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CARLO GAGLIANO

Mon, 06/01/2020 - 12:31pm

Carlo Gagliano, age 76, a native of Chicago, Illinois and a resident of Bayou L’Ourse, was called to his heavenly home on May 29, 2020, surrounded by his loving family.
Carlo was a member of the Amelia Volunteer Fire Dept., Amelia Recreation Dept., a member of the Louisiana National Guard and a member of St. Andrew Catholic Church. He worked for McDermott, Avondale and Movible Offshore. Following his retirement from the oilfield he then went to work for the St. Mary Parish School Board.
Those left to cherish his precious memory are his wife, Brenda Aucoin Gagliano; his son, Carlo Gagliano Jr.; daughter, Faith Ann Gagliano Estay; five grandchildren, Nicholas, Carson and Gracie Gagliano and Tori and Chloe Estay; his godchildren, Melisa Bailey, Bobby McDonald, Dale Corrales, Sonya Johnson and Tonya Hills; also many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and close cousins.
He was preceded in death by a son, Terry Joseph Gagliano; his parents, Leonard and Loretta Gagliano; his in-laws, Cyrill and Ruby Aucoin; and special uncles and aunts, Edgar and Stella Arcemont and Bill and Era Mayfield.
Pallbearers are Nicholas Gagliano, Carson Gagliano, Bobby McDonald, Timothy Aucoin Jr., Lee Aucoin, and Chad Morales. Honoraries are Carlo Gagliano Jr. and Anthony Gagliano.
A time of visitation was held on Sunday, May 31, 2020, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Hargrave Funeral Home, then again on Monday, June 1, 2020, from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. at the Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be on Monday, June 1, 2020 at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Hall across from Sacred Heart Church at 10:00 a.m. Following Services Carlo will be laid to rest in the St. Andrew Cemetery in Amelia.
Due to the current requirements regarding social distancing and limited gatherings, Hargrave Funeral Home can only allow up to 75 guests at a time in the facility.
Those unable to attend the visitation due to gathering restrictions are encouraged to leave the family words of comfort online via the add memory link. The family thanks everyone for their love, support and understanding at this time.
The family wants to express their deep gratitude to Journey Hospice, Dr. Eric Melancon and Dr. Laura Chauvin for their wonderful care of Carlo during his illness.

GLADYS MARIE LEBLANC RHODES

Mon, 06/01/2020 - 12:17pm

January 27, 1927 — May 30, 2020
Gladys Marie Leblanc Rhodes, born January 27, 1927, age 93, a native of Port Arthur, Texas, raised in St. Martinville, LA, and a resident of Bayou Vista, LA, entered into her eternal rest on Saturday, May 30, 2020, surrounded by her loving family.
Gladys was a Eucharistic minister at St. Bernadette Catholic Church and a parishioner for 47 years. She was also a member of the Carmelite Order. She was very passionate about GOD and her Catholic faith. She loved children and praying for others with a special gift for praying for women who wanted to start a family. Gladys was a fabulous cook who cherished serving others at family gatherings. Listening to music and dancing also brought her great joy. Exercising and taking vigorous walks with her friends was also a beloved activity.
Those left to cherish her precious memory are her husband, Sidney Rhodes; her children, Lonnie Morrison and wife Cheryl of New Iberia; Shelia Gros and husband Ed of Carencro; Pamela Boudreaux and husband Harold of Youngsville; Gisele Dugas and husband Douglas of Lafayette; Bentley Morrison and wife Terri of Seneca, South Carolina; and Troy Morrison and wife Gay Lynn of Fort Worth, Texas; sister, Jeanette DeHart of Patterson; along with 17 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.
She will be welcomed into heaven by her parents, Solonie and Eula Leblanc; her first husband, Willie Joseph Morrison; her second husband, James Francis; and brother, “Bill” William LeBlanc.
Visitation for Gladys will be held on Tuesday, June 2, 2020, at Hargrave Funeral Home from 9 a.m. until time of services. Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m. at the Funeral Home with Father Angelo Cremaldi officiating. Serving as Pallbearers will be Victor Morrison, BJ Thibodaux, David Dugas, Kris Morrison, Taylor Morrison and William Baylor Morrison.
Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery in Patterson.
Flowers are welcomed, however, donations may also be made to a favorite Catholic charity.
The services for Gladys will be live-streamed and can be viewed on Hargrave Funeral Homes Facebook web site.
Due to current requirements regarding social distancing and limited gatherings, Hargrave Funeral Home can only allow 75 guests at a time in the facility.
Those unable to attend the visitation or service due to gathering restrictions are encouraged to leave the family words of comfort online via the add memory link.
The family thanks everyone for their love, support and understanding at this time.

