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88 more COVID positives, one death in three local parishes

Sun, 07/19/2020 - 12:13pm

Eighty-eight more COVID-19 positives were reported in St. Mary, St. Martin and Assumption parishes Saturday and Sunday. A new death was reported in St. Martin.

The Louisiana Office of Public didn't post a report Saturday in an effort, the agency said, to reduce the burden on state and commercial labs.

In St. Mary, 50 new positives were reported during the 48 hours ending at midday Sunday, raising the total since the pandemic began to 1,040.

In St. Martin, 34 new cases raised the total to 1,210.

In Assumption, four new cases make the total 449.

The St. Martin death was the parish's 31st COVID-related fatality. St. Mary's death toll remains at 39, and Assumption's at 17.

Statewide:

--3,116 positives over the two days raised the pandemic total to 91,706.

--34 new deaths raised the toll 3,433.

--The number of hospitalizations rose by 56 to 1,469.

--The number of people on ventilators grew by 16 to 177.

In Louisiana Department of Health Region 3, which includes St. Mary and Assumption, 47 intensive care unit beds are in use and 41 are available. The region has 443 total hospital beds in use with 286 available.

In Region 4, which includes St. Martin, 144 ICU beds are in use with 36 available. The region has 1,164 total hospital beds in use with 535 available.

Diocese superintendent outlines school mask requirements

Fri, 07/17/2020 - 12:39pm

GEOFF STOUTE

gstoute@daily-review.com

One cloth face covering for each student and school staff member, a minimum of 2,000 disposable masks and at least three thermometers are being provided for each school in the state by the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness as school administrators try to protect staff and students from the spread of COVID-19.
That was the message from Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Superintendent of Catholic Schools Suzanne Troxclair in the second video the diocese released this week on YouTube regarding guidance concerning returning to school this fall.
“The state is really working with our schools and the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is working very carefully to really help do all that they can to make our schools as safe as they can at this time,” Troxclair said.
For those who will use their own masks, Troxclair said individual schools will provide more information on what is acceptable.
However, she said the diocese is recommending face coverings made of cloth at the advice of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, because the cloth face coverings can be cleaned and reused.
They also don’t take away from the supply of certain masks that medical professionals and first responders need.
The diocese will not allow face shields, however, noting the CDC has not found evidence of their effectiveness against the spread of COVID-19.
Those students or adults who have medical issues or parents concerned about their child using a face covering should consult their physician in order to make the proper choice, Troxclair said, citing CDC guidance.
When schools begin in the fall, all students in grades 3-12 and every employee in diocesan schools will be required to wear a mask. Central Catholic Elementary will resume school Aug. 6, while Central Catholic High School will return to the classroom Aug. 8.
While public school openings have been pushed back in some areas where the diocese has schools, no changes have been made to the diocese’s plans.
“We (public and parochial schools) don’t all have to do the exact same thing, but with that said, we’re all doing what’s in the best interest of our students and our staff, so we’re evaluating and re-evaluating where we are currently with that new guidance that’s come out, with new information that comes out from the CDC, what we know we have to do for our schools and our school families to best accommodate them,” Troxclair said.
While the state is in Phase Two of reopening, Troxclair said diocesan schools are prepared for any phase changes.
“For example, in Phase One, the numbers of students in our classrooms would be cut dramatically, so that could bring us into a hybrid situation where we would need to take students in more of a platooning-type situation where we would not be able to have our whole student body present at the same time at school,” she said, noting that virtual learning would be incorporated in those situations, too.
Troxclair said Phase One doesn’t mandate no one can be at school. It just limits the number of people present.
The diocese also must be prepared if another stay-at-home order is needed, too, she said.
Troxclair said the diocesan schools also must plan for the “reality, the very strong likelihood” that there will be positive cases on their campuses.
“Whether it’s at school or at home and a child is positive or an employee is positive, we have to be prepared for that,” she said. “Learning’s not going to stop for those students. We have to be prepared to be able to continue teaching and learning for those students when they’re in quarantine or in the unfortunate event that they would actually be symptomatic and be sick, so teachers and principals are preparing for that right now and how they are going to continue that curriculum and continue that teaching and learning for those students.”

