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92 new COVID cases, one death reported over the weekend in St. Mary

Ninety-two new COVID-19 cases and one death were reported in St. Mary between midday Friday and midday Monday by the Louisiana Office of Public Health.

The pandemic case count for St. Mary is now at 11,100, and 241 deaths have been reported here since COVID-19 emerged in late winter 2020.

Statewide, 18,683 new cases were reported Monday along with 51 deaths.

The number of COVID-positive people in Louisiana hospitals Monday was at 2,127, down 180 from Friday. The number of people on ventilators was up by four to 146.

Morgan City police radio logs for Jan. 22-23

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.
Saturday, Jan. 22
12:54 p.m. 600 block of Kentucky Street; Complaint.
1:15 p.m. 7000 block of La. 182; Hang up call.
4:13 p.m. 2000 block of La. 70; Complaint.
4:46 p.m. 400 block of Bush Street; Complaint
4:53 p.m. 700 block of Bush Street; Welfare concern
6:27 p.m. 700 block of Justa Street; Medical emergency
6:59 p.m. 500 block of Hilda Street; Runaway
7:36 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; War-rant/arrest
7:53 p.m. 1600 block of Front Street; Complaint.
9:22 p.m. Mallard Street area; Suspicious subject.
11:22 p.m. 300 block of Second Street; Disturbance.
Sunday, Jan. 23
1:31 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Medical emergency.
2:02 a.m. 500 block of Louisa Street; Alarm.
8:15 a.m. 6000 block of La. 182; Medical.
9:42 a.m. 7000 block of La. 182; Medical.
1:12 p.m. 500 block of Hilda Street; War-rant/juvenile arrest.
2:08 p.m. 7000 block of La. 182; Theft.
2:35 p.m. Brashear and Federal avenues; Accident.
2:47 p.m. 600 block of Railroad Avenue; Suspicious person.
2:57 p.m. 1700 block of Elk Street; Suspicious vehicle.
3:03 p.m. 5000 block of Railroad Avenue; Complaint.
6:07 p.m. 2400 block of Pecan Street; Stand by.
6:46 p.m. 300 block of Wise Street; Complaint.
7:03 p.m. 3100 block of Karen Drive; Complaint.
8:04 p.m. 100 block of Brownell Street; Com-plaint.
10:21 p.m. 700 block of Fifth Street; Loud music.

Berwick police arrest teenager, runaway in vehicle theft

(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.)

Berwick police on Friday spotted a car reported stolen in the Monroe area and arrested a Morgan City teenager and a 14-year-old runaway in connection with the theft.

Berwick
Police Chief David Leonard reported these arrests:
—Christian Campbell, 19, David Drive Morgan City, was arrested at 1:51 p.m. Friday on charges of illegal possession of stolen things ($5,000-$25,000), violation of protective orders, contributing to the delinquency of juveniles (felony) and no driver’s license.
—Juvenile female, 14, Sterlington, was arrested at 1:51 p.m. Friday on a charge of illegal possession of stolen things ($5,000-$25,000)
About 1 p.m. Friday, Berwick officers were requested by the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office to be on the lookout for a white car that was reported as stolen from the Monroe area. Berwick officers spotted the vehicle on La. 182 East and followed it as it pulled into a driveway on Shadowlawn Drive in Renwick Subdivision to try and evade the officer.
The driver and passenger were taken into custody without incident, and the vehicle was confirmed to be stolen from Ouachita Parish. The driver was identified as Campbell, and the passenger was identified as a 14-year-old runaway juvenile from Ouachita Parish.
Campbell admitted to stealing the car in Ouachita Parish, and the juvenile admitted to being with him when the car was stolen. During a search of the car, officers located a handgun. Campbell has an active protective order against him and was prohibited from being in possession of a firearm.
At the conclusion of the investigation, both individuals were placed under arrest. The juvenile was processed at the Berwick Police Department and released to her guardian pending juvenile court proceedings. Campbell was booked into the Berwick Jail, where he remains with no bond set.

Morgan City
Police Chief James F. Blair reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 58 calls for service over the last 72-hour reporting period and made these arrests beginning Friday:
—Heather Renee Ganaway, 35, La. 182, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:34 p.m. Saturday on a 6th Ward Morgan City Court warrant alleging nine counts of failure to appear to pay fine.
—Charles Joseph Ganaway, 33, Jupiter Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:39 p.m. Saturday on 6th Ward Morgan City Court warrants alleging two counts of failure to pay fine.

