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City, hospital get ready for planned power outage Thursday night

Fri, 06/24/2022 - 6:28pm

Morgan City officials say a planned citywide power outage Thursday night is needed to repair damage that led to an unplanned citywide blackout in March.

The Morgan City government Facebook page announced that the planned outage will begin at 10 p.m. Thursday and will last four to five hours at the longest.

In his own Facebook post, Mayor Lee Dragna described the four- to five-hour estimate is the worst case.

A statement from Ochsner St. Mary said the hospital is prepared for the outage.

The city government said people with medical needs that require electricity, including oxygen therapy, should make preparations in advance.

The March 22 blackout between 11:35 a.m. and 6 p.m. resulted from the same storm system that spawned deadly tornadoes in the New Orleans area. In Morgan City, trees fell on the main line that brings power into the city from Cleco. The damaged portion of the line is between Oceaneering and the Morgan City sewage treatment plant.

Part of the damage was sustained by a ground wire.

The falling trees “caused the breakage of our static line (the little line way on top approximately 125’ off the ground),” Dragna said in his post. “The static line is our protection from lightning strikes.

“If our feed line gets hit by lightning, we will be down for a long time. We have to get this done before hurricanes or lightning storms come.”
Dragna said the 10 p.m. time was chosen in order to be sure the work is done before businesses open Friday morning.

The work can’t be done when power is moving through the line because it carries 100,000 volts, Dragna said

Contractors are coming in to do the work. “We will have everything set up a couple days before they get here and we will assist them to get this done quickly and efficiently,” Dragna wrote.

Ochsner St. Mary said in a statement that it will be business as usual during the upcoming power outage. The hospital will provide all services including emergency care if needed.

“The hospital strives to always be prepared for power outages and patient safety is our highest priority,” the hospital said. “We have two standby generators that are tested weekly. These generators will provide power to the emergency circuits in the hospital. These circuits include life support equipment, patient comfort equipment, lighting, and other necessities.”

Wheel House for June 24

Fri, 06/24/2022 - 11:27am

ALANON
Tri-City Alanon group meets at 6 p.m. Thursdays at 1300 South Road, Bayou Vista.

Roe abortion ruling struck down; La. ready with 'trigger law'

Fri, 06/24/2022 - 10:45am

Only days after Gov. John Bel Edwards signed a bill toughening Louisiana’s abortion “trigger law,” the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Roe v. Wade decision that prevented states from banning abortion outright.

The trigger law means the Supreme Court’s Friday decision made abortion illegal in Louisiana.

The bill signed by Edwards exempts women who undergo abortions from prosecution but it would send health care workers who perform abortions to prison for up to 10 years.

Edwards signed the bill Tuesday. It was proposed by Sen. Katrina Jackson, D-Monroe. The original law outlawing abortion in the event the Supreme Court strikes down Roe was passed in 2006.

The Supreme Court’s decision resulted from its review of a Mississippi law banning abortion after 15 weeks. Associate Justice Samuel Alito’s majority opinion said the 1973 Roe decision and its decision in the Casey case two decades later were wrongly decided and should be overturned.
U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy praised the court’s decision Friday.

“Being pro-life means being pro-mothers, pro-babies, and pro-healthy futures—a philosophy I carry with me in the Senate,” said Cassidy, R-La, in a press release. “This is a deeply emotional issue for many Americans, no matter which side one stands, but it is now up to individual states to enact their own policies.”

This week, Cassidy introduced the Stop Supreme Court Leakers Act, legislation that criminalizes individuals who leak confidential information from the Supreme Court of the United States.

The likelihood of a decision striking down Roe was leaked to the press a month ago.

The Stop Supreme Court Leakers Act requires a $10,000 fine and imposes up to a 10-year prison sentence on those who leak confiden-tial information from the Supreme Court. Additionally, Cassidy’s legislation goes one step further by enforcing a seizure of profits derived from the leak which could include book deals or cable television contributor contracts.

A statement from the Louisiana Democratic Party said the decision “will undoubtedly disrupt the lives of women and families across Louisiana. It will trigger laws that resemble Louisiana HB 813, which attempted to criminalize contraception and in-vitro fertilization, to go into effect all over the country. The Republicans pushing these laws do so under a pro-life banner, but do not put forth any policies that support the viability of human life.

“We are in uncharted waters, and there are many consequences of this decision that will become apparent later.”

The state House Republican delegation applauded Friday's ruling.

"Today is a huge win for pro-life advocates and Republican legislators who have worked tirelessly to protect innocent life in the womb. God bless America!” said State Rep. Blake Miguez, Louisiana House majority leader in a press release.

