PATTERSON
Housing Authority taking applications by appointment only on May 12-13 and May 19-20, from 8:15-11 a.m. Must bring birth certificate and Social Security card for all members of household, photo ID for all members over 18 and proof of all income. Mask must be worn. For info call 985-395-3736.
A sex crime suspect who tried to eat marijuana to avoid an additional charge was booked into the Morgan City jail late Thursday, according to Police Chief James F. Blair said.
—Donte Joven Harris, 24, Mount Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:14 p.m. Thursday on charges of resisting an officer, first-offense possession of marijuana, obstruction of justice-tampering with evidence and introduction of contraband into a penal institution and on a warrant for felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.
Morgan City officers, acting on a tip, apprehended Harris at a residence in the 1700 block of Federal Avenue. Police held an active warrant for felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department.
Once at the Morgan City Police Department, officers discovered suspected marijuana concealed on Harris' person. When officers attempted to recover the suspected marijuana, Harris attempted to consume the suspected marijuana and pulled away from officers. Officers were able to recover the suspected marijuana from Harris. He was booked into Morgan City Police Department and incarcerated.
Blair also reported these arrests:
—Shane Eugene Richard, 25, Gabriel Street, Patterson, was arrested at 10:49 p.m. Friday on charges of domestic abuse battery-strangulation and disturbing the peace.
Officers were called to a domestic disturbance at a local hotel on La. 182. They learned Richard had committed a battery by choking his dating partner. Officers located Richard near the scene and placed him under arrest. He was transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
—Rondell James Guy, 26, Railroad Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:28 a.m. Saturday on charges of domestic abuse battery-strangulation and first-offense possession of marijuana and on a warrant for theft under $1,000.
Officers were called to a residence on Railroad Avenue for a domestic disturbance. They learned had choked the victim. Rondell Guy was located on La. 82.
During the arrest, the officers located suspected marijuana in his possession. A warrant check revealed the Morgan City Police Department held an active warrant for his arrest. He was transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith said his office made these arrests:
—Ben Patrick Louviere, 41, Pine Street, Franklin, was arrested at 12:31 a.m. Saturday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of methamphetamines and possession of drug paraphernalia. No bail has been set.
—Tessie Lynn Toups, 29, Terrebonne Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:31 a.m. Saturday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of methamphetamine, and no license plate light. No bail has been set.
—Troy Sharel Richardson, 26, Guyther Street, Patterson, was arrested at 2:46 p.m. Friday on a charge of possession of marijuana. Richardson was released on a summons to appear Aug. 21.
—Raeshaun N. Lewis, 27, Wise Street, Patterson, was arrested at 3:30 p.m. Friday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of stolen things, possession of Schedule I drugs, driving under suspension and driving on roadway laned for traffic
Lewis was later released on a summons to appear Aug. 21.
—Louis Joseph Jackson Jr., 39, Mill Street, Patterson, was arrested at 3 p.m. Saturday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Jackson was released on a summons to appear Aug. 21.
—Jordan Taylor Franklin, 21, Clausen Road South, Centerville, was arrested at 10:45 p.m. Saturday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of theft of a motor vehicle. No bail has been set.
—Brandon Jamal Garrison, 30, B Street, Franklin, was arrested at 12:34 p.m. Sunday on charges of expired license plate and possession of marijuana. Garrison was released on a summons to appear Aug. 21.
—Jose Marvin Acosta-Licona, 30, Darcey Trailer Court, Houma, was arrested at 5:28 p.m. Sunday on a Houma Police Department warrant for failure to appear on the charge of aggravated second-degree battery. Licona is being held for another agency.
—Tahj Javon Boatman, 22, Sixth Street, Franklin, was arrested at 2:49 a.m. Monday on a charge of possession of Schedule I drugs and on an Iberia Parish warrant for theft. Boatman is being held for another agency.
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.
