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Berwick Lighthouse Festival gets underway Friday

Thu, 11/12/2020 - 12:10pm

Staff Report

COVID-19 and all the hurricanes have made it tough to schedule a festival in 2020.
But Berwick’s Lighthouse Festival is on for this weekend.
The event, which has amassed an impressive list of local business sponsors, will be 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday at the Berwick riverfront.
The festival makes one concession to the coronavirus: Under Phase 3 guidelines, no alcoholic beverages will be sold. Coolers will be allowed, but glass bottles are prohibited.
There will still be food and soft drinks. Arts and crafts will also be on display.
Other attractions include the Chez Hope Lighthouse Festival 5K run at 7 a.m. Saturday and a 9 p.m. Saturday fireworks display over Berwick Bay.
Gumbo Cook-Off will start at 7 a.m. Saturday and present awards at 2:30 p.m.
An 8:30 a.m. Sunday Mass on the Riverfront is on the schedule along with the Cypress Corvette Club Car Show 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday and a 9 a.m. Sunday pancake breakfast.
Here’s the festival schedule:
Friday
6-8 p.m.: Lowdown
6 p.m.: Vendor booths open
6 p.m. Carnival games open
8:30-10:30 p.m.: Kyle Daigle
Saturday
7 a.m.: Chez Hope Lighthouse Festival 5 K Fun Run
7 a.m.: Kick-off for Gumbo Cookoff
1:30-3:30 p.m.: Old Soul
2:30 p.m.: Gumbo Cookoff Awards
4-6 p.m.: Jus Cuz
6:30-8:30 p.m.: Blue Collar Boys
9 p.m.: Fireworks over the River
9:30-11:30 p.m.: Deja Vu
Sunday
8:30 a.m. Mass on the Riverfront
9 a.m.-3 p.m.: Car Show hosted by Cypress Corvette Club
9 a.m.: Pancake breakfast
1-3 p.m.: Krossover
3:30-7 p.m.: Don Rich

