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Police: Woman stole $1,300 worth of items

Thu, 01/11/2018 - 11:26am

Staff Report

A 28-year-old Morgan City woman has been accused of stealing items worth over $1,300 during a December incident, Morgan City Police Chief James Blair said in a news release.

—Shuna Robertson, 28, of Patton Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 4:27 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of disturbing the peace by fighting and on warrants charging her with theft $1,000 to $5,000 and criminal damage to property

—Colbianta F. Spain, 17, of Chennault Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 4:27 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of disturbing the peace by fighting.

Patrol officers responded to a home in the area of Patton Street in regard to a disturbance. Officers arrived, and Spain and Robertson were identified as being involved, Blair said.

Spain and Robertson were involved in a fist fight, Blair said. Robertson was found to hold active warrants through the Morgan City Police.

The warrants stem from a Dec. 22, 2017, incident when officers responded to a home in the area of 11th Street in regard to a theft.

Robertson allegedly took items valued at $1,314 belonging to the victim, Blair said. Robertson also allegedly damaged property belonging to the victim. The investigation continued and warrants were prepared for Robertson’s arrest. Spain and Robertson were both jailed.

Blair reported responding to 20 calls and reported the following arrests:

—Duane K. Shaffer, 53, of Maryland Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 1:33 a.m. Wednesday on a charge of disturbing the peace intoxicated.

Patrol officers responded to a home on Maryland Street in regard to a disturbance. Officers arrived, and Shaffer was identified as one of the people involved. Shaffer was in an intoxicated state, Blair said. Shaffer was jailed.

—Benjamin Cheramie, 47, of Franklin Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:36 p.m. Wednesday on charges of unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling and resisting an officer.

Patrol officers responded to a home in the area of Fig Street in regard to an unknown person inside the home. Officers arrived, and the victim said when they awoke they found a man sleeping on the sofa, Blair said.

Officers located Cheramie in the home. Cheramie was arrested and when being taken into custody resisted officers. Cheramie was jailed.

—Brad J. Derouen, 27, of South Road in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:43 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant charging him with probation violation.

Derouen was located and arrested at the Patterson Police Department on a Morgan City Court warrant. Derouen was jailed.

—Wedell Charles, 66, of Everett Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:57 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of marijuana and violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance law-drug-free zone.

—Jerry Charles Jr., 52, of Mike Drive in Patterson, was arrested at 12:57 p.m. Wednesday on charges of distribution of marijuana, violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance-drug-free zone and transaction involving proceeds from drug activity.

Patrol officers observed two men conduct a hand to hand transaction in the area of Fifth Street. Officers located the two men and identified them as Wedell Charles and Jerry Charles Jr., Blair said.

Wedell Charles admitted to purchasing marijuana from Jerry Charles Jr., Blair said. The suspected marijuana was recovered from Wedell Charles. Jerry Charles was in possession of cash believed to be derived from illicit sales of narcotics, Blair said. The incident took place in a drug-free zone. Both men were jailed.

—Ashley Bourgois, 31, of Three B’s Lane in Patterson, was arrested at 5:21 a.m. Thursday on charges of disturbing the peace intoxicated and obscenity.

Patrol officers responded to the area of Allison Street in regard to a suspicious person. Officers arrived, and Bourgois was identified, Blair said. Bourgois was in an intoxicated state and exposed herself and made sexual advances to the officer, Blair said. Bourgois was jailed.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Scott Anslum reported the following arrests relating to east St. Mary Parish:

—Myron Bourque, 57, of Two Sisters Court in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 10:24 p.m. Wednesday on charges of disturbing the peace fighting and disturbing the peace by using offensive language.

—Frank Keller Jr., 30, of Two Sisters Court in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 10:24 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of disturbing the peace fighting.

—Beth Bourque, 55, of Two Sisters Court in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 10:45 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of disturbing the peace fighting and disturbing the peace by using offensive language.

A deputy responded to a call for service regarding a fight in progress in the street on Two Sisters Court in Bayou Vista. The deputy spoke with the people involved as well as multiple witnesses and found that Myron Bourque, Beth Bourque and Keller engaged in a physical altercation, Anslum said.