Friday, May 1
7:48 a.m., La. 182, escort
9:38 a.m., 6000 block La. 182, complaint
10:45 a.m., 2400 block Apple, disturbance
11:30 a.m., 800 block Brashear, accident
12:02 p.m., 1200 block McDermott, medical
1:57 p.m., Brashear Avenue, accident
2:48 p.m., 1500 block Sixth, theft
2:54 p.m., 500 block Arenz, theft
3:10 p.m., 7500 block La. 182, complaint
3:24 p.m., 1200 block Brashear, alarm
4:13 p.m., 2400 block Tupelo, complaint
4:36 p.m., 1200 block Brashear, alarm
4:38 p.m., 100 block St. Clair, harassment
6:39 p.m., 1000 block Hickory, complaint
7 p.m., 1000 block Greenwood, theft
8:28 p.m., 300 block Egle, reckless operation
8:41 p.m., 600 block Egle, medical
8:59 p.m., 300 block Aycock, alarm
9:43 p.m., 700 block Belanger, animal complaint
9:45 p.m., Onstead & Sixth, suspicious subject
10:03 p.m., 300 block Wise, medical
10:35 p.m., 1200 block Front, disturbance
10:38 p.m., 7200 block La. 182, arrest
11 p.m., 600 block Terrbonne, medical
11:17 p.m., 1100 block Federal, complaint
Saturday, May 2
2:18 a.m., 2300 block LA 70, suspicious subjects
4:39 a.m., 700 block Myrtle, assistance
8:11 a.m., 1400 block Railroad, battery
8:33 a.m., MCPD, civil matter
9:32 a.m., 500 block Bowman, harassment
9:57 a.m., Front Street, juvenile problem
10:43 a.m., Old bridge, escort
1:02 p.m., 1200 block Greenwood, alarm
2:05 p.m., 700 block Sixth, escort
2:09 p.m., 7200 block La. 182, complaint
2:38 p.m., Ochsner, complaint
4:16 p.m., 300 block Wise, medical
6:23 p.m., Victor II and Myrtle, reckless operation
6:26 p.m., 2300 block La. 70, complaint
6:42 p.m., 300 block Glenwood, medical
6:55 p.m., 1200 block Brashear, alarm
7:25 p.m., 1100 block Marguerite, complaint
8:07 p.m., Egle and Sixth, loud music
8:43 p.m., 1000 block Belanger, loud music
10:42 p.m., 900 block Fourth, complaint
Sunday, May 3
12:02 a.m., 7100 block La. 182, loud music
12:05 a.m., 7200 block La. 182, removal of subject
12:07 a.m., 1600 block Filmore, lost and found
12:24 a.m., 1600 block Victor II, loud music
2:44 a.m., 7100 block La. 182, disturbance
2:51 a.m., 700 block Fourth, suspicious subject
3:04 a.m., 400 block Levee, complaint
3:04 a.m., Oak and Railroad, suspicious subject
3:14 a.m., 600 block Terrbonne, theft
3:25 a.m., 100 block Willard, complaint
3:53 a.m.,Veterans, suspicious vehicle
4:10 a.m., U.S. 90 East, crash
4:47 a.m., 500 block Brashear suspicious vehicle
7:30 a.m., 1300 block Front, complaint
8:25 a.m., 6500 block La. 182, disturbance
8:31 a.m., MCPD, civil matter
10:05 a.m., 400 block Bush, medical
10:13 a.m., MCPD, harassment
11:16 a.m., 100 block Chennault, loud music
11:24 a.m., 1600 block Maple, animal
11:37 a.m., La. 182, suspicious vehicle
11:52 a.m., 300 block Glenwood, medical
12:37 p.m., MCPD, complaint
12:47 p.m., 200 block Chennault, drug activity
1:35 p.m., MCPD, harassment
3:05 p.m., 600 block Freret, medical
3:15 p.m., 1200 block Brashear alarm
3:30 p.m., 1400 block Ellzey, medical
3:49 p.m., Sixth Street, reckless driver
4:10 p.m., 1800 block Maple, assistance
4:20 p.m., 800 block Clothilde, complaint
5:11 p.m., 7200 block La. 182,complaint
6:02 p.m., 300 block Glenwood, medical
6:12 p.m., 700 block Myrtle, assistance
7:30 p.m., 600 block Louisa, loud music
7:42 p.m., 600 block Terrbonne, disturbance
8:07 p.m., 500 block Leona, complaint
8:23 p.m., 500 block Franklin, fire
8:39 p.m., 600 block Terrbonne, disturbance
10:31 p.m., 7200 block La. 182, standby
11:40 p.m., 6300 block La. 182, complaint
11:51 p.m., 7200 block La. 182, medical
Monday, May 4
12:14 a.m., 600 block Fifth, patrol request
12:47 a.m., 500 block Brashear, complaint
1:33 a.m., 1800 block Elm, alarm
1:48 a.m., 3100 block La. 70, assistance
3:37 a.m., 6400 block La. 182, alarm
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Byron Blakeman II (nee: Jacqueline Cortez) of Morgan City, twins, a boy, Harry Brooks Blakeman, and a girl, Ruth Annette Blakeman, on Dec. 10, 2019, at Ochsner St. Mary in Morgan City.
Harry weighed 5 pounds, 14 ounces and measured 19.4 inches.
Ruth weighed 5 pounds, 5 ounces and measured 19.4 inches.
