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DAVID LUKE VIDOS

10/2/1954- 10/27/2018
David Luke Vidos, a native and resident of Morgan City, was called home to be with the Lord at the age of 64 on Saturday, October 27, 2018, surrounded by his loving family.
David is survived by his father, James Vidos; three brothers, Metz Vidos (Debra), Wesley Vidos, and Timothy Vidos; and two sisters, Julie Massa (Erick), and Susan Daigle (Ronnie).
David was preceded in death by his mother, Laura Vidos; two brothers, Kenneth Vidos and Fredrick Vidos; and his paternal and maternal grandparents.
Visitation will be held at Twin City Gospel Temple on Wednesday, October 31, 2018, from 10 a.m. until the time of services at 2 p.m. Following services, David will be laid to rest in the Morgan City cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of Hargrave Funeral Home.

GEORGE D. BROUSSARD SR.

June 28, 1937-October 27, 2018
On October 27, 2018, the Lord summoned one of his angels into his kingdom in the form of George D. Broussard Sr., 81, a native and resident of Morgan City, who passed away at Morgan City Health Care surrounded by his loving family.
George loved cooking, boating, joking with family and friends, puzzles, hunting and being with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was also an excellent woodworker.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Genevieve Broussard; four children, George Broussard Jr., Randy Broussard, Glynn Broussard and Melissa Broussard; 10 grandchildren, Chase Broussard, Victoria Broussard, Gavin Broussard, Brittany White, Chloe Broussard, Jessy Eues, Katy Terry, Kayla Cyphers, Kaleb Oubre and Randi Marie Joubert; 13 great-grandchildren; six brothers; and five sisters.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Amelie Broussard; brother, Lloyd Broussard; sister, Emelola Lightsey; father-in-law, Victor “Vic” Bailey; and mother-in-law, Audrey “doot” Bailey.
The family would like to express their deepest appreciation and gratitude for the outstanding care and support given by the wonderful staff at Morgan City Health Care and Rehabilitation center. Special thanks to Jamika Stevenson, Stormy Henry and the entire staff.
In keeping with George’s wishes, there will be no funeral services.
Arrangements under the direction of Hargrave Funeral Home.

Rotary Club happenings

Submitted Photo
Morgan City Rotary Club members hosted Morgan City High School students Ciera Guidry, Matison LeBlanc, McKenzi Smith and Eduardo Fernandez at a recent luncheon at which the students spoke about their current school activities and their education plans. From left are Fernandez, Smith, LeBlanc, Guidry and student visit director John Landry.

Iberia man helps foil Magna Carta theft

LONDON (AP) — An American tourist from Louisiana helped stop a hammer-wielding thief who unsuccessfully tried to steal the Magna Carta at Salisbury Cathedral, working in tandem with a church employee to prevent the man from escaping.
Matthew Delcambre, of New Iberia, Louisiana, told The Associated Press that he and his wife Alexis were sightseeing in the southwestern English city when a man tried to shatter the glass encasing the precious manuscript in the church’s Chapter House. After Alexis tried to raise the alarm to others, Delcambre and other bystanders banded together to try to hold the thief back behind the doors of the Chapter House.
When the thief pushed past them, the 56-year-old IT expert gave chase into an outer courtyard. He grabbed the man’s arm near the courtyard gate and knocked away the hammer. A church employee tackled him and held him down.
“It wasn’t me by myself,” he said. “It was completely a group effort.”
The Magna Carta, which was protected by two layers of thick glass, wasn’t damaged.
Wiltshire police said Saturday that a 45-year-old man was freed on bail until Nov. 20 as officers continue their investigation.
Salisbury Cathedral’s Magna Carta is one of four existing specimens of the 1215 charter that established the principle that the king is subject to the law. It is considered the founding document of English law and civil liberties and influenced the creation of the U.S. Constitution.
The document, Latin for “Great Charter” was short-lived. Despotic King John, who met disgruntled barons and agreed to a list of basic rights, almost immediately went back on his word and asked the pope to annul it, plunging England into civil war. It was re-issued after the king’s death.
Delcambre, the director for the Center for Business & Information Technologies at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, said he has been a bit taken aback by the attention his efforts have earned, but told his story so that his efforts would not be exaggerated at the expense of others.
Of all those who played a part in corralling the thief, he credits his wife Alexis first and foremost, since it was she who noticed the thief coming out of the disabled bathroom wielding the hammer and tried to get help. He played down earlier reports which depicted him as the hero, and said the people who should get the credit are cathedral workers and volunteers who tried to protect the Magna Carta.
“The heroes are the staff employees of the cathedral who protected the document, helped catch the guy and helped retain him until the police got there,” he said. “It was a team effort.”

