Kizmet Mignon Perry and Ivan Davis Barnes wish to announce their engagement and forthcoming marriage on Feb. 26 at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Baton Rouge. The bride is the daughter of Matthew Thomas Sr. of Patterson and the late Valerie Perry. The groom is the son of Portia Barnes of Warrenton, North Carolina, and the late the Rev. John E. Barnes.
The Patterson Garden Club held its monthly meeting on Jan. 19 at the Pilant Court Reporting office.
Hosting the meeting was Lisa Wilson. She also presented a program on Arbor Day.
Wilson told members that the first Arbor Day was observed in April 1872. She gave facts about the Arbor Day Foundation which encourages the planting of trees throughout the country.
President Evelyn Estay led the meeting. She expressed thanks to everyone who participated in the Saints football pool. Plans for the Patterson Garden Club $500 scholarship for a Patterson High graduating senior were discussed.
Winner of the half-and-half drawing was Ginger Griffin.
The next club meeting is Feb 15.
Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana State Museum announce the opening of a new exhibition, Rex: The 150th Anniversary of the School of Design, at the Presbytère.
Just in time for Mardi Gras, this new exhibit celebrates the history and contributions of the Rex organization to the Carnival season, and commemorates the sesquicentennial of the organization. Since its founding in 1872, Rex, also known by its official name, the School of Design, has taken on an unparalleled leadership role in Carnival, setting the standard of excellence for the dozens of krewes formed since then.
An exciting feature of the exhibition will be a specially built float installed in one of the exhibition galleries by the krewe’s float builder, Royal Artists, demonstrating the techniques and materials used to construct Rex’s elaborate, historically inspired floats.
An extensive array of educational programs scheduled throughout the run of the exhibition will draw on the krewe’s incorporated name, the School of Design, with a goal of aiding students and families in creating works of art inspired by the krewe’s artistic legacy.
The museum will also offer enriching sensory-friendly programs for children with autism and other developmental disabilities.
Rex: The 150th Anniversary of the School of Design will be on display to the public in the Presbytère, 751 Chartres St., through through Dec. 11.
BATON ROUGE — Viruses are one of many factors scientists believe are contributing to the collapse of honey bee colonies. Not only do the viruses kill bees; infections also can alter their eyesight and what foods they are attracted to, leaving their colonies with inadequate nutritional content.
Armed with a recently awarded U.S. Depart-ment of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture grant, LSU AgCenter researchers are working to learn more about how viruses affect bees’ vision and whether there are ways to help them recover from infections and return to normal foraging behavior.
AgCenter entomologist Daniel Swale is working on the project with fellow entomologists Nathan Lord, of the AgCenter; Michael Simone-Finstrom, of the USDA Agricultural Research Service Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Research Unit in Baton Rouge; and Troy Anderson, of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The $272,717 grant will fund their research through December 2023.
The scientists are focusing on the effects of two viruses: deformed wing virus, which causes bees to grow short, stubby wings unsuitable for flying, and Israeli acute paralysis virus, which causes neurological problems such as twitching and can kill bees within 24 to 48 hours of infection. The viruses are transmitted by mites.
In infected colonies, Swale and his colleagues have noticed bees returning with unusual food choices.
“They’re bringing back different pollens and different fats when they are infected with these viruses,” he said. “It turns out that these viruses migrate to their eyes, and when the bees are infected with deformed wing virus and IAPV, we get different attractions to different colors. It shifts the spectrum of attractiveness.”
They’ve also found evidence of physiological changes in infected bees’ eyes that interfere with vision. They can’t see colors correctly and end up bringing back pollens and fats they wouldn’t normally select.
“The eyes are one of the key components to successful foraging,” Swale said.
In the grant project, he wants to find out how to enhance bees’ immune response to viruses and whether it’s possible to help infected bees maintain their vision, which also could help them continue to forage properly.
Swale has previously studied physiological channels that transport potassium ions through insects’ bodies. He said they may represent an opportunity to help bees cope with the effects of viruses. For example, therapeutic products targeting the channels potentially could be developed after additional research.
“Potassium ion channels do seem to regulate the antiviral response system as well as reduce the amount of virus that reaches the eyes,” Swale said. “It looks like if we’re able to modulate the potassium channels in the correct way, we can restore visual acuity and visual performance in these bees.”