“We have lived under Roe v. Wade my entire life,” said state Rep. Julie Emerson. “I’ve often said that while not impossible, the stars would have to align for it to be overturned. Well, today those stars aligned."

U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins, R-Lafayette and St. Mary's representative in the House, called the Supreme Court ruling "a major victory for life. The sovereign states will now have greater authority to implement strong pro-life protections. The Supreme Court’s majority justices showed courage and resolve in standing by the leaked draft opinion. The radical left-wing mob did not and will not win. We will protect innocent life.”

Berwick police book two men on sex crime charges involving juveniles

Fri, 06/24/2022 - 10:14am

(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 booked two men on sex crime charges this week, both on allegations involving juveniles.

Also, three people arrested on disturbing the peace charges after fight at a Francis Street home in Berwick.

Berwick

Police Chief David S. Leonard reported these arrests:

—Albert J. Stevens II, 48, Berwick, was arrested at 7 p.m. Tuesday on a Berwick warrant alleging aggravated crime against nature.

In March, Berwick police detectives began an investigation after it was alleged that Stevens had sexual contact with the juvenile victim. Following a lengthy investigation, evidence was uncovered that supported the victim’s statements, and warrants were prepared for his arrest.

On Tuesday, he was taken into custody while appearing for an unrelated court appearance in Franklin. Stevens was transferred to the Berwick Police Department, where he was booked into the Berwick Jail. He remains in jail with bond ng set at $500,000.

Due to the age of the victim and the nature of this investigation, there will be no further information released on this matter.

—Glynn A. Guidry Jr., 42, Carline Street, Berwick, was arrested at 7:07 p.m. Wednesday on a Berwick warrant alleging indecent behavior with juveniles and contributing to the delinquency of juveniles.

On June 13, Berwick officers and detectives began an investigation after a complainant reported that her juvenile daughter had inappropriate contact with Guidry while at his residence in Berwick. Throughout the course of the investigation, officers learned that Guidry supplied the juvenile with drugs and alcohol on multiple occasions and he had inappropriate contact with the juvenile.

Warrants were prepared for his arrest, and he was taken into custody while at the Morgan City Jail, where he was being held on unrelated charges. He was booked at the Berwick Police Department then transferred to the Morgan City Jail for housing.

—Jared Gaudet, 32, Jones Street, Berwick, was arrested at 9:09 p.m. Monday on a St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office warrant alleging failure to appear on a charge of driving under suspension.

At 8:45 p.m. Monday, officers responded to a residence on Jones Street in reference to a disturbance in progress. Throughout the course of the complaint, officers came into contact with Gaudet and found that he had an active warrant through the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office.

He was placed under arrest and booked into the Berwick Jail. He was released after posting a $750 bond.

—Adonte J. Williams, 18, Tiffany Street, Patterson, was arrested at 3:15 p.m. Thursday on charges of simple battery, felony simple criminal damage to property and disturbing the peace (fighting).

—Lashana Bennett, 41, Tiffany Street, Patterson, was arrested at 3:15 p.m. Thursday on a charge of disturbing the peace (fighting).:

—Keisha Howard, 46, Francis Street, Berwick, was arrested at 3:47 p.m. Thursday of disturbing the peace (fighting).

At 1:32 p.m. Thursday, officers responded to a residence on Francis Street in reference to a disturbance. Officers arrived and interviewed the victims and witnesses and discovered that the entire incident was captured on video.

Officers learned that Williams and Bennett went to Howard’s residence, but did not go into her yard. Howard exited her home and continuously enticed them into entering her yard to fight her, but they left. She began yelling at them to come back, which they did, and she continued to try to entice them into a fight.

Moments later, Howard ran out of her house and engaged both of them in a fistic encounter. During the fight, Williams struck a juvenile several times as the juvenile tried to break up the fight. Also during the fight, Williams damaged Howard’s vehicle, then threw an object through the glass storm door on her residence.

After they separated, Williams and Bennett left the area and were located shortly afterwards in Patterson. All three subjects involved were arrested.

Bennett and Howard were released on a summons to appear in court, and Williams was booked into the Berwick Jail where he remains with no bond set at this time.

—Wade Rives 40, Ewen Court, Belle River, was arrested at 4:42 a.m. Friday on charges of modified exhaust and driving under suspension and on a St. Mary warrant alleging failure to appear on a charge of criminal neglect of family.

About 4:03 a.m. Friday, officers observed a vehicle with modified exhaust. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle, and officers made contact with Rives.

