RSS Feed

New COVID cases set another record as omicron spreads; 123 new St. Mary cases Thursday

Thu, 01/06/2022 - 4:25pm

The omicron variant continues to move rapidly across Louisiana, according to figures from Gov. John Bel Edwards and Public Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter at a press conference Thursday.

They appealed again to Louisiana residents to get their COVID vaccinations and boosters, and when possible to avoid seeking treatment at hospital emergency rooms, where the percentage of new patients with COVID-like symptoms is at a pandemic high. To protect hospital capacity, they especially urged people not to seek COVID tests at emergency rooms.

This fifth surge in COVID cases is showing no signs of peaking, Kanter said. The hardest-hit age group is 18- to 29-year-olds, usually a sign that cases among older people will soon rise, Kanter said.

The latest numbers on COVID-19 and the now-dominant omicron variant:

--The Louisiana Office of Public Health reported a total of 14,077 new COVID cases statewide from midday Wednesday to midday Thursday. That's the highest one-day total of the pandemic.

--In St. Mary, the pandemic COVID case count reported Thursday was 9,842. That's up by 123 over Wednesday. The parish total has increased by 766 since Dec. 29.

--On Thursday, 1,412 COVID-positive people were in Louisiana hospitals. That's nearly seven times the number of hospitalizations as of Dec. 17.

--Also on Thursday, 134 of 537 hospital beds were open in Department of Health Region 3, which runs east from St. Mary Parish.

--The state reported a one-day total of 12 COVID-related deaths Thursday, one of them in St. Mary. Three COVID deaths have been reported in St. Mary since Jan. 1, raising the pandemic death toll to 233.

--90.2% of Louisiana's new COVID infections are being blamed on the omicron variant.

--The percentage of COVID tests yielding positive results was at 27.2% as of Dec. 29, and officials say it has probably risen since. A 5% positivity rate is considered reason for concern, and a 10% positivity rate is one of the benchmarks for a parish to be called "high risk" for COVID spread.

--Louisiana's COVID incidence rate, a seven-day average of daily new cases per 100,000 members of the population, is at 1,030 per 100,000. The benchmark for "high risk" parishes is 100 per 100,000.

"There has never been so much of the disease in the state," Edwards said. "Transmissibility has never been higher. Positivity has never been higher than it is."

Kanter said that the indications are that omicron is less severe than the delta variant that struck last summer, but the rapid spread can still raise the number of hospitalizations because so many people are getting infected.

"Even though everyone is getting it," Kanter said, "you don't want to get it if you have any choice in the matter."

Recent changes in Centers for Disease Control guidance now recommend that people who received the two-dose Pfizer vaccine get a booster five months after the second does. The previous recommendation was for a six-month wait.

The CDC is now recommending a booster for every eligible person 12 and up, and a third dose for children 5-11 who have weakened immune systems because of cancer, chemotherapy or some other circumstance. Kanter said parents should talk with the child's doctor about the third shot.

Edwards and Kanter urged people to wear masks and use social distancing in public places.

Berwick residents awakened by gunfire; police seek information

Thu, 01/06/2022 - 3:31pm

Some Berwick residents were awakened to gunfire early Thursday, and police are asking for a call from anyone who has information about the case.

About 3:36 a.m. Thursday, Berwick police received numerous calls from residents in the area of Second, Third, and Fourth streets concerning multiple gunshots.

Responding officers arrived on scene to investigate and made contact with several residents who stated they were awakened by the gunshots, but did not see anyone leave the area.

Police are urging anyone with information concerning this matter to contact Berwick police at 985-384-7710. All callers can remain anonymous.

Bollinger delivers another cutter for service in SW Asia

Thu, 01/06/2022 - 12:32pm

Bollinger Shipyards LLC has delivered the USCGC Clarence Sutphin to the U.S. Coast Guard in Key West, Florida.

This is the 170th vessel Bollinger has delivered to the U.S. Coast Guard over a 35-year period and the 47th fast response cutter delivered under the current program.

The Sutphin is the final of six FRCs to be home-ported in Manama, Bahrain, which will replace the aging 110-foot Island Class Patrol Boats, built by Bollinger Shipyards 30 years ago, supporting the Patrol Forces Southwest Asia, the U.S. Coast Guard’s largest overseas presence outside the United States.

“Ensuring that the brave men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard have the most state-of-the-art, advanced vessels as they work to build and maintain the necessary regional alliances to ensure maritime security in the region is a top priority,” said Bollinger President & CEO Ben Bordelon. “Bollinger is proud to continue enhancing and supporting the U.S. Coast Guard’s operational presence in the Middle East and ensuring it remains the preferred partner around the world.”

