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Area birth announcements

Born to Clair J. Nugier and Kevin V. Kinslow of Morgan City, a girl, Ellie Rochelle Kinslow, on June 7 at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center. She weighed 6 pounds, 1 ounce and measured 18.25 inches.
——
Born to Courtney Arceneaux Patterson of Berwick and Christopher Patterson of Morgan City, a boy, Christopher Lynn Patterson Jr., on June 11 at Ochsner St. Mary in Morgan City. He weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce and measured 18 inches.
——
Born to Julia Anderson and Jaime Silva Segura of Morgan City, a boy, Mateo Jaime Silva Segura, on June 12 at Ochsner St. Mary in Morgan City. He weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces and measured 20 inches.
——
Born to Heather Rentrop and Jeremy Walker of Morgan City, a girl, Telizia Patricia Walker, on June 15 at Ochsner St. Mary in Morgan City. She weighed 6 pounds, 4 ounces and measured 18.5 inches.
——
Born to Hayli Valle Ramos and Hipsen Gutierrez Mendez of Amelia, a girl, Hitzel Ainara Gutierrez Mendez Valle Ramos, on June 15 at Ochsner St. Mary in Morgan City. She weighed 6 pounds, 10 ounces and measured 19.5 inches.
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Born to Kenia Carina Arias De Diaz and Jose Eduardo Cruz Fernandez of Morgan City, a boy, Ibrahim Eduardo Cruz Fernandez, on June 17 at Ochsner St. Mary in Morgan City. He weighed 8 pounds, 7 ounces and measured 20.5 inches.
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Born to Samantha Broussard and John Henry of Morgan City, a girl, Ariel Nachole Henry, on June 20 at Ochsner St. Mary in Morgan City. She weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces and measured 19 inches.
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Born to Mr. and Mrs. Collin Conner (nee: Laura Canty) of Morgan City, a boy, Asher Paul Conner, on June 22 at Ochsner St. Mary in Morgan City. He weighed 7 pounds, 7 ounces and measured 20 inches.
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Born to Hailey Meadows and Jayce Leblanc of Morgan City, a girl, Dru Claire Leblanc, on June 22 at Ochsner St. Mary in Morgan City. She weighed 6 pounds, 2 ounces and measured 19 inches.

Dear Abby: Longtime friendship goes up in smoke

DEAR ABBY: I recently took a cross-country trip to visit my pregnant best friend before she gives birth. She has a new fiancé and soon-to-be stepdaughter I hadn’t met before. She is 12, and we enjoyed some outdoor activities together.
I have a marijuana vape pen I smoke occasionally to relieve nausea and anxiety. We both live in states where it is legal.
While we were outside, I discreetly hit my vape pen. The stepdaughter noticed and later asked my friend if I was smoking weed. My best friend proceeded to get extremely mad at me for doing it in the presence of the girl, and she no longer wants to be my friend.
I have apologized profusely. I have little experience with kids, and now I’m scared that I have lost my best friend, who refuses to speak to me.
Abby, was what I did a friendship-breaker? Was I so in the wrong, or is my friend being extreme and overreacting?
FORMER FRIEND
IN OREGON

DEAR FRIEND: Your friend is not being extreme or overreacting. You vaped in front of the child she is going to be responsible for.
Underage children should not use marijuana because it can negatively affect their still-developing brains. Your friend may have ended the friendship because she wants to teach the girl by example to avoid people who do this. What you did showed extremely poor judgment, and I don’t blame her.

DEAR ABBY: I dated a man for a year and eight months. It seemed to be going great. The relationship took a turn around the eight-month mark.
I realized through thorough observation (we lived together) that he was a textbook narcissist. He responded just like my research showed he would.
He claims he has no mental issues, but I learned a lot from this relationship about narcissism and how to recognize abuse.
Narcissism is real, but most people don’t know much about the signs and difficult behavior. As a result of the relationship, I am now in therapy.
My question is, how (when I’m ready) do I approach the dating scene again so I don’t encounter an experience like this?
BURNED
IN PENNSYLVANIA

DEAR BURNED: Continue working with your therapist. By the time you are finished, you will know what to look out for.
You may also realize that there aren’t narcissists lurking behind every bush. We form healthy relationships by getting to know people before jumping into a live-in relationship.
Abusers of both sexes try to gain an advantage over their victims by chipping away at their self-esteem and making them doubt themselves. Keep your eyes open and listen to your intuition, and you won’t subject yourself to this kind of relationship again.