The deputy also collected evidence that Myron Bourque and Beth Bourque yelled racial slurs during an argument that preceded the fight, Anslum said. Myron Bourque was jailed and then released on $2,000 bail. Beth Bourque and Keller were released on summonses to appear in court April 2.

—Brandon Mayon, 28, of Gerald Street in Pierre Part, was arrested at 11:27 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of simple assault.

A deputy working a separate complaint at Teche Regional Medical Center in Morgan City observed Mayon enter the emergency room lobby and make verbal threats to another man, Anslum said. Mayon was jailed and then released on $1,000 bail.

—Jaquisha Singleton, 24, of Old U.S. 51 in Amite, was arrested at 5:06 p.m. Wednesday on charges of window tint violation, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The detectives with the K-9 unit was traveling on U.S. 90 in the Patterson area when he observed a vehicle with dark tinted windows suspected of obstructing the driver’s clear view of the roadway and surroundings. The detective conducted a traffic stop and identified the driver as Singleton.

While speaking with Singleton, the deputy received consent to search the vehicle and located a glass jar containing marijuana, a marijuana cigar and cigar wrappers, Anslum said. Singleton was jailed and then released on $3,750 bail.

—A juvenile male, 14, of Patterson, was arrested at 1:58 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of possession of clonazepam with the intent to distribute and distribution of a controlled dangerous substance.

A school resource officer investigated a report of clonazepam pills being located at Patterson High School. The school resource officer collected evidence that a student brought pills to school and gave them to two other students, Anslum said. The juvenile was released to a guardian pending juvenile court proceedings. The case remains under investigation.

—Lisa Businelle, 54, of Universe Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 8:34 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

—Milton Perry, 50, of Jupiter Street in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 8:34 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Deputies responded to a call for service about a possible disturbance in progress at a home on Universe Road in Bayou Vista. Deputies made contact with Businelle and Perry in the garage of the home and smelled the strong odor of marijuana, Anslum said.

During the subsequent investigation, deputies located a bag of marijuana, a water pipe used for smoking marijuana, and other items of drug paraphernalia in the garage, Anslum said. Businelle and Perry were released on summonses to appear in court April 2.

—Lacey Yates, 34, of Jupiter Street in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 12:12 a.m. Wednesday on a warrant for failure to appear on charges of improper lane usage and failure to honor written promise to appear.

A deputy investigating a separate complaint came into contact with Yates and located the active warrant for arrest. Yates was taken into custody on Riverview Drive in Patterson and jailed with bail set at $500.

—Michael Morris, 19, of Franklin, was additionally charged at 8:25 a.m. Tuesday with simple battery.

—Roderick Hunter, 26, of Berwick, was additionally charged at 8:25 a.m. Tuesday with simple battery.

—Jeremy Butler, 30, of Charenton, was additionally charged at 8:25 a.m. Tuesday with simple battery.

—Richard Barrick III, 36, of Bayou Vista, was additionally charged at 8:25 a.m. Tuesday with simple battery.

Correctional deputies investigating a disturbance in a dorm at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center found that Morris, Hunter, Butler and Barrick struck another inmate, Anslum said. All four of the inmates charged remain incarcerated.

Patterson Police made the following arrests:

—Lovana M. Burrell, 29, of West Ibert Street in Franklin, was arrested at 5:16 p.m. Dec. 28 on a charge of disturbing the peace. Burrell was released on a summons to appear in court.

—Amon Deshawn Solone, 29, of St. Lucy Street in Patterson, was arrested at 10:04 a.m. Dec. 31 on a warrant for failure to appear for no driver’s license on person. Solone posted $464 cash bail.

—Ronald Johnson Jr., 27, of Plum Street in Patterson, was arrested at 7:06 p.m. Dec. 31 on a charge of remaining where forbidden. Johnson posted $500 bail.

—Lemarcus Jennings, 31, of Gail Drive in Patterson, was arrested at 8:06 p.m. Dec. 31 on a charge of discharging fireworks in the city limits and resisting an officer by failure to comply. Jennings posted cash bail.

