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Letter: You're invited to MCFD 150th anniversary

Fri, 10/14/2022 - 9:28am

Chief Alvin Cockerham, Assistant Chief Joe Marino, Assistant Chief John MacDougall, and the Morgan City Fire Department would like to extend an invitation to you and your family to attend our Fire Prevention Open House and 150th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, at the Central Station located at 1307 Victor II Blvd.

Our Fire Prevention Open House is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will include demonstrations by our firefighters, games, food, and drawings for the children in our community.

Our 150th Anniversary celebration will begin at 2:30 p.m. and will include presentation of badges to the members of our fire department to commemorate 150 years of service to the Morgan City community.

We would be honored to have you present for both events.

Please RSVP to Assistant Chief Joe Marino at 985-380-4617 or 985-518-1585.

Thank You and Stay Safe,

Joe Marino
Assistant Fire Chief
Fire Prevention Bureau
Morgan City Fire Department
Office 985-380-4617

LFGC District 3 meeting is Oct. 18

Fri, 10/14/2022 - 9:15am

Members of the Morgan City and Patterson garden clubs met recently to make final arrangements for the Louisiana Federation of Garden Clubs District 3 meeting Oct. 18 at NicoBella Event Center in Morgan City. The clubs are co-sponsoring the event. “Atchafalaya National Heritage, our Gateway to Conservation” will be the program by John Flores, photographer and author. From left are Gerri Bourgeois, Donna Bucci, Linda Thomas, Jo Ann Blanchard, Iris Roy and Judith Manfre. Also attending was Evelyn Estay.

Healthy Halloween snack options given

Fri, 10/14/2022 - 9:11am

Halloween is a magical time of year. Homes are adorned with festive fall accoutrements, including hay bales, pumpkins and mums as well as the black, purple and orange decorations that are unique to a season of ghouls and goblins.
Although decorating is a large part of the fun of Halloween, the sweet treats that are distributed to trick-or-treaters and presented at Halloween parties are arguably the most popular component of this beloved holiday. Candy is everywhere come Halloween.
The National Conf-ectioners’ Association reports that Halloween is the largest confectionary holiday, followed by Easter and Christmas. The National Retail Federation and NCA indicate the average American consumes 3.4 pounds of candy around Halloween, and 600 million pounds of candy are purchased across the country for the holiday.
Is it possible to escape the Halloween sugar overload?
For those who want to enjoy some healthier options than candy corns and other sweet staples, these ideas are not so frightening.
—Pizza mummy: Use slices of toasted sandwich bread or English muffins to make some spooktacular fare. Coat the bread with pizza sauce. Then place thin vertical slices of mozzarella cheese in a haphazard pattern to replicate the look of gauze on a mummy. Two pieces of sliced black olives serve as the eyes.
—White, orange and yellow platter: Simulate the look of candy corns’ white, orange and yellow color palette with healthier offerings. Stack cauliflower, or another white food like monterey jack cheese, baby carrots and yellow bell peppers on a platter. Serve with your favorite dip.
—Deviled brains: Turn regular deviled eggs into something more sinister for Halloween buffet tables. Simply add food coloring to the filling to create a pinkish-brown hue that resembles a human brain. Then use a piping bag fitted with a thin icing tip to pipe the shape of brains onto the hardboiled egg halves.
—Veggie skeleton: Use assorted vegetable slices, cheese sticks, fruits, nuts, and more to inspire a Halloween-inspired charcuterie board. Arrange everything to resemble a skeleton on the platter.
—Ghostly bananas: Insert popsicle sticks into the bottoms of bananas and freeze until solid. Prepare white melting chocolate according to directions, then dip the frozen bananas into it. While wet, stick on two mini chocolate chips to make the eyes of the ghosts. Place in the refrigerator to harden.
—Spider crackers: Use buttery Ritz crackers or something similar for this recipe. Spread a relatively thick layer of cream cheese (or peanut butter if allergies are not a concern) on one cracker. Cut thin pretzel sticks in half and use four on each side to make spider legs, sticking them into the cream cheese. Top with another cracker and secure to the cream cheese. Raisins connected with more cream cheese complete the eyes of the spiders.
Anyone can use his or her imagination to make delectable and healthy Halloween offerings in lieu of more sweets.

