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Sheriff: Armed robbery Thursday in Amelia

Thu, 12/30/2021 - 10:30pm

Detectives are investigating an armed robbery Thursday night in Amelia, St. Mary Sheriff Blaise Smith said.
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At around 7:40 p.m. on Thursday, deputies and detectives responded to the call. Investigators learned that a man had entered the business, produced a handgun, and stole merchandise and cash.
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The investigation is ongoing at this time. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to submit a tip anonymously through the St. Mary Parish website at www.stmaryso.com.

Press release from superintendent on school response to omicron

Thu, 12/30/2021 - 4:28pm

A press release from St. Mary Superintendent Dr. Teresa Bagwell:

The fast-spreading Omicron variant will necessitate a renewed adherence to COVID-19 recommendations as students return from the holiday break. Recommended health protocols for students and staff include the wearing of masks and social distancing both of which will be of increased significance in the school environment as a means of preventing the spread of this new variant. Governor Edwards announced several measures today that also include the suspension of extracurricular activities wherein the virus has been noted to easily spread.

Additionally, the Governor’s office suggests that adults and students should be tested before returning to school. While the St. Mary Parish School Board will not require testing, parents should vigilantly monitor their children for any symptoms and respond accordingly. The health of students and staff is of utmost importance and all prescribed steps in preventing and combating the virus must be employed.

Students return to class on Tuesday, January 4th and are asked to closely adhere to the recommendations of health officials. It is crucial that schools serve as safe and healthy learning environments, which can only be accomplished through the conscientious fulfillment of public health recommendations including mask wearing, social distancing, and vaccination.

Local authorities make four arrests, one for meth possession

Thu, 12/30/2021 - 4:10pm

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.)

Authorities at the Sheriff’s Office and in Franklin reported four arrests Wednesday and Thursday, including one alleging methamphetamine possession.

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:
—Kimberly Jones, 31, Bayou Vista, was arrested at 1:07 p.m. Thursday by the Narcotics Section on a warrant alleging possession of methamphetamine. Bail has not been set.
—Donte E. Brown, 35, Schriever, was arrested at 9:11 a.m. Wednesday on charges of speeding and driving under suspension. Brown was released on a summons to appear March 17.
—Elton Jerome Pinn, 37, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:32 a.m. Thursday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charges of simple burglary. Bail has not been set.

Franklin
:Police Chief Morris Beverly said the Franklin Police Department responded to five complaints over the past 24 hours and made this arrest:
—Janice Baptiste, 68, Morris Street, Franklin, was arrested at 1:29 p.m. Wednesday, on the charges of criminal trespassing and simple burglary. Baptiste was booked, processed and held on a $2,250 bond.

State health experts: Omicron continues rapid spread in La.

Thu, 12/30/2021 - 3:15pm

Staff Report

Louisiana will enter the new year in the midst of a new surge in coronavirus cases, this one linked to the emergence of the fast-spreading omicron variant.

Gov. John Bel Edwards said at a press conference Thursday that he's hoping for a good new year. But "it's going to be a difficult month of January," he said in the Zoom meeting with state reporters.

The number of new COVID-19 cases set a record Wednesday, and than exceeded that total by a third with 12,367 new cases in Thursday's report from the Louisiana Department of Health. The number of people in Louisiana hospitals for COVID treatment has more than tripled to 762 in less than two weeks.

In St. Mary, another 138 new COVID positives were reported between midday Wednesday and midday Thursday. Nearly 500 new COVID cases have been reported here since Dec. 17.

The number of COVID-related deaths, usually a lagging indicator among coronavirus statistics, has remained low early in this fifth surge. Two deaths were reported in Louisiana Thursday, and none in St. Mary, where the pandemic death toll remains at 230.

Some state offices, including the Governor's Office, are requiring masks, although Edwards said he isn't contemplating another statewide mask mandate for now.

But "I don't take it off the table because what we can't have is hospitals losing their capacity to perform lifesaving care," Edwards said.

The public health experts on Thursday's Zoom call said the best way to protect against COVID remains vaccination, including the recommended booster.

