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RAYMOND AMPERANO BENAVIDES

Fri, 04/08/2022 - 8:42am

September 9, 1942 — April 4, 2022
Raymond Amperano Benavides passed away at home on Monday, April 4, 2022 in Bayou Vista, LA at the age of 79. He was born on September 9, 1942 to the late Manuel and Susana Benavides in Ft. Stockton, TX.
A visitation for Raymond was held Thursday, April 7, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM at Hargrave Funeral Home, 1031 Victor II Blvd, Morgan City, Louisiana 70380. Following the visitation was a mass of Christian burial at 2:00 PM at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 1112 Saturn Rd., Bayou Vista, LA.
Raymond loved all sports and his favorite teams were the Saints and LSU. He could not go without reading the sports section of the newspaper daily. Reading was a favorite pastime as was watching John Wayne movies. He spent many weekends at Kemper Williams Park with his softball teams.
Raymond is preceded in death by his parents, Manuel and Susana Benavides; siblings, Manuel Benavides, Jr. and wife Carol, Johnny Albert Benavides; mother- and father-in-law, Amparo and Joe Anaya, Daniel Holguin, Sr.; brothers-in-law, Silvestre Holguin, Mario Rico; grandson, Timothy Riley Hill.
Raymond is survived by his wife of 60 years, Amelia Benavides; two daughters, Norma Marcell and her husband Jacob, Christina Jaet and her husband Christopher. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Michael Hill and his fiancé Natalie, Shawn Marcell and his wife Sarah, Marisa Marcell and her companion Ashton Guidry, Ireland Jaet; one great-grandson, Michael Anthony Hill; one sister, Olga Rico and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Raymond will be laid to rest in Morgan City Cemetery, Morgan City, LA.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hargravefuneralhome.com for the Benavides family.

Around Town for April 8

Fri, 04/08/2022 - 8:41am

Happy birthday Don “Pickle Chop” Williams, enjoy yourself, from Uncle Earl, Mother Gwen and all of us who love you … Belated happy birthday Jalon Stratton, wishing you many more, your Grandmother and Mother.

Wheel House for April 8

Fri, 04/08/2022 - 8:39am

ST. ANNE THRIFT
Store, 2710 Second St., Berwick, hosting a sale 8-11 a.m. Saturday, April 9. Includes BOGO shoes, free knickknacks and hanging clothes for $1 each.

EGG HUNT
City of Morgan City Easter Egg Hunt has been rescheduled to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 9, at Lawrence Park.

Letter: Writer suggests alternative uses for M.D. Shannon building

Fri, 04/08/2022 - 8:36am

(Editor's note: Virgil Allen wrote this letter to the Morgan City government concerning the plan to sell M.D. Shannon Elementary to the city and develop 16 residential lots on the property.)

