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Public notices for Aug. 11, 2023

Fri, 08/11/2023 - 6:00am

PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE OF
SPECIAL
ELECTION
Pursuant to the provisions of a resolution adopted by the Morgan City Council (the “Governing Authority”), acting as the governing authority of the City of Morgan City, State of Louisiana (the “City”), on April 25, 2023, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special election will be held within the City on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2023, and that at the said election there will be submitted to all registered voters in the City qualified and entitled to vote at the said election under the Constitution and Laws of the State of Louisiana and the Constitution of the United States, the following proposition, to-wit:
PROPOSITION
(CHARTER AMENDMENT)
Shall Section 2-01(a) of the Home Rule Charter for the City of Morgan City be amended to read as follows:
(a) The legislative power of the city government shall be vested in a council consisting of five (5) members elected from single-member districts for four-year terms?
The said special election shall be held at the polling places for the following precincts, which polls will open at seven o’clock (7:00) a.m. and close at eight o’clock (8:00) p.m., in accordance with the provisions of La. R.S. 18:541, to wit:
PRECINCTS
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42(PART)
43(PART)
The polling places for the precincts set forth above are hereby designated as the polling places at which to hold the said election, and the Commissioners-in-Charge and Commissioners, respectively, shall be those persons designated according to law.
The estimated cost of this election as determined by the Secretary of State based upon the provisions of Chapter 8-A of Title 18 and actual costs of similar elections is $2,100.
The said special election will be held in accordance with the applicable provisions of Chapter 5 and Chapter 6-A of Title 18 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended, and other constitutional and statutory authority, and the officers appointed to hold the said election, as provided in this Notice of Special Election, or such substitutes therefor as may be selected and designated in accordance with La. R.S. 18:1287, will make due returns thereof to said Governing Authority, and NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that the Governing Authority will meet at its regular meeting place, the City Court Building, 7261 Hwy. 182 East, Morgan City, Louisiana, on TUESDAY, NO- VEMBER 28, 2023, at SIX O’CLOCK (6:00) P.M., and shall then and there in open and public session proceed to examine and canvass the returns and declare the result of the said special election. All registered voters of the City are entitled to vote at said special election and voting machines will be used.
Adv. Aug. 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2023

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PUBLIC NOTICE
Recreation District No. 3 of the Parish of St. Mary will conduct a proposed budget hearing on Monday, August 28, 2023 at 5:15 pm at the Bayou Vista Community Center, Bayou Vista, Louisiana. The purpose of the hearing is to invite public comment in the budget process on the District’s operations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024.
The proposed budget is available for public inspection in the District’s offices at the Bayou Vista Community Center, 1333 Bellview Street, Morgan City, LA 70380. Interested persons may examine the budget documents during regular office hours, Monday through Friday (9:00 am – 3:00 pm).
Brian Head,
President
Recreation District No. 3 of the Parish of St. Mary
Adv. July 21, 26, 28, Aug. 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18 and 23, 2023

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PUBLIC NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE
Sixteenth
Judicial District Court
——
PARISH OF
ST. MARY
——
STATE OF
LOUISIANA
First Horizon Bank
Vs. No. 137178 Div “E”
Justin P. Askew AKA Justin Askew
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 lying and being situated in the City of Morgan City, Parish of St. Mary, State of Louisiana, being more particularly des-cribed as the easterly Thirty-Seven and Five Tenths (37.5’) feet of Lot Number Seven (7) and the Westerly Twenty-Five (25’) feet of Lot Number Nine (9) of Square Nine (9) of Sacred Heart Park Addition to Elliot Subdivision, as shown on a plat of said Subdivision made by Lee B. Delaune, dated August 3, 1961, recorded April 23, 1962, in Book 12-D, entry No. 114,305 of the Conveyance Records of St Mary Parish, Louisiana; the forgoing description describes one tract of land having a frontage of Sixty-Two and Five Tenths (62.5’) feet on the North side of Hickory Street by depth be- tween parallel lines of One Hundred Twenty -Five (125’) feet.
Which has the address of 819 Hickory Street, Morgan City, LA 70380
to satisfy the sum of ONE HUNDRED SIXTEEN THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED SIXTY TWO AND 28/100 ($116,362.28) DOLLARS, with interest thereon at the rate of 4% per annum from June 1, 2022, together with accrued late charges in the amount of $191.96 in accordance with the note and mortgage, together with late charges on additional delinquent installments and any additional amounts which petitioner has advanced or hereafter advances, as permitted by the Note and Mortgage for taxes, assessments, re- pairs to and maintenance and preservation of the mortgaged property, together with reasonable attorneys’ fees of all sums due, owing and unpaid, 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 WITH appraisement 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 13th day of September A.D., 2023, between the legal hours commencing at 10 O’Clock A.M.
Sheriff’s Office
Parish of St. Mary, La.
Tuesday the 11th day of July A.D., 2023
BLAISE W. SMITH,
SHERIFF
By: Heidi Rineholt
Deputy Sheriff
Adv. Aug. 11 and Sept. 6, 2023

