Happy birthday Derek Paray, happy birthday Saturday to Bruce Augustine III, Sunday to Rickie Murray, Monday to Ethel Minor and Tuesday to Donald Valentine, ShaQuita Sylvester and Gerald Sylvester from family, friends and Ira.
Hazel Mae Baudoin LeJeune, 72, a native of Morgan City and resident of Berwick, died Wednesday, May 18, 2022, at Ochsner St. Mary in Morgan City.
She is survived by three children, Jo Ann LeJeune and Roxanne Davis, both of Bayou L’Ourse, and Brian LeJeune of Stephensville; one sister, Judy Voisin of Morgan City; 12 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and four sib-lings.
Visitation will be Monday from 9 a.m. until services at 1 p.m. at Twin City Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Morgan City Ceme-tery.
Twin City Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Logan Martin was the recipient of the 18th annual Patterson Garden Club Scholarship given to a graduating senior. He plans to attend the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and major in mechanical engineering. Presenting the scholarship during the school’s award ceremony was Patterson Garden Club’s Ginger Griffin.
You’ve probably heard the old saying, “Leaves of three, let it be.” For those who have spent time in the great outdoors, this is a rite of passage, much like the art of making s’mores.
So, what am I talking about, and why is this important? This information matters for anyone spending time in the garden or in the woods.
The traditional phrase of “leaves of three, let it be” is how most people learn how to identify a common vine in the South called poison ivy. This plant can cause major problems for some gardeners.
All parts of the plant have the potential to cause skin irritation in some people. Other folks seem completely unfazed. It is the sap that contains a chemical called urushiol, which causes irritation that can lead to skin redness, swelling, itching and, in severe cases, blisters.
Poison ivy, officially known as Toxicodendron radicans, is a native vine found throughout North America. It grows in both dry woodlands and soggy streambeds, preferring the shaded areas with dappled sun that are common in many home landscapes.
For all its faults, poison ivy does have some redeeming qualities. To begin with, poison ivy has gorgeous fall foliage color that is striking. It also produces fruit, called drupes, that are an important food source for many bird species. Despite the havoc it causes humans, the chemicals do not adversely affect animals. Deer and insects eat the leaves as a good nutrient source.
Be careful with dogs or other pets that spend time in the woods. Although they are not affected by poison ivy, they can carry the irritating oils on their fur. Give them a wash before snuggling if you think they may have come into contact with poison ivy.
Poison ivy is often confused with another native woodland vine called Virginia creeper (Parth-enocissus quinquefolia), a member of the grape family. This woody, deciduous vine also can be found climbing on trees or trailing on the forest floor. It grows across the same range of North America as poison ivy.
Unlike poison ivy, which has a leaflet of three, Virginia creeper has a leaflet of five that radiates from the center petiole. These leaves also have a striking fall color much like poison ivy, turning a brilliant red in the fall. They make small, green-white clusters of flowers in the spring and bear a blue-black fruit that is an excellent food sources for birds. The fruit is toxic if ingested by humans. The vine also is the larval host for many species of sphinx moths.
Virginia creeper tolerates a wide range of soil types and is adapted to wet and dry areas. Much like poison ivy, it grows in full sun to part shade. Both vines are heat tolerant.
If you wish to remove these vines, both can be controlled the same way. Cut vines with hand pruners just above the ground, then use a brush to paint a herbicide with the active ingredient triclopyr onto the stem protruding from the ground. The herbicide will be translocated into the root system, and the upper portion of the plant will die after being cut off from the root system. When working with poison ivy, be sure to wear long sleeves and gloves.
Remember the rhyme we use to identify poison ivy? There is an expanded version that can help us differentiate it from Virginia creeper: “Leaves of three, let it be; leaves of five, let it thrive.”
Keep this in mind, and be aware when you are out working in the garden or walking in the woods. Both are still important to our woodland ecosystems and have importance for wildlife.
DEAR ABBY: My father died five years ago at 90. For the last 20 years of his life, both my sisters shunned him because they disliked his second wife (who predeceased him). She had never been anything but kind to us all. They refused to speak to him and, when he was dying, announced that they wouldn’t attend his funeral.
When an aunt informed them that Dad had left over a million dollars in cash and no will, they couldn’t get here fast enough. They caused me major distress by falsely accusing me of trying to steal from them. I have never taken anything from my sisters. I made certain the money was equally distributed, then shut them out of my life.
