RSS Feed

Pumps running in Franklin

Wed, 08/30/2017 - 9:39am

Above and center, the South Willow Street Drainage pump station moves water from east and north of Willow Street into the Franklin Canal, where it then moves out southward. The Willow Street station has a total pumping capacity of 150 cubic feet per second, and the canal pump is 520 cfs. The Yokely Canal, at bottom, roughly drains the area inside the Irish Bend area, the west end of Franklin and into the Cayce Street and Barrow Street areas. Areas approximately from Iberia Street north and west are served by a pumping station behind Hanson Memorial High School.

Want a career change? Do these 5 things first

Wed, 08/30/2017 - 9:36am
By ANNA HELHOSKI, NerdWallet

Megan Vaites worked in product information and design roles at the same company for 20 years. But a desire lingered to follow in her mother’s and grandmother’s footsteps and go into nursing.
She considered changing careers. But with a steady job and children at home, going back to school always seemed unimaginable, she said.
“Two years ago, I was on the phone with my grandmother and she said, ‘Megan, you’re a good mom, but those kids are going to go, and then you’ll need something you feel fulfilled at,’” said Vaites, a Pittsburgh-area resident. “I started taking classes at a local community college not long after that.”
You may have identified your next career, but giving up the security of the current one will take energy, money and time. Before you quit your current gig, take these five expert-recommended steps to be sure you’re making the right decision.
1. IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM
Evaluate your current work life and why you want to switch careers.
“They might dislike their boss or that particular work environment, but a lot of times it’s not really the career specifically they need to change — it’s the dynamic in their current workplace,” said Juliet Murphy, chief executive officer of Juliet Career Development in Tustin, Calif.
Or it may indeed be the career itself. Emily Shortell of Long Beach, New York, determined her problem was her design career after finding the same unhappiness while working in multiple environments, including a handbag company, a marketing company and a guitar string manufacturer. Now, she’s pursuing a career in the veterinary field.
Identify the source of your dissatisfaction by making a list of what you dislike in your job. Disliking multiple things related to the fundamental function of your role may signal it’s time for a change.
2. RESEARCH THE CAREER YOU WANT
Explore what it takes to enter your desired field and the likely places of employment. Shortell, for example, didn’t quit her design job until she’d looked into state licensing laws and found an accredited veterinary technician program.
Start with the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook. It offers details on different jobs and median salaries, the projected outlook for opportunities, and education and training requirements.
3. TAP INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS
Find people in the sort of role you aspire to and ask to pick their brain about the job market and local outlook. LinkedIn is one resource, but also make connections through friends and family referrals, industry conferences, alumni groups, local professional groups or meetups and business journals.
Ask questions that test your assumptions about your desired career, such as what the day-to-day duties are and how the majority of time is spent, suggests Dorie Clark, a marketing strategy consultant, professional speaker and author in New York City.
“Those are the most important questions because you may have a hyper-glamorized view about television news, for example, but if mostly you’re spending your time working phones and doing logistics for catering for guests then that might not be the thing you want to spend your time doing,” Clark said.
4. ADDRESS GAPS IN YOUR SKILLS
Evaluate your skills, on your own or by consulting a certified career counselor, to see which are transferrable to your new career and what you need to improve upon. You may have to take a certificate program or enroll in online courses, or go back to school altogether if your desired new career requires a different college degree.
To fill gaps in specific skills, take on additional responsibilities at your job or consider volunteering.
“Say you’ve never done project management and that’s a skill you need,” said Teri Coyne, senior executive and career coach with the Five O’Clock Club, a human resource counseling firm in New York City. “You could do volunteer work in a local community organization and manage a project. Now you’re building skills to add to your resume to fill in those gaps.”
5. REFRAME YOUR RESUME
A job posting in your desired field will list the skills and responsibilities required; use them to tailor your resume. Include only those achievements and strengths that relate to the new career.
“Let’s say you want to transition into being an event manager. If you’ve only done data analysis, you’re not going to pepper your resume with your data analysis accomplishments,” Coyne said. Emphasize instead how you also worked with budgets, for instance, or coordinated a conference.
“Your resume is just a story about how you can fit the opportunity,” she said.
—This article originally appeared on the personal finance website NerdWallet. Anna Helhoski is a staff writer at NerdWallet. Email: anna@nerdwallet.com.
—Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook, www.bls.gov/ooh/

