RSS Feed

AUDREY BARTLEY MERCHANT

Fri, 09/23/2022 - 10:06am

January 15, 1944-September 10, 2022

Audrey Marie Bartley was born on January 15, 1944, in Morgan City, Louisiana. She was one of twelve children born to the late Frank Bartley Jr. and Hazel Smith Bartley.

Audrey was baptized at Mount Era Baptist Church in Morgan City, Louisiana. She graduated second in her 1962 class from Sumpter Williams High School.

Audrey was a member of the marching band, a majorette and a four-year starter on the basketball team.

She earned a bachelor of science degree from Dillard University and a master of arts degree from New York University.

After college, Audrey volunteered for two and one-half years in the Peace Corps. She was assigned to Portland, Jamaica. Even though her commitment to serve was only two years, she requested to serve an additional six months to complete a project. When she returned to the States, she worked for the Volunteers in Service to America in Washington, D.C.

Through a mutual friend, Avis Sykes in Jamaica, Audrey and Roland Samuel Merchant met, and that meeting led to more than fifty-two years of marriage. On
June 6, 1970, Audrey and Roland married at Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York, and to this union were born three children, Orelia Eleta, Roland Jr. and Huey Bartley Merchant.

Audrey was a member of Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York, St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in San Jose, California, and First New Christian Fellowship Baptist Church in Los Angeles, California. At church, she served as a deaconess, Sunday School teacher and Vacation Bible School teacher.

Audrey taught school in Morgan City, Louisiana, and the city of New York prior to a cross country move to Los Angeles, California. While in California, she worked at the Liberty Mutual Insurance Company for over twenty-five years, until retirement.

Audrey’s commitment and devotion to her husband and children were always her priority. To support her children, she attended school and extracurricular activities without fail. Baking was among the many things she was known for, often sending birthday cakes and cookies across states to her children and other family members.

Audrey was a great listener and a trusted confidant. She was reliable, dependable, loving, caring, and supportive. She put her faith into action, and she always sought out ways to help others, often without request. She embodied perseverance and refused to give up. Audrey believed that nothing beats a failure, but a try.

On September 10, 2022, at her earthly home in Toluca Lake, California, surrounded by the love of family, Audrey peacefully transitioned to her heavenly home.

She was preceded in death by: her parents, Frank and Hazel Bartley; three brothers, Huey Bartley, Melvin Bartley, and Herbert Bartley; two sisters, Jacqueline Bartley and Melinda Bartley Martin; parents-in-law, Samuel and Eleta McLymont Merchant; brothers-in-law, Arvel Marshall, Murphy G. Sanchez, Thornton Clark, Lawrence Martin, Benjamin Artist, Charles “Roy” Merchant, and Joseph A. Merchant; sisters-in-law, Brenda H. Bartley, Ivy Thomas, Joyce E. Merchant, and Julie Merchant Artist.

She leaves to cherish her contributions to this family: a loving and committed husband, Roland Samuel Merchant; devoted children, Orelia Merchant Camara (daughter) and Karim Camara (son-in-law), Roland Samuel Merchant Jr. (son) and Jennifer Anderson Merchant (daughter-in-law), and Huey Bartley Merchant (son) and Steven Artiga (son-in-law); five grandchildren, Karim Merchant Camara, Celia Marie Camara, Brendon B.C. Merchant, Eliana V. Artiga-Merchant and Gabriel M. Artiga-Merchant; sisters, Ruby B. Sanchez, Celia B. Clark, Gloria B. (Calhoun) Moultrie, Lorraine Bartley, and Laura B. Marshall; brother, Frank (Janice) Bartley III; other sister-in-law, Gertrude P. Bartley; “adopted son,” Shemar Franklin Moore; godchildren: Melvin Bartley Jr. and Briana Arnold Boyd; longtime caregiver Judith Sosing; and nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.

MARY ASHMAN

Fri, 09/23/2022 - 9:29am

June 1, 1953 — September 19, 2022

Mary Ashman, 69, of Morgan City, Louisiana, passed away on September 19th, 2022 at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center with her loving family by her side.

She was born to the late Eugene and Rita Mae Bonner on June 1st, 1953, in Morgan City, Louisiana. She was a graduate of Central Catholic High School and cherished her role as greeter and summer reading coordinator at the Morgan City Public Library.

