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Area births announced

Wed, 03/30/2022 - 8:10am

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Humberto Paulin (nee: Silva Fuentes) of Amelia, a boy, Saul Ezekiel Paulin, on Feb. 19 at Thibodaux Regional Health System. He weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce and measured 20 inches.
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Born to Mr. and Mrs. David Furneaux (nee: Porsha Mcnemar) of Morgan City, a girl, Elleanor Rae Furneaux, on Feb. 21 at Thibodaux Regional Health System. She weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces and measured 21 inches.
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Born to Catherine P. Thompson and Shelby J. Kenney of Berwick, a boy, Easton Curtis Kenney, on Feb. 22 at Thibodaux Regional Health System. He weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces and measured 19¼ inches.
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Born to Mr. and Mrs. Hector Alvarado (nee: Precious Wallace) of Morgan City, a girl, Selena Giselle Alvarado, on March 11 at Ochsner St. Mary in Morgan City. She weighed 8 pounds, 14.8 ounces and measured 19½ inches.
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Born to Teralyn Johnson of Baldwin and Jamie Simon Jr. of Patterson, a girl, Ty’Lea Sarae Simon, on March 14 at Ochsner St. Mary in Morgan City. She weighed 6 pounds, 4 ounces and measured 19½ inches.

Get It Growing: Louisiana iris is Louisiana Super Plant selection

Wed, 03/30/2022 - 8:08am

By HEATHER KIRK-BALLARD, LSU AgCenter Horticulturist

The Louisiana iris (Iris spp.) has been named the spring 2022 Louisiana Super Plant selection by the LSU AgCenter. It comes as no surprise to Louisianans that this native beauty is worthy of this title. No other flower conjures thoughts of Louisiana more than the iris, except maybe the southern magnolia.
This herbaceous, semi-evergreen perennial grows best in full sun but will perform well in partial shade. Blooming begins in late March and continues through May, and flowers come in a wide range of colors including burgundy, blue, lavender, pink, purple, red, white and yellow. Plants actively grow beginning in the fall in October through early summer.
The Louisiana iris has a dormant period at the end of summer in August through October. This is the best time to divide clumps of iris. Overcrowded areas will not be as healthy and can diminish flower production. This iris spreads by rhizomes — continuously growing, horizontal, underground stems that put out shoots and adventitious roots at growing points. These can be cut into individual portions so long as the section has at least one growing point.
Division of clumps should be done during the dormant period in late summer. Divided clumps can be shared with friends and neighbors, relocated to a new location in the garden or planted in containers. Louisiana irises also can be planted successfully in the spring from containers purchased at retail garden centers.
There are five main species of Louisiana iris: Iris fulva, I. brevecaulis, I. hexagonaI, I. nelsonii and I. giganticaerulea. Hundreds of cultivars and hybrid crosses have occurred both naturally and as a result of breeders seeking unique flower colors.
Irises are an excellent selection for low areas that hold water because they are so water tolerant. Additionally, they make a good selection for rain gardens and can be planted along the banks of ponds or lakes to help stabilize the soil. Plants do well also in containers and in raised garden beds.
There are few pest and disease issues associated with the Louisiana iris. The plant disease rust can affect it and typically shows up as tiny red or dark brown spots with yellow margins on the leaves and stems of the plants.
Rust often appears in early summer after flowering has stopped. The disease does not typically kill plants and because it shows up after flowering has completed, it is not necessary to treat. Fungicides such as an organic copper can be used to help control it in heavily affected plants.
Caterpillars, iris borers, leaf miners, snails and slugs can sometimes be a problem. Most do not cause severe damage, and plants typically bounce back with no issues. In severe infestations, you can use a systemic pesticide but follow the label directions strictly. You also can try organic options. Remember, insecticides not only control the pest problems, but they may also harm pollinators.
Irises can be fertilized in the fall in late October or early November when they begin actively growing again. They can also be fertilized in the springtime just before flowers emerge to give them a boost for flower production. Use slow-release granular or liquid fertilizers. You can also try organic options such as compost or worm castings to help improve the soil.
Cut faded flower blooms off where the stalk emerges from the foliage to prevent seedpod formation and to conserve energy for future flowers.
Louisiana Super Plants is the AgCenter’s educational program that promotes university-tested, industry-approved plants. For more information on the initiative and a list of previously announced Super Plants, visit www.lsuagcenter.com/superplants.

