RSS Feed

Danos has rope training facility in Amelia

Tue, 06/20/2023 - 11:13am

Danos has opened a training center at its Amelia facility that provides rope access training and certification through the Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians.

Services are available to any individual or company that has an interest in rope access and include initial certification, recertification, advancement and refresher training.

“Our rope access training center allows Danos to live our purpose to ‘develop great people’ by providing career advancement opportunities for both employees and non-employees alike,” said CEO Paul Danos. “We understand the industry’s need for well-trained rope access technicians who can safely navigate complex work environments. With our training center, we can provide our customers with highly trained personnel to continue delivering superior service.”

Training consists of four 10-hour days, followed by a one-day certification assessment from an independent SPRAT assessor. SPRAT certification is required for all rope access technicians.

Because of Danos’ position as an energy service provider, the company trains people with industry crafts and jobs in mind. The training replicates real-world applications and scenarios such as coatings and construction jobs.

To date, Danos has successfully trained over 200 certified rope access technicians. Rope access services are in growing demand because they offer a cost-effective solution to access challenging work environments such as chemical plants and offshore oil platforms.

Founded in 1947, Danos is a family-owned and managed energy service provider.

K&B will expand operations near Houma

Tue, 06/20/2023 - 10:56am

K&B Machine Works, doing business as K&B Industries, announced it is expanding its advanced manufacturing division by establishing a new production base at a recently acquired facility in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana Economic Development said Tuesday.

The $12 million investment will allow the company to increase production and better serve the state’s growing aerospace and semiconductor manufacturing equipment markets.

The company expects to create 70 new direct jobs, while retaining 350 current positions. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in 78 indirect jobs, for a total of 148 new jobs in the Bayou Region.

“This commitment by K&B Industries signals the ongoing economic recovery of the Bayou Region and illustrates the strength and diversity of Louisiana’s manufacturing and aerospace sectors, which I have worked hard this week to strengthen while meeting with companies around the Paris Air Show,” Gov. John Bel Edwards said. “Manufacturing investments have a powerful ripple effect on the economic health of our rural communities. Thank you to K&B Industries for doubling down on Terrebonne Parish and the area’s skilled and resilient workforce.”

The new location will house surface enhancement equipment and an expanded clean room for assembly and testing, precision cleaning and anodizing of equipment used to manufacture semiconductors. The recently acquired facility on Equity Boulevard near Houma will also include space for additional automated machine solutions to maximize efficiency.

“K&B Industries has always pursued the latest technologies regardless of the markets we serve, and our diversification into the aerospace and semiconductor markets has allowed us to build a skill set that did not exist in the area before,” K&B Industries President Kenny Wood Jr. said. “Our investment in our people has led us to establish a variety of training programs to help grow from within to meet the complex demands of manufacturing, quality, assembly, test and processing of rigorous aerospace and semiconductor industry standards.”

K&B Industries began operations in the Bayou Region in 1974. Since then, it has grown into a leading supplier of premium threading, manufacturing and engineering services for the aerospace and oil and gas industries.

The company estimates its upgrades to the 118,000-square-foot-facility will be complete this summer. The installation of a precision chemical cleaning line for semiconductor manufacturing equipment production is expected in September, and full operations are projected to commence before the end of the year.

“K&B Industries is one of the top-rated companies to work for and an exceptional community partner in Terrebonne Parish,” Terrebonne Economic Development Authority CEO Cohen Guidry said. “The company has been providing superior services to the energy industry for nearly 50 years and this latest expansion will allow them to offer services never before available in the state of Louisiana.”

To secure the project, the state of Louisiana offered K&B Industries a competitive incentives package including a performance-based $480,000 retention and modernization tax credit subject to the achievement of payroll and investment targets. The company is also expected to participate in the state’s Industrial Tax Exemption and Quality Jobs programs.

K&B Machine Works LLC was founded by Kenneth Wood Sr, in 1974. The company is a provider for every major oil company and oilfield service provider in the industry and has expanded into the aerospace and semiconductor markets.
The company’s corporate headquarters are in Schriever. It operates additional sites in Houma and Houston, along with a joint venture serving the energy sector in Guyana. Its website is kb-industries.com.

