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Police: Victim lost consciousness in August attack

A 20-year-old man was booked in connection with an August 2018 incident in Morgan City where he attacked someone, causing the person to lose consciousness, Police Chief James Blair said in a news release.

—Ra’Sean Augman, 20, of Terrebonne Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:07 p.m. Sunday on a warrant charging him with second-degree battery.

Augman was located on Gen. Hodges Street and arrested on a warrant. The warrant stems from an incident in August 2018 when Augman allegedly committed a battery on the victim in such a matter the victim loss consciousness. Augman was jailed.

Blair reported that officers responded to 138 calls and reported the following arrests:

—Titana R. Francois, 21, of St. Nicholas Street in Jeanerette, was arrested at 6:04 p.m. Friday on charges of home invasion and aggravated battery.

Officers responded to a home on Apple Street in Morgan City regarding a disturbance. When officers arrived, Francois was identified as the suspect involved in the disturbance. Francois entered the home without permission and struck the victim several times on the head with an object, Blair said.

An ambulance service was contacted for the victim, and the victim was eventually transported to a medical facility for treatment. Officers were able to locate Francois inside a home on Orange Street. Francois was jailed.

—Crystal G. Thompson, 40, of Egle Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11 a.m. Friday on warrants charging her with theft less than $1,000 and access device fraud less than $1,000.

Thompson, who was already an inmate at the city jail, was booked on additional charges. In December 2018, Thompson allegedly committed a theft at a home. Also, while incarcerated Jan. 14 Thompson allegedly used another inmate’s pin number to make phone calls. Thompson is still in jail.

—Robert Mulligan, 66, of Fourth Street in Berwick, was arrested at 3:58 p.m. Friday on a warrant charging him with simple burglary.

Mulligan was located on Fifth Street and arrested on a warrant. The warrant stems from a Jan. 23 incident during which Mulligan allegedly burglarized a vehicle. Mulligan was jailed.

—Joseph J. Julien, 52, of Arizona Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:45 a.m. Saturday on charges of DWI second offense, driving under suspension and general speed law violation.

An officer in the area of Railroad Avenue and Aycock Street observed a vehicle traveling faster than the posted speed limit. A traffic stop was conducted, and the driver, Julien, appeared intoxicated, Blair said. A computer check revealed that Julien’s driver’s license was suspended.

Julien performed poorly on a field sobriety test and later registered 0.108 grams-percent blood alcohol content on a chemical test, Blair said. Records indicate that Julien had a prior driving while intoxicated charge within the last 10 years. Julien was jailed.

—Mason W. Mabry, 21, of Landry Lane in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 3:21 a.m. Saturday on charges of DWI first offense and careless operation.

Officers responded to La. 182 near Myrtle Street regarding a vehicle traveling in the wrong lane. Officers located the vehicle in the area of La. 182 and Everett Street. A traffic stop was conducted, and the driver, Mabry, appeared intoxicated, Blair said.

Mabry performed poorly on a field sobriety test and registered 0.192 grams-percent blood alcohol content on a chemical test, Blair said. Mabry was jailed.

—Storm A. Griffin, 19, of Oregon Street in Berwick, was arrested at 7:03 p.m. Saturday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle, no possession of driver’s license, no registration and no turn signal.

An officer in the area of Federal Avenue and Freret Street observed a vehicle fail to use its turn signal, while turning onto Federal Avenue. A traffic stop was conducted, and the driver was identified as Griffin. While the officer was speaking with Griffin, the officer noticed an open container of an alcoholic beverage inside the vehicle, Blair said.

During the traffic stop, Griffin was found in possession of suspected marijuana. Griffin was jailed.

—Blake J. Wiggins, 24, of Tupelo Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:54 p.m. Saturday on warrants charging him with possession of marijuana, oxycodone hydrochloride and Xanax.

Wiggins was located on Hilda Street and arrested on warrants. Wiggins was jailed.

—Kira C. Guillory, 23, of Watkins Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:45 p.m. Sunday on charges of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

An officer in the area of Marguerite Street observed a vehicle with only one functioning tail light. A traffic stop was conducted, and the driver, Guillory, was found in possession of suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia, Blair said. Guillory was jailed.

—Jacob N. Klenert, 24, of South Everett Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 1:38 a.m. Monday on charges of criminal damage to property and disturbing the peace intoxicated.

Officers responded to a home on Seventh Street regarding a disturbance. Officers arrived, and Klenert was identified as the suspect causing the disturbance. Police learned that Klenert came to the home, damaged the front door and caused a disturbance with the victim, Blair said.

