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Police: Burglary call leads to drug arrest, too

Mon, 08/19/2019 - 11:19am

Staff Report
A Morgan City man was arrested early Thursday morning and accused of burglarizing a home, and now also faces drug-related charges, Morgan City Police Chief James F. Blair reported in a news release.
—Brandon James Martin, 33, of Railroad Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:13 a.m. Thursday on charges of unauthorized entry of inhabited dwelling, possession of methamphetamine (2-28 grams), possession of anabolic steroids, possession of drug paraphernalia, and violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance-drug-free zone.
Officers responded to a burglary in progress call on Clements Street. Officers located Martin on the property and learned Martin had been removed from the property a few days earlier. During the investigation, they learned Martin entered the residence without permission. He was found in possession of suspected methamphetamine, anabolic steroids, and drug paraphernalia.
Martin was located within a posted drug-free zone. He was jailed.
Blair also reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 54 calls of service and the following arrests were made:
—Brandon James Martin, 33, of Railroad Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:13 a.m. Thursday on charges of unauthorized entry of inhabited dwelling, possession of methamphetamine (2-28 grams), possession of anabolic steroids, possession of drug paraphernalia, and violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance-drug-free zone.
Officers responded to a burglary in progress call on Clements Street. Officers located Martin on the property and learned Martin had been removed from the property a few days earlier. During the investigation, they learned Martin entered the residence without permission.
He was found in possession of suspected methamphetamine, anabolic steroids, and drug paraphernalia. Martin was located within a posted drug-free zone. He was jailed.
—Gary J. Johnson, 44, of Egle Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:08 a.m. Thursday on a charge of possession of methamphetamine (2-28 grams). The Morgan City Police Department received a call of a suspicious person on North Third Street. Officers located Johnson who matched the description. While officers were speaking to Johnson they observed he was attempting to conceal a small plastic bag in his mouth, Blair said. Officers were eventually able to retrieve the plastic bag containing suspected Methamphetamine. He was jailed.
—Brittan Michael Boudreaux, 34, of Elizabeth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:50 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for a charge of eighteen counts failure to appear. Boudreaux was located at St. Mary Law Enforcement Center and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking on outstanding warrants held by City Court -of Morgan City. He was jailed.
—Timothy Collier, 20, of Apple Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:50 p.m. on a warrant for a charge of nine counts failure to appear. Timothy Collier was located at St. Mary Law Enforcement Center and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking on outstanding warrants held by City Court of Morgan City. He was jailed
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that the Sheriff’s Office responded to 29 complaints and the following arrests were made:
—Caleb McCaa, 23, of South Leon Drive in Gheens, was arrested at 8:22 p.m. Thursday on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.
A deputy was patrolling the area of U.S. 90 in Bayou Vista when he observed a vehicle following another vehicle too closely.
The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver and a passenger, identified as McCaa. Through the stop, drug paraphernalia belonging to McCaa was found, Smith said.
McCaa was arrested and released on a summons to appear Nov 8.
—Charles Edward Naylor, 29, of Coy Avenue in Baton Rouge, was arrested at 12:25 a.m. Friday on charges of driving under suspension and stop signs and yield signs. A deputy was patrolling Bayou Vista when he observed a vehicle fail to stop at a stop sign on Canal Road and fail to give a proper signal when turning.
The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Naylor, who was driving with a suspended driver’s license as verified by dispatch, Smith said. Naylor was arrested and released on a summons to appear Nov. 8.
—Dennis Manuel Gonzales, 31, of Shannon Street in Patterson, was arrested at 2 a.m. Friday on charges of domestic abuse battery by strangulation and resisting an officer by giving false information.
Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Shannon Street in reference to a possible battery and removal of a subject.
Upon arrival, the deputies made contact with a complainant who stated that Gonzales had committed a battery upon a victim and had left the scene. Sometime later, the deputies located Gonzales at which time he provided a false name to the deputies, Smith said. He was jailed with no bail set.
Berwick Police Chief David Leonard Sr. reported there were no arrests.
Patterson Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported there were no arrests.

