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CHEVIN MARK HEBERT

Fri, 10/11/2019 - 9:56am

Chevin Mark Hebert, a 61 year old life-long resident of Baldwin, La. passed away on October 6, 2019 at Terrebonne General Medical Center in Houma, La. following a brief illness.
Chevin was the son of Julius and the late Doris Hebert of Baldwin, La. Chevin enjoyed projects and any work that involved using his hands, because of this, he was known for his awesome mechanic and wood worker skills. In his free time Chevin could be found riding his motorcycle, something he loved to do. Chevin was an amazing father who lived his life to the fullest, enjoying every minute of it, leaving his family a beautiful legacy to treasure forever.
Those left to cherish Chevin’s memory are his father, Julius Hebert; two sisters, Charlean Kouman and Chyra Dantoni, one brother, Chris Hebert; two daughters, Charmain Hebert and Monica Hebert, a son-in-law Danny Robinson Jr.; three grandchildren, AnJelle Hebert, DaVontay Hebert, and DaShawn Blackburn.
Chevin is preceded in death by his brother Chanley Hebert and his mother Doris Hebert.
The family requests that a time of Memorial Visitation be observed on Monday October 14, 2019, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Hargrave Funeral Home.

ARTHUR LEE “CHARLIE BROWN” DUGAR

Fri, 10/11/2019 - 9:55am

Arthur Lee “Charlie Brown” Dugar, 76, a resident and native of Patterson, La., passed away on Friday September 27, 2019 at 8:19 a.m. at Teche Regional Medical Center in Morgan City, La.
Visitation will be observed on Saturday, October 12, 2019 from 1 p.m. until funeral services at 3 p.m. at the Zion Chapel AME Church, 1511 Cherry St. in Patterson, La.
Arthur leaves to cherish his memories: his wife Margreat of Houston Tx; his children Arthur Lee Dugar Jr., Lindsey Dugar and Samantha Dugar all of Houston Tx. and Laquana Hawkins of Patterson La.; six sisters, Wanda Faye Parks and Norma Lee West both of Houston Tx., Kearney W Hall of Patterson La., Phyllis Ann Guidry of Thibodaux La., Marie Naverro Lecompt and Ada Naverro Young of Lake Charles La.; three brothers, Bruce Augustine Sr. of Houston Tx., Wayne Williams Sr. and Leon Williams both of Patterson La.; two god-children; three devoted friends; eleven grandchildren, six great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends
Arthur was preceded in death by: his grandmother, his parents, his biological father; one daughter, one son; four brothers, three sisters, and his maternal and paternal grandparents.
Visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family.

ALFRED “CAVE MAN” HARRIS SR.

Fri, 10/11/2019 - 9:55am

Alfred “Cave Man” Harris Sr., 76, a resident of Morgan City, La. and native of Franklin, La., passed away on Sunday September 29, 2019 at 10:40 p.m. at Teche Regional Medical Center in Morgan City.
Visitation will be observed on Monday, October 14, 2019 at the Jones Funeral Home, 715 Sixth Street, Morgan City, La., from 9 a.m. until funeral services at 10 a.m.
Memories of Alfred will forever remain in the hearts of his children, Alfred Harris, Jr., Yolanda Harris Vital, Cynthia Sillmon, Carl Ray Harris, and Randell Maxie; one sister, Mrs. Timothy (Joyce Harris)-Matthews Sr. of Morgan City, La. and a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Alfred was preceded in death by his mother and father; five brothers, and one sister.
Visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family

LOIS MARIE STANSBURY

Fri, 10/11/2019 - 9:54am

Ms. Lois Marie Stansbury, age 65, a native of Franklin, La. and a resident of Houma, La. passed away on Wednesday, September 25, 2019, at Chateau Terrebonne Health Care in Houma, La.
Visitation will be observed on Saturday, October 12, 2019 at Little Zion Baptist Church (256 Prairie Road North, Verdunville, La.) from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Funeral Service will also be on Saturday at Little Zion Baptist Church at 11 a.m.
Ms. Stansbury, is survived by (1) Son: Mario E. (Jameana) Stansbury, of Omaha, Nebraska; (1) Brother: Michael Stansbury, of Thibodeaux, Louisiana; (5) Grandchildren and other relatives and friends. Officiating Minister: Pastor Mary Louise Stansbury.
The Otis Mortuary, Inc. of Franklin, La. is in charge of arrangements.

