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U n i v e r s i t y o f Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics Director Bryan Maggard, who has been on the job just more than three months, made a stop in Morgan City at the Hampton Inn & Suites Friday as part of one of his visits throughout the Acadiana Region.
Maggard, who addressed community members during the St. Mary Chamber of Commerce meet and greet and social, said these trips are important to him.
“We’re trying to engage with all the different communities within Acadiana,” he said. “Ultimately, my goal is this: I want the University of Louisiana and its athletics programs to be Acadiana’s u n i v e r s i t y a n d Acadiana’s athletic sport teams. There’s seven hundred plus thousand people in this region. We need to make sure we’re capturing that, and I want to make sure that we always have a very strong presence throughout Acadiana.”
Maggard comes to the University of Louisiana after spending the past 22 years working in the University of Missouri’s athletics department.
“It’s been nothing but fantastic,” he said of his time at the University of Louisiana thus far. “Now, (it’s) a lot of work. As I tell people, I’m drinking water through a firehose, but I’ve learned a lot but got lots more to get my handle around still.”
In addition to introducing himself, Maggard hoped his visits will build support for the University of Louisiana’s athletic teams.
“We know we’re not the most important thing on our campus, but we are often the most visible,” he said.
Maggard likened the university and its athletics teams to a house and its front porch, noting the athletics are the front porch, while the university is the house.
“We want to make sure the front porch is always in great order, and that it’s always enticing for people to want to enter the house,” he said.
As for the current state of the Louisiana Athletic Department, Maggard said he came into an excellent situation.
“There were a lot of people before me who’ve carried a lot of weight and water to build UL athletics to where it is today,” he said. “We have so much to be proud of. (We) have 11 fantastic head coaches, 400-plus students-athletes who are phenomenal young men and women.”
While he’s proud of what the university has achieved, he said he knows that can build upon it.
“When you look at our baseball and softball success, those are two year-in-and-year-out top 25, if not top 10 programs nationally," Maggard said. "That’s where we need to get all of our teams. We know that, and we have coaches who are hungry, so it’s my job as the athletic director to position our sport teams to compete for and win championships every year.”
The Morgan City Oilfield Fishing Rodeo was held Saturday.
Prizes were given out in the following categories: Redfish Limit, Redfish (Big Fish), Bass Stringer, Bass (Big Fish), Mike Michel Trash Fish Award, Spec, Spec (Big Fish) and Catfish.
Kevin Harvey won the Redfish limit category, which featured 68 entries, while Mike Lambert had the day’s biggest redfish.
Hunter Andras won the Bass Stringer category, which featured 34 entries, while Kevin Hebert had the biggest bass.
Daniel Bergeron won the Mike Michel Trash Fish Award.
Bradly Matte won the Spec category, which featured 17 entries, and he also won the prize for the biggest Spec.
Derrick Gros won the Catfish category, which featured 18 entries.
Below are the winners in each category and the weights of their fish:
—Redfish Limit: No. 1 Kevin Harvey, 45.76; No. 2 Mike Lambert, 44.24; No. 3 Bradley Matte, 42.14; No. 4 William Folsom, 40.84; No. 5. Brian Eisenman Sr., 40.78; No. 6 Myron Burke, 40.54; and No. 7 Jerome Plaisance, 40.44.
—Redfish (Big Fish): Mike Lambert, 14.52.
—Bass Stringer: No. 1 Hunter Andras, 13.9; No. 2 Kevin Hebert, 13.34; No. 3 Chris Thornton, 12.54; No. 4 Hal Pinho, 11.9; and No. 5 Wesley Verret, 11.76.
—Bass (Big Fish): Kevin Hebert, 5.38.
—Mike Michel Trash Fish Award: Daniel Bergeron, 31.72.
—Spec: No. 1 Bradley Matte, 16.76; No. 2 Mitch Stelly, 12.14; and No. 3 Jim Iler, 9.5.
—Spec (Big Fish): Bradley Matte, 4.54.
—Catfish: No. 1 Derrick Gros, 20.82; No. 2 April Reulet, 18.64; and No. 3 Dane Daigle, 13.4.
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BATON ROUGE (AP) — Returning for their fourth special session on finances in 16 months, Louisiana lawmakers started on Monday to try to cobble together the budget deal they couldn’t reach before the clock ran out on a regular session last week.
While the regular session ended with finger-pointing and angry words, Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras said the special session represents a “fresh start” in negotiations with the Senate and Gov. John Bel Edwards.
