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MILTON SINGLETON SR.

Tue, 04/23/2019 - 11:49am

Milton Singleton Sr., 82, a native of Morgan City and resident of Gray, died Friday, April 5, 2019.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 9 a.m. until services at 11 a.m. at Church of God of Prophecy in Patterson. Burial will follow in Deweyville Cemetery.
He is survived by two children, Paula Singleton and Milton Singleton Jr., both of Gray; three brothers, Irvin Singleton and Larry Singleton, both of Morgan City, and Henry Singleton of Gibson; six sisters, Edna Woods, Audrey Howard, Marie Singleton, Leone Singleton and Barbara Turner, all Morgan City, and Rosa Sledge of Baton Rouge; and a host of other relatives.
Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

MARY JONES

Tue, 04/23/2019 - 11:46am

Mary Jones, 65, a resident of Morgan City, died Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at Iberia Medical Center in New Iberia.
Jones Funeral Home in Morgan City is in charge of arrangements, which are incomplete at this time

Centerville to host Booker T. Washington Wednesday

Tue, 04/23/2019 - 10:12am

Centerville’s Braden Gaspard warms up during an earlier contest. No. 15 seeded Centerville will host No. 18 seed KIPP Booker T. Washington Wednesday at 4 p.m. in the bidistrict round of the State Class 1A playoffs at the CHS Field.

Karate Club members get new belts

Tue, 04/23/2019 - 10:10am

The LaGrange Karate Club recently held its Belt Promotion for the members receiving Red, Green, Brown and Black Belts. (First row)Brynne Colley, Jessica Capak, Issabella Hebert, Jack Colley, Jayvyn Banks and Ajaya Harris. (Second row) Lolita Banks, Sonya Naquin, Nathan Adams, Mason Myers and Anna Moore. The LaGrange Karate Club will hold its annual Exhibition tonight beginning at 6 p.m. at the LaGrange Elementary School Gym.

