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Governor, Health Department outline new COVID guidance

Mon, 07/26/2021 - 12:01pm

As COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to rise in Louisiana, and following the designation of Louisiana by the White House as a “state of concern” because of its rapid case growth and insufficient vaccination rate, the Governor's Office and the state Department of Health issued updated guidance recommending that all people, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, wear masks indoors when at least 6 feet of distancing is not physically possible during the fourth surge of COVID-19.
Additional measures may be announced later if the situation worsens.
“We are in a very dangerous surge right now,” said Dr. Joseph Kanter, state health officer. “To ensure their own safety people in Louisiana should take precautions immediately. Masking and testing will limit death and suffering until we make it through this.”
In light of sharply increasing COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations throughout Louisiana, and as the nation learns more about the transmission dynamics of Delta breakthrough cases, today the Louisiana Department of Health recommends additional layers of protection for all residents, regardless of vaccination status. This updated guidance includes:
–All people – vaccinated and unvaccinated – should wear face masks while indoors if six feet of physical distance cannot be maintained.
All businesses should review their operations to accommodate employees in a way that reduces unnecessary contact to avoid the spread of COVID in the workplace.
All people should take a COVID test immediately after a known or suspected exposure to COVID-19.
If positive, they should isolate immediately.
If negative, they should retest again between five and seven days post-exposure.
If they develop symptoms of COVID-19 at any point they should test and immediately isolate pending the results.
This guidance will remain in place at least until Louisiana is safely out of its fourth COVID-19 surge, with additional guidance and mitigation measures put in place if and when necessary to slow the spread of the more contagious and virulent Delta variant and preserve hospital capacity.
The following guidance from LDH and the CDC has not yet changed:
—The CDC advises that fully vaccinated individuals do not need to quarantine following an exposure to COVID-19, and LDH is not yet altering this guidance.
—Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19, even those who are fully vaccinated or without a known exposure, should get tested.
—Anyone who tests positive should immediately isolate. Isolation (for those who test positive for COVID-19) typically consists of:
—If symptomatic, at least 10 days since symptoms first appeared, symptoms are improving, and at least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medication
—If asymptomatic but with a positive test, 10 days from the time the test sample was collected
Local leaders may implement mitigation measures that are more comprehensive that the current state guidelines should they feel this is best for their communities.
In addition, local school boards currently set masking and mitigation policies for their schools.

The VFW needs you

Mon, 07/26/2021 - 11:57am

Submitted Photos/VFW
VFW Post 4222 set up a table and invited the public to stop by and take photos, as in the photo below. The post also used it as a recruiting opportunity and to meet the people of Morgan City. If you were unable to make this one, keep looking. More are planned.

Morgan City police radio logs for July 22-23

Mon, 07/26/2021 - 11:50am

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, July 22
9:15 a.m. 300 block of Barrow Street; Medical.
10:50 a.m. U.S. 90 East; Assistance.
10:51 a.m. 3000 block of Francis Street; Medical.
11:34 a.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Disturbance.
1:14 p.m. 1700 block of Maple Street; Complaint.
1:31 p.m. 700 block of Belanger Street; Theft.
2:18 p.m. 900 block of Third Street; Complaint.
2:42 p.m. 800 block of Youngs Road; Theft.
3:54 p.m. 1000 block of Missouri Street; Complaint.
4:06 p.m. 1500 block of North First Street; Phone harassment.
4:15 p.m. 1200 block of David Drive; Complaint.
5:16 p.m. 2300 block of Clements Street; Theft.
5:29 p.m. U.S. 90; Arrest.
6:17 p.m. 200 block of Patton Street; Complaint.
6:47 p.m. 1200 block of Brashear Avenue; Alarm.
7:08 p.m. 900 block of Palm Street; Assistance.
7:14 p.m. 2300 block of Clements Street; Welfare concern.
7:47 p.m. 1400 block of North First Street; Medical.
8:14 p.m. Fifth and Duke streets; Suspicious subject.
9:41 p.m. Willard and Eighth streets; Suspicious subject.
9:53 p.m. 800 block of Brashear Avenue; Arrest.
11:27 p.m. 300 block of Adams Street; Welfare concern.
11:37 p.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Disturbance.
Friday, July 23
1:36 a.m. 500 block of Aucoin Street; Medical.
2:28 a.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Disturbance.
4:15 a.m. Veterans Boulevard; Complaint.

