Submitted Photo
Bayou Vista Elementary recently completed its spring fundraiser. Pictured above is the top seller, first grader Harper Crappell, seated with Principal Carmen LaGarde. Harper won a large basket filled with lots of goodies. Bayou Vista Elementary thanked parents and the community for all their purchases.
BATON ROUGE — A survey revealed that 76 percent of Louisiana residents support a program that expanded Medicaid among the working poor, but Republicans are more likely to be concerned about the potential cost of the program.
The Public Policy Research Lab at the LSU’s Manship School of Mass Communication conducted the survey of 917 adults across Louisiana.
Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, expanded Medicaid in 2016 to include people earning up to 38 percent above the poverty line, and that has added nearly 500,000 people to the rolls.
Edwards, who is running for re-election, cites the expansion as one of his main accomplishments.
But Republican gubernatorial candidates and lawmakers have complained that the program has not been as tightly managed as it should be.
And even though the federal government now pays more than 90 more of the costs, they have expressed concerns about the future cost to the state.
While the survey showed that most citizens approved of the expansion, up to 55 percent were unsure that the state had even expanded Medicaid. Another 10 percent answered incorrectly that the program had not been expanded.
Eighty-three percent of Democrats, 73 percent of Independents and 57 percent of Republicans expressed favorable opinions of the policy, according to the survey.
However, when the costs of Medicaid were emphasized, fewer than half of Republicans supported it.
The gap between Democratic and Republican approval then doubled in size, highlighting the partisan polarization throughout the state.
The survey also revealed that if federal funding were tossed out, 74 percent of Louisiana citizens would still support implementation of state programs, even if the cost of the insurance increased for healthy people.
Cost had no substantial effect on Democratic and Independent approval, yet the Republican approval numbers are driven down significantly when the cost is emphasized.
Repealing the Medicaid Expansion seems unlikely due to the large number of enrollees and the general bipartisan support. Governor John Bel Edwards has credited the expansion with reducing Louisiana’s uninsured rate to 8.4 percent, below the national average of 12.2 percent.
Surveys released earlier this month by the LSU research lab covered citizens’ beliefs on other topics that will come up throughout the legislative sessions this year.
The first report showed that 47 percent of people feel the state is heading in the right direction, up from 39 percent one year ago.
The surveys also found bipartisan support for raising the minimum wage and teachers’ salaries. Again, questions about financing those policies increased the partisan disparity in approval percentages.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Federal scientists say a tiny group of Bryde’s whales in the Gulf of Mexico is endangered, facing threats including oil and gas exploration and development.
“They’re the only year-round baleen whales that make their home in Gulf of Mexico, and (they) have a unique and very important role in the ecosystem,” said Laura Engleby, a marine mammal biologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fisheries’ service.
Two other subspecies are found in tropical waters around the world, but this one is so genetically different it may even be a different species, Engleby said. The filter-feeding whales known as baleen whales can be hard to tell apart by sight, she said.
A Republican congressman from Florida and a marine mammal scientist in Massachusetts applauded the decision to protect the whales. There probably are about 33 of them in a deepwater area called the DeSoto Canyon, Engleby said.
If there are any in the southern Gulf, she said, the total including the known population is probably less than 100.
“Although belated, this designation will help to protect this vulnerable species and aid in its recovery,” U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan said in an emailed statement. Buchanan and Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Florida, had pushed for the designation, Buchanan spokesman Anthony Cruz wrote.
“I think it’s a great thing to declare them endangered. It’s been coming for a while,” said Scott Kraus, chief marine mammal scientist at the New England Aquarium’s Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life.
However, “It’s absolutely not too late” to save the whale, said Zac Smith, attorney for the National Resources Defense Council, an environmental group that sued the government in 2014 to get the endangered listing. “This species now has a fighting chance for survival and to rebound from the brink of extinction.”
