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Bishops offer information on coronavirus

Thu, 03/05/2020 - 12:19pm

Staff Report

The bishops of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and the Diocese of Lafayette have recommended church-related precautions against coronavirus-related illness, even giving permission to miss Mass if community spread becomes a concern.
The Diocese of Lafayette includes St. Mary west of the Atchafalaya River. St. Mary east of the Atchafalaya is part of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.
No confirmed or presumptive cases of COVID-19 infection have been reported in Louisiana. But the number of U.S. confirmed cases has grown to 80 in 13 states, and the number of deaths was nine at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Some experts say the number of reported infections is artificially low because testing is not yet universally available in the United States.
“With the care and well-being of our parishioners, clergy, lay employees, and all the people of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux on my heart, I want to provide us with some information and pastoral directives regarding the coronavirus disease,” wrote Bishop Shelton J. Fabre.
The bishops:
—Urge priests, deacons, and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion to practice good hygiene, washing their hands or even using an alcohol based anti-bacterial solution before Mass begins.
—Said if congregants are sick or are experiencing symptoms of sickness they are not obliged to attend Mass and are encouraged not to do so.
—Suspend distribution of the Sacred Blood by chalice during Holy Communion.
—Suspend the exchange of physical contact during the sign of peace; instead, verbally saying “peace be with you” to your neighbors in the pew.
Fabre also said, “I am strongly recommending, but not requiring, that the faithful receive Holy Communion in the hand, though no one is to be denied Holy Communion on the tongue.”
More information is available at http://diocese.org/coronavirus.

Lawmakers outline plans for session

Thu, 03/05/2020 - 12:14pm

By BILL DECKER

bdecker@daily-review.com

State Sen. Bret Allain’s new job as chairman of the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee brought with it jurisdiction over a big pile of state money: the annual capital outlay budget
“I have been inundated with requests from different parts of the state and their needs,” the white-bearded lawmaker told the St. Mary Chamber at a Wednesday breakfast. “I told them I only look like Santa Claus.”
The breakfast at the Petroleum Club of Morgan City gave the lawmakers who represent St. Mary a chance to outline their legislative priorities.
Newly elected state Rep. Vincent St. Blanc, R-Franklin, is preparing for his first session, which opens Monday. St. Blanc hasn’t taken advantage of the opportunity to pre-file bills for the upcoming non-fiscal session.
Instead, he focused on his experience as a businessman, teacher and member of the board that governs Louisiana community colleges and technical colleges. He has seats on the House Education, Commerce and Agriculture committees.
“I know the process …,” St. Blanc told the Chamber members. “Enjoy life, and enjoy Louisiana. Leave the process to me.”
Although changes in the amount of taxes you pay are off limits in this session, Allain, R-Franklin, still has some ideas for changing the taxation system. They include:
—Reducing the Department Revenue’s reliance on the fees and penalties it collects and provide at least some of the department’s funding from the general fund. Allain said the current system gives the impression the department is being too aggressive just to fatten its budget.
—Making a federal income tax filing extension work for state income taxes, too.
—Equalizing the interest rate on funds the taxpayers owe the state and money the state owes taxpayers.
—Providing easier access for taxpayers to the Board of Tax Appeals.
—Creating clear rules for the collection of taxes on internet sales.
Allain said the current system, which relies on self-reporting and the procedures of online sales outlets, puts Louisiana’s brick-and-mortar businesses at a disadvantage.
State Rep. Beryl Amedee, the Gray Republican who represents extreme eastern St. Mary, sent her regrets.

