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Husband of 23 years reveals a frighteningly short fuse

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been together 23 years. A few years ago, he told a friend of his he wasn’t in love with or attracted to me. I’m the same 5-foot-6-inch, 135-pound woman he married. Recently, he has become increasingly short-tempered.
He gets angry at every driver on the road, he destroyed the vacuum when it stopped working and recently went after our 10-pound rescue dog for peeing when he yelled at him. I intervened when he started screaming that he would kill the dog. He then turned on me, yelling and breaking things.
I’ve never seen him this angry, and I am afraid it’s escalating and he will physically harm the dog or me. Is it time to leave? He’s no longer the man I married.
FEARFUL IN TEXAS

DEAR FEARFUL: What you are describing is not normal behavior. Contact your doctor about the drastic change in your husband’s personality because it could be symptomatic of a serious illness. After that, the next time he presents a physical danger, call the police and ensure your safety by leaving. And if you do, take your rescue dog with you.

DEAR ABBY: I am about to start my new college experience, but I have a few concerns. I’m very picky, and I enjoy my alone time. I like to keep my space clean and tidy, and I’m afraid my roommate(s) will be slobs and I’ll end up cleaning up after them. I also need alone time so I can focus on myself to recoup after a long day. When I’m here at home I will usually do that in my bedroom. But if I have roommates, that will be difficult to do. I guess I’m asking how to find a happy medium so my roommates and I can be at peace at all times.
WANTS TO PREPARE

DEAR WANTS: Because you didn’t specify how many roommates you will be sharing your space with, I will assume there are more than one — which may place you in the minority. Be open and honest with them about your desire for neatness and tidiness. They may not be as particular as you are, but it will provide you the opportunity to live with different kinds of people. As to the peace and quiet you crave, if adapting to each other’s schedules isn’t possible, consider heading to the library to find the peace and quiet you need. I wish you luck.

DEAR ABBY: I am retired, so I have free time on my hands. Recently, while doing a favor for a neighbor couple, I was standing on their porch when a board broke and one of my legs went through up to my thigh. They expressed concern at the time, and I told them I thought I was OK.
The next day, my knee and upper thigh were swollen and bruised. My leg is improving each day, and for that I’m thankful. This happened more than two weeks ago, and I have not gotten a phone call or anything else from these neighbors. Have people really gotten that insensitive, or am I making a big deal out of nothing?
OLD SCHOOL IN GEORGIA

DEAR OLD SCHOOL: No, you are not making a big deal out of nothing. And yes, some people have become that insensitive. The reason for your neighbors’ silence may be lack of empathy, or it could be fear of a lawsuit. Or they may have thought it was unnecessary to check further because you said you were OK.
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For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more sociable person, order “How to Be Popular.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby, Popularity Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.

GEORGE HAMILTON, JR.

George Hamilton, Jr., 62, a resident and native of Patterson, La., passed away peacefully on Thursday May 27, 2021 at 11:45 a.m. at Patterson Healthcare.
Visitation will be observed on Friday June 4, 2021 at New Salem Baptist Church in Patterson, La. from 12 Noon until funeral service at 2 p.m. (All visitors are asked to adhere to the CDC-local regulations by wearing masks and practicing social distancing). Burial will follow funeral services in the New Salem Cemetery - Home Industrial side in Patterson, La. Reverend Samuel Calhoun will serve as the Officiant.
Memories of George, Jr., will forever remain in the hearts of his wife, Patricia B. Hamilton of Franklin, La.; mother, Louise W. Gray of Patterson, La.; son, Eric (Tracey) Baker of Franklin, La.; daughters, Tamika Baker of Patterson, La., LaKeshia Baker, Natasha Baker, and Pamela (Antoine) Jackson all of Franklin, La.; brothers, Albert Hamilton of Bayou Vista, La., Michael Hamilton and Earl Gray, Jr. both of Patterson, La.; sisters, Betty Hamilton and Patricia Gray both of Patterson, La. and Connie (Brian) Smith of Dallas, TX; thirteen grandchildren, one great-grandchild and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
George, Jr. was preceded in death by his father, brother, and his grandmother
Arrangements entrusted to Jones Funeral Home of Morgan City-Franklin-Jeaneretteand Houma. Please visit; www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family.

