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CAA job fair Thursday in Patterson

Wed, 07/14/2021 - 2:00pm

The St. Mary/Vermilion Community Action Agency is hosting a job, health and resource fair, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday at the Patterson Civic Center, 116 Cotton Road.
All attendees for the job fair must have a typed resume, dress accordingly and be ready to fill out an application on site.
Also, Family Service workers will conduct Head Start recruitment at the same time. Parents with children ages 3 or 4 can fill out an application.
Remember to bring a copy of the child’s Social Security card, birth certificate, immunization records, proof of disability (if applicable), proof of income, (W2 or TANF printout), medical or insurance card, physical and dental.
St. Mary Ready Start Network Coordinated Enrollment will be present as well. Persons needing information regarding Head Start recruitment, please call 337-828-5703, ext. 44.

Norwood gets ready to compete

Wed, 07/14/2021 - 11:04am

GEOFF STOUTE

gstoute@daily-review.com

While he may be Tokyo-bound for the Olympic Games, Morgan City High alum Vernon Norwood said Friday he still hasn’t really had that moment to truly recognize what he has done.
He said the feeling of going to the Olympics is a good one, and maybe he will start to realize what he has truly done on the plane ride to Tokyo.
“I still never had my moment to really soak in and break down yet, but I know it’s going to come because it usually hits me a little later,” the 2011 Morgan City High grad said Friday during a lengthy interview with his prep coaches and family. “I might break down in the middle of the night. I might just start crying actually.”
Norwood said he learned he was going to the Olympics in some form — either as a 400-meter runner or a member of one of the two relays — from officials after he qualified for the finals in the 400-meter finals at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon last month.
In the finals, Norwood placed fifth in the 400-meter run. According to the Olympic bylaws, the top three finishers in the event qualify for the finals.
At the Olympics, Norwood will be in the 4x400-meter relay pool, and he said he likely would run in the co-ed 4x400-meter run, too.
He will leave July 24 for Tokyo.
On July 30, the first round of the co-ed 4x400-meter relay, which features two men and two women, will be run. The finals will be held a day later.
The first round of the 4x400-meter relay will be held Aug. 6, while the finals will be held Aug. 7.
“I can’t really explain all of the emotions how I really feel, but I (can tell you) I feel real good about it,” he told The Daily Review of the upcoming trip.
Norwood said it’s a good feeling to know that residents of Morgan City, his native New Orleans and others who know him or are fans all are supporting him.
Look for more on Norwood later this month in a preview of his races as well as an in-depth feature in The Daily Review’s annual Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival edition.

Berwick council, Housing Authority chief swap praise

Wed, 07/14/2021 - 10:56am

BILL DECKER

BERWICK — The Town Council received a $24,000 check Tuesday from the Berwick Housing Authority and offered praise in return.
Also Tuesday, the council honored the Berwick 10U softball team that will play later this month in the Babe Ruth World Series; approved one upcoming event and talked about another; heard some good news for the Brown House Museum; and approved one subdivision request and set a hearing on another.
Berwick Housing Auth-ority Director Clarence Robinson presented Mayor Pro Tem Lud Henry with a check as payment in lieu of taxes, the money the town government would receive if the authority’s units were privately owned.
Robinson thanked the city government for working with the Housing Authority and singled out Chief Administrative Office Newell “Bubba” Slaughter.
Council members returned the praise. James Richard, who served as police chief before being elected to the council, said the town’s public housing was a source of trouble before Robinson became director.
“When you came on board, things just changed drastically,” Richard said.
Then it was Richard’s turn to get a compliment.
“Thank you,” current Police Chief David Leonard told Richard, “because you paved the way for Mr. Clarence to turn things around.”
The check was for $24,962.
The Berwick Housing Authority has 128 units in its Louis Mahfouz, Charles Bowman and Margaret Crappel developments.
Softball champs
The town’s monthly Beacon Shines On recognition, which goes to people who have served the town or presented it in a positive light, went to the 10-and-under girls softball team drawn from Berwick’s softball league.
The all-star team won the state championship and then captured the multistate Southwest Regional in Houma over the Independence Day weekend. They’ll compete in the Babe Ruth World Series beginning July 27 in Jensen Beach, Florida.
“They showed a lot of heart and a lot of pride for our community,” said Councilman Kevin Hebert, who chairs the council’s Recreation Committee.
Subdivision
The council approved a subdivision request from Moffet Rentals LLC to divide one tract near the Berwick Civic Center into a 2.6-acre lot and a 4.4-acre lot for development.
The company will be required to provide access to services such as utilities before beginning construction.
The same company has asked to build a pond near the property to acquire dirt for use in construction. Following planning rules, the council set a conditional use hearing for the next council meeting Aug. 10.
Events
The council:
—Approved the Bayouland Emergency Amateur Radio Service request to use Lighthouse Park for its participation in the annual International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend Aug. 20-22.
Ham radio operators at lighthouse sites around the world will try to make contact with one another. At the last event, BEARS President Janet Price told the council, the club made contact with 39 states, seven Canadian provinces and a few European countries.
The public is invited to see the club try to reach fellow hams.
—Councilwoman Colleen Askew said five signs have been acquired and permission to paint a wall has been granted in an effort to bring some color to the town’s Cultural District.
Local artists will be invited to take part in the project, which Askew hopes will include an interactive sign that will be a good backdrop for photographs.
Brown House
The town’s new history museum has received a $7,500 grant through the office of Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, the state’s top tourism official, announced Henry.
Henry presided at Tuesday’s meeting in the absence of Mayor Duval Arthur.
Also Tuesday, the council approved a museum loan agreement with the Morgan City government.
Under the agreement, the Brown House will display a dress worn by a child on one of the Orphan Trains.
The Orphan Trains carried hundreds of thousands of orphans and children from destitute homes in the East to foster homes from the mid-19th century through the early 20th century.
Payments
The council:
—Approved payments of $5,076 to George Mikael for inspection of the Town Hall roof conversion and $57,075 partial payment to B&J Enterprises of Metairie for the roof work itself.
—Approved payments of $71,851 to Southern Constructors and $7,809 to Miller Engineers & Associates Inc. for work on the Bellevue-Front Street improvement project. The council also approved a change order that results in a $6,812 savings for the town government.
The council also approved a certificate of substantial completion for the Bellevue-Front Street work.

