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Officials: 3,000 empty sand bags stolen from Stephensville Park

Wed, 03/20/2019 - 4:29pm

Three thousand empty sand bags were recently stolen from Stephensville Park, according to St. Martin Parish government officials.

The empty sand bags had been left at the park along with sand for property owners in lower St. Martin Parish to use to protect their property from flooding. Those bags were arranged in bundles of 1,000, and each bundle was stolen at different times Tuesday and Wednesday, Parish President Chester Cedars said. Parish government leaders have reported the incidents to law enforcement authorities.

Empty sand bags and sand are still available at the park, but there's a more limited supply due to alleged theft of the 3,000 bags. Cedars doesn't know why someone would steal those empty bags, but, as a former prosecutor, he says nothing surprises him.

Officials had distributed roughly 50,000 pre-filled sand bags to residents from March 6 through Monday. At the end of Monday, officials stopped distributing pre-filled bags and removed the automatic sandbagging machine that had been on site. However, they left empty sand bags and sand, so residents could fill the bags themselves.

Mosquito season brings threat of West Nile

Wed, 03/20/2019 - 11:15am

Staff Report

After 17 years of warnings about the West Nile virus, no one will be surprised to learn that Louisiana and Mississippi are among the states with the highest rate of human infection with the mosquito-borne disease.
But you might be surprised to learn that the other leading states are not associated with either the West Nile virus or ravenous mosquitoes. They include Colorado, the Dakotas, Nebraska and Wyoming.
No matter where you live, spring means that it’s time to eliminate sources of standing water where mosquitoes breed and to think about using a mosquito repellent, especially in late afternoon and early evening.
Jessie Boudreaux of Cajun Mosquito Control has warned that the warm, wet winter may mean more mosquitoes this year.
“We are seeing increased mosquito proliferation in the municipalities of Franklin, Patterson, Baldwin, St. Mary Parish Mosquito Abatement District No. 1 and both upper and lower St. Mary Parish at this time,” Boudreaux said in a press release.
The virus is usually found in birds and is transmitted among them by mosquitoes carrying the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control. West Nile is monitored by trapping mosquitoes and testing for the virus in bird populations.
Eighty to 90 percent of humans who test positive for West Nile will develop no symptoms, the CDC said.
Some infected people will contract a condition called West Nile fever, marked by fever, headache, fatigue, a rash, swollen lymph glands and eye pain.
One in 150 infected people develop conditions the CDC classifies as neuroinvasive. These include West Nile meningitis, the symptoms for which include fever, a headache and a stiff neck.
The other neuroinvasive condition is West Nile encephalitis. The symptoms can include “changes in consciousness ranging from mild (sluggishness) to severe (mental confusion, convulsions, or coma),” as well as fever, tremors and even paralysis in the limbs.
Neuroinvasive West Nile can be fatal. The CDC has recorded more than 2,100 West Nile deaths across the country since 1999.
The disease became well-known in Louisiana during the 2002-03 outbreak, when the national rate of neuroinvasive disease incidence rose to 1 per 100,000 members of the population. The concern reached a peak here in 2003, coinciding with the search for the South Louisiana Serial Killer. Bumper stickers warned that Louisiana women were “wearing DEET and packing heat.”
DEET is an ingredient in some mosquito sprays and is recommended by health officials as a repellent.
Also according to the CDC:
—The rate of neuroinvasive incidence begins to rise in May and peaks in September.
—The rate of West Nile neuroinvasive disease incidence in Louisiana from 1999-2017 was 1.23 per 100,000 people. Colorado (1.35), Mississippi (1.33), Nebraska (1.91), North Dakota (2.8), South Dakota (3.4) and Wyoming (1.68) had higher rates.
—St. Mary’s rate from 1999-2017 is in the 0.01 to .49 rate range, a testament to the attention paid to mosquito control here.
—The rate of neuroinvasive disease incidence is roughly proportional to age. The lowest infection rate is in children 10 and younger. The highest rate is among those over 70.

Feds: Medicaid audit 'deeply troubling'

