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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.
Wednesday, April 28
8:25 a.m. U.S. 90 West; Traffic incident.
10:40 a.m. 600 block of Third Street; Suspicious vehicle.
10:43 a.m. Karen and McDermott drives; Traffic incident.
11:23 a.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Accident.
12:49 p.m. 600 block of Barrow Street; Animal.
4:11 p.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Frequent patrols.
4:50 p.m. 400 block of Belanger Street; Suspicious person.
7:11 p.m. David Drive near Rouses; Suspicious subject.
7:53 p.m. 800 block of Brashear Avenue; Loud music.
8:52 p.m. 500 block of First Street; Hit and run/arrest.
9:46 p.m. 800 block of Brashear Avenue; Medical emergency.
9:49 p.m. 300 block of Chennault Street; Loud music.
Thursday, April 29
12:43 a.m. 600 block of Kentucky Street; Patrol.
2:53 a.m. 600 block of Kentucky Street; Complaint.
4:11 a.m. Amelia area; Complaint.

Local folk were disappointed when Babe Ruth came to Crowley in late March 1921 and didn’t hit a home run.
Of course, it was hard to do in Crowley in those days.
The baseball diamond was laid out inside the fairgrounds race track so that the outfield stretched forever and home runs were nearly impossible.
The Yankees were in town to play an exhibition game against the Indianapolis Indians, an American Association team that did part of its spring training in Crowley that year.
The Yankees, who spent their spring in Shreveport in 1921, won the game 5-0, but Ruth didn’t contribute much to the win.
He hit two long flies that were caught and two infield grounders that were handled easily.
It was not unusual for big league teams to visit warm south Louisiana back then.
Most of them held training camp in the sunny south and then took leisurely train trips North, playing exhibitions along the way.
The St. Louis Cardinals had stopped in Crowley the week before, beating Indianapolis 7-6.
At that game, the Crowley Signal reported, “the attendance was fine and the enthusiasm was of the white heat type.”
According to the New York Times, “The usual half holiday was declared” when the Yankees came to town, and “close to 3,000 fans, which number is about three-eighths the town’s population” turned out for the game.
“Babe Ruth’s failure to hit for the circuit, or even to reach first base on any of his four trips to the plate, was something of a disappointment to the crowd, which gave the battering bambino a cordial and most noisy welcome
"The daily paper got out an early afternoon extra, with the first page given over mainly to Ruth and his less celebrated conferees.
"Ruth had been interviewed on various topics, including Crowley’s seven-story skyscraper, as it is called down here, and in which much pride is taken by the community.”
That skyscraper was the new bank building on North Parkerson Avenue. When it was built in 1920, it was the tallest building between New Orleans and Houston and still is the tallest building in Crowley.
“I noticed your skyscraper,” Ruth told a writer for the Signal, “great for a city of this like. … You can’t imagine what … the signs of progress mean. It is all in the thought, after all; think right, live right, and you get there with flying colors,”
Ruth told the Signal, “I go back in spirit to the corner lot where I first learned to bat the ball and I thank God for giving me the power to punch the pig skin in the nose.
"I thank the teachers in the Catholic school back in Baltimore who taught me the first principles of the great game.”
According to the Times, Babe demonstrated “his remarkable hitting power even though he failed to deliver the much-expected home run,” explaining that “the Indianapolis outfielders were able to play so far back that it was impossible to hit beyond them.”
Local fans were also impressed with Yankee pitcher Carl Mays, who threw with an underhand delivery that mystified the Indianapolis hitters.
“The underhand flinger … had the Hoosiers well tamed,” the Times reported. “He served up the underhand toss from down near the ground … and the American Association hitters were helpless.”
Eddie Ash, sports editor of the Indianapolis News, reported that, even though they lost to the major league teams, the Indians were well satisfied with their stay in Crowley. The team took over the second floor of the Lyons Hotel and ate most of their meals at the Liberty Café, with at least one exception.
“Though unaccustomed to such events,” Ash wrote, “the players went through … [a] gumbo banquet … given by the Ladies’ Aid Society of the Methodist Church in fine style.”
“The Crowley boosters do not ask much in return for their hospitality,” he wrote, “merely requesting that visitors say a good word for Crowley and … Eat More Rice.”
A collection of Jim Bradshaw’s columns, "Cajuns and Other Characters," is now available from Pelican Publishing. You can contact him at jimbradshaw4321@gmail.com or P.O. Box 1121, Washington LA 70589.

DEAR ABBY: I am a 48-year-old woman, divorced for 10 years. During that time, I have been in two serious relationships. I’m no prude, but it seems like everyone I date, and who my friends and I talk to, and articles I see are all about sex, having sex, rushing to sex. It’s like there’s no emphasis on actually getting to know a person anymore.
I’d like to believe that sex is something people who are already emotionally intimate can share. But by the third date, sex is not only expected but considered “normal.” When I say that it’s too soon for me, I’m not called back for another date. If I do go forward with sex, I feel compromised and cheapened when the “relationship” ends. These men didn’t take the time to actually know ME.
Please understand. I’m mature enough to handle this, but I’m deterred from dating because of it. Are there any men out there who want a connection that isn’t just physical?
NOT CONNECTING IN MISSOURI

DEAR NOT CONNECTING: Yes, there are. But in our hookup culture, it may take time to find them. I agree that we live in a sex-obsessed society, as we are constantly reminded in print, television, film and online media. Many men in your age group avoid emotional intimacy because they have been divorced and don’t want to quickly jump back into a committed relationship.
It’s possible you might have better luck if you join activity groups in which the members have common interests besides running right off to the bedroom. You should never allow yourself to be coerced into doing anything you don’t feel ready for. Unlike what some people may believe, sex does not automatically go with the dinner.

