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UPDATED: School Board pushes back opening of classes

Thu, 08/06/2020 - 5:22pm

GEOFF STOUTE

The St. Mary Parish School Board delayed the opening of school about a month to Sept. 8 at the request of Superintendent Teresa Bagwell.
Bagwell said more time is needed to tie up technology loose ends and give teachers more time to prepare for the start of school during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bagwell cited such issues as more time needed for teacher training in virtual learning, adjustments in classroom sizes due to many students enrolled in virtual learning and feedback from school administrators that they simply need more time to prepare.
“Altering the opening day … affects our teachers, who will now have additional time to prepare, a time that is essential to learn and practice for online (instruction), which they have little or no experience in,” Bagwell said.
The measure to delay the start of school until after Labor Day passed on a 7-2 vote with board members Wayne Deslatte and Kenny Alfred voting against the measure. Board members Dwight Barbier, Pearl Rack, Michael Taylor, Ginger Griffin, Alaina Black, Joseph Foulcard and Sylvia Lockett voted for the motion. Board members Roland Verrett and Marilyn LaSalle were absent.
There was discussion throughout the meeting about delaying the start of school for only two weeks — something Alfred and Deslatte supported — but the idea never materialized further.
The school year will now end June 4. The Mardi Gras holiday will be shortened from a week to three days.
Jan. 4 will now be a school day, as will three scheduled development days for teachers.
During Thursday’s meeting, multiple Central Office Complex employees supported the move to start school Sept. 8, saying their individual departments are not yet ready to open the school year.
One issue is preparing the laptops purchased for online learning with tracking software as well as installing internet content filtering.
“We have over $3 million invested in this program, so we do have tracking software on the new Dell laptops to make sure if for some reason they disappear from a kid’s house, we will be able to retrieve that laptop, whether it’s in a neighbor’s house or it’s in another part of the state or country,” school system Chief Technology Officer Kevin Derise told the board.
While Derise said the technology department is “extremely close” to being ready, he said they are not there yet.
“So what I’m telling Dr. Bagwell and I’m telling the board tonight is to make sure that for us to move forward, I need to make sure that it works perfectly,” he said.
Deslatte asked if they could install the tracking software after the laptops have been distributed instead of delaying the opening of school since parents already signed a contract accepting responsibility for the laptops.
Derise said it may work but is not guaranteed the software would download on the computers remotely.
“Don’t let tracking keep our schools closed,” Deslatte said later in the meeting. “That’s ridiculous.”
Thursday’s delay is the second made in less than a month voted on by the board. At a special meeting in July, board members had voted to delay the start of school from Aug. 7 to Aug. 10 to allow teachers more preparation time and have another day of professional development on Aug. 14 for faculty to evaluate how the start of school went. At that same meeting, a motion to delay the start of school until after Labor Day failed.

43 new COVID cases, no deaths in local parishes

Thu, 08/06/2020 - 12:48pm

Forty-three new COVID cases and no deaths were reported at midday Thursday in St. Mary, St. Martin and Assumption by the Louisiana Office of Public Health.

In St. Mary, 16 new cases raised the total since the pandemic began to 1,527.

St. Martin has 19 new cases for a total of 1,609.

Assumption has eight new cases for a total of 561.

The death count remains the same locally: 51 in St. Mary, 43 in St. Martin and 20 in Assumption.

Statewide:

--1,345 new cases make the pandemic total 127,246.

--50 newly reported deaths make the total 4,028.

--14 fewer people are in hospitals for COVID treatment, making the total 1,457.

--Eight fewer people, a total of 215, are on ventilators.

Ag Commissioner: COVID-related virus found in dog

Thu, 08/06/2020 - 11:30am

Staff Report

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry has received its first reported case of a SARS-CoV-2 positive dog in Louisiana.
SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans.
“Initially, it was believed pets could not get the disease, but the Centers for Disease Control is now learning that animals can be infected,” Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., said in a news release.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, there is no evidence that pets play a significant role in spreading the virus.
Based on the limited information available, the risk of animals spreading the virus to people is considered low. There is no justification in taking measures against companion animals that may compromise their welfare.
“It appears that people with COVID-19 can spread the virus to animals during close contact,” Strain said in the release. “It is important for people with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 to avoid contact with pets and other animals to protect them from possible infection.
At this time, routine testing of animals is not recommended.”
According to the CDC, in many cases, the pets do not get sick, but some have suffered mild signs of respiratory tract or gastrointestinal disease.
A small number of cats and dogs have been reported to be infected with the virus in several countries, including the United States.
The CDC recommends that patients with COVID-19 who have pets follow recommendations at the following link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/animals/interim-guidance-manag....
Strain also urged Louisiana domestic pet owners to not abandon or surrender their pets to animal control agencies if they can care for them.
“If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, allow a family member or close friend to care for your pets,” Strain said in the release. “If no one is available, maintain a safe distance from your pet and frequently wash your hands before and after contact with your pet, their food and supplies.
Remember, in the event of any emergency, it is wise to have a pet plan as you would have a game plan for your family.”
According to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act rules, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture cannot release any information that could identify the pet owner, including where the dog is located.
For more information, visit www.ldaf.la.gov, www.getagameplan.org, www.avma.org, www.cdc.gov and https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/sa_one_health/sar....

