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Man cited in crash that closed bridge, dumped concrete on Berwick home

Mon, 07/19/2021 - 4:17pm

BILL DECKER

BERWICK — Commuters who cross Berwick Bay will before forced to endure at least one more day when the La. 182 bridge will be closed. A trailer loaded with pieces of concrete knocked down a portion of concrete guard rail Sunday, leading to the old bridge’s closure.

The Department of Transportation and Development on Monday was acquiring what it needs to build a temporary guard rail, said spokeswoman Deidra Druilhet of the DOTD’s Lafayette regional office.

People should be prepared for the La. 182 bridge to be closed at least through Tuesday, she said.

That means delays crossing the U.S. 90 bridge. The closure of the old bridge plus the continuing maintenance and rehab on the new bridge reduce the number of lanes crossing Berwick Bay from six to two.

But it could be worse. You could live in the house the concrete fell on.

The family of Sterling Aucoin Jr. escaped injury when pieces of the guard rail hit the home at 1:36 p.m. Sunday, the Berwick Police Department said.

A driver identified as Byron Blakeman of Morgan City was driving a pickup pulling a trailer full of concrete debris when it hit the bridge rail

The bridge was blocked, first by what was left of the trailer and then by first responders and the DOTD out of concern about the missing section of guard rail.

Blakeman was cited for careless operation of a vehicle with crash, according to Berwick police.

Aucoin wasn’t home at the time of the crash. But his son, Sterling Aucoin III, was there with his wife Danielle.

She was sitting in the area near the carport but got up and walked away a few seconds before the railing fell, Aucoin III said.

Aucoin said he doesn’t have any memory to which he can compare the noise.

“I don’t know what it sounded like,” he said. “A tornado maybe.”

He was in a part of the house away from the impact.

Falling debris wrecked the carport and punched a hole in Aucoin Jr.’s roof, which is only 7 months old. Pieces of the guard rail remained atop the roof Monday as the Aucoins waited for an insurance adjuster to arrive. Allstate put the family up in a hotel Sunday night, Aucoin said.

Falling debris pockmarked Aucoin’s yard with holes. One piece of concrete rail, about 5 feet long, could be seen a few yards from the house on a patch of grass.

Morgan City senior center is back after COVID closure

Mon, 07/19/2021 - 3:20pm

BILL DECKER

bdecker@daily-review.com

After 16 months, all St. Mary Council on Aging senior citizen centers are open again.

On Monday, Morgan City’s center in the Parish Government Building, 301 Third St., reopened more than a year after being shut down as a COVID-19 mitigation measure.

Franklin’s center was the first to reopen earlier this month, and Patterson’s center followed last week.

Council on Aging Director Beverly Domengeaux welcomed 10 people, including council board member David Boudier and bus driver Henry Brown, to the 10 a.m. reopening beneath a red, white and blue “Welcome Home” sign.

Visitors at the centers, which are open for a few hours at midday on weekdays, get a meal, take part in activities and enjoy companionship.

“It’s the visiting and just getting out,” said Grace Garrett. “And the food.”

“We missed it,” said Sally B. Comeaux. “We missed our friends here. We missed the relationships with them.”

“It helps the day go by,” said Linda Darbonne.

Domengeaux told the seniors that she’s heard criticism over the decision to wait until now to reopen the centers.

“We are governed by [Centers for Disease Control] rules for health care,” she said. “When all this started on March 18, 2020, my orders from the governor were ‘keep your seniors safe.’”

That also meant keeping them fed and keeping them from feeling isolated and alone. And it worked, at least as far as COVID is concerned.

“Even though we’ve lost a lot of friends, it wasn't because of COVID. It was because of age, underlying conditions, and I’m a nurse, so I’ll say it — clinical depression,” Domengeaux said.

The centers reopen just as public health officials sound alarms about a possible fourth wave of COVID cases, fueled by the highly transmissible Delta COVID variant and low vaccination rates,.

“We’re not going to do anything to put you in jeopardy,” Domengeaux said. “If we have to close up again, we’ll get a meal to you just like we did last time. …

“This is your home. This is your place.”

The center was supposed to deliver 201 meals a day during the pandemic. It wound up delivering 400 weekday meals as well as nonperishable items that could keep the seniors going through the weekends.

Also Monday, each of the seniors who attended the opening received one of the fans collected by the Council on Aging to help cope with the Louisiana summer.

Edwin Edwards laid to rest

Mon, 07/19/2021 - 12:56pm

Mourners file past the casket of former Gov. Edwin Edwards on Saturday at the Louisiana Capitol in Baton Rouge. Edwards, who dominated a generation of Louisiana politics while serving four terms, was eulogized at a private Sunday service. Edwards died the morning of July 12 after years of respiratory illness.

