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Sheriff: Drunk driver threatened officer

Mon, 05/15/2017 - 10:19am

Staff Report

A 37-year-old Thibodaux man threatened a Morgan City police officer at the police department after a St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy caught him driving with a blood alcohol content over three times the legal limit, Sheriff Mark Hebert said in a news release.
—David Gomez-Morales, 37, of North Canal Boulevard in Thibodaux, was arrested at 9:27 p.m. Friday on charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, driver must be licensed, possession of open alcoholic container in motor vehicles, careless operation of a motor vehicle and public intimidation.
A deputy responded to a single vehicle crash on U.S. 90 in the Amelia area. The deputy observed a vehicle in the tree line near the highway and located the driver who was being attended by firefighting personnel.
The deputy identified the driver as Morales and found that he was operating the vehicle without a driver’s license. The deputy also located an open bottle of beer inside the vehicle. Morales was transported to the Morgan City Police Department where he registered a 0.278 grams-percent blood alcohol concentration on a breath test.
While at the Morgan City Police Department, Morales allegedly made threats against an officer. Morales was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. No bail is set.
Hebert reported responding to 143 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:
—Dedrick Gant Jr., 32, of Ibert Street in Patterson, was arrested at 8:38 p.m. Friday on charges of resisting an officer, possession of Xanax, obstruction of justice, violation of a controlled dangerous substance law-drug free zone and warrants for failure to appear on the charge of possession of Schedule I drugs, for failure to appear on the charge of domestic abuse batter strangulation-child endangerment law and for failure to appear on the charge of domestic abuse battery.
Narcotics detectives patrolling Morgan City observed a vehicle driving recklessly and conducted a traffic stop on Martin Luther King Boulevard. During the stop, a passenger exited the vehicle and fled on foot. After a brief foot pursuit, the passenger was detained. Detectives identified the passenger as Gant and located a Xanax pills that he had discarded as he fled.
The investigation occurred within 2,000 feet of a church. Gant was jailed with no bail set.
—Nadia Verdin, 40, of Railroad Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:03 a.m. Saturday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of failure to yield to an emergency vehicle.
A deputy encountered Verdin on Southeast Boulevard in Bayou Vista and found that she was wanted on the active warrant. Verdin was jailed with no bail set.
—Paris Durkins, 30, of Egle Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:13 p.m. Sunday on a charge of theft of goods. A deputy responded to a report of shoplifting at a store in Bayou Vista.
The deputy spoke with store security personnel and learned that Durkins took items from the store and then attempted to return them for a refund without having paid for the goods. Durkins was released on a summons to appear in court Aug. 15.
Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported responding to 92 calls and reported the following arrests:
—Jason J. Ashley, 29, of Campo Lane in Amite, was arrested at 12:19 a.m. Saturday on warrants charging him with theft of goods, resisting an officer and criminal damage to property and on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Ashley was located and arrested in the area of Leona Street on active arrest warrants held by the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Ashley was also found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. Ashley was jailed.
—Austin J. Stevens, 22, of Fourth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:04 a.m. Saturday on charges of possession of marijuana second offense and possession of drug paraphernalia and on a warrant for failure to appear to pay a probation fee.
—John P. Williams III, 17, of Felicia Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:04 a.m. Saturday on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Patrol officers located Stevens in the parking lot of a business in the area of La. 70. Stevens had active city court arrest warrants. Officers located Stevens in a vehicle at which time they detected an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.
Stevens was arrested and another occupant, Williams, was located in the vehicle. Officers located suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Officers found evidence linking Williams and Stevens to the contraband. Both suspects were jailed.
—Trinity N. Todd, 22, of Railroad Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:29 a.m. Saturday on a warrant charging her with contempt of court.
Todd was located and arrested at the Berwick Police Department on active Morgan City Court arrest warrants. Todd was jailed.
—Karen Strathman, 47, of Shady Grove in Patterson, was arrested at 6:28 p.m. Saturday on charges of disturbing the peace intoxicated and open container.
Patrol officers responded to the area of Cottonwood Street in regard to a suspicious woman. Officers arrived, and Strathman was identified as the woman in question.
Officers located Strathman, who was found to be in an intoxicated state and drinking an alcoholic beverage in public. Strathman was jailed.
—Diana Simmons, 53, of McDermott Drive in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:16 p.m. Saturday with disturbing the peace.
Patrol officers responded to the area of Chestnut Drive in regard to a disturbance. Officers arrived and Simmons was identified as one of the suspects. While officers attempted to investigate the complaint, Simmons allegedly continued to cause a disturbance. Simmons was jailed.
—Carlton P. Moncada, 57, of Karen Drive in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:17 p.m. Saturday on charges of DWI first offense, possession of marijuana and careless operation of a motor vehicle.
Patrol officers observed a vehicle traveling in the area of La. 182 swerving in the roadway and strike the curb flattening the tires on the vehicle. Officers stopped the vehicle, and Moncada was identified as the driver.
