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Zachary Burke makes Dean's List at Lawrence

Wed, 08/12/2020 - 1:52pm

Staff Report

APPLETON, Wisconsin — Zachary Burke of Patterson has earned 2020 Dean’s List honors at Lawrence University.
Burke is a member of the Class of 2022.
The Dean’s List is an annual honor roll of students compiled at the end of the academic year once all grades have been recorded. To make the Dean’s List, a student must have earned at least 36 units in Lawrence courses during the academic year and have earned a GPA of at least 3.5.

Berwick student named media leader

Wed, 08/12/2020 - 1:50pm

NATCHITOCHES — Four Northwestern State University students, including one from Berwick, have been selected as student media leaders for 2020-21.
Named were Allie Atkinson of Berwick, editor in chief of Argus, the university’s annual literary magazine; Haleigh Gates of Moss Bluff, editor of Potpourri, the university yearbook; Tifphany McClinton of Shreveport, general manager of KNWD, Northwestern State’s student radio station; and Trinity Valazquez of New Orleans, editor in chief of The Current Sauce, Northwestern State’s weekly student newspaper.
The new leaders were selected by the Student Media Board.
Atkinson is a psychology major with a minor in child and family studies. Her main goal is to tweak and perfect the timeline that Argus operates on to better account for possible setbacks.
“A major change I am making this upcoming academic year is the addition of an assistant design editor who can help speed the process along, lighten the design editor’s workload and serve as training for that person to take over as the design editor the following year if that person so wishes,” Atkinson said.

Search yields drugs, weapons

Wed, 08/12/2020 - 1:47pm

Staff Report

A search at an Allison Street home resulted in charges against a Federal Avenue resident for possession of five drugs, including heroin, all in the presence of a firearm, Morgan City Police Chief James F. Blair said.
—Broderick Demond Junifer, 31, Federal Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:23 p.m. Monday on charges of possession with intent to distribute heroin, marijuana, MDMA and crack cocaine, possession of Adderall, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serious number, two counts of possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance and transaction involving proceeds from controlled dangerous substance activity.
The Morgan City Police Department Narcotics Division served a search warrant at an address on Allison Street with the assistance of St. Mary Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division.
Upon execution of the search warrant, investigators came into contact with Junifer. Morgan City Police Department K-9 Lady was utilized during the search warrant to assist investigators to locate illegal narcotics. Investigators located suspected heroin, marijuana and crack cocaine packaged for sales.
Investigators located four handguns, and a computer check revealed two of the handguns were stolen. A third firearm serial number was obliterated. During the investigation, it was learned Junifer was convicted of certain felonies restricting him from possessing a firearm.
Investigators also located a large sum of money that is suspected proceeds from illegal narcotics sales. The location of the search warrant was with in a posted drug-free zone. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
—Skilan Ariel Gros, 26, Greenleaf Boulevard, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:21 a.m. Monday on a charge of unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling.
Officers were called to an address on Belanger Street about a person trespassing on private property. They learned Gros entered a residence without the complaints consent. She as placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
—George Davidson Harvey III, 38, Cane Street, Berwick, was arrested at 12:08 p.m. Monday on charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia and on a warrant for failure to appear.
An officer contacted a traffic stop in the area of Railroad Avenue. The driver was identified as Harvey. During the traffic stop, Harvey was found in possession of suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. A warrant check revealed the 16th District Court held an active warrant for his arrest. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith reported theses arrests:
—Jarius Jarron Scoby, 22, 1 Bonvillain Street, Houma, was arrested at 12:10 a.m. Monday on charges of improper lane usage and possession of marijuana. Scoby was released on a summons to appear Nov. 2.
—Terrance Cordell Mobley, 36, David Road, Patterson, was arrested at 2:08 p.m. Monday on charges of improper lane use, possession of cocaine over 28 grams with intent to distribute, and second or subsequent offenses.
A K9 deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for crossing over the solid white fog line in Baldwin and made contact with the driver, Mobley. During the investigation, K9 Chara was deployed and showed an odor response on the vehicle.
Subsequently, two cellophane bags of cocaine (approximately 59 grams) were located. Mobley was released on a $15,000 bond.

