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Morgan City police radio logs for May 4-5

Fri, 05/05/2023 - 10:00am

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.
Thursday, May 4
7:04 a.m. 6000 block of Railroad Avenue; Animal complaint.
8;17 a.m. 300 block of Wren Street; Complaint.
8:24 a.m. 2400 block of Apple Street; Disturbance.
8:40 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Disturbance.
9:32 a.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Complaint.
10:48 a.m. 200 block of Everett Street; Complaint.
11:36 a.m. 500 block of Brashear Avenue; Complaint.
11:43 a.m. 2400 block of Pecan Street; Complaint.
12:25 p.m. 100 block of Chennault Street; Loud music.
12:41 p.m. 2700 block of Shaw Street; Animal complaint.
1:11 p.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Theft.
1:34 p.m. 900 block of Spruce Street; Complaint.
1:37 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
1:41 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Warrants.
1:58 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Disturbance.
3:03 p.m. 500 block of Franklin Street; Medical.
3:06 p.m. 800 block of Brashear Avenue; Vehicle accident.
3:12 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
3:26 p.m. 1500 block of North Third Street; Complaint.
3:41 p.m. 900 block of Seventh Street; Removal of subject.
4:08 p.m. Area of David Drive/La. 182; Stalled vehicle.
4:19 p.m. Area of Pecos Street; Disturbance.
4:56 p.m. 1000 block of Hilda Street; Harassment.
5:06 p.m. 500 block of Franklin Street; Medical.
5:52 p.m. 300 block of Wren Street; Disturbance.
7:00 p.m. Sixth and Louisiana streets; Traffic incident.
7:03 p.m. 2400 block of Apple Street; Medical.
8:59 p.m. 800 block of Levee Road; Medical.
9:11 p.m. 1200 block of Victor II Boulevard; Removal of subject.
9:59 p.m. Tupelo Street; Suspicious subject.
10:06 p.m. 900 block of Short Street; Disturbance.
10:29 p.m. 300 block of Louisa Street; Disturbance.
11:46 p.m. 1000 block of Brashear Avenue; Theft.
11:52 p.m. 2300 block of Cypress Street; Complaint.
Friday, May 5
12:40 a.m. 800 block of Youngs Road; Complaint.
3:20 a.m. 700 block of Belanger Street; Medical.
3:28 a.m. 2300 block of Cypress Street; Complaint.
3:44 a.m. 2400 block of Tupelo Street; Lost and found.

Berwick woman accused of submitting phony disease tests for horses

Fri, 05/05/2023 - 9:48am

Staff Report

A Berwick woman has been arrested on a forgery charge, accused of submitting phony disease test results so she could put three horses in a boarding facility.

Shanna L. Bryan, 41, Berwick, was arrested Thursday after an investigation by inspectors with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Livestock Brand Commission. Bryan was arrested on a St. Mary Parish arrest warrant.

The investigation determined that Bryan allegedly forged and modified three equine infectious anemia tests, commonly referred to as “Coggins tests,” in order to board three horses at a St. Mary Parish boarding facility, the Ag Department said. As a result of the investigation, the horses were tested and found “negative” for equine infectious anemia.

Bryan turned herself in at the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Department without incident and was booked on the warrant. At this time, a $5,000 bond has been set.

“There is a reason that EIA tests are required by law; forging their results is a serious crime,” said Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain, a veterinarian. “Any duplicitous efforts to jeopardize accurate and honest testing could have a detrimental impact on Louisiana’s equine industry, and that’s not a chance we are willing to take.”

The Livestock Brand Commission was assisted in this investigation by the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office.

The Livestock Brand Commission maintains a 24-hour Crimestoppers hotline at 800-558-9741 for the public to report thefts or other agriculture-related crimes.

Equine infectious anemia is a viral disease that is potentially fatal to horses, according to the Penn State Extension website. There is no effective treatment. A negative Coggins test is required for all travel between states and at most equine facilities.

