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(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.)

Four local people were cited or booked Monday after police said they were driving despite license suspensions, according to arrest reports. One arrest in Berwick resulted from a crash that led to the La. 182 bridge closure Monday night.

Berwick
Police Chief David Leonard reported this arrest:
—Christopher Woods, 29, 11th Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 6:37 p.m. Monday on charges of careless operation with crash and driving under suspension.
At 6:20 p.m. Monday, officers were dispatched to the La. 182 bridge in reference to a single-vehicle crash. Officers met with the driver and identified him as Woods.
Officers learned that he operated the vehicle in a careless manner, which led to the crash. His driver’s license was also found to be suspended.
Following the crash investigation, Woods was placed under arrest and booked into the Berwick Jail. He was released after posting a $302 cash bond.
Due to the crash, the bridge had to be closed for about 45 minutes.
It was also learned that a passenger in the vehicle fled the scene on foot before officers arrived. Anyone with information concerning the identity of the passenger is asked to contact the Berwick Police Department at 985-384-7710.
St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 47 complaints and made these arrests:
—Christopher Patterson, 21, Patterson, was arrested at 8:21 p.m. Monday on charges of obstruction of public passage and driving under suspension. Patterson was released on a summons to appear Sept. 1.
—Thomas Clay, 58, Gray, was arrested at 4:15 p.m. Monday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charge of aggravated assault on a dating partner. Bail has not been set.
—Trinity Nicole Lodrigue, 26, Patterson, was arrested at 12:29 a.m. Tuesday on a charge of open container. Lodrigue was released on a summons to appear Sept. 1.
—Kay Lynn Michel, 40, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:29 a.m. Monday on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. Michel was released on a summons to appear Sept. 1.

Morgan City
Police Chief James F. Blair reported that over the last 24-hour period, the Morgan City Police Department responded to 43 calls for service and made these arrests beginning Monday:
—Jeremy Charles Godeaux, 39, Teddy Drive, Pierre Part, was arrested at 8:51 p.m. Monday on a charge of driving under suspension.
—Dustin Paul Fitch, 33, Shady Grove, Patterson, was arrested at 2:32 p.m. Monday on warrants alleging simple burglary and criminal damage to property (less than $100).
—Ray Joe Mack Landry, 30, Hospital Drive, Abbeville, was arrested at 10:15 p.m. Monday as a fugitive from the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office on a charge of unauthorized use of a vehicle.

Franklin
Police Chief Morris Beverly reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to six complaints over the past 24 hours and made these arrests:
—Russel Julien, 28, South College Road, Lafayette, was arrested at 1:24 p.m. Monday on a 3rd Ward Court warrant alleging failure to appear on the charges of no seat belt, no child restraint and driving under suspension. Julien was booked, processed and released on a $450 bond.
—Jada Druilhet, 20, John Street, Baldwin, was arrested on a warrant dated May 16 and alleging simple battery and theft.
Druilhet was additionally arrested on a warrant for Jeanerette City Court alleging simple criminal damage to property and criminal trespass.
Druilhet was booked, processed, and held on a $2,500 bond.

