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MARTA CARMELITA BRAN LIQUEZ

Fri, 07/16/2021 - 10:50am

August 7, 1942 — July 14, 2021
Marta Carmelita Bran Liquez, a resident of Patterson for 41 years, passed away peacefully July 14, 2021, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.
Marta was born August 7, 1942, in Guatemala City, the daughter of Sarbelio Liquez and Victoria Orellana.
She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her husband, Jose Bran; two sons, Luis Bran and wife Faith Henry Bran and Miguel Bran; one daughter, Martha Anabella Bran; her favorite child, fur-baby, Leo; two brothers, Raul Liquez and Francisco Liquez; one sister, Lucrecia Fuentes; four grandchildren, Sarah Bran, Victoria Duplantis and husband Tyler, Logan Bran and wife Gabby, and Parker Bran; four great-grandchildren, Jayden Milton, Kate Duplantis, Zoey Duplantis, and Kori Jane Bran; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends in the United Sates, as well as Guatemala.
Marta is preceded in death by her parents, Sarbelio Liquez and Victoria Orellana; two brothers, Marco Tulio Liquez and Agusto Liquez.
Funeral services will be held in Guatemala.

HENRY ALCIDE JOSEPH 'DONNIE' ADAMS SR.

Fri, 07/16/2021 - 10:45am

August 7, 1942 — July 14, 2021
Henry Alcide Joseph “Donnie” Adams Sr., 78, a resident of Berwick, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at Ochsner St. Mary.
Donnie was born on August 7, 1942 in Morgan City, the son of Clarence Atlas Adams and Caroline Virola Vining Adams.
Donnie served his country proudly in the United States Army where he worked on missile defense. He worked in the oilfield for over 25 years in various positions, but his first job and first love was hunting and trapping. He started trapping at an early age with his family, leaving to stay at the camp during the winter months, so he could help provide for his family. Once trapping season was over, he would come back home and have to go back to school, where he always recovered what he had missed. Trapping was his way of life for many years. He also loved dogs and had a passion for raising hounds.
He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by three children, Henry Alcide Joseph Adams Jr. and wife Shannon, Rachelle Adams Theriot, and Bonitta Adams Dupont and husband Lester “Will”; seven grandchildren, Gabrielle Adams, Kennidy Adams, Donnie Cole Adams, Gracie Claire Adams, Kaiden Theriot, Kieton Theriot and Levi Dupont; one great-grandchild; four adopted children, Ervin Thomas, Cathy Chambless, Johnny Thomas and James Henry Thomas; 10 adopted grandchildren, Bridget Thomas, Ervin Thomas Jr., Valerie Thomas, Chrissie, Chad, Chandra, Destiny, Monique, Miranda and James Lee Thomas; 22 adopted great-grandchildren; one sister, Carline Adams Carlos; one brother, Bernie Joseph Adams.
Donnie was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Bonnie T. Adams; four sisters, Eula Emily Adams White, Shirley Marie Adams Melancon, Miriam Elizabeth Adams Barham, Silver Lea Adams Bijeaux; two brothers, Atlas Joseph Adams and Charles Camille Adams.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Stephen Catholic Church on Thursday, July 22, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. with Monsignor J. Douglas Courville celebrating Mass.

Around Town for July 16

Fri, 07/16/2021 - 10:43am

Happy birthday Saturday to Larry Wall from all your family and friends … Happy birthday Drevlyn Minor, Dorothy Livas and Frank Smith, and happy birthday Sunday to Eddie Jackson Jr. and Zana Adams from family, friends and Ira … Happy birthday Sunday to Brian Stevenson from family and friends.

Wheel House for July 16

Fri, 07/16/2021 - 10:42am

MCHS CLASS
OF ’61 REUNION
Interested in helping making plans for a Morgan City High Class of 1961 reunion? Email cajunflorist@hotmail.com

HOOPS CAMP
City of Patterson free basketball camps, July 22-23, 8 a.m.-noon, Patterson Area Civic Center. July 22 will be girls, ages 6-13. July 23 will be boys, ages 6-13. Sign up at City Hall. For more information, call Allise Salazar, 985-992-0630.

Rotary gives to Virtual Learning Program

Fri, 07/16/2021 - 10:39am

Submitted Photo
Morgan City Rotary Club members heard from Dr. Susan Dupre and Minette Geisler with the St. Mary Parish School Virtual Learning Program at a recent luncheon. At that time, the Morgan City Rotary Club also donated a $1,000 grant for assistive technology. From left are Dupre, Geisler, and Jakob Dworaczyk, Morgan City Rotary president.

