Twelve people were injured Tuesday afternoon when a van and a car crashed on Franklin's Northwest Boulevard near U.S; 90
Franklin police and firefighters began responding shortly before 2 p.m. The injured were taken to hospitals in St. Mary and Lafayette, according to early reports.
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, May 22
8:06 a.m. 7500 block of La. 182; Animal complaint.
9:20 a.m. 100 block of Wren Street; Medical.
10:28 a.m. Federal Avenue/Everett Street; Vehicle Crash.
11:10 a.m. 3000 block of Keith Street; Welfare check.
11:14 a.m. Martin Luther King Boulevard; Complaint.
11:45 a.m. 200 block of Patton Street; Suspicious vehicle.
12:15 p.m. 2400 block of Apple Street; Disturbance.
12:26 p.m. 100 block of Eleventh Street; Theft.
12:39 p.m. 700 block of Terrebonne Street; Complaint.
12:59 p.m. 400 block of Pecos Street; Medical.
1:25 p.m. 300 block of Barrow Street; Complaint.
3:17 p.m. 900 block of Clothilde Street; Assistance.
3:26 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Reckless driver.
3:46 p.m. La. 70; Reckless driver.
4:08 p.m. 1200 block of Victor II Boulevard; Theft.
6:26 p.m. 6000 block of La. 182; Intel.
9:16 p.m. 800 block of Franklin Street; Medical.
10:45 p.m. 3000 block of Allison Street; Noise disturbance.
11:16 p.m. 200 block of Brashear Avenue; Stand by.
11:55 p.m. 500 block of Brashear Avenue; Mental.
Friday, May 23
2:59 a.m. Brashear Avenue/David Drive; Lost and found property.
3:45 a.m. La. 182 near Pacos; Assistance.
3:47 a.m. 6000 block of La. 182; Alarm.
8:07 a.m. U.S. 90 West; Reckless driver.
8:27 a.m. 1400 block of Filmore Street; Animal complaint.
8:40 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
10:12 a.m. 1400 block of North Third Street; Animal complaint.
10:16 a.m. 500 block of Federal Avenue; Frequent patrols.
10:19 a.m. 700 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard; Disturbance.
10:30 a.m. 1100 block of Birch Street; Complaint.
12:02 p.m. Railroad Avenue; Stolen vehicle.
12:50 p.m. 2400 block of Apple Street; Disturbance.
1:17 p.m. 10 block of Chennault Street; Criminal mischief.
2:09 p.m. 1500 block of North First Street; Complaint.
3:18 p.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Disturbance.
4:58 p.m. 7300 block of La. 182; Animal complaint.
5:12 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Suspicious person.
6:28 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
7:59 p.m. 100 block of Roderick Street; Medical.
8:20 p.m. 1000 block of Marguerite Street; Fire.
9:38 p.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Loud music.
10:41 p.m. 900 block of Palm Street; Complaint.
10:53 p.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Medical.
Saturday, May 24
1:33 a.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Arrest.
1:42 a.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Loud music.
4:59 a.m. 700 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard; Alarm.
8:12 a.m. 1000 block of Greenwood Street; Alarm.
10:02 a.m. 6600 block of La. 182; Assistance.
10:02 a.m. 500 block of Brashear Avenue; Assistance.
10:33 a.m. 700 block of Franklin Street; Complaint.
10:59 a.m. U.S. 90 East; Suspicious vehicle.
11:17 a.m. 600 block of Freret Street; Medical.
11:45 a.m. 600 block of Florida Street; Theft.
12:36 p.m. Arenz Street; Lost and found.
12:55 p.m. Chestnut/Roselawn drives; Complaint.
1:29 p.m. Federal Avenue On Ramp; Road blockage.
1:35 p.m. Brashear/Federal avenues; Stalled vehicle.
1:39 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Medical.
1:54 p.m. 800 block of Railroad Avenue; Medical.
2:31 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Inmate transport.
3:09 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
3:17 p.m. 1400 block of Railroad Avenue; Suspicious item.
6:04 p.m. Ninth Street/Brashear Avenue; Reckless operation.
