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School system announces appointments to leadership posts

The St. Mary Parish school system has announced appointments to leadership posts in the district.
—Ashley Clark has been named secondary supervisor and parish athletic director.
Clark has a master’s in educational leadership from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She began her career as a teacher and coach at West St. Mary High in 2001, and would work there for 22 years.
Clark has been athletic director, assistant principal, interim principal and principal. Under her leadership, West St. Mary became an A-rated school with a score of 90.6 in 2023.
“I am comfortable navigating challenging situations to promote positive outcomes, and I am confident in my ability to build relationships that foster academic and athletic success,” Clark said in a school system Facebook post.
—Krieg Triggs has been named assistant principal at Patterson High.
Triggs holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from the ULL. He began his career in St. Mary Parish as a health and physical education teacher and most recently served as dean of students at W.P. Foster Elementary. He is also a certified personal trainer.
Triggs is an advocate for physical and mental health and focuses on social emotional learning strategies.
A 1998 graduate of Patterson High, Triggs said he “understands what it means to walk the halls of PHS as a student.”
—Almetra Pierce-Stansbury has been named coordinator of secondary special services.
She holds a master’s degree in education leadership from the ULL. Her career began 25 years ago as a paraeducator with the St. Mary Parish Alternative Program.
While there, she became a certified special education teacher and worked in that role at J.A. Hernandez and LaGrange Elementary. She became assistant principal at Patterson Junior High in 2022.
“I know the support paraeducators, educators, and or administrators need to ensure our students are successful, as I have once sat in each of their seats,” Pierce-Stansbury said in a Facebook post from the school system.
—Yardina Wilson has been named McKinney-Ventro liaison, a role in which she will assist homeless young people and their families to support education and financial needs.
Wilson has a master’s in school counseling from Nicholls State and has served as a professional school counselor in elementary and middle schools in Vermilion and Iberia parishes since 2015.
“As a school counselor, my focus has been providing guidance and support to the students, parents, and faculty,” Wilson said on Facebook. “My experiences with diverse populations have provided me with a well-rounded perspective that I bring to my new role.”
—Sarah Olivier has been named English language arts secondary specialist. Olivier has a master’s degree in educational leadership and is pursuing a doctorate at the ULL. Her research centers on exploring effective ELA practices to enhance instructional methods.
Olivier began her career teaching grades 6-8 ELA and 9-12 ELA and is now teaching ELA at West St. Mary High School. She has held positions as district literacy coach and master teacher in neighboring districts.
“I am eager to build our district’s capacity by leveraging my knowledge of ELA curriculum and assessments to support the district’s educational vision of supporting every student, every day,” Olivier said on Facebook.

Legislators demand answers from DOTD

Legislators grilled Department of Transportation and Development officials last week on the communication, timing and funding of their services. 
The Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committee met to discuss funds allocated to DOTD districts, which are different than legislative districts.
In total, DOTD received almost $400 million in funding from the infrastructure fund and other excess funds. The nine districts were each given $7.5 million for preserving the existing system. 
The 2023 Louisiana Transportation System User Survey shows preserving the existing system is what taxpayers care about. Sixty-four percent of respondents said the most important thing to do with transportation funding is maintaining what we already have. The second most important subject, with 75% of responses putting it in the top three, is improving transportation safety.
“You don’t hear people asking for a million dollar bridge. Tt is the potholes, it is the route they already take to and from work,” said Joe Donahue, the secretary of DOTD. 
Every legislator on the committee agreed communication was a huge issue. Rep. Kellee Dickerson, R-Denham Springs, complained it took her six months to get in contact with engineers to explain the timing of a project to her. 
Many representatives didn’t even know what district they were in or how their money is allocated until receiving a pamphlet that morning. 
“I just want the communication. It would be that simple,” Dickerson said. 
Donahue responded by saying many of the timing and communication issues are due to federal organizations. He also said the bureaucratic nature of transportation systems slows things down for the sake of making sure it’s done right. 
Rep. Larry Bagley, R-Caddo, argued that isn’t always the case.
“We hear these things is the federal’s fault, but the federal says no, they said it’s not their fault, they’re ready to work,” Rep. Bagley said. 
Donahue, who was appointed in June, agreed that reform efforts under his new leadership are necessary, because previous information he was given was not accurate. 
“If you look at that list of projects that went out and that I went and testified to at the road shows, some of them indicated that they would be let this fiscal year, but design had not been started, the funding had not been identified for them,” Donahue said.
“So it was very eye opening. The information that we had been providing to this body is not reliable.” 
Donahue also said that in some cases, there’s insufficient funding to complete all of the projects on the Highway Priority Program list. 
Rep. Bryan Fontenot, R-Thibodeaux, gave some ideas for solutions to a lack of financing, including work release programs for incarcerated individuals, and eliminating low-use roads that are still being maintained by taxpayers. 
Fontenot also argued for a better portal to receive complaints from citizens.
Both Donahue and Fontenot agreed that an employment system with civil service protections creates a system of bureaucrats providing excuses instead of delivering results. Donahue promises change to that system. 
“To a large extent it’s the decisions that were made by the agency head in the past, and it is the lack of systematic process in how policy is developed and implemented,” Donahue said.

