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GWENDOLYN ANN SONS ELLIOTT

Tue, 01/18/2022 - 12:12pm

March 7, 1955 — January 15, 2022
Gwendolyn Ann Sons Elliott, 66, of Morgan City, peacefully entered her heavenly home on January 15, 2022 surrounded by loved ones. Gwen’s loss was sudden and unexpected, and the family is shocked and deeply saddened.
Gwen was born on March 7, 1955 in Morgan City, Louisiana, to Wallace James and Eva Rita Sons, Sr. Gwen met her soulmate, Charles Edward Elliott, and they soon married. Their family later grew to include their only child, Chancelyn.
Over the years, Gwen worked in several retail positions where she was able to use her nurturing personality to help the public. After leaving the retail market, Gwen took these skills and began to care for the elderly and infirm in our community as a personal homecare attendant. Through those years, she grew very close to the families she had the privilege to serve. In her free time, Gwen enjoyed spending time with her friends and family, shopping, embroidering, and spoiling her fur babies. Gwen’s love of angels, eagles, dolphins, and shoes held a very special place in her heart.
Visitation will be at Hargrave Funeral Home on Friday, January 21, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Her Home Going Celebration at 2:30 p.m. will be officiated by Reverend Christopher Steele of Baton Rouge. Gwen will be laid to rest in the Morgan City Cemetery with her late husband, Charles.
Gwen is survived by her daughter, Chancelyn Marie Dorsey Elliott Kelly, and her husband Blaine of Napoleonville; her grandson, Camren Elliott of Baton Rouge; her granddaughter, Alyssa Kelly of Baton Rouge; her sister, Virginia Sons Elliott of Morgan City; her sister, Donna Sons Harrison of Morgan City; her brother-in-law, Leland Tony Harrison of Patterson; her brother, Wallace “Buck” Sons, Jr and his wife, Barbara of Bayou Blue; several nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews; and her cherished fur babies, Cursa and Casper.
Gwen is preceded in death by her husband, Charles Edward Elliott; her sister, Jane Marie Dorsey; her parents, Wallace and Eva Sons; and her nephew, Jason Paul Sons.
Pallbearers include Blaine Kelly, Camren Elliott, Glen Elliott, Walter Sons, Leland W. Harrison, Ronnie Bracamontes, Jeremy “J.J.” Solar, and Ivan Ray. Honorary pallbearers include Wallace “Buck” Sons, James Sons, and John Gilchrist.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Ochsner St. Mary Emergency Room staff and the Neurology Critical Care Unit at Ochsner Main Campus for your exceptional care, compassion, and concern during this time.

Six arrests reported on drug, paraphernalia charges

Tue, 01/18/2022 - 12:09pm

(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 Parish authorities reported six arrests over the holiday weekend on drug or paraphernalia charges.

Morgan City
Police Chief James F. Blair reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 141 calls for service over the holiday reporting period and made these arrests beginning Friday:
--Aaron David Galey, 40, Paige Lane, Pierre Part, was arrested at 8:39 p.m. Saturday on charges of possession of marijuana (first offense), possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance laws (drug-free zone).
--Joseph Ray Martinez, 32, Grandwood Drive, Patterson, was arrested at 8:54 p.m. Saturday on charges of possession of MDMA, possession of crack cocaine and violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance laws (drug-free zone). He was also arrested on warrants alleging aggravated assault with a firearm and aggravated burglary, and on a 16th Judicial District Court warrant alleging failure to appear for arraignment.
--Neil Stacey, 38, Euclid Street, Houma, was arrested at 1:46 a.m. Monday on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.
--Jacob Paul Delgarza, 32, Creekside Richmond, Texas, was arrested at 3:26 a.m. Saturday on charge of driving under suspension and reckless operation of a motor vehicle.
--Alyssa Jolie Landry, 21, Gloria Street, Thibodaux, was arrested at 12:43 p.m. Friday on warrants alleging simple burglary, theft of a firearm and theft ($5,000-$25,000).
--John Robert Hymel, 18, Walnut Drive, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:43 p.m. Friday on warrants alleging simple burglary, theft of a firearm and theft ($5,000-$25,000).
--Christina Allison Breaux, 28, Olive Street, Patterson, was arrested at 8:15 p.m. Saturday on a 6th Ward Morgan City Court warrant alleging failure to appear for arraignment.

