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Who says pasta must be unhealthy?

Thu, 04/27/2017 - 9:10am

By MELISSA D’ARABIAN, The Associated Press

Ask my husband what his favorite comfort food is and the answer will be quick: pasta. Who doesn’t love a steamy bowl of noodles or macaroni slathered in butter and cheese? It’s a classic, born straight out of childhood mac and cheese days, morphed into a late night college study-session standby.
As adults, we decide to eat healthier, and it almost seems like our loyal noodle friend gets tossed aside, as if there were no way to include pasta in a healthy diet. Well, I’m here with good news: Pasta can be part of a healthy diet, and I have a few tips to help keep things both comforting and nutritious.
First: Read the labels, because not all pastas are created equal. Look for whole grain pastas, which usually translate into more protein and fiber, which makes your meal more filling. So instead of 2 full ounces, which is the standard pasta serving size, you might be looking at leftovers.
If you are feeling extra ambitious, you can even seek out some pasta versions that are made from beans and legumes. Next tip is to minimize fat by using starchy pasta water for saucy silkiness — just scoop out some water with a measuring cup before draining the pasta. Saute up some veggies and aromatics in just a smidge of olive oil, and use the pasta water to add the saucy vibe.
Adding veggies to pasta will bulk it up, add nutrients and make pasta prettier. My go-to is frozen spinach — I always have a bag in my freezer so it’s an easy way to get some pretty green in pasta. You could saute it up with the aromatics and olive, or in weeknight rush, toss the frozen spinach right into the boiling pasta just before draining in to cook it there.
My final tip: try lemon zest instead of part or all of the parmesan cheese. The zest adds an aromatic depth that somehow makes the nutty parmesan cheese less pronounced if missing. Note that when I use my lemon zest trick, I swap out classic basil and use fresh thyme instead — it’s a marriage made in heaven.
PENNE WITH GARLIC TOMATOES, LEMON ZEST AND SPINACH
Start to finish: 20 minutes
12 ounces whole grain penne pasta
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes
2 cups grape tomatoes, washed and thoroughly dried
6 ounces chopped frozen spinach, thawed, excess moisture squeezed out
1 Tbsp. fresh chopped thyme
2 Tbsp. lemon zest
Lemons for squeezing, optional
Salt and pepper
Cook pasta according to package directions, reserving about ¾ cup of pasta water before draining. While pasta is cooking, place olive oil, garlic and red pepper flakes in a ramekin, and mix with a spoon, gently pressing garlic into the oil. Place garlic oil in an unheated deep saute pan, and turn the burner on medium heat.
As the oil heats, it will become fragrant. As soon as the oil is warm and smells of garlic, add tomatoes, cook until they are coated with garlic oil and barely begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Add spinach and cook, stirring for 3 minutes.
Increase temperature to medium high, and add cooked pasta and about half the pasta water. Stir, and let simmer for 1 minute. Add extra water if needed. Add thyme, lemon zest, and salt and pepper to taste. Serve with lemons for squeezing (optional).
Servings: 6
Nutrition information per serving: 221 calories; 36 calories from fat; 4 g fat (0 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 157 mg sodium; 43 g carbohydrate; 6 g fiber; 4 g sugar; 10 g protein.
—Online: www.melissadarabian.net

Odd news: $425 'dirty' jeans, torrents of juice

Thu, 04/27/2017 - 9:09am

The Associated Press

Nordstrom feels social media
sting over $425 muddy jeans
NEW YORK — Department store Nordstrom is getting dragged through the mud on social media for selling a pair of dirty-looking jeans for $425.
Nordstrom’s website says the jeans have a “caked-on muddy coating” to embody “rugged, Americana workwear.” A matching mud denim jacket goes for the same price.
Some social media users criticized Nordstrom for selling high-priced jeans that they say mocked blue-collar workers.
Mike Rowe, who hosted the TV show “Dirty Jobs,” said in a Facebook post that the jeans were an example of the country’s “war on work” and called them “a costume for wealthy people who see work as ironic.”
Representatives at Nordstrom Inc. did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Efforts to reach PRPS, which makes the jeans and jacket, were unsuccessful.

