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TASHA ALLEN

Fri, 08/17/2018 - 11:25am

Tasha Allen, 45, a native of Terrebonne Parish and a resident of Houma, died Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018.
Visitation will be from 8 a.m. Saturday until funeral time at 10 a.m. at New Zion Baptist Church in Houma. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
She is survived by her sons, Aaron Smith, Diamante’ Gray, and Leron Calloway of Houma; daughters, Brittney and Deana Allen of Houma; five grandchildren; parents, Augustine Bethune of Houma and George Talley Sr. of Morgan City; brothers, George Talley Jr., Joseph, Raymond, and Bryan Allen all of Houma; sisters, Robin Allen, Quindolyn Boyd, Monique and Doreen Bethune; and a host of other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her grandchild, brother, and paternal grandmother and maternal grandparents. Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Patterson hosts South Lafourche in scrimmage

Fri, 08/17/2018 - 11:21am

CORWIN MURRAY

Patterson had an uneven performance in a controlled scrimmage against South Lafourche Thursday at the Sugar Dome in Patterson.
The Lumberjacks fumbled on their first offensive play of the scrimmage.
South Lafourche pinned Patterson on its 3-yard line after an non-pressured punt rolled past PHS returners.
The Tarpons got a touchdown on a quarterback sneak by Brock Bailleaux. The senior quarterback and primary ball carrier Jake Galjour handled the ball most in the triple option.
Patterson’s offense answered right away, when standout running back Dajon Richard scored on a 30-yard jog for a touchdown.
The senior had 90-yards of total offense with two scores in the controlled portion of the scrimmage.
Patterson had two scores on Richard runs while South Lafourche scored once.
The ‘Jacks’ dominated the remainder of the controlled portion of the scrimmage despite several penalties against the offense.
“The defense was outstanding tonight but offensively we gave them two touchdowns with turnovers and we just have to correct our mistakes but we have a great football team, first-year Coach Don Jones said.
PHS’ defensive line controlled South Lafourche’s run with Isiah Gant, Brady Richardson and Austin Harden making big stops. Senior safety James Butler and linebacker’s Treylon Bennett and Ben Allen were all over the field. Junior Allen Langston also had multiple tackles.
Patterson quarterback Randy Paul completed passes to Kai Schexnayder, Irvin Celestine and Richard.
But in the live quarter, the turnover bug struck the ‘Jacks’ again.
Paul and Richard put then ball on the ground and the Tarpons recovered. Aaron Vestal scored on a 3-yard touchdown run.
SL had three touchdowns during the scrimmage, getting two scores, one from its offense. And the other on linebacker Nathaniel Long scored on an interception return for a touchdown.
“We will be back out here tomorrow (Friday) fine tuning some things I thought we had down until tonight,” Jones said.
Patterson very nearly scored late in the live quarter, when Paul threw a bomb to Richard who was behind the defense. The pass was a bit under thrown forcing Richard to slow down. He caught the pass but it was broke up by SL’s defensive backs.
“He threw a good ball and I caught it, but I had a little contact and I couldn’t hold on to it,” Richard said. “We have to clean up the mental mistakes on offense and we’ll be OK,” Richard said.
Patterson will compete in the Morgan City Jamboree, Aug. 24 at Tiger Stadium In Morgan City.

Wheel House for Aug. 17

Fri, 08/17/2018 - 11:20am

aNNIVERSARY
St. Luke Baptist Church, 1709 Harry D. St., Patterson, celebrating the Rev. Keith Verrett Sr.’s six-year anniversary at 8 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 9. Public invited.

FLEET BLESSING
Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival Blessing of the Fleet at Morgan City dock is 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 2. Only vessels registered with the festival office allowed in the water parade. Awards for first-third place in each division (shrimp, petroleum and pleasure craft). To register go to 715 Second St., Morgan City, and for info call 985-385-0703.

