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Impact of tax break changes is unclear

BATON ROUGE — More than a year ago, Gov. John Bel Edwards enacted a sweeping set of changes to a 70-year-old lucrative property tax break program for manufacturing facilities in Louisiana, which had been criticized as rubber-stamped giveaways with too few strings attached.

The rewrite was aimed at steering the incentive to facilities that will create jobs and that are backed by local communities.

Forty-seven tax break applications for certain additions to existing facilities have been denied since the executive order was issued 14 months ago. But the broader implication of the new restrictions on the property tax exemptions is still shaking out.

Many projects already had been in the application pipeline when the order was issued and remained subject to the old rules. For new applicants, these types of construction projects can take a long time to complete and make it through the tax break process.

With that sort of lag time, it still could be months before manufacturing facilities and Edwards see what the new rules will mean.

“The showdown at high noon is coming, but it hasn’t happened yet,” said Broderick Bagert, with Together Louisiana, a group of faith-based and community leaders that pushed for more scrutiny of tax break applications.

New and expanding manufacturing facilities are allowed, under Louisiana’s constitution, an exemption from paying local property taxes for up to 10 years — an initial five-year period and a five-year renewal — through the Industrial Tax Exemption Program.

The Board of Commerce and Industry and the governor must sign off on the exemptions. But that vetting has been panned as lacking scrutiny for tax breaks that siphon millions of dollars in property tax income from local government agencies, public schools and police.

In June 2016, Edwards issued an executive order tying the tax breaks to job creation and retention and giving the local government agencies that stand to lose tax revenue a say in whether exemptions are issued. In October, the Demo-cratic governor amended the order, limiting the tax break renewal period to three years for new applicants and reducing the tax break to 80 percent for those renewals.

The changes prompted objections from business groups.

“I think it just makes it a cumbersome program,” said Stephen Waguespack, president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry.

Critics of the program say tax breaks had been granted too haphazardly, with little obvious benefit to the parishes losing the property tax revenue.

Bagert said the Industrial Tax Exemption Program is Louisiana’s costliest economic development incentive per capita. He cited statistics that showed an approval rate of 99.95 percent for the nearly 17,000 applications that went before the commerce and industry board from 2000 through this year.
“We need to start looking at this as real money,” Bagert said. "This isn’t Monopoly money.”

Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson said the program is not “corporate welfare,” but helps draw employers that create jobs, pay taxes and contribute to the economy for decades. He said the projects’ impact on a community greatly “outweighs the cost of the (tax) abatement.” But he also said Edwards’ changes don’t gut the program.

“We still are one of the most competitive states in terms of business environment,” Pierson said. “The change in the program has affected the desired outcome. It’s improved the accountability in the program, and it’s brought a greatly appreciated local voice into the process.”
Waguespack said the new requirements added uncertainty for companies applying for property tax breaks that need to seek multiple resolutions of support from the sheriff, school board and municipal governing authority.

“Parishes are confused about the approval process. Businesses are confused about what the process is going to be,” Waguespack said. “If we sit in this purgatory, how many of these big projects are we going to lose?”

Pierson said 39 other states have similar property tax break programs requiring local resolutions of support. He said he’s been traveling the state speaking with local officials about their new role in the project review.

Together Louisiana also is reaching out to local governing authorities, to help them with “decision-making rubrics,” Bagert said.

“We see the next few months as so important because a precedent is going to be set,” he said.

Melinda Deslatte has covered Louisiana politics for The Associated Press since 2000. Follow her at http://twitter.com/melindadeslatte

Trivia Night

The Daily Review/Geoff Stoute Autism Society Bayou held its third annual trivia night Saturday at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium. Ray Pierce, second from left, of the team Mental Floss, consults with his brother and teammate Rod Pierce. Also pictured is team member Andy Simoncelli, far left, and Jay Whiteside, far right. ...

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HAROLD CRAPPELL

Abbeville — Harold James Crappell, 80, died Thursday Aug. 17, 2017.

Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, 337-893-4661, was in charge of arrangements.

Wheel House for Aug. 21

CONVOCATION
Churches United for Christ Fellowship Holy Convocation at Morning Glory Ministries 7 p.m. Aug. 24-26 and 9 a.m. to noon classes Aug. 27. For info call 985-498-9943.

PILGRIM GROVE
Baptist Church, Greenwood, celebrating its 134th anniversary 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27. Guest speaker the Rev. Larry Frank, Mount Zion Baptist Church.

FAMILY/FRIEND
Day at Morning Glory Ministries 3 p.m. Sept. 2. Speaker Bishop Doreen Frances, Golden Hand Ministries. For info call 985-498-9943.

