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New Orleans port does record business in cargo containers

Wed, 01/22/2020 - 12:07pm

The Port of New Orleans moved more containers in 2019 than at any time in its history, totaling 648,538 20-foot equivalent units, up 10% compared to one year ago, the port authority said.
The record marks the sixth consecutive year the Port surpassed the half million TEU-mark at its Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal, which is operated by New Orleans Terminal and Ports America.
“Port NOLA has now seen double-digit growth in total container volumes for two consecutive years, primarily driven by the Panama Canal expansion, exports from Louisiana’s booming petrochemical industry and a growing market for imports,” said Brandy D. Christian, president and CEO of Port NOLA and CEO of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad Corp. “Additionally, these record container numbers are balanced by significant loaded import growth, up 12% in 2019.”
Louisiana’s only international container port also continues to expand its ocean carrier service network, a sign that the largest carriers in the world are confident in the Port NOLA gateway. The Port gained a new direct service to Asia when it welcomed MSC’s Lone Star Express weekly service in 2019. Maersk and ZIM partner on the new service which fortifies the Port’s direct connectivity with Far East markets and offers more shipping options for customers. This is the second direct-Asia service to New Orleans in addition to CMA CGM’s PEX 3 service with COSCO, Evergreen and OOCL as partners.
Port NOLA now features 12 weekly container services from three major global alliances as well as independent carriers, with direct connections to 60 global ports and more than 450 others through connecting services.
The container-on-barge service between Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Memphis continues to thrive and offers shippers an efficient and environmentally friendly option for moving their cargo. The service repositions containers from Memphis to Baton Rouge, where they are loaded with plastic resins and shipped by barge to Port NOLA to be loaded onto container ships for export to global markets.
Port NOLA continued to see visible results of alignment with the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad in 2019, a year after the Port’s acquisition of the short line railroad in 2018.
Intermodal growth was up 20% in 2019, fueled by the Kansas City Southern (KCS) direct service between New Orleans and Dallas. Intermodal services by CN Railroad into Memphis, Chicago, Detroit and Toronto and KCS’ weekly service into the Dallas-Fort Worth market are critical inland markets that continue to further grow volumes in New Orleans.
“Moving cargo between rail, river and road requires efficient coordination and a unified vision,” said Christian. “NOPB provides a significant competitive advantage and has resulted in true logistics integration of the New Orleans freight gateway.”
Port NOLA’s container volume growth warrants new infrastructure investments both in the near term and for the next generation. Port NOLA has embarked on a $100 million expansion plan that includes the procurement of four new 100-foot-gauge container gantry cranes and other enhancements to the container terminal. This investment will add significant capacity to the Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal and allows the Port to work larger ships more efficiently.
“These cranes will be Louisiana state assets that produce jobs, provide economic output and keep Port NOLA among the most competitive seaports in the Gulf,” said Christian. “An economic impact study found that just two additional cranes would create 1,147 jobs and $3.6 million in tax revenues for Louisiana.”
The new cranes are expected to be operational in mid-2021.
“Continued investment in existing and new assets will put us in the best position of any port in the Gulf to serve our ocean carriers and operators with personalized shipping and logistics options,” said Christian. “Our future is that of a state-of-the-art integrated gateway, that moves freight efficiently and meets the industry’s changing needs.”

Jeremy Alford:

