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Agencies arrested eight on battery, fighting charges

(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.)

Local law enforcement agencies worked some not-so-silent nights over the long holiday period, making eight arrests on battery or fighting charges.

St. Mary

Sheriff Gary Driskell reported these arrests:

--Ladana Monique Cormier, 43, Bayou Vista, was arrested at 12:28 a.m. Dec. 20 on a charge of simple battery.

Cormier was released on a $1,500 bond.

--Heather Louisa Kleimann, 59, Bayou Vista, was arrested at 1:26 p.m. Dec. 24 on a warrant alleging simple battery. Kleimann was released on a $1,000 bond.

--Gerald Anthony Price III, 31, Bayou Vista, was arrested at 9:34 p.m. Dec. 21 on a charge of disturbing the peace (fighting). Price was released on a $1,000 bond.

--Jerome Michael Blanchard, 41, Patterson, was arrested at 9:35 p.m. Dec. 21 on a charge of disturbing the peace (fighting). Blanchard was released on a $1,000 bond.

--Brandon Lee Grant, 42, Bayou Vista, was arrested at 12:02 a.m. Dec. 20 on a charge of violation of protective orders. Grant was released on a $5,000 bond.

--David John Hebert, 40, Napoleonville, was arrested at 4:00 p.m. Dec. 20 on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charges of possession of methamphetamine and operating a vehicle without proper required equipment. Hebert was released on a $5,000 bond.

--Trevor Landry, 25, Bayou Vista, was arrested at 11:41 p.m. Dec. 21 on charge of disturbing the peace (intoxicated) and criminal trespass. Landry was released on a $2,000 bond.

--Yvishia Sherrell Levine, 34, Centerville, was arrested at 12:29 p.m. Dec. 22 on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charge of neglect of family. Levine was released on a judicial release.

--Francisco P. Perez, 22, Amelia, was arrested t 7:46 p.m. Dec. 24 on a charge of illegal use of weapons or dangerous instruments. Perez was released on a $10,000 bond.

--Mariah Moore, 36, Jeanerette, was arrested at 11:15 a.m. Dec. 24 on a Franklin Police Department warrant alleging failure to appear on a charge of possession of marijuana. Moore was released on her own recognizance.
--Alex Abraham, 53, Thibodaux, was arrested by the Narcotics Section at 6:16 p.m. Thursday on charges of maximum speed limit, driving under suspension, reckless operation of a vehicle and aggravated flight from an officer.

Bail has not been set at this time.

Morgan City

Chief Chad M. Adams reported these arrests:

--Ryan Joseph Delahoussaye, 31, Fourth Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:37 p.m. Saturday on charges of domestic abuse battery, criminal damage to property and interfering with emergency communication.

--Leon Sylvester, 40, Glenwood Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:32 p.m. Sunday on charges of simple battery, criminal damage to property and aggravated assault.

--Saul Grogan III, 53, Park Road, Patterson, was arrested at 8:34 p.m. Dec. 25 on charges of resisting an officer and battery on an officer.

--Elmer Espinal, 37, Susan Drive Morgan City, was arrested at 12:50 p.m. Friday on a charge of improper supervision of a minor by a parent. (Released on summons.)

--Isrrael Gomez-Deleon, 22, Sixth Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:37 a.m. Sunday on charges of urinating in public and obstructing public passage.

--Daniel Ray McNeal, 46, Egle Street, Morgan City, was arrested on at 5:49 p.m. Sunday on a warrant alleging three counts of failure to pay fines (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Chad Bergeron, 39, Rice Street, Morgan City, was arrested 8:34 a.m. Dec. 23 on a charge of burglary of an inhabited dwelling.

--Alyss Meyers Acosta, 32, Ditch Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 5:50 a.m. Dec. 25 on a charge of remaining after being forbidden.

--Kristen Michelle Romero, 38, Bayard Street, New Iberia, was arrested on three counts of failure to appear for trial (16th Judicial District Court).

Patterson

Chief Garrett Grogan reported these arrests:

--Alan P. Sylvester, 39, Short Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:13 p.m. Sunday on a charge of battery of a dating partner. Sylvester was incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with no bond set.

--Bryan Adans Duron Turcios, 27, Halsey Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:44 p.m. Dec. 23 on charges of no driver’s license and speeding 11-15 mph over the limit. Turcios was incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with bond set at $550.

--Edilberto Bardales Hernandez, 47, Roselawn Drive, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:41 a.m. Dec. 25 on a charge of no driver’s license. Hernandez was incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail. Bond was set at $314.

Franklin

Chief Cedric Handy reported these arrests:

--Willie Hayes, 45, Irish Bend Road, Franklin, was arrested at 10:37 p.m. Dec. 24 on a warrant for 3rd Ward City Court alleging failure to appear on a charge of stop signs. Hayes was booked, processed and released on a $273 bond.

--Michael Martin, 34, Main Street, Franklin, was arrested at 11:15 p.m. Dec. 24 on a warrant for 3rd Ward City Court alleging failure to appear on the charge of brake lights. Martin was booked, processe, and released on a $263 bond.

--Angelle Stansbury, 34, Canal Drive, Franklin, was arrested at 3:34 a.m. Dec. 25 on a charge of improper supervision of a juvenile. Stansbury was booked, processed and released on a $1,000 bond.

Assumption

Sheriff Leland Falcon reported these arrests:

--Marquis Williams, 21, Marshall Lane, Napoleonville, was booked Friday on two counts of carnal knowledge of a juvenile and a warrant alleging him with failure to appear on a misdemeanor battery charge.

On Nov. 24,, Assumption Parish Sheriff’s detectives received a complaint from the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services regarding a juvenile who may be a victim of a child sex crime.

Detectives initiated an investigation and were able to identify Williams as one of two suspects who engaged in sexual activity with the child in question on at least two occasions.

At the conclusion of that investigation, detectives secured arrest warrants for Williams.

