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Police: Speeding driver had stolen gun, marijuana

Fri, 02/28/2020 - 11:21am

Staff Report

A vehicle stopped for going 75 mph on U.S. 90 was found to contain marijuana and a gun, Berwick Police David Leonard Sr. said in a news release.
—Trennon Ja’Brian Davis, 21, of Shlesterway Street in New Iberia, was arrested at 12:48 a.m. Wednesday on charges of speeding 75 mph in a 55 mph zone, driver must be licensed, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, transactions involving drug proceeds, illegal possession of a stolen firearm and illegal carrying of weapons in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance.
Officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle after it was clocked traveling at 75 mph in a 55 mph posted speed zone on westbound U.S. 90 and the driver was identified as Davis. It was learned that Davis did not have a driver’s license and that a strong odor of marijuana was emitting from the vehicle. Davis and a passenger were removed from the vehicle and officers conducted a search which revealed marijuana and a handgun, which was reported stolen in New Iberia. He was jailed with no bond set.
Leonard also reported the following arrests:
—Miranda Topham, 38, of Saturn Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 7:13 p.m. Saturday on charges of first offense operating a vehicle while intoxicated, improper lane usage, two headlamps required and driving under suspension. Officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on La. 182 near Tournament Boulevard for swerving in and out of the lane of travel and the vehicle was observed to have a burnt headlamp. The driver was identified as Topham and her license was found to be suspended. Officers suspected impairment on the part of Topham and uncovered evidence indicating that she was impaired on narcotics. She performed poorly on a standardized filed sobriety test and was placed under arrest. She was transported to the Berwick Police Department where she provided a sample of .000g% BAC. She consented to a urine sample and a sample was collected with results pending at the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab. She was jailed with a $4,000 bond set.
—Tyler Sylvester, 20, of Versen Street in Berwick, was arrested at 12:03 a.m. Sunday on charges of second offense possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Officers responded to a residence on Versen Street for a disturbance. Sylvester was identified as the person causing the disturbance and the complainant wished to have Sylvester removed from the residence. While Sylvester was putting items into his vehicle, officers detected an odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle. A search of the vehicle was conducted and marijuana and drug paraphernalia were located. He was jailed and later released on a $2,500 bond.
—Brandon Lahoste, 23, of Mike Drive in Patterson, was arrested at 10:37 p.m. Sunday on a warrant from the Berwick Police Department for the charge of criminal mischief. Officers conducted a traffic stop on Trevino Street for a traffic violation and the driver was identified as Lahoste. A warrants check revealed that Lahoste held a warrant through the Berwick Police Department for criminal mischief. The warrant steams from an investigation that took place on April 2, 2019, in which Lahoste tampered with another person’s property and a warrant for his arrest was prepared. He was jailed and later released on a $301 bond.
Morgan City Police Chief James F. Blair reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 77 calls of service and the following arrests were made:
—Sean Matthew Bernard, 31, of Egle Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 1:07 a.m. Monday on charges of turn signal violation, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to dim headlights. An officer observed a traffic violation in the area of La. 182 and Myrtle Street. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was identified as Bernard. Bernard was found in possession of suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. He was jailed.
—Leo Griffin Vaughn, 42, of Chatsworth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:01 p.m. Monday on a warrant for unauthorized entry of inhabited dwelling. The warrant stems from a complaint filed with the Morgan City Police Department on Feb. 23. Vaughn was identified as entering a residence without consent and a warrant was obtained for his arrest. On Feb. 24 Vaughn was located on La. 182 and was placed under arrest. He was jailed.
—Jordan Granger, 30, of North Everett Street in Morgan City, was placed under arrest at 9:28 p.m. Monday on charges of possession of a legend drug and disturbing the peace. Officers came into contact with Granger on La. 182. Officers observed Granger was in an intoxicated condition. He was placed under arrest and was found to be in possession of a suspected legend drug. He was jailed.
—Glynn Anthony Guidry Jr., 39, of Carline Street in Berwick, was arrested at 2:03 a.m. Tuesday on charges of improper turning at intersection, no motor vehicle insurance and first offense driving while intoxicated and on warrants for seven counts of failure to appear. An officer observed a traffic violation in the area of Federal and Brashear avenues. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was identified as Guidry. The officer suspected impairment and a field sobriety test was given that Guidry performed poorly on. A computer check revealed the vehicle Guidry was driving was not insured and 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 where he was given an intoxilyzer test and gave a breath sample of 0.237g%. He was jailed.
