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DONNA CHARPENTIER DUPRE

February 6, 1969 – October 19, 2019
Funeral services celebrating the life of Donna Charpentier Dupre will be held Wednesday, October 23, 2019, at 11 a.m. at Little Pass Baptist Church in Charenton. Following the service she will be laid to rest in the Franklin Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Wayne M. Dupre Jr., Timothy L. Dupre Jr., Cody Thibodaux, Matthew Thibodaux, Johnathan Querrard, Sean Querrard, Jeremy Jones, and Jacob Kleinpeter. Honorary pallbearers will be Raymond S. “Butch” Charpentier Jr., Rene J. Charpentier, Kaleb Prince, Michael Prince, Casey Potier, and Kaleb Potier. Rev. Dr. Chris Holloway will preside over the services.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed Tuesday, October 22nd, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Ibert’s Mortuary in Franklin and Wednesday, October 23rd, from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. at Little Pass Baptist Church in Charenton.
Donna was born in Franklin on Thursday, February 6, 1969, the youngest of nine children born to Raymond and Rita Charpentier. She was a resident of Charenton for the past 18 years who passed away at the young age of 50 on Sunday, October 19, 2019.
A 1987 graduate of Franklin Senior High, Donna went on to nursing school and worked several years early on as a CNA. On January 1, 1998, she married the love of her life, Wayne M. Dupre. Donna was a big Saints fan who enjoyed traveling and collecting coffee cups. She cherished spending time with family and especially loved spoiling her grandchildren. She was a longtime member of Little Pass Baptist Church where her passion was for Youth Ministry. She will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate to have known her.
Those she leaves to cherish her beautiful memory include her husband of 21 years, Wayne M. Dupre; three children, Wayne M. Dupre Jr. and his wife Tonya, Kylan M. Dupre, and Kaylan M. Dupre; two granddaughters, Alleigh and Tenleigh Dupre; her mother, Rita Mae Blanchard Charpentier; siblings, Raymond S. “Butch” Charpentier Jr., Joanne C. Stelly, Nancy C. Gordon and her husband Rickey, Janice C. Moore, Myra C. Thibodaux and her husband Rodney, and Rene J. Charpentier and his wife René; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, Raymond S. Charpentier Sr.; and two siblings, Bernadette Ann Charpentier and Linda C. Granger.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be made in Donna’s name to Little Pass Baptist Church for Youth Ministry, PO Box 326, Charenton, La. 70523.
Family and friends may view the obituary and express their condolences online by visiting www.iberts.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert’s Mortuary, Inc., 1007 Main Street, Franklin, La. 70538, (337) 828-5426.

Radio Logs for October 22

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, Oct. 21
5:39 a.m. 6000 block of La. 182; Utilities.
5:49 a.m. North Second Street; Suspicious vehicle.
7:51 a.m. 400 block of Laurel Street; Custody issue.
8:17 a.m. U.S. 90 by Martin Luther King Boulevard exit; Theft.
8:59 a.m. 8000 block of La. 182; Animal.
9:57 a.m. 600 block of Louisiana Street; Animal.
10:24 a.m. U.S. 90 West; Complaint.
10:26 a.m. 7300 block of La. 182; Complaint.
1:44 p.m. 900 block of Marguerite Street; 911 hang up.
2:28 p.m. Federal and Brashear avenues; Bumper in road.
4:24 p.m. 700 block of Ditch Avenue; Animal.
4:46 p.m. Berwick Po-lice Department; Inmate transport.
6:28 p.m. 100 block of Mallard Street; Illegal narcotics.
7:57 p.m. 1000 block of Fourth Street; Suspicious vehicle.
8:10 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Complaint.
8:23 p.m. 400 block of Laurel Street; Suspicious person.
9:04 p.m. 1100 block of Victor II Boulevard; Business alarm.
9:17 p.m. 800 block of Roderick Street; Fight.
10:05 p.m. 1400 block of Second Street; Medical emergency.
10:59 p.m. 600 block of Terrebonne Street; Removal of a subject.
11:12 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Warrant arrest.