Dear Abby: He's engaged, but not engaged with the family

Mon, 07/26/2021 - 11:43am

DEAR ABBY: My stepdaughter is engaged to a wonderful young man she has been with for more than three years. We welcome him as part of our family and are excited to have him as a son-in-law. However, due to his overwhelming anxiety (as my stepdaughter explains it), he barely says a word whenever we see him.
In the several years they have been dating/engaged, he has joined us for only one family holiday meal, and conversation was painful, to say the least. We have invited him to many family gatherings (large and small), but he seems to have an excuse not to attend each one.
I very much want to get to know him better and make him feel welcome, comfortable and loved as part of our family, but his silence, lack of eye contact and his apparent desire to avoid us make it very difficult. Any advice?
CHALLENGED
FUTURE
MOTHER-IN-LAW
DEAR FUTURE M.I.L: You are overdue for a serious talk with your stepdaughter.
Have you asked her if she knows the reason for her fiancé’s lack of social skills? Is he this way with everyone, or just you and your husband? Could he be on the autism spectrum or feel intimidated by your attempts to make him feel “comfortable and loved”?
His extreme introversion may be a red flag because it may have negative repercussions for her if she marries him.

DEAR ABBY: How do I talk to my roommate about the thermostat without coming off as a “parent” or a control freak? I prefer the thermostat be set at 77 to 78 during warmer months, but every time I step out the door, they turn the A/C down to 72 or 73. It makes the house feel like you could hang meat in here. The kicker is, it’s 80 outside. I don’t think the unit even needs to be on. Not only am I concerned about the electric bill, I’m freezing in my own house with pants on. I know this will become a problem because we are expecting temperatures in the 90s for weeks at a time, and the cost of electricity rises with the heat. I’m tired of playing the game of adjusting the temperature and not saying anything.
Advice?
TEMPERATURE’S RISING

DEAR T.R.: Stop pussyfooting around and have an adult discussion with your roommate about this. If possible, a compromise should be worked out.
Whose name is on the lease? Is it yours or both of yours? Is the cost of heating and cooling the unit shared equally? If a compromise can’t be agreed upon, it’s possible the two of you are incompatible and one of you needs to make other living arrangements.

DEAR ABBY: About a year ago, a friend I’ve known since high school came out as transgender female. I am glad to see her living her life as her authentic self, and I want to do what I can to support her.
I’m one of those old-fashioned people who still has photo albums, and there are a fair amount of pictures of her, pre-transition. Obviously, the photos are labeled with her “dead” name. Should I go back through the albums and change the labels to replace her former name with her new one?
GOOD FRIEND
IN ILLINOIS

DEAR FRIEND: Trans people have strong feelings about deadnaming, and many are against the practice. This is a subject you should discuss with your friend, and abide by her preference.

***

Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets: “Abby’s Favorite Recipes” and “More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $16 to: Dear Abby, Cookbooklet Set, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.

