Facebook photo
On Friday, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post and Auxiliary 12182 hosted its yearly VFW Americanism awards at the Berwick Civic Center, celebrating students and teachers who participated. The post thanked the town of Berwick, Mayor Duval Arthur, and Hargrave Funeral Home for their generous support and sponsorship.
President Donald Trump has suspended all federal funding, including money for Louisiana projects, that he considers part of a wider “scam” to force people to buy electric vehicles.
Congress allocated $73 million to Louisiana in the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law as part of its National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. At Trump’s direction, the Federal Highway Administration issued a memo Wednesday to suspend the program and withhold any money that hasn’t already been spent.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development was slated to disburse the NEVI dollars among local companies to build EV charging stations along the state’s interstate corridors. Businesses interested in building the stations would be able to compete for the money, with DOTD issuing grants to cover up to 80% of the project costs.
Louisiana lagged behind most other states in rolling out its NEVI grant program, but state transportation officials managed to launch it just before Trump took office and had begun accepting grant applications.
There was no immediate response to questions about the NEVI program from DOTD Public Information Officer Rodney Mallet or the department’s media staff.
The agency has closed its online NEVI grant application portal and added a notice in red capital letters: “INDEFINITELY POSTPONED PENDING FHA REVIEW.”
Trump has repeatedly expressed his dislike of President Joe Biden’s signature legislative achievements that included funding for clean energy and transportation technology. Despite this, EV demand has surged in the U.S. and around the world, according to an analysis from Cox Automotive.
Trump’s move could be temporary. The FHA memo said the administration plans to review each state’s grant process before unfreezing the money.
Ryan McKinnon of the Charge Ahead Partnership, which lobbies for EV charging standards, issued a statement Friday in defense of the NEVI program, saying the EV charging marketplace faced many problems long before NEVI’s existence with unfair competition from electric utilities poorly-planned installations.
When interest in electric vehicles first began to grow, many chargers were placed in locations where drivers rarely stopped and were often not maintained. NEVI started to change that by prioritizing establishments that had successful business models for EV charging and placing chargers along busy roadways where drivers used them, McKinnon said.
“We hope the FHWA takes this opportunity to ensure state NEVI plans are encouraging private investment in EV charging while also being confident that federal funds are not being wasted,” he said.
By EMILEE
CALAMETTI
The Center Square
The Louisiana House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment met on Monday to discuss the issue of carbon dioxide sequestration and storage.
The committee heard from individuals with concerns about the ongoing projects throughout Louisiana.
The ongoing carbon dioxide capturing projects have caused public complaints for many years. Carbon dioxide sequestration involves capturing the gas from industry and storing it underground.
In June of last year, Louisiana officials announced two carbon removal site projects for the northwestern region of the state. The sites will be located at the Port of Caddo-Bossier in Shreveport with the first opening in 2026 and the second in 2027.
At Monday’s public hearing, the focus was largely on addressing solutions, if any are needed, for stranded minerals as it relates to the carbon capture in Louisiana.
As of the 2023 planning, not including the newly added projects in Caddo-Bossier area, there are 20 carbon capture projects in process throughout the state.
“The theory of the communist may be summed up in one sentence— Abolition of private property,” Rep. Danny McCormick, R-Oil City, said.
McCormick authored a bill last year regarding stranded minerals by carbon sequestration.
He noted that private property rights are something very close to him.
Comments from the public during the hearing showed a great concern for what is going to happen to the poor parishes.
Roland Hollins, an Allen Parish police juror and chairman of the Louisiana CO2 Alliance, spoke to these concerns.
“We are talking about mineral rights and severance taxes that police juries have to worry about because of these mineral rights that may be blocked. One of our companies in the parish has 40,000 acres that could be affected by these stranded mineral rights, which then affects our police juries and our sheriffs and our school boards, because if we do get these things blocked, how are we going to recover?” Hollins said.
Walter Pilié, a new councilman from St. Charles Parish District III, addressed personal concerns of his. He stressed the importance of energy and hydrocarbons not only to the state and taxpayers, but also to the individuals who don’t realize the importance whether it be pharmaceuticals, plastics, petrochemicals or other products.
One of his biggest concerns is the capture of power of CO2 in a power plant. He said one report says you can use 40% of the fuel stream just to capture the carbon dioxide just to put it in the ground.