Engleby said the next step is to work out ways to help the whales recover, including consulting with other agencies and considering whether to designate critical habitat.
Such a designation would require NOAA Fisheries consultation about any federal contracts, which include oil and gas leases in federal waters.
Threats include noise from seismic surveys for oil and gas and ship traffic, which interfere with their subsonic communication.
Oil and gas companies agreed in 2013 not to use seismic surveys in an area including the DeSoto Canyon. That agreement, originally for 2½ years, has been extended and will remain in effect until 2022, NOAA Fisheries spokeswoman Kim Amendola said.
A study released in 2015 estimated the whales’ numbers at 26. It said the BP offshore oil spill in 2010 overlapped nearly half their habitat and might have killed up to 22 percent of the population. Other threats include fishing nets, oil and gas development, pollution, and even being hit by ships — a whale was hit and killed by a ship in 2009.
It arrived in Tampa, Florida, “on the bow of a ship,” Engleby said. Since it was lactating, she noted, the calf probably died, too.
The name is pronounced “BROO-duhs” because they were named after the 19th century Norwegian whaler Johan Bryde.
Whalers’ records dating back to the 1700s show they once swam in the central and northern gulf, according to NOAA Fisheries. They eat crustaceans, fish and cephalopods, which they filter through baleen plates and bristles.
Because they were confined to the Gulf of Mexico, they probably never were as numerous as some other species, said Smith.
Engleby said, “We don’t really know much about this species.” She said a study funded with money from penalties that energy giant BP PLC and others paid after the oil spill is using visual surveys, passive acoustic monitoring and tagging to learn more, including their part in the ecosystem.
St. Mary Parish Councilman Craig Mathews addressed the Baldwin Board of Aldermen and Mayor Abel “Phil” Prejean at Thursday’s meeting at Town Hall in Baldwin.
“I’ve been requested, once again, along with other members of the council, to extend funds to the town of Baldwin to cover expenses that would provide for recreational activities for youth in the community,” Mathews said.
He continued, “The calls I have gotten recently, have been regarding baseball, with requests to purchase baseball equipment.”
He said that after going through his records, he found that a year ago, the town had received funds from the parish for the very baseball equipment being requested.
Prejean clarified that the town had not made any recent requests to the parish. With which Mathews concurred, stating that the calls that he was referring to, had come from constituents.
Prejean said, “Well, we don’t have it (the baseball equipment).”
He explained that he had records indicating that the equipment was purchased with the funds from the original request.
“It was purchased and it was used. But, where it is today, I can’t tell you,” Prejean said.
He told Mathews he would gather information concerning the purchases, and get the information to Mathews.
Mathews further addressed the planned use of Elizabeth Davis Park to host baseball games for the youth league.
He said he had met with the committee members of the park and they were in agreement that the park should be made available for the purpose.
“However,” Mathews posed, “I wonder, if we have parks in Baldwin, which are available for that purpose (baseball), why does the citizenry have to come to Four Corners, to use that park (Elizabeth Davis Park)?”
Prejean answered that he was approached about a youth league starting in Baldwin, regarding the use of park facilities to host their games. Prejean reportedly said, “That’s fine. I’m going to need proof of insurance before we begin.”
He stated that as far as he was aware, the initial conversation was as far as the venture progressed.
Kayron Caesar, charterer of the Baldwin Youth Baseball League, followed Mathews in addressing the board.
Caesar brought up having spoken with Prejean, alleged having handed him the proof of insurance, and that proof allegedly having been “passed on to Mr. Bell.”
He then heatedly broached the topic of Mr. Bell having reportedly alluded to former league establishment attempts having resulted in an outstanding balance at a parish sporting goods store.
Caesar said he had documentation and receipts proving “the Baldwin Youth Baseball League left no outstanding balance at that particular sporting goods store.”
He continued, “The constant reference to Kayron Caesar leaving an outstanding balance, and/or taking money, and/or doing whatever he wanted with that money, it stops today.”