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PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE OF INTRODUCTION OF
ORDINANCE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN in compliance with the provision of Section 2-10 of the Charter of the Town of Berwick, State of Louisiana, that the following entitled ordinance introduced at the regular meeting of the Council of the Town of Berwick, State of Louisiana, held on August 8, 2023 in my office complete in the form in which it will be offered for adoption by the Council of said Town, is open to public inspection and will so remain at least seven (7) days prior to the final adoption, which is scheduled for September 12, 2023.
Proposed Or- dinance Number 741
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF BERWICK, LOUISIANA, TO AMEND THE 2022-23 CONSOLIDATED BUDGET.
That the said ordinance, complete in the form in which it is to be finally passed, is on file with the Clerk of the Council for public inspection and that the said ordinance is to be taken up on final passage, after public hearing by the Council of the Town of Berwick, State of Louisiana, on September 12, 2023 at 6:15 P.M.
Jamie Keith
Town Clerk
Adv. Aug. 11, 2023

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PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE OF INTRODUCTION OF
ORDINANCE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN in compliance with the provision of Section 2-10 of the Charter of the Town of Berwick, State of Louisiana, that the following entitled ordinance introduced at the regular meeting of the Council of the Town of Berwick, State of Louisiana, held on August 8, 2023 in my office complete in the form in which it will be offered for adoption by the Council of said Town, is open to public inspection and will so remain at least seven (7) days prior to the final adoption, which is scheduled for September 12, 2023.
Proposed Or- dinance Number 742
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF BERWICK, LOUISIANA, TO ADOPT THE 2023-2024 CONSOLIDATED BUDGET.
That the said ordinance, complete in the form in which it is to be finally passed, is on file with the Clerk of the Council for public inspection and that the said ordinance is to be taken up on final passage, after public hearing by the Council of the Town of Berwick, State of Louisiana, on September 12, 2023 at 6:15 P.M.
Jamie Keith
Town Clerk
Adv. Aug. 11, 2023

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PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE OF INTRODUCTION OF
ORDINANCE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN in compliance with the provision of Section 2-10 of the Charter of the Town of Berwick, State of Louisiana, that the following entitled ordinance introduced at the regular meeting of the Council of the Town of Berwick, State of Louisiana, held on August 8, 2023 in my office complete in the form in which it will be offered for adoption by the Council of said Town, is open to public inspection and will so remain at least seven (7) days prior to the final adoption, which is scheduled for September 12, 2023.
Proposed Or- dinance Number 743
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF BERWICK, LOUISIANA, TO REPEAL ORDINANCE SECTION 10-31
That the said ordinance, complete in the form in which it is to be finally passed, is on file with the Clerk of the Council for public inspection and that the said ordinance is to be taken up on final passage, after public hearing by the Council of the Town of Berwick, State of Louisiana, on September 12, 2023 at 6:15 P.M.
Jamie Keith
Town Clerk
Adv. Aug. 11, 2023

