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Suspects in bizarre kidnap scheme had long records

Fri, 08/11/2017 - 10:51am

By TERRY JONES, The Advocate

The two men suspected of kidnapping a Lafayette woman — two men who drowned while fleeing police — had extensive criminal records in Mississippi, including arrests in a kidnapping case a decade ago, records show.

Authorities identified the pair on Wednesday even as they continued to seek a Lafayette businessman wanted in the Louisiana case – a task investigators say is proving difficult because of the financial resources he has to elude them.

The manhunt for the businessman, Lawrence Michael Handley, stretched into its third day. The identities of two men suspected of barging into the victim’s home and tossing her into a van earlier this week were finally revealed Wednesday. But exactly how Sylvester Bracey and Arsenio
Montreal Haynes, two 27-year-old men from Jackson, Mississippi, are connected to Handley remains a mystery.

Handley is the 49-year-old co-founder and former CEO of the Townsend, a chain of addiction treatment centers. The Lafayette Police Department has been seeking him since Monday on conspiracy to commit second-degree kidnapping, conspiracy to attempted second-degree kidnapping and violation of a protective order.

Lafayette police issued an arrest warrant for Handley a day after a kidnapping was reported at the home Handley once shared with his estranged wife on Founders Street in Lafayette.

Police have said a pair of armed men barged into the home, handcuffed an adult and a juvenile and placed a black bag over the head of a female victim who was forced inside a white van.

The West Baton Rouge coroner on Wednesday identified those two men as Bracey and Haynes. The pair drowned in the Intracoastal Waterway in Port Allen Sunday night while trying to flee from police who stumbled upon the female victim alive and handcuffed in the back of the van they abandoned during the chase.

The pair drew the attention of police as they sped along the shoulder of the east bound lanes of Interstate 10 Sunday afternoon.
as they tried to avoid a traffic snarl. They wound up stuck in the mud behind a business on La. 415, jumped out and ran off into the woods.

West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Mike Cazes said they drowned after jumping into the Instracoastal Waterway as they fled police.

Ribbon-cutting at Bayou Vista Burger King

Fri, 08/11/2017 - 10:33am

The Daily Review/Bill Decker
Local officials, St. Mary Chamber of Commerce members and employees gather Wednesday, as General Manager Blake Gros and District Leader Charles Colbert cut the ribbon signifying the renovation of the Bayou Vista Burger King. The restaurant is one of the Gulf Coast stores acquired in January by GPS Hospitality Group of Atlanta. Reggie Thomas, far right, the director of operations for GPS restaurants in the Lafayette-to-Lake Charles region, said the ribbon-cutting and renovation are a way for GPS to connect with the local community.

Patterson man charged with continuous sexual abuse of child

Fri, 08/11/2017 - 10:32am

Alleged acts occurred in Houston from 2008-10

Staff Report

A 41-year-old Patterson man has been arrested in St. Mary Parish on a warrant for allegedly sexually abusing a child in Houston from 2008 to 2010.

Kenneth Francis, 41, of Mill Road in Patterson, was arrested at 3:38 p.m. Thursday on warrants for failure to appear on the charge of failure to provide notice as a sex offender and for failure to comply with the terms and conditions of probation, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert said in a news release.

Francis is also being detained on a Harris County, Texas, warrant for continuous sexual abuse of a child. Morgan City police provided information to detectives regarding the Texas warrant. Detectives located at a home in Verdunville. Patterson police also assisted in the investigation.

From September 2008 through October 2010, Francis allegedly committed continuous sexual assaults against a child at a Houston home, according to a Houston Crime Stoppers news release.

Francis was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. No bail is set.

Hebert reported responding to 40 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:

—Jonathan Borne, 34, of Southeast Boulevard in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 5:09 p.m. Thursday on a charge of illegal possession of stolen things.