“Everything’s about money. And that’s what this is obviously about in some fashion or another. I haven’t gotten a good answer as to how that money flows to some of these big players,” said Pilié.
The councilman also said that if it hadn’t been for the IRA tax credit, some of these things probably wouldn’t be happening.
According to McCormick, there are test wells where salt water is being injected to test where zones can take CO2, and raised questions about the viscosity of the salt water versus the carbon dioxide when talking with representatives from the Department of Energy and Natural Resources.
No information was given as to the comparison of both resources and how it impacts the land in Louisiana.
“This is what government is about,” said Rep. Charles Owen, R-Rosepine. “We have to be transparent to everybody. We have to be answerable to everybody.”
St. Mary Parish Councilman Jimmie Davis of Morgan City has at least delayed his attempt to remove the board members of Gravity Drainage District 2A, which serves the Morgan City and Amelia areas.
The move was to be taken up by the council at a meeting Tuesday. But Davis said in a Facebook post Monday that he was taking it off the agenda for Tuesday.
The move would have given the board's powers to Chief Administrative Office Paul Governale.
The district, formed a few years ago by consolidating districts serving Morgan City and Amelia, has been a source of controversy ever since.
Most recently, the district came after scrutiny when a new pumping station near Lake Palourde proved inadequate during the 10 inches or more of rain that fell during Hurricane Francine on Sept. 11, contributing to flooding that reached into more than 300 homes.
The scrutiny centered on an installation that left the station short of the pumping capacity needed to remove water from inside the local levee system.
Click on the link below to download a .pdf version of the agenda.
(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.)
Authorities in St. Mary Parish reported six arrests over the weekend on assault or battery charges, including four domestic abuse or dating partner cases.
St. Mary
Sheriff Gary Driskell reported that over the last 96-hour reporting period, the Sheriff's Office responded to 45 complaints and made these arrests;
--William James Moore, 26, Franklin, was arrested at 9:08 p.m. Saturday on charges of battery of a dating partner, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling. Bail has not been set at this time.
--Cameron Orrin Mitchell, 25, Franklin, was arrested at 3:11 p.m. Saturday on charges of simple battery, simple criminal damage to property, and resisting arrest or officer.
--Javon Joseph Robertson, 22, Jeanerette, was arrested at 12:15 p.m. Saturday on a charge of battery of a dating partner. Bail has not been set at this time.
--Jennifer Rose Hatfield, 48, Ricohoc, was arrested at 9:07 p.m. Friday on charges of possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a drug-free zone, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of methamphetamine, possession of Schedule III drugs and possession of Schedule IV drugs.
Bail has not been set at this time.
--Edward Jerome Green Jr., 38, Galliano, was arrested at 9:52 p.m. Friday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on charges of possession or distribution of a legend drug without a prescription and improper lane usage. Bail has not been set at this time.
Bail has not been set at this time.
--Hoang Nguyen, 58, Amelia, was arrested at 8:56 a.m. Saturday on a warrant alleging hit and run. Nguyen was released on a $1,000 bond.
--Matthew Taylor Rollins, 31, Patterson, was arrested at 12:25 p.m. Saturday on a warrant alleging theft. Bail has not been set at this time.
--Traylon Jacory Jennings, 32, Patterson, was arrested by the Narcotics Section at 12:16 a.m. Friday on charges of possession of Schedule I drugs, no taillights and driving under suspension. Jennings was released on a $12,000 bond.
Morgan City
Chief Chad M. Adams reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 99 calls for service over the last 72-hour reporting period and made these arrests:
--Paulino Eliseo Lopez-Garcia, 39, Federal Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested 12:03 a.m. Saturday on charges of simple assault and remaining where forbidden
--Myron Hatch, 51, Leona Street, Morgan City, was arrested at midnight Friday on charges of failure to appear for restitution and two counts of failure to pay fines (6th Ward Morgan City Court), and as a fugitive from the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office.
--Bryanshekia Shantell Harris, 37, Live Oak Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:45 p.m. Friday on three counts of failure to appear for arraignment (6th Ward Morgan City Court).
--Charles Bilkey, 66, Carol Road, Morgan City, was arrested at 5:11 p.m. Friday on a charge of disturbing the peace (intoxicated).
--Johnisha Ayers, 30, Wren Street, Morgan City, was arrested on at 5:44 p.m. Friday on a charge of resisting an officer.
