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Several graves were damaged recently by an impaired driver driving in the cemetery in Franklin, but that driver will be held responsible for paying for repairs to any graves that were damaged, Mayor Eugene Foulcard said.
“A very unfortunate incident,” Foulcard said. “But law enforcement did make an arrest. That person has been handled for what transpired.”
The mayor said he didn’t think there was any malice or intent to vandalize the cemetery. Martin Sonnier, 56, of Parks, was arrested at 6:55 p.m. on Jan. 11 on charges of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (second offense) and 40 counts of criminal damage to property, among other charges. Sonnier was identified as a suspect in a hit and run accident in the area of Main Street and Northwest Boulevard at 5:37 p.m. on Jan. 11, and Franklin police officers responded to a call at 6:40 p.m. that day to reports of someone driving in the cemetery and hitting several graves. Sonnier was arrested after police arrived at the scene, according to a press release from Interim Chief Tina Thibodeaux.
“I just think the driver was impaired and ended up in that graveyard some type of way,” Foulcard said. “It was just very unfortunate.”
Police will look into whether the driver has auto insurance to help pay for repairs.
“Not all of them were severely damaged, but then there were some that had some damages that will take some serious repair,” Foulcard said. “But I think it’s something they can handle internally between the driver of that vehicle with that insurance.”

Franklin Mayor Eugene Foulcard highlighted the planned construction of a 350,000 square foot state-of-the-art distribution and logistics center in the city during his executive report to the Franklin City Council at its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 17.
Kumho Tires announced the signing of a contract with The Melis Gruup on Wednesday, Jan. 11, with city and state officials in attendance, to construct the facility in the city. Kumho Tires is one of the world’s leading tire manufacturers with manufacturing facilities in Korea, China, the U.S. and Vietnam.
The announcement was a shot in the arm for the city’s Revitalization Movement, Foulcard said, which has seen the opening of 40 small businesses in the city since the COVID pandemic began.
“The cumulative effort of the city, the city council, and our parish officials and the state legislative delegation, those efforts to bring this multi-million dollar investment to Franklin was a huge, huge win for St. Mary Parish, Franklin, and the entire state,” Foulcard said. “We could not do this alone. It took a complete team effort. I’ve always said it takes many pieces of the puzzle to make it work. We won’t take the credit for this, but when God is in the midst of what all we do, good things happen, and I thank God we found favor in possibly having this company come to Franklin.”
In answer to a question from someone attending the meeting, Foulcard said work is being done to buy the property for the facility, with at least another two years before the work is done.
“It just takes a while,” he said. “It is coming. They are working on it.”
Also in his executive report, Foulcard discussed the city’s third annual New Year’s Eve celebration, and a walk-through he and members of the city administration had through downtown Franklin to go over the Complete Streets program that the city began last October “in an effort to address accessibility and safety of the sidewalks, crosswalks and heaviest pedestrian areas throughout the city.”
Franklin is one of nine municipalities chosen across the state for the program and has many partners in the program, including the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, the LSU AgCenter, Atchafalaya National Heritage Area and Acadiana Regional Transportation Safety Council.
“I’m thankful for their guidance and counsel in navigating the application process with my administration,” he said.
The mayor said construction has begun on the new Franklin paddle trail kayak, canoe and floating dock and the fishing pier on Fifth Street at the mouth of the Franklin Canal, which would help create the only loop paddle trail in Louisiana and increase eco-tourism in Franklin.
City Director of Finance Ed Hay talked about the city’s garbage and landfill rates, which are going to increase in order to cover expenditures.
Hay said that as part of the normal review of costs the city incurs, he found that the fees charged to customers are not covering the city’s expenditures for garbage pickup and landfill charges.
“The landfill costs were increased by the parish, so it increased Pelican’s costs,” Hay said. “Pelican (Waste and Debris) has an escalation clause in their contract that allows them to pass that on to us. I had to look at that because we have to cover the costs we have in order to maintain the bond coverage that we have with the state of Louisiana. We have to do this. We have no choice.”
If the city does not increase its charges, it is looking at a $73,000 shortfall this year in that fund, Hay said his projections show. With a projected cost-of-living increase next year, based on current estimates, the city would be looking at a $125,000 non-coverage of costs next year.
Hay said he calculated the rates, separating garbage and landfill costs. Based on the numbers, the garbage rate of $14.50 would increase to $18.50, and the landfill rate would increase from $3 to $4.
“And that’ll give us the opportunity to cover the costs and maintain a positive cash flow, because the bill from Pelican every month is right at $60,000, so we have to make up that difference,” Hay said. “Unfortunately, that’s the only way we have to make that difference up.”
Also at the meeting, Franklin Junior High student Destanee Figueroa, who has been nominated to attend the Junior National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. in July, was introduced to the council by her father, Carmelo Figueroa, to see if the city could help offset some of the costs of the trip to the nation’s capital. She was nominated for the honor with a 4.0 grade point average.
“Congratulations,” Foulcard said, after the Figueroas had addressed the council. “You are our future. One day I would like to see you in this seat. I can’t do this forever. Great job.”
Foulcard asked if the family had spoken to the St. Mary Parish School Board about helping provide funds for the trip as well. Carmelo Figueroa said they had not yet, instead choosing to go to the city as the first step in seeking help to cover the trip’s costs. Foulcard said the city would like to help out, but officials want to make sure anything they do is done the right way.
“Let’s see what we can possibly do,” Foulcard said. “I think it’s a worthy and honorable award that she’s doing, and if there’s anything that we can possibly do to help offset some of that cost, we definitely would like to look at that. We’ll take a look at that and get back with you on that.”