6 indicted in hurricane aid fraud case

Wed, 07/14/2021 - 10:48am

WILLIAM PATRICK, The Center Square

A Louisiana grand jury has indicted six individuals accused of defrauding taxpayers of nearly $825,000 in hurricane relief aid, with the scheme emanating from within the state government.
The 10-count criminal indictment describes twin brothers Robert and Thomas McCormick as leading a corrupt enterprise that began in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura and lasted for eight months.
Robert McCormick worked as an emergency management officer in the Office of the State Fire Marshall and was tasked with purchasing hurricane relief supplies for damaged communities.
Thomas McCormick is a former state prosecutor who once touted his anti-fraud record while unsuccessfully campaigning for a judgeship in the 18th Judicial District — the same district where he was indicted Friday.
The brothers are said to have funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer relief funds to several shell companies that were overbilling the state for relief services and materials. They are accused of money laundering, racketeering, filing false documents and malfeasance while in public office.
District Attorney Tony Clayton called the alleged scheme “an egregious act.”
“It happened when we were suffering one of the worst storms in the history of the state,” Clayton told reporters outside of a West Baton Rouge Parish courthouse.
Hurricane Laura was a Category 4 storm that caused widespread destruction in coastal, western and central Louisiana. Sustained winds were in excess of 145 mph, the strongest since the Last Island Hurricane in 1856. Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency in August 2020.
Clayton said the state Legislative Auditor’s Office discovered potential wrongdoing earlier this year and notified his office shortly thereafter.
“They went under cover and they monitored it,” Clayton said.
“Where there’s smoke there’s fire. And once we started looking into it there was a fire and it was really burning,” an assistant prosecutor added.
According to court records, three companies were involved: Gifts Unlimited L.L.C., Westside Services L.L.C. and Emergency Logistics Inc.
Bernard Christmas and Ava Richardson, also indicted, were listed with the Louisiana secretary of state as the sole members and officers of Westside Services and Gifts Unlimited, respectively.
Thomas McCormick’s law firm was a listed agent for Emergency Logistics, which applied for a state vendor’s license three days after incorporation.
The indictment asserts the three companies operated at the direction of Thomas McCormick and they “submitted fictitious invoices” upon which “fraudulent payments” were authorized at the direction of Robert McCormick while he served in his emergency management position.
In one instance, the brothers are said to have used their personal funds to purchase large amounts of water at 13 cents a bottle, only to sell them at $1.50 a bottle to the state.
Since procurement rules forbid vending contracts with family members, the water was sold through Gifts Unlimited and Westside Services. Invoices were submitted on nine separate occasions with a total estimated markup of 587%.
The 34-page indictment also accused the brothers of continuing beyond Hurricane Laura and into the aftermath of Hurricane Delta, the record-tying fourth named superstorm to hit Louisiana last year.
The indictment said state fire marshal and state treasury records show Westside Services was paid $145,280 to provide a base camp for U.S. Army Reserve personnel in Baton Rouge in anticipation of Hurricane Delta, but the district attorney’s office said the invoice was inflated by $47,295.
“Furthermore, a portion of the funds received by the McCormick Law Firm, Thomas McCormick were used to pay the personal expenses of both Thomas and Robert McCormick, including credit card payments, car notes, tuition, and other items,” the indictment states.
Once taxpayer funds were received by the companies, at least 31 checks were issued to the McCormick Law Firm with all but five indicating legal fees and legal services. Christmas, however, told investigators that legal services never were performed.
Clayton said Thomas McCormick was able to orchestrate the events because he knew how to manipulate the system.
“It’s because of his knowledge that he thought he could pull this off,” Clayton said referring to the accused former prosecutor.
The state Fire Marshall’s Office said in a statement that an internal investigation is ongoing and that Robert McCormick had resigned while on administrative leave in lieu of termination.
“We continue to review internal controls while we stand in support of the efforts of 18th Judicial District Attorney Tony Clayton, as well as the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office, who initiated an investigation in May at the request of the governor’s office,” the statement said.
The brothers were arrested Friday afternoon. A bond hearing is expected early this week.

