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Lady Eagles slip past Lady Tigers

Tue, 03/28/2017 - 10:13am

ABBEVILLE _ Vermilion Catholic’s Lady Eagles slipped past the Hanson Memorial Lady Tigers 9-7 emotionally-charged eight-inning thriller here Monday in District 7-1A action on a walk-off two-run homer.
Hanson Memorial (8-8, 7-2) rallied for five runs in the seventh frame, sending the game into an extra inning knotted at 7-all.
In the eighth frame, Vermilion Catholic’s A. Mallet lined a two-run homer to give the Lady Eagles an amazing 9-7 comeback victory.
The Lady Tigers _ currently ranked No. 7 in the Division IV poll _ extended their current streak of double-digits hits with 14 while scoring seven runs on and two errors. Vermilion Catholic collected nine runs on nine hits with five errors.
Hanson gave current No. 1 Vermilion Catholic all it could handle in the heart-pounding District 7-1A battle Monday in Abbeville.
Leading hitters for the Hanson Memorial Lady Tigers were: Casey Fitzgerald, 2 for 5, 2 singles, RBI; Allyssa Young, 1 for 4, solo homer, run, 2 RBI; Lunden Verdin, 1 for 5, triple; Kaylee Broussard, 3 for 5, 2 doubles, single, run; Noel Baker, 1 for 4, run; Baylee Young, 2 for 5, double, 2 RBI; Megan LeBlanc, 1 for 4, run and Camille Baker, 3 for 4, 3 singles, run, RBI.
Lady Tiger Baylee Young took the loss in the circle after relieving Hanson starter Ashlee Meyerholtz, who worked 5 1/3 frames, allowing seven runs (2 earned) on seven hits with one strikeout and 3 walks. Baylee Young pitched two-innings, surrendering run runs on two hits with 3 walks and one strikeout.
Vermilion Catholic blew open a close game with five runs in the sixth frame, taking an 8-2 advantage.
Hanson’s Lady Tigers answered with a 5-run eruption of their own to send the game into extra innings, tied at 7-7
Lady Tigers Kaylee Broussard kept her red-hot hitting streak going with a double before Noel Baker reached by error and Baylee Young singled to load the bases in the second inning.
VCHS quickly brought the infield up, stopping both Broussard and Noel Baker from scoring keeping the Lady Tigers scoreless until Baylee Young tagged home plate on Camille Baker’s two-out single.
Hanson’s Allyssa Young continued on her torrid hitting streak with a solo homer in the fourth frame, helping the Lady Tigers trim the Lady Eagles lead.
In the sixth frame, Vermilion Catholic struck for five runs, building a 7-2 advantage heading into the final at-bat.
Hanson’s Lady Tigers manufactured five run in dramatic style, forcing an extra inning with the game knotted at 7-7.
Hanson’s five-run uprising started when Kaylee Broussard lined a one-out single. Noel Baker followed with a single, putting runners in scoring position. Baylee Young ripped a 2-run double, plating both Broussard and Baker as the Lady Tigers cut the Lady Eagles’ lead to 7-4. Baylee Young advanced to third base on Ashlee Meyerholtz’s grounder to second base. LeBlanc, who reached first base by error, scored Baylee Young as Hanson drew closer to VC at 7-5. Hanson’s Casey Fitzgerald tied the game at 7-all when she slammed a two-run single which plated LeBlanc and Camille Baker, who reached on a single.
VC’s Mallet handed the Lady Eagles their second straight win over the Hanson Lady Tigers with a two-run walk-off homer in the eighth inning as Vermilion Catholic earned the 9-7 District 7-1A win.
Hanson (8-8, 7-2) will play host to the Centerville Lady Bulldogs on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in District 7-1A action.

