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UPDATED WITH DAILY ARREST REPORT: In Morgan City, sex offender charged with giving out Halloween candy

Mon, 11/01/2021 - 11:09am

Staff Report

(Editor’s note: The charges listed here and the narratives that go with them are provided by the police agencies that made the arrests. Guilt or innocence has not been determined in court.)

A Morgan City man was arrested Halloween night and accused of breaking the law prohibiting sex offenders from giving out candy for trick-or-treat.
Eddie Wright, 68, Kimberly Drive, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:44 p.m. Sunday.
Police Chief James F. Blair said officers were patrolling the area of Lakeside Subdivision during Halloween festivities when they were advised of a potential sex offender distributing candy for Halloween. Officers were able to identify Wright.
Checks were done to confirm that Wright was in fact a convicted sex offender, which prohibits him participating in Halloween and distributing candy. Patrol officers made contact with Wright in the area of Kimberly Drive and observed that he was set up to hand out candy. Wright admitted to participating in Halloween festivities. Wright was arrested and transported to the Morgan City Jai, where he was booked and incarcerated.
Blair and the Morgan City Police Department want to express the importance of “See Something! Say Something!” If it were not for the information received, this crime may have gone unnoticed.
“Thanks to a good citizen, we were able to apprehend the culprit and protect our children,” Blair said.

Morgan City
Blair reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 125 calls for service within the last 72-hour reporting period and made these arrests beginning Friday:
—Galen Wayne Ford, 29, Ditch Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:33 p.m. Friday on a warrant alleging reckless operation of a motor vehicle.
—Davida Reshelle Bias, 37, Grace Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:39 p.m. Friday on a warrant alleging entry or remaining after being forbidden.
—Johnathan Franklin Sr., 34, Garber Street, Morgan City, was arrested 10:19 a.m. Friday on charges of aggravated battery and resisting an officer.
—Matthew Carpenter, 28, Federal Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested 6:11 a.m. Saturday on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense), reckless operation of a motor vehicle, speeding 58 mph in a 35 mph zone and possess of alcohol in a motor vehicle.
—Travis Anthony Yates Sr., 40, Fourth Street, Ber-wick, was arrested at 3:03 p.m. Saturday on a 6th Ward Morgan City Court warrant alleging tail lights required.
—Brooke Nicole Adams, 34, Catherine Street, Morgan City, was arrested 11:53 a.m. Sunday on a charge of possession of marijuana (first offense).
—Genevieve Rebecca Adrianzen, 22, Auburn Street, Indianapolis, was arrested at 12:42 p.m. Sunday on a charge of battery of a dating partner (child endangerment law) and driving under suspension.
—Hayes Michael Brown, 24, Douglas Drive, Houma, was arrested at 2:34 a.m. Sunday on a charge of disturbing the peace (intoxicated).
—Brennan Wallace Cubbedge, 24, Terrebonne Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:34 a.m. Sunday on a charge of disturbing the peace (intoxicated).

Franklin
Police Chief Morris Beverly reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to 25 complaints over the past weekend and made these arrests:
—David Woods, Jr., 36, Michael Drive, Franklin, was arrested at 8:02 a.m. Friday on charge of possession of methamphetamine. Woods was additionally arrested on a 16th Judicial District Court warrant alleging failure to appear on the charges of possession of methamphetamine and improper turn.
Woods was booked, processed and transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.
—Ivory Fine, 33, Ninth Street, Franklin, was arrested at 1:06 p.m. Saturday on a warrant dated Oct. 21 on the charges of hit and run, careless operation, failure to report an accident, no insurance and driving under suspension.
Fine was additionally charged with possession with intent to distribute and possession of schedule methamphetamine. Fine was booked processed and released on a $12,000 bond.
—Michael Dupre Jr., 38, Walnut Street, Franklin, was arrested at 12:22 p.m. Sunday on the charges of domestic abuse aggravated battery (child endangerment) and resisting an officer. Duper was booked, processed and held with no bond set at time of press release.
—Hunter Boudreaux, 20, Bigler Street, Franklin, was arrested at 9:22 p.m. Sunday on the charge of remaining where forbidden. Boudreaux was booked, processed and held on a $500 bond.

Assumption
Sheriff Leland Falcon reported this arrest:
—A juvenile was arrested on a charge of terrorizing.
The verified complaint and subsequent arrest of a juvenile in resulted from threats of violence against another juvenile student over a fight at school.
On Thursday, the Sheriff’s Office was notified by a parent of a student who advised that earlier in the day, her son was involved in a fight at school. Later Thursday evening, her son received several texts from other children advising him not to go to school on the next day because the other individual involved in the fight was bringing a gun to school.
Investigating detectives interviewed witnesses, one of which advised that he had received a social media message from the accused requesting specific information about the victim.
The investigating detective filed a verified complaint against the accused juvenile and took him into custody on Thursday. By order of the court, the juvenile was released to parental custody.