Berwick-Vandebilt Catholic scrimmage shortened by injury

Fri, 08/17/2018 - 11:06am

Staff Report

Vandebilt Catholic and Berwick High schools each scored a first-team touchdown in an injury-shortened scrimmage Wednesday at Nicholls State University.
The scrimmage was halted for good by both coaches, Berwick Coach Mike Walker said, about five plays into the 15-minute quarter when a Vandebilt Catholic player was injured and taken away by ambulance.
According to the Houma Courier, the player, identified as Vandebilt senior defensive back C.J. Detillier, was injured while trying to tackle Berwick quarterback Mitchell Sanford.
Detillier’s father, Coley Detillier, told the Houma Courier that results of tests on his son’s head and neck areas were negative, and the younger Detillier is “expected to be fine.”
As for the scrimmage, it featured the first- and second-teams battling in 10-play blocks.
Walker said the team’s running game looked “strong.”
“Josh Jones was able to create some big runs for us,” said Walker, who estimated the returning starter had 12 carries for about 100 yards and a touchdown.
“Our offensive line did a really good job in the run game of giving him some holes and some creases to make some things happen,” Walker added.
Through the air, returning quarterback completed about 8 of 12 passes for 100 yards, Walker said.
“One thing that was kind of glaring was our pass protection wasn’t quite as good as I’d hoped it would be, but we were still able to hit some big plays in the passing game,” Walker said.
Barrett Hover had five catches for about 75 yards, including a 50-yard reception to set up the Panthers’ lone score.
While Walker said he was concerned about how his team would handle Vandebilt Catholic’s big offensive line, he said his team did well.
“The first couple of series, especially, we played pretty well, and we played pretty physical defensively,” he said.
Walker said Berwick got tired at the end of the scrimmage, and Vandebilt Catholic kept some drives going, converting on third down.
“We’ve got to make stops on third down to get off the field,” Walker said.
Vandebilt Catholic’s first-team offense scored once, and its second unit scored once, too.
Walker said he thought the scrimmage was a big boost for his team’s confidence as the team gets adjusted still to Walker’s system.
“So for us to go out there and have a little bit of success against a quality opponent I think only helps our kids understand to buy into the system,” Walker said.

St. Mary AARP pays recognition to its 30th year

Fri, 08/17/2018 - 11:00am

A celebration of St. Mary AARP Chapter 4435’s 30th year was held during the organization’s Aug. 6 meeting at the St. Mary Senior Citizen Center, home of St. Mary AARP, in Morgan City.
The tribute to the 30th anniversary was presented by St. Mary AARP President Faye Smith, who discussed the chapter’s founding on Aug. 8, 1988 and significant milestones in the early years.
Special recognition was given in honor of St. Mary AARP founder, the late Paul Vella Sr., and his widow Marie Vella, who was in attendance. The couple’s favorite song, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” was played for Mrs. Vella, which was followed by a standing ovation in her honor.
Smith also recognized two surviving charter board members from 1988, Helen Ross and Nedra Giroir. Recognition was also given to current and past officers and board members.
The annual St. Mary AARP College Scholar-ship awards were presented to two graduates of St. Mary Parish high schools. The St. Mary Parish AARP scholarship committee, consisting of Helen Ross, chairman; Curtis Leonard, Lea Hebert and Lydia Landry, presented the certificates and checks.
Recipients were JohNay Coulon, a graduate of Morgan City High School; and Jordyn Baudoin, a graduate of Hanson Memorial High School.
Coulon will attend Xavier University in New Orleans, majoring in biology and pre-med. Baudoin will attend the University of Louisiana at Lafayette to major in nursing.
The meeting and meal sponsors for August were St. Mary Parish President David Hanagriff, and parish councilmen Kevin Voisin, Patrick Hebert, Sterling Fryou Sr. and Paul Naquin Jr.
Attendees were served a meal of fried fish, white beans and rice, and salad. The meal was prepared by Sterling and Pat Fryou, and Floyd and Shirley Hymel.
Hanigriff and the councilmen acknowledge the many accomplishments of St. Mary AARP over the last 30 years.
Prior to the meeting, members and guests were entertained with dance music followed by bingo.
Birthday and anniversary celebrants for August were recognized. The cake was donated by M C Bank.
The next St. Mary AARP monthly meeting and meal will be held on Sept. 10.