On Dec. 21, Williams was arrested by the St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office on local charges in that jurisdiction.

On Friday, Marquis Williams was released to the custody of the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center. Williams remains incarcerated with bond set for the carnal knowledge charges at $100,000.

Bond on the failure to appear charge is set at $339.00 cash.

–Darrell Joseph Harris Jr., 18, La. 1, Belle Rose, was arrested Friday on charges of aggravated flight from an officer, resisting an officer and reckless operation of a motor vehicle.

Warrants name two more suspects.

The arrest resulted from a traffic incident originating on La. 70 East involving numerous off-road vehicles (dirt bikes) illegally trafficking on a public roadway.

On Friday afternoon, a uniformed patrol deputy assigned to the I.C.E. detail encountered as many as 10 off-road vehicles operating at high speeds and in a reckless manner, westbound on La. 70 East.

The deputy activated his emergency lights and audible systems in an attempt to stop the illegal riders. All suspects attempted to flee from the deputy continuing westbound on LA 70.

Harris lost control of the dirt bike he was operating, resulting in a temporary stop. While attempting to mount the bike again, Harris was arrested. He was booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center and released on a $35,000 bond.

Slightly over two minutes later, the Sheriff’s Office was notified of an injury accident involving a dirt bike and an automobile on La. 70 Spur near Rouse’s Supermarket. That crash investigation is being handled by the Louisiana State Police.

The driver of that off-road vehicle is identified as Therron Travis Verdin, 20, South Sanctuary Street, Gonzales, and was one of the violators who fled from the original incident. At the time of that crash, Verdin was not being pursued by any law enforcement personnel and was nearly four miles west of the original incident.

Additionally, the off-road vehicle Verdin was operating was reported stolen from Jackson, Mississippi.

In connection with the original incident on La. 70 East, deputies have filed criminal charges on Verdin on counts of aggravated flight from an officer and reckless operation of a motor vehicle.

Deputies intend to arrest Verdin once he is released from medical treatment.

Deputies have also filed arrest warrants charging Maki Kyree Johnson, 20, Gold Street, Napoleonville, on counts of of aggravated flight from an officer and reckless operation of a motor vehicle.

Deputies are seeking to arrest Johnson.

Sheriff’s deputies are continuing their efforts to identify additional suspects and more charges are possible.

Morgan City police radio logs for Dec. 28-29

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.
Saturday, Dec. 28
7:18 a.m. 300 block of Federal Avenue; Animal complaint.
9:03 a.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Complaint.
9:20 a.m. La. 182/Ditch Avenue; Suspicious person/vehicle.
10:34 a.m. Fourth Street; Complaint.
10:55 a.m. 300 block of Pecos Street; Stolen vehicle.
11:20 a.m. 1800 block of East Garner Street; Alarm.
11:25 a.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Medical.
11:32 a.m. 200 block of Federal Avenue; Medical.
12:06 p.m. Lakeside Subdivision; Reckless driver.
12:45 p.m. 500 block of Egle Street; Medical.
1:35 p.m. 200 block of Onstead Street; Domestic.
1:55 p.m. 3000 block of Lizabeth Drive; Complaint.
3:50 p.m. 100 block of Arkansas Street; Animal complaint.
5:02 p.m. 1400 block of Second Street; Animal complaint.
5:21 p.m. 700 block of Franklin Street; Complaint.
5:38 p.m. 200 block of Belanger Street; Loud music.
8:05 p.m. 200 block of Wren Street; Assistance.
8:14 p.m. Morgan City; Weather related calls.
8:17 p.m. 600 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard; Assistance.
11:00 p.m. 1700 block of Cedar Street; Theft.
Sunday, Dec. 29
1:29 a.m. 800 block of Youngs Road; Disturbance.
1:57 a.m. 100 block of Canary Street; Criminal damage to property.
3:50 a.m. Morgan City; Building checks.
4:40 a.m. 900 block of Palm Street; Assistance.
8:38 a.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Death.
8:48 a.m. La. 182; Complaint.
9:27 a.m. 7700 block of La. 182; Complaint.
10:43 a.m. 700 block of Federal Avenue; Complaint.
10:46 a.m. 900 block of Seventh Street; Removal of subject.
11:22 a.m. 1000 block of Fourth Street; Complaint.
11:50 a.m. 200 block of Onstead Street; Animal complaint.
12:28 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
12:55 p.m. 6000 block of La. 182; Vehicle accident.
1:08 p.m. 400 block of Louisa Street; Complaint.
1:11 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Welfare check.
1:55 p.m. 800 block of Railroad Avenue; Stand by.
2:04 p.m. Front Street; Complaint.
3:02 p.m. 1700 block of Victor II Boulevard; Stand by.
4:38 p.m. 600 block of General Hodges Street; Complaint.
4:45 p.m. 800 block of Railroad Avenue; Complaint.
5:33 p.m. 500 block of Egle Street; Disturbance.
5:33 p.m. 500 block of Egle Street; Disturbance.
6:14 p.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Assistance.
6:34 p.m. 700 block of Federal Avenue; Complaint.
7:08 p.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Fireworks.
7:18 p.m. 500 block of Marshall Street; Medical.
7:19 p.m. Belanger/Cedar streets; Suspicious vehicle.
8:17 p.m. 600 block of Fifth Street; Disturbance.
8:57 p.m. 2400 block of Cypress Street; Suspicious vehicle.
10:08 p.m. Morgan City; Building checks.
10:31 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Warrant.

'Traffic swap' on U.S. 90 beginning Sunday

From the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development:

DOTD announces that beginning Sunday, January 5, 2025 until Monday, June 30, 2025, a traffic swap will occur along U.S. 90 westbound from just east of its interchange with La. 83 (Baldwin) to just west of its interchange with La. 318 in St. Mary Parish. During this time, traffic will be reduced to one lane and diverted to the inside lane of U.S. 90 eastbound.

Additionally, the westbound lanes of U.S. 90 in that area will be closed while the traffic swap is in place.