—Dean Joseph Beranek, 34, of Burchfield Lane in Berwick, was arrested at 8:19 a.m. Tuesday on charges of driving under suspension and no motor vehicle insurance. An officer conducted a traffic stop in the area of La. 182 and Federal Avenue. The driver was identified as Beranek. A computer check revealed his license was under suspension and the vehicle he was driving was not insured. He was jailed.
—Gerald Jones Jr., 19, of Keith Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:20 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant for failure to appear. Jones turned himself into the Morgan City Police Department on an active warrant held by the City Court of Morgan City. He was jailed.
—Daniel L. Bushnelle, 61, of La. 70 in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:40 a.m. Tuesday on charges of improper lane usage, driving under suspension and possession of methamphetamine. An officer observed a traffic violation in the area of Federal Avenue and Levee Road.
A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was identified as Bushnell who was found in possession of suspected methamphetamine. He was jailed.
—Derek Gould Jr., 34, of Levee Road in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:45 a.m. Wednesday on charges of stop sign violation and driving under suspension. An officer observed a traffic violation in the area of Marguerite and Ninth Street. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was identified as Gould. A computer check revealed his driver’s license was under suspension. He was jailed.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to 64 complaints and reported the following arrests:
—Skye Davie Vanduzee, 34, of Broussard Street in Delcambre, was arrested at 9:03 a.m. Monday on a charge of driving under suspension. Vanduzee was released on a summons to appear on May 18.
—Drake Paul Segura, 22, of Inez Drive in Sorrell, was arrested at 9:43 p.m. Monday on a charge of improper lane usage, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Segura was released on a summons to appear on May 18.
—Keith Anthony Davis, 35, of Willow Street in Franklin, was arrested at 12:39 a.m. Tuesday on charges of expired license plate and driving under suspension. Davis was released on a summons to appear on May 18.
—Curtis Allen Davis, 51, of Willow Street in Franklin, was arrested at 12:44 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of operating a vehicle while license is suspended/revoked/canceled and failure to maintain automobile liability insurance. Davis was later released on his own recognizance.
—Arthur Donald Lacoste Jr., 53, of Judy Lane in Patterson, was arrested at 8:14 p.m. Tuesday on charges of indecent behavior with juvenile(s) and sexual battery. He was jailed with bail set at $250,000.
—Ericka Rose Cuvillier, 31, of Darlene Street in Patterson, was arrested at 10:19 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of domestic abuse battery. She was jailed with no bail set.
—Justine Mccoy, 36, of Gumpoint Lane in Franklin, was arrested at 8:29 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of marijuana, open container and improper lane usage. Mccoy was released on a summons to appear on May 18.
—Wesley D. Landry, 25, of Shady Grove in Patterson, was arrested at 8:29 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of hit and run, simple criminal damage to property, littering and false report of criminal mischief. Landry was released on a summons to appear on May 18.
—Colby Joseph Trahan, 27, of Smith Road in New Iberia, was arrested at 10:21 p.m. Tuesday on an Iberia Parish warrant for criminal damage to property. Trahan is being held for another agency.
—Juvenile male, 17, of Bayou Vista, was arrested at 11:39 p.m. Tuesday on charges of theft and unlawful purchase of alcoholic beverages by persons on behalf of persons under 21. The juvenile was released to the custody of a guardian pending juvenile court proceedings.
—Juvenile male, 17, of Bayou Vista, was arrested at 1:12 a.m. Wednesday on charges of theft and unlawful purchase of alcoholic beverages by persons on behalf of persons under 21. The juvenile was released to the custody of a guardian pending juvenile court proceedings.
—Rena Kathleen Wilson, 41, of Nini Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:05 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. She was jailed with no bail set.
Patterson Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported the following arrests:
—Travis J. Morin, 36, of Main Street in Patterson, was arrested at 2:53 p.m. Monday on charges of prohibited acts distribution of drug paraphernalia, possession of methamphetamine, aggravated flight from an officer, suspended driver’s license and obedience to police officers, weights and standards. He was jailed with no bond set.
—Quinten A. Bradford, 40, of Rice Drive in Dallas, TX, was arrested at 6:57 p.m. Monday on charges of stop sign violation, reckless operation, general speed law and resisting an officer by flight in a vehicle. He was jailed with bond set at $1,500.