FFH employee of the quarter

Tue, 03/28/2017 - 10:10am

The employees of Franklin Foundation Hospital nominated and selected Janice Peltier as Employee of the Quarter for the first quarter in 2017.
Peltier is a House Supervisor and has worked at FFH for 43 years. She received numerous nominations with comments reflecting her personal and professional life.
“Janice is a very caring and compassionate nurse,” said JoEllen Curry, Director of Med Surge and ICU units. “She is always willing to go above and beyond for our patients and families. Janice is very deserving of this recognition.”
FFH is a 22-bed acute care facility featuring a 24-hour emergency room, inpatient and outpatient surgery, obstetrics and nursery, an intensive care unit, skilled nursing services, a laboratory, outpatient therapy services, radiology services and nutritional services. Physician services are provided at the FFH Medical Office Building and Baldwin Family Clinic.
FFH’s mission is “to promote and provide quality healthcare services which meet the needs and exceed the expectations of our patients and customers in an environment of dignity and respect.”

Radio logs for March 28

Tue, 03/28/2017 - 9:36am

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.
Monday, March 27
6:23 a.m. 1000 block of Fifth Street; Alarm.
7:54 a.m. 500 block of Hilda Street; Vehicle burglary.
7:56 a.m. Brownell and Front streets; Animal complaint.
7:59 a.m. 100 block of Aucoin Street; Alarm.
8:21 a.m. La. 182; Complaint.
8:30 a.m. Everett Street; Animal com-plaint.
8:55 a.m. 700 block of Bush Street; Assistance.
9:16 a.m. Glenwood Avenue; Complaint.
10:03 a.m. 1400 block of Federal Avenue; Animal complaint.
10:38 a.m. 500 block of Aucoin Street; Animal complaint.
10:49 a.m. 1400 block of Railroad Avenue; Theft.
11:34 a.m. 300 block of South Railroad Avenue; Animal complaint.
11:52 a.m. Federal Avenue; Animal complaint.
12:18 p.m. 900 block of Seventh Street; Hit and run.
12:41 p.m. 1800 block of Victor II Boulevard; Patrol request.
12:50 p.m. 800 block of Florence Street; Complaint.
12:55 p.m. 200 block of Glenwood Street; Complaint.
12:33 p.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Assistance.
1:40 p.m. Shannon Homes; Patrol request.
2:22 p.m. 100 block of Mount Street; Criminal damage to property.
3:27 p.m. U.S. 90; Reckless driver.
3:49 p.m. 1100 block of Fourth Street; Welfare concern.
3:56 p.m. 300 block of Aucoin Street; Vehicle burglary.
4:10 p.m. Tupelo Street; Complaint.
4:32 p.m. Roderick Street; Animal com-plaint.
5:09 p.m. 3200 block of Susan Street; Remove subject.
5:12 p.m. 700 block of Everett Street; Animal complaint.
5:14 p.m. 1000 block of Levee Road; Animal complaint.
5:16 p.m. 900 block of Marshall Street; Com-plaint.
6:09 p.m. Roderick and McDermott streets; Assistance.
6:38 p.m. 200 block of South Railroad Avenue; Complaint.
7:15 p.m. 7100 block of Park Road; Disturbance.
7:47 p.m. 2600 block of Elm Street; Alarm.
8:29 p.m. 300 block of South Railroad Avenue; Officer stand by.
8:50 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182 East; Complaint.
10:52 p.m. 1200 block of Brashear Avenue; Complaint.
11:52 p.m. La. 70; Fight
Tuesday, March 28
12:59 a.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Complaint.
1:01 a.m. 1500 block of North First Street; Suspicious person.
1:06 a.m. 200 block of Levee Road; Accident.
2:38 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Alarm.
2:55 a.m. 200 block of Fourth Street; Alarm.
3:34 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Stolen vehicle.
4:23 a.m. 7200 block of La. 182 East; Theft.

