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Thibodaux Regional gives $10M for Nicholls nursing school

Thu, 05/09/2024 - 11:59am

The Nicholls College of Nursing will be formally named the Thibodaux Regional Health System School of Nursing at Nicholls State University after a $10 million contribution from Thibodaux Regional Health System. The naming right commenced with approval from the ULS Board of Supervisors and is set to continue for 10 years.
“Thibodaux Regional’s unprecedented gift will change the trajectory of the nursing program and transform this university ...,” said Dr. Jay Clune, Nicholls President. This agreement will enable us to increase the number of nurses providing care here in Thibodaux and the region beyond."
With this most recent financial support from Thibodaux Regional, the university will be able to provide equipment needed to ensure state-of-the-art training for students, hire new faculty members to support program expansion, support the retention of current program faculty and assist in professional development of nursing faculty.
This generous contribution will allow the Nicholls nursing program to increase the number of nursing candidates in its undergraduate program to meet the need for nurses in the region.
“Nicholls is a very important part of south Louisiana and produces excellent nurses. Thibodaux Regional is excited to support this educational opportunity at Nicholls and accelerate the number of nursing students during a time of shortage,” said Greg Stock, CEO of Thibodaux Regional Health System. “Dr. Westbrook is an outstanding leader of Nicholls and we have worked effectively with her for many years. Now, we are taking our relationship with Nicholls to higher levels by providing funding for more instructors and equipment and technology for training.”
“This generous donation from Thibodaux Regional will transform nursing education at Nicholls for years to come. It will also contribute to increasing the quality of health care delivery for our community and the region we serve by producing more highly qualified nurses,” said Nicholls Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Sue Westbrook.
Thibodaux Regional has been a partner of Nicholls and its nursing program for many years, providing clinical space for students to gain experience through all phases of their nursing education, as well as providing opportunities for employment after graduation.
In 2014, Thibodaux Regional partnered with Nicholls to provide sports medicine and athletic training services to student-athletes. Most recently, the health system and university expanded their relationship by providing Nicholls’ beach volleyball, soccer, tennis and track and field programs access to Thibodaux Regional’s state-of-the-art sports complex, and is the premier healthcare partner and official hospital and sports medicine provider of Nicholls athletics.
The mission of Thibodaux Regional Health System School of Nursing at Nicholls State University is to prepare students to contribute to a global society and diverse workforce as well-educated nurses to meet the healthcare needs of the coastal region and beyond. This is accomplished by continuous improvement in teaching, research and service in a student-centered, culturally-rich and spirited learning environment that fosters faculty, staff and student engagement.

Two local students receive honors at Hinds

Thu, 05/09/2024 - 11:58am

Two St. Mary students are on the President's Scholars list at Hinds Community College in Raymond, Mississippi.
The students are Donavon Hill of Morgan City and Christoper Rosson of Berwick.
President's Scholars have a cumulative grade point average of 4.0.

Community college graduation will be Wednesday

Thu, 05/09/2024 - 11:56am

South Louisiana Community College will host its Spring 2024 Graduation Ceremony at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Cajundome in Lafayette.
More than 600 graduates are set to cross the stage, proudly earning their associate degrees, technical diplomas, certificates of technical studies or high school equivalence diplomas.
The Young Memorial and Franklin campuses are part of the SoLAcc system.
These students from across Acadiana are poised to enter the local workforce or transfer to regional universities to further their education.
The Spring 2024 graduates showcase a diverse mix, having finished various programs provided by the system
These programs include Business, Information Technology, and Technical Studies; Liberal Arts and Humanities; Nursing and Allied Health; STEM, Transportation, and Energy; and Adult Basic Education.
“Graduating from college is a huge achievement in our students’ lives, and it’s a joy to celebrate this special moment among their family and friends,” said Chancellor Dr. Vincent June.
“Our graduates’ achievements shine brightly, and their spirit is what makes our college campuses so vibrant. We view graduation not as an end, but simply the beginning of something great for our graduates and our soLAcc community.”
The commencement will be emceed by Andre Breaux, treasurer of the SoLAcc Foundation and vice president of policy initiatives and governmental affairs for One Acadiana.
The graduates will be addressed by Brandon Journet, also known as DJ Digital, and student speakers Christoper and Demetri Lopez.
The public is invited to attend and also encouraged to visit the SLCC website to stream the ceremony online. Viewers can connect by visiting www.solacc.edu/graduation.