A deputy patrolling the Ricohoc area located a truck that had been reported stolen from Morgan City. The deputy observed the truck on Ricohoc Drive that matched the be-on-the-lookout information provided by the Morgan City Police Department.

The deputy stopped the vehicle and identified the driver as Borne. After speaking with him about the vehicle, the deputy transported Borne to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. No bail is set.

—Leo Green Jr., 52, of Verdun Lane in Franklin, was arrested at 9:25 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of criminal neglect of family.

A deputy stopped to assist a stranded motorist on U.S. 90 in Patterson. The deputy identified the driver as Green and located the active warrant for his arrest. Green was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Bail is set at $5,122.57.

Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported responding to 42 calls and reported the following arrests:

—Jarrod Hudson, 30, of Onstead Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:17 a.m. Thursday on a Berwick police warrant charging him with disturbing the peace.

Hudson was located at his home on Onstead Street. A warrant check revealed that he held an active warrant for the Berwick Police Department. Hudson was jailed.

—Christian A. Brown, 39, of Maple Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:14 a.m. Thursday on a warrant charging him with three counts of failure to pay fines.

Brown was located on Justa Street and had a city court warrant for his arrest, Blair said. Brown was jailed.

—Nathushun D. Singleton, 39, of Breaux Bridge, was arrested at 1:23 p.m. Thursday on charges of no turn signal, possession of synthetic marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

A patrol officer in the area of Redwood Street observed a vehicle fail to use its turn signal while turning on to Victor II Boulevard. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver, Singleton, was found to have suspected synthetic marijuana and items used to smoke illegal narcotics in his possession, Blair said. Singleton was jailed.

—Jim Businelle, 58, of Carol Road in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:11 p.m. Thursday on a warrant charging him with probation violation.

Buisnelle was transported from the parish jail to the Morgan City Police Department on a city court warrant. Businelle was jailed.

—Clarence J. Benoit Jr., 53, of Gibson, was arrested at 10:29 a.m. Thursday on charges of driving under suspension and view of windshield obstructed.

A patrol officer in the area of La. 182 near Seventh Street observed a vehicle with a large crack spanning the length of the windshield.

A vehicle stop was conducted and the driver, Benoit, was asked to produce a valid driver’s license. A computer check revealed that Benoit’s driver’s license was suspended. Benoit was jailed.

—Jude Resignola Jr., 22, of Federal Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 5:34 p.m. Thursday on a charge of remaining after being forbidden.

Officers responded to a residence on Lesley Drive in regard to removing an individual from the home. Officer arrived and spoke to the victim. The victim stated that Resignola had been told by the victim and officers on a prior occasion not to return to the home, but he continued to return to the location, Blair said. Resignola was located outside the home and jailed.

—Joshua N. Bertrand, 39, of Levee Road in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:29 p.m. Thursday on charges of DWI and improper lane usage

Officers responded to a vehicle crash on Justa Street and located one of the drivers, Bertrand, who appeared to be under the influence of some type of narcotic, Blair said.

Bertrand did poorly on a field sobriety test, Blair said. At the police department, Bertrand registered 0.000 grams-percent blood alcohol content on a chemical test, Blair said. Bertrand was jailed.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrest:

—Peter Grogan, 39, of Railroad Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:55 a.m. Friday on charges of open alcoholic container and a warrant for failure to appear on charges of theft and trespassing. Bail was set at $1,100.

Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported no arrests.

Levee board to address concerns about flood insurance

Fri, 08/11/2017 - 9:45am

St. Mary Levee District leaders plan to make their voices heard in Washington, D.C., as Congress considers changes to the National Flood Insurance Plan that could affect many south Louisiana residents. The levee district commission met Thursday at the St. Mary Parish Courthouse. Commissioners authorized the levee district to send a letter to its congressional delegation regarding the renewal of the National Flood Insurance Program. The letter is addressed to U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, R-Baton Rouge, and Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, along with Rep. Clay Higgins, R-Lafayette. The current five-year flood insurance plan expires Sept. 30. The program was ...