Radio Logs for Feb. 27-28

Fri, 02/28/2020 - 11:17am

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, Feb. 27
5:24 a.m. 1000 block of Fourth Street; Suspicious subject.
7:49 a.m. 800 block of Federal Avenue; Theft.
8:26 a.m. 5000 block of Railroad Avenue; Warrant.
10:58 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Warrant.
11 a.m. 9400 block of Frontage Street; Warrant.
11:22 a.m. 1100 block of Dora Street; Suspicious subject.
11:29 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
12:19 p.m. 1100 block of Victor II Boulevard; Accident.
1:51 p.m. 900 block of Youngs Road; Hang up call.
2:27 p.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Alarm.
2:27 p.m. 10000 block of Brashear Avenue; Complaint.
2:48 p.m. 2400 block of Apple Street; Stand by.
3:06 p.m. 800 block of Sixth Street; Medical emergency.
3:14 p.m. 700 block of Onstead Street; Theft.
3:19 p.m. 1400 block of Second Street; Complaint.
3:30 p.m. 900 block of Seventh Street; Complaint.
3:55 p.m. Onstead Street and Federal Avenue; Lost/found property.
6:03 p.m. 1100 block of McDermott Drive; Custody issue.
6:50 p.m. 500 block of Brashear Avenue; Removal of subject.
7:19 p.m. 400 block of Belanger Street; Medical.
7:54 p.m. 1600 block of Willowbend Drive; Medical.
9:02 p.m. 1100 block of Chester Bowles Street; Complaint.
9:20 p.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Removal of subject.
9:34 p.m. Fire Department Central Station; Animal.
10:45 p.m. Second and Union streets; Complaint.
11:21 p.m. 1000 block of La. 70; Alarm.
11:30 p.m. Fifth and Louisiana streets; Loud music.
Friday, Feb. 28
3:38 a.m. 700 block of Maine Street; Complaint.
4:17 a.m. Morgan City Police Department; Suspicious person.

4th annual Basin Brewfest

Fri, 02/28/2020 - 11:13am

Staff Report

The fourth annual Basin Brew Fest will be taking place Saturday, March 21 in downtown Morgan City. Early admission will be available for those with VIP tickets from 2-3 p.m. Those with general admission tickets will be allowed entry from 3-6 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 28 is the last day to get your VIP tickets with the sale ending at 11:59 p.m. It is also the last day to pre-order an event shirt. Tickets and t-shirts can be purchased at www.basinbrewfestmc.com
VIP tickets cost $55 and General Admission tickets will be $30 and will increase to $40 at the entry gate.

JOYCIA MAE “CUTIE” VERDUN PAUL

Fri, 02/28/2020 - 8:46am

Joycia Mae “Cutie” Verdun Paul, 93, a resident and native of Verdunville, La. passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at 3:25 p.m. at Maison Teche Nursing Home.
Visitation will be observed on Friday February 28, 2020 from 8 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. at the St Jules Catholic Church in Franklin, La. Tributes will follow the recitation of the rosary. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. with Father Peter Emusa serving as the Celebrant. Burial will follow mass services in the St. Jules Catholic Church Cemetery in Franklin, La.
Cherishing her memories are: her five children, Lennel Gregory “Greg” Paul of Franklin, La., Elvis E. Paul of Lafayette, La., Mrs. Clyde (Bonnie G. Paul)-Olivier of New Iberia, La., Quintin Paul of Verdunville, La. and Ruel A. Paul of Lafayette, La.; seven grandchildren, two daughters-in-law and two former daughters-in-law, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Joycia was preceded in death by: her parents, her husband, five sisters and three brothers.
Visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family.

