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Edwards signs bill reforming marijuana laws

Wed, 06/16/2021 - 11:23am

BATON ROUGE — Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards signed House Bill 652 Tuesday, which will eliminate jail or prison time as a penalty for possession of 14 grams or less of marijuana, Louisiana Progress said in a release.
The measure, which was authored by Rep. Cedric Glover, also will reduce the fine for that offense to a maximum of $100 or a court summons.
House Bill 652 will go into effect Aug. 1 and will make Louisiana the first state in the Deep South and only the second state in the South to significantly reform its criminal laws regarding marijuana.
“In a period during our country’s history when consensus evades us on so many important issues, the Louisiana Legislature found common ground this year around the belief that the possession of small amounts of marijuana should no longer lead to either jail time or becoming a felon,” Glover said in the news release. “This consensus would not have been possible without the leadership of Reps. C. Denise Marcelle, Alan Seabaugh, Candace Newell, Richard Nelson, Sen. Jay Luneau, Louisiana Progress, all of my colleagues who voted in favor of HB652 and the legions of Louisiana citizens who reached out and encouraged them to do so. Going forward, I hope that we can build upon the common ground we have found and move even closer to the more just and equitable Louisiana that we all deserve.”
Louisiana Progress Policy & Advocacy Director Peter Robins-Brown said in the release: “This is a huge step forward in the movement to reform our criminal legal system. No one and no part of our society benefits from criminalizing people for possessing small amounts of marijuana. The current system of punishment has had a particularly negative effect on younger, poorer and blacker and browner folks, who represent the groups most likely to be targeted for harsh punishments for marijuana possession.”
Edwards said in a statement that despite the media’s and other’s idea, this bill does not “decriminalize” the act of possessing 14 grams or less of marijuana.
“Instead, anyone convicted of this crime will now be subject to a maximum penalty of $100 instead of being exposed to parish prison time,” he said. “This is not a decision I took lightly. In addition to carefully reviewing the bill, I also believe deeply that the state of Louisiana should no longer incarcerate people for minor legal infractions, especially those that are legal in many states that can ruin lives and destroy families, as well as cost taxpayers greatly. This measure passed Louisiana’s Legis-lature with bipartisan support following a robust discussion of the toll of over incarceration on our people and our state. Taking this action is another step forward for Louisiana’s criminal justice reform efforts.”

Cassidy, Smith, Cardin, Thune introduce bill to remove barriers to Telemental Health Care

Wed, 06/16/2021 - 11:15am

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy, M.D., (R-LA), Tina Smith (D-MN), John Thune (R-SD) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) introduced the bipartisan Telemental Health Care Access Act of 2021 to remove barriers to telemental health services for Medicare beneficiaries.
“Over the pandemic, we’ve seen an increased need for telehealth services, whether it’s for substance use disorders, physical ailments or mental health issues,” Cassidy said in a news release from his office. “Medicare patients deserve direct access to telemental health services, and this bill removes barriers to make this possible.”
Specifically, the bill removes the statutory requirement that Medicare beneficiaries be seen in person within six months of being treated for mental health services through telehealth. Last year’s end-of-year package permanently expanded access for Medicare patients to be treated in their home and other sites for mental health services, but unfortunately put in place an arbitrary requirement that would require the patient to be seen in-person before they could receive telemental services.
The Telemental Health Care Access Act of 2021 eliminates this in-person requirement so patients can directly access mental health services via telehealth.
This bill is consistent with how substance use disorder, or SUD, telehealth services are covered under Medicare — passed as part of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act in 2018, which eliminated certain requirements for SUD services so patients can access treatment from their home through telehealth.
“Our highest praise and gratitude to Senators Cassidy, Smith, Cardin and Thune for their steady leadership and clear priority to bring telehealth services to the American people, including those in rural and underserved communities,” American Tele-medice Association CEO Ann Mond Johnson said in the news release. “The Telemental Health Care Access Act is a critical piece of legislation that would repeal the telemental health in-person requirement. Passing this legislation and ensuring this unnecessary requirement is not repeated for other services, along with other pieces of legislation that make the telehealth waivers permanent, could not be a higher priority for the ATA and our members,”
“The ATA is very proud to collaborate with our Senate champions and enthusiastically endorse this important bill,” Johnson added.
Laurel Stine, senior vice president, Public Policy of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, said in the news release: “The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention commends Senators Bill Cassidy, Tina Smith, Ben Cardin and John Thune for ensuring expansions of telemental health, post the pandemic, work to encourage help-seeking for older adults, rather than create barriers to timely mental health care. One of the leading causes of suicide among older adults is depression, and early identification and effective treatment is paramount in saving lives.”