Patterson hosts St. James; Central Catholic hopes to extend streak

Thu, 11/12/2020 - 12:08pm

GEOFF STOUTE

gstoute@daily-review.com

Week 7 of the Tri-City area’s prep football season will begin with two Thursday night games, and two more games will follow on Friday evening.
Thursday’s action will feature Patterson hosting St. James, while Central Catholic will welcome Highland Baptist to Morgan City.
Friday, Morgan City will host South Terrebonne, and Berwick will travel to face E.D. White in Thibodaux.
Patterson vs.
St. James
The Patterson Lumberjacks will continue District 9-3A play at home Thursday when they host defending Class 3A state champion St. James.
Patterson comes into the matchup after falling to Donaldsonville 54-24 last Friday.
Donaldsonville announced Monday it was forced to cancel its final two football games of the season, the final game of the season being at Berwick, “with a significant number of players facing a two-week quarantine” after a COVID-19 positive test was recorded in the school, The Advocate reported. The newspaper reported the quarantine didn’t affect the entire football team, however.
Fortunately, the Patterson High School-St. James contest was not adversely affected.
“We did reach out to Donaldsonville for contact tracing information and are following any Department of Health guidelines that apply to players involved in last week’s game,” St. Mary Parish Superintendent Teresa Bagwell said Wednesday afternoon. “At this time, there is no indication that Patterson High School’s football team should postpone any game this week.”
Thursday will be the second trip in as many weeks for St. James to St. Mary Parish. A week ago, the Wildcats (4-2 overall, 2-1 in district) defeated Berwick 49-13.
Thursday also is Senior Night for the Lumberjacks (2-4, 1-2).
With the regular season winding down and the Lumberjacks ranked No. 29 in the latest Louisiana High School Athletic Association power rankings, coach Zach Lochard said the message to his team has been to win and they will make the playoffs.
“These teams that we have left on the schedule are both very talented but also very beatable,” Lochard said of St. James and Lutcher, who the Lumberjacks will close the regular season with next week. “We absolutely respect both of them, but our guys can even tell you that we don’t fear either one of them nor any opponent that we would play on our schedule.
“We’re very excited about the matchup,” Lochard added. “We’ve been working very hard sharpening our ax all week in practice, film session and workouts, so we feel like if we can keep it a close game in the fourth quarter, we’re going to have a great opportunity to win.”
Central Catholic vs. Highland Baptist
Central Catholic will look to extend its winning streak to three straight games when the squad meets Highland Baptist Thursday in District 8-1A action in Morgan City.
The Eagles (2-3, 2-1) have won two straight — both on the road — defeating Hanson 50-36 for their first win two weeks ago before following it with a 41-6 victory against Covenant Christian last week at Nicholls State in Thibodaux.
Central Catholic coach Tommy Minton said his team has played a lot of first-year starters, including sophomores and freshmen, who needed to gain experience.
“We’re definitely playing better, and hopefully that will keep carrying on until tomorrow night,” he said Wednesday.
Thursday, the Eagles will host a Highland Baptist squad that despite a 2-2 record, comes to Morgan City with a high-powered offense. The Bears have scored 35 or more points in every contest except a 42-6 loss to Vermilion Catholic two weeks ago. Last week, the squad defeated Hanson Memorial 43-30 in New Iberia.
“The quarterback’s an excellent player,” Minton said of Highland’s Myles Liggans, who he said leads the Bears.
He said the Bears also have some impressive skill players and linemen.
“They look very good physically,” Minton said of the Bears, who run a spread offense.
Defensively, the Bears will use a four-man front and occasionally will add a fifth rusher.
“They play a lot of zone defense behind it, cover two, cover four,” he said.
Morgan City vs.
South Terrebonne
The Morgan City Tigers will hit the field Friday for the first time in two weeks when they host South Terrebonne in a 7 p.m. contest.
Morgan City’s homecoming contest a week ago was canceled after South Lafourche had COVID-19 cases on its campus, forcing the school to move to virtual learning and cancel athletic activities.
In Morgan City’s last contest, a District 8-4A game at Assumption Oct. 29, Morgan City (0-5, 0-2) fell 44-0.
The Tigers’ opponent Friday, South Terrebonne, has had a rough time this season as the squad enters Friday’s game with a 1-5 record, including an 0-3 mark in District 8-4A. A week ago, the Gators fell to Vandebilt Catholic 42-22 in Houma.
Berwick vs.
E.D. White
Berwick will hit the road Friday for a District 9-3A contest against E.D. White in what could be its final game of the season due to a COVID-19 case involving a future opponent.
While the Panthers (1-5, 0-3) were scheduled to play a week 10 contest against Donaldsonville, Donaldsonville announced earlier this week the game was canceled due to a COVID-19 positive test on the school’s campus that forced most of the school’s football team to quarantine for two weeks.
Berwick head coach Mike Walker is looking to fill the week 10 open date, but if no opponent is found, the Panthers will conclude their season Friday.
It’s a tough reality that has reinforced a lesson the coach has frequently stressed to his players that they should play every play of a game like it’s their last because they never know when the end is coming.
“Hopefully they take that to heart this week and prepare the right way,” Walker said.
However, before the Panthers can worry about week 10, they will travel to face an E.D. White team this week that is 5-1 overall and 3-0 in District 9-3A action. A week ago, E.D. White defeated Lutcher 24-21, while Berwick fell to St. James 49-13.
“They’re playing with some confidence right now,” Walker said of the Cardinals. “They’re winning some games. They’re always solid on the defensive side of the ball, and that style of offense is hard to prepare (for).”

Patterson program for Veterans Day

Thu, 11/12/2020 - 12:04pm

East St. Mary people joined their countrymen Wednesday in honoring former members of the military for Veterans Day. The Patterson Garden Club saluted veterans with a Veterans Day and Blue Star program at the Patterson City Hall parking lot. VFW Patterson Memorial and Auxiliary Post 12182, and Carr-Roberson Post No. 589 also took part.