Assumption
Sheriff Leland Falcon reported these arrests:
—Danielle Patrice Alleman, 45, La. 70 South, Pierre Part, was arrested Monday on charges of possession of MDMA (ecstasy) and possession of Klonopin (clonazepam).
— Treyvor Rendell Desira, 45, La. 70 South, Pierre Part, was arrested Monday on charges of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of methamphetamine.
The Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division initiated an investigation and determined that Alleman and Desira were engaging in illegal drug activity in the Assumption Parish area.
As a result of this investigation, agents established probable cause to secure a search warrant for property located in the 3100 block of La. 70 South.
Late Monday night, agents and deputies executed the search warrant and seized a quantity of illegal narcotics.
Alleman and Desira were arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending bond hearings.
— John Edward Westerfield, 29, Castro Lane, Donaldsonville, was arrested on a charge of unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling.
The arrest was in connection with an incident at a Pierre Part apartment complex Thursday.
Deputies were dispatched to the complex for a custody matter.
Upon making contact with the complainant, deputies learned that Westerfield contacted her and advised that he was going to her residence to pick up his child. The complainant advised Westerfield not to go to her home.
A short time later, Westerfield arrived at the location in question and without authorization, did in fact force his way into the apartment.
As a result of the investigation, a warrant of arrest was obtained for Westerfield.
Westerfield was not present at the time deputies arrived.
Westerfield surrendered at the Assumption Parish Detention Center and was booked. He was released on a $10,000 bond.
—Marvin Willoughby, 24, La. 400, Napoleonville, was arrested Saturday on a felony charge of illegal possession of stolen things.
On Saturday, deputies were asked by Thibodaux city police to assist in locating a stolen dirt bike believed to be near Napoleonville.
Detectives located the dirt bike and found that property to be illegally in the possession of Willoughby.
In the process of investigating this matter, detectives learned that Willoughby had obtained the dirt bike through illegal activity.
On Saturday, the dirt bike was recovered and Willoughby was booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Facility pending a bond hearing.
Upon release from Assumption Parish, Willoughby is wanted by the Thibodaux Police Department on charges of felony theft and monetary instrument abuse.
—Ashton Trevon Johnson, 23, Blackwell Lane, Belle Rose, was arrested Saturday on charges of disturbing the peace (intoxicated), two counts of resisting an officer with force or violence, and battery on a police officer.
The charges arise from a disturbance and fight at the Community Center early Saturday morning in Napoleonville.
Deputies were summoned to the center to help disperse a large crowd. At some point, a fight amongst two persons erupted. Deputies intervened in the disturbance.
At that time, Johnson allegedly threw a beer container very aggressively, striking a deputy in the forehead and spraying beer on other deputies.
As deputies confronted the suspect, he resisted their efforts.
After a period of time, Johnson was arrested. He was transported to and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center and released after posting a $50,000 commercial bond.

St. Martin
Sheriff Becket Breaux reported these arrests:
—Albert Cody, 35, Main Highway, St. Martinville, was arrested Sunday on a charge of aggravated child endangerment/domestic abuse.
—Brenda Cretain, 53, Simon Angelle Road, Arnaudville, was arrested Monday and held for court.
—Kody Hebert, 32, Main Highway, St. Martinville, was arrested Monday on a warrant alleging failure to appear.
—Carey Jones, 63, Honore Street, St. Martinville, was arrested Monday on a warrant alleging failure to appear.
—Brenda Journet, 53, A Henderson Highway, Breaux Bridge, was arrested Monday and held for court.
—Kinyon Paul, 23, Martin Luther King Drive, St. Martinville, was arrested Monday on charges of improper lane usage; resisting an officer; reckless operation of a vehicle; possession with intent to distribute Schedule I drugs; manufacture, distribution or possession with intent to distribute Schedule II drugs; transactions involving proceeds from drug offenses; possession of a firearm while committing or attempting a crime; illegal possession of stolen firearms; and obstruction of justice (evidence tampering).

Submitted Photo
The St. Mary Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed its newest member, Me Me’s Franklin Flower Shop, 309 Main St., Franklin. Missy Boudreaux, owner and operator, offers help with florist needs and gift items. She's shown with Leon Boudreaux.

