St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office Photo
Sheriff Blaise Smith announced that K9 Deputy Blake Giroir was presented with a Mothers Against Drunk Driving Hero Award last week in Baton Rouge. Giroir made 31 drunk driving arrests, successfully taking impaired drivers off the roadways of St. Mary Parish in an effort to save lives, the Sheriff's Office said.
An invasive insect that could be weakening stands of roseau cane across the Mississippi River Delta has spread farther east along the Gulf Coast, according to surveys performed by LSU AgCenter researchers.
Native to China and Japan, the roseau cane scale was initially found in Louisiana in 2016. Researchers have implicated the insect in the die-off of stands of roseau cane, a vital component of the coastal ecosystem.
“It is definitely a stressor, if it’s not outright killing the plants themselves,” said Tanner Sparks, a doctoral student in AgCenter entomologist Rodrigo Diaz’s biological control and invasive species lab. “It’s definitely a heavy stressor for weak plants.”
Surveys along the coast in the fall of both 2021 and 2022 indicated the roseau cane scale expanded its range since the invasive insects were first found in Louisiana and southeast Texas in 2016 and 2017. The insect’s range now stretches from Bayou La Batre, Alabama, to Sabine Pass, Texas.
Roseau cane stands run along the East Coast and Gulf Coast, providing habitat for birds, fish and shrimp. These stands establish deep roots in fragile soil, protecting shipping channels from waves and limiting erosion caused by major storms, Diaz said.
Scientists found the first evidence of the roseau cane scale in Louisiana in 2016 while studying previously healthy stands of the cane that collapsed and died. Other stressors, such as saltier water and extended periods of flooding, may contribute to the decline of roseau cane, but Diaz said a diverse team of scientists thinks the scale insect plays a role in the die-offs.
“Just by feeding, they are stealing nutrients from plants,” Sparks said. “A lot of the carbohydrates in the sap are not digested, so scales excrete them as honeydew.”
This honeydew allows sooty mold to grow, affecting the plant further.
A plant sap feeder, the roseau cane scale spends most of its lifecycle immobile while feeding on a host plant. As a result, the insect eventually does away with legs, eyes and antennae. However, the immature scale, called a crawler, is mobile and will search for the right feeding location before settling there for the rest of its life.
Diaz and other researchers have speculated that strong winds can blow the crawlers to new roseau cane stands, and storms can wash infested plants into debris piles. Pregnant females can hatch crawlers where the debris piles settle.
The roseau cane scale does not feed on rice, sugarcane or other grass species, Diaz said.
Bayou La Batre, southwest of Mobile, Alabama, appears to be the leading edge of the expansion because research teams only found immature specimens of the insects and no mature females.
The roseau cane die-offs have been limited to the Mississippi River Delta so far. Diaz said larger populations of the scale insects may be required to stress roseau cane stands to the point of dying.
“It may take several generations, maybe several years of that scale being present at a site, until they build numbers and the stress is more noticeable,” he said.
Diaz and a team of graduate students have traveled the coast in the fall to examine stands of roseau cane. In the summer, Sparks stopped on his way home from a beach trip to inspect cane near the interstate highway in the Mobile Bay area. He found evidence of the insect and returned with the research team later.
Interested amateurs have assisted in the search for the insects by uploading photos of infestations to iNaturalist, a social network that allows citizen scientists as well as professional researchers to share observations of plants and animals. Diaz encourages anyone with an interest to search roseau cane stands along the Gulf Coast for the scale insects.
“We suggest that people in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, they should be checking the cane to see if they have infestations there,” Diaz said.
Because the roseau cane scale is a native of colder climates, Diaz hypothesizes that the scale could survive farther north along the Atlantic Coast of the United States if it continues its spread.
(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.)
St. Mary deputies reported two drug-related arrests Monday, one involving crack cocaine, the other on a warrant for failure to appear on marijuana and weapon charges.