Then, after claiming he wasn’t “threatening anybody,” Caesar said he would involve his attorney, to protect himself from “slander and defamation of character.”
Prejean gaveled Caesar to his seat, saying, “Thank you for your address. Sit down.”
The gallery sounded of disapproval followed by a general uproar, after which subsiding could be heard Caesar saying, “See, Mr. Mathews, this is why.”
Proceeding the address of Caesar, two ordinances were amended. The first was the increase of the town’s basic gas rate by $.75 per month in order to meet funding requirements to employ a compliance officer.
The second amended ordinance was for water meter fees of $3.33 for 5/8 in. and ½ in. meters, and $11.37 for 2 in. meters, to comply with the contract for the meters.
Also, a proposal to enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement to execute a mosquito control contract was tabled, on advice from Mathews, who cited the parish governments’ negative experience with such an agreement and contract.
The appeal of annexation of tribal properties was also discussed, that a packet of information had reportedly been provided to the town in explanation of the process, and was under review.
Among the announcements was news that ARC of St. Mary will no longer collect newspaper and plastic recyclables.
July 17, 1929 – April 13, 2019
Pearl Diamond Deslatte was born in Plaquemine. She grew up and attended school in Centerville, and was a long-time former resident of Franklin. She moved to Lafayette in 1994. She went peacefully into the presence of the Lord on Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Abbeville at the Eastridge Nursing Home.
Visitation will be Wednesday April 17, 2019 at Calvary Bible Church in Centerville, starting at 10:30 a.m. The funeral will follow in the church at 1 p.m. Frank Carmical of Southside Bible Chapel will conduct the services. She will be laid to rest immediately following the service in the Centerville Presbyterian Cemetery.
Pearl was born on July 17, 1929 and was 89 years old. She was the second child of the late Rachel Mire Diamond and the late Ernest Charles Diamond. She graduated from Centerville High in 1946, the last class to finish in eleven years. She was always interested in nursing and worked for many years at St. Anne’s Hospital in Franklin, and frequently in Dr. Louis Supple’s office and Dr. C J Schexnaildre’s office. In 1968, she graduated from Young Memorial Vocational School and obtained her license to practice as an LPN. She worked at the St. Mary Parish Health Unit in the 1970’s, returning to Franklin Foundation until her retirement. As a nurse, she was always known for going the extra mile and for her sweetness and kindness to her patients.
Pearl was very active at Calvary Bible Church. She sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, led the Alliance Youth Fellowship and served as president of the Women’s Missionary Prayer Fellowship for many years.
She is survived by a daughter, Debra Deslatte, of Lafayette, and son, Reverend Aubrey “Butch” Deslatte, Jr., of Nova Scotia, Canada, three grandchildren, Adam Deslatte, Matthew Deslatte, and Rachel Deslatte. Her remaining sibling is Harold Diamond and his wife, Betty, of Lafayette. She is also survived by niece, Kim Cartner Schatz, her husband, John and their children, nephew, Michael Cartner, niece, Cynthia Diamond Baker, her husband, Tim and their children, nephew, Kerry Diamond, and niece, Jill Diamond Mirkovich, her husband Jared and children.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Aubrey Adam Deslatte Sr., her parents, her brothers, Linwood John Diamond and Wallace James Diamond, and her sister, Madelyn Diamond Cartner.
She was a devoted wife and mother. Like most devoted mothers, she loved her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews with an unconditional love. She prayed for them faithfully each day.
The family is so grateful to Eastridge Nursing Home. She was treated so well. She loved all of her caretakers and they loved her. They have been so supportive and loving to both Pearl and her family.
We would also like to thank Lamm Family Care Hospice for their sweetness, patience, kindness, and support. They were unequalled in their expertise given with love.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a much-needed scholarship fund so that children may attend Sandy Creek Bible Camp and learn about the love of Jesus. Make checks payable to Southside Bible Chapel where a scholarship fund has been set up.
