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Police: Morgan City K9 finds marijuana in home

Fri, 01/10/2020 - 9:58am

Staff Report

A call about suspicious activity in the early hours of Thursday led to the arrest of a Morgan City woman for marijuana, Morgan City Police Chief James F. Blair said in a news release.
—Kim M. Crouch, 57, of Catherine Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 1:09 a.m. Thursday on a charge of first offense marijuana. Officers were called to a Catherine Street residence to investigate suspicious activity.
Officers came into contact with Crouch at the residence. While officers were speaking with Crouch, they could detect the odor of marijuana emitting from the residence. With the assistance of K-9 Officer Lady, suspected marijuana was located inside the residence, belonging to Crouch. She was jailed.
Blair also reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 30 calls of service and the following arrests were made:
—Nikki Rene Mayon, 37, of La. 182 in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:14 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant for failure to appear. Officers came into contact with Mayon on La. 182. A warrant check revealed City Court of Morgan City held an active warrant for her arrest. She was jailed.
—Laketra Mitchell, 40, of Joseph Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11 p.m. Wednesday on charges of driving under suspension and no motor vehicle insurance.
An officer on patrol observed a traffic violation on La. 182. Upon conducting a traffic stop, the driver was identified as Mitchell.
A computer check revealed her driver’s license was under suspension and the vehicle she was driving was not insured. She was jailed.
—Tammy Hawk Fuselier, 50, of River Road in Berwick, was arrested at 1:40 a.m. Thursday on warrants for the charges of speeding, improper lane usage, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Fuselier turned herself in to the Morgan City Police Department on an active warrant held by the Morgan City Police Department. She was jailed.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that the Sheriff’s Office responded to 28 complaints and the following arrest was made:
—Stephanie Lynn Courtney, 31, of Duke Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:08 p.m. Wednesday on a Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office warrant for failure to appear for a child support hearing. A deputy went to a residence on Duke Street in Morgan City in reference to locating Courtney, who held an active warrant for her arrest. The deputy located Courtney and advised her of the warrant. She was jailed and is being held for another agency.
Berwick Police Chief David Leonard Sr. reported the following arrests:
—Thomas Nickens, 37, of Browning Drive in Baton Rouge, was arrested at 10:12 p.m. Wednesday on charges of speeding 62 mph in a 45 mph zone and driving under suspension.
Officers were patrolling the area of La. 182 when they clocked a vehicle speeding 62 mph in a 45 mph posted zone. Contact was made with the driver, identified as Nickens. Nickens was asked to produce his driver’s license and stated that he did not have it because it was suspended.
Officers conducted a check on the status of the license and confirmed the suspension. He was jailed and later released on a $327 bond.
—Taylor Davis, 21, of Natalie Lane in Patterson, was arrested at 1:20 a.m. Thursday on a warrant for the charge of disturbing the peace by fighting. Officers observed a male subject walking in Renwick Subdivision and stopped to make sure everything was OK.
A second officer arrived on scene and knew the subject to be Davis and knew he had an active warrant for his arrest. The warrant stems from an incident that occurred in November 2019 in which officers responded to a call of a large fight. Davis was identified as one of the subjects involved, but had fled the scene and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
He was jailed with bond set of $176.
Patterson Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported no arrests.

Radio Logs for Jan. 10

Fri, 01/10/2020 - 9:56am

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, Jan. 9
8:02 a.m. 3100 block of Susan Drive; Disturbance.
8:21 a.m. 600 block of Freret Street; Medical.
8:53 a.m. La. 182 and Roderick Street; Suspicious vehicle.
10:59 a.m. 600 block of Freret Street; Medical.
1:56 p.m. Victor II Boulevard and Brashear Avenue; Accident.
1:57 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Traffic incident.
2:43 p.m. Second and Belanger streets; Suspicious person.
4:03 p.m. 800 block of Walnut Drive; Trespassing.
4:17 p.m. Hickory Street; Traffic incident.
4:25 p.m. U.S. 90 East; Traffic incident.
5:54 p.m. 800 block of Roderick Street; Disturbance.
6:54 p.m. 900 block of Marguerite Street; Assistance.
7:45 p.m. 300 block of Union Street; Disturbance.
9:15 p.m. 200 block of Second Street; Medical emergency.
9:35 p.m. 2300 block of Maple Street; Disturbance.
Friday, Jan. 10
4:51 a.m. 1500 block of Chestnut Drive; Criminal damage to property.

