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Franklin police seek information about Wednesday shooting

Fri, 01/08/2021 - 5:15am

Franklin police are asking for the public's health in the investigation into a Wednesday night shooting that wounded two people.

About 9:01 p.m. Wednesday, the Franklin Police Department responded to a call of shots fired. Officers came into contact with a vehicle that had three male occupants in the area of Willow Street.

Two of the male subjects suffered from non-life threatening injuries and were transported to a local hospital for treatment. Investigation efforts continue.

The Franklin Police Department is asking that if anyone has any information or was a witness to the above incident, to please call the Franklin Police Department at (337) 828-1716. You can remain anonymous.

Morgan City man faces sex crime charges

Thu, 01/07/2021 - 2:04pm

(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.)
Staff Report
The Morgan City Police Department thanked the public for information that led to the arrest of a Federal Avenue man Tuesday on charges of sex crimes involving a juvenile.

Morgan City
Police Chief James F. Blair reported these arrests:
--Paul Larue Cleveland, 40, Federal Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 5:05 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant for indecent behavior with a juvenile and aggravated crime against nature.
The warrant stems from a complaint filed with the Morgan City Police Department on Aug. 24. During the investigation, investigators were able to obtain an arrest warrant for Cleveland's arrest.
On Tuesday, investigators located Cleveland at an address on Federal Avenue. He was placed under arrest and was transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
--Sherry Thibodeaux, 38, Holly Road, Labadieville, was arrested at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of simple battery.
--Lacey Marie Fabre, 28, Wren Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of simple battery.
Thibodeaux and Fabre were involved in a physical altercation while incarcerated in the Morgan City Jail. Thibodaux and Fabre were booked for simple battery and incarcerated in the Morgan City Jail.
--David Royal Brown, 56, Youngs Road, Morgan City, was arrested at 5:05 p.m. Tuesday on charges of operating a vehicle with a suspended license and possession of an alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle.
An officer on patrol observed a traffic violation in the area of Second Street and Wise Street. A traffic stop was conducted, and the driver was identified as Brown.
A computer check revealed his driver’s license was under suspension. The officer also observed an open alcoholic beverage in the vehicle during the traffic stop. He was placed under arrest and transferred to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.

St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith reported these arrests:
--Seth A. Segura, 29, New Iberia, was arrested at 3:39 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of Schedule II drugs. Bail has not been set.
--Joseph Anthony Acosta, 38, Morgan City, was arrested at 4:20 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of attempted theft of less than $1,000. Acosta was released on a summons to appear April 27.

Assumption
Sheriff Leland Falcon reported these arrests:
--Jonquel Marshall, 21, La. 1003, Belle Rose, was arrested Monday on a warrant for a parole violation.
Marshall is on parole for a felony conviction from 2018.
As a result of his conviction and subsequent release from incarceration, Marshall was required to comply with certain conditions of which he failed to do.
The Department of Corrections probation/parole division issued a warrant for Marshall’s arrest.
Marshall was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center on Monday on a warrant for and remains incarcerated without bond.
--Ryan P. Prejeant, 39, Shadow Wood Drive, Haughton, was arrested Monday on charges of driver must be licensed, obstruction of justice, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and headlights required.
A uniformed patrol deputy observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation and executed a stop of that vehicle south of Napoleonville.
The driver, now identified as Prejeant, was interviewed and acknowledged a quantity of suspected marijuana in the suspect vehicle. That marijuana was located and Prejeant was arrested. Deputies also seized a quantity of methamphetamine.
At the conclusion of the investigation, Prejeant was booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center with a bond set at $21,000.
--Devonne Wayne White, 19, Bertrand Street, Napoleonville, was arrested Tuesday on charges of speeding; flight from an officer; possession of marijuana (first offense) and methamphetamine; possession of drug paraphernalia, use of multibeam road lighting equipment and obstruction of justice.
An I.C.E.-assigned deputy observed a northbound vehicle on La. 1 commit multiple traffic violations and proceeded to stop the vehicle. The suspect vehicle continued on for some distance. When the suspect vehicle stopped, the front seat passenger ran off on foot.
The deputy made contact with the driver, now identified as White. The I.C.E. deputy observed suspected marijuana.
White was detained. A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded marijuana, methamphetamine and assorted paraphernalia.
White was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center with a bond set at $30,000.
As a result of continued investigation, the suspect who fled was identified as Jalon Davon Braxton, 22, of St. James.
Warrants have been obtained for his arrest on charges of resisting an officer and possession of marijuana.
Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Jalon Davon Braxton are urged to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 985-369-2912.
Franklin
Police Chief Morris Beverly reported this arrest:
--Gary Jones, 53, Ibert Street, Franklin, was arrested oat 4:03 p.m. Tuesday on the charges of criminal trespassing and possession of drug paraphernalia. Jones was booked, processed, and released on a $2,000 bond.

