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LEON McCLENDON

Wed, 11/18/2020 - 11:45am

Leon McClendon, 63, a native of Oakland, California and resident of Morgan City, died Friday, Nov. 13, 2020.
He is survived by his mother, Dorothy Thomas; wife, Donna McClendon; five children, Anthony Mitchell, Elizabeth Guillot, Leon Cook, Destiny McClendon and Josh McClendon; a sister, Miranda Suire; and 23 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father.
A memorial service will be held at a later date at New Life Tabernacle.

BRIAN ELLIOTT GUIDRY

Wed, 11/18/2020 - 11:42am

December 30, 1976 — November 16, 2020
Brian Elliott Guidry, 43, a resident of Bayou Vista, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, November 16, 2020, at West Jefferson Medical Center.
Brian was born on December 30, 1976, in Houma, the son of Oscar Edmond Guidry Sr. and Annie Hazel Pierre Guidry.
Brian had an infectious smile that would light up any room he walked into. He had a strong faith in God and loved his church and church family. Brian had a true servant’s heart and he also had a love for people. His giving heart lead him to be a faithful volunteer at the Purple Lemon in Bayou Vista. When Brian wasn’t serving, he enjoyed spending time with his family participating in the family music “Fam Jams”, playing bingo or watching wrestling, both WWE and Gulf Coast Wrestling. Brian had a passion for interpretive dance, giving his audience the visual representation to spoken words to glorify our Lord.
He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife, Anna Credeur Guidry of Bayou Vista; five sisters, Sheila Hood and husband Malcolm “Lucky” of Houma, Sharon Parfait of Gonzales, Marilyn Rodriguez and husband Joseph of Grand Calliou, Mary Koon and husband Jeff of Heber City, Utah, and his twin sister, Bridgette Guidry and fiancé Sean Thompson of St. Amant; father and mother-in-law, Riley J. Credeur Sr. and Wendy Credeur of Berwick; brother-in-law, Riley J. Credeur Jr. of Thibodaux; his fur babies, Harley, Smokey and Buddy; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Brian was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar Sr. and Annie Pierre Guidry; three brothers, Leroy Billiot, Oscar Guidry Jr. and Adam Guidry; and one sister, Hazel Ann Guidry.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, November 19, 2020, at Crossing Place Church with Pastor Matt Marcantonio officiating. A visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until the service time at 2 p.m.

Louisiana State Open Horseshoe Pitching championships

Wed, 11/18/2020 - 11:39am

Hosted by Harahan Horseshoe Pitchers Association
Kemper Williams Park
Patterson
Nov. 14
Class A
First place, Tim Gilmore (tournament champion), Bayou Vista, 5 wins-0 losses, 58.00 ringer percentage; second place, Burnie Williams, Morgan City, 4-1, 45.50; and third place, Wanda Lantz, Marrero, 3-2, 46.50.
Class B
First, Ricky Richard, Church Point, 5-0, 37.00; second, Sharla Fontenot, Iowa, 4-1, 49.00; and third, Mary Begnaud, Lake Charles, 3-2, 38.50.
Class C
First, Clyde Landry, Pierre Part, 5-1, 32.50; second, Neil Whitney, Destrehan, 4-2, 37.50; and third, Randy Giroir, Berwick, 3-2, 23.50.
Landry defeated Whit-ney in a 40-shoe playoff to claim class title.
Class D
First, Glenn Caillouet, Lockport, 6-0, 28.33; second, Travis Bourdier, Patterson, 5-1, 21.31; and third, Mack Thibodeaux, Lake Arthur, 4-2, 26.64.
Class E
First, Clay Weaver, Iowa, 6-0, 14.58; second, Dennis Johnson Jr., St. Rose, 5-1, 10.00; and third, Joey Harrison, Destrehan, 4-2, 13.75.

Cleco wins award for diversity efforts

Wed, 11/18/2020 - 11:29am

On Nov. 6, Cleco was honored with the Procter & Gamble Diversity and Inclusion Award at the 2020 Bizzy Awards in Alexandria. Procter & Gamble established the award this year and chose Cleco as its first recipient.

“On behalf of Cleco, I would like to thank Proctor & Gamble for highlighting our diversity and inclusion efforts,” said Normanique Preston, chief human resources and diversity officer. “We’re committed to hiring diverse employees and building an inclusive work environment because we believe this strategy will lead to better employee engagement, more innovation and higher customer satisfaction, all of which will make Cleco an even stronger company.”

