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Hospital gets Telly, Pelican awards

Wed, 12/20/2017 - 11:14am

Terrebonne General Medical Center has won an international Telly Award for its 2017 Cardiology TV commercial, “Turbo Power Laser,” and has been recognized by the Louisiana Society for Public Relations and Marketing with two Pelican Awards for the New Way of Health Marketing Campaign.
The Telly Award for the Turbo Power Laser 30-second video spot highlights TGMC having the only structural heart program and Hybrid Operating Room in the region.
Presented by the New York-based Telly Awards organization, the Telly’s honor the best local, regional and cable-television commercials and programs, as well as the best video and film productions, and work created for the web. Each year, judges consider more than 13,000 entries from 50 states and five continents.
Less than 10 percent of entries win top honors.
The Pelican awards recognize the New Way of Health campaign which highlights the TGMC cardiology, orthopedic; women’s health center and healthy lifestyles center service lines.
A younger target audience, one motivated by proactive wellness and an active lifestyle was targeted. The campaign ,through a progressive approach, touted TGMC offering the most state-of-the-art acute care, while also providing resources for health, and wellness in their community.

AgCenter calls for photo entries for its Get It Growing Calendar

Wed, 12/20/2017 - 11:12am

By RICK BOGREN, LSU AgCenter

BATON ROUGE — The LSU AgCenter has issued a call to professional and amateur nature photographers in Louisiana to submit their best photos of Louisiana flowers, plants, lawns and gardens for consideration in the 2019 Get It Growing Calendar.
“We are seeking color photos from Louisiana photographers to be included in the calendar, which serves as an educational resource for gardeners as well as a showcase for beautiful plants, gardens and lawns,” said project coordinator Elma Sue McCallum. “From the submissions received, approximately 40 photographs will be chosen to be included in the 2019 calendar.”
The popular calendar features a dozen photos as full-page, full-color images for each month along with another on the cover. In addition, several others will be used throughout the calendar, which includes monthly garden tips, how-to guides, the newest Louisiana Super Plants and other information based on Louisiana climate zones.
The photographer’s name will be included with each printed photograph. Those selected for the monthly pages will receive five copies of the published calendar, and other contributing photographers will each receive two copies, McCallum said.
Submissions must be high-resolution digital images on CD with the photographer’s name, address, telephone number and email address attached, McCallum said. All images must be the original work of the photographer submitting the image.
Submission guidelines can be found on the “Call for Entries” form online at www.LSUAgCenter.com/GetItGrowing Cale-ndar and scroll down for entry information.
The deadline for submissions for the 2019 calendar is Feb. 28, 2018. Entries must be mailed —emailed submissions will not be accepted — to Elma Sue McCallum, LSU AgCenter, 135 Knapp Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803. CDs will not be returned. Photographers are asked to limit their submissions to 25 images.
The 2018 calendar is on sale now. It’s available online at www.lsuagecenter.com/onlinestore as well as in nurseries and garden centers throughout the state.

Louisiana Politics: Resignations are mounting as Legislature reaches midterm

Wed, 12/20/2017 - 11:11am

By JEREMY ALFORD and MITCH RABALAIS

State Rep. Chris Broadwater, R-Hammond, is now the 10th member of the Louisiana Legislature to resign from his seat over the past two years, a historically high number as lawmakers reach the middle of this current term.
Broadwater said he resigned from the House to spend more time with his family and to focus on his law practice. Broadwater notified House Speaker Taylor Barras last week, and told his colleagues about his decision in a written letter Monday morning.
“(It) is time for me to refocus my attention on the wonderful family with which I have been blessed,” Broadwater wrote in a revealing and personal letter to his colleagues. “I know that what I have described is not foreign to any of you.”
Broadwater has tendered the Legislature’s 10th resignation this term, which will eventually pave the way for the body’s 11th special election.
There have been eight special elections conducted for House seats, one due to the passing of late Rep. Ronnie Edwards, since the Legislature was seated in January of 2016.
Two more still need to be held, including the race to replace Broadwater in House District 86 and the pending contest in House District 93, where Democratic Rep. Helena Moreno has been elected to the New Orleans City Council.
In the Senate, meanwhile, there has already been on special election conducted to replace disgraced former Sen. Troy Brown, who was threatened with a legislative investigation related to misdemeanor domestic abuse charges.
House Clerk Butch Speer predicted in a recent interview with LaPolitics that the resignation count for the current term “could get worse.”
Before term limits, he said, the statehouse had “remarkably few” special elections. “We’ve been losing people hand over fist ever since,” Speer said, later adding,”If they didn’t like being here, they just didn’t run for election next time they came up. There was no benefit to quitting in the middle.”