Police reports include a variety of arrests

Wed, 06/16/2021 - 11:10am

(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.)
Morgan City
Chief James F. Blair reports that Morgan City Police Department responded to a variety of calls since June 11. Arrested as the result were:
—Rebecca Martin, 49, South Railroad Avenue, Morgan City, arrested June 12 at 7:53 p.m. for criminal trespass.
—Joseph Lee Robertson, 57, Jones Road, Jeanerette, arrested June 12 at 7:58 p.m. for criminal damage to property less than $1,000, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
—Rochella Williams, 44, Kentucky Street, Morgan City, arrested June 12 at 5:57 a.m. on a 6th Ward Court warrant for failure to pay fine and restitution.
—Joshua Caleb Lousteau, 40, Lizabeth Street, Morgan City, arrested June 14 at 11:53 a.m. on 6th Ward Court warrant for failure to appear.
—Dennis Anthony Dardar, 40, Texas Gulf Road, Bourg, arrested June 14 at 2:44 p.m. on 6th Ward Court warrant for failure to appear.
—Cedric Sapp, 26, Francis Street, Morgan City, arrested June 14 at 4:24 p.m. on 6th Ward Court warrant for failure to appear and 16th Judicial District Court warrant for failure to appear for trial.
St. Mary
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith advises that the Sheriff’s Office responded to 46 complaints and reports the following arrests:
—Tony Paul Hale, 43, Franklin, arrested June 14 at 2:35 p.m. for residential contractor fraud, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of possession of marijuana.
Bail was set at $28,500.
—Gaylen Roydell Hamilton, 37, Morgan City, arrested June 14 at 2:33 p.m. for failure to register as a sex offender.
Bail was set at $20,000.
—Sara Ann Bella, 36, Patterson, arrested June 14 at 5:24 p.m. on charges of obedience to police officers, weights and standards, no insurance, resisting arrest or officer, and resisting a police officer with force.
Bella was released on a $9,250 bail.
—Patricia L. Chai-sson, 21, Morgan City, arrested June 15 at 11:16 p.m. on charges of speeding, no insurance, switched license plate/stolen license plate, failure/owner secure registration, and disturbing the peace by language.
Chaisson was released on a summons to appear Sept. 1.
—Christopher Maurice Williford Jr., 36, Amelia, arrested June 14 at 9:10 p.m. for theft.
No bail has been set.
The SMPSO Narcotics Section reported:
—Brennan Burney, 24, Franklin, arrested June 14 at 10:21 a.m. on a warrant for charges of reckless operation and aggravated flight from an officer.
Burney was released on a property bond of $3,000.
Patterson
Patterson Police Department Chief Garrett Grogan reported no arrests were made between 8 a.m. June 14 and 8 a.m. June 15.
Franklin
Chief Morris Beverly of Franklin Police Department said officers responded to 26 complaints over the past weekend and made the following arrests:
—Hunter Boudreaux, 19, of Bigler Street, Franklin, arrested June 11 at 6:41 p.m. on a charge of simple criminal damage to property. Boudreaux was booked, processed and held on a $1,000 bail.
—Jade Smith, 21, of Bigler Street, Franklin, arrested June 11 at 6:41 p.m. on a charge of resisting an officer by interfering. Smith was booked, processed and held on a $2,500 bail.
—Quincy Jones Sr., 58, of T.J. Hatherson Street, Baldwin, arrested June 12 at 5:50 p.m. on a warrant dated May 20 for the charge of battery of a dating partner. Jones was booked, processed, and released on a $2,500 bail.
Assumption
Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon reports the arrest of:
—Dustin Gerald Patrick Breaux, 33, of Pine Bayou Circle, Monroe, on felony drug and parole violation charges after deputies investigated a suspicious person complaint in the 4300 block of La. 70 June 12.
During the encounter, the deputy requested consent to search a back pack and tackle box on his bicycle. The deputy also conducted a protective pat down search and did locate multiple doses of suboxone on the suspect’s person. The drug was seized.
A computer inquiry confirmed that this suspect was wanted on a Department of Corr-ections Probation/Parole violation warrant.
Breaux was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center on charges of possession of suboxone and probation and parole warrant.
Breaux remains incarcerated with bail set at $5,000 for the drug charge. Breaux is being held without bail on the probation/parole warrant.
—Gregory Paul Billiot, 58, of Julie Street, Delcambre, on felony drug charges following a traffic incident on La. 70 in Pierre Part June 12.
A uniformed patrol deputy on assignment observed a vehicle on the shoulder of La. 70 with emergency flashers and stopped to investigate and/or provide assistance if needed.
The deputy made contact with the lone occupant and driver, identified as Billiot.
As the deputy spoke to Billiot, he noticed beer containers and paraphernalia commonly used to consume illegal controlled dangerous substances. The deputy continued to speak to Billiot once he exited the suspect vehicle.
The deputy believed further investigation was warranted and requested consent to search the vehicle, which was granted by Billiot.
During the ensuing search, a wide assortment of drug paraphernalia as well as meth-amphetamine, oxycodone and marijuana was seized.
Billiot was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center on charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of oxycodone, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Billiot remains incarcerated with bail set at $25,000.
—Travana Irie Pearley, 20, of La. 1, Belle Rose, on felony charges following a June 12 traffic stop.
A uniformed patrol officer observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation near Paincourtville and initiated a stop of the vehicle.
The deputy made contact with the driver, identified as Pearley. Upon conducting a computer check, the deputy learned that Pearley was wanted on a felony abuse battery warrant dating back to an incident on Oct. 8, 2020, near Belle Rose.
The facts surrounding that incident are as follows: On Oct. 8, 2020, Pearley sought medical treatment for injuries sustained.
Deputies went to a medical facility and interviewed Pearley. At that time, Pearley indicated that she and a domestic partner got into an argument that turned physical. During the incident, Pearley sustained noticeable injuries and accepted responsibility for the incident.
Based on the investigation, deputies requested and were granted arrest warrants for Pearley and the second party, identified as Joshua Brown, 24, of La. 1, Belle Rose.
Pearley was arrested on that warrant June 12 and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center on charges of domestic abuse battery.
The warrant charging Brown remains active for a charge of domestic abuse battery.
Pearly was released on $2,000 bail.

