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The St. Mary Parish Council opened the new year with good news on the technology front and a major economic development announcement.

The council heard Wednesday that Kumho Tire, an Asia-based tire manufacturer, signed an agreement earlier that day with The Melis Group to construct a tire distribution center at an as-yet-undetermined site in Franklin. The 350,000-square-foot center is expected to employ about 100 people.

The project, said parish Economic Development Director Evan Boudreaux at Wednesday's council meeting, will offer high-quality, high-paying jobs that will benefit "not just the west end of the parish, but the whole parish."

The warehouse has the potential for more economic benefits in the future. St. Mary is home to three of North America's largest plants for the manufacture of carbon black, a material used to make tires.

Kumho, one of the world's top tire manufacturers, launched a significant expansion in March. The South Korea company announced plans to spend $305 million to increase production at its tire plant in Vietnam and to expand its manufacturing operation in Macon, Georgia, according to the company's website.

Franklin Mayor Eugene Foulcard said he believes the distribution center will be somewhere on the western edge of Franklin. The city government has improved sewer and water service in the Northwest Boulevard area with an eye toward economic development, he said.

State Rep. Vincent St. Blanc, R-Franklin, state Sen. Bret Allain, R-Franklin, and local officials came in for thanks for their work to bring the center to St. Mary Parish.

Broadband

Also Tuesday, Parish President David Hanagriff praised the progress toward providing high-speed broadband to underserved areas of the parish using the state's Granting Unserved Municipalities Broadband Opportunities program, known as GUMBO.

The program began a year ago with a $90 million boost from the federal government. The St. Mary Parish government, working with private provider Cajun Broadband, received two grants totaling about $960,000 to provide high-speed data service to residents in Sorrel and the Irish Bend Road area.

The service will be offered via fiber optics, which can generally offer faster upload and download speeds.

"I don't have fiber at my house," Hanagriff said. "I'm going to be jealous."

The work in St. Mary will begin in February and will be finished in May, Hanagriff said.

Councilman the Rev. Craig Mathews, who represents District 1 in western St. Mary, said the lack of broadband service in some areas has been evident since at least 2008.

That's bad for businesses that would find high-speed data useful as well as for students, he said.

"This has been a very hot topic, a very sore subject for residents of District 1 and other areas of St. Mary," Mathews said.

Using GUMBO grants to improve broadband service will require funding from the St. Mary Parish government, Mathews said. But "the benefits will yield far more than that investment."

A second round of GUMBO funding will go out in September.

St. Blanc received more praise from parish officials for his work to make the broadband projects happen. In turn, LeBlanc thanked Mathews and Hanagriff for their advocacy.

Delaying ordinances

The council voted to table two proposed ordinances that would remove stop signs from two intersections in Bayou Vista. Their sponsor, Council Scott Ramsey of Bayou Vista, was absent from Tuesday meetings.

The ordinances would remove stop signs from the intersections of Columbus at Jupiter and Universe at Saturn.

Ramsey has argued in the past that the stop signs impede traffic in the area. He had also introduced an ordinance requiring a traffic engineer's report on proposed installation or removal of stop signs.

Opponents said the stop signs are needed for the safety of children and older residents in the area.

On Wednesday, former Councilman Glen Hidalgo told the council that members who vote to remove the stop signs will regret their votes after an accident at one of those intersections.

Another ordinance proposed for introduction would have banned the sale of imported shrimp in St. Mary Parish.

The ordinance was proposed by Councilman Rodney Olander, R-Franklin, a shrimper and a member of a state shrimp fishing advisory board.

Olander put off introduction of the ordinance, saying he wants to look further into the details of how it would work.

(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.)

A Patterson motorcycle rider clocked at 90 mph in St. Mary Parish was arrested after he crashed in Assumption, the Sheriff’s Office said.

St. Mary

Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 31 complaints and made these arrests:

--Dakota Parker, 24, Patterson, was arrested 1:45 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant alleging speeding (over 25 mph), aggravated flight from officer and no motorcycle endorsement.

