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MELVIN J. BLANCHARD

Melvin J. Blanchard, 96, a native and resident of Morgan City, passed away Saturday, May 13, 2017. Melvin served with the 754th Railroad Battalion with the China Burma India Campaign during World War II. Employed by Southern Pacific Railroad for 40 years as yard master. Member of Doric Lodge 205 and Lafayette 87. Served as Worshipful Master in Lodge 205. Member of the Eastern Star Alice Chapter #5. Member of Pharr Chapel United Methodist Church. Actively involved in the Youth Baseball program for many years. Served as Parade Chairman for the Children’s Parade for Shrimp and Petroleum Festival. Member of the ...

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HERBERT JOSEPH 'HERBIE' LaCOSTE

Herbert Joseph “Herbie” LaCoste, 52, a resident of Gibson, passed away Friday, May 12, 2017, at Ochsner Medical Center surrounded by his loving family.
Herbie always had a smile on his face, was happy-go-lucky and was always willing to help anyone anytime. He was a friend to everyone. He loved fishing, gambling, working with his hands and riding around on his golf cart at Hideaway Ponds visiting with the campers. Most of all, he loved spending time with his loving wife and family.
Herbie was born March 25, 1965, in Morgan City, the son of Jessie LaCoste and Mamie Barrilleaux LaCoste.
He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife, La Wanda Bernard LaCoste of Gibson; two stepdaughters, Amy Moore and husband Justin of Baton Rouge and Sara Hebert and husband Beau of Richmond, Texas; two stepgrandchildren, Clinton Leger and Jane Leger; six sisters, Diane Ratcliff and husband Andrew, Jessie Gauthier and husband Jay, Rosie Elliott and companion Joe Gilchrist, Charlene Ohmer and husband Gerald, Nancy Domangue and husband Tommy, and Irene DuBois and husband Terry; two brothers, Clint LaCoste, and Rusty Barrilleaux and wife Shelby; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Herbie was preceded in death by his parents, Jessie LaCoste and Mamie Barrilleaux LaCoste; and one stepson, Eric Leger.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 16, 2017, at Twin City Funeral Home with Rev. John Locascio officiating. There will be a visitation held from 9 a.m. until the time of the service. Following the services, Herbie will be laid to rest in the Morgan City Cemetery.

SHIRLEY BOUDREAUX SOLAR

Shirley Boudreaux Solar, 81, a resident of Bayou Vista, passed away Thursday, May 11, 2017, at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center.
Shirley was born April 14, 1936, in Morgan City, the daughter of E.J. and Nolia Boudreaux.
She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her husband of 65 years, Horace Solar of Bayou Vista; five children, Randy Solar and wife Cindy of Ricohoc, Robert Solar of Franklinton, James Solar and wife Lina of Houma, Valane Solar of Bayou Vista, and Nicholas Solar and wife of Washington, D.C.; 12 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, E.J. and Nolia Boudreaux; four children, Debra Solar, Gayle Solar, Dale Solar and Brian Solar; one brother, Sonny Boudreaux; and one sister, Marion Boudreaux.
A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Bayou Vista with Father William Rogalla celebrating the Mass. Following Mass, Shirley will be laid to rest in the Morgan City Cemetery.

Wheel House for May 15

THRIFT STORE
At 304 South Railroad, Morgan City, hosting a 50 cents sale on women’s T-shirts and blouses 8:30-11 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday, May 17-18. All proceeds benefit Sacred Heart Catholic Church charities.

Flags for volunteer firefighters

Submitted Photo
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4222 presented the Stephensville Volunteer Fire Department with American and state flags. Pictured from left are Kelly Legendre, Raymond Rutledge, quartermaster of Post 4222, and Steve Hebert.

School board honors

The St. Mary Parish School Board recognizes students and staff members.