(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.)

Police in Morgan City and Franklin reported four arrests Thursday, three of them on assault or battery charges.

Morgan City

Police 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 these arrests:

--Kameron Anthony Tabor, 18, South Railroad Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:04 a.m. Thursday on charges of aggravated battery and cyberstalking.

--Tamisha Roberson Bickham, 46, Ash Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 5:37 p.m. Thursday on a charge of simple assault.

--Joshua Paul Hiles, 38, Stephensville Road, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:30 p.m. Thursday on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense), possession of hydrocodone, improper turning and driving under suspension.

Franklin

Interim Police Chief Tina Thibodeaux reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to six complaints over the last 24-hour reporting period and made this arrest:

--Mary Sophus, 63, Tabor Street, Franklin, was arrested 23, at 11:50 p.m. Thursday on a charge of aggravated battery. Sophus was booked, processed and held with no bond set at time of press release.

Tuesday, Jan. 17
6:25 a.m. 2400 block of Maple Street; Patrol.
9:27 a.m. 1300 block of Sixth Street; Welfare concern.
9:28 a.m. 500 block of Franklin Street; Lost and found.
10:03 a.m. 1700 block of Sixth Street; Burglary.
10:06 a.m. 1100 block of Seventh Street; Medical.
10:07 a.m. 2700 block of Sixth Street; Medical.
1:14 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
1:52 p.m. 400 block of Railroad Avenue; Arrest.
1:57 p.m. Freret and Everett streets; Disturbance.
2:08 p.m. 7800 block of La. 182; Animal complaint.
2:39 p.m. Federal Avenue; Suspicious subject.
3:11 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
3:20 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
3:21 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
4:41 p.m. Fifth Street; Disturbance.
5:54 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
7:12 p.m. Area of Lawrence Street; Suspicious vehicle.
7:35 p.m. 1000 block of Marguerite Street; Alarm.
7:52 p.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Complaint.
8:48 p.m. Area of Fourth Street; Suspicious person.
8:55 p.m. 900 block of Seventh Street; Complaint.
10:48 p.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Medical.
12:01 a.m. 1400 block of Second Street ; Theft.
2:53 a.m. 800 block of Fig Street; Welfare concern.
5:19 a.m. 100 block of Poncio Street; Medical.
5:26 a.m. 1200 block of Victor II Boulevard; Suspicious persons.
Wednesday, Jan. 18
6:42 a.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Complaint.
6:57 a.m. 1800 block of Victor II Boulevard; Vehicle burglary.
7:45 a.m. 2000 block of Sixth Street; Lost and found.