Earlier this year at the commissioning ceremony of the USCGC Charles Moulthrope, Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Karl Schultz lauded the “enhanced seakeeping” capabilities of the PATFORSWA-bound FRCs, saying “these ships are truly going to be game changing in their new theater of operations” and “offer increased opportunities for integrated joint operations with our Navy and Marine Corps colleagues” as the Coast Guard seeks to be part of the whole-of-government solution set in the region.

PATFORSWA is composed of six cutters, shoreside support personnel, and the Maritime Engagement Team. The unit’s mission is to train, organize, equip, support and deploy combat-ready Coast Guard Forces in support of U.S. Central Command and national security objectives. PATFORSWA works with Naval Forces Central Command in furthering their goals to conduct persistent maritime operations to forward U.S. interests, deter and counter disruptive countries, defeat violent extremism and strengthen partner nations’ maritime capabilities in order to promote a secure maritime environment.

Each FRC is named for an enlisted Coast Guard hero who distinguished themselves in the line of duty. Clarence Sutphin, boatswain mate first class, USCG, was awarded the Bronze Star for his courageous actions during the invasion of Saipan Island in 1944. His citation reads: “For heroic achievement in action against enemy Japanese forces during the invasion of Saipan, Marianas Islands, on June 15 and 16, 1944. Swimming with a line through heavy surf to a tank lighter stranded on a reef, Sutphin remained aboard under mortar and artillery fire until the boat was salvaged. Returning to the beach, he aided in salvaging another tank lighter under enemy fire and, when a mortar shell struck a group of eight Marines, promptly treated the wounded and moved them to a first aid station. His courage and grave concern for the safety of others reflects the highest credit upon Sutphin and the United States Naval Service.”

Bollinger Shipyards LLC ( has a 75-year legacy as a designer and builder of high-performance military patrol boats and salvage vessels, research vessels, ocean-going double hull barges, offshore oil field support vessels, tugboats, rigs, lift boats, inland waterways push boats, barges, and other steel and aluminum products from its new construction shipyards as part of the U. S. maritime defense industrial base. Bollinger has 11 shipyards, all strategically located throughout Louisiana with direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, Mississippi River and the Intracoastal Waterway. Bollinger is the largest vessel repair company in the Gulf of Mexico region.

Danos hires Knight, promotes Williams

Thu, 01/06/2022 - 12:23pm

Jerry Knight has joined the Danos leadership as general manager of project services. Danos has also promoted Nicole Williams to marketing and communications director.

A 30-year industry veteran, Knight will lead Danos’ fabrication, construction, coatings, scaffolding and rope access service lines.

“I’ve had the privilege of working with Jerry for a number of years, and he brings a wealth of knowledge from his extensive industry experience,” said Vice President of Projects James Callahan. “His prior roles working for energy providers bring a fresh perspective that will be a great addition to our team.”

Before joining Danos, Knight worked at Williams for nearly 14 years. There he held several roles, most recently as technical services manager for the Gulf of Mexico. Prior to Williams, he worked at Occidental Chemical Corporation for 16 years.

Knight graduated from LSU with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. He and his wife Monica live in Lockport, and have three children and four grandchildren.

Nicole Williams is a graduate of Northwestern State University. Williams has nearly 30 years of marketing experience.

Williams has been integral to Danos’ marketing efforts for 13 years, and she continues to add value to our team. This is a well-deserved promotion, and we are excited to officially welcome her to the leadership team,” said CEO Paul Danos.

Williams joined Danos in 2008 and previously served as the company’s external communication lead. She and her husband Reuben live in Larose and have three children and one grandchild.

Morgan City police radio logs for Jan. 5-6

Thu, 01/06/2022 - 10:34am

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, Jan. 5
6:14 a.m. Oak Street; Suspicious vehicle.
6:34 a.m. Martin Luther King Boulevard; Crash.
7:10 a.m. Levee Road; Death.
7:40 a.m. La. 182; Crash.
7:47 a.m. Tiger Drive; Fight.
8:29 a.m. North Third Street; Animal com-plaint.
8:43 a.m. Marguerite Street; Crash.
9:14 a.m. Short Street; Disturbance.
9:26 a.m. Dale Street; Alarm.
9:54 a.m. Shaw Drive; Assistance.
10:19 a.m. Egle Street; Stand by.
11:27 a.m. Chester Bowles Street; Animal complaint.
1:12 p.m. Myrtle Street; Complaint.
1:37 p.m. La. 182; Trespasser.
1:50 p.m. La. 182; An-imal complaint.
3:19 p.m. Sixth and Fig streets; Traffic complaint.
4:23 p.m. 900 block of Marguerite Street; Complaint.
4:35 p.m. 500 block of Louisa Street; Disturb-ance.
4:51 p.m. 500 block of Aucoin Street; Com-plaint.
5:25 p.m. 1900 block of Elm Street; Crash.
5:27 p.m. U.S. 90 West by Brashear Avenue Exit; Crash.
5:54 p.m. U.S. 90 East by Hampton Inn; Stalled vehicle.
6:15 p.m. 800 block of Sycamore Street; Animal complaint.
6:28 p.m. 1200 block of Brashear Avenue; Alarm.
6:43 p.m. Louisiana Alley and Fifth Street; Frequent patrol.
7:16 p.m. 1200 block of David Drive; Alarm.
7:36 p.m. 300 block of Wise Street; Complaint.
8:36 p.m. Front and Egle streets; Arrest.
9:38 p.m. 600 block of Sixth Street; Complaint.
9:54 p.m. 400 block of Belanger Street; Tres-passer.
Thursday, Jan. 6
12:30 a.m. Brashear near Federal avenues; Arrest.
3:58 a.m. 3000 block of Lima Street; Assistance.
5:34 a.m. 700 block of Sixth Street; Complaint.
7:34 a.m. 3000 block of Diane Drive; Theft.
8:36 a.m. 2000 block of Maple Street; Suspicious person.