Wed, 01/22/2020 - 12:05pm

By JEREMY ALFORD

If you like your state budget process peppered with uncertainty, drenched in politics, and caked with circumstance, then I have some tremendous news to share with you.
For the second year in a row, it’s unlikely that the Edwards administration will have a fully fleshed-out executive budget proposal for its Feb. 7 deadline. But don’t blame Gov. John Bel Edwards and his Division of Administration.
The hold up, once again, is with the Revenue Estimating Conference, which is a rather small panel of smart and influential people who are charged with determining how much money the state has coming in and, in turn, how much can be spent. There’s still no unanimous agreement amongst the REC’s four members on what these figures should be for the current and next fiscal years.
Even if the REC could have a meeting of the minds and settle on a set of numbers to complete the budget picture, there’s still a separate dispute lingering that involves the treasury’s annual transfers of unclaimed property cash to the state. Plus, lawmakers are in the process of taking over new leadership roles on the Legislature’s key money committees.
All of these factors could combine for yet another round of messy budget debates when legislators convene their regular session in March.
That much became evident last week when Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne announced the REC would again need to postpone what was supposed to be its latest meeting. In a press release, Dardenne “identified requests from legislative leadership as the reason for the postponement” and noted the next meeting date will be Jan. 31.
“The leadership of both houses asked for additional time to review the economic information, a request we agreed to,” he said. “I am optimistic that we’ll agree on a forecast at the upcoming meeting.”
There are a few notable changes to the REC in this new term of state government, beginning with Dardenne serving as chairman of the four-member panel for the 2020 calendar year. The presiding officers of both chambers, or their designees, have seats on the REC as well, with Schexnayder and Senate President Page Cortez making their first appearances on the panel.
But arguably the most important role on the REC belongs to the member who by law must be an economist (or rather an “ expertise in forecasting revenue”). After a three decade tenure, Dr. Jim Richardson of Louisiana State University has stepped down from the REC and has been replaced by economist Stephen Barnes, the founding director of the Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center at UL-Lafayette and the former director of LSU’s Economics and Policy Research Group.
Richardson was long considered a non-elected voice of reason, and eyes will be trained on Barnes this term as he hopefully develops into a similar voice. There’s already enough politics involved with the panel and its decisions, so it’s always refreshing to see an independent spirit thriving in the process.
In recent years House Republicans have made it a practice to block revenue estimates, as a means to supposedly controlling spending, even as administration officials urged them to consider the loads of new income that recent tax changes have yielded. At certain times last term, former House Speaker Taylor Barras sent a designee to REC meetings in his place, which is allowable but rarely seen. Whether Schexnayder follows suit remains to be seen.
Inside the rails of the Legislature, administration officials, lobbyists and others are trying to size up the landscape across the Legislature’s money committees, all of which will have new chairmen this term. Sen. Bodi White, R-Central, has been appointed as chair the Finance Committee and Sen. Bret Allain, R-Franklin, is the new choice for the Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee. As for the House Appropriations Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee, there’s been a lot of chatter about those gavels going to either Reps. Stuart Bishop, R-Lafayette; Paula Davis, R-Baton Rouge; or Rep. Stephen Dwight, R-Lake Charles.
Outside of those rails, Treasurer John Schroder is also refusing to transfer what could be in excess of $20 million in unclaimed property money that the Edwards administration wants to continue using in the state budget. Schroder, who’s interested in creating a fund for local infrastructure with the cash, has argued the law doesn’t allow for such transfers. Administration hands, however, seem poised to file suit over the question. The editorial board at The American Press in Lake Charles likes the sound of that, and recently opined on the matter: “Take it to court and get a decision.”
That’s not a bad idea. Let’s just hope it won’t be the only budget-related decision that emerges this year.
For more Louisiana political news, visit www.
LaPolitics.com or follow Alford onTwitter@
LaPoliticsNow

LeBlanc named Nicholls Special Teams MVP

Wed, 01/22/2020 - 11:31am

Nicholls redshirt senior football player Garret LeBlanc was honored at the team's awards banquet recently as he was named this season's Special Teams MVP. LeBlanc is a Central Catholic High School graduate. Presenting him his award is Nicholls head football coach Tim Rebowe.

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Adonis ball is Saturday

Wed, 01/22/2020 - 10:52am

The men’s Krewe of Adonis kicks off Carnival with its 45th ball at 8 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium. Floor seating is invitation only. Making a farewell appearance will be King and Queen Adonis XLIV Steven and Millie Minvielle. Adonis will hold the area’s only nighttime parade at 7 p.m. Feb. 21 in Morgan City.

