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KATHLEEN HOGAN LANDRY

Mon, 09/21/2020 - 10:51am

Kathleen Hogan Landry, 92, a native and resident of Morgan City, passed away on Thursday, September 17, 2020, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.
Kathleen will be remembered as a devoted and loving wife, sister and aunt. She retired after 34 years of service from South Central Bell, which also included her service as a past president of the Telephone Pioneers, a community service volunteer organization.
She is survived by five nephews, Tim, Blair (Paula), Brent (Rose), Craig (Marcia), and Cliff Bergeron; two nieces, Mary Alice LeBlanc (Ricky), Kathleen McNulty (Tommy); 8 great nieces and nephews; 18 great-great nieces and nephews.
Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents, Patrick and Rita Hogan; her husband David P. Landry; one brother, Thomas Hogan; one sister, Marion Bergeron; maternal aunt, Alice Soumeillan, who assisted in caring for her, upon her mother’s death.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers will be Kathleen’s great nephews and great-great nephews, Seth Percle, Mark Bergeron, Ryan Percle, Trent Percle, Dominic Case and Benjamin Case. Honorary pallbearer will be Michael Anthony Hill.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with a rosary being prayed prior to the Mass.

Wheel House for Sept. 21

Mon, 09/21/2020 - 10:46am

SACRED HEART
Thrift Store, corner of South Railroad and Second Street, Morgan City, open 8:30-11 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 23-24, with all clothing, shoes and purses at 10 cents. Many other items are half priced or 25 cents. All proceeds benefit people in need.

VFW serves meals for Laura evacuees, law enforcement

Mon, 09/21/2020 - 10:36am

Submitted Photos
VFW Patterson Memorial Post and Auxiliary 12182 went back to Abbeville Friday with meals, drinks and snacks for the Hurricane Laura residents staying in the local hotels. The post was also able to serve some food to the local law enforcement officials. The post served up about 94 meals to them. It was POW Day, so the post also set up a POW Table to remember those missing in action.

Reynolds joins Ochsner St. Mary staff

Mon, 09/21/2020 - 10:34am

Matthew Reynolds, MD, OB/GYN, has joined the active medical staff at Ochsner St. Mary, CEO Fernis LeBlanc announced.
Reynolds finished his residency program at Florida State University in Pensacola, Florida. He received his Medical Doctorate from the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences College Of Medicine and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas.
Reynolds is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and brings with him many years of experience to our community.
“We are pleased that we were able to provide an opportunity for Dr. Reynolds to practice here,” said LeBlanc. “With the addition of Dr. Reynolds practicing in our community, it will enable us to expand our existing services and help us to continue our goal of keeping people at home for their healthcare needs,” LeBlanc added.
Reynolds joins Dr. Julie Price and Dr. Vicky Griffin at Ochsner St. Mary Women’s Clinic. As an OB/GYN, Dr. Reynolds offers comprehensive health care for conditions such as pregnancy, endometriosis, incontinence, ovarian cysts, and menopause, just to name a few. He also specializes in gynecological surgery, including abdominal surgery, minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery, and hysterectomy.
Reynolds is now accepting new patients. His office is located in the Medical Office Building behind the hospital at 1151 Marguerite St., Suite 700. To learn more about Ochsner, please visit www.ochsner.org/info.
Ochsner St. Mary, located in Morgan City, is a 164-bed hospital offering St. Mary Parish and beyond by providing inpatient and outpatient services 24 hours a day seven days a week.

Senior feeding in Morgan City

Mon, 09/21/2020 - 10:32am

The Daily Review/Bill Decker
Volunteers pass out grab-and-go lunches and fruit trays to seniors Thursday at the St. Mary Senior Citizens Center on Chennault Street in Morgan City. The St. Mary Parish government funds the program, which is operated by the St. Mary Community Action Agency. The agency, which was ready to give out 200 meals Thursday, hopes to keep the senior feedings going at least through the end of the year.

