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Storm preparations

Both City of Franklin and St. Mary Parish Government began providing sand bags to residents and businesses in advance of the possibility of severe rainfall and tidal action from Tropical Storm Cindy. Sand and bags are available at the city warehouse on Iberia Street and the parish facility in Garden City on Willow Street near the Hanson Canal. The system strengthened to 60 mph winds late Tuesday, and continued to move northwest at 8 mph.

Coast Guard: No port closures expected

U.S. Coast Guard officials say they are fully prepared for whatever Tropical Storm Cindy brings, but don't expect to have to close any ports in the region.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for much of Louisiana's coast, including St. Mary Parish, with peak sustained winds of 25-35 mph and gusts up to 45 mph.

Tropical Storm Cindy is expected to make landfall in southeast Texas Thursday morning, and tropical storms conditions are possible in the Morgan City area through Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

A total of 3-5 inches of rain is forecast with higher amounts possible.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the U.S. Coast Guard hadn’t closed any ports in the region and didn’t anticipate having to do so, said Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Luis Carmona, executive officer of Marine Safety Unit Morgan City.

The area of responsibility for MSU Morgan City includes the ports of Morgan City, West St. Mary and Iberia.

Coast Guard officials contacted local stakeholders “to create awareness of the situation and prepare what they have to do in order to go through this weather,” Carmona said.

On Tuesday, the region was in port condition “Whiskey,” which is when gale-force winds of 39 mph are predicted within 72 hours, Carmona said.

“We’re just prepping for the worst and hoping for the best,” Carmona said.

Port of Morgan City Raymond “Mac” Wade said port officials had not received any requests from agencies to use the port's Government Emergency Operations Center on La. 182, and no states-of-emergency had been declared in the area.

The Coast Guard unit issued a Marine Safety Information Bulletin that explains mandated hurricane procedures and defines hurricane port conditions for Port Fourchon, Louisiana Offshore Oil Port, Houma Navigation Canal, Port of Morgan City, Port of Iberia, Port of West St. Mary, Intracoastal City, the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and all terminals, facilities and waterways in the Captain of the Port Houma area of responsibility.
Port Condition Whiskey (gale force winds within 72 hours):

—Open to all commercial traffic.
—Contact port authorities, other government agencies and industry stakeholders to identify and address concerns over port status, activities, and emergency preparations.
—Each vessel intending to remain in port must request permission from the waterfront facility where mooring and forward that information to the Captain of the Port at COTPHoumaSevereWeather@uscg.mil.
—The Coast Guard will have increased harbor patrols and will advise vessel and facility operators of any conditions that require immediate action or correction.
—The Coast Guard will advise vessel operators of anticipated times of floodgate and bridge closures affecting their ability to seek safe refuge and will provide best points of contact information to obtain accurate updates.

Port Condition X-Ray (gale force winds within 48 hours):
—Open to all commercial traffic.
—The Coast Guard will continue to contact waterfront facilities to determine their intentions and any vessels moored thereto. Individually assess vessels desiring to remain in port and issue Captain of the Port orders as appropriate.
—Contact deep draft vessels at anchor and determine their intentions.
—Inspect wharf and pier areas with waterfront facility representatives during harbor patrols.
—Spot check mariners and waterways to determine the status of hurricane preparations.

Port Condition Yankee (gale force expected within 24 hours):
—Vessel traffic control measures in effect.
—The captain of the port may close portions of the port in response to forecasted weather and actual damage, impact or threat in different geographic areas within the port.
—Establish a safety zone controlling vessel movements and activities as appropriate, including closing ports, where necessary, to all commercial vessel traffic except as specifically allowed by the captain of the port. Port closure will not apply to vessels that are capable of completing the cargo.
—Load-discharge cycle in less than 12 hours. The area affected by this order includes all navigable waters of the United States within 12 nautical miles of the shoreline.
—Issue a captain of the port order as appropriate for any vessels or facilities not complying with port condition
requirements:
—Establish safety zone preventing red flagged barges from mooring along shore in Houma central business district and other population centers as identified by the Captain of the Port.

