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Clayton Isles Memorial Horseshoe Tournament

Fri, 10/20/2023 - 8:37am

Welsh
Oct. 14
Class A
First place, Tim Gilmore (tournament champion), Bayou Vista, 5-0, 57.0; second place, Burnie Williams, Morgan City, 4-1, 48.5; and third place, Sharla Fontenot, Lacassine, 3-2, 45.0.
Class B
First, C.J. Bertrand, Iota, 5-0, 27.5; second, Larry Pertuit, Marrero, 3-2, 36.5; and third, Mack Thibodeaux, Lake Arthur, 3-2, 19.5.
Class C
First, Tiffany Thomas, Port Allen, 5-1, 21.7; second, Clay Weaver, Lacassine, 4-2, 15.8; and third, Charles Benoit, Lacassine, 3-2, 11.5.

Pain management specialist joins Thibodaux Regional

Fri, 10/20/2023 - 8:28am

Thibodaux Regional Health System announced the addition of Dr. Caroline Carroll, pain management specialist, to the active medical staff.

Carroll is available to care for patients at Thibodaux Regional Pain Clinic located at 726 North Acadia Road, Suite 2400, Thibodaux, 985-493-4080.

Carroll specializes in treating various pain conditions including low back pain, neck pain, joint pain, peripheral neuropathy, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, complex regional pain syndromes, post-herpetic neuralgia and chronic post-operative pain.

According to Carroll, south Louisiana holds her heart and heritage and she is excited to be back to serve the people of this region. 

BESE approves controversial graduation standard

Fri, 10/20/2023 - 8:26am
VICTOR SKINNER, The Center Square

A new policy to allow students who failed state tests to graduate by other means appears headed to a legislative oversight hearing following approval by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education on Oct. 11.

The vote followed nearly four hours of testimony before the Academic Goals and Instructional Improvement Committee from both sides of the issue on Tuesday that resulted in a 6-5 vote to approve.

The policy aims to allow students not meeting the current graduation requirement of 10-38% of available points on state tests to complete a project or portfolio their teacher would grade. With a passing grade, students would receive a diploma that would count toward their school’s accountability rating score. Statewide, just over a third of Louisiana public high school students perform on grade level, yet 70% of schools are rated A or B.

“I am asking you today to postpone this,” House Education Committee Chairman Lance Harris, R-Alexandria, told the academic committee.

Harris cited a widespread lack of support for the policy, as well as upcoming elections that will result in a new governor, many new lawmakers, and new members for the Board of
Elementary and Secondary Education. Harris, who is term-limited, is among the candidates running for the board of education.

“I think it’s because of such a thin margin of support on your board, and also hearing the groundswell of angst against this proposal in the public, I believe it would be prudent to postpone this, then look at the evidence in the next board and the next administration,” he said. “What are we doing, and what message are we sending to the students we’re trying to help?”

Other concerns highlighted include the potential to further distort the state’s school accountability system and a lack of appropriated funds to carry out the policy, which some complained would be expensive for both the state school board and individual districts.

Still others focused on how the policy evolved. What was initiated to help students struggling with English was later expanded to all students, one of many issues highlighted in Superintendent Cade Brumley’s call for the board to “abandon the rulemaking process.”

“For me, that’s a very serious concern,” District 4 BESE member Michael Melerine said Tuesday. “It went from a very small subset of individuals which we all agree we need to serve better, to all of a sudden now it’s carte blanche, every single student can apply for this. There’s no guardrails on it, the only guardrails is there’s going to be an audit if a certain threshold (of students using the exemptions) is met.”

Proponents of the plan, crafted by elected District 7 board President Holly Boffy and board member Belinda Davis, appointed by Gov. John Bel Edwards, argue some students simply struggle with tests but understand the content. Others argued the tests are unfair for minorities, and an alternative assessment could prevent some from dropping out.

It’s necessary “for those kids who come crying to me because when don’t pass the standardized test, because maybe that day somebody died in their family, or something happened at their house before they came to school, or they broke up with their girlfriend or boyfriend,” D’Shay Oaks, vice president of the Louisiana Association of Educators, told the academic committee. “All of that comes into play when these kids take these standardized tests.”