Son afraid of family's reaction to his transgender fiancée

Wed, 08/30/2017 - 9:34am

DEAR ABBY: I moved to the Philippines five years ago. While I was there I met “Emma.” After a few months, I realized I was in love with her, and last year we became engaged. I took her to meet my family. They loved her and supported our engagement. I’m now living in the States and she’s still in the Philippines waiting for her visa. Emma is transgender and I don’t know how to tell my family. I love her and know I want to spend the rest of my life with her, but my dad is homophobic, and I know ...

PLEASE LOG IN FOR PREMIUM CONTENT. Our website requires visitors to log in to view the best local news from St. Mary Now. Not yet a subscriber? Subscribe today!

Area births announced

Wed, 08/30/2017 - 9:26am

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Michael Ray Darnell (nee: Brooke Mary Landry) of Patterson, a girl, Caroline Joy Darnell, on Aug. 5 at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center. She weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces and measured 19½ inches. —— Born to Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Jay Adams (nee: Paige Elizabeth Gros) of Morgan City, a girl, Olivia Grace Adams, on Aug. 12 at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center. She weighed 6 pounds, 1 ounce and measured 18.9 inches. —— Born to Mr. and Mrs. Chris Anthony Guidry Jr. (nee: Amanda Besse) of Patterson, a boy, Dax Reed Guidry, on Aug. 14 at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center.

PLEASE LOG IN FOR PREMIUM CONTENT. Our website requires visitors to log in to view the best local news from St. Mary Now. Not yet a subscriber? Subscribe today!

Radio Logs for August 30

Wed, 08/30/2017 - 9:21am
Staff Report

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, Aug. 29
5:51 a.m. U.S. 90 West; Vehicle accident.
7:50 a.m. 1800 block of McDermott; Vehicle burglary.
8:03 a.m. 1200 block of David Drive; Alarm.
8:28 a.m. 400 block of Halsey Street; Assistance.
8:39 a.m. 500 block of Levee Road; Animal complaint.
10:22 a.m. 100 block of Orange Street; Com-plaint.
10:59 a.m. 1000 block of Palm Street; Vehicle accident.
11:17 a.m. 300 block of Fourth Street; Complaint.
12:43 p.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Welfare check.
1:12 p.m. Eighth and Florence streets; Reckless driver.
1:16 p.m. 3100 block of Roselawn Drive; Juvenile problems.
2:19 p.m. 600 block of Kentucky Street; Complaint.
2:42 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Medical emergency.
3:02 p.m. 100 block of Railroad Avenue; Complaint.
3:33 p.m. 6000 block of La. 182 East; Shoplifter.
6:15 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
7:18 p.m. 4000 block of Railroad Avenue; Assistance.
8:52 p.m. 300 block of Adams Street; Complaint.
9:25 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
10:49 p.m. 800 block of Walnut Drive; Complaint.
11:39 p.m. Egle Street; Complaint.
Wednesday, Aug. 30
4:36 a.m. 2000 block of Keith Street; Suspicious subject.

Shrimp & Petroleum Festival to kick off Thursday

Wed, 08/30/2017 - 9:14am
Organizers make slight venue changes
Staff Report

The 82nd annual Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival will kick off Thursday with a ribbon-cutting under the U.S. 90 bridge in downtown Morgan City. Festival activities will continue through Monday with carnival rides, music, food, arts and craft booths, parades and more.

