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School Board hears audit report, raises members' pay

Tue, 01/14/2025 - 9:46am

BILL DECKER

CENTERVILLE — The St . Mary Parish School Board got good grades on its 2024 financial audit, passing tests for its internal controls.
Board members also improved their financial condition a bit at Thursday’s meeting, voting to raise members’ pay.
The audit by Darnall Sikes & Frederick showed that the school system had about $140 million in revenue in the year ending June 30, 2024, compared to $135.4 million in spending.
The board ended the year with an accumulated fund balance of $68.5 million.
The biggest single source of revenue is $56.2 million in state funding. Locally generated sales and property taxes account for another $37.9 million.
Instruction accounted for about $61.4 million in spending. Support services cost about $49.3 million.
The auditors suggested the hiring of a purchasing agent, and the School Board has already begun advertising for the position.
Also Thursday:
•The board voted 9-2 to raise members’ monthly pay to $800 per month from $600. Alaina Black of Morgan City, who was re-elected to the board presidency at Thursday’s meeting, gets a raise to $900 per month from $700.
Board member Marilyn LaSalle of Patterson had moved to raise the pay, arguing that St. Mary board members make less than is typical for school boards around the state.
Voting for the raise were Black, LaSalle, Ginger Griffin of Patterson, Rhonda Dennis of Morgan City, Guienzy Brent and Debra Jones of Franklin, Lawrence Guillory of Centerville, Lindsey Anslem of Bayou Vista and Tammie Moore of Jeanerette. Voting against the raise were Chad Paradee of Berwick and Andrew Mancuso of Morgan City.
The raise will take effect immediately.
•The board recognized achievements by students and teachers.
The Students of the Month are eighth-grader Aalise Egleston of B.E. Boudreaux Middle School, senior Rlyee Nguyen of Berwick High, senior A’Larryen Fuselier of Franklin Senior High and fifth-grader Cataleya Mitchell of Raintree Elementary.
The Employees of the Month are teachers Michelle Colley of B.E. Boudreaux, Camille Izaguirre of Berwick High, Michele Sigur of Franklin Senior High and Kim Mire of Raintree.
Jimmy Gibson of B. Edward Boudreaux Middle School is the Support Staff Person of the Year. The School Health Provider of the Year is Ricardo Rosado of the Office of Special Services.
The High School Student of the Year is A’Larryen Fuselier of Franklin Senior High.
Kelly Sumrall of Berwick Junior High is District Teacher of the Year. And Debbie Domingue of Berwick Elementary is Principal of the Year.
•Insurance consultant James Perez said the health of the school system’s employee insurance coverage bounced back in 2024.
In 2023, claims exceeded the amount paid in premiums for Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage by more than $700,000. In 2024, premiums exceeded claims by more than $1 million.
That’s why, Perez said, the district was able to renew coverage with Blue Cross with a premium increase of only 2.4%.
But one portion of prescription drug coverage continues to raise warning flags.
The class of drugs known as GLP-1 medication, the best known of which is Ozempic, accounted for $835,000 in claims in 2023. In 2024, that amount rose to nearly $1.4 million.
The drugs are used to treat Type 2 diabetes and to promote weight loss.
•The board voted to continue having its regular monthly meetings at 5:30 p.m. each second Thursday.

