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ANGELA SAMPEY SEYMOUR

Thu, 07/29/2021 - 12:17pm

Angela Sampey Seymour, 62, a native and resident of Morgan City, died Tuesday, July 27, 2021, at Patterson Healthcare.
She is survived by two children, Daniel Seymour II of Berwick and Jessica Martin of Morgan City; two brothers, Robert Sampey Sr. of Morgan City and Wilton Sampey of Berwick; a sister, Deidra Guidry of Stephensville; half-brother, Wilton Sampey of Florida; half-sister, Juliana Sampey of Florida; and four grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather and first husband.
Visitation will be Friday from 10 a.m. until services at 2 p.m. at Twin City Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Morgan City Cemetery.

ROSEMARY CRAWFORD FEDERER

Thu, 07/29/2021 - 12:16pm

Rosemary Crawford Federer, 81, a native of Mobile, Alabama and resident of Patterson, died Thursday, July 22, 2021.
She is survived by five children, David Crawford, David Thokey, Mark Federer, Michael Federer and June Alcina; 13 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Carol Shiyou and June Acosta; and a host of other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her husband, a son, parents and three siblings.
Visitation will be Friday from 10 a.m. until services at noon at Ibert’s Mortuary in Patterson. Burial will follow in the mortuary cemetery.
Ibert’s Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Former Morgan City youth in talent competition

Thu, 07/29/2021 - 12:13pm

Submitted Photo
London Celestine, a Morgan City native and Houma resident, has been chosen to participate in the Celebrity Experience, which showcases young peoples’ talents in acting and modeling. It will be held in Hollywood Thursday through Monday. Celestine is the daughter of Gene and Tashekia Celestine and the granddaughter of the late Rev. Melvin Turner, Judy Singleton and Herman Chenevert.

Around Town for July 29

Thu, 07/29/2021 - 12:12pm

Happy 67th wedding anniversary Leroy and Genevieve Michel.

Wheel House for July 29

Thu, 07/29/2021 - 12:11pm

HOUSING AUTHORITY
Berwick Housing Authority taking two- and three-bedroom unit applications online Aug. 4 and 5, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Applications at www.pha-web.com/portal/applicant/berwick/, or clicking the link on Berwick Housing Authority’s Facebook page or visit www.berwickhousingauthority.com. Any questions, call 985-385-1546.

La. COVID numbers continue to rise

Thu, 07/29/2021 - 12:10pm

WILLIAM PATRICK, The Center Square

As COVID-19 cases rise in Louisiana, Gov. John Bel Edwards and the state Department of Health announced numbers of confirmed cases and hospitalizations on Tuesday that haven’t been seen since the beginning of the pandemic last year.
The news comes amid updated state public safety guidance and delegated authorities to local government leaders and school districts regarding mask mandates.
Edwards said 6,797 new COVID-19 cases were reported on Monday, which represents the highest single-day case count since Jan. 6. And 1,390 residents were hospitalized, he said. Only three other single-day hospitalization totals were larger and all of them occurred in March 2020.
“To see this current rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations is becoming increasingly scary,” Edwards said.
“I am recommending that everyone, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, wear masks while indoors if six feet of physical distance cannot be maintained. For anyone asking the question when will this end, the answer is simple: when we decide to do what it takes to end it,” he continued.
Days earlier, the White House named Louisiana a “state of concern” due to its 47 cases of novel coronavirus per capita, tops in the nation.
Edwards and State Health Officer Dr. Joseph Kanter blamed the Delta variant of the virus and Louisiana’s lagging vaccination rate for the state’s situation.
“Getting vaccinated is the best way to stay safe and healthy during this pandemic,” Edwards said.
Edwards said at this point, he will not impose an unpopular mask mandate as he did last year through executive order. Instead, he is deferring to local leaders, many of whom are inching toward mask mandates if not already there.
New Orleans, for example, currently sits in a “Modified Phase Three” public safety designation that includes mandatory masks in early childhood, elementary and secondary education institutions; city government buildings, hospitals and federally regulated transportation.
Several higher education institutions are attempting to impose vaccine mandates on students as the fall semester rapidly approaches. Dillard, Loyola, Tulane and Xavier universities are among them.
But Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry opposes the effort. Landry singled out one Louisiana state college on Monday for what he considers a serious overreach.
“I put the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Monroe on notice that mandating the COVID-19 vaccine violates Louisiana and Federal law and may jeopardize their ‘collaborative’ relationship with our State,” he said.
“I will continue to defend the students’ right to make informed, individualized choices about whether to receive a COVID-19 vaccine,” Landry continued.
A pair of legislative bills would have prevented government mandated vaccines and proof of vaccination ID cards, sometimes called vaccine “passports.” Both bills – HB498 and HB349 – passed during the 2021 regular legislative session, but Edwards vetoed them earlier this month.
The bills were then recalled during a historic veto override session that convened July 20. However, neither received a vote as the GOP-led session ended without overturning a single veto.
Local leaders like East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell are strong proponents of mask requirements and other strict safety measures. They and like-minded local officials regularly cite the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as the basis for their pandemic policies.
“The first and best source of authoritative information on COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),” reads the top of East Baton Rouge Parish’s coronavirus information page.
But critics and vaccine-wary citizens are increasingly frustrated with the CDC, which may contribute to Louisiana’s low vaccination rate – ranked last among all states, according to a recent study.
The same day Edwards announced the dramatic increase in new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the CDC reversed its own policy regarding vaccines and masks, which effectively green-lit new mandates for inclined local public officials.
Previously, vaccinated Americans were not expected to wear masks. But as of Tuesday, the federal health agency said students and teachers should wear masks regardless of vaccination status, as should all individuals when in public places.
“The CDC’s updated guidance deeply undermines vaccine confidence,” House Energy and Commerce Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers said in response.
“Mask mandates for more command and control will not build trust – only resentment,” she said.