Outdoor Life: La. sportsmen didn't miss much in 2020

Thu, 01/07/2021 - 12:51pm

JOHN FLORES

An old song from the 1980s written and sung by the late Mac Davis titled “Happiness is leaving Texas in my rear view mirror,” is probably the way most people across America feel about 2020. But, looking back on this past year, I didn’t necessarily find people who participated in outdoor activities felt quite the same way.
When the COVID pandemic “officially” broke out I happened to be in Buras attending a conference put on by Vanishing Paradise that was designed to update the outdoor media on the status of coastal restoration projects post BP Horizon Oil Spill. Of course, it included a couple of days of fishing, food, and good conversa-tion. Trust me, no one was watching FOX, CNN or MSNBC.
On my way home I called my wife Christine to let her know my ETA when she said, “Honey, have you been watching the news?”
“No,” I replied, “Why?”
That’s when she told me the President had been on television calling for what we’ve all come to know as a lockdown designed to flatten the curve. It was surreal. It felt like the introduction to some science fiction movie that we all suddenly became actors in. Only people were really dying.
Immediately, nonessential businesses closed, some people began working from home, as we all learned about social distancing.
What’s interesting is outdoor activities seemed to become fashionable. Bicycles sold like hotcakes and fishing tackle was swept off the shelves along with guns and ammunition. Oh sure, the latter may have been driven by the conspiracy theorists, but essentially people had time on their hands and were spending time outdoors.
After all, the CDC did say outdoor activities were safer than indoor activities.
During that first month of the pandemic we had another birth in our family. A grandson. And, Christine went to spend a few weeks help-ing out, leaving me alone.
Did that stop me from chasing things in the wild? Heck no! I got my canoe out and paddled the local waters looking for photo opportunities. Nature didn’t disappoint me either. I have now watched and photographically documented the entire courtship, nest building, hatching and fledging of Great Egrets. On my social media pages come to find out, birders all across the state were doing the same thing.
Birders weren’t the only ones spending time outdoors. For goodness sakes, fishermen were posting amazing pictures with stringers of bass, and ice chests full of sac-a-lait, redfish, and speckled trout on their Facebook and Instagram pages. Almost always with the caption, “Social Dis-tancing.”
It appeared outdoor men and women were embracing the CDC’s social distance rules by redefining the meaning.
Locally, we even held the Morgan City Oilfield Fishing Rodeo at the beginning of summer. Of course, the event was scaled down compared to past years. Nonetheless, it was outside, anglers for the most part spent the day on the water separated, and everyone had a good time.
We all know the pandemic was politicized. Up north, come to find out, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s husband Marc Mallory had a few Memorial Day social distancing plans on water of his own — a state with some draconian COVID-19 rules implemented by his wife.
Apparently, Marc did a little name dropping to an employee of Northshore Dock LLC trying to get his boat launched ahead of the weekend crowd. We all know people like that who cut in line ahead of others. Unfortunately, with the lockdown and excruciating rules, the dock was behind sched-ule.
Owner of the dock, Tad Dowker, outed the Governor’s husband on Facebook and let’s just say the optics weren’t good for the State’s Chief Executive. When asked, Gov. Whitmer claimed it was merely a joke. But hey, clearly Michigan’s “first family” are outdoor people and who can blame them for wanting to get on the water?
Closer to home, a Jackson Parish Police Jury in their infinite wisdom decided to close all of the public ramps on Caney Lake in an attempt to social distance. The closure caused a public outcry and lasted about as long as it takes a tournament bass angler to get to his favorite fishing hole.
This past summer when the water went down in the Atchafalaya River, the bream fishing was stellar in the basin. I counted no less than 16 boats in one location putting a smackdown on chinquapins one Saturday. It was social distancing at its finest in my eyes. What’s more, Christine and I were amongst the whole bunch of them.
By September things had loosened up a bit as we seemed to be “stuck” in Phase II or some revised Phase II edict of safety protocols from Gov. John Bell Edward’s office to prevent the spread of COVID. And, I have to say the September Teal Season was amazing.
Waterfowl hunters seemed to learn how to not spread the disease while sharing pit blinds in the rice field country. I’ve got to tell you, to date, I personally have not met one waterfowl hunter who has contracted COVID. That’s not to say they’re not out there. I’m sure there are some — bound to be. I just don’t know them. And, I know a lot of duck and goose hunters.
I spent the last day of the year in a layout blind next to six or seven other goose hunters on the prairie of Oklahoma. Our group of hunters consisted of a father and daughter from California, a guy from Pennsylvania, another guy from Mary-land, me from Louisiana, and a couple of local Oklahomans.
We were about a foot apart for most of the morning. None of us in talking had been exposed to or contracted COVID, “as far as we all know.” But, looking back at 2020 as hard as it was for some, with sickness and loss of life, most people who spent time outdoors didn’t miss much.
I’m glad we’re all looking at 2020 in our rear view mirrors. Here’s hoping 2021 will be the year COVID-19 ends and we can see the smiles on each other’s faces again. Happy New Year.

