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(Updated) U.S. 90 reopened after pipeline hit in Baldwin

Mon, 05/14/2018 - 7:57am

All roads that were shut down Monday morning in Franklin, including U.S. 90 east and west, have been reopened after a vehicle struck pipeline in the Baldwin area, according to a St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office news release.

All residents who had evacuated may return to their homes.

The incident occurred on Yokely Road near the railroad tracks in the Baldwin area where a vehicle reportedly struck a pipeline, the release said. Yokely Road at Northwest Boulevard was also shut down.

The Baldwin Community Center in Baldwin on La. 83 and the Franklin Recreation Center in Franklin on Hospital Boulevard were both open to residents who evacuated due to the emergency incident.

Rick Rainey, a spokesman for Enterprise Products Partners, said the pipeline contained natural gasoline, propane, ethane and butane and was part of the company’s “Promix Gathering System,” which transports the liquids.

Company officials had mobilized their response team and were working with local authorities, he said.

Louisiana State Police Haz Mat was among the authorities on scene.

Franklin High and LaGrange Elementary schools dismissed school Monday morning because Cleco had to shut off power in the area due to the pipeline incident, St. Mary Parish Schools Superintendent Leonard Armato said. Franklin High will be dismissed at 10 a.m. Monday and LaGrange Elementary at 10:30 a.m.

Officials had expected power to be out most of the day at both schools, so they made the decision to close the two schools, Armato said. The school system had buses bring children home, and parents were also welcome to check out their children at the schools, he said.

Threat of state cuts spark fear of nursing home expulsions

Mon, 05/14/2018 - 7:45am

By CASEY COLLIER
With the threat of Medicaid cuts that could force thousands of nursing home patients out of their care, local individuals in the elderly health care and senior services sector are watching the Louisiana Legislature closely.
The Louisiana Senate Republican Caucus issued a statement Wednesday addressing the Edwards administration’s plans to notify elderly and disabled Medicaid recipients of a possible cancelation of certain services they now receive.
The statement read in part, “We in the Senate have no intention of putting Medicaid recipients on the streets or closing down medical schools. It is imperative that we approach the budget issues in a responsible and measured fashion to make sure that we continue to make it a priority to serve the needs of our poor, elderly and disabled citizens. It is our intention to fund these vital Medicaid services.”
Further, the statement outlined the Senate Finance Committee’s intentions to “pass out a budget by the end of this week with the full Senate considering the budget outlining Senate priorities with the limited funds available early next week.”
Amanda Landry, Franklin Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, said Thursday of the possible cuts, “The letters haven’t arrived yet, and nobody knows what’s going to happen. It’s a sad situation.
“Right now, the Nursing Home Association is trying to keep us abreast of what is happening in the Legislature. But nobody has any answers.”
She went on to say that she had yet to confirm to the residents of the facility the possible Medicaid cuts, citing her reason for abstention as not wanting to cause an unnecessary panic.
“When families have called, we have explained what we know, which is not much, only what’s been in the news,” Landry said.
However, she added, “It’s a sin and a shame that these people are being used to make a political way, on both sides. I don’t think it is one side more than the other, it’s both, and it’s a shame because they are fooling with people’s emotions.”
Beverly Domengeaux, St. Mary Council on Aging executive director, said, “We are watching the situation and we are evaluating the services that we may or may not be able to provide. It looks like there is going to be a lot of shortfall all the way around, but the people who mainly will be hurt, are the seniors.”
Top House Republicans questioned Wednesday the timing of Edwards’ administration’s sending of some 37,000 notification letters to would-be effected Medicaid recipients, calling it a “scare tactic.”
Ahead of the SRC’s statement, Health Secretary Rebekah Gee and Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne are reported to have insisted that this was not the case.
“It is not a tactic,” Dardenne said. “This letter is scary.”
Gee reportedly said that while eligibility loss would not occur until July 1, it was imperative to send the letters Thursday, to allow for those effected, to plan.
Gee said, “We’ve really tried to underscore that these are real people. But unfortunately, we have to take action. This is not the heart of the administration to do this.”
Dardenne said he would imagine the reaction by anyone who gets one of the letters to be “extremely adverse,” and said he doesn’t blame them. “The letter is very clear in telling these individuals that these cuts may happen and are not set in stone.”
Domengeaux said she estimates the cuts would increase her services by roughly 7 percent. “We do not get Medicaid money,” she said. “Therefore, we would have to use our state and federal funds. I would probably have to hire more people. But, my funds keep getting cut already and I am already in a contract that I can’t void, so if I went over the amount for services in the contract, I would have to make up for the rest of it myself.
“Where are these people going to go? If they don’t have families and they don’t have housing, where are they going to go?”

