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Coast Guard airlifts patient from oil tanker

Wed, 12/21/2022 - 10:54am

The Coast Guard medevaced a 48-year-old male crewmember from an oil tanker vessel Tuesday approximately 58 miles southwest of Southwest Pass.

Coast Guard Sector New Orleans watchstanders received a call at 4:58 a.m. from PGC IKAROS personnel stating a crewmember fell and sustained injuries to his arm.

Watchstanders coordinated the launch of a Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew to assist and directed the PGC IKAROS to make way toward Southwest Pass to close the distance between the ship and the aircrew.

The aircrew arrived on scene, hoisted the crewmember, and transferred him to awaiting emergency medical services personnel at Air Station New Orleans in Belle Chasse, Louisiana.

The crewmember was last reported to be in stable condition.

A perfect dish for a New Year’s Day brunch

Wed, 12/21/2022 - 9:29am

The late-night revelry of New Year’s Eve has made New Year’s Day brunch a go-to tradition for millions of people.
Staying up until the calendar officially turns from one year to the next at the stroke of midnight can make it harder to get out of bed on the morning of Jan. 1, so there may be no better day to plan a brunch than the first day of the calendar year.
Many restaurants offer brunch specials on New Year’s Day, but people need not leave home to ensure their first meal of the new year is delicious.
This recipe for “Pan-Fried Eggs and Mixed Mushroom Sauté on Toasted Sourdough Slices” from “Sunday Brunch” (Chronicle Books) by Betty Rosbottom can be just the dish to begin a new year.

PAN-FRIED EGGS AND MIXED
MUSHROOM SAUTÉ ON TOASTED
SOURDOUGH SLICES
Mushroom Sauté
1¼ ounces mixed dried mushrooms
1½ cups boiling water
3 Tbsp. olive oil
8 ounces sliced brown mushrooms
2 tsp. minced garlic
1 tsp. dried crushed rosemary (see tip)
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Toast and Eggs
4 ½-inch thick sourdough slices
Olive oil
2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
4 eggs
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Rosemary sprigs for garnish (optional)
For the Mushroom Sauté: Place dried mushrooms in a medium bowl and cover with boiling water. Let stand until softened, 20 minutes. Strain in a sieve lined with a double thickness of paper towels and reserve the soaking liquid. Coarsely chop mushrooms.
Heat olive oil in a medium, heavy frying pan set over medium heat. When hot, add brown mushrooms and sauté, stirring often, for 6 minutes. Add reserved mushrooms, garlic, rosemary and ½ teaspoon salt; stir for 1 minute. Add mushroom liquid and cook, stirring, until it has evaporated, 4 to 7 minutes.
Season with salt and several grinds of pepper. Remove frying pan from the heat and cover with foil to keep warm. (The mushrooms can be prepared 1 day ahead; cool, cover and refrigerate. Reheat, stirring, over medium heat.)
For the Toast and Eggs: Brush both sides of the bread slices generously with olive oil. Set a 10- to 11-inch nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat, and, when hot, add bread and cook until lightly browned, about 2 minutes per side. Remove toast and cover loosely with foil. When pan is cool enough to handle, wipe it out with clean paper towels.
Add butter to the frying pan and set it over medium heat. When butter starts to foam, break an egg into a saucer, being careful to remove any shell fragments. Gently slide egg into the frying pan. Repeat with the remaining eggs. Immediately reduce heat to low and cook, basting the eggs with some of the butter in the pan frequently, until the whites are firm and yolks are still soft and runny, 3 minutes.
While eggs are cooking, arrange a toasted bread slice on each of four plates. Mound mushrooms evenly over the toast.
Remove each egg with a spatula and arrange on top of the mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper and, if desired, garnish each serving with a rosemary sprig. Serve immediately.
Tip: If you can’t find dried crushed rosemary, crush regular dried rosemary in an electric spice mill, or place it in a self-sealing plastic bag and roll over it with a rolling pin.
Serves 4

Woman gets cold shoulder from her stepdaughter

Wed, 12/21/2022 - 9:27am

By Jeannie Phillips, ©United Features Syndicate

DEAR ABBY: I’ve been married six years, and ever since we’ve been married, my husband’s daughter has insisted that I can’t come to her house that my husband has a mortgage on. I think he should tell her that if his wife isn’t welcome, then he isn’t.
My husband is 19 years older than I am and has health issues. I am there for him and take care of him, and I’m hurt that he doesn’t speak up for me. I feel his daughter should want us to come over together for the sake of her dad.
The time is coming when she and the rest of his family will have to come to our house to see him. I don’t know if I would be so willing to let them, since they don’t want me being part of the family.
I have talked to my husband about this and I’m getting nowhere. He now has dementia. He forgets quite a bit, and he insists it’s me and not his daughter who says I’m not welcome. I’m at my wit’s end. What do you think about this?
MIFFED IN THE MIDWEST