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Atchafalaya fishermen plead their case before lawmakers

BATON ROUGE – Over the passionate objection of harvesters of crawfish, the Senate Natural Resources Committee adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 2 approved the annual FY17-18 plan for funding the Atchafalaya Basin.
Local fishermen, including crawfish fishermen, adamantly disapprove of the project, saying it is not the way to combat the sediment buildup in the Basin that is impacting crawfish harvests.
They say the plan, including its resulting sedimentation, will mitigate targeted coastal issues for the short-term, but be detrimental in the long-term. Fishermen want to remove some of the Basin’s interior banks and to open up natural tributaries, which they say could help the water’s natural ebb and flow.
Sponsor Eddie Lambert, R-Gonzales, argued the project actually accomplishes what the fishermen want and allows more freshwater into the area.
The Legislature can only approve or kill the plan. It is not allowed to change or tweak it.
The committee also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 67 by Sen. Bret Allain, R-Franklin, requesting Congress to give Louisiana official management over a large portion — about 200 miles off the state coast — of the red snapper waters in the Gulf of Mexico.
Allain said Louisiana sportsman received the unprecedented news that they were only allowed up to three days for snapper fishing this year.
Allain, who said he grew up fishing year-round, said the dwindling window suggests federal and state mismanagement of the sports fishing community over the last few years.

