HANSON MEMORIAL’S NOEL BAKER captured her third straight state title in the javelin Friday at LSU’s Bernie Moore Stadium in the LHSAA State Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Baker, who on Thursday signed a track scholarship with LSU, won her specialty on Friday to become a three-time state champion with a toss of 130 feet, 3 inches.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert reported the following arrests:
Frank Small Jr., 37, 405 Third St., Franklin, was arrested on Tuesday at 2:40 p.m. on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of criminal neglect of family. He was transported to St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking.
Teema Darby, 22, 104 Reynolds Lane A, New Iberia, was arrested on Tuesday at 5:09 p.m. on a warrant for failure to comply with the terms and conditions of probation. Darby was transported to St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking.
Juvenile male, 12, Patterson, was arrested on Tuesday at 9:34 a.m. for theft. The juvenile was released to a guardian.
Lamonta Thomas, 20, 140 Mill Road, Lot 40, Patterson, was arrested on Tuesday at 7:02 p.m. for theft of goods. Thomas was released on a summons.
Caswick Naverro, 22, of New Orelans, was arrested Wednesday at 6:46 p.m. on charges of turning movements and signal violations, and suspended license. He was released on a summons.
Glynn Wilson, 45, of 307 Myrtle St., Patterson, was arrested Wednesday at 7:16 p.m. on a warrant charging him with turning movements and required signals violation, possession of Schedule II (crack cocaine) and obstruction of justice. No bail is set.
Chris Cahee, 30, of Lake Charles, was arrested Wednesday at 8:03 p.m. on a failure to appear warrant on a charge of carrying illegal weapons and held with no bond set.
Charles Scott, 60, of Avondale, was arrested Wednesday at 11:19 p.m. on charges of speeding in a construction zone and suspended license. He was released on a summons.
Tam Lee, 35, of Thibodaux, was arrested Wednesday at 11:55 p.m. on charges of speeding (construction zone) and released on a summons.
Narcotics Section agents arrested Calvin Valentine Jr., 35, 313 Egle Street, Morgan City, was arrested on Wednesday at 8:06 p.m. for improper lane usage, possession of Schedule II (oxycodone) with intent to distribute and transactions involving proceeds from drug offenses. No bail is set.
Franklin Police Chief Sabria McGuire reported the arrest of Bernard Davis, 47, of Pickett Lane, Franklin, Wednesday at 3:58 p.m. on charges of driving under suspension for certain prior offenses. No bond was set.
Tory Pichoff, 26, of Jeanminette Road, Jeanerette, was arrested Wednesday at 5:59 p.m. on charges of no seat belt, no insurance, driving under suspension, possession of schedule I narcotics (MDMA/ecstasy) with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance, violation of a controlled dangerous substance law in the drug-free zone, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Pichoff was also arrested on a warrant for 16th Judicial District Court for failure to appear on the charge no seat belt and operating a vehicle without a driver’s license. No bond was set.
Ananesia Jones, 18, of Seventh Street, Franklin, was arrested on Wednesday, at 9:33 p.m. on a charge of theft of goods. Officers responded to a local business in reference to a shoplifter. Jones allegedly put hygiene products in her bag, valued at $16.35, and attempted to exit the store. Jones was and held on a $1,500 bond.
How the Franklin Canal flood control structure operates in tidal surges as opposed to rain events remains a work in progress.
That’s how St. Mary Levee District Executive Director Tim Matte explained it to the parish council Wednesday. He was asked to address the panel by Councilman Dale Rogers, in response to last week’s deluge of rainstorms.
“When the floodgate was originally envisioned there was no pump station involved,” Matte said. “The intention was to keep storm water, primarily, from entering the Franklin Canal, which would then spill over and cause flooding throughout the Franklin area.”
Pumps were later added when initial bids came in lower than expected and there was money left over. Two of the four designed pumps are in place, he said.
Matte said the levee district is authorized to operate and maintain the structure, but also has an agreement with the City of Franklin to do actual operation and maintenance in a joint effort. The district pays costs.
