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CAA holiday closings

Wed, 12/19/2018 - 9:34am

St. Mary CAA/Head Start will be closed the following days for Christmas:
—Friday, Dec. 21, 2018 – Central Office Closed
—Monday, Dec. 24, Christmas Eve
—Tuesday, Dec. 25, Christmas Day (Transportation will run normal business hours)
All other CAA staff will return to work on Thursday, Dec. 27 at normal business hours.
The agency will be closed on the following days in observance of the New Year’s holidays:
—Monday, Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve
—Tuesday, Jan. 1, New Year’s Day
—Wednesday, Jan. 2, office closed
The transportation department will still be running on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2 respectively.
All other CAA staff will return back to work Thursday, Jan. 3 at normal business hours.

Christmas Tour of Homes

Wed, 12/19/2018 - 9:33am

The City of Franklin’s “Christmas Tour of Homes” was held Sunday. Visitors from within the area and from afar toured the six homes open for the day. The homes on the tour included: Albania Plantation, owned by Hunt Slonem, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places; The Barn at Adeline, owned by Ted and Walteen Broussard; Bittersweet, owned by Dana and Ginger Louviere and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places; The Gates-Bell House, owned by Susan Patout; 1894 Center Hall, owned by Dr. Donna Tesi; and Shadowlawn, owned by St. Mary Chapter Louisiana Landmarks Society. (More Photos Page in today's print issue of the Banner-Tribune)
The Banner-Tribune/ROGER EMILE STOUFF

Morris Beverly is new Franklin chief

Wed, 12/19/2018 - 9:31am

Morris Beverly was appointed Franklin police chief Tuesday at the city council meeting.
Mayor Eugene Foulcard reported Beverly is a retired, 32-year veteran of the Louisiana State Police department, and said of Beverly, “I look forward to the future of his leading this police department. I feel that he will serve the city well and bring a newfound respect to the police department.”
Foulcard said that he had “thought long and hard, and prayed” on the appointment of Beverly, adding, “I think that there is currently a great group of officers there (FPD) and I know that Morris Beverly will work well with those officers, department and staff.
“I think it is very important that the members of the police department have a good relationship with the citizens of Franklin in order to better serve them. It should be a relationship that offers mutual respect from the citizens as well as the officers. It’s a two-way street. I think respect is earned on both sides and I look forward to those officers working with our new chief.”
He continued, “I would also like to commend Interim Chief Tina Thibodeaux for the excellent work she has done from July to now. She served us well and I look forward to working with her as the assistant chief and also as captain of the police department.”
Foulcard closed by stating that Beverly will earn a yearly salary of $56,500.
The appointment was approved by the council.

Council hears drainage, blighted property, dog issues

Wed, 12/19/2018 - 9:18am

Concerns with loose dogs near a preschool center, drainage issues near the floodwall and several pieces of blighted property in Morgan City were among the topics discussed at Tuesday’s city council meeting. Damita Hawkins, site manager of Baby Bear Head Start Center on Greenwood Street, said she is greatly concerned about an ongoing issue with a resident near the center who has a trailer with multiple dogs. “The dogs are literally running rampant,” she said. Hawkins is worried about the potential safety issues that the dogs may cause to students at the center. Assistant Police Chief Mark Griffin Jr. said ...

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New sheriff takes office

Wed, 12/19/2018 - 8:55am

Banner-Tribune

Cameras flashed and phones hung in the air as St. Mary Parish Sheriff-Elect Blaise Smith took his oath of office Tuesday and became Sheriff Blaise Smith on the fourth floor of the St. Mary Parish Courthouse in Franklin.

Smith brings with him 47 years of law enforcement experience. He most recently served seven years as police chief of the sovereign nation of the Chitimacha.

He will serve the final year of former Sheriff Mark Hebert’s term. Hebert retired in January. On Dec. 8, Smith defeated former Interim Sheriff Scott Anslum in a runoff election. Smith received 52 percent of the vote to Anslum’s 48 percent.

Anslum, who was previously Hebert’s chief deputy, had been interim sheriff since Hebert’s retirement.

Subsequent to being sworn-in by 16th Judicial District Judge Anthony Thibodeaux, Smith stated, “I have to say this: This election was not about me. It was about the citizens of St. Mary Parish, and about you, the employees of the sheriff’s office and about how we, together, can serve our citizens.”

Before the runoff election, Smith pointed to several key issues, including doing a better job with uniform patrol and securing the parish jail in Centerville in the aftermath of five inmates escaping in June. Smith also planned to examine some budget issues within the sheriff’s office.

Smith, who has been in law enforcement throughout most of his life, said, “Most of you know me from Chitimacha (police department), and you know that I have an open-door policy. And whether you voted for me, or not, the door is open for you. And even if you didn’t vote for me, I’m still your sheriff. I appreciate you having exercised your right to vote, and I will treat you as if you voted for me.”

Protecting and serving the citizens of the parish is “a mission. We have a job to do: To protect and to serve the citizens of St. Mary Parish.

“I put God first. God is the reason that I am here. So, we need to believe, and we need to believe as a unit. If we believe as a unit and we pray as a unit, we can do all things. That’s what His word says, not mine.”

Smith concluded, “So, thank you, and congratulations to my new staff. Though, I know some of you have been here longer than I have been here. As we get to know each other, you will realize who your sheriff is. Thank you and God bless.”

Thibodeaux also presided over the swearing in of the sheriff’s civil and law enforcement staff.

—The Daily Review also contributed to this article.

