RSS Feed

False information leads to arrest for local woman

Mon, 10/28/2019 - 8:53am

Staff Report

Officers went to a Morgan City residence to arrest a woman with an outstanding warrant and another person in the home gave false information, leading to another arrest, Morgan City Police Chief James F. Blair said in a news release.
—Sydnie Wainwright, 23, of Egle Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:26 p.m. Thursday on a charge of resisting an officer.
—Summer Gaudet, 25, of Lake Palourde Road in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:26 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for the 16th Judicial District Court for failure to appear to drug court.
Officers were called to an Egle Street address after receiving information that Gaudet was at that residence and had outstanding warrants. Officers went to the location and spoke with Wainwright.
Officers told Wainwright why they were there and that Gaudet had outstanding warrants. Wainwright denied that Gaudet was at the residence. While speaking with Wainwright, Gaudet opened the door to the residence and upon seeing the officers attempted to close the door.
The officers were able to arrest Gaudet on the warrants.
Wainwright was then placed under arrest. Both subjects were jailed.
Blair also reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 35 calls for service and the following arrest was made:
—Raven Piggott, 25, of Carol Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 3 p.m. Thursday on a charge of direct contempt of court. Piggott was placed under arrest in City Court after being found in contempt. She was jailed.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that the Sheriff’s Office responded to 28 complaints and the following arrests were reported:
—Christopher Lynn Haynes, 36, of Willow Bend Drive in Patterson, was arrested at 9:58 p.m. Thursday on charges of license plate required, no record of insurance and possession of marijuana.
—John Frank Sanford, 50, of Second Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:33 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession of methamphetamines and open container.
A deputy patrolling the Bayou Vista area observed a vehicle traveling without an operable license plate light.
The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Haynes, and the passenger, Sanford. Through the stop, drugs and an open alcoholic beverage were located. Haynes could not provide proof of insurance on the vehicle.
Haynes was released on a summons to appear Jan. 10. Sanford was jailed with no bond set.
—Patricia Arceneaux, 48, of Country Lane in Lafayette, was arrested at 12:41 a.m. Friday on charges of driving under suspension and license plate lights required.
A deputy patrolling the Bayou Vista area observed a vehicle traveling without an operable license plate light.
The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Arceneaux.
Through the stop it was learned that Arceneaux had a suspended driver’s license. She was released on a summons to appear Jan. 10.
Patterson Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported there were no arrests.
Berwick Police Chief David Leonard Sr. reported there were no arrests.