Here are recommendations from the Governor's Office:
--Celebrate at home with members of your everyday household.
-- Get vaccinated and boosted, if eligible, to protect yourself and others.
-- Mask regardless of vaccination status. Mask in indoor public places; mask indoors when with people outside your everyday household; and mask outdoors when distancing is not possible.
-- Limit exposure to those outside your everyday household.
--Work remotely if possible.

K-12 return to school recommendations:
Omicron spreads easily and very quickly. This variant will cause widespread outbreaks and will likely result in school closures if prevention measures are not strictly followed in these settings.

--Mask universally indoors and outside when socially distancing is not possible. Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet during mealtimes when masking is not possible
--Most outbreaks identified in school settings have been associated with extracurricular activities. It is safest to suspend extracurricular activities while the extremely transmissible Omicron variant is circulating at such high levels in throughout our state, i.e., until statewide incidence is below 200 infections per 100,000 people.
--Do not participate in social gatherings with individuals outside your everyday household (e.g., pep rallies, school dances) until statewide incidence is below 200 infections per 100,000 people.
--Get vaccinated and boosted when eligible.
--Children should be tested prior to the return to school.

St. Mary Superintendent Dr. Teresa Bagwell said Thursday that a press release is being prepared about the schools' response to the most recent guidance.

The experts also urged people who believe they have COVID symptoms to get tested, but also urged people not to seek testing at hospital emergency rooms .

You can find a list of testing sites at https://ldh.la.gov/page/3934

Governor points to 34 economic development projects in 2021

Thu, 12/30/2021 - 9:00am

WILLIAM PATRICK, The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Gov. John Bel Edwards said Wednesday the Louisiana Economic Development (LED) agency landed 34 projects in 2021, totaling a purported $20 billion in future capital investments.

Edwards said on social media the projects include multiple “clean energy” deals and the year-long accomplishment was especially notable given the COVID-19 pandemic and the second direct hit from a major hurricane in two years.

“These projects will result in 4,947 new direct jobs, 10,027 new indirect jobs, and 5,569 retained jobs,” Edwards tweeted.

LED works closely with the governor’s office to cultivate jobs and economic opportunities in Louisiana, its website reads. The agency offers 14 different taxpayer-funded incentive programs to entice large businesses to either expand in or relocate to Louisiana.

The 2021 projects span an array of industries and incentive perks. The largest deals align with Edwards’ “net zero” climate change agenda, or zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Venture Global LNG: The multinational energy company announced a $10 billion “carbon capture” investment earlier this month. The plan involves building a facility in Cameron Parish known as CP2 that will produce 20 million metric tons of liquified natural gas annually while capturing and storing 500,000 tons of carbon dioxide underground.

The project is expected to create at least 200 new jobs with average annual salaries of $120,000 and 2,300 temporary construction jobs, a statement from the governor’s office said. Venture Global also qualified for two tax incentive programs: the Quality Jobs Program and the Industrial Tax Exemption Program.

The Quality Jobs program provides up to a 6% cash rebate of annual gross payroll for new direct jobs for up to 10 years, according to LED. The program also includes a state sales tax rebate on capital expenditures or a 1.5% project facility expense rebate.

The Industrial Tax Exemption will provide an 80% property tax abatement for the facility for up to 10 years.

“As Louisiana pursues a goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, projects that feature carbon capture and sequestration allow our state to sustain industry without sacrificing our long-term carbon-reduction goals,” Edwards, a Democrat, said Dec. 2 when announcing the project. Edwards had attended a United Nations climate change summit days earlier in Scotland.

Air Products: The international gas and chemical company has pledged a $4.5 billion blue hydrogen and carbon sequestration development in Ascension Parish that claims to be “the world’s largest permanent carbon dioxide sequestration endeavor to date.”

A press release from the governor’s office said Air Products was offered “a competitive incentive package," including a $5 million grant to offset plant and pipeline construction costs. The grant was said to be performance-based and payable over five years providing the company creates 170 jobs with an average annual salary of $93,000.

The package also includes benefits from the Industrial Tax Exemption Program and the Quality Jobs Program.

“I think the risk, quite frankly, to all of us, is in not doing projects of this type,” Edwards said at the Louisiana Capitol. "It’s a risk in terms of the economy because there’s an energy transition underway and we’re powerless to stop it. We’re either going to take advantage of the opportunities we’re given or we’re going to lose.”