Massabielle celebrates Catholic Daughters Sunday

Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court Massabielle 1134, celebrated Catholic Daughters Sunday at Sacred Heart Church in Morgan City during the vigil Mass on Oct. 19. In attendance were, from left, Margaret Kreider, secretary; Sundra Deshotel, treasurer; Betsy Grizzaffi, recording secretary; Veronica Governale, regent; and members Norma Ramirez, Donna Rae Conner, Sheran Blanchard, Tamara Stevens, Betty Rulf, Gail Breaux, Emelina Basas and Elsie Medine. Catholic Daughters of the Americas motto is “Unity and Charity” and membership is open to women of the Catholic Faith, 18 years of age and older. Court Massabielle meets the third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Cafeteria located at 318 Third St. in Morgan City.

‘Great Value’ sausage patties recalled

CARYVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture says more than 6,000 pounds of frozen sausage patties manufactured in Tennessee have been recalled over concerns they may be contaminated with salmonella.
A Food Safety and Inspection Service statement released Friday says the ready-to-eat pork and turkey sausage products were made by George’s Prepared Food in Caryville, Tennessee.
News outlets report they were sold under the “Great Value” brand name and shipped nationwide. The agency’s statement doesn’t say how or where the potential contamination was discovered.
Officials say there haven’t been any adverse reactions reported. But the agency did label the health risk high, and advised that salmonella can cause an infection accompanied by abdominal cramps and fevers, among other symptoms.

Some tips to make Halloween decor less scary for wildlife

Fake cobwebs and some other spooky, outdoor Halloween decorations meant as harmless fun can do real damage to wildlife.
Halloween spending has skyrocketed in recent years, and the National Retail Federation says Americans are expected to spend $2.7 billion on Halloween decorations this year.
Wildlife organizations say they also have seen an increase in animal visits to local rehabilitation centers for injuries related to the outdoor holiday decorations.
“The fake cobwebs are of particular concern,” said Lisa Bloch, director of communications for the Marin Humane in Novato, California. When they’re strung across bushes and trees, “wildlife can easily get stuck in these webs.”
The fake webs can trap animals, said Alison Hermance of WildCare, a nonprofit wildlife hospital and nature education center in San Rafael, California. Birds caught in them can damage their wings and claws. Chipmunks and other low-to the-ground rodents can also get caught and damage their paws.
If you observe an animal in trouble, always call a wildlife center before intervening, Bloch said.
Halloween lights and other items that dangle also can pose problems for wildlife. Deer and elk can get holiday lights, netting, clothing and other materials stuck in their antlers, said Jason Clay of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Denver office. “We see it every year,” he said.
Be aware of what paths animals use in your yard, and avoid placing decorations there, Clay said.
Pumpkins and other food items should be disposed of promptly because they entice animals to come closer to your home than they normally would, putting them in contact with pets and increasing the risk of getting hit by a car, Hermance said.
Don’t leave any decorations up for an extended period, adds Bloch. “It’s good to be mindful and remove the decorations as soon as you’re done celebrating.”

Pregnant bride-to-be imposes a nonalcoholic party policy

DEAR ABBY: My friend “Nan” is planning her wedding and asked if I, along with our friends, would be bridesmaids. Fast-forward a few months: The bride-to-be is now pregnant. We’re having our first get-together as a bridal party, and she wants us to serve only nonalcoholic “mocktails” for our girls’ night in. I asked the maid of honor if we could have the option of alcohol, and she said no because that’s what the bride wants. Is it rude to drink in front of a pregnant bride? Obviously, I will honor Nan’s wishes, but I’d like a second opinion. Should ...

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Hospital board's ex-attorney wants details on Ochsner deal

St. Mary Hospital Service District 2’s former attorney says he wants to make sure the agreement under which Ochsner Health System will operate Morgan City’s hospital was properly reached.

A public records request from the attorney, Nicholas LaRocca, appears on the agenda for a meeting of the district board. The board, whose next scheduled meet-ing would be Nov. 6, will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Morgan City Court, 7261 La. 182 East in Morgan City.