The 100 Black Men of St. Mary Parish to hold race Sept. 2

The 100 Black Men of St. Mary Parish’s annual 5K fun run and walk will celebrate its 20th anniversary this year when the race is held Sept. 2 at 8 a.m. in Morgan City as part of the 81st annual Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival.
“We’re holding an open call for runners and walkers to register right now to get a better handle on our event, which thank God, just keeps growing and growing,” 100 Black Men of St. Mary President Clarence Robinson Jr. said.
Event proceeds are used to award scholarships to one graduating senior from each St. Mary Parish High School — West St. Mary, Franklin, Centerville, Patterson, Berwick and Morgan City.
The 100 Black Men of St. Mary is a non-profit community service organization comprised solely of African-American men who reside in Iberia and St. Mary parishes. Robinson estimated that nearly $70,000 has been awarded in scholarships since the first pair of tennis shoes left the starting line at Front and Everett streets near City Hall in Morgan City’s historic district.
This year’s first-place male and female winners will receive $300 in cash. Trophies and medals will be awarded to the top male and female finishers in each of the following age categories: 13 and under, 14-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54 and 55 and over.
Runners and walkers can download an application at www.kbze. com/2017a.html, the website of KBZE 105.9FM, the event’s host radio station. There, participants also will find video and a news story on the race’s namesake, Marcus Jones.
Late registration will begin at 7 a.m. in front of City Hall in Morgan City, which is located at First and Everett streets.
Also, credit card registration is available by calling 985-312-2154. For more information, call Robinson at 985-2559775. For more information on the 100 Black Men of St. Mary, including an application to join the organization, visit www.100blackmenstmary.org.

The eclipse begins

The solar eclipse became visible -- through proper eye protection, we hope -- in the Morgan City area just after 12:30 p.m. Monday. The peak here was to be about 1:27 p.m.

The Daily Review/Diane Miller Fears

Police: Two booked on list of drug charges after stop

Two people were arrested on numerous drug charges after Morgan City police stopped a vehicle going the wrong way on a one-way street, Police Chief James Blair said in a news release.

—Bryan R. Guilbeau, 30, of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Sunset, was arrested at 6:24 a.m. Sunday on charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of heroin with intent to distribute, possession of MDMA with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of Vyvanse, possession of alprazolam, possession of drug paraphernalia, monetary instrument abuse and improper lane usage.

—Jamie Meche, 35, of Dynasty Lane in Opelousas, was arrested at 6:24 a.m. Sunday on charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of heroin with intent to distribute, possession of MDMA with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of Vyvanse, possession of alprazolam, possession of drug paraphernalia and monetary instrument abuse.

Patrol officers observed a vehicle traveling the wrong way on a one-way roadway in the area of La. 182 and U.S. 90. A stop was initiated and Guilbeau was identified as the operator of the vehicle. Meche was an occupant.

Officers detected a strong odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle. Guilbeau and Meche were found to be in possession of suspected marijuana, heroin, cocaine, MDMA, Vyvanse, alprazolam and drug paraphernalia, Blair said.

The duo was also found to be in possession of over $320 of counterfeit money. Police found evidence that the majority of the illicit narcotics located was destined to be sold, Blair said. Guilbeau and Meche were jailed.

—Jessica M. Gray, 29, of Egle Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:36 p.m. Friday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of MDMA, possession of alprazolam, possession of drug paraphernalia, illegal use of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of juveniles, obstruction of justice and violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance law-drug-free zone.

Blair reported responding to 113 calls and reported the following arrests:

—Debbie A. Sevant, 56, of South Grand Avenue in Los Angeles, was arrested at 4:11 a.m. Monday on a charge of possession of stolen things valued at $1,000 to $5,000.

Patrol officers observed a vehicle parked near a closed business in the early morning hours. A stop was initiated, and Sevant was identified as the operator of the vehicle, Blair said. The vehicle was reported stolen out of Mississippi. After confirming the information, Sevant was jailed.

—Damenn M. Engleton, 28, of Grandwood Drive in Patterson, was arrested at 3:36 p.m. Friday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of MDMA, possession of alprazolam, possession of drug paraphernalia, illegal use of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of juveniles, obstruction of justice, violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance law-drug-free zone, no driver’s license, resisting an officer and a 16th Judicial District Court warrant for failure to appear for trial.

Patrol officers responded to the area of Orange Street in regard to a large disturbance. Officers arrived when they were directed to a white van that was leaving the area.

A stop was initiated on the vehicle in the area of Federal Avenue. Engleton, the driver, initially provided officers with a false name and didn’t have a valid driver’s license, Blair said.

Gray was also identified as a passenger in the vehicle. Engleton and Gray were found to be in possession of suspected marijuana , MDMA, alprazolam and drug paraphernalia, Blair said.

Evidence was uncovered that they attempted to conceal the evidence from detection from officers, Blair said. A small juvenile was in the vehicle at the time of the incident and the area was a drug-free zone. Gray and Engleton were jailed.

—Lacey Fabre, 25, of Wren Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:30 p.m. Friday on an Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office warrant charging her with three counts of child desertion.

Fabre was located and arrested in the area of Wren Street on the warrant. Fabre was jailed.

—Lorelyn M. Gotcher, 31, of Terrebonne Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:57 a.m. Saturday on a warrant for four counts of failure to appear to pay a fine and five counts of failure to appear for review.

Gotcher was located and arrested in the area of La. 70 on city court warrants. Gotcher was jailed.

—Kimber N. Thompson, 29, of Pacific Street in Berwick, was arrested at 7:08 p.m. Saturday on a warrant charging her with failure to appear for arraignment.

Thompson was located and arrested at the Morgan City Police Department on active warrants held by the 6th Ward Morgan City Court. Thompson was jailed.

—Joseph W. Howard, 61, of Federal Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:57 p.m. Saturday on charges of DWI first offense and improper lighting.