CYNTHIA ANN JOHNSON METZ

Fri, 02/28/2020 - 8:46am

Cynthia Ann Johnson Metz, 64, a resident and native of Four Corners, La. passed away on Thursday, February 20, 2020 at 5:26 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Lafayette, La.
Visitation will be observed on Saturday February 29. 2020at 9 a.m. at the Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church 11200 Old Jeanerette Rd. Jeanerette, La., until the recitation of the rosary at 9:30 a.m, with tributes immediately following the rosary. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. with Father Francis Damoah, SVD serving as the Celebrant. Entombment will follow mass services in the Mausoleum Section of the Holy Family Cemetery in New Iberia, La.
Memories of Cynthia will forever remain in the hearts of her husband, Eric Charles Metz; three sons, Eric Chad Metz of Baton Rouge, La., Craig Anthony Metz of Four Corners, La. and Christopher James Metz of Dallas, TX; her siblings, Leroy Johnson, Lucille Francis, Malvin Johnson, Ottis Johnson, Anthony Johnson all of Houston, TX; one grandchild, host of sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends, two daughters-in-law.
Cynthia was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, and brother-in-law.
Visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family

Residents say road is derelict

Fri, 02/28/2020 - 8:44am

Two residents on Victoria-Riverside Road in the Patterson area complained to the St. Mary Parish Council about the condition of the road.
Greg Rochel told the council that “I know we’re doing some things, just not enough. The lighting that you put in, and everything that you did try to do, I appreciate but over the last five years…the road has gotten tremendously worse.”
Rochel said he’s spoken to members of the council and other individuals, and “two or three” told him that, “We knew what we were buying when we bought out there,” in reference to the road’s issues.
He was also told that “the lots were cheap,” which he took as insinuating that “we were cheap for living or buying out there…in the last five years I’ve paid $1,000 a road foot I paid that property.”
Rochel said he has made major improvements to his property, but “the road doing to the dump is better than what we live on. Alice C Road has almost zero residents, we have 50 or so, Cotton Road is a better road.”
There have been multiple auto wrecks due to the road’s condition, he added, and that the 5.5 mile road has been reverted back to a limestone base. “It’s worse now than it was,” Rochel said, noting that school children in buses use that section.
Parish President David Hanagriff said he would “love to do the entire road, right now we’re doing three miles” and there is no funding for the rest at this time for the remainder.
Councilman Scott Ramsey, whose district the road is located, said “we certainly aware of, and I will work to do whatever reasonably can be done…can I promise you we’re going to do it? No, sir, I can’t, but I promise we can try.”
Rochel invited Ramsey to visit the road during a rain event to see the issues in person.
Also speaking was Farley Matte, said holes were normally patched as they emerged but “the road’s deteriorating faster than they can keep it up.”
He said he spoke to a councilman about the problem and was told that “the road is going to be done in two phases” after engineering studies, letting bids, etc., with work proceeding in six months, which Matte said is up.
Chief Administrative Officer Henry “Bo” LaGrange reiterated that this is currently no funding for the final section of the road. He said there was a “seal coating” and pea gravel applied several years ago, which is now failing. He said it will be reapplied after the weather warms.

