” Perot said.
The Legion Ride was the idea of Rowena “Roe” Rosen, who had lost a nephew in military service. She approached her husband, George “Cowboy” Rosen, about it, and he met with Abby Verret.
“Cowboy and I just assisted her, made her in charge of everything every year, and it started getting bigger and bigger,” Verret said after Sunday’s ceremony in Berwick.
While the Rosens have passed away, the event they helped start lives on.
Sunday’s event concluded with a plate lunch dinner, a band and more in Morgan City.
“But still, this part is the real important part where we say the prayers and the speeches …. and get veterans who get up and speak as well,” Perot said.

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