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(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 arrests involving child desertion, marijuana possession and drunken driving over the weekend.

Morgan City

Interim Police Chief Mark E. Griffin Jr. reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 106 calls for service over the last 72-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

—Cassandra Ann LaCoste, 27, Russo Street, Berwick, was arrested at 10:44 p.m. Friday on charges of possession of marijuana and disregard of traffic controls.

—Joshua Michael LaCoste, 47, Railroad Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:08 p.m. Saturday on charges of child desertion, child in need of care and allowing dogs to roam (fourth offense).

—Brittany Morgan, 31, Pine Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:36 p.m. Saturday on charges of self-mutilation of a prisoner and battery of a police officer.

—Jose Miguel Garcia-Robles, 29, Federal Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 5:02 p.m. Sunday on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense), reckless operation of a motor vehicle and no driver’s license.

—Matthew Cohn, 29, Sterling drive, Houma, was arrested at 2:48 a.m. Monday on charges of possession of marijuana and improper turning.

St. Mary

Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that over the last 72-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 101 com-plaints and made these arrests:

—Ciara Vaughntasha Williams, 34, Bayou Vista, was arrested at 11:55 a.m. Friday on charges of theft by shop-lifting and resisting an officer by giving false information. Williams also held two warrants alleging failure to appear on the charges of theft and prostitution. Bail has not been set at this time.

—Tina Ware, 40, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:30 a.m. Sunday on two warrants alleging failure to appear on the charges of theft and simple battery. Bail has not been set.

—James Patrick Chaisson, 55, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:18 a.m. Monday on charges of driving on roadway laned for traffic and resisting arrest or officer.

Bail has not been set.

Patterson

Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported these arrests:

—Ramie Bourgeois, 19, Main Street, Patterson was arrested at 3:22 p.m. Saturday on charges of resisting an officer by giving false information and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.

Bourgeois was incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail. Bond was set at $3,500.

—Mare M. Pollard, 58, Gabriel Street, Patterson, was arrested at 12:04 a.m. Sunday on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense); driver’s license suspended or revoked; and headlights required.

Pollard was incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with no bond set.

—Arlin R. Argueta-Moline, 23, Shannon Street, Patterson, was arrested at 1:56 p.m. Sunday on charges of no driver’s license, open container and unsafe vehicle. Argueta-Moline was issued a citation.

—Donshea A. Amos, 34, Ellis Street, Patterson, was arrested at 12:35 p.m. Sunday on charges of battery of a dating partner, resisting an officer by force and disturbing the peace. Amos was incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with no bond set.

Berwick

Police Chief David S. Leonard reported these arrests:

—Corvion Smith, 20, Freret Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:24 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and window tint violation.

About 3:04 p.m. Thursday, a traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle for window tint. Officers made contact with the driver, Smith.

An odor of marijuana was detected coming from the vehicle. A search of the vehicle was conducted, at which time officers located marijuana and items of paraphernalia. Officers also located a 9mm handgun that was reported stolen through Ascension Parish.

Smith was placed under arrest and transported to the Berwick Police Department, where he was booked.

—Cassie Rankin, 33, Levee Road, Morgan City, was arrested at 4:58 p.m. Thursday on a warrant alleging simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling.

—On Aug. 10, the Berwick Police Department received a complaint of a residential burglary. Officers responded and met with the complainant, who identified Rankin as the suspect. The complainant advised that Rankin entered their residence the night before and took several items.

An investigation was conducted and evidence was provided linking Rankin to the burglary. A warrant was obtained and Rankin was placed under arrest. Rankin was booked.

—Derrick Mitchell, 35, Old Spanish Trail, Broussard, was arrested at 2:55 a.m. Friday on charges of possession of marijuana, speeding 54 mph in a 30 mph zone and driving under suspension.

—About 2:28 a.m. Thursday, a traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle for speeding 54 mph in a 30 mph zone. Officers made contact with the driver, who was identified as Mitchell.

Mitchell was advised for the reason of the stop and asked to provide a valid driver’s license. An odor of marijuana was detected coming from the vehicle.

A search of the vehicle was conducted at which time officers located marijuana inside. A driver’s license check showed that Mitchell’s driver’s license was suspended.

Mitchell was placed under arrest. Mitchell was released on a summons to appear in court in November.

—Jorge Canizales Fugon, 27, Southeast Boulevard, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:43 a.m. Sunday on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense), reckless operation of a motor vehicle, reckless operation of a motor vehicle and no driver’s license.

