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JOSEPHINE LEE LIPARI TRAHAN

Wed, 02/07/2018 - 11:01am

October 18, 1954 -February 3, 2018
Josephine Lee Lipari Trahan, 63, a resident of Patterson, passed away Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018, at Franklin Foundation Hospital.
Josephine was born Oct. 18, 1954, in Morgan City, the daughter of Luke and Virginia Governale Lipari.
She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her daughter, Jennifer DiMatteo of Bayou Vista; three grandchildren, Paul Fulmer of Bayou Vista, Alexis Ross of Bayou Vista, and Emma LaFleur of Berwick; three brothers, Luke Lipari and wife Christiana of Centerville, Tony Lipari of Ricohoc, and Ronnie Lipari of Patterson; and six sisters, Lucille Vinning of Patterson, Jenny Liner of Bayou Vista, Annie Russo and husband Frank of Berwick, Rosie Bailey and husband Earl of Patterson, Lana West and husband Jackie of Springhill, and Mona Clausen of Centerville.
Josephine was preceded in death by her parents, Luke and Virginia Governale Lipari; husband, Marion Trahan; son-in-law, Jeffrey DiMatteo; one sister, Antonia Mire; and two brothers, Frank Lipari and Leon Lipari.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 9, 2018, at St. Joseph Catholic Church with a memorial visitation being held from 9 a.m. until Mass time.

Wheel House for Feb. 7

Wed, 02/07/2018 - 10:59am

HOSPITAL
Service District 2 board of commissioners meeting 5:30 p.m. Feb. 7, at 201 Everett St., Morgan City.

PARISH MISSION
At St. Bernadette Church, Saturn Road, Bayou Vista, 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday, Feb. 26 to March 1. Topic: Immaculate Mary of Nazareth, presented by the Rev. Jim Constigan of Fathers of Mercy. Everyone invited. Constigan also officiating Masses Feb. 24-25.

LIONS CAMP
Louisiana Lions Camp, north of Leesville, opens May 27. Camp available for: one week session, pulmonary disorders (ages 5-15); two one-week sessions, mild mentally challenged (ages 8-19); two one-week sessions, diabetes (ages 6-14); two one-week sessions, visual, hearing or orthopedically impaired (ages 7-19). No cost to parents. For sponsorship and camp details call Morgan City Lions Club’s Dianne Baillargeon, 985-399-6068.

Jim Brown: Restoring the nation's faith in the FBI

Wed, 02/07/2018 - 10:53am

It’s been a bad last few weeks for the nation’s top law enforcement agency. First, an innocent hostage was shot and killed in a botched raid in Houston by an FBI shooter. Then the television movie series “Waco,” debuted and revisited the FBI killings of innocent victims in both Ruby Ridge and Waco. And currently, the Bureau faces charges by members of congress of malfeasance and even interfering in the most recent president election. The FBI has a credibility problem. And for good reason. The House Intelligence Committee is investigating the mishandling of federal wiretap requests involving both the Clinton campaign ...

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Rotary Club happenings

Wed, 02/07/2018 - 10:40am

The Morgan City Rotary Club ...