Stepmom learns of teen’s shocking online activity

Wed, 03/30/2022 - 8:06am

By Jeanne Phillips, ©United Features Syndicate

DEAR ABBY: I have been married to my husband for a little over three years. I have two teen girls, and he has one. They get along for the most part, but lately my 18-year-old, “Lindsay,” and his 17-year-old, “Taylor,” have been clashing.
They were brought up very differently, and sometimes it causes waves because I expect more from my girls than he does his daughter. To be fair, my stepdaughter’s mother has had some serious issues and has never been a role model.
During one of these clashes, Lindsay told me Taylor has been doing some very explicit and dangerous things online. This was confirmed by her boyfriend. Lindsay, of course, told me hoping to get Taylor in trouble or to lessen her in my eyes, since they were arguing. I “get” the inner workings of the teenage girl’s mind. It’s not always a kind place.
What do I do with this information? Should I tell her father? What purpose would it serve? If I don’t tell him, am I keeping a secret that I shouldn’t?
KNOWS TOO MUCH IN NEW YORK

DEAR KNOWS: If you and your husband have investigated this and found it to be true, talk to Taylor. Point out that images she has posted online do not age out and disappear. They can linger forever, which could have serious consequences when she is older and looking at college, getting into the workforce, etc.
While she can’t change what she has already done, she can wise up and quit what she has been doing NOW.
DEAR ABBY: A close friend has just announced — out of the blue — that she’s running for a prominent public office. It’s going to be a contentious race, and it’s likely to get ugly for whomever runs. She sent out messages this week assuming her friends will be supporting her through our social networks, door knocking, hosting fundraising events and whatever else she needs. She said she’s looking forward to working with us.
Abby, the way her announcements are worded, I can tell she’s going to be blindsided when I decline her “request.” She assumes that because we are friends, I would want her in office. However, in my opinion, she’s not the best person for the job, and I have other civic engagements I’m already committed to this year. I also feel that maybe she should have actually asked. Is there any way I can maintain the friendship without supporting the candidate? I don’t see what the graceful way out is, and her conversation is already oriented toward “us” vs. “them.”
HIDING UNTIL THE PRIMARIES

DEAR HIDING: Explain to your friend that you are already committed to other “civic engagements” this year and, because of time constraints, you can’t back out of them. Then wish her luck and send her a small financial contribution for her campaign “in the name of friendship.”
***
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.