Qualifying for Morgan City, School Board offices begins Wednesday

The three-day qualifying period for candidates in the Nov. 5 primary election opens Wednesday.
In addition to the presidential and U.S. House races, the Nov. 5 ballot will also include races for Morgan City mayor and City Council, and the District 1 seat on the St. Mary Parish School Board.
The current Morgan City office-holders are Mayor Lee Dragna and council members Lou Tamporello, Steve Domangue, the Rev. Ron Bias, Bonnie Leonard and Tim Hymel.
The District 1 School Board seat had been held by Joseph Foulcard, who died in September.
Longtime School Board employee Guienzy Brent was appointed to the post on an interim basis. The Nov. 5 election will elect a successor for the remainder of the term, which expires in January 2027.
Candidates will qualify 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at the Clerk of Court’s Office at the Parish Courthouse in Franklin.
Qualifying for the Morgan City offices costs $150 for registered Democrats and Republicans and $75 for those registering as no party.
Qualifying for School Board costs $230 for Democrats and Republicans and $115 for others.
If runoffs are necessary, they will be Dec. 7.

St. Mary unemployment up slightly in May

St. Mary Parish’s unemployment rate was up slightly in May on a drop in employment of 172 jobs, according to figures from the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
The May unemployment rate for St. Mary was 4.3%, up from 4.2% in April and from 4.2% in May 2023.
The number of employed people in May was 17,729, down from 17,901 in April and 18,066 a year ago.
The number of unemployed people rose by 23 to 806.
In Assumption, May joblessness was at 4%, up from 3.5% in April and down from 4.5% in May 2023.
Assumption employment was at 8,346 in May, down 102 from April and 20 from May 203. The number of unemployed was up 20 month over month to 346.
Statewide, the unemployment rate was 4.1% in May, compared to a national rate of 4.0%.
Louisiana lost 3,400 jobs between April and May but gained 5,900 from May 2023.
The big gainer in May was the financial activities sector, which picked up 1,400 jobs. The sector was down 2,300 jobs year over year.
Government added 600 jobs in May.
Private education and health services fell by 2,400 jobs in May, and leisure and hospitality was down 2,200.

Local police investigate theft cases

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

A video game console figured in one of four local arrests recently on theft or forgery charges, and assault charges resulted from a false complaint of armed robbery.

Assumption

Sheriff Leland Falcon reported these arrests:

--Jessica Paige Smith, 37, Vivian Street, Bayou L’Ourse, was arrested Monday on felony theft charges arising from a complaint in Bayou L’Ourse.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence in the 200 block of Vivian Street in reference to the theft of a PlayStation 5. The complainant advised that he had been in a relationship with Smith, and they recently separated. When she vacated the complainant’s home, Smith allegedly stole the PlayStation 5.

At the completion of the investigation, deputies secured a warrant for the arrest of Smith.

On Monday, Smith turned herself into the Assumption Parish Detention Center. Smith was booked and released on a $10,000 bond.

--Montrell Lawrence Garrison, 29, Hedgeford Drive, Gray, was arrested Monday two counts of aggravated assault arising from an incident early Monday morning at a residence in the 100 block of Ryder Lane near Labadieville .Deputies were dispatched to the location in reference to a reported armed robbery.
Upon arrival, deputies made contact with the complainant, who advised he had been robbed at gunpoint by a female.

Deputies initiated an investigation and were able to determine that the complainant, Garrison, was a party to a disturbance at the Ryder Street address where several individuals were present. Witnesses indicated that the complainant brandished a knife and began swinging the knife wildly towards individuals that were present.

Several witnesses were able to subdue Garrison and disarm him. Deputies were able to determine that no armed robbery occurred.

