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Lawyers in Libraries

Wed, 10/31/2018 - 9:49am

The Louisiana State Bar Association and Louisiana libraries held an event this month where local attorneys provided free services and information to the public at local libraries statewide. The St. Mary Parish Library, Franklin branch, set up 15-minute individual consultations for legal questions. Shown at the event on Oct. 22 are attorney Adolph B. Curet III of Supple, Cremaldi and Curet here in Franklin, Connie Durocher and Franklin Library staff.

Harvest Moon Festival

Wed, 10/31/2018 - 9:48am

By CASEY COLLIER
The 20th annual Harvest Moon Festival was held in downtown Franklin Saturday.
As in years past, there was a 5k run/walk, car show, “Mutt Strutt” costume contest, live auction, arts and crafts, live music, food and beverages and local vendors displaying their wares.
First place in the “Mutt Strutt” went to Whit Lanclos, second place went to Jadi Pellerin and third place went to Caroline Mayfield.
This year, Franklin Merchants Association added a scarecrow contest and a bake sale, to the day’s bevy of events.
The People’s Choice award for most creative scarecrow went to Centerville High School. The award for most creative business’ scarecrow went to WHY Fitness. The award for most creative organization’s scarecrow went to Cajun Coast Visitors and Convention Bureau, and the award for the most creative school’s scarecrow went to Foster Elementary School.
As for the “Under the Lampposts” car show, the award for Best Car went to George Tyler; Best Truck went to Derek Broussard; Best Overall was awarded to Frank Mendoza; Best Rat Rod went to Dean Landry and the award for traveling the farthest went to Junior Fontenot.
Diane Wiltz, festival organizer, said she was happy with this year’s turnout, citing “Norman Rockwellesque” weather as most likely playing a part in that particular.
Wiltz went on to say of the festival’s future, as she sees it, that in order for the festival to grow into the Fall tourism staple she believes it can become for Franklin, sponsorship must be secured to “underwrite the festival.”
“What is free, though,” Wiltz said, “is residents’ support. And that is something that we have to continue to cultivate. Next year, I’d like that crowd to double.”
She also said that anyone who wishes to volunteer for next year’s festival, or wishes to provide feedback concerning their experience at this year’s festival, is welcomed to contact FMA.

Parish home rule charter review panel kicks off

Wed, 10/31/2018 - 9:45am

Members of the home rule charter review committee of St. Mary Parish met for the first time Tuesday.
In a short initial session, members elected officers among their ranks. Oray Rogers, of Franklin, is chairman, Nick LaRocca, of Morgan City, vice-chair and Edward Jones, of Patterson, secretary.
The parish council created the committee to review the 35-year-old document adopted in 1983. It was created by a committee formed by the St. Mary Parish Police Jury.
Over the last few years, council members have expressed concerns that the charter needs updating to meet the needs of modern concerns.
The committee will meet on the last Tuesday of the month at 5:45 p.m.
Councilman J Ina, who was instrumental in the committee’s formation, said that by ordinance any recommendations they may have will be due no later than the first parish council meeting in April, 2019. He said that the committee could also wrap up its work earlier and make suggestions. It may also suggest no changes at all.
Also present were members Ricky Armelin of Baldwin, Deborah Price of Morgan City, Rev. Allen Randle Sr., of Franklin, Mark Duhon of Amelia, and Chris Lipari of Patterson.
Appointed member Logan Fromenthal resigned before the first meeting, and member Stan Robison was not in attendance.

Tickets now available for Tour of Homes

Wed, 10/31/2018 - 9:45am

Tickets are on sale now for the 2018 Christmas Tour of Homes set Dec. 16.
The price is $30 in advance and $35 the day of the tour. Tickets are available at www.eventbrite.com under the description “2018 Christmas Tour of Homes Presented by City of Franklin Design Committee and the St. Mary Chapter of Louisiana Landmarks Society.” Homes will be open for viewing from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The homes on the tour include:
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
Shadowlawn, owned by St. Mary Chapter Louisiana Landmarks Society.
For more information about the Tour of Homes, contact Diane Chauvin at 337-346-1299.