MARK VERRETT

Wed, 07/14/2021 - 10:45am

Mark Verrett, 59, a native of Morgan City, died Saturday, July 10, 2021.
He is survived by his wife, Lisa Brown Verrett; two sons, Caleb Verrett and Ian Verrett; and a sister, Tina Westfall.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Private services will be held at a later date.

Berwick fifth-grader chosen for Dallas STEM event

Wed, 07/14/2021 - 10:43am

Next week, Stanley Aucoin IV from Berwick Elementary will join outstanding elementary school students from across the state to take part in a unique academic and career-oriented development experience, the National Youth Leadership Forum Pathways to STEM, taking place in Dallas, Texas.
NYLF Pathways to STEM is one of the Envision by WorldStrides family of programs (www.envisionexperience.com) that enable students to explore their interests and experience learning beyond the classroom.
Stanley was nominated to attend the forum by Mary Wanous, his fifth-grade math and science teacher. This past year, he was Berwick Elementary’s Student of the Year, DARE essay winner, and highest word millionaire.
In addition to serving as the BETA vice president, he participated in the Reading Buddy Program, Talented Art and Gifted Enrichment. In his free time, he enjoys baseball and activities in nature including hunting, fishing, and ATV riding.
With dreams of being a surgeon, Stanley is looking forward to gaining the hands-on medical experience that the forum provides. He is very appreciative for his family, friends, and local business sponsors who have helped make this opportunity possible.
“As an alumna of Envision myself, I am excited for Stanley to meet, work, and collaborate with fellow high-aspiring students from other cities and schools,” said Amanda Freitag Thomas, SVP for Envision. “Hands down, my favorite part of attending an Envision program was being with motivated students in an environment designed to help us challenge our assumptions, meet new people, and grow.
"Creating that same learning environment is a central focus for all of our programs. At NYLF Pathways to STEM, students build the confidence and skills needed to excel in the classroom while gaining exposure to STEM fields and concepts. They learn how to adapt to and communicate in new situations, to new challenges, and with new people, which, given how rapidly the world is changing due to technology and innovation, are essential skills for success.”
For over 35 years, Envision by WorldStrides has empowered extraordinary students to become their best selves through programs that enable them to discover their passion, explore a career, and positively impact their world. In 2018, Envision became part of the WorldStrides family. The largest provider of educational travel and experiences in the United States, WorldStrides works with over 50,000 educators each year to help more than 550,000 students see the world —and themselves — in new ways.