Get it Growing: Crape myrtle questions answered

Mon, 07/26/2021 - 11:38am

By HEATHER KIRK-BALLARD, LSU AgCenter

There’s a lot going on with crape myrtles this summer. I’ve gotten quite a few calls about these highly prized ornamental trees of the South.
With all of the rain that we have had over the past month, we have already surpassed our annual average rainfall and we are only halfway through the year. Since January, we have received around 63 inches of rain. That’s keeping lawns saturated and making it difficult to get any garden work done, much less mowing lawns.
With the rain, many plants have been able to grow. Others are beginning to suffer. Crape myrtles seem to be doing both in some cases. There is a lot going on with crape myrtles this summer. I have gotten quite a few questions about these highly prized ornamental trees of the South.
You may have noticed that crape myrtles are losing their bark. This process is very natural for crape myrtles and is one of the reasons why they are so beautiful in the winter. This feature is called exfoliating bark.
Crape myrtles lose their bark in the summertime to reveal smooth inner bark. It is one of the most beautiful characteristics of the plant. Colors range from light tan to gray to cinnamon or rust depending on the cultivar giving the bark a paint by number appearance.
Crape myrtles traditionally shed on an every-other-year schedule. However, they can have heavier years like the one we are experiencing this year due to exponential growth. Think of it like a snake shedding its skin as it grows – similar concept. As the trunk expands from growth, they shed their bark to allow the trunk to enlarge. With good rains and sunshine, these trees are growing.
Another issue I am getting questions about is why trees are dropping their leaves. This also can be in response to all of the heavy rains. Waterlogged areas can cause stress to trees, which then drop leaves in response to that stress. Once the soil dries out, if the roots did not suffer significant damage from water, the tree will leaf out again.
Leaf spot is another cause of the observed leaf drop. Leaf spot can be caused either a bacterial or a fungal pathogen. Again, trees drop their leaves in response to the stress. Rake leaves up and discard of them in the trash to prevent any further spread. Trees will leaf out again as moisture levels and pathogens decrease. It is not recommended to apply any chemicals.
Lastly, you may have noticed silver webbing or a cluster of tiny brown-gray insects on the bark of your crape myrtles. These insects are soft-bodied with tiny wings and antennae and are not related to the icky lice you might be familiar with. These small insects may be alarming at first sight, but they do not cause harm to the trees. They typically feed on algae, fungi, mold and the exfoliating bark.
Bark lice typically clean house after they are all done and consume their webbing at the end of the season. Therefore, we consider these little critters to be beneficial scavengers cleaning up the area. Perhaps add a tasty treat for birds in the area as well.
Another issue with crape myrtles is bark scale, which has become a real problem here in the Gulf South. Crape myrtle bark scale is an introduced insect pest from Asia, and it has a great affinity for crape myrtle trees. The problem usually goes unnoticed until plants begin turning black with a fungus called sooty mold when it begins to grow on insect droppings.
The insect has spread from the early 2000s throughout the South, affecting more and more trees. The management practices sometimes call for chemicals that can be harmful to the environment and ecosystems if not used properly.
Catch crape myrtle bark scale early. Treat with organic options such as neem or year-round horticultural oil. You will likely need to apply more than once after seven to 14 days to get newly hatched eggs. In addition, you can use a mild, room temperature, soapy water and soft scrubbing brush to remove the scale and black sooty mold. Heavy infestations may involve using chemicals labeled for use on scales, but these chemicals also will be harmful to pollinators.

UPDATED WITH REGIONAL ARREST REPORT: Attempted escape stopped at parish jail

Sun, 07/25/2021 - 1:23pm

(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
An attempted escape at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center was unsuccessful Sunday morning, Sheriff Blaise Smith said.
Corrections deputies noticed an inmate was not in the area he was assigned to and found him a short time later in the facility. He did not get outside the facility and at no time was the public in any danger, Smith said.
“I would like to commend Major Nick Rogers and the corrections deputies for their diligence in executing their duties to bring this attempt to a very quick resolution,” Smith said in a press release.

Morgan City
Police Chief James F. Blair reported that over the last 24-hour period, the Morgan City Police Department responded to 38 calls for service and made these arrests beginning Thursday:
—Brandy Broussard, 42, Irvine Ransonet Road, New Iberia, was arrested at 6:30 p.m. Thursday on a charge of possession of methamphetamine (2 to 28 grams) and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Narcotics detectives with the Morgan City Police Department conducted a traffic stop U.S. 90. A passenger in the vehicle was identified as Broussard.
During the traffic stop, investigators found a large amount of suspected methamphetamine in her possession. Investigators also located suspected drug paraphernalia in Broussard’s possession. She was placed under arrest and booked into the Morgan City Police Department.
—Heather Landry Spencer, 39, Bowman Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:30 a.m. Thursday on 6th Ward Court warrants alleging failure to appear to pay restitution and two counts of failure to appear to pay fines.