This traffic swap is necessary for crews to perform paving operations and bridge repairs on the westbound lanes of U.S. 90 in that area.

The temporary lane configuration on U.S. 90 Eastbound includes an 11-foot lane in each direction, with eastbound and westbound traffic separated by concrete barriers. There will also be a 14-foot wide maximum restriction on oversized loads in that area.

Emergency vehicles will have access to the area, but may encounter delays.

DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution through the construction site and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.

Cat 2, cats, races in St. Mary and in Paris: Some of the events that made news in 2024

Staff report
As we look back on 2024, one name will stand out: Francine.
The year saw the most damaging hurricane strike in St. Mary for more than three decades, and the ramifications are likely to be part of 2025, too.
This year was a political year, and St. Mary’s conservative roots showed when voters here went for Republican President-elect Donald Trump by a bigger margin than in either 2016 or 2020.
Conservative though the parish might be, voters here didn’t exactly embrace Republican anti-tax skepticism. Voters in the parish enacted three new major levies.
Stray cats — the feral animals, not the rockabilly band — became an issue worthy of new legislation in east St. Mary.
Morgan City police used advances in DNA technology to solve a 26-year-old homicide and make an arrest.
On a lighter note, the Mr. Charlie rig museum was designated as a National Historic Landmark.
And a sports year that wasn’t especially engaging for local fans was redeemed by a 32-year-old Morgan City High grad known by the name Tootie.
Mean Francine
After a near miss by Hurricane Ida in 2021, St. Mary Parish was spared so much as a strong breeze for two straight hurricane seasons. But as June 2024 approached, experts began to predict a more active than normal tropical weather season.
The season was expected to produce half again as many named storms, hurricanes and major hurricanes as in the average year.
Yet the early months of the season were quiet for the Gulf — a big break, considering that westbound U.S. 90, a major evacuation route, was narrowed to one lane each way between Baldwin and Sorrel and again through New Iberia.
But the lull lasted only until Francine made its way west from the African coast and into the southwestern Gulf by Sept. 8. Then the storm began to head northeast.
Francine would make landfall at the St. Mary-Terrebonne parish line about 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11. The National Weather Service account says the storm was carrying 100 mph winds, enough to knock out power into the following weekend. But Francine’s real threat was rain.
Officially, 8.5-10 inches of rain fell before the storm slacked off by 11 p.m. But anecdotal accounts talked of 10- or 20-inch rain gauges that overflowed.
That was especially unfortunate in light of the failure of the Morgan City flood-control pump stations, operated by a gravity drainage district, to keep up with the downpour. A new pump station at Lake Palourde lacked the pumping capacity officials had hoped for.
Water was reported in 350 homes, many of them in the Lakeside Subdivision area.
Franklin and especially Morgan City became distribution points for state and federal hurricane aid. Food, ice and other items were distributed in the immediate aftermath of the storm.
In all, more than 6,000 people signed up for some kind of help in the first couple of weeks after the storm.
Tootie, Part Deux
Ah, Paris. The Louvre. The Eiffel Tower. The Arc de Triomphe. So many sights to see.
MCHS grad Vernon “Tootie” Norwood journeyed to Paris this year, but not as a tourist. Norwood went to work as a member of the Team USA 400 meters team at the Olympic Games. And Norwood was a sight to see.
Norwood had already brought home medals from the Tokyo Olympics: gold in the men’s 4x400 meters, and bronze in the mixed 4x400.
In the men’s 4x400 preliminary July 26-Aug. 11 in Paris, Norwood was slated to run the second leg after wunderkind Quincy Wilson, a 16-year-old who had set a world under-18 record in the 400 meters earlier in the year.
But Wilson had a bad day. He ran his opening leg in 47.27 seconds, roughly what you’d expect to win a state track championship. Norwood took the baton from Wilson and went off like a rocket, running a 43.9 split to put Team USA back in the race.
The Americans finished third to claim the last qualifying spot for the finals, edging Japan by a third of a second.
Then, in the finals, Norwood joined Benjamin Rai, Christopher Bailey and Bryce Deadmon to finish with a world record time of 2:54.43 to win the gold.
Norwood was also a member of the mixed 4x400 team. His opening leg put Team USA in the lead, which lasted until Femke Bol of the Netherlands ran a blazing anchor leg to edge American Kaylyn Brown at the tape. Team USA came home with the silver.
On Sept. 25, Morgan City welcomed Norwood home with an event at Morgan City Municipal Auditorium. It was attended by local dignitaries and his family, including his mother, Charliette Ray.
“I told my mama I wouldn’t cry until I got home,” Norwood said. “I probably will.”
Read our lips
For the third election in as many years, voters in St. Mary approved new taxes.
In the Dec. 7 election, the big issue was in east St. Mary, where Hospital Service District No. 2 proposed a 9-mill property tax. The district board wants to use the money for physical repairs and upgrades at Ochsner St. Mary, which is operated by Ochsner Health but owned by district.
The four-decades-old building is showing its age, and Hurricane Francine provided a senior moment. Water infiltrated the building, forcing the hospital to stop admitting patients for a few weeks after the storm Sept. 11. The district board said the building needs to be sealed and requires a new heating and air conditioning system.
The board also proposed using a portion of the $3.4 million the tax will raise each year for scholarships to help local young people entering health care fields.
The tax passed in the hospital district, which runs from the Calumet Cut east the parish line, by a 70%-30% margin.
The tax takes effect next year, but district officials may use the future revenue stream to borrow money to begin work right away.
Also Dec. 7, voters in Franklin and Baldwin passed separate sales taxes for public safety.
In recent years, voters parishwide approved a 0.45% sales tax for teacher and school staff pay in 2021, and Morgan City voters passed a 0.5% sales tax for police and firefighter pay and training in 2023.
The timing of tax propositions may be an issue in the new year. St. Mary Parish Councilman Dean Adams of Morgan City opened a discussion at the Dec. 18 council meeting, saying he’d received many complaints about tax propositions being placed on the Dec. 7 ballot rather than the Nov. 5 primary ballot, when turnout is traditionally much higher.
Cats (not
the musical)
The proliferation of stray cats led to legislative action in east St. Mary.
Both Morgan City and Berwick passed ordinances prohibiting people from setting out food for stray animals. The idea was to cope with the rapidly multiplying number of strays, especially cats.
At a Berwick Town Council meeting, residents and officials talked about fleas from stray cats infesting elementary classrooms, ruined flower beds, unpleasant odors in vehicles that strays got into, and even an attack on a local woman.
Berwick eventually scaled back its ordinance enough to allow people to set out food on their own property but kept the prohibition on feeding on publicly accessible property.
All politics is local