During the course of the stop, it was learned that Rives’ driver’s license was suspended and that he had an active warrant through the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office. Rives was placed under arrest and transported to the Berwick Police Department where he was booked. Rives remains incarcerated with no bond set at this time.

St. Mary

Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff's Office responded to 35 complaints and made these arrests:

--Blake Jacoby Smith, 31, Patterson, was arrested at 12:15 p.m. Thursday on two warrants alleging failure to appear on the charges of attempted first-degree murder, first-degree robbery and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Bail has not been set.

--Craig Michael Free, 36, Berwick, was arrested at 3:50 p.m. Thursday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on charges of battery of a dating partner, theft, simple criminal damage to property, prohibited acts and unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling.

Bail was set at $22,000.

Classes of 1961 hold reunion

Fri, 06/24/2022 - 10:03am

The 1961 classes of Morgan City High School, Berwick High School and Sacred Heart High School recently gathered for a reunion at the Petroleum Club of Morgan City. Top photo: Morgan City High School classmates attending were, seated from left, Ellen Verett Francis, Linda Cutrone Spitale, Glynda Giroir Lasseigne, Karen Dupuis Manfre, Agatha Vicknair Wiggins, Lillian Aucoin Rebardie, Janelle Bonner Alphonso, Barbara Boudreaux Flowers, Mayola Lee Alleman, Sunny Angeron Elliot, Frances Ratcliff Miller and Patsy Sampey Mann. Standing from left are Lawrence Vuillemont, Dewey Aucoin, Carol Duplantis, David Graham, John Anthony Brown, David Glynn, Ethel White, Terry Cortez, Renetta Doiron Godfrey, Huey Daigle and Mark Nix. Middle photo: Berwick High School classmates in attendance were, seated from left, Rose Spinella Koen, Cherry Verrett Nini, Lana Chauvin Hood, Rita Hollier Gros and Patsy Thompson Thomas. Standing from left are Barry Lasseigne, Harold Nini, Warren Davidson, Harry “Put” Rebardie and Donnie Thomas. Bottom photo: Sacred Heart High School classmates in attendance were, clockwise from stading left are Billy Giordano, Frances Theriot Listi, Roberta Verrett Justilian and Faith Ann Spinella.

Morgan City police radio logs for June 23-24

Fri, 06/24/2022 - 9:36am

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.
Thursday, June 23
7:04 a.m.: 800 block Fig; complaint.
7:48 a.m.: 1200 block Greenwood; alarm.
8:03 a.m.: 1100 block Seventh Street; trespassing.
9:37 a.m.: 1000 block Fig; welfare.
9:54 a.m.: 3000 block Francis; animal complaint.
11:25 a.m.: 6000 block of La. 182; complaint.
11:59 a.m.: 700 block Florence; animal complaint..
12:08 p.m.: 600 block Willow Street; animal complaint..
12:09 p.m.: 3000 block OF Catherine Street; alarm.
12:24 p.m.: 800 block Brashear; theft.
1:51 p.m.: 2300 block La. 70; disturbance.
2:02 p.m.: 1000 block Third; theft.
3:04 p.m.:200 block Wren; removal of subject.
4:39 p.m.: 300 block Terrebonne; complaint.
4:54 p.m.: Front near Brashear; complaint.
6:01 p.m.: 300 block Egle; complaint.
6:03 p.m.: 100 block Chennault; complaint.
6:08 p.m.: La. 700 block Fifth; complaint.
6:40 p.m.: 500 block Bowman; complaint.
6:42 p.m.: 800 block Onstead; patrol request.
7:43 p.m.: 1300 block Sixth; alarm.
8:21 p.m.: 1000 block Brashear; subject removal.
9:47 p.m.: 400 block Louisa; complaint.
Friday, June 24
12:24 a.m.: 900 block Railroad; complaint.
12:37 a.m.: 7100 block Park Road; noise complaint.
4:52 a.m.: Area of Justa; reckless driver.