Dear Mayor Dragna and Councilmen:
Please allow me this opportunity to present to you an idea for the Shannon School property. I see a real need for something that will increase the quality of life for the residents of Morgan City. Through the years, many of our residents have moved to Berwick, Bayou Vista, and Patterson to obtain a better quality of life, and in many cases because of greater recreational facilities for themselves and their children. Let’s provide a benefit to those residents who have remained here.
I also believe that the construction of sixteen new houses will not attract any new residents to Morgan City but will instead see a shuffling of thirty-two, or more, of our existing residents as sixteen families are going to move into the new neighborhood while sixteen other families move into those newly vacated houses and then sixteen families into those houses. You see the pattern, a pattern we have seen several times before with previous new neighborhoods. Instead, I think that the city should work better with new homebuilders through zoning regulations, and other acceptable means, to better utilize existing empty lots and blighted properties.
The school buildings can be utilized as a business center. Some of the classrooms can be used as an incubator facility with each classroom becoming a place of business for a new entrepreneur giving them an opportunity to start a new business at a low cost. Also, since the classrooms are quite large, they could even be divided into smaller spaces which would provide even more areas for small business entrepreneurs and bring in even more revenue. These spaces can provide an area to create, manufacture, and market a product, process, or program. Once established, and successful, they can move into a local building allowing a new entrepreneur to utilize the space. Other classrooms can be occupied as office space by established businesses.
I suggest that the gym, kitchen, cafeteria, band room, and the playground together be transformed into a supervised recreational facility with areas and activities for all ages. The gym can continue to be used for basketball, shuffleboard, and pickle ball, while also now being available for other sport activities and functions. The stage can be refurbished and utilized for plays and concerts. The kitchen can provide concessions for all the activities going on and also be available for meals, parties, and banquets. The cafeteria and the band room can be used for indoor activities, crafts, etc, for all ages. The playground can contain several supervised play areas with playground equipment suitable for various age groups such as toddlers, preschool, older children, and handicapped children. It could also have a water spray park for all ages, a ropes course, a children’s zip-line course, a skate park, pickle ball courts, shelters with picnic tables, and many other activities for all ages.
These ideas are only suggestions to consider and discuss along with other recreational possibilities. This area has been a playground for over one hundred years and should remain a recreational area for the residents of Morgan City. I am also concerned with the probability of the loss of several old established trees within the schoolyard.
I feel that before the City builds a new neighborhood, the City needs to improve the quality of life for the residents that are already here, which we wish to keep here, while hopefully helping to attract new ones. I also understand from the consultants recently brought in to do workshops and consulting that there are many other available properties in town for new housing.
Thankfully Yours,
Virgil Allen
Morgan City

Jeremy Alford: Two Garys top Democrats' prospect list

Fri, 04/08/2022 - 8:33am

JEREMY ALFORD

The Republican side of Louisiana’s developing race for governor has turned into a complete free-for-all. That’s due in no small part to the dearth of announced candidates.
If thinking generated electricity, the potential contenders in this 2023 contest could power Louisiana’s entire coastline. There are statewide elected Republicans thinking seriously about running for governor, and a few state lawmakers who are just simply thinking on the matter. There’s even a handful of GOP personalities from our federal legislative delegation who haven’t ruled out thinking some more about their own gubernatorial bids.
The Democratic side of the equation, meanwhile, has a similarly unsettled field, albeit with significantly fewer names.
Some are even wondering if the party can get a well-known candidate into the field. (If you’re looking for a precedent, refer to the 2011 governor’s race).
For the moment, there are just two leading names that seem to dance out of the mouths of Democratic influencers again and again lately — those of state Sen. Gary Smith of Norco and U.S. Senate candidate Gary Chambers of Baton Rouge.
Smith is a big player in the Donkey Patch. He has been flirting with the governor’s race for months, he’s a well-liked state senator and knows all the right people. Chambers, by comparison, is viewed as a “one-man wrecking crew,” as one longtime consultant put it, who could instantly make a dent in the election as either a candidate or an advocate and organizer.
Gary and Gary won’t be alone in the Patch long. Party bigwigs have a real desire to see a woman candidate enter the fray and, as usual, Democrats have been reaching out to business and industry to recruit new and electable leaders.
As for actual names, though, there’s just Gary and Gary. For now.
According to Smith’s friends and supporters, he’s getting more serious about a bid in 2023. Asked if his thinking had progressed any, Smith said, “I have had some great conversations and encouragement about running over the past few months. At this time, I am talking to interested parties across the state and political aisle before I make a decision.”
Crossing political aisles would undoubtedly be a hallmark of Smith’s campaign, if there is one.
Recognizing each election is a unique event, Dems are still eager to duplicate the moderate approach of Gov. John Bel Edwards and some see shades of that political motif in Smith, who has $445,000 in his campaign war chest.
Chambers, who made a name for himself as a community-level activist, said in an interview last week he planned to take a hands-on approach to the 2023 governor’s race.
Between his fundraising prowess and highly effective approach to earned media, Chambers could become a leading personality in the next contest for governor.
But would Chambers, who’s currently endeavoring to unseat U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, actually run for governor?
Party leaders have been leaning on him hard to make a clear statement on the matter.
“I’m focused on defeating Kennedy this year, and making him spend every dime we can to ensure this is his last election,” Chambers said. “I also intend to help ensure a Democrat is elected as the next governor of Louisiana, whoever that person is.”
The infrastructure Chambers built during his congressional run last year and is expanding now through his U.S. Senate campaign wasn’t modeled to expire after this year.
“That’s one of the objectives here for me,” said Chambers.
Pollster John Couvillon of JMC Enterprises released a poll last week on the upcoming elections for the U.S. Senate and governor that portrayed a difficult path forward for Democrats in Louisiana. “The governor’s race is very fluid and I don’t expect it to be set until early next year,” said Couvillon
“Having said that, on the Democratic side, you only have substantial white candidates being discussed and seemingly no Black candidates getting in. I expect that to change next year.”
The pollster added, “Black voters have enjoyed a majority numerically in the Democratic Party for more than a decade and the implication is I don’t think Black candidates are going to step aside and let only white Democrats like (U.S. Senate candidate) Luke Mixon run. Gary Chambers’ entrance into the Senate race is an early indication of what to expect.”
Within the Democratic Party, the Black electorate accounts for about 60%, Couvillon added.
When you contrast Chambers’ political style against the candidate archetypes of both Mixon and Smith, you start to see one of the larger divides in the Louisiana Democratic Party.
On one side there are progressives in largely urban areas pushing agendas and leaders from the left side of the spectrum.
On the other side, there’s a slightly more rural constituency that embraces a moderate ideology over an automatic liberal mindset.
That dichotomy has played out in recent party chair elections and is on display again in the U.S. Senate race.
Whether the split shows up again in the governor’s race remains to be seen, but the Democratic side of the field certainly appears to be shaping up that way.
For more Louisiana political news, visit www.LaPolitics.com or follow Alford on Twitter @LaPoliticsNow.

