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SUSAN MARIE LEON

Tue, 05/08/2018 - 11:24am

9/1/1949-5/4/2018
Susan Marie Ratcliff Leon, a native and lifelong resident of Morgan City, was called to her heavenly home on Friday, May 4, 2018 at the age of 68.
Susan was a devoted wife to her loving husband, a dedicated mother to her children, and was known for spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Susan adored the outdoors, there she spent much of her time gardening and tending to her Koi Pond. She was a free-spirited person who was one with nature. Susan was a selfless person and was always concerned with the happiness of those around her. Resilient, dedicated and strong-willed, these are traits that made up the beautiful soul that was Susan.
Those left to cherish Susan’s memory is her husband and best friend of 50 years, Norris Leon Jr. of Bayou Vista; five children, Kirk Leon and his wife, Gerayne, Klint Leon and his wife, Brooke, Reneé Boudousquie and her husband, Michael, Keith Leon and his wife, Tonya, and Tara Nico and her husband, Larry; three siblings, Randolph “Randy” Ratcliff Jr. and his wife, Barbara, Elsie Gaudet and her husband, Bobby Sr., and Ronald “Ronnie” Ratcliff Sr. and his wife, Sandra; 13 grandchildren, Andrew Broussard, Kaleb Leon, Brent Alleman Jr., Lauren Alleman, Konner Leon, McKenzie Leon, Logan Leon, Camren Boudousquie, Morgan Boudousquie, Andrea Haddock and her husband, Josh, Jalisa Nico, Braedyn Nico and Layton Nico; and five great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her mother-in-law, Hazel Leon and four brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law.
She joined in heaven her parents, Randolph Ratcliff Sr.; her mother, Shirley Mayon Ratcliff; her father-in-law, Norris Leon Sr.; her brother, Michael Ratcliff; and her nieces, Rachel and Kimberly Ratcliff.
The family requests that a time of visitation be observed on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 from 9 a.m. until time of services at 1 p.m. at Hargrave Funeral Home in Morgan City, Louisiana. Following services, Susan will be laid to rest in the Morgan City Mausoleum. Acting as pallbearers will be her beloved grandsons.

ALBERT J. ONCALE

Tue, 05/08/2018 - 11:21am

Albert J. Oncale, resident of Gray and native of Thibodaux Louisiana, passed peacefully at the age of 82 with his family by his side on May 4th, 2018.
Known as “The Budman,” Al worked as a sales manager for Buquet Distribution for 25 years. He was known for his friendly attitude and never knew a stranger. Once retired, he spent his time wood-working in his shop and gardening. He would love seeing the big smile on his grandkids faces as they pulled out big carrots.
He is survived by his wife, Noilie “Nora” Oncale whom he adored; one stepson, Ricky Landry and his wife Angie of Port Arthur, Texas; one stepdaughter, Toni Adams and her husband Roger of Morgan City; two sisters, Shirley Brien of Dulac, and Dessa Kliebert and her husband Roy of Vacherie; five grandkids; six great-grandkids; three nieces and eight nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Antione Oncale; mother, Odessa B. Oncale; and sister, Audrey Morvant.
Due to his final wishes to donate his body to science, memorial services are pending.

ELIZABETH A. KOOI SMILIE

Tue, 05/08/2018 - 11:01am

September 25, 1940-May 2, 2018
Elizabeth A. Kooi Smilie, 77, a resident of Morgan City, passed away Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at AMG Specialty Hospital.
Elizabeth was born on September 25, 1940 in Houston, Texas, the daughter of Henri George Kooi and Annie Marie Sarao Kooi.
She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by three children, Jimmy R. Smilie II and wife Martha of Morgan City, Sherri Richard and husband Lance of Morgan City, and Paul Smilie and companion Debbie of Rosharon, Texas; 11 grandchildren, Jimmy R. Smilie III, Michael Smilie, Billy LeBlanc, Candace LeBlanc, Sherri Christina, Terri Elizabeth, Lauren Leeanne, Angela Marie, Rachel Kathrine, Dylan Smilie and Derick Smilie; 14 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, Henri and Annie Marie Sarao Kooi; one brother and one sister.
Private family services will be held at a later date.