St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 33 complaints and made these arrests:
--Darren James Rideaux Jr., 22, Lafayette, was arrested at 1:36 p.m. Monday on a warrant alleging for failure to appear on charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance, no license plate and driver must be licensed.
Bail has not been set.
--Arthur Gant, 63, Patterson, was arrested at 6:18 p.m. Monday by the Narcotics Section on charges of front light required at night, resisting an officer and possession of crack cocaine. Bail has not been set.
Morgan City
Police Chief Chad M. Adams reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 39 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:
--Ciara Vaughtasha Williams, 34, University Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 5:20 p.m. Monday on a seven counts of failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).
--Cherri Lambert, 47, Egle Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:23 p.m. Monday on a charge of aggravated assault.
Berwick
Police Chief David Leonard reported this arrest:
--Tara Anslum, 48, Pecan Grove Berwick, was arrested at 6:14 p.m. Monday on charges of disturbing the peace (intoxicated) and criminal mischief (filing a false report).
At 5:48 p.m. Monday, the Berwick Police Department received a call through 911 from a female on Pecan Grove stating that a family member was inside her home pointing a firearm at her. Officers arrived on scene and made contact with the 911 caller, who was identified as Anslum.
Through investigation, officers learned that Anslum was intoxicated and called 911, then made up the complaint of a person pointing a firearm at her.
Following the investigation, she was placed under arrest and booked into the Berwick Jail. She later posted a cash bond of $527 and was released.
Franklin
Police Chief Morris Beverly reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to eight complaints over the last 24-hour reporting period and made this arrest:
--Jordan McDaniel, 29, Third Street, Franklin, was arrested at 3:05 p.m. Monday on a warrant alleging probation violation. McDaniel was booked, processed and held with no bond set at the time of press release.
Edward Turner normally cooks for the lunchtime crowd at the St. Mary Senior Citizens Center. On Tuesday, Turner was at a table at the center, waiting for someone else to bring out the food.
“At least I hope they are,” Turner said.
But he didn’t have to wait long for a plate of turkey with the trimmings, an early Thanksgiving meal made possible by a partnership bringing together Peoples Health, Second Harvest Food Bank and the St. Mary Parish Council on Aging.
This is the 12th year that Peoples Health, a United Health Care company, and Second Harvest have worked together to bring a free, hot holiday meal to seniors.
Morgan City seniors were treated Tuesday. Turkey was on the menu in Houma on Wednesday, Hammond Thursday and New Orleans Friday.
This year, sit-down meals returned after two COVID years in which meals were delivered drive-up style.
Second Harvest prepared 300 meals for the Morgan City event. The partnership will serve 6,000 meals this year.
The event in Morgan City drew a crowd.
“You’ve got people from all over,” said Peggy Turner, Edward’s wife. “Bayou Vista, Berwick, Patterson, Amelia. And Morgan City.”
The people at the event were served by former Parish President Paul Naquin, Parish Councilmen James Bennett and Les Rulf, and Morgan City Councilman Ron Bias.
Second Harvest’s mission, according to its website, is to give food-insecure people access to nourishment, to serve as an advocate for them and to provide education.
But “today we’re focused on seniors so they can get a hot meal,” said Brittany Bowie, Second Harvest’s impact operations director.
CENTERVILLE — St. Mary Superintendent Dr. Theresa Bagwell told School Board members Thursday that she isn’t seeking an extension of her contract, which expires in June.
School Board President Kenneth Alfred made that announcement at Thursday’s regular meeting.
Bagwell met with School Board members in a closed-door session during the meeting to receive her annual evaluation. With a new evaluation system developed by a committee of board members assembled for that purpose, all 11 members graded
Bagwell on a scale of 1 to 4.
Bagwell received an 11-member average grade of 3.21 — “.21 better than proficient,” Alfred said.
