RSS Feed

FRANKLIN — A parish councilman on Wednesday appealed to St. Mary residents to help authorities stop a recent wave of gun violence.
“I just want to urge the public, if you see something, say something …,” Councilman J Ina of Franklin said at Wednesday’s regular Parish Council meeting. “Don’t turn a blind eye when you see something.”
Ina spoke the day after a shooting at Third and Iberia streets in Franklin. The shooting wounded one person, the Franklin Police Department reported.
Authorities are looking for a suspect, J’Trell Connor, who is named in a warrant on charges that include two counts of attempted second-degree murder. More on the case appears on Page 2.
In Baldwin, deputies made two arrests, one on second-degree murder charges, in the May 2 shooting death of Brian Gibson Jr., 23, on Main Street.
Authorities also made four arrests in the March 25 shooting death of Keiondre Onell Allridge, 21, of Thibodaux, whose body was found in a vehicle at a Patterson-area truck stop.
“Every time you look up, there’s a gun, a shooting …,” Ina said. “It’s not good. It’s disturbing to me.”
Also Wednesday, Parish President David Hanagriff said parish government was ready for last week’s heavy rain and a brief threat from a tropical disturbance off the Texas coast.
Hanagriff said he updated council members on the weather. The Hanson flood gate was closed along with the new Bayou Teche Flood Control Structure near Baldwin.
“We didn’t get the surge, we didn’t get the rain we thought we’d get,” Hanagriff said. “But we were prepared.”
Also Wednesday:
—The parish government will receive $2.38 million under the Federal Off-System Highway Bridge Program for the replacement of deficient bridges, Chief Administrative Officer Henry C. “Bo” LaGrange reported.
LaGrange said the parish has been able to keep with deficiencies discovered by bridge inspections every two years.
“It is anticipated that St. Mary Parish will bank its funds again this year as there are no bridges planned for replacement at this time,” LaGrange wrote.
—The council wants more information about bids to become the parish’s official journal.
A government’s official journal is the newspaper in which it publishes legal advertising, such as meeting minutes and proposed ordinances, required by state law.
Bids were submitted on behalf of The Banner-Tribune of Franklin, which has served as the parish government’s journal, and The Daily Review of Morgan City. Both bids were for a rate of $6 per square.
Both newspapers are operated by Louisiana State Newspapers, a fact that generated some discussion.
Ina said he hopes legal advertising will continue to appear in a publication in the parish’s west end as well as the east end. Hanagriff noted that the Banner-Tribune is now published weekly rather than daily, and that The Daily Review’s five-days-per-week schedule might offer flexibility in publishing ads with legal deadline requirements.
The administration will go back to Publisher Mary Terry to talk about rates for possible dual publication.
—The council passed resolutions of respect for three people who died recently.
Halsema A. Pinho of Patterson, who died March 31, was a longtime member of the Sewerage District No. 8 and Waterworks Dist-rict No. 5 boards. He was also a building contractor.
Nicholas LaRocca of Morgan City, who died April 24, spent his adult life practicing law in Morgan City and had been published in the Louisiana Law Review. He was also active in his church and served on the Board of Directors for Catholic Charities.
Larry Doiron, who died May 18, served as a police juror 1968-72 and as the police jury president in 1969. He also served on the Morgan City Council and the board of the Port of Morgan City. Doiron had plumbing and development businesses in the area for more than 70 years.

