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Edwards won't renew COVID emergency declaration

Four days short of two years since he signed the first COVID-19 emergency declaration, Gov. John Bel Edwards said Monday that he won't renew it when it expires Wednesday.

"Cases and hospitalizations have been steadily dropping since we emerged from the Omicron fueled surge this winter," Edwards said in his State of the State address Monday at the opening of the 2022 regular legislative session in Baton Rouge.

"Parades rolled again this Mardi Gras. If that’s not a Louisiana breeze of hope, I don’t know what is."

Edwards said he didn't make the decision lightly.

"I have met with the Division of Administration, GOHSEP, the Department of Health, and the Louisiana National Guard to ensure that there will be no federal aid repercussions or other adverse consequences from not renewing the proclamation," Edward said.

"Just because the proclamation is expiring doesn’t mean COVID is over. If the circumstances call for it, I will not hesitate to declare another emergency. But God willing, we will never have to see such difficult mitigation measures in our state again. I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know that we are in a much better place today than we were two years ago."

Edwards praised those whom he called "healthcare heroes around the state and the stalwart team at the Louisiana Department of Health, including State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter and Secretary Dr. Courtney Phillips. They may be weary, but they have not wavered in their efforts to save lives."

On Monday, the Office of Public Health reported 537 new COVID cases since midday Friday along with 26 deaths. The OPH said 210 COVID-positive people are hospitalized, about 1/10th of the number during the omicron peak last winter.

In St. Mary, only four new COVID cases were reported over the weekend, raising the pandemic total to 12,455. The death toll remained at 258, including 28 since Jan. 1.

The vaccination rate in St. Mary is 44.03%.

Also at Monday's address, Edwards introduced Eddie Hayes, the honorary consul to Louisiana from the government of Ukraine.

"All too often, our world is filled with unrest, and right now our prayers are especially with the people of Ukraine as they defend their homes, their families, and their freedom," Edwards said.