“I want to start today with kind of a new slate,” Barras said. “I think this is a new negotiation.”
Before the budget talks collapsed, the House and Senate appeared about $50 million to $100 million apart in striking an agreement for a $28 billion-plus operating budget for the financial year that begins July 1.
House Republicans, who make up a majority in the chamber, wanted to leave some money unspent in case the income forecast is too optimistic, hoping to avoid midyear cuts. House Democrats, the majority-Republican Senate and the Democratic governor wanted to spend every dollar available, saying otherwise agencies would have to make damaging cuts.
The competing positions were on display Monday as the House budget-writing committee began its work. Its starting point was the same proposal senators already rejected, which would leave $206 million on the table.
House GOP leaders suggested that may not be the version they advance, perhaps settling on a smaller figure of unspent cash. But Republicans defended their approach against resistance from the Edwards administration, noting Louisiana’s income forecast has repeatedly come up short.
“We’re betting on the come, and we’ve been wrong,” said Covington Rep. John Schroder, a Republican.
Rep. Steve Pylant, a Winnsboro Republican, told the administration: “You can’t keep spending money that you don’t have. You can’t keep growing government if you can’t afford it.”
GOP House members noted state general fund spending would rise next year under their smaller spending plan. Nearly all that money, however, would fully pay for the TOPS college tuition program that lawmakers short-changed this year. Other agencies would take cuts.
Barbara Goodson, deputy commissioner of Edwards’ budget office, said agencies have annual growing costs they don’t control, such as retirement increases. She said even in the larger Senate spending plan, some agencies would take reductions, but those cuts are more manageable. Goodson said the House pushed a scaled-back spending plan without specifying where to shrink spending.
“If you don’t want to fund the budget, tell us what programs you don’t want to have, what services you don’t want to provide,” she told Republican lawmakers several times.
Pylant replied: “That’s not my job, ma’am,” saying people elected Edwards to make those statewide decisions.
Agency officials and college leaders spent Monday telling the House Appropriations Committee its budget proposal would force harmful cuts.
Health Secretary Rebekah Gee said she’d have to eliminate Medicaid mental health services, scrap a program for “medically fragile” children and end her agency’s work on Zika prevention.
“These are penny-wise, pound-foolish types of decisions,” Gee said.
College leaders said they’ve taken enough hits over the past decade.
“Higher education should be the priority, not the knee-jerk response” to balancing the budget, said Monty Sullivan, leader of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System.
The corrections department said it would have to furlough employees and release thousands of nonviolent prisoners early. The state police said it would cancel plans to equip hundreds of troopers with body cameras and would lengthen wait times for background checks and crime lab work.
The Appropriations Committee will unveil its spending recommendations Tuesday.
arras expects the full House to vote on the budget proposal Wednesday, shifting the bill to the Senate for consideration. The Senate returns to work Wednesday, stymied for now because budget bills begin in the House.
The special session — which costs taxpayers about $50,000 to $60,000 a day — must end June 19. Also awaiting agreement from lawmakers are construction budget bills.
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Follow Melinda Deslatte on Twitter at http://twitter.com/melindadeslatte
Jack Cooley, 91, of Seminary, Mississippi, died May 28, 2017, at Merit Health Wesley Hospital.
He is survived by his wife, Nell Anthony Cooley; two daughters, Jackie Babin of Morgan City and Doris Blanchard of Amelia; one son, Wayne Cooley of Houston; a stepson, Tony Anthony of Seminary, Mississippi; two sisters, Mary Spellman of Wiggins, Mississippi and Joyce Dubose of Hattiesburg, Mississippi; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held May 31, 2017, at Hulett Funeral Home in Hattiesburg with burial at Janice, Mississippi.
(This obituary has been updated to correct two names.)
MC LIBRARY
Pet Care program presented Thursday, June 15, 2 p.m., at Morgan City public library. Presenter Dr. Abby Cefalu. Free and open to public. For more info, 985-380-4646.
MOUNT ZION
Baptist Church, 507 Fourth St., Morgan City, annual Pastor’s Aid Ministry Pew Rally Sunday, June 25, 10 a.m. Public invited.
Staff Report
Members of the Future Scientist Program at the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts were recognized during the year-end 11th annual banquet at the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training.
Eighteen seniors completed FSP and will receive an Excellence in Science award at the senior recognition ceremony. This is the highest honor a department can bestow on an LSMSA student. Students will receive a medal to wear at graduation.
