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CARRIE HAMILTON

Thu, 04/05/2018 - 11:59am

Carrie Hamilton, 58, a native of Verdunville and resident of Patterson, died Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at Terrebonne General Medical Center in Houma.
Visitation will be Saturday from noon until services at 2 p.m. at Jones Funeral Home in Franklin. Burial will follow in St. John Cemetery in Franklin.
She is survived by two daughters, Raynel Watts of Arlington, Texas and Renee Watts of Patterson; four brothers, Jackie Hamilton and Kenneth Watts, both of Morgan City, Johnny Watts of Verdunville, and Robert Watts of Houston; five sisters, Edith Stevenson of Thibodaux, Delores Watts and Carolyn Chun, both of Morgan City, Linda Watts of Baton Rouge, and Jeannie Williams of Gibson; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and one sister.
Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

RICKEY MATTHEWS

Thu, 04/05/2018 - 11:57am

Rickey Matthews, 66, a native of Terrebonne Parish and resident of Cypress, Texas, died Monday, March 26, 2018.
Visitation will be Saturday from 10 a.m. until services at 11 a.m. at Church of Christ in Houma. Burial will follow in Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church Cemetery in Gibson.
He is survived by his wife, Janice Westley Matthews of Cypress, Texas; two daughters, Cyminde Matthews and Sakala Lewis, both of Cypress, Texas; three grandchildren; a brother, Reginald Matthews of Franklin; a sister, Wanda Matthews of Morgan City; and a host of other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, paternal grandparents and maternal grandparents.
Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

CELESTINE FAVORS

Thu, 04/05/2018 - 11:55am

Celestine Thomas Austin Favors, 74, a native and resident of Verdunville, died Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at Franklin Foundation Hospital.
Visitation will be Saturday from 9 a.m. until services at 11 a.m. at Triune Church of God in Christ in Franklin. Burial will follow in Nazarene Cemetery in Verdunville.
She is survived by her companion; five sons, John Austin III, James Austin, Phillip Austin and Vinnie Austin, all of Verdunville, and Rufus Austin of Killeen, Texas; five daughters, Martha Bordelon, Yvonne Menson and Audrey Calhoun, all of Verdunville, Alisha Kemp of Franklin and Trisha Austin of Morgan City; 40 grandchildren; and a host of other relatives.
She was preceded in death by a daughter and all of her siblings.
Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

CECIL HAUSER SR.

Thu, 04/05/2018 - 11:54am

Cecil Hauser Sr., 91, a native of Lewisville, North Carolina and resident of New Iberia, died Monday, March 12, 2018 in Lafayette.
He is survived by his wife, Rosemary Hauser; three daughters, Hazel Roberts, Suzanne Foster and Lisa Perry; two sons, Cecil Hauser Jr. and John Hauser; three sisters, Jean Custalow, Jane Layne of Virginia, and Arlene Monroe of Kentucky; three brothers, Richard Hauser of Morgan City, and Roy Hauser and Jimmy Hauser, both of Virginia; 13 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and three brothers.
A mass was celebrated March 28. Interment with military honors will be at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

Wheel House for April 4

Thu, 04/05/2018 - 11:51am

BERWICK HOUSING
Authority taking applications for all units from 8:15-11 a.m. and 1:15-3 p.m. Tuesday, April 10. Must have birth certificates and Social Security cards for all members of household, picture ID for all members over 18 and current proof of income. For info call 985-385-1546.

Sheriff: Two booked on drug charges after search

Thu, 04/05/2018 - 11:41am
Staff Report

Two men were arrested Wednesday in Berwick after authorities located methamphetamine, cocaine, Xanax pills and marijuana, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Scott Anslum said in a news release.

—Aaron Cage, 27, of Third Street in Berwick, was arrested at 7:45 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, transactions involving drug proceeds, violation of controlled dangerous substance in a drug-free zone, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a minor.

—Jamarcus Gunner, 24, of Verdun Lane in Verdunville, was arrested at 7:45 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of Xanax and violation of a controlled dangerous substance in a drug-free zone.

Narcotics section detectives executed a no knock search warrant at the home of Cage, located on Third Street in Berwick, with assistance from officers with the Berwick and Morgan City police departments.