One person wounded in Franklin shooting

Mon, 06/19/2023 - 7:34pm

A Monday evening shooting wounded one person on Franklin's St. Joseph Lane, the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office said.

The victim sustained a wound that isn't life-threatening, the Sheriff's Office said.

The victim was discovered after deputies answered a 5:21 p.m. call about shots fired on St. Joseph Lane, located northeast of the La. 322-Irish Bend Road intersection.. The wounded person was taken by ambulance to a hospital.

"This is an active investigation," the Sheriff's Office said. "More information will be released when it becomes available. Please avoid the area at this time."

Man accused of battery, kidnapping in domestic incident

Mon, 06/19/2023 - 12:53pm
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 deputies arrested a Patterson man who is accused of battery and kidnapping in a Friday domestic incident.

Morgan City police reported three arrests on drug charges and another on an aggravated battery charge.

St. Mary

Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that over the last 96-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 111 complaints and made these arrests:

--Gabrieo Christopher Boulanger, 34, Patterson, was arrested at 5:25 p.m. Saturday on charges of domestic abuse battery, false imprisonment, simple kidnapping and obstruction of justice.

On Friday, deputies were dispatched to a residence in the Patterson area in reference to a domestic incident. Through the investigation, deputies learned that Boulanger had committed a battery upon a person and pulled that person into a residence for a period of time.

With information that Boulanger had departed the residence, deputies attempted to locate Boulanger with the help of the Morgan City Police Department and the Patterson Police Department.

Later, contact was made with Boulanger at his residence, and he was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Bail has not been set at this time.

Deputies thanked officers with the MCPD and the PPD for their assistance in this investigation and arrest.

--Richard Wendell Welch Jr., 59, Franklin, was arrested at 5:25 p.m. Thursday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on a charge of theft. Welch was released on a $5,000 bond.

--Kenneth Kendell Lee, 44, Franklin, was arrested at 4:07 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bail has not been set at this time.

--Eric Dewayne Hunt, 46, Franklin, was arrested at 6:38 p.m. Friday on four warrants alleging failure to appear on a charge of criminal neglect of family. Bail was set at $127,676.16.

--Kristopher Lee Acosta, 41, Ingleside, Texas, was arrested at 6:16 p.m. Friday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on a charge of domestic abuse battery (strangulation). Bail has not been set at this time.

--Kenneth Glenn Evans III, 43, Patterson, was arrested at 6:16 p.m. Friday on three warrants alleging failure to appear on charges of distribution of cocaine and criminal neglect of family. Bail was set at $17,678.53.

Morgan City

Chief Chad M. Adams reported that over the last 72-hour period, the Morgan City Police Department responded to 137 calls for service and made these arrests:

--Christopher L. Lacaze, 44, Vine Drive, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:17 a.m. Saturday on charges of criminal trespass, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.

--Jennifer T. Lacaze, 42, Vine Drive, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:17 a.m. Saturday on charges of criminal trespass, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a legend drug without a prescription.

--Darron Watts, 21, Arlington, Texas, was arrested at 1:25 a.m. Saturday on a charge of possession of marijuana.

--Crystal G. Thompson, 44, Egle Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:32 p.m. Sunday on a warrant alleging aggravated battery.

--Carlton Cosey, 40, First Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 9 a.m. Friday on a warrant alleging possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

--Andrew Gros IV, 19, Fig Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 5:33 pm. Friday on a warrant alleging introduction of contraband into a penal facility.

--Bridget Young, 55, Oregon Street, Berwick, was arrested at 12:38 a.m. Saturday on a warrant alleging contempt of court (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

Patterson

Chief Garrett Grogan reported this arrest:

--Jayden M. Harvey, 18, Catherine Street, Patterson, was arrested at 10:51 p.m. June 8 on charges of disturbing the peace (fighting) and simple battery. Harvey was incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with bond set at $812.