ALTON BERNARD HUNT

Former Detective Alton Bernard Hunt, 57, a resident of Franklin, La., passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 29, 2021 at 9:35 a.m. at his residence.
Visitation will be observed on Saturday June 5, 2021 at Jones Funeral Home 1101 Main Street Franklin, La. from 8 a.m. until funeral services at 11 a.m. (All visitors are asked to adhere to the CDC-local regulations by wearing masks and practicing social distancing). Pastor Wilson Ferguson, Jr. will officiate the services. Military Honors will immediately follow funeral services. Alton will be interred in the Franklin Cemetery - Main Street in Franklin, La.
Alton enlisted in the United States Army Reserve and was later discharged, receiving a Honorable Discharge.
Memories of Alton will forever remain in the hearts of his mother, Lee Esther Hunt of Franklin, La.; siblings, Juanita Hunt and Judy (Michael) Fontenet of Franklin, La., Susan (Thomas) Jones of Lafayette, La., Balladette (Gerald) Miller of Round Rock, TX, Stephanie Banks of Verdunviile, La.; Joseph (Ella Mae) Hunt, Jr. of Jeanerette, La., Brandon (Priscilla) Hunt of Youngsville, La., and Jeffery Banks of Verdunville, La.; two aunts, Sarah Marks of Franklin, La. and Faviola Hunt of Katy, TX and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Alton was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Hunt Sr.; maternal grandparents, Willie Flemings and Delia Flemings and paternal grandparents, Wilbert Hunt and Martha Hunt.
Arrangements entrusted to Jones Funeral Home of Morgan City-Franklin-Houma and Jeanerette. Please visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family

KATY JONES WAGNER MOUTON

Katy Jones Wagner Mouton, 75, a resident of Four Corners, La. and native of Oaklawn, La., passed away peacefully on Saturday May 29, 2021 at Legacy Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Franklin, La.
Viewing & visitation will be held on Saturday June 5, 2021 at Jones Funeral Home 1101 Main Street Franklin, La. from 5-6 p.m. (All visitors are asked to adhere to the CDC-local regulations by wearing masks and practicing social distancing).
Memories of Katy will forever remain in the hearts of her son Reginald Wagner of Four Corners, La.; siblings, Mammie (Joseph) Jones, Marjorie Hart, Dave (Juanita) Dugas, Doris Lumpkin, Patricia Milton of Franklin, La. and Floyd (Yolanda) Jones of Lafayette, La.; eight grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Katy was preceded in death by her husband, Bowman Mouton; parents, Oliver Jones Sr. and Maude Dugas Jones and her siblings, Hazel Milton & Oliver Jones, Jr.
Arrangements entrusted to Jones Funeral Home of Morgan City-Franklin-Jeanerette and Houma. Please visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family

LEONARD “BOP” FRANCIS

Leonard “Bop” Francis, 72, a native and resident of Glenco, La., passed away peacefully on Monday May 31, 2021 at Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans, La.
Visitation will be observed on Saturday June 5, 2021 from 8 a.m. until 9 a.m. at St. Peter the Apostle Church (Four Corners) 1325 Big Four Corners Rd. Franklin, La., with a rosary being recited at 9 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. with Father Damoah, SVD serving as the Celebrant. (All visitors are asked to adhere to the CDC-local regulations by wearing masks and practicing social distancing). Military honors will immediately follow the mass service and Leonard will be laid to rest in the St. Helen’s Cemetery.
Leonard enlisted in the United States Army, serving during the time of the Vietnam conflict and was later discharged, receiving a Honorable Discharge.
Memories of Leonard or “Bop,” as he was known to many, will forever remain in the hearts of his mother, Ruth Francis of Glencoe, La.; children, Donyell (Ana Luz) Francis of Atlanta, GA; Franreka (Henry) Lee of Cade, La., Chanda (Brandon) Manning of Houston, TX, and Ladaisha Francis of New Iberia, La.; grandchildren, Ashley Moore, E. J. Brown, Dylan Wilson, Sayana Francis, Javen Francis, Kellee Manning, Daniel Francis and Bailee August; a brother, Allen (Gwen) Francis of New Iberia, La.; devoted niece, Sommer Francis; god-daughter, Shelbra Drexler-Cross and a host of other relatives and friends.
Leonard was preceded in death by his father, Charles Francis, Jr. and a sister, Brenda Francis.
Arrangements entrusted to Jones Funeral Home of Morgan City-Franklin-Jeaneretteand Houma. Please visit; www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family.

Bills signed into law by the governor

Gov. John Bel Edwards announced that he has signed the following bills into law from the 2021 Legislative Session, including HB 375 by Rep. Aimee Freeman, which allows for sexual assault survivors to receive early termination of their residential leases.

