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As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, supplies are full at St. Mary Outreach in Morgan City, with many in the community receiving aid from other agencies or government assistance.
“We’re stocked right now,” Executive Director Brenda Liner said. “We haven’t had to place an order in a few weeks, so our shelves are stocked and we’re meeting the needs of those who come to our door.”
She noted other agencies and churches have helped keep St. Mary Outreach’s supplies filled because they have been giving away boxes of supplies to those in need, while an increase in government assistance for food stamps with children being out of school also has helped.
Liner said that when the pandemic began to affect the area, she ordered anything she could because the stores were running out of products.
“That was my fear (that) we’re not going to be able to get it, so I got it while we could get it, and it looks like everybody did too,” she said of other agencies.
However, Liner knows St. Mary Outreach’s help will be needed soon.
“I know we will start to see an increase in people needing help with utilities and rent” now that landlords are allowed to evict tenants again, she said.
One item Liner said the agency could use is more disinfecting products to be given to those in need.
The agency is still operating under faceless interaction. Clients can come to the office (608 First St., Suite 102) Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m.-noon and 1:30-3 p.m. and on Fridays from 9 a.m.-noon.
They are instructed to call the agency at 985-385-4551 and following a phone interview, their items are gathered and placed on a table outside. Then, the caller is instructed to pick up the supplies.
When the state moved to Phase 2 of its reopening, St. Mary Outreach resumed accepting clothing donations, and each day, weather permitting, the agency is setting items outside for the public to take.
“Since we’re not having anyone come in, it’s the way to kind of move the clothes out of the donation room,” Liner said.
She said they will continue to accept clothes as long as they have room for them and as long as the state doesn’t take a step back, phase-wise, in its reopening process.

Louisiana legislators on Tuesday ended their special session with a new state budget, just in time for the new fiscal year, and a deal to overhaul the state’s civil justice system.
Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards, who vetoed Republican-backed legal system changes passed during this year’s regular session, said he would sign the new version.
The $35.2 billion spending plan uses federal aid to make up for a revenue shortfall caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic restrictions imposed to control the spread. On paper, the budget spends billions more than last year’s, though lawmakers say that’s misleading because federal dollars are counted twice.
House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue said the spending plan is basically a “standstill” budget, though lawmakers trimmed $24 million from departments across state government. Lawmakers also held off on spending $58 million for planned raises for state government workers, saying it would send the wrong message when so many private sector workers are unemployed.
Louisiana’s state constitution requires lawmakers to pass a balanced budget before the fiscal year begins July 1. Tuesday was their last chance to finish that work after failing to do so during the pandemic-shortened regular session that ended June 1.
Unlike most years, when the major spending bills are not approved until the final moments, lawmakers approved the state operating budget with two hours to spare before the 6 p.m. deadline.
“It was a daunting task,” said Sen. Bodi White, the Senate’s finance chairman.
Edwards said the budget, while not ideal, is “workable,” suggesting it was about the best that could be hoped for under the circumstances.
Legislators rely on Revenue Estimating Conference projections to decide how much money they expect to be able to spend. It’s always an inexact science, made even more difficult this year by COVID-related uncertainty. Many lawmakers expect to return in late summer or early fall to deal with a revenue shortfall or to decide what to do with a new allocation of federal aid.
Legislators during the regular session passed a package of changes meant to overhaul how the state’s court system handles injury claims, particularly from automobile accidents. Many Republicans and business lobbyists believe the current system favors plaintiffs and causes high automobile insurance rates, particularly for the commercial market.
But Edwards vetoed the bill, saying there was no evidence it would lead to cheaper insurance. Many Democrats argued the changes were designed to rig the system against average citizens going against big businesses and insurance companies.
While several bills seeking to reform the civil justice system circulated this year, it was House Bill 57 by House Speaker Clay Schexnayder that achieved final passage. It would reduce the amount of money at stake needed to trigger the right to a jury trial from $50,000, the highest in the nation by far, to $10,000.
Louisiana plaintiffs would retain the right to sue an insurer directly, which has been a point of contention. Some lawmakers argued knowing an insurance company will pay the plaintiff’s damages makes juries more likely to side with plaintiffs.
But in most cases under House Bill 57, juries would never learn the insurer’s identity, though they would hear if the defendant had insurance at the opening and closing of the trial. The bill also allows courts to consider whether a plaintiff’s failure to wear a seat belt contributed to their injuries.
Lawmakers amended HB 57 Tuesday to establish a “collateral source” rule in Louisiana law, which is meant to ensure plaintiffs are only compensated for medical damages either paid or owed, as opposed to the “sticker price” of a procedure, which might be much higher. The goal is to let defendants and insurers avoid paying for “phantom injuries,” supporters say.
However, if there is a difference between the amount billed and the amount paid, judges would have the discretion to award the plaintiff up to 40 percent of the savings, explained Rep. John Stefanski, a Crowley Republican.
“I think [the bill] represents a real compromise,” Edwards said.
The legislation does not include measures sought by Democrats, such as a mandate for insurance companies to lower rates or an expiration date if rates don’t go down. Rep. Denise Marcelle, a Baton Rouge Democrat, said she was willing to vote for the bill but urged her colleagues to come back to the table in future sessions if rates don’t go down.
“I’m worried that this is really going to delay justice,” said Rep. Robby Carter, an Amite Democrat who said a lower jury trial threshold could clog the courts system.
Rep. Jack McFarland, a Winnfield Republican, said the changes, particularly the collateral source rule, would benefit small commercial transport companies whose businesses are threatened by skyrocketing rates.
“I think we found a sweet spot that is going to have an effect [on rates],” he said.

