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Brother’s angry outbursts hit at home and at work

Fri, 10/28/2022 - 9:34am

By Jeanne Phillips, ©United Features Syndicate

DEAR ABBY: I have a brother I can’t seem to get along with anymore. Sometimes he’s OK, but most of the time he’s not. I visited him recently for a cookout, and it wasn’t good. He got into an argument with his wife, shattered a glass, tried to fight me out of the blue, and talked about extremist topics — all in front of his young, impressionable kids. I worry about his three boys and want to have a serious talk with him about getting some therapy.
The problem is, we work together. Although we have different shifts, I see him and his team almost daily at meetings, and our teams are already polarized. How can I confront him without making our careers suffer? He is not receptive to confrontation, and it may cause a serious rift.
FRUSTRATED BROTHER IN THE SOUTH

DEAR BROTHER: Could your brother have a drinking or drug problem that would account for his volatility, or has he always been this way?
Political differences are one thing; shattering a glass and becoming violent during something as mundane as a cookout is worrisome. Have you talked to his wife about how long this has been going on? His behavior could present a danger to her and the kids.
Because there are serious differences between your team and his at work, the person who should logically “referee” is your supervisor or boss; what’s going on isn’t healthy for the business.
Your brother is entitled to his political opinions, but if he’s a danger to others, there needs to be an intervention. If he raises a fist to you or his family, the police should be called.

DEAR ABBY: This woman keeps texting my husband. Her husband died last year, and she has been staying in contact with my husband. I know he initiates the messaging most of the time. He also deletes her messages.
Our husbands grew up together but kept in touch only twice a year. They would call each other on their birthdays. Now this woman and my husband text every day, and you know what that is all about. She’s lonely, and he thinks he needs to “console” her.
Well, Abby, I don’t like it! I can’t stop it. If I say anything, he gets defensive. To me, that’s a sign of guilt, and his deleting the messages is another sign of guilt. He has to have his ego stroked. He’s a classic narcissist, and it’s his way or the highway. I’m desperate for answers. Please help.
ANGRY IN THE EAST

DEAR ANGRY: The widow keeps texting your husband because he is encouraging it. I agree with you that the conversations have gone beyond “condolences,” or he wouldn’t delete the messages. In a situation like this it’s important you take steps to protect your investment in your marriage.
Gather all of the financial information you can and have a private chat with a lawyer about what your rights are as a wife in the state in which you live. Once you have done that, confront your narcissistic spouse and tell him you feel what’s going on is a threat to your marriage.
Tell him you want it stopped immediately, and the two of you must get marriage counseling either with your religious adviser or a licensed marriage and family therapist. Perhaps once he realizes there could be a stiff price to pay for his “condolences,” he may see the light.
***
What teens need to know about sex, drugs, AIDS and getting along with peers and parents is in “What Every Teen Should Know.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 to: Dear Abby, Teen Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.

RANDY HENRY

Fri, 10/28/2022 - 7:41am

Randy Henry, 55, a resident of New Iberia, died Monday, Oct. 10, 2022, at his residence.

Visitation is Friday from 11 a.m. until services at 1 p.m. at Mt. Esther Baptist Church in Morgan City. Burial will follow in New Salem Baptist Church Cemetery in Patterson.

He is survived by two sons, Gabrieo Boulanger and Tarell Boulanger, both of Patterson; daughter, Na’Tyia Henry of Berwick; brother, Earl Henry Sr. of New Iberia; three sisters, Patricia Henry, Nova Merritt and Hope Chatman, all of Patterson; and a host of other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister and maternal and paternal grandparents.
Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Coming up this weekend

Fri, 10/28/2022 - 7:18am

Big games
A prep football battle for the top spot in District 7-1 is set for Friday, when Central Catholic travels Abbeville to play Vermilion Catholic. Also Friday, Berwick is at St. James and Patterson hosts Donaldsonville. Morgan City played at Lutcher on Thursday.

Horseshoes
Top competitors are expected to compete in the Cajun Coast Classic Horseshoe Tournament on Saturday and Sunday at Kemper Williams Park near Patterson.

Boat racing
Speed boat racing returns to Russo’s Landing at 10 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday.