6:59 p.m. 100 block of Brownell; Complaint.
8:07 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Medical.
8:29 p.m. 800 block of Youngs Road; Complaint.
8:41 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Stalled vehicle.
9:12 p.m. U.S. 90 East; Traffic incident.
9:23 p.m. 2300 block of Federal Avenue; Complaint.
9:33 p.m. 1200 block of Brashear Avenue; Alarm.
11:13 p.m. 1200 block of Brashear Avenue; Patrol.
11:59 p.m. 600 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard; Arrest.
Sunday, May 25
12:26 a.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Arrest.
12:27 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Theft.
12:49 a.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Assistance.
1:07 a.m. 7700 block of La. 182; Complaint.
1:12 a.m. 600 block of General Patton Street; Juvenile complaint.
1:17 a.m. 100 block of Wren Street; Medical.
2:36 a.m. 200 block of Arizona Street; Theft.
4:20 a.m. 700 block of Justa Street; Medical.
4:47 a.m. 1400 block of North Third Street; Medical.
6:40 a.m. 900 block of Sixth Street; Fire.
7:35 a.m. 1700 block of La. 70; Complaint.
8:02 a.m. 7800 block of La. 182; Animal complaint.
9:28 a.m. 400 block of Garber Street; Welfare concern.
12:12 p.m. 7500 block of La. 182; Alarm.
12:25 p.m. 500 block of Aucoin Street; Medical.
12:28 p.m. 300 block of Aucoin Street; Stand by.
12:43 p.m. 100 block of Mount Street; Complaint.
3:08 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
3:25 p.m. 1200 block of Victor II Boulevard; Complaint.
4:13 p.m. 8000 block of La. 182; Complaint.
5:00 p.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Disturbance.
5:19 p.m. 1400 block of Federal Avenue; Complaint.
6:30 p.m. 200 block of Amelia Street; Complaint.
7:25 p.m. Industrial; Arrest.
9:01 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
9:24 p.m. 2700 block of Sixth Street; Medical.
9:55 p.m. Sixth/Everett streets; Reckless operation.
10:12 p.m. 500 block of Bowman Street; Suspicious vehicle.
11:23 p.m. 200 block of Utah Street; Complaint.
Monday, May 26
12:21 a.m. 100 block of Glenwood Street; Animal complaint.
12:42 a.m. 500 block of Garber Street; Theft.
2:36 a.m. 300 block of Mallard Street; Telephone harassment.
5:54 a.m. 1400 block of Sandra Street; Alarm.
9:48 a.m. 700 block of David Drive; Disturbance.
10:04 a.m. 400 block of Canton Street; Assistance.
10:27 a.m. 700 block of Sixth Street; Disturbance.
10:29 a.m. 1000 block of Montana Street; Animal complaint.
11:28 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Medical.
11:32 a.m. 300 block of Laurel Street; Officer stand by.
12:16 p.m. 1000 block of La. 70; Vehicle accident.
12:51 p.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Telephone harassment.
1:16 p.m. 7000 block of La. 182; Commercial alarm.
2:51 p.m. 100 block of Mallard Street; 911 hang up.
3 p.m. 1100 block of Chester Bowles Street; Theft.
3:08 p.m. Lake End Park; Patrol request.
3:13 p.m. Glenwood/Roderick streets; Complaint.
4:03 p.m. 1100 block of Chester Bowles Street; Fight.
6:44 p.m. 100 block of Glenwood Street; Animal complaint.
7:38 p.m. 700 block of Sixth Street; Loud music.
7:47 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Medical.
8:34 p.m. 1000 block of Greenwood Street; Crash.
9:25 p.m. 6000 block of La. 182; Arrest.
9:45 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Reckless operation.
10:28 p.m. 300 block of Laurel Street; Complaint.
10:35 p.m. Freret Street; Complaint.
Tuesday, May 27
1 a.m. 500 block of Arenz Street; Medical.
1:14 a.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Animal complaint.
1:46 a.m. 800 block of Brashear Avenue; Alarm.
4:26 a.m. 1100 block of Railroad Avenue; Animal complaint.
