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Morgan City police radio log for Oct. 28-29

Fri, 10/30/2020 - 10:35am

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, Oct. 28
8:43 a.m. 1600 block of Chestnut Drive; Alarm.
10:15 a.m. 800 block of Brashear Avenue; Accident.
11:17 a.m. 600 block of Fifth Street; Complaint.
11:50 a.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Welfare concern.
12:26 p.m. 1000 block of Brashear Avenue; Assistance.
12:37 p.m. La. 182 shrimp boat area; Com-plaint.
1:26 p.m. 800 block of Eighth Street; Alarm/open door.
1:39 p.m. 2500 block of Maple Street; Frequent patrol.
2:07 p.m. 500 block of Fifth Street; Sheriff’s Office warrant/arrest.
2:28 p.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Medical emergency.
5:32 p.m. 1000 block of Third Street; Theft.
6:45 p.m. 1700 block of Sixth Street; Medical.
7:02 p.m. 7500 block of La. 182; Theft.
7:35 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Accident.
8:27 p.m. 300 block of Lawrence Street; Medi-cal.
9:40 p.m. Wren Street and Veterans Boulevard; Medical.
10:45 p.m. 1000 block of Brashear Avenue; Juvenile problems.
Thursday, Oct. 29
2:28 a.m. 600 block of General MacArthur Street; Medical.

Sheriff: Man caught in house faces burglary charge

Fri, 10/30/2020 - 10:28am

Staff Report
A New Iberia man was caught in the act of burglarizing a Pierre Part area home, Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon reported.

—Jared Paul Coupel, 36, Curtis Lane, New Iberia, was arrested Wednesday on charges of simple burglary and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Deputies responded to the complaint in the area of Lakeview Street and noticed a window partially opened. At some point, deputies made entry into the dwelling and located Coupel.
At the time of the arrest, Coupel was found in the presence of a large caliber rifle. Jared Paul Coupel is a con-victed felon.
Coupel was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center and remains incarcerated pend-ing a bond hearing.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith reported these arrests:
—Demarcus Tramaine Skipper, 25, Fifth Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:12 p.m. Wednesday on charges of violation of protective orders and criminal damage to property-aggravated. No bail has been set.
—Blake Michael Dinger, 27, Neptune Street, Bayou Vista, was arrested at 10:46 p.m. Wednesday on charges of bicycle equipment required for night operation, possession of Schedule IV drugs, and resisting an officer by giving false information. No bail has been set.
—Morgan City Police Chief James F. Blair reported this arrest:

— Demarcus Skipper, 25, Hickory Street, Patterson, was at 2:10 p.m. Wednesday as a fugitive wanted by the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Skipper was located by officers and arrested on warrants from St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office. Skipper was trans-ported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking.

St. Martin Parish Sheriff Becket Breaux reported these arrests as of Thursday:

—Fuentes-ardiano, Adani, 29, was arrested and held for the U.S. marshal.

—Girod, Dartavien, 19, Orchard Park Drive, Breaux Bridge, was arrested on charges of criminal conspiracy; manufacture or distribution or possession with intent to distribute Schedule I and Schedule II narcotics; manufac-ture or distribution of Schedule IV narcotics; illegal use of controlled dangerous substances in the presence of a minor; and prohibited acts-possession of drug paraphernalia.

—Senegal, Cedrick, 23, Bernard Lane, Arnaudville, was arrested on charges of criminal conspiracy, resisting an officer, manufacture, distribution or possession with intent to distribute Schedule I, Schedule II and Schedule IV narcotics; illegal use of controlled dangerous substances in the presence of a minor; and prohibited acts-possession of drug paraphernalia.

—Senegal, Elviona, 19, Orlanda Road, Arnaudville, was arrested on charges of criminal conspiracy, resisting an officer, manufacture, distribution or possession with intent to distribute Schedule I, Schedule II and Schedule IV narcotics; illegal use of controlled dangerous substances in the presence of a minor; and prohibited acts-possession of drug paraphernalia.