Police make drug arrests in St. Mary, Morgan City; vehicle chase in Assumption

Fri, 07/16/2021 - 10:37am

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.)

Morgan City and St. Mary authorities made arrests on drug charges this week, while in Assumption, deputies engaged in a chase during a stolen vehicle investigation.

St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 25 complaints and made this arrest:
—Wildarius Jovell Johnlouis, 20, Jeanerette, was arrested 2:36 a.m. Thursday on charges of improper lane usage and possession of marijuana. Johnlouis was released on a summons to appear Oc.t 7.

Morgan City
Police Chief James F. Blair reported that over the last 48-hour period, the Morgan City Police Department responded to 77 calls for service and made these arrest beginning Tuesday:
—Misty Gaudet, 33, Railroad Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:06 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of possession of heroin and a warrant alleging possession of heroin.
—Jeffery Scott Lambert, 23, River Road, Berwick, was arrested 1:20 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant alleging disturbing the peace (fighting).
—Isidoro Maravillas III, 28, Filmore Street, Morgan City, was arrested 1:34 p.m. Tuesday on five counts of cruelty to animals.
—Emery F. Allen, 60, Clements Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:45 a.m. Wednesday on a charge of hit and run.
—Tala Jerae Johnson, 27, Main Street, Patterson, was arrested at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday on a 6th Ward Court warrant alleging three counts of failure to appear for trial.

Assumption
Sheriff Leland Falcon reported these arrests:
—Rashad Malik Lewis, 26, Francis Drive, New Orleans, was arrested Wednesday on charges of aggravated criminal damage to property (nine counts), aggravated flight from an officer, driving on roadway laned for traffic, failure to yield, flight from an officer, illegal possession of stolen things, no driver’s license on person, improper passing, reckless operation of a motor vehicle with accident, and turning moves and required signals.
On Wednesday morning, uniformed deputies were alerted by the Detective Division about a stolen vehicle parked at a location off La. 1 n Labadieville.
As deputies approached, the suspect fled, engaging deputies in a pursuit, which headed north on La. 1. The suspect vehicle had been entered into the National Computer Database as stolen in Jefferson parish.
The pursuit continued and as the situation approached the 4000 block of La. 1, the suspect vehicle left the roadway and traveled through several private properties. He eventually ended up in nearby cane fields.
Deputies were able to successfully terminate the vehicle pursuit. However, the suspect jumped into Bayou Lafourche. He was taken into custody and identified as Lewis.
He was booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending bond proceedings.
—Bervick Thomas Phillips, III, 28, Forestal Street, Vacherie, was arrested Wednesday on charges of aggravated battery and domestic abuse battery (strangulation) and on a Probation & Parole detainer.
On June 28, deputies responded to a Labadieville location and made contact with the complainant. The victim advised that an altercation had occurred, and Phillips had initiated the incident. At some point the altercation turned physical.
Based on all information obtained during the response as well as some physical evidence, deputies applied for and were granted arrest warrants for Phillips.
On Wednesday morning, Phillips, III was arrested in Labadieville and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

St. Martin
Sheriff Becket Breaux reported these arrests:
—Dennis Comeaux, 47, Perkins Street, Breaux Bridge was arrested Wednesday and held for court.
—Allen Guidry, 64, Jefferson Street, Lafayette, was arrested Wednesday by Louisiana State Police on charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, vehicle entering highway from a private road and vehicular negligent injury.
—Jersey Prejean, 23, Adlai Street, Breaux Bridge, was arrested Wednesday by the Breaux Bridge Police Department on charges of firearm-free zone, illegal use of a weapon, aggravated criminal damage to property and attempted second-degree murder or non-negligent homicide.