Screen Capture from LPB

Officials warn against 'startling' surge in COVID cases

Mon, 07/19/2021 - 12:54pm

Staff Report
The Governor’s Office put out a new and more urgent call Friday for Louisiana people to get COVID-19 vaccinations during what a press release called a “startling surge” in new cases among those who haven’t received their shots.
If you’re not vaccinated, Gov. John Bel Edwards said, “it’s time to run, not walk, to one of the more than 1,400 locations where they are readily available across the state of Louisiana.”
The urgency comes from the rapid transmissibility of the Delta variant of COVID-19 and Louisiana’s low vaccination rate, near the bottom among the states. And St. Mary, identified early as a “highest risk” parish in what public health officials are beginning to call a fourth wave, lags the state.
St. Mary’s vaccination rate has remained virtually unchanged in recent weeks and stood at 29.56% as of Thursday. St. Martin’s rate is 29.06%, and Assumption’s is 30.16%.
About 49% of the U.S. population has been vaccinated. The rate in Louisiana is 36%.
Statewide, according to the Governor’s Office:
—The number of new cases diagnosed each day in Louisiana has been increasing since June 16 and is now increasing in all nine regions of the state. The statewide average daily number of cases per 100,000 residents has increased 177% over the past 14 days.
—The number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 throughout Louisiana has been increasing for the past 14 days, with 245 additional hospitalized patients added during that time, as of today’s reporting. That is double the number from two weeks ago.
—Statewide percent positivity of new COVID-19 tests conducted is now 6.3% and has been increasing for the past five weeks.
—During the past week, 35 new outbreaks and 200 new outbreak-associated cases have been identified. This represents a 169% increase in the number of reported outbreaks and a 96% increase in the number of outbreak-associated cases compared to the previous week.
The settings with the greatest outbreak increases included camps, child day cares, religious services and restaurants. In addition to the widespread circulation of the more transmissible Delta variant, insufficient masking and distancing, especially among unvaccinated individuals, are also contributing to the spread of COVID-19 in these settings.
Everyone aged 12 and older is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in Louisiana. The Food and Drug Administration has only authorized one of the three COVID-19 vaccines — from Pfizer — for children ages 12 to 17. Parents should confirm with the vaccine provider that their child is under 18 to ensure Pfizer vaccine is available before making an appointment.
For a list of locations, visit LDH’s vaccine directory or visit vaccines.gov, which is maintained by the federal government.
To get a list of vaccine locations near you text your ZIP code to GETVAX (438829) in English, or VACUNA (822862) in Spanish.
If you have questions, would like to speak with a medical professional, or need help scheduling an appointment, call Louisiana’s vaccine hotline at 1-855-453-0774.
Ochsner Health System’s vaccination plans for this week include availability 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday at Leonard Chabert Medical Center, Houma

Around Town for July 19

Mon, 07/19/2021 - 12:53pm

Happy 90th birthday to our mom Yvonne Montz … Happy birthday Tia Paul and Joseph Williams from family, friends and Ira … Belated happy birthday Logan Percle, who celebrated Sunday, from Seth, Bentley and family.

2 arrested on drug and traffic charges

Mon, 07/19/2021 - 12:42pm

(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
Morgan City and St. Mary authorities arrested two people late last week on drug charges filed in connection with traffic charges, arrest reports said.
Morgan City
Police Chief James F. Blair reported that over the last 24-hour period, the Morgan City Police Department responded to 42 calls for service and made these arrests beginning Thursday:
—David Aucoin, 25, Cremo Lane, Patterson, was arrested at 2:08 a.m. Thursday on charges of improper lane usage, turning movements and signals required, possession of marijuana (first offense), possession of drug paraphernalia and obstruction of justice.
—Charlotte Clark Harris, 51, Mallard Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:27 a.m. Thursday on a warrant alleging issuing worthless checks (under $1,000).
—Keith Clark, 47, Mount Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:08 p.m. Thursday on a 16th Judicial District Court warrant alleging failure to appear to for trial.
—Max Lamar James, 37, Front Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 4:21 p.m. Thursday on a 16th Judicial District Court on a warrant alleging failure to appear on a charge of criminal neglect of family.
St. Mary
Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 44 complaints and reported these arrests:
—Kaylyn Renee Gros, 32, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:40 a.m. Thursday on a charge of contempt of court. No bail has been set.
—Jonathan Lewis Killingsworth, 31, Patterson, was arrested at 6:18 p.m. Thursday on a charge of resisting arrest or officer. Killingsworth also was named in a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charges of simple obstruction of a highway, disturbing the peace (intoxication) and resisting an officer. No bail has been set.
—Byron Mason, 27, Palmetto, was arrested at 5:39 a.m. Thursday on charges of speeding, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Mason was released on a summons to appear Oct. 7.
St. Martin
Sheriff Becket Breaux reported these arrests:
—Carisa Grebinger, 43, North Barn Road, Henderson, was arrested Thursday by the Henderson Police Department on a charge of theft ($25,000 or more).
—Austin Ruhe, 24, Alamo Lane, Church Point, was arrested Thursday on charges of criminal trespass/trespassing of real property and misrepresentation during.
—Logan Hyatt, 33, Grand Anse Highway, Breaux Bridge, was arrested Saturday on charges of aggravated criminal damage to property, aggravated assault and stalking.
—Hansel Hulin, 45, Trotter Street, New Iberia, was arrested Friday on a charge of malfeasance in office and simple rape.
—Daniel Martinez, 25, Glenn Meadow Loop, Lakeland, Florida, was arrested Friday by the Louisiana State Police on charges of driver must be licensed; reckless operation of a vehicle; negligent injuring; possession of Schedule II drugs; possession of a firearm while committing or attempting a crime; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
—Cleveland Williams, 51, Jack Dwyer Road, St. Martinville, was arrested Friday on a warrant for failure to appear, domestic abuse and battery (pregnant victim).

