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Public notices for Sept. 1, 2023

Fri, 09/01/2023 - 6:00am

PUBLIC NOTICE
ST. MARY
PARISH
RECREATION DISTRICT NO. 3
1333
BELLEVIEW ST.
P.O. BOX 635
PATTERSON, LA. 70392
985-395-6552
The Board of Commissioners of St. Mary Parish Recreation District No. 3 met on Monday, July 24, 2023, in the meeting room at the Bayou Vista Community Center, 5:30 p.m.
Members present: Brian Head- Chairman, Lane Boudreaux, Javon Charles, Dr. Jeffrey Fitter, Calvin Johnson, Rachel Kidder
Sec-Treas- Monica Lestage
Manager- Mark Richard
Guests- Gwen Hidalgo- Dist. 10-At Large Council Member, Carl Blum, AIA
The meeting was called to order and all stood for the pledge of allegiance.
Guests were welcomed.
Dr. Fitter made a motion to ap- prove the June minutes as dispensed. Javon Charles stated that the five minute limitations on discussing a topic was not in line with Roberts Rules of Law, needing a 2/3 vote approval. Calvin Johnson offered a second to the motion. With Javon Charles opposing and all other members voting in favor, motion passed.
Accounts payable was circulated. Dr. Fitter questioned if an allocation is usually made to Dixie Youth.
After a yes answer, Javon Charles made a motion to accept the payables. With a second from Dr. Fitter, and all in favor, motion passed.
Mark Richard reported rentals for the month. Meeting room- 4 golf course-4, gym-1, spray park parties-4, girl scouts-2, batting cage-4, ball practice-3, baseball field-2 and Sheriff’s Dept. hosted movie night in the gym, resulting in a great turnout. The All Stars tournament was a success.
The Agin Cajun program brought in 160 participants in the 11 days thus far, this month, to engage in a wide variety of games. Fairview and Claire House are participating. The maintenance guys have been assisting Calley in setting up and dismantling chairs, tables and games.
Mr. Richard re- ported that the bridge at hole 13, at Noah’s Ark, has rotted. It is being repaired. Due to the extreme heat and dryness, watering is being done every other day. Mower maintenance and re- pairs, including ball joints, has been done. Splash pad is repaired. The spray park will be closing July 29th, just prior to the new school year. Private spray park parties will continue on weekends. Miracle Equipment will be scheduling for installation of the new playground equipment.
Activities Director job description was tabled until printouts can be made available for all members.
Javon Charles offered the motion to table, Rachel Kidder offered a second. With all in favor, motion carried.
Carl Blum distributed bid re- sults for roof replacement. The job will consist of tearing down to the original deck and inspecting. Two base layers of 2” insulation with the final layer being sloped and tapered to avoid standing water. It will have a white reflective coating. It has a 140 mph wind rating and the upgraded insulation should help with lower energy charges. Bids were received and Mr. Blum’s recommendation was Grizzly Roofing LLC. Javon Charles asked Mrs. Hidalgo if the capital outlay monies had been received by the council? She will verify. Javon Charles made the motion to accept the bid submitted by Grizzly Roofing, LLC. With a second motion from Dr. Fitter, and all in favor, motion passed.
Mr. Blum spoke about exercise stations for the elderly and the possibility of a covering for the pickleball courts at central park. The choices are 4 pickle ball courts, leaving ½ of the tennis court for multi purpose use, or encompassing the entire court as 8 pickleball courts. Funding, such as grants will be looked into.
Brady Borel with KQKI provided prices for advertising for the rec district. The prices are 20 ads a month for 30 seconds @ $270.00, 30 ads for 30 seconds @ $450.00 or 30 ads for 40 seconds @ $600.00. Javon felt that digital advertising, having grown 13% in 2022, was the route to go. Other board members felt the older population listened to the radio more than using ad- vanced technology. Rachel Kidder made a motion to try 20 ads a month, for 30 seconds, for a term of three months. With a second from Lane Boudreaux, and all in favor, motion passed.
At the June meeting, it was approved to hire Angie Guillotte as the office manager. Since her spouse was a previous board member, ADA Eric Duplantis assessed that his position must be filled before she could be hired. Javon Charles made the motion to rescind last month’s vote. After Dr. Fitter offered a second, motion passed, with all in favor.
Javon Charles stated it was not normal to interview 3 out of 35 applicants. Mr. Head said 5 were called to interview, but only 3 were still interested. One had taken another job and one was a no-show. The manager reviewed the applications and chose the most qualified. Mr. Charles felt that the board members, or at least management level, should re- view all applications. He said he did not use his power, when he was Chairman, to hire on his own. Mr. Head felt all members should be involved. Lane Boudreaux’s opinion was the manager should be allowed to do the job he was hired to do, including vetting applications. Rachel Kidder said she appreciated being offered the opportunity to sit in on interviews, but felt the manager should do that and then make a recommendation to the board. Dr. Fitter stated reviewing 35 applicants is quite time consuming. With a motion from Dr. Fitter, it was decided that the manager will purge the applications, interview the best qualified and make a recommendation to the board. Javon Charles offered a second, and with all in favor, motion passed.