Morgan City police radio logs for July 14-15

Fri, 07/16/2021 - 10:35am

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.
Wednesday, July 14
6:53 a.m. Front Street; Suspicious subject.
9:17 a.m. Barrow Street; Complaint.
9:27 a.m. 7000 block of La. 182; Complaint.
10:55 a.m. 1900 block of Victor II Boulevard; Lost and found.
11:11 a.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; 911 hang up.
11:13 a.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Medical.
12:57 p.m. 500 block of Egle Street; Complaint.
1:40 p.m. La. 70/U.S. 90; Signal.
1:50 p.m. Seventh and Everett streets; Suspicious subject.
1:55 p.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Alarm.
2:54 p.m. La. 70/U.S. 90; Crash.
2:54 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Assistance.
3:22 p.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Complaint.
3:26 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
3:51 p.m. 100 block of Mallard Street; Disturbance.
4:05 p.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Arrest.
4:51 p.m. 1000 block of Ditch Avenue; Theft.
6:08 p.m. 1200 block of David Drive; Alarm.
6:24 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Medical.
6:44 p.m. 1000 block of Clothilde Street; Disturbance.
6:59 p.m. 6600 block of La. 182; Assistance.
9:07 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Complaint.
9:35 p.m. 700 block of Maine Street; Suspicious vehicle.
9:37 p.m. 1400 block of North Third Street; Medical.
9:56 p.m. 300 block of Wren Street; Disturbance.
10:06 p.m. 600 block of Arenz Street; Medical.
11:31 p.m. 7100 block of La. 182; Disturbance.
Thursday, July 15
1:35 a.m. 900 block of Seventh Street; Suspicious person.
1:54 a.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Frequent patrols.

LSU professor works on early detection of oil leaks

Fri, 07/16/2021 - 10:33am

Imagine if oil and gas companies were able to detect a leak before marine life, and sometimes human life, were destroyed.
LSU petroleum engineering assistant Professor Jyotsna Sharma is helping make this possible through her research, funded by a $750,000 grant from the Department of Energy, using quantum-enhanced fiber sensing for oil and gas applications.
Sharma, who also serves as the Devon Energy Career Development Professor at LSU, is working alongside University of Oklahoma Physics and Astronomy Associate Professor Alberto Marino to develop a quantum-sensing approach that is compatible with current infrastructure in the oil and gas industry and can outperform the current state-of-the-art techniques.
Current commercial techniques for leakage detection are limited by environmental and background noise and don’t offer enough sensitivity to detect small leaks. Such noises include pump- and fluid-handling noise and waves in offshore operations.
“We will use quantum states of light to enhance the sensitivity of fiber-optic leakage sensors,” Sharma said.
“We believe that the recent developments in quantum information science can lead to a paradigm shift in the field with the potential for a large impact for oil and gas applications through improvements in monitoring technology for earlier identification and warning.”
Sharma is co-principal investigator on the project, and Marino is principal investigator.
are working with Oak Ridge National Laboratory on the three-year project. After performing initial tests at the lab, the team will then test the developed quantum techniques under real-life conditions at the 5,000-ft.-deep high-pressure test well, instrumented with fiber-optic sensors, at LSU’s Petroleum Engineering Research, Training, & Testing, or PERTT, Lab.

