The News Examiner - Enterprise

07/24/2025

Correction:
In this week’s edition of the News Examiner-Enterprise we had an incorrect headline.
On the front page we wrote: Council, School Board Agree To Buy Land Lease For Fire Station

The headline should have been : Council, School Board Agree To Land Lease For Fire Station

05/22/2025

Appellate Court Rules Parish Failed To Follow Land
Use Ordinance In Granting Land Use Application

By David Reynaud, Editor

A five judge panel of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal recently issued a split (3-2) decision that ruled St. James Parish (Planning Commission & Parish Council) did not properly followed its Land Use ordinance when it approved Koch Methanol’s Land Use permit application to install and connect an ethane pipeline to an existing pipeline owned by a third party and located in an area designated as wetlands.
A majority of Koch’s pipeline is located in an area designated for industrial use, but a 1,000 ft. section, and where the pipe actually connects to the existing pipeline, is in an area designated as wetlands. Also, the pipe has been installed and has been in operation since June of 2024.
The St. James Planning Commission based its decision to grant Koch’s permit application, and declare the pipeline an allowable use in a wetland area, on the fact that the pipeline Koch tapped into was already in wetlands.
A month after the Planning Commission granted approval, the Appellants, which include Beverly Alexander, RISE St. James, Inclusive Louisiana, and Mount Triumph Baptist Church by and through their members, appealed to the Parish Council.
In their appeal, Appellants argued, among other things, since the Land Use Plan does not specifically state pipe lines are an “allowable use” in wetlands, and because the Planning Commission did not follow the more stringent (Tier 3) procedure in place for “non-allowable uses”, Koch’s permit application should be voided.
A Tier 1 permit application would be a standard application - building a house in a residential area. A Tier 2 covers areas over 3 acres and developments that require air or water permits. Tier 3 deals with non-conforming permits. A recent example would be locating a solar farm in Vacherie (a residential area). Also, Tier 3 requires a much more stringent review.
In the end the Parish Council, after holding a Public Hearing where both Koch and the Appellants made statements, rejected the appeal and agreed that this was an “allowable use” and did not trigger the more stringent review because the pipeline was already in wetlands.
The Appellants then sought Judicial review in the 23rd Judicial District Court, and Judge Cody Martin, after conducting a hearing, ruled the Council was right in denying the appeal and that the Parish was proper in rejecting the “Tier 3” review because a higher level of review would lead to “absurd results”.
Following Judge Martin’s ruling, the Appellants filed an appeal with the Fifth Circuit and the 3-2 ruling (two judges dissenting) reversed Judge Martin ruling and sends the case back to his court for further review.
In the majority opinion, the Judges (Judge Susan M. Chehardy, Judge Fredericka Homberg Wicker and Judge Marc E. Johnson), write: "We find the Planning Commission’s approval of the Project and the Parish Council’s denial of Petitioner/Appellants’ appeal to be in violation of La. R.S. 49:964 (G)(1) and (3). The Parish failed to follow its own ordinance, which mandated that the proposed Project’s application be evaluated per the standard of Tier 3 review.
Because the proposed new pipeline section traverses the Wetlands, the Parish Council must approve the proposed new use pursuant to the Land Use Plan.
We find that the plain language of Ordinance Section 82-25 of the Land Use Plan generally prohibits construction in the Wetlands, but that certain exceptions may be permitted once the Parish Planning Commission has conducted Tier 3 level review of the process and has recommended approval to the Parish Council.
Because Tier 3 review should have been, but was not, used to analyze Koch Methanol’s land use application, we reverse the decision of the Parish Council denying Appellants’ appeal and remand for further proceedings consistent with this opinion."
In the dissenting opinion written by Judge John J. Molaison and joined by Judge Stephen J. Windhorst, Judge Molaison writes: "I respectfully disagree with the majority opinion for the following reasons. It is significant that the main pipeline Koch seeks to connect has been previously approved by St. James Parish and has existed in the same proximity as other approved wetland pipelines for a long time, which pre-dates the plaintiff’s current lawsuit.
While the potential environmental impact of the extension is not squarely before the Court in this appeal, I note that the record contains no evidence that much larger pipelines, for example, have created adverse effects on the same area of wetlands.
Moreover, despite properly advertising the proposed pipeline extension and allowing opponents to voice objections and concerns, the appellants admit that they did not object to Koch’s land use application on an environmental or any other basis at the Planning Commission proceedings.
The St. James Parish Land Use Plan, Section 82-25(c) of the Parish Code of Ordinances, is clear that “unique situations requiring a location in the water” are “allowable uses” in wetlands. I find that the definition of an “allowable use” is on point and squarely addresses one of the main issues on appeal. I see no ambiguity in this language and would affirm the Council’s interpretation of Section 82-25(c), as its decision has not led to an absurd result under the facts presented and is not clearly wrong.
Here, tapping into the existing ethane pipeline falls within the very definition of a unique situation, as the only logical way to physically approach the pipeline is through the wetland. Although the appellants argue there has been an inconsistent interpretation of Section 82-25(c), no evidence supporting this claim was presented to the trial court. Accordingly, there is no basis for reaching such a conclusion on appeal.
For the reasons provided in the trial court’s June 18, 2024 reasons forjudgment, I find that Koch Methanol’s proposed pipeline extension falls squarely in the category of “unique situations requiring a location in the water,” as provided in “Wetland” provision of the St. James Parish Land Use Ordinance.
I would affirm the trial court’s ruling and reject the appellants’ assertion that the proposed project’s application should be evaluated under a Tier 3 standard."
What happens next is unknown at this time. One option is for Koch to apply for a writ with the Louisiana Supreme Court, which if granted would further review the case and the Fifth Circuit’s ruling.
In a final note, the News Examiner-Enterprise had the opportunity to review an aerial photograph of the site where the pipeline was installed and the photo shows little to no disturbance to the land and/or wetlands area.

