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Southeastern Louisiana to begin full-sqaud baseball workouts

The Southeastern Louisiana baseball squad began its preseason workouts Friday at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field in preparation for the 2020 season. Intrasquad games for the first weekend are scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. Saturday and 6 p.m. Sunday. All practices leading up to the Feb. 14 season opener in Lafayette against the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns are open to the public. The Lions return 11 lettermen, including starters Preston Faulkner, Trey Harrington, Connor Manola and Nick Ray off last season’s 33-27 squad. Key pitchers back for another season include Trey Shaffer, Justin Simanek, Grant Upton and Will Warren. Joining ...

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Nicholls announces 2020 beach volleyball schedule

The Nicholls State University women’s beach volleyball program finalized its 2020 schedule Thursday morning, cementing a second overall season with just over a month until first serve. The Colonels kickoff the year on March 6, at the UNO Beach Volleyball Invitational, the first of four tournaments which comprise the regular season, before trekking to the Lonestar State for the inaugural Southland Conference Tournament, hosted by Texas A&M-Corpus Christi from April 17-19 in Corpus Christi, Texas. Head coach Kallie Noble will reprise her role for the Red & Gray after building the team from scratch last season, challenging this year’s squad to ...

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Sheriff: Woman jailed after missing court appearance

A Bayou Vista woman was arrested for not appearing in court after being charged with battery on a dating partner, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith said in a news release.
—Miranda Topham, 38, of Saturn Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 1:48 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of battery of a dating partner. She was jailed with bail set at $2,500.
Smith advised that the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to 44 complaints and the following arrests were made:
—Jonathan Ray Beadle, 29, of Southwest Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 5:20 p.m. on a warrant for monetary instrument abuse. He was jailed and released on a $2,000 bond.
—Juvenile male, 15, of Baldwin, was arrested at 7:54 a.m. Wednesday on charges of disturbing the peace by language. The juvenile was released to a guardian pending juvenile court proceedings.
—Corey Edward Jupiter, 28, of Owens Street in Napoleonville, was arrested at 3:50 p.m. Wednesday on a Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office warrant for failure to appear on the charge of contempt of court. Jupiter is being held for another agency.
—Leo Green Jr., 54, of Verdun Lane in Franklin, was arrested at 11:22 a.m. Wednesday on charges of turning movements and signals required, stop signs and yield signs, no driver’s license on person and on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of criminal neglect of family. He was jailed with bail set at $1,215.
—Devin Marcel Landry, 25, of Chitimacha Trail in Charenton, was arrested at 1:31 p.m. Wednesday on charges of simple battery, aggravated assault and threatening a public official. Landry was jailed with bail set at $5,000.
—Allen Romar, 49, of Pelican Court in Jeanerette, was arrested at 1:10 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of operating a vehicle while license is suspended/revoked/canceled, operating a vehicle not covered by security and operating a vehicle with improper headlamps.
He was released on a summons to appear on May 1.
—Ashlee Allan Miller Sr., 39, of Pine Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:25 a.m. Thursday on charges of driving under suspension, signal lamps and signal devices, and on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of criminal neglect of family. He was jailed with bail set at $5,554.37.
Patterson Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported the following arrest:
—Troy A. Jones, 29, of Kemper Street in Patterson, was arrested at 5:07 p.m. Wednesday on charges of obstruction of justice and possession of marijuana. He was jailed with no bond set.
Morgan City Police Chief James F. Blair reported there were no arrests.
Berwick Police Chief David Leonard Sr. reported there were no arrests.

Radio Logs for Jan. 24

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.
Thursday, Jan. 23
8:58 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Warrant.
10:40 a.m. 2600 block of Maple Street; General fire alarm.
11:57 a.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Accident.
1:31 p.m. 900 block of Sixth Street; Warrant.
2:43 p.m. 700 block of Fifth Street; Complaint.
4:24 p.m. 200 block of Utah Street; Suspicious subject.
4:57 p.m. 100 block of Mallard Street; Theft.
5:10 p.m. 1000 block of Greenwood Street; Accident.
6:05 p.m. 2500 block of Cedar Street; 911 hang up.
7 p.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Assistance.
7:20 p.m. 1000 block of Brashear Avenue; Alarm.
7:38 p.m. 800 block of Brashear Avenue; Disturbance.
Friday, Jan. 24
3:52 a.m. 300 block of Aycock Street; Alarm.
4:38 a.m. 6000 block of La. 182; Alarm.
4:51 a.m. 500 block of Bowman Street; Disturbance.