Grandparents Rock

Mon, 05/14/2018 - 7:44am

St. Mary Community Action Agency held a Grandparents Rock program, Wednesday at Franklin Recreation Center. The program invited all Head Start grandparents and every grandparent in St. Mary Parish and surrounding areas to attend for remarks and brunch in appreciation for the roles grandparents play in the lives of parish youth.

Healthy Habits

Mon, 05/14/2018 - 7:42am

St. Mary Parish 4-H Club, in partnership with LSU AgCenter sponsored its second Healthy Habits Fun Day, Wednesday, at Chitimacha Tribal School. With a grant from the Walmart Foundation, 4-H volunteers were able to provide booths where students learned the importance of balanced nutrition.

Graduate-level play: No. 4 Berwick holds off top-ranked Sterlington, 8-6, to advance to 3A title game

Fri, 05/11/2018 - 4:20pm

GEOFF STOUTE

gstoute@daily-review.com

SULPHUR —

After watching Berwick High School’s six seniors graduate on the field prior to the team’s Class 3A semifinal contest against top-ranked Sterlington Thursday at McMurry Park, the fourth-ranked Panthers executed some graduate-level play on the field to lift the squad to an upset victory and into Saturday’s Class 3A finals.
While Berwick (28-8) held a two-run lead at 8-6 and appeared headed for a quick inning in the bottom of the seventh, Sterlington (32-4) wouldn’t have it.
With two outs, Berwick High School senior pitcher Kyle Pitre hit Sterlington’s Davis Johnson with a pitch before Brocks Rushworth doubled to centerfield to put runners at second and third base.
However, the next batter, Braden Hough, who two innings before had tied the game at 6 with a two-RBI double to the right field wall, hit a ground ball to Kyle Boudreaux. Boudreaux fielded the ball, threw to first baseman Zeph Hoffpauir for the game’s final out, and Berwick’s celebration began.
“It’s easy when you have a defense like I have,” Pitre said of pitching in pressure-packed situations. “I think I had one strikeout tonight. They made the rest of the plays. This one’s on them. I had nothing to do with that. They deserve all the glory for this.”
The Panthers will play No. 3 Iota High School (33-6), which topped No. 2 Brusly, 3-0, in the game prior to Berwick’s, Saturday at 5:30 p.m. on Field 40. The championship-game appearance will be the Panthers’ first since 1994. The Panthers last won a state baseball title in Class 2A in 1978. Berwick High School assistant coach Lud Henry was a senior on that squad.
“I can’t even imagine what that’s going to be like Saturday. There’s going to be so many people here for Berwick. We can’t wait. … We got to go get some rest. We got to figure out how we’re going to do this thing, but we’re going to be ready to play. Listen to them now,” Berwick coach Brandon Bravata said as a roar among the Berwick contingent erupted in the background.
In Thursday’s game, the Panthers took the lead for good in the top of sixth when Brett Williams, who was 0-for-3 overall in the game, including 0-for-1 against Sterlington reliever Adam Tubbs, connected on a double to left field to score Reid Wiley and Mitchell Sanford.
“It’s an indescribable feeling,” Williams said of the hit. “I’m blessed to be able to be the one to do that. It’s unbelievable.”
Throughout the game, Pitre and the Panthers were resilient as they bounced back from adversity with an answer to every Sterlington score.
“That was a gutsy performance,” Bravata said. “I don’t think we panicked. I think there were some times where we had some issues, situations where we could have panicked, and we didn’t. I’m so proud of Kyle Pitre on the mound. He didn’t have his best stuff tonight, but we played some defense. We had two mistakes, but we made some great plays. We were good in the infield for the most part.”
