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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.
Monday, Feb. 10
6:14 a.m. 1100 block of Railroad Avenue; Suspicious subject.
8:01 a.m. 300 block of Barrow Street; 911 hang up call.
8:04 a.m. 1900 block of Elm Street; Theft.
8:21 a.m. 7500 block of La. 182; Complaint.
8:26 a.m. Catherine Street; Suspicious vehicle.
9:06 a.m. 1000 block of Sixth Street; Complaint.
9:18 a.m. 500 block of Brashear Avenue; Suspicious subject.
9:47 a.m. 1100 block of Seventh Street; Theft.
10:14 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Warrant arrest.
10:15 a.m. 900 block of Levee Road; Hit and run.
10:29 a.m. 300 block of Second Street; Theft.
10:42 a.m. 100 block of First Street; Criminal damage to property.
10:56 a.m. 500 block of First Street; Telephone harassment.
11:20 a.m. 200 block of Patton Street; Complaint.
11:24 a.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Battery.
11:51 a.m. 800 block of Brashear Avenue; Complaint.
12:43 p.m. 2100 block of Cedar Street; Assistance.
1:43 p.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Assistance.
1:52 p.m. 400 block of Louisiana Street; Lost/found property.
1:53 p.m. 900 block of Levee Road; Criminal damage to property.
2:26 p.m. 700 block of Fifth Street; Armed robbery.
2:40 p.m. 1000 block of Seventh Street; Accident.
2:46 p.m. 500 block of Freret Street; Complaint.
3:01 p.m. Hickory Street and Veterans Boulevard; Accident.
3:04 p.m. 600 block of Terrebonne Street; Medical emergency.
3:12 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Loud music.
4:12 p.m. 2400 block of Sixth Street; Complaint.
4:34 p.m. 1000 block of Third Street; Complaint.
6:28 p.m. La. 182; Traffic incident.
6:54 p.m. 2600 block of Fir Street; Animal.
7:02 p.m. Maple Street; Traffic incident.
8:19 p.m. 600 block of Fourth Street; Juvenile problems.
10:30 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Assistance.
11:05 p.m. 1400 block of Filmore Street; Utilities.
Tuesday, Feb. 11
12:22 a.m. 700 block of Hilda Street; Loud music.
1:41 a.m. 3000 block of Catherine Street; Assistance.
2:23 a.m. 2400 block of Tupelo Street; Suspicious person.
3:35 a.m. 600 block of Terrebonne Street; Medical.
4:09 a.m. 700 block of Cottonwood Street; Alarm.
Things are looking up on south Louisiana waterways.
The Coast Guard reopened the Intracoastal Waterway near Berwick on Friday after a barge split and sank there Feb. 2. And the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has scaled back its flood fight procedures in response to lower Mississippi River levels at Baton Rouge.
But officials are still paying attention to the rivers. The Coast Guard issued a safety advisory for Berwick Bay on Monday. Vessel traffic is limited to eastbound and northbound craft 6 p.m.-6 a.m. and westbound and southbound traffic only is being allowed 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
Tow length limits and minimum speeds are in effect, and southbound tows in the triple bridge area of the bay must have an assist boat if the tows are longer than 400 feet.
At 3 p. m. Monday, the Atchafalaya at Morgan City was at 6.29 feet, or 0.29 feet over the minor flood stage. The river is expected to stay at about that level into the weekend.
The barge that split and sank in the Intracoastal Canal near Berwick was being towed by the Miss Odessa when it ran aground. The Miss Odessa’s attempts to work free resulted in the splitting of the barge.
Salvage operations were completed Friday, according to the Coast Guard. Normal traffic should resume by the end of the week.
At 1:15 p.m. Friday, the vessel queue was 26 tugs and 54 barges southbound, 107 tugs and 296 barges westbound, 87 tugs and 262 barges eastbound, and four tugs and 16 barges northbound.