“This is a new award in the Bizzy competition, and it was an honor to present it to Cleco and recognize their commitment to diversity and inclusion in our community,” said Taylan Uras, Alexandria plant manager for Procter & Gamble.

The Bizzy Awards, hosted by the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce, recognizes businesses, nonprofits and individuals in the region who imagine, design, invest, build and provide quality jobs.

Cleco embarked on its diversity and inclusion strategy in 2018. The company’s goals are to utilize inclusive hiring and development practices to attract and retain a diverse workforce, create an inclusive environment where every employee feels welcomed and respected, value differences and embrace diverse perspectives, and broaden its diverse networking partnerships in the communities it serves.

To learn more about Cleco, visit www.cleco.com or follow on the company on Facebook at @ClecoPower.

Morgan City radio logs for Nov.16-17

Wed, 11/18/2020 - 11:26am

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.
Monday, Nov. 16
6:36 a.m. Morgan City Police Department; Medical.
6:56 a.m. Brownell Street; Disturbance.
7:53 a.m. 2100 block of Cedar Street; Animal.
8:12 a.m. 900 block of First Street; Animal.
9:10 a.m. Levee Road and Clements Street; Fight.
9:21 a.m. 1000 block of Fourth Street; Animal.
10:21 a.m. Morgan City Police Department; Theft.
11:14 a.m. 300 block of Union Street; Complaint.
12:21 p.m. 1500 block of North Third Street; Medical.
12:37 p.m. 900 block of Cherry Street; Com-plaint.
12:46 p.m. 1000 block of Brashear Avenue; Drug activity.
1:12 p.m. 1300 block of Front Street; Medical.
1:58 p.m. Morgan City Junior High School; Juvenile problem.
2:59 p.m. 400 block of Brashear Avenue; Com-plaint.
3:04 p.m. Morgan City Police Department; Theft.
3:12 p.m. 1500 block of Front Street; 911 hang up.
3:22 p.m. 7100 block of La. 182; Drug activity.
3:32 p.m. 7500 block of La. 182; 911 hang up.
3:58 p.m. 300 block of Second Street; Removal of subject.
4:08 p.m. Federal Avenue; Reckless driver.
4:41 p.m. 2300 block of Sixth Street; Complaint.
6:17 p.m. 800 block of South Everett Street; Welfare concern.
6:44 p.m. 7100 block of La. 182; Assistance.
6:54 p.m. 700 block of Bush Street; Burglary.
7:36 p.m. 1000 block of Fig Street; Complaint.
7:44 p.m. 1100 block of Federal Avenue; Assistance.
8:47 p.m. Federal Avenue and Orange Street; Complaint.
8:54 p.m. 7100 block of La. 182; Complaint.
9:25 p.m. 800 block of Brashear Avenue; Ar-rest.
9:50 p.m. Belanger and Second streets; Arrest.
10:12 p.m. 300 block of Wren Street; Theft.
11:09 p.m. 1000 block of Seventh Street; Com-plaint.
Tuesday, Nov. 17
12:39 a.m. 200 block of Belanger Street; Medical.

Jeremy Alford: Republican floats another highway financing plan

Wed, 11/18/2020 - 11:20am

JEREMY ALFORD

In roughly two weeks, Rep. Jack McFarland will hit the road to sell his plan to reform Louisiana’s highway funding formula. His target audience will be lawmakers and administration and transportation officials.

McFarland, R-Jonesboro, is working on draft legislation that was unveiled last week to the Louisiana Coalition to Fix Our Roads. While the portion dealing with Louisiana’s 16-cent gas tax will garner the most attention, the plan also calls for a comprehensive audit of the Department of Transportation and Development; future legislative action on those findings; and a new focus on preservation, mainte-nance and regional priorities.

The Republican representative wants his final bill to instruct the legislative auditor to spend two years or more looking for organizational efficiencies and streamlining opportunities at DOTD. The resulting findings would then be forwarded to a committee of five private sector representatives appointed by the governor, speaker and president.

That private sector committee would be charged with sending recommendations to the Legislature in 2025, at the start of a new term of state government. "There would be an impact on the current term, but the next administration and Legislature would really be in the driver’s seat," McFarland said. "This will put them in a position to make real reforms and to stop using capital outlay for highway and road needs. This plan would also mean that the temporary sales tax piece that expires next term won’t be needed any longer."