Morgan City places two on All-District football team

Thu, 01/07/2021 - 12:47pm

Staff Report

Morgan City had two second-team selections to lead its honorees on the All-District 8-4A Football Team.
Both selections were on the defensive side as senior Adrian Garrison was chosen as a defen-sive back, and Hilton Hebert is a lineman.
Morgan City had four players named honorable mention.
Sophomore wide receiver Logan Linston and freshman lineman Ian Carmichael were offensive selections, while a pair of linemen, sophomore Anibal Quinones and junior Jonathan Perou, were named defensive honorees.
The district’s Offensive Most Valuable Player honors were shared by Vandebilt Catholic senior running back Bryden Roundtree and South Terrebonne junior quarterback Christian Arceneaux.
Vandebilt Catholic junior linebacker Andrew Villavaso earned the district’s Defensive Most Valuable Player award.
Vandebilt Catholic’s Lance Ledet is the district’s Coach of the Year.
Below is the complete All-District Team
First-Team Offense
Jackson Autin, South Lafourche, tight end, Jr.; Royal Williams, Ellender, wide receiver, So.; Hayes Thompson, Vandebilt Catholic, wide receiver, Sr.; Jaden Tyler, Assumption, wide receiver, Sr.; Zarontay Smith, Ellender, offensive line, So.; James Thompson Jr., VC, offensive line, Sr.; Kendall Walker, SL, offensive line, Sr.; Cru Blanchard, AHS, offensive line, Sr.; Brady Picou, South Terrebonne, offensive line, Sr.; Bryden Roundtree, VC, running back, Sr.; Ja’Keice Gilton, AHS, running back, Jr.; Colby Chelette, ST, running back, Sr.; Christian Arceneaux, ST, quarterback, Jr.; Shea Pitre, ST, kicker, Jr.; O’ryan James, Ellender, return specialist, Jr.; Hunter Porche, VC, athlete, Sr.; Ryan Williams, Ellender, athlete, Jr.
First-Team Defense
Laine Trosclair, Ellender, defensive line, Jr.; Alex Villavaso, VC, defensive line, Jr.; Mason Fernandez, AHS, defensive line, Sr.; Jamil Joseph, AHS, defensive line, Jr.; Andrew Villavaso, VC, linebacker, Jr.; Hunter Condley, SL, linebacker, Jr.; Tyjai Jones, AHS, linebacker, So.; Landon Aucoin, ST, linebacker, So.; Tremond Converse, Ellender, defensive back, Sr.; Landon Rogers, VC, defensive back, Jr.; Shae Thibodeaux, AHS, defensive back, Sr.; Dayne Robichaux, ST, defensive back, So.; Jordan Sewell, Ellender, Sr., punter; Sean Diebold, VC, flex, Sr.; and Shea Pitre, ST, punter, Jr.
Offensive MVP: Bryden Roundtree, VC, running back, Sr.; and Christian Arceneaux, ST, quarterback, Jr.
Defensive MVP: An-drew Villavaso, VC, defensive line, Jr.
Coach of the Year: Lance Ledet, VC.
2nd Team Offense