GERTRUDE GROS SCULLY

Tue, 05/08/2018 - 10:58am

March 4, 1939-May 6, 2018
Gertrude Gros Scully, 79, a resident of Morgan City, passed away Sunday, May 6, 2018 at Ochsner Foundation Hospital.
Gertrude was born on March 4, 1939 in Morgan City, the daughter of Aureain Gros and Bernice Chaisson Gros.
She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her husband of 62 years, Hubert “Shine” Scully of Morgan City; four children, Judy McAdams and husband Leroy of Belle River, Karen Menard and husband Barry of Bayou Vista, Tommy Scully and wife Melanie of Patterson, and Tammy Scully of Bayou Vista; 17 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and eight siblings, Villary, Junius, Linda, Doris, Rita, Patsy, Lorraine and Annabelle.
Gertrude was preceded in death by her parents, Aureain and Bernice Chaisson Gros; one daughter, Sandra Matherne; eight siblings; sister-in-law, Nelda Daigle; and one aunt, Denise Gros.
Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at Twin City Funeral Home with Pastor Den Hussy officiating. A visitation was held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service and following the services, Gertrude was laid to rest in the Morgan City Cemetery.

Wheel House for May 8

Tue, 05/08/2018 - 10:56am

RABIES SHOTS
Given by Dr. Brooke Kaufmann, DVM, at Stephensville Park at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 19. Cost $5. Form will be available to fill out. Pets are to be properly controlled.

SUMMER FEEDING
St. Mary Community Action Agency Summer Food Service Program for children begins June 11. Meals are free. Breakfast, 8:30-9 a.m. and lunch, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. In addition to providing meals, there will be constructive activities for children to participate in, including arts and crafts, games, and theatrical performances. Sites include: Bayou Vista Community Center, 1333 Belleview St., Bayou Vista, lunch; Maitland Elementary, 1907 Federal Ave., Morgan City, lunch; Hattie Watts Elementary School, 1307 Third St., Patterson, breakfast and lunch; and Siracusa Recreational Center, 1106 Grace St., Siracusaville Subdivision, breakfast and lunch. Sites closed July 4.

Economist: Legislature needs to fix uncertain budgets

Tue, 05/08/2018 - 9:37am

Louisiana’s Legislature appears to be headed for its sixth special session since the start of 2016 to address the state’s budget woes. The unpredictability of the budget each year needs to change, said James Richardson, an LSU economics professor. Richardson was guest speaker Monday during a St. Mary Industrial Group meeting at the Petroleum Club of Morgan City. He is director of the Public Administration Institute at LSU’s E.J. Ourso College of Business. He is also a member of state government’s Revenue Estimating Conference which projects how much revenue the state can expect to get each year. All of the ...

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HYTTA ANN FRUGÉ GUILLORY

Tue, 05/08/2018 - 9:34am

January 19, 1936 - May 6, 2018
Hytta Ann Frugé Guillory, 82, a native of Allen Parish, former longtime resident of Franklin, and a 35 year resident of Centerville, passed away on Sunday, May 6, 2018, at Iberia General Medical Center in New Iberia. Ann, as she was known, was an avid gardener who had a green thumb for growing just about anything. She was a wonderful cook who also enjoyed canning and making jams and jellies, and was a talented seamstress as well. Some of her favorite memories were made on camping trips and get-togethers with her family, whom she dearly loved, especially her grandbabies.
She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her husband of nearly 61 years, Lawrence Nolton Guillory; three children, Melissa Ann Guillory, Amanda Clotile Guillory and her husband John Scott Davis, and Lawrence Aten Guillory and his wife Stacey; nine grandchildren, Richard Lee Hopkins, Huey Allen Hopkins III, Lawrence Lee Hopkins, Lorrie Verret, Stephanie Timoteo, Alex James Landry, Courtney Landry, Morgan Guillory, and Sarra Guillory; ten great grandchildren, McKinsey Leigh Hopkins, Nicole Rene’ Hopkins, Rylie Hopkins, Nathaniel Hopkins, Ethan Hopkins, Noah Russell, Kaden Russell, Nya Timoteo, Leila Timoteo, and Axel Landry; one brother, Wallace Frugé; one sister, Caroline Frugé Matt; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Aten Allen Frugé and Bernice Rose Richard Frugé, two brothers, Rigsby Frugé and Larry Frugé; and one sister, Veronica Frugé Harper.
A memorial gathering of family and friends will be held on Wednesday, May 9, at Ibert’s Mortuary in Franklin from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m., with the Cursillo Rosary being prayed at 7 p.m., led by the Franklin Men’s Ultreya Group. Visitation will continue on Thursday, May 10, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Centerville beginning at 10 a.m., with an 11 a.m. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial. Father Ruben Primor will be the Celebrant for the Mass with Father Oneil Landry concelebrating.
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.