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PUBLIC NOTICE
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION MEETING OF THE HOSPITAL SERVICE DISTRICT #2 OF THE PARISH OF ST. MARY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HELD ON
JULY 5, 2023
A regular monthly business meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Hospital Service District #2 of the Parish St. Mary was held on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at 6:00 P.M. in the Media Room of the Morgan City Harbor & Terminal District Building located at 7327 Highway 182, Morgan City, LA 70380.
PRESENT: Dr. William A. Cefalu, Jr., Gary Stansbury Sr., Donald Stephens, Angelena Brocato, Jackie Cheramie and William McCarty
ABSENT: Kendra Thomas
Also present: William E. Bourgeois, Counsel for Hospital Service District #2
Dr. Cefalu called the meeting to order.
Dr. Cefalu lead in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll call was taken. Those Board Members present and those absent listed above.
Upon motion of Mrs. Brocato, second by Mr. Stephens and unanimously carried, the Board ap- proved and signed the Minutes of June 7, 2023.
Dr. Cefalu open-ed the floor for Guest/public comments, to which there were none.
Mrs. Cheramie presented the Fin- ancial Report for the period ending May 31, 2023. Up- on motion of Mr. Stephens, second by Mr. Stansbury and unanimously carried, the Board approved the financials/payables as presented.
Mr. Gerald Thibodeaux from Kolder, Slaven & Company, LLC made a brief presentation regarding the review of the financials, the compilation, the attestation procedures, the new lease standards and their Audit Report for HSD #2. Upon motion of Mr. Stephens, second by Mr. McCarty and unanimously carried, the Board approv- ed the Annual Financial Report for year ended December 31, 2022.
Mr. Jonathan Murdock with Coastline Wealth Group presented a brief report on the present status of the HSD #2’s three (3) Raymond James Accounts. Upon motion of Mr. Stephens, second by Mr. McCarty and unanimously carried, the Board approv-ed the report as presented.
Attorney Bourgeois then ad- dressed the Board concerning any discussion/action on the approval of the proposal by The Communication Institute (TCI) for informational media campaign for the October 14, 2023 tax initiative. A brief discussion was then held. Mrs. Carey with TCI addressed the Board regarding the cost proposal and the reasons thereof. After further discussions, upon motion of Mrs. Brocato, second by Mrs. Cheramie and Dr. Cefalu, Mr. Stansbury, Mrs. Brocato, Mrs. Cheramie affirming and Mr. McCarty opposing and Mr. Stephens ab- staining, the Board approved the proposal and authorized Dr. Cefalu to sign any necessary documents regarding TCI’s informational media campaign for the October 14, 2023 tax initiative.
Attorney Bourgeois discussed the community outreach initiatives and the Cooperative Endeavor Agreements (CEA) with Ochsner and the authorizing of the Chairman to sign a new CEA with Ochsner relative the anticipated supplemental funding (approximately $20 million). He stated that after meeting with Pete November and others (via zoom), they wanted certain criteria met such as the hiring of two (2) OBGYNs, the hiring of adequate nursing staff and at least 30 births per month to reopen the OB Department. After discussions, upon motion of Mrs. Cheramie, second by Mrs. Brocato and unanimously carried, the Board granted that Attorney Bourgeois draft a new CEA regarding the anticipated supplemental funding and forward said draft to Ochsner St. Mary (OSM) for review.
Dwan Naverre, OSM Community Outreach Coordinator made a brief presentation re- garding her up- coming community outreach initiatives. She advised that several free health screenings have been held within the St. Mary Parish area and she is in the process of adding Pierre Part, LA to said schedule, a thyroid disease seminar, participated in “operation beautification cleanup,” held free smoking cessation event, a “Safe Sitter Class” has been held at OSM and more are scheduled. She also stated that her goal is to have more events within the schools such as job shadowing, Back to School Bash and “Safe at Home”, etc. She also stated that a “big Wellness Event” has been scheduled for October. Further discussions were held between the Board and Ms. Naverre concerning these events and the costs/fees.
Dr. Cefalu presented his Chairperson’s Report. He stated that the tax initiative overall is desired by all from the feed back he has received, that the effects of having no OB De- partment is now being seen at OSM and that they were having issues with transferring patients. He also discussed the nursing shortage. He stated that he is looking forward to marketing and educating the public/community re- garding the tax initiative. Mrs. Brocato addressed again the TCI fee being charged and that it is a valid way to utilize community funds to reinvest in community with information with an attempt to improve current access to medical care, the quality of medical care and potential expansion services.
Dr. Cefalu stated that there were no matters to be taken up in Executive Session this date.
With no other business to come before the Board, on motion of Mr. Stephens, second by Mrs. Brocato and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned.
———————
Dr. William A. Cefalu, Jr.,
Chairman
———————
Jackie Cheramie,
Secretary/Treasurer
Adv. Aug. 11, 2023

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PUBLIC NOTICE
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SESSION MEETING OF THE HOSPITAL SERVICE DISTRICT #2 OF THE PARISH OF ST. MARY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HELD ON
JULY 11, 2023
A special business meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Hospital Service District #2 of the Parish of St. Mary was held on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at 5:00 P.M. in the Media Room at the Morgan City Harbor & Terminal District Building located at 7327 Highway 182, Morgan City, LA 70380
PRESENT: Dr. William A. Cefalu, Jr., Gary Stansbury, Sr., Donald Stephens, Kendra Thomas, Jackie Cheramie and William McCarty
ABSENT: Angelena Brocato
Also present: William E. Bourgeois, Counsel for Hospital Service District #2
Dr. Cefalu called the meeting to order.
Dr. Cefalu lead in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll call was taken. Those Board Members present and those absent listed above.
Dr. Cefalu open-ed the floor for Guest/public comments, to which there were none.
Upon motion of Mr. Stephens, second by Mr. Stansbury and unanimously carried, the Board voted to retire into Executive Session to discuss strategic planning pursuant of LA R.S. 46:1071, et seq. The meeting room was cleared with the exception of the Board Members and Counsel/staff.
Upon resuming from Executive Session and the public allowed to return into the meeting room, Dr. Cefalu called the meeting back to order. Dr. Cefalu opened the floor for discussion or any action on rescinding the resolutions for the October 14, 2023 tax and ballot initiatives. On mo- tion of Mrs. Thomas, second by Mrs. Cheramie and affirmed by Dr. Cefalu, Mr. Stansbury, Mrs. Thomas, Mrs. Cheramie, Mr. McCarty and with Mr. Stephens abstaining, the Board voted to allow Ochsner St. Mary an additional 14 days to respond to the Cooperative En- deavor Agreement for restarting labor and delivery services.
Dr. Cefalu then gave his Chairman’s Report. He gave a brief history of the purpose of this day’s special meeting to re-evaluate where we were in our discussions with Ochsner regarding the closing of the OB Department. He stated that it will allow us as a Board to pivot/re-group and have further discussions with OSM on the best way to move forward and work conjointly with OSM for our community for the future. Dr. Cefalu further stated that a formal “Press Release” will be prepared and sent out tomorrow (7/12/2023) to give the community information on why this occurred.
With no other business to come before the Board, on motion of Mr. Stephens, second by Mrs.Thomas and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned.
———————
Dr. William A. Cefalu, Jr.,
Chairman
———————
Jackie Cheramie,
Secretary/Treasurer
Adv. Aug. 11, 2023