LSU Libraries launches Mobile Digitization Lab

Fri, 01/10/2020 - 9:38am

By LSU LIBRARIES

BATON ROUGE — LSU Libraries has launched the Mobile Digitization Lab, a new initiative that shares digitization equipment and expertise with small, community-oriented libraries, archives, and museums across Louisiana.
For the pilot project, completed in November 2019, faculty and staff from LSU Libraries visited the Jeanerette Museum with scanners and cameras and spent one week digitizing the museum’s unique historical material.
Content created during this initiative will be added to the Louisiana Digital Library, an online resource that opens the digital cultural heritage of Louisiana to everyone around the world.
Currently the LDL has 25 members across the state and contains images, newspapers, oral histories, books and manuscripts from Louisiana archives, academic libraries, public libraries, and museums. The LDL is growing rapidly and has received nearly a million views since January 2019.
The Mobile Digitization Lab represents an important next step in efforts to protect and present the history of Louisiana. While the LDL provides a platform for the digital material, limited technology and staffing at many of the state’s libraries, museums and archives presents a barrier to participation. The Mobile Digitization Lab will expand access to historical materials held by these places.
The Jeanerette Bicentennial Park and Museum is a community-oriented museum dedicated to collecting the cultural history of Jeanerette. Active in both local and national exhibitions — including multiple Smithsonian traveling exhibitions — the museum collects the historical materials of the City of Jeanerette and surrounding areas, notably exhibiting artifacts related to the history of Louisiana’s sugarcane and cypress industries.
Jeanerette Museum volunteers used their familiarity with the collection and the community to prioritize items for digitization. During the one-week stay, the Mobile Digitization Lab crew was able to digitize nine journals detailing the history of Jeanerette, as well as records from historic local business and local publications.
The Mobile Digitization Lab will ensure that Jeanerette’s most unique materials will be digitally accessible across Louisiana and the world.
Funds for the Mobile Digitization Lab were supplied by the Center for Computational Technology and the Office of Research and Economic Development.

Greg Hamer named as an LRA director

Fri, 01/10/2020 - 9:33am

METAIRIE — The Louisiana Restaurant Association announces its 2020 volunteer leadership with Peter Scalfani as its chair. Scalfani is the owner of Down South Hospitality and a partner in Phil’s Oyster Bar & Seafood Restaurant in Baton Rouge.
“The LRA is fortunate to be led by individuals actively involved in the restaurant industry,” explained Stan Harris, LRA president and CEO. “Those who serve as officers or directors not only successfully run their own businesses but have volunteered countless hours in leadership to our organization. The core of what we do is to advocate for reasonable and predictable regulations that could impact our industry. Our board, whose members are statewide, provides a solid grass roots base.”
Among members elected as an LRA director for a one-year term in 2020 is Bayou Chapter member Greg Hamer owner of Taco Bell — B&G Food Enterprises in Morgan City.

New Year Baby of Franklin

Fri, 01/10/2020 - 9:01am

The 2020 New Year’s Baby was born Jan. 7 at 8:15 a.m. at Franklin Foundation Hospital. He weighed 6 lbs. 11 oz. and measured 18.5 inches long. Legend is the son of Annaki Hamilton and Damontay Lightfoot. Pictured with the new baby are Franklin Foundation Hospital’s OB and Nursery staff. The parents were presented with a gift basket. FFH is a 22-bed acute care facility featuring 24 hour Emergency Room, Inpatient / Outpatient Surgery, Obstetrics with Nursery, Intensive Care Unit, Skilled Nursing Services, Laboratory, Outpatient Therapy Services, Radiology Services and Nutritional Services. Physician Services are provided at FFH Medical Office Building and Baldwin Family Clinic.

Commodity recertification ongoing at St. Mary CAA

Fri, 01/10/2020 - 9:00am

Seniors in St. Mary Parish can apply or re-apply to receive commodities.
Only persons who have registered and are on the commodities list are eligible to pick up food boxes on distribution days. In order to be placed on the list, individuals must bring identification and proof of income for 2020 re-certification. Clients may begin to bring their information to the central office now.
Distribution will be at the St. Mary Community Action Agency Central Office, 1407 Barrow St., Franklin, and 300 Pattie Drive in Berwick.
The end of January is the first date of the year for distribution. For any questions, call Carmencita Bogan at (337) 828-5703.

ANDRE’ LEONARD VANBUREN

Fri, 01/10/2020 - 9:00am

Andre’ Leonard VanBuren, 85, a resident of Patterson, La. and native of Ascension Parish, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 6, 2020 at 3:12 p.m. at his residence.
Visitation will be observed on Friday January 10, 2020 at the Jones Funeral Home 715 Sixth Street Morgan City, La. from 10 a.m. until funeral services at 11 a.m. A discourse will be led by Brother Bart Boone. Burial will follow funeral services in the Nazarene Cemetery in Verdunville, La.
Andre’ was a veteran of the United States Army, receiving an Honorable Discharge.
Memories of Andre’ will forever remain in the hearts of his wife of forty-three years, Theresa Austin VanBuren of Patterson, La.; his children, Barbara Johnson, Henry Johnson, III and Michael Ray Johnson all of Houma, La., Mrs. Joel (Brenda) Voclain of Hammond, La.; two sisters, Theresa Rhodes of Thibodaux, La. and Evelyn Ann Williams of Algiers, La.; five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatoves and friends.
Andre was preceded in death by his parents, two children and two brother.
Visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family