Morgan City police radio logs for March 11-14

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.
Friday, March 11
6:31 a.m. Egle Street; Loud music.
7:11 a.m. Sandra Street; Complaint.
7:47 a.m. Glenwood Street; Animal complaint.
8:18 a.m. Laurel Street; Disturbance.
8:58 a.m. La. 70/U.S. 90 Junction; Vehicle crash.
9:33 a.m. Federal Avenue; Animal complaint.
9:40 a.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Medical.
12:31 p.m. South Rail-road Avenue; Assistance.
1:30 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Complaint.
2:04 p.m. Sixth near Belanger streets; Complaint.
3:51 p.m. Brashear Avenue and Fourth Street; Hit and run.
4:29 p.m. 1000 block of Brashear Avenue; Disturbance.
5:14 p.m. 7000 block of Railroad Avenue; Accident.
5:37 p.m. 8400 block of La. 182; Alarm.
5:45 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Reckless driver.
6:18 p.m. 500 block of Egle Street; Subject removal.
6:57 p.m. 1600 block of North Second Street; Disturbance.
7:56 p.m. Area of Vic-tor II Boulevard and Myrtle Street; Complaint.
9:39 p.m. 900 block of Hickory Street; Shots fired call.
10:44 p.m. Area of Greenwood and Second streets; Complaint.
10:55 p.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Domestic disturbance/arrest.
11:10 p.m. Area of U.S. 90 West; Complaint.
11:34 p.m. Area of Chestnut and Walnut drives; Complaint.
11:39 p.m. 7900 block of La. 182; Alarm.
11:57 p.m. 4000 block of Railroad Avenue; Alarm.
Saturday, March 12
8:41 a.m. La. 70; Complaint.
8:56 a.m. La. 182; Stalled vehicle.
9:17 a.m. La. 70; Ani-mal complaint.
10:26 a.m. Tiger Drive; Complaint.
10:27 a.m. Fourth/General MacArthur Street; Animal complaint.
11:01 a.m. Patton Street; Assistance.
11:26 a.m. General MacArthur Street; Com-plaint.
12:22 p.m. Oak Street; Complaint.
1:46 p.m. Cedar Street; Disturbance.
3:03 p.m. Ditch Avenue; Complaint.
3:14 p.m. Adams Street; Complaint.
3:31 p.m. La. 182; Complaint.
5:21 p.m. U.S. 90; Traffic accident.
5:31 p.m. Florence Street; Complaint.
5:47 p.m. U.S. 90; Complaint.
6:54 p.m. 7300 block of La. 182; Alarm.
7:20 p.m. 800 block of North Everett Street; Theft.
7:28 p.m. 800 block of Willard Street; Welfare check.
7:33 p.m. 1000 block of Clothilde Street; Stand by.
8:10 p.m. 500 block of Bowman Street; Patrol request.
8:24 p.m. 700 block of Railroad Avenue; Com-plaint.
8:35 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Theft.
8:56 p.m. Area of La. 182 Bridge; Assistance.
9:05 p.m. 800 block of Hickory Street; Complaint.
9:19 p.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Patrol request.
9:42 p.m. Area of Seventh and Everett streets; Assistance.
11:49 p.m. U.S. 90 West Bound; Complaint.
Sunday, March 13
12:13 a.m. 500 block of Seventh Street; Noise complaint.
4:36 a.m. 1200 block of Victor II Boulevard; Alarm.
6:18 a.m. Arizona Street; Property damage.
8:02 a.m. Front Street; Complaint.
9:42 a.m. Bowman Street; Complaint.
10:53 a.m. Songe Street; Fire.
12:12 p.m. La. 182; Complaint.
12:20 p.m. Bowman Street; Complaint.
12:21 p.m. Victor II Boulevard; Patrol.
12:29 p.m. Bowman Street; Disturbance.
12:43 p.m. Martin Luther King Boulevard; Complaint.
12:57 p.m. Terrebonne Street; Complaint.
2:24 p.m. La. 182; Animal complaint.
4 p.m. Wren Street; Theft.
4:12 p.m. Federal Avenue; Patrol.
4:24 p.m. Myrtle Street; Found property.
4:25 p.m. La. 182; 911 hang up.
4:28 p.m. Federal Avenue; Complaint.
4:38 p.m. Cottonwood Street; Theft.
5:58 p.m. Cypress Street; Complaint.
6:10 p.m. 200 block of Utah Street; Animal Complaint.
7:01 p.m. 700 block of Brashear Avenue; Medical.
7:18 p.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Noise Com-plaint.
7:58 p.m. Area of Justa Street and La. 182; Complaint.
8:06 p.m. Area of Justa and Roderick streets; Traffic stop/arrest.
8:18 p.m. 600 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard; Traffic stop/summons.
8:32 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Disturbance.
8:48 p.m. 1100 block of Brashear Avenue; Assistance.
9:03 p.m. 500 block of Egle Street; Medical.
9:29 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Com-plaint.
10:02 p.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Welfare check.
10:28 p.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Complaint.
11:23 p.m. 400 block of Halsey Street; Disturbance.
11:53 p.m. 400 block of Halsey Street; Stand by.
Monday, March 14
12:06 a.m. 1000 block of La. 70; Fire.
12:39 a.m. Area of Seventh and Freret streets; Traffic stop/summons.
2:47 a.m. 200 block of Greenwood Street; Complaint.

JOHN CHARLES RENTROP

September 11, 1953 - March 10, 2022

John Charles Rentrop passed away on Thursday, March 10, 2022, at Thibodaux Regional Health System at the age of 68 following a battle with Covid pneumonia.

John Charles was born in Morgan City and was a lifelong resident of Patterson. He was the eldest of four children born to Charles and Cary Rentrop. On June 18, 1977 he married the love of his life, Dawn Vining. Of this union, they were blessed with two children, John Eric and Erin. With his father, he owned and operated the Shell Station in Patterson, until opening a mechanic shop. John Charles also worked as a bus driver for the St. Mary Parish School Board for many years. He was proud to serve his community of Patterson as a councilman for the past 11 years.

Some of his favorite pastimes included having a cold beer with his buddies and playing his guitar. Times he cherished the most were fishing with his wife (even though she always caught more fish), antique shopping with her, and time spent with his kids and grandkids.