Requirements to receive an excellence in science award at senior recognition include being an ambassador for science and the LSMSA Department of Science; completing an approved research project or perform 80 hours or more of community service; completing 12 hours of science courses above LSMSA requirements; maintaining an overall LSMSA 3.0 grade point average and a science GPA of 3.25, with no grade lower than a C; actively participating in an approved science-related club; and competing in an approved science competition.
Those students were Maya Bochas of Morgan City, Alexis Cambridge of Slidell, Lenora Davis of Covington, Kennedy Ellender of Westlake, Gwyneth Engeron of Houma, Kodie Garza of Ringgold, Lewis Johnson of Baton Rouge, Genesis Lambert of Denham Springs, Elizabeth Long of Natchitoches, Camille Loy of Terrytown, Michael Mayeux of Natchitoches, Shrey Mishra of Lafayette, Aagrika Neupane of Lake Charles, MyChel Robinson of Mansura, Gabrielle Tramonte of Lake Charles, Johnneisha White of Church Point, Gabrielle Yoes-Favrot of Gonzales and Grace Yuan of New Orleans.
Two seniors will graduate with distinction. They are Gwyneth Engeron and MyChel Robinson.
Juniors with two-year membership in FSP include Kerry Doyle of Eros, Olivia Gotte of Iota, Sarah Green of Houma, Ruby Kharod of Opelousas, Bryson Landry of Franklin, Amy Liu of Alexandria, Caitlyn Morrison of Gloster, Lyrren Mwaghore of Luling, Alexis Parsons of Maurice, Presley Simmons of Walker and Nathan Ward of Anacoco.
New members include Scott Blazer, a junior from Grand Cane, Jerry Chen, a junior from New Llano, Lauren Copeland, a junior from Baton Rouge, Colt Crain, a sophomore from Zachary, Ian Crochet, a sophomore from New Iberia, Myles Fabre, a sophomore from Baton Rouge; Angela Fang, a junior from Mandeville; Grace Fields, a sophomore from Prairieville; Juliet Flanagan, a sophomore from Pearl River; Caroline Jin, a junior from Shreveport; Ariel Johnson, a junior from Baton Rouge; Clara Kolterman, a junior from Sterlington; Manjistha Lakhotia, a sophomore from Lafayette; Reed Middendorf, a junior from Natchitoches; Hannah Miller, a junior from Baton Rouge; Grayce Mores, a junior from Harvey; Bryce Moulton, a junior from Natchitoches; Oluwatobi Ojemakinde, a sophomore from Shreveport; Abby Pace, a junior from Iowa; Kevin Pan, a junior from Lafayette; Ishika Patel, a sophomore from Many; Emmanuel Perez, a junior from Monroe; Austin Schulenberg, a sophomore from Baton Rouge; Caitlynn Sengchiam, a sophomore from New Iberia; Collin Serigne, a sophomore from Cut Off; Marcus Shallow, a junior from Elton; Victoria Sosa, a sophomore from Lake Charles; Casey Tonnies, a sophomore from Bossier City; Christopher Tonnies, a sophomore from Bossier City; and Benjamin Walker, a sophomore from Mandeville.
Capstone Research projects completed by students included:
Maya Bochas, “Investigating Diversity in Early Adolescence (IDEA): A study of middle school peer groups,” University of Virginia
Alexis Cambridge, “Using Diatoms as Bio-indicators of Water Quality,” Duke University
Lewis Johnson, “Implementing a Closed Loop Control Scheme on a Six Degree of Freedom Ultrasound Scanner,” Louisiana State University
Camille Loy, “Generation of Cystic Fibrosis Neutrophil Cell Lines for CF Research and Drug Screening,” LSU Health Science Center – New Orleans
Michael Mayeux, “Drug Delivery Using Liposomes to Administer Drugs intra-Ductally,” Tulane Health Science Center
Shrey Mishra, “Micro-Satellite Communication,” University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Aagrika Neupane, “Modeling Evaporatively Cooling Rooms,” Michigan State University
MyChel Robinson, “GUMBOS – Group of Uniform Materials Based on Organic Salts,” LSU
Gabrielle Tramonte, Genome Lab – Summer Honors Program, Indiana State University
Gabrielle Yoes-Favrot, “Development of Strategies for Multi-step Synthesis in Undergraduate Laboratories,” Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts
Grace Yuan, “Characterizing Adhesion Strength of Thin-Film Systems with Opto-Acoustic Microscopy,” Southeastern Louisiana University
Rumors that the Coast Guard is leaving Morgan City aren’t true, the local commander said Monday at the Harbor and Terminal District monthly meeting. But a change of command ceremony is slated for this week.
