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Franklin Harvest Moon Festival

Wed, 10/26/2022 - 2:47pm

Here is an overall look at the events for the Franklin Merchants Association’s Harvest Moon Festival on Oct. 29.

-Teche Action Clinic’s Adeline Guienze Breast Cancer Memorial Fund 20th Annual 5K Run/Walk in memory of Adeline Guienze Brent to support its Women’s Health Program. Funds will be designated to pay for mammogram screenings for women who fall within specific income guidelines and the program’s breast cancer outreach and education initiatives. The run will begin at 8 a.m. at the Courthouse Square on Saturday, Oct. 29. Awards will be given and all participants will receive a commemorative t-shirt. Contact Florence Beverly, Gabrielle Pillaro or Justice Anthony, all at 828-2550, for more information.

-Franklin Merchant’s Association Harvest Moon Festival Scarecrow Decorating Contest. Scarecrows will be displayed in The Pumpkin Patch, behind the white picket fence, Downtown Main Street. $10 entry free. Four entry brackets: Residential, commercial, school and community organization (multiple entries can be submitted per category). Scarecrows must be in good taste, as this is a family event. All scarecrow entries must be put up between Monday, Oct. 24 and Oct. 26. Each entry will need a pole to display the scarecrow, a bale of hay to display and any tools necessary to construct the display. Photos of scarecrows will be added to the Franklin Merchants Association’s Facebook page and will be judged by popular vote.

-A Car Show will be held Oct. 29 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Entry is $30 per car (includes two meal tickets with drinks). Awards will be presented at 1:45 p.m. Classics, trucks, rat rods, bikes, and special interest vehicles. Door prizes will be given. Vehicles will be paraded through town at 2 p.m. There will also be door prizes and a 50/50 drawing. Contact Dacia Broussard, (337) 578-1037 for more information.

-Harvest Moon Pooch Parade, Oct. 29 at 1 p.m. $10 entry fee, line-up will be at Four Seasons at 12:45 p.m. Winners will be announced at 4 p.m. at the bandstand.

-The Bayou Teche Wooden Boat Show will be held on the bayouside at Adams Street and Jackson Street beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29.

- Sugar Showdown Bake-off will be held Oct. 29 beginning at 9:30 a.m. Cake, pie, cookies and Baker’s Choice. $5 per entry. Drop off at The Lamppost, 735 Main St. Winner will be announced at the band stage.

- Pampered Pooch Parade, line up at 12:45 p.m., Four Seasons. $30 per team, prizes.

- Corn Hole Tournament, gather at Main Street. $30 per team.

Schedule of events:

9 a.m. - Car Show, Courthouse Parking Lot.

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Vendors along Main Street, Jackson Street to Willow Street; food, arts and crafts, artwork and more.

9 a.m. - Face painting, Chic and Shabby, 716 Main St.

9:30 a.m. to noon - Sugar Showdown Bake-off

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Hayrides and pony rides, Shadowlawn, 906 Main St.

12 noon to 3 p.m. - Corn Hole Tournament

1 p.m. - Pampered Pooch Parade

4 p.m. - Trail ride and horse parade on Main Street.

7:15 p.m. - Sparkle Show at the band stage.

2 p.m. to 4 p.m. - JB Sax

5 p.m. to 7 p.m. - Summer House

7:30 to 10 p.m. - Johnny Chauvin

Four lanes open again on U.S. 90 bridge

Wed, 10/26/2022 - 2:32pm

After three years and repeated extensions of the estimated reopening date, traffic was rolling in two lanes in both directions Wednesday on the U.S. 90 bridge, and the onramps at Federal Avenue in Morgan City and in Berwick are open again. The onramps were closed and traffic was limited to one lane in either direction in September 2019 for an extensive rehabilitation and repainting project. The pandemic, the threat of hurricanes and material shortages stretched the expected two years of work to 37 months. The Long Allen Bridge that carries La. 182 over the Atchafalaya is to undergo its own rehab project beginning in February. That work is expected to take 2-1/2 to three years.