THOMAS LEDET

Thomas Ledet, 63, a resident and native of Jeanerette, La. passed away peacefully on Friday, January 17, 2020 at 5:30 a.m. at his residence.
Visitation will be observed on Saturday, January 25, 2020 from 10 a.m. until funeral services at 11 a.m. at the Kingdom of God Church of Jeanerette 401 Henkle Street Jeanerette, La. 70544. Minister Ivan Ledet will officiate the services.
Many cherished and divine memories of Thomas will forever be remembered by his five brothers, Dr. Ivory Ledet, Jr. (Izetta) and Darrell Ledet both all of Jeanerette, La., Apostle Sherman Ledet Sr. (Sally) and Michael Ledet Sr. (Brenda) both of Morgan City, La. and Davy Ledet Sr. of Yucon, OK; six sisters, Sedonia Alexander of Jeanerette, La., Gertrude Madise of Morgan City, La., Geraldine Glover of Monroe, La., Shirley Joseph (Arthur) of Lafayette, La., Gloria Francis (Wilbert) of Conroe, TX and Lucy Ogbamah (Josmaibi) of Atlanta, GA; one aunt; as well as several nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Thomas was preceded in death by his parents and a step-brother.
Visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family.

KATHY MARIE O’PRIEN

Kathy Marie O’Prien, 66, a resident of Snellville, GA and native of Morgan City, La., passed away peacefully on Friday, January 3, 2020 at her residence.
Visitation were observed on Friday, January 24, 2020 at Jones Funeral Home 715 Sixth Street Morgan City, La. from 9 a.m. until funeral services beginning at 12 Noon. Minister Jay Grogan officiated the services.
Memories of Kathy will forever remain in the hearts of her two daughters, Latrayl O’Prien Carter of Snellville, GA and Karla O’Prien of Apple Valley, CA; three grandchildren, one brother, Harry O’Prien, Jr. of Baton Rouge, La.; two sisters, Mrs. Samuel (Elizabeth O’Prien) Washington of Apple Valley, CA and Mavis J. O’Prien Windom of Houston, TX; her aunts, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Kathy was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, her grandparents, and an aunt.
Visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family.

ANTHONY PETER “BIG TONY” RUFFIN

Anthony Peter “Big Tony” Ruffin, 40, a resident and native of Patterson, La., passed away peacefully on Monday, January 20, 2020 at 9:34 a.m.
Visitation will be observed on Monday, January 27, 2020 at the Good Hope Baptist Church in Patterson, La., from 11 a.m. until funeral services beginning at 1 p.m. with Pastor Patrick T. Jones, Officiating. Burial will follow funeral services in the Home Industrial Cemetery in Patterson, La.
Anthony leaves to cherish his memories: his mother, Brenda “Tina” Ruffin of Patterson, La.; five sons, Anthony P. Ruffin, Jr., Diego A. Ruffin, D’angelo R. Ruffin, Santiago J. Ruffin, Ricardo M. Ruffin; two daughters, Kyanna Butler and Jenesis A. Ruffin; three he helped to raise, Thela Gonzales, Alexis Hebert and Alieshya Hebert; his wife, Samantha Hebert Ruffin; a devoted companion of eight years, Jennifer Gonzales; his brothers, Alphonso Ruffin of Patterson, La., Gary (Vanessa) Francois of Lafayette, La., Peter Lewis and Timothy Lewis both of CA and Leslie Lewis of Gibson, La.; his sisters, Christina Boulanger Connie Clark, Claudine Jennings and Cora (Alvin) Butler all of Patterson, La., Shelia Little of Gibson, La., Bernadette McCray of CA, Angela Ruffin (Louis) Griffith of Lafayette, La., and Jessica Johnson of Verdunville, La.; a godchild, and a host of nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.
Anthony was preceded in death by his father, a baby girl, a sister, maternal grandparents, and his paternal grandparents.
Visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family.