Jim Brown: You don't get COVID; COVID gets you

Wed, 03/30/2022 - 7:26am

JIM BROWN

With a new strain of the COVID lurking, there are reports of a major uptick of infections this coming summer.
If you are not that concerned, let me tell you how my COVID experience transpired.
What happened to me was horrendous. I would not wish it on anyone. I was being careful. Or so I thought.
But then I learned a stark lesson.
You don’t get the COVID. The COVID gets you
In fall 2020, I made the mistake of attending a dinner on behalf of a close friend.
I planned on staying just a short time, and thought I was keeping my distance. But somehow, I became infected.
The symptoms were shallow at first. I felt a little flushed and did not have a lot of energy.
I went to a local testing lab that did confirm I had contracted the virus.
It was time to get some medical help.
The advice I received from my internist was to go to the emergency room of one of our local hospitals.
My nephew put me in his truck and drove me to the emergency room.
Both of us felt it was the right decision and I will be put in good care.
What a mistake!
No visitors were allowed at the check-in desk, so I was put in a wheelchair, rolled into an unheated hallway, and there I sat. For almost three hours.
I told several nurses’ aides who passed by that I was quite thirsty and could I have some water.
Each nodded, but I never received anything to drink. That should have been a sign right then that my care would be suspect.
I was finally given a room that would be my home for the next 12 days. It was a miserable experience.
The care I received was satisfactory when I could get it.
But attaining the responsiveness of the hospital staff proved to be elusive.
If I rang the hospital buzzer by my bed and asked for something to drink, it often took several additional calls, and a wait for an hour and a half for someone to respond.
The nurses provided adequate care once I got their attention. But the right hand did not know what the left hand was doing.
Once, in an effort to reach the bathroom, I slipped and fell onto the tile floor.
I lay there for over 45 minutes calling for help before a passing orderly heard my pleas.
My narrow hospital bed was extremely uncomfortable, and the food was, well, hospital food. Tasteless, not particularly nourishing, with few choices.
With virtually no effort to help in my rehabilitation, I concluded I had to get out of the hospital.
The nurse in charge told me I was not ready to leave, but I knew if I did not make the effort, I might not ever get out of there.
So I have my son pick me up, and bring me back home.
What a relief to get in my own bed.
A wonderful home health care nurse stayed with me for the first two weeks.
I was so weak, she had to assist me in moving the few steps to the portable toilet in my room.
She also bathed me, as I had no energy to even raise my arms. But little by little, I could see my strength improve.
My physical rehabilitation began with a therapist coming to my home three times a week.
At first, it was difficult to walk the length of my house. But after about 10 days, I was outside in my yard.
Slowly, I increased my activity and could see major improvement. It took about four months of outpatient therapy to get in full recovery mode.
COVID was the worst medical experience of my life, and I continue to be angry.
I’m annoyed that I allowed myself to be exposed to the virus.
I’m livid at the hospital for the poor care I received.
And I’m disappointed over the fact that at my age, I have lost six months of living a full and active life.
But I’ve been persistent in my recovery. Winston Churchill said: “If you’re going through hell, keep going.”
I’ve certainty been tenacious in making the best of a debauched situation. And I’m a survivor.
But keep your guard up. You certainly do not want to share my experience.
Peace and Justice
Jim Brown
Jim Brown’s syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers throughout the nation and on websites worldwide. You can read all his past columns and see continuing updates at http://www.jimbrownusa.com. Readers can also review books by Jim Brown and many others he has published by going to http://www.thelisburnpress.com.

Jim Bradshaw: Old story says ghost kept eye on lumber ship

Wed, 03/30/2022 - 7:18am

JIM BRADSHAW

According to family tradition, the Lehman, the first schooner used by pioneer Calcasieu lumberman Daniel Goos, was named after an old sea captain who he had known for many years.
The story is that the dying Capt. Lehman promised Goos that if he named the boat after him, he would watch over it from above.
Judging from his later life and success, Goos (pronounced Goss) was more likely to rely on common sense than superstition, but he followed the old captain’s advice, just in case.
Good luck and good schooners were important to the fledgling southwest Louisiana lumber industry.
There were no railroads until 1880, so millers had to transport their lumber to market in ships built for the trade.
According to a history of Lake Charles, “The Goos mill had a very important part in the building of the town. His old upright saw sliced the logs into strips with the bark adhering to both sides, which the carpenters could remove at their leisure. This kind of lumber brought eighteen dollars in gold per thousand feet, and as the only chance to reach the outside world was by water, it was natural that the old pioneer should extend his activities to schooner building.”
The first problem with that was that there were no ship builders in south Louisiana at the time.
Goos solved that by bringing five experienced men from his native Isle of Foehr, a channel island off the province of Schleswig-Holstein that is now part of Germany.
The Goos fleet eventually included a dozen or more boats that hauled lumber to Texas towns such as Galveston and Corpus Christi, and to Mexican ports on the Gulf.
According to the Lake Charles history, “Schooners ... carried lumber away and on their return trip brought goods to be retailed by the merchants. The freight charges on these return goods was so low that … people from the backwoods who had been accustomed to making a long trip to Opelousas to lay in their yearly supply of goods now turned their feet to [Lake Charles].”
The schooners remained important to the south Louisiana trade even after the coming of the railroad.
In August 1881, the Lake Charles Commercial reported, “There are at least forty schooners engaged in the lumber trade of the Calcasieu River, and [even] with the railroad facilities. It is still impossible to get the lumber away from the mills. … The demand for lumber … has been constantly increasing since the day that the first saw-mill was erected in Lake Charles, and this demand has … reached such proportions that our twelve sawmills are strained to their utmost capacity to fill one-half of the orders sent to them.”
The Goos schooners stayed busy and most of them stayed lucky.
The only one lost at sea that I know about was one named for Goos himself.
The Daniel Goos had sailed in early 1881 from Galveston with a load of iron for construction of the Corpus Christi, San Diego & Rio Grande Railroad when it foundered near Matagorda Island.
As for the Lehman, there may or may not have been divine intervention involved, but Goos eventually owned the Lehman II and then the Lehman III, and all of the boats carrying that name made a profit for him.
Two of the three were retired after outliving their usefulness.
But when he sold the Lehman III to someone else, it sank.
You can contact Jim Bradshaw at jimbradshaw4321@gmail.com or P.O. Box 1121, Washington LA 70589.

