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Aggravated battery, domestic battery among local arrests

Tue, 02/22/2022 - 12:59pm
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.)

Berwick and Morgan City police reported three arrests on allegations that violence occurred at local homes.

Berwick
Police Chief David Leonard reported these arrests:
—Juvenile male, 14, Berwick, was arrested at 3:23 p.m. Friday on a charge of domestic battery.
About 3:02 p.m. Friday, officers were dispatched to a residence on Pharr Street. in reference to a complaint of a disturbance. Officers arrived on scene and spoke with the victim, who stated that she was punched in the face by the juvenile.
The juvenile fled the area on foot prior to the officer’s arrival. Officers located the juvenile hiding behind a building at a nearby park, and he was placed under arrest. He was booked at the Berwick Police Department and released to a guardian pending juvenile court proceedings.
—Clinton Ganaway, 38, Francis Street, Berwick, was arrested at 9:35 p.m. Sunday on a charge of aggravated battery.
—Edward Trimm, 46, Francis Street, Berwick, was arrested at 9:35 p.m. Sunday on a charge of aggravated battery.
At 7:54 p.m. Sunday, officers responded to a residence in the 3800 block of Francis Street for a disturbance in progress. Officers arrived on scene and learned that Ganaway and Trimm were involved in a physical alter-cation.
After speaking with wit-nesses on scene, officers determined that Ganaway used pepper spray as well as a baseball bat upon Trimm, and Trimm struck another individual with a baseball bat during the disturbance.
Officers placed Ganaway and Trimm under arrest. They were both booked into the Berwick Police Department,
—Nicole M. Fisher, 50, Trevino Street, was arrested at 1:21 p.m. Sunday on Berwick Police Department warrants alleging possession of oxycodone, possession of lorazepam, possession of Subutex and possession of legend drug Gabapentin without a prescription.
About 1:21 p.m. Sunday,, officers made contact with Fisher at a residence in the 100 block of Pacific Street for a complaint. Fisher was found to have an active warrant through the Berwick Police Department.
The warrant stems from an investigation that was conducted Aug. 3. During that incident, an officer observed Fisher walking near vehicles in a subdivision and stopped to investigate. During the investigation, she was found to be in possession of assorted prescription medication for which she did not have a prescription.
Warrants were prepared for her arrest. Fisher was booked into the Berwick Police Department on the warrant with no bond set.

Morgan City
Police Chief James F. Blair reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 55 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:
—Gary Elliot Sr., 64, Franklin Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:30 a.m. Monday on a charges of domestic abuse battery (child endangerment law).
—Gary Elliot Jr., 37, Franklin Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:30 a.m. Monday on a charges of domestic abuse battery (child endangerment law).

Franklin
Police Chief Morris Beverly reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to 30 complaints over the past weekend and made this arrest:
—Keenze Howard, 56, Ninth Street, Franklin, was arrested at 4:07 p.m. Friday while incarcerated at the Franklin Police Department on a warrant for 16th Judi-cial District Court alleging failure to appear on the charges of operating a vehicle while license is suspended, operating a vehicle without proof of insurance and careless operation. Howard was booked, processed, and held on a $500.00 bond.