AGU seeks art show entries

Mon, 08/19/2019 - 11:18am

Artists in all media are invited to enter the 56th annual Artists Guild Unlimited Judged Art Show being held Aug. 28-Sept. 21 at the AGU Everett Street Gallery in Morgan City, according to AGU officials.
The show is held in conjunction with the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival held Labor Day weekend in downtown Morgan City.
Registration for the show is held at the gallery located at 201 Everett St. Artists may bring entries Aug. 22-23 from 1-4 p.m. and Aug. 24 from 9 a.m. to noon.
Competition is open to adult artists ages 18 and older, teens ages 13-17, and for children in group I for ages 2-6 and for group II ages 7-12.
Some of the rules of entry are:
—Entries must be original recent work controlled by the artist only and not previously shown at an AGU judged show;
—Work must be properly framed and ready to hang with wire hangers only. Size is limited to 4-foot-by-4-foot or 12-square-feet including the frame.
—Three-dimensional work must be submitted with its own display stand/table.
—No wet paint or unprepared work.
—All entered pieces must be offered for sale with the exception of teen and children entries.
—A 20 percent commission of art sales will be collected by AGU.
For a complete list of rules for entry or for an entry form, visit online at http://artistsguildunlimited.org/.
Artists may submit entries for the following media: oils, acrylics, water media, pastels, mixed media, all other, and photography — black and white, color and all other (including mechanically altered).
Fees for entry are:
—AGU active members: $15 for first three entries and $5 per entry after three with a six entry maximum.
—Associate and non-members: $30 for the first three entries and $10 per entry after three with a six entry maximum.
—Teens and children’s categories at $6 per artist with a three entry maximum.
Cash awards are: adults (for each media) — $200, first place; $100, second place and $50, third place; teens — $200, first; $50, second; $25, third; children I and II — $200, first; $50, second; $25, third. Any category/media with fewer than 10 entries will be awarded ribbons only.
Ribbons are presented in all categories for first, second, third and honorable mention.
Labor Day weekend show hours are 1-4 p.m. Aug. 28-30 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 31-Sept. 2,
Hours Sept. 4-21 are 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.
A closing reception for participating artists begins at 5 p.m. Sept. 19 with photos of winners beginning with children and teens at 5:30 p.m. followed by adult winners.

Latino actors, writers pen ‘letter of solidarity’ amid fears

Mon, 08/19/2019 - 11:16am

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Actresses America Ferrera and Eva Longoria are leading a group of more than 150 writers, artists and leaders who have written a public “letter of solidarity” to U.S. Latinos after the mass shooting in El Paso, Texas, and an immigration raid in Mississippi.
The letter, published Friday in The New York Times and in a handful of Spanish-language newspapers, says the signers stand with U.S. Latinos who may feel “terrified, heartbroken and defeated by the barrage of attacks,” citing the shooting in El Paso, which targeted Hispanics, and another shooting in Gilroy, California. The two attacks killed nearly two dozen Latinos.
A huge immigration raid of Mississippi poultry plants this month that rounded up 680 mostly Latino workers, leaving behind crying children searching for their detained parents, also has unnerved some Hispanics.
“We have been smeared by political rhetoric and murdered in violent hate crimes. We have been separated from our families and have watched our children caged,” the letter said. “But, we will not be broken. We will not be silenced.”
The letter says such “indignities and cruelty” won’t diminish the contributions Latinos have made to the U.S., and it urged Hispanics to keep standing up to bigotry.
Signing the letter were some of the most important Latino figures in entertainment, art, literature and activism, including novelist Sandra Cisneros, Academy Award-winning actress Rita Moreno, civil rights leader Dolores Huerta, singer-actress Jennifer Lopez and Tony Award-winning composer Lin-Manuel Miranda.
The violence has some Hispanics looking over their shoulders, avoiding speaking Spanish in public, and seeking out escape routes amid fears they could be next.
The shootings and the raid come against a backdrop of racist episodes that include then-candidate Donald Trump referring to Mexican immigrants as “rapists”; Trump, as president, referring to migrants coming to the U.S. as “an invasion”; and viral videos of white people chastising Hispanics for speaking Spanish in public.
Longoria told The Associated Press that she and Ferrera got the idea for the letter after they talked and found out they were both depressed and sad after the El Paso shooting.
“Once we started talking to other people, we found out others were feeling the same way,” Longoria said. “Instead of us all suffering alone we wanted to unite and tell our community that is going through all of this ... we are with you and we will fight for you.”
Longoria said the letter is not meant to take political sides but to reach out to Americans regardless of party to say Latinos are hurting.
Ferrera told The AP that Latinos have been subjected to a number of racist attacks recently, but the El Paso shooting and the Mississippi raid were “just soul-crushing” for some.
“We wanted to do something to let people know we aren’t growing to lie down and take it,” America said. “We are going to stand up and fight.”
Mónica Ramírez, a civil rights lawyer and activist who helped organize the letter, called it a “letter of love” and hopes it changes some hearts.
“We also wanted to make sure that people understand that our community is powerful and we have many allies,” Ramírez said. “We don’t want other groups to be targeted.”

