Michael Rene DeRouen, 62, a resident of New Iberia, died Sunday, March 17, 2024.
He is survived by two children, Jeromy DeRouen and Lacy Barnett; two grandchildren; his parents, Shirley and EJ DeRouen Sr.; and three siblings, EJ DeRouen Jr., Markham DeRouen and Melyssa DeRouen.
Private services will be held at a later date.
DEAR ABBY: My wife and I have been teachers since 1999. We married in 2011. She became vegan in 2017. It helped her beat diabetes, which I love. However, she’s pure vegan for animal rights and listens to vegan podcasts all day long after teaching and on the weekends. I mean all day, EVERY day with earbuds in. I have to say, “Knock, Knock” to even talk with her.
Right now, she’s listening to podcasts and messaging vegan people on social media and doesn’t even realize I’m typing. I love my wife, but I can’t escape the frustration of not being able to have a conversation with her about anything.
We have no kids together, but I raised her son from 7 years old. He moved to live with his dad because of her obsessions with work and veganism. I love her, but the fridge is filled with kale. Should I stay, or should I go?
AFTERTHOUGHT IN OREGON
DEAR AFTER-THOUGHT: Tap your wife on the shoulder and ask her to remove her earbuds. When she does, give her an earful. Tell her you love her but you need a partner who is willing to be more of a companion than she has become. Tell her you shouldn’t have to ask permission to talk to her because of her preoccupation (obsession) with her podcasts.
If you want food in the house that isn’t vegan, go out and buy some. And if she’s unwilling or unable to accept and adapt, try marriage counseling before calling a lawyer. The marriage you have described is not a happy one, or you wouldn’t have written to me.
DEAR ABBY: I’m growing concerned for my grandparents. They are in their late 80s and homebound. Recently, a new tenant moved into their garage apartment. They LOVE her. The rest of the family is suspicious of her. She has no job and no car and has never paid rent. She frequently spends the day with my grandparents and recently “helped” them change all their usernames and passwords to something more “simple and easy.”
My grandparents live on Social Security. They have no savings, and I don’t believe they have a will. From my perspective, they are setting themselves up to be robbed, abused and left high and dry by a crook disguised as their friendly tenant.
Is this worthy of an Adult Protective Services investigation? My grandparents guilt the rest of the family by saying, “At least our tenant comes over often, unlike the rest of you.” (I live three hours away). Do I need to mind my own business? They aren’t suspicious at all.
DUBIOUS IN TEXAS
DEAR DUBIOUS: An investigation is not an accusation. The relationship your lonely grandparents have with this tenant is unusual. Contact APS, inform them about what’s going on with your grandparents and let someone there decide whether your concerns are worth following up on. Better to be safe than sorry.
***
Good advice for everyone — teens to seniors — is in “The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal With It.” To order, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 to: Dear Abby, Anger Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.
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.
Tuesday, March 19
6:56 a.m. 3100 block of Lake Palourde; Alarm.
7:20 a.m. Fourth/Freret streets; Reckless driver.
8:11 a.m. 1100 block of Eighth Street; Lost and found property.
9:02 a.m. 2900 block of Railroad Avenue; Removal of subject.
9:11 a.m. 3200 block of Jennie Drive; Warrants.
9:12 a.m. 1800 block of Filmore Street; Complaint.
9:29 a.m. U.S. 90; Complaint.
9:50 a.m. 400 block of Duke Street; Complaint.
9:57 a.m. 7600 block of La. 182; Complaint.
10:11 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
10:37 a.m. 700 block of Terrebonne Street; Suspicious person/vehicle.
11:13 a.m. Chestnut/Jennie drives; Medical.
11:47 a.m. 1100 block of Victor II Boulevard; Medical.
12:06 p.m. 700 block of Hilda Street; Telephone harassment.
12:10 p.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Medical.
1:01 p.m. 1000 block of Eighth Street; Removal of subject.
2:11 p.m. 500 block of Sixth Street; Complaint.
2:54 p.m. 700 block of Third Street; Animal complaint.
2:55 p.m. 100 block of St. Clair Street; Animal complaint.
2:57 p.m. 1200 block of Spruce Street; Complaint.
3:15 p.m. Freret Street/Federal Avenue; Stalled vehicle.
3:31 p.m. 7300 block of La. 182; Theft.
3:41 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
4:15 p.m. 6000 block of Railroad Avenue; 911 hang up.