CF Industries: The fertilizer producer announced a $122 million “green ammonia” nitrogen complex in Donaldsonville that will be operational in 2023. The company said the project will decarbonize its ammonia production process and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In exchange, the company will avoid paying 80% of the facility’s property taxes for up to a decade, estimated at $7 million, because of the state’s Industrial Tax Exemption Program. The agreement requires CF Industries to create only five new jobs.

Tax incentive critics have argued that such programs benefit corporations while shifting the cost of the perks to taxpayers.

The Mercatus Center at George Mason University, a free-market think-tank, asserts states engaging in generous incentives are less likely to pursue broad-based economic growth strategies.

“The costs of corporate incentives are borne by taxpayers who finance these subsidies,” a Mercatus study concluded.

The Louisiana Legislative Auditor also presented audit findings in October for the state’s Quality Jobs incentive program. The cash rebate giveaway, auditors said, has produced less than half the expected jobs since the program’s inception.

“For all completed or canceled Quality Jobs projects since the program’s inception in 1995, the companies applying for rebates reported to Louisiana Economic Development that they anticipated creating 28,160 jobs, when only 13,210 jobs were created,” the audit said.

MELBA LINDSEY WILSON

Wed, 12/29/2021 - 9:48pm

February 4, 1939 - December 27, 2021

Melba Lindsey Wilson, a longtime resident of Patterson, was called home to her heavenly reward at the age of 82 on Monday, December 27, 2021, at Ochsner St. Mary in Morgan City.

Melba was a native of Nashville, Georgia and was the second of four children born to the union of Benjamin and Vera Mae Lindsey. A loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, Melba was the tie that held her family together. She was a Christian woman who lived a selfless life, always striving to put the needs of others before her own. Melba was an active member of First Baptist Church of Patterson. She took great joy in teaching the children's Sunday school class and helped with Vacation Bible School and many other needs of her church. Not only was she the best mother a child could ask for, she also made the best Mac-n-Cheese you ever ate. She had a wonderful sense of humor and loved enjoying her favorite treats, a candy bar and a Pepsi. Second only to her love for the Lord was her love for her family. She especially cherished countless days sitting on her swing overlooking the bayou with her grandchildren by her side. Though she will be deeply missed, her family takes great comfort in knowing she is with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Those she leaves to cherish her memory include her three children, Janet L. Melancon and her fiancé Ted Falgoust, Kevin D. Lovett and his wife Danella, and Terry Lovett and his fiancée Debbie DeHart; eight grandchildren, David Paul Melancon II and his wife Shelby, Kara Lindsey Melancon and her fiancé Dylan Stansbury, Kevin Clayton Lovett and his wife Emlee, Tiana Kawailehua Amerson and her husband Austin, Christopher Russell Lovett, Keala Leolani Lovett and her fiancé Sheldon O'Malley, Ryan Blake Lovett and his wife Naomi, and Seth Allen Lovett and his wife Shelby; as well as being blessed with many great grandchildren; one brother, N.L. Lindsey and his wife Jimmie Sue; two sisters, Delma L. Conger and Sally L. Shaw; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by husband, Dewey Wilson Jr.; her great granddaughter, Sophia Leigh Lovett; her parents, Benjamin Eugene Lindsey and Vera Mae Jones Lindsey, and her niece, Debra Mae Lindsey.

Funeral services will be held Monday, January 3, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at Ibert’s Mortuary in Patterson, with Rev. Mark Norwood conducting the service. Following she will be laid to rest next to her husband in the mausoleum in St. Joseph Cemetery in Patterson. A gathering of family and friends will be held Monday beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Ibert’s. Serving as pallbearers will be Kevin D. Lovett, Terry Lovett, Kevin Clayton Lovett, David Paul Melancon II, N.L. Lindsey, and Ted Falgoust. The family encourages those attending to wear face coverings.

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.

St. Mary, surrounding parishes rated as 'highest risk' for COVID

Wed, 12/29/2021 - 3:27pm

St. Mary Parish residents accounted for another 117 positive COVID-19 tests between midday Tuesday and midday Wednesday, according to the Louisiana Office of Public Health. The parish, and virtually all of south Louisiana east of Cameron and Jeff Davis parishes, is now rated at "highest risk" for COVID by the OPH.