Things to know about making wills

Wed, 01/22/2020 - 10:34am

Drafting a last will and testament is an essential component of estate planning. Despite the importance of having a will, a recent survey from AARP found that two out of five Americans over the age of 45 do not have one.
Putting wishes down on paper helps avoid unnecessary work and sometimes heartache upon the death of a loved one. Wills allow heirs to act with the decedent’s wishes in mind, and can ensure that assets and possessions will end up in the right hands.
Estate planning can be tricky, which is why many people turn to attorneys to get the job done right. Attorneys who specialize in estate planning will no doubt discuss the following topics with their clients.
—Assets owned: Make a list of known assets and figure out which assets are covered by the will and which will have to be passed on according to other estate laws, such as through joint tenancy on a deed or a living trust. For example, life insurance policies or retirement plan proceeds will be distributed to your named beneficiaries. A will also can cover other assets, such as photographs, clothing, cars and jewelry.
—Guardianship: Parents’ wills should include a declaration of who they want to become guardians to their underage children or dependents.
—Pets: Some people prefer to use their will to also dictate guardianship for their pets and to leave money or property to help care for those pets. However, pets do not have the legal capacity to own property, so one shouldn’t gift money directly to pets in a will.
—Funeral instructions: Settling probate will not happen until after the funeral. Therefore, funeral wishes in a will often go unnoticed, states the legal advisement resource Find Law.
—Executor: An executor is a trusted person who will carry out the terms of the will. This person should be willing to serve and be capable of executing the will.
People who die without a valid will become intestate. This means the estate will be settled based on the laws of where that person lived, and a court-appointed administrator will serve in the capacity to transfer property.
This administrator will be bound by laws and may make decisions that go against the decedent’s wishes. To avoid this outcome, a will and other estate planning documents are crucial.

Man with cheating history caught on ‘hook-up’ sites

Wed, 01/22/2020 - 10:30am

DEAR ABBY: I just found out my husband of 18 years has been going to “hook-up” websites. He says he was just looking at the pictures, but I don’t believe him. I have caught him cheating twice in the past, so it’s hard to trust him. My problem is, he knows I can’t leave him because I have no job, no skills, no money — nothing. I went right from my parents’ house to living with him after our wedding. We have six kids and one on the way. He will continue to go to these websites because he knows ...

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Morgan City High tools up for job training

