Owner Monique Aucoin cuts the ribbon Tuesday to mark the opening of Moe's Po-Boys and Takeout, 600 Brashear Ave. in Morgan City. Local officials, St. Mary Chamber members and friends were on hand. Moe's offers daily plate lunch special as well as po-boys.
The Daily Review/Bill Decker
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.
Friday, Sept. 4
9:42 a.m. 900 block of Cherry Street; 911 hang up.
10:09 a.m. 600 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard; Civil.
10:13 a.m. 400 block of Union Street; Alarm.
10:31 a.m. 500 block of Terrebonne Street; Medical.
10:54 a.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Complaint.
1:01 p.m. La. 182 East; Reckless operation.
1:06 p.m. 7100 block of Park Street; Theft.
1:11 p.m. 7500 block of La. 182; Juvenile problem.
2:18 p.m. 3200 block of Roselawn Drive; Disturbance.
2:53 p.m. 300 block of Lawrence Street; Removal of subject.
3:22 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Civil.
3:43 p.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Theft.
4:37 p.m. 500 block of Garber Street; Complaint.
4:43 p.m. 1200 block of Victor II Boulevard; Medical.
5:37 p.m. Railroad Avenue; Reckless driver.
6:37 p.m. 2100 block of Federal Avenue; Complaint.
7:27 p.m. Levee Road; Reckless driver.
7:37 p.m. 100 block of South Railroad Avenue; Disturbance.
7:51 p.m. 600 block of Railroad Avenue; Medical.
7:56 p.m. 5000 block of Railroad Avenue; Suspicious vehicle.
7:57 p.m. Lake End Park; Theft.
8:01 p.m. La. 182; Complaint.
8:02 p.m. 1000 block of Ninth Street; Stand by.
8:28 p.m. Belanger Street; Frequent patrols.
8:42 p.m. 1200 block of Railroad Avenue; Harassment.
8:48 p.m. Brownell Homes; Disturbance.
9:15 p.m. 800 block of Brashear Avenue; Theft.
9:21 p.m. La. 182; Reckless driver.
10:36 p.m. 500 block of Terrebonne Street; Medical.
10:41 p.m. 600 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard; Alarm.
Saturday, Sept. 5
Midnight; 500 block of Federal Avenue; Alarm.
12:20 a.m. Lake End Park; Battery.
12:45 a.m. Cefalu Trailer Park; Loud music.
1:13 a.m. Youngswood Road; Alarm.
1:34 a.m. 1200 block of Front Street; Reckless driver.
1:45 a.m. Halsey Street; Suspicious vehicle.
1:57 a.m. 7700 block of La. 182; Theft.
6:35 a.m. 1200 block of Victor II Boulevard; Complaint.
9:23 a.m. 1400 block of Lakewood Drive; Alarm.
11 a.m. 600 block of Second Street; Suspicious vehicle.
11:43 a.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Complaint.
11:43 a.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Complaint.
11:48 a.m. Sixth and Fig streets; Reckless driver.
12:20 p.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Stalled vehicle.
12:24 p.m. Glenwood and Halsey streets; Loud music.
1:39 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Medical.
1:44 p.m. 3000 block of Helen Drive; Medical.
1:57 p.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Medical.
2:04 p.m. 700 block of Everett Street; Complaint.
2:54 p.m. 600 block of Willow Street; Complaint.
3:12 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Arrest.
3:30 p.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Complaint.
4:03 p.m. La. 70; Lost and found.
5:33 p.m. 800 block of Second Street; Fire.
5:58 p.m. U.S. 90 East; Reckless driver.
6:39 p.m. Park Street under bridge; Juvenile problem.
6:58 p.m. 3000 block of Allison Street; Complaint.
7:08 p.m. 2000 block of Maple Street; Medical.
7:12 p.m. 900 block of Fourth Street; Harassment.
7:14 p.m. 1900 block of Cedar Street; Harassment.
8:06 p.m. Ditch Avenue; Mentally ill person.
8:25 p.m. 300 block of Terrebonne Street; Juvenile problem.
8:31 p.m. 1200 block of Federal Avenue; Alarm.
9:36 p.m. 200 block of Belanger Street; Disturbance.
10:09 p.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Complaint.
10:23 p.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Disturbance.
11:09 p.m. 600 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard; Alarm.
