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CLYDE W. DYERSON JR.

Thu, 03/09/2017 - 11:05am

On Sunday morning at 10 a.m. March 5, 2017, Clyde W. Dyerson Jr. passed away in peace at Canon Hospice in Jefferson, Louisiana, from an unexpected illness.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Martha and Clyde Dyerson Sr.; and his sister, Linda D. McLaughlin and his wife of 56 years Myrna C. Dyerson.
He is survived by his two daughters and their spouses, Tambi D. Delcambre and Richard P. Delcambre and Karen D. Rogers and Vincent Rogers. He is also survived by his niece, Lisa M. Martinez and her spouse Tom and their family, two nephews Michael McLaughlin and Kent McLaughlin and his spouse Toni and their family, all of Kansas City. He is also survived by the light of his heart and soul, his only grandchild, Joshua A. Delcambre and his fiancée Ashley Anastasio.
After working for over 40 years at J. Ray McDermott, he retired the month Josh was born so he could spend almost all of his time with him. Joshua loved his Grandpa with all his heart and soul. They weren’t just Grandpa and grandson, they were best friends. They were blessed enough to have almost 25 years together and Josh was by his side in hospice as his Grandpa took the final steps of his earthly journey.
Clyde served his country during the Korean conflict from May 24, 1954 through May 23, 1956. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Kansas in 1956. He worked a few jobs before going to work for Mobil Oil in Lafayette. He worked for them until he was hired by J. Ray McDermott in Amelia, Louisiana. He met his future wife, Myrna L. Cooksley, in Morgan City, Louisiana. They married in 1959. He lived in Morgan City until 1981 when he was transferred to the McDermott offices in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was a resident of Kenner, Louisiana, for 35 years until his death on Sunday.
As per his wishes, there will be a private inurnment in the All Saints Mausoleum at Metairie Cemetery in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the niche with his beloved wife.

Attempted Bayou Vista vehicle burglary under investigation

Thu, 03/09/2017 - 11:04am

Staff Report

Authorities are investigating an attempted vehicle burglary that occurred early Thursday morning on Field Road in Bayou Vista, according to a St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office news release.
At 2 a.m. Thursday, a deputy responded to a report of an attempted vehicle burglary in the 400 block of Field Road in Bayou Vista.
The deputy observed a person wearing all black clothing fleeing the area on foot. Additional deputies responded and spoke with several people on foot and in vehicles who were traveling in the vicinity of the reported crime.
The suspect was not located. The attempted vehicle burglary remains under investigation.
Sheriff Mark Hebert thanks residents for their cooperation with deputies in the investigation and reminds all residents to continue to be diligent in locking vehicles and storing valuables elsewhere.
Anyone with information on the incident should call the sheriff’s office at either 985-384-1622 or 337-828-1960.

DONALD SNODGRASS SR.

Thu, 03/09/2017 - 11:02am

Donald Snodgrass Sr., 76, a native of Midland, Texas and resident of Patterson, died Tuesday, March 7, 2017, at Teche Regional Medical Center.
He is survived by his wife, Mary C. Snodgrass of Patterson; a son, Donald Snodgrass Jr. of Sunset; two daughters, Jana Wesley of Denham Springs and Kathy Redmond of Prairieville; a stepson, Byron Comeaux of Bayou Vista; two stepdaughters, Pam Arnette of Morgan City and Chantel Fontenot of Bayou Vista; 16 grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, a sister and a stepson.
A Memorial Service is pending at this time. Go to www.twincityfh.com for updates.