Patrol officers observed a vehicle being operated in the area of Federal Avenue with improper lighting. A stop was initiated, and Howard, the driver, was found to be in an intoxicated state, Blair said. Howard performed poorly on a field sobriety test and registered 0.148 grams-percent blood alcohol content on a chemical test. Howard was jailed.

—Richard Gant Jr., 36, of Forest Hurst Drive in Spring , Texas, was arrested at 8:27 p.m. Saturday on a warrant charging him with failure to appear to pay a fine. Gant was located in the area of La. 182 and arrested on a city court warrant. Gant was jailed.

—Caleb M. Daigle, 17, of Levee Road in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:45 a.m. Sunday on a charge of two counts of illegal carrying of weapons, resisting an officer and possession of tobacco under 18 years of age.

Patrol officers initiated a stop on a vehicle in the area of La. 182 due to erratic driving. The K-9 division was dispatched to the location. When the K-9 unit arrived, Daigle, who was an occupant of the vehicle, exited and began to flee on foot, Blair said.

He was caught a short time later and was in possession of two concealed firearms, Blair said. He also had tobacco on him, the chief said. Daigle was jailed.

—Linda M. Dauzat, 50, of Susan Court in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:12 a.m. Sunday on charges of DWI first offense, driving under suspension and improper lane usage.

Patrol officers observed a vehicle being operated in the area of La. 70 swerving from lane to lane crossing the center line. A stop was initiated, and Dauzat, the driver, was found to be in an intoxicated state, Blair said.

Dauzat performed poorly on a field sobriety test and registered 0.092 grams-percent blood alcohol content on a chemical test. Dauzat was jailed.

—Angelle R. Broussard, 25, of La. 182 in Morgan City, was arrested at 4:40 p.m. Sunday on charges of DWI first offense, driving under suspension and hit and run driving.

Patrol officers responded to a business in the area of La. 182 in regard to a crash and one of the vehicles involved fled the area.

A description of the vehicle was obtained at which time the vehicle in question was observed in the area of La. 182. A stop was initiated, and Broussard, the driver, was found to be in an intoxicated state, Blair said.

Broussard performed poorly on a field sobriety test and refused to submit to the chemical test. She also had a suspended driver’s license. Broussard was jailed.

—Leticia Charles, 49, of Mount Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:21 p.m. Sunday on a warrant for failure to appear for arraignment. Charles was located and arrested at the police department on a warrant. Charles was jailed.

—Luis E. Hernandez-Leon, 23, of West Syls Lane in Amelia, was arrested at 8:13 p.m. Sunday on charges of DWI first offense and improper turning.

Patrol officers observed a vehicle negotiate an improper turn in the area of Duke Street. A stop was initiated and Hernandez-Leon, the driver, was found to be in an intoxicated state, Blair said. Hernandez-Leon performed poorly on a field sobriety test and registered 0.081 grams-percent blood alcohol content on a chemical test. Hernandez-Leon was jailed.

—Crystal Thompson, 39, of Fifth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:30 p.m. Sunday on charges of driving under suspension and disregard of traffic controls.

Patrol officers observed a vehicle fail to stop at a stop sign in the area of Federal Avenue. A stop was initiated, and Thompson, the driver, had a suspended driver’s license, Blair said. Thompson was jailed.

—Bessie T. Paul, 35, of Wisteria Street in Baton Rouge, was arrested at 2:59 a.m. Monday on a charge of possession of marijuana.

—Keyon C. Williams, 38, of La. 42 in Gonzales, was arrested at 2:59 a.m. Monday on a warrant for probation and parole.

Patrol officers initiated a stop on a vehicle in the area of La. 70 due to improper lighting. Paul and Williams were identified as occupants of the vehicle. Officers detected signs of nervousness from Paul and Williams, Blair said.

The K-9 unit was deployed on the vehicle which she indicated to the presence of narcotic odor. Officers found Paul to be in possession of suspected marijuana, Blair said. Williams had an arrest warrant for probation and parole. Paul and Williams were jailed.

Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon reported the following arrest relating to the Tri-City area:

—Joseph Gilchrist Jr., 25, of Elaine Street in Bayou L’Ourse, was arrested on charges of felony second-degree battery, felony domestic abuse battery involving strangulation and misdemeanor aggravated assault.

On Thursday, deputies responded to a Morgan City medical facility in reference to a woman who had been severely beaten early Wednesday morning, Falcon said. Detectives conducted a follow-up investigation and determined that there was probable cause to obtain warrants for Gilchrist’s arrest, Falcon said.

A uniformed patrol officer conducting a warrants check in Bayou L’Ourse located Gilchrist, who was transported to the Assumption Parish Detention Center and jailed pending a bail hearing.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert reported responding to 152 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:

—A juvenile male, 12, of Bayou Vista, was arrested at 12:52 p.m. Friday on two warrants for theft of goods and curfew violation. A detective of the Juvenile Services Section investigated two separate incidents of shoplifting at a store in Bayou Vista.

The incidents occurred March 17 and June 5. In the first case, the detective collected evidence that three juvenile males went into the store, took backpacks from the business, concealed items in the bags, and then left the store without paying for the goods, Hebert said.

In the second case, the detective found evidence that two juveniles stole items in the same manner. Both incidents occurred after curfew. The detective identified the juveniles involved and obtained warrants for their arrests. The juvenile came to the sheriff’s office regarding both incidents and was arrested on said warrants. He was released to a guardian, pending juvenile court proceedings.

