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By MELINDA DESLATTE
Associated Press
BATON ROUGE — Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards swiped at Republican opponent Eddie Rispone on Monday for missing another candidate forum ahead of the runoff election, accusing the businessman of dodging public events to limit scrutiny of an undefined agenda.
The Deep South’s only Democratic governor, battling to reach a second term and targeted by the national GOP for ouster, started and ended his appearance before the Press Club of Baton Rouge by asking: “Where is Eddie?”
“What are the specific things that he wants to do?” Edwards asked.
He suggested Rispone didn’t attend many public events “partly because he really doesn’t have a comprehensive plan or knowledge about how state government works for that matter. And then the other part of it is the plans he has are really, really bad for our state.”
Rispone, founder of a Baton Rouge-based industrial contracting company, has made few public appearances since reaching the Nov. 16 head-to-head matchup against Edwards, skipping forums intended to let the two contenders define their differences. Rispone agreed to only one runoff debate, to be held Wednesday.
But Rispone did meet voters Thursday in a meet-and-greet at the Atchafalaya Café in Morgan City.
Rather than appear in matchups with Edwards or events where he could be questioned publicly, Rispone has focused on closed-door meetings with donors and supporters. He had a Monday evening fundraiser scheduled with Vice President Mike Pence in Baton Rouge and briefly appeared with Pence at the airport.
“Unfortunately, due to our schedule, there will be events and opportunities we are forced to miss,” Rispone spokeswoman Ruth Wisher said in a statement. “Our goal remains to win on Election Day, and we plan to do just that.”
Early voting in the election begins Saturday.
Rispone, who has largely self-financed his bid for office, has sought to nationalize the race, defining himself mainly through his support of President Donald Trump, who won Louisiana by 20 percentage points and remains popular in the state. Trump is backing Rispone.
Edwards dismisses Trump’s involvement in the race as a purely partisan decision that doesn’t reflect the “good working relationship” he’s had with the White House.
Though he’s long been involved in politics as a high-dollar donor, Rispone describes himself as an outsider who can make government more effective because of his experience running a large business. He’s largely offered generalities when describing his agenda.
Edwards panned the ideas Rispone has detailed.
He said Rispone’s proposal to “freeze” enrollment in the Medicaid expansion program would effectively end the government-financed health insurance that helped shrink Louisiana’s uninsured rate to below the national average.
Rispone has said he wants to stop adding new people to the Medicaid expansion rolls until he can eliminate millions in wasteful spending that he says exists in the program. Edwards noted that expansion recipients often rotate in and out of eligibility because of income fluctuations among seasonal and shift workers. If enrollment is frozen, they would be unable to regain coverage after they’ve lost it, even if their income drops back to the eligibility level.
The Democratic incumbent also slammed Rispone’s proposed constitutional convention.
The GOP contender has said he wants to target areas involving the budget, taxes, state employee pensions, education and local government, saying that would make Louisiana more competitive with other states, without offering specifics. Edwards said opening the state constitution would threaten the property tax exemption Louisiana residents get on their homes, called the homestead exemption, and endanger the pay supplement the state gives to local police and firefighters.
As he seeks to cobble together support from Republicans and independents he’d need to win reelection, Edwards is targeting voters who backed GOP candidate Ralph Abraham, the congressman who finished third in the primary. Edwards is reminding them of Rispone’s attacks on Abraham, hoping Abraham supporters are still bristling.
Edwards’ campaign also is reaching out to voters who didn’t cast ballots in the primary, now that the competition has been whittled from six candidates to two.
“The biggest thing we have going for us is the stark choice before the voters,” he said.

COMMUNITY YARD
Sale sponsored by Zion Chapel AME Church, Studio 2000, 608 U.S. 90 West, Patterson, 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Nov. 2.

PASTALAYA
On the Bayou hosted by Children’s Water Safety Awareness from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 2, Houma Courthouse Square at Goode Street. Team entry $125, must feed 50 people. Awards: first-third and people’s choice. Contact Joey Vining, 985-860-6625, Marvin Vining, 985-637-0796, or Ronnie Ledet, 985-688-6398. Features live music, raffle, silent auction, food, drinks, crafts and children’s games. All you can eat admission $5, children 5 and under, free. Sign-up for free swimming and CPR lessons, and register children for Life Jacket 4 Life program.