The revenue that would create this kind of fiscal freedom would come courtesy of an increase in the gas tax of up to 36 cents, phased in gradually through 2033. The bill would also include a $400 an-nual fee for electric vehicles and a $250 fee for hybrid vehicles.

Of course, any kind of a tax, no matter the size, will give some conservatives heartburn. "With over 320,000 Louisianans losing jobs, raising the gas tax is a bad idea that should stay in 2020," said James Lee, deputy director for the Louisiana chapter of Americans for Prosperity. "AFP-Louisiana and our grassroots activists across the state will be making sure legislators hear that message loud and clear."

There is a push, however, to work with conservatives in new ways in the coming years on this issue. One such effort, as previously reported in this space, is led by GOP consultant Charlie Davis and Louisiana Family Forum President Gene Mills. Called "Build Right," the group will seek to help con-servatives and libertarians rethink how they look at infrastructure and transportation issues. "I can’t think of anything less family friendly than spending time in traffic or losing a life due to a lack of ade-quate infrastructure," said Mills. "From levees and ditches to underground power lines, we’re 20 years behind everyone else."

As for the money generated by McFarland’s plan, 60 percent would be dedicated to preservation and maintenance, while 40 percent would be for highway priority program projects classified as "capacity projects." In that latter category, certain projects would be prioritized. Some of those projects being considered include:
\
--Replacement of the I-10 Calcasieu River bridge and I-10 improvements from the I-210 inter-change west of the river to the I-20 interchange east of the river

--A new Mississippi River Bridge at Baton Rouge with freeway-level connections from the inter-state west of Baton Rouge to the interstate east of Baton Rouge

--Upgrades to US 90 to interstate standards from the I-10 and I-49 interchange at Lafayette to New Orleans

--Widening of I-12 to six lanes and associated improvements where this interstate is not yet up-graded from Baton Rouge to the Mississippi state line

--A new, four lane Jimmie Davis Bridge on LA 511 across the Red River in Shreveport-Bossier

--Widening to six lanes and associated improvements to I-20 at Monroe from LA 546 to LA 594

--US 90-adjacent access improvements for the Port of New Orleans

To be certain, there are already some conservative corners of the Capitol ready to dismiss McFarland’s proposal, which would be a mistake. The usual opponents should at least reserve judgment for the 2021 regular session, when the legislation will be debated and the public will be allowed to weigh in on the matter. Because right now Louisiana’s infrastructure is on a road to nowhere, and rejecting solutions without presenting competing ideas would create yet another policy pothole.

For more Louisiana political news, visit www. LaPolitics. com or follow Alford on Twitter@ LaPoliticsNow

Three drug arrests in St. Mary, 15 in Assumption this week

Wed, 11/18/2020 - 10:56am

Drug arrests stayed at the top of the agenda for local law enforcement agencies Monday, when St. Mary deputies and Berwick officers made arrests and a parishwide investigation continued in Assumption.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith reported these arrests:

—Willie Joseph Johnlewis, Jr., 33, Jeanerette, arrested at 2:55 p.m. Monday on charges of driving on road-way laned for traffic, illegal possession of stolen firearms, possession of a firearm by a felon, introduction of contraband into a penal institution, possession of crack cocaine, obstruction of justice-tampering and possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance.

Johnlewis was released on a $25,000 bond.

—Lorenzo Paul Harris, 35, Jeanerette, was arrested at 11:22 p.m. on a charge of possession of marijuana. Harris was released on a summons to appear Feb. 23.

—Dezzie Shavers, 63, Franklin, was arrested at 1:12 a.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of drug para-phernalia, driving under suspension and failure to signal. Shavers was released on a summons to Feb. 23.

—Myrtle Lulmae Naquin, 57, Franklin, was arrested at 1:59 a.m. Tuesday on a charge of driving under sus-pension. Naquin was released on a summons to appear Feb. 23.

Berwick Police Chief David Leonard reported this arrest:

—Robert Burke, 58, Church Street, Patterson, was arrested at 10:32 p.m. Monday on charges of possession of methamphetamine and obstruction of justice.
About 9:57 p.m. Monday, officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle after receiving a welfare concern for one of the occupants inside. During the course of the stop, officers made contact with the driver, Burke, who consented for a search of his person and vehicle.
Through the course of the investigation, Burke was found attempting to conceal and destroy a bag of metham-phetamine that fell from the inside of his pants. Burke admitted that he was trying to destroy the Methampheta-mine and was placed under arrest and transported to the Berwick Police Department.