Not panicking is a lesson Berwick learned after blowing a 5-0 lead to Ascension Catholic in its regular-season finale in a 6-5 loss. The ability to stay calm when faced with adversity was impressed upon the team after that game.
“If you punch us in the mouth, we’re going to come back and punch you back in the mouth,” Williams said. “We’re not going to give up. We know we can come back and put up runs on the board.”
Pitre earned the complete-game victory. In seven innings, he surrendered six runs (three earned) on eight hits with two walks, one hit batter and one strikeout.
He received some solid defense from his teammates, too.
However, it was Pitre’s bat that got things going initially for the Panthers as he connected on a two-RBI double to deep left field in the top of the first for a 2-0 Berwick lead.
Sterlington, whose mascot also is the Panthers, countered in the bottom of the third, loading the bases with nobody out via a single by Tucker Allen, a walk to Brock Risinger and a bunt by Seaver Sheets. Sheets is the son of ex-Major League Baseball player Ben Sheets.
While Pitre got the next batter, Jarrett McDonald, to ground out to second base for the first out, the Panthers got on the board on the play.
Another run scored one batter latter when Carson Clowers’ bunt brought home the second Panther to tie the game at 2.
Johnson gave the Panthers a 3-2 lead on a sacrifice fly to centerfield before Pitre ended the damage, forcing a fly out to centerfield.
Berwick came right back in the fourth inning with back-to-back RBI-doubles by Chad LaGrange and Reid Wiley to left field to take a 4-3 lead.
Sterlington then made a pitching change, replacing starter Trey Rugg with Tubbs.
Sanford, the first batter Tubbs faced, connected on an RBI triple that ricocheted off the left field wall to score Wiley for a 5-3 Berwick lead.
While Sterlington put runners on first and second with one out in the bottom of the fourth, Pitre escaped the jam as the Panthers converted a 6-4-3 double play to get the runners at second base and first base to end the inning.
On the play, Robertson took third base and came home when the errant pickoff throw by Sterlington’s catcher to try to get Kyle Boudreaux on the steal went into centerfield.
Sterlington didn’t go away, though.
With two outs and runners on first and third in the bottom of the fifth, Rushworth connected on an RBI single to left-centerfield to cut Berwick’s lead to 6-4.
The next batter, Hough, doubled down the right field line to the wall, scoring two runs to tie the game at six.
Berwick outhit Sterlington 9-8 in the game
Top Berwick hitters were: Hoffpauir, 2-for-3, with a stolen base and a run; Boudreaux, 2-for-4, a run; Williams and Pitre, each 1-for-4 with a double and two RBIs; Sanford, 1-for-3, a triple, an RBI and a run; Wiley, 1-for-3, a double, an RBI, a stolen base and two runs; and LaGrange, 1-for-3, a double, an RBI and a run.
Tubbs suffered the loss in relief. In 3.2 innings, he surrendered three runs (two earned) on three hits with four walks, one hit batter and three strikeouts.
Rugg started the game but received a no-decision. In 3.1 innings, he surrendered five runs (three earned) on six hits with one walk and three strikeouts.
Rushworth and Hough led Sterlington’s hitters. Rushworth finished 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run, while Hough was 1-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Other top Sterlington hitters were Johnson, 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run; Clowers, 1-for-4, an RBI; and McDonald, an RBI.