--Derick Domingue, 38, Mayon Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:44 a.m. Saturday on charges of unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling and simple criminal damage to property.
--Immanuel Lee Gary, 36, Orange Street, Morgan City, was arrested 1:39 a.m. Sunday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana (first offense), possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting an officer, simple battery and telephone harassment.
--Charles Bilkey, 66, Carol Road, Morgan City, was arrested at 4:10 p.m. Sunday on a charge of disturbing the peace (intoxicated).
Patterson
Chief Garrett Grogan reported these arrests:
--Anthony L. Watson Jr., 33, North Pine Street, Lafayette, was arrested at 12:04 a.m. Sunday in Morgan City on a failure to appear warrant for the Patterson Police Department. Watson is currently incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail.
Franklin
Chief Cedric Handy reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to 29 calls for service over the weekend and made these arrests:
--Angelica Blanks, 30, Iberia Street, Franklin, was arrested at 11:48 p.m. Sunday on charges of domestic abuse battery and two counts of resisting an officer. Blanks was booked, processed and held with no bond set at the time of press release.
--Ray Granger, 37, Caffery Street, Franklin, was arrested at 4 a.m. Saturday on charges of simple battery and battery of a dating partner (strangulation). Granger was booked, processed and transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.
--Bobby Ayro, 37, Copp Street, Jeanerette, was arrested at 2:07 p.m. Friday on charges of speeding, driving under suspension and no insurance. Ayro was booked, processed and held on a $614 bond.
--James Wright, 36, Tiffany Street, Patterson, was arrested at 10:05 a.m. Saturday on charges of speeding and driving under suspension. Wright was booked, processed and released on a $464 bond.
January 6, 1964 — February 7, 2025
On Friday, February 7, 2025, at 9:24 AM, Peggy Lynn Grimball was healed and won her 8 and 1/2 year battle with cancer when she was called home to the Lord. She was 61. Peggy was born on January 6, 1964 in Morgan City and was the “Spoiled Baby” of five children born to Bobbie and Luby Grimball.
Those she leaves to cherish her memory include her son, Louis A. Gaspard Jr. and his wife Lauren; her four siblings, Tim Grimball and his wife Kim, Kathy Primeaux-Carlin and her husband Woody, Connie Thomas and her husband Billy, and Keith Grimball and his wife Michelle; three grandchildren, Louis A. Gaspard III, Levi A. Gaspard, and Leah M. Gaspard; six nieces and nephews, Tara Boudreaux and her husband Jimmy, Lindsey Foley and her husband Zane, Clint Cortez and his wife Paola, Jeremy Hancox and his wife Crystal, Bill Thomas and his wife Amy, and Bridgette Grimball; as well as their children, her lifelong friend, Lonnie Melvin; and a host of extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bobbie Ray Grimball and Luby Dauzat Grimball; her nephew, Ross A. Grimball; her brother-in-law, Randy A. Primeaux; and by her fur-baby, Lance Corporal Gaspard.
A gathering of family and friends will be held Saturday, February 15, 2025, at Ibert’s Mortuary in Patterson from 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM, with the Holy Rosary being prayed at 10:30 AM, led by the Men’s Rosary Group. Eulogy and memorial services will begin at 1:00 PM with Deacon Shannon Freeman conducting the funeral. Private inurnment will be held at a later date in the St. Theresa Cemetery in St. Landry, LA, where she will be laid to rest by her parents.
Family and friends may view the obituary online by visiting www.iberts.com and are encouraged to share their condolences, cherished memories, love, and support for the family.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert’s Mortuary, Inc., 1111 Lia Street, Patterson, LA 70392, (985) 395-7873.
The following are the radio dispatch logs from the Morgan City Police Department. To report unlawful or suspicious activity, call the Police Department at 985-380-4605.
Thursday, Feb. 6
7 a.m. Second Street; Animal complaint.
7:14 a.m. 1600 block of Front Street; Theft.
7:15 a.m. Fifth Street; Frequent patrols.
8:11 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
10:24 a.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Theft.
10:28 a.m. Marquis Manor; Animal complaint.
11:06 a.m. La. 182; Vehicle accident.
11:22 a.m. 900 block of Spruce Street; Medical.
12:05 p.m. 500 block of Terrebonne Street; Disturbance.