WSM Port commission meets

Fri, 01/10/2020 - 8:59am

The West St. Mary Port Commission’s meeting was short Tuesday.
With only two items in the executive’s report and two in the engineer’s eeport, the whole of the affair lasted only 15 minutes.
Reid Miller, of Miller Engineers Inc., announced the finalization of the architectural planning phase of the trade school to be built on the port’s Baldwin campus, with a coordination meeting planned “for the first week of February.”
He also reported his findings from investigations concerning the prospective cost for the construction of a new office building, as per requests made at last month’s meeting.
The price was quoted as “$750,000 to $800,000.” After which, the commission unofficially decided to make due with their current office, for the time being.
In other news, Executive Director David Allain’s report consisted of an announcement of three bids submitted for the repair of a transit shed damaged in Hurricane Barry, and the commission awarded the bid to the lowest bidder.
Allain also apprised commissioners of the standings of their current filings for relief with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
According to Allain, FEMA is agreeing, so far, to cover damages filed which were provably caused by last year’s hurricane.

Horseshoe tourney, fashion show for cancer upcoming

Fri, 01/10/2020 - 8:58am

Tim Gilmore and Al Dodson updated the St. Mary Parish Council on activities of the Bayou Horseshow Pitchers Association and Theresa Boykin of the Lydia Cancer Association invited members to their 11th “Rock the Runway Fashion and Talent Show” on Wednesday.
Dodson expressed thanks to the parish for its support of the association and facilities at Kemper William Parks in Patterson.
The first courts were built in 1994, he said, by the parish and the park advisory committee allowed the association to use the facilities. Dodson said six new courts were added last year with the assistance of the parish council and Cajun Coast Visitor and Convention Bureau, now totaling 22 sanctioned courts in the state, and biggest in possibly the south, Dodson said.
A recent tournament in October, the Professional Tour, was participated by nearly 100 players, and more are expected this year.
The association showed its appreciation with a plaque presentation to the St. Mary Parish Council.
Gilmore said of the award, “In 1997 we had our first organizational meeting, and in 2003 we started trying to find someone to honor, who’s helped us out through the years.”
Boykin followed at the podium, noting that the eleventh fashion and talent show is set for Jan. 20 at 6 p.m. at the Franklin Recreation Center.
“Before the show has started, we have raised $6,028 dollars,” she said. “This organization to this date has raised in St. Mary, St. Martin, Iberia and Vermillion parishes had helped cancer patients financially to the tune of $810,000.”
She said tickets are $10, and donations are welcome.
Also Wednesday, Jesse Boudreaux, of Berwick, appeared representing St. Mary AARP, and thanked the council for their support over the years to the organization.

Consolidation delay urged; Franklin event lauded

Fri, 01/10/2020 - 8:57am

Lee Dragna, chairman of Consolidated Dist. 2, appealed to the St. Mary Parish Council to hold off on consolidation of Consolidated Gravity Drainage Districts 2 and 6, creating a new District 2a.
Dragna said while he is in agreement with the consolidation move on the agenda Wednesday, but the timing was an issue. “Our district is in the middle of certifying levees, certifying internal drainage, because we have a completely different system than everybody else,” he said. “When it rains, you’ve got minutes to pump it out, not hours for us to get to the pumps and get it out. We’re also about to start a $6.5 million pump station. So the timing’s bad.”
He urged the council to consider these situations in passing the consolidation resolution.
“Franklin, I don’t want to be in charge of both districts,” he said.
In other business, Diane Wiltz and Ed “Tiger” Verdin, addressed the council regarding Franklin’s upcoming bicentennial celebration that will run throughout 2020.
Verdin thanked the council and parish president, as well as parish employees, for their assistance. He noted that Hanagriff’s Machine Shop constructed a historic lamp post replica, with working light globes, that was lowered from the top of the courthouse to the awning at the entrance, which set off a splash of confetti and fireworks across Bayou Teche.
“It’s being talked about all over south Louisiana,” Verdin said. “There wasn’t a dry eye. It was a very proud moment.”
He said such events are growing and participation is high.
Wiltz added, “To see something go from paper to planning to developing it, to its full fruition, was not only a proud moment for us, but also a humbling moment.
“It would not have come to fruition had you, each and every one of you, not been a part of it some way…we’re turning around, we’re turning around in a good way.”
Also, Councilman Craig Mathews announced that the West St. Mary Civic Center in Sorrell will be dedicated renamed in honor of former police juror and parish council member Joseph “Tooney” Davis on Feb. 8 at 3 p.m.
—Councilman Paul Naquin resigned from the St. Mary Community Action Board of Directors and was replaced by Councilman J Ins.
—The February meeting date was moved to Feb. 11, on Tuesday.
—Council Dale Rogers requested a $20,000 allocation from the Wards 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 10 3/10ths sales tax fund to the City of Franklin for improvement in fire protection, public safety and public health facilities, which was approved.
The latter part of the meeting was concluded by statements from the outgoing council members: Sterling Fryou, Gabriel Beadle, Kevin Voisin, Ken Singleton, Glenn Hidalgo and Dale Rogers. Councilman Naquin, also outgoing, was not able to be present.