St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith ad-vised that over the last 96-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 129 complaints and reports the following arrests:
—Jeremy Laquinn Smith, 39, Bayou Vista, was arrested at 10:41 a.m. Friday on a charge of driving under suspension. Smith was released on a summons to appear May 10.
—David W. Myers, 58, Broussard, was arrested at 1:30 p.m. Saturday on a charge of criminal trespass. Myers was released on a $1,000 bond.
—Brett Michael Givens, 30, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:26 p.m. Saturday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charge of criminal neglect of family. Bond was set at $538.57.
—Drizzt Anthony Morales, 25, Franklin, was arrested at 5:07 p.m. Sunday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charges of possession of Suboxone and speeding. Bond was set at $5,000.
—Abel Gutierrez, 34, Morgan City, was arrested at 6:49 p.m. Monday on charges of maximum speed limit and open container. Gutierrez was released on a summons to appear May 10.
—Alonzo Andrew Bennett, 36, Crowley, was arrested at 12:08 a.m. Monday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charge of simple battery. Bond was set at $3,000.
—Dylan J. Baudoin, 21, Jeanerette, was arrested at 2:43 a.m. Monday on a charge of reckless operation (no accident). Baudoin was released on a summons to appear May 10.
—Derek P. Perrillioux, 30, Raceland, was arrested at 4:28 a.m. Monday on a Lafourche Parish warrant alleging failure to appear on the charge of domestic abuse battery by strangulation (child endangerment). Perrillioux is being held for another agency.
—Justin Keith Jenkins, 32, Baldwin, was arrested at 9:51 a.m. Friday on charges of driving on a roadway laned for traffic, driver must be licensed, mufflers (modification of exhaust system) and driving while intoxicated (second offense).
Bail was set at $6,000.
—Jody Ray Cubbedge Sr., 63, Baldwin, was arrested at 11:59 p.m. Monday on charges of possession of Schedule I drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting an officer.
-Cubbedge also held two warrants alleging failure to appear on charges of posses-sion of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of methamphetamine, possession of Schedule IV drugs, improper turn or failure to signal, operating a vehicle without proper equipment, driving under suspension and no insurance.
Bail was set at $21,000.
—Jalacya J. Mitchell, 23, New Iberia, was arrested at 1:19 a.m. Tuesday on charges of turning movements/required signals and driving under suspension. Mitchell was released on a summons to appear May 10.
—Jackie Bernard Keys, 66, Jeanerette, was arrested at 2:19 a.m. Tuesday on charges of bicycle equipment required for night operation, resisting an officer by giving false information, resisting arrest or officer, possession of crack cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, introduction of contraband into a penal institution and failure appear on a charge of possession marijuana.
Bail was set at $14,250.
—Ryan Francis Landry, 35, Patterson, was arrested at 5:52 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charges of ignoring stop sign and open container. Bail was set at $500.

Shrimp and Petroleum Festival receives awards

Tue, 02/22/2022 - 12:42pm

The Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival didn't have a festival in 2021, but the local organization still managed to bring home awards from the Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals Convention Feb. 3-6 in Baton Rouge.
the festival organization was awarded Best Pin and Festival of the Year for Division IV (attendance greater than 50,000). In District IV, Treasurer Claire Reiners was awarded Volunteer of the Year "in recognition of her countless hours of work and her tireless dedication to our festival," the festival organization said in a press release.
Awards were sponsored by the Louisiana Office of Tourism and Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser.
The theme of this year’s convention was “Get In The Game With LAFF." Board Members and Executive Director Hailee Thomas attended workshops and networked with other festivals. There are more than 170 members in the organization, and 80 festivals and fairs were present at the convention.

Morgan City police report three DWI arrests

Mon, 02/21/2022 - 6:57pm
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 the arrest of three people on drunk-driving charges over the weekend.

Morgan City
Police Chief James F. Blair reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 120 calls for service over the last 72-hour reporting period and made these arrests beginning Friday:
—John Robert Lonzo, 53, Peppercorn Drive, Baytown, Texas, was arrested at 10:50 p.m. Friday on a charge of driving while intoxicated (first offense).
—Dylan Thomas Vaughn, 29, Canton Street, Berwick, was arrested at 2:08 a.m. Saturday on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense), reckless operation of a motor vehicle, improper lighting and improper lane usage.
—Amy Marie Stratton, 41, Elm Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:05 p.m. Sunday on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense), driving under suspension, expired license plate, improper lane usage, reckless operation of a motor vehicle and no insurance.
—Kyle Quante Rhett, 31, Gen. MacArthur Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:36 p.m. Saturday on a 6th Ward Morgan City Court warrant alleging six counts of failure to appear to pay fine.
—Jerry Lee Favors, 56, Railroad Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 2 p.m. Saturday on charges of theft under $1,000, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting an officer.
—Sandra Elizabeth Mejia-Hernandez, 27, Keith Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:59 p.m. Saturday on a charge of domestic abuse battery and on a warrant alleging simple battery.
—Tara Loupe Trahan, 41, Susan Drive, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:58 a.m. Sunday on a 6th Ward Morgan City Court warrant alleging two counts of failure to appear to pay fine.

