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Businesses take part in virtual pitch competition

Tue, 05/26/2020 - 11:19am

The Small Business Development Center at Nicholls State University and Chevron partnered to create a virtual pitch competition to help with COVID-19 recovery in Lafourche, St. Mary, Assumption and Terrebonne parishes. As part of the competition, each small business submitted a statement on how COVID-19 has affected them and how the funds will be utilized if selected as a winner. The SBDC has now awarded eight Bayou Region small businesses $5,000 each to go toward recovery efforts.
Winners included Big Mike’s BBQ, Conner’s Repair Service, Country Kids Learning Academy, The Cove, Dat Sauce, Root2Rise, White Car and Workout360.
Country Kids Learning Academy owners Bonnie and Casey Soulet said that the pandemic caused renovations to their facility to fall five weeks behind schedule.
“It means a lot to us that our company was a winner in the competition because it will directly benefit the stu-dents of Country Kids Learning Academy by funding a mobile computer lab and learning tablets. It will also fund activities for students to explore and experiment with force and motion, magnetism, engineering, roller-coasters, ramps, chain reactions and more,” said Bonnie Soulet.
“We look forward to providing these valuable opportunities for our students. This says a lot about our company and the fact that people believe in our business idea, our determination and our knowledge in the childcare and early childhood education industry.”

Prissy Davis named coordinator for new St. Stephen program

Tue, 05/26/2020 - 11:12am

Prissy Davis, a resident of Berwick and well-known educator, has been appointed coordinator of the newly established St. Stephen Early Learning Center in Berwick.
A graduate in elementary education from Nichols State University, she also holds a Master’s degree in curriculum and instruction with emphasis on early childhood and kindergarten education. Having completed the +30 hours graduate program, Davis is certified as a supervisor of student teaching, principal, and supervisor of instruction.
Davis began as a teacher in the St. Mary Parish school system and served as a principal in the parish. She also worked as a coordinator in the Louisiana Department of Education.
She later taught in the Catholic school system in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and was the principal of Maria Immacolata School in Houma.
While nurturing and enriching the Catholic faith, Davis intends to provide meaningful learning experiences to engage and challenge three and four year olds. The St. Stephen Early Learning Center is being designed to provide a high quality experience to prepare children for kindergarten.
This environment will be designed to assist parents in helping their children to develop spiritually, physically, intellectually and emotionally in a Catholic setting. The program will create learning experiences to engage and challenge the children in literacy, math, science, social studies, the arts and technology in order to prepare them for kindergarten.
Registration will begin on June 4. Registration forms may be requested from the office at 3217 Second St., Berwick, or by telephoning 985-385-1280.

Prepare lawns, gardens for hurricane season

Tue, 05/26/2020 - 8:33am
By HEATHER KIRK-BALLARD, LSU AgCenter Horticulturist

The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season will begin on June 1 and last until Nov. 30. Now is the time to prepare your yard, gardens and landscapes for bad weather. According to AccuWeather’s top hurricane expert Dan Kottlowksi, this season will be “above average,” with an increase in the normal number of tropical storms and hurricanes.
We never really know what’s ahead. It could be a category 4 hurricane or a tropical storm, but we can be proactive and prepare. With a season that lasts nearly half a year, it should be something we keep up year long. Here is a list of things to consider doing to get ready.
Start with the trees.
Perhaps the most laborious task will be to check your trees and plants. Inspect large trees and shrubs for dead branches. Be sure to remove dead branches a storm can lift and throw into the house or other structures in your yard. If you have any dead trees or shrubs in the landscape, have them removed by a certified arborist. You can consult the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry website for a list of certified arborists by going to https://bit.ly/LaArborists.
Prune any plants close to the house a couple feet out as well as any tree branches that rub the roof. If you have palms, remove any hanging or dead palm fronds. Make sure that any debris or wood that is removed is taken away from the house site immediately.
Put away your tools.
Be sure that anything that can be picked up by a heavy wind is secured. That includes tools, chemicals, trellising and planters. If a storm is predicted with heavy winds, be sure to move container plants, hanging baskets, sculptures, figurines, flags, bird feeders, patio furniture and any other lose items to a secured area. Large container plants that are too heavy to move can be laid on their sides during the storm. Be sure to place them upright after the storm has passed. Light items such as tarps and above-ground blow-up pools not filled with water should also be secured.
Keep drainage systems clear of debris.
This is likely the most important task for doing your part to keep storm water from causing floods. Keep the stormwater systems clean by picking up grass clippings, leaves and other yard debris that could clog storm drains. Secure mulch by placing a barrier to prevent it from being washed away in a heavy downpour. Place pavers or other stones under downspouts to prevent soil erosion.
Make sure gutters are clear of leaves, branches and other debris so water moves away from your home in heavy rains, and check that all gutters are securely fastened to the house.
Turn off automatic irrigations systems during the week of a storm. With all the rain, the last thing the yard will need is more water. And every Louisianan was programmed as a small child to cut the grass before the storm. Who knows how long before you will be able to cut it again. At that point, you may be weed-eating the whole thing if you don’t get it cut before the storms.
If you have rain barrels and compost bins, be sure to secure them before the storm. If the bin is not full and you can move it, relocate it to a secure area. For rain barrels that are full, leave the spigot open and disconnect any gutters and hoses attached to them.
Unplug water features and fountains and be sure they are secure. Protect electrical cords and boxes by covering them.
If you have a vegetable garden, harvest anything you can. If flooding occurs and vegetables remain underwater, they are likely to spoil.
It’s best to keep yards and patios tidy during this time of year to ensure you can react to a fast-approaching storm with minimal effort. Stay ahead of the storms and check weather regularly. Stay safe out there.