Festival organizers have made a few venue changes due to the rainy weather the area has experienced from Tropical Storm Harvey. Chances of rain will be 20 percent Thursday night and Friday, 30 percent Saturday, 50 percent Sunday, and 60 percent Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

Officials will cut the ribbon around 5 p.m. Thursday followed by the start of carnival rides under the bridge. There is no charge to enter the festival grounds, but there are fees for carnival rides and carnival games.

Organizers plan to move the music stage to the corner of Second and Everett streets just outside of Lawrence Park to minimize damage to the park, Festival Executive Director Darby Ratcliff said. Musical performances begin at 6 p.m. Friday and continue through Monday.

Due to the moving of the stage, the gazebo in Lawrence Park will no longer be the viewing site for the Best Seats in the House winners. Winners will still receive festival merchandise, but will not have a designated spot to watch the performances, Ratcliff said.

Also on Friday, the 40th Annual Arts & Crafts Show and Sale will begin at 5 p.m. under the U.S. 90 bridge and continue each day through Monday.

Festival officials still plan to hold the Children’s Village on Saturday in Lawrence Park, Ratcliff said.

The only “walking traffic” festival organizers expect to have inside the park is to and from the Children’s Village, Ratcliff said.

“Everywhere else should be accessible via sidewalk,” Ratcliff said.

Nonprofit vendors with the Cajun Culinary Classic will still be set up along the outskirts of the park by Third Street.

However, the children’s games, which are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, will likely be moved to the former M.D. Shannon Elementary School building, Ratcliff said.

The Children’s Day Mini Street Parade will start at 11 a.m. Saturday at First Street and Lawrence Park.

The Cypress Corvette Club’s car show is scheduled for 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday on the grounds of the former M.D. Shannon Elementary.

From 3-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, the musical acts will perform at the Fellowship of Love Gospel Stage in the former M.D. Shannon Elementary building.

Sunday will feature Mass from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church, instead of Lawrence Park because of the weather. The Blessing of the Fleet and boat parade will take place from 10 a.m.-noon Sunday on the Morgan City side of Berwick Bay. The Rev. Freddie Decal of Sacred Heart Catholic Church will be the celebrant for the Blessing of the Fleet.

A street parade through Morgan City’s downtown historic district will follow at 3 p.m. Sunday. There will be one change to the usual parade route. The parade will turn left from Second Street onto Freret Street, instead of Everett Street. Police will close the Federal Avenue exit for a short period of time, and all traffic will be directed to the La. 182 exit.

Fireworks will be shot off at 9 p.m. over the Atchafalaya River. KQKI 95.3 FM will play music synchronized to the fireworks.

The La. 182 bridge will close from 9 a.m.-noon Sunday for the boat parade and 8 p.m.-10 p.m. Sunday for the fireworks.

The festival will conclude Monday with more music, carnival rides and arts and craft booths.

According to Morgan City police, there will be some slight modifications to this year’s festival in regards to parking and traffic flow.

—No parking allowed around Lawrence Park whatsoever.

—No traffic flow in either direction on Everett Street from Third Street to Alabama Alley.

—No traffic flow in either direction on Second Street from Railroad Avenue to Brashear Avenue.

—No traffic flow on Third Street from Freret Street to Everett Street. Only residents living in that area and vendors will be allowed on Third Street.

—No traffic flow on Greenwood Street from Third Street to Front Street.

—No traffic flow on the unprotected side of Front Street from Brashear Avenue to Railroad Avenue. Only pedestrian traffic will be allowed in this area.

