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St. Mary Community Action Agency Distributing Commodities

Almetra J. Franklin, CEO, announces that St. Mary Community Action Agency and Food for Families Program will NOT distribute commodities on Friday, July 24, 2020. If you have any questions, please contact the St. Mary CAA office at (337) 828-5703.
Distribution will be postponed until further notice due to Federal Covid -19 Regulations.
For all participants who pick up their food boxes, this applies to the following distribution locations:
Berwick Civic Center
Amelia Recreational Center
St. Mary CAA Office Building
St. Mary Community Action Agency is an Equal Opportunity Provider, Employer and Lender.
Auxiliary aids/services available to individuals with disabilities upon request.

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, July 16
6:10 a.m., 2300 block of La. 70; Theft.
6:58 a.m.,, 900 block of Ninth Street; Suspicious vehicle.
8:23 a.m., 500 block of Terrebonne Street; Telephone harassment.
9:57 a.m., 6400 block of La. 182; Complaint.
10:14 a.m., 1200 block of Railroad Avenue; Assistance.
11:02 a.m., 500 block of Greenwood Street; Medical.
11:21 a.m., 3000 block of Keith Street; Fire.
11:23 a.m., La. 182; Assistance.
12:16 p.m., 1100 block of Brashear Avenue; 911 hang up.
1:48 p.m., 700 block of Myrtle Street; Traffic incident.
2:01 p.m., 200 block of Belanger Street; Medical.
3:12 p.m., 1300 block of Oil Tank Alley; Complaint.
3:17 p.m., 700 block of Myrtle Street; Juvenile problem.
3:28 p.m., 1100 block of General Clark Street; Utility.
3:30 p.m., General Clark Street; Complaint.
3:44 p.m., Third Street and Railroad Avenue; Complaint.
4:33 p.m. ,700 block of Greenwood Street; Medical.
4:49 p.m., 3000 block of Lizabeth Drive; Burglary.
4:50 p.m., 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Disturbance
5:34 p.m., 800 block of Onstead Street; Damage to property.
6:42 p.m., 500 block of General MacArthur Street; Animal.
6:47 p.m., Brashear Avenue and Fourth Street; Arrest.
7:17 p.m., La. 70; Medical.
8:51 p.m., Greenwood St; Discharge of firearm.
10:18 p.m., 600 block of Egle Street; Juvenile problem.
10:19 p.m., 600 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard; Disturbance.
Friday, July 17
12:42 a.m. Lakeside Subdivision; Suspicious vehicle.
2:03 a.m. Apple Street; Complaint.
5:42 a.m., 300 block Grizzaffi; Theft.
5:54 a.m., 600 block Maine; Medical.
9:04 a.m., 6000 block Railroad; Forgery.
10:02 a.m., Front and Levee; Suspicious person.
10:17 a.m., Victor II and Chlotilde; Accident.
10:36 a.m., Victory II Boulevard; Traffic stop.
10:40 a.m., La. 182; Assistance.
10:44 a.m., 300 block Barrow; 911 hang-up.
11:14 a.m., 1000 block Greenwood; Accident.
11:11 a.m., 2000 block of Allison; Removal of subject.
11:15 a.m. 300 block Second; Removal of subject.
12:25 p.m., 7500 block La. 182; Complaint.
12:43 p.m., 00 block Chennault; Officer stand by.
1:55 p.m., 900 block Willard; Medical.
2:24 p.,m., 7700 block La. 182; Disturbance.
3:20 p.m., U.S. 90 East; Reckless driver.
4:01 p.m., 7200 block La. 182; Civil matter.
4:22 p.m., Glenwood and Halsey; Loud music.
4:45 p.m., 7400 block La. 182; Harassment.
5:36 p.m., Area of Glenwood and Halsey; Loud music.
7:25 p.m., 2300 block La. 70; Disturbance.
7:25 p.m., Area of Fourth and Brashear; Suspicious subject.
7:32 p.m., 300 block Second; Remove a subject.
7:56 p.m., Sixth and Greenwood area; Disturbance.