Wed, 01/22/2020 - 9:58am

JACLYN BREAUX

jbreaux@daily-review.com

Train local, stay local.
This is the idea that Dr. Buffy Fegenbush, Supervisor of High School Instruction and Career, Technical and Alternative Education for St. Mary Parish schools, used to describe the career trade programs being offered at Morgan City High School and South Louisiana Community College to high school students across the parish.
The 2019-20 school year saw the on-campus welding program return to Morgan City High School.
“Welding was a program that we had for many years, but it left Morgan City High and we actually bused our kids to SLCC for the past 18 years,” Mickey Fabre, principal of Morgan City High School said in an interview Tuesday.
“This year, Dr. Fegenbush was instrumental in bringing it back to Morgan City High School, so we got a welding instructor, we revamped our facilities with new welding machines, new bays, brand new workstations, everything back there is first class now,” Fabre said.
The option to take welding from a certified instructor is offered to students at Morgan City High, Berwick High and Patterson High schools during the school day on the Morgan City High School campus. The program can enroll a total of 45 students from the three schools.
Students can also take advantage of a partnership St. Mary Parish Schools has made with South Louisiana College creating a night class to be offered allowing students to earn higher credentials. The class begins Monday and will end in May.
“We have approximately 20 kids total, 13 from Morgan City High and seven from Berwick/Patterson High that are enrolled in a night program where our welding instructor here will go to teach a night class at SLCC,” Fabre said. “This is so our students can earn a Level II welding certification this year.”
The night class takes place 5:30-8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
“It’s a huge commitment for the students and the instructor because they are going to school during the day and making that night commitment, but that is something they understand,” Fegenbush said.
“The program is paid for. It’s a $2,500 program plus a $350 tool kit fee, but all expenses will be paid for local high school students that agree to go through the program,” Fegenbush said.
Fegenbush was able to work with South Louisiana Community College for more than just welding.
“Water survival and rigging is a program I am working with SLCC that is going to be offered across the district,” Fegenbush said.
This program will be open to all high school students across the district who are part of welding or carpentry and meet the requirements beginning in February.
“It is a two-day training and this is two basic industry certifications that you need to go to work in the offshore industry,” Fegenbush said. “Our students that are 18 years old that finish the program will also get a TWIC card so they will be work ready when they exit high school.”
For the senior class this year, a machinist program will be offered starting this summer.
“This is going to be only for those that recently graduated because once they finish the agreement with the industry, the idea is that they will be ready to go straight to work because they are in need of employees at this time, but next year our goal is to make it a full-year course for those current seniors,” Fegenbush said.
The machinist program will be open across the district for graduating seniors, but it will be an application process. All of the machinist courses will take place on the South Louisiana Community College campus.
“The industry actually came to us and said there are no workers out there for us to hire and how can we team with the schools to make this happen,” Fabre said. “So Dr. Fegenbush and I went to the SLCC campus and toured the facility, we discussed how can we make this work for our kids.”
In November, Scott Tudury, owner of APEX CNC, approached Fabre, explaining that machine shops across St. Mary Parish were struggling to find skilled labor. The machinist program that existed before at South Louisiana Community College is closed, therefore people do not have access to local training and are not entering the profession.
“It’s a partnership between SLCC, St. Mary Parish School Board and local industry to bring this training back, so it is a win-win for everybody,” Fabre said. “We are hoping that once we lift the locks off those doors at SLCC that it is a program that continues not just for Morgan City High School, but for our community because there is a need for those skilled workers.”
The machinist program will be available May-August and will serve 10-15 graduates. Tuition and materials will be paid and students will receive a stipend of $100 per week while training. All who complete the program this summer are guaranteed a job at one of the local machine shops.
Morgan City High School also has a culinary arts program called the Prostart Culinary Arts/ Restaurant Management Program that is sponsored by the National Restaurant Association. But the current equipment in the school is more what would be found in homes, and the program requires commercial grade equipment.
South Louisiana Community College has a facility with commercial kitchen equipment that was not being used and agreed to partner with Morgan City High School to offer the opportunity for the students to work in a commercial kitchen, similar to what would be found in restaurants or hotels.
Starting in the 2020-21 school year, students can enroll in the two-block course and will be taken by bus to SLCC.
“H & B Young Founda-tion is another instrumental part in making all these things happen for us because they want to support our community and they are a big supporter of Morgan City High School,” Fabre said. “And with this partnership with SLCC we are hoping that a closed facility now becomes open, not just for our high school students, but for the community as a whole.
“We are hoping that we are a catalyst, that by opening up these programs that community members can go and learn a skill and stay right here in St. Mary Parish and benefit our local economy and live and thrive in our community.”