JUDY MAE FRANCIS JOHNSON

Mon, 02/21/2022 - 6:17am

Judy Mae Francis Johnson, 68, a native and resident of Morgan City, died Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, at her residence.
She is survived by three children, Gary Johnson, Crystal Thompson and Hope Delgado, all of Morgan City; seven grandchil-dren; two great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Linda Wedig and Carla Baker, both of Berwick.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a granddaughter, two brothers and a sister.
Visitation will be Monday from 10 a.m. until services at 2 p.m. at Twin City Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Morgan City Ceme-tery.
Twin City Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Police: Male subject dies after jumping from La. 182 bridge

Sun, 02/20/2022 - 7:33pm

Morgan City detectives are investigating the death of a person who jumped from the La. 182 bridge, the Police Department said on its Facebook page.

About 4:40 p.m. Sunday, the Morgan City Police Department responded to the area of the old bridge in regards about a white male jumping from the old bridge.
.
The subject was located in the area of Brashear Avenue and succumbed to his injuries. There is no foul play suspected in the death, the department said.

No other information is being released at this time as the incident is still under investigation by the Morgan City Police Department Detectives Division.

Lawmaker wants info about school materials posted online

Sun, 02/20/2022 - 12:37pm
VICTOR SKINNER, The Center Square

At least one Louisiana lawmaker wants to give parents a better understanding of what their children are learning in school.

State Rep. Lance Harris, R-Alexandria, has introduced House Bill 75 in advance of the regular legislative session that starts March 14. It would require public schools to post outlines of class materials and activities for students in a way parents easily can access the information online.

The bill states each public school governing authority shall prominently post on its website “a list of material and activities for each school under its jurisdiction, organized by school, subject area, grade level and teacher.

“The list shall include bibliographic information for each item, including the title and author of the material and the organization associated with an activity and its internet address, as applicable,” according to the bill.

HB 75 also would require the same procedure for “the full text or a digital version of any material or activity created by the public school governing authority or a teacher,” as well as “any policies and procedures for documentation, review, or approval of such materials and activities.”

The legislation would require the information to be posted by the first day of school and updated annually by Jan. 15, and for schools to notify parents each time it is updated through written communications.

The reference to “activity” in the bill refers to lectures, assemblies, presentations and other student instruction conducted by the school or “an outside individual or organization.”

The proposed law would apply to all public schools, including charter schools.

The bill comes amid a flood of complaints from public school parents nationwide regarding a wide range of issues, including critical race theory, graphic sexual books, sex education curriculums and other issues. Heated school board meetings in many states that centered on those issues and pandemic policies prompted the National School Boards Association in October to liken parent protests to “domestic terrorism” and seek intervention from the FBI and other federal law enforcement agencies.

Similar curriculum transparency proposals have been introduced in numerous states, including Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Wyoming.

In states with Republican-controlled legislatures and Democrat governors, the latter have vetoed curriculum transparency bills citing the burden on schools to comply.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed House Bill 1332 because he said state law already gives parents access to school materials through public information requests and described the bill’s requirement for posting online course materials as “not only duplicative, but overly burdensome.”

Wolf also insinuated nefarious motivations behind the effort.

“This legislation is a thinly veiled attempt to restrict truthful instruction and censor content reflecting various cultures, identities and experiences,” Wolf wrote in his veto message. “My Administration is committed to creating a safe learning environment for all students, and we will not take part in this dangerous and harmful imposition.”

In Wisconsin, Gov. Tony Evers, the former superintendent of public instruction, blamed the cost of complying with Senate Bill 463’s directive to post curriculum, lesson plans and assignments online for his veto.

