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Morgan City police investigate shooting, armed robbery

Sun, 03/20/2022 - 11:07am

Morgan City police are investigating an early-morning shooting and armed robbery.

About 5 a.m. Sunday, the Police Department said in a Facebook post, officers responded to a report of an armed robbery in the the area of Egle Street

Officers arrived and located a male victim who had been shot. The victim was transported to an out-of-area hospital for medical treatment.

Detectives with the Morgan City Police Department responded and are conducting the investigation. Anyone with information in regard to this investigation is asked to contact the Morgan City Police Department Detectives Division at 985-380-4605.

There is no further information to release at this time, the department said.

Ruling revives Biden's 'social cost of carbon' policy

Sun, 03/20/2022 - 6:10am
VICTOR SKINNER, The Center Square

A federal appeals court has overturned a lower court ruling that blocked the Biden administration’s “social cost of carbon” policy, reviving the controversial government cost calculation of damages from greenhouse gas emissions.

A three-judge panel with the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans unanimously stayed this week a ruling by U.S. District Judge James Cain Jr. last month that struck down the social cost of carbon policy.

Cain, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump, granted a request by Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry and 10 other states for a preliminary injunction against Biden Executive Order 13990, which directed federal agencies to consider the social cost of carbon for virtually all federal actions.

The executive order established a working group of federal appointees to establish a damage value, or social cost, based on global environmental damages from climate changes. The measure required federal agencies to apply the figures to regulatory actions and other decisions for most federal agencies, including the Departments of Interior, Commerce, Energy, Agriculture, Transportation, Environmental Protections, Defense, Homeland Security, Health and Human Services and the U.S. Treasury.

Landry argued the executive order is a backdoor attempt to take over numerous industries and Louisiana is particularly impacted because of the state’s leadership in domestic energy production.

“Biden’s executive order was an attempt by the government to take over and tax the people based on winners and losers chosen by the government,” Landry said.

The appeals ruling Wednesday, however, nullifies the preliminary injunction and allows the Biden administration to continue using the policy as the case proceeds. The three-judge panel argued Louisiana and other states have no standing to sue because the regulatory burdens of the policy are not yet realized, The Associated Press reported.

“The plaintiff states’ claimed injury is ‘increased regulatory burdens’ that may result from the consideration of (the social cost of greenhouse gasses), and the Interim Estimates specifically,” wrote Judges Leslie Southwick, a George W. Bush appointee, and James Graves Jr. and Gregg Costa, both Barack Obama appointees, according to Politico. “This injury, however, hardly meets the standards for [constitutional] standing because it is, at this point, merely hypothetical.”

The panel found Cain acted “outside the authority of the federal courts” when he ordered the Biden administration “to comply with prior administrations’ policies on regulatory analysis absent a specific agency action to review,” according to The AP.

Under the Biden and Obama administrations, the social cost of carbon policy applied about $51 per ton of carbon emissions based on worldwide damages, while the Trump administration reduced the calculation to $7 per ton based on domestic damages. The Biden administration is now working through a process to recalibrate that figure and it is expected to significantly increase.

At least one major rule regarding emissions from heavy-duty trucks was published without the cost of carbon calculation, and another decision on oil-and-gas lease sales in western states was delayed by the Biden administration while the injunction was in place, according to media reports.

“We strongly disagree with the 5th Circuit’s opinion that we lack standing in Biden’s latest attempt to inject the federal government into the everyday lives of Americans,” Landry press secretary Cory Dennis wrote in an email to Politico. "We will petition for a rehearing en banc and will continue to stand up against this Administration’s vast overreach."

Walking the Irish-Italian walk

Sat, 03/19/2022 - 2:06pm

Dozens of people joined the Krewe of Dionysus on Saturday for the Irish-Italian Walking Parade, which made its way from Second and Onstead to Front Street in Morgan City.

The Review/Bill Decker

The altar at St. Joseph in Patterson

Sat, 03/19/2022 - 11:54am

Members of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Patterson honored a church tradition Saturday with a St. Joseph's Altar. Church history has it that the tradition goes back to Sicily, where people prayed to St. Joseph for rain to end a devastating famine. The skies opened, the famine ended and grateful people observed St. Joseph's feast day with a table full of the food they'd been able to grow.

The Review/Bill Decker

Conrad lands Navy contract for barges

Fri, 03/18/2022 - 3:38pm

Conrad Shipyard announced Friday that it has been awarded a contract by the U.S Navy for the design and construction of up to eight Yard, Repair, Berthing and Messing barges.

