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Gov. Jeff Landry’s top budget and tax officials presented a plan for the coming fiscal year to a joint committee of the Legislature on Thursday, despite growing uncertainty over how potential federal funding cuts could affect the state’s finances.
With more than 50% of Louisiana’s budget relying on federal funds, potential cuts by the federal government to higher education, health care and infrastructure funding could create significant financial gaps for the state. Lawmakers also remain uncertain about budget items tied to the outcome of a state-wide vote in March over Constitutional Amendment 2, which was approved by the Legislature last November.
If voters pass the amendment on March 29, it would free up additional funding, allowing lawmakers to continue funding the $2,000 teacher stipend, which is currently not accounted for in the 2025-2026 budget.
Rep. Jason Hughes, D-New Orleans, questioned Landry officials about their commitment to securing the teacher pay raise should Amendment 2 fail to pass.
“I think it would be the governor’s intent to fully fund those parishes that are coming up short based on that calculation, and certainty work with the parishes to figure that out,” said Taylor Barras, Landry’s commissioner of administration, “It is hard to go to the public and ask for a teacher pay raise if, indeed, not everyone is getting one,” Barras said.
Alongside the uncertainty of federal funding cuts and Amendment 2, Barras briefly acknowledged a potential $196 million deficit for fiscal year 2028-2029. However, with ongoing fiscal challenges dominating the budget discussion for fiscal 2025-2026, lawmakers showed little concern over the long-term shortfall.
Despite these uncertainties, the budget includes key allocations for Medicaid reimbursement rate increases and education funding. This includes support for the Minimum Foundation Program, which provides block grants to school districts based on need, and the LA Gator Scholarship Program, which funds education accounts for K-12 students to access tutoring, tuition assistance and online learning.
The budget also allocates funding to the Office of Juvenile Justice to cover costs at the Jetson Center for Youth, located near Baton Rouge, including the addition of 44 beds and associated medical expenses. Additionally, $4.1 million is earmarked to address overtime costs within the office.
Landry’s budget plan sets aside possible excess funding to be allocated to shortfalls in juvenile justice and corrections, continuing the Legislature’s commitment to juvenile justice reform.
“I just want to make sure everyone understands what the Jetson facility is and how important it is,” Sen. Heather Cloud (R-Turkey Creek), said. “A key part of the tiered system is an intake facility. Prior to that legislation, we were just taking juveniles in after they were adjudicated from court, and they were just going to wherever and whatever facility had open bed space, Cloud said.
“That meant we had some low-level juveniles that maybe hadn’t committed a series of crimes and maybe had different needs. And so the intake facility is the best part of what we are doing. We’ll take them in, get a good understanding of their situation, and then put them in the proper facility,” Cloud said.
This budget proposal follows a major overhaul of Louisiana’s tax system in 2024, that included significant tax cuts. The changes include a 3% flat personal income tax in 2025, reductions in corporate taxes and a temporary sales tax hike to 5% to offset revenue losses. As a result, Louisiana now has the highest combined state and local sales tax rate in the nation at 10.6%. Additionally, the corporate franchise tax will be fully eliminated by 2026, with some business tax credits set to expire in 2025.
To secure support for these changes, lawmakers combined the income tax rate cut with the sales tax increase to prevent a projected billion-dollar revenue shortfall.

(Editor’s note: The charges listed here and the narratives that go with them are provided by the police agencies that made the arrests. Guilt or innocence has not been determined in court.)

St. Mary parish deputies reported arrests on sex crime, battery, theft and domestic abuse charges over the weekend.

St. Mary

Sheriff Gary Driskell reported that over the last 72-hour reporting period, the Sheriff's Office responded to 86 complaints and made these arrests:

--Josue Ruiz-Rodriguez, 22, Amelia, was arrested at at 11:47 a.m. Saturday on a charge of carnal knowledge of a juvenile. Bail was set at $10,000.

--Jasmine Joy Jann, 32, Slidell, was arrested at 4:33 p.m. Saturday on a charge of simple battery. Bail was set at $2,000.

--Whitney Ann Klein, 60, Patterson, was arrested at 3:55 p.m. Sunday on charges of criminal trespass and theft. Klein was released on a $2,500 bond.