Woman’s old sweetheart still can’t win her dad’s approval

Fri, 08/17/2018 - 10:51am

DEAR ABBY: I’m dating my grammar school and high school sweetheart, “Gary.” We’ve known each other since I was 6. (I’m 33 now.) In high school we dated for nine months and were in love, but he told lies to my dad, so Dad ordered him to stay away. Now, 16 years later, after being only friends all this time, we finally both became single and got back together. Gary is and always has been the love of my life, as I am his. He would do anything for me. He says he wants to marry me and have kids,

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Youngster's yellowfin tuna nearly places at Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo

Fri, 08/17/2018 - 10:33am

JOHN K. FLORES

Twelve-year-old Thomas Nini is like a lot of boys his age. He plays organized baseball in the spring, football in the fall, goes tubing in the summer and loves to fish. In fact, his mother, Catherine Nini, says he caught his first fish – a perch – when he was just three.
Catherine Nini said, “He used to get off the school bus, drop his school bag in the garage and put on his lifejacket. We live on the bayou in Berwick and he would go out there perch fishing after school.”
Unlike other boys his age, he came doggone close to placing in the money at this year’s Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo, when he caught a huge 88-pound yellowfin tuna. Yellowfin tuna can weigh upwards of 200-pounds and the current Louisiana state record is 251-pounds caught by Elliot Sale in 2012.
Thomas’s 88.6lbs yellowfin held third place on the rodeo’s leaderboard the final day of the tournament until Tyler Smith of Dehnam Springs, weighed in a 108lbs – 14oz fish. Smith’s yellowfin dropped Harahan angler, Jack Bryant’s 94lbs – 12oz catch to third, ultimately bumping Nini’s off the board. Charles Higgins from Baton Rouge ultimately had the distinction of winning the Big Game Division’s yellowfin category with a huge 154lbs – 12oz tuna.
Even though Thomas Nini’s yellowfin was a few pounds shy of placing in the nationally recognized rodeo, it doesn’t diminish the accomplishment of landing a fish this size – particularly by a youth. What’s more, a youth using lightweight tackle designed for smaller saltwater fish like red snapper, the fish he and his crew members were targeting on the final day of the rodeo.
As fish stories go, Thomas’s is a good one. His crew of six anglers left the landing at 6:30 A.M. His father, Mark Nini, wasn’t feeling well that morning and decided not to go, instead opting to buy Thomas a rodeo ticket in case he caught something he could enter.
When they got to the rig, Catherine Nini says her brother, Michael Patterson, had looked at the fish-finder and it was full of fish. He didn’t mention it to any of the crew at the time, but later told his sister he knew everyone was going to have a good day.
Because Thomas plays baseball, his family doesn’t get to go fishing as often as they like. They typically fish Easter weekend, fishing sheepshead off of Grand Isle.
“He was excited about going, because the only other fishing he did offshore was for sheepshead. The first thing he asked us that day was, ‘Are we gonna catch some different fish?’ I said, ‘Yeah, we should catch some different fish at this rig,’” Catherine Nini said.
Using a lightweight saltwater rod and reel loaded with 65-pound braided line Thomas says he was fishing about 10 feet down trying to catch some smaller fish when his reel started to scream. For the next 30-minutes, youth angler and yellowfin tuna battled each other.
“It would just take off and then I’d reel in. And, then it would take off again. Even though I play sports and am athletic and stuff, it still wore me out. My arms felt like noodles. I did actually feel like giving up once, but they told me to keep on trying,” said Thomas.
In spite of how he felt, throughout the fight Thomas was calm according to Catherine Nini. When the yellowfin initially took the bait and started peeling line off she says he placed the rod back in the rod holder and told everyone he needed a belt.
Once Thomas, who stands just shy of 5-feet tall and weighs 114 pounds put his belt on, his Uncle Mike said, “Pick up that fishing pole boy!”
Catherine Nini said, “My brother was a really good cheerleader. He’d say, ‘Come on Thomas you can do it.’ We knew we weren’t supposed to help him, so we’d cheer him on.”
Unable to see the fish initially, the way the line was peeling off the reel, guesses as to what the fish was by crew members ranged from a shark to king mackerel. When Catherine’s brother thought it might be a yellowfin tuna, everyone got excited.
As the fight drew to a close, the one thing that Thomas became anxious about was the fish getting away.
Thomas said, “The motor of the boat made the water white. You really couldn’t see anything until the fish was on top of the water. I was kind of thinking of the videos I watched of people getting the fish right up close to the boat and they got off. I was kind of worried.”
In the end the yellowfin was boated and now is part of Nini family folklore.
Catherine Nini said, “It was perfect weather and Thomas ended up catching that tuna. Fishing is family time and bonding time. It’s when memories are being made.”
If you wish to make a comment or have an anecdote, recipe or story you wish to share, you can contact John K. Flores by calling 985-395-5586 or by email at gowiththeflo@cox.net

