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St. Mary schools set pre-K and kindergarten registration

Tue, 04/21/2020 - 12:36pm

St. Mary Parish Public Schools will begin registration for pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and first grade students at area schools.

In accordance with the age guidelines set by the Louisiana Department of Education, all pre-kindergarten students must be 4 years old and all kindergarten students must be 5 years old on or before Sept. 30, 2020, for the 2020-2021 school session.

Any student entering first grade in the fall and not currently enrolled in a public school kindergarten should register on the designated registration days.

Parents and guardians are asked to attend registration at the school in their attendance zone. Registration for elementary schools in St. Mary Parish will be held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Thursday,
May 7. This may change if the Stay-at-Home order is extended. The district will set up registration outside and have chairs set up six feet apart in order to keep everyone safe.

Early registration is essential as it enables the school system to plan accordingly for personnel and teaching materials, thereby ensuring a successful start to the new school year, the district said.

The deadline for the first round of registrations is May 21. Students who register after the initial deadline will be placed on the round two list and will be assigned to a class based on availability.

UPDATED 7:09 P.M. Coroner says St. Mary COVID-19 death toll is 18

Tue, 04/21/2020 - 12:07pm

Two COVID-19 deaths that have yet to be reported in the Louisiana Office of Public Health daily totals raised St. Mary's death toll to 18, all in the last 13 days, Coroner Eric Melancon said in a text message Tuesday afternoon.

"State is a little behind because we had 2 in the last 24 hours," Melancon wrote.

The Coroner's Office has fielded 20 death reports in the last seven days, and 11 are COVID-19-related.

Across the parish, "it seems to be worsening but I expected an uptick due to the Easter Holiday and lack of compliance with social distancing," Melancon wrote.

Eight of the parish's COVID-19 deaths were among residents of the Legacy nursing facility in Franklin, where 31 residents had tested positive for the virus as of Monday, Melancon wrote.

Melancon said that contrary to rumor, the virus was carried into Legacy of Franklin by an employee who was not showing symptoms of COVID-19.

"We are still working on containment efforts but the facility is running short on PPE and staff," Melancon said. "Homeland Security as well as others are working to meet their needs as well as the needs of EMS and First Responders.

"I ask that people remain steadfast in their commitment to social distancing, hand washing, and Governor Edwards' 'stay at home' order.

"We will continue to work with local and parish officials with direction from the Department of Health and Governor Edwards ... to ensure the safety of the residents of SMP."

Four more COVID-19 positives reported by the OPH Tuesday to bring the total to 160 in St. Mary after 635 tests.

No new COVID-19 positives were reported in St. Martin, where the count remains at 193 after 713 tests. But another St. Martin death was reported, bringing that total to 13.

Five new COVID-19 cases were reported for Assumption after 194 tests. The death toll remained at one.

Statewide, the number of new cases Tuesday was a relatively low 331 for a total of 24,854 after more than 150,000 tests since the pandemic reached Louisiana. But another 77 deaths were reported Tuesday, pushing that total to 1,405. Four more people were hospitalized, raising the total to 1,798, while the number of people on ventilators fell five to 297.

Gov. John Bel Edwards' daily press briefings have recently included a caution that because the big majority of Louisiana COVID-19 tests are now performed by commercial labs, results tend to be reported more slowly over the weekend and on Mondays. Because of the lag between tests and the reporting of results, the numbers in the OPH daily reports may reflect positives and deaths that happened days earlier.

The number of statewide deaths reported Tuesday has been corrected.