Madison Prep turned the St. Mary Wolfpack 95-37

Thu, 03/09/2017 - 11:00am

LAKE CHARLES _ Top-seed Madison Prep turned back the West St. Mary Wolfpack 95-37 here Wednesday in the Class 2A semifinal playoff game at Burton Coliseum.
“I told my players not to hold their heads down because this is one of the best teams in the state which averaged 100 points a game,” West St. Mary Coach Gary Burrell said. “They are long and athletic and we had our opportunities against them but our shots just didn’t fall. “We’ve had an exciting year where we had three intense games to get here and we did some things no other team has done which can carry over to next season.”
No. 1 Madison Prep jumped out to a 16-8 lead over No. 13 seed West St. Mary at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Chargers went on a 29-7 run for a 45-15 half time cushion. Madison Prep secured a lop-sided 77-26 lead of which they never relinquished after three quarters on the way to the 95-37 win.
WSM was led in scoring by Dunante Charles with 12 points on two 3-pointers, 3 2-pointers and 4 of 4 free throws.
Rounding out the scoring for the Wolfpack were: Scottie Gray, 7; Christopher Snowden, 4; Jessie DeFils, 3; Tywan Polidore, 2; Oshay Phillips, 2; Dondre Johnson, 2; Cameron Blake, 2; Tyran Jones, 2 and Taylin Druilhet, 1.
Four Madison Prep Chargers scored in double figures on the day. Jarion Whitfield led the way with 19 points followed by Joshua Anderson and Joshua LeBlanc with 14 points apiece and Colby Druillion with 10 points.
West St. Mary coach Burrell was extremely proud of the run his team made as well as the support from the communities.
“As a team, we did something no other team had done before. I am also very appreciative of the fan support from Baldwin and Franklin and all the communities,” he said. “Again, we had an exciting year which had three intense games on the way to the semifinals. I’m proud of my players. We did something no other team did and this can carry on to next season.”

Wheel House for March 9

Thu, 03/09/2017 - 10:59am

BUTTERFLIES
Heart of Hospice Celebration of Life Butterfly Release is 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 8, at Patterson Area Civic Center, 116 Cotten Road, banquet room. Includes music, crafts for kids, reading of names of those remembered and butterfly release. Refreshments served. To buy a butterfly, $15, call Bayou Region office, 337-828-2678.

RUN FOR MILES
Annual 5K/1-mile Fun Run April 29, Berwick High School. Times: Fun Run, 8 a.m.; 5K, 8:30 a.m. Cost before April 15: $20, 5K; $15, Fun Run; April 16 or after, $25, 5K; $20, Fun Run. Those registered by April 15 may pick up bags 5-6 p.m. April 28 at BHS. Those registered after April 15 have no T-shirt guarantee. For info or to register online visit mileslinerfoundation.com.

Police Reports 2-9-17

Thu, 03/09/2017 - 10:59am

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert reported the following arrests:
Renitra Christopher, 33, 642 Terrebonne St., Morgan City, was arrested Wednesday at 3:25 p.m. on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of operating a vehicle with a suspended license. She was released on a $500 bond.
Heather Troulliet, 31, 132 South Jamon Court, Bourg, was arrested onWednesday at 8:38 p.m. for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, turning movements and signals violation, possession of open alcoholic beverages in a motor vehicle and no driver’s license. No bail is set and the children in the vehicle were released to a guardian.
Julie Bennett, 46, 122 Oregon St., Berwick, was arrested on Wednesday, at 8:09 p.m. on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of theft. She was released on a $500 bond.
Franklin Police Chief Sabria McGuire reported the arrest of Amy Picard, 18, of Irish Bend Road, Franklin, Wednesday at 11:15 a.m. on a district court warrant charging her with failure to appear on a charge of no driver’s license. She was released on $320 bond.
Troy Dyer, 42, of Iberia Street, Franklin, was arrested Wednesday at 12:41 p.m. on charge of theft. Officers conducting an investigation of an alleged employee theft from a local business in Franklin. Between December 26, 2016 and Jan. 14, Dyer allegedly collected over $800 each in cash for services and pocketing the money. Dyer was released on $1,500 bond.
Alex Edwards, 23, of New Iberia, was arrested today at 4:30 a.m. on a Third Ward Court failure to appear warrant on a charge of possession of marijuana and held on $658 bond.