Moncada was found to be in an intoxicated state. Moncada performed poorly on a field sobriety test. Moncada was arrested and transported to jail for chemical testing.
Moncada was also found to be in possession of suspected marijuana. Moncada arrived to the jail and submitted to test and registered 0.141 grams-percent blood alcohol content. Moncada was jailed.
—Milton Garrison, 39, of Poncio Street in Morgan City, was at 10:40 p.m. Saturday on a charge of domestic abuse battery.
Patrol officers responded to the area of Freret Street in regard to a disturbance. Officers arrived and learned that Garrison was involved in a disturbance and allegedly struck the victim. Garrison was jailed.
—John Christenson, 47, of Edna Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:56 a.m. Sunday on charges of DWI second offense and improper lane usage.
Patrol officers observed a vehicle traveling in the area of La. 70 in an erratic manner. Police stopped the vehicle. Christenson, the driver, was found to be in an intoxicated state.
Christenson performed poorly on a field sobriety test. Christenson was arrested and transported to the Morgan City Jail for Chemical Test. Once at the jail, Christenson submitted to a chemical test and registered 0.180 grams-percent blood alcohol content. Christenson was jailed.
—Carlos E. Thigpin, 25, of Southeast Boulevard in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 2:52 a.m. Sunday on two warrants for failure to appear for arraignment and warrant charging him with simple battery.
Thigpin was located and arrested in the area of La. 182 on warrants for the police department and 16th Judicial District Court. Thigpin was jailed.
—Lantrell Ayers, 26, of Mallard Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:49 a.m. Sunday on charges of no driver’s license, disregard of traffic controls and principal to resisting an officer.
Patrol officers were investigating an incident in the area of Robin Street in which a person fled on foot from officers. A vehicle driven by Ayers was seen picking up the person while officers were in active pursuit and taking him out the area.
A description of the vehicle was provided, and officers located the vehicle. Officers saw the vehicle fail to stop at a red light in the area of La. 182 and initiated a stop.
Ayers was identified as the operator of the vehicle. Ayer was found not to possess a valid driver’s license. Ayers was arrested and jailed. The investigation on the original incident is ongoing.
—Brodney T. Williams, 27, of N Street in Patterson, was arrested at 7:34 p.m. Sunday on warrants charging him with resisting an officer by giving false information, simple battery and failure to appear to pay a fine.
Williams was located and arrested in the area of Brashear Avenue on warrants for Morgan City Court and the Morgan City and Patterson police departments. The Morgan City police warrant stems from an April investigation in which Williams allegedly gave investigators a false name during an investigation. Williams was jailed.
—James Drew, 45, of Sixth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:52 p.m. Sunday on charges of driving under suspension and following too closely.
Patrol officers responded to the area of Brashear Avenue in regard to a crash. Officers arrived, and Drew was identified as the driver of one of the vehicles involved. During the investigation he was found to be the party at fault in the crash, and his Louisiana driver’s license was currently suspended. Drew was jailed.
—Vonkinion Johnson, 34, of Southwood Drive in Houma, was arrested at 12:16 a.m. Monday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, no driver’s license and improper lighting.
—Tracy L. Johnson, 32, Southwood Drive in Houma, was arrested at 12:16 a.m. Monday on a charge of possession of mirtazapine.
Patrol officers observed a vehicle being operated in the area of Brashear Avenue with improper lighting and stopped the vehicle. Vonkinion Johnson and Tracy Johnson were identified as occupants of the vehicle. During the investigation officers located suspected marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a large amount if a prescription drug identified as mirtazapine.
Investigators found evidence linking Vonkinion Johnson to the suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia and evidence linking Tracy Johnson to the prescription medication for which she didn’t hold a valid prescription. Both Vonkinion Johnson and Tracy Johnson were jailed.
Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported the following arrests:
—William Robinson, 32, of Huberville Road in Jeanerette, was arrested at 2:33 p.m. Sunday on a St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office warrant for failure to appear on a charge of criminal neglect and on Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office warrants charging him with two counts of sexual battery, home invasion, simple battery, obscene talk on the phone, stalking and for failure to appear on a charge of gross littering. No bail is set yet.
—Deandre J. Austin, 23, of Mike Drive in Patterson, was arrested at 2:10 p.m. Friday on charges of improper lane usage, driving under suspension and a warrant charging him with possession of stolen property. Austin was released on $781 in city fines.
—Michael Blanchard, 48, of Olive Lane in Patterson, was arrested at 7:30 p.m. Saturday on a charge of disturbing the peace by intoxication. Bail is set at $413.
Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrests:
—Sable Leal, 27, of River Road in Berwick, was arrested at midnight Friday on warrants charging her with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and a 16th Judicial District for failure to appear. Leal posted $3,000.
—Trinity Todd, 22, of Park Street in Patterson, was arrested at 11 p.m. Friday on a Morgan City police warrant charging her with contempt of court. Todd was transferred to the Morgan City Police Department.
—Jorge Cordova, 33, of Jones Street in Berwick, was arrested at 12:08 a.m. Sunday on charges of disturbing the peace intoxicated, resisting an officer and battery on an officer. Cordova posted $928 cash bail.