Investar interactive ATM is now open

Wed, 08/12/2020 - 1:44pm

Staff Report
BATON ROUGE — Investar Bank recently opened its free-standing Interactive Teller Machine at 1024 Victor II Blvd. at the corner of Clothilde Street and Victor II Boulevard in Morgan City.
The ITM operates as an ATM 24 hours a day, seven days a week to anyone with a financial institution debit/credit/ATM card.
Additionally, during business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, customers can touch the screen to interact with an Investar banker in real-time.
Existing Investar customers can make deposits at the ITM, cash checks and conduct many other transactions similar to those available at a full-service branch.
“We are excited to move into the Morgan City market with our digital strategy to offer modern technology that is simple, secure and convenient for the community,” Jeff Blum, Investar Western Region president and executive vice president, said in a news release.
“Interacting with our ITM is similar to using the drive-thru at a full-service branch.”
“The ITM can be paired with our video banking module that is available on our website to open an account,” Blum added. “Our goal is to make banking with Investar as easy and convenient as possible.”
To learn more about Investar’s products, visit www.InvestarBank.com or call toll-free at 1-866-604-2006.

Appeals court says coastal suits against oil companies belong in state court

Wed, 08/12/2020 - 1:42pm

DAVID JACOBS, The Center Square

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit on Monday issued a ruling that two lawsuits seeking to make oil companies pay for alleged damage to south Louisiana’s environment belong in state court.
The ruling is considered a victory for the parishes that brought the lawsuits and a setback for the companies, which argued the lawsuits should be heard in federal court. Parishes have filed 42 law-suits against more than 200 companies. Gov. John Bel Edwards has supported the lawsuits.
The plaintiffs say they believe the companies violated state law and state permits while harming the coastal environment, so the cases belong in state court. Critics of the lawsuit said decisions made decades ago were overseen by the federal government and that Monday’s ruling has nothing to do with the merits of the cases.
“Today’s ruling does nothing to strengthen the factually and legally meritless claims at issue in this litigation,” Melissa Landry, speaking on behalf of the legal teams representing BP America Production Company, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil Pipeline Company and Shell, said in a state-ment. “In whichever forum these cases are ultimately considered, these flawed legal attacks do not advance meaningful solutions to restore our coast.”
Attorney John Carmouche, who represents many of the local plaintiffs, said the lawsuits allege violations of the Louisiana State and Local Coastal Resources Management Act of 1978 and the plaintiffs are not claiming violations of federal law.
“The parish that is affected should rule on if the laws were violated in their parish,” Carmouche told The Center Square in December.
But companies argue the parishes’ claims rest in part on actions the companies took during World War II, which raises a federal question.
According to the 5th Circuit, the defendants said they didn’t know about the World War II connection until reading a report Plaquemines Parish commissioned in 2018.
The 5th Circuit found the report restated information the parishes filed before the companies first attempt to remove the cases to federal court in 2013.
The companies’ latest attempt to remove the cases is not timely, the court ruled.
“Reaching back in time to sue for decades of federally authorized activities that were lawfully con-ducted and actively encouraged by these very same government plaintiffs is neither fair nor productive,” Landry said. “Addressing the complex forts of hardworking men Monday’s decision addresses two cases: Parish of Plaquemines v. Riverwood Production Company, et al. (“Riverwood”) and Parish of Cameron, et al. v. Auster Oil & Gas Incorporated, et al.

he companies could ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review the decision.