Submitted Photo

Baton Rouge in running for multibillion-dollar renewables operation

Thu, 11/12/2020 - 11:58am

By DAVID JACOBS, The Center Square

A proposed $1.25 billion renewable fuels project at the Port of Greater Baton Rouge could grow into a $9.2 billion complex by 2030, making it one of the largest facilities of its kind in the world, state and company officials say.
A final investment decision on the project’s first phase is expected next year.
If the Grön Fuels project goes forward, the first phase would employ 340 people by 2024, producing up to 60,000 barrels per day of low-carbon renewable diesel, and possibly jet fuel, utilizing non-fossil feedstocks such as soybean oil, corn oil and animal fats, the company says.
Through all nine potential phases and associated projects, the complex could support an estimated 1,025 new direct jobs by 2030, with an average annual salary of $98,595, officials said. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project and subsequent phases would result in up to 4,560 new indirect jobs, for a total of 5,585 new jobs for the Capital Region.
To secure the project, state government has offered an incentive package that includes use of the LED FastStartworkforce development program and a “performance-based grant” of up to $15 million, payable at up to $2.5 million per year for six years, for project development and infrastructure. The company also is expected to utilize the state’s Quality Jobs and Industrial Tax Exemption programs.
Gov. John Bel Edwards recently has talked up the economic potential of renewable energy for Louisiana. For example, he has urged the federal government to help create a business path for wind energy production in the Gulf of Mexico.
“This renewable fuel production facility will help to secure Louisiana’s place as a leader in environmentally friendly energy production,” Edwards said, referring to Grön’s proposal.
“Growing global demand for renewable transportation fuels creates a significant growth opportunity for our state.”
Houston-based Fidelis Infrastructure, Gröl’s parent company, is an asset management firm specializing in renewable energy, low-carbon transportation fuels, sustainable and circular economy infrastructure, and digital infrastructure, with projects ranging from $40 million up to $2 billion, the company says. Company partners Dan Shapiro and Bengt Jarlsjo both attended LSU and previously worked for The Shaw Group in Baton Rouge.
“Louisiana’s core strengths in the field of building and operating plants that produce fuels and products for the world, coupled with its logistically advantaged deepwater location at the nexus of energy and agriculture, serve as the launching point for a new ‘high tech’ transition of the region into the next generation of energy,” Shapiro said. “I’m proud to be involved in this exciting project as we work to advance it through feasibility and its next steps.”

Legislative auditor questions $31 million in spending

Thu, 11/12/2020 - 11:53am

DAVID JACOBS, The Center Square

The Louisiana legislative auditor has raised questions about almost $31 million in spending and financial management by state entities during the first quarter of the fiscal year that began July 1.
The auditor’s office is required by law to report any findings of inefficiency, mismanagement or fraud worth at least $150,000 to the Legislature’s joint budget committee.
The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness’ public assistance program was responsible for the bulk of that spending, about $24 million.
That total includes $15 million in expense reimbursements not supported by proper documentation, almost $2.9 million in completed work that was not within the scope of an approved project, more than $3.4 million in contracts and purchases that did not comply with applicable federal and state rules, and reimbursing more than $2.4 million in work that did not comply with federal regulations.
The LLA says it reviewed 1,596 expense reimbursements GOHSEP submitted from Jan. 1 through June 30 totaling more than $225.2 million.
GOHSEP concurred with LLA’s assessment of the questionable spending, while noting that processes are in place to resolve those issues.
“We would also like to note that our review process necessitates that any exceptions identified within your report are required to be addressed before project closeout,” Lynne Browning, assistant deputy director for publica assistance at GOHSEP, wrote in her response to the LLA’s report.
Other findings mentioned in the quarterly report include:
—The Acadiana Area Human Service District failed to bill payers for $384,070 in services. Management agreed with the findings and planned to correct the problems.
—GOHSEP’s hazard mitigation program spent almost $2.6 million for work that was not within the scope of an approved project and reimbursements not supported by applicable documentation, the LLA says. As with the public assistance program, processes are in place to resolve the issues prior to project closeout, GOHSEP says.
—The Louisiana Department of Health allowed 315 providers to bill $293,080 for behavioral health services beyond 12 hours in a given day, which is against state law in most cases.
LDH Secretary Courtney Phillips said the department reviews payments after the fact, which allows the state to recoup money when appropriate while avoiding unnecessary service denials for patients.
—LSU-Eunice failed to maintain adequate controls over cash receipts, LLA says. School officials blamed most of the problems on the third-party product they used for human resources.
—LLA says LSU- Shreveport doesn’t keep tabs on outstanding student accounts as well as it should, resulting in a $2.4 million shortfall of student tuition and fees as of Jan. 31. LSU-S officials say they are implementing new processes to track payments and prevent students who owe money from registering for more classes.
—River Parishes Community College also lacks effective controls over outstanding student balances, LLA says, resulting in more than $1 million in balances more than two years old. School officials say they are taking corrective action.