Jayce Pellegrin, ST, tight end, Sr.; O’ryan James, Ellender, wide receiver, Jr.; Brody Pitre, SL, wide receiver, Jr.; Kaden Chauvin, ST, wide receiver, Sr.; Wendell Howard, Ellender, offensive line, Sr.; Seth Trahan, VC, offensive line, Sr.; Cullen LeBlanc, SL, offensive line, Jr.; Sidney Landry, AHS, offensive line, Sr.; Dakota Collier, ST, offensive line, Jr.; Tyshaun Hester, Ellender, running back, Sr.; Braxton Pitre, SL, running back, Sr.; Derin Doucet, SL, run-ning back, Jr.; Javon Ricks, ST, running back, So.; Patrick Gisclair, SL, quarterback, Jr.; Dakotah Purvis, VC, kicker, Jr.; Royal Williams, Ellender, return specialist, So.; Brance Wunstell, ST, offensive line, Jr.
Second Team Defense
Hunter Laumann, Ellender, defensive line, Jr.; Hayden Klingman, VC, defensive line, Jr.; Elias Coronado, SL, defensive line, Jr.; Hilton Hebert, Morgan City, defensive line, So.; Daviante Scott, Ellender, linebacker, So.; Sean Diebold, VC, linebacker, Sr.; Wes Allemand, SL, line-backer, Jr.; Reece Toups, SL, linebacker, Sr.; Jarius Bridges, AHS, linebacker, Sr.; Preston Bourda, Ellender, defensive back, Jr.; Matthew Kappel, VC, defensive back, Sr.; Adrian Garrison, MCHS, Sr.; Henry Lirette, ST, defensive back, So.; and Nate Aucoin, SL, flex, Sr.
Honorable Mention
Ross Ryan, VC, tight end, Sr.; Jayden Goudy, AHS, tight end, So.; Tamaj Vergin, Ellender, wide receiver, So.; Jean-Luc Lapeyre, VC, wide receiver, Jr.; Dylan Pregeant, SL, wide receiver, Jr.; Logan Linston, MCHS, wide receiver, So.; D’Ante Davis, AHS, wide receiver, Jr.; Hunter Matherne, VC, offensive line, Sr.; Jacob Rhodes, VC, offensive line, Sr.; Ian Carmichael, MCHS, offensive line, Fr.; Kevin Brunet, ST, offensive line, So.; Tyler Gibson, AHS, offensive line, Sr.; Ryan Williams, Ellender, quarterback, Jr.; Dominic Archila, VC, quarterback, Jr.; Sage Rivere, AHS, quarterback, Jr.; Jordan Sewell, Ellender, kicker, Sr.; Peyton Nunnally, VC, defensive line, Jr.; Cyrus Guilbeau, SL, defensive line, Jr.; Anibal Quinones, MCHS, defensive line, So.; Jonathan Perou, MCHS, defensive line, Jr.; Jarien Joseph, AHS, defensive line, So.; Luke Naquin, ST, defensive line, Sr.; Ian Marmande, VC, defensive line, Sr.; Christian LeCompte, VC, linebacker, Sr.; Nate Aucoin, SL, linebacker, Sr.; Jackson Martin, ST, linebacker, So.; Armaj Harvey, Ellender, defensive back, Sr.; Kodi Smith, Ellender, defensive back, So.; Josh Rotolo, VC, defensive back, Jr.; Trey Randazzo, SL, defensive back, Sr.; Francois Terrebonne, SL, defensive back, Sr.; Joe Pierce, SL, defensive back, Sr.; Laron Truehill, AHS, defensive back, Sr.