Blessing Holy Cross

Thu, 08/06/2020 - 11:25am

Submitted Photos
The Rev. Brice Higginbotham and the Rev. Patrick Riviere of Holy Cross Church in Morgan City held a special Mass on Friday for the reparation of sins followed by adoration and a blessing of the church and school buildings and grounds.

LHSAA: No prep football until at least October

Thu, 08/06/2020 - 11:17am

GEOFF STOUTE

gstoute@daily-review.com

Louisiana high school football games will not start until at least Oct. 8, the Louisiana High School Athletic Association announced to its member schools in a memo sent Wednesday.
Louisiana High School Athletic Association Executive Director Eddie Bonine stressed that just because universities or other states are restarting their athletic programs at certain times during the COVID-19 pandemic doesn’t mean that Louisiana high schools simply can, too, noting that in Louisiana, the standards set forth by the state’s Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Louisiana Department of Education are followed.
“Just because they’re doing something doesn’t mean we’re going to, and just because we’re doing something doesn’t mean they’re going to, so to use those comparisons is not fair to any of the surrounding states because they are doing things differently,” Bonine said.
The memo released was approved Wednesday morning by the Louisiana High School Athletic Association’s Executive Committee.
During a video conference with media across the state, Bonine said that under Phase Two, schools would need to use helmets and shoulder pads for approximately a month.
He estimated that seven of 10 schools started fall football practice Monday, and, following the three-day acclimation period, will wear shoulder pads beginning Thursday.
However, he said that not until the state reaches Phase Three can they wear full pads. Bonine said the athletic association is hoping to reach Phase Three by the end of August.
In Phase Three, he said they would need 10-14 days of work and if they see a decline in cases that they project they will see, then body-on-body contact can begin.
At that point, they would need 21 days of full contact.
That means, any jamborees or scrimmages could be held Oct. 2-3
Games would not start until Oct. 8-10.
However, under the most recent plan, teams won’t start week 1 of their schedule. The first two weeks of the season will be cancelled and teams will start their season on week 3 of their schedules.
Bonine said the Louisiana High School Athletic Association still has the dates of Dec. 10-12 scheduled for the state high school football championships at the Superdome, but they are also considering other potential scenarios for the championships at the Dome.
Bonine said cross country and swimming seasons are set to begin on time in Phase Two, while volleyball will begin when the state reaches Phase Three. The start date for volleyball seasons to begin is Sept. 8.
Cross country, swimming and volleyball can hold their first practice Monday.
The first cross country and swimming meets can be held Aug. 31.
The state cross country meet is scheduled for Nov. 16-17, while the state swimming meet is set for Nov. 18-21.
The volleyball state tournament is set for Nov. 12-14.