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Police Reports 2-8-18

Wed, 02/07/2018 - 9:51am

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Scott Anslum reported the following arrests:
Alyssa Ashmore, 28, of 302 Third St., Morgan City, was arrested Monday at 1:45 p.m. on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of possession of diazepam, simple battery and disturbing the peace by appearing in an intoxicated condition.
A deputy responding to a call for service at a business in Bayou Vista came into contact with Ashmore and located the active warrant for her arrest. The deputy transported Ashmore to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center, for booking. Bail is set at $15,000.
Cassandra Collins, 41, of 115 Sycamore Drive, Lafayette, was arrested Monday at 3:40 p.m. on two warrants for failure to appear on the charge of theft of goods and on the charge of intentional littering.
A correctional deputy transported Collins from the Lafayette Parish jail to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking.
Deandre Grismore, 30, of 513 Ash St., Franklin, was booked Monday at 6:55 p.m. on a warrant for failure to appear on charges of simple battery, criminal trespassing and disturbing the peace by fighting.
While booking Grismore at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center, a correctional deputy located the active warrant for Grismore’s arrest. Bail is set at $1,500.
George Colbert, 51, of 112 Long St., Baldwin, was arrested Monday at 9:46 p.m. on the charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Narcotics detectives patrolling Baldwin observed a subject riding a bicycle the wrong way on the roadway with no lights. The detective stopped to speak with the subject and identified him as Colbert. The detective received consent to search Colbert and located a glass pipe used to smoke crack cocaine in his pocket. Colbert was released on a summons.
Derek Gaskins, 37, of 151 Friendship Alley, Amelia, was arrested Monday at 6:07 p.m. on charges of possession of Schedule II methamphetamine, possession of Schedule I crack cocaine with intent to distribute over 28 grams, possession of Schedule I marijuana, possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, transactions involving drug proceeds and violation of a controlled dangerous substance law drug free zone.
Narcotics detectives developed information that illegal drug activity was taking place at a Gaskins residence and obtained a search warrant for the location. Detectives found crack cocaine, marijuana, and over $1,600 in cash on Gaskins person. The money is suspected of being gained from the sale of illegal drugs. Detectives also located marijuana, methamphetamine, crack cocaine, a firearm and items of drug paraphernalia inside the residence. Gaskins is a convicted felon. The residence where the drugs were found is located within 2,000 feet of a church. Gaskins was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Bail is set at $81,500.
Roosevelt James, 28, of 1256 W. Martin Luther King Road, Charenton, was arrested Monday at 10:47 p.m. on charges of license plate light required, obstruction of justice, possession of Schedule I marijuana with intent to distribute and violation of a controlled dangerous substance law drug free zone.
Tyrusha Charles, 36, of 1256 W Martin Luther King Road, Charenton, was arrested Monday at 10:47 p.m. on charges of possession of Schedule I marijuana, obstruction of justice and violation of a controlled dangerous substance law drug free zone.
Narcotics detectives patrolling the Charenton area observed a vehicle with no license plate lights, on Martin Luther King Road. Detectives conducted a traffic stop and identified the driver as James and the passenger as Charles. Detectives smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the pick-up truck. While speaking with the occupants, detectives observed Charles chewing marijuana and recovered a small bag of the substance. Through investigation, detectives collected evidence that both subjects attempted to discard the marijuana and that James sold the illegal substance. The traffic stop occurred within 2,000 feet of a church and park.
Franklin Police Chief Sabria McGuire reported the following arrests:
Austin Hebert, 21, of Tupelo Street, Franklin, was arrested Tuesday at 9:10 a.m. on a warrant for 16th Judicial District Court for the charge of disturbing the peace by fighting.
Hebert was booked, processed, and released on a $1,000 bond.
Brandon Hebert, 19, of Palfrey Street, Franklin, was arrested Tuesday at 11:32 a.m. on a warrant for 16th Judicial District Court for the charge of disturbing the peace by fighting.
Hebert was booked, processed, and released on a $1,000 bond.
Kentroy Lewis, 24, of Ibert Street, Franklin, while incarcerated at the Franklin Police Department, was arrested on a warrant for Jeanerette Police Department for the charge of simple criminal damage to property. Lewis was booked, processed, and held with no bond set at the time of press release.

Registrar to move for renovations

Wed, 02/07/2018 - 9:51am

Renovations are planned for the St. Mary Registrar of Voter’s office on the third floor of the parish courthouse, necessitating a temporary move.
Registrar Jolene Holcombe said the office will be relocated to room 105 on the first floor, likely by Friday. Renovations are expected to take several months.
Early voting for the March 24 election will probably be held in the temporary location, Holcombe said. More information will be released before early voting begins on March 10.
For additional information, call 337-828-4100.

Local conservation meeting on Feb. 20

Wed, 02/07/2018 - 9:49am

St. Mary Soil and Water Conservation District and Natural Resources Conservation Service will host its annual Locally Led Conservation Meeting to identify resources concerns in St. Mary Parish.
The meeting is on Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. on the second floor of the Blevins Building, 600 Main St., Franklin, in the large conference room.
The meeting’s purpose is identifying local resource concerns. The information gathered from this meeting will be used to give direction to the USDA Farm Bill programs that NRCS has to offer. Every resident of St. Mary Parish is welcome to attend the meeting to voice their concerns and enjoy light refreshments.
For additional information, please contact the office at 337-828-1461 Ext. 3. The Natural Resources Conservation Service is an equal opportunity employer and also provides reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request special accommodations, please contact the Franklin Field Office at 337-828-1461 ext. 3 at least 10 days prior to the meeting.