One Final Note: This article is published in this week's edition and I had a loyal reader suggestI publish this article on Facebook to help inform the public who may not subscribe to the newspaper.

To stay informed on important happenings ongoing in St. James Parish, and to follow our elected officials and the decisions they make that affect us all, subscribe to the News Examiner-Enterprise. Only $30.29 (In Parish) and $40.74 (out of Parish) a year. Call us at 225-869-5784 to subscribe or visit or website: stjamesparishtoday.com.
Print subscribers can also sign up to receive our Electronic Edition of the paper at no extra charge. Each week's edition is emailed directly to you.
If readers would like the E-Edition only, a yearly subscription is only $25.07.

Thank You,
David Reynaud

05/22/2025

The Wait Is Over! Lutcher’s Newest Restaurant El Paso Tacos & Tequila Opens Doors Thursday

A hand-painted mural of a guitar-strumming troubadour and a Mexican metal donkey welcome customers at 1935 Lutcher Ave., Suite G, where El Paso Tacos & Tequila will serve its first dishes this Thursday, May 22nd, and the 180-seat restaurant is the latest outpost for second-generation restaurateur Roy Chavez, whose family operates approximately 20 El Paso locations across Louisiana.
Chavez said he chose Lutcher after recognizing “the need for a restaurant here” and signing a lease agreement with local property owner Rick “Possum” Roussel. As the only Mexican option in St. James Parish, El Paso aims to become a go-to gathering place “after church, on a Saturday night, or whenever LSU is playing,” he said.
The concept dates back to an Auburn, Alabama, store front opened by Chavez’s father and uncles in the 1980s. Today, each of the seven brothers, and now their children, operates their own restaurants. Chavez, born in McAllen, Texas, has worked in kitchens since age 12 and refers to Lutcher as his latest “project two-years in the making.”
While staples such as fajitas, carne asada, and combination plates anchor the menu, the kitchen incorporates bayou flavors with seafood enchiladas filled with crawfish, crab, and shrimp, along with seafood burritos and chimichangas. Burgers, steaks, and a variety of vegetarian options, including cheese-enchilada chalupas, round out offerings priced between $15 and $20 for most entrées.
A full bar serves draft beer, wine, daiquiris, and martinis, but the highlight is an organic margarita made with freshly squeezed citrus, agave syrup, and the guest’s choice of tequila.
“All natural, no sour mix,” Chavez said.
Also, non-alcoholic options such as Shirley Temples are also available and the restaurant operates on a first-come, first-served basis, offers take-out, and does not have a drive-through window.
Inside El Paso Tacos & Tequila, Day of the Dead skeleton figurines and vibrant color schemes create what Chavez calls a “festive feel”. An open floor plan accommodates private parties of seven to thirty, and management plans to book local jazz, rock, country, and karaoke acts once it assesses customer preferences. Also, future patio expansion could add additional outdoor dining options.
Doors open daily at 10:30 a.m.; closing time is 10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Chavez expects to “wash dishes and bus tables” himself during the initial weeks if business booms, but he is already training local staff alongside experienced Mexican cooks.
State permitting issues (officials required a general contractor for interior build-out) delayed the debut by several months, but Chavez said the extra time helped refine the menu and décor. “Expectations are pretty high,” he said. “I’m going to do my best to provide good service and leave people with full bellies and happy faces.”