John K. Flores: August is hot, river is down, so it's time to fish saltwater

Thu, 08/06/2020 - 11:14am

JOHN K. FLORES

The Atchafalaya River stage in Morgan City started off the month of August hovering around the 2.73-foot mark and expected to rise to 3.1 feet by the weekend. In short, the river is low right now.
What that means to saltwater anglers who fish south and west of the river in the coastal bays is the summer transition to saltier water is starting. The natural current flow in the Gulf of Mexico is east to west. Parts of Four League Bay, Halters Island, Atchafalaya Bay, East Cote Blanche Bay, West Cote Blanche Bay, and Vermilion Bay typically have much fresher “brackish” water than east of the river.
For example, when the Morgan City Oil Field Fishing Rodeo took place back in June when the water was high, participants opted to fish well east of the Atchafalaya River.
Essentially, brackish water ranges from 0.5 to 30 parts per thousand. Put in saltwater angler terms the more brackish the water the better the fishing these aforementioned regions get. Though this is a simplistic explanation that lacks the finesse of a biologist, you still hopefully get the idea.
Basically, it won’t be long before the reports start coming in from anglers around these parts that the red fish are biting with numerous photos being posted to various social media. Some of these saltwater anglers will have fished Little Blue Hammock, Big Blue Hammock, Mosquito Bayou, Pellegrin Cut, Locust Bayou and Halters Island down around Four League Bay.
Others will have fished the Wax where the Atchafalaya Delta WMA (Wax Delta) is starting to become a great fishery. Further west, East Cote Blanche Bay begins to really turn on in late summer and fall, where red fish can be caught along the entire coast that forms a horseshoe from Point Chevreuil to Point Marone.
In this region it’s good to check out Humble Canal, Jackson Bayou, the British American Canal, and Yellow Bayou. There’s plenty of coastline to troll and bang the banks with Rat-L-Traps (Saltwater Silver/Blue), H&H gold-color Surf Spoon and Johnson gold and silver spoons.
Of course, a dead shrimp fastened to a ¼-oz. jig head under a popping cork or bounced off the bottom probably catches more red fish each year than the vast majority of lures. Popping corks are just tried and true tackle that work.
H&H makes a terrific popping cork and when combined with a DOA plastic shrimp, it can be a deadly combination.
In West Cote Blanche Bay, saltwater fishermen and women will want to check out the coast between Cote Blanche Canal and the Ivanhoe Canal. The Ivanhoe itself can produce deep water red fish during hot summer months.
St Mary Parish’s Cypremort Point is probably the premier location in the parish to fish out of, with nearby Cypremort Point State Park offering some overnight amenities to those wanting to vacation or spend the weekend.
Besides the Trash Pile in Week’s Bay, Blue Point in Vermilion Bay, Dead Cypress Point, the Dry Reef Structure visible right off Cypremort Point, there are way too many locations to mention to fish both redfish and speckled trout in this part of the parish.
Marsh Island’s Worm Bayou, Bird Island Bayou, and Michel Cove have produced fish over the years as well. It’s a fantastic fishery starting in late summer and running on into late fall when the water isn’t influenced by fresh.
Bill Lake, owner and operator of Bayou Guide Service, fishes southeast of the Atchafalaya River from Four League Bay to many easterly points around Lake Mechant. Lake regularly posts fishing conditions and catches. This past weekend he reported great catches coming from this region just east of the river.
Lake said, “Trout fishing in Dularge around the islands has been pretty steady on calm days. The Coon Point rock jetties have been fair to good using live shrimp. The Pickets has been spotty with lots of trash fish with water temperatures heating up. There’s been lots of gaff tops, mackerel, bluefish, and banana fish caught. And the sharks are showing up big time everywhere. But, the months of August and September is redfish months for us in the deep holes using crabs on the bottom. We caught 215 reds last weekend with four boats running each day.”
Fishing deeper water for red fish can produce some nice catches during the hot month of August. I’ve fished both Old Oyster Bayou south of Four League Bay, Worm Bayou on Marsh Island, and the deep mouth of Humble Canal in approximately 28 feet of water using a 4/0 circle hook, using a 4-oz. pyramid sinker, with the rig baited with a quarter piece of crab with good results.
No doubt, August is the hottest month of the year with most folks wanting to stay in the air conditioning.
But, for those looking for a mess of red fish to put on the grill, it may be the best time of year to catch a few.

CHARLES ANTHONY DUVAL

Thu, 08/06/2020 - 11:10am

Charles Anthony Duval, 63, a native and resident of Morgan City, died Monday, Aug. 3, 2020.
He is survived by his wife, Angela Duval; children, Wendy Duval, Charles Duval Jr., Celeste Hopkins and Michelle Duval; and siblings, Roland Duval Jr., Earl Duval, Kathy Ratcliff, Michael Duval, Janet Aucoin and Danny Duval.
He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers.
Hargrave Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, which are incomplete at this time.

TAMMY VERRETT

Thu, 08/06/2020 - 11:07am

Tammy Verrett, 61, a resident of Morgan City, died Friday, July 31, 2020, at Ochsner St. Mary in Morgan City.
She is survived by her son, Nick Hillebran of Morgan City; and mother, Shirley Zeringue.
She was preceded in death by her father and maternal grandparents.
A memorial visitation will be Saturday, 2-6 p.m., at Twin City Funeral Home, with up to 100 family members and guests allowed. Face masks and social distancing required.
Twin City Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