“We have been grateful for the patience, understanding, and cooperative spirit of our industry partners as we all work to resolve this unfortunate event as quickly as possible,” said Cmdr. Heather Mattern, commanding officer, Marine Safety Unit Morgan City. “Industry has been coming to us throughout the week offering ways we can work together and assist our teams in clearing up what has become a heavily backlogged waterway. Our priority now is to restore normal vessel traffic flow to the critical waterway safely and efficiently.”
Working in conjunction with senior industry partners and members of the area Marine Transportation System Recovery and Safety Committee, a Marine Transportation System recovery plan was developed to expeditiously restore the waterway to normal operation and clear the queued backlog of commercial traffic.
The Corps of Engineers is back to Phase I flood fight procedure after the Mississippi River fell to 11 feet at the Carrollton Street gauge in New Orleans.
The river topped the 11-foot flood stage Jan. 9 and hit 15 feet Jan. 27, kicking off more active measures.
Now the Corps is back to Phase I, which “consists of working with local levee authorities to closely monitor the levees along the Mississippi and Atchafalaya rivers. Flood fight is a proactive measure to help ensure that the Army Corps can respond quickly to any problem areas that develop along the levee system because of the elevated water levels,” the Corps said.
Additionally, heavy rain is forecast over the next several days. While localized rainfall has minimal impact on river elevations in the area, heavy runoff can impact levee conditions. Out of an abundance of caution, the Army Corps is taking proactive steps by covering areas with exposed clay, levee construction sites and the levee near Charenton on the Atchafalaya River to prevent damage from rainfall.
The Army Corps and state of Louisiana have established allowable distances for certain types of work that can adversely affect the integrity of the federal levees and structures. All work that may impact Mississippi River and Tributaries levees, which includes transport of heavy loads over the levee, disturbance of grass cover, or subsurface work within 1,500 feet of the levee, is prohibited when the Mississippi River is higher than 11 feet at the Carrollton gauge.
Waivers are considered on a case-by-case basis and are dependent on many factors, including surrounding subsurface ground condi-tions.
Permit holders are advised to contact their local levee districts for detailed information regarding their projects and to monitor river stages and forecasts by calling 504-862-2461 or by visiting www.rivergages.com.
An investigation into the misuse of funds belonging to the Patterson Volunteer Fire Department turned up more missing money than the audit report on which the probe was based, Police Chief Garrett Grogan said Monday.
Former Fire Chief Scott Domingue was arrested Friday at the Patterson Police Department on a charge of theft and a warrant alleging malfeasance in office. He was released on bond after his bail was set at $9,000. Domingue came in on his own, Grogan said.
Interviewed by phone last week after a legislative auditor’s report made the allegations public, Domingue said mistakes with funds may have been made. But Domingue denied intentional wrongdoing.
Domingue was terminated as chief of the volunteer department last year.
The allegedly misspent funds involved in the case total about $25,000, Grogan said.
The legislative auditor’s report released last week said “an officer of the Patterson Volunteer Fire Department is believed to have made personal purchases and/or ATM withdrawals totaling approximately $14,774 using a debit card linked to a checking account owned by the City’s volunteer fire department.”
The city government’s management response to the audit report’s findings identified the officer as Domingue, who was fire chief during that period.
More purchases totaling $13,587 have been identified that could not be determined to have been for fire department operations, the report said.
After the Patterson Police Department accepted the responsibility for investigating the case, officers had access to information from an accountant who performed the audit here, from the legislative auditor and from the current fire department leadership, Grogan said.
The legislative auditor’s report said the case resulted in “deception of the former fire department officer and the City’s failure to establish and enforce appropriate policies and procedures.”
The city government, over the signature of Mayor Rodney Grogan, offered this response:
“In 2016 there had been discussion about whether the Patterson Volunteer Fire Department checking account was public or private and whether the funds were under the City’s authority unlike the funds in the revenue sharing account.
