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Franklin Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Hildreth reported no injuries after Franklin and Centerville fire departments were dispatched at 1:17 p.m. yesterday to a reported house fire at 816 Iberia St.
The first units are reported to have arrived approximately one minute later and found that the house was totally engulfed.
Additional assistance was requested from Baldwin, Chitimacha and Dist. 11 fire departments, and the fire was placed under control at 2:39 p.m.
Of the four adults and three children living in the residence, there was no one home at the time of the fire and the cause remains under investigation, but is expected to be accidental.
The building and contents are reported to have been deemed a total loss and the damage is estimated at $75,000.
The residents did not have insurance and the Red Cross and Franklin Emergency Aid Center are providing assistance.
Franklin Senior High School Principal Ty Burdett said a clothing drive is under way for one of his students who was confirmed to be a resident of the house involved in Wednesday’s blaze.
Students, parents and concerned citizens are invited to bring clothes in the following sizes to FSH for collection:
Woman age 38, 22 pants, XL shirt, 10 shoes; man age 48, 36 men’s pants, large shirt and 10 1/2 shoes;
Boy age 18, 36 men’s pants, large to XL shirt, 11 shoes; boy age 13, 16 pants, medium-to-large shirt, 7 kids shoe; female age 20, 16 ladies pants, medium-to-large shirt, 9½ shoe; two-year-old boy, 18 to 24 months sizes; one-year-old boy, 12 months size.
The Franklin Fire Department urges everyone to use caution with portable space heaters. Ensure that a clear space is maintained around the heaters. Never use extension cords to power the heaters and make sure they are in proper working order. Smoke detectors are important and all sleeping areas should be protected with a working smoke detector.
Contact the Franklin Fire Department at 337-828-6328 for free smoke detectors.

There are many ways to entertain, but during the busy holiday season, it’s the open house party that I gravitate to.
Not a big, sit-down meal. Not a frenetic, crowded, two-hour cocktail party. Rather, a gentle stretch of time with people coming and going as they please.
With a serve-yourself bar and an array of (mostly) room-temperature food, you can create a relaxed atmosphere that says the whole point was to connect for a little while, and share a drink and something good to eat.
Here’s how to put together your own open house:
TIME AND DATE
Evenings are festive, but consider an afternoon party if you are including a lot of families with kids. A four-hour time frame allows for a nice flow of people coming and going, and hopefully means that you will be able to spend some real time with your guests. Send an invite — either paper or online — and include any helpful information about directions, parking or attire.
PLAN AHEAD AND MAKE LISTS
1. Write down all tasks, from brining the pork loin to buying flowers to stocking the bathroom with towels and soap.
2. Make a list of what to buy and when to buy it. Shop for non-perishables, including all drinks, as far in advance as you can.
3. Plan out what can be made ahead, and especially what can be frozen.
4. Sketch a timeline for the day: what needs to happen, what gets served when. Name who is responsible for each item.
THE FOOD
The key words are “make ahead” and “room temperature.” You might pick one or two things to serve hot, like pigs in a blanket, and pop a few batches of those into the oven over the course of the party — or not! Serving one dish from a slow cooker, like a hot dip, is another option for a hot offering,
Start by thinking about a buffet and what foods are happy to sit out for a while. You don’t need an enormous menu; four or five offerings are fine. You will likely want to make extras for certain dishes, so you can swap in a fresh plate as the party goes on and new folks arrive.
Also think about color — things that make sense together on a plate. Be sure to have something from every food group. And don’t forget to have something for those who are vegetarian and/or gluten-free.
Have a few dessert options as well, placed in a separate area if possible.
If people ask if they can bring something, say yes. You can’t have too many desserts during the holidays!
THE BUFFET
Set out all platters and serving utensils at least the night before. Use Post-Its or scraps of paper to label each platter with what it will hold. Take a mental walk through your whole menu.
Put out the glasses, plates, utensils, napkins, etc. Don’t stress if things don’t match: There is a lot of charm in mixing up the various items you own.
Many people turn to plastic or nice paper for larger gatherings, depending on the number of guests and how many dishes you are willing to face the next day.
THE BAR
Set up the bar ahead of time. Put out glasses, a bucket for ice, and small bowls for citrus wedges and olives.
Consider filling a large container or bucket with drinks and ice so that everything stays cold and people can help themselves.
Don’t feel obligated to offer every beverage under the sun. Pick a few alcoholic and a few non-alcoholic ones, and just make sure you have enough of them.
DECORATIONS: COLOR, FLOWERS, CANDLES
You can certainly go all-in on the holiday decorations with garlands, wreaths and light displays, or you can stay simple and still channel holiday cheer. Pops of color add a lot, and can be as simple as supermarket flowers in low vases; bowls of fruit; and votive candles spread throughout the space.
MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT
If there’s one thing that adds instant energy to a party, it’s music. You can create a playlist (or ask a teenager for help!), or turn to streaming services like Spotify or Pandora; choose a theme and let the app create a continuous soundtrack. Or consider employing live talent (a small local band, a pianist, even your kids) if you have the space for it.
OTHER TIPS
Decide how “open” your open house will be. Are you going to leave the door unlocked, or do you need to make sure someone is answering the doorbell (or apartment buzzer) throughout the evening?
Designate sufficient space for coats: Clear out a front closet, buy or rent a coat rack, or just pick a bedroom and direct guests to put their coats there. If you are piling them on a bed, cover it first with a durable, washable bedspread.
Make a garbage can visible. (Or more than one.)
Be prepared to replenish the food as needed so the platters look appealing and the food doesn’t sit too long.
Divide up responsibilities with your family, and think about hiring help (college students are often looking for some holiday income).
If you don’t have space for a bar, clear off a bookshelf and make that the bar for the evening — it looks quite great.
Feeling a little better? Now take a moment to look around and see how many great people you have in your life.