Man is unsure of future with his bi-curious fiancée

Fri, 10/30/2020 - 10:23am

By Jeanne Phillips, ©United Features Syndicate

DEAR ABBY: My fiancée and I are in our early 50s. We dated for two years and have been engaged for three months. She’s a wonderful lady, and I can’t imagine life without her.
I knew she was bi-curious a year ago when she told me one of her married female co-workers was flirting with her and she kind of enjoyed it. Since then, their relationship has grown, and they get together every couple of weeks for intimacy in our home. They have even asked me to join them, which I haven’t done yet.
My fiancée insists she isn’t a lesbian or bisexual and what she and her friend are doing is innocent fun, but I’m not so sure. So far, I haven’t made an issue of it and go to bed at my usual time when her friend visits so they can have their fun. But have I opened Pandora’s box by being so agreeable?
She promises no romantic feelings are involved, that her friend is no threat to our relationship and the two of them are just blowing off steam. Our love life is great, and she says nothing can replace us in the bedroom.
Should I continue to look the other way? Or is this a fork in the road that could lead to a life of “anything goes”?
CONFOUNDED IN KENTUCKY

DEAR CONFOUNDED: This is not happening because you “allowed” it. It is happening because this is what your fiancée feels she needs. Not knowing her, I can’t predict where she is on a Kinsey scale — a one being entirely heterosexual and a 10 being entirely homosexual. At this point, I don’t think she can either.
Unless you are comfortable with the idea of living this way, I urge you to have a very long engagement because it is anybody’s guess how this will turn out.
The three of you are all consenting adults, so I won’t judge. (I can’t help but wonder if the spouse of your fiancée’s lover knows about the steam they are blowing off.) I must, however, point out that if a traditional, monogamous marriage is what you want, your fiancée may not be the lady for you.

DEAR ABBY: I am 15, and in my job I work with some of my cousins and siblings. There are other people, too. I make friends easily because I can talk to everyone.
Everyone I work with says I’m flirting with two guys who are just my friends. I don’t want people to think I’m flirting because I’m not.
How can I convince people that we are just friends and nothing more?
FRIENDLY TEEN IN IDAHO

DEAR TEEN: The individuals who are accusing you of flirting may be teasing you to get a reaction. Or, they may be trying to point out something important that you should keep in mind when you are working.
Working with someone is different from hanging out. The relationships are a little more formal (and serious) than in a social environment away from the job.
This will not be your only venture into the workforce, and when you are a little older, you will realize that rules discouraging personal relationships between co-workers, both written and unwritten, are put in place to protect you and the business. So rather than work on convincing “people” that you’re not flirting, be your friendly self but in a more professional way.
***
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Letter: Amendment One would help La. build culture of life

Fri, 10/30/2020 - 10:23am

When Louisianians enter the voting booth on November 3, the first amendment on the ballot will ask, "Do you support an amendment declaring that, to protect human life, a right to abortion and the funding of abortion shall not be found in the Louisiana constitution?" I'm proud to be voting yes! While this amendment will not ban any abortions directly, and does not have any effect on whether or not pro-life laws have “exceptions” such as rape, incest, and life of the mother, it will protect our state from a “state-level Roe v. Wade decision,” by a court Judge as has already happened in 13 other states.

It will prevent pro-choice activist judges from circumventing legislatures and popular will by finding the right to abortion in our state constitution.

Far from taking away the human rights of any Louisianians, Amendment One, colloquially known as the Love Life Amendment, will help extend the most basic and fundamental right to life to even the smallest and most vulnerable members of our society. The abortion lobby has sunk millions of dollars and millions of hours into dehumanizing unborn children, calling them parasites and products of conception. But most embryologists, even pro-choice ones, acknowledge that life begins at conception. The question then becomes, which lives are worth defending? My answer is: all of them.