Arrest Reports 5-8-18

Tue, 05/08/2018 - 9:34am

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Scott Anslum reported the following arrests:
Emily Borel, 24, of 342 David Road, Bayou Vista, was arrested Friday at 8:13 p.m. on a warrant for the charge of battery of a dating partner.
The warrant was issued following an investigation into a complaint of a domestic battery at a residence in Bayou Vista. The deputy collected evidence that Borel struck a female victim during an argument. Borel turned herself in at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center. Borel was released on a $2,500 bond.
Rachel Dardar, 39, of 700 Belanger St., Morgan City, was arrested Friday at 5:50 p.m. on a warrant for charges of theft and unauthorized use of an access card.
A deputy investigating a report of a vehicle crash on US 90 in Bayou Vista went to the residence on Belanger Street, made contact with Dardar, and found that she had an active warrant for her arrest. The warrant was issued in June in 2010 after a deputy identified Dardar as the suspect who used the victim’s stolen debit card to purchase over $250 in items from a store in Bayou Vista. Dardar was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Dardar was transferred to another facility for housing.
Matthew Richard, 48, of 20216 US 90 W Frontage Road #3, Jeanerette, was arrested Monday at 10:42 p.m. on charges of possession of open alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles, careless operation and possession of Schedule I marijuana.
A deputy working in the Sorrel area observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed on La. 182. The deputy also saw the driver pass two vehicles coming dangerously close to another oncoming vehicle. The deputy conducted a traffic stop on La. 318 and identified the driver as Richard. While speaking with him, the deputy received consent to search the vehicle and found an open bottle of cold beer and a marijuana cigarette. Richard was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Bail is set at $3,000.
Jamiyon Bolden, 17, of 439 Sorrel Lane Lot #1, Sorrel, was arrested Monday at 11:09 p.m. on the charge of aggravated battery.
Deputies responded to a report of a knife injury in Sorrel. During the investigation, a deputy found evidence that Bolden cut a male victim with a pocket knife causing lacerations to his face and back during a confrontation that occurred at a park off La. 182 in Sorrel. The victim was attended by Acadian Ambulance but refused medical treatment. Bolden was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. No bail is set.
Shane Granger, 30, of 735 Chetta Lane, Siracusaville, was arrested Monday at 6:45 p.m. on charges of possession of Schedule I marijuana, violation of a controlled dangerous substance law drug free zone, turning movements and required signals violation, following vehicles violation and a warrant from the City Court of Morgan City for failure to appear on the charge of driver must be licensed.
Louis Ross, 38, of 5353 N. Bayou Black Drive, Gibson, was arrested Monday at 6:45 p.m. on a Terrebonne Parish warrant for failure to appear on the charge of domestic abuse battery.
Narcotics detectives conducted a traffic stop on La. 182 in Amelia after observing the driver fail to signal a turn and follow too closely to other vehicles on the roadway. Detectives identified the driver as Granger and the passenger as Ross. While speaking with Granger, detectives received consent to search the vehicle and located a marijuana cigarette. Detectives also found that Granger was wanted on an active warrant out of Morgan City and Ross was wanted on an active warrant from Terrebonne Parish. Granger and Ross were transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. No bail is set.
Franklin Police Chief Sabria McGuire reported the following arrests:
Gary Jones, 50, of Cayce Street, Franklin, was arrested Monday at 10:29 a.m. on a warrant dated for the charge of criminal trespassing. Jones was booked, processed, and held on a $500 bond.
Ebonie Brown, 28, of Easy Street, Franklin, was arrested Monday at 3:06 p.m. on a warrant for the charge of second degree battery. Brown was booked, processed, and released on a $2,500 bond.