Bayou Horseshoe Pitchers Association report

Fri, 05/11/2018 - 4:02pm

Bayou Horseshoe Pitchers Association Spring League Week 6 W L W.H.A.G. 28.5 25.5 Dilly Dilly 27.5 26.5 Tails Up 27.5 26.5 Kemper Ringers 27 27 Dud’s Club 26 28 Heads Up 25.5 28.5 High scratch point average – 30’: Tim Gilmore 85.7, Al Dodson 75.7 and Dudley Michel 71.5. High individual ringer percentage – 30’: Gilmore 65.5, Dodson 52.7 and Michel 51.3. High scratch point average – 40’: Jimmy Percle 49.9, Clyde Landry ...

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Merged parochial school systems will be called Central Catholic

Fri, 05/11/2018 - 3:41pm

Beginning next year, Catholic school students in Morgan City will attend a school named Central Catholic, from pre-K3 all the way through high school.
Bishop Shelton J. Fabre of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux has approved the recommendations from the branding subcommittee, communications and mar-keting committee, board of trustees, and superintendent of Catholic schools on the name to be used with the unification of Holy Cross Elementary School and Central Catholic High School.
The entire PK3-12th grade school system will be known as Central Catholic, the diocese said in a news release.
In addition, the unified colors of red, white and blue along with the Eagles as mascot were also approved. Specific references to the school’s activities and func-tions at the different grade levels will be addressed as follows:
—Grades 9-12: Central Catholic High School.
—Grades 6-8: Central Catholic Junior High School.
—Pre-K3 through Grade 5: Central Catholic Elementary School.
The action items listed are in line with the details included in the Vision 2020 Communications Plan, the diocese said.
“I am happy to accept and confirm these selections made by the board of trustees for the new unified diocesan Catholic school in Morgan City, Fabre said in the press release. “I am grateful for the work of the board of trustees in this regard and for all that they are doing to advance the foundation of a new unified school in Morgan City.”
“What an exciting time this is for Catholic education in Morgan City and its surrounding areas! We are blessed to offer a strong academic education in a Christ-centered environment for students in grades Pre-K3–12 at Central Catholic beginning in the 2018-2019 school year. The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, along with the entire Central Catholic school family, is united in our ever-important ministry of forming missionary disciples of Christ,” says Suzanne Troxclair, diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools.
For more information con-tact the Rev. Mark Toups at 985-850-3143 or mtoups@htdiocese.org

St. Mary school board recognizes achievers

Fri, 05/11/2018 - 11:44am

By BILL DECKER

bdecker@daily-review.com

CENTERVILLE — The St. Mary Parish School Board had a quick meeting Thursday, finishing in time to get to the Centerville High and Berwick High graduation ceremonies. Members devoted most of their time to praising accomplished principals, students and staff members.
But the board did take a quick time out to re-approve property tax rates. The board raised a couple of those tax rates.
The changes came in bond retirement funds. Chief Financial Officer Alton Perry said increases in two funds were needed to maintain adequate balances.
The Consolidated District 1 tax for the parish’s west end will be 16 mills after standing at 10 mills for six years, Perry said. That will add $15 a year to the tax bill for the owner of a $100,000 primary home and $75 for the owner of a $200,000 home.
The Special School District 4 tax for the Centerville area, which had been at 6 mills for six years, will go up to 8 mills. That’s another $5 a year on a $100,000 home and $25 on a $200,000 home.
Other rates will remain as they were last year:
—The 5th Ward Special School District 1 bond fund, 15 mills.
—The constitutional school tax (8.35 mills) and Consolidated School District 5 (11.17 mills), both for the board’s general fund.
—The maintenance taxes for Consolidated School District 3 (12 mills), Consolidated School District 2 (12.17 mills) and the 6th Ward School District 3 (11.75 mills).
The tax issues didn’t attract much applause. But the recognition of special accomplishments did. The board:
—Recognized Laine Mayon for winning the 2017-18 Horace Mann/Louisiana Association of Principals Aspiring Principal Scholarship. The scholarship is worth $1,000.
Mayon is a curriculum facilitator at Berwick Elementary. She has also worked at Wyandotte Elementary and Patterson Junior High during a 14-year career in education.
“Mrs. Mayon believes that school leaders must be role models and lead by example, have high expectations and collaborate effectively with all members of the school and community,” said Debbie Shrum of the Louisiana Association of Principals in her presentation to the board.
—Recognized more than 200 “word millionaires” who have read books containing a total of at least 1 million words. Student Eli Schmidt was the overall champion for reading more than 7 million words.
—Recognized the Principals of the Year. They are M.E. Norman’s Shannon Hoffpauir, who led the school from a C grade to an A in five years there; Tim Hymel of Berwick Junior High, whose roles have included math teacher, coach and administrator; and Ty Burdett of Franklin High, who has led an effort to raise the school’s grade to B.
—Recognized Students of the Month Mallory Menard, a fifth-grader at Berwick Elementary, and Riley Jackson, a fifth-grader at M.E. Norman.
—Recognized Employees of the Month Kathryn Taylor, a bookkeeper at Berwick Elementary, and Becky Wiggins, a pre-K teacher at M.E. Norman.
—Recognized the winners in the Blue Ribbon drawing contest.
Mia Crooks, a Berwick Junior High eighth-grader, came up with the campaign slogan, “The future is BRIGHT when you are doing things RIGHT!”
The Grand Champion in the drawing contest is Hanson Memorial sophomore Emily Rogers.
The other winners in the contest are Ryan Caruso, kindergarten, M.E. Norman; Paityn Bibbs, first grade, St. John; Zoe Hepler, second grade, Holy Cross; Astrid Sanchez, third grade, J.S. Aucoin; Danielle Hillebrandt, fourth grade, Berwick; Sherley Perez-Deleon, fifth grade, J.S. Aucoin; Caidynce Hebert, fifth grade, Wyandotte; Grace Faucheux, seventh grade, Hanson; Jaci Hebert, eighth grade, Berwick; Carlee Sinitiere, 10th grade, Hanson; Amanda Turner, second-grade teacher, Berwick; and Allison Burgess, third-grade teacher, Chitimacha Tribal School.