Sheriff: Drunk driver threatened officer

A 37-year-old Thibodaux man threatened a Morgan City police officer at the police department after a St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy caught him driving with a blood alcohol content over three times the legal limit, Sheriff Mark Hebert said in a news release.
—David Gomez-Morales, 37, of North Canal Boulevard in Thibodaux, was arrested at 9:27 p.m. Friday on charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, driver must be licensed, possession of open alcoholic container in motor vehicles, careless operation of a motor vehicle and public intimidation.
A deputy responded to a single vehicle crash on U.S. 90 in the Amelia area. The deputy observed a vehicle in the tree line near the highway and located the driver who was being attended by firefighting personnel.
The deputy identified the driver as Morales and found that he was operating the vehicle without a driver’s license. The deputy also located an open bottle of beer inside the vehicle. Morales was transported to the Morgan City Police Department where he registered a 0.278 grams-percent blood alcohol concentration on a breath test.
While at the Morgan City Police Department, Morales allegedly made threats against an officer. Morales was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. No bail is set.
Hebert reported responding to 143 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:
—Dedrick Gant Jr., 32, of Ibert Street in Patterson, was arrested at 8:38 p.m. Friday on charges of resisting an officer, possession of Xanax, obstruction of justice, violation of a controlled dangerous substance law-drug free zone and warrants for failure to appear on the charge of possession of Schedule I drugs, for failure to appear on the charge of domestic abuse batter strangulation-child endangerment law and for failure to appear on the charge of domestic abuse battery.
Narcotics detectives patrolling Morgan City observed a vehicle driving recklessly and conducted a traffic stop on Martin Luther King Boulevard. During the stop, a passenger exited the vehicle and fled on foot. After a brief foot pursuit, the passenger was detained. Detectives identified the passenger as Gant and located a Xanax pills that he had discarded as he fled.
The investigation occurred within 2,000 feet of a church. Gant was jailed with no bail set.
—Nadia Verdin, 40, of Railroad Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:03 a.m. Saturday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of failure to yield to an emergency vehicle.
A deputy encountered Verdin on Southeast Boulevard in Bayou Vista and found that she was wanted on the active warrant. Verdin was jailed with no bail set.
—Paris Durkins, 30, of Egle Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:13 p.m. Sunday on a charge of theft of goods. A deputy responded to a report of shoplifting at a store in Bayou Vista.
The deputy spoke with store security personnel and learned that Durkins took items from the store and then attempted to return them for a refund without having paid for the goods. Durkins was released on a summons to appear in court Aug. 15.
Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported responding to 92 calls and reported the following arrests:
—Jason J. Ashley, 29, of Campo Lane in Amite, was arrested at 12:19 a.m. Saturday on warrants charging him with theft of goods, resisting an officer and criminal damage to property and on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Ashley was located and arrested in the area of Leona Street on active arrest warrants held by the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Ashley was also found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. Ashley was jailed.
—Austin J. Stevens, 22, of Fourth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:04 a.m. Saturday on charges of possession of marijuana second offense and possession of drug paraphernalia and on a warrant for failure to appear to pay a probation fee.
—John P. Williams III, 17, of Felicia Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:04 a.m. Saturday on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Patrol officers located Stevens in the parking lot of a business in the area of La. 70. Stevens had active city court arrest warrants. Officers located Stevens in a vehicle at which time they detected an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.
Stevens was arrested and another occupant, Williams, was located in the vehicle. Officers located suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Officers found evidence linking Williams and Stevens to the contraband. Both suspects were jailed.
—Trinity N. Todd, 22, of Railroad Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:29 a.m. Saturday on a warrant charging her with contempt of court.
Todd was located and arrested at the Berwick Police Department on active Morgan City Court arrest warrants. Todd was jailed.
—Karen Strathman, 47, of Shady Grove in Patterson, was arrested at 6:28 p.m. Saturday on charges of disturbing the peace intoxicated and open container.
Patrol officers responded to the area of Cottonwood Street in regard to a suspicious woman. Officers arrived, and Strathman was identified as the woman in question.
Officers located Strathman, who was found to be in an intoxicated state and drinking an alcoholic beverage in public. Strathman was jailed.
—Diana Simmons, 53, of McDermott Drive in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:16 p.m. Saturday with disturbing the peace.
Patrol officers responded to the area of Chestnut Drive in regard to a disturbance. Officers arrived and Simmons was identified as one of the suspects. While officers attempted to investigate the complaint, Simmons allegedly continued to cause a disturbance. Simmons was jailed.
—Carlton P. Moncada, 57, of Karen Drive in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:17 p.m. Saturday on charges of DWI first offense, possession of marijuana and careless operation of a motor vehicle.
Patrol officers observed a vehicle traveling in the area of La. 182 swerving in the roadway and strike the curb flattening the tires on the vehicle. Officers stopped the vehicle, and Moncada was identified as the driver.
