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Man accused of injuring child

Mon, 12/10/2018 - 12:53pm

Staff Report

A 35-year-old man was booked Saturday in connection with an August incident where he injured a child after throwing another individual through a window, Morgan City Police Chief James Blair said in a news release.

—Joseph L. Hart, 35, of Versen Street in Berwick, was arrested at 2:39 p.m. Saturday on a warrant charging him with negligent injuring.

Hart was transported from the Berwick Police Department to the Morgan City Police Department on a warrant. The warrant stems from an August incident during which Hart allegedly threw an individual through a glass window, and that individual fell onto a small child who sustained an injury to the head, Blair said. Hart was jailed.

Blair reported that officers responded to 110 calls and reported the following arrests:

—Jerry L. Favors, 53, of Railroad Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:11 a.m. Friday on a warrant charging him with probation violation.

Favors was located on Ditch Avenue and arrested on a warrant for the Louisiana Office of Probation and Parole. Favors was jailed.

—Beau K. Boudreaux, 40, of Onstead Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:27 p.m. Friday on charges of possession of stolen property $5,000-$25,000, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving under suspension and on warrants charging him with failure to appear for trial, failure to appear for criminal neglect of family and unauthorized use of a moveable.

—Danny L. Andorf, 44, of Susan Drive in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:27 p.m. Friday on charges of possession of stolen property $5,000-$25,000 and possession of drug paraphernalia.

An officer on La. 182 observed a vehicle going faster than the posted speed limit. A traffic stop was conducted, and the driver, Boudreaux, had a suspended driver’s license, Blair said.

The passenger, Andorf, was asked to exit the vehicle. A computer check revealed that the vehicle Boudreaux was driving was reported stolen out of Lafayette Parish. Boudreaux also held active warrants for the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office and the 16th Judicial District Court, Blair said.

Boudreaux was in possession of suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Andorf had drug paraphernalia in his possession, Blair said. Both were jailed.

—Lori F. Thibodeaux, 35, of Southland Circle in Houma, was arrested at 1:57 p.m. Friday on warrants charging her with failure to pay probation fees and failure to pay fines.

Thibodeaux was transported from the Terrebonne Parish Jail to the Morgan City Police Department on city court warrants. Thibodeaux was jailed.

—Dustin J. Ferguson, 26, of Levee Road in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:06 a.m. Saturday on charges of headlamps for motor vehicles required, driving under suspension, no insurance and a warrant for criminal neglect of family.

An officer on La. 182 observed a vehicle with improper lighting. A traffic stop was conducted, and the driver, Ferguson, had a suspended driver’s license, Blair said. Also, the vehicle was not insured. A warrant check determined that Ferguson had an arrest warrant for 16th Judicial District Court. Ferguson was jailed.

—Wilbert S. Harrison, 34, of Sixth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:22 a.m. Saturday on a warrant charging him with failure to appear for trial.

Harrison was placed under arrest at the police department on a city court warrant. Harrison was jailed.

—Quiana Ashley, 30, of Ninth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:15 p.m. Sunday on a charge of theft less than $1,000.

—Jonathan W. Ashley, 30, of Ninth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:15 p.m. Saturday on a charge of theft less than $1,000.

Officers responded to a business on La. 182 in regard to shoplifters. Officers arrived and spoke to management who identified two individuals Quiana Ashley and Jonathan Ashley as possibly shoplifting items from the store.

Officers made contact with Quiana Ashley and Jonathan Ashley inside the business. Both Quiana and Jonathan had items concealed on themselves, Blair said. The items totaled $39.95. Both were jailed.

—Colby Hutton, 18, of Foxglove Drive in Patterson, was arrested at 2:47 p.m. Sunday on a warrant charging him with failure to appear in court.

Hutton was a passenger of a vehicle involved in a traffic stop on U.S. 90. A warrant check revealed that Hutton had a city court warrant for his arrest. Hutton was jailed.

—Adley J. Mayon Jr., 36, of Franklin Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:03 p.m. Sunday on a warrant charging him with defamation.

Mayon was located on Franklin Street and arrested on a warrant stemming from a September incident during which he made statements about an individual on a social media site, Blair said. Mayon was jailed.

—Grant J. Verdun Jr., 49, of Duet Street in Houma, was arrested at 4:06 p.m. Sunday on warrants charging him with failure to pay probation fee and failure to pay fines.