A date of August 7, 2023 was agreed upon for a special meeting. The parish council is appointing a new member to the board. An office manager needs to be hired so Jackie may retire.
Javon Charles stated that he wanted to make the first move for better communication and transparency between the board members.
There being no further business, motion to adjourn was made by Lane Boudreaux. With a second from Javon Charles, and all in favor, motion passed.
(s) Brian Head
Brian Head,
Chairman
(s) Monica Lestage
Monica Lestage,
Secretary
Adv. Sept. 1, 2023
PUBLIC NOTICE
St. Mary Parish
Recreation
District No. 3
1333 Belleview St.
P.O. Box 635
Patterson, La. 70392
SPECIAL
MEETING
August 7, 2023
Present: Brian Head- Chairman, Board members- Lane Boudreaux, Javon Charles, Eddie Gay, Calvin Johnson and Rachel Kidder
Absent: Dr. Jeffrey Fitter
Sec-Treas: Monica Lestage
Manager: Mark Richard
Guests: Jackie Romero- office manager, Gwen Hidalgo- Dist. 10, Councilman at Large
The meeting was called to order.
All stood for the pledge of allegiance.
Guests were welcomed.
The agenda was expanded to enter into executive session to discuss an employee situation, by motion from Lane Boudreaux. Javon Charles offered a second. With all in favor, motion passed. Everyone except board members exited the meeting. After discussion, all re- turned to the meeting. Motion to leave executive session was offered by Javon Charles. With Eddie Gay offering a second, and all in favor, motion carried.
Motion was made to return to special meeting status by motion from Javon Charles. With a second from Eddie Gay, and all in favor, motion carried. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss hiring an office manager. Javon Charles stated that he had gone through the original applications and in his opinion, found 17 experienced applicants, five with bachelor’s degrees and one with an associate’s degree in accounting. He wanted to know why the Guillotte application stood out, above others. Mark Richard, manager, said after interviewing her, that she was the best fit for the position. Brian Head stated that the three applicants, that actually showed up, were asked the same questions. Angie Guillotte was ex- perienced in payroll, insurance, taxes, even the website. Mr. Calvin said he had sat in on two of the interviews and she was by far, the most qualified. Javon said he would stand by the board’s decision and offer any help and support needed. He still felt that more interviews should have been done. Mr. Head said that we appreciate your concern but the experience of this applicant was so apparent, it was futile to continue interviewing. The manager made his choice and the board should support his choice. Councilwoman Hidalgo asked if degreed people would even work for the budgeted amount? Lane Boudreaux made the motion to accept Mark’s recommendation to hire Angie Guillotte. With a second from Rachel Kidder and all in favor, with the exception of Mr. Charles in opposition, motion passed.
There being no other business to come before the board, motion to adjourn was made by Javon Charles, seconded by Calvin Johnson. With all in favor, motion passed.
(s) Brian Head
Brian Head-
Chairman
(s) Monica Lestage
Monica Lestage-
Secretary
Adv. Sept. 1, 2023
PUBLIC NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE
This is to certify that Recreation District No. 3 of the Parish of St. Mary has complied with Louisiana Revised Statute 39:1307 relative to public participation in the budget process for the year ending September 30, 2024. Notice of availability for public in- spection and public hearing was held in compliance with applicable statutes.
Adv. Sept. 1, 2023
PUBLIC NOTICE
South Louisiana Electric Cooperative Association Notice
Notice is hereby given, pursuant to Article IV, Section 21(D)(1) of the Louisiana Constitution, that South Louisiana Electric Cooperative Association (“SLECA”), an electric utility providing retail electric service in certain parishes throughout the State of Louisiana, filed with the Louisiana Public Service Commission (“LPSC”) its “Application of South Louisiana Electric Cooperative Association For The Approval of Modification To Standard Terms and Conditions” (“Application”).
The Application proposes an addition of a credit card fee and a modification of SLECA’s current non-sufficient funds fee. The proposed revisions to these provisions within SLECA’s Standard Terms and Conditions are reflected in the filing to the LPSC.
For questions and comments re- garding SLECA’s filing, please call the LPSC toll free at (800) 256-2397. Additionally, the filing, including its attachments may be viewed in the Records Division of the LPSC at the following address:
Records Division
602 N 5th Street, 12th Floor
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802
Telephone: (225) 342-3157
Adv. Sept. 1, 2023
PUBLIC NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the St. Mary Parish Planning Commission will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on Monday, September 18, 2023, AT 5:45 P.M. in the Parish Council Meeting Room, Fifth Floor Courthouse, Franklin, Louisiana, for the following purposes:
SPECIFIC USE REQUEST:
Specific Use Request by Tippy Lovell Jr. for a Recreational Vehicle Campground in an Existing Neighborhood (EN3) Zoned District located at 348 Hunting Rd., Franklin, LA; Sec. 7 T15S R11E; -Parcel Id# 2624341007.00-Lot por No. 4-B Southern Mercantile Group blk a per Plat 24M 192757 situated in Sec. 70 T15S R11E Acq. 433 340066 & -Parcel Id# 2624341008.00-Lot por No. 4-B Southern Mercantile Group blk a per Plat 24M 192757 situated in Sec. 70 T15S R11E Acq. 433 340066.