Harvest Moon Festival

Runners in Teche Action Clinics took off just after 8 a.m. Saturday to kick off the Harvest Moon Festival in downtown Franklin. Festival-goers were greeted by sunny skies and cooler temperatures to browse vendors, listen to bands and kids rode the train and participated in the children’s area. Full coverage and more photos Wednesday in the Banner-Tribune.
The Banner-Tribune/ROGER EMILE STOUFF

Almost 3,400 early votes in St. Mary

Through Saturday, nearly 3,400 people had voted early in St. Mary Parish for the Nov. 6 election, according to Registrar of Voters Jolene Holcombe.

As of the end of Saturday, 3,385 voters had cast their ballots. Early voting began Oct. 23 and continues through Tuesday. Of those voters, 1,509 were Republicans, 1,305 were Democrats, and 571 were of other parties.

Early voting hours are 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Registered voters in St. Mary Parish may vote at the registrar’s office at the parish courthouse or at the branch office at 301 Third St. in Morgan City.

On Friday, 641 people voted with 257 votes in Franklin, 384 votes in Morgan City and 18 votes by mail. On Saturday, 578 voters cast ballots with 201 votes in Franklin, 377 votes in Morgan City and nine votes by mail.

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.

(Updated) Sheriff: Suspect caught after standoff

A 30-year-old Patterson man was captured Monday after he barricaded himself in a home for several hours following a vehicle chase, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Scott Anslum said in a news release.

—Jacob Alcina, 30, of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Patterson, was arrested at 1:44 a.m. Monday on charges of aggravated flight from an officer, reckless operation of a vehicle and on two active warrants for failure to appear on the charges of possession of legend drug, possession of schedule IV drugs, possession of schedule III drugs and possession of methamphetamine.

Dispatch advised of a complaint on Foxglove Lane in Patterson in reference to a vehicle burglary. The victim had described the subject and the vehicle he was driving.

A St. Mary Parish detective was in the area and located a vehicle matching the description and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the person fled in the vehicle, Anslum said. The vehicle was speeding and being driven recklessly. The detective followed the vehicle to a home on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Patterson.

The suspect, Alcina, barricaded himself in the home for several hours and wouldn’t cooperate with deputies before being taken into custody, Anslum said. Alcina was jailed with no bail was set. The incident is still under investigation and additional charges are pending.

Anslum reported that deputies responded to 93 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:

—Irving Clark, 30, of Railroad Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 1:57 p.m. Friday on Morgan City police warrants charging him with armed robbery, probation violation, two counts of possession of marijuana, resisting an officer and simple battery.

Detectives received information that Clark was riding around Bayou Vista and that he had active warrants for his arrest. The detectives confirmed the warrants and subsequently located Clark exiting a business in Bayou Vista.

The detectives made contact with Clark and advised him of the active warrants for his arrest. Clark was booked into parish jail with no bail set.

—Blake Dinger, 25, of Neptune Street in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 7:36 p.m. Friday on a warrant charging him with simple battery.

A deputy was dispatched to the Berwick Police Department to make contact with Dinger who had been detained by Berwick police after learning he had an active warrant for his arrest with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office.

The deputy advised Dinger of the warrant and took him into custody. Dinger was booked into parish jail with bail set at $2,500.

—Nicholas Gamble, 38, of Grace Street in Siracusa, was arrested at 7:17 a.m. Saturday on a charge of simple criminal damage to property.

—Davida Bias, 34, of Grace Street in Siracusa, was arrested at 7:17 a.m. Saturday on a charge of aggravated battery.

A deputy was dispatched to a business in Amelia in reference to a male who was being attacked with a baseball bat. Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with Gamble who stated that Bias had hit him with a bat, Anslum said.