Verdun was located on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and arrested on city court warrants. Verdun was jailed.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Scott Anslum reported that deputies responded to 114 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:

—Travell Davis, 31, of Leo Street in Patterson, was arrested at 12:56 p.m. Friday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of operating a vehicle while license is suspended/revoked/canceled.

A corrections deputy made contact with Davis at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center when he turned himself in on an active warrant. Davis was arrested on the warrant and released on $500 bail.

—Aurelio Perez, 35, of Lenny’s Lane in Morgan City, was arrested at 1:59 p.m. Friday on a warrant for failure to appear on a charge of unlawful use of a driver’s license.

A deputy was at the sheriff’s office when he was advised that Perez was in the office and held an active warrant for his arrest. The deputy made contact with Perez and advised him of the warrant. Perez was jailed with bail set at $500.

—Ashton Allen, 27, of Ehrlich Street in Berwick, was arrested at 1:59 p.m. Friday on charges of two counts of criminal damage to property.

A corrections deputy received a call that a light had been pulled down in a cell at parish jail. Upon entering the cell, the deputy found the light broken along with other damage to the cell, Anslum said. Allen was charged and remains in jail. Bail was set at $1,000.

—Michael Schmitt, 21, 208 Lake Orleans Boulevard in Ponchatoula, was arrested at 9:54 p.m. Friday on charges of driving under suspension, speeding, improper lane usage and careless operation.

A deputy patrolling Amelia was dispatched to Lake Palourde Road in reference to a car crash. The deputy learned that the driver lost control of the vehicle, struck another vehicle and ran off the road into a ditch, Anslum said.

The deputy was informed that the driver, Schmitt, was being transported to Teche Regional Hospital for injuries. After being medically cleared, the deputy made contact with Schmitt and transported him to parish jail for booking. Schmitt was released on $2,250 bail.

—Abram Hartley, 20, of La. 182 West in Patterson, was arrested at 10:48 p.m. Saturday for driving under suspension and possession of marijuana.

A deputy patrolling Bayou Vista observed a vehicle fail to stop at a stop sign. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Hartley.

During the stop, the deputy learned that Hartley’s license was suspended. The deputy also located marijuana in the vehicle, Anslum said. Hartley was released on a summons to appear in court March 6, 2019.

—Trent Duhon, 24, of Ricohoc Drive in Ricohoc, was arrested at 2:25 a.m. Sunday on a charge of driving under suspension.

A deputy patrolling the area of U.S. 90 west near the Calumet Bridge observed a vehicle swerving between the center and fog line. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Duhon. Though the stop, the deputy learned that Duhon’s license was suspended, Anslum said. Duhon was released on a summons to appear in court March 6, 2019.

—Eddie Norman Jr., 40, of Taryn Lane in Franklin, was arrested at 12:41 a.m. Monday on charges of no insurance, expired driver’s license, resisting arrest or officer, and turning movements and required signals.

A deputy patrolling Bayou Vista observed a vehicle fail to use its turn signal. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and attempted to make contact with the driver, Norman, who fled on foot, Anslum said.

The deputy apprehended Norman and through the investigation learned that Norman had an expired driver’s license and had no insurance, Anslum said. Norman was booked into jail and then released on $3,250 bail.

Patterson Police Chief Janis Merritt reported the following arrests:

—Donna Mayon, 53, of Lori Street in Patterson, was arrested at 3:12 p.m. Thursday on a charge of theft by shoplifting. Bail was set at $374.

—Christopher Guidry, 27, of Zip Lane in New Iberia, was arrested at 3:09 p.m. Thursday on a charge of theft by shoplifting. Bail was set at $374.

—Rosalyn M. Collins, 26, of Live Oak Street in Patterson, was arrested at 9:20 p.m. Friday on a warrant for another jurisdiction. Bail was set at $215.

—Michael Bennett, 49, of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Patterson, was arrested at 9:20 p.m. Friday on a charge of simple battery and a warrant for another jurisdiction. No bail was set.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrests:

—Timothy Francis, 31, of Federal Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:02 p.m. Friday on a speeding citation. Francis was released after serving 48 hours in jail.

—Joseph Hart, 35, of Versen Street in Berwick, was arrested at 12:43 p.m. Saturday on a Morgan City police warrant charging him with negligent injuring. Hart was transferred to the Morgan City Police Department.

—Danny Fulks, 33, of Parish Road in Franklin, was arrested at 12:01 a.m. Monday on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting an officer, a 16th Judicial District Court warrant for failure to appear and a parole violation. Fulks was jailed.

