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Dear Abby: Father weighs revealing partner's health status

Tue, 02/20/2024 - 9:24am

DEAR ABBY: I am a gay man who came out late in life. I have three grown, married children and five grandchildren. They are my world, and we are all very close. I’ve had one partner. My family readily accepted and welcomed him because he made me happy. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out.
I have been seeing another person, and our connection is very strong. We have lots in common. I think I’m falling in love, and I envision a future with him. He is HIV-positive. I am on PrEP, or preexposure prophylaxis, the most effective medication to prevent contracting HIV. We have not been intimate, but I’m aware of all the literature about the extremely low risk of transmission.
My kids are bright, intelligent and “enlightened.” I wonder if I should tell them about my boyfriend being positive. A part of me says that’s his truth and he should tell them if he feels compelled. I will not reveal it without his approval. Another part of me says it’s not my children’s business because it applies only to intimate situations. But I’ve always been completely upfront with my kids about practically everything.
So now I’m torn about what to do — tell them (or he tells them) and risk getting a negative reaction, or I keep it a secret, no matter how uncomfortable that is for me. Please advise.
HOW HONEST IN THE EAST

DEAR HOW HONEST: If there were a compelling reason for your adult children to know your friend’s HIV status, I would urge you to tell them. However, because none of them are likely to have sex with this person, I see no reason to share that information.

DEAR ABBY: I have one sister I love. Our parents passed away 12 years ago. We don’t have a good relationship, although I try. Recently, we have been texting again.
Her son is being married in a few months. I have three children. My 26-year-old has been in trouble a lot and caused my sister’s family hurt. He’s not going to the wedding. My other boys are younger, 18 and 21. They have never been in trouble.
I have maintained somewhat of a relationship with my nephew. He has only three cousins on his mom’s side. There are at least 17 cousins on his dad’s side. Many of them have spouses, and they are all invited. My younger sons are not. Because I am deeply hurt, I have decided not to attend. My nephew’s excuse for not inviting my sons was that “attendance is tight.”
Am I wrong for not going? I can’t help but think my sister and (all but one) of her kids don’t want a relationship with my family. Should I let it go or continue pursuing a relationship when it seems obvious the feeling is not reciprocated?
DEEPLY HURT IN TEXAS

DEAR DEEPLY HURT: It’s a shame that your two law- abiding sons are being tarred with the same brush as the one who is a black sheep. They do not deserve it. However, I caution you against overreacting by boycotting the wedding. If you attend, it will give you an opportunity to tighten family ties and to talk about how proud you are of your two younger sons, who are on the straight and narrow.

***

To receive a collection of Abby’s most memorable — and most frequently requested — poems and essays, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 to: Dear Abby — Keepers Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.

Morgan City police radio logs for Feb. 19-20

Tue, 02/20/2024 - 9:09am

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.
Monday, Feb. 19
7:19 a.m. 500 block of Willow Street; Medical.
7:21 a.m. 1000 block of Shaw Street; Medical.
10:10 a.m. Area of Hickory Street/Veterans Boulevard; Suspicious person/vehicle.
10:19 a.m. Area of Levee Road; Animal complaint.
11:14 a.m. 7700 block of La. 182; Theft.
12:26 p.m. 1100 block of Seventh Street; 911 hang up.
2 p.m. 900 block of Second Street; 911 hang up.
2:47 p.m. 300 block of Louisa Street; Animal complaint.
2:59 p.m. 6000 block of La. 182; Suspicious person/vehicle.
3:23 p.m. 700 block of Terrebonne Street; Medical.
4:36 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
6 p.m. Allison/Justa streets; Drunk.
6:28 p.m. 700 block of Belanger Street; Medical.
6:55 p.m. Railroad Avenue/Eleventh Street; Suspicious subject.
7:27 p.m. 900 block of Palm Street; Civil matter.
7:48 p.m. 1400 block of Sandra Street; Patrol request.
9:12 p.m. Sixth/Onstead streets; Suspicious subject.
9:35 p.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Juvenile problems.
9:40 p.m. 600 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard; Welfare check.
11:17 p.m. 1000 block of Eighth Street; Suspicious subject.
Tuesday, Feb. 20
12:16 a.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Remove subject.
12:30 a.m. 1000 block of Brashear Avenue; Theft.
2:45 a.m. Morgan City area; Building checks.