LaRocca, the board’s long-time attorney before he resigned in November, said in a phone interview that he wants to see if the lease agreement was subject to an independent financial examination as he believes state law requires before the state attorney general approves the deal.

It was all part of the process by which Ochsner Health System became the 165-bed hospital’s operator and Teche Regional became Ochsner St. Mary.

LifePoint Health had operated the hospital under a lease agreement with the district. LifePoint reportedly lost millions on the deal during the 2014-18 period and announced plans last year to leave Louisiana.

Amid concerns that the Teche Regional would be forced to close, the search for a replacement operator quickly settled on Ochsner, one of Louisiana’s biggest employers and a respected name in medicine.

In March, Gov. John Bel Edwards came to Morgan City to announce that the district and Ochsner had reached agreement in principle.

The deal was submitted to Attorney General Jeff Landry for approval, and Landry OK’d the agreement late last month.

On Oct. 1, officials cut a symbolic ribbon at the hospital while a crane was stretching upward to replace Teche Regional signs with an Ochsner St. Mary banner.

But LaRocca said he believes the district-Ochsner agreement requires approval by a vote of the public.

Also, LaRocca believes the agreement under which LifePoint was let out of a 40-year lease should be made public as well.

“I think the public is entitled to see the separation agreement with LifePoint,” LaRocca said.

He resigned as the Hospital Service District’s attorney in November. He cited differences with the board over negotiations designed to find a company to replace LifePoint.

“I have expressed to the board that we have a fundamental disagreement on the way this matter has been handled and is being handled,” LaRocca said in an interview after he resigned, “and I cannot continue to represent them under these circumstances.”

LaRocca had expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of the negotiations, but wouldn’t say if what made him want to resign.

