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The Review/Bill Decker
The Patterson City Council on Tuesday gave Community Spotlight recognition to two people who have performed public service. Top photo: Holden Murray was honored for his work as the city's community and economic development director and for his election to be this year's chairman of the St. Mary Parish Chamber. Bottom photo: Allise J. Salazar was praised for her work with the Patterson New Age Civic Organization, which runs or is involved with work including community feedings, Easter egg hunts and Martin Luther King Jr. Day events. Shown with the honorees, from left, are council members M. Demale Bowden, Ray Dewey Sr. and Mamie Perry, Mayor Rodney Grogan, council members Miranda Weinbach and Lee Condolle, and Police Chief Garrett Grogan.

Franklin Mayor Eugene Foulcard and the City Council met Tuesday, January 20, at City Hall, where officials introduced a new subdivision ordinance aimed at preparing the city for future growth and approved a series of resolutions affecting city finances, community programs, and upcoming events.
Mayor Eugene P. Foulcard opened the meeting by highlighting recent national recognition received for the Historic Downtown Franklin Pocket Park, which was named one of just 20 transformative spaces in the country by the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions.
“The recognition highlights Franklin’s vision in turning an underused space into a vibrant community asset,” Foulcard said, noting the project’s impact on economic growth, tourism and quality of life.
Foulcard also spoke about long-term housing challenges and the need for updated development regulations. He told the council the city has not seen construction of a new subdivision since the late 1960s, despite major shifts in the housing market and ongoing efforts to remove blighted properties. More than 60 structures have been demolished, with 25 more awaiting demolition.
In response, council members formally introduced Ordinance 3473, which would create new chapters in the city’s code of ordinances related to subdivisions. The mayor said the ordinance will not be considered for adoption until February, allowing time for review and public engagement.
In other business, the council unanimously adopted Ordinance 3472, which corrects a clerical error in a previously adopted ordinance.
Council members also approved a number of resolutions, including authorizing the opening of a “Protested Taxes Escrow” account at First National Bank of Jeanerette and allowing the mayor to enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement with St. Mary Parish Water and Sewer Commission 4.
The council approved a resolution temporarily lifting the city’s open container law along the Mardi Gras parade route on Mardi Gras Day, February 17, from one hour before the parade until one hour after. Glass containers will still be prohibited.
Support for youth programs was also addressed, with the council authorizing the Franklin Youth Organization to use facilities at Caffery Park for youth baseball and softball from February 1 through August 1.
Several resolutions were adopted updating required plans connected to the Louisiana Community Development Block Grant Program, including the city’s Citizen Participation Plan, grievance procedure, residential anti-displacement plan, language access plan and a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf plan.
During departmental reports, financial statements for November 2025 were presented. Councilman Lester Levine also raised concerns about the use of e-bikes and scooters on city streets. Police Chief Handy was asked to review how neighboring communities regulate such vehicles, with the possibility of a future ordinance to address safety and property protection.
Before adjourning, Mayor Foulcard announced that the St. Mary Council on Aging and St. Mary AARP Chapter 4435 will host “Mardi Gras on the Bayou” on January 24 in Morgan City.

(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.)

An armed robbery investigation by the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office led to the arrest of a Franklin man, already arrested as a suspect, on dogfighting charges.

St. Mary

Sheriff Gary Driskell reported these arrests:

--Jermaine Lavone Spain, 41, was arrested at 11:37 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant alleging dogfighting and aggravated cruelty to animals.

In an investigation of an armed robbery at a business Dec. 10 in Verdunville, Spain was developed as the suspect. Investigators also learned that Spain kept several pit bulldogs at a residence in the parish.

On Jan. 22, detectives executed search warrants at a residence in Centerville and another in Verdunville. Nine dogs were seized at one of the residences. Contact was made with Spain, who had 88 grams of marijuana, as well as THC capsules and drug paraphernalia, on his person.

In his interview, Spain admitted to selling drugs. He was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking on charges of armed robbery, nine counts of pit bull violation, two counts of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of marijuana.

Spain bonded out on the charges as the investigation continued.

Detectives executed a search warrant on Spain's phone and discovered videos and images of dogfighting. The photos depicted dogs that were injured and deceased. The videos depicted dogs fighting as well as injuries and other graphic imagery.

On Tuesday, a detective conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle. The driver, identified as Spain, was taken into custody and transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking.

Bail was set at $235,000. The investigation continues.

--Eddie Lee Brown IV, 52, Morgan City, was arrested at 4:08 p.m. Tuesday on charges of speeding, no insurance, driving under suspension, simple criminal damage to property, four counts of resisting arrest or officer, resisting a police officer with force or violence, possession of marijuana, and attempted escape, and on a warrant alleging failure to appear on a charge of violation of protective orders.

Bail has not been set at this time.