Four new COVID-19 cases in St. Mary, St. Martin

Mon, 06/01/2020 - 12:09pm

As the time approaches to decide whether Louisiana will enter Phase Two of federal COVID-19 guidelines, only four new cases were reported Monday in St. Mary and St. Martin parishes. No deaths were reported for the noon-Sunday-to-noon-Monday period in those parishes or Assumption, according to the Louisiana Office of Public Health.

Two new cases raised the number of St. Mary cases to 321 after about 3,300 tests. The number of deaths remains at 30.

Two new cases in St. Martin made the total 300 after about 3,500 tests. Twenty-three people have died in St. Martin.

No cases were reported in Assumption, where the count remains 252 after 2,200 tests. The number of deaths there is 14.

Statewide:

--425 cases were reported Monday for a total of 40,341 after 387,000 tests.

--4 new deaths raised that total to 2,690.

--17 people were hospitalized, lowering the total to 661.

--2 more people went on ventilators for a total of 86.

GIL R. BLANCHARD

Mon, 06/01/2020 - 11:53am

January 2, 1939 — May 31, 2020
Gil R. Blanchard, 81, a resident of Morgan City, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 31, 2020, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Gil was born on January 2, 1939, in Mamou, the son of Raymond Blanchard and Esther Duplechain Blanchard.
Gil was the owner and operator of Blanchard’s Dump Truck Service and retired from Schlumberger. Gil served his country proudly as a member of the United States Air Force.
He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife, Sheran Fontenot Blanchard of Morgan City; two children, Rheba Castaneda of Morgan City and James Blanchard of Lafayette; four grandchildren, Christopher Castaneda of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Kayci Mayer and husband Coby “Snobs” of Luling, and Aaron Blanchard and Katelyn Blanchard, both of Lafayette; one brother, Sylvan Blanchard of Lafayette; and sister-in-law, Carol Leggett and husband Clive of Mamou.
Gil was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Esther Duplechain Blanchard; and father and mother-in-law, Oswald and Mavy Fontenot.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at noon on Tuesday, June 2, 2020, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church St. Joseph Hall with Father Henry Sebastian celebrating Mass. A visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 2, 2020, at Twin City Funeral Home. Following Mass Gil will be laid to rest in the Morgan City Cemetery.
The family would like to thank Dr. Lianter Albert and Heart of Hospice, especially Sue and Pam who helped care for Gil with such compassion and dignity. The family would also like to thank all of those that helped care for Gil during this time.
Due to the recent health concerns and the restrictions in accordance with limited gatherings, current guidelines will only allow for up to 75 family members and friends to be in attendance at the visitation and funeral Mass and still practice social distancing. Masks will be required upon entering the church hall. Friends are encouraged to leave a memory of Gil on our website at www.twincityfh.com. The family thanks everyone for their understanding during this difficult time.

CLIFTON HAFER JR.