Recovering addict believes past has ruined the present

Fri, 10/14/2022 - 8:42am

By Jeanne Phillips, ©United Features Syndicate

DEAR ABBY: I am in my 60s, single and childless. I was raised by parents who had issues, and I did not have a nurturing childhood. As a result, for decades I had a chaotic life and turned to alcohol and drugs to soothe my emotional pain.
I have been drug-free and sober for many years. Still, I’m troubled when I see how abnormal and dysfunctional my life was and what I have missed that normal people get to enjoy — like marriage, children and grandchildren. My sadness and loneliness are so overwhelming that some days I don’t want to get out of bed. I’m finding it very hard to discover a purpose.
Any suggestions?
WOUNDED IN CALIFORNIA

DEAR WOUNDED: You cannot change the past, but you can certainly change the future. The first step should be to consult a licensed mental health professional about your deep depression. With talk therapy and medication, you may finally be able to overcome it.
Once you are stable again, your therapist may also work with you to help you decide how to fill those empty spaces in your life. Please don’t wait to reach out.

DEAR ABBY: My son graduated from high school and won’t make a plan. He doesn’t help with anything around the house, won’t save money to buy his own car and refuses to share our extra car with his sister. We are in constant conflict.
I want him to move out. I want him to be working and saving money if I’m paying for his room and board. He sleeps until noon, works sporadically and spends his limited money on pre-workout supplements, shoes and guitars. He’s on his phone playing games in his bed most days until late into the night. Advice?
ENOUGH ALREADY IN VIRGINIA

DEAR ENOUGH: Your son isn’t making a plan to become independent because you have been such a generous parent, he has no incentive to leave the nest.
Quit letting him use the extra car and tell him that unless he starts doing his fair share around the house, finds a full-time job and can prove that he’s saving money, you want him OUT of there. Then give him a deadline, and if he hasn’t shown improvement by then, follow through. Sometimes a dose of tough love is what it takes to get a message across.

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been married for 17 years and live in an older house we are slowly trying to update and remodel. One of my major issues is that every Sunday he likes to go to flea markets, where he spends at least $100 for “art,” which I might describe as junk. It’s all over the house we are trying to fix. How do I get him to stop wasting money on this?
UP TO MY ELBOWS IN ILLINOIS

DEAR UP: There are flea markets, and then there are estate sales. They are not the same thing.
Some real treasures can be found at estate sales because the sellers (often the next generation) do not realize the value of what they are getting rid of. It might be worth your while to ask your husband if the two of you can go to a few estate sales together, and buy only items you both can agree on.
It’s worth a try.
***
For everything you need to know about wedding planning, order “How to Have a Lovely Wedding.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 to: Dear Abby, Wedding Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.

Berwick police arrest man accused of 4th DWI

Thu, 10/13/2022 - 11:16am

(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.)

Berwick police on Thursday arrested a man accused of drunken driving for the fourth time.

Berwick

Police Chief David S. Leonard reported this arrest:

—Adrian Angeron, 62, Parro Lane, Berwick, was arrested at 12:24 a.m. Thursday on charges of driving while intoxicated (fourth
offense, refusal), unlawful refusal to submit to chemical test on two or more occasions, operating a vehicle with a license suspended from prior driving while intoxicated offenses and improper lane usage.

About 12:15 a.m. Thursday, officers in the area of La. 182 observed a vehicle traveling well below the posted speed limit. The vehicle was observed to stay stationary at a green light and turned sometime later.

Officers got behind the vehicle and observed it to cross over the center line and fog lines several times. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle, and officers made contact with Angeron.

While speaking with Angeron he showed signs of impairment. Angeron was asked to perform field sobriety tests, which he refused. It was learned that Angeron’s license was suspended from a prior DWI arrest. Angeron was placed under arrest and transported to the Berwick Police Department, where he refused to submit to a breath sample.

It was learned that Angeron had previously refused to submit to a chemical test for intoxication on multiple occasions in the past and that he was convicted on DWI third offense in 2018. A search warrant was obtained and blood samples were collected from Angeron.

Angeron was booked. No bond has been set.

—Reaven Kerner, 20, Tournament Boulevard, Berwick, was arrested at 9:12 p.. Wednesday on a charge of disturbing the peace.

—On Thursday, the Berwick Police Department responded to a residence on Tournament Boulevard in reference to a loud noise complaint. Officers met with Kerner.

It was learned that several similar complaints have been received on Kerner recently. Kerner was placed under arrest and released on a summons to appear in court.

Morgan City

Interim Police Chief Mark E. Griffin Jr. reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 48 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting period and made this arrest:

—Gary Wayne Sykes, 45, Gen. Patton Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:44 a.m. Wednesday on a charge of cruelty to animals.