Bayou Horseshoe Pitchers scores

Wed, 07/14/2021 - 10:40am

Spring League
Week 11
........................W L
Misfits..............64 35
We Got This.....62 37
30/40................56.5 42.5
Flip Cop Dough...50 49
Super Slingers....47.5 51.5
High scratch point average: (30’) Tim Gilmore 80.5, Calvin Johnson 42.0 and Mary Guzdial 19.5; and (40’) Clyde Landry 49.6, Dwain Arceneaux 47.2 and Dale Pearce 46.2.
High individual ringer percentage: (30’) Gilmore 60.0, Johnson 21.4 and Guzdial 9.2; and (40’) Arceneaux 28.5, Landry 28.3 and Pearce 25.8.
High scratch game: (30’) Gilmore 97, Johnson 61 and Guzdial 33; and (40’) Pearce 68, Landry 68, Arceneaux 63 and Bryan Phenix 62.
Most ringers: (one night) Gilmore 81, Arceneaux 45, Miller 41 and Pearce 39; and (one game) Gilmore 30, Arceneaux 18, Johnson 17, Miller 17, Phenix 17, Pearce 16 and Landry 16.
Most points one night: Gilmore 267, Arceneaux 177, Landry 170, Pearce 168, Johnson 152 and Randy Giroir 152.
High game over average: Travis Bourdier 27.7 and Guzdial 6.4; and best won-loss record: Johnson 19-5, Giroir 21-6, Gilmore 21-9, Jim Guzdial 12.5-8.5 and Carl Reed 8-4.
Most points one night – team: We Got This 514 and Super Slingers 430; and most ringers one night – team: We Got This 136 and Super Slingers 99.

Guys & Dolls, Petroleum League bowling scores

Wed, 07/14/2021 - 10:39am

PETROLEUM LEAGUE
Week 3 (July 7)
........................................ W L
That’s How we Roll...........9 3
Steelwood Lanes..............9 3
Satchel of Richards..........8 4
M. C. Paint & Body...........7 5
1st Resp. Heat/Cool........6 6
Conrad Industries............5 7
Antebellum Renov...........5 7
Allen’s TV Cable..............3 9
Chabill’s..........................3 9
Bye.................................0 4
Weekly high scores: Kenny Keton 238, 296 games, (716) series; Josh Mayon 255, 207, 210; Anthony Falgout Jr. 231, 235, 202; Jerry Pillaro 223, 205, 219; Rick Sartwell 247, 224; Wally Arcemont 237, 237; Patrick Thibodeaux 224, 247; Gretchen Corbin 226, 227; Miles Suire 221, 216; Thad Torres 213, 212; Larry Deslatte III 211, 203; Jon Reynaud 200, 202; Mark Corbin 267; Bobby Rotolo 225; Tamara Aucoin 213; Lawrence Simoneaux 212; Earl King III 212; Ryan Knapp 211; and Arturo Garcia 204.

GUYS & DOLLS LEAGUE
Week 2 (July 8)
....................................W L
Naughty But Nice.........8 0
Johnny’s Wrecker........7 1
Boss............................7 1
Hensgens Bros...........5 3
3rd Baptist Church......4 4
Hustler’s......................3 5
Thibodaux’s Finest II...2 6
SNAFU........................2 6
Bach’s .........................2 6
Bye...............................0 8
Weekly high scores: (male) Eric Morrison 245, 224, 255, (724); Schaun Reed 261, 244, 216, (721); Johnny Lirette 245, 258, 209, (712); Kenny Keton 215, 267, 229, (711); Bubba Colwart 247, 207, 256, (710); Dustin Fuselier 232, 254, 224, (710); Patrick Thibodeaux 242, 206, 218; Anthony Falgout Jr. 201, 202, 217; Adam Adams 252, 226; David Boudreaux 203, 245; Jerry Colwart 211, 232; Devin Hidalgo 201, 201; Kelvin Smith 237; Mark Corbin 232; Marcus Jones 214; Mark Hebert 212; Glen Robinson 209; Chris Mayon 205; and Henry Vidos 201; and (female) Jennifer Moore 234 and Angela Fields 225.

Around Town for July 14

Wed, 07/14/2021 - 10:34am

Happy birthday Jovicia Bell and Clarence Clark from family, friends and Ira.

Morgan City man faces home invasion charge

Wed, 07/14/2021 - 10:32am

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.)

An Egle Street man has been returned to Morgan City to face home invasion and aggravated assault charges, police reports say.

Morgan City
Police Chief James F. Blair reported that over the last 24-hour period, the Morgan City Police Department responded to 30 calls for service and made these arrests beginning Monday:
—Alexander R. Foreman, 25, Egle Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:22 p.m. Monday on Morgan City Police Department warrants alleging home invasion, aggravated battery of a dating partner and aggravated assault with a firearm.
Foreman was transported from the West Baton Rouge Parish Jail to the Morgan City Police Department for active warrants he held for the department. The warrants stem from an incident in March in which it is alleged that Foreman forcefully entered a home, committed a battery and threatened the victim with a firearm.
Foreman was booked and incarcerated.
—Jason Paul Cavalier Sr., 46, Hilda Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:40 a.m. Monday on a warrant alleging false communication with intent to cause an emergency response.
—Vernon J. Robin Jr., 58, Front Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:02 a.m. Monday on a warrant alleging disturbing the peace by fighting.
—Cory Castille, 32, Bush Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:51 p.m. Monday on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance laws (drug-free zone).
The Morgan City Police Department Narcotics Division conducted a search warrant at a residence on Bush Street. Located at the residence was Castille.
During the search, officers located suspected methamphetamine packaged for sale along with drug paraphernalia. Castille was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
—Shelby R. Lee, 37, Landry Lane, Morgan City, was arrested at 5:17 p.m. Monday on a charge of theft under $1,000 and on 16th Judicial District Court warrants alleging failure to appear for arraignment and failure to appear for trial
—Richard D. Albritton III, 33, Helen Drive, was arrested at 12:02 a.m. Tuesday on charges of domestic abuse battery and domestic abuse (child endangerment).