Parish will require training for board members

Tue, 01/14/2025 - 9:41am

Staff Report

Staff report
The St. Mary Parish Council passed an ordinance Jan. 8 requiring training for members of boards and commissions that provide vital services across the parish.
The council also sent a complicated request back to the Planning and Zoning Commission and honored a longtime St. Mary physician who died recently.
And the council voted to keep the members who have led the council for the last year in their leadership positions.
The council voted for Gwendolyn Hidalgo of Bayou Vista to be the chairperson for another year and for Dr. Kristi Prejeant Rink of Centerville to be vice chair.
The parish charter limits the two leadership posts to members elected from the three at-large council districts, whose representatives are chosen by a parishwide vote.
Hidalgo was elected from District 10, Rink from District 9. The third at-large member, Dean Adams of Morgan City representing District 11, voted for his two colleagues.
Also Jan. 8:
•The newly passed ordinance will require “at least four (4) hours of training regarding duties, responsibilities, ethics, substance of their positions, and Roberts Rules of Order for conducting meetings.”
The training must occur before assuming board positions or within six months of taking office using programs established by the boards.
The training may be either in-person or online.
The boards and commissions — 51 of them, or one for every 960 St. Mary residents if advisory boards are included — provide a variety of essential public services. Those include fire protection, flood control, drinkable water, sewer service and recreation centers.
Three members were absent from Wednesday’s meeting, including J Ina of Franklin, who introduced the training requirement. All eight present council members voted for the ordinance.
•Randy Tisdale had asked for an exception to rules forbidding residential land use in industrial areas, like the Amelia-area tract where he hopes to place a mobile home.
He had lived there but moved, giving up a grandfather exemption to the ban on residential, all while maintaining utility service on the property.
The Planning & Zoning Commission had recommended granting the variance. But Councilman Mark Duhon argued against it, saying the parish policy is not to allow residential use in industrial areas.
Four council members voted to deny the request, and one voted against the denial. But with the three absences and three abstentions, the denial fell short of the six-vote majority required on the 11-member council.
Members voted to send the request back to the Planning & Zoning Commission for more consideration.
•The council passed a resolution of respect for Dr. Robert Blereau of Morgan City, who died Dec. 16 at age 88.
Adams described Blereau as “an old school doctor” and said “he was a great guy.”
Rink, also a physician, said she bought a building belonging to Blereau.
“This man was in his 70s and he was still delivering babies,” Rink said.
Councilman Patrick Hebert of Berwick said Blereau was his doctor for his whole life.
“He set a great example of what a person should be,” Hebert said.
•St. Mary Council on Aging Director Beverly Domengeaux gave her annual report to the council. She said the agency performed 70,000 instances of some form of service this year in St. Mary, including meal deliveries and transportation.
The council provides service to 582 people with 92 more on a waiting list.
The seniors’ biggest need is for someone to reach out, Domengeaux said.
“Your senior citizens need you,” she said. “They need personal contact.
“They don’t need fans and heaters. They appreciate them, but they’re lonely and they’re left alone.”

Agencies team up to fight K-12 truancy

Tue, 01/14/2025 - 9:40am

NOLAN McKENDRY, The Center Square

The Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is joining forces with the Louisiana Supreme Court and the governor's Office to tackle the growing issue of truancy and chronic absenteeism in the state's K-12 schools.
During its Jan. 10 meeting, BESE voted to organize a statewide summit that will bring together educators, judges, social workers, faith-based leaders, and other community stakeholders to address the root causes of student absenteeism.
Chief Justice John Weimer of the Louisiana Supreme Court joined BESE’s meeting to discuss how the education and judicial systems can collaborate to provide better support for families and schools. Insights from Chief Justice Weimer, along with other judicial leaders, shaped the board's decision to launch this initiative.
“There are both reactive and proactive ways to approach student attendance, and this joint effort reflects both,” said BESE President Ronnie Morris. “We know truancy is often linked to crime, and we must address its root causes with urgency. By working with the courts and community stakeholders, we aim to improve data reporting, identify solutions, and provide families with the support they need.”
Weimer echoed this sentiment, highlighting the judiciary's long-standing community efforts through programs like Families in Need of Services and Judges in the Classroom.
“If we don't address attendance issues early, we'll end up addressing the consequences of truancy in court. It's a cycle we must break,” Weimer said.
Chronic absenteeism has become a pressing issue in Louisiana, with a statewide truancy rate of 41.8% in the 2023-24 school year and students missing an average of 11.6 days. In Baton Rouge, the numbers are even more pronounced, with truancy rates hovering around 55%.
BESE and the Louisiana Department of Education have been working to combat the problem through various initiatives, including the Success Through Attendance Recovery Task Force.
The group, active throughout 2024, delivered a report last month with recommendations for improving attendance, such as creating standardized attendance data systems and reducing the number of excused absences allowed by parent notes.
Dr. Sharon Clark, the BESE District 2 Member and chair of the STAR Task Force, stressed the importance of accurate data in tackling the issue. “We can't solve the problem without consistent, reliable attendance data across all school systems,” she said.
The STAR Task Force’s report outlines steps to address absenteeism, including requiring schools to form teams dedicated to analyzing attendance data, establishing a standardized definition of chronic absenteeism as missing 10% or more of enrolled days, developing model programs in collaboration with juvenile court judges, limiting excused absences with parent notes to five per year, and expanding career exploration and extracurricular activities to improve student engagement.
This isn't BESE's first partnership with the judiciary. In 2021, BESE and the Louisiana Supreme Court expanded the Judges in the Classroom program, which fosters positive student interactions with the legal system. The upcoming summit builds on that collaboration, aiming for a comprehensive, statewide approach to improve attendance and student outcomes.
“Imagine if our truancy rate was 5% instead of 55%,” Morris said, urging stakeholders to envision the untapped potential in Louisianaâ€™s youth. “We owe it to our students, families, and communities to make this a reality.”