Louisiana launches rental assistance program

Fri, 07/17/2020 - 12:37pm

DAVID JACOBS, The Center Square

Louisiana on Thursday launched a federally funded $24 million assistance program for low-income residents who can’t pay their rent because of the COVID-19 pandemic and response, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced.
The Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program is designed to help households facing financial hardship as a result of shutdowns, closures, layoffs, reduced work hours or unpaid leave related to the pandemic. The program starts out with $7 million from the HOME Investment Partnership Program, paid for with grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
HUD also is expected to provide $5 million in Community Development Block Grant funds and $12 million in Emergency Solutions Grant funds provided through the CARES Act, Edwards’ office says.
The program is meant to help Louisiana renters who are not current on their rent and/or at imminent risk of eviction due to COVID-19. Payments will be made directly to landlords, not renters.
The payment amount is dependent upon income, household size and fair market rent prices. Income limits to participate range from $13,500 (for a single person) to $25,450 (for a family of four or more).
Grants will be awarded on a “first come, first served” basis. Renters can get more information and apply at LaRentHelp.com or by calling 211. They can also text “LaRentHelp” to 898-211 for more information.
“The COVID-19 pandemic is creating particular hardships for our most vulnerable residents, most of whom rely on rental housing,” state Office of Community Development Executive Director Pat Forbes said. “Many of these individuals and families are facing potential eviction because their incomes have been impacted by the pandemic. This allows the state to address that threat in a way that helps our people be more secure in their housing situations.”

Charles Richard is Rotary Citizen of the Year

Fri, 07/17/2020 - 12:35pm

By JIM FIRMIN

The Morgan City Rotary Club Citizen of the Year / Lifetime Achievement Award is given to honor an individual whose life work is recognized and regarded with respect, pride, and gratitude by citizens of the Morgan City – Berwick - Patterson Community.

The award has been given annually since 1987 for exemplary volunteer efforts expressive of Rotary International’s Motto, “Service above Self”. These outstanding citizens are chosen for their definable exceptional deeds, through which he or she has made our greater community a better place to live. The award is presented to an individual who best represents the qualities each of us admire and respect among our friends, neighbors, and associates. It is not given so much for achievement, but rather for helping others achieve. It is not given for an outstanding single effort, but more-so for long-term, continuing unselfish commitment to the community.

In a moment I will tell you a little about our recipient this year, but first I want to say that it is with gratitude and acknowledgement of his untiring service to the Morgan City – Berwick - Patterson Community that the Morgan City Rotary Club 2020 Citizen of the Year / Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to Mr. Charles Richard. We are happy to have Charles and his family with us here today.

So a little about him - There are people that we all know, who at one time or another are “Part of the Problem”, and likewise, there are people who we all know that are always “Part of the Solution”. Our recipient this year is one who has for the most part worked behind the scenes to make good things happen for all of us in the Tri-City Community, and he has always been, “Part of the Solution”.

Charles was born in 1932 in Church Point La and is very much a self-made individual. He is a veteran of the Korean War having served with the 1st Calvary Division in Japan for a while and then Korea, and in talking with him it is clear that he has very definite feelings about military service to one’s country. Later he started Bayou Boeuf Electric and made it into one of the leading businesses operating in the regional Petroleum industry.

Specifically though, this award recognizes service above and beyond one’s job. It is for service in community activities that demonstrate creativity, vision, leadership and citizenship, and volunteer service to programs and activities that positively impact the life of all persons in St. Mary Parish. For over 50 years, since the late 1960’s, Charles has been in the mainstream of leaders in this area who have strived to improve the quality of the business and cultural environment of the community.