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COOKING ON DEADLINE: Try this green bean salad for a change of pace

Fri, 08/11/2017 - 9:40am

By KATIE WORKMAN, The Associated Press

And then that moment of summer arrives when the green beans are piled so high at the markets, and being sold at such a low price, that you feel like you’d be a fool not to pick up a pound or two or five. I mean they are practically giving them away for free. (And if you have a garden, then you may be trying to give away a pound or two or five.)
So you bring home that hill — or mountain — of green beans, and you have to figure out what to do with them.
Sauteing some green beans in a bit of olive oil and butter and then finishing them off by adding some water or broth to the pan and steaming them — that’s the way I go most of the time. Quite delicious, with a nice dusting of salt and pepper, and they go with everything. After a few days though, my family starts to look at me with flickers of boredom in their eyes. And I still have mountains of beans to climb.
That’s where bean salads come into play. It is a great late-summer, early-fall way to put those beans to use. Not to mention bean salads are portable, picnic-worthy and can be made ahead of time.
This one is so simple — really just beans with a vinaigrette. A day in the fridge will deepen the flavor.
If you wanted to go for a warm bean salad, skip the ice-water bath and cook the beans for about 5 minutes until still crisp tender. Drain and toss the warm beans with the vinaigrette, then let cool slightly. The beans will continue to soften a bit as they cool in the vinaigrette, so make sure to drain them before they are too tender.
Creole mustard is a coarse, stone-ground mustard, zippy and with a nice, nubby texture. Once this ingredient becomes part of your pantry, it will never NOT be there. Any Louisianan will tell you, don’t you dare make a remoulade sauce without it. But if you wanted to use a coarse Dijon, which will also work just fine (just don’t shoot your mouth off about it down South).
HONEY CREOLE MUSTARD GREEN BEANS
Start to finish:
15 minutes
1½ pounds green beans, trimmed
1 Tbsp. honey
1 Tbsp. Creole mustard
1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
½ tsp. salt, plus more if needed
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Fill a medium-size bowl with ice water. Add green beans to the boiling water and cook until just tender, 6 to 8 minutes.
Drain well, and plunge them into the bowl of ice water. Drain when they have cooled.
While beans are cooking, in a large serving bowl, whisk together honey, Creole mustard, vinegar, olive oil, ½-teaspoon salt and pepper.
Toss cooled green beans in the dressing, taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve at room temperature. A day in the fridge deepens flavor.
Servings: 4 to 6
Nutrition information per serving: 104 calories; 35 calories from fat; 4 g fat (1 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 339 mg sodium; 16 g carbohydrate; 5 g fiber; 10 g sugar; 3 g protein.
—Katie Workman has written two cookbooks focused on easy, family-friendly cooking, “Dinner Solved!” and “The Mom 100 Cookbook.”