Wheel House for Jan. 15

Tue, 01/14/2025 - 9:39am

MARTIN LUTHER
KING JR. DAY
Celebration at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at Good Hope Baptist Church, 908 Washington St., Patterson. Speakers will be Courtney Long and Pastor Patrick T. Jones Sr. Presented by the Patterson Civic Organization.

CAROLYN SUE 'SUSIE' SANFORD

Tue, 01/14/2025 - 9:38am

Carolyn Sue “Susie” Sanford, 84, a resident of Morgan City, passed away peacefully, Friday, January 10, 2025, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.
Susie was born August 1, 1940, in Morgan City, the daughter of Frank Gaspar and Emmadell Belanger Gaspar.
Susie proudly served as a nurse, dedicating her life to caring for others, and bringing tenderness to every patient she treated. She was also a cherished member of the First Baptist Church; Susie’s faith was the cornerstone of her life, guiding her in all that she did.
Susie was passionate about cooking and gardening, using her talents to gather family and friends around her table for memorable meals and warm conversation. Her home was always filled with the rich aromas of her culinary creations and the vibrant colors of her flourishing gardens.
She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her five children, Jodi Sue Adams and husband Burt, Julie Metrejean and husband Nelson, Joe Gerald Sanford Jr. and wife Gina, John Frank Sanford, and Jason Elliott Sanford; thirteen grandchildren, Jessica Beadle and husband Gabe, Jordan Guidry and husband Jace, Colby Adams, Rachel Gollehon and Erin, Chelsea Lin and husband Jason, Kayla Folse and husband Jacob, Kristin Hickman and husband Richard, Carolyn Sanford, Mary Margaret Sanford, Josh Gerald Sanford, Frank Sanford, Abby Sanford, Alex Sanford; 11 great-grandchildren; sister, Frankie Regan.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Gerald Sanford Sr.; parents, Frank and Emmadell Gaspar; two daughters, Jena and Juana Sanford; grandson, Joseph Thomas Tobias; sister, Gaydel Simmons; two brothers, Randle Gaspar and Arthur Gaspar.
The family would like to give special thanks to Carolyn’s caregivers, Peggy LeBlanc, Gale Percle, Luz-Maria Sanchez, and Adrianne L. Henry, for all their great care and support over the years.
Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 13, 2025, at Twin City Funeral Home. Visitation was held Monday, January 13, 2025, at Twin City Funeral Home from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services. After services, Susie was laid to rest next to her husband, Joe, in Morgan City Cemetery.