School food program deliveries underway

Tue, 04/21/2020 - 11:03am

GEOFF STOUTE gstoute @daily-review.com

Delivery of free meals to the households of St. Mary Parish students has begun through the Meals-to-You program and will continue through the school year’s conclusion.
St. Mary Parish School Board Supervisor of Child Nutrition Claire Guarisco said Monday that the first shipment to be received in St. Mary Parish that she knew of was on Thursday.
However, she said the deliveries, which are being made via United Parcel Service, were not all delivered on the same day and not everyone has received their meals.
Guarisco said part of the delay possibly could be that meals are being delivered to a post office box if that was what applicants listed as the mailing address.
“Whatever the mailing address that the parents signed up with, that’s where the meals are going,” she said.
The meals, which don’t have to remain cold or hot, are being supplied through a partnership of the school system along with Baylor University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Part of the requirement was for at least one child in the household to attend a St. Mary Parish public school. Any other children in the household, ages 1-18, who are not school age or attend a private or parochial school, were eligible, too, Guarisco said.
She said 4,104 youngsters in St. Mary Parish are being served by the program, which provides lunches and breakfasts in 10-day supplies. Shipments are being sent out every two weeks through May 25, which marks the end of the local school year.
The program replaced the school system’s Grab-and-Go program, which was administered at three sites in St. Mary Parish for one day before being suspended due to Gov. John Bel Edwards’ stay-at-home mandate. A challenge in securing protective gear for employees also played a role in the suspension.
The Meals-to-You program is serving many more meals than the Grab-and-Go program, which served just under 750 breakfasts and the same amount of lunches in one day, Guarisco said.
“This was an amazing program to be able to reach so many children and keep the children safe and our employees safe,” Guarisco said.
If anyone is having problems with the Meals-to-You program, they can reach Guarisco by calling the St. Mary Parish School Board office at 337-836-9661 and leaving a message for her to return their call. They also can email her at cguarisco@stmaryk12.net.

IberiaBank gives to food banks

Tue, 04/21/2020 - 10:59am

Submitted Photo
IberiaBank is pledging $500,000 to local food banks. In Acadiana, the Bank is pledging a total of $35,000 to FoodNet Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank, Solomon House Food Bank and Disch-DeClouet Social Service Center, which collectively will provide support to food pantries across the region. The Iberia Bank associates shown are, from left: Catherine Olivier, Kim Ledet, Valencia Goodly, Krystal Lewis and Bailey Patin.

DARRYL JAMES PERRY II

Tue, 04/21/2020 - 10:57am

November 8, 1988 — April 17, 2020
Darryl James Perry II, 31, a resident of Bayou Vista, passed away Friday, April 17, 2020, at Ochsner St. Mary.
Darryl was born on November 8, 1988, in Franklin, the son of Darryl James Perry and Tena Guillory Perry.
He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by one daughter, Taylor Grace Perry of Centerville; his father, Darryl J. Perry and wife Jennifer of Bayou Vista; his mother, Tena Guillory Perry of Bayou Vista; one brother, Chase Joseph Perry and fiancée Courtnee Smith of Patterson; maternal grandmother, Martha Guillory of Morgan City; paternal grandmother, Bobbie Verdin and her husband Lucien; his companion, Chelsey Marceaux of Morgan City; one stepbrother, Dale Crouch Jr.; one stepsister, Laney Crouch; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Darryl was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Lionel Guillory Sr.; and paternal grandfather, Jules Ray Perry.
Private graveside services will held in the Morgan City Cemetery.

Wheel House for April 21

Tue, 04/21/2020 - 10:55am

MEMORIAL DAY
Berwick Historical Society and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4222 and Auxiliary will honor local fallen veterans by placing flags on grave sites at the Berwick cemetery at 9 a.m. May 11 in observance of Memorial Day, May 25.

Hospital staff treated to barbecue

Tue, 04/21/2020 - 10:51am

Submitted Photo
T & M Boat Rentals donated barbecue from East Gate BBQ to all Ochsner St. Mary employees Thursday to thank the employees for all they do for our community. Pictured are Jennifer Wise, CNS, handing food to Tabby Lipari and Dana Babin from the Women's Services Department.