—Jeffrey Schexnider, 38, of Southeast Boulevard in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 10:02 p.m. Friday on a charge of theft of goods, a warrant for failure to appear for the charge of possession of hydrocodone, possession of Subutex and improper lane usage and a warrant for failure to appear for the charge of operating a vehicle with a suspended license and speeding 41 mph in a 20 mph zone.

Deputies responded to a business in Bayou Vista regarding a shoplifter. Deputies found evidence that Schexnider opened and concealed an item while inside of the business, Hebert said. Deputies made contact with Schexnider outside of the business.

While speaking with him, deputies located the item and also learned that Schexnider held active warrants. Schexnider was jailed with bail set at $11,500.

—Aris Granger, 30, of Joseph Street in Siracusaville, was arrested at 7:58 a.m. Saturday on charges of reckless operation and speeding.

A deputy traveling on U.S. 90, in the Morgan City area, observed a vehicle to be traveling at a high rate of speed, 85 mph in a 45 mph construction zone, Hebert said.

Before stopping the vehicle, the deputy observed the vehicle switch from the right lane to the left lane without using a turn signal. Granger was released on a summons to appear in court Oct. 23.

—Margaret Jackson, 39, of Hunting Road in Ricohoc, was arrested at 9:41 a.m. Saturday on a warrant for criminal neglect of family.

A deputy made contact with Jackson at her home. Jackson was jailed with bail set at $34,211.21.

—Emily Rodriguez, 32, of Lake Long Road in Houma, was arrested at 1:27 p.m. Saturday on charges of driving under suspension and speeding.

A deputy traveling on U.S. 90 conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling 63 mph in a 45 mph speed zone, near Delmar Road in Bayou Vista. While speaking with Rodriguez, the deputy learned that she was operating the vehicle with a suspended license, Hebert said. Rodriguez was released on a summons to appear in court Oct. 23.

—Layna Johnson, 30, of Avet Street in Dulac, was arrested at 2:06 p.m. Saturday on charges of driving under suspension and operating a vehicle with an expired license plate. A deputy traveling on U.S. 90 in Patterson observed a vehicle traveling with an expired registration sticker.

While speaking with the driver, Johnson, the deputy learned that she was also operating her vehicle with a suspended license. Johnson was released on a summons to appear in court Oct. 23.

—Leticia Charles, 49, of Mount Street in Berwick, was arrested at 3:45 a.m. Sunday on warrants for failure to appear for the charge of operating a vehicle with an expired license plate and failure to honor a written promise, failure to appear for simple criminal damage to property less than $500 and hit and run driving, and on a Morgan City Police Department warrant for no insurance.

A deputy investigating a complaint of a suspicious person at a business in Bayou Vista made contact with Charles. While speaking with Charles, the deputy learned that she held active warrants. Charles was jailed with no bail set.

—Blake Wiggins, 23, of Tupelo Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:51 a.m. Monday on charges of DWI first offense and reckless operation-no accident.

Deputies responded to a complaint of a reckless driver on U.S. 90 in Amelia. Deputies made contact with the driver of the vehicle, Wiggins. Upon making contact with Wiggins, the deputy smelled an odor of alcoholic beverage emitting from his person.

Wiggins performed poorly on a field sobriety test, Hebert said. He registered a blood alcohol concentration of 0.108 grams-percent on a breath test. Wiggins was booked into jail and then released on $3,000 bail.

—Roselyn Collins, 25, of Live Oak Street in Patterson, was arrested at 7:21 p.m. Sunday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling. During booking at parish jail, a correctional officer located the active warrant for Collins. No bail is set.

—A juvenile male, 16, of Patterson, was arrested at 3:13 a.m. Monday on charges of curfew violation and no license plate light.

A deputy patrolling Bayou Vista conducted a traffic stop with a vehicle traveling on Delmar Road without a functioning license plate light. The deputy learned that the driver was 16 years old and was out after curfew, Hebert said. The juvenile was released to his guardian pending juvenile court proceedings.

—Justin Blanchard, 25, of Belmont Road in New Iberia, was arrested at 8:21 p.m. Sunday on charges of speeding 81 mph in a 70 mph zone, no driver’s license on person, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

A narcotics detective monitoring traffic on U.S. 90 in Amelia observed a vehicle traveling at 81 mph in a 70 mph zone. The detective conducted a traffic stop near Brashear Avenue and made contact with Blanchard.

Blanchard told the detective he did not have his driver’s license. While speaking with Blanchard, the detective smelled an odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle. The detective located marijuana and items of drug paraphernalia. Blanchard was released on a summons to appear in court Oct. 23.

Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported the following arrests:

—Brian M. Racicot, 51, of Fifth Street in Patterson, was arrested at 8:08 a.m. Saturday on a charge of appearing intoxicated in public. Bail was set at $337.

—Kimber Thompson, 29, of Pacific Street in Berwick, was arrested at 10:26 a.m. Saturday on a Morgan City police warrant charging her with failure to appear for failure to signal and a St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office warrant for failure to appear on a charge of possession of methamphetamine, possession of lisdexamfetamine, possession of marijuana 14 grams or less and possession of drug paraphernalia. Thompson was transported to parish jail with bail set at $2,756.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrests:

—Chris Toups, 37, of First Street in Berwick, was arrested at 7:30 a.m. Saturday on charges of remaining where forbidden and disturbing the peace. Cash bail was set at $477.