His memory will be forever cherished in the hearts of his wife of nearly 45 years, Dawn Vining Rentrop; their son, John Eric Rentrop and his wife Tonya Matte Rentrop; their daughter, Erin Rentrop Albert and her husband Ben Albert; his precious grandchildren, Eric Rentrop, Reupena Albert, Sione Albert, Taylor Albert, Cohen Rentrop, Talamesi Albert, and Liam Rentrop; his mother, Katherine Cary Rochel Rentrop; his sister, Meg Rentrop; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Joseph Rentrop; and his sisters, Rochel Tillmanns and Linda Adams.

A memorial visitation will be held Saturday, March 19, 2022, at Ibert's Mortuary in Patterson from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Family and friends may view the obituary online by visiting www.iberts.com and are encouraged to share their condolences, cherished memories, love, and support for the family.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert's Mortuary, Inc., 1111 Lia Street, Patterson, LA 70392, (985) 395-7873.

Berwick police arrest three on gun, drug charges

(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 made three arrests on gun charges over the weekend, all in conjunction with arrests involving drug possession.

Berwick
Police Chief David Leonard Sr. reported these arrests:
—Emilio Gonzalez 32, Mississippi, was arrested at 9:13 a.m. Saturday on charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute marijuana (over 28 grams), possession of Suboxone, possession of Xanax, transactions involving drug proceeds, possession of drug paraphernalia, speeding 78 mph in a 55 mph zone, driving under suspension, obstruction of justice and two counts of resisting an officer.
About 8:14 a.m. Saturday, an officer conducting stationary radar in the area of U.S. 90 observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. The vehicle’s speed was indicated to be 78 mph in a 55 mph zone.
A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle, and officers made contact with Gonzalez. During the course of the stop, it was learned that his driver’s license was suspended and he showed signs of nervousness. A K-9 was contacted and deployed around the vehicle, resulting in a positive indication of illegal narcotics inside the vehicle.
A search of the vehicle was done, at which time a firearm was located inside along with a large amount of marijuana, items of drug paraphernalia, U.S. currency, Xanax and Suboxone.
. It was learned that Gonzalez was a convicted felon, prohibiting him from possessing a firearm. Gonzalez was placed under arrest and transported to the Berwick Police Department, where he was booked.
Officers allowed Gonzalez to make a phone call. During this time, Gonzalez attempted to destroy evidence from his previous arrest and began to fight with officers. Officers were able to secure Gonzalez. and he was rearrested and booked on the obstruction and resisting charges.
—Saul X. Garcilazo, 22, Todd Lane, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:26 p.m. Sunday on charges of illegal discharge of a firearm, illegal possession of a stolen firearm, violation of a protective order by possession a firearm, possession of marijuana (under 14 grams), possession of drug paraphernalia, open container, modified exhaust and reckless operation.
—Juvenile male, 17, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:26 p.m. Sunday on charges of illegal discharge of a firearm, illegal possession of a stolen firearm, illegal possession of a firearm by a juvenile, possession of marijuana (under 14 grams), possession of drug paraphernalia and open container.
About 9:25 p.m., officers were in the area of Fairview Drive when they heard several gun shots. Officers observed a truck leaving the area, and it was noticed to be the only vehicle on the roadway at the time.
The vehicle was noted to have a loud exhaust. Officers observed the vehicle driving recklessly through a neighborhood in a clear attempt to elude the officers. A traffic stop was conducted, and officers made contact with the occupants of the vehicle and could smell an odor of marijuana from the vehicle.
Both subjects were removed from the vehicle and detained in handcuffs. Officers conducted a search of the vehicle and located two semi-automatic handguns, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and alcoholic beverages inside the vehicle. The items were recovered as evidence.
One of the firearms was found through the Morgan City Police Department to be stolen. Gracilazo was found to have an active protective order prohibiting him from possessing a firearm due to a charge of domestic abuse battery by strangulation.
The passenger was found to be 17 years old.
Both subjects were placed under arrest and booked into the Berwick Jail. The juvenile was released to his mother pending juvenile proceedings. Garcilazo re-mains in jail with no bond set at this time.
—Pavel Gaevoi, 36, Oregon, was arrested at 4:34 a.m. Friday on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense) and speeding 84 mph in a 55 mph zone.
About 4:07 a.m. Friday, an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for speeding. Officers met with the driver, Gaevoi.
Gaevoi showed signs of impairment. Gaevoi performed poorly on field sobriety tests and was placed under arrest and transported to the Berwick Police Department. Upon arrival at the Berwick Police Department, Gaevoi provided a valid breath sample of 0.158G% BAC. Gaevoi was then booked on the and later posted a cash bond of $1,500.