Morgan City police radio logs for July 15-16

Mon, 07/19/2021 - 12:39pm

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 15
5:39 a.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Alarm.
8:02 a.m. 2400 block of Apple Street; Disturbance.
8:06 a.m. 1500 block of North First Street; Civil.
9:16 a.m. 1000 block of Seventh Street; Alarm.
9:26 a.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Complaint.
9:36 a.m. 1000 block of First Street; Animal complaint.
10:10 a.m. 100 block of Mount Street; Arrest.
10:58 a.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Complaint.
11:29 a.m. 700 block of Kentucky Street; Complaint.
11:55 a.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; 911 hang up.
12:13 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Assistance.
1:02 p.m. Federal Avenue; Crash.
1:33 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Theft.
1:54 p.m. 700 block of Justa Street; Alarm.
2:20 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
2:54 p.m. 700 block of Fifth Street; Disturbance.
3:05 p.m. 100 block of Mount Street; Arrest.
3:50 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Disturbance.
4:04 p.m. 600 block of Willow Street; Animal complaint.
4:36 p.m. 2400 block of Sixth Street; Loud music.
4:55 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Assistance.
6:38 p.m. 400 block of Levee Road; Complaint.
6:43 p.m. 300 block of Laurel Drive; Animal complaint.
8:53 p.m. 600 block of Egle Street; Suspicious subject.
9:11 p.m. La. 182 and Cottonwood Street; Accident.
11:44 p.m. 100 block of Eleventh Street; Disturbance.
Friday, July 16
1:46 a.m. 500 block of Egle Street; Complaint.
5:02 a.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Medical emergency.

Data sought on how fishermen deal with weather

Mon, 07/19/2021 - 12:38pm

Louisiana Sea Grant (is asking commercial fishermen to take a 10-minute online survey about how they seek refuge from hurricanes and tropical storms. The survey can be found at https://tinyurl.com/harbor-refuge.
“We want to know where commercial fishermen get their information about approaching storms; have they considered finding a harbor of refuge or tie-up location when a storm is approaching; and if they have access to a safe place to tie-up until a storm passes,” said Niki Pace, lead principal investigator on the project and sustainability coordinator for the Louisiana Sea Grant College Program.
Commercial fishermen age 18 or older can participate in the survey, which is part of a larger Sea Grant project on harbors of refuge.
“Every vessel lost has a direct economic impact on the owner, the navigability of our waterways and those ultimately charged with removing the vessel,” Pace added. “While extensive research has been conducted on terrestrial evacuation needs and routes, little has been focused on aquatic evacuation needs.”
The overall goal of the project is to develop the beginnings of a framework that policy-makers and elected officials can use for establishing harbors of refuge in Louisiana and possibly across the Gulf of Mexico. Since its establishment in 1968, Louisiana Sea Grant (www.laseagrant.org) has worked to promote stewardship of the state’s coastal resources.
through a combination of research, education and outreach programs critical to the cultural, economic and environmental health of Louisiana’s coastal zone. Louisiana Sea Grant, based at LSU, is part of the National Sea Grant College Program, a network of 34 university-based programs in each of the U.S. coastal and Great Lakes states and Puerto Rico.