“Family,” to me, is synonymous with loyalty, love and trust. Without it, we’re just relations. I plan to never speak to them again. Am I wrong?
DISGUSTED IN DENVER
DEAR DISGUSTED: You are not wrong. Please accept my sympathy for the loss of your father. With relatives like your sisters, you don’t need enemies. In a case like this, it is common sense to protect yourself. Keeping your distance will accomplish it nicely.
DEAR ABBY: Will you mention the problem of adult bullying in the workplace? The bullies are usually buddy-buddy with supervisors and get away with the harassment, which includes name-calling, ridiculing and gossiping, which makes for a very uncomfortable work environment. This happens too often.
ONCE BULLIED
DEAR BULLIED: Sadly, you are right. It does happen too often.
A way to stop it is first to tell the bully that you don’t like it. Then start documenting the incidents, including the dates, times and what was done. Take that information to your boss or supervisor and ask them to put a stop to it. If that doesn’t help, take your concerns to H.R. If H.R. doesn’t stop what’s going on, take the problem — and your evidence — to the EEOC.
What you have described is a hostile work environment, which might be the basis of legal action.
DEAR ABBY: I recently hosted a bridal shower for my daughter’s soon-to-be sister-in-law. It was a lovely affair with delicious food and adorable decor. Everyone enjoyed themselves. After it was over, my daughter chided me for not giving a gift. I was dumbfounded, hurt and more than a little angry. The cost of the shower, not including my time and labor, was well over what I would have spent on a gift.
My daughter is angry with me now because I told her she was being rude and ridiculous. Should I apologize and get the couple an additional gift? I have hosted many such events and always thought the party was a gift.
ANNOYED IN ALBUQUERQUE
DEAR ANNOYED: According to “The Everything Wedding Shower Book,” by Jennifer Jenkins, “It is customary for the hostess to get the bride a gift for the shower, just like everyone else.” However, I am not sure I agree with Jennifer. After having expended the time, effort and expense of planning and executing the shower, I really don’t think an additional gift was necessary.
***
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.
BATON ROUGE – The House gave final legislative approval to a bundle of budget bills on Thursday that include funds for $1,500 pay raises for K-12 teachers and $300 million for a new Mississippi River bridge in Baton Rouge.
The basic package had already cleared the House, but amendments made by the Senate had to be concurred on.
In one of the nine bills, the House advanced the $39 billion state operating budget on a bipartisan 88-7 vote, with one Democrat, Rep. Wilford Carter of Lake Charles, and six Republicans voting against the bill.
The Republicans were Reps. Raymond Garofalo of Chalmette, Kathy Edmonston of Gonzales, Barry Ivey of Central, Julie Emerson of Carenco, Danny McCormick of Oil City and Blake Miguez of Erath.
The six Republicans, representing the conservative faction of the legislature, raised concerns about one-time funds being used for recurring expenditures.
The Legislature found itself in a unique position this year. For years, the state faced budget problems, at times teetering on the edge of a fiscal cliff. Due to hundreds of millions of dollars in increased state revenues and billions in federal pandemic aid, Louisiana is flush with cash, giving lawmakers a once-in-a-political lifetime chance to fund their priorities.
Rep. Jerome Zeringue, R-Houma, shepherded the bills as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee with an eye toward limiting the use of some of the windfall to one-time outlays.
The passage of the bills two weeks before the end of the legislative session marks the first time in recent memory that the Legislature did not pass a budget in the final moments of session. It is widely speculated that the body is hoping to avoid coming back in for a veto session to override any line-item vetoes by Edwards.
Included in the overall allocations is $300 million for a new Mississippi River bridge. Edwards originally requested $500 million for the project, but legislators balked at throwing half a billion dollars at the project when a location for a bridge has not yet been selected.
The budget also includes funds for pay raises for state employees. Public school teachers are each in line for a $1,500 raise, alongside a $750 raise for support staff. After the Revenue Estimating Conference forecasted higher revenues for the upcoming fiscal year, Edwards asked for $2,000 raises for public school teachers. The Senate declined to go that high.
Higher education faculty will be receiving $21 million for raises, about 40% less than the Board of Regents requested. That would be enough for most faculty members to receive 3% raises, though each institution will decide how to divide up its share of money.
Senate President Page Cortez, R-Lafayette, pointed out that the budget includes funds to recruit faculty for priority programs, like cancer research.
Also getting raises are judges, healthcare workers and correctional workers.
