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Governor seeks federal aid for winter storm damage

Mon, 03/01/2021 - 11:21am

Gov. John Bel Edwards is asking President Joe Biden to declare a major disaster for Louisiana due to the recent severe winter weather.
The storm damage included outages at nearly 100 water systems, impacting roughly one-quarter of the Louisiana population. Also, more than 200,000 people suffered power outages.
The state is requesting Public Assistance, Category B (all Emergency Protective Measures) for all parishes The state is also requesting all categories of assistance available through the Individual Assistance Program for the following northern parishes:
Avoyelles, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Calcasieu, Caldwell, Catahoula, Claiborne, Concordia, DeSoto, East Baton Rouge, East Carroll, Franklin, Grant, Jackson, LaSalle, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Red River, Richland, Sabine, Tensas, Union, Vernon, Webster, West Carroll and Winn.
Finally, the state is requesting Hazard Mitigation Assistance statewide.
Those impacted are encouraged to complete the damage assessment survey at www.damage.la.gov. This data will be used to support future requests for additional parishes.

Morgan City police radio logs for Feb. 25-26

Mon, 03/01/2021 - 11:19am

The following are the radio dispatch logs from the Morgan City Police Department. To report unlawful or suspicious activity, call the police department at 985-380-4605.
Thursday, Feb. 25
8:09 a.m. 1200 block of David Drive; Complaint.
9:06 a.m. 2400 block of Tiger Drive; Disturbance.
9:55 a.m. 500 block of Brashear Avenue; Complaint.
10 a.m. 1400 block of Federal Avenue; Arrest.
10:03 a.m. Sixth and Arenz streets; Disturbance.
10:23 a.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Disturbance.
12:13 p.m. 200 block of Louisa Street; Complaint.
12:23 p.m. 400 block of Brashear Avenue; Complaint.
1:34 p.m. 600 block of Fourth Street; Complaint.
2:37 p.m. 900 block of Marguerite Street; Juvenile problem.
2:48 p.m. Spruce and Sixth streets; Disturbance.
2:51 p.m. Mayon Street; Juvenile problem.
3:19 p.m. 600 block of Marshall Street; Complaint.
3:47 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
4:19 p.m. 1500 block of Victor II Boulevard; Removal of subject.
4:53 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
6:14 p.m. Brownell Homes; Medical.
7:29 p.m. 1200 block of Onstead Street; Medical.
8:09 p.m. U.S. 90 East; Debris in road.
8:45 p.m. Ochsner St. Mary; Assistance.
11:47 p.m. 200 block of Brashear Avenue; Disturbance.
Friday, Feb. 26
12:24 a.m. Morgan City Police Department; Juvenile problem.
12:49 a.m. 900 block of Hilda Street; Juvenile problem.
4:12 a.m. First Street; 911 hang up.

J&J vaccine approval could mean 40,000 more doses in La.

Mon, 03/01/2021 - 11:15am

DAVID JACOBS, The Center Square

Louisiana officials expect to receive almost 40,000 doses of a new type of COVID-19 vaccine the first week it is available, which could be as early as next week.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has declared the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine safe for emergency use, likely paving the way for authorization as soon as Friday.
Dr. Joe Kanter with the Louisiana Department of Health said Thursday he expects the state’s first allocation to include at least 37,000 doses on top of the state’s share of the two already approved vaccines, which next week is expected to total a little less than 100,000 doses.
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires a single dose to get the full benefit, rather than two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines. It also is less delicate and easier to store, which creates more options for distribution, Kanter said.
About 13% of the state’s population has gotten at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot, according to state officials. About 70% of them are at least 60 years old.
Kanter said vaccinating people who are at high risk of developing serious complications is likely one of the main reasons the number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals currently stands at 679, about one-third as many as just a few weeks ago. The percentage of COVID-19 tests that are coming back positive is about 5%, also about a third of what it was.
Gov. John Bel Edwards indicated Thursday the improving numbers may allow him to loosen restrictions in place to control the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Those decisions will be made and announced next week, he said.
Almost 428,000 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Louisiana, and almost 409,000 people are believed to have recovered. At least 8,885 people with the illness have died, not counting 676 deaths that are possibly COVID-19-related but have not been confirmed as such, according to state health officials.