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Born to Shaqunia Harris of Morgan City, a boy, Kadir D’ior Harris, on April 17 at Ochsner St. Mary in Morgan City. He weighed 7 pounds and measured 18 inches.
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Born to Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Fromenthal (nee: Mariah Loupe) of Morgan City, a boy, Luke Thomas Fromenthal, on April 20 at Ochsner St. Mary in Morgan City. He weighed 7 pounds, 2 ounces and measured 20.2 inches.
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Born to Mr. and Mrs. Dustin Bagwell (nee: Maggie Moore) of Morgan City, a boy, Finn David Bagwell, on April 23 at Ochsner St. Mary in Morgan City. He weighed 6 pounds, 7 ounces and measured 18.7 inches.
NEW ORLEANS – A study conducted by a team of researchers at LSU Health New Orleans has shown for the first time that chronic exposure to inhaled nicotine alone increases blood pressure, in both the body’s general circulation and in the lungs, that can lead to pulmonary hypertension.
The study also found that nicotine-induced pulmonary hypertension is accompanied by changes in the size, shape and function of the blood vessels in the lung and the right lower chamber of the heart. Results are published in the May 2020 issue of Hypertension.
Although cigarette smoking is the single most important risk factor for developing cardiovascular and lung diseases, the role of nicotine in the development of disease has not been well understood. The researchers used a novel nicotine inhalation model in mice that closely mimics human smokers/ e-cigarette users to examine the effects of chronic nicotine inhalation on the development of cardiovascular and pulmonary disease with a focus on blood pressure and cardiac remodeling.
The researchers documented that nicotine inhalation increased systemic systolic and diastolic blood pressure as early as the first week of exposure.
“The increase was transient, but was sufficiently long to pose potential health risks in individuals with preexisting cardiopulmonary conditions,” noted Eric Lazartigues, PhD, professor of pharmacology at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine.
Pulmonary hypertension is also often associated with remodeling of the blood vessels of the lung. The study findings suggest that chronic nicotine inhalation leads to muscularization of previously non-muscular pulmonary arterioles (small branches of arteries leading to capillaries) consistent with increased right ventricular systolic pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance.
Right ventricle failure is a major cause of death in pulmonary hypertension. The researchers found an eight-week exposure to nicotine resulted in significantly higher right ventricular systolic pressure, as well as thickening of the walls and enlargement of the right ventricle.
“Interestingly, the adverse effects of inhaled nicotine are largely isolated to the right heart, as we found no significant changes in left heart remodeling or protein expression,” added Xinping Yue, MD, PhD, assistant professor of physiology at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability and death in the United States.
Based on 2018 data, about 34 million U.S. adults smoke cigarettes. Every day, about 2,000 young people under age 18 years smoke their first cigarette, and more than 300 begin smoking cigarettes daily. Over 16 million people live with at least one disease caused by smoking, and 58 million nonsmoking Americans are exposed to secondhand smoke.
In 2017, 25.2% of Louisiana high school youth reported currently using any tobacco product, including e-cigarettes. Among Louisiana high school youth, 12.3% reported currently smoking cigarettes.
“There is a frightening trend of increasing usage of e-cig and vape products in youths and young adults,” said Jason Gardner, PhD, associate professor of physiology at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine. “Recent high-profile cases of hospitalization and death following e-cig usage necessitate a greater understanding regarding the health impact of inhaled nicotine delivery systems.
“The current study clearly demonstrates the adverse effects of nicotine on both systemic and pulmonary blood pressure and cardiac remodeling. This study should help raise the awareness of the adverse effects of nicotine inhalation on the cardiopulmonary system and help formulate public health policies on e-cigarettes.”
The LSU Health New Orleans research team also included Joshua Oakes, PhD, postdoctoral fellow; Jiaxi Xu, PhD, postdoctoral fellow; Tamara Morris, BS, research associate; Nich-olas Fried, BS, MD/PhD student; Charlotte Pearson, undergraduate student; Thomas Lobell, MS, research associate; and Nicholas Gilpin, PhD, professor of physiology.
This study was supported in part by research grants from the National Institute of Health and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
DEAR ABBY: I work in the deli department of a grocery store and have been struggling lately. With everything that is going on, people are overwhelmed and have been taking it out on us.
I asked one person, “How are you doing today?” The response I got was, “I’m not interested in conversation. Just feed me!” Another who came to the register didn’t utter a single word except to exclaim, when I offered her a bottle opener for her soda, “I’ve got it!” Then she snatched her change out of my hand. I don’t even get the brunt of it; the cashiers have to handle the worst of it.
