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Four more St. Mary COVID deaths reported Wednesday

Wed, 08/25/2021 - 12:17pm

COVID-19 has claimed four more St. Mary lives, according to the Louisiana Office of Public Health report for the 24 hours ending at midday Wednesday.

Elsewhere in Louisiana, a child who had yet to see a first birthday died of COVID-related causes, the first death of a child so young in the fourth COVID wave, the Governor's Office said Wednesday.

The rate of COVID deaths in August has surpassed anything seen during the 16 months since the first St. Mary fatality was reported. Of the 184 St. Mary COVID deaths since April 2020, 37 have been reported since Aug. 1, and nine deaths have been reported in the last two days.

The number of new cases each day has slowed. Sixty-six new cases were reported Wednesday, raising the pandemic total to 7,702.

Statewide, 6,610 new cases were in Wednesday's report along with 110 deaths.

But for the third time in the last four daily reports, the number of COVID-positive people in Louisiana hospitals fell. The OPH says 2,844 COVID patients were in hospitals Wednesday, down 12 from Tuesday.

The news about the infant's COVID death "is heartbreaking,” said. Dr. Joseph Kanter, state health officer. “And it’s a tragic reminder that the numbers we report everyday are also our children, friends and neighbors, and that no one is immune to this virus’ impact.

"The best way we can protect ourselves, our loved ones and young children who are not eligible to get the vaccine is to get vaccinated ourselves and wear a mask. It’s really that simple.”

“Each COVID-19 death in Louisiana has been heart wrenching," Gov.John Bel Edwards said, "but the loss of such a young child, who could not be vaccinated yet, is tragic and a stark reminder of the difficult circumstance we are in throughout Louisiana. Right now, we are seeing younger people hospitalized. They are getting sicker than in the previous surge and, unfortunately some of them may die."

This week 6,146 COVID cases in children have been confirmed, and last week there were 63 pediatric cases of COVID admitted to the hospital. Even children who are not hospitalized or very sick are contagious, Edwards said

A child this young has not died from COVID in Louisiana in more than six months. In total, 11 children younger than 18 have died from COVID in Louisiana. On Wednesday, 31% of newly reported COVID-19 cases in Louisiana were in children younger than 18.

Morgan City Council makes plans for COVID aid

Wed, 08/25/2021 - 11:58am

BILL DECKER

bdecker@daily-review.com

Morgan City’s share of American Rescue Plan Act funding was supposed to arrive in May, then in June. As it turned out, the check was in the mail. Literally.
The check for $1.9 million, the first of two installments from the program designed to help COVID-plagued small cities, is now safely in the bank. And the City Council and mayor have a plan for how to spend it.
The council unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday calling for spending grants for storefronts and home weatherization, a new study space with Wi-Fi at the Morgan City Library, a raise for city workers and a new firetruck.
Also Tuesday, the council continued the work of having derelict houses demolished, and approved plans for one entertainment event while seeking a delay in a second.
COVID aid
Mayor Lee Dragna and Finance Director Deborah Garber both said the $1.9 million check, which passed through the state government on the way from Washington, arrived in a stamped envelope. But, now that it’s here, the resolution passed Tuesday includes:
—$30,000 for the library study space, including tables, chairs, charging ports, concrete and a wrought-iron gate.
—$200,000 for 25 grants requiring a 25% match from businesses that want to make their storefronts more attractive.
—$250,000 for weatherization and preservation grants to pay for pressure washing and painting homes occupied by low-income people.
—$205,000 for a 70-cents-per-hour raise representing hazard pay for people employed by the city government January 2020-March 2021.
—$350,000 for a Freightliner firetruck.
Details for how to apply for the grants are being developed.
The federal rules governing the use of the money refer again and again to low-income people and minorities, Dragna told the council. The plan for spending the aid directs money toward the people hurt most by the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.
The spending earmarked for specific purposes amounts to $1,035,000. The remaining roughly $900,000 can be used as matching funds for more federal programs now in the works, Dragna said.
Houses
The council approved the demolition of one abandoned home at its July meeting. On Tuesday, two more blighted homes were in their sights.
The council approved the demolition at 417 Garber St. after hearing that the family that owns the home has no objection.
The council decided to wait a month to demolish the second abandoned home, at 507½ Lawrence St., to allow the owner, a senior citizen, time to recover property from inside the house.
Events
The council agreed to permit East Gate BBQ’s Octoberfest noon-8 p.m. Oct. 9 to celebrate the restaurant’s 10 years in Morgan City. The event will be on the restaurant’s parking lot and will feature a beer truck and other vendors, owner Harlan Kappel said.
But the council tabled another request for an event, this one for a block party at Buckets Blowout Lounge at 117 Railroad Ave.
The event was scheduled for Labor Day weekend. Councilman James Stephens questioned the propriety of having the Rock the Block event after the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival board announced last week that it is canceling this year’s edition of the Labor Day weekend event because of the recent surge of COVID-19 cases.
Lou Tamporello sits on both the council and on the festival’s board of directors. He said the current variant of COVID-19 is more dangerous than the one that forced the cancellation of the 2020 festival, and this year, local hospitals are full.
“With that involved … I would have to say no,” Tamporello said.
The council tabled the request and urged Buckets Lounge representative Jessy Eues to come back in September with plans for an October event that the bar already has in the works.

