YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER LAROSE, LA thelafourchegazette.com
SERVING: MATHEWS • GHEENS • LOCKPORT • VALENTINE • LAROSE CUT OFF • GALLIANO • GOLDEN MEADOW • LEEVILLE • GRAND ISLE
Sunday, April 15, 2018
Body found in Larose last month identified as Ohio native
The sheriff’s office recently announced the body of man found in a canal in Larose last month has been identified asWan Ohio native. Following extensive testing and research, DNA tests and medical records confirmed the identity of the man as 68-year-old Kenneth Verbus. Originally from Ohio, Verbus had lived in the area for the past several years. Most recently, he had been staying in the Houma area. Verbus’ body was found by two fishermen in a canal just off LA Highway 24 (BourgLarose Highway) in Larose on the morning of Wednesday, March 21. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Water Patrol deputies and detectives responded to the scene and retrieved the remains. Detectives were unable to determine the identity of the deceased male through the initial investigation. See Body Page 3-A
MEETINGS MONDAY, APR. 16
LAF. FIRE DISTRICT #2 7:00 p.m. Lockport Central Station 806 Crescent Avenue TOWN OF GOLDEN MEADOW 7:00 p.m. 107 Jervis Dr. - G.M.
TUESDAY, APR. 17
LA TABLE FRANCAISE 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. South Lafourche Library 16241 E. Main - Galliano TOWN OF LOCKPORT 7:00 p.m. 710 Church St.
NORTH LAFOURCHE LEVEE DISTRICT 5:15 p.m. 3862 Hwy. 1 - Raceland WED. APR. 18
VFW POST 8538 & AUX. 6:30 p.m. VFW Ave. - Larose
INSIDE
Number smaller but still a sizable gapV MATHEWS • GHEENS • LOCKPORT • VALENTINE • LAROSE t
S C
• GALLIANO • GOLDEN MEADOW • LEEVILLE • GRAND ISLE By MELINDA DESLATTE Associated Press
Photo by Babs
The local Relay For Life of South Lafourche Committee has decided to move the Relay event to Sunday, April 15, from noon to 8 p.m., due to the inclement weather forecasted for the original Saturday date. According to The Weather Channel, weather forecasted for Saturday: 100% chance of rain and possible thunderstorms. Weather for Sunday: zero chance of rain, low humidity, and brilliant sunshine. The event will still be held at the Larose Regional Park and it’s still free admission that includes family fun, live music and great food. A complete schedule of events can be found on page 4-A.
Efforts to abolish Louisiana death penalty likely over By Tryfon Boukouvidis LSU Manship School News Service
BATON ROUGE – After a Senate panel voted Tuesday to ban the death penalty in Louisiana, a House committee rejected a similar bill 10-8 Wednesday at a tense hearing in which both sides quoted the Bible to make their points. All the Republicans on the committee voted against the bill. An independent, Rep. Joe Marino of Gretna, voted with the seven Democrats who favored eliminating the death penalty. The vote by the House Committee on the Administration of Criminal Justice vote is likely to spell the end this year to efforts to abolish the death penalty, which also failed last year in a similar vote by that committee. Rep. Valarie Hodges, R-Denham Springs, who is a minister, said there are “30 places in the Bible that prescribe the death penalty.” She said that “part of the government’s job is to punish those who do evil, and the death penalty is to curb heinous crimes.” “If the state doesn’t use the justice system that we have been ordained by God to do,” she explained, “the people are gonna take the matter into their own hands, and that’s one of my biggest concerns.” Rep. Terry Landry, D-New Iberia, preRep. Terry Landry, D-New Iberia, who sented a bill Wednesday to eliminate sponsored the bill, said, however, the death the death penalty that was rejected penalty is “barbaric,” “inhumane” and “expensive. by a House committee. Tryfon Boukouvidis/LSU Manship School News Service See Death Page 3-A
Crime Stoppers tip helps nab suspect in Cut Off lumber company burglary A suspect has been arrested following an investigation into a burglary at a lumber company in Cut Off. Cameron West (age 30) of Harvey was arrested following an investigation after a tip through Crime Stoppers Bayou Region identified him as the
Arrests........................7-A
Calendar of Events.....2-A
Classifieds..................6-A
Horoscopes................7-A Memorials...................6-A
News In Brief..............5-A
Obituaries.............6-A/7-A
Worship Directory.......8-A
Louisiana budget gap gets a new, lower number: $648 million
Y
Lottery.........................2-A
Cameron West
suspect. On the morning of February 6, 2018, deputies and detectives responded to Dufrene Building Materials at 14502 West Lean & Meaty Asst.