Pollinator Garden highlight of Gardens Day May 11

Tue, 05/08/2018 - 9:26am

By KYLE PEVETO, LSU AgCenter

BATON ROUGE — Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other animals do the important work of pollinating flowers and food crops.
Without these pollinators, humans and animals would have less food and far fewer flowers to admire.
“One out of every three bites of food we eat relies on insects — primarily bees — and other organisms for pollination,” said LSU AgCenter entomologist Kristen Healy. “Many of our important crops rely on insects to carry pollen from one flowering plant to another for many fruits, vegetables and legumes to grow.”
The recently completed Pollinator Garden at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden is an oasis of nectar- and pollen-rich plants for insects and other animals that spread pollen and fertilize flowers and crops. The garden is also a teaching tool designed to educate children and adults alike on the importance of pollinators.
The Pollinator Garden will be showcased from 9 a.m. to noon on May 11 during a free event as the Botanic Gardens celebrates National Public Gardens Day.
The 23,000-square-foot Pollinator Garden features milkweed, salvia, hibiscus and other plants that are attractive to pollinators along with an insect-themed play area for children that include a dragonfly seesaw, a honeycomb climbing station and a giant caterpillar crawl-through tube.
Planting a garden full of pollen- and nectar-producing plants can help honeybees and other pollinators thrive, Healy said.
“The lack of available nutrients in the form of pollen and nectar from flowering plants can cause tremendous stress to pollinators,” Healy said. “Pollinator gardens that provide continuous sources of flowering plants suitable to pollinators can help improve the amount of food sources.”
The Pollinator Garden helps educate visitors on which plants attract these beneficial organisms.
“They are learning to choose flowers not only based on their looks but based on what they can do for the environment,” said Allyson Huval, the Botanic Gardens public relations intern who is the event coordinator and has worked on the new garden for the past year.
During the National Public Gardens Day event, entomologists from LSU and beekeepers from the Capital Area Beekeepers Association will offer lessons on bees and other insects, and children can learn the basics of flower and insect interaction in a pollinator-themed yoga session.
City Gelato will be selling a specially made gelato crafted with honey harvested from hives at the Burden Museum & Gardens property. Potted plants donated by Clegg’s Nursery will be raffled, and the first 100 guests will also take home their own free pollinator plant, a zinnia.
“Educating children and their families about the importance of pollinators to plants, our environment and our livelihood is a key part of this garden,” said Jeff Kuehny, resident director of the Botanic Gardens.
Scheduled for the Friday before Mother’s Day each year, National Public Gardens Day was created in 2009 by the American Public Gardens Association to celebrate public gardens — both botanic gardens and arboreta — and highlight the role they play in educating communities on the importance of green spaces to society.
Additional fact sheets and information on growing a pollinator garden can also be found on the AgCenter website, www.lsuagcenter.com.
About the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden
Located at 4560 Essen Lane, just off Interstate 10 in Baton Rouge, the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Botanic Gardens is part of Burden Museum & Gardens, which includes the LSU Rural Life Museum and Windrush Gardens.
The LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden is an expansive collection of specialty gardens, woodlands, wetlands and arboreta. Trees and Trails offers 3 miles of serene walking paths through the Burden Woods. The Rose Garden, Children’s Garden and All-America Selections Display Garden showcase the beauty of plants and flowers and provide educational experiences for gardeners of all ages. No admission is required to tour the gardens.

Couple disagrees on etiquette of curating their bathroom art

Tue, 05/08/2018 - 9:22am

DEAR ABBY: I’m a married woman in my 30s. My husband and I own a home, which I have decorated to our taste with the exception of “my” bathroom. My husband and I use separate bathrooms. Mine is the one on the main floor, which is also used by our guests. A few months ago, I purchased a large piece of art to hang in my bathroom. Admittedly, it is a bit provocative, but I don’t consider it to be over the top. My husband said he didn’t care that I hung it, but when his father came to visit ...