Family and friends may view the obituary and express their condolences online by visiting www.iberts.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert’s Mortuary, Inc., 1007 Main Street, Franklin, La. 70538, (337) 828-5426.
A mother was charged with child desertion Monday after her 1-year-old child fell from a second-story window at a Morgan City home. The child was treated and released from a hospital, Police Chief James Blair said in a news release.
—Jerlyn Renee Dumas, 36, of Terrebonne Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 4:15 p.m. Monday on charges of child desertion, possession of marijuana first offense and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Officers were called to a Terrebonne Street home in reference to a small child falling out of a second-story window. When officers arrived, they learned from witnesses the mother of the child, Dumas, had left the home with her 1-year-old child when confronted by witnesses, Blair said. Officers began to search the area for Dumas and her child, and detectives were summoned to the scene.
A search warrant was obtained for Dumas’ home. During the execution of the search warrant, detectives observed evidence supporting witnesses’ statements of the child falling out of the second story window, Blair said.
Detectives also located suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the home. During the investigation, Dumas was located by officers on Terrebonne Street along with her child.
Acadian Ambulance was called to the scene to transport the child to the hospital for treatment. The child was examined and later released from the hospital, Blair said. Dumas was jailed.
Blair reported that officers responded to 37 calls and reported the following arrests:
—Wendy S. Stevenson, 46, of Easy Rock Landing in Broussard, was arrested at 3:58 a.m. Monday on charges of speeding, improper lane usage, possession of an alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle and DWI.
A patrol officer observed a vehicle commit several traffic violations in the area of La. 182 and La. 70. Upon conducting a traffic stop, the driver was identified as Stevenson. The officer observed an open container of alcoholic beverage in the vehicle and suspected driver impairment.
Stevenson did poorly on a field sobriety test and later refused to submit to a chemical test, Blair said. Officers obtained a search warrant and a blood sample was collected pending testing. Stevenson was jailed.
—Roger Bennorh Short, 33, of Francis Street in Berwick, was arrested at 7:13 p.m. Monday on a warrant charging him with failure to appear to pay a fine.
Short was located at St. Mary Parish jail and was transported to Morgan City Police Department on a city court warrant.
—Zacharieth Paul Lopez, 28, of Shell Beach Road in Pierre Part, was arrested at 11:17 p.m. Monday on a warrant charging him with possession of drug paraphernalia.
Officers came into contact with Lopez in the parking lot of a motel on La. 182. A warrants check revealed Morgan City Police Department held an active warrant for his arrest. He was jailed.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that deputies responding to 39 complaints and reported the following arrests:
—Jonathan Jerome Lindsey, 34, of Bayou Black Drive in Gibson, was arrested at 10:01 a.m. Monday on warrants for failure to appear for possession of synthetic cannabinoids first offense, operating a vehicle while license is suspended/revoked/canceled, improper lane usage and failure to appear for improper turn and/or failure to give required signal.
A deputy was patrolling the area of James Street in Siracusaville when he observed Lindsey playing basketball. The deputy was aware of active warrants for Lindsey’s arrest. He was jailed with bail set at $6,000.
—Roger Bernard Short Jr., 33, of Mary Street in Gibson, was arrested at 1:30 p.m. Monday on warrants from the Morgan City Police Department for failure to appear to pay fines on a charge of driver must be licensed.
A deputy was patrolling Lake Palourde Road near Laura Lee Lane in Amelia when he observed Short walking. The deputy was aware of the active warrant for Short’s arrest. He was jailed with no bail set.
—A male juvenile, 13, was arrested at 5:30 p.m. Monday on a charge of simple battery.
Deputies were dispatched to the Bayou Vista Skate Park in reference to a battery. Upon arrival, the deputy spoke to the complainant and witnesses about the incident. After further investigation, the male juvenile was arrested on the above-mentioned charges. The juvenile was released to a guardian pending juvenile court action.
