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Man accused of threatening woman with knife

(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 and Berwick police on Monday reported arrests on aggravated assault charges, including a Lafayette man accused of threatening a woman with a knife.

Berwick

Police Chief David S. Leonard reported these arrests:

—Morris Campbell III, 43, Lafayette, was arrested at 9:36 a.m. Thursday on two counts of aggravated assault.

About 9:19 a.m. Thursday, Berwick officers were dispatched to a residence in the 1900 block of River Road in reference to a disturbance involving a male subject making threats to a female with a knife. Officers identified Campbell as the one involved and learned that he made the threats during a verbal altercation.

Campbell was taken into custody without incident. He was later transported to Berwick PD, where he was booked. He was later transferred to St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for housing.

—Juvenile male, 16, was arrested at 7:50 p.m. Saturday on a charge of disturbing the peace.

—Juvenile male, 15, was arrested at 7:50 p.m. Saturday on a charge of interfering with a law enforcement investigation.

—Juvenile female, 16, was arrested at 7:50 p.m. Saturday on a charge of interfering with a law enforcement investigation.

About 7:50 p.m. Saturday, officers working the Lighthouse Festival witnessed a juvenile making threats to another juvenile. Officers made contact with the juvenile and barred him from the grounds. During this time, the juvenile began causing a disturbance and hollering profane languages and was placed under arrest.

Two other juveniles arrived and began interfering with the arrest. All were placed under arrest and transported to the Berwick Police Department, where they were booked and released to a guardian.

Morgan City

Police Chief Chad M. Adams reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 133 calls for service over the last 272-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

—Joshua Johnson, 37, Clements Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:37 a.m. Saturday on charges of aggravated assault, disturbing the peace and possession of a firearm by a felon.

—Myron Hatch Jr., 49, Victor II Boulevard, was arrested at 3:08 p.m. Friday on two counts of aggravated assault and one count of criminal damage to property.

—Raife P. Bodin, 38, Francis Drive, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:07 a.m. Friday on a charge of battery of emergency room personnel.

—Deon Deangelo Turner, 40, Joseph Lane, Franklin, was arrested at 2:23 p.m. Friday on three counts of failure to appear for trial (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

—Chad Michael Bertrand, 38, Joey Street, Patterson, was arrested at 2:43 p.m. Friday on a charge of failure to appear for arraignment (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

—Pearl Marie Ross, 38, North Verret Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:46 p.m. Friday on a charge of failure to appear for review (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

—Nathaniel Albert Rollins, 26, Brashear Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:07 p.m. Saturday on a charge of theft (under $1,000).

—Nicholas P. Blanchard, 63, Kylie Drive, Plaquemine, was arrested at 6:46 a.m. Saturday on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

—Justin Leo Charles Bourgeois, 48, Duke Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:27 a.m. Sunday on charges of possession of methamphetamine,
possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting an officer.

—Hubert Earl Williams, 57, Grand Caillou Road, Houma, was arrested at 11:36 a.m. Sunday on a charge of failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

Patterson

Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported these arrests:

—Bladimar Rios, 31, Fielders Court, Houma, was arrested at 12:39 a.m. Sunday on charges of speeding 96 mph in a 55 mph zone, no driver’s license, reckless operation and expired registration. Rios is incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with bond set at $1,158.

—Christopher W. Goulet, 28, 12th Street, Pearlington, Mississippi, was arrested at 3:26 p.m. Sunday on charges of obstructing public passages and entry or remaining after being forbidden. Goulet was issued a summons.

St. Mary

Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that over the last 72-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 90 complaints and made these arrests:

—Trina Lachelle Leger, 53, Lafayette, was arrested at 7:59 a.m. Friday on a charge of driving while intoxicated. Bail has not been set.

—Tony Batiste, 35, Eunice, was arrested at 10:07 a.m. Friday on a probation violation. Bail has not been set.

—Robert Joseph Berry Jr., 39, Broussard, was arrested at 4:37 p.m. Friday on charges of criminal trespass and theft. Bail has not been set.