Officers made contact with Klenert inside the home, and Klenert appeared intoxicated, Blair said. Klenert was jailed.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that deputies responded to 127 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:

—Debra Desoto, 50, of Wright Avenue in Houma, was arrested at 6:51 a.m. Friday on charges of driving under suspension and no headlights.

A deputy patrolling Bayou Vista observed a vehicle without a working passenger side headlight. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Desoto. Through the stop, the deputy learned that Desoto’s driver’s license was suspended, Smith said. Desoto was released on a summons to appear in court April 4.

—Jerry Reed, 56, of Fairmont Avenue in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 10:54 a.m. Friday on charges of motor vehicle inspection sticker required on vehicle, driver’s license suspended and on a warrant for failure to appear on a charge of issuing worthless checks.

A deputy patrolling Bayou Vista observed a vehicle without inspection sticker on the windshield. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Reed. Through the stop, the deputy learned that Reed’s driver’s license was suspended and he held an active warrant for his arrest. Reed was booked into parish jail and then released on $250 bail.

—Beverly George, 55, of Plain Drive in Thibodaux, was arrested at 11:27 p.m. Sunday on charges of disturbing the peace-intoxicated and entry or remaining in places or on land after being forbidden.

A deputy patrolling Amelia was dispatched to a business in reference to removing a subject who refused to leave the business. Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with security officers and the subject, identified as George. George was shouting profanities at officers and patrons, Smith said. George was booked into parish jail and later released on $1,000 bail.

—Henry Pierce, 40, of Maple Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:46 a.m. Saturday on charges of possession of schedule II drugs, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a person under 17. Pierce was also arrested on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of criminal neglect of family.

A deputy patrolling Bayou Vista observed a vehicle with an outdated motor vehicle inspection sticker. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver and several passengers. Through the investigation, the deputy learned that one of the passengers, identified as Pierce, held an active warrant for his arrest.

Pierce also was found to have drugs and drug paraphernalia in his possession, Smith said. Pierce was jailed with bail set at $25,927.

—Ashlea Gaudet, 34, of La. 317 in Centerville, was arrested at 7:26 p.m. Saturday on a charge of theft.

A deputy patrolling Bayou Vista was dispatched to a business in reference to a theft complaint. Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with business personnel who stated that Gaudet had removed a price tag from a less valued item and placed it on a higher value item to purchase. Gaudet was released on a summons to appear in court April 4.

—Maria Machado, 45, of Oriole Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:42 p.m. Sunday on a charge of theft.

A deputy patrolling Bayou Vista was dispatched to a business in reference to a theft complaint. Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with business personnel who stated that a woman had been seen placing items inside her purse without paying for them.

The deputy made contact with the subject, identified as Machado, and found her in possession of items that she admitted she had taken from the business, Smith said. Machado was released on a summons to appear in court April 4.

Patterson Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported the following arrest:

—Precious Matthews, 39, of Rice Street in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 8:51 p.m. Sunday on a charge of simple battery. Matthews posted $455 cash bail.

Berwick Police Chief David Leonard reported no arrests.

CCHS girls bowling team routs E.D. White to remain undefeated

The Central Catholic High School girls bowling team remained undefeated with a 26-1 victory against E.D. White at Charlie's Lanes in Morgan City Wednesday. Ashley Daigle led Central Catholic with a 456 series, including games of 161 and 154. Other top Central Catholic bowlers were Jolie Boudreaux (190, 164), Juliana Hernandez (157) and Marina Duval (151). Central Lafourche defeats MCHS Central Lafourche defeated Morgan City 19-8 at Creole Lanes in Houma Wednesday. Juliet Thibodeaux led Morgan City with a 494 series, including games of 171 and 188. Other top Morgan City bowlers were Kameron Patureau (155, 151) and McKenzie Amador (155). HLB defeats Berwick The Berwick ...