Lucas Hatch of Berwick is Nicholls homecoming king

Sun, 10/31/2021 - 2:43pm

Lucas Hatch was named homecoming king at Saturday's Nicholls State homecoming game. He is the son of Todd and Heidi Hatch of Berwick, and was a member of Berwick High's state championship baseball team four years ago. At Nicholls, he is a senior pursuing a degree in health sciences with a pre-professional concentration and a minor in biology. He has been an active member of the Nicholls State University baseball team throughout his four years at Nicholls. He is an active member of the Allied Health Club, Biology Society and Kappa Omicron Nu Honor Society. After graduation, he plans to attend physical therapy school, where he will receive his doctorate of physical therapy. The homecoming queen is Symphony Brown, a nursing major from Thibodaux.

Submitted Photo

Public hearing set on charter amendments in Patterson

Sun, 10/31/2021 - 9:50am

The public will have a chance to comment on two proposed amendments to the Patterson City Charter at the City Council's regular meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Ordinances calling for the two amendments were introduced at the October council meeting. If the ordinances follow the normal course, they would come up for passage votes Tuesday.

If the ordinances get yes votes from four of five council members, as required for charter amendments, and if the council votes to call the election, the charter changes would be on the March 26 ballot.

One amendment would require the mayor to have a high school diploma or its equivalent.

The other would allow the police chief to receive a pay raise immediately after the raise is approved by the council. The charter currently says that a pay raise or pay cut for the police chief can't take effect until the end of the electoral term in which the council changes the pay scale. The prohibition against an immediate pay cut would remain in effect.

There is currently no formal proposal for a police chief pay raise before the council. Chief Garrett Grogan makes $60,000 a year.

Last month, the council rejected another proposed amendment that would have made the mayor's post a full-time job. Introduction died for lack of a second, largely because no one could come up with an acceptable definition of what "full time" would mean.

Also Tuesday, the council is scheduled to decide which streets will be improved using proceeds from a recent $570,000 bond issue.

The council has been considering a list of streets, most of them lightly used and unpaved, in need of work. But doing all the work on the list will cost more than the city receives from the bond issue. So the council will have to set priorities.

The meeting will be at Patterson City Hall.

YOLANDA LYNETTE HENDERSON BANKS

Sun, 10/31/2021 - 9:13am

Yolanda Lynette Henderson Banks, 51, a resident of Amelia, passed away peacefully Monday Oct. 18, 2021, in Baton Rouge.

Visitation was observed Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, at the New Mount Esther Baptist Church in Morgan City (Siracusa area) from 10:00 a.m. Saturday until funeral services at 11 a.m. Pastor Charles Otis Sr. will officiated at the services. Burial followed funeral services in the Morgan City Cemetery in Morgan City.

She is survived by her husband, Orlando Earl Banks of Amelia; daughter Sage Dominique Banks of Lafayette; mothers Gilda” Gail” Brown Henderson and Marjorie Gause; sisters Janet Marie Henderson, all of Morgan City (Siracusa) and Amelia Gause of Port Sulphur, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Shje was preceded in death by her father, aunt, and her grandmothers.

Arrangements were entrusted to Jones Funeral Home.

MADISON YOUNG III

Sun, 10/31/2021 - 9:05am

Madison "Sonny" Young, III, 72, a resident and native of Morgan City, passed away Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021, in Baton Rouge.

Visitation will be observed on Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, at the Siracusaville Recreation Center, 1110 Grace Street, Morgan City, from 11 a.m. until funeral services at 1 p.m. Entombment will follow funeral services in the St. James Cemetery in Gibson. Services will be accessible by viewing the Jones Funeral Home, Inc. Facebook page at 1 p.m. Monday.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Jones Funeral Home.