Jeremy Alford: COVID has changed the way lobbyists do business, too

Wed, 08/12/2020 - 1:40pm

JEREMY ALFORD

This week marks five months since the World Health Organization designated COVID-19 as a pandemic, a watershed moment that deeply transformed how elected officials do their jobs and how the influence sector of our political economy seeks to shape that process.
Business hasn’t been exactly feast or famine for Louisiana’s lobbyists, government relations professionals and association directors, but communication challenges, belt-tightening clients and demand for Washington access are boosting anxiety levels across the aboard.
Optimists predicted a “lobbying bonanza” earlier this spring, particularly for services related to state and federal coronavirus funding. But the past few months have instead served as a reminder that the lobbying corps as an industry isn’t totally recession-proof.
The individuals and outfits representing troubled corners, like hospitality and restaurants for example, have been forced to adjust accordingly. Tales of reduced retainers and deferred invoices are also commonplace amongst government relations professionals inside the state.
While the vast majority of practitioners who work in Baton Rouge politics are either surviving or thriving, there remains an unmistakable sense of unease about what the coming months will have in store for both the economy and policymaking.
For now, federal spending by clients and associations is on the rise, with second quarter increases posted recently by the likes of Cornerstone Government Affairs, the Picard Group and other Louisiana notables with Beltway offices, according to calculations by the Center for Responsive Politics and data from the U.S. Senate Office of Public Records.
“One of our assets has been our ability to rely heavily on our DC office and federal team,” said Tyron Picard, founder and principal of the Picard Group. “Much of what we will be talking about in the upcoming October special session will be linked to what we see coming out of this next round of stimulus funding in Congress.”
Back in Baton Rouge, the challenges of lobbying during a pandemic can be seen in the monthly legislative expense reports filed with the state ethics administration. Good government champions who are critical of the profession may see this as good news, but the teachers, physicians and others who hire lobbyists to represent them and distribute information on their behalf in Louisiana probably do not.
The five highest monthly reports filed by lobbyists (mostly connected to associations) last calendar year, from January to June, aver-aged out to about $12,700. This year’s top tier spenders averaged just $7,800 for the five highest reports filed during the same period in 2020.
That said, even standard meetings and basic lines of communication have undergone great changes this year, said Jim Harris, the president of Harris, DeVille & Associates who works with associations of CPAs, realtors and others. “I spend a great deal of my time texting, emailing and talking on the phone,” said Harris. “I’ve been Zoomed to death.”
Lobbyists can build a strong book of business with institutional knowledge of the appropriations, capital outlay and Bond Commission processes. But the emergence of new state and federal pots of money connected to coronavirus relief introduced a learning curve, said Rodney Braxton, a partner with Southern Strategy Group.
“You couldn’t rely on your past knowledge of how things normally worked, because each one of those new pots of money had their own rules,” said Braxton. “You have to do your homework and dig deep on how those revenue sources are structured in order to advise how folks can best get involved. Wasting time is not a luxury right now, and there’s a real uptick in people who want to be more involved in all of this and find out what’s going on. Our client base has been pretty astute. They know this isn’t the time to disengage.”
Government relations professionals with local government practices are in hot seats as well, especially in regard to relief funding. “We’re watching what they’re doing in DC,” said Eric M. Sunstrom, the president of the Chesapeake Group who works with Louisi-ana’s mayors, “and we’re asking through national associations for direct funding. We’re working more with newspapers and with public outreach and education. The competition is intense.”
As everyone who works in some form of government here attempts to adapt, it looks like another special session of the Legislature is just around the corner. October seems to be the start date, but details are scant at best. It’s a fitting next chapter to this story for political professionals like elected officials, reporters and lobbyists, who appear to be struggling at times — just like everyone else.
For more Louisiana political news, visit www.LaPolitics.com or follow Alford on Twitter @LaPoliticsNow.

From LABI: Do we want a judiciary that's honest and transparent?