A Closer Look at the Menu & Bar

Beyond the crawfish-stuffed enchiladas already generating buzz, the kitchen will introduce:
*Fajitas Platter: steak, chicken and shrimp mixed with fresh cut onions and bell peppers
*Birria tacos: slow-braised beef served in consommé for dipping. *Burritos Loco: grilled chicken, steak and shrimp stuffed in a burrito with a guacamole salad
*Tres leches French Toast at Sunday brunch, paired with bottomless coffee infused with house-made cinnamon syrup.
Lunch plates range from $10 to $14; children’s combos are $7, and a dessert tray features sopapillas drizzled with local Steen’s cane syrup and a rotating cheesecake flavored with praline or dulce de leche.
Concerning the Bar, Bar manager Clarissa Morales has stocked more than 40 tequilas and mezcals, from affordable Espolòn Blanco to premium Clase Azul. Signature cocktails include a jalapeño-cucumber margarita and a smoky mezcal old fashion. Domestic and Mexican beers are available on 12 taps, while a “zero-proof” menu offers horchata, agua fresca, and non-alcoholic micheladas.
With its blend of Tex-Mex tradition, Louisiana flavors, and a lively bar program, El Paso Tacos & Tequila aims to become Lutcher’s new gathering place - one sizzling platter at a time.El Paso Mexican Grill1935 Lutcher Ave., Suite G, LutcherPhone: 225-400-1234

04/24/2025

Here is an Editorial published in this week's News Examiner-Enterprise where I attempt to explain what is on the May 3rd ballot. I cover the Tax Renewals and take a dive into explaining the General Obligation Bond proposition. Hope this helps bring some clarity. Thank You, David Reynaud, Editor

Vote Yes For Drainage, Roads, Hospital, Government Services, Recreation & Disaster Recovery

Editor’s Note: The following editorial is a plea with registered voters in St. James Parish to support the plethora of millage renewals and the General Obligation Bond measure on the May 3rd ballot.

A few weeks ago, I wrote a similar piece concerning the 12.5 mills, 10-year millage renewal for the St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office that was on the March 29th ballot.

Voters ultimately approved the 10-year millage renewal that provides roughly 50% of the Sheriff’s operating revenues, and in the editorial I argued just how detrimental it would be to force the Sheriff to cut the Police Department’s budget in half.

Well, here we are again!

On Saturday, May 3, 2025, voters in St. James Parish will again go to the polls to cast their vote on several important millage renewals and a proposed General Obligation Bond. And, like the Sheriff’s millage, these millages fund vital and essential public services, capital improvements, infrastructure projects, recreation, and our local hospital.

We think voters should vote

Parish President Pete Dufresne and his administration have used several modes of communication to help educate the public on what the millages are dedicated for and why they are so important to continue to provide services to the citizens.

The Administration also stresses these propositions represent no new millages - only renewals, and in the end it is a reduction of 0.62 mills, which is a savings to taxpayers.

Voters originally approved a three-mill ad valorem tax to fund the Parish libraries, but several years ago the Parish rolled back the library millage and now only collects 2.48 mills, hence the .62 reduction.

On the May 3rd ballot, voters will see the following millage renewals and these are fairly straight forward:

*Fire Department / Emergency Medical Services (3.91 Mills): Supports emergency response, firefighting equipment, and ambulance services.

*E911 System (1.25 Mills): Ensures a fully operational 911 call system.

*Libraries (Reduced from 3 Mills to 2.48 Mills): Continues full library services across the Parish.

*Public Buildings (4.93 Mills): Maintains operations for Parish buildings, including Parish Administration Buildings, the Judicial Building, the Parish Jail, recreation centers, senior centers, and others.

*Road Maintenance (4.93 Mills): This millage supports the rehabilitation and preservation of the 226-miles of Parish

roads.