Jim Brown: Why the Elevance acquisition of Blue Cross failed

Tue, 02/20/2024 - 8:43am

JIM BROWN

=Blue Cross Blue Shield is Louisiana’s largest health insurer, and one of the state’s largest employers.
A major effort was undertaken by the Blue Cross Board to sell the whole system to a company called Elevance Health located in Indianapolis.
Elevance is no new kid on the block, and has gobbled up Blue Cross companies in fifteen other states, making it one of the largest healthcare operations in the nation.
But the acquisition ran into problems from day one. Elevance Health has received a series of fines in seven other states totaling more than $26 million, and that did not sit well with many observers.
Others, including the governor of Louisiana, tried to jump into the mix and have influence even though they had no authority to do so. But the bottom line was this. Policyholders in Louisiana were OK with the present Blue Cross system, and were reluctant to rock the boat.
The present Blue Cross leadership never offered any solid reasoning as to why any change should be made.
Now I know something about the Blue Cross operations. You see, when I was insurance commissioner back in the early 1990s, I discovered massive mismanagement and waste.
Blue Cross back then had turned over complete management to the Mississippi Blue Cross organization.
The Louisiana board just sat back and let the Mississippi organization pretty much do what they wanted. And they really stuck it to Louisiana policyholders.
One of the key roles of the Insurance Department in Louisiana is to examine companies doing business in the state, to make sure that they are on a strong financial footing and investing their money properly, and are always in good shape to pay any claims from Louisiana policyholders.
But the Louisiana board back then, in conjunction with the Mississippi board, had the previous insurance commissioner under their thumb.
The department just did not pay attention to Blue Cross, letting the company operate any way it wanted.
A typical example was the misuse of the Blue Cross airplane. It was kept in Mississippi and used exclusively by Mississippi executives, but was fully paid for by Louisiana policyholders. And boy, did they ever use that plane. It made numerous trips worldwide, including golf outings to Scotland. Inflated salaries were paid to Mississippi officials whose work had nothing to do with servicing Louisiana Blue Cross policyholders.
The buck stopped at one place to bring the various shenanigans from Mississippi to an end. With me. I called the Mississippi Blue Cross company executives in, and confronted them with a long list of mismanagement concerns. When the Mississippi officials saw that the jig was up, they immediately resigned and basically handed me the keys to the company.
Now, remember that I was a new commissioner learning as I went along, and certainly had no experience with taking over what was then the largest employer in Louisiana, and by far the largest insurer. I researched just what authority I had, and determined that it was my job to appoint a new board to run this fragile Louisiana company. I thought about hiring a national firm to make recommendations, but it just didn’t make sense to bring a bunch of outsiders to take over. We seem to do that way too often in Louisiana.
After checking with a cross-section of health care professionals in the state as well as numerous successful business operators, I put together a board of medical professionals, some good business minds, and a balance of diversity that at the time made sense to me.
For the first several years, my staff and I kept close watch on the company, regularly calling in the board for justification of many of their decisions.
But as time went on, it was obvious that they had put together a good business plan, and were running a first rate company.
The insurance department received few complaints, and Blue Cross has been a solid operating business in the state for a number of years.
The bottom line In the recent acquisition failure was simply this. Current policyholders are satisfied. There was just no reason to rock the boat. And that makes good sense to me.
Peace and Justice
Jim Brown
Jim Brown’s syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers throughout the nation and on websites worldwide. You can read all his past columns and see continuing updates at http://www.jimbrownusa.com. You can also listen to his weekly podcast at www.datelinelouisiana.com.

BART URA KOEN

Mon, 02/19/2024 - 5:19pm

Bart Ura Koen, 52, a native of Morgan City and resident of Berwick, died Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024.
He is survived by his wife, Ann Crockett Koen; three daughters, Abbie, Cate and Anna; a grandson; mother, Rose Koen; and two sisters, Jodi Daigle and Donna Vaughn.
He was preceded in death by his father, and maternal and paternal grandparents.
Visitation will be Tuesday, 6-8 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m., at Hargrave Funeral Home and will resume Wednesday from 9 a.m. until services at 11 a.m., also at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Morgan City Cemetery.
Hargrave Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Drug, domestic abuse, DWI arrests reported

Mon, 02/19/2024 - 12:44pm

(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.)

Morgan City police reported arrests on drug possession, domestic abuse and drunken-driving charges over the weekend.

