Capt. Kenneth Sonnier, the former Assistant Warden at the St. Martin Parish Correction Center, has been promoted to the rank of major and has been assigned as Warden of the St. Martin Parish Correctional Center.

For the past 3 1/2 years, Sonnier served as the assistant warden, which provided him with the knowledge and experience required to perform his new role as warden, the sheriff said.

Sonnier has been employed at the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office for 18 years.

He has worked across multiple divisions, including patrol, where he served as the patrol supervisor and assistant shift supervisor, as well as the Criminal Investigations Division and Corrections Divisions.

Sonnier holds multiple certifications and has been an instructor at the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office Training Academy for the past several years.

Sonnier is a native of St. Martinville and a graduate of St. Martinville Senior High School.

Capt. Teddy Hulin, the former Criminal Investigative Division Commander, has been promoted to the rank of major and will serve as the enforcement commander.

Promotions

Hulin began his career in law enforcement with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office in 1989, where he served in corrections before transitioning into narcotics enforcement.

He served on the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association’s Violent Crimes and Narcotics Task Force and the U.S. Customs’ Blue Lightning Task Force while in the Narcotics Division.

Hulin later returned to the private sector in 2003, where he and his wife built and ran a successful business.

Hulin returned to law enforcement in 2020 as a reserve deputy and resumed fulltime service in 2021. He led narcotics investigations, INTEL and the Street Crimes Unit, which later expanded into the Violent Crimes Task Force. In 2024, he was promoted to captain of the Criminal Investigative Division.

Hulin’s extensive training and experience in law enforcement and narcotics enforcement have prepared him for his new role as Enforcement Commander, the sheriff said.

Hulin is a lifelong resident of St. Martin Parish and a graduate of St. Martinville Senior High School.

Mayor Kevin Kately gave an update on the new well. He said workers installed the screen at the bottom to keep trash out, added the casing, and then put in the motor so water could begin to be drawn. The next steps are to test the water and add the filters, which he said should be completed soon.

Parks

Kately also said the village will build the structure around the well, along with the chlorination room and other related infrastructure. He said he hopes the well will be operational within the next month or two, after which the village can begin another round of replacing water meters.

The mayor also urged residents to report problems with water, the park, or other village issues by calling the office or using an online contact method so concerns can be addressed quickly. He said the village cannot fix issues if they only learn about them after the fact.

With no further business, the council adjourned until August.

Even today some scholarly articles claim, mistakenly, that south Louisiana communities, i.e. anything west of the Atchafalaya and particularly Acadian communities, were isolated backwaters with little connection to the outside world until the railroad brought civilization to them in the late 1800s. That is just flat-out wrong.

Geographer Lawrence Estaville Jr. was one of the first to declare unreservedly that “the notion that the Cajuns were geographically isolated” until nearly the 1900s “is a myth.” He said in a 1987 treatise that the misconception began with articles written by four “experts” who did not understand our language or culture (or want to) and formed their views in brief visits here. (“Changeless Cajuns,” Louisiana History, Spring 1987).

He looked at 28 articles and found that 23 of them drew directly from those four “authorities” and another four were indirectly influenced by them. Thus “a fraternity of researchers” repeated “over and over” the errors of the earlier studies “evidently … [with] little inclination to question their validity.”

Estaville’s studies showed that our network of waterways and the many boats that used them supported more commerce and communication than outsiders could grasp, especially if they based their ideas on a short visit and a preconception of what they would find here.

Bradshaw

We used pirogues, flatboats, keelboats, and other craft to travel within the region and to get to New Orleans markets well before regular steamboat service between the city and Bayou Teche began in 1819. The paddlewheelers were on other south Louisiana streams not long after that, and a good many of the steamers that worked the Teche met sailing ships that linked us to faraway places.

Most of these ships stopped at Berwick Bay, but some could travel up the bayou at least as far as Franklin. The Planter’s Banner, published there, regularly ran notices advertising that “a new schooner load” had replenished the stock at one store or another.

“In the winter the bay presents a perfect panorama,” a letter to the Banner said in 1849. “Numerous steamers, brigs, and barks, with other smaller craft, are seen coming up the harbor under full sail; vessels are visible, too, along the bay and rivers, at plantations, discharging or receiving freight.” That hardly sounds like isolation.

“Schooners … sailed up the Lafourche, Teche, Vermilion, Mermentau, and Calcasieu to engage in lucrative … commerce,” Estaville wrote. “The ubiquitous steamboat skimmed into the most remote locations within the South Louisiana water web. … Tons of agricultural commodities were shipped to market from the ‘Louisiana’s garden’ along Bayou Teche; customized steamboats hauled three to four hundred head of prairie cattle at a time to New Orleans auction lots; and huge rafts of cypress logs were towed out of the Atchafalaya Swamp.”

Likewise, specialized trading boats regularly made their way from the city to south Louisiana. Estaville named “fish, fruit, and ice boats; restaurant boats, saloon boats, and showboats with musicians, dancers, magicians, gamblers, zoos, and later even silent movies; boats with photographers, doctors, and dentists; and … the store boats packed from stem to stern with groceries, dry goods, hardware, notions, and other merchandise.”

The last of the paddlewheeled grocery boats, the V.J. Kurzweg, plied Bayou Teche at least as far up as New Iberia into the 1940s. In December 1940, its agent advertised in The Waterways Journal that the Kurzweg was “leaving as usual, every Tuesday evening [from New Orleans] for Plaquemine and Bayou Teche.”

Well before the Civil War, according to Army Corps of Engineers historian Martin Reuss. “Pattersonville (Patterson), Franklin, New Iberia, St. Martinville, and Vermilionville [Lafayette] possessed the comforts and institutions of a settled life - banks, schools, hotels, churches, distilleries, post offices, and commercial stores.” (Designing the Bayous, Office of History, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 1998) Even communities such as Bayou Chene in the Atchafalaya Basin or Pecan Island in the Vermilion wetlands that were accessible only by boat were visited regularly by mail boats and traders, and residents made periodic treks to “the mainland.” An article in the Abbeville Meridional said that most people in Pecan Island had at least two boats, a work boat to use in the marsh and a speedy boat that could get to Abbeville in only two hours.

We somehow got to polling places to elect a governor from Lafayette. Alexandre Mouton, in 1843, and Estaville found that after the coming of the railroad in 1880 towns in what he called Cajun Louisiana “grew more rapidly than those of Anglo Louisiana” He calculated that in 1900, not counting New Orleans, nine of the state’s 14 urban places with more than 2,500 people were in south Louisiana.

Backward? Isolated? Sure.

You can contact Jim Bradshaw at jimbradshaw4321@gmail.com or P.O. Box 1121, Washington LA 70589.

“A Day of Commemoration of the Great Upheaval” was proclaimed in 2003 by Queen Elizabeth II.

This is the official day for the world to remember the suffering of the Acadian people as a result of Le Grand Dérangement between 1755 and 1763. Due to a British order of deportation, over half of the Acadian population were forced to leave their homes in northeast Canada, and about half of the population died as a result.

There will be a French Mass of Remembrance at 5:00 p.m. at St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church, 133 South Main St., St. Martinville.

Following the Mass, the Acadian Memorial will join the Acadian Museum of Erath to recognize and honor music educator Madeline DeHart as a Acadian Living Legend. DeHart is known for her role in bringing traditional Louisiana French music to Vermilion Parish students.

All are invited to the ceremony and reception from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Acadian Memorial, 121 South New Market St., St. Martinville.

It was the day when Harvey Rabbit and Friends came to the Pierre Part library for their annual summer reading program. Ms. Harvey, aka Laura Allured had a taped knee and walked with crutches but she and Tim put on a great show. There were more guests than usual. I think people were glad to get out of the house and I noticed a lot of grandmas.

Yoga continues here in Belle River but now on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:40 p.m. We’ll be adding some Tai Chi to our yoga exercises.