Erin Bendily, vice president of policy and strategy at the Pelican Institute, said she’s “extremely disappointed” with the policy approval, which she believes will ultimately hurt students who need help the most.

“We have to send a strong message to these kids that we believe in them,” she said. “Now is not the time to advance a proposal to water down our standards. That’s not going to help our students and it’s not going to help our state prosper.”

The policy, which faced widespread opposition over the summer from education reform groups, business leaders, and the vast majority of public comments submitted, is now set to become official in 90 days without legislative intervention.Harris has repeatedly signaled the House Education Committee he chairs will likely hold an oversight hearing on the policy in the near future.

Jeremy Alford: With elections mostly over, focus turns to legislative leadership

Fri, 10/20/2023 - 8:21am
JEREMY ALFORD

After this past weekend’s primary elections, the drama and intrigue surrounding the Louisiana Legislature’s next term is dying down a bit.

Most of the membership of the lower and upper chambers has been elected, save 18 races in the House of Representatives and two lingering elections in the state Senate.

Those runoff contests will be decided on Saturday, Nov. 18 — just one month from now.

We won’t have to wait that long, however, to get a big picture take on the next term. Republicans will absolutely dominate the building with what’s expected to be a 72-33 lead over
Democrats in the House and another supermajority spread of 28-11 in the Senate. 

The race for Senate president, in particularly, is becoming super-charged as we near the runoffs. The three main candidates, in fact, are raising serious money and spreading the cash around to colleagues. 

So far the leading candidates include Sen. Cameron Henry of Jefferson, who has $273,000 in his two state finance accounts; Sen. Beth Mizell of Franklinton, who has a combined $117,000; and Sen. Mike Reese of Leesville, who has $569,000 in his own personal campaign finance account and leadership PAC, which is a political action committee.

When it comes to actually spending money, specifically on other elections, Henry leads the way. During the current term of state government, Henry and his leadership PAC have spent more than $115,000 on 49 individual elections, overwhelmingly for Senate seats.

“My approach has been to support my colleagues as early as I could,” said Henry, who made his first donation in 2019.

“I began giving well before the election cycle began, so they would know they had the support of other colleagues.”

Mizell and her PAC have engaged with seven other elections since 2021, spending $3,700. “There are a lot of contentious battles going on and if I can help financially I try to,” she said. 

Reese and his PAC have spent $11,000 on seven races since last year, but that’s about to change.

“In the last few days I’ve started to give more,” said Reese, “and you’ll continue to see me doing that.”

(The Senate president candidates are also raising money on behalf of other candidates, but we’ll cover that topic in a future column.)

The real question that needs to be answered involves Gov.-elect Jeff Landry and his interest in the House and Senate internal leadership elections, which are slated for Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. 

Prior to outgoing Gov. John Bel Edwards and these past two terms of the Legislature, governors traditionally had a strong hand in picking the legislative leadership. That changed under Edwards, with Republican lawmakers ignoring the wishes of the Democratic governor.

The story may change again under Landry, a Republican governor-elect who will have sway over the GOP-dominated Legislature.

The lay of the land in the House of Representatives is more difficult to read due to the much larger membership.

The candidate field so far seems to include GOP Reps. Daryl Deshotel of Hessmer, Phillip DeVillier of Eunice, Brett Geymann of Lake Charles, Jack McFarland of Jonesboro, Neil Riser of Columbia and Zee Zeringue of Houma.

There’s an important numbers game in the House as well, only it’s not necessarily grounded in fundraising.
Instead, it’s a factional problem, with Republicans completely in control but altogether united — there are, after all, all shades of Republicans in the House now, from libertarians and hardline conservative to moderates and recent former Democrats.

How, exactly, are Republicans going to unify their ranks? There are a couple of ideas.

For instance, Rep. Mike Johnson, the chairman of the Central Louisiana Delegation Caucus, is calling for the House Republican Delegation to get behind a speaker candidate in a private vote ahead of January’s organizational session.

Johnson, who insists he’s not running for the top leadership gig, believes solidarity would serve the Louisiana Republican Party better than a slate of candidates that could divide the body at the beginning of the next term. 