DEAR ABBY: My wife and I have been married for 40 years. Fifteen years ago, she was diagnosed with cancer and given 18 months to live. Well, she is still around. Because of the illness and experimental medications, she was bedridden, and her dementia grew steadily worse. Left with no other options because of problems with insurance, I placed her into a nursing facility six years ago.
I am still at an age at which I have, I hope, many active years ahead of me. I visit her often, but I have a need for companionship that she obviously can no longer fulfill. I’m friends with a few women (usually friends of friends), and from time to time have the urge to become closer. I go out to dinners, music venues, art shows, etc.
I am torn about whether to live my remaining days in loneliness or pursue the possibilities. Is it wrong to want companionship in my situation? At what point should I explain my situation without scaring off a nice lady friend? Your opinion would be helpful to me as another perspective.
ANONYMOUS, OF COURSE
DEAR ANONYMOUS: What happened to your wife is unfortunate, and you both have my sympathy. Wanting and needing companionship are normal. It is important to ask yourself: If the situation were reversed and YOU were in a nursing home suffering from dementia, to what extent would you want your wife to go on with HER life? Whatever you decide after that, it is crucial you not forget you have a responsibility to make sure she is being well cared for. This means visiting her often to ensure it, because dementia patients do better when they know someone loves them.
As to how to explain to women that you are married, well, the ones who are friends of friends already know that. And those you meet who don’t know should be told during the course of your first serious conversation. It’s the honorable thing to do.
DEAR ABBY: I got married six months ago to an awesome guy. Now we’re expecting. Although I don’t want the child, I am trying hard to want it. But I keep coming back to overwhelming regret, because it is too soon. I know this means the world to him. Truly, he is amazing, but his light is my doom.
I need time away from him to see how I feel. We are never apart, and it’s making me irritable, like I have nothing of my own anymore. HE’S ALWAYS THERE. I suppose it is a good thing, but I can’t breathe. What do I do? I feel like an awful wife and person now. What if the baby comes and I turn into some evil mom?
NEUROTIC IN NEVADA
DEAR NEUROTIC: Healthy relationships, marriage included, are all about honest communication. Tell your amazing husband you need time alone to recharge and process your thoughts. Was he this way before you were married, or could it be because you are pregnant and, in his eyes, “vulnerable”?
You are not an awful person for needing alone time, and it won’t make you an evil mom, so calm your fears. You may just need respite, which you won’t receive until you make it known. Because, I assume, you are seeing your OB-GYN regularly, it is important you discuss the emotions you are experiencing with them. You may be suffering from depression, which some pregnant women do. Your feelings may also be normal, considering your pregnancy was not planned.
***
Good advice for everyone — teens to seniors — is in “The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal With It.” To order, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 to: Dear Abby, Anger Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.
Ochneer St. Mary Photo
Dr. Kazumi Yoshinaga, a family medicine physician for Ochsner St. Mary, spoke at the St. Mary Council on Aging on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Yoshinaga has an office at 1302 Lakewood Drive.
St. Mary Chamber Photo
A ribbon-cutting Tuesday marked the reopening of TDS Trucking, Training and Technology, 503 Lassus St., Patterson. Owner Tomika Willis was joined by St. Mary Chamber members and local officials: Trinisha Hayes (Chamber of Commerce representative), Herman Hartman and Jason Watson (Chamber board members), Sheila Hue and Bonnie Price (Chamber Ambassadors), Brady Borel (KQKI), Yvette Tudury and Joe Martin (Vast Industries), St. Mary Assessor Jarrod Longman, Berwick Mayor Arthur Duval, Lauren Casanova of U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy's office, Johnathan Tyrone Glover of U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins' office and Evan Boudreaux (parish director of economic development). TDS Trucking, Training & Technology LLC was originally opened in January 2019. Willis has been in business since 2012. TDS specializes in box trucks, dump trucks, flat beds and 18-wheelers.
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, Feb. 2
8:20 a.m. 1100 block of General Clark Street; Animal complaint.
8:57 a.m. Charles Lane (Jeanerette); Assistance.
9:07 a.m. 1100 block of Second Street; Welfare check.
9:45 a.m. 900 block of Mallard Street; Complaint.
9:46 a.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Alarm.
12:37 p.m. Glenwood Street; Complaint.
12:39 p.m. 1200 block of Onstead Street; Complaint.