In response, Gamble had thrown an object at Bias’ car, causing damage to it. Gamble was arrested and released on a summons to appear Jan. 4, 2019. Bias was jailed with no bail set.

—A juvenile male, 15, of Bayou Vista, was arrested at 2:47 a.m. Sunday on a charge of runaway juvenile.

A deputy patrolling Bayou Vista was dispatched to a home in reference to a runaway juvenile. Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with the guardian of the juvenile who stated that the juvenile had left the home and had not returned.

The juvenile was later located by a Morgan City police officer in Morgan City. The juvenile was transported to the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office in Morgan City and was released into the custody of the guardian.

—James Welch IV, 49, of Arcemont Lane in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 4:29 p.m. Sunday on a charge of battery of a dating partner.

A deputy patrolling Bayou Vista was dispatched to a home on Arcemont Lane in reference to a domestic battery. Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with the victim who stated that Welch had struck the victim during an argument, Anslum said.

During the investigation, the deputy found evidence to support the victim’s allegations. Welch was jailed with no bail set.

Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported that officers responded to 135 calls and reported the following arrests:

—Matthew J. Miller, 24, of Marshall Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:35 p.m. Friday on charges of speeding, no insurance, switched license plate, obstruction of justice by tampering with evidence and possession of methamphetamine.

An officer in the area of La. 182 near Aycock Street observed a vehicle speeding. A traffic stop was conducted, and the license plate on the vehicle was not the one registered to the vehicle, Blair said.

The vehicle also did not have insurance. The driver, Miller, was in possession of methamphetamine, and he admitted to trying to discard the substance prior to his vehicle being stopped, Blair said. Miller was jailed.

—Justin D. Price, 29, of Front Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:46 p.m. Friday on warrants charging him with criminal neglect of family, failure to pay fines and probation violation.

Price was located on La. 70 and arrested on warrants for city court and 16th Judicial District Court. Price was jailed.

—Shane O. Suire, 23, of Susan Court in Stephensville, was arrested at midnight Saturday on a warrant charging him with three counts of failure to appear in drug court.

Suire was located on Carol Road and arrested on a warrant for 16th Judicial District Court. Suire was jailed.

—Anthony J. Bourgeois Jr., 43, of Iowa Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:42 a.m. Saturday on charges of possession of marijuana second offense, possession of drug paraphernalia, obstruction of a highway and driving under suspension.

Officers responded to the area of La. 182 and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in regard to a vehicle stopped at the intersection, and the driver was asleep. Officers arrived and located the driver identified as Bourgeois.

Bourgeois had a suspended driver’s license and was in possession of suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia, Blair said. Bourgeois was jailed.

—Mark A. Price, 65, of La. 70 in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:40 p.m. Saturday on charges of DWI first offense and improper lane usage.

An officer in the area of La. 70 and Fig Street observed a vehicle swerving in and out of the lane of travel. A traffic stop was conducted, and the driver, Price appeared intoxicated, Blair said.

Price performed poorly on a field sobriety test and registered 0.109 grams-percent blood alcohol content on a chemical test, Blair said. Price was jailed.

—Herman T. Solone, 27, of Cardinal Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:18 p.m. Saturday on a charge of no driver’s license and warrant charging him with two counts of failure to pay fines.

An officer in the area of Sixth and Onstead streets observed a vehicle with improper lighting. A traffic stop was conducted, and the driver, Solone, did not have a valid driver’s license, Blair said.

Solone also had an arrest warrant for city court. Solone was jailed.

—Kitrena Spivey, 41, of Maple Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:25 p.m. Sunday on warrants charging her with unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling and criminal damage to property.

—Ryan J. Spivey, 38, of Maple Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:25 p.m. Sunday on charges of no headlights, driving under suspension, possession of marijuana and a warrant charging him with two counts of failure to appear in court.

An officer in the area of Seventh and Willard streets observed a vehicle with improper lighting. A traffic stop was conducted, and the driver, Ryan Spivey, had a suspended driver’s license, Blair said.

Ryan Spivey also had an arrest warrant for 16th Judicial District Court and marijuana in his possession, Blair said. The passenger in the vehicle, Kitrena Spivey, had arrest warrants for police.

Those warrants stem from a May incident where Kitrena Spivey entered an individual’s home without permission and damaged the victim’s property, Blair said. Ryan Spivey and Kitrena Spivey were both jailed.