When the time comes, Johnson said he would only support a candidate who has secured the support of the delegation and urged his colleagues to join him in “preserving the integrity of the selection process.”

The concept has caught the attention of a few politicos, like Rep. Gabe Firment, who is standing by Johnson in his call for a Delegation candidate.

“There is no limit to what we can accomplish next term with a new governor and a united Legislature,” said Firment.

There may not be a limit on accomplishments next term, but there is a ticking clock in terms of the upcoming leadership votes.

Lawmakers have about two and a half months remaining to figure it out. 

For more Louisiana political news, visit www. LaPolitics.com or follow Alford on Twitter @ LaPoliticsNow.

Jim Brown: Spiritual journey to Israel turns into narrow escape

Fri, 10/20/2023 - 8:15am
JIM BROWN

In my column a few weeks ago, I shared my excitement of traveling to the Holy Land for the first time. I had set out a specific agenda to explore my own spirituality as I’ve grown older, and I listed all the places I wanted to go.

What an amazing trip. It turned out to be all I had anticipated. 

Even more. That was until the end.

Being a Christian, I was able to acquire several Palestinian guides who were exceptionally knowledgeable, and who took me to predetermined locations throughout Israel.

The Jordan river was an early stop, where Joshua crossed over to lead God’s chosen people into the Promised Land, and the river where John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ.

Other stops were Galilee, Jericho, a drive through the West Bank, and a climb around the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.

Then on to the Holy City of Jerusalem.  Despite being a little more than a one third of a mile wide and long and completely walled in, the three major religions of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism all consider this holy city to be a sacred place. 

Within these walls, there are over 300 synagogues, churches, mosques, and other religious monuments.  I walked for days, and despite the fact that my legs felt tightened in knots, I kept going because there was so much to see.

As my trip was about to end, friends from Baton Rouge were on a cruise ship that ended in Israel.

We had talked about visiting additional sites together, so I considered extending my trip for several days.

United Airlines would allow me to change my reservation at no cost, and I certainly had a number of additional holy locations I would enjoy visiting.

But my extended walking had been exhausting, and I also had this premonition.

I don’t know just why, but something kept telling me that I should go back home.  I left Jerusalem midweek, and within hours the missiles began raining down. 

Some were just a short distance from where I had been staying.

I don’t know if I had been given a sign or a warning.  I’m not at all alleging that the good Lord had any sway over my decision to leave. 

But thank goodness I did. What is taking place along the Gaza strip is simply horrendous. 

What happened was not the military fighting of two countries. No, this was outright terrorism both genocidal and sadistic.

There are just no words to describe the barbaric and atrocious actions of the Hamas assassins.  There will never be any future peace between Israel and Hamas.

There is just no way to deal with a merciless nemesis that is sworn to Israel’s political and physical destruction.

There will be plenty of time for second guessing in the months to come. 

Why was the Hamas attack such a surprise?

Israel, with full support and help from the United States, has always prided itself on having a tight security operation, with spies, drones overhead of Gaza where Hamas rules, and all types of forewarning information. 

The Hamas terrorists undertook a long-planned attack that came as a complete shock to both Israel and the United States.

It was, simply put, a disastrous security failure.

Bringing this war to an end will not be easy.  Gaza is a small land area just half the size of New York City.  Its 2.2 million people make up the third most densely populated region in the world. 

It’s made up mostly of high-rise residential buildings.  So the Israeli military, if they do attack Gaza, will have to go building by building, floor by floor, apartment by apartment. And you can sure count on Hamas to booby trap a number of residences as the Israelis carry on their search.

What a mess I almost became a part of.  The U.S. has been paying a high price for the support of Ukraine, and now the cost of subsidizing our ally Israel is going to be enormous.

America dealt with a fairly calm world just a few years ago. Now we seem to be immersed in chaos. So let me say this. I’m just glad to be back home in Louisiana. 

Peace and Justice
Jim Brown
Jim Brown’s syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers throughout the nation and on websites worldwide. You can read all his past columns and see continuing updates at http://www.jimbrownla.com. You can also listen to his regular podcast at www.datelinelouisiana.com.