5:46 p.m. 700 block of Aucoin Street; Complaint.
6:58 p.m. U.S. 90/Federal Avenue On Ramp; Reckless driver.
7:25 p.m. 100 block of Egle Mill Lane; Discharge firearm.
8:50 p.m. Federal Avenue/Hilda Street; Suspicious subject.
9:50 p.m. 600 block of Shannon Street; Welfare check.
Wednesday, March 20
1:15 a.m. 5000 block of Railroad Avenue; 911 hang up.
1:59 a.m. La. 182/Myrtle Street; Suspicious subject.
2:13 a.m. 6000 block of Railroad Avenue; 911 hang up.
3:28 a.m. 600 block of Seventh Street; Disturbance.
The Bayou Horseshoe Pitchers Association will hold its annual Day in the Park beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday at Kemper Williams Park.
Anyone interested in pitching organized horseshoes should attend. Cadets ages 12 and under pitch from 20 feet. Juniors 17 and under pitch from 30 feet. Women pitch from 30 feet.
Men 18 to 65 pitch from 40 feet. Elders 65 and older pitch from 30 feet.
The association says horseshoe pitching is a family and healthy sport.
Spare horseshoes will be available for anyone who doesn't have any. Potential pitchers are advised to try several pair before they purchase their new shoes.
A hi/lo Horseshoemania will be held, switching partners every round, playing as a team and for themselves. Any new potential pitcher can pitch in this sanctioned tournament free of state/national due one time, only paying the $20 entry fee.
Payout places will be determined by the number of entrants.
The Bayou Horseshoe Pitchers will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Bayou Vista Skate Park March to organize the Spring League, which will begin at 6 p.m. April 2.
The league is handicap and count all format. League fees are $40, and state/national fees are $30 for adults and $7 for 17 and under. Participants will have the opportunity to win patches, T-shirts, parkas and jackets.
Kemper Williams Park will be the host location for four major tournaments: the Louisiana State Doubles, Louisiana State Singles, Big Doubles and The Cajun Coast Classic-The Horseshoe Tour, along with about 10 local tournaments and two leagues.
The experience the Franklin Hornets got in reaching the boys’ basketball Marsh Madness state tournament in two of the previous three seasons, including a trip to the finals in 2023, paid off this season when the Hornets won their first boys’ basketball state championship in 66 years by beating No. 1 seed Lakeview 50-45 in the Division IV Non-Select title game on March 8 in Lake Charles.
“I was excited, and I know the seniors were excited that we were able to get another opportunity to right our wrongs,” Franklin Coach Tremayne Johnson said. “That was a great way to send those guys out.”
The Hornets finished the season with a 24-7 record after going 9-2 in District 8-2A. Franklin was the No. 6 seed in the Division IV bracket, while Lakeview finished the year 27-7.
“I was pleased that some of the younger guys stepped up when my two main guys didn’t have the type of night they usually have,” Johnson said. “I was excited that my juniors stepped up and competed at a high level.”
Twin guards Jeremiah Gray and Jorion Gray, forward Treyshaun Mack and guard Jylon Jackson helped push the Hornets over the top after shots that normally went in wouldn’t fall for seniors shooting guard J’kylon Caesar and point guard Jay’Shaun Johnson, who played a huge role in the team’s success over the course of the season.
Mack was named the game’s Most Outstanding Player after leading the team with 12 points. Caesar and Jay’Shaun Johnson scored eight points each. Franklin forced 22 turnovers in stifling the Gators.
Getting to Marsh Madness three years ago and then getting to the championship game at Burton Coliseum last season. That team came within seconds of winning the school’s first title since 1958 before bowing out to North Central, 59-55.
“I think not just going there last year, but going there my first year as the head coach in 2021,” Johnson said. “When those (seniors) were freshmen, they got the chance to experience it. We lost to a Rayville team. We got the opportunity to go back last year and lost out to North Central. I think those two years prepared those guys for this year.”
Johnson had high praise for the team’s character.
“The kids are just a humble, hungry, consistent, resilient bunch of kids,” he said. “Proud to represent Franklin.”
The senior class featured seven players. In addition to shooting guard J’kylon Caesar and point guard Jay’Shaun Johnson, the class included Dalen Edwards, Tavon Ballet, Schyler Miller, Adric Davis and Corde Landry.