Historic dredging project gets underway

Mon, 09/21/2020 - 10:29am

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officially kicked off the historic deepening of the Mississippi River Ship Channel to 50 feet Sept. 11, as Weeks Marine’s cutterhead dredge Captain Frank started dredging five miles above the Head of Passes.
The dredging could have a positive impact in St. Mary if smaller ships opt to use the Port of Morgan City because larger ships are using the Mississippi port at Baton Rouge, and if the Morgan City port can win its ongoing battle with sediment in key channels.
“This start of this deepening project is a landmark day for our national maritime industry, and stakeholders in Louisiana and along the Mississippi River who collaboratively advocated for this national priority,” said Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Dr. Shawn D. Wilson.
The Corps awarded this first contract for the ship channel deepening to Weeks Marine Sept. 3, and the Captain Frank started the historic deepening Sept. 11. The Corps awarded the second cutterhead dredge contract to Manson Construction Sept. 8.
Manson’s cutterhead, the Robert M. White, is expected to begin deepening in late September. Three dredges – two cutterheads and one hopper dredge – will deepen the channel in the first phase of the project.
“This project represents an incredible partnership between the federal government, Congress, industry and the state of Louisiana,” said Col. Stephen Murphy, commander of the USACE New Orleans District. “By deepening the Mississippi River Ship Channel even by just five feet (to 50 feet) the National economy will see benefits to the tune of approximately $127 million annually. With a benefit-to-cost ratio of 7.2-to-1, the project will pay for itself in two years. This is a really great deal for Louisiana and America.”
“Our members are excited about the start of the 50-foot deepening, as it will help our port partners become more competitive on a national and international basis as well as contribute to coastal restoration though beneficial use of dredged material,” said Captain Michael Miller, President of the Associated Branch Pilots (Bar Pilots) and Chairman of the Big River Coalition. “The kickoff of this historic project is exciting for the entire maritime community,” said Brandy D. Christian, President and CEO of the Port of New Orleans. “It is the culmination of decades of hard work by all stakeholders involved from the Big River Coalition to Congress and the critical support of the State and the U.S. Army Corps. The deepening project will harness the economic power of the River and the most competitive global gateway in the Gulf of Mexico.”
“The Big River Coalition revitalized efforts to deepen the Mississippi River Ship Channel to 50 Feet in August 2012,” said Sean Duffy, executive director of the Coalition. “The project will promote the economic advantages of waterborne commerce to shippers by extending the draw area for shipping down this economic superhighway. The deepened channel will offer increased cost savings to shippers and help the U.S. compete in world markets, enhance the system’s water carrying capacity and increase the flood protection of businesses, farms and homes. A deeper channel will create thousands of jobs and restore 1,500 acres of wetlands in the environmentally sensitive birds’-foot delta. The deepening of the Mississippi River Ship Channel is truly a historic project that will pay for itself in a few years and generate increased revenues for decades. The Coalition applauds the USACE and LDOTD for their professional support and recognizes the unwavering commitment from the navigation industry across the Mississippi River Basin.”
The executive director of the Port of Plaquemines, Sandy Sanders released the following comments on the impact of the Ship Channel Deepening. “The deepening of the Mississippi River Ship Channel to 50 feet is a momentous water infrastructure project that will promote increased trade throughout the nation’s interior. The Plaquemines Port Harbor and Terminal District along with our partners from Plaquemines Parish to the state of Illinois are thrilled to see the deepening project commence. The deeper draft will increase the efficiency of waterborne commerce by reducing transportation costs and extend the channel’s outreach to a larger share of American producers and consumers. The Big River Coalition should be commended as it would not have happened without their coordination and constant vigilance.”
The executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition, Mike Steenhoek, a longtime partner of the Coalition offered the following statement. “Our nation’s inland waterway system - including the Mississippi River Ship Channel - provides an efficient connection between farmers in the Midwest and customers around the world. As a result, any effort to improve the channel must not only be regarded as a Louisiana priority, but also a priority for the Midwestern states that feed into it. The Soy Transportation Coalition sincerely appreciates the leadership of the Big River Coalition in promoting the deepening of the Mississippi River Ship Channel and has been pleased to work in collaboration with them in helping the project become a reality.”
The overall project will provide a draft of 50-feet from the Port of Baton Rouge to the Gulf of Mexico - over 256 miles of the Mississippi River. In addition, the material dredged from the first 30 miles of the project near the mouth of the Mississippi River will restore an estimated 1,462 acres of critical marsh habitat. Phase 1 of the project will provide a 50-foot channel from the Gulf of Mexico through Southwest Pass to Belmont Crossing and open up approximately 175 miles of the ship channel to the deeper draft. Phase 1 encompasses the entire jurisdiction of the Port of New Orleans, St. Bernard Port, Harbor and Terminal District, the Plaquemines Port, Harbor and Terminal District and the majority of the Port of South Louisiana.