Deputies seize marijuana, cocaine

Thu, 07/29/2021 - 12:08pm

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.)

A Patterson man and a Franklin man were arrested Tuesday and Wednesday with drugs in sufficient quantities to warrant possession with intent to distribute charges, according to arrest reports.

St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 40 complaints and made these arrests:
—Joshua Mack Verdun, 33, Franklin, was arrested at 4:24 a.m. Wednesday on charges of possession with intent to distribute Schedule I drugs (two counts), possession with intent to distribute Schedule II drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia and license plate lights required.
Bail has not been set.
—Malcomb J. Williams, 45, Patterson, was arrested at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday by the Narcotics Section on charges of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a minor and transactions involving drug proceeds.
Williams was also named in a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charges of license plate lights required, operating a vehicle without a driver’s license and failure to honor a written promise to appear.
Bail was set at $100,000.
—Amanda Sue Dartez, 43, New Iberia, was arrested at 1:45 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charges of operating vehicle while under suspension, failure to obey a traffic device and failing to appear for arraignment on the charge of theft under $1,000. Bail has not been set.
—Ralph Charlot, 24, Berwick, was arrested at 3:54 p.m. Tuesday on warrants alleging theft and identity theft. Bail was set at $2,000.
—Jovon A. Sanders, 28, Verdunville, was arrested at 7:20 p.m. Tuesday on charges of failure to signal and possession of marijuana. Sanders was released on a summons to appear Oct. 7.

Franklin
Police Chief Morris Beverly said the Police Department responded to six complaints over the 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:
—Hunter Boudreaux, 19, Bigler Street, Franklin, was arrested at 6:10 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of aggravated second-degree battery. The arrest came while Boudreaux was already incarcerated at the Franklin Police Department.
Boudreaux was booked, processed, and held with no bond set at the time of press release.
—Billy LaJaunie, 52, Willow Street, Franklin, was arrested at 10:58 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of second-degree battery. LaJaunie was booked, processed and held with no bond set at the time of press release

St. Martin
Sheriff Becket Breaux reported these arrests:
—Bryon Alleman, 51, West Gum Avenue, Eunice, was arrested Monday on a charge of transfer and possession of stolen vehicles.
—Markus Andrews, 37, Hall Street, Atlanta, was arrested Monday on a charge of attempted first-degree murder.
—Kenneth Carmouche, 33, Nany Road, Breaux Bridge, was arrested Monday on a charge of monetary instrument abuse.
—Joshua Davis, 27. Collette Street, Henderson, was arrested Monday by the Henderson Police Department on charges of simple escape, aggravated escape, aggravated assault on a police officer with force or violence, and simple burglary of a movable or immovable.
—Tyler Charles, 30, Church Street, St. Martinville, was arrested Tuesday on charges of drivers must secure license, ignoring stop sign and aggravated flight from an officer.
—Jaylon Johnson, 38, Tauzin Street, Breaux Bridge, was arrested Tuesday by the Breaux Bridge Police Department on a charge of simple domestic abuse battery.

Morgan City police radio logs for July 28-29

Thu, 07/29/2021 - 12:05pm

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.
Tuesday, July 27
5:38 a.m. 400 block of Bush Street; Complaint.
6:47 a.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Fire alarm.
8:18 a.m. 3000 block of Roderick Street; Criminal damage to property.
8:51 a.m. 300 block of Laurel Street; Animal complaint.
9:14 a.m. 1400 block of North First Street; Animal complaint.
10:05 a.m. Terrebonne Street/C-Wall area; Animal complaint.
10:13 a.m. 3100 block of Lake Palourde Road; Alarm.
11:47 a.m. 800 block of Brashear Avenue; Suspicious subject.
11:49 a.m. 300 block of Chennault Street; Disturbance.
1:34 p.m. 1400 block of Federal Avenue; Complaint.
2:17 p.m. 7500 block of La. 182; Suspicious subject.
2:39 p.m. Seventh Street and Brashear Avenue area; Reckless driving.
2:57 p.m. 1000 block of Railroad Avenue; Civil complaint.
4:02 p.m. 1000 block of Brashear Avenue; Criminal damage to property.
4:35 p.m. 1000 block of Clothilde Street; Accident.
4:52 p.m. 1000 block of Birch Street; Criminal damage to property.
6:04 p.m. 500 block of Brashear Avenue; Theft.
6:42 p.m. 1100 block of Seventh Street; Alarm.
6:56 p.m. 1000 block of La. 70; Reckless driving.
7:12 p.m. Louisiana and Fifth streets; Frequent patrols.
7:15 p.m. 3100 block of Karen Drive; Assistance.
7:59 p.m. 500 block of Aucoin Street; Medical.
8:11 p.m. 200 block of Wren Street; Medical.
8:20 p.m. 500 block of Garber Street; Medical.
11:33 p.m. 2400 block of Apple Street; Removal of subject.
Wednesday, July 28
1:48 a.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Medical.
2:54 a.m. 1000 block of Greenwood Street; Alarm.

