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LARRY LEE WATSON

Larry Lee Watson, 84, a resident of Breaux Bridge, La., and native of Morgan City, La. departed this life on Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at 1:24 p.m. at Lafayette General Hospital surrounded by his loving family.
Visitation will be observed on Saturday September 28, 2019 at the Mt. Era Baptist Church 406 Lawrence Street Morgan City, La. from 12 Noon until funeral services at 2 p.m. Burial with full military honors will follow funeral services in the Morgan City Cemetery.
Larry was a veteran of the Unites States Air Force, receiving an Honorable Discharge.
Larry graduated in 1953 from Morgan City Colored High School. He then served several years in the United States Air Force. Throughout his career he worked for Patterson Truck Line, Kaiser Steel, and California Steel Inc. where he retired.
He leaves to cherish his memory, three children Shaunalyn C. Watson of Lafayette, La., Damon Paul Watson of Houston, TX, and Lori A. Watson of Breaux Bridge, La.; one aunt; six sisters Vera L Jones, Elyven M. Bobb, Patsy A. O’Gwin, Kathryn R. Thomas, and Helen M. Collins all of Morgan City, La., Mrs. Troy (Joyce E.) Matthews of Schriever La.; one brother Raymond Ruffin Sr. of Morgan City, La.; two sisters- in-law ; eleven grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; five god children, a special of group of people, his furry friend, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife; a daughter; father, mother; mother and father-in-laws; one sister, three brothers, four god-children; five brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family.

PETER BROWN

Mr. Peter Brown, age 66, a native of Baldwin, La. and a resident of Jeanerette, La., passed away on Saturday, September 14, 2019, in Jeanerette, La.
Visitation will be observed on Saturday, September 28, 2019 at Macedonia Baptist Church (145 Prevost Road, Ashton, La.) from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with Funeral Services also on Saturday, September 28, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. The Interment will take place in Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mr. Brown is survived by his wife: Rose Allen Brown, of New Iberia, La., (1) sister: Mrs. Gwendolyn Brown Jack of New Iberia, La., (5) brothers: Donald Ray (Carol St. Julien) Brown, of New Iberia, La., James (Monique) Brown of Delcambe, La., Russell (Rene) Brown, Therman Brown, and Herman Brown, Jr. all of Houston, Texas.
Officiating Minister: Rev Ulysses Mitchell, Jr. The OTIS MORTUARY, Inc. of Franklin, Louisiana is in charge of preparations.

3 cited in parish for alligators

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited three subjects for alleged alligator violations on Sept. 7 in St. Mary Parish.
According to LDWF, agents cited Johnny P. Templet, 64, and Patricia M. Templet, 62, both of Pierre Part, for removing alligator tags, failing to maintain required records, illegal possession of alligators or skins and intentional concealment of wildlife.
Agents also reportedly cited Patricia M. Templet for failing to comply with alligator parts tagging requirements. LDWF also said agents cited Ellery A. Mayon, 72, of Morgan City, for failing to tag alligator upon taking and taking more alligators than he had tags for.
LDWF agents say they received information on the night of Sept. 5 about an alligator buyer that was removing alligator tags and returning them to the hunter to be used on other alligators.
On the morning of Sept. 6, agents visited and questioned Patricia Templet at her place of business in Berwick about removing alligator tags and returning them to the hunter.
After questioning, agents say they determined that Patricia Templet acquired an 11-foot hide and nine-foot alligator hide and removed the tags and returned them to the hunter. Agents say they also learned that Patricia Templet did not document acquiring the hides in her records and that she had the hides buried on her property.
After finding where the two alligator hides were buried, agents also found a whole seven-foot alligator decomposing on the property.
Agents learned that Mayon had brought four alligators to Patricia Templet to sell, but since the seven-footer on the line had drowned, she didn’t want that one and removed the tag to return to Mayon. Then the owner of the business, Johnny Templet, put it in the back of his truck and threw it into the weeds where agents discovered the alligator.
Intentional concealment of wildlife brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Illegal possession of alligators or skins and failing to tag alligators upon taking each carries a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail for each offense. Failing to maintain required records brings a $250 to $500 fine, and up to 90 days in jail. Failing to comply with alligator parts tagging requirements, taking more alligators than you have tags, and removing alligator tags each carries a $100 to $350 fine and up to 60 days in jail for each offense.