Morgan City man arrested on rape charge

Fri, 05/05/2023 - 9:31am

A Morgan City man has been arrested on a rape charge in a case in which the victim is a juvenile.

A'Dontay Rayshaun Owens, 24, Mallard Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:56 a.m. Thursday on charges of second-degree rape, indecent behavior with a juvenile, possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal trespassing and contempt of court (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

The Morgan City Police Department said officers were contacted Thursday by a woman in the area of Apple Street making allegations that her child was touched by an older male.

Information was received that the male suspect, who was later identified as Owens, had fled the area on foot, police said.

Officers searched the area and located Owens on Levee Road. As Owens was located, the police were also alerted by another subject, who stated that Owens was in his back yard, saying that he was hiding from the police and refusing to leave, police said.

Owens was found to hold an active arrest warrant through the 6th Ward Morgan City Court. Owens was taken into custody and found to be in possession of suspected drug paraphernalia.

The investigation continued with the Morgan City Police Department Detectives Division. According to reports, investigators learned that Owens allegedly had inappropriate contact with a juvenile victim. Reports indicated that this contact included sexual activity, police said.

Warrants were prepared for Owens' arrest on charges of second-degree rape and indecent behavior with a juvenile.

Owens was booked into the Morgan City Jail. He now awaits court proceedings.

CCHS prom royalty

Fri, 05/05/2023 - 8:42am

Rhett Thomas and Madison Landry were named Central Catholic High School’s prom king and queen Saturday during prom held at the Yvonne Ann Adams Life Center. Landry is the daughter of Ryan and Stacey Landry. Thomas is the son of Scott and Dominique Thomas.

Root rot disease creeps up in Louisiana lawns

Fri, 05/05/2023 - 8:40am

By JOHNNY MORGAN, LSU AgCenter

BATON ROUGE — LSU AgCenter plant doctor Raj Singh says homeowners around the state are beginning to see an increase in take-all patch, also known as take-all root rot.
The disease is caused by the soilborne fungus Gaeumannomyces graminis var. graminis (Ggg). The fungus is frequently found in association with turfgrass roots without causing significant disease.
“Take-all patch disease can be quite destructive,” Singh said. “The aboveground symptoms appear after the root system has already been severely compromised.”
The appearance of these symptoms generally coincides with periods of several abiotic stresses.
“The initial symptoms of take-all root rot are generally visible as an overall yellowing, thinning or drought-stressed appearance of the turf,” Singh said. “Diseased roots are often short, dark-colored and somewhat brittle.”
The overall density of the root system is also greatly reduced. Affected stolons can be easily pulled out from the lawns.
“Careful examination of stolons and the base of the leaf sheaths with a hand lens may reveal the presence of the black strands of fungal mycelium on their surfaces,” he said. “If left untreated, large, irregularly shaped areas of turf may die.”
He said that symptoms caused by take-all disease can easily be confused with injury caused by chinch bugs.
The management of take-all root rot relies primarily on the use of cultural practices to relieve the abiotic stresses that triggered the disease and to modify the environment to make it less conducive for the pathogen.
These stresses include soil compaction and poor drainage, drought, improper mowing height, excessive thatch buildup and the overuse of herbicides.
According to Singh, it is also important to be sure that the soil pH is in the range 5.5-6.0 and to use slow-release, acidifying forms of nitrogen.
“Because we are actively trying to regrow roots, it is important to mow the grass at recommended heights, provide adequate potassium (potash) and avoid use of root inhibiting herbicides,” he said.
None of the fungicides that are readily available to homeowners are particularly effective in controlling this disease once it has become established.
However, those containing the active ingredient azoxystrobin, triadimefon or propiconazole may be beneficial when used as part of an integrated disease management program.
“Make sure to apply at least 1/4 inch of water to move the fungicide into the root zone where it is needed to protect roots,” he said.