--Randy Ellis Tisdale Jr., 40, Amelia, was arrested at 1:14 p.m. Sunday on a charge of domestic abuse (child endangerment law). Bail was set at $7,500.

Morgan City

Chief Chad M. Adams reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 75 calls for service over the last 72-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

--Krista Thompson, 31, Oakville Street, Bell Rose, was arrested at 10:09 a.m. Friday on charges of unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling and criminal damage to property ($1,000-$5,000).

--Na'Tyia Henry, 22, Mallard Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:21 p.m. Friday on a charge of failure to appear for trial (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Shane Valladares, 40, La. 182, Morgan City, was arrested at 5 p.m. Friday on a charge of simple battery.

--Mychal Ruffin, 32, North Bayou Black Drive, Gibson, was arrested at 2:24 p.m. Saturday as a fugitive from the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Patterson

Chief Garrett Grogan reported these arrests:

--Jamie s. Butler, 43, Willow Street, Patterson, was arrested at 7:08 p.m. Sunday a warrant alleging failure to yield (with accident), failure to appear for court, failure to signal, driver’s license suspended or revoked, and no insurance.

Butler was incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with bond set at $1,375.

--German Coe Calix Rosales, 40, Carol Road, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:20 p.m. Sunday on charges of improper lane usage and no driver’s license. Rosales was incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with bond set at $521.

Franklin

Chief Cedric Handy reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to 31 calls for service over the weekend and made these arrests:

--Tate Foco, 19, Iberia Street, Franklin, was arrested at 4:03 a.m. Saturday on a charge of hit-and-run driving. Foco was booked, processed and released on a $313 bond.

--Edith Bonilla-Ramos, 44, Cayce Street, Franklin, was arrested at 10:31 p.m. Saturday on a warrant for 3rd Ward City Court alleging failure to appear on a charge of speeding. Bonilla-Ramos was booked, processed and released on a $338 bond.

(Editor’s note: The charges listed here and the narratives that go with them are provided by the police agencies that made the arrests. Guilt or innocence has not been determined in court.)

Assumption Parish authorities have booked a second suspect in a May armed robbery at a Plattenville business. The first suspect had been named in a St. Mary Parish fugitive warrant.

Assumption

Sheriff Leland Falcon reported this arrest:

--Deiondra Joseph, 29, Owens Street, Napoleonville, was booked Thursday on charges of armed robbery, failure to appear on a charge of simple battery and failure to appear on charges of simple battery and disturbing the peace, and on a probation and patrol violation.

On May 24, deputies were dispatched to a business on the La. 70 Spur after an armed robbery was reported.

Detectives identified two suspects. The first, Divone Davis, 34, Pecan Street, Napoleonville, was arrested June 26 on charges of armed robbery and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and the St. Mary Parish fugitive warrant.

Joseph was arrested Feb. 13 in Ascension Parish and transferred Thursday to Assumption Parish.

Joseph remains incarcerated with bond set at $100,000 on the armed robbery charge. She was ordered held without bond on the failure to appear and probation and parole violation charges.

Davis remains in custody with bond set at $100,000.

Morgan City

Chief Chad M. Adams reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 73 calls for service over the last 48-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

--Darren Droddy, 47, Sycamore Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:57 a.m. Thursday on a charge of criminal mischief.

--Johnny Hart, 67, Sixth Street, Berwick, was arrested at 8:32 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession of marijuana (first offense), possession of drug paraphernalia, improper lane usage and expired driver's license.

--Chelsea Francois, 31, Rousso Milazzo Road, St. Martinville, was arrested at 9:53 a.m. Feb. 19 on three counts of failure to appear for trial (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Keith Singleton, 54, 11th Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:41 p.m. Feb. 19 on a charge of obstruction of a public passage. (Released on a summons.)

--Frank Johnson, 58, Maine Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:46 p.m. Feb. 19 on a charge of obstruction of a public passage. (Released on a summons.)

--Carmel Triggs, 43, Tall Timbers, Patterson, was arrested at 9:45 p.m. Feb. 19 on a charge of failure to appear to pay fines (6th Ward Morgan City Court.)