Eagle Expo will return this February

Tue, 01/14/2025 - 9:36am

The 20th Annual Eagle Expo and More, scheduled for Feb. 20-22, in Morgan City, will feature presentations from wildlife and nature experts, a live raptor presentation, boat tours to view eagles and opportunities to meet fellow birders.
Heading into its 20th year, the Eagle Expo is a tribute to the return of the American bald eagle to Louisiana, which was removed from the endangered species list in June 2007.
Laws banning the use of harmful pesticides such as DDT and greater public awareness and education have increased the bald eagle population throughout Louisiana and the United States. Currently, there are nearly 300 active nests in Louisiana with a large concentration in the St. Mary and Terrebonne areas.
This year’s Expo will include a presentation by Animalogy sponsored by the Barataria Terrebonne National Estuary Program at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, at the Bayou Visita Community Center. This lively and informational presentation showcases a variety of wildlife for an interesting educational program.
Private schools, parochial schools and home-schooled students will have the opportunity to attend an Animalogy presentation at 10 a.m. Feb. 19 at the Patterson Area Civic Center. There is no charge to attend, but reservations are required.
Please contact info@cajuncoast.com or 985-380-8224 to place your reservation. Animology will also visit the following schools: Franklin Junior High, Morgan City Junior High, Berwick Junior High, and Patterson Junior High.
Tours to view eagles will take place Friday, Feb. 21, and Saturday, Feb. 22. Featured waterways include the Atchafalaya Basin, Bayou Black and Bayou Long.
Tours will be on Friday at 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., and on Saturday at 7 a.m., 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.. Each featured boat tour offers something different to attendees.
The Atchafalaya Basin Tour takes attendees into the largest overflow swamp in the U.S. with 10 distinct aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Home to over 170 bird species, 50 mammalian species, 40 reptilian, 20 amphibian species and 100 species of fin fish and shellfish, the basin offers more than just eagles.
The Bayou Black Tour meanders through old oil and gas canals. Birds of prey including bald eagles, ospreys and various species of hawks call this place home.
Other birds likely to be encountered include various species of ducks, wading birds and song bird species.
The Bayou Long Tour includes various waterways including Lake Verret, Bayou Magazille, Fourmile Bayou, Grassy Lake, Bayou Cherami, Bayou Milhomme and Lake Palourde.
On this tour, you will be able to view bald eagles and their nests, blue heron, great egret, belted kingfisher, white ibis and various species of birds.
A photography only boat tour in Bayou Black will also be offered on Friday, Feb. 21. Participants will be limited so photographers can walk around. There is no birding or photography leader on the boat, just an opportunity to have room to take photographs.
Three walking tours into the Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge are also being offered. The Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge in Franklin was established to provide critical habitat for the Louisiana black bear. The refuge provides a home for an abundance of wildlife including neotropical songbirds, wading birds, waterfowl, reptiles and amphibians. There is no cost.
Friday evening will feature a sunset social on the Morgan City wharf at 6:30 p.m. and a dinner at Bay City Bistro.
There will be a panel discussion by Lawrence Datnoff, Michele Giroir, and Kathy Rhodes, facilitated by Marybeth Lima on Saturday, Feb. 22.
Those who attend this panel will hear stories about birds seen and missed, favorite moments, inspirations and challenges, and reflections on birding and life during their Louisiana big year adventure.
Prices vary.
tors and Convention Bureau has partnered with the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program (BTNEP), LUMCON and the Louisiana Office of Tourism.
For a complete event schedule, costs, registration forms and listings of hotel rates, contact the Cajun Coast Visitors and Convention Bureau at 985-380-8224 or email info@cajuncoast.com. For tickets visit, CajunCoast.com/EagleExpo

Morgan City police report five drug arrests

Mon, 01/13/2025 - 3:57pm

Staff Report

(Editor’s note: The charges listed here and the narratives that go with them are provided by the police agencies that made the arrests. Guilt or innocence has not been determined in court.)

Morgan City police reported five arrests on drug charges over the last week.

Morgan City

Chief Chad M. Adams reported these arrests:

--Jesse Cephur Davis, 33, Duke Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:28 p.m. Jan. 8 on charges of possession of synthetic marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting an officer and failure to appear for arraignment (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Alfred Johnson, 59, Clayton Drive, Baton Rouge, was arrested at 9:01 p.m. Jan. 8 on charges of possession of oxycodone and improper lighting.

--Travis Boutain, 45, La. 308, Paincourtville, was arrested at 11:20 p.m. Sunday on a charge of possession of marijuana (first offense).

--Kane Benjamine Smith, 26, Evergreen Avenue, Bayou Vista, was arrested 2:12 a.m. Sunday on charges of possession of marijuana (first offense) and improper lighting. (Released on summons.)