St. Mary

Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 27 complaints and made these arrests:

—Tytianna Charles, 25, Franklin, was arrested at 2:55 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charges of direct contempt, speeding and failing to honor written promise to appear. Bail has not been set.

—Dwayne Joseph Broussard, 60, Patterson, was arrested at 11:47 p.m. Wednesday on charges of driving while intoxicated and improper lane usage. Broussard was released on a $2,750 bond.

—Dwayne Jamon Provost, 38, Jeanerette, was arrested at 4:19 a.m. Thursday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charge of criminal neglect of family. Bail was set at $12,390.

Franklin

Police Chief Morris Beverly reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to 11 complaints over the last 24-hour period and made these arrests:

—Geraldinde Sifuentes, 56, Lacey Street, Franklin, was arrested at 12:55 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of theft. Sifuentes was booked, processed and released on a $1,500 bond.

—Damenn Stansbury, 54, SJ Lane, Franklin, was arrested at 3:46 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of Schedule II narcotics, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting an officer and violation of controlled dangerous substance law (drug-free zones). Stansbury was booked, processed and transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.

—Autumn Moss, 31, Willowood Drive, Franklin, was arrested at 3:46 PM, on the charges of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting an officer and violation of controlled dangerous substance law (drug-free zones). Moss was booked, processed and held with no bond set.

15-year-old arrested in Franklin shooting

Thu, 10/13/2022 - 10:27am

Staff Report

A 15-year-old has been arrested and faces attempted second-degree murder charges in connection with a shooting in Franklin, the Franklin Police Department said Thursday.

The juvenile male was arrested at 10:54 a.m. Wednesday and booked on 18 counts of attempted second-degree murder, two counts of aggravated criminal damage to property, illegal use of a weapon and illegal possession of a handgun by a juvenile.

Franklin police say several calls came in Oct. 1 about shots fired in the area of Iberia and Oakdale streets. Officers responded at 12:45 a.m. and learned that a home and a vehicle had been hit. No one was injured.

The investigation identified the suspect and is still going on, the Police Department said.

National Night Out in Bayou Vista

Wed, 10/12/2022 - 7:29pm

Lt. Eddie Gay of the St. Mary Sheriff's Office Dive team tells Bennett Comeaux, 4, about his diving equipment at Wednesday's National Night Out event at the Bayou Vista Recreation Center. The Sheriff's Office, police from Morgan City and Berwick, state police, the Bayou Vista Volunteer Fire Department and the Morgan City High fishing team were among the groups that helped bring the community into positive interaction with law enforcement.

The Review/Bill Decker

Sheriff: Man tried to pass phony money in Bayou L'Ourse

Wed, 10/12/2022 - 1:31pm

(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 Morgan City man arrested Saturday by St. Mary deputies was wanted in connection with an alleged attempt to pass counterfeit money, the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office said.

Assumption

Sheriff Leland Falcon reported this arrest:

— Steven James Morris, 36, Doris Street, Morgan City, was arrested Saturday on a charge of monetary instrument abuse.

The charge arises from a complaint lodged by a Bayou L’Ourse retail outlet Oct. 6.

Deputies were dispatched to the business and inter-viewed the management, who indicated that an individual attempted to purchase items with counterfeit or altered currency. When the individual was advised that the first bill was faulty, he presented a second bill that was also altered.

The male subject indicated that he would go to his car to retrieve his debit card. The suspect left and never returned.

Investigating deputies viewed security footage which was ultimately posted to social media. Within minutes of that publication, Sheriff’s officials received numerous calls in which Morris was identified as the suspect.

Deputies secured an arrest warrant for Morris. The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested Morris on Saturday.

Morris was transferred and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center and remains incarcerated with bond set at $50,000.

Morgan City

Interim Police Chief Mark E. Griffin Jr. reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 63 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting period and made this arrest:

—Estrella Ashley Shamah, 33, Garber Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:45 a.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of Adderall and possession of a legend drug (Lexapro).

Patterson

Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported these arrests:

—Wade J. Blackburn Sr., 46, Cherry Street, Patterson, was arrested at 5:17 p.m. Tuesday on charges of failure to appear (traffic), allowing unlicensed persons to drive and simple battery. Blackburn paid a $976 fine and was released.