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Louisiana Spotlight: Edwards faces tax scrutiny

BATON ROUGE — As he seeks re-election to a second term, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards will have a delicate dance to do on taxes, one of the chief points of criticism from his Republican challengers.
When he was a candidate in 2015, the Democrat Edwards said he didn’t expect to directly raise taxes to solve the state’s financial problems. Instead, working with a majority-Republican Legislature, he did just that.
As GOP critics seize on taxes as one of Edwards’ weak points, the incumbent governor is hoping to make the case that those tax hikes steadied Louisiana’s finances, ended a near-decade-long cycle of budget gaps, and established a stronger system of budgeting.
“The days of crippling deficits are behind us. We are budgeting smarter, more honestly and finally have the stability we need, the predictability that the state has needed for a long time.” Edwards said in a recent speech.
Whether voters believe Edwards’ financial narrative will be a key factor in determining if they back him in the Oct. 12 election, when he faces opposition from two Republican contenders, U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham and businessman Eddie Rispone, a longtime GOP donor.
Both Republican challengers suggest Edwards too easily turned to taxes to solve the state’s financial problems.
“He’s a tax and spend liberal,” Rispone said. Abraham slammed Edwards as enacting “the largest tax increase in state history.”
Edwards defends the tax approach by saying the financial problems left behind by Republican former Gov. Bobby Jindal were far larger than people initially knew. The Democratic governor notes taxes were passed with bipartisan support, needing Republican votes to emerge from the majority-GOP House and Senate.
Under Jindal’s two terms, he and lawmakers repeatedly used short-term patches to eliminate financial shortfalls. They raided savings accounts, drained trust funds, sold off state property and delayed bill payments to keep the budget in balance amid tax breaks that siphoned away more and more money from the treasury.
But Jindal and lawmakers refused to either cut government enough to match the recurring, annual tax and fee money the state receives or to raise taxes to match the programs and services they wanted to provide.
Those decisions kept causing new budget holes.
When Edwards ran for governor in 2015, he largely sounded like his GOP competitors when talking about ways to address the persistent budget gaps.
He said he’d focus on eliminating and capping tax breaks that aren’t deemed to provide a good return on investment for the state.
In a November 2015 debate, both Edwards and his Republican runoff challenger, then-U.S. Sen. David Vitter, said they wouldn’t raise tax rates on businesses or individuals. They talked of very similar plans to make government more efficient, remove protections that keep some areas of the budget off-limits to cuts and scale back tax break programs.
Tax rates under Edwards, however, were raised.
When Edwards took office in 2016, the approach he and lawmakers negotiated involved more than $1.1 billion in temporary tax changes — mainly a 1 percent state sales tax hike — and plans to study a longer-term tax overhaul.
But disagreements over what “tax reform” means and legislative politics sidelined a comprehensive package to rewrite the tax laws. A policy-based task force’s proposed overhaul never happened, bogged down amid political and philosophical disputes between Edwards and conservative Republicans in the House, where every task force suggestion was bottled up.
So the governor and lawmakers last summer settled instead on renewing 0.45 percent of the expiring 1 percent sales tax until mid-2025. Several sales tax breaks for people and companies also again were scaled back, to raise an estimated $500 million a year.
Edwards considers the end of piecemeal budgeting, along with passage of a seven-year tax renewal, a significant win.
Still, he demonstrates his concern about how the taxes will be viewed, when he makes the questionable claim that taxes were cut last year because he and lawmakers didn’t renew the entire expiring sales tax.
Taxes are higher today than they were when Edwards took office. The question is whether voters like the stabilized budget picture and the state-financed programs they got for the tax hike.
Melinda Deslatte has covered Louisiana politics for The Associated Press since 2000. Follow her at http://twitter.com/melindadeslatte

SHIRLEY MAE KELLER ROMERO

Shirley Mae Keller Romero, a resident of Bayou Vista, earned her heavenly reward on January 26, 2019, at the age of 84.
A member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church, Shirley spent many hours with the Ladies Altar Society. She also retired from Walmart after 25 years of dedicated service. Many might remember her working there in the fabrics department. Shirley would often work at the local voting polls where she helped many parishioners cast their vote. Some of her past enjoyments were pokeno, bowling, reading and playing a little bingo.
Shirley is survived by three sons, Carl and his wife Jannis Whiddon Romero of Magnolia, Arkansas, Dennis and his wife Jackie Begnaud Romero of Berwick, and Michael and his wife Kathy Bernard Romero of Washington State; one daughter, Alice Romero Stoll and her husband David of Springdale, Arkansas; one brother, Raymond Keller; five grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters.
Shirley was preceded in death by her loving husband, Gerald “Jeppy” Romero; her parents, René and Ozia Keller; and two siblings, René Keller Jr. and Russell Keller.
Visitation will take place Tuesday, January 29, 2019, from 10 a.m. until time of funeral services at 2 p.m. at Hargrave Funeral Home of Morgan City. Following services, Shirley will be laid to rest in the Berwick Mausoleum.
The family would like to express their thanks and gratitude to Shirley’s caregivers.

