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JAMES “JIMMY” STOVES

James “Jimmy” Stoves, 82, a native of Terrebonne Parish and a resident of Houma, passed away peacefully at 1:14 p.m. on Sunday, June 11, 2017.
Visitation will be from 8 a.m. until funeral time at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 17, 2017 at Howard 3rd Zion Travelers Baptist Church, 363 Bayou Dularge Road in Houma. Burial will follow in Crozier Cemetery.
He is survived by his sons, Marcus Stoves of Franklin and Corey Stoves (Kristol) of Houma; daughter, Shenicka N. Stoves of Morgan City; ten grandchildren; four great grandchildren; son-in-law, four-sisters-in-law; a host of other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, a daughter, grandson; parents, seven siblings.
Arrangements entrusted to Jones Funeral Home of Houma-Franklin-Jeanerette-Morgan City.
Visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family.

MICHAEL AMACKER

Michael Amacker, 53, a native of Terrebonne Parish and a resident of Houma, passed away peacefully at 5:27 a.m. on Monday, May 29, 2017.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until funeral time at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 16, 2017 at Jones Funeral Home chapel located at 6775 West Park Avenue in Houma. Burial will follow in Southdown Cemetery.
He is survived by his son, Terrance Lovely of Houma; mother, Mary Lee Brown-Amacker of Houma; brothers, Kenneth Amacker of Franklin, Tyrone Amacker of Morgan City, Darryl Amacker and Jerome (Anitra) Amacker of Houma; daughters, Mrs. Gerald (Anita) Douglas, Mrs. Darnell (Bernadette) Franklin Gwendolyn Amacker, Kimberly Amacker and Carol Amacker of Houma; aunt, and a host of other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father.
Arrangements entrusted to Jones Funeral Home of Houma-Franklin-Morgan City and Jeanerette.
Visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family.

ALVIN “BO” SPAIN

The Life of Alvin “Bo” Spain will be celebrated on Saturday, June 10, 2017, 11 a.m., Macedonia Baptist Church, Ashton, La. Rev. Ulysses Mitchell, Pastor, Rev. Darryl W. Guy, Officiating.
The family has requested that visitation be Saturday, June 17, 2017, from 9 a.m. until the commencement of the funeral service at Macedonia Baptist Church.
He will be buried in Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery.
Bo departed this life on June 8, 2017, at his home, surrounded by family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jules and Liza Spain and one brother, Jules Spain, Jr.
He leaves to always remember him: three daughters, Adrienne (Kevin) Broussard, Shana Spain, Desiree’ (Dustin) Fontenot; one Godchild, Terrell Nelson Joseph; life partner, Iris Spain; seven siblings: Marjorie Dean Williams, Virginia Cross, Gloria Mae Milton, Lucille (Ronald) Mitchell, Ivory (Levine) Spain, Lloyd (Mary Louise) Spain, Earl Spain; nine grandchildren, Destinee Fontenot, Dynah Fontenot, Davon Fontenot, Randranique Williams, Brandy Brown, Randreille Brown, Kyla Brown, Ka’Adrienne Broussard, and Kenya Broussard, eight great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
MK DIXON Funeral Home is in charge of final arrangements, 337-940-9253, 211 Main Street, Baldwin, La. 70514, www.mkdixonfh.com.

CLARENCE “BOY JONES” VERRETT JR.

A Celebration of Life for Clarence “Boy Jones” Verrett Jr., will be held Saturday, June 17, 2017, 2 p.m., Greater New Hope Baptist Church, 104 Tenth Street, Baldwin, La. Rev. Emile Jolivette, Pastor. Rev. Deandre Johnson, Officiating.
The Family has requested that visitation be Saturday, June 17, 2017, from 11 a.m. until the commencement of the funeral service at Greater New Hope Baptist Church.
He will be interred in Perpetual Park Cemetery in Franklin, La.
Clarence Verrett, Jr. was born on September 14, 1988 to Clarence Jones Sr. and Melissa Lee Jones. Later in life, Melissa married Larry Grimm, who also helped to rear Clarence into manhood.
Clarence’s memories will forever remain in the hearts of his darling daughter, Nyla Amari Verrett of Houston, Texas; his mother, Melissa Lee, also of Houston, Texas; his father, Clarence Jones Sr. of Franklin, La.; two brothers, Larry Grimm and Devin Jones; two sisters, Dalyn Jones and Bianca Polidore; his paternal grandmother who adopted him as her very own, Katherine Verrett; his maternal grandparents, Deborah Hayes and Marshall Lee Sr.; godmother, Helen Lee Roberson; Antoine Taylor and LaTia Rheams, both who were raised as his siblings by his mother, Melissa; a devoted friend, Lorena Ramos; and a host of aunts, uncles, other relatives and friends.
Clarence was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather who adopted him as his own, Clarence Verrett Sr.; his paternal great grandparents, Lottie Jones and Joseph Silas; maternal grandmother, Wanda Lee; maternal great grandparents, Glynn Layton; aunt, Gladys Kinchen; godfather, Jim Jones; and Larry Grimm, who also reared him as a father.
MK DIXON Funeral Home is in charge of final arrangements, 337-940-9253, 211 Main Street, Baldwin, La. 70514, www.mkdixonfh.com.

