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Your lawn or turfgrass may be the last thing on your mind right now — but it’s no time to sit back on your laurels. Lawns are in their winter dormancy, and we have all enjoyed the reprieve from lawn mowing. But it won’t be long before our lawns literally “spring” back to life.
If you want to give your turfgrass a leg up this spring, it’s time to get to work now. Despite our lawns’ winter slumber, weeds are still at work. If you look out into the lawn, you will likely see plenty of weeds.
Now that lawns have gone brown, weeds are very evident; the green signifies they are alive and well.
Broadleaf weeds such as clover and lawn burweed (stickerweed) in addition to annual bluegrass are often present. These weeds will be found in lawns of St. Augustine, centipede, zoysia and dormant bermuda. They can be managed with applications of atrazine herbicide applied in winter from January into the spring until temperatures get up into the upper 80s.
The winter months are a good time to spray cool-season annual weeds while they are actively growing. It is especially important to treat these weeds before they produce seeds that will be a headache in the next growing season.
Herbicides containing three-way mixtures of 2,4-D plus dicamba plus mecoprop — such as the Trimec product — can be used for winter broadleaf control with less turf injury potential in all Southern turfgrasses this time of the year. Weed-and-feed products can be substituted as your first application of fertilizer, but not until the early spring after the threat of the last freeze has passed. In south Louisiana, that date is typically March 15, and in north Louisiana, April 1.
Warm-season turfgrasses that are not actively growing should not be fertilized with nitrogen unless the lawn has been overseeded with ryegrass. Nitrogen fertilization on dormant turfgrasses can lead to increased fungal diseases such as brown patch and also lead to winter kill. In addition, nitrogen applications during this time have a greater potential for movement into ground water.
Although many home lawns do not require regular mowing or fertilization, now is an excellent time to have your soil tested. To test your soil, bring in 1 pint of soil to your parish LSU AgCenter office. Soil samples should be a composite of soil plugs 4 inches in depth from various places around the lawn.
For those who have chosen to overseed with ryegrass, apply 2 to 3 pounds of ammonium nitrate or equivalent fertilizer per 1,000 square feet every four to six weeks to maintain desired growth and color.
Postpone any permanent warm-season turfgrass establishment from seed until next spring. Sod such as St. Augustine can be laid during winter if necessary, but remember to keep it moist to prevent drying out and dying. Establishment is best left until well after spring green-up. Areas that are thin or bare can be overseeded with ryegrass to reduce muddy conditions or prevent soil erosion.
Brown patch diseases can come and go throughout the winter if the weather is mild as it typically is here in Louisiana. Treatment with fungicides containing thiophanate, propiconazole, iprodione, PCNB, captan, triadimefon or maneb will reduce brown patch spreading. Damage from brown patch will slow spring green-up and affected areas will remain unsightly until warmer weather conditions allow for turfgrass recovery.
Warm-season turfgrasses may show signs of green-up in south Louisiana in late February. Do not push turfgrass growth with fertilizer. Fertilizer applied too early will feed the winter weeds, and fertilizer applied too heavily will result in lush growth that is more susceptible to injury from late frosts or brown patch. Let the grass green up gradually, and do not fertilize until after the first mowing. Remember, irrigate only as needed. Grass will be greener on the other side of winter, but for now, control weeds and brown patch to get ahead of the game for spring.

The St. Mary Parish school system issued this press release Thursday morning:

School district officials, local law enforcement agencies, and school administrators have collaborated to determine additional safety measures. We are calling upon St. Mary Parish citizens to abide by these expectations in order to ensure safety of all in attendance at the sporting events that we all love so much.

1. All spectators will walk through an upright, walk-through metal detector. Items such as phones, watches, metal belt buckles, key chains, and jewelry, etc. that will set off the metal detector will be placed in a bucket to the side of the metal detector to be collected after walking through.

2. Anyone who sets off the metal detector will be asked to step outside to be searched with a handheld metal detector wand. Not complying with this request will result in the denial of entry.

