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Making (sense of) money
From Dec. 3-17, eighth grade students in St. Mary Parish Schools will be getting jobs, possibly getting married or having kids, paying bills and making investments.
Well, at least for a day in a real-life simulation they will get the opportunity to take part in.
It's Finance Park time and eighth grade teachers across the parish, more especially those that teach social studies and math, have been preparing the students with teacher-led course materials explaining some of the ins and outs of finance.
“We have been doing this for at least 10 years for all eight grade students in St. Mary Parish public schools as well as the eighth grade students at Central Catholic High School,” Amber Monceaux, Social Studies Program Manager at St. Mary Parish Schools for grades 3-12, said.
“We rent this program from Junior Achievement New Orleans Region and we are so appreciative of the partnership we have with our community, local banks, school board personnel and the teachers that help us put this together. It is a really big project,” Monceaux said.
Students have been learning how interest rates work, both in savings accounts as well as loans and credit cards. They have tracked stocks and are learning about budgets.
This is to better prepare them for their day at Finance Park, but more importantly, for the world they will enter as adults.
“My favorite part is the questions you get, seeing the kids figure out ‘I have to actually do this one day!’ and seeing how proud they are of themselves when they pay all their bills and they support themselves,” Mario Stephens, eighth grade Louisiana history teacher from Berwick Junior High School said. “They learn so much here, I really like that.”
Finance Park helps middle school students build a foundation of intelligent, personal financial decision-making skills through an experiential, real-life simulation.
St. Mary Parish utilizes the Shannon Elem-entary School gym for the event.
When students arrive, students are broken into groups of six and placed with a mentor. Mentors are teachers from their school as well as volunteers from local banks and other organizations like the Morgan City Rotary Club and employees of the St. Mary Parish School Board.
Mentors help guide the students throughout the course on making budget decisions and sharing life experiences. They especially help in teaching students how to distinguish between needs and wants as well as the importance of having a savings.
Students are given a tablet that is programed with the finance park software. It will randomly assign each student a life scenario, including a job, salary, and family situation to use as the basis of their simulation experience.
Students will learn how to construct and adhere to a personal budget, including paying their housing, food, savings, transportation, entertainment, health care, maintenance and utilities, clothing and education bills.
“My favorite part today was getting to pick out how I want to live my life, getting my job and figuring out how to budget myself was more fun than I thought it would be,” Noah Castaneda, 8th grade student at Berwick Junior High School said.
“The main thing I learned was don’t overspend. Money you have left over, put it into savings, definitely,” Castaneda said.
Disturbance leads to drug charges for local woman
Officers responded to a complaint at a local business and found a woman in possession of meth, marijuana, cocaine and pills, Morgan City Police Chief James F. Blair said in a news release.
—Danielle Cronier, 29, of Saturn Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 3:37 p.m. Thursday on charges of disturbing the peace, first offense possession of marijuana, possession of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine 2-28 grams), possession of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (Vyvanse), possession of a Schedule IV controlled dangerous substance (Alprazolam), possession of a Schedule IV controlled dangerous substance (Clonazepam), possession of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (cocaine), possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance drug-free zone.
Officers were called to a local business on Victor II Boulevard for a disturbance and were advised Cronier was in the store causing a disturbance. Officers were able to locate Cronier in the parking lot. During the investigation, she was found to be in possession of marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, Vyvanse, Alprazolam, Clonazepam and drug paraphernalia within a posted drug-free zone. She was jailed.
Blair also reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 30 calls of service and the following arrests were made:
—Lorena Tirado Miranda, 31, of Patton Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:31 a.m. on a charge of no driver’s license and a warrant for a charge of no driver’s license. An officer on patrol observed Miranda driving in the area of Sixth Street and General McArthur Street. The officer had knowledge that the Morgan City Police Department held an active warrant for her arrest. A traffic stop was conducted and a computer check revealed Miranda did not have a valid driver’s license. She was jailed.
—Carlon James Gonsoulin, 30, of Garber Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:37 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for the charge of battery of a dating partner and a warrant for the charge of aggravated battery. Officers responding to a complaint on Garber Street came into contact with Gonsoulin. A warrant check revealed the Morgan City Police Department held two separate active warrants for his arrest.
On April 24, the Morgan City Police Department responded to a domestic battery complaint. A warrant was obtained for his arrest stemming from the complaint.
On May 5, officers responded to a disturbance complaint. When officers arrived they learned Gonsoulin had recently committed a battery on a victim with a weapon. A warrant was obtained for his arrest stemming from the complaint.
He was placed under arrest on the active warrants and jailed.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that the Sheriff’s Office responded to 28 complaints and the following arrests were made:
—Kendrick Michael Jones, 27, of Diane Drive in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:08 p.m. Thursday on charges of theft and possession of marijuana. A deputy was dispatched to a local business in reference to an employee making fraudulent returns.