8:06 p.m., 800 block Ditch; Complaint.
9:14 p.m., 500 block Roderick; Battery.
9:41 p.m., 300 block Egle; Animal complaint.
10:57 p.m., 600 block Greenwood; Hang-up call.
11:14 p.m., 5000 block of Railroad; Loud music.
11:23 p.m., 7400 block La. 182; Disturbance.
Saturday, July 18
1:40 a.m., 2300 block La. 70; Medical emergency.
1:43 a.m. 300 block Grizzaffi; Animal complaint.
1:45 a.m., 300 block Second; Complaint.
2:38 a.m., 300 block Garber; Loud music.
3:03 a.m., 2300 block Clements; Suspicious subject.
9:40 a.m., 400 block Fourth; Escort.
9:53 a.m., Lakewood and Pine; Accident.
10:01 a.m., 2400 block Apple; Removal of subject.
10:27 a.m., 500 block Egle; Criminal damage to property.
10:57 a.m., 200 block Bowman; Theft.
11:32 a.m., 300 block Egle; Complaint.
11:43 a.m., 7300 block La. 182; Suspicious person.
12:05 p.m., 1000 block Front; Disturbance.
1:15 p.m., Wytchwood and Walnut; Traffic incident.
1:24 p.m., 300 block Barrow; 911 hang-up.
1:26 p.m., 100 block Federal; Escort.
2:09 p.m., Sixth and Onstead; Traffic incident.
4:32 p.m., 400 block Louisa; Animal
4:40 p.m., 600 block Freret; Medical.
5:12 p.m., 1100 block Dora; Traffic incident.
6:31 p.m., 1500 block North Third; Aggravated battery.
8:15 p.m., 7000 block OF La. 182; Criminal damage to property.
8:42 p.m., 300 block Barrow; 911
10:39 p.m., 7400 block La. 182; Disturbance.
Sunday, July 19
1:12 a.m., 600 block Seventh; Fight.
2:15 a.m., 100 block Chennault; Loud music.
3:29 a.m., 2300 block Clements; Disturbance.
5:10 a.m., 100 block Chennault; Loud music.

Due to overwhelming response, phase one of the Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program application process has been temporarily suspended, but you can continue to sign up for notification of the opening of future phases.
Administered and funded by the Louisiana Housing Corp. in partnership with the state of Louisiana Office of Community Development, the LERAP is designed to help households financially impacted as a result of shutdowns, closures, layoffs, reduced work hours or unpaid leave due to the pandemic.
Since the launch Thursday, more than 40,000 renters have visited LaRentHelp.com or contacted 2-1-1 to initiate the application process.
The LHC will continue to process applications and follow-up with renters who qualify to receive financial assistance. The program will reopen as additional funds become available. To learn more or receive notice about additional rental resources, visit LaRentHelp.com to subscribe to the mailing list.
“The response to our state’s emergency rental assistance program proves how significant the economic burden of COVID-19 is for our citizens,” said Gov. John Bel Edwards. “This program was designed to help mitigate and off-set evictions and homelessness, and while we have allocated an additional $17 million for a total of $24 million in federal assistance, we know that much more is needed to address this serious crisis for the hard-working men and women who continue to keep our state going during this crisis.”
The LHC will continue to update the program’s website and provide information to Louisiana renters as it becomes available.
“We know there are many individuals and families whose lives have been upended by this pandemic and that there is a great sense of urgency for housing assistance,” said LHC Executive Director E. Keith Cunningham Jr. “As the state’s housing agency, we are committed to doing everything we can to meet the needs of renters and landlords and are hopeful that additional federal dollars will become available as soon as possible.”
The first phase of the program is funded with $7 million from the HOME Investment Partnership Program that is currently available, and the next phases will be funded by $5 million in Community Development Block Grant funds and $12 million in Emergency Solutions Grant funds through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. CDBG and ESG funds are not yet available but are expected soon. All the funding is provided to the state from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Does your lantana have yellowed leaves or brown spots? Is it pale and sickly looking with no flowers? The likely culprit is lace bugs. They are the most common insect found on azaleas, lantana and verbena.