Man charged with reckless operation

Tue, 12/18/2018 - 11:59am

Staff Report

A 19-year-old man was charged with reckless operation after Morgan City police saw a vehicle drive through a parking lot in a reckless manner, Police Chief James Blair said in a news release.

—Christopher Patterson, 19, of Barrow Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 1:32 a.m. Tuesday on charges of reckless operation of a vehicle and driving under suspension.

An officer in the area of La. 182 and Duke Street observed a vehicle turn into a business at a high rate of speed and continue through the parking lot in a reckless manner, Blair said. The officer contacted the driver of the vehicle identified as Patterson, who was driving under suspension. Patterson was jailed.

Blair reported that officers responded to 39 calls and reported the following arrests:

—Dequante Wesley, 24, of Roderick Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:11 p.m. Monday on city court warrants charging him with failure to appear for probation fee, failure to appear for trial, failure to appear to pay a fine, contempt of court for failure to serve time and contempt of court for violation of probation. Wesley was arrested on warrants and jailed.

—Brennan Skinner, 26, of Grace Street in Siracusa, was arrested at 4:55 p.m. Monday on city court warrants charging him with failure to appear for trial for stop sign violation and driving under suspension, and failure to appear for trial for driving under suspension, misuse of a temporary tag, two headlights required and proper equipment required.

Skinner turned himself in on warrants at the police department and was jailed.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that deputies responded to 42 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:

—Chad Duhon, 37, of Jefferson Island Road in New Iberia, was arrested at 3:39 p.m. Monday on charges of general speed law violation and reckless operation.

While traveling on U.S. 90 east, a narcotics detective observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. The detectives conducted a traffic stop in the Berwick area and made contact with the driver, Duhon. Duhon was booked into parish jail and then released on $500 bail.

—Deondra Williams, 33, of Canal Drive in Franklin, was arrested at 6:01 p.m. Monday on charges of driving under suspension, expired license plate, no insurance, failure to signal and texting while driving.

A deputy patrolling the area of Patterson observed a vehicle swerve and change lanes without giving a proper signal. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Williams.

During the stop, the deputy learned that Williams’ driver’s license was suspended, her license plate was expired, and she had no proof of insurance, Smith said. Williams said she swerved due to texting someone. Williams was arrested and released on a summons to appear in court March 6, 2019.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported no arrests.

Patterson Police Chief Janis Merritt reported no arrests.

Wheel house for Dec. 18

Tue, 12/18/2018 - 10:28am

PRE-CHRISTMAS
Sale at Sacred Heart Thrift Store, corner of Second and South Railroad, Morgan City, 8:30-11 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 19-20. All items 50 cents. Proceeds benefit Sacred Heart Catholic Church charities.

CHRISTMAS EVE
Service sponsored by First Methodist Church, Berwick, and United Methodist Church, Patterson, at United Methodist Church, 1204 Main St., at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 24. Features carols, communion and candles. Public invited.

Josephine Governale Resignola

Tue, 12/18/2018 - 10:24am

Josephine Governale Resignola, a resident of Morgan City, died Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018.
Hargrave Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, which are incomplete at this time.

Radio logs for Dec. 18

Tue, 12/18/2018 - 10:19am

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.

Monday, Dec. 17

7:02 a.m. 700 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard; Suspicious person.

8:04 a.m. 1500 block of North Third Street; Accident.

9:19 a.m. 1000 block of Victor II Boulevard; Medical.

10:45 a.m. 400 block of Louisa Street; Civil issue.

11:18 a.m. 400 block of Pecos Street; Criminal trespass.

11:33 a.m. Veterans Boulevard and La. 70; Assistance.

12:04 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Theft.

12:35 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Theft.

1:39 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Stalled vehicle.

2:37 p.m. 800 block of Brashear Avenue; Complaint.

4:17 p.m. 1600 block of Maple Street; Alarm.

4:21 p.m. 1400 block of Federal Avenue; Medical.

4:43 p.m. 900 block of Marshall Street; Medical.

6:23 p.m. 1300 block of Elm Street; Alarm.

6:53 p.m. 6400 block of La. 182 East; Building check.

7:14 p.m. 6000 block of La. 182 East; Building check.

7:26 p.m. Seventh and Marguerite streets; Accident.

10:55 a.m. 1300 block of Sixth Street; Lost/found property.

8:57 p.m. 6400 block of La. 182 East; Complaint.

9:06 p.m. 100 block of 11th Street; Alarm.

9:09 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182 East; Assistance.

11:11 p.m. 400 block of Pecos Street; Removal of subject.

11:35 p.m. 7700 block of La. 182 East; Complaint.

Tuesday, Dec. 18

12:38 a.m. 1000 block of Brashear Avenue; Suspicious person.

1:22 a.m. 7700 block of La. 182 East; Reckless driver.

3:47 a.m. Everett Street and La. 182; Suspicious person.

Boersmas celebrate 50th anniversary

Tue, 12/18/2018 - 10:18am

Erna and Joseph Boersma of Patterson celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Oct. 19 with a gathering of family and friends at Lake End Park in Morgan City, complete with a fish fry. On Oct. 20, a barbecue was held. The Boersmas are the parents of MaryJo Allander of Duluth, Minnesota, Francis Boersma of Bayou Vista, Kenneth P. Boersma of Duson, Marty Abress and Rhonda Savoie of Patterson, Jos Boersma of Morgan City and Thelma Hanna of San Diego. They also have 20 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Joseph Boersma, a Vietnam veteran with the Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance, is a woodworker, was a commercial diver in the 1970-80s and is commander of the East St. Mary Veterans Funeral Squad.