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Myrtle Champagne Austin

Thu, 05/31/2018 - 10:03am

April 20, 1926 — May 29, 2018
Myrtle Champagne Austin, 92, a resident of Patterson, passed away Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at her home surrounded by her loving family.
Myrtle was born on April 20, 1926 in Bayou Chene, the daughter of Moses Champagne and Violet Written Champagne.
She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by two daughters, Agnes Hebert of Pierre Part and Carol Howse and husband Paul of Patterson; grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Myrtle was preceded in death by her parents, Moses and Violet Written Champagne; her husband, R.D. Austin; one son, Terry Mitchell; one daughter, Jessie Muns; great-grandson, Jeremy Domingue; three brothers and two sisters.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 31, 2018 at Twin City Funeral Home with Pastor Wendell Howse officiating. A visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of the service, and following the services, Myrtle will be laid to rest in the Morgan City Cemetery.

MCOFR winners announced

Thu, 05/31/2018 - 9:49am

The Morgan City Oilfield Fishing Rodeo was held May 19 with winners being announced at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium following weigh-in. Cash prizes were given in the Redfish Limit, Redfish (Big Fish), Bass Stringer, Bass (Big Fish), Mike Michel Trash Fish Award, Spec, Catfish and Spec (Big Fish). This year’s event featured 103 boat entries and more sponsorships than a year ago. Kevin Harvey won the Redfish Limit with a haul of 39.72 pounds, while Marc Felterman won the Redfish (Big Fish) with a 12.16-pound fish. Craig Walker won the Bass Stringer (16.35 pounds) and Bass (Big Fish) with a 4.9-pound catch,

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Bayou Horseshoe Pitchers Association Week 8 report

Thu, 05/31/2018 - 9:45am

Bayou Horseshoe Pitchers Association Spring League Week 8 W L Tails Up 43.5 28.5 W.H.A.G. 38.5 33.5 Kemper Ringers 35.5 36.5 Heads Up 35.5 36.5 Dilly Dilly 33 30 Dud’s Club 30 42 High scratch point average: 30’ – Tim Gilmore 86.0, Al Dodson 77.0 and Gerald Prados 71.3; and 40’ – Jimmy Percle 50.1, Clyde Landry 47.8 and Dwain Arceneaux 45.3. High individual ringer percentage: 30’ – Gilmore 65.2, Dodson ...

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Superintendent: Choir programs won’t be cut

Thu, 05/31/2018 - 9:15am

Ex-choral director concerned over programs’ future

By ZACHARY FITZGERALD

zfitzgerald@daily-review.com

Choir programs at Morgan City High School, Morgan City Junior High and Berwick Junior High will continue next school year, St. Mary Parish Schools Superintendent Leonard Armato said.

The Daily Review contacted Armato after social media posts expressed concerns over the future of the programs following news that the former choral director’s position was cut.

Beth Anne Dupuy, the former choral director at Morgan City High, Morgan City Junior High and Berwick Junior High, said Morgan City High Principal Mickey Fabre informed her May 21 that her contract would not be renewed for the 2018-19 school year due to budget cuts.

On Wednesday, Fabre said he did not want to discuss personnel matters, but did say that “the choir program is not being cut here at Morgan City High School.”

Fabre had to cut five positions due to budget constraints, and cut Dupuy’s position, which was part-time at the high school, he said.

“The bottom line is we have budget cuts that are due to the financial situation in the parish,” Armato said. “All schools have had to make different cuts to get within the budget numbers. But we are able to continue choir through our talented music teachers who will pick up classes during the day.”

Dupuy had worked for the St. Mary Parish public school system since 2001. Due to her termination at Morgan City High School, she will no longer be able to teach at the other two schools, either, she said.

Though school system officials assured the public that the choir programs will continue at all three schools, Dupuy questioned the sustainability of the programs going forward.

“I understand having to cut positions and cut teachers,” Dupuy said. “But when you cut a position that eliminates a program, that should not come from the power of just one man.”

Dupuy is concerned that there isn’t a “certified vocal teacher” in the parish to replace her.

School officials will be “overloading talented music instructors to fit choir into their daily routine,” she said. Choir instructors also have the responsibility of preparing students for festivals and auditions, Dupuy said.

“My observations and my evaluations prove that I’m effective,” she said. “And anyone with social media access can see the primary result of my effectiveness from students that have become productive members of society.”

Dupuy said she isn’t fighting to get her job back, but “will continue to advocate for choral programs in St. Mary Parish as well as other arts.”

Dupuy has received support from Morgan City High School choir alumni who were worried about the future of the choir program after her termination as director and contacted school system officials.

Susan Brumfield, a 1975 Morgan City High graduate and music education professor at Texas Tech, posted a letter to Fabre on the MCHS Choir Alumni Page on Facebook expressing her concerns over the direction of the school’s choir program.

From her understanding of the situation, Brumfield said she was concerned whether the teachers taking over Morgan City High’s choir program were properly qualified to be choral music educators.