UPDATED: Berwick drops game to E.D. White

Fri, 10/29/2021 - 10:07pm

Staff Report
Patterson missed out on a chance to keep pace with the district leaders in Friday action, while Central Catholic won to set up Thursday’s clash at the top of District 8-1A.
St. James won a battle of second-half turnovers to beat Patterson, 21-7, while Central Catholic was beating Highland Baptist, 19-14, in New Iberia.
Berwick learned why E.D. White is atop the District 9-3A standings in a 37-7 loss.
Morgan City fell 41-7 to South Terrebonne on Thursday.
The big game this week will be Central Catholic against Vermilion Catholic of Abbeville in Morgan City on Thursday. Central is 6-2 and Vermilion Catholic is 6-3, and both have 4-0 records in 8-1A.
Morgan City High, 2-6, will be at home Friday against District 9-4A frontrunner Vandebilt Catholic, 5-2. Patterson, 6-3, will be at home Friday against Lutcher, 6-1.
Berwick, 2-6, will be at Donaldsonville.
Franklin, 4-3, will be at 4-5 Catholic-New Iberia; Centerville, 2-6, will host Hanson Memorial, 6-3; and West St. Mary, 3-6, will be at Delcambre, 4-4.
St. James 21,
Patterson 7
After a scoreless first half, St. James’ Kobe Brown caught touchdown passes of 21 and 18 yards from quarterback Brayden Williams, who also rushed for a 2-yard TD to give victory to the visitors.
In the first half, Patterson had the best scoring chance after a short St. James punt put the Lumberjacks at the enemy 34-yard line.
Quarterback Caylon Davis rushed to the 1 before a procedure penalty and a sack by St. James’ Jace Philip forced a 24-yard field goal attempt that sailed wide on a windy first cool night of fall.
The scoring, and the turnovers, began in earnest in the third quarter after St. James’ Zaylon Brown intercepted a Davis pass near midfield. That set up Williams’ 21-yard TD pass to Brown.
The teams swapped fumbles before Patterson’s Akai Keys blocked a St. James punt, setting up a 9-yard TD run by Davis. Jasper Russell’s kick tied the score 7-7 with 1:03 left in the third quarter.
A 43-yard kickoff return by Daniel Jupiter led to Williams’ 2-yard TD with 9:46 left in the game. After both teams stalled on ensuing drives, St. James’ Kaden Williams recovered a muffed punt in Patterson’s red zone. From there, Williams hit Brown with the 18-yard yard TD strike.
Alec Mahler was 3-for-3 on extra-point kicks.
E.D. White 37,
Berwick 7
A second-quarter play showed that this Friday night was not going to go Berwick’s way.
Already trailing 14-0, Berwick appeared to get a break when Berwick defender Zack Gonzales hit E.D. White running back Jace Gros near Berwick’s goal line and knocked the ball loose. But E.D. White receiver Grant Blouin swooped in to recover the football in the end zone.
Despite very vocal objections from the Berwick sideline, the touchdown was allowed to stand. The kick failed, but E.D. White was ahead 20-0.
E.D. White’s sophomore quarterback Jake Sternfels completed touchdown passes of 10 and 27 yards. Sternfels also rushed for a 5-yard TD, and Jeffrey Diedrich scored on a 2-yard run. A 29-yard field goal rounded out E.D. White’s scoring.
Berwick quarterback Cru Bella’s 7-yard TD run and Jude Vasquez’ kick put points on the board for Berwick with 1:14 left in the game.

Jennings-Singleton to wed Nov. 20

Fri, 10/29/2021 - 11:11am

Etta Ruffin of Patterson, and Johnel and Daisy Jennings of Patterson wish to announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter, Janira Dionne Jennings, to Frank John Singleton Jr., son of Frank John Singleton Sr. of Amelia and the late Katherine Mouton Singleton. The wedding will take place at 6 p.m. Nov. 20 at Good Hope Baptist Church in Patterson.

Get It Growing: Don’t blame goldenrod — it’s ragweed!

