Submitted Photo
Central Catholic Elementary School fifth-grade students were treated to a presentation by Catherine Siracusa of St. Mary Parish, who spoke with the students about the Louisiana black bear. She gave information to students and teachers about the bears' habitat, lifespan, diet, and issues for local residents with regard to garbage and safety issues.
Submitted Photo
Central Catholic celebrated Catholic Schools Week Jan. 27- Feb. 2. Many activities were held including a Mass, a pep rally and a breakfast for public school educators and mayors. The elementary students celebrated with a Career Day in which students were invited to dress as what they want to be when they grow up. Pictured are third-graders Elizabeth Patterson as a ballerina, Preslie Henry as a teacher, Wyatt Aucoin as a geologist, Joseph Berry working for Berry Brothers, Maggie Bagwell as a stay-at-home mom and, in front, Parker Burroughs as a gamer and Luke Gros as a YouTuber.
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.
Wednesday, Feb. 13
9:21 a.m. 200 block of Wren Street; Trespassing.
9:35 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
10:08 a.m. 600 block of Main Street; Burglary.
10:13 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
10:25 a.m. U.S. 90 Bridge ; Assistance.
11:50 a.m. 800 block of Spruce Street; Welfare concern.
12:05 p.m. 200 block of South Railroad Avenue; Assistance.
12:35 p.m. 2400 block of Tiger Drive; Assistance.
12:47 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Theft.
12:57 p.m. 900 block of Fourth Street; Burglary.
2:04 p.m. 700 block of Maine Street; Assistance.
2:53 p.m. 600 block of Greenwood Street; Theft.
2:54 p.m. 700 block of Fourth Street; Assistance.
3:12 p.m. 900 block of Second Street; Burglary.
4:55 p.m. 600 block of Arenz Street; Warrant arrest.
5:07 p.m. 1400 block of Second Street; Reckless driving.
6:04 p.m. 1200 block of Victor II Boulevard; Telephone harassment.
6:10 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
6:20 p.m. 500 block of Orange Street; Disturbance.
6:32 p.m. 500 block of Orange Street; Medical.
7:31 p.m. Sandra Street; Reckless driver.
7:49 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Complaint.
8:12 p.m. 1100 block of Front Street; Complaint.
8:50 p.m. 1000 block of Clothilde Street; Complaint.
9:26 p.m. 3100 block of Karen Drive; Animal complaint.
9:45 p.m. Hickory Street and Veterans Boulevard; Complaint.
9:46 p.m. 200 block of Mallard Street; Complaint.
10:10 p.m. 200 block of Robin Street; Welfare concern.
10:23 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Reckless driver.
Thursday, Feb. 14
1:02 a.m. 700 block of Franklin Street; Complaint.
1:20 a.m. 7800 block of La. 182; Open door.
3:06 a.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Arrest.
Two Morgan City-area couples have been recognized among Louisiana’s longest married couples for Valentine’s Day.
Louisiana Family Forum announced its 2019 Marriage Hall of Fame, and it includes Ferris Romaire , 92, and Margaret Smith Romaire, 91, of Morgan City. The Romaires, who have been married over 72 years, are listed as the 10th longest married couple living in Louisiana based on submissions sent to the family forum. They married Nov. 24, 1946.
Paul L. Wilson Sr., 93, and Yvonne Williams Wilson, 91, who live in Siracusa Subdivision near Morgan City and have been married over 71 years, were named as honorable mention to the forum’s Marriage Hall of Fame. The Wilsons are the 13th longest married couple on the family forum’s list having married Oct. 6, 1947.
The organization honored Wallace Menard and Gladys Menard of Duson as the state’s longest married couple with a marriage of more than 80 years. The couple married Sept. 17, 1938.
The Daily Review featured both the Romaires and Wilsons in its 2018 Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival edition.
Ferris and Margaret Romaire have one son and three daughters, two daughters living, along with eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Paul and Yvonne Wilson have two daughters and six sons, four sons living, along with 20 grandchildren, 67 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren.