--Georgiana Sweetser, 57, Seventh Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:20 p.m. Friday on a charge of allowing dogs to roam. (Released on summons.)

--Jorge Rodriguez, 24, Fandall Street, Gibson, was arrested at 8:06 p.m. Saturday on charges of driving under suspension and two counts of failure to appear for trial (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Don Michael Fryou, 36, Black Drive, Gibson, was arrested at 1 p.m. Sunday on a charge of failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Alvin Joseph Durapau, 36, Jupiter Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 5:17 p.m. Sunday on a charge of failure to appear for arraignment (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Brad Landry, 43, Louisa Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:11 p.m. Sunday on a charge of loud music. (Released on summons.)

--Blake J. McNemar, 35, Leona Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:25 p.m. Thursday on two counts of failure to appear for arraignment (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Brealin Francis, 20, First Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:35 a.m. Jan. 15 on a charge of theft (under $1,000).

--Ricky Anthony Dupre Jr., 45, Maple Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:39 a.m. Jan. 8 on a charge of possession of marijuana and as a fugitive from the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office.

--Edel Hermenegildo Herme Ixcot De Leon, 32, Patton Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 5:15 a.m. Jan. 8 on a charge of domestic abuse battery (child endangerment law).

Patterson

Chief Garrett Grogan reported these arrests:

--Troy A. Jones, 34, Kemper Street, Patterson, was arrested at 1:15 p.m. Friday on a charge of remaining or forbidden place or entry. Jones is incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with bond set at $432.

--Nylan G. Favors, 22, Fifth Street, Patterson, was arrested at 8:37 p.m. Sunday on charges of simple vehicle burglary and two counts of criminal trespass.

St. Mary

Sheriff Gary Driskell reported these arrests:

--Akeem Brandon Demolle, 38, Franklin, was arrested at 5:39 p.m. Jan. 6 on two complaint warrants alleging cyberstalking and unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, as well as a warrant for failure to appear.

Demolle also held multiple warrants with other agencies including the Opelousas and Franklin police departments and the sheriff’s offices in Vermilion, St. Martin, Iberia and Lafayette.

Bail has not been set on the SMPSO charges and a hold has been placed on Demolle for other agencies.

--Bonnie Claar Tallada, 31, Patterson, was arrested at 1:03 p.m. Jan. 7 on charges of disobeyed stop sign and two counts of violation of protective order. Bail was set at $10,150.

Assumption

Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon reported these arrests:

--Jeffery Lee Schexnider, 45, David Drive, Patterson, was arrested Sunday on a warrant alleging failure to appear to answer charges of felony theft and simple battery.

On Sunday, the Assumption Parish Sheriff's Office received a request from the Patterson Police Department for assistance in arresting Schexnider whom they believed was located at a residence in the 100 block of Elaine Street in Bayou L’Ourse.

Deputies were dispatched to the address and did locate Schexnider and placed him under arrest.

Schexnider was booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center as a fugitive from the Patterson Police Department. He was transferred to the custody of the Patterson Police Department on Monday.

--Kirby Dewayne Darensbourg, 17, Jacobs Street, Bertrandville, was arrested Thursday on charges of illegal use of firearms or dangerous instrumentalities and aggravated assault with a firearm.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of Jacobs Street in Bertrandville in reference to a disturbance with firearms involved. Deputies made contact with the victim and advised that Darensbourg had fired a gun at him during a verbal dispute.

Detectives initiated an investigation and at the conclusion arrested Darensbourg. The suspect was booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

Chitimacha

Chief B.C. Trahan reported these arrests:

--Anthony Stevenson, 20, Martin Luther King Road, Charenton, was arrested Jan. 3 on charges of aggravated assault and disturbing the peace. He was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center. The chief thanked the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office for assistance.

--Jennifer M Leblanc, 49, Island Road, Jarreau, was arrested Thursday on a warrant alleging terrorizing. She was transported to St Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center. The chief thanked the Pointe Coupée Parish Sheriff's Office and the St Martin Parish Sheriff's Office for their assistance.