Pro-choicers will say that abortion is healthcare. No procedure that intentionally takes a human life can ever be called "care." As we saw when the Supreme Court struck down Louisiana's common-sense admitting privileges law, the abortion lobby cares more about profits than the health and safety of Louisiana women.

I'm voting yes on the Love Life Amendment because I don't want to see this cal-lous disregard for human life in my state. With my vote, I'm working to build a cul-ture of life where no human is sacrificed for convenience. Abortion is the very antithesis of love and empowerment. Please join me in voting yes to the Love Life Amendment on November 3 if you believe in human rights for all human beings.

Angela B. Stelly
St. Mary Parish Captain,
Louisiana Pro-Life Amendment Coalition

Central Catholic set to reopen Friday

Fri, 10/30/2020 - 5:19am

Catholic schools in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux will be open to inclassroom
instruction on Friday with the possible
exceptions of Vandebilt Catholic in Houma and Holy Rosary in Larose.
Vandebilt Catholic late Thursday afternoon was still without full power,
and Holy Rosary has a downed power line. Parents of students in those
schools should continue to monitor their school communications, as well
as the diocesan website and social media for updates.
A reminder to parents that there will be no bus transportation in
Lafourche or Terrebonne parishes Friday.

'Rodie' Sanchez, star of 'Killing Fields,' arrested on assault charge

Thu, 10/29/2020 - 1:11pm

A Franklin resident who made a name as a real-life lawman and then again on TV has been arrested on an aggravated assault charge, according to St. Mary Parish arrest rec-ords.

—Rhodes “Rodie” Sanchez, 65, Ricohoc Drive, Franklin, was arrested at 9:38 a.m. Wednesday on a charge of aggravated assault with a firearm.

The warrant stems from an incident on Oct. 20, when Sanchez, the subject of Discovery’s “Killing Fields” series, allegedly brandished a firearm and pointed it at the victim during an argument.

Sanchez turned himself in and was arrested on the warrant, booked into the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center, and subsequently released on a $2,500 bond.

According to a biography from Discovery, Sanchez worked for 32 years with the Iberville Parish Sheriff's Office.

“Rodie is an old school, flat foot detective trying to fit in the new high tech world of modern policing. He prefers getting information by word of mouth rather than through a smartphone,” the bio says.

“He came out of retirement to fulfill a broken promise he made to the mother of Eugenie Boisfontaine 18 years ago. He is determined to find the person responsible for killing her daughter.”

The information notes that when not fighting crime, Sanchez enjoys taking care of his chickens, miniature goats, ponies and donkeys on his property and joy-rides in a classic Dodge Charger.

In January, Crimecruise announced that Sanchez would be taking part in its 2020 cruise, although the event has been put off until October 2021 because of COVID-19, the cruise website says.

Six new COVID-19 cases in St. Mary; no new fatalities in three parishes

Thu, 10/29/2020 - 12:16pm

Six new COVID-19 cases in St. Mary were the only ones reported at midday Thursday for three local parishes, according to the Louisiana Office of Public Health.

The six cases raise the St. Mary total since the pandemic began to 2,027.

No cases were reported in St. Martin, where the total remains 2,230.

Assumption's case count was adjusted downward by four to 797.

The death tolls remain at 86 in St. Mary, 64 in St. Martin and 24 in Assumption.

Statewide:

--392 new cases raise the pandemic total to 181,837.

--18 newly reported fatalities raise the toll to 5,694.

--The number of COVID-positive people in hospitals fell by one to 612.

--The number of people on ventilators fell by one to 79.