Fall is the best time of year to get new trees, shrubs and perennials into the ground before cold weather sets in, and it’s often the best time to buy them, too. Garden centers traditionally mark down its off-season inventories rather than muscle them indoors for overwintering protection.
Discounted items also might include succulents and carnivorous plants, garden furniture, tools and statuary, potting soil and fertilizers.
Many of the sale items are teasers, priced so low that you can’t resist pulling out your wallet even though you may have to work hard at protecting them once they make it home.
Before heading out for your bargain shopping, anticipate. Set aside several sheltered areas along retaining walls or the sides of buildings for what one veteran gardener labels “clearance stashes.”
Understand that nurturing those unplanned-for plants until spring may eat into your investment, at least in terms of late-season sweat equity. They’ll need a deep watering, holes dug for their containers or burlap-wrapped root balls, and then some fill dirt or straw layered around them for insulation.
“Containers are vulnerable to freeze damage,” said Weston Miller, a horticulturist with Oregon State Univer-sity Extension Service. “Overall, I would recommend planting things right away if you buy in fall sales. Over-wintering them is not worth it if you’re going with planters. Most people are not willing to deal with all that.”
Fall end-of-season sales are the biggest of the year, said Maureen Murphy, owner of Bayview Farm and Garden near Langley, Wash-ington.
“We do progressive sales,” Murphy said. “So much is marked off one week and then more is marked off the next. People like it. It’s kind of a game for them. Will it be here next week at 30 percent off?”
Garden centers — especially those in the somewhat winter-friendly Pacific Northwest — recommend that people plant in the fall, she said. “The ground is still warm and that’s when the seasonal rains arrive. The plants spend their time until spring rooting in.”
Small, privately owned garden centers have to be quick to adapt to consumer demands, Murphy said. Her Whidbey Island grower-retailer operation is open year-round now with a gift shop and restaurant on site. It draws tourists along with gardeners, she said.

A business in Bayou Vista called in a complaint for two individuals shoplifting that led to arrests for drugs and theft, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith said in a news release.
—Kilna Patricia Marshall, 45, of La. 182 West in Franklin, was arrested at 4:41 p.m. Friday on charges of theft, contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile, possession of controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a juvenile, possession of a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance, possession of a Schedule IV controlled dangerous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
—A juvenile female, 17, was arrested at 4:41 p.m. Friday on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
A deputy was dispatched to a business on U.S. 90 in Bayou Vista in reference to a shoplifting.
A witness observed Marshall put a jacket on herself and the female juvenile and walk out of the store. The deputy made contact with Marshall and the female juvenile.
Through further investigation, drugs were located. Marshall was jailed with no bond set.
The juvenile was released to her guardian pending juvenile court proceedings.
Smith also reported that the Sheriff’s Office responded to 105 complaints and the following arrests were made:
—Andrew Joseph Paul Hebert, 28, of Patty Lane in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 8:36 a.m. Friday on a charge of disturbing the peace noise and a warrant for simple battery. A deputy was dispatched to Keller’s Lane in reference to a disturbance. A witness stated to deputies that Hebert was throwing things around the residence and causing a disturbance. It was also learned that Hebert had an active warrant for his arrest. He was jailed with bond set at $3,000.
—Justin Ross Sons, 29, of La. 20 in Thibodaux, was arrested at 9:59 a.m. Friday on two warrants for failure to appear. Sons was transported from the Concordia Parish Correctional Center on the above-mentioned warrants. He was jailed with bond set at $21,500.
—Shawn Paul Boudreaux, 40, of Martin Road in Franklin, was arrested at 2:47 p.m. Friday on charges of attempted theft and disturbing the peace. A deputy was dispatched to a business on U.S. 90 in Bayou Vista in reference to a shoplifting. The deputy located Boudreaux inside of the business.
