Morgan City Fire Department firefighters were on the scene of a blaze Wednesday that damaged this home on Terrebonne Street. Flames and pillars of smoke were shooting from the home and from a pickup truck parked alongside as firefighters arrived. The alarm went out just after 2 p.m. Wednesday. There was no immediate word about injuries or the cause of the fire.
The Daily Review/Bill Decker
St. Mary, St. Martin and Assumption have 43 new COVID-19 positives, according to the Louisiana Office of Public Health report at midday Wednesday.
The number of hospitalizations statewide dropped by three.
In St. Mary, 16 new positives made the total 632 since the pandemic began.
In St. Martin, 18 new positives raised the total to 915.
Nine new cases pushed the Assumption total to 399.
No new deaths were reported locally, so the toll in St. Mary remains at 39, in St. Martin at 27 and in Assumption 15.
Statewide:
--1,888 new positives raised the pandemic total to 70,151.
--20 new deaths make the toll 3,231.
--The number of people in hospitals for COVID-19 treatment fell by three to 1,022.
--The number of people on ventilators fell by four to 105.
DEAR ABBY: Three years ago, I found out my husband had sexually abused one of his nieces. He took a lie detector test, failed it and confessed. Learning the truth was devastating, and I felt like a fool for having believed him.
We have two children together, both teenaged boys. I had to give my boys the bad news about what their father had done and the reason I could no longer be with him. He had to move out because he was restricted from being with minors. There were so many changes.
Then came the news that their father was arrested and sentenced to six years in prison. I was emotionally drained. I have always been honest with my boys and have never kept anything from them. Because I’ve had to give them so much bad news, I have tried my best to give them the happiest times that I could. Soon after, he was sent away.
I received word that when he gets out, he will be deported to Mexico. This is something I haven’t told my boys yet. They are talking about having a life with their father. When he gets out, they will both be adults. My youngest talks about living with him. When they find out, they will be heartbroken.
They have been doing so well. We’ve come a long way, and we’re finally in a happy place. I don’t know how or when to tell them. Should I do it now or wait until closer to his release date? I’m just over the sadness.
EMOTIONALLY DRAINED
DEAR EMOTIONALLY DRAINED: Hang onto your happiness because you deserve all of it that is coming your way. You and your sons have been put through an ordeal not of your making. I see no reason to burden them further with this unhappy news until closer to the time of your husband’s release. By then they will be older and better able to adjust to what it will mean if they choose to live with or spend time with their dad.
DEAR ABBY: I am an older woman who is not very attractive. I didn’t inherit good looks. This bothers me because all my women friends are married or have been in relationships.
People say looks don’t matter, but they are mistaken. The first thing someone sees is your face and physical presence. I keep myself neat and nicely groomed, but I’m not pretty. What do I do to lift myself from this depression? I’m ashamed of my face.
FACING IT IN CALIFORNIA
DEAR FACING IT: Everyone has strong points that make them unique. My mother used to say that the most effective cosmetic is a smile. You might have better luck if you focus less on what you think you don’t have and start concentrating on what you DO have to offer.
Not everyone is a beauty contest winner, and they manage to couple up and have healthy relationships with the opposite sex (and sometimes the same sex). Do you have a special talent, a pleasing personality or a good sense of humor? You appear to have a serious case of low self-esteem.
The solution to your problem might be as simple as widening your circle of acquaintances by getting involved in activities you enjoy. But before doing that, it might be in your interest to talk with a licensed mental health professional for help in becoming less critical of yourself.
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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.
The duplex of Pam Faul and Ann Murray has received July Yard of the Month honors from the Patterson Garden Club. The yard is highlighted by crape myrtle trees, shrubbery, hibiscus and a bed of impatience, petunias, fern, marigolds and more.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas James Gardella Jr. (nee: April Ann Sons) of Patterson, a boy, Dominic James Gardella, on June 15 at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center. He weighed 8 pounds, 9.22 ounces and measured 20.5 inches.
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Born to Mr. and Mrs. Eric Michael Eues (nee: Jessy Lynn Broussard) of Amelia, a girl, Gabriella Jane Eues, on June 15 at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center. She weighed 4 pounds, 7.68 ounces and measured 17.5 inches.