All persons are invited to this meeting to submit their approval or objections to the above Rezone Request.
St. Mary Parish Planning & Zoning Commission
Barry Druilhet,
Chairman
Adv. Sept. 1, 8 and 15, 2023
PUBLIC NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE
Sixteenth
Judicial District Court
——
PARISH OF
ST. MARY
——
STATE OF
LOUISIANA
PennyMac Loan Services, LLC
Vs. No. 137654 Div “F”
The Unopened Succession of Kumaravel P. Nadar A/K/A Kumaravel P. Nadar A/K/A Kumaravel Nadar
TAKE NOTICE, that by virtue of Order of Seizure and Sale issued out of the Honorable 16th Judicial District Court, in and for the Parish of St. Mary, and to me directed, in the above numbered and entitled suit, I have seized the following mentioned and described property, to wit:
That certain tract or parcel of land together with all buildings and im- provements thereon situated and all rights, ways, privileges, servitudes and appurtenances thereunto be- longing or in anywise appertaining, lying and being situated in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, known, designated and described as the West Fifty (50’) feet of Lot No. Twenty Two (22) and the East Fifteen (15’) feet of Lot Twenty One (21) of Block 10 of the Bayou Vista Park Subdivision, Addendum No. 1, ac- cording to a map of said subdivision as drawn by Arthur A. De- Fraites, Jr., C.E., of date May 13, 1963, and recorded on April 2, 1962 in St. Mary Parish COB 13-J, Entry No. 122,966. The said tract has a frontage of Sixty Five (65’) feet on the north side of Columbus Avenue by a depth between parallel lines of One Hundred Twenty Five (125’) feet. Bounded north by Lot Eleven (11), east by the remainder of Lot Twenty Two (22), south by Columbus Avenue and west by the remainder of Lot Twenty One (21), all lying in Block 10 of Bayou Vista Park Subdivision, Addendum No. 1.
to satisfy the sum of ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEEN THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED FORTY FIVE AND 38/100 ($117,945.38) DOLLARS, balance due on principal of fixed rate note, interest from February 1, 2023, until paid, at 3.25% per annum to be computed, reasonable attorney’s fees, to be computed and all costs of this proceedings, as well as all sheriff’s costs and commission
All successful bidders must have cash, cashier’s check or a verifiable letter of credit in favor of said bidder from a solvent bank, savings and loan association or other such financial institution authorized to do business in the state of Louisiana and full payment must be made on the date of sale. Letter must state that money is available on the date of sale.
I shall expose the same at public sale, for Cash, according to law WITHOUT ap- praisement to the last and highest bidder, at the principal front door of the 1st floor lobby area of the Court House in the Parish of St. Mary, Town of Franklin, Louisiana, on Wednesday, the 4th day of October A.D., 2023, be- tween the legal hours commencing at 10 O’Clock A.M.
Sheriff’s Office
Parish of St. Mary, La.
Thursday, the 3rd day of August A.D., 2023
BLAISE W. SMITH,
SHERIFF
By: Heidi Rineholt
Deputy Sheriff
Adv. Sept. 1 and 27, 2023
PUBLIC NOTICE
ADDENDUM
NO. 1
BID FOR
EMERGENCY POWER
REVISIONS
NOTICE OF ADDENDUM:
This Addendum shall be considered part of the Bid Documents for the above-mentioned bid, as though it had been issued at the same time and incorporated integrally therewith. Where provisions of the following supplementary data differ from those of the original Bid Documents, this Addendum shall govern and take precedence.
NOTICE TO BIDDERS:
Item No. 1: Non-Mandatory Pre-Bid
Conference
The date for the Non-Mandatory Pre-Bid Conference has changed from Tuesday, September 12, 2023 to Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. at the project site.
Adv. Sept. 1, 6, 13 and 20, 2023
PUBLIC NOTICE
Posted on door.
CITY OF
PATTERSON
NOTICE OF PUBLIC
MEETING
September 5, 2023
A Public Meeting will be held as follows:
DATE: September 5, 2023
TIME: 6:00 PM
PLACE OF MEETING: City Hall, Council Meeting Room, 1314 Main Street, Patterson, Louisiana 70392
AGENDA
**********
1) MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY THE MAYOR
2) INVOCATION
3) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4) ROLL CALL
5) APPROVAL OF THE AUGUST 1, 2023, MINUTES.
6) SUBMISSION OF MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT
7) PUBLIC COMMENT
8) GUEST
1) Bo LaGrange – candidate for State Senator Dist. 21
2) Angelina Brocato – candidate for St. Mary Parish Council At large Dist. 10
3) Charles “Butchie” McKinley – candidate for St. Mary Parish Council Dist. 5
3) Jim Harvey – 2024 Presidential candidate
4) Reginald Weary - candidate for St. Mary Parish Council At large Dist. 10
4) Katie Bourgeois – Project Graduation can shake approval
5) Linda Simmons – Patterson High School Band Boosters can shake approval
6) Heath Leet – discuss locked restrooms at Morey Park
9) UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1) CEA with Acadian Ambulance to amend dates of usage
10) NEW BUSINESS
1) Holden Murray – Human Resource Department – Discussion of Handbook Policies Update
11) ANNOUNCEMENTS
12) ENGINEERS REPORT
13) LEGAL MATTERS
14) ADJOURN
ANY AND ALL BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL WITH THEIR UNANIMOUS CONSENT
ADJOURN
Midge Bourgeois,
City Clerk
City of Patterson
1314 Main Street
Patterson, LA 70392
985-395-5205
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance, please contact Midge Bourgeois at 985-395-5205 describing the assistance that is necessary.
“City of Patterson is an Equal Opportunity
Provider and Employer”
Adv. Sept. 1, 2023