Morgan City Police Chief James F. Blair reported these arrests:

—Kenneth M. Richard, 36, La. 182, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:27 a.m. on a warrant for failure to appear on a charge of theft.

Richard was transported from Iberia Parish after being arrested on a warrant from City Court of Morgan City for failure to appear. Richard was booked into the Morgan City Police Department

—Courtlin Carter, 31, Birch Street, Morgan City, as arrested at 10:51 p.m. Monday on a warrant for simple as-sault.

Carter was arrested after officers spoke with him and learned that he had warrants for simple assault. The warrant stemmed from an October 3, 2020 incident. Carter was transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking.

Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon reported these arrests in connection with a continuing parishwide narcotics investigation.

— Lacey Fabre, 28, Legnon Court, Bayou L’Ourse, was arrested Monday on a charge of felony distribution of methamphetamine.
Narcotics agents investigating illegal drug trafficking were able to identify Lacey Fabre as a suspect.
On Monday, Fabre was arrested in Bayou L’Ourse and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

—William I. Fontenot Jr., 55, La. 663, Bayou L’Ourse, was arrested Monday on a charge of distribution of marijuana.
Fontenot was arrested in Bayou L’Ourse and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Facility pending a bond hearing.

--Brandon Suggs Jr., Lillian Street, Plattenville, was arrested Monday on a charge of distribution of marijuana.
Suggs was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

—Patricia Lynn Savoie, 49, Fourth Street, Morgan City, was arrested Tuesday on a charge of distribution of methamphetamine. Savoie was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

—Jeramie J. Butler, 36, Maple Street, Labadieville, was arrested Monday on two counts of distribution of crack cocaine.
Butler was booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

—Garland Jones, 37, Foch Road, New Orleans, was arrested Tuesday on a charge of distribution of marijuana.

Jones was d booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

—Herman Knockum IV, 22, Belle Point Lane, Napoleonville, was arrested Tuesday on a charge of distribu-tion of marijuana.

Knockum was booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.
—Calvin Toby LeBlanc, 39, Heriard Street, Plattenville, was arrested Monday on a charge of distribution of methamphetamine.

LeBlanc was arrested in Plattenville and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Facility pending a bond hearing.

—Jamal Lee Daggs, 38, La. 400, Napoleonville, was arrested Monday on a charge of distribution of marijuana.
on felony drug distribution charges related to an ongoing parish wide illegal narcotics investigation.

Daggs was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

— Jerome Lemon, 60, La. 1003, Belle Rose, was arrested Monday on a charge of distribution of crack cocaine.

Lemon was arrested in Belle Rose and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

—Kenneth Bridges, 44, Jones Street, Bertrandville, was arrested Monday on a charge of distribution of marijua-na. Bridges was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

—Wendell Johnson, 60, Jones Street, Napoleonville, was arrested Monday on a charge of distribution of mari-juana. Johnson was booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

—Corey Packer, 50, Owens Street, Napoleonville, was arrested Monday on a charge of distribution of crack cocaine. Packer was incarcerated pending a bond hearing

—Shaquille Johnson, 30, La. 1003, Belle Rose, was arrested Monday on a charge of distribution of marijuana.
Johnson was booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

—Brandon Jamar Williams, 36, South Holly Road, Labadieville, was arrested Monday on charges of distribu-tion of marijuana, possession of marijuana and possession of MDMA (ecstasy).

Williams was arrested in Labadieville and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Facility on the distribu-tion charge. At the time of his arrest, Williams was found to be in possession of marijuana and MDMA.

He was incarcerated pending a bond hearing.