Public notices for Oct. 20, 2023

Fri, 10/20/2023 - 6:00am

PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE FOR
PUBLICATION
STATE OF LOUISIANA
DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATION
STATE LAND OFFICE
By virtue of and in conformity with the provisions of Louisiana Revised Statutes 41:1211, et seq., sealed bids will be accepted on or before the 3rd day of November 2023, at eleven o’clock a.m., for the sole purpose of constructing and maintaining a single habitable structure on the following described tract in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, to wit:
A certain tract of State owned (nonsevered) land identified as Campsite Lot No. 5, GA Cut Houseboat Area 3, In front of Sec. 19, T13S, R10E, Louisiana Meridian
All bids must be forwarded by United States Mail to the State Land Office, Post Office Box 44124, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70804 or delivered to 1201 North Third Street, Suite G-223, and must be accompanied by check or money order for full amount of first year’s rental of not less than Six Hundred Twenty-Four and 00/100 ($624.00) Dollars per year for a term of ten (10) years.
The word BID and the DATE the bid is to be opened should be written on the outside of the envelope containing your bid so that it will not be opened with the regular mail.
The failure of the tenant to pay the rent punctually, or before the date upon which said rental shall fall due, shall ipso facto and without demand or putting in default terminate and cancel said lease.
THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY AND ALL BIDS IS RESERVED.
Cheston Hill
Public Land Administrator
State Land Office
NOTE: SUCCESSFUL BIDDER MUST PAY THE ADVERTISING CHARGES.
Adv. Oct. 13, 20 and 27, 2023

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PUBLIC NOTICE
AGENDA
ST. MARY
PARISH 911 COMMUNICATIONS
DISTRICT
1200 David Dr. Building B
Morgan City, LA 70380
October 25, 2023
1:00 P.M.
1. Meeting Called to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Minutes: September 2023
4. Public Comment
5. Income Statement: September 2023
6. Expenses Statement: September 2023
7. Old Business: None
8. New Business: 2023 Budget Revision
9. Director Up- dates
10. General Discussion
11. Adjournment
Adv. Oct. 20, 2023

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PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the St. Mary Parish Board of Adjustments will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on MONDAY, November 6, 2023, AT 5:45 P.M. in the Parish Council Meeting Room, Fifth Floor Courthouse, Franklin, Louisiana, for the following purposes:
Glenwood Acquisitions LLC, represented by Benjamin Langlinais for a Servitude of Passage Variance to deviate from the required 50 ft. to 30 ft. in an Agricultural (AG) Zon-ed District located at 9988 & 9900 Hwy. 87, Jeanerette, LA-Sec. 59/24/48 T13S R8E; -Parcel Id# 1875004012.00-19.11 ac por 40.55 Tract JRSTUVILHGKFEDJ per Plat 428 339098 situated in Sec. 59 T13S R8E Acq. 379 331674,
-Parcel Id# 1875004011.00-36.74 ac por 85.32 ac Tract CDEFKGHLIAMNPQFGHJBC per Plat 428 339098 situated in Sec. 59 T13S R8E Acq. 379 331674, -Parcel Id# 1875004013.00-21.44 as por 40.55 Tract JRSTUVILHGKFEDJ per Plat 428 339098 situated in Sec. 24 T13S R8E Acq. 379 331674,
-Parcel Id# 1875004010.00-32.91 ac por 85.32 ac Tract CDEFKGHLIAMNPQFGHJBC per Plat 428 339098 situated in Sec. 24 T13S R8E Acq. 379 331674, & -Parcel Id# 1875004009.00-15.67 ac por 85.32 ac Tract CDEFKGHLIAMNPQFGHJBC per Plat 428 339098 situated in Sec. 48 T13S R9E Acq. 379 331674.
All persons are invited to this meeting to submit their approval or objections to the above VARIANCE REQUEST.
St. Mary Parish
Board of Adjustments
Barry Druilhet, Chairman
Adv. Oct. 20, 27 and Nov. 3, 2023