DEAR ABBY: My wife and I have been married for 35 years. She’s the best. However, for the last few years I feel like she fits our relationship in between her texting and emails, and not the other way around.
Should I feel hurt or just roll with the times?
NEGLECTED
IN FLORIDA

DEAR NEGLECTED: Neither one. What you should do is tell your wife of 35 years that she is making you feel like No. 3 on her list of priorities.
The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

***

To order “How to Write Letters for All Occasions,” send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 to: Dear Abby — Letter Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.

Louisiana AG offers safe online surfing tips to keep kids safe

BATON ROUGE —From researching to gaming to communicating, the Internet can be a great source of learning and fun for our children; but cyberspace can also be dangerous and even deadly, according to a news release from Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry.
“Oversharing and bullying online can lead to embarrassing situations and dangerous predicaments,” said Landry. “We must do all that we can to protect Louisiana’s children from those wishing to do harm.”
Landry offers the following cyber tips:
—Be vigilant. Set complex passwords and keep them private. Regularly update your operating system and antivirus software. Remember that some free downloads can hide viruses or spyware.
—Post carefully. Do not trade personal pictures, share your location or make inappropriate comments. Once it is posted online, it cannot be taken back.
—Protect your identity. Use privacy settings to restrict who can see your posts and follow your profiles. Do not use screen names that reveal personal information. Do not share your address, phone number or school name.
—Be wary of new acquaintances. Limit your online friends to people you actually know. Do not chat with strangers and do not open emails from people you do not know.
—Do not meet up with strangers. Never agree to get together with someone you only met online. Never assume people online are being honest about their identities.
—Report suspicious/uncomfortable behavior. Do not respond to threatening emails, messages, posts or texts; instead, tell an adult you trust about them.
—Stand up for cyberbullying victims. Do not comment on hurtful or insulting posts and do not forward embarrassing photos or messages.
Landry also urges parents and guardians to take a proactive role in their children’s cyber safety.
“Do not simply rely on software applications or device restrictions; know the websites they are visiting, the apps they are downloading, the people they are talking to, and the info they are sharing,” said Landry. “Tell your kids to come to you if any situation online makes them feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused.”

Morgan City police radio logs for June 29-30

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, June 29
9:20 a.m. 900 block of Fourth Street; Forgery.
10:27 a.m. La. 182 and Roderick Street; Accident.
1:39 p.m. Apple Street; Civil matter.
1:47 p.m. 300 block of South Railroad Avenue; Theft.
1:57 p.m. 700 block of Marshall Street; Disturbance.
2:00 p.m. 300 block of Wren Street; Medical.
4:18 p.m. 1200 block of David Drive; Removal of subject.
4:32 p.m. 1000 block of La. 70; Hit and run.
4:42 p.m. 2000 block of Allison Street; Criminal damage to property.
5:46 p.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Disturbance/arrest.
6:11 p.m. 1400 block of Federal Avenue; Complaint.
6:35 p.m. 400 block of Belanger Street; Telephone harassment.
6:38 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Warrant/arrest.
6:54 p.m. 200 block of Franklin Street; Complaint.
7:06 p.m. 1800 block of Filmore Street; Animal complaint.
7:18 p.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Found property.
7:25 p.m. U.S. 90 Westbound near Martin Luther King Boulevard; Stalled vehicle.
7:58 p.m. 500 block of Terrebonne Street; Medical emergency.
8:16 p.m. 1200 block of David Drive; Complaint.
9:35 p.m. 600 block of Egle Street; Fireworks.
10:06 p.m. Friendship Alley; Assist St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office.
11:48 p.m. Sandra Street area; Alarm.
Wednesday, June 30
12:05 a.m. 600 block of Kentucky Street; Complaint.
1:07 a.m. 1000 block of La. 70; Alarm.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.
6:54 p.m. 200 block of Franklin Street; Complaint.

UPDATED 10:47 A.M.: System becomes Tropical Storm Elsa

Tropical Storm Elsa Discussion Number 4
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL052021
1100 AM AST Thu Jul 01 2021

Just-received scatterometer data showed 35-40 kt winds to the
northeast of the center, so the initial intensity is increased to
40 kt. Some slight revisions were also made to the initial and
forecast wind radii. Over all, the organization of the storm has
changed little during the past several hours, with the low-level
center partly exposed to the north and northwest of the primary
convective band.