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Born to Jaida Lee Weatherford and Zacharieth Paul Lopez of Morgan City, a girl, Nevaeh Lee Lopez, on June 15 at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center. She weighed 6 pounds, 8.76 ounces and measured 18 inches.
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Born to Takemia Lucretia Thomas and Jeaneaux Farrell Kenner of Berwick, a boy, Giani Farren Kenner, on June 15 at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center. He weighed 6 pounds, 2.06 ounces and measured 19 inches.
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Born to Mr. and Mrs. Brandon G. Griffin (nee: Ashley E. Hughes) of Morgan City, a boy, Alaric Pierce Griffin, on June 21 at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center. He weighed 8 pounds and measured 19.5 inches.
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Born to Emily Guerin of Patterson, a boy, Wesley Wayne Guerin, on June 22 at Ochsner St. Mary in Morgan City. He weighed 8 pounds, 12 ounces and measured 20.5 inches.
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Born to Michell Paola Castillo and Denis Alexander Canales of Berwick, a boy, Matthew Alessandro Canales-Castillo, on June 25 at Ochsner St. Mary in Morgan City. He weighed 6 pounds and measured 18.2 inches.
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Born to April Marie Crouch and Matthew Ryan Eason of Patterson, a boy, Styles Matthew Eason, on June 25 at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center. He weighed 6 pounds, 12.71 ounces and measured 18.5 inches.
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Born to Sabrina Fontenot and Joshua Garrick of Morgan City, a boy, Joshua Jordan Garrick Jr., on June 25 at Ochsner St. Mary in Morgan City. He weighed 7 pounds and measured 21 inches.
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Born to Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Loupe (nee: Emily Czeck) of Morgan City, a boy, Austin Robert Loupe, on June 26 at Ochsner St. Mary in Morgan City. He weighed 6 pounds, 13 ounces and measured 20 inches.
The Patterson City Council unanimously passed ordinances to amend rates for water, sewer and gas service to reflect the Consumer Price Index during its monthly meeting Tuesday.
The changes were adopted after a public hearing prior to the meeting.
“By using the CPI, we will be able to avoid over or undercharging our customers on an annual basis,” Mayor Rodney Grogan said during the public hearing.
Beginning Aug. 1 and on that day each year to come, the water rates assessed to customers will reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. Currently, the city of Patterson is charging a 2% increase per year on water rates.
“But water right now CPI is anywhere between 2.2 and 2.9, so when you average that out, we should be like at a 2.4 or 2.5,” Grogan said.
Grogan noted that would be like $5 per year the city would lose on water for each of the city’s 2,300 households, and areas outside the city.
Grogan said the city must ensure that it can pay its revenue bonds on the water plant.
Until Aug. 1, all flat-rate increase provisions in effect will remain.
Because the city already is locked in on sewer and gas service rates it will charge, the changes approved at Tuesday’s meeting strictly tying increases to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers will not go into effect until Jan. 1, 2022. Each year thereafter on Jan. 1, rates will be calculated using the CPI.
Also Tuesday, the council introduced an ordinance for millage rates for the 2020 tax year for general alimony tax and public improvement bond issues for waterworks. A tax of 14 mills will be assessed for public improvement bond issues, while a general alimony tax of 8.3 mills will be assessed.
In other action, the council:
—Heard from Melanie Caillouet with Providence Engineering in a public hearing about projects the city is applying for funding through a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Application. The projects, which total more than $7 million, include water and gas meter replacements, a waterline crossing on the Lower Atchafalaya River, improvements to the water treatment plant and sewer lift station rehabilitation as well as the relocation of the Signe’ Drive Sewer Lift Station.
—Heard from Caillouet in her engineering report that surveying is complete of Phase II of the Patterson streets project, and plans are 70% complete. Caillouet expects to have the final plans by the Aug. 4 meeting.
—Directed City Attorney Russel Cremaldi to inform the owner of a tract of land at Williams and O streets that is filled with graves that the city is not interested in acquiring the land. The mayor and council also had lengthy discussion but took no action, concerning adjacent city property with graves on it about the possibility of making that a cemetery.