A witness observed Boudreaux remove the tags off of clothing items and put them on as if the items were his own, Smith said.
Boudreaux was also going around the business asking shoppers for money and a ride. He was jailed with bond set at $2,000.
—Carlton Ben Cosey, 37, of First Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:20 p.m. Friday on a warrant for failure to appear. Cosey was located at the Terrebonne Parish jail on the above-mentioned warrant. He was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center and jailed with no bond set.
—Samantha Shaw, 21, of Old Spanish Trail in Paradis, was arrested at 3:20 p.m. Friday on a warrant for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Shaw was located at the St. Charles Parish Jail on the above-mentioned warrant. She was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center and jailed with no bond set.
—Derrick Dwayne Druilhet, 41, of John Street in Baldwin, was arrested at 6:39 p.m. Sunday on charges of disturbing the peace, resisting arrest or officer and remaining on property without permission.
A deputy was dispatched to a business on Lake Palourde Road in Amelia in regard to removing a subject. The deputy spoke to a witness who stated Druilhet was causing a disturbance, yelling at another subject. Druilhet was asked several times to leave the business but refused. Upon being placed in the unit, Druilhet resisted and refused to get in the unit. He was jailed with bond set at $3,000.
—Rosella Elizabeth Voisin, 30, of Lambert Lane in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 9:15 p.m. Sunday on a warrant for failure to appear. A deputy was dispatched to a business on La. 182 in the Amelia area in reference to a welfare concern.
The deputy made contact with Voisin and learned that there was an active warrant for her arrest. She was jailed with bond set at $1,163.
—Aaron Joseph Johnson, 34, of Third Street in Patterson, was arrested at 3:13 a.m. Sunday on charges of license plate lights required, driving under suspension, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, stop signs and yield signs and no insurance.
A deputy was patrolling the area of Southeast Boulevard and La. 182 when he observed a vehicle traveling without an operational license plate light. A traffic stop was conducted and contact was made with the driver, Johnson. Through the stop, drugs and drug paraphernalia were located.
It was also learned that Johnson had a suspended driver’s license and two active warrants for his arrest through the Morgan City Police Department. He was jailed with bond set at $5,303.50.
—David Wayne Mire, 43, of Glenwood Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:49 a.m. Sunday on charges of possession of cocaine, possession of controlled dangerous substance in a drug-free zone and possession of controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a person under 17 years old.
A deputy was flagged down in reference to a welfare concern in the Amelia area. Contact with Mire was made on St. Marie Alley. While speaking with Mire, drugs were located and it was learned that there were children present in the residence where Mire was located, Smith said. St. Marie Alley is less than 2,000 feet from multiple churches, a school and the library. He was jailed with no bond set.
—Bryan Keith Faulk, 35, of Village Lane in Amelia, was arrested at 4:24 p.m. Sunday on charges of improper lane usage and driving under suspension. A deputy patrolling the area of Barrow Street in Amelia observed a vehicle cross the double yellow line. A traffic stop was conducted and contact was made with the driver, Faulk. It was learned that Faulk’s driver’s license was suspended. He was released on a summons to appear Jan. 10.
—Oscar Scott, 32, of Mayon Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:03 p.m. Sunday for charges of possession of marijuana and driving on roadway laned for traffic. A deputy was patrolling the area of La. 182 West when he observed a vehicle cross the center line. A traffic stop was conducted and contact was made with the driver, Scott. Through the stop, drugs were located. He was released on a summons to appear Jan. 10.
Morgan City Police Chief James F. Blair reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 94 calls for service and the following arrests were made:
—Devante Frank, 27, of Bush Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:11 a.m. Friday on a warrant for 12 counts of failure to pay fines. Frank was placed under arrest at the Morgan City Police Department for active warrants he held for the city court of Morgan City. He was jailed.
—Ricardo Cruz, 38, of Brashear Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:32 p.m. Friday on a charge of possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine). Officers responded to a local motel on Brashear Avenue in regard to illegal drug activity. Officers came into contact with Cruz who was found to be in possession of suspected methamphetamine. He was jailed.