Sheriff: Woman arrested on multiple drug-related charges

Fri, 08/17/2018 - 10:25am

A 37-year-old Amelia woman was arrested on multiple drug-related charges after authorities executed a search warrant at a home, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Scott Anslum said in a news release.

—Tonika Cooper, 37, of Lake Palourde Road in Amelia, was arrested at 5:37 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of THC, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a minor, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a drug-free zone (church) and transactions involving drug offense.

—Dillon Bott, 19, of Lake Palourde Road in Amelia, was arrested at 5:37 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a minor.

Deputies with the St. Mary Parish Narcotics Section with assistance from the Morgan City Police Department Narcotics Division executed a search warrant on a home on Lake Palourde Road in Amelia due to reports of drug activity.

The deputies obtained a search warrant for the home and through the investigation made contact with Cooper, her son Bott, and a juvenile. During the investigation, deputies found marijuana and drug paraphernalia items at the home. Bott was released on a summons to appear Nov. 13. Cooper was jailed with no bail set.

Anslum reported that deputies responded to 36 complaints and reported the following arrests:

—Joseph Jessie, 27, of Bernard Street in Patterson, was arrested at 6:26 p.m. Thursday on a charge of simple robbery.

Deputies patrolling Siracusa were dispatched to assist in a simple battery complaint at a home on Grace Street. Upon arrival, the deputies located victim who had been involved in an altercation with Jessie and the victim claimed that Jessie had taken money and jewelry, Anslum said.

Later in the night, the deputies located Jessie at his home. Through the investigation, the deputies found evidence that Jessie had been in an altercation with the victim, Anslum said. Jessie was jailed with no bail set.

Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported that officers responded to 33 calls and reported the following arrests:

—George A. Ribardi, 27, of North Third Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:43 p.m. Thursday on a warrant charging him with violation of a protective order.

Ribardi was stopped by an officer for a traffic violation in the area of La. 182 and Brashear Avenue. A warrant check revealed that Ribardi had a warrant for his arrest. The warrant stems from an incident in April that alleges Ribardi violated a protective order by contacting the victim via text messages. Ribardi was jailed.

—Amanda R. Thibodeaux, 27, of Wedell Street in Patterson, was arrested at 11:36 p.m. Thursday on warrants for failure to appear on a charge of no driver’s license and failure to appear on a charge of unsafe vehicle.

Officers responded to a motel on La. 182 in regard to an individual at the location who possibly had warrants for another agency. Officers located the individual identified as Thibodeaux. Police determined that Thibodeaux held active warrants for the Kaplan Police Department. Thibodeaux was jailed.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrest:

—Scott Clement, 54, of People Street in Thibodaux, was arrested at 10:10 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession of gabapentin and no turn signal. No bail was set yet.

Patterson Police Chief Janis Merritt reported no arrests.

Boil water advisory lifted for Stephensville area

Thu, 08/16/2018 - 3:35pm

The boil water advisory that was issued Monday for Stephensville area residents has been lifted.

St. Martin Water and Sewer Commission No. 1 of lower St. Martin Parish issued a precautionary boil water advisory Monday for all homes located in the Stephensville area due to a busted water line.

Alternating lane closures Aug. 26 on area bridges

Thu, 08/16/2018 - 1:22pm

U.S. 90 on the Atchafalaya River, Bayou Ramos and Bayou Boeuf bridges will have alternating lane closures in the east and west directions Sunday, Aug. 26, to allow crews to pick up debris from the shoulders of the bridges, a state Department of Transportation and Development news release said.

This work is estimated to take place from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather permitting. All permit and oversize loads along with emergency vehicles will be allowed to pass. There are no detours.