Partners help Fletcher expand nursing programs

Thu, 07/29/2021 - 12:03pm

The health care industry is experiencing a challenging time related to the supply and demand of licensed practical nurses, registered nurses and nurse educators.
The expansion of Fletcher’s nursing programs will require an increase in space for classroom activities and labs and increasing the amount of nursing faculty employed by the college that will deliver instruction to the students. In recent months, Fletcher Technical Community College has secured commitments from a number of community partners that will significantly expand its nursing program by the 2024-2025 academic year.
With the addition of space and instructors, faculty members believe this expansion will best serve the state of Louisiana by beginning to fill gaps in the projected nurse shortage identified by the Louisiana Center for Nursing. Currently, Fletcher’s nursing programs has capacity for 64 students.
With the funding provided by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation of Louisiana Foundation, Fletcher will be able to hire additional faculty over the next three years, which will allow the nursing programs to increase student enrollment by 20 students each year.
This expansion is made possible by bringing together a coalition of healthcare providers, economic development agencies and foundation funders, including:
—Ochsner Clinic Foundation and Terrebonne General Medical Center, each of which has committed $1 million and will provide clinical training and internship programs
—The Economic Development Authority, which awarded $2.1 million to construct a new nursing training facility at Fletcher’s Schriever Campus
—The Blue Cross and Blue shield of Louisiana Foundation, which has committed to $380,000 to pay for Fletcher to add two full-time nursing instructors to its classroom program
Louisiana faces a number of critical human capital shortages in its healthcare systems – but the need for nurses, especially outside of major urban centers, is critical. Before the pandemic, the Louisiana Hospital Association was projecting that unfilled nursing positions would quadruple by 2025. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, those needs have only grown.
“With the increasing demand for nurses in our communities, it is important that we increase student enrollment into our nursing programs,” commented Dr. Danielle Vauclin, Dean of Nursing and Allied Health at Fletcher. “This increased enrollment will provide quality nursing graduates into the community to assist in closing the nursing shortage in the Bayou Region. Fletcher is excited to partner with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation to make this happen. This partnership will provide Fletcher’s nursing programs with the opportunity and funding needed to hire additional faculty and subsequently increase student enrollment. As always, Fletcher is dedicated to educating nursing students that will one day be a huge asset to the bayou region workforce.”
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation works each day to improve the health and lives of Louisianans by empowering everyday people to do extraordinary good. By building and funding coalitions of friends, families, and neighbors, the Foundation hopes to build a healthier Louisiana, particularly for its children. The Foundation is funded solely by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, but is a separate 501 (c)(3) nonprofit entity.

Area births announced

Thu, 07/29/2021 - 12:00pm

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Joel Reyes (nee: Laney M. Delgado) of Morgan City, a boy, Emiliano Mateo Reyes, on July 2 at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center. He weighed 6 pounds, 5 ounces and measured 18 inches.
——
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Randal J. Billiot (nee: Brittney A. Marcel) of Morgan City, a boy, Logan Michael Billiot, on July 5 at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center. He weighed 6 pounds, 5 ounces and measured 18 inches.
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Born to Mr. and Mrs. Simon C. Guttung (nee: Taylor A. Adams) of Berwick, a girl, Amelie Louise Gottung, on July 6 at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center. She weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces and measured 19.5 inches.
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Born to Dawayna A. Blackburn of Patterson and Robert W. Jones of Franklin, a girl, Benz’lee Ora’lynn Jones, on July 7 at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center. She weighed 7 pounds, 7 ounces and measured 20 inches.
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Born to Mr. and Mrs. Cody P. Chiasson (nee: Brandie Blanchard) of Morgan City, a boy, Tatum Paul Chiasson, on July 8 at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center. He weighed 8 pounds, 8 ounces and measured 20½ inches.
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Born to Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Olivier III (nee: Amanda M. Rivero) of Morgan City, a boy, Levi Alexander Olivier, on July 12 at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center. He weighed 6 pounds, 14 ounces and measured 20½ inches.
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Born to Shaelyn R. Toups of Morgan City and Robert J. Prejeant Jr. of Franklin, a boy, Bentley Michael Prejeant, on July 13 at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center. He weighed 6 pounds, 12 ounces and measured 19 inches.