Assuption Christmas Concert set

The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary will again present its annual Christmas Concert entitled “Lessons and Carols” on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 2p.m. at its Main Street, Franklin location, and invites the community to attend the free performance.
This presentation consists of the adult vocal choir, under the direction of Dexter Thibodeaux, and the handbell choir, under the direction of Dale Fangue.
The Church of the Assumption also announced that accompanying the choirs again this year will be guest musicians performing on trumpets, flute, violin, and tympani drums, as well as guest soprano Lanie Marcantel.
Performances of traditional and contemporary Christmas pieces, interspersed with the beautiful liturgical narrative of the birth of Christ, are sure to enhance the spirituality of the Christmas season.

'Million Fathers' set this Friday

Friday is National Million Father’s March Day.
Fathers and father figures are encouraged to escort their child or children to school to show support and involvement in their lives.
St. Mary/Vermilion CAA-Head Start is the early Louisiana school participating in this event.
The Million Fathers March is an opportunity for dads, uncles, grandfathers, coaches, mentors, clergy, men’s groups and organizations to show their commitment to the education lives of their children throughout the school year by escorting them to school on this day.
Head Start children will be escorted to their center by 7:45 a.m.
For more information, 337-828-5703.

Marsh and coast restoration planting

St. Mary Soil and Water Conservation held a marsh grass planting at Burns Point on Sept. 23. Along with volunteers the following agencies partnered with SWCD were the NRCS (Natural Resource Conservation Service), Farm Service Agency, St. Mary Parish 4-H, St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office-Marine Section, CCA Louisiana, Gulfcoast SWCD, Lafourche-Terrebonne SWCD, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Louisiana Department of Ag and Forestry, St. Mary Parish Goverment and Friends of the Teche. This project’s goal is to stabilize the shoreline of the bay. A total of 16,725 linear feet will be planted on three foot spacing with 5,575 plugs of smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora ‘Vermilion’) on the shoreline of East Cote Blanche Bay. The project will re-vegetate the shoreline of East Cote Blanche Bay to increase stability, lessen erosion, create a habitat for wildlife and provide a seed source for natural regeneration.

Morgan City man arrested on gun charge

A Morgan City officer found a Morgan City man carrying a concealed .380 semi-automatic handgun without a permit, Morgan City Police Chief James F. Blair said in a news release.
—Deondra Walker, 23, of Federal Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:21 p.m. Sunday on a charge of illegal carrying of a weapon.
An officer came into contact with Walker on Veterans Boulevard. Walker was found to have a .380 semi-automatic handgun concealed on his person. A computer check revealed Walker did not have a concealed handgun license. He was jailed.
Blair also stated that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 35 calls of service and the following arrests were made:
—David Tyronne Francois, 47, of Barrow Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:27 a.m. Monday on a warrant for a charge of driving under suspension. An officer came into contact with Francois on Gen. McArthur Street. A warrant check revealed the Morgan City Police Department held an active warrant for his arrest. He was jailed.
—Kalyn Renee Gros, 30, Pecan Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 5:11 p.m. Monday on a warrant for failure to appear. An officer came into contact with Gros in the area of Sixth Street and Fig Street. A warrant check revealed the 16th District Court held an active warrant for her arrest. She was jailed.
—Gabrieo C. Boulanger, 30, of Sixth Street in Patterson, was arrested at 1:52 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant for failure to appear. Boulanger was located at the Berwick Police Department on an active warrant held by the City Court of Morgan City. He was jailed.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that the Sheriff’s Office responded to 39 complaints and the following arrests were made:
—Brian Keith Johnson Sr., 26, of Byron Street in Baton Rouge, was arrested at 9:54 a.m. Monday on a warrant for failure to appear for revocation. A deputy working in booking at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center discovered that Johnson held an active warrant and booked him on the warrant. Johnson continues to be jailed.
—Ronald Lee Johnson, 60, of Everett Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:55 a.m. Monday for two active warrants for failure to provide notification as a sex offender and failure to pay annual registration fee. A deputy working in booking at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center discovered that Johnson held two active warrants and booked him on the warrant. Johnson continues to be jailed.
—Alexis Ledean Robertson, 34, of Eleventh Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 1:04 p.m. Monday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of operating a vehicle without a driver’s license, disobeying a traffic light, and failing to honor a written promise to appear. A deputy was approached by Robertson when she turned herself in for the active warrant. Robertson was arrested and released on a summons to appear Dec. 2.
—Kasidy Marie Hebert, 18, of Southeast Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 9:16 p.m. Monday for interfering with a law enforcement investigation and resisting arrest or officer. A deputy was assisting with a traffic stop on Field Road when Hebert approached the scene and refused to leave after being asked several times. As the deputies attempted to take her into custody she resisted. She was jailed with no bail set.
Patterson Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported the following arrests:
—Clara M. Drexler, 37, of Wedell Street in Patterson, was arrested at 11:12 p.m. Sunday on charges of possession of marijuana, failure to signal, suspended driver’s license, no insurance, and a warrant for Morgan City Police Department. She was jailed with no bond set.
—Mario T. Williams Jr.,20, of Wedell Street in Patterson was arrested at 11:12 p.m. Sunday on charges of illegal carrying of a weapon, resisting an officer by flight, possession of marijuana, and possession of a firearm with obliterated serial number. He was jailed with no bond set.
Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon reported the following arrest:
—David W. Stives, 30, of Patureau Drive in Morgan City, was arrested Friday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, obstruction of justice, driving under suspension, and driving on roadway laned for traffic. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division deputy on assignment observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation and initiated a stop of the vehicle.
The deputy observed the subject to be very agitated and had his fist closed on one hand. The deputy proceeded to detain the subject in consideration of officer/violator safety and an item fell to the ground from the closed fist. Upon retrieving the item, it was determined to contain suspected methamphetamine. The suspect, now identified as Stives, was jailed with no bond set.
Berwick Police Chief David Leonard Sr. reported there were no arrests.