The Romaires attribute their long marriage to a variety of things, including staying active at Holy Cross Catholic Church and in the community, along with “good health” and “love of family.”
Ferris Romaire retired as vice president of E.J. Fields Machine Shop in 2002 after starting his career making 65 cents an hour. Margaret Romaire worked at a medical clinic in Morgan City to help put their children through college.
In the family forum’s article on the Marriage Hall of Fame, Margaret Romaire said activities such as walking gave both her and her husband time to think and led to the good health that has kept them together for seven decades. She also credits her husband’s help around the house with a happy marriage.
They met at Morgan City High School, and, in high school, Ferris used to routinely walk across the bridge from Morgan City to Berwick to get Margaret at her home and then go to the movies. He joined the Navy after graduating high school in 1944 and the couple courted for two years by mail.
The Romaires married about four months after Ferris was discharged from the Navy. They had a wedding ceremony that was so simple they had no photographs taken that day. So for their 70th anniversary in 2016, their granddaughter, Amanda Kleckley, set up a wedding-style photo shoot with photographer Lara Carter.
The key to the Wilsons’ over seven decades of marriage is understanding , Yvonne Wilson said.
As part of their 70th wedding anniversary celebration, the Wilsons received a proclamation and key to the city of Morgan City in 2017.
They belong to Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church in Morgan City, a church that Yvonne Wilson has attended her entire life. Yvonne is a Morgan City native, and Paul Wilson grew up in Patterson.
He was drafted into the Navy during World War II, served on the USS 357 in Europe and was part of the D-Day invasion when Allied forces invaded Normandy, France, at Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944.
The Wilsons met in 1946 during Yvonne Wilson’s senior year of high school at her prom. They share a love of music. Paul Wilson plays the keyboard, and Yvonne Wilson plays the piano. He plays music by ear, while she reads sheet music. Their favorite hymn, “Through It All,” sums up their bond of over seven decades.
Paul Wilson worked as a crane operator for many years in Morgan City. Yvonne Wilson worked as a substitute teacher and later completed correspondence training at a nursing school in Chicago.
Centerville upset Central Catholic 74-67 in District 7-1A boys basketball action in Morgan City Tuesday.
Centerville entered the game ranked No. 11 in Class 1A, while Central Catholic is ranked No. 2 in Division IV.
Centerville led 17-16 after a quarter, 38-31 at halftime and 52-43 after three periods of play.
The Eagles were plagued by free-throw shooting as they made just eight of 20 attempts in the ballgame.
However, Central Catholic did connect on seven three-pointers.
Brooks Thomas led four Eagles in double figures with 20 points. Other Central Catholic scorers were Davidyione Bias, 15; D.J. Lewis, 13; Elijah Swan, 10; Taylor Blanchard, seven; and Tyler Smith, two.
Central Catholic (19-9 overall, 2-2 in district) will close its regular season Friday when it travels to face Vermilion Catholic in district play.
MCHS tops
Vandebilt Catholic
Morgan City High School defeated Vandebilt Catholic 56-43 in District 7-4A action in Houma Tuesday.
Morgan City led 20-12 after a quarter, but Vandebilt outscored the visitors 8-4 in the second period to cut its deficit to 24-20 at halftime. Morgan City responded with an 18-14 third-quarter scoring advantage for a 42-34 lead after three quarters before outscoring the Terriers 14-9 in the final period.
Deondre Grogan led three Tigers in double figures with 19 points. Other Morgan City scorers were Devonta Grogan, 16; Nylan Francis, 11; Kerwin Francois, five; Leo Garrett, three; and Jared Singleton, two.
Morgan City connected on eight three-pointers in the win.
Morgan City (15-12, 4-1) will close its regular season Friday when it hosts Assumption in district action.
Berwick falls to
North Vermilion
The Berwick Panthers fell 60-41 to North Vermilion on the road in District 8-3A action Tuesday.