The Purple Martins are gone. The Hummingbirds still haven’t returned. I had hoped the rain might attract the little hummers as it often does, but not this time.

It is a little cooler but still awfully humid. The dog and I were able to get onto the levee the other day. The wind was cooling. It had rained earlier.

We joined a friend, a teacher, and the two of us got to talking about cell phones, etc. I think he said cell phones cannot be used at all in schools. I don’t recall if he said they couldln’t even be brought, but I think not, which seems to sort of defeat the purpose, but I guess it’s for communications with family or emergencies. Not sure.

What on earth did we do when there were no cell phones. I seem to have survived relatively intact and sane. I will admit I have a cell phone and that’s all I have. No land line anymore.

This is not quite to the point but we had a power outage here the other day for about an hour and I don’t recall that my phone gave me any warning nor any update. As a matter of fact, after I personally called in the failure, I was told it would be fixed by 11:30 p.m. but a neighbor let me know that the power was on by 7:30pm.

And since I’m sort of complaining, the mystery box that a homeless guy dragged across the road from my house is still sitting there, two weeks after I was told it would be picked up. Its getting to be a marker. When someone asks where I live I tell them across the road from a brown chest. Either that or watch for the blue and silver CASA pinwheels.

Heavy rain this morning but just a drizzle now. Not a very pretty day. It’s also very quiet out. Not much traffic. I finally realized that I had not been seeing the big tanker trucks that used to rumble up and down the road. That’s really nice. I don’t know why, but I’m ok with it.

Hwy 70 from Paizanos to Morgan City is getting really bad. Pot holes everywhere. Some big enough to avoid. Maybe when the state builds us a bigger bridge they will consider fixing the road. Should I hold my breath?

With the too hot weather or rain I haven’t been on the levee lately--not on the top. So my dog doesn’t get to play with her friends. When she does see a familiar vehicle containing dogs she knows, she starts whining so I go up and the three dogs sniff one another and that’s it. They seem to just like to check each other out and that’s good enough. My dog, the oldest, lies in a shady spot and watches the other two run up and down. I guess she knows what’s best.

Teche News’ Lower St. Martin correspondent, Linda Cooke, can be emailed at lindacooke1939@ gmail.com.

The project includes repairing damaged sections of the roadway, improving drainage, applying a scrub seal, and placing a new asphalt overlay to provide a smoother, safer driving surface and help extend the life of the roadway.

Construction is scheduled to take place Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather permitting.

Motorists should expect intermittent lane closures throughout construction, which may result in temporary delays. A planned full road closure will also be required during the project to install new drainage structures beneath the roadway. DOTD will issue a separate press release with details about the closure, and a signed detour route will be provided in advance.

Emergency vehicles will have access through the work zone during construction, except during the planned full road closure, which will be announced prior to implementation.

The project is expected to be completed in October 2026.

These improvements will enhance the overall condition of LA 349 by creating a smoother ride, improving drainage to help reduce water-related pavement damage, and extending the service life of the roadway. Once complete, motorists can expect a safer and more reliable route for daily travel.

According to Gas-Buddy price reports, the cheapest station in Louisiana was priced at $3.16/g Sunday while the most expensive was $4.99/g, a difference of $1.83/g.

The national average price of gasoline has risen 13.0 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.95/g today. The national average is up 6.5 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 85.7 cents per gallon higher than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country.

Historical gasoline prices in Louisiana and the national average going back five years: July 20, 2025: $2.75/g (U.S. Average: $3.09/g) July 20, 2024: $3.03/g (U.S. Average: $3.47/g) July 20, 2023: $3.14/g (U.S. Average: $3.55/g) July 20, 2022: $3.99/g (U.S. Average: $4.44/g) July 20, 2021: $2.81/g (U.S. Average: $3.17/g) Neighboring areas and their current gas prices: Baton Rouge- $3.52/g, up 13.8 cents per gallon from last week’s $3.38/g.

New Orleans- $3.55/g, up 12.1 cents per gallon from last week’s $3.42/g.

“Average gasoline and diesel prices rose in nearly every state for the second straight week, with the national average price of gasoline likely to reach $4 per gallon within the next 48 hours and diesel already back above $5 per gallon nationally,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “While the ongoing U.S.Iran situation continues to weigh on markets, the story is increasingly less about crude oil and more about global refining capacity — the Strait of Hormuz remains closed while continued Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries further squeeze an already strained supply picture. With WTI crude approaching $85 per barrel in Sunday night trading, price-cycling markets are likely to see another jolt higher in the coming days, and motorists should brace for a rougher stretch ahead.”

GasBuddy, a PDI Technologies company, is North America’s trusted fuel savings platform, helping consumers fuel up for less for over 25 years. With over 100 million app downloads, Gas-Buddy delivers real-time prices at 150,000+ stations and tangible savings through Pay with GasBuddy+™. It is the most authoritative source of station-level fuel pricing data, updating averages 288 times daily from the broadest mix of inputs— spotter reports, direct station integrations, and transactional data.

SOURCE GasBuddy

In the program’s history, this is the all-time highest annual amount of unclaimed property funds returned to rightful owners. According to Dr. Fleming, “This new record total is an outstanding testament to the tireless efforts of our staff members in the Unclaimed Property division, led by our exceptional Director, Kathleen Lobell.”

The $70.9 million returned in Fiscal Year 2026 surpassed the previous record by $700,000 and was $1.6 million more than last year.

Unclaimed property funds are not only returned to individuals but also to estates, businesses, non-profit organizations, and government entities. Treasurer Fleming recommends that all Louisiana residents visit LaCashClaim.org and search the website to determine if they have unclaimed property. “One in six individuals in Louisiana has unclaimed property, with claims averaging $900. It is your money; we want you to claim it,” said Dr. Fleming.

There is currently $1.2 billion in unclaimed property that needs to be returned to Louisiana citizens. Each year, businesses turn over millions of dollars in unclaimed cash, stocks, bonds, securities, and insurance proceeds to the Louisiana State Treasurer’s Office.

Occasionally, the address the company has on record is no longer correct. One of the main reasons an item becomes unclaimed property is an incorrect or old address. These assets are known as “unclaimed property” and can include payroll checks, old bank accounts, royalties, utility deposits, interest payments, stock certificates, and life insurance proceeds.

The pamphlet contains hunting rules, regulations, season dates and major changes for the 2026-27 season, including hunting information on LDWF’s Wildlife Management Areas and Louisiana’s federal lands.

Printed copies of the pamphlets will be available in August at LDWF offices throughout the state and at vendors where hunting and fishing licenses are sold.

For more information, contact Dr. Jeffrey Duguay at jduguay@wlf. la.gov.

As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our precious United States of America, let us turn to God’s Word for wisdom. May Psalm 96 recalibrate our often wayward hearts and remind us of God’s desire for us as individuals and as a nation. “Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! Sing to the LORD, all the earth…Proclaim the good news of His salvation. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples.”

What a wonderful instruction— to glorify the Lord and proclaim His goodness among the nations. Life has never been about exalting ourselves but about magnifying our great God. When we seek our own glory, we forget that we were formed from dust by our Creator and will return to dust shortly. We were created to worship Him alone. May we turn from the poison of selfworship and use our lives to exalt Him. Psalm 96 continues: “For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised… For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens…Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name… Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness. Tremble (in submissive wonder) before Him, all the earth. Say among the nations, ‘The LORD reigns!’” These verses explain why God alone is worthy of worship. Scripture boldly declares that every other god is a lifeless idol, while the Lord alone is the Creator of heaven and earth. He is majestic, holy, beautiful, and worthy of reverent fear. Throughout the Bible, God calls His people to exclusive worship because He alone is God.

As a nation, we must remain faithful to the God of Scripture. Many of the values that shaped our country and influenced our founding fathers were rooted in biblical truth. While America has always welcomed people from many backgrounds, we should never abandon the matchless principles of God’s Word by treating them as equal to every belief system. The Lord reigns, and His truth does not change.