The Review/Bill Decker

Chad M. Adams named Morgan City police chief

Wed, 10/26/2022 - 11:39am

Staff Report

Morgan City’s new police chief hopes to re-establish some of the personal contact between officers and the public that has been lost during the COVID pandemic.

The new chief is Chad M. Adams, appointed by Mayor Lee Dragna and confirmed Tuesday by the City Council.

Adams succeeds James F. Blair, who spent the last seven of his 30-year career with the MCPD as chief before resigning in May, and Mark Griffin Jr., who has served as interim chief.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Adams said in an interview Wednesday.

One challenge awaiting Adams is working in a post-COVID environment.

“We’ve lost that face-to-face contact,” Adams said.

The challenge is made more difficult by turnover in the department.

When Blair presented his resignation to the City Council, he said the department had seen 40 resignations or retirements within the previous three years, a turnover rate he said isn’t sustainable.

Blair blamed much of the turnover on the level of police pay. He said new officers in Morgan City were getting $12.09 per hour, $4 less than the average for departments between Franklin and Houma.

The City Council approved a $1-an-hour increase for entry-level employees and made plans to search for more money.
Adams said Wednesday that he has been talking to the mayor and council members about a plan to raise police pay. He said he hopes the plan will be announced in December or after the first of the year.

“We’re trying to make sure officers have training and continuing training,” Adams said. “It’s hard when you’ve got a turnover rate like that.”
High turnover also means new officers are assigned to zones that they’re not familiar with.

“That makes a big difference,” Adams said.

One bit of recent news has improved the financial outlook for the department. The city government has entered an agreement under which the St. Mary Parish School Board will pay for the school resource officers the MCPD provides.

Currently, that’s one full-time resource officer and one part-time.

Adams has been with the Morgan City Police Department since he was hired as a corrections officer in 1996.

He became a police officer in 1997. He served as K-9 officer 2000-07 and was promoted to sergeant in 2008.
Adams worked in investigations 2009-14 and was promoted to lieutenant in 2015. From 2015-20, he was a supervisor in the Patrol and Corrections divisions.

He was promoted to captain in 2021.

Adams is a Bayou Vista native and Berwick High graduate. He and wife Michelle have four children.

“I appreciate my wife and children standing by me while I served the community,” Adams said.

Morgan City police radio logs for Oct. 23-24

Wed, 10/26/2022 - 11:10am

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.
Sunday, Oct. 23
6:52 a.m. 3100 block of Karen Drive; Complaint.
12:14 p.m. 1800 block of Dale Street; Medical.
12:21 p.m. 900 block of First Street; Medical.
12:24 p.m. 2400 block of Sixth Street; Medical.
1:39 p.m. 700 block of Leona Street; Assistance.
2:15 p.m. La. 182 Bridge; Vehicle accident.
3:25 p.m. 900 block of Seventh Street; Patrol request.
4:59 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Complaint.
6:23 p.m. 300 block of Glenwood Street; Animal complaint.
6:42 p.m. 500 block of Leona Street; Juvenile problem.
7:18 p.m. Duke/Florence streets; Alarm.
10:20 p.m. 1400 block of Federal Avenue; Theft.
10:21 p.m. 3200 block of Jennie Drive; Suspicious person.
Monday, Oct. 24
1:07 a.m. 400 block of Levee Road; Complaint.
4:01 a.m. 800 block of Youngs Road; Complaint.
4:51 a.m. 1900 block of Federal Avenue; Medical.
6:05 a.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Juvenile complaint.
6:29 a.m. 1200 block of Victor II Boulevard; Alarm.
7:15 a.m. 1800 block of Maple Street; Crash.
7:59 a.m. 600 block of Aucoin Street; Animal complaint.
8:03 a.m. 300 block of Cardinal Street; Disturbance.
9:08 a.m. 400 block of Louisa Street; Com-plaint.
9:36 a.m. 1500 block of Victor II Boulevard; Arrest.
9:38 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Lost and found.
10:38 a.m. 500 block of Brashear Avenue; Stand by.
12:50 p.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Suspicious subject.
12:56 p.m. 100 block of Glenwood Street; Animal complaint.
1:15 p.m. 1000 block of Sixth Street; Disturbance.
1:53 p.m. 7700 block of La. 182; Arrest.
2:12 p.m. 1000 block of Marshall Street; Lost and found.
3:50 p.m. 1700 block of Youngs Road; Theft.
3:56 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Reckless operation.
4:18 p.m. 1200 block of Clothilde Street; 911 hang up.
4:38 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Theft.
4:54 p.m. Federal Avenue and Belanger Street; Suspicious subject.