About 3 p.m. Friday, a deputy was monitoring traffic on U.S. 90 eastbound when he observed a motorcycle traveling at a high rate of speed (over 90 mph in a 60 mph zone). The deputy attempted to make a traffic stop on the motorcycle when the motorcycle accelerated.

The motorcycle exited the highway in Morgan City and eventually continued traveling onto La. 70 into Assumption Parish towards Pierre Part.

The deputy discontinued the pursuit out of caution and stopped for fuel before heading back to St. Mary Parish. A short time later, the deputy learned from an Assumption Parish deputy that the motorcycle had slid off the roadway and crashed.

The deputy proceeded to the scene and made contact with the driver, identified as Parker. Parker was transported to a medical facility for treatment, and a warrant was obtained for his arrest.

On Tuesday, Parker turned himself in and was booked into the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center on the active warrant. Parker was subsequently released on a $26,250 bond.

--Bobby Joe Aucoin, 34, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:12 p.m. Tuesday on charges of domestic abuse battery and attempted unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling. Bail was set at $6,000.

--Devin James Dinger, 28, New Iberia, was arrested at 2:39 a.m. Wednesday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, careless operation of a motor vehicle and no seat belt. Dinger was released on a $2,500 bond.

Morgan City

Police Chief Chad M. Adams reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 69 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

---Abram Maquis Granger Jr., 23, Apple Street, Moran City, was arrested at 9:51 a.m. Tuesday on four charges of failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Brian Fontenot, 45, Mitchell Street, Franklin, was arrested at 12:40 p. m. Tuesday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and improper turning.

- Luis Ivan Garcilazo, 20, Todd Lane, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:35 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of hit-and-run driving.

--Megan Janei Bryant, 26, Alice Drive, Thibodaux, was arrested at 3:04 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

--Jeffery Blaine Lodrigue, 31, Second Street, Berwick, was arrested at 6:59 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Berwick

Police Chief David S. Leonard reported this arrest:

--Alexander Canles, 36 Sixth Street, Berwick, was arrested at 3:46 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant alleging domestic abuse battery.

On Monday, officers responded to a residence on Sixth Street in reference to a domestic disturbance taking place. Evidence was gathered developing Canles as a suspect.

Through the investigation, it was learned that Canles committed a battery on a female victim inside the residence, but he was no longer there at the time. A warrant was later obtained.

About 3:46 p.m. Tuesday, officers located Canles at the residence. Canles was placed under arrest without incident and transported to the Berwick Police Department, where he was booked.

Patterson

Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported this arrest:

--Mikayla D. Randall, 19, Elsie Street, Thibodaux, was arrested at 12:29 p.m. Tuesday on charges of speeding 82 mph in a 55 mph zone and careless operation (no accident). Randall was issued a summons.

Franklin

Interim Police Chief Tina Thibodeaux reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to nine complaints over the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

--Anthony Ruffin, 40, O'Neal Chube Street, Franklin, was arrested at 10:59 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant dated Jan. 5 alleging simple criminal damage to property, theft and simple assault. Ruffin was booked, processed and released on a $3,500.00 bond.

--Anthony Wells, 70, Antigo Alley, Franklin, was arrested at 12:07 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant dated Jan. 6 alleging remaining where forbidden. Wells was booked, processed and released on a $500 bond.