Psalm 96 concludes with a preview of what is coming. “He will judge and rule the people with fairness. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice… Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the LORD, for He is coming. He is coming to judge the earth…with righteousness and the peoples in His faithfulness.” Jesus is coming again. His first coming was to redeem mankind as God’s perfect lamb. At His second coming, Jesus will return as King, Judge, and Conqueror to judge the world, defeat evil, and establish His reign. Evil will finally see the vengeance of a holy God, and those who have rejected the mercy and grace offered through Christ’s great sacrifice will stand before Him in judgment. But, those who know Him, love Him, and are waiting for Him will rejoice in His salvation and so will the trees! As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, may we remember that our greatest hope has never been in our nation but in the Lord who reigns over all nations. Let us faithfully proclaim His glory, worship Him alone, and humbly submit our lives to His authority as we await His return.

Senior How Families Can Find Lost Money After a Loved One Dies

Dear Savvy Senior,

After my mom passed away, we discovered a few small accounts and an old insurance policy we didn’t know she still had. It made me wonder how often families uncover forgotten or unclaimed money like this after a parent dies. Is it common, and where should I start looking?

--Searching Sarah Dear Sarah,

It’s actually quite common. After a parent or spouse dies, families often come across small, forgotten accounts, uncashed checks, or old insurance policies that slipped through the cracks over the years. In many cases, paperwork was misplaced, accounts were opened decades ago, or loved ones simply weren’t aware the assets existed.

According to the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators, billions of dollars in unclaimed assets are currently being held by state governments and federal agencies, waiting to be claimed by rightful owners or heirs.

Unclaimed property usually comes from financial accounts or benefits that became inactive because the owner moved, changed names or died. In many cases, heirs were never aware the money existed or did not know where to look. These assets can include savings or checking accounts, uncashed dividend checks, utility security deposits, life insurance proceeds, pension benefits, tax refunds, matured savings bonds and unpaid wages.

By law, banks, employers, insurance companies and other institutions must turn these assets over to the state if they cannot locate the owner or next of kin after a set period, usually two to five years. Once turned over, the money is held indefinitely, so there is no deadline for families to file a claim.

Where to start

A good place to begin is MissingMoney.com, a free site endorsed by the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators and the National Association of State Treasurers. It allows users to search for unclaimed property in 49 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico at once. Hawaii is not included but can be searched through a link on the site.

When searching, check every state where your mother lived, worked or did business. Be sure to search under maiden names, married names and common misspellings. Using just a first initial and last name can also uncover accounts that do not appear under a full name search. Each state’s site will indicate whether property is listed and explain how to file a claim.

Other places to check

State treasuries are only part of the picture. Families should also check several other common sources of forgotten money.

Pensions and 401(k) s: To search for lost or forgotten retirement benefits your mom may have left behind with an old employer, use the U.S. Department of Labor’s Retirement Savings Lost & Found Database at lostandfound.dol. gov and the National Registry of Unclaimed Retirement Benefits at unclaimedretirementbenefits. com. Or to search for unclaimed retirement benefits from private-sector plans that have closed down, use the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation search tool at pbgc.gov/workers-retirees.

Savings bonds: It’s very common for people to lose track of U.S. Saving Bonds because they are often given to children as gifts, then forgotten before the bonds reach maturity. To find out if your mom had a Savings Bond or other Treasury security visit your state’s unclaimed property office using unclaimed.org. Search the state of residence at the time of the securities purchase or last known address.

Lost life insurance: To track down a lost or forgotten life insurance policy, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, an insurance regulatory support organization, offers a free policy locator service at eapps.naic.org/life-policy- locator.

Other refunds: To search for money left at an FDIC insured bank or credit union that has gone out of business, visit closedbanks.fdic.gov/ funds. Federal tax refunds can be checked at irs.gov/ refunds or by calling 800829-1954. FHA mortgage refunds can be checked at entp.hud.gov/dsrs/refunds. And unpaid wages are listed at dol.gov/agencies/ whd/wow.

Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

July 16 - The 49th for Lewis and Liz Dauphine of St. Martinville.

July 17 - The 22nd for Wayne and Julie Theriot of St. Martinville; and the (?) for Walt and Dawn Rippas.

July 18 - The 56th for Malcolm and Liz Dugas of St. Martinville; and the 39th for Bryan and Lorie B. Oubre of St. Martinville.

July 19 - The 23rd for Brett and Rebecca Courville of St. Martinville.

July 20 - The 63rd for Carlin and Beverly Bellot of Cade; and the 14th for Beau and Jenna P. Lasseigne of Breaux Bridge.

July 21 - The 54th for Tommy and Dot Trahan of St. Martinville.

Consider the Washington Post’s take in an Op Ed by their columnist Harold Meyerson. He writes: “If the federal government wants to build a fence that keeps the United States safe from the danger of lower wages and poverty and their attendant ills and the allaround fruitcakery of the right wing white South, it should build the fence from Norfolk to Dallas. There is nothing wrong with the fence as long as you put it in the right place.”

This kind of attitude goes much further than just having a problem with voiding the Voting Rights Act. When you refer to Southerners as fruitcakes, and suggest a border to keep them in their place, it reflects a weird desire for sectionalism, and a long tired grudge to keep re-fighting the Civil War. Look, we down here acknowledge that the South lost the war. But that was then, and most of the South has let it go. But it appears that many in the North still have trouble with it.

As I travel throughout the country, I’m still somewhat surprised by the stereotypes of southern living held by a good number of those folks living above the Mason-Dixon Line. Oh, we have our share of Good Ol’ Boys, and I do tell my share of redneck jokes. I miss George Jones, I like country music, and I do drink Dixie Beer. But the South is not all Bubbas and banjos. Well, all right, I do play the banjo and my doctor’s name is Bubba. But a number of northern opinions reflect the South as being outside what is considered to be the American norm.

Many non-southerners form an opinion of the whole South from movie stereotypes like Steel Magnolias, Sweet Home Alabama, and a recent hit, The Help. TV hits like the Dukes of Hazard, Mayberry, and the Beverly Hillbillies created impressions that will stick with viewers from Boston to San Francisco for a lifetime. And who can forget Deliverance? University of Tulsa cultural studies professor Robert Jackson says that the film is “powerful and pernicious. It’s had a tenacious hold on people’s imaginations, establishing the hillbilly as a kind of menacing, premodern, medieval kind of figure.” Â There’s a great deal of nostalgia about an earlier way of southern life and romantic notions about southern life today. Sure we love to watch and rewatch Gone with the Wind. But so do millions, not just all over the U.S., but all over the world.

Numerous writers migrated to New Orleans to find their creative juices. Tennessee Williams, Robert Penn Warren, Sherwood Anderson, William Faulkner, Eudora Welty and Ernest Hemingway, to name a few. Food? You can have New York and San Francisco. I’ll take Emeril Lagasse, John Besh and a host of other Southern restaurateurs any day. And at half the northern price. Maybe, just maybe, there is some envy about a culture that seems to produce an inordinate number of “rednecks” who are talented, creative, and so successful that it puts the rest of the country to shame.

Jazz, the blues and country music were born in the South. Did you know that America’s first opera house was in the New Orleans French Quarter? And what about American patriotism and commitment? 47% of all the U.S. military casualties in recent Middle East wars were from the South.

Not only can the South be eloquently defended, but there’s also a case to be made for southern exceptionalism. Sure there are continuing problems to be worked out, just as there are all over America. And maybe there is a case for reconstruction. Not because the south wants to “rise again.” No, it’s a reconstruction of bigoted and outdated northern attitudes that have held both north and south back for many years. So you folks up north take care of your “fruitcake” comments. Oh, and can you please pass the grits and biscuits?

Peace and Justice, Jim Brown

You can read Jim Brown's past columns and see continuing updates at http://www. jimbrownla.com.