The midday Wednesday report showed the pandemic total of St. Mary COVID cases is now 9,076, up from 8,959 since Tuesday. No additional deaths were reported for the parish. The toll remains at 230.

Statewide, 9,378 new cases were reported Wednesday along with five deaths. The number of people hospitalized for COVID treatment rose by 145 in a day to 659. On Dec. 17, 207 people were hospitalized.

The one-day number of new infections is the highest for Louisiana since the pandemic began.

The OPH rates in the risk in each parish according to the percentage of COVID tests returning positive results and an average of daily new COVID cases.

Morgan City police radio logs for Dec. 28

Wed, 12/29/2021 - 2:40pm

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.
09:22 a.m.: 1430 Bernice St.; fire.
09:50 a.m.: Just and Roderick; crash.
09:54 a.m.: 100 block of Glenwood; animal com-plaint.
10:22 a.m.: 700 block of Bush; assistance.
10:47 a.m.: 500 block OF Belanger; assistance.
10:52 a.m.: U.S. 90 West; motorist assistance.
11:58 a.m.: 200 block OF Halsey Street; complaint.
12:24 p.m.: 1100 block of Marguerite; medical.
12:26 p.m.: 100 block of Gen. Clark; animal com-plaint.
13:50 p.m.: 100 block of South Railroad; animal complaint.
14:43 p.m.: Village Drive; animal complaint.
3:04 p.m.: 1100 block of Gen. Clark; animal com-plaint.
3:38 p.m fireworks.
18:05 p.m.: 305 Lawrence St;. complaint.
18:22 p.m.: 819 Hickory St.; complaint.
18:38 p.m.: Brownell Homes; fireworks.
18:49 p.m.: Federal near Garber; frequent patrol.
19:13 p.m.: Onstead; traf-fic stop.
19:28 p.m.: Lake End Park judges stand; traffic stop.
19:30 p.m.: 1223 Fig St.; medical.
19:40 p.m.: 819 Levee Road; animal complaint.
20:05 p.m. 106 Glenwood St.; medical.
21:07 p.m.: 704 Martin Lu-ther King Jr. Blvd.; traffic stop.
21:54 p.m.: 314 Terre-bonne St.; assistance.
21:57 p.m.: 1220 Victor II Blvd.; assistance.
23:55 p.m.: Fourth and Brashear; assistance.
3:06 a.m.: 1125 Margue-rite St.; complaint.

Traffic offenses keep local police busy

Wed, 12/29/2021 - 1:32pm

(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.)

Drivers in Morgan City and Berwick were booked this week on traffic-related charges, including drunken driving, driving with a suspended license and speeding in a construction zone.

Morgan City
Police Chief James F. Blair reported that over the last 24-hour period, the Morgan City Police Department responded to 53 calls for service and made these arrests:
—Christopher Ramon Green, 37, Savannah, Georgia, was arrested at 6:28 a.m. Tuesday on charges of speeding, operating a vehicle with a suspended license and expired license plate.
—Zachary Edward Duplantis, Jean Ellen Avenue, Houma, was arrested at 10:57 a.m. Tuesday on charges of speeding in a construction zone, operating a vehicle with a suspended license, possession of an alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle, and no motor vehicle insurance.

Berwick
Police Chief David Leonard reported these arrests:
—Gerald Wiese Jr., 45, Nichole Lane, Berwick, was arrested at 1:25 a.m. Sunday on a charge of disturbing the peace by fighting.
—Dwayne Dupuy, 41, Nichole Lane, Berwick, was arrested at 1:25 a.m. Sunday on a charge of disturbing the peace by fighting.
About 12:47 a.m. Sunday, officers responded to a disturbance call on Nichole Lane. Officers met with Weise and Dupuy and learned that they had been involved in a physical altercation with each other. Weise and Dupuy were placed under arrest and transported to the Berwick Police Department, where they were booked.
—Travis Hayes, 43, Federal Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:32 a.m. Wednesday on a charge of driving while intoxicated (first offense), improper lane usage, stop sign violation and no turn signal.
About 11:53 p.m. Tuesday, an officer in the area of Sixth Street observed a vehicle failure to signal or stop at an intersection. The vehicle proceeded over the La. 182 bridge, where it was observed to swerve in and out of the lane of travel several times, almost striking the side of the bridge.
A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle, and officers made contact with the driver, Hayes. While speaking with Hayes, officers detected signs of impairment. Hayes performed poorly on field sobriety tests and was placed under arrest.
Hayes was transported to the Berwick Police Department, where he provided a valid breath sample of 0.136G% BAC. Hayes was then booked. Hayes later posted a $3,250 bond.

