James Walter, 81, a native of Morgan City, died Monday, Dec. 19, 2022, in New York.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.
A memorial will be held at a later date in New York with interment to follow in Morgan City.
Debra Oliney, 52, a resident of Morgan City, died Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, at Ochsner St. Mary in Morgan City.
Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, which are incomplete at this time.
John Czajka died Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022.
He is survived by his wife, Pat Czajka, and a host of other family members.
Visitation will be Tuesday, 9-10 a.m., at St. Stephen Catholic Church followed by a mass at 10 a.m.
Twin City Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Walter Ennis, 88, a native and resident of Morgan City, died Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, at his residence.
Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, which are incomplete at this time.
Both congressmen who represent St. Mary Parish stood by fellow Republican Kevin McCarthy’s bid to become speaker of the House of Representatives during a historic intermural fight over the top leadership post.
As this is written Wednesday, the fight continued and after four votes, McCarthy had failed to get the 218 votes he needs to overcome opposition from hard-line conservatives.
U.S. Reps. Clay Higgins, R-Lafayette, and Garret Graves, R-Baton Rouge, both supported McCarthy through the first four votes. Higgins represents most of St. Mary Parish, while portions of extreme east St. Mary were placed in Graves’ 6th Congressional District after the 2020 Census.
A statement from Higgins’ office Tuesday said he supported Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Biggs, R-Arizona, during conference deliberations in November. But when 185 fellow Republicans put McCarthy, R-California, forward as their choice for speaker, Higgins said it was time to support McCarthy.
The initial votes packed plenty of drama for political junkies and C-SPAN nerds. After months of negotiations with Freedom Caucus members, McCarthy was reported to have given ground on such issues as creating a “no confidence” vote option on his leadership and giving priority to investigations of Biden administration figures.
But on the first vote Tuesday — with a whole House full of members-elect who could not be seated without a speaker — McCarthy received only 203 votes, 15 short of the number he needed.
McCarthy’s support begin to slip. By the end of the fourth vote Wednesday, he had only 201 votes.
McCarthy’s difficulties raised the possibility that U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Metairie and the second-ranking Republican in the house, would be an alternative who could attract enough support to become speaker.
No Louisiana representative has risen so high within the party’s House ranks since 1998, when Republican Bob Livingston, the designated successor to Newt Gingrich as speaker, declined the post after porn publisher Larry Flynt published details of Livingston’s extramarital affair.
U.S. Reps. Julia Letlow, Mike Johnson and Scalise joined Higgins and Graves in support of McCarthy. The state delegation’s lone Democrat, Troy Carter of New Orleans, supported Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the top House Democrat and outgoing Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s successor.
Here’s the text of Higgins’ statement on the speaker vote:
“Over the past several months, members of the House Republican Conference have engaged in a season of unprecedented negotiations and sometimes contentious debate. Those conversations have been driven by the House Freedom Caucus, of which I am a member. However, to their credit, Republican leadership has been receptive and has facilitated these conversations to the benefit of our Conference and our party. The rule changes that we fought for help restore the power of each individual office to this deliberative body.
“Now, this is the beginning of a new Congress. We have a Constitutional duty to elect a Speaker of the House before any legislative business can be conducted. Not a rule or a tradition… it’s Constitutional writ that Congress shall elect a Speaker of the House at the beginning of each new Congress. Without a Speaker, no committees are formed, no hearings take place, and no conservative legislation moves forward.
“In our internal debates, Kevin McCarthy received 185 votes. There were 31 of us who voted for another candidate. I was one of those 31. I have had a solid working relationship with Kevin since 2017 and I’ve spoken on that truth very candidly for six years. My vote for Andy Biggs in November reflected my support for deep Conference debate regarding Constitutionalist reform during that season of Conference deliberation. My vote in November reflected my core principles as a man who has sworn an oath to our Constitution, not to any one individual. That season of debate has been largely successful in unprecedented ways. HFC drove that debate, and Kevin McCarthy facilitated the debates. Heavy, passionate, long unscripted debates, over and over again. Conservatives won by introducing and encouraging very significant Constitutionalist reforms deep into the actual rules language of our Conference and of the House itself. … That season of debate has passed. It was worth the fight and the need for reforms continues but now is the time for unity as a party, as we fulfill our Constitutional obligation to elect a Speaker of the House. Kevin McCarthy has been duly elected as the Republican nominee for Speaker, and I am a Republican American man.”
