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Bayou Chene project gets Corps permit

St. Mary Levee District officials announced Tuesday that the district has received the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regulatory permit for construction of the Bayou Chene Flood Control and Diversion project.

The levee district will begin the final design of the levee and structures within the next few weeks in order to have the project ready for construction by the end of 2019, a district news release said.

The project involves installing a permanent floodgate on Bayou Chene in Amelia that can be closed to prevent backwater, riverine flooding in parts of six parishes. Officials had previously installed temporary flood protection structures in 1973, 2011 and 2016 to prevent flooding.

Funding for this regional project is to be provided by the state, Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority beginning in the early part of 2020, the release said.

District officials applied for the Corps permit in May 2013.

“This effort has been a long time coming and is vitally important to the entire region including parts of six neighboring parishes,” said Bill Hidalgo, levee district board president, in the release.

“This is a major milestone in the full development of this project. The St. Mary Levee District would like to thank all of our partners in helping to make this project a reality, including our local elected officials, the USACE, La. DNR and CPRA,” Hidalgo said.

The district’s legislative delegation, including state Sen. Bret Allain, Rep. Sam Jones and Rep. Beryl Amedee have been key advocates for securing funding for the project, the release stated.

The district received a state Department of Natural Resources coastal use project permit in September 2015, and the permit was later re-issued as modified in March 2018 to incorporate changes required by the Corps’ section 408 process.

Casting against crime

Members of the Morgan City High School Bass Club help kids Monday during the Backyard Bass fishing tournament as part of the Morgan City Night Out Against Crime at Lawrence Park. Doric Lodge No. 87 Free & Accepted Masons sponsored the event in partnership with the Morgan City Police Department. Others participating in the event were Louisiana State Police, the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control, U.S. Coast Guard, St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Morgan City Youth Center, Chez Hope Family Violence Crisis Center, Morgan City Fire Department, St. Mary Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, Acadian Ambulance, E911 Emergency, Morgan City police reserves, Hargrave Funeral Home, Morgan City High School Jr. ROTC, Morgan City Petting Zoo, Mamie Winters, Berry Brothers, the Rev. Stephen Shortess, Trinity Church Episcopal Church and G&J Land Marine Food Distributors. (The Daily Review/Zachary Fitzgerald)

Police: Suspect fled from officers, ran into home

A 29-year-old man was captured after fleeing on foot from Morgan City police and running into a home while trying to prevent a homeowner from leaving, Police Chief James Blair said in a news release.

—Curtis Ray, 29, of Robin Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:02 p.m. Monday on charges of resisting an officer, obstruction of justice by tampering with evidence, unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, false imprisonment, simple battery, possession of marijuana and criminal trespass.

Officers responded to a business on Fifth Street in regard to a battery that had been committed on an individual. Officers arrived and received a description of the suspect.

Police observed the suspect running through several yards. A homeowner on Duke Street approached officers stating someone ran into her home and tried to prevent her from leaving, Blair said.

Officers located the suspect identified as Ray on Duke Street and arrested him. Ray was also in possession of suspected marijuana, Blair said. Ray was jailed.

Blair reported that officers responded to 43 calls and reported the following arrests:

—Cherie Aucoin, 46, of McDermott Drive in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:23 p.m. Monday on a warrant charging her with theft less than $1,000.

Aucoin was arrested at the police department on a warrant. The warrant stems from a Sept. 12 incident during which Aucoin allegedly committed a theft at a business on La. 182. Aucoin was jailed.

—Samuel Skipper, 68, of Houma, was arrested at 3:57 p.m. Monday on charges of no tail lamps, possession of marijuana and driving under suspension.

—Gerron D. Skipper, 30, of Dora Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:57 p.m. Monday on a warrant for simple battery.

An officer in the area of Fourth Street observed a vehicle with improper lighting. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver, Samuel Skipper, had a suspended driver’s license, Blair said.

Samuel Skipper also had suspected marijuana in his possession, Blair said. The passenger in the vehicle, Gerron Skipper, had an active arrest warrant. The warrant stems from an incident in August that alleges Gerron committed a battery on an individual. Both Samuel and Gerron were jailed.