PC aids FBLA team expenses

Thu, 03/09/2017 - 10:58am

St. Mary Parish Council members approved a $2,000 allocation to help the Franklin Senior High School Future Business Leaders of America with costs to attend the state competition. The council Wednesday agreed to send the funds to the St. Mary Parish School board specifically earmarked for the club. The competition will be held in Lafayette later this month. Also Wednesday: —Representative Tammy Rogers reminded the council that Chez Hope’s 14th Trivia Night is set for April 1 at 5 p.m. at the Patterson Civic Center. —An ordinance to rezone the controversial housing development in Garden with was withdrawn by Councilman Dale Rogers. A follow-up ...

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Chitimacha PD arrest 3 on drug charges Wednesday

Thu, 03/09/2017 - 10:57am

Three persons were arrested on drug charges when Chitimacha Police responded to a report of suspicious activity at Cypress Bayou Casino and Hotel.
Chief Hal Hutchinson reported that officers were dispatched Wednesday and approached two vehicles occupied by William E. Brubaker, Craig P. LeBlanc and Sarah B. Guidry.
Officers conducted interviews and secured consent to search the vehicles. During the search methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia phencyclidine (mushrooms) and marijuana were reportedly located.
It was also reportedly learned during the investigation that two of the subjects were staying at a local hotel and there were possible additional illegal narcotics and drug paraphernalia in the hotel room. A search warrant was obtained and methamphetamine, marijuana, Xanax, vyvanse, a counterfeit hundred dollar bill, four Schedule IV pills, and 12 Schedule II pills were reportedly recovered.
In total approximately 19.4 grams of methamphetamine, 7.6 grams of marijuana, 38.6 grams of mushrooms and 16 scheduled pills were seized with an estimated street value of $1,100.
William E Brubaker, 35, of Maurice, was charged with possession of Schedule II (methamphetamine), possession of Schedule I (phencyclidine) mushrooms and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia-fourth offense. No bond was set.
Craig P LeBlanc, 41, of Larose, was charged with possession Schedule II (methamphetamine) with intent to distribute, possession Schedule I (marijuana) with intent to distribute, possession of Schedule IV (Xanax), 20 counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, monetary instrument abuse, possession of Schedule I (phencyclidine) mushrooms and five counts possession of Schedule II. He also had fugitive warrants in Lafourche Parish and with Louisiana Parole and Probation. No bond was set.
Sarah B Guidry, 32, of New Orleans was charged with possession Schedule II (methamphetamine) with intent to distribute, possession Schedule I (marijuana) with intent to distribute, possession of Schedule IV Xanax, 20 counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, monetary instrument abuse and five counts of possession of Schedule II.
Hutchinson said the investigation will continue and additional arrests are possible. Anyone with information on this case or any other crime can contact the police department at 337-923-4964 or reportit@chitimacha.gov email address posted on the department website or by calling the “Silent Witness” phone number which is (337)-923-4205. Callers will remain anonymous