TERRY FESKE

Terry Feske, born June 30, 1926 and died Good Friday, April 14, 2017. Beloved mother, Terry is survived by her three children, Millicent C. Feske of Ardmore, Penn.; Victor H. Feske III of Natchitoches, La.; and Steven K. Feske, of Belmont, Mass, and her three grandchildren, Samuel, Joel and Katherine.
Funeral services and burial were held in Childersburg, Alabama, on April 19, 2017. A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Franklin on Saturday, June 24, at 11 a.m.

Carnival starts Thursday

A Community “A Fair” Carnival will kick off Thursday at the former Brown’s Shopping Center in Franklin, 1808 Main St. Setup of rides and attractions got underway Tuesday afternoon. There will be food, games, rides and music Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There will also be bingo, gospel singers and more. Contact Belinda Roberson for tickets sale at 337-967-1061.

Center facing most need in decades

Emergency Aid Center, for United Way of South Louisiana, is in need of food or donations. Director Patti Ibert notes that with children out of school and the current economy, the needs of families is great. Ibert said in her 25 years with the center she has “never seen the shelves so bare.” Though churches and community members are still giving, Ibert said there is a greater need than ever. The center is the only food bank in West St. Mary Parish.

Community meeting

The Third Ward Court Marshal’s Office hosted a meeting June 12 with community leaders and concerned citizens for an upcoming back-to-school drive for the next school term. Included was Shaun Sonia, of Sonia Inc., a non-profit entity with a goal to connect Madison County, Ala. and St. Mary Parish youth in 7th through 12th grades with safe, positive adult role models who will offer support, guidance and friendship and help the youth make healthy life decisions. Pictured are Thomas Phillips, Chief Charles Parker, Christian Wiggins, Justin Martin, Marshal Corey Burgess, Francine Burgess, Dianna Alexander, Ella Hamilton, Shaun Sonia, Karen Peters and Minister Celina Charles. For more information, contact the Third Ward Court Marshal’s Office.

UPDATED 12:48 p.m.: Gunman who shot Scalise had 'lots of ammo'