Local police make arrests on heroin, meth charges

Wed, 10/26/2022 - 10:24am

(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 made arrests Tuesday on heroin and methamphetamine possession charges, and Berwick police made a meth possession arrest.

Morgan City

Police Chief Chad M. Adams reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 48 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

—Kaleb Williams Smith, 22, Maple Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:57 a.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of Suboxone, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting an officer, no driver’s license, no insurance, switched license plate and failure to appear for sentencing (16th Judicial District Court). Smith was also named in a fugitive warrant from Louisiana Probation and Parole.

—Nicholas Fitch, 40, Afton Street, Houma, was arrested on a charge of possession of heroin, possession of legend drug without a prescription, possession of drug paraphernalia, obstruction of justice, driving under suspension and speeding 74 mph in a 60 mph zone.

—Mekhi Paul Branton, 19, Greenwood Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:31 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

—Carson Malagarie, 41, Bayouside Drive, Chauvin, was arrested at 1:57 a.m. Wednesday on a charge of theft of a catalytic converter.

Berwick

Police Chief David S. Leonard reported these arrests:

—Jarell J. Collie, 31, Versen Street, Berwick, was arrested at 8:51 a.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, simple criminal damage to property and obstruction of justice (tampering with evidence).

At 8:38 a.m. Tuesday, the Berwick Police Department responded to a residence on Versen Street in reference to a disturbance in progress. Officers arrived and learned that Collie was being aggressive towards a person in the residence and he busted out a window to the house then fled on foot.

Officers located Collie hiding in a bathroom of a nearby home and took him into custody without incident. During his arrest, he was found to have methamphetamine in his possession. Upon arrival at the Police Department, a more thorough search was conducted, and he was found to have an unknown drug or medication concealed on his person, and once it was located, Collie destroyed the substance.

He was booked at the Berwick Police Department then transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center where no bond has been set.

—Jamie Y. Hernandez, 43, California Street, Berwick, was arrested at 10:12 p.m. Tuesday on charges of improper equipment, no driver’s license and no motor vehicle registration.

At 10:12 p.m. Tuesday, officers on patrol observed a vehicle traveling on Third St. with improper lighting equipment on the car. A traffic stop was conducted, and Hernandez was identified as the driver.

Officers learned that he did not have a driver’s license, and the vehicle he was driving was not registered. Hernandez was placed under arrest and booked into the Berwick Jail, where he posted a cash bond of $453 and was released.

St. Mary

Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 27 complaints and made these arrests:

—Brittany Michelle Roberson, 33, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:37 a.m. Tuesday on a Lafourche Parish warrant. Roberson is being held for another agency.

—Joseph Felix Debuse, 35, New Iberia, was arrested at 12:49 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on a charge of possession of marijuana. Bail has not been set.

Franklin

Police Chief Morris Beverly reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to 16 complaints over the last 24-hour reporting period and this arrest:

—Gilbert Folks, 65, Lacy Street, Franklin, was arrested at 8:48 Tuesday on a warrant for 3rd Ward City Court for failure to appear on a charge of no driver’s license on person. Folks was additionally arrested on a warrant for 16th Judicial District Court alleging failure to appear on the charges of taking crab with illegal gear and using crab traps without required markings. Folks was booked, processed, and released on a $1,218.00 bond.