It should be noted that for the last 30 years the Court’s conservatives, including Justice Thomas and Antonin Scalia, were often in frustrated dissent— but those dissents have often proved to be the foundation for the current Court’s majority opinions. The latest example came recently in the voting-rights case, Louisiana v. Callais, where the majority declared racial gerrymanders to be illegal in most cases and cited Justice Thomas’ comments in a 1994 case that dissected the Court’s Thornburg ruling. Thomas dissents matter.

Thomas starts off by explaining the Founders desire for a new system based on individual property rights that God had given us, and our choice to become loyal citizens governing themselves (as opposed to being subjects of a King who owned all the land under the Old World “feudalism structure”). Territorial birth is a feudal concept and has nothing to do with citizenship election.

Thomas then dives into the original intent of the 14th Amendment for the new black freemen becoming citizens of the United States after the Civil War which requires birth plus domicile, which means allegiance: “Blacks were entitled to citizenship because they were Americans. They had no other homeland, owed no allegiance to any foreign power, and were subject to no other authority. They fought and bled in the same battles, gained and gloried in the same victories, and were liable to be called upon to defend [America] in time of war alongside every other citizen. The Citizenship Clause thus guaranteed them the dignity and glory of American citizenship, to ensure that they would never be treated as second class under the law.”

Thomas then contrasts the legal treatment of tribal Indians who were never considered citizens, despite being born here, because of their primary loyalties to their tribal governments. “If the Court were right that the Citizenship Clause applies to anyone who is born here and is subject to our laws, then the 14th Amendment would have conferred citizenship on all tribal Indians—but the exception for “tribal Indians not taxed” in Section 2 was well established at the time and remained until Congress eliminated it by statute in 1924.”

Thomas concludes: “The Court’s interpretation of the 14th Amendment is not only contrary to its original meaning, it produces grotesque results—that will seriously affect the country’s future.”

Steve Gardes is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) with over 40 years of public accounting experience.

As Carl Hulse, Chief Washington Correspondent for the New York Times, noted, “It’s a great American pastime to hate Congress.” However, this hatred is justified. The 119th Congress has barely done anything, enacting just 104 pieces of legislation, compared to 443 in the first two years of President Donald Trump’s first term.

Because Congress has been unable to act, President Trump has been forced to issue 268 Executive Orders, more than the total from his entire first term and nearly as many as President Barack Obama issued in his two terms in office.

Trump has filled the void left by the do-nothing Congress. As the national debt explodes to $39.5 trillion and Social Security faces a fiscal cliff in a few years, the U.S. House of Representatives prepares for another long vacation starting on Thursday. The House will return on August 31, then work for only a few days, leaving again on September 3 for a Labor Day recess until September 14.

Both houses of Congress will be on recess for almost the entire month of October and the first week of November. Overall, in 2026, the House is scheduled to work only 119 days, while the Senate is scheduled to work only 158 days.

Although salaries have been frozen for several years, members of Congress still earn almost 300% more than the average American. Also, this coveted political position allows access to information beyond the reach of most Americans. Thus, members of Congress trade stocks at a much greater level than average investors. This “inside information” allows some members of Congress to earn millions of dollars on stock trades.

Several bills have been introduced, such as the Restore Trust in Congress Act, H.R. 5106, to prohibit members of Congress, as well as their spouses and dependents, from owning or trading stocks while in office.

Banning congressional stock trading is part of the 14-point agenda proposed by U.S. Congressman Chip Roy (RTX). Roy is calling on Republicans in Congress to pass his ambitious plan before the midterm election.

Other items in Roy’s plan include codifying Trump’s border security policies permanently, enacting the SAVE America Act, ending warrantless surveillance on Americans, reducing debts and deficits, eliminating foreign aid, and passing a constitutional amendment for term limits.

All of Roy’s proposals are commonsense measures which should be implemented, as they would not only energize Republicans but also restore Americans’ faith in Congress. Unfortunately, with multiple vacations upcoming, there is precious little time for Congress to enact Roy’s bold agenda.

While such inaction is expected, it is unacceptable. As Roy noted, “We (Republicans) were elected to deliver what we promised the American people, not to campaign for re-election. Delivering on decisive policy mandates is the best way to grow a majority…we simply have not done enough.”

Roy is exactly right: Congress has “not done enough,” except to preserve privileges such as stock trades and prevent reforms such as term limits from being passed.

It is no wonder that Congress is held in such contempt by the American people, as it refuses to pass legislation with strong popular support. For example, according to a 2024 YouGov survey, 77% of Republicans and 73% of Democrats favor banning elected officials from trading stocks. An even greater majority of Americans, 80%, support congressional term limits.

As the week ended, Republicans were squabbling over legislation to benefit our nation’s veterans. The Take Care of America’s Veterans Act, H.R. 9237, was pulled from the House floor, delaying its passage for several weeks.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (RLA) is also trying to garner support for a $95 billion emergency spending bill that would include $73 billion for the Pentagon, $12 billion for agriculture to help struggling farmers, and $10 billion for state grants to implement election integrity measures included in the SAVE America Act.

As usual, this spending hodgepodge will not be offset by any spending cuts. None of the anti-fraud proposals favored by conservative Republicans will be included in the legislation. Thus, it will add to the ballooning federal deficit. As U.S. Representative Warren Davidson (R-OH) posted, “Bankrupt nations are difficult to defend.”

Despite Republican majorities in both houses of Congress, real reform has proven elusive. All the GOP majorities have done is grow the debt, continue with bloated programs, and shun much-needed reform.

Not surprisingly, a new Washington Post-Ipsos survey indicates that “Republican supporters just aren’t as energized to turn up at the polls.”

In 2024, Republican voters delivered a congressional majority, expecting the Make America Great Again (MAGA) agenda to be realized. Instead, Congress delivered more vacation time, more stock trading, more debt, no term limits, and no spending cuts to tackle government fraud.

Unless there is a remarkable turnaround in Congress in the next few months, Americans can expect the chaos to worsen when Democrats win control in the midterm elections.

Jeff Crouere is a native New Orleanian and provides regular commentaries on the Jeff Crouere YouTube channel and on www.JeffCrouere.com.

W hen-from the Teche News files

100 Years Ago July 24, 1926

The Evangeline Pepper Products and the Pine Grove Canning plants have been very busy during the past few days, and will continue to be very busy for some time yet, putting the large crop of figs into fine quality of preserves. The season is favorable for figs, and the quality is good.

The well drilled near Catahoula by the Ohio Oil Company, proved to be a dry hole, the machinery is being taken down and will be moved some distance where another well will be put down. The salt dome is located, and experts have been busy there for several days taking underground pictures with a view of locating the edges of the salt dome. It is to be hoped that this company will before long strike the oil pool, which they all know is there, due to the salt formation.

We had several local showers this week, but not enough to help the crops which were suffering for want of rain, the corn, cane and potato crops, are greatly injured by the drought, but the dry and hot season, proved favorable to cotton, which is fruiting nicely, and will, this season, produce a good yield.

Work was commenced this week on the loading shed of the Southern Pacific railroad, which is being built on the side of the track, opposite the depot, this we believe will be large enough to accommodate the farmers for some time.

Human Hardy of Arnaudville, a local fish dealer, paid 11 cents per pound for a seventypound yellow catfish to a fisherman of the Bayou Portage section. While fish this size are not infrequent, the big fellows are not often caught at this time of the year.

The Singleton plantation, under the management of J. D. Singleton, has resorted to irrigation to save the cane crop, rain being badly needed.

Cotton farmers who used poison for the weevil report excellent results.

50 Years Ago July 21, 1976

Jackie Durand of St. Martinville was selected to attend Camp Waki in Brandon, Miss. for participation in specialized training offered to a select group of scouts as “counselors in training”.

Dona Schexnayder of Cecilia attended the Natonal Poultry Fact Finding Conference in Kansas City, Mo.

Clint Poche of Catahoula attended the National Institute on Cooperative Education at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Etta Pearl Brew was elected treasurer of the Executive Board of the Southwest District of the Louisiana Home Economics Association.