To many, Charles is still “Mr. Shrimp and Petroleum Festival”, as he was one of several leaders who brought the festival back from a fading existence to the dynamic and major event that we know today. He was King of the Festival in 1976 and was a member and Chairman of the Board of the Festival for an extended period. He had an artist create the beautiful marble sculpture in the Ballroom Foyer of the Municipal Auditorium of Bob Greenwood’s design of the Festival Logo of the shrimp draped over the oil derrick in dedication to Ms Alberta Jendron, the early longtime leader of the Festival. He was behind the idea of the exhibit of the Festival’s Kings and Queens in the Foyer of the Auditorium and served on the Board of the Auditorium Commission for many years. It was his idea to start a festival poster in 1981, and he was instrumental in having me design the first poster, of which he bought the #1 poster as I recall during a fund raiser for the festival.

He was a King of Hephaestus and was in the leadership of the Krewe for many years. He is involved with the Acadian Cultural Development program, he was a major donor to our China Literacy Program, and he has been a generous supporter of his Church, and many other local and regional activities.

On the business front, he is one of three founding members of the St Mary Industrial Group which since 1975 has endeavored to improve the business climate for our area. He has spearheaded many efforts of SMIG, notably the legislative initiatives for Workers Compensation Reform, Tort-Reform, and Right to Work Legislation. And in my view, his crowning achievement with SMIG was the completion of US Hwy 90 through Morgan City. Some of you may remember how it took over an hour to drive from Amelia to Berwick after 3 in the afternoon. Charles singlehandedly spearheaded the successful multiple year effort to clear the obstacles for issuance of the permits for the completion of the highway from Berwick to Houma. He personally delivered postcards in the thousands on the desks of national legislators to get that project done, and it stands as his unheralded legacy for the thousands of people who comfortably travel that stretch of highway today.

Mr. Richard is an exemplary example of what this Rotary Lifetime Achievement Award stands for, and what “Service above Self” really means. Charles would surely say that he didn’t do anything anyone else would not have done, and is not big on getting awards, which is another reason that the time is long overdue to recognize him for his decade’s long tenure of leadership and volunteerism in our City.

A $1,000 donation to the Rotary Foundation has been made and the Morgan City Rotary Club has designated Mr. Charles Richard a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Foundation.

EDWARD JOSEPH PATTERSON JR.

Fri, 07/17/2020 - 12:31pm

Edward Joseph Patterson Jr. passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 15, 2020. He touched so many lives in his 84 years. The outpouring of love his family has received is evidence that his generous spirit and zest for life impacted many people.
Ed had a brilliant mind and was a hard worker throughout his life. With his petroleum engineering degree from LSU, he developed a successful family-owned marine transportation business, Central Boat Rentals. He also served his country as a member of the U.S. Army.
Ed never missed a chance to be out on the water, catching anything that would bite on the end of his many lines. “Don’t hoss ‘em!” was often heard while fishing with him. Football games, concerts, and dancing were some of his other passions. Grand Isle, skiing, hunting and fishing trips are also treasured memories. Always ready for an adventure, Ed showed everyone how to live life to the fullest!
Faith was an important part of Ed’s life, as well as his close-knit family. Attending all of their games or special events, his continual support meant everything to them.
He will be lovingly remembered by his sisters, Edith Hover and Brenda Dawson; his children and their spouses, Pamela Robichaux, David and Kellye Patterson, Michael and Erin Patterson, and Catherine and Mark Nini; his grandchildren, Amanda (Chris) Roques, Aimee (Matthew) Ory, Kimberly, Bradley, Whitney, Wrenn and Elizabeth Patterson, Luke and Kate Patterson, and Caroline, Madeline and Thomas Nini; great-grandchildren, Gabriella and Raphael Ory, and Brantley and Christian Roques; his companion, Janice LeBlanc; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Juanita Russo Patterson; his parents, Edward and Edmay Patterson Sr.; his in-laws, Frank and Elvina Russo; and a son-in-law, Edward Robichaux.
Ed was a great inspiration to his community and his entire family. He was a living legend, a classic one-of-a-kind man who will continue to be loved and missed.
Visitation will be held Monday, July 20, 2020, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Tuesday, July 21, 2020, from 7 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. at Hargrave Funeral Home. His eulogy will be begin at 10:45 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in Holy Cross Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Central Catholic, Holy Cross Catholic Church or Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
In keeping with government mandate, Hargrave Funeral Home can allow for only 150 guests in its facility at a time while the church can allow for 198 guests. All guests are asked to wear face masks as well as adhere to social distancing protocols upon entry of the funeral home and church.