Wilsons celebrate 75 years of marriage

Wed, 10/26/2022 - 8:58am

Yvonne (Williams) and Paul L. Wilson Sr., 95 and 97, respectively, were married Oct. 6, 1947. They live in Siracusa Subdivision near Morgan City where they have made their home for 57 years.
Yvonne Wilson is a Morgan City native, while Paul Wilson was raised in Patterson. The Wilsons have eight children — two daughters and six sons — of which six are living. They also have 20 grandchildren, 62 great- grandchildren and 24 great-great- grandchildren.
“Understanding is the best thing in the world. That’s my motto,” Yvonne Wilson said. “The sun don’t shine every day, might get a drizzle of rain. That’s the way life is.”
The Wilsons met in 1946 during Yvonne Wilson’s prom during her senior year of high school. Prior to their meeting, Paul Wilson served in the Navy after being drafted during World War II. He spent time stationed in Europe during the war as Steward Mate 1st Class on the USS 357. He was part of the operation commonly known as D-Day, when Allied forces invaded Normandy, France, at Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944.
He also was involved in the occupation of Licada, Sicily, on July 10, 1943, and Salerno, Italy, landings Sept. 9, 1943. He received his GED through the GI Bill.
The Wilsons share a mutual love for music. Paul Wilson plays the keyboard and Yvonne Wilson plays the piano. He plays music by ear, while she reads sheet music. Their favorite hymn, “Through It All,” sums up their bond of over seven decades.
Paul Wilson worked as a crane operator for many years in Morgan City. Yvonne Wilson worked as a substitute teacher in her earlier years, as a homemaker and later completed correspondence training at a nursing school in Chicago.
For a complete story about the Wilsons’ life together, visit www.lafamilyforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2021-p-y-wilson-story.pdf where they have been honored for many years in the Marriage Hall of Fame.

Charities support veterans, active military, families

Wed, 10/26/2022 - 8:55am

Including the local Purple Heart Outdoors

The support Americans have for armed forces is evident in how much they donate each year to charities with military-related missions. According to Charity Navigator, Americans donate more than $2.5 billion annually to charities with missions dedicated to the military.
Individuals who want to donate to a charitable organization with a military-related mission may not know where to start, and that can be daunting given the number of organizations that fit the criteria. Charity Navigator indicates there are more than 40,000 American charities with military-related missions, which underscores how difficult it can be to find one to support. Thankfully, Charity Navigator, which has provided donors with free access to data, tools and resources to guide their philanthropic decision-making since 2001, has curated a list of highly rated organizations that provide a variety of services to military members and their families. The following is a brief rundown of that list that can serve as a solid foundation for prospective donors.
One of the local charities is founded by Army veteran Dustin Bagwell of Morgan City. Purple Heart Outdoors is a non-profit organization that is built to support and conduct outdoor activities for disabled veterans, and service men and women. To donate visit www.purpleheartoutdoors.org or its Facebook page.
Wounded Troops
—Air Warrior Courage Foundation (airwarriorcourage.org)
—DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Charitable Service Trust (cst.dav.org)
—Fisher House Foundation (fisherhouse.org)
—Higher Ground (highergroundusa.org)
—Homes for Our Troops (hfotusa.org)
—K9s for Warriors (k9sforwarriors.org)
—Operation Second Chance (operationsecondchance.org)
—Wounded Warrior Project (woundedwarriorproject.org)
—Yellow Ribbon Fund (yellowribbonfund.org)
Military Social Services
—AMVETS National Service Foundation (amvetsnsf.org)
—Hire Heroes USA (hireheroesusa.org)
—Honor Flight Network (honorflight.org)
—Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (iava.org)
—Operation Gratitude (operationgratitude.com)
—Operation Healing Forces (operationhealingforces.org)
—Soldiers’ Angels (soldiersangels.org)
—The Mission Continues (missioncontinues.org)
Military Family Support
—Army Emergency Relief (armyemergencyrelief.org)
—Blue Star Families (bluestarfam.org)
—Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation (fallenpatriots.org)
—Folds of Honor (foldsofhonor.org)
—Operation Homefront (operationhomefront.org)
—Our Military Kinds (ourmilitarykids.org)
—Travis Manion Foundation (travismanion.org)
—VFW National Home for Children (vfwnationalhome.org)
The full list can be found at charitynavigator.org.