Brumfield’s mother, the late Marlene Hendrix, was choral director at Morgan City High from the mid-1960s until her retirement in 1994.

“Choral music in Morgan City was my mother’s life work,” Brumfield said.

Brumfield urged Fabre to reconsider his decision to cut Dupuy’s position.

“If you reduce this program in the way that’s been proposed, you will lose it, probably for good,” Brumfield said in the letter. “I highly doubt that you will find anyone willing to go to the lengths your current director has gone to, to restore it.”

Dupuy hopes someone in the school system’s central office will advocate for choral music programs and find money to fund the programs.

Waguespack retires from horseshoe pitching

Thu, 05/31/2018 - 9:11am

Lester "Wag" Waguespack is retiring from horseshoe
pitching after 46 years. Waguespack, 87, who
is Louisiana's oldest active member, throws out the
first shoe of the 2018 BHPA season and final shoe of
his career. Waguespack is a charter member of the
Atchafalaya Horseshoe Pitchers Association and the
Bayou Horseshoe Pitchers Association. He is also a
2015 inductee into the Louisiana State Horseshoe
Pitchers Associations Hall of Fame. Waguespack
also has been an active member of the Knights of
Columbus annual horseshoe tournaments.

Ogden Thomas shoots his age

Thu, 05/31/2018 - 9:09am

Ogden Thomas shot an even-par 72 May 8 on his
73rd birthday. His nines were 34-38, making three
bogies and three birdies.

Morgan City Red Sox win USSSA Battle in Acadiana XVI

Thu, 05/31/2018 - 8:56am

The Morgan City Red Sox 11U team
won the USSSA Battle in Acadiana XVI
May 5-6 at the Youngsville Sports
Complex. On May 5, the Red Sox won
11-5 against Blaze Baseball and
defeated the Acadiana Swamp Sluggers,
15-0. On May 6, the Red Sox
beat Louisiana Gators Select, 15-0,
and won 9-5 against Striker Baseball.
The Red Sox won defeated the Alexandria
Skrats, 8-0, for the championship.
Red Sox team members are, kneeling,
Brandon Cordero, Bodie Hoffpauir,
Gregory Hamer, Benjamin Case, Thomas
Nini and Drake Rock. On the second
row are Carter Whipple, Austin Cornes,
Rodrick Bennett, Kyle Stansbury and
head coach Nick Rock. On the back
row are assistant coaches Heath Hoffpauir,
Mark Morell and Greg Hamer.

Radio logs for May 31

Thu, 05/31/2018 - 8:34am

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.

Wednesday, May 30

5:59 a.m. 1000 block of Missouri Street; Assistance.

8:40 a.m. Catherine Street; Animal complaint.

9:03 a.m. 2400 block of Pecan Street; Burglary.

11:09 a.m. 400 block of Louisa Street; Officer stand by.

11:43 a.m. 900 block of Seventh Street; Burglary.

12:02 p.m. Brownell Homes; Welfare concern.

12:45 p.m. 1500 block of North First Street; Phone harassment.

1:17 p.m. U.S. 90; Debris in roadway.

1:46 p.m. 800 block of Hickory Street; Theft.

1:52 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.

2:19 p.m. North First Street; Medical.

2:21 p.m. 200 block of Onstead Street; Medical.

3:23 p.m. Railroad Avenue; Traffic complaint.

3:38 p.m. 200 block of Levee Road; Theft.

5:23 p.m. La. 182; Suspicious subject.

6:33 p.m. 900 block of First Street; Criminal damage to property.

7:36 p.m. 2000 block of Allison Street; Alarm.

7:50 p.m. 6400 block of La. 182 East; Building check.

8:25 p.m. 700 block of Everett Street; Complaint.

8:53 p.m. 1000 block of La. 70; Building check.

9:08 p.m. Fourth Street and Railroad Avenue; Theft.

9:10 p.m. 7000 block of La. 182 East; Removal of subject.

9:27 p.m. 100 block of Eleventh Street; Welfare concern.

9:53 p.m. 300 block of Garber Street; Patrol request.

11:09 p.m. 7100 block of Park Road; Medical emergency.

11:24 p.m. 900 block of Belanger Street; Officer stand by.

Thursday, May 31

5:09 a.m. 7200 block of La. 182 East; Vehicle accident.

5:41 a.m. 700 block of Maryland Street; Medical emergency.

5:46 a.m. 300 block of Second Street; 911 hang up call.

5:58 a.m. 700 block of Maryland Street; Medical emergency.

Sheriff: Two arrested on drug charges after stop

Thu, 05/31/2018 - 7:31am

Staff Report

Two people were arrested on drug charges in Berwick after detectives stopped a vehicle whose driver was wanted on a forgery warrant, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Scott Anslum said in a news release.

—Alyssa Acosta, 25, of Ditch Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:39 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of hydrocodone, possession of Xanax and on a warrant charging her with forgery.

—Scotty Pellerin, 37, of Elm Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:39 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of methamphetamine.