Morgan City Police Department radio log report for June 14-15

Wed, 06/16/2021 - 11:08am

The following are the radio dispatch logs from the Morgan City Police Department. To report unlawful or suspicious activity, call the police department at 985-380-4605.
Monday, June 14
6:25 a.m. 500 block of Egle Street; Disturbance.
7:11 a.m. 1000 block of Greenwood Street; Suspicious vehicle.
7:42 a.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Disturbance.
11:07 a.m. 500 block of Aucoin Street; Medical.
12:51 p.m. 1100 block of Brashear Avenue; Hit and run.
1:14 p.m. 2400 block of Apple Street; Complaint.
1:48 p.m. 1200 block of Brashear Avenue; Alarm.
3:09 p.m. 3000 block of Lizabeth Drive; Officer stand by.
3:09 p.m. 7000 block of Railroad Avenue; Welfare concern.
3:24 p.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Reckless driving.
3:36 p.m. 700 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard; Medical.
3:40 p.m. 1900 block of Sixth Street; Medical.
4:18 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Trespassing.
4:30 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Accident.
5:34 p.m. Marquis Manor; Fire alarm.
6:12 p.m. Myrtle Street and La. 182; Stalled vehicle.
6:42 p.m. 7300 block of La. 182; Remove subject.
8:19 p.m. 400 block of Belanger Street; Suspicious subject.
8:23 p.m. 900 block of Railroad Avenue; Animal complaint/gator
9:14 p.m. 700 block of Hilda Street; Theft.
9:24 p.m. 3100 block of Vine Drive; Suspicious vehicle.
9:32 p.m. 1200 block of Vine Drive; Disturbance.
11:18 p.m. Mallard Street area; Disturbance.
11:58 p.m. Mallard Street area; Complaint.
11:59 p.m. Onstead and North Third streets area ; Theft.
Tuesday, June 15
2:01 a.m. 900 block of Railroad Avenue; Complaint.
5:12 a.m. 1200 block of Railroad Avenue; Complaint.