August 19 Radio Logs

Mon, 08/19/2019 - 11:16am

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, Aug. 16
6:13 a.m. 700 block of General MacArthur Street; Lost item.
6:41 a.m. 1000 block of Chennault Street; Suspicious vehicle.
7:41 a.m. 1000 block of First Street; Assistance.
8:01 a.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Alarm.
8:05 a.m. 800 block of Victor II Boulevard; Officer stand by.
8:57 a.m. 1600 block of McDermott Drive; Forgery.
9:39 a.m. 1400 block of Railroad Avenue; Harassment.
9:44 a.m. 1000 block of Sixth Street; Theft.
10:50 a.m. 2400 block of Tupelo Street; Removal of subject.
11:42 a.m. 1500 block of Bernice Street; Medical.
11:51 a.m. 1200 block of David Drive; Medical.
12:01 p.m. 800 block of Federal Avenue; Frequent patrols.
12:13 p.m. Greenwood and Ninth streets; Accident.
12:52 p.m. 1500 block of North First Street; Suspicious person.
1:01 p.m. Federal Avenue and Marshall Street; Reckless driving.
1:02 p.m. 6000 block of La. 182; Theft.
1:32 p.m. 600 block of Freret Street; Forgery.
2:08 p.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Found item.
2:20 p.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Disturbance.
2:37 p.m. 500 block of Brashear Avenue; Found item.
3:42 p.m. 700 block of Fifth Street; Disturbance.
3:48 p.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Theft.
6:35 p.m. Morgan City Police Department; Phone harassment.
6:54 p.m. 700 block of Hilda Street; Alarm.
7:53 p.m. 100 block of Mount Street; Miscellaneous.
8:09 p.m. 600 block of Main Street; Remove a subject.
8:09 p.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Alarm.
8:24 p.m. 700 block of Brashear Avenue; Medical emergency.
8:45 p.m. Lawrence Park; Complaint.
8:52 p.m. 7700 block of La. 182; Suspicious subject/vehicle.
9:10 p.m. 1200 block of Sixth Street; Disturbance.
9:45 p.m. 1600 block of Elm Street; Civil matter.
10:06 p.m. 600 block of Egle Street; Complaint.
Saturday, Aug. 17
12:12 a.m. 900 block of Seventh Street; Alarm.
12:18 a.m. 2400 block of Apple Street; Medical emergency.
12:28 a.m. 300 block of Second Street; Alarm.
3 a.m. 1100 block of Eighth Street; Alarm.
6:13 a.m. Veterans Boulevard; Traffic incident.
7:24 a.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Assistance.
8:48 a.m. 400 block of Halsey Street; Medical.
8:53 a.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Disturbance.
11:44 a.m. Ninth Street and Brashear Avenue; Reckless driving.
12:38 p.m. Elk Street; Suspicious person.
1:59 p.m. 600 block of Freret Street; Officer stand by.
2:05 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Theft.
2:10 p.m. 500 block of Brashear Avenue; Suspicious person.
3:25 p.m. 2400 block of Cypress Street; Assistance.
3:36 p.m. La.70/U.S. 90 Junction; Stalled vehicle.
5:48 p.m. 300 block of Patton Street; Welfare concern.
5:52 p.m. Family Dollar in Amelia; Assist with a wreck
6:13 p.m. 1000 block of La. 70; Narcotics
6:22 p.m. 1200 block of Railroad Avenue; Search warrant.
6:50 p.m. 2400 block of Cypress Street; Signs.
7 p.m. Lake End Park; Patrol detail.
7:19 p.m. Eastbound U.S. 90 Bridge Crest; Assist.
8:03 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Disturbance.
8:05 p.m. 400 block of Fourth Street; Remove a subject.
8:10 p.m. Shannon and Egle streets; Fight.
8:52 p.m. 400 block of Sixth Street; Loud music/party.
10:05 p.m. 500 block of Barrow Street; Disturbance.
11:05 p.m. 1700 block of Dale Street; Remove a subject.
11:50 p.m. Burger King red light; Malfunction.
Sunday, Aug. 18
1:08 a.m. 300 block of Wren Street; Welfare concern.
1:44 a.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Disturbance.
2:39 a.m. 400 block of Louisa Street; Disturbance.
7:58 a.m. 700 block of Hilda Street; Alarm.
8:15 a.m. 1400 block of Bernice Street; Medical.
9:07 a.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Removal of subject.
9:31 a.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Assistance.
11 a.m. 400 block of Onstead Street; Alarm.
11:39 a.m. 300 block of Ninth Street; Medical.
1:08 p.m. 1000 block of Seventh Street; Animal.
2:29 p.m. Martin Luther King Boulevard; Stalled vehicle.
5:12 p.m. 2300 block of Tupelo Street; Medical.
7:45 p.m. 8200 block of La. 182; Car smoking.
7:57 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Assist.
8:37 p.m. 600 block of General McArthur Street; Possible narcotics.
10:04 p.m. 500 block of Fourth Street; Medical emergency.
Monday, Aug. 19
1:09 a.m. 400 block of Fourth Street; Disturbance.