In a wild political year, St. Mary’s voters offered 60% support to former President Trump in his bid to return to office, and Trump ally Clay Higgins, a Lafayette Republican, was returned to his seat in the U.S. House from Louisiana’s 3rd District for a fifth term.
Higgins will represent all of St. Mary in the new Congress. A small portion of eastern St. Mary, and all of Assumption, had been part of the 6th District represented by Garret Graves, R-Baton Rouge.
But the Legislature was forced by a court ruling to create a second U.S. House district with a Black majority. The Legislature chose the 6th District, and moved it north of St. Mary and Assumption and stretching westward to pick up African American voters.
Cleo Fields, the Baton Rouge Democrat who served briefly in Congress in the 1990s, won the race in the newly drawn 6th District. By then, Graves had already announced that he would not seek re-election.
Another result of the district shake-up is that Assumption is now in the 2nd District, dominated by New Orleans and represented by Democrat Troy Carter.
Closer to home, Morgan City Council elections resulted in two re-elections and a new council member.
Councilmen Louis Tamporello and the Rev. Ron Bias had each served on the council for 20 years. Bias won a three-way race to return to office, but Tamporello was unseated by businessman and former police officer Eriq Blanchard, who campaigned on a next-generation theme.
Bonnie Leonard, who had been appointed to fill the seat left vacant by the resignation of Mark Stephens, won her election over former parish Chief Administrative Officer Jean Paul Bourg.
Mayor Lee Dragna qualified for a second term without opposition, as did incumbent Councilmen Steve Domangue and Tim Hymel.
In the Legislature, Robert Allain, R-Franklin, assumed the state Senate District 21 seat held for three terms by his father, Bret Allain. He joined a St. Mary delegation that also includes Reps. Beryl Amedee of Gray and Vincent St. Blanc of Franklin, both Republicans.
The year also saw the death of Sheriff Blaise Smith, a 40-year veteran of local law enforcement. He died Feb. 26.
Smith had announced that he wouldn’t seek a second full term in 2023. His chief deputy, Gary Driskell, won a multicandidate race to succeed Smith. Driskell took the oath after Smith’s death.
Sam Jones of Franklin took office as the parish president, succeeding David Hanagriff, who was term-limited.
Two new Parish Council members took office in 2024: James Davis of Morgan City and David Hill of Bayou Vista. Hill succeeded Councilman Scott Ramsey, also of Bayou Vista, who did not seek re-election in 2023 because of health concerns. Ramsey died Dec. 7.
Greg Aucoin of Morgan City qualified without opposition to become the new clerk of court, and Jarrod Longman was re-elected as assessor, also without opposition.
Wednesday
night fights
Early in 2024, the St. Mary Parish Council engaged in a series of contentious discussions that sometimes took on the tone of a professional wrestling match — except that in pro wrestling, there’s a feeling that someone has arranged for a satisfactory outcome.
Among the debated topics were the parish finances. Parish President Jones had campaigned on what he said was the precarious condition of parish finances. He saw problems that included too much bonded debt and a lack of funds, or even will, to match state funding for local projects.
Councilman the Rev. Craig Mathews of Jeanerette, who chairs the council’s budget committee, was among those who were skeptical about Jones’ assertions.
There were more heated arguments over, of all things, courthouse security, and whether a deputy should continue to be present during meetings.
The parish government’s new chief administrator, Jean Paul Bourg, resigned the post he held for less than a year. Finance Director Paul Governale was promoted to CAO.
The mood was calmer through the middle of the year. But there was more contention after Francine over Mathews’ allegation that people from outside east St. Mary towns were turned away when they tried to get relief supplies provided by the state and federal governments at local distribution points.
The mayors of Morgan City and Berwick denied that people were turned away. Dragna called Mathews’ assertion a lie before being escorted out of a council meeting by the security deputy.
Yet, after all the back and forth, the council managed to pass a balanced budget for 2025 with a modest addition to the parish’s fund balance.
Jones, Gov. Jeff Landry, Allain and other state officials also put together a deal in which state coastal protection funds would be used for new pumps in the Morgan City flood control system.
The council is also examining the structure of parish government itself. A Charter Review Commission was seated this year and met monthly after council discussion about such issues as making the parish presidency a full-time job and minority representation.
Councilman J Ina of Franklin introduced an ordinance that would require training for members of the boards and commissions that provide basic services across the parish.
Ina had already called for updates to the parish government’s organizational chart and its salary structure, and reviews are underway.
At the Dec. 18 meeting, the mood was congenial.
“When we had our differences,” Jones said, “we always ended up eating at The Forest.”
Hot on the trail
of a cold case
In November, Morgan City Police Chief Chad M. Adams announced the arrest of a local man in a homicide that happened in 1998.
John Pittman Jr., 44, faces a second-degree murder charge in the death of Amber Lynn Jenkins Garcia in October 1998 because of DNA evidence linking him to the crime, police said.
Pittman was already in prison in connection with the death of Jennifer Vedol in December 1998. Investigators secured a conviction in that case, but the trail of Garcia’s killer went cold.
Investigators re-submitted evidence early in 2024, and obtained a warrant for Pittman’s arrest. He was booked on the Garcia murder charge on Nov. 6.
Garcia’s body was discovered near Youngs Park on Oct 8 that year. Vedol’s body was found near Duke Street months later on Christmas Day.
Making history
The Mr. Charlie rig museum was designated a National Historic Landmark earlier this month by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland.
Mr. Charlie, which was once a productive rig, has long been a symbol of the early days of offshore energy production, when Morgan City was the staging base for the first rigs set up out of sight from land.
Now it’s a museum that is occasionally used for movie or TV productions as well as educational purposes.
“Mr. Charlie joins a list of the nation’s premier historic and cultural places, all of which were nominated through voluntary and locally led stewardship," Haaland said in a press release.
Good grades
St. Mary Parish public schools announced last month that the parish achieved a state school performance score of 86.2 in 2023-24, a B grade and better than the statewide score of 80.2.
The growth leaders were in Morgan City: Julia B. Maitland Elementary, which increased its score by 15 points, and Wyandotte Elementary, up 11.2 points.
The district has four A schools: Franklin High (98.2), Patterson High (95.8), Berwick High (95.1) and West St. Mary High (93.1).
At the School Board, meanwhile, the changing of the guard continues. An 11-member board once dominated by members with two or three decades of experience now has only two members, Marilyn LaSalle and Ginger Griffin, who have served more than two terms. Both are from Patterson.
The newest members are Guienzy Brent of Franklin, who was unopposed in her first election bid last month, and Lawrence Guillory of Centerville.
Brent had been named as an interim member after the death of Joseph Foulcard in late 2023, and Guillory was sworn in Nov. 14 to take the seat left vacant by the resignation of Murphy Pontiff.

