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BATON ROUGE--A bill to make discrimination by state entities against people based on whether or not they have been vaccinated against COVID-19 passed the House 70-29 Thursday.
The vote came as faculty members at LSU and other state universities stepped up calls to make the COVID vaccine mandatory for students and staff returning in the fall.
The difference in views illustrates how the COVID vaccinations have become a new partisan flashpoint in Louisiana and other conservative states, much like mask-wearing was earlier.Rep. Kathy Edmondston, R-Gonzales, said she brought the bill in response to calls from constituents who feared they would be discriminated against if they did not get a COVID vaccine.
“I’ve had numerous calls over the last several months from parents, citizens, but mostly from students who have been required or mandated to take vaccines or testing, that have led me to bring this bill forward,” Edmonston said.
The LSU Faculty Senate voted 52-1 last month to call for a vaccine requirement to help protect unvaccinated staff members and students and people with compromised immune systems.
The university has scheduled a meeting for Tuesday that is open to all faculty members to discuss safety issues.
The University of New Orleans Faculty Senate voted 29-0-3 last week to strongly recommend that all faculty members, staff and students get the vaccine.
Three private schools in New Orleans--Tulane University, Xavier University and Dillard University--are among more than 400 nationwide that plan to require COVID vaccinations for students returning in the fall, according to the Chronicle for Higher Education. Roughly 180 of those colleges are public institutions, mostly in Democratic-leaning states.
After the House passed the bill, Rep. Mandie Landry, D-New Orleans, tweeted, “Do I have this right? Discrimination that is ok with #lalege: gender, race, hair. Discrimination that is apparently not ok: refusing a vaccine, wearing a mask, anything to do with guns.”
State universities in Louisiana already require vaccines for diseases like measles and meningitis for students to enroll in school. More than 135 LSU faculty members have signed a letter urging that the COVID19 be vaccine added to that list.
Under Edmonston’s bill, state universities could keep the requirements for the other vaccines but would not be allowed to add a COVID vaccine mandate.
Edmonston said that if her bill makes it into law, no state school would be able to require the COVID vaccine. The bill still must be considered by the Senate, and Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, would have to decide whether to veto it or not.
“Those students who have contacted me believe that their ability to complete their degree requirements or coursework were in jeopardy,” said Edmonston.
Rep. Beau Beaullieu, R-New Iberia, said that he, too, had gotten calls from constituents concerned about possible university vaccine mandates.
“I got some calls from constituents, students in LSU’s dental school that received correspondence that said they could not come back to dental school or enter until they had been vaccinated,” Beaullieu said.
In March, the dean of the LSU School of Dentistry attempted to mandate COVID vaccinations for the fall but then backtracked after protests.
“I got those same calls, Rep. Beaullieu, not only from the dental school but from the nursing school, from Southeastern, and I got a call from Centenary this morning,” Edmonston said. “That’s why I’m bringing the legislation forward.”
Rep. Larry Bagley, R-Stonewall, chairman of the House Health and Welfare Committee, said he had received similar calls from constituents concerned about being able to complete school without being vaccinated.
He also maintained that even if private universities create a vaccine requirement, “they can’t enforce it.”
“The governor has not said that we have to have vaccines,” Bagley said. “So, as long as he doesn’t, we’re still under the executive order, they cannot make you take a vaccine to do anything. That’s the law.”
One statewide survey has suggested that more than 40 percent of Republicans do not intend to get a COVID vaccine, compared to 13 percent of Democrats.
LSU faculty members cite data indicating that fewer than 20% of Louisianians in ages 18-29 have been vaccinated.
They are concerned that LSU is planning to return to pre-pandemic class sizes with little social distancing, and some worry that this could prompt senior faculty members with health concerns to leave the school or retire.
Top officials at LSU and the University of Louisiana System say it also would be hard to require COVID vaccines since they were made available under federal emergency rules and have not yet been fully approved.
They say that they will do what they can to balance safety concerns with a return to in-person instruction while considering letting some professors with health risks teach online.

