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MAXINE THERIOT BARBIER

Tue, 12/23/2025 - 11:54am

Maxine Theriot Barbier passed away at the beautiful age of 95 on December 18, 2025.
She was a lifelong resident of Golden Farms in Berwick until she moved to Maison Jardin.
She was a lifelong member of St. Stephen Catholic Church in Berwick. Maxine loved to cook; when she did, she made sure that she cooked enough to share with her neighbors and friends. She also had a passion for working in her garden, which she was very proud of.
She is survived by her two children; her son, Keith Barbier and his wife Martha of Katy, TX; her daughter, Catherine Crappell and her husband Clint of Berwick; two granddaughters, Lauren Lawson and her husband Michael of Boerne, TX., and Jessica Estes and her husband Drew of Katy, TX; two great-grandchildren, Logan and Madison Estes of Katy, TX.; she also had numerous fur-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Lanny Theriot; her sister, Phyllis Chavarria; two sisters-in-law, Connie Barbier and Kathleen Barbier.
Maxine was preceded in death by her parents, Felicie and Jeffery Theriot; husband, E.P “Sneak” Barbier: two brothers, Melvin and Rodney Theriot.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at St. Stephen Catholic Church with Father Sal Istre officiating. Visitation will be held Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at St. Stephen Catholic Church Hall, from 12:00p.m. until the time of Mass. After Mass, Maxine will be laid to rest in the Berwick Cemetery.

MYRTLE B. McNEMAR

Tue, 12/23/2025 - 11:53am

Myrtle B. McNemar, a native and longtime resident of Morgan City, Louisiana, died Dec. 19, 2025, at the age of 86.
She is survived by her husband, Allen McNemar; her two sons, Allen McNemar III and his wife, Annette, and John McNemar and his wife, Kristie; four grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and a brother, Paul H. Boudreaux Jr.
She was preceded in death by two daughters and her parents.
Memorial graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Morgan City Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Hargrave Funeral Home of Morgan City.

GARY BARTLEY SR.

Tue, 12/23/2025 - 11:52am

Gary Bartley Sr., a native of Morgan City, Louisiana and resident of Franklin, died Tuesday, Dec. 16., 2025, at the age of 68. He was born on Nov. 2, 1957.
Visitation will be held from 8 a.m. until the Celebration of Life at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, at Jones Funeral Home, 1101 Main Street Franklin. Burial will follow in the New Salem Baptist Church Cemetery in Patterson.
He is survived by his mother, Jeanetta Daniels of Franklin; two children, Gary (Ashlee) Bartley, Jr. of Dallas, Texas, and Chardeny (Tony) Branton of Patterson; one sister, Dianne (Larry) Nico of Centerville; four brothers, Caleb Bartley of Memphis, Tennessee, Craig Bartley of Patterson, Mark Bartley of Atlanta, and James (Cynthia) Daniels of Beaumont, Texas; nine grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and close friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, his brother and his stepfather.
Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

CARLVEN C. COLEMAN

Tue, 12/23/2025 - 11:51am

Carlven C. Coleman, a native of Franklin, Louisiana, and a resident of Morgan City, was born March 25, 1945, and died Dec. 15, 2025, at the age of 80.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the Celebration of Life at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, at Jones Funeral Home Chapel, 715 Sixth St., Morgan City.
He is survived by five sons, Carlven Coleman Jr. of Las Vegas, Nevada, Eric (Belva) Chapman Jr. of Youngsville, Carlven C. Chapman and Brodie Chapman, both of Morgan City, and Tremayne Coleman of San Antonio, Texas; two daughters, Monica (Emmanuel) Liggins of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Learita Coleman of Denham Springs; three brothers, George (Nelvin) Coleman of Patterson, Marshall (Thelma) Coleman of Missouri City, Texas, and Harry (Denise) Coleman of Franklin; two sisters, Linda (Ivory) Johnson and Sheila Coleman, both of Franklin; 14 grandchildren, five great grandchildren; and a host of relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; his five siblings.
Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Morgan City Council raises auditorium rental fees