It's on! La. Shrimp and Petroleum Festival opens

Thu, 08/31/2023 - 5:44pm

The 88th Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival opened Thursday and will run through Monday.

St. Mary agencies make six arrests

Wed, 08/30/2023 - 2:05pm

Staff Report

(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.)

St. Mary police agencies reported six arrests in 48 hours this week, including arrests on domestic and burglary charges in Franklin.

Morgan City

Chief Chad M. Adams reported that over the last 48-hour reporting period, the Morgan City Police Department responded to 106 calls for service and made these arrests:

--Renetta Hawkins, 60, Mallard Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:19 a.m. Tuesday on charges of vehicle license required, driving under suspension and no insurance.

--Deriek Moha, 19, Magnolia Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:25 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of disturbing the peace (language).

--Caleb Austin Negron, 25, East Fifth Avenue, Oakdale, was arrested at 8:45 a.m. Monday on charges of possession of marijuana and improper lighting.

Berwick

Chief David S. Leonard reported this arrest:

--Raymond Gautreaux, 29, Patterson, was arrested at 11 p.m. Tuesday on a Morgan City warrant alleging improper lane usage.

About 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, a traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle, and Gautreaux was identified as the driver. Through the course of the stop, it was learned that Gautreaux had active warrants through the Morgan City Police Department.

Gautreaux was placed under arrest and transported to the Berwick Police Department where he was booked.

Franklin

Chief Cedric Handy reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to 14 complaints over the last 48-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

--Ray Granger, 36, Caffery Street, Franklin, was arrested at 12:51 a.m. Wednesday on a warrant dated July 7 alleging disturbing the peace (language); a warrant dated Aug. 19 alleging simple assault, and a warrant dated Aug. 23 alleging for battery of a dating partner.
Granger was booked, processed and held with no bond set at the time of press release.

--Michael Darby, 65, 10th Street, Franklin, was arrested at 9:59 a.m. Monday a charge of simple burglary. Darby was booked, processed and held with no bond set at the time of press release.