Fri, 10/29/2021 - 11:09am

By HEATHER KIRK-BALLARD, LSU AgCenter Horticulturist

If you are like me, you suffer from seasonal allergies — sneezing, headaches, itchy eyes and cough, all due to pollen from local, native plants that bloom in autumn.
Goldenrod and ragweed bloom at roughly the same time each fall, but goldenrod often gets the blame for the problems caused to allergy sufferers. It is possible, although rare, to be allergic to goldenrod. Your seasonal sniffles are most likely caused by ragweed.
The ragweed plant itself is actually quite inconspicuous. Ragweed (Ambrosia spp.) is an annual plant that has small green flower spikes. The flowers are not showy because they are not meant to attract pollinating insects.
Rather, this plant relies on wind pollination — part of the reason ragweed is so aggravating. It produces vast amounts of pollen whose particles are extremely small and lightweight, making it easy to be carried hundreds of miles and far more allergenic.
Ragweed is responsible for the majority of fall pollen-induced allergies, but many people point fingers at goldenrod, which is more noticeable in the landscape this time of year. Goldenrod’s gorgeous, showy yellow flowers are attractive to pollen-spreading insects such as bees, beetles, butterflies and wasps.
In contrast to ragweed, goldenrod pollen has large, heavy particles that do not move very far from the plant without the help of pollinators that carry the sticky pollen from flower to flower.
There are several ways to tell the two plants apart. To begin with, ragweed has green flowers, it does not grow as tall as goldenrod, and the leaves are divided, resembling fern leaves. Ragweed is highly branched from the bottom upward. Gold-enrods have foliage that is more strap-like with large, yellow flower spikes on top.
Goldenrod (Solidago spp.), much like sunflowers, are native to North America and are flowering perennials that sport bright yellow blooms in late summer, usually mid-August, through the fall. Goldenrods are members of the aster family, with more than 100 different species.
You can find them on roadsides and forests growing alongside native sunflowers and other blooming asters. Most species have an upright growth habit and can reach heights of 3 to 4 feet. Many of the species are branched with flower heads that resemble a daisy and supply abundant nectar in full-sun areas. The aboveground parts have been used as an herbal medicine throughout history.
Goldenrod is an easy-care herbaceous perennial that tolerates a wide range of soils as long as they have good drainage. Plants grow best and offer the most flower production in full sun. Plants are drought tolerant once established and require minimal care. They return each year, and clumps should be divided every five or so years.
Goldenrods are beginning to show up in the nursery trade, with even showier golden blooms than wild flowers. Some ornamental goldenrods are Crown of Rays, Fireworks, Golden Baby, Gold Rush, Little Lemon and Solar Cascade. Ornamental varieties are shorter and less aggressive than most native species of goldenrod, and this makes them more adaptable within any sunny perennial garden.
Pair goldenrods with purple-blooming asters, salvias or mums, and you’ve got a gorgeous purple and gold fall display that no Tiger fan would turn their nose up to!
If you wish to control ragweed, it is best to do so early on before the plants begin making pollen. They can be hand pulled or mowed to prevent pollen release from flowers.
Ragweed also can be controlled with non-selective herbicides such as glyphosate; you’ll get the best results if the plants are still small. Follow the manufacturer’s label. Glyphosate is a non-selective herbicide and will kill all plants it touches.

Contacts-related eye infections pose significant threat

Fri, 10/29/2021 - 11:07am

The contact lens industry is booming. According to the market research experts at Grand View Research, the global contact lens market size was estimated at nearly $13 billion in 2019, and that market is expected to expand significantly by 2027.
Contact lenses are an option for people who need corrective eyewear but don’t want to wear traditional eyeglasses. Contact lenses have become so popular that it’s easy to overlook the risks they pose, and many wearers have acknowledged they routinely engage in behaviors that put them at risk of contact lens-related eye infection.
One study published in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention journal Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report in 2014 found that 99% of contact lens wearers reported at least one behavior that puts them at risk for an eye infection related to their use of contact lenses. The CDC also notes that 20% of patients with contact lens-related corneal infections suffered eye damage as a result.
Two of the more significant threats to the eye health of contact lens wearers are microbial keratitis and corneal inflammatory events. Thankfully, adverse side effects like MK and CIEs are often preventable. Proper handwashing prior to handling contact lenses is a simple and effective way for wearers to reduce their risk for contact lens-related eye infections.
Proper handwashing involves washing hands thoroughly with a mild soap, rinsing them completely and then drying them with a lint-free towel prior to inserting or removing lenses from the eyes. As simple as that may sound, many contact lens wearers have acknowledged they routinely disregard these guidelines when handling their lenses.
In fact, a 2017 survey of 950 contact lens wearers sponsored by CooperVision found that while 88% of respondents believed bacteria on fingers could transfer to their eyes during lens insertion, 41% still did not wash their hands prior to insertion.
That’s a big mistake, as a 2015 study published in the visual science journal Eye found that the risk of MK was 13 times higher for wearers who didn’t wash their hands prior to handling their lenses compared to those who did. The College of Optometrists notes that MK is a potentially severe, sight- threatening condition, which underscores the importance of adhering to basic contact lens safety practices like handwashing prior to handling.
Many people who need corrective eyewear prefer contact lenses to traditional eyeglasses. Though contact lenses are safe, much of that safety rests in the hands of the wearers themselves.
How to safely handle contact lenses
Billions of people across the globe wear corrective lenses to improve their vision. Eyeglasses and contact lenses perform similar functions, but there’s a big difference in regard to how to maintain these popular eyewear options.
Estimates from the CDC indicate that around 45 million people in the United States wear contact lenses. Unlike eyeglasses, which can be quickly cleaned with lens cleaner and stored in a safe place to ensure frames don’t brake when they aren’t being worn, contact lenses require significant maintenance. Such maintenance ensures that contact lenses continue to work properly and also keeps the eyes safe from infection and other potential issues.
How to handle contact lenses
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration notes that the consequences can be significant if contact lenses are not cleaned properly, changed appropriately or handled improperly. Infections that can lead to vision loss and other side effects such as pain, blurred vision and redness are all potential side effects if contact lens wearers don’t properly care for their contacts.
Wearing contact lenses is second nature for many people, and that can lead some to overlook the kind of daily maintenance necessary to keep contacts safe and reduce risk for eye infection.
The contact lens experts at Bausch + Lomb remind people to follow these rules when handling contact lenses.
—Do not touch your lenses until you have washed your hands thoroughly with a mild soap, rinsed your hands completely and dried them with a lint-free towel.
—Avoid certain soaps. Soaps that contain cold cream, lotion or oily cosmetics should be avoided before handling contact lenses, as residue from these substances can stick to the lenses, potentially causing pain, irritation or blurred vision.
—Handle lenses with your fingertips. When holding contact lenses, hold them between fingertips, not with your fingernails. Fingernails can damage contact lenses if scraped against them, potentially compromising your ability to see.
—Adhere to manufacturer’s instructions. Contact solution labels and contact manufacturer instructions should be strictly adhered to. These guidelines are often product-specific, and not all solutions are safe with all lenses. Whenever you order new lenses, particularly when changing brands, be sure to read maintenance instructions carefully and confirm with your ophthalmologist which solution you should use with your new lenses.
Tens of millions of people wear contact lenses every day. When wearing such lenses, emphasize safe handling at all times to reduce your risk of eye infection.