State rep points to Legislature's success on tax reform, infrastructure

Wed, 08/25/2021 - 11:53am

BILL DECKER

bdecker@daily-review.com

Conservatives in the Legislature met most of their goals in the 2021 regular and special sessions, state Rep. Beryl Amedee told the Morgan City Council on Tuesday.
Amedee, R-Gray and Morgan City’s representative in the state House, said the conservative majority entered 2021 with goals: tax reform, infrastructure improvements, helping students recover from hurricanes and COVID, and ensuring election integrity.
The Legislature succeeded in putting a pair of constitutional amendments changing the tax structure before voters this fall, Amedee said.
One lowers the tax rate for the highest state income tax bracket from 6% to 4.75%, an effort that state Sen. Bret Allain, R-Franklin, has described as making taxes flatter and fairer.
And, Amedee said, the Legislature submitted an amendment centralizing sales tax collections, taking collections out of the hands of parish-by-parish sales tax offices.
On infrastructure, the Legislature passed a phased shift of vehicle sales and lease tax revenue to roads and bridges, resulting in what some estimates say will put $300 million a year against a backlog of $14 billion worth of highway projects alone.
Amedee said legislators were unpleasantly surprised to learn that only about 45% of Louisiana’s third-graders are reading at a third-grade level.
“I don’t know about you,” she said, “but when I was in school and you got a 45 on a test, you failed.”
The Legislature found money for a phonics-based program that met with success in Mississippi, Amedee said.
The MJ Foster Opportunity Program, enacted this year and named for the late governor from Franklin, offers grants for adults who seek job training at community and technical colleges.
Louisiana’s election system has been spared much of the scrutiny directed at other states since the 2020 election, Amedee said. That’s partly because Louisiana isn’t a swing state, and partly because the system here is old-fashioned enough to offer some protection against hacking, she said.
But the Legislature did find some money that will go toward election system upgrades, she said.