—Clarence Cleveland Guidry, 50, of Mozart Drive in Houma, was arrested at 8:07 p.m. Monday on a warrant charging him with failure to appear in court. Guidry turned himself into St. Mary Parish jail on the above-mentioned warrant. Bail was set at $750.
—Edward Greg Campbell, 38, of Leo Drive in Patterson, was arrested at 8:50 p.m. Monday on charges of no head lamps, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and a warrant for failure to appear for possession/distribution/sale of a legend drug without a prescription.
A deputy with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office K-9 Division was merging onto U.S. 90 West from Morgan City when he observed a vehicle traveling with no head lamps or tail lights. The deputy conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and made contact with the driver, identified as Campbell.
While the deputy was speaking with Campbell, a strong odor of marijuana was emitting from the vehicle, Smith said. When the deputy questioned Campbell about the odor of marijuana, he denied having any inside the vehicle, the sheriff said. K-9 Vickie was deployed to conduct an open-air sniff and was alerted to the presence of drugs in the vehicle.
During a search of the vehicle, marijuana and drug paraphernalia was located. A background check on Campbell revealed the above-mentioned warrant. Campbell was jailed with bail set at $6,350.
Berwick Police Chief David Leonard Sr. reported the following arrest:
—Shane LaCoste, 45, of Pharr Street in Berwick, was at 9:35 a.m. Monday on charges of hit-and-run and careless operation of a motor vehicle. LaCoste posted $1,500 bail.
Patterson Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported 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.
Monday, April 15
9:16 a.m. 6500 block of La. 182; Theft.
9:41 a.m. 900 block of Duke Street; Telephone harassment.
9:56 a.m. 6000 block of La. 182; Complaint.
10:03 a.m. La. 70 and Veterans Boulevard; Stalled vehicle.
10:07 a.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Complaint.
10:33 a.m. 900 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard; Complaint.
10:34 a.m. 200 block of Ann Street; Alarm.
11:32 a.m. 100 block of Wren Street; Complaint.
11:58 a.m. 600 block of Terrebonne Street; Arrest.
1:09 p.m. La. 182; Reckless driver.
1:43 p.m. 2000 block of Keith Street; Reckless driver.
2:16 p.m. 1100 block of Fourth Street; Juvenile problem.
2:20 p.m. 6500 block of La. 182; Lost and found.
3:19 p.m. 2400 block of Cypress Street; Medical.
3:25 p.m. 3000 block of Keith Street; Complaint.
3:29 p.m. 1000 block of Greenwood Street; Complaint.
3:57 p.m. Federal and Railroad avenues; Complaint.
6:42 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Accident.
7:35 p.m. 8400 block of La. 182 East; Alarm.
7:57 p.m. 500 block of Brashear Avenue; Complaint.
7:58 p.m. 7400 block of La. 182 East; Civil complaint.
9:50 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Accident.
11:06 p.m. 7400 block of La. 182 East; Patrol.
11:32 p.m. Egle Street; Suspicious vehicle.
Tuesday, April 16
12:13 a.m. La. 182 East; Suspicious person.
12:23 a.m. Park Road; Suspicious activity.
2:34 a.m. 2000 block of Allison Street; Building check.
2:35 a.m. 7400 block of La. 182 East; Building check.
On March 7, St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court 2735 donated nonperishable food items to the St. Joseph Catholic Church’s St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry. From left are Lennie Alleman, Paula Boutte, Angie Stelly, Ruby Delaune, Regina Wheeler, Bridgette Taylor, Lisa Morgan and Nicole Brocato. CDA members bring items to donate to each monthly meeting. Anyone wishing to donate items or money to the pantry may call the church at 985-395-3616.
Twenty-four years ago, I knew so little about travel rewards that I took an around-the-world trip without signing up for a single frequent traveler program. Those lost points and miles still haunt me.