St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 29 complaints and made these arrests:
—Seantelle Marie Treto, 36, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:24 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charges of improper lane usage and failing to honor written promise to appear. Bail was set at $500.
—Woodrow A. Doles, 50, Houma, was arrested 4:11 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charges of possession of marijuana and trawls exceeding size requirements. Bail was set at $5,000.
—Juvenile female, 16, Patterson, was arrested at 10:46 a.m. Tuesday as a runaway juvenile. The girl was released into the custody of a guardian pending juvenile court proceedings.

Morgan City Council hears about sales tax bump, auditorium deposits

Wed, 12/29/2021 - 12:39pm

BILL DECKER

bdecker@daily-review.com

The Morgan City Council on Tuesday got a rough idea of how much business was generated by Hurricane Ida.
Also at Tuesday’s final council meeting of 2021, the council gave people who rent the Municipal Auditorium’s Ballroom or Theater another 300 reasons to tidy up after their events.
And the council recognized a woman who has helped city government employees establish and receive credit.
Sales taxes
Finance Director Deborah Garber told the council that general revenue for the year is running more than $900,000 over the amount budgeted. Of that total, sales tax receipts account for $410,000, Garber said.
The added revenue is good, she said, but we shouldn’t wish for another hurricane.
That was a reference to Hurricane Ida, which contributed to the hike in tax revenue.
For weeks after Ida made landfall in Port Fourchon on Aug. 29, east St. Mary was a go-to spot for residents of hard-hit areas who needed to stock up on food and other goods.
The additional $410,000 generated by Morgan City’s 4.75% sales tax rate represents about $8.6 million in taxable sales.
The total tax rate on sales in Morgan City, including state, parish and School Board taxes, is 9.2%.
Auditorium
deposits
The council went along with a request from Morgan City Main Street Director Beth Chiasson to raise the deposit required for use of the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium’s Ballroom and Theater.
The council approved an increase in the deposit required for use of either facility from $200 to $500.
“This change comes after the facility has been left in such a poor state following many recent events in the past year,” Chiasson said in printed material provided to the council. “We hope that the increase in the deposit will act as an incentive to follow our contract.”
“Maybe if it’s $500,” Mayor Lee Dragna said, “they’ll help clean up a little bit.”
Renters don’t have to mop the floors, Chiasson said, but they will be expected to “make sure trash is where it’s supposed to be.”
The rules were also changed to require two police officers at any event with more than 50 people and at which alcohol is served. The renters must pay the officers $35 an hour each.
All event times included in rental packages will end at midnight. Any time after midnight, including cleanup time, will be charged at a rate of $200 per hour. This rule won’t apply to Mardi Gras balls.
Positive Image
The council gave Positive Image recognition to Martha Smilie, who founded the Morgan City Federal Credit Union and has worked there for more than 30 years. Smilie is retiring.
City employees have been frequent customers of the credit union, Dragna said, and the institution gave workers at the low end of the wage scale access to credit.
Also Tuesday:
—The council heard Dragna say the city has received a plaque from the Grand River Dam Authority in Oklahoma.
The dam authority sent people to Louisiana to help with recovery after Hurricane Ida. Workers who stayed in Morgan City were fed and had their laundry done.
“They could not believe how nice the people were ...,” Dragna said. “The people here stepped up.”
—Dragna reported that thousands in funding for community projects are on the way from the H&B Young Foundation.
Included in the charitable foundation’s funding are $10,000 for the petting zoo, $30,000 for the Morgan City Library, $3,500 for the feral cat spaying program and $40,000 for bathrooms at Complex Park. There is also money for a handicapped-access ramp at the Municipal Auditorium.
—Dragna thanked council members for their help during his first year as mayor.
Council members thanked Dragna in return.
“I believe the next year will be phenomenal,” Dragna said, “especially since we set it up this year.”