Tue, 12/23/2025 - 11:49am

BILL DECKER

bdecker@daily-review.com

People who use Morgan City Municipal Auditorium can expect to pay more, but not until late next year.
The City Council voted Dec. 16 to raise the fees for renting the auditorium’s ballroom and other facilities, based on an operating loss and the higher rates charged by similar facilities nearby.
Also Dec. 16, the council accepted a check in lieu of taxes from the Morgan City Housing Authority and paved the way for using state funding to upgrade the city’s sewage treatment system.
The usual fourth-Tuesday meeting was moved up to accommodate the holidays.
The auditorium rates before and after council action:
•Ballroom rental was raised to $1,000 from $550.
•Rental for the East or West Concourses was raised to $400 from $300.
•Theater rental was raised to $550 from $350.
•Meeting room rental was raised to $200 from $150.
The new rates won’t affect customers who have already booked space at the auditorium into September.
Mayor Lee Dragna said the auditorium costs about $600,000 a year to operate. A 2-mill tax raises about $278,000, and rentals bring in another $100,000.
“We’re just short,” Dragna said.
Information collected for the meeting shows that the Barry B. Bonvillain Civic Center in Houma charges $2,500 for renting its Halls A and B and a base rate of $1,500 for rental of its theater.
The Warren J. Harang Municipal Auditorium in Thibodaux charges $2,500 for hall rental or 10% of any ticket sales, whichever is greater.
It’s not yet clear whether Morgan City will follow suit by charging for additional services, such as table setup, that other auditoriums make customers pay.
Also at the Dec. 16 meeting:
•The council accepted about $64,000 from the Housing Authority. The check, presented by authority Director Clarence Robinson, represents money the city would collect on conventional housing.
•The council authorized Dragna to enter an agreement with C.H. Fenstermaker and Associatess for work related to rehabilitation of the city’s sewer system.
After capital outlay approval from the Legislature, the city government is ready to put $3 million toward the project.
•The council passed a resolution of respect for Dale Hugh Hayes Sr. Hayes, a Morgan City native, who joined the National Guard and then the regular Army as a private. He saw combat in Korea and Vietnam. He retired as a lieutenant colonel.
Hayes enrolled in Loyola’s law school at age 42 and served as the Morgan City attorney for 25 years.
Hayes died Nov. 27.

MC streets will pay tribute to veterans

Tue, 12/23/2025 - 11:47am

BILL DECKER

bdecker@daily-review.com

Morgan City could soon have a way to honor military veterans.
At the Dec. 16 City Council meeting, Matt Dragna of a citizens committee called the Heroes Way Commission outlined plans to dedicate portions of Morgan City streets to veterans.
Dragna, the brother of Mayor Lee Dragna, said the commission hopes to erect signs honoring individual veterans. The signs would be modeled after flags, with a standard to which a horizontal plaque is attached.
The plaque would bear the name of the veteran, the veteran’s service branch and medals earned.
While portions of streets would be dedicated to veterans, the streets’ official names would remain unchanged, Matt Dragna said.
The commission hopes to have 10 signs ready for July 4, which will mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The plans are to add four to six signs each year after that.
The project is being funded with private donations.
Dragna said the commission has identified 28 service members who were killed in action.
“Having died isn’t a prerequisite, but it does put you high on the list,” Dragna said.
The 1.790 veterans include three former prisoners of war, 36 Purple Heart recipients and five women.
To suggest a veteran to the commission, email heroeswaymorgancity@gmail.com.
“Above all, we want to make sure the good name of Morgan City is honored,” Dragna said.

Money for vessel built by Conrad is in defense bill

Tue, 12/23/2025 - 11:45am

Staff report
Congress gave St. Mary Parish’s shipbuilding industry a multimillion stocking stuffer earlier this month.
The National Defense Authorization Act, which passed the House Dec. 10 and the Senate Dec. 17, includes $140 million for U.S. Navy vessels that are being produced by the Conrad Shipyard in Amelia.
The inclusion of funding for the Yard Repair, Berthing, Mess program is the latest in a string of wins for St. Mary’s shipbuilding industry, raising hopes that the industry can reverse a decade-long slump in employment.
Conrad completed its first YRBM vessel in July 2024, and marked the event with a ceremony that drew U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, U.S. Reps. Garret Graves and Troy Carter, and other dignitaries to Amelia with the 151-foot-long, 61-foot-high vessel looming in the background.
The vessels serve as temporary homes for sailors while their vessels are in port for repairs or maintenance.
The first of its kind, the YRBM-57 unveiled last year at Conrad, can house 300 sailors at a time. Its enlisted mess can feed 60 sailors in a single shift, and the vessel has a conference room, laundry, classrooms, lounges and a medical facility.
Conrad celebrated the event in style. YRBM-57 was decorated with red, white and blue bunting.
YRBM-57 was the first of as many as eight vessels in the class that are part of a contract with the Navy worth a reported $140 million. It was taken to Japan.
Conrad delivered YRBM-59 to the Navy in August.
U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins, who announced the YRBM’s inclusion in the National Defense Authorization Act in a press release, quizzed the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office in April about potential gaps in the production of the giant vessels.
“Would you agree that a break in the production line will significantly increase future YRBM vessel material, labor, and production costs, at an estimated 15% to 20% of the follow-on lead ship cost?” asked Higgins, R-Lafayette. “To avoid a break in the production line of these sorely needed quality-of-life vessels for our Navy personnel, what is the required number of new YRBMs that should be funded in each of the next 5 fiscal years beginning with FY 2026?”
The CBO didn’t have a number. But “ensuring a steady production rate is one of the most effective ways to reduce the unit costs of individual ships or platforms because doing so allows a shipyard to sequence its work in the most efficient way,” the CBO responded.
Other big announcements have come recently from local shipbuilders, including Conrad’s agreement to partner with Samsung Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. In a “collaborative framework to jointly explore opportunities in the rapidly expanding U.S. LNG bunkering market,” the companies said in a joint announcement Dec. 4 from New Orleans.
Later this month, Metal Shark announced that it would make Tocaro Blue’s ProteusCore software part of its high speed maneuverable autonomous vessels.
The biggest news came Dec. 3, when Texas-based Saronic announced a $300 million expansion that could create as many as 1,500 direct jobs at the shipyard it acquired from Gulf Craft in April.
The added employment could reverse a downward trend evident since 2014, when St. Mary shipbuilding peaked with 1,608 employees, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That number fell to 764 by the end of 2024, the last point for which data are available.

