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Ground broken for Houma locks complex; Grand Bayou structure complete

Tue, 11/09/2021 - 5:23pm

Gov. John Bel Edwards on Tuesday joined the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority as well as local and state officials to break ground on the Houma Navigation Canal Lock Complex and announce the completion of the Grand Bayou Floodgate, two critical components of the Morganza to the Gulf Hurricane Protection System.

With the completion of the 147-foot Grand Bayou Floodgate, the Morganza to the Gulf system now has a continuous levee segment stretching 47 miles from Grand Bayou in Lafourche Parish to upper Bayou Dularge in Terrebonne Parish to prevent floodwaters from impacting the region. The newly completed floodgate was named in honor of the late Louisiana Rep. Reggie Bagala, who passed away from complications due to COVID-19 in April 2020.

“Today we are announcing two substantial advances in our efforts to provide Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes with 100-year storm surge protection,” Gov. Edwards said. “The Grand Bayou Floodgate will honor Rep. Bagala’s memory while providing improved hurricane protection to the people and place he called home. This project, combined with the soon to begin HNC Lock Complex, are game-changers for the entire Morganza to the Gulf system.”

The Morganza to the Gulf system will benefit approximately 1,900 square miles in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes through flood control, salinity control, and ecosystem restoration.

“The road to strengthening the Morganza to the Gulf system and providing the Bayou Region with upgraded hurricane protection has been paved by hard work and collaboration with parish governments and levee districts,” CPRA Chairman Chip Kline said. “We’re thrilled to announce such meaningful progress toward our shared goal of providing a safer and better protected future for those in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes.”

Phase 1 of the HNC Lock Complex project will dredge over 1 million cubic yards of material to prepare the area for the lock complex and create 178 acres of marsh in six areas north of the complex along the navigation channel. Phase 1 is anticipated to be complete in the fall of 2022.

The HNC Lock will allow a longer window of opportunity for navigation activities when the adjacent Bubba Dove Floodgate is closed to protect communities from storm surge or high water events. During gate closures, the lock will allow vessels to travel in either direction on the HNC, enabling officials to close the floodgate earlier and keep it closed longer, benefiting the area’s ecosystem suffering from saltwater intrusion.

Terrebonne Parish President Gordon “Gordy” Dove and Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson joined the Governor for the announcements and praised the projects for enhancing the Morganza to the Gulf system’s hurricane protection capabilities.

“The Grand Bayou Floodgate is a critical link in the Morganza to the Gulf Hurricane Protection system,” Dove said. “We are delighted with its completion and express our thanks to Gov. Edwards and CPRA. In the foreseeable future, the Morganza levee will rise to 18 feet, its full design height, providing both Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes with considerably more storm surge protection. The HNC Lock complex is a companion piece to the ‘Bubba Dove’ Floodgate, and will allow marine traffic to effectively bypass the floodgate when it’s required to be closed to protect against storm surge and saltwater intrusion. Terrebonne Parish has worked very closely with CPRA and the Levee District to bring this project to its long-awaited start.”

“The new Grand Bayou Floodgate is another tool to help protect our residents and I’m glad to see construction being completed,” Chaisson said. “This culminates the work of a lot of agencies over many years and will help protect our residents for years to come. Additionally, to see this structure dedicated to Rep. Bagala defines what the people of Lafourche are about. Hard work, dedication, and resilience are three things that Reggie stood for and three words that mean so much to so many in Lafourche Parish.”

The HNC Lock Complex is a joint effort of CPRA and the Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District. A tentative bid date for construction of Phase 2 of the lock structure, which will include an 800-foot lock chamber with 110-foot-wide sector gates, is anticipated in spring 2022.

Engineering, design, and construction for Phases 1 and 2 of the HNC Lock Complex are funded with money resulting from the damages of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, allocated through the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act (RESTORE Act).

Construction of the Grand Bayou Floodgate was funded by $18.5 million in Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) funds and $1.5 million in capital outlay funds. The project is a collaborative effort of CPRA with the South Lafourche Levee District, North Lafourche Levee District, Lafourche Parish Government, Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government, and Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District.

Sealevel Construction Inc., headquartered in Thibodaux, won the competitively bid dredging contract for the lock site, as well as the contract for construction of the Grand Bayou Floodgate and Receiving Structure.

Morgan City police arrest teen on gun charge

Tue, 11/09/2021 - 3:55pm

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.)