During the search of the home, detectives located methamphetamine and cocaine, Anslum said. Detectives then made contact with Cage and other individuals at a park. Upon arriving at the park, detectives observed one of the individuals, identified as Gunner, reach into his pocket and drop a bag on the ground. The bag contained Xanax pills, Anslum said.

During a search of Cage, detectives located marijuana and $241, Anslum said. Detectives also found evidence that a minor child was present in the home of Cage, the sheriff said. Both Cage and Gunner were jailed with no bail set.

Anslum reported that deputies responded to 39 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests relating to east St. Mary Parish:

—Myles Morgan, 30, of Front Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:39 a.m. Wednesday on a Berwick Police Department warrant for violation of a protective order.

A deputy made contact with Morgan in 16th Judicial District Court. Morgan was jailed with no bail set.

—Vickie Norwood, 36, of Saturn Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 8:41 p.m. Wednesday on charges of speeding and possession of marijuana.

A deputy in the Berwick area observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed on U.S. 90. The deputy made contact with the driver, who was identified as Norwood. While speaking with Norwood, the deputy smelled an odor of burnt marijuana emitting from inside the vehicle, Anslum said. During a search of the vehicle, the deputy located a burnt marijuana cigarette. Norwood was released on a summons to appear in court July 11.

Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported that officers responded to 37 calls and reported the following arrests:

—Kenneth Allridge, 53, of Oil Tank Alley in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:18 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.

Investigators with the Morgan City police narcotics division with the assistance of the St. Mary Parish narcotics section executed a search warrant at a home in the area of Oil Tank Alley.

Allridge was identified during the investigation. Allridge was found to be in possession of suspected crack cocaine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia, Blair said. Police found evidence that the cocaine was intended to be distributed. Allridge was jailed.

—Thomas Clay, 55, of West Park Avenue in Gray, was arrested at 9:09 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of disturbing the peace intoxicated and on a warrant charging him with three counts of failure to appear for court.

Patrol officers responded to the area of Terrebonne Street in regard to a suspicious person. Officers arrived, and Clay was identified. Clay was in an intoxicated state, Blair said.

Clay was also found to hold active arrest warrants through Terrebonne Parish. Clay was jailed.

—Donnell Williams, 21, of Trevino Street in Berwick, was arrested at 1:02 a.m. Thursday on a warrant charging him with failure to appear to pay a probation fee, resisting an officer by giving false information, no driver’s license on person and improper lighting.

Patrol officers observed a vehicle being operated in the area of La. 182 with improper lighting. A stop was initiated when Williams was eventually identified. Williams allegedly provided officers with a false name upon the initial contact, Blair said.

Williams had an active arrest warrant through city court. Williams also did not have a driver’s license on him, Blair said. Williams was jailed.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrests:

—Rena Wilson, 39, of Snead Street in Berwick, was arrested at 1:27 p.m. Wednesday on charges of unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, remaining where forbidden, simple battery, disturbing the peace and resisting an officer.

Officers responded to a Francis Street home and discovered that Wilson allegedly entered a home without permission. Wilson committed a battery on a resident outside the home, police said. Wilson then resisted arrest when officers arrived. Wilson was transported to Morgan City jail.

—Myles Morgan, 30, of Front Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 1:53 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant charging him with violation of protective order second offense. Morgan was located at the St. Mary Parish Courthouse and transported to Berwick jail. Bail was set at $2,500.

—Richard Ruelas, 26, of La. 182 East in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:57 p.m. Wednesday on St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office on two warrants charging him with domestic abuse battery and warrants charging him with theft, domestic abuse battery-child endangerment law, domestic abuse battery by strangulation and domestic abuse battery. Bail was set at $5,500.

—Jeffrey Lodrigue, 27, of Second Street in Berwick, was arrested at 8:57 a.m. Wednesday on a warrant charging him with unauthorized use of a moveable. He posted $1,500 bail.

Patterson police reported no arrests.