Just a taste tells a tale about new foods

Before they hit grocery shelves with labels that shout, “New and Improved!” or “Lower in Calories,” some foods first pass a gauntlet of everyday Louisianans who taste, smell and scrutinize the product in a lab in Baton Rouge.
For a decade, the LSU AgCenter Food Innovation Institute (FOODii) Sensory Services Lab has recruited consumers to taste coffee, rice milk, fish filets and dozens of other products and answer carefully designed surveys to help food scientists decide what version of their products get to market.
“We perform the study, and we interpret the result,” said Witoon Prinyawiwatkul, a professor of nutrition and food sciences with the AgCenter. “They make their own recommendations. We realize what we have done for the company when we see the product in the store.”
The Sensory Services Lab was a long-term goal for Prinyawiwatkul early in his career. More than 20 years ago, he began sketching designs of a possible facility. In 2014, when the Animal and Food Sciences Laboratory Building on the LSU campus was completed, the 47,550-square-foot building housed a professional test kitchen, a demonstration kitchen, 29 laboratories and the sensory lab on the first floor.
Performing tests for food companies creates revenue for the AgCenter nutrition and food sciences program, and the lab provides students in the program with experience running studies and developing their own products.
“It benefits students,” said Yupeng Gao, a research and development scientist at the lab. “Students learn what the industry wants, and they practice and gain experience for their jobs.”
Companies from all over the world have used the lab to study new foods and revamp existing recipes. An international brand may want to test a product on American consumers before taking on the expense of entering the market. Or a company may need to replace an ingredient or change suppliers for one, and the food scientists will test whether possible customers can taste the difference in the product.
Working with
the food industry
When Godshall’s Quality Meats Inc. needed to switch ingredients in its turkey bacon recipe and try different sausage links, staff at the Pennsylvania-based wood-smoked meat company contacted the team at the Sensory Services Lab.
“I know the work they do, and I know about the service and how detailed they are, so I trust the outcome,” said Reshani Senevirathne, the director of food science at Godshall’s and an LSU alumna.
For food product companies, AgCenter food scientists design a study that zeroes in on the important information needed and removes subjectivity from the sample. Volunteers sit in specially designed booths to sample the products and answer a carefully created survey. They receive no packaging and no clues about the identity of the manufacturer.
The McIlhenny Company, which produces Tabasco in Avery Island, Louisiana, has worked with the lab to try new sauces and different production methods, said Charlie Cheng, director of research and development for the company.
Occasionally, studies at the lab emanate from a government agency. Food scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Processing and Sensory Quality Research Unit at the Southern Regional Research Center in New Orleans use the lab to test rice and aquaculture products in their work to assist farmers and food processors in creating competitive products for consumers.
“We’re looking at the whole gamut of sensory evaluations — color, mouthfeel, taste, flavor and aroma,” said Ryan Ardoin, a food sensory scientist for the USDA.
Ardoin has used the lab’s resources to test rice milk and a sorghum beverage as well as trout and catfish.
“There are some so-called off flavors that affect fish quality in the eyes of the consumer, and it allows foreign competitors to occupy some of our U.S. market,” he said. “We want to make our domestic commodities more competitive, so with this fish taste test that we’ve been running, we’re trying to understand and solve the off-flavor problems in aquaculture.”
Some testing occurs outside of the lab. The scientists have taken coffee makers to other LSU-affiliated offices for tests in break rooms and employee lounges. Occasionally, companies request an at-home test, and the lab will send ingredients to a small group of consumers who prepare a meal and then complete an online survey and send in a photo of the finished product. The lab can also perform studies on nonfood items such as personal care products and anything else that consumers experience through taste, smell, sight and feel.
Connecting
Many study participants come from the LSU community of students, staff and faculty. The lab is a short walk from the office of Nicole Schmitz, department coordinator and program adviser for the LSU Department of Public Administration.
“I think it helps the research that students are doing, and I know that I am not old, but I’m of an older age demographic than the majority of folks on campus, i.e., students,” Schmitz said after sampling light roast coffee in the fall of 2024.
In 2017, the lab created Tiger Tasters, a database of consumers outside of the LSU community that helps them recruit a targeted demographic. Those interested can join by completing a survey on the AgCenter website. Study participants usually get rewarded with a gift like ice cream from the AgCenter Dairy Store, a mug, a blanket or a gift card.
Tiger Tasters has grown popular, with more than 1,000 Baton Rouge-area volunteers on the list. Word spreads about the program, and tasters recommend it to friends, Gutierrez said.
“It’s a nice connection to the community,” Gutierrez said. “We can’t say what it is that we’re doing because the companies don’t want them to know, but they really enjoy it because they feel like they’re having an input on what is being launched in the stores.””