Louisiana’s gross domestic product declined 6.6% during the first quarter of the year, fifth most of any state, according to a U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis estimate.
Nationally, GDP was down an estimated 5%. Every state and the District of Columbia saw its GDP decrease during the first three months of the year, the BEA says.
The first quarter results include only about two weeks of business restrictions imposed to control the spread of COVID-19, meaning a more severe decline likely will be reflected in the second-quarter statistics.
In Louisiana, Gov. John Bel Edwards first declared a public health emergency March 11. The first ban on large gatherings was established March 13, and the first order closing bars, restaurants and casinos was issued March 16. All businesses now are able to open, though capacity restrictions still apply.
New York saw the biggest decline among states at 8.2%, followed by Nevada, Hawaii and Michigan. Nebraska saw the smallest decline of 1.3%, according to BEA estimates.
Among industries, accommodation and food services decreased 26%, more than any other sector. Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting increased 15.5% nationally, moderating declines in some states including Nebraska.
Before the pandemic began, Moody’s Analytics found Louisiana was perhaps the most vulnerable in the nation to even a moderate recession. Louisiana would face a shortfall equaling 11.9% of its total 2019 revenues, the worst outcome among the 50 states, according to Moody’s.
A University of Louisiana at Lafayette study released in May projected a second-quarter GDP decline in Louisiana of 20.4 percent, compared to 32.2 percent nationwide. But Louisiana’s economy was expected to rebound more slowly than the rest of the nation, remaining below pre-COVID-19 levels until 2022.
A more pessimistic scenario, which includes a second wave of “shut downs” and sustained oil prices below $35 a barrel, indicates Louisiana’s GDP shrinking to “Great Recession” levels of 2008 and 2009, the UL-Lafayette report shows. Tax collections could fall between $800 million and more than $1 billion over the next four quarters compared to pre-pandemic levels.
August 24, 1941 — July 6, 2020
William “Bill” K. Darce Jr., 78, a resident of Morgan City, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 6, 2020, at Terrebonne General Medical Center. Bill was born August 24, 1941, in Morgan City, Louisiana, the son of William K. Darce Sr. and Stacy Sons Darce.
After marrying his high school sweetheart, the love of his life, Elrita Beadle Darce in 1960, they moved to Orlando, Florida, where he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He received an honorable discharge in 1963 and then they moved back home.
He was a salesman for Morgan City Supply for many years and later became a purchasing agent for Dowell Schlumberger. He also spent many years working for the family-owned Opera House Theatre.
Bill was a parishioner of Holy Cross Catholic Church where he served as a Eucharistic minister. He was a charter member of the Holy Cross Knights of Columbus #12179, where he held many officer positions. He was also a 4th Degree Knight of the Jules S. Toups Assembly. He served as President of the local chapter of the AARP as well as a member of their board of directors. He served as Commander of the American Legion Atchafalaya Post 96 in Morgan City.
He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife of 59 years, Elrita Beadle Darce; three children, William “Willy” K. Darce III and his wife Sarah of Bayou L’Ourse, Debbie D. Stevens of Morgan City, and Dina D. Aucoin and her husband Shelby Aucoin Jr. of Belle River; one brother, Garey “Butch” Darce Sr. and his wife Dorothy “Dot” Darce of Lafayette; 10 grandchildren, Stephen Darce, Brandon Darce, Laura Schmitt, Kreisle Darce, Todd Stevens, Dustin Stevens, Derek Stevens, Shelley Daigle, Tyler Aucoin and Trevor Aucoin; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Wayne Darce Sr.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 9, 2020, at Holy Cross Catholic Church with Father Brice Higginbotham celebrating Mass. A rosary will be prayed by the Knights of Columbus at 10:30 at the church. Inurnment services with Military Honors will be held in the Morgan City Cemetery at a later date.
Due to the health concerns and the restrictions with limited gatherings, current guidelines will only allow for up to 194 family members and friends to be in attendance at the funeral Mass and still practice social distancing. Masks will be required upon entering the church.