Morgan City police arrested a 16-year-old boy from Dulac who was found to be in possession of a firearm.
The boy was arrested at 10:38 a.m. Tuesday on a charge of possession of a firearm by a juvenile.
Officers with the Morgan City Police Department responded to the area of Bowman Street in regards to a suspicious subject with a firearm. Officers arrived and located the juvenile.
According to reports, the juvenile was found to be in possession of a firearm, the Police Department said. The subject was arrested and transported to the Morgan City Jail, where he was booked.

Morgan City
Police Chief James F. Blair reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 54 calls for service within the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:
—Amy Iline Ponce-Mata, 43, Chirpy Lane, Amelia, was arrested at 2:14 p.m. Monday on charges of driving under suspension, tail lights required and canceled license plate, and on a 6th Ward Morgan City Court warrant alleging failure to appear for trial March 2, 2017.
—Danny Lee Andorf, 47, Levee Road, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:30 p.m. Monday as a fugitive from the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office.
—Michael Lee Howard, 51, La., 182, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:51 p.m. Monday on a 6th Ward Morgan City Court warrant alleging two counts of failure to appear for trial Aug. 26.
St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 50 complaints and made these arrests:
—Brittany Michelle Pontiff, 32, Franklin, was arrested at 11:47 a.m. Monday on a warrant alleging identity theft and theft. Pontiff was released on a $16,000 bond.
—Kendrick Lamar Nolan, 31, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:42 p.m. Monday on charges of turning movements/required signals and no insurance. Nolan was released on a summons to appear Feb. 3.
—Dennis Bradley, 39, Houma, was arrested at 10:02 p.m. Monday on charges of careless operation, leaving the scene of an accident and driving under suspension. Bradley was released on a summons to appear Feb. 3.
—Roselyn Marie Collins, 29, Patterson, was arrested at 9:39 p.m. Monday on a warrant alleging failure to appear. Bail has not been set.
—Dwayne Anthony Skinner, 29, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:13 a.m. Tuesday on charges of reckless operation (no accident), driving under suspension, expired license plate, resisting an officer and threatening a public officials.
No bail has been set.

Assumption
Sheriff Leland Falcon reported these arrests:
—Donna Lynn Guillot, 36, Pierre Part, was arrested Friday on charges of possession of Xanax (alprazolam), possession of methamphetamine, possession of Ambien and possession of drug paraphernalia.
—Michael J. Matherne, 54, Pierre Part, was arrested Friday on charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
—Todd A. Landry, 53, Pierre Part, was arrested Friday on charges of charges of possession of Xanax (alprazolam), possession of methamphetamine, possession of Ambien and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Over a period of time, narcotics agents established that Matherne, Guillot and Todd were involved in illegal drug activity in the Assumption Parish area.
Based on the investigation, agents applied for and were granted a search warrant for a Ben Court residence. At the time the warrant was executed, all three subjects were residing at 146 Ben Court, Pierre PartA.
On Friday, agents executed the search warrant and did seize a quantity of controlled dangerous substances. Earlier on Friday, agents conducted a traffic stop which resulted in the seizure of controlled dangerous substances.
Based on the investigation as well as evidence seized during the vehicle stop and the execution of the search warrant, the following individuals were arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center.
Matherne was released after posting a $40,000 surety bond. Guillot and Landry remain incarcerated pending bond hearings.