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PUBLIC NOTICE
St. Mary Parish Consolidated Gravity Drainage District No. 2A
Regular Monthly Meeting
Tuesday, September 12th, 2023
Call to order 6:01 P. M.
Roll Call: Leroy Trim, Charlie Solar Jr., Tim Matthews, Larry Au- coin, and Don Hicks
Guests: Glen Thibodeaux, Sid Moffett, Robert Karam, Chuck Billodeau, Alyssa Cart, Betty Hicks, Mark Duhon, and Greg Aucoin.
Pledge of Allegiance by Mr. Trim
Public Comment: Mark Duhon addressed the board regarding funding for station 9.
Motion for ap- proval of minutes from the August 8, 2023 meeting made by Mr. Trim. Second by Mr. Hicks. All were in favor. Motion carried.
Motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report for DD6 area was made by Mr. Aucoin. Second by Mr. Trim. All were in favor, motion carried. Motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report for DD2 area and DD2A was made by Mr. Aucoin. Second by Mr. Matthews. All were in favor, motion carried.
Guests: None
Maintenance re- ports were given by Sid Moffett, Chuck Billodeau, and Glen Thibodaux.
New Business: Motion to approve the removal of two pumps from Station 9 for modifications was made by Mr. Hicks. Second by Mr. Trim. All were in favor, motion carried.
Old Business: Motion to allow Mr. Solar to engage Ericksen Krentel for the year end audit was made by Mr. Hicks. Second by Mr. Aucoin. All were in favor, motion carried. Motion to reallocate GOMESA funds from Lakeside to Station 9 was made by Mr. Trim. Second by Mr. Hicks. All were in favor, motion carried. Motion to approve new pricing for excavator was made by Mr. Aucoin. Second by Mr. Hicks. All were in favor, motion carried. Motion to approve the emergency usage of the excavator by St. Mary Parish Govt. at the airport was made by Mr. Au- coin. Second by Mr. Matthews. All were in favor, motion carried.
Motion to Ad- journ was made by Mr. Aucoin. Second by Mr. Matthews. All were in favor. Motion carried. Meeting ended at 6:19 pm.
Adv. Oct. 20, 2023

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PUBLIC NOTICE
St. Mary Parish Consolidated Gravity Drainage District No. 2A
Budget Meeting
Tuesday, September 12th, 2023
Call to order 5:52 P. M.
Roll Call: Leroy Trim, Charlie Solar Jr., Tim Matthews, Larry Au coin, and Don Hicks
Guests: Glen Thibodeaux, Sid Moffett, Robert Karam, Chuck Billodeau, Alyssa Cart, Betty Hicks, Mark Duhon, and Greg Aucoin
Pledge of Allegiance by Mr. Trim
Motion to ap- prove a 2% raise for Julana Senette, Chase Pickens, Jeffery Bergeron, Logan Fontenot, Harvey Hammond, Taylor Niette, Stephen Strick, Danny Aucoin, Antonio Nunez, Jerry Gray, Larry Daniel, Steven Williams, Herb Vining, Anthony Singleton, Jason Taylor, Roy Stewart, and Lionel Singleton, and changing Charles Billodeau to salary employee was made by Mr. Hicks. Second by Mr. Mathews. All were in favor, motion carried.
Motion to approve the proposed budget for fiscal year 2023/2024 was made by Mr. Hicks. Second by Mr. Trim. All were in favor, motion carried.
Motion to Adjourn was made by Mr. Trim. Second by Mr. Aucoin. All were in favor. Motion carried. Meeting ended at 6:01 pm.
Adv. Oct. 20, 2023

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JESSIE LEE FREE PERCLE

Thu, 10/19/2023 - 12:29pm

Jessie Lee Free Percle, 72, a native of Baton Rouge, resident of Pine Prairie and former resident of Berwick, died Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, at her residence.

She is survived by her husband, Paul Percle Sr.; children, Lezlie Aucoin, Alicia Ortego, Paul Percle Jr., Carla Percle and Shelia Benavides; 12 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and two siblings, Janey Sons and Gene Free.

She was preceded in death by her parents, son, daughter and brother.

Visitation was Thursday from 9 a.m. until services at 1 p.m. at Twin City Funeral Home. Burial followed in Morgan City Cemetery.