—Shawn M. Welsh, 47, of Gabriel Street in Patterson, was arrested at 7:53 p.m. Jan. 3 on a charge of disturbing the peace intoxicated.

—Shamus M. Dardeau, 42, of Clark Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 8:39 a.m. Jan. 4 on a charge of theft by shoplifting.

—Shaquita M. Granger, 19, of Wren Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:47 a.m. Jan. 5 on a charge of remaining where forbidden. She was released on a summons to appear in court.

—James Thomas Vincent, 36, of Seventh Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 1:42 p.m. Jan. 8 on a charge of no driver’s license. Vincent posted $313 cash bail.

—Johnathan K. Perry, 33, of N Street in Patterson, was arrested at 4:28 p.m. Monday on charges of two counts for failure to appear in court.

—Chane Favors, 42, of Plum Street in Patterson, was arrested at 1:11 a.m. Tuesday on a charge of disturbing the peace intoxicated.

—Geavanna Riles, 28, of First Street in Patterson, was arrested at 7:08 a.m. Wednesday on a 16th Judicial District Court warrant for criminal damage to property over $500. Riles posted $1,500 bail.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrest:

—Stanley Ruffin Sr., 50, of Second Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:53 p.m. Wednesday on charges of driving under suspension and two taillights required. Ruffin posted $1,250 bail.

More fog on Berwick Bay

Thu, 01/11/2018 - 11:12am

Wednesday's fog, which returned even thicker Thursday morning, made Berwick Bay look like something in a Sherlock Holmes story. But there's not much mystery about what the weather will be this weekend. Lows are expected to be at or below freezing here Saturday through Monday.

The Daily Review/Bill Decker

From the Editor: Study ranks St. Mary among 'distressed' areas

Thu, 01/11/2018 - 11:09am

By BILL DECKER bdecker@daily-review.com

bdecker@daily-review.com

For more than three years, St. Mary has blamed an economic downturn on a prolonged slump in oil prices dating to autumn 2014. Depressed energy prices eliminated about one St. Mary job in every five and reduced collections from the sales taxes that make local governments run.
But a report by an economic think tank suggests that rural communities beyond St. Mary, beyond the oil patch and even beyond Louisiana face other kinds of struggles.
The report is the Distressed Communities Index compiled by the Economic Innovation Group, which describes itself as “a bipartisan public policy organization, founded in 2013, combining innovative research and data-driven advocacy to address America’s most pressing economic challenges.”
The report looks at economic and social factors in the nation’s counties and 26,000 ZIP codes, basing its work on U.S. Census Bureau data. The report gives each ZIP code a “distress score” and a “distress ranking” and divides them into fifths, or quintiles. The bottom one-fifth contains the communities that the group characterizes as distressed.
“These 5,225 zip codes are the places that have fallen through the cracks of the U.S. economy,” the report says. All St. Mary ZIP codes are in that bottom fifth.
“… The U.S. economy contains a diverse and fragmented landscape of economic well-being —one in which many communities are flourishing, while far too many are left behind,” the report’s introduction says.
And, later: “This report intends to bring renewed attention to those forgotten places and people.”