K9 Chara aids in drug arrest of Patterson woman

Wed, 01/22/2020 - 9:49am

Staff Report

A K-9 deputy made a traffic stop and the K9 alerted the deputy to drugs, leading to the arrest of a Patterson woman with MDMA and meth, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith said in a news release.
—Diedra Louise Martin, 46, of Williams Street in Patterson, was arrested at 2:27 p.m. Friday on charges of possession of a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance (MDMA), possession of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute (methamphetamine), driving under suspension and possession of drug paraphernalia.
A K-9 deputy was stationary on Lake Palourde Road near Friendship Alley when he observed a vehicle being driven by Martin, who he knew had a suspended license. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver.
Dispatch confirmed that Martin’s license was suspended. K9 Chara was deployed to conduct an open-air sniff and showed an odor response to the vehicle. Methamphetamine, MDMA and drug paraphernalia were found. She was jailed with bail set at $13,500.
Smith also advised that the Sheriff’s office responded to 132 complaints and the following arrests were made:
—Reginald Howard Layton, 40, of Rod Lane in Baldwin, was arrested at 1:39 a.m. Saturday for charges of driving under suspension and no proper equipment. He was released on a summons to appear on May 1.
—Anthony Javonte Harris, 24, of Arizona Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:41 a.m. Friday for a Morgan City Police Department warrant on the charge of contempt of court-fine. He was jailed and is being held for another agency.
—Johnny Freeman Jr., 68, of St. Joseph Lane in Franklin, was arrested at 12:01 p.m. Friday on two warrants for failure to appear on the charge of operating a vehicle while license is uspended/revoked/canceled. He was jailed and later released on a $1,500 bond.
—Seantelle Marie Treto, 34, of Belanger Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 5:36 p.m. Friday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of improper lane usage and failure to honor written promise to appear. She was jailed with bail set at $350.
—Daniel David Ramirez, 44, of Arlington Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 5:59 a.m. Friday on the charge of disturbing the peace-intoxicated.
He was released on a summons to appear on May 1.
—Tiara S. Willis, 22, of Canal Drive in Franklin, was arrested at 11:16 a.m. Saturday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of speeding, window tint/obstructing windshield/window view, and failure to honor written promise to appear.
She was jailed and later released on a $395 bond.
—Yvette Ann Perry, 46, of Willow Street in Franklin, was arrested at 2:45 p.m. Saturday on a charge of theft. She was released on a summons to appear on May 1.
—Brandi Nicole Johnson, 26, of Joey Street in Patterson, was arrested at 8:57 a.m. Sunday on charges of driving under suspension and careless operation. She was jailed and later released on a $1,500 bond.
—John Trevon Jones, 29, of Bray Street in Franklin, was arrested at 1:44 a.m. Sunday on charges of simple battery and disturbing the peace by language. He was jailed and later released on a $2,500 bond.
—Shana Sherice Jones, 29, of Bray Street in Franklin, was arrested at 1:44 a.m. Sunday on charges of simple battery and disturbing the peace by language. She was jailed and later released on a $500 bond.
—Melvin Francis Duval Jr., 54, of Pluto Street in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 8:49 a.m. Sunday on a charge of disturbing the peace by language. He was released on a summons to appear on May 1.
—Jennifer L. Carmody, 34, of Lincoln Street in Patterson, was arrested at 10:13 a.m. Sunday on a charge of driving under suspension. She was released on a summons to appear on May 1.
—Matthew Blanks, 38, of Iberia Street in Franklin, was arrested at 10:51 a.m. Sunday on charges of no proper equipment, illegal tinted windows, aggravated flight from officer, aggravated obstruction of highway and open container. He was jailed with no bail set.
—Juvenile male, 15, of Patterson, was arrested at 11:03 a.m. Monday on a charge of possession of marijuana. The juvenile was released to a guardian pending juvenile court proceedings.
—Derick Labry Jr., 20, of Hunting Road in Franklin, was arrested at 11:34 a.m. Monday on charges of turning movements and required signals, driver must be licensed, and possession of marijuana. He was released on a summons to appear on May 1.
—Rashard C. Harvey, 33, of Maid Marion Drive in Pascagoula, MS, was arrested at 10:31 p.m. Monday on charges of no license plate light and possession of marijuana. He was released on a summons to appear on May 1.
—Evan Gage Perkins, 24, of Prairie Road Circle in Franklin, was arrested at 1:25 a.m. Tuesday on a charge of possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance. He was jailed with bail set at $1,500.
—Grant Robinson Ellis, 21, of Aston Avenue in Baton Rouge, was arrested at 1:25 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, possession of a Schedule IV controlled dangerous substance, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and improper lane usage. He was jailed with bail set at $5,000.
Morgan City Police Chief James F. Blair reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 132 calls of service and the following arrests were made:
—Wallace J Williams, 50, of La. 70 in Pierre Part, was arrested at 10 a.m. Friday on a warrant for four counts failure to appear. Williams was located at St. Mary Law Enforcement Center and placed under arrest on active warrants held by the City Court of Morgan City. He was jailed.
—Anthony Javonte Harris, 24, of Arizona Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 2 p.m. Saturday on a warrant for contempt of court. Harris was located at St. Mary Law Enforcement Center and placed under arrest on active warrants held by the City Court of Morgan City. He was jailed.
—Melynda Webster, 50, of Cypress Street in Berwick, was arrested at 7:20 p.m. Saturday on a warrant for the charge of defamation.
Officers came into contact with Webster on La. 182. A warrant check revealed the Morgan City Police Department held an active warrant for her arrest.
The warrant stems from a complaint filed with the Morgan City Police Department on Dec. 21, 2019. She was jailed.
—Edward Guy Delone Jr., 46, of Carl Foulcard Drive in Franklin, was arrested at 8:17 a.m. Saturday for a charge of theft under $1,000. Officers were called to a local business on La.182 about a shoplifter in the store.
The caller advised the shoplifter fled the store on foot when confronted by management.
Officers were able to locate and detain the shoplifter in the area of Eight Street and Willard Street.
He was identified as Delone.
The store management witnessed Delone conceal several items of merchandise valued at $51.75 on his person while in the store.
When Delone was confronted by management, he fled on foot. He was jailed.
—Juston Marshall Blake, 42, of La. 182 in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:42 p.m. Saturday on a warrant for failure to appear.
Officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of La. 182 and La. 70.
During the traffic stop, officers identified Blake as a passenger in the vehicle.
A warrant check revealed the City Court of Morgan City held an active warrant for his arrest. He was jailed.
—Jeremy Jarrod Watson, 32, of Maple Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 4:29 p.m. Sunday on a warrant for failure to appear.
Watson was located at the Patterson Police Department and placed under arrest on active warrants held by the City Court of Morgan City. He was jailed.
—Skilan Ariel Gros, 26, of Greenleaf Boulevard in Bayou L’Ourse, was arrested at 5:16 p.m. Monday on warrants for the charges of improper lane usage and possession with the intent to distribute synthetic marijuana. Officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of La.182 and La. 70. Gros was identified as the driver.
A warrant check revealed the Morgan City Police Department held an active warrant for her arrest.
The warrant stems from an investigation conducted by the Morgan City Police Department on Sept. 4, 2019. She was jailed.
—Joseph Jerome Jessie, 40, of Utah Street in Berwick, as arrested at 11:35 p.m. Monday on a warrant for 11 counts of failure to appear. Jessie was surrendered to the Morgan City Police Department by a Fugitive Recovery Agency on an active warrant held by City Court of Morgan City. He was jailed.
Patterson Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported the following arrests:
—DeaZhone Davon Baker, 25, of Ninth Street in Franklin, was arrested at 1:05 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant for another jurisdiction. He was jailed with a $500 bond.
Berwick Police Chief David Leonard Sr. reported there were no arrests.