Blain Louviere led Berwick with 18 points, while Dayton Clark had 11 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Berwick (3-24, 2-9) will close its season Friday with a District 8-3A contest at David Thibodaux.
Ja'Bari Wilson, a senior at Cesar Chavez High School in Houston, signed his national letter of intent Feb. 6 to play college football at Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, Texas. Wilson received an academic and football scholarship. Seated, from left are his grandmother, Harriet Hilliard, and Wilson. Standing, from left, are his father, Lloyd Pete Wilson Jr.; his sister, Dey'ana Wilson and his mother Alicia Wilson. Ja'Bari Wilson's mother and grandmother are from Patterson.
A 37-year-old New Iberia man was charged with domestic abuse battery following an incident in Morgan City, Police Chief James Blair said in a news release.
The man, Dovanan J. Francisco, 37, of Robertson Street in New Iberia, was arrested at 1:56 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of domestic abuse battery.
Officers responded to a home on Wren Street regarding a domestic disturbance. Officers arrived, and Francisco was identified as a suspect and had allegedly committed a battery on the victim. Officers located Francisco and arrested him.
Blair reported that officers responded to 32 calls and reported the following arrests:
—Elzie R. Mason Jr., 44, of River Road in Berwick, was arrested at 3:20 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant charging him with probation violation. Mason was arrested at the police department on a city court warrant and jailed.
—Jose Angel Melendez, 32, of Sebby Lane in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 3:33 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant charging him with probation violation. Melendez was arrested at the police department on a city court warrant. Melendez was jailed.
—Herman Terrell Solone, 27, of Cardinal Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday on warrants charging him with failure to pay a probation fee, failure to pay a fine and failure to appear for arraignment.
Solone was transported from St. Mary Parish jail to the Morgan City Police Department on city court warrants.
—Blake J. Smith, 28, of Tiffany Street in Patterson, was arrested at 4:20 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant charging him with three counts of failure to pay fines and a charge of probation violation.
Smith was transported from St. Mary Parish jail to the Morgan City Police Department on a city court warrant.
—Shawana Marie Jones, 43, of Patterson, was arrested at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant charging her with failure to pay a fine.
Jones was transported from the Patterson Police Department to the Morgan City Police Department and booked on a Morgan City Court warrant.
—Damon Kyntrell Wallis, 22, of Houston, was arrested at 11:10 p.m. Tuesday on charges of no head lights, driving under suspension, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Wallis was involved in a traffic stop in the area of La. 182 and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. During the stop, Wallis was found in possession of suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia, Blair said. Wallis was jailed.
Patterson Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported the following arrest:
—Shawana Jones, 43, of Patterson, was arrested at 6:41 p.m. Tuesday on charges of two counts of stop sign violation and one count of driving under suspension. Jones was transported to the Morgan City Police Department.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that deputies responded to 17 complaints in the parish and reported no arrests in east St. Mary Parish.
Berwick Police Chief David Leonard Sr. reported no arrests.
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, Feb. 12
6:13 a.m. La. 70/U.S. 90 Junction; Stalled vehicle.
6:24 a.m. 1400 block of North Third Street; Suspicious person.
6:43 a.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Warrants.
7:25 a.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Complaint.
8:21 a.m. 2400 block of Apple Street; Complaint.
8:44 a.m. 1400 block of Victor II Boulevard; Medical emergency.
10:02 a.m. 1200 block of David Drive; Arrest.
12:13 p.m. La. 182 East; Reckless driver.
1:02 p.m. 200 block of Wren Street; Domestic disturbance.
3:44 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
3:48 p.m. 300 block of Wise Street; Assistance.
4:27 p.m. 2300 block of Federal Avenue; Suspicious vehicle.
4:29 p.m. 200 block of Mallard Street; Removal of subject.
6:09 p.m. 500 block of Franklin Street; Welfare check.
6:19 p.m. 800 block of Roderick Street; Medical.
6:41 p.m. 700 block of Federal Avenue; 911 hang up.