“I am proud to have signed HB 375 by Rep. Freeman into law, making it Act 1 of the 2021 Legislative Session,” said Edwards. “This bill is a great step forward in helping sexual assault survivors gain independence and protection under the law, and I applaud Rep. Freeman for bringing this legislation forward.”

ACT 1—HB 375 Provides relative to sexual assault victims as parties to certain residential lease agreements.

ACT 2—HB 8 Requires the Evangeline Parish Tax Assessor to pay the cost of certain insurance premiums for eligible retirees from the assessor's office.

ACT 3—HB 12 Creates an individual income tax checkoff for the Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response (STAR) organization.

ACT 4—HB 27 Repeals certain adjudication, reporting, and notice requirements applicable to certain licensing boards and commissions.

ACT 5—HB 32 Increases the total number of credits that may be earned by an offender upon earning a bachelor's degree or master's degree.

ACT 6—HB 37 Provides for uniform post-placement functions associated with agency adoptions and private adoptions.

ACT 7—HB 50 Provides a state and local sales and use tax exclusion for certain re-leases or re-rentals of items of tangible personal property.

ACT 8—HB 65 Provides relative to mandatory audits of title insurance producers by title insurers.

ACT 9—HB 69 Provides relative to underground utilities.

ACT 10—HB 97 Designates a portion of United States Highway 425 in the town of Mangham as the "Marshall Waters, Jr. Memorial Highway."

ACT 11—HB 125 Provides relative to the role of the Department of Children and Family Services as an indispensable party in certain domestic matters.

ACT 12—HB 139 Requires specified members of the parish board of election supervisors to complete annual training relative to the preparation for and conduct of elections.

ACT 13—HB 141 Requires persons conducting exit polls within six hundred feet of a polling place to register with the secretary of state.

ACT 14—HB 179 Provides relative to the requirements for officers and directors of domestic regulated entities.

ACT 15—HB 182 Provides relative to annual meetings of domestic insurance companies.

ACT 16—HB 214 Provides relative to required orientation and training of new registrars of voters.

ACT 17—HB 217 Provides relative to banks and banking.

ACT 18—HB 227 Provides relative to subpoena duces tecum when investigating sex offenses involving human trafficking.

ACT 19—HB 236 Provides relative to Louisiana Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association Law.

ACT 20—HB 260 Provides for technical corrections and revision of provisions of Title 36 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes.

ACT 21—HB 283 Repeals reporting requirements related to commercial motor vehicle policies.

ACT 22—HB 285 Provides relative to the amount a time a person may remain in a voting machine.

ACT 23—HB 298 Provides relative to stockholders' meetings and use of remote communication.

ACT 24—HB 307 Provides relative to notary examination preparatory education and instruction reporting requirements.

ACT 25—HB 385 Provides for the removal of abandoned manufactured housing units.

ACT 26—HB 387 Provides relative to network leasing by dental insurers.

ACT 27—HB 400 Provides relative to the partition of property.

ACT 28—HB 436 Repeals requirements for the Department of Insurance to maintain a central database for contact information on life insurance policies in force in the state.

ACT 29—HB 450 Provides relative to the Louisiana Manufactured Housing Commission.

ACT 30—HB 451 Provides for discounts and insurance rate reductions for residential and commercial buildings built to, or retrofitted to, reduce the threat of loss due to windstorm events.

ACT 31—HB 461 Provides relative to violations by facilities licensed in accordance with the Specialized Provider Licensing Act.

ACT 32—HB 462 Provides relative to the tax on surplus lines and unauthorized insurance.

ACT 33—HB 532 Provides relative to the contract limit for certain common carrier certificate requirements for movers of household goods.

ACT 34—HB 689 Provides relative to credit unions.

ACT 35—SB 13 Allows upgrade of accrual rate applicable to transferred service credit.

ACT 36—SB 21 Provides for the purchase of service and salary credit for members furloughed due to COVID-19.

ACT 37—SB 24 Provides a minimum benefit increase for certain retirees, beneficiaries, and survivors of the Teachers' Retirement System of Louisiana, Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System, Louisiana School Employees' Retirement System, and State Police Retirement System.

ACT 38—SB 26 Designates the Forked Island Bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway on Louisiana Highway 82 in Vermilion Parish as the "Rose Ashy Broussard Memorial Bridge."

ACT 39—SB 37 Provides for designation of certain state highways.

ACT 40—SB 67 Increases the documentation fee allowed to be charged between an automobile dealer and customer.

ACT 41—SB 78 Provides for eligibility for military honor license plates for members of the Louisiana National Guard.

