RSS Feed

Patterson police are seeking the public's assistance to locate two suspects wanted in separate incidents. One suspect is wanted in an Aug. 15 assault with a weapon, while the other suspect is wanted in an Aug. 11 armed robbery and beating.

—Jordan J. Watson, 28, is wanted in connection with an Aug. 15 incident during which he allegedly assaulted someone with a weapon. Watson is wanted on charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, aggravated assault and two counts of resisting an officer by flight. His last known address is on St. Lucie Street in Patterson. Watson is described as 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighing 120 pounds.

—Wanya M. Francis, 22, is wanted in connection with an Aug. 11 incident on Tall Timbers Road during which he alleged beat another person with a firearm during an armed robbery. Francis is wanted on charges of armed robbery, aggravated battery with medical attention, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Francis’ last known address is in the 1500 block of Live Oak Street in Patterson. Francis is described as 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighing 164 pounds.

Police say both suspects have extensive and violent criminal histories. They should be considered armed and dangerous, police said.

An award is being offered for the apprehension of Watson and Francis.

Anyone with information on these suspects should call the Patterson Police Department at 985-395-6161. All information obtained from callers will be confidential, according to Police Chief Patrick LaSalle.

Curlee Rankins, 83, a native and resident of St. Joseph, died Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017, at her residence.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until services at 11 a.m. Saturday at Jones Funeral Home in Franklin. Burial will follow in Charity Cemetery in St. Joseph.

She is survived by a son, Stanley Rankins of Morgan City; five daughters, Sherial Rankins and Anna Rankins, both of Franklin, Brenda Williams and Tina Rankins, both of Dallas, and Delores Meshack of Quitman; a brother, John Mitchell; 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, two daughters, five brothers and one sister.

Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Roland Reed Jr., 60, a native and resident of Raceland, died Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017, at his residence.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until services at 11 a.m. Saturday at Morning Star Baptist Church in Raceland. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

He is survived by his wife, Tearine Sam; a son, Gralyn Reed; a daughter, Iesha Reed; three brothers, Tyrone Reed of Morgan City, and Jeffery Reed and Frederick Reed, both of Raceland; a sister, Sharlene Reed of Franklin; and a host of other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, maternal grandparents and paternal grandparent.

Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Residents of Patterson can expect increased spraying for mosquitos from Cajun Mosquito Control after the Louisiana State University Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab confirmed a positive West Nile chicken within the city limits. Cajun Mosquito Control LLC,
hired for mosquito control in Patterson, will follow the Center of Disease Control and Prevention Expanded Transmission Protocol for the area, owner Jessie Boudreaux said.
“We will continue to do increased spraying until lab results come back negative to ensure that West Nile is no longer in the area,” Boudreaux said. “We will continue the increased spraying probably through the end of December.”
Boudreaux said that LSU conducts testing for West Nile once a week and that his company uses the results from the testing due to its level of accuracy and validity.
“May through November is when the virus is most active,” said Boudreaux. “The activity just depends on the birds and the mosquitos.”
Boudreaux said that spraying for mosquitos has been halted for the past week due to Hurricane Harvey. But rainfall or the high tide can increase breeding until another cold front comes in. Spraying will continue once the rain stops.
“Floodwater mosquitos are coming in from the marshes of St. Mary Parish,” said Boudreaux. According to the CDC, the West Nile virus is an arthropod-borne virus most commonly spread by infected mosquitoes. West Nile virus can cause febrile illness, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord). Most people who become infected with West Nile do not develop any symptoms. However, some people do develop febrile illness, which can produce fever, headaches, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. A few people might develop severe symptoms in which hospitalization is required. Most people with West Nile recover completely but fatigue and weakness can last for weeks to months. The CDC said that West Nile virus has been recorded in all states in the continental United States and Canada. West Nile is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito, which has fed on an infected bird, human or other animal. Boudreaux said positive test for West Nile have been found in St. Mary, Iberia, St. Martin and Lafayette parishes. He said people should stay inside when mosquitos are most active, around dusk or dawn, but if a person must go outside, he or she should wear long sleeves and long pants with repellant. “It is always good to be proactive and start a regular preventative routine. Wear bug repellant, drain bird baths, remove any standing water around the house, empty pet water bowls and rain gutters,” said Boudreaux. For more information on tips and prevention, visit Cajun Mosquito Control’s website at cajunmosquitocontrol.com or the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at cdc.gov.