—Joshua Miller, 21, of Boudreaux Street in Berwick, was arrested at 7:35 p.m. Saturday on a St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office warrant for failure to appear on a charge of conspiracy to possess marijuana with intent to distribute. Miller was awaiting bail to be set.

Radio Logs for August 21

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.
Thursday, Aug. 17
7:07 a.m. 300 block of First Street; Complaint.
7:36 a.m. 900 block of Chestnut Drive; Complaint.
8:46 a.m. 1000 block of Ninth Street; Alarm.
9:02 a.m. 6200 block of La. 182; Complaint.
9:51 a.m. 800 block of Palm Street; Suspicious person.
10:44 a.m. 1000 block of Hilda Street; Alarm.
10:47 a.m. 1100 block of McDermott Drive; Welfare concern.
11:55 a.m. 2400 block of Tupelo Street; Arrest.
1:22 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Com-plaint.
1:39 p.m. 700 block of Fifth Street; Complaint.
1:52 p.m. 900 block of Duke Street; Arrest.
2:14 p.m. 600 block of Brashear Avenue; Com-plaint.
2:54 p.m. 1000 block of Marguerite Street; Crash.
3:02 p.m. 7300 block of La. 182; Theft.
3:05 p.m. 7700 block of La. 182; Crash.
3:14 p.m. 1100 block of Seventh Street; Complaint.
3:46 p.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Telephone harassment.
4:12 p.m. Front Street; Welfare concern.
4:30 p.m. 1400 block of Chatsworth Drive; Suspicious person.
4:39 p.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Crash.
4:55 p.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Complaint.
4:57 p.m. 300 block of Wise Street; Disturbance.
5:36 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Disturbance.
7:33 p.m. 600 block of Barrow Street; Alarm.
7:33 p.m. 500 block of Eighth Street; Medical.
7:42 p.m. Second and Union streets; Animal.
9:02 p.m. 1700 block of Elk Street; Loud noise.
9:22 p.m. 200 block of Headland Street; Complaint.
9:43 p.m. 3200 block of Wytchwood Drive; Traffic incident.
10:11 p.m. 500 block of Bowman Street; Alarm.
10:55 p.m. 500 block of Bowman Street; Criminal damage to property.
Friday, Aug. 18
12:16 a.m. 300 block of Grizzaffi Street; Removal of subject.
2:44 a.m. 7100 block of Park Road; Medical.
8:52 a.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Complaint.
8:54 a.m. 2300 block of Hemlock Street; Juvenile matter.
9:15 a.m. 700 block of Freret Street; Warrant.
9:19 a.m. 2400 block of Hemlock Street; Juvenile matter.
10:31 a.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Juvenile matter.
11:40 a.m. La. 182; Complaint.
12:24 p.m. 500 block of First Street; Complaint.
12:26 p.m. 2300 block of Hemlock Street; Complaint.
12:43 p.m. 1000 block of Greenwood Street; Crash.
12:46 p.m. 1000 block of Kimberly Street; Suspicious vehicle.
1:02 p.m. 500 block of Bowman Street; Burglary.
2:15 p.m. 900 block of Duke Street; Phone harassment.
2:17 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Com-plaint.
3:17 p.m. 300 block of Fifth Street; Disturbance.
3:41 p.m. Orange Street; Disturbance.
4:45 p.m. Aucoin Street; Suspicious Subject.
4:50 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Crash.
4:56 p.m. Railroad Avenue; Juvenile matter.
5:17 p.m. 1400 block of Federal Avenue; Complaint.
7:03 p.m. 300 block of Wren Street; Disturbance.
8:35 p.m. 900 block of Duke Street; Suspicious person.
8:37 p.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Fire alarm.
8:59 p.m. 300 block of Franklin Street; Complaint.
9:16 p.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Kidnap.
10:02 p.m. Maple Street near Franklin Street; Complaint.
11:54 p.m. Marguerite Street near Ninth Street; Vehicle accident.
Saturday, Aug. 19
12:11 a.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Complaint.
12:14 a.m. La. 182 East; Suspicious person.
2:11 a.m. 1200 block of Victor II Boulevard; Complaint.
3:16 a.m. 2500 block of Elm Street; Loud music.
7:27 a.m. 1000 block of Second Street; Alarm.
7:41 a.m. 1200 block of Federal Avenue; Crash.
8:09 a.m. 2600 block of Hemlock Street; Complaint.
8:48 a.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Warrant arrest.
9:32 a.m. 200 block of Pecos Street; Civil matter.
9:33 a.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Assistance.
10:13 a.m. Terrebonne Parish; Warrant arrest.
11:15 a.m. 1000 block of Greenwood Street; Complaint.
1:26 p.m. 800 block of Belanger Street; Civil matter.
1:30 p.m. 800 block of South Everett Street; Medical.
2:32 p.m. 1400 block of Lakewood Drive; Medical.
2:45 p.m. 200 block of Bowman Street; Officer stand by.
3:43 p.m. 1000 block of Sycamore Street; Welfare check.
4:21 p.m. 1000 block of Shaw Drive; Hit and run.
4:37 p.m. 100 block of Wren Street; Complaint.
4:50 p.m. 700 block of Railroad Avenue; Animal complaint.
4:53 p.m. 7000 block of La. 182; Alarm.
5:58 p.m. 800 block of Florida Street; Disturbance.
7:42 p.m. Birch Street; Patrol request.
7:46 p.m. 1400 block of Federal Avenue; Suspicious person.
8:19 p.m. Sixth and Onstead streets; Traffic incident.
8:37 p.m. 500 block of Orange Street; Accident.
9:13 p.m. 3000 block of Diane Drive; Suspicious person.
9:20 p.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Welfare concern.
9:27 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Stalled vehicle.
10:27 p.m. 300 block of Second Street; 911 hang up.
11:14 p.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Disturbance.
Sunday, Aug. 20
12:39 a.m. 400 block of Fifth Street; Medical.
1:34 a.m. 2300 block of Federal Avenue; Loud music.
1:43 a.m. 300 block of Second Street; Disturbance.
2:06 a.m. 1800 block of Elk Street; Suspicious person.
2:07 a.m. 500 block of Brashear Avenue; Phone harassment.
2:59 a.m. 300 block of Pecos Street; Suspicious person.
5:43 a.m. 7100 block of Park Road; Animal complaint.
6:13 a.m. 1600 block of Front Street; Remove subject.
6:49 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Assistance.
8:04 a.m. Youngs Road; Animal complaint.
11:30 a.m. 2000 block of Keith Street; Theft.
12:05 p.m. 900 block of Duke Street; Officer stand by.
1:27 p.m. 500 block of Bush Street; Assistance.
1:41 p.m. 1500 block of Elm Street; Medical.
1:46 p.m. 400 block of Laurel Street; Loud music.
2:20 p.m. Fourth and Greenwood streets; Intoxicated subject.
2:47 p.m. 300 block of Second Street; Alarm.
2:56 p.m. 300 block of Union Street; Crash.
3:49 p.m. Halsey Street; Assistance.
4:29 p.m. 7500 block of La. 182; Hit and run.
5:18 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Crash.
7:41 p.m. 800 block of Youngs Road; Complaint.
8:01 p.m. 3000 block of Catherine Street; Disturbance.
9:30 p.m. 400 block of Fifth Street; Complaint.
10:05 p.m. North Third Street; Complaint.
Monday, Aug. 21
12:38 a.m. 1400 block of Filmore Street; Medical emergency.
5:03 a.m. 5000 block of Railroad Avenue; Animal complaint.