FARON 'TANK' JOSEPH WIGGINS

Thu, 08/06/2020 - 11:05am

Faron “Tank” Joseph Wiggins, age 58, a native of Morgan City and a resident of Berwick, was called to his heavenly home on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, surrounded by his loving family.
Faron was a retired employee from the St. Mary Parish School Board and a boat captain in recent years. In his spare time, he enjoyed wood working and commercial fishing. Faron was an avid deer hunter and liked spending time at the camp. He will be remembered most for his excellent cooking. He cherished his time with his family and friends and enjoyed making others laugh.
Those left to cherish his precious memory are his mother, Belle Chassion; his daughter, Erin Wiggins Angelo and spouse, Jason; his son, Justin Wiggins and spouse, Kim; his grandchildren, Justin Wiggins Jr., Kipten Angelo and Kainen Angelo; his twin brother, Daron Wiggins; and sister, Pamela Wiggins.
Faron is welcomed into heaven by his father, Chris “C.J.” Wiggins; his brother, Matthew Wiggins; and his stepfather, Gerald Chassion.
Visitation for Faron will be on Friday, Aug. 7, 2020, at Hargrave Funeral Home from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.
Service will be at 10:30 a.m. at Hargrave Funeral Home. Following the services Faron will be laid to rest in the Morgan City Cemetery.

Traffic stop leads to arrest on drug charges

Thu, 08/06/2020 - 11:03am

Staff Report
Morgan City police made a traffic stop Tuesday that resulted in arrests on charges of marijuana and methamphetamine possession, Morgan City Police Chief James F. Blair said.
—Ernest R. Harris Jr., 44, Michael Street, Patterson, was arrested at 12:03 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of synthetic marijuana (first offense), possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
—Nicole Leigh Babin, 32, Grand Caillou Road, Dulac, was arrested at 12:07 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of marijuana (first offense) and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Investigators with the Morgan City Narcotics Division conducted a traffic stop in the area of General McArthur Street and Federal Avenue.
During the traffic stop, two of the passengers were identified as Harris. During the traffic stop, Babin was found in possession of suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Harris was found in possession of suspected synthetic marijuana, methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.
They were placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
Blair also reported these arrests:
—Clement Joseph Mire, 38, Vine Drive, Morgan City, was arrested 10:15 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant for theft $1,000 to $5,000.
Mire was located at the Morgan City Police Department and booked on a warrant for theft. The warrant stems from a complaint filed with the Morgan City Police Department on Sunday.
—Gage Landry, 26, Lodge Drive, Lafayette, was arrested at 10:14 a.m. Tuesday on a charge of criminal damage to property.
Officers were called to an address on Brashear Avenue about a criminal damage to property complaint. They learned Gage Landry had damaged property at the address.
Landry was located on the scene and arrested. He was transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith reported these arrests:
—Jarred McKeid Knight, 35, arren Street, Bogalusa, was arrested at 6:04 p.m. Tuesday on two warrants for failure to appear on the following charges: operating a vehicle while license is suspended/revoked/canceled; possession of marijuana (two counts); operating a vehicle with an unlit license plate; possession of drug paraphernalia; resisting an officer.
No bail has been set.
—Clyde Anthony Broussard, 46, Avenue B, Crowley, was arrested at 6:05 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant for failure to appear on the following charges: possession of methamphetamine; possession of alprazolam with intent to distribute; possession of marijuana; and possession of drug paraphernalia.
No bail has been set.
—Juvenile male, 15, Berwick, was arrested at 7:55 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of criminal trespass. The juvenile was released to the custody of a guardian pending juvenile court proceedings.
—Juvenile male, 16, Berwick, was arrested at 7:55 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of criminal trespass. The juvenile was released to the custody of a guardian pending juvenile court proceedings.
—Juvenile male, 15, Berwick, was arrested at 7:55 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of criminal trespass. The juvenile was released to the custody of a guardian pending juvenile court proceedings.
Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon reported these arrests:
—Cody C. Landry, 29, West Avenue, Napoleonville, was arrested Tuesday on charges of molestation of a juvenile and indecent behavior with a juvenile.
—Aimee Sanchez Diez, 36, West Avenue, Napoleonville, was arrested Tuesday on charges of accessory after the fact and obstruction of justice.
Landry and Diez were arrested connection with the ongoing investigation that commenced on July 2.
Deputies responded to a complaint related to a female juvenile having been sexually abused.
Detectives were able to establish that the reported crimes occurred during an approximate time frame spanning from 2019 through 2020 at the West Avenue, Napoleonville, address.
Detectives were able to develop Landry as the suspect.
Based on material facts established during the course of the investigation, detectives applied for and were granted arrest warrants for Cody C. Landry.
Landry evaded authorities for several days, but with the assistance of the Gonzales Police Department, he was arrested early Tuesday. Cody C. Landry was transported to the jurisdiction of Assumption Parish and released after posting a $150,000 surety bond.
As part of the continued investigation, detectives determined that Diez was complicit in aiding Landry evading arrest.
Warrants were obtained for Diez.
Diez was arrested on Wednesday and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center and incarcerated pending a bond hearing.