About 2:16 a.m. Sunday, a vehicle was observed traveling in a reckless manner on La. 182 West. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle, and officers made contact with the driver, who was identified as Canizales Fugon.

During the course of the stop, Canizales Fugon showed signs of impairment, and a strong odor of alcohol was detected coming from his breath and person. Canizales Fugon was asked to perform a series of standardized field sobriety tests, which he agreed to do and performed poorly. A computer check showed that he did not have a driver’s license.

Canizales Fugon was placed under arrest and transported to the Berwick Police Department, where he provided a valid breath sample of 0.172G% BAC. Canizales Fugon was booked.

—Dekota Johnson, 20, La. 311, Schriever, was arrested at 10:13 a.m. Sunday on a warrant alleging felony con-tributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.

About 10:13 a.m. Sunday, officers traveled to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center and located Johnson, who had active warrants through the Berwick Police Department. Johnson was placed under arrest and transported to the Berwick Police Department, where he was booked on the warrant.

The warrant stems from an investigation involving a juvenile that was conducted in June 2022. Through the course of the investigation, it was learned that Johnson was involved in aiding the juvenile to partake in illegal activities.

Following the booking process, Johnson was transported back to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for incarceration.

Franklin

Police Chief Morris Beverly reported these arrests:

—Ebony Antoine, 39, Samuel Street, Franklin, was arrested at 8:29 a.m. Aug. 10 on charges of criminal conspiracy and three counts of theft. Antoine was booked, processed and held on a $5,000 bond.

—Shameka Calhoun, 22, 10th Street, Franklin, was arrested at 8:29 a.m. Aug. 10 on charges of criminal conspiracy and three counts of theft. Antoine was booked, processed and held on a $5,000 bond.

—Girard Navy, 30, Ninth Street, Franklin, was arrested at 9:30 a.m. Thursday on charges of resisting an officer by flight, domestic abuse battery with child endangerment and violation of protective order. Navy was booked, processed and held on a $22,500 bond.

—Alonzo Alexander, 41, Ninth Street, Franklin, was arrested at 11:02 a.m. Thursday on a warrant for 3rd Ward City Court alleging failure to appear on the charges of stop signs and yield signs and speeding. Alexander was booked, processed and released on a $398 bond.

—Darien Hoskins, 42, B Street, Franklin, was arrested at 6:30 p.m. Thursday on a charge of battery of a dating partner. Hoskins was booked, processed and released on a $2,500 bond.

—LaTonya Ben, 45, Hayes Drive, Lafayette, was arrested at 6:33 p.m. Thursday on a charge of battery of a dating partner. Ben was booked, processed and released on a $2,500 bond.