Girlfriend ready to commit; boyfriend continues to balk

Fri, 05/05/2023 - 8:38am

By Jeanne Phillips, ©United Features Syndicate

DEAR ABBY: I’m in love with a man I met online. We have been together three years, and I want us to start talking about our future. He has never been married, but he has been in long-term relationships before.
When would be a good time to discuss this with my boyfriend? How would I approach this discussion? Is there anything else we could do like have a commitment ceremony? He’s afraid of being hurt, which is understandable. His ex used him and led him on for eight years. She would say she loved him but never spent any time with him. She’d also go on trips with other men and wouldn’t invite him. I feel horrible that he was treated that way. What can I do to show him I am not her, and that I’m here for the long haul?
I have asked him to marry me twice. I’m having plastic surgery next month, and I told him that when I’m healed I am going to ask him once more. I’m excited but scared at the same time because I’m afraid he’s going to let his fear get the best of him. How can I put his mind at ease? He’s amazing. He has turned my entire life around, and he’s the one I want to spend my life with. He truly is my one and only.
NERVOUS IN CALIFORNIA

DEAR NERVOUS: This man’s previous girlfriend may have led him on for eight years, but he allowed it. After three years with you, he should know what kind of person you are — the drawbacks as well as your singular attributes. Please do not allow him to do to you what she did to him, which is take up your precious time with no intention of making your relationship permanent.
I see no reason to wait until after your cosmetic surgery unless you are counting on him to take care of you during recovery. As I see it, you have two choices: Tell him you need a commitment and be prepared for him to run, or tolerate the status quo. If he loves you as much as you love him, he shouldn’t run away from the idea of spending his life with you. If he does run, you are better off without him.

DEAR ABBY: I gave a newlywed couple a picnic basket filled with everything you would need for a picnic, including a quilt I had made for them to celebrate their wedding. My husband delivered it to the new husband, and when asked what it was, my husband replied that it was something for HIM.
Well, I have heard nothing more about the gift, especially the quilt! I don’t think the young man ever opened the basket. I did mention something to the wife once about what was inside the basket, and her expression was blank. It has been over a year. Should I forget about it or be bold and ask?
GIFT-GIVER IN NEW YORK

DEAR GIFT-GIVER: Be bold and ask. If the wife looked blank, it was probably because she knew nothing about the gift your husband had told her husband was for “him” instead of for “them.”
***
What teens need to know about sex, drugs, AIDS and getting along with peers and parents is in “What Every Teen Should Know.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 to: Dear Abby, Teen Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.

Morgan City native will perform at Jazz Fest

Thu, 05/04/2023 - 7:00pm

Morgan City native Elizabeth Vidos will perform Saturday at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

Vidos is part of an ensemble that will perform 2:45-3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Jazz Fest's Kid's Tent.

Vidos, daughter of Jared and Natalie Vidos, has played the drums since age 10. As she grew up in southern Louisiana, jazz, blues, zydeco and classical music was always playing on the record player, she said

."I have special memories of my mom placing pots and pans on the kitchen floor and handing me wooden spoons to hold down the rhythm while she made crawfish pies," Vidos said.

"Mom taught me how to play the spoons while dad was playing trumpet and harmonica. It was a musical house for sure."

Vidos played drums through college. After graduating, she went to New York City to audition for the off-Broadway show "STOMP," and toured and performed in New York with them for 10 years.

After returning to Louisiana to be near family, she created a one-woman percussion show called “Drum Roll Please” as Lady Chops and for the last nine years has performed at festivals, libraries and schools across Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas.

On Saturday, Vidos will perform in a special collaboration with fellow artists Amanda Roberts and the TMM Project to bring the show "Makin' Moves" to the Jazz Fest.

Vidos and Roberts played percussion together in college, and Roberts is the 2017 national hammered dulcimer champion. The hammered dulcimer is a 111-string trapezoidal percussion instrument played with small, wooden hammers.

