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Eight arrests reported by local agencies

Tue, 04/25/2023 - 12:12pm
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.)

Local law enforcement agencies reported eight arrests Monday and Tuesday, including burglary and battery charges.

St. Mary

Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 28 complaints and made these arrests:

--Alexander Jose Solis, 38, Berwick, was arrested at 3:49 p.m. Monday on charges of unlawful production, distribution, or possession of fraudulent documents; driver must be licensed; brake lights required; and proper equipment required on vehicles.

Bail has not been set at this time.

--Darian Wayne Manuel, 28, Crowley, was arrested at 8:03 p.m. Monday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on a charge of simple burglary. Bail has not been set at this time.

--Larry G. Blanchard Jr., 48, Napoleonville, was arrested at 2:09 a.m. Tuesday on charges of driving on roadway laned for traffic and driving while intoxicated. Bail has not been set at this time.

Morgan City

Chief Chad M. Adams reported that over the last 24-hour period, the Morgan City Police Department responded to 40 calls for service and made these arrests:

--Clement J. Mire, 40, Vine Drive, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:30 pm. Monday on a charge of battery on a correctional officer.

--Alex Francois, 44, South Everett Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 6:17 p.m. Monday on a warrant alleging simple battery.

Berwick

Chief David S. Leonard reported this arrest:

--Stephanie Harvey, 44, Cane Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:53 p.m. Monday on a charge of theft by shoplifting.

About 8:05 p.m. Monday, the Berwick Police Department received a call from a local business about a person shoplifting. The employees gave a description of the female and stated that she had unpaid goods inside her purse.

Officers responded and made contact with Harvey. Through the course of the investigation, the items were recovered and returned to the store. Harvey was placed under arrest and released on a summons to appear in court.

Franklin

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

--Female subject, 29, Franklin, was arrested at 10:51 a.m. Monday on a warrant dated Jan. 27 on a charge of disturbing the peace (fighting). She was booked, processed and released to appear in 3rd Ward City Court.

--Male subject, 41, Franklin, was arrested at 2:26 p.m. Monday on a warrant dated Jan. 17 alleging unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling and theft. He was booked, processed and held with no bond set at the time of press release.

Fun at the Porchfest

Tue, 04/25/2023 - 11:48am

Catherine Autrey, top photo, kicked off the Lawrence Park Porchfest on Saturday on the porch of Ed and Bonnie Leonard of Morgan City. Every hour a different musician performed on a porch surrounding the park. The event was presented by the Kiwanis Club of East St. Mary. The Porchfest had something for everyone including games such as Frisbee toss, pick-a-duck and more. The event was presented by the Kiwanis Club of East St. Mary. Jumps and a rock climb feature were also part of the the event.

The Review/Diane Miller Fears

Operation Beautification

Tue, 04/25/2023 - 11:42am

Morgan City’s Operation Beautification, held in partnership with Keep St. Mary Beautiful, was held Saturday. Volunteers gathered at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium for supplies and assignments at 8 a.m. Maitland Elementary students were some of the many volunteers for Morgan City’s Operation Beautification, held in partnership with Keep St. Mary Beautiful, held Saturday. Volunteers registered at 8 a.m. Saturday to receive a free T-shirt, assignments and supplies for Morgan City’s Operation Beautification.

The Review/Diane Miller Fears

Live After 5 in Berwick

Tue, 04/25/2023 - 11:33am

Cliff and Sidepiece Band performed for the Live after 5 Friday night long the Berwick river front. Clear and cool weather, food trucks and a view of the Atchafalaya River were part of the experience. On April 28, Junior Lacrosse & Sumtin’ Sneaky will take the stage 6:30-9:30 p.m.

The Review/Diane Miller Fears

Morgan City man arrested on sex crime charges

Mon, 04/24/2023 - 2:46pm
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.)

A Morgan City man was arrested Friday on two sex crime charges, including first-degree rape.

Morgan City

Chief Chad M. Adams reported that over the last 72-hour period, the Morgan City Police Department responded to 89 calls or service and made these arrests:

--Redin Mendoza-Garcia, 24, Village Lane, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:44 p.m. Friday on charges of first-degree rape and indecent behavior with a juvenile.

--Christopher D. Barr, 40, McComb, Mississippi, was arrested at 3:47 a.m. Saturday on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

--Clayton S. Canty Jr., 70, Louisa Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 4:47 p.m. Saturday on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense) and hit and run.

