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St. Mary School Board offers sign-up for displaced students

Sun, 09/05/2021 - 3:11pm

St. Mary Parish Schools is seeking to support the continued education of children displaced by Hurricane Ida, Superintendent Dr. Teresa Bagwell on Sunday.
Beginning on Wednesday, representatives of the school system’s support staff, including coordinators of homeless services, instructional programs, special education, and English-language learners will be available noon-3 p.m. at the St. Mary Parish Schools Materiel and Operations Center in Morgan City. The enrollment event will continue Thursday and will provide direct assistance to families wishing to enroll their children into area schools.
Parents will also obtain residence verification forms needed for enrollment along with other important information to prepare children for their first day. The goal of the two-day enrollment event is to offer families a way to quickly return students to school while they await recovery efforts.
Additionally, the coordination of district service providers will also avail families to information regarding various supports that are available to students in an effort to ease the transition into a new school environment. School system personnel empathize with the plight of families following a devastating hurricane and are honored to welcome them into area schools.
The Materiel and Operations Center is located at 212 Onstead St. in Morgan City. Parents interested in the enrollment process should come anytime between noon and 3 p.m. Sept. 8 and 9 and may call the St. Mary Parish School Board Office with any further questions.

Entergy: Ida hit system harder than Katrina, Ike, Delta, Zeta combined

Sun, 09/05/2021 - 2:03pm

Entergy says Hurricane Ida knocked down more of its utility poles than Katrina, Ike, Delta and Zeta combined.

With the completion of its damage estimate, Entergy said Ida took out 30,679 poles, 36,469 spans of wire and 5,959 transformers.

Ida made landfall at midday Aug. 29 at Port Fourchon.

The company has restored power to 395,000 of 900,000 Entergy New Orleans and Entergy Louisiana customers who lost power at the peak of the storm.

The company says it will continue to work around the clock.

Statewide, 600,000 customers of all utilities remain without power Sunday, according to the poweroutage.us website.

In Assumption Parish, about 5,500 of 10,000 customers don't have power.

Virtually all of Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes lack electricity.

Cleco's biggest chores this week have been in St. Tammany and Washington parishes. More than 18,000 of 98,000 St. Tammany customers are blacked out Sunday. About 400 of 800 Washington customers still don't have power.

Bayou L'Ourse site for water, ice, MREs will be open 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sat, 09/04/2021 - 9:37pm

The distribution site at the Bayou L'Ourse Recreation Center, 1213 Highways 662, will be open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. every day until further notice, the Assumption Parish Police Jury Facebook page said.

Each vehicle will receive 2 bags of ice, six bottles of water per person in the vehicle and two bags of MRE’s per person in the vehicle.

Please pay attention and take direction from the Assumption Parish Sheriff's Offfice and National Guard as you get to this site.

Central Catholic will reopen Tuesday

Sat, 09/04/2021 - 9:29pm

Central Catholic Elementary and High School will be open again Tuesday, the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux announced Saturday night.

The announcement follows an assessment to make sure the Morgan City facility is safe for students and staff members, said Suzanne Dulaune Troxclair, the diocese superintendent.

Parents should monitor PlusPortals, emails and social media for more announcements, Troxclair said.

St. Mary Parish public schools have also announced a reopening Tuesday. Like Central Catholic, the public schools missed all this week because of Hurricane Ida.

The diocese and the School Board cited unreliable communications in extending the closures beyond the immediate aftermath of the hurricane.

BETTY THERIOT SMITH

Sat, 09/04/2021 - 1:15pm

Betty Theriot Smith, 95, a resident of Lafayette and former resident of Morgan City, passed away on Friday, September 3, 2021 at her home.

Betty was born on July 16, 1926 in Morgan City, the daughter of Clay Theriot and Jeannette Pharr Theriot.