Berwick town attorney charged with DWI

Mon, 12/10/2018 - 12:09pm

Staff Report

Berwick’s town attorney was charged with DWI Saturday after deputies saw a vehicle in a ditch in Bayou Vista. He later registered a blood alcohol content over twice the legal limit on a chemical test, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Scott Anslum said in a news release.

Allen McElroy Jr., 70, of Brighton Lane in Berwick, was arrested at 2:08 a.m. Saturday on charges of DWI and improper lane usage.

McElroy is attorney for Berwick's town government. Mayor Louis Ratcliff confirmed Monday morning that McElroy is still town attorney, but Ratcliff said he had no further comment on the matter at this time.

According to McElroy's law office website, he's served as town attorney since 1995.

Deputies patrolling the area of U.S. 90 West observed a vehicle in the ditch at U.S. 90 and Delmar Avenue in Bayou Vista. The deputies stopped and made contact with driver, McElroy. During the stop, the deputies smelled a strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from McElroy, Anslum said.

The deputies conducted a field sobriety test on which McElroy performed poorly, Anslum said.

McElroy was transported to the Morgan City Police Department for chemical testing on the Intoxilizer 9000 which registered his blood alcohol content at 0.196 grams-percent, Anslum said. McElroy was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. McElroy was released on $2,750 bail.

Big weekend of Christmas activities

Mon, 12/10/2018 - 11:17am

The Daily Review/Geoff Stoute
It was a big weekend for Christmas events in the Tri-City area.Top: Santa Claus rides on horseback Sunday during the city of Patterson’s annual Christmas Parade. Second from top: Members of Divine Dolls perform during the Christmas Parade. Third from top: Members of Morgan City Family Church sing at a residence during Saturday’s 30th Bernice Street Christmas celebration. Bottom: Wyatt Priestley, 1, of Morgan City has his picture taken with Santa Claus at the Bernice Street event.

Ardoin beats Democrat in secretary of state race

Mon, 12/10/2018 - 11:02am

BATON ROUGE (AP) — Republican Kyle Ardoin has retained the Louisiana secretary of state’s job he’s been performing since May, winning a special election Saturday that was set in motion when his former boss stepped down in a sexual harassment scandal.
Ardoin defeated Democrat Gwen Collins-Greenup, a little-known candidate who significantly lagged in fundraising, to keep the position as state elections chief.
The runoff election fills the remaining year of the term of Tom Schedler, a Republican who resigned as secretary of state amid allegations he sexually harassed one of his female employees.
“The secretary of state’s office is turning the page and entering a new chapter, a chapter I believe will be the most meaningful and impactful in history,” Ardoin said in his victory speech. “Our administration will not be defined by change. Rather, we will continue to expand upon the excellent work of the women and men of our office.”
Ardoin and Collins-Greenup emerged the top two vote-getters in a nine-person November primary for the position overseeing elections, state archives, business registrations and some museums, such as the Old State Capitol.
Ardoin, Schedler’s chief aide from Baton Rouge and a former lobbyist, surprised opponents and political watchers when he signed up as a candidate in the final minutes of the registration period — after repeatedly saying he didn’t intend to run.
He used conservative talking points about protecting voter integrity, and he positioned himself as an incumbent with a slogan of “Keep Kyle” though he’s only been in the top job seven months. He suggested his work in the agency for nearly a decade would keep him from needing “on-the-job training.”
“I’m proud of the record of this office,” Ardoin said. “I feel like we have put this office on a trajectory for success, even after the difficult times we’ve faced.”
Collins-Greenup, from the East Feliciana Parish town of Clinton, reached the runoff without support from the Democratic Party, with little money and with no widespread advertising. The party backed her in the runoff, and she boosted her fundraising. Still, her campaign operated on a shoestring budget, focused on social media and events, with only modest advertising.
While Ardoin was on statewide television, Collins-Greenup couldn’t afford such campaign tactics. Instead, she traveled the state, seeking support at churches, in community meetings, on college campuses and among African-American voters who make up the Louisiana Democratic Party’s base.
She has a law degree and is in school for a master’s degree. Collins-Greenup has worked as a notary, in real estate and in the ministry. She cited her tenure in the East Feliciana Parish clerk of court’s office and as an administrator in Baton Rouge City Court as helping ready her for the secretary of state’s office.
“When this position came up, I thought all my experience matched this job,” she said ahead of Election Day. “I feel like I have the education, the experience and the passion to see this office do well.”
While Ardoin touted the performance of the secretary of state’s office, Collins-Greenup suggested more could be done to improve voter outreach, upgrade technology and inform people before they are purged from voting rolls.
The secretary of state’s office is in the middle of a multimillion-dollar effort to replace Louisiana’s voting machines, but the work has stalled for months amid criticism the agency mishandled the bid process. A contract award was voided, and no timeline has been issued for restarting the work to replace the 13-year-old machines, as the secretary of state’s office waits to see if a lawsuit will be filed.
Ardoin will only have a short reprieve from campaigning and will have to run again next year in Louisiana’s regular statewide election to hang onto the job.