--Barbara Norris Russell, 49, Jeanerette, was arrested at 12:25 p.m. Saturday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charge of operating a vehicle with an expired license plate. Bail has not been set.

Morgan City police radio logs for Nov. 4-6

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, Nov. 4
6:33 a.m. 300 block of Glenwood Street; Medical emergency.
7:05 a.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Traffic accident.
9:11 a.m. 300 block of Glenwood Street; Com-plaint.
9:20 a.m. 1000 block of Grace Street; Disturbance.
9:43 a.m. 500 block of Brashear Avenue; Com-plaint.
9:47 a.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Traffic accident.
10:17 a.m. 900 block of Florence Street; Medical emergency.
11:43 a.m. 2000 block of Sixth Street; Medical emergency.
12:29 p.m. 700 block of Duke Street; Domestic.
1:09 p.m. La. 182/U.S. 90 Junction; Patrol request.
1:27 p.m. 500 block of Brashear Avenue; Removal of subject.
1:33 p.m. 400 block of Brashear Avenue; Fire alarm.
1:45 p.m. 1000 block of Victor II Boulevard; Complaint.
2:02 p.m. 1100 block of Brashear Avenue; Complaint.
2:10 p.m. 500 block of Bowman Street; Complaint.
2:30 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Complaint.
2:51 p.m. 1300 block of Federal Avenue; Removal of subject.
2:56 p.m. U.S. 90 West Bridge; Traffic accident.
3:11 p.m. 3000 block of Elizabeth Drive; Simple assault.
4:05 p.m. 600 block of General,Patton Street; Suspicious person.
4:08 p.m. 200 block of Glenwood Street; Animal complaint.
4:12 p.m. 6000 block of La. 182; Vehicle accident.
4:30 p.m. 500 block of Orange Street; Disturbance.
Saturday, Nov. 5
6:50 a.m. 400 block of Ash Street; Suspicious person.
6:53 a.m. 300 block of Third Street; Fire alarm.
7:53 a.m. 1000 block of Belanger Street; 911 hang up.
7:55 a.m. 2000 block of Maple Street; 911 hang up.
9:41 a.m. Levee Road and Aucoin Street; Suspicious person.
10:48 a.m. 7000 block of La. 182; 911 hang up.
10:56 a.m. 700 block of Leona Street; Medical emergency.
11:21 a.m. 1000 block of Front Street; Suspicious person.
12:04 p.m. 900 block of Duke Street; Arrest.
12:52 p.m. Federal Avenue; Dog complaint.
1:07 p.m. 7000 block of La. 182; Complaint.
1:15 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Medical emergency.
1:43 p.m. 800 block of Brashear Avenue; Complaint.
1:44 p.m. 2000 block of Cedar Street; Silent alarm.
1:48 p.m. 800 block of Sacred Heart Drive; Medical emergency.
1:51 p.m. Short Street St Alley; Suspicious person.
2:08 p.m. Brownell Homes; Medical emergency.
3:02 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Com-plaint.
3:23 p.m. 1000 block of Sixth Street; Complaint.
3:38 p.m. 900 block of Belanger Street; 911 hang up.
3:49 p.m. 600 block of Gen. Patton Street; Medical emergency.
4:08 p.m. 6000 block of La. 182; Complaint.
4:17 p.m. Front Street & Brashear Avenue; Fight.
4:37 p.m. 700 block of Freret Street; Disturbance.
6:23 p.m. Laurel Street; Stand by.
6:57 p.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Shoplifter.
7:24 p.m. 500 block of Orange Street; Remove subject.
9:02 p.m. La. 182/Myrtle Street; Traf-fic complaint.
9:18 p.m. 800 block of Youngs Road; Mental patient.
9:54 p.m. 1500 block of Walnut Drive; Complaint.
10:09 p.m. Cypress Street; Loud music.
10:23 p.m. 600 block of Willow Street; Loud music.
10:56 p.m. 300 block of Terrebonne Street; Loud music.
11 p.m. 400 block of First Street; Patrol request.
11:33 p.m. 300 block of Second Street; Fight.
Sunday, Nov. 6
1:46 a.m. La. 182/James Street; Alarm.
1:10 a.m. 900 block of Ninth Street; Complaint.
2:46 a.m. 800 block of Hilda Street; Alarm.
5:05 a.m. 500 block of Brashear Avenue; Medical.
5:29 a.m. Park Road/La. 182; Aggravated assault.