Radio Logs for October 28

Mon, 10/28/2019 - 8:50am

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, Oct. 25
6:12 a.m. 3000 block of Karen Street; Medical emergency.
7:43 a.m. 400 block of Brashear Avenue; Accident.
8:27 a.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Suspicious subject.
8:45 a.m. U.S. 90 westbound crest; Complaint.
10:02 a.m. Myrtle Street; Complaint.
10:12 a.m. 700 block of Federal Avenue; Hang up call.
10:13 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
11:01 a.m. 400 block of Louisa Street; Disturbance.
11:16 a.m. U.S. 90; Accident.
11:21 a.m. 300 block of Lawrence Street; Welfare concern.
12:16 p.m. 7700 block of La. 182; Complaint.
12:23 p.m. 2400 block of Apple Street; Welfare concern.
1:10 p.m. 900 block of Short Street; Disturbance.
2:22 p.m. Seventh and Greenwood streets; Suspicious subject.
2:48 p.m. 300 block of Franklin Street; Complaint.
3:01 p.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Complaint.
3:32 p.m. 500 block of Barrow Street; Medical emergency.
3:41 p.m. Federal Avenue and Onstead Street; Stalled vehicle.
4:14 p.m. La. 70 before Bell Tower; Accident.
4:54 p.m. La. 70 and Brashear Avenue; Accident.
5:03 p.m. 100 block of Wren Street; Animal complaint.
6:11 p.m. 800 block of First Street; Animal.
7:47 p.m. 100 block of Youngswood Road; Alarm.
8:22 p.m. 600 block of Marshall Street; Officer stand by.
9:15 p.m. Sixth and General Patton streets; Accident.
10:40 p.m. 700 block of Maine Street; Patrol request.
11:33 p.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Loud music.
Saturday, Oct. 26
2:02 a.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Assistance.
2:06 a.m. 6500 block of La. 182; Alarm.
2:24 a.m. Marquis Manor; Alarm.
7:14 a.m. 1600 block of Federal Avenue; Complaint.
9:53 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Com-plaint.
11 a.m. Ditch Avenue and Ninth Street; Accident/injury.
1:33 p.m. 200 block of Railroad Avenue; Battery.
2:07 p.m. 900 block of Onstead Street; Alarm.
2:45 p.m. 1600 block of Mayon Street; Juveniles.
3:49 p.m. 900 block of Seventh Street; Theft.
6:33 p.m. 500 block of Brashear Avenue; Theft.
6:57 p.m. 6000 block of Railroad Avenue; Medical.
7:35 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Assistance.
8:09 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Stalled vehicle.
8:35 p.m. 1000 block of Onstead Street; Animal.
8:43 p.m. 2400 block of Cypress Street; Traffic incident.
8:58 p.m. 900 block of Duke Street; Suspicious person.
9:18 p.m. 500 block of Bush Street; Suspicious person.
9:27 p.m. 6000 block of Railroad Avenue; Loud music.
9:53 p.m. 700 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard; 911 hang up.
9:59 p.m. Everett and Sixth streets; Loud noise.
10:21 p.m. 1000 block of Greenwood Street; Harassment.
Sunday, Oct. 27
2:16 a.m. 3100 block of Jennie Drive; Loud noise.
6:39 a.m. 200 block of South Railroad Avenue; Disturbance.
7:02 a.m. 500 block of Barrow Street; Medical emergency.
8:20 a.m. 200 block of South Railroad Avenue; Disturbance.
10:19 a.m. 500 block of Hilda Street; Complaint.
10:50 a.m. U.S. 90 Bridge westbound; Complaint.
12:11 p.m. 300 block of Franklin Street; Welfare check.
12:47 p.m. 200 block of South Railroad Avenue; Reckless driver.
12:53 p.m. 1000 block of Brashear Avenue; Disturbance.
12:57 p.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Disturbance.
1:06 p.m. 1000 block of La. 70; Accident.
1:45 p.m. 900 block of Seventh Street; Theft.
3:01 p.m. 1000 block of Fig Street; Narcotic investigation.
4:42 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Warrant.
4:52 p.m. 1300 block of Oil Tank Alley; Complaint.
9:26 p.m. 600 block of Egle Street; Fire.
9:41 p.m. 1400 block of Federal Avenue; Forgery.
10:44 p.m. 1200 block of Federal Avenue; Criminal damage to property.
11:50 p.m. 700 block of Sixth Street; Suspicious vehicle.
Monday, Oct. 28
1:08 a.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Alarm.
1:21 a.m. 3000 block of Allison Street; Disturbance.

LSU No. 1 in new AP poll

Sun, 10/27/2019 - 1:33pm

The No. 1 vs. No. 2 game between Alabama and LSU in two weeks looks set, though the order of the Crimson Tide and Tigers changed in the AP Top 25 in one of the closet votes ever.

Heading into an off date for both teams, LSU flip-flopped with Alabama to become the new No. 1 in The Associated Press college football poll presented by Regions Bank. The Tigers received 1,476 points, two more than Alabama, for the closest margin between 1 and 2 since No. 1 Florida State was two points ahead of Auburn on Oct. 5, 2014.