Girl’s maternal grandparents were never told of her birth

Mon, 08/19/2019 - 11:15am

DEAR ABBY: My 7-year-old granddaughter, “Hannah,” is the light of my life. Her mother walked out on her when she was 2, and her mother’s parents don’t know she exists. Her mother hid her pregnancy and delivery, and the child has lived with us since birth. My heart has always broken for her maternal grandparents. I could not imagine not knowing Hannah and missing out on her life. I have always wanted to send them pictures or even introduce her to them (they don’t live far from us). My husband says it’s not our place, and we run the risk ...

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ETHAN JOSEPH GRAVOIS

Mon, 08/19/2019 - 10:16am

Ethan Joseph Gravois
September 10, 2001 — August 15, 2019
The Lord sent our family an angel on September 10, 2001, and took him home suddenly on August 15, 2019. The world has lost a shining light and he will be sadly missed every day.
Ethan was known for his infectious smile and his unconditional love in which; he bestowed upon anyone he met. Those who knew him can sing his favorite Elmo songs that he listened to nonstop on his DVD player. Ethan’s life was spent loving, giggling, dancing, swimming, playing with his dogs and watching things fly in the wind.
He is survived by his mother, Marilyn Guarisco, father, Rickey Gravois, his “daddy”, Patrick Guarisco, sister, Jessica and Nicholas Hoffman, brother, Ryan and Casi Orgeron, a niece, Joie Hoffman, nephew, Nicholas Hoffman II, his paternal grandmother, Shirley Gravois and his constant companions, Nina and Gina. He will also be sadly missed deeply by his adopted family, grandmothers, Oraline Robinson and Patricia Marceaaux, an aunt, Shantell Kinchen and two faithful caregivers, Christine Gould and Gale Thomas.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grand-mother, Patricia Dunlap, who received him with open arms in Heaven and paternal grandfather John Gravois.
A time of visitation and remembrance will be held for Ethan on Tuesday, August 20, 2019, from 11 a.m. until noon at Hargrave Funeral Home. Following visitation, a graveside service will take place in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Gray, Louisiana.
Pallbearers will be Patrick Guarisco, Ryan Orgeron II, Nicholas Hoffman, SGT. Bobby Stubbs, Col. Corey Williams and Mike Giroir.
In lieu of flowers, his family requests that a memorial contribution in his memory be sent to Louisiana Chapter-New Orleans CF Foundation (https://www.cff.org/New Orleans).

CYNTHIA BOUTTE

Mon, 08/19/2019 - 10:14am

Cynthia Boutte, 64, a resident of Patterson, died Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019, at Teche Regional Medical Center in Mor-gan City.
Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrange-ments, which are pend-ing at this time.

Rotary Club happenings

Mon, 08/19/2019 - 10:10am

Submitted Photo
Morgan City Rotary Club members heard from Rotary District 6200 District Governor Harold Domingue at recent luncheon. From left are Jakob Dworaczyk, Morgan City Rotary Club president, and Domingue.

Catholic Foundation Dinner set for Oct. 10

Mon, 08/19/2019 - 10:08am

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre and The Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana have announced the date of the Catholic Foundation’s Second Annual Dinner, Oct. 10 at Nicholls State University’s Cotillion Ballroom in Thibodaux.
This dinner will celebrate the success of the diocese and the Catholic Foundation’s mission. All proceeds from the dinner will benefit the Seminarian Education Endowment and Catholic Charities endowment.
The event will begin with cocktails at 6 p.m. in the evening and dinner to follow at 7 p.m. with our diocesan seminarians as guest waiters for the evening.
Tickets for the evening are $100, or a table of eight for $800, and can be purchased through the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana at catholicfoundationsl.org or by calling 985-850-3122.
During the evening, Fabre will recognize one recipient of the Bishop’s Faith in Action Award to a layperson or permanent deacon who models Christian stewardship and has an outstanding record of volunteer service, high moral character and exemplary values. Nominations are open and forms can be found online at catholicfoundationsl.org.
For more information about the inaugural dinner please contact executive director Amy Ponson at 985-850-3122 or aponson@htdiocese.org.

Supporting AGU

Mon, 08/19/2019 - 10:06am

Submitted Photos
Meet more sponsors of the Artists Guild Unlimited Annual Show and Sale Aug. 28-Sept. 21 at the AGU Everett Street Gallery, downtown Morgan City. Area and state artists, including children and teens, showcase their work and all is offered for sale, with the exception of young children, who have an option.Prior to and after the Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival, the show is open from 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays Sept.4-21, and 11 a.m. -2 p.m. Saturdays. Show hours during the festival : 1-4 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday through Monday.