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Voter registration drive next week

Wed, 08/16/2017 - 11:17am

Ivory Bibbins

Jolene Holcombe, registrar of voters for St. Mary Parish, is hosting Voter Registration Week Aug. 21-25 at various high schools across the parish.
Employees of the Registrar of Voters Office will host activities aimed at registering eligible citizens to vote for the upcoming parish elections on Oct. 14 and Nov. 11.
Central Catholic High School confirmed that their high school will not be available next week so they will host their voters’ registration drive Wednesday from 12:15-1 p.m. Hanson High School in Franklin confirmed their registration drive will be from 9-9:45 a.m. Aug. 23. Holcombe said she is finalizing the details with other high schools.
To properly register and vote in the state, a person must meet the following qualifications:
—A U.S. citizen.
—At least 17 years of age, but turning 18 before the next election.
—A resident in the state and parish in which a person seeks to vote.
—Not imprisoned for conviction of a felony.
—Not under a judgment of full interdiction or partial interdiction for mental in-competence with suspension of voting rights.
—Complete the registration process at least 20 days before an election if registering online or 30 days if registering in person or by mail.
Registrar employees will also distribute registration applications and voter education material to all senior centers in the parish.
Only 20 percent of registered voters of the parish, or 6,686 voters, voted during the last parish election April 29 for District 10 council member. St. Mary Parish currently has 33,007, registered voters, of which 20,401 are white, 10,987 are black, and 1,619 are other minority voters.

Radio Logs for August 16

Wed, 08/16/2017 - 11:02am

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.
Monday, Aug. 14
6:08 a.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Suspicious subject.
6:26 a.m. 900 block of Belanger Street; Alarm.
8:17 a.m. Fifth and Everett streets; Animal complaint.
9:10 a.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Suspicious subject.
9:31 a.m. 900 block of Railroad Avenue; Complaint.
10:02 a.m. 6800 block of La. 182; Complaint.
10:23 a.m. Seventh and Greenwood streets; Animal complaint.
10:36 a.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Traffic complaint.
11:11 a.m. Maple and Shaw streets; Complaint.
11:27 a.m. 900 block of Cottonwood Street; Warrant arrest.
11:48 a.m. 2900 block of Railroad Avenue; Crash.
1:11 p.m. 1000 block of Ninth Street; Traffic complaint.
1:15 p.m. Veteran’s Boulevard.; Traffic complaint.
2:02 p.m. Egle Street and Federal Avenue; Narcotics complaint.
2:23 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
2:30 p.m. 300 block of Chennault Street; Complaint.
3:29 p.m. 3000 block of Diane Drive; Alarm.
4:23 p.m. 800 block of Victor II Boulevard; Intelligence.
4:49 p.m. 1600 block of Front Street; Officer stand by.
4:51 p.m. 700 block of Freret Street; Complaint.
5:24 p.m. 600 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard; Crash.
7:53 p.m. 700 block of Cottonwood Street; Alarm.
8:05 p.m. 600 block of Brashear Avenue; Complaint.
8:13 p.m. Mallard Street; Complaint.
8:43 p.m. 100 block of Chennault Street; Complaint.
9 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
11:16 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Drunk.
Tuesday, Aug. 15
6:13 a.m. 200 block of South Railroad Avenue; Narcotics complaint.
6:13 a.m. 1000 block of Third Street; Disturbance.
7:27 a.m. 200 block of South Railroad Avenue; Officer stand by.
8:35 a.m. St. Charles Parish; Warrant arrest.
10:13 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
10:43 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Warrant arrest.
11:33 a.m. U.S. 90; Crash.
11:55 a.m. 1100 block of Brashear Avenue; Theft.
2:02 p.m. U.S. 90; Crash.
2:46 p.m. 300 block of Second Street; Alarm.
3:08 p.m. U.S. 90; Stalled vehicle.
4:03 p.m. 300 block of Fifth Street; Theft.
5:33 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
7:48 p.m. 100 block of Mallard Street; Resi-dence burglary.
7:53 p.m. 200 block of Terrebonne Street; Phone harassment.
8:31 p.m. 500 block of Egle Street; Complaint.
9:01 p.m. U.S. 90 East; Vehicle accident.
Wednesday, Aug. 16
2:16 a.m. La. 182 East; Complaint.