Port Condition Zulu (gale force winds expected within 12 hours):
—Vessel traffic control measures in effect. The default for ZULU is closure of the port and facility operations.
—The captain of the port may deviate from this default and keep ports open with restrictions and close only portions of the port in response to forecasted weather, actual damage, impact, or threat in different geographic ports within the Captain of the Port Zone.
—Establish a safety zone controlling vessel movements and activities as appropriate, including closing ports, where necessary, to all commercial vessel traffic. This prohibition will not apply to vessels that have requested and received approval from the captain of the port to transit the port.
—Suspend cargo operations involving bulk liquid dangerous cargoes unless permission is requested to continue operations and approval is granted. Approval will be given on a case-by-case basis. This approval provision does not apply to operations involving cargoes of particular hazard or certain dangerous cargoes, which in every case must be suspended.

Storm prep continues

Morgan City workers were moving the sand Tuesday under the U.S. 90 bridge at David Drive in case the sand is needed for sandbagging operations as Tropical Storm Cindy approaches Louisiana's coast.

Morgan City Mayor Frank " Boo" Grizzaffi said officials didn't anticipate having to set up a sandbagging station but are providing sand to residents on an as-needed basis. Morgan City officials closed three floodgates Tuesday by Shell Oil, Ecoserv and Brashear Avenue and Front Street as a precaution, Grizzaffi said.

Berwick has a sandbagging station under the U.S. 90 bridge by town hall. Shovels and bags are available at that location, Berwick Chief Administrative Officer Newell "Bubba" Slaughter said.

Patterson has a location by the fire station on Progresso Road and Veterans Boulevard for residents south of the railroad tracks, Mayor Rodney Grogan said.

St. Martin school facilities closed Wednesday

All St. Martin School Board facilities, including central offices, will be closed Wednesday due to the tropical storm in the Gulf. Conditions will be monitored Wednesday and a decision relative to Thursday's activities will be made late Wednesday afternoon and notification will be sent via news media, JCALLs, and emails.

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UPDATED 6 P.M. The Latest: Cindy could bring life-threatening flash floods

:NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Latest on tropical weather (all times local):
4:30 p.m.
Tropical Storm Cindy is meandering over the central Gulf of Mexico, and forecasters warn that it's dumping heavy rains that could trigger life-threatening flash floods.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Cindy was located at 4 p.m. CDT Tuesday about 280 miles (450 kilometers) south of Morgan City, Louisiana — or about 360 miles (575 kilometers) southeast of Galveston, Texas. Maximum sustained winds were clocked at 45 mph (75 kph) and the storm has been nearly stationary in recent hours.
Forecasts say the storm could produce overall rainfall of 6-9 inches (15-23 cms) with isolated amounts of up to 12 inches (30 cms) in spots in southeastern Louisiana and southern parts of Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle through Thursday.
A tropical storm warning was expanded to a wider area Tuesday afternoon, now extending from San Luis Pass, Texas to the mouth of the Pearl River on the Mississippi-Louisiana line.
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3 p.m.
Louisiana's emergency preparedness office says it is coordinating with local officials and readying resources in advance of Tropical Storm Cindy's threat of heavy rain and flash flooding.
Gov. John Bel Edwards says the advance notice of the storm gives officials time to put emergency plans in place.
Louisiana was slammed with major flooding last summer from an unnamed storm that heavily damaged the Baton Rouge and Lafayette regions.
Cindy formed Tuesday from a system that had been developing in the Gulf.
The Louisiana National Guard has moved high water vehicles and helicopters into areas that could flood. The state says FEMA is moving 125,000 meals and 200,000 liters of water into Louisiana.
Edwards is encouraging Louisiana residents to monitor local media and check www.GetAGamePlan.org to ready for the storm.
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1:30 p.m.
Some Gulf Coast residents are bracing for heavy rain and possible flooding from Tropical Storm Cindy.
Larry Godfrey, who owns the Escatawpa (Ess-kuh-TAW'-puh) Hollow Campground in Alabama, near the state line with Mississippi, says the Escatawpa River is already high from rainfall, and he expects his campground will flood.
National Weather Service forecasters are warning of the possibility of more than 10 inches of rain for an area between Biloxi, Mississippi and Mobile, Alabama, by Friday morning.
City and county governments on Mississippi's coast are handing out sandbags. Jackson County Emergency Management Coordinator Donald Langham says rainfall-induced flooding appears to be the main danger from Cindy.
Godfrey and his wife live in a house on stilts, but he says water could get under his house. He says he will shut off power to campsites and tie up picnic tables.
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12:35 p.m.
Tropical Storm Cindy has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is threatening to spread heavy rain across a wide area of the central Gulf coast.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami says the storm is centered about 265 miles (430 kilometers) south of Morgan City, Louisiana — or about 355 miles (565 kilometers) southeast of Galveston, Texas. Cindy has top sustained winds of 45 mph (75 kph) and the storm is presently stationary in the Gulf. It says Cindy acquired a well-defined center on Tuesday afternoon, becoming the third tropical storm of 2017.
The center say Cindy is expected to reach the Louisiana coast sometime late Wednesday and then move inland over western Louisiana and eastern Texas on Thursday. Forecasters say rain totaling 6 to 9 inches in areas and up to 12 inches in some spots pose a threat to southern portions of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle through Thursday.
Forecasters say a tropical storm warning is in effect from High Island on the upper Texas coast all the way to the mouth of the Pearl River at the state line of Louisiana and Mississippi. A tropical storm watch is in effect elsewhere on the Texas coast from west of High Island to San Luis Pass.
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10:15 a.m.
Coastal residents are feeling the effects of a severe storm system that's churning in the Gulf of Mexico.
Police say flooding already is being reported on Dauphin Island south of Mobile, Alabama. The main road leading to the island's narrow western end is partially covered with water, and the city is moving vehicles and equipment to higher ground.
Red flags are flying on the main public beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama, as a warning for people to stay out of the water. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey issued a state of emergency Tuesday morning because of the flooding threat.
Bands of heavy rain are coming through as far east as the Florida Panhandle.
Coastal Louisiana and Texas are under a tropical storm warning, and forecasters say the Alabama and Mississippi coasts could get as much as 15 inches (38 centimeters) of rain by Thursday night.
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10 a.m.
Forecasters say a tropical storm warning has now been extended further westward for a disturbance in the central Gulf and it now covers an area from High Island, Texas, to the mouth of the Pearl River between Louisiana and Mississippi.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami also says the biggest threat from the disturbance is the likely heavy rainfall over wide areas of the northern rim of the Gulf of Mexico.
At 11 a.m. EDT, the center said disturbance No. 3 was centered about 265 miles (430 kilometer) south of Morgan City, Louisiana — or about 355 miles (565 kilometers southeast of Galveston, Texas. It's maximum sustained winds are at 40 mph (65 kph) and the storm is moving toward the northwest at 10 mph (17 kph).
The tropical storm warning means tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere in the warning area in the next 24 to 36 hours.
A tropical storm watch is also in effect on the upper Texas coast from west of High Island to San Luis Pass.
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8:25 a.m.
Forecasters say the Alabama and Mississippi coasts could be inundated with as much as 15 inches (38 centimeters)of rain from a tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico.
The heaviest rains are expected in an area that includes the port city of Mobile, Alabama, and the cities of Pascagoula and Biloxi in Mississippi. The forecast shows an even wider area from southeastern Louisiana into the western Florida Panhandle could receive as much as 10 inches (25 centimeters)of rain over three days.
The National Weather Service issued an expanded flash flood watch for the area Tuesday, and forecasters say the flooding threat will continue through Thursday night.
Coastal Louisiana is under a tropical storm warning. The National Hurricane Center says the storm is expected to move inshore early Thursday near the Louisiana-Texas line before weakening and moving northeastward in a sweeping arc.
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4:26 a.m.
A tropical storm warning has been issued for a section of Louisiana's coast as a weather system approaches from the Gulf of Mexico.
The warning is in effect from Cameron, Louisiana, to Intracoastal City.
The system's maximum sustained winds early Tuesday are near 40 mph (64 kph). The U.S. National Hurricane Center says some slight strengthening is possible before the system reaches the coast, either late Wednesday or Wednesday night.
As of 5 a.m. Tuesday, the system is centered about 305 miles (490 kilometers) south-southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi River and is moving northwest near 8 mph (13 kph).
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Bret is moving along South America's northern coast. Its maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph (64 kph) with weakening expected to begin later in the day.