Bagwell, appointed superintendent in 2019, and the school system’s leadership in general have come in for criticism on a variety of issues, including staff turnover and the handling of the COVID pandemic.
Bagwell had received positive evaluations since becoming superintendent with a starting salary of $135,000 per year. Board members had cited the district’s continued standing in the state’s school accountability system.
St. Mary ranks among the top third of Louisiana school systems despite a student body with a large percentage of low-income students.
On Thursday, Parish President David Hanagriff and Morgan City Mayor Lee Dragna attended the meeting and expressed concern beforehand that Thursday’s agenda listed “discussion and/or action concerning the Superintendent’s contract” so far in advance of its expiration.
As a result of this week’s elections, five new members will take office on the 11-member board in January.
But after the closed-door session, Alfred took discussion of Bagwell’s contract and public comments about it off the table after announcing that Bagwell wouldn’t seek to have her contract extended.
After the meeting, Alfred said Bagwell’s evaluation was on the agenda Thursday because her contract entitles her to an evaluation each year. Because the committee needed time to develop the evaluation instrument, the board was running out of time for her evaluation, he said.
Passers turned rushers in Friday’s bi-regional prep football playoff games, and in one case, a rusher turned big-strike passer.
While Berwick’s Jayden Milton powered his way to 188 rushing yards and three touchdowns, quarterback Cru Bella rushed for two scores in a 38-26 Panther win at Jewel Sumner of Kentwood in Non-Select Division III.
In Patterson, meanwhile, Caylon Davis, the state’s top passer with more than 3,000 yards this season, outran his own passing total, rushing for 124 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Josiah Jennings threw a 52-yard touchdown pass to help
Patterson down Port Allen 44-28, also in Division III.
Central Catholic had a first-round bye in Select Division IV and on Friday will host Opelousas Catholic, which beat St. Edmund 54-20 in that bi-regional game.
Patterson will play at Winnfield, and Bogalusa will host Berwick on Friday in the regional round.
In other games involving St. Mary teams, Oakdale beat Franklin 30-20 and Oak Grove defeated Centerville 52-8 in Non-Select Division IV bi-regionals.
Hanson Memorial edged Delta Charter 48-46 in a Select Division IV and will play Friday at St. Mary’s, which had a first-round bye.
The Nov. 18-19 winners will play in the state quarterfinals Thanksgiving weekend.
Patterson 44,
Port Allen 28
Davis rushed for two touchdowns and went 13-for-21 passing for 97 yards and a touchdown. The touchdown went to Howard Kinchen, who, with the 52-yard TD pass from Jennings, had five catches for 100 yards and two scores.
Jennings rushed 12 times for 112 yards and a TD and caught four passes for 23 yards.
Defensively, Demond Davis and Akai Keys were the leaders. Davis and Courtney Williams set up a score by blocking a punt, and Keys recovered a fumble to set up another. They helped keep in check a Port Allen offense that had lots of size on the line and lots of speed in the backfield.
Patterson slugged away for nearly 18 minutes to start the game with only a 31-yard Jasper Russell field goal to show for it before rolling off 28 straight points.
Port Allen had surged ahead on a 34-yard run by speedy sophomore Brennan Gibson and a 38-yard pass to Gibson from B. White.
But on the first play after Port Allen took its 14-3 lead with 6:56 left in the first half, quarterback Davis flipped the ball to Jennings. He found Davis’ favorite target, Jennings, with the 52 yard score. Davis threw the 2-point pass to Kylin Brooks to make it 14-11.
Carlos Brooks intercepted a pass by Port Allen’s Jarius Wright to end the last Pelican threat in the first half and set up a 16-yard touchdown pass from Davis to Kinchen. A Russell kick put Patterson on top 18-14 at halftime.
Caylon Davis threw an 18-yard scoring pass to his brother, Camron, and broke free for a 59-yard touchdown run to put Patterson ahead 31-14 after three quarters.