Police Reports 5-15-17

Mon, 05/15/2017 - 9:52am

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert reported the following arrests:
David Gomez-Morales, 37, 316 North Canal Blvd., Thibodaux, was arrested on Friday at 9:27 p.m. for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, driving without a license, possession of open alcoholic container in motor vehicle, careless operation of motor vehicle and public intimidation. No bail is set.
Nadia Verdin, 40, 5019 Railroad Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested on Saturday at 12:03 a.m. on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of failure to yield to an emergency vehicle. No bail is set.
Alonia Sherron, 48, 506 Carl C. Foulcard Drive, Franklin, was arrested on Sunday at 2:13 a.m. on a warrant for shoplifting. She was released on a $1,500 bond. Franklin Police also charged her with theft by shoplifting.
Richard Darby, 30, 107 Lucy Lane, Centerville, was arrested on Sunday at 5:44 p.m. for domestic abuse battery. Darby was released on a $3,500 bond.
Linda Lange, 53, 2112 Hebert St., Franklin, was arrested on Sunday at 3:25 p.m. on a warrant for violation of protective orders. No bail is set. She was also charged by Franklin Police with violation of a protective order.
Paris Durkins, 30, 602 Egle St., Morgan City, was arrested on Sunday at 8:13 p.m. for theft of goods. Durkins was released on a summons.
Narcotics agents arrested Joseph Darby Sr., 35, 618 Anderson St., Franklin, on Friday at 4:47 pm. for possession of Schedule I – marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of Schedule I – MDMA with intent to distribute, possession of Schedule I – synthetic cannabinoids with intent to distribute, violation of a controlled substance law, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm by a person convicted of felonies, possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a minor. No bail is set.
Clyde Darby Jr., 30, 131 Sunset Drive, Lafayette, was arrested on Friday at 4:47 p.m. for possession of Schedule I – marijuana with intent to distribute, obstruction of justice and resisting an officer. No bail is set.
Dwayne Freedman, 42, Martin Luther King Blvd., Jeanerette, was arrested on Friday at 4:16 p.m. for possession of Schedule I – synthetic cannabinoids and possession of drug paraphernalia. No bail is set.
Dedrick Gant Jr., 32, 1400 Ibert St., Patterson, was arrested on Friday at 8:38 p.m. for resisting an officer, possession of Schedule IV – Xanax, obstruction of justice, violation of a controlled dangerous substance law, warrant for failure to appear on the charge of possession of Schedule I drug, warrant for failure to appear on the charge of domestic abuse batter and warrant for failure to appear on the charge of domestic abuse battery. No bail is set.
Franklin Police Chief Sabria McGuire reported the arrest of John Felton Jr., 52, of Hamilton St., Franklin, Friday at 7:21 a.m. on charges of simple battery, disturbing the peace and resisting an officer by force. He was held with no bond set.
Frank Small Jr., 37, of Third Street, Franklin, was charged while incarcerated at the parish jail Friday at 10:22 a.m. with distribution of schedule I narcotics (marijuana) and inciting a felony. Small was also arrested on warrants charging him with possession of schedule I narcotics (marijuana) with intent to distribute, illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, monetary instrument abuse, violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance law in a drug-free zone, illegal carrying of a weapon and possession of drug paraphernalia. He remains incarcerated at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.
Gary Jones, 49, of Ibert Street, Franklin, was arrested Friday at 5:04 p.m. on a warrant charging him with theft of goods and was held with no bond set.