DIANA WASHINGTON HILL

Fri, 10/11/2019 - 9:53am

Diana Washington Hill, 73, a resident of Amelia, La. and native of Natalbany, La., passed away on Wednesday October 9, 2019 at 1:41 a.m. at her residence.
Visitation will be observed on Saturday, October 12, 2019 at Union Bethel AME Church, 956 Lake Palourde Road, Amelia, La., from 9 a.m. until funeral services at 2:30 p.m. Burial will follow services in the Union Bethel Church cemetery in Amelia, La.
Memories of Diana will forever remain in the hearts of her husband, Joseph Hill Sr. of Amelia, La.; two sons, Joseph (Stacey) Hill, Jr. of Aransas Pass, TX and Lavar J. (Jamie) Henderson of Gibson, La.; five daughters, Mrs. Perry (Barbara) Gaskins, JoAnne Harding, and Tiffany A. Hill all of Amelia,, La., Mrs. Landry (Lisa) Granger, Jr., of Pearland, TX, and Mrs. John (Kim) Davis Sr. of Patterson, La.; two sisters, Mrs. Michael (Brenda) Ledet and Joyce Washington of Morgan City, La.; two brothers, David Washington, Jr. and John Washington both of Morgan City, La.; twenty grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Diana was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, and two sisters.
Visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family.

Baldwin board hears complaints on railroad cars

Fri, 10/11/2019 - 9:52am

Baldwin’s board of aldermen convened Thursday for their regular monthly meeting with Baldwin Mayor Abel “Phil” Prejean at the Baldwin Community Center.
The bulk of the meeting consisted of public comments from concerned citizens regarding trains parking their cars on train tracks near residential neighborhoods.
According to the citizens, the carbon black leavings from the train cars contaminated the neighborhood site.
They said they previously met with railroad representatives to discuss the issue, and were told the cars would be parked at a distance from the neighborhood satisfactory to both parties’ interests.
However, they said that the train cars are again being parked around the neighborhood, and they asked the board and mayor to take action to rectify the problem.
The mayor said he would call the railroad company, but also urged the troubled citizens to call the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality themselves, to begin a more efficient and appropriate means of combatting the coal residue issue.
In other news, Baldwin Police Chief Harry Smith was approved the hiring of new full- and part-time officers; and the clarification of Denette Trahan as Town Clerk of Baldwin was approved to have happened on July 11.
It was announced that the town’s Trick-or-Treat hours are Oct. 31 from 5 to 8 p.m.
In new business, it was approved to render partial payment to Miller Engineers Inc. for their work on the Bayou Choupique Levee project.
A representative for the company reported that the project is on pace to reach its conclusion in early November, and also said that residents affected by surrounding road closures could see those roads open again as early as next week.
It was also approved to reduce the cost of the town’s DRA water tower project to $214,000.
Red Ribbon Week was proclaimed to take place Oct. 18 through Oct. 27, and it was announced that the Baldwin Beautification Club will hold its Holiday Bucket Drive on Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Resolutions of respect were approved for Lorraine Boudreaux and Lorraine Thibodeaux.