Sunday, Sept. 6
1:13 a.m. 800 block of Fig Street; Juvenile problem.
1:36 a.m. Northside Trailer Park; Disturbance.
4:25 a.m. 800 block of Fig Street; Complaint.
7:32 a.m. 200 block of Federal Avenue; Medical.
8:28 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Stand by.
10:52 a.m. 500 block of Sixth Street; Medical.
11:04 a.m. 100 block of Halsey Street; Medical.
11:29 a.m. 2400 block of Apple Street; Disturbance.
11:40 a.m. 1100 block of Ditch Avenue; Animal.
11:54 a.m. 1100 block of Chester Bowles Street; Disturbance.
12:10 p.m. Maple and Marshall streets; Animal.
12:18 p.m. 1100 block of Chester Bowles Street; Disturbance.
12:48 p.m. Fifth and Freret streets; Welfare check.
1 p.m. 100 block of Mount Street; Harassment.
1:11 p.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Disturbance.
1:55 p.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Assistance.
2 p.m. 1000 block of La. 70; Theft.
2:14 p.m. Seventh Street and Brashear Avenue; Traffic incident.
2:31 p.m. 1800 block of Filmore Street; Animal.
3:46 p.m. U.S. 90 East; Traffic incident.
4:45 p.m. 3200 block of Roselawn Drive; Complaint.
5:59 p.m. Marquis Manor; Loud music.
6:53 p.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Animal.
7:20 p.m. 1000 block of Ninth Street; Suspicious vehicle.
7:24 p.m. 800 block of Ditch Avenue; Complaint.
7:45 p.m. 1700 block of Maple Street; Animal.
7:47 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Disturbance.
8:19 p.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Complaint.
8:32 p.m. La. 182; Reckless driver.
9:10 p.m. 500 block of Federal Avenue; Alarm.
10:22 p.m. 100 block of Eleventh Street; Stand by.
10:25 p.m. 1400 block of Maple Street; Alarm.
10:49 p.m. Sixth and Egle streets; Arrest.
11:32 p.m. 900 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard; Alarm.
11:35 p.m. 100 block of Eleventh Street; Complaint.
Monday, Sept. 7
12:41 a.m. 300 block of Franklin Street; Stolen vehicle.
1:12 a.m. 600 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard; Alarm.
1:43 a.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Disturbance.
2:17 a.m. 2300 block of Cypress Street; Complaint.
3:53 a.m. 600 block of Sixth Street; Unauthorized use of vehicle.
6:15 a.m. 700 block of Federal Avenue; Alarm.
7:35 a.m. 3000 block of Lizabeth Drive; Alarm.
8:39 a.m. 200 block of Canary Street; Medical.
9:03 a.m. 7500 block of La. 182; Complaint.
11:43 a.m. 2100 block of Federal Avenue; Complaint.
12:04 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Assistance.
2:04 p.m. 6000 block of Railroad Avenue; Accident.
2:43 p.m. La. 182 bridge; Traffic incident.
3:09 p.m. La. 70 and Victor II Boulevard; Reckless driving.
3:17 p.m. 400 block of Fourth Street; Civil matter.
5:32 p.m. 500 block of Florida Street; Complaint.
6:16 p.m. 1100 block of Levee Road; Trespassing.
7:05 p.m. Egle and Sixth streets; Reckless driving.
7:22 p.m. 2100 block of Federal Avenue; Battery.
7:40 p.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Disturbance.
8:01 p.m. 100 block of Youngswood Road; Alarm.
8:07 p.m. 600 block of Brashear Avenue; Lost/found property.
8:43 p.m. Florence Street area; Pursuit.
10:11 p.m. 700 block of Louisa Street; Animal complaint.
Tuesday, Sept. 8
3:03 a.m. 6000 block of La. 182; Fire alarm.
A deputy stopped a vehicle for running a red light on U.S. 90 and eventually made two drug arrests on charges including possession with intent to distribute codeine, St. Mary Sheriff Blaise Smith said.
—Tristan Guidry, 19, Grand Caillou Road, Houma, was arrested at 5:12 a.m. Monday on charges of red light violation, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance and transactions involving proceeds from controlled dangerous substance activity.
—Percy Aceituno, 23, Summer Creek Drive, Spring, Texas, was arrested at 5:12 a.m. on charges of possession of codeine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine and possession of marijuana.