Elsa continues to move a little faster with the initial motion now
280/24. A rapid west-northwestward motion is likely for the next
48 h or so as Elsa is steered by the strong subtropical ridge to
the north. After that time, the storm is expected to approach a
weakness in the ridge caused by a mid-latitude trough over the
eastern United states. The guidance becomes rather divergent as
this happens, as the ECWMF and ECMWF ensemble mean forecast a turn
toward the north while the GFS and UKMET are forecasting a
west-northwestward to northwestward motion. The latter part of the
new NHC forecast track will lean more toward the GFS/UKMET solutions
at this time, but the large spread in both the deterministic models
and the ensembles make this part of the forecast of low confidence.
The new official forecast track has only minor adjustments from the
previous forecast.

Some additional strengthening is expected during the next day or so
as Elsa is expected to be in an environment of warm sea-surface
temperatures, light vertical wind shear, and high mid-level
relative humidity. However, as mentioned earlier, the fast forward
motion could result in some decoupling of the lower and upper parts
of the storm, and this could limit strengthening. The latter part
of the intensity forecast also has high uncertainty due to the
possibility of land interaction and disagreements among the
global models on how favorable the upper-level winds will be.
Based on these factors, the NHC intensity forecast continues to be
on the lower end of the intensity guidance suite.

Key Messages:

1. Tropical storm conditions are expected beginning early Friday in
portions of the Windward and southern Leeward Islands.

2. Heavy rainfall from Elsa will move quickly across the Windward
and southern Leeward Islands, including Barbados, on Friday, with
outer rain bands impacting Puerto Rico Friday into Saturday.
Isolated flash flooding and mudslides are possible.

3. There is a risk of wind and rainfall impacts in portions of
Hispaniola, Cuba, the Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas through early
next week. Interests in these areas should monitor Elsa's progress
and updates to the forecast.

4. There is a risk of storm surge, wind, and rainfall impacts in the
Florida Keys and portions of the southern Florida Peninsula early
next week. However, the forecast uncertainty remains larger than
usual due to Elsa's potential interaction with the Greater Antilles
this weekend. Interests in Florida should monitor Elsa's progress
and updates to the forecast.

FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT 01/1500Z 10.1N 51.4W 40 KT 45 MPH
12H 02/0000Z 11.2N 54.9W 45 KT 50 MPH
24H 02/1200Z 12.6N 59.9W 50 KT 60 MPH
36H 03/0000Z 14.1N 64.9W 50 KT 60 MPH
48H 03/1200Z 15.9N 69.8W 50 KT 60 MPH
60H 04/0000Z 17.6N 73.6W 50 KT 60 MPH
72H 04/1200Z 19.3N 76.5W 45 KT 50 MPH
96H 05/1200Z 22.0N 80.5W 50 KT 60 MPH
120H 06/1200Z 25.6N 82.5W 50 KT 60 MPH

UPDATED 7 P.M.: System expected to become tropical storm

Potential Tropical Cyclone Five Discussion Number 1
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL052021
500 PM AST Wed Jun 30 2021

Satellite imagery indicates that the convection associated with the
low pressure area over the central tropical Atlantic is becoming
better organized. However, earlier scatterometer data showed that
the circulation was elongated and not well defined. Since the
system is about 48 h away from the Lesser Antilles and is expected
to become a tropical storm before reaching the islands, advisories
are being initiated at this time on Potential Tropical Cyclone Five.
The initial intensity is set to 30 kt based on the scatterometer
data and satellite intensity estimates from TAFB and SAB.

The initial motion is 285/18. The disturbance is currently on the
south side of a strong subtropical ridge, and for the next 72 h the
system should move rapidly west-northwestward. Indeed, the forward
speed may exceed 25 kt as the system moves through the Lesser
Antilles. There is excellent agreement in the guidance on this
part of the forecast track. After 72 h, the system is expected to
approach a weakness in the ridge caused by a mid-latitude trough
over the eastern United States. The should cause the system to slow
its forward speed and turn more northwestward. The track guidance
become more diverse during this time in regards to how far north
the system will turn, and this part of the NHC forecast track is
most similar to the GFS and UKMET forecasts. Note that the track
forecast is more uncertain than usual since the system does not yet
have a well-defined center.