TDT paddle race kicks off the first Friday in October

Tour du Teche 135 is an annual race for canoes, kayaks, pirogues and SUP’s along the entire length of Bayou Teche, a total of 135 miles.
It includes small sections of Bayou Courtableau and the Atchafalaya River. It’s a three-day staged race beginning the first Friday in October.
There are two classes of Tour du Teche 135: Pro Race, in which some of the fastest boats and paddlers from around the world vie for cash prizes; and Voyageur Race, or recreational, where the participants challenge themselves as well as each other for trophies, bragging rights and adventure. Voyageurs may opt for shorter races held in conjunction with Tour du Teche 135.
Tour du Teche 135 was begun in 2010 with the dual purpose of introducing the beautiful Teche Country to paddlers and other eco-tourists from beyond and to illustrate for its residents the recreational, aesthetic, cultural and economic value of Bayou Teche. Since the race’s inception, these two groups, visitors and local folk, have met and mingled in happy expositions of music and cuisine that give Tour du Teche 135 it’s reputation as moveable party as well as a tough series of paddle marathons.
Organizers say th atTour du Teche has been an economic engine for communities along Bayou Teche, a regional tourist attraction, and an effective program for promoting and protecting the bayou as a natural and cultural resource. Since the race began, Bayou Teche has been designated a National Paddle Trail by the U.S. Park Service and a National Water Trail by the U.S. Interior Department. The Chitimacha Nation has built a new park on the bayou. There are two commercial kayak liveries on the Teche, and government-funded kayak launch pads at various spots. The colorful boats are much more in evidence, in the water and on roof racks, and with them come a high grade of tourists, well-heeled and ecologically sensitive.
Locals too are taking more pride in Bayou Teche. The TECHE Project (www.techeproject.org), which spawned the Tour du Teche, conducts periodic clean-ups of the bayou. The City of St. Martinville has created a bayou-side park as a venue for festivals as well as a finish/start for the Tour. The Town of Leonville built a launch ramp that has become a focal point of the town. The City of Berwick has turned the Tour du Teche finish into its annual festival. We now have a launch ramps in many of the towns we visit. Breaux Bridge, Loreauville, New Iberia, Charenton, and Franklin have excellent viewings spots at the boat ramps, boat docks, and parks. Organizers say, “We’re linking the old steamboat towns together again.”