CCHS honors volleyball and football teams

Central Catholic High School honored its volleyball and football teams for their athletic and academic achievements during an awards ceremony at the school Wednesday.
Additionally, Central Catholic Volleyball Coach Latashia Wise was recognized for hitting the 200-win mark milestone during her coaching career this season. Wise has coached at Central Catholic and previously Vandebilt Catholic.
Below is a list of the award winners in each sport:
Volleyball:
—All-District: Terre’yann Johnson (District Offensive Most Valuable Player), Brooke Lipari (District Defensive MVP), Caroline Green (first team), Katie Hoffpauir (first team), Bailee Lipari (first team); Ava Nicar (first team); Lexi Landry (second team), Emma Simmons (second team), Symone Wiggins (honorable mention), Rayne Hotard (honorable mention) and Rachel Rogers (honorable mention).
—Academic All-District: Hoffpauir, Brooke Lipari, Hotard, Simmons, Emily Price, Wiggins, Katie Luc, Rogers, Ellise Hidalgo, Landry, Green, Sydney Williams, Caitlyn Picou, Nicar and Kennedy Grizzaffi.
—Louisiana Volleyball Coaches Association Division V All-State: Johnson.
—Academic All-State: Bailee Lipari and Green.
Football:
—All-District: Davidyione Bias (first-team running back), Caleb Menina (first-team tight end), Michael-Anthony Hill (first-team offensive lineman), Parker Nelson (first-team defensive lineman) Nathan Hebb (first-team linebacker), Dede Gant (first-team defensive back and second-team quarterback), Dakota Lux (first-team punter and honorable mention linebacker), Brooks Thomas (second-team wide receiver), Bryce Grizzaffi (second-team wide receiver), Kaden Scott (second-team offensive lineman), Cade Booty (second-team offensive lineman), Aiden Dehart (second-team defensive lineman), Bryce Grizzaffi (second-team defensive back), Philip Guarisco (second-team linebacker), Hunter Daigle (second-team flex), Grant Cheramie (honorable mention offensive lineman), Austin Ganaway (honorable mention offensive lineman), Hugh Hamer (honorable mention running back), Grant Stansbury (honorable mention wide receiver), John Charles Hebert (honorable mention defensive lineman), Khyrie Willis (honorable mention defensive back) and Ryan Miller (honorable mention defensive back).
—Academic All-District: Caleb O’Con, Carter Williams, Dylan Cornes, Elijah Brown, Freddie Calloway, Menina, Hebert, Hamer, Hill, Angelo Viscardi, Hebb, Stansbury, Ross Thomas, Cheramie, Drayton Keller, Miller, Taylor Blanchard, Drew Rock, Brooks Thomas, Booty, Gant, Lux and Grizzaffi.
—Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 1A All-State: Nelson (honorable mention), Hill (honorable mention) and Hebb (honorable mention).
—Louisiana Football Coaches Association Class 1A All-State: Nelson (second team), Hill (honorable mention), Hebb (second team) and Gant (honorable mention).
—KWBJ Player of the Week, sponsored by Core Physical Therapy and Sports Performance: Gant (Gueydan), Brooks Thomas (Centerville) and Grizzaffi (Ouachita Christian).

RACHEL ELAINE ROBINSON

Rachel Elaine Robinson
Rachel Elaine Robinson, 33, a native and resident of Morgan City, died Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019.
Visitation was Saturday at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Morgan City. Burial was Monday in Morgan City Cemetery.
She is survived by four children, Tre’viante Robinson and Amori Robinson, both of Morgan City, and Alton Robinson and Gerald Isaac III, both of Baton Rouge; her companion; a sister, Raquel Randle of Houston; a brother, Craig Robinson of Morgan City; her grandmother, Lillian Randle of Morgan City; and a host of other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, her grandfathers and a grandmother.
Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