3. Bags and purses will not be allowed inside with the exception of a clear bag no larger than 12” X 6” X 12” which will be searched before entrance is granted.

4. High-school students must present their school ID to enter or must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

5. There will be no student drop-offs. Young children and students in grades K-8 can enter only with a parent/guardian, must remain seated with the parent/guardian throughout the game, and must be accompanied by the parent/guardian to concessions and restrooms. Parents/guardians will be responsible for any child in their care.

6. Re-entries will not be allowed. Should anyone exit, he/she will have to pay to return and will be scanned and searched again.

7. All spectators will remain in the bleachers and seated throughout the duration of the games unless going to concessions or restrooms. There will be no loitering in parking lots, hallways, vestibules, lobbies, or along fences, etc.

Mardi Gras in the Tri-City has begun.

The women’s Krewe of Hera kicked off the season on Jan. 14.

Next on the agenda is the men’s Krewe of Adonis on Saturday. Six more balls will follow leading up to Fat Tuesday which is Feb. 21.

Seven area Mardi Gras parades will be held in the Tri-City area beginning Feb. 17 and ending on Mardi Gras day.

Ball patrons are reminded that tableaus begin promptly and everyone should be seated prior to the krewe’s stated start time.

Krewe of Adonis

The men’s Krewe of Adonis will host it tableau at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium. Floor seating is invitation only.

Balcony viewing is available to the public. Making a farewell appearance will be King and Queen Adonis XLVII Mr. and Mrs. Chad Ross Sr.

Adonis will hold the area’s other nighttime parade at 7 p.m. Feb. 17 in Morgan City. The procession will start at the corner of Brashear Avenue and Second Street and proceed down Second to Onstead Street, Sixth Street, Marguerite Street, Ninth Street (La. 70), Brashear Avenue, Victor II Boulevard and ending at the auditorium on Myrtle Street.

Krewe of Nike

The children’s Krewe of Nike will present its ball at 7 p.m. Jan. 28 at the auditorium. All viewing is invitation only.

Bidding adieu will be King and Queen Nike L Grant Kirkpatrick and Ashleigh Guagliardo.

Members of the krewe will parade behind the Krewe of Galatea procession that begins at 2 p.m. Feb. 19 in Morgan City.

Krewe of Galatea

The women’s mystic Krewe of Galatea will hold its tableau at 8 p.m. Feb. 4 at the auditorium. Viewing is by invitation only.

Queen and King of Galatea LIII Mrs. George Jeffrey Beattie and Lee Dragna will make a farewell appearance.

Galatea will present its annual parade at 2 p.m. Feb. 19 in Morgan City. The procession will organize on Second Street under the U.S. 90 Grizzaffi Bridge and proceed to

Onstead Street, Sixth Street, Marguerite Street, Ninth Street, Clothilde Street, Victor II Boulevard and ending at the auditorium on Myrtle Street.

Krewe of Dionysus

The Krewe of Dionysus will host its coronation at 8 p.m. on Feb. 11 at the Berwick Civic Complex. Floor seating is invitation only.

Public viewing is available in the balcony.

A farewell appearance will be made by King and Queen Dionysus XLI Steve Kennedy and Laura Kennedy.

Dionysus’ parade in Berwick will begin at 2 p.m. Feb. 18.

The procession will line up on Gilmore Drive and turn on John Street, Robichaux Street, Mount Street, Gilmore Drive, right on La. 182, Tournament Boulevard, Fairview Drive then to Pattie Drive, where it will disband at Berwick Junior High School.

Krewe of Hannibal

The Krewe of Hannibal will celebrate with a ball at 8 p.m. Feb. 11 at the auditorium. This is an invitation-only event.

Bidding adieu will be royalty XL — King Hannibal Cornelius “C.C.” Stewart Jr. and Queen Cleopatra Thetis Dural.

Krewe members are still deciding which area parades in which to participate.