11 summa cum laude seniors lead MCHS grads

Fri, 05/11/2018 - 11:31am

Morgan City High School Class of 2018 will hold its graduation ceremony at 6 p.m. Friday at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium. Eleven summa cum laude graduates will lead the class.
Top graduates are:

Ashleymay Catrett
Ashleymay Catrett, daughter of Amanda Boudreaux and Todd Catrett, was a member of BETA Club for four years and Key Club her senior year. She plans to major in biology at the University of New Orleans.

Kelsey Crochet
Kelsey Crochet, daughter of Belinda Crochet and Eric Crochet, was a member of Fancy Dancers, Yearbook Staff and Quiz Bowl. She has participated in BETA, Student Council, Historical Society, SADD and Tiger Ambassadors. She will pursue a degree in nursing at the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University.

Haley Dunagin
Haley Dunagin, daughter of Lesley and Kenneth Dunagin, participated in BETA, Key Club and Student Council. She will be attending the University of Louisiana at Lafayette majoring in psychology.

Thompson Duong
Thompson Duong, son of Thu Doan and Tam Duong, was involved with BETA and Student Council. He plans to major in chemistry while attending the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Kaylynn Gros
Kaylynn Gros, daughter of Shaelynn Benoit and Brent Gros Sr., was a member of BETA, Key Club, Historical Society, Prom Committee and the Journalism staff. She also played soccer for MCHS. She will be attending Nicholls State University, majoring in biology/pre-med.

Kennedy Hebert
Kennedy Hebert, daughter of Kitty and Joseph Hebert, was a member of BETA, Prom Committee, and volleyball and softball teams. She plans to attend Nicholls, where she has signed to play softball, and major in biology.

Bailee Hoggatt
Bailee Hoggatt, daughter of Michelle and Robert Hoggatt, was 2017-18 MCHS Student of the Year and also the SMPSB High School Student of the Year. She participated in BETA, Key Club, Tiger Ambassadors, Quiz Bowl and Historical Society. She also played tennis all four years while at MCHS. She will be attending Louisiana State University, majoring in industrial engineering.

Carter Pasqua
Carter Pasqua, son of Jamie Verret and Joe Pasqua, was a member of BETA and Student Council, and participated in Choir and Honor Choir. He will be attending the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, majoring in chemistry, with plans to attend medical school with a concentration in neurosurgery.

Jonathan Spinella
Jonathan Spinella, son of Dawn and David Spinella, was a member of BETA, Quiz Bowl, Historical Society, Key Club and Student Council, and was on the MCHS bowling team all four years. He plans to major in accounting while attending Nicholls.

Fernando Torres
Fernando Torres, son of Janet and Alejandro Torres, participated in Student Council, BETA, New Generation Forum, Quiz Bowl, Historical Society, tennis, soccer and track. He will be attending the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, majoring in civil engineering.

Tayla Weary
Tayla Weary, daughter of Theresa and Reginald Weary, was a member of Tiger Ambassadors, Fancy Dancers and track team. She participated in Student Council, Key Club, BETA Club, MCHS Student Newspaper, Foreign Language Society, Historical Society, 4-H, SADD and Prom Committee, and was elected 2017 homecoming queen.
She will attend University of Louisiana at Lafayette, majoring in psychology with a minor in child and family studies.

BENNY BLACKBURN JR.

Fri, 05/11/2018 - 11:25am

Benny Blackburn Jr., 73, a native of Verdunville and resident of Patterson, died Saturday, May 5, 2018 at his residence. Visitation will be Saturday from 9 a.m. until services at 11 a.m. at New Salem Baptist Church in Patterson. Burial will follow in Nazarene Cemetery in Verdunville. He is survived by two sons, Benny Blackburn III of Bethany, Oklahoma and Gregory Hunt of Patterson; three daughters, Barbara Blackburn, Shantel Gant and Tonya Hunt, all of Patterson; two brothers, the Rev. Henry Harris Sr. of Verdunville and Herbert Blackburn of Patterson; eight sisters, Arlene Lightfoot of Houston, Christine Taylor of Franklin, and ...