Public, private entities begin rolling out vaccine mandates

Wed, 08/25/2021 - 11:48am

Staff Report
After Monday’s federal approval of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, moves by private and public entities to require vaccinations have begun. And so has a backlash.
LSU and Ochsner Health System, which operates Morgan City’s Ochsner St. Mary hospital, announced vaccination requirements Tuesday. State Rep. Kathy Edmonston, R-Gonzales, sent out a press release offering advice on how to avoid vaccine requirements under Louisiana law.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave full approval to the two-dose Pfizer vaccine Monday for people 16 and over. The vaccine had previously been offered to people 12 and over under emergency use authorization, as had the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Moderna and Johnson & Johnson’s vaccines are still awaiting full approval.
Meanwhile, St. Mary was hit hard again by the COVID-19 Delta variant.
Five more COVID-related deaths in St. Mary were reported for the 24 hours ending at midday Tuesday. The fatalities raise the pandemic death toll in the parish to 180, including 33 deaths since Aug. 1.
The count of new St. Mary COVID cases was at 29 Tuesday, one of the lowest in weeks.
Across Louisiana, the OPH reported 3,814 new cases Tuesday, along with 139 deaths.
Another 22 people were hospitalized in Louisiana for COVID treatment, raising that total to 2,856. Before Tuesday, the number of hospitalizations had declined in three consecutive OPH reports following 16 straight days of record-setting numbers.
Ochsner said in a press release Tuesday that “following full approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Ochsner Health (Ochsner) announced a mandatory requirement that all its physicians, providers and employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 29, 2021.
“This formal announcement comes as the Gulf South continues to face high COVID-19 positivity rates, hospitalizations and deaths. Today, Ochsner is caring for 979 COVID-19 patients. More than 88%, 865, are unvaccinated.”
“This policy is the right thing to do to protect our employees, their families, and our patients,” said President and CEO Warner Thomas.
LSU said in a press release that the FDA approval means the university may require COVID vaccinations for students and members of the faculty and staff.
“Louisiana law allows for students to opt out of vaccinations, and those who choose this route will be required to be tested for COVID on a regular basis,” the university said in a press release. “Students have until Sept. 10 to submit proof of their first vaccination or formally opt out. …”
Faculty and staff members can opt out for medical reasons, the university said.
Nicholls State and other University of Louisiana System schools announced earlier this week that COVID-19 vaccine is being added to the list of required vaccinations for students.
In her press release, Edmonston said Louisiana law says the vaccine requirements can be waived on behalf of students in K-12 schools, colleges and day care with a physician’s statement or written notice filed by parents.
People also have the right to decline vaccination or other treatment for reasons of religion, health or conscience, she said, even during a public health emergency.

VERLIE ANGELLOZ LOUPE

Wed, 08/25/2021 - 11:41am

October 20, 1933 — August 23, 2021
Verlie Angelloz Loupe, 87, a native and lifelong resident of Morgan City, passed away Monday, August 23, 2021 at Ochsner St. Mary Medical Center while surrounded by her loving family.
Verlie is survived by her four loving daughters, Darlene Loupe Castay and her husband, Howard, of Morgan City, Diane Loupe Irwin and her husband, Dan, of Morgan City, Angela Loupe Rapp and her husband, Larry Rapp Sr., of Metairie, and Catherine Loupe Cali and her husband, Chip, of Patterson; seven grandchildren, Jason and John Arceneaux, James and David Irwin, Larry Jr. and Christopher Rapp, and Mary Frances Cali; and seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James “Jimmy” Loupe; her parents, Cyrus and Lelia Delaune Angelloz; and two brothers, Emile Angelloz and Perry Angelloz.
Verlie was a devoted wife, mother, sister and daughter. She was a hard worker, tending to her family and loved ones and supporting her husband Jimmy. Verlie enjoyed making rosaries. All of her rosaries were hand made for the Confraternity of Our Lady Star of the Sea. Through Verlie’s tireless efforts, her rosaries made their way to strengthen the faith of Catholics throughout the world. Verlie ensured that each Central Catholic student was given a rosary. Verlie was a dedicated parishioner of Holy Cross Catholic Church. She was a vital part of Holy Cross’ Prayer Line and a devoted member of the Confraternity of Our Lady Star of the Sea.
The family requests that visitation be observed Wednesday, August 25, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. until time of service with a rosary being prayed at 12 noon at Holy Cross Catholic Church.
A Mass of Christian burial will take place Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church with Father Mike Tran officiating. Graveside services will follow in the Morgan City Cemetery.
In keeping with social distancing protocols regarding large gatherings, guests are required to wear masks inside the church during services.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Verlie’s name to: Central Catholic School.