SoLAcc grant helps rural students

Tue, 12/23/2025 - 11:43am

South Louisiana Community College has been awarded a five-year, $2.3 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education to expand educational opportunity and student success across Acadiana’s rural parishes.
The project, SOARR: Supporting Opportunities and Accessibility for Rural Residents, is funded through the Strengthening Institutions Program. Over the next five years, SoLAcc will broaden academic offerings, enhance student support, and invest in long-term systems that help students stay on track and reach their goals.
Through SOARR, the College will expand several programs, helping residents access high-quality education and training close to home. Programs impacted include the PN to RN program at the New Iberia Campus, the Electrician Dual-Enrollment program at the Crowley Campus, the Diesel-Powered Equipment Technology program in Opelousas, and the Industrial Marine Electronics program in Franklin. It will also launch a new Construction Management program in St. Martinville.
The initiative also includes:
•Establishing Student Central, a one-stop resource hub that simplifies admissions, advising, and financial aid.
•Modernizing SoLAcc’s data systems to improve communication and decision-making.
•Creating a permanent student emergency aid endowment to provide timely support when unforeseen challenges arise
“This grant strengthens our ability to meet students where they are,” said Dr. Vincent June, chancellor of SoLAcc.
“It expands access to education, builds up our rural campuses, and helps ensure that more people across Acadiana can learn and work right here at home.”

The SOARR Project will also enhance the College’s internal capacity through data modernization, professional development, and sustainability planning—ensuring these improvements continue well beyond the life of the grant.

“SOARR is about building opportunity that lasts,” said Dr. Andre Perez, Associate Vice Chancellor for External Affairs and Strategic Initiatives and the project’s director. “By strengthening our programs, technology, and student resources, we’re creating a stronger foundation for every learner who walks through our doors.”

The project period runs from Oct. 1, 2025-Sept. 30, 2030.

2025 Leadership St. Mary class graduates

Tue, 12/23/2025 - 11:42am

The St. Mary Chamber of Commerce celebrated the graduation of the Leadership St. Mary Class of 2025, marking a significant milestone as the final class to complete the program under the Leadership St. Mary name.
Since its inception, Leadership St. Mary has served as the Chamber’s flagship leadership development initiative, equipping community-minded professionals with the knowledge, connections and insight needed to serve and lead across St. Mary Parish.
The Class of 2025 continues that legacy, completing a year-long experience that included monthly full-day sessions, behind-the-scenes tours, and direct engagement with leaders in business, education, government, healthcare, industry, and the nonprofit sector, the Chamber said in a news release.
Throughout the program, participants gained a deeper understanding of the Parish through themed days such as Local Leaders Day, Education Day, Economic Development Day, Nonprofit Day, and Culture, History, and Industry Day. Each class also collaborates on a parish-wide project designed to create lasting impact and address real community needs.
During the graduation ceremony, class representatives reflected on the profound personal and professional growth experienced throughout the year, highlighting the relationships built, perspectives gained, and renewed commitment to civic leadership.
During the Leadership St. Mary Class of 2025 graduation ceremony, Kerrill James was honored as the 2025 recipient of the Donna Meyer Leadership Award. This award recognizes an individual who exemplifies servant leadership, dedication, and a deep commitment to the betterment of St. Mary Parish. James' passion for leadership, community involvement, and willingness to serve others reflects the spirit and legacy of Donna Meyer and embodies the values of the Leadership St. Mary program, the Chamber said.
As the Chamber honors the legacy of Leadership St. Mary, it also looks ahead to the future with the launch of Ignite St. Mary, a rebranded and revitalized leadership program that will build upon this strong foundation. Ignite St. Mary will continue the Chamber’s mission of developing, inspiring, and connecting leaders while introducing a bold new vision for leadership in St. Mary Parish.
Applications are now open for the Ignite St. Mary Class of 2026, inviting the next generation of leaders to step forward and help shape the future of the parish, the Chamber said.