St Mary

Sheriff Gary Driskell reported that over the last 48-hour reporting period, the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office responded to 83 complaints and made these arrest:

--Destiny James Landry, 49, Sulphur, was arrested at 4:24 p.m. Feb.19 on a probation violation and on a warrant alleging failure to appear on a charge of criminal neglect of family. Bail was set at $8,129.

--Latoya Latraille White, 39, New Iberia, was arrested at 5:03 p.m. Feb. 19 on a warrant alleging failure to appear on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. Bail was set at $2,000.

--Derrick Matthews Turner, 44, Franklin, was arrested at 6:34 a.m. Thursday on a warrant alleging aggravated battery and aggravated assault. Bail has not been set at this time.

PUBLIC NOTICE
RECREATION DISTRICT #2
ST MARY
PARISH
1110 GRACE ST
MORGAN CITY LA. 70380
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RECREATION DISTRICT #2
1110 GRACE ST
MORGAN CITY, LA. 70380
6:00 P.M.
FEBRUARY 13, 2025
Meeting of the Board of Commissioner of Recreation District #2 was call to order by Chairman Oscar Toups. Invocation by Norman Skinner. Members present were Norman Skinner, Oscar Toups and Ann Poole, absent Nelda Dural. Other present were Leroy Trim, Director.
Guest: None
After reading of the minutes, a motion to accept the minute by Norman Skinner and second by Ann Poole with all in favor.
Financial report were given by Leroy Trim, a motion by Ann Poole to accept the financial report and second by Norman Skinner with all in favor.
OLD BUSINESS:
Secretary up- date
NEW BUSINESS
None
Bills submitted for payment, after review a motion to pay all bills by Ann Poole and second by Norman Skinner with all in favor.
With nothing further to discuss a motion to adjourn by Ann Poole and second by Norman Skinner with all in favor meeting adjourn.
(S) Oscar Toups
Oscar Toups,
Chairman 2/13/2025
——
Notice Posted Monday
Feb. 10, 2025
9:00 A.M.
NOTICE OF
PUBLIC
MEETING
A public meeting will be held as follows:
Date: February 13, 2025
Time: 6:00 P.M.
Place: Siracusa Recreation Center, 1110 Grace St., Morgan City, La. 70380
AGENDA:
Call to order
Invocation
Roll Call
Guest
Approval of minutes
Financial Report
OLD BUSINESS
Secretary up- date
NEW BUSINESS
None
Adjournment
Oscar Toups,
Chairman
St Mary Parish Recreation
District #2
1110 Grace St. Morgan City, La. 70380
In accordance with the America Disabilities Act if you need special assistance please contact Leroy Trim at (985) 385-4224 describing the assistance that is necessary.
Adv. Feb. 21, 2025

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PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that, in accordance with L.R.S. 3:1609 and LAC 7:XV.314 (A), the Louisiana De- partment of Agriculture & Forestry, Louisiana Boll Weevil Eradication Commission, has established a boll weevil eradication zone, the Louisiana Eradication Zone, consisting of all the territory within the state of Louisiana.
Notice is further given that all producers of commercial cotton in Louisiana are required to participate in the boll weevil eradication program, including cost sharing, in accordance with the Boll Weevil Eradication Law and regulations. This includes, but is not limited to, reporting of cotton acreage and de- struction of cotton plants and stalks by December 31 of each crop year. A copy of the law and rules and regulations may be ob- tained from the Boll Weevil Eradication Commission, 5825 Florida Blvd. Ste. 3002, Baton Rouge, La. 70806, telephone number (225) 922-1338.
Notice is also given that the planting of noncommercial cotton is PROHIBITED in Louisiana un- less a written waiver is obtained from the Commissioner of Agriculture & Forestry in accordance with LAC 7:XV.319(C). To request a waiver, submit a written application to the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, at the address provided in this notice, stating the conditions under which such written waiver is requested.
Adv. Feb. 14, 21 and 28, 2025