Bayou Horseshoe Pitchers Association scores

Mon, 06/19/2023 - 11:14am

Bayou Horseshoe Pitchers Association
Spring League - 2023
Week 10
W L
The Champs...............48 42
Kool Kats...................45.5 44.5
AARP Bandits............45.5 44.5
Whatever...................44.5 45.5
Pole Chasers.............44.5 45.5
Pit Bosses ..................42.5 48
High scratch point average: (30’) Tim Gilmore 80.8, Burnie Williams 68.1 and Jimmy Percle 61.5; and (40’) Dwain Arceneaux 50.5, Randy Giroir 47.0 and Dale Pearce 46.1.
High individual ringer percentage: (30’) Gilmore 59.4, Williams 42.6, Clyde Landry 42.6 and Clay Canty 40.2; and (40’) Arceneaux 33.8, Pearce 30.5 and Giroir 26.1.
High scratch game: (30’) Gilmore 100, Williams 79 and Percle 76; and (40’) Pearce 66, Arceneaux 65 and Glenn Cailouet 62. Most ringers: (one night) Gilmore 78, Landry 60, Williams 60 and Arceneaux 55; and (one game) Gilmore 32, Williams 23, Percle 22, Canty 22, Landry 21 and Arceneaux 21.
High handicap game: Gilmore 112, Travis Bourdier 111, J. Guzdial 109, Caillouet 108 and Dale Pearce 107; most points one night: Gilmore 265, Williams 225, Landry 209, Percle 200 and Canty 196; and high game over average: Bourdier 26.8 and Mary Guzdial 15.7.
Best won-loss record: Williams 19-8, Gilmore 14-7, Landry 16-8, Warren Raymond 10-5 and Julius Lovell 17-10; most points one night – team: Kool Kats 550 and Whatever 507; and most ringers one night – team: Kool Kats 145 and Whatever 133.

Morgan City police radio logs for June 16-18

Mon, 06/19/2023 - 10:08am

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.
Friday, June 16
6:17 a.m. 500 block of Brashear Avenue; Unauthorized use of movable.
7:33 a.m. 6000 block of La. 182; Animal complaint.
7:43 a.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Disturbance.
10:21 a.m. U.S. 90 West/Martin Luther King Boulevard; Traffic complaint.
11:24 a.m. 1300 block of Federal Avenue; Building check.
11:45 a.m. La. 182/Sushiro; Traffic complaint.
11:47 a.m. 1200 block of Brashear Avenue; Accident.
11:51 a.m. Victor II Boulevard/Brashear Avenue; Accident.
12:07 p.m. U.S. 90 West/over Cannatas; Stalled vehicle.
12:53 p.m. 900 block of Seventh Street; Theft.
1:21 p.m. 3100 block of Susan Street; Theft.
2:28 p.m. 500 block of Orange Street; Complaint.
2:40 p.m. Patterson; Be on the lookout/traffic stop.
4:19 p.m. 200 block of Headland Street; Narcotics complaint.
4:32 p.m. 3800 block of Lake Palourde, Amelia; Assistance.
4:39 p.m. 800 block of Victor II Boulevard; Theft.
4:40 p.m. 500 block of Orange Street; Loud music.
6:10 p.m. Area of Fourth/Greenwood streets; Complaint.
6:56 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
7:24 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
7:41 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Complaint.
8:42 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Welfare concern.
8:53 p.m. Area of Maple/Shaw streets; Suspicious person/vehicle.
10:01 p.m. 1400 block of Railroad Avenue; Telephone harassment.
10:28 p.m. 700 block of Brashear Avenue; Complaint.
11:17 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; 911 hang up.
11:51 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; 911 hang up.
Saturday, June 17
1:01 a.m. 600 block of Louisiana Street; Medical.
1:04 a.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Animal complaint.
1:22 a.m. Area of Orange Street/Federal Avenue; Complaint.
2:46 a.m. Area of Sixth Street; Complaint.
3:07 a.m. 7300 block of La. 182; Suspicious person/vehicle.
5:25 a.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; 911 hang up.
7:05 a.m. 600 block of Louisa Street; Subject removal.
7:32 a.m. Sixth/Arenz streets; Complaint.
9:13 a.m. 500 block of Arenz Street; Criminal damage to property.
9:16 a.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Accident.
11:21 a.m. 900 block of Garden Street; Complaint.
4:42 p.m. Third/Barrow streets; Accident.
6:04 p.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Reckless operation.
6:16 p.m. 1200 block of Victor II Boulevard; Alarm.
6:55 p.m. 900 block of Fourth Street; Complaint.
7:35 p.m. 1200 block of Spruce Street; Medical/alarm.
8:04 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; 911 hang up.
9:14 p.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Complaint.
9:54 p.m. Area Sixth/Arenz streets; Traffic incident.
10:01 p.m. Area Seventh/Everett streets; Suspicious person.
10:30 p.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Disturbance.
10:45 p.m. Area U.S. 90 West; Reckless operation.
Sunday, June 18
12:20 a.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Suspicious person.
12:35 a.m. Area Sixth/General Patton streets; Suspicious person.
1:23 a.m. Area Fourth/Arenz streets; Suspicious person.
1:42 a.m. 7500 block of La. 182; Medical.
2:06 a.m. 6800 block of La. 182; Medical.
2:12 a.m. Area St. Mary; Be on the lookout.
2:28 a.m. 300 block of Mallard Street; Theft.