*Road Lighting (1.00 Mill): Keeps roadways in unincorporated areas safely lit for drivers and pedestrians.

*St. James Parish Hospital (4.75 mills): This measure is for the purpose of constructing, maintaining, improving and operating the public hospital buildings in St. James Parish.

General Obligation Bond (also parishwide):

Voters are also being asked to give the Parish the authority to issue General Obligation (GO) Bonds and this would be a 20-year proposition and the Parish would not be allowed to exceed $25 million in GO Bonds. Also, (0.50 Mills) would be levied to generate funds to pay the Bonds back.

Understanding GO Bonds is no easy task and the following is an attempt to summarize how they would work.

*If and when Bonds are issued, they can only be used for capital projects (mainly road and drainage projects) and for infrastructure repairs after natural disasters.

*The Parish would only be allowed to issue GO Bonds that the revenue generated by the .50 mills can pay back. The amount of Bonds issued would be dependent on revenues generated by .5 mills and what interest rates are at the time of issuance.

*This is not a blank check with a $25 million dollar limit and the Parish would not issue $25 million all at once.

For example: The Parish could issue $1.5 million in 2026 to fund a drainage or road project on the west bank (must introduce an ordinance, conduct Public Hearings, publish in Official Journal, etc.). A year later in 2027, the Parish could opt to issue another series of GO Bonds for $3 million for another drainage/road project and once again would introduce an ordinance and go through the process.

All-in-all, the Parish has more than 25 projects, mostly drainage projects, it would like to complete in the future and these Bonds, along with grants and State Capital Outlay funds, would allow for some or many to actually get done.

*The Parish can only issue what .5 mills can pay back. Also, the amount the Parish can ultimately borrow could increase in the future should interest rates decrease and if more property becomes taxable (an industry comes off of the tax exemption program and starts paying property taxes).

You may ask, Why a $25 million cap?

GO Bonds can also be used to quickly pay for disaster repairs to infrastructure in the aftermath of a natural disaster (hurricane).

This gives the Parish access to funding to make needed repairs, and when the Federal Government (FEMA) reimburses the Parish at a later date, said reimbursement is used to pay back the GO Bonds.

Hopefully, the Parish will not have to issue any disaster related Bonds, but if there is such a need it ensures the Parish gets back on its feet and operational much faster than if there was no access to GO Bonds.

District-Specific Recreation Millages

Last but not least, some voters will see District specific millages and only those voters who reside in the special District will vote on these two specific millage renewals. Both of these propositions concern recreation.

*5th District Millage (1.00 Mill): Supports the 5th District Park, summer camp, new facility development, and ongoing maintenance.

*Gramercy Recreation Millage (4.98 Mills): Funds park operations, new facilities, and maintenance of facilities within Gramercy Park.

If we, the citizens of St. James Parish want the services we enjoy to continue, want the Parish Government to continue to make drainage and road improvements, and if we want our local hospital to continue to flourish and provide local healthcare, then we need to renew these millages.

03/28/2025

CORRECTION

In this week’s edition of the News Examiner-Enterprise, and in the feature story about the Steib twins and the upcoming 3 ELL’s variety show, I mistakenly published the wrong dates of the show under the front page photo of the Steib family.

The show will run April 11-13, not April 18-20 as stated in the cutline.

Please share the correct dates.

I sincerely regret this mistake. The dates are correct in the article, but not in the picture’s cutline.

David Reynaud, Editor

03/07/2025

03/03/2025

01/20/2025

Winter Storm Enzo is expected to impact St. James Parish between 3:00am and 6:00am on Tuesday, January 21st, and the heaviest impact to our area will be between 11:00am and 6:00pm. There is a likelihood we will be below freezing for 36 hours and 4-6 inches of snow is likely.

Just like with a hurricane, you need to have supplies for you and your family for at least 72 hours. There is a strong likelihood that roads will be closed and help cannot get to you easily.

If you are in need of shelter, call 225-562-2500 before 3:00pm today to pre-register. If you need transportation to the shelters, Transit Services will be operating as long as roadways are safe to drive on.

Shelf stable meals will be given out to homebound citizens in advance of the winter freeze. Transit Services will be shut down Tuesday and Wednesday due to anticipated road conditions.