Council OK’s $4.5 million bid to build water plant

Tue, 03/28/2017 - 9:00am

Construction is set to begin in a week on the city’s new drinking water treatment plant that will be more cost-effective than its current 70-year-old plant and allow the city to serve more customers in the future, Mayor Rodney Grogan said. At a special meeting Monday, the Patterson City Council approved the low bid of $4.54 million, submitted by The Lemoine Co. of Baton Rouge, to construct the city’s new water plant. City officials will hold a groundbreaking ceremony at 6 p.m. April 4. Patterson gets its drinking water from the Lower Atchafalaya River. The new plant will be located near the ...

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Police: Drugs and guns found in home search

Mon, 03/27/2017 - 3:50pm

One woman has been arrested and two other arrests are pending after Morgan City police searched a Glenwood Street home and found suspected methamphetamine, crack cocaine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, several guns and Alprazolam, a news release said.
--Kandise N. Chavis, 31, of Glenwood Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:21 p.m. Friday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of Alprazolam and violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance-drug free zone.
Morgan City police were assisting the Patterson Police Department with an investigation on an incident that led investigators to a Glenwood Street home in Morgan City. When arriving to Glenwood Street, Devin Andrews, Tamario Ulmer and Chavis were located at the home. During the investigation evidence was uncovered that led to a search warrant being conducted on the home. Investigators located and seized a large amount of suspected methamphetamine, crack cocaine and marijuana, along with multiple items of drug paraphernalia.

Also located were several firearms and Alprazolam. A large amount of narcotics along with a firearm and paraphernalia were located in a room belonging to Andrews. Suspected marijuana was located in areas belonging to Ulmer and Chavis along with Alprazolam linked to Chavis.

The home was located in a drug-free zone. Chavis was arrested and transported to the Morgan City jail where she was booked and incarcerated. Andrews and Ulmer were transported to Patterson Police Department where they were arrested and incarcerated due to the initial investigation conducted by Patterson police. Arrest warrants have been prepared for Andrews’ and Ulmer’s arrest pending release from Patterson Police custody.

