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ANNIVERSARY
Mount Zion Baptist Church, 507 Fourth St., Morgan City, celebrating the Rev. Larry Frank Sr.’s 12th anniversary at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25. Guest speaker the Rev. Louis Clark, St. John Baptist Church in Berwick and Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Gray. Public invited.

LENTEN FISH FRY
By Knights of Columbus Council 8371 from 11 a.m. until on Sunday, Feb. 25, at St. Andrew Church hall, Amelia. Menu: catfish, white beans and rice, green salad and drink. Donation $8. Eat-in or take-out. Ladies Altar Society will have a baked goods table.

AUTISM BAYOU 5K
Autism Society Bayou 10th annual 5K Run/Walk Family Fun Day Saturday, March 17, Morgan City Junior High School. Race begins at 8:30 a.m. Also features obstacle course, face painting, balloon art, games, food, cake walk and more. Pre-registration before March 1: adults, $20, includes T-shirt; students, $10. Onsite registration at 7:30 a.m. Pre-registration available by link on www.bayouautism.org or email bayouautism@yahoo.com.

Navigating Medicare can be challenging under the best of circumstances. It becomes even more difficult when someone new to Medicare falls victim to the myths, or misconceptions, about the health care program.
Let’s take a look at the most common myths in hopes that you’ll avoid the confusion that could cost you time or money.
Myth No. 1: Medicare is free.
Medicare’s hospital insurance, known as Part A, has no premium if you’ve worked throughout your life. But the outpatient services coverage, or Part B, does have a monthly premium, as does the prescription drug insurance, or Part D.
In addition, there are deductibles and co-payments for certain services. Overall, the traditional Medicare program covers about 80 percent of your costs, which means you’re responsible for the other 20 percent.
Many people buy a “Medigap” supplemental health insurance plan from a private company to help cover those out-of-pocket costs. Or they opt out of the traditional Medicare program and purchase a Medicare Advantage plan from a private insurer to receive their Medicare benefits.
Myth No. 2: Medicare covers everything.
Though traditional Medicare pays for many health care services, it doesn’t cover all of them. For example, it doesn’t pay for standard dental, vision or hearing care. If you’re interested in any of those services, you may want to consider a Medicare Advantage plan that offers extra benefits.
Myth No. 3: You’ll be automatically enrolled when it’s time.
That’s only partially true. If you’re already receiving Social Security, you’ll be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B when you turn 65. You’ll still need to sign up for Part D. If you’re not on Social Security yet, you must enroll in Medicare yourself.
For most people, the best time to apply for Medicare is during the three months before your 65th birthday, the month you become 65 and the three months after you turn 65. So, let’s say your birthday is Aug. 15. That means you can sign up from May 1 through Nov. 30.
Myth No. 4: Everyone pays the same for Medicare.
If your annual income is below $85,000, or $170,000 for a married couple, you pay the standard Part B and D premiums. But if it’s more, you pay a surcharge. In 2018, the surcharge for Part B ranges from $53.50 to $294.60 per month, depending on your income. That’s in addition to the standard $134 premium.
Myth No. 5: Having poor health will disqualify you from coverage.
Medicare can’t reject you, or charge you higher premiums, because of a health problem. It can’t discriminate based on a pre-existing condition. In fact, about two-thirds of Medicare beneficiaries live with at least two chronic conditions.
Myth No. 6: Medicare covers long-term care.
Many people don’t realize until it’s too late that Medicare typically doesn’t pay for long-term “custodial” care – the kind of personal care that helps you with such day-to-day tasks as getting in and out of bed, bathing, dressing and eating.
Medicare does cover some skilled nursing or rehabilitative care if a physician orders it after a hospital stay of at least three days. You pay nothing during the first 20 days of your care and then part of the cost for the next 80 days.
Myth No. 7: Medicare and Medicaid are the same thing.
The two programs are often confused. Medicare covers health care for people 65 and older and for people with certain disabilities. Medicaid helps cover health care for people with low incomes and few resources. Some people qualify for both.
Myth No. 8: A lot of doctors don’t take Medicare.
The vast majority of doctors accept Medicare. The traditional Medicare fee-for-service program offers the broadest possible access to health care professionals. You can go to any provider who’s taking new Medicare patients.
Medicare Advantage plans, on the other hand, often require you to go to doctors within their network of providers or pay more for getting care elsewhere. So, before signing up for a particular Advantage plan, make sure you’re satisfied with its network of providers.
Even after 53 years, Medicare is still misunderstood. If you’re in doubt about some aspect of the Medicare program, please visit www.medicare.gov or talk with a customer service representative toll-free at 1-800-633-4227, , adding that many of the organizations and people who advised on Messenger Kids do not receive financial support of any kind.
But for a company under pressure from many sides — Congress, regulators, advocates for online privacy and mental health — even the appearance of impropriety can hurt. Facebook didn’t invite prominent critics, such as the nonprofit Common Sense Media, to advise it on Messenger Kids until the process was nearly over. Facebook would not comment publicly on why it didn’t include Common Sense earlier in the process.
“Because they know we opposed their position,” said James Steyer, the CEO of Common Sense. The group’s stance is that Facebook never should have released a product aimed at kids. “They know very well our positon with Messenger Kids.”
A few weeks after Messenger Kids launched, nearly 100 outside experts banded together to urge Facebook to shut down the app , which it has not done. The company says it is “committed to building better products for families, including Messenger Kids. That means listening to parents and experts, including our critics.”
One of Facebook’s experts contested the notion that company advisers were in Facebook’s pocket. Lewis Bernstein, now a paid Facebook consultant who worked for Sesame Workshop (the nonprofit behind “Sesame Street”) in various capacities over three decades, said the Wired article “unfairly” accused him and his colleagues for accepting travel expenses to Facebook seminars.
But the Wired story did not count Lewis as one of the seven out of 13 advisers who took funding for Messenger Kids, and the magazine did not include travel funding when it counted financial ties. Bernstein was not a Facebook consultant at the time he was advising it on Messenger Kids.
Bernstein, who doesn’t see technology as “inherently dangerous,” suggested that Facebook critics like Common Sense are also tainted by accepting $50 million in donated air time for a campaign warning about the dangers of technology addiction. Among those air-time donors are Comcast and AT&T’s DirecTV.
But Common Sense spokeswoman Corbie Kiernan called that figure a “misrepresentation” that got picked up by news outlets. She said Common Sense has public service announcement commitments “from partners such as Comcast and DirectTV” that has been valued at $50 million. The group has used that time in other campaigns in addition to its current “Truth About Tech” effort, which it’s launching with a group of ex-Google and Facebook employees and their newly formed Center for Humane Technology.