Foulcard is Grand Marshal for Baldwin's Krewe of Donnis

Wed, 02/07/2018 - 9:48am

The second annual “Krewe of Donnis” Mardi Gras Parade rolls through the streets of Baldwin Saturday.
Grand Marshal Eugene Paul Foulcard Sr. and King and Queen Derrick and Quovadis Kelly lead this year’s parade, which begins at 1 p,m.
Foulcard is a lifelong native of Franklin. He is a 1984 graduate of Franklin Senior High School and received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Southern University and A & M College in Baton Rouge.
For the past 29 years, Eugene has served as St. Mary Community Action Agency’s chief financial officer. He has helped ensure the agency’s good stewardship of state and federal dollars used to serve the children and families in need of assistance in St. Mary and Vermilion Parishes. His greatest passion has always been giving back and serving the community he loves.
Eugene has served 12 years on the Franklin City Council, representing District C. He has served for 13 years on the Franklin Foundation Hospital Board of Commissioners, the past three years as chairman. He previously served as chairman of the Franklin Home Rule Charter assisting with the re-writing of the city’s charter.
Eugene is a lifetime member of Kappa Alpha Psi and a lifelong member of St. Jules Catholic Church. His wife, Terri Foulcard, is the current director of Claire House for Women and Children. They are parents of four children, Lynn, Ashley, A’Myrie, and Eugene Jr. Eugene is the son of the late Carl C. Foulcard Sr. and Lydia Delasbour Foulcard, and the sixth sibling of Carl Jr. “BumDee”, Michael, Carol, Donald, Debra and Charles Foulcard.
The King and Queen, Derrick and Quovadis Kelly, have been married for six years and are the proud parents of four children, Derrick Jr., Xxvion, Korion and Kahlil. Both Derrick and Quovadis are members of Isrealite Devine Spiritual Church of rural Jeanerette. Quovadis serves as the church administrator. Her favorite bible verse is Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ that strengthen me.” Her motto is, “Never look down on anyone unless you are helping them up.” Quovadis is a 1998 graduate of Franklin High School and Derrick received his GED in 1994.
Derrick has worked as a truck driver for 23 years. Quovadis is a stay at home wife and mother. She formerly worked at Affordable Home Furnishings for 10 years. Together, they own Zeus Transportation and Coko ‘n Kidz Fun Jumps. They’re also the co-founders of Pozitive Image Project since 2011, which includes Community Feeding Project, Christmas Toy Project and many more.
Quovadis enjoys traveling and spending time with family while Derrick loves yard work, riding his Harley and playing with Khole and Zoey, his two dogs. Quovadis joined the Krewe of Donnis Mardi Gras Association last year.
The Parade starts from UMCOR-Sager Brown and travels through town.

Prejean fills seat on Port of WSM board

Wed, 02/07/2018 - 9:48am

The West St. Mary Port Commission officially welcomed Philip Prejean Tuesday as the Baldwin appointee to finish out the term of former Vice President Wayne Stevens.
David Allain, executive director, said to Prejean, “I’d like to welcome our new commissioner, Mr. Phil Prejean, back to the room that you occupied for so long. We’re going to miss Mr. Wayne, but his term goes to (Nov. 14). So, we appreciate you filling in the gap and helping us out through your personal experience with this commission. We appreciate you doing this.”
Prejean previously served as executive director of the port commission, and is filling in for Stevens, who passed away in early December of last year.
In other business, the commission’s engineer’s report was delivered by Reid Miller, Miller Engineers, and consisted of affirmed action toward the securing of permits from the Department of Transportation and Development, to proceed with several and various construction and refurbishing projects at the port.

