Around Town for Oct. 26
Wed, 10/26/2022 - 7:23am
Happy birthday Patricia Mangum and happy birthday Thursday to Carla Thomas from family, friends and Ira.
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Wheel House for Oct. 26: Lunch and bazaar
Wed, 10/26/2022 - 7:22am
LUNCH AND BAZAAR
Patterson United Methodist Church, 1204 Main St., hosting its Christmas Bazaar and Plate Lunch Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser Saturday, Nov. 19. Bazaar, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., offers Christmas decorations, homemade preserves, jams, jellies and baked goods. Spaghetti lunch picked up between 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch, $9, includes spaghetti and meatballs, coleslaw and bread. Lunch tickets, call 985-395-9335.
Jim Bradshaw: Celebrating the woman who was inspiration for Evangeline
Wed, 10/26/2022 - 7:02am
JIM BRADSHAW
Even the New York Times took notice of the “literary birthday” at the end of October 1967 of Emmeline Labiche, “heroine who made her name … in real life and then gained immortality in the lines of a poem.”
Some people claim she and her sweetheart Louis Arceneaux were the real-life models of Longfellow’s Evangeline and Gabriel, but the Times did it right in making it a literary birthday, not a real one.
The newspaper recorded on Oct. 28, 1967, “After futilely searching in many places for her lover, [Emmeline] finally settled … among old friends in St. Martinville, [where she] lived an unhappy but normal life, until … she learned that her sweetheart had married another, [and] her mind became deranged. For years after that … she wandered through the beautiful Bayou Teche country, weaving bridal garlands of flowers for her hair.”
It’s a romantic story that the Times said it heard from Andre Olivier, the St. Martinville shopkeeper, historian, and storyteller who was credited with “enshrining” Longfellow’s heroine in the Teche county.
It’s largely because of his work that businesses and products all across south Louisiana were given the name Evangeline ─ from Evangeline Maid bread to car dealerships and hot sauces and motels, even to a parish that is largely populated by non-Acadians.
A decade before the Times story, in October 1958, the Teche News declared Olivier’s store on the corner of East Bridge and North Pinaud streets “the most famous country store in the United States,” because of the “writers, historians, folk song writers, artists, and people from all walks of life” who over several decades “came to him for information and advice.”
The important distinction here is that he was both historian and storyteller, and that he sometimes intermingled history and story.
Historian Carl Brasseaux has suggested that “growing credence in the Evangeline story… was fostered by Longfellow’s literary successors, particularly Felix Voorhies, whose works were also intended to be purely fictional.”
Judge Voorhies wrote “Acadian Reminiscences: The True Story of Evangeline” (New Orleans, Rivas Publishers, 1907) which tells how Emmeline was about to marry Louis “when the barbarous scattering of our colony took place.”
The lovers tried to flee from the village of St. Gabriel in old Acadia, but were caught by the British and sent their separate ways. In the Voorhies story,
Emmeline was sent to Maryland and eventually came to Louisiana.
Olivier’s story was basically the same as the Voorhies version.
A prominent sign in front of his store read, “The True Story of Evangeline By Judge Felix Voorhies of La. — Also Postal Card Views by Andre A. Olivier.” Another read, “Tourists! Stop Here. Evangeline Enshrined.”
Voorhies and Longfellow wrote fiction, but, Brasseaux argues, other writers embellished their stories, creating “a legend which bore only a faint resemblance to the original story line and none to historical events.”
Something like the tales of Evangeline and Emmeline probably did happen to more than one pair of Acadian sweethearts.
But there is no record that anyone named Evangeline Bellefontaine, Gabriel Lajeunesse (as Longfellow named them), or Emmeline Labiche (the Voorhies heroine) lived in Acadia at the time of the exile.
There was no village named St. Gabriel in Acadie. The St. Gabriel in Iberville Parish wasn’t created until well after the Acadian exile.
There was a real Louis Arceneaux, but he was born in St. James Parish 13 years after the Le Grand Derangement.