She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by five children, Cathy Lacassagne and husband Herb of Metairie, Jane Smith and Jeannette Smith, both of Lafayette, Philip Smith Jr. and wife Shelia of Cypress, Texas and Nick Smith and wife Crissy of Youngsville; eight grandchildren, Troy Hoffpauir and wife Jena, Scott Hoffpauir and wife Gina, Jodi Chatelain, Ryan Smith and wife Brandy, Drew Smith and wife Crissy, Zachary Smith, Hunter Smith, Gracie Smith; eight great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Clay and Jeannette Pharr Theriot; her husband of 55 years Philip N. Smith Sr.; two grandsons, Dirk Hoffpauir and Philip “Trey” Smith III, one great grandson, Brandon Chatelain; three sisters, Odette McKinney, Jeanne Shaw and Bobby Kreider.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers will be her grandsons, Troy Hoffpauir, Scott Hoffpauir, Ryan Smith, Drew Smith, Zachary Smith and Hunter Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be her granddaughters, Jodi Chatelain and Gracie Smith.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 6, 2021 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Henry Sebastian celebrating Mass. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until Mass time and following Mass, Betty will be laid to rest in the Morgan City Cemetery.

UPDATED WITH 2 P.M. INFO: Tropical disturbance could bring rain to Gulf Coast

Sat, 09/04/2021 - 11:03am

From Roger Erickson, National Weather Service at Lake Charles:

A weak surface trough over portions of the western Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico is producing disorganized shower and thunderstorm
activity.
The disturbance is forecast to move northwestward over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico on Sunday, then moved northward or northeastward over the western or central Gulf of Mexico Monday and Tuesday. Unfavorable upper-level winds are expected to limit development through Monday, but environmental conditions could become marginally favorable for some gradual development on Tuesday or Wednesday. Regardless of development, locally heavy rains are possible over portions of the Yucatan Peninsula and northern Central
America through Sunday.
* Formation chance through 48 hours...low...near 0 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days...low...30 percent.

Tips for avoiding disaster relief fraud

Sat, 09/04/2021 - 10:13am

The National Center for Disaster Fraud reminds the public to be aware of and report any instances of alleged fraudulent activity related to relief operations and funding for victims. Unfortunately, criminals can exploit disasters, such as Hurricane Ida, for their own gain by sending fraudulent communications through email or social media and by creating phony websites designed to solicit contributions.
Tips should be reported to the National Center for Disaster Fraud at (866) 720-5721. The line is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Additionally, e-mails can be sent to disaster@leo.gov, and information can be faxed to (225) 334-4707.
The U.S. Department of Justice established the National Center for Disaster Fraud to investigate, prosecute, and deter fraud in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, when billions of dollars in federal disaster relief poured into the Gulf Coast region. Its mission has expanded to include suspected fraud from any natural or manmade disaster. More than 30 federal, state, and local agencies participate in the National Center for Disaster Fraud, which allows the center to act as a centralized clearinghouse of information related to disaster relief fraud.
The public should remember to perform due diligence before giving contributions to anyone soliciting donations or individuals offering to provide assistance to those affected by the tornadoes. Solicitations can originate from social media, e-mails, websites, door-to-door collections, flyers, mailings, telephone calls, and other similar methods.
Before making a donation of any kind, consumers should adhere to certain guidelines, including:
• Do not respond to any unsolicited (spam) incoming e-mails, including clicking links contained within those messages, because they may contain computer viruses.
• Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as members of charitable organizations or officials asking for donations via e-mail or social networking sites.
• Beware of organizations with copy-cat names similar to but not exactly the same as those of reputable charities.
• Rather than follow a purported link to a website, verify the legitimacy of nonprofit organizations by utilizing various Internet-based resources that may assist in confirming the group’s existence and its nonprofit status.
• Be cautious of e-mails that claim to show pictures of the disaster areas in attached files because the files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders.
• To ensure contributions are received and used for intended purposes, make contributions directly to known organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf.
• Do not be pressured into making contributions; reputable charities do not use such tactics.
• Be aware of whom you are dealing with when providing your personal and financial information. Providing such information may compromise your identity and make you vulnerable to identity theft.
• Avoid cash donations if possible. Pay by credit card or write a check directly to the charity. Do not make checks payable to individuals.
• Legitimate charities do not normally solicit donations via money transfer services. Most legitimate charities’ websites end in .org rather than .com.

Sheriff's Office reports six arrests

Sat, 09/04/2021 - 9:57am

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.)

