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Holy Cross Church is hosting the Feast of the Holy Cross on Sunday. The event will begin with a 10:30 a.m. mass led by the Rev. Brice Higgenbotham, administrator of Holy Cross Church.
After Mass, there will be a procession with a piece of the cross beginning on Cedar Street and going around the block surrounding the church.
“We are going to ask God’s blessing upon the parish, upon Central Catholic School, which is here on this campus, upon our neighborhood, upon the whole community and the whole city of Morgan City,” Higgenbotham said.
Following the procession will be a gathering for all in attendance with food and kid’s activities on the grounds surrounding Holy Cross Church and Central Catholic schools.
“We are inviting anybody to come, whether you are Catholic or not, whether you are Christian or not, everyone is welcome,” Higgenbotham said.
The Feast of the Holy Cross is a day that Holy Cross church has celebrated before, but this is “the first time we are going outside into the streets. It’s the first time we will go and have a procession taking the gospel out into the streets and try to be with people and meet people and have a party and the fun like this,” Higgenbotham said.
The new approach to this celebration is not the only new idea Higgenbotham has brought with him to Holy Cross Church and its parishioners.
Higgenbotham, 29, started at Holy Cross Church as administrator July 1.
Higgenbotham has his own daily podcast where he explains things that people are curious about in Christian beliefs.
He also uses social media as well as YouTube to reach out and teach different religious subject matters and communicate with the members of the church and community.
“If you are an older person and you get reached through print media, then we are using print media like in the bulletin and the newspaper and things like that,” Higginbotham said. “If you are a young person who does podcasts, or YouTube, or Facebook, Instagram, we’re doing that.
“Whatever it takes or however we can to reach out and try to just offer people a relationship that has brought joy to us.”
The idea of change directed to youth within the church extends to Holy Cross’s catechism program, which will now be called Youth Formation.
“About four or five years, ago Bishop [Shelton] Fabre asked us to do a strategic plan for this whole diocese. He started by just asking people what do we need to improve, and people said a few things, people said we need to be able to explain the faith as adults, and people said over and over and over again we need to be able to better reach our youth,” Higgenbotham said.
“Teenagers, middle schoolers, kids … they are in school all day. They have no desire to come to church and go back to class,” Higgenbotham said.
The new idea is for students attending catechism to be able to learn from an adult what Higgenbotham called “the art of living.”
“We want to walk with the kids in a more personable way,” Higgenbotham said. “We definitely want the kids to get all the knowledge they need, but in more fun way that they better relate to and build relationships with.”
Two experienced classroom teachers with different perspectives on testing and other classroom issues met Tuesday in a St. Mary Parish Chamber forum for candidates in Board of Elementary and Secondary Education District 3.
The district includes St. Mary Parish. Appearing Tuesday were incumbent “Sandy” LeBlanc Holloway and Janice Perea, both of Terrebonne Parish.
State-mandated testing, and the time and resources it consumes, came up almost immediately in a question based on the premise that St. Mary students spend more than 180 hours a year on testing.
Perea, a fourth-grade teacher, criticized the state’s reliance on the LEAP tests, designed to measure English, math, social studies and science skills in grades 3 through 8.
“I think the LEAP should go away,” Perea said. “It’s not a valid measurement.
“It does nothing for educators. We get no feedback whatsoever. The parents get no feedback.”
Perea favors the National Assessment of Educational Progress, which measures English and math skills and takes less than a day.
But Holloway said the NAEP, pronounced “nape,” isn’t aligned with the standards developed for Louisiana public schools.
Assessments are important, Holloway said, to gauge the progress of students and schools.
But “too often the amount of time consumes educators, and they lose focus on the reason for testing,” Holloway said.
She favors limiting the amount of time devoted to testing to 2% once a year.
Another question focused on what happens when the state accountability system finds a school needs intervention. The question asked about the propriety of imposing a curriculum described as “scripted” for the 12 St. Mary schools found to be in need of intervention.
Perea found a lot to criticize. She said the Department of Education will send people to do spot checks to make sure classrooms don’t have other educational materials not in line with the imposed curriculum.
And the pacing of the state curriculum leaves little time to make sure students who need reinforcement on the lessons get extra attention, she said.
“Teachers should be able to use the skills they have,” Perea said.
Holloway emphasized that curriculum decisions should be made by local districts. But some districts lack resources or haven’t exercised effective leaderships, she said.
Another kind of leadership was the basis for another question, which centered on sometimes controversial state Superintendent John White.
Perea favors replacing White, who worked briefly as an English teacher in New Jersey before moving on to administrative posts, including the leadership of Louisiana’s Recovery School District. Perea said a state superintendent should have at least a year as a classroom teacher.
“My opponent has more qualifications for superintendent than the superintendent does,” Perea said.
Holloway stopped short of coming out directly in favor of White. But “while no one is perfect, we have started to move things in the right direction,” Holloway said.
Graduation rates are up, and so is participation in advanced placement and dual education programs, she said.
