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IRENE MARIE SMALL BROUSSARD

Thu, 09/30/2021 - 8:42am

Irene Marie Small Broussard, 61, a resident of Franklin, La., passed away peacefully on Thursday September 23, 2021 at 11:20 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center.
Visitation will be observed on Friday October 1, 2021 from 11 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. at Jones Funeral Home 1101 Main Street Franklin, La. (All visitors are asked to adhere to the CDC-local regulations by wearing masks and practicing social distancing.) Tributes and expressions will begin at 1:15 p.m. at St. Jules Catholic Church 601 Magnolia St, Franklin, La. 70538. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2 p.m. with Father Peter Emusa serving as the Celebrant. Burial will follow mass services in the St Jules Catholic Church Cemetery in Franklin, La.
Memories of Irene will forever remain in the hearts of her children, Adrienne Nicole Broussard and Marcus Etienne Broussard both of Patterson, La.; siblings, Kimberly (Wayne) Small-Caesar of Ashton, La., Angela Small, Iris Boatman Sabine, Edward Bernard (Pam) Guienze, John Charles (Monica) Guienze, Keith (Carol) Guienze all of Franklin, La., Tylonia Fleming of New Orleans, La., and Alvin (Sheila) Small, Jr. of Marietta, GA; step-father, Freddie Charles Guienze of Franklin, La. and host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents, Annie Louise Small Guienze and Alvin Small Sr.; sisters, Adeline Virginia Guienze and Minerva Small Wiley; grandmothers, Adeline Cashmiere and Irene Mitchell Grant and her great-grandmother, Louise Mitchell.
Arrangements entrusted to Jones Funeral Home of Morgan City-Franklin-Jeanerette and Houma. Visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family

RENARD BURDIS, JR.

Thu, 09/30/2021 - 8:42am

Renard Burdis, Jr., a resident and native of Houma, La., passed away on Saturday September 19, 2021.
Visitation will be observed from 12:30 p.m. until funeral services at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 2, 2021 at Jones Funeral Home chapel, 230 S. Hollywood Road, Houma, La., 70360. (All visitors are asked to adhere to the CDC-local regulations by wearing masks and practicing social distancing.) Burial will follow in the Gardens of Memory Cemetery in Gray.
Memories of Renard, Jr., will forever remain in the hearts of his parents, Renard Burdis Sr. and Angela Van Buren; siblings, Damein Burdis, Latoya Van Buren, Brittany Van Buren, and Rayona Burdis; grandfather,, Isiah Toussaint; two nieces, one nephew, eight uncles, eleven aunts, other relatives and friends.
Renard, Jr. was preceded in death by his grandparents, maternal grandmother, paternal grandparents, and an aunt.
Arrangements entrusted to Jones Funeral Home of Morgan City-Franklin-Jeanerette and Houma. Visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family.

KYLE STEPHEN “STEVE” SMITH SR.

Thu, 09/30/2021 - 8:41am

Kyle Stephen “Steve” Smith Sr., 57, a native and resident of Patterson, La. passed away peacefully on Sunday August 22, 2021 at 12:04 p.m. at Ochsner St. Mary.
Memorial service will be held Saturday, October 2, 2021 at 11 a.m. at Church of God of Prophecy, 1211 3rd St., Patterson, La.
Memories of Kyle Sr., will forever remain in the hearts of his wife, Chailon Smith of Patterson, La.; children, Aleceia Durand of Opelousas, La., Kyle (Asia) Smith, Jr. of Lafayette, La.; step-children, Camry (Collin) Lockett of Napoleonville, La.; Kaitlyn Ausama and Patrick Watkins both of Patterson, La.; siblings, Kenny L. Smith (Polly) both of Patterson, La., Kim M. Smith-Williams (Lindsey Mukti) of Oakland, CA and Katrina D. Smith Thomas (George) of Houma, La.; one step-grandchild, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Kyle Sr. was preceded in death by his parents, Huey P. Smith and Billie Joyce Augstine Smith; his wife, Debra Ann Bolden Smith; father and mother-in-law, Shelby and Dorothy Bolden and both his maternal and paternal grandparents.
Arrangements entrusted to Jones Funeral Home of Morgan City-Franklin-Jeanerette and Houma. Visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family.