A K9 deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for running a red light on eastbound U.S. 90 Eastbound at Thorguson Road in Berwick and made contact with the driver, Guidry, and a passenger, Aceituno. Through the investigation, a weapon, cash and drugs were located.
Guidry and Aceituno were transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. No bail has been set.
Smith also reported these arrests:
—Anthony Joseph Beard, 44, Mae Drive, Franklin, was arrested at 5:10 p.m. Saturday on a charge of disturbing the peace by language. Beard was released on a summons to appear Dec. 11.
—Scorpio Ledan Lemon, 37, Frederick Lane, Baldwin, was arrested at 3:04 p.m. Sunday on three warrants for failure to appear on the following charges: operating a vehicle while license is suspended, revoked or canceled improper turn or failure to give required signal; criminal mischief; and disturbing the peace by fighting.
Bail has not been set.
—Rondon Charles Caesar, 44, North Branch Street, Baldwin, was arrested at 11:22 p.m. Monday on charges of driving while intoxicated (second offense), possession of marijuana, lane usage and driving under suspension. Caesar was released on an $8,250 bond.
—Ponisha Thomas, 34, Easy Street, Franklin, was arrested, at 11:27 p.m. Monday on a charge of possession of marijuana. Thomas was released on a summons to appear Dec. 11.
—Joshua M. Verdun, 32, Picket Lane, Franklin, was arrested at 2:42 p.m. S on the Saturday on charges: speeding, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia and transactions involving drug proceeds.
A deputy patrolling the area of Irish Bend Road conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that was traveling over the posted speed limit and made contact with the driver, Verdun, and a passenger.
Through the investigation, K9 Jace was deployed to conduct an open-air sniff of the area around the vehicle and showed an odor response. Subsequently, drugs, drug paraphernalia, and cash were located. Verdun was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking.
Verdun was later released on a $7,500 bond.
—Kentrell A. Gabriel, 23, Henkle Street, Jeanerette, was arrested at 2:09 p.m. Sunday on charges of improper lane usage, aggravated flight from an officer and resisting arrest.
Gabriel was later released on a $6,000 bond.
Morgan City Police Chief James F. Blair reported these arrests:
—-Brock Elix Williams, 41, Oak Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:43 p.m. Saturday on a charge of criminal trespassing.
Officers were called to an address on La. 70 for an individual who refused to leave the property. They came into contact with Williams.
Williams refused to leave the property and was placed under arrest. He was transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration
—Travis Ray Hayes, 41 Federal Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested 1:47 a.m. Sunday on charges of domestic abuse battery-child endangerment law and domestic abuse battery.
Officers while in the area of Fig Street were alerted to a domestic disturbance on Levee Road. Officers came into contact with Hayes.
During the investigation, it was learned Hayes had committed a battery on his dating partner in the presence of a child. He was placed under and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
—Jerome Paul Loupe, 42, Chester Bowls, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:02 p.m. Sunday on warrants for felony domestic battery and simple assault.
Officers located Loupe at his residence and placed him under arrest on active warrants held by the Morgan City Police Department. He was transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
—Jules Joiner, 23, Lachene Street, Pierre Part, was arrested at 12:55 p.m. Sunday on a warrant for domestic abuse battery and theft of a motor vehicle over $25,000.
Joiner was located at the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Department Detention Center and placed under arrest. He was transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
—Gage Michael Yates, 20, Olive Cuba Road, Shriever, was arrested at 11:18 p.m. Sunday on charges of illuminating devices required, possession of marijuana (first offense) and possession of drug paraphernalia.
An officer observed a traffic violation in the area of Sixth Street and Belanger Street and conducted a traffic stop. The driver was identified as Yates.
During the traffic stop, he was found in possession of suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
—Curtis Paul Gaudet Jr., 27, Lake Palourde Road, Amelia, was arrested at 2:13 p.m. Monday on charges of resisting an officer-false information and aggravated assault-domestic battery and on a warrant for failure to appear.
Officers were called to an address on La. 182 for a domestic disturbance. They came into contact with Gaudet, who initially gave officers a false name. During the investigation, officers learned Gaudet had committed an aggravated assault on his dating partner. A warrant check revealed the 16th District Court held active warrants for his arrest. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
Berwick Police Chief David Leonard reported these arrests:
—Nathaniel A. Rollins, 24, Diane Lane, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:50 p.m. Friday on a charge of battery of a dating partner.