Morgan City police radio logs for May 8-9

Thu, 05/09/2024 - 11:00am

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.
Wednesday, May 8
5:27 a.m. 700 block of Fourth Street; Patrol.
8:04 a.m. 300 block of Wren Street; Traffic incident.
8:45 a.m. 600 block of Florida Street; Complaint.
8:58 a.m. Ninth/Greenwood streets; Crash.
9:50 a.m. U.S. 90 West; Reckless operation.
10:24 a.m. 700 block of Belanger Street; Welfare concern.
11:48 a.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Removal of subject.
12:00 p.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Fire.
12:10 p.m. 900 block of Railroad Avenue; Complaint.
1:04 p.m. U.S. 90 East; Reckless operation.
2 p.m. 100 block of Marquis Manor; Medical.
2:46 p.m. Bowman/Second streets; Loud music.
3 p.m. 700 block of Front Street; Trespassing.
3:11 p.m. 3300 block of Youngs Road; 911 hang up.
3:34 p.m. 900 block of Fourth Street; Complaint.
4:16 p.m. Wren Street; Arrest.
4:33 p.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Assistance.
4:44 p.m. U.S. 90 East; Traffic incident.
4:50 p.m. 400 block of Kidd Street; Removal of subject.
4:52 p.m. 300 block of Wren Street; Reckless operation.
5:03 p.m. Bowman/Second streets; Loud music.
5:27 p.m. Veterans Boulevard/La. 70; Fire.
5:28 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Complaint.
5:41 p.m. 100 block of Federal Avenue; Alarm.
5:59 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Stand by.
5:59 p.m. 200 block of Barrow Street; Medical.
6:09 p.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Complaint.
6:27 p.m. 1600 block of North Second Street; Alarm.
7:57 p.m. 800 block of Railroad Avenue; Medical.
8:04 p.m. 3300 block of Youngs Road; 911 hang up.
9:22 p.m. 400 block of Myrtle Street; Suspicious subject.
9:22 p.m. Veterans Boulevard/La. 70; Complaint.
9:27 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Assistance.
10:17 p.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Suspicious subject.
10:19 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Suspicious subject
Thursday, May 9
2:26 a.m. 900 block of Fig Street; Open door.
3:01 a.m. Railroad Avenue/Myrtle Street; Animal complaint.
3:12 a.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Complaint.
4:31 a.m. 200 block of Fourth Street; Animal complaint.

Morgan City police radio logs for May 7-8

Wed, 05/08/2024 - 11:56am

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, May 7
7:43 a.m. 600 block of Marshall Street; Animal complaint.
7:46 a.m. 500 block of Orange Street; Animal complaint.
8:58 a.m. 100 block of West First Street; Theft.
9:06 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Theft.
10:08 a.m. 7300 block of La. 182; Animal complaint.
10:10 a.m. 1000 block of La. 70; Vehicle crash.
10:26 a.m. 800 block of Victor II Boulevard; Alarm.
10:42 a.m. 700 block of Franklin Street; Complaint.
10:47 a.m. 100 block of Wren Street; Medical.
11:04 a.m. 700 block of Front Street; Criminal trespass.
11:19 a.m. 700 block of Hilda Street; Stand by.
11:23 a.m. 7500 block of La. 182; Subject removal.
11:35 a.m. 6000 block of La. 182; Vehicle crash.
11:58 a.m. 2400 block of Tiger Drive; Juvenile problems.
12:11 p.m. Greenwood Street/Brashear Avenue; Complaint.
12:26 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
12:38 p.m. 900 block of First Street; Juvenile problems.
12:45 p.m. 400 block of Canton Street; Transport.
1:17 p.m. 5000 block of Railroad Avenue; Subject removal.
1:56 p.m. 1000 block of La. 70; Suspicious vehicle.
2:52 p.m. La. 70/U.S.90 Junction; Vehicle crash.
3:02 p.m. 700 block of Louisa Street; Phone harassment.
3:18 p.m. 2300 block of Tupelo Street; Disturbance.
3:32 p.m. 7500 block of La. 182; Suspicious person.
3:45 p.m. U.S. 90 East; Suspicious person.
4:24 p.m. 700 block of Terrebonne Street; Disturbance.
5:11 p.m. Egle Street; Criminal damage to property.
5:14 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Stalled vehicle.
5:36 p.m. Shannon/Terrebonne streets; 911 hang up.
6:22 p.m. 20000 block of Keith Street; Theft.
7:09 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Juvenile problems.
7:37 p.m. 500 block of Federal Avenue; Alarm.
7:50 p.m. 400 block of Canton Street; Disturbance.
7:57 p.m. 1100 block of Fourth Street; Complaint.
9:37 p.m. 500 block of Brashear Avenue; Removal of subject.
9:46 p.m. 3000 block of Allison Street; Complaint.
9:55 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; BOLO.
10:13 p.m. 400 block of Idaho Street; Removal of subject.
10:29 p.m. 500 block of Bowman Street; Removal of subject.
10:51 p.m. Railroad Avenue/Mount Street; Complaint.
Wednesday, May 8
1:23 a.m. 7800 block of La. 182; Complaint.
2:29 a.m. 1100 block of North Victor II Boulevard; Alarm.