She was preceded in death by her husband William Edward Ashman and her brother Eugene “Boo” Bonner. She is survived by her son William Edward Ashman II, her sisters Sandra Bonner and Susanne Shockley, and her brothers Brent Bonner Sr. and Steven Bonner. She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and honorary “sons”.

Mary was an accomplished cook who loved cooking for her friends and family and never ever sharing the recipes with anyone. She prided herself on being a good listener and always had a safe space for someone to vent or relax, usually over a bowl of gumbo or jambalaya. She loved listening to music and playing with her dogs Stewie and Sasha. She was immensely proud of her job at the library and loved being the “bubble lady”. She expressed pure joy at watching the children develop a love of reading and seeing them get excited to describe what they read.

Memorial services will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Morgan City, Louisiana on September 27th, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. followed by a Mass of
Christian burial. There will be a burial service at Morgan City cemetery followed by a reception at the Fast Trac Transportation Building.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Morgan City Public Library for the Children’s Reading Room.

GREGORY MARTIN HEBERT

Fri, 09/23/2022 - 9:27am

Gregory Martin Hebert, 69, a native and resident of Morgan City, died Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at his residence.

Visitation will be Saturday, 9-10:30 a.m., at Jones Funeral Home in Morgan City, followed by funeral services at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Morgan City Cemetery.

He is survived by two sisters, Gwendolyn Johnson of Broussard and Veronica Allen of Morgan City; two brothers, Kenneth Hebert and Keith Hebert, both of Morgan City; and a host of other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, paternal and maternal grandparents, a sister and a brother.
Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Parker Felterman commissioned in Army Reserve

Fri, 09/23/2022 - 9:23am

Parker Fulton Felterman of Patterson was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve on Sept. 20.

Felterman is stationed in Baton Rouge with the 321st Sustainment Brig-ade as a military intelligence officer after spending the last 3½ years as a soldier with the 316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania.

In December 2021, Felterman graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh with bachelor degrees in drama, philosophy, and social and political
history followed by a master’s degree in philosophy in May.

He will soon attend military intelligence training in Fort Huachuca, Arizona, and will start law school next fall.

Terrebonne General receives LCTCS award

Fri, 09/23/2022 - 9:21am

Terrebonne General Health System was recognized by the Louisiana Community and Technical College System Foundation with a 2022 Impact Award during the 5th Annual Impact Awards celebration.

The purpose of the LCTCS Foundation’s Impact Award is to celebrate extraordinary leadership efforts that have been notably effective in advancing the education and workforce needs of students, businesses, and communities across Louisiana.

Terrebonne General Health System thanked Fletcher Technical Community College and the Louisiana Comm-unity and Technical College System for the honor.

“We are proud to be recognized as a community partner who is an outstanding leader in advancing education and workforce development in Louisiana,” the health system said in a news release.

Terrebonne General Health System is the largest health care resource provider in southeast Louisiana. The team consists of over 1,500 employees, with over 450 medical staff providers who offer 42 various specialties. Award is to celebrate ex Terrebonne General Health System is the largest health care resource provider in southeast Louisiana. The team consists of over 1,500 employees, with over 450 medical staff providers who offer 42 various specialties.

$300M clean-up bill casts shadow over state budget

Fri, 09/23/2022 - 9:18am

VICTOR SKINNER, The Center Square

Louisiana Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne told the Louisiana Board of Regents on Tuesday he expects the state to end the 2021-22 fiscal year with a surplus, though he’s “a little concerned” about a looming $300 million federal payment.

Dardenne and the Louisiana Legislature’s Chief Economist Deborah Vivien shared their economic outlook with the board on Tuesday as regents prepare higher education’s budget request next month for the coming fiscal year.

“I can say with some confidence the state will have a surplus and one-time money available to spend next year and the budget will be strong,” Dardenne said, though he did not provide figures. “The governor’s priorities will continue to center around support for early childhood learning but also continued emphasis on higher education with an emphasis on the importance of what you do in terms of supporting the economy.

“It will be incumbent for our colleges and universities to sharpen their pencils in showing their value and how certifications and degrees translate into jobs,” he said.

The 2022-23 higher education budget included a $159.2 million boost, including $31.7 million for faculty pay, $5.4 million for dual enrollment and universal transferability, $29.25 million for healthcare workforce development, $10 million for broadband improvements and another $10 million in other spending.