St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that over the last 72-hour reporting period, the Sheriff's Office responded to 131 complaints and made these arrests:
--Crystal Gail Stansbury, 42, Franklin, was arrested at 10:04 p.m. Friday on charges of driving on roadway laned for traffic, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Stansbury was released on a summons to appear April 21.
--Charlotte Tonya Bracamontes, 33, Morgan City, was arrested at 5:09 p.m. Friday on charges of resisting arrest or officer and entry or remaining on premises after being forbidden. Bail was set at $3,000.
--Shaddrick Joseph Neddie, 45, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:06 a.m. Saturday for no headlights and driving under suspension, and on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charge of criminal neglect of family. Bail was set at $7,198.38.
--Curtis Paul Gaudet Jr., 28, Morgan City, was arrested at 4:30 p.m. Saturday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charge of criminal neglect of family. Bail was set at $19,004.
--Christina Allison Breaux, 28, Morgan City, was arrested at 4:30 p.m. Saturday on a Morgan City Police Department warrant alleging failure to appear on the charge of direct contempt (fines) on the charge of driving under suspension. Breaux was transferred to another agency.
--Darrius Jamar Neville, 26, Patterson, was arrested at 11:29 p.m. Sunday on a charge of battery of a dating partner. Neville was released on a $2,500 bond.
--Alonzo J. Lewis, 19, New Iberia, was arrested at 10:22 a.m. Monday on charges of speeding, careless operation and possession of drug paraphernalia. Lewis was released on a summons to appear on April 21, 2022.
--Hugo A. Flores-Caballero, 26, Bossier City, was arrested at 3:03 p.m. Monday on charges of reckless operation (no accident) and driving under suspension. Caballero was released on a summons to appear April 21.
--Jeffery Paul Narcisse, 35, Franklin, was arrested at 7:59 p.m. Monday on charges of possession of marijuana, speeding and possession of drug paraphernalia. Narcisse was released on a summons to appear April 21.

Franklin
Police Chief Morris Beverly said the Franklin Police Department responded to 36 complaints over the past holiday weekend and made this arrest:
--Jami Chappuis, 28, of West Madison Street, Broussard, was arrested at 11:55 p.m. Sunday on the charges of remaining where forbidden and disturbing the peace (obscene language). Chappuis was booked, processed and held on a $1,500 bond.

Franklin schools closed early over water problems

Tue, 01/18/2022 - 10:47am

The three Franklin public schools dismissed classes at 10 a.m. Tuesday because of "the instability of local water service," Superintendent Dr. Teresa Bagwell said.

Franklin High and Franklin Junior High dismissed classes at 10 a.m. Foster Elementary closed at 10:30 a.m. Bus service was provided.

Classes will resume on the normal schedule Wednesday, Bagwell said.