GOP leaders call for historic veto session

Mon, 07/19/2021 - 12:37pm

WILLIAM PATRICK, The Center Square

The Louisiana Legislature will hold a veto override session for the first time in modern state history.
The announcement came Friday as leaders of the Republican-controlled House and Senate recounted the previous evening’s vote to return to Baton Rouge and challenge Gov. John Bel Edwards’ veto pen.
“The majority of senators have heard from their constituents who have asked them to take votes on the veto override,” Senate President Page Cortez, R-Lafayette, said. “It has become clear that the majority of senators felt compelled to return for the veto session based on constituent feedback.”
“This is democracy in action,” House Speaker Clay Schexnayder, R-Gonzales, said.
Override sessions are automatic in Louisiana but have been canceled by simple majority votes every year since the state’s revamped constitution was ratified in 1974. That changed, however, when only 12 of 39 senators and 35 of 104 House members chose to opt out.
The historic session will commence Tuesday and last no longer than five days.
Edwards vetoed 28 bills from the 2021 regular legislative session. Any one of them could be challenged.
None has been formally listed, but a House spokesperson confirmed two bills will “definitely” be called: one dealing with transgender athletes and another regarding concealed handguns.
The Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, or Senate Bill 156, would have prohibited high school athletes from competing on teams that differ from a student’s assigned gender at birth.
Edwards said the bill would have “unfairly discriminated against transgender youth,” adding, “it unfairly targets children who are going through unique challenges and offers solutions to an issue that does not exist in Louisiana.”
The topic erupted into national controversy as other states attempted similar bans. Even so, the measure achieved bipartisan support in the Louisiana Legislature: 29-6 in the Senate and 78-17 in the House.
Senate Bill 118, sponsored by Sen. Jay Morris, R-West Monroe, would have allowed residents age 21 and older to carry concealed firearms without obtaining a permit.
Edwards said the measure was not in the interest of public safety and vetoed it early this month.
Advocacy groups and numerous law enforcement officials since have voiced support for Edwards, but others, such as West Monroe Police Chief Jeff Terrell, said it’s bad policy.
“Restrictions don’t hurt anyone but law-abiding citizens. When you look at it, the people that are not going to follow the law are criminals. They’re going to carry whether the law says they can or cannot,” Terrell said.
The measure passed the House, 73-29, and cleared the Senate, 27-9.
Another bill that could be called next week is House Bill 38. Sponsored by Rep. Rick Edmonds, R-Baton Rouge, the legislation would have required large local school systems to participate in the Louisiana Checkbook, a searchable website allowing users to track government expenditures, funding sources, vendor contracts and economic incentives.
Supporters said the bill is a crucial transparency initiative given billions of taxpayer dollars in new education spending. A record $6.5 billion will flood state school systems next year alone.
Edwards said it was “unnecessary” and “unaffordable.”
“Our local school systems simply do not have the resources or technology to comply with this unfunded mandate,” he said.
A legislative impact analysis showed the fiscal transparency effort would cost the state roughly $540,000 over the next five years and local public-school systems $765,000.
“If this veto is left to stand, taxpayers will be left to wonder: what are they hiding?” said Daniel Erspamer, CEO of the Pelican Institute.
To successfully override a gubernatorial veto, legislators must reach two-thirds majorities in each chamber, or 26 Senate votes and 70 House votes.
Republicans enjoy dominant majorities but not quite the full two-thirds to rely on party-line voting. Republicans outnumber Democrats 27-12 in the Senate and 68-34 in the House.
Sen. Ronnie Johns, R-Lake Charles, already has said he will not attend an override session because of recent knee replacement surgery.
Two House Independents also hang in the balance. Rep. Joseph Marino, I-Gretna, voted against the override session, and Rep. Roy Adams, I-Jackson, opted for it.

UPDATED: Driver cited in crash that closed La. 182, dropped concrete on house below

Mon, 07/19/2021 - 12:31pm

Top Photo: Sterling Aucoin III looks at his father's home near Third and California in Berwick, where a truck and trailer collision with the guard rail on the La. 182 bridge about 1:30 p.m. Sunday sent chunks of concrete down on the house. No one was injured, but the carport was wrecked, and the 7-month-old roof has a hole in it. An insurance adjuster was due Monday to check the home for other structural damage. Pieces of guard rail still litter the roof and yard, including one piece of concrete about 5 feet long. Bottom Photo: The incident forced officials to close the La. 182 bridge in both directions Sunday night until the Department of Transportation and Development can erect a temporary guard rail. At midday Monday, traffic was backed up on the approaches to the U.S. 90 bridge, which is still restricted to one lane in either direction for rehab work. But vehicles were making slow progress. The Berwick Police Department reported Monday afternoon that Byron Blakeman of Morgan City was cited for careless operation of a motor vehicle with crash.

The Daily Review/Bill Decker