ERNEST CEBERT MENDOZA

Wed, 03/30/2022 - 7:10am

February 2, 1949 — March 24, 2022
Ernest Cebert Mendoza, 73, a resident of Bayou L’Ourse, passed away peacefully, Thursday, March 24, 2022 at Ochsner St. Mary.
Ernest was born February 2, 1949, in Morgan City, the son of Ralph Cebert Mendoza and Agnes Hebert Mendoza.
Ernest loved motorcycles and was in a motorcycle club. He also enjoyed being outdoors.
He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his mother, Agnes Mendoza of St. Amant, LA; four children, Ernest Mendoza and wife Leann of Rockmart, GA, Dawn Labeouf of Gray, LA, Karen Toups of Gray, LA, Scott Mendoza of Atlanta, GA; two step-children, Dwayne McClendon and Donna McClendon; one brother, Ricky Dean Mendoza and wife Nancy; six grandchildren, Kersti, Tristin, Kayla, Derick, Ashley, and Matthew; numerous great-grandchildren.
Ernest was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Mendoza; wife, Helen Hall Mendoza; mother of his children, Wanda Ann Hebert; three brothers, Ralph, John, and Larry Mendoza; sister, Elizabeth Ann Mendoza; step-son, Jack McClendon.
Graveside services and burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 31, 2022, at Morgan City Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 30, 2022, at Twin City Funeral Home from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

Morgan City man returned to face robbery charge

Tue, 03/29/2022 - 1:52pm

Berwick police say man locked himself in hotel room he wouldn't pay for

Staff Report

(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 local man was returned Monday to Morgan City to face armed robbery charges, city police reported.

Wayne Michael Escort, 33, was arrested March 19 in Texas on a warrant alleging armed robbery March 5 in Morgan City.

Morgan City officers also arrested a man on aggravated arson and damage to property charges, while the St. Mary Sheriff’s Office made arrests on hit-and-run and drug charges.

And in Berwick, officers from two departments worked for two hours to arrest a man who locked himself into a hotel room he refused to pay for.

Morgan City
Police Chief James F. Blair reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 51 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:
—Lorenzo Cortnee Jackson, 42, Blakefield Drive, Schriever, was arrested at 7:05 a.m. Monday as a fugitive from the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office.
—Mickey Emerson, 50, North Everett, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:07 a.m. Monday on charges of aggravated arson and criminal damage to property.
—Wayne Michael Escort, 33, Barrow Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:44 a.m. Monday on warrants alleging armed robbery, armed robbery with a firearm and home invasion, and on a 6th Ward Morgan City Court warrant alleging six counts of failure to pay fine.