Arrest Reports 4-23-19

Tue, 04/23/2019 - 10:08am

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith reported the following arrests:
Cade Neil, 23, of 102 Becky Dr., Patterson, was arrested Thursday at 11:48 a.m. on warrants for charges of possession of Schedule IV drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Neil was located at the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center.
He was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Bond was set at $2,500.
Raymon Dontrial Jones, 30, of 526 Pesson St., Jeanerette, was arrested Thursday at 11:48 a.m. on a warrant for the charge of failure to appear.
Jones was located at the Iberia Parish Jail.
He was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Bond has been set at $2,500.
Jodrick Quamaine Allen, 28, of 600 Kern St., Jeanerette, was arrested Thursday at 2:16 p.m. on a warrant for failure to appear for an executory sentence on the charge of theft.
Allen was located at 1004 Cayce St. in Franklin, on the above-mentioned warrant.
He was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Bond has been set at $500.
Nicholas Joseph Comeaux, 35, of 112 Chris Lane, Centerville, was arrested Thursday at 2:32 p.m. on a warrant for the charge of theft.
Comeaux was located at his residence and transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Bond has been set at $2,000.
Brian Keith James, Sr., 39, of 813 ½ Iberia St., Franklin, was arrested Thursday at 9:03 p.m. on charges of driving under suspension and possession of marijuana.
A deputy was patrolling Yokely Road in Franklin, when he observed a vehicle traveling with no license plate lights. A traffic stop was conducted and the deputy made contact with the driver, identified as James. While speaking with James, the deputy could smell a strong odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle. Upon conducting a search of the vehicle, the deputy found burnt marijuana cigarettes, which James admitted were his. A background check on James revealed he was driving under suspension.
James was issued a summons.
Travis Paul Colbert, 39, of 2278 Chitimacha Trail, Charenton, was arrested Friday at 12:33 a.m. on charges of license plate lights required, driver must be licensed, resisting arrest or officer, possession of drug paraphernalia, and warrants for failure to appear on charges of possession of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids—third subsequent offense, simple escape and two counts of possession of marijuana.
Deputies were patrolling La. 182 near Chitimacha Trail in Charenton, when they observed a vehicle with no functioning license plate light. The deputies observed the vehicle turn onto Chitimacha Trail, at which time it accelerated to a high rate of speed. Deputies were able to catch up to the vehicle and conduct a traffic stop. As deputies were conducting a traffic stop, the driver, later identified as Colbert, fled from deputies on foot. Colbert was apprehended shortly after in a wooded area nearby. Consent was given to search the vehicle and drug paraphernalia was located. A background check on Colbert revealed the active warrants.
Colbert was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Bond has been set at $304,500.
Lenny Paul Topham, 40, of 104 Sun Road, Bayou Vista, was arrested Friday at 2:31 p.m. on warrants for the charge of failure to appear.
A deputy was patrolling the Bayou Vista area when he observed a vehicle make a left turn without using a turn signal. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle and the deputy made contact with the driver, identified as Topham. A background check on Topham revealed the active warrant.
Topham was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Bond has been set at $2,750.
Antonio Collins Jr., 34, of 1015 Third St., Morgan City, was arrested Friday at 11:40 p.m. on charges of battery of a dating partner and resisting arrest or officer.
Deputies were dispatched to 902 Delmar Avenue in Bayou Vista, in reference to a disturbance. Upon arrival, deputies observed Collins push a female. Collins fled from officers. He was apprehended a short time later.
Collins was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. No bond has been set.
Shannon Harris Ausbrooks, 45, of 2237 Stall Drive, Harvey, was arrested Saturday at 9:28 a.m. on charges of speeding and driving under suspension.
A deputy was stationary, monitoring traffic in the Bayou Vista area, when he observed a vehicle speeding. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle and the deputy made contact with the driver identified as Ausbrooks. A background check on Ausbrooks revealed she was driving under suspension.
She was issued a summons.
Michael Lee Jennings, 61, of 1610 MLK #120, Abbeville, was arrested Saturday at 10:53 a.m. on a warrant for failure to appear for the charge of simple criminal trespass.
A background check during a traffic stop revealed the active warrant on Jennings.
He was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Bond was set at $500.
Shandace Latrice Harris, 30, of 119 Guzzetta Drive, Berwick, was arrested Saturday at 10:57 a.m. on charges of brake lights required, driving under suspension, a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of direct contempt, speeding, operating a vehicle without a driver’s license, failure to honor a written promise, and a warrant for failure to appear for the charge of criminal neglect of family.
A deputy was patrolling the area of La. 182 near Southeast Boulevard in Bayou Vista, when he observed a vehicle with only one operating brake light. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle and the deputy made contact with the driver, identified as Harris. A background check on Harris revealed she was driving under suspension and had active warrants for her arrest. She was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Bond has been set at $23,816.
Randy Mark Pinkerton, 22, of 213 Hendricks St., Patterson, was arrested Saturday at 2:57 p.m. on charges of driving on roadway laned for traffic and possession of Schedule II drugs methamphetamine.
Jeffrey Blaine Lodrigue, 27, of 153 Nini Road, Bayou Vista, was arrested Saturday at 2:57 p.m. on the charge of Schedule II drugs methamphetamine and warrants for two counts of the charge of failure to appear.
A deputy patrolling the area of Bayou Vista, observed a vehicle swerving out of the lane of travel. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle and the deputy made contact with the driver, identified as Pinkerton, and the passenger, identified as Lodrigue. Both appeared to be nervous while speaking to the deputy. Consent to search the vehicle was denied by Pinkerton. A search warrant was applied for and granted for a search of the vehicle. Upon conducting the search, methamphetamine was located. A background check on Lodrigue revealed the active warrants for his arrest.
Both were transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. No bond has been set on Pinkerton and Lodrigue.
Pedro Urbando-Duran, 55, of 1328 Victor II Blvd., Morgan City, was arrested Sunday at 2:48 p.m. on a warrant for failure to appear on charges of no seat belt, operating a vehicle while license is suspended/revoked/canceled, expired motor vehicle inspection and operating a vehicle with an expired license plate.
Deputies were dispatched to the area of US 90 in front of the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center in reference to two stranded vehicles. Deputies made contact with Urbando-Duran and a background check revealed the active warrants. He was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Bond has been set at $500.
Patricia Chassion, 19, of 101 Aucoin Road, Amelia, was arrested Monday at 12:49 a.m. on the charge of possession of marijuana less than 14 grams.
A deputy was patrolling the area of La. 182 near Uranus in Bayou Vista, when he observed a vehicle following extremely close to another vehicle. A traffic stop was conducted and the deputy made contact with the driver identified as Chassion. The deputy smelled a strong odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle. Consent was granted by Chassion to search the vehicle. During the search of the vehicle, marijuana was found. Chassion was issued a summons.
Chad Andrew Breaux, 38, of 610 Levert St., Gueydan, was arrested Sunday at 3:34 a.m. on a warrant for failure to appear for trial on the charge of operating a vehicle while license is suspended/revoked/canceled.
Breaux was located at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center on the above-mentioned warrant. Bond has been set at $3,500.
Chitimacha Police Chief Hal Hutchinson reported the following arrest:
Floyd Vallaire Jr., 22, of Mariast Street, St. Martinville, was arrested Saturday on the charge of criminal trespass and on an active warrant for St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office for failure to appear on the charge of disturbing the peace—offensive words.
An officer responded to a tribal business in reference to a trespasser. During the investigation, it was learned that Vallaire was allegedly trespassing and had an active warrant. He was then arrested.
He was released on a summons for the criminal trespass charge, and was transported to the parish jail for the warrant.