Morgan City police radio logs for Aug. 26-29

Wed, 08/30/2023 - 1:47pm

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.
Saturday, Aug. 26
7:45 a.m. 400 block of Canton Street, Berwick; Warrant.
9:33 a.m. Greenwood/Fifth streets; Welfare check.
9:36 a.m. 2300 block of Maple Street; Patrol request.
9:41 a.m. 1000 block of La. 70; Complaint.
11:29 a.m. 1300 block of Main Street, Patterson; Warrant.
12:02 p.m. 1000 block of Brashear Avenue; Criminal damage to property.
1:59 p.m. 2100 block of Sixth Street; Criminal damage to property.
2:49 p.m. 600 block of General Patton Street; Medical.
3:02 p.m. 100 block of Mount Street; Medical.
3:24 p.m. U.S. 90 East Bridge; Reckless driver.
6:52 p.m. 1000 block of Eighth Street; Theft.
7:08 p.m. 1000 block of Hickory Street; Patrol.
7:24 p.m. 1100 block of Victor II Boulevard; Alarm.
7:50 p.m. 1100 block of Walnut Drive; Patrol.
8:07 p.m. 600 block of General Patton Street; Telephone harassment.
8:20 p.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Patrol.
8:27 p.m. 800 block of Fourth Street; Stand by.
9:00 p.m. Ann Street; Complaint.
9:55 p.m. 1400 block of Federal Avenue; Complaint.
10:20 p.m. 7300 block of La. 182; Suspicious subject.
Sunday, Aug. 27
12:41 a.m. 1000 block of Sixth Street; Disturbance.
1:50 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Assistance.
3:02 a.m. 1200 block of David Drive; Suspicious vehicle.
3:18 a.m. 7700 block of La. 182; Arrest.
3:46 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
4:11 a.m. 500 block of Leona Street; Medical.
4:22 a.m. 800 block of Susan Street; Disturbance.
7:13 a.m. 100 block of Wren Street; Disturbance.
8:11 a.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Remove subject.
8:29 a.m. Federal Avenue/Third Street; Suspicious persons.
9:31 a.m. 500 block of Leona Street; Theft.
10:13 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Civil matter.
11:01 a.m. U.S. 90 East Bridge; Suspicious persons.
11:19 a.m. 600 block of General Patton Street; Stand by.
12:02 p.m. 600 block of Egle Street; Domestic complaint.
12:45 p.m. Onstead/Second streets; Complaint.
12:47 p.m. 1000 block of Kimberly Drive; Assistance.
1:17 p.m. 500 block of Orange Street; Disturbance.
3:12 p.m. 2100 block of Sixth Street; Disturbance.
4:47 p.m. 2400 block of Sixth Street; Medical.
5:26 p.m. Morgan City; Weather calls.
6:04 p.m. 1200 block of Victor II Boulevard; Frequent patrols.
Monday, Aug. 28
6:07 a.m. Kenneth Street; Traffic incident.
6:18 a.m. 100 block of Glenwood Street; Alarm.
7:16 a.m. 7500 block of La. 182; Medical.
8:29 a.m. 700 block of David Drive; Medical.
8:37 a.m. 700 block of Second Street; Alarm.
8:49 a.m. 200 block of Onstead Street; Complaint.
9:23 a.m. Veterans Boulevard; Stalled vehicle.
10:17 a.m. 2000 block of Allison Street; Burglary.
10:20 a.m. Victor II Boulevard and Greenwood Street; Suspicious subject.
10:26 a.m. 1100 block of Federal Avenue; Crash.
11:02 a.m. 3000 block of Diane Drive; Suspicious subject.
11:49 a.m. Greenwood/Arizona streets; Suspicious vehicle.
12:06 p.m. Brashear Avenue/Arkansas Street; Traffic incident.
12:13 p.m. U.S. 90; Welfare concern.
12:18 p.m. U.S. 90; Traffic incident.
12:45 p.m. 1000 block of Levee Road; Removal of subject.
1:24 p.m. 5000 block of Railroad Avenue; Animal complaint.
1:49 p.m. 1000 block of Second Street; Alarm.
2:02 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
2:41 p.m. 2400 block of Tiger Drive; Crash.
2:58 p.m. 600 block of Kentucky Street; Arrest.
3:23 p.m. Front Street; Suspicious subject.
3:27 p.m. 8400 block of La. 182; Complaint.
4:36 p.m. 1200 block of Brashear; Alarm.
5:17 p.m. 7500 block of La. 182; Suspicious vehicle.
7:46 p.m. 600 block of General Patton Street; Complaint.
8:03 p.m. Area of U.S. 90; Complaint.
8:20 p.m. 6800 block of La. 182; Medical.
9:44 p.m. 2100 block of Sixth Street; Complaint.
10:23 p.m. 700 block of Belanger Street; Complaint.
10:47 p.m. 1500 block of Chestnut Drive; Complaint.
12:53 a.m. 700 block of First Street; Medical.
1:47 a.m. Area of La. 182/Ditch Avenue; Opened door.
2:02 a.m. 1900 block of Victor II Boulevard Blvd; Suspicious person/vehicle.
2:14 a.m. Area of Federal/Brashear avenues; Complaint.
3:16 a.m. Area of Onstead/Maple streets; Suspicious person/vehicle.
3:28 a.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Complaint.
4:55 a.m. 90th block of Glenwood Street; Alarm.
5:04 a.m. 700 block of Justa Street; Medical.
Tuesday, Aug. 29
7:47 a.m. 1500 block of Chestnut Drive; Removal of subject.
8:05 a.m. 500 block of Willow Street; Medical.
9:05 a.m. 200 block of Glenwood Street; Assistance.
9:10 a.m. 200 block of Onstead Street; Civil.
9:29 a.m. La. 70; Suspicious subject.
9:43 a.m. La. 70/Veterans Boulevard; Assistance.
11:25 a.m. 600 block of Roderick Street; Complaint.
11:50 a.m. 1100 block of Seventh Street; 911 hang up.
11:50 a.m. 1000 block of La. 70; Disturbance.
12:18 p.m. 2100 block of Cedar Street; Arrest.
12:47 p.m. Front Street; Traffic incident.
12:53 p.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Assistance.
1:13 p.m. 900 block of Marguerite Street; Medical.
1:50 p.m. 800 block of Franklin Street; Medical.
1:59 p.m. 1400 block of Sixth Street; Complaint.
2:13 p.m. 6000 block of Railroad Avenue; Civil.
2:27 p.m. 1400 block of North Second Street; Theft.
2:30 p.m. 1000 block of Willard Street; Alarm.
3:07 p.m. 7700 block of La. 182; Arrest.
3:38 p.m. 300 block of Glenwood Street; Disturbance.
4:58 p.m. 1000 block of Fourth Street; Traffic incident.
6:30 p.m. 500 block of Orange Street; Removal of subject.
6:50 p.m. Area of La. 182/Eleventh Street; Assistance.
8:49 p.m. Area of Federal Avenue/Louisa Street; Suspicious person/vehicle.
10:42 p.m. 700 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard; Complaint.
10:59 p.m. Area of La. 182/Sixth Street; Suspicious person/vehicle.
5:15 a.m. Area of Onstead/Second streets; Suspicious person/vehicle.
5:28 a.m. 700 block of Belanger Street; Medical.
6:07 a.m. 300 block of Federal Avenue; Medical.