Overdoses: Drugged driving rises as a menace

COLUMBUS, Ohio — An SUV crashed after all four occupants overdosed on heroin in North Carolina. The same day, a man in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, grabbed the steering wheel after his grandson lost consciousness while driving. Police in the city of 30,000 responded to 11 other overdose reports that day, including a woman who crashed her car just before a highway entrance.
The next day in Cleveland, a rescue squad found an unconscious 43-year-old man who had driven off the road and hit a pole. An overdose antidote brought him back around, police say. He was seriously hurt from the crash and was cited for driving under the influence.
Car crashes caused by overdosing drivers are becoming so commonplace, authorities say, that some rescue crews immediately administer the antidote, naloxone, to any unresponsive driver they find at an accident scene.
People who use heroin and related drugs are sometimes so eager to get high, or so sick from withdrawal, that they’ll shoot up in the car as soon as they get their hands on more, police say. Often they’re back on the road before the overdose takes hold, and they lose consciousness, a recipe for traffic accidents.
“There’s no waiting period like we used to see with other drugs where you go buy it, then go home and get high, or go to a party and get high,” said Scott Houston, a major with the sheriff’s office in Pamlico County, North Carolina, where the SUV crashed June 29. “We don’t see that anymore.”
Police in New Hampshire charged a man with driving under the influence June 7 after he allegedly shot up heroin before crashing into a parked tractor-trailer in Manchester.
A man who shot up in a Kmart parking lot in Iowa City, Iowa, in March crashed his car and was revived with naloxone. Last month, according to police, he led them to the dealer who sold him heroin laced with the potent opioid acrylfentanyl.
In June 2016 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Charles Pickett Jr. allegedly took a handful of pain pills and muscle relaxers and plowed his pickup truck into a group of bicyclists , killing five of them. Police at the scene said he was “completely out of it.”
Pickett’s attorney said he intends to use an insanity defense against charges that include second-degree murder. Pickett’s trial is set for Sept. 18. If convicted, he could face life in prison.
Two years ago, Koriann Evans had just picked up her 2-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter from her mother’s when her dealer reached out to her. She shot up in a parking lot in Fremont, Ohio, and then headed down the road.
Within a few minutes, she couldn’t breathe. With her children in the back, Evans managed to stop in the middle of the road with her foot on the brake before passing out. Nearby residents pulled her and her children from the car and called authorities. Rescuers told her she would have died quickly without the naloxone she was given.
Now more than two years sober, the 36-year-old Evans works in a vinyl siding factory while trying to become a substance abuse counselor. She lost custody of her children but sees them regularly.
“I knew from that point on that something had to change within me, because the reality is that my addiction, my use almost killed me, my two kids and possibly somebody else,” Evans said.
Drunken-driving deaths are on the decline, dropping 24 percent since 2006, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Meanwhile, deaths in crashes involving drugs are soaring.
Ohio saw 4,615 drug-related crashes last year, an increase of more than 21 percent since 2013, according to the state Department of Transportation. The data aren’t broken down by type of drug. Pennsylvania saw a similar spike, with drugged-driving crashes jumping from 3,019 in 2011 to 4,078 last year.
Nationally, fatalities in crashes where drugs were involved soared from 2,003 in 1993 to 7,438 in 2015, according to the most recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The data reflect only the presence of drugs in a driver, not whether the drugs caused the crash.
In Columbus, the number of emergency runs by the fire department involving naloxone administered to someone in a vehicle has jumped each of the past three years and is headed for another record this year, according to fire department statistics.
Many of the runs involve people overdosed in parked cars, whether in parking lots, near their homes or sitting in the middle of an intersection after they nodded off.
Some people using drugs are known to purposely shoot up in running cars with their foot on the brake, figuring that if they pass out, the car will move and alert someone to their condition, said James Davis, assistant fire chief.
Fire-rescue personnel are “carting naloxone and giving it blindly up the nose in a nasal-spray type of delivery system,” said Kennard Skaggs, a national representative for the labor union International Association of EMTs and Paramedics. “They don’t know exactly whether or not the person is taking (opioids), but it can’t hurt.”