Franklin

Chief Cedric Handy reported these arrests:

--Rogers Latigue, 65, George Town Lane, Franklin, was arrested at 11:36 p.m. Friday on a warrant for 3rd Ward City Court for failure to appear on a charge of theft. Latigue was additionally arrested on the charge of theft. Latigue was booked, processed and held on a $1,868 bond.

--Brittany Brown, 31, 12th Street, Franklin, was arrested at 9:27 a.m. Thursday , on a warrant dated Jan. 2 alleging simple criminal damage to property. Brown was booked, processed and released on a $1,000 bond.

--Terrance Robinson, 27, Seventh Street, Franklin, was arrested at 8:40 p.m. Thursday on warrants for 3rd Ward City Court alleging failure to appear on charges of stop signs, driver must be licensed and driving under suspension. Robinson was booked, processed and released on a $686 bond.

--Keenze Howard, 59, Ninth Street, Franklin, was arrested at 11:30 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for 3rd Ward City Court alleging failure to appear on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. Howard was additionally arrested on the charges of no license plate light and expired registration. Howard was booked, processed and held on a $583 bond.

--Kenya Holly, 26, Third Street, Franklin, was arrested at 7:42 p.m. Jan. 8 on a warrant dated Jan. 19, 2024, alleging theft. Holly was booked, processed and released on a $1,500 bond.