Trouble with Trump’s
pick for Corps of Engineers
According to a story published last week by CQ, a subscription-based publication, Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves is less than impressed when it comes to R.D. James, who is the president’s choice to lead the Army Corps of Engineers.
Louisiana’s senators don’t sound like they’re in a rush to champion the nominee, either.
CQ obtained an email written by Graves and published it: “I’ll be very candid. This nomination was a mistake. The Trump folks have pulled a number of quality/impressive candidates for key positions. This isn’t one of them. Having a 36-year appointee that has done absolutely nothing to modernize the organization or ever challenge the institution is entirely inconsistent with the style of this administration or president.”
Then there was this, a sentence by reporter Jacob Fischler: “Louisiana’s senators, both Republicans, declined to say whether they backed the selection.”
As a floor vote gets closer, this could become a process where Louisiana lawmakers have a strong voice.
Lawmaker gets a
different kind of gavel
State Rep. Franklin Foil, R-Baton Rouge, was sworn in last week as a new Naval appellate court judge, during a ceremony at the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C.
He’ll be able to keep his gig at the Capitol while taking on his new role with the U.S. Navy Reserve. Foil will be hearing Marine Corps and Navy cases on appeal.

Homegrown connections
to Alabama race
Doug Jones’ defeat of Roy Moore in Alabama’s U.S. Senate race last week has a few Louisiana ties.
Baton Rouge consultants Trey Ourso and Michael Beychok of Ourso Beychok produced direct mail in the race, mostly aimed at Moore. While it may have gone overlooked back home, the Louisiana duo was being thrown bouquets in Alabama on election night.
Also, Jones’ long shot bid has already started drawing comparisons to the dark horse campaign of Gov. John Bel Edwards, who bested former U.S. Sen. David Vitter, the early GOP favorite to win, in 2015.

Political History:
The Christmas tree bill
With the Democrats holding majorities in both chambers and his friend Lyndon Johnson in the White House, late U.S. Sen. Russell Long decided that the fall of 1966 was the right time to push for campaign finance reforms aimed at presidential candidates.
Long, who was worried about the influence certain donors have, proposed a voluntary $1 opt-in donation for taxpayers when they file their annual returns. The money, Long suggested, should then be equally distributed to the major candidates during the next regularly-scheduled election.
Rather than pushing a standalone bill, Long attached a rider to a Johnson Administration tax credit bill. Knowing that this strategy would ensure an easier route to passage, Long allowed colleagues to toss in their own hitchhikers, both germane and non-germane.
When the tax credit vehicle came up for debate that Christmas, one senator supposedly likened its numerous amendments to ornaments on a tree, coining a new legislative phrase: “The Christmas Tree Bill.”
The bill passed, of course. And if you want, you can still donate $1 when you file your annual return, for deposit into Long’s fund.

They said it
“The least you can do is demand that his cabinet appointees pay their taxes.”
—U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, recommending that back taxes should be paid by former state police Superintendent Mike Edmonson, after noting the tax increases supported by the Edwards administration
“Sen. Kennedy is not one to pass up an opportunity to get a headline.”
—Richard Carbo, the governor’s deputy chief of staff
For more Louisiana political news, visit www.LaPolitics.com or follow Jeremy Alford on Twitter @LaPoliticsNow.

Other woman cheats on man who’s cheating on his wife

Wed, 12/20/2017 - 11:09am

DEAR ABBY: A year ago, my husband confessed that he was having an affair at work. Before it started, he tried setting “Velma” up with his twin brother, but she said she wasn’t interested. Their affair lasted for months, until the guilt “ate him up.” When he told me, I was devastated. We agreed to get counseling and work on our marriage. Well, it turns out Velma was also seeing his brother while she was with my husband. Oh! And she had a baby, and we’re not sure who the father is. My brother-in-law claims he loves Velma and she loves ...