Beyond the oil patch
The Census Bureau data are averages from 2011-15, a period that covers only about the first third of the drop in oil prices into the $30-$40 per barrel range. Prices stabilized in the $50-$60 range late in 2017, but recovery has been slow.
ZIP codes far outside traditional energy-producing areas like Louisiana are struggling by the Economic Innovation Group’s standards. Most of the distressed ZIPs are concentrated in the Southeast, stretching upward along the Mississippi River and into Appalachia.
The group itself found the underlying causes difficult to characterize. Utah, New Hampshire, Minnesota, North Dakota and Colorado were the states with large concentrations of relatively prosperous ZIPs to distressed ZIPS. Mississippi, West Virginia, Arizona, the District of Columbia, Indiana, North Carolina and Ohio had high concentrations of distressed communities.
In Louisiana, about 30 percent of the people live in distressed communities, according to the report. Across the Southeast, about 23 percent of people live in those communities. For the nation, the figure is 15 percent.
Many of the distressed ZIPs have relatively large minority populations, but others are almost exclusively white. The southern states with large distressed communities are largely red states, but the distribution defies political labels.
Money
According to the report’s data, all St. Mary communities except Berwick lost employer businesses 2011-15, while the total number of U.S. employers grew by 4.2 percent.
Employment fell significantly in Patterson and Berwick, and rose slightly in Morgan City and Franklin, while U.S. employment grew by 9 percent.
The number of adults not working and the poverty rate were higher here than across the country, median household incomes were generally lower in St. Mary than in the United States as a whole.
Morgan City and Franklin both had relatively high housing vacancy rates, compared with the nation’s.
Education is widely considered to be a remedy for economic ills, and St. Mary has managed to put together a good school system, ranking near the top third of the state’s districts in accountability scores. That’s despite the fact that a large proportion of low-income students — 70 percent — presents obstacles to achievement.
Even with the good schools, the percentage of St. Mary’s over-25 population without high school diplomas is often twice the nation’s 13.3 percent rate. Many more have only a high school diploma.
Lack of post-secondary education is rapidly becoming a difficult economic obstacle to overcome.
In 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median weekly earnings for all workers was $885. The median for holders of bachelor degrees was $1,156, and for those with two-year degrees, $819.
For those with just a high school diploma, the median weekly wage was $692. And for those who didn’t complete high school, the median earnings were $504.

Health
The ramifications go beyond money. A struggling economy can be hazardous to your health.
The Economic Innovation Group’s data say that the life expectancy in distressed communities is five years shorter than in the rest of the nation. Mortality rates are 25 percent higher in distressed counties, and for cancer, pregnancy complications, suicide and violence are even higher.
One result is that the nation spends significantly more on Medicaid in those distressed areas despite the less favorable outcomes, the report said.
The nation’s distressed ZIP codes have 30 million fewer people than the top fifth in the rankings, but the distressed ZIPs have three times as many people on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as food stamps.
In summing up, the report says much of the nation hasn’t experienced a deep, sustained recovery since the Great Recession of 2008-09.
“It is fair to wonder,” the report’s conclusion says, “whether a recovery that excludes tens of millions of Americans and thousands of communities deserves to be called a recovery at all.”
Bill Decker is managing editor of The Daily Review. Reach him at bdecker@daily-review.com.

Possible foes sizing up JBE in advance of 2019 election

Thu, 01/11/2018 - 11:06am

BATON ROUGE (AP) — Nearly two years before Louisiana’s next election for governor, possible Republican contenders already are sizing up the race, hoping they can keep Democrat John Bel Edwards from a second term.
U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, a popular statewide official only a year into his current position, said he’s considering a bid to be governor, but has no timetable for making the call. U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham, who represents a northeast-based district, is openly studying a gubernatorial campaign, traveling to the state capitol last week to talk with possible supporters.
“I’m thinking about it,” Kennedy said in an interview. “I will run if it feels right to me, if it’s something I want to do and if I can really affect some changes to make Louisiana a better place to live and raise a family, not all in that order.”
Like most other potential candidates, Abraham said people “from all over the state” are encouraging him to step into the competition. He expects to make a decision by mid-year.
“I haven’t asked for any specific support yet from anybody. We are in the gathering of information mode,” Abraham said during his Baton Rouge visit.
The list doesn’t stop there.
Attorney General Jeff Landry, state Sen. Sharon Hewitt and Stephen Waguespack, president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, also are considered possible contenders in what could become a crowded competition. U.S. Rep. Garret Graves is mentioned as well, though the congressman from Baton Rouge has said that’s “not on our radar.”
Some Republicans hope U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise will consider leaving his job as the House’s third-ranking Republican to come home to the governor’s seat.
When asked, Scalise laughed and replied: “No, it’s not something that I’m interested in right now.” But when pressed, he didn’t entirely close the door.
“I decided years ago that I would not speculate about what’s going to happen tomorrow,” said the congressman, who continues to recover from last June’s shooting at a baseball practice.
Edwards will be a formidable opponent in the October 2019 election. After two years in office, the governor’s approval numbers remain high with voters.
He’s expected to have at least $5 million in his campaign account when he files the latest figures next month.
The governor hasn’t talked directly about possible challengers he’ll face. But he touts his performance, citing Louisiana’s shrinking unemployment rate, increased enrollment in the Medicaid expansion and avoidance of a midyear deficit for the first time in years.
Asked recently about a recent round of strong poll numbers, Edwards responded: “It kind of reaffirms that the people of Louisiana appreciate the moderate, balanced approach we’ve taken to solving the challenges here.”
Edwards, however, is also the only Democratic governor in the Deep South and in a state where every other statewide elected official is Republican, making him a target for the GOP nationally.
He’s struggled to work with the majority-Republican state House, and that partisan divide has caused Louisiana’s budget problems to linger, creating continued financial uncertainty.
Abraham said people who have reached out to him are “tired of the bitterness.”
“We’ve got to get better. If it takes someone like me, then so be it,” he said.
Hewitt said she would bring her “problem-solving” engineering background if she decides to run and a long-term vision she said she hasn’t seen from Edwards.
Whether Republicans can cull the list of potential contenders to unite behind a main challenger remains uncertain — and that could help Edwards.
Kennedy said he’s “really busy in Washington” and who’s in the race won’t factor into his decision-making.
“If I decide to run, I’ll run. I don’t care who else is in the race,” Kennedy said, noting his Senate election had two dozen candidates.
“Folks say I need to decide early. Well, no, I don’t.”