Dad’s discomfort with trans coach affects child’s fun

Wed, 10/26/2022 - 8:30am

By Jeanne Phillips, ©United Features Syndicate

DEAR ABBY: My 9-year-old daughter, “Kennedy,” plays volleyball. One of the assistant coaches is a transgender woman. I had known about the coach before Kennedy started playing. Although I’m OK with a transgender person coaching my child (I feel their gender identity is absolutely none of my business), my husband is not. He wants our daughter to quit a sport she loves so she won’t be “exposed” to something he doesn’t agree with. He is not transphobic, just very conservative, and he doesn’t want Kennedy growing up around it.
We’re trying to steer her in the right direction with our Christian beliefs, which include loving and accepting everyone. The coach doesn’t broadcast the fact that she’s transgender; my daughter learned about it from a teammate. There is no other volleyball team in the area. How can I convince my husband to let her stay with a sport and team she loves?
SPORTY MOM IN THE SOUTH

DEAR MOM: Actually, your husband IS transphobic and possibly homophobic as well. He may think that by forbidding Kennedy from participating in volleyball, he is protecting her. However, what he fails to understand is that children are already aware. Her friend certainly is.
As Kennedy grows older, she is going to meet many people who are “different” — different races, religions and sexual orientations. As a good Christian, she should accept and love them for who they are. She should not be punished by being forced to drop an activity she loves.
P.S. Has your husband actually MET the assistant coach? Perhaps he should approach her at a practice and introduce himself, so he can get to know her as a fellow human being.

DEAR ABBY: I had a hard time during the COVID pandemic. I’m a stress eater but got that under control years ago. However, over the last year, I’ve been having issues with stress drinking. I sneak many shots of whisky or vodka. I’m lucky it has only been at midday and no driving was involved, but I have had a few blackouts.
My husband of 35-plus years (we’re both retired) has no inkling I have this problem. In the past he has said he can control it, so I can, too. He feels the same about our weight. I walk four miles and work out every day and eat healthy, but I can’t lose weight. He can, at the drop of a hat. I need advice.
HURTING RETIREE IN CALIFORNIA

DEAR RETIREE: First it was food, now it’s alcohol. If you want to conquer your compulsive behavior, it’s important that you figure out what’s causing the stress that’s triggering it. Because your husband can control his appetites does not automatically mean that you are able to. It may take help from your doctor or a licensed therapist to conquer your tendency toward addiction. Once you quit sneaking those shots of booze on a daily basis, I suspect you will notice a marked change in your weight.
***
Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets: “Abby’s Favorite Recipes” and “More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $16 to: Dear Abby, Cookbooklet Set, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.

All clear given after Civil War cannonball found in Berwick

Wed, 10/26/2022 - 7:42am

Staff Report

State police and Army experts were called in Tuesday after a Berwick public works crew dug up what appeared to be a Civil War artillery round near the Berwick Civic Center.

The Berwick town government’s Facebook page said Berwick police were contacted at 9 a.m. after the workers dug up the cannonball while clearing a ditch in the wood line behind the center.

Louisiana State Police Hazmat specialists were contacted, and they in turn called in U.S. Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialists.

“The EOD Unit arrived around 3 p.m. and was able to make the object safe and took it into their possession so it can be properly identified then safely disposed of,” the Berwick Facebook post said.

The site is a quarter-mile behind the Civic Center and the daycare center and half a mile from Berwick Junior High and Berwick High schools. The schools remained open but operated under a cautionary status. No roads were closed and no homes were evacuated.