PC grows impatient with Home Rule Charter review

Fri, 02/28/2020 - 8:44am

St. Mary Parish Coun-cil’s Home Rule Charter review committee established in 2018 was a subject of discussion at the council’s regular meeting Wednesday
The charter was ap-proved by voters in 1982 and instituted in 1985 after a suit was filed and cleared.
A resolution on the agenda was intended to disband the committee, presented by Councilman J Ina with a second my Councilman Craig Mathews, that was ta-bled.
Council Chairman Dean Adams said Ina had spoken to him about the matter. He said he tried to contact a member and did not receive a call back.
Councilman Patrick Hebert said he spoke to the committee’s attorney Nick Larocca, after hearing from member Jason Bailey. Bailey told Hebert that the committee’s task was close to finalization, “one meeting, we would be done with this.”
Larocca’s office told Hebert that a single meeting would wrap up the work.
Ina noted that “they haven’t been able to find an hour in the last year” to finish the study.
A suggested date was floated for March 25. “I will make the calls to the guys on the board,” Hebert said.
“We need to get it wrapped up and closed,” Ina said. “I don’t have a problem giving them another opportunity” to present their sugges-tions. “If for some reason they can’t make it, we’re just going to have to do it (the rec-ommendations).”
Councilman James Bennett said he would call Larocca, who is his appointment to the committee, to get things moving.
“If these guys don’t show up, we need to find another alternative,” Bennett said. “If we’re that close to finishing this, that charter’s so important, we need to have a backup plan…we need to come up with something else to sal-vage this.”
Mathews asked if, should the committee not follow through, the council can take the existing recommendations and choose to implement them or not. Ina added that the intent of the committee was to pre-sent them to the council at some point.
Legal counsel Eric Duplantis said that there are no recommendations to consider because the committee has not sub-mitted them as yet. “You can’t pick up something that doesn’t exist,” he said. “They met sporadically, some people resigned, some new people got in…it’s news to me that they have these rec-ommendations. Nothing has been formally voted on so the council can’t pick up a recommenda-tion from a committee that hasn’t made any recommendations yet.”
Ina said he’s confident in the individuals of the board and the work they’ve done so far.
He said he hopes to fi-nalize any revisions ear-ly enough that the next elected council will have the updated document during their term. Com-mittee members have also been studying neighboring home rule charters.
Any changes to the charter must be ap-proved by a vote of the people in an election.
“I do not want to be in the position for this term to end and we have not taken the measures to make revisions to be competitive for the fu-ture,” Ina said.
The subject of the parish president’s ability to be an ambassador for the parish in such endeavors as economic development was broached. Parish President David Hangriff said “at the end of the day, the council has to put something out there that the people will vote for. This has been done several times before…if not, it’ll fail again.”
“It’s going to take a concerted effort on our part to properly inform our citizens,” on the charter changes and potential benefits, Mathews said. “Some of these measures…people have a negative disposi-tion about these things.”
Councilman Kristi Prejeant Rink, MD, said public informative meetings should also be held in the council chambers in addition to local-based sessions throughout the parish. “So we get the general public’s input into that too, not just the people the submitted to the committee…the public can be involved and their opinions heard.”
Jeremy Chesteen, a former charter review committee member, was reappointed to the panel. He said there were only four members of the nine remaining. “That com-mittee needs either the input on what you want to see addressed or let it be and go. Now we need to get everybody involved that was put on this committee to actually show up…put them accountable for showing up. Don’t sign up if you don’t want to do nothing.”
In other business, Newton Gaudet and Larry Aucoin were appointed to the Drainage Dist. 6, Amelia area, board.

Spicing up Louisiana with hot sauce

Fri, 02/28/2020 - 8:00am

By EVELYN WATTS, From Louisiana Agriculture fall 2019 issue

Louisiana is one of the biggest hot sauce producers in the U.S. with more than 35 different brands available in the market. Hot pepper sauce is made from red hot peppers and used for cooking and seasoning because of its unique pungent flavor. The most popular pepper species used for hot sauce production is tabasco peppers; however, habanero, jalapeno, cayenne and other bell chilies are also popular among processors. Hot sauce in Louisiana is mainly produced in the New Iberia, St. Martinville and Lafayette areas.
Louisiana hot sauces are manufactured using slightly different processes. In general, their production requires the fermentation of a hot red chili pepper mash in wooden or plastic barrels for a period between two weeks and three years. The exact procedure to produce hot sauce varies among companies and is considered a guarded trade secret.
The main differences among products are the amount of salt added, the fermentation time, the degree of grinding and the percentage of added vinegar.
In the fermentation of most food products, the prevailing microbial groups are lactic acid bacteria and yeast, the relative population of which defines the characteristics of the final product. Lactic acid bacteria are widely distributed in nature and are typically involved in various food fermentation processes.
Consumers often base overall impression and choice of food on flavor and aroma. There are more than 125 volatile compounds identified in fresh and processed red hot chili peppers. A volatile compounds evaluation determines if the fermentation process has been achieved in producing the desired final product. Changes in volatile compounds of chili peppers take place during ripening stages and fermentation.
LSU AgCenter scientists have conducted research to help the hot sauce industry understand the fermentation process of pepper mash. The purpose of this study was to identify the main microorganisms involved in pepper fermentation and its impact in acidity, flavor, aroma and color.
During a 550-day period, pepper mash was fermented, mimicking natural conditions. The mash was sampled to analyze microbiological and physical and chemical changes.
The research team found that red hot chili pepper mash fermentation occurred in four stages where a symbiosis between lactic acid bacteria and yeast makes possible the fermentation of the mash. Subsequently, the fermentation process intensifies volatile compounds important for the quality of aroma and flavor of hot sauce.
The primary lactic acid bacteria identified during the different stages of pepper mash fermentation were Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactococcus spp. The primary yeast involved was Candida spp. These lactic acid bacteria and yeast have also been identified in other fermented products and are related to the production of aroma-causing compounds.
During the fermentation, an increase in acidity and slight changes in color in the mash were observed. Changes in concentration of volatile compounds were observed, which affected characteristic flavors and aromas in the production of hot sauce. Six main volatile compounds were identified during this study.
At the end of the fermentation process, a reduction of lactic acid bacteria and the yeast population was observed along with the presence of aerobic microorganisms. Under natural fermentation conditions, which were simulated in this study, the team recommends stopping mash fermentation after 550 days because conditions observed in the mash at this time could lead to growth of spoilage microorganisms.
Evelyn Watts is an assistant professor in the LSU AgCenter School of Nutrition and Food Sciences and an AgCenter and Louisiana Sea Grant seafood extension specialist.