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, Nov. 14

8:13 a.m. U.S. 90 West; Traffic incident.

8:32 a.m. 2400 block of Tiger Drive; Juvenile problems.

8:51 a.m. 2400 block of Apple Street; Medical.

9:07 a.m. 7500 block of La. 182; Theft.

9:26 a.m. 1400 block of North Third Street; Medical.

10:12 a.m. 1000 block of La. 70; Accident.

10:55 a.m. 800 block of Youngs Road; 911 hang up call.

12:41 p.m. 500 block of Bowman Street; Complaint.

1:38 p.m. 700 block of General Hodges Street; Removal of subject.

2:40 p.m. 2400 block of Tiger Drive; Juvenile problems.

3:15 p.m. 400 block of Kidd Street; Assistance.

3:39 p.m. 900 block of Marguerite Street; Complaint.

3:57 p.m. 2600 block of Elm Street; Animal complaint.

4:06 p.m. 600 block of Fifth Street; Disturbance.

6:27 p.m. La. 70; Assistance.

6:30 p.m. 6000 block of La. 182; Complaint.

6:32 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.

6:44 p.m. 500 block of Egle Street; Animal complaint.

10:48 p.m. Railroad Avenue and Myrtle Street; Arrest.

Thursday, Nov. 15

12:26 a.m. 2400 block of Apple Street; Complaint.

3:07 a.m. 1700 block of Filmore Street; Complaint.

A Baldwin man was booked Tuesday on attempted murder charges stemming from an incident in which he stabbed two people in Franklin, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Scott Anslum said in a news release.

—Darrell Harris, 28, of Jolivette Street in Baldwin, was arrested at 3:35 p.m. Tuesday on warrants charging him with two counts of attempted second-degree murder and possession of a firearm or carrying a concealed weapon by a person convicted of a felony.

A deputy at the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office headquarters made contact with Harris when he approached the dispatch window and turned himself in on active warrants for his arrest.

The warrants stemmed from a Nov. 3 incident at a business in Franklin during which two victims were trying to break up a fight between two people when a witness observed Harris stab the victims, Anslum said. Harris was jailed with bail set at $700,000.

Anslum reported that deputies responded to 28 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:

—Vicky Allemand, 33, of Patureau Drive in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:46 p.m. Tuesday on charges of driving under suspension and turning movements and signals.

A deputy patrolling Amelia observed a car fail to use its turn signal when making a turn. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and located the driver, Allemand. During the stop, the deputy learned that Allemand’s license was suspended, Anslum said. Allemand was released on a summons to appear in court Jan. 30, 2019.

—Troy Perez, 53, of Moon Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 5:22 p.m. Tuesday on four warrants charging him with possession of gabapentin without prescription, prohibited acts/drug paraphernalia, non-consensual disclosure of a private image and two counts of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

A narcotics detective made contact with Perez when the detective located Perez at a home in Patterson. Perez was advised of the active warrants for his arrest. Perez was jailed with no bail set.

Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon reported the following arrest relating to the Tri-City area:

—Curtis Gaudet, 45, of Lake Palourde Road in Amelia, was arrested Friday on five counts of simple burglary.

On Nov. 6, deputies responded to a complaint regarding the burglary of multiple buildings on property located near La. 662 in Bayou L’Ourse. Deputies initiated an investigation and were able to identify suspects and recover a large amount of valuables which were returned to the proper owner, Falcon said.

One of the suspects, identified as Gaudet, was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center. Gaudet remains in jail pending a bail hearing. Additional arrests are expected.

Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported the following arrests:

—Shawn Green, 31, of Terrebonne Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:02 a.m. Tuesday on a charge of possession of marijuana.

The narcotics division conducted a search warrant at a home on Terrebonne Street. Once at the home, officers located Green. Police also found suspected marijuana inside the home, Blair said. Green was jailed.

—Jordyn Smith, 18, of Marietta Lane in Gray, was arrested at 10:50 a.m. Tuesday on warrants charging him with failure to appear for arraignment for domestic abuse battery, failure to appear for arraignment for false imprisonment, failure to appear for arraignment for criminal damage to property and two counts of failure to pay fines.

Smith was transported from the Terrebonne Parish jail to the Morgan City Police Department on city court warrants. Smith was jailed.

—Bryant K. Harris, 31, of Mars Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 7:54 p.m. Monday on charges of unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling and possession of marijuana.

Officers responded to a home on Railroad Avenue in regard to an unknown individual inside the victim’s home.

Police arrived and located the individual, identified as Harris. The victim observed Harris standing in his doorway, Blair said. Police also found suspected marijuana in Harris’ possession. Harris was jailed.

—Courtlin M. Carter, 29, of Birch Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:42 p.m. Monday on a warrant for failure to appear for trial.

Carter was located on La. 70 and arrested on a city court warrant. Carter was jailed.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrest:

—Juan Lopez, 39, of Arlington Street in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 6 a.m. Sunday on charges of careless operation of a motor vehicle with a crash and no driver’s license. He posted $252 bail.

Patterson Police Chief Janis Merritt reported no arrests.