Grand Knights of St. Martin Parish’s four Knights of Columbus councils installed during special ceremonies were Ivy Perioux, St. Martinville; Edwin Guidry, Breaux Bridge; Robert Trahan, Cecilia; and Donnie Romero, Parks.

Among the parish girls selected to attend a USL workshop for flag and rifle corps were Millie Dauphine of Cecilia; and Lillian Courville of Breaux Bridge.

40 Years Ago July 23, 1986

Louisiana National Guard officials announced that armories in St. Martinville and Breaux Bridge were among those scheduled to be closed because of cuts to the state budget.

St. Martin Parish voters were assured of a fairly long ballot in the primary election set for September 27, with 49 candidates qualifying for a variety of offices.

Groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the Louisiana Crawfish Wholesalers, Inc. facility to be located in the St. Martin Parish Industrial Park.

Budget slashing measures enacted during the last legislative session resulted in the loss of state funds for operation of the Food Processing Center in Cecilia and bus service for USL students.

Dawn Meche and Nicole Richard of Arnaudville placed first in the junior division of the talent competition at the Farm Bureau Convention in New Orleans.

25 Years Ago July 24, 2001

Sports stars former New York Yankee pitcher Ron Guidry and New Orleans quarterback Jake Delhomme joined local officials for the opening ceremonies of the USSSA Class AA National Tournament in Breaux Bridge.

Ronnie Anderson, president of the Louisiana Farm Bureau presented a “4-gold Star” certificate to St. Martin Farm Bureau President Jackie Theriot in recognition of the parish’s activities during the past year.

Friday, July 10

Drake, Moses, 63, 1000 Block of Batiste St., Breaux Bridge, violations of protective orders - all other offenses (1); possession of firearm/ concealed by convicted felon (1); St. Martin Sheriff’s office (SMSO).

Williams, Brennan, 19, 600 Block of Wild Cherry Ln., Breaux Bridge, attempt (1); first degree murder (1); principal (1); aggravated assault with a firearm. (SMSO).

Saturday July 11

Davis, Kijonti, 29, 500 Block of Meghan Dr., Opelousas, outside agency warrant--extradition required (1); Louisiana State Police (LSP).

Landry, Trent, 37, 1100 Block of Mitchell Boyer Rd., Breaux Bridge, charges criminal trespass/all other offenses (1); theft--valued at $1,000--$4,999 (1); obstruction of justice/simple assault (1); Henderson Police Dept. (HPD).

Monday, July 13

Benitez-Herrera, Luis, 37, 300 Block of Doral St., Sunset, hold for USM (1); Immigration.

Bertrand, Beau, 37, 2500 Block of Doyle Melancon Rd., Breaux Bridge, violations of protective orders - all other offenses (1); (SMSO).

Carnes, Christian, 22, 2100 Block of Wilmington Pike, Dayton, Oh., hold for USM (1); U. S. Marshall - Western District (USM).

Edwards, Rininski, 35, 1300 Block of Kendal St., Ville Platte, hold for USM (1); U. S. Marshall - Western District (USM).

Gilbert, Crystal, 41, 100 Block of Poe St., Madisonville, resisting a police officer with force or violence--simple (1); resisting an officer - refusal to give name / identification (1); Breaux Bridge Police Dept. (BBPD).

London, John, 62, 1600 Block of Lake Calais Ct., Baton Rouge, simple burglary/ theft from motor vehicle (1); (SMSO).

Martinez, Dominic, 49, 1200 Block of Clifton Angelle Rd., Breaux Bridge, possession with intent to distribute schedule I (1); sale, distribution, or possession of legend drug without prescription or order (1); creation or operation of a clandestine laboratory for the unlawful manufacture of a controlled dangerous substance (1); possession of schedule II narcotics (1); illegal carrying of weapons while attempting to commit a crime (1); (SMSO).

Tuesday, July 14

Borel, Coy, 37, 1100 Block of Helen St., St Martinville, obscenity--disorderly conduct (1); (SMSO).

Dejean, Ashley, 41, 3000 Block of Main Hwy, Breaux Bridge, simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling (1); (SMSO).

Duhon, Donovan, 36, 700 Block of Hopkins St., Lafayette, hold for USM (1); (SMSO).

Wednesday, July 15

Boutte, Destane, 26, 600 Block of Marigney Cr., Duson, disturbing the peace--drunkenness (1); disturbing the peace-simple assault (1); aggravated criminal damage to property (1); battery of a police officer-simple (2); repealed acts 1995 NBR 639 (1); (HPD).

Dural, John, 75, 1000 Block of Arceneaux Rd., Breaux Bridge, domestic abuse aggravated assault (1); battery of a police officer--simple (1); resisting a police officer with force or violence--simple (1); (SMSO).

Watson, Cain, 24, 1100 Block of Ragan Rd., Breaux Bridge, failure to appear; issuance of arrest warrant (1); (SMSO).

Zenon, Sherman, 27, 900 Block of Cresent St., Breaux Bridge, outside agency warrant-- extradition required (1); (SMSO).

Thursday, July 16

Celestine, Kevin, 40, 1200 Block of Hebert Ave., Breaux Bridge, failure to appear; issuance of arrest warrant (1); manufacture; distribution; pwitd--schedule ii narcotics (2); possession with intent to distribute schedule I (1); transactions involving proceeds from drug offenses (1); violation of uniform controlled dangerous substances law; drug free zone (1); (SMSO) Edwards, Kaleb, 1000 Block of Serrette St., Cecelia, outside agency warrant--extradition required (1); (LSP).

Gabriel, Rico, 45, 300 Block of Armentor St., New Iberia, resisting an officer (1); prohibited acts, schedule iv, penalties (2); obstruction justice/destruction/damage/ vandalism (1); transactions involving proceeds from drug offenses (1); failure to appear; issuance of arrest warrant (1); (SMPD).

Lormand, Cody, 38, 1000 Block of Arnaud Rd., Arnaudville, failure to appear; issuance of arrest warrant (1); (SMSO).

67th Annual Charlene Marie Richard Memorial Mass - Tuesday, August 11. Rosary 5:30 p.m., Mass at 6:15. St. Edward Catholic Church, Church Point.

ST MARTIN PARISH LIBRARY ST. MARTINVILLE

Instructor Lead Yoga on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m.

Genealogy Workshop Fri., Aug 7, 9 a.m. Discover where to access videos, podcasts and more.

BREAUX BRIDGE Instructor Lead Yoga Tuesdays & Thursdays, 2 p.m.

Instructor Lead ZUMBA (adult) Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m.

Ready, Set, GROW!

(general, limit 25) Mon., Aug. 3, 10 a.m. Handson seed activity focused on how small things can turn into something much bigger!

CECILIA STEM Playground (youth) Wednesdays, 4 p.m. Encourage socialization while developing basic problem solving and critical thinking skills.

Instructor Lead Yoga (adult, limit 10) Mondays and Wednesdays, 2 p.m.

Stitch & Chat Sewing Club – (teen-adult) Wed., July 27, 12 p.m.

Color Me Calm Hour... (general, limit 15) Thurs. July 23, 10 a.m. Take a break, slow down, and enjoy a quiet hour of mindful coloring.

Puppy Love...For National Dog Month!

(general, limit 10) Tues., Aug. 4, 6 p.m. Honor our four-legged friends with fun dog stories and create your own puppy.

PARKS Vibrant Visions! Book Club (adult, no limit) Wed., July 22, 3 p.m. The Messy Lives of Book People by Phaedra Patrick. ******** Join Cub Scout Pack 301 or Boy Scout Troop 174. Cub Scouts for boys and girls in Kindergarten thru 5th grade; Boy Scouts for boys 11-17 years old. Contact Bianca Bonin at 337-654-7336.

The Arc of St. Martin, 405 N. Main, St. Martinville and Main St., Breaux Bridge open Mon. – Fri. 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. – 12 noon. Accepting donations.