The area was declared safe about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.

“The Berwick Police Department appreciates the Louisiana State Police and the US Army for their assistance with this matter,” the Berwick Facebook post said. “The police department also appreciates the public’s cooperation during the handling of this incident as well.”

According to the American Battlefield Trust website, Civil War artillery could fire cannonballs, which were no more than solid iron balls that were used against enemy fortifications and artillery. Other rounds were packed with an explosive charge and shrapnel for use against enemy troops.

384 vote in St. Mary as early balloting begins

Wed, 10/26/2022 - 7:37am

Staff Report
St. Mary Parish voters are playing their role in a highly charged election cycle after early voting opened Tuesday.

The Registrar of Voters Office reported that 384 people voted early on the first day.

Registered St. Mary voters, regardless of where they live, can vote early at either of two Registrar of Voters Offices, at the Franklin courthouse or at 301 Third St. in Morgan City.

Early voting runs 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. each day through Nov. 1, except for Sunday, Oct. 30, when the offices are closed.
In-person voting will be Nov. 8, a Tuesday, because U.S. Senate and House races are at stake. Bring a photo ID to the polling place.

On the ballot in east St. Mary:

—A sales tax renewal in Morgan City. Voters are being asked to renew a 0.3% sales tax expected to raise $790,000 a year “for the purpose of paying the cost of constructing, improving, resurfacing, maintaining and providing street drain-age for public streets, alleys, sidewalks and public wharves, and acquiring equipment therefor.” The renewal would take effect in January 2024 for 12 years.

—The U.S. Senate seat held John Kennedy, a Baton Rouge Republican. Thirteen candidates have qualified in that race.

—The 3rd Congressional District seat held by U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins, R-Lafayette.

—The 6th Congressional District seat held by U.S. Rep. Garrett Graves, R-Baton Rouge and a former executive director of the state Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority. This will be the first time St. Mary residents have voted in the 6th District since the post 2020 reapportionment put southeastern and eastern portions of the parish in that district.

—Five contested races have taken shape for the St. Mary Parish School Board. Linsey Anslem is challenging incumbent Kenneth Alfred in District 3; incumbent Ginger Griffin is running against Jaclyn Fields Castillo in District 5; Murphy J. Pontiff Jr. and Glynn Pellerin are running for the open District 7 slot;
Scott Babin, Shawn Canty and Chad Paradee are vying for the open District 8 seat; and incumbent Roland H. Verret is being challenged by Rhonda Dennis.
—In Berwick, incumbent Mayor Duval Arthur faces a challenge from Jessie Boudreaux.

--A contested race for the state 1st Circuit Court of Appeal, 1st District, Division D. Current state Rep. Tanner Magee, who represents Terrebonne Parish, is running against District Judge Steven Miller of Raceland.

--A contested race for Public Service Commission District 4: Three have qualified: Keith C. Bodin of Ragland, Mike Francis of Crowley and Shalon Latour of Iowa.

Also on the statewide ballot are eight proposed state constitutional amendments:

—Amendment 1 would raise to 65% the amount in certain state funds that could be invested in stocks.

—Amendment 2 would expand Louisiana’s homestead exemption for disabled veterans.

—Amendment 3 would allow classified civil service employees “to support the election to public office of members of their own families.”

—Amendment 4 would allow local governments to waive water charges that are the result of damage to the water system not caused by the customer.

—Amendment 5 would allow local governments to decide, in the time between property reassessments, to collect the maximum constitutionally authorized property tax rate. Currently, the local governments must set their millages soon after property is reassessed, and amendment proponents say some may be
tempted to collect the maximum even if they don’t need it because they might need it before the next reassessment.

—Amendment 6 limits valuation increases in residential Orleans Parish property to 10% per year in a four-year phase-in period.

—Amendment 7 prohibits slavery or other involuntary servitude except for prison labor.

—Amendment 8 removes the requirement that people with 100% disabilities recertify their income each year to receive their special property tax valuation level.