12:24 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Medical.
12:49 p.m. 100 block of Egle Mill; Welfare check.
1:15 p.m. 1400 block of Sixth Street; Civil matter.
1:33 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
1:36 p.m. 7300 block of La. 182; Road hazard.
2:04 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle; Arrest.
3:11 p.m. 1500 block of Victor II Boulevard; Complaint.
4:12 p.m. U.S. 90 West ; Reckless driver.
4:36 p.m. 400 block of Belanger Street; Complaint.
4:52 p.m. Belanger Street; Vehicle accident.
5:10 p.m. 2000 block of Keith Street; Complaint.
6:14 p.m. 800 block of Brashear Avenue; Arrest.
6:59 p.m. 2500 block of Cedar Street; Assistance.
7:50 p.m. 900 block of Seventh Street; Arrest.
10:23 p.m. 3100 block of Wytchwood Drive; Medical.
11:02 p.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Suspicious vehicle.
11:26 p.m. Fourth/Arenz streets; Assistance.
11:59 p.m. 7700 block of La. 182; Shoplifter.
Friday, Feb. 7
12:29 a.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Medical.
2:51 a.m. 1200 block of Victor II Boulevard; Medical.
5:58 a.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Complaint.
6:56 a.m. 3000 block of Allison Street; Animal complaint.
6:56 a.m. 700 block of Belanger Street; Medical.
9:18 a.m. Onstead/Sixth streets ; Assistance.
9:47 a.m. 1200 block of David Drive; Vehicle crash.
11:50 a.m. 600 block of Willow Street; Complaint.
12:35 p.m. 1000 block of Shaw Street; Civil complaint.
1:28 p.m. 1800 block of Filmore Street; Medical.
2:36 p.m. 300 block of Leona Street; Medical.
3:11 p.m. Egle/Front streets; Complaint.
3:14 p.m. U.S. 90; Stalled vehicle.
3:27 p.m. 1200 block of McDermott Drive; Complaint.
3:54 p.m. 1000 block of La. 70; Disturbance.
4:10 p.m. 1100 block of Dora Street; Complaint.
4:15 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Removal of subject.
5:06 p.m. 1000 block of La. 70; Complaint.
5:29 p.m. 300 block of Grizzaffi Street; Vehicle accident.
6:36 p.m. Allison Street; Discharge of firearms.
6:52 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
7:13 p.m. 1000 block of Third Street; Missing juvenile.
8:42 p.m. 700 block of Duke Street; Disturbance.
9:01 p.m. Ditch Avenue/Ninth Street; Suspicious person/vehicle.
10:12 p.m. 100 block of Wren Street; Welfare check.
11:51 p.m. 500 block of Seventh Street; Removal of subject.
Saturday, Feb. 8
12:41 a.m. 1600 block of Chestnut Drive; Alarm.
1:58 a.m. Chatsworth Drive; Complaint.
3:18 a.m. Allison/Roderick streets; Suspicious person/vehicle.
7:29 a.m. 1000 block of Birch Street; Vehicle theft.
8:03 a.m. La. 70/Marguerite Street; Reckless driver.
8:40 a.m. 1600 block of Mayon Street; Arrest.
8:55 a.m. 900 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard; Alarm.
9:40 a.m. 1000 block of Victor II Boulevard; Complaint.
9:51 a.m. 500 block of Terrebonne Street; Animal.
11:34 a.m. La. 70; Suspicious subject.
12:34 p.m. 6000 block of La. 182; Disturbance.
1:24 p.m. 6000 block of La. 182; Vehicle crash.
1:41 p.m. 600 block of Sixth Street; Animal complaint.
2:12 p.m. 7000 block of La. 182; Theft.
3:25 p.m. 1000 block of Florence Street; Medical.
3:41 p.m. 7000 block of La. 182; Theft.
8:59 p.m. 700 block of Belanger Street; Complaint.
9:12 p.m. 1400 block of Federal Avenue; Complaint.
10:25 p.m. 100 block of St. Claire Street; Disturbance.
11:54 p.m. 600 block of Brashear Avenue; Hit and run.
Sunday, Feb. 9
12:19 a.m. 900 block of Short Street; Complaint.
12:34 a.m. 600 block of Bush Street; Suspicious person/vehicle.