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PUBLIC NOTICE
WARDS 5 & 8 JOINT SEWER COMMISSION
P. O. Box 181
Berwick, La 70342
MINUTES
July 3, 2023
The meeting was called to order by Mr. Lopez at 6:00 PM.
Present: Michael Stewart, Chris Cooper, Gary Beadle, Joe Walker, Mickey Carmouche, Karen Sehon, and Rafael Lopez.
The board went over the minutes of previous month’s meeting. Mr. Cooper moved to disburse the reading of the minutes and accept. Mr. Stewart seconded the motion.
The board then went over the treasurer’s report. Mr. Cooper motioned to approve the treasurer’s report and sign checks if all in order. Mr. Beadle seconded the motion.
Mr. Lopez went over the last email from Mr. Franklin with Providence Engineering re- garding Stations 9 & 10 rehab/re- placement. He went over the amounts quoted vs amounts billed. The board discussed the project. The board agreed to table until the next meeting.
Mr. Carmouche reported monthly maintenance. All is going well at the plant. Station 7 received a new pump. Fromenthal is scheduled this week to remove, clean, and install a new pump. Fromenthal will move to Station 5 for repairs after station 7 is completed. There are new motors in for station 4 & 13. He will get with contractors to have installed. Mr. Billydan Morgan has been pulling the weekly samples for testing for submittal. The sulfur dioxide gauges need to be re- placed. The board gave approval to order gauges ASAP. Mr. Walker suggested having an outside auditor come in to give an unbiased report. Mr. Lopez asked Mr. Carmouche for a list of items for repair/replacement for the next meeting. Mr. Carmouche would like to change the name of the CLECO accounts for easier emergencies when called in. The board agreed with the suggestion.
The writing of by-laws revisions was noted. A revised copy will be available for the next meeting.
Mr. Carmouche has someone coming into possible hire.
Mr. Carmouche had an incident on May 17th. His re- covery is going well. He has a follow up appt at the end of July. LWCC only pays a portion of its salary. He will use PTO on paychecks of 40 hours per week.
The board has not received anything more on the DEQ Settlement.
Turtle corner roof repairs and weather head needs to be re- paired. The trash company is waiting on the repair bills. The roof repair company needs to come out to look for an estimate. Also need structure repair and electrical repair estimates.
Next meeting scheduled for Monday, August 7, 2023.
Having no further business, Mr. Cooper motioned to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Walker seconded the motion.
———————
Chairperson
———————
Secretary/Treasurer
Adv. Aug. 11, 2023

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Morgan City meeting minutes July 25, 2023

Fri, 08/11/2023 - 6:00am

Meeting minutes of July 25, 2023

Assessor Longman, Coroner Melancon head back to office along with three council incumbents

Thu, 08/10/2023 - 8:56pm

Three men seeking parishwide offices and three St. Mary Parish Council incumbents will take office in the 2024-28 term after qualifying for the Oct. 14 primary last week without opposition.

Parish voters will still have many races to consider on the primary ballot.

The solo qualifiers are incumbent Coroner Dr. Eric Melancon and incumbent Assessor Jarrod K. Longman, both of Morgan City, and former Judge Greg Aucoin, who qualified for clerk of court.

Longtime Clerk Cliff Dressel has announced his retirement. Melancon was elected to a first term as coroner in time for the COVID pandemic, which claimed more than 250 lives in St. Mary.

The parish president post is being vacated by David Hanagriff, who is term-limited. Former Franklin Mayor and state Rep. Sam Jones and Timothy "Tim" LeBlanc, both of Franklin, have qualified.

Sheriff Blaise Smith has announced that he's leaving office. Four sheriff candidates have emerged: current Chief Deputy Gary Driskell of Morgan City; Jason Granger and Kenny P. Scelfo, both of Franklin; and Cody J. Thibodaux of Patterson.

On the Parish Council, two incumbents representing at-large districts will return to office: Dr. Kristi Prejeant of Centerville in District 9 and Dean Adams of Morgan City in District 11.