Berwick opens district play against Lutcher

Thu, 10/29/2020 - 11:47am

GEOFF STOUTE

gstoute@daily-review.com

Two Tri-City area football teams will play Thursday night, and two more will hit the field on Friday for prep football actions.
Thursday, Berwick will host Lutcher, while Morgan City will travel to face Assumption in Napoleonville.
Friday, Central Catholic will travel to Hanson Memorial in Franklin, and Patterson will hit the road to meet E.D. White in Thibodaux.
All games will begin at 7 p.m.
Below are previews of the games.
Berwick vs. Lutcher
Berwick High School will host its first District 9-3A game of the season Thursday when the Lutcher Bulldogs come to town.
Berwick enters the contest with a 1-3 overall record, including an 0-1 mark in District 9-3A action.
A week ago, the squad fell to Patterson 21-0 on the road in its District 9-3A opener.
Meanwhile, Lutcher enters Thursday’s contest with a 2-2 overall mark and an 0-1 record in District 9-3A action.
The Bulldogs have lost two straight, falling to St. Amant and St. James in respective weeks. A week ago against St. James, Lutcher fell 17-14 in its District 9-3A opener.
Morgan City
vs. Assumption
Morgan City will hit the road again for District 8-4A action Thursday when it travels to Napoleonville to face Assumption.
Morgan City is 0-4 this season and 0-1 in District 8-4A action. A week ago, the Tigers fell to Ellender 61-0 in league play in Bourg.
Meanwhile, Assumption is 2-2 this season and has a 1-0 record in District 8-4A action.
Assumption defeated South Terrebonne 40-22 a week ago at home in its District 8-4A opener.
CCHS vs.
Hanson Memorial
Central Catholic will travel to face rival Hanson Memorial in District 8-1A action Friday in Franklin.
The Eagles are 0-3 entering the contest and 0-1 in District 8-1A action. A week ago, Central Catholic fell to Centerville 24-15 in its league opener in Morgan City.
Meanwhile, Hanson is 3-1 this season, with the Tigers dropping their first game of the season a week ago to Vermilion Catholic by a score of 56-8 in Abbeville in District 8-1A action.
Prior to last week’s loss, Hanson started the season with wins against Westminster Christian, Morgan City and Thrive Academy.
The Eagles enter Friday’s game with a 25-plus year winning streak against Hanson in the annual matchup.
Patterson
vs. E.D. White
The Patterson Lumberjacks will hit the road for the first time this season Friday when it travels to Thibodaux to face E.D. White in District 9-3A action.
Patterson is 2-2 this season and has won two straight games, defeating Morgan City and Berwick.
A week ago, Patterson defeated Berwick 21-0.
E.D. White is 3-1 this season, with the squad’s lone loss coming to St. Charles in week 2.
The Cardinals have rebounded with two straight wins, defeating South Terrebonne and Donaldsonville.
A week ago in its District 9-3A opener, the Cardinals defeated Donaldsonville 18-14 on the road.