Former SMPSO deputy arrested

Tue, 04/23/2019 - 10:07am

A former deputy with St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office was arrested Monday, according to St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith.
Deboni Rollins, 30, of 524 Park Street, Franklin, was arrested Monday at 5:15 p.m. on a warrant for the charge of simple battery.
Rollins was contacted and informed of an active warrant for her arrest. After being informed of the warrant, Rollins voluntarily turned herself in to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.
The warrant stems from an incident on April 16, in which Rollins committed a battery on an inmate.
After an investigation was completed, Rollins’ employment was subsequently terminated at the Sheriff’s Office.

Extensive MC street repairs start Wed.

Tue, 04/23/2019 - 9:52am

Contractors will begin extensive street repairs Wednesday in Morgan City,a city news release said.

The order in which the repairs will take place is as follows:
-Intersection of Elm & Fig Streets
-1007, 1017 Fig Street
-2500, 2504 Maple Street
-809, 88 820 Palm Street
-Sixth & Hickory Streets
-808, 902, 905, 920, 1009, 100, 1025, 1027 Hickory Street
-2505, 2515 Cedar Street
-Intersection of Cedar and Poplar Streets
-Cedar and Franklin Streets
-1805 Cedar Street
-906, 1010, 1003 Hilda Street
-Adams Street
-1002, 1003, 1027 Onstead Street
-Onstead and West Garner Streets
-802 Belanger Street
-Willard and 7th Streets
-1001, 1008 Ida Street
-Intersection of Filmore and Garden Streets
-1700, 1720, 1828 Elk Street
-1721 Dale Street
-3012, 3016, 3020, 3013, 3017, 3024, 3025, 3032, 3033, 30285 Lesley Drive
-3016, 3017, 3020 Lizabeth Street
-1503, 1504, 1508, 1512 McDermott Drive
-904 Kimberly Drive
-10096, 1100, 1013, 1304 Chestnut Drive