Torrents of juice flood
Russian town after factory accident
MOSCOW — A flash flood of fruit juice from a beverage plant in southern Russia has flowed into a town’s streets and into the River Don.
The Prosecutor’s Office in the Lipetsk region said in a statement that the roof of PepsiCo’s Lebedyansky factory collapsed Tuesday morning, injuring two people. By early Tuesday afternoon, rescue workers were still working to clear debris from the factory floor.
The prosecutors said several tons of fruit juice had been spilled, and local media posted videos of torrents of a pinkish substance streaming down the streets. Authorities said they were monitoring pollution levels in the River Don, one of Russia’s longest, after the juice was reported to have spilled into the river.
Pepsico did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Classmate won’t stop bullying despite pleas from her friend

Thu, 04/27/2017 - 9:04am

DEAR ABBY: I’m writing because I see a lot of bullying going on at school. One of the bullies is a friend of mine and I’ve asked her to stop, but she doesn’t listen. How can I get through to her so she understands that she’s hurting someone’s feelings? She treats people like they don’t have feelings, like they are non-human. If you can’t answer this letter, I’ll understand, but if you find the time, I would greatly appreciate it. NOT A BULLY IN INDIANA DEAR NOT A BULLY: People bully others for a variety of reasons. Among them, because they are angry ...

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Police to conduct child safety seat check

Thu, 04/27/2017 - 8:39am

Morgan City Police Department in partnership with Walgreens Pharmacy and The Louisiana Passenger Safety Task Force, will host a Child Safety Seat Inspection from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at the Walgreens Pharmacy located on Brashear Avenue in Morgan City.

The Morgan City Police Department would like to encourage citizens with children in car seats to attend this event. If you wish to participate, we would like to request that you bring your car seat and child so that a proper fit can be ensured.

If you have any questions regarding this event or seat belt and car seat safety, contact the Morgan City Police Department, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Agencies to host ‘drug take back’ Saturday

Thu, 04/27/2017 - 8:29am

Staff Report

Local law enforcement agencies will participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Saturday where people may drop off their unused and unwanted prescription drugs.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office will host drop-off locations at Walmart in Bayou Vista and Walgreens in Franklin Morgan City Police Department will also have locations available for people to drop off unused and unwanted medications at Walgreens Pharmacy and Walmart Neighborhood Market in Morgan City.
Drop off times are from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday.

Unused medications in homes create a public health and safety concern because they can be accidentally ingested, stolen, misused and abused. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs, a sheriff’s office news release said.

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day gives the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their home of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription pills and patches safely, conveniently and responsibly. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Liquids and needles are not accepted, the release said.

Morgan City police also said people may show up at Walmart Neighborhood Market or Walgreens Pharmacy in Morgan City with the unwanted prescription drugs and turn them over to Morgan City police personnel with no questions asked.

There is has a drop off box in the front office of the Morgan City Police department where you can drop off unwanted medications year round. Anyone with questions may call the police department at 985-380-4605.

Radio logs for April 26

Wed, 04/26/2017 - 4:06pm

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.
Tuesday, April 25
6:43 a.m. 700 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard; 911 hang up.
8:08 a.m. 2300 block of Maple Street; Animal complaint.
8:51 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
10:47 a.m. 900 block of Cherry Street; Medical.
10:50 a.m. 900 block of Willard Street; Criminal damage to property.
11:35 a.m. 100 block of Mallard Street; Com-plaint.
11:52 a.m. 400 block of First Street; Complaint.
11:54 a.m. 400 block of Levee Road; Medical.
1:39 p.m. 500 block of Federal Avenue; Animal complaint.
1:43 p.m. 4200 block of Pharr Street; Complaint.
1:49 p.m. U.S. 90; Traffic complaint.
2:09 p.m. Railroad Avenue and Headland Street; Arrest.
2:38 p.m. 1000 block of Greenwood Street; Animal complaint.
3:30 p.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Medical.
4:42 p.m. 400 block of Freret Street; Officer stand by.
4:58 p.m. 100 block of Mount Street; Aggravated assault.
6:20 p.m. 200 block of Aucoin Street; Loud music.
6:33 p.m. 500 block of Terrebonne Street; Complaint.
6:51 p.m. 1600 block of Federal Avenue; Alarm.
6:59 p.m. U.S. 90 East; Stalled 18-wheeler.
7:08 p.m. Wren Street; Suspicious subjects.
7:13 p.m. 100 block of Mount Street; Fight.
8:45 p.m. 1400 block of Federal Avenue; Disturbance.
8:56 p.m. 500 block of Levee Road; Officer stand by.
9:13 p.m. 1200 block of Railroad Avenue; Complaint.
9:32 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Medical emergency.
10:45 p.m. 6300 block of La. 182 East; Drunk.
11:29 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182 East; Medical emergency.
Wednesday, April 26
12:32 a.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Assistance.