Police Reports 8-21-17

Franklin Police Chief Sabria McGuire reported the following arrests:
The following two arrests stem from a disturbance in the area of Tenth Street. Upon officer’s arrival, it was learned that both subjects allegedly got into an altercation and threw objects at one another.
Alesia Antoine, 41, of Tenth Street, Franklin, was arrested Thursday at 11:19 p.m. on the charge of aggravated assault. Antoine was booked, processed, and held on a $1,500 bond.
Dashawn Gonsoulin, 31, of Tenth Street, Franklin, was arrested Thursday at 11:14 p.m. on the charge of domestic abuse battery. Gonsoulin was additionally charged with a warrant for 16th Judicial District Court Iberia Parish for failure to appear for drug court. Gonsoulin was booked, processed, and held on a $100,000 bond.
Dametria Archangel, 24, of Cypremort Street, Jeanerette, was arrested Sunday at 12:49 a.m. on a warrant for 16th Judicial District Court for failure to appear on the charge of unlawful use of ID to gain access to a gaming establishment. Archangel was booked, processed, and transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.
Jonathan Beadle, 27, of Pecan Drive, Franklin, was arrested Sunday at 11:58 p.m. on charges of violation of a protective order and prohibited firearms for persons with protective order issued. Beadle was booked, processed, and transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.
Chitimacha Police Chief Hal Hutchinson reported the following arrest:
Garret Robinson, 35, of Brutus Drive, Youngsville, was arrested Sunday on charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and speeding. He was transported to the parish jail. An officer, while patrolling the reservation, observed a vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed and conducted a traffic stop. During the traffic stop, it was learned that Robinson was intoxicated. He was then arrested.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert reported the following arrests:
Juvenile male, 12, of Bayou Vista, was arrested Friday at 12:52 p.m. on two warrants for charges of theft of goods and curfew violation. A detective of the Juvenile Services Section investigated two separate incidents of shoplifting at a store in Bayou Vista. The incidents occurred on March 17 and June 5. In the first case, the detective collected evidence that three juvenile males went into the store, took backpacks from the business, concealed items in the bags, and then left the store without paying for the goods. In the second case, the detective found evidence that two juveniles stole items in the same manner. Both incidents occurred after curfew. The detective identified the juveniles involved and obtained warrants for their arrests. The juvenile under arrest, came to the Sheriff’s Office regarding both incidents and was arrested on said warrants. He was released to a guardian, pending juvenile court proceedings.
Whitney Hull, 32, of 120 Grey Eagle Road, Jeanerette, was arrested Friday at 2:51 p.m. on charges of careless operation and driving under suspension. Deputies responded to a crash on Chatsworth Road near Hebert Street in Franklin. Deputies learned that the driver, Hull, traveled across the solid yellow line into oncoming traffic, causing the crash. While speaking with Hull, deputies also found evidence that he was operating the vehicle with a suspended driver’s license. Hull was released on a summons.
Leroy Chaisson, 34, of 111 Upperline St., Franklin, was arrested Friday at 6:15 p.m. on charges of disarming of a police officer, remaining on forbidden place or entry, disturbing the peace intoxicated and resisting a police officer with force or violence.
Deputies responded to a residence on Chitimacha Trail in Charenton, for a disturbance. Deputies learned that Chiasson, who had previously been removed from the property, had returned, causing a disturbance. When making contact with Chaisson, deputies smelled an odor of alcohol emitting from his person. When deputies informed Chaisson that he had to leave the residence, he began to pull away and swing wildly at deputies. Chaisson also attempted to grab a deputies taser device. Chaisson was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. No bail is set.
Jeffrey Schexnider, 38, of 421 Southeast Blvd., was arrested Friday at 10:02 p.m. on charges of theft of goods, warrant for failure to appear for the charge of possession of Hydrocodone, possession of Subutex, improper lane usage and warrant for failure to appear for the charge of operating a vehicle with a suspended license and speeding.
Deputies responded to a business in Bayou Vista regarding a shoplifter. Deputies found evidence that Schexnider opened and concealed an item while inside of the business. Deputies made contact with Schexnider outside of the business. While speaking with him, deputies located the item and also learned that Schexnider held active warrants. Schexnider was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Bail is set at $11,500.
Aris Granger, 30, of 1222 Joseph St., Siracusaville, was arrested Saturday at 7:58 a.m. on charges of reckless operation and speeding. A deputy traveling on US 90, in the Morgan City area, observed a vehicle to be traveling at a high rate of speed, 85 miles per hour in a 45 mile per hour construction zone. Before stopping the vehicle, the deputy observed the vehicle switch from the right lane to the left lane without using a turn signal. Granger was released on a summons.