Parish resolution supports Red Ribbon Week

Fri, 10/11/2019 - 9:51am

Lena Henry, representing Red Ribbon Week locally, spoke to the St. Mary Parish Council about the upcoming event.
She said Red Ribbon Week is the oldest and largest anti-drug campaign in the United States since it was organized in 1988 and has reached millions of children.
“Red Ribbon Week is celebrated in October of every year through our schools and our communities,” Henry said. “To make them aware of alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention, as well as to kick off a year of prevention that promotes drug free lifestyles.”
Henry said in the parish Red Ribbon Week is Oct. 18-27. Events include:
—Oct. 18: Decorate day and a newspaper tabloid
—Oct. 19, a motorcade, Operation Red Light, throughout the parish.
—Oct. 20, a day of prayer
—Oct. 21, DARE, Wear Red Day
—Oct. 22, Caring for Cops Day
—Oct. 23, Wear Orange Day, Bully Free Day.
—Oct. 24, Tobacco Free Day
—Oct. 25, Domestic Violence Awareness, wear purple day
—Oct. 26, Parade of Schools, Zoo to Boo, Family Fun Day, Morgan City Petting Zoo
—Oct. 27, Day of Prayer
The council passed a proclamation declaring Oct. 18-27 as Red Ribbon Drug-Free Week.

UMCOR Sager Brown garden truly a community-wide effort

Fri, 10/11/2019 - 9:50am

UMCOR Sager Brown received donation of plants for its community garden Wednesday.
The St. Mary Chamber of Commerce’s “Chamber of Health” program under the auspice of the governor’s office matches with coalitions such as Fit, Fun & Fabulous serving St. Mary Parish.
“So we partner with them, because we all want to promote healthy living,” Chamber President Donna Meyer said. “This was a project that Dawn Kaiser-Melancon started, she met with UMCOR, and this is our third garden.”
Meyer said the produce is distributed to individuals on a list for free.
“Chambers promote healthy living,” she said. “If workers eat healthy, that means they come to work. So workforce development just gets better, and they go home and eat well with their kids.”
UMCOR Executive Director Amy Fuselier said she conceived the idea when she first took her post four years ago. “It was a way for us to engage our volunteers into activities and allow our communities to benefit from it,” she said. “I pitched the idea to (Associate Director Benny Druilhet)…he kinda fought me on it at first,” she noted. “Finally the Chamber and the Rotary Club came to us with the same idea, and we said we’d give it a shot.”
Fuselier, with Druilhet’s help as a home gardener, and other persons on campus, launched that first garden.
Druilhet said the monthly food distribution to low-income elderly is supplemented with the crops harvested.
The garden plot is a bit larger than that first endeavor. “It’s a little bigger than when we originally started,” he said. “The rows are a little longer and we’ve added about four rows since our first year. This is our third fall garden, we just did our third spring garden.”
The crops include corn, okra, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and beans in spring. Fall is cabbage, collard greens, broccoli, brussel sprouts, lettuce, mustard greens and turnips.
“We have a tractor to prepare the garden, but our volunteers actually do the work,” Druilhet said. “They’re going to put all those plants in the ground.”
Fuselier thanks the community, organizations businesses and individuals for their support from sponsors to the project.