“The Volunteer Fire Chief, the alleged officer of the PVFD, was aware of the policy and procedures imple mented by the city due to discrepancies within the Patterson VFD and the use of a debit card in 2015.
“In the future, all city departments associated with the City’s Tax ID number will adhere to the City’s credit card, savings, checking, and check signing policy as recommended by the Legislative Auditors. Also, the City will eliminate the use of debit cards within all departments.”
The two young men who are hospitalized after a Saturday accident on a bus in Ascension Parish have been identified in social media posts and a GoFundMe page as two brothers from Berwick .
They were identified as Austin Jenkins, 21, and Denver Jenkins, 19. The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, which has not publicly identified the people involved, said they are in critical condition at an area hospital.
The Sheriff’s Office said the incident happened on what it described as a “party bus” sometime after midnight Friday in the area of Airline Highway south of Interstate 10. The bus was returning to Thibodaux from a party in Baton Rouge.
The Sheriff’s Office said the two young men sustained their injuries when they jumped from the bus for unknown reasons.
That led to posts on Facebook saying that actually, one brother fell from the bus and the other fell trying to grab him. The Sheriff’s Office replied by asking anyone with information about the incident to call 225-621-8300.
Shontel Chauvin Seneca of Berwick started a GoFundMe page, saying it was to help the family with expenses. As of Monday afternoon, it had raised $11,000 toward its $15,000 goal.
Denver Jenkins’ former baseball coach at Berwick High, Brandon Bravata, now of St. Amant High, posted a prayerful message on Face-book.
“Please pray for their family and friends!!” Bravata said. “Praying for comfort and healing for all, especially the rest of my former players that were on the party bus and those close to each of the Jenkins!”
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The Tim Tebow Foundation sponsors a prom night experience for people with special needs called A Night to Shine. Friday night was the sixth anniversary of this celebration and 721 churches across all 50 states and 34 countries came together to host this event.
Crossing Place Church located in Bayou Vista was one of those churches.
Anyone with special needs age 14 and over, including people with disabilities that may be physical or psychological, were welcome to register online to attend. The event is free of charge for all guests with special needs and is organized by volunteers.
Those registered began the day with breakfast at The Purple Lemon located at 861 U.S. 90 East in Bayou Vista. “The Purple Lemon and the Mission Thrift Store also let them choose their outfits and all the jewelry they wanted to wear to the event,” Val Solar, event team member said.
The evening activities took place at Berwick Junior High School located at 3955 La. 182.
The school’s teaming room was devoted to hair and make-up for the girls in attendance and the lecture room was set up as a shoe shining station for the boys.
A classroom was converted to a karaoke room and the school’s gym held the main activities for the prom, complete with a DJ providing music.
Elegant Events of the South LLC provided a photo booth and volunteers decorated the gym with lights, balloons, streamers and dedicated areas for photos.
Clarion Inn catered a supper that was served in the school’s cafeteria for the attendants of the event and a meal for volunteers was provided in the teacher’s lounge of the school.
Once the attendants were in formal attire and dressed to impress, they were given a limo ride and walked the red carpet to enter Berwick Junior High School.
They were greeted by applause from the volunteers as well as cheers from Berwick High School’s cheerleaders. Berwick High School athletes held signs of encouragement as they greeted and cheered for those on the red carpet. The high school’s mascot, Pete the Panther, also attended and helped escort attendants.
“It was such a special moment to see Berwick High School cheerleaders and athletes in their uniforms greeting all of the guests, it was too sweet,” said Janine Blanco, owner of Elegant Events of the South LLC.
Individuals in costumes representing princess Leia, storm troopers and Yoda from Star Wars joined the guests by greeting, dancing and posing for pictures with those in attendance.
The prom took place from 6-9 p.m. and ended with all registered individuals being crowned prom king and prom queen. There was a balloon drop and a message from Tebow that was displayed on a projector screen.