Mata Gail Tellman, 85, was born in Jefferson City, MO on May 16th, 1937. She passed away peacefully at her home in Morgan City, LA on December 31st, 2022, surrounded by her family. A Memorial Service will be held on January 13th, 5pm to 6pm, at Twin City Funeral home in Morgan City, LA.
Mata approached every day with enthusiasm and looking for a new experience to be a part of. Growing up in Jefferson City, MO, in the post WW2 era, she dreamed of warm, sunny beaches and endless summers. Her husband-to-be, Donald F. Tellman, proposed marriage while home on leave from the Navy base in San Diego, CA. He sent her a train ticket and away she went with only the clothes on her back. They met up in Yuma, AZ and were married for 63 years, until his passing. Together they had three boys, Larry Don, Roy Franklin and Douglas Lenard. That was the beginning of a lifetime of worldly travels that included nearly all 50 states and
she loved the years she lived in Guam and Australia and traveled throughout the South Pacific.
When Don’s work brough5ther to Morgan City, LA she immediately fell in love with the area. She quickly became a part of the community and made it her last home. She was very active in charitable organizations in the area including the Marine Corp League and their Toys for Tots mission and the local Veterans of Foreign Wars. She loved contributing to the Morgan City Chamber of Commerce and all their charitable works.
Mata had a passion for cooking and won awards for her cheesecake creations. She wrote and published cookbooks entitled, “Eat the Good Stuff First”, which is exactly how she approached life. Mata was a key organizer and founding member of the Barbecue Competitors Alliance and the annual Bayou BBQ Bash Under the Bridge cooking competition and fund raiser.
Mata Tellman is survived by her sons, Larry Tellman (Charisse) and Roy Tellman (Janice); her sister, Sharon Rodeman (Paul); her grandchildren, Amera Tellman (Aaron Wilson), Norisse Misday (John), Scott Ward and Steven Ward; her great-grandchildren, Caleb Tellman, Cyra Nelken, Kellen Misdary and Adalie Misdary; and her nieces, Lynne Ellen Kempker (Tim) and Leslie Ann Forbis (Jeff).
Mata Tellman was proceeded in death by her husband, Donald Tellman; her son, Douglas Tellman; her sister, Barbra Wolken; her parents, Roy and Alma Kaiser.
The family asks that, in leu of flowers, a donation be made to a charity she was passionate about, The Morgan City Marine Corp League chapter of Toys for Tots.
https://marinetoysfortots.salsalabs.org/2022marinetoysfortotscrowdfundin...
(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 and St. Mary deputies made three drug-related arrests Tuesday, including two alleging possession of methamphetamine.
Morgan City
Police Chief Chad M. Adams reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 53 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:
--Xavier Dominic Coleman, 23, Apple Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:19 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of marijuana, resisting arrest and window tint violation.
--Charles Preece, 34, River Road, Berwick, was arrested at 4:32 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and improper turning.
--Joshua Lyn Arnold, 35, Central Avenue, Olla, was arrested at 9:34 p.m. Tuesday on charges of reckless operation of a motor vehicle and possession of an alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle.
St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff's Office responded to 33 complaints and made these arrests:
--Stacey Lynn Grubb, 42, Franklin, was arrested at 2:51 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charge of theft. Grubb also held a Franklin Police Department warrant on the charges of aggravated battery and domestic abuse battery. Bail has not been set at this time.
--Melissa Anne Wetzel, 53, Franklin, was arrested at 10:17 p.m. Tuesday on charges of no license plate light, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving under suspension and possession of marijuana.
Bail has not been set at this time.