Ochsner raises its own minimum wage

Mon, 12/10/2018 - 11:00am

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The company negotiating to manage Teche Regional Medical Center in Morgan City, Ochsner Health System, is raising its minimum wage to $12 per hour — about $4 per hour more than the roughly 1,200 affected employees were previously making.
The New Orleans Advocate reports that Ochsner made the announcement Thursday. The move is effective Jan. 20 and will affect more than 1,200 employees across the system.
Ochsner is also the state’s largest private employer. The legal minimum wage is currently at $7.25 but Ochsner was already paying a minimum of $8.10 per hour.
The health care company made the change based on recommendations drawn from a recent human resources review. The review focused on initiatives to improve the financial well-being of its employees.
Ochsner President and CEO Warner Thomas said Thursday that although they were already above the current minimum wage, “we wanted to do more.”
“We are committed to growing jobs and to offering new and innovative programs that provide financial wellness, workforce development and lifelong learning opportunities to our own team and to those who want to join us,” he said.
Walter Lane, an associate professor at the University of New Orleans, studies health care economics. He said these are “high-turnover” jobs and the extra money may encourage employees to stay in one position longer.
“Ultimately, it’s the right thing to do, but also it’s a competitive thing to do,” said Lane. Lane also serves on the board of the St. Tammany Parish Hospital Service District No. 2. The nine-member commission oversees Slidell Memorial Hospital, which is an independent community hospital that’s included in the Ochsner Health Network

WILSON 'WILLIE' IGNACE BRADBERRY

Mon, 12/10/2018 - 10:58am

March 21, 1952- December 5, 2018
Wilson “Willie” Ignace Bradberry, 66, a resident of Berwick, Louisiana, went home to meet his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, December 5, 2018.
Willie was born March 21, 1952 in Raceland, Louisiana, the son of John Elois Bradberry and Olivia Santiny Bradberry.
Willie was a devout Catholic who prayed his rosary every day. He was a loving husband to his beautiful wife, Julie, for 17 years before her passing. He was a loving father, stepfather, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and godfather. Willie worked for Cameron, A Schlumberger Company, for 43 years and was planning to retire at the end of the month.
Willie will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by one daughter, Amanda Collins of Highlands, Texas; two step-sons, Donnie (Kara) Hamlett of Patterson, Louisiana, and Eddie (Melissa) Hamlett of Galliano, Louisiana; five brothers, Lester (Barbara) Bradberry of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Leon (Audrey) Bradberry Sr. of Grand Isle, Louisiana, Johnny Bradberry of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Guy (Melanie) Bradberry of Lake Charles, Louisiana, and Edward “Eddie” Bradberry of Grand Isle, Louisiana; seven sisters, Eula Mae Copeland of Tylertown, Mississippi, Ruth Guliott of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Frances Ann Driscoll of Laplace, Louisiana, Brenda (C.J.) Ringo of Tolbert, Louisiana, Bonnie Bradberry of Jacksonville, Florida, Esther Flagg of Jacksonville, Florida, and Tammy (Jackie) Matherne of Grand Isle, Louisiana; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jerry and Mary Crowe; eight grandchildren, Cassianna Hamlett, Bre’dyn Hamlett, Shelby Hamlett, Dallas Hamlett, Caine Collins, Drake Collins and Xavier Collins-Flores; two great-grandchildren, Mica Hamlett and Alyza Hamlett; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Willie was preceded in death by his wife, Julie Marie Billiot Bradberry; parents, John and Olivia Bradberry; and sister, Anastasia Bunten.
Pallbearers will be Donnie Hamlett, Dallas Hamlett, Eddie Hamlett, Jerry Crowe Sr., Jerry Crowe Jr. and Freddie Bowman. Honorary pallbearers will be Willie’s five brothers, Lester Bradberry, Leon Bradberry Sr., Johnny Bradberry, Guy Bradberry, Eddie Bradberry, and his brother-in-law, Jerry Crowe.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Berwick, Louisiana, on Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. with Monsignor Courville officiating. Visitation will be held at Twin City Funeral Home Monday, December 10, 2018, from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. with a rosary being recited at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will resume Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at St. Stephen Catholic Church from 8:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. After Mass, Willie will be laid to rest next to his wife at Berwick Cemetery Mausoleum.