Here is the four-day Shrimp and Petroleum Festival lineup:

Schedule of Events

Thursday, Aug. 31

1-4 p.m. Artist Guild Unlimited 54th Annual Show and Sale (Everett Street Gallery)

5-5:30 p.m. Ribbon cutting ceremony – Official opening of the festival by festival royalty and officials

5-9 p.m. POP ride bracelets $25

5-11 p.m. Carnival – Mitchell Brothers Amusements

Friday, Sept. 1

1-4 p.m. Artist Guild Unlimited 54th Annual Show and Sale (Everett Street Gallery)

5-8 p.m. Information Booth (Festival office)

5-9 p.m. 40th Annual Arts & Crafts Show and Sale

5-11 p.m. Cajun Culinary Classic

5 p.m.-midnight Carnival – Mitchell Brothers Amusement

6-8:30 p.m. Kyle Wilson – Music Stage

6-11 p.m. Best Seats in the House

9-11 p.m. Krossfyre – Music Stage

Saturday, Sept. 2

8 a.m. 5K Fun Run/Walk – City Hall

Visiting Queen’s Day begins

8 a.m.-3 p.m. Car Show/Cypress Corvette Club –M.D. Shannon grounds

9-10:30 a.m. Children’s Day Activities: Field games, races and contests

9 a.m.-9 p.m. 40th Annual Arts & Crafts Show and Sale

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Artist Guild Unlimited 54th Annual Show and Sale (Everett Street Gallery)

Information Booth (Festival office)

11 a.m. Children’s Day Mini Street Parade – First Street and Lawrence Park

Noon-11 p.m. Cajun Culinary Classic

Noon-midnight Carnival – Mitchell Brothers Amusements

1 p.m. Children’s Village, Ribbon Cutting

1:15 p.m. Visiting Queen’s introduction – Music Stage

1:30-3:30 p.m. TK Hulin – Music Stage

3-3:30 p.m. Car show awards ceremony – M.D . Shannon grounds

3-9 p.m. Fellowship of Love Gospel Stage – M.D . Shannon building

4-6 p.m. Ross Grisham – Music Stage

6:30-11 p.m. Best Seats in the House

6:30-8:30 p.m. Travis Thibodaux – Music Stage

9-11 p.m. Category 6 – Music Stage

Sunday, Sept. 3

8:30-9:30 a.m. Mass at Holy Cross Catholic Church

9 a.m.-9 p.m. 40th Annual Arts & Crafts Show and Sale

10 a.m.-noon Blessing of the Fleet and Water Parade

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Artist Guild Unlimited 54th Annual Show and Sale (Everett Street Gallery)

Information Booth (Festival office)

Noon-11 p.m. Cajun Culinary Classic

Noon-midnight Carnival – Mitchell Brothers Amusements

1 p.m. Children’s Village

1:30-3:30 p.m. Waylon Thibodeaux – Music Stage

Blessing of the Fleet winners announced

3 p.m. Street Parade – Downtown Historic District

3-9 p.m. Fellowship of Love Gospel Stage – M.D. Shannon building

4-6 p.m. Snapper and the Fishsticks – Music Stage

6:30-8:45 p.m. Jaryd Lane – Music Stage

6:30-11:30 p.m . Best Seats in the House

9 p.m. Fireworks on the River – Tune radio to KQKI 95.3FM and hear synchronized music

9:30-11:30 p.m. After 8 – Music Stage

Monday, Sept. 4

9 a.m.-9 p.m. 40th Annual Arts & Crafts Show and Sale

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Artist Guild Unlimited 54th Annual Show and Sale (Everett Street Gallery)

Information Booth (Festival office)

Noon-9 p.m. POP ride bracelet $25

Noon-9 p.m. Carnival – Mitchell Brothers Amusements

12:30-1:30 p.m. KQKI Country Showdown winner Mamie Winters – Music Stage

2-3 p.m. Jus Cuz – Music Stage

3:30-4:30 p.m. Cliff Hillebran and the Anytime Band – Music Stage

5-6 p.m. South 70 – Music Stage

5-7:30 p.m. Best Seats in the House

6:30-7 : 30 p.m. Déjà vu – Music Stage

Sheriff: Man caught with meth, syringe in Bayou Vista stop

Wed, 08/30/2017 - 8:40am
Staff Report

A 51-year-old Gibson man was caught with methamphetamine and a syringe after narcotics detectives stopped a vehicle in Bayou Vista, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert said in a news release.