Franklin man arrested in Patterson hit and run

A Franklin man faces an attempted murder charge after a Saturday hit-and-run incident sent a woman to the hospital, Patterson Police Chief Garrett Grogan said.

Another injury resulted from an unrelated pedestrian incident Sunday in Bayou Vista.

In the Patterson case, Deric Jenkins, 59, Eagle Street, Franklin, was arrested at 6:43 p.m. Saturday at a Catherine Street home, Grogan said. Jenkins was booked on charges of attempted second-degree murder, aggravated assault with a firearm, felon in possession of a firearm, reckless operation, driving under suspension, unauthorized use of a moveable and leaving the scene of an accident.

According to the police account, Jenkins was involved in an altercation at a Tall Timbers home Saturday and pulled a gun on another man.

During the incident, police said, Jenkins’ estranged wife came out of the home. Jenkins, by then driving a 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse, backed into her and then left the scene, police said. Police were called in at 2:12 p.m.

The woman was taken to Franklin Foundation Hospital and then transported by Acadian Air Med to a Lafayette hospital.

“Her injuries were not life-threatening,” Grogan said

In Bayou Vista, a bike-rider was hit by a vehicle as the vehicle turned at Universe Road and La. 182, the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office said. The call came in to the Sheriff’s Office at 8:21 a.m. Sunday.

The injured pedestrian was transported by Acadian Ambulance to a medical facility for treatment, the Sheriff’s Office said

Blackburn sets record in Central Catholic win; Patterson downs Berwick

Central Catholic's Damondrick Blackburn ran for more than 300 yards and set a school touchdown record Friday. Now he and his Eagle have a first-round playoff bye after a 55-0 win over Highland Baptist.

In Berwick, meanwhile, Patterson's Caylon Davis rushed for 77 yards and threw for 171 more to lead the Lumberjacks to a 30-19 win that clinched a homefield advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

Central Catholic closed its regular season at 8-2. Berwick and Patterson are each 6-4.

In playoff parings announced Sunday, Patterson, seeded 11th in Non-Select Division III, will be at home in the first round next weekend against No. 22 Port Allen.

Berwick, No. 18 in the same division, will be at Jewell Sumner of Kentwood, No. 15.

Central Catholic, No. 2 in Select Division IV, will be at home the weekend of Nov. 17-19 against either St. Edmund or Opelousas Catholic. Those teams play this weekend.

In another game of local interest, Franklin. which will play at Oaklawn in the playoff first round, lost to Ascension Episcopal 41-14 Friday. Ascension Episcopal's Peyton Woodring, a Georgia commit, kicked a 60-yard field goal to set a LHSAA record.

Patterson 30,
Berwick 19

Holding on to a 23-19 lead with 7:05 left in the game, Patterson launched what would be a 12-play, 60-yard drive. It wouldn't be easy.

Along the way, the Jacks were called for grounding and two false starts.

But Josiah Jennings picked up 15 yards on four carries, and Davis gained 20 on three trips. Then, on a third-and-27, Davis hit his brother, Camron Davis, with a 41-yard pass to the Berwick 1. Jennings took the scoring plunge, Jasper Russell added the extra point, and Patterson was up by the final score with 1:45 remaining.

Davis went 14-for-23 for his 171 yards and two touchdowns. Howard Kinchen caught four of the passes for 63 yards and a 35-yard touchdown. Khylin Brooks caught three for 38 and a 26-yard score.

Jennings ran 12 times for 48 yards and a touchdown. Elijah Johnson picked up 50 yards on 12 carries, and Caylon Davis picked up his 77 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.

For Berwick, Jayden Milton rushed 18 times for 62 yards and two touchdowns. Andre Engleton got 67 yards on 10 tries.

