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Leaders in Philanthropy nominations open

Tue, 01/25/2022 - 3:42pm

The Community Foundation of Acadiana is accepting nominations for the 2022 Leaders in Philanthropy Awards. The deadline to submit a nomination is April 1.

The general public can nominate an outstanding individual, couple, business, or corporation that has made a philanthropic impact throughout Acadiana to support nonprofit organizations, churches, schools, and/or community initiatives.

Leaders in Philanthropy Award recipients will be chosen from each of CFA's primary service areas of Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary and Vermilion parishes. A Community Impact Award and Corporate Award will also be selected. The Corporate Award winner(s) do not need not be headquartered in Acadiana.

Nominations should be completed online at www.cfacadiana.org/lip and will be accepted until the close of business on April 1.

Education, infrastructure among Edwards' budget priorities

Tue, 01/25/2022 - 3:39pm

Piper Hutchinson LSU Manship School News Service

BATON ROUGE—With the state flush with cash, Gov. John Bel Edwards unveiled a proposed budget Monday that includes more than $1.1 billion in infrastructure spending and investments in education at all levels.

“I think we have once in a generation, and maybe once in a lifetime opportunity in some respects, to move our state forward,” Edwards said.

He outlined his budget priorities at a news conference at the Capitol. The budget is for the fiscal year that begins July 1, and the state has lots of money to spend following federal pandemic relief and higher-than-expected state tax revenues.

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne will present the plan on Tuesday to the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget. The Legislature will decide by June what the final bill looks like.

Edwards’ plan includes $1.1 billion for critical infrastructure. The two biggest-ticket items are a new Mississippi River bridge in Baton Rouge, which would be funded partly by $500 million from the state, and statewide improvements to water and sewage systems, which will also cost $500 million.

The plan also includes $100 million for the I-10 bridge in Lake Charles.

Edwards shared a question he was asked during his monthly radio show. “For decades, Louisiana has been on the top of too many bad lists and the bottom of too many bad lists. How do we get off the bottom of those lists?”

His answer to that: education. “Education cures a lot of ills,” Edwards said.

The governor’s proposal includes significant investments in education at all levels. The plan calls for a pay raise of at least $1,500 for K-12 teachers and a $750 pay raise for support staff. It also includes $43.4 million for early childhood education.

Edwards proposed $31.7 million for faculty pay raises and another $97.2M for higher education funding, including money to open Title IX offices, which adjudicate charges of sexual harassment and assault, throughout the state.

The plan also calls for $550 million in federal funds from the American Rescue Plan to replenish the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, which was depleted during the course of the pandemic.

That investment would bring the fund back up to the statutory requirement of $750 million, Edwards said. Using the federal funds avoids triggering a tax on all businesses, he said.

Edwards said $108.9 million would be set aside for deferred maintenance of public buildings.

The state had a $1 billion surplus in the last fiscal year. After constitutional requirements are met, there will be about $400 million to be spent at the Legislature’s discretion.

At the time the surplus was announced, Dardenne indicated that about $133 million would go to deferred maintenance, but due to greater-than-expected transportation needs, they are calling for slightly less.

Edwards emphasized that he wanted to use these one-time funds only for one-time expenditures, unlike the Jindal administration, which frequently used one-time funds to take care of recurring expenditures.

“The first budget that I inherited, the last six months of that budget year, more than $800 million in one-time money plugged in for recurring expenditures,” Edwards said. “We didn’t, and we don't, want to create those types of problems again.”

Edwards said that he believes that the budget is one the Legislature could easily support.

Republican legislators created a plan last year to start spending more money on roads and bridges. Earlier this month, Senate President Page Cortez indicated support for using some of the $1.6 billion excess on the state’s infrastructure problems, including deferred maintenance on public buildings.

Cortez also told the USA Today Network that he supports using these one-time funds for infrastructure projects.

"Traditionally we haven't had money dedicated annually to infrastructure projects so when we get a surplus, I consider that a priority for a one-time investment that will continue to pay dividends for decades," Cortez said.

All in all, Edwards seemed optimistic about the budget. "I am extremely bullish on the future of Louisiana," Edwards said. "I think the budget proposal that we just unveiled supports being bullish on the future of Louisiana."