TD runs of 15 yards by Davis and 6 yards by Jennings kept the Lumberjacks comfortably in front.
Gibson finished with 169 yards on 13 carries and two rushing touchdowns to go with the TD reception for Port Allen, which ends the year at 5-6. Patterson is 7-4.
Berwick 38,
Jewel Sumner 26
While Milton was hammering Sumner with 27 rushing attempts, Bella was hitting Zack Gonzales with three passes for 84 yards. All three set up Berwick touchdowns.
With a 19-12 lead as the third quarter came to a close, Bella threw to Gonzales for 53 yards to the Sumner 12. One play later, Bella ran in from the 7, and Evan Crappell’s kick made it 26-12.
Sumner’s Darren Thomas, who finished with 148 yards on 25 rushes, opened the fourth quarter with an 18-yard TD to make it 26-20.
But a 12-yard Bella pass to Gonzales set up Milton’s 12-yard TD run. And after Luc Leleux recovered a fumble, a 19-yard pass to Gonzales was followed by a 1-yard Milton TD run to put Berwick in front for good.
For Berwick, Bella overcame two interceptions and went 7-for-11 and a touchdown. Luke Tarver caught two passes for 18 yards, and Nisiah Bennett had two for 16 yards and a second-quarter touchdown.
Before losing 15 yards when he dropped to a knee three times at the game’s end, Bella had six rushes for 43 yards.
For Sumner, 7-4, quarterback Wyatt Clark was 3-for-14 for 64 yards and two touchdowns.
Berwick is also 7-4.
LAFAYETTE -- Central Catholic made a mid-match run Friday for a shot at a state Division V volleyball title. The Eagles fell short, but not without a fight.
Division second seed Westminster Christian beat No. 3 Central Catholic in a 3-1 match in Friday’s semifinal at the Cajundome. The scores were 25-21, 25-11, 22-25 and 25-15 for Westminster, which will play Country Day of Metairie at 9 a.m. Saturday for the divisional state championship.
Division V, composed of small schools, is displaying a lot of power at the net.
For Westminster, Abigail Cunningham hammered home 27 kills in Friday’s game with Central Catholic, powering her team to 25-21 and 25-11 victories in the first two games.
But Central Catholic brought some power of its own. Bri-yannah Johnson, coming off an 11-kill performance in the quarterfinal, helped build a wall as the third game began after two Central Catholic losses.
“We put up some blocks against [Cunningham] ...,” said Central Catholic coach Sunni Blanchard.
“We fought hard.”
Hitter Johnson and libero Emily Lipari have provided stability for the Eagles.
“They’re great leaders,” Blanchard said, “and they keep everyone calmed down.”
A pair of Johnson kills pushed the Eagles to a 9-3 lead in the third game. Westminster fought back to within two at 23-22, but Central Catholic got two of the last three points, the last on a hit by Johnson.
Cunningham reasserted herself in the fourth game. With an 18-13 lead, she rolled off four straight kills and then scored the final two points with a kill and a dink.
For Central Catholic, Madison Simmons added punch to the attack with 11 kills. Ava Calais, who had 37 assists in the quarterfinal, came back with 32 Friday.
Natalie Sloane had eight blocks Friday, and Johnson added five more. Madison Landry served two aces, and Calais notched one.
Lipari led the Eagles with 14 digs, and Landry had 12.
In Thursday’s quarterfinal, Central Catholic beat Ascension Catholic 31-29, 26-24, 25-23.
The stats for Central Catholic:
Kills: Johnson 11, Simmons eight.
Blocks: Addison Grizzaffi five, Sloane four.
Aces: Calais two, Emily Lipari one, which was a game-winner.
Digs: Lipari 24, Simmons 10.
For Westminster, Ada Horton had 49 assists and Caroline Lalonde had 38 digs.
Blanchard’s first year as Central Catholic’s head volleyball coach paired her and assistant Heather Irwin with returning players who reached the Louisiana quarterfinals in 2021. They went 19-12 this year and were district champions.