Fast forward to last summer, when our family stayed two nights at a luxury hotel in Venice, Italy. Our room would have cost an eye-popping €1,500, or about $1,700, per night. Thanks to the points I’d accumulated using a travel rewards credit card, this over-the-top stay was free.
There’s definitely a learning curve involved when it comes to travel rewards, but delaying your education can be costly if you love to travel. For example, many people misunderstand how much points are worth, either over- or underestimating how much free travel they can get, according to a recent NerdWallet survey.
People also make the mistake of carrying balances on those cards (the rewards won’t make up for the high cost of paying interest), and far too many people earn rewards that they don’t redeem, resulting in billions of dollars of potential value left untouched.
Don’t let any of these myths prevent you from making the most of available travel rewards:
MYTH 1: TRAVEL REWARDS CREDIT CARDS HAVE HIGH ANNUAL FEES
Some travel rewards cards have no annual fee. Many charge somewhere in the neighborhood of $95 a year. Usually that fee can be offset by using the cards’ perks: free checked bags for airline-branded cards, for example, or a free night’s stay every year for hotel-branded cards. Even the high-end cards with annual fees of $450 and up typically offer airport lounge access, credits to offset travel fees, and higher rewards rates that can more than pay for the card if you’re the right user.
MYTH 2: TRAVEL REWARDS ARE HARD TO REDEEM
Finding free or upgraded airline flights can be a challenge, especially for people who don’t plan well ahead. The best time to book a rewards flight is typically 9 to 12 months in advance, when the airlines first make such seats available. (It also pays to check back frequently, since carriers also may add more awards seats depending on how the flights are filling up.)
Hotel rewards are easier to book since occupancy rates are generally lower. If you want even more flexibility, consider a general travel rewards card that allows you to redeem credits for travel purchases or to transfer your points to a variety of frequent traveler programs.
MYTH 3: IT’S BEST TO FOCUS ON ONE FREQUENT TRAVELER PROGRAM
You may want to concentrate on earning rewards in a single frequent traveler program if you need a lot of points for a special trip. But that doesn’t mean you should ignore other programs.
If you love to travel, it’s unlikely you do so with only one airline or hotel chain. Plus, spreading your loyalty around means you can take advantage of specials and promotions that help you earn more points or make points more valuable to redeem. Travel programs also often have dynamic pricing, which means the value of rewards can vary. For example, one hotel chain could have lousy redemption options in a city, while another offers a much better deal.
Then there’s the issue of devaluation. Programs occasionally devalue their points and miles, meaning it takes more of them to earn the same reward. But they tend to do so at different times. If your rewards aren’t concentrated in one frequent traveler program, you won’t risk having them all devalued at once.
MYTH 4: TRAVEL REWARDS CARDS REQUIRE EXCELLENT CREDIT
Travel rewards cards typically require good credit, which is generally defined as a credit score of 690 and above on a 300-to-850 scale. Some require scores of 720 and above. If your scores aren’t quite there yet, look for a card that offers cash-back rewards and use those for travel.
MYTH 5: TRAVEL REWARDS AREN’T WORTH THE EFFORT
Travel rewards programs aren’t always intuitive, and some of us invest a fair amount of time trying to squeeze the absolute maximum value out of every point.
But you don’t have to be an extreme rewards hacker to benefit. It doesn’t take much effort to sign up for hotel or airline frequent traveler programs, or to use a general travel rewards credit card for the spending you were going to do anyway. Sign up for the programs’ email newsletters, which can alert you to special deals.
Then make a point to start cashing in those rewards, and you may see what all the fuss is about.
—This column was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet.
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Franklin Banner-Tribune
P.O. Box 566, Franklin, LA 70538
Phone: 337-828-3706
Fax: 337-828-2874
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1014 Front Street, Morgan City, LA 70380
Phone: 985-384-8370
Fax: 985-384-4255