“I object to the bill’s failure to provide the necessary funding to implement these measures,” Evers wrote in his veto message.

Parish, Morgan City authorities make three drug arrests

Sun, 02/20/2022 - 12:26pm

(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.)

Staff Report

Morgan City and St. Mary authorities reported three arrests on drug charges late last week and another alleging failure appear in court on drug charges.

St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith advises that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff's Office responded to 36 complaints and made these arrests:
--Mahmoud Adel Waly, 42, Glen Cove, New York, was arrested at 4:25 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession of Schedule III drugs, possession of Schedule I drugs, permission of a legend drug without a prescription and resisting an officer by giving false information.
--Bryceson Lamar Freeman, 23, Jeanerette, was arrested on charges of reckless operation and driving under suspension.
Freeman was also held on two warrants alleging hunting without a license, hunting with unplugged gun or silencer, hunting on DMAP without t.
--Mikelyn Kaye Antoine, 24, New Iberia, was arrested on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of Schedule IV drugs. Bail has not been set.
--Melvin Matthews Jr., 20, Houma, was arrested Friday on a charge of reckless operation (no accident). Matthews was released on a summons to appear May 10.

Morgan City
Police Chief James F. Blair reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 51 calls for service during the last 24-hour reporting period and made this arrest:
--Kedesha Nicole Scott, 27, Barrow Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:15 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession of marijuana, driving under suspension and wrong way on a one-way.

Morgan City police radio logs for Feb. 17-18

Sun, 02/20/2022 - 12:03pm

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, Feb. 17
6:34 a.m. 700 block of Fourth Street; Complaint.
8:14 a.m. Siracusa high rise; Assistance.
8:15 a.m. 600 block of General Patton Street; Complaint.
9:36 a.m. 4000 block of Railroad Avenue; Traffic.
9:40 a.m. 3100 block of Tammy Drive; Complaint.
10:49 a.m. 7500 block of La. 182; Animal Complaint.
10:56 a.m. 900 block of Fourth Street; Hang Up Call.
11:56 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
11:57 a.m. 900 block of Marguerite Street; Complaint.
12:03 p.m. 7300 block of La. 182; Accident.
1:09 p.m. 800 block of Brashear Avenue; Complaint.
1:47 p.m. Area of Ken-neth Street; Complaint.
1:50 p.m. 500 block of Railroad Avenue; Assistance.
2:20 p.m. 1400 block of Railroad Avenue; Animal Complaint.
3:02 p.m. 100 block of Oak Street; Disturbance.
3:18 p.m. 1900 block of Federal Avenue; Accident.
3:35 p.m. 500 block of Bowman Street; Theft.
3:36 p.m. Greenwood Overpass; Complaint.
4:16 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Complaint.
4:32 p.m. 6700 block of La. 182; Assistance.
4:38 p.m. 1100 block of Victor II Boulevard; Accident.
5:33 p.m. 1600 block of Chestnut Drive; Theft.
6:17 p.m. Area of La. 182; Complaint.
6:21 p.m. 7500 block of La. 182; Complaint.
7:17 p.m. Area of Terrebonne Street; Frequent Patrol.
7:54 p.m. 300 block of Wren Street; Complaint.
8:03 p.m. 1100 block of Brashear Avenue; Complaint.
8:12 p.m. Area of Rus-so’s Boat; Frequent Patrol.
8:33 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
8:42 p.m. 7500 block of La. 182; Theft.
8:49 p.m. Area of Brownell Homes; Complaint.
9:43 p.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Theft.
10:12 p.m. 1600 block of La. 70; Accident.
10:36 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Assistance.
Friday, Feb. 18
12:38 a.m. 6200 block of La. 182; Assist Berwick.