Three drug arrests reported by Morgan City police

Fri, 06/16/2023 - 3:56pm
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.)

Morgan City police reported three arrests Thursday on drug charges.

Morgan City

Chief Chad M. Adams reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 55 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting peirod and made these arrests:

--Brandon Sharpton, 37, Snook Circle, Punta Gorda, Florida, was arrested at 7:54 a.m. Thursday on a charge of resisting an officer.

--Terin Marie Champagne, 25, Fieldspan Road, Duson, was arrested at 9:09 p.m. Thursday on charges of obscenity and possession of marijuana.

--Carlton Cosey, 40, First Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:35 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession of hydrocodone, possession of marijuana and window tint violation.

--Tanisha Wilkerson, 47, Grace Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:49 p.m. Thursday ona charge of theft (under $1,000).

--John Wayne Ross, 54, Morgan City, was arrested at 4:29 a.m. Thursday on a charge of disturbing the peace.

--Breionne Dedric, 30, Railroad Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:55 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of phentermine, and failure to appear for arraignment (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Rusty James Istre, 37, 16th Street, Larose, was arrested at 9:09 p.m. Thursday on a charge of obscenity.

Three strikes: Man arrested in Morgan City on bank fraud charge

Thu, 06/15/2023 - 11:12am
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.)

An Opelousas man who tried to cash a fraudulent check in two other cities was arrested Wednesday at a Morgan City bank, police said.

Morgan City

Chief Chad M. Adams reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 67 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting period and made this arrest:

--Tyler Damone Thierry, 22, South Market Street, Opelousas, was arrested at 2:52 p.m. Wednesday on charges of bank fraud and monetary instrument abuse.

On Wednesday, Morgan City police responded to a local bank in the area of Victor II Boulevard regarding a subject attempting to cash a check and being involved in suspicious activity in the bank.

Thierry was identified as the subject involved in the investigation. According to reports, bank officials were alerted to attempts to cash a fraudulent check at banks outside the Morgan City area.

Reports indicate that Thierry entered the bank in Morgan City and attempted to cash the check. Thierry did not have an account with the bank and was given options on how to submit the check until it cleared, which he refused.

It was also learned from surveillance video that Thierry was dropped off by a vehicle at the bank, which departed the area.

Through the investigation the check was found to be fraudulent. It was also learned that Thierry had attempted to cash the check at banks in New Iberia and Franklin to no avail. Thierry allegedly admitted to his involvement in the illegal scheme.

Thierry was arrested and transported to the Morgan City Jail. He is incarcerated and awaiting court proceedings.

The investigation continues, and anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the Morgan City Police Department Detectives Division at 985-380-4605.

St. Mary

Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 20 complaints and made these arrests:

--Jasmine Johnson, 26, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:01 p.m. on a charge of aggravated domestic battery. Bail has not been set at this time.

--Keyandre Virgil Polidore Sr., 32, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:14 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant alleging failure to appear. Bail has not been set at this time.

Franklin

Chief Cedric Handy reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to 10 complaints over the last 48-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

--Anthony Bourda, 42, Gumpoint Lane, Franklin, was arrested at 5:17 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant for 3rd Ward City Court alleging failure to appear on the charges of signal lamps and driving under suspension. Bourda was booked, processed and
released on a $363 bond.