City Christmas celebration Dec. 1

Wed, 10/31/2018 - 9:44am

Registration for Christmas under the Lampposts begins Monday and ends Friday at 12 p.m.
Entry forms for golf carts, lighted bicycles and walkers will be available in the tax department of city hall. Registration is free.
Church groups, school clubs and athletic teams, scouts, youth groups, veterans and community service organizations that choose not to enter a golf cart or a bicycle are invited to participate in the Christmas parade as walkers.
Christmas under the Lampposts will be Saturday, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. The theme for Christmas under the Lampposts is “Christmas on the Bayou.”
Line-up for the parade begins at 5 p.m. on Jackson Street. The parade flows from Jackson Street to Main Street to Wilson Street, ending at the Courthouse Square.
For more information and forms, contact the Community Development Department at 337-828-6345 or ashields@franklin-la.com.

MARY LAVERNE BRAST DUNCAN

Wed, 10/31/2018 - 9:44am

March 13, 1927 - October 29, 2018
Mary Laverne Brast Duncan, a native of Bellville, Texas and a longtime resident of Glencoe, passed away at the age of 91 in the early morning hours of Monday, October 29, 2018. Mary was born on March 13, 1927, the seventh of ten children born to Benhard and Mary Brast. She married the love of her life, Charles E. Duncan, and the two were blessed with three children. She was a devoted and loving wife who lived out her marriage vows of love and honor until death do us part, and was a caring and nurturing mother and grandmother who absolutely adored her family and took pride in being the heart of the home and providing for her family, whether sewing and crocheting or baking and cooking. She had a joyful spirit and lived her life to the fullest. She had a love of dancing and enjoyed fishing, being outdoors, and tending to her flowers, especially her roses. Her home was always open and all were welcome and left with a full stomach. But what brought her the most joy was spending time with her family, spoiling her grandbabies, and showering her beloved dogs with affection. She will be deeply missed and will be held in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.
Those she leaves to cherish her memory include her children, Charles E. “Butch” Duncan Jr. and his wife Cheryl and Lavetra Kay Duncan Hampton and her husband Joseph Lee Hampton Jr.; one brother, Hubert Brast; 11 grandchildren, Veronica Cobb and her husband Ronald, Donald Ray Finley and his wife AJ, Duncan Darrel Finley and his wife Leta, Mary Kay Dupre and her companion Harold Plaisance, Candy Bobbitt and her husband Rodney, Charles “Bubba” and his wife Bonnie, Asa Duncan and his wife Jennifer, Freddie Duncan Sr. and his wife Taryn, Ashley LaCoste and her husband Andrew, LaDetra Billiot and her husband Larry, and Shawn Hampton; 26 great grandchildren, 11 great great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews whom she deeply loved.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles E. Duncan Sr.; her daughter, Diana Dale Strickland; her parents, Benhard Carl Brast and Mary Heinzke Brast; and eight siblings, Benhard “Ben” Jr., Rosie, Metha, Violet, Ruby, Augusta “Gussie”, George, and Bertie Mae.
A gathering of family and friends will be held at Ibert’s Mortuary in Franklin on Saturday, November 3, 2018, beginning at 10 a.m. with memorial services at 1 p.m. Father Cedric Sonnier will conduct the service. Inurnment will be held privately at a later date in the Brast Cemetery in Bellville, Texas.
Family and friends may view the obituary and express their condolences online by visiting www.iberts.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert’s Mortuary, Inc., 1007 Main Street, Franklin, La. 70538, (337) 828-5426.

WILFRED “SONNY” HENRY SR.

Wed, 10/31/2018 - 9:43am

Mr. Wilfred “Sonny” Henry Sr., age 84 a native and resident of Franklin, La. passed away on Sunday, October 21, 2018 at his home in Franklin.
Visitation will be observed on Saturday, November 3, 2018, at the Franklin Senior High School Auditorium, 1401 Cynthia Street- Franklin, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. with funeral service also on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at 11 a.m. The Interment will take place in Irish Bend Cemetery, Franklin.
Mr. Henry is survived by his wife Elizabeth Henry, of Franklin; (4) Sons Wilfred Henry, Jr. of Franklin, La., Elder Wilbert (Susanne) Henry of Mableton, Georgia, Rodney Henry Sr. of Atlanta, Georgia and Donald R. Henry, of San Francisco, CA.; (4) daughters Dr. Linda Henry McCarty and Anita Faye Henry, both of Chicago, Illinois, Lena Mae Henry of Franklin, and Brendadale H. (David) Smith, of Lafayette, La.; (2) sisters Shirley H. Phillips and Minnie E. Henry both of Franklin, (18) grandchildren (26) great grandchildren.
The Otis Mortuary, Inc. of Franklin, La. is in charge of arrangements.