Arnaudville French Table meets on the last Saturday of every month at 9:30 a.m., at the NuNu’s Art Gallery, 1510 Courtableau Hwy. Free event, open to the public. For additional info 337-580-5536.

St. Teresa Center for the Works of Mercy in St. Martinville is currently in need of canned goods. Any product donation can be dropped off Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. - 12 noon. 600 South Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, 337242-2174.

God’s Pantry of Love is in need of nonperishable items to restock its food pantry. Henderson Bible Church, Lisa Trautwein, 915-412-0758.

The St. Bernard/ St. Francis Food Pantry, 701 W. Bridge, Breaux Bridge is open Tuesdays from 8:3010:30 a.m. Call 337314-9494 to inquire, make an appointment, or to volunteer.

Honor Guard services available for deceased military funerals. Must provide DD214 to funeral home. Contact Tom Goscienski at 337-2584462 or John Dupre 318-272-0262.

Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site 1200 N. Main St. St. Martinville

St. Martinville French Table - Every Wed., 10:00–11:00 a.m. A fun hour of French conversation and activities— Cajun, Creole, and international French welcome! Beginners to native speakers meet indoors in the AV room.

St. Martin Parish AARP #4460 meets the second Thursday of the Month at 6:00 p.m. at the Magnolia Center in St. Martinville. The next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 17, Oct. 8, Nov. 12 and Dec. 10. No meetings are held during the summer (Jun., Jul., and Aug.).

Jesus said to his disciples: “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away. Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. “Do you understand all these things?” They answered, “Yes.” And he replied, “Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.”

EVANGILE DE JESUS CHRIST SELON ST. MATTHIEU

Le royaume des cieux est encore semblable à un trésor caché dans un champ. L’homme qui l’a trouvé le cache; et, dans sa joie, il va vendre tout ce qu’il a, et achète ce champ. Le royaume des cieux est encore semblable à un marchand qui cherche de belles perles. Il a trouvé une perle de grand prix; et il est allé vendre tout ce qu’il avait, et l’a achetée. Le royaume des cieux est encore semblable à un filet jeté dans la mer et ramassant des poissons de toute espèce. Quand il est rempli, les pêcheurs le tirent; et, après s’être assis sur le rivage, ils mettent dans des vases ce qui est bon, et ils jettent ce qui est mauvais. Il en sera de même à la fin du monde. Les anges viendront séparer les méchants d’avec les justes, et ils les jetteront dans la fournaise ardente, où il y aura des pleurs et des grincements de dents. Avez-vous compris toutes ces choses? -Oui, répondirent-ils. Et il leur dit: C’est pourquoi, tout scribe instruit de ce qui regarde le royaume des cieux est semblable à un maître de maison qui tire de son trésor des choses nouvelles et des choses anciennes.

Gov. Jeff Landry reiterated at a news conference last week that not all school districts would be required to pay for the temporary stipends. For example, those using local tax funds to increase teacher pay $2,000 or more would not have to provide stipends, according to the governor.

“Those parishes that give their teachers a raise of $2,000 or more, which is what the stipend would cover … they can use the money in the [state school funding formula] in the way that they see fit,” Landry in response to a question from a reporter on July 13.

The governor made a similar statement in posts across social media a month ago, yet school district leaders say they still haven’t heard what qualifies for this exemption.

“[School superintendents] are very stressed about it because they don’t have any guidance yet,” said David Claxton, executive director of the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents and Administrators.

The Louisiana Department of Education is still finalizing its criteria for stipend exemptions and will release that information as soon as possible, agency spokesman Ted Beasley said Friday in an email.

Dannie Garrett, general counsel for the Louisiana School Boards Association, said he expects the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education will take up the exemption criteria at their next meetings, scheduled for Aug. 17-19.

In June, Landry and the Louisiana Legislature mandated school districts use a portion of their general operations funding from the state for another round of temporary pay stipends. They are worth $2,000 for teachers and $1,000 for school support staff for the 2026-27 school year.

The state has given out the same stipends for three years. But in the past, the governor and legislature provided an extra $200 million to school districts to cover their costs.

This year, Landry and lawmakers did not include that $200 million for stipends in the state budget. The state is experiencing a revenue downturn after Landry and lawmakers cut personal income and business taxes at the beginning of 2025.

Instead, the elected officials had hoped voters would approve a constitutional amendment freeing up other state funds to give teachers a permanent pay raise. After voters rejected that plan, Landry issued an executive order, with the blessing of the legislature, that required school districts to cover the stipends within their operational funding from the state.

The result is that every public school district in the state will have their state operational funding cut unless they qualify for the local pay raise exemption Landry has announced but has yet to explain.

Among the details school districts are waiting to hear is when the local pay raise would have to be given to qualify. They also don’t know whether the raises only have to go to teachers or must include other school staff who would otherwise receive stipends.

It’s also not clear whether only permanent pay raises trigger the exemption or temporary bonuses given this year would also apply.

For example, Richland Parish teachers are receiving bonuses of up to $50,900 this year thanks to a sales tax boom from the new Meta data center campus under construction there. The additional pay isn’t permanent, so it’s not clear if it will trigger the exemption.

All school districts will see a cut in their state funding at the outset, even if they later qualify for an exemption, according to the state education department. The state calculates how much each district receives through what’s known as its Minimum Foundation Program formula.

“When school systems begin getting their MFP checks later this month, it will not include the amount moved into the account for stipends,” Beasley wrote in his email.

Schools that meet the criteria for an exemption could see their funding restored, but only after it has been withheld from them initially.

“Our guidance will include information for school systems on how to access their portion of those funds for stipends as well as how to access those funds if they have locally provided employees with a pay increase for 2026-2027,” Beasley wrote.

Still, Claxton said most school systems are putting together their budgets now and are making decisions about local teacher pay raises relatively soon.

A few, including school systems in Jefferson and Ascension parishes, appear to be scrapping plans for permanent pay raises this year in order to be able to afford the temporary stipend, according to The Times-Picayune.

Claxton said local school districts are “very apprehensive” to budget any local pay hikes because it’s so unclear whether they would be given a reprieve from the teacher stipends this year.

Landry and legislators have also launched a statewide review of the Minimum Foundation Program. School leaders are worried they might be asked to absorb more pay hikes for years to come under a reworking of the MFP formula.

Landry has pushed back on the notion that public education will suffer as a result of diverting school operations funding into teacher stipends. He has suggested the school district have enough money to absorb the reduction.

“If the local school systems can’t seem to figure out how to find the money, I’m happy to send the inspector general or legislative auditor in there to take a look at their expenses and see if we can find a way to make sure that those teachers get what they deserve,” Landry said last week.

The private recreational Red Snapper season began May 1 in both state and federal waters, running seven days a week with a daily bag limit of four fish per person and a 16inch total length minimum size limit.

The season will remain open until recreational landings approach or reach Louisiana’s allocation.

LA Creel can estimate weekly landings with high precision by collecting two key data components.

LDWF biologists interview anglers across the coast at randomly selected boat ramps to estimate an average number of fish caught per angler.

Additionally, fishing effort data collected through weekly phone call and email surveys of randomly-selected offshore anglers help estimate how many people went fishing for red snapper during the week.

Data from those two LA Creel components are utilized to estimate the overall red snapper catch each week.

Resident and Non-Resident Recreational Anglers:

• Must possess valid Louisiana basic and Saltwater Recreational Fishing Licenses (https:// louisianaoutdoors. com/) and a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit (ROLP) (no fee) to fish for or possess Red Snapper, and other offshore and reef fish species.

• Anglers get an ROLP via the ROLP website (https:// www.wlf.louisiana. gov/page/rolp).

• Once anglers have registered, they can save an electronic copy on their mobile device or print a copy of the ROLP indicating their valid ROLP and carry it on their person along with applicable licenses while fishing offshore. ROLPs are also displayed on LA Wallet.