Quilt of Many Colors opens new location

Wed, 06/16/2021 - 10:49am

Quilt of Many Colors held a St. Mary Parish Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting Thursday. The business is located at 602 Brashear Ave. in Morgan City. Owners Tracey Matthiews and Leslie Broussard cut the ribbon. They were joined by sewer Fanny Leonard; sewing teacher Diana Aucoin; family members Kirstie Morgan, Veronica Matthiews, Monica St. Romain and Tonya Fontenot; as well as shoppers and local and chamber officials.

CIS is first in Southeast U.S. to use Pressana catheter

Wed, 06/16/2021 - 10:39am

HOUMA — Dr. Pradeep Nair, interventional cardiologist at Cardiovascular Institute of the South in Houma, was the first in the Southeast United States to use the Pressana Occlusion Perfusion Catheter in a clinical setting to utilize a new method of targeted liquid drug delivery to treat peripheral artery disease in the legs, according to the Cardiovascular Institute of the South news release.
The device was first used on May 25 at the CIS Ambulatory Surgery Center in Gray.
Pressana is a multi‐lumen balloon catheter designed to temporarily block blood flow to the specific area of the lesion to allow a concentrated, targeted delivery of the liquid treatment drug, in this case, the physician selected agent was Paclitaxel, according Cardiovascular Institute of the South. This drug prevents the formation of scar tissue in the blood vessel to reduce chances of the re-obstruction of the artery (restenosis). This device is also unique in that it substantially reduces or eliminates the release of the selected drug throughout the body and can be repositioned and used multiple times with the same patient.
“This new technology allows for concentrated drug delivery in a pressurized environment to fully treat all types of atherosclerotic lesions,” explained Nair. “With the ability for multiple uses, even long lesions or multiple vessels can be safely treated with one device with little to no systemic release of the treatment agent. This newer generation of drug-delivery devices provides great promise in our battle against peripheral artery disease.”
Peripheral artery disease affects more than 12 million people in the United States by preventing blood flow to the legs and feet, causing significant pain and limited mobility, and potentially leading to surgery or even amputation in severe cases. Symptoms of PAD in the legs include: pain or cramping after activity, numbness, coldness, sores or ulcers that won’t heal, discoloration, hair loss, shiny skin or a weak pulse.
Pressana is manufactured and distributed by Advanced Catheter Therapies, a research and development commercial medical device company with a portfolio of innovative catheter technologies targeting vascular disease including thrombosis, inflammation, occlusions and restenosis. Dr. Rex Teeslink is the inventor of the Pressana OPC technology, co-founder of ACT and its scientific advisor.
To learn more about this device or PAD, visit www.cardio.com.

Danos grows business development team

Wed, 06/16/2021 - 10:38am

GRAY — Danos has announced that it has expanded its business development team with two internal moves and one new hire.
Rene Vidrine has been promoted to executive account manager. Bounty Fontenot has moved to sales and business development representative, and Chase Clement joins the team as a sales and business development representative.
“We are excited about the ability to strategically grow our business development team,” said owner, president and CEO Paul Danos. “This comes as we are seeing an increase in industry activity, and we are optimistic about the opportunities Danos has to provide more services to our valued customers.”
As executive account manager, Vidrine will oversee and maintain Danos’ relationship with long-standing customer Occidental, focusing on both onshore and offshore operations. He joined Danos in 2006 as a safety specialist and has since held roles as account manager, shale operations manager and, most recently, general manager of shale production. Additionally, he was Danos’ 2015 Staff Employee of the Year. Vidrine graduated from Nicholls State University with a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering technology. A Thibodaux native, he and his wife Katie live in Luling with their two children.
Fontenot has moved to the role of sales and business development representative covering the Lafayette region. A former Danos account manager, he will identify business opportunities while building and maintaining successful relationships with prospective and existing customers. Fontenot joined Danos in 2015 and has 28 years of industry experience. He and his wife Codi live in Opelousas and have two children.
New to the Danos team is sales and business development representative Chase Clement. He will focus on the industrial market and brings with him seven years of industry experience. Clement is a 2013 graduate of Louisiana State University and lives in Thibodaux.