CAROL J. JONES

Thu, 01/11/2018 - 10:52am

Carol Jennings Jones, 66, a native and resident of Patterson, died Monday, Jan. 1, 2018, at Patterson Healthcare.
Visitation will be Friday from noon until services at 2 p.m. at New Salem Baptist Church in Patterson. Burial will follow in Willing Workers Cemetery in Patterson.
She is survived by her husband, Larry Jones Sr.; three sons, Larry Jones Jr., Edward Jones and Troy Jones, all of Patterson; two daughters, Andrea Williams of Morgan City and Ashley Jones of Patterson; one sister, Betty Paul of Morgan City; 17 grandchildren; and a host of other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters.

CARRIE PITTS

Thu, 01/11/2018 - 10:50am

Carrie Pitts, age 72, of Patterson, passed away at 9:07 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018, at her residence.
Jones Funeral Home of Morgan City, Franklin, Jeanerette and Houma is in charge of arrangements.

Hornets beat S. Terrebonne

Thu, 01/11/2018 - 10:21am

BOURG _ Isreal Washington and Josh Parker combined for 35 points, leading the Franklin Hornets to a 63-55 non-district victory over the South Terrebonne Gators here Wednesday.
Both teams played to a 13-13 knot in the opening quarter before Franklin went on a 14-9 run in the second quarter for a 27-22 lead at intermission. Franklin rallied for a 43-37 cushion at the end of three quarters thanks to a 16-15 run. Franklin outpointed South Terrebonne 20-18 in the final period on the way to the 63-55 victory.
Washington led Franklin in scoring with nine deuces and 1 of 4 charity shots for 19 points. Parker poured in 16 points on one trey, three deuces and 7 of 10 free throws.
Other top scorers for Franklin were: Jabari Daye, 8; Brayden Ward, 7; ZyQuan Webber, 6; Jarius Boyd, 5 and Gharin Stansbury, 2.
D. Miller led South Terrebonne with 12 points.

Lady Gators win 69-9 over FSHS

Thu, 01/11/2018 - 10:21am

BOURG _ Chloe Fleming and Beth LeBlanc scored in double digits lifting the South Terrebonne Lady Gators to a 69-9 win over the Franklin Lady Hornets in non-district action.
Fleming scored 19 points while Beth LeBlanc added 15 points to led the Lady Gators.
South Terrebonne secured a 16-4 first quarter lead before earning a 41-10 halftime cushion. The Lady Gator held a 51-8 lead at the end of three quarters before icing away the 69-9 victory over Franklin.
Jazmin Brent led the Lady Hornets with three points on one field goal and 1 of 4 free throws. Sta’Trail Butler and A’aliyah Smith each had two points apiece while A’Jontae McDaniel and Kristen Perri finished with one point each.
Franklin will travel to face Ascension Episcopal on Friday in District 7-2A action.