Wed, 03/20/2019 - 11:12am

BATON ROUGE (AP) — The federal Medicaid agency described a November audit that said Louisiana’s Medicaid expansion program may have spent as much as $85 million on ineligible enrollees as “deeply troubling” and said it could seek repayment of misspent money.
The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said it will include Louisiana in a future review of how “high risk states” determine eligibility for government-financed Medicaid benefits, in response to work done by Louisiana Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera.
But the federal agency, known as CMS, also noted a computer system change launched by Gov. John Bel Edwards’ administration after Purpera’s audit. The Louisiana Department of Health now does quarterly eligibility checks, rather than previously performed annual checks, and uses more wage data for comparison.
“As we understand, recent upgrades to Louisiana’s eligibility systems will help to address some of the issues identified,” CMS Administrator Seema Verma wrote in a March 8 letter to U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, a Wisconsin Republican and chairman of a Senate oversight committee.
Verma’s letter, provided to The Associated Press by Purpera’s office, came in response to concerns Johnson and U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, the top Republican on a House oversight committee, raised in January about Purpera’s audit.
Though the federal Medicaid agency has limited legal authority to seek return of overpayments made through eligibility mistakes, Verma wrote that it can recoup misspent federal funds from states through a “disallowance” in certain circumstances.
“If CMS determines that claims were reported in error or fraudulently, CMS may pursue corrective action to ensure that the state changes its practices and may use the disallowance process to recover federal financial participation,” Verma wrote.
Louisiana Department of Health spokesman Robert Johannessen said the department hasn’t had any discussions with CMS about recouping funds because of the audit.
Auditors in Purpera’s office used a random sample of 100 Medicaid expansion recipients, to check if their income exceeded the eligibility threshold. Projecting those results across the entire expansion population, auditors wrote, suggests the health department spent between $61.6 million and $85.5 million over 20 months on people who weren’t eligible for coverage.
Edwards supporters have criticized the methodology used by auditors. Republicans have seized on the report to bolster their claims that the Democratic governor was so focused on expanding Medicaid when he took office in 2016 that he didn’t make sure his administration could properly administer the expansion and avoid abuse.
The Edwards administration points to its computer upgrade and to letters sent to 37,000 Medicaid enrollees in February notifying them they appear to earn too much to stay in the health insurance program.
More than 500,000 working poor and other nonelderly adults have been added to the Medicaid rolls since Edwards, running for a second term on the October ballot, expanded the program.
Under Medicaid expansion, adults ages 19 to 64 with incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level — about $16,750 for a single adult or $28,680 for a family of three — are eligible for the coverage. The federal government pays most of the cost. Louisiana is paying a share that eventually increases to 10 percent, but lawmakers passed financing tools to help cover the state’s share, including a tax hike charged on health maintenance organizations.
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NANCY DUVALL JOHNSTON

Wed, 03/20/2019 - 11:08am

Nancy Duvall Johnston, a longtime resident of Morgan City, passed away Monday, March 18, 2019, following an extended illness. Through the grace of God, her wonderful doctors, and the Hospice Ministry of Notre Dame, she was able to expire peacefully in her home surrounded by loved ones.
She was married to Clyde Thomas Johnston for over 52 years. He preceded her in death in 2008. During the course of their marriage and Clyde’s career, they lived in New Iberia, Laurel, Mississippi, Houston, Texas, and Tulsa, Oklahoma, but preferred calling Morgan City home and moved back over 30 years ago.
Viewing and visiting for friends will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 21, 2019, at Twin City Funeral Home and last until 1 p.m. Services will begin at 1 p.m. with Pastor Ronnie Cuvillier, following the services interment will be in the Morgan City Mausoleum.
She is survived by her two daughters, Kathy Johnston Moran and husband David Moran of Port St. Joe, Florida, and Lynda Johnston Falgout and longtime companion Robert Kiffe of Berwick, Louisiana. She also leaves behind two grandchildren, Matt Falgout and his wife Tessie Hargrave Falgout of Lafayette and Kaley Falgout, also of Lafayette. She had two great-grandchildren, Maillie Michelle Falgout and Adam Thomas Falgout of whom she was very proud. She is also survived by a special, loving friend, Carol Desormeaux of New Iberia. She leaves behind a sister, Susie Duvall Seay and husband Paul from Arkansas, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Glenn and Ruth Duvall; two brothers, John Duvall and Thomas Duvall; and lifelong friends, Virgie Guerin and Judy Adams.
Twin City Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements. The family asks that any donations be made to the American Heart Association or to the COPD Foundation.

SHERRIL PHILIP DOEGA

Wed, 03/20/2019 - 11:05am

March 30, 1944- March 18, 2019
Sherril Philip Doega, 74, a resident of Bayou Vista, passed away Monday, March 18, 2019, at Teche Regional Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family.
Sherril was born on March 30, 1944 in Basile, the son of Philip and Ruby Lantz Doega.
Sherril was a very kind and generous man who loved being with his family. When he wasn’t working or spending time with his family, he enjoyed sailing and riding his motorcycle with his friends.
He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife, Boogie Doega of Bayou Vista; one son, Remy Doega and fiancé Tracy Imsdahl of Hopkins, Minnesota; his godchild, Rebecca Williams of Mobile, Alabama; one brother, Gerald Doega and wife Sharon of New Rhodes; one sister, Peggy Jennings and husband Don of Jacksonville, Oregon; and longtime close motorcycle friends, George Percle, Mike and Beverly Revels, and Bruce Bane. Sherril is also survived by numerous family members and friends and his puppy, Toi.
Sherril was preceded in death by his parents, Philip and Ruby Lantz Doega.
Private family services will be held at a later date.
Twin City Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