St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that over the last 72-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 100 complaints and made these arrests:
--Kayla Nicole Morin, 32, Berwick, was arrested at 11:27 a.m. Friday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charge of possession of marijuana. Bail has not been set.
--John Joseph Demarco, 31, Franklin, was arrested at 9:08 p.m. Saturday on charges of speeding, no child restraint, possession with intent to distribute a Schedule II drug, possession of Schedule II drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, illegal use of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a person under 17 and possession of Schedule III drugs.
Bail was set at $20,000.
--Ezekiel Anderson IV, 29, Franklin, was arrested at 9:20 p.m. Saturday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on charges of possession of firearm or carrying a concealed weapon by a convicted felon; illegal use, possession or control of weapons -- crime of violence/controlled dangerous substance; possession with intent to distribute marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids; possession of a Schedule II drug; possession of a Schedule IV drug; and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Bail was set at $35,000.
--Colleen Marie Kelly, 50, Jeanerette, was arrested at 6:22 p.m. Saturday on a charge of battery of a dating partner. Bail was set at $2,500.

Franklin
Police Chief Morris Beverly reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to 18 complaints over the past weekend and made this arrest:
Joseph Thibodaux, 23, West Ibert Street, Franklin, was arrested at 7:39 p.m. Friday on a charge of theft. Thibodaux was booked, processed and held on a $1,500 bond.

Assumption
Sheriff Leland Falcon reported this arrest:
--Kayla Michelle Field, 31, Brogdon Lane Apartment. L, Baton Rouge was arrested Friday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of Klonopin (clonazepam), possession of drug paraphernalia and theft by shoplifting.
The charges resulted from a shoplifting complaint at a retail outlet in Pierre Part on Friday evening.
Deputies were dispatched to the location and made contact with management who advised that a female customer was observed filling her purse with merchandise. When confronted by an employee, Field walked outside but was escorted back into the store.
Deputies arrived on scene and interviewed the employee. Following the employee interview, the deputy placed Field under arrest. The suspect was found to be in possession of controlled dangerous substances and drug paraphernalia. Additionally, the stolen merchandise was recovered.
Field remains incarcerated with bond set at $35,000.
--Anthony John Pennison Jr., 50, La. 663, Bayou L’Ourse, was arrested on an Assumption Parish warrant alleging failure to appear on a charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and as a fugitive from St. Mary Parish.
The charge arose from a theft complaint.
Deputies were dispatched to investigate a theft complaint at a residence on La. 663. Deputies made contact with the property owner, who identified Pennison as a person of interest in the thefts.
A short time later, the deputy made contact with Pennison at his residence. The deputy was aware of an existing failure to appear warrant for Pennison as well as a fugitive warrant from St. Mary Parish.
Pennison was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