Moncada was found to be in an intoxicated state. Moncada performed poorly on a field sobriety test. Moncada was arrested and transported to jail for chemical testing.
Moncada was also found to be in possession of suspected marijuana. Moncada arrived to the jail and submitted to test and registered 0.141 grams-percent blood alcohol content. Moncada was jailed.
—Milton Garrison, 39, of Poncio Street in Morgan City, was at 10:40 p.m. Saturday on a charge of domestic abuse battery.
Patrol officers responded to the area of Freret Street in regard to a disturbance. Officers arrived and learned that Garrison was involved in a disturbance and allegedly struck the victim. Garrison was jailed.
—John Christenson, 47, of Edna Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:56 a.m. Sunday on charges of DWI second offense and improper lane usage.
Patrol officers observed a vehicle traveling in the area of La. 70 in an erratic manner. Police stopped the vehicle. Christenson, the driver, was found to be in an intoxicated state.
Christenson performed poorly on a field sobriety test. Christenson was arrested and transported to the Morgan City Jail for Chemical Test. Once at the jail, Christenson submitted to a chemical test and registered 0.180 grams-percent blood alcohol content. Christenson was jailed.
—Carlos E. Thigpin, 25, of Southeast Boulevard in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 2:52 a.m. Sunday on two warrants for failure to appear for arraignment and warrant charging him with simple battery.
Thigpin was located and arrested in the area of La. 182 on warrants for the police department and 16th Judicial District Court. Thigpin was jailed.
—Lantrell Ayers, 26, of Mallard Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:49 a.m. Sunday on charges of no driver’s license, disregard of traffic controls and principal to resisting an officer.
Patrol officers were investigating an incident in the area of Robin Street in which a person fled on foot from officers. A vehicle driven by Ayers was seen picking up the person while officers were in active pursuit and taking him out the area.
A description of the vehicle was provided, and officers located the vehicle. Officers saw the vehicle fail to stop at a red light in the area of La. 182 and initiated a stop.
Ayers was identified as the operator of the vehicle. Ayer was found not to possess a valid driver’s license. Ayers was arrested and jailed. The investigation on the original incident is ongoing.
—Brodney T. Williams, 27, of N Street in Patterson, was arrested at 7:34 p.m. Sunday on warrants charging him with resisting an officer by giving false information, simple battery and failure to appear to pay a fine.
Williams was located and arrested in the area of Brashear Avenue on warrants for Morgan City Court and the Morgan City and Patterson police departments. The Morgan City police warrant stems from an April investigation in which Williams allegedly gave investigators a false name during an investigation. Williams was jailed.
—James Drew, 45, of Sixth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:52 p.m. Sunday on charges of driving under suspension and following too closely.
Patrol officers responded to the area of Brashear Avenue in regard to a crash. Officers arrived, and Drew was identified as the driver of one of the vehicles involved. During the investigation he was found to be the party at fault in the crash, and his Louisiana driver’s license was currently suspended. Drew was jailed.
—Vonkinion Johnson, 34, of Southwood Drive in Houma, was arrested at 12:16 a.m. Monday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, no driver’s license and improper lighting.
—Tracy L. Johnson, 32, Southwood Drive in Houma, was arrested at 12:16 a.m. Monday on a charge of possession of mirtazapine.
Patrol officers observed a vehicle being operated in the area of Brashear Avenue with improper lighting and stopped the vehicle. Vonkinion Johnson and Tracy Johnson were identified as occupants of the vehicle. During the investigation officers located suspected marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a large amount if a prescription drug identified as mirtazapine.
Investigators found evidence linking Vonkinion Johnson to the suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia and evidence linking Tracy Johnson to the prescription medication for which she didn’t hold a valid prescription. Both Vonkinion Johnson and Tracy Johnson were jailed.
Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported the following arrests:
—William Robinson, 32, of Huberville Road in Jeanerette, was arrested at 2:33 p.m. Sunday on a St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office warrant for failure to appear on a charge of criminal neglect and on Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office warrants charging him with two counts of sexual battery, home invasion, simple battery, obscene talk on the phone, stalking and for failure to appear on a charge of gross littering. No bail is set yet.
—Deandre J. Austin, 23, of Mike Drive in Patterson, was arrested at 2:10 p.m. Friday on charges of improper lane usage, driving under suspension and a warrant charging him with possession of stolen property. Austin was released on $781 in city fines.
—Michael Blanchard, 48, of Olive Lane in Patterson, was arrested at 7:30 p.m. Saturday on a charge of disturbing the peace by intoxication. Bail is set at $413.
Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrests:
—Sable Leal, 27, of River Road in Berwick, was arrested at midnight Friday on warrants charging her with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and a 16th Judicial District for failure to appear. Leal posted $3,000.
—Trinity Todd, 22, of Park Street in Patterson, was arrested at 11 p.m. Friday on a Morgan City police warrant charging her with contempt of court. Todd was transferred to the Morgan City Police Department.
—Jorge Cordova, 33, of Jones Street in Berwick, was arrested at 12:08 a.m. Sunday on charges of disturbing the peace intoxicated, resisting an officer and battery on an officer. Cordova posted $928 cash bail.