High school scrimmages

Wed, 08/16/2017 - 9:49am

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCRIMMAGES: Area high school football teams are scheduled for scrimmage games, beginning tonight when the Hanson Memorial Tigers travel to face the Loreauville Tigers at 6 p.m. The Franklin Hornets will play host to the Jeanerette Tigers in a scrimmage on Friday at 6 p.m. West St. Mary will take to the road to battle the Berwick Panthers on Friday while the Centerville Bulldogs will scrimmage the Houma Christian Warriors later this week. The Hanson Memorial Tigers runningbacks are pictured at top. They are, kneeling l to r, Lawson St. Blanc and Rock Hebert, Standing l to r, Stephen Rosamond, Brian Sonnier and Koby Boudreaux. At bottom, Franklin’s Jarius Boyd makes the one-handed catch during a recent practice.

100 Black Men 5K run walk is Sept. 2

Wed, 08/16/2017 - 9:47am

The 100 Black of St. Mary Parish are busy “teasing and enticing” runners and walkers who sign up early this year, for their annual fun run and walk, organizers say.
The event, a running and walking 5K, will celebrate its 20th anniversary this year. It will be held Sept. 2 at 8 a.m., the Saturday morning of the 81st Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival.
“We’re holding an open call for runners and walkers to register right now, to get a better handle on our event, which thank God, just keeps growing and growing,” said Clarence Robinson Jr., president of the organization.
Proceeds from the 5K held this year are used to award scholarships to one graduating senior from each St. Mary Parish High School: West St. Mary, Franklin, Centerville, Patterson, Berwick, and Morgan City.
The 100 Black Men of St. Mary is a non-profit community service organization which is comprised solely of African-American men, who reside in Iberia and St. Mary Parishes.
Robinson estimates that nearly $70,000 has been awarded in scholarships since the first pair of tennis shoes left the starting line, which at the corner of Front and Everett Streets, near Morgan City Hall in the historic district.
This year’s first place male and female winners will each receive $300 in cash. Trophies and metals will be awarded to the top male and female finishers in each the following age categories 13 and under, 14-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54 and 55 and over.
Runners and walkers can download an application at www.kbze.com/2017a.html, the website of KBZE 105.9FM, the host radio station for the event. There is a video and a news story on the race’s namesake, Marcus Jones.
Late registration begins at 7 a.m. in front of Morgan City Hall, located on the corner of First and Everett Streets.
Also, credit card registration is available by calling 985-312-2154.
For more information about the event, persons may call Robinson at 985-255-9775.
For more information on the 100 Black Men of St. Mary, including an application to join the organization, visit www.100blackmenstmary.org.

'Handcrafted America' to feature Louisiana artisans

Wed, 08/16/2017 - 9:46am

Artisans around the world are shaping the country as they continue to use old-fashioned skills in the modern world, to create unique masterpieces and add personal touches that manufactured products cannot offer.
And Louisiana artisans will be featured in August.
In the INSP award-winning original series, Handcrafted America, host Jill Wagner (Christmas in the Smokies, Teen Wolf, Wipeout) travels the country to seek out talented artisans who continue to make products with their own two hands.
In every half-hour episode of the series, Jill meets three gifted craftsmen and gets a behind-the-scenes look at how their products are created. Along the way, viewers learn about the history and cultural heritage that inspire and influence the design of their handcrafted products.
Whether it’s the celebration of Mardi Gras, the history of the French Quarter, or the food and music indigenous to this state, the Bayou State was built on the uniqueness of its locals, and these artisans are keeping the traditions alive.
These artisans include Ross Lunz of New Orleans, who takes street signs damaged by Hurricane Katrina and turns them into unique furniture; Mark and Ann Marie Derby, also of New Orleans, a dynamic couple who reproduces the historic tiles that adorn the streets of the Big Easy; and Tee Don Landry, of Sunset, is keeping family bonds tight by following in his father’s footsteps and making rubboards, one of the only American born musical instruments.
The episodes featuring these Louisiana artisans air at 7:30 p.m. on Aug 18 and 25 and Sept. 1.