In a hurricane approach, with days’ notice in advance, procedures in place to give notice, close the structure, drain the canal via the pumps, and prevent storm surge, Matte said. “There have been a couple of occasions where we have operated the gates in response to high tides. Most recently that was in October, 2015.”
The week the first two pumps were installed, a notice of high tides was issued. There were people out at the beginning of hunting season. The district used social media, handbills on cars at the boat launch to notify people that the gate would be closed at a certain time.
Matte said in that event it was learned that there was a limit to the amount of water that can be pumped with only two pumps, which were unable to pump out water from the backside of the structure fast enough.
“You can’t just open the gate” at that point, he said. “There’s a certain differential between the inside and outside water that allows you to safely opening the gate, otherwise you have a risk of damage or just not being able to do it.”
He said a 40-foot opening in the gate will “move a tremendous amount of water compared to what you can do with the pumps.”
Installation of the last two pumps is ongoing now, Matte said.
The lowest section along the canal is at the old boat landing on Willow Street at 3.8 feet, highest is about 4.5 feet. In the recent storms, three days of high winds pushed water inland, then the rain came.
“We’re pretty confident that closing the gate would not have helped, it would have harmed that situation,” he said. “We would not have been able to get rid of that water fast enough.”
That’s why the gate was not closed, he said. “It’s based on our experience that there’s a limited amount of water we can move out with those pumps. It will still work with a storm surge.”
Rogers asked who makes the decision to open or close the gate. Matte said all decisions are made in conjunction with the City of Franklin by intergovernmental agreement.
There is signage at the boat landing, Matte said, used when issuing warnings that the structure will be closed. Shrimp boat owners inside the canal are also notified.
The district is considering modifications to the structure to relieve excess water behind the gate or in front of, depending on the circumstances.
“We’re probably going to learn more as the years go on,” he said. “It takes about an hour and a half to open or close the gate.”
In response to a question from Councilman Glenn Hidalgo, Matte said there is a Bayou Teche floodgate project which has been permitted by both federal and state authorities, but has not yet been funded. “We’re trying to secure the land rights,” he said.
The district could possibly close off the section of Bayou Teche north of the Baldwin Bridge behind what’s known as Victory Island. Then levees could be constructed and some form of structure put in place, Matte said.
East St. Mary Kiwanis Club is holding a free fishing contest for elementary and junior high children. The event will take place at Lake End Park on Saturday, May 20, from 9:30 -11:15 a.m. Free hot dogs and refreshments will be given to all participants and several trophies will be awarded. If you are interested in participating, please contact Gwen Luc at 985-372-8520 or Blane Aucoin at 985-518-1698. A parent or guardian must accompany each child during the entire event.
Councilman Craig Mathews urged St. Mary Parish leaders to “rise to the occasion” to help the Town of Baldwin survive a severe financial crisis.
“For St. Mary Parish to experience that type of unfortunate situation is not an isolated problem for an individual municipality, but a parish problem, in my opinion,” Mathews say. “We have an opportunity to be proactive, as a community, to come together and find some resources…to help overcome the hurdles they are facing in the town of Baldwin and avoid the situation from growing much worse.”
Mathews said he hopes to identify who needs to be at the table “and create some kind of joint meeting where we can begin to explore some of the immediate short term responses that we can incorporate to try to avoid a potential, very, very bad situation that the Town of Baldwin could be facing.”
He said he wanted the people of Baldwin to know that “they’re not alone.”
Parish President David Hanagriff said there have been several meetings between the parish and Mayor Donna Lanceslin. He said the situation in Baldwin is dire, such as that the town is getting water from a parish water district and accumulating a substantial debt.
Later in the meeting, Mathews moved to expand the agenda to allocate $7,000 for a summer enrichment program in the Baldwin area to be held at Raintree Elementary. The funds would come from the Dist. 1 share of Wards 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 10 three-tenths sales tax fund.
He said the school term will end in about 12 days and could not wait until the next parish council meeting on May 24.
Councilman Gabriel Beadle asked where the money would be allocated, and Mathews said it would be Recreation District 5.
A unanimous vote is necessary to expand the agenda. Beadle voted against, and the motion failed. The item will still be put on the next agenda.