12:44 a.m. Allison/Roderick streets; Complaint.
1 a.m. Marshall/Mayon streets; Complaint.
1:09 a.m. 800 block of Federal Avenue; Complaint.
1:30 a.m. Songe/Third streets; Warrants.
1:55 a.m. 500 block of Aucoin Street; Suspicious person/vehicle.
2:11 a.m. 700 block of Bush Street; Suspicious person/vehicle.
2:27 a.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Complaint.
2:53 a.m. 7800 block of La. 182; Suspicious person/vehicle.
3:22 a.m. Railroad/Ditch avenues; Suspicious person/vehicle.
6:42 a.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Subject removal.
6:57 a.m. 1100 block of Fourth Street; Fire.
12:23 p.m. 600 block of Railroad Avenue; Medical.
1:08 p.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Stand by.
2:29 p.m. 200 block of Pecos Street; Stand by.
2:54 p.m. 7900 block of La. 182; Animal complaint.
3:17 p.m. 800 block of Brashear Avenue; Suspicious person.
3:58 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Medical.
4:06 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Intoxicated person.
5:38 p.m. 300 block of Chennault Street; Disturbance.
6:46 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Theft.
9:41 p.m. 2400 block of Apple Street; Juvenile problems.
9:51 p.m. Lawrence Park; Loud music.
10:39 p.m. 2400 block of Tiger Drive; Suspicious person/vehicle.
11:17 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Complaint.
11:45 p.m. 1800 block of Dale Street; Medical.
Nicholls State police have arrested a suspect in Friday’s attack against a university student.
Juan Monroy was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex. He was charged with attempted second-degree murder. Bail is set at $500,000.
A press release from Nicholls says the attack with a hammer appears to have been random. The suspect was working on a job site next to the university. The attack occurred near St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.
“The assailant was apprehended quickly thanks to the actions of both University Police and the staff of St. Thomas Aquinas, neutralizing any threat to the larger campus community,” Nicholls said in a news release. “The student was treated at a local medical facility and released.”
“Our focus at this time is on the well-being of our student in this incident,” said Nicholls President Dr. Jay Clune “ We would like to thank the quick action of the Nicholls State University Police and all the local agencies that have assisted with this investigation.”
A press release from Hospital Service District No. 2:
Today, St. Mary Parish’s Hospital Service District No. 2 (HSD) and Ochsner St. Mary (OSM) announce the imminent commencement of the first phase of needed facility repairs to the hospital building’s envelope. With a view towards getting the building sealed as quickly as possible and in advance of the upcoming hurricane season, OSM will fund the sealing of the windows, the bricks and the mortar. While this will not constitute a permanent repair, it should protect the facility from serious water intrusion and prevent the recurrence of the flooding and closure should we see a 2025 hurricane here. Discussions are also ongoing with architects and engineers regarding upgrading the HVAC system as soon as possible.
All will notice scaffolding and work around the entire facility during these improvements. Of course, contractors will work to minimize inconvenience to patients, staff and visitors during this process. For everyone’s safety, please respect the roped off areas and remain outside of the construction areas.
With OSM handling this phase, the HSD will now be able to focus upon long term facility goals and solutions without having to prematurely rush to borrow funds and without being limited by having to use available materials.
Dr. Cefalu, the Chairman of the HSD’s Board of Commissioners stated, “I’m very pleased with Ochsner’s decision to initiate and to fund these repairs on an expedited basis. Hurricane Francine made us all aware that we must be vigilant in maintaining, protecting and preserving our hospital. Ochsner clearly shares our commitment to provide the community with a facility that it deserves.”
Jennifer Wise, OSM’s Chief Nursing Officer and Administrator stated, “Ochsner remains committed to serving the community’s health care needs. We enjoy our working relationship with and support from the HSD. Knowing that the HSD has constraints, it makes sense for Ochsner to proceed with this first phase now. We look forward to a continued working relationship with the HSD as we jointly address long term solutions.”
Both OSM and the HSD intend to keep the public informed relative to facility and equipment improvements. So, updates will be released as progress on the improvements continues.
Franklin Banner-Tribune
P.O. Box 566, Franklin, LA 70538
Phone: 337-828-3706
Fax: 337-828-2874
Morgan City Review
1014 Front Street, Morgan City, LA 70380
Phone: 985-384-8370
Fax: 985-384-4255