Man charged with home invasion, battery in March incident

Wed, 04/26/2017 - 11:26am

Staff Report

A 38-year-old Morgan City man has been charged with home invasion and battery after forcing his way into a home in March and attacking two people, Morgan City Police Chief James Blair said in a news release.
—Sir Charles Evans, 38, of Oak Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:57 a.m. Tuesday on warrants charging him with home invasion, domestic abuse battery, simple battery and simple criminal damage to property.
Evans was located and arrested on active war-rants. The warrants stem from a March investigation when patrol officers responded to the area of Oak Street in regard to a disturbance.
Officers arrived and spoke with the victim who alleged that Evans forcibly entered the home and committed a battery on the victim.
Evans also allegedly damaged the door he entered and struck another occupant in the home during the encounter. Evans left the scene before officers arrived, and police prepared warrants for his arrest. Evans was jailed.
Blair reported the following arrests:
—Dwayne Clark, 44, of Verdun Lane in Franklin, was arrested at 7:13 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of disturbing the peace by fighting and on warrants charging him with simple criminal damage to property and criminal trespassing.
—Wayne Clark, 44, of Lenny’s Lane in Amelia, was arrested at 7:32 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of disturbing the peace by fighting.
Officers responded to the area of Mount Street in regard to a disturbance involving a fist fight. Police arrived and saw twins, Wayne Clark and Dwayne Clark, involved in a physical altercation. The men were separat-ed and arrested. Dwayne Clark also had active arrest warrants.
The warrants stem from an investigation in which the victim alleged that Dwayne Clark was trespassing on property and damaged a vehicle. Both Wayne Clark and Dwayne Clark were jailed.
—Charles L. Gash, 62, of Freret Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:08 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of entering or remaining after being forbidden, and warrants charging him with probation violation, failure to appear to pay a fine and failure to appear to pay a probation fee.
Patrol officers re-sponded to the area of Mallard Street in regard to a man who held active warrants for his arrest. Officers arrived and located Gash, who had city court warrants.
Gash had been banned from entering onto Morgan City Housing Authority properties. Gash was jailed.
—Tyson Celestine, 28, of First Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:57 a.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, transactions involving proceeds from drug activity and violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance law-drug free zone.
Narcotics division in-vestigators executed a search warrant at a home on First Street. Investigators located suspected marijuana, cash that was believed to be derived from drug proceeds and drug para-phernalia.
Investigators found evidence linking Celes-tine to the illicit sales of illegal narcotics from the home.
The area where the incident had taken place was within a drug free zone. Celestine was jailed.
—Sana Khan, 28, of Fourth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant for failure to appear for revocation.
Khan was located and arrested on a 16th Judicial District Court war-rant in the area of Headland Street. Khan was jailed.
—Journi O. Loupe, 17, of Neptune Street in Bayou Vista, was arrest-ed at 6:01 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of possession of marijuana.
Patrol officers initiated a stop on a vehicle in the area of U.S. 90. While the officer was speaking with the driver, the passenger, Loupe, was observed concealing something on her. Loupe was confronted with what was observed and Loupe turned over suspected marijuana. Loupe was arrested.
—Blaze A. Guerrero, 17, of Brashear Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:47 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of marijuana, cultivation of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, transaction involving proceeds from drug activity and violation of uniform con-trolled dangerous sub-stance law-drug free zone.
Narcotics division investigators executed a search warrant at a residence on Brashear Avenue. During the search, suspected marijuana, suspected marijuana plants, cash that was believed to be derived from drug proceeds and drug paraphernalia were located.
Investigators found evidence linking Guerrero to the illicit sales of illegal narcotics from the home. The incident took place in a drug free zone. Guerrero was jailed.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert reported responding to 38 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:
—Varice Richardson, 23, of Friendship Alley in Amelia, was arrested at 1:24 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia and on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of possession of methamphetamine and possession of marijuana.
Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance at a residence in Amelia and made contact with Richardson, who had an active warrant for his arrest.
During the arrest, a deputy located a glass pipe suspected of being used to smoke methamphetamine. Richardson was jailed with no bail set.
—Jasreail James, 32, of Seventh Street in Franklin, was arrested at 6:51 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant charging him with theft of goods.
In January, a deputy investigated a complaint of shoplifting at a store in Bayou Vista. The deputy collected evidence, including video, of James leaving the store without paying for some items and obtained a warrant for his arrest.
Another deputy en-countered James on Robertson Street in Franklin and transport-ed him to parish jail. No bail is set.
—Danielle Ghering, 23, of Red Cypress Road in Patterson, was arrested at 7:08 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of theft of goods.
A deputy responded to a report of theft by an employee at a store in Bayou Vista. During the investigation, the deputy collected evidence that Ghering stole multiple items from the business over the course of the past two months.
The value of the stolen items total just over $885. Ghering was booked into parish jail and booked on $1,500 bail.
—Carlos Pichs-Franco, 45, of Ditch Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:06 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of possession of cocaine.
A deputy responded to a report of a possible drug law violation at a business in Amelia. The deputy learned from security personnel that a small plastic bag containing a suspected illegal drug had been found on the floor of the business.
The deputy collected video surveillance foot-age of Pichs-Franco dropping the item to the floor. The deputy also confirmed that the substance was cocaine. Pichs-Franco was jailed with no bail set.
Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrest:
—Pete Roberts, 41, of Pharr Street in Berwick, was arrested at 1:38 p.m. Tuesday on a 16th Judicial District Court warrant charging him with failure to appear for trial on charges of DWI and careless operation. Roberts posted $11,000 bail.