—Jada Druilhet, 21, Rail-road Avenue, Baldwin, was arrested at 1:50 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of disturbing the peace (fighting). Druilhet was released on a $459 cash bond.

Morgan City police radio logs for Oct. 10-12

Wed, 10/12/2022 - 1:06pm

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, Oct. 10
7:28 a.m. 500 block of Belanger Street; Medical emergency
7:44 a.m. Veterans Boulevard/Levee Road; Complaint
8:15 a.m. 1200 block of Clothilde Street; Complaint
8:27 a.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Theft
9:07 a.m. 100 block of Oak Street; Medical
9:23 a.m. 1100 block of Federal Avenue; Complaint
9:39 a.m. 300 block of Pershing Street; Animal complaint
10:05 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Animal complaint
10:28 a.m. 300 block of Wise Street; Complaint
10:53 a.m. 1600 block of Victor II Boulevard; Stand by
11:09 a.m. La. 70/Ninth Street; Traffic complaint
12:45 p.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Complaint
1:42 p.m. 600 block of Arenz Street; Welfare check
1:45 p.m. 2400 block of Pecan Street; Welfare check
1:55 p.m. 5000 block of Railroad Avenue; Alarm
2:27 p.m. La. 182 Bridge; Traffic complaint
2:53 p.m. 1400 block of Railroad Avenue; Medical
3:13 p.m. U.S. 90 Westbound Crest; Accident
3:30 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Aggravated battery
3:58 p.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Medical
6:14 p.m. 300 block of Barrow Street; 911 hang up
6:37 p.m. 1000 block of Hilda Street; Medical emergency
6:43 p.m. 7000 block of Park Road ; Dog/cat complaint
8:29 p.m. 3000 block of Tammy Drive; Juvenile problem
8:35 p.m. 1000 block of Eighth Street; Complaint
8:44 p.m. Karen Drive ; Juvenile problem
9:12 p.m. 3000 block of Tammy Drive; Juvenile problem
9:13 p.m. 600 block of Brashear Avenue ; Complaint
9:19 p.m. 1000 block of La. 70 ; Complaint
9:57 p.m. Roselawn and Kimberly drives; Juvenile problem
10:26 p.m. 1000 block of Seventh Street; Suspicious person/vehicle
10:54 p.m. 800 block of Brashear Avenue; Suspicious person/vehicle
11:20 p.m. La. 70 and U.S. 90 ; Suspicious person/vehicle
11:25 p.m. 1000 block of Cedar Street; Alarm
Tuesday, Oct. 11
12:22 a.m. Seventh and Everett streets; Suspicious person/vehicle
12:31 a.m. 200 block of Florida Street; Open door
12:46 a.m. 7000 block of La. 182 ; Juvenile problem
2:41 a.m. 1000 block of Victor II Boulevard ; Warrant
5:23 a.m. La. 182 Old Bridge ; Stalled vehicle
5:25 a.m. 300 block of Barrow Street; 911 hang up
6:56 a.m. 1500 block of Sixth Street; Complaint
8:39 a.m. 600 block of Aucoin Street; Animal complaint
9:51 a.m. 1900 block of Cedar Street; Animal complaint
10:43 a.m. 1900 block of Sixth Street; Complaint
11:24 a.m. 600 block of Barrow Street; Complaint
11:43 a.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Complaint
12:06 p.m. 900 block of Willard Street; Complaint
12:32 p.m. 1100 block of Brashear Avenue; Accident
12:54 p.m. 500 block of Bowman Street; Medical
1:39 p.m. 1800 block of West Garner Street; Fire
2:15 p.m. 1000 block of Spruce Street; Complaint
3:17 p.m. 1400 block of Maple Street; Trespass
3:52 p.m. 1200 block of Victor II Boulevard; Medical
3:57 p.m. 500 block of Orange Street; Complaint
4:44 p.m. 800 block of Brashear Avenue; Complaint
4:45 p.m. La. 70; Disturbance
5:12 p.m. 1200 block of Victor II Boulevard; Medical
5:45 p.m. 1100 block of Brashear Avenue; Suspicious subject
6:45 p.m. 1600 block of Front Street; Animal complaint
6:49 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Utility
7:01 p.m. 2100 block of Sixth Street; Animal complaint
7:38 p.m. 900 block of Seventh Street; Theft
8:19 p.m. La. 70; Traffic incident
8:24 p.m. 700 block of Duke Street; Complaint
8:47 p.m. 800 block of North Everett Street; Disturbance
9:17 p.m. 1400 block of Railroad Avenue; Medical
9:20 p.m. 3100 block of Karen Drive; Juvenile complaint
9:54 p.m. 100 block of Apple Street; Complaint
11:08 p.m. 100 block of Glenwood Street; Theft
11:11 p.m. 600 block of Kentucky Street; Complaint
11:52 p.m. 100 block of Apple Street; Juvenile complaint
Wednesday, Oct. 12
12:18 a.m. Willard and Seventh streets; Suspicious subject
12:22 a.m. 800 block of Youngs Road; Complaint
12:34 a.m. 700 block of Front Street; Arrest
12:36 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Medical
12:38 a.m. 7100 block of La. 182; Suspicious subject
12:48 a.m. 1800 block of West Garner Street; Alarm
12:54 a.m. Willard and Eighth streets; Suspicious subject
2:33 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Suspicious subject
3:15 a.m. Everett and Fifth streets; Suspicious subject
3:15 a.m. Greenwood and Fifth streets; Suspicious subject
3:33 a.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Removal of subject