ACT 42—SB 79 Provides relative to the governance of fire protection districts created by Pointe Coupee Parish.

ACT 43—SB 84 Provides for health insurance coverage of genetic testing for various cancer mutations.

ACT 44—SB 100 Provides liability protection for federally insured depository institutions and mutual associations that transfer money or property by relying on small succession affidavits.

ACT 45—SB 119 Provides relative to health insurance coverage for mammography.

ACT 46—SB 169 Provides relative to the Louisiana Underground Utilities and Facilities Damage Prevention Law.

ACT 47—SB 174 Provides relative to the membership of the Alexandria/Pineville Area Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors.

ACT 48—SB 182 Provides relative to public bid forms and specifications.

ACT 49—SB 184 Provides for the appointment of members to the nominating committee for the board of commissioners of St. Tammany Parish Hospital Service District No. 2.

ACT 50—SB 191 Provides relative to coverage of certain physician-administered drugs and related services.

ACT 51—SB 193 Provides relative to entrance firefighters and police officer classes.

President OK's disaster declaration for May flooding; more parishes may be added

The White House has approved Louisiana’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration following the flash flooding in mid-May, which damaged several thousand homes and left five people dead, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Wednesday.

This makes affected residents in five parishes eligible to apply for aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“I want to thank President Biden for his quick approval of our request for a Major Disaster Declaration, which will go a long way to help the thousands of people affected in Louisiana by quick and severe flash flooding that damaged homes and left five people dead,” Edwards said. “As people continue to recover, I encourage everyone who was affected in Ascension, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Iberville and Lafayette parishes to register for FEMA aid. If your parish is not yet declared and you suffered damage, you may continue self-reporting it online at damage.la.gov.”

Edwards’ initial request was for FEMA Individual Assistance for five parishes – Ascension, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Iberville and Lafayette. Individual Assistance includes aid from FEMA related to housing and other needs. The White House also approved Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding statewide.

If additional parishes have sufficient damage identified through the state’s preliminary damage assessment process, the Governor’s request will be amended to request these parishes.

The governor declared a state of emergency for this disaster on May 17.

So far, more than 2,900 homes have reported damage from the severe weather, including six that were reported as destroyed, 737 suffering major damage and 1,209 homes having minor damage. Louisiana continues to collect reports from the public via a self-reporting process at damage.la.gov. Everyone with weather related damages is encouraged to take the survey, as additional parishes may be added to the request.

UPDATED: Patterson city clerk retiring; Dardeau will succeed Shilling-Boyles

PATTERSON — After dealing with the business of bonds and budgets Tuesday, the City Council paid tribute to a longtime servant of city government.
City Clerk Angela Shilling-Boyles, who has worked for the city for 41 years, is retiring July 1. Shilling-Boyles will return to work part-time in two weeks, when one of her jobs will be training the new city clerk.
The council confirmed Mayor Rodney Grogan’s appointment of Kim Theriot Dardeau as the new city clerk.
Dardeau has worked for Patterson city government 17 years.
Shilling-Boyles noted that she worked for five mayors, and for aldermen before Patterson became a city. She thanked them all and received a standing round of applause at the meeting.
“Angela is awesome,” Grogan said. “Angela has the personality.”
Also Tuesday, Grogan recommended and the council confirmed Angie Landry’s appointment as tax collector. Landry has worked for city government for 12 years.
The council also recognized a relatively new hire, Regina Wheeler, the city secretary.
Street bonds
The council unanimously approved a bond issue of $570,000 to pay for improvements, mostly overlays, on some of the city’s less frequently traveled streets.
The borrowed money will be repaid with an existing 8.3-mill property tax levied for another bond issue, which has since been paid down enough to free the $570,000.
Patterson State Bank was the lone bidder for the new bonds.
The money will finance improvements from a list of projects with a total estimated cost of $984,000.
The gravel streets on the list of projects include portions of Taft, Eighth, Ninth, 10th, 11th, Tall Timbers, Fern, Dangerfield, Vaughn, Willow, St. Mary, St. Lucy, Sugarhouse, Stable, Joseph, Lucia, Progresso, Morrison, Rousell, Laws and Jake.
Streets that are on the list and already have overlays include Park, Shady Grove and Bridge.
The most expensive project on the list is Shady Grove between Red Cypress Road to Cul-de-Sac at about $153,000.
The smallest is Willow between Taft and Martin Luther King, estimated to cost $5,400.
The city government will have to set priorities for the work after the money becomes available June 24.
“All the streets will cost $900,000,” Grogan said. “We’ve got $570,00. Do the math.”
The council heard some good news about street work.
A previous round of street improvements, paid for with parish government bond issue funds on a revenue sharing agreement, cost $68,000 less than anticipated.
The new bond issue received yes votes from all five council members: Joe Russo, Sandra K. Turner, John Rentrop, Lee Condolle and Travis Darnell.
Budget
The council unanimously approved operating and capital budgets for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
The proposed 2021-22 budget anticipates revenue of about $8.48 million, up about $23,000 from this year, and spending of about $8.1 million, down about $110,000 in 2020-21.
City Accountant Reginald Weary budgeted an increase of $30,000 in tax revenue over the current year.
He described the budget as fiscally conservative and says it maintains the current levels of service.
The city anticipates receiving about $2.1 million in federal American Rescue Plan funding, passed to help the economy overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.
Grogan told the council that the U.S. Treasury Department is still working out the rules governing the use of the money.
But the priorities will include improvements to water and sewage treatment systems as well as economic stimulus, the mayor said.
Car seats
The Patterson Police Department will run a car seat event 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at the parking lot near the police station.
A specialist will be on hand to check for proper child restraint.