St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 35 complaints and made these arrests:
—Darien Dwayne Dwyer, 25, Charenton, was arrested at 6 a.m. Monday on charges of driving under suspension and improper lane usage. Dwyer was released on a summons to appear Oct. 7.
—Arnold Yoan Cruz-Soto, 24, Amelia, was arrested at 8:06 p.m. Monday on a warrant alleging failure to appear for the charges of operating a vehicle with improper signal lamps or signal devices, operating a vehicle without proper required equipment, operating a vehicle without a driver’s license and failure to honor written promise to appear. Cruz-Soto was released on a $390 bond.
—Treveoate Pazarro Mosley, 19, Houma, was arrested at 1:17 a.m. Tuesday on charges of improper lane usage, aggravated flight from an officer, obstruction of highway (aggravated), obstruction of justice (tampering), possession of marijuana, possession of Schedule II drugs, possession of a legend drug without a prescription and driver must be licensed.
Mosley also was named in two Houma Police Department warrants on the charges of simple battery, aggravated assault with a firearm, and negligent carrying of a firearm. No bail has been set.
—Jason Rogers, 39, Patterson, was arrested at 5:25 p.m. Monday on a warrant alleging possession of marijuana and turning movements or signals required. Rogers was released on a summons to appear Oct. 7.

Franklin
Police Chief Morris Beverly reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to seven complaints over the last 24-hour period and made this arrest:
—Yvonne Denlinger, 47, Jackson Street, Franklin, was arrested at 12:32 p.m. Monday on charges of theft and criminal trespassing. Denlinger was additionally arrested on a warrant for 16th Judicial District Court for failure to appear on the charge of criminal neglect of family. Denlinger was booked, processed and transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.

Assumption
Sheriff Leland Falcon reported these arrests:
—Amber Lynn Anderson, 23, Leighton Road, Thibodaux was arrested Saturday on charges of illegal carrying of weapons in the presence of controlled dangerous substances, Schedule I drugs, Schedule II drugs, possession with intent to distribute synthetic marijuana, possession of marijuana (second offense), possession of heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia and speeding 84 mph in a 55 mph zone.
—Kristopher Robert Kennedy, 27, Government Circle, Thibodaux, was arrested Saturday on charges of illegal carrying of weapons in the presence of controlled dangerous substances, possession of drug paraphernalia, Schedule I drugs, Schedule II drugs and possession of heroin.
The arrests followed a traffic stop Saturday near Paincourtville.
A uniformed patrol deputy observed a westbound vehicle commit a traffic violation near La. 70 and Spur 70. The deputy initiated a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, identified as Anderson.
The deputy noted a strong odor of suspected marijuana emitting from the violator vehicle. The deputy interviewed Anderson, but concluded that further investigation was warranted and requested a K-9 at the location.
The deputy made contact with the passenger, identified as Kennedy. The passenger acknowledged the presence of a large-caliber firearm in the vehicle.
The officer conducted a walk-around of the vehicle and noted marijuana and other substances as well as the firearm in plain view. An inventory search furthered the investigation as additional illegal narcotics were seized.
Anderson and Kennedy were booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center with bond set at $165,000 each.
—Chelsea Elizabeth Jean Canady, 28, Emma Jean Lane, Lake Charles, was arrested Saturday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of Adderall, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and speeding 75 mph in a 55 mph zone.
—Jude Paul Coupel, 21, Shadow Brock Lane, Lake Charles, was arrested Saturday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.
The arrests followed a traffic stop Saturday on La. 70.
A uniformed patrol deputy observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation and initiated a stop of the vehicle. The deputy made contact with the driver, Canady. The deputy conducted an interview. The deputy made contact with Coupel and noted behavior consistent with illegal drug activity.
Both Chelsea Elizabeth Jean Canady and Jude Paul Coupel were arrested and booked into the parish detention facility. Canady’s bond was set at $35,000, and Coupel’s bond was set at $40,000.