Patterson Police Chief Janis Merritt reported the following arrest:

—James Jones, 33, of First Street in Patterson, was arrested at 6:42 p.m. Friday on charges of two counts of unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, theft of a firearm, illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, two counts of criminal to property, possession of marijuana, theft and resisting an officer with force or violence. No bail was set.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrests:

—Christopher Percle, 19, of Clements Lane in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 1:56 p.m. Friday on charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bail was set at $5,000.

—Caleb Daigle, 18, of Burchfield Lane in Berwick, was arrested at 2:29 p.m. Friday on charges of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Daigle posted $3,500 bail.

—Storm Griffin, 19, of Oregon Street in Berwick, was arrested at 9:43 p.m. Saturday on a charge of disturbing the peace fourth offense. Griffin posted $236 cash bail.

—Nigel Lagarde, 33, of Utah Street in Berwick, was arrested at 8 a.m. Sunday with hit-and-run driving. Lagarde posted $1,000 bail.

—Traylon Grogan, 26, of River Road in Berwick, was arrested at 5:40 p.m. Sunday on a charge of remaining where forbidden and on warrants charging her with unauthorized entry into an inhabited dwelling, domestic abuse battery and remaining where forbidden. Bail was set at $9,500.

—Talencia Thomas, 26, of River Road in Berwick, was arrested at 7:16 p.m. Sunday on charges of possession of marijuana, violation of controlled dangerous substance law-drug-free zone and illegal use of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a minor. Bail was set at $1,000.

Strain: 'We have to double world’s food supply'

Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain spoke Wednesday at a St. Mary Parish Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Forest Restaurant in Franklin.
Strain followed two honorees being recognized by the COC for their contribution to parish communities: Harvest Moon Festival and A.V. Allain, accepted by former Franklin City Main Street Manager Michael Domingue and Senator Bret Allain respectively.
Strain opened by reminding luncheoners of the importance of agriculture as a foundation of the economy of any nation; and echoing his sentiments from last year’s COC address, he followed up by saying that the necessity of agricultural sustainability remains of the utmost importance, both nationally and internationally.
“We know that between now and 2050,” Strain said, “we have to double the world’s food supply.
“What that means is that we have to increase production three percent per year for 32 years in a row.
“In our best year, production has only increased 2.75 percent.
“We have to grow more food between now and 2050 than we have since the dawn of time.”
Strain said by 2030, America has to increase agricultural production by 50 percent because 20 percent of the food that is exported worldwide comes from the US, yet “we are five percent of the world’s population.”
Following his agricultural call to arms, Strain appreciated the conundrum on behalf of sugar cane farmers that growing more cane means planting more cane where space is at a premium already.
He posed that one thing farmers can do is reinvest in local infrastructure, and charged that the community as a whole has an obligation to shop locally instead of online.
He said there will be a dredging the Mississippi River to “50 feet all the way to Baton Rouge,” saying that more investment in infrastructure translates to more possible capital for local farmers which translates to more spending for more output for more food exported to put more money back into local pockets.
“The money that comes in from sugar, where does that money stay?” Strain asked rhetorically. “Right here,” was his answer.
He went on to cite the amount of uncirculated annual profits from sugar and agriculture production in St. Mary Parish as $100 million.
He then spoke about working closely with President Trump on making sure trade deals with other countries are fair and equitable for the American farmer, more so than they have been in the past.
According to Strain, American agriculture has been trading “peace for prosperity,” and has failed to leverage its power as the number one exporter of food in the world.
“It’s got to be fair,” Strain said, going on to point to the President’s recent tariff strategies with Canada and China as evidence of a shifting dichotomy in regards to fair trade.
Strain cited the imbalance in trade between America and China at $6 billion, explaining, “We buy $6 billion dollars more from them than they buy from us. That’s not fair.”
He posed that once international trade is made fair, America “will compete and out-compete everyone else.”
In addition to stabilizing the equity of trade agreements with China, Strain questioned the lack of diversity in the partners with whom the US trades, saying “Why have we been chasing China? Mexico is on board. Canada is on board and Japan is now going to open up for American products.” He added that the untapped potential for a trade partner in Cuba baffles him, saying that it also makes no sense to China, “the largest communist country in the world,” that we will trade with communist Russia but not communist Cuba.
To that end, Strain said he has drafted a letter to the President, in which he asked for trade with Cuba to be opened up.
As for the future of sustainability here in the US, Strain said we should look to agricultural technology. He said that by keeping up with and investing in agricultural technology, American farmers will be able to produce more and will see the benefits of such progress in terms of profits returned.
In harkening back to the dredging of the Mississippi River and investing in local infrastructure, Strain said that in Baton Rouge’s port, 50 percent of the grain exported from the United States gets unloaded.
He said, “We drop the banks another 50 feet, that’s another five feet per ship, we’re up to 75 percent of the exported grain from the United States coming through Louisiana.”
As for St. Mary Parish, Strain said that by his estimation, the dredging of the Mississippi River would translate to more rice being shipped out of St. Mary’s ports within the next four years, to add to our sugar exports.
“At every port up and down the Mississippi (River),” said Strain, “it is time to build. We are going to be getting a larger share of those naturally occurring exports. So, they’re getting ready.”
Strain closed with a message similar to his opening one, “We must protect our agricultural and natural resource based industries. They are the cornerstone of our economy. Everything else builds on them.”