The TMM Project includes Terrance Morgan of Coteau and Torrez Hypolite of New Iberia, who have been dancing together for nine years. The “True Mission Matters” Project is an arts in education collective based in the Acadiana area on a mission to inspire today’s youth.

"Together we are bringing a truly unique, energetic musical performance to New Orleans," Vidos said. "Playing my first Jazz Festival is an honor and it feels just like coming home."

Vidos will be on tour with 96 shows this summer. You can find her as Lady Chops on Facebook and Instagram.

Vidos now lives in Ruston. Her father still lives in Morgan City.

Natalie Vidos died in 2020, and Elizabeth Vidos said she's dedicating her Jazz Fest performance to her mother.

Hospital board calls for tax vote

Thu, 05/04/2023 - 1:37pm

Levy would raise money to bring back OB services to Ochsner St. Mary

BILL DECKER

bdecker@daily-review.com

The hospital district board serving east St. Mary has called for elections on two propositions aimed at bringing labor and delivery services back to Ochsner St. Mary. One of the propositions is a new 5.5-mill property tax.

The two voice votes Wednesday by the St. Mary Hospital Service District No. 2 board, both without objection, could put the propositions on the ballot Oct. 14 if the St. Mary Parish Council and the State Bond Commission approve.

The votes came despite an objection by Morgan City Mayor Lee Dragna that the wording in the property tax proposition is too vague to persuade voters.

The hospital district covers the area from Calumet to Amelia, and it owns the Morgan City hospital operated under lease by Ochsner Health.

In a controversial move, Ochsner ended labor and delivery services at the hospital here effective April 1. The company cited an aging population; what it characterizes as a small number of deliveries at the hospital; and Ochsner’s consolidation of obstetrical services in its Bayou Region at Ochsner St. Anne in Raceland.

Last month, Ochsner Bayou Region CEO Fernis LeBlanc said the company is willing to work with the district to find a way to keep obstetric services at the hospital.

The tax proposition adopted by resolution Wednesday reads:

“Shall Hospital Service District No. 2 of the Parish of St. Mary, State of Louisiana (the ‘District’), levy 5.5 mills tax on all the property subject to taxation within the District, for a period of 10 years, beginning with the year 2023 and ending with the year 2032 (an estimated $2,000,000 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), to be used by the District to improve, maintain, and operate hospital and other health care facilities in the District, to include providing and supporting labor and delivery and pediatric services, physician recruitment, and community outreach?”

The second proposition rededicates money from a tax that is no longer collected for facilities, maintenance, furnishings and equipment. About $719,000 is available from that source.

The second proposition says:

“Shall Hospital Service District No. 2 of the Parish of St. Mary, State of Louisiana (the ‘District’), be authorized to rededicate revenues previously restricted for improving and maintaining hospital facilities and acquiring equipment for the additional purposes of providing and supporting labor and delivery and pediatric services, physician recruitment, and community outreach?”

That wording differed from drafts presented by attorney William E. Bourgeois. After a lengthy closed-door session, the language about pediatric services was added to the two propositions, and references to “specialty services” were deleted.

The propositions that passed also dropped references to other primary care services, such as family practice, gynecology and internal medicine.

“We want to be clear to the community that this is intended for primary care services with an emphasis on obstetrics/pediatrics,” board Chairman Dr. William Cefalu said after the meeting.

Dragna objected to the draft proposition on taxes, saying it wasn’t specific enough.

“I believe you’re so vague that it won’t pass,” Dragna said.

The mayor pointed to the April 29 passage of a half-cent sales tax for police and firefighter pay in Morgan City. The tax proposition drew the support of 87% of the people who voted.

“We were very specific about what we wanted to do,” Dragna said.

He also said the language about improving and maintaining facilities could also be a problem.

The district’s bond counsel said the language is necessary to meet legal requirements, Bourgeois told the board.

Bourgeois said that if the 5.5-mill tax passes, the owner of a $100,000 home would pay $13.75 a year in additional taxes. The owner of a $150,000 home would pay $41.25, and the owner of a $200,000 home $68.75.