--Marion Elizabeth Sanchez, 33, Franklin, was arrested on charges of domestic abuse aggravated assault (child endangerment law). Bail has not been set at this time.
--Jody Richard, 35, Jeanerette, was arrested, at 9:18 p.m. Tuesday by the Narcotics Section on a charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Bail has not been set at this time.
Franklin
Interim Police Chief Tina Thibodeaux reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to 43 complaints over the holiday weekend and made these arrests:
--Blake Broussard, 40, Wilfred Street, Franklin, was arrested at 10:54 a.m. Dec. 29 on a warrant alleging probation violation. Broussard was booked, processed, and transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.
--Carlin Stelly, 45, Magnolia Street, Franklin, was arrested at 2:49 a.m. Dec. 30 on a warrant for 3rd Ward City Court alleging failure to appear on the charges of driving under suspension and tail lamps.
Stelly was booked, processed, and held on a $360 bond.
--Billy LaJaunie, 53, Willow Street, Franklin, was arrested at 3:27 a.m. Dec. 30 on charges of aggravated battery and domestic abuse battery (second offense). LaJaunie was booked, processed and transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.
--Tina Vallet, 53, Willow Street, Franklin, was arrested at 3:27 a.m. Dec. 30 on charges of aggravated battery and domestic abuse battery. Vallet was booked, processed and held on a $1,500 bond.
--Joseph Thibodaux, 24, West Ibert Street, Franklin, was arrested at 5:23 a.m. Dec. 30 on charges of disturbing the peace by language, possession of drug paraphernalia and contraband into penal institution. Thibodaux was booked, processed and transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.
--Jayla Butler, 21, Anderson Street, Franklin, was arrested at 8:54 p.m. Dec. 30 on charges of obstruction of justice and accessory after the fact. Butler was booked, processed and released on a $15,000 bond.
--Brandon Butler, 23, Anderson Street, Franklin, was arrested at 8:54 p.m. Dec. 30 on charges of obstruction of justice and accessory after the fact. Butler was booked, processed, and held on a $15,000 bond.
--Catina Butler, 47, Anderson Street, Franklin, was arrested 8:54 p.m. Dec. 30 on charges of obstruction of justice and accessory after the fact. Butler was booked, processed and held on a $15,000 bond.
--Skyla Butler, 22, Anderson Street, Franklin, was arrested at 8:54 p.m. Dec. 30 on charges of obstruction of justice and accessory after the fact.
--Tyrelle Edwards, 23, Main Street, Franklin, was arrested at 1:49 p.m. Saturday on charges of remaining where forbidden and resisting an officer. Edwards was booked, processed and released on a $3,000 bond.
--Stacey Grubb, 42, Iberia Street, Franklin, was arrested at 8:54 p.m. Monday on charges of domestic abuse battery and aggravated battery. Grubb was booked, processed and held on a $2,500 bond.
--Cory Pierce, 36, Iberia Street, Franklin, was arrested at 9:50 p.m. Monday on charge of domestic abuse battery. Pierce was booked, processed and held on a $2,500 bond
The Review/Bill Decker
Members of Patterson Area Cub Scout Pack 242 carry the American and Louisiana flags into the Patterson Area Civic Center before Saturday's swearing-in ceremony for the mayor, police chief and City Council members. Members of Girl Scout Louisiana Troop 20890 led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Louisiana is among states with the biggest population declines in recent years, according to new U.S. Census data.
Data released by the U.S. Census Bureau shows Louisiana ranked fifth among states for numeric decline in the population between July 1, 2021 and July 1, 2022, losing 36,857 residents in that time.
Between April 1, 2020 and July 1, 2022, 67,508 residents left the Pelican State, according to the data.
States that lost more residents include New York with a 180,341 decline, California with a 113,649 loss, Illinois' 104,437 drop, and Pennsylvania with 40,051 fewer residents.
In terms of percentage loss, Louisiana tied Illinois with a 0.8% decline from 2021 to 2022, behind only New York with a 0.9% loss.
Despite the population loss, Louisiana has remained the 25th most populous state in the U.S. from 2020 through 2022.