Study boosts hope of ‘liquid biopsies’ for cancer screening

Fri, 08/11/2017 - 9:37am

By MARILYNN MARCHIONE, AP Chief Medical Writer

Scientists have the first major evidence that blood tests called liquid biopsies hold promise for screening people for cancer. Hong Kong doctors tried it for a type of head and neck cancer, and boosted early detection and one measure of survival.
The tests detect DNA that tumors shed into the blood. Some are used now to monitor cancer patients, and many companies are trying to develop versions of these for screening, as possible alternatives to mammograms, colonoscopies and other such tests. The new study shows this approach can work, at least for this one form of cancer and in a country where it’s common.
“This work is very exciting on the larger scale” because it gives a blueprint for how to make tests for other tumor types such as lung or breast, said Dr. Dennis Lo of Chinese University of Hong Kong. “We are brick by brick putting that technology into place.”
He led the study, published Wednesday by the New England Journal of Medicine. Lo is best known for discovering that fetal DNA can be found in a mom’s blood, which launched a new era of non-invasive testing for pregnant women.
The study involved nasopharyngeal cancer, which forms at the top of the throat behind the nose. It’s a good test case for DNA screening because it’s an aggressive cancer where early detection matters a lot, and screening could be tried in a population where the cancer is most common — middle-aged Chinese men.
Also, the Epstein-Barr virus is involved in most cases, so tests could hunt for viral DNA that tumors shed into the blood in large quantities, rather than rare bits of cancer cells themselves.
About 20,000 men were screened, and viral DNA was found in 1,112, or 5.5 percent. Of those, 309 also had the DNA on confirmatory tests a month later. After endoscope and MRI exams, 34 turned out to have cancer.
More cases were found at the earliest stage — 71 percent versus only 20 percent of a comparison group of men who had been treated for nasopharyngeal cancer over the previous five years. That’s important because early cases often are cured with radiation alone, but more advanced ones need chemotherapy and treatment is less successful.
Screening also seemed to improve how many survived without worsening disease — 97 percent at three years versus 70 percent of the comparison group.
Only one person who tested negative on screening developed nasopharyngeal cancer within a year.
The researchers estimate 593 people would need to be screened at a total cost of $28,600 to identify one cancer case. It may be worth it in Hong Kong, but maybe not in places like the U.S. where the disease is rare, and more people would have to be screened at a greater cost to find each case, said Dr. Richard Ambinder of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, who wrote a commentary in the journal.
Still, “this is showing that liquid biopsies have great promise,” he said. “This is an advance that will indeed save lives.”
The study was sponsored by an Asian foundation and the Hong Kong government. Lo and some other authors founded Cirina, a Hong Kong-based company focused on early cancer detection, and get royalties related to DNA blood tests. In May, Cirina merged with Grail Inc., a California company working on cancer screening blood tests with more than $1 billion from drug companies and big-name investors such as Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates.

Iran arrests 6 young people for promoting Zumba dance

Fri, 08/11/2017 - 9:29am

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iranian media say authorities have arrested six young people for promoting Zumba, the Latin-inspired dance exercises, and other types of exercise.
The arrests are part of Iran’s decades-long crackdown against influences of Western culture. In June, Iran banned Zumba and other exercises considered un-Islamic.
Thursday’s report says the six included two women. They were arrested by the powerful Revolutionary Guard in the town of Shahroud, about 400 kilometers, or 250 miles, east of the capital, Tehran.
Such arrests and raids are common in Iran.
The report also says the suspects published videos of Zumba moves and exercises on social networks — and encouraged young women to take off their Islamic head-covering in public places.
Under the law, women in Iran should cover their hair and avoid figure-hugging attire.