A 22-year-old Amelia man registered a blood alcohol content three times the legal limit after he allegedly crashed into another vehicle in Morgan City, Police Chief James Blair said in a news release.

—Jorge J. Ortega-Vazquez, 22, of Village Lane in Amelia, was arrested at 2:14 a.m. Saturday on charges of DWI first offense, reckless operation of a vehicle and possession of an alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle.

A patrol officer in the area of La. 182 and Cottonwood Street observed a vehicle traveling east on La. 182 in the west lane. The vehicle then crashed into another vehicle traveling west on La. 182, Blair said. The crash was minor, and no injuries were reported, police said.

Officers were able to stop the vehicle, and the driver, Ortega-Vazquez, appeared intoxicated and performed poorly on a field sobriety test, Blair said. Ortega-Vazquez registered 0.245 grams-percent blood alcohol content on a chemical test. Ortega-Vazquez was jailed.

Blair reported that officers responded to 108 calls and reported the following arrests:

—Heather R. Moore, 32, of Teche Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 3:30 a.m. Saturday on charges of DWI second offense and improper lane usage.

A patrol officer in the area of East Boulevard and Railroad Avenue observed a vehicle swerving in and out of the lane of travel. A traffic stop was conducted, and the driver, Moore, appeared intoxicated, Blair said.

Moore performed poorly on a field sobriety test and refused to submit to a chemical test for intoxication. Moore was transported to a medical facility for a sample of blood to be drawn. That sample was collected and results are pending, Blair said. Moore was jailed.

—Jose T. Garcia, 33, of West Syls Lane in Amelia, was arrested at 7 p.m. Friday on a warrant charging him with probation violation. Garcia was arrested at the police department on a city court warrant. Garcia was jailed.

—Sammie Pigott Jr., 48, of Francis Street in Berwick, was arrested at 7:44 a.m. Friday on a charge of theft less than $1,000.

Officers responded to a business on La. 182 in regard to a shoplifter. Management identified Pigott as the suspect in the theft, Blair said.

Pigott was located in the area of Sixth and Maine streets. The items from the business were recovered, and they were valued at $23.30, Blair said. Pigott was jailed.

—Krystal L. Meranta, 28, of Clark Road in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:15 p.m. Friday on a charge of disturbing the peace intoxicated.

Officers responded to a home on Second Street in regard to a disturbance. Reports indicate that Meranta was at the home causing a disturbance and appeared intoxicated, Blair said.

Meranta was asked to calm down several times, but refused. Meranta was jailed.

—Ronald Picou, 52, of Karen Drive in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:15 p.m. Saturday on a charge of stop sign violation and a warrant charging him with failure to pay fines.

A patrol officer conducted a traffic stop in the area of Seventh Street and Ditch Avenue for a vehicle failing to stop at the stop sign at that location. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Picou.

A warrant check revealed that Picou had an arrest warrant through city court. Picou was jailed.

—Chett M. Von Buelow, 25, of Bernice Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:08 p.m. Saturday on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

A patrol officer observed a vehicle fail to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of Ditch Avenue and Seventh Street. The driver was identified as Von Buelow, who gave consent to search the vehicle, Blair said. Police located an item used to smoke illegal narcotics. Von Buelow was jailed.