—Corey D. Givens, 17, of Egle Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 5:09 p.m. Monday on charges of hit-and-run, stop sign violation and no driver’s license.

Givens was arrested at the police department for his involvement in a vehicle crash that occurred on Youngs Road earlier in the day, Blair said. Givens admitted to driving the vehicle and leaving the scene after the vehicle accident, Blair said. Givens was jailed.

—Ty Q. Thai, 47, of Vivian Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:24 p.m. Monday on a charge of disturbing the peace by using offensive language.

Officers responded to a medical facility on La. 70 in regard to a disturbance. Officer arrived and located Thai, who appeared intoxicated and was yelling profanities, Blair said. Thai was jailed.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Scott Anslum reported that deputies responded to 44 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests relating to east St. Mary Parish:

—Tracy Vidos III, 39, of Candi Street in Patterson, was arrested at 6:45 a.m. Monday on two warrants for failure to appear on charges of criminal neglect of family, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, operating a vehicle with an expired driver’s license and failure to stop at a stop sign.

A corrections deputy at the St. Mary Parish jail made contact with Vidos when Vidos turned himself in on arrest warrants. Bail was set at $10,500.

—Bryanshekia Harris, 30, of Orange Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:24 a.m. Monday on a charge of theft.

A deputy patrolling Bayou Vista was dispatched to a business in reference to a theft complaint. Upon arrival at the business, the deputy made contact with store personnel who had witnessed Harris taking several items off the shelf and placing them into her purse, Anslum said. The deputy located Harris and arrested her. Harris was released on a summons to appear in court Dec. 6.

—Johnothon Brown, 25, of D Landry Drive in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 12:35 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant for failure to appear on a charge of felony theft.

A deputy patrolling the area of Morgan City was provided with information of the whereabouts of a subject with an active warrant and proceeded to a business. The deputy made contact with Brown and verified the warrant through the NCIC system.

Brown was transported to parish for booking and is being held for another agency.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported no arrests.

Patterson shooting suspect caught swimming in Lafayette lake

A suspect in a Patterson shooting was caught Monday swimming in a lake in Lafayette.

Randolph Joseph, 26, was wanted on a warrant charging him with two counts of attempted second-degree murder.

At about 10:50 a.m. Monday UL Lafayette Police were dispatched to the UL Lafayette Marine Survival Training Center in reference to a man who was seen swimming in the Airport Lake, a Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office news release said.

The man, identified as Joseph, refused to come out of the water, prompting officers to contact the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team for assistance, the release said.

Deputies provided assistance by boat, and were able to get Joseph out of the water and detained, the release said.

A second suspect in last week’s shooting, Kirt Favors Jr., 20, is still wanted on a warrant charging him with one count of attempted second-degree murder. Anyone with information on Favors’ whereabouts should call Patterson police at 985-395-6161.

On Sept. 25, Patterson police responded to a report of gunshots in the area of Taft and Plum streets where a man was allegedly running down the street shooting.

One woman was allegedly struck in the chest by a bullet while taking a shower inside a home. Police later discovered that another victim was at a hospital being treated for multiple gunshot wounds. Last week, police stated that both victims were in stable condition.

Patterson police also learned that a third person, possibly a shooter, may have been wounded in the shooting. But police haven’t confirmed that information.