—Danyelle N. Morgan, 35, Texas Street, Berwick, was arrested 12:50 p.m. Friday on charges of battery of a dating party and possession of drug paraphernalia.
At 12:06 p.m. Friday, officers were dispatched to a business on U.S. 90 West regarding a disturbance. Officers located the two individuals involved walking along the highway and they were identified as Rollins and Morgan.
Through investigation, officers learned that Rollins and Morgan committed a battery upon each other while at the business and again while walking along the highway. Morgan was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia.
They were both arrested and booked into the Berwick Jail. Rollins was released after posting a $2,500 bond and Morgan was released after posting a $4,000 bond.
—Dwayne A. Dupuy, 40, of Nichole Lane, Berwick, was arrested at 10:40 p.m. Saturday on a charge of domestic abuse battery.
At 9:54 p.m. Saturday, officers were dispatched to a residence on Nichole Lane regarding a domestic disturbance. Dupuy was identified as the suspect and he was detained pending further investigation.
Through investigation, officers determined that Dupuy committed a battery upon the victim at the residence, which was corroborated by physical evidence and witness statements. In conclusion, Dupuy was arrested and booked into the Berwick Jail where he is being held in lieu of a $10,000 bond.
Our illustrious state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education in Louisiana has just released a startling report. Over 25% of students, some 179,000 throughout the state, have no internet access.
Yet the vast majority of school districts teach a good part of the week virtually over the internet. There are some 403,000 househ0lds that have NO internet connection.
This is apparently brand new news. At lease to the state Board of Education.
Have the members been living in a cave or on a desert island?
Is this Board just waking up to the fact that internet connectivity is a basic component for any student today? I wrote a column back in May of 2012 (found a www.jimbrownla.com) describing how important internet availability was for any child to adequately learn in the 21st century. So 12 years later, our education board is discovering the necessity of a student’s ability to have web access.
What so few elected officials seem to grasp is the fact that the lack of internet access is widening the educational gap between the haves and the have nots. Kids in homes without internet access are continuing to fall behind as the web becomes an increasingly essential educational tool.
Students with internet availability at home have a significant homework and general learning advantage over the child who has no such access.
In my home state of Louisiana, the Legislature just completed its regular 60-day session.
Even though Louisiana continues to rank at the bottom of most educational attainment lists, the words “internet access” were not spoken once by any state official during the session.
The internet today is every bit as important as telephones were 50 years ago. Back then, having a telephone was looked on as a right.
Today access to the internet is considered a privilege in many states — yet the lack of internet access it is the single biggest obstacle preventing less fortunate kids from competing.
In a number of progressive school districts around the country, computers track each student’s performance.
If a kid gets a D or F on a test, the school’s computer generates an email to inform the parents so they can act accordingly. Modern educational strategies include seeing that every elementary school student has a computer.
In India, innovative school leaders are making $35 touch screen tablet computers available to students, and many businesses are helping to fund such programs.
Computers have become a necessary way of life all over the world. But the advantage of having a computer is severely limited if access to the web is not available. The U.S. is the only industrialized country in the world that doesn’t have a national policy to promote high speed broadband.
A number of European countries are making the web available to all of its citizens.
The Supreme Court in France recently ruled that internet access is a basic right, and there is a push at the United Nations to do the same.
Finland recently became the first country to actually declare broadband Internet access a legal right.
Here’s the point. Our Legislature spends months, even years, talking about testing teachers, abolishing school boards and new ways to grade students.
But none of these issues are nearly as important as ensuring that all students have the tools necessary to be competitive.
Internet availability has become not just another way to learn. It has become a critical component in the learning process. And when some kids have it, and others do not, the attainment divide continues to grow.
Some kids prosper, others lag behind. Until our politicians realize this, the U.S., and particularly my home state of Louisiana, will be little more than a Third World nation when it comes to providing competitive learning opportunities.
Without round-the-clock internet access, over one third of our kids will drift further behind, and a large part of Louisiana’s population will become functionally illiterate.
Our kids, and our state as a whole, deserve better.
Peace and Justice
Jim Brown
Jim Brown’s syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers throughout the nation and on websites worldwide. You can read all his past columns and see continuing updates at http://www.jimbrownusa.com.