Theft, assault charges among Tuesday arrests

Wed, 05/08/2024 - 11:40am

(Editor’s note: The charges listed here and the narratives that go with them are provided by the police agencies that made the arrests. Guilt or innocence has not been determined in court.)

Area police agencies reported six arrests Tuesday, including theft charges and a juvenile accused of aggravated assault.

Morgan City

Chief Chad M. Adams reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 51 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

--Brealin Francis, 19, First Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday on charges of theft (under $1,000), remaining after being forbidden and two counts of failure to appear for arraignment (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Keenze Howard, 58, Front Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:51 a.m. Tuesday on two counts of failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

Patterson

Chief Garrett Grogan reported these arrests:

--Jade R. Rebardi, 46, Spruce Street, Waveland, Mississippi, was arrested at 1:14 p.m. Tuesday on charges of driving with license suspended or revoked and speeding 76 mph in a 55 mph zone. Rebardi is incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail.

--Aalyiah Batiste, 23, Cayce Street, Franklin, was arrested at 2:40 p.m. Tuesday on charges of speeding 45 mph in a 35 mph zone and driving with license suspended or revoked. Batiste is incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail.

Franklin

Chief Cedric Handy reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to seven complaints over the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

--Anson Paul, 47, Liner Street, Franklin, was arrested at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant dated Oct. 25 alleging theft, and on a warrant for 16th Judicial District Court alleging failure to appear on a charge of theft. Paul was booked, processed and held with no bond set at the time of press release.

--A juvenile was arrested at 4:19 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of aggravated assault.

Horseshoe standings: Week 5

Wed, 05/08/2024 - 10:57am

Bayou Horseshoe Pitchers Association
Spring League 2024
Week 5
..........................................W L
Born To Ring...................30.5 14.5
Hit & Miss........................24 31
The Good Fellas.............24 21
We Got This...................20 25
Bayou Ringers...............20 25
The Crawdads...............16.5 28.5
High scratch point average: (30’) Tim Gilmore 80.3, Burnie Williams 68.1 and Clyde Landry 66.1; and (40’) Dwain Arceneaux 53.8, Dale Pearce 53.3 and Tim Hayles 45.4.
High individual ringer percentage: (30’) Gilmore 59.4, Landry 46.7 and Williams 41.1; and (40’) Pearce 36.3, Arceneaux 35.6 and Hayles 23.8.
High scratch game: (30’) Gilmore 89, Williams 77 and Landry 75; and (40’) Pearce 69, Arceneaux 62 and Hayles 58. High handicap game: Pearce 106, Lovell 101, Gilmore 98, Glen Hidalgo 96, Calvin Johnson 96, Arceneaux 95, Mary Guzdial 95 and Jim Guzdial 95.
Most ringers: (one night) Gilmore 74, Landry 62, Percle 55 and Lovell 54; and (one game) Gilmore 27, Landry 23, Pearce 21, Williams 21, Jimmy Lovell 20 and Travis Bourdier 19. Most points one night: Gilmore 246, Landry 216, Williams 210, Lovell 206 and Percle 167.
Best won-loss record: Arceneaux 9.5-2.5, Gilmore 9-3, Pearce 11-4 and Bourdier 8.5-3.5. High over average: (40’) Pearce 20.3 and (30’) Al Graham 15.2. Most points one night – team: Born To Ring 523 and The Crawdads 507. Most ringers one night – team: Hit & Miss 133 and Born To Ring 130.