Visitation for Patterson Councilman Rentrop will be March 19

Visitation for Patterson City Councilman John C. Rentrop will be 1-5 p.m. March 19 at Ibert's Mortuary, 1111 Lia St. in Patterson,.

Rentrop, 68, died Thursday at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center. His obituary says the cause of death was COVID-related pneumonia.

Grogan noted at Tuesday's City Council meeting that Rentrop was hospitalized, and said Rentrop and his family needed prayers.

A Facebook post by Patterson Mayor Rodney Grogan Friday night mourned the passing of Rentrop.

He described Rentrop as his "right-hand man."

On Friday, Grogan posted a few lines from the Carole King-penned song "You've Got A Friend."

"You just call out my name

"And you know wherever I am

"I'll come running…"

"Thanks for the 11 years 3 mos. of wisdom, knowledge, laughter & good times shared….along with the strong shoulder I leaned & depended upon," Grogan wrote.

Rentrop is survived by his wife of 45 years, Dawn Rentrop; their son, John Eric Rentrop, and his wife Tonya Matte Rentrop; and their daughter, Erin Rentrop Albert, and her husband Ben Albert.

Rentrop was first elected to the council in October 2010.

Rentrop's death means the Patterson City Council will have its second open seat in eight months.

The resignation of Sandra K. Turner in July led to a call for a special election this month. Ray Dewey Sr. qualified for the position without an opponent, and he was sworn in Tuesday.

Wind advisory Friday evening for St. Mary

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
404 AM CST Fri Mar 11 2022

LAZ052>055-073-074-TXZ215-121015-
Vermilion-Iberia-St. Mary-Lower St. Martin-West Cameron-East Cameron-
Jefferson-
404 AM CST Fri Mar 11 2022

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 3 PM CST
SATURDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for south central Louisiana,
southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

Wind Advisory.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

Wind Advisory.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

Bayou L'Ourse woman accused of battery of the infirm

(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 Bayou L'Ourse woman is accused of battery on the infirm after a deputy responded to a domestic call Feb. 28, the Assumption Parish Sheriff's Office said.

St. Mary and Morgan City officers also made seven arrests Thursday and Friday on drug possession or drug paraphernalia charges.

Assumption

Sheriff Leland Falcon reported this arrest:

--Felecia A. Tharp, 46, Ann Street, Bayou L’Ourse, was arrested Thursday on a felony arrest warrant alleging aggravated battery and simple battery of the infirm.

On Feb. 28, a uniformed patrol officer was dispatched to a residential address in Bayou L’Ourse concerning an incident that occurred Feb. 25. The officer spoke with the victim, who stated that a disagreement had occurred between him and a family member, resulting in a physical altercation.

The officer noted markings and injuries on the elderly victim and proceeded to file for an arrest warrant on the suspect, Tharp.

On Thursday, Tharp was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Detention Center and remains incarcerated awaiting a bond hearing.

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 beginning Thursday:

--Jeffrey Blaine Lodrigue, 30, Second Street, Berwick, was arrested at 10:59 a.m. Thursday on a warrant alleging possession of drug paraphernalia.

--Cesar J. Soler Rodrigue, 27, Egle Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:59 p.m. Thursday on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense), improper lighting, improper lane usage, no driver's license, reckless operation of a motor vehicle and possession of marijuana.

--Chasse Matthew Cressione, 34, Wright Avenue, Houma, was arrested at 11:09 p.m. Thursday on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

--Hayleigh Nicole Martin, 20, North Everett Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:09 p.m. Thursday on a charge of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

--Raul Concha Negrete, 50, First Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:33 a.m. Friday on charges of driving while intoxicated (second offense) and reckless operation of a motor vehicle.

--Kent Turner, 36, County Road, Lometa, Texas, was arrested at 3:46 a.m. Friday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, improper turning and possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance.

--Shawn Elliot, 40, East Navarre Street, Llano, Texas, was arrested at 3:46 a.m. Friday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance.