Quarterback Cru Bella was 7-for-17 for 118 yards. He also rushed for 20 yards and a TD.

The top receiver was Nisiah Bennett, who caught three passes for 41 yards.

Bennett made an impact on both sides of the line. During one drive beginning midway through the second quarter, with Berwick trailing 8-6, Bennett brought down Camron Davis after only three yards on a pass. Then Bennett corralled Kinchen for a 4-yard loss on another pass.

He defended against a pass attempt for an incompletion.

When Berwick got the ball back, Bennett caught a 15-yard pass to help set up a 7-yard touchdown run by Milton that put Berwick up 12-8 with 48 seconds left in the first half.

But on the first series of the third quarter, Caylon Davis broke off runs of 29 and 6 yards on an eight-play drive capped by his own 4-yard TD run. The Russell kick made it 15-12.

On Patterson's first series of the third quarter, Davis hit Kinchen with the 35-yard scoring pass, and Jennings ran in the 2-point conversion for a 23-12 Lumberjack lead.

Bella made it close again with a 13-yard touchdown run, but the penalty-filled and ultimately successful 60-yard drive put the game away for Patterson.

Central Catholic 55,
Highland Baptist 0

Blackburn's 42 touchdowns are a new school record at Central Catholic, and his 301-yard rushing performance puts him over 2,000 for the year.

Blackburn scored four touchdowns, and eight of his 15 carries went for at least 14 yards each.

Quarterback Caleb O'Con hit four of his five passes for 80 yards and two touchdowns. A 17-yard pass to Vernon Singleton and a 29-yarder to Landon Lipari went for touchdowns.

Any suspense about this game's outcome was dispelled quickly. Central Catholic scored three touchdowns on its first five snaps. The scores came on runs of 56, 4 and 65 yards by
Blackburn, and Channing Rivere was 2-for-3 on extra points for a 20-0 lead.

On the next Highland Baptist series, linebacker Andrew Cavalier hit Highland's J'Von Denton on a halfback pass attempt and shook the ball loose. Central Catholic's Ja'Cori Johnson was there to pluck the ball out of the air and take it 16 yards for the touchdown. Rivere's kicked made it 27-0 at the end of the first quarter.

The Central Catholic defense held the visitors to 17 rushing yards and 31 yards passing.

Cavalier, Ethan Wiggins and Jack Lipari were all over Highland Baptist on defense. And, in one first-quarter stretch, Tylon Hollins stopped two Highland rushes for no gain, broke up a pass attempt and intercepted two passes from Blayde White.

For Central Catholic, Benjamin Case came in at quarterback late in the game and had a 10-yard pass to Drake Rock. Cash Baker spelled Blackburn at running back and picked up 23 yards on five carries.

Patterson man arrested in threat against school

(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 19-year-old was arrested early Friday after a social media post threatening a school was flagged and reported to authorities, the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office said

St. Mary

Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 37 complaints and made these arrests:

—Tristen Lee Giroir, 19, Patterson, was arrested at 12:25 a.m. Friday on a charge of terrorizing.

On Thursday,, the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office was informed about a subject who had made a threat towards an unspecified school. Though the post was not specific to any particular school or location, it had been flagged by the social media platform and law enforcement agencies were notified.

Through the investigation, contact was made with the subject, identified as Giroir, and it was learned that he did make the threat. An arrest warrant was obtained, and Giroir was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Bail has not been set at this time.

Sheriff Blaise Smith would like to thank the FBI, the Berwick Police Department., Patterson Police Department and the Louisiana State Police for their involvement in this case.

—Lance Michael Narcisse, 35, New Iberia, was arrested at 12:41 p.m. Thursday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, battery of a police officer and resisting an officer. Bail has not been set.

—Myron Hatch Jr., 49, Morgan City, was arrested at 4:17 p.m. Thursday on a Morgan City Police Department warrant alleging aggravated assault and simple criminal damage to property. Hatch is being held for another agency.