Shirley-Broussard exchange wedding vows

Fri, 04/08/2022 - 8:27am

Allison Shirley and Chase Broussard exchanged wedding vows Jan. 22 during a double-ring ceremony at The Atchafalaya at Idlewild near Patterson. Justice of the Peace Melanie Butcher officiated.
The bride is the daughter of Andy and Erin Shirley of Morgan City.
The groom is the son of George Broussard of Patterson and Cindy Verret of Morgan City.
For the ceremony, held on the Clubhouse patio, the vows took place by a floral arch.
Escorted in marriage by her father, the bride was attired in a champagne gown designed with a sleeveless beaded bodice and a full tulle skirt. Finishing her ensemble was a faux fur wrap and a fingertip-length veil.
She carried a bouquet of white roses, eucalyptus, blue thistle and baby’s breath that was complemented with a stem wrap.
Cayce Keton was maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Victoria Boudreaux, sister of the groom; and Tara Shirley and April Leonard, sisters-in-law of the bride.
They each wore a full-length gown in heather blue fashioned in different styles and carried a bouquet similar to the bride’s.
Presenting the flowers were Kaylan and Emmett Shirley, twin niece and nephew of the bride.
Jack Shirley, nephew of the bride, was ringbearer.
Jeffrey Huddleston served as best man. Groomsmen were Cody Boudreaux, brother-in-law of the groom; and Christopher Shirley and Jonathan Shirley, brothers of the bride.
A reception immediately followed.
Clubhouse decorations were in a rustic theme. Tables held lanterns and candles on cypress planks from the family’s camp and were surrounded by eucalyptus.
A three-tiered wedding scrape cake held a eucalyptus and monogram cake topper, and was filled with almond, lemon and strawberry.
Prior to the wedding, a rehearsal dinner was hosted by the couple’s parents at the Lake End Parkway cabins in Morgan City. The groom made gumbo for the catered event.
The bride is a graduate of Morgan City High School and is employed at Atchafalaya at Idlewild.
The groom is a Patterson High School graduate and works at BnA Marine Services.
Following a wedding trip to Alaska, the couple made their home in Morgan City.