The disturbance is currently in a favorable upper-level wind
pattern. However, most Atlantic systems in this area moving near 25
kt have trouble strengthening, and there are indications that the
fast forward speed may produce some westerly shear. Thus, the NHC
intensity forecast for the first 72 h is near the lower edge of the
intensity guidance. After 72 h, the intensity forecast becomes
highly uncertain due to possible land interaction and differences in
the model forecasts of the upper-level winds. This portion of the
NHC intensity forecast maintains a constant 50-kt intensity due to
the level of uncertainty.

Key Messages:

1. The system is expected to become a tropical storm before reaching
the Lesser Antilles and tropical storm conditions are possible
beginning Friday in portions of the Windward and southern Leeward
Islands.

2. Heavy rainfall will move quickly across the Windward and southern
Leeward Islands, including Barbados, on Friday. Isolated flash
flooding and mudslides are possible.

3. There is a risk of wind and rainfall impacts in portions of the
Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Cuba, the Turks and Caicos
and the southeastern Bahamas through early next week, although the
forecast is more uncertain than usual since the system does not have
a well-defined center. Interests in these areas should monitor the
system's progress and updates to the forecast.

4. Interests in Florida should monitor updates to the forecast for
this system, but it is too soon to determine what if any impacts
could occur there next week given the uncertainty in the long-range
forecast.

FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT 30/2100Z 9.6N 43.7W 30 KT 35 MPH...POTENTIAL TROP CYCLONE
12H 01/0600Z 10.2N 46.6W 35 KT 40 MPH...TROPICAL CYCLONE
24H 01/1800Z 11.1N 51.0W 40 KT 45 MPH
36H 02/0600Z 12.4N 56.0W 45 KT 50 MPH
48H 02/1800Z 13.8N 61.2W 45 KT 50 MPH
60H 03/0600Z 15.4N 66.3W 50 KT 60 MPH
72H 03/1800Z 17.0N 70.9W 50 KT 60 MPH
96H 04/1800Z 20.0N 77.0W 50 KT 60 MPH...INLAND
120H 05/1800Z 22.5N 81.5W 50 KT 60 MPH...INLAND

Bobbie Joe Morgan, Chris Sauce to be wed

Bobbie Joe Morgan and Chris Sauce wish to announce their engagement and forthcoming marriage. The wedding will take place at noon July 31 at Gros’ Marina in Stephensville. The bride-elect is the daughter of Winston Morgan of Patterson and the late Marilyn Taylor Morgan. The prospective groom is the son of Carolina Sauce of Stephensville and the late Milton Sauce.

Dear Abby: Woman's romantic entanglements horrify family

DEAR ABBY: My adult daughter is married. She also has a boyfriend. Both of these men live with her and share her bed. Her children are horrified by it and want nothing to do with their mother. They are embarrassed and ashamed, as am I. Her older children are of age but still in school. They would like to move out but can’t afford to; the youngest is a minor and afraid of the boyfriend. My daughter’s husband doesn’t object to the share plan. Is there anything I can do to help the kids?
CROWDED BED
IN COLORADO

DEAR CROWDED: Why is your youngest grandchild afraid of your daughter’s boyfriend? Has he been physically or emotionally abusive or “grooming” her? If you don’t know the answer, it is important you find out so you can intervene, if necessary. If there is physical abuse or possibly grooming going on, CPS should be notified. A potential solution might be to invite your grandchildren to live with you until they are out of school and able to live on their own. Your daughter, her husband and her boyfriend may be happier with all of the children out of the picture. Parents of the year, they are not.

DEAR ABBY: I need your advice on a certain topic. I’m in my early 30s, and my husband is in his early 20s. We’re currently living with my mother-in-law, who has put a damper on my and my husband’s relationship. She tells my husband what to do, tries to make decisions for him and doesn’t give him a choice about anything.
My husband and I have been talking about moving when the time is right, but she continues to put her 2 cents in. I have been treated like crap by his mother after doing everything possible to help her. I don’t know what to do at this point. I’m slowly pulling away from the man I love, and he doesn’t seem to care. What should I do?
STUCK IN OHIO

DEAR STUCK: Your husband is barely out of his teens. It may have been an oversight, but you omitted the most important fact from your letter. WHY ARE YOU TWO LIVING WITH HIS MOTHER? She treats him like a child because that’s the way she has always treated him. If you want to save your marriage, move heaven and earth to get the two of you out of there so he can grow up to be independent.