Morgan City

Chief Chad M. Adams reported that over the last 72-hour reporting period, the Morgan City Police Department responded to 73 calls for service and made these arrests:

--Gannon T. Broussard Jr., 33, Railroad Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:32 p.m. Friday on charges of possession of buprenorphine hydrochloride, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting an officer.

--Brianda M. Rivera-Hernandez, 28, Kellers Lane, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:05 a.m. Sunday on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense), no turn signal, reckless operation of a vehicle and no driver’s license.

--Immanuel L. Gary, 34, Orange Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:46 p.m. Sunday on charges of domestic abuse battery (strangulation) and resisting an officer.

Special session designed to take bite out of crime

Mon, 02/19/2024 - 12:30pm

VICTOR SKINNER, The Center Square

Louisiana lawmakers will consider two dozen items aimed at reducing crime during an extraordinary session next week, from constitutional carry, to the death penalty, to harsher penalties for carjackers.
"This special session begins to fulfill the campaign promises we made to the people of Louisiana to make our state safe again. No one, regardless of their neighborhood or zip code, should feel unsafe. We all want safer communities," Gov. Jeff Landry said in a statement. "We will defend and uplift our law enforcement officials and deliver true justice to crime victims who have been overlooked for far too long. I am eager to enact real change that makes Louisiana a safer state for all."
As of Friday noon, lawmakers had prefiled 15 bills in the House and 13 in the Senate for the extraordinary session that begins Monday at 1 p.m. and runs through 6 p.m. on March 6.
Among legislation pending in the upper chamber is Senate Bill 1, by New Iberia Republican Sen. Blake Miguez to allow law-abiding citizens to carry concealed weapons without a permit. There’s also Senate Bill 3, by Turkey Creek Republican Sen. Heather Cloud, to lower the age for consideration as a juvenile in the criminal justice system to 17, reversing reforms implemented under Gov. John Bel Edwards. Monroe Republican Sen. Stewart Cathey’s Senate Bill 11 also addresses the threshold for juvenile justice.
Cathey also prefiled Senate Bill 10 to reduce good time earned by prisoners sentenced for the death of a peace officer or first responder.
Other Senate measures include efforts to increase penalties for carjacking from Sen. Valarie Hodges, R-Denham Springs. Another would create an office of public defender from Sen. Mike Reese, R-Leesville.
A bill from Sen. Rick Edmonds, R-Baton Rouge would increase penalties for DWIs while another is intended to boost transparency in the justice system from Many Republican Sen. Alan Seabaugh.
Prefiled House bills target many of the same issues, with Oil City Republican Rep. Danny McCormick offering constitutional carry with House Bill 12, Prairieville Republican Rep. Tony Bacala’s House Bill 1 to increase transparency, and House Bill 7 by Metairie Republican Rep. Laurie Schlegel to crack down on carjacking.
Schlegel also prefiled House Bill 8 to increase penalties for distribution of fentanyl to minors, while Kenner Republican Rep. Debbie Villio submitted House bills 9, 10, and 11 to reform sentencing, probation and parole conditions for certain offenders. House bills 13 and 14 from Covington Republican Rep. Mark Wright also address sentencing and parole for dangerous offenders, respectively.
Rep. Nicholas Muscarello, R-Hammond, prefiled House Bill 6 to expand methods for the death penalty to include nitrogen hypoxia. It would further give the Department of Public Safety and Corrections authority to determine the appropriate method: electrocution, lethal injection or nitrogen hypoxia.
Still other prefiled bills would provide immunity from civil liability for peace officers, require drug testing for certain offenders, designate the use of weapons as a crime of violence and impose time limitations on rape prosecutions.