Wheel House for Nov. 12

Thu, 11/12/2020 - 11:48am

THANKSGIVING
Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church, 113 Federal Ave., Morgan City, annual free Thanksgiving Dinner is at noon Nov. 19. This year will be a drive-thru/curbside pickup. Public welcomed.

A gift from the heart: CCHS gets defibrillator

Thu, 11/12/2020 - 11:43am

St. Mary Parish Hospital Service District No. 2 and Ochsner St. Mary donated an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to Central Catholic Hight School. The AED will be used to help those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. It is an easy-to-use, medical device that can analyze the heart's rhythm and, if necessary, deliver an electrical shock, or defibrillation, to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm. Pictured are Dr. Williams Cefalu, Chairman of St. Mary Parish Hospital Service District No. 2 , Pete Boudreaux CCHS Principal, Ree Case, CCHS Athletic Director and Fernis LeBlanc, CEO of Ochsner St. Mary.

Submitted Photo

Morgan City police radio logs for Nov. 10-11

Thu, 11/12/2020 - 11:35am

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.
Tuesday, Nov. 10
7:36 a.m. 1400 block of Second Street; Stand by.
8:19 a.m. 3000 block of Helen Drive; Animal.
8:32 a.m. 600 block of Arenz Street; Medical.
8:38 a.m. Aycock and Patton streets; Animal.
8:39 a.m. 1500 block of North Third Street; Complaint.
9:09 a.m. U.S. 90 East; Assistance.
9:35 a.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Assistance.
10:21 a.m. 900 block of Onstead Street; Animal.
10:31 a.m. Lake End Park; Animal.
Noon; 7700 block of La. 182; Disturbance.
12:09 p.m. 500 block of Front Street; Accident.
1:13 p.m. 300 block of Garber Street; Animal.
2:03 p.m. 700 block of Onstead Street; Com-plaint.
2:17 p.m. 2400 block of Cypress Street; Com-plaint.
3:48 p.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Suspicious person.
4:41 p.m. 6500 block of La. 182; Complaint.
4:51 p.m. 700 block of Willow Street; Com-plaint.
5:04 p.m. Fifth and Maine streets; Disturb-ance.
5:09 p.m. 500 block of Bush Street; Medical.
5:31 p.m. 700 block of Everett Street; Removal of subject.
6:05 p.m. 3000 block of Carrol Drive; Medical.
6:15 p.m. U.S. 90 East; Reckless operation.
7:15 p.m. 700 block of Aucoin Street; Assis-tance.
7:32 p.m. Bush Street; Theft.
11:27 p.m. 500 block of Marshall Street; Arrest.
11:29 p.m. 1100 block of Front Street; Loud music.
11:32 p.m. 1000 block of Levee Road; Medical.
Wednesday, Nov. 11
3:06 a.m. 900 block of Spruce Street; Animal complaint.