--Clement J. Mire, 40, Vine Drive, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:02 a.m. Monday on a charge of disturbing the peace (drunkenness).

Berwick

Chief David S. Leonard reported these arrests:

--Mandi Hatfield, 35, Todd Lane, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:14 p.m. Friday on a Berwick warrant alleging failure to appear on a charge of resisting an officer.

On Friday, Hatfield was located at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center. It was learned that she had active warrants through the Berwick Police Department. Hatfield was transported to the Berwick Police Department, where she was booked on the outstanding warrant.

--Kevin Ramirez- Rivera, 26, Aucoin Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:58 p.m. Sunday on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

About 2:02 p.m. Sunday, a traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle after several traffic violations were observed. Officers made contact with a passenger in the vehicle, who was identified as Ramirez- Rivera.

Through the course of the stop, a search of the vehicle was conducted at which time items of drug paraphernalia belonging to Ramirez- Rivera were located. Ramirez- Rivera was placed under arrest and released on a summons to appear in court.

--Edward Ramsey, 41, Theonis Road, Kaplan, was arrested at 10:57 p.m. Sunday on a charge of speeding 65 mph in a 45 mph zone and on a Terrebonne Parish warrant alleging theft.

--Brookeleigh Fitzgerald, 44, Theonis Road, Kaplan, was arrested at 10:57 p.m. Sunday on charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

About 10:08 p.m. Sunday, a traffic stop was conducted after officers observed a vehicle traveling 65 mph in a 45 mph zone on La. 182. Officers made contact with the driver, Ramsey, and passenger Fitzgerald. During this time, it was learned that Ramsey had active warrants through Terrebonne Parish.

While speaking with Fitzgerald, items of drug paraphernalia were located in plain view. Fitzgerald later admitted to having methamphetamine as well. Both were placed under arrest and transported to the Berwick Police Department and booked.

St. Mary

Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that over the last 72-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 104 complaints and made these arrests:

--Cameron Nicholas Strother, 22, Berwick, was arrested at 10:20 a.m. Friday on a charge of violation of protective orders. Strother continues to be incarcerated at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.

--Frank John Singleton Jr., 39, Amelia, was arrested at 11:18 a.m. Friday on a warrant alleging failure to appear. Singleton was released on a $1,500 bond.

--Melissa Katherine Dupre, 33, Jeanerette, was arrested at 7:01 p.m. Friday on two warrants alleging failure to appear for speeding; operating a vehicle while license is suspended, revoked, or canceled; and improper lane usage. Bail has not been set at this time.

--Steve John Cheramie III, 32, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:33 p.m. Saturday on a charge of reckless operation (no accident), aggravated flight from officer and no driver’s license on person. Singleton was released on a $1,500 bond.

--Ja’heim Isiah Lightfoot, 20, Morgan City, was arrested at 4:06 p.m. Friday on two warrants alleging failure to appear on charges of open container, simple criminal damage to property, simple battery and possession of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles.

Bail was set at $6,000.

--Tasha Lynn Boudreaux, 41, Berwick, was arrested 11:19 p.m. Friday on a warrant alleging failure to appear. Boudreaux was released on a $300 bond.

--David Allen Ackman, 42, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:47 p.m. Saturday on two warrants alleging failure to appear on charges of possession of firearm or carrying concealed weapon by convicted felon and attempted possession of firearm or carrying concealed weapon by a convicted felon. Bail has not been set at this time.

Patterson

Chief Garrett Grogan reported these arrests:

--Cheryl E. Marcel, 51, Catherine Street, Patterson, was arrested at 4:16 p.m. Friday on a charge of domestic abuse battery. Marcel was incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with bond set at $2,500.

--Christian M. Marcel, 43, Catherine Street, Patterson, was arrested at 4:16 p.m. Friday on a charge of domestic abuse battery. Marcel was incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with bond set at $2,500.

--Skylar J. Louis, 21, Leo Drive Patterson, Tiffany Street, Patterson, was arrested at 2:23 a.m. Saturday on a charge of vehicle burglary and resisting an officer. Louis was incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with no bond set.

--Dontreal R. Merritt, 39, Live Oak Street, Patterson, was arrested at 9:21 p.m. Saturday on a charge of disturbing the peace. Merritt is incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with bond set at $314.