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PUBLIC NOTICE
To: All Interested Agencies, Groups, and Individuals
This is to give notice that the Teche Action Board, Inc d/b/a Teche Health has applied for a FY25 Expanded Hours Program grant from Health Re- sources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the Department of Health and Hu- man Services (HHS). Teche Health proposes conducting interior renovations within the facility located at 1124 7th Street, Morgan City, Louisiana 70380.
The purpose of this notice is to inform the public of this proposed action within the floodplain as re- quired by Section 2(a)(4) of Executive Order 11988 for Floodplain Management as the proposed ac- tion is within and/or affects a floodplain.
Additional information may be obtained by contacting:
Teche Health
Attn: Berryl Thompson-Broussard, J.D., LL.M., CHC
General Counsel/Chief Legal Officer
Email: legal@tabhealth.org
Written comments on the proposed action and potential impacts to floodplains must be submitted to the following address on or before Thursday, February 27, 2025 [15 Days after publication in the newspaper]):
Teche Health
Attn: Berryl Thompson-Broussard, J.D., LL.M., CHC
General Counsel/Chief Legal Officer
1115 Weber St.
Franklin, LA 70538
Adv. Feb. 12, 14, 19, 21, 26 & 28, 2025

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PUBLIC NOTICE
ADVERTISEMENT FOR REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
The City Council, the governing authority of the City of Morgan City, Louisiana, will receive Re- quest for Qualifications until 10:00 A.M., on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in the Conference Room, City Hall, 512 First St., Morgan City, Louisiana, for the following:
Architectural & Engineering (A&E) Professional Services (Hurricane Francine) for the City of Morgan City Public Works Facilities, Infrastructure, Buildings
Plans and specifications for the above may be procured from Charlie Solar, CAO, 512 First Street, Morgan City, Louisiana, by calling (985) 385-1770, or emailing c.solar@cityofmc.com.
The Council re- serves the right to reject any and all requests for qualifications received and to waive formalities.
CITY OF MORGAN CITY, LOUISIANA
/S/ Lee Dragna
Lee Dragna
Mayor
Adv. Jan. 31, Feb. 7 and 21, 2025

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PUBLIC NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE
Sixteenth
Judicial District Court
——
PARISH OF
ST. MARY
——
STATE OF
LOUISIANA
U.S. Bank Trust National Association, Not In Its Individual Capacity But Solely As Collateral Trust Trustee of FirstKey Master Funding 2021-A
Collateral Trust
Vs. No. 138503 Div “B”
Herman Joseph Jones, Sr. (A/K/A Herman J. Jones) and Jerome C. Jupiter (A/K/A Jerome Jupiter) and The Unopened Succession of Bessie Charles Jones (A/K/A Bessie Jones, Bessie Charles)
TAKE NOTICE, that by virtue of Order of Seizure and Sale issued out of the Honorable 16th Judicial District Court, in and for the Parish of St. Mary, and to me directed, in the above numbered and entitled suit, I have seized the following mentioned and described property, to wit:
ALL THAT CERTAIN PARCEL OF LAND IN THE CITY OF MORGAN CITY, ST. MARY PARISH, STATE OF LOUISIANA, AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN DEED BOOK 36-Q, PAGE 109, ENTRY 243970, ID# 11524, BEING KNOWN AND DESIGNATED AS LOT 7, SAM FIEDA SUBDIVISION, FILED IN COB 23-Z, ENTRY NO. 190,232.
Which has the address of 111 Oak Street, Morgan City, LA 70380
to satisfy the sum of FIFTEEN THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED SIXTY TWO AND 55/100 ($15,162.55) DOLLARS, with interest thereon at the rate of 11.359% per annum from August 13, 2020, together with ac- crued late charges in accordance with the note and mortgage, together with late charges on additional de- linquent installments and any additional amounts which petitioner has ad- vanced or hereafter advances, as permitted by the Note and Mortgage, for taxes, assessments, re- pairs to and maintenance and preservation of the mortgaged property, together with reasonable attorney’s fees of all sums due, owing and unpaid and all costs of this proceedings, as well as all sheriff’s costs and commission
All successful bidders must have cash, cashier’s check or a verifiable letter of credit in favor of said bidder from a solvent bank, savings and loan association or other such financial institution authorized to do business in the state of Louisiana and full payment must be made on the date of sale. Letter must state that money is available on the date of sale.
I shall expose the same at public sale, for Cash, according to law WITH appraisement to the last and highest bidder, at the principal front door of the 1st floor lobby area of the Court House in the Parish of St. Mary, Town of Franklin, Louisiana, on Wednesday, the 26th day of March A.D., 2025, be- tween the legal hours commencing at 10 O’Clock A.M.
Sheriff’s Office
Parish of St. Mary, La.
Tuesday, the 12th day of February A.D., 2025
GARY L.
DRISKELL,
SHERIFF
By: Heidi Rineholt
Deputy Sheriff
Adv. Feb. 21 and March 19, 2025