—Gregory Williams Sr., 63, Franklin, was arrested at 6:30 p.m. Thursday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charge of unauthorized entry of a place of business. Bail has not been set.

Morgan City

Police Chief Chad M. Adams reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 57 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

—Albert Michael Connor, 60, Filmore Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:55 a.m. Thursday on charges of driving under suspension, expired license plate and two counts of failure to appear for arraignment (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

—Drake Domingue, 32, Mayon Street, was arrested at 12:41 p.m. Thursday on a charge of theft (under $1,000).

—Melvin Jackson, 68, Apple Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:33 p.m. Thursday on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense), careless operation of a motor vehicle, possession of an alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle, no insurance and expired license plate.

—Brandon Paul Pierre, 36, Cypress Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:25 p.m. Thursday on charges of noise violation and resisting an officer.

—Charles Little Gash, 68, Sixth Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:13 p.m. Thursday on a charge of failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

—Shawn D. Scully, 48, Cedar Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:23 a.m. Friday on charges of reckless operation of a motor vehicle, flight from an officer and driving under suspension.

Patterson

Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported these arrests:

—Larry Washington Jr., 44, Brashear Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 4:49 p.m. Thursday on a probation violation. Washington is incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with no bond set.

—Trent H. Duhon, 27, Franklin, was arrested at 5:31 p.m. Thursday on charges of expired registration, suspended or revoked driver’s license and expired license plate. Duhon is incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with bond set at $854.

—Carlos J. Francis, 25, Ledoux Circl, Patterson, was arrested at 8:58 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession with intent to distribute a Schedule I drug, obstruction of justice (evidence tampering) and possession of drug paraphernalia. Francis is incarcerated in the Patterson PD Jail with no bond set.

Assumption

Sheriff Leland Falcon reported this arrest:

— Chad Evans Gros, 48, Stephensville Road, Morgan City, was arrested Thursday on charges of probation violation, resisting arrest and entering or remaining after being forbidden.

The arrest followed a bicycle stop Thursday in Bell River.

The I.C.E. unit-assigned deputy made contact with a male subject who was in a prohibited area. The deputy requested the individual to produce identification.

The subject attempted to leave and refused to produce identification. The deputy attempted to stop the suspect at which time he began to resist.

The subject, identified as Gros, became compliant and was arrested.

During a computer inquiry, it was found that Gros was wanted on a probation violation from the Department of Corrections.

Gros was previously arrested, then convicted of theft and monetary instrument abuse and placed on probation for three years and was ordered to comply with numerous conditions.

Gros violated the terms of his probated conditions resulting in a warrant being issued for his arrest.

Gros was booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center and ordered held without bond.

The Franklin Police Department responded to 9 complaints over the past 24 hours and made the following arrests:

Franklin:

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

—Justin Adams, 44, Carol Road, Morgan was arrested at 3:11 p.m. Thursday on two counts of theft. Adams was booked, processed and released on a $3,000 bond.

—Dereke Guilbeau, 25, Hamm Street, Franklin, was arrested at 7:07 p.m. Thursday on a warrant dated Oct. 10 alleging reckless operation of an off-road vehicle on a public roadway. Guilbeau was booked, processed and released on a $1,000 bond.

—Rhonda Lodrigue, 45, Southeast Boulevard, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:06 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for 16th Judicial District Court alleging failure to appear on the charge of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Lodrigue was booked, processed and held on a $12,000 bond.

—William Moore, 24, Robert Street, Franklin, was arrested at 12:28 a.m. Friday on a warrant for 3rd Ward City Court alleging failure to appear on the charge of stop signs and yield signs. Moore was booked, processed and held on a $273 bond

Berwick Lighthouse Festival is underway

Berwick’s beacon on the bay will be the centerpiece for the annual Lighthouse Festival through Sunday on the riverfront.
The eighth annual event features live music, arts and crafts, a car show, a gumbo cook-off, and carnival rides and games.

Friday
—The Berwick Heritage Museum opens at 10 a.m. Vendors and the carnival will be 5-11 p.m.