The Hornets will have a good group to build on from this year’s class in looking to win another championship next season.
“That’s going to be huge to have those guys back,” Johnson said. “My juniors played a lot of minutes this year and they played a lot of minutes their sophomore year as well. We’re looking to have another run at this next year.”
The city of Franklin unveiled new playground equipment with ribbon-cutting ceremonies at four city parks March 13.
The equipment and soft landing areas were paid for and installed through a grant from the Love Louisiana Outdoor Program, an initiative of the Louisiana Office of Community Development using funds from the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant CARES Act.
Franklin City Park, Pecot Park, Caffery Park and Broussard-Harris Park all saw work through the LLO grant that earmarked specific uses for the money.
“We pretty much tore down everything in City Park and in Broussard-Harris and replaced both of those with brand new equipment,” Franklin Mayor Eugene Foulcard said. “Pecot Park had equipment that was still in decent shape so we basically added on some more equipment there and at Caffery Park as well. We made it handicap-accessible. We put the soft-landing cushions as well as the border to keep everything in place.
“It’s much safer for the kids.”
The equipment at City Park and Broussard-Harris was in deplorable condition, he said, old and outdated and simply unsafe.
“I was very concerned for the children using the equipment that had gotten in pretty bad shape,” the mayor said. “We wanted to update everything and give it a fresh new look, and bring in the handicap-accessible pieces. I’m very excited.”
As with many funds the city receives, the money could only be used for that purpose. The city had been working to apply for, receive and use the grants for about two and a half years.
“Hopefully for the next 40-plus years, the kids of Franklin should have some good playground equipment, because it was professionally installed,” he said. “It’s very sturdy. You can tell that it was well-constructed and is made out of some very good material.”
The city is also putting a grant for HVAC equipment at the city’s two recreation centers to use, he said.
The mayor expects the work on those two systems to be completed in May.
(Editor’s note: The charges listed here and the narratives that go with them are provided by the police agencies that made the arrests. Guilt or innocence has not been determined in court.)
After a traffic stop near Amelia, Assumption deputies reported the arrest of a New Iberia man wanted in Franklin on armed robbery, home invasion and assault charges.
In St. Mary, sheriff’s deputies arrested a man accused of possessing four different illegal drugs and stolen firearms.
Assumption
Sheriff Leland Falcon reported this arrest:
--Dalyn J. Bell,18, Southport Boulevard, New Iberia, was reported Monday to have been arrested on Franklin felony fugitive warrants alleging armed robbery, home invasion and aggravated assault.
A uniformed patrol deputy observed a vehicle on U.S. 90 near Amelia commit a traffic violation and executed a stop of that vehicle. The deputy made contact with the driver, identified as Bell.
The deputy engaged Bell in an interview. The deputy conducted a warrants check on Bell.
It was determined that Bell was wanted on multiple fugitive warrants out of St. Mary Parish.
Bell was incarcerated pending a transfer to the St. Mary Parish Jail.
--Clint Adam Landry, 45, Shell Beach Road, Pierre Part, was arrested Tuesday on charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia, and as a fugitive from the Morgan City Police Department.
--Armand J. Metrejean, 48, Derrick Street, Pierre Part, was arrested Tuesday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, expired driver’s license and improper equipment.
--Ruth Ann Moreno, 46, Philly Court, Covington, was arrested Tuesday on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of methamphetamine.
A uniformed patrol deputy assigned to the I.C.E. detail observed a vehicle in the 400 block of Shell Beach Road with an equipment violation and initiated a stop of that vehicle. The deputy made contact with the driver, now identified as Metrejean, and initiated an interview.
The deputy then proceeded to interview passengers Landry and Moreno. During a warrants check, it was determined that C Landry was wanted by the Morgan City Police Department on multiple charges Landry was arrested.
At the conclusion of all interviews, the deputy believed that additional investigation was warranted and requested consent to search the vehicle.
During the search, deputies recovered drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine.
Both Metrejean and Moreno were arrested. All three suspects were booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending bail hearings
St. Mary
Sheriff Gary Driskell reported that over the last 48-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 68 complaints and made these arrests:
--Brad Vincent, 45, Franklin, was arrested at 9:14 p.m. Tuesday on charges of failure to signal 100 feet prior to an intersection, possession of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, possession with intent to distribute oxycodone, illegal possession of stolen firearms, possession of firearm or carrying a concealed weapon by a person convicted of certain felonies, illegal carrying of weapons in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance and possession with intent to distribute MDMA.