Louisiana Spotlight: Governor’s business tax plan was a surprise

Mon, 03/27/2017 - 3:44pm

By MELINDA DESLATTE Associated Press

BATON ROUGE — Where did that come from?
That’s the question lawmakers, lobbyists and advocacy groups are asking about a centerpiece of Gov. John Bel Edwards’ tax law rewrite, a proposal to replace existing corporate income and franchise taxes with a corporate tax on sales.
The governor’s decision to pivot from the business tax recommendations of a legislatively-created study group and push a different approach has left many at the Louisiana Capitol scratching their heads — and searching for more information.
Edwards will release details Monday, when he unveils his package of proposed tax changes two weeks ahead of the legislative session. But the Democratic governor upended the debate when he started floating the idea of a corporate tax on sales, known as a “gross receipts tax,” a couple of weeks ago.
That wasn’t among the proposals — or anywhere in the 71-page report — offered by a task force assembled by lawmakers, with Edwards’ support, that did eight months of review before suggesting what it believed was the best tax revamp for Louisiana.
“I haven’t talked to anybody who had an inkling that this was coming,” said Barry Erwin, president of the nonpartisan Council for A Better Louisiana and a task force member. “This tax seemed to be more of an outlier, and it’s not one that we really had a level of comfort with.”
Edwards’ chief legislative allies have remained publicly silent about the concept, saying they don’t know enough yet. Advocacy groups that traditionally support the governor also have stayed mum. Only one lawmaker has vocally embraced the general idea of the tax.
Edwards is shifting from some task force suggestions, assuming they can’t win passage since some previously were snubbed by voters or Republican lawmakers who form the legislative majority.
Edwards spokesman Richard Carbo said floating the gross receipts tax idea “doesn’t mean that we’re abandoning everything that the task force recommended.”
He said the governor wants to find agreement on tax changes that can stabilize state finances and address the financial cliff looming in 2018 when more than $1 billion in temporary sales taxes expire.
If the governor hopes to build support, he’s got limited time.
“It is a new idea. It is something that we believe will help small business in Louisiana, and we’re going to make that case to the public starting Monday,” Carbo said.
In general, a gross receipts tax is charged on the total revenues of a company, without looking at expenses or profit margins.
A handful of states have some variation on the tax, while others adopted the tax only to later abandon it.
Republican former Gov. Mike Foster proposed something similar in 2000, but it went nowhere.
Supporters say the tax can be broad-based, applying to every business at a low rate and ending reliance on a corporate income tax structure riddled with special carve-outs.
Critics say businesses pass the taxes along to consumers, disproportionately hitting the poor.
They say the tax harms companies struggling to stay afloat or startup businesses by not accounting for profit margin and can have a pyramiding effect by applying to every transaction in a production chain.
Rep. Kenny Havard, R-St. Francisville, likes the idea of a gross receipts tax as a possible way to keep large corporations from using loopholes to avoid taxes. But he’s not sure what the governor’s proposing, or if he’ll support it.
“I’m trying to make sure that everyone is paying,” Havard said. “Mom and pops, they’re paying taxes. It’s the big boys that are not.”
The Edwards administration pointed to Sen. Rick Ward, R-Port Allen, as a proponent.
But while Ward said he supports trading Louisiana’s array of business tax breaks for a lower, more evenly-applied tax rate, he’s not sure he backs a gross receipts tax.
“I’m not for or against it yet because I haven’t seen anything on it,” he said.
House Speaker Taylor Barras, R-New Iberia, said lawmakers have many unanswered questions.
“When you’re talking about this in a recession time in Louisiana and you’re still struggling with unemployment and companies still showing losses, to have the word spread that even if a company showed a loss, they would still owe a gross receipts tax has kind of sticker-shocked a few people,” he said.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Melinda Deslatte has covered Louisiana politics for The Associated Press since 2000. Follow her at http://twitter.com/melindadeslatte

BERTRAN PHILIP 'BERT' WILLIAMS

Mon, 03/27/2017 - 3:21pm

August 31, 1931-March 24, 2017
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 28, 2017, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Patterson during an 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial for Bertran Philip “Bert” Williams, a native of Morgan City and a 39-year resident of Patterson who passed away at his home at the age of 85 in the early morning hours of Friday, March 24, 2017, with his family by his side. Father Wilmer Todd will be the Celebrant for the Mass. Military Honors provided by the United States Navy and the East St. Mary Veteran’s Funeral Squad will follow the Mass with burial being held privately at a later time. Serving as pallbearers will be his grandsons, Philip G. Fach, Jake A. Smith, Kade R. Smith, Luke T. Smith, Kenneth W. Singleton Jr. and Joel V. Singleton.
Relatives and friends are invited to join the family for the visitation on Monday, March 27, 2017, at Ibert’s Mortuary in Patterson from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m., with the Holy Rosary being prayed at 7 p.m. Visitations will resume Tuesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church at 10 a.m.
Bert was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother who had a deep love of family and country. He was a veteran of the United States Navy, having served during the Korean War as an Engineman Second Class on the USS Floyd B. Parks, a 2,425 ton, 390-foot Gearing Class Destroyer assigned to the Pacific Fleet. Following his service in the military, Bert worked briefly in the oil field, worked as a delivery man for Jack’s Cookies, and worked for Sears, of which he was recognized as the top carpet salesman in the nation. He later became co-owner and then sole owner and operator of Patterson True Value Hardware until selling the business and retiring in 1996.
During his life, Bert enjoyed numerous pastimes, hobbies, and passions, some of which included fishing, tennis, golf, cooking, wine making, bird watching, genealogy, metal detecting, photography, painting, playing cribbage, scrabble and rummy, and following his grandchildren’s sporting activities, to name a few! He also enjoyed running and was proud of participating in and completing the Mardi Gras Marathon at the age of 50. Bert was also an accomplished bee keeper and gardener, having planted 11 cypress trees in his yard, one for each daughter and grandchild, as well as grafting citrus trees, and growing vegetable and flower gardens. Although Bert will be dearly missed, he will definitely live on in the many wonderful memories held in the hearts of his family and friends.
Those he leaves to cherish his memory include his three daughters, Grenie W. Fach and her husband Donald of Morgan City, Danette W. Smith and her husband Timothy of Vanderbilt, Texas, and Patrice W. Singleton and her husband Kenneth of Patterson; two granddaughters, Alisande Fach and Ashlie P. Singleton; six grandsons, Philip G. Fach, Jake A. Smith, Kade R. Smith, Luke T. Smith, Kenneth W. Singleton Jr. and Joel V. Singleton; one sister, Sister Gayle Williams, MSC; his aunt, Beverley Margaret Williams Hamer; as well as numerous cousins.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Patricia Rosson Williams; his parents, Meryle Eugene Williams and Eula Mae Beadle Williams; and one brother, Meryle Eugene Williams Jr.
For those wishing to make contributions in Bert’s name, the family asks that you please consider St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, 800-805-5856, www.stjude.org.
Family and friends may view the obituary and express their condolences online by visiting www.iberts.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert’s Mortuary Inc., 1111 Lia St. Patterson, LA 70392, 985-395-7873.