Saturday
—The Berwick Heritage Museum opens at 9 a.m.
—The Gumbo Cook-Off will be 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
—Vendors open at 10 a.m.
—The carnival opens at noon, and $25 ride bracelets will be available.
—Fireworks at 9 p.m.

Sunday
—The Mass on the riverfront will be at 8 a.m.
—The Cypress Car Club Car Show will be 8 a.m.-2 p.m. (rescheduled)
—The Berwick Heritage Museum opens at 9 a.m.
—Vendors open 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
—The Golf Cart Parade begins at 11 a.m.
—$25 ride bracelets will again be available.
Live Music
Friday
—6:30-8:30 p.m. Jus Cuz
—9-11 p.m. Lowdown
Saturday
—1:30-3:30 p.m. Cliff Hillebran
—4-6 p.m. South 70
—6:30-8:30 p.m. Soulshine
—9:30-11:30 p.m. Chee-Weez
Sunday
—1-3 p.m. The Runtz
—3:30-5:30 p.m. Déjà vu
—6-8 p.m. Don Rich

John K. Flores: Franklin tourism could get boost from kayaking venture

In 2015 the Coleman Company and Outdoor Foundation published a report titled, “Special Report on Paddle Sports.” The report revealed in 2014, 21.7 million Americans participated in paddle sports that included canoeing, kayaking, rafting, and standup paddling. What’s more, that number was up 6.8% from the previous year.

The report went on to say those participating in paddle sports, on the average, made at least seven outings per year for an estimated 215.8 million annually.

Of those nearly 216 million outings, 105.2 million were those who participated in kayaking, the most popular form of paddling.

Those statistics came from a nearly 8-year-old report, where latest statistics seem to indicate that participation in kayaking continues to grow at roughly a 2% annual rate. Additionally, kayaking appeals to all age groups and is equally enjoyed by both men and women, where 51% of kayakers in all age groups are male and 49% female.

Last week, during an evening ribbon- cutting ceremony held under the live oak trees behind Shadowlawn in Franklin, Steven Mora, owner/operator of “Tours by Steven,” and Chad Boutte, owner/operator of Fifolet Candle Makers, announced the opening of their new kayaking venture.

Tours by Steven is a New Orleans-based small business that offers a variety of walking and jogging tours around the city.

With the fitting backdrop of Bayou Teche behind him, Mora said, “We came to Franklin to try to revitalize with the program that the mayor and some other people have, to provide some tourism down here. We thought that we could help and be part of that with our expertise and our background. So, we started out with ghost tours and what we found is people want to do things regionally. They want to get out.”

Once up and running, the kayak tours will launch at the city-provided main dock along Bayou Teche that Mora recognized Franklin Mayor Eugene Foulcard, as being helpful with.

Mora explained how Bayou Teche was once known as a “bayuk,” meaning slow moving water, by native Americans and how it starts at Port Barre and runs 135 miles down to the Atchafalaya River.

Mora said, “We’re excited to utilize these under-utilized waterways and just really show people everything about Louisiana’s Sportsman’s Paradise, because that’s what we have here.”

Initially tours will be approximately 2½ hours long. Kayakers will launch from the dock in Franklin and paddle towards the sugar mill. Mora says everyone, whether an expert or novice, will be taught how to use a kayak, how to use the oar, and how to be safe on the water.

“So, we’re going to take the tour and go straight out to the sugar mill and talk about the importance of sugar to the survival of this state,” Mora said. “We’re going to talk about New Orleans because that was a big part of it as well. We’ll make our way back and talk about City Hall, we’ll talk about the cemetery, and we’ll talk about the different houses along the way. And, we’ll talk about how in the old days the water side would have been the front side of the home, because that was the main highway.”

The two partners have their sights set on growing the venture by eventually offering bike tours and rentals. Additionally, their goal is to enter New Iberia with similar tours next year.

Boutte said, “We definitely have room to wake up this waterway just a little bit. So we’re super, super excited about this venture. There’s a lot of support. There’s a lot of hotels, bed and breakfasts, and Airbnbs, who are already calling for guests that are wanting to do such an experience.”