Mon, 06/01/2020 - 11:51am

Clifton Hafer Jr., 75, a native of Jacksonville, Florida and resident of Patterson, died Friday, May 29, 2020.
He is survived by three daughters, Mandi Brown, Rikki Landry and Michelle Scarbrough.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister.
No services will be held.
Hargrave Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Sheriff's Office investigates shooting death in Baldwin

Mon, 06/01/2020 - 11:49am

Staff Report
St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating the shooting death of a Baldwin woman, Sheriff Blaise Smith said
Deputies responded to a call at 12:31 a.m. Saturday. Deputies discovered that a woman had been shot and transported to a hospital, where she later died.
Detectives are investigating the incident as a homicide.
Berwick Police Chief David Leonard reported this arrest:
—Cade Neill, 25, Blum Boulevard, Berwick, was arrested at 10 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession of marijuana (less than 28 grams), possession of drug paraphernalia, violation of the Controlled Dangerous Substance Act (drug-free zone) and illegal use of a controlled substance in the presence of a minor.
About 8:41 p.m. Thursday, Berwick officers conducted a narcotics investigation on Blum Boulevard after receiving narcotics-related complaints at the residence. Officers made contact with the occupants and identified one as being Neill.
During the course of the investigation, officers were given consent to search the residence and later located marijuana and items of drug paraphernalia.
Neill was placed under arrest.
Two minor children were present during the investigation, and this took place within a drug-free zone.
Neill was later transported to Berwick jail where he was booked on the charges and still remains with no bond set at this time.
Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon reported these arrests:
— Alonzo Wooden, 23, Mulberry Street, Donaldsonville, was arrested Thursday on charges of speeding and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
—Raven R. Harris, 33, West Fifth Street, Donaldsonville, was arrested on a charge of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
Deputies on patrol assignment observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation and conducted a stop.
Upon doing so, deputies identified the driver as Wooden and one passenger, Harris.
During the interview process, deputies noted several indicators that were suspicious of illegal drug activity.
Deputies obtained consent to search the vehicle and during that process, did seize a significant amount of marijuana.
Wooden and Harris were booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center and remain incarcerated pending bond hearings.

Morgan City police radio logs for May 28-29

Mon, 06/01/2020 - 11:44am

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, May 28
10:15 a.m. 200 block of Mallard Street; Suspicious activity.
10:15 a.m. 500 block of Sixth Street; Medical.
11:21 a.m. 300 block of Oriole Street; Officer stand by.
12:12 p.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Medical.
2:29 p.m. 600 block of General Hodges Street; Medical.
3:10 p.m. 300 block of Chennault Street; Suspicious activity.
3:17 p.m. 1000 block of Eighth Street; Disturbance.
4:37 p.m. 2400 block of Sixth Street; 911 hang up.
5:07 p.m. 3000 block of Diane Drive; Suspicious vehicle.
6:23 p.m. 300 block of Second Street; Lost/found.
7:21 p.m. 3000 block of Helen Drive; Medical emergency.
9:40 p.m. 1400 block of Railroad Avenue; Telephone harassment.
9:40 p.m. 300 block of Second Street; Assist.
Friday, May 29
2:59 a.m. 1100 block of Front Street; Alarm.
3:51 a.m. 6600 block of La. 182; Alarm.

Legislators create panel to oversee Medicaid

Mon, 06/01/2020 - 11:41am

By DAVID JACOBS, The Center Square

Louisiana legislators have voted to form a joint committee of both houses focused solely on Medicaid oversight.
The state’s Medicaid program, funded by federal and state tax dollars, makes up close to half of Louisiana’s $30-billion-plus state budget. House Concurrent Resolution 6, which the state Senate adopted without objection Thursday, establishes the Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee.
The committee will include 12 members, six from each body, drawn from existing committees focused on spending and health care. It would not have any authority the existing committees don’t have.
Critics of the idea say it only adds more bureaucracy to state government. But Rep. Rick Edmonds, the Baton Rouge Republican who sponsored the measure, said it could allow the participating legislators to become more familiar with the complex program and provide more focused oversight.
Edmonds tried to pass a similar resolution last year, which the House of Representatives approved before the Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted it down.
Concurrent resolutions express the will of both houses and are not subject to a governor’s veto.
Shortly after taking office, Gov. John Bel Edwards signed an executive order expanding Medicaid in the state under the Affordable Care Act. The Edwards administration has touted that expansion.