UTILITY HELP
St. Mary/Vermilion Community Action Agency is accepting LIHEAP Utility Assistance Program appointments 8:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 26. Call 337-828-5703/5705 to set up an appointment for St Mary Parish (no walk-ins). Appointments taken on a first come, first serve basis. Program is for low-income households.

BBQ COOK-OFF
City of Patterson Memorial Weekend BBQ Cook-off and volleyball tournament is May 29. Cook-off at 7 a.m. Volleyball at 4 p.m. Cook-off categories: chicken, pork spare ribs and brisket. Entry fee: $75 (two category minimum) and $100, (three categories). Awards for top three in each category. Cash for first place. Proceeds benefit Patterson Comm-unity Outreach Program. Contact Patterson City Hall about entry application.

DINNERS
Sold by Salem Baptist Church, 1412 Cherry St., Patterson, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 12. Menu: rotisserie chicken, baked spaghetti, potato salad, green beans, dessert, roll and cold drink. Donation: $9. Call Dorothy, 985-395-3197.

(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.)

Arrests for possession of synthetic marijuana products showed up on the weekend’s booking reports from Morgan City and Berwick.
Morgan City
Police Chief James F. Blair reported that over the last 72-hour period, the Morgan City Police Department responded to 113 calls for service and made these arrests:
—Earnest R. Harris Jr., 44, Michael Street, Patterson, was arrested at 9:37 p.m. Saturday on warrants for possession of synthetic marijuana (first offense) and possession of drug paraphernalia.
—Chameka Renea Diggs, 22, Lake Palourde Road, Amelia, was arrested at 9:25 p.m. Friday on charges of careless operation and no motor vehicle insurance.
—Lance Carter, 36, Paula Drive, Thibodaux, was arrested at 1:15 a.m. Saturday on a charge of possession of marijuana (first offense).
—Ashley N. Aucoin, La. 317, Centerville, was arrested on at 3:15 p.m. Saturday on a charge of disturbing the peace.
—Russell Blanchard Jr., 33, Allison Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:35 p.m. Saturday on a charge of disturbing the peace and on a 6th Ward Court warrant for three counts of contempt of court.
—Joshua James Robert Jones, 33, La. 182, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:33 p.m. Saturday on a 6th Ward Court warrant for failure to appear to pay fine.
—Austin Bernabe Rivera, 27, Henry Street, Patterson, was arrested at 1:43 a.m. Sunday on a charge of driving while intoxicated (first offense).
—Richard Isaiah Ruelas, 29, La. 182, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:01 p.m. Sunday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a drug paraphernalia and illegal use of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a person under 17.
—Anthony Charles Gant, 39, Apple Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:12 a.m. Monday on charges of tail lamp, no driver’s license and resisting an officer by flight.

Berwick
Police Chief David Leonard reported this arrest:
—Jace Lodrigue, 22, Theriot Alley, Berwick, was arrested at 9:30 p.m. Saturday on charges of headlights required, resisting an officer with force or violence, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of synthetic cannabinoids, driving under suspension and obstruction of justice.
About 8:29 p.m. Saturday, an officer with the Berwick Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on Third Street for not having any headlights. The driver, who was identified as Lodrigue, was acting in a suspicious manner and disobeying the officer's commands. 
Officers attempted to detain Lodrigue, but he fled on foot. A short foot chase ensued in which officers had to  briefly struggle with Lodrigue.  Officers were able to subdue Lodrigue and he was taken into custody without further incident.
It was learned that Lodrigue had discarded synthetic marijuana during the brief foot chase. Lodrigue was placed under arrest and later transported to Berwick Jail, where he remained waiting for bond to be set.