A breakdown of the Census data shows Louisiana is losing residents mostly through domestic migration, while making small gains from natural change and international migration.
Louisiana births outnumbered deaths by 1,157 between 2021 and 2022, as international net migration totaled 8,106. But the state lost 46,672 to domestic migration to other states during the same time frame, resulting in an overall net migration loss of 38,566, according to the data.
Since 2020, Louisiana has recorded 414 more births than deaths, and a total net migration loss of 68,797, a statistic driven by 80,278 people who left for other states.
Louisiana's population loss stands in contrast to other southern states listed among the fastest growing in the U.S., including Texas with the fastest numeric growth of 470,708, North Carolina with the 3rd fastest growth at 133,088, Georgia's 4th fastest growth at 124,847, and South Carolina with the sixth fastest growth of 89,368.
Regionally, the South remained the most populous region at 128,716,192 residents, a figure that increased by 1.1% or more than 1.3 million people between July 2021 and July 2022.
That growth was nearly three times the increase in the U.S. population overall, which jumped by 0.4%, or 1.2 million, to 333,287,557 in 2022, according to Census data.
"There was a sizable uptick in population growth last year compared to the prior year's historically low increase," said Kristie Wilder, a demographer in the Population Division at the Census Bureau. "A rebound in net international migration, coupled with the largest year-over-year increase in total births since 2017, is behind this increase."
The U.S. added more than 1 million people through net international migration between 2021 and 2022, which equates to 168.8% growth over 2021's net international migration of 376,029, according to the Census Bureau.
The U.S. gained another 245,080 people through natural change between 2021 and 2022, with 3,688,179 births and 3,443,099 deaths. The year prior, births outnumbered deaths by 186,112.
The top 10 states with the biggest gains between 2021 and 2022 include Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, South Carolina, Tennessee, Washington, Utah, and Idaho. The states with the biggest declines include New York, California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Oregon, West Virginia, Maryland, Mississippi, and Ohio.
Average gasoline prices in Louisiana have risen 11.8 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.80 per gallon Monday, according to GasBuddy's survey of 2,436 stations in Louisiana.
Prices in Louisiana are 11.8 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 19.2 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has fallen 1.4 cents in the last week and stands at $4.67 per gallon.
According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Louisiana was priced at $2.35 per gallon Sunday, while the most expensive was $3.39, a difference of $1.04.
The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.35/g while the highest was $3.39 a difference of $1.04.
The national average price of gasoline has risen 12.3 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.17 Monday. The national average is down 22.5 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 9.5 cents per gallon lower than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country.
Historical gasoline prices in Louisiana:
Jan. 2, 2022: $3
Jan. 2, 2021: $1.93
Jan. 2, 2020: $2.29
Jan. 2, 2019: $1.94
Jan. 2, 2018: $2.25
Jan. 2, 2017: $2.13
Jan. 2, 2016: $1.75
Jan. 2, 2015: $2.05
Jan. 2, 2014: $3.12
Jan. 2, 2013: $3.14
Neighboring areas and their current gas prices:
Baton Rouge: $2.74, up 6.0 cents per gallon from last week's $2.68.
Jackson: $2.76, up 9.7 cents per gallon from last week's $2.66.
New Orleans: $2.82, up 9.3 cents per gallon from last week's $2.73.
"For the first time in two months, the nation's average price of gasoline rose sharply last week, as extremely cold weather led to many refinery issues, shutting down over a million barrels of refining capacity, pushing wholesale prices up," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.
"In addition, China's reopening plans gave markets inspiration that global oil demand will start to recover, as China's nearly three year COVID-zero policies appear to be coming to an end.
"While the jump at the pump will likely be temporary as most refiners get back online after cold-weather related issues, some regions like the Rockies may see more price increases than others as cold-weather shutdowns hit the region fairly hard, with one refinery likely remaining down through the first quarter of 2023. Most areas have seen the bulk of the rise already hit, but should oil continue to rally, more increases could be on the way."
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