—John Lyons, 51, of Fandall Road in Gibson, was arrested at 4:12 p.m. Monday on charges of improper lane usage, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of controlled dangerous substance law in a drug-free zone, school and church.

Narcotics detectives patrolling Bayou Vista observed a vehicle travel across the center line on Arlington Street. Detectives conducted a traffic stop and made contact with Lyons, the driver.

Detectives received consent to search Lyons and the vehicle. While conducting the search, detectives located methamphetamine and a syringe inside the vehicle, Hebert said.

Detectives also found evidence that the methamphetamine was purchased within 2,000 feet of a school and church, Hebert said. Lyons was jailed with no bail set.

Hebert reported responding to 36 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests:

—Paris Durkins, 30, of Egle Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 1:07 p.m. Monday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of theft of goods less than $500. Durkins turned herself in at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center. Durkins was released on $1,500 bail.

—Adrienne Businelle, 38, of Hendricks Street in Patterson, was arrested at 10:23 p.m. Monday on charges of improper lane usage, driving under suspension and no insurance.

A deputy traveling on Red Cypress Road near Patterson observed a vehicle travel across the center line. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Businelle.

While speaking with Businelle, the deputy learned that she was operating the vehicle without insurance and with a suspended driver’s license. Businelle was released on a summons to appear in court Oct. 23.

—Joshua Lousteau, 37, of Lizabeth Drive in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:10 p.m. Monday on a charge of improper lane usage and a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of issuing worthless checks.

Narcotics detectives conducted a traffic stop on Barrow Street in Amelia after observing a vehicle travel across the center line. Detectives made contact with the driver, Lousteau , and found that he had an active warrant. Lousteau was jailed with bail set at $5,250.

Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported responding to 38 calls and reported the following arrests:

—Ronald J. Armond Jr., 23, of Murial Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:28 a.m. Monday on a warrant charging him with three counts of failure to appear to pay a fine.

Armond was located and arrested at the Patterson Police Department on a Morgan City Court warrant. Armond was jailed.

—Jamie Quintanilla, 60, of Saturn Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 3:29 p.m. Monday on a warrant charging him with contempt of court. Quintanilla was located and arrested in the area of Federal Avenue on a city court warrant. Quintanilla was jailed.

—Derrick J. Batiste, 29, of Gen. McArthur Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:53 p.m. Monday on a warrant charging him with failure to appear for arraignment, driving under suspension, improper lighting, inspection required and resisting an officer.

Patrol officers observed a vehicle being operated in the area of Victor II Boulevard with improper lighting. A stop was initiated and Batiste was later identified as the operator of the vehicle.

Initially, Batiste provided the officer with a false name, Blair said. Police learned that Batiste had a suspended driver’s license, and the vehicle he was operating did not have the proper inspection sticker, Blair said.

Batiste also had a city court warrant for his arrest. Batiste was jailed.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrests:
—Terry Anslum, 45, of Pecan Grove in Berwick, was arrested at 4:19 p.m. Monday on a charge of domestic abuse battery. Anslum posted $2,500 bail.

—Tara Garcia, 48, of River Road in Berwick, was arrested at 7:05 p.m. Monday on a charge of domestic abuse battery. Garcia posted $2,500 bail.

Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported no arrests.