Krewe of Amani

The Krewe of Amani’s coronation is 8 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Patterson Area Civic Center. Floor seating is invitation only.

Amani patrons are reminded that doors to view the tableau will close at 7:45 p.m. and not reopen until the presentation is complete.

Making a farewell appearance will be King and Queen Amani XXIII Renwick McPherson and Eartha Lewis.

Amani will hold its Lundi Gras parade at 2 p.m. Feb. 20 in Patterson. The procession will line up at Patterson High School and proceed down La. 182 (Main Street) and end at the Place Norman Shopping Center.

Following the parade, a block party will be held on Martin Luther King Avenue.

Krewe of Hephaestus

The oldest area krewe, the Krewe of Hephaestus, will hold its carnival court at 8 p.m. Feb. 18 at the auditorium. Floor seating is invitation only.

Public viewing is available from the balcony.

Taking to the stage for a final appearance will be King and Queen Hephaestus LXI Gerard Bourgeois and Emma Levert Aucoin.

Krewe members will parade at 2 p.m. Fat Tuesday in Morgan City. The procession will organize on Sixth and Sycamore streets and proceed down Sixth Street to Marguerite Street, Ninth Street, Clothilde Street, and Victor II Boulevard, ending at the auditorium on Myrtle Street.

Siracusa/Greenwood

The Siracusa/Greenwood Community has announced that it will hold its Mardi Gras Parade on Fat Tuesday at 2 p.m.

Participants will line up on Siracusa Road at 1 p.m. then proceed to James Street and Grace Street before ending at the Siracusaville Recreation Center.

Anyone wishing to participate or for information may call Leroy Trim at 985-385-4224, or 985-759-1689, or Mary Jones at 985-519-0547.

Parade Summaries
—Krewe of Adonis: Friday, Feb. 17, 7 p.m., Morgan City.
—Krewe of Dionysus: Saturday, Feb. 18, 2 p.m., Berwick.
—Krewe of Galatea: Sunday, Feb. 19, 2 p.m., Morgan City.
—Krewe of Amani: Monday, Feb. 20, 2 p.m., Patterson.
—Krewe of Hera: Monday, Feb. 20, 7 p.m., Morgan City.
—Siracusa/Greenwood: Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2 p.m., Siracusaville.
—Krewe of Hephaestus: Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2 p.m., Morgan City.

November 3, 1944 — January 15, 2023

Alicia Cortez Robicheaux, 77, a resident of Morgan City, passed away Sunday, January 15, 2023 at her home.

Alicia was born November 3, 1944, the daughter of Alidor Cortez and Elizabeth Martinez Cortez.

Alicia was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her family was her pride and joy, and she enjoyed cooking for them and spending time with them. She was a devout Catholic and a faithful parishioner of Holy Cross Catholic Church. Alicia retired from the school board after many years as a cafeteria manager. She was also a member of the AARP, and was always involved in their events. Alicia found much pleasure in being sociable; she never met a stranger, and was cherished by many dear friends. She was an avid sports fan and especially loved LSU.

She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her two children, David Robicheaux Jr. and Dana Metrejean and husband Alvin “P.T.”; one sister, Irma Becnel; three grandchildren, Nicholas Metrejean and wife Kayla, Brandon Metrejean and fiancé Tiffany, Alana Metrejean and fiancé Jacob; six great-grandchildren, Korie, Emmie, Kelsi, Nikki,
Jack, and Madison Metrejean; companion, Andrew Crouch.

Alicia was preceded in death by her parents, Alidor and Elizabeth Cortez; husband, David Robicheaux Sr.; four siblings, Verna Mahler, Cleveland, Ozema, and Ervin Cortez.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 19, 2023 at Holy Cross Catholic Church with Father Mike Trahan officiating. Visitation will be held Thursday, January 19, 2023 at Holy Cross Catholic Church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. After Mass, Alicia will be laid to rest in the Morgan City Cemetery.