Girls Scouts to host BIG Event in August

Fri, 04/08/2022 - 8:25am

GONZALES — Girl Scouts Louisiana East will host the 7th Believe in Girls Event on Aug. 23. After a hiatus for the Covid-19 pandemic, this year the BIG. Event will take place on the campus of Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, states the GSLE news release.
The event kicks off at 9:30 a.m. with a panel of local female leaders at the top of their fields and continues until 2 p.m. with drop-in programming.
Girl Scouts of all levels will come together to engage in hands-on activities centering around Girl Scout’s four pillars — Outdoors, STEM, Entrepreneurship, and Life Skills. More than 50 community organizations and companies throughout Louisiana are partnering with GSLE for this event, putting on exhibits, presentations and demonstrations for girls.
Presenters include Textron Systems with a hands-on physics program involving mini boats, Louisiana Army National Guard which is bringing a helicopter (weather permitting) and several female military members with a variety of career backgrounds and National Marine Mammal Foundation which is offering a dolphin doctor workshop.
The BIG Event will also feature GSLE’s “Girl Scouts on the Go” mobile shop, which will be fully stocked with everything Girl Scouts and leaders need to display their Girl Scouting pride. All purchases made from the mobile shop at this event will receive a free gift.
The event is open to all currently registered Girl Scouts. To learn more and to register, please visit the “events” tab at www.gsle.org.
Attendees will receive a custom 2022 BIG Event patch and other giveaways from presenters. Attendees are also asked to bring a donation as part of a Girl Scout Gold Award project to benefit local animal shelters to include Mardi Paws, Northshore Humane Society and others. Requested donations include dog food, toys or treats, and cat food, toys or litter.

Outside Voices Poetry Workshop is for teens

Fri, 04/08/2022 - 8:23am

An Outside Voices Poetry Workshop is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon at the Biedenharn Museum & Gardens of Monroe on April 15.
This program is open to all teens age 15-19. Marginalized or minority teens would benefit most from this type of programming. This workshop is free, but registration at bmuseum.org is required to attend. Only 20 spots are available.
“This workshop will help you tell your story through poetry, give you time to practice performing, and provide feedback to improve your writing,” the Biedenhard news release states. “Workshop host and local poet, Roxanne Santos, will guide you through stress releasing writing activities and help you discover your outside voice.”
With the sudden increase of mental health concerns such as suicide, depression and a general feeling of isolation, the program seeks to create a way to promote creativity, self-care, inclusion and connection.
Roxanne Santos is an educator and performance poet in Monroe. She is an Arts Council Educator of the Year nominee and a member of Black Creatives Circle.
“Our youth have been particularly susceptible to this trauma during COVID, and are in desperate need of positive outlets to express themselves,” according to the news release.
Outside Voices is a series of workshops, Open-Mics and special performances for anyone interested in opportunities for self-expression through performance poetry and storytelling. The purpose is to ensure a safe inclusive space for literary artists that promotes a platform for healing and growth.
To regiser visit: bmuseum.org or call 318-387-5281.
About the Biedenharn Museum & Gardens of Monroe
The Biedenharn Museum & Gardens is composed of a historic home filled with antiques and artifacts, formal English gardens, and a Coca-Cola and Bible Museum.

Friend traumatized after woman’s shocking murder

Fri, 04/08/2022 - 8:22am

By Jeanne Phillips, ©United Features Syndicate

DEAR ABBY: A dear friend I have known since we were children was murdered. She was lovely in every way, and I am bereft. I cannot process my grief over her untimely passing because it was accompanied by such trauma.
Images of her murder flash through my mind, especially at night while I’m trying to go to sleep. They also wake me up in the morning. Talking about it makes it worse because it revives the horror, and also because people want to know details as though it is just a story. I feel it is disrespectful to her memory and my affection for her to reduce it to that.
I’m usually a resourceful person, but I have no road map for this. It is of considerable relief that her killer was found, but the details revealed by the media have added to my trauma. I have had friends die at even younger ages from other causes, but not this. Some of our mutual friends are in the same boat as I am, so any guidance you can provide would be appreciated.
BESIDE MYSELF IN ILLINOIS

DEAR BESIDE MYSELF: I am so sorry for your friend’s untimely and tragic death. Clearly, it was shocking and traumatizing for everyone she left behind. You are not obligated to satisfy the curiosity of anyone about the “details.” (There is no limit to the amount of curiosity something like this can generate.) All you have to say is you do not wish to discuss it. Period!
Although you didn’t mention how long it has been since you lost your friend, because it is causing you to have nightmares, please discuss this with a licensed mental health professional. It may be painful, but it’s the most effective way to work through this.