Police Reports 5-15-17

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert reported the following arrests:
David Gomez-Morales, 37, 316 North Canal Blvd., Thibodaux, was arrested on Friday at 9:27 p.m. for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, driving without a license, possession of open alcoholic container in motor vehicle, careless operation of motor vehicle and public intimidation. No bail is set.
Nadia Verdin, 40, 5019 Railroad Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested on Saturday at 12:03 a.m. on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of failure to yield to an emergency vehicle. No bail is set.
Alonia Sherron, 48, 506 Carl C. Foulcard Drive, Franklin, was arrested on Sunday at 2:13 a.m. on a warrant for shoplifting. She was released on a $1,500 bond. Franklin Police also charged her with theft by shoplifting.
Richard Darby, 30, 107 Lucy Lane, Centerville, was arrested on Sunday at 5:44 p.m. for domestic abuse battery. Darby was released on a $3,500 bond.
Linda Lange, 53, 2112 Hebert St., Franklin, was arrested on Sunday at 3:25 p.m. on a warrant for violation of protective orders. No bail is set. She was also charged by Franklin Police with violation of a protective order.
Paris Durkins, 30, 602 Egle St., Morgan City, was arrested on Sunday at 8:13 p.m. for theft of goods. Durkins was released on a summons.
Narcotics agents arrested Joseph Darby Sr., 35, 618 Anderson St., Franklin, on Friday at 4:47 pm. for possession of Schedule I – marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of Schedule I – MDMA with intent to distribute, possession of Schedule I – synthetic cannabinoids with intent to distribute, violation of a controlled substance law, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm by a person convicted of felonies, possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a minor. No bail is set.
Clyde Darby Jr., 30, 131 Sunset Drive, Lafayette, was arrested on Friday at 4:47 p.m. for possession of Schedule I – marijuana with intent to distribute, obstruction of justice and resisting an officer. No bail is set.
Dwayne Freedman, 42, Martin Luther King Blvd., Jeanerette, was arrested on Friday at 4:16 p.m. for possession of Schedule I – synthetic cannabinoids and possession of drug paraphernalia. No bail is set.
Dedrick Gant Jr., 32, 1400 Ibert St., Patterson, was arrested on Friday at 8:38 p.m. for resisting an officer, possession of Schedule IV – Xanax, obstruction of justice, violation of a controlled dangerous substance law, warrant for failure to appear on the charge of possession of Schedule I drug, warrant for failure to appear on the charge of domestic abuse batter and warrant for failure to appear on the charge of domestic abuse battery. No bail is set.
Franklin Police Chief Sabria McGuire reported the arrest of John Felton Jr., 52, of Hamilton St., Franklin, Friday at 7:21 a.m. on charges of simple battery, disturbing the peace and resisting an officer by force. He was held with no bond set.
Frank Small Jr., 37, of Third Street, Franklin, was charged while incarcerated at the parish jail Friday at 10:22 a.m. with distribution of schedule I narcotics (marijuana) and inciting a felony. Small was also arrested on warrants charging him with possession of schedule I narcotics (marijuana) with intent to distribute, illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, monetary instrument abuse, violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance law in a drug-free zone, illegal carrying of a weapon and possession of drug paraphernalia. He remains incarcerated at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.
Gary Jones, 49, of Ibert Street, Franklin, was arrested Friday at 5:04 p.m. on a warrant charging him with theft of goods and was held with no bond set.

'Steel Magnolias' returns to Teche

The Teche Theatre for the Performing Arts will continue its déjà vu season with Steel Magnolias live on stage.
This true, beloved Louisiana story elicits many emotions, especially for playwright Robert Harling, who wrote the play about his sister’s death. The six women that are portrayed by local actresses from Lafayette to Berwick have put all their energies into telling of this heartwarming, heartbreaking story.
“Although everyone has seen the movie you have truly never felt the story like the power of the theatre allows us too,” director Ed ‘Tiger’ Verdin said. “We have laughed and we have cried as a cast. I am extremely proud of these Steel Magnolias that had 6 weeks to portray a lifetime of friendship and have mastered it.”
Truvy Jones (Susan Titus-Richard) runs a successful beauty salon in Chinquapin, La., where all the ladies in the neighborhood have a standing Saturday appointment. Truvy, along with her anxious and eager assistant, Annelle (Mamie Winters), styles the hair of many of the women about town: wealthy widow and former first lady of Chinquapin, Clairee Belcher (Chay Guillory); local curmudgeon Ouiser Boudreaux (Shane Winters); intelligent and compassionate career woman M’Lynn (Regan Barrilleaux); and her daughter Shelby (Amber Lanclos), the prettiest girl in town.
Shelby’s engagement is the talk of the town, but the joy and excitement of her wedding quickly turn to concern as she faces a risky pregnancy and a myriad of health complications. Eventually, when Shelby dies from complications related to her diabetes, M’Lynn has to deal with the most difficult of life’s challenges: the loss of one’s only child. As the women of Chinquapin make their way over life’s many hurdles together, they find comfort in one another.
The cast and directors are fresh off a trip from Natchitoches where they toured the filming locations including the Steel Magnolia House.
Eight years ago when the Teche first performed this production they were instrumental in getting Susan Harling Robinson/Steel Magnolia Day passed through Louisiana’s legislature for Oct. 7, Susan Harling Robinson’s birthday.
Steel Magnolias is slated for a run May 19-20 at 7 p.m. and matinee show May 21 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 each and are available at Lamp Lighter Antiques in Franklin and Sweet & Simple in Morgan City.
For more information about the Teche Theatre for the Performing Arts and upcoming productions/auditions, visit www.techetheatre.com or social media sites Facebook and Twitter.

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