BONNIE JUNE KYLE

Wed, 03/20/2019 - 11:02am

June 26, 1944 - March 15, 2019
Bonnie June Kyle, 74, a resident of Morgan City, passed away Friday, March 15, 2019.
Bonnie was born June 26, 1944, the daughter of Carlos James Kyle and Francis Mitchell Dunehoo.
Bonnie will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by one son, Chip Crane and wife Catherine of Patterson; one daughter, Cynthia Crane and spouse Alan Simons of Kinder; one brother, James Kyle and wife Norma of Morgan City; seven grandchildren, Austin, Kristin, Kyle, Sheridan, Destiny, Blaise and Calab; and four great-grandchildren, Ava, Aiden, Abigail and Alexander
Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, Carlos Kyle and Francis Dunehoo; one brother, Thomas “Tommy” Kyle; and one sister, Jackie Thibodeaux.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 21, 2019, at Twin City Funeral Home. A memorial visitation will be held Thursday, March 21, 2019, at Twin City Funeral Home from 9 a.m. until the time of services.

BARBARA SHUFF ROUSSEL

Wed, 03/20/2019 - 11:00am

Barbara Shuff Roussel, a native of Goose Creek, Texas, and former resident of Morgan City, died Tuesday, March 12, 2019.
She is survived by two sons, Michael Roussel and Lewis Roussel Jr.; three grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.
Services were held earlier.
Ascension Funeral Home in Gonzales was in charge of arrangements.

Immigrant, arrested in Berwick, gets 21 years on drug, gun charges

Wed, 03/20/2019 - 10:58am

Staff Report

An undocumented immigrant, arrested in 2016 in Berwick, has been sentenced to 21 years in prison on drug and gun charges.

The defendant had admitted to authorities that he bought and sold firearms, marijuana, LSD and Xanax, U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph of the Western District of Louisiana said in a news release.

Raymundo Pizano-Montes, 34, of Mexico, was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on charges of distributing LSD in St. Mary Parish and possessing firearms.

On Nov. 18, 2016, A St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy pulled over a Mazda SUV in which Pizano-Montes was an occupant on for a traffic violation on U.S. 90 west, the release said. The Daily Review had reported that the stop occurred in Berwick.

During a search of the vehicle, the deputy found $14,582 in cash, 319 dosage units of LSD, 82 Xanax pills, marijuana paraphernalia, a scale, and 12 firearms. Six of the 12 firearms — including an AR-15 assault rifle — were reported stolen, the release stated.

Pizano-Montes stated to authorities that anything found in the vehicle was his property, and he bought and sold firearms, marijuana, LSD and Xanax. He further stated that he brought LSD and firearms to California and returned to Louisiana with marijuana for distribution in the Morgan City area, Joseph said.

Pizano-Montes also stated that the LSD he sold came from Germany and was mailed to the Morgan City, according to court documents. He was deported in 2010 after having been convicted of second-degree robbery and re-entered the United States illegally, the release said.

Homeland Security Investigations, ATF and St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ayo prosecuted the case.

Wheel House for March 20

Wed, 03/20/2019 - 10:56am

EGG HUNT
The 21st annual Easter Egg Hunt and Spring Festival is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 30 at Louisiana State Museum — Patterson, 118 Cotten Road, home of Wedell-Williams Aviation and Cypress Sawmill Museum. Two winners in each age group win a bicycle. Admission: $5 per person includes egg hunt (ages 2-10), souvenir photo with Easter Bunny, goodie bag, super slides, spacewalk, face painting, train rides and more. Food and drinks sold. All proceeds benefit the museum. Bring an Easter basket. Hunts (weather permitting): 11 a.m., ages 2-4; 11:15 a.m., ages 5-7; and 11:30 a.m., ages 8-10. Call 985-399-1268 for info.

Award for Farm Bureau agency

Wed, 03/20/2019 - 10:51am

Submitted Photo
The St. Mary Parish Farm Bureau Office received the Top Producer Award for Farm Bureau Bank Referrals. Pictured are Agency Manager Gary Burgess; Bank Coordinator Kelly Marcantel; Agents Gwen Lacy, Mynette Zimmer, and Brandon Harden; and Secretaries Kimberly Clifton and Allison Vincent. Not pictured are Secretaries Colleen Phillips and Heather Guthrie.