Public notices for Dec. 27, 2024

PUBLIC NOTICE
St. Mary Parish School Board
Centerville,
Louisiana
Announcement of Public
Meeting
Notice is hereby given that, at its meeting to be held on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. in the Evans Medine Meeting Room at the Central Office Complex, 474 Highway 317, Centerville, Louisiana, the School Board of the Parish of St. Mary, State of Louisiana, plans to consider an in- crease in the compensation for school board members. In accordance with La.R.S. 17:56(A)(1), any increase in compensation for school board members requires approval by vote of two-thirds of the total membership of the school board. This notice will be published in the official journal of the school board on two separate days during the fifteen (15) days immediately preceding the meeting date.
Adv. Dec. 27, 2024 and Jan. 3, 2025

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PUBLIC NOTICE
ST. MARY
PARISH
RECREATION
DISTRICT NO. 1
PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF ST.MARY PARISH RECREATION DISTRICT NO. 1
The board of Commissioners of St. Mary Recreation District No. 1 met in regular session on Tuesday November 19, 2024.
The meeting was called to order by Mrs. Janice Aucoin at 6:00pm.
Roll called and those present were Commissioners, Mr. Tyrone Richardson, Mrs. Janice Aucoin, Mr. Steve Patureau, Ms Carla Gagliano, Manager Mike Beadle.
A motion was made by Ms. Carla Gagliano to accept the minutes as written. The motion received a second from Mr. Steve Patureau. All were in favor.
The monthly bills were review-ed. A motion was made by Mr. Steve Patureau to pay the bills. The motion received a second from Mr. Tyrone Richardson. All were in favor.
Mr. Mike Beadle presented the treasures report. A motion was made by Mr. Steve Patureau to accept the report as read. The motion received a second from Mr. Tyrone Richardson. All were in favor.
Agenda Items Discussed
Review Monthly Bills. Storm damage update, discussed passed millage from Nov. 5 election. Discussion of potential offsite playground area. After all issued were addressed and no further matters were present, Mr. Steve Patureau made a motion to adjourn the meeting. All were in favor.
_____________
/s/Janice Aucoin
Board
Commissioner
_____________
/s/MIKE BEADLE
MIKE BEADLE
MANAGER
Adv. Dec. 27, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE
Sixteenth Judicial District Court
——
PARISH OF
ST. MARY
——
STATE OF
LOUISIANA
Amos Financial LLC
Vs. No. 138934
Natatia Paul
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 LOT OR PARCEL OF LAND TOGETHER WITH ALL BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON SITUATED AND ALL RIGHTS, WAYS, PRIVILEGES, PRESCRIPTIONS AND SERVITUDES THEREUNTO APPERTAINING, SITUATED IN PATTERSON, ST. MARY PARISH, LOUISIANA, BEING MORE PARTICULARLY KNOWN, DESIGNATED AND DESCRIBED AS LOT 28 OF BLOCK 4 OF ADDENDUM IA OF THE TIFFANY PLACE SUBDIVISION, AS SHOWN ON A PLAT MADE BY ARTHUR A. DEFRAITES, JR. A LOUISIANA REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL LAND SURVEYOR, DATED SEPTEMBER 10, 2004 AND WHICH PLAT IS RECORDED IN ST. MARY PARISH COB 67, PAGE 651, ENTRY NO. 287051; subject to restrictions, servitudes, rights-of-way and outstanding mineral rights of record affecting the property.
to satisfy the sum of ONE HUNDRED FOURTEEN THOUSAND AND 00/100 ($114,000.00) with interest thereon at 7.00% per annum from March 22, 2024, until paid; all expenses incurred in enforcing the note and mortgage including reasonable attorney’s fees; if/as applicable, such other or additional amounts incurred or advanced for taxes, insurance premiums, special assessments, repairs to and/or maintenance of the property, for the protection, preservation, repair and recovery of the property, for the protection and preservation of the lien of the mortgage, for the protection and preservation of the mortgagee’s interest thereunder, and other amounts provided by the mortgage and ap- plicable law, such as late charges, escrow advances for the payment of taxes and insurance, corporate advances, property appraisals, inspection fees, prior attorney fees and expenses, abstract and title charges, NSF charges, attorney fees and expenses, and other charges which plaintiff is permitted to prove by verified petition, verified supplemental petition, or affidavit filed or submitted before distribution by the sheriff of the proceeds of the judicial sale herein; and all law charges, fees and expenses incurred in connection or relating to this proceeding including without limitation sheriff’s commission, sheriff’s costs, court costs all as permitted by the note or mortgage being enforced by this proceeding 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 29th day of January A.D., 2025, between the legal hours commencing at 10 O’Clock A.M.
Sheriff’s Office
Parish of St. Mary, La.
Thursday, the 7th day of November A.D., 2024
GARY L.
DRISKELL,
SHERIFF
By: Heidi Rineholt
Deputy Sheriff
Adv. Dec. 27, 2024 and Jan. 22, 2025

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Dear Abby: Wife is unhappy with birthday gift, and with the giver