Morgan City police radio logs for Nov. 8-9

Tue, 11/09/2021 - 3:17pm

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.
Monday, Nov. 8
6:03 a.m. 3100 block of Karen Drive; Vehicle burglary.
6:20 a.m. 1600 block of Chestnut Drive; Vehicle burglary.
7:02 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Inmate transport.
7:16 a.m. 1600 block of Chestnut Drive; Vehicle burglary.
7:34 a.m. 1600 block of Chestnut Drive; Vehicle burglary.
7:39 a.m. 900 block of Marguerite Street; Juvenile problems/arrest.
7:55 a.m. Area Veter-ans Boulevard; Com-plaint.
8:55 a.m. 1600 block of Chestnut Drive; Vehicle burglary.
9:03 a.m. 1100 block of Walnut Drive; Vehicle burglary.
9:04 a.m. 1000 block of Greenwood Street; Accident.
9:13 a.m. 1100 block of Walnut Drive; Vehicle burglary.
9:15 a.m. 3100 block of Wytchwood Drive; Vehicle burglary.
9:37 a.m. 3200 block of Karen Drive; Vehicle burglary.
9:53 a.m. 200 block of Chennault Street; Medi-cal.
11:04 a.m. 1200 block of Brashear Avenue; Accident.
11:06 a.m. 7400 block of La. 182; 911 hang up.
11:17 a.m. 300 block of Eighth Street; Medical.
12:07 p.m. 7000 block of Railroad Avenue; Theft.
12:33 p.m. 900 block of Marguerite Street; Juvenile problems/arrest.
12:45 p.m. 700 block of Louisa Street; Domestic.
12:53 p.m. 1000 block of Railroad Avenue; Complaint.
1:45 p.m. 200 block of Pecos Street; Animal complaint.
2:01 p.m. Area La. 182 and Aycock Street; Traffic stop/arrest.
2:46 p.m. 2900 block of East Gate Boulevard; Complaint.
3:37 a.m. 800 block of Brashear Avenue; Accident.
4:43 p.m. U.S. 90 West before crest; Hit and run.
5:59 p.m. U.S. 90 East; Traffic incident.
6:57 p.m. 3000 block of Roderick Street; Juvenile complaint.
7:26 p.m. 800 block of Walnut Drive; Com-plaint.
7:55 p.m. 1200 block of Railroad Avenue; Complaint.
9:51 p.m. Sixth and Hickory streets; Arrest.
9:55 p.m. 1100 block of Victor II Boulevard; Subject removal.
10:50 p.m. 900 block of Walnut Drive; Open door.
11:44 p.m. 1100 block of McDermott Drive; Arrest.
11:47 p.m. 1700 block of Filmore Street; Arrest.
Tuesday, Nov. 9
2 a.m. 500 block of Fifth Street; Loud music.
2:36 a.m. Justa Street and Lizabeth Drive; Suspicious vehicle.
2:41 a.m. 1000 block of La. 70; Alarm.
3:15 a.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Suspicious subject.

'Rumble in the Jungle' hoops jamboree will be Saturday at MCHS

Tue, 11/09/2021 - 3:15pm

Ten area high school basketball teams will clash in a Rumble in the Jungle jamboree beginning at noon Sunday at Morgan City High.

The schedule:

Noon--Morgan City vs. Berwick girls

1 p.m. Comeaux vs. Central Lafourche boys

2 p.m. West St. Mary vs. Patterson girls

3 p.m. Iota vs. Houma Christian boys

4 p.m. Morgan City vs. Hanson girls

5 p.m. Morgan City vs. Iota boys

The number of teams involved in the jamboree has been corrected.

Museum hosts murderously good time Saturday

Tue, 11/09/2021 - 2:57pm

Wedell-Williams Aviation and Cypress Mill Museum will host Murder Mystery Night at 5 p.m. Saturday.

The event promises "a special night of who did it, everyone's a suspect!"

Tickets are $30 through Eventbrite.

The museum is at 118 Cotten Road, Patterson.

Daniels has 17 kills, Gray 18 assists in Morgan City volleyball regional

Tue, 11/09/2021 - 2:53pm

Morgan City High, seeded ninth in Division III, pulled off the mild upset on the road in its regional volleyball match Friday, knocking off No. 8 St. Louis Catholic 3-1 (25-22, 25-11, 17-25, 25-21). Morgan City takes on Archbishop Hannan at 10:50 a.m. Thursday on the Lafayette Cajundome's Court 2.

Here are Morgan City stats from Friday's match.

Olivia Baio- 2 aces, 4 kills, 2 block assists, 12 assists, 3 digs
Mariah Pleasant- 2 aces, 5 kills, 1 solo block, 6 block assists, 8 digs
Arion Calloway- 1 ace, 12 kills, 2 block assists, 2 assists, 12 digs
Sarah Daniels- 1 ace, 17 kills, 1 solo block, 4 block assists, 15 digs
Madison Gray- 1 kill, 18 assists, 1 block assist, 16 digs
Kamryn Olivier- 3 assists, 7 digs
Hannah Fryou- 3 block assists, 1 assist
Brooke LeBoeuf- 24 digs

The team is coached by Christy Theriot

Living it up at the lighthouse

Tue, 11/09/2021 - 2:47pm

The Berwick Lighthouse Festival ends a successful three-day run over the Nov. 5-7 weekend.

Ribbon cut for KAD Staffing

Tue, 11/09/2021 - 2:30pm

KAD Staffing Co., 512 Roderick St. (in the Petroleum Center), Morgan City, held a ribbon-cutting Saturday. KAD has more than 80 years of combined experience in the shipyard industry. CEO David Acosta owned a shipyard for 22 years and his son, KAD President Blake Acosta, grew up working with him to learn the ins and outs of the industry. KAD specializes in the shipyard sector, but also provides offshore labor while looking forward to adding more to its portfolio. Cutting the ribbon were David and Blake Acosta while surrounded by staff, family, St. Mary Chamber of Commerce officials, city of Morgan City representatives and well-wishers. KAD is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays.