Radio logs for Oct. 2

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. 1

7:22 a.m. 1400 block of North Third Street; Medical

8:15 a.m. 1200 block of Federal Avenue; Juvenile problem

9:12 a.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Crash

10:10 a.m. 1200 block of Walnut Drive; Medical

10:27 a.m. 900 block of Poplar Street; Alarm

11:01 a.m. Louisa Street; Complaint

12:23 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest

12:40 p.m. Railroad and Ditch avenues; Disturbance

12:42 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Stalled vehicle

1:18 p.m. 1200 block of Victor II Boulevard; Disturbance

2:17 p.m. 900 block of Youngs Road; Hit and run

2:19 p.m. 1700 block of Filmore Street; Medical

3 p.m. 1100 block of Brashear Avenue; 911 hang up

3:06 p.m. 300 block of Mallard Street; Medical

3:34 p.m. Fourth and Arenz streets; Arrest

3:55 p.m. 1200 block of Clothilde Street; Stalled vehicle

4:28 p.m. 500 block of Railroad Avenue; Stand by

4:50 p.m. 500 block of Franklin Street; Complaint

5:36 p.m. 300 block of Union Street; Civil matter

5:39 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Arrest

5:45 p.m. 1300 block of Nebraska Street; Criminal damage

6:13 p.m. 400 block of Halsey Street; Stand by

6:31 p.m. 100 block of Grizzaffi Street; Assistance

6:52 p.m. 1800 block of Filmore Street; Animal complaint

7:49 p.m. 3100 block of Karen Drive; Advisory

7:51 p.m. 500 block of Duke Street; Advisory

7:55 p.m. 1000 block of Ninth Street; Assistance

8:02 p.m. 700 block of Everett Street; Battery

8:19 p.m. 100 block of 11th Street; Unfounded complaint

9:04 p.m. 6000 block of La. 182; Investigation

9:27 p.m. 1000 block of Ninth Street; Suspicious person

10:54 p.m. 300 block of Wren Street; Communication complaint

Tuesday, Oct. 2

12:05 a.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Stand by

12:33 a.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Suspicious person

5:10 a.m. 1200 block of Youngs Road; Hang up call

Forum set for school board, coroner, Morgan City Council

Voter signup deadline, early voting near

St. Mary Parish voters will have the chance to see more candidates for local office Tuesday night in Morgan City.
Meanwhile, the deadline for voter registration before the Nov. 6 primary election and the dates for early voting are approaching.
Tuesday’s 5:30-7:30 p.m. forum at Morgan City Municipal Auditorium will include candidates for the St. Mary Parish School board, Morgan City Council member for District 4 and parish coroner.
The District 4 city council race is to complete the term of former Councilman James Fontenot, who resigned in November 2017 due to a conflict of interest with a new job. The remainder of Fontenot’s term lasts through the end of 2020. Candidates for that race are “Steve” Domangue, John M. DuBois and Jarrod J. Wiggins.
Coroner candidates are Lianter Albert, Eric Melancon and Natchez “Trey” Morice. Former Coroner F.H. “Chip” Metz Jr. retired in May after 28 years as coroner.
Candidates for school board seats in District 1-6, 8 and 11 are unopposed. In District 7, candidates are incumbent Wayne Deslatte and Ronald Joseph. District 9 candidates are Alaina L. Black and Christie K. Dragna. District 10 candidates are Dwight D. Barbier and “C.E.” Bourg II.
The deadline to register in person or by mail is Oct. 9, and the Geaux Vote online electronic registration deadline is Oct. 16. Anyone wishing to vote in this election must be registered by those deadlines.
Early voting for the Nov. 6 election begins Oct. 23 and continues through Oct. 30, except for Sunday, Oct. 28, when the Registrar of Voters Office will be closed.
You can vote early at the registrar’s office on the third floor of the courthouse in Franklin or at the registrar’s branch office at 301 Third St., Morgan City.
You may vote early in either office regardless of your address.

Wheel House for Oct. 2

HUMANE SOCIETY
Of Louisiana co-hosting a community meeting at 6 p.m. Oct. 4 at Bayou Vista Branch Library, 1325 Belleview St., with Braylin’s Pet Haven, a local humane organization. Meeting will address animal neglect and pet overpopulation issues in St. Mary Parish. Free and public invited. For info call the Humane Society, 901-268-4432 or email info@humanela.org.

FEEDING PROGRAM
For needy and senior citizens at Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church, 113 Federal Ave., Morgan City, at noon Saturday, Oct. 6. For info call 985-384-6800.

RUMMAGE SALE
Hosted by Catholic Daughters of the Americas St. Catherine of Ciena Court 2735 from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 6, at storage building of St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1011 First St., Patterson. Held rain or shine.

MT. PILGRIM
Baptist Church, 113 Federal Ave., Morgan City, celebrating its 153-year anniversary at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21. Guest minister the Rev. Howard Smith, Residents Baptist Church, Houma and Third Zion Baptist Church, Raceland. Public invited.