Live Kids Cooking Classes with SoFAB Kids is held virtually every other Wednesday at 4 p.m. for children ages 7-11, or adults young at heart.
Southern Food & Beverage Museum in New Orleans sponsors the event.
“We strive to get children involved and interested in cultural, nutritional and culinary learning,” says the museum’s website. “We have a variety of programs that introduce kids K-12 to the kitchen to learn about nutrition, cooking, and culture.”
Students of all ages and ability levels have learned the vast history behind Southern food through their senses.
SoFAB believes that by training children early how to take control of their own food choices, by empowering them through skill and knowledge, that it will interest them to not only continue the unique cultural heritage of Southern food, but to take an active role in their health.
Children are invited to cook along with “Miss Jennie” via zoom and Facebook Live.
The free class is an hour long. Recipes are provided and children can ask questions as they cook their way together through 2020.
On Wednesday, Sept. 9, the class will make fortune cookies.
To join the Zoom meeting click, paste the link: https://zoom.us/j/916646 27294?pwd=YnBEVFlVbXdZTXJTZ29Xa1BkRWF5Zz09.
BATON ROUGE — Findings from a study by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association show that regular exercise, whether done in a gym or at home, is key in slowing the growth of serious chronic health conditions like diabetes — a high-risk condition identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that can lead to more serious outcomes from COVID-19, a Blue Cross news release states.
The study showed commercially-insured Blue Cross plan members who consistently exercised saw an 8% reduction in the impact of health conditions that could lower their overall health. Regular exercise also reduced the prevalence of chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes, underscoring the importance of continued exercise.
The findings came from a 2020 BCBSA report, The Benefits of Regular Exercise, part of BCBSA’s The Health of America Report® series.
“Regular exercise continues to play an important role in overall health and can prove helpful when managing some of the chronic conditions that are so common in Louisiana,” said Dr. Deirdre Barfield, lead medical director at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana. “With our state still in Phase 2 of working toward fewer restrictions, Blue Cross is working to encourage at-home regular exercise activities needed to maintain and improve the mental and physical health of our members — and of all Louisianans.”
Barfield added that outdoor exercise can be beneficial, as long as people follow safety guidelines such as social distancing. “Consistent exercise is really what this study found most important,” she said. “Regular, ongoing exercise increases people’s overall health, reduces their healthcare costs and improves behavioral health issues like depression.”
Many people in Louisiana are battling obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and similar chronic conditions. In turn, those conditions put them at higher risk to contract COVID-19 and make it harder to fight the virus. These chronic conditions are also risk factors for colorectal cancer and breast cancer, among others.
“We know that once we are able to beat back COVID-19 in Louisiana, our members are going to want to return to the gym or fitness center and get back to their previous routines,” said Barfield.
The report is based on data from the BCBS Health Index, a database of medical claims from more than 41 million commercially insured members of BCBS companies, from 2013-17. This is the 30th study of BCBSA’s The Health of America Report® series.
For more information, visit www.bcbs.com/the-health-of-america.
DEAR ABBY: I am recently divorced after a 19-year marriage, and to my great shock, I already find myself in love with another man. I didn’t come out of the marriage looking for anyone, nor did I think I’d ever marry again, but this man wants to marry me, and I’m seriously considering it.
We bonded when he contacted me to offer support after he heard about my divorce, and it was love at “second” sight. Why “second”? Because we grew up together — literally next door — and he’s my first cousin.
Despite the societal taboo, it is legal in my state for first cousins to marry, and genetic issues with offspring aren’t a concern. We’re both sterile and have no ability (or desire) for more children. My siblings suspect and aren’t pleased with the situation. His parents know and are happy for us.
Am I crazy to think I’m in love again this quickly? It doesn’t feel too fast because we’ve always known each other and been close; it’s just that the form of love has changed.
How do we break it to the rest of the family? The world? People can be so judgmental, even though in many parts of the world it is perfectly normal to marry your cousin.
SECRET LOVE IN THE SOUTH
DEAR SECRET LOVE: You are not “crazy,” but you may be in an altered mental state, as many recently divorced people have found themselves. They describe it as a kind of high.
If you are wise — and I hope you are — you will slow this romance down and allow enough time for your family to become accustomed to the changed circumstances of your relationship with your cousin. The “world” isn’t going to care about this the way your family does, so don’t concern yourself with explaining anything to the general public. (How often have you asked couples to explain if they are related in addition to marriage? Not many, I’ll bet.)