In other business:
—Ordinances were introduced changing the domicile and date of meetings of Consolidated Drainage District 2, and declaring surplus property.
—An ordinance was adopted for zoning map changes.
—Resolutions were approved for substantial completion of the Wilson’s Boat Launch renovations; authorizing mutual aid agreements with several parishes; declaring an election for the Third Ward Court Marshal position; and authorizing an agreement with the State of Louisiana on infrastructure improvements at the Charenton Canal Industrial Park.
—Alton Broussard Jr. and Wilson Judice were reappointed to the Fire Protect District 2 board.
—Eva D. Rollins was reappointed to the Fire Protection District 11 board.
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.
Wednesday, May 10
7:03 a.m. La. 70 near Lake End Park; Crash.
7:41 a.m. 500 block of Egle Street; Animal complaint.
7:45 a.m. 1500 block of Nevada Street; Com-plaint.
8:38 a.m. Railroad Avenue and Headland Street; Complaint.
8:38 a.m. 300 block of Mallard Street; Com-plaint.
8:53 a.m. La. 70 in front of Walmart; Assistance.
9:03 a.m. 600 block of Willard Street; Com-plaint.
9:06 a.m. 2400 block of Hemlock Street; Medical.
9:33 a.m. 100 block of Youngswood Road; Complaint.
10 a.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Assistance.
10:13 a.m. 400 block of Louisa Street; Animal complaint.
10:32 a.m. 900 block of Willard Street; Com-plaint.
11:48 a.m. 2400 block of Tiger Drive; Criminal damage.
12:07 p.m. 900 block of Federal Avenue; Medical.
12:52 p.m. 2500 block of Elm Street; Medical.
1:03 p.m. 1100 block of Brashear Avenue; Alarm.
1:05 p.m. 5000 block of Railroad Avenue; Alarm.
1:08 p.m. 700 block of Justa Street; Medical.
1:34 p.m. 300 block of Fifth Street; Medical.
1:38 p.m. 300 block of Laurel Street; Medical.
2:14 p.m. 6000 block of La. 182; Complaint.
2:18 p.m. Third Street; Complaint.
3:03 p.m. 2400 block of Cypress Street; Animal complaint.
3:16 p.m. Chestnut and Jennie drives; Medical.
3:43 p.m. Florida Alley; Animal complaint.
4:06 p.m. 200 block of Mallard Street; Com-plaint.
4:29 p.m. 900 block of First Street; Officer stand by.
4:52 p.m. La. 182 and U.S. 90; Complaint.
5:18 p.m. 1400 block of North Third Street; Theft.
6:41 p.m. 400 block of Garber Street; Arrest.
7:08 p.m. 3100 block of Karen Drive; Suspicious activity.
7:37 p.m. Terrebonne Street; Arrest.
7:46 p.m. 700 block of Onstead Street; Animal complaint.
7:57 p.m. 600 block of Terrebonne Street; Warrant.
8:01 p.m. 1000 block of Marshall Street; Theft.
8:05 p.m. 100 block of Montana Street; Hit and run.
8:08 p.m. 300 block of Union Street; Theft.
8:11 p.m. 900 block of Brashear Avenue; Com-plaint.
8:17 p.m. 500 block of Bowman Street; Com-plaint.
8:33 p.m. 200 block of South Railroad Avenue; Removal of subject.
9:14 p.m. 300 block of South Railroad Avenue; Complaint.
9:25 p.m. 1600 block of Front Street; Complaint.
9:28 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
9:34 p.m. 200 block of Pecos Street; Animal complaint.
9:58 p.m. 6000 block of La. 182; Arrest.
10:17 p.m. Florence and Eighth streets; Suspicious person.
10:22 p.m. Bowman and Egle streets; Suspicious person.
11:29 p.m. 200 block of Mallard Street; Medical.
11:48 p.m. U.S. 90; Traffic incident.
Thursday, May 11
1:16 a.m. Federal Avenue and Onstead Street; Arrest.
1:59 a.m. 1300 block of Victor II Boulevard; Alarm.
3:19 a.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Traffic incident.
3:28 a.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Traffic incident.
3:40 a.m. La. 70; Traffic incident.