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Jeff Crouere: Republicans haven't come through for president

Wed, 12/20/2017 - 10:56am

By JEFF CROUERE

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has been a disaster for the Republican Party and has been a totally ineffective partner for President Donald J. Trump in passing critical legislation. After failing on the vitally important bill to repeal Obamacare, McConnell and his Republican colleagues face a major test in the tax reform bill.
The stakes could not be higher for the GOP and President Trump. If they cannot show results to the American people, there will be a political bloodbath in the 2018 mid-term elections.
The American people entrusted the GOP with full control of the White House and Congress. A mandate was given by the American people for the Republican Party to follow through on its campaign promises. Unfortunately, those solemn promises have not been kept. After eight years of vowing to repeal Obamacare, the Republican Senate failed it keep its word to the American people. The bill failed by a single vote, courtesy of Senator John McCain, R-Ariz.
If they fail again on tax cuts, Democrat voters will be energized, and Republican voters will be disenchanted in the mid-term elections. Without a signature legislative achievement, there will be a national repeat of the disaster in the Alabama Senate race this week. In the showdown that resulted in a Democrat winning an Alabama Senate race for the first time in 25 years, voter turnout in Democrat precincts was much higher than in Republican areas. After losing in a deep red state like Alabama, Republicans should be petrified about the 2018 mid-term election prospects.
The only way to turn around their fortunes is to start following through on their campaign promises to the American people. This is why the tax cut votes this week are so important.
Until now, Congress has delivered nothing except rhetoric. The real culprit has been the U.S. Senate. In fact, the House has passed hundreds of bills that have not even been considered by the Senate.
While the president has been very successful on his own issuing executive orders, cutting red tape, eliminating useless regulations and taking unilateral actions, the Congress, particularly the Senate, has been an abysmal failure. Next week the U.S. Senate can begin to redeem its rather poor reputation. The bill is the most significant tax reform legislation since the Reagan tax reform measure of 1986.
While there is little doubt it will pass in the House, there is still some concern about its fate in the Senate. Currently, several Senators are in the hospital, while others have been demanding additional changes to the bill.
If the Republican led U.S. Senate cannot pass the tax reform legislation, it should just abdicate power and allow Democrats to take control. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell may as well turn over his position to Democrat Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-New York.
Incredibly, it seems the GOP is more comfortable as the minority party. They have been failing the all-important test of leadership. Along with the failure to repeal Obamacare, other aspects of the President’s agenda have stalled. Americans are still waiting for the border wall to be constructed. In addition, the Senate has been confirming the President’s appointments and judicial nominees at a very slow pace.
With the devastating loss in Alabama on Tuesday, next year there will only be 51 Republican Senators. In that majority are many “Never Trump” senators like Ben Sasse and Bob Corker. There are also Trump haters like McCain and Marco Rubio. Finally, there are very liberal Republicans like Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski.
Overall, this motley collection of Senate Republicans is an unreliable group to say the least. Nevertheless, the American people entrusted the congressional leadership reins to the Republican Party. If they can’t even pass tax reform, the rationale for their leadership positions totally evaporates.
If there is no tax reform bill, it will certainly not happen next year. If there is another failure, the GOP Senate may as well relinquish power to the Democrats in January. This will give the Democrats an early start, because they will eventually take back control of Congress if the GOP fails to produce any legislative accomplishments.
I hope Republican Party leaders realize that in the 2018 elections, the American people will not be played for fools again.
Jeff Crouere is the Host of “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. He is the Political Analyst for WGNO-TV ABC26 and a Columnist for selected publications. For more information, visit his web site at RingsidePolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.

Woman charged with dog fighting, cruelty to animals

Wed, 12/20/2017 - 10:52am

Staff Report

A 41-year-old woman has been charged with dog fighting and cruelty to animals after Morgan City police found several pit bulls in poor condition at a home in early December, Police Chief James Blair said in a news release.

—Keishia L. Howard, 41, of Mount Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:21 p.m. Tuesday on charges of dog fighting, three counts of aggravated cruelty to animals and vicious dogs or animals prohibited.

Howard was located and arrested in the area of Mount Street on warrants. The warrants stem from a Dec. 2 investigation when officers discovered several pit bulls at a home on Mount Street belonging to Howard.