Morgan City police radio logs for Jan. 14-16

Mon, 01/17/2022 - 5:46pm

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.
Friday, Jan. 14
U.S. 90 West (Hancock Whitney Bank); Vehicle crash.
Morgan City Junior High; Disturbance/fight.
900 block of Wytchwood Drive; Medical.
900 block of Marguerite Street; Complaint.
1400 block of Federal Avenue; Animal complaint.
500 block of First Street; Complaint.
Morgan City Junior High; Disturbance/fight.
100 block of Poncio Street; Retrieve belongings.
Morgan City Police Department; Sexual Battery.
Red Roof Inn; Complaint.
1400 block of North Third Street; Medical.
300 block of Wren Street; Animal complaint.
500 block of Bowman Street; Medical.
Morgan City Junior High; Medical.
1400 block of North Third Street; Removal of subject.
Walmart; Complaint.
600 block of Duke Street; Death.
600 block of Terrebonne Street; Medical.
3000 block of Helen Drive; Medical.
700 block of Aucoin Street; Removal of subject.
1600 block of Maple Street; Accident.
1400 block of North Third Street; Firearm discharge.
Area Second and Onstead streets; Complaint.
7200 block of La. 182; Welfare check.
2300 block of La. 70; Complaint.
600 block of Kentucky Street; Complaint.
2000 block of Keith Street; Loud music.
1400 block of Railroad Avenue; Patrol request.
2300 block of Clements Street; Complaint.
3200 block of Vine Drive; Loud music.
300 block of Egle Street; Loud music.
Saturday, Jan. 15
2300 block of Clements Street; Complaint.
7200 block of La. 182; Complaint.
2300 block of Clements Street; Complaint.
600 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard; Traffic Stop/arrest/summons.
800 block of Victor II Boulevard; Complaint.
6300 block of La. 182; Complaint.
1200 block of Victor II Boulevard; Assistance.
1400 block of Federal Avenue; Complaint.
7400 block of La. 182; Crash.
Railroad Avenue and Myrtle Street; Complaint.
1000 block of Fig Street; Medical.
700 block of Myrtle Street; Warrant.
7300 block of La. 182; Alarm.
1400 block of Sandra Street; Alarm.
3000 block of Lesley Drive; Complaint.
2700 block of Shaw Drive; Complaint.
200 block of Barrow Street; Complaint.
1600 block of Mayon Street; Complaint.
U.S. 90 West; Complaint.
1400 block of Sandra Street; Alarm.
300 block of Second Street; Complaint.
700 block of Arkansas Street; Complaint.
1100 block of Dora Street; Accidental injury.
Donut Shop on Brashear Avenue; Disturbance.
700 block of Terrebonne Street; Disturbance.
Onstead/Elzy streets; Suspicious vehicle.
1700 block of Maple Street; Suspicious person.
1200 block of Youngs Road; Alarm.
3000 block of Allison Street; Suspicious vehicle.
Pool Do’s; Disturbance.
Sunday, Jan. 16
MC Motel; Medical.
2000 block of Allison Street; Alarm.
700 block of Fourth Street; Medical.

UPDATED: Morgan City, Patterson people honor Martin Luther King

Mon, 01/17/2022 - 5:37pm

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the leader of the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, was silenced by an assassin’s bullet more than half a century ago. But his words continued to echo in Martin Luther King Day celebrations Monday in Morgan City and Patterson.
The Patterson New Age Civic Organization conducted an event at Good Hope Baptist Church in that city beginning at 10 a.m. The theme was “Stay on track: We still have work to do.”
In the afternoon, the St. Mary Chapter of the NAACP hosted an observance at the Siracusaville Recreation Center.
In Patterson, the MLK Choir performed.
The keynote speakers were Holden Murray, the city government’s human resources director, and Kreig Triggs of Kreig Triggs Fitness LLC. They received keys to the city from Mayor Rodney Grogan, as did Ronnie Mabile of Redeemed Life Fellowship. A newcomer to the area, Mabile and wife Renee have become active in charitable work.
Grogan reminisced about his father, who sometimes grumbled as school buses passed because he didn’t have a bus to ride to a segregated school.
“I had to tell him that if we were still in the past, I wouldn’t be the mayor of Patterson,” Grogan said.
Young people were among the speakers, too. Jamari Francis of Patterson High read King’s biography and said the sacrifices of the past made it possible for her to go on to a historically black university.
Linzy Howard challenged the community to help, mentor and train young people.
“Are you willing to make an investment in me?” Howard asked. “Not just me, but every kid who looks like me?”
In Morgan City, the Tri Parish Gospel Ensemble and the Walters Girls performed. The keynote speaker was Pastor Jay Grogan of Oberlin’s First Baptist Church.
Morgan City High student Sarah Daniels noted that only a few decades ago, 60% of African American women were employed as domestic servants. Now 60% of women have white collar jobs, she said.
The Rev. Ron Bias, a Morgan City councilman, said he doubts that young people will get the sort of education that they received at Monday’s King Day event.
“We want to see a better world,” Bias said. “We want to see a better community. … That’s what Dr. King was all about.”

La. special session set to take up redistricting

Sun, 01/16/2022 - 3:58pm

VICTOR SKINNER

The Louisiana Legislature officially has called a special session for February to craft new legislative districts for state and federal offices.

State Senate President Page Cortez, R-Lafayette, and House Speaker Clay Schexnayder, R-Gonzales, have signed a proclamation to convene a special session that will run from 5 p.m. Feb. 1 to 6 p.m. Feb. 20 for the state’s constitutionally mandated redistricting process.

The session gives lawmakers 20 days to redraw Louisiana’s congressional, state House and state Senate districts. Legislators also will craft districts for the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, Public Service Commission and Supreme Court.

States redraw state and federal legislative maps every decade using updated census data to ensure fair representation, though the process is contentious and often rife with gerrymandering aimed at giving an advantage to one political party or the other.