Franklin
Police Chief Morris Beverly said the Police Department responded to seven complaints in the most recent 24-hour period and made this arrest:
—Ben Louviere, 42, Pine Street, Franklin, was arrested at 7:41 p.m. Thursday on 16th Judicial District Court warrants alleging failure to appear on the charges of possession with intent to distribute less than 2.5 pounds of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids and possession of methamphetamine (less than 2 grams).
Louviere was booked, processed and transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.

Assumption
Sheriff Leland Falcon reported these arrests:
— Gavin Patrick Mire, 20, Lee Drive, Thibodaux, was arrested on Wednesday on charges of possession of LSD and improper lane usage.
Narcotics officers observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation near Labadieville and initiated a stop of that vehicle. The agent made contact with the driver, identified as Mire.
The agent conducted an interview of Mire and at one point, Mire attempted to conceal a package, which was found to contain several doses of LSD. The agent conducted a search of the suspect vehicle and located additional doses of LSD, which were confiscated along with a quantity of U.S. currency.
Mire was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center with a bond set at $25,000.
—Gary Cox Sr, 26, Creole Street, Belle Rose, was arrested on charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia, and on an Assumption Parish warrant alleging failure to appear on a charge of trespassing.
A uniformed patrol deputy observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation in Belle Rose and initiated a stop of the vehicle. The deputy made contact with the driver, identified as Kailen Katherine Landry.
The driver was interviewed and following that process, the deputy interviewed the passenger, now identified as Cox.
Following that interview, the deputy concluded that additional investigation was warranted.
A K-9 conducted an open-air sniff of the suspect vehicle and alerted to the presence of illegal controlled dangerous substances.
The vehicle was searched, resulting in the seizure of a quantity of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, which was attributed to Cox.
Cox was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.
Landry was cited for a stop sign violation and released.

St. Martin
Sheriff Becket Breaux reported these arrests:
—Travis Angelle, Bernard Street, Breaux Bridge, was arrested Saturday by the Henderson Police Department on charges of simple battery of the infirm and simple domestic abuse battery.
—Kelly Broussard, 48, Broussard Lane, Arnaudville, was arrested Saturday by the Henderson Police Department on an extradition warrant.
—Alberta Escagne, 70, Bayou Alexander Highway, St. Martinville, was arrested Saturday on a charge of simple domestic abuse battery.
—Adonis Barker, 29, Aldus Johnson Road, was arrested Friday on a charge of contempt of court.
—Herbert Lee, 39, Nicholas Street, Breaux Bridge, was arrested Friday by the Breaux Bridge Police Department on a charge of principal to attempt second-degree murder/non-negligent manslaughter and armed robbery.
—Shawndell Perron, 22, Molbert Lane, Breaux Bridge, was arrested Friday by the Breaux Bridge Police Department on charges of principal to attempted second-degree murder/non-negligent manslaughter, principal to armed robbery, aggravated assault, simple criminal damage to property and unauthorized entry of inhabited dwelling.

Bayou BBQ Bash winners

Sat, 07/24/2021 - 7:47pm

The cooking is over and the results are in from the 10th Bayou BBQ Bash held Friday and Saturday under the bridge in Morgan City.

The winners are:

Grand Champion
Aaron Guidry, Prairieville, of Southern Heat

Reserve Grand Champion
James Cruse, Arabie

St. Mary Parish Local Champion
The Sewart Supply team

Corporate Champion
The Stazione team

Chicken Judging
First, Aaron Guidry, Prairieville, of Southern Heat

Ribs Judging
First, Brady Baudin, Bordelonville

Brisket Judging
First, Joel Hymel, Destrehan

Kids Q
Under 12
First, Paulie Cheramie
14-17
First, Olivia Viet Vu

More photos will appear in Monday's print edition of The Daily Review

The boats are back at Morgan City

Sat, 07/24/2021 - 3:12pm

Boat racing returned to Morgan City on Saturday with the Battle on the Basin drag races at Russo's Landing. The event promised races with speeds of up to 125 mph at the Deep South Racing Association event. The Battle on the Basin continues at 10 a.m. Sunday at Russo's Landing. Admission is $10 plus $10 per cooler.