While the Legislative Black Caucus has a long and proud history in the Louisiana Legislature, the last two terms have seen the organization ramp up its fundraising apparatus like never before as the membership forged new political alliances and modernized its approach to policymaking.
On the staffing level, there’s also a reinvigorated approach to across-the-board communications, from social media and mainstream media to legislative relations and voter outreach. There’s even new leadership. Term-limited Rep. Ted James, D-Baton Rouge, was elected as chairman of the Caucus earlier this year and has since pushed the group to be more open to bipartisan efforts.
During an interview last week, James reflected on the spring and summer of 2020, when he said COVID-19 nearly took his life before protestors packed the streets to bring awareness to police brutality. James told friends and family at the time he was ready to exit politics, leaving many to simply wonder when.
As we settle into yet another Louisiana summer, James sounds more optimistic, even in the wake of a divisive, ugly session. “I remember when the caucus worked with the (conservative) Fiscal Hawks during the (Bobby) Jindal years and we lived in a time when you could be bipartisan and not be criticized,” said James. “We can do that again. That’s why I personally feel reenergized. The House won’t be my last stop.”
This past session served as a reminder that the caucus is capable of leveraging its institutional knowledge and playing some hardball politics. The caucus is competitive against other factions that can stop a 70-vote threshold in the House, for example, especially when you consider the seniority of the membership. There are 18 caucus members who face term limits this go around and next, including seven who are on the way out and another 11 on deck for next term.
The regular session that was adjourned two weeks ago saw the caucus bring tax reform to a screeching halt in a successful effort to remove the House education chairman.
Then the membership turned around and helped the leadership pass the same tax package. But that’s old news. James said members are already transitioning into the forthcoming redistricting session. That’s when all of the fundraising work will meld with all of the operational changes for a strong stance by the caucus.
The Republican leadership has already done the same thing, using its Leadership Louisiana outfit to hire external help to assist in the redistricting process. The Black Caucus, for its part, is refusing to allow that maneuver to go unanswered.
The Caucus PAC has gone from holding a few thousand dollars on average (from 2017 to 2020) to a cash-on-hand total of $34,000 on June 7. Caucus members have increased their own donations to boost the tally, which is due for another jump later this month when the PAC will host its first ever golf tournament. As of last week, organizers had nearly reached their six-figure sponsorship goal — already a record haul for the PAC.
Members also met with representatives of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association during the first week of the regular session, which is a relationship Rep. Randal Gaines developed during his previous tenure as Caucus chair. Members have worked with LMOGA to develop job fairs and explore other workforce collaborations, which is a conversation James said is happening with LABI’s staff, too.
Back inside the rails, the caucus pulled together during the recent regular session for some significant wins on early childhood education, criminal justice, voting rights and honoring Black history. In particular, the push to reform police practices saw progress with SB 34 by Sen. Cleo Fields, D-Baton Rouge, to ban chokeholds and no-knock warrants and HB 430 by James to increase transparency in complaints against officers.
The issue of police practices has been an emotional one for James, who delivered a memorable and career-marker floor speech last year about his own experiences. That was right after James, the caucus and other Democrats teamed up to help elect GOP Speaker Clay Schexnayder, R-Gonzales — and long before James asked Schexnayder to remove Rep. Ray Garofalo, R-Chalmette as education chairman, over a controversial and now well-documented slavery comment.
When asked what contributed to his bipartisan approach this term, James reached across the proverbial aisle to give partial credit to the speaker, setting what he and others hope will be a positive tone for the remainder of the term. “I know people gave the speaker a lot of angst about appointing me as criminal justice chair,” James said. “That forced me to look at this job differently. I learned that as chair, you have to facilitate the conversation, keep it moving and be as respectful as possible to all sides.”
For more Louisiana political news, visit www. LaPolitics. com or follow Alford on Twitter @LaPoliticsNow.