UPDATED: Hotard, Landry first Krewe of Hera royalty

See what's coming up on the Mardi Gras calendar

The area’s newest women’s krewe, Hera, held the area’s first tableau Jan. 22.
Next up is the men’s Krewe of Adonis.
The children’s Krewe of Nike will hold not one, but two, balls this season. The second ball will celebrate the krewe’s 50th anniversary.
Ball patrons are reminded that tableaus begin promptly and everyone should be seated 10 minutes prior to the krewe’s stated start time.
Krewe of Adonis
The men’s Krewe of Adonis will hold its ball at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium. Floor seating is invitation only.
Bidding farewell will be King and Queen Adonis XLV Dean Adams and Mrs. Darren Mayon.
Adonis will hold its nighttime parade at 7 p.m. Feb. 25 in Morgan City. The procession will start at the corner of Brashear Avenue and Second Street and proceed down Second to Onstead Street, Sixth Street, Marguerite Street, Ninth Street, Brashear Avenue, Victor II Boulevard and ending at the auditorium.
Krewe of Nike
The children’s Krewe of Nike will hold two balls this year. At 7 p.m. on Feb. 4 the krewe will hold its 2021 tableau and ball at the auditorium. Then at 7 p.m. Feb. 5 the krewe’s 2022 tableau and ball will be present at the auditorium and will feature its 50th anniversary celebration.
Both balls are by invitation only.
Making a farewell appearance will be King and Queen Nike XLVIII Ethan Toups and Mary-Alice Dohmann. Toups is the son of Bliss Landry and Chad Toups. Dohmann is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joey Dohmann.
Krewe members will parade behind the Krewe of Galatea parade at 2 p.m. on Feb. 27 in Morgan City.
Krewe of Galatea
The mystick women’s Krewe of Galatea will hold its ball at 7:50 p.m. Feb. 12 at the auditorium. This is an invitation-only event.
Bidding adieu will be Queen and King of Galatea LI Mrs. Kenneth C. Cefalu and Bryan Belle.
Galatea will hold its parade at 2 p.m. Feb. 27 in Morgan City. The procession will organize on Second Street under the U.S. 90 Grizzaffi Bridge and proceed to Onstead Street, Sixth Street, Marguerite Street, Ninth Street, Clothilde Street, Victor II Boulevard and end at the auditorium on Myrtle Street.
Krewe of Amani
The Krewe of Amani will not hold a traditional ball this year and no royalty will be crowned. Krewe members do plan to have a Sneakers Ball from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Feb. 26 at the Patterson Area Civic Center. This is an invitation-only event.
Amani will hold its Lundi Gras parade at 1 p.m. Feb. 28 in Patterson. Participants will line up at Patterson High School and proceed down La. 182 (Main Street) towards Patterson where the procession will end at the Place Norman Shopping Center.
An after-parade Block Party will be held along Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Patterson.
Krewe of Hephaestus
The area’s oldest-chartered krewe, the Krewe of Hephaestus will hold its tableau at 8 p.m. Feb. 26 at the auditorium. Floor seating is by invitation only.
Making a farewell appearance will be King and Queen Hephaestus LX Allie “Al” Adams and Madeleine Margaret Hover.
Hephaestus will hold its parade at 2 p.m. on Fat Tuesday in Morgan City. The procession will organize on Sixth and Sycamore streets and proceed down Sixth Street to Marguerite Street, Ninth Street, Clothilde Street, and Victor II Boulevard, ending at the auditorium on Myrtle Street.
Krewe of Dionysus
The Krewe of Dionysus has opted not to hold a tableau and ball this year.
However, the krewe will host its Mardi Gras parade at 2 p.m. Feb. 26 in Berwick. The procession will line up on Gilmore Drive and turn on John Street, Robichaux Street, Mount Street, Gilmore Drive, right on La. 182, Tournament Boulevard, Fairview Drive then to Pattie Drive, where it will disband at Berwick Junior High School.
Members of the Krewe of Hannibal plan to parade at the end of Dionysus.
Dionysus will hold its After Parade Dance at the Berwick Civic Complex. Tickets are $15 and available from any krewe board member.
Krewe of Hannibal
The Krewe of Hannibal has also elected not to hold a tableau and ball.
Members of the krewe plan to parade at the end of Dionysus at 2 p.m. Feb. 26 in Berwick.
Siracusa/Greenwood
The Siracusa/Greenwood Community Mardi Gras Parade will be held at 2 p.m. Fat Tuesday.
Participants will line up on Siracusa Road at 1:30 p.m. then proceed to James Street and Grace Street before ending at the Siracusaville Recreation Center.
Anyone wishing to participate or needing information may call Leroy Trim or Kimberlin McPherson at 985-385-4224, or Mary Jones at 985-519-6971.
Parade Summaries
—Feb. 25, 7 p.m., Krewe of Adonis, Morgan City.
—Feb. 26, 2 p.m., Krewe of Dionysus, Berwick.
—Feb. 27, 2 p.m., Krewe of Galatea, Morgan City.
—Feb. 28, 1 p.m., Krewe of Amani, Patterson.
—Feb. 28, 7 p.m., Krewe of Hera, Morgan City.
—March 1, 2 p.m., Krewe of Hephaestus, Morgan City.
—March 1, 2 p.m., Siracusa/Greenwood Community, Siracusa Subdivision.

IRVIN JOSEPH LEONARD

October 31, 1930 — January 21, 2022
Irvin Joseph Leonard, age 91, of Morgan City, Louisiana, passed away on Friday, January 21, 2022. Irvin was born October 31, 1930. He was a native of Belle River, LA and a resident of Morgan City, LA. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, hunting and going to his camp. He also enjoyed dancing and being with his family.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Veda Verrett Leonard; parents, Alge and Beulah Percle Leonard; daughter, Sandra Leonard Dardeau; grandson, Jason Leonard; great-granddaughter, Adalynn Dardeau; brothers, Raymond Leonard, Stanley Leonard, Adam Leonard, Nolan Leonard; sister, Grace Chaisson.
He leaves to cherish his memory his sons, Dave Leonard, Dennis Leonard (Karen); daughter, Angelique Leonard; sister, Shirley DeHart; grandchildren, Shamus Dardeau, Jessica Leonard Grubbs, Rachel Lirette, Amy Naquin, Christian Leonard, Alyssa Landry, Brailynn Gould; eight great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.
Family and friends of Irvin were invited to attend the Visitation on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Hargrave Funeral Home with Funeral Services immediately following. Interment: Berwick Memorial Cemetery.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hargravefuneralhome.com for the Leonard family.