NETTIE ANN McCLOY ACOSTA

Sun, 02/20/2022 - 11:50am

Nettie Ann McCloy Acosta, 88, of Morgan City, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on Friday, February 18, 2022. She and her twin sister were born on February 16, 1934 in Morgan City to parents Lena “Belle” and Daniel McCloy.
Nettie was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother and loved her family unconditionally. She was a parishioner of Holy Cross Catholic Church since Holy Cross opened its doors where she was an active member of the choir until her health no longer allowed her to participate. Nettie had a generous spirit and always forgave, and she would give anyone the shirt off her back without reservation. She loved to sing, read, cook for her family, and work in her garden.
Nettie is sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her three sons Daryl Acosta and wife Kathy of Bayou L’Ourse, Bobby Acosta and wife Marilou of Bayou L’Ourse, Gary Acosta and girlfriend Deena Sanders of Morgan City; four grandchildren, Katelyn Acosta Reulet and husband Brett of Sulphur, LA, Tracey Acosta Braud of Berwick, Kristy Acosta and boyfriend Lonnie Stratton of Morgan City, and Joseph Acosta of Morgan City; six great-grandchildren Aubree, River, Avery, Wren, Evangeline, and Cillian; brother Danny McCloy and wife Barbara of Stephensville, best friend and sister-in-law Shirley Acosta Pillsbury and husband Doug of Katy, TX; two nieces Karen Pillsbury of Katy, TX and Gail Pillsbury Presley of Trinity, FL and two nephews Shawn McCloy and wife Electa of Bayou Vista and Kerry McCloy and wife Jeanne of Patterson; special cousins Peggy Acosta of Morgan City, cousin and neighbor Prissy Verret Martin and husband Marty of Morgan City, Roxanne Smith-Parks and husband Boyd of Port Neches, TX, and several cousins, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
She was welcomed home into Heaven by her husband Alvin “Dookie” Acosta, son Peter Acosta, her twin sister Bettie McCloy, mother Lena Belle McCloy, father Daniel Livingston McCloy, and in-laws Hilda Gayon Acosta and Alvin “Pete” Acosta.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers for her services will be Daryl Acosta, Gary Acosta, Brett Reulet, Danny McCloy, Liam McCloy, and Shawn McCloy.
A visitation will be held Monday, February 21, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Twin City Funeral Home with rosary being prayed at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at Twin City Funeral Home from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 with a Mass of Christian burial to follow at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church with Father Mike Tran celebrating Mass. Following Mass, Nettie will be laid to rest in the Morgan City Cemetery.

St. Mary split between congressional districts in Legislature's remap plan

Sat, 02/19/2022 - 6:14am
Lawmakers rejected efforts to increase the number of Black-majority districts
PIPER HUTCHINSON and ALEX TIRADO, LSU Manship School News Service

BATON ROUGE—On the final day of the redistricting session, the Louisiana House and Senate passed bills Friday that turned back efforts to expand minority representation and preserved the current balance of power in the state’s congressional delegation and the Legislature itself.

After extensive negotiations, both chambers advanced amended congressional maps, sending two identical bills to Gov. John Bel Edwards’ desk. Black lawmakers immediately called on Edwards to veto at least the congressional map.

The Legislature's U.S. House map divides St. Mary Parish between the 3rd District, represented by Clay Higgins, R-Lafayette, and which currently covers the entire parish, and the 6th District, represented by Garrett Graves, R-Baton Rouge.

Most of west and central St. Mary would remain in the 3rd, with a narrow slice extending eastward into the Morgan City area. The 6th would include southeast St. Mary and a sliver in the extreme eastern portion of the parish.

HB1, authored by House Speaker Clay Schexnayder, R-Gonzales, and SB5, authored by Sen. Sharon Hewitt, R-Slidell, came out of closed-door negotiations with a compromise: south of Alexandria, the map is faithful to Schexnayder’s proposal, north of Alexandria, the map is faithful to Hewitt’s proposal.

The Senate passed the amended version of HB1 along party lines with a 27-10 vote.

Across the hall, the House passed the amended SB5 by a vote of 64-31, with three Republicans joining Democrats to vote against the bill and one Democrat voting in favor of passage.