“Whether or not we’re talking about Mr. White or someone else,” Holloway said, “I would look for someone who could move us forward in the right direction,” she said.
The primary election will be Oct. 12.
An area of disturbed weather over the Bahamas is becoming better organized, and meteorologists are waiting to see if the system moves toward the Gulf of Mexico.
The National Weather Service said Thursday morning that conditions are favorable for the system to become a tropical depression or a tropical storm within a day or two.
The system is moving through the northwestern Bahamas toward Florida at 5 to 10 mph.
The system is expected to bring heavy rain and gusty winds to the Bahamas, especially areas already hit by Hurricane Dorian.
If the development trend continues, potential tropical cycle advisories will probably be issued Thursday, the service said. The odds of storm formation within five days are estimated at 80%.
An Air Force reconnaissance plane was scheduled to investigate the system Thursday afternoon.
Farther to the east, a tropical wave off the African coast is producing disorganized rain and storms. Conditions make development likely, the service said. A tropical depression may form early next week.
COMMUNITY YARD
Sale sponsored by Zion Chapel AME Church, 1511 Cherry St., Patterson, 8 a.m. to noon Sept. 14.
JEWELS FOR JESUS
Harvest Brunch at New Mt. Esther Baptist Church, 1211 James St., Siracusa, 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14. Guest speaker Dorothy Stewert, New Salem Baptist Church, Patterson. Public invited.
ANNUAL WOMEN
And Men in Red service at Zion Chapel AME Church, 1511 Cherry St., Patterson, 8 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 15. Speaker the Rev. Ronald McCoy.
WOMEN’S DAY
Service at New Zorah Baptist Church, 604 Julia St., Morgan City, 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 22. Theme: Christian Women Standing United in the 21st Century with Prayer, Power and Purpose. Speaker Lori Landry, 16th Judicial District Court judge. Public welcome.
BATON ROUGE (AP) — A Louisiana regulatory board voted Wednesday to lower the price utility companies must pay for electricity generated by people with solar panels on their homes.
During sunny hours, solar panels sometimes make more electricity than a home uses. The excess flows back to the power company grid and homeowners are compensated.
The Advocate reports that the Public Service Commission voted 3-2 for rules allowing investor-owned utilities to pay less than retail rates to people who install new solar panels, beginning next year. Owners of solar systems installed this year or earlier are grandfathered in to the old rules, keeping the current rate structure for 15 years.
The changes don’t affect New Orleans, where utilities are regulated by the City Council.
Solar advocates opposed the changes, saying the new rules would reduce the value of electricity home solar systems push to the grid by about 66 percent. The Advocate reported that only one of about 50 witnesses spoke in favor of the new rules.
Utility companies argued that current rules meant all customers paid more for the electricity they consume, while only a small percentage of customers have solar panels.
Voting for the new rules were PSC Chairman Mike Francis, R-Crowley; Commissioners Craig Greene, R-Baton Rouge; and Eric Skrmetta, R-Metairie.
Voting to keep the current rules and pricing scheme were PSC Commissioners Lambert Boissiere, D-New Orleans; and Foster Campbell, D-Bossier Parish.
“This rule conserves the things important to solar customers and provides a path to long term viability for residential solar in Louisiana,” Greene said in a news release.
A trade group representing solar companies bashed the vote.
“Today’s vote was a job killer and an insult to the people of our state. Instead of moving Louisiana forward, the Public Service Commission — fueled by the utility companies — moved Louisiana backward,” the Gulf States Renewable Energy Industries Association said in a news release.
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Baldwin Mayor Abel “Phil” Prejean has issued a boil water advisory for certain areas of Baldwin.
Baldwin residents at Labau, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Jolivette, Provost, and Lancelin Streets are under a boil water advisory until further notice, due to a broken water line that has since been repaired.
Officials say that the water should be boiled for at least one minute before consumption.
For more information, please stay tuned to local TV and radio stations or call Town Hall directly at (337) 923-7523.
A Patterson man who was found to have drug jumped out of the passenger side of a vehicle and ran during a traffic stop, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith said in a news release.
—Jacob Thomas Alcina, 31, of Martin Luther King Avenue in Patterson, was arrested at 2:44 a.m. Wednesday on charges of resisting by force, possession of methamphetamines, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and obstruction of justice.
—Janet Lavern Malancon, 61, of Wilson Lane in Patterson, was arrested at 2:44 a.m. Wednesday on charges of brake lights required and resisting an officer by flight.
Deputies were patrolling the area of U.S. 90 in Patterson when a vehicle was observed with an inoperable brake light. The deputies conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, identified as Melancon. As the vehicle came to rest, the passenger, later identified as Alcina, began to flee from the deputies, Smith said.
After a short foot pursuit, Alcina was detained. During the investigation, drugs were found belonging to Alcina. Both were jailed with bail on Melancon set at $1,750 and no bail set on Alcina.