Hometown hero: Morgan City Council honors Norwood

Wed, 09/29/2021 - 6:04pm

BILL DECKER

bdecker@daily-review.com

It wasn’t the average City Council meeting.
Lots of people attended. Some of them were kids. There was cake.
Tuesday’s Morgan City Council meeting was, in fact, a celebration, and a time to honor a favorite son.
Mayor Pro Tem Tim Hymel, also the Morgan City High principal, and Mayor Lee Dragna presented a key to the city to Vernon Norwood, an MCHS grad and winner of gold and bronze medals at the Tokyo Olympics.
“Today’s the day I can finally say I’m from Morgan City,” said Norwood, who moved to the city with his family from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
Morgan City had ample reason to be proud of Norwood even before the Olympics.
A late-comer to track, who took up the sport as a Morgan City High junior, he went on to win National Junior College Athletic Association titles at South Plains College before transferring to LSU.
There, he became only the seventh athlete to win both NCAA indoor and outdoor titles in the 400 meters.
In his introduction of Norwood, Hymel said a hamstring injury kept Norwood out of the 2016 Olympics, and then COVID-19 forced the postponement of the 2020 games.
But the Olympics returned this summer. And Norwood anchored the 4x400 mixed relay team that won a bronze medal.
And he was a key component of the men’s 4x400 relay team, helping the team qualify for the finals. There, the 4x400 men’s quartet won the gold.
Norwood became “our gold medalist from Morgan City, Louisiana,” Hymel said.
Dragna described him as “a very humble young man, and very talented.”
“I just want to thank the entire city of Morgan City,” Norwood said. “Your support for me has been very, very strong.”
He talked about one aspect of his newfound fame: frequent requests to sign pictures.
“I’ve never seen some of these pictures,” Norwood said. “Where did they get them?”
But he remains thankful.
“Thank you all for supporting me,” Norwood said. “God is good.”
“He represented Morgan City, Louisiana, St. Mary Parish and, of course, the United States of America,” Hymel said. “And you can see how humble he is.”
Also at Tuesday’s meeting:
—The proposed 2022 general fund and capital budgets were introduced.
The budget anticipates revenue of $42.9 million, up slightly from the current year, and about $42.9 million in spending.
A budget workshop for council members is scheduled for 4 p.m. Oct. 13.
—Gerald A. Thibodeaux Jr. of Kolder, Slaven & Co. presented the audit of city finances for 2020.
The audit report was positive. It identified only a technical departure from accounting rules resulting from the separate budgets for the city court and city marshal.
“I’d say the city, as far as financial strength, is steady,” Thibodeaux said.
—Dragna praised city department heads and employees for their work during and after Hurricane Ida. Look for more in a story Thursday.
—Positive Image awards went to Clarion Inn, which took in utility linemen and offered extra food and laundry services during Ida’s aftermath, and Grace Eisenmann of The Market. Eisenmann turned an old supermarket building into a place for craftspeople to display and sell their products.

One wounded, one arrested in Patterson shooting

Wed, 09/29/2021 - 5:58pm

Staff Report

A Patterson man is in custody after a Tuesday afternoon shooting that wounded another Patterson resident, the Police Department said.
Patterson police arrested Quentin Riley, 41, soon after the shooting.
The victim was identified as Alvin Lewis, 40, who sustained a single gunshot wound to the face.
Lewis was transported to Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center in critical condition.
The Patterson Police Department answered the call about the shooting at 4:15 p.m. in the 100 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard.
The investigation into the shooting continues, the Police Department said.