Wed, 08/12/2020 - 1:37pm

BO STAPLES

Ever since middle school civics, that quadrennial Tuesday is etched in your subconscious calendar. Presidential Election Day. So you’re already well aware that on Nov. 3, we’ll all head to the polls and decide if President Donald Trump or former Vice President Joe Biden will live in the White House for the next four years.
But aside from that most pressing decision, most Louisianans are rightfully focused on other, more prescient factors: getting back to work, school reopening, or if they’ll be able to watch a game in person, in Tiger Stadium this fall.
Given all that is happening in the world right now, getting voters to pay attention to this fall’s “down-ballot” races is not an easy task. Sure, there will be a partisan battle in the U.S. Senate race between Republican incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy and Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins, a Democrat. Meanwhile over in the House, U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham is retiring after three terms, and his chief of staff, Luke Letlow, is vying against Rep. Lance Harris and seven other candidates for the open seat in Northeast Louisiana. Several other incumbent Congressmen have attracted minor challengers, but none are likely to change the trajectory of power, policy or playing fields in Louisiana politics.
That is, until we get to the judiciary.
Nov. 3 provides Louisianans with a tremendous opportunity to change our state’s future and reshape our critical third branch of government; our judiciary. We’ll be casting ballots for two new justices on the Louisiana Supreme Court, four judges to sit on the benches of the Courts of Appeal, and more than 50 local district court judges. Because Louisiana sees its highest voter turnout in a presidential election, and this amount of state judicial races only lines up with the contest to be commander-in-chief every 12 years, you’ll have the largest amount of citizens voting for judges that we’ve seen since 2008. It appears our country is facing new unrest and questions of civil liberties at every turn. What better way to steady the ship of state than to empower fair-minded, transparent jurists to apply our laws and rule on the most pressing issues of our time?
Now, if you don’t know much about the judiciary, have no fear,. You’re not alone. The judiciary is the single branch of government that the average citizen only has to deal with when they have a major problem, so the vast majority of voters have no idea who their elected judges even are. To help better educate the public, LABI’s Louisiana Free Enterprise Institute has created LouisianaJudiciary.com, an online resource for the public to explore the judiciary from their local district on up to the state Supreme Court. We want voters to get to know their judges and understand their courts and complex district lines a bit better.
The state’s marquee judicial race is in Northeast Louisiana, where voters will fill the unexpired term of retiring Justice Marcus Clark (R-West Monroe) in the 4th District’s Supreme Court seat. This election district covers 20 parishes across northeast and central Louisiana, with population centers in Monroe, Alexandria and Ruston. The election is an intra-party contest between Judge Jay McCallum (R-Farmerville) of the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeal, and Judge Shannon Gremillion (R-Alexandria) of the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal. The winner will serve the remaining six years of Clark’s term.
Judge McCallum, who has been endorsed by LABI’s NorthPAC, is not a political newcomer, having won his first election to the Legislature in 1991 at age 31. He also served as a prosecutor in both Union and Lincoln parishes, and has served the last 18 years as both a district judge and in his current position on the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeal. Judge Gremillion has held his seat on the 3rd Circuit for 12 years, after winning an incredibly close race to succeed his father, Judge Glenn Gremillion. Prior to his tenure on the bench, Gremillion spent 13 years as a practicing attorney.
Several open seats on the Courts of Appeal have led to four competitive races around the state in the Shreveport, Lake Charles, Baton Rouge and the River Parishes region. These judges are a crucial part of the legal process, able to affirm or overturn a judgment made by a district court. The tremendous power of judicial review must not be overlooked, for no matter how many good bills become law in the Legislature and are signed by the governor, all it takes is one decision from an activist judge to invalidate that law and tie the state up in costly litigation.
Every single district judge in Louisiana is up for re-election this fall. At the close of qualifying, and with ballot challenges still being fought, voters are looking at roughly 55 contested district races around the state where we will get at least 40 first-time judges on the district bench. Not to mention, many more city court and other local judges in communities across the state. We hope these newly elected judges will join with current reform-minded judges to help move our judiciary towards a more transparent and efficient judicial system. Look for our PACs to take an active role in supporting reform-minded textualists to benches across the state as we continue our push for legal reform.
On Nov. 3, Louisiana voters are not just going to just pick a President and a U.S. Senator, we also will have an incredible opportunity to determine the direction of our state’s judiciary for years to come. Let’s pull back the secrecy that has shrouded the third branch of government for decades and embrace the ideas of honesty, fairness and transparency that our state deserves.
Bo Staples is director of political action committees at the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry.

LYN PAUL BOUDREAUX

Wed, 08/12/2020 - 11:01am

Lyn Paul Boudreaux, a resident of Morgan City, passed away peacefully Sunday, August 2, 2020 at Morgan City Health Care. Graveside services were held privately.