My advice is to let this new relationship evolve more slowly. If you do, the outcome may be more positive than if you hurtle to the altar.
DEAR ABBY: I have the best wife and daughter ever, and here’s my dilemma. My daughter lives in another state and would love us to build a second home nearby to be closer to their family.
My wife and I are nearly 80 and very active. I play tennis or pickleball every day. My wife walks an hour to an hour and a half every morning. We are happiest when we are active. Where my daughter lives is not conducive to walking, and my wife would be very unhappy.
Please don’t suggest a gym or a treadmill — been there, done that. Plus, my wife has no desire to take on the added burden of a second house. We just downsized five years ago.
How do I keep the two women in my life happy?
FIGURING IT OUT IN FLORIDA
DEAR FIGURING: Recognize that it won’t be possible to make both women happy. Your first loyalty should be to your wife.
Explain to your daughter that you know she means well, but that at your ages (80), your routine is extremely important. (It’s true.) That routine may be what keeps you as healthy as you are. Back it up with the fact that two homes would be too much for you and her mother to manage, which is why you have BOTH decided — as much as you love her — to keep things as they are. And stick to it. Your daughter can visit you, and you can visit her, but stay where you are.
***
To receive a collection of Abby’s most memorable — and most frequently requested — poems and essays, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 to: Dear Abby — Keepers Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.
Students attending their first day of school at Wyandotte Elementary in Morgan City Tuesday morning saw some new construction to their school.
The school has new front door enhanced security features, while the entire office suite has been redone, all making for a much different look than what they saw when the school year ended abruptly in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“For some of them, it’s kind of like walking into a new school,” Principal Tammilee Kelly said. “It’s a new year, new school.”
While Wyandotte had physical signs of construction this summer, faculty, staff and administrators on all levels of the St. Mary Parish School System undertook their own construction this summer as they built and modified plans all to prepare for an unprecedented school year that began Tuesday as schools reopened while the COVID-19 pandemic still persists.
The initial reviews of how the implemented plans for Phase 2 of the state’s reopening process in the COVID-19 pandemic worked were positive.
“Overall, the first day of school in a year of unprecedented changes was smooth,” St. Mary Parish Superintendent of Schools Teresa Bagwell said.
Only half of the school populations in elementary, junior high and high schools attended school Tuesday, while the other half will do so Wednesday. The move is to acclimate the students to the new changes they will undergo this year to safely attend school during the pandemic.
As the school year begins utilizing virtual technology, there have been some expected issues to work out, but overall, administrators The Daily Review interviewed were pleased with the first day.
“Today has actually been an extremely good day,” Berwick Junior High Principal Kristin Percle said. “Although everything really has been different for the kids being back on campus, I think everybody here — students, staff, everybody — they’re just so excited to be back that they have really embraced all these changes. It’s almost amazing to watch. It’s like they’ve adjusted, and they’ll do anything just to be back here on campus.”
Bagwell said she observed safety protocol being followed at different schools, and plans developed for different aspects of the school day were implemented.
First-year Morgan City High School Principal Tim Hymel, who leads the parish’s biggest school in terms of enrollment, said the school facility’s size allows for the additional space needed with the students.
“We did a lot of planning to make sure that today was running smoothly,” he said. “We thought of pretty much everything. … Everybody’s been so wonderful at school as far as helping and wanting to do what they had to do, and that was part of today working. Just preparation.”
The transportation to school via bus worked as planned, too, Bagwell said.
“Our buses were able to navigate their prescribed routes, and students arrived at school in time to fully complete hand washing and temperature checks before picking up breakfast to report to their first class on schedule,” she said.
While some additional routes were added in certain areas, Bagwell said most drivers are able to continue their single routes — even with 50% bus capacity — because of the number of students who will be participating in virtual learning this year.
The smooth start was aided by additional time teachers and administrators were given to fine-tune plans, procedures and instructional methods before they were put into use Tuesday morning.
“I think the time off really helped us to prepare and teachers to get confidence in doing the virtual route that they’ve never done before either,” Hymel said.
For junior high and high school students, this week will consist of the two groups of students each attending school twice, while next week, they will begin attending classes twice per week with Wednesday used by teachers for smaller group learning, reaching out to parents and other assistance to students while the schools are cleaned.