Gweneth Dohmann, Joseph Carinhas Jr. will reign over S&P Festival

Wed, 08/30/2023 - 12:45pm

Joseph E. “Jody” Carinhas Jr. and Gweneth Dohmann will preside as the 88th Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival king and queen during the annual festival being held Thursday through Labor Day Monday.

Carinhas becomes the third generation to serve as festival king. He follows his father, Joseph Carinhas Sr., who was king in 1973 and his grandfather, John Santos Carinhas, who was king in 1946.

Jody Carinhas began a career in the family shrimping and processing business during the summers as a teenager.

After graduating from Central Catholic High School in 1978, he started a full time position at the Patterson Shrimp Company beginning in mechanics, later vessel engineer and marine operations manager.

He eventually transitioned in 1983 to the petroleum industry where he has had a 40-year career in sales. He began his sales career at Morgan City Rentals before moving on to Oil & Gas Rental Services and Stabil Drill Specialties. In 2006, he returned to Morgan City Rentals as vice president of sales and has remained there through the ownership change to Bishop Lifting Rentals.

Jody Carinhas has coached Pop Warner Football, Dixie Youth Baseball, and girls’ softball. He served on the board for Morgan City Recreation Department softball and St. Mary Golf and Country Club.

He and his wife, Kimbla, have two children, Kayla Carinhas Folse and Kristin Carinhas Hickman, along with four grandchildren, five stepchildren and 10 stepgrandchildren.

Dohmann, 19, is the daughter of Joey and Sharon Dohmann of Berwick. The Central Catholic High School graduate attends the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where she is pursuing a degree in business finance.

Holiday closings

Wed, 08/30/2023 - 12:43pm

All state, parish and local municipalities will be closed Monday in celebration of the Labor Day holiday.

The Harold J. “Babe” Landry Landfill in Berwick will close at noon on Monday in observance of the holiday.

No one has reported any change to the area’s garbage collection schedules.

The holiday coincides with the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival held Thursday through Labor Day in downtown Morgan City.

The Morgan City Review will also be closed on Labor Day, but there will be no change to delivery of its newspaper on Wednesday. However, because the Review publishes a special Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival edition on Friday, delivery of Friday’s paper may be later than usually due to the time the paper is received from the printer.

Jim Bradshaw: Registrar blew the whistle on grand canal plan

Wed, 08/30/2023 - 12:42pm

JIM BRADSHAW

It was a pretty straightforward deal when the Legislature passed Act 52 in April 1865 to allow the Louisiana and Texas Canal Co. to build a steamboat channel from Vermilion Bay to the Sabine River.