The Review/Diane Miller Fears

La. AG joins lawsuit challenging vaccine mandates

Tue, 11/09/2021 - 2:24pm

WILLIAM PATRICK, The Center Square

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is challenging the legality of a new federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rule tied to President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate on private businesses.
Landry joined attorneys general from Texas, Mississippi, South Carolina and Utah on Friday in suing the administration. The lawsuit was filed directly with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans.
“I trust our Petition for Review will be granted by the Fifth Circuit, and I look forward to showing them the many statutory and constitutional reasons why the Court must halt implementation of the OSHA rule,” Landry said in a statement.
The legal challenge came a day after Landry sued the Biden administration on behalf of federal contractors. That lawsuit also is a multistate effort involving Mississippi and Indiana, though the case is led by Landry’s office.
“As the chief legal officer of Louisiana, I’m taking action to prevent the government from making your health care choices,” Landry said Thursday evening.
The mandate applies to businesses with 100 or more employees and is expected to affect an estimated 84 million workers.
“While I would have much preferred that requirements not become necessary, too many people remain unvaccinated for us to get out of this pandemic for good,” Biden said.
According to an interim rule filed with the Federal Register, affected businesses must require employees to be fully vaccinated by Jan. 4 or impose mandatory mask rules and weekly COVID-19 tests for all unvaccinated employees.
The OSHA will enforce the mandate, which also requires private employers to keep records on employee vaccination statuses and comply with OSHA spot-checks. The interim rule said the agency will rely largely on complaints to initiate enforcement activities.
Mandate violations could result in fines of nearly $14,000 per employee. Businesses that are in “willful violation” of the requirements could face fines up to $136,000.
Friday’s lawsuit included several large businesses along with the five state plaintiffs. The list of named defendants includes the U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA and their respective agency heads.
In a Thursday evening video statement, Landry said the private sector vaccine requirement is an attempt to “bully” Louisiana into complying with an “unlawful mandate.” He also said it will cost Louisiana billions of dollars.
“You see, Louisiana receives a large amount of federal funds – about 60% of our state budget is federal money. It affects our local governments and institutions of higher learning as well,” he said.
Both lawsuits raise issues about federalism and government overreach, and the federal contractor complaint claims the scope of the mandate is “as broad as possible.”
“Thus, the guidance ensures that the contractor vaccine mandate applies to all employees of a contractor or subcontractor who is party to a federal contract – even if the employee’s work is completely unrelated to the contract or if the employee will never work in a location with a co-worker who is working on a federal contract,” the lawsuit reads.
In his statement, Landry was careful to explain he is not questioning the pandemic’s impact on Louisiana, saying, “Many have been ill, some even hospitalized, others have lost loved ones.
“It is imperative to never lose sight of our individual rights,” he said.
The tension between rights and safety has been at the core of the vaccination debate, especially in Louisiana.
The state has maintained one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country. According to the Mayo Clinic, Louisiana ranks 44th out of 50 states with a 47.8% of eligible residents vaccinated.
Still, Landry said “medical decisions should be made between patients and doctors, not mandated by the government.”

Hamilton indicted on murder charges in fire that killed woman, child

Tue, 11/09/2021 - 2:00pm

A 16th Judicial District Court grand jury has indicted a man on murder charges in a Verdunville fire that killed two people, including a 5-year-old, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Derwin Hamilton, 49, was indicted Friday on two counts of first-degree murder.
Hamilton was arrested soon after the July 13 mobile home fire on Prairie Road in Verdunville.
The female victim was later identified as Stephanie Joseph, 55. She was critically injured in the fire and died Aug. 1.
The child, identified as Joshua Hamilton, 5, was pronounced dead at an area hospital soon after the fire.
Joseph told first responders that during an argument, Hamilton poured a liquid on her and the child, who is Hamilton’s great-nephew, and set them on fire.
In an interview with deputies, Hamilton admitted to setting the fire, the Fire Marshal’s Office said.
In Louisiana, first-degree murder is defined as a homicide committed with intent to kill or cause great bodily harm in the presence of a list of defined circumstances. Among the circumstances: killing a child, killing more than one person and murder committed in the course of another serious crime.
First-degree murder is punishable by the death penalty or life in prison.