RSS Feed

(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.)

Berwick police say they tracked down a man after an attempted burglary, and found he was named in outstanding warrants.
Berwick
Police Chief David Leonard reported these arrests:
—Alexander Grogan, 48, Cleco Street, Patterson, was arrested at 11:20 p.m. Saturday on a charge of attempted simple burglary and on a 16th Judicial District Court warrant alleging failure to appear on charges of direct contempt (general speed law) and failure to honor a written promise.
At 10:48 p.m. Saturday, officers responded to a residence in the 700 block of Utah Street in reference to a residential burglary in progress. The homeowner was able to provide officers with a detailed description of the suspect, who fled the area on foot.
Officers located the suspect, who was identified as Grogan, on Versen Street, and detained him pending the investigation. While processing the scene, officers observed the glass on the screen door had been shattered and a screen was removed from a bedroom window. The suspect did not make entry into the residence.
Grogan admitted to being at the victim’s residence but denied trying tobreak in. Officers also learned that he had an outstanding warrant through the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office. Following the investigation, Grogan was placed under arrest and booked into the Berwick Police Department.
A detainer was placed on him by the Louisiana Department of Probation and Parole, and he was transferred to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for incarceration.
—Chad A. Toups, 46, Oregon Street, Berwick, was arrested at 8:45 p.m. Saturday on two counts of simple battery.
At 8:19 p.m. Saturday, officers were dispatched to a residence in the 2600 block of Sixth Street in reference to a disturbance. Officers arrived and learned that Toups went to a residence on Sixth Street, where a verbal argument ensued. During the argument, Toups committed a battery upon two individuals at the residence.
Officers made contact with Toups and, following the investigation, placed him under arrest. Toups was released on a summons to appear in court.

St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that over the last 72-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 86 complaints and reported these arrests:
—Da’Juana Elizabeth A’Kella Fletcher Martin, 27, Franklin, was arrested at 10:07 p.m. Saturday on a charge of domestic abuse battery. Bail was set at $2,500.
—Calvin Javan Henry, 33, Patterson, was arrested at 9:09 p.m. Sunday on charges of driving under suspension and driving left of center. Henry was released on a summons to appear Nov. 2.
—Kay Lynn Michel, 41, Patterson, was arrested at 10:51 p.m. Sunday on charges of aggravated flight from an officer; brake lights required; switched or stolen license plate; and no insurance.
Bail was set at $2,500.

Franklin
Police Chief Morris Beverly reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to 30 complaints over the weekend and made these arrests:
—Travis Cain, 30, Pecan Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:40 a.m. Friday on a warrant dated March 17 alleging possession of marijuana (first offense) and possession of drug paraphernalia. Cain was booked, processed and released on a $3,500 bond.
—Zariq Perry, 20, Pine Street, Franklin, was arrested at 11:43 a.m. Sunday on charges of illegal carrying of weapon, suspended driver’s license and switched license plate. Perry was additionally arrested on a 3rd Ward City Court warrant alleging failure to appear on the charge of possession of marijuana (second offense). Perry was booked, processed and release on a $2,925.00 bond.
—Malik King, 19, Maple Street, Franklin, was arrested at 12:02 p.m. Sunday on a charge of illegal carrying of weapon. King was booked, processed and released on $1,000 bond.
—Bernard Davis Jr., 24, Easy Street, Franklin, was arrested at 7:18 p.m. Sunday on charges of speed zone limits, resisting an officer, flight from an officer, possession with intent to distribute, driver must be licensed, obstruction of justice (evidence tampering), improper lane usage, and prohibited acts. Davis was additionally arrested on a warrant for 16th Judicial District Court alleging failure to appear on the charges of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia (first offense), operating a vehicle while license suspended and careless operation of a motor vehicle.
Davis was booked, processed, and transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center
—John Felton Jr., 58, Ninth Street, Franklin, was arrested at 1:06 a.m. Monday on a charge of aggravated second-degree battery. Felton was booked, processed and transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.

Assumption
Sheriff Leland Falcon reported these arrests:
— Angeline M. Carnline, 37, Bon Jovi Boulevard, Gray, was arrested on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and owner to secure registration, and on an Assumption Parish warrant alleging failure to appear on the charges of possession of drug paraphernalia, expired plate and no vehicle registration.
A uniformed patrol deputy observed a vehicle with a license plate violation near Labadieville and initiated a stop of the vehicle. The deputy made contact with the driver, identified as Carnline.
At some point, the deputy determined that additional investigation was warranted. The deputy requested consent to search, which was granted, and the suspect also acknowledged the presence of illegal controlled dangerous substances in the vehicle.
A search of the vehicle was conducted and during that process, a quantity of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia was seized.
At the conclusion of the investigation, Carnline was booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.
—Calvin Nelson Jr., 36, Grant Road, Paincourtville, was arrested Friday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, taking contraband to or from a penal institution, and disturbing the peace (intoxication).
The felony charges resulted from a suspicious person complaint near La. 1 and La. 402 north of Napoleonville.
On Friday evening, deputies were dispatched to the area in reference to an individual attempting to flag vehicles down and open their doors.
Deputies located the subject and noted him to be irrational, confused and incoherent. During the interview, the investigating deputy elected to conduct a protective pat-down search due to safety considerations. During the search, the deputy located a number of used small packets consistent with illegal drug use.
The subject, now identified as Nelson was placed under arrest for disturbing the peace by intoxication.
Once at the detention facility, corrections officers located methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Calvin Nelson, Jr. was booked remains incarcerated pending a bond hearing.