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — A rifle-wielding attacker opened fire on Republican lawmakers at a congressional baseball practice Wednesday, wounding House GOP Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana and several others as congressmen and aides dove for cover. The assailant, prepared with "a lot of ammo," fought a gun battle with police before he, too, was shot and later died.
Scalise dragged himself off the infield leaving a trail of blood as colleagues rushed to his assistance.
A government official identified the shooter as James. T. Hodgkinson of Illinois. The official was not authorized to discuss the investigation by name and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Shortly after the shooting, Bernie Sanders, the former candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, said on the Senate floor that the shooter apparently was a volunteer for his campaign last year. Sanders said he denounced the violence "in the strongest possible terms."
Capitol Police officers who were in Scalise's security detail wounded the shooter, who was taken into custody. The attacker later died of his injuries, President Donald Trump told the nation from the White House.
"Everyone on that field is a public servant," Trump said. "Their sacrifice makes democracy possible."
Scalise, 51, the No. 3 House Republican leader first elected to the House in 2008, was in stable condition and undergoing surgery. The popular and gregarious lawmaker is known for his love of baseball and handed out commemorative bats when he secured the No. 3 job of House whip several years ago.
Texas Rep. Roger Williams, who coaches the GOP team, said that one of his aides, Zack Barth, was shot, but "is doing well and is expected to make a full recovery." Two Capitol Police officers were also injured but were expected to recover, along with a former congressional aide who was hospitalized.
Rep. Jeff Duncan of South Carolina said he had just left the practice and encountered the apparent gunman in the parking lot before the shooting. The man calmly asked which party's lawmakers were practicing and Duncan told him they were the Republicans. The man thanked him.
The gunman had a rifle and "a lot of ammo," said Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona, who was at the practice.
The shocking event left the Capitol horrified and stunned. The House canceled proceedings for the day. Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California both spoke on the floor issuing calls for unity. "An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us," Ryan said.
The shooting occurred at a popular park and baseball complex in Alexandria, Virginia, where Republican lawmakers and others were gathered for a morning practice about 7 a.m. They were in good spirits despite the heat and humidity as they prepared for the congressional baseball match that pits Republicans against Democrats. The popular annual face-off, which raises money for charity, is scheduled for Thursday evening at Nationals Park across the Potomac River in Washington, and will go forward as planned.
The team was taking batting practice when gunshots rang out and chaos erupted.
Scalise was fielding balls on second base when he was shot, according to lawmakers present, then dragged himself into the outfield to get away from the gunman.
Rep. Mo Brooks, an Alabama Republican, said his colleague "crawled into the outfield, leaving a trail of blood."
"We started giving him the liquids, I put pressure on his wound in his hip," Brooks said.
Texas Rep. Joe Barton, still in his baseball uniform, told reporters a shooter came out to the practice and opened fire, shooting at Rep. Trent Kelly, R-Miss., who plays third base.
"He shot at Steve Scalise, our second baseman. He hit Steve Scalise," Barton said, "Scalise's security detail and the Capitol Hill police immediately returned fire, and Alexandria Police also immediately came and began to return fire. They shot the shooter. The security detail saved a lot of lives because they attacked the shooter."
Barton said the shooting lasted 5-10 minutes, and there were dozens or more of shots fired.
"It was scary," Barton said.
Lawmakers took cover in the dugout. Barton said his son, Jack, got under an SUV.
Texas Rep. Mike Conaway, who was at the game, described what sounded like an explosion, then lawmakers scattering off the field as police roamed in search of the gunman and engaged him.
"The guy's down to a handgun, he dropped his rifle, they shoot him, I go over there, they put him in handcuffs," Conaway said, adding that if the shooter had "gotten inside the fence, where a bunch of guys were holed up in the dugout, it would have been like shooting fish in a barrel."
FBI special agent in charge Tim Slater said it was "too early to say" whether it was an act of terrorism, or whether Scalise was targeted.
Speaker Ryan identified the wounded Capitol Police officers as David Bailey and Crystal Griner. Also wounded was former congressional aide Matt Mika, who now works for Tysons Food in its Washington office. Mika was hospitalized, his condition unclear.
After the gunfire stopped, Sen. Flake, of Arizona, said he ran onto the field and also tried to come to Scalise's aide. After medical personnel arrived, he said he retrieved Scalise's phone and made the first call to Scalise's wife to notify her of the shooting. He said he did so to ensure that Mrs. Scalise would not find out about the shooting through the media.
Falisa Peoples was just leaving the YMCA next to the ball field when she saw the shooter open fire.
"He was just very calm. He was just walking and shooting," she said of the man, whom she described as white and wearing a T-shirt and shorts. She said he was using a long gun and exchanging fire with law enforcement officers, one of whom yelled for her to get down.
Lawmakers were stunned in the aftermath of the event, which raised questions about the security of members of Congress. While the top lawmakers, including Scalise, have security details, others do not and regularly appear in public without protection. The last time a lawmaker was shot was when Democratic Rep. Gabby Giffords of Arizona was hit in the head and grievously injured while meeting with constituents at a supermarket parking lot in 2011.
Following the Giffords shooting, lawmakers have held fewer open town halls and have been advised to increase security at such events.

Three booked in jailhouse contraband case

Three Morgan City people face charges in what city police say was a plot to sneak marijuana and tobacco into the city jail.
Kayla M. Aucoin, 23, of Cross Street and Samantha J. Landreneau, 24, of Aucoin Street were booked Monday on new charges of conspiracy to possess marijuana and conspiracy to introduce contraband into a penal facility.
Matthew V. Harrigan, 24, of Leona Street was booked on charges of conspiracy to introduce contraband into a penal facility, criminal conspiracy to distribute marijuana, conspiracy to possess marijuana and violation of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substance Law (drug-free zone).
According to the Morgan City Police Department, officers at the jail and the Patrol Division learned June 4 about the possibility that a package containing contraband was going to be taken into the jail. A search turned up a package containing suspected marijuana and tobacco products.
The Criminal Investigations Division found evidence linking the package to Aucoin and Landreneau, who were already in the department’s jail, according to the police account. More investigation found evidence that Harrigan conspired with Aucoin and Landreneau to introduce the contraband into the jail, police said.
Harrigan was arrested and taken to the Morgan City jail. Police said the investigation continues.

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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