Woman arrested in death of her 1-year-old son

Thu, 11/12/2020 - 11:24am

A Labadieville woman has been booked on a murder charge after a preliminary investigation indicated her 1-year-old child died as a result of abuse and neglect, Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon said Wednesday.

—Tonika M. Willoughby, 28, La. 1, Labadieville, was arrested Tuesday on a charge of first-degree murder.

Willoughby’s other two children were placed in the care of the Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services.

Deputies were called to Willoughby’s La. 1 address Monday because a child was unresponsive. Acadian Ambu lance was also dispatched and transported the child to Thibodaux Regional Hospital, where the child was pro-nounced deceased about an hour after arrival.

An autopsy was conducted at the Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Office. A preliminary report indicates that child neglect and abuse was a direct result of the infant’s death.

Detectives immediately initiated an investigation and on Tuesday conducted an interview with Willoughby.

Based on the medical findings and the interview of Willoughby, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for the alleged crime.

Willoughby was arrested at the Detectives Bureau and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Facility pending a court appearance.

The investigation continues.

Falcon also reported this arrest:

—Laqueta Harvey, 34, Belle Point Lane, Napoleonville, was arrested Tuesday on charges of battery of a school bus operator and unlawful disruption of the operation of a school.

Deputies made contact with the complainant at the school in question in Napoleonville.

The complainant advised that Harvey approached her because of a minor incident on the school bus a day ear-lier. The complainant is a bus driver. Harvey is alleged to have repeatedly struck the victim on the school campus.

Based on the victim’s, as well as numerous witness statements, and notable physical injuries
to the victim, the deputy filed arrest warrants against Harvey.

Harvey was arrested at her home and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center on charges
pending a bond hearing.

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

—Devonte Siranthony Myles, 26, Patton Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:57 p.m. Tuesday on war-rants for possession of marijuana (first offense) and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Officers came into contact with Devonte S. Myles on Third Street. A warrant check revealed the Morgan City Police Department held an active warrant for his arrest.

He was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
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—Shaqunia Marie Harris, 26, Arizona Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:53 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant for contempt of court-violating terms of probation (two counts).

Harris was located at the Morgan City Police Department and booked on outstanding warrants held by the City Court of Morgan City.

—Matthew James Miller, 26, Marshall Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:33 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of domestic abuse battery.

Officers were called to a Marshall Street address for a disturbance. They discovered evidence Miller had committed a battery on his domestic partner.
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He was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.

St. Martin Parish Sheriff Becket Breaux reported these arrests:

—Sergio Lopez-Herrera, 28, Greenwell Springs Road, Greenwell Springs, was arrested Monday by the Louisiana State Police improper lane usage, operating while intoxicated (second offense), open container, operating a vehicle while license is suspended.

—Tory Phillips, 30, Caddo Court, Lafayette, was arrested Monday by the FBI and held for the U.S. Marshals Ser-vice.

—Stoney Ross, 47, Hebert Lane Highway, St. Martinville, was arrested Monday by the Sheriff’s Office on charges of unauthorized use of a movable and simple burglary/burglary.

—Nathan Simon, 31, Hebert Avenue, Breaux Bridge, was arrested Monday on charges of domestic abuse battery, domestic abuse, aggravated assault; child endangerment and unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling.

—Aries Antoine, 23, Pershing Street, New Iberia, was arrested Tuesday on charges of attempt second-degre mur-der/non-negligent manslaughter.

—Logant Smith, 20, Camille Drive, St. Martinville, was arrested Tuesday by the St. Martinville Police Department on charges of possession with intent to distribute Schedule I drugs, prohibited acts, distribution of drug paraphernalia, transactions involving proceeds from drug offenses, tail lamps, head lamps on motor vehicles, possession of a fire arm while committing or attempting crime.on

—Kordell Williams, 32, Castille Avenue, Breaux Bridge, was arrested Tuesday by the Breaux Bridge Police Department on charges of domestic abuse battery and second-degree battery.