MARY VELTA ROGERS FIRMIN

February 19, 1917 – January 21, 2022

Mary Velta Rogers Firmin departed this earthly realm on January 21, 2022, enfolded in the White Wings of Peace that carried her into the Sacred Light of the Heavens. She was born on February 19, 1917, and was just one month shy of her 105th birthday.

She was preceded in death by her husband, former State Senator Lee C. Firmin of Franklin, her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wilfred B. Rogers of Abbeville, her brother, Joseph Carl “J.C.” Rogers of Abbeville, her sisters, Flora Mae Holt, of Houston and Jane Bohrer of Abbeville, and by one son, Richard A. Firmin of Belle Chase, LA.

Survivors include her youngest son John D. Firmin of Franklin, and a stepson, James L. Firmin of Morgan City. Also surviving are her grandchildren: Debra Siravo of Colorado, Richard A Firmin, Jr., of Arlington, Texas, Regina Firmin of Morgan City, Cory Firmin of LaPlace, LA and Candis Romero and Tammy Firmin of New Iberia. Four step grandchildren also survive her: Tanya Firmin of Belle Chase, Paige Mahfouz and Dionne Ball of Georgia, and Ty Firmin of New York. She is also survived by numerous great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

Velta’s formal education began at Mount Carmel Convent in Abbeville. Later she entered the public schools where she remained until she graduated from Abbeville High in June 1935. She has mentioned that, “while at Mt Carmel she was a piano student and her music teacher, a nun, was extremely strict. She liked to use a slender wooden pointer to point out notes. If I didn’t practice my scales well enough to suit her, I would feel the sting of that sharp stick across my fingers. Believe me, I practiced!” From stories heard from some of her former students, it is suspected that she brought some of those lessons forward and included them in her own 4th grade classroom.

She attended Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now ULL) to pursue a teaching career. She attended both Southwestern and LSU. Her first job as a teacher was on Pecan Island in Vermilion Parish. The only way to get there from Abbeville in those days was by boat – either by motorboat or mailboat – the latter being a very slow boat which took almost all day to get there. She taught on Pecan Island for two years, then was transferred to Gueydan where she taught four more years.

In 1943 Velta resigned her job and came to Franklin where her family had moved from Abbeville some months earlier. She met Lee Firmin shortly thereafter. Lee was a widower with an 18 mo. old child having lost his wife and two small children in a bus-train accident the year before. After a brief courtship, Velta and Lee were married, and in the years that followed, she helped to raise Jim Firmin, Lee’s son who had survived the bus-train accident. In time, Lee and Velta had two sons of their own – Richard and John.

In 1957 when her younger son, John, entered kindergarten, Velta returned to teaching. She taught a total of 34 years in St. Mary Parish schools, serving at E.A Crowell Elem, W.P. Foster Elem, and 6 years at West End Academy, after which she retired. She was an active member of the Franklin Business and Professional Women’s Club, numerous teachers’ organizations, and she was an active member of the Franklin Hospital Auxiliary (Pink Ladies), where she served as president of this group several times. She was also a member of the Republican Women’s Club of Franklin, the Golden Age Club, the Catholic Daughters of Court Assumption, and was a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International. For several years she was a regular at the Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel at St. John’s Elementary School.

Velta was fiercely independent, private, and still lived alone, albeit under the watchful eyes of her son John who lived next door. She loved semi-classical music and all forms of art, especially oil painting. In her later years she enjoyed reading, solving word puzzles, watching TV, and rooting for her Dallas Cowboys.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 26, 2022, at Church of the Assumption in Franklin during an 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial. Following the Mass she will be laid to rest in the mausoleum in Franklin Cemetery. Father Joel Faulk will be the Celebrant for the Mass and conduct the services. A gathering of family and friends will be held at the church from 9:00 a.m. until Mass time. Those honored to be pallbearers are Richard Firmin Jr., Cory Firmin, Jim Firmin, Austin Firmin, Michael Voison Jr., and Jose Zaeton. Honorary pallbearers are Johnny Firmin and Tyne Firmin.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her name to the St. Mary Parish Public Library, 206 Iberia Street, Franklin, LA 70538, 337-828-5364.