State suspends visits at eight prisons as COVID prevention measure

Thu, 01/06/2022 - 10:18am

The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections has suspended prisoner visitation indefinitely effective Wednesday at Louisiana's eight state-run prisons. This comes a week after the Department suspended volunteers from entering the prisons due to the rise in COVID-19 cases across the state.

The department says but has taken this precautionary measure to protect its staff and prisoner populations and will continue to review and reconsider the need for these measures.

In lieu of visitation, the department will continue to offer two free phone calls per week to ensure inmates have continued connection to family and friends. In addition, video calling remains available for a fee.

To help prevent the spread of this disease within Louisiana's eight state-run prisons, the department continues COVID screening with temperature checks and questioning of anyone entering the state's prisons, including staff and vendors.

As part of the mask mandate, staff continue to wear masks, and prisoners are strongly encouraged to do so as well in order to protect themselves and others. The department has reminded its staff and inmates of social distancing and hand washing practices to reduce the potential spread of coronavirus. Staff who are sick with symptoms consistent with the flu or coronavirus are asked to stay home.

Approximately 83% of prisoners incarcerated in Louisiana's state-run prisons have been voluntarily vaccinated, and the Department continues to make vaccinations and booster shots available to all inmates.

The DPS&C, in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Health and the Louisiana Sheriff's Association, is following CDC guidance, and continues to monitor the situation and update its response as necessary.

Compromise will raise jobless benefits 11%

Thu, 01/06/2022 - 10:08am

WILLIAM PATRICK, The Center Square

An unemployment compromise will deliver an 11% maximum increase in unemployment benefits for out-of-work Louisianans, starting this week.

Gov. John Bel Edwards agreed to end federal unemployment benefits tied to COVID-19 relief funding five weeks early last year in exchange for the GOP-controlled Legislature’s commitment to permanently increase benefits at the state level.

The result was Act 276 and the first jobless benefit increase in more than a decade.

“We have one of the lowest unemployment benefit amounts in the country, and it’s been more than 10 years since we’ve raised the amount of money people can collect,” Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) Secretary Ava Cates said. “In that time, the cost of everything from gas to groceries has gone up.”

The new maximum weekly benefit is $275, an increase of $28 a week.

Cates said individuals filing a claim on or after Jan. 2 will see the increase. Claims filed Jan. 1 will be backdated to Dec. 26.

Cates said the timing of the change will require many recipients to reapply as Sunday marked the beginning of a new eligibility quarter.

“The first Sunday in every calendar quarter marks a change in the period of time used to determine eligibility for unemployment benefits based on wages,” she said.

Twenty-six states ended the $300-a-week federal unemployment enhancement before its scheduled expiration Sept. 6. Edwards was the only Democratic governor to do so, effective July 31.

Business groups, Republican lawmakers and other critics of the federal unemployment payments said the benefits discouraged workers from reentering the labor force.

A statement from the Baton Rouge Area Chamber of Commerce during the compromise negotiations said the federal enhancement made sense when businesses were shut down during the pandemic, but not when the government-imposed lockdowns were lifted.

“The weekly payment, combined with state unemployment assistance, is currently the equivalent of almost $14 per hour, which is nearly median individual income in the state. In other words, one can be in the middle of the pack in terms of earnings by not working,” the statement said.

Legislative Democrats were split on the issue.

“I just can’t believe you’re doing this, turning down federal unemployment for people who have had the hardest year of their life,” Rep. Mandie Landry, D-New Orleans, told her colleagues during debate on the floor.

Rep. Chad Brown, D-Plaquemine, who sponsored House Bill 183, or what would become Act 276, said he had “heartburn” over the tradeoff but that “a permanent increase going forward is desperately needed.”