Other appropriations included $15 million more in needs-based financial aid, $10.5 million for the M.J. Foster Scholars Program for adult learners and an increase of $137.4 million for campus upgrades.

The spending was made possible by unexpectedly high state revenues, a nearly $700 million surplus from the previous fiscal year and an influx of federal COVID relief funding.

“I think we’re going to have a pretty good situation as we go into our final budget year” of Gov. John Bel Edwards’ administration.
Dardenne, however, highlighted a $300 million federal payment for storm damage cleanup that may come due that officials were not yet planning to pay off.

“I’m a little concerned about that right now,” he said.

Dardenne also addressed an ongoing effort in the Legislature to study the possibility of eliminating the state’s income tax, questioning how lawmakers might replace the roughly $5 billion per year in revenue.

“We don’t think the Legislature ought to take any dramatic steps with regard to tax reform,” he said. “Where are you going to replace that huge amount of revenue that gins the state budget?”

Vivien largely echoed Dardenne’s budget outlook, though she warned about potential impacts from inflation and other economic uncertainties.
Regents also heard from the state’s four university system presidents, who shared concerns about retaining faculty and staff, the impact of the pandemic and hurricanes on student enrollment and budget strains from increased fuel prices, retirement and health care costs.

Regents will consider approval of the current higher education budget at a meeting today and will begin work on next year’s budget request next month, with a goal of submitting a proposal to the Division of Administration on Nov. 1.

“We are grateful that the governor and legislature have prioritized investments in talent development, faculty pay and increased affordability here in Louisiana,” said Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed. “However, today’s budget hearings remind us that two good years of postsecondary education funding cannot erase decades of disinvestment. To remain competitive and advance talent development will require sustained strategic support to increase education and workforce development in our state.”

La. National Guard pays tribute to contributions by Hispanic troops

Fri, 09/23/2022 - 9:13am

WARRANT OFFICER 1 THEA JAMES, Louisiana National Guard Public Affairs Office

PINEVILLE -- Oct. 15 is the national observance of Hispanic Heritage Month, and the Louisiana National Guard ( is taking that time to recognize the culture, history and contributions of service members of Hispanic descent. The theme of this year is “Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation.”

Unidos, roughly translated, means united, connected or close. Staff Sgt. Andy Gonzalez, assigned to the 62nd Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team (WMD-CST), says this is a direct depiction of how he was raised. Originally from Algiers, Gonzalez has family lineage from Costa Rica and expressed how Hispanic Heritage Month reminds him of the culture, ideals he was raised with and influences that made him who he is today.

Gonzalez currently serves full-time in the LANG as a chemical, biological and nuclear specialist. He was inspired to join the guard by those that responded to Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and enlisted in 2012.

“I wanted to be a part of future efforts in my state,” he said. “I also wanted to better myself and figured the National Guard could help me with education and learning new trades and skills.”

Gonzalez says that Hispanics are known for their hospitality and friendly nature. He mentioned that Costa Ricans frequently greet each other with the phrase "pura vida,’ or pure life, and that he tries to live by that value. He is grateful that Hispanic heritage is celebrated, and it gives him the pride and drive to keep improving as a soldier.

Gonzalez said that before he joined, he had no education past high school and felt stuck in a loop, and that led him to investigate joining the Guard.

Ochsner St. Mary offers stop-smoking program

Fri, 09/23/2022 - 9:07am

Submitted Photo
Ochsner St. Mary recently shared information on its Outpatient Smoking Cessation Clinic for the community. This service is offered on Monday/Thursday by appointment. The program is free for the public. For more information, visit Ochsner.org/quit or call 844-371-5806.

Jeremy Alford: Observations from the campaign trail

Fri, 09/23/2022 - 8:52am

JEREMY ALFORD

According to several election officials, 800 erroneous mail-in ballots covering seven precincts in Shreveport were accidentally sent to voters this month.

The ballots in question included incorrect Shreveport City Council boundaries, an unfortunate byproduct from the recent redistricting process.

Election officials assumed there would problems this fall related to redistricting, but so far the Shreveport snafu is the only known instance.

Redistricting happens every 10 years and follows the U.S. Census count, which was later than usual this go around due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

That tardiness by the federal government forced elected officials in Louisiana to race against the clock to get new election lines ready — and, as we all know, mistakes can happen.

It’s unclear exactly where in the local election apparatus the error occurred, but officials on the state level and in Caddo Parish are working to have the ballots returned, shredded and replaced with corrected versions.