--Josue Ruiz-Rodriguez, 22, Amelia, was arrested at 12:58 p.m. Monday on charges of human trafficking and computer-aided solicitation of a minor.

On Feb. 22, 2025, deputies responded to a disturbance at a residence in Bayou Vista. The incident was handed over to detectives, who opened an investigation into Ruiz-Rodriguez.

As the investigation progressed, detectives learned that Ruiz-Rodriguez had conducted himself inappropriately with a juvenile.

Further investigation of Ruiz-Rodriguez's phone led to the discovery of pornography involving juveniles. Detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest on the charges of carnal knowledge of a juvenile (two counts), indecent behavior with juveniles (four counts), and pornography involving juveniles (three counts).

On March 18, detectives made contact with Ruiz-Rodriguez and transported him to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking.

Detectives continued to investigate after discovering more digital evidence. Eventually, a warrant was obtained for Rodriguez on the additional charges of computer-aided solicitation of a minor and human trafficking.

On Tuesday, a deputy transported him to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking on the warrant.

Bail has not been set at this time.

--Malik Q'Shaun Harrison, 21, Franklin, was arrested at 2:28 p.m. Monday on charges of maximum speed limit, driver must be licensed, proper equipment required on vehicles, possession with intent to distribute a Schedule I drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of marijuana, contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile and illegal possession of stolen firearms.

Bail has not been set at this time.

--Ja'vinnie Ja'brya Austin, 21, Centerville, was arrested at 2:40 p.m. Monday on charges of possession with intent to distribute a Schedule I drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.

Bail has not been set at this time.

--Walter D. Howard, 39, Patterson, was arrested by the Narcotics Section at 9:34 p.m. Monday on charges of two taillights required, suspended license, no insurance, possession of Schedule I drugs and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Bail has not been set at this time.

Morgan City

Chief Chad M. Adams reported these arrests:

--Barry Johnson, 58, Mallard Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 4:39 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of disturbing the peace (intoxicated).

---Jason Blackwell, 50, Robin Street, Amite, as arrested at 6:25 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, speeding and failure to signal.

--William Roberson, 64, La. 182, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:27 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to appear for arraignment (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Milique Lockett, 22, Second Street, Lake Charles, was arrested at 9:50 a.m. Monday on charges of domestic abuse battery (child endangerment law), domestic abuse aggravated assault (child endangerment law), false imprisonment with weapon and obstruction of justice.

--Devonta Grogan, 24, Fifth Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:40 p.m. Monday on a charge of obscenity.

--Peteasia Wesley, 59, Willard Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:55 p.m. Monday on charges of remaining where forbidden and resisting an officer.

Patterson

Chief Garrett Grogan reported these arrests:

--Caleb R. Givens, 25, Ninth Street, Patterson, was arrested at 11:52 m. Tuesday on a charge of battery of a dating partner. Givens is incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with no bond set.

--Tyler S. Smith, 21, St. Lucy Street, Patterson, was arrested at 9:28 p.m. Tuesday on charges of two headlights required and resisting an officer by flight (vehicle). Smith was released on a summons.

Assumption

Sheriff Leland Falcon reported this arrest:

--Lucas Joseph Lang, 37, Belle River Road, Pierre Part, was arrested Tuesday on a charge of domestic abuse battery (strangulation).

The charge arose from domestic incident Jan. 27.

On that date, deputies responded to the Belle River Road address in response to a reported domestic incident. Deputies made contact with an individual now identified as Lang, who indicated there was an incident which occurred between Lang and his domestic partner.

Deputies made contact with the other party to the complaint who advised that Lang had attempted to suffocate her with a pillow. Investigating deputies observed injuries to the victim consistent with domestic abuse.

At the conclusion of the investigation, deputies obtained a warrant for the arrest of Lang.

Lang was arrested on Tuesday by Morgan City police and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

Franklin

Chief Cedric Handy reported this arrest:

--Karen Brooks, 39, Plantation Drive, Franklin, was arrested at 9:34 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant dated Jan. 23 alleging nonconsensual disclosure of a private image. Brooks was booked, processed and released on a $2,500.00 bond.

Singer, songwriter and storyteller Daryl Mosley will perform at 11:30 a.m. Sunday at First United Methodist Church, 109 Gilmore St., Berwick.

Mosley has performed at venues that include the Grand Ole Opry to the iconic Bluebird Cafe, and he performs more than 150 concerts annually.

A four-time Songwriter of the Year winner, Mosely has penned three Song of the Year award-winners and 20 No. 1 hits. His songs have been recorded by artists across genres, including bluegrass legend Bobby Osborne, country star Lynn Anderson, and Southern Gospel favorites The Booth Brothers. His music has also been featured on shows like American Idol and The View. One of his signature songs, “(Ask the Blind Man) He Saw It All,” was named one of the top Southern Gospel songs of all time.

The concert is free to the public, with a love offering being taken during the event. .