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been together for 10 years and were legally married a year ago. Our wedding was last-minute because my mother asked us to move the date up and make it happen fast. We obliged because she was very sick at the time, and we put the wedding together in nine days. The ceremony was beautiful. My mother passed away days later. It is obvious to me now that she knew she was terminal; however, I did not.
Since the date of her death is so close to our anniversary, it’s a very emotional and hard time for me. I would prefer to celebrate on a different day, perhaps the anniversary of our first date. My husband tells me that while he understands it’s hard for me, the date of our legal ceremony is important to him and worthy of celebration. I just don’t feel much like celebrating. Although I know it’s not fair to him, all I want to do is mourn the loss of my mother. How should I handle this?
BITTERSWEET MEMORIES IN FLORIDA

DEAR BITTERSWEET: A compromise is in order. Explain again to your husband that because you lost your mother only a year ago, and this will be the first anniversary after her death, you would prefer to either forgo a celebration this year or celebrate on a different date.
Assure him that your sadness will lessen eventually, and when it does, you will be fine celebrating your wedding anniversary with him in the future.
***
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The leader of a St. Mary animal welfare group is suggesting an advisory committee as well as other animal shelter improvements after social media posts and news stories have painted an unflattering picture of the St. Mary facility.
Facebook posts and stories by two Lafayette television stations last week showed pictures of dogs with a tumor, a missing eye, a head wound and other signs of what looks like a lack of treatment.
The allegations that injured animals are sometimes left for days without treatment has drawn the attention of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. In a letter to parish officials, PETA Animal Care and Control Issues Manager Teresa Chagrin urged the parish offer prompt veterinary care to injured animals and to stop requiring fees from those who want to surrender pets at the shelter.
The fees can lead pet owners to abandon pets by a roadside, Chagrin wrote.
Animals are taken to the parish-run shelter after they’re picked up as strays, after biting reports, because they’re abandoned by owners, and as victims of cruelty or neglect.
Joy Sanders, president of St. Mary Animal Advocates, told the Parish Council on Wednesday that the TV stories and social media posts lack important context.
The photos came from Animal Advocates, which comes to the shelter on Saturdays to examine newly arrived animals and document their condition, Sanders said.
“We take care of what we can take care of,” Sanders said. “It’s not always as speedy as we would like.”
One constraint on the availability of veterinary care is money. About $210,000 comes from the parish general fund each year to operate the shelter, Chief Administrative Officer Henry C. “Bo” LaGrange said. That’s on top of fees paid by municipalities for the shelter’s services: $25,000 from Morgan City, $6,000 from Franklin, more than $3,000 from Patterson, $2,500 from Berwick and $750 from Baldwin.
The key needs are volunteers and donations, said Parish President David Hanagriff.
He defended the operation of the shelter.
“I guarantee you [animals] are getting better care than they are out on the street,” Hanagriff said.
Two council members, James Bennett of Morgan City and Craig Mathews of Jeanerette, said they have inspected the shelter since the allegations surfaced.
Bennett said he found clean kennels, properly stored food and clean bowls.
“I was impressed …,” Bennett said. “I went there a couple of times and didn’t see what was in the pictures.”
Mathews said he didn’t see any signs of neglect, either, and he criticized the media accounts of conditions there.
“I believe there was malicious intent,” Mathews said. “I hope we can get past this negative publicity. …”
Sanders came to the meeting armed with recommendations. Among them:
—Improving the shelter’s cat room by replacing a rusted-out door that can allow escapes or moving the cats to the shelter’s new building.
—More training for those who handle cats as a way to prevent injury.
—Security cameras at entrances to discourage thefts.
—-Waiving the $25 “pull” fee that Animal Advocates pays for each dog taken to the shelter. The parish pays to feed and house the dogs, Sanders said, but Animal Advocates pays for vaccinations, heartworm tests and vetting.
Pull fees to St. Mary Parish cost Animal Advocates about $4,600 in 2020, and veterinarian fees in Franklin alone cost about $8,700 last year, Sanders said. Together, those two totals consume about half the donations to Animal Advocates.
—Asking the shelter staff to examine dogs and cats more closely for tight or embedded collars.
—More staff members to allow animals to be removed when kennels are being cleaned.
—Applying for grants from organizations like the Bissell Foundation.
—Creating positive press for the shelter.
Sanders said more volunteers might mean more problems.
“It is our opinion that our shelter is not set up for a large volunteer program,” Sanders wrote in material provided to the council. “It would be a danger to the animals and possibly a liability to the shelter.
“We would like to work towards having a more volunteer friendly environment in the future.”