St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that over the last 72-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 131 complaints and reported these arrests:
—Harold Allen Sheets Jr., 37, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:58 a.m. Friday on a warrant on charges of possession of Schedule IV drugs, possession of Schedule III drugs and obstruction of justice (tampering). Sheets was released on a $20,000 bond.
—Ericca Annette Haisley, 49, Franklin, was arrested at 11:44 p.m. Friday on a charge of brake lights required and on an Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office warrant for failure to appear on the charge of forgery. Bail was set at $250 on the charge and a hold was placed on Haisley for another agency.
—Wesley Paul Boudreaux, 47, Pierre Part, was arrested at 1:45 a.m. Saturday on charges of driving on roadway laned for traffic and driving while intoxicated. Boudreaux was released on a $2,750 bond.
—Scott Anthony Treadway, 56, Baldwin, was arrested at 2:25 a.m. Saturday on charges of improper lane usage, no driver’s license on person, possession of Schedule IV drugs and possession of a legend drug without a prescription.
Treadway was released on his own recognizance.
—Kadeem Olajuwon Johnson, 31, Schriever, was arrested at 4:09 p.m. Saturday on charges of driving on roadway laned for traffic, possession of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute Schedule IV drugs, possession of Schedule I drugs, second or subsequent offenses.
Johnson was released on a $30,250 bond.
—Joseph Sam Jr., 67, Baldwin, was arrested at 5:23 p.m. Saturday on charges of procedure on approach of an authorized emergency vehicle and driving under suspension. Sam was released on a summons to appear Aug. 25.
—Robert McBride, 63, Thibodaux, was arrested at 1:51 a.m. on a charge of open container. McBride was released on a summons to appear Aug. 25.
—Quincy James Johnson, 27, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:30 a.m. Sunday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of hunting without residence license, hunting wild game quads or wild game birds during illegal hours with artificial light, violating outlaw quad night hunting regulations and criminal trespassing. No bail has been set.
—Brian John Klein, 39, Patterson, was arrested at 2:12 p.m. Sunday on two warrants for failure to appear on the charges of gross littering and possession of Schedule II drugs. Bail has not been set.
—Shannon Gail Wright, 30, Patterson, was arrested at 2:12 p.m. Sunday on a charge of simple criminal damage to property and two warrants for failure to appear on the charges of aggravated battery, domestic abuse battery, possession of Schedule II drugs and possession of marijuana. Bail has not been set.
—Dillon McKinley Broussard, 28, New Iberia, was arrested at 11:20 p.m. Sunday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and illegal possession of firearm by a convicted felon. Bail has not been set.
—Kenneth Anthony Paschal, 31, New Iberia, was arrested at 11:20 p.m. Sunday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of THC wax, possession with intent to distribute Schedule II drugs, possession with intent to distributed Schedule IV drugs, and speeding.
Bail has not been set.
—Kevon Kirtrekk D’Adian Favors, 21, Franklin, was arrested at 7:30 p.m. Sunday on charges of improper lane usage, resisting an officer by flight, switched or stolen license plate, no insurance, failure to secure registration and expired or in inspection sticker.
Bail was set at $2,750.
—Jerarid Charles Turner, 52, Lafayette, was arrested at 5:15 p.m. Saturday by the Narcotics Section on charges of turning movements and signals required, possession of Schedule II drugs, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession with intent to distribute Schedule I drugs, and view inward and outward of window.
Turner was also named in an active SMPSO warrant for no turn signal, possession of marijuana and possession of Adderall. Turner was released on a $10,000 bond.
—Jeremiah Singleton, 19, Amelia, was arrested at 4:01 p.m. Friday by the Narcotics Section on charges of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of MDMA, possession of Xanax and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Singleton was released on a $15,000 bond.
 —Cindy Parfait, 69, Houma, was arrested at 8:15 a.m. Friday on charges of procedure on approach of an authorized emergency vehicle, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Bail has not been set.