Twin City Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

DEAN LEE FELTERMAN

Thu, 10/19/2023 - 4:51am

Dean Lee Felterman was born December 4, 1953 in Morgan City, LA. He died tragically at the age of 69 on Thursday, October 12, 2023 in an airplane crash. An airplane and aviation enthusiast, his family takes comfort in knowing Lee passed away doing what he loved. Though he will be greatly missed, his legacy will carry on in the many family members and friends he has left behind. Lee was a devout Catholic, and his family takes great peace in knowing they will see him again.

Lee’s childhood was mostly spent outdoors with his brothers and friends. He was an avid fisherman and loved hunting and enjoying the beauty of Southern Louisiana. On February 21, 1976, Lee married the love of his life, Jan Bernard, and they began raising their family. One of Lee’s greatest joys in life was spending time with his grandchildren, who lovingly called him “Papa Lee.” Lee’s loyalty and commitment to his family were among his many admirable qualities.

Lee was a successful entrepreneur who, together with his father, uncle, and brother, grew Galaxie Marine Service, Inc. into a bustling boat business before selling it in 1997 to Seacor Marine Holdings, Inc., where he continued as the Gulf of Mexico Crew & Utility Vessel Manager for several years. He founded and successfully managed Lee Felterman & Assoc., a boat brokerage company, with his son, Marc. In recent years, much of his time was spent restoring properties in Patterson.

Throughout his life, Lee had a passion for improving his community. He chaired and held positions in various organizations. At the time of his death, he was chairman of the Wedell Williams Memorial Foundation, Secretary and Board Member of The Felterman Foundation, and a member and past president of St. Mary Parish Wax Lake East Drainage District. Lee was a longtime member and past president of the Patterson Rotary Club. He was also a member of the River Preservation Association, St. Mary Industrial Group, Louisiana State Museum Board of Commissioners, Offshore Marine Service Association, Knights of Columbus, Krewe of Adonis, member and past Chairman of Atchafalaya Chapter American Petroleum Institute, past member of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, and a lifelong member of the Patterson Volunteer Fire Department.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Jan Bernard Felterman; their children, Erin F. Nichols and her husband Thomas, Ben Felterman and his wife Adrienne, and Marc Felterman and his wife Crystal; nine grandchildren, Cecilia Felterman, Evan Nichols, Charles Felterman, Owen Nichols, Charlotte Felterman, Kayson Felterman, Caroline Felterman, Elliot Nichols and Kamri Felterman. He is also survived by his brothers, Danny Felterman and his wife Linda and Jody Felterman and his wife Beth, and his sister, Lisa F. Kornegay and her husband Brightman.

Lee was preceded in death by his parents, F.C. “Butch” Felterman Jr. and Sylvia Folse Felterman; paternal grandparents, Fulton C. Felterman, Sr. and Una B. Felterman; maternal grandparents, Sylvester J. Folse and Irma Rochel Folse; brothers, David Felterman and Jon Felterman, Sr.; and nephew, Chad Felterman.

Funeral services for Lee are pending at this time. Please check back for updated service schedule.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that Masses be offered for the repose of his soul. Donations can also be made in Lee’s memory to the Wedell-Williams Aviation and Cypress Sawmill Museum Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 38, Patterson, Louisiana, 70392 or to the Dup15q Alliance, 250 N Trade St, Ste 205 PMB 155, Matthews, NC 28105, https://dup15q.org/.

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., 1111 Lia Street, Patterson, LA 70392, (985) 395-7873

Morgan City police radio logs for Oct. 17

Wed, 10/18/2023 - 2:37pm

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.
Tuesday, Oct. 17
6:53 a.m. 1100 block of Eighth Street; Alarm.
7:15 a.m. 700 block of David Drive; Medical.
7:25 a.m. 1200 block of Victor II Boulevard; Alarm.
7:41 a.m. 1400 block of Railroad Avenue; Fire.
8:24 a.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Civil matter.
8:28 a.m. Egle Street/Federal Avenue; Frequent patrol.
8:43 a.m. 1200 block of South Prescott Drive; Alarm.
9:02 a.m. Federal Avenue/Barrow Street; Juvenile problems.
11:02 a.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Vehicle accident.
11:17 a.m. 1800 block of Filmore Street; Civil matter.
11:25 a.m. 600 block of Arenz Street; Suspicious person.
1:19 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Theft.
1:48 p.m. 5000 block of Railroad Avenue; Theft.
1:50 p.m. 900 block of Marguerite Street; Simple battery.
2:18 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
3:03 p.m. 200 block of Halsey Street; Medical.
3:06 p.m. 900 block of Marguerite Street; Simple battery.
4:20 p.m. 2400 block of Pecan Street; Complaint.
8:44 p.m. Area of Lawrence Park; Vehicle accident.
10:14 p.m. 600 block of Arenz Street; Removal of subject.
10:42 p.m. 500 block of Bowman Street; Complaint.