St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff's Office responded to 28 complaints and made these arrests:

--Tom "Dee" Nguyen, 64, Amelia, was arrested at 8:23 a.m. Thursday on a leash law violation. Nguyen was released on a summons to appear June 15.

--Demarcus Tramaine Skipper, 27, Patterson, was arrested at 1:29 p.m. Thursday on a charge of second-degree battery. Skipper continues to be incarcerated at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.

--Jose Rodriguez, 19, Gibson, was arrested on at 11:12 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia, no insurance, possession of marijuana and improper display of license plates.

Rodriguez was released on a summons to appear June 15.

--Don Curtis Williams, 44, Patterson, was arrested at 5:01 a.m. Friday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charge of domestic abuse battery.

Bail has not been set.

Franklin

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

--Levar Variet Jr., 20, Pine Street, Franklin, was arrested at 8:12 a.m. Thursday on charges of illegal carrying of weapons and criminal trespassing. Variet was booked, processed and held on a $1,500 bond.

--David Loustalot, 37, Mechanic Street, Franklin, was arrested at 12:30 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for 3rd Ward City Court alleging failure to appear on the charges of stop signs and yield signs (no accident) and no insurance. Loustalot was booked, processed and released on a $450 bond.

--Allen Jones, 45, Martin Luther King Boulevard, Franklin, was arrested at 3:03 p.m. Thursday on three counts of obscenity and two counts of indecent behavior with juvenies.

Jones was booked, processed, and transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.

-Wilbert Guy, 23, Blakesley Street, Franklin, was arrested at 7:17 p.m. Thursday on a charge of battery of a dating partner. Guy was additionally arrested on a warrant for 16th Judicial District Court alleging failure to appear on the charge of aggravated obstruction of a highway and a warrant for probation violation. Guy was booked, processed and held with no bond set at the time of press release.

--Steven Richard, 40, Anderson Street, Franklin, was arrested at 8:32 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for 16th Judicial District Court alleging failure to appear on the charge of criminal neglect of family. Richard was booked, processed and held on a $5,329.98 bond.

School Board tweaks agreement selling M.D. Shannon to Morgan City

CENTERVILLE -- The St. Mary Parish School Board on Thursday approved revisions in the agreement by which the former M.D. Shannon Elementary would be sold to the Morgan City government.

The agreement approved by the School Board calls for the sale of the historic school, closed since 2016 because of declining enrollment, to the city for $100,000. The city would pay $2,777.78 each month for three years.

The proposal came to the board from Morgan City Mayor Lee Dragna. He proposed the purchase of the school and the city block on which it sits to the city government, which uses the Shannon Gym for youth sports and other events.

Dragna's proposal also included a plan to divide the half of the block behind the school into 16 lots for residential development.

There was even an Easter egg for tree-lovers. Dragna talked about moving a large oak on the property out of the way and on to Lawrence Park, where an oak tree had split and had to be removed.

In an email Friday, Superintendent Dr. Teresa Bagwell said the revisions approved Thursday linked the payments to the annual city appropriations and changed the School Board's means of seeking recourse if the city stops paying during the three-year term.

"The original agreement allowed the board to take back ownership of the property which would be problematic for the city given their plans to sell lots," Bagwell wrote. "Thus, the new agreement provides the board the option to 'have all rights available to it under law. The School Board shall be entitled to reasonable legal fees for any such action. ...'

"Given the significance of these revisions, [Chief Financial Officer Alton Perry] and I determined that the board needed to be advised and approve said revisions."

The board approved the revisions on a voice vote without opposition.

The agreement now awaits action by the Morgan City Council.

Also Thursday, the board heard about ways in which inflation is affecting its operations.

The board agreed to buy insurance for its buildings and their contents for the coming year through Frank's Agency. The annual premium for coverage of property valued at $343.4 million will be about $1.27 million. The premium was $775,000 in 2019 and is up by $245,000 from the current year.

And that's when a district can get insurance. Information presented to the board Thursday included a list of 26 insurance carriers that are no long doing business in Louisiana or charge prohibitive premiums after a string of destructive storms.