We employees are stressed out about the same things everyone else is. We are struggling to get the same products everyone else is searching desperately for. I had to shop at five different stores to get what I need and still haven’t found many things.
Between the stress of the virus and the stress of being treated so rudely, my mental health is running low. I have struggled on and off with depression and anxiety, and many of my coping methods are unavailable to me due to closures.
Could you please remind your readers that we are all in the same boat and need to be kind to one another, and direct those of us who are struggling emotionally to resources we can access during this time of panic?
STRUGGLING IN RETAIL
DEAR STRUGGLING: I agree that many people react badly when under stress, as the customers you described have done. But many others respect and appreciate the efforts you and so many others in the food supply chain make every day — at some risk to your own health. I am one of them.
Because you have had issues with depression and anxiety in the past, consider contacting the therapist you worked with and ask if the person is doing online sessions. These days, many of them are. Just talking with someone — friends or like-minded co-workers — about what you are experiencing could bring some relief.
However, if that isn’t possible, consider exploring whether there are online support groups for retail workers such as you. If there aren’t, consider starting one so you and others can exchange ideas about coping with these extremely stressful circumstances in which we all find ourselves.
DEAR ABBY: My husband loves our cat too much. He buys “Miss Kitty” special treats, pets her, talks nicely to her, plants quick kisses on the top of her head and lets her sit on his lap while he watches TV for hours. It’s like I’m nonexistent. I wish he would be that nice to me.
He’s a good provider and, when we are away from the house, I have his full attention. I’m resenting this queen of our home. What should I do? I’d like to take her back to the animal shelter. It was my sorry idea to adopt her.
IN SECOND PLACE
DEAR SECOND PLACE: My first suggestion is to find reasons to spend more time with your husband away from the house. The second would be to adopt a dog. And if you do, make sure YOU are the one who feeds and walks it, unless your husband has such an affinity for pets that adopting another one isn’t worth the risk.
***
Good advice for everyone — teens to seniors — is in “The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal With It.” To order, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 to: Dear Abby, Anger Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.
After a weekend that started with a show of American strength and unity with B-52 flybys, Saturday ended with the largest display of disunity so far against the quarantine as nearly 300 shouted at Louisiana’s Executive Mansion for Governor John Bel Edwards to reopen business immediately. Monday morning on WWL Newsradio in New Orleans, Jefferson Parish Councilmember Jennifer Van Vrancken said her district, one of the hottest of the original COVID hotspots, was now ready to reopen. “I know the Governor is thinking of things statewide,” she said, “but we’re not going to Shreveport or Monroe on an average weekend. Jefferson is ready to reopen. We are hoping the governor will let regions of the state get back to business.”
So far, the governor has said it’s all or nothing in reopening the state. Before his first press conference in the Capitol since March, Governor Edwards said he joined nearly every other governor on a conference call with Vice President Mike Pence. They discussed how to achieve the White House mandate of 14-straight days of declining COVID cases. Nine of those governors are reopening their states without having met that criteria.
“Look,” answered Governor Edwards, “I don’t second guess that other governors do. They have their own considerations. Here in Louisiana, to the extent that we can, we’re going to abide by the guidelines [from the Trump administration and CDC] because we think they make sense.”
Downstairs in the House and Senate, some lawmakers don’t agree. Under protest from many of their colleagues, Senate President Paige Cortez and House Speaker Clay Schexnayder forced reconvening. They said they have to hammer out a budget in just four weeks. Those who protested said they feared for their health after COVID took the life of Rep. Reggie Bagala of Lafourche Parish last month. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James also was hospitalized for days, and even Senate President Cortez himself took days to recover from COVID-19.
Schexnayder and Cortez say the governor did not include them in his decision to extend the stay-at-home order to May 15. Edwards says he did conference with the two and told them he was following guidance from President Trump to secure the $1.8 billion in federal aid.
Many returning legislatures are likewise meeting with disharmony. In Michigan, frustration over the quarantine spilled into the Michigan Senate Thursday where some rioters brandished assault rifles, causing senators to scramble for bulletproof vests.
Governor Edwards says no provision to beef up capitol security has been made or is necessary. “I don’t think Louisianans will do that,” he said, reiterating that if Louisiana experiences any violence or any spike in COVID cases, that news would streak across the nation and kill Louisiana tourism. In 2018, over 51 million visitors spent $19 billion in Louisiana, according to Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. Those tourists paid almost $2 billion in state and local taxes.