—William Williams, 28, Joyce Street, Lafayette, was arrested Tuesday by and held for the U.S. Marshals Service

Franklin Police Chief Morris Beverly reported these arrests:

—Steven Richard Sr., 40, Cayce Street, Franklin, was arrested at 8 p.m. Monday on a 16th Judicial District Court warrant for failure to appear on the charge of simple burglary. Richard was booked, processed and held on a $2,500 bond.

—Michael Thomas, 35, Robert Street, Franklin, was arrested at 1:45 a.m. Tuesday on a war-rant for 3rd Ward City Court for failure to appear on the charge of domestic abuse battery. Thomas was booked, processed and held with no bond set.

New bug attacks elephant ear plants

Thu, 11/12/2020 - 8:59am

By RICK BOGREN, LSU AgCenter

BATON ROUGE — The recent Louisiana discovery of dying wild taro, or elephant ear, has LSU AgCenter scientists expressing concern.
In the first week of October, John Hartgerink, a retired chemical engineer, found large patches of taro dying at the Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center in Baton Rouge. Observers believe the dieback is associated with the presence of a planthopper insect and perhaps plant pathogens.
“The implications of the dieback on the long-term management of taro are unknown,” said AgCenter entomologist Rodrigo Diaz. “Our goal is to document the extent of the dieback and the distribution of the planthopper and pathogens in the southeastern United States.”
Wild taro, commonly known as elephant ear, is an aquatic plant native to Southeast Asia. The plant is present throughout the southeastern United States, where it invades wet areas. The effect of invasive taro includes alteration of riparian plant communities, decrease of recreational activities and reduction of habitat for wildlife, Diaz said.
The plant has been found in several Louisiana parishes.
The taro dieback in Baton Rouge has been associated with outbreaks of a planthopper that’s native to Asia, where it is considered a pest of taro, Diaz said. No one knows how or when it arrived in the U.S.; it was first reported in Florida in 2015.
In addition to the planthopper, taro leaves have shown mosaic symptoms and brown lesions. A virus likely causes the mosaic. The brown lesions are of unknown nature but likely caused by an unidentified pathogen.
The wild taro, Colocasia esculenta, “is considered an invasive species, but there are several ornamental varieties in the southeastern United States,” Diaz said. “Then you have Alocasia and Caladium, which are other closely related genera that include many ornamental species.”
Elephant ear or taro is a common name used for several species in the aroid family, so figuring out whether the planthopper and associated pathogens are a threat to ornamental plants is a bit tricky.
“Previous studies and field observations in Louisiana suggest the planthopper feeds only on taro. However, we do not know whether ornamental varieties of taro are susceptible to this planthopper,” Diaz said.
“That is the million dollar question, and we don’t know. We just found the planthopper in Louisiana weeks ago, and the long-term implications for our state are unknown,” he said
“But based on the problems the planthopper and plant pathogens cause in commercial taro production of Hawaii and in other countries in Asia, I would say ‘yes,’ these organisms could severely damage taro. What is fascinating about this story is how sudden the dieback symptoms are,” he said. “The planthopper could be a vector of pathogens that might be more damaging.”
Another problem is that the unidentified pathogens causing the leaf blight and mosaic may have a wider range of hosts than the taro planthopper. This means the Caladium and other species in aroid family might be affected.
“Again, we are so early in the discovery process that I am not certain about impacts,” Diaz said.
Diaz, in cooperation with Veronica Manrique from Southern University and AgCenter plant pathologist Rodrigo Valverde, is preparing a fact sheet about the planthopper and plant pathogens associated with the taro dieback.
“Our goal is to make people aware of this planthopper and pathogens attacking taro in Louisiana. More importantly, we would like the public to help us finding more evidence of the dieback,” Diaz said.
More information and pictures of the taro dieback are online at www.lsuagcenter.com/Colocasia.