Zeta mostly misses St. Mary, strikes east

Thu, 10/29/2020 - 11:31am

Staff Report

St. Mary Parish had yet another close call with a hurricane Wednesday, escaping with no more than brisk wind and a handful of power outages.
But Hurricane Zeta, the fifth named storm to hit Louisiana this year, slammed New Orleans with winds of more than 100 mph and killed at least two people as it headed northeast.
Zeta was still packing 60 mph winds as it approached Atlanta on Thursday morning, causing widespread power outages there. In all, the storm knocked out power to nearly 2 million people across the South, according to media reports.
St. Mary Parish spent much of the time since the weekend under a hurricane warning or a tropical storm advisory as Zeta gathered strength in the western Caribbean, hit the Yucatan and then moved into the Gulf of Mexico.
While Zeta headed northwest from the Caribbean early in the week, meteorologists predicted a sharp turn to the northeast from the central Gulf. The prediction turned out to be right.
Zeta came ashore around 4 p.m. Wednesday near the Terrebonne-Lafourche line as a Category 2 storm. Zeta was also a fast storm, cutting across southeast Louisiana at more than 20 mph.
That put St. Mary Parish on the west side of landfall, where wind and water effects tend to be less extreme.
The National Weather Service reported 26 mph winds with 33 mph gusts at Harry P. Williams Memorial Airport in Patterson just before 4 p.m. Wednesday.
By 6 p.m., sustained winds were down to 14 mph. The service was reporting 0.71 inches of rain at the airport.
The poweroutages.us website was reporting 10 of Cleco’s nearly 19,000 St. Mary customers as being without power at 8 a.m. Thursday.
But the site was also reporting more than 481,000 black-out Louisiana utility customers statewide, including more than 10,000 in Assumption, more than 27,000 in Terrebonne and more than 44,000 in Lafourche.
Orleans was reporting 194,000 customers without power.
St. Mary public schools were scheduled to reopen Thursday morning after suspending classes Wednesday. Central Catholic remained closed to in-person instruction Thursday, according to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, which was concerned about storm impacts on schools in Terrebonne and Lafourche.
The hurricane-related deaths were reported in Orleans, where a 55-year-old man was electrocuted by a downed power line, and in Biloxi, Mississippi, where an Alabama man died as he shot a video of the storm.
Although St. Mary was originally under a storm surge warning because of Zeta, the parish saw little of the effects felt during hurricanes Laura or Delta.
The Atchafalaya River at Morgan City was at 2.66 feet Wednesday night, or nearly 3½ feet below flood stage. The river rose to only 3.26 feet at 5 a.m. Thursday and was heading down again.
But Zeta was stronger to the east. A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration gauge at the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port measured a 50-foot wave Wednesday.
The record-breaking 2020 tropical weather season may not be finished yet. On Thursday morning, the National Hurricane Center was tracking a disturbance in the eastern Caribbean and giving it a 20% chance of cyclone formation within two days.

Nearly 1 million Louisiana people voted early

Thu, 10/29/2020 - 11:30am

DAVID JACOBS, The Center Square

Though Election Day is next Tuesday, almost a million Louisiana voters have already cast their ballots.
Following Tuesday night, which marked the end of the in-person early voting period, 964,181 state residents had voted. That total includes in-person votes and absentee mail-in ballots and is almost double the previous record set during the 2016 presidential election.
In St. Mary, 10,954 people voted early, up from about 6,900 for the November 2016 election. The parish has 33,233 registered voters.
“A pandemic or two hurricanes did not prevent nearly 1 million Louisianians from exercising their right to vote during early voting,” Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin said. “Louisiana voters are energized and eager to make their voices heard in critical elections from the presidency down to local races. It is my strong desire to see 2020 set the record for Louisiana’s highest turnout.”
As of Wednesday morning, more than 73 million Americans had voted in this year’s presidential election, which is about 53 percent of the total votes cast in the 2016 federal election, according to the U.S. Elections Project.
“The numbers are stunning,” Michael McDonald, the University of Florida professor who leads the Elections Project, wrote in a recent analysis. “The pace of some states’ early voting is such that with almost certainty states will begin surpassing their total 2016 vote this week.”
Ardoin’s office says about 31% of Louisianans eligible to vote, and about 46% of those expected to vote, already have done so.
John Couvillon, a Baton Rouge-based data analyst and political consultant, says that while heavy early turnout may “incrementally benefit” overall turnout, it is also indicative of “front loading” of Election Day turnout as early voting grows more popular.
“Not only did the volume of early voters set daily records, but early voting turnout itself has been noticeably and consistently more Democratic,” Couvillion says in a new analysis.
In 2016, the racial composition of the early vote was 70% white and 27 % black, and 44% Democratic and 39% Republican, he says. As of Tuesday night, the racial breakdown was 65 percent/30 percent white/black and 44%/37% Democratic/Republican.
About 15% of the early vote came by mail, and Couvillon projects almost 41,000 additional mail-in votes will come in over the coming days. He predicts early voting as a percentage of the final vote will go from 26% of the total in 2016 to 45% this year.