Avocae milin actore

St. Mary gets waiver on food stamp work rules

Thu, 03/05/2020 - 12:11pm

By DAVID JACOBS, The Center Square

A new federal rule requiring able-bodied food assistance recipients to find work or face limited benefits will affect less than 4 % of Louisiana’s recipients, a state agency says.
Starting April 1, the federal government says Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients in Louisiana who are classified as an Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents can receive benefits for only three months in a 36-month period unless they meet the federal work requirements or qualify for an exemption. Recipients in that category are age 18 to 49, do not have a child living with them, and are considered physically able to work.
Almost 49,000 of Louisiana’s 810,000 SNAP recipients, or about 6%, met the ABAWD definition in October, according to the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services. But this week, the federal government granted a waiver for 14 Louisiana parishes with high unemployment rates: Assumption, Catahoula, Concordia, East Carroll, Franklin, Madison, Morehouse, Richland, St. Landry, St. Mary, Tensas, Vernon, West Carroll and Winn.
With the waiver, and with additional recipients qualifying for federal exemptions, DCFS estimates the number of recipients affected by the federal rule change will be about 31,000, or about 3.8 %of all recipients.
Because of the federal rule change, Gov. John Bel Edwards rescinded a 2016 executive order that required Louisiana SNAP recipients classified as ABAWDs to register with the Louisiana Workforce Commission and work to find a job.
SNAP recipients who meet the mandatory work criteria still are required to register with LWC for these services. But since the new federal rules have different requirements, Edwards wanted to avoid confusion in the enforcement of state and federal regulations, DCFS says.
The federal government, which pays for SNAP benefits, estimates the rules change will save $5.5 billion over five years.

100 days of school

Thu, 03/05/2020 - 12:09pm

Submitted Photo
Recently, Bayou Vista Elementary celebrated the 100th day of school. Maria Carmen Izaguirre of Tampico's Restaurant vcame and read to Kayla Perry's PreK class. Izaguirre is 101 years old and will turn 102 on June 28 of this year.

JOE J. GLENN

Thu, 03/05/2020 - 12:07pm

July 23, 1939 — March 4, 2020
Joe J. Glenn, a longtime resident of Morgan City, passed away on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, at the age of 80.
Joe was a proud member of the First Baptist Church of Morgan City and a standup Christian. He served his country in the United States Air Force and was a dedicated business man. Joe built and started Joe’s Boots and was also a vital partner to his brother-in-law at their company, G&G Supply. He enjoyed old time gospel and even had a radio show with KQKI for many years. His favorite hobby, Intarsia woodworking, required both great patience and a sharp eye. It was intrinsic work that Joe excelled at and he made the most beautiful pieces imaginable. He will be deeply missed.
Joe is survived by his children, Scott Glenn and his wife, Angelia, and Cindy Welch and her husband, John; his siblings, Willow “Jean” Ganaway and Demple Dunkin; his grandchildren, Ashley Welch, Chassidy Glenn and Joseph Glenn and his step-grandchildren, Alisha Flenner, Stephanie Flenner and Rebekah Flenner.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Peggie Allred Glenn; his parents, Joseph and Dolly Glenn; his sibling, Gladys Barnes; and a grandson, Michael Welch.
The family requests that a time of visitation and remembrance be observed on Friday, March 6, 2020, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Hargrave Funeral Home. Visitation will resume on March 7, 2020, from 9 a.m. until time of services at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Morgan City. Following services, Joe will be laid to rest in the Morgan City Cemetery.