--Raul Perez-Hernandez, 39, Dubois Road, New Iberia, was at 5:37 p.m. Wednesday on charges of speeding, no driver's license, and possession of cocaine. Perez-Hernandez was booked, processed and held with no bond set at the time of press release.

--Jonathan Lopez-Bernal, 37, U.S. 90 East, New Iberia, was arrested at 5:37 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of unlawful production, manufacturing, distribution, or possession of fraudulent documents for identification purposes. Lopez-Bernal was booked, processed and held with no bond set at the time of press release.

--Carlos Menchaca-Miranda, 32, of Highway 90, New Iberia, LA, was arrested at 5:37 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of unlawful production, manufacturing, distribution, or possession of fraudulent documents for identification purposes. Menchaca-Miranda was booked, processed, and held with no bond set at the time of press release.

--Christian Henry, 36, James Street, Franklin, was arrested at 9:03 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant dated March 5, 2021, alleging possession of Schedule I drugs and violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance law (drug-free zone). Henry was booked, processed and released on a $2,500 bond.

--Shane Daniels, 36, Willow Street, Franklin, was arrested at 10:34 p.m. Wednesday on three counts of resisting an officer, possession of Schedule I drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia. Daniels was additionally arrested on a warrant for Harris County Sheriff's Office alleging failure to appear on the charge of felony robbery (threats). Daniels was booked, processed and held with no bond set at the time of press release.

Morgan City police radio logs for June 14-15

Thu, 06/15/2023 - 10:46am

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.
Wednesday, June 14
6:27 a.m. 200 block of Aucoin Street; Medical.
6:41 a.m. La. 182/Greenwood Overpass; Reckless operation.
6:54 a.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Alarm.
7:39 a.m. 1000 block of Brashear Avenue; Suspicious person.
9:36 a.m. 700 block of Justa Street; Suspicious person.
10:46 a.m. 1000 block of Third Street; Welfare check.
11:50 a.m. 1000 block of Ciro Street; Assistance.
1:08 p.m. New Orleans; Complaint.
1:25 p.m. 7300 block of La. 182; Alarm.
2:16 p.m. 7500 block of La. 182; Subject removal.
2:37 p.m. 1200 block of Brashear Avenue; Suspicious person.
3:56 p.m. Glenwood Street; Animal complaint.
4:15 p.m. 1200 block of David Drive; Alarm.
5:57 p.m. Area of Veterans Boulevard/La. 70; Reckless driver.
6:09 p.m. Area of Shaw Park; Medical.
6:28 p.m. Area of Willard/Ninth streets; Stalled vehicle.
8:17 p.m. Area of La. 182; Complaint.
8:18 p.m. 1200 block of Victor II Boulevard; Disturbance.
8:22 p.m. Area of Catherine Street; Loud music.
8:51 p.m. Area of La. 182/Aycock Street; Loud music.
8:54 p.m. 600 block of Aucoin Street; Complaint.
9:11 p.m. 1600 block of Elm Street; Complaint.
11:44 p.m. 900 block of Marguerite Street; Opened door.
Thursday, June 15
12:52 a.m. 200 block of Mallard Street; Medical.
12:54 a.m. 1400 block of Railroad Avenue; Animal complaint.
2:44 a.m. 1200 block of Brashear Avenue; Complaint.
4:05 a.m. 500 block of Aucoin Street; Suspicious person/vehicle.
5:22 a.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Complaint.

John K. Flores: Local anglers go fishing for a good cause

Thu, 06/15/2023 - 10:14am
JOHN K. FLORES

Anglers in bay boats, bateaus, and bass boats of all shapes and sizes rolled up in front of Morgan City Municipal Auditorium to weigh their catch for a shot at some big money during the 11th Annual Morgan City Open Fishing Rodeo last Saturday.

For more than a decade, proceeds from the event have provided scholarships and support to students who attend South Louisiana Community College and Nicholls State University. Additionally, the MCOFR has supported other charitable causes that include the local Boy Scouts organization.

The annual rodeo is truly a community event made up of volunteers and established sponsors whose generosity continues to make the rodeo successful. What’s more, success that isn’t always measured in dollars paid out, but instead the smiles of contestants faces and the stories they share at the weigh in, win or lose.