Margaret Jackson, 39, of 341 Hunting Road, Ricohoc, was arrested Saturday at 9:41 a.m. on a warrant for the charge of criminal neglect of family. A deputy made contact with Jackson at her residence. Jackson was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Bail is set at $34, 211.
Emily Rodriguez, 32, of 398 Lake Long Road, Houma, was arrested Saturday at 1:27 p.m. on charges of driving under suspension and speeding. A deputy traveling on US 90 conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling 63 miles per hour in a 45 mile per hour speed zone, near Delmar Road. While speaking with Rodriguez, the deputy learned that she was operating the vehicle with a suspended license. Rodriguez was released on a summons.
Layna Johnson, 30, of 102 Avet St., Dulac, was arrested Saturday at 2:06 p.m. on charges of driving under suspension and operating a vehicle with an expired license plate. A deputy traveling on US 90 observed a vehicle traveling with an expired registration sticker. While speaking with the driver, Johnson, the deputy learned that she was also operating her vehicle with a suspended license. Johnson was released on a summons.
Leticia Charles, 49, of 108 Mount St., Berwick, was arrested Sunday at 3:45 a.m. on charges of warrant for failure to appear for the charge of operating a vehicle with an expired license plate and failure to honor a written promise, warrant for failure to appear for charges of simple criminal damage to property under $500 and hit and run driving and a Morgan City Police Department warrant for the charge of no insurance.
A deputy investigating a complaint of a suspicious person at a business in Bayou Vista, made contact with Charles. While speaking with Charles, the deputy learned that Charles held active warrants. Charles was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. No bail is set.
Blake Wiggins, 23, of 2417½ Tupelo St., Morgan City, was arrested Sunday at 6:51 a.m. for driving while intoxicated first offense and reckless operation no accident. Deputies responded to a complaint of a reckless driver on US 90 in Amelia. Deputies made contact with the driver of the vehicle, Wiggins. Upon making contact with Wiggins, the deputy smelled an odor of alcoholic beverage emitting from his person. The deputy conducted a field sobriety test. He registered a blood alcohol concentration of 0.108g percent on a breath test. Wiggins was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Wiggins was released on a $3,000 bond.
Karis Smith, 23, of 20075 La. 182, Jeanerette, was arrested Sunday at 3:20 p.m. on a warrant for failure to appear for the charge of simple criminal damage to property. A deputy made contact with Smith at her residence. Smith was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Smith was released on a $1,500 bond.
Kevin Smith Jr., 22, of 429 Big Four Corners Road, Jeanerette, was arrested Sunday at 3:20 p.m. on a warrant for the charge of simple criminal damage to property. While at 20075 La. 182, a deputy also made contact with Smith. The warrant stemmed from an incident that occurred on Aug. 10. During the course of the initial investigation, deputies found evidence that Smith damaged the windows on the victim’s vehicle. Smith was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Smith was released on a $500 bond.
Cornell Tardy Jr. 21, of 8026 Rosemary Drive, Baytown, was arrested Sunday at 6:50 p.m. on charges of disturbing the peace by fighting, resisting arrest and warrant for failure to appear on charges of speeding, operating a vehicle without a driver’s license and failure to honor a written promise to appear.
Deputies responded to a report of a fight at the residence. Deputies found evidence that Tardy was involved in a physical altercation with another subject, and left the area prior to deputies’ arrival. Upon locating Tardy at a residence on Jones Road #2, he attempted to evade deputies by entering the residence. Tardy was called out of the residence and transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Bail is set at $3,914.
Roselyn Collins, 25, of 1508 Live Oak St., Patterson was arrested Sunday at 7:21 p.m. on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling. During booking at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center, a correctional officer located the active warrant for Collins. No bail is set.
Juvenile male, 16, of Patterson was arrested Sunday at 3:13 a.m. on charges of curfew violation and no license plate light. A deputy patrolling Bayou Vista conducted a traffic stop with a vehicle traveling on Delmar Road without a functioning license plate light. The deputy learned that the driver was 16 years old and was out after curfew. The juvenile was released to his guardian pending juvenile court proceedings.
Justin Blanchard, 25, of 911 Belmont Road, New Iberia, was arrested Sunday at 8:21 p.m. on charges of speeding, no driver’s license on person, possession of Schedule I marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
A narcotics detective monitoring traffic on US 90 in Amelia observed a vehicle traveling at 81 miles per hour in a 70 mile per hour zone. The detective conducted a traffic stop near Brashear Avenue and made contact with Blanchard. Blanchard told the detective he did not have his driver’s license.
While speaking with Blanchard, the detective smelled an odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle. The detective located marijuana and items of drug paraphernalia. Blanchard was released on a summons.

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Franklin Banner-Tribune
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Phone: 337-828-3706
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Phone: 985-384-8370
Fax: 985-384-4255