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PUBLIC NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE
Sixteenth
Judicial District Court
——
PARISH OF
ST. MARY
——
STATE OF
LOUISIANA
Nationstar
Mortgage LLC
Vs. No. 139068 Div “G”
Laura Lee
Sanders A/K/A Laura L. Sanders A/K/A Laura Sanders
TAKE NOTICE, that by virtue of Order of Seizure and Sale issued out of the Honorable 16th Judicial District Court, in and for the Parish of St. Mary, and to me directed, in the above numbered and entitled suit, I have seized the following mentioned and described property, to wit:
That certain tract of land, to- gether with all buildings and im- provements thereon situated and all rights, ways, privileges and servitudes, lying and being situated in Morgan City, St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, being known and designated as The South One Half of Lot 34 in Square Letter “B” of Walsh Subdivision, as shown on a plan of land by T. F. Kramer, dated November 11, 1953 and recorded in St. Mary Parish COB 8Q, Entry No. 89,049, Fronting 62.5 feet on the east side of Justa Street by a depth between parallel lines of 57.2 feet.
to satisfy the sum of NINETY SEVEN THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY SEVEN AND 39/100 ($97,757.39) DOLLARS, balance due on principal of fixed rate note, interest from March 1, 2024, until paid, at 3.25% per annum, to be computed; reasonable attorney’s fees, to be computed; and all costs of this proceedings, as well as all sheriff’s costs and commission
All successful bidders must have cash, cashier’s check or a verifiable letter of credit in favor of said bidder from a solvent bank, savings and loan association or other such financial institution authorized to do business in the state of Louisiana and full payment must be made on the date of sale. Letter must state that money is available on the date of sale.
I shall expose the same at public sale, for Cash, according to law WITHOUT ap- praisement to the last and highest bidder, at the principal front door of the 1st floor lobby area of the Court House in the Parish of St. Mary, Town of Franklin, Louisiana, on Wednesday, the 26th day of March A.D., 2025, be- tween the legal hours commencing at 10 O’Clock A.M.
Sheriff’s Office
Parish of St. Mary, La.
Wednesday, the 9th day of January A.D., 2025
GARY L.
DRISKELL,
SHERIFF
By: Heidi Rineholt
Deputy Sheriff
Adv. Feb. 21 and March 19, 2025

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PUBLIC NOTICE
The Patterson Housing Authority Board of Com-missioners’ monthly meeting will be held Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. at 409 Grout Street in Patterson, La. The meeting is open to the public.
Adv. Feb. 21, 2025

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PUBLIC NOTICE
AGENDA
ST. MARY PARISH 911 COMMUNICATIONS DISTRICT
1200 David Dr. Building B
Morgan City, LA 70380
Thursday, February 27, 2025
1:00 P.M.
1. Meeting Called to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Public Comment
4. Special Presentation
5. Minutes: December 26, 2024 (Regular Meeting) *
6. Minutes: January 16, 2025 (Special Meeting) *
7. Income Statement: December 2024*
8. Expense Statement: December 2024*
9. Income Statement: January 2025
10. Expense Statement: January 2025
11. Old Business: None
12. New Business:
Engagement letter with Kolder, Slaven & Co. LLC for the 2024 Audit;
LAMP account setup for the Fire Association; Process for selecting a new Assistant Director
13. Director Updates
14. General Discussion
15. Executive Session:
Motion and vote to go into Executive Session for the purpose of additional discussions regarding the salary of the newly appointed District Director.
16. Open session:
Decision regarding the salary of the new director.
17. Adjournment
•All matters discussed during the executive session are confidential and not to be reported or discussed with anyone not in attendance.
Adv. Feb. 21, 2025

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