--Felicia B. Darby, 42, Taft Street, Patterson, was arrested at 9:21 p.m. Saturday on a charge of disturbing the peace. Darby was incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with bond set at $314.

Franklin

Chief Cedric Handy reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to 19 complaints over the past weekend and made these arrests:

--Ariel Brown, 40, Easy Street, Franklin, was arrested at 1:29 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for 3rd Ward City Court alleging failure to appear on charges of following too closely (with accident) and driver must be licensed. Brown was booked, processed and released on a $250 bond.

--Albert Clark, 19, Barrone Street, Baldwin, was arrested at 6:17 p.m. Thursday on a charge of possession with intent to distribute marijuana with intent to distribute. Clark was booked, processed and released on a $2,500 bond.

--Shantel Palombo, 50, Cayce Street, Franklin, was arrested at 8:57 p.m. Thursday on a warrant dated April 19 alleging cruelty to animals. Palombo was booked, processed and released on a $1,000 bond.

--Patrick Thomas, 49, Feu Follet Road, Lafayette, was arrested at 10:32 p.m. Saturday on a charge of battery on a dating partner. Thomas was booked, processed and held with no bond set at the time of press release.

--Gajan Reed, 37, Ash Street, Franklin, was arrested at 10:42 p.m. Saturday on a charge of battery on a dating partner. Reed was booked, processed and held with no bond set at the time of press release.

--Dianna Darby, 44, Iberia Street, Franklin, was arrested at 2:24 a.m. Sunday on a charge of simple battery. Darby was booked, processed and held on a $2,500 bond.

School Board recognition

Sun, 04/23/2023 - 1:05pm

The St. Mary Parish School Board on Thursday recognized its Employees and Students of the Month, its Outstanding Support Personnel and a teacher who is among the semifinalists for Louisiana Teacher of the Year.

The Review/Bill Decker

Test

Fri, 04/21/2023 - 8:04pm

Test

Morgan City police radio logs for April 19-21

Fri, 04/21/2023 - 2:56pm

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.
Wednesday, April 19
8:22 a.m. 700 block of Everett Street; Removal of subject.
10:11 a.m. 500 block of General McArthur Street; Animal complaint.
10:30 a.m. 800 block of Sycamore Street; Telephone harassment.
11:26 a.m. 1100 block of Brashear Avenue; Disturbance.
12:33 p.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Complaint.
12:42 p.m. La. 182; Crash.
12:49 p.m. 3100 block of Susan Street; Medical.
1:03 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Stalled vehicle.
1:12 p.m. 2400 block of Tupelo Street; Medical.
1:37 p.m. 500 block of Louisa Street; Medical.
2:56 p.m. Hickory Street and Veterans Boulevard; Complaint.
3:00 p.m. Oak Street; Animal complaint.
4:03 p.m. 900 block of Second Street; Medical.
4:38 p.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Welfare concern.
5:36 p.m. 700 block of Everett Street; Disturbance.
6:51 p.m. 1000 block of Marguerite Street; Vehicle accident.
7:13 p.m. 1200 block of David Drive; Alarm.
7:37 p.m. 600 block of Grove Street; Complaint.
8:19 p.m. 1000 block of Brashear Avenue; Medical.
9:23 p.m. 1100 block of Brashear Avenue; 911 hang up.
11:59 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Complaint.
Thursday, April 20
2:03 a.m. 600 block of Barrow Street; 911 hang up.
2:44 a.m. 100 block of Oak Street; Medical.
8:22 a.m. U.S. 90 East; Reckless operation.
8:32 a.m. 700 block of Florence Street; Hit and run.
8:35 a.m. 300 block of Oriole Street; Arrest.
9:12 a.m. 800 block of South Everett Street; Complaint.
9:47 a.m. 3000 block of Catherine Street; Medical.
10:26 a.m. 600 block of Brashear Avenue; Medical.
12:27 p.m. 7000 block of La. 182; Arrest.
12:52 p.m. 900 block of Brashear Avenue; Arrest.
12:55 p.m. 1000 block of Birch Street; Complaint.
1:13 p.m. 900 block of Short Street; Animal complaint.
1:19 p.m. 3000 block of Catherine Street; Assistance.
2:03 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
2:11 p.m. 200 block of Chennault Street; Medical.
2:19 p.m. 1700 block of Elk Street; Complaint.
3:09 p.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Removal of subject.
3:33 p.m. 800 block of Palm Street; Three arrests.
4:53 p.m. Railroad Avenue and Poncio Street; Suspicious subject.
4:55 p.m. La. 182 and Myrtle Street; Stalled vehicle.
5:04 p.m. Amelia Street; Suspicious subject.
5:16 p.m. Orange Street; Arrest.
5:22 p.m. 6000 block of Railroad Avenue; Alarm.
7:18 p.m. 1000 block of Second Street; Complaint.
8:13 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
8:51 p.m. 100 block of Egle Mill; Stolen vehicle.
9:13 p.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Removal of subject.
11:55 p.m. Area of U.S. 90; Arrest.
11:56 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Suspicious person.
Friday, April 21
2:52 a.m. 500 block of Sixth Street; Medical.
3:47 a.m. 1600 block of Victor II Boulevard; Disturbance.