Morgan City police radio logs for Feb. 16-19

Mon, 02/19/2024 - 11:18am

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.
Friday, Feb. 16
7:28 a.m. 500 block of Federal Avenue; Alarm.
7:41 a.m. 2400 block of Cypress Street; Medical.
7:57 a.m. 1800 block of East Garner Drive; Alarm.
10:15 a.m. 900 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard; Lost and found.
10:30 a.m. Elk Street; Animal complaint.
12:19 p.m. La. 182; Assistance.
12:27 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
1:15 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Theft.
1:17 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
1:38 p.m. Sixth Street; Criminal trespass.
2:25 p.m. 2300 block of Clement Street s; Telephone harassment.
3:42 p.m. Federal Avenue; Vehicle accident.
4:10 p.m. 2700 block of Shaw Drive; Subject removal.
7:02 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
8:23 p.m. Third/Songe streets; Suspicious subject.
9:21 p.m. Railroad Avenue/Cherry Street; Arrest.
9:21 p.m. 200 block of Utah Street; Animal complaint.
11:02 p.m. Florida/Barrow streets; Suspicious subject.
Saturday, Feb. 17
12:56 a.m. 1200 block of Brashear Avenue; Crash.
12:59 a.m. 600 block of Seventh Street; Complaint.
1:48 a.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Removal of subject.
7:20 p.m. Bernice/Cottonwood streets; Complaint.
7:23 p.m. 1600 block of Walnut Drive; Complaint.
9:48 p.m. Allison Street; Assistance.
10:01 p.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Fire.
11:41 p.m. Industry Road/La. 182; Assistance.
Sunday, Feb. 18
1:46 a.m. 5000 block of Railroad Avenue; Criminal damage to property.
2:24 a.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Arrest.
12:38 p.m. 600 block of Arenz Street; Lost and found.
2:49 p.m. 600 block of Belanger Street; Medical.
2:51 p.m. 500 block of Aucoin Street; Complaint.
3:57 p.m. 600 block of Grove Street; Theft.
5:02 p.m. 5000 block of Railroad Avenue; Theft.
5:18 p.m. Dugas/Second streets; Animal complaint.
7:41 p.m. 1000 block of La. 70; Arrest.
7:52 p.m. Ninth Street; Stalled vehicle.
8:25 p.m. 600 block of Martin Luther King Bouleard; Complaint.
8:52 p.m. Pecos Street/La. 182; Crash.
8:58 p.m. 900 block of Second Street; 911 hang up.
11:21 p.m. Aucoin Street; Patrol.
Monday, Feb. 19
1:25 a.m. 1200 block of David Drive; Patrol.
1:45 a.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Loud music.
1:52 a.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Complaint.

Baldwin police have warrant in Tuesday night shooting

Sat, 02/17/2024 - 10:26am

Police have a suspect in the Mardi Gras night shooting that wounded two people in Baldwin, Chief Anthony Gibson said.

Kelvin Markeith Porter Jr. of Baton Rouge is named in a warrant alleging two counts of attempted second-degree murder and one count of illegal discharging of a firearm.

Porter should be considered armed and dangerous, Gibson said. Anyone with information to his whereabouts is ask to contact Baldwin Police Department at 337-923-4845 or any local police agency.

Baldwin police were dispatched to Main Street after a shots-fired report Tuesday night. Officers found two male subjects with gunshot wounds. Both were transported to an outside medical facility by AirMed.

Landry declaration could lead to more officers, deputies here

Fri, 02/16/2024 - 4:27pm

Staff Report

An emergency proclamation by Gov. Jeff Landry is opening the door for additional hiring by the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office and other local police agencies.
On Friday, Landry declared a police officer shortage emergency, suspending rules that limit law enforcement agency hiring to 5% of the existing force from six months before to six month after a gubernatorial election The rule, enshrined in Louisiana law, is known as the "payroll padding" provision.
In an earlier interview, St. Mary Sheriff-elect Gary Driskell said the payroll padding rule was enacted to prevent sheriffs from hiring employees to serve as what amounts to campaign workers.
But the Louisiana Sheriff's Association said the rule prevents law enforcement offices from hiring needed officers. The association estimates that local and parish agencies are down about 1,800 officers.
"We applaud Governor Landry for highlighting the importance of the law enforcement profession and our state's desperate need to fill valuable front-line deputy positions," said Michael Ranatza, executive director of the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association.
From Landry: "As a former police officer and sheriff's deputy, I understand the vital role our law enforcement officers play in our communities.
"Currently our state is facing a shortage of officers, resulting in increased crime and less public safety. Today's executive order, and the upcoming crime special session, will ensure our law enforcement officers are supported and we can begin to bring law and order back to our state."
In a Facebook post, the St. Mary Sheriff's Office said it hasn't been able to hire the staff members it needs.
"We applaud Governor Jeff Landry for recognizing the need for appropriate staff levels and the challenges we face in hiring law enforcement officers," the sheriff-elect said in the post.
"I believe this proclamation will pave the way to expand hiring measures which will result in adequate staffing for enhanced public safety. This act by the governor's office shows his commitment to public safety and recognition that our citizens want to feel safe in their communities."

Four arrested near Amelia on gun and drug charges

Fri, 02/16/2024 - 1:53pm

Staff Report

(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.)