None of that deterred the Times from reporting that Gov. Richard Leche and “literary figures and townspeople” planned commemorative ceremonies at Emmeline’s grave “in the little Catholic churchyard” in St. Martinville on Oct. 30, 1967. That, of course, would be difficult, since there was no Emmeline.
Nonetheless, you can still find accounts claiming that the bronze statue next to St. Martin Church marks Emmeline’s grave.
The statue is actually of Delores del Rio, the Mexican actress who played Evangeline in the 1929 movie based on Longfellow’s poem, and who almost certainly looked nothing like Evangeline or Emmeline or any real Acadian girl.
If the governor and literary figures did gather at the statue, they did it very quietly. I find no report of it in any local newspaper. The big story in the Teche News on Oct. 30 was about the St. Martinville High homecoming.
It is true that, even if only loosely based in history, the legend is an important narrative. It reflects the Acadian people’s ability to endure an exile designed to destroy them.
That incredible survival is a fact, and the stories do reflect the real heartbreak and trauma brought on by families torn apart. Those facts are a part of the very essence of the Cajun heritage of south Louisiana.
The stories are an authentic and enduring reflection of that upheaval, just as good works of fiction should be.
But they should be regarded as reminders of our history, not reports of it, even if they’re in the New York Times.
You can contact Jim Bradshaw at jimbradshaw4321@gmail.com or P.O. Box 1121, Washington LA 70589.
Sheriff: Amelia speeding stop leads to heroin charge
Tue, 10/25/2022 - 3:19pm
Staff Report
(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.)
Assumption Parish deputies accused a driver of heroin and methamphetamine possession after a speeding stop Sunday in Amelia.
Assumption:
Sheriff Leland Falcon reported these arrests:
—Sandi Ann Leone Dominguez, 38, Saint Elmo Road, Erath, was arrested Sunday on charges of possession of heroin, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and speeding 85 mph in a 70 mph zone.
An I.C.E.-assigned deputy observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation on U.S. 90 near Amelia and initiated a stop. The deputy made contact with the driver, identified as Dominguez, and conducted an interview. At the conclusion of that process, the deputy concluded that additional investigation was warranted.
The deputy requested a K-9 unit to come to the location. The K-9 conducted an open-air sniff of the suspect vehicle and alerted positive to the presence of controlled dangerous substances. A search of that vehicle resulted in the seizure of heroin, methamphetamine and assorted drug paraphernalia.
Dominguez was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.
—Jules Anthony Joiner Jr., 25, La Chene Street, Pierre Part, was arrested Monday on a felony charge of domestic abuse battery.
The charges result from an incident Oct. 5.
Deputies were dispatched to a location in Pierre Part in reference to a domestic dispute.
Deputies spoke to the victim, who advised that she and the accused, now identified as Joiner, had gotten into an argument and at some point, the argument turned physical. The victim and Joiner were in a relationship at the time.
The investigating deputy established that probable cause existed to believe a crime was committed. The deputy applied for and was granted an arrest warrant for Joiner..
On Monday afternoon, Joiner turned himself in at the parish detention facility. He was released after posting a $10,000 bond.
Morgan City
Police Chief Mark E. Griffin Jr. reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 43 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:
—Debbie Marie Curtis, 54, Felicia Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:36 a.m. Monday on charges of hit-and-run driving and improper lane usage.
—Taylan Wayne Godeaux, 24, Pond Drive, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:02 p.m. Monday on charges of simple burglary and possession of drug paraphernalia.
St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 30 complaints and made these arrests:
—Heather Ann Orgeron, 42, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:40 p.m. Monday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug para-phernalia. Bail has not been set.
—Brandon Michael Armentor, 30, Gibson, was arrested at 4:37 p.m. Monday on a charge of stop sign or yield signs and resisting an officer by flight. Armentor was released on a $1,750 bond.
Franklin
Police Chief Morris Beverly reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to eight complaints over the last 24-hour reporting period and made this arrest:
—Quincy Sam, 40, Easy Street, Franklin, was arrested at 4:51 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant dated Aug. 10, 2021, alleging unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling and battery of a dating partner. Sam was booked, processed and held with no bond set.