State police have identified the Patterson resident killed in a Thursday crash in Iberville Parish.
Killed was Sky Valenciano, 31, of Patterson.
Louisiana State Police Troop A answered the call shortly before 3 p.m. Thursday to a single-vehicle crash on La. 77 near Jase Street.
The preliminary investigation revealed that Valenciano was driving a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer south on La. 77. For reasons still under investigation, the Chevrolet exited the roadway to the left and struck a utility pole.
Valenciano was unrestrained and was ejected from the vehicle. He was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries, state police said.
A front seat passenger in the Chevrolet was properly restrained and sustained only minor injuries. Impairment is not suspected at this time; however, a standard toxicology sample was taken and will be submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.
Troopers urge drivers to always make safe decisions behind the wheel: Never drive impaired, always wear a seat belt, and avoid distractions. Taking a few extra seconds to buckle up or slow down can be the difference between life and death, state police said.
Abbeville — A Mass of Christian Burial for Mrs. Sarahmae Giroir Gastal, 86, will be held at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church on Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 2:00 PM with Fr. Nicolas Dupre officiating. Burial will follow at St. Mary Magdalen Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at Frioux-David Funeral Home of Abbeville on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 from 3:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a recitation of the rosary at 7:00 PM. Visitation will resume on Thursday, May 29, 2025 from 8:00 AM until time of services.
A resident of Abbeville, Mrs. Sarahmae passed away on Saturday, May 24, 2025. She was born and raised in Assumption Parish, Bayou L’Ourse community. After the death of her husband, she went to nursing school, realizing she had the empathy to care for others. She was part of the 2nd graduating class for nursing school in Abbeville. She put her career on hold to raise her daughter. She started her career at Abbeville General Hospital and stayed there until she retired. She worked in all departments of the hospital but worked in the nursery/OB ward for the last twelve years of her employment. After retirement, she gave her time to take care of her family and friends.
She was an avid traveler. She traveled to all fifty states, as well as Mexico, all Providences of Canada a few times, and the Arctic Circle. She traveled to Rome for the 2000 Jubilee year and toured in Italy.
She was a member of the Ladies Altar Society, the Lay Carmelites, and was very active in the church. She cleaned the church in Esther for many years. She helped set up the Altar at the Vermilion Healthcare Center for the weekly mass. She would also dismantle the Altar and wash the linens. She was an avid reader, and for years she would collect children’s books and go to all the elementary schools in Vermilion Parish and read to the children and give them each a book to take home. She was a long-time member and treasurer of Les Domestiques and the VVFC (of which she was literacy chair of the Vermilion Volunteers for Family and Community).
Mrs. Sarahmae is survived by her daughter, Angela Gastal Bernard and her husband Louis of Abbeville; her sister, Gladys Giroir Solar; her godchildren, Rosalie Ann Solar LaSalle and her husband Clayton, and Ricky James Solar and his wife Keri; her nephew, Robbie Paul Giroir; her niece, Heather Giroir LaSalle and her husband Greg; and many more nieces and nephews; and her sister-in law, Mary Ann Guillory Giroir.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Leo Joseph Gastal; her parents, Augustine Andri and Gladys Landry Giroir; her special friend, John Bennett Trahan; her sisters, Louann Giroir, Rosalie Giroir, and Nellie Giroir Fontenot and her husband John; her brothers, Paul Augustin Giroir, and Norman Jude Giroir; her brother-in law, Robert Jacob Solar; her nephew, Neilly Fontenot; and her niece, Sherry Ann Fontenot.
Angela gives eternal gratitude to Rosalie for the care, kindness, and love she gave to her nanny for her end of life care.
Frioux-David Funeral Home of Abbeville, 2600 Charity St., (337) 893-3777 will be handling the arrangements.
Global trade in liquefied natural gas continued its upward climb in 2024, growing 2.4% to reach a record 411.2 million tons, according to the International Gas Union’s annual report.
North America solidified its position as the third-largest exporting region, increasing its exports by 4.11 million tons to reach 88.64 million tons. The United States accounted for the lion’s share of that growth, buoyed by increased production and the launch of new liquefaction units at the Plaquemines LNG facility in Louisiana.