DEAR ABBY: I have been dating my partner, “Lizzie,” for five years. We are both divorced and have created a blended family of six children (four are hers; two are mine). I’m within 10 years of retirement and have a decent net worth. Unfortunately, Lizzie has no savings and is unemployed.
During our time together, I have paid for everything, which I’m OK with. I previously went through a nasty, contentious divorce. It was financially devastating. My ex still brings me back to court every year in an attempt to increase her support, which is a painful process.
Lizzie would like us to get married, primarily for financial stability. I am resistant because I do not want the financial exposure of another divorce. However, this situation creates an inequality in our relationship.
Can I address her concern without marrying her, or are we doomed?
SCARED OF COURT IN CALIFORNIA

DEAR SCARED: This is a question you should address with your attorney. There are ways you can ensure that Lizzie will be taken care of in the event of your death or incapacity, but they will require documentation. Your attorney can — and should — guide you in regard to this.
***
To order “How to Write Letters for All Occasions,” send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 to: Dear Abby — Letter Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.

A year after warrant, Bayou L'Ourse man faces meth distribution charge

Thu, 04/07/2022 - 4:33pm

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.)

“Operation Bayou Clean-Up” by the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office led to the arrest of a Bayou L’Ourse man on meth distribution charges a year he was named in a warrant.

Morgan City officers charged a Murial Street man with domestic battery, aggravated assault and false imprisonment, and Franklin police made their second arrest in recent days on allegations of gang activity.

Assumption Sheriff Leland Falcon reported this arrest:

-- Lucien James Aucoin, Jr., 60, Felicia Street, Bayou L’Ourse, was arrested Wednesday on charges of distribution of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine.

The charges arose from a drug investigation named “Operation Bayou Clean-Up," a parishwide investigation that identified suspects involved in the illegal trafficking of dangerous drugs.

Aucoin was identified as distributing illegal narcotics in April 2021. Narcotics agents requested and were granted an arrest warrant charging Aucoin on counts of distribution of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine.

Aucoin evaded arrest until Wednesday, at which time a search warrant was conducted at 112 Legnon Court, and Aucoin taken into custody. During the execution of the search warrant, methamphetamine was located and attributed to Aucoin.

Aucoin was transported to the Assumption Parish Detention Center and booked. He remains incarcerated pending a bond proceeding.

Morgan City

Police Chief James F. Blair reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 53 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

---Kelton Javon Smith, 25, Murial Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:05 a.m. Wednesday on charges of domestic abuse battery, domestic abuse aggravated assault, aggravated battery and false imprisonment with a dangerous weapon.

--Archie Vining Jr., 73, Fig Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:04 p.m. Wednesday a 16th Judicial District Court warrant alleging two counts of failure to appear for revocation.

St. Mary

Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff's Office responded to 32 complaints and made these arrests:

--Tamia Henderson, 19, Thibodaux, was arrested at 6:05 p.m. Wednesday by the Narcotics Section on charges of improper lane usage and possession of marijuana. Henderson was released on a summons to appear July 19.

Franklin

Police Chief Morris Beverly reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to five complaints over the last 24 hours and made this arrest:

--Levar Variet, Jr. 20, Pine Street, Franklin, was arrested at 10:07 a.m. Wednesday on a warrant dated March 31 and alleging illegal carrying of weapon, illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities, and criminal street gangs and patterns of criminal street gang activity. Variet was booked, processed and held with no bond set at time of press release.