LILLY MAE BAILEY

Mon, 12/10/2018 - 10:56am

December 19, 1937 - December 6, 2018
Lilly Mae Bailey, 80, a resident of Amelia, passed away peacefully, Thursday, December 6, 2018, surrounded by her loving family.
Lilly loved her family and was a great caretaker and loved to cook for her family. She loved to feed people that came to her house and she wouldn’t stop until you took a bite of something. She knew no stranger and everyone was a friend or family member to Lilly, she was Maw Maw to many people. She loved to be in the outdoors as she loved to fish. She worked for 30+ years as a custodian for J.S. Aucoin Elementary School in Amelia.
Lilly was born on December 19, 1937, in Labadieville, the daughter of Claiborne Gros and Carrie Borne Gros.
She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by one sister, Ella Mae Gros of Amelia; four grandchildren, Doyle Bailey Jr. and Jennifer of Walker, Sadie Rankin and David of Morgan City, Tobie Bailey and Carissa, and Payton Bailey of Amelia; six great-grandchildren, Paige Garrett, Madison Aucoin, Dylan Bailey, Logan Bailey, Hannah Bailey and Lilly Bailey, and daughter-in-law, Julie Bailey.
Lilly was preceded in death by her parents, Claiborne and Carrie Borne Gros; her husband, Raymond “Daigo” Bailey; two sons, Steve Bailey and Doyle Bailey Sr.; one daughter-in-law, Shirley Bailey; two brothers, Edward “Man” Gros and Clarence Lawrence Joseph Gros; and three sisters, Irene “Toot” Acosta, Vivian Marie Gros and Lillian Breaux.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 11, 2018, at St. Andrew Catholic Church with a wake being held from 9:00 a.m. until Mass time. Following Mass, Lilly will be laid to rest in the St. Andrew Catholic Cemetery.

JESSIE JONES JR.

Mon, 12/10/2018 - 10:55am

Jessie Jones Jr., 83, a native and resident of Verdunville, died Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 9 a.m. until services at 11:30 a.m. at St. Jules Catholic Church in Franklin. Entombment with Military Honors will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Centerville.
He is survived by his wife, Janis V. Jones of Verdunville; two children, Byron Jones of Berwick and Andre’ Jones of Franklin; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; four siblings, Leroy Jones of Aurora, Colorado, the Rev. Larry Jones Sr. of Verdunville, Lester Jones of Maurice and Diane Pillette of Lafayette; and a host of other relatives.
He was preceded in death his parents and two brothers.
Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

GENARO FLORES ROMO

Mon, 12/10/2018 - 10:54am

Genaro Flores Romo, 66, a native of Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico, died Friday, Dec. 7, 2018, at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans.
He is survived by a son, Francisco Romo of Patterson; daughter, Cassandra Romo of Amelia; the mother of his children, Elsa Romo of Morgan City; three brothers, Jose Romo, Arturo Romo and Felipe Romo, all of Guadalajara, Mexico; a grandson; and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by a son, his parents and a sister.
Services will be held at a later date.
Twin City Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

TRACY JOSEPH VIDOS SR.

Mon, 12/10/2018 - 10:52am

Tracy Joseph Vidos Sr., 80, a native of Morgan City and resident of Berwick, died Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, at Teche Regional Medical Center in Morgan City.
He is survived by his children, Robin Businelle of Patterson, Bobbie LeBlanc of Pierre Part and Tracy Vidos III of Patterson; his sister, Ann Aucoin of Berwick; and a brother, Johnny Vidos of Stephenville; 12 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, his father, a brother, three sons, a daughter and a great-grandchild.
Services will be Monday, 1-4 p.m., at Hargrave Funeral Home in Morgan City.
He will be laid to rest in St. Joseph Mausoleum at a later date.
Following services, a gathering will be held at 409 Main St. in Patterson for a time of fellowship with family and friends.
Hargrave Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.