Franklin
Police Chief Morris Beverly reported that the Police Department responded to 15 complaints over the weekend and made these arrests:
 —Jarmontay Roberson, 27, of Robertson Street, Franklin, was arrested at 5:32 p.m. Friday on a warrant dated May 15 for aggravated battery and a warrant for probation violation. Roberson was booked, processed and transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.
 —Irvyon James, 18, Seventh Street, Franklin, was arrested at 10:46 p.m. Friday on charges of failure to yield for emergency vehicle, establishing of speed zone, no driver’s license, stop sign violation, possession of Schedule I drugs, illegal possession of a stolen firearm, contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile (two counts) and illegal carrying of a firearm. James was booked, processed and released on an $18,000 bond.
 —Darien Mitchell, 24, Adrian Street, New Iberia, was arrested at 7:21 p.m. Saturday on charges of off-road vehicle, operating a vehicle while suspended, stop sign violation, speeding and reckless operation. Mitchell was booked, processed and released on a $3,000 bond.
 —Barron Collins, 32, Pecot Street, Franklin, was arrested at 2:31 p.m. Sunday on charges of battery on a dating partner and criminal damage to property. Collins was booked, processed and transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.

St. Martin
Sheriff Becket Breaux reported these arrests:
—Jason Dore, 44, Ruth Bridge Highway, Breaux Bridge, was arrested Sunday on charges of resisting a police officer with force or violence and Schedule I drugs.
—Roger Broussard, 49, Hank Street, Breaux Bridge, was arrested Saturday by the St. Martinville Police Department on a charge of simple domestic abuse battery.
—Warren Chavis, 57, Albert Street, Breaux Bridge, was arrested Saturday by the Breaux Bridge Police Department on charges of second-degree murder/non-negligent manslaughter, firearm-free zone and illegal carrying of a weapon.
—Briana Leblanc, 23, Begnaud Street, Breaux Bridge, was arrested Saturday by the Breaux Bridge Police Department on a charge of simple domestic abuse battery.
—Jordi Allemond, 35, Wiltz Street, Henderson was arrested Friday on a charge of contempt of court.
—Marty Boutte, 47, Bayou Portage Road, St. Martinville, was arrested Friday by the St. Martinville Police Department on charges of stalking and false impersonation of a peace officer.
—Scott Cooper, 41, Martin Road, Church Point, was arrested Friday by the Louisiana State Police on an extradition warrant.
—Lawrence Leblanc, 53, Champagne Drive, Youngsville, was arrested Friday on a charge of probation violation.
—Chuck Patin, 51, Henderson Highway, Breaux Bridge, was arrested Friday on a charge of contempt of court.
—Ja’wayne Pradia, 18, Vivier Street, St. Martinville, was arrested Friday by the St. Martinville Police Department on charges of attempted second-degree murder/non-negligent manslaughter, aggravated assault with a firearm, aggravated criminal damage to property, simple burglary of a movable or immovable, and simple criminal damage to property.
—Broderick Sylvester, 32, Perkins Street, St. Martinville, was arrested Friday on a charge of contempt of court.
—Rakeem Turner, 27, Whitney Drive, St. Martinville, was arrested Friday on a charge of contempt of court.

Assumption
Sheriff Leland Falcon reported these arrests:
—Shane Michael Coleman, 20, Laverne Drive, Thibodaux, was arrested Saturday on charges of illegal possession of a stolen firearm, inciting a felony, illegal carrying of a weapon, four counts of resisting an officer and possession of marijuana (first offense) and on a Terrebonne Parish fugitive warrant alleging attempted second-degree murder.
—Juvenile, 16, was arrested Saturday on charges of illegal possession of a firearm by a minor (two counts) and illegal possession of a stolen firearm.
Early Saturday, deputies responded to a complaint of a person outside of a Plattenville business with a gun.
Deputies observed the suspect, but the suspect ignored commands to stop. Deputies observed the suspect hand something to a juvenile.
The suspect, identified as Coleman, disregarded deputy commands and was tased on multiple occasions. Coleman was eventually subdued.
Deputies located and detained the juvenile as well. The juvenile had two large-caliber handguns in his possession.
As a result of the investigation, deputies determined that at some point, Coleman gave the juvenile a large-caliber handgun.
Due to a warrant inquiry with the Communications Division, deputies were advised that Coleman was a wanted fugitive from Terrebonne Parish.
Coleman was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center. The juvenile was released to a parent pending further orders of the court.