National Day of Prayer

Thu, 05/04/2023 - 1:25pm

TOP PHOTO: The Rev. Joy Comeaux of Pharr Chapel United Methodist Church leads a group of about 40 people in prayer at Thursday's National Day of Prayer observance at Morgan City Hall. Joining Comeaux were fellow members of the clergy, from left: Tracey Smith, David Scott, Herb Stanley and Tommy Fromenthal. They joined Nell Lamury, Myrna Cuvillier, Christine Cuvillier and John MacDougall as leaders for prayers for the president and other federal officials; the governor and state officials; the mayor and city officials; families; education; churches and ministry organizations; media; business; and the military and first responders. Mayor Lee Dragna also spoke, and Chief Administrative Officer Charlie Solar led the Pledge of Allegiance. BOTTOM PHOTO: Myrna and Christine Cuvillier sang during the observance.

The Review/Bill Decker

Suspect arrested in Amelia-area vehicle thefts

Thu, 05/04/2023 - 11:11am

(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 Houma man jailed in Terrebonne Parish has been charged in the December theft of two utility task vehicles near Amelia, and Assumption authorities have warrants for two more suspects.

Assumption

Sheriff Leland Falcon reported this arrest:

--Adam Joseph Carrere, 40, Bayou Blue Road, Houma, has booked on charges of simple criminal damage to property and two counts of theft of a motor vehicle.

On Dec. 9, deputies responded to a complaint at a business on East Service Road regarding the theft of two side-by-side UTVs.

Detectives initiated an investigation and were able to identify three suspects, including Carrere. Arrests warrants were obtained, but all three were in custody in other jurisdictions.

Carrere was transferred from Terrebonne Parish Jail and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center, where he remains pending a bond hearing.

The remaining suspects are identified as Brian Kelly Wright, 49, Ponderosa Lane, Gray, and Stephen M. Sheppard, 51, Country Estates, Houma.

Both Wright and Sheppard are incarcerated in other jurisdictions and will be transferred to Assumption Parish. Both face charges of felony theft of a motor vehicle and simple criminal damage to property.

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:

--Bonnie Marie Grow Manzo, 60, Palmer Street, Berwick, was arrested at 2 p.m. Wednesday as a fugitive from the Berwick Police Department.

--Robinson Castro-Aquino, 44, Victor II Boulevard, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:29 p.m. Wednesday on charges of speeding 32 mph in a 15 mph zone (school zone), disregard of traffic controls, possession of fraudulent documents, driving under suspension and no registration.

--Brock Elix Williams, 43, Oak Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 5:59 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of simple battery.

--Trinity Harris, 24, 11th Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:23 a.m. Thursday on charges of theft (under $1,000), monetary instrument abuse, probation violation (6th Ward Morgan City Court), seven counts of failure to appear for trial (6th Ward Morgan City Court) and failure to appear for arraignment (16th Judicial District Court).

--Passion Monae Harris, 26, Bowman Street, Morgan City, was arrested 1:23 a.m. Thursday on a charge of theft (under $1,000).

--Brock Elix Williams, 43, Oak Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 4:55 a.m. Thursday on a charge of remaining after forbidden.

St. Mary

Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 34 complaints and made these arrests:

--Lester Joseph Sinitiere, 31, Bayou Vista, was arrested at 1:17 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charge of operating a vehicle while license is suspended, revoked or canceled. Sinitiere was released on a $250 bond.

Franklin

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

--Bryce Coleman, 23, Bank Avenue, New Iberia, was arrested at 10:07 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant for 3rd Ward City Court alleging failure to appear on a charge of stop signs without accident and a warrant alleging probation violation. Coleman was booked, processed and held with no bond set at the time of press release.

--Ronnie Boatman, 46, Carl C. Foulcard Drive, Franklin, was arrested at 10:37 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of theft. Boatman was booked, processed and held on a $1,500 bond.