Promotion
A ceremony at 1 p.m. Saturday at Morgan City Municipal Auditorium will mark the promotion of James Kelly Jr. to Army lieutenant colonel. Kelly, a Blackhawk helicopter pilot, is also No. 1 in the Men’s Master’s Class in the Mr. America body-building competition.

Mayor candidates meet at Berwick forum

Fri, 10/28/2022 - 7:11am

Berwick Mayor Duval Arthur and challenger Jessie Boudreaux appeared Monday at a St. Mary Chamber forum at the Berwick Civic Center.

Their race for Berwick mayor is the only municipal race in east St. Mary this election cycle.

Early voting is underway for the Nov. 8 primary and will continue through Monday, except for Sunday. Voters may cast early ballots 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

Arthur is completing his first four-year term as mayor after serving three terms on the Berwick Town Council. He is also a former Berwick police chief and has served as the parish’s director of homeland security.

Arthur retired after a 30-year career in the Army as a sergeant major.

Boudreaux, a Country Club Subdivision resident, said he has worked in the energy industry for more than 40 years. He has acquired experience working with engineers and with budgets, he said.

“I want to make Berwick better,” Boudreaux said.

He said he hopes to bring more industry to Berwick and will make school security for students and teachers a priority.

Arthur said that when he took office in 2019, all five Town Council members were new. But they turned out to be “the perfect council,” Arthur said. Members often come to him with ideas, he said.

First-term accomplishments cited by Arthur include providing water and gas lines to the five-plot Southern Oaks Subdivision, drainage improvements for Golden Farms, Fairview and Cantrell Heights subdivisions, a $600,000 project raising and improving Front Street, a new roof on City Hall and new equipment that includes three police cars and three trucks for public works.

“We’re close to finishing the job,” Arthur said. “Please help me finish that job. I’d like four more years.”

The two candidates disagreed over drainage work in Country Club Estates, where flooding fueled complaints after two heavy rains in 2019 pushed water into homes.

Arthur said the city has obtained a state grant for drainage improvements, including subsurface work, expected to cost more than $1 million.
Boudreaux, who often said during the forum that he wasn’t trying to assess blame, said the town government would do better to keep drainage ditches clear.

In an earlier campaign, Boudreaux had raised the possibility that major retailers, including Walmart, Rouses and even Amazon, might find highway frontage in Berwick to be attractive. Arthur said Monday that he’s still waiting for the trucks to arrive.

Arthur said he has talked with a grocery store owner, currently looking at a Maurice location, about studying the feasibility of opening a store in Berwick.

MATTHEW DAVID BREAUX

Fri, 10/28/2022 - 7:08am

December 6, 1970 — October 25, 2022

Matthew David Breaux, 51, passed away peacefully, Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at Cabrini Hospital in Alexandria.

Matthew was born December 6, 1970, in Morgan City, the son of David Breaux and Ann Johnson Breaux.

He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his two brothers, Randy Breaux of Birmingham, AL and Michael Breaux of Baton Rouge, LA; two sisters-in-law, Arleene and Jennifer Breaux; four nephews, three nieces; two great-nephews; two great-nieces.

Matthew was preceded in death by his parents, David and Ann Breaux.

Graveside services were held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, October 27, 2022 at Morgan City Cemetery with Father Thainese Alphonse officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please consider the following non-profit organizations for a charitable donation in Matt’s honor: St. Mary’s Residential Training School, 6715 LA-1, Boyce, LA 71409 and Williams Syndrome Association, 560 Kirts Blvd. Suite 116, Troy, MI, 48084-4153.

Wheel House for Oct. 28

Fri, 10/28/2022 - 7:06am

FREE MEAL
Pharr Chapel United Methodist Church, 517 Federal Ave., Morgan City, hosting a free Thanksgiving meal 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12. Everyone welcome.

Around Town for Oct. 28

Fri, 10/28/2022 - 7:04am

Happy birthday Sunday to Deidre Lewis, and Monday to Charkissa Jackson and John Dugan from family, friends and Ira … Happy anniversary Sunday to Paula and Wilbur Gautreaux from family and friends.

Coast Guard, AgCenter pitch in at J.S. Aucoin garden

Fri, 10/28/2022 - 6:51am

Like many schools, J.S. Aucoin Elementary had to put extracurriculars like garden club on the back burner during the height of COVID-19 pandemic.