Bayou Horseshoe Pitchers

Fri, 07/17/2020 - 12:30pm

Summer League
Week 4
............................................W........L
Let’s Geaux......................26.5......9.5
Horseshoes Grt Agn........20.6.....16.0
Buffet Margaritaville.........19.5.....16.5
Let Er Rip..........................17 ......19
3 Guys & A Gal.................14........22
High scratch point average: (30’) Tim Gilmore 80.0, Calvin Johnson 42.8 and Mary Guzdial 23.2; and (40’) Clyde Landry 51.0, Randy Giroir 49.9 and Dwain Arceneaux 47.1.
High individual ringer percentage: (30’) Gilmore 60.3, Johnson 20.8 and Guzdiual 7.9; and (40’) Landry 31.1, Giroir 30.3 and Arceneaux 28.5.
High scratch game: (30’) Gilmore 89, Johnston 54 and Guzdial 34; and (40’) Landry 67, Dale Pearce 62 and Giroir 61.
Most ringers: (one night) Gilmore 79, Giroir 43, Arceneaux 40 and Landry 40; and (one game) Gilmore 28, Landry 20, Giroir 17, Arceneaux 15, Miller 15 and Pearce 15.
Most points one night: Gilmore 257, Landry 169, Giroir 159, Johnson 153 and Arceneaux 150.
High game over average: Hilton Rhodes 14.0.
Best won-loss record: Tyler Bourdier 8-1, Gilmore 6.5-2.5, Landry 6-3, Johnson 6-3, Craig Rink 6-3, Jim Guzdial 4-2 and Bryan Phenix 4-2.
Most points one night (team) 3 Guys & A Gal 438 and Let’s Geaux 431; and most ringers one night (team): Let’s Geaux 117 and 3 Guys & A Gal 102.

Wheel House for July 17

Fri, 07/17/2020 - 12:27pm

ST. MARY AARP
The National AARP office has decided to suspend all in-person events until the end of 2020. This includes bingo, dances, trips, in-person AARP chapter meetings, exercise room and all other activities supported in the name of AARP.