“They’re awesome,” Blanchard said. “They’re very bold and supportive. They’re great learners and great listeners.
“It’s been a great group of girls.”
Metairie Park Country Day went on to beat Westminster for the state title Saturday, 24-26, 25-20, 25-16, 20-25, 15-7.
Bayou Horseshoe Pitchers Association
Kemper Williams Patterson
Nov. 12
City Singles Championship
Class A
First place, Jimmy Percle, Morgan City, 5-1, 44.5; second place, Tim Gilmore, Bayou Vista, 4-2, 61.0; and third place, Burnie Williams, Morgan City, 2-2, 42.5.
Percle defeated Gilmore in a 40 shoe playoff, claiming class title and advancing to championship round.
Class B
First, Larry Pertuit, Marrero, 5-1, 33.5; second, Angela Percle, Morgan City, 4-2, 37.5; and third, Tim Hayles, Berwick, 3-2, 22.1.
Pertuit defeated Percle in a 40 shoe playoff, claiming class title and advancing to championship round.
Class C
First, Julius Lovell, Bayou L’Ourse, 5-0, 17.5; second, Warren Raymond, Patterson, 4-1, 3.5; and third, Al Graham, Berwick, 3-2, 6.5.
Championship Round
First, Julius Lovell (city tournament champion), 2-0, 28.75; second, Larry Pertuit, 1-1, 31.25; and third, Jimmy Percle, 0-2, 37.50.
Nov. 13
City Doubles Championship
First, Angela Percle and Jimmy Percle (city tournament championship), 7-2, 33.2; second, Pat Peruit and Tim Gilmore, 6-3, 46.9; and third, Mary Guzdial and Jim Guzdial, 6-3, 16.5.
(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 patrol officer made a speeding stop Thursday that resulted in an arrest on a possession of stolen property charge. In Assumption Parish, deputies arrested two Bayou L’Ourse people who face kidnapping charges involving a 6-year-old.
Morgan City
Police Chief Chad M. Adams reported these arrests:
—Joel Heart, 31, Wagoner Drive, Winnfield, was arrested at 9:10 p.m. Thursday on a charge of illegal possession of stolen things (over $25,000).
A patrol officer working Traffic Enforcement Detail on U.S. 90 observed a 2018 GMC Truck traveling 82 mph in a 60 mph zone. The officer initiated a stop, and Heard was identified as the operator of the vehicle.
During the investigation, it was learned that the vehicle that Heard was driving had been reported stolen out of Chalmette. Heard was arrested and transported to the Morgan City Jail, where he was booked and processed.
—Nathaniel Albert Rollins, 26, Brashear Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:03 a.m. Friday on a charge of simple battery.
—Charlotte Tonya Bracamontes Trahan, 34, Tiffany Street, Patterson, was arrested at 8:22 p.m. Friday on charges of disturbing the peace, remaining after forbidden and resisting an officer.
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—Mervin Ruffin, 70, 11th Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:21 p.m. Friday on a charge of aggravated second-degree battery.
—Anthony Lee Watson, 47, Victor II Boulevard, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:06 p.m. Friday on charges of driving while intoxicated (third offense), driving under suspension, disregard of traffic controls, two brake lights required and no insurance.
—Ramon Paul Carlos, 32, Jupiter Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:23 p.m. Saturday on charges of simple battery and disturbing the peace.
—Milton David George, 30, Nashville Pike, Gallatin, Tennessee, was arrested at 5 p.m. Saturday on charges of possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, speeding 79 mph in a 60 mph zone and no driver’s license.
—Stephen Michael Guarisco, 53, Florence Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:22 p.m. Saturday on a charge of allowing dogs to roam.
—Rodrigo Lopez Mendez, 26, Terrebonne Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:51 a.m. Sunday on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense), hit-and-run driving and reckless operation of a motor vehicle.