The YRBM barges provide a temporary home away from home and workplace for our servicemen and women whose vessels are in port for repairs or maintenance. Conrad’s design incorporates functional spaces which allow the sailors to work, sleep, and eat comfortably. The fixed-price contract, a small business set-aside, has a potential value of over $140 million, according to a press release from the company.

Conrad expects to deliver the first YRBM barge to the Navy in late 2023. If the Navy exercises options for the additional barges, peak production is expected to occur from 2023 through 2025.

“We are excited to enter into this partnership with the Navy to help modernize its fleet,” said Conrad Shipyard CEO Johnny Conrad. “Not only will this contract provide an abundance of jobs for our workforce in the Morgan City area, but it will also help to support a multitude of small businesses. I know our dedicated and hard-working men and women at Conrad are proud to work on this project which will ultimately benefit the brave service men and women of the U.S. Navy.”

The YRBM barge is an ABS A1 accommodation barge has a 151-foot-4-inch by 49-foot-by--14-inch footprint. The vessel provides pier-side living accommodations capable of berthing 199 mixed gender personnel, messing for 300 personnel, and includes spaces for medical offices, classrooms, workspaces, laundry rooms, storerooms and lounge areas.

Conrad Shipyard, established in 1948 and headquartered in Morgan City, designs, builds and overhauls tugboats, ferries, dredgers, barges, offshore supply vessels and other steel and aluminum products for both the commercial and government markets. The company provides both repair and new construction services at its five shipyards located in southern Louisiana and Texas. www.conradindustries.com

Bollinger submits proposal to build Heritage-class cutters for Coast Guard

Fri, 03/18/2022 - 3:27pm

Bollinger Shipyards on Friday submitted its final proposal to the United States Coast Guard to build Stage 2 of the Heritage-class offshore patrol cutter program. If chosen, Bollinger would construct and deliver a total of 11 vessels to the U.S. Coast Guard over the next decade, helping to sustain the Bollinger workforce through 2031.

The proposal submitted by Bollinger states that the construction will occur at its facilities in Houma, according to a Bollinger press release. That shipyard is strategically placed within a 100-year hurricane risk reduction system with direct access to the Gulf of Mexico without any hindrances such as drafts or time-zone differences, the company said.

In a new study conducted by the Economics & Policy Research Group at LSU on the economic impact should Bollinger be chosen to build up to 11 ships for the OPC Program, LSU found that the project would create more than 2,700 direct and indirect jobs and generate $7.3 billion in economic output for Louisiana.

“The numbers tell a compelling story – the Offshore Patrol Cutter program would be a major game changer for the State of Louisiana and Bollinger is the right shipyard at the right time to build this platform for the U.S. Coast Guard,” said Ben Bordelon, Bollinger president and CEO. “For over 75 years, Bollinger has been proud to be a major job creator and economic contributor in south Louisiana. To be awarded the contract for OPC would allow us to continue that legacy. It is my hope that we’re able to continue our long partnership supporting the brave men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard.”

LSU received information from Bollinger on the estimated employment, wages and timing of the construction activities required if chosen for the Offshore Patrol Cutter Program. This data was then used to conduct an economic impact analysis to quantify the full impact of the OPC program on Louisiana’s economy. Key findings of the report include:

The project will create 2,776 direct and indirect jobs in Louisiana with total new earnings over $2.3 billion and output of $7.3 billion, the company said.

Over 1,800 workers will be employed on the various aspects of the project by 2026.

Terrebonne Parish will receive major economic benefits from the project with an average of 1,836 direct and indirect jobs created with earnings totaling over $1.6 billion and new output totaling over $5.2 billion.

The region consisting of Terrebonne, St. Mary, Lafourche, St. Charles, St. Tammany, Orleans and Jefferson -parishes should expect significant economic growth with 2,597 total direct and indirect jobs created, total new earnings of $2.2 billion and output of $6.9 billion.

Terrebonne can expect over $16.1 million in sales tax revenue while the region will earn over $38.8 million during the 10 -year time horizon.

The project is estimated to generate over $113 million in Louisiana state tax revenues by 2031.

“If Bollinger wins the Offshore Patrol Cutter Program, it will serve as a major economic stimulus to the State, Region and Terrebonne Parish,” said Dr. Dek Terrell, executive director at LSU’s Economics & Policy Research Group. “The project will create over $2.3 billion in new Louisiana earnings and $7.3 billion of Louisiana output.”