Chairman Beadle: Opportunity to reduce tax burden

Fri, 10/11/2019 - 9:49am

St. Mary Parish Council Chairman Gabriel Beadle outlined a plan to reduce tax burdens for parish businesses.
“When I started four years ago, we had a budget of $44 million,” he said. “This council has streamlined that budget into $38 million. That’s a decrease of 33%. As a business owner, we’ve always contracted our companies the same way to alleviate the financial turmoil that many of us are going through.”
Beadle noted that the council has consolidated many of its boards. “Here’s my question,” Beadle went on. “How do we ensure that the savings that we give to these boards actually reach the taxpayers, reach the businesses, because that’s how change occurs.”
He said if each board can let loose of 10% of its fund balances, millages could decrease. “If all give back just 1 mill, that’s 10% that they give back to business owners,” he said. “We have people…frustrated, just pull up your news feed on Facebook. People in this parish are just frustrated about losing businesses and other businesses going other places. That’s the way you get businesses involved here: Streamline our tax structure, decrease our taxes to be more competitive with parishes that have a better tax structure and a lower tax rate than we do.”
Councilman Glen Hidalgo noted that the council can’t force boards and commissions to comply.
“All of us are getting hammered in that we’re not doing anything to save businesses here,” Beadle said.
Councilman Craig Mathews added that some districts are barely scraping by on available tax funds. “But there are others that can trim some of that fat,” he said. “Some members of those boards don’t have a keen understanding of the taxing structure.”
He suggested an informational program to demonstrate the issues and solutions.
Parish President David Hanagriff said the council can “do a better job, get these individuals that are on these board, don’t bring them on because they’re your buddies, because it’s a political favor or because you need a certain quota…put good, civic-minded persons on these boards, responsible people...if you have a bad board, it reflects on the council and the administration.”
Other items from Wednesday’s meeting included:
—Meeting dates were changed in November to the 13th and 20th, and December 11th and 18th.
—Ordinances introduced designating a 120-day waiting period before re-introducing an ordinance that has failed; and installation of a three-way stop at the intersection of Barrow and Percy streets in Amelia.
—An ordinance was passed for installation of a four-way stop at the intersection of Universe Boulevard and Saturn Road in Bayou Vista.
—Chairman Gabriel Beadle cautioned motorists to be aware of work being done on the US 90 bridge over the Atchafalaya River and to drive carefully.
—Resolutions were approved to request capital outlay fundings from the state for: Upgrades to Fairview Treament Center in Bayou Vista; installation of culverts and associated infrastructure at Middle Road in Bayou Vista for Gravity Sub-drainage District No. 1 of Gravity Drainage District No. 2; improvements at Harry P. Williams Memorial Airport; reconstruction of Flattown Road from Chitimacha Trail to Ralph Darden Parkway; Charenton Beach Road; construction of a training facility at the Port of West St. Mary’s Charenton Canal Industrial Park; replacement of ball field lighting at Kemper Williams Park; hard surfacing of the Atchafalaya Basin Levee Road from Charenton Beach to the St. Mary/Iberia Parish lines; construction of a new fire station for Fire Protection Dist. 11 in Four Corners; rehabilitation of the Morgan City Sheriff’s Office building to become the Sheriff’s Regional Operations and Training Center; installation of a video conferencing system and emergency power improvements at the courthouse; reconstruction of Martin Luther King Street to Creek Drive in Charenton; overlay of St. Peter Road to Admiral Doyle Drive; handicap accessibility and exterior and interior improvements to the former St. Mary Parish Tourist Building near Patterson; capital improvements and construction for St. Mary Parish Recreation Dist. 3, Bayou Vista; an amendment to professional services regarding Pump Station No. 2; a change order to Yokely Levee improvements, and a substantial completion certificate for the project.
—Appointments to the Atchafalaya Golf Course Commission were postponed to the next meeting; appointments to the Fire Protection Dist. 3 board in Amelia were Doyle P. Corrales and Bonnie S. Duhon (incumbent member); appointments to the Recreation Dist. 1 board were Janice R. Aucoin and Randy Bijeaux; and five vacancies to the Water and Sewer Commission No. 1, Amelia, appointments were tabled.

Births announced

Fri, 10/11/2019 - 8:51am

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Luis Wilfredo Perez (nee: Raigan Harden) of Patterson, a girl, Camdyn Milana Perez, on Sept. 3 at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center. She weighed 7 pounds, 11.46 ounces and measured 20.5 inches. —— Born to Kiara Monique Hawkins of Morgan City, a boy, Kyce Anthony Hawkins, on Sept. 10 at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center. He weighed 8 pounds, 13.2 ounces and measured 20.75 inches. —— Born to Pamela Marie Guillory of Morgan City and Jacolby Jamaal Fullwood of Patterson, a boy, Jacolby Jamaal Fullwood Jr., on Sept. 14 at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center. He weighed 7 pounds, 6.66 ounces and ...

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