The Tim Tebow Foundation provides the Official 2020 Night to Shine Planning Manual, Night to Shine Drawstring Backpacks for all registered guests, photo backdrop featuring the church’s logo alongside the official Night to Shine logo and the Global Partner logo, personalized retractable Night to Shine banner, table runner, video and conference calls with Tebow as well as a special video message from Tebow to be played at the event and resources for crowns, tiaras and website templates.
A single-vehicle crash led to the arrest of a Franklin man who had heroin and meth with intent to distribute, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith said in a news release.
— Ananise Henry White III, 29, of Eisenhower Street in Franklin, was arrested at 7:39 a.m. Thursday on charges of possession of heroin, possession of methamphetamines, possession of methamphetamines with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia and monetary instrument abuse. He was jailed with no bail set.
Smith also advised that the Sheriff’s Office responded to 30 complaints and the following arrests were made:
— Ananise Henry White III, 29, of Eisenhower Street in Franklin, was arrested at 7:39 a.m. Thursday on charges of possession of heroin, possession of methamphetamines, possession of methamphetamines with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia and monetary instrument abuse. He was jailed with no bail set.
—Latoya Latraille White, 34, of Berlin Street in Lafayette, was arrested at 7:39 a.m. Thursday on charges of false personation and possession of drug paraphernalia and on two warrants for failure to appear on the charges of disturbing the peace by fighting and possession of cocaine. She was jailed with no bail set.
—Crystal Elizabeth Abbott, 29, of Cooters Point Road in Gilbert, was arrested at 11:47 a.m. Thursday on a charge of disturbing the peace by language. She was jailed with no bail set.
—Desmond Young, 20, of Joseph Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:09 p.m. Thursday on a charge of theft. Young was released on a summons to appear on May 18.
— Jaquincy Devon Colbert, 29, of La. 83 in Franklin, was arrested at 12:25 a.m. Friday on charges of no license plate light, no driver’s license, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Colbert was released on a summons to appear on May 18.
—Brandon Ray Brown, 38, of Easy Street in Franklin, was arrested at 8:07 p.m. Thursday on a Tangipahoa Parish warrant for theft of a motor vehicle.
He was jailed and is being held for another agency.
— Breonne Leray Bowie, 32, of Lockette Road in Franklin, was arrested at 8:07 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of criminal neglect of family. He was jailed with no bail set.
—Paul Anthony Jones, 57, of Chitimacha Trail in Baldwin, was arrested at 9 p.m. Thursday on a charge of simple assault. Jones was released on a summons to appear on May 18.
Morgan City Police Chief James F. Blair reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 42 calls of service and the following arrest was made:
—Gregory S. Payne, 44, of Oregon Street in Berwick, was arrested at 2:10 a.m. on a warrant for failure to appear.
Officers came into contact with Payne on La. 182. A warrants check revealed the City Court of Morgan City held an active warrant for his arrest.
He was jailed.
Patterson Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported the following arrests:
—Larry J. Billiot III, 19, of Cherry Street in Franklin, was arrested at 12:14 p.m. Thursday on charges of speeding 67 mph in a 35 mph speed zone, no driver’s license, possession of marijuana and obstruction of justice. He was jailed with no bond set.
—Hope M. Daigle, 48, of Shady Grove in Patterson, was arrested at 11:07 a.m. Thursday on charges of suspended driver’s license and speeding 42 mph in a 35 mph speed zone. She was jailed and later released on her own recognizance.
Berwick Police Chief David Leonard Sr. reported the following arrests:
—Walter Kidder, 36, of Oregon Street in Berwick, was arrested at 7:50 p.m. Thursday on charges of improper equipment, driving under suspension, possession of methamphetamines and warrant for Patterson Police Department. He was jailed and is being held for another agency.
—Amanda Aucoin , 35, of Railroad Avenue in Morgan City was arrested at 2:20 p.m. Thursday on a charge of possession of methamphetamine. She was jailed with bond set at $1,500.