Auto crash lawsuit limits go to governor

Mon, 06/01/2020 - 11:37am

By CATHERINE HUNT, LSU Manship School News Service

BATON ROUGE — The House voted 72-28 Friday to pass a bill that aims to lower car insurance rates in Louisiana by limiting damage suits and awards to people injured in car accidents.
The bill by Sen. Kirk Talbot, R-River Ridge, targets tort laws that Republicans say make it too easy to sue and claim damages after a car accident.
The Senate also has passed the bill, and it will go next to Gov. John Bel Edwards. He supported an alternative approach to lowering insurance rates and has said he might veto the bill.
Legislative leaders were negotiating Friday with his aides about the terms of the bill, which passed both chambers by large enough margins that the Republicans could override a veto. The legislative session ends on Monday, and the issue could stretch into a special session scheduled to start immediately afterward.
Louisiana drivers pay the second highest auto insurance premiums in the country after Michigan, and Republicans and the business lobby blame the state’s tort laws and legal climate.
Talbot’s bill focuses on four key components. The bill would decrease the monetary threshold for an injury claim to be decided by a jury rather than a judge. It would prohibit plaintiffs from suing insurance companies directly and increase the time parties have to file lawsuits to encourage settling out of court. It also would prohibit using evidence of a plaintiff receiving reimbursements for healthcare costs from sources besides the defendant.
Supporters of the bill say that judges, who are elected, receive major donations from plaintiff’s lawyers and are more likely than juries to award significant damages. They also say that Louisiana is one of the few states where injured people can sue insurance companies directly. Changing these laws would encourage more insurance companies to write policies here, they say, increasing competition and lowering rates.
The bill also would allow juries to hear whether someone injured in an accident was wearing a seatbelt or not. Introducing such evidence is not currently allowed under Louisiana law.
Republicans say that these changes would decrease insurance premiums for private vehicles by at least 10% and possibly up to 25% in some cases. However, if an insurance company can prove that a 10% reduction would lead to insolvency, it could be exempt from lowering its rates.
“There are no guarantees, but it’s my firm belief we’ll see reductions in rates if we pass this bill,” said Rep. Ray Garofalo, R-Chalmette, the author of a nearly identical bill on the House side.
But Democrats maintain that there is not enough evidence that rates would decrease. They say the bill does not mandate a rate reduction and would make it harder for injured people to receive fair compensation.
“These are pretty massive changes to our civil justice system that are based on pretty much a guess,” said Rep. Mandie Landry, D-New Orleans, during a committee hearing on the bill.
Opponents expressed worry that the bill could overwhelm courts with jury trials and make it more difficult to find jurors. But Talbot said he had not found any evidence of that happening in other states.
Democrats asked if the possible law could be repealed if rates are not reduced after a certain number of years. But Republicans rejected their request.
“Are y’all willing to wear it if it doesn’t bring down rates?” Rep. Robby Carter, D-Amite, asked Republican lawmakers.
Democrats attempted to lower Louisiana’s high car insurance rates by addressing how insurance companies determine premiums. Sen. Jay Luneau, D-Alexandria, filed a series of bills that would have prohibited insurance companies from setting rates based on credit score, age, gender and other demographics. His bill was killed in committee. Edwards supported Luneau’s approach.
During last year’s election, Republicans won enough Senate seats to reach a supermajority, but fell just short of a supermajority in the House. Talbot’s bill passed in both chambers by enough votes to override a possible veto by the Democratic governor if the same number of legislators were to vote to override one.