Smith also reported that the Sheriff’s Office responded to 37 complaints and the following arrests were made:
—Beau Mitchell Guidry, 41, of Milli Street in Raceland, was arrested at 9:06 p.m. Tuesday on charges of failure to signal and driving under suspension. A deputy was patrolling the area of Joel Boulevard in Amelia when he observed a motorcycle fail to signal before making a right turn. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, identified as Guidry and was advised by dispatch he was driving with a suspended driver’s license. He was jailed with bail set at $1,250.
—Cedric Sapp, 25, of Francis Street in Franklin, was arrested at 2:17 a.m. Wednesday on a warrant for a charge of domestic abuse child endangerment law. A deputy was patrolling the area of Lake Palourde Road in Amelia when he observed a subject riding a bicycle. The deputy conducted a contact stop and identified the subject as Sapp and was advised by dispatch that he held an active warrant for his arrest. He was jailed with no bail set.
Morgan City Police Chief James F. Blair reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 41 calls of service and the following arrests were made:
—Tiffany Nicole Chauvin, 36, of Aucoin Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 1:25 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant for three counts of failure to appear.
Chauvin was located at St. Tammany Parish Detention Center and placed under arrest on active warrants held by City Court of Morgan City. She was jailed.
—Candy Lee Estelle, 32, of Emy Street in Patterson, was arrested at 2:01 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant for failure to appear. An officer came into contact with Estelle on Brashear Avenue.
A warrant check revealed the 16th District Court held an active warrant for her arrest. She was jailed.
—Brandon Michael Collier, 24, of Orange Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:42 p.m. Tuesday on charges of two counts contempt of court. Collier was arrested in City Court of Morgan City for two counts of contempt of Court. He was jailed.
—Spencer Tracy Robin, 43, of Bush Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 4:48 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant for failure to appear. An officer came into contact with Robin on Front Street.
A warrant check revealed City Court of Morgan City held an active warrant for his arrest. He was jailed.
Patterson Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported there were no arrests.
Berwick Police Chief David Leonard Sr. reported there were no arrests.
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.
Wednesday, Sept. 11
5:44 a.m. 1000 block of Greenwood Street; Alarm.
7:57 a.m. 2400 block of Tiger Drive; Juvenile problem.
10:15 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
10:18 a.m. 200 block of Halsey Street; Arrest.
12:16 p.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Complaint.
12:20 p.m. 1000 block of La. 70; Stalled vehicle.
1:03 p.m. 900 block of Marguerite Street; Arrest.
1:26 p.m. 400 block of Union Street; 911 hang up.
1:35 p.m. 2300 block of Tupelo Street; Welfare concern.
2:11 p.m. 1000 block of Victor II Boulevard; Reckless operation.
2:11 p.m. 100 block of Glenwood Street; Medical.
2:17 p.m. 1300 block of Oil Tank Alley; Theft.
2:46 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Assistance.
2:46 p.m. Cypress Street and Levee Road; Arrest.
2:54 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
3:38 p.m. 3100 block of Tammy Drive; Complaint.
3:46 p.m. 300 block of Mallard Street; Complaint.
4:19 p.m. 900 block of Marguerite Street; Complaint.
5:08 p.m. 6000 block of La. 182; Crash.
5:08 p.m. 1100 block of Chester Bowles Street; Complaint.
5:59 p.m. 700 block of Onstead Street; Complaint.
6:10 p.m. Marshall Street and Federal Avenue; Arrest.
6:23 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
7:22 p.m. 900 block of Seventh Street; Patrol request.
8:39 p.m. 7500 block of La. 182; Complaint.
8:56 p.m. 2000 block of Keith Street; Burglary.
9:12 p.m. 500 block of Hilda Street; Assistance.
10:04 p.m. 100 block of Mount Street; Disturbance.
10:37 p.m. 500 block of First Street; Arrest.
11:17 p.m. 1200 block of Front Street; Assistance.
11:35 p.m. 2400 block of Cypress Street; Harassment.
Thursday, Sept. 12
12:38 a.m. 2500 block of Elm Street; Complaint.
2:39 a.m. 2000 block of Keith Street; Loud music.
4:02 a.m. 1200 block of Second Street; Alarm.
A tropical system could turn into a depression off south Florida as early as Friday, and further development is possible when the system reaches the Gulf of Mexico, the National Weather Service reported at 2 p.m. Wednesday
The system is now a large area of rain and thunderstorms near eastern Cuba and the southeastern Bahamas. It could become a tropical depression near the northwestern Bahamas or south Florida, bringing heavy rain to Florida over the weekend.
"Further development is possible over the eastern Gulf of Mexico later this weekend," the National Weather Service said.
The service gives the system a 60 percent chance of formation through five days.
A broad low pressure system east of the Lesser Antilles is given only a 10 percent chance of development over five days.
Yet another system, a tropical wave in the far eastern Atlantic, is forecast to move quickly westward and is given a 30 percent chance of development over five days.
Franklin Banner-Tribune
P.O. Box 566, Franklin, LA 70538
Phone: 337-828-3706
Fax: 337-828-2874
Morgan City Review
1014 Front Street, Morgan City, LA 70380
Phone: 985-384-8370
Fax: 985-384-4255