7:43 p.m. 1700 block of Dale Street; Complaint.
8:14 p.m. 500 block of Egle Street; Disturbance.
9:02 p.m. 900 block of Willard Street; Medical.
BERWICK — The town council focused on roads at Tuesday’s regular meeting. Residents got some good news and some bad news, and will continue to wait for what could be the best news of all.
The council also heard about the appointment of an assistant police chief and promotion of a detective and took the first step toward changing the time for its monthly meetings.
Berwick is waiting to see if it will get a $600,000 grant from the Louisiana Community Development Block Grant program. The money would fund improvements on streets around Berwick Elementary including Texas, Fourth, Fifth, Francis and Ehrlich.
The CDBG program distributes federal money. Consultant Angela Kraemer told the council Tuesday that state authorities have hesitated to make announcements because of the recent partial government shutdown.
But Kraemer said Berwick is still on the list of applicants with a chance of getting a grant.
The bad news went to Cathy Adams, a Fourth Street resident who said the street is in terrible condition.
“We’re tearing our vehicles up …,” Adams told council members. “Why can’t we get it fixed?”
The problem, Mayor Duval Arthur said, is that the street was never dedicated to the town government because it didn’t meet right of way requirements.
The town has done some patchwork, Adams said, and it helps for a few days. Town officials said they’ll see what they can do.
The good news went to Fourth Street resident Nolan Brashear, who said earlier work on the street raised its level enough to cause a drainage problem. He was afraid that planned overlay work would raise the street more, threatening to put water into his garage.
But officials told Brashear that the anticipated work will do more than just put pavement on top of pavement. Lower levels will be removed.
Also Tuesday:
—The council heard newly appointed Police Chief David Leonard name Jonathan “J.P.” Henry as assistant chief and promote Officer Ricky Dinger to detective.
—The council took the first step toward changing the time for the monthly second-Tuesday meetings to 6 p.m. from 7 p.m. If the bill introduced Tuesday follows the normal course, it would come up for final approval March 12 and go into effect for the April 9 meeting.
—The council authorized the mayor to enter a contract with Tent Cities Productions, the company that plans to film in the area for a TV series about ghosts that will appear on the Travel Channel. Patterson and Morgan City have also been approached about the filming.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Louisiana is having a severe flu season, with New Orleans and three nearby parishes getting the worst of it so far.
State health department official Frank Welch says that statewide, more than 8 percent of patients are reporting flu-like symptoms to their doctors.
More than 8 percent of patients are reporting flu-like symptoms to doctors statewide, making it a severe season, Frank Welch, medical director for the Louisiana Department of Health’s immunization program told The New Orleans Advocate.
He said the figure is above 10 percent in the region made up of Orleans, St. Bernard, Plaquemines and Jefferson parishes.
Those patients included Jillian Archer, her husband and their 2-year-old daughter. Archer said she had hoped her daughter’s fever was just a cold, but then all three came down with aches, fever, sore throats and chills. Archer said she and her husband had both had flu shots and were sick for only about a day, but their toddler — who hadn’t — was out of day-care for 2½ weeks.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend flu vaccinations for anyone at least 6 months old.
Welch said it’s not too late to get the shot.
Outside the immediate New Orleans area, Louisiana’s next-highest number for reports of flu-like illnesses are in northwest, central, and southeast Louisiana, where 5 to 10 percent of all patients reported them, according to a state report for the week ending Feb. 2.
That report, the most recent available, showed 2 to 5 percent of all patients reporting such symptoms in other parts of the state.
Welch said the season is not likely to get much worse and is much less active than last year’s, which he described as the worst he’d ever seen.
At its height, around 12 percent of people who went to the doctor last year had flu-like symptoms, Welch said, calling that number “just terrible.”
The two types of flu making up the highest numbers of reports are in this year’s vaccine, he said.
His advice: If you haven’t had this year’s vaccination, do so, because it will make recovery faster if you do get the virus.
And, he said, “If you think you have the flu, stay home.”
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