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Red Ribbon Week drawing contest deadline is May 1

Mon, 04/06/2020 - 11:04am

The entry deadline for the Red Ribbon drawing contest is 4 p.m. May 1.
The poster slogan is “Don’t Huff, Don’t Puff, STAY AWAY FROM THAT STUFF! Be Drug-Free!”
The grand champion will receive $125 and a framed reproduction of the winning artwork. The work will be featured on campaign T-shirts and the front cover of the 2020-2021 Drug-Free Calendar. The grand champion will receive one copy of the calendar and one T-shirt in the appropriate size.
Other winners will receive a framed reproduction of their winning drawing, a copy of the calendar when they come in, and a certificate to be awarded at a future St. Mary Parish School Board meeting. These winning drawings will also be included in the campaign calendar.
The categories are PK-1, grades 2-3, grades 4-5, grades 6-8, grades 9-12, and Adult
Drawing Contest Rules:
1. The entry must be drawn on regular size (8 ½ by 11 inches) white paper. Entries may be done in ink, markers, colored pencils or crayons. No lead pencil (black and white).
2. All drawings must be landscaped sideways Entries that are either oversized or drawn upright instead of sideways will not be considered.
3. Copyrighted cartoon characters or pictures will not be considered.
4. Do not use cut-outs or paste-ons, as this will disqualify those entries.
5. All entries must be mailed to: P.O. Box 170 Centerville, LA 70522 or emailed to geveritt@stmaryk12.net
6. The contest is open to all ages.
7. Complete the entry form information and tape on the back of the entry.
8. The slogan “Don’t Huff, Don’t Puff, STAY AWAY FROM THAT STUFF! Be Drug-Free!” must be typed or hand-written on the drawing. (Note: The slogan should be the main words on the drawing.)
9. Once winners are chosen, all winners under the age of 18 must submit a signed parental permission form to be acknowledged as a winner in the contest.
For more information, please call Gidget Everitt at 337-836-9661.

Morgan City man arrested in Bayou Vista shooting

Mon, 04/06/2020 - 11:01am

Staff Report
Patterson police and St. Mary Parish deputies worked together on an arrest Saturday in the shooting earlier that day in Bayou Vista.
—Tyson Trevon Jones, 19, Tupelo Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 6:42 p.m. Saturday on charges of illegal possession of stolen firearms, illegal use of weapons or dangerous instruments, and possession of a firearm-felon.
At 12:58 p.m., Dispatch received several calls of shots fired in the Bayou Vista area. Deputies responded to Southwest Road in Bayou Vista and spoke with complainants, who gave information. The deputies quickly put out a bulletin to surrounding agencies with a description of the vehicle.
A short time later, Patterson police observed a vehicle matching the description and conducted a traffic stop. A K9 deputy joined the Patterson officer in the investigation of the vehicle. The deputy made contact with the driver, Jones, and three passengers.
During the investigation, a weapon was located in the vehicle. All four suspects were transported to the Morgan City Branch Office for questioning.
Jones was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. No bail has been set.
Sheriff Blaise Smith praised the teamwork of patrol deputies, detectives, Patterson police and the public in this incident.
Smith advises that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 35 complaints and reports the following arrests:
—Kristi Freeman Thibodeaux, 40, East Spencer Street, Jennings was arrested at 8:01 a.m. Thursday on a charge of disturbing the peace by fighting. Thibodeaux was released on a summons to appear June 29.
—Javon Foster, 35, Iberia Street, Franklin, was arrested at 8:01 a.m. Thursday on a charge of disturbing the peace by fighting. Foster was released on a summons to appear June 29.
—Peggy Aucoin Fabre, 53, Francis Street, Berwick, was arrested 6:30 p.m. Thursday on a charge of theft. Fabre was released on a summons to appear June 27.
—Sidney Thomas Couvillier, Sr., 53, Parish Road 131, Franklin, was arrested at 8:05 p.m. on a charge of disturbing the peace by intoxication. Couvillier was released on a summons to appear June 27.
—Christian Day Jon Landry, 28, Cleveland Avenue, New Orleans, was arrested at 1:40 a.m. Friday on a charge of driving under suspension. Landry was released on a summons to appear June 27.