Get It Growing: ‘Tis the season for sneezing

Wed, 10/12/2022 - 9:00am

By HEATHER KIRK-BALLARD, LSU AgCenter Horticulturist

If you are like me, you suffer from seasonal allergies — sneezing, headaches, itchy eyes and coughing, all due to pollen from local, native plants that bloom in autumn. Among many culprits, two of the most common are goldenrod and ragweed.
Both plants bloom at roughly the same time each fall, but goldenrod often gets the blame for the problems caused to allergy sufferers. It is possible, although rare, to be allergic to goldenrod. Your seasonal sniffles are most likely caused by ragweed.
The ragweed plant itself is actually quite inconspicuous. Ragweed (Ambrosia spp.) is an annual plant that has small green flower spikes. The flowers are not showy because they are not meant to attract pollinating insects.
Rather, this plant relies on wind pollination — part of the reason ragweed is so aggravating. It produces vast amounts of pollen whose particles are extremely small and lightweight, making it easy to be carried hundreds of miles and far more allergenic.
Ragweed is responsible for the majority of fall pollen-induced allergies, but many people point fingers at goldenrod, which is more noticeable in the landscape this time of year. Goldenrod’s gorgeous, showy yellow flowers are attractive to pollen-spreading insects such as bees, beetles, butterflies and wasps. In contrast to ragweed, goldenrod pollen has large, heavy particles that do not move very far from the plant without the help of pollinators that carry the sticky pollen from flower to flower.
There are several ways to tell the two plants apart. To begin with, ragweed has green flowers, it does not grow as tall as goldenrod and the leaves are divided, resembling fern leaves. Ragweed is highly branched from the bottom upward. Goldenrods have foliage that is more strap-like with large, yellow flower spikes on top.
Goldenrods (Solidago spp.), like sunflowers, are native to North America and are flowering perennials that sport bright yellow blooms in late summer, usually mid-August, through the fall. With more than 100 different species, goldenrods are members of the aster family.
You can find them on roadsides and forests growing alongside native sunflowers and other blooming asters. Most species have an upright growth habit and can reach heights of 3 to 4 feet. Many of the species are branched with flower heads that resemble a daisy and supply abundant nectar in full-sun areas. The aboveground parts have been used as an herbal medicine throughout history.
Goldenrod is an easy-care herbaceous perennial that tolerates a wide range of soils as long as they have good drainage. Plants grow best and offer the most flower production in full sun. Plants are drought tolerant once established and require minimal care. They return each year, and clumps should be divided every five or so years.
Goldenrods are beginning to show up in the nursery trade, with even showier golden blooms than wild flowers. Some ornamental goldenrods are Crown of Rays, Fireworks, Golden Baby, Gold Rush, Little Lemon and Solar Cascade. Ornamental varieties are shorter and less aggressive than most native species of goldenrod, and this makes them more adaptable within any sunny perennial garden.
Pair goldenrods with purple-blooming asters, salvias or mums, and you’ve got a gorgeous purple and gold fall display that no Tiger fan would turn their nose up to!
If you wish to control ragweed, it is best to do so early on before the plants begin making pollen. They can be hand pulled or mowed to prevent pollen release from flowers.
Ragweed also can be controlled with nonselective herbicides such as glyphosate; you’ll get the best results if the plants are still small. Follow the manufacturer’s label. Glyphosate is a nonselective herbicide and will kill all plants it touches.