Members of the U.S. Coast Guard, from Marine Safety Unit Morgan City, answered the call when St. Mary Parish LSU AgCenter was looking for volunteers to bring the seven garden beds back to working condition.

Students have been eager to resume garden-based nutrition lessons.

Through LSU AgCenter SNAP-Ed lessons, students get to see their food go from seed to plate. Students learn healthy recipes, try new foods, and expand their gardening skills.

“J.S. Aucoin is excited to start our garden club this year after a 2-year hiatus with COVID restrictions. We are looking forward to planting, cultivating, and harvesting crops this year,” said Principal Shantell Toups, J.S. Aucoin Elementary.

“We would not be able to get started without the help of our friends from the U.S. Coast Guard. We are grateful for the help they provided to clean up our garden beds and get them ready for planting.”

Treats for Bayou Vista readers

Fri, 10/28/2022 - 6:47am

Submitted Photo
Bayou Vista Elementary students who read Spotlight books and passed AR quizzes received tickets for a drawing of McDonald’s gift certificates. The lucky winners are Andi Bienvenu, Alan Dole, James Welch and Eva Floyd. Gift certificates were donated by the local McDonald’s.

Jurassic pork: Feral hogs cost ag, timber producers $91M a year

Fri, 10/28/2022 - 6:43am

OLIVIA McCLURE, LSU AgCenter

From rooting up crops to destroying farm infrastructure, Louisiana’s growing population of feral hogs causes $91.1 million in damage to agricultural and timber lands each year, according to a newly released LSU AgCenter estimate.

Based on responses to a 2021 survey, the study found that hog damage costs landowners $66.2 million in crop losses and $24.9 million in other expenses annually. More than 950 people completed the survey, representing nearly 660,000 acres of crop fields, pastures and woods.

The hogs cause a myriad of problems to Louisiana agriculture, an industry worth about $12 billion annually. They root up, wallow in and trample crops, tree seedlings and wildlife food plots. They also are known to wreak havoc on pastures, drains, levees, fences and waterways.

“Feral swine continue to be a growing problem to farmers, ranchers, foresters and landowners in many areas of the U.S. and are considered to be one of the most damaging invasive species in existence,” wrote study authors Michael Salassi, associate vice president and program leader for plant and animal sciences; Melissa Cater, director of the Northeast Region; and Glen Gentry, director of the Doyle Chambers Central Research Station and the Bob R. Jones-Idlewild Research Station.

Feral hogs have been part of the American landscape since the 1500s, when early explorers and settlers imported swine as a food source. Free-range livestock management practices and escapes from enclosures led to the first feral hog populations taking hold.

In the 1900s, the Eurasian wild boar was introduced to some states for sport hunting. Modern feral swine are a combination of escaped domestic pigs, wild boars and hybrids of the two.

Found in all 64 parishes of Louisiana and at least 34 other states, feral hog populations have exploded in recent decades. In 1982, an estimated 2.4 million feral hogs lived in the United States. Today, experts believe that figure could be as high as 9 million.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries estimates between 700,000 and 900,000 of the animals live in the state. Many of the AgCenter survey respondents said they feel the number of hogs has grown on their properties in the past few years.

Feral hogs multiply quickly, with sows able to have two litters of five to six piglets per year. They have few natural predators and can thrive in almost any habitat, whether it be a tidal marsh or a hardwood forest. Their rapid reproduction and resilience make population control difficult.

“Statisticians have estimated that approximately 70% to 75% of the population must be harvested to control feral swine numbers,” the authors wrote. “In Louisiana, hunters harvest less than half so populations continue to grow.”

The study indicates annual production losses were greatest for sugarcane, rice, corn, hay, soybeans and timber. Those losses ranged from $6.9 million for timber to $14.8 million for sugarcane.

About a quarter of the 952 respondents reported damage to pastures, something the study leaders estimate to cost $5.4 million statewide annually.

Some other loss estimates of interest include replanting damaged crop fields at $5.6 million, damage to drains and levees at $4.3 million and redisking damaged fields at $2.3 million.

Nearly 70% of survey respondents said feral swine had interfered in some way with their farming operations in the past year. And a majority expressed concern for the safety of themselves and their families, pets and livestock.

“Although feral swine generally prefer less interaction with humans, their rapidly expanding population and constant search for food sources is causing increasing interactions with producers and foresters on agricultural lands,” the authors wrote.