“And I would remind you,” continued the governor, “that we did not at the outset close a lot of the things in Louisiana that were closed elsewhere. I read as other states come back online that they are restarting construction. Well, we never closed construction. They’re opening up manufacturing. We never closed manufacturing. Every time CISA, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, has revised their guidelines to include more areas as critical infrastructure, we have embraced that completely. So we’re on our third set of critical infrastructure now. And yet, we’ve been able to reduce our [COVID] case growth and our numbers in a way that, quite frankly, is as impressive as any place in the country.”
The 2020 Louisiana Legislative session closes June 1 but most expect at least one special session during summer. Louisiana’s fiscal year ends June 30. If a budget is not passed by then, state government could freeze, said the governor. Adding to the tension, losses in state revenue from the Coronavirus shutdown combined with plummeting oil prices range from $500 million to a possible drop of $1 billion.
Starting Wednesday, St. Mary Parish government will provide free COVID-19 testing to the public, Parish President David Hanagriff said Monday.
The testing will be offered at mobile stations around the parish. Each day, 50 test kits will be available on a first come, first served basis.
No pre-authorization or doctors orders are required, but each participant must have Louisiana ID and be over 18.
The days and sites are:
--8 a.m.-noon Wednesday at Franklin Senior High, 1401 Cynthia St.
--8 a.m.-noon Thursday at West St. Mary Civic Center, 1472 La. 318, Four Corners.
--8 a.m.-noon Friday, Patterson Junior High, 225 Catherine St.
--8 a.m.-noon Monday, Morgan City Municipal Auditorium, 728 Myrtle St.
8 a.m.-noon Tuesday, May 12, Amelia Recreation Center, 2109 Duhon Blvd., Amelia.
Again, the tests will be administered until noon or until 50 test kits have been used each day at each site.
The mobile test station will be available in St. Mary for several weeks, Hanagriff said. Future tests will be announced in news media and the St. Mary Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness website and Facebook page.
St. Mary’s biggest annual event is “on hold” after a decision announced Monday by the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Board.
A notice posted on the festival’s Facebook page Monday afternoon cited public health and economic uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“After much deliberation of the benefits and risks of having this year’s 85th Festival celebration, the Festival Board has decided to put festival events ‘on hold’ until further notice,” Monday’s post said.
There was no exact definition of what “on hold” may mean. The notice urged people to follow the festival website, http://shrimpandpetroleum.org, its Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/shrimpandpetroleumfestival, and its Instagram page for more developments. Questions can be directed to Director Hailee Thomas at director@shrimpandpetroleum.org.
“Due to health concerns and our current status, we have decided that asking our sponsors to participate in this year’s festival could be detrimental to future festivals, as many people and businesses in our community have been presented with financial hardships resulting from the virus,” the post said.
“Further, we must keep in mind the health of our community and those who would be traveling to take part in the celebrations.”
A series of anti-COVID orders over the last six weeks has led to more than 2,500 initial claims for unemployment benefits in St. Mary, along with the closure of businesses such as barber and beauty shops and limited operations at others, including local restaurants.
Gov. John Bel Edwards has indicated that some of the restrictions may be lifted May 15, but many economic restrictions will still be in place for some period beyond that.
Fifty-four residents of Legacy of Franklin have now tested positive for COVID-19, and the last Legacy residents who hadn’t been tested now have sent samples at the lab.
The number of deaths among Legacy residents remained at 13, St. Mary Coroner Eric Melancon said Monday.
Meanwhile, one resident and an employee at Patterson Healthcare have tested positive, but follow-up measures offer the hope that the disease is under control there.
At Legacy, Melancon and Investigator Aimee Guidroz administered tests on the last 49 residents who hadn’t been tested on Sunday.
An investigation began at Patterson Healthcare after a resident tested positive April 26 at Ochsner St. Mary. The resident had come from the New Orleans area to Patterson Healthcare 29 days earlier, Melancon said
The resident displayed no symptoms, but the facility followed the Centers for Disease Control recommendation of 14 days of isolation. The resident is being retested at Ochsner St. Mary, Melancon said.
Patterson Healthcare is also testing 30% of its 97 residents and 30% of its 102 employees, Melancon said.
Sixteen residents have been tested, resulting in eight negatives and eight pending with 13 residents still to be tested.
Eighteen staff members have been tested, resulting in six negatives, 12 pending and 12 left to test
An employee who was COVID-19 positive reported body aches to a supervisor by phone and was told to seek medical treatment. That's when the employee tested positive.
“PHC’s own investigation led them to believe that the positive employee had no recent contact with the positive resident and the two do not appear related,” Melancon said.
Also Monday, Melancon said he, Homeland Security Director David Naquin and Sheriff Blaise Smith arranged for the testing of 102 first responders, also following CDC guidelines.
Franklin Banner-Tribune
P.O. Box 566, Franklin, LA 70538
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