The animals were found to be in poor condition without proper shelter, Blair said. Police found evidence that the animals had injuries consistent with dog fighting and were not being properly cared for with adequate food and water, Blair said.

The investigation continued and the dogs were seized and removed from the home. Howard was jailed.

Blair reported that officers responded to 44 calls and reported the following arrests:

—Kaleb W. Smith, 17, of Maple Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:08 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant charging him with six counts of simple burglary.

Smith was located and arrested in the area of Maple Street on active warrants for the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office. Smith was jailed.

—Breunna Fitch, 23, of Hilda Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:55 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant charging her with criminal mischief.

Patrol officers responded to the area of Hilda Street in regard to a Dec. 9 disturbance. Officers arrived and spoke with Fitch who made an allegation that a person had pointed a weapon at her, Blair said.

Investigators learned that the information that Fitch provided was false, Blair said. Fitch was located by Berwick police at a business at which time she was arrested and transported to the Morgan City jail.

—Javien J. Francis, 20, of Oregon Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:51 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant charging him with failure to comply with conditions of drug court.

Francis was located and arrested in the area of La. 182 on an active arrest warrant for the 16th Judicial District Court. Francis was jailed.

—David L. Lumpkin, 46, of St. Francis Street in Houma, was arrested at 2:19 a.m. Wednesday on a fugitive warrant for the Thibodaux Police Department.

Patrol officers conducted a stop on a vehicle in which Lumpkin was the operator in the area of La. 182. Lumpkin was found to have an active arrest warrant through the Thibodaux Police Department. Lumpkin was jailed.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert reported that deputies responded to 29 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:

—Tammy Vining, 49, of Saturn Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 7:39 p.m. Tuesday on charges of stop sign violation, child passenger restraint system required and possession of marijuana.

—Cierra Vining, 24, of Hunting Road in Ricohoc, was arrested at 7:39 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a minor and obstruction of justice.

—Lawrence Levine, 28, of Beau Lane in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 9:32 p.m. Tuesday on charges of marijuana over 14 grams with intent to distribute, distribution of marijuana, possession of methylenedioxymethamphetamine - MDMA with intent to distribute, possession of cyclobenzaprine without a prescription, possession of methyl carbonyl without a prescription, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a minor.

—Dakota Kleimann, 25, of Beau Lane in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 9:32 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of marijuana over 14 grams with intent to distribute, distribution of marijuana, possession of methylenedioxymethamphetamine - MDMA with intent to distribute and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a minor.

Narcotics detectives patrolling Bayou Vista observed a vehicle fail to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of Saturn and Universe roads. Detectives then observed the vehicle drive through a business parking lot to access the U.S. 90 J-turn. Detectives conducted a traffic stop.

When they approached the vehicle, detectives observed the passenger, Cierra Vining, reaching down by the passenger side door as if to conceal an item, Hebert said.

Detectives located a bag of marijuana in the door. Detectives also observed a toddler in the truck who was not seated in a child safety seat. While speaking with Cierra Vining and Tammy Vining, detectives learned that the marijuana belonged to both of them and Cierra Vining had attempted to conceal it from detectives, Hebert said.

The traffic stop investigation led narcotics detectives to a home on Beau Lane where they conducted a search warrant. Detectives found marijuana, individually packaged MDMA pills, other pills, and items associated with illegal drug sales and use, Hebert said. Detectives also found additional evidence that Levine and Kleimann were selling illicit drugs from the home, the sheriff said. All four suspects were jailed with no bail set.

—Arne Brewer, 51, of Railroad Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 1 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of operating a vehicle with a suspended driver’s license and on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

A narcotics detective patrolling Morgan City observed Brewer driving on Victor II Boulevard. The detective knew Brewer had an active warrant for arrest and stopped the vehicle. The detective also found that Brewer’s driver’s license was suspended. Brewer was jailed with no bail set.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported no arrests.

FSHS' Jeno

Wed, 12/20/2017 - 9:49am

FRANKLIN’S TRAVIS ZENO dribbles away from defenders Tuesday. The Breaux Bridge Tigers toppled the Franklin Hornets 69-42 in non-district action. Brayden Ward led Franklin with 10 points while Zeno tossed in nine.