The U.S. Coast Guard announced it would revise the existing OPC program in 2019 following a Government Accountability Office report that stated, “The cutter’s design is unstable, its schedule optimistic, and its cost estimate incomplete — making it likely that building it will take longer and cost more.”

Bollinger has been actively involved in every step of the U.S. Coast Guard’s OPC acquisition process, including execution of the Stage 1 Preliminary and Contract Design, where the Company was included in the final three shipyards, as well as execution of the OPC Stage 2 Industry Study. In June of 2021 Bollinger submitted its initial proposal to build Stage 2 of OPC program. This unique experience ensures Bollinger’s understanding of every detail and aspect of the program.

Notably, in its current program for the U.S. Coast Guard, Bollinger has delivered Sentinel-Class fast response cutter hulls 1139 through 1148 a total of 180 days ahead of the contract schedule, despite the incredible challenges of the COVID-19 global pandemic and sustaining significant damage from a direct hit by Hurricane Ida, a powerful Category 4 storm.

Bollinger has a long history building for the U.S. Coast Guard, delivering 174 vessels in the last three decades alone. This includes the Island class (49 delivered), the Marine Protector class (77 delivered), and now the Sentinel class (48 of 64 delivered to date)/

Bayou Horseshoe Pitchers Association signup will be March 26

Fri, 03/18/2022 - 11:02am

The Bayou Horseshoe Pitchers Association Summer League will draw for teams March 29 at Kemper Williams Park in Patterson. The meeting is at 6:30pm

The league will start April 5. Check it out at 10 a.m. March 26 at the Day in the Park at Kemper Williams Park.

After opening ceremonies, a hi lo sanctioned tournament will be held. Potential members can play in one sanctioned tournament without paying state/national sanctioned dues ($30 adults, $7 Juniors) but adults must pay the $20 entry fee and juniors 17 and under $7. The tournament will be “Horseshoemania” (change partners each round, playing as a team but also playing as an individual. Each player will get the points they earned. Total point will be added up at the end if regulation will determine the winners)

The NHPA Sanctioned Club/League Program introduces new and veteran horseshoe pitchers to handicap scoring in league play and provides an exciting, competitive, healthful activity for men and women, young and elders. The handicap scoring system is designed to give everyone an equal chance to win.

Annual dues for the BHPA league play is $40 for everyone (two leagues, city singles and city doubles championship tournaments, year end banquet with the opportunity to win patches, plaques, T-shirts, patches and jackets)

About horseshoe pitching: It is a game that can be played by one or more people. It may be played for recreation with simply two stakes driven in the ground, and/or as a sport with suitably prepared courts (click to see Official Playing Rules). Horseshoe pitching in practice, league and tournament play, is a non-strenuous, healthful activity involving bending, stretching, walking and light lifting, just what any doctor might prescribe. The pitching distance is either 27 ft or 37 ft from foul line to stake, depending upon your pitching classification (Adult Men pitch 37 feet. Women, juniors and elders pitch 27 feet, 12 and under pitch from 20 feet.

The horseshoes weigh about 2-1/2 pounds each and are manufactured specifically for pitching. Pitching styles and methods vary from individual to individual, and beginners will find help learning new or improved methods from the experienced veterans in the league.

The Bayou Horseshoe Pitchers Association has a few sets of loaner horseshoes for potential pitchers to use until they purchase their own.

Monroewill host the World Tournament this July.

www.horseshoepitching.com

Check out the association at www.lshpa.com
G
o to clubs and click on Bayou HPA and check out the history. The contacts are under officers or call any BHPA member for more info.

Shipbuilders will meet to discuss post-COVID challenges

Fri, 03/18/2022 - 10:54am

The Gulf States Shipbuilding Consortium (GSSC) announced today that it will host its annual conference, The Labor Market: A Looming Crisis, on April 27 - 28 at The Admiral in Mobile.

The two-day conference will focus on labor issues facing the industry in a post-COVID environment.

Shipbuilding and repair companies, related suppliers/supply chain contacts, workforce and economic development leaders and manufacturers from across the Gulf Coast are invited to share ideas, challenges, best practices, and a vision for the future.

Author of "Arsonist in the Office," recent Amazon ‘#1 Hot New Release’ for Workplace Management books, Pete Havel will headline the conference as a keynote speaker. An experienced lobbyist, political consultant and crisis communications professional, Havel will draw from his book to share insight into what can go wrong when cultures go bad, offering solutions for protecting companies and creating a better workplace.