Search on Sixth Street leads to two arrests

Morgan City’s Narcotics Division searched a residence on Sixth Street in Morgan City and found marijuana and synthetic marijuana packaged for sale in the home with two juveniles present, Morgan City Police Chief James F. Blair said in a news release.
—David T. Francois, 47 of Sixth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:28 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of synthetic marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance law drug free zone and possession of controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a juvenile.
—Summer Billiot, 34, of Sixth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:28 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for five counts of failure to pay fines, a warrant for two counts of failure to appear, and a warrant for Terrebonne Parish for failure to appear.
The Morgan City Police Department Narcotics Division conducted a search warrant of a residence on Sixth Street. Located inside the residence were individuals identified as Francois, Billiot and two juveniles.
During the search, officers located suspected marijuana and synthetic marijuana packaged for sale along with drug paraphernalia, Blair said. The residence is located within 2,000 feet of a school which is considered a drug free zone. A warrant check revealed that Billiot held active warrants for the City Court of Morgan City, the 16th Judicial District Court and Terrebonne Parish. Both Francois and Billiot were jailed.
Blair also reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 36 calls for service and the following arrests were made:
—David L. Aucoin Jr., 23, of La. 182 in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:15 a.m. Thursday on charges of possession of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine) with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance law drug-free zone.
Officers responded to a local motel on La. 182 in regards to illegal drug activity. Officers arrived and located Aucoin. Aucoin was found to be in possession of suspected methamphetamine packaged for sale and drug paraphernalia. Also, the location of the motel is with 2000 feet of a church which is considered a drug free zone. He was jailed.
—Dustin Lowe, 34, of Trotter Street in New Iberia, was arrested at 10:30 a.m. Thursday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of possession of methamphetamine. Lowe was located in the area of La. 182 near Martin Luther King Boulevard. A warrant check was done and it was determined that Lowe held an active warrant for the 16th Judicial District Court. He was jailed.
—Harriet Lowe, 33, of Daspit Road in New Iberia, was arrested at 11:19 a.m. Thursday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of domestic violence. Lowe was located at the Morgan City Police Department and placed under arrest for an active warrant she held for the 16th Judicial District Court. She was jailed.
—Kenneth J. Scott, 21, of Southeast Boulevard in Morgan City, was arrested at 1:14 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of possession of marijuana, a warrant for five counts of failure to pay fines, and driving under suspension. Officers responded to a vehicle crash in the area of Greenwood Street and Federal Avenue. Scott was one of the drivers involved in the crash. A computer check of Scott’s driver’s license revealed that it was suspended. Scott also held active warrants with the 16th Judicial District Court and the City Court of Morgan City. He was jailed.
—A’dontey R. Owens, 21, of Railroad Avenue in Patterson, was arrested at 4 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for failure to pay fine. Owens was transported from the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center to the Morgan City Police Department for an active warrant he held for the City Court of Morgan City. He was jailed.
—Ashley T. Francois, 32, of Everett Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 4:59 p.m. Thursday on a charge of prohibited acts all Schedules altered prescription. An officer responded to a local medical facility in regards to a prescription being forged. The officer arrived and was informed that a prescription received from Francois had been altered. The officer made contact with Francois inside the facility and placed her under arrest. She was jailed.
—Heidi C. Hoffpauir, 50, of Francis Street in Berwick, was arrested at 7:39 p.m. Thursday on a charge of theft under $1,000. Officers responded to a local business on La. 182 in regards to a theft. Officers were informed by the employees that Hoffpauir had left the store without paying for an item. Officers located Hoffipauir in the parking lot and located the item taken which was valued at $3.26. She was jailed.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that the Sheriff’s Office responded to 23 complaints and the following arrests were made:
—Ryan Joseph Delahoussaye, 26, of River Road in Berwick, was arrested at 1:16 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of domestic abuse battery by strangulation, domestic abuse child endangerment law and violation of protective orders. Deputies located Delahoussaye at an address on Greenwood Street in Morgan City and were advised of the active warrant for his arrest. He was jailed with no bail set.
—David Anthony Hicks, 41, of Delmar Avenue in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 6:31 p.m. Thursday for charges of leash law. A deputy was dispatched to a residence on Delmar Avenue in reference to a dog bite complaint. The deputy made contact with the complainant who stated that a dog came into his yard and bit him. Through the investigation, the deputy learned that the dog belonged to Hicks. The deputy made contact with Hicks and arrested him. He was released on a summons to appear on Jan. 10.
—Eddie Lee Clark Jr., 23, of Palm Lane in Labadieville, was arrested at 4:11 a.m. Thursday on charges of driving on right side of the road/exceptions and resisting an officer by flight. Deputies were patrolling the area of U.S. 90 in Bayou Vista when they observed a vehicle traveling in the left lane for an extended time. The deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop but the vehicle continued to travel for several miles. When the vehicle eventually pulled over, the deputy made contact with the driver, Clark. He was jailed and released on a $1,750 bond.
—Fransico Carrizlez, 23, of Schuller Road in Houston, Texas, was arrested at 2:20 p.m. Thursday on charges of speeding, possession of a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance (heroin) with intent to distribute and three counts of possession of controlled dangerous substance in presence of juveniles. A deputy was running stationary radar on U.S. 90 near Calumet when he observed a vehicle traveling over the posted speed limit. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Carrizlez. Through the stop, drugs were found, Smith said. Carrizlez was jailed with no bail set.
Patterson Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported the following arrest:
—Kevin Jamal Gant, 32, of Grout Street in Patterson, was arrested at 1:34 a.m. Friday on a charge of simple battery. He was jailed with bond set at $437.
Berwick Police Chief David Leonard Sr. reported the following arrests:
—Hope Martin, 42, of Pacific Street in Berwick, was arrested at 3:05 p.m. Thursday on a charge of possession of Schedule IV controlled dangerous substance (Klonopin). She was jailed and transported to the Morgan City Police Department. Bond was set at $2,500.

Morgan City Petting Zoo's Fall Fest

Morgan City Petting Zoo's fifth annual Fall Fest event took place Saturday morning. The event gave youngsters the chance to play games, decorate pumpkins and take part in a costume contest.

Main Street's Trunk or Treat

Morgan City Main Street hosted its annual Trunk or Treat event Saturday night and had a large turnout. Crowd estimated indicate the turnout may have topped last year's 1,100.

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