State's LED spends $375M on economic agreements

Tue, 12/23/2025 - 11:40am

NOLAN McKENDRY, The Center Square

Louisiana Economic Development has committed more than $375 million in taxpayer-funded cooperative endeavor agreements over the past two years, for everything from football bowl games and festivals to facilities supplying auto materials and microchips, according to The Center Square’s review of state records.
A $200 million pact with Hyundai to build a $5.8 billion steel mill in Donaldsonville tops the list. It’s followed by an $88 million agreement with Louisiana Tech University and Radiance Technologies for a microchip facility in Ruston that will support the federal military. Millions more have been allocated for marketing the Super Bowl, upgrading a New Orleans golf course for an upcoming tournament and helping local parishes attract new businesses.
The cooperative endeavor agreements have become a key part of LED’s playbook to attract big-ticket economic development projects. A total of 96 agreements have been signed since Gov. Jeff Landry took office in 2024, and 65 are currently active.
In practice, the agreement is a contract in which the state promises cash grants, tax breaks or infrastructure support, and the company or organization promises jobs, capital spending or specific services in return. Some of the biggest span a number of years: The Hyundai and microchip agreements don’t expire until 2057 and 2043, respectively.
Hyundai’s grant will be doled out over the next six years and will allow the company to be reimbursed for a variety of costs. The first $100 million will be used by the state to purchase land for the steel mill. Then the state will give Hyundai $20 million annually until 2031 to help cover construction costs. The state has also promised a long list of road upgrades and a “Workforce Training Center” to help supply Hyundai with skilled employees. Construction on the roads has begun. In order to secure some of the funds, Hyundai must hit certain investment targets.
LED has already paid out $4.25 million for the microchip facility. For the next four years LED will pay out $8 million, $3 million for 11 years after and $750,000 the final year. Louisiana Tech will operate a workforce training program for the facility.
On top of the subsidies, Hyundai and Bulldog Microchips are also expected to take advantage of the state’s Quality Jobs tax incentive program, which provides a cash rebate for companies that create higher-paying jobs.
Louisiana’s constitution generally bans the state from handing over public money or special benefits to private companies. But it allows the state and local governments to enter “cooperative endeavors” with public or private partners if there is a clear public benefit such as jobs, investment or infrastructure.
LED Secretary Susan Bourgeois said the agreements are needed to keep Louisiana competitive with other states. The agency told The Center Square many of the contracts are lengthy “and in no way are a reflection of a one year budget.”
Jennifer Schaye, an attorney for the state auditor, which monitors cooperative endeavors, said the law on them “follows the Cabela reasoning of the Louisiana Supreme Court,” meaning a public agency must “have a duty to do something,” can’t be acting “for one particular person, so it’s not a donation,” and must “have a reasonable hope of getting something back in return.”
Payments for the commitments have increased significantly in recent years. In 2023, the state paid out $25 million. In 2025, they paid down $95 million.
Many of the state’s smaller agreements are with regional economic development groups. Greater New Orleans Inc., Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance, One Acadiana and South Louisiana Economic Council are being paid to serve as regional fiduciaries and “economic development organizations,” handling parishes’ efforts to recruit businesses.
LED has also leaned on the agreements to bankroll major events that drive tourist dollars. The agency signed over $18 million for the Super Bowl in New Orleans this year, $1.2 million for the Essence Festival in New Orleans, $100,000 for the 2025 State Fair in Shreveport, $500,000 for the Defenders of Liberty Air Show at Barksdale Air Force Base and $7.2 million for a Saudi-owned LIV Golf tournament, scheduled for next year in New Orleans.
Although Louisiana offers generous incentives for the entertainment industry, the state has also committed $2.5 million to cooperative endeavor agreements supporting film and media training programs, including $750,000 for Baton Rouge Community College, $187,839 for Louisiana State University, $700,000 to expand Tulane University’s Digital Media Practices program and $688,652 for Loyola University New Orleans.