BERNADETTE 'CRICKET' ANN BAILEY

Thu, 03/05/2020 - 12:05pm

January 25, 1944 — January 15, 2020
Bernadette “Cricket” Ann Bailey, age 75, a resident of Bayou Vista, passed away Wednesday, January 15, 2020, at Ochsner St. Mary.
Cricket was born January 25, 1944, in Morgan City, the daughter of Herman Leon Bailey Sr. and Margaret Alemand Rhodes.
Cricket was a care-free spirit who was always full of life; even in the hospital at her sickest, Cricket was still lively, alert and aware. You could always find Cricket at the AARP building playing bingo or any garage sale that was going on around town. Cricket also enjoyed visiting the Patterson Health Care Center where she made many friends. She enjoyed dancing, laughing and her pork skins and coke, which you could always catch her with. Cricket was filled with personality and spunk. If you ever called her, just her voicemail would tell you that, as she would say, “You know the voice, leave a message!”
She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by two sons, Troy Mire of Morgan City and Shane Thibodeaux and wife Robin of Atascocita, Texas; one daughter, Tessie Mills and husband Sean of Lafayette; stepmother, Alma Bailey Glavin; nine siblings, Eula Arceneaux and husband Roy of Gibson; Virginia Bailey of Bayou Vista; Regina Duval and husband Earl of Morgan City; Herman Bailey Jr. and wife Robin of Morgan City; Gerri Kovac and husband Andy of Patterson; Shelia Bailey of Bayou Vista; David Bailey of New Orleans; Roxann Yarbrough and husband Allen of Odessa, Texas; Nolan Rhodes Jr. and wife Rosemary of Stephensville; brother-in-law, Lawrence Pennison of Bayou L’Ourse; sister-in-law, Linda Bailey of Morgan City; five grandchildren, Trista Jones and husband Daniel of Baton Rouge; Jacob Thibodeaux of Lafayette; Robbie Gaines of Kentucky; Cody Alualu of Lafayette; Bryn Mills of Lafayette; five great-grandchildren, Kaila, Kameron, Elaina, Jadelynn and Sean; and her beloved cat, Angel.
Cricket was preceded in death by her parents, Herman Bailey Sr. and Margaret Rhodes; stepfather, Nolan Rhodes Sr.; daughter, Tana Thibodeaux; granddaughter, Shaunna Meaux; sister, Debbie Pennison; and brother, Ronnie Bailey Sr.
A celebration of Cricket’s life will be held at Central Baptist Church in Patterson on Saturday, March 7, 2020, at 11 a.m.

Keeping seniors healthy

Thu, 03/05/2020 - 12:01pm

Submitted Photo
Keeping senior citizens active within the community is not an easy task, yet St. Mary Council on Aging does exactly that every day. Pat Blanco, left, Patterson Senior Wellness & Activity Center coordinator, accepts a donation from Patterson State Bank head teller Peggy Darce. The donation directly benefits the program and helps to provide local seniors many opportunities to participate in an assortment of events throughout the parish.

Failure to appear results in two arrests

Thu, 03/05/2020 - 12:00pm

Staff Report
Morgan City police rounded up two men who failed to appear in court, Police Chief James F. Blair said.
—Gregory Scott Free, 36, of Egle St., Morgan City, was arrested at 3:51 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant for failure to appear.
A check revealed the Morgan City Court warrant after officers came into contact with Free near Eighth and Willard streets. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
—Jheremy Travaughn Coleman, 33, of First Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:15 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant alleging five counts of failure to appear.
Officers came into contact with Jheremy T. Coleman at his residence. A warrant check revealed the City Court of Morgan City held active warrants for his arrest. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith advises that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 29 complaints and reports the following arrests:
—Ebony R. Antoine, 36, of Samuel Street, Franklin, was arrested at 11:38 a.m. on a charge of possession of marijuana. Antoine was released on a summons to appear June 20.
—Brian Keith Lively, 33, Patricia Ann Street, Jeanerette, was arrested at noon Tuesday on a Jeanerette warrant for failure to appear on the charges of headlights required and no driver’s license. Lively was released after he paid his fine.
—Kaleb Woods Meadows, 21, of Patty Lane, Bayou Vista, was arrested at 1 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of Schedule II drugs, possession of marijuana and resisting arrest or officer, and on an MCPD warrant for failure to appear on the charge of open container. Bail was set at $3,947.50.
—Brian Anthony Washington, 45, La. 1, Labadieville, was arrested at 3:26 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of criminal neglect of family. Bail was set at $46,969.90.
—Michael Paul Lovell, 52, of Stacy Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:27 p.m. Tuesday on charges of turning movements and signals required and driving under suspension. Lovell was released on a summons to appear June 29.
—Steven Robert Declouet, 68, of Taft Street, Patterson, was arrested at 8:15 p.m. Tuesday on charges for no headlights and possession of marijuana, and on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of possession of marijuana, improper lane usage and operating a vehicle without a driver’s license. Declouet was released on a $250 bond.
—Terrance Matthew Clark, 50, of Easy Street, Franklin, was arrested at 9:15 p.m. on a Franklin Police Department warrant for failure to appear on the charges of molestation of a juvenile and sexual battery. Bail was set at $200,000.
—Donald Ray Richard, Jr., 38, of Buxton Drive, Grand Prairie, Teas, was arrested at 9:14 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of possession of marijuana. Richard was released on a $568 bond.
—Beau James Viator, 29, of Hulan Street, St. Martin, was arrested at 9:43 p.m. on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of theft. Bail was set at $7,500.
—James Michael Bertrand, 59, of Baronne Street, Baldwin was arrested 12:33 a.m. Wednesday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of operating a vehicle with improper taillights. No bail has been set.
Patterson Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported this arrest:
—Tina B. Robinson, 45, of Cherry Street, Patterson, was arrested at 2:35 p.m. Tuesday on Park Street in Patterson on charges of wrong way on a one-way and no driver’s license. Robinson posted $531 bond.
Berwick Police Chief David S. Leonard reported no arrests.