BATON ROUGE — Many people think of an air conditioner as something that circulates cool air through their home, but what it really does is remove heat and moisture from the air. So, an understanding of how heat enters the home is the key to choosing the most cost-effective ways to cut summer utility bills, while staying cool and comfortable, said Claudette Hanks Reichel, LSU AgCenter housing specialist and director of LaHouse.
According to an analysis by the Florida Solar Energy Center, the main sources of heat gain in homes during the summer, in order of greatest to smallest, are:
1. Windows (solar heat gain through glass);
2. Duct system (air leaks and absorbed heat);
3. Roof and attic;
4. Internally generated heat (appliances, electronics, cooking, bathing, etc.);
5. Air infiltration (outside air leaking into the home);
6. Walls.
“Although the amount of heat gain from each source varies among houses and lifestyles, the top five tend to offer the greatest opportunity to save money and stay cool in Louisiana’s hot and humid climate,” Reichel said.
She offered advice to keep homes cool during summer’s heat.
1. Shade windows. Sun-control strategies can provide the greatest bang for the buck. An exterior shading strategy should be used for any glass that receives direct sunshine or heat radiating from pavement. Interior window treatments like blinds help but are not nearly as effective as exterior or glass solar control.
Solar screens, or shade screens, are an inexpensive, do-it-yourself strategy that can block up to 70% of solar heat while preserving the view. The screening fabric is easy to install in aluminum screen frames with a spline. The energy savings can surpass the cost in one or two summers.
Solar films (heat control film applied to the interior side of glass) are available with a range of properties to serve a home’s needs. A solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) under 0.4 (meaning it admits 40% and blocks 60% of radiant heat) and a visible light transmittance (VT) of 0.5 or greater is optimal. The lower the SHGC the better; the higher the VT the better. Do-it-yourself kits are available but take a bit of finesse to avoid air bubbles.
If planning to install new windows, choose units that are Energy Star certified. Energy Star windows for the southern region will have an SHGC of 0.25 or lower.
Landscaping is a great way to shade both glass and walls as well as add value to a home. Awnings are another good option with aesthetic benefits, but they are costlier.
2. Test and improve ductwork. In a typical home, ductwork might lose 30% or more of its cooling, which costs money. This is due to ducts in most homes in the south being in the hottest part of a home: the attic, which tend to be quite leaky. Leaky ducts mean both air conditioning the outdoors and causing a home to draw in hot, humid outdoor air to make up for the leaked air.
It’s a great investment to have ducts leak-tested by a trained professional with specialized equipment, then have all leaks sealed with mastic tape rather than duct tape. It is also helpful to add duct insulation when feasible and improve its layout to correct tight bends and crimps.
3. Block attic heat. If a home has a vented attic, it can become much hotter than the outdoor temperature. To combat this, find and seal air leaks in ceilings, around chimneys and any other bypasses. This can also reduce dust in a home. If space permits, increase attic floor insulation to R-38.
If the air conditioner and ducts are in the attic, a radiant barrier system can reduce the heat-up of ductwork and the attic by blocking radiant heat from the hot roof. This can be a do-it-yourself project by stapling reinforced foil radiant barrier to rafters, shiny side down.
Powered roof vents are not recommended. They not only use energy but can also create a suction in the attic that pulls air from the living space into the attic. That can result in higher energy bills because the attic is being cooled with the conditioned air.
4. Produce less heat indoors. In general, every three kilowatt-hours of energy saved in the home can reduce the need for cooling by one additional kWh, saving energy and money two ways.
Leaving computers, TVs, lights and even ceiling fans on add heat needlessly. Ceiling fans can save energy by keeping a home cooler at higher thermostat settings, but they waste energy if are left on in unoccupied rooms. Turning everything off when not needed costs nothing. If that seems like a difficult habit to enforce, install and use timers or motion sensors.
When replacing appliances, look for the Energy Star label. Investing in high efficiency pays off. Refrigerators and freezers are especially important because they run — and give off heat — continuously.
Replace incandescent light bulbs with LEDs or compact fluorescent lamps. They have a higher price tag, but use about one-fourth the electricity, produce one-fourth the heat and last 10 to 20 times longer — thus staying cooler and saving money in the long run.
Consumers should also think about ways to reduce heat-making activities. This can be accomplished by cooking with a microwave oven and outdoor grill. Waiting for full loads to run the dishwasher is also a good way to save, as is using less hot water for laundry and showers.
5. Cool more efficiently. Last but not least, air conditioning systems should be professionally cleaned and serviced to keep them running as efficiently as possible. Changing the air filter as recommended on its label is important. A dirty filter that restricts air flow causes a big loss of efficiency.
When it’s time to replace an air conditioner, investments in a Seasonal Energy Effic-iency Ratio of 14 to 16 or an Energy Star qualified model should be made, as is making certain it is sized correctly. Bigger isn’t necessarily better. An oversized air conditioner cools the space too quickly, resulting in short cycles that do not dehumidify adequately. An oversized unit also will cost more to buy and more to operate, and it will not last as long.
To learn more about energy-saving, resilient and healthy home improvements, visit the LSU AgCenter LaHouse Resource Center and its website, www.lsuagcen ter.com/LaHouse.
The LaHouse Resource Center near the LSU campus is an educational showcase of solutions for the Gulf region’s climate and natural hazards. Also, check out the LaHouse YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/myLaHouse, and get timely tips by following www.facebook.com/mylahouse.