Waste Management will not be passing on Tuesday, January 21st, and pickup on Wednesday, January 22nd will be determined on Tuesday. If you have last minute trash to drop off, the parish landfills are open today, January 20th.

The Entergy Storm Center is available at entergynewsroom.com/storm-center/ for updates on outages and restoration activities and helpful storm preparation tips. Customers can report an outage quickly and easily through their digital options – using either the free mobile app, Entergy.com, or by texting OUT to 36778

Details:

WHAT:
* Heavy snow and light icing leading to major travel impacts
* Extreme Cold
WHEN:
* Winter Precipitation: - Early Tuesday morning through Tuesday evening
* Bitterly Cold Temperatures: - Tonight January 20th through much of the work week
WHERE:
* All of southeast LA and southern Mississippi.
CONFIDENCE:
* Cold Temperatures: We are very confident that cold temps and dangerously cold wind chills will occur tonight through Thursday. Prolonged temperatures at or below freezing will occur for much of the area as well.
* Winter Precipitation: Medium - High Confidence that most of the region will see snow and major impacts to travel will occur.
Impacts:
Cold Temperatures and Wind Chills:
* Extended duration of freezing (and hard freeze) conditions are expected for 4 consecutive nights beginning tonight. Some places may not rise above freezing at all Tuesday.
* It is emphasized to protect the 4 P's during the several days of cold weather:
* People: Check on the elderly & other vulnerable people to make sure they are adequately prepared.
* Pets: Keep your pets warm, indoors if possible. Ensure they have access to warm shelter, food and unfrozen water
* Pipes: Insulate exposed pipes using layers of towels/sheets/plastic bags/etc, open up sink cabinets and disconnect hoses.
* Plants: Cover sensitive vegetation, or bring inside if possible.
* Wind chills in the single digits (along and north of I-10/12) and teens (south of I-10/12) are forecast and can lead to hypothermia rapidly for those without warm shelter.
Winter Precipitation:
* Moderate to major impacts to daily life are likely
* Generally 2-6" of snow is forecast for areas north of I-10/12 with 1-5" south of the I-10/12 corridor
* A light glaze (less than one tenth of an inch) of ice is also forecast with only minor impacts.
* Expect rapid accumulations of ice/snow on all roads as wintry precipitation arrives, especially elevated roads, as they will already be cold.
* Snow will be slow to melt on Wednesday as temperatures will only rise above freezing for a short period. Additionally, any snow melt that doesn't evaporate during the afternoon will refreeze Wednesday night as temperatures quickly drop below freezing again in the evening. Some shady areas (especially eastbound lanes of Interstates 12 and 10, etc.) will hold on to the ice/snow longer, and these areas will likely still be impassable/hazardous for driving Wednesday into possibly into Thursday morning

01/15/2025

Time to protect the 4 P’s, y’all.

Although it is cold now, the forecast predicts even colder temperatures next week. This is the ideal time to prepare for a winter freeze by purchasing necessary supplies to protect people, pets, pipes, and plants.

If you expect to need pipe wrapping, it is advisable to purchase supplies now while stores are well-stocked. Use the following tips to assist in your preparations:

1. Disconnect and Drain Outdoor Hoses: Detaching the hose allows water to drain from the pipe, preventing an overnight freeze from bursting the faucet or pipe.

2. Insulate Pipes and Faucets: Wrap pipes in unheated areas or areas exposed to the cold. Consider using "heat tape" or "heat cable." Any hardware store will have insulation materials for this purpose.

3. Seal Off Access Doors, Air Vents, and Cracks: Close off openings where cold air can pass through to avoid freezing pipes (do not plug air vents used by furnaces or water heaters).

4. Find the Master Shutoff Valve: The master shutoff valve is usually located where the water line enters your home (near the water heater or washing machine).

5. Secure Water Meter Lids: The Town of Gramercy water pipes are placed deep enough to prevent freezing in most cases. Covering your water meter with tarps or towels is not necessary. The best practice is to secure the lid.

6. Open Cabinets: Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing, especially if your sinks are on an exterior wall (ensure harmful cleaners and household chemicals are out of reach of small children).

7. Be a Good Neighbor: Check on elderly neighbors and offer assistance in preparing their homes.

Please save this information for easy reference.

01/08/2025

Due to the Post Offices being closed tomorrow for National Day of Mourning, our subscribers will not receive their weekly paper until Friday. We thank you for your patience and understanding.