The deputy made contact with business personnel who stated that an employee was suspected of committing fraud at the business. Through the investigation, Jones was developed as the suspect and marijuana belonging to Jones was located. He was jailed with no bail set.
—Tanisha Lashan Wilkerson, 44, of Grace Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:30 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana. Deputies were traveling on Jupiter Street when they observed a vehicle fail to come to a complete stop at an intersection. The deputies conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Wilkerson. During the stop, marijuana and drug paraphernalia were located. She was arrested and released on a summons to appear on March 11.
—Kristyn Layne Parker, 27, of Susan Court in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:38 a.m. Friday on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia and on two warrants for failure to appear for the charges of possession of marijuana, two counts possession of drug paraphernalia, operating a vehicle with an unlit license plate, operating a vehicle while the license plate is suspended/revoked/canceled and operating a vehicle not covered by security.
—Gary James Johnson, 45, of Egle Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:37 a.m. Friday on charges of stop signs and yield signs and driving under suspension.
Deputies were traveling east on Brashear Avenue when they observed a vehicle fail to come to a complete stop at an intersection.
The deputies conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Johnson, and a passenger, Parker. Dispatch advised that Johnson’s license was suspended and that Parker held active warrants for her arrest.
The deputies also found that Parker had drug paraphernalia on her person. Johnson was arrested and released on a summons to appear on March 11. Parker was jailed with no bail set.
Patterson Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported there were no arrests.
Berwick Police Chief David Leonard Sr. reported there were no arrests.
Louisiana Spotlight: La. government is sharply divided heading into 2020
BATON ROUGE (AP) — When the new term for Louisiana’s governor and lawmakers begins in January, state government will be more sharply split than at any other time in recent history, raising questions about whether compromise or division will mark the four-year period.
Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards will face a majority-Republican Legislature packed with more conservatives and with many of his moderate GOP allies in the Senate gone, forced out by term limits.
The new Senate will look more like the House, where Edwards spent four years clashing with Republicans over taxes, spending and Medicaid. GOP Senate President John Alario, who crafted committees to help Edwards’ agenda advance in the Senate, will be gone — and several conservative Republicans with whom Edwards tangled in the House have won promotions to Senate seats.
The governor apparently will have little sway over who wins the legislative leadership jobs, as Louisiana seems to have finally left that old tradition behind. And that could create a rocky second term for Edwards.
The tone will be set when the Republican leaders who will formally be selected by the House and Senate in January decide if their approach with the governor will be contentious or if they’ll try to find common ground.
Edwards said he’s hopeful he and lawmakers can work together. But he also sounded cautious as the legislative leadership races continue to unfold with him largely on the sidelines.
“The only thing that I encourage individual members and leaders to be cognizant of is we should not have obstructionism masquerading as independence. We had several years of that. It didn’t serve the state of Louisiana well,” Edwards said Thursday.
Some areas of possible compromise have emerged. Edwards wants to increase spending on early childhood education, K-12 public school teacher pay and public college campuses. Those ideas have been championed by Republicans as well, particularly on early childhood education. The current year’s increased spending on early learning programs actually started with lawmakers.
But the two sides could disagree on details, such as whether a teacher pay raise should be across-the-board or targeted to specific teaching types and how to finance any of the proposed spending hikes.
Disagreement seems certain to emerge on roadwork, bridge improvements and other infrastructure projects.
During the fall campaigns, both Edwards and Republican lawmakers talked of boosting financing for a $14 billion backlog of projects, but little consensus has emerged about where to get that money. Edwards previously supported a gasoline tax hike, an idea backed by some GOP legislators, but the proposal never won enough Republican support to gain traction.
House Republican leader Lance Harris, of Alexandria, hedged when asked whether he thinks the majority-GOP Legislature will find areas of compromise with Edwards. Harris, a candidate for House speaker, suggested it’s too soon to comment on what working relationship will exist, because he said he doesn’t know enough about what the Democratic governor’s agenda will be.
“It’s really just too early,” Harris said Thursday.
Rather than talk about working with Edwards, Harris instead talked about ideas and debates he expects to come from the new Legislature. He anticipates new discussions about tax cuts and spending levels. He also predicts lawmakers will revisit proposals to place more limits on how citizens can access the civil courts, a move that some Republicans argue would help drive down car insurance rates and that critics suggest would do little to ensure such rate cuts.
“I think some very good discussions are coming up,” Harris said. “I’m pretty enthusiastic about these next four years with the new Legislature we have.”
Edwards has said he’d consider some changes to the civil litigation system, but he’s seemed unwilling to embrace the full scope of proposals suggested by business groups and the Republicans championing them.
As for taxes, Edwards has backed unsuccessful efforts to overhaul Louisiana’s tax structure — but he doesn’t appear interested in anything that would significantly cut state income, after reaching a hard-fought deal with the Legislature in 2018 to stabilize state finances.