At the conclusion of the investigation, Garrison was arrested and remains incarcerated pending a bond hearing.

Morgan City

Chief Chad M. Adams reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 132 calls for service over the last 96-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

--Corey Michael Stevens, 38, River Road Berwick, was arrested at 9:30 a.m. Monday on charges of access device fraud and theft (under $1,000).

--Anthony Lee Watson Jr., 33, Garber Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:36 p.m. Monday on a charge of failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Demetrius Owens, 31, Morgan City, was arrested 1:19 a.m. Tuesday on a charge of remaining after forbidden.

--Devontae Jacoby Short, 31, Lawrence Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 5:45 a.m. Tuesday on a three counts of failure to appear for arraignment (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Leon Sylvester, 40, Glenwood, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:37 a.m. Friday on a charge of contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.

--Drake Geisler, 30, Elaine Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:43 p.m. Friday on charges of disturbing the peace (fighting) and telephone harassment.

--Gregory Paul Billiot, 61, Weeks Island Road, New Iberia, was arrested at 11:32 p.m. Friday on a probation violation (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Jessica Lynn Broussard, 35, Felicia Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:40 a.m. Saturday on a charge of disturbing the peace (fighting).

--Len’en Ash Lafleur, 25, Greenleaf Boulevard, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:40 a.m. Saturday on two counts of simple battery.

--Carinn Rink, 23, Teddy Street, Pierre Part, was arrested at 1:40 a.m. Saturday on a charge of disturbing the peace (fighting).

--Jamie Lynn Thibodaux, 42, Vine Drive, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:59 p.m. Saturday on a charge of domestic abuse battery (child endangerment law).

--Chad Curtis Michael Savin, 28, West 158th Street, Galliano, 2was arrested at 3:55 p.m. Sunday on a charge of criminal damage to property. (Released on summons.)

St. Mary

Sheriff Gary Driskell reported that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 29 complaints and made these arrests:

--Tyjon Keron Alexander, 23, Franklin, was arrested at 10:30 p.m. Monday on a warrant alleging failure to appear as a witness. Bail has not been set at this time.

--Eugenia Nirvana Hernandez-Nevejar, 24, Morgan City, was arrested at 4:58 p.m. Monday on a charge of theft. Bail has not been set at this time.

--Candace Michelle Leblanc, 45, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:24 p.m. Monday on a charge of forgery. Leblanc was released on a $3,000 bond.

--Erick Brunner, 41, Labadieville, was arrested at 4:53 p.m. Monday on an Assumption Parish warrant alleging operating a vehicle with a suspended license and maximum speed limit. Brunner is being held for another agency.

Morgan City police radio logs for July 15-16

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.
Monday, July 15
7:53 a.m. 700 block of Second Street; Animal complaint.
8:46 a.m. Lakeside; Suspicious person.
9:27 a.m. 1600 block of Elm Street; Animal complaint.
9:44 a.m. 500 block of Brashear Avenue; Medical.
9:52 a.m. 400 block of Oregon Street; Complaint.
10:02 a.m. 200 block of Second Street; Animal complaint.
Noon Bernice Street; Suspicious person.
12:47 p.m. 700 block of Second Street; Alarm
12:50 p.m. Eighth Street/Brashear Avenue; Vehicle accident.
12:59 p.m. 800 block of Clothilde Street; Vehicle accident.
1:18 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Criminal damage.
1:22 p.m. Franklin Street; Suspicious person.
1:57 p.m. 400 block of Duke Street; Domestic disturbance.
2:01 p.m. 1300 block of Victor II Boulevard; Disturbance.
2:51 p.m. 1200 block of Onstead Street; Missing person.
3:13 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Medical.
3:39 p.m. 300 block of Garber Street; Welfare concern.
3:50 p.m. 1100 block of Levee Road; Assistance.
5:21 p.m. 500 block of Freret Street; Medical.
6:30 p.m. 1100 block of Dora Street; Welfare concern.
6:55 p.m. 900 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard; Complaint.
7:25 p.m. 600 block of Willow Street; Animal complaint.
7:30 p.m. 300 block of Third Street; Medical.
7:42 p.m. 2100 block of Federal Avenue; Complaint.
8:10 p.m. 2000 block of Allison Street; Alarm.
9:21 p.m. Second/Barrow streets; Arrest.
9:46 p.m. 1200 block of Onstead Street; Disturbance.
10:23 p.m. Florence/Seventh streets; Suspicious subject.
10:36 p.m. Duke/Eighth streets; Suspicious subject.
11:26 p.m. 2100 block of Federal Avenue; Medical.
Tuesday, July 16
1:17 a.m. Shannon/Egle streets; Arrest.
4:59 a.m. U.S. 90 East; Assistance.