Boutte thanked and recognized St. Mary Land-marks, the Shadowlawn Committee, and the City of Franklin for their support in helping Tours by Steven with their new business venture.

Citing his slogan, “It’s all here under the lampposts,” Foulcard said, “it’s always very uplifting and very exciting when we think about all the businesses that have opened in the Franklin area since the pandemic. I’m very excited about that.”

With nearly 18.6 million Americans kayaking at least once in 2021, no doubt Tours by Steven will add more participants to that total in the coming years. And that will happen in the City of Franklin, thanks to Mora and Boutte.

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

Research reserve site selection expected by early 2024

St. Mary Parish supporters of an Atchafalaya Basin site for a National Estuarine Research Reserve won their battle. But more work remains.

The reserve, which promises scientific, educational and economic benefits for the region, will be in the Basin, and likely as not in or close to St. Mary Parish, according to information at a Wednesday public meeting at Morgan City Municipal Auditorium.
Environmental impact statements and management plans must be complete before the community celebrates the site designation, expected in early 2024.

Then comes more time needed to put together a headquarters and an interpretive center.
“NOAA is ready to run,” said Kristin Ransom of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Coastal Management. Ransom and Brian Lezina of the state Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority ran Wednesday’s meeting.

Authorities are taking public comments on possible sites at costal@la.gov through Nov. 10.

NOAA coordinates 30 National Estuarine Research Reserves in every marine coastal state except, but not for much longer, Louisiana. New reserves result from agreements between NOAA and the states where they’re located.

The states put up 30% of the operational funding, employ the reserve’s staff, implement programs and handle land ownership and management.

Federal authorities offer policy and program guidance, technical assistance, program coordination and 70% of funding.

The reserves monitor the coast; research the ecology of the areas where saltwater meets freshwater; and offer education opportunities for K-12 students.

Ransom said the latter may change to “K to gray” as the reserves reach out to larger segments of the community.

The Basin extends from Simmesport to the Morgan City area. But Lezina said the St. Mary Parish area has two features that make it unique on Louisiana’s coast.

“We have two active deltas,” he said.

The Wax Lake and Atchafalaya deltas are actually adding land to a Louisiana coast that has been losing marshland everywhere else.

Catherine Holcomb of St. Mary Excel, the citizens group that gathered public and private support for a St. Mary NERR site, made a pitch for locating facilities in Morgan City, where existing infrastructure such as bike trails could be incorporated.

State Sen. Bret Allain, R-Franklin, said the NERR can work hand in hand with the $25 million coastal research center at Nicholls State.
And Allain said he’s heard that NERRs can bring an economic impact totaling tens of millions.

“It’s a huge impact,” Ransom said.

Tyler McCollough, a Morgan City High student, likes the educational angle.

“I think this gives us an opportunity to go out and learn about the environment,” he said.

Progress toward creating the NERR now turns to the development of draft and final environmental impact statements and management plans. When those documents are hammered out, NOAA and the state government will enter a memorandum of understanding.

CARADELL CALLOWAY

Claradell Calloway, a native of Gibson and resident of Morgan City, died Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, at Ochsner St. Mary in Morgan City.

Visitation will be Friday from 9 a.m. until services at 11 a.m. at Jones Funeral Home in Houma. Burial will follow in Live Oak Cemetery in Gibson.

She is survived by two sons, Douglas Calloway and Glen Calloway, both of Gibson; two brothers, Raymond Victorian of Vacherie and Michael Matthews of Gibson; two sisters, Viola Short of Morgan City and Debbie Smith of Gibson; and six grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and 10 siblings.

Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

AVA MARIE CARPENTER

Ava Marie Carpenter, 64, a resident of Morgan City, died Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022.

She is survived by her husband, Harry Carpenter Jr.; children, Trinity Ledet and Chauncey Vinning; a grandson; mother, Norma Jones; and siblings, Edward Jones Jr., Samuel Jones and Gordon Jones.

She was preceded in death by her father.

Private memorial services will be held at a later date.

Twin City Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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