RUTH FLEMING HEAD

October 11, 1931- January 24, 2019
Funeral services celebrating the life of Ruth Fleming Head will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 30, 2019, at Bayou Vista Baptist Church, with the Rev. Steven Kelly officiating. Following the services, she will be laid to rest in Ibert’s Memorial Park Cemetery in Patterson.
A gathering of family and friends will be held at Bayou Vista Baptist Church Tuesday evening from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., and again Wednesday morning from 9 a.m. until time of service.
RuRu, as she was affectionately known by many, was a native of Archibald, Louisiana, born on Sunday, October 11, 1931, one of nine children born to David and Lou Emma Fleming. She was called home to the Father at the age of 87 on Thursday, January 24, 2019, at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans following a brief illness.
Ruth was a woman of strong faith and a longtime member of Bayou Vista Baptist Church whose church family played an important role in her life. She enjoyed spending quality time with family and friends as well as traveling. She was also a meticulous woman, especially about her concrete yard. Second only to her love for the Lord was her love for her family. She will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Those left to cherish her beautiful memory include her two sons, Philip Henry and his wife Ellen, and Darryl Henry; daughter of her heart, Sheila Telano; six grandchildren, John Henry, James Henry and his wife Jessica, Daniel Henry and his wife Lauren, Tara Henry, Mary “Missy” Soileau and her husband Stevie, and Al Henry; eight great-grandchildren, Kaleb and Emerson Henry, and Megan, Zane, Zackery, Zephan, Allie and Emma Soileau; three sisters, Doris F. Newton, Sue F. Gibson and Lorraine F. Sanders; her former husband, V.E. “Red” Henry; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her second husband, John Head; her parents, David Fleming and Lou Emma Rushing Fleming; three brothers, Willie Lee “Bill” Fleming, Emmitte Boyd Fleming and Marvin Moris Fleming; and two sisters, Velma Louise Fleming and Gladys F. Lewis.
Serving as pallbearers will be John Henry, James Henry, Daniel Henry, Al Henry, Stevie Soileau and Joe Soileau.
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., 1111 Lia Street, Patterson LA 70392, (985) 395-7873.

BEULAH MARIE PETE BOREL

Beulah Marie Pete Borel, 89, a resident of Bayou Vista, passed away Thursday, January 24, 2019, at her home surrounded by her loving family.
Beulah was born on August 11, 1929, in Berwick, the daughter of Elie Victor Pete and Beulah May Kiffe Pete.
Having no children of her own, Beulah loved her nieces and nephews as her own and enjoyed all the time she was able to spend with them. She enjoyed cooking for her family. Beulah always tried to treat people the way that she would want to be treated. She was a faithful parishioner of St. Bernadette Catholic Church.
She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by two sisters, Jeanette Pete of Lafayette and Iris Meranta and husband Ernie of Bayou Vista. Beulah is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Beulah was preceded in death by her parents, Elie and Beulah Kiffe Pete; husband, Oscar Borel; and eight siblings, Horace Pete, Ira Pete, Guy Pete, Marie Irene Pete, Ollie Pete Landry, Mable Pete Rulf, Mae Pete DeHart and Pearl Pete DeHart.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at noon on Monday, January 28, 2019, at St. Bernadette Catholic Church with Father Angelo Cremaldi celebrating Mass. A visitation was held from 9 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at St. Bernadette Parish Hall with a rosary being prayed at 11:30 a.m. Following Mass, Beulah was laid to rest with her husband Oscar in the Berwick Cemetery.

ROY ANDREW BOUDREAUX JR.

February 9, 1947 -January 25, 2019
Roy Andrew Boudreaux Jr., 71, a resident of Stephensville, passed away Friday, January 25, 2019, at his home.
Roy was born on February 9, 1947, in Morgan City, the son of Roy A. Boudreaux Sr. and Lillian Lewis Boudreaux.
Roy loved to fish and he loved taking people on tours of the swamp in his boat, showing his guests the true beauty of Louisiana’s waterways. Roy never met a stranger and as a result of that had an abundance of friends. When Roy wasn’t working or fishing, he loved to travel.
He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by one daughter, Tracie Boudreaux of Houston; two grandchildren, Michael Boudreaux of Lafayette and Britne Miranda of Plaquemine; one great-grandson, Parker Miranda; and one sister, Anne B. Taquino and husband Weldon “Tac” of Cypremort Point.
Roy was precaeded in death by his parents, Roy and Lillian Lewis Boudreaux; and one son, Darren Boudreaux.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are: Gary Stansbury, James Stansbury, Michael Boudreaux, Brandon Broussard, Kevin Morrison, Wayne Morrison, Rodney Boudreaux and Roy Vernon.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, January 30, 2019, at Twin City Funeral Home with a visitation being held from 9 a.m. until the time of the service. Following the services, Roy will be laid to rest in the Morgan City Cemetery.

Ministerial Alliance officers

Submitted Photo The members of the East St. Mary Parish Ministerial Alliance have elected the following officers to serve as its Executive Board for the coming year. They are, from left: the Rev. Mark Gowan, vice president; the Rev. Bruno Romero, president; the Rev. Terry Bunner, ex-officio; and the Rev. Steve Manville, secretary-treasurer.

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