—Nicole Hampton, 30, of Southeast Boulevard in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 1:56 a.m. Sunday on charges of mirrors required, driving under suspension, possession of marijuana second offense and possession of drug paraphernalia.

An officer observed a vehicle traveling on La. 182 near the U.S. 90 junction without a driver’s side rearview mirror. A traffic stop was conducted, and the driver, Hampton, had a suspended driver’s license, Blair said.

Police received consent to search the vehicle and located suspected marijuana and items used to smoke illegal narcotics, Blair said. Hampton was jailed.

—Leon Thibodeaux, 27, of Diane Drive in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:16 a.m. Sunday on charges of speeding, DWI first offense and improper lane usage.

A patrol officer observed a vehicle traveling east on La. 182 faster than the posted speed. The vehicle was also swerving in and out of its lane of travel, Blair said.

A traffic stop was conducted, and the driver, Thibodeaux, appeared intoxicated, Blair said. Thibodeaux performed poorly on a field sobriety test and registered 0.136 grams-percent blood alcohol content on a chemical test. Thibodeaux was jailed.

—Celeste A. Delaune, 34, of Mallard Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 1:53 a.m. Sunday on charges of possession of synthetic marijuana first offense and possession of drug paraphernalia.

An officer observed an individual standing in front of a closed business in the area of La. 182 and Redwood Street. The individual was identified as Delaune, who was in possession of suspected synthetic marijuana and items used to smoke illegal narcotics, Blair said. Delaune was jailed.

—Paula M. Duval, 28, of Fourth Street in Berwick, was arrested at 6:12 p.m. Sunday on charges of reckless operation and driving under suspension and a warrant charging her with two counts of failure to appear.

Officers responded to Lake End Park in regard to a vehicle driving reckless in the area. A description of the vehicle was given out, and officers located the vehicle on Veterans Boulevard.

The driver, Duval, had a suspended driver’s license, Blair said. Witnesses stated Duval had crashed into another vehicle at the park and left the area. Duval had arrest warrants for 16th Judicial District Court. Duval was jailed.

—Cupertino Cos Subuluj, 27, of Palm Avenue in Houma, was arrested at 12:10 a.m. Monday on charges of no driver’s license and wrong way on a one-way street.

An officer observed a vehicle traveling down the wrong way on Brashear Avenue near Eighth Street. A vehicle stop was conducted, and the driver, Cos Subuluj, did not have a valid driver’s license, Blair said. Cos Subuluj was jailed.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrests:

—Jerry Holmes Jr., 48, of Joaquin Drive in Houma, was arrested at 2:33 a.m. Sunday on charges of speeding 57 mph in a 30 mph zone and possession of methamphetamine. Holmes was awaiting bail to be set.

—Kayla Boudreaux, 28, of Louisa Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:11 p.m. Saturday on charges of careless operation with a crash and DWI second offense. Boudreaux posted $5,250 bail.

—Jamie Scarbrough, 28, of River Road in Berwick, was arrested at 8:58 p.m. Saturday on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of a firearm or a concealed weapon by a convicted felon. Scarbrough was awaiting bail to be set.

—Anthony Pennison Jr., 46, of River Road in Berwick, was arrested at 9:36 p.m. Friday on a 16th Judicial District Court warrant charging him with criminal mischief, a 16th Judicial District Court warrant charging him with failure to appear, on charges of criminal trespass, disturbing the peace by alarming the public and on holds for Patterson Police Department and St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office. Pennison was awaiting his first appearance in court.

—Cody Pearce, 29, of Rose Street in Berwick, was arrested at 11:04 p.m. Friday on charges of possession of a weapon with a barrel shorter than 16 inches, possession of a firearm or a concealed weapon by a convicted felon, a warrant charging him with failure to appear on charges of aggravated obstruction of a highway, resisting an officer, no driver’s license and on a St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office warrant charging him with failure to appear on a charge of domestic abuse battery. Pearce was awaiting bail to be set.

—Austin Williams, 18, of Tournament Boulevard in Berwick, was arrested at 8:32 p.m. Friday on Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office warrants charging him with two counts of simple burglary of a vehicle and four counts of burglary of an inhabited dwelling. Williams was awaiting bail to be set.

Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported the following arrests:

—David L. Aucoin, 21, of Mill Road in Patterson, was arrested at 4:53 p.m. Friday on a warrant for another jurisdiction. Aucoin was jailed on $750 bail.

—Jerell Jones, 26, of Red Cypress Road in Patterson, was arrested at 9:23 a.m. Saturday on St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office warrants for failure to appear on charges of possession of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids with intent to distribute, suspended driver’s license and improper lane usage, for failure to appear on charges of suspended driver’s license, no insurance, improper use of registration, license plates or license and failure to secure vehicle registration, and on a Morgan City police warrant charging him with failure to appear for suspended driver’s license. Jones was jailed on $14,000 bail.