1:35 p.m. 7700 block of La. 182; Theft.
2:01 p.m. 500 block of Egle Street; Frequent patrol.
2:03 p.m. 1000 block of Palm Street; Search warrant.
2:46 p.m. 600 block of Terrebonne Street; Disturbance.
3:56 p.m. Duke Street; Theft.
4:23 p.m. La. 182; Complaint.
5:08 p.m. La. 182; Complaint.
5:21 p.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Assistance.
5:41 p.m. 7500 block of La. 182; Complaint.
7:21 p.m. 500 block of Egle Street; Frequent patrol.
8:30 p.m. 6800 block of La. 182; Assistance.
9:44 p.m. Mallard Street; Complaint.
Thursday, Feb. 3
1:57 a.m. Front and Onstead streets; Suspicious subject.
2:05 a.m. Louisiana Avenue; Loud music.
2:21 a.m. 400 block of Ninth Street; Complaint.
3:02 a.m. 800 block of Ditch Avenue; Com-plaint.
(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.)
Staff Report
Police arrested a 36-year-old Morgan City man accused of computer-aided solicitation of a minor Wednesday as well as two men charged with drug offenses, including possession of heroin, oxycodone and methamphetamine.
Sheriff's deputies also arrested a Patterson 15-year-old on a terrorizing charge.
Morgan City
Police Chief James F. Blair reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 33 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:
—Todd C. Stevens, 36, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:40 p.m. Wednesday on charges of indecent behavior with a juvenile and computer-aided solicitation of a minor.
—Drake Domingue, 31, Mayon Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 5:47 p.m. Wednesday as a fugitive from the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office.
—Nicholas Daniel Wiggins, 32, Tupelo Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:11 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of oxycodone, possession of a legend drug (promethazine), improper lighting and possession of an open container in a motor vehicle.
—Kevin Darby, 31, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Patterson, was arrested at 10 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of heroin, possession of methamphetamine, violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance laws (drug-free zone) and possession of drug paraphernalia. Darby was also arrested on warrants alleging two counts of failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court), failure to appear for a contempt hearing (16th Judicial District Court), failure to appear for arraignment (16th Judicial District Court) and failure to appear for trial (16th Judicial District Court).
—Ronald James Winslow Jr., 31, Ciro Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 10 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia and on a 6th Ward Morgan City Court warrant alleging failure to appear for arraignment.
.—Mandi Nicole Hatfield, 34, Florence Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:13 p.m. Wednesday on charges of criminal damage to property and criminal trespassing.
—Patrick Shane Meyers, 36, Ditch Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:16 a.m. Thursday on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 41 complaints and made these arrests:
—Juvenile male, 15, Patterson, was arrested at 3:56 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of terrorizing. The boy was released into the custody of a guardian pending juvenile court proceedings.
—Timothy Wade Mitchell, 56, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:41 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charges of possession of MDMA, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bail has not been set.
—Aaron Alexander Cage Sr., 30, Franklin, was arrested at 11:11 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of domestic abuse battery. Cage also held three warrants for failure to appear on the charges of criminal neglect of family (two counts) and violation of a protective order. Bail has not been set.
—Denise Marie Reynolds, 44, Bayou Vista, was arrested at 11:19 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of domestic abuse battery. Bail was set at $2,500.
June Kristicevich Fortier died peacefully at her home on January 31, 2022 at the age of 89.
She devoted her life to her family. June’s beautiful nature and faith were a treasure to all who knew her. To say that her family and friends will miss her greatly is an understatement.
June is survived by her children and stepchildren Jaime Fortier, Renee Fortier, Kathryn Norman and Ann Kelly. Her grandchildren and step grandchildren Grace Fortier, Macie Fortier, Heather Vallilee, Josh Kelly, Phil Kelly and Jennifer Kelly as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Warren Fortier, mother Alice White Kristicevich, father, and siblings Andrew Kristicevich, Mary Kristicevich, Mamie K. Fiorella, Josephine K. Castalano, Emily Kristicevich, Ann K. Delaune, Dorothy K. Stansbury, Anthony Kristicevich, John Kristicevich, Joseph Kristicevich and her twin Joan Kristicevich.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, February 4, 2022, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Henry Sebastian officiating. Visitation was held Friday, February 4, 2022, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. After Mass, June was laid to rest in the Morgan City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Holy Cross Church or Central Catholic School.
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