SACRED HEART
Thrift Store, corner of South Railroad Avenue and Second Street, Morgan City, reopens July 8. Hours: 8-11 a.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays. All customers urged to wear masks.

VFW BINGO
VFW Post 4222 bingo will stay closed until Louisiana goes to Phase 3 of the COVID-19 guidelines.

Police say an Amelia man was driving without a license when he was responsible for a hit and run Monday.
—Willebaldo Flores,35, Lennys Lane, at 7:08 p.m. Monday on charges of hit and run, careless operation and no driver’s license.
Morgan City officers were called to the area of Roderick Street and Wytchwood Drive to investigate a hit and run crash.
During the investigation, officers learned the registered owner lived on Lennys Lane in Amelia. A deputy with the St. Mary Sheriff’s Office was able to locate the vehicle and driver on Lennys Lane.
The driver was identified as Flores. A computer check revealed he did not have a valid driver’s license. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
Morgan City Police Chief James F. Blair also reported these arrests:
—Alita M. Tabb, 20, Deslinges Road, Charenton, was arrested 9:42 a.m. Monday on a charge of criminal damage to property over $1,000.
Tabb damaged property while incarcerated in the Morgan City Police Department. She was arrested and booked for criminal damage to property.
—Stephan Dardar, 32, Bourbon Street, New Orleans, was arrested at 1:46 a.m. Tuesday on a charge of criminal damage to property.
Officers were called to a Railroad Avenue address for a criminal damage to property complaint. They learned Dardar had damaged property at the address. Officers located Dardar walking in the area of La. 182 and Myrtle Street. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith reported these arrests:
—Angie M. Talbert, 38, Watson Lane, Patterson, was at 7:28 a.m. Monday on a charge of leash law violation. Talbert was released on a summons to appear Sept. 24.
—Kient M. Martin, 30, Myra Street, Franklin, was arrested at 10:19 a.m. Monday on two warrants for failure to appear on the charges of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and cyberstalking. Bond was set at $7,000.
—Darrius Lucas, 19, Hemlock, Patterson, was arrested at 3:09 p.m. Monday on a charge of hit and run. Lucas was released on a summons to appear Sept. 24.
—Ti’Jia McCurtis, 18, Oneal Chube, Franklin, was arrested at 1:56 a.m. Tuesday on a charge of no driver’s license. McCurtis was released on a summons to appear Sept. 24.
—Terrance M. Robinson, 23, Seventh Street, Franklin, was arrested by the Narcotics Section at 10:52 p.m. Monday on charges of two headlights required, general speed law, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance and transactions involving drug proceeds.
Bond was set at $15,000.
Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon reported these arrests:
—Alexandra Amanda Brown, 49, Elaine Street, Bayou L’Ourse was arrested Saturday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, taking contraband into a penal institution and obstruction of justice.
—Shauntell Nicole Hartdegen, 37, Elaine Street, Bayou, L’Ourse, was arrested Saturday on charges of flight from an officer, driving under suspension and careless operation of a motor vehicle.
Deputies on assignment observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation in the Aristotle Road area. Deputies proceeded to stop the vehicle, but the driver, later identified Hartdegen, continued until arriving at her Elaine Street address.
Deputies made contact with the driver as well as the passenger, now identified as Brown.
Deputies noted both to be acting in a manner suspicious of illegal drug activity. Based on the two occupant’s continuous suspicious activity, deputies obtained a consent to search the vehicle. During that process, deputies seized a quantity of suspected marijuana and assorted paraphernalia.
Both suspects were arrested and transported to the Assumption Parish Detention Center for booking.
Upon arrival at the facility, it was determined that Brown had taken a quantity of methamphetamine into the booking area.
Hartdegen was released on a $5,000 bond.
Brown remains incarcerated with a bond set at $25,000.
—Marlon Denell North, 31, La. 943, Donaldsonville, was arrested Saturday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of alcoholic beverages in a motor vehicle, disregarding a traffic signal, possession of drug paraphernalia and no driver’s license on person.
A vehicle was observed failing to stop for the red light at La. 1 and Franklin Street Bridge, and deputies conducted a stop of that vehicle.
Upon making contact with the driver, now identified as North, it was noted that he did not possess a driver’s license on his person.
The deputy conducted a walk-around of the vehicle and noted the presence of alcoholic beverages. The deputy also noted, visually, the presence of methamphetamine.
Marlon Denell North was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center. Bond was set at $10,300.
—Scott Joseph Mayon, 49, Hebert Lane, Morgan City, was arrested Sunday on a Louisiana Department of Corrections warrant for probation-parole violation.
An I.C.E. Unit deputy, on special assignment, observed an eastbound vehicle commit a traffic violation on La. 662 in Bayou L’Ourse.
The deputy initiated a stop of the vehicle and made contact with the driver now identified as Mayon. Mayon provided a Louisiana identification card to the deputy.
The deputy conducted a routine computer inquiry on Scott Joseph Mayon and received a National Crime Information Center warrant for a probation-parole violation for the state of Louisiana.
Mayon was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center without bond.