Tuesday's special session proclamation came as members of the Legislature’s Joint Governmental Affairs Committee wrap up a redistricting road show to solicit input from the public, with the final meeting scheduled for Jan. 20 at the state Capitol.

The state’s congressional districts have received the most attention during nine prior meetings, which began in late October. Groups representing Democrats and Black residents have called for the creation of a second majority-black congressional district to better represent the roughly one-third of the state’s 4.6 million residents who identified as Black during the recent census.

Gov. John Bel Edwards also lent his support to the cause during a news conference in December.

“We have a minority population, an African-American population, of 32-33%,” Edwards said. “We have six congressional districts. And so fairness – if it can be done – would be to have two out of the six congressional districts be minority districts.”

Edwards acknowledged the move would require “major reworking” of the current districts, but he urged the Republican-majority Legislature to heed the request nonetheless.

“Obviously, if we want to talk about fairness and making sure the maps reflect reality of what the situation is on the ground, that should be our goal, and I’m hopeful that we’re going to be able to get there,” he said, according to Baton Rouge Public Radio.

Republicans hold a supermajority in the state Senate and a 68-34 advantage in the House, where there’s also three independents. Since securing the overwhelming advantage in 2019, Republicans have been unable to override any of Edwards’ vetoes, the news site reported.

The situation means Republicans will likely need Edwards’ signature for any maps approved by the Legislature, though the governor has not said whether he would veto a map without a second majority-Black congressional district.

Despite calls from Democrats and Edwards to make it happen, experts in Louisiana’s redistricting process remain skeptical that Republicans simply will concede to the demands.

Now retired House Clerk Alfred Speer, who participated in multiple redistricting efforts over the years, told attendees at a public redistricting meeting in December he doesn’t expect Republicans will sacrifice a safe district simply because the public demands it, The Associated Press reported.

“I’d be shocked to have anybody say that it’s going to be done in this time,” Speer said of a second majority-minority district. “It should be. I’m not saying it shouldn’t be. But there are a lot of pressures on the other side of the scale.”

La. business owners praise SCOTUS ruling on vaccine mandates

Sun, 01/16/2022 - 3:56pm

VICTOR SKINNER, The Center Square

A Louisiana businessman is celebrating this week’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down the Biden administration’s private employer COVID-19 vaccination mandate as a victory for his grocery store workers and millions of Americans.

Brandon Trosclair, an Ascension Parish resident who employs nearly 500 people across 15 grocery stores in Louisiana and Mississippi, sued the Biden administration in November over rules created by the Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration that would have forced him to fire employees who refused to be vaccinated and comply with federal rules.

Trosclair’s lawsuit was responsible for the initial suspension of the mandate in November, and he celebrated the Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision Thursday as a victory for more than 80 million Americans who would have been affected by the mandate.

“Today’s victory should be celebrated by all Americans. I filed this lawsuit because I felt it was my duty to stand up for my employees, business owners and my fellow Americans to block this illegal mandate and protect our rights,” Tosclair said. “I am relieved that this relentless government intrusion into our lives and businesses is now being pushed back by our highest court, and I am humbled and honored to have played a role in this pivotal moment in history.”

Tosclair and a group of Texas employees were represented by attorneys at the national Liberty Justice Center and the Louisiana-based Pelican Institute who argued OSHA lacked authority to regulate private health decisions made outside of work. The OSHA rule would have required employees of companies with more than 100 workers to be fully vaccinated by Jan. 4 or submit to mandatory mask rules and weekly COVID-19 tests.

The rule also would have required private employers to keep records on employees’ vaccination statuses to comply with OSHA inspections. Those in violation would have faced fines of nearly $14,000 per employee, or up to $136,000 in fines for “willful violations.”

The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed that OSHA’s attempt to regulate the health of the general public extended beyond the power delegated to the agency by Congress. The court found “applicants are likely to succeed on the merits of their claim that the Secretary lacked authority to impose the mandate.

“Administrative agencies are creatures of statute,” the court order read. “They accordingly possess only the authority that Congress has provided.”

“The question, then, is whether the Act plainly authorizes the Secretary’s mandate,” justices wrote. “It does not.”

Sarah Harbison, general counsel at the Pelican Institute, applauded the ruling as “a historic victory against illegal government overreach.”