Percle said that interaction between students and teachers that has begun again with the new school year was a good thing after how the school year ended a year ago.
“It’s that little bit of normalcy that I think has been really good for everybody’s soul on campus today,” she said.
In the elementary schools, the second half of students will attend their first day of classes Wednesday before all students begin classes daily, starting Thursday.
“We’re very excited to have our kids, and we’re really looking forward to a fantastic year,” Kelly said. “I love my kids. We’re a family here, and we’re glad to have family back.”
Gov.John Bel Edwards announced no decision Tuesday on whether he will move the state into less restrictive Phase Three coronavirus measures.
That decision could come as early as Wednesday, Edwards said at a Tuesday press conference. His current proclamation expires Friday.
Proclamations by Edwards have kept Louisiana in Phase Two, part of the White House Coronavirus Task Force guidelines, since June 4. Phase Two followed 10 weeks under a stay at home order with the closure of schools and nonessential businesses.
Phase Two allowed resumption of most normal business activities while requiring masks, social distancing and capacity limits. After coronavirus cases flared up again in mid-June, Edwards ordered bars closed to on-premises drinking, imposed a statewide mask mandate and limited crowds to 50 people. He added those restrictions July 7.
He has since passed up at least two opportunities to move the state into Phase Three, citing COVID-19 statistics.
How the administration will view recent changes in COVID situation isn't certain.
The state recently slipped beneath the federal red-flag warning levels for the positivity rate on COVID tests and the average number of positive tests compared to the population.
On Tuesday, the Louisiana Office of Public Health reported only 250 new COVID-positive cases statewide, far short of the 1,000-2,000 cases reported daily during the height of the second surge of coronavirus beginning in mid-June.
But there are complications.
Tuesday's total was based on fewer than 5,000 tests, only half or even a quarter of the number of daily tests performed during the summertime ramp-up designed to deal with the second wave. Edwards has noted that the testing slowdown that accompanied the approach of hurricanes Marco and Laura came at about the time public health officials hoped to determine whether the reopening of public schools helped spread the virus.
Reports of Labor Day events in which masking and social distancing weren't in evidence are a source of concern, the governor said Tuesday.
"I understand that people don't like the protocols, the mitigation measures, the restrictions in place for COVID," Edwards said. "But they're there for a reason.
"The degree to which we are going to be able to open up our economy, our churches and schools and universities and leave them open without undue interruption is going to be determined by the degree to which people wear masks."
The governor insisted that his decision about a move into Phase 3 will be based on data in consultation with the White House Coronavirus Task Force.
Even so, a decision to keep Louisiana in Phase 2 would be certain to cause controversy. Previous decisions by Edwards to extend existing restrictions or impose new ones have provoked push-back from conservative lawmakers and business interests.
Legislators have floated the idea of a procedural move that would in effect take away Edwards' power to declare a public health emergency and impose mitigation measures.
At least two groups of bar owners have sued to end the closure of their businesses to on-premises drinking.
So far, neither the conservative lawmakers nor the bar owners have been successful.
Louisiana workers idled because of COVID have been able to collect a $300 weekly unemployment benefit enhancement made possible by an executive order signed by President Donald Trump. The $300 boost to state jobless benefits, which replaced a $600 enhancement that expired July 31, was put in place to give the Senate time to hammer out an extension of COVID benefits, possibly also including another stimulus check, more Paycheck Protection Program funding for businesses, and aid to state and local governments.
But a Senate deal seems no closer than when the president signed the order five weeks ago, which may add to pressure on state officials to ease restrictions more quickly.
The most recent unemployment figures from the Louisiana Workforce Commission say Louisiana's July unemployment rate was down from June, but still high at 9.9% About 202,000 Louisiana workers were unemployed in July.
In St. Mary Parish, the July unemployment rate was 10.9%, down from 11.1% in June. Employment here grew by nearly 200 month to month, but 2,101 St. Mary people were unemployed.
UPDATE: At 3:35 p.m. the Sheriff's Office said La. 182 is open again.
Original story:
St. Mary deputies are on the scene of a two-vehicle crash on La. 182 near Tournament Boulevard in Berwick. La. 182 is shut down at this time as of 2:13 p.m. Tuesday.
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State police are en route to the scene. The highway is expected to be blocked for a while.
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Motorists are advised to take another route until the roadway is opened.
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