Police Reports 1-11-18

Thu, 01/11/2018 - 10:17am

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Scott Anslum reported the following arrests:
Lisa Businelle, 54, of 227 Universe Road, Bayou Vista, was arrested Tuesday at 8:34 p.m. on charges of possession of Schedule I marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Milton Perry, 50, of 190 Jupiter St., Bayou Vista, was arrested Tuesday at 8:34 p.m. on charges of possession of Schedule I marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Deputies responded to a call for service about a possible disturbance in progress at a residence on Universe Road, in Bayou Vista. Deputies made contact with Businelle and Perry in the garage of the residence and smelled the strong odor of marijuana. During the subsequent investigation, deputies located a bag of marijuana, a water pipe used for smoking marijuana, and other items of drug paraphernalia in the garage. Businelle and Perry were released on summonses.
Lacey Yates, 34, of 150 Jupiter St., Bayou Vista, was arrested Wednesday at 12:12 a.m. on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of improper lane usage and failure to honor written promise to appear.
A deputy investigating a separate complaint came into contact with Yates and located the active warrant for her arrest. Yates was taken into custody on Riverview Drive in Patterson and transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Bail is set at $500.
Michael Morris, 19, of Franklin, was additionally charged Tuesday at 8:25 a.m. with simple battery.
Roderick Hunter, 26, of Berwick, was additionally charged Tuesday at 8:25 a.m. with simple battery.
Jeremy Butler, 30, of Charenton, LA was additionally charged Tuesday at 8:25 a.m. with simple battery.
Richard Barrick III, 36, of Bayou Vista, was additionally charged Tuesday at 8:25 a.m. with simple battery.
Correctional deputies investigating a disturbance in a dorm at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center found that Morris, Hunter, Butler, and Barrick struck another inmate. All four of the inmates charged remain incarcerated.
Daniel Robertson, 33, of 258 Jones Road #1, Jeanerette, was arrested Wednesday at 7:43 a.m. on the charge of domestic abuse battery.
A deputy was dispatched to a report of a disturbance in progress at a residence in Jeanerette. While speaking with the subjects involved, the deputy found evidence that Robertson struck a female victim in the face during an argument between the two. Robertson was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Robertson was released on a $2,500 bond.
Myron Bourque, 57, of 134 Two Sisters Court, Bayou Vista, was arrested Wednesday at 10:24 p.m. on charges of disturbing the peace fighting and disturbing the peace offensive language.
Frank Keller Jr., 30, of 133 Two Sisters Court, Bayou Vista, was arrested Wednesday at 10:24 p.m. on the charge of disturbing the peace fighting.
Beth Bourque, 55, of 134 Two Sisters Court, Bayou Vista, was arrested Wednesday at 10:45 p.m. on charges of disturbing the peace fighting and disturbing the peace offensive language.
A deputy responded to a call for service regarding a fight in progress in the street on Two Sisters Court in Bayou Vista. The deputy spoke with the subjects involved as well as multiple witnesses and found that M. Bourque, B. Bourque, and Keller engaged in a physical altercation. The deputy also collected evidence that M. Bourque and B. Bourque yelled racial slurs during an argument that preceded the fight. M. Bourque was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. He was released on a $2,000 bond. B. Bourque and Keller were released on summonses.
Brandon Mayon, 28, of 138 Gerald St., Pierre Part, was arrested Wednesday at 11:27 p.m. on the charge of simple assault.
A deputy working a separate complaint at Teche Regional Medical Center in Morgan City observed Mayon enter the emergency room lobby and make verbal threats to a male victim. The deputy transported Mayon to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Mayon was released on a $1,000 bond.
Jaquisha Singleton, 24, of 56207 Old US 51, Amite, was arrested Wednesday at 5:06 p.m. on charges of window tint violation, possession of Schedule I marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The detective with the K-9 Unit was traveling on US 90 in the Patterson area when he observed a vehicle with dark tinted windows suspected of obstructing the driver’s clear view of the roadway and surroundings. The detective conducted a traffic stop and identified the driver as Singleton. While speaking with Singleton, the deputy received consent to search the vehicle and located a glass jar containing marijuana, a marijuana cigar, and cigar wrappers. Singleton was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Singleton was released on a $3,750 bond.
Juvenile male, 14, of Patterson, was arrested Wednesday at 1:58 p.m. on charges of possession of Schedule IV clonazepam with intent to distribute and distribution of a controlled dangerous substance.
A school resource officer investigated a report of clonazepam pills being located at Patterson High School. The school resource officer collected evidence that a student brought pills to school and gave them to two other students. The juvenile was released to a guardian pending juvenile court proceedings. The case remains under investigation.