RANDY JAMES JONES

Wed, 08/16/2017 - 9:45am

Randy James Jones, a native Carencro, La. and a resident of Houma, La., passed away at 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017 at Dularge Community Baptist Church, 549 Andrew Street in Houma. Burial will follow in Southdown Cemetery.
He is survived by his son, Randy Jones Jr.; father, Samuel White Jr.; brothers, Samuel White, III, Jason C. White and Ronald Jones, sisters, Mrs. Phillip (Bertha) Hamilton, Mrs. Kenyada (Kenyata) Douglas, Velma McKiever and Alberta J. Livas; godfather, devoted uncle, and a host of other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his mother, sister, maternal grandparents, great grandparents, paternal grandparents, great grandmother and godmother.
Arrangements entrusted to Jones Funeral Home of Houma-Morgan City-Jeanerette-Franklin.
Visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family.

CAROLYN BARNES CUMMINGS

Wed, 08/16/2017 - 9:45am

Carolyn Barnes Cummings, 71, a resident and native of Franklin, La. passed away Sunday, August 13, 2017 at 9:28 a.m. at her residence.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday August 19, 2017 at 1 p.m. at Jones Funeral Home, 1101 Main Street Franklin, La. Reverend Willie Jackson will officiate the services. Burial will follow funeral services in the Special Providence Cemetery in Baldwin, La.
Memories of Carolyn will forever remain in the hearts of her son, Nathaniel Cummings IV (Ingrid) and her daughter, Mrs. Donald (Myrna C.) Foulcard Sr.; one brother, James Barnes all of Franklin, La.; three sisters, Evelyn Daniels of Hammond, La., Myrtle B. Williams of Berkeley, Calif. and Mrs. Colton (Melba) Isdore Sr. of Port Arthur, Texas; eight grandchildren, two great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, four sisters and three brothers.
Jones Funeral Home of Morgan City-Franklin-Jeanerette-Houma in charge of arrangements.
Visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family

JOSEPHINE CHEVAL

Wed, 08/16/2017 - 9:44am

Josephine Cheval, 97, a native and resident of Jeanerette, La. passed away Friday, August 11, 2017 at 11:30 p.m. at Maison Teche Nursing Home.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday August 18, 2017 at 11 a.m. at the Jones Funeral Home 604 Lovette Street Jeanerette, La. 70544. Burial will follow funeral services in the St. John Cemetery in Jeanerette, La.
Memories of Josephine will forever remain in the hearts of her son, Wilmer (Albertine) Jospeh Jr. of New Orleans, La.; her daughter, Gustavia Maddox of Henderson, Nevada; four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren, a nephew, a niece, and other relatives and friends.
Josephine was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and a sister.
Jones Funeral Home of Morgan City-Franklin-Jeanerette-Houma in charge of arrangements.
Visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family.

SYBIL R. EVANS

Wed, 08/16/2017 - 9:44am

Sybil R. Evans, 50, a native of Morgan City, La. and a resident of Jacksonville, Florida passed away on Tuesday Aug. 1, 2017 at 10:20 a.m. in Jacksonville.
Sybil attended Morgan City High School.
Graveside services and internment will be held on Saturday Aug. 19, 2017 at 10 a.m. in the Morgan City Cemetery. Minister Peter Mickens will conduct the graveside services.
Memories of Sybil will forever remain in the hearts of her son, Lamon Johnson; her daughter, Lyric Johnson; her mother Bernie Lee Evans; three sisters, Sandra Williams, Ursula Evans, and Mrs. Lamar (Adrianne) Belton; four brothers, Kenneth Evans Jr., Tommy Evans, Barry Evans Sr. (Wanda), and Cornelius Evans Sr. (Tiffany); two aunts, two uncles, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Sybil was preceded in death by her father, and three brothers.
Jones Funeral Home of Morgan City-Franklin-Houma-Jeanerette in charge of arrangements.
Visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family.

Vigil in memory of animal task force member slated Thursday

Wed, 08/16/2017 - 9:43am

A prayer vigil is set for Thursday at the West St. Mary Civic Center on La. 318 in Sorrell.
The vigil is in memory of a member of the Cruelty Investigation Task Force, an animal rescue organization.
First responders and emergency personnel are invited to attend, along with the public.
The vigil begins 6:30-7 p.m.
Task force member Toney Wade said the deceased individual worked with the task force for 25 years.