No. 3 Ohio State was not far behind with 1,468 points. Eight points separating first from third is the fewest in the regular season since Dec. 3, 1979, when No. 1 Ohio State was 10 points ahead of No. 3 Southern California, with Oklahoma in between, two back of the Buckeyes.

Alabama received the most first-place votes this week with 21. LSU and Ohio State both got 17 first-place votes. No. 4 Clemson received seven first-place votes.

The Alabama-LSU game is scheduled for Nov. 9 in Tuscaloosa, but the top of the rankings should be locked until then. LSU, Alabama, Ohio State and No. 5

Penn State are all off next week, and No. 4 Clemson is tuning up against Wofford.

Oklahoma became the third top-six team in the last three weeks to lose to an unranked team, falling at Kansas State and dropping five spots to No. 10.

POLL POINTS
There was a lot going on at the top of the ranking this week.

This is the second time this season the No. 1 team won and dropped out of the top spot. Preseason No. 1 Clemson was the first, back in late September. The last time it happened twice in a season with different teams was 2009, when Florida and Alabama dropped out in consecutive weeks.

The last time the No. 1 team did not receive the most first-place votes was Nov. 30, 2014, when No. 2 Florida State had 29 and No. 1 Alabama had 25.

The eight-point margin between the top 3 teams is the closest since 1978, when the weighting of the votes changed to its current format. The smallest margin in the top three in the current format previously was nine in the 1994 preseason poll — No. 1 Florida, 1,416; No. 2 Notre Dame, 1,414 and No. 3 Florida State, 1,407.

GAMES OF THE CENTURY
Barring some weirdness with the voters next week, Alabama-LSU will be the 26th 1 vs. 2 regular-season game, including conference championship games.

The No. 1 team is 15-8-2, including LSU's 9-6 victory at Alabama in 2011, the last time 1 and 2 met in the regular season.

The advent of the Bowl Championship Series in 1998, and then later the College Football Playoff, have created frequent 1-2 matchups during bowl season.

Overall, No. 1 is 28-21-2. After LSU and Alabama played as 1 and 2 in the regular season, they had a rematch in the BCS championship game in January 2012 won by the Crimson Tide.

IN
— No. 22 Kansas State returned to the rankings after a brief stint in September.
— No. 24 Memphis also returned after a one-week stay earlier this month.
— No. 25 San Diego State is the ranking for the first time since the final 2017 poll.

OUT
— Texas fell out of the rankings for the first time this season after losing its third game, this time to unranked TCU. The Longhorns' other losses were to LSU and Oklahoma.
— Iowa State continues its yo-yo season, falling out of the rankings again after losing at home to Oklahoma State.
— Arizona State is out again after being upset by UCLA.

CONFERENCE CALL
Big Ten — 6 (Nos. 3, 5, 13, 14, 18, 19)
SEC — 5 (Nos. 1, 2, 6, 8, 11)
Big 12 — 3 (Nos. 10, 12, 22)
American — 3 (Nos. 15, 17, 24)
ACC — 2 (Nos. 4, 23)
Pac-12 — 2 (Nos. 7, 9)
Mountain West — 2 (Nos. 21, 25).
Sun Belt — 1 (No. 20).
Independent — 1 (No. 16).
RANKED v. RANKED
No. 6 Florida vs. No. 8 Georgia. The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party will likely decide the SEC East.
No. 15 SMU at No. 24 Memphis. First on the line in the AAC West, maybe the country's most entertaining division.

Update on Tropical Storm Olga

Fri, 10/25/2019 - 5:05pm

From the National Hurricane Center

ropical Storm Olga Discussion Number 2
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL172019
400 PM CDT Fri Oct 25 2019

Although Tropical Depression Seventeen began looking less and less
like a tropical cyclone in satellite imagery, scatterometer data
and reports from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft
indicate that so far the tropical cyclone remains just ahead of the
approaching cold front, with the aircraft showing the front located
about 25 n mi from the center in the southwestern quadrant. In
addition, the aircraft and scatterometer data indicate that the
cyclone's winds have increased to 35 kt in the northeastern
quadrant. Based on this, the depression is upgraded to Tropical
Storm Olga. It should be noted that a large area of 35-45 kt winds
is occurring west of the cold front over the western Gulf of Mexico,
although these winds are more due to the cold air surging across the
Gulf than to the cyclone's circulation.