EMILIA MARTINEZ BRACAMONTES

Wed, 08/12/2020 - 11:00am

Emilia Martinez Bracamontes, 82, a resident of Bayou Vista, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 8, 2020 at her home, surrounded by her loving family.
Emilia was born on April 24, 1938 in Cuenca, Spain, the daughter of Juan Martinez and Esperanza Serrano Auyjer Martinez.
Emilia was a very talented seamstress, who made and altered many pieces of clothing over many years. When she wasn’t altering clothes, she enjoyed spending time with her family as well as reading mystery books, drawing portraits, and watching television. She especially loved watching Little House on the Prairie.
She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by three daughters, Kim Breaux and husband Joseph “Joe” Jr. of Bayou Vista, Tammy Mayon and husband Donald “D.J.” Jr. of Bayou Vista, Rebecca “Becky” Solar and fiancée Toby Percle of Patterson; two step sons, Ronald “Ronny” Bracamontes and wife Mary of Houma and Chad Bracamontes of Bayou L’Ourse; ten grandchildren, Joseph “Joey” Breaux III and wife Alicia, Jordan Granger, Jean Granger, Dylon Mayon, Haley Mayon, Serenity Mayon, Kirsty Solar, Blade Ballard and fiancé Tiffany, Hallee Ballard and Toby Percle Jr.; five great grandchildren, Tyler Breaux, Emily Breaux, Ethan Breaux, Rhett Granier III and Blaise Ballard; one brother, Manuel “Manu” Martinez of Valencia, Spain.
Emilia was preceded in death by her parents, Juan and Esperanza Serrano Auyjer Martinez; her husband, Johnny Bracamontes; her grandmother, Elise Aujer; her stepbrother, Juan Martinez Briones.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers will be Joseph “Joey” Breaux III, Jordan Granger, Jean Granger, Blade Ballard, Joseph “Joe” Breaux Jr., Donald “D.J.” Mayon Jr. and Toby Percle.
Private family services will be held on Thursday, August 13, 2020 at Twin City Funeral Home with Monsignor J. Douglas Courville officiating. Internment services will be held in the Morgan City Cemetery.

ALFRED FRANCIS TREGLE

Wed, 08/12/2020 - 10:57am

Longtime Coach and Educator Alfred Francis Tregle passed away peacefully in Morgan City, Louisiana on August 10, 2020. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on December 25,1933. Mr. Tregle is survived by his wife, Mary Jon Tregle and his five children: Cynthia Tregle Woodard (Russell), Cay Tregle Price (Chris), Tim Joseph Tregle (Eva), Christine Tregle Spiese and Scott Patrick Tregle (Susan). He is also survived by his 11 grandchildren: Bethany Woodard Kristovich, Lexie Woodard Polito, Russell Woodard, Jr., Christopher Price, Courtney Price Matherne, Charlton Tregle, Gavyn Spiese, Nicole Perri, Brandon Tregle, Matthew Tregle, and Ali Tregle and also by his 7 great grandchildren: Anna Kristovich, Arabella Polito, Colt Woodard, Ronin Price, Marie-Élise Matherne, Audrey Tregle, and Eleanor Tregle.
Al was preceded in death by his parents Mary Frances Stewart Tregle and father Ovide Matthew Tregle, Sr. and his brother Ovide Matthew Tregle, Jr.
A graduate of Metairie High School, Mr. Tregle was a track and football standout and was awarded a football scholarship at Tulane University of New Orleans for one year before transferring to the University of Southern Mississippi, also on scholarship, where he was captain of the Golden Eagles Football team. In his later years, Mr. Tregle was honored by being inducted into the University of Southern Mississippi Football Hall of Fame.
After graduation from The University of Southern Mississippi, Mr. Tregle enlisted in the United States Army where he was stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. He served as the track and football coach for the base and quickly rose to the rank of Captain in the US Army.
Al Tregle, known to many as Coach Tregle, taught and coached successfully at many Louisiana high schools in his career as well as four years coaching at McNeese State University. He is a member of the Morgan City Alumni Association Hall of Fame, the University of Southern Mississippi Hall of Fame, LHSAA Football Coaches Hall of Fame, Terrebonne High School Athletic Hall of Fame, and was three times selected as a Louisiana Coach of the Year.
The family would like express gratitude to Courtney Norwood, Dee Howard, the Maison Jardin and Home Instead staffs for the wonderful care during Al’s time of need.
Visitation for Coach Tregle is to take place on Saturday, August 15, 2020 at 1 PM and services will follow at 2PM at Twin City Funeral Home in Morgan City, LA. Pallbearers are Chris Price, Tim Spiese, Brandon Tregle, Charlton Tregle, Gavyn Spiese, Matthew Tregle, Kenny Alfred, Kirk Crochet and Dalton Leblanc. Christopher Price and Russell Woodard, Jr. are honorary pallbearers. Masks and appropriate social distancing are required.