'Steel Magnolias' returns to Teche

Mon, 05/15/2017 - 9:52am

The Teche Theatre for the Performing Arts will continue its déjà vu season with Steel Magnolias live on stage.
This true, beloved Louisiana story elicits many emotions, especially for playwright Robert Harling, who wrote the play about his sister’s death. The six women that are portrayed by local actresses from Lafayette to Berwick have put all their energies into telling of this heartwarming, heartbreaking story.
“Although everyone has seen the movie you have truly never felt the story like the power of the theatre allows us too,” director Ed ‘Tiger’ Verdin said. “We have laughed and we have cried as a cast. I am extremely proud of these Steel Magnolias that had 6 weeks to portray a lifetime of friendship and have mastered it.”
Truvy Jones (Susan Titus-Richard) runs a successful beauty salon in Chinquapin, La., where all the ladies in the neighborhood have a standing Saturday appointment. Truvy, along with her anxious and eager assistant, Annelle (Mamie Winters), styles the hair of many of the women about town: wealthy widow and former first lady of Chinquapin, Clairee Belcher (Chay Guillory); local curmudgeon Ouiser Boudreaux (Shane Winters); intelligent and compassionate career woman M’Lynn (Regan Barrilleaux); and her daughter Shelby (Amber Lanclos), the prettiest girl in town.
Shelby’s engagement is the talk of the town, but the joy and excitement of her wedding quickly turn to concern as she faces a risky pregnancy and a myriad of health complications. Eventually, when Shelby dies from complications related to her diabetes, M’Lynn has to deal with the most difficult of life’s challenges: the loss of one’s only child. As the women of Chinquapin make their way over life’s many hurdles together, they find comfort in one another.
The cast and directors are fresh off a trip from Natchitoches where they toured the filming locations including the Steel Magnolia House.
Eight years ago when the Teche first performed this production they were instrumental in getting Susan Harling Robinson/Steel Magnolia Day passed through Louisiana’s legislature for Oct. 7, Susan Harling Robinson’s birthday.
Steel Magnolias is slated for a run May 19-20 at 7 p.m. and matinee show May 21 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 each and are available at Lamp Lighter Antiques in Franklin and Sweet & Simple in Morgan City.
For more information about the Teche Theatre for the Performing Arts and upcoming productions/auditions, visit www.techetheatre.com or social media sites Facebook and Twitter.