Reserve police officer honored for service

Wed, 04/26/2017 - 11:15am

Morgan City Police Reserve Officer Willie Aucoin was recognized during Tuesday's city council meeting for over 35 years of volunteer service to the police department. Aucoin has logged 3,456 hours riding with officers in a patrol car and saved the department up to $120,000 by volunteering his time, Blair said.

EDWARD L. DUNN

Wed, 04/26/2017 - 11:14am

September 16, 1948- April 25, 2017
Edward L. Dunn, 68, a resident of Berwick, passed away Tuesday, April 25, 2017, at Teche Regional Medical Center.
Edward was born Sept. 16, 1948, in Overton, Texas, the son of Jack Bennett and Thelma Branscom.
He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by two daughters, Sarah Dunn and fiancé Michael Adams of Overland Park, Kansas and Tessa Wright and husband Steven of Warrenton, Missouri; four grandchildren, Tarah, Taran, Marcie and Steven III; one sister, Pat Culotta and husband Charles; two brothers, Ricky Dunn and wife Sharon, and Johnny Bennett and wife Jelena; two nieces, Lori Landry and husband Jeremy, and Bianca Bennett and wife Abigail; nephew, Justin Bennett; cousin, Clayborn Driskill; as well as other nieces, nephews and cousins.
Edward was preceded in death by his parents, Jack Bennett and Thelma Branscom; and one brother, Butch Dunn.
A memorial visitation will be held from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, 2017, at Twin City Funeral Home. Military honors will be rendered by the East St. Mary Veterans Funeral Squad at the funeral home at 5:30 p.m.

JEAN JEANETTE GULSBY

Wed, 04/26/2017 - 11:09am

January 19, 1952 — February 24, 2017
Jean Jeanette Gulsby, 65, a native of Birmingham, Alabama and a resident of Bayou Vista, Louisiana, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, Feb. 24, 2017, while surrounded by her family and friends.
Mrs. Jean was a very loving mother and grandmother, who loved being with her grandchildren and rooting for her favorite college football team, the University of Alabama Crimson Tide, with her son Robert. Mrs. Jean quickly became family to many people whom she met when she moved from Alabama to Louisiana.
Mrs. Jean is survived by one daughter, Christy McGraw; two sons, Robert J. McGraw and his wife Dana McGraw, and Jimmy McGraw and his wife Leisha McGraw; nine grandchildren, Natalie Fuglaar and her husband Nick Fuglaar, Keven Tacy, Kyle Tacy, Jordyn McGraw, Robert A. McGraw, Jessie McGraw, Paidyn McGraw, Jaci Loupe and Gracie McGraw; three great-grandchildren, Jacob Tacy, Reese Fuglaar and Grey Fuglaar; one sister, Betty Hadley; and her numerous nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Mike Gulsby; her mother and father, Robert and Betty Garner; one brother, Bobby Garner; two sisters, Linda Richardson and Henriette Garner; as well as both of her paternal and maternal grandparents.
A memorial will be held for Mrs. Jean at Lake End Park in Morgan City, Louisiana, on Saturday, April 29, 2017. Memorial will begin at 9 a.m. and a celebration will be held following with food and refreshments.