UPDATED: Berwick drops state semifinal; Central Catholic title hopes end

Wed, 05/08/2024 - 10:20am

Berwick High's bid for a second straight state baseball championship ended Wednesday with a 10-0, five-inning losses to Sterlington in the Non-Select Division III semifinals in Sulphur.

Despite a 14th seed, the Panthers came within a game of returning to the main event at 5:30 p.m. Friday.

In Wednesday's other Division III semifinal, top-seeded South Beauregard beat No. 5 Doyle 6-1 to reach the title game against Sterlington.

In other action, top-seeded Opelousas Catholic shut out No. 5 Central Catholic 3-0 on Tuesday in a Select Division IV baseball semifinal.

At 2 p.m. Friday, Opelousas will play for the state championship against Glenbrook, which edged Covenant Christian 3-2 in Tuesday's other semifinal.

Get It Growing: Porterweed is new La. Super Plant

Wed, 05/08/2024 - 10:02am

HEATHER KIRK-BALLARD, LSU AgCenter Horticulturist

The buzz around planting for pollinators is not a new trend. In fact, we celebrate National Pollinator Week each June, and the month of May has been designated as Garden for Wildlife Month, according to the National Wildlife Federation.
The National Gardening Survey shows more gardeners are limiting traditional lawns and partially replacing them with more natural landscapes that serve as native wildlife habitat and provide ecosystem services.
National Pollinator Week is June 17 to 23, 2024 — so it’s time to get planting for pollinators. There are many plants that support pollinators, and one plant in particular is a great selection. It’s called porterweed and it has been named a Louisiana Super Plant for 2024 by the LSU AgCenter.
Porterweed (Stachytarpheta spp.) is a perennial, flowering plant native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. It grows in USDA hardiness zones 8 to 11. It’s recognized for its distinctive, spiky flowers that grow from spring until first frost.
Plants have slender, elongated stems with compact, glossy leaves that are deeply serrated. The plant can grow from 2 to 6 feet tall by 2 to 3 feet wide depending on the species and environmental conditions.
What makes porterweed so notable? It’s the unique flowers that bloom in spikes that display small, tubular flowers in beautiful colors of blue, coral, pink, purple and red.
The blooms are sequential, appearing along the spike as it grows upward. Plants grow quickly and spread through rhizomes. They often self seed, making an effective groundcover.
Several species are available and come from different regions. Blue porterweed (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis) has deep blue flowers, coral porterweed (Stachytarpheta mutabilis) has a gorgeous coral-to-pink color and Brazilian porterweed (Stachytarpheta cayennensis) displays a deep blue color.
Porterweed is perfect for Louisiana landscapes because it thrives in warm, tropical and subtropical climates. It is sensitive to frost, so it is most often grown as an annual planting in regions with freezing temperatures but can perennialize in mild winters.
For the most blooms, plant in full sun, but plants will also do well in partial shade. Porterweed prefers a well-drained soil and does not tolerate standing water. Once established, it can tolerate brief droughts, though regular watering will improve blooming and plant vigor.
Porterweed requires minimal care; however, plants benefit from compost and good organic matter or a slow-release fertilizer at planting and occasional liquid fertilizer to support robust blooms. Plants can be pruned to keep them looking tidy and to encourage more branching and denser growth.
Porterweed is highly valued for attracting a variety of pollinators, especially butterflies and hummingbirds, making it an excellent choice for pollinator gardens and ecological landscaping due to its beautiful flower colors and excellent nectar source. Plants look great in cottage gardens, pollinator gardens, tropical and or just about anywhere in the landscape.
Because it does get rather tall, it is best grown toward the center or back of flowerbeds.
It can also be used in containers or in mass plantings as a groundcover.
Porterweed is a pollinator magnet and a wonderful Louisiana Super Plant selection for Louisiana gardeners.
For more information on other Louisiana Super Plants, visit www.LSUAgCenter.com.
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Porterweed has unique flowers that bloom in spikes that display small, tubular flowers. Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter

State House passes call for constitutional convention

Wed, 05/08/2024 - 9:51am

ELIZABETH WHITE, LSU Manship School News Service

BATON ROUGE – A bill calling for a constitutional convention, a key part of Gov. Jeff Landry’s agenda, passed the House floor in a 75-27 Tuesday after a lengthy debate and various amendments.

Supporters said the aim would be to move provisions of the current constitution into statute, making it easier to change some of them in future legislative sessions.

Under the bill, some articles and provisions in the current constitution, including the homestead property tax exemption and public-school funding, would be protected from being moved out of the constitution.

“We are not rewriting the constitution,” Rep. Beau Beaullieu, R-New Iberia, said. “This is a refresh of the constitution. We respect the previous authors’ work so much that we're going to retain that language and simply move it into statute.”

Much of the state’s operating budget is dictated by provisions of the constitution, and changing them to statutes could give the Legislature more flexibility in dealing with the expected loss of several hundred million dollars in revenue next year when a fraction of the state sales tax expires.

But some lawmakers are concerned about the lack of transparency in the process and whether Landry and his allies also plan to use the convention to enhance the governor’s power in other ways.

Beaullieu started the debate Tuesday with an amendment changing the timeline for the convention, which has been a point of contention for many lawmakers.

Under the new timeline, the convention would start no earlier than May 30, which is 10 days after the originally proposed start date of May 20. Legislators and delegates would then meet throughout June and July in joint committees focused on different articles of the constitution.

After these meetings, the full convention of the Senate, House and Landry’s delegates would take place August 1 through August 15, with the ability to extend the convention no later than August 23 to ensure it is on the November ballot.

“Why do we need this convention? Why do we need it now? Well, as you know, we do have an election this fall,” Beaullieu said. “It also allows us to address the over half-a-billion-dollar shortfall that's projected to have next year.”

Beaullieu’s amendment passed with no objections. But despite the new timeline, members of the House still had concerns about transparency, whether the protections outlined in the enabling legislation would be followed and the public’s ability to have input in the convention.
Landry, who was present on the House floor for the entire debate, has been pushing for a convention for the past two months, but has provided no details about what changes to the constitution he is seeking.

Some members expressed their frustration over the lack of transparency about what changes Landry wants to make, even going as far as to ask numerous times if a constitution has already been drafted.

“You know, I like a delicious meal, but at least I want to know what's on the menu,” Rep. Edmond Jordan, D-Baton Rouge, said. “And right now, I don't know if any of us actually know what's on the menu. We don't know what we're really ordering.”

Multiple members of the House, some of whom are lawyers, said it is unclear whether delegates would be legally bound to the enabling legislation and could open the convention to more than just reorganization.

“I've talked to a lot of lawyers that specialize in constitutional law,” Rep. Jason Hughes, D-New Orleans, said. “I've also spoken to some folks that were actually a part of the 1973 convention, and they have told me that the enabling legislation could be ignored. In fact, they said that enabling legislation was ignored in the 1973 convention.”

Beaullieu assured members that he and Landry, House Speaker Rep. Phillip DeVillier, R-Eunice, and Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, will stay within the confines of HB 800. DeVillier also rebutted these concerns.

“There was a Supreme Court decision regarding the 1913 convention,” DeVillier said. “It said once the legislation is passed to call a convention that piece of legislation covers the items to debate.”

Public input was also debated as Beaullieu explained citizens would be able to come to the joint committee meetings and give testimony like in regular sessions. Some members said they would like to see a “road show” happen where they travel the state hearing testimony.

There were almost a dozen other amendments on the floor Tuesday attempting to add to the list of provisions protected from removal. Among those passed were retirement benefits for public employees and teachers and pay for district attorneys and sheriffs.
The bill will move to the Senate, where the proposal is said to be less popular and must be passed before the end of session on June 3 for a constitutional convention to occur.