AARP DANCE
Schedule for Saturday, July 11, at St. Mary Senior Citizens Center, 4014 Chennault St., Morgan City, canceled. No other dances scheduled for remainder of year.
AARP BINGO
Weekly Wednesday bingo at St. Mary Senior Citizens Center, 4014 Chennault St., Morgan City, canceled for remainder of year.
Morgan City police made three arrests Monday on warrants alleging marijuana and methamphetamine possession, Police Chief James F. Blair said.
—Annette Aucoin, 58, Leona Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:40 a.m. Monday on warrants for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a legend drug, violation of the Controlled Dangerous Substance Law (drug-free zone) and first-offense possession of marijuana.
—David Barnett, 49, Leona Street,. Morgan City, was arrested at 10:40 a.m. Monday on warrants for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a legend drug, and violation of the Controlled Dangerous Substance Law (drug-free zone) and a charge of driving under suspension.
—James Meredith, 78, Leona Street. Morgan City, was arrested at 10:40 a.m. Monday on a warrant for first-offense possession of marijuana.
Detectives were attempting to locate Aucoin, Barnett and Meredith on active warrants from the Morgan City Police Department. Detectives were able to locate the subjects on Eighth Street in Morgan City.
The warrants stemmed from a June investigation at a residence. Meredith, Aucoin, and Barnett were placed under arrest. Barnett was additionally charged with driving under suspension. All three subjects were booked into the Morgan City Police Department.
Blair also reported this address:
—Michael Pellicer, 43 Freret Street, Morgan City, was arrested on at 4:07 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant for possession of drug paraphernalia.
Pellicer was located at a residence on Second Street after officers were called to the residence for a complaint. A warrants check showed that Pellicer had active warrants through Morgan City Police Department.
Pellicer was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith reports these arrests:
—Beau Kevin Boudreaux, 41, Edie Ann Drive, Lafayette, was arrested at 5:39 p.m. Monday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of criminal neglect of family. No bail has been set.
—Leon Danon Clark, 44, Griage Street, Houma, was arrested by the K9 Section at 1:26 a.m. Tuesday on charges of aggravated flight from officer and resisting arrest or officer.
A K9 deputy was patrolling the area of Amelia when he was contacted by a K9 officer from the the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office regarding vehicle pursuit coming toward St. Mary Parish.
A short time later, the deputy observed the vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed on U.S. 90 westbound and joined the pursuit.
An officer with the Berwick Police Department deployed stop sticks on the highway, which the vehicle ran over. The vehicle continued to travel with a tire coming apart until the vehicle reached the Baldwin exit. The driver, later identified as Clark, opened the door, bailed out of the vehicle, and ran south across U.S. 90.
K9 Buddy, who is certified in criminal apprehension, was deployed and quickly apprehended Clark. Clark was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking and is being held for another agency.
Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon reported these arrests:
— Anthony Junor Benoit was arrested Sunday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving under suspension, turning signals required and modified exhaust system.
The special unit deputy observed a vehicle near La. 70 and South Bay Road commit multiple traffic violations and initiated a stop of the vehicle.
The deputy made contact with the driver, now identified as Benoit. During the interview, the deputy conducted a protective pat down search of Benoit’s person and seized a quantity of methamphetamine.
During a search of the vehicle, drug paraphernalia was recovered.
Benoit was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.
—Chez Kelly Dupuy, 29, Burma Road, Thibodaux, was arrested on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and speeding.
A Sheriff’s Office I.C.E. assigned deputy was patrolling the La. 70 in Pierre Part area when he observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation.
The deputy conducted a stop of the vehicle and made contact with the driver now identified as Dupuy. The deputy made several observations and noted Dupuy to be acting nervously.
As a precaution, the deputy conducted a pat down search of Dupuy and did seize a quantity of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. During that process, Dupuy advised the deputy that there was a quantity of methamphetamine in his vehicle. Deputies did seize the methamphetamine.
Dupuy was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center with a bond set at $45,000.
Franklin Banner-Tribune
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Phone: 337-828-3706
Fax: 337-828-2874
Morgan City Review
1014 Front Street, Morgan City, LA 70380
Phone: 985-384-8370
Fax: 985-384-4255