MYRTLE GARRISON JAMES

Wed, 06/16/2021 - 9:24am

Myrtle Garrison James, 82, a resident and native of Berwick, La., passed away peacefully on Friday, June 11, 2021 at 10:12 a.m. at Patterson Healthcare.
Visitation will be observed on Thursday, June 17, 2021 at the St. John Baptist Church 508 Utah Street Berwick, La. 70342 from 10 a.m. until funeral services at 12 Noon. Dr. Louis Clark will officiate the services. Burial will follow funeral services in the Berwick Cemetery.
Memories of Myrtle will forever remain in the hearts of her children, Bessie Jones of Morgan City, La., Annie (Richard) Gant of Patterson, La., Geraldine James and Carolyn James both of Berwick, La.; step-daughter, Elizabeth Griffin of Patterson, La.; daughter-in-law, Debra James of Berwick, La. and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Myrtle was preceded in death by her husband, Warren James Sr.; son, Warren James, Jr.; daughter, Donna Gail James; her parents, Edward and Pearl Hawkins Garrison and fifteen siblings.
Arrangements entrusted to Jones Funeral Home of Morgan City-Franklin-Jeanerette and Houma. Visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family.

MATTHEW “LARRY” GREEN

Wed, 06/16/2021 - 9:23am

Matthew “Larry” Green, 71, a resident and native of Morgan City (Siracusa area), La., passed away peacefully on Sunday June 13, 2021 at 9:20 p.m. at his residence.
Visitation will be observed on Saturday, June 19, 2021 from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Church in Morgan City. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Burial will follow mass services in the Morgan City Cemetery in Morgan City, La.
Memories of Matthew or “Larry,” as he was known to many, will forever remain in the hearts of his wife, Jeanette M. Green of Siracusa, La.; children, Cory (Teneisha) Green and Bernadette (Trey) Green both of Houston, TX; brothers, Kenneth G. Greene (Elaine) and Daniel Green (Bethany) both of Houston, TX; two sisters, Lana Pierre (Harrison) and Cindy Greene both of Lafayette, La.; four grandchildren; five brothers-in-law, three sisters-in-law, and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Matthew Green and Audrey Lee Green and one brother, Carlton Green.
Arrangements entrusted to Jones Funeral Home of Morgan City-Franklin-Jeanerette and Houma. Visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family.

Mardi Gras Shipwreck gives glimpse of life on ships over 200 years ago

Wed, 06/16/2021 - 8:22am

BATON ROUGE – The Louisiana Division of Archaeology and the Capitol Park Museum announce the opening of a new exhibit – The Mardi Gras Shipwreck.
In 2007, a team of archaeologists and researchers mapped, recovered and analyzed more than 1,000 artifacts from an underwater archaeological site in the Gulf of Mexico. While the artifacts and research indicate the ship sank in the early 1800s, the name of the ship and its crewmembers remain unknown.
It’s referred to as the Mardi Gras Shipwreck for the pipeline where it was found in 2002 by Okeanos Gas Gathering Company while surveying the floor of the gulf about 35 miles off the coast in 4,000 feet of water, according to the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism news release.
The Mardi Gras Shipwreck exhibit features recovered artifacts that remained underwater for more than 200 years and represents over a decade of collaborative research and conservation. Visit the exhibit to learn more about what researchers pieced together from the remains of this mysterious shipwreck.
The exhibit opens at the Capitol Park Museum in Baton Rouge on Thursday with extended hours that evening from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The exhibit will remain up into spring 2022.
Capitol Park Museum’s regular hours are Tuesdays-Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission prices are $7 for adults and $6 for students, senior citizens and active military. Children six and under are free.
For more information about the Capitol Park Museum, visit the Capitol Park Museum webpage at louisianastatemuseum.org/museum/capitol-park-museum.
To explore more educational and interactive exhibits offered by the Louisiana Division of Archaeology, visit the Division’s Discover Archaeology webpage at www.crt.state.la.us/cul tural-development/archaeology/discover-archaeology/index.