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DEAR ABBY: My daughter got married in a friend’s backyard three months ago. Her husband built an arch for the ceremony. He spent $285 on some very nice walnut, and they planned to keep it forever.
With my daughter’s consent, my wife loaned it to a niece of hers. The arch was broken and thrown out. We found this out only after weeks of requesting that we get it back. They have offered to pay the $285, but without even a “sorry.”
My daughter is extremely angry at my wife and the niece and her husband. I need words to console my wife and daughter. This has caused a deep emotional schism in our family.
WEDDING MESS IN ARIZONA

DEAR MESS: It is time to talk to your daughter about priorities. Because of her deep emotional attachment to the arch her now-husband created for their wedding, her anger and hurt are justifiable.
That the niece and her husband not only damaged it but threw it away like a piece of garbage was terrible. That they not only didn’t apologize, but also failed to recognize the sentimental value of the arch is shocking. (At least they offered to reimburse the cost of the wood.) However, for your daughter to blame your wife for the niece’s carelessness is wrong.
It takes strength of character to forgive. This does not mean your daughter must forget what happened and how poorly it was handled. In the uncertain times we are experiencing, relationships and family unity are primary. I hope that, with time, your daughter and her husband will realize this and repair the rift while recognizing the niece’s shortcomings in the future. (“Neither a borrower nor a lender be ...”)

DEAR ABBY: At the end of last year, I sat down with my parents hoping that maybe we could approach the new year with a fresh start. One short month into the new year, my mother is back at it again, ridiculing me and making me feel like no matter what I do, it will never be good enough for her.
I have reached the end of my rope. I’m tired of dealing with the constant cycle of emotional abuse. I have overcome much in my life, and I’m proud of myself for it. During times when I struggle, I reflect on how much. I keep pushing myself forward, but at this point, I’m just tired.
I have considered distancing myself, but the recent loss of my grandfather hit me hard. I have been leaning on my family to keep myself going, so I’m in a pickle.
HURT, STUNNED AND TIRED IN NEW YORK

DEAR H.S.T: You may never be able to have what you want from your mother, not because there is something wrong with you, but because she has proven herself incapable of being supportive.
For understanding and the emotional support you are seeking, consider contacting your clergyperson (if you have one) or the officiant at your grandfather’s funeral and asking about joining a grief support group. If you do, you may find the support you need while at the same time keeping safely at a distance from your mother.
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What teens need to know about sex, drugs, AIDS and getting along with peers and parents is in “What Every Teen Should Know.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 to: Dear Abby, Teen Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.

As of 4 p.m. today, Cleco has restored power to nearly 37,000 customers affected by the second winter storm, the company said. At the height of the storm, approximately 43,000 customers were without power.

Below is an update on power restoration in Gardner, Cotile, Wilda and Hot Wells. Please note that unexpected damage or inclement weather could impact restoration efforts and timelines. This update also is on Cleco’s website and Facebook page.

Rapides Parish – Gardner, Cotile, Wilda and Hot Wells
--During storm restoration, a large, high-voltage transformer in Cleco’s distribution substation in the Gardner community failed. A mobile transformer has been delivered to the substation site to serve as a backup power source.
--It will take several hours to unload, install and connect the mobile transformer to Cleco’s system.
--The Gardner Substation supplies power to approximately 1,300 customers in Gardner, Cotile, Wilda and Hot Wells. Provided Cleco personnel do not encounter any unexpected damage or delays, the company estimates power will be restored to most, if not all, of these customers later tonight.
Power Outages as of 4 p.m.
Allen Parish 47
Avoyelles Parish 1,729
Catahoula Parish 26
DeSoto Parish 46
Evangeline Parish 287
Grant Parish 406
Natchitoches Parish 84
Rapides Parish 3,347
Red River Parish Fewer than 5
Sabine Parish 86
Vernon Parish Less than 5

A Morgan City man faces a murder charge in the Friday shooting death of a Thibodaux man, Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre said.

Louis Foret, 29, of Morgan City is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Chance Benoit 38.

From the Sheriff's Office blog post:

At 1:10 a.m. Friday, deputies responded a report of gunshots being heard in the area of West Camelia Drive in Thibodaux, and officers from the Thibodaux Police Department also responded to assist. They arrived at a residence in the 2500 block and discovered an adult male with apparent gunshot wounds. The victim, later identified as Benoit, was pronounced dead.

Through investigation, detectives learned Foret was at Benoit’s residence when they began fighting. Foret eventually walked out of the residence and the two continued a verbal altercation as Benoit stood in his doorway. Foret then brandished a gun and allegedly fired several rounds at Benoit. He also walked up to Benoit and fired shots at close range before leaving the residence.

Detectives made contact with Foret on Friday afternoon and brought him in to the Criminal Operations Center in Lockport for questioning. While at the facility, Foret attempted to escape from custody, but was quickly apprehended.

Foret was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He is charged with second-degree murder and simple escape. Bail is set at $550,000.

The precautionary boil water advisory for Assumption Parish communities, including Bayou L’Ourse, has been lifted.
Assumption Parish Waterworks District No. 1 announced in a Facebook post just before 11 a.m. Friday the order had been lifted for Pierre Part, Belle River and Bayou L’Ourse.
“We are asking all of our residents to please still conserve as much water as possible as our system is still recovering and because there is still low pressure in some areas,” the post said.