The company said it wanted to build a canal from the western edge of the bay to someplace on the Sabine near the mouth of the Neches River “by the most direct and available route.”

It argued that “this great inland Steamboat Canal will be of incalculable benefit to New Orleans.

"It will open up direct water communication with a large extent of country which is but little known to this community; it will bring the trade of that section to this market, which is now taken to Galveston. The cattle shipped to this port by the Morgan [Steamship] Line and by railway, will all be brought through this Canal, as the Company can afford to bring them at greatly reduced prices. The lumber trade from Sabine, Calcasieu and Mermenton [sic] rivers will, in part, be brought through this Canal, to the Prairie country in this State and the Teche, the coast and this city.”

The company’s arguments are included in a little pamphlet with a long name: “A Statement of the Rights, Franchises And Advantages of the Louisiana and Texas Canal Company, Together with the Charter, The Facts Pertaining to the Litigation Connected Therewith, and Map of Land Grant and Route of Canal. [with] Map Representing the Location of “Louisiana and Texas Canal.” (New Orleans: Louisiana and Texas Canal Co., 1871).

The Legislature bought the argument, at first.

It soured on the deal when it began to appear that there was a big change in plans, or that a big fraud was afoot. The claim of fraud came loudest from Ad. Dupre, the registrar of state lands, particularly in his report to the Legislature in 1866.

He said the canal company was buying up nearly 5 million acres of the best land in southwest Louisiana, claiming that it was all needed to build the canal.

The legislation allowed the company to pay only 25 cents an acre for state land, but Dupre was convinced that at least 150,000 acres in Calcasieu Parish were worth at least $1.25 an acre.

He also claimed that the land involved included “the most valuable mineral lands in the state.”

Dupre used one word to describe, the deal: “Preposterous.” He said the company bought land extending 20 miles north of the “most direct route,” and that it included “all of the lands south of the pretended line of route.”

He claimed the canal company had “completely disregarded” the original plan and intended to “cut only about twenty-four miles of canal in traversing … about one hundred and eighty-six miles of country.”

That, he said, made the distance of the “imaginary canal, by a circuitous route, some ninety miles longer than even the unconstitutional act contemplated.”

He charged that the route kept changing simply to allow the company to buy up valuable land.

Dupre’s objections found a receptive audience. The New Orleans Picayune reported in January 1866 that the legislature had introduced a bill to repeal Act 52, which was duly passed.

As expected, the canal company went to court.

The unexpected part was that it won its case.

Judge Henry C. Dibble ruled that Act 52 was “however wise or unwise, a valid law, and formed a contract … whose obligation could not be impaired by subsequent statute.”

The canal company seems to have gone right to work on something close to its original land, apparently with the blessing of at least some of the local citizenry.

A report in the Lake Charles Echo in June 1871 said the company, having won its “protracted lawsuit, was “going vigorously to work ... to push a canal from Schooner Bay [in Vermilion Parish] … to White Lake” that would provide “inside steamboat navigation all the way from Lake Arthur and Grand Chenier to Berwick Bay.”

The canal, the news account said, would open “a vast amount” of land in Cameron and Vermilion parishes to commerce, which was a great blessing upon “a rich but isolated region.”

Unfortunately, it seems to have been a short-lived blessing.

The company apparently went out of business quickly and the state reclaimed its land — certainly by 1883, when the much more successful visionary J. B. Watkins bought a huge parcel of prairie and marsh land from the state, including just about all of what the Louisiana and Texas Canal Co. once claimed.

You can contact Jim Bradshaw at jimbradshaw4321@gmail.com or P.O. Box 1121, Washington LA 70589.

Jim Brown: Feds still haven't gotten the hang of disaster response

Wed, 08/30/2023 - 12:40pm

JIM BROWN

If you live in Louisiana, we know all about a dysfunctional response to natural disasters. Remember Katrina?

Are we witnessing another lackadaisical and dysfunctional response to the wildfire tragedy on the island of Maui in the Hawaiian lands? So far, news reports cite some 2000 businesses and homes destroyed with over 1000 residents who still remain uncounted for.

There’s a Coast Guard station on Maui, and 12 military bases throughout the Hawaiian Islands. Yet the military response to this tragedy has been summed up as “underwhelming.” The Washington Post reported numerous comments of locals, saying: “Where are the uniforms? Where is the military? Waterman Mel Thoman, known as @wedgemel on Instagram, posted a video that expressed his bewilderment. “My question is, where is the military? Where are the helicopters? Why are the locals having to do everything?”