The last pin will fall soon

Bergeron is preparing to close Charlie's Lanes

On Saturday, Charlie’s Lanes will close its doors.
“Saturday night,” owner Charlie Bergeron said, “we will have jackpot bowling, give it all away. Then, turn out the lights. … It’s sad.”
Charlie’s Lanes is located at 7722 La. 182 East in Morgan City. Bergeron has been the owner for the last 12 years.
Bowling has had quite a history in Morgan City. “Most people don’t know the history here,” Bergeron said. “I wouldn’t know if I wasn’t involved.”
According to a historical survey that was compiled, edited and produced by John F. Rogers, bowling has been recorded in Morgan City as far back as 1875. In the July 10, 1875, newspaper Brashear News, an ad stated that Pierre Lahitte constructed a bowling alley and a platform for dancing on the New Road to Lake Palourde.
According to Rogers, modern bowling began in Morgan City on Sept. 20, 1940. It was a four-lane alley located at 217 Everett St., and it was owned by Maurice D. Shannon and Sam Citrano.
After that, M.D. Shannon Jr. and Frank Smith built a bowling alley on a quarter boat moored on Front Street. It was named Victory Bowling Alleys and opened on Feb. 14, 1942.
In the building that is today Cannata’s Family Market, 6010 La. 182, there was a restaurant, a bar/lounge, a ballroom and on March 21, 1942, a four-lane bowling alley. This business was called the Shell Inn Recreation.
Rogers writes that the Shell Inn closed early in 1952, and Morgan City was without local bowling until 1960.
In the spring of that year, five local businessmen — Frank Domino, C.J. Cutrone, Julian Fernandez, Ned Russo and Nick Russo — opened Keglers Lanes on the corner of Seventh and Greenwood streets.
Keglers Lanes was a 12-lane center and was an immediate success. Its success led the owners to build a larger establishment.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held July 5, 1961, for the building and on Jan. 13, 1962, the new 24-lane center opened. It was also named Keglers Lanes.
Keglers Lanes went through different owners, but kept the same name until 2007 when Bergeron purchased the building and business and changed the name to Charlie’s Lanes.
Bergeron didn’t just change the name. He remodeled and updated what was available.
“The lanes got automatic scoring,” Bergeron said. “We did the lanes over, put new carpet, we remodeled the whole place. We put pool tables and a bar upstairs. We have six pool tables. We catered mostly to our pool players upstairs.”
Bergeron also opened up to a new sport that local schools adopted. Morgan City, Central Catholic and Berwick high schools all used the bowling alley for practices and competition for their bowling teams.
“Losing the bowling alley for the youth is what bothers me the most,” Bergeron said. “For those that can’t play baseball, football, basketball, whatever, they can bowl.
“We had a lot of youth that wanted to bowl. We also had Special Olympics coming in October. We are hoping, for the youth, that someone might walk in tomorrow and want to keep the bowling center,” Bergeron said.
The decision to close was hard for Bergeron but “you can’t keep putting good money to bad. That’s what I decided because I did put good money to bad, and I can’t do it anymore.”
Bergeron said he saw the closure coming “with the economy, it’s not only Morgan City either, bowling around the nation is really slacking off, too. It’s a sad thing, but the older people are dying off and the younger people aren’t picking it up.
“In this little town, there is a lot of competition. Every weekend there is something going on in this town now. It’s not like it was years ago. The only thing to do then was to go to the show or go bowling. Now every weekend there is something going on. I’m not saying I don’t like all of that stuff, but it just puts people not coming to your place,” Bergeron said.
“So, I had to make a decision, and I made it. I’m not saying I like it,” Bergeron said. “I didn’t know the best route to go, but when I saw my numbers going down and down, well, I guess I was too late.”

Radio Logs for September 25

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.
Tuesday, Sept. 24
8:24 a.m. 500 block of Barrow Street; Medical emergency.
9:33 a.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Animal complaint.
10:15 a.m. 6200 block of La. 182; Accident.
10:53 a.m. Old Bridge westbound; Stalled vehicle.
11:36 a.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Accident.
11:55 a.m. 1100 block of Fourth Street; Complaint.
12:29 p.m. 700 block of Sixth Street; Found wallet.
2:24 p.m. 500 block of Fifth Street; Complaint.
2:25 p.m. 5000 block of Railroad Avenue; Medical emergency.
2:56 p.m. 200 block of Robin Street; Medical emergency.
4:29 p.m. 1800 block of East Garner Street; Alarm.
5:23 p.m. Fifth and Freret streets; Complaint.
5:31 p.m. 1100 block of Victor II Boulevard; Suspicious person.
6:10 p.m. U.S. 90 East; Stalled vehicle.
6:20 p.m. 300 block of Arizona Street; Accident.
6:26 p.m. 1200 block of Victor II Boulevard; Harassment.
6:33 p.m. La. 182 Bridge; Assistance.
6:55 p.m. 100 block of Brownell Street; Welfare check.
7:09 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Reckless driving.
7:10 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Reckless driving.
7:22 p.m. 600 block of Fifth Street; Welfare check.
8:34 p.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Harassment.
11:15 p.m.500 block of Freret Street; Loud noise.
Wednesday, Sept. 25
12:24 a.m. 600 block of Kentucky Street; Suspicious person.
12:59 a.m. 100 block of Eleventh Street; Animal.

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ST. MARY NOW

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