Berwick turns to experienced youth in 2017

Tue, 08/29/2017 - 4:17pm
By GEOFF STOUTE
gstoute@daily-review.com

Berwick may have lost a five-player senior class with years of experience, but a lot of younger players who saw the court a year ago return, hoping to fill those voids.
“We lost five seniors that played a lot,” Berwick High School Coach Heather Templet said. “They really played for three years, most of them, so we lose a lot of experience, but at the same time, we had a good mix of young people playing last year as well, so a lot of them return as well. We have a couple of new people stepping in to fill some of those voids, some younger people that you haven’t seen before, but the majority of the one’s that you see will be familiar from last year carry over to this year.”
Among those gone from last year’s squad that lost to district foe E.D. White in the Division III first round are first-team all-district outside hitter Sydney Aucoin, setter Mary Jordan Melancon and defensive specialist Rosalyn Gros.
However, the team does return second-team all-district libero, senior Brittany Roberie, who is entering her third year starting on defense. Templet agreed having her defensive leader back was key.
“Right now, Brittany’s become more of a vocal leader as well, so she’s got the most experience and the younger girls are going to really turn to her because she’s been there so much,” Templet said. “She can give advice, and she can kind of control what we do back there.”
Roberie is part of a small senior class that also features Hannah Henry and newcomer Hanna McCue.
Templet said Henry, who saw some time on the court a year ago, will be setting for the team and playing front row at times. Meanwhile, McCue also will be playing on the front row.
“She’s our tallest kid out there,” Templet said. “She gives us some experience from her past playing, gives us more height out there.”
The team returns its middle hitters in juniors Morgan Toups and Lauren Skinner, while Templet said Skinner may see some time at outside hitter, too.
Sophomore Ryleigh Arnold also returns to the front row to provide a blocking presence, along with junior Alyssa Gray, who missed part of the season due to injury. Gray also is setting on the back row for the Lady Panthers.
“She’s one of our key players right there that we’re going to really look to provide us some offense,” Templet said of Gray. Freshman Katie Conrad also will play outside hitter.
“She’s a big surprise for us,” Templet said.
Another setter returning to this year’s squad is junior Abbie Dugas, who received a nice chunk of playing time at the position after Gray was injured a year ago.
Along with Roberie, Templet will be looking to juniors Maci Broussard and Abby Sanford to hold down the defense.
“They’re going to be stepping in for those defensive girls that graduated,” Templet said of Broussard and Sanford. “It’s been a really good transition for them.”
Schedule wise, highlights for the Lady Panthers include Division II state runner-up Assumption, Division II quarterfinalist South Terrebonne and Division V quarterfinalist Houma Christian.
The Lady Panthers also will play in tournaments at H.L. Bourgeois, Morgan City, Northeast, Highland Baptist and Baton Rouge.
“Tournament wise, we’re kind of spread out through the state,” Templet said. “I wanted to give us some opportunities to see teams that we wouldn’t play since we play local during the year.”
In district, Berwick loses Franklin but will still have to contend with Morgan City, E.D. White and Vandebilt Catholic. A year ago, Vandebilt Catholic was a Division III semifinalist.
“Morgan City returns a lot of power, and they picked up some kids who didn’t play last year,” Templet said. “E.D. White was young last year, and so they return everybody, and Vandebilt hasn’t really lost anybody either. They still have their big outside hitter. District’s going to be tough for us this year (but) we’re really looking forward to it.”

Volleyball games are postponed

Tue, 08/29/2017 - 4:06pm

The Tri-City area’s first two days of the prep volleyball season have been postponed due to the effects of Tropical Storm Harvey. Central Catholic, Berwick, Morgan City and Patterson each have had games postponed Monday and Tuesday. Central Catholic has not rescheduled its contest Monday, which was set to be played at Landry-Walker; however, its game Tuesday against Highland Baptist now will be played Sept. 23 at 11 a.m. at Highland Baptist. Berwick’s contest at Terrebonne Monday has been moved to Oct. 4 at Terrebonne at 5 p.m. It’s contest Tuesday at home against Thibodaux has been postponed for Oct.

PLEASE LOG IN FOR PREMIUM CONTENT. Our website requires visitors to log in to view the best local news from St. Mary Now. Not yet a subscriber? Subscribe today!

Pages

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

St Mary Now Copyright  © 2026