Bail has not been set at this time.
--Lil Ruby Conley, 34, New Iberia, was arrested at 6:28 p.m. Tuesday on charges of driving while intoxicated (second offense) and improper lane usage. Conley was released on a $2,750 bond.
Morgan City
Chief Chad M. Adams reported that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Morgan City Police Department responded to 41 calls for service and made these arrests:
--Joshua J. Pojar, 42, Federal Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:02 a.m. Monday on a charge of attempted second-degree murder.
--Eric S. Gaskins, 53, Duke Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:47 p.m. Monday on charges of disturbing the peace (fighting) and illegal carrying of a weapon.
--Keith Singleton, 55, 11th Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:47 p.m. Monday on charges of disturbing the peace (fighting), possession with intent to distribute marijuana and introduction of contraband into a penal institution.
--Christina A. Breaux, 30, Olive Street, Patterson, was arrested at 4:21 p.m. Monday on a charge of failure to appear for arraignment and as a fugitive from the Louisiana Office of Probation and Parole.
Patterson
Chief Garrett Grogan reported these arrests:
--Samuel R. Aucoin, 60, Wedell Street, Patterson, was arrested at 8:48 p.m. Tuesday on a Franklin Police Department warrant alleging theft. Aucoin is incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with bail set at $1,500.
--Kurwin A. Webb Jr., 30, Charlotte Drive, Patterson, was arrested at 3:56 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of simple battery. Webb is incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with bail set at $455.
--John J. Demarco, 34, Chris Lane, Franklin, was arrested at 11:40 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of marijuana (less than 14 grams), possession of drug paraphernalia, driving with license suspended or revoked, and no insurance.
Demarco is incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with bail set at $1,0422.
Franklin
Chief Cedric Handy reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to eight complaints over the past 24 hours and made this arrest.
--A juvenile was arrested at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday on the charge of theft.
Trinity Episcopal Church of Morgan City, founded in 1874, will celebrate its 150th anniversary this April.
The church is located on the corner of Second and Greenwood.
In 1877, 60 students were enrolled in a schoolhouse constructed by the church. Public schools had closed because of a lack of funds.
In 1911, the church was remodeled, funded by generous contributions from Presbyterians, Roman Catholics, Methodists and Jews as well as Episcopalians.
Bishop Shannon Duckworth will celebrate Eucharist at the church at 9:30 a.m. April 7 to celebrate the church’s ministry through the years.
The public is invited to a concert by The Overture String Quartet, which will be held at 3 p.m. April 28 in the church.
A reception will be held in the Parish Hall after the concert.
DEAR ABBY: I recently started planning my wedding. Half the friends I want as bridesmaids are very conservative. They think sex is sacred and should be talked about only discreetly, not joked about, mentioned on TV, etc.
I used to hold similar views, but I no longer do. Neither do the other half of the girls I want as bridesmaids.
My dream bachelorette party is the kind you see in movies, a group of girls going out on the town getting tipsy — maybe being a little stupid — nothing dangerous, with sexy games/favors and casually swapping sex tips and double entendres. That may not be possible with my straight-laced friends, whom I really like and would like to include.
I pick up on others’ feelings easily, so I can’t ignore when someone around me is unhappy. I want all my girlfriends to enjoy the party, but two or three of them won’t appreciate the humor of drinking from a phallus-shaped straw. Should I split the guest list and have one prudish party and one sexy one?
GOOD/BAD GIRL IN THE EAST
DEAR GIRL: That’s an excellent idea! And we all know which one you are going to enjoy.
DEAR ABBY: I just found out my husband has been texting with his high school sweetheart for the last three years. He contacted her and shares all day-to-day activities, like our vacations, new dog, etc. She lives 2,500 miles away. She’s divorced, retired like us and has children and grandchildren. I snooped and read his email. I can tell by her responses that she is being polite.
I don’t understand why he contacted her after so many years and why he shares everything with her, as we have a close relationship and share everything. He did mention a year ago that he was in touch with her. I didn’t think much about it then, but now that I know how long this has been going on, I’m wondering why. Should I be concerned about this?
