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Area sheriffs report drug arrests

Mon, 08/03/2020 - 12:54pm

Staff Report
Deputies in St. Mary, Assumption and St. Martin parishes closed last week with drug-related arrests.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith reported these arrests:
—Logan Michael Parker, 22, St. Joseph Lane, Franklin, was arrested at 7:55 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession of Schedule IV drugs with intent to distribute; possession of Schedule II drugs with intent to distribute; possession of marijuana with intent to distribute; possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a drug-free zone; possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance; general speed law; and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Bond was set at $1,750.
—Tammy Marie Graves, 59, La. 319, Franklin, was arrested at 11:03 p.m. Thursday on charges of improper lane usage, expired or no inspection sticker, driving under suspension, and possession of methamphetamines.
Bond was set at $3,000.
—Linda Landry Lange, 56, Hebert Street, Franklin, was arrested at 11:51 p.m. Thursday on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. Lange was released on a summons to appear Oct. 22.
Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon reported these arrests:
—Ghinelle Marie Rivere, 48, La. 402, Napoleonville, was arrested Friday on charges of criminal trespass, possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
A deputy on patrol investigated a suspicious vehicle behind a local business in Plattenville early Friday morning after normal operating hours. The deputy saw Rivere nearby.
The deputy noted Rivere to be acting in a nervous manner and sweating profusely. During the officer-violator interview, deputies obtained consent to search Rivere’s automobile.
During the search process, cocaine and drug paraphernalia were recovered.
Rivere was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.
—Erin Nicole Blanchard, 21, Lucky Street, Plattenville, was arrested Thursday on a charge of domestic abuse battery-child endangerment.
Deputies responded to a disturbance call at a residence off La. 308 in Belle Rose and made contact with the parties involved, one of whom was Blanchard.
Deputies initiated an investigation and determined that Blanchard and her domestic partner had been in an ongoing argument.
During the confrontation, Blanchard became physical toward the partner and then attempted to leave with the couple’s child. As a result of this investigation, Blanchard was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.
St. Mary Sheriff Becket Breaux reported this arrest:
—Christine Nicole Cormier, 38, Breaux Bridge, was arrested Thursday on charges of manufacture/distribution of marijuana, manufacture/distribution of THC wax, manufacture/distribution of THC cartridges, three counts of illegal carrying of weapons in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance, and three counts of criminal conspiracy to distribute a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance.
Following a narcotics investigation regarding reports of suspected illegal drug activity, deputies with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office executed a narcotics search warrant at a residence in on the Cypress Island Extension. Following the execution of the warrant, deputies located four firearms, 3.5 pounds of suspected high-grade marijuana, several jars of THC Wax (a.k.a. “DAB”), several e-cigarette cartridges containing suspected high-potency THC liquid, and various items of drug paraphernalia and packaging material consistent with the distribution of marijuana.
Cormier was booked into the St. Martin Parish Correctional Center. As of Friday, no bond had been set.
A second suspect, Matthew Vicknair, 35, is wanted on an active warrant for charges of manufacture/distribution of marijuana, manufacture/distribution of THC wax, manufacture/distribution of THC cartridges, three counts of illegal carrying of weapons in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance, and three counts of criminal conspiracy to distribute a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance.
Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Vicknair is asked to contact the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office, 337-394-3071, or via messenger on the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
If you suspect illegal drug activity is occurring in your neighborhood, please report it by utilizing the Narcotics Tip Line at 337-394-2626.