Man has nonchalant attitude about locking up

Tue, 05/26/2020 - 8:31am
By Jeanne Phillips, ©United Features Syndicate

May 25
DEAR ABBY: My husband has a bad habit of forgetting to lock up our house at night when he’s the last one to come to bed. On nine occasions I have gone downstairs after he’s in bed or awakened in the morning to find our sliding patio door or a garage door unlocked.
I cannot understand why this isn’t a priority for him. If I’m the last one to come up for the night, I make sure each door is locked, lights are off, etc. It takes me less than a minute. We live in a suburb, and while our neighborhood is relatively safe and quiet, I’m not naive. I realize anything can happen anywhere.
We have two large dogs, but I have no idea how they’d react to an intruder. Frankly, I don’t want to find out the hard way. The most frustrating thing about this is, when I try to talk to him about it the next day, he blows it off and says our dogs would never let anyone get far, or he makes a joke about it. I’ve tried many different approaches, from being calm and sweet to solutions-focused: “How can I help you remember?”
Recently, likely because I’m 37 weeks pregnant with our second child, I lost it and chewed him out after I waddled out of bed to go downstairs and found our sliding door unlocked. Needless to say, it didn’t work very well.
I’m at my wits’ end. It was one thing when it was just the two of us, but now we’re about to have two kids under 2, and I get furious thinking he could be putting all of us in danger. He has taken no responsibility or steps toward fixing this.
I have now reached the conclusion that when I’m home, I must be the one who assumes the responsibility of ensuring our home is secure before we go to bed. But what if I fall asleep early or if I have to travel for work? Any ideas on how to address this with him?
LOSING SLEEP OVER THIS

DEAR LOSING: You have already addressed this with your husband. That he is so careless about the safety of his wife and children is shocking. He appears to be very immature.
Because he seems incapable of assuming any responsibility for locking up, you are going to have to do it. There are high-tech ways to remotely lock doors from afar, and you should explore that option.
Also, for your own peace of mind, have a professional dog trainer or other experienced dog person enter your home through the unlocked door while you and your husband are upstairs because, while the dogs might not attack a stranger, they might alert you to the presence of an intruder. I suggest this because many years ago my very tame German shepherd did exactly that.

DEAR ABBY: Due to the coronavirus epidemic, handshaking is no longer being practiced. I have never been a fan of handshaking anyway. In the future, it may be acceptable to forgo handshaking altogether. What will be the best way to avoid it without seeming unfriendly or germophobic?
RESISTING IN MINNESOTA

DEAR RESISTING: Try doing what I do. I place both palms together in front of my chest as though praying, smile and greet the person. No one has been offended by it, and it’s a common way people greet each other in India.

DEAR READERS: Along with the millions of Americans who are observing this Memorial Day, I add my prayer of thanks for those courageous men and women who sacrificed their lives in service to our country. May they rest in peace.
ABBY

May 26
DEAR ABBY: I recently lost a lot of weight and finally felt confident enough to start dating. I met a wonderful man I’ll call “Teddy.” We’ve been together for eight months, and I can see a future with him. He has some quirks with intimacy that he’s working on and a few odd habits he is trying to break. I have my own eccentricities as well, but we are doing it together.
The problem is my sister. Ever since I started losing weight and trying to improve myself, she has become incredibly jealous. She has taken to making backhanded comments as often as she can. We had a huge fight where we didn’t talk for two months because she thought I had “changed too much.” The real reason was I wouldn’t let her borrow a super expensive dress of mine.
I used to spend every weekend at her house hanging out with her. I would do her grocery shopping, lend her anything she wanted and defer to her because I was lonely. But now I spend most weekends with Teddy generally enjoying my life. She seems bitter that I no longer let her walk over me like a doormat. She keeps saying I should break up with Teddy so I can prioritize her again, and she tries to start fights between Teddy and me.
Abby, my sister is married and has a kid. She doesn’t need me around so she won’t be lonely. I don’t want to cut her off because I love my nephew and would like to be part of his life. I also don’t want to have to choose between my family and having a life that doesn’t revolve around them. Please help me.
CHANGING MY LIFE

DEAR CHANGING: If your description is accurate, you exist in your sister’s universe only to fulfill her needs. That she would attempt to sabotage your relationship with Teddy is shameful. It should not be necessary to choose between Teddy and your family. What you must do is establish firm boundaries with her, enforce them and not knuckle under to the pressure she is exerting.