St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith ad-vised that over the last 962-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 151 complaints and made these arrests:
—Randy Lee Dixon, 42, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:25 a.m. Friday on charges of failure to obey traffic control and possession of marijuana. Dixon was released on a summons to appear June 24.
—Juvenile male, 16, Jeanerette, was arrested at 9:58 a.m. Friday on a warrant alleging sexual battery and indecent behavior with juveniles. The juvenile male was released into the custody of a guardian pending juvenile court proceedings.
—Tyler Michael Kapp, 30, Morgan City, was arrested 6:24 p.m. Friday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charge of speeding. Kapp was released on a completed sentence.
—Chameka Renea Diggs, 23, Amelia, was arrested at 6:53 p.m. Friday on charges of maximum speed limit, no child restraint and driving under suspension. Diggs was released on a summons to appear June 24.
—Oscar Washington, 59, Morgan City, was arrested t 7:15 p.m. Friday on charges of obedience to police officers, expired license plate and driving under suspension. Washington was released on a summons to appear June 24.
—Teri Annette Williams, 35, Four Corners, was arrested at 7:50 p.m. Friday on charges of maximum speed limit, aggravated flight from an officer, aggravated obstruction of highway, hit and run, driving under suspension and no child restraint.
Bail has not been set.
--Olman Perez, 32, Houston, was arrested at 11 p.m. Friday on charges of maximum speed limit and no insurance. Perez was released on a summons to appear June 24.
--Arissa Nicole Guidry, 24, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:17 a.m. Saturday on a charge of battery of a dating partner. Guidry was released on a $2,500 bond.
—Robert Charles Rabb, 46, Morgan City, was arrested at 4:07 a.m. Saturday on charges of turning movements or required signals and possession of marijuana. Rabb was released on a summons to appear June 24.
—Nicole Renee Benoit, 39, Bayou Vista, was arrested at 10:08 a.m. Saturday on charges of improper lane usage and driving under suspension. Benoit was released on a summons to appear June 24.
--Derikeyone D. Kirt, 23, Franklin, was arrested at 6:34 p.m. Saturday on charges driver must be licensed, careless operation with accident and proper equipment required on vehicles. Kirt was released on a summons to appear June 24.
—John Anthony Boyd, 52, Franklin, was arrested at 9:43 p.m. Saturday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charges of improper lane usage and driving under suspension. Boyd was released on a summons to appear June 24.
—Edgar Garcia-Perez, 21, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:10 p.m. Saturday on charges of failure to report accident and driver must be licensed. Perez was released on a summons to appear June 24.
—Shane Michael Coleman, 20, Gray, was at 12:14 a.m. Sunday on an Assumption Parish warrant alleging failure to appear on charges of illegal carrying of weapons, inciting a felony, illegal possession of a stolen firearm and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Coleman is being held for another agency.
—Trevell Griffin, 23, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:14 a.m. Sunday on charges of maximum speed limit and possession of marijuana. Griffin was released on a summons to appear June 24.
—Larry Guilbeau, 22, Franklin, was arrested 2:37 a.m. Sunday on charges of driving on roadway laned for traffic, no driver’s license on person, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and obstruction of justice (tampering).
Bail has not been set.
—Tippy Edward Lovell III, 22, Franklin, was arrested at 4:38 p.m. Sunday on charges of reckless operation (no accident). Lovell was released on a summons to appear June 24.
—Louis Alton Bourque, 36, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:31 p.m. Monday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charge of criminal neglect of family. Bail was set at $31,379.
—Kevin Lashawn James Sr., 36, Franklin, was arrested at 12:19 a.m. Monday on charges of driver must be licensed and no insurance. James was released on a summons to appear June 24.
—Cierra Hines Davis, 32, Franklin, was arrested at 1:20 a.m. Monday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charges of care-less operation of a motor vehicle, following too closely and failing to honor written promise to appear. Davis was released on a $375 bond.
—Ismael Grado, 49, Morgan City, was arrested at 4:16 a.m. Monday on charges of reckless operation (no accident) and driving under suspension. Bail was set at $2,005.50.
—Ryan J. Kemp, 38, Patterson, was arrested at 8:08 a.m. Sunday by the Narcotics Section of charges of possession of MDMA, possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, transactions involving drug proceeds and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Bail has not been set.
—Latoya N. Mitchell, 46, Patterson, was arrested at 8:08 a.m. Sunday on charges of possession of marijuana.
Mitchell was released on a summons to appear June 24.

Berwick
—Dean Beranek, 36, Burchfield Lane, Berwick, was arrested at 1:25 p.m. Monday on charges of theft (under $1,000), disturbing the peace (intoxicated), remaining where forbidden, criminal mischief and resisting an officer.
On Monday, officers were dispatched to a local hotel on U.S. 90 in reference to removing a subject from the property who was refusing to pay for his room. Officers arrived on scene and learned that Beranek stayed at the hotel for the night and refused to leave at the checkout time, and he also refused to pay for his room.
According to the management, Beranek had to be moved into four different rooms over night as he complained about the quality of each. The management reported that he disassembled the plumbing in the bathroom of two rooms, took apart an alarm clock, and disconnected the cable service to another room. Multiple guests also complained overnight of him keeping them awake from banging on the walls.
Officers made contact with Beranek at the door of his room, but he refused to open the door. After an extended period of time, detectives from the Berwick Police Department as well as the Morgan City Police Department responded to assist.
Detectives subsequently secured a search warrant for the hotel room. Beranek locked all of the interior locks on the door, therefore, officers were unable to gain entry using a key card. A little after two hours of negotiating with Beranek to open the door, an opportunity presented itself at which point officers were able to force entry into the door and quickly take Beranek into custody after a brief struggle.
Neither Beranek nor any of the officers were injured in this incident. Beranek, who was found to be in an im-paired state, was placed under arrest and booked into the Berwick Jail. He was later released after posting a $6,000 bond.
Franklin
Police Chief Morris Beverly reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to 10 complaints over the past 24 hours and made this arrest:
—Kevin James, 36, Iberia Street, Franklin, was arrested at 12:35 p.m. Tuesday on a 3rd Ward City Court warrant alleging failure to appear on the charges of driving under suspension and speeding. James was booked, processed and release on a $438 bond.