Second arrest in identity theft, bank fraud case

Wed, 10/18/2023 - 2:32pm
Staff Report

(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.)

Assumption Parish deputies have made a second arrest in an investigation into identify theft and bank fraud.

Assumption

Sheriff Leland Falcon reported this arrest:

--Felicia A. Daigle, 37, Rodrigue Street, Thibodaux, was arrested Monday on charges of felony theft, bank fraud, identity theft, computer fraud and illegal transmission of funds.

On or about Sept. 19, 2022, deputies responded to a call in the Belle River area related to fraudulent activity. The complainant advised that a former domestic partner had used his identity illegally and without his permission to apply for a loan.

The complainant further advised that the subject forged his name to documents in order to secure the loan.

Detectives were assigned to investigate the case and were able to identify two suspects.

Julie D. Trosclair was arrested Oct. 13 on related charges.

Detectives were able to follow the document trail and determined that Trosclair and Daigle conducted fraudulent activity, resulting in them obtaining a loan in the amount of $4,086.50 from a financial institution.

Daigle was arrested in Thibodaux on Monday and booked into the Lafourche Parish Detention Center as a fugitive from Assumption Parish.

Daigle was transported to Assumption Parish and booked into the Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

Morgan City

Chief Chad M. Adams reported that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Morgan City Police Department responded to 30 calls for service and made these arrests:

--Carlton Moncada, 64, Karen Drive, Morgan City, was arrested at 5:32 a.m. Monday on charges of hit and run and following too closely (with accident).

--Joshua M. LaCoste, 49, Railroad Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:20 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant alleging contempt of court (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

St. Mary

Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 38 complaints and made these arrests:

--Sirrice Thomas Johnson Jr., 50, Baldwin, was arrested at 11:27 a.m. Tuesday on a charge of simple battery. Johnson continues to be incarcerated at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.

--Gary Jones, 58, Franklin, was arrested at 11:27 a.m. Tuesday on a charge of simple battery. Jones continues to be incarcerated at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.

Patterson

Chief Garrett Grogan reported this arrest:

--Tariq J. Perry, 23, Willow Street, Franklin, was arrested at 5:17 p.m. Tuesday on charges of driver's license suspended or revoked and following too closely (with accident). Perry was released with a summons.

Berwick

Chief David S. Leonard reported this arrest:

--Walter Howard, 36, Patterson, was arrested at 10:46 p.m. Tuesday on charges of improper lane usage, driving under suspension, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana (under 14 grams).

About 10:16 p.m. Tuesday, a traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle after several lane violations were observed on U.S. 90. Officers made contact with the driver, who was identified as Howard.

Through the course of the stop, a search of the vehicle was conducted, and marijuana and items of drug paraphernalia were located. It was also learned that Howard’s driver’s license was suspended.

Howard was placed under arrest and released on a summons.

Franklin

Chief Cedric Handy reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to six complaints over the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

--A'Myia Fezia, 22, Beau Maison Drive, Lafayette, was arrested at 9:37 a.m. Tuesday on charges of flight from an officer and three counts of possession of a legend drug without a prescription. Fezia was booked, processed and held on a $20,000 bond.

--Jakyius Payton, 19, Caffery Street, Franklin, was arrested at 2 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant dated Oct. 10 alleging simple battery and a warrant for 3rd Ward City Court alleging failure to appear on a charge of disturbing the peace. Payton was booked, processed and held on a $1,500 bond.

--Henry Dennis Jr., 39, Curtis Drive, Franklin, was arrested at 4:03 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant for 16th Judicial District Court alleging failure to appear on a charge of criminal neglect of family. Dennis was booked, processed and held on a $1,447.90 bond.

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