The Legislature also set aside $100 million was for pet projects of lawmakers.
The bills put money back into the depleted unemployment benefits trust fund and the state’s rainy day fund.
While most of the debate centered on House Bill 1, which provides for the state operating budget, the House also concurred on several other budget bills, including House Bill 406, which provides for supplemental appropriations and House Bill 2, which provides for capital outlays.
The region's biggest traffic headache appears destined to last even longer than expected.
A post on the Department of Transportation and Development website Thursday includes an update that says the completion of maintenance and rehabilitation work on the U.S. 90 bridge over the Atchafalaya is now due for completion in August. Earlier DOTD estimates said the completion was expected in June. Thursday's press release said completion was expected this month.
The department cited a shortage of paint as the reason for the latest delay in the completion estimate. Shortages of paint have been reported occasionally since the beginning of the COVID pandemic.
The latest delay threatens to extend restricted traffic on the bridge into the peak of the hurricane season. With only one lane open in either direction, the bridge was a bottleneck for evacuees coming through Morgan City on their way back to parishes hit hard by Hurricane Ida.
The older La. 182 bridge makes a handy alternate, but a series of crashes, including trucks striking the maximum-height beams on either end of the old bridge, have occasionally jammed traffic.
Officials blocked access to the U.S. 90 bridge from Morgan City's Federal Avenue in September 2019, marking the start of the bridge project and the restricted traffic.
Seminole Equipment Inc. of Tarpon Springs, Florida, is doing the work on the $12 million project.
(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.)
The Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Section made six arrests Wednesday, including four involving gun charges.
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:
—Keon Carbin, 18, Patterson was arrested at 6:44 p.m. Wednesday by the Narcotics Section on a charge of possession of a stolen firearm. Bail has not been set.
—Keith Garner Jr., 19, Patterson, was arrested at 6:44 p.m. Wednesday by the Narcotics Section on charges of resisting an officer by giving false information and possession of firearm by a person convicted of certain felonies. Bail was set at $75,000.
—Quinton Douglas, 31, Patterson, was arrested at 8:51 p.m. Wednesday by the Narcotics Section on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of MDMA, possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance and illegal possession of stolen firearms.
Bail has not been set.
—Christopher Snowden Jr., 22, Ruston, was arrested at 7:38 p.m. Wednesday by the Narcotics Section on charges of resisting an officer and possession of marijuana. Snowden was released on a $2,000 bond.
—Joseph Wayne Dorsey, 23, Jeanerette, was arrested at 5:58 p.m. Wednesday by the Narcotics Section on charges of possession of MDMA, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a juvenile, and possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance.
Dorsey was released on a $7,500 bond.
—Myles Roberson, 23, Franklin, was arrested at 5:40 p.m. Wednesday by the Narcotics Section on charges of window tint violation and flight from an officer. Roberson was released on a $1,750 bond.
—Jada Lei Williams, 21, Berwick, was at 12:12 p.m. Wednesday on three warrants alleging failure to appear on charges of possession of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids, possession of drug paraphernalia, speeding and operating a vehicle without a driver’s license.
Bail has not been set.
—George Davison Harvey III, 40, Bayou Vista, was arrested at 12:12 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on charges of possession methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bail has not been set.
Morgan City
Police Chief James F. Blair reports that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 41 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting period and made this arrest:
—Demetrius Owens, 29, Orange Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:27 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of entry or remaining in places after forbidden.
Berwick
Police Chief David S. Leonard reported these arrests:
—Adner Laboy-Colon, 45, Carter Lane, Berwick, was arrested at 4:21 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant alleging attempted unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling and criminal trespassing.
At 4:06 p.m. Wednesday, officers responded to a residence on River Road in reference to Laboy-Colon being there.
Officers arrived and met with him outside and took him into custody on the outstanding Berwick PD warrant. He was booked into the Berwick Jail and later transferred to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center, where he remains with no bond set.
—Carrie Hubler, 34, Southeast Boulevard, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:22 p.m. Wednesday on a Morgan City Police Department warrant alleging failure to appear on charges of seat belt violation, no insurance and expired driver’s license.
At 9:02 p.m. Wednesday, an officer observed a vehicle with only one headlight and conducted a traffic stop. The driver was identified as Hubler, and she was found to have an active warrant through the Morgan City Police Department.
She was issued a citation for the traffic violation then processed at the Berwick Police Department on the fugitive warrant. Following processing, she was trans-ferred to the custody of the Morgan City Police Depart-ment.