The rain has been pouring for nearly a week, causing flooding in parts of the state. One day brought 13 inches as the weather systems stalled over some cities. Many areas have been under water for days.
One thing this weather has definitely shown us is where the problem spots are in our yards. Take this opportunity to identify these areas and address them for the future.
Floodwaters can carry pet waste and dangerous chemicals that can leave a residue on your fruit and vegetables. They also can spread harmful bacteria such as salmonella. To be safe, throw away any produce that was under water. If the plants dry out and survive the flooding, eat the next round of fruit that they bear.
Next, take note of any low areas in your lawn that collected water. Take pictures so you can remember where the area is after it drains and all evidence is gone. You’ve got a few options for what to do in these areas.
You can have additional drainage installed or divert the water to a storm drain or pond, but not toward your neighbors’ property. You can make a drainage swale by digging a shallow trench and filling it with rocks to prevent soil erosion. The trenching needs to be in a downward slope that drains the water away from the area where water is pooling.
A more expensive but worthwhile investment is to have a French drain or dry well installed. Both are installed below the topsoil to redirect the excess water.
There are some differences between the French drain and a dry well. A French drain is typically a long trench filled with gravel with a drainage pipe running from the house down the length of the drain and is covered up with soil or river stone at the grade level.
A dry well is used to collect water and release it to the surrounding soil instead of redirecting the water to another area. It is placed at the end of a swale or French drain and is constructed of drainage fabric or a large metal or concrete basin with holes in its sides through which the collected water can drain out into the nearby soil.
You can make a combination of the above options: connect a French drain to a downspout, and lead the water away from the house to collect into a dry well. However, if your soil does not drain well, a dry well will not be very helpful.
If you live in an area that has poor drainage with low areas and no sloping, it will be difficult to correct without major groundwork. If this is the case in your yard, you can try a rain garden. This option works with Mother Nature rather than against her.
A rain garden is a low area in the landscape that is dug to collect rainwater and allow it to soak into the ground rather than enter the storm sewer system. Rain gardens help decrease soil erosion and reduce the amount of suspended solids and pollution in our waterways.
Rain gardens often use native and other water-loving plants that can tolerate standing water. Some great selections for Louisiana are bald cypress, river birch, live oaks, swamp red maple, pond cypress, rushes, sweetbay magnolia, southern magnolia, ironwood, parsley hawthorn, Virginia willow, American beautyberry, yaupon holly, Florida anise, dwarf palmetto, southern wax myrtle, Louisiana iris, buttonbush, river oats, muhly grass, ironweed, golden rod, cardinal flower, cinnamon fern, Texas star, swamp mallow, swamp milkweed, rudbeckia, rain and crinum lilies, and so many more.
Locate a place for the rain garden 10 feet away from the house and 50 feet from septic tanks. Dig a hole 2 feet deep, then time how long it takes for 8 to 12 inches of water to disappear. If 10 inches drains in 14 hours, the drainage rate is 10 inches divided by 14 hours, or 0.71 inches per hour. Your target rate is 0.5 inches per hour or greater for an 18-inch-deep garden.
If the area drains at a rate lower than 0.5 inches per hour, you need to dig 30 inches. If the rate is less than 0.1 inches per hour, the area is not suitable for a rain garden.
Make the area the size that you want and in any shape. I like a kidney bean shape or oval. Mark the area with a garden hose, and begin digging down to 6 to 8 inches deep. You can use some of the soil to create a small berm to help retain water.
Make a trench, lay a flexible corrugated tubing from the downspout and run the length of the trench to carry the water from the roof to the rain garden. Make sure the pipe extends 1 foot into the garden. Use stones or rocks to line the trench to prevent erosion, and cover the pipe with soil or leave it above ground.
Fill in the area with soil. Add sand, organic matter or compost to improve drainage. Next, add plants that tolerate the most water to the center and those that like less water to the outer edges, which will be drier. Mulch to help prevent weeds.