PUZZLED IN MAINE
DEAR PUZZLED: What is happening could be innocent, or it could be crossing a line. You will never know until you discuss this with your husband. You MAY not have to disclose that you read the texts if you say you recalled him mentioning that they were in touch “a while back” and let the conversation evolve from there.
DEAR ABBY: I recently received an Evite to a surrogate baby shower. I was happy to attend. Each guest was asked to bring a box of diapers, our favorite children’s book and a donation to help cover the surrogate expenses. A written explanation of how expensive the surrogate process is was also included.
In my opinion, when the couple started the surrogacy process, they were aware of how expensive it would be, and to ask the shower attendees to contribute to it is a little nervy. Was this proper etiquette?
WONDERING IN NEVADA
DEAR WONDER-ING: No. Soliciting the donation was over the top. I can’t help but wonder how many invitees declined the invitation because of it. To ask for money was tacky.
***
For everything you need to know about wedding planning, order “How to Have a Lovely Wedding.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 to: Dear Abby, Wedding Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054.
-0447.
For St. Mary public school students and their parents, “back to school” is taking on a new meaning.
The school system announced on social media and at the regular monthly School Board meeting Thursday that all students must be re-enrolled for the 2024-25 school year to meet the requirements of the district’s ongoing segregation case.
The re-enrollment period will be April 3-30. Parents and guardians must provide proof of residence to ensure that students are attending schools in the proper attendance zones. An online enrollment form is available at https://www.stmaryk12.net.
Also, students who have an approved out-of-district for this year and those who are attending out of their zone without an approved transfer on file have been reassigned to their home attendance zones for 2024-25.
Students may apply for majority-to-minority and extreme hardship transfers for the next school year at the School Board website. The application deadline is 4 p.m. May 1.
The school system’s online announcement described the labor-intensive task, which involves re-enrolling about 7,000 students, as “urgent” and “mandatory.”
The announcement didn’t outline exactly where re-enrollment fits in with the current efforts to resolve the decades-old desegregation case.
But proving that discrimination has been eliminated in school attendance zones and assignments is one of the burdens school systems must meet to be declared to have “unitary status.” That means freedom from direct federal court oversight in desegregation cases.
The lawsuit, Boudreaux vs. the St. Mary Parish School Board, was filed in 1965. Within a decade, the district appeared headed for a unitary status ruling, but that ruling never happened for reasons the court record doesn’t make clear.
Recent efforts to resolve the case have now themselves dragged on for years.
After Thursday’s School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Buffy Fegenbush said the re-enrollment is a way for the district to be transparent in its student assignments.
Fegenbush also said this year will mark the first time she’s seen such a re-enrollment in the more than 30 years since she went to work for the district.
Also Thursday, the board adopted a school calendar for 2024-25.
The year will open Aug. 7 and continue through May 22.
A link to a downloadable version of the new calendar can be found on this story at StMaryNow.com.
The board also recognized and honored accomplishments by students and staff members.
Thursday’s honorees were:
—The school system’s Students of the Year: fifth-grader Carson Paradee of Berwick Elementary, eighth-grader Tyren Austin of Boudreaux Middle School, and senior Cherish Lewis of Berwick High.
—The Franklin Senior High boys basketball team, nattily attired in dark-red jackets, received praise for winning the Non-Select Division IV state championship.
—The Students of the Month for March: eighth-grader S’Nai Burrell of Franklin Junior High, senior Ella Doucet of Patterson High and fifth-grader Annabelle Guagliardo of Wyandotte Elementary.
—The Employees of the Month for March: paraeducator Norma Trouille of Franklin Junior High, special education teacher Anna Perry of Patterson High and second-grade teacher Lisa Hover of Wyandotte Elementary.
Also at the meeting, the board heard rosier than usual reports about insurance.
The board approved renewed property coverage, including insurance for school system facilities valued at about $394 million. The premium will be about $2.2 million, roughly the same as the current coverage.
The School Board’s health insurance coverage for employees and retirees took in about $2.2 million in premiums in January and February while paying out $1.9 million in claims.
The coverage was obtained through Frank’s Agency.
For calendar 2023, claims exceeded premiums by about 6%. Insurance consultant James Perez has told the board that the School Board was hit with large claims and increasing prescription drug costs last year.
The board’s employees are currently covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana. The board is considering a move to a self-funded plan.
If that had been the case in early 2024, Perez said, the board’s plan and not Blue Cross would have benefited from $150,000 in medication rebates.
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