“The Supreme Court’s decision to stay the illegal vaccine mandate is a win for American workers and business owners in every corner of the country,” Harbison said. “Business owners like Brandon Trosclair fought and beat the Biden administration on behalf of their team members and communities to keep the government out of individuals’ private health care decisions.”

Patrick Hughes, president and co-founder of the Liberty Justice Center, said Americans can thank Trosclair and the other plaintiffs for protecting their freedoms.

“Today’s ruling represents a monumental victory for all Americans, and a reminder that the Biden administration and the federal government cannot rule by executive fiat,” Hughes said Thursday. “The Supreme Court saw this mandate for what it really is: An attempt to bypass Congress and the will of the American people.

“This mandate represented the most egregious overreach by the federal government in a generation, and every American owes Brandon Trosclair and the other plaintiffs in this lawsuit a debt of gratitude for fighting to protect their rights,” he said. “Today’s ruling is a clear victory for Americans’ fundamental rights and the rule of law.”

Morgan City, St. Mary authorities report five arrests

Sun, 01/16/2022 - 3:39pm

(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 police and St. Mary deputies reported five arrests Thursday and early Friday.

Morgan City
Police Chief James F. Blair reported that over the last 24-hour period, the Morgan City Police responded to 38 calls for service and made these arrests Thursday:
—Robert L. Narcisse, 59, Grove Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 4:59 p.m. Thursday on charges of disturbing the peace (drunkenness) and remaining after being forbidden.
—Eddie R. Sanchez, 31, Oriole Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:06 p.m. Thursday on charges of criminal trespass and disturbing the peace (drunkenness).

St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 38 complaints and made these arrests:
—Jeremy Jerome Bobbitt, 41, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:10 p.m. Thursday on a charge of reckless operation (no accident). was released on a summons to appear April 21.
—Jonathon Perou Jr., 18, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:36 p.m. Thursday on a charge of no license plate light and possession of marijuana. Perou was released on a summons to appear April 21.
—Nicole Michelle Jones, 36, Bayou Vista, as arrested at 12:29 a.m. Friday on a warrant alleging three counts of theft. Jones was released on a summons to appear April 21.

Lafayette teen wanted for questioning in Franklin homicide

Sat, 01/15/2022 - 4:57am

The Franklin Police Department is asking for assistance in locating a person for questioning in a Tuesday night homicide.
Arizeon Keal, 18, of Lafayette is wanted for questioning. Keal is known to frequent the areas of Franklin and Baldwin, the Police Department said.
If you have any information regarding his whereabouts, please contact the Franklin Police Department Detectives Division at 337-828-1716. You may remain anonymous.
About 10:02 p.m. Tuesday, Franklin police received several calls of shots fired in the area of Iberia Street and Cayce streets. An overturned vehicle was located in a parking lot with a 19-year-old male driver who had been shot. He was transported to a local hospital.
When officers arrived at Cayce Street, a vehicle was located that had been shot and wrecked.
Then, about 1:49 a.m. Wednesday, the Franklin Police Department received several calls of shots fired in the area of James Street. Officers located a residence that had been shot. Officer’s also located a deceased 43-year-old man inside the home.
Through investigation, it was learned that subjects shot several rounds toward the residence.

Morgan City police radio logs for Jan. 13-14

Fri, 01/14/2022 - 10:51am

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, Jan. 13
800 block of Ninth Street; Alarm.
500 block of Bowman Street; Complaint.
2300 block of La. 70; Stand by.
1200 block of Hickory Street; Complaint.
600 block of Shannon Street; Complaint.
600 block of Green-wood Street; Complaint.
6400 block of La. 182; Complaint.
1000 block of Greenwood Street; Complaint.
1600 block of Mayon Street; Disturbance.
700 block of Duke Street; Juvenile.
7000 block of La. 182; Medical.
100 block of Wren Street; Hit and run.
2700 block of Shaw Drive; Complaint.
700 block of Freret Street; Complaint.
Sixth Street and Brashear Avenue; Com-plaint.
2000 block of Keith Street; Complaint.
2300 block of Clements Street; Complaint.
100 block of Mount Street; Complaint.
1400 block of North Third Street; Medical.
900 block of Railroad Avenue; Complaint.
Park Road; Complaint.
Friday, Jan. 14
1800 block of Dale Street; Complaint.