Co-founder of Berry Bros. dies

Wed, 02/07/2018 - 8:31am

Doyle Berry remembered as industry icon, friend to community

By ZACHARY FITZGERALD

zfitzgerald@daily-review.com

Doyle Berry helped grow a Berwick oilfield-marine construction company into one of the largest in the region, but he never ceased trying to help others in whatever way he could, say area officials who knew him.

Berry, 87, died Monday at his home in Berwick surrounded by family.

In 1956, Berry moved to Berwick and co-founded Berry Bros. General Contractors Inc. with his brother, Everett Berry.

Now the company is one of the largest marine and oilfield construction companies in south Louisiana, and has three divisions around the country servicing the gulf states, Rocky Mountains and central states, the company’s website says.

Doyle Berry was “an icon in the industry,” Berwick Mayor Louis Ratcliff said.

“He was very community-minded and a true friend for the community of Berwick,” Ratcliff said.

Together, Doyle and Everett Berry built Berry Bros. “from nothing to what it is today,” Ratcliff said.

Doyle Berry was born in Norfolk, Virginia, and grew up in Mendenhall, Mississippi. He joined the Navy in 1948, spending most of his four years of service on the island of Guam.

He went on to attend the University of Southern Mississippi. In 1955, he took a summer job in south Louisiana and “took note of the countless opportunities in the burgeoning oilfield,” his obituary stated.

“With one pickup truck and some hand tools, the brothers saw an opportunity in the Louisiana swamps to make their mark in the burgeoning oilfields of South Louisiana,” according to the company website.

After success with their roustabout services, Doyle and Everett Berry then purchased welding and winch trucks, and later bought barges, cranes and boats to enter the marine construction business, the website says.

Doyle Berry arrived in Berwick with about “$300 in his pocket,” said Raymond “Mac” Wade, executive director for the Port of Morgan City.

Wade served on the port commission with Doyle Berry, who spent over 30 years on the commission. Wade was also a partner with Doyle Berry in a “drilling fluids business” in the 1980s.

“He’ll be missed. He got a lot of people started in this area in their businesses,” Wade said.

He knew people all over the country, including Washington, D.C.

“The board wished we had him now to help us in Washington,” Wade said.

Early on, Berry Bros. began doing dredging and pile driving work all over Louisiana and in Texas and Mississippi, in addition to offshore work crews, Wade said.

Former Berwick Mayor Emmett Hardaway became mayor in the late 1980s after Everett Berry, who had previously been mayor, died.

Hardaway said his “best experience” with Doyle Berry was in 1992 in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew.

“He worked very hard with the state to get help for us,” Hardaway said. “He was instrumental in getting the National Guard down here during that time and generators and just all kind of help from the state at a time when I needed him absolutely the most.”

Hardaway and Doyle Berry were friends for a long time. He “was a man of his word,” Hardaway said.

“If he told you he was going to do something, you could count on him doing it,” Hardaway said.

Hardaway relied on Doyle Berry to get help for the area from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

“I was not aware of all of the things that the Corps was doing when I first took office, and he kind of helped me through that,” Hardaway said.

Berwick Councilman Duval Arthur, who’s a former Berwick police chief and former chief deputy for the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office, said Doyle Berry was always available to help and “had connections in every area.”

When the St. Mary Sheriff’s Office made one of the largest drug busts along the gulf coast in the early 1980s, Doyle Berry provided one of his tugboats to transport state police and sheriff’s deputies, Arthur said.

During that drug bust, authorities seized 14 tons of marijuana from a crew boat in Amelia, Arthur said.

The Southwest Reef Lighthouse in Everett S. Berry Memorial Lighthouse Park is where it is now on Berwick’s riverfront thanks to Doyle and Everett Berry bringing it there, he said.

“I think of Doyle because whenever something would go wrong or we couldn’t do it … we’d call him, and he’d find a way. And we’d do it,” Arthur said.

He was also extremely involved with the Berwick-Bayou Vista Krewe of Dionysus, and brought celebrities, including Johnny Cash and Walter Payton, to serve as parade marshals, Arthur said.

Visitation for Doyle Berry will be held at Hargrave Funeral Home at 10 a.m. Friday with services starting at 1 p.m. He will be laid to rest privately at a later time.

Information from Doyle Berry’s obituary contributed to this article.