ALS patient tires of her sister’s negativity

Fri, 10/29/2021 - 11:04am

By Jeanne Phillips, ©United Features Syndicate

DEAR ABBY: I have ALS, aka Lou Gehrig’s disease, am wheelchair- or bed-bound, and am unable to do anything for myself, much less around the house. My husband works, and aides come in four days a week for several hours to provide me with personal care.
I have to ask my only sister to help once a month. (She’s older than I am.) When I do, she always puts conditions on the time or complains about the traffic. (She lives an hour away.) I finally told her I’m tired of hearing it and I want her to WANT to help me. Apparently, she was offended, so she’s giving me the silent treatment. She isn’t lazy, but maybe self-centered and lacking in empathy.
I have four older brothers, but only one who lives close — an hour away. When I ask his wife for help, she never hesitates and comes bearing casseroles. The only difference between us three women is that my sister never had children and never experienced the challenges and sacrifices that come with parenting. I’m grateful for any help and always express thanks.
Should I be grateful for whatever help she gives me or take her silence as unwillingness to help and move on?
IN NEED IN PENNSYLVANIA

DEAR IN NEED: Of course you should be grateful for whatever help your sister gives. It’s unfortunate that she doesn’t recognize the effect her constant complaints have on you. (You are ill, and she’s a martyr.)
Considering the challenges you face every day, it’s a shame she doesn’t have it in her to be more sensitive, but she doesn’t. If her complaints add additional stress to your situation, you should definitely “move on” if it’s feasible. From your description, your sister-in-law is an angel on earth.

DEAR ABBY: I have recently unearthed some of my old journals. In them I wrote honestly about my life — my kids, husband, pets, etc. They were a way to vent as well as to describe what my days were like as I kept a home, gardened, worked full time, cared for the kids, etc.
A few of the entries concern my spouse who I’m still married to, and they are not flattering. They describe his refusal to help with the chores, his secretive drinking and almost bankrupting us more than once. There are also stories about my children (who are now in their 40s) as children.
I would have loved to know more about my mother’s life and that may be the case with my children. I’m unsure whether to leave them my journals upon my death. The journals might explain a lot of things: why we were always broke, never went on vacations or couldn’t afford the same things their friends had. But I hesitate to make their dad look bad.
Should I destroy them or pass them on?
BURN BOOKS OR NOT

DEAR BURN: Your journals are family history. They are also a tribute to the survival of what, at some points, may have been a tumultuous marriage.
I am assuming that your husband is sober now and the two of you are financially stable. Pass them on to your children and allow them to form their own judgments.
***
Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets: “Abby’s Favorite Recipes” and “More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $16 to: Dear Abby, Cookbooklet Set, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.