DEAR ABBY: My husband took me on a trip for my birthday this year, only he didn’t prepare for anything other than some sightseeing events. He didn’t help plan for camping, didn’t financially plan well for souvenirs or if we wanted to eat out, and had a crappy attitude the entire time. We got into an argument at almost every event we went to because he either disagreed with my preferences or pushed back at my calling him out for pouting. I’m upset because this was supposed to have been a “makeup” trip from him for ruining my birthday years prior, and for pretty awful fights we were having leading up to my birthday.
I had tried to back out, but he convinced me to go. My actual birthday was the day after we got home. He ignored me the entire day, and we got into another argument. We had a few friends over, but overall, I was pretty upset and felt unloved by him.
When I addressed it the next day, he told me no one should get a “birthday week” and called me ungrateful and unappreciative of his efforts. Am I wrong for being upset? This was supposed to be his birthday gift to me, but it felt more like I took him on a trip he didn’t even want to be on.
BIRTHDAY GIRL IN MICHIGAN

DEAR GIRL: It is possible your expectations surrounding your birthdays may be, in your husband’s opinion, grandiose. Have you two been arguing about more subjects than birthday celebrations, and if so, for how long?
Speaking safely from the sidelines in order to avoid the crossfire, I suggest you ask your doctor (or health insurance company) to recommend some licensed marriage and family counselors. There are healthier ways to manage conflict in relationships than the way you two are doing it.

DEAR ABBY: I have a problem with my daughter-in-law. I know she loves me, but I don’t think she likes me. An example: Yesterday, I met her and my son at my granddaughter’s dance recital. When I entered and sat down next to them, she barely looked up from her phone, yet when another mother arrived, she leapt up and chatted for minutes.
This kind of thing happens often. When we are alone together, she chats with me, but if someone else is in the group, it’s like I’m not even there. I have no other complaints about her. She is a terrific mom and partner to my son. Should I talk to her about this? How do I bring it up without making her defensive?
IGNORED IN CALIFORNIA

DEAR IGNORED: I don’t doubt that your daughter-in-law loves you. However, she may be so comfortable around you that she’s treating you like family ... in other words, taking you for granted. She jumps up when she sees her contemporaries because she doesn’t see them as often as she sees you, and they may have fresh news to talk about. Be grateful that when you are alone you communicate well. I don’t think there is anything positive to be gained by approaching her with this.

***

Good advice for everyone — teens to seniors — is in “The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal With It.” To order, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 to: Dear Abby, Anger Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.

Morgan City police radio logs for Dec. 23-26

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.
Tuesday, Dec. 24
6:40 a.m. U.S. 90 West/Federal Avenue Ramp; Traffic incident.
9:11 a.m. 1000 block of La. 70; Shoplifting.
9:12 a.m. Fifth/Greenwood streets; Theft.
9:27 a.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Harassment.
11:28 a.m. 900 block of Second Street; Suspicious subject.
12:42 p.m. 900 block of Cherry Street; Complaint.
2:16 p.m. 500 block of Franklin Street; Civil matter.
2:39 p.m. U.S. 90 West/Federal Avenue Ramp; Traffic incident.
2:50 p.m. 200 block of Aucoin Street; Loud music.
3:18 p.m. 400 block of Louisa Street; Loud music.
4 p.m. Walnut/McDermott streets; Vehicle accident.
4:26 p.m. 700 block of Marshall Street; Complaint.
5:05 p.m. 300 block of Fifth Street; Remove Subject.
5:33 p.m. David Drive/Victor II Boulevard; Medical.
6:39 p.m. 700 block of Florence Street; Disturbance.
7:47 p.m. 1500 block of Victor II Boulevard; Complaint.
7:58 p.m. 1000 block of Greenwood Street; Alarm.
8:02 p.m. Aycock/Patton streets; Fireworks.
9:03 p.m. Halsey/Patton streets; Loud music.
10:18 p.m. La. 70; Reckless driver.
11:01 p.m. Adams Street/Federal Avenue; Discharging firearms.
11:19 p.m. Fifth Street/Railroad Avenue; Discharging firearms.
11:29 p.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Loud music.
Wednesday, Dec. 25
12:36 a.m. 600 block of Brashear Avenue; Hit and run.
12:38 a.m. Aycock Street /La. 182; Suspicious person/vehicle.
12:47 a.m. 600 block of Brashear Avenue; Criminal damage to property.
1:01 a.m. 300 block of South Railroad Avenue; Loud music.
2:35 a.m. 300 block of Patton Street; Loud music.
2:41 a.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Disturbance.
3:23 a.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Complaint.
3:51 a.m. 700 block of Everett Street; Disturbance.
5:39 a.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Removal of subject.
7:57 a.m. La. 70; Vehicle accident.
8:44 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Civil matter.
9:27 a.m. 600 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard; Disturbance.
9:53 a.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Alarm.
10:52 a.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Assistance.
12:32 p.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Disturbance.
1:32 p.m. 2000 block of Keith Street; Disturbance.
4:09 p.m. 200 block of Glenwood Street; Vehicle burglary.
6 p.m. 100 block of Glenwood Street; Firework.
6:46 p.m. 1300 block of Federal Avenue; Alarm.
7:47 p.m. 300 block of Wren Street; Medical.
7:52 p.m. 700 block of Hilda Street; Firework.
8:15 p.m. 700 block of Justa Street; Medical.
8:30 p.m. 300 block of Wren Street; Arrest.
10:14 p.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Disturbance.
Thursday, Dec. 26
4:22 a.m. 1000 block of Sixth Street; Medical.
4:47 a.m. 300 block of Louisa Street; Medical.

Danos cyber security chief honored

Danos announced that Information Security Officer Corey Stein has been named the 2024 Cyber Security Leader of the Year by the Louisiana IT Symposium.
The award honors technology leaders who demonstrate strategic vision, leadership, community involvement and a significant impact on their organizations.
With 11 years at Danos, Stein has distinguished himself as the company's first leader in security-focused information systems, significantly enhancing its cyber security posture. Danos said in a news release.
His proactive efforts have effectively protected operations, employees and customers from evolving cyber threats.
"Corey's dedication and expertise have been critical to protecting our organization and team,''said CEO Paul Danos. "This recognition is a testament to his exceptional leadership and the impact he has made at Danos and beyond. We are incredibly proud of him."
Director of Information Systems and Security Sonny Orgeron added, "Corey has transformed Danos' cyber security infrastructure with his strategic approach and ability to tackle complex challenges. His work ensures our resilience and sets a high standard for the industry."
The Louisiana IT Symposium gathers technology leaders statewide to share insights, foster collaboration and recognize excellence.
Stein's award underscores his contributions to advancing Danos' business strategy, the company said in its news release.