Jeanerette up to 3-12 with win over Bulldogs

Wed, 12/20/2017 - 9:48am

The Jeanerette Tigers improved to 3-12 on the season with a 70-53 victory over the Centerville Bulldogs.
Centerville dropped to 7-4 on the year following the loss.
Centerville will host AES on Thursday.
Jeanerette secured an 18-14 lead at the end of the first quarter before holding a 35-29 advantage at the half. In the third quarter, the Tigers outpointed the Bulldogs by another 18-14 margin for a 53-43 cushion. Jeanerette benefited from a 17-10 run in the final quarter for the 70-53 win over Centerville.
Centerville’s top scorers were: Jaylon Williams, 19; Marquis Strawder, 17; Jackson Hebert, 13 and Ryan Young, 4.

HMS signee

Wed, 12/20/2017 - 9:48am

Allyssa Young, a Hanson Memorial High School senior, signed with the University of Texas at Tyler to play softball on the collegiate level on Friday, Nov. 17.

Police Reports 12-20-17

Wed, 12/20/2017 - 9:46am

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert reported the following arrests:
Arne Brewer, 51, of 1909 Railroad Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested Tuesday at 1 p.m. on the charge of operating a vehicle with a suspended driver’s license and on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
A narcotics detective patrolling Morgan City observed Brewer driving on Victor II Boulevard. The detective knew Brewer had an active warrant for arrest and stopped the vehicle. The detective also found that Brewer’s driver’s license was suspended. Brewer was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. No bail is set.
Shannon Clavelle, 45, of 312 East Martin Luther King Road, Charenton, was arrested Tuesday at 6:48 p.m. on charges of possession of Schedule I marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Narcotics detectives patrolling the Charenton area observed a subject smoking a marijuana cigar in a vehicle on Martin Luther King Road. Detectives identified the subject as Clavelle and located more marijuana cigars inside the pick-up truck along with a glass pipe used to smoke the substance. Clavelle was released on a summons.
Tammy Vining, 49, of 215 Saturn Road, Lot 6, Bayou Vista, was arrested Tuesday at 7:39 p.m. on charges of stop sign violation, child passenger restraint system required and possession of Schedule I marijuana.
Cierra Vining, 24, of 415 Hunting Road, Ricohoc, was arrested Tuesday at 7:39 p.m. for possession of Schedule I marijuana, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a minor, and obstruction of justice.
Lawrence Levine, 28, of 109 Beau Lane, Bayou Vista, was arrested Tuesday at 9:32 p.m. on charges of possession of Schedule I marijuana with intent to distribute over 14 grams, distribution of Schedule I marijuana, possession of Schedule I methylenedioxymethamphetamine - MDMA with intent to distribute, possession of Legend Drug cyclobenzaprine without a prescription, possession of Legend Drug methyl carbonyl without a prescription, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a minor.
Dakota Kleimann, 25, of 109 Beau Lane, Bayou Vista, was arrested Tuesday at 9:32 p.m. on charges of possession of Schedule I marijuana with intent to distribute over 14 grams, distribution of marijuana, possession of Schedule I methylenedioxymethamphetamine - MDMA with intent to distribute and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a minor.
Narcotics detectives patrolling Bayou Vista observed a vehicle fail to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of Saturn and Universe Roads. Detectives then observed the vehicle drive through a business parking lot to access the US 90 J-turn. Detectives conducted a traffic stop. When they approached the vehicle, detectives observed the passenger, C. Vining, reaching down by the passenger side door as if to conceal an item. Detectives located a bag of marijuana in the door. Detectives also observed a toddler in the truck who was not seated in a child safety seat. While speaking with C. Vining and T. Vining, detectives learned that the marijuana belonged to both of them and C. Vining had attempted to conceal it from detectives. The traffic stop investigation led narcotics detectives to 109 Beau Lane where they conducted a search warrant. Detectives found marijuana, individually packaged MDMA pills, other pills, and items associated with illegal drug sales and use. Detectives also found additional evidence that Levine and Kleimann were selling illicit drugs from the residence. All four subjects were transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. No bail is set.
Franklin Police Chief Sabria McGuire reported the following arrest:
Terrance Anderson, 42, of Ninth Street, Franklin, was arrested Monday at 10:25 p.m. on a warrant for Iberia Parish for violation of probation. Anderson was booked, processed, and held with no bond set at the time of press release.