Olga has begun its expected acceleration toward the north-northeast
with the initial motion now 030/16. A deep-layer baroclinic trough
over the southern Plains states should steer the cyclone generally
north-northeastward with an additional increase in forward speed
during the next couple of days. The center is expected to cross the
northern Gulf coast tonight or Saturday morning and eventually reach
the eastern Great Lakes by late Sunday. The new forecast track is
nudged a little to the east of the previous one based on the initial
position and motion through 36 h and an eastward shift in the
guidance at 48 h.

All indications are that Olga will complete extratropical transition
during the next few hours as it merges with the cold front. The
intensity forecast shows slight strengthening during the first
12 h based on the premise that the winds west of the cold front
remain strong as they wrap into the circulation of Olga. The
post-tropical low should weaken after landfall, and it is expected
to dissipate just after the 48-h point.

Key messages:

1. Since Olga is expected to merge with a cold front and become
post-tropical by tonight, hazards related to wind, rainfall and
coastal flooding will be covered by products issued by local
National Weather Service forecast offices, available at weather.gov

FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT 25/2100Z 26.3N 93.2W 35 KT 40 MPH
12H 26/0600Z 29.8N 91.7W 40 KT 45 MPH...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP
24H 26/1800Z 35.2N 89.8W 30 KT 35 MPH...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP
36H 27/0600Z 40.1N 86.4W 25 KT 30 MPH...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP
48H 27/1800Z 44.5N 81.5W 25 KT 30 MPH...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP
72H 28/1800Z...DISSIPATED

Central Catholic homecoming queen

Fri, 10/25/2019 - 10:41am

The Daily Review/Mico Aloisio
Katie Hoffpauir was crowned Central Catholic High School’s homecoming queen during festivities at its football game Thursday evening at Tiger Stadium in Morgan City. She is joined by parents Hanko and Brandy Hoffpauir. Central Catholic won the football game 49-0.

Take from insurance tax doubles

Fri, 10/25/2019 - 10:38am

By David Jacobs, The Center Square

The amount of premium taxes collected by the Louisiana Department of Insurance has more than doubled since 2015, according to a report by the state’s legislative auditor.
The Medicaid expansion enacted by Gov. John Bel Edwards in 2016 is the primary cause of the increase, the report says.
About $454 million in premium taxes were collected in fiscal year 2015. During the most recent fiscal year, the department collected $915 million, which was $22 million more than the year before.
The largest increase occurred from fiscal year 2016 to 2017, the auditor’s office says. During that time, premium taxes increased by approximately $314 million for the Medicaid-enrolled managed care organizations due to Medicaid expansion.
Also, the Medicaid tax rate increased from 2.25 percent to 5.5 percent. Other increases are attributable to the general growth in life, accident and health, and fire and casualty premiums, the report says.
The department’s 2017-2018 annual report – the most recent available – breaks down where the money that flows through the department goes. That year, total revenue was a little more than $1 billion, of which almost $893 million came from insurance premium taxes.
Just under $30 million was spent on the department’s operations. Nearly $67 million went to retirement expenses for firefighters and law enforcement, and almost $2.4 million went to municipal fire and police civil service. Almost $5 million paid for insurance fraud assessments by the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Justice.
The vast majority of total revenue – more than $900 million – ended up in the state’s general fund, which is the part of the state budget over which lawmakers have the most control.
The Legislative Auditor did not report any negative findings regarding the department’s financial reporting or its compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