95 new COVID cases, no deaths in local parishes

Thu, 01/07/2021 - 12:37pm

The Louisiana Office of Public Health reported 95 new confirmed COVID-19 cases for three local parishes in the 24 hours ending at midday Thursday. No new fatalities were reported here.

Statewide, hospitalizations continued to climb after reaching the highest levels of the pandemic.

In St. Mary, 32 new confirmed cases made the total 2,859 since the pandemic began with 418 probable.

St. Martin has 53 new confirmed cases for a total of 3,728 with 300 probable.

Assumption has 10 new cases for a total of 1,183 with 270 probable.

The pandemic death tolls remain at 96 with seven probable for St. Mary, 79 with eight probable for St. Martin and 27 with two probable for Assumption.

Statewide:

--4,526 new cases raise the pandemic total to 303,889 with 34,165 probable.

--47 deaths reported Thursday raise the pandemic toll to 7,319 with 409 probable.

--The number of COVID-positive people in hospitals jumped by 40 Thursday to 2,033, the highest level since the pandemic began.

--12 more people are on ventilators for a total of 219.

Ochsner St. Mary seeking eligible patients to receive COVID-19 vaccine

Thu, 01/07/2021 - 8:34am

GEOFF STOUTE

gstoute@daily-review.com

Those who are eligible to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine are encouraged to sign up immediately, as Ochsner St. Mary has an abundant supply but is having trouble finding patients to receive the shot.
St. Mary Parish Hospital Service District No. 2 Chairman Dr. William Cefalu Jr. said during Wednesday’s monthly meeting that in addition to the qualifications the state released, to receive a shot at Ochsner St. Mary, a patient must have been a patient at an Ochsner facility in the last three years.
That could include lab work, an X-ray or a visit with a doctor employed by Ochsner, Cefalu said.
For the general public, the vaccine is available to those in Phase 1B, Tier One, which are those who are 70 years of age and above; home health services patients and staff members; ambulatory/outpatient health care personnel; residents, students and staff members of schools of allied health; and those being treated for end stage renal disease (patients on dialysis).
To schedule an appointment locally, citizens should download the MyChart app and fill out their pertinent information. If they have problems with the app or don’t have access to it, they can call 844-888-2772.
The vaccine is being offered in the Ochsner St. Mary Medical Office Building in Suite 500. The facility is located behind the hospital.
“We’re actually in a good spot where we need to get people moving to actually go get it,” Cefalu said.
He said there have been people driving from north Louisiana because they can only get the vaccine in the Ochsner System’s Morgan City location.
Because the vaccine has a refrigerator-life of five days, it must be used or it has to be thrown away.
“We can’t allow that,” Cefalu said.
To his knowledge, no vaccines have been thrown away.
“They get these batches in, and they got to use all that stuff up before they get the next batch, because obviously they don’t want to waste the vaccine,” Cefalu said.
Cefalu, who received his second dose of the vaccine Tuesday, said it is safe with the most common side effect being soreness at the location of the injection.
After getting the vaccine, though, people should not stop wearing a mask and social dis-tancing, Cefalu said. He said the 95% effective rate is factored in while still practicing the cur-rent safety measures.

Area births announced

Thu, 01/07/2021 - 8:15am

Born to Briana D. Mcnally and Cameron M. Fontenot of Morgan City, a girl, Alivia Kay Fontenot, on Dec. 11 at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center. She weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces and measured 19 inches.
——
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Chad E. Pickens (nee: Crystal M. Brown) of Morgan City, a girl, Haisley Klaire Pickens, on Dec. 14 at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center. She weighed 5 pounds and measured 17¾ inches.
——
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Joshua M. Priestley (nee: Shane M. Concienne) of Berwick, a girl, Willow Rae Priestley, on Dec. 20 at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center. She weighed 7 pounds, 7 ounces and measured 20 inches.
——
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Zackery A. Theriot (nee: Jennifer Ray) of Morgan City, a boy, Dean Anthony Theriot, on Dec. 21 at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center. He weighed 8 pounds, 2 ounces and measured 20.5 inches.
——
Born to Tessa Verret and Mark Jones Jr. of Patterson, a boy, Denver Brooks Jones, on Dec. 23 at Ochsner St. Mary in Morgan City. He weighed 6 pounds, 3 ounces and measured 19 inches.