Gwendolyn "Gwen" Hidalgo of Centerville, the current council chairwoman, represents the third at-large district, District 10. She is being challenged by Angelena Brocato, currently a member of the Hospital Service District No. 2 board, and Reginald D. Weary, Patterson's city accountant.

Each of the at-large districts covers about a third of parish's population. Each is represented by a council member elected by a parishwide vote. The parish charter limits the chairmanship and vice chairmanship of the council to members representing the at-large districts.

Among the eight council members elected from traditional geographic districts, only one -- J Ina of Franklin in District 2 -- qualified without opposition. He is the principal at Franklin Junior High.

Incumbents are being challenged in six of the remaining traditional districts. In a seventh, District 4, three candidates are running to succeed Scott Ramsey of Bayou Vista, who is stepping down. The candidates there are Myron Bourque of Berwick and Javon Charles and David W. Hill, both of Bayou Vista.

State Sen. Bret Allain, R-Frankln, is term-limited, and three candidates have qualified to run for his District 21 seat: businessmen Robert Allain of Franklin and Stephen Swiber of Gibson, and former parish Chief Administrative Officer Henry C."Bo" LaGrange of Patterson.

Incumbent state Rep. Vincent St. Blanc III, R-Franklin, is being challenged by Gloria R. Robertson, D-Franklin, in House District 50, which covers most of St. Mary.

State Rep.Beryl Amedee, R-Gray, qualified without opposition. Her District 51 comes into east St. Mary in the Morgan City area.

The in-person voter registration deadline for the Oct. 14 election is Sept. 13. If you use the GeauxVote online system, you can register until Sept. 23.
Early voting for the Oct. 14 primary will be Sept. 30-Oct. 7, excluding Sunday. Any necessary runoffs will be Nov. 18.

State Senate District 21
—Robert Allain, R-Franklin
—Henry C. “Bo” LaGrange, R-Patterson
—Stephen Swiber, R-Gibson

State House District 50
—Gloria R. Robertson, D-Franklin
—Vincent St. Blanc III, R-Franklin (incumbent)

State House District 51
—Beryl Amedee, R-Gray (incumbent)

Sheriff
—Gary Driskell, Morgan City
—Jason Granger, Franklin
—Kenny P. Scelfo, Franklin
—Cody J. Thibodaux, Patterson

Clerk of Courrt
—Greg Aucoin, Morgan City

Assessor
—Jarrod K. Longman, Morgan City (incumbent)

Coroner
--Eric Melancon, MorganCity (incumbent)

Parish President
—Sam Jones, Franklin
—Timothy "Tim" LeBlanc, Franklin

Council District 1
—Herbert “H.B.” Bell, Baldwin
—Craig A. Mathews, Jeanerette (incumbent)

Council District 2
—J Ina, Franklin (incumbent)

Council District 3
—Whitney Bourque, Frankinl
—Rodney Olander, Franklin (incumbent)
—Peter Soprano, Franklin

Council District 4
—Myron Bourque, Berwick
—Javon Charles, Bayou Vista
—David W. Hill, Bayou Vista

Council District 5
—Charles "Butchie" McKinney, Paterson
—Leslie “Les” Rulf, Patterson (incumbent)
—Douglas Streety Jr., Patterson

Council District 6
—Shawn Canty, Berwick
—Patrick J. Hebert, Morgan City (incumbent)

Council District 7
—James “Hammer” Bennett Jr., Morgan City (incumbent)
—James “Jimmy” Davis Jr., Morgan City

Council District 8
—Eriq Blanchard, Morgan City
—Mark A. Duhon, Amelia (incumbent)
—Carlo Gagliano, Amelia

At-Large Council District 9
--Kristi Prejeant, Centerville (incumbent)

At-Large Council District 10
—Angelena Brocato, Patterson
—Gwendolyn “Gwen” Hidalgo, Bayou Vista (incumbent)
—Reginald D. Weary, Patterson

At-Large Council District 11
—Dean Adams, Morgan City (incumbent)

Constable Justice of the Peace Ward 1
--Anna Charles Perry, Charenton

Five arrests reported by local agencies

Wed, 08/09/2023 - 12:45pm

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 five arrests Tuesday, including one for domestic abuse battery in Franklin.

St. Mary

Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 30 complaints and made these arrests:

--Olivia Rene Prado, 29, Morgan City, was arrested at 4:17 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bail has not been set at this time.

--Mark Anthony Conner, 44, Franklin, was arrested at 3:26 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of failure to register as a sex offender. Bail has not been set at this time.

--Brian Anthony Clarkston Sr., 41, Franklin, was arrested at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of parole violation. Bail has not been set at this time.

Morgan City
Chief Chad M. Adams reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 50 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting period and made this arrest:

--Georgianna Jacquilin Sweetser, 55, Florida Alley, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:03 p.m. Tuesday as a fugitive from the Assumption Parish Sheriff's Office.