A traffic stop Monday near Amelia led to the arrest of four men on drug and gun charges, the Assumption Parish Sheriff's Office said.

Assumption

Sheriff Leland Falcon report these arrests:

--Anthony Jerome Glasper Jr., 29, Iroquois Street, Baton Rouge, was arrested Monday on charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, no proof of insurance and no vehicle registration on person.

--Tamyron Carvell Glasper, 27, Iroquois Street, Baton Rouge, was arrested Monday on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

--Markez Lakel Millican, 24, Carney Road, Baker, was arrested Monday on a charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

--Hector Sanchez, 25, Boudreaux Road, Greensburg, was arrested Monday on charges of possession of marijuana and obstruction of justice.

A uniformed patrol deputy observed an eastbound vehicle with equipment violations and conducted a stop of that vehicle. The deputy made contact with the driver, now identified as Anthony Glasper, and ordered the driver and three passengers, now identified as Tamyron Glasper, Millican and Sanchez, to remove themselves from the vehicle.

The deputy noted a strong odor of suspected marijuana from the vehicle. The deputy also noted the presence of a handgun on the front passenger floorboard of the vehicle.

The deputy believed that additional investigation was warranted and requested the presence of a K-9 unit at the scene.

The K-9 conducted an open-air sniff of the suspect vehicle and alerted positive to the presence of controlled dangerous substances. A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of multiple large-caliber handguns as well as suspected marijuana and assorted drug paraphernalia.

All four men were arrested and booked at the Assumption Parish Detention Center. Anthony Glasper, Tamyron Glaser and Millican remain incarcerated with bail set at $25,000.
Sanchez remains incarcerated awaiting a bond hearing.

Morgan City

Chief Chad M. Adams reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 77 calls for service over the last 48-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

--Demarcus S. Roy, 31, La. 182, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:31 a.m. Thursday on two counts of failure to appear for trial (6th Ward Morgan City Court) and on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

--Donzell Gaskins, 33, Apple Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:58 a.m. Thursday on charges of possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and illegal use of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of juveniles.

--Trevontae Veal, 28, Romero Street, Youngsville, was arrested at 11:21 a.m. Thursday on a charge of battery of emergency room personnel.

--Kerwing Benitez-Deleon, 24, Fourth Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 4:27 p.m. Thursday on charges of tobacco prohibited in a jal facility.

--Tyraneka Lang, 29, Eagle Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 4:55 p.m. Thursday on four counts of child desertion.

--Nicole Percle, 47, Leona Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:23 a.m. Wednesday on a charge of remaining after being forbidden.

--Myron Hatch Jr., 50, Leona Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:23 a.m. Wednesday on a charge of remaining after being forbidden.

--Bryan Racicot, 58, Shady Grove, Patterson, was arrested at 6:38 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of failure to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

St. Mary

Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that over the last 48-hour reporting period, the Sheriff's Office responded to 75 complaints and made these arrests:

--Ebonie Desha Brown, 34, Franklin, was arrested at 3:37 p.m. Thursday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charges of obstructing public passage and disturbing the peace (fighting). Bail was set at $500.

--Johnathan Lamar Jones, 27, Morgan City, was arrested on February at 11:45 p.m. Thursday on an MCPD warrant alleging failure to appear on charges of driving under suspension and speeding. Bail was set at $688.

--Dana Elaine Peters, 40, Franklin, was arrested at 2:09 p.m. Wednesday on charges of failure to yield and no driver's license, and on a warrant alleging failure to appear for criminal neglect of family. Bail was set at $500.

--Nancy Lee Duhe, 66, New Iberia, was arrested at 9:20 p.m. Wednesday on charges of driving on roadway laned for traffic, obstruction of public passage, open container and driving while intoxicated. Bail was set at $3,800.

--David Burrell Jr., 39, Lafayette, was arrested at 8:21 p.m. Friday on charges of two headlights required, two taillights required, driving under suspension, possession of a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance and resisting an officer.

Bail has not been set at this time.

Franklin

Chief Cedric Handy reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to 14 complaints over the last 48-hour reporting period and made this arrest:

--Zariq Perry, 23, Verot School Road, Lafayette, was arrested at 5:30 p.m.Tuesday on charges of disturbing the peace and resisting an officer. Perry was booked, processed and released on a $543 bond.

--Landyn Bush, 19, Barataria Boulevard, Marrero, was arrested at 10 a.m. Thursday on charges of speeding and careless operation. Bush was booked, processed and released on a $523 bond.