“If the impact of that would be that we go right back into annual deficits where you start every year with a cut and you have potentially one or more midyear cuts, the answer is no, I’m not interested in that,” the governor said.
With divergent philosophical perspectives and political agendas, compromise may be hard to find next term.
Melinda Deslatte has covered Louisiana politics for The Associated Press since 2000. Follow her at http://twitter.com/melindadeslatte
Early release of students at Franklin Junior High School
A bat sighting this morning in the area of Franklin Jr. High School has led to the closing of school at 10:00 a.m. today, Joseph Stadalis, Assistant Superintendent of St. Mary Parish Schools said in a news release.
The school system’s maintenance personnel are working to remove any bats seen inside the school and treat areas to deter future entry. The district has also contacted a professional in this field to examine the school and respond immediately
ELINOR INEZ LEE 'LULU' LEE
November 28, 1942-December 5, 2019
Elinor Inez Lee “Lu Lu” Lee, a past longtime resident of Morgan City, was called to her heavenly home on Thursday, December 5, 2019, at the age of 77.
Elinor is survived by five children, James A. Lee, Kenneth P. Lee, Robert F. Lee, Mary C. Lee Stephens and Earl B. Lee and their spouses; her best friend for over 40 years, Crystal Harrison; 12 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Herman J. “Jim” Lee, Jr.; her parents, Paul and Catherine Lee; her brother, Wallace E. Lee; her grandson, Jacob R. Stephens and many other family members.
Elinor married the love of her life, Herman J. “Jim” Lee, Jr., on February 18, 1961, and together they raised five children. After her children were grown and married, Elinor returned to school to obtain her high school diploma and became a Certified Palliative Hospice Nursing Assistant. She was very happy and proud to assist in God’s work to help his children cross over to home. Elinor adored her family, her home, her dogs, smoking while sitting on her back porch and especially spending time with her friends.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation and services on Monday, December 9, 2019 from 8 a.m. until time of dismissal at 12:30pm at Hargrave Funeral Home in Morgan City. Funeral Services for Elinor will take place on Monday, December 9, 2019 1:00pm at the Atkinson Memorial Presbyterian Church in Morgan City with Pastor Richard Maag officiating. Following services, Elinor will be laid to rest in the Morgan City Mausoleum.
Pallbearers will be: Elijah Lee, Tyler Lee, Nick Daigle, Matthew Lee, Scott Lee, and Jeremy Harrison.
The family wishes to extend an overwhelming, heartwarming thank you and appreciation to all of the staff, management, and therapy at Chateau Terrebonne Healthcare of Houma, Louisiana. These amazing people were family to our mother when we could not be there. Her care was extraordinary and her therapy was more than exceptional. We realize you can’t pay someone to care and Elinor received amazing love, care and support from everyone at Chateau Terrebonne.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Chateau Terrebonne Healthcare for an activity center for the residents. Elinor’s home was here for the last 16 months of her life. The activity center will include books, movies, and other amenities to allow the residents to feel more at home. Donations may be sent to: Chateau Terrebonne Health Care Center, Atten: Lisa Walker, 1386 West Tunnel Boulevard, Houma, La 70360 RE: Elinor Lee Memorial Center.
JOYCE BOYNE LASSEIGNE
Joyce Boyne Lasseigne, 99, a resident of Bayou Vista, passed away peacefully, Friday, Dec. 6, 2019, surrounded by her loving family.
Joyce was born Feb. 17, 1920, the daughter of Edward B. Boyne and Onesia A. Avet.
She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by four sons, Barry Lasseigne and wife Glynda of Bayou Vista, Craig Lasseigne and wife Kari of Bayou Vista, Wayne Lasseigne and wife Joy of Bayou Vista, and Mark Lasseigne of Berwick; three daughters, Carolyn Hughes and husband Louis of Monroe, Georgia, Donna Vice of Bayou Vista, and Susan Rock and husband Ronnie of Bayou Vista; 14 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Onesia Boyne; husband, Faunston “F.W.” Lasseigne; four brothers, Harris, Carol, Willard, and Edward Boyne; four sisters, Maxine Evanoff, Ruby Gonsoulin, Thelma Blakeman, Germain Munk.
Graveside Services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, December 9, 2019, at Berwick Cemetery Mausoleum with Father Cremaldi officiating. Visitation will be held Sunday, December 8, 2019, from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Twin City Funeral Home.
City of Franklin turns on the lights
Franklin’s Christmas lights were turned on Saturday night, following a long parade of decorated golf carts, bands and more. Mayor Eugene Foulcard presided over the lighting ceremony, and Franklin Foundation Hospital Administrator Stephanie Guidry was the Lamp Lighter. More photos Wednesday.