Morgan City police radio logs for July 30-Aug. 1

Mon, 08/03/2020 - 12:53pm

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.
Thursday, July 30
5:41 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Alarm.
7:32 a.m. 7300 block of La. 182; Theft.
8:47 a.m. 1100 block of Eighth Street; Alarm.
9:21 a.m. 1100 block of Fourth Street; Animal.
9:34 a.m. Marquis Manor; Alarm.
9:58 a.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Medical.
10:05 a.m. Morgan City Police Department; Animal.
10:21 a.m. 1400 block of N. Third Street; Animal.
10:25 a.m. 300 block of Sixth Street; Animal.
10:50 a.m. 900 block of Palm Street; Utilities.
12:03 p.m. 900 block of Duke Street; Animal.
12:33 p.m. La. Hwy 182; Reckless driver.
1:30 p.m. 1300 block of Victor II Boulevard; Accident.
1:51 p.m. 2000 block of Allison Street; Removal of subject.
2:13 p.m. 1000 block of Brashear Avenue; Complaint.
3:29 p.m. Montana Street; Theft.
3:31 p.m. 500 block of Brashear Avenue; Welfare check.
4 p.m. 1400 block of Roderick; Street Accident.
4:03 p.m. 3100 block of Wytchwood Drive; Removal of vehicle.
4:26 p.m. 500 block of Brashear Avenue; Welfare check.
5:07 p.m. 500 block of Levee Road; Complaint.
6:28 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
6:39 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Stand by.
7:31 p.m. Arizona and Adams streets; Medical.
8:22 p.m. 300 block of Seventh Street; Removal of subject.
8:57 p.m. 7700 block of La. 182; 911 hang up.
9:09 p.m. 900 block of Willard Street; Loud music.
9:09 p.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Complaint.
10:02 p.m. 500 block of Brashear Avenue; Complaint.
10:37 p.m. 3100 block of Wytchwood Drive; Loud music.
11:19 p.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Medical.
11:34 p.m. 1600 block of Mayon Street; 911 hang up.
Friday, July 31
4:12 a.m. 7100 block of Park Road; Medical.
7:47 a.m. 1200 block Brashear; Alarm.
9:17 a.m. 200 block Halsey; Complaint.
10:47 a.m. 1200 block Victor II; Medical emergency.
10:57 a.m. Shaw Street area; Animal complaint.
11:26 a.m. La. 70/U.S. 90 junction area; Accident.
11:57 a.m. 900 block Ninth; Accident.
12:05 p.m. 400 block Fourth; Assist Houma PD.
12:08 p.m. Old bridge; Assist Berwick PD.
12:31 p.m. 500 block Terrebonne; Complaint.
12:34 p.m. 1000 block La. 70; Accident.
12:36 p.m. 1000 block Shaw; Telephone harassment.
2:37 p.m. 500 block Brashear; Medical emergency.
2:50 p.m. Morgan City area; Complaint.
3:45 p.m. 300 block Greenwood; Alarm.
4:59 p.m. 7300 La. 182; Alarm.
5:56 p.m. 1400 block Federal; Accident.
6:07 p.m. 1000 block La. 70; Accident.
6:19 p.m. 500 block Marshall; Animal.
6:40 p.m. 900 block Fourth; Theft.
7:02 p.m. 500 block Roderick; Removal of subject.
7:51 p.m. 1200 block Brashear; Alarm.
9:29 p.m. 300 block Egle; Complaint.
Saturday, Aug. 1
1:05 a.m. 7400 block La. 182; Assistance.
3:59 a.m. 2000 block Allison; Complaint.

$10,000 fine for killing whooping crane

Mon, 08/03/2020 - 12:51pm

Kaenon A. Constantin, 28, was sentenced on Thursday to five years of probation for killing and transporting a federally protected and endangered whooping crane, United States Attorney David C. Joseph said.
During his period of probation, Constantin must complete 360 hours of community service related to wildlife conservation.
As part of the sentence, Constantin’s hunting privileges have been suspended until he completes the community service. United States Magistrate Patrick Hanna also ordered Constantin to pay a $10,000 fine and to pay $75,000 in restitution to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
In November 2019, Constantin was named in a federal bill of information for violating the Lacey Act in May 2016. Specifically, on May 20, 2016, Constantin and a juvenile, using .22 caliber rifles, shot at a pair of whooping cranes located in a field within Acadia Parish. One of the cranes, identified as L5-15, fell dead in the field, and Constantin and his accomplice retrieved its carcass. The other crane, identified as L3-15, flew too far north into another field so that it could not be retrieved, but investigators later recovered its carcass.
After retrieving L5-15’s carcass, they noticed that it had transponders on its legs and received information that the bird was a whooping crane. Constantin and the juvenile transported the carcass to the juvenile’s residence, where they severed the legs from L5-15’s carcass by using a knife and removed the transponders.
They then transported the knife, carcass, severed legs, and transponders along a nearby road and discarded the evidence. When initially approached by investigators shortly after the crime, Constantin lied about his involvement, causing the investigation to continue for nearly two more years before he finally confessed in April 2018.
The Lacey Act is a comprehensive federal law that protects against wildlife crimes, such as international and domestic wildlife trafficking. The Act prohibits, among other actions, a person from knowingly transporting wildlife, when in the exercise of due care the person should have known that the wildlife was taken or possessed in violation of, or in a manner unlawful under, any underlying law, treaty, or regulation of the United States. Whooping cranes are a federally protected species under federal laws and regulations, including the Endangered Species Act. They are large birds, standing nearly five feet tall and with wingspans of 7.5 feet.
United States Fish and Wildlife Service Acting Special Agent in Charge Stephen Clark stated, “We take our mission partnering with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats very seriously. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, considers the illegal taking of protected wildlife species a high priority, and we will continue to work closely with our state agencies to assist them in these important joint investigations.”
“Our agents take any investigation of illegally shooting whooping cranes very seriously. Chief of LDWF Enforcement Col. Chad Hebert and I applaud the judge in this case for imposing severe monetary punishments to help deter anyone from this behavior,” said LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet.