UPDATED: St. Mary summer school closed Wednesday, Thursday

Superintendent Leonard Armato has reviewed the weather and decided to close all summer schools in St. Mary Parish on Wednesday and Thursday.

Students who need to take the EOC should report at 7:30 a.m. Friday.

All schools and the central office will be closed Wednesday.

Wheel House for June 20

LEE CHAPEL AME Church, Morgan City, dine-in monthly feeding 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21. FLAG FOOTBALL Registration for youth ages 5-12 now through Wednesday, June 21, at Hattie Watts Elementary, Patterson. For info call Trevor Richard, 985-518-6323.

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Donation for Hats and High Rollers

Submitted Photo
Junior Auxiliary of East St. Mary Event Chairman Danielle Grow accepts a donation from Patterson State Bank. Robert Marin, senior vice president and chief lending officer, presents the donation for this year’s Casino Night, Hats and High Rollers event. The event will be Aug. 12 at Nico Bella.

Police Reports 6-20-17

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert reported the following arrests:
Amber Lovell, 29, 1803 Rose St., Lot 3, Berwick, was arrested on Friday at 10:58 a.m. for possession of stolen things, possession of Schedule I – marijuana, possession of Schedule IV – clonazepam and warrant for failure to appear on the charge of possession of Schedule I drugs. No bail is set.
Karen Hall, 45, 1023 Talbot Avenue, Thibodaux, was arrested on Friday at 12:15 p.m. on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of operating a vehicle with a suspended driver’s license, operating a vehicle with an unlit license plate and operating a vehicle without the proof of insurance. No bail is set.
Troy Perez, 52, 303 Carol Road, Bayou Vista, was arrested on Friday at 1:01 p.m. for nonconsensual disclosure of a private image. No bail is set.
John Destafano, 51, 34 South Grand View, Daytona, Florida, was arrested on Friday at 4:15 p.m. for possession of Schedule I – marijuana, possession of Schedule II – methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and disturbing the peace. No bail is set.
Kendrick Gibson, 35, 709 Cypress Lane, Jeanerette, was arrested on Friday at 11:46 a.m. on a warrant for domestic abuse battery and on a warrant for two counts of telephone harassment. No bail is set.
Richard Barrick III, 35, 215 Saturn Road, Lot 6, Bayou Vista, was arrested on Friday at 6:22 p.m. on a warrant for failure to appear for a drug court status conference and failure to comply with the terms and conditions of drug court. No bail is set.
Ashlyn Gros, 25, 154 Sun Road, Bayou Vista, was arrested on Saturday at 12:54 p.m. on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. Bail is set at $1,500.
Landon Rodriguez, 36, 313 Saturn Road, Bayou Vista, was arrested on Saturday at 2:38 p.m. for theft of goods. Rodriguez was released on a summons.
Nerissa Cole, 42, 210 Mission Court, Avondale, was arrested on Saturday at 1:49 p.m. for speeding and operating a vehicle with a suspended driver’s license. Cole was released on a summons.
David Aucoin Jr., 21, 148 Cremo Lane, Patterson, was arrested on Saturday at 4:50 p.m. on two warrants for failure to appear on the charges of possession of Schedule I. No bail is set.
Spencer Aucoin II, 46, 1906 Duhon Blvd., Amelia, was arrested on Saturday at 3:26 p.m. for telephone harassment. Aucoin was released on a $500 bond.
Joseph Hebert Jr., 48, 1008 Live Oak Circle, Breaux Bridge, was arrested on Sunday at 6:36 p.m. for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, improper lane usage and possession of an open alcoholic container in a motor vehicle. Hebert was released on a $3,250 bond.
Patrick Augman, 43, 2012 Burney Lane, Patterson, was arrested on Saturday at 11:27 p.m. for theft of goods. Augman was released on a summons.
Cheyenne Aucoin, 22, 8912 La. 182, Franklin, was arrested on Sunday at 9:49 p.m. for hit and run driving, careless operation of a vehicle and no seat belt. Aucoin was release on a summons.
James Pierre Jr., 45, 428 Ninth St., Franklin, was arrested on Sunday at 9:07 p.m. for operating a vehicle with a suspended driver’s license. Pierre was released on a summons.
Heath Ohmer, 29, 121 Justin Lane, Amelia, was arrested on Sunday at 8:21 a.m. for violation of the parish leash law ordinance. Ohmer was released on a summons.
Justin Singleton, 19, 1008 Irish Bend Road, Franklin, was arrested on Sunday at 1:08 p.m. for speeding. Singleton was also charged on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of possession of a Legend Drug without a prescription, possession of drug paraphernalia, operating a vehicle without a driver’s license and operating a vehicle with improper headlights. Singleton was released on a $5,250 bond.
Carey Montet II, 39, 1613 Barrow St., Amelia, was arrested on Sunday at 2:42 p.m. for domestic abuse battery. Montet was released on a $3,500 bond.
Heather Durapau, 39, 1301 First St., Patterson, was arrested on Sunday at 2:20 pm. on warrants for failure to signal, possession of Schedule III – buprenorphine, possession of Schedule I – marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to appear on the charge of speeding. No bail is set.
Donyele Prince, 30, 4665 La. 83, Franklin, was arrested on Monday at 6:31 a.m. for reckless operation of a vehicle. Prince was released on a summons.
Roderick Braxton, 35, 1624 Graceland Avenue, Abbeville, was arrested on Monday at 8:48 a.m. on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of theft. Braxton was released on a $2,500 bond.
Ray Acosta, 43, 514 Franklin St. #3, Franklin, was arrested on Monday at 1:37 p.m. on a warrant for illegal possession of stolen things. Acosta was released on a $500 bond.
Jennifer Daniel, 36, 79 County Road 37098, Splindor, Texas, was arrested on Monday at 3:42 p.m. on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of possession of Lortab and driving while intoxicated. Daniel was also charged on a warrant for probation violation. No bail is set.
Shermica White, 33, 401 Auburn Drive, Carencro, was arrested on Monday at 11:18 a.m. for simple battery and disturbing the peace. White was released on a $3,500 bond.
Chitimacha Police Chief Hal Hutchinson reported the following arrests:
Cody LeBlanc, 24, Apricot Street, New Iberia, was arrested on Saturday for disturbing the peace. LeBlanc was released on a summons.
Nathaniel Menard, 23, Chitimacha Loop Road, Charenton, was arrested on Monday for possession of drugs – synthetic cannabinoids – second offense, possession of drug paraphernalia – second offense and possession of drugs in a drug free zone – second offense. Menard was transported the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.