Weston: How debt ‘solutions’ could dig someone in deeper

Tue, 04/23/2019 - 9:30am

By LIZ WESTON, NerdWallet

Americans are slipping ever deeper into hock. To cope, many people turn to debt consolidation loans, cash-out mortgage refinancing and retirement plan loans that promise relief but could leave them worse off.
Paying off high-rate debt such as credit cards with lower-rate loans may seem like a no-brainer. Unfortunately, many of these loans have hidden costs and drawbacks. And consolidation by itself can’t fix the problems that led to the debt in the first place. In fact, such loans can make matters worse if borrowers feel freed up to spend more.
“Consolidating debt seems to create the psychological effect of making you feel like you’ve zeroed it out,” said Moira Somers, financial psychologist and author of “Advice That Sticks.” “Then (borrowers) just start spending up again, until there is no more wiggle room.”
DEBT LEVELS ARE HITTING NEW HIGHS
Statistics show U.S. households are taking on record levels of debt. Overall household debt, including mortgages, student loans and credit cards, hit a new high of $13.54 trillion at the end of 2018, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Credit card balances have returned to their 2008 peak, and serious delinquencies — accounts at least 90 days overdue — are on the rise.
Meanwhile, personal loans, which are often used to consolidate other debt, have become the fastest-growing type of debt, according to credit bureau Experian. One in 10 American adults now has a personal loan, and the total outstanding personal loan debt hit a record $291 billion in 2018.
Cash-out mortgage refinancing has also made a comeback. With this type of loan, borrowers pay off their existing mortgage with a larger one and get the difference in cash. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reports that cash-out borrowers represented 83% of all conventional refinance loans made in the fourth quarter of last year, the highest share since the third quarter of 2007. Forty percent of those who cashed out their equity used the money to pay bills or other debts.
RISKS CAN OUTWEIGH REWARDS
Cash-out refinancing and other home equity borrowing are often aggressively marketed as good ways to cope with debt, but the drawbacks can be significant, said Diane Standaert, an executive vice president with the Center for Responsible Lending , a nonprofit that fights predatory lending. The loans drain away equity that otherwise could be used to build wealth or cover emergencies. Relief is often temporary, since many continue to rack up debt. And the loans turn unsecured debt, which could be wiped out in bankruptcy, into secured debt that not only can’t be erased but could cost borrowers their homes.
“That is incredibly dangerous,” Standaert said. “It puts your house at risk of foreclosure.”
Retirement plan loans pose hazards as well. If you don’t pay the money back on time, the balance turns into a withdrawal that triggers penalties and taxes — plus you lose all the future tax-deferred returns that money could have earned. One study found 86% of the people who left their jobs with outstanding 401(k) loans wound up defaulting on the debt.
An unsecured personal loan could be a better option if borrowers are offered lower interest rates and can get out of debt faster. Unfortunately, scams and deceptive marketing abound, Standaert said. Unwary borrowers could wind up paying high fees or higher interest rates and end up owing more in the long run.
Often, the best solution isn’t a loan at all, said financial literacy expert Barbara O’Neill, a professor at Rutgers University. Cutting expenses and boosting income, perhaps with a side job, can help people make extra payments to reduce their debts.
If that isn’t possible, Standaert suggests calling your credit card companies to ask if they offer hardship programs that could reduce your payments. Nonprofit credit counselors, such as those affiliated with the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, have debt management plans that can lower interest rates on burdensome credit card debt. Truly overwhelmed borrowers should consult with a bankruptcy attorney, preferably before they start skipping payments, O’Neill said.
“That’s a sign of distress, and you need to take action before you get to that point,” O’Neill said.

Woman enjoys dating, but is distracted by online romance

Tue, 04/23/2019 - 9:26am

DEAR ABBY: I am a woman who has re-entered the dating pool after a few years of being single. I have gone on some amazing dates with fabulous men. I met someone online last summer. “Miles” had a similar story — long, bad marriage and now living life to the fullest. I adore his personality (and looks), but I have never met him in person. We talk often, sharing dating stories and everything else, knowing it won’t go anywhere as he lives 1,000 miles away. We have developed a strong emotional bond and have become great friends. My emotions have ...

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Sheriff: Deputy fired, charged with battery on inmate

Tue, 04/23/2019 - 7:53am

Staff Report

A deputy at the St. Mary Parish jail has been fired and charged with battery after an incident last week involving an inmate, Sheriff Blaise Smith said in a news release.

Deboni Rollins, 30, of Park Street in Franklin, was arrested at 5:15 p.m. Monday on a warrant charging her with simple battery.

Rollins was contacted and informed of an active warrant for her arrest. After being informed of the warrant, Rollins voluntarily turned herself in to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.

The warrant stems from an incident on April 16 in which Rollins committed a battery upon an inmate, Smith said. After an investigation was completed, Rollins’ employment was subsequently terminated at the sheriff’s office, Smith said.