DALIA RODRIGUEZ RAMIREZ

Wed, 08/25/2021 - 11:38am

March 27, 1936 — August 20, 2021
Dalia Rodriguez Ramirez, 85, a resident of Morgan City, passed away peacefully, Friday, August 20, 2021, at the Legacy Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility.
Dalia was born March 27, 1936, in Cuba, the daughter of Isidoro Rodriguez and Graciela Rodriguez.
Dalia and her husband immigrated from Cuba to the US with their three children to escape persecution against Fidel Castro’s regime. Dalia sacrificed everything, leaving her family behind to build a beautiful and fruitful life in Morgan City. Dalia was a life-long seamstress; she had a passion for sewing and did the most incredible work. In 1957, she was certified as a professional seamstress from “Sistema De Corte Y Costura”. Dalia also enjoyed cooking and feeding anyone that came over for a visit. Dalia was devoted to her Faith in God and showed love and affection to anyone that she met.
She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her three children, Jackie Conner and husband Dean of Morgan City, L. Manuel Ramirez and wife Sharon of Morgan City; Maria Llagostera and Domingo Llagostera of Texas, eight grandchildren, Michael D. Conner; Jessica G. Conner, Domingo M. Llagostera, Alex D. Llagostera, Brittany M. Whisenant, Jonathan M. Ramirez, Katherine M. Albarado, Elizabeth G. Ramirez; 11 great-grandchildren; siblings, Isabel Ortiz and husband Odilio of Miami, Florida, Isidoro Rodriguez and wife Gladys of Cuba.
Dalia was preceded in death by her husband, Manuel Ramirez; parents, Isidoro Rodriguez and Graciela Rodriquez; siblings, Estela Castro, Ramiro A. Castro, and Lazaro Castro.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to be made on her behalf to Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 27, 2021, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with Father Henry Sebastian officiating. Visitation will be held Friday, August 27, 2021 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. After Mass, Dalia will be laid to rest in the Morgan City Cemetery Mausoleum.

DAVID JOSEPH PRICE

Wed, 08/25/2021 - 11:34am

August 18, 1958 — August 23, 2021
David Joseph Price, 63, a resident of Berwick, passed away on Monday, August 23, 2021 at Ochsner Medical Center in Jefferson.
David was born on August 18, 1958 in Morgan City, the son of Allen Andrew Price Jr. and Elizabeth Ann Russo Price.
David was known for his big smile and large personality that lit up every room he walked into. David was the type of person who would drop whatever he was doing to help anyone; he truly never met a stranger. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed going fishing and hunting as well as riding on the tractor or riding horses. David was a past member and past president of the Atchafalaya Bit and Bridle Club. He was a boy scout when he was younger and the organization has stayed near and dear to his heart. He loved everything LSU Tigers.
He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by three children, Tiffany Price Waguespack and husband Jon of Morgan City, Danielle Price Grow and husband Scott of Berwick, Austin Price of Berwick; three grandchildren, Elizabeth Grow, Jace Waguespack and Alex Waguespack; three brothers, Gregory A. Price and wife Ginger of Morgan City, Mark A. Price Sr. of Stephensville, Chris A. Price and wife Cay of Morgan City; numerous nieces and nephews.
David was preceded in death by his parents, Allen and Elizabeth Russo Price; one sister, Angela M. Price.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers will be Jason Price, Jeffrey Price, Christopher Price, Mark Price Jr., Scott Grow and Jon Waguespack. Honorary pallbearers will be Greg Price, Mark Price Sr., Chris Price, Mike Gray, Jeff Gray, Mike Tamporello and Elmer Galloway.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 26, 2021 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Monsignor J. Douglas Courville celebrating Mass. A visitation will be held from 8:30 a.m. until Mass time and following Mass, David will be laid to rest in the Morgan City Cemetery.