Notably, Rep. Travis Johnson, D-Vidalia, voted against the bill. Johnson, a conservative Black Democrat, had been in the hot seat with his party after voting in favor of Schexnayder’s similar congressional bill earlier in the week.

Rep. Francis Thompson, D-Delhi, was the lone Democrat to vote in favor of the bill.

Both chambers advanced maps for the Public Service Commission, Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and Louisiana House and Senate with relatively little fuss. None of the bills that passed increased minority representation at any level.

The next stop for the bills is the governor’s desk and then probably a courtroom.

Both the House Democratic Caucus and the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus issued statements after adjournment asking Edwards to veto maps.

“These Congressional maps do not comply with the Voting Rights Act, and they do not comply with the will of the people. Therefore, the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus is requesting that the Governor veto SB5 and HB1,” the group said in a statement.

“This is another sad chapter in Louisiana’s long history of suppressing minority representation in government,” Democratic Caucus Chairman Sam Jenkins said. “We urge the Governor to veto the Congressional map and any other map that violates the Voting Rights Act.”

Rep. Blake Miguez, R-New Iberia, Rep. Beryl Amedee, R-Gray, and Rep. Michael Firment, R-Pollock, voted against the GOP-led congressional bills, citing their frustration with how some of the parishes they represent were split between districts.

Firment was overheard by an Advocate reporter on the House floor saying that he would “seriously consider” sustaining a veto in an override session.

There has been much speculation about whether Gov. Edwards, a Democrat, will veto some of the maps. Edwards has said that he was not overly concerned about the Public Service Commission or Board of Elementary and Secondary Education districts but has said that he thinks it is fair if two of the state’s congressional districts are majority Black.

Edwards also released a statement following adjournment.

“I remain adamant that the maps should reflect the growth of the African American population in our state over the last 10 years, allowing for minority groups to have an opportunity at electing candidates of their own choosing, and I do have concerns that several of the maps do not fulfill that moral and legal requirement,” Edwards said.

Throughout the 2 1/2-week session, Republican leaders have steered the bills toward limiting Black-majority districts to the number that exists now, deflecting a number of alternative maps proposed by Black Democrats that would have added a second majority-Black congressional district and two additional majority-minority districts in the state Senate.

Republicans nationally do not want to lose any congressional seats as they attempt to take control of Congress in the midterm elections, and state GOP leaders hope to reach supermajorities in both chambers in the Legislature.

The 27 votes in the Louisiana Senate for the congressional redistricting plan on Friday would be enough to override a veto by Edwards. But the 64 votes in favor of the plan in the House fell short of the 70 votes that would be needed to override a veto.

Even if Edwards signs off on the maps, they are likely to end up in court. The NAACP Legal Defense Fund has said that if the Legislature declines to increase minority representation, it is likely to be in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which prohibits voting practices or procedures on the basis of race.

The group has argued that if lawmakers could draw more minority districts, and decline to, they are putting themselves in peril of losing lawsuits and being forced to redraw the lines.

Sixteen congressional maps were filed by Black lawmakers, each showing a different way to add a second majority Black district. These bills would likely be referenced as evidence that the Legislature had the ability to add more minority representation.

The Legislature declined to vote on Supreme Court maps.

The only Republican bill that would have increased minority representation through redistricting, a Supreme Court proposal authored by Rep. Barry Ivey, R-Central, was killed on the House floor Wednesday, prompting its author to give his fellow lawmakers a tongue-lashing.

“We’ll just continue to get by here in Louisiana, because we are too stupid to work together,” Ivey said in a no-holds-barred condemnation.

“The apathy throughout the state is evident in each of you when you fail to act, when you can, when you should,” Ivey said. “I’ve bit my tongue over the last nine years, and I’m not going to do it anymore.”

“I tell people this institution is the laziest group of people I’ve ever worked with because it’s true, because we’ve got problems everywhere and we don’t want to solve them,” Ivey said.

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