3:49 a.m. La. 70; Traffic incident.
4:16 a.m. Fifth and Louisiana streets; Traffic incident.
Bayou Vista Garden Club presented Paula Goulas with its May Non-Member Yard of the Month award. Plants enhancing the Goulas yard include agapanthus, azalea, Aztec grass, daylily, Gerbera daisy, Indian hawthorn and drift rose bushes.
BATON ROUGE — Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board have announced the 12 Louisiana chefs chosen to participate in the 10th annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off, which will be held June 20 at the Cajundome Convention Center in Lafayette.
While the event is marking a decade in existence, it is the first time it has been held outside of New Orleans. According to the Louisiana Seafood Promotion news release, Lafayette is said to have more restaurants per capita than any other American city.
Lafayette also holds the distinction of being named “Best for Food” by Rand McNally in 2011 and “Tastiest Town in the South” by Southern Living magazine in 2012. Many of the restaurants that have helped earn those titles will be a part of the event serving samples to spectators as a part of the opening event for Eat Lafayette, which will take place in conjunction with the Cook-Off.
“The winner of the Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off plays a very important role in educating people from around the world on the flavor and sustainability of Louisiana seafood, which is a core piece of our culture, from fine dining to backyard boils,” Nungesser said. “Louisi-ana is the largest seafood producer in the contiguous U.S. and the quality is unsurpassed, which is why our chefs say, ‘Know Better, Eat Better.”
In addition to earning the title of king or queen of Louisiana Seafood, the winner will represent the state at a variety of events including the Great American Seafood Cook-Off taking place in New Orleans in August, which is also hosted by the Louisiana Seafood Promo-tion and Marketing Board.
Previous winners of the Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off (in order of their wins) are chefs Brian Landry, Tory McPhail, Chris Lusk, Cory Bahr, Keith and Nealy Frentz, Cody and Samantha Carroll, Aaron Burgau, Michael Brewer and reigning King Blake Phillips.
Just under 30 chefs submitted an application in the hopes of competing. Information on previous cook-offs and updates on the event may be found at www.LouisianaSeafoodCook Off.com.
“By moving the Cook-Off to Lafayette, I hope to draw attention to the fact that the state’s top chefs and great seafood can be found anywhere from our largest cities to our smallest towns,” said Nungesser. “The event itself will no doubt enjoy a little extra seasoning by taking place where Cajun and Creole culture thrive. I know our Lafayette hosts will make this a memorable evening for competing chefs and spectators alike.”
CAPE MAY, N.J. (AP) — The ship made famous in the book and subsequent film “The Perfect Storm” is about to be intentionally sunk off the New Jersey and Delaware coasts so it can become part of an artificial reef.
The sinking of the Tamaroa, a 205-foot Coast Guard vessel, initially was scheduled to take place several months ago, but was repeatedly delayed by rough seas and other related issues.A tugboat began hauling the Tamaroa from a Norfolk, Virginia, shipyard on Monday afternoon and it slowly made its way up the Eastern Seaboard on Tuesday without any issues, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
The Tamaroa was first commissioned by the U.S. Navy in 1934 under the name Zuni and saw action during World War II when it helped tow damaged vessels across the war-torn Pacific Ocean. It was transferred to the Coast Guard and renamed in 1946, then continued to serve until it eventually was decommissioned in 1994.
Officials say they plan to sink it about 33 nautical miles off the coast of Cape May, New Jersey. They note that the ocean waters need to be as calm as possible so the vessel can sink straight down to the reef.
Extensive work also had to be done before the ship could be sunk, including the removal of interior paneling and insulation as well as emptying and cleaning the vessel of all fuel and fluids.
The vessel’s most notable mission came in October 1991, when three strong storm systems came together off the New England coast, generating 40-foot (12-meter) waves and wind gusts of more than 70 mph.
The crew helped save three people aboard a sailboat and four of five crewmen of an Air National Guard helicopter that ran out of fuel during a similar rescue mission and had to be ditched in the ocean.
Both events were documented in Sebastian Junger’s 1997 book, “The Perfect Storm,” and a movie of the same name starring George Clooney.
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Franklin Banner-Tribune
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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