St. Jude Horseshoe Tournament Fundraiser

St. Jude’s Summer Horseshoe Tournament Fundraiser
Kemper Williams Park
Patterson
July 13
Class A
First place, Tim Gilmore (tournament champion), Bayou Vista, 6 wins-1 loss, 60.8 ringer percentage; second place, Julius Lovell, Bayou L’Ourse, 5-2, 37.1; and Third place, Clyde Landry, Pierre Part, 5-2, 42.1.
Class B
First, Travis Bourdier, Patterson, 4-1, 34.0; second, Mack Thibodeaux, Lake Arthur, 4-1, 24.5; and third, Dwain Arceneaux, Thibodeaux, 3½-1½, 33.0.
Class C
First, Kevin Kinslow, Houma, 7-0, 23.3; second, Joe Primeaux, Broussard, 6-1, 17.6; and third, Glenn Caillouet, Raceland, 4-3, 20.8.
Class D
First, Ricky Pitre, Chauvin, 5-1, 12.1; second, Adarrious Robertson, Baton Rouge, 4-2, 20.4 ; and third, Hilton Rhodes, Bayou Vista, 2½-1½, 10.5.

Jim Bradshaw: When Centerville was the coolest place in Louisiana

When William S. Cary built an ice house next to Bayou Teche in Centerville in 1850, the (Franklin) Planters’ Banner proclaimed that “the project … has contributed more to the health, comfort and luxury of the population” than anything yet seen.
It may have been the first ice storage facility in South Louisiana. Small amounts of ice had been shipped in casks to Teche communities for some years before that, but in the newspaper’s view the capacity of the new ice house could lead to climate change.
“It has been remarked a thousand times, that were it not for the excessive heat of Louisiana in the summer months … that she would be by far the most delightful State in the Union to reside in. This is certainly true; and … no one ever thinks that the disadvantages of climate could ever be remedied. But such is not the case; by a plentiful use of ice the climate of Louisiana may be moved many miles north,” the newspaper claimed.
That was William Cary’s idea, too. He did not make the ice. The first primitive system to manufacture ice wasn’t patented until 1853. Cary’s ice was cut from frozen lakes up north and shipped by flatboat — packed in sawdust — to ice houses in New Orleans, from which it was sold or shipped elsewhere. It was sent by steamboat to Centerville, still insulated with sawdust or straw, but melting away during the trip.
The sawdust was key to slowing the melting enough that ice could be hauled from one place to another with enough of it left to be worthwhile. There is a story in my family about one of my ancestors who invested his life savings in several flatboats, went up north and cut ice all winter, and returned as far as Baton Rouge when all of his ice melted, sinking his flatboats and his fortune. Nobody told him about the sawdust.
Mr. Cary had better luck, or better sense.
Cary’s ice, the newspaper promised “is of the finest quality — solid as the adamantine rock, and in cakes that never seem to have known the ‘melting mood’ since Old Winter, the great ice planter, long, long ages ago first struck them off. … There are blocks weighing from four to five hundred pounds, and so unsusceptible to melting that … it may be carried without any danger of it melting, unlike that sent up in steamboats from the city, in casks.”
The Banner reported on April 11, 1850, that Cary had just received a hundred tons of ice, “and has it nicely packed away … for the benefit of the people of this parish during the approaching hot weather.” The newspaper said Cary planned to sell it “at a low price, to induce people to buy liberally, that he may secure a business in this line that will pay in future.” The Banner noted that “when the waste by melting between New Orleans and Attakapas is considered, Mr. Cary’s ice will cost but little more than half what New Orleans ice will.”
The business plan must have worked. Early in 1851 Cary built a larger ice house “of about 350 tons capacity, and on a plan which can hardly fail to preserve the ice in good condition through the summer.” Its walls were five layers thick, “two of which are filled with sawdust, and the other three are air spaces.”
He reportedly had on hand 200 tons of “the best kind of Boston ice, which of course is frozen tolerably hard” so that “Franklin people will be well supplied with ice the coming season, and will be able to keep cool if they patronize Mr. Cary liberally.”
The cooling ice helped keep you healthy as “an invaluable agent in the hands of the physician,” the newspaper suggested, “and if [people] in this parish would take an ice bath every morning, when suffering under languor … they would feel in a short time as if they had taken a trip to Canada and resided in Quebec for six months! We do not speak theoretically … we have tried it and tested it.”
The editor also tried, and gave testimony for, another use of the ice.
“As a cheap, elegant and luxurious dessert, ice cream, flavored in the many delicious ways that accomplished housekeepers of St. Mary can do it, is unparalleled. … Ice cream is the most elegant, most economical and sanitary of all desserts.”
I won’t vouch for the ice baths, although they seem like a tempting idea when the heat index goes crazy. I will fully join in the Banner’s praise of ice cream as elegant, luxurious, and delicious — especially when it is heaped liberally on a slice of fresh-baked pie.
You can contact Jim Bradshaw at jimbradshaw4321@gmail.com or P.O. Box 1121, Washington LA 70589.