Senate bills target car-jacking, catalytic converter theft

Tue, 03/29/2022 - 12:41pm

LURA STABILER and ROSEL FLORES, LSU Manship School News Service

BATON ROUGE—The Louisiana Senate advanced two bills Monday to crack down on car-jackings and thefts of auto emissions systems.

The bills were sponsored by Sen. Kirk Talbot, R-River Ridge. One would make the theft of catalytic converters a crime with a sliding scale of prison terms depending on the value of the parts that were stolen.

The other would increase the penalty for carjacking committed with a firearm to 11 to 20 years in prison from 2 to 20 years now.

The bills were among several advanced Monday that deal with crime and violent behavior. They still need to be considered by the House.

Thieves in Baton Rouge have been removing catalytic converters from cars, and New Orleans has been stunned by a wave of car-jackings.

Catalytic converters control exhaust emissions, and theft of the converters has increased due to the costly metals in the devices. Catalytic converters contain platinum, palladium and rhodium.

Talbot’s catalytic converter bill passed 35-0. His bill to increase the penalty for carjacking passed 34-0.

The Senate also passed a bill by Sen. Franklin Foil, R-Baton Rouge, that would provide an exception to illegal carrying of weapons for certain retired federal officials.

Currently, state and federal judges and prosecutors can go through annual training and carry a gun without a permit. Foil’s bill, which passed 35-0, would extend this privilege to retired federal judges and prosecutors.

Senate Bill 64 and SB66 were both sponsored by Sen. Patrick Connick, R-Marrero, and passed 36-0.

SB64 is focused on updating sex crime laws in several ways, such as tweaking the definition of rape to include foreign object penetration and broadening the protection against sexual assault victims’ attire being held against them in a proceeding.

SB66 aims to increase the penalties for violation of a protective order when committed by someone in possession of a firearm.

Handheld phone ban ignites debate in House

Tue, 03/29/2022 - 12:36pm

ALLISON KADLUBAR, LSU Manship School News Service

BATON ROUGE — Lawmakers tangled Monday over whether to create a new set of fines for holding a phone while driving even if the driver is not texting.

The “hand-held phone ban” bill would allow law enforcement to fine drivers seen with a phone in hand while behind the wheel.

“This is trying to promote safe driving,” the author of the bill, Rep. Mike Huval, R-Breaux Bridge, said.

The fine would be lower than the $175 to $500 for a texting-and-driving citation. The new fine would range from $50 to $100 and may include a maximum of 15 hours of community service for a first offense.

The House postponed a vote on the bill as lawmakers questioned how it would be enforced and whether it would discriminate against poorer people with the most basic phones.

Rep. Robby Carter, D-Amite, said the bill targets lower-income communities.

“It will not be possible to operate a cell phone in a car that doesn’t have Bluetooth,” Carter said.

Bluetooth technology helps enable hands-free phone use while driving.

Carter mentioned that he does not think that the “pay-as-you-go phones,” a type of phone that has a prepaid number of caller minutes found at local dollar stores, have Bluetooth capability, so people who have these phones would be unable to use them while driving.

About 60% of people in Carter’s district make less than the median income.

This means that a person who cannot afford a phone with Bluetooth would not be able to communicate with another person without holding the phone in hand.

“Do you believe this discriminates against the poor people who cannot afford Bluetooth or phones with one of the national networks?” Carter asked Huval.

Huval said his bill would not discriminate against anyone, protecting all ages, races and classes. He also said that there is an app on phones that will allow voice operation without Bluetooth, but he was unsure if this is applicable to the prepaid phones.