8:53 a.m. 1800 block of Victor II Boulevard; Vehicle burglary.
9:05 a.m. 500 block of Federal Avenue; Lost and found.
9:17 a.m. 500 block of Federal Avenue; Patrol request.
9:35 a.m. 1600 block of Chestnut Drive; Medical.
9:43 a.m. 400 block of Bowman Street; Lost and found.
10:47 a.m. 700 block of Cottonwood Street; Vehicle burglary.
12:32 p.m. 2000 block of Railroad Avenue; Complaint.
1:06 p.m. 1100 block of McDermott Drive; Theft.
1:09 p.m. Morgan City bridge; Complaint.
1:55 p.m. 1700 block of Victor II Boulevard; Vehicle burglary.
3:28 p.m. 400 block of Leona Street; Juvenile problems.
3:33 p.m. 600 block of Fourth Street; Medical.
3:53 p.m. 1200 block of Kenneth Street; Complaint.
3:59 p.m. 900 block of Seventh Street; Vehicle accident.
4:37 p.m. 100 block of Garber Street; Domestic.
4:50 p.m. 6500 block of La. 182; 911 hang up.
4:52 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Reckless driving.
5:04 p.m. 1100 block of Federal Avenue; Medical.
5:12 p.m. 500 block of St. Lucy Street, Patterson; Complaint.
5:25 p.m. 300 block of South Railroad Avenue; Animal complaint.
5:49 p.m. Garber Street; Patrol request.
6:07 p.m. 900 block of Duke Street; Animal complaint.
6:33 p.m. 100 block of Chennault Street; Loud music.
6:46 p.m. 100 block of Brownell Street; Fire complaint.
6:57 p.m. Front Street; Patrol request.
7:06 p.m. 1200 block of David Drive; Alarm.
7:34 p.m. Federal Avenue/Franklin Street; Suspicious person.
7:47 p.m. Sixth/Pine streets; Suspicious person.
8:30 p.m. 2000 block of Maple Street; Harassment.
8:50 p.m. 700 block of Duke Street; Welfare check.
8:52 p.m. 900 block of Duke Street; Simple assault.
8:57 p.m. 700 block of Duke Street; Assistance.
10:02 p.m. Greenwood/Second streets; Suspicious person.
10:08 p.m. Sixth/General Patton streets; Suspicious person.
10:26 p.m. Fourth/Greenwood streets; Suspicious person.
10:31 p.m. First/Onstead streets; Suspicious person.
10:40 p.m. Sixth/Hilda streets; Suspicious person.
10:46 p.m. Bush/Sixth streets; Suspicious person.
10:49 p.m. Federal Avenue/Ellzey Street; Suspicious person.
10:52 p.m. Sixth/Marguerite streets; Suspicious person.
10:52 p.m. Seventh/Clothilde streets; Suspicious person.
11:05 p.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Suspicious vehicle.
11:06 p.m. Everett Street/La. 182; Suspicious person.
1:14 p.m. Roderick Street under bridge; Suspicious person.
11:47 p.m. Sixth Street/Sacred Heart Drive; Suspicious person.
11:49 p.m. Federal Avenue/Duke Street; Suspicious person.
11:55 p.m. Seventh/Florence streets; Suspicious person.
11:56 p.m. Marshall/Onstead streets; Suspicious vehicle.
Thursday, Jan. 19
12:47 a.m. 3000 block of Catherine Street; Loud music.
12:47 a.m. 100 block of Roderick Street; Alarm.
1:11 a.m. Chennault/Grizzaffi streets; Assistance.
1:26 a.m. 7700 block of La. 182; Suspicious person.