The council also:
--Approved a Planning & Zoning Commission recommendation allowing for a new mobile home park on Lia Street.
--Approved The Daily Review as the city government's official journal.
--Introduced an ordinance changing the zoning code to allow "Wholesale Businesses, Warehouses, and Warehouse Services, and Lumber Yards" on land fronting U.S. 90.

Legislature passes permit-less concealed weapon bill

The Louisiana Senate gave final passage Tuesday to a proposal to let state residents carry a concealed firearm without a permit or training.
Senate Bill 118 by Sen. Jay Morris, a West Monroe Republican, now heads to Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat who generally favors gun rights but is expected to veto the bill.
SB 118 would apply to adults who are at least age 21 and have not been convicted of a felony or violent crime. Morris’ bill retains the prohibition against carrying a concealed gun while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Concealed carriers still would be required to disclose they have a weapon and submit to a search when asked by law enforcement, which would have the right to disarm the carriers.
Supporters of the change argue law-abiding citizens have a constitutional right to carry concealed weapons without the government’s permission unless there is a compelling reason to stop them from doing so. Opponents argue requiring training and a permit to carry a concealed firearm is an appropriate safeguard for the public and for law enforcement that falls under the Second Amendment’s call for a “well regulated Militia.”
Senators voted 27-9 to concur with the House amendments, which included a requirement for state police to offer a voluntary 60-minute online concealed handgun education course.
House Bill 596, which has the same goal, has passed the House and a Senate committee advanced it Tuesday.
In other legislative action Tuesday:
—Senators concurred with the House’s amendments and gave final passage to Senate Bill 36, which calls for eliminating time limits for a business to carry forward operating loss deductions. For claims on any return filed on or after Jan. 1, 2022, for net operating losses relating to loss years on or after Jan.1, 2001, the loss may be carried to each taxable year following the loss year until the loss is fully recovered.
—The House voted 80-11 for Senate Bill 31, which calls for creating an income tax break for “digital nomads,” remote workers who can work from anywhere, who move to Louisiana.
The program is capped at 1,000 people who establish residency in the state after Dec. 31 of this year. The exemption could apply to up to $150,000 in income and over the next four years.
The amended bill heads back to the Senate.
—The Senate agreed to the amendment the House made to Senate Bill 34, which deals with how law enforcement handles the public.
Agencies that use body cameras would be required to create official policies about when cameras are required to be on. Dash cameras would be required to be used when a vehicle’s emergency lights are on.
Choke holds would be banned except “when the officer reasonably believes he or another person is at risk of great bodily harm or when deadly force is authorized.” No-knock warrants also would be banned except under certain circumstances, such as when “the surprise of a no-knock entry is necessary to protect life and limb of the law enforcement officers and the occupants.”
—The House concurred with the Senate’s version of House Bill 129, which would require law enforcement agencies to receive Council on Peace Officer Standards and Training certification before investigating an officer-involved shooting that results in death or bodily harm.
The POST council also would be required to create policies and procedures for suspending or revoking POST certification for officers guilty of misconduct, and to create instruction for law enforcement personnel about their duty to intervene when they witness misconduct by other officers. Any governmental entity that employs a peace officer would be required to implement anti-bias training.

Wheel House for June 2

Vacation Bible School at First Baptist Church, 1915 Victor II Blvd., Morgan City, 9 a.m. to noon, June 28-July 2, For info call, 985-384-5920.

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