HUGO RAMIREZ

Tue, 01/25/2022 - 3:03pm

Hugo Ramirez, 43, a native of Brownsville, Texas and resident of Bayou L’Ourse, died Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, at Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center in Houma.
He is survived by his mother, Maria Gonzalez; four children, Leonel, Hugo Jr., Victor and Mia Ramirez; four siblings, Hector Jr., Erika, Israel and Angel Ramirez; and a grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his father.
Graveside services will be Friday at 2 p.m. at Morgan City Cemetery.
Twin City Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

LISA BROWN RAYMOND

Tue, 01/25/2022 - 3:01pm

Lisa Brown Raymond, 54, a resident of Morgan City, died Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022.
She is survived by her parents, Yvonne and Larry Brown; three children, Michael Thompson Jr., Dalisha Duke and Desiree Duke; six grandchildren; and two brothers, Darren Brown and Greg Brown.
She was preceded in death by a brother and maternal grandmother.
A memorial visitation will be Thursday, 6-8 p.m., at Twin City Funeral Home, who is in charge of arrangements.

THEROL R. 'T.R.' NAQUIN

Tue, 01/25/2022 - 2:57pm

August 5, 1924 — January 20, 2022
Therol R. “T.R.” Naquin, 97, a resident of Morgan City, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 20, 2022 at his home.
T.R. was born on August 5, 1924 in Morgan City, the son of Edward Joseph Naquin and Elodie Robicheaux Naquin.
T.R. graduated from Sacred Heart Academy, the Class of 1942. He served his country proudly by serving in the United States Navy during World War II. Being a devout Catholic, T.R. attended daily morning Mass at Sacred Heart and prayed his rosaries daily. In 2017 he was awarded the Diocesan Service Award for Sacred Heart Catholic Church of the Houma-Thibodaux Diocese. He was a 4th degree Knights of Columbus and a member of the Jules S. Toups Council # 2076. T.R. was a fixture at the Annual Boy Scouts Supper, always helping to serve the meal and as a result of his many years of dedicated service, he was the recipient of the 2014 Distinguished Citizen Award given by the Evangeline Area Council of Boy Scouts of America. He was a member of VFW Post 4222 in Morgan City and was also a member of the St. Mary AARP, where he served in various officer positions as well as being a past board member.
He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by two daughters, Barbara McCleary and husband Pat and Gwen McHaugh, both of Morgan City; six grandchildren, Mary Elaine McCleary Osborne and husband John of New Iberia, Jimmy McCleary and wife Teeny of Duson, Jason McCleary and wife Tracy of Morgan City, Keeley McCleary Woodfield and husband Woody of Brandon, Mississippi, Micah McHugh Morano and husband Shep of Montgomery, Alabama and Marcie McHugh Williams of Fairhope, Alabama; 12 great-grandchildren, Mac, Hayden, Dylan, Ethan, and J.P. McCleary, Patrick Brooks, Katelyn Elaine Osborne, Colton Woodfield, Hank and Ford Morano, Laney and Lucy Williams; several nieces and nephews, especially Maureen Alfred.
T.R. was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Elaine E. Naquin; two sisters, Fay Alfred and Emeldean Miller; four brothers, Eldred Naquin, Edward Naquin, Cohe Naquin and Horace Naquin.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with a visitation being held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. Recitation of the rosary at 10:30. Following Mass, T.R. will be laid to rest with military honors in the Morgan City Cemetery.
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, memorial contributions are encouraged to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Maintenance Fund, 415 Union St. Morgan City, LA 70380

DORIS GROS BERGERON

Tue, 01/25/2022 - 2:53pm

February 15, 1936 — January 22, 2022
Doris Gros Bergeron, age 85, of Morgan City, Louisiana, passed away on Saturday, January 22, 2022. Doris was born February 15, 1936. She was a native of Morgan City, LA and a resident of Bayou Vista, LA. Doris enjoyed singing, cooking and most of all taking care of her family. Family was very important to her.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Bernice Chaisson Waguespack and Aurleain Gros; husband, Larry Bergeron; son, Lourie Bergeron; brothers, Daniel Gros, Junius Gros, Wilbert Gros, Lindberg Gros, Lori Gros; sisters, Rita Gros, Annabelle Miller, Gertrude Scully, Evelyn Hernandez, Anna Mae Hymel.
She leaves to cherish her memory her sons, Ralph Bergeron (Marie), Mark Bergeron (Lisa), Jack Bergeron and his companion Aline Blanchard; companion of 16 years, Alfred Bergeron; brother, V.A. Gros; sisters, Patsy Blancaneaux, Linda Daigle, Lorraine Powell, Shirley Alleman; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other relatives and friends.
Family and friends of Doris were invited to attend the Visitation on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 from 4 p.m.-8 p.m. at Hargrave Funeral Home. Visitation resumed on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. with Funeral Services immediately following.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hargravefuneralhome.com for the Bergeron family.

EDGAR M. STEWART JR.