Assumption
Sheriff Leland Falcon reported this arrest:
—Betheny Nicole Mecom, 29, Morgan City, was taken into custody Wednesday at the Morgan City Jail on Assumption warrants alleging obstruction of justice and possession of Schedule I drugs.
Mecom failed to appear for trial on Nov. 23.
Mecom remains in the custody of Assumption Parish without bond.
Upon release, Mecom faces charges in St. Mary Parish and Caddo Parish.
Franklin
Police Chief Morris Beverly reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to six complaints over the past 24 hours and made these arrests:
—Gary Jones, 54, Ibert Street, Franklin, was arrested while incarcerated at the Franklin Police Department at 2:24 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant alleging theft. Jones was booked, processed and held on a $1,500bond.
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.
Wednesday, May 18
6:34 a.m. 7500 block of La. 182; Criminal damage to property.
7 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
7:04 a.m. 4000 block of Railroad Avenue; Alarm.
7:36 a.m. U.S. 90 East; Reckless operation.
7:43 a.m. 700 block of Leona Street; Complaint.
9:36 a.m. 600 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard; Animal complaint.
10:20 a.m. 500 block of Aucoin Street; Complaint.
12:35 p.m. 1200 block of Victor II Boulevard; Crash.
1:16 p.m. 700 block of General Hodges Street; Animal complaint.
1:37 p.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Disturbance.
3:06 p.m. Federal and Brashear avenues; Reckless operation.
3:19 p.m. 2000 block of Cedar Street; Assistance.
3:58 p.m. 100 block of Eleventh Street; Animal complaint.
4:44 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
5:07 p.m. La. 182 and Industrial Boulevard; Assistance.
5:45 p.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Complaint.
6:18 p.m. Area of Orange Street; Patrol request.
7:11 p.m. 300 block of Oriole Street; Disturbance.
7:31 p.m. 1200 block of David Drive; Alarm.
7:52 p.m. 1000 block of Federal Avenue; Complaint.
8:27 p.m. U.S. 90 Eastbound before Martin Luther King Boulevard; Stalled vehicle.
10:09 p.m. Walgreens; Assistance.
11:02 p.m. Berwick Police Department; Warrants arrest.
Thursday, May 19
12:22 a.m. 1300 block of McDermott Drive; Fire alarm.
12:40 a.m. Solar Apartments; Loud music/noise.
1:48 a.m. Judges Stand; Complaint.
2:48 a.m. Ochsner St. Mary parking lot; Complaint.
4:30 a.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Complaint.
4:35 a.m. U.S. 90 Eastbound Federal off ramp; Assistance.
The Louisiana Department of Revenue has won an order of contempt against a St. Mary Parish woman operating a tax preparation business in violation of a court judgment, the department said in a news release.
The original consent judgment, signed Dec. 20, prohibits Dawanna Monay Monroe of Patterson from filing, assisting in, or directing the preparation of any Louisiana tax return but her own. She had previously pleaded guilty to multiple felonies for a tax fraud scheme involving fabricated business losses for companies that did not exist. After her conviction, LDR sued Monroe to prevent her from working as a tax preparer in the state.
The department went back to court this year after the LDR Criminal Investigations Division determined Monroe was still working as a tax preparer in violation of the December 2021 order. They interviewed numerous taxpayers who said Monroe participated directly or indirectly in the preparation of their returns through her business, Tax & Financial Consultants, LLC, operating at 317 Callahan in Patterson and 801 South Lewis in New Ibeia.
As of May 18, 2 Monroe’s email address is listed as a primary contact on the business’s Facebook page, and records from the Louisiana Secretary of State's Office show that she maintains an ownership interest.
The 16th Judicial District Court in St. Mary Parish issued the contempt order this month requiring Monroe to withdraw any interest she has in any business engaged in the preparation or filing of Louisiana tax returns or other related documents or forms.
“We take seriously our responsibility to protect Louisiana taxpayers,” Secretary of Revenue Kevin Richard said. “If any preparer files state tax returns in violation of a consent judgment, the Department of Revenue will not hesitate to take them back to court.”
Franklin Banner-Tribune
P.O. Box 566, Franklin, LA 70538
Phone: 337-828-3706
Fax: 337-828-2874
Morgan City Review
1014 Front Street, Morgan City, LA 70380
Phone: 985-384-8370
Fax: 985-384-4255