State For-Hire Charter Vessels:

• State for-hire charter captains (those who do not have a federal Gulf of America charter/ headboat permit for reef fish) are not allowed to fish in waters beyond 9 nautical miles.

• Must also possess a ROLP (no fee) to fish for or possess Red Snapper, as well as other offshore and reef fish species.

• May only fish for Red Snapper in state-managed waters (within the 9 nautical miles from shore), when the Louisiana recreational Red Snapper season is open.

Federal For-Hire Charter Vessels:

• Vessels with federal reef fish for-hire permits will remain under federal regulations and may only fish during the federal season, which opened June 1.

• May only fish in federal waters during the federal forhire season – June 1 through September 16.

• If a federal for-hire charter captain also holds a Louisiana charter license, he/ she may also fish state waters, but only when the federal for-hire charter season overlaps with the Louisiana season. When the federal for-hire season closes, the federal for-hire captain may not fish state waters.

LDWF encourages anglers to reduce barotrauma while fishing for Red Snapper and other reef fish by using descending devices to return fish to a survivable depth before being released. Please see the LDWF barotrauma website (https:// www. wlf. louisiana. gov/page/barotrauma) for more information. Federal regulations require that anglers have a descending device or venting tool rigged and ready for use while fishing for reef fish in federal waters.

Visit the 2026 Red Snapper season webpage (https://www. wlf.louisiana.gov/ page/red-snapper) for detailed landing estimates.

Highlighted by Gordon and Shelton Sampson Jr. on the first team, the UL Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns placed four players on the 2026 Sun Belt Conference Preseason Football team.

The Cajuns were picked to finish second overall in the SBC West Division in a vote by the league’s head coaches.

Joining Gordon and Sampson on the preseason squad were second-team members Kaden Moreau and Fitzgerald West Jr.

Gordon earned preseason, first-team honors after he recorded 62 tackles with an interception, 12 passes defended, a quarterback hurry and fumble recovery as a true freshman in 2025. The Cecilia product played in the final 12 games of the season and started in 11.

He was credited with six tackles after earning his first career start at nationally-ranked Missouri and added 10 stops (5 solo) the following week at Eastern Michigan. His first career interception helped UL Lafayette stop a ULM drive in overtime of a 30-27 victory.

Sampson led the Cajuns in receptions (32), yards (537) and receiving TDs (6) in his inaugural season with the Ragin’ Cajuns. The Baton Rouge native and former Catholic High standout averaged 16.8 yards per reception on the season, with a season-high 138 yards on six receptions with a pair of touchdowns coming at South Alabama.

The redshirt junior caught a pair of scoring passes and finished with 80 yards in a win over Texas State and added a TD pass on three receptions for 42 yards against Delaware.

Moreau played in 11 games in 2025, grading at 88 percent or better in each contest at left guard. The Pineville native recorded 26 knockdowns on the season and posted a 90-percent grade or higher in nine games during the season.

He recorded a season- high 100-percent grade with three knockdowns at James Madison and finished at 98 percent in games at Eastern Michigan and Troy. Moreau posted grades of 96 percent against Texas State (89 snaps) and ULM (73 snaps).

West, a former Lafayette Christian Academy product, played in all 13 games on the interior defensive line for UL Lafayette, earning starts in the final eight games of the season. West finished with 23 tackles with 2.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks.

He posted a season- high five tackles at South Alabama, including a goal-line stop late in the fourth quarter and added another goal-line stop on the final play at Arkansas State, helping preserve a 34-30 win.

The Cajuns were picked to finish behind reigning SBC West champion Troy in the standings with Arkan-sas State, Louisiana Tech, Southern Miss, South Alabama and ULM following. James Madison was selected as the favorite in the SBC East, followed by Old Dominion, Marshall, Georgia Southern, Coastal Carolina, App State and Georgia State.

The Ragin’ Cajuns took part in the annual SBC Football Media Days on Thursday in New Orleans and will report for fall camp on Aug. 4. UL Lafayette will officially open the 2026 season on September 5 against Lamar in the annual Herbert Heymann Classic at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium.

Ates is wanted on the following charge:

• 1 Count of LA R.S. 14:89.1 Aggravated Crime Against Nature Anyone having any information regarding Ates’ whereabouts is asked to contact St. Martin Crime Stoppers by calling (337) 4413030 or via the P3 Tips App.

All tipsters remain anonymous, and if your tip leads to an arrest, you will be eligible for a cash reward.

CASH SALES

Jamie L. and Colt C. Ibach to Grant and Tiffany Hebert. Ground with improvements, Sec 53 107, Lot 25 of Camille Subd. $230,000.

Kendall K. Babers to Darrell J. Boudreaux. Ground with improvements, Sec 31 10-8, W1E. $14,000.

Diamond Estates LLC to Chase P. Sibille. Ground with improvements, Sec 58 9-6, W4E Lot 47 Madeline Heights Subd. 1132 Madeline Heights, Breaux Bridge. $155,000.

Ralph T. Dykes to Lisa B. and Clark R. Warner. Ground with improvements, Sec 116 9-6, Lot 10 frontage on Cormier Rd. $330,000.

John and Melissa Juneau to Miguel B. Funez. Ground with improvements, Sec 55 8-6, Lot 20 of Sugarland Development Corp. 1025 Kennedy Dr., Arnaudville. $20,000.

Geraldine M. Sidener to Lance Sidener. Ground with improvements, Sec 36 9-7, Lot 6 & easternmost 27.5’ of Lot 7. $8,888.

Velma C. Hebert to Landry Rental Real Estate LLC. Ground with improvements, Sec 48 9-6, Lots 14 & 15. 304 Elise Dr., Breaux Bridge. $20,000.

Mildreisis and Shane Cross to Diego M. Antonio. Ground with improvements, Lot 6 of Clayton Cove Subd. 1060 Clayton Castille Rd., Breaux Bridge. $85,000.

Joshua S. Lesley to Ty C. Countryman. Ground with improvements, Sec 60 9-5, Lot 7-B. 1029 Ches Broussard Rd., Breaux Bridge. $180,000.

Carlene B. Bourque and Patsy B. Laperouse to McKanley M. and Jolene D. Hebert. Ground with improvements, W3E, Lake Catahoula. $2,916.

Keith J. Ledet to Tonya L. Lucas. Ground with improvements, Sec 39 10-6, W3E Lot 51 Country Acres Subd. $40,000.

Linda D. Boutin to Codi Runyan. Ground with improvements, Sec 31 8-7, W5E Lot 53. 1211 Dupuis St., Breaux Bridge. $110,000.

Joseph M. and Rachel G. Bergeron to Dane A. Chiasson. Ground with improvements, Sec 98 9-6. $5,000.

Mozelle T. Fruge to Robert D. Guillory. Ground with improvements, Sec 49 & 50 8-6, Tract 5, 3.908 ac. Bushville Hwy, Arnaudville. $40,000.

Succ. of Christina L. Lemaire to Liam McClung. Ground with improvements, Sec 140 9-5, Lot 30. 1056 Lynn Romero Dr., Breaux Bridge. $169,900.

I Buy Homes Cash Louisiana LLC to Jordan J. Gautreaux. Ground with improvements, Sec 61 8-6, W5E, Lot 1-D, .520 ac. 1208 Dermelie Calais Rd., Breaux Bridge. $157,000.

T&D Investment Properties LLC to C. Renee Holdings LLC. Ground with improvements, Sec 36 & 72 10-5, .271 ac., etc. 1031-C Pierre Washington Rd., Broussard. $190,000.

Malko Ventures LLC to CC Meyer Properties LLC. Ground with improvements, Sec 23 11-5, Tract C, 1.12 ac. 1083 Forum Dr., Broussard. $10.

Troyco Investment Properties LLC to Paul J. Delhomme. Ground with improvements, Sec 140 9-5, 6.909 ac., Tract 3. $228,000.

Broussard Landing LLC to Janecke Corp. LLC. Ground with improvements, Sec 39, 40, 44 & 142 9-5 & 6, Parcel A Manufactured Home Park, 7.04 ac. 1810 Rees St., Breaux Bridge. $200,240.