Driver in head-on Berwick crash accused of impairment

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

Berwick police reported the arrest of a man on an impaired driving charge after Thursday’s head-on crash that sent two people to area hospitals.

St. Mary deputies reported recent arrests on charges that include theft, domestic abuse, assault with a firearm and cyberstalking.

Morgan City police arrested a Berwick man on fentanyl possession charges, and Assumption deputies detained a Patterson man accused of drug possession and attempting to flee from a traffic stop.

Berwick

Chief David S. Leonard reported these arrests:

--Marvin Breaux, 71, Patterson, was arrested at 9:20 a.m. Thursday on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense), reckless operation of a motor vehicle and open container.

About 8:41 a.m. Thursday, the Berwick Police Department received a call of a two-vehicle crash on La. 182. Officers met with the parties involved, and it was learned that the two vehicles collided head on.

The driver and passenger of the vehicle that was struck were transported to an area hospital for possible injuries. One of the drivers was identified as Breaux.

While speaking with Breaux, impairment was detected. Witnesses in the area also corroborated that moments before the crash, Breaux’s vehicle was traveling in a reckless and erratic manner and at one point was traveling in the opposing lane.

A series of standardized field sobriety tests were conducted with Breaux, and he performed poorly. Breaux admitted to consuming several alcoholic beverages leading up to the crash as well as taking prescription narcotic medications that affected his state of mind.

Breaux was placed under arrest and transported to the Berwick Police Department, where he submitted a valid breath sample of 0.03G % BAC. A urine sample was also collected from Breaux for toxicology purposes.

Breaux was then booked, Breaux posted a $3,250 bond.

--Courtney Dunne, 22, Houma, was arrested at 11:27 p.m. Friday on a charge of possession of marijuana (under 14 grams) and possession of drug paraphernalia.

About 11:15 p.m. Friday, a traffic stop was conducted on U.S. 90 after a vehicle was observed speeding 72 mph in a 55 mph zone. Officers met with Dunne and detected an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.

A search of the vehicle was conducted, and marijuana and items of drug paraphernalia were located. Dunne was placed under arrest and released on a summons to appear in court.

--Joshua Johnson, 21, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:33 a.m. Sunday on a charge of contributing to the delinquency of juveniles.

About 11:54 p.m. Sunday, officers observed a large group of juveniles walking. Officers made contact with the group and learned that Johnson was 22 and responsible for the juveniles being out past curfew. Johnson was placed under arrest and released on a summons to appear in court on the above charge.

St. Mary

Sheriff Gary Driskell reported that over the last 72-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 96 complaints and made these arrests:

--Logan Stevens, 18, Bayou Vista, was arrested at 6:32 p.m. Friday on two counts of theft. Bail was set at $3,000.

--Sadie R. Aucoin, 26, Montegut, was arrested at 8 p.m. Saturday on a warrant alleging theft. Bail was set at $3,000.

--Corey Joseph Domangue, 39, Patterson, was arrested at 4:27 p.m. Saturday on a charge of aggravated domestic abuse (child endangerment). Bail has not been set at this time.

--Murphy Bellard III, 44, Lake Charles, was arrested at 4:32 p.m. Saturday on a charge of simple battery. Bellard was released on a $2,500 bond.

--Shelby Rae Lee, 40, Bayou Vista, was arrested at 7:20 p.m. on a charge of cyberstalking/electronic mail. Bail has not been set at this time.