—Joshua Robertson, 28, of Jones Street in Berwick, was arrested at 8:05 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, violation of controlled dangerous substance law drug-free zone and illegal use of controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a juvenile.
—Shabbaneika Myles, 27, of Jones Street in Berwick, was arrested at 8:05 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, violation of controlled dangerous substance law drug-free zone and illegal use of controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a juvenile.
—Taj Broussard, 23, of Hammond Street in Lafayette, was arrested at 8:05 p.m. Thursday on charges of illegal possession of stolen firearm and possession of a firearm by convicted felon.
Officers responded to a residence after receiving a call of narcotic use. Officers detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the residence. A search warrant was obtained and officers made contact with Myles, Robertson and Broussard. Marijuana packaged for sale along with a digital scale was located in Myles and Robertson’s bedroom. Officers located a firearm in a vehicle for Broussard that was reported stolen through another parish. A computer check revealed that Broussard was a convicted felon. A small child was present during the time of initial contact and the residence is within 2,000 feeat of a church and school. They all were jailed.
This item has been edit to correct the names of three suspects arrested by the Berwick Police Department.
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.
Friday, Feb. 7
5:28 a.m. 1000 block of La. 70; Harassment.
7:02 a.m. U.S. 90 East up ramp by Martin Luther King Boulevard; Accident.
8:17 a.m. 700 block of Justa Street; Animal.
9:01 a.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Welfare check.
10:13 a.m. 500 block of Egle Street; Animal.
11:27 a.m. Morgan City Junior High School; Suspicious person.
11:54 a.m. Ochsner St. Mary; Complaint.
12:23 p.m. 700 block of Justa Street; Medical.
12:53 p.m. 1000 block of Levee Road; Stalled vehicle.
1:59 p.m. 1000 block of Third Street; Removal of subject.
2:15 p.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Loud music.
2:45 p.m. Patterson Police Department; Inmate transport.
3:07 p.m. 1700 block of Filmore Street; Explosion.
3:14 p.m. 7500 block of La. 182; Removal of subject.
3:19 p.m. U.S. 90 West Brashear Avenue exit; Accident.
4:12 p.m. U.S. 90 East; Complaint.
4:22 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Accident.
4:28 p.m. U.S. 90 East; Accident.
5:13 p.m. 700 block of Bush Street; Removal of subject.
5:22 p.m. 7300 block of La. 182; Mentally unwell person.
5:42 p.m. 200 block of Amelia Street; Complaint.
5:48 p.m. 1000 block of Sixth Street; Complaint.
6:34 p.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Alarm.
7:42 p.m. 200 block of Terrebonne Street; Civil.
9:24 p.m. 100 block of Mallard Street; Stalled vehicle.
9:46 p.m. 800 block of Ditch Avenue; Disturbance.
9:53 p.m. 3200 block of Karen Drive; Complaint.
10:31 p.m. 600 block of Barrow Street; Complaint.
10:52 p.m. 6800 block of La. 182; Complaint.
10:55 p.m. 100 block of Eleventh Street; Alarm.
11:30 p.m. 1600 block of Chatsworth Drive; Medical.
Saturday, Feb. 8
1:10 a.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Suspicious subject.
2:08 a.m. 1000 block of La. 70; Alarm.
2:16 a.m. 7100 block of Park Street; Juvenile problem.
2:52 a.m. 7300 block of La. 182; Assistance.
3:02 a.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Disturbance.
4:06 a.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Medical.
4:34 a.m. 500 block of Barrow Street; Complaint.
4:40 a.m. 5000 block of Railroad Avenue; Suspicious vehicle.
9:24 a.m. Neighborhood Walmart; Accident.
11:05 a.m. 300 block of Third Street; Medical.
11:59 a.m. Walmart in Bayou Vista; Assistance.
12:45 p.m. U.S. 90 East; Reckless driver.