M C Bank gives to youth causes

Mon, 08/03/2020 - 12:49pm

Submitted Photos

La. gasoline prices unchanged last week

Mon, 08/03/2020 - 12:42pm

Louisiana gas prices are unchanged in the past week, averaging $1.85 per gallon Sunday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 2,436 stations. Gas prices in Louisiana are 0.9 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 47.2 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.
According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Louisiana is priced at $1.59 while the most expensive is $2.89, a difference of $1.30. The lowest price in the state is $1.59 while the highest is $2.89, a difference of $1.30.
The national average price of gasoline is unchanged in the last week, averaging $2.17 Sunday.
“Impressively and for a fifth straight week, average gas prices have remained quiet, with prices fluctuating less than a a few cents per gallon over the last month," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddyLa. While it’s been a bit of a bore, it’s certainly still to motorists advantage as prices remain at their lowest seasonally in well over a decade.
"Gasoline demand looks to be trending higher, but just barely, which could eventually end the stable gas prices. For now, heading into the last few weeks of summer, I don’t think we’ll see the national average eclipse $2.25 per gallon."
making plans for Labor Day, that will mean just about everyone is in the $2 per gallon range, with the exception of California and Hawaii. It won’t be a bad time if you’re choosing to hit the road, as over a dozen states still have average gas prices under $2 per gallon.”
GasBuddy is the authoritative voice for gas prices and the only source for station-level data spanning nearly two decades. Unlike AAA’s once daily survey covering credit card transactions at 100,000 stations and the Lundberg Survey, updated once every two weeks based on 7,000 gas stations, GasBuddy’s survey updates 288 times every day from the most diverse list of sources covering nearly 150,000 stations nationwide, the most comprehensive and up-to-date in the country. GasBuddy data is accessible at http://FuelInsights.GasBuddy.com.

State, feds OK Mississippi River dredging; work may help Port of Morgan City

Mon, 08/03/2020 - 12:40pm

DAVID JACOBS, The Center Square

Louisiana and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials on Friday finalized an agreement to fund an estimated $250 million project to deepen the Mississippi River from the Gulf of Mexico to Baton Rouge.
Louisiana’s share of the cost is estimated at $81 million, officials said.
“A deepened Mississippi River will be an economic superhighway for the state of Louisiana and the United States of America,” Gov. John Bel Edwards said at a signing ceremony in New Orleans.
The project could have a positive effect on the Port of Morgan City, said Executive Director Raymond "Mac" Wade.
"If we can get a channel open and keep it open, yes it could generate business here," Wade said in a text message Friday.
"I believe it could push smaller ships out of the bigger ports. The [Port of Morgan City] would be a great fix for smaller ships if we can et and keep our channel open."
The project will deepen the river from 45 to 50 feet to accommodate larger ships. While an extra five feet may not sound like much, the change will lead to an additional $125 million in annual economic impact, said Maj. Gen. Diana Holland, who commands the Corps’ Mississippi Valley Division. One foot of additional depth allows about $1 million in additional cargo, the governor’s office says.
In Louisiana, one in every five jobs is port-related, and 23% of the dollar amount of the state’s goods and services pass through the state’s ports, the governor’s office says.

33 new COVID cases, one death in three local parishes

Mon, 08/03/2020 - 12:31pm

Thirty-three new COVID-19 cases were reported at midday Monday in St. Mary, St. Martin and Assumption parishes. One new death was reported for Assumption, all by the Louisiana Office of Public health.

Meanwhile, the number of people in Louisiana hospitals for COVID treatment continued to decline.

Assumption had three new COVID cases Monday for a total of 555 since the pandemic began. The death reported Monday was the 20th attributed to COVID in Assumption.