The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office reported six arrests from Wednesday to Friday.

St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that over the last 48-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 93 complaints and made these arrests:
—Christian J. Rivera, 22, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:36 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charge of possession of Schedule II drugs. Rivera was released on a summons to appear Nov. 2.
—Conley Thomas Jones, 72, Morgan City, was arrested at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of criminal damage to property. Bail was set at $250.
—David J. Jones, 62, Franklin, was arrested at 6:42 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of driving under suspension. Jones was released on a summons to appear Nov. 2.
—Nathan Adams, 24, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:12 p.m. Wednesday on charge of stalking, theft of firearm and illegal carrying of a weapon. Bail was set at $7,500.
—Chad Turner, 48, Duson, was arrested at 10:02 a.m. Thursday on charges of theft and driving under suspension. Turner was released on a summons to appear Nov. 2.
—Tasha Lynn Boudreaux, 40, Berwick, was arrested at 12:48 a.m. Friday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a drug-free zone. Boudreaux was released on a summons to appear Nov. 2.

LYNWOOD ANTHONY SONS SR.

Sat, 09/04/2021 - 9:50am

Lynwood Anthony Sons Sr., 65, a resident of Berwick, passed away on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at Ochsner Medical Center in Jefferson.

Lynwood was born on January 2, 1956 in Franklin, the son of Ballard Sons Sr. and Dalilla Lodrigue Sons.

Lynwood was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing as well as his hot rods. He was a simple man who enjoyed spending time with his family and cherished every minute he was able to spend with them. He was a dedicated boat captain for Central Boat Rentals where he faithfully served for many years.

He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by three children, Lynwood Sons Jr. and wife Haily of Baldwin, Brittany Sons of Youngsville and Tiffany Aucoin and husband Ricky of Ponce de Leon, Florida; three step children, Craig Free and wife Brittany of Morgan City, Greg Free and companion Pami of Morgan City, Lodie Lerma and husband Ralph of Texas; seven grandchildren, Liam Landry, Allie Daigle, Laila Sons, Wyatt Sons, Savanna Floyd, Layla Floyd, Cypress Floyd; ten step grandchildren, Charlie, Rylie, Gregory, McKenzie, Andrew, Julie, Kennedy, McKenzie, Jeslyn and Collin; three step great grandchildren, Levi, Rezzie and Jonah; three brothers, Ballard Sons Jr. and wife Jan of Berwick, Ethan Sons of Berwick, Micah Sons and wife Netta of Stephensville; one sister, Marilyn Dupuis and husband Charlie of Berwick.

Lynwood was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Kathy Jo Fontenot Sons; one step daughter, Amanda Free.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 6, 2021 at Twin City Funeral Home with a visitation being held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Following the services, Lynwood will be laid to rest in the Berwick Cemetery.

Thibodaux Regional acquires Urgent Cares in Houma, Thibodaux

Sat, 09/04/2021 - 9:22am

Thibodaux Regional Health System and Coastal Urgent Care have finalized an agreement for Thibodaux Regional to acquire the company’s Urgent Care locations in Thibodaux and Houma, Thibodaux Reginal reported Friday.

The two locations, which serve thousands of residents throughout the Bayou Region, will be formally rebranded as Thibodaux Regional Urgent Care.

“Thibodaux Regional and Coastal Urgent Care have worked well together in the past. The integration of these two urgent care centers to our network will provide patients additional access to hospital services and physicians,” said Greg Stock, CEO of Thibodaux Regional Health System. “Patients seeking treatment for non-life threatening medical care will benefit by receiving care in the most effective and efficient manner possible.”

According to Travis Landry, PA-C, Clinical Coordinator of Coastal Urgent Care, “We are excited to join with Thibodaux Regional to provide high quality care to Thibodaux, Houma, and the surrounding areas.” “I have worked with CEO Greg Stock and the hospital staff for a number of years,” continued Landry. “We have a great relationship and I look forward to working with them to serve the healthcare needs of the region.”

Beginning immediately, Thibodaux Regional Health System will assume day-to-day operational responsibility for locations at 2031 Audubon Avenue in Thibodaux and 1411 St. Charles St. in Houma.