Family and friends may view the obituary online by visiting www.iberts.com and are encouraged to share their condolences, cherished memories, love, and support for the family.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert's Mortuary, Inc., 1007 Main Street, Franklin, LA 70538, (337) 828-5426.

Deputies answer shots-fired call in Centerville

Deputies responded to a shots-fired incident that occurred near Deforest Brown Lane in Centerville on Saturday night, Sheriff Blaise Smith said.

According to the Sheriff's Office, at 7:04 pm, dispatch received a call of shots fired in the area of Deforest Brown Lane in Centerville. Upon arrival, deputies recovered shell casings and began an investigation into the incident.

At this time, there are no known injuries. The investigation is ongoing.

Smith is asking that anyone with information concerning the incident contact the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office by calling 337-828-1960. Tips can also be submitted anonymously on the SMPSO website at www.stmaryso.com.

Two St. Mary COVID deaths, 96 new cases reported Friday

Two more COVID deaths and 96 new coronavirus cases were reported Friday for St. Mary Parish by the Louisiana Office of Public Health.

The deaths raise the parish's pandemic death toll to 240. The parish has also recorded 11,008 COVID cases since the pandemic began.

Statewide, 11,317 new cases were reported Friday along with 42 deaths. The number of COVID-positive people in Louisiana hospitals is at 2,304, down 63 from Thursday.

The parish's vaccination rate is now at 42.87%, compared to 51% for the state.

Morgan City police radio logs for Jan. 20

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, Jan. 20
1:55: a.m.: 1900 block Elm; Suspicious person.
2:25: a.m.: 200 block Pat-ton; Domestic Disturbance..
7:32: a.m.:600 block Seventh; Theft.
9 a.m.: U.S. 90 West; Complaint.
10:25: a.m. 1400 block Railroad; Complaint.
10:54: a.m.: 6400 block La. 182; Hang-up call.
10:57: a.m.: 1700 block Elk; Telephone harassment.
11 a.m.: 3300 Youngs Road; Hang-up call.
11:22: a.m.: 6000 block Railroad Avenue; Medical emergency.
11:43: a.m.: 600 block Terrebone; Disturbance.
12:34: p.m.: Eighth Street; Complaint.
12:51: p.m.: 700 block MLK; Complaint.
1:14: p.m.: 600 block Egle; Welfare concern.
1:45: p.m. 200 block S Railroad Avenue; Alarm.
2:01: p.m.: 2400 block Tiger Drive; Theft.
2:13: p.m.: 2400 block Cypress; Complaint.
2:49: p.m.: 1400 block Nevada; Complaint.
3:19: p.m.: 7300 block La. 182; Disturbance.
3:57: p.m.: 600 block Shannon; Complaint.
5:36: p.m.: 600 block Kentucky; Complaint.
6:52: p.m. 3000 block Kentucky; Assist.
7:12: p.m.: 900 block Short; Medical emergency.
9:39: p.m.: 400 block Fourth; Complaint.
9:52: p.m.: 500 block Brashear; Complaint.
11:36: p.m.: Grace Street; Assist.
3:38: a.m.: 300 block Greenwood; Assist.

Local authorities make arrests on resisting, interference charges

(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.

Morgan City and St. Mary authorities made arrests on resisting an officer and interference charges Thursday.

St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff's Office responded to 19 complaints and made these arrests:
--Lionel Granger III, 56, Amelia, was arrested at 10:40 p.m. Thursday on a charge of interference with a law enforcement investigation. No bail has been set.
--Zacolby Lionel Granger, 29, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:52 p.m. Thursday on three warrants alleging failure to appear on charges of possession of cocaine; improper turn; failure to give required signal; operating a vehicle while license is suspended, revoked or canceled; speeding in a work zone; and reckless operation of a vehicle.
Bail has not been set.

Morgan City
Police Chief James F. Blair reported that the Morgan City Police Department to 32 calls for service over the last 24 hours and made these arrests:
--Samantha Marie Williams, 33, La. 182, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:10 p.m. Thursday on a charge of resisting an officer by giving false information and on a 6th Ward Morgan City Court alleging failure to appear to pay fine.
--Logan Dupre, 19, Cypress Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:50 p.m. Thursday on a charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
--Rasheem Robertson, 21, Fifth Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:56 p.m. Thursday on a charge of battery on a dating partner.

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ST. MARY NOW

Franklin Banner-Tribune
P.O. Box 566, Franklin, LA 70538
Phone: 337-828-3706
Fax: 337-828-2874

Morgan City Review
1014 Front Street, Morgan City, LA 70380
Phone: 985-384-8370
Fax: 985-384-4255