Morgan City police radio logs for Sept. 17-18

Mon, 09/21/2020 - 10:26am

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.
Thursday, Sept. 17
8:08 a.m. 1000 block of Willard Street; Animal.
8:14 a.m. 300 block of Fifth Street; Officer stand by.
8:27 a.m. 500 block of Front Street; Disturbance.
8:29 a.m. 1900 block of Cedar Street; Animal.
9:18 a.m. 100 block of Wren Street; Disturbance.
9:57 a.m. 400 block of Duke Street; Theft.
10:48 a.m. Sixth and Belanger streets; Traffic incident.
11:15 a.m. 300 block of Fifth Street; Theft.
11:23 a.m. U.S. 90 West; Reckless driving.
11:24 a.m. 2000 block of Cedar Street; Complaint.
11:32 a.m. 300 block of Wren Street; Theft.
12:45 p.m. 400 block of Lawrence Street; Medical.
1:48 p.m. 3000 block of Francis Street; Medical.
2:15 p.m. 1100 block of Victor II Boulevard; Disturbance.
3:12 p.m. 500 block of Freret Street; Juvenile problems.
3:32 p.m. 400 block of Duke Street; Complaint.
3:35 p.m. 300 block of Terrebonne Street; Complaint.
3:59 p.m. 200 block of Brashear Avenue; Criminal damage to property.
4:58 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Officer stand by.
6:51 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
7:05 p.m. Onstead and Front streets area; Suspicious subject.
7:10 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Disturbance.
7:32 p.m. 300 block of Patton Street; Peeping Tom.
8:50 p.m. 100 block of Mount Street; Complaint.
9:33 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Theft.
11:04 p.m. 600 block of General Patton Street; Remove a subject.
Friday, Sept. 18
12:02 a.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Assist Acadian Ambulance.
1:09 a.m. Onstead and Sixth streets area; Suspicious subject.
1:49 a.m. 700 block of Federal Avenue; Alarm.
2:04 a.m. 500 block of Federal Avenue; Alarm.
3 a.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Fire alarm.
3:30 a.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Assistance.