Early votes near 4,900 in St. Mary

Wed, 10/31/2018 - 9:10am

14.7 percent of eligible voters cast ballots early

Staff Report

Nearly 4,900 St. Mary Parish voters had cast their ballots for the Nov. 6 election as of the end of early voting Tuesday, Parish Registrar of Voters Jolene Holcombe said in an email.

A total of 4,897 people, 14.7 percent of the parish’s eligible voters, have voted early for the election, Holcombe said.

By party, 2,092 Republicans, 1,987 Democrats and 818 other-party voters voted early.

On Tuesday, 826 voters cast ballots in St. Mary with 489 votes in Morgan City, 337 votes in Franklin and six votes by mail. Other daily early voting totals in the parish were as follows: 717 votes Oct. 23, 676 votes Oct. 24, 502 votes Thursday, 641 votes Friday, 578 votes Saturday, and 686 votes Monday.

The parish registrar’s office received 271 mail ballots before the start of early voting Oct. 23.

The sheriff and coroner races are the two parishwide races on the ballot. Other races in the area are for Berwick mayor and council, Patterson mayor, council and police chief, Morgan City Council District 4 and school board districts 7, 9 and 10. Area voters will also be able to vote for U.S. Representative 3rd Congressional District, 1st Circuit Court of Appeal.

Other items on the ballot are a 5-mill property tax renewal for St. Mary Parish Consolidated Gravity Drainage District No. 2 and 10-mill property tax renewal for Fire Protection District No. 3. Additionally, St. Mary Parish voters will be able to decide whether to allow fantasy sports gaming in the parish.

Secretary of state is the one statewide race on the ballot. Six state constitutional amendments are also on the ballot.

Radio logs for Oct. 31

Wed, 10/31/2018 - 9:07am

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, Oct. 30

7:04 a.m. 800 block of Front Street; Alarm.

9:11 a.m. Village Drive; Complaint.

9:16 a.m. La. 70 and Victor II Boulevard; Arrest.

9:47 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.

10:15 a.m. 500 block of Egle Street; Medical.

11:34 a.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Arrest.

11:37 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Animal complaint.

12:33 p.m. Sixth and General Hodges streets; Crash.

1 p.m. 1000 block of La. 70; Medical.

3:24 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.

3:26 p.m. 1200 block of Onstead Street; Medical.

3:41 p.m. 2700 block of Sixth Street; Animal complaint.

3:59 p.m. 300 block of Garber Street; Alarm.

4:43 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.

5:40 p.m. 800 block of Brashear Avenue; Theft of goods.

5:59 p.m. Lawrence Park; Assistance.

7 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.

7:07 p.m. 1000 block of Hickory Street; Disturbance.

7:21 p.m. 7500 block of La. 182; Investigation.

7:39 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Investigation.

9:18 p.m. 3000 block of Allison Street; Noise complaint.

Vandebilt Catholic blanks MCHS 31-0

Tue, 10/30/2018 - 5:31pm

Drew Rios had two touchdowns and more than 100 rushing yards to lead a potent Vandebilt Catholic rushing attack in a 31-0 shutout victory against Morgan City Friday night at Buddy Marcello Stadium in District 7-4A play. Rios and the Terriers combined to rush for 242 yards and used Rios’ touchdown runs to sprint out to a three-touchdown halftime lead. Vandebilt Catholic (5-4 overall, 4-1 district) found the end-zone early against the Tigers’ defense, scoring on its first drive. The Terriers drove 67 yards on six plays in just 2 minutes, 13 seconds to take a 7-0 lead following a four-yard Rios ...

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