DEAR ABBY: My husband’s birthday is on the same day as our grandson’s first communion. Our grandson’s family lives out of town, about a day’s drive. The problem is, my husband is not Catholic and doesn’t want to go because he doesn’t want to spend his birthday driving and sitting in a church. I am so torn. Should I push it? He was upset when I told him I wanted to go. He feels I should put him before the children and grandchildren.
IN THE MIDDLE

DEAR IN THE MIDDLE: Your husband is being childish and selfish. Your grandchild will have only one first communion, while you and your husband can celebrate his birthday on another day. Can you get to the site by other means of transportation to spare him the driving? He should be ashamed of himself. I hope his candle goes out before he makes a wish!

***

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.

The story of a town and a family: Berwick's Brown House

For the Berwick Historical Society, the Brown House is a museum gathering the history of the town.
For Carol Jean King Vorhees, the house represents home.
Carol lived in the home for a period of time as a child, returned often to visit family there and most recently returned from her home in Kansas to visit about two weeks ago with family.
She had been multiple times before, but her most recent visit was her first time to see the work that had been done to make the home a museum of Berwick history.
“My daughters and I were both very, very pleased,” Carol said. “I think they’re doing a tremendous job, and I certainly give them my approval and support.”
As a child, Carol lived in the home with her family while her father, the Rev. Fred King, was pastor at First United Methodist Church of Berwick.
Her great-grandfather, Gunder Thorguson, built the home in 1893 for his daughter, Thresia Thorguson Brown, when she married George Humphrey Brown.
“Part of the deal was he come with the house,” Berwick Historical Society archivist/historian Shannon McFate said, noting Thorguson died at the home.
One of Thresia’s sons, George Dewey Brown, and his wife, Wilhelmina “Billie” Diboll Brown, lived there with his mother. They later were joined by the King family, which included Carol. Her father had married Thresia’s lone daughter, Henrietta, and the family lived there during his pastoral assignment in Berwick.
While Carol left Berwick when she was about 10 years old due to her father taking another pastoral assignment, she would return during summertime for about a month during her elementary and junior high years.
“So I could play with my friends and be with grandmother,” she said.
Through the years, Carol and her family visited the home while Dewey and Billie lived there. Dewey and Billie had no children and therefore donated the home to the town for a museum upon their death.
Berwick Historical Society treasurer and researcher Toni Fangue said the society was founded and received town council approval to use the home as a museum and archives.
Now, it is the home to an exhibit on live oak trees in Berwick in one room, while another features history of the town.
A third room has an Orphan Train exhibit with biographical details of those who were adopted by Berwick families. The garments and shoes of one of those adopted are displayed in the home. The home also features a Hall of Valor where the names of military personnel are displayed as well as two military uniforms.
Fangue and McFate asked those with any information about the history of Berwick, including stories, documents or photos that could be donated to the museum or taken on loan, to contact the Berwick Historical Society.
McFate also asked for those who are veterans from Berwick to contact the historical society. The society can be reached through the Brown House’s Facebook page, or Fangue and McFate can be reached through the town of Berwick at 985-384-8858 or brownhouse@townofberwick.org.
The museum is open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday and Wednesday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Appo-intments also can be made to tour the museum. Admission is free.
While the home is now a museum, Carol recalled memories of her time there as a child.
“Well, the first thing I said when I walked in the doors and saw the stairs was, ‘Oh my, I’ve played (with) a lot of paper dolls on those steps,’” she said of the staircase facing the home’s entrance.
She also recalled playing hopscotch often on the sidewalk outside the home when it was on Second Street. The home was moved to its current location on Third Street with the construction of the E.J. Lionel Grizzaffi U.S. 90 bridge.
Carol has an older brother, now in his 90s, who lives in Indianapolis. She said he came about 10 years ago to see the home, but he didn’t make this trip. But she said she has talked to him about the work, and he is happy to see what has been done.
For those working with the museum, even hosting Carol and her family in her former home for hours wasn’t enough.
“We didn’t want them to leave,” Fangue said.