DEAR MIFFED: I think there may be some relevant facts you didn’t include in your letter. Does your husband’s daughter resent you because of the difference in your ages? Did you have anything to do with the breakup of his first marriage? When you wrote “they” don’t want you to be part of the family, exactly to whom were you referring?
Frankly, if I were in your shoes, the LAST thing I would want to do is force my way into a home where I wasn’t wanted. I wouldn’t be comfortable under those circumstances, and I am having trouble understanding why you would be.
If the time comes when your husband becomes too incapacitated to visit his daughter and the rest of the family, please take the high road and do the compassionate thing. Invite them in so they can be of comfort to your husband. If there is any way to fire up the peace pipe, that is the way to do it.
P.S. Because your husband holds the mortgage on his daughter’s home, I HOPE he has consulted an attorney and put his wishes regarding estate planning in writing.

DEAR ABBY: I am a new mom who is fortunate to be able to breastfeed. We’ve had several guests come to our house to meet the baby, and if she needs to nurse, I go to the couch and allow her to breastfeed.
I don’t feel the need to hide in another room in my own house when I’m comfortable on my couch with all my necessary pillows to assist.
My sister wanted to bring her new boyfriend over to meet my husband, the baby and me. Before they came, she called to ask me to refrain from “whipping out my boobs” in front of her new beau. I don’t view breastfeeding as flashing, but she prioritized his comfort over mine in my own house. I don’t mind using a cover to shield people from seeing my chest, but was her request valid and should I go into another room in my own home?
FEEDING IN THE WEST

DEAR FEEDING: Most people are aware that breastfeeding is a natural function. If “Sis” is uncomfortable with the idea of her new boyfriend seeing you breastfeed, the two of THEM should excuse themselves and go to another room or choose a time to visit between feedings.
***
For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more sociable person, order “How to Be Popular.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 to: Dear Abby, Popularity Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.

CHRISTOPHER JAMES GUNNER

Wed, 12/21/2022 - 8:59am

Christopher James Gunner, 58, a resident of Patterson, died Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, at Patterson Healthcare.

Visitation will be Thursday from 9 a.m. until services at 11 a.m. at Jones Funeral Home Chapel in Franklin.

Burial will follow in Little Zion Cemetery.

He is survived by a son, Christopher Blanks of Franklin; two daughters: Christiana Blanks of Baton Rouge and Chanekeya Nedd of New Iberia; three brothers, Levi Gunner Jr., Roland Gunner Sr. and Steven

Gunner, all of Verdunville; two sisters, Denise Gunner of Franklin and Delinda Gunner of Patterson; and a host of other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother and sister.

Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

MICHAEL LEE JENNINGS

Wed, 12/21/2022 - 7:05am

Michael Lee Jennings, 64, a native and resident of Patterson, died Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, at his residence.

Visitation and services were Monday at Jones Funeral Home.

He is survived by three sons, Nicholas Levingston of Houston, Wayne Escort of Morgan City and Jacoby Jennings of Lafayette; daughters, Leslie Nixon of Houma, Vacherie August of White Castle and Pauline Jennings of Lafayette; four brothers, Johnel Jennings, Kevin Jennings, David Jennings and Bobby Jennings, all of Patterson; three sisters, Patricia Bridget, Kathy Jennings and Pam Simmons, all of Patterson; 28 grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, maternal and paternal grandparents and a brother.

Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

WILLARD KAUFMAN FROMENTHAL

Wed, 12/21/2022 - 7:01am

Willard Kaufman Fromenthal, a native of Berwick and resident of Wisconsin, died Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, at Mayo Health System Lacrosse Hospital in Lacrosse, Wisconsin.

Visitation was Monday at Appleyard’s Home for Funerals in Rice Lake, Wisconsin and funeral services were Tuesday at Long Lake Lutheran Church in Sarona, Wisconsin.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Fromenthal of Sarona, Wisconsin; a son, Bill Fromenthal of St. Paul, Minnesota; daughters, Rebecca Fromenthal of St. Paul, Minnesota and Brenda Oja of Owatonna, Minnesota; sisters, Pearl Haase of Morgan City and Doris Thompson of Stillwater, Minnesota; and three grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and two sisters.

Appleyard’s Home for Funerals of Rice Lake, Wisconsin, was in charge of arrangements.

MICHAEL 'MIKE' Wood

Wed, 12/21/2022 - 6:57am

Michael Francis Wood, a resident of Morgan City, passed away December 15, 2022 at Ochsner Hospital in New Orleans.

Mike was born on January 8, 1947 in Washington, D.C., the son of Howard Wood and Mabel Frost Wood.

Mike was an avid golfer and turkey hunter. He was also very active at the First Baptist Church of Morgan City which he loved so much. After retirement he spent many years volunteering in the community and traveling on mission trips through his church. Mike was also a long-time member of his local Rotary Club.

Mike is survived by his two children, Laura Wood and Jeff Wood and his wife Jennifer, both of Lafayette.

He is also survived by his three grandchildren, Aidan, Ella and Bennett Wood and his brother, John Wood and his wife Trudy of Mesa, Arizona.