Savings strategies for weddings

Thu, 01/07/2021 - 8:13am

The question was popped; the engagement ring presented. What’s the next step on the road to the wedding? Saving should definitely be on couples’ minds.
A wedding is likely the most costly party couples will ever throw. According to The Knot’s 2019 Real Weddings Study, the average cost of a wedding in 2019 was $33,900. There are many different costs associated with weddings. Some are predictable, while others are unexpected.
Investopedia says the vast majority of couples budget too little for their weddings and also end up spending more than they had planned. Various strategies can make it easier to save for a wedding and avoid a post-wedding financial hangover.
Get informed
It’s impossible to budget for a wedding and ultimately save without knowledge of what services and items cost in the region where you live. A wedding in New York City will be expensive, while a wedding in Mississippi will cost a lot less, indicates Super-Money’s guide to wedding costs.
Conduct some research and find out what photographers, florists, transportation providers, reception halls and wedding wardrobe vendors charge for common services. This will paint a vivid picture of what a wedding may cost in your area.
Flesh out the budget
Once you have gathered estimates, you can then figure out a financial goal. This also is when you can determine where to rein in spending and where you might want to splurge. If having a video memory of the wedding is not a top priority, you can skip videography services. If you have a special flower that you like, you may want to budget more for that bloom even if it isn’t in season.
Set up a dedicated savings account
One of the easiest ways to save for big-ticket items like a wedding, home purchase or other financial goals is to use an automatic savings account that may be available through your bank or employer.
An automatic savings plan will pull a set amount from a personal checking account into a savings account through auto-draft. The bride and groom can link individual checking accounts to one savings account to contribute jointly.
Avoid overspending
An analysis of your spending habits will likely reveal areas where you can scale back so you can devote more funds to wedding savings.
Do you need a takeout coffee in the morning or can you brew a pot at home? Might you be able to scale back on streaming services? Do you feel comfortable buying less expensive store brand groceries over name brands? Small cost savings can quickly add up.
Add up gifts
Factor in deduction of expenses that other people will commit to covering for wedding expenses, but only if you have concrete confirmation.
A parent may host the rehearsal dinner. One’s relative may offer to pass down an antique wedding gown to wear. But rather than simply removing these gifts from your savings calculations, keep them as a safety net to put toward unforseen expenses.
Saving for a wedding can be challenging. But various strategies can help couples plan their dream weddings without breaking the bank.

Mom is pressured to teach native language to daughter

Thu, 01/07/2021 - 8:11am

By Jeanne Phillips, ©United Features Syndicate

DEAR ABBY: I came to this country 30 years ago, at 16. My parents were very abusive and neglectful, so my uncle in the U.S. took me in. I have worked with therapists, and my mind is clear about my past.
I now have a 14-year-old daughter. I do not speak to her in my native language. It is not very good at expressing love and caring, and has more emphasis on strict hierarchy and obedience.
There are many things I cannot convey in my native language. One must understand the huge cultural difference between my native country and the U.S. In addition, I do not want to force my daughter to learn something because someone other than her insisted. I prefer to spend my resources helping her learn something she is interested in.
If she says she wants to learn my native language, I’ll teach her. So far, she has shown no interest. My friends criticize me for not teaching it to her. I’m bothered by their insistence that I’m robbing my daughter of the opportunity to learn it.
How do I tell them it is none of their business?
READER IN HAWAII

DEAR READER: Your daughter may not have asked to learn your native language because it hasn’t occurred to her that it might one day be a valuable asset.
I do think you should offer to teach it to her if she’s interested in knowing more about the culture that shaped her mother, because her answer might surprise you.
That said, because your friends’ comments bother you, tell them that because you don’t tell them how to raise their children, you prefer they not tell you how to raise yours.