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, Aug. 11
8:58 a.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Theft.
9:07 a.m. 1400 block of Federal Avenue; Complaint.
9:28 a.m. 2000 block of Allison Street; Medical.
9:52 a.m. 300 block of Seventh Street; Complaint.
12:29 p.m. Front Street; Suspicious vehicle.
12:47 p.m. 1100 block of Fourth Street; Arrest.
1:05 p.m. Federal Avenue and Bush Street; Arrest.
1:11 p.m. 400 block of Duke Street; Complaint.
1:32 p.m. Maple Street; Suspicious subject.
1:53 p.m. 1200 block of David Drive; Complaint.
3:20 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Reckless operation.
3:50 p.m. 1000 block of Federal Avenue; Assistance.
4:11 p.m. 1000 block of Federal Avenue; Complaint.
4:36 p.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Medical.
5:13 p.m. 200 block of South Railroad Avenue; Burglary.
5:15 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Fire.
6:05 p.m. 1500 block of Ohio Street; Complaint.
7:39 p.m. 700 block of Freret Street; Loud music.
7:47 p.m. 600 block of Egle Street; Assistance.
7:48 p.m. Pat-ton/Halsey streets; Disturbance.
7:56 p.m. 500 block of Aucoin Street; Loud music.
8:16 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Com-plaint.
8:23 p.m. Lawrence Park Kids Park Side; Assistance.
10:13 p.m. 500 block of Barrow Street; Suspicious activity.
Friday, Aug. 12
3:20 a.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Alarm.
4:38 a.m. La. 182/Ditch Avenue; Aggravated assault.
6:24 a.m. 1800 block of Federal Avenue; Lost and found.
6:34 a.m. Sixth Street and La. 182, Berwick; Warrant.
7:46 a.m. 1900 block of Federal Avenue; Complaint.
10:55 a.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Complaint.
11:22 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Theft.
11:29 a.m. 500 block of Florence Street; Animal complaint.
12:45 p.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Animal complaint.
1:53 p.m. 100 block of Mallard Street; Theft.
2:21 p.m. U.S. 90 near Martin Luther King Boulevard; Complaint.
2:37 p.m. 800 block of Willard Street; Welfare check.
3:26 p.m. 300 block of Second Street; Complaint.
3:28 p.m. 1200 block of Brashear Avenue; Alarm.
3:37 p.m. 600 block of Aucoin Street; Complaint.
3:42 p.m. 200 block of Aucoin Street; Welfare check.
3:57 p.m. 700 block of Federal Avenue; Theft.
6:43 p.m. 1100 block of Victor II Boulevard; Complaint.
7:01 p.m. 7500 block of La. 182; Complaint.
7:20 p.m. 1500 block of North First Street; Patrol request.
7:37 p.m. 600 block of Railroad Avenue; Animal complaint.
9:02 p.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Patrol request.
11:39 p.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Medical.
11:50 p.m. 2000 block of Keith Street; Complaint.
Saturday, Aug. 13
12:02 a.m. 1700 block of Frontage Road; Assistance.
12:09 a.m. 500 block of Orange Street; Complaint.
12:43 a.m. 2000 block of Keith Street; Noise complaint.
12:57 a.m. 300 block of Second Street; Disturbance.
2:34 a.m. Area of Boudreaux and Mount streets; Assistance.
7:26 a.m. 1600 block of Chatsworth Drive; 911 hang up.
8:22 a.m. 500 block of Willow Street; Complaint.
9:43 a.m. 900 block of Ninth Street; Complaint.
11:31 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Warrant.
11:54 a.m. Greenwood near Ninth streets; Vehicle crash.
2 p.m. 600 block of Railroad Avenue; Complaint.
2 p.m. 100 block of Oak Street; Loud noise.
3:35 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
4:54 p.m. 3000 block of Tammy Drive; Alarm.
5:38 p.m. 1000 block of Ninth Street; Complaint.
6:18 p.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Complaint.
6:41 p.m. 600 block of Everett Street; Complaint.
6:53 p.m. 1500 block of Federal Avenue; Complaint.
6:55 p.m. 500 block of Marshal Street; Medical.
7:01 p.m. 100 block of Chennault Street; Noise complaint.
7:32 p.m. 100 block of Chennault Street; Com-plaint.
7:37 p.m. Area of Shannon Street; Disturbance.
7:46 p.m. 700 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard; Complaint.
7:48 p.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Alarm.
8:42 p.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Patrol request.
8:50 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Vehicle accident.
8:54 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Suspicious vehicle.
10 p.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Subject removal.
10:04 p.m. 500 block of Terrebonne Street; Medical.
10:34 p.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Noise com-plaint.
Sunday, Aug. 14
Midnight 700 block of Fifth Street; Noise complaint.
12:01 a.m. 900 block of Seventh Street; Disturbance.
12:07 a.m. 300 block of First Street; Lost and found.
12:13 a.m. Fourth Street; Reckless driver.
12:31 a.m. 6700 block of La. 182; Complaint.
1:17 a.m. 800 block of Sacred Heart Drive; Complaint.
9:03 a.m. 600 block of Arenz Street; Medical.
11:48 a.m. 900 block of Fig Street; Fire alarm.
12:22 p.m. 1000 block of Front Street; Lost and found.
12:53 p.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Suspicious vehicle.
2:48 p.m. 300 block of Halsey Street; Death.
3:29 p.m. 1000 block of Front Street; Missing person.
4:20 p.m. Boat Land-ing; Suspicious person.
5:01 p.m. U.S. 90 near Martin Luther King Boulevard; Reckless driver.
7:44 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Complaint.
8:09 p.m. 800 block of Youngs Road; Complaint.
11:41 p.m. 900 block of Fig Street; Fire alarm.
Monday, Aug. 15
12:26 a.m. 7100 block of Park Road; Subject removal.
2:39 a.m. 7300 block of La. 182; Traffic stop/summons.
2:47 a.m. 700 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard; Disturbance.
5:02 a.m. 1200 block of South Prescott Street; Complaint.

Louisiana energy prices are similar to neighboring states, but rising fuel prices and damage from recent storms is driving up costs for homeowners this year.

The most recent data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration shows Louisiana’s average retail price of 7.51 cents per kilowatt hour in 2020 is below Texas’ 8.36 cents, Arkansas’ rate of 8.32 cents, and Mississippi’s 9.13 cent rate. Revised data is expected in December.

