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A traffic stop in Bayou Vista led to the arrest of a Centerville man on charges of drug possession, drug paraphernalia and proceeds from drugs, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith said in a news release.
—John Werline, 66, of Chris Lane in Centerville, was arrested at 3:15 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia and transactions involving drug proceeds.
A deputy was patrolling the area of Bayou Vista when he observed a vehicle fail to use a turn signal. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver and passenger, Werline. Upon speaking with Werline, the deputy could smell a strong odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle and the deputy located marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He was jailed with no bail set.
Smith also advised that the Sheriff’s Office responded to 98 complaints and the following arrests were reported:
—Chris Landry, 42, of Francis Street in Berwick, was arrested at 10:26 p.m. Monday on a charge of monetary instrument abuse. A deputy was dispatched to a local business in Bayou Vista in reference to a monetary instrument Abuse complaint. The deputy made contact with the owner of the business who stated that Landry had tried to exchange a counterfeit bill for smaller bills at his business. Through the investigation, the deputy traveled to another business in Bayou Vista where Landry had attempted to again exchange a counterfeit bill for smaller bills. Sometime later, the deputy, assisted by the Berwick Police Department, made contact with Landry on Third Street in Berwick. He was jailed and later released on a $3,000 bond.
—Linn Michael Rhodes, 50, of Southwest Road in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:18 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of domestic abuse battery. A deputy was dispatched to a residence on Southwest Road in Bayou Vista in reference to a domestic abuse battery complaint. The deputy made contact with the complainant who stated that Rhodes had grabbed the complainant’s arm during a dispute. He was jailed and later released on a $2,500 bond.
—Chelsea Lynn Trahan, 28, of Dansin Road in Raceland, was arrested at 3:08 a.m. Wednesday on a charge of simple battery. A deputy was dispatched to a residence on La.182 in Amelia in reference to a disturbance. The deputy made contact with a complainant who stated that she was in an argument with a co-worker, identified as Trahan, who hit her multiple times. She was jailed with bail set at $2,500.
—Jamie Lynn Brown, 36, of Clifton Street in Thibodaux, was arrested at 6:31 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant for theft. A deputy made contact with Brown at the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office. It was learned that there was an active warrant for her arrest. She was jailed with no bail set.
Morgan City Police Chief James F. Blair reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 98 calls for service and the following arrests were made:
—Kip Gaspard, 55, of La. 70 in Belle River, was arrested at 8:53 a.m. Monday on a warrant for the charge of simple assault. Gaspard was transported to the Morgan City Police Department from another correctional facility on a warrant for simple assault. The warrant was filed after officers investigated a complaint where Gaspard made threats to physically harm a victim on several occasions.
—Marquil Singleton, 19, of Tiffany Street in Patterson, was arrested at 2:25 p.m. Monday on a warrant for the possession of Scheduled II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine). Singleton turned himself in to officers at the Morgan City Police Department on outstanding warrants for possession of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance. Warrants were filed for his arrest after officers investigated a traffic crash and found suspected methamphetamine in the vehicle. He was jailed.
—Dena Melann LeBouef, 43, of Federal Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:53 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of theft under $1,000. Officers were called to a local business on Seventh Street about a theft. Officers were advised Lebouef had concealed several items of merchandise in her purse while in the business. When LeBouef was confronted by a store employee, she left the store. Officers were able to locate LeBouef at her residence on Federal Avenue. She was jailed.
—Shanae Dowsey, 30, of Wren Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:56 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of disturbing the peace. Officers were called to a Mallard Street residence for a disturbance. Police learned Dowsey came to the residence and caused a disturbance. She was jailed.
—Madison Evelyn Mehrtens, La. 182 in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:48 p.m. Wednesday on warrants for two counts of failure to appear. Mehrtens was turned over to the Morgan City Police Department by a bail fugitive recovery agency on active warrants held by the City Court of Morgan City. She was jailed.
—Pamela Ann Francois, 47, of Federal Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:01 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of driving under suspension and a warrant for failure to return leased merchandise over $1,000. An officer on patrol conducted a traffic stop in the area of Sixth Street and Freret Street for a traffic violation. During the traffic stop, a computer check revealed her driver’s license was under suspension. A warrant check revealed the Morgan City Police Department held active warrants for her arrest. She was jailed.
Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon reported the following arrest:
—Kip J. Gaspard, 55, of La. 70 in Pierre Part, was arrested Sunday on a fugitive warrant for the city of Morgan City. A uniformed patrol officer observed a westbound vehicle commit a traffic violation east of Gator Gold Casino early Sunday. The deputy initiated a stop of the vehicle and identified the driver as Gaspard. Upon conducting a criminal records check, it was determined that Gaspard was wanted on a fugitive warrant from Morgan City Police Department. He was jailed and transferred to that jurisdiction.

Chester Lee “Gib” Gibson, 77, a resident and native of Franklin, La., passed away peacefully on Tuesday December 24, 2019 at 11:35 p.m. at the Chateau Terrebonne Nursing Facility in Houma, La.
Visitation will be observed on Saturday, January 4, 2020 at Triumph Baptist Church in Franklin, La., from 9 a.m. until funeral services at 11 a.m. Masonic Rights will precede funeral services at 10:30 a.m. Pastor C. F. Lewis, will serve as the Eulogist. Entombment will follow funeral services in the Mausoleum Section of Franklin Cemetery - Main Street in Franklin, La.
Chester leaves to cherish his memory: his loving and devoted wife of fifty-six years, Laura M. Lightfoot Gibson; his son. Elton Gibson both of Franklin, La.; four grandchildren, his siblings, Mary Verrett of Franklin, La., Ruth Jackson of Port Arthur, TX, Hannah Moten and Alexis Moten both of Lafayette, La. and Willis Smith of Dallas, TX; one uncle, an aunt-in-law, one brother-in-law, five sisters-in-law, one whom he considered a second son, Byron (Stephanie) Jones of Berwick and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Chester was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, two sisters, a niece, and a great-niece.
Visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family.

Velma Jean Johnson, 63, a resident and native of Franklin, La. passed away peacefully Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at 6:30 am at her residence.
Visitation will be observed on Saturday, January 4, 2020 at Jones Funeral Home, Inc. 1101 Main Street Franklin, La. from 9 a.m. until funeral services beginning at 11 a.m. Burial will follow funeral services in the St. John Cemetery - Pecot Street in Franklin, La.
Memories of Velma will forever remain in the hearts of her sister, Mrs. Lionel (Ruth) Wright of Franklin, La.; her companion, Shawn Defils and his son Chase Logan Defils; one niece, two nephews, and many other relatives and friends.
Velma was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, two sisters, two nephews, one niece, two aunts, and two uncles.
Visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family.

The last day of 2019 gave way to the first day of 2020 as the City of Franklin hosted a New Year Celebration on Main Street at the Courthouse Square.