DEAR ABBY: I have a unique problem, and if it isn’t resolved, I’m afraid my marriage is going to end in divorce.
Ten years ago, at my brother-in-law’s wedding, I was left in charge of the bar. I got drunk and made a fool of myself. This included overtly flirting with one of the bridesmaids. I’m incredibly sorry about the embarrassment it caused my wife.
Fast-forward to today: My wife has accused me of inappropriate behavior and hundreds of affairs that never happened. I have been faithful to her since we started dating.
She goes through my business phone and accuses me and my professional contacts of sexual behavior. I have offered to take a polygraph exam, but she continues to accuse me of infidelity. I’m at my wits’ end, and marriage counseling isn’t an option.
NOT FOOLING AROUND IN MAINE

DEAR NOT FOOLING: Marriage counseling may not be an option for you and your wife, but YOU should definitely consult a licensed psychotherapist. Something is not right with your wife. Is it possible that the wedding incident so severely unbalanced her that she has never recovered?
What you have described is a miserable existence for both of you. That it has gone unresolved for a decade is tragic. Where you need to go from here I cannot decide for you, but a therapist may be able to guide you.
***
Good advice for everyone — teens to seniors — is in “The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal With It.” To order, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 to: Dear Abby, Anger Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.

UPDATED: Reaction to violence at U.S. Capitol

Wed, 01/06/2021 - 5:35pm

Here is reaction from public officials to Wednesday's violence at the U.S. Capitol after protests disrupted debate on accepting electoral college results from the states:

U.S. Sen. John Kennedy:

The Capitol Police have done an extraordinary job keeping us safe, and I’m thankful for their heroism.
I condemn this violent assault on the democratic process and will not be intimidated by a mob that confuses chaos and destruction with strength and wisdom.
I will continue to do my job for the people of Louisiana.

U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins, R-Lafayette, who represents St. Mary and St. Martin in Congress:

Violence and lawlessness are unacceptable. This must end.
This very day, we were standing for American freedom, legally, peacefully, passionately, within the House of We the People, and within the parameters of our Constitution.
I was objecting to a compromised election, aligned with a handful of Constitutionalists, for the People, for all of us. For our Republic.
I say to all violent aggressors... stand down.

From Louisiana Democratic Party Chair Katie Bernhardt:

“We are witnessing a seditious riot at the U.S. Capitol building intent on disrupting the peaceful transition of power that has characterized our democracy since its founding. This embarrassing display betrays the principles that brave Americans have sacrificed their lives to defend. Sadly, Louisiana Senator John Kennedy and Representatives Steve Scalise, Mike Johnson, and Clay Higgins enabled this un-American act. Louisiana Democrats are calling on our federal delegation to denounce this violence and attempted coup. We will survive this infamous chapter in our history because – as we demonstrated in November, and again last night in Georgia – Americans live by hope, not fear.”

Kennedy and Higgins were among the Republicans who had urged Congress to delay accepting the electoral votes that would make Democrat Joe Biden the official president-elect while claims of voting fraud are investigated. Their statements contained no incitement to violence. Scalise is reported to have called President Donald Trump to urge him to ask protesters to leave the Capitol.

At least one person died after police fired at protesters trying to breaking into one of the Capitol's legislative chambers. After protesters pushed passed security barriers, the Capitol was locked down, halting debate.

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La.; posted this tweet to accompany a video statement:

There are people who have violently entered the U.S. Capitol and are attempting to disrupt today’s proceedings. This is supposed to be a peaceful transition of power. What they’re doing is absolutely wrong. It is un-American. This is about our country; it’s not about hooligans.

President Donald J. Trump released a video that included this statement:

“Go home. We love you. You’re very special. You’ve seen what happens. You see the way others are treated that are so bad and so evil. I know how you feel, but go home and go home at peace."

In the video, the president repeated allegations of widespread voter fraud.