Morgan City police radio logs for April 2-5

Mon, 04/06/2020 - 10:59am

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, April 2
10:05 a.m., 600 block Fourth, Medical
10:57 a.m., 300 block Egle, Juvenile problems
11:26 a.m., 2700 block Shaw, Complaint
11:55 a.m., Walnut, Complaint
1:56 p.m., 1100 block Levee, Traffic incident
2:19 p.m., 700 block Kentucky, Suspicious activity
2:29 p.m., Levee and Pecan, Accident
2:39 p.m., 700 block Everett, Disturbance
3:27 p.m., 100 block South Railroad, Medical
4:01 p.m., U.S. 90 East, Assistance
4:13 p.m., 100 block 11th, Criminal damage to property
5:56 p.m., 73 block La. 182, Alarm
6:46 p.m., 1400 block Duke, Complaint
7:51 p.m., 7200 block La. 182, Burglary
8:51 p.m., 600 block Kentucky, Frequent patrol
9:03 p.m., 600 block Terrebonne, Disturbance
11:43 p.m., Onstead Street, Animal complaint
Friday, April 3
12:04 a.m., 200 block Levee, Medical Emergency
1:00 a.m., 600 block Gen. MacArthur, Assist
4:40 a.m., 300 block Barrow, 911 Hang up call
11:38 a.m., 2600 block Sixth, Complaint
11:45 a.m., 400 block First, Welfare check
12:29 p.m., La. 182, Complaint
1:09 p.m., 6200 block La. 182, Open door
1:39 p.m., 200 block Chennault, assistance
2:39 p.m., 900 block Seventh, Counterfeit money
2:50 p.m., 300 block Wren, Battery
3:52 p.m. Brownell Homes, Complaint
4:41 p.m., 300 block Egle, Animal complaint
4:46 p.m., Clothilde and Victory II, Debris in road
5:13 p.m., 700 block Myrtle, Telephone harassment
5:18 p.m., Fourth and Freret, Complaint
7:13 p.m., 7200 block La. 182, Telephone harassment
8:06 p.m., 2400 block Apple, Disturbance
8:33 p.m., Oak and Birch, Removal of subjects
8:50 p.m., 1000 block Onstead, Animal complaint
9:37 p.m., 300 block Bush, Medical
10:16 p.m., 1000 block Onstead, Animal complaint
10:51 p.m., 300 block Barrow, 911 hang up call
10:54 p.m., 700 block, Cottonwood, Alarm
11:16 p.m., 1000 block Onstead, Animal complaint
11:30 p.m., 700 block Fourth, Medical
11:44 p.m., 3000 block Allison, Loud music
Saturday, April 4
2:35 a.m., 600 block Brashear, Suspicious subject
3:58 a.m., 400 block Bush, Medical
4:18 a.m., 700 block Cottonwood, Alarm
6:51 a.m. 500 block Roderick, Welfare check
9:09 a.m., 1000 block McDermott, Medical
9:25 a.m., 200 block Glenwood, disturbance
9:34 a.m., 600 block Fourth, Medical
10:02 a.m., 3000 block Helene, Accident
10:03 a.m., 7200 block La. 182, Complaint
11:26 a.m., 200 block Amelia, Medical
1:51 p.m., 200 block Robin, Disturbance
1:55 p.m., 1000 block Onstead , Animal complaint
2:17 p.m., 1200 block Victor II, People gathered
3:10 p.m., Florida Street, Disturbance
3:40 p.m., 100 block Railroad, Complaint
4:14 p.m., 1400 block Sandra, Alarm
6:38 p.m., 1000 block Brashear, Civil
6:57 p.m., 7500 block La. 182, theft
9:27 p.m., 500 block Louisa, Lost and found
10:06 p.m., 6600 block La. 182, Alarm
11:49 p.m., 300 block Second, Removal of subject
11:59 p.m., 1600 block La. 70, Medical
Sunday, April 5
2:16 a.m., 5000 block Railroad, Loud music
2:32 a.m., 1000 block Brashear, Alarm
3:55 a.m., 7700 block La. 182, theft

AgCenter surveys economic damage to crawfish producers

Mon, 04/06/2020 - 10:57am

By BRUCE SCHULTZ, LSU AgCenter

CROWLEY — The LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Farm Bureau are conducting a survey to determine the economic damage to Louisiana crawfish producers caused by the coronavirus.
“It is extremely important that we get timely participation of this survey to strengthen the efforts in petitioning the U.S. Department of Agriculture for assistance for the industry,” said Kurt Guidry, LSU AgCenter economist and director of the AgCenter Southwest Region.
Crawfish producers have been wracked by a glut of crawfish after restaurants were limited to carryout and delivery only.
Respondents without complete records should still participate in the survey, answering as many questions as possible. “Please don’t let a lack of data be the reason that we can’t help our crawfish farmers and crawfish industry,” Guidry said.
The deadline for submitting survey responses is April 10.
AgCenter agents will be distributing the survey through email. Anyone without email service can obtain the form by calling their AgCenter agent or Guidry at 225-281-5948.
A completed survey can be sent by email to kmguidry@agcenter.lsu.edu.
Also, the responses can be made verbally over the phone by calling Guidry at 225-281-5948, or by photographing the completed form and texting it to that phone number.
“With your participation, you will be joining the efforts of many producer leaders of the crawfish industry, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation executive committee, and the Louisiana congressional delegation,” Guidry said.