Narcotics detectives traveling on La. 182 into Berwick observed Acosta driving through the area. Detectives knew Acosta was wanted on an active warrant and stopped her, Anslum said.

Detectives also located a passenger identified as Pellerin. While speaking with Pellerin, detectives observed marijuana inside the vehicle. Detectives received consent to search the car and found the pills and a bag of marijuana, Anslum said.

They also located methamphetamine in Pellerin’s wallet. The warrant for Acosta was obtained by a detective assigned to investigate a case of stolen checks. The detectives found that Acosta attempted to cash some of the stolen checks at a local bank, Anslum said. Acosta and Pellerin were jailed with no bail set.

Anslum reported that deputies responded to 41 complaints and reported the following arrests:

—Jeremiah Garces, 26, of Cross Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 9:33 a.m. Monday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of criminal neglect of family, a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of operating a vehicle with a suspended driver’s license, and on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of operating a vehicle with a suspended driver’s license and improper turning. Garces turned himself in at parish jail and was released on $2,550 bail.

—Toya Colbert, 38, of Cypremort Road in Franklin, was arrested at 3:08 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of hit-and-run driving.

A deputy investigated a report of a hit-and-run crash that occurred on Laura Drive in Patterson and identified the suspect in the incident as Colbert. The deputy found evidence that Colbert struck another vehicle and then left the location. Colbert was released on a summons to appear in court Aug. 15.

—James Pollard Jr., 50, of Camille Street in Patterson, was arrested at 2:08 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant charging him with contractors misapplication of payments prohibited.

A detective assigned to investigate a case of contractor fraud found evidence that Pollard failed to apply money he received from a customer to material for the construction work he agreed to do in 2017, Anslum said. Pollard turned himself in at the sheriff’s office in Franklin. Pollard was booked into parish jail and released after posting $10,000 bail.

Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported that officers responded to 56 calls and reported the following arrests:

—Cindy Sanders, 47, of Tall Timbers Drive in Patterson, was arrested at 8:52 a.m. Tuesday on charges of DWI second offense, driving under suspension and illuminating devices required.

A patrol officer in the area of La. 182 and Eleventh Street observed a vehicle with improper lighting. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver, Sanders, had a suspended driver’s license and appeared intoxicated, Blair said. Sanders refused to take a field sobriety and chemical test for intoxication. Sanders was jailed.

—Rodney J. Morrison, 39, of Sycamore Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:24 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of criminal trespass.

Officers responded to a home on Sycamore Street in regard to an individual knocking on the doors and windows of the home. Officers arrived and made contact with the owner of the home, who stated that someone was in her garage. Officers located the individual in the garage, and he was identified as Morrison, Blair said. Morrison was jailed.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrest:

—Aubrey Corsaro, 29, of Burchfield Lane in Berwick, was arrested at 11:29 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant charging him with domestic abuse battery. Corsaro posted $2,500 bail.

Patterson Police Chief Janis Merritt reported no arrests.

Radio logs for May 30

Wed, 05/30/2018 - 2:48pm

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.

Tuesday, May 29

7:47 a.m. 1200 block of North Prescott Street; Medical.

8:07 a.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Alarm.

8:46 a.m. 3000 block of Carrol Drive; Medical.

9:43 a.m. 400 block of Laurel Street; Assistance.

10:40 a.m. 1000 block of Hickory Street; Welfare check.

11:08 a.m. 800 block of Sacred Heart Drive; Disturbance.

11:30 a.m. 900 block of Seventh Street; Disturbance.

11:34 a.m. 700 block of Maryland Street; Medical.

1:07 p.m. 1000 block of Greenwood Street; Accident.

1:20 p.m. 700 block of Fifth Street; Disturbance.

3:11 p.m. 2100 block of Federal Avenue; Forgery.

3:27 p.m. 200 block of Brashear Avenue; Medical.

3:57 p.m. 1000 block of Missouri Street; Assistance.

4:50 p.m. 1100 block of Victor II Boulevard; Civil matter.

4:58 p.m. 1000 block of Cottonwood Street; Officer stand by.

5:19 p.m. 1100 block of Victor II Boulevard; Accident.

5:27 p.m. 1400 block of Youngs Road; Animal complaint.

6:32 p.m. 1000 block of Missouri Street; Medical.

6:46 p.m. Fig Street; Complaint.

6:51 p.m. 900 block of Railroad Avenue; Patrol request.

8:06 p.m. Sixth and Florence streets; Traffic incident.

8:15 p.m. 600 block of Louisa Street; Complaint.

8:22 p.m. 2400 block of Apple Street; Removal of subject.

9:01 p.m. 800 block of Sycamore Street; Arrest.

9:13 p.m. 1000 block of Missouri Street; Medical.

10:04 p.m. 1000 block of Hilda Street; Animal complaint.

10:32 p.m. Justa Street; Suspicious subject.

11:22 p.m. 400 block of Louisa Street; Removal of subject.