Risk of MRSA contraction is high among seniors

Fri, 02/28/2020 - 7:59am

Bacteria are present all around us, and people and these microorganisms often live together without incident. In fact, there are many bacteria that are helpful to the body. However, there are times when bacteria can be problematic and pose serious health risks.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, widely referred to as MRSA, is a Gram-positive coccal bacterium. Seniors are among the most susceptible to MRSA infection because their immune systems are not strong enough to fight off the illness.
MRSA is very common. According to the National Health Service, a United Kingdom-based healthcare system, as many as one in 30 people in the general population are carriers of the bacteria. MRSA is much more common in hospitals and nursing homes.
The health resource Geriatric Nursing says an average of one in four nursing home residents harbors the bacteria. A study published in the Journal of Infection showed that more than 40 percent of all cases of MRSA were in patients aged over 75. It is essential for any senior or family member caring for an older relative to familiarize himself with MRSA.
How is MRSA contracted?
MRSA often lives harmlessly on the skin, colonized in areas such as the nose, groin, buttocks or armpits. MRSA can be passed to another person simply by touching someone who has it, sharing linens or towels or touching surfaces with MRSA on them.
How does infection take root?
Oftentimes MRSA will not make a person ill because it is only on the skin and can be washed off with proper hygiene, or the immune system is strong enough to fight infection.
It is when MRSA enters the body that it can pose a problem. People staying in a hospital or a nursing home are at greater risk of MRSA infection because they often have a way for the bacteria to go deeper into the body. Sources include wounds, feeding tubes, urinary catheters or intravenous drips. Like-wise, being in close proximity with other people with a high risk for MRSA also increases contraction exponentially.
What are the symptoms of MRSA?
Symptoms of MRSA infections can include chronic wound, rash, headache, general malaise, chest pain, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, chills or fever. In some instances, MRSA can produce a secondary illness of pneumonia.
How is MRSA treated?
Affected individuals will be placed in isolation and treated by a course of antibiotics. Sometimes it can take several rounds of antibiotics before treatment is effective.
According to experts at Queen Anne Healthcare, a Seattle-based longterm care facility, in serious cases it can take six weeks of antibiotics to produce negative MRSA cultures. Unfortunately, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that, in many health care facilities, a rise of drug-resistant infections is occurring, and more potent, less common antibiotics are needed.
According to the CDC, today about 63 percent of bacteria don’t respond to traditional antibiotics and MRSA in the elderly is becoming a growing problem. A combination of frequent use of antibiotics, a weakened immune system and living in a healthcare setting make seniors susceptible.
It is important to get the facts about MRSA so seniors can avoid infection and continue to be in good health.

CCHS looks to knock off undefeated OCS in quarterfinals

Thu, 02/27/2020 - 6:17pm

No. 8 Central Catholic will look to take down Division IV’s top seed Thursday when it travels to Monroe to face Ouachita Christian in a 6 p.m. contest. Ouachita Christian (33-0) has won 30 of their 33 games by double digits. The squad hasn’t had a game decided by single digits since a 41-37 victory against Cedar Creek on Jan. 7. Cedar Creek is the No. 4 seed and will face No. 5 Highland Baptist in the quarterfinals Thursday night, too. Central Catholic coach C.L. Grogan said that Ouachita Christian, which has a solid eight-player rotation, has used a full court press ...

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