Get It Growing: Gardening by moonlight

Fri, 06/24/2022 - 9:10am

By HEATHER KIRK-BALLARD, LSU AgCenter Horticulturist

This week’s full moon (June 14) drew many people out to sit in awe of the bright, beautiful moon. It reminded me of moon gardening.
Someone asked me about moon gardening in the past, and I wasn’t sure of what it was. Curious, I did some digging into the subject. Here is what I discovered.
Moon gardens are enjoyed at night and defined by the type of plants they include — typically, plants with white or cool-colored flowers in addition to silver or variegated foliage that can be seen in the reflected light of the moon.
Cool colors such as light blue, bright yellow, chartreuse and lavender in addition to white flowers, and gray and silver foliage can be more easily seen at nighttime in the garden. Moon gardens also can include flowers with heavy evening fragrance as well as light-colored hardscapes and accessories that enhance the garden at night.
The science behind moon gardening is that our eyes have limited vision of colors and contrast in the dark. However, the color white stands out in the darkness and often gives off a glowing light. Also, our senses are naturally heightened after dark to the sights, smells and sounds of the night.
By incorporating a variety of plants, you can enhance your gardens for night enjoyment. Start with selecting plants with white or cool-colored flowers that show up best against a dark background. Incorporate a mix of plants with dark foliage to provide a backdrop.
Some plant suggestions are moonflower (ipomea alba), Serena White angelonia, Infinity White New Guinea impatiens, Japanese painted fern, Ghost painted fern (Athyrium niponicum pictum), Jack Frost brunerra (Brunnera microphylla), Silver Sceptre and Ice Dance Carex morrowii, Silver Carpet Stachys byzantinia, Silver Falls Dichondra argentea, Diamond Frost euphorbia, Lobelia siphilitica, four o’clocks and morning glories. Trees with white or light-colored bark such as river birch (Betula nigra) also can show up well at night and provide some height in the landscape.
In addition to proper plant selection, you can enhance your moon garden by adding light-colored planters and white trellises or lattices that support climbing vines such as fragrant white jasmine. Use light-colored gravel and walking stones for pathways and solar lights to help illuminate them. You can also incorporate lanterns, soft string lights and candles. Choose a site in the landscape that is easily accessible and open for stargazing, allowing moonlight to illuminate the gardens.
For an overall improved ambiance, include elements that engage the senses of sight, smell and sound. Water features that make soothing sounds and reflect moonlight can be a nice addition. You also can attract night creatures such as crickets and frogs by creating natural habitat, adding to sound ambiance.
Sound also can be made by plants such as ornamental grasses or bamboo that gently rustle in the evening breeze. And do not forget fragrant plants.
A moon garden can be enjoyed at any time of day, but they become especially magical at dusk and into the dark of the night. The sights and smells of these plants can continue to be enjoyed at night after the sun sets. The hot days of summer make it less appealing to be in the garden during the heat of the day, but nights are excellent for relaxing outdoors once the sun goes down. You can enhance this experience with a moon garden.

Couple’s ‘golden years’ look increasingly dark

Fri, 06/24/2022 - 9:08am

By Jeanne Phillips, ©United Features Syndicate

DEAR ABBY: My husband, who is 81 and in excellent health, has just suggested that when we feel we can no longer live independent lives (I am 72), we should move closer to his daughter in another state so she and her husband can help us.
Abby, I don’t LIKE her husband, and I don’t want to be reliant on him, beholden to him or even socialize with him.
In the 15 years I have known him, we have never had a conversation. In the beginning, I tried, but he cannot relate to older women. Apparently, he didn’t have a good relationship with his mother. His only topics of conversation are his dogs, guns or sports. I have no interest in any of those things.
It breaks my heart that my husband and I may not be spending the last years of our lives together. I’m sure my husband would tell me to “get over” my dislike of his daughter’s husband.
Do I have to agree to be around someone I have nothing in common with? I don’t like the part of the country they live in either.
NERVOUS IN NEW MEXICO

DEAR NERVOUS: My late mother once told me that parents who count on their adult children “taking care of them” in their old age are often in for a rude awakening.
You and your husband are supposed to be equal partners in this marriage. If you dislike not only the man his daughter is married to but also the area of the country in which they live, no law says you are obligated to relocate. I recommend you have that difficult discussion with your spouse soon, preferably in the office of a licensed marriage and family therapist.

DEAR ABBY: I have been in an on-and-off relationship with a woman for three years. We live about two hours apart. In the beginning, our relationship was wonderful. We would see each other on a regular basis and would text and video chat almost daily. We even talked about marriage.
But as time went on, she became more and more distant. She would either take forever to respond back to me or not respond at all. Her excuse was work. She was always working and always had something going on. I then found out she was dealing with a couple of personal things. When I explained to her that relationships are all about communication, she kind of disagreed.
At one point, I was so upset, angry and frustrated that I said some horrible things to her. I even used foul language because of her not communicating. Also, she didn’t even bother to take two minutes out of her time to wish me a happy birthday. I always remember her on her birthday.
She is making me out to be the bad guy. I’m so hurt and angry at her because of her refusal to communicate. Abby, what else can I do? Am I really the bad person here?
UNCERTAIN IN PENNSYLVANIA

DEAR UNCERTAIN: Although you refuse to recognize it, this woman HAS been communicating with you. Her behavior indicates that she is nowhere as interested in you as you are in her, which should have become apparent as she became more and more distant.
You are not a bad person, and neither is she. She’s just afraid to give you the bad news verbally. In cases like this, there is nothing you can do besides tell her it’s apparent she isn’t as invested in the relationship as you are and make a graceful exit.
***
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.