Morgan City police radio logs for March 3-4

Thu, 03/05/2020 - 11:58am

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.
Tuesday, March 3
7:50 a.m., 300 block of Franklin, animal.
7:52 a.m., 1000 block of Duke, animal.
8:15 a.m., 1200 block of Brashear, medical.
8:46 a.m, 6400 block of La. 182, abandoned vehicle.
9:24 a.m, 7200 block of La., 182, welfare check.
10:25 a.m, 6000 block of La. 182, stalled vehicle.
12:01 p.m., 1400 block of Federal, reckless driver
12:28 p.m., 1100 block of Brashear, vehicle..
1:58 p.m., 1900 block of Federal, disturbance.
2:13 p.m., 2000 block of Federal, medical.
2:53 p.m., 500 block of Terrebonne, traffic.
3:06 p.m., 400 block of Louisiana, theft.
3:30 p.m., 200 block of Franklin, theft.
3:41 p.m., 1000 block of Marguerite, shoplifting.
3:45 p.m., Eighth and Chlotilde, arrest.
6:34 p.m., 2000 block of Keith, complaint
6:47 p.m., 7500 block of La. 182, criminal damage to property.
7:15 p.m., 2300 block of Clements, disturbance.
7:34 p.m., 500 block of Marshall, theft.
7:59 p.m., Brashear and Second, arrest.
8:15 p.m., 400 block of Kidd, theft.
8:42 p.m., Aucoin and Second, patrol request
8:50 p.m., 3100 block of Roselawn, juvenile problem.
9:39 p.m., 1100 block of Marguerite, assistance.
10:17 p.m., 2300 block of La. 70, suspicious vehicle.
Wednesday, March 4
12:48 a.m., 1000 block of Sixth, open door.
12:59 a.m., 800 block of Sacred Heart, complaint.
W3:57 p.m., 100 block of Youngswood, alarm

A gift for the grieving

Thu, 03/05/2020 - 11:51am

Submitted Photo
Ochsner St. Mary was given a CuddleCot on Feb. 18 by the Life Church and Ardent Foundation, a nonprofit organization helping families of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and those suffering from infant loss. A CuddleCot is a medical device that extends the time grieving parents can spend with their child. Ochsner St. Mary is the only provider in the parish to provide this support to grieving families. Pictured from left are Amanda Ducote; Lynelle Lincecum from the Life Church; Candance Muller, president of The Ardent Foundation; Dr. Julie Price, OB/GYN; Tabby Lipari, drector of the Women's Services Department; Gabrielle Aucoin; and Fernis LeBlanc, CEO of Ochsner St. Mary.