DEAR ABBY: I found $17 in the pocket of an old coat (great feeling — it felt like free money!) and used it to buy myself some fast food. My fiancée is upset (which I think is uncalled for) that I didn’t get her anything. That restaurant is expensive, and it’s hard to buy two meals for that price. Plus, it was my money.
I think I should be allowed to spend money I find, especially since it was in my coat. Unfortunately, she didn’t get any dinner that night. It has been a week now, and she’s still upset with me about it. I never get anything for myself, and I feel I deserved a treat.
When I told her that night if she wanted dinner she should have looked for her own $17 in a coat, she threw my Xbox controller at me. It missed. It hit the wall and broke. Now I have to search through all my pockets because those controllers cost a lot more than $17.
QUARANTINED IN INDIANA

DEAR QUARANTINED: And your question is? This is how you treat your fiancée? The least you could have done was get her a side of fries to eat with whatever was in the fridge as a main course. If you and this girl are still together, it’s time for some serious apologies. On the plus side, now that the Xbox is history, you will have more time to work on your relationship.
***
Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets: “Abby’s Favorite Recipes” and “More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $16 to: Dear Abby, Cookbooklet Set, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.

13 COVID cases, no new deaths in three local parishes

Mon, 05/25/2020 - 12:04pm

Thirteen new COVID-19 cases and no new deaths were reported Monday in St. Mary, St. Martin and Assumption.

The Louisiana Office of Public Health said it has fixed the server problems that prevented reporting of some commercial lab results Saturday and Sunday, which may account for a new case count higher than average in recent weeks.

Seven new cases were reported in St. Mary, where 302 people have now tested positive after nearly 2,900 tests. The number of deaths remains at 29.

One new case in St. Martin raised the total to 289 after 2,900 tests. Twenty-two people have died there.

In Assumption, five new cases make the total 243 after 1,900 tests. The death toll in Assumption stayed at 12.

Statewide:

--640 new cases raised the total to 37,809 after more than 331,000 tests.

--18 new deaths were reported for a statewide total of 2,585.

--34 new hospitalizations raised the total to 847.

--The number of people on ventilators remains at 102.

One COVID case, one death in three local parishes

Sun, 05/24/2020 - 12:00pm

One COVID-related death was reported in Assumption and one new case in St. Mary in Sunday's midday update from the Louisiana Office of Public Health.

The Louisiana Office of Public Health continues to report server problems that prevent some commercial lab tests from being reported.

The St. Mary case raised the total to 295 after about 2,600 tests. The number of deaths stays at 29.

The Assumption death raises the total there to 12. There have been 238 cases in Assumption after 1,770 tests.

St. Martin's case count remains at 288 after about 2,900 tests. The death toll remains at 22.

Statewide:

--129 new cases raised the total to 37,169 after about 316,000 tests.

--7 new deaths raised the total to 2,567.

--The number of hospitalizations fell by 23 to 813.

--The number of people on ventilators fell by two to 102.

No new local cases in COVID-19 update

Sat, 05/23/2020 - 12:08pm

No new cases in St. Mary, St. Martin or Assumption appeared in the noon Saturday COVID-19 update from the Louisiana Office of Public Health. The office reported server problems that prevented all commercial lab results from being included.

The case count remained at 294 in St. Mary, and the number of deaths remained at 29.

The case count in St. Martin remained at 288 with 22 deaths.

The case count in Assumption remained at 238 with 11 deaths.

Statewide:

--115 new cases raised the total to 37,040.

--15 new deaths raised the toll to 2,560.

--31 fewer people were hospitalized with COVID-19-related illness, lowering the total to 836.

--8 more people are on ventilators, raising the total to 112.

Patterson police looking for escaped prisoner

Fri, 05/22/2020 - 4:14pm

Patterson police are looking for a sex and drug crimes suspect who escaped from custody Friday.

Donte Javon Harris, 25, is described as a black male, 5 feet 6 inches tall and 135 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black shirt and gray sweat pants.

He escaped about 12:45 p.m. Friday.

Harris had been arrested on charges of carnal knowledge of a juvenile, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, possession of marijuana, possession of synthetic cannabinoids, resisting arrest, resisting an officer, obstruction of justice and introduction of synthetic cannabinoids into a penal institution.

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