St. Mary students earn Nicholls State degrees

Nicholls State University awarded 502 degrees during its fall commencement ceremony Dec. Two St. Mary students who completed their degrees with perfect 4.0 grade point averages were among six who received the President’s Medal of Honor.
The medal-winners were:
—Madeline Albritton, Elementary Education, St. Mary Parish
—Kaitlyn Marcotte, Psychology, St. Mary Parish
—Madison Beier, Health Sciences – Communicative Disorders, St. James Parish
—Tamiyah Gross, Accounting & Finance, St. John Parish
—Meghan Cenac, Culinary Arts – Pâtisserie, Terrebonne Parish
—Philip Brown, English–Writing and Rhetoric, Terrebonne Parish
Of the degrees awarded, 22 were summa cum laude graduates, 29 were magna cum laude graduates, 36 were cum laude graduates and 53 were graduate students who earned their masters degrees with 4.0 GPAs. 
The St. Mary students who received degrees, listed with their degrees and degree programs, were:
—Albritton, Madeline, BS Elementary Eductn - 1-5, CertElementary Eductn - 1-5
—Bailey, Hannah, BS, Health Sci-Pre-Professional, Health Sciences
—Barajas, Monica, BSN, Nursing (Bachelor). Nursing (Bachelor)
—Beam, Hena, MED, Master Cur Inst - Early Chldhd, Master of Ed-Curriculum & Inst
—Beltran, Maria, BS, Safety Management, Safety Management
—Bochas, Luis, BS,Biology-Pre-Physician Asst, Biology
—Bran, Parker, BS, Business Administration, Business Administration
—Broussard, Matthew, BS. Health Sci-Pre-Professional, Health Sciences
—Calderon, Eulises, BS, Mathematics Computer Science, Mathematics
—Castille, Taylor, GC, Grad Cert: Ed Tech Facilitator, Grad Cert: Ed Tech Facilitator
—Castille, Taylor, GC, Grad Cert: Ed Technology Leader, Grad Cert: Ed Technolgy Leader
—Castille, Taylor, MED, Master Ed Ldrshp-Tech Ldrshp Master of Ed-Ed Leadership
—Chasson, Brannan, BS, Marketing-Advertising, Marketing
—Daigle, Tyler, BS, Business Administration, Business Administration
—De Lira, Evelyn, BSN, Nursing (Bachelor), Nursing (Bachelor)
—Dupre, Kade, AS, Petroleum Services (Associate), Petroleum Services (Associate)
—Dupre, Kade, BS, Safety Management, Safety Management
—Falgout, Chloe, BS, Birth-5 Early Intrvntn/Spec Ed, Birth-5 Early Interv/Spec Ed
—Favors, Breionjay, BS, Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice
—Foret, Trey, BIS, Interdisciplinary Studies, Interdisciplinary Studies
—Freia, Jillian, BS, Business Administration, Business Administration
—Gabriel, Courtlynn, AGS, General Studies (Associate), General Studies (Associate)
—Gallegos, Jordan, BA, Psychology, Psychology
—Garcia, Rosaisela, BSN, Nursing (Bachelor), Nursing (Bachelor)
—Gonzales, Reed, BS, Health Sci-Pre-Professional, Health Sciences
—Guillot, Eric, BS, Accounting, Accounting
—Guillot, Eric, BS, Finance, Finance
—Harrington, Benjamin, BS, Safety Management, Safety Management
—Hebert, Gavin, BA, English-Film Studies, English
—Hickman, Richard, BA, English-Creative Writing, English
—Jennings, Allis, AGS, General Studies (Associate), General Studies (Associate)
—Meranta, Teri, BIS, Interdisciplinary Studies, Interdisciplinary Studies
—Navarro, Katie, BFA, Art- Studio Art, Art
—Nguyen, Truongduy, BS, Accounting, Accounting
—Nguyen, Truonggiang, BS, Accounting, Accounting
—Ordoyne, Tabitha, BSN, Nursing (Bachelor), Nursing (Bachelor)
—Orlando, Anne-Marie, BS, Management-Human Resources, Management
—Percle, Melissa, MED, Master Ed Ldrshp-K-12 Schl Ldr, Master of Ed-Ed Leadership
—Pinho, Gabrielle, BSN, Nursing (Bachelor), Nursing (Bachelor)
—Samaroo, Alaina, BS, Elementary Eductn - 1-5 Cert, Elementary Eductn - 1-5 Cert
—Simmons, Hollie, GC, Grad Cert: Ed Tech Facilitator, Grad Cert: Ed Tech Facilitator
—Simmons, Hollie, GC, Grad Cert: Ed Technolgy Leader, Grad Cert: Ed Technolgy Leader
—Simmons, Hollie, MED, Master Ed Ldrshp-Tech Ldrshp, Master of Ed-Ed Leadership
—Soileau, Zane, BS, Health Sci-Pre-Athltc, Trning, Health Sciences
—Spitale, Santo, BS, Management-Human Resources, Management
—Taylor, Brooke Lyn, BSN, Nursing (Bachelor), Nursing (Bachelor)
—Toussaint, Raniqua, BA, Sociology-Social Work, Sociology
—Tregle, Ali, MA, Master Clncl Mntl Hlth Counslg, Master Clncl Mentl Hlth Cnslng
—Vaccarella, Anna, BS, Health Sci-Health & Wellness, Health Sciences
—Wise, Michael, BS, Management-Maritime Managmnt, Management
—Young, Marvin, BS, Accounting, Accounting
—Young, Marvin, BS, Finance, Finance

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ST. MARY NOW

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