South Louisiana joins in protests against brutality

Mon, 06/01/2020 - 11:34am

KATHERINE MANUEL, LSU Manship School News Service

LAFAYETTE—”I can’t breathe.” “Black lives matter.” “No justice, no peace.” “Hands up, don’t shoot.”
Chants such as these were heard along Johnston St. and University Avenue in Lafayette Sunday as protesters lined the sidewalks and spoke out against the death of George Floyd, who died Monday in Minneapolis after a police officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck even though Floyd could not breathe.
The demonstration was one of several in Louisiana over the weekend as civil rights activists here joined in with the protests sweeping across the country. Protesters also took to the streets in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport and Monroe.
Crowds gathered at Girard Hall at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette where members of the host organizations spoke. Then they stood on the sidewalks before marching to the Lafayette Police Station at the end of University Ave.
Mark Mallory, a UL student, helped organize the protest and spoke to the crowd in front of the hall. Mallory said he was there in solidarity with anyone fighting for justice around the world.
“We must be ready to lose the world as we know it and survive together into the new one,” he said.
The Lafayette protest was organized through a Facebook group hosted by local organizations like the NAACP.
NAACP Lafayette President Marja Broussard also addressed the crowd. She offered her condolences to the families of those killed by police violence and said she stands with those in Minneapolis.
“The brutal and horrible murders of George Floyd, Breanna Taylor and Ahmad Arbery have shaken the United States of America,” Broussard said. “Words cannot accurately describe what that feels like.”
“Today I’m filled with hope and expectation as I see young folks, old folks, white folks, brown folks, black folks… don’t see no blue folks, but you get the picture,” she said.
After hearing from the speakers, the crowd waved signs and chanted to cars driving by.
Youngsville resident Whitney Harris said he attended the demonstration because he believes America could be better.
“I’m here because I’m an African-American male who believes that violence against African-American males has gone on for too long and that it hurts the whole society when one group is targeted,” Harris said. “I’m here for George Floyd because his life did matter.”
Lafayette Mayor-President Josh Guillory stood in the grass in front of Girard Hall behind the protesters. He said he supports the rights of the crowd to peacefully protest and voice their opinions to local leaders.
“None of us here support any police brutality or what happened in Minnesota,” Guillory said.
Guillory said he is proud of police officers in Lafayette and of the training they receive for situations like the one in Minnesota. He said that the best way to prevent what happened to Floyd is through training.
Interim Lafayette Police Chief Scott Morgan said the crowds were not larger than expected and that about 40 Lafayette police officers were at the protest.
“We’re not trying to be intrusive, so we don’t have a bunch of police officers trying to shut them down,” he said.
“As far as preparation for this, you’ve got to understand there’s only a small percentage of the people that would actually do the stuff that’s going on in Minnesota,” Morgan said, referring to the looting and arson that has happened along some of the protests. “We’d really like to think that our community is not filled with that element.”
Guillory said he is proud of the city and parish for the peaceful protest.
“The message is loud and clear: we will not stand for what happened in Minneapolis, and the people in Minneapolis do not stand for what happened to Mr. Floyd,” Guillory said. “Let this day be a day of healing.”
Lafayette Chief of Minority Affairs Carlos Harvin stood alongside Guillory during the protest.
“The heart of our nation is broken today,” Harvin said, “and so we’re praying for the healing of the United States— that we can heal from this tragedy and that what caused Mr. Floyd to die, that that would never happen again.”
Trey Mamou of Sunset described the atmosphere at the protest as “amazing.” He praised the community for coming together against the injustices happening across the country.
“It’s everybody— whites, blacks, Indians, Hispanics— all coming together for one thing, and I think that’s the purpose of all this,” Mamou said. “Everybody’s saying ‘Black lives matter,’ no matter what color you are, no matter what race, no matter what gender.”
“If we make our voice known, change is inevitable,” Mamou said. “It has to happen.”
LSU sophomore and Lafayette native Leah Espinoza attended the protest alongside her mother and sisters..
“I think staying silent is just as bad as staying on the opposite side of the argument,” Espinoza said. She said the protest inspired her to have more of a voice in calling out racism.