Patterson High Homecoming Week proclaimed

Patterson Mayor Rodney Grogan recently signed a proclamation for Patterson High School Homecoming Week, Oct. 9-14. Festivities include the homecoming parade at 4 p.m. Oct. 11 followed by the bonfire, pep rally and gumbo dinner at the school. The Oct. 12 homecoming football game will feature the Lumberjacks vs. Abbeville at 7 p.m. where the homecoming queen will be crowned. The homecoming dance on Oct. 13 at PHS will feature the crowning of the homecoming king. Seated from left are court members Makayla Vining, Madison Gouaux and Mackenzie Marcel, Grogan, Principal Lane Larive, and court members Kayla Baudoin and Angie Gros. Middle row from left are court members Auston Hebert, Tyreioanna Tillman, Asiayana Bridget, Kara Lawrence, Makayla Knight, Patrice Bazille, Hannah Boudreaux, Katelyn Larson and Ken Sampey. Back row from left are court members James Butler, AJ Robertson, Austin Harden, Tron’yonte Clark, Irvin Celestine, Daniel Curci, JaQuinton Washington and Noah Bryant.

For Gaga, Cooper ‘A Star Is Born’ hits close to home

TORONTO — When Bradley Cooper saw Lady Gaga perform “La Vie en Rose” at a fundraiser at the home of entrepreneur Sean Parker, it wasn’t one of the important moments along the road to making “A Star Is Born.” It was, Cooper said, THE moment.
“She demolished the room,” he recalls, still wide-eyed about it. “I knew that was plutonium.”
The next day, Cooper went to Gaga’s home in Malibu to confirm that what he had seen the night before was real. He arrived hungry. Gaga — whose friends call her by her real name, Stefani — fed him some leftover spaghetti, and the two East Coast, Italian American-raised performers (Cooper is from Philadelphia, Gaga New York) felt an immediate, natural connection. “Instantly,” said Gaga. “When I saw his eyes, when I opened the door.”
Within minutes, they were singing by Gaga’s piano and “A Star Is Born” was, well, born.
“And when I heard him sing! My God! I stopped playing the piano and I was like, ‘Bradley you can sing!’” said Gaga, sitting next to her co-star and director. “And he was like, ‘Really?’ And then he said, ‘Let’s film it.’ He started filming it on his phone.”
Cooper shakes his head. “It was nuts.”
It can be hard to separate the already mythologized transformations — Cooper directs! Gaga acts! — that fueled “A Star Is Born” from the fictional fable of fame, itself. In both the movie’s creation and in the finished product are lessons of bold chances and artistic integrity, of personal frailty and popular success. “A Star Is Born” is a movie mirrored by its making.
“A Star Is Born” is the fourth version of the story (or fifth, depending on how you count). First was George Cukor’s “What Price Hollywood?” in 1932, followed by William Wellman’s 1937 remake. Later came one with Judy Garland and James Mason in 1954 and one in 1973 with Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson.
A new “A Star Is Born” has been in development for about two decades at Warner Bros., with various incarnations once planned around Will Smith and Whitney Houston, or Beyonce and Leonardo DiCaprio with Clint Eastwood directing. Cooper, who starred in Eastwood’s “American Sniper,” first discussed acting in the film for Eastwood before deciding to direct, too. For encouragement, Eastwood visited the set on the first day of shooting.
“I remember he said he liked my boots,” said Gaga. “I turned bright red.”
Cooper, though, put his own imprint on “A Star Is Born,” retailoring the story and — he hopes — launching himself as a writer and director. With meticulous preparation, Cooper — ever the student — threw himself into the new role. Often, he could be found under a table in a scene with a monitor so as to be as close as possible to the actors. “He was tireless,” said Sam Elliott, who plays Cooper’s brother in the film. “He never quit on it, from beginning to end. It probably drove the studio nuts at some point that he wouldn’t quit on it.”
“Being 39 when I started this journey, I just realize: Time is the biggest currency. If I don’t do what I keep feeling inside, constantly seeing shots in my head,” Cooper said, trailing off. “I always knew that at some point I had to stop critiquing other movies and just make one.”