The Morgan City Mayor and Council received their annual report from St. Mary Parish Council on Aging Executive Director Beverly Domengeaux during the monthly meeting Tuesday at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium.
Domengeaux’s report covered the agency’s fiscal year, July 1, 2020, until June 30, 2021. It also included COVID-related activities.
She noted that the agency’s senior centers were closed on March 18, 2020, through Gov. John Bel Edwards’ order, and seniors were asked to quarantine to protect themselves from COVID-19 since they were at high risk of severe impacts from the virus.
“We only had two COVID deaths among people that were coming to our senior centers, and that was due to some violations of quarantine,” said Domengeaux.
Since that March 18 closure, the numbe of meals delivered in Morgan City during the weekdays increased from about 60 meals on March 18 to 94 meals now.
“And we have a waiting list,” she said.
They also brought “shelf food” to seniors for the weekends.
In all, the council has delivered 24,840 meals during the past year and additional items for shelf food to those they serve.
“That’s where your contribution went as well as other donations from local people, several foundation grants and fundraising,” she said.
Domengeaux noted that each meal costs $8.14 ($4.18 for the meal and $3.96 including delivery).
“If the recipient donates $2, we still have a cost of $6.14 per meal,” she said. “Reimbursement from the state is 55 cents (per meal), so that means $5.59 is on us for each meal.”
Domengeaux said that is why the agency seeks support for the seniors.
She senior centers are anticipated to open July 6 contingent upon all regulations being met.
In other action, the council:
—Agreed to allow Mayor Lee Dragna to enter a contract for demolition of the city’s steam plant with one of three contractors, in order of bid prices: Bean Excavating & Dirt Work, S&S Recycling and Lindamood. The contract will be awarded to the highest bidder who can meet the city’s bond requirements and other necessary paperwork, such as insurance.
—Adopted its Millage Rates for the 2021 Tax Year. A property tax of 16.07 mills will be assessed, while a tax of 2 mills will be assessed to pay for operations and maintenance of the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium. No one spoke during the public comment period.
—Learned from Finance Director Deborah Garber that there are favorable variances in the city’s General and Ancillary, Utility, and its Sanitation and Sewer funds. Specifically, the general and ancillary fund had revenues over budget by about $200,000. Of that money, $135,000 came from sales taxes.
—Agreed to allow Dragna to apply, through the Louisiana Office of Cultural Development, for the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area Neighborhood Competitive Grant program. Through the grant, signage could be purchased for the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area neighborhood program “connecting neighborhoods to biking of the heritage area,” according to the city’s resolution approved.
—Approved a resolution to accept a piece of property at 1030 David Drive donated by Hellenic Inc. that the city already utilizes. The property will be utilized in providing electrical and drainage needs.
—Declared surplus and for sale a small parcel of about 50 feet adjacent to 1811 Front St. to a nearby campground owner. No one spoke during the public comment period on the matter.
—Approved its 2021-22 Class A and Class B Liquor License Renewals. The measure passed on a 3-0 vote by councilmen Mark Stephens, Lou Tamporello and Tim Hymel. Councilman Ron Bias was absent, while Councilman Steve Doma-ngue abstained because his employer, Cannata’s Food World, is included in the list.
—Approved a Class A Liquor & Beer permit for Yui Sushi, Inc., doing business as Sushiro Steak House, at 6214 La. 182 East.
—Approved Dragna’s appointments to various city boards.

July 23, 1990 — May 25, 2021
Heather Ann Forristal, 30, a resident of Bayou L’Ourse, passed away Tuesday, May 25, 2021.
Heather was born July 23, 1990, in Houma, the daughter of Lawrence Forristal Jr. and Teffanie Lovell Forristal.
Heather was a loving, outgoing person, who never met a stranger; she loved talking to people and making new friends. Heather enjoyed fishing and riding her bike; she also enjoyed spending time with her nieces. Her dog, Sky, was her best friend, and you could always find her by Heather’s side.
She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her parents, Lawrence and Teffanie Forristal of Bayou L’Ourse; brother, Johnathan Forristal and significant other Valaria Guillory of Bayou L’Ourse; sister, Erica Falzarano and husband David of Bayou L’Ourse; grandmother, Alice Lovell; five nieces, Zoey, April, Allison and Lillian Forristal, and Emmalynn Pierce; Paran, Nathan Lovell Jr. and Nanny, Kim Lovell; Nanny, Carrie Turl and husband Mark; aunt, Linda Tabor and husband Mark; and uncle, Nicholas Lovell and wife Lynette.
Heather was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Nathan Lovell Sr.; and paternal grandparents, Doris and Lawrence Forristal Sr.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 28, 2021 at Twin City Funeral Home with Gil Blanchard officiating. Visitation will be held Friday, May 28, 2021 at Twin City Funeral Home from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services. After services, Heather will be laid to rest in the Morgan City Cemetery.

Orelia Marie Carbin-Degraffenaried, 61, a native and resident of Morgan City, died Monday, May 24, 2021, at Legacy of Morgan City.
Visitation will be Saturday from 9 a.m. until services at 11 a.m. at Mount Zion Baptist Church. Masks and social distancing required. Entombment will follow in Morgan City Cemetery.
She is survived by her husband, Lawrence Degraffenaried; three children, Lawrence Carbin of Berwick, and Tanishia Gray and LaTonya Degraffenaried, both of Lafayette; four brothers, Edward Thomas of Arlington, Texas, Louis Carbin Sr. and Greggory Carbin Sr., both of Morgan City, and Gillis Carbin Sr. of New Iberia; six grandchildren; and a host of other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother and a daughter.
Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.