Fun day at the Petting Zoo
Tue, 10/25/2022 - 2:35pm
Children and adults attending the Morgan City Petting Zoo Fall Fest on Saturday had a variety of animals to feed and plenty of pumpkins to decorate. Top Photo: Evangeline Acosta, 4, of Morgan City feeds one of the ponies.
The Review/Diane Miller Fears
Trunk or treat in Morgan City
Tue, 10/25/2022 - 2:27pm
Lots of ghouls and goblins attended the Morgan City Main Street Trunk or Treat Saturday afternoon under the U.S. 90 bridge in downtown Morgan City. A patient line of trunk-or-treaters, as far as the eye could see, made its way through the free offerings donated by area citizens.
The Review/Diane Miller Fears
Morgan City radio logs for Oct. 20-22
Tue, 10/25/2022 - 2:24pm
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.
Thursday, Oct. 20
7:51 a.m. 500 block of Louisa Street; Medical.
8:48 a.m. 700 block of Freret Street; Fire complaint.
9:16 a.m. 1200 block of South Prescott Street; Complaint.
9:23 a.m. 500 block of Orange Street; Complaint.
9:48 a.m. 1200 block of Onstead Street; Medical.
9:49 a.m. 400 block of Bowman Street; Harassment.
10:13 a.m. 2000 block of Keith Street; Suspicious person.
10:50 a.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Complaint.
11:03 a.m. 2300 block of Federal Avenue; Complaint.
12:03 p.m. 6800 block of La. 182; Complaint.
12:28 p.m. Wal-nut/Chestnut drives; Frequent patrols.
1:51 p.m. 7300 block of La. 182; Complaint.
2:26 p.m. 2300 block of Federal Avenue; Assistance.
2:39 p.m. 300 block of Aucoin Street; Disturbance.
2:56 p.m. 1700 block of Youngs Road; Theft.
3:28 p.m. 600 block of Second Street; Complaint.
3:31 p.m. 500 block of Brashear Avenue; Complaint.
3:34 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Suspicious person.
3:39 p.m. 700 block of Belanger Street; Animal complaint.
3:50 p.m. 100 block of Glenwood Street; Juve-nile complaint.
4:31 p.m. 700 block of Terrebonne Street; Assistance.
4:43 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Juvenile complaint.
4:44 p.m. 2000 block of Sixth Street; Accident.
6:17 p.m. 400 block of Lawrence Street; Animal complaint.
7:36 p.m. 1000 block of Brashear Avenue; Alarm.
7:51 p.m. 300 block of Wren Street; Assistance.
8 p.m. 900 block of Kimberly Drive; Medical.
8:56 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Reckless driving.
9:19 p.m. 600 block of Kentucky Street; Complaint.
9:45 p.m. Maple Street; Warrants.
11:13 p.m. 7300 block of La. 182; Suspicious person.
Friday, Oct. 21
12:59 a.m. 6800 block of La. 182; Suspicious person.
1:05 a.m. 1100 block of Victor II Boulevard; Removal of subject.
6:59 a.m. 100 block of Dugas Street; Theft.
7:36 a.m. 900 block of Kimberly Drive; Medical.
8:08 a.m. 7300 block of La. 182; Complaint.
8:20 a.m. 1600 block of Front Street; Animal complaint.
8:38 a.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Complaint.
10:24 a.m. Maple Street; Complaint.
10:27 a.m. Brashear Avenue and Sixth Street; Stalled vehicle.
10:45 a.m. 1000 block of La. 70; Theft.
10:48 a.m. 2400 block of Tiger Drive; Medical.
11:11 a.m. 300 block of Aucoin Street; Animal complaint.
11:43 a.m. La. 70/U.S. 90; Stalled vehicle.
12:20 p.m. 500 block of Louisa Street; Suspicious subject.
12:29 p.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Stand by.
12:38 p.m. Victor II Boulevard and Myrtle Street; Stalled vehicle.
3:34 p.m. U.S. 90; Crash.
3:45 p.m. U.S. 90; Reckless operation.
5:57 p.m. Front Street; Complaint.
6:33 p.m. 200 block of Glenwood Street; Removal of subject.