Franklin observes Martin L uther King Jr. Day

Wed, 01/22/2020 - 9:46am

Franklin Mayor Eugene Foulcard, local officials, Martin Luther King Jr. committee members and religious officials met at the newly restored MLK Jr. memorial Monday at the intersection of MLK Jr. Boulevard and First Street in Franklin, to commemorate new protective barriers at the memorial site and the return of the memorial. Diane Wiltz, Franklin Merchants Association, said, “We are asking the entire community to please respect it. We love it. We think it brings honor to this boulevard. So, we are asking all the neighbors and the whole community to please take care of it. Bring your people to come and look at it, and respect it.” Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, a motorcade traveled to Triune Church of God in Christ, where a ceremony took place in remembrance of MLK Jr. and his legacy.

BLAIR D. PATRICK

Wed, 01/22/2020 - 9:44am

Dec. 31, 1961 – Jan. 5, 2020
Blair D. Patrick, died Jan. 5, 2020 at 1:31 p.m. at his residence.
He is survived by his wife, Martha Ashley Patrick; a daughter, Dana Mae Patrick; a stepson, Louis Ashley and his wife Tena; grandchildren Cody, Caitlin and Caylie; his mother, Saunda Patrick of Canada; father, Robert Patrick and his wife Bonnie of California; a brother, Roy Patrick of Canada, and a sister, Jill Patrick.
A memorial will be held at a later date.