From the Editor: St. Mary begins to get moving again

Life continues to return to something like normal after more than a year of COVID-19 fears and restrictions. A few bumps remain in the road ahead.
The Council on Aging senior center in Franklin will reopen next month, but seniors who rely on the Morgan City and Patterson senior centers will have to wait a while.
At the June 23 St. Mary Parish Council meeting, Council on Aging Director Beverly Domengeaux invited members to the 10 a.m. July 9 opening of the Franklin senior center, which has been closed since COVID-19 mitigation rules went into effect in March 2020.
The Morgan City and Patterson centers still have “structure and other issues we have to clear up,” Domengeaux told the council. Staffing also continues to be a problem.
The council is accepting donated fans during its Sizzle the Summer with a Senior drive, Domengeaux said. Donations of water, wash cloths and soap are also needed.
The Center of Hope in Centerville, meanwhile, is planning a red carpet extravaganza to welcome clients back to work.
The center provides job training and work for people with developmental and physical challenges. Some of its work has been carried out online with tablets since the pandemic began. But the onsite work has been shut down since March 2020.
At 8:15 a.m. July 6, “we will line up in the Center of Hope parking lot and cheer our folks on as they return to work for the first time in 16 long months!” says a flyer from the center.
People are encouraged to bring signs, streamers and posters, but no balloons, please.
Fits and starts
The local economy is showing signs of revival, but the state of employment and commerce in St. Mary doesn’t deserve streamers and red carpets yet.
St. Mary unemployment was at 8.1% in May, reports the Louisiana Workforce Commission. The rate was unchanged from April. The number of people employed in nonfarm jobs was up by 119 from April.
In May 2020, unemployment here was at 14.1%.
But you may remember that the St. Mary economy wasn’t exactly robust even before COVID-19, due mostly to a 7-year-old slump on oil prices.
We’ve seen some good news there, too. The Wednesday morning price for both West Texas intermediate and Louisiana light crude was above $73 per barrel. The prices have been heading generally up since dipping below $40 last winter.
Of course, the picture looks slightly different when we’re standing at the self-service gas pump. And we don’t know yet whether the rise in prices will generate more offshore energy production, which would help St. Mary.
And while St. Mary employment has climbed back above 17,700, remember that the number was over 27,000 before the oil price decline began in fall 2014. The early word is that the 2020 Census results may show a St. Mary population decline of 10% since 2010.
One bit of good news came this week when Delta Biofuel announced that it’s looking at the Iberia Parish portion of Jeanerette as the site for a plant that will turn sugar cane bagasse into pellets to be used for fuel. The plant would employ 149 people for construction and 126 people if the plant begins operation.
The plant would not only provide jobs, but it would help diversify the regional economy into the sustainable fuels sector.
Inflated
Resuscitating an economy turns out to be a complicated business. For proof, look at the freak-out report on the rise in the Consumer Price Index released this spring.
The CPI is a broad measure of inflation. The feds said the CPI rose 2.6% in the year ending in March 2021, which is about where it’s been most of the time since the mid-1980s.
But for the year ending in April 2021, the CPI rose 4.2%.
“Aha!” said conservative economists, and some not-so-conservative economists, who had been ringing alarms about inflation caused by the trillions Uncle Sam has been throwing at the pandemic economy.
Maybe. But a lot of things were going on, many related to shortages of one kind or another that, we hope, will work themselves out over time.
Shipping containers were in short supply because they’d been taken out of commerce and piled up in ports because of pandemic restrictions.
There were shortages of lumber and labor.
And if you have to point at one cause, look no farther than the used car.
Bloomberg reported that used car prices jumped 10% in April alone and accounted for about a third of the 4.2% increase in the CPI.
Why?
There was another shortage, this one a shortage of computer chips, because of COVID-19 restrictions and a couple of major fires at chip plants in Asia.
The chip shortage slowed production of new U.S. vehicles, so there was more pressure on used car prices.
And then there’s the rental car industry.
Usually, the big rental companies release thousands of vehicles into the pre-owned market each year to make room for new vehicles in their fleets. But in spring 2020, when no one was going anywhere, they slimmed down their inventory.
So this year, they didn’t have as many used vehicles to unload when they upgraded. A smaller supply of used cars raised prices.
We can look ahead to the rest of 2021 with confidence that it will be better than 2020. But that doesn’t mean it will be easy.
Bill Decker is managing editor of The Daily Review.

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ST. MARY NOW

Franklin Banner-Tribune
P.O. Box 566, Franklin, LA 70538
Phone: 337-828-3706
Fax: 337-828-2874

Morgan City Review
1014 Front Street, Morgan City, LA 70380
Phone: 985-384-8370
Fax: 985-384-4255