Get It Growing: Get ready for spring gardening

Mon, 03/01/2021 - 8:40am

By HEATHER KIRK-BALLARD, LSU AgCenter Horticulturist

As we approach spring in Louisiana, now is a good time to start prepping your landscape and vegetable gardens for plants.
Knowing your soil composition is the best place to start. If you understand the nutritional composition and condition of your soil, you will be a more successful gardener.
Plants need some essential things to thrive: sun, air, water and food (nutrients). Soil tests are not required, but they can tell you a great deal about what’s going on where your plants live.
Soils are extremely important to the success of your gardens. They support our plants by not only giving them a place in which to grow their roots, but they also provide essential nutrients, water and oxygen. The best garden soil should have a proper balance of minerals, water, organic matter and air.
Soils are composed of clay, organic matter and sand, and they all have different particle sizes. Sand has the largest particles, while clay has the smallest. Silt falls somewhere in between. They combine in different ways to form many different soil textures.
A good soil has a balanced mixture of sand, clay and organic matter. Sand, silt and clay determine soil texture, but it is the organic materials consisting of microbes, fungi and decayed plant matter that improve soil structure. An ideal soil is composed of 45% minerals (gravel, sand, silt or clay), 25% water, 25% air and 2-5% organic matter, give or take a few.
Nutrients come from the organic matter in the soil. Decayed plant materials contain carbon (C), oxygen (O), hydrogen (H), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) as well as other nutrients in smaller amounts. All of these nutrients are key to soil fertility and plant health.
Microorganisms also are an active organic portion of soils, making up 10-40% of the organic matter. This is in addition to about 40-60% of humus, which is a stable form of organic matter.
Know what you’re starting with by taking a soil sample and sending it to the LSU AgCenter Soil Testing and Plant Analysis Lab. Soil sample kits can be found at many local retail nurseries and at AgCenter offices. The results will tell you the composition of your soil, and the lab will make recommendations on how to optimize it by providing valuable feedback on fertilizer and pH.
As far as soil pH goes, it is an indication of the acidity or alkalinity of your soil. Plants actually prefer a slightly acidic soil at a pH of around 6.5. At the correct pH, your plant will have the optimum availability of soil nutrients. If your soil pH is off, plants may not be able to uptake some nutrients.
To adjust soil pH, you can use acidifying fertilizers or lime. For more information on soil pH and how to adjust it, go to LSUAgCenter.com and search for the “Louisiana Home Lawn Series: Soil pH” publication.
Soils that lack nutrients can be improved by adding organic matter, or what we commonly refer to as soil amendments. Amendments are mixed into the topsoil to improve soil texture and nutrient content.
You can use no-cost or low-cost amendments such as locally sourced manure, compost and compost tea, leaves, grass clippings and kitchen scraps from your own home.
Here is a brief list of common soil amendments that can be found at local nurseries or garden centers: compost, peat moss, mycorrhizae, topsoil, composted manure, worm castings, wood ashes, mushroom compost, biochar and many others. Just think “natural” when you are thinking of organic materials, and you cannot go wrong.
In general, soils high in organic matter will retain more moisture, have improved drainage and aeration (oxygen), resist compaction and have higher levels of nutrients that improve plant growth.
Fertilizers also can be used to improve nutrient content in the soil; however, caution should be taken when using them. When fertilizing, it is important to apply at the proper rate following the label instructions to prevent runoff into surface waters such as bayous, swamps, rivers, ponds, lakes and streams.
To get a quick idea of what type of soil is in your area, you can download the SoilWeb app on your smartphone. Follow the directions to “get my location,” and GPS coordinates will give you a report on the type of soil in your area and its components.
For more information on your soil type, consult the Natural Resources Conservation Service website at www.soils.usda.gov, or go to the LSU AgCenter website and search for “An Update of the Field Guide to Louisiana Soil Classification.”