Morgan City police radio logs for Jan. 8-13

Mon, 01/13/2025 - 3:53pm

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, Jan. 8
5:14 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
7:01 a.m. 300 block of Terrebonne Street; Animal complaint.
7:23 a.m. 700 block of Greenwood Street; Alarm.
7:26 a.m. 600 block of Brashear Avenue; Welfare check.
8:35 a.m. 700 block of Greenwood Street; Alarm.
10:33 a.m. Leona Street/Federal Avenue; Suspicious person.
10:38 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Theft.
1:10 p.m. 400 block of Garber Street; Civil matter.
2:08 p.m. 3000 block of Dianne Drive; Alarm.
2:18 p.m. 1100 block of General Clark Street; Animal complaint.
2:23 p.m. Adams Street; Animal complaint.
2:27 p.m. David Drive/Victor II Boulevard; Vehicle accident.
2:33 p.m. 900 block of Seventh Street; Medical.
3:24 p.m. Duke/Kentucky streets; Disturbance.
3:48 p.m. Duke Street; Utilities.
5 p.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Animal complaint.
7:15 p.m. La. 70; Animal complaint.
8:43 p.m. Fourth/Barrow streets; Arrest.
8:53 p.m. 600 block of Louisiana Street; Medical.
Thursday, Jan. 9
1:17 a.m. 7700 block of La. 182; Subject removal.
3:11 a.m. Railroad Avenue/Idaho Street; Suspicious subject.
6:06 a.m. 700 block of Fourth Street; Subject removal.
8 a.m. 1000 block of Levee Road; Medical.
8:23 a.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Search warrant.
10:10 a.m. Florida Street; Assistance.
10:34 a.m. 1100 block of Second Street; Alarm.
11:11 a.m. 2000 block of Railroad Avenue; Theft.
11:27 a.m. 700 block of Onstead Street; Medical.
11:53 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Warrant.
12:52 p.m. 900 block of Brashear Avenue; Disturbance.
1:34 p.m. 7300 block of La. 182; Vehicle accident.
1:52 p.m. 600 block of Freret Street; Medical.
2:06 p.m. Fourth Street; Disturbance.
2:21 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Assistance.
5:27 p.m. 1500 block of Bernice Street; Medical.
5:39 p.m. 200 block of Glenwood Street; Open door.
6:07 p.m. 900 block of Willard Street; Complaint.
7:22 p.m. 700 block of Duke Street; Loud music.
8:58 p.m. Arenz/Sixth streets; Arrest.
10:55 p.m. 500 block of Bowman Street; Suspicious vehicle.
Friday, Jan. 10
7:29 a.m. 1200 block of David Drive; Alarm.
7:37 a.m. Brownell Homes; Suspicious vehicle.
10:02 a.m. 700 block of Belanger Street; Medical.
10:25 a.m. 7000 block of Railroad Avenue; Disturbance.
11:15 a.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Stolen vehicle.
11:24 a.m. 200 block of Mallard Street; Medical.
11:35 a.m. 800 block of Susan Drive; Lost and found property.
11:45 a.m. 900 block of Willard Street; Civil matter.
1:09 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Hit and run.
1:35 p.m. 700 block of Levee Road; Animal complaint.
3 p.m. 600 block of Seventh Street; Animal complaint.
3:17 p.m. 2400 block of Tiger Drive; Stand by.
6:23 p.m. 6000 block of La. 182; Vehicle accident.
7:10 p.m. 2100 block of Cedar Street; Vehicle accident.
9:26 p.m. 500 block of Bowman Street; Complaint.
9:31 p.m. 800 block of Arkansas Street; Complaint.
10:32 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Harassment.
10:44 p.m. Fourth/Grove streets; Suspicious person/vehicle.
10:55 p.m. 400 block of Louisa Street; Loud music.
11:22 p.m. 600 block of Bush Street; Loud music.
11:40 p.m. 400 block of Freret Street; Complaint.
Saturday, Jan. 11
12:22 a.m. 700 block of First Street; Assistance.
8:43 p.m. 800 block of South Everett Street; Disturbance.
10:06 p.m. 900 block of Short Street; Suspicious person/vehicle.
10:09 p.m. 3000 block of Leslie Drive; Disturbance.
10:46 p.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Medical.
10:48 p.m. 6800 block of La. 182; Complaint.
Sunday, Jan. 12
2:09 a.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Disturbance.
2:56 a.m. 400 block of Railroad Avenue; Suspicious person/vehicle.
3:17 a.m. 300 block of Chennault Street; Stand by.
6:04 a.m. 1600 block of Federal Avenue; Complaint.
7:30 a.m. La. 182 Under U.S. 90; Traffic incident.
8:06 a.m. 1700 block of Dale Street; Medical.
8:24 a.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Noise complaint.
9:29 a.m. 700 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard; Animal complaint.
10:12 a.m. 500 block of Franklin Street; Telephone harassment.
11:21 a.m. 500 block of Federal Avenue; Lost and found property.
11:35 a.m. 1400 block of Railroad Avenue; Traffic incident.
12:07 p.m. 700 block of Levee Road; Animal complaint.
12:18 p.m. 3000 block of Allison Street; Complaint.
12:25 p.m. 700 block of First Street; Medical.
1:45 p.m. Eighth/Clothilde streets; Utilities.
2:04 p.m. U.S. 90 East ; Complaint.
2:57 p.m. 300 block of Chennault Street; Stand by.
3:02 p.m. 500 block of Brashear Avenue; Medical.
5:01 p.m. 300 block of Louisa Street; Animal complaint.
5:07 p.m. 1000 block of Clothilde Street; Medical.
5:19 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
5:27 p.m. Maine Street area; Juvenile problems.
6:01 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Hit and run.
6:17 p.m. Railroad Avenue; Simple robbery.
7:39 p.m. 1400 block of Sandra Street; Alarm.
8:38 p.m. 400 block of Louisa S Street treet; Loud music.
9:29 p.m. 300 block of Aucoin; Suspicious person/vehicle.
9:54 p.m. U.S. 90; Vehicle accident.
10:23 p.m. Hickory Street; Complaint.
10:48 p.m. 800 block of Florida Street; Medical.
10:54 p.m. Federal Avenue/Egle Street; Stalled vehicle.
11:04 p.m. 800 block of Florida Street; Removal of subject.
11:06 p.m. La. 70; Stalled vehicle.
Monday, Jan. 13
3:54 a.m. 1000 block of Marguerite Street; Alarm.