Palm Sunday at Holy Cross

Mon, 04/06/2020 - 10:37am

Submitted Photos
Holy Cross Church was busy on Palm Sunday with Drive-in Eucharistic Adoration on the Cedar Street side and In-car Confession in the high school parking lot. Additionally, the Rev. Patrick Rivere from St. Thomas Aquinas blessed palms for parishioners to pick up at the Yvonne Adams Life Center. Holy Cross administrator the Rev. Brice Higginbotham co-celebrated Palm Sunday Mass with Bishop Shelton Fabre live on Facebook, KWBJ and YouTube. Adoration will be offered again next Sunday for Easter.

Governor urges banks to be patient, diligent

Mon, 04/06/2020 - 10:34am

Gov. John Bel Edwards is encouraging small business owners across the state to immediately apply for assistance with payroll, rent and other operational expenses through the federal Paycheck Protection Program, if they have not already done so.
The federal loan program is being made available to them through their Louisiana based financial institutions. Simultaneously, all Louisiana banks should continue pursuing access to those federal dollars and to be patient as the program moves forward.
The Paycheck Protection Program is administered through the Small Business Administration and is designed to help small businesses meet their operational needs during this coronavirus pandemic.
“The rollout out of the $349 billion through this program comes at a critical time for our state as we face this public health crisis, but it will not last long as businesses across the country will also apply, which is why our small businesses should not wait for the glitches in the system to be worked out before filling out their applications,” Edwards said. “Time is of the essence and the time to move is now.
“This is a very difficult time for everyone and the impact of this virus is being felt in all segments of our society, but small businesses should know these funds are available today and Louisiana banks are positioned through the SBA to assist their customers during this crisis.
"That is why I am encouraging all bankers to have patience as the federal government works to expand the accessibility of the Paycheck Protection Program. I know our bankers have been working diligently to access those funds and make them available to their customers but, through no fault of their own, the process is taking some time. I understand their frustration but ask that they also understand this is a brand new program that is being implemented in the midst of a health crisis.
"We greatly appreciate the relief it will provide our small businesses that are the backbone of ourq economy. I know some of our small business owners were discouraged when all the answers were not immediately available but I ask you to not lose hope and continue moving forward to apply for these funds. I have every confidence that those funds will begin to flow as quickly as possible.”
The Paycheck Protection Program is offered through the SBA and provides a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on payroll.
It will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest or utilities. Visit SBA.gov for more information.
Last week, Edwards announced additional help t‑hrough a new Louisiana Loan Portfolio Guaranty Program, which will offer loans of up to $100,000 to Louisiana small businesses of fewer than 100 employees that are impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
To help Main Street and rural businesses sustain operations, the loans will require no payments and no will bear no interest for 180 days and carry below-market interest rates of no more than 3.5 percent.
LPGP loans will provide up to $100,000 in immediate financing to help small firms impacted by COVID-19 meet their payroll, retain employees, pay their rent and mortgages, and keep their lights on and their doors open.
Interested businesses may find loan details at OpportunityLouisiana.com/covid19, and a list of participating bankers will be posted at the site by Friday as banks complete their participation agreements.

Girl Scouts are learning and giving back

Mon, 04/06/2020 - 8:45am

NEW ORLEANS — In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Girl Scouts Louisiana East’s staff, volunteers and girls have found ways to safely help #HealthcareHeroes and fellow Girl Scouts, and use this time of social distancing to learn and think creatively while at home.
Several local Girl Scout troops not only donated Girl Scout Cookies to healthcare staff, but even made masks for nurses and physicians at hospitals across southeastern Louisiana.
Since many Girl Scout councils across the nation did not have the opportunity to host cookie sales before the COVID-19 crisis, GSLE is spreading the word that people can purchase cookies online for themselves or donate them to first responders, volunteers and local causes at girlscouts.org/cookiecare. GSLE also developed an at-home learning solution using its Facebook page.
“When we first learned that we would be canceling events for the next two months, our Girl Experience team immediately got to work creating programs for Girl Scouts to complete at home,” explains GSLE CEO Rebecca Pennington, “We’ve been posting new activities each day on our Facebook page, and now have a website where parents can search for activities by grade level or topic.”
Girl Scout activities focus on four pillars: entrepreneurship, STEM, life skills and the outdoors. Badges that can be completed at home range from writing short stories to learning coding.
While these programs were developed for Girl Scouts, you don’t have to be a Girl Scout to participate, the Girl Scouts Louisiana East representative said. All parents who are seeking ways to engage their girls during this time are encouraged to check out our Facebook page (facebook.com/GSLEcouncil) or visit girlscouts.org/athome.
—Girl Scouts Louisiana East is the an organization for leadership development of girls, grades K to 12, in 23 parishes (including St. Mary and St. Martin) of southeast Louisiana. Chartered by Girl Scouts of the USA. GSLE serves more than 10,200 girls, with 3,400 adult members.
Girl Scouts offers every girl a chance to practice a lifetime of leadership, adventure, and success. To volunteer, reconnect, donate, or join, visit www.gsle.org.