The Senate approved the measure, 32-5, on the last day of the 2021 legislative session, while the House approved it 74-27. Edwards signed the legislation June 15.

Coast Guard, NTSB investigate Bayou Ramos bridge collision

Thu, 01/06/2022 - 9:52am

The Coast Guard and National Transportation Safety Board marine casualty investigators are investigating a barge allision with the Bayou Ramos Bridge near Morgan City and Amelia on La. 182, according to a press release from the Coast Guard.

According to the release, about 3:23 a.m. Dec. 23, a towing vessel pushing six barges was traveling southeast along the Avoca Island Cutoff waterway when one of the lead barges in the tow struck the Bayou Ramos Bridge. Coast Guard personnel at Marine Safety Unit Morgan City received notification about damage to the bridge several hours later and identified the responsible party.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation determined to close the bridge later that day due to significant damage and safety concerns. The barge that allided with the bridge was also damaged.

There were no reports of injuries, and the incident has been declared a major marine casualty due to property damage initially estimated at $500,000 or more.

The investigation is ongoing into the circumstances that caused the barge to strike the bridge. Coast Guard and NTSB investigators are working together to gather and analyze evidence to determine the factors that led to the incident and if acts of misconduct, incompetence, negligence, or violations of federal law were committed. Once the investigation is complete, both agencies will issue independent reports detailing their findings.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Morgan City investigation team at MCIO@uscg.mil.

If anyone has any questions or concerns regarding the bridge or its closure please call the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development at 1-800-256-1817.

Local agencies make arrests on battery, theft charges

Thu, 01/06/2022 - 9:39am

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.)

St. Mary deputies made arrests on battery charges in the past few days, while Morgan City police reported arrests related to theft and illegal carrying of weapons.

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:
—Lacy Rene Lapoint, 27, Amelia was arrested at 9:11 a.m. Saturday on a warrant alleging battery of a dating partner. Lapoint was released on a $2,500 bond.
—Nathan Anthony Lovell III, 28, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:22 a.m. Wednesday on a charge of battery of a correctional officer. Lovell continues to be incarcerated at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.

Morgan City
Police Chief James F. Blair reports that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 47 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests beginning Wednesday:
—Tristan Butler, 18, Front Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:44 p.m. Wednesday on charges of illegal carrying of weapons and resisting an officer.
—Raymond Charles Soumeillan Jr. 59, Duke Street, Morgan City was arrested at 12:42 a.m. Thursday on a St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office warrant alleging theft under $1,000.

Franklin
Police Chief Morris Beverly reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to eight complaints over the past 24 hours and made this arrest:
—Jai-Cherydan Gutter, 25, Harrell Avenue, Hammond, was arrested at 8:40 p.m. Wednesday on charges of domestic abuse battery and simple criminal damage to property. Gutter was booked, processed and transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.

STEFAYNE JULIA-DENISE CARTER

Thu, 01/06/2022 - 8:48am

Stefayne Julia-Denise Carter, 31, a resident and native of Morgan City (Siracusa), La., passed away peacefully on Saturday January 1, 2022 at Ochsner St. Mary in Morgan City, La.
Visitation will be observed on Saturday, January 8, 2022 at the New Mount Esther Baptist Church in Morgan City (Siracusa Area), La. from 11 a.m. until funeral services at 1:30 p.m. (All visitors are asked to adhere to the CDC-local regulations by wearing masks and practicing social distancing). Pastor Charles Otis Sr. will officiate the services. Burial will follow funeral services in the Morgan City Cemetery in Morgan City, La. Services will be accessible by viewing the Jones Funeral Home, Inc. Facebook Page at 1:30 p.m.
Memories of Stefayne will forever remain in the hearts of her mother, Joan Denise Wilson; sisters, Sabriena J. Madison and Ashley Ruffin; grandfather, John Wilson all of Morgan City, La.; aunts, Sandra Wilkerson and Tracey Wilson (Allie Stevens); an uncle, John (Dora) Cooper Sr.; god-parents, Tanisha (Benjamin) Wilkerson-Cannon and Kevin Johnson; god-children, Ashton Ruffin, Aleryia Ruffin, and Micah Wilkerson; god-sisters, Savannah Forest and Aliyah Johnson; cousins, Shanelle Wilkerson, Landon Wilkerson, Lessix Thomas, Rashaud (Janaya) Thomas, Sai Burrise, Samah Burrise, Marley Thomas, and Saiden Burrise, and a host of other relatives and friends.
Stefayne was preceded death by her father, Timothy Carter, Jr.; maternal grandmother, Sylvia R. Wilson; paternal grandparents, Bernice and Timothy Carter Sr.; and an uncle, Alvin Wilkerson.
Arrangements entrusted to Jones Funeral Home of Morgan City-Franklin-Jeanerette and Houma. Visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family.