--John Elliot Cain, 40, Berwick, was arrested at 1:01 p.m. Friday on charges of disturbing the peace (language), simple assault without a firearm and criminal trespass. Cain was released on a $2,500 bond.

Morgan City

Chief Chad M. Adams reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 46 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

--Corey Michael Stevens, 38, River Road, Berwick, was arrested at 8:39 a.m. Thursday on charges of possession of fentanyl, possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to appear for arraignment (16th Judicial District Court).

--Jeremie Martin Paul Jr., 33, Railroad Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 5:54 p.m. Thursday on two counts of failure to appear on a charge of violation of a protective order and two counts of failure to appear to pay fines (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Adrian Emani Johnson, 22, Acklen Avenue, Houma, was arrested at 127 a.m. Friday on charges of possession of paraphernalia and possession of marijuana (first offense). (Released on summons.)

Patterson

Chief Garrett Grogan reported these arrests:

--Jacob N. Klenert, 30, Seventh Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:17 a.m. Saturday on charges of resisting an officer by flight, possession of drug paraphernalia, speeding 67 mph in a 55 mph zone, suspended driver’s license, expired motor vehicle inspection, switched license plate, no insurance and no registration, and on a warrant from another jurisdiction.

Klenert is incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with no bond set.

--Magan R. Gaudet, 32, Ledoux Circle, Patterson was arrested at 1:17 a.m. Saturday on a charge of possession of synthetic marijuana. Gaudet is incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with no bond set.

Assumption

Sheriff Leland Falcon reported this arrest:

--Colby Tyrese Nicholas, 24, Riverview Drive, Patterson, was booked Friday on charges of aggravated flight from an officer, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, speeding, failure to drive on the right side of the roadway, resisting an officer and driving under a suspended driver’s license, and as a fugitive from St. Mary Parish and on a detainer for probation violations.

The charges result from a traffic incident Nov. 15 on U.S. 90 near Amelia.

On the Nov. 15, a uniformed patrol deputy assigned to the I.C.E. detail observed a westbound vehicle on U.S. 90 commit a traffic violation and attempted a traffic stop of that vehicle. The driver accelerated in an attempt to flee.

The deputy pursued the vehicle into St. Mary Parish. At some point, the driver and one passenger fled on foot. The passenger was arrested at the time. The deputy recognized the driver as Nicholas.

Warrants were issued for the arrest of Nicholas.

At the time of the incident, deputies seized a significant quantity of suspected marijuana.

Nicholas was arrested Thursday by the Morgan City Police Department. Nicholas was transported Friday to the custody of the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Nicholas was booked into the Assumption Parish Detention and remains incarcerated pending a bond hearing. Nicholas was ordered held without bond on the probation violation.

After satisfying local charges, Nicholas will be returned to St. Mary Parish to answer to the fugitive warrant.

Franklin

Chief Cedric Handy reported these arrests:

-- Lavonta Joseph, 30, Mitchell Street, Franklin, was arrested on July at 7:24 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for 3rd Ward City Court allegi9ng failure to appear on charges of stop signs and driving under suspension. Joseph was booked, processed and released on a $373 bond.

--Chantell McDaniel, 48, Easy Street, Franklin, was arrested at 11:31 a.m. Friday on a warrant dated April 22 alleging theft. McDaniel was booked, processed and released to appear in 3rd Ward City Court.

--A juvenile was arrested at 8:55 a.m. Sunday on a charge of simple battery.

--Jeremy Housely, 43,La. 87, Charenton, was arrested at 1:06 a.m. Monday on a warrant for the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office alleging simple burglary and a warrant for the Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office alleging failure to appear on charges of possession of Schedule II drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia. Housely was booked, processed and held with no bond set at the time of press release.

Meeting will discuss Atchafalaya freshwater fisheries

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will hold a public meeting at 6 p.m.July 23 in the Joe Herring Room of the LDWF Headquarters, 000 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge.

Inland fisheries biologists will present current and past data describing fisheries trends in the Atchafalaya Basin, with emphasis on largemouth bass and crappie populations. Topics will include bass stocking in the Basin, regulations and a brief description of LDWF’s pilot Tournament Information Project.

Following the presentations, the public will be invited to ask questions or express concerns.

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ST. MARY NOW

Franklin Banner-Tribune
P.O. Box 566, Franklin, LA 70538
Phone: 337-828-3706
Fax: 337-828-2874

Morgan City Review
1014 Front Street, Morgan City, LA 70380
Phone: 985-384-8370
Fax: 985-384-4255