Amendments to fireworks code may be considered

Thu, 01/11/2018 - 10:16am

Parish council members discussed amending the ordinance regulating fireworks in St. Mary Parish at Wednesday’s regular meeting.
Councilman Glenn Hidalgo placed an agenda item to discuss and revise the existing ordinance that allows fireworks in the unincorporated areas of the parish at certain times. That ordinance does not pertain to municipal areas.
Hidalgo said he’s had noise complaints over the recent holidays. “We all knew when we put this in place that we’d have to do some tweaking to it,” he said. “I’d like some discussion on what needs to be tweaked.”
He said he’s not against fireworks, but said the window for fireworks use is Dec. 15 – Jan. 2 and “is too long a period without a break…there’s serious booming going on all hours of the night and it’s supposed to stop at 10 (p.m.) but it doesn’t. Some of it’s an enforcement issue, but I think if we cut it down to just a few days instead of a few weeks, that would help.”
An information sheet that would be distributed with fireworks sales would also be helpful to inform the public of the law, Hidalgo said.
“Bayou Vista is a tight neighborhood and subdivision,” Hidalgo said. “If we go by the ordinance, which is (no fireworks) a thousand feet from churches, community centers and the place that is selling the fireworks, if you go a thousand feet four ways that doesn’t leave much place left in Bayou Vista.”
Bayou Vista Volunteer Fire Department Chief Eric W. Hofsommer said, “I’m thinking that the time frames to sell and discharge fireworks, I don’t know why people need to discharge during the middle of the day. We did not have any calls on fireworks in the Bayou Vista area. I did hear people complaining throughout the community. If they cut it down like four days, two days before and two days after the event…we don’t need weeks of it.”
Fireworks are allowed from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. Christmas, New Year’s and Fourth of July nights.
Councilman Gabriel Beadle said people should also realize that they are liable if fireworks cause a fire on other persons’ property. He also agreed with an information sheet and change of days and hours.
The sheriff’s department has been giving warnings but no tickets, Hidalgo said, since the ordinance is relatively new.
There were 22 complaints, last year legal counsel Eric Duplantis mentioned, and only half of those were able to be located.
Hidalgo proposed allowing fireworks Dec. 23 - 25 and Dec. 30 - Jan. 2.
Councilman Craig Mathews asked if those rules would apply to sales of fireworks; Beadle suggested allowing sales two days before the holiday or event.
Councilman Paul Naquin said that a term of July 3-5 for Independence Day fireworks and Jan. 30-2 may inconvenience persons who must work the next day.
The council agreed to further discuss details and consider amendments to the ordinance at a later date.
Also Wednesday:
—Resolutions of respect were approved in memory of Wayne Stevens, Leon Kahn and Joseph Peter “JP” Morella.
—An ordinance was adopted allowing a servitude and right-of-way agreement between Water and Sewer Dist. 2, the Town of Berwick, the City of Patterson and parish government.
—Bonita Peltier was appointed to the Recreation Dist. 7 board; Roy Mitchell, Celitha Parker and Granderson Hamilton were reappointed to the St. Joseph Park advisory committee; and Bonnes Joseph Guidry was reappointed to the Recreation Dist. 7 board.