PC sets Halloween hours in unincorporated areas

Halloween will be observed Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. in the unincorporated areas of St. Mary Parish, Parish President David Hanagriff announced.
Hanagriff said that falls in line with the towns and cities in the parish are also observing.
At the same meeting of the St. Mary Parish council, ordinances were introduced to adopt the budget for the 2019 year; designation of precincts; a zoning map amendment and a lease agreement with St. Bernadette Roman Catholic Church for youth recreation programs.
Resolutions included a change order on the Amelia drainage updates work and substantial completion of the same; authorizing reimbursement for councilmen attending the Police Jury Association conference and the NACo Legislative conference and authorizing substantial completion on a drop-off ramp at the Berwick landfill.
Chief Administrative Officer Henry “Bo” LaGrange updated the council on bids for road improvements: Garden City and Irish Bend Road improvements bids will be received Nov. 29 and Flattown Road from Ralph Darden Memorial Parkway to Chitimacha trail will be received Nov. 7. He also noted that construction of the fishing pier at Burns Point will begin the first week of November.
Councilman Patrick Hebert said he attended the last meeting of the Morgan City council and was presented an award from the 100 Black Men of St. Mary Parish group for parish government.
The award was in appreciation for support of the organization and its scholarship fund.
In other business:
—Berwick Police Chief James Richard notified the council that he is resigning from the 911 board and the advisory substance abuse and mental health committee due to his retirement.
—Jeremy Callais was added to the home rule charter review committee, which fills all 11 positions.
—Rosa Crosby was reappointed to the Recreation Dist. 5 board; Mary B. Bailey was appointed to the St. Mary Parish Library Board of Control; Sandra E. Wilkerson was appointed to the Recreation Dist. 2 board; Oscar L. Toups was appointed the St. Mary Water and Sewer Commission No. 1 board; and the St. Mary Water and Sewer Commission board, made up of the unincorporated areas west of Patterson including Ricohoc, Verdunville, Centerville, Garden City and Bakertown saw appointment of Leonard Klutts and Willis John Dore Jr. for six years; Glenn Blood and William J. Miller for five years; Mike M. Ortiz and Phelo Joe Keller for four years; and Donald Hahn Sr. for three years.

City Christmas program Dec. 1

Christmas under the Lampposts will be Saturday, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m.
The theme is “Christmas on the Bayou.”
Line-up for the parade begins at 5 p.m. on Jackson Street. The parade flows from Main Street to Wilson Street to the courthouse square.
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.
“This year we are inviting people to enter their golf carts as we have in the past,” Mayor Foulcard said. “Also, for the first time people can enter their bicycles. Bicycles must be decorated with lights to be a part of the Christmas parade.”
Entry forms for golf carts, lighted bicycles and walkers will be available Nov. 5, and the deadline to enter the parade is Nov. 30 at 12 p.m. There is no fee to enter the parade.
For more information and forms, contact the Community Development Department (337-828-6345 or ashields@franklin-la.com).

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ST. MARY NOW

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