St. Mary Chamber Education Banquet

Fri, 06/24/2022 - 8:27am

The St. Mary Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Education Banquet on Thursday at the Patterson Area Civic Center. The annual event raises money for scholarships, one of which was presented to South Louisiana Community College Chancellor Dr. Vincent June. Graduating seniors who received Chamber scholarships and the Student and Teachers of the Year were also introduced.

Shandon Burrell of Centerville High is this year's Student of the Year.

The Teachers of the Year are Alicia Williams of Hattie Watts Elementary; Ponchella Doucet of Franklin High; and Crystal Guidry of Patterson Junior High.

Coroner wants a truck; Parish Council will look for the money

Fri, 06/24/2022 - 7:50am

BILL DECKER

bdecker@daily-review.com

FRANKLIN -- The St. Mary Parish Coroner's Office will have to wait a while for a new truck.

At Wednesday's Parish Council meeting, Coroner Dr. Eric Melancon's request for about $47,000 for the truck, to be used for transporting the deceased, ran into questions over where in the parish budget the money would come from.

The request will be the subject of a Budget and Finance Committee meeting in the hour before the full council meets again July 13.

Also Wednesday, the council heard that more St. Mary people are renting their homes under a Housing and Urban Development Section 8 voucher program. And the man who started a water safety program for children in Terrebonne and Lafourche asked for help in offering the program in St. Mary, too.

Melancon's request is for a 2022 Chevrolet truck with a shell and two gurneys to be used for transporting bodies.

The Coroner's Office has been using a 2013 Ford van purchased from Acadian Ambulance for $500. The van needed another $4,500 worth of work, Melancon said, but it saved the parish money that would have been spent to hire transportation to take bodies for autopsies.

In homicide cases, turning over remains to an outside entity for transportation also complicates the chain of custody that must be established in prosecutions, Melancon said.

Councilman Dean Adams of Morgan City brought Melancon's request to Wednesday's agenda.

But Councilman Rodney Olander of Franklin wondered where in the budget the money would come from. And Parish President David Hanagriff said this year's parish budget had an unbudgeted fund balance of only $15,000.

"You can't just make an allocation out of the air and say it's going to go here," Hanagriff said. "That's why we have a budget."

Melancon said that his request for two vehicles didn't make it into this year's budget, and earlier requests for more morgue space have also been unsuccessful.

"I'd like to see my budget not be ignored," he said.

But Coroner's Office expenses went from $257,000 in 2019 to $346,000 in 2021, said Chief Administrative Officer Henry C. "Bo" LaGrange.

"It's not like we're trying to cut the Coroner's Office," LaGrange said.

Councilman James Bennett of Morgan City suggested the Budget and Finance Committee meeting to look for a funding source.

"You're talking about family members who love their people," Bennett said. "If you've got a coroner's van on the side of the road with the dead body of my family member and it's 100 degrees and it's broken down, there's going to be some issues."

Budget and Finance Committee Chairman Craig Mathews of Jeanerette set a meeting on the issue for 5 p.m. July 13.

Housing

HUD this year allowed an increase in the number of renters for whom vouchers subsidize a portion of their rent, said Angela Kraemer of the St. Mary Housing Choice Voucher Program.

The number of renters rose from 128 families last year to 137 families this year, Kraemer said. Thirty-five families are on a waiting list.

The program covers St. Mary except for Morgan City, which has its own program. And it's distinct from the apartment projects operated by local housing authorities.

"None of our families pay zero rent," Kraemer said. "That's a big misconception about the program. Everyone pays some rent."

Water safety

Joey Vidrine, who founded the Children's Water Safety Awareness Organization in Terrebonne in 2016 after a tragedy in his own family, told the council he'd like to bring the program to St. Mary.

Vidrine is looking for some event to introduce the parish to the organization's work.

The organization will pay up to $50 for swimming lessons for children and, for a $25 donation, will give each child a life jacket. The group will exchange the life jacket for a bigger size, free of charge, as the child grows.

Counseling is offered to families that have lost a child to drowning.

Since its founding in 2016, the organization has worked with more than 1,300 children.

The move into St. Mary is complicated by the fact that the parish has no public swimming pools. Vidrine is looking for pools that can be used for swimming lessons.