6:41 p.m. 300 block of Aucoin Street; Com-plaint.
7:04 p.m. 1800 block of Filmore Street; Hit and run.
7:44 p.m. 600 block of Bush Street; Trespass.
9:07 p.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; 911 hang up.
9:32 p.m. 1000 block of Brashear Avenue; Arrest.
9:57 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Arrest
10:07 p.m. 6000 block of La. 182; Traffic incident.
10:37 p.m. 1000 block of Greenwood Street; Disturbance.
Saturday, Oct. 22
12:13 a.m. 300 block of Second Street; Arrest.
1:16 a.m. 900 block of Duke Street; Removal of subject.
Co-op gets PSC approval to buy Florida power
Tue, 10/25/2022 - 2:21pm
VICTOR SKINNER, The Center Square
The Louisiana Public Service Commission voted unanimously to allow two electrical nonprofit cooperatives to buy power from a Florida-based supplier, overriding objections from power companies Entergy and Cleco that currently control the market.
Commissioners approved two deals on Wednesday allowing the Dixie Electric Membership Cooperative and Jefferson Davis Electric Cooperative to buy power from NextEra, which is expected to save customers about $160 million over the next 10 years.
The joint application was opposed by Entergy and Cleco, which currently monopolize Louisiana’s energy market, based on allegations the deal could result in forced blackouts to stabilize the electric grid.
An administrative law judge and PSC staff recommended the deal move ahead with conditions that require the co-ops to report to the commission on price changes and capacity issues.
“You’re placing long-term resource adequacy for the state of Louisiana in the hands of the cooperatives and NextEra Energy Marketing, who are not subject to your jurisdiction,” Larry Hand, attorney for Entergy told the PSC. “The risk you are undertaking is an increased risk of more likelihood of controlled load shed events to maintain reliability when we don’t have adequate resources to support load.”
A separate docket at the PSC aims to look into the capacity issues. The deals run for a decade starting in 2024 and 2025.
Attorneys for DEMCO, JDEC and NextEra countered Entergy’s claims, pointing to rules included in the arrangements that require the co-ops to comply with regulators.
“We understand this commission could change the rules or (the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) could change the rules.
"We will comply with those rules,” NextEra attorney Brian Murphy told commissioners. “The record shows we are in full compliance with every rule and current regulation, and we commit to be in compliance with every future rule and regulation.”
DEMCO CEO Randy Pierce highlighted both rates and reliability as major factors for partnering with NextEra.
“There many benefits we believe to the two contracts that we are asking for certification for today. First and foremost, they will result in lower rates for our members.
"We know that by the calculations within the contract,” he said. “We looked at 95 different proposals from 13 different providers across the country, including all of the incumbent folks in the state … and with that we chose one we knew would be reliable.”
“We’ve seen their performance in other states and we’ve very comfortable from the reliability standpoint and we feel very good about the pricing standpoint,” Pierce said. “We believe it is by far the best option that we looked at. It’s the most dynamic option in terms of bringing benefits to our customers and the state of Louisiana and to the seven parishes we serve.”
The deals are expected to lower rates for about 113,000 DEMCO customers and nearly 9,700 JDEC customers.
The PSC vote follows discussions by commissioners on alternatives to the current Louisiana energy monopoly controlled by Entergy and Cleco, which have earned the scorn of the PSC for significantly increasing rates in recent years.
The PSC voted earlier this year to allow five co-ops to buy power from two out-of-state firms, The Advocate reports.
Nicholls outlasts McNeese for home victory
Tue, 10/25/2022 - 2:17pm
Nicholls State Sports Information
In a game that featured a pair of 20-point quarters for each team, the Nicholls State University Colonels scored the final touchdown of the day early in the fourth quarter before the defense stuffed McNeese late on a fourth-down try to preserve a 40-35 victory over the Cowboys Saturday evening on Manning Field at John L. Guidry Stadium.
Running back Julien Gums gave Nicholls (2-6, 2-1 SLC) the lead for good after running untouched up the middle from four yards out, putting the Colonels up five with 11 minutes remaining. McNeese (1-6, 0-3 SLC) marched down the field for the potential go-ahead score, but freshman Eli Ennis capped a strong outing with a stop on 4th-and-one from the Colonel 25 with five minutes to go.