Tue, 01/25/2022 - 2:51pm

Memorial services will be held at 5:00 PM on Thursday, January 27, 2022 in Delhomme Chapel of the Flowers, for Edgar M. Stewart Jr., 96, who passed away on January 18, 2022.
Pastor Randy Davis will officiate the memorial service.
Inurnment will take place at a later date in Lexington, OK.
Mr. Stewart, a resident of Lafayette, was the son of the late Edgar M. Stewart Sr. and the former Hannah Axtell. Ed attended the University of Oklahoma and thereafter spent his entire career with Halliburton, moving from Oklahoma to Louisiana in 1960. He was a longstanding member of the First Baptist Church in Patterson, serving as a deacon, and the First Baptist Church in Lafayette. Mr. Stewart was also a lifelong Mason. He was an avid hunter (particularly deer and turkey), an interest that he shared with his sons and very special friend, Jay Lewis, and was an unabashed tinkerer, piddler, and junk collector.
He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Mary Rollins Stewart; children, E. Suzanne Stewart, J. Michele Calandro (Tommy), Joseph E. Stewart (Lauri), R. Bruce Stewart, and Stephen W. Stewart; grandchildren, Tracy Thomas Gum, Samuel Moore, Kelley Calandro, Lauren McDougal (Devin), Bryce Stewart (Katie), and Brett Stewart; great-grandchildren, Alex Favret, Jeanne Favret, Jade McDougal, and “one-on-the-way”; brother, Kenneth Stewart (Sue); and sisters-in-law, Lolly Stewart and Norma Catlege (Daymon); and numerous nieces & nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar M. Stewart Sr. and Hannah Francis Axtell Stewart; brothers, William Stewart and James Stewart; and sister, Judith Stewart Proctor.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Delhomme Funeral Home - Bertrand on Thursday, January 27, 2022 from 4:00 PM until the time of service.
Personal condolences may be sent to the Stewart family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com.
Edgar M. Stewart and his family were cared for and entrusted final arrangements to Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA.

ANDREAS ERWIN JANSEN

Tue, 01/25/2022 - 2:49pm

April 14, 1962 — January 10, 2022
Andreas Erwin Jansen, 59, a resident of Morgan City, passed away peacefully, Sunday, January 10, 2022, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. an April 14, 1962, in Newberg, Germany, the son of Ervin Jansen and Martha Gisela Brigette Wern
He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife of 40 years, Lenora Webb Jansen; two sons, Napolian Webb Jr. and Noah Webb; two step-sons, Mark Webb and Napolian Webb Sr.; grandson, Zion Tillman; sister, Susi Jansen; numerous sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.
Andreas was preceded in death by his parents, Erwin and Martha Gisela Brigette Jansen.

PATRICIA T. FRYOU

Tue, 01/25/2022 - 12:11pm

May 4, 1939 — January 23, 2022
Patricia T. Fryou, 82, a longtime resident of Amelia, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 23, 2022 at her home surrounded by family and friends.
Pat was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend who gave selflessly to her beautiful family. She was loyal, faithful, and devoted to her husband Sterling for over 64 years. Pat loved to cook and share meals with her family and friends. She adored her yard and loved to care for her flowers and plants. Pat loved to dance and have fun with her dancing partner Sterling. She was an endless giver like no other. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Pat was involved in numerous activities during her long and meaningful life. Pat was a devout Catholic. She and her husband Sterling were members of St. Andrew Catholic Church in Amelia for over 50 years. They volunteered many hours of their time to church activities including serving as Eucharist Ministers. In addition, Pat and Sterling volunteered their time to the local AARP Chapter. Together they owned numerous businesses that were staples in the community.
Pat is survived by her husband, Sterling Fryou; her children: Charlene Patureau and her husband Jeff of Amelia, Sterling Fryou, Jr. and his wife Connie of Amelia, Terri Barrilleaux and her husband Chris of Cumming, GA; her grandchildren: Lisa Griffin, Michael Griffin, Eric Patureau and his wife Catherine, Sydney Barrilleaux, Ethan Barrilleaux, Reid Barrilleaux, and Dallas Istre; her great-grandchildren: Zane Griffin, Michael Patureau, Ava Patureau, Cody Istre and Emily, Blayten Istre and his wife Jamie, and Garrett Istre and his fiancé Belle; her siblings: Catherine Roberts of Amelia, Susan Leach of Bush, LA, Allen Tabor of Gonzales, LA, Jimmy Tabor of Arizona, David Tabor and his wife Camille of Youngsville, LA, Ricky Tabor and his wife Maria of Patterson, LA., her goddaughter, Carmen Guillory, and numerous nieces, nephews, and amazing friends. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jeff Patureau, Eric Patureau, Chris Barrilleaux, Zane Griffin, Michael Griffin, and David Tabor.
Pat was greeted in heaven by her parents Lessie and Allen Louis Tabor, her mother and father in law Bertha and Clarence Fryou, her brother Warren Tabor and his wife Frances Belle Tabor, her sister Frances Hilderbrand, her nephew Kevin Tabor, her godmother Mae Becnel, and her godfather Sam Becnel.
The family will accept visitors at Hargrave Funeral Home from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 27th, 2022. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. by Fr. Joseph Chacko at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Amelia. Following the Mass, Pat will be laid to rest in the St. Andrew’s Catholic Church Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to the Alzheimer’s Association (ALZ.org) and St. Andrew Catholic Church. The family would like to thank the caregivers at Journey’s Hospice, especially Joslynn Matherne, Callie Thiac, Tara Aysen, Deacon Jimmy, Fr. Joseph Chacko, Monica Hoffman, and all of her other caregivers and friends for their help and support.
A Heart of Gold
A heart of gold stopped beating
Working hands at rest
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes the best
Leaves and flowers may wither
The golden sun may set
But the hearts that loved you dearly
Are the ones that won’t forget.