State lawmakers reject arms for teachers plan

Thu, 04/05/2018 - 11:37am

BATON ROUGE (AP) — Louisiana teachers won’t be allowed to carry guns at schools, lawmakers decided Wednesday as they rejected a proposal opposed by law enforcement, educators and the governor.
After about two hours of debate on how best to protect schoolchildren in the wake of deadly school shootings, the House criminal justice committee killed the bill by a vote of 9-7.
Rep. Raymond Garofalo, the Chalmette Republican who sponsored the bill, said that laws barring guns on school grounds invite attacks. But if teachers who have concealed carry permits and have gone through active shooter training were allowed to bring guns to school, shooters would stay away, he said.
“We have gun-free zones, and it’s basically a welcome mat for criminals and crazies,” he told the panel of lawmakers. “To me, this is all about taking up that welcome mat that says ‘hey, come here and slaughter our students like sheep,’ which we’ve had up for a long time.”
Opponents said the policy is bound to result in unintended shootings and would create confusion in the event of a school shooting. They also said teachers didn’t become educators to police schools.
“When I think about my granddaughter, and my grandchildren, who are attending school, and I think about their teacher has a gun in one hand and has a book in the other hand, we’re turning that school into the wild, wild West,” said Rep. Barbara Norton, a Shreveport Democrat.
Garofalo said Louisiana State Police opposed his bill. The 20,000-member Louisiana Association of Educators also was opposed; its president, Deborah Meaux, called the bill a “knee-jerk” reaction to the problem of mass shootings at schools.
Separately, Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards has said he doesn’t like the idea of arming teachers and instead favors having more trained officers in schools.
State lawmakers have filed roughly two dozen bills involving guns this year, most of which stem from the massacre at a Florida high school in February where 17 people were killed by a former student.
Several Republicans have proposed measures adding more firearms on school grounds, though legislators have so far been hesitant to take that step. Last week, a Senate committee voted down a proposal to let armed civilians act as school security guards but approved a bill allowing for bulletproof backpacks. at schools.

House Bill 271: http://www.legis.la.gov

OTHER BILLS
JURY VERDICTS
Louisiana would shed its status as one of two states that don’t require unanimous juries in felony cases, under a proposal that won Senate support.
Currently, felony trials in Louisiana can be decided when 10 of 12 jurors agree on a person’s guilt. Only Louisiana and Oregon allow felony cases to be settled by a split verdict.
NURSING HOMES
Families would be able to install video camera systems in their loved ones’ nursing home rooms and monitor them from afar, if the Senate agrees to a bill that won unanimous House support.
New Orleans Rep. Helena Moreno says her proposal would give people “an extra set of eyes” on family members.
PROBATION
Louisiana’s criminal justice overhaul took a hit Tuesday after the House of Representatives voted to lengthen probation terms that were shortened during last year’s rewrite of sentencing laws.
Republican Rep. Sherman Mack’s proposal would extend the maximum length of probation terms for most nonviolent offenders from three years to five. It passed by a vote of a 61-30 and now moves to the Senate.