Currently, U.S. liquefaction capacity sits at 97.5 million tons per year.
“Plaquemines LNG’s first four blocks (4.5 million tons per year) started up in 2024, with all trains expected to ramp up in 2025,” the report wrote. The report mentions the Woodside LNG terminal in Lake Charles, Louisiana, which would produce 16.5 metric tons per year. That alone would account for nearly 17% of all U.S. natural gas liquefaction capacity.
The U.S. maintained its lead as the world’s top LNG exporter in 2024, shipping out 88.4 metric tons−an increase of 3.89 metric tons compared to the previous year. Rising output from the U.S. and Russia, which added 2.16 metric tons, were key contributors to the nearly 10 metric tons jump in global LNG trade.
Liquefaction capacity worldwide also expanded in 2024, growing by 6.5 million tons per year to a total of 494.4 metric tons per year by the end of 2024. According to the report, the growth was largely driven by the commissioning of Plaquemines LNG’s first eight liquefaction units, which added 4.5 metric tons per year of capacity to the U.S. Gulf Coast.
The expansion of U.S. LNG capacity in 2024 was supported by a favorable political climate. One of President Donald Trump’s first actions after returning to office was to lift a pause on LNG export permits to non-free trade agreement countries, a policy originally implemented under the Biden administration.
The first project to receive conditional non-FTA approval under the resumed permitting process was Commonwealth LNG in Texas. According to the report, this could accelerate the sanctioning of up to 70 metric tons per year of U.S. LNG capacity that had previously been delayed.
Looking ahead, the pipeline of new LNG projects remains robust. As of the end of 2024, a staggering 1,121.9 metric tons per year of liquefaction capacity was in the pre-final investment decision (pre-FID) stage. North America continued to dominate proposed expansion plans, accounting for 648.4 metric tons per year of potential new capacity, with 366.9 metric tons per year located in the United States alone.
Geopolitical factors remain a wild card. IGU wonders about the Trump administration’s continued use of tariffs and trade restrictions and if they could complicate LNG market dynamics.
“[T]he global LNG market equilibrium is fragile and sensitive to uncertainties from both supply and demand sides,” IGU President Li Yalan wrote. “[C]onsiderable uncertainty in geopolitics, trade, and regulatory policy characterizes today’s energy landscape.”
Retaliatory measures from trading partners could dampen global demand or restrict U.S. access to key markets. Conversely, Trump’s easing of sanctions on Russia as part of his attempts to broker U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Ukraine-could bring limited volumes of Russian pipeline gas back to Europe.
“Depending on volumes, a comeback could reduce European LNG demand over an extended period and alter the global market balance,” the report said.
Submitted photo
Kim Willoughby of St. Mary Parish Recreation District No. 3, which serves the Bayou Vista area, spoke recently at a meeting of the Rotary Club of Morgan City. Shown from left are Rotarians Dean Duplantis and Bill Cefalu Sr., Willoughby, and Rotarian Scott Melancon.
Many correctional facilities and local jails in Louisiana reportedly lack sufficient procedures to comply with state laws when it comes to the treatment of incarcerated women, especially those who are pregnant.
There were 3,519 incarcerated women in the state as of July last year.
The Louisiana legislative auditor authored a report to assess the care of females in state correctional facilities and local jails. The audit found significant issues with how three facilities restrained pregnant women.
According to the independent auditor, at least three facilities used leg irons on pregnant and birthing women, which state law prohibits. Over 50% were not adhering to the limitation of restraints on pregnant women fully. Leg irons are physical restraints used in these facilities to limit leg movement. Many local incarceration centers, 75%, also failed to properly document the use of restraints on women carrying babies or give them their rights in writing related to the use of restraints.
Two facilities only provided pregnant women with OB care if an issue arose instead of on a routine basis. The auditor surveyed 44 women who had been pregnant while incarcerated. Of those women, 54% were not offered OB access.
Local jails throughout the state house 87.2% of the incarcerated women in Louisiana. None of these had adequate written procedures that included all state requirements for female incarceration.