Colorful summer bedding plants take the heat

Mon, 05/15/2017 - 9:17am

By DAN GILL, LSU AgCenter Horticulturist

Whether in flower beds, containers, hanging baskets or window boxes, summer bedding plants can quickly and economically help create the colorful landscape that so many gardeners crave. Through careful selection, a gardener can grow bedding plants that will thrive despite the sweltering heat of summer.
Bedding plants are classified into two groups based on the temperatures they prefer.
Cool-season bedding plants (such as pansies, dianthus, snapdragons, stock and calendulas) do best in the cold to mild temperatures of October through early May.
Warm-season bedding plants (such as torenia, begonia, marigolds and zinnias) grow and flower best in the warm to hot months of April to October. Because they are sensitive to freeze damage, warm-season plants are planted after the danger of frost is over. Now is the time to plant warm-season bedding plants into new beds in your landscape or as you remove cool-season annuals from existing beds.
True annuals are an important group of bedding plants we use to add color to the landscape. These short-lived plants grow from seed, bloom and die within one growing season. Few true annuals have the stamina to last all the way through our exceptionally long summer growing season of seven months.
Tender perennials, such as impatiens, periwinkles, blue daze, pentas, SunPatiens and begonias, are often grouped with the true annuals. This is because in most parts of the U.S. they only last one season before dying in winter’s freezes. But these plants do not die after a period of blooming as do the true annuals. If not for winter freezes, these plants would live and bloom for several years – and often do here when mild winters occur.
Tender perennials grown as annuals have more stamina than true annuals in the garden. While true annuals may play out before summer’s end, tender perennials bloom from late spring until cold weather arrives in November. They are an excellent choice for Louisiana flower beds.
Choose bedding plants well-suited to the growing conditions in the location where they will be planted. Sunlight is especially important. For beds that receive at least six to eight hours of sunlight each day, choose sun-loving bedding plants. In beds that receive about two to four hours of morning sun, choose bedding plants that prefer shady conditions.
Even bedding plants that like part shade to shady locations, however, will generally not perform as well in full shade where they receive no direct sun during the day. Caladiums, planted from tubers or growing plants, are one of the best choices for color in full shade.
Before you go to the nursery, look at the size of the area to be planted and try to estimate how many plants you will need. On average, bedding plants are spaced about 8 inches apart, but check the tag of the plants you’re considering. Beds will look skimpy when first planted, but the plants should grow to fill the bed when spaced properly. Keep a record of how many plants are used in a bed from one season to the next to make this process simpler.
Prepare beds carefully before putting in the summer bedding plants. A common mistake is to remove the faded plants, half-heartedly turn the soil and then plant the new plants. It takes a lot out of the soil to produce vigorous plants and abundant flowers, so we must give back to the soil if we expect each new planting to do its best.
First, remove any weeds or other unwanted plants from the bed. Next, turn the soil to a depth of about 8 inches. Spread a 2- to 4-inch layer of compost, rotted leaves, aged manure, composted finely ground pine bark or peat moss over the bed. Then evenly sprinkle a light application of an all-purpose fertilizer. Thoroughly blend the organic matter and fertilizer into the bed, rake it smooth, and you’re ready to plant.
Make sure you plant the transplants into the bed no deeper than they were growing in their original container and space them properly.
Once the bed is planted, mulch and thoroughly water-in the plants. I like to use a hose-end fertilizer applicator and water them in with a fertilizer solution to get them off to a good start. Newly planted bedding plants do not have well-established root systems and should be watered thoroughly every few days, or as needed if the weather is dry the first few weeks after planting.
Beds of beautiful flowers are not low maintenance. When deciding where, how large and how many beds you will plant, keep in mind that they will need regular care through the summer.
Warm-season bedding plants for sun to part sun: ageratum, amaranthus, angelonia*, balsam, blue daze*, celosia, cleome (particularly Senorita Rosalita) , coleus* (sun-tolerant types), coreopsis, cosmos (yellow gold and orange flowered types), dusty miller*, gaillardia (short-lived perennial), gomphrena, lantana*, marigold, melampodium, narrow-leaf zinnia, ornamental pepper*, periwinkle*, pentas*, portulaca, purslane*, rudbeckia (Goldsturm is a long-lived perennial), salvia*, scaevola*, sunflower, SunPatiens*, tithonia, perennial verbena and zinnia (Profusion and Zahara perform best).
Warm-season bedding plants for part-shade to shade: balsam, begonia*, browallia*, caladium* (perennial tuber), coleus*, impatiens*, New Guinea impatiens* (Divine and Bounce are recommended), pentas*, salvia* and torenia (Kauai is recommended).
*Tender perennials

Ex-friend cast out of social circle dreams of vengeance

Mon, 05/15/2017 - 9:14am

DEAR ABBY: My friend has decided she can no longer tolerate my husband. She feels he doesn’t “respect” her. This is far from the truth, in my mind. We have supported her emotionally and financially from time to time for many years. My husband does have a habit of making clunky jokes (anything for a laugh or to fill the void). But a real friend should see beyond that to the loving, supportive person he is at his core, in his heart, and forgive. We are now banned from her social group. I find this very harsh — cruel even.