TERRY PAUL LaCOSTE

Wed, 08/25/2021 - 11:32am

August 12, 1945 — August 12, 2021
Terry Paul LaCoste, 76, a resident of Berwick, passed away on August 12, 2021 at his home.
Terry was born on August 12, 1945 in Morgan City, the son of Herbert Earl LaCoste and Marie Orgeron LaCoste.
Terry served his country proudly in the United States Army serving as a Sergeant during Vietnam.
He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by one brother, Edward Earl LaCoste of Toledo Bend; godchild, Ronna Leonard and husband Earl Hebert of Prairieville; three nieces, Tansy LeBlanc and husband Chad of Prairieville, Lacey Corripio and husband Bernie of Baton Rouge and Martra Kreig and husband Greg of Crosby, Texas; one nephew, Shane LaCoste of Berwick; special friends, Jan & Angie Fabre, Curtis & Kelly White, Mike Leonard, Gale Driskill, Jill Bross, Jeannie Bergeron, David & Marlene Blanco, Barbara Malik, Justin Fabre, Paula Duval, Cathy Falgout, Brigette Phillips, Lynn Granier and many more of the Y-Not Lounge gang; his faithful kitty companion of 8 years, Dreamie.
Terry was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Marie LaCoste; one sister, Aleda Marie LaCoste; one nephew, Sidney Paul Leonard.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at Twin City Funeral Home with Rev. Steven Porter officiating. A memorial visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service and following the memorial service, Terry will be laid to rest in the Berwick Cemetery Mausoleum with Military Honors. Honors will be rendered by the East St. Mary Veterans Funeral Squad.

Wheel House for Aug. 25

Wed, 08/25/2021 - 11:28am

BERWICK
Housing Authority will take applications for housing online 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27, for three bedroom units only. To fill out an application, go to the website www.berwickhousingauthority.com. For info, call 985-385-1546. After completing an online application, applicant will be contacted for an appointment in order to provide all documents.

ST. LUKE
Baptist Church, 1709 Harry D St., Patterson, celebrating the Rev. Keith F. Verrett Sr.’s ninth-year anniversary at 8 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 12. Guest minister the Rev. Mason Jack, Mt. Bethel Baptist Church, Lafayette. Public invited. Temperature checked and masks required.

Louisiana's job growth lags rates in neighboring states

Wed, 08/25/2021 - 11:20am

WILLIAM PATRICK, The Center Square

Louisiana’s unemployment rate fell in July, but the associated job growth was largely a result of teachers and government employees going back to work.
The observation was noted by Eric Peterson of the New Orleans-based Pelican Institute, who suggested that Louisiana’s economy has a long road to pre-pandemic recovery.
“Over half of the jobs added in July were because of an increase in government employees and teachers going back to school rather than job creation in the private sector,” said Peterson, director of the Pelican Institute’s Center for Opportunity Policy. “The only significant private sector job growth was in leisure and hospitality, which added 3,500 jobs.”
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Louisiana added 12,700 jobs in July – nearly three times the growth in June. The state’s unemployment rate dropped from 6.9% to 6.6% as a result.
Louisiana lagged behind its neighbors — Texas (6.2%), Mississippi (6.1%) and Arkansas (4.3%) — and is one of only 13 states with an unemployment rate higher than the national rate of 5.4%.
Nevada had the highest unemployment rate in July at 7.7%, closely followed by California, New Mexico and New York. Nebraska and Utah had the lowest jobless rates at 2.3% and 2.6%, respectively.
Data from the Louisiana Workforce Commission shows 186,459 job openings statewide, or more than enough to meet pre-coronavirus employment levels.
Critics have speculated successive congressional trillion-dollar stimulus packages and ongoing government relief programs have eroded work incentives for many would-be employees. Direct payment stimulus checks, the child tax credit expansion, the federal eviction moratorium and generous unemployment benefits are among them.
Gov. John Bel Edwards was the first Democratic governor to end federal unemployment benefits before the September expiration, though he negotiated a modest increase in state unemployment payments with the GOP-led state Legislature.
“With the expanded unemployment benefits ending on July 31st, we have yet to see what impact it will have in the Pelican State,” Peterson said.
Hopefully, with the disincentive to work ended, Louisiana will continue to see job growth above 10,000 per month and more concentrated in the private sector.”