Mom’s spiritual plans collide with daughter’s wedding date

Mon, 03/01/2021 - 8:38am

By Jeanne Phillips, ©United Features Syndicate

DEAR ABBY: My mother has become very “spiritual” over the last eight years or so. Recently, it has become all-consuming and on the verge of becoming detrimental. She often refers to her “guides” (she says they are feelings, but I think she’s getting brainwashed by human “guides” online), who have convinced her to withdraw thousands of dollars from her bank before the second wave of COVID-19 hits.
I recently became engaged. We don’t plan to be married until 2022 so our guests can have a fun, safe time at our wedding. Mom wants to take a “mediumship certification” class, which will run for 18 months. The actual certification is scheduled for the month we told her we may want to get married, so now she’s trying to guilt me into changing the date. She copied me on the email she sent to the teacher in which she said she would try to “direct me to choose a different date.” I let her know she’s not going to dictate our wedding day, but is there something more here that needs to be addressed?
CERTIFIABLY ANNOYED

DEAR ANNOYED: I don’t think so. Your mother’s spiritual life is her personal business, and it would be a mistake to attempt to make it yours. Unless you are convinced her spirit guides cheated her out of the money she withdrew — in which case you should contact the authorities and report it — let her live her life as you are pursuing your own.

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been married 22 years. They have been a rough 22 years, and I’m no longer in love with him. I will not be looking for another husband should we get divorced.
We tried counseling as well as a Retrouvaille weekend, which was hard emotionally as we learned a new way of communicating. However, after the weekend, I would always initiate the skills we learned, but he would not.
He’s retired. I’m still working, yet nothing is getting done around the house. I’m tired of feeling stressed. I don’t like cleaning up after him and our daughters, and I’m thinking of moving out.
I feel overwhelmed and want to live by myself for a period of time, but something is stopping me from signing a lease. Our daughters are in college, and my door will be open to them anytime. Should I move out?
ON THE VERGE IN TEXAS

DEAR ON THE VERGE: Perhaps. However, before you sign anything — including divorce papers — please consider discussing your feelings of stress and being overwhelmed with a licensed psychotherapist. Some time away from your stressors might be helpful for you, and a therapist may be able to help you determine how long a period that should be before making anything permanent.
***
To receive a collection of Abby’s most memorable — and most frequently requested — poems and essays, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 to: Dear Abby — Keepers Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.

Third suspect charged with first-degree murder in Terrebonne case

Mon, 03/01/2021 - 6:02am

Staff Report

A third Tri-City area man has been charged with first-degree murder in the killing of a man whose remains were found Wednesday in Terrebonne Parish.
Seth Lovett, 33, of Morgan City, was arrested Thursday by the Grand Isle Police Department after he returned from working offshore and charged with one count of first-degree murder, Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Tim Soignet said Friday.
Lovett was arrested with the assistance of the U.S. Coast Guard and the Grand Isle Police Department.
On Thursday, the Terrebonne and St. Mary sheriff’s offices announced the arrests of Alvin Fitch, 34, of Morgan City and Christopher Martin, 34, of Berwick, both charged on Terrebonne Parish warrants for one count of first degree murder. Terrebonne also announced the arrest of Chance Boudreaux, 26, of Morgan City, and charged him with one count of accessory after the fact to first-degree murder, Soignet said.
The sheriff said human bones were discovered in a wooded area on Wednesday in the 5200 block of North Bayou Black Drive during the investigation of a Gibson homicide.
After being notified of the death, the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office, along with the Morgan City Police Department and the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office, investigated. That led authorities to the Gibson location where the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office, along with assistance of the Morgan City Police Department and the Patterson Police Department K9 division, located the remains, Soignet said.
Louisiana State University’s Forensic Anthropology and Computer Enhancement Services lab was contacted and assisted with the recovery.
The individual’s identity is not being released at this time, pending confirmation of DNA from the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab, Soignet said.
Wednesday evening, Fitch was arrested in Bayou Vista, while Martin was arrested in Berwick. Boudreaux already was in Morgan City Police Department custody and was booked.
Fitch also was booked on a St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office warrant for failure to appear on charges of possessing or carrying a concealed weapon; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; possession of clonazepam; possession of cocaine; illegal use, possession or control of weapons; monetary instrument abuse and possession of marijuana.
Martin also was charged with possession of heroin, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

20 new COVID cases, no fatalities in local parishes

Sun, 02/28/2021 - 1:11pm

Twenty new COVID-19 cases and no new fatalities were reported for three local parishes for the 48 hours ending at midday Sunday.