Carter described the bill as being more advantageous to individuals who can afford cars and phones with Bluetooth or Apple CarPlay options.

Apple CarPlay allows drivers to use navigational features, click on texts, answer phone calls or change songs via a display screen operated through voice commands or manually.

“I’m not big on voice commands…I prefer the old fashion way of searching it or hitting it,” Rep. Barry Ivey, R-Baton Rouge, said. “There is no prohibition on reaching toward the center console of a screen and trying to dial numbers and look up contacts and respond to text messages if the functionality is available, is that correct?”

Huval said a driver can use Apple Carplay, adding that research proves it is safer than looking down and holding a wireless phone.

Nearly 800,000 people drive while holding their cell phones during the day, according to a study by the National Conference of State Legislatures.

“We are trying to get so detailed and prescriptive on what government doesn’t allow, we may be falling short,” Ivey said.

The House favored an amendment by Rep. Danny McCormick, R-Oil City, to lower the proposed fine to $100 from $300 to keep more people out of jail who might not be able to afford the higher fine.

The bill passed in the House Transportation Committee last week where similar tensions arose.

Huval proposed a similar bill last year. The House passed it, but the Senate rejected it, concerned that it could hurt minorities.

Huval decided Monday to edit the bill and present it to the House again later.

Lawmaker's bill would keep vaccine status off licenses

Tue, 03/29/2022 - 12:29pm

VICTOR SKINNER, The Center Square

A Louisiana state repre-sentative wants to ban the Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) from including vac-cination status on driver’s licenses, though some say the move is unnecessary.
The House voted 58-23 to approve House Bill 232, sponsored by Rep. Kathy Edmonston, R-Gonzales, to prohibit the OMV from including vaccination infor-mation or immunity status on driver’s licenses or state ID cards.
The bill also would prevent the OMV from using vaccine status in decisions on issuing or renewing licenses or ID cards.
“This bill is prohibitive, preemptive and proactive,” Edmonston said last week on the House floor. “Overwhelmingly, citizens in my area and some of yours have asked that the driver’s license not be-come a vaccine passport to be used for any type of medical information.
“This bill keeps the driver’s license for driving purposes only,” she said, noting that blood type is cur-rently the only medical information published on state driver’s licenses and IDs.
Edmonston pointed out that LA Wallet, the state’s digital driver’s license app, allows users to include COVID-19 vaccination status, if they choose.
Rep. John Stefanski, R-Crowley, questioned Edmon-ston over the need for HB 232 during the floor debate.
Edmonston confirmed that including vaccination status on state issued driver’s licenses and IDs would require the Legislature to approve a law to allow it, and Stefanski argued Edmonston’s bill does not change that reality.
“I don’t disagree with what you’re doing, I just don’t think the legislation may be necessary,” Stefanski said.
“Then don’t vote for it,” Edmonston shot back.
Rep. Barry Ivey, R-Baton Rouge, implied the legislation may be beneficial in the event the executive branch uses the Administrative Procedures Act to circumvent the Legis-lature to impose a rule that’s not expressly authorized by lawmakers.
Ivey pointed out LA Wallet allows residents to include vaccination status, something lawmakers never approved.
Others argued HB 232 is “taking a liberty away” from folks who would prefer to include the infor-mation on their license.
“I should have the liberty to have on my driver’s license anything I want to,” Rep. Robby Carter, D-Amite, said. “You’re trying to take the privilege of saying I’m immunized away from me by saying I can’t put it on my driver’s license.”
Edmonston countered that the option is available through LA Wallet.
Rep. Marcus Bryant, D-New Iberia, said LA Wallet is not accepted as proof of vaccine status at air-ports or other venues, while driver’s licenses are accepted as official documents.
“I know what you want, I understand it and I’m voting for your bill, I just wish you would leave the window open or the option open – because we can’t use LA Wallet at the airport, we can’t use it when we’re going through customs, we can’t use it in other states – that we allow it to be put on our license that we have been vaccinated,” he said.
“I would be grateful if you did leave it up to the person,” Bryant said, “but not mandate that any state agency have the authority to do it without that person’s consent.”
The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. Gov. John Bel Edwards vetoed an identical bill sponsored by Edmonston last year because he argued it “contributes to the false narrative that the COVID-19 vaccines are anything other than safe and incredibly effective.”