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Soap Opera Review: Tell-all on hold for love on ‘YATR’

Mon, 05/15/2017 - 9:10am

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Ridge was furious with Thomas for defending Sally, who took a plea bargain, and for helping with her financial problems as well. Ridge gave Coco her job back and also gave Zende a chance to design for Forrester. DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Deimos had Xander take Nicole and baby Holly to Deimos’ private island after he abducted them. Deimos plans to be the hero and later “rescue” Nicole. Chad was angry when he saw Abigail and Thomas spending time with Dario. GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sam worried about Jason’s safety after he went to Cassadine Island in Greece to ...

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Mayor and staff at FHCC

Mon, 05/15/2017 - 7:26am

Mayor Raymond Harris Jr., above, and Franklin officials recently met with the staff of Franklin Health Care Center on emergency preparedness. Highlights focused on the city’s protocols set in place for the community in the event of an emergency. Each official pictured below thoroughly explained their roles and took questions from the staff. They encouraged the staff to make sure family responsibilities were addressed. Mayor Harris reminded them of past catastrophes statewide and to take advantage of participating in the “voluntary evacuation” signals that may be announced. Pictured are Mayor Harris, Chief Sabria McGuire, Fire Chief Chuck Bourgeois, Jeremy Smith, Lori Borne and FHCC Administrator Amanda Landry.

Recent Franklin city-wide cleanup

Mon, 05/15/2017 - 7:24am

Every month, various organizations and businesses sponsor a monthly clean-up day which is organized by the Keep St. Mary Beautiful local chapter and Franklin Foundation Hospital. As the corporate sponsor for the month of April, in conjunction with Earth Day, Cabot Corporation employees cruised along Franklin’s Main Street and Teche Drive picking up litter along this historic route. This is the ninth year Cabot employees have participated in the Keep St. Mary Beautiful campaign. Keep St. Mary Beautiful Board members also joined Cabot employees in the cleanup. Participating were Didi Battle, Betty Jo Champagne, Matt Barrilleaux, Greg Neely, Marguerite Robinson, Cindy Pusateri, Nicole LeBoeuf, Jay Cunningham and Michael Bennett.

'A Quiet Storm' premier set May 27 in Franklin

Mon, 05/15/2017 - 7:23am

Just coming off the sold-out production of Single Black Female we are excited to announce that Soulful Productions Inc. in collaboration with filmmakers Jason Affolder and Jonathan Woods, will hold a red carpet premier of their New Orleans based film A Quiet Storm in Franklin.
It will be May 27 at 7 p.m. Cost is $6 per ticket, and will be held at the Franklin High School Auditorium, 1401 Cynthia St. Tickets will go on sale shortly at eventbrite.com and locally at Lamp Lighter Antiques.
Aurora Williams is a 17-year-old girl living with her parents in the New Orleans neighborhood known locally as the Ninth Ward. A talented young pianist, Aurora is on the verge of leaving for college to study music when she discovers her cousin Tyrell is responsible for a heinous high-profile murder. Soon, Aurora faces a dire conundrum; turning Tyrell in is obviously the proper thing to do, but societal conventions and family loyalties complicate an already tense situation. Nobody wants to be branded “a snitch” in the tight-knit community of the Ninth Ward. With a large reward at stake and the police closing in on Tyrell, Aurora must decide if she is willing to risk the safety of her family in order to do what is right.
The filmmakers and producers will be on hand with a Q&A session after the film. A few of the film’s stars are working on their current scheduling to be in attendance as well. Persons interested in film making, acting or production may find this a useful opportunity.
Soulful Productions is placing a PG-13 rating due to gun violence and crime scenes depicted in the film.

Tour du Rouge in Franklin

Mon, 05/15/2017 - 7:22am

Tour du Rouge Cycling Tour from Houston to New Orleans passed through Franklin Wednesday, and stopped over for a rest and refreshments behind Shadowlawn. This six-day, push-your-limits ride along the Gulf Coast is limited to 100 riders. It is 535 miles total, with an average ride of 89 miles per day. Tour du Rouge supports The Arc of Greater Houston. A rider recalled meeting Mayor Raymond Harris Jr., above, from a previous tour and took some time to chat.