The board did get a break on its workers compensation insurance. The annual premium there will be about $87,000, down from $89,000 this year. The cost of hiring CAS to administer claims remains unchanged at about $19,000, as does hiring RiskWise for safety and loss prevention at $10,000.

The annual savings achieved by operating a self-funded program is estimated at $550,000.

"We have saved millions of dollars over the last 20 years by doing this," board member Michael Taylor said.

The rising cost of gas prices since Russia invaded Ukraine prompted board President Kenneth Alfred to ask Perry whether the board could be affected.

Perry said he isn't sure about whether rising fuel tax revenue would benefit the board. But he said the central office was forced to raise the limit Thursday on the credit cards that bus drivers use to buy gasoline.

Thursday's meeting was also the occasion for celebration:

--Tammie L. Moore of Four Corners took the oath of office as a School Board member. Moore has served as an interim board member since Sylvia Lockett died in October. Moore qualified without opposition to run for the remainder of the term, which runs through this year, in the March 26 election.

Judge Curtis Sigur administered the oath. Moore's father, Lynel Wilson, was at her side with a Bible during the ceremony.

--The board presented plaques to Teachers of the Year Alicia Williams of Hattie Watts Elementary, Crystal Guidry of Patterson Junior High and Ponchella Doucet of Franklin High, and to Principal of the Year Ronnie Louis of B.E. Boudreaux Middle School.

--The board recognized its Students of the Month and Employees of the Month. The students are Wyandotte Elementary fifth-grader Hudson Gorman, Franklin Junior High eighth-grader Caliss Williams and Patterson High senior Keatyn Harden. The employees are Jordan Lee of Wyandotte, Lakessa Cooks of Franklin Junior High and Gina Marshall of Patterson High.

--Berwick High sophomore Cherish Lewis received a certificate recognizing the publication of her poem, "A Broken Home." The poem appears in the national publication Expressions, which features poetry written by young people.

The poem speaks about a large and wealthy nation beset by problems such as homelessness. The last line: "328 million people in a broken home."

Man’s behavior centers only on himself at home

DEAR ABBY: I refer to my husband as “the most single married man” I know. He turns off the lights, turns off the heat and turns off the TV while I’m still watching or still plan on being home.
His latest “single” thing is that he planned a birthday dinner out with our son and other family members. Guess what? I found out about it from the birthday boy. We have been married almost 50 years. All our children are in their 40s.
I have spoken to him numerous times about his forgetting my presence in a room, but I have never been excluded from a family birthday until now.
I am thinking of writing a book titled, “The Most Single Married Man I Know.”
What should I be doing differently?
FORGOTTEN WOMAN IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

DEAR FORGOTTEN: If this has been going on since you and your husband were married, accept that he is someone who is unusually centered on himself.
If this is something relatively recent, he may need to be physically and neurologically evaluated by his physician.
If there is nothing “wrong” with him, recognize it’s time to fend for yourself. Remember to monitor the thermostat, keep a flashlight handy and be prepared to explore activities you enjoy in case your husband “forgets” to include you in the future.

DEAR ABBY: My best friend’s father recently passed away. A memorial has been planned on the day of a wedding I had agreed to attend with my girlfriend.
In this situation involving two significant one-time life events, is it more courteous to defer to the living or the dead?
UNSURE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

DEAR UNSURE: Much depends upon your relationship with both of these people. Because your best friend may need emotional support during this sad time, I am inclined to suggest that you go to the memorial — and have your girlfriend attend the wedding so you will be represented.
If you explain the circumstances to the person who sent the wedding invitation, there should be no hurt feelings.

DEAR ABBY: I recently received a board game as a present. The problem is that I don’t like the game. I live alone on disability with a very limited income and don’t have anyone to play it with me anyway.
When I mentioned to the giver that I was thinking of returning it, they almost burst into tears. The giver is a relative of a close friend and lives with her. I really could use the money. What should I do?
WONDERING IN WISCONSIN

DEAR WONDERING: I have said this before, and it’s worth repeating: Once a gift is given, it belongs to the recipient to do with as they please. Because you don’t like the game, have no one to play it with and need the money, return the darn thing. Your mistake was announcing your intention to the giver.
***
To order “How to Write Letters for All Occasions,” send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 to: Dear Abby — Letter Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.

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ST. MARY NOW

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