Bone-In Pork Chops
Prices Good Through Tuesday, April 17
24 Pk. .5 Lt. Bottle Shurfine
5For$10 Drinking Water
1.
$ 49
Lb.
7114 Hwy. 1 - Lockport 13086 Hwy. 3235 - Larose 2113 S. Alex Plaisance Blvd. - G.M.
VOLUME 29 NUMBER 33
Sweet Ripe
1
Jumbo Cantaloupe
$ 79
Main Street in Cut Off in reference to an overnight burglary. Investigators determined entry was made into an office on the property. Several items were stolen including tools, communication devices, and computers which were collectively valued at several thousand dollars. Surveillance cameras captured a white male subject on video during the crime, and those photos were released to the public asking for help in identifying the suspect. An anonymous tip submitted through Crime Stoppers Bayou Region identified Cameron West as the suspect. See Tip Page 3-A
USDA Boneless
Chuck Roast
$
Lb.
3.99
12 pk. 12 oz. cans or 8 pk. 12 oz. bottles selected
3For$11 Coca Cola
3 Day Sale
Shurfine Sugar...........10lb. bag............$399 Kraft American Singles......16 oz.......2FOR$5 Heinz Ketchup...........20 oz...............$149 Imperial Spread.............45oz tub..........$149 St. Louis Style Pork Ribs.................LB.$199 Cut Up Chicken.....Sanderson Farms......LB.99¢ Turkey Breast.......Shurfine Grade A....... LB.99¢ Crawfish Tails.......12 oz. Thibodeaux....... $599 Nibblers Cob Corn...24 ct. Green Giant...... $499
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana’s budget shortfall dropped Thursday to $648 million, an improvement from previous estimates but still a sizable gap that threatens health and education programs with steep spending reductions. The state income forecasting panel revised revenue projections for the upcoming budget year that begins July 1, accounting for expected tax collection improvements, largely tied to the federal tax overhaul passed by Congress. Action by the Revenue Estimating Conference gives lawmakers trying to craft next year’s spending plans the official numbers they’ll use — and the depth of the state financing cuts they’ll have to make to keep things in balance. The House Appropriations Committee will unveil its budget proposal Monday, with plans for the full House to consider the measure three days later. Whatever emerges from the committee will look better than the worstcase-scenario spending plan released See Budget Page 4-A
Photo by Buster Avera
Newly-appointed South Lafourche Levee District Commissioner Roland Guidry gets sworn in by district attorney Tyler Breaux Monday.
Roland Guidry sworn in as new SLLD member Buster Avera Contributing Writer
A torch was passed on Monday at the South Lafourche Levee District (SLLD) public meeting when outgoing SLLD Commissioner Bobby Eymard handed over his seat to newly appointed Commissioner Roland Guidry. Standing before the dais with his wife Lou Anna, Roland was sworn in by SLLD attorney Tyler Breaux. Guidry is familiar with the workings of the levee district, having served SLLD as Morganza Action Coalition Advisor for the past year, keeping the levee district up to date on the Morganza to the Gulf initiative and how it directly affects lower Lafourche, but admitted he has been interested in serving on the levee board for some time. See Guidry Page 4-A
Friday, Saturday and Sunday April 13, 14 and 15
Pork & Beans.......11 Oz. Campbell’s.........19¢ Veg. or Canola Oil.....128 oz Shurfine......$399 Shurfine Flour.........5 lb Selected..........99¢ Shrimp or Fish Fry10 oz. selected Zatarain’s..69¢ Deluxe Pasta & Cheese12-14 oz. selected Shurfine..3FOR$3 Pineapple UpsideDown Cake.......8in.....$699 Yellow Onions..............3 lb...............88¢ Fabuloso Cleaners.....33.8 oz selected......$179 Duracell Batteries......2-8 pk. selected......$399 Paper Towels or Bath Tissue8-12 roll Simply Done$299