Berwick man accused of cruelty to infant

Mon, 09/21/2020 - 10:22am

Staff Report

A Berwick man was arrested Thursday on a warrant for second degree cruelty to a juvenile in a case involving a 17-month old child.
Ty Kapp, 20, of Fifth Street was arrested Thursday at 3:37 p.m. after he surrendered at the Berwick Police Department on the warrant, Berwick Police Chief David Leonard said.
The arrant stems from an investigation that began Sept. 3 in which Ochsner Hospital in New Orleans notified the Berwick Police Department of a 17-month old child being treated for severe injuries, Leonard said.
Kapp was identified as a suspect, and based on evidence, warrants were prepared for his arrest.
He was booked in the Berwick Jail and later released on a $1,500 bond.
Leonard also reported the following arrests:
—Michael Cousson, 55, of River Road, Berwick, was arrested Thursday at 7:42 a.m. for disturbing the peace intoxicated, possession of marijuana, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Berwick Police responding to a complaint of a male who appeared intoxicated and walking around River Road with a firearm, spoke with Cousson, who was intoxicated and in possession of a firearm, Leonard said. Through a computer check, police learned he was a convicted felon, which prohibited him from possession a firearm, Leonard said.
Methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia items also were found in his possession.
Cousson was arrested, booked at the Berwick Police Department and later transferred to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center where he remains with no bail set.
—Nathan Rollins, 24, of Diane Lane, Patterson, was arrested Thursday at 7:02 p.m. and charged with remaining where forbidden.
Berwick police responded to a complaint at a local business of Rollins being present after being previously banned, Leonard said. Rollins was located and admitted being at the business, the chief said.
Rollins was arrested and remains incarcerated at the Berwick Police Department with bail set at $301.
Elsewhere, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith reported the following arrests:
—Britten Emanuel Businelle, 37, of Wheelis Lane, Bayou Vista, was arrested at 1:21 p.m. Thursday and charged with domestic abuse battery by strangulation, Smith said.
He remained incarcerated with no bail set.
—Archie J. Vining Jr., 71, of Fig Street, Morgan City, was arrested Thursday at 10:44 p.m. on two warrants for failure to appear on the charges of residential contractor fraud.
He remained incarcerated with bail set at $10,000.
— Mindy Macaluso, 37, Wheelis Lane, Bayou Vista, was arrested Thursday at 1:21 p.m. for possession of drug paraphernalia.
Macaluso was released on a summons to appear in court on Dec. 11.
—Shawn Tyrone Jenkins, 43, Morris Street, Franklin, was arrested Thursday at 10:15 p.m. on two Franklin Police Department warrants for unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling and violation of a protective order.
Jenkins is being held for another agency.
—Glen Charles Gallet, 28, of Breaux Bridge, was arrested Friday at 4:40 a.m. for no tail lights and possession of marijuana.
Gallet was released on a summons to appear in court on Dec. 11.
In Morgan City, Police Chief James Blair reported the following arrest:
—Chase Scully, 19, of Federal Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested Thursday at 3:48 p.m. and charged with speeding in a school zone, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession with intent to distribute THC edibles greater than 2.5 pounds and manufacture of THC edibles.
Officers stopped Scully for speeding in a school zone, and he was found in possession of THC edibles, Blair said.
He also admitted he had produced the THC to sell, the chief said.
Scully was arrested and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking.
Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon reported this arrest:
—Justin Fair, 38, Miles Street, Paincourtville, was arrested Thursday on charges of simple criminal damage to property (felony), disturbing the peace and simple battery.
Deputies responded and spoke to management at a Paincourtville retail outlet, who advised that Fair had been harassing female patrons, had engaged in a fistic encounter and had physically struck the owner. Management further advised that Fair had kicked out a large window, causing over $1,000 in damages.
The suspect had departed the area but was apprehended a short time later.
Fair was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

Get It Growing: Sod woes

Mon, 09/21/2020 - 8:51am

By HEATHER KIRK-BALLARD, LSU AgCenter Horticulturist

The year 2020 is definitely one for the history books. COVID-19, murder hornets, Hurricane Laura and now Hurricane Sally hitting our Gulf neighbors to the east.
This week is no exception for our losses. LSU AgCenter offices across the state are getting call after call as lawn after lawn is experiencing devastating loss of turfgrass.
Sod webworms are the main culprit this year, and fittingly, our weed and turfgrass extension specialist Ron Strahan said, “The numbers are biblical. We have observed nearly every house on a single street with damage in the lawn.” Cue the locusts.
You might first take notice of the small moths that are light brown to dark brown with striping on the wings. You will see them flying around as you walk through your lawn or around outdoor lights at night. This is the adult of the sod webworm. The moths lay eggs on grass blades.
Larvae hatch a week or so later, maturing into adult moths in three to five weeks. There can be two or more generations each year. Larvae are amber in color but become greener as they feed on the blades of grass at nighttime. They are the cause of the damage we see in the lawn.
If you missed the moths but are seeing yellowing and browning patches of dead lawn, you need to inspect further to determine if it is sod webworms. One way to tell is to investigate individual grass blades. They will have a chewed appearance, with pieces of blades missing or chunks bitten out. The caterpillars are making a feast of your lawn.
Another clue to look for while you are down there at ground level is the worm castings. That’s a fancy term for caterpillar poop. The castings are digested grass, and they appear as light beige pellets at the base of the plants just above the soil level.
Yet another sign are the webs that are visible in the early morning when the dew is still on the ground. The water droplets from the dew will be trapped in the webbing, and this is where sod webworms get their name.
If you dig thoroughly enough at the soil-grass interface, you can usually find a tiny caterpillar about ½- to 1-inch long and the diameter of Q-tip and the castings of the insect. Sod webworms seem to especially love St. Augustine grass.
Heavy infestations can cause a feeding frenzy of birds to the lawn. If you’ve noticed more birds pecking around in your turfgrass, it’s usually an indicator that some good food — nutritious sod webworm caterpillars — is out there.
Heavy infestations can lead to stress, causing your lawn to be more susceptible to fungal diseases such as gray leaf spot and large patch in addition to other insects such as chinch bugs and armyworms. A combination of these problems can lead to the death of turfgrass.
To help control sod webworms, use an insecticide with the active ingredient bifenthrin. AgCenter entomologist Sebe Brown recommends liquid rather than granular applications for better control. You will need to retreat the lawn again in seven days to kill any newly hatched eggs. Spray will not control the moths. It is most effective on the main culprit doing the damage — the caterpillar.
Treat the infested areas and extend 3 to 4 feet past where you see browning. Moths will continue to lay eggs, so continue to monitor the lawn.
Eggs hatch every seven days. The hopefully cooler weather of fall will slow down the generation interval but not kill the worms already in the lawn. Last year’s mild and short winter is likely the cause of the large populations we’ve seen this summer.
If you are like me, you don’t like to use chemicals because insecticides don’t discriminate for the most part and will kill other beneficial bugs. You can let Mother Nature help you out with the birds who feast on the caterpillars instead.
Additionally, consider transitioning large areas of lawn to garden beds that you fill with native plants or other ornamental perennials, shrubs and trees. Lawns, mainly turfgrass, account for 30% of water use in a typical U.S. home, so go easy on the turf in home landscapes. With water scarcity on the horizon, by reducing the size of your lawn you can reduce water consumption, water bills and the amount of time you spending mowing your grass; save fuel; lessen your carbon footprint; and expand natural ecosystems by adding diversity to your landscape.
The good news, if there is any, is that the grass will recover from live stolons and roots. Water your lawn during extended periods of drought that are especially common in October here in Louisiana to help the grass recover before going into winter dormancy.
It’s also time to stop fertilizing the lawn and wait until spring to apply any new applications.