Franklin

Chief Cedric Handy reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to four complaints over the .ast 24-hour reporting period and made this arrest:

--Mace Copeland, 27, Pecan Drive, Franklin, was arrested at 10:12 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of battery of a dating partner (strangulation). Copeland was booked, processed and held with no bond set at the time of press release.

Jim Bradshaw: For south Louisiana, a summer like no other

Wed, 08/09/2023 - 10:51am

JIM BRADSHAW

On Aug. 2, 1924, during a sweltering heat wave, Father W. J. Teurlings, then pastor of St. John’s Cathedral in Lafayette, issued a statement to the newspapers: “At the Cathedral a special Novena will be held for rain. … In view of the urgency of the need a large attendance is anticipated.” To add even more to the chances of a shower, Father Teurlings made another announcement: “There will be a picnic for the Children of St. Mary [on] Sunday 3rd at 10 a.m. … It will surely rain.”
It did not rain on that Sunday, or the next, or again until late September. The good pastor’s invocations came in the midst of what may have been south Louisiana’s worst summer ever — until this year.
From July 7 through Aug. 30, 1924, there were 56 consecutive days when the high for the day was above 90 at Lafayette. On 36 of those days the temperature was 97 or higher, and it was above 100 on 11 of those days. During that period, the temperature reached 103 twice, and the high for the day reached 99 or above ten times in the 13 days from Aug. 15 to Aug. 27.
The hot weather finally broke on the last two days of September, when the temperature mercifully dropped into the 70s.
This year, Lafayette, and just about every place else in south Louisiana, is already well past 56 consecutive days of 90-plus heat, and there appears to be no end in sight.
The Lake Charles weather office reports that we just suffered through the hottest July on record for south Louisiana and southeast Texas and, “unfortunately, it was also the driest July on record for most of the area as well.” June was also a record-breaker, and the weather service prediction is for a scorching August that will continue the trend.
Weather folk and news people say we are in in the middle of an unprecedented “heat wave.” I suggest that what’s going on is more than a wave.
Waves are short-term events. This ain’t.
It’s been with us too long and apparently intends to stay for a while. Call it something else; maybe a “record heat episode.” I’ll even allow “a prolonged heat event,” although I hate it when forecasters call a little shower a “rain event.”
The national Weather Prediction Center gave this long-term forecast at the beginning of this month: “High temperatures [along the Gulf Coast] will be 5 to 10 degrees above normal with high humidity leading to heat indices [“feels-like” temperatures] in the 110-115 [degree] range. … Record high maximum … temperatures are widely forecast.”
A sister agency, the national Climate Prediction Center, which looks at the longer-term, says that we are likely to see higher than normal temperatures at least through October, and adds the good news that we can expect widespread and significant drought across the area.
Nor is the really-long-term forecast filled with good news. The state summary for Louisiana issued by the National Center for Environmental Information, which studies this sort of thing, predicts, “Historically unprecedented warming is projected [in Louisiana] during this century,” and that “summer precipitation is projected to decrease.”
“Even if average precipitation remains the same,” according to that report, “higher temperatures will increase the rate of soil moisture evaporation during dry spells, which could increase the intensity of naturally occurring droughts.”
Whatever the long term brings, pay attention to the current spell. Heat is the number one killer of all extreme weather in the United States, and August is the worst month.
The doctors tell us that even an average August is already the most climatically stressful month of the year in south Louisiana. Temperatures are often as warm as the body’s temperature, or warmer. That means that when we work or play outside, we can’t depend on the air around us to cool us off. We have to rely on the body’s ability to cool itself, and we aren’t built to handle crazy heat like this.
Don’t let yourself get overheated or dehydrated. Check on your neighbors. Take care of your animals. Take a cue from Father Teurlings and pray for rain — but not tropical rain. We want no storms in a Gulf this hot.
You can contact Jim Bradshaw at jimbradshaw4321@gmail.com or P.O. Box 1121, Washington LA 70589.