St. Martin
Sheriff Becket Breaux reported these arrests:
—Brittney Degeyter, 20, Hulin Road, St. Martinville, was arrested Sunday by the St. Martinville Police Department on a charge of second-degree cruelty to a juvenile.
—Derrick Gunner, 39, Duval Street, Lafayette, was arrested Friday on a hold for the U.S. Marshals Service.
—Jimmy Russo, 71, Prescott Drive, Morgan City, was arrested Friday on a charge of violation of a protective order.
—Jermaine Sam, 37, Kennedy Drive, Arnaudville, was arrested Friday on charges of improper lane usage, violation of a protective order, battery of a police officer, simple criminal damage to property, resisting an officer, self-mutilation by a prisoner, resisting a police officer with force or violence, obscenity and obstruction of justice (evidence tampering).

Because fashion preferences were once ornate and dependent on precise fits, ready-to-wear clothing really did not become widely available until the early 20th century. Such attire is now available in just about any retail store.
Because ready-to-wear clothing is so easily available, the average person may be unfamiliar with custom-made or tailored items. In fact, a couples’ wedding may be the only instance in their lives when they require the services of a seamstress or tailor.
Fittings are a part of wedding planning, and here’s how brides-to-be can navigate the process of finding and being fitted for a dress.
—Try on sample gowns.
The first step is to make rounds to various gown shops and try on the samples they have available. Most sample sizes will not be the size you wear every day, so expect them to be ill-fitting. Do not be discouraged.
Once a gown is chosen, the dress shop will take measurements and order the gown according to the manufacturer’s sizing guide. Again, this can be shocking, since the size will likely be larger than what you wear in street clothes. Some shops will also order a little larger to allow for adequate tailoring.
—Schedule the first fitting.
The first fitting should be anywhere from eight to 12 weeks before the wedding date, according to experts at Wedd-ingWire, an online wedding information provider. But with COVID-19 causing unforeseen delays, that timeline may need to be doubled in order to complete most standard alterations. Complex customizations can take even longer.
Brides should also budget a minimum of $500 for alterations, which may or may not be included in the price of the dress.
—Bring shoes and undergarments.
Remember to bring along the exact shoes and undergarments you will wear with your gown. A change in shoes or bra/corset can result in the alterations fitting poorly the next time. Bring these items along to all subsequent fittings.
—Speak up.
Martha Stewart Weddings suggests speaking up at fittings if anything is uncomfortable or needs tweaking. Seamstresses are masters at their crafts, but only if they understand the desires of the bride.
—Check the details.
The second fitting is designed to check that all issues from the first fitting have been addressed, the gown is comfortable and you can move freely. At the last fitting, ask the maid of honor to come along so that she understands how to bustle or help you handle complicated straps or closures.
Open communication with a seamstress and bridal shop can ensure brides-to-be get a dress that fits like a glove.

You can take part in a town hall meeting by phone with medical experts from the Louisiana Department of Health's Region 3, which covers St. Mary and Assumption parishes.

Gov. John Bel Edwards sent a letter Thursday to Louisiana Education Superintendent Cade Brumley to clarify issues relating to the governor’s statewide mask mandate as it applies to children returning to K-12 schools this month.
The clarification comes after Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry provided an opt-out template to his employees, which Landry then released to the public.
The document was shared on social media and prompted parents and concerned residents on different sides of the issue to contact schools.
“The letter is in direct response to questions raised about exceptions to the mandate and in particular, the letter by the Louisiana attorney general that ignores the dangerous fourth surge of COVID-19 that Louisiana is currently facing with increasingly alarming case counts, hospitalizations and deaths and seeks to undermine public confidence in one of the most effective tools to combat it,” a statement from the governor’s office said.
Edwards, a Democrat, is in favor of public and private sector mask mandates as a precaution against spreading COVID-19.
He also suggested during a town hall discussion this week that COVID-19 vaccine mandates may be applied broadly after full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which he estimated could happen by Labor Day.
Landry, a Republican, is not opposed to masks or vaccines but views mandating them for people who disagree on philosophical grounds as an affront to personal liberty.
“Since news broke that I provided my Department of Justice employees information so they could express their religious and philosophical concerns regarding masks and vaccines, my office has been inundated with questions and requests,” Landry said. “While state law prohibits us from providing legal advice to individuals and businesses, as a matter of public record, we are releasing the framework documents given to our employees.”
A template was posted on the Office of the Louisiana Attorney General Facebook page.
“I am seeking an exemption from ________’s requirements related to the COVID-19 virus. I have philosophical objections that make it impossible for my child to comply with your COVID-19 politics related to vaccines and mask wearing,” the document said.
“Your mask policy imposes risks on my child’s mental and emotional health by hindering his verbal and nonverbal communication with classmates and teachers for up to 6+ hours a day,” it said.
The template disputed the efficacy of cloth masks and cited U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance regarding the transmission of COVID-19 through “fine droplets,” which cloth masks cannot prevent.
“Any protection cloth masks provide is additionally diminished by the fact that most children lack the ability to refrain from touching their own masks, faces and nearby surfaces for the 6+ hours they are at school,” the document said.
Brumley announced last month the Louisiana Department of Education would not impose a statewide mask mandate for K-12 children as it did last year, and instead left the decision to local school systems. That changed Monday when Edwards reinstituted an indoor mask mandate.
“This decision is not one I take lightly, but as the fourth surge of COVID-19 is upon us, we know that mask wearing when you are in public is one way to greatly lower your risk of spreading or catching COVID,” Edwards said.
Louisiana has the highest number of coronavirus cases per capita of any state in the country and incurred record hospitalizations this week.
In his letter to Brumley, Edwards made clear the only exemptions to wearing masks are those outlined in his executive order, which covers medical conditions, communication disorders, public speaking, athletic competitions and temporary removal for eating, drinking and identification.
Philosophical disagreements are not recognized.