LAUDER ARISTIDE FRANK

Fri, 08/11/2017 - 9:22am

(October 26, 1932 - August 5, 2017)
Lauder Aristide Frank passed away on Saturday, August 5, 2017, at 2:45 a.m. in San Antonio, Texas, at the age of 84.
Lauder is survived by his wife of 61 years, JoAnn Watts Frank. He is also survived by his children: Claire Frank Morgan and husband Calvin, Phyllis Frank Deshotel and husband Harold, Gregory Paul Frank and wife Melanie, Sherry Frank Wilkins and husband Jim, and Timothy David Frank and wife Sheryl. Lauder and JoAnn have 10 grandchildren and 10 great children: Renee Morgan Henigan and husband John with children Lillian, Juliet and Eleanor; Jared Morgan and wife Leah; Chris Deshotel and wife Allison and children Jacob, Layla and Luke; Megan Deshotel Barousse and husband Koby and children Aidan, Bella, Eli and Nash; Lucas A. (Alex) Frank, Gregory S. (Seth) Frank, Amanda Wilkins, Emily Wilkins, Thomas Frank and Andrew Frank.
Lauder is preceded in death by his parents Charles Wyman Frank and Mary Eugenie Couvillion Frank, older sister Mary Beverly Frank Richardson and older brother Charles Walter Frank.
Lauder was born on October 26, 1932, in Marksville, Louisiana. After graduating from high school in 1950 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served his country during the Korean War. After being honorably discharged, he married JoAnn Watts on May 26, 1956. Lauder graduated from Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe, Louisiana, with a degree in Pharmacy. After moving to Franklin, Louisiana in 1961 Lauder owned and operated the Frere Drug Co. for 40 years. He became an integral part of the Franklin community serving on the Franklin Planning Commission, the Order of Elks and St. John Elementary school board as well as volunteering at Hanson Memorial High School. He also gave of his time to the Louisiana Pharmacists Association, was on the board of directors for Louisiana Wholesale Incorporated, and became certified by the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy to train pharmacy interns. Lauder was an avid gardener and loved woodworking. He was known and loved by many members of the community. In 2008 he and JoAnn moved to Helotes, Texas where he remained until his death.
A graveside service will be held in the Cushman Cemetery on Tarleton Street in Marksville, Louisiana on Monday, August 14 at 10:30 a.m. with a reception to follow at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church hall at 141 S. Washington St. Marksville, La. 71351. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio Foundation at 100 NE Loop 410, Suite 706, San Antonio, Texas 78216 or www.childrenshospitalsafoundation.org.
(Paid Notice)

SARAH ELLEN OVERBEY ROSE

Fri, 08/11/2017 - 9:21am

March 18, 1942 – August 8, 2017
Sarah Ellen Overbey Rose passed away at the age of 75 on Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at her home in Franklin. Sarah, one of four children born to the late Austin Kyle Overbey and the late Georgia Sowers Overbey, was a native of Winnfield, La. and has spent the past 50 years in Franklin where she raised her family and taught school. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, who had a deep faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A 1960 graduate of Winnfield High School, Sarah went on to receive her Bachelor’s in education from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston. She was a longtime teacher in the St. Mary Parish School System where she retired from. She was also a former Den Mother of the Cub Scouts Pack 404. Some of Sarah’s favorite pastimes were gardening, reading, crocheting, painting, and simply spending time with family. She will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Those she leaves to cherish her memory include her five children, David Rose Jr., Beth Rose Berard and her husband Allen, Kyle Rose and his wife Stephanie, Carrie Rose Gaudin and her husband Corey, and William Rose and his wife Julie; ten grandchildren, Destany Rose, Ian Rose, Ali Berard, Cara Berard, Austin Rose, Amalie Gaudin, Sydney Gaudin, Elijah Gaudin, Rylee Rose, and Avery Rose; one sister, Linda O. McKinney; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, David Crawford Rose Sr.; and two brothers, Austin Kyle Overbey Jr. and William Stafford Overbey.
Relatives and friends are invited to join the family for the visitation at Ibert’s Mortuary in Franklin on Saturday, August 12, 2017, from 9 a.m. until time of the funeral service at 12 p.m. Following the service, she will be laid to rest in the Franklin Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be her sons, David Rose Jr., Kyle Rose, and William Rose, her sons-in-law, Allen Berard and Corey Gaudin, and cousin, David Naquin.
Family and friends may view the obituary and express their condolences online by visiting www.iberts.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert’s Mortuary, Inc., 1007 Main Street, Franklin, La. 70538, (337) 828-5426.
(Paid Notice)

Spouse can’t fix what’s broken between wife and her mother

Fri, 08/11/2017 - 9:10am

DEAR ABBY: My wife and I met four years ago, have been married for two and I still haven’t met her mother. My mother-in-law, a homophobic, self-proclaimed “evangelist prophet,” refuses to acknowledge our union. Her behavior upsets my wife, which angers me to the point that I have no desire to ever cross paths with her. My wife sometimes cries about this wedge in their relationship, which only makes me resent my mother-in-law more. Is there something I should do or say to either of them that might possibly help all of us deal with this turmoil a little better? FRUSTRATED ...