Mask mandate will remain at least till Oct. 27

Wed, 09/29/2021 - 5:57pm

Staff Report

The mask mandate imposed by Gov. John Bel Edwards last month will remain in place at least through Oct. 27, Edwards announced Tuesday.
He said the COVID-19 statistics for the fourth wave of coronavirus infections are improving, but the entire state remains in the highest of four CDC risk categories for community COVID spread.
On Tuesday, the Louisiana Office of Public Health reported a pandemic total of 8,354 COVID-19 cases in St. Mary, up by only 49 since Friday.
The St. Mary COVID-19 death toll stands at 209. One death was reported Tuesday, the first fatality since Thursday.
Through August and into September, the parish averaged more than one COVID-related death per day.
The fourth spike in COVID cases that began in early July has claimed 62 St. Mary lives.
Statewide, the OPH reported 1,031 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday along with 54 deaths.
The number of COVID-positive people in Louisiana hospitals was at 989 Tuesday, down by more than two-thirds from the peak of over 3,000 in August.
The burden on hospitals from the new COVID wave, just as Louisiana schools were ready to reopen, led Edwards to call for the mask mandate for people in indoor public spaces, including K-12 schools and colleges and universities.
The fourth wave of infections has been blamed by public health officials on the highly contagious and potent Delta variant of COVID-19.
First confirmed in Louisiana in early July, the Delta variant quickly became the dominant form of the disease. Public health officials eventually warned that Delta is so contagious that people face a choice between vaccination and infection.
St. Mary Parish’s vaccination rate has climbed from about 29% to 37.95% since July, according to the OPH dashboard as of Tuesday morning. Louisiana’s vaccination rate is at 45%.
The OPH says 86% of new cases, 85% of hospitalizations and 81% deaths from COVID-19 in Louisiana are among those who are not fully vaccinated.
The question of booster shots has also become controversial recently.
Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance says the effectiveness of vaccines has been shown to decrease over time.
Currently, people who have received the Pfizer vaccine and are 65 or over and people 18 and over who have health conditions that make them vulnerable to COVID, or who live or work in high-risk environments are eligible for a Pfizer booster shot.
Public Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter said the effect of the fourth COVID wave on children and pregnant women has been “depressing.”
Since July, COVID has been linked to 14 problem pregnancies. Those cases resulted in the deaths of six mothers, all unvaccinated, and 10 fetal deaths.
Seven children have died of COVID-related causes in the fourth wave, nearly as many as in the first 15 months of the pandemic, Kanter said.

GRACE FANGUY

Wed, 09/29/2021 - 5:55pm

May 7, 1939 — September 26, 2021
Grace Fanguy, a longtime resident of Patterson, was called to her heavenly home on Sunday, September 26, 2021 at the age of 82. A lady with a bit of spice, Grace was one of ten children who was always kind, loving, and openly honest. Hence, her sayings of “the truth will stand when the world is on fire” and “kill them with kindness”. She had true southern grit and a determination to leave her mark on this world, which she did by just being herself. It is not an exaggeration to say that Grace loved just about everyone. She was known far and wide as Aunt Grace, Meme, Maw-Maw Grace, and Mama Grace. Her open heart had room for everyone and no one could escape loving Grace. She was that special and she shared her love whole heartedly. She even fostered numerous children, many who she remained in contact with. Grace was also a proud Charter Life member of Patterson Memorial Auxiliary 12182 and was the best cook. A fact that friends and family alike can attest to. In her spare time, she greatly enjoyed playing Bingo and traveling around the United States. She made it to 48 of our beautiful states in her travels. Grace’s presence will forever be missed but her memory and example of how to live will remain in many hearts for years to come.
Those left to cherish Grace’s beautiful memory are her daughter, Kattie “Chris” Aucoin; her step children, Debora Fay Fanguy-Pollock, Brenda Fanguy Guidry, and Drouis Fanguy Jr.; seven grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren and; four great-great-grandchildren.
She was reunited in heaven with her father, Dudley Humphries Lewis; her mother, Katie Lorene Ward Lewis; her husbands, Thomas Mooney and Drouis Fanguy Sr.; and an infant son, Thomas Henry Mooney.
The family requests that a time of visitation be observed on Thursday, September 30, 2021 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Hargrave Funeral Home. The Patterson Memorial Auxiliary & VFW Post 12182 will render a special ceremony at 7 p.m. with a Celebration of Life following on Thursday, September 30th at Hargrave Funeral Home. Visitation will resume on Friday, October 1, 2021 at 9 a.m. until time of services with a Mass of Christian burial following at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Following services, Grace will be laid to rest in the Morgan City Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in this amazing woman’s memory to:
Patterson Memorial VFW Auxiliary 12182
4716 Hwy 182 W
Patterson, LA 70392
The family would like to express their deep gratitude to Bobby and Claudia Boudreaux, Jackie Aucoin, Candace Dinger, Delilah Meche and Nora Ellison for their friendship, support, and love of Grace.