Friend playing cupid neglects to mention man’s drug habit

Mon, 09/21/2020 - 8:48am

By Jeanne Phillips, ©United Features Syndicate

DEAR ABBY: My hairdresser, former neighbor and friend recommended her unemployed brother to do some minor repairs to my home.
He and his sister were trying to push me into a relationship. I am a widow with no children. I have no mortgages, car notes, etc. I’m not wealthy, but I am well set.
My hairdresser recently mentioned that her brother was using crack cocaine again. I’m furious that she didn’t disclose her brother’s addiction sooner. Should I let it go or confront her about this? I really don’t want to lose my hairdresser.
STYLED RIGHT IN THE SOUTH

DEAR STYLED: You are certainly free to ask your hairdresser why she didn’t tell you her brother had a crack habit before recommending him to do repairs in your home.
It’s a fair question, if nothing is missing and the repairs were done properly. Refrain from doing it while you are angry. If you hang onto your temper, there is no reason why your relationship with the woman should end.
As to a relationship with the brother, no law says you must have one with him. You don’t have to be confrontational, but be less available. As you spend more time with other people, he will get the message.

DEAR ABBY: My son (age 30) is getting a liver transplant soon, and my ex-husband (son’s father) refuses to use personal protective equipment in his encounters with others because he thinks his civil liberties are being violated.
We don’t communicate often because the new wife is a very unpleasant person who took my house away 10 years ago. I’m OK with that because I landed on my feet in a much better situation, but I do not trust her or speak to her.
I have left posts on Facebook requesting that those who intend to help my son use PPE for at least two weeks before seeing him. So far, my ex has not responded.
How can I get him to understand that this is HIS child and not wearing PPE could kill him?
COVID CONCERNED IN GEORGIA

DEAR COVID CONCERNED: Your son’s transplant specialist should be asked to send your ex a registered letter explaining the precautions that must be taken if he visits his son and how important they are. I am crossing my fingers that the doctor will do it.
But your son must understand that if Daddy is unwilling to cooperate, HE (your son), not you, is the person who must enforce that rule because he will be immuno-compromised, and his life depends on it.
As much as you might wish to, you cannot police every encounter Daddy has with his adult son.

DEAR ABBY: Last year, relatives said they would attend a party we were hosting. They didn’t come, and we never received any reason why. We had to pay for their dinners.
We may see them at an upcoming social event. How should we greet them?
ANNOYED IN OHIO

DEAR ANNOYED: What your relatives did was rude and inconsiderate. When you see them, say hello and calmly ask why they didn’t show up.
Be polite, which they weren’t — and in the future remove them from your guest list if their answer doesn’t satisfy 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 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby, Anger Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.