Local agencies make five arrests related to drug possession

Tue, 01/25/2022 - 11:23am

(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.)

Staff Report

Nine arrests by area law enforcement agencies since Sunday included five accusations of drug possession, including a case in Bayou L’Ourse that resulted in a weapons charge.

Assumption
Sheriff Leland Falcon reported this arrest:
—Troyvor Leon Tillman, 25, Park Avenue, Thibodaux, was arrested Sunday on charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, driving under a suspended driver’s license and illegal window tint.
—Alexus Kia Branch, 26, Carlos Street, Houma, was cited for possession of marijuana.
The charges resulted from a Sunday evening traffic stop in Bayou L’Ourse..
A uniformed patrol officer observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation in the area of La. 662 and Aristle Road.
The deputy initiated a stop of the vehicle and made contact with the driver, identified as Tillman. The deputy determined that Tillman was driving under a suspended driver’s license. Further, the deputy noted a pungent odor of suspected marijuana from the vehicle.
During the investigation, a quantity of suspected marijuana was seized and attributed to Branch.
Deputies also recovered a large-caliber, high-capacity rifle. It was determined that Tillman was a prior convicted felony drug offender. Tillman was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Facility with bond set at $25,000.
Branch was issued a misdemeanor summons for possession of marijuana and released.

St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith ad-vised that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 25 complaints and made these arrests:
—Darren Joseph Jackson, 37, Berwick, was arrested at 11:49 a.m. Monday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charge of possession of methamphetamine and resisting an officer. Bail has not been set.
—Jonathan Perou Jr. 18, Franklin, was arrested at 1:13 p.m. Monday on charges of careless operation (accident), no driver’s license, hit and run, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
Bail has not been set.

Morgan City
Police Chief James F. Blair reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 22 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:
—Priscilla Dials, 30, Egle Mills Lane, was arrested at 9:09 a.m. Monday on a warrant alleging emanation of excessive sound or noise.
—Jamerie Tyhein Gash,19, Railroad Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:01 p.m. Monday on charges of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession with intent to distribute alprazolam, possession of drug paraphernalia, violation of uniform controlled dangerous substances laws (drug-free zone) and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a juvenile.
—Grace Allen, 18, Everett Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:01 p.m. Monday on charges of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, violation of uniform controlled dangerous substances laws (drug-free zone) and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a juvenile.
—Hope Chettiyar, 43, Everett Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:01 p.m. Monday on charges of possession with intent to distribute Subutex, possession of marijuana, violation of uniform controlled dangerous sub-stances laws (drug-free zone) and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a juvenile.
—Corey J. Abshire, 43, Roselawn Drive, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:13 pm. Monday on warrants alleging fight from an officer and two counts of careless operation of a water craft.

Franklin
Police Chief Morris Beverly reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to nine complaints over the past 24 hours and made this arrest;
—Blaine Green, 30, of Josephine Street, Franklin, was arrested at 10:53 a.m. Monday on a warrant dated May 30 alleging criminal trespassing, a warrant dated Dec. 2 alleging criminal trespassing, a warrant dated Dec. 10 alleging aggravated assault, a warrant dated Dec. 22 alleging attempted second-degree murder and a warrant alleging parole violation. Green was additionally arrested on the charge of simple battery. Green was booked, processed and transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.