BESSIE PEARCE BREAUX

Mon, 01/13/2025 - 1:17pm

Bessie Pearce Breaux, 98, a native of St. Martinville and resident of Morgan City, died Friday, Jan. 10, 2025.
She is survived by a son, Jimmy Breaux; and two siblings, Barbara Morrison and AJ Pearce.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and four siblings.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 9 a.m. until services at 11:30 a.m. at Hargrave Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Morgan City Cemetery.
Hargrave Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Jeremy Alford and David Jacobs: Changes ahead for influential groups

Fri, 01/10/2025 - 6:00am

JEREMY ALFORD AND DAVID JACOBS

While other changes across the association landscape are still likely in 2025, the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association has already selected its next executive director and the Louisiana Chemical Association is in the hunt to find one of its own.
Those decisions will certainly help shape the tone of future policy discussions in regard to public safety and the petrochemical industry, especially in the personality-driven politics of Capitoland.
The Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association, which represents arguably the most influential group of local government officials, will officially be under the leadership of Kevin Cobb on April 1. Currently the sheriff of Franklin Parish, Cobb will replace Michael Ranatza — a mere two weeks before the regular session convenes.
Asked about legislative priorities, Sheriff Cobb said he’s working to overcome a slight “learning curve.” (To be fair, he served a year as association president in 2022, so he’s well-versed on the issues.)
“My first goal is relationships,” Cobb said. “I know several of the people there, but that’s not like being there. And I’m not plugged in like the man I’m replacing who’s been there doing that for many, many years now. So I want to know who they are, and I want them to know who I am.”
Cobb will have the support of an experienced staff, including current Assistant Director Gary Bennett.
Elsewhere in Associationland, Louisiana Chemical Association President Greg Bowser became the first Black head of a major state business organization in 2016, but now he’s ready for a change.
Bowser said there isn’t a political reason why he’s leaving the association now; it’s just time. The LCA launched in 1959, so he’s been working for the organization for more than half its existence.
An outside firm is looking for his successor. Bowser expects to stick around through this year, allowing him to help with the transition to the next president.
Sheriff Cobb has a finance degree and an MBA, a background that could have taken him in any number of directions. But he ended up working as a financial officer for his parish sheriff’s office.
He fell in love with the job and claims he could write a memoir entitled “From Hot Dogs to Homicides.” One minute, you might be helping out at a community event, and the next, you could be helping the community recover from a tragedy.
Cobb was elected sheriff four times, twice without opposition and twice by wide margins. He said he ran to serve so he doesn’t understand why his constituents sometimes preface their requests or complaints with apologies for bothering him.
“And I say real quick, ‘Look, you’re not bothering me.’” Cobb said. “I asked for it. Not only did I ask for it one time in 2011, I asked for it four different times.”
He said he believes in “loving on people” and delivering a truthful, consistent message, regardless of the audience.
“And some people may snicker at that, especially with me going to Baton Rouge,” Cobb said. “But I’m just hard-headed enough to believe that there’s good people everywhere.
And although sometimes people’s ideas are different, that doesn’t mean that there’s not common ground there somewhere.”
LSU football fans who are old enough may remember Bowser, LCA’s exiting head, playing nose guard for the Tigers during the early 1980s. He was also an analyst for Cox Sports broadcasts of LSU games.
Bowser sees a lot of similarities between football and politics, like the importance of being ready and not getting too comfortable when something goes your way.
“You had to constantly prepare yourself for the next play,” he said. “Politics is kind of that way. You win a fight, but you can’t celebrate too long because there’s another one.”
Bowser got his start in politics working for then-Congressman Jimmy Hayes, who had been a client when Bowser was in the insurance business. He also served as assistant chief of staff to former Gov. Buddy Roemer.
He went to work for the association in 1991 as director of governmental affairs. He eventually replaced the retiring Dan Borné as president of LCA and the Louisiana Chemical Industry Alliance in 2016.
While his organization’s members were pleased with some aspects of the tax overhaul legislators approved this year, they are disappointed about the continued existence of the inventory and business utilities taxes.
Those issues will continue to be discussion points in 2025.
“Legislatively, I think we’re going to have to pay closer attention to what’s happening on the local level with local governments,” he said, when asked about other themes for the year to come. “And I think we’re going to have to be more conscious of the communities in which we operate.”
For more Louisiana political news, visit www. LaPolitics.com or follow Alford on X @ LaPoliticsNow.