1:05 p.m. Martin Luther King Boulevard; Stalled vehicle.
1:08 p.m. Sixth Street and Brashear Avenue; Reckless driver.
2:52 p.m. Patterson Police Department; Inmate transport.
3:34 p.m. U.S. 90 West by Martin Luther King Boulevard; Stalled vehicle.
4:46 p.m. 1200 block of Victor II Boulevard; Burning smell.
4:51 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Accident.
5:18 p.m. Freret and Everett streets; Disturbance.
5:19 p.m. 900 block of Duke Street; Animal complaint.
5:22 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Civil.
7:17 p.m. 3000 block of Allison Street; Telephone harassment.
7:32 p.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Loud music.
7:36 p.m. 600 block of Freret Street; Complaint.
8:46 p.m. 500 block of General MacArthur Street; Removal of subject.
9:03 p.m. 2300 block of Cypress Street; Arrest.
9:15 p.m. Glenwood and Aycock streets; Loud music.
9:30 p.m. 300 block of Adams Street; Telephone harassment.
10:01 p.m. Lawrence Park; Traffic incident.
10:12 p.m. Federal and Brashear avenues; Suspicious vehicle.
11:55 p.m. 7800 block of La. 182; Arrest.
Sunday, Feb. 9
12:49 a.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Complaint.
1:06 a.m. 1600 block of La. 70; Arrest.
1:18 p.m. 1000 block of La. 70; Alarm.
2:02 a.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Complaint.
2:23 a.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Medical.
3:44 a.m. Headland Road and Railroad Avenue; Loud music.
8:44 a.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Removal of subject.
9:33 a.m. 300 block of Railroad Avenue; Battery.
10:05 a.m. Amelia Police Department; Assistance.
10:23 a.m. 500 block of Leona Street; Disturbance.
11:35 a.m. 8400 block of La. 182; Alarm.
2:34 p.m. Morgan City Police Department; Medical.
3:53 p.m. 1000 block of Third Street; Harassment.
4:04 p.m. 300 block of Wren Street; Theft.
4:53 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
5 p.m. 200 block of Onstead Street; Animal complaint.
5:44 p.m. 500 block of Egle Street; Complaint.
6:04 p.m. 200 block of Chennault Street; Complaint.
6:55 p.m. 700 block of Brashear Avenue; Arrest.
7:23 p.m. 100 block of South Railroad Avenue; Stand by.
7:41 p.m. 100 block of Wren Street; Medical.
8:07 p.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Medical.
8:24 p.m. 2400 block of Sixth Street; Removal of subject.
8:38 p.m. Front and St. Clair streets; Suspicious subject.
10:35 p.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Arrest.
11:13 p.m. 3200 block of Vine Street; Theft.
Monday, Feb. 10
1:11 a.m. 6000 block of La. 182; Alarm.
1:16 a.m. 400 block of Lawrence Street; Medical.
1:53 a.m. St. Claire and First streets; Arrest.
3:58 a.m. 500 block of Federal Avenue; Assistance.
4:24 a.m. 300 block of Aycock Street; Alarm.
4:33 a.m. 8400 block of La. 182; 911 hang up.
Mrs. Kenneth Cefalu reigned as Krewe of Galatea Queen LI Saturday when the women’s krewe presented “Galatea’s 20/20 Vision.” She was accompanied by King Galatea LI Bryan Belle. Cefalu represented “The 20/20 Woman” and Belle was “The New Decade.” The krewe will present its annual parade at 2 p.m. on Feb. 23 in Morgan City. Joining the parade will be members of the children’s Krewe of Nike.
Miguez Photography
Franklin Banner-Tribune
P.O. Box 566, Franklin, LA 70538
Phone: 337-828-3706
Fax: 337-828-2874
Morgan City Review
1014 Front Street, Morgan City, LA 70380
Phone: 985-384-8370
Fax: 985-384-4255