The OPH reported 12 new cases in St. Mary for a total of 1,449.

In St. Martin, 18 new cases raised the total to 1,519.

Forty-nine COVID deaths have been reported in St. Mary, 42 in St. Martin.

Statewide:

--1,099 new COVID cases raise the pandemic total to 1,099.

--17 newly reported deaths raise the toll to 3,910.

--38 fewer people, a total of 1,496, were in hospitals for COVID treatment Monday.

--The number of people on ventilators rose by nine to 230.

Get It Growing: Plants, the essentials of life

Mon, 08/03/2020 - 8:46am

By HEATHER KIRK-BALLARD, LSU AgCenter Horticulturist

As humans, we need water, food and sleep. OK — more than that. We also need a good immune system, among other things. But thanks to plants and the sun, we as humans can eat, breathe and live. Ultimately, our survival depends on them.
Yes, that’s right. If you haven’t thought about it lately, plants not only sequester gases such as CO2 that affect the atmosphere and acidify the ocean, but they also make food in the form of sugars or carbohydrates and breathable oxygen (O2) that is essential to human life. In the process of food production, plants release oxygen. No animal can do that.
Plants not only make their own food, they also make food for us. The basic food for all organisms is produced by plants. In fact, humans can survive on a purely vegetarian diet.
So how do plants make food and energy for us? They harness energy from the sun. Plants use their roots to take up water and minerals from the ground while their leaves absorb carbon dioxide from the air, a byproduct of human respiration and other processes such as combustion that keeps our vehicles moving. Carbon dioxide can become dangerous when levels are elevated, causing respiratory issues for humans as well as affecting our atmosphere.
In these days of climate change, plants have been shown to help combat global warming by soaking up greenhouse gas emissions. Plants help cool the atmosphere indirectly as part of their natural cooling process; when plants transpire and release water vapor, they help cool the atmosphere.
Plants continue to be studied in an effort to understand their role in reducing carbon dioxide emissions in addition to the relationship of deforestation, reforestation, agricultural practices and the impacts of the urbanization of large cities on climate change and global warming.
Plants do not stop helping. When plants die, they decompose with the help of microorganisms that break down plant debris, thereby becoming organic matter. That includes the three main fertilizer nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
When these decomposed plants as compost are incorporated into the soil, they not only provide nutrients to the plants, but they also help the soil retain moisture while improving drainage and aerating plant roots.
We use plants for so many things. They provide us with food and breathable oxygen. They also produce fiber, wood for making furniture, paper products, shelter, medicine, fuel, perfumes, chewing gum and more.
The wood for building housing and shelter can also be used as fuel to heat our homes and cook our food. Plants also produce fibers to make our clothes in addition to the fiber we get from our diets.
Plants also have been used since the dawn of ages for medicinal purposes. Of the 122 plant-derived drugs, 80% were discovered and passed down through the ages in every place on Earth and by every ethnicity. Plants continue to be studied for their medicinal purposes today. They are an essential source of compounds used for drug research.
Plants also make up a large part of the ecosystem that supports wildlife. Forests, lawns, marshes, bayous and other habitats support biotic communities. The relationship and interaction between plants and animals include food and protection. Not only do these ecosystems support birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals, but they also support insects. If you don’t think insects are a big thing, you’re mistaken. According to the Smithsonian Institution, insects have the largest biomass of terrestrial animals, with an estimated 10 quintillion individual insects alive in a given day.
Insects and plants have some of the most complex relationships, evolutionarily speaking. Pollinators are responsible for one out of every three bites of food we eat. It’s fascinating, really.
In addition to all of these tangible things, we can also add the importance of the beauty and aesthetics plants offer us, as well. Why do we plant beautiful roses and gorgeous tropical flowers? Is it to attract butterflies and hummingbirds? Oftentimes we do it just for the pure beauty or the fragrance. Flowers are among the No. 1 gifts in every culture.
Humans have been using flowers to communicate for years. In fact, according to FTD, a language of flowers called floriography was developed as a form of communication during the Victorian Age when it was inappropriate, impolite or improper etiquette for humans to express their emotions with one another. Boy, have we come a long way since then. Or have we?
Being in nature among the plants has been studied by health care researchers and practitioners to understand how they help us heal physically and mentally. Ecotherapy, forest therapy and horticulture therapy are real things. Look them up. By spending time in nature or out in your garden, you can develop relaxing routines that offer mental restoration. We can get many physical and therapeutic benefits from plants. This can improve our emotional processing while enhancing our ability to respond and rebound after difficulties, such as stress or illness.
Plants add beauty to our surroundings. They make work and play more enjoyable in addition to adding value to our homes. And they do this all while keeping us alive. As a horticulturist, sometimes I have to sit back and look at the big picture.
At the end of the day, plants and gardening are good for you. We cannot live on this planet without plants. In my opinion, they do more for us than we could ever do for them. My challenge to you is just plant something. Let the beauty restore your mind and soul. And enjoy the oxygen while you’re at it.

