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LAFAYETTE -- In an unusual setting for a session-opening speech – the University of Louisiana at Lafayette campus – Gov. John Bel Edwards seemed unusually optimistic Tuesday after a legislative year full of tax fights and partisan rancor.

“We’ve still got a long road ahead,” Edwards said before large crowd at UL Lafayette’s Earl K. Long Gymnasium. “But we’re moving.”

The special session opened Tuesday in Baton Rouge as the long-feared fiscal cliff – the expiration of temporary sales taxes June 30 – approaches. That expiration leaves Edwards and the Legislature with a $648 million hole to fill.

Edwards last week vetoed the compromise hammered out between House and Senate versions of the fiscal 2019 state budget.

The governor described the two budgets as “one that decimated health care in Louisiana, and the other one that decimated everything else. …

“In my opinion ... that budget wasn’t worthy of Louisiana. The cuts were too deep, too broad, too catastrophic.”

Edwards drew attention to the effects the House budget would have on health care by ordering the Department of Health and Hospitals to send notices to nursing home residents that their state benefits could end with the current fiscal year June 30. Republicans criticized the move as political grandstanding.

Edwards said the Legislature has a chance to re-enact only a portion of the temporary taxes, fill the $648 million budget gap and still reduce the tax burden by $400 million.

A portion of the speech was devoted to positive economic developments, including news that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics pegs Louisiana employment at an all-time high. Wage growth last year in Louisiana was at 2.9 percent, better than the national rate of 2.4 percent.

And there turned out to be a another reason to have the session-opening speech in Lafayette. Edwards announced that CGI, the high-tech firm housed in the UL Lafayette Research Park, has fulfilled its promise to create 400 jobs and extended its commitment another three years and by another 400 jobs.

Among the people attending the event Tuesday were Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser and former Gov. Kathleen Blanco, who has been fighting cancer.

Also in attendance were St. Mary Parish President David Hanagriff and Patterson Mayor Rodney Grogan.

(This story was changed to correct the period of added CGI commitment.)

Two people were arrested Monday after detectives searched a Siracusaville home and located marijuana, crack cocaine, cash, drug paraphernalia and two pit pulls, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Scott Anslum said in a news release.

—Devon Marsh, 26, of Ciro Street in Siracusaville, was arrested at 6:55 p.m. Monday on charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, transactions involving drug proceeds and violation of controlled dangerous substance law-drug-free zone.

—Yvonne Marsh, 55, of Ciro Street in Siracusaville, was arrested at 6:55 p.m. Monday on a charge of vicious animal ordinance violation.

Narcotics detectives conducted a search warrant at Devon Marsh’s and Yvonne Marsh’s home and located high grade marijuana, six pieces of crack cocaine, $173 in cash and multiple items of drug paraphernalia belonging to Devon Marsh, the sheriff said.

Detectives also located two pit bull dogs belonging to Yvonne Marsh. The detectives observed that the animals were not being kept in compliance with the parish ordinance, Anslum said. Yvonne Marsh was released on a summons to appear in court Aug. 15. Devon Marsh was jailed with no bail set.

Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported that officers responded to 36 calls and reported the following arrests:

—Leticia R. Charles, 50, of Mike Drive in Patterson, was arrested at 11:09 p.m. Monday on charges of DWI first offense and possession of marijuana and on a warrant charging her with failure to appear.

A patrol officer in the area of La. 182 and Park Road observed a vehicle on La. 182 without headlights in use. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver, Charles, appeared intoxicated and performed poorly on a field sobriety test, Blair said.

Police also found suspected marijuana inside the vehicle, Blair said. Charles registered 0.254 grams-percent blood alcohol content on a chemical test, Blair said. Charles was jailed.

—Michael P. Granger, 65, of Fifth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:48 a.m. Monday on a charge of simple battery.

Officers responded to a home on Fifth Street in regard to a disturbance. Officers arrived, and Granger was identified as the individual involved in the disturbance.

The victim stated that she was gathering her belongings in the home when Granger committed a battery on her, Blair said. There were marks on the victim consistent with her statement, Blair said. Granger was located inside the home and then jailed.

—Germain Singleton, 37, of Orange Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:26 a.m. Monday on a charge of resisting an officer and a warrant charging him with two counts of failure to appear for trial.

A patrol officer in the area of Arizona and Duke streets observed an individual, Singleton in the area. The officer was aware of Singleton holding active warrants for city court.

As the officer approached Singleton, he began to evade the officer by running, Blair said. Singleton was apprehended a short time later and placed under arrest. Singleton was jailed.

—Peggy A. Fabre, 51, of Francis Street in Berwick, was arrested at 4:32 p.m. Monday on charges of stop sign violation, improper lane usage, driving under suspension, possession of drug paraphernalia and on a warrant charging him with failure to appear.

A patrol officer in the area of Federal and Railroad avenues observed a vehicle fail to stop at the stop sign at the intersection and driving in the center of the lane. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver, Fabre, had a suspended driver’s license, Blair said.

The officer also located an item commonly used to smoke illegal narcotics in Fabre’s possession, Blair said. Fabre held an active warrant for 16th Judicial District Court. Fabre was jailed.

—Scott Reid, 56, of Fourth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:07 p.m. Monday on a warrant charging him with contempt of court. Reid was located in the area of Eighth Street. Reid was jailed on a city court warrant.

Patterson Police Chief Janis Merritt reported no arrests.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported no arrests.

BATON ROUGE — As the weather warms up and outdoor cookouts ramp up, weight control is on a number of minds.
So it’s no wonder May has been designated as the month to celebrate the Mediterranean diet — which is more of an eating style than a diet, said LSU AgCenter nutritionist Elizabeth Gollub.
“Diets tend to be short-term, but this is a lifelong style of eating,” she said. “I recommend taking small steps, making small changes at first to discover what works for you.”
The Mediterranean way of eating is based on the traditions of Mediterranean countries.
Meals are characterized by vegetables, fruits, herbs and spices, whole grains, legumes, nuts, olive oil, yogurts and cheeses with smaller amounts of fish, seafood, eggs and poultry. There’s very little red meat and sweets.
Ample water and moderate amounts of red wine are part of the Mediterranean diet. And meals are not to be eaten alone; rather, they are considered as social time, Gollub said.
She suggests trying to share mealtime with others, to relax while eating and to enjoy your meals.
As with any diet, you should maintain portion sizes that are appropriate for you and your needs, she said. It is also highly recommended to incorporate physical activity into the lifestyle change.
“The Mediterranean style of eating emphasizes appropriate amounts of foods rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants and unsaturated fats,” she said. “It also recognizes the value of social connections and physical activity.”
Some potential benefits include a reduced risk for cardiovascular diseases, strokes, Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, Gollub said.
The Mediterranean diet and lifestyle also are credited with helping reduce the degree, intensity and progress of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, depression, Parkinson’s disease, and age-associated muscle weakness and frailty, she said.
If you are not ready to totally commit to the lifestyle, then try some small steps.
“These small steps can include adding a vegetable or a serving of vegetables to your lunch and dinner,” Gollub said. “Switch to olive oil if you are not there yet. And when weather permits, take a walk after dinner.”

The Port of Morgan City will host the annual Hurricane Preparedness Meeting at 10 a.m. Wednesday at its Emergency Operations Center located at 7327 La. 182 in Morgan City.
Port officials are partnering with the St. Mary Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness, St. Mary Levee District and National Weather Service to hold the meeting.