Austin W. and Amber D. Savoy to Colin C. Knott. Ground with improvements, Sec 65 8-6, Tract 8, 3.32 ac. Elmer Dr., Breaux Bridge. $37,000.

DONATIONS

Tara L. Hebert to Brock E. Hebert. Ground with improvements, Sec 28 7-6, Lot 2, 1.19 ac., 250’ front on Bernard Ln.

Jay R. and Brenda W. Malveaux to Jay R. Malveaux Jr., Brenda F. Malveaux and Estelle M. Ahiagbede. Ground with improvements, 1088 Laurie Ln., St. Martinville, Lot 38.

James L. and Wanda H. Kirchrist to Kilchrist Family Irrevocable Trust. Ground with improvements, Sec 48 9-6, .110 ac., Tract A. 309 Boyer St., Breaux Bridge, etc.

Vicki H. and Robert G. Vige to Jason and Jamie B. Vige. Ground with improvements, Sec 17 11-6, 4.89 ac., Lot 1 of Plat 1, Lot 2 of PLAT 2 & Lot 2 OF Plat 1, W1. 7246 Main Hwy, St. Martinville.

JUDGMENTS OF POSSESSION

Succ. of Stephen M. Watkins. Paula V. Watkins is heir.

Succ. of Essie B. Barras. Patsy B. Barras, Perry Borel and Lorita B. Barras are heirs.

Succ. of Helen B. Brignac. Steven M. Brignac, Karen B. Cook, Pamela A. Brignac, Milton J. Brignac, Jr. and Amy B.

Deen are heirs.

Succ. of John O. Barras, Sr. Charlene B. Bourque, Nootsie J. Barras, Maizel B. Lasseigne and John O. Barras Jr. are heirs.

Succ. of George A. Melancon. Anne B. Melancon and Marly A. Melancon are heirs.

Succ. of Roland J. LeBlanc and Succ. of Sue M. LeBlanc. Rachel L. Tarver, Sue M. LeBlanc and Heather M. LeBlanc are heirs.

Succ. of Pamela H. Fleming. Robert M. Fleming is heir.

Succ. of Joseph L. Arnaud. Geraldine K. Arnaud, Elaine A. Serrette, Lisa A. Fruge, Lonnie J. Arnaud and Tiffany A. Begnaud are heirs JUDGMENTS

Republic Finance LLC vs Cassie M. Robertson. $4,514.14 int, fees.

Paige’s Dance And Cheer LLC vs Shani Dodge. $2,326.00 int, fees.

LVNV Funding LLC vs Bethany Edmond. $3,431.77 int, fees.

Acadian Credit Plan Inc. vs Christine Edmond. $2,411.21 int, fees.

MORTGAGES

Grant and Tiffany Hebert to Mortgage Electronic. Ground with improvements, Sec 53 T10S R7E Lot 25, Camille Subd. 1039 Camille Dr., St. Martinville. $233,689.

Liam McClung to Mortgage Electronic. Ground with improvements, Sec 140 T9S R5E Lot 30. 1056 Lynn Romero Dr., Breaux Bridge. $171,616.

Jordan Gautreaux to Mortgage Electronic. Ground with improvements, Sec 61 T8S R6E Lot 1-D, .520 ac. 1208 Dermelie Calais Rd., Breaux Bridge. $154,156.

C. Renee Holdings LLC to Bank of Abbeville and Trust Co. Ground with improvements, Sec 36 & 72 T10S R5E, .271 ac., Lot B, .333 ac. 1031C Pierre Washington Rd., Broussard. $340,000.

Chase P. Sibille to Mortgage Electronic. Ground with improvements, Sec 58 T9S R6E Lot 47 Madeline Heights Subd. 1132 Madeline Heights, Breaux Bridge. $155,000.

Jamie L. and Lori Romero to Mortgage Electronic. Ground with improvements, Sec 83 T9S R7E Tract 2, 4.119 ac. 1007

Paul J. Delhomme to Mortgage Electronic. Ground with improvements, Sec 140 T9S R5E, 6.909 ac., Tract 3 & mobile home. 1085 D’Augereaux Rd., Breaux Bridge. $223,870.

Diego M. Antonio to Mortgage Electronic. Ground with improvements, Lot 6 Clayton Cove Subd. 1060 Clayton Castille Rd., Breaux Bridge. $76,500.

Colin C. Knott to Rayne Building and Loan Assn. Ground with improvements, Sec 65 T8S R6E Tract 8, 3.32 ac. $29,000.

Ty C. Countryman to Mortgage Electronic. Ground with improvements, Sec 60 T9S R5E Lot 7-B. 1029 Chess Broussard Rd., Breaux Bridge. $135,000.

Lamar Properties LLC to Evangeline Bank & Trust Co. Ground with improvements, Lot 60 Simon Estate Phase II. 1042 Lillian Michel Dr., Breaux Bridge. $175,212.65.

Peggy M. Garret to Mortgage Electronic. Ground with improvements, Sec 68 T9S R5E Lot 2-A, .366 ac. 1110 Hebert Ave., Breaux Bridge. $216,000.

Codi Runyan to Mortgage Electronic. Ground with improvements, Sec 31 T8S R7E Lot 53. 1211 Dupuis St., Breaux Bridge. $111,111.

Robert D. Guillory to Louisiana Land Bank. Ground with improvements, Sec 49 & 50 T8S R6E Tract 5, 3.908 ac., 30 ft. right of passage. $30,000.

SEIZURE

Guild Mortage Co. LLC vs Kaytlan R. Maturin. Ground with improvements, Sec 22 T11S R6E Lot 4C, .618 ac.

TAX LIEN

La. Dept. of Revenue vs Daniel Ortegon. $15,692.95 SUCCESSIONS

Succ. of John W.

Benoit.

Succ. of George A.

Melancon.

Succ. of Roland J. LeBlanc and Succ. of Sue M. LeBlanc.

Succ. of Joseph L. Arnaud.

CIVIL SUITS

Regions Bank vs Harold N. Kennison II. Note.

Jefferson Capital Systems LLC and Westlake Services LLC vs Christine Mouton. Breach of contract.

Westlake Services LLC vs Armand A. Robertson. Breach of contract.

Hayden Stelly vs Gabrielle Ordoyne. Custody.

Christie M. Hebert vs Rhett B. Hebert. Divorce.

Clayton P. Melancon vs Gayle Blanchard. Protective order.

Krystal Armstrong and Darrell Armstrong vs RFP Inc., Cash Magic Broussard North LLC and Jalou Cashs LLC. Damages.

Matthew Guidry vs Sara Rachel. Custody.

NCB Management Services Inc. vs Courtney Williams. Breach of contract.

Carla Gordon vs Defendant 1. Damages.

Citibank vs Nicholas P. Bergeron. Open account.

Robert Williams vs Champion Retail Housing Inc. and Regional Homes. Damages.

Attakapas Investments LLC vs Ivy Frances Properties and Elliot Dean Jr. Damages.

Lakeview Loan Servicing LLC vs Breaisha K. Green. Execuory process.

Twin City Rentals LLC vs Christopher Maturin. Seqestration.

Equity Prime Mortgage LLC vs Kylie Robin. Executory process.

Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC vs Chandler Andrews. Breach of contract.

Denetra Calais vs Ronald J. Calais. Divorce.

Alison M. Durio and Grant D. Durio vs Dupuis Heating and Air Conditioning. Mandamus.

Capital One vs Byron Alexander. Open account.

Michael D. Miller vs Reagan B. Miller. Divorce.

Jefferson Capital Systems LLC vs Mathew Credeur. Breach of contract.

Jefferson Capital Systems LLC vs Theresa Morton. Breach of contract.

Shakina S. Hart, Harmonie Malveaux, Heavenlie Malveaux and Jonathon Mason vs Shakiyla D. Johnson. Protective order.