—Jordan L. Vidos, 34, of North Third Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:39 a.m. Saturday on a charge of possession of synthetic marijuana. Vidos was located at the Morgan City Police Department and was found to be in possession of suspected synthetic marijuana. He was jailed.
—Anthony D. Lightfoot, 37, of Railroad Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:01 p.m. Saturday on a charge of domestic abuse battery. Officers responded to a residence on Federal Avenue in regard to a domestic disturbance.
Officers spoke to the victim who stated that Lightfoot had committed a battery on her. The victim did have visible signs of injury that were consistent to her statements. Lightfoot was not at the residence, but officers did locate him on Railroad Avenue. He was jailed.
—Pierre J. Gaudet, 49, of La. 347 in Leonville, was arrested at 11:01 p.m. Saturday on charges of improper lane usage, possession of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicle, no turn signal and possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (hydrocodone). An officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle at the intersection of La. 70 and Veterans Boulevard.
The driver of the vehicle was identified as Gaudet.
During the traffic stop, the officer noticed an open container of an alcoholic beverage in the center console and several pills identified as hydrocodone for which Gaudet did not have a prescription. He was jailed.
—Luis Zuniga, 31, of Laurel Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:14 a.m. Saturday on charges of driver must be licensed, muffler requirements prevention of excess smoke and a warrant for a charge of domestic abuse battery child endangerment.
A patrol officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of Federal Avenue near Franklin Street. The driver was identified as Zuniga. A computer check revealed that Zuniga did not have a valid driver’s license. Zuniga also held an active warrant for the Morgan City Police Department.
The warrant stems from an incident in February that alleges Zuniga was involved in a domestic altercation in the presence of juveniles. He was jailed.
—Rosella Franklin, 30, of Lambert Lane in Morgan City, was arrested at 5:19 a.m. Sunday on a warrant for failure to pay fine. Franklin was transported from the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center to the Morgan City Police Department for an active warrant she held for the City Court of Morgan City. She was jailed.
—Douglas Dilsaver Jr., 37, of Sixth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:01 p.m. Sunday on a charge of theft $1,000 to $5,000. Officers responded to a local business on Seventh Street in regard to a theft. Officers spoke to the victim who stated that her cellphone was stolen from the location. Video surveillance from the business was able to capture the theft and a description of the suspect.
The victim was able to give officers a possible location of the phone.
Officers went to a residence on Fig Street and came into contact with Dilsaver, who matched the description of the suspect on the video surveillance. Officers also located the cellphone in Dilsaver’s residence. He was jailed.
—Ransdal G. Fontenot Jr., 53, of Fig Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:01 p.m. Sunday on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Officers were in the area of Fig Street looking for an individual involved in a theft, when they came into contact with Fontenot.
Fontenot was found to be in possession of suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He was jailed.
—Bryan K. Faulk, 35, of Village Lane in Morgan City, was arrested at 5:04 p.m. Sunday on a warrant for four counts of failure to pay fines. Faulk was transported from the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center to the Morgan City Police Department for active warrants he held for the City Court of Morgan City. He was jailed.
Patterson Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported the following arrests:
—Deion Notto, 24, of Kelli Drive in Patterson, was arrested at 10:59 p.m. Saturday on charges of resisting an officer by force and resisting an officer failure to comply. He was jailed with bond set at $633.
—Glen R. Jones, 54, of Ridgeview Lane in Broussard, was arrested at 2:27 a.m. Sunday on charges of second offense driving while intoxicated, suspended driver’s license, stop sign violation and failure to signal. He was jailed and released on a $77 bond.
—Wanya Francis, 24, of Live Oak Street in Patterson, was arrested at 9:11 p.m. Sunday on charges of principle accessory armed robbery and simple robbery. She was jailed with no bond set.
Berwick Police Chief David Leonard Sr. reported the following arrest:
—Brad Falgout, 41, of Ceylon Street in Berwick, was arrested at 8:55 p.m. Saturday on charges of possession of marijuana over 14 grams, possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine), drug paraphernalia and general speed law 30 mph in a 20 mph zone.