And then there is FEMA. The Federal Emergency Management Agency was authorized by the president to undertake a major federal disaster team effort on the day of the fire, Aug. 9.

But the first disaster team did not even open its first center on Maui until Aug. 15. A week went by, the fires continued to rage, and FEMA was nowhere to be found.

FEMA apparently just doesn’t get it. Back in 2005, when Katrina hit the greater New Orleans area, my brother-in-law was serving as sheriff in Plaquemine Parish. He told me that the Canadian mounted police made it down to Plaquemines before the first federal officials showed up.

FEMA back then was headed by a former cattle show organizer. One can only wonder if improvements for better responses have found their way to the nation’s supposedly top disaster relief agency.

President Joe Biden did go to Maui, but he’s being accused of not being “tuned in” as to just how damaging the fires were. While petting a local dog, the president joked about the boots the canine was wearing. “You guys catch the boots out here?”

Biden appeared to ask the press watching him. He smiled and said, “That’s some hot ground, man.”

We here in the Bayou State have not forgotten the childish effort of one upmanship between then Gov. Kathleen Blanco and President George Bush during Katrina. Blanco dithered for several days after Bush told her the federal government was willing to take over a full response. She finally agreed, but only after continuing damage was inflicted on Louisianians within the disaster area due to her delay.

As Gov. Edwin Edwards later told me, “I would’ve given it to the president in a New York second. Then the pressure would be on him to respond and give the state much more help.”

And just as New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagan back in 2005 failed miserably to prepare for the oncoming storm, local officials in Maui were far from the top of their game. The head of Maui’s emergency management agency failed to sound a statewide warning system by saying he was worried their alarms would have sent many residents inland “into the fire.”

But state Sen. Angus McKelvey – who lost his own home in the fires – blasted the agency head’s response as insulting. “I’ve heard the line that ‘people would have panicked and ran up to the mountains because it’s a tsunami siren.… It’s insulting to think that people would be that clueless, that they wouldn’t know that sirens blasting was because of the fire,”

McKelvey told CNN on Thursday. “These are not tsunami sirens. They’re disaster sirens.”

Even as this column is being written, some two weeks after the blazes began, there are still hundreds of locals sleeping on golf courses, beaches and in cars. A much more robust response needs to be in the planning on both state and federal level. When hurricanes have a potential to hit land, there is generally a several day window to prepare. But our country is witnessing an uptick in weather related disasters that give very little if any warning. Brush fires, earthquakes, tornadoes, and flooding require much more advanced planning. Public officials just can’t wait until the worst happens.

We live in a different weather-related world today. Leadership has been weak following Katrina and is apparently feeble in Maui.

One would have thought that we would have learned a lesson or two in the last 18 years. Apparently not.

Peace and Justice
Jim Brown

Jim Brown’s syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers throughout the nation and on websites worldwide. You can read all his past columns and see continuing updates at http://www.jimbrownla.com. You can also listen to his regular podcast at www.datelinelouisiana.com.

Honoring Anita Stanley

Wed, 08/30/2023 - 12:37pm

Submitted Photo
On Aug. 14, parents and staff members gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Immanuel Christian School's Stanley Hall. The building was dedicated to the memory of K-4 teacher Anita Staley, who worked at the school for 30 years. "We love and miss her!" the school said on its Facebook page. A reception followed.

Donation will help Colonel Closet offer aid to Nicholls people

Wed, 08/30/2023 - 12:36pm

Nicholls received a $10,000 grant from Bayou Community Foundation to support its Colonel Closet. The money will pay for a new Colonel Card reader, enabling more efficient tracking of the quantity of customers along with relevant demographic information for grant purposes.
The remaining grant funds will be used to purchase food and drink items, personal hygiene necessities, household goods, bedding, cleaning supplies, and bath supplies that will continue to be provided at no cost for students, faculty and staff in need.
Created through the Nicholls Office of Student Affairs, Colonel Closet became a vision of hope following the ever-growing concern for the basic needs of students impacted by circumstances beyond their control. The mission is to reduce the environmental impact of wasted goods by providing students, faculty and staff in need at Nicholls with access to donated reusable basic necessities including clothing, household goods, small furniture items and school supplies at no cost.
As the project progresses, the Colonel Closet has become a platform for incorporating service hours for university organizations, inclusion with work-study student employees, internship opportunities for recipients in the Bridge to Independence program, and program expansion with business major internships.
Donations of quality, clean items with reuse potential from students, faculty, staff and the community are accepted all year during the Colonel Closet’s operational hours.
Contact colonelcloset@nicholls.edu or call 985-493-2529 for information on how to provide financial contributions.
Surplus items are donated to local non-profit organizations.