Gums and Collin Guggenheim, who rushed for two touchdowns, teamed up for six carries and a pair of first downs that allowed Nicholls to eventually run out the clock for a third consecutive home victory against the rival Cowboys.
Nicholls totaled 507 yards of offense with quarterback Kohen Granier throwing to nine different receivers for a career-high 337 yards. Granier tossed two touchdowns, including a 22-yard strike in the second quarter to tight end Brandon Hubicz that put Nicholls ahead 14-0, but also had a pair of interceptions in the period that swung the momentum to McNeese.
The Colonels struck first with a 2-yard Guggenheim touchdown on the opening drive before the Cowboys quickly erased the 14-0 deficit in the second quarter. Deonta McMahon scored the first of his four touchdowns for the visitors on a 20-yard scamper and McNeese added a two-point try. McMahon then ran for another TD for the lead and on the first offensive play of the Colonel drive, Granier threw an interception.
McNeese capitalized with a 28-yard touchdown pass from Knox Kadem to McMahon for a 22-14 advantage. Then Granier led the Colonels down to the McNeese 5 right before the break, but his pass was tipped at the line and Amaud Willis-Dalton came away with an interception.
Things didn’t change for the Colonels early in the third as Marquese Albert muffed a punt after a three-and-out, and McNeese recovered deep in Nicholls territory. Two plays later, Kadem found Jalen Johnson open for a 25-yard touchdown.
Nicholls finally answered with Guggenheim’s second touchdown to end a string of 29 straight points scored by McNeese. The drive was set up on a 42-yard catch by freshman Neno Lemay.
The defense then came up with an enormous play as James Tobin IV picked off a Kadem pass and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown. Then on the Colonels’ next possession, Granier hit Terry Matthews for a deep pass and he was able to evade a pair of defenders and break free for an 89-yard touchdown. Nicholls went for two but failed on the try, keeping the score at 34-29 Colonels.
Early in the fourth, McMahon continued to be a one-man wrecking crew with his fourth touchdown. Nicholls missed on a 31-yard field goal try and the Cowboys countered with a 12-play scoring drive. McMahon crossed the goal line from 9 yards out but once again, the two-point try came up empty as McNeese led 35-34.
On the Colonels go-ahead drive, the offense featured seven rushes with Gums getting five of the carries. He started with a 20-yard rush before capping it with his 4-yard touchdown rush. Gums had another milestone day as he surpassed 3,000 rushing yards for his career and tied two program all-time touchdown records — rushing (35) and total touchdowns (36). The New Orleans native finished with 110 yards rushing to extend his school record to 13 games.
Ennis started the defense’s day with a forced fumble and ended it on the fourth-down stop on a McMahon carry. Ennis racked up 11 tackles and had his first career sack. Kylin White also tallied 11 tackles while Perry Ganci finished with seven and had a sack on the final drive. Tyler Morton’s second pick followed Matthew’s long touchdown catch in the third.
UP NEXT
Nicholls will head back on the road for a matchup with Lamar on Oct. 29. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.
SHIRLEY ANN CHAISSON
Tue, 10/25/2022 - 2:13pm
August 13, 1939 — October 23, 2022
Shirley Ann Chaisson, age 83, of Stephensville, LA passed away on Sunday, October 23, 2022. Shirley was born on August 13, 1939 to the late Kirby Paul and Odeal Templet Chaisson in Morgan City, LA. She was a devout Christian. There was never someone that Shirley met and she did not offer her love to them
Shirley is survived by 17 nieces and nephews and a host of great- nieces and nephews. She is also survived by other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Kirby and Odeal Chaisson; her brothers, Nolan, Herman, Kermit and Daniel Chaisson; sister, Linda Duck.
Visitation will be held Friday, October 28, 2022 from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Morgan City. Services will be held Friday, October 28, 2022 at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Shirley will be laid to rest at a later date.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hargravefuneralhome.com for the Chaisson family.