Verdin visits site of ill-fated WWII amphibious raid

Wed, 08/09/2023 - 10:24am

CHRIS LANDRY, Banner-Tribune

Franklin playwright Ed “Tiger” Verdin recently returned home from a two-week trip to France and Northern Ireland after using his vacation time to do research about Operation Jubilee, an Allied amphibious attack on the German-occupied port of Dieppe in Northern France in 1942.
During Operation Jubillee, Franklin native Edward Loustalot became the first American soldier to be killed by Germans on land during World War II.
Verdin was asked to write a play about the Dieppe Raid (Operation Jubilee) by the Aug. 19 Memorial Museum, named for the date of the raid, and also the date (Aug. 19, 1942) when Loustalot, one of the first U.S. Army Rangers, was killed.
Verdin said he went to France to research the military operation for his play.
“I had the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of each of the battles of that operation,” Verdin said. “I got to walk the beaches. I got to run up the hills.”
Verdin said he met with both the current and the former mayors of Berneval-le-Grand, France, which is the town along the coast of the English Channel with a beach where Loustalot and other Allied soldiers made landfall during the Dieppe Raid.
Berneval-le-Grand has a monument remembering Loustalot, and a street named after him, Verdin said.
“His name is on quite a few plaques,” Verdin said. “It’s on the town wall. They have a placard coming up the beach about Operation Jubilee. In Dieppe, there’s a plaque and a new monument that was erected last year by the Remembering Americans in Europe Foundation.”
Diane Boutier and Patrick Ober of Remembering Americans in Europe were Verdin’s guides on the trip.
“They were the ones who really sparked the project in totality,” Verdin said. “They are the driving force behind keeping this story alive.
“(The trip) was all made possible through the Remembering Americans in Europe Foundation. They put me in key contact with people that want to see this play happen.”
Verdin said Canadian government has made sure its contribution to the operation is well-known in the Dieppe region.
“Dieppe doesn’t have a lot of stuff about the American portion, the U.S. Ranger portion of the operation,” Verdin said. “It has everybody else.
“I really feel like the U.S. government is slacking compared to the other countries, especially Canada. Canada probably has the biggest monuments — open-air parks, memorial parks, memorial places in the region.”
The Remember Americans in Europe Foundation is working to correct that, he said. Fifty Rangers joined British Commandos and Canadian Army units in the Canadian-led raid on the French port of Dieppe, and Remembering Americans in Europe erected a memorial in Dieppe last August to the 1st Battalion U.S. Rangers force that took part in the raid.
Verdin went to Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland, to visit the site of the original Ranger training facility where the Rangers were formed in June of 1942. The American commando-style force was set up during World War II and remains the only U.S. military unit to be formed on foreign soil. Three hundred Rangers were trained in that first group, and Loustalot was among the first 50 Rangers to go to war.
Verdin said that the Dieppe Raid had been characterized until recently as a warm-up or test run for the D-Day raid of Normandy, France, and as a way to show the Nazis that the Allied Forces were intent on liberating France.
But Verdin said that talk while he was in Europe was that the actual reason for the Dieppe Raid was to capture an Enigma machine, a cipher device used by the Nazis to encrypt their military communications. The Allies had learned that an Enigma machine was being sent on a regular boat to Dieppe, so the operation’s main goal was to capture the encryption machine, reportedly. Verdin said he hasn’t verified yet if that rumor is true.
“It was amazing over there, being an American and walking over there,” he said. “The people are just so grateful. They celebrate and memorialize our military every year (on the anniversary of the raid, as well as other military operations from the war). It was mind-blowing the way our military is just revered. You can tell it’s just a genuine thankfulness from everybody in France.”
Verdin said he felt a great deal of pride as an American during his two weeks in France and North Ireland.
“I can’t even put it into words,” he said
The play he’s planning will focus on the entire operation.
“I do plan on telling the story through the eyes of 2nd Lt. Edward Loustalot,” Verdin said. “However, he does pass away. He was killed in action in the early onslaught of everything going on. The British captain that was in the vessel with him, that was in charge of their portion of the operation, which was called Orange Beach, he died very early on in the landing vehicle. So Edward, 2nd Lt. Loustalot, was the second in command, so he assumed command of this battalion. He literally, in Ranger fashion, led the way.”
Verdin said the soldiers had to scale booby-trapped cliffs once they reached the beach to get on the hill.
“The largest dogfight in World War II history was happening above their heads, so the Royal Air Force wasn’t able to clear out machine gun nests that were there,” Verdin said. “They had no idea that hadn’t happened, so the Germans came over the hill and just started shooting, and that’s how he passed away, leading them into battle.”
Loustalot had become good friends with one of the British Commandos.
“The story of Operation Jubilee, up until he dies, will be told through Edward Loustalot’s eyes,” Verdin said. “The story in general will be told through the British Commando’s eyes. There’s just so many amazing stories throughout. I plan on highlighting those stories of not only the soldiers that fought in Operation Jubilee, but the people of France that did some pretty amazing things.”
Verdin plans to have the play completed and ready to produce in the fall of 2024, and he hopes to debut it in New Orleans and in Franklin. He’d like to have one cast perform the play in Louisiana, and overseas. He would like to see it performed in France, but the play will be written in English, so there’s a language barrier that must be overcome first.
“I’m also in talks with Carrickfergus to have a premier in Northern Ireland,” he said.
He plans to design a multimedia set with a digital wall to make it easier to transport, as opposed to a physical set.
“There’s going to be some challenges, but in theater I’ve never not met the challenges I’ve put on myself,” he said.
Verdin said the project sprang out of the Teche Theatre for the Performing Arts production of The Quarters winning 10 awards in the 2022 BroadwayWorld Regional Awards.
He added that one of his plays has been picked up by a production company, and plans are to film portions of it in New Orleans and portions in Franklin.