St. Mary students make UL Lafayette honors lists

Fri, 07/17/2020 - 12:25pm

St. Mary Parish students were among those who earned places on University of Louisiana at Lafayette honors lists for the spring 2020 semester.
To be named to the Dean’s List, students must be enrolled full-time and maintain a grade point average of at least 3.5. Those who maintain grade point averages of at least 3.8 are placed on the President’s List.
The local students on the lists are:
Dean’s List
Aidan Bennett
Alaina Deshotel
Ana Matta Gomez
Ashley Marshall
Bailiee Lipari
Blair Brown
Carlie Pellerin
Chad Vining
Chase Mensman
Christopher Gros
Grant Oubre
Ireland Jaet
Jordyn Baudoin
Kendriel Wilson
Kevin Ta
Kyler Clements
Latonya Stacy
Lauren Palombo
Madison Carline
Nicole Ring
Peyton Landry
Ross Albritton
Ryan Galloway
Sage Aucoin
Taylor Hebert
Zephaniah Hoffpauir
President’s List
Aashna Lakhani
Aimee Galloway
Allie Lange
Allyssa Young
Alyssa Landry
Ashley Anslum
Ashley Fromenthal
Austin Parks
Avery Tibbs
Bailee Rineholt
Baylee Young
Breanna Jenkins
Brennan Benedietto
Bria Burrell
Brooklyn Mayon
Bryce Landry
Cade Thibodeaux
Caitlyn Chauvin
Chaz Perry
Chlesee Connor
Cooper LeBlance
Corrine Benandi
Destini Catchings
Diamond Brown
Elizabeth Ibert
Emma Millisor
Evan Landry
Evan Thibodeaux
Gabrielle Robicheaux
Haley Dunagin
Hannah Boudreaux
Harleigh Price
Isabella Braus
Isabella Mire
Isabelle Landry
Jenna Dreher
Jenna Duhon
Jennifer Tran
Joshua Lorenzo
Kane Boudreaux
Kourtney Chauvin
Krista Hebert
Kyle Boudreaux
Lauren Cantrelle
Maddi Mcgonagill
Madeline Comeaux
Maggie Johnson
Mallory Fontenot
Marissa Bellard
Morgan Chiasson
Noel Johnson
Ryan Polito
Sarah Sierra
Sean Cantrelle
Shaye Polito
Stephanie Leblanc
Tayla Weary
Thomas LeBlanc
Tye Williams

Two arrested on City Court warrants, one for 15 counts

Fri, 07/17/2020 - 12:23pm

Staff Report

Morgan City police rounded up two people named in warrants for failure to appear, one of whom was named in 15 counts, according to Police Chief James F. Blair.
—Vincent Ardell Thomas Jr., 26, Fourth Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:25 a.m. Wednesday on a charge of resisting an officer and on a warrant for 15 counts of failure to appear.
Investigators with the Morgan City Narcotics Division observed Thomas in the area of La. 182, and Myrtle Street. Investigators attempted to stop Thomas and place him under arrest on active warrants for City Court of Morgan City.
Thomas fled on foot but was apprehended. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
—Darius Brown, 41, Clements Street, Patterson, was arrested at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday on warrants for two counts of failure to appear.
Brown was located at the Patterson Police Department on active warrants held by City Cout of Morgan City. He was transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.

Morgan City police radio logs for July 15-16

Fri, 07/17/2020 - 12:21pm

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.
Wednesday, July 15
6:56 a.m. Sixth and Onstead streets; Reckless driver.
7:01 a.m. 200 block of Aucoin Street; Mentally ill person.
7:45 a.m. 800 block of Fig Street; Juvenile problem.
7:51 a.m. 4000 block of Railroad Avenue; Alarm.
8:22 a.m. 7000 block of La. 182; Arrest.
9:04 a.m. 1400 block of North First Street; Medical.
9:31 a.m. 300 block of Garber Street; Complaint.
10:34 a.m. 200 block of Patton Street; Trespassing.
11:07 a.m. 800 block of Ditch Avenue; Trespassing.
11:50 a.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Medical.
1:02 p.m. U.S. 90 East; Stalled vehicle.
1:24 p.m. 300 block of Chennault Street; Medical.
2:30 p.m. Old Bridge; Accident.
2:39 p.m. Morgan City Police Department; Lost/found property.
3:01 p.m. Pershing Street; Animal.
3:41 p.m. 300 block of Fifth Street; Animal.
4:32 p.m. 200 block of Aucoin Street; Damage to property.
5:11 p.m. 500 block of Brashear Avenue; Medical.
7:06 p.m. 500 block of Brashear Avenue; Removal of subject.
8:18 p.m. 7500 block of La. 182; Theft.
9:10 p.m. 500 block of Brashear Avenue; Complaint.
9:50 p.m. 1000 block of Brashear Avenue; Fire alarm.
10:40 p.m. Mallard Street; Medical.
11:33 p.m. Ochsner St. Mary; Complaint.