Plan for longer cooking time to smoke a turkey

Wed, 11/18/2020 - 8:56am

Thanks in large part to the global pandemic that has lasted for much of 2020, Thanksgiving figures to be celebrated a little differently this year than in years past.
Family gatherings may not be as large and highways may not be as heavily trafficked as they are on what is normally one of the year’s biggest weekends for travel. In addition to smaller gatherings, many families may opt to host Thanksgiving dinner outdoors.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the COVID-19 virus spreads very easily through person-to-person contact, and the risk of spreading the virus is even greater when spending time indoors with other people. As a result, some families are planning to host Thanksgiving dinner outdoors on their patios or decks this year.
That decision has prompted some to consider different ways of cooking Thanksgiving turkeys, including smoking. Smoking has long been associated with cooking foods like brisket at home, but smokers also can be used to make flavorful Thanksgiving turkeys.
Thanksgiving hosts who want to smoke turkeys outdoors this year are urged to take a few trial runs and watch some online tutorials before trying their hand at smoking. Smoking relies heavily on controlling temperatures, which can fluctuate dramatically and quickly inside a smoker. As a result, smoking a turkey may require simple but frequent adjustments to dampers so the temperature inside can remain steady at around 225 F.
Hosts who suspect they will be busy hosting or preparing side dishes on Thanksgiving may want to cook turkeys in more traditional ways, such as baking the bird in the oven.
Those who can devote the time to controlling the temperature on their smokers also should know that the turkey will take much longer to cook in a smoker than in an oven. According to the online grilling resource Heygrillhey.com, cooks should plan to smoke their turkeys at 225 F for approximately 30 minutes per pound.
That means smoking a 15-pound turkey will require at least 7.5 hours cooking time. That’s a significant factor to consider for people who want to host Thanksgiving dinner outdoors this year.
In order to avoid serving smoked turkey after the sun has gone down, Thanksgiving hosts may need to wake up especially early and fire up the smokers around the break of dawn if not earlier

Confession to decades-old infidelity devastates wife

Wed, 11/18/2020 - 8:54am

By Jeanne Phillips, ©United Features Syndicate

DEAR ABBY: Two years ago, my husband of 50 years confessed that 46 years ago, shortly after our son was born, he had a one-night stand with a total stranger he gave a ride to. She offered sex to him, and they went to a hotel for the brief encounter. He said he had totally forgotten about it until recently. He said he was very upset when he remembered, to the point that he felt sick.
He decided to tell me because he didn’t want any secrets between us, and he asked me to forgive him. I forgave him, but I have been devastated ever since. He was a virgin when we married, and he has been unfaithful only that one time.
Abby, I cannot get over the fact that he did this to me. Not a single day goes by without the pain and the images of him being unfaithful in a marriage that I considered to be nearly perfect until then, take hold of me and make me very sad. I don’t cry as much anymore, but the intensity of the pain hasn’t subsided.
I haven’t talked to anyone else about this. My husband loves me and has been very supportive, but it hasn’t been enough to heal this pain. Your words of wisdom will be appreciated.
WOUNDED IN FLORIDA

DEAR WOUNDED: So your husband chose to ease his guilty conscience about this one-time infidelity 46 years ago and lay it on you. It would have been kinder had he “confessed” to his spiritual adviser.
Focus on the fact that what happened (once) four years into your marriage is less relevant than the quality of the relationship you have shared during the ensuing nearly half-century. Because it has been two years since your husband told you and you are still in emotional pain, consider enlisting the help of a licensed marriage and family therapist.
Talking it out may help these feelings to dissipate so you will no longer be haunted by the images in your head. Please do not wait to do this. Your physician is the first person to ask for a referral.

DEAR ABBY: I have read about how narcissistic, angry, depressed people shame others and spread lies on social media. May I take a moment to remind your readers that they do not HAVE to have social media?
I stopped looking at it two years ago, after the death of my sister. People said some horrible things, so I decided enough is enough — I’m done. Not only have I not missed it, I’m much more peaceful and less stressed. I connect with people I love through email, texting and sometimes good old-fashioned letter-writing. That works for me.
FREEDOM REGAINED IN CALIFORNIA

DEAR FREEDOM REGAINED: I have received an increasing number of letters from people about problems in which there is a social media element. For those who have become overwhelmed, I recommend limiting time spent online. For people who have been victimized by trolls, another solution is to simply block or delete them.
I’m sharing your suggestion for anyone who might need it — and I suspect there may be quite a few. However, disconnecting from social media does take more effort because the dropouts must decide not only who they wish to communicate with but also by what means to do it.
***
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 to: Dear Abby, Popularity Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.

Veterans Day collection at Patterson Junior High

Tue, 11/17/2020 - 2:40pm

Submitted Photo
Patterson Junior High students conducted a Veterans Day collection in coordination with Col. Corey Williams of the Morgan City High Junior ROTC program. Casey Falgout’s eighth-grade publication class has organized the abundant donations that will be distributed to the veterans home in Reserve. PJHS thanked families for their overwhelming support and generosity. Pictured from left are Keaton Chaisson, Elena Espinal and Lainey Blanco.