“Incarcerated men in local jails receive more developmental opportunities than women,” said the independent auditor.
Also less accessible to incarcerated women are educational and vocational programming, recreational time and visitation during incarceration. The U.S. Department of Justice said these factors can limit reentry.
The LLA surveyed 38 local jails, and 22 said incarcerated women aren’t always given the same programming as male offenders, including GED or vocational classes.
Data shows that from 1980 to 2019, the number of incarcerated females has increased by over 700%. In Louisiana, 47 parishes have local jails for both pre-trial women and non-felony convictions.
Louisiana is among the states that have passed laws requiring specific things correctional facilities must provide for incarcerated women and incarcerated women who are pregnant.
In the DOC’s response, the agency said the issue lies in local jails, not state correctional facilities.
LSU celebrated its largest spring graduating class on May 16, with 5,431 students earning degrees in the spring semester.
This surpasses the previous record of 4,949 set in Spring 2024.
St. Mary residents receiving diplomas, with their degrees and any honors, were:
•Christian Cole Arias, Doctorate, Verdunville
•Carly Nicole Borne, Bachelors, Berwick
•Madeline Deborah Bourgeois, Bachelors, Berwick
•Landon Charles Broussard, Bachelors, Cum Laude, Berwick
•Chloe A Dupre, Bachelors, Jeanerette
•Ashlynn Elise Fitter, Bachelors, Berwick
•A’Myrie E Foulcard, Bachelors, Franklin
•Caroline Margaret Francis, Bachelors, Berwick
•Darby Mack Frickey III, Bachelors, Summa Cum Laude, Berwick
•Taylor Rene’ Hawkins, Bachelors, Baldwin
•Ashton C Landry, Doctorate, Franklin. St. Mary
•Madalyn Elizabeth Landry, Bachelors, Magna Cum Laude, Patterson
•Amber Marie Mora, Bachelors, Charenton
•Jordyn Sanaa Nesbitt, Bachelors, Morgan City
•Trace Anthony Reed Presley, Doctorate, Franklin
•Baylie Robin, Masters, Berwick
•Anthony Cosimo Saleme, Bachelors, Morgan City
•Leah R Stockstill, Bachelors, Morgan City
•Evan A Thomas, Bachelors, Berwick
•Michael Tran, Bachelors, Morgan City
•Abby Elizabeth Williams, Bachelors, Patterson
South Louisiana Community College celebrated a $30,000 investment from the Cabot Corporate Foundation to support scholarships for students in Evangeline Parish during a check presentation held May 14 at its Ville Platte Campus.
The grant will fund 15 scholarships over three years helping local students pursue career and technical education close to home.
“Cabot’s generous gift is more than a donation — it’s an investment in the people and potential of Evangeline Parish,” said Lana Fontenot, vice chancellor for institutional advancement and executive director of the Foundation for SoLAcc. “Scholarships like this open doors for students and build the kind of workforce that keeps our community strong.”
The scholarships will be available to students who enroll at the Ville Platte Campus, which offers a range of high-demand programs, including Medical Assistant, Practical Nursing, Welding, and College Credit courses such as Business, Criminal Justice, and General Studies (available online). The campus also provides HiSET (GED) preparation through Adult Education, as well as Workforce training programs like Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).
“At Cabot, we are committed to strengthening the communities where we live and work,” said Wayne Bordelon, Cabot facilities general manager.
“This partnership with SoLAcc helps create opportunity for Evangeline Parish residents while supporting the local economy.”
SoLAcc says it continues to expand its reach and impact across Acadiana by forging strategic partnerships with industry and community leaders who share its mission to transform lives through education.
Berwick Town Council photo
At its regular second-Tuesday meeting May 13, the Berwick Town Council gave Beacon Shines On recognition to Mya LaSalle of Berwick Elementary, the St. Mary Parish Public Schools District Elementary Student of the Year. Shown from left are council members Raymond Price and Colleen Askew, Mya, Mayor Duval Arthur, and council members Lud Henry and James Richard. Not present was council member Kevin Hebert.
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