LONNIE ANTHONY LANDRY

Wed, 08/09/2023 - 10:14am

July 20, 1940 — July 21, 2023
Lonnie Anthony Landry, age 83, a native of Morgan City, LA and resident of Garden Ridge, TX passed away on Friday, July 21, 2023 in Selma, Texas. He was born on July 20, 1940 to the late Peter and Stella Landry of Morgan City, LA.
Lonnie will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his loving wife of almost 56 years, Sherrel Gros Landry of Garden Ridge, TX; daughter, Hope Cowart (David) of Garden Ridge, TX; grandson, Peyton Cowart (Kelsey) of Schertz, TX; granddaughter, Morgan Cowart (fiancé Bryce Giacumakis) of Schertz, TX; two great-granddaughters, Avery and Emmy; brother, Aubin Landry of Morgan City, LA; sister -in-law, MaeLynn Landry of Morgan City, LA and a host of other family, friends, and loved ones.
Lonnie was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Elizabeth Morell and Lenah Ann Vidos; two brothers, Dale Landry and Huey Landry; two nephews, Kevin Vidos and Joshua Ackman; and his beloved dog, Tibet.
Funeral Services will be on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 415 Union St. Morgan City, LA 70380 with visitation beginning at 9:30 AM followed by mass beginning at 11:00 AM officiated by Rev. Brett Lapeyrouse. Lonnie’s cremated remains will be interred at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, TX. In Lieu of flowers please consider donating to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Wheel House for Aug. 9

Wed, 08/09/2023 - 10:06am

MEET/GREET
Patterson United Methodist Church, 1204 Main St., hosting a meet and greet gathering for its new pastor, the Rev. Milton Bourque, 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, at its fellowship hall. Coffee and refreshments served.

Health seminar

Wed, 08/09/2023 - 9:59am

Submitted Photo
Recently Dr. Kazumi Yoshinaga, a family medicine physician, presented a Hello Health seminar on osteoporosis and bone health to the community at Ochsner St. Mary. To learn more about Yoshinaga, visit https://www.ochsner.org/doctors/kazumi-yoshinaga. To learn more about Ochsner St. Mary Community Outreach and how to attend the next seminar, call 985-380-4234.

State DNR didn't do its own investigation into coastal suits

Wed, 08/09/2023 - 9:52am

VICTOR SKINNER, The Center Square

The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources delegated authority over coastal drilling litigation to a personal injury attorney rather than investigate claims of regulatory violations at the center of the lawsuits.
In an April 2023 deposition, DNR Secretary Thomas Harris admitted under oath that instead of investigating allegations against oil and gas companies before joining lawsuits claiming damage to the coast, he allowed law firms representing parishes that benefit from the case to do the work.
The deposition, exposed by the Pelican Institute through a public records request, involves one of 43 ongoing lawsuits filed against hundreds of oil and gas companies: Parish of Cameron v. Auster Oil and Gas, Inc., et al.
The lawsuit was filed in November 2013 but the DNR did not petition to intervene until April 2016, just months after Gov. John Bel Edwards took office and appointed Harris to lead the DNR. The department, with a budget of more than $60 million that employs over 300, did not have the manpower to investigate the claims, Harris testified.
On April 20, Chevron attorney Michael Phillips asked: “I’m saying you’ve made a choice, rather than the agency taking on the responsibility for enforcing permits under the applicable laws and regulations, you have farmed out that responsibility to private lawyers representing the parishes?”
“Yes,” Harris said. “And really don’t have an option of – basically, I’m faced with the choice of not issuing any new permits and – or taking new enforcement action and dedicating our entire staff to doing this review, or farming it out. And the decision made was the latter.”
Harris confirmed the administrative process requires the DNR to inform oil and gas companies in Louisiana of violations to give them an opportunity to correct course, but he opted instead to join the lawsuit.
Harris acknowledged the decision is “inconsistent because we’re not following the administrative process at all.”
“Secretary Harris’ testimony is concerning,” said Sarah Harbison, general counsel at the Pelican Institute. “It makes you wonder what’s happening every day in the department.”
In October, the DNR revived a stalled $100 million settlement in another related lawsuit involving Freeport-McMoRan Inc. by signing the agreement on behalf of several parishes that refused to participate.
Cameron v. Auster has a trial date set for November.
"The Legislature does have some oversight to investigate the DNR and whether the state continues in the lawsuit,” Harbison said. “Certainly, the next governor could do something about it.”
Research from the Pelican Institute shows the state lost 2,000 jobs two years after the first coastal lawsuits were filed in 2013, resulting in $70 million in lost wages. The policy group estimates between $43 million and $113 million in annual economic losses since the lawsuits were filed, which equates to a $22.6 million loss for state and local governments for schools, roads and other infrastructure.
Harbison contends the “corruption” exposed by the April deposition “is just one of many reasons that Louisiana needs fundamental government reform in order to set the state on the right track – and to ensure Louisiana’s comeback.”