RSS Feed

Tellis Matthews Sr., 67, a native of Houma and resident of New Iberia, died Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018, at his residence.
Visitation will be Saturday from 9 a.m. until services at 11 a.m. at Jones Funeral Home in Franklin. Military honors will follow services. Burial will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Louisiana National Cemetery in Zachary.
He is survived by six sons, Tellis Matthews Jr. of Opelousas, Shane Matthews of Arizona, Demetrius Crachain and Deon Phillips, both of New Iberia, Daniel Nixon of Amelia and Kedrick Peters of Franklin: six daughters, Shimara Phillips, Arriana Fontnett and Chantel Brisco, all of New Iberia, Telisha Matthews of Thibodaux, and Monica Peters and Michelle Hilts, both of Franklin; his companion; one brother, Robert Matthews Sr. of Franklin; four sisters, Emma Singleton of Atlanta, Ida Matthews and Shirley Matthews, both of Houma, and Victoria Provost of Baldwin; a step-daughter, Danielle Mack; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter and four brothers.
Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

August 5, 1946-December 29, 2017
Captain Anthony Robert Jones of Madisonville, Louisiana, cherished husband of Susan (nee Falcon) Jones, passed away Dec. 29, 2017, in Covington, Louisiana. He was born Aug. 5, 1946, in London, England, and was preceded in death by his parents, Richard F. H. Jones and Iris Geraldine M. Jones; by his loving brother, Jeremy Jones; and by his beloved son, Geofrey Peter Nigel Jones.
Tony was a citizen of the world and a forever mariner. His remarkable career took him to the far reaches of the earth, but most profoundly, Tony understood the human spirit and never met a stranger.
He is survived by his devoted wife Susan and their sons Alexander (Rachel) Jones, David (Heather) Jones, Ryan (Kim) Arceneaux, and Brian (Wendy) Arceneaux, and their sweet grandchildren.
A memorial gathering will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018, at the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum, 133 Mabel Dr., Madisonville, Louisiana.
Please remember Tony by cherishing your family and friends as Tony always did — dance, smile, walk your dog, hug a friend, feed the birds, offer a meal, embrace life.

With Louisiana’s budget situation, it’s déjà vu all over again. There has been much talk recently of the approximately $1.5 billion budget shortfall facing Louisiana this year. This latest “fiscal cliff” can be explained by a number of factors, the most important of which is the continued growth in our state government’s spending.
In his first two years in office, Governor John Bel Edwards has requested and received $1.38 billion in temporary taxes, $754 million in permanent taxes and tens of millions in new fees, all while growing the state budget by a massive $5.2 billion. When he took office in 2016, Gov. Edwards asked the legislature to build a temporary bridge to address a billion-dollar shortfall for that year and a $2 billion shortfall in 2017. This bridge was meant to stabilize the state’s budget for a short term, while the legislature debated sustainable reform solutions that avoided permanently increasing your taxes.
The governor’s recently released plan to address the upcoming shortfall is a permanent increase on income taxes as well as a new tax on certain services. There appears to be no addressing of spending and budget reform, the waste and lack of transparency in government departments or the lack of control in the expansion of Medicaid. There has also been no real evidence of initiative from the administration to improve Louisiana’s business and legal environment, which is the life blood of the state’s tax base.
The governor’s notion that fiscally conservative Louisiana legislators have no plan to address the fiscal cliff is far from the truth. Last year, fiscal conservatives in the House tried to slow the growth of government by spending 98 percent of what the state estimated to take in, pushing for transparency in state departments and trying to reform the capital outlay process. This approach would have cut the present fiscal cliff by approximately $264 million. Conservatives in the legislature also had a plan to freeze spending over a two-year period, which would have effectively cut the fiscal cliff in half. This was the beginning of a solution that built trust in how tax dollars are used. Without the governor’s support and leadership on these budget reforms, the measures failed in the Legislature.
Fiscal conservatives in the House understand the challenges ahead. In fact, we saw it coming last year and spoke up about it. Now, as Gov. Edwards walks us to the edge of another cliff, he looks to those who warned him previously, saying, “What’s your plan?”
We look forward to having discussions with the administration about greater transparencies, fiscal reform and our spending priorities. We will work tirelessly to figure out a plan that works for taxpayers and our state’s future prosperity instead of just satisfying the status quo in government. Other states have accomplished this without stirring the public into panic or increasing taxes.
The first step in solving these issues is to admit that Louisiana has a spending problem and understand that government cannot tax its way to prosperity. We are honored to be your voice in Baton Rouge. We appreciate your consideration and for allowing us to serve the great state we all call home.
Rep. Blake Miguez, District 49
Rep. Nancy Landry, District 31
Rep. Julie Emerson, District 39
Rep. Phillip DeVillier, District 41
Rep. John Stefanski, District 42
Rep. Stuart Bishop, District 43
Rep. Jean-Paul Coussan, District 45
Rep. Bob Hensgens, District 47
Rep. Beryl Amedée, District 51

A Morgan City man was booked on 14 different charges Wednesday, including weapon and drug offenses, after Morgan City police stopped a vehicle that had been reported stolen, Police Chief James Blair said in a news release.

—Joey Francois, 37, of Mallard Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:58 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of Focalin XR, possession of carisoprodol, possession of tramadol, possession of drug paraphernalia, violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance law-drug-free zone, possession of stolen firearms second offense, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm in a firearm-free zone, possession of stolen things less than $1,000, possession of stolen things between $5,000 and $25,000, driving under suspension, motor vehicle inspection required and no insurance.

Patrol officers observed a vehicle being operated in the area of Fig Street, and the license plate that was displayed was reported stolen.

A stop was initiated and the driver of the vehicle attempted to walk away from the area. Francois was apprehended and identified as the driver, Blair said.

The vehicle that Francois was operating was found to be reported stolen, Blair said. Officers located a 1911 pistol that was also reported stolen, an AR-15 assault rifle, ammunition , suspected Focalin XR, suspected carisoprodol, suspected tramadol and drug paraphernalia, Blair said.

Records indicated that this was the second incident that Francois has been charged with possession of a stolen firearm, and he is a convicted felon, which prohibits him from possessing a firearm, Blair said.

Francois’ driver’s license was also under suspension, and the vehicle was not properly insured, Blair said. Additionally, the vehicle did not have a motor vehicle inspection sticker.

The area took place in drug-free and firearm-free zones. Francois was jailed with no bail set.