Right now, lace bugs are in full effect as the insect population explodes at temperatures of 90 degrees in the summertime. Otherwise, they generally go unnoticed in the spring leading up to summer when lace bugs go from a small population to an infestation. That’s when the plants begin to manifest the telltale signs.
Although the attack is on the underside of the leaf, damage is first visible on the top side, where leaf surfaces become covered with white, yellow and brown mottling. Heavy infestations cause the leaves to turn yellow, browning the leaf tips and moving inward to the base of the plant before eventually dying and falling off.
These insects are called lace bugs because the adult insects have thin, lacy wings on a rectangular brown-to-black body. They are very small at about 1/8- to ¼-inch long. The immature lace bug is black with small spines and does not have wings.
Several species of lace bugs cause damage to plants, mainly ornamental shrubs and perennials. The adults lay eggs on the underside of the leaf along the midrib where they are secured with a brown, sticky substance that’s easily noticed when the plant is heavily infested. Lace bugs also feed on young flower buds. So if your lantana bloom is reduced or has stopped completely, this is another sign.
Lace bugs prefer plants in the heath family (Ericaceae), which includes both azaleas and rhododendrons, in addition to the verbena family (Verbenaceae), to which lantanas and verbenas belong. They all are some of the best-flowering landscape plants for the Gulf South. They stand up to the heat and can tolerate drought, all while attracting pollinators and luring gorgeous butterflies.
Lantana and verbena perform best in full sun and bloom in several colors. Bandana lantana is Louisiana Super Plant selection that blooms from spring through the fall in Louisiana. Homestead verbena is a prolific bloomer, attracting butterflies and spreading as groundcover along with being used in hanging baskets.
All of these plants typically hold up and survive most pests. However, you may need to intervene if they become infested and affect the vigor of the plants. In addition to lace bugs, these plants can also be attacked by mites, aphids, white flies and mealy bugs. These insects cause their damage by sucking sap from the plant tissue.
The insects then excrete a honeydew that accumulates on the leaves and stems of the rest of the plant. Black fungus, called sooty mold, then feeds and grows on the excrement. Sooty mold is ugly, and it affects plant growth and vigor by reducing photosynthesis.
Spider mites are another pest that along with lace bugs exert the most damage during the hottest, driest time of summer from July through September.
Attack pest problems by scouting plants often and controlling them early. Properly identify the insect pest, and you will be able to control it best. Use control practices that are the most effective against the specific insect and are the least harmful to the environment and to beneficial insects, such as bees and butterflies.
Most insect and mite pests are naturally regulated by beneficial insects, including assassin bugs, immature and adult lady beetles, lacewing larvae, spiders, predaceous mites and various tiny parasitic wasps.
Use cultural control measures first. This includes maintaining healthy plants that are not stressed. Achieve this through weed control, proper lighting, water and nutrient management. In this way, we protect beneficial insects and the environment.
You can also try mechanical control by spraying the underside of leaves with a hard jet of water from a garden hose, dislodging adult bugs and possibly killing the immature ones.
Last resort is chemical control. Insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, neem oil and most chemical insecticides provide good control. Directly spray the underside of the leaves for best coverage. Systemic insecticides with active ingredients such as acephate or Imidacloprid provide the best control and are used as drenches for the roots that are then translocated throughout the plant.
Before using any pesticide, be sure you read and follow the label instructions. Check plants again in two weeks to see if a second treatment is needed. Once the pests are gone, the plant will begin new growth and blooms should return. Make a wise decision on control to help protect the environment and our beneficial insects.
You can also choose lantana cultivars that are considered more resistant to lace bugs such as Weeping White, White Lightning, Weeping Lavender, Imperial Purple, Patriot Rainbow, Denholm Dwarf White, Radiation, Dallas Red and Gold Mound. According to the Center for Urban Agriculture with the University of Georgia cooperative extension, lantanas that are more resistant to lace bug are cultivars of Lantana montevidensis and varieties with smaller leaves.