One Acadiana recognizes Acadiana legis delegation

Thu, 03/09/2017 - 10:57am

Louisiana Legislators recently wrapped up a special session aimed at closing a $304 million budget gap for the fiscal year that ends on June 30.
The Legislators did close that gap, with a combination of cuts and one-time money from the state’s Rainy Day savings account.
One Acadiana, formerly the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, recognized the efforts of the members of the Acadiana Delegation of Legislators during a press conference Wednesday morning.
“This is not what I think most people would describe as a fun time to be in the Legislature,” One Acadiana President and CEO Jason El Koubi said. “I think it is a time when it is particularly important to recognize progress that is happening, because it is so difficult.
“That is why we wanted to bring people together today to recognize the efforts of the Acadiana Delegation.”
Among the members of the delegation who attended Wednesday were Speaker of the House of Representatives Taylor Barras of New Iberia, Rep. Blake Miguez, who represents the Erath area, Rep. Stuart Bishop of Lafayette, Jean-Paul Cousson of Lafayette, Rep. Mike Huval and Rep. Terry Landry.
“I thank One Acadiana for being there,” Barras said, “particularly when we need you the most.”
Barras thanked his fellow Legislators from the Acadiana.
“I fortunately have a tremendous delegation behind me in the House and a group of Senators,” Barras said.
Barras explained that members of the delegation, as well as legislators from around the state on both sides of the isle worked to find common ground on closing the $304 million budget gap. That included cuts to agencies and using $99 million from the Budget Stabilization account, also known as the Rainy Day fund. Barras said the goal is to go away from using one-time money in the future.
“We have worked diligently to wean ourselves off dependence of one-time money,” Barras said. “There are appropriate times to use one-time money. I like to say those are one-time expenses that never happen again. When you start using one-time money to operate general government every day, you can get yourself in a bind.”
Part of the effort to get away from one-time money is to utilize language in the State Constitution that allows the Legislature to take a small portion, around 3 percent, from statutory dedications, such as funds dedicated to Wildlife and Fisheries, Office of Motor Vehicles, etc.
“If you have a statutory dedication that collects $100 million in a year,” Barras said, “we would basically take $3 million of that to pay down state debt. The department would then get the use of the $97 million going forward. That has not been the practice. The practice has been that the agency has been using 100 percent of the funds. When you add that up amongst various funds, that is approximately $96 million for next year.”
Barras made a proposal to utilize the money from the statutory dedication for the next fiscal year that begins on July 1. The budget gap at that point is expected to be around $400 million.
“If we were going to use $99 million from the Rainy Day fund,” Barras said, “the only way I knew we would get the votes in the House to do that is to come up with a reform plan on statutory dedications that paid debt according to the way the Constitution dictates.
“Hopefully that will allow us not to have to worry about mid-year cuts and make the needs for these special sessions go away.”
Miguez, who went into the recent special session not wanting to use any of the Rainy Day Fund, said he is in favor of the move.
“It’s a step in the right direction,” Miguez said. “These agencies can take a three-percent cut. What Speaker Barras did was spread a three-percent cut across a part of the budget that hasn’t happened. Louisiana has a spending problem and I back this 100 percent.
“I also support the cuts the governor (John Bel Edwards) found and the cuts the Senate and House added to that.”
El Koubi acknowledged that an important factor coming out of the special session is the fact that no major cuts occurred to health care and higher education.
“Higher education and health care are significant economic drivers for us here in Acadiana,” El Koubi said.
Dr. Joseph Savoie, president of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette agreed that the UL Lafayette, South Louisiana Community College and LSU Eunice have a great impact on the area.
“About 90 percent of students in Acadiana who go onto post secondary education enter through one of our institutions,” Savoie said. “Many of the professionals in our region come from one of these institutions. They are very important, not only to the economic health today, but economic health and diversity of our community in the future. Unfortunately higher education and health care have been focuses of cuts in recent years.
“We weren’t sure what was going to happen this year, but we were pleased with outcome.”
Bishop said the way to assure that there are no threat of cuts to those areas in the future is to better control spending.
“We are facing tough times,” Bishop said. “The people of Louisiana have spoken and they want smaller government. We were able to accomplish that in this special session. We made more cuts than we have in the past. We did it without affecting vital services and higher education.”
Landry said he feels criminal justice reform would help the state’s budget in a big way.
“We are spending $700 million locking people up,” Landry said. “Fifty-two percent of them are for non-violent and non-sexual crimes.
“Criminal justice reform can save us an enormous amount of money and still keep our communities safe.”
The regular session begins on April 10 and will conclude in June. Many of these issues will be on the table. El Koubi One Acadiana and its partners will continue to work with the Acadiana Delegations during the session.
“We have a number of priorities and we look forward to working with our local Legislators,” El Koubi said.

4-H rabbit-raising winner

Thu, 03/09/2017 - 10:56am

Submitted Photo
Brody Clements, a 4-H member and fifth-grade student at Centerville High School, is the recipient of the Rabbit Premier Exhibitor Award. He also placed first in his division with his Netherland dwarf rabbit. He's shown here with Parish President David Hanagriff.