BERNICE MARIE HUVAL HARGRAVE

Mon, 03/27/2017 - 3:18pm

Bernice Marie Huval Hargrave, the daughter of the late Simonette and Evelina Huval, passed away on Thursday, March 23, 2017, at the age of 90. Mrs. Bernice was a native of LeRoy, a longtime resident of Morgan City, and a current resident of Live Oak Village of Hammond for the past seven years. Her presence and grace will be greatly missed.
Mrs. Bernice, alongside her husband, the late Joe Hargrave, founded and owned Hargrave Funeral Home of Morgan City. There, the two offered compassion and assistance to families during the loss of loved ones. Mrs. Bernice was known for her loving, patient, and dignified nature when working with the families at Hargrave Funeral Home.
Mrs. Bernice leaves to cherish her memory, her son, Joseph C. Hargrave Jr. and his wife, Frances, of Hammond; her daughter, Jo Anne Driggers of Morgan City; five sisters, Rose Mae Frabbiele of Las Vagas, Genevieve Daigle of Youngsville, Jenny Lee Romero of Lafayette, Margaret LeBlanc of Lafayette and Jane Delahoussaye of Broussard; one brother, Louis Huval of Beaumont, Texas; four grandchildren, Wade Hargrave and his wife, Marlo, of Batesville, Arkansas, Shannon Hargrave of Baton Rouge, Kelly Hargrave of Flower Mound, Texas, and Harold Driggers and his wife, Ramona, of Morgan City; and five great-grandchildren, Tayla Driggers and Harold Driggers Jr., both of Morgan City, Hayden Hargrave and Holden Hargrave, both of Batesville, Arkansas, and Logan Becnel of Flower Mound, Texas.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Joseph “Mr. Joe” Hargrave Sr.; her parents, Simonette and Evelina Roy Huval; one brother, Lollis Huval; and one sister, Ella Mae Huval Hargrave.
The family requests that visitation for Mrs. Bernice be observed Monday, March 27, 2017, from 9 a.m. until time of dismissal at 10:30 a.m. at Hargrave Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, March 27, 2017, at 11 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church with Mrs. Bernice being laid to rest in the Morgan City Mausoleum following services.