Three arrests on drug charges in Morgan City

Fri, 04/21/2023 - 2:50pm
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.)

Morgan City police reported three arrests on drug charges W Thursday, in addition to arrests alleging assault, cyberstalking and theft.

Morgan City

Chief Chad M. Adams reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 77 calls for service over the last 48-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

--Za’kirie Lyons, 18, Orange Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:05 p.m. Thursday on charges of disturbing the peace, possession of marijuana, violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance law (drug-free zone) and resisting an officer.

--David Lenes Aucoin Jr., 26, Cremo Lane, Patterson, was arrested 4:06 p.m. Thursday on a charge of possession of Suboxone.

--Koshai Decour Hamilton, 24, South Bardier Avenue, Thibodeaux, was arrested at 2;27 a.m. Thursday on charges of battery on a dating partner (strangulation), aggravated assault, criminal damage to property, possession of marijuana and disturbing the peace (intoxication).

--Myron Hatch Jr., 50, Filmore Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:28 p.m. Thursday on charges of theft (under $1,000), attempted theft (under $1,000) and three counts of failure to appear for trial (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Clint Adam Landry, 44, Shell Beach Road, Pierre Part, was arrested at 2:03 p.m. Thursday on two counts of failure to appear for arraignment (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Damenn M. Engleton, 33, North Second Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:13 p.m. Thursday on charges of cyberstalking and two counts of failure to appear for arraignment (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Bridget Pojar, 44, Federal Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:25 p.m. Thursday on a charge of remaining after forbidden.

--Justin Guidry, 35, La. 182, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:03 p.m. Thursday on a charge of disturbing the peace (intoxicated) and resisting an officer.

--Jamie Francois, 31, Oriole Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:52 a.m. Thursday on two counts of failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

St. Mary

Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that over the last 48-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 66 complaints and made these arrests:

--Michael Day, 37, Franklin, was arrested at 1:15 p.m. Thursday on a charge of violation of protective orders. Bail has not been set at this time.

--Jim Businelle, 63, Morgan City, was arrested at 6 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charge of unauthorized use of a movable. Bail was set at $500.

John K. Flores: Researchers study teal for info on migration, disease

Fri, 04/21/2023 - 12:08pm
JOHN K. FLORES

Earlier this month on a farm near Krotz Springs, Deb Carter suddenly raised her hands and in a firm voice said, “Everybody STOP!” There were nearly 400 somewhat stressed blue winged teal in crates on the ground. And raising tension a bit, some 20 eager Stephen F. Austin University student volunteers were spilling excited energy all over the levee that divided the crawfish ponds where the birds were just captured by rocket net.

The blue winged teal capture was part of a continuing program conducted each spring (March and April) by the University of Georgia Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries that monitors low and high pathogenic avian influenza diseases, also known as bird flu.

Carter’s moment of seriousness got everyone’s attention, quickly refocusing the group on the real reason they were there. Like a drill sergeant, she quickly gave out assignments and instructions where the SFA Ducks Unlimited collegiate chapter of volunteers became a well-oiled machine in processing the teal.

Carter, a research professional who works in the Department of Pathology in the College of Veterinary Medicine at UGA, says high pathogenic influenza has affected nearly 100 different avian species and some mammals over the past year.

Carter said, “It’s a big concern for us. Obviously, it hits the poultry farms because the wild birds are bringing it over here during their migrations. So, teal happen to be the host for some of it. They don’t always show clinical signs, but they are carriers so we’re studying them closely.