Cadets graduate SO academy

Cadets from various law enforcement agencies who began training in March graduated from the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy June 15.
Sheriff Mark Hebert congratulated the graduates of Session 57 on their completion of the POST Level I academy and Peace Officer Standards and Training certification.
The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Regional Training Academy’s standards of professionalism in policing prepares cadets to meet the challenges facing today’s law enforcement officers. The cadets of Session 57 underwent 565 hours of instruction and training. Under the direction of Captain Brian Charpentier, cadets achieved a level of mental and physical skill and conditioning that contributes to a positive police culture and equips them to excel at meeting ever-evolving public safety needs. Among the extensive curriculum and certification programs are criminal and traffic law, ethics and standards of conduct, emergency management, first aid and CPR, community policing, crisis intervention, crime prevention, defensive tactics, firearms training and physical conditioning.
Cadets are also taught the value of respect, selfless service, compassion, and integrity. The 15 weeks of training culminated with the administration of the Louisiana Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) test.
Sheriff Hebert addressed the cadets and their family and friends at the graduation ceremony held at the Forest Restaurant in Franklin. “Law enforcement is always evolving and you must be able to adapt and respond in a professional manner,” Hebert said. “You’ve shown great energy and enthusiasm during the academy and for your chosen profession of law enforcement. I’m confident that you will be successful in your careers. It is an honor and pleasure to serve with you.”
Guest speaker 16th Judicial District Court Judge Vincent Borne added, “What you do in the community every day matters.”

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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