Contemporary Arts Center looking for entries

Mon, 04/06/2020 - 8:41am

The Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans, continues its 2020 Call for Artists for its “Make America What America Must Become” exhibit set July 18 to Sept. 6.
“During these challenging times, we are as committed to supporting artists and have extended the submission deadline to April 30, and have waived all submission fees,” states the Contemporary Arts Center news release.
Artists living and working in the Gulf South are encouraged to apply.
In the context of the shifting regional landscape, the center is seeking artworks across media that examine how power is made manifest in culture, politics, economics and ecology.
“We are also curious to see works that were created urgently in response to the current political paradigm and reflect broadly on the conjuring and churning of the American fever dream,” the release states.
The exhibition will be on view at the Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans, at 900 Camp St. The new deadline to submit work is at 11:59 p.m. April 30.
Information online is available at https://cacno.org.

Friendship with alcoholic causes guilt, sorrow

Mon, 04/06/2020 - 8:39am

By Jeanne Phillips, ©United Features Syndicate

DEAR ABBY: I have a friend who is an alcoholic. I met her when we first moved here five years ago. At that time, I wasn’t aware of her drinking problem. Over the years it has become very apparent. I have yelled at her, shown deep concern for her, threatened rehab, begged her to get help, etc.
She calls me late in the evening rambling on about ridiculous things, repeating the same stories over and over, crying, claiming she’s having panic attacks and all sorts of other health ailments that are most likely caused by her drinking. I am at my wits’ end with her. She’s a good person and has a good heart, but I know I can’t save her because she’s already stated she will never stop drinking.
How do I manage to keep my own sanity? I sometimes feel like I enable her by not calling her out on all her excuses for her problems when I know well they’re all because of the drinking.
ENABLER IN MINNESOTA

DEAR ENABLER: I have two suggestions for you, and I hope you will avail yourself of both. The first is to go online to al-anon.org to find the nearest location for meetings (you will find they are all over) and attend some. Al-Anon is a sister organization of Alcoholics Anonymous, and it was founded to help and support the friends and family members of people who have an alcohol problem. It will help you to understand that YOU cannot help your friend. Only SHE can do that by mustering up the resolve to quit drinking. Many alcoholics do this only after they finally realize the consequences their addiction has cost them. In this case, the price may be her friendship with you.
The second is to tell your friend — while she is sober — that she cannot continue calling you when she has been drinking, and that if she does, you will hang up. Then do it.

DEAR ABBY: My 53-year-old brother had an affair eight years ago. He and his wife have four children. When he told his wife about it, they started sleeping in separate bedrooms. She stays with him for the kids’ sake and for financial reasons.
The other woman, “Rachael,” recently contacted him saying she has cancer and has no family who want to take care of her. He put her up in his cabin in the mountains and hasn’t told his wife. He asked what I thought, and honestly, I feel that although I am sad for Rachael, my brother should put his wife before his concern for this other woman. I’m angry with him for what he’s doing to his wife. What should he do?
DISAGREEING IN THE SOUTH

DEAR DISAGREEING: I assume that when your brother confided what he has been doing, you gave him your thoughts on it. If you didn’t, you should.
I find it telling that the person asking me what he should do is you and not him. Rather than try to run interference for him, recognize the ball is in his court, and he has to decide for himself what he should — or should not — do, because he is playing a very dangerous game.
***
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Two more cases of COVID-19 reported in St. Mary

Sun, 04/05/2020 - 12:08pm

St. Martin cases jump by 13; one-day death toll 68 statewide

Two more positive tests for COVID-19 in St. Mary were reported at noon Sunday, raising the total to 67 after 238 tests.

Another 13 cases were reported in St. Martin, where 77 people have now been infected after 114 tests.

Three more cases were reported in Assumption for a total of 56 after 92 tests.

Statewide, the number of newly reported COVID-19 cases was relatively small, 504, for a total of 13,010. But the number of deaths rose by 68 to 477.

More than 60,000 tests have now been performed statewide.

The number of COVID-19 patients being treated in Louisiana hospitals grew by 77 to 1,803. Of those 561 patients were on ventilators.