Take Tim Aucoin and his partner Nell Topham. The two anglers entered the catfish division and were fishing at the mouth of Lake Palourde near the old PHI helicopter airport in Amelia.

Topham said she had caught only one catfish all day and pretty much was relegated to videographer duties while Aucoin caught.

Aucoin and Topham brought in two enormous blue catfish that looked like clones of each other. Aucoin, a slender man who had trouble holding up the two cats for a picture, yielded to Topham as the better storyteller when it came to sharing how the two catfish made it into the boat.

Topham said, “The first one he caught — the fat one — we had 50 pound test line and it broke the leader right at the boat. Tim leaned over and bear hugged the fish to get it in the boat. I was like ‘No way! No way!’”

“But that wasn’t the best story,” Topham continued. “On the next fish, the whole reel breaks off the rod. We got the pole up, so I grabbed the pole and I said, ‘Tim just pull it in by hand.’ So, Tim starts wrapping the line around one of the pipes in the back to get it in and we got it in! We got it in by hand.”

In the catfish division, fishermen are only allowed to weigh in one catfish of any species. Aucoin’s blue catfish weighed in at 26.50 pounds; good enough for third place and a check for $480. Red Griffin took second place in the catfish division with a 30.90 pound blue catfish.

Ernie Roe won first place in the catfish division with a 33.35 pound flat head catfish that he caught a little southeast of the Morgan City bridge he says. Roe’s big goujon was good for $720 in prize money.
Roe said he wasn’t expecting to catch a flat head catfish.

Roe said, “It actually surprised me, because we caught him on cut bait and I usually catch goujon on live bait. So, he did surprise me a little.”

Roe was sponsored by KQKI, but was there also representing Bayou Outdoors, a foundation that takes special needs children on hunting and fishing trips. Roe mentioned he lost a few fish that might have been bigger.

“We lost three fish that were bigger than anything we had in the boat — all blue cats. I suspect they were 45 to 50 pounds. We lost them right at the boat. One broke the line at the boat, because we were trying to net him and the net wasn’t big enough, so we were wrestling with him. And two of them the hook just pulled out right at the boat,” Roe said.

The most popular rodeo division each year is the redfish division. There were 47 entries this year of which 25 fishermen weighed in redfish. The highly competitive division saw 17 three-fish stringers that weighed in over 20 pounds.

Brad Matte took home first place honors and a check for $1,523 with 27.62 pounds of redfish. It’s noteworthy that Matte has placed first or second in the last four out of five years fishing the rodeo.

Matt D’Matteo weighed in 26.84 pounds, slightly over three quarters of a pound behind Matte. And, Dale Crochet finished in third place with 26.72 pounds.

Big redfish went to Mike Lambert, who weighed in a 12.70 pound red. Lambert’s big redfish and 26.20 pounds was good enough for fifth place on the leader board. Lambert was sight fishing around Dulac using soft plastics and spinner baits. His preferred plastic was “chicken on a chain.”

The trash fish division is always interesting, and anglers are only allowed to weigh in one fish. Typically, contestants in this division will weigh in garfish, gafftopsail catfish, black drum, and even stingrays.

This year’s unusual trash fish was a 19.22 pound jack crevalle, caught by Chad Vining. Vining took home first place in the speckled trout division weighing in five trout that weighed 12.12 pounds. Unfortunately, his jack crevalle was bested by Dale Tompkins’ 19.40 black drum by only .18 pound.

Big speckled trout was won by Jakob Dworaczyk. Dworaczyk’s trout weighed 2.84 pounds.

There were 21 entries this year in the bass division. Eddie Kimble’s five-fish stringer weighed 14.70 pounds and was worth $136 a fish or $680.

Adam Marceaux took second place in the bass division with 13.15 pounds. And, Alex Falcon took home third place. Falcon also won big bass with a 5.25 pound largemouth.

For more information on the MCOFR go to their website www.mcofr.com and while you’re at it, take a look at the long list of proud sponsors of the annual event.

John Flores is the Morgan City Review’s outdoor writer. He can be contacted at gowiththeflo@cox.net.

Pages

ST. MARY NOW

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

St Mary Now Copyright  © 2026