“We’ve actually been studying them for years,” Carter continued. “We’ve found low pathogenic avian subtypes in them and this past year we found the high pathogenic.”

The field capture work includes taking teal from their holding crates to a banding station, where they are banded and recorded as part of the Bird Banding Laboratory/U.S. Geological Survey scientific program. Not only does it take a large group of volunteers to clear a net of captive waterfowl, but also the systematic handling of the birds station to station before they are released; hopefully with no mortality.

After banding, the teal were taken to Carter’s station where throat and posterior swab samples were collected along with blood samples.

Swab samples let technicians know if the teal are currently carrying pathogens, where blood samples will let them know if the birds have anti-bodies.

Over the past year not only has inflation and high fuel prices caused an increase in egg prices for the consumer, but also the impact of avian influenza. One report, from Texas A&M, indicated that close to 50 million chickens in 46 states have perished due to the outbreak of avian influenza.

Allison Vestal-Laborde is a Ph.D. student in the School of Renewable Natural Resources at Louisiana State University and also works full time at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine.

While Carter was working one end of the swabbing and bloodletting table, Laborde was working a station on the opposite end. Laborde’s interest in teal was to look for avian corona viruses.

Laborde said, “Avian corona viruses are not quite as typical as influenza right now, but as with the human side, we have a real interest in corona viruses in wildlife. We know that birds have corona virus, because it is very common in domestic poultry, but we don’t know as much about waterfowl. There have been a few studies that have shown 10% of birds are carrying avian corona viruses and we’re not quite sure what that’s doing to them.”

Laborde says part of her work is to see if waterfowl have avian corona virus when they are migrating in and out. Moreover, how does avian coronavirus effect their reproduction, because it does affect domestic poultry reproduction.

“The information would be crucially important for wildlife that are of a population like some of our cavity nesting birds,” Laborde said.

One additional station was set up, where Jeff Edwards, a University of Missouri graduate student working on his masters, was attaching GPS transmitters to nine of the healthiest blue winged teal specimens captured that morning.

The solar powered GPS transmitters track each bird’s location every four hours as long as they are in 4G cell phone coverage. Every 12 hours all of the locations are then transmitted to a data base that can be accessed and monitored, says Edwards.

Edwards said, “We’re looking to track how wetland inundation trends are effecting their habitat selection and survival throughout the non-breeding season. So, we’re kind of looking at the spring migration as to how water on the landscape is effecting how far they might make a migratory jump and if that is effecting survival during the spring season and maybe into the breeding season. So, we’re taking a look at these cross-seasonal effects by tracking them.”

The GPS transmitters are fixed to an elastic harness strapped onto the ducks body and typically weigh 10 grams. Each GPS transmitter can only equal and not exceed 3% of the bird’s weight. Most of the teal selected by Edwards weighed over 400 grams (just over 14 ounces).
Edwards said, “The first thing we do before we get going is to make sure they make weight. We want the healthiest birds we can get. So, we try to keep the birds above 400 grams.”

Female blue winged teal are usually fitted with GPS transmitters, but Edwards also included several males. According to Edwards, it’s not common for people to study males.

“People seem to think blue wing males exhibit different migration strategies and to my knowledge nobody in the world has put transmitters on male blue winged teal, which is crazy. So, it will be cool for us to look at that and differentiate survival where fall migration and resource selection is concerned,” Edwards said.

Whether a biologist, grad student, or volunteer, there’s nothing quite like messing around with waterfowl. One of the things the SFA student volunteers got to see were all three North American teal species. Both the blue winged teal and green winged teal are common to the Mississippi Flyway that Louisiana is part of. But, as a treat the group also got to see a cinnamon teal that is considered more of a Central and Western Flyway duck.

The Nacogdoches, Texas, Stephen F. Austin collegiate chapter has about 40 total members according to Club President, Brittany Zwahr, with 20 being relatively active.

The group spends considerable time maintaining wood duck boxes on local WMAs in Texas, as well as volunteering to help out with various wetland conservation projects.

Globally, the concern of various diseases spreading remains at the forefront of people’s mind.

Monitoring diseases carried by wildlife, particularly waterfowl, acts as an early warning signal, where agriculture agencies can develop strategies to mitigate outcomes.

John Flores is the Morgan City Review’s outdoor writer. He can be contacted at gowiththeflo@cox.net.

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