Slow payment for bookkeeping is costing family its harmony

Mon, 08/03/2020 - 8:44am

By Jeanne Phillips, ©United Features Syndicate

DEAR ABBY: I take care of my daughter-in-law’s taxes and have for the past 15 years. I have never charged her for it. When she brings me the paperwork, it is always a mess. I told her I would be her full-time bookkeeper and charge her $300 a month, but it’s like getting blood from a turnip. I have to beg her each month for my pay.
My husband said I should stop doing it for her. What should I do? I feel that this is driving a wedge between us. She owns a small construction cleaning service and makes good money.
GOOD WITH FIGURES IN FLORIDA

DEAR GOOD: Your daughter-in-law may resent the fact that you want payment for keeping her finances in order, but I’ll bet you’re charging far less than a nonfamily member would. It’s time to tell her that dunning her for money every month has become too stressful. Suggest that she set up an automatic fund transfer to your account to cover the monthly fee. If she’s unwilling to do that, then your husband has the right idea and it would be better for both of you if she hired someone else for these services.

DEAR ABBY: One of my dearest friends has a nasty habit of making snide comments about people who are overweight. We’ve been friends for more than 40 years, and she has always been this way.
Now that I’m older, I have packed on a few pounds myself, and when she says these things in a conversation, I’m like, “Hey, I’m overweight too! Am I disgusting?” I can’t seem to find the words to get her to think about what she says.
It doesn’t really hurt my feelings, but it makes her sound like a horrible person, and she really isn’t. She’s a dear in almost every other respect. I would like to get her to stop this, so what’s your advice?
FRIEND HAS A FAULT

DEAR FRIEND: The next time she does it, say out loud, “Hey, I’m overweight, too! Am I disgusting like you say about those other people? I have listened to this for 40 years and enough is enough! You are sweet, but when you say those things, you come across as nasty and judgmental. So cut it out!” (Better late than never.)

DEAR ABBY: I am 41, divorced for the second time, and I have fallen madly in love with a wonderful man. He got out of a 12-year relationship six months ago. Until just last week he still had ties with her, but he finally washed his hands of her. The only thing is, he lied to her to avoid a confrontation. He couldn’t bring himself to stand up to her and tell her the truth.
It hurts me deeply, and it has forced a wedge between us. He doesn’t understand why it hurts me so much, and he doesn’t seem to care. I’m trying to shake it, but it’s hard to do. I just need someone to help me get over it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
HEARTBROKEN IN TENNESSEE

DEAR HEARTBROKEN: I wish you had revealed what this gentleman is afraid to tell his ex. Could it be that he is involved with you? If so, this is a red flag. His unwillingness or inability to tell the truth is a serious character flaw and not something you should ignore.
***
To receive a collection of Abby’s most memorable — and most frequently requested — poems and essays, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 to: Dear Abby — Keepers Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.

101 new COVID cases in two days; one more death in St. Mary

Sun, 08/02/2020 - 12:04pm

More than 100 new COVID cases were reported in St. Mary, St. Martin and Assumption in the 48 hours ending at midday Sunday. One new COVID fatality was reported in St. Mary.

The Louisiana Office of Public Health no longer issues COVID updates on Saturdays, so the Sunday report reflects tests and fatalities confirmed since noon Friday.

In St. Mary, 53 new cases raised the total since the pandemic began to 1,434. The fatality reported Sunday raises the death toll to 49.

In St. Martin, 33 new cases raised the total to 1,501. Forty-two people have died there.

In Assumption, 15 new cases raise the total to 552. Nineteen people have died there.

Statewide:

--3,467 new cases raise the pandemic total to 119,747.

--58 deaths raised the toll to 3,893.

--The number of people in hospitals for COVID treatment fell by 12 to 1,534.

--The number of people on ventilators dropped by one to 221.