—Nicholas Anthony Feliciano, 27, St. Clair Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:31 p.m. Sunday on a charge of disturbing the peace (intoxicated).
—Brandon Scott Mitchell, 40, Woodview Court, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:57 p.m. Thursday on charges of failure to appear for trial and probation violation (6th Ward Morgan City Court).
—Anthony Terrell Dixon, 32, Everett Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:11 p.m. Thursday, was arrested on four counts of failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).
St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith reported this arrest:
—Roman Paul Carlos, Bayou Vista, was arrested at 8:12 p.m. Friday on charges of disturbing the peace (language) and terrorizing.
Carlos was also named in a Morgan City Police Department warrant alleging disturbing the peace by language and simple battery. Carlos was released on a $2,200 bond and transferred to another agency.
Patterson
Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported these arrests:
—Salomon Salgado, 32, Stone Castle Drive, Denham Springs, was arrested at 7:58 p.m. Friday on charges of speeding 20-25 mph over the limit, careless operation and felony possession of Schedule I drugs. Salgado was incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with no bond set.
—Patrick L. Price Jr., 22, Chestnut Drive, Morgan City, was arrested at 4:10 p.m. Saturday on a charge of illegal discharge of a weapon in the city limits. Price as issued a summons.
Assumption
Sheriff Leland Falcon reported these arrests:
—Chadwick M. Landry, 50, Highway 662, Bayou L’Ourse, was arrested Saturday on a fugitive warrant alleging simple kidnapping.
—Candice Nicole Norman, 33, Highway 662, Bayou L’Ourse, was arrested Saturday on a fugitive warrant alleging simple kidnapping.
According to arrest warrants and affidavits filed by the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office, Candice Nicole Norman had previously entered into a stipulated judgement awarding full custody of her 6-year-old child to a former companion.
On Saturday, Landry and Norman traveled to St. Mary Parish to the town of Franklin and physically removed the 6-year-old child in question and left the area.
The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation and subsequently filed arrest warrants against Landry and Norman.
Both Landry and Norman were arrested in Bayou L’Ourse on Saturday and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center. They were awaiting transfer to St. Mary Parish.
The child was safely recovered and returned to the appropriate legal custodians.
—Brent Joseph Chiasson Jr., 24, Belle River Road, Pierre Part, was arrested Nov. 9 on a charge of failing to register and notify as a sex offender or child predator.
Chiasson was arrested previously on charges of felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile and subsequently was convicted of a sex offense requiring registration as a Tier I sex offender. Chiasson failed to comply with the registration requirements for sex offenders.
Chiasson Jr. was arrested in Pierre Part on Wednesday afternoon and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.
Two Bayou L'Ourse residents face kidnapping charges after leaving the area with a 6-year-old child who was the subject of a custody judgment, Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon said.
Arrested were:
---Chadwick M. Landry, 50, 1043 Highway 662, Bayou L’Ourse on a fugitive warrant alleging simple kidnapping.
--Candice Nicole Norman, 33, 1043 Highway 662, Bayou L’Ourse, on a fugitive warrant alleging simple kidnapping.
According to arrest warrants and affidavits filed by the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office, Candice Norman had previously entered into a stipulated judgment awarding full custody of her 6-year-old child to a former companion.
On Saturday, Landry and Norman traveled to S Franklin and physically removed the 6-year-old child in question and left the area, Falcon said.
The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation and subsequently filed arrest warrants against Landry and Norman.
Both Landry and Norman were arrested in Bayou L’Ourse on Saturday and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center and were awaiting transport to St. Mary Parish.
Franklin Banner-Tribune
P.O. Box 566, Franklin, LA 70538
Phone: 337-828-3706
Fax: 337-828-2874
Morgan City Review
1014 Front Street, Morgan City, LA 70380
Phone: 985-384-8370
Fax: 985-384-4255