Those figures run behind the national average of 10.59 cents per kilowatt hour for the same year.

Rising natural gas prices and damage from hurricanes Laura, Delta, Zeta and Ida, as well as Winter Storm Uri, are pushing up prices in Louisiana, resulting in significant increases in customers’ bills this summer.

Entergy explained in a letter to customers in June the company added $15 per month to their bills that month through a fuel adjustment approved by the Louisiana Public Service Commission. The added cost was reduced from a $25 per month increase by deferring $10 per month into the future.

The increase is on top of a roughly $10 monthly increase for the average 1,000 kilowatt hour customer that was added to bills to recover costs associated with storm repairs.

"Our team worked hand-in-hand with the Commission to help mitigate the impact of those restoration charges on our customers. After a thorough review, the LPSC approved earlier this year our plan to securitize those funds and spread those costs over a 15-year span, ensuring that our customers will pay the lowest possible price and incur a smaller burden per month on their bills," the letter to customers read.

The roughly $25 per month increase in fees will affect roughly 1.1 million customers in 58 parishes, while similar increases are expected from Entergy New Orleans, which is regulated by the New Orleans City Council.

The increases come despite criticism from the PSC regarding the company’s operations. PSC Commissioner Foster Campbell confronted Entergy CEO Leo Denault about the company’s increasing profits, $1.2 billion in dividends paid to shareholders last year, and Denault’s recent $1 million pay raise during a meeting in May.

Campbell requested Entergy chip in $400 million toward storm repairs, instead of passing the entire cost on to customers, but Denault refused.

Landon Stevens, director of policy and advocacy at the Conservative Energy Network, said the annual rate increases stem in large part from the near monopoly energy companies have on the market in Louisiana and other states.

The situation allows the companies to recoup rising fuel costs and other expenses to produce electricity directly from ratepayers, though Entergy is prohibited from profiting from the recovery.

"If you look at a state like Texas where it's open to retail competition, the customers don't pay for that," Stevens said.

Entergy is recovering about $5 billion in storm damages alone.

The Conservative Energy Network studies ways Louisiana and other states could create a more competitive market to drive down costs for users, such as the report, The State of Electric Competition in the United States of America, released in June 2021.

A scorecard associated with that study gives Louisiana a failing grade for electric competition.

(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 has been arrested in a battery case that put a young person in an area medical facility with head injuries.

St. Mary

Sheriff Blaise Smith reported these arrests:

--Darvin Jose Diaz-Flores, 26, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:45 a.m. Friday on a charge of second-degree aggravated battery.

On Aug. 5, a K9 deputy was dispatched to a medical facility in reference to a juvenile with head injuries from a battery that occurred in the Amelia area. The deputy began an investigation into the incident that subsequently was turned over to the Investigations Division.

Through the investigation, evidence was obtained, and Diaz-Flores was developed as the suspect in the incident. Detectives of the SMPSO, assisted by detectives of the Morgan City Police Department, located and detained Diaz-Flores Thursday night.

An arrest warrant was obtained and he was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking.

Bail has not been set at this time.

The Investigations Division thanked the Morgan City Police Department for its assistance in this case.

--Michael Gerald Johnson, 27, Berwick, was arrested at 2:46 a.m. Thursday on charges of turning movements and required signals, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and introduction of contraband into a penal institution.

Bail was set at $3,750.

--Jason Lee Young Jr., 26, Houma, was arrested at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday on charges of speeding, no driver's license and possession of methamphetamine.

Bail has not been set at this time.

Morgan City

Interim Police Chief Mark E. Griffin Jr. reported these arrests:

--Jordan Luke Vidos, 37, North Third Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:52 p.m. Thursday on a charge of failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Brittany Morgan, 31, Pine Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:12 p.m. Thursday on a count of failure to appear for arraignment and two counts of failure to appear for trial (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Donovan Daggs, 38, La. 182, Morgan City, was arrested at 5:05 a.m. Friday on charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of oxycodone, and as a fugutive from the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office.

--Eleanor Chesney Simoneaux,39, Bowman Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 6:06 a.m. Friday on a charge of failure to appear for trial (16th Judicial District Court).

--Shanna Michelle Orgeron, 29, La. 182, Patterson, was arrested at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday on charges of theft (under $1,000) and home invasion.

--Kendall Jarvis Franklin, 26, La. 182, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:58 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of MDMA and possession of marijuana.

--Rebecca Martin, 50, Duke Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 4:38 p.m. Wednesday on four counts of failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).