Mardi Gras is back in full swing and area krewes are ready to party.
Seven parades will roll through the Tri-City area starting Feb. 17 and ending with two on Fat Tuesday.
Parades in chronological order are:
Krewe of Adonis
The men’s Krewe of Adonis will hold its nighttime parade at 7 p.m. Feb. 17 in Morgan City.
Participants will start the procession at the corner of Brashear Avenue and Second Street and proceed down Second to Onstead Street, Sixth Street, Marguerite Street, Ninth Street, Brashear Avenue, Victor II Boulevard and end at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium on Myrtle Street.
Krewe of Dionysus
The Krewe of Dionysus has made a long thought out decision to make Berwick the permanent home of its parade. This year’s event will be held at 2 p.m. Feb. 18.
The procession will line up on Gilmore Drive and turn on John Street, Robichaux Street, Mount Street, Gilmore Drive, right on La. 182, Tournament Boulevard, Fairview Drive then to Pattie Drive, where it will disband at Berwick Junior High School.
Krewe of Galatea
The mystick women’s Krewe of Galatea will hold its parade at 2 p.m. Feb. 19 in Morgan City.
Members will organize on Second Street under the U.S. 90 Grizzaffi Bridge then proceed down Second Street to Onstead Street, Sixth Street, Marguerite Street, Ninth Street, Clothilde Street, Victor II Boulevard and end at the auditorium.
Members of the children’s Krewe of Nike will follow behind Galatea.
Krewe of Amani
The Krewe of Amani will hold its Lundi Gras parade at 2 p.m. Feb. 20 in Patterson.
Participants will line up at Patterson High School and proceed down La. 182 (Main Street) towards Patterson where the procession will end at Place Norman Shopping Center. A block party will follow on Martin Luther King Avenue.
Krewe of Hera
The Krewe of Hera will parade at 7 p.m. on Lundi Gras, Feb. 20, in Morgan City.
The procession will line up on Second Street at Brashear Avenue, continue down Second to Onstead Street, Sixth Street, Marguerite Street, Ninth Street (La. 70), Clothilde Street, Victor II Boulevard and end at the auditorium.
Krewe of Hephaestus
The area’s oldest-chartered krewe, the Krewe of Hephaestus will hold its parade at 2 p.m. on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 21, in Morgan City.
The procession will organize on Sixth and Sycamore streets and proceed down Sixth Street to Marguerite Street, Ninth Street, Clothilde Street, Victor II Boulevard and end at the auditorium.
Siracusa/Greenwood
The Siracusa/Greenwood Community has announced that it will hold its Mardi Gras Parade on Fat Tuesday at 2 p.m.
Participants will line up on Siracusa Road at 1 p.m. then proceed to James Street and Grace Street before ending at the Siracusaville Recreation Center.
Anyone wishing to participate or for information may call Leroy Trim at 985-385-4224, or 985-759-1689, or Mary Jones at 985-519-0547.
Parade Summaries
—Krewe of Adonis: Friday, Feb. 17, 7 p.m., Morgan City.
—Krewe of Dionysus: Saturday, Feb. 18, 2 p.m., Berwick.
—Krewe of Galatea: Sunday, Feb. 19, 2 p.m., Morgan City.
—Krewe of Amani: Monday, Feb. 20, 2 p.m., Patterson.
—Krewe of Hera: Monday, Feb. 20, 7 p.m., Morgan City.
—Siracusa/Greenwood: Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2 p.m., Siracusaville.
—Krewe of Hephaestus: Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2 p.m., Morgan City.

A new Louisiana law regarding age verification for pornographic websites is drawing controversy for several reasons, despite overwhelming support from all but one member of the Louisiana Legislature.

Act 440 took effect on Jan. 1 to create a cause of civil action for Louisiana parents whose children access pornographic websites that do not utilize an age verification process. The legislation, sponsored by

Rep. Laurie Schlegel, R-Jefferson, passed both chambers of the Republican-controlled Legislature in June with little debate and only a single nay vote — from Rep. Mandie Landry, D-New Orleans.

"The question is what is pornography or obscenity, who gets to decide, and how is that enforced? So much of that is in the eye of the beholder," Landry said.

Last week, Schlegel took to Twitter to defend the law.

"This law had bipartisan support and passed almost unanimously in both the House & Senate with close to 50 co-authors, including Democrats and Republicans. It was not a Republican win but a win for children in Louisiana."

This bill is about protecting children not limiting adults," she posted. "And thankfully, the technology today allows us to not only protect children from the dangers of online pornography but also protect the privacy of those adults who want to view this material."

The new law has convinced the adult site PornHub to implement age verification for Louisiana residents, while other sites reportedly have yet to comply. While the state's LA Wallet online identification system streamlines the age verification process, it remains unclear how and where sites that don't comply will be held liable.

The legislation contends "pornography is creating a public health crisis and having a corroding influence on minors," who are accessing sites at younger ages than in the past.