Cooper stars as Jackson Maine, a hard-drinking, country-rock ‘n’ roll star in the vein of Gregg Allman. (Maine’s band is played by Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Neil Young’s regular backing band.) When Jackson ducks into a drag bar for a drink, he’s blown away by Ally (Gaga), who’s there singing — what else — “La Vie en Rose.”
A naturally talented singer who has essentially given up on her music dreams, Ally has always been told her look (and her nose) isn’t quite right. She and Jackson quickly fall in love, even as Jackson’s drinking problem worsens, but not before they can together forge something honest and beautiful through music, catapulting Ally to stardom.
“When I’m watching it back, I see myself as a much younger girl, more like when I was 15 writing songs at the piano,” said Gaga. “What Jackson is trying to teach her is something that I still want to give more of in my music now and in the future. It’s the nakedness of talent.”
A rare fervor has greeted Cooper’s “A Star Is Born.” Its trailer has been watched more than 10 million times, many of them repeat, misty-eyed views. And if there’s one thing that accounts for its swoon-inducing power it’s this self-empowering message of fame coming to those who are true to themselves.
It’s something that resonates for many in the cast, too, like Anthony Ramos, who plays Ally’s best friend. The 26-year-old actor, who grew up in the projects of Bushwick, Brooklyn, caught his big break when Lin-Manuel Miranda cast him in “Hamilton.”
“I’ve had teachers tell me, ‘You have to be this or you have to be that to be successful. You have to change the way you speak. You have to grow your hair out.’ I’ve had people tell me all kinds of things to give me the formula for success,” said Ramos. “But what I realize, which you find by the end of this movie, all you gotta do is love yourself and believe in yourself, and continue to be your truest self.”
For even the 74-year-old veteran actor Elliott, “A Star Is Born” has been cause for reflection on his own path. For decades, Elliott, with his sonorous drawl and trademark mustache, has been resolutely himself, in any role.
“Nobody’s ever going to confuse me with a chameleon. I’m just not one of those kind of actors,” said Elliott. “Ben Johnson told me one time: ‘I might not be a very good actor, but nobody else can play Ben Johnson better than I can.’ And that somehow resonated with me. It was about character. It was about integrity. It was about what makes up the man.”
Gaga, who has rallied her fans (“little monsters”) around a message of self-acceptance, said she identifies equally with her character and with the more troubled Jackson. The pop star has previously been forthright about her struggles with mental health, and has said she was raped at age 19.
“Jackson’s plight in the film and his substance abuse, it really stays with me. The mental health aspect, the substance abuse aspect, the trauma aspect. I told Bradley right after we watched it in Venice that I had to take 30 minutes to myself in a back room somewhere,” said Gaga. “If I act again, the experience has to be as deep as this one or it wouldn’t be fulfilling to me.”
Cooper, too, said “A Star is Born” has altered him.
“I find myself thinking of lines Jackson said often, just in terms of taking on a new project: What am I trying to say and how am I going to say it?” the 43 year-old said. “Any other project that comes after this, I just have to be brutally honest with myself and listen to Jackson.”
Ramos’ success recently inspired his own older brother to — like Ally does in the film — quit his job and “go for it.” After “A Star Is Born” opens in theaters Friday, more walkouts may follow, more stars ready to be born.
“Everybody quit their job!” jokes Ramos. “Naw, not everyone can quit. We need some people working.”

JetBlue set to offer fewer frills on its cheapest tickets

NEW YORK (AP) — JetBlue is following the lead of larger rivals by offering a stripped-down ticket with fewer options than regular economy fares. The airline says customers who take the cheapest fare might have to accept limits on when they board, their seat, and whether they can change or cancel a reservation. JetBlue Airways Corp. President Joanna Geraghty said in a note to employees Friday that the new fare class will take effect sometime next year. Geraghty says “our success is at risk” if JetBlue doesn’t offer the lower fares, which are called “basic economy” on Delta, American and United. The big airlines ...

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