The Daily Review/Bill Decker

Cooking up a storm at the Bayou BBQ Bash

Sat, 07/24/2021 - 3:04pm

Ashton Ewing, left, and Neil Johannsen relax while barbecuing brisket Saturday at the Bayou BBQ Bash in Morgan City. Johannsen is an LSU professor who was introduced to barbecue competitions at the 2020 BBQ Bash. He returned to the Morgan City event after competing in Marksville, Lafayette and elsewhere. The awards were to be announced about 4 p.m. Saturday under the bridge.

The Daily Review/Bill Decker

COVID variant spreading fast in La., St. Mary

Fri, 07/23/2021 - 7:15pm

Louisiana is now the state where COVID-19 is spreading fastest, and it's spreading faster in St. Mary that elsewhere in the state.

At a press conference Friday, Gov. John Bel Edwards and State Health Officer Dr. Joseph Kanter said summer heat that forces people indoors, low vaccination rates, the fast-spreading and hard-hitting Delta COVID variant, and the opening of K-12 schools within the next month amount to what they called a perfect storm.

Vaccines have proven to be safe and effective, and Edwards urged people to get the free shots.

"We're ordering 10% of the vaccine doses available to us, but we have the highest growth rate [in COVID numbers} in the country," Edwards said.

"That has to change, and it has to change now," he said.

The governor is changing his public emergency declaration to recommend, but not mandate:

--That all people, vaccinated or unvaccinated, wear masks indoors away from their households when they can't practice social distancing.

--That businesses should take steps to protect their employees.

--That people should get a COVID test as soon as possible after coming into contact with someone with COVID. Contact is defined as coming within 6 feet of an infected person or spending more than 15 minutes with them.

If the test is positive or if COVID symptoms develop, quarantine immediately.

The coronavirus statistics are some of the most alarming since last winter's third wave of infections:

--The number of new daily COVID cases is up 214% since June 16 and is increasing in all nine Department of Health regions. Another 3,127 cases were reported statewide Friday.

--More than 80% of new cases result from infection with the Delta variant, which was confirmed in Louisiana only about a month ago.

--The percent of tests yielding positive results has grown from 6.3% to 8.7% in a week. St. Mary's positivity for the week ending July 14 was 9%, up 44% from the week before.

--The average number of cases for a week per 100,000 residents, the incidence rate, is at 175 statewide, far above the 100 average that is the threshold for serious concern.

--8% of emergency room visits are now for COVID-like symptoms, Kanter said, adding to the strain already coming from high numbers of RSV cases.

--COVID hospitalizations have grown from about 240 last month to 1,008 Friday.

--92.7% of last week's hospitalized COVID patients were not fully vaccinated. Ninety-one percent of COVID deaths are among the unvaccinated. Vaccinated people who are hospitalized or die tend to be older people or those with other health conditions that make them more vulnerable, Kanter said.

"Make no mistake about it," Kanter said. "The vaccines provide excellent, excellent protection."

The Delta variant can raise viral loads, or the amount of virus in the body, to levels up to 1,000 times greater than the original COVID virus. That probably explains why Delta spreads more easily and is showing up in children more than earlier variants, Kanter said.

He said so-called breakthrough cases, those in which a vaccinated person tests positive for COVID, are inevitable. But the numbers show that vaccinated people who contract COVID rarely show symptoms and rarely die from the coronavirus, Kanter said.

About 40% of Louisiana people have received at least one COVID vaccine shot, Edwards said.

In St. Mary, the vaccination rate is at 29.9%, about where it has been the last few weeks.