CLARENCE 'COACH CHRISTY' CHRISTENSON

Mon, 03/27/2017 - 3:14pm

A memorial service will be celebrated Saturday, April 1, 2017, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Morgan City for Clarence “Coach Christy” Christenson, 82, who passed away on March 15, 2017, after a lengthy illness. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. with memorial service to follow. Burial will be in Minot, North Dakota.
“Christy” was born in Foxholm, North Dakota, to immigrant parents from Denmark on July 20, 1934. There, he was raised on a farm until he moved to Minot, North Dakota, in his elementary years.
He graduated from Minot High School in 1953 and attended Minot State College and received a Bachelor of Science Degree. He completed his Masters of Education Degree at LSU.
He always knew he wanted to be a teacher and a coach. He enjoyed coaching any age level as he considered coaching to be a vocation and not just a job.
He worked at a young age for the Minot recreation department. At the age of 19 he was named coach of the Minot, North Dakota American Legion baseball team. He coached the team to 4 Western Division Championships and 6 state tournaments in nine seasons. He helped organize Minot’s first Babe Ruth baseball program. The team won state titles in 1971 and 1972, and placed 3rd and 4th in the national tournaments.
He received his first head coaching job in basketball at Harvey, North Dakota and led Harvey to their first appearance ever in the Class A state tournament in 1961.
He returned to Minot in 1963 to become assistant basketball coach and head baseball coach, as well as a business education teacher. During his time as assistant coach, Minot High appeared in 7 state tournaments and won state championships in 1965 and 1971, and were state runner-ups in 1973.
As the head baseball coach at Minot High School, he won state championships in 1965, 1967 and 1969. He also organized a popular basketball halftime show with a team of young kids. They mimicked the Harlem Globetrotters and performed at many high school basketball games. When he left Minot to go to Louisiana State University, the City of Minot proclaimed Clarence “Christy” Christenson Day. He left Minot with a record of 837 wins and 197 losses and over 30 championships.
He joined his childhood friend, Dale Brown, at LSU in 1973 as an assistant men’s basketball coach. He started the LSU Tiger Tykes and Tots, a halftime show similar to the one in Minot, which gained national fame. They performed with the Harlem Globetrotters, the New Orleans Jazz, 1987 SEC Championship, To Tell the Truth, Zoom Children’s show, and at many other events.
After receiving his master’s degree, he took a position in Thibodaux as the director of Parks, Recreation and the Civic Center. There, he increased the number of activities from 15 – 45 and team participation increased from 35 summer youth teams to 271 year-round teams of all ages. The Civic Center became a place for many events.
In 1979 he returned to LSU to be an assistant basketball coach with the Lady Tigers. While there, his recruits included several high school All-Americans. The late coach Sue Gunter once said that Christy was the best teacher of basketball fundamentals she had ever seen.
He also started the TJ Ribs Tykes and Tots who performed at many events. They were featured in Pistol Pete Maravich’s teaching video, Homework Basketball. He also conducted summer basketball camps.
He has been referred to as the “Dr. Seuss” of basketball. After retiring from LSU, Christy continued to coach by coaching his grandsons in Biddy and AAU basketball (Morgan City Magic).
He retired to a camp on the waterfront in Stephensville where he enjoyed his children and their families. He was a humble man who accepted all people and thought everyone should make a difference. Well, Christy, you made a difference.
He is survived by his sons, Rod, Brent, Scott and John; daughters, Nancy (Pete) Boudreaux and Heidi (Brent) Meaux; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sister, Edna Lester; and former wife, Yvonne Christenson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Christ P. and Johanne (Sorenson) Christenson; sisters Lykke, Gladys, Mary and Rose Mae; and brother, Ruben.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the “Coach Christy Christenson Scholarship Fund” at Minot High School in Minot, North Dakota. Donations can be mailed to MPS Foundation, 215 2nd Street Southeast, Minot, North Dakota, 58701 or contact Brittany Hogan at 701-818-2129.
Twin City Funeral Home is handling the funeral arrangements. View the obituary and guestbook online at www.twincityfh.com, Morgan City, Louisiana.

OPHELIA GREEN

Mon, 03/27/2017 - 3:08pm

Ophelia Green, 66, a native of Berwick and resident of Morgan City, died Friday, March 24, 2017, at her residence.
Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, which are incomplete at this time.