St. Mary has 11 new confirmed cases for a pandemic total of 3,333 confirmed and 803 probable.

St. Martin has seven new confirmed cases for a total of 4,433 confirmed with 410 probable.

Assumption has two new confirmed cases for a total of 1,534 confirmed with 556 probable.

The parish death tolls remain at 108 confirmed with 12 probable in St. Mary, 102 confirmed with 10 probable in St. Martin and 29 confirmed with five probable in Assumption.

Statewide:

--1,502 new cases raise the pandemic total to 369,948 confirmed with 60,152 probable.

--21 new fatalities raise the toll to 8,923 confirmed with 685 probable.

--21 fewer COVID-positive people are in hospitals for a total of 630.

--4 fewer people are on ventilators for a total of 91.

Patterson holds successful Stuff the Truck campaign

Sat, 02/27/2021 - 11:47am

The City of Patterson sponsored a Stuff the Truck water campaign on Saturday.
Area residents were asked to donate bottled water to be sent along to Beaumont, Texas, Saturday for distribution by Antioch Baptist Missionary. Patterson had already sent a truck of water to Port Arthur, Texas on Wednesday. Many Texas cities were affected by the recent freezing weather which caused many of the state's electrical systems to fail.
Aiding the cities efforts were volunteers and Patterson High School's boys basketball team that helped unload and load the water in the Place Norman Shopping Center in Patterson.

Large crowd volunteers for Morgan City beautification event

Sat, 02/27/2021 - 9:58am

A large crowd of volunteers descended on the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium Saturday morning as part of the City of Morgan City’s “Love Where You Live’ campaign’s Operation Beautification held in partnership with Keep St. Mary Beautiful.
Several area groups such as Hoodstock, Cajun Coast Visitors and Convention Bureau personnel, Boy Scout Troop 49 and Cub Scout Pack 438, and a host of individual volunteers gathered for assignments at 8 a.m. before spreading out across the city.
“Ask and they come,” said Morgan City Mayor Lee Dragna, who joined volunteers in the cleanup effort.
Boy Scout Troop 49 and Cub Scout Pack 438 took in keeping with their “Do a Good Turn Daily” mantra. The work also helped members with rank advancement and learning to be of service to the community.
The scouts were accompanied by Cub Master Ray LaHoste, Assistant Cub Master Emily LaHoste, 438 Committee Chair Brandon Monceaux, 438 Wolf Den Leader Julie Price and Assistant Scout Master Jeff Price.

11 new COVID cases, two deaths probably COVID-related in local parishes

Fri, 02/26/2021 - 12:56pm

Eleven confirmed COVID-19 cases, eight of them in St. Martin, were reported in local parishes for the 24 hours ending at midday Friday. The Louisiana Office of Public Health also reported two local fatalities listed as probably COVID-related.

St. Mary has one new confirmed coronavirus case for a pandemic total of 3,322 confirmed cases with 792 probable. The death toll here remains at 108 confirmed with 12 probable.

St. Martin's eight new cases raise its total to 4,426 confirmed with 408 probable. One new St. Martin fatality was listed as probable, so the toll is now 102 confirmed with 10 probable.

Assumption also has a new fatality listed as probable, so its toll is now 29 confirmed with five probable. Two new COVID cases raise Assumption's pandemic total to 1,532 confirmed with 552 probable.

Statewide:

--898 new cases reported Friday raise the total to 368,902 confirmed with 59,690 probable.

--26 fatalities raise the death toll to 8,906 confirmed and 681 probable.

--28 fewer COVID-positive people are in Louisiana hospitals for a total of 651.

--5 fewer people are on ventilators for a total of 95.