Berwick resident booked on battery charge

Tue, 04/21/2020 - 10:48am

Staff Report
A Berwick man has been arrested on warrants for resisting and battery of a police officer, Berwick Police Chief David Leonard said.
—Andrew Hebert, 28, Berwick was arrested at 9:03 a.m. Sunday on Berwick warrants for disturbing the peace, resisting an officer and battery of a police officer.
About 6:16 a.m. Sunday, officers with the Berwick Police Department came into contact with Hebert at a local store, where Hebert was shouting and appeared to have been on some type of narcotics. Officers advised Hebert that he needed to leave the area.
Minutes later, a call was received from the store indicating that Hebert had returned causing a disturbance with store employees and also patrons in the store by shouting profanities. Officers tried placing Hebert under arrest, but he shoved the officer, Leonard said.
A civilian in the parking lot at the time tried to assist, but Hebert was able to escape and flee the area.
At about 9 a.m., the Morgan City Police Department observed Hebert walking on Federal Avenue near Duke Street. Berwick officers met with the Morgan City Police Department and took custody of Hebert.
He was placed under arrest and transported to Berwick Jail, where he was booked on the charges. He was later transported to St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center and being held on a $1,500 bond.

Patterson man faces marijuana charge

Tue, 04/21/2020 - 10:46am

Staff Report

A Patterson man has been arrested on resisting and marijuana charges, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith reported.
—Kobe Gray, 21, Grout Street, Patterson, was arrested at 3:24 p.m. Friday on charges of resisting arrest or officer, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Gray was released on a summons to appear June 27.
Smith also reported these arrests:
—Kathleen Rena Wilson, 41, Nini Street, Morgan City, was arrested 7:04 p.m. Saturday on a charge of criminal trespass. Wilson was released on a summons to appear June 27.
—Brady James Lange, 20, Peltier Street, Centerville, was arrested at 5:22 p.m. Sunday on charges of resisting an officer by flight, operating off-road vehicles on levee and reckless operation with no accident. Lange was released on a summons to appear June 27.
—Naomi Sue Carter, 37, La. 182, Franklin, was arrested at 5:22 p.m. Sunday on a charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Carter was released on a summons to appear June 27.
—Juvenile male, 15, Franklin was arrested at 5:22 p.m. Sunday on charges of resisting an officer by flight, operating off-road vehicles on levee and reckless operation with no accident. The juvenile was released to a guardian pending juvenile court proceedings.

Morgan City police radio logs for April 19-20

Tue, 04/21/2020 - 10:44am

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.
Sunday, April 19
6:52 a.m. 1000 block of Brashear Avenue; Disturbance.
7:03 a.m. 3200 block of Susan Drive; Medical.
7:31 a.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Alarm.
7:54 a.m. 300 block of Chennault Street; Burglary.
7:55 a.m. 1000 block of Eighth Street; Medical.
8:36 a.m. Federal Avenue and Duke Street; Assistance.
8:39 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Civil.
10:11 a.m. 1000 block of Levee Road; Disturbance.
11:34 a.m. 200 block of Chennault Street; Medical.
11:48 a.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Theft.
12:04 p.m. 6600 block of La. 182; Complaint.
1:05 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Complaint.
1:11 p.m. Florida Street; Civil.
2:43 p.m. 2400 block of Apple Street; Complaint.
3:49 p.m. 500 block of Orange Street; Loud music.
4:12 p.m. 6800 block of La. 182; Alarm.
4:20 p.m. La. 182; Complaint.
4:28 p.m. 7000 block of Railroad Avenue; Animal complaint.
4:49 p.m. 2400 block of Cypress Street; Animal complaint.
6:02 p.m. Onstead and North First Street; Complaint.
8:00 p.m. 1900 block of Sixth Street; Alarm.
8:37 p.m. 1500 block of Cedar Street; Medical.
10:36 p.m. 7300 block of La. 182; Alarm.
Monday, April 20
1:52 a.m. 400 block of Lawrence Street; Medical.