“The Coast Guard is not moving out of Morgan City,” said Coast Guard Capt. Blake Welborn. “That is as far from the truth as can be.”
Welborn said the change of command will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium for his replacement, Commander Heather Mattern. The Aids to Navigation Team will also have a change of command at 9 a.m. Thursday in the same location.
Also Monday, Charles Brittingham, senior vice president of Cassidy & Associates, presented a plan of action for the port so that the port could get recognition and approval of funding for projects. Brittingham said a presentation needs to be created that can be presented to higher-ups of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
“You got to tell your story. What are the issues with the Port of Morgan City?” said Brittingham.
The historical data and statistics, such as past funding, business statistics, missed business opportunities, future potential business, assets utilized and not utilized on the river, should be gathered and presented so that the financial impact of the Atchafalaya River can be seen.
“You want to have that visual in front of those decision makers,” said Brittingham.
According to Brittingham, the Atchafalaya River went from having $15 million in annual funding in 2005 to $6.5 million today. Factors that determined that decrease in funding and its economic impact need to be looked at and presented as part of the story of the port.
Alongside the presentation, Brittingham stated that meetings with a core group of stakeholders and influential members of the Louisiana delegation needs to happen so that the port can consistently push for more funding.
Franklin Police Chief Sabria McGuire reported the following arrests:
John Loustalot, 32, Cayce Street, Franklin, was arrested on Friday, at 1:27 p.m., on warrants for the charges of two counts of illegal possession of stolen things and simple burglary of a business. Loustalot is held on a $50,000 bond.
Joey Jack, 42, O’Neal Chube, Franklin, was arrested on Friday, at 10:40 p.m., for the charge of violation of protective order. No bond is set.
Jamaul Wallace, 27, Sixth Street, Franklin, was arrested on Saturday at 2:06 a.m., on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of criminal neglect of family. No bond is set.
Michelle Brown, 45, Eighth Street, Franklin, was arrested on Saturday at 2:14 p.m., for the charge of domestic abuse battery – second offense. Brown was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.
Jernell Payne Sr., 39, Blakesley Street, Franklin, was arrested on Saturday at 3:56 p.m., on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of no license plate light and driving without a driver’s license. Payne was additionally charged with possession of Schedule I – marijuana, first offense. Payne is held on a $3,500 bond.
Aaron Bourque, 30, Wilfred Street, Franklin, was arrested on Sunday at 3:03 a.m., on a warrant for the charge of disturbing the peace loud music. Bourque was released on a $500 bond.
Sarah Pierce, 23, Eighth Street, Austin, Texas was arrested on Monday at 6:23 p.m., for the charge of criminal damage to property over $500. Pierce was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert reported the following arrests:
Frank Keller Jr., 29, 133 Two Sisters Court, Bayou Vista, was arrested on Monday at 2:15 p.m. on a warrant for two counts of domestic abuse battery. No bail is set.
Brandon Romero, 33, 115 Gibbs Road, Franklin, was arrested on Monday at 7:04 p.m. on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of criminal trespassing. Romero was released on a $1,000 bond.
Kenneth Evans III, 37, 416 Mike Drive, Patterson, was arrested on Monday at 11:13 p.m. on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, two warrants for failure to appear on the charge of resisting a police officer with force or violence and two warrants for battery on a police officer failure to appear on the charge of criminal neglect of family. No bail is set.
Christopher Adams, 42, 2602 Lake Palourde Road, Lot 10, Morgan City, was arrested on Monday at 8:15 p.m. on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia and improper turning. No bail is set.
Curstone Alfred, 41, 298 Eves St., Jeanerette, was arrested on Tuesday at 1:48 a.m. on a warrant for two counts of simple assault. Bail is set at $2,000.
Chitimacha Police Chief Hal Hutchinson reported the following arrests:
Trae Kitchens, 21, Choctaw Street, Charenton, was arrested on Friday for driving while under the influence and speeding. No bail is set.
Lashall Carson, 21, Martin Luther King Boulevard, Franklin, was arrested on Saturday for felony theft, a fugitive warrant for unauthorized use of an access card and a fugitive warrant for theft of goods under $500. No bail is set.
Scott Louviere, Jena Street, Charenton, was arrested on Sunday for domestic violence. No bail is set.
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