JASON JOSEPH SUIRE

Fri, 10/25/2019 - 10:35am

Jason Joseph Suire, 47, a native of Franklin and resident of Amelia, died Monday, Oct. 21, 2019.
He is survived by two children, Kelsey Suire and Alex Suire; a grandson; his father, Joe Suire; three brothers, Jody Suire, Jarrod Suire and Joshua Suire; and a host of other relatives.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, two grandchildren, his mother, an infant brother, and maternal and paternal grandparents.
A private memorial service will be held in Ibert’s Memorial Park Cemetery in Patterson.
Ibert’s Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

MARGIE MAE GASH

Fri, 10/25/2019 - 10:32am

Margie Mae Gash, 78, a native of Jeanerette and resident of Morgan City, died Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019, at Ochsner St. Mary in Morgan City.
Visitation will be Saturday at Jones Funeral Home from noon until services at 2 p.m.
She is survived by three daughters, Karen Tillman, Lynette Gant and Annette Gash, all of Morgan City; four brothers, Joseph Gash, Ernest Narcisse and Robert Narcisse, all of Morgan City, and Herman Gash of El Paso, Texas; two sisters, Sybil Charles and Mary Stuberfield of Beaumont, Texas; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, a granddaughter and a great-granddaughter.
Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

JOHN EDWARD CLEMENT

Fri, 10/25/2019 - 10:30am

April 29, 1968 — October 19, 2019
John Edward Clement, 51, a resident of Plaquemine, passed away Saturday, October 19, 2019, at Ochsner Hospital in New Orleans.
John was born April 29, 1968, in Morgan City, the son of Alcide H. Clement and Beverly Gaudet Cook.
John loved music; he was in the entertainment business for many years. He also loved animals, especially birds.
He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his father, Alcide H. Clement of Plaquemine; one brother, James Clement and wife Corrie of Sterlington, Louisiana; three nieces, Grace, Gwyneth and Gabriella; one nephew, Joshua, all of Sterlington, Louisiana; ex-wife, Angela Henry; and many dear friends and extended family.
John was preceded in death by his mother, Beverly Gaudet Cook; and his son, Paden John-Henry Clement.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 29, 2019, at Twin City Funeral Home. A memorial visitation will be held Tuesday, October 29, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services. After services, John will be laid to rest in the Morgan City Mausoleum.

DR. JOHN WAYNE MELANCON

Fri, 10/25/2019 - 10:28am

October 11, 1938 — October 23, 2019
Dr. John Wayne Melancon DVM, 81, a resident of Patterson and longtime resident of Hahnville, passed away Wednesday, October 23, 2019 at Patterson Healthcare Center.
John Wayne was born on October 11, 1938 in Abbeville, the son of Achille Joseph Melancon Jr. and Mary Clyde Smith Melancon.
John Wayne was a lover of everything outdoors, especially hunting and fishing, taking many hunting and fishing trips with his family. He had a love for animals and loved taking care of other people’s animals, he truly lived for that. As a result of this love he enjoyed a very successful career as veterinarian at his own veterinarian clinic in Metairie for over 40 years.
John Wayne will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by five children, Dr. Keith Melancon and wife Susan of Bayou Gauche, Dr. Eric J. Melancon and wife Karen of Patterson, Julie Falla and husband Joe of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Dawn Theriot and husband Brad of Luling, and David Melancon and wife Anndrea of Gulfport, Mississippi; 13 grandchildren; and one sister, Mary Claire Fisher of LaPlace.
John Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers and two sisters.
The family would like to thank Dr. Natalie Dishman and Heather Wade for the loving care that they gave to John Wayne.
John Wayne’s grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hahnville with a visitation being held from 9:00 a.m. until Mass time. Father Bernard C. Francis will celebrate the Mass. Following Mass John Wayne will be laid to rest in the Holy Rosary Cemetery in Hahnville with military honors, which will be rendered by the Fort Polk Honor Guard.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given in John Wayne’s honor to the animal shelter of your choice.