ERROL JAMES TABOR

Wed, 09/29/2021 - 5:48pm

Errol James Tabor, 68, a resident of Amelia, died Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021.
He is survived by his wife, Deborah; daughter, Allison Kornacki; sister, Erica Duplantis; and three grandchildren.
Graveside services will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. Andrew Cemetery in Amelia. Masks and social distancing required.

LSU freshman class sets records

Wed, 09/29/2021 - 5:41pm

LSU has broken the record for the most accomplished, largest and most diverse freshman class in university history. This year’s 7,038 freshmen enrolled surpasses last year’s record of 6,690 freshmen. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, overall enrollment at LSU is also at an all-time high of 35,914.
“Our incoming class joins a teaching and learning community led by outstanding faculty and staff,” said LSU President William F. Tate IV. “I welcome them to college life and challenge these talented students to demonstrate a commitment to serious study. Their past academic performance suggests a readiness to flourish at LSU. We look forward to supporting this group as part of the ‘scholarship first’ vision for the university.”
LSU’s total enrollment of 35,914 students is made up of 28,764 undergraduates and 4,755 graduate and professional students, along with 2,395 LSU Online students – 622 undergraduate and 1,733 graduate and professional.
“Students and their families are responding to the first-rate academic programs and opportunities offered at LSU,” said Interim Executive Vice President & Provost Matt Lee. “The growth of our on-campus and LSU Online enrollments demonstrate that LSU is offering a degree in demand with more and more high-quality students coming each and every year. I applaud our recruiting staff, along with all of the LSU faculty and staff who make the university a great place to receive a world-class education.”
With the growth of the freshman class, the quality of student entering LSU has not wavered. The GPA for the freshman class is an all-time high at 3.54, and the ACT increased to around 26.
“I could not be more proud of the Class of 2025; they have persevered through one of the most challenging times in recent history,” said Vice President for Enrollment Management Jose Aviles. “Our message continues to resonate across the state and around the country, that we are an elite academic environment where our faculty are leading consequential research that impacts the world. I’m excited that our new students bring their many talents to campus and now have the distinct opportunity to work with our distinguished faculty who will prepare them to make their mark on the world.”
With a record-breaking 7,038 full-time freshman enrolled, diversity of the class is also at an all-time high. The freshman class is made up of 18.8 percent Black students, topping the 16.8 percent of Black students in the 2020 class. The number of Hispanic students in the freshman class is also a record high of 9.5 percent for the 2021 class, exceeding the 9.1 percent in the 2020 class. Students who identify as either American Indian, Black, Asian, Native Hawaiian, Hispanic, and two or more races make up more than 30 percent of the total freshman class this year.
Additionally, 30.3 percent of the freshman class is Pell Eligible.
“At a time when other schools are scrambling for enrollment and in particular students of color, every year we are breaking records on both fronts,” said Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer Dereck J. Rovaris Sr. “The record number of historically underrepresented students is indeed a reflection of the good work so many have done to make LSU a more inclusive university.”
Records broken by the 2021 LSU student body:
• Total enrollment of 35,914
• Freshman enrollment of 7,038
o GPA for the freshman class of 3.54
o ACT composite for the freshman class of 26
o Black freshman enrollment of 18.8 percent
o Hispanic freshman enrollment of 9.5 percent

Wheel House for Sept. 29

Wed, 09/29/2021 - 5:40pm

FREE LUNCH
New Mt. Esther Baptist Church, 1211 James St., Siracusa, giving away free lunch plate and gas cards while supplies last from 11:30 a.m. until on Saturday, Oct. 2. Drive-thru only. Sponsored by the Rev. Charles Oatis Sr., State Reps. C. Denise Marcelle and Vincent St. Blanc III, and St. Mary Parish Councilman Mark A. Duhon. For info call 225-315-7097.

SCREENINGS
Breast and colorectal cancer screenings from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26, at Walmart, U.S. 90 East, Bayou Vista. Appointment required. Call 985-239-5739. Free screenings if not insured. Must not have been screened in the last 12 months.