Registration is now open for the conference, which will host dozens of leaders from across the Gulf Coast. A limited number of sponsorship opportunities are also available.
In addition to high profile keynotes, the conference will host powerful sessions exploring innovative approaches to outreach, as well as attracting, training, engaging, and retaining our most value resource – the workforce. Event organizers have issued a Call for Proposals for additional speakers to address
these relevant topics.

“Shipbuilding and related industries, suppliers and manufacturers play a significant role in the economies of Gulf Coast states. Next month’s conference will provide an opportunity for critical dialogue on the changing face of our labor market and need to ensure a pipeline for the skilled workforce we require to meet critical production schedules, said GSSC Interim Board President, Jerome Eymard, with Bollinger Shipyards.

More information about the conference can be found at https://www.gsship.org/annual-conference-2022.

Quit smoking for Lent? Ochsner, Chevron can help

Fri, 03/18/2022 - 10:50am

Louisiana has one of the highest smoking rates in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To improve lung health and overall wellness, Ochsner Health and Chevron’s Gulf of Mexico Business Unit have formed a key partnership to create a lung cancer awareness, education, and prevention program.

This initiative launched in November 2021 in St. Tammany Parish, the result of a $50,000 donation from Chevron. Since then, the two organizations have worked together to improve resources and education around smoking cessation and overall lung health.

As a part of these efforts, a public service announcement was produced highlighting the story of Caitlin Hunter, a Chevron employee and Northshore native who lost two family members to lung cancer. “I know firsthand how devastating this disease can be,” said Hunter. “Early detection and intervention are critical when it comes to lung health. Our hope is that by educating our community on the dangers of smoking and giving them the right tools, we can empower people to make their health a priority - and save lives.”

Chevron’s funding is supporting the following program initiatives:

-- Encouraging early testing and diagnostics such as Low-Dose CT scans and Lung Cancer Screening Tests to significantly increase chances of survival from lung cancer in certain high-risk populations. The program provides transportation for those who qualify to go get a lung cancer screening.

--Visits to about a dozen high schools to educate students about the dangers of vaping and smoking and to provide smoking cessation resources.

-- Education on how to identify stressors and triggers leading to smoking habits.

--Smoking cessation tools to identify and utilize healthy mechanisms for managing stress.

This program is a part of Healthy State by 2030, a bold initiative by Ochsner and key public and private partners to improve the state of health for Louisiana and lift national health rankings to the top 40 by 2030. America’s Health Rankings has identified smoking as one of the top 20 drivers of poor health in Louisiana, with about 22% of residents identified as active smokers in 2020. Smoking is responsible for more than 480,000 deaths in the United States every year, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It damages nearly every organ and is associated with heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease, diabetes, and cancer. With this research in mind, Ochsner and valued partners like Chevron are acting on plans to move the needle on poor health among populations and in locations where help is most needed, through treatment, prevention, and advocacy measures.

The Healthy State plan builds upon Ochsner’s effective smoking cessation program, which combines counseling with medications to create a personalized treatment plan. The program changes participants’ lives by allowing them to imagine healthier futures for themselves. The deadline to enroll in Ochsner’s Smoking Cessation Trust Program is July 11, 2022.

“Ochsner Health is committed to building a healthier region and smoking is a major barrier in improving the overall health of Louisianians,” said Dr. Leonardo Seoane, Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Officer for Ochsner Health. “We are very appreciative of Chevron for joining us in our efforts to reduce smoking rates by 6% statewide by 2030. Chevron’s contribution and collaboration have led to increased interest in our smoking cessation program. We are proud of what we have been able to accomplish together and are determined to keep working to lower smoking rates in our state.”

In addition to this program, Chevron has supported Ochsner Health in the past by investing $32,000 in Lafourche and Terrebonne [arishes to provide crucial resources for individuals with COVID-19.

“Chevron is proud to make this contribution and continue our long-standing partnership with Ochsner Health,” said Leah Brown, Public Affairs Manager for Chevron’s Gulf of Mexico Business Unit. “From supporting those struggling with the Coronavirus to promoting smoking cessation, together we’ve worked to make a positive difference in the community. Chevron thanks Ochsner for their dedication and daily efforts to improve the health and lives of Louisiana residents.”

If you or a loved one is interested in these life-saving services like smoking cessation, or if you want to learn more about the program, visit www.ochsner.org/quit to schedule an appointment today. To learn more about Ochsner Health’s lung cancer multidisciplinary program and screening, click here. To learn more about Chevron, visit - https://www.chevron.com/.

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