Jim Bradshaw: Hitting the rails and eating well

Fri, 07/16/2021 - 10:31am

JIM BRADSHAW

Once upon a time, one of the best places in the world to eat was in the dining car of a first-class passenger train.
Chefs comparable to those in the best restaurants turned out delicious meals that were served on fine china set on crisp, white linen tablecloths.
The ambiance was of a fine restaurant with impeccable service delivered even as the car swayed and bumped along the line.
Railroads competed tooth-and-nail for passengers back then, and a better-than-good dining car was essential in that competition.
“Regulations and Instructions, Dining Car Service,” issued to employees by Union Pacific in the 1930s were typical of the kind of service expected.
“The steward of a dining car has charge of a small restaurant,” the instructions began.
“To give the very highest class of service which is desired, a service which will be creditable to the Management and satisfactory to its patrons, the very best efforts of all employees on dining cars will be rendered. … Good cooking is absolutely necessary to a successful service.”
I was reminded of all of this when I found a faded “General Notice” from the Dining Car & Commissary Department of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Co. stuck between the pages of an old cookbook.
It’s dated Aug. 8, 1961, and was intended for “all stewards, waiters-in-charge, cooks and waiters.”
Railroad travel was beginning to decline by then, and the dining car had become even more important as passenger trains made desperate efforts to hold on to riders.
Deluxe Maryland Crab Cakes top the list of recipes on the Baltimore & Ohio list, which could be expected for trains running next to Chesapeake Bay.
The instructions are, “To each pound of crabmeat use one slice of white bread, soaked in water and squeezed dry. Break bread into small pieces and add one level teaspoon pepper, 3/4 teaspoon salt, one tablespoon dry mustard, one tablespoon mayonnaise, and one well beaten egg. Mix and form into seven cakes.
"Do not break up the large lumps of meat. Serve two cakes to the order.”
The Boiled Brisket of Beef with Horseradish Sauce calls for fresh brisket to be put into boiling salt water with a peeled onions, carrots and celery and cooked until tender, skimming as needed.
The sauce required a roux made with a half cup of flour and a spoonful of butter.
It was cooked for 10 minutes, and then a quart of broth strained from the brisket was added to it, along with a spoonful of horseradish and a spot of vinegar.
In its heyday, Southern Pacific’s famed Sunset Limited probably outshone the B&O.
It was known for a cuisine inspired by Louisiana cooking, with favorites like gumbo, specially roasted coffees, and giant shrimp from the Gulf.
A sumptuous Southern Pacific salad was such a point of pride that it was pictured on the line’s matchbook covers.
You’d find not only an array of chefs in a SP kitchen, but bakers and pie makers and other specialists.
A 1939 SP menu included an appetizer of cream of chicken soup a la Reine; entrees such as poached filet of salmon, Southern fried chicken, and lamb basted with mint jelly; fresh vegetables, bran muffins or tea biscuits, and Old Fashioned Strawberry Shortcake or pie a la mode for dessert.
The fresh-baked pies were sometimes served with a topping of ice cream made fresh on the train.
A collection of Jim Bradshaw’s columns, "Cajuns and Other Characters," is now available from Pelican Publishing. You can contact him at jimbradshaw4321@gmail.com or P.O. Box 1121, Washington LA 70589.

Families begin receiving tax credit deposits

Fri, 07/16/2021 - 10:28am

By WILLIAM PATRICK, The Center Square

Tens of thousands of Louisiana households should begin receiving monthly government assistance this week because of the expansion of the federal Child Tax Credit program.
The benefit is tied to the American Rescue Plan, a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 stimulus package signed into law in March.
“Did you know that the federal government is sending monthly cash payments to most working-class families starting this month?” the City of New Orleans tweeted. “Even if you don’t file taxes, you’re still eligible to receive monthly payments of up to $300 a month ($3,600 annually) – straight from the IRS to you!!”
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell retweeted the message, and U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, a Democrat representing nearly all of the city along with parts of Baton Rouge, announced town halls in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and River Parishes to continue spreading the news.
“You will be eligible if you are a resident of Louisiana; if you filed taxes in the last two years,” Carter said in social media post. “There’s nothing required.
“If you haven’t, you merely have to file your taxes and the payment will find you,” he said.
Carter also claimed the monthly payments will reduce child poverty by 50% and 90% of people in his district will benefit.
The Child Tax Credit is a longstanding program that traditionally has involved an annual income tax credit of $2,000 per child. If the credit exceeded taxes owed, parents would receive a refund.
Eligibility requirements have been expanded broadly and the subsidy amount has increased to $3,000 per child over age 6 and $3,600 for children under age 6. The qualifying age limit also has increased from age 16 to age 17.
Couples who file annual tax returns jointly must make less than $150,000. Single-parent income is capped at $112,500.
Monthly payments ranging from $250-$300 a child will be made directly from the IRS, which allows certain flexibilities through its website.
“The Child Tax Credit Update Portal allows families to verify their eligibility for the payments and if they choose to, unenroll, or opt out from receiving the monthly payments so they can receive a lump sum when they file their tax return next year,” the IRS said.
The expanded assistance program comes as part of successive multi-trillion-dollar government stimulus efforts, which have sparked inflation fears.
The U.S. Department of Labor announced a 4.2% jump in the Consumer Price Index in the month following the American Rescue Plan’s passage, the steepest increase since 2008.
The Congressional Budget Office said earlier this month the federal budget deficit will reach $3 trillion in fiscal year 2021, with federal debt at 103% of GDP.
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., is a leading critic of the new Child Tax Credit. Rubio called the program “an anti-work welfare check” in a nationally circulated op-ed.
“By next tax season, some households with no working adults will receive more than $10,000 in these payments. No work required. Just free money on top of America’s existing safety net,” Rubio wrote.
Stimulus benefits also are blamed for millions of unfilled job openings – 9.3 million according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s most-recent statistics.
President Joe Biden’s American Families Plan, a spending proposal unveiled in April, would make the new Child Tax Credit program permanent through at least 2025.