Study: Flood control engineering may make floods worse

Thu, 04/05/2018 - 11:23am

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Flood control work in the Mississippi River and its tributaries has likely made floods worse in Mississippi and Louisiana, researchers say.
Using 500 years of data from tree rings and from sediment in oxbow lakes — bends that once were part of the Mississippi River but became lakes when the river changed its path slightly — they say the river has flooded more often and poured more water into those states over the past 150 years than any previous period.
Climate change may be responsible for about one-quarter of the difference, they estimate. Engineering, such as building levees and creating a straighter, narrow channel for navigation, is likely responsible for the rest, researchers from Massachusetts, Illinois, Alabama, South Carolina, Texas and Liverpool, England, say in Wednesday’s journal Nature.
Some outside scientists praised the entire paper. Others praised the “paleoflood” work but had doubts about the conclusion that flood engineering is the main reason floods are worse.
Lead researcher Samuel Munoz of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution said he had expected to find early floods that were greater than more recent floods — not because the river was unrestrained, but because other research had covered a fairly recent period.
“I just expected that, given more time, you would see events that were bigger,” he said. “Because there’s a longer perspective, there’s more chance for something really big to happen.”
The researchers said climate variability, particularly the multidecade changes in the North Atlantic’s surface temperature, has played a big part in flooding over the centuries. However, they said, changes in such cycles would predict a much smaller increase than has occurred since 1800.
“The other likely culprit is something we’ve done to the river or basin,” Munoz said. The Mississippi River Basin drains all or part of 31 states and two Canadian provinces.
“Their palaeoflood record is compelling. ... And if the authors are correct, and collective efforts to subdue the Mississippi have inadvertently pushed it to rise higher than ever, then the time might have come to consider loosening its restraints,” Scott St. George of the University of Minnesota wrote in a companion commentary.
However, he wrote, he thinks climate change could be the main driver behind the increased flooding. To test that, more work like Munoz’s is needed along the upper Mississippi and its main tributaries, he said.
Munoz said he and his colleagues are working on such studies.
“We have records we’re working on now from the Missouri River, the Ohio River and the Arkansas River — the big tributaries of the Mississippi. ... We’re also doing this in the Houston area to put Hurricane Harvey into context,” Munoz said.
Such work isn’t possible on the upper Mississippi, where locks and dams have permanently submerged oxbow lakes, he said.
Upmanu Lall, director of the Columbia Water Center at Columbia University, said the work linking “floodiness” to climate cycles over five centuries is exciting.
But the argument about river engineering as the main driver is weak, Lall said. For one thing, he said, recent floods have included some very low as well as very high floods, but small floods probably didn’t leave sediment or tree ring records. The recent flood analysis also doesn’t offer any formal analysis of likely causes and ignores whether increased rainfall or changes in the landscape, such as Midwestern farm drainage, might be among them, he said.
Nicholas Pinter of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale said the study confirms and underscores what he described as extensive work he and others have done about flood frequency and magnitude over the last 100 to 150 years, and modeling studies looking forward.
It’s particularly notable that the study found large increases “along a stretch of the Mississippi that previous research has among the LEAST impacts of river engineering on flood levels,” he wrote in an email. “If the same research had been completed on the Middle Mississippi, the Lower Missouri, or parts of the Upper Mississippi, the increases in flood magnitudes and frequencies would have been MUCH greater.”
Munoz studied three oxbow lakes: Lake Mary, west of Woodville, Mississippi; False River Lake, northwest of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Lake St. John, in Louisiana about north-northwest of Natchez, Mississippi.
The scientists also used tree-ring data from a 2015 study by University of Alabama scientist Matthew Therrell, including three floods not described in that report.

Radio logs for April 5

Thu, 04/05/2018 - 11:22am

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, April 4

7:59 a.m. 800 block of Victor II Boulevard; Officer stand by.

8:02 a.m. 800 block of Sycamore Street; 911 hang up.

8:44 a.m. 200 block of Freret Street; Complaint.

9:12 a.m. 2400 block of Apple Street; Complaint.

9:49 a.m. 1200 block of Brashear Avenue; Complaint.

10:23 a.m. 7500 block of La. 182; Disturbance.

11:20 a.m. 2400 block of Maple Street; Disturbance.

1:20 p.m. Berwick; Assistance.

2:18 p.m. 1300 block of Oil Tank Alley; Search warrant.

3:40 p.m. 1400 block of Railroad Avenue; Disturbance.

4:21 p.m. 1900 block of Elm Street; Crash.

6:42 p.m. 3100 block of Diane Drive; Animal complaint.

7:36 p.m. Bush Street and Federal Avenue; Animal Complaint.

8:53 p.m. 600 block of Terrebonne Street; Removal of subject.

10:14 p.m. 100 block of Headland Street; Complaint.

11:05 p.m. 800 block of Brashear Avenue; Building check.

11:13 p.m. Barrow and Front streets; Suspicious person.

Thursday, April 5

3:04 a.m. 500 block of First Street; Building check.

3:05 a.m. 1000 block of Marguerite Street; Building check.

3:09 a.m. 900 block of Seventh Street; Building check.

3:31 a.m. 800 block of North Everett Street; Medical emergency.

Kiwanians recognize terrific kids

Thu, 04/05/2018 - 11:18am

Submitted Photo
Kiwanis Club of East St. Mary celebrated Terrific Kids and Bugs for the third nine weeks at J.S. Aucoin Elementary. The Kiwanians in the photo are, from left: Cal Carrier, Jodi Grizzaffi, Blane Aucoin and Susan Aucoin. 

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