If any of the erroneous ballots are voted and returned, the decision to count them or toss them would ultimately be up to Attorney General Jeff Landry, who advises the Board of Election Supervisors on Election Day.

The ballots in question, of course, feature not only City Council races, but also the contests for U.S. senator, Shreveport mayor and much more, like a slate of proposed constitutional amendments.

Should any of these elections come down to a few votes, this little redistricting snafu could become something much larger.

This is exactly why registrars, clerks and other officials have lost so much sleep over local redistricting plans this year.
This past spring, a municipal-level election was held, subsequently voided and then rescheduled because district lines weren’t updated in time.

(That March ballot hosted a city council race in Sulphur that resulted in a 26-vote difference between the two candidates. A legal challenge revealed voters in incorrect districts.)

As we wait to see if there are any other aftershocks from redistricting, here are a few more notes from Louisiana’s long and winding campaign trail…

Is that Boustany?

Photos started circulating this weekend from the Lafayette fundraiser of Holden Hoggatt, a prosecutor who’s running in the 3rd Congressional District against incumbent Congressman Clay Higgins, a fellow Republican.

The photos showed Hoggatt addressing a crowd alongside former Congressman Charles Boustany, who previously held the seat occupied by Higgins.

Those in attendance say Boustany made a strong push for donations to support Hoggatt’s campaign.
Carter backs Chambers

Going against the flow of the establishment corner of the Louisiana Democratic Party, Congressman Troy Carter of New Orleans has endorsed Baton Rouge activist Gary Chambers for the U.S. Senate.

Like everything else on this side of the race, the nod will do very little to change the dynamics of the election itself, especially with incumbent U.S. Sen. John Kennedy shattering fundraising records.

But it does foreshadow more divided times ahead for the party faithful.

While Chambers has been successful in courting progressive voters, fellow Democrat Luke Mixon, a former fighter pilot, enjoys more establishment support from the party.

ABL?

A white oval-shaped sticker with the letters “ABL” recently surfaced on Twitter’s #LaLege feed. The image was a throwback to 2015, when “ABV,” or “Anybody

But Vitter,” appeared on billboards and stickers during the last open race for governor.

That was the cycle Gov. John Bel Edwards bested Vitter, a Republican, in the runoff. For the 2023 race for governor, the Democratic call appears to be “ABL,” or “Anybody But Landry” (as in Attorney General Jeff Landry)

Consultant Trey Ourso of Baton Rouge, who managed Gumbo PAC’s “ABV” campaign in 2015, said an “ABL” effort in 2023 is always a possibility. “I think there will be an appetite for that at an appropriate time,” said Ourso.

Updating the governor's list

There are now 13 names on our watch list of potential gubernatorial candidates who are either flirting with the race or refusing to rule it out completely. The latest entry belongs to West Feliciana Parish President Kenny Havard, who told USA Today’s Greg Hilburn he’s thinking about running. The other 12 names to watch as we scoot closer to the 2023 cycle include U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, activist Gary Chambers, Congressman Garret Graves, Sen. Sharon Hewitt, U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, Attorney General Jeff Landry, attorney Hunter Lundy, Rep. Richard Nelson, Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, Treasurer John Schroder, Sen. Gary Smith and U.S. Attorney Donald Washington. So far no one has officially announced.

For more Louisiana political news, visit www. LaPolitics.com or follow Alford on Twitter @ LaPoliticsNow,.

Patterson Garden Club slates district meeting

Fri, 09/23/2022 - 8:34am

Patterson Garden Club held its first meeting of the new garden club year on Sept. 13. Hosting the gathering at the Pilant Court Reporting office was new President Ginger Griffin. Former President Evelyn Estay serves as vice president.
Griffin led the meeting which included distributing new club yearbooks and discussing plans for the year. She led a discussion of planned the Louisiana Garden Club Federation District 3 meeting at which Patterson Garden Club will co-host with Morgan City Garden Club.
The district meeting will be held at Nico Bella Catering and Event Center in Morgan City on Oct. 18.
Treasurer Iris Roy gave a three year treasurer’s report. She also won the half and half drawing. Roy distributed raffle tickets for the district meeting and collected everyone’s registration.
Participation in planning and attending the district meeting will take the place during the October meeting.
Pizza and ice cream was the meeting’s meal.