Mike was preceded in death by his loving wife of 52 years, Carol Ann Wood, Father, Howard Wood, Mother, Mabel Frost Wood and his Aunt and Uncle Jennie and Buster Sauls, who loved and raised him as their own.

It was his wishes to not have any services, so please pay it forward, love one another and do as many
random acts of kindness as possible in his memory.

We would like to thank everyone at Ochsner Hospital in New Orleans for making his final days as
comfortable as possible for him and all of his family. The Ochsner staff was truly a blessing in this difficult time.

Wheel House for Dec. 21

Wed, 12/21/2022 - 6:51am

CHRISTMAS EVE
Service hosted by First United Methodist Church, 109 Gilmore Drive, Berwick, at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24. Public invited.

CHRISTMAS DAY
Service hosted by First United Methodist Church, 1204 Main St., Patterson, at 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 25. Public invited.

DINNERS
Sold by New Salem Baptist Church, 1412 Cherry St., Patterson, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. Menu: fried chicken, white beans with rice, green salad, dessert, roll and cold drink. Donation: $10. For advance order call 985-395-3197 or day of call 985-395-3323.

Around Town for Dec. 21

Wed, 12/21/2022 - 6:48am

Belated happy birth-day Glenda Hasley and Alaysia Ruffin from fam-ily, friends and Ira.

Report: State paid $151K in bogus jobless claims

Wed, 12/21/2022 - 6:46am

VICTOR SKINNER, The Center Square

The Louisiana Workforce Commission paid out more than $151,000 for more than four dozen seemingly fraudulent pandemic unemployment claims in 2020, according to the Louisiana Legislative Auditor.

LLA Mike Waguespack issued an investigative audit report last week in response to complaints about pandemic unemployment fraudsters that uncovered dozens of claims filed from the same internet protocol address that were directed to the same bank accounts.

Auditors identified 49 claims totaling $151,907 filed between May 15, 2020 and October 14, 2020 that appear to be fabricated, though individuals identified by initials in the report denied wrongdoing.

"The majority of the claimants' names and Social Security numbers did not correspond to a Louisiana
driver's license/identification card, and no Louisiana wages had been reported for the majority of these claims," auditors wrote. "LWC records show that these claimants used the same and/or similar mailing addresses and that their LWC accounts were accessed from the same Internet Protocol addresses to change their names, contact information, and bank account information."

The 43 claims were accessed within minutes of each other from the same internet address an individual identified as A.B. used to direct $53,099 in benefits to at least two bank accounts held by his family members.

Another 25 claimants received benefits totaling $79,891 on debit cards used to withdraw cash at the same
locations and times A.B. used a debit card to withdraw cash.

The alleged scam involved emergency federal benefits of $600 per week included in the CARES Act.

"We searched LWC's database to identify additional claimants who used the same mailing addresses, IP addresses, and bank accounts as the 49 claimants," according to the report. "We found that C.D. filed an unemployment application on March 19, 2020, and was the first claimant to have benefits direct deposited to one of the common bank accounts. In addition, LWC records show that C.D.'s brother, A.B., submitted an unemployment application on April 9, 2020, and consistently accessed his LWC account from the same IP address as the other claimants."

Records showed A.B.'s girlfriend was the registered subscriber for the IP address, which was used to divert benefits to bank accounts held by A.B.'s sister, C.D., and A.B.'s cousin, E.F. The LLA report details the timeline of changes to the various LWC accounts to direct funds to a bank account in E.F.'s name, as well as to an account in C.D.'s name and another unrelated third party.

The report also outlined other links between A.B., C.D., and cash withdrawals from debit cards associated with the LWC accounts.

"For example, A.B.'s debit card and nine other debit cards were used on July 9, 2020, at the same location in Slidell, LA to withdraw cash totaling $4,580 from 6:18 a.m. to 6:31 a.m. The same nine debit cards and nine additional debit cards, were used to withdraw cash totaling $13,548 on July 14, 2020, at five different locations in Slidell, LA from 12:26 p.m. to 1:18 p.m. US Bank records show that the 23 debit cards were used to withdraw cash at ATM's totaling $74,475 from May 15, 2020 to July 22, 2020," according to the report.

A.B. told the LLA he lost his debit card and his LWC account was compromised, and could not recall if he used his sister's bank account or if he remembered helping anyone receive benefits through his sister's account.

The LLA recommended several ways the LWC can improve security to prevent similar scams in the future, and LWC Secretary Ava Cates responded to the report in a letter to Waguespack on Dec. 8.

Cates highlighted the high volume of claims during the pandemic — peaking at 732,000 a week in April 2020 — as well as federal guidance to prohibit requiring proof of identity, and the agency's "accurate payment rate of over 95%."

"Nearly all of the claims identified in the referenced reports are (federal pandemic) claims that were filed soon after the program was launched," Cates wrote. "None of these individuals would have been eligible for or ever received regular state unemployment insurance benefits."