City charges forth in derelict structures abatement

Franklin City Council held its first condemnation hearings of 2020 on Wednesday during their regular meeting.
The first properties ordered to be demolished were the Happy Acres Trailer Park on Ninth Street and a duplex on West Ibert Street.
The addresses are as follows:
—501 ½ Ninth St., Lots 1-A, 1-B, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 13, 14, 21, 22, 23, 26 and 27.
—1501 West Ibert St.
—1503 West Ibert St.
Other properties ordered to be demolished were:
—1309 Percy St.
—1018 Barrow St.
—413 Martin Luther King Blvd.
—424 Sixth St.
—505 Augustine Maze St.
The property at 1036 Cayce St. was also ordered to be demolished but was given a 60-day grace period due to the attendance to the hearings of the owner’s daughter, and the consideration of her having already made plans to have it demolished privately next month.
Finally, the property at 1504 Main St. was not ordered to be demolished, but was tabled to be brought up at the next hearings pending further efforts toward communication with the owner of the property.
In other news, it was approved for Franklin Mayor Eugene Foulcard to enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement with American Cemetery Consultants to look into possibly having a mausoleum built at Perpetual Park Cemetery.
Also, Franklin Bicentennial Committee Co-Chairs Diane Wiltz and Ed “Tiger” Verdin announced a bicentennial fundraiser to be held Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Franklin Recreation Center where $10 Louisiana shrimp and catfish dinners will be sold to benefit this year’s bicentennial celebrations to take place monthly throughout the year.
In his executive report, Foulcard thanked participants and facilitators of the city’s New Year’s Eve celebration, which he lauded as a great success.
Three ordinances were adopted.
The first established water rates to be assessed as a monthly charge to all residents and customers receiving water services from the City.
The income from these monthly rate assessments is to be utilized for construction, renovation, and operation of the city’s water system.
The second ordinance to be adopted amended the City Code for the assessment of fees and charges within the city for the collection of solid and/or bulky waste, garbage and trash material.
The third ordinance increased the monthly rate to all commercial and residential customers throughout the city to $5 per month for streetlight services.
Approved resolutions included support for an application for grant funding of the Bayou Beaux Summer Arts Program, support for the application for a grant to fund the Summer Dance Program, and the authorization of use of Caffery Park for the Franklin Youth Baseball and Softball Program from Feb. 1 through Aug. 1 of this year.
Before gaveling adjournment, Foulcard reminded attendees that the Franklin city-wide clean-up has been cancelled through next month.

From Franklin to France

The first of this year’s monthly bicentennial celebration events in Franklin took place Wednesday night at the Teche Theatre for the Performing Arts.
It was: “Operation Jubilee, Dieppe Raid, a Bicentennial Celebration of the Life and sacrifice of Army Ranger 2nd Lt. Edward V. Loustalot.”
Loustalot was the first American soldier to die on European soil in World War II, and he was a native son of Franklin.
The presentation was facilitated by Franklin’s Bicentennial Committee, in cooperation with Diane Boutier, board administrator in charge of U.S. relations, “Memorial du 19 Aout 1942,” Dieppe, France.
Boutier was the presenter of the program, which opened with welcomes from the town of Berwick, the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana, the St. Mary Parish School Board, Franklin’s Bicentennial Committee, and the City of Franklin.
Boutier said of Loustalot that even though he lived in Hammond at the time of his demise, he was born in Franklin, and his family home still stands at 203 Mechanic St.
She also said that a memorial to Loustalot is located in Dieppe, and there is an annual memorial observance every year on Aug. 19, the day of his death.
According to Boutier, Winston Churchill, prime minister of Great Britain during WWII, developed a plan to invade five deep water ports in German-occupied Northern France.
Churchill’s plan began with a trial run at Dieppe. This was Operation Jubilee, the disastrous allied raid of Dieppe.
Operation Jubilee consisted of 6,000 men comprised of Canadian volunteers, British Commandos, and 50 US Army Rangers, hand-picked for the mission.
Loustalot was aboard one of eight landing craft who were lost from their support fleet, and beat back a German battery to land on the beach at Dieppe.
After landing, Loustalot scaled a treacherous gulley, under heavy German fire, and was killed in action while rushing a German machine gun nest.
During the presentation, Boutier gifted several mementos to Loustalot’s family who were in attendance.
A memorial to Loustalot can be found on the southern side of the bayou, at the intersection of Willow Street (La. 3096) and Eastwood Drive.

Cervus-Hephaestus Queens’ Club social set

Plans have been finalized for the 2020 Cervus-Hephaestus Queens’ Club Social & Luncheon. The event will be held on Feb. 22 at Café Jo Jo’s in Morgan City.
Highlight of the social will be the club’s welcome of its newest member, Queen Hephaestus LIX Mary Frances Aucoin. Her mother Michelle Trapp will also be recognized.
Past queens are once again asked to extend an invitation to their mothers to join them for this special occasion.
As the krewe marks its 60th year, its queens will not only reflect on past balls and review the updated scrapbook, but also continue the tradition of Queens’ flags for the past queens of Cervus-Hephaestus.
Former queens desiring more information on the social should contact one of the group’s committee members, which includes Mary Ellen Ruiz Stegall, Margaret Melancon Bergeron, Grace Siracusa Guarisco and Adelaide Wise.
Club members urge past queens to gather and enjoy the Mardi Gras spirit in our community.

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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