Charlie Wells was named Morgan City High School homecoming king during homecoming that was celebrated the week of Oct. 17-24. He is the son of Lanica Jacobs and Charlie Wells Sr. Homecoming Queen Nyla Morse was crowned during the MCHS vs. A.J. Ellender football game Oct. 22. She is the daughter of Marquita Anderson and Corey Morse.
BATON ROUGE — With a new year soon arriving, the LSU AgCenter has released the latest edition of the Get It Growing calendar — a resource that pairs seasonal horticulture tips with inspiring photos from Louisiana landscapes.
Designed with local gardeners in mind, each month of the 2022 Get It Growing Lawn and Garden Calendar provides helpful hints from the AgCenter alongside colorful images of flowers, fruits, vegetables and trees.
Copies of the calendar — along with numerous other gardening publications — can be purchased online at LSUAgCenter.com/OnlineStore.
“The 2022 Get It Growing calendar will not disappoint. Like previous calendars it is full of gardening tips for beginning and seasoned gardeners, and includes beautiful photos of plants, flowers and gardens from Louisiana gardeners and photographers,” said Elma Sue McCallum, of AgCenter Commun-ications, who oversees the calendar publication. “They make great gifts, but order early.”
The full-color, 32-page calendar offers monthly tips from horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard, who serves as the spokesperson for the popular AgCenter Get It Growing educational campaign. Other features include a spotlight on growing hydrangeas, a glossary of gardening terms, a how-to section on creating a rain garden, a list of AgCenter horticulture publications and a map of Louisiana growing zones.
Calendar photos are selected in a statewide contest each year.
Winners whose pictures appear in the 2022 publication are Ann Anderson, New Orleans; Norman Balliviero, Belle Chasse; Lindsey Capdepon, Lacombe; Candace Chaney, Shreveport; Kaylee Deynzer, Baton Rouge; Kristi Hammatt, Baton Rouge; Robyn Husband, Many; Claudia Husseneder, St. Gabriel; Casey Jones, Shreveport; Debra Jones, Walker; Jackie Kyzar Ducote, Denham Springs; Nadine Melancon, Lafayette; Taylor Naquin, Metairie; Anna Poe, Natchitoches; Scott Reed, Pine Prairie; Conchita Richey, Gonzales; Maureen Theriot, Harvey; and Lisa Tortorich, Nine Mile Point.
Sample photos and more information are available on the AgCenter website.
The 9-by-13.25 calendar sells for $11.95. The publication also can be found in garden centers around Louisiana.
Questions can be emailed to getitgrowingcalendar@agcenter.lsu.edu.
DEAR ABBY: My husband is close to retirement age and has his hands full with work and yardwork all year long. We have a lot of property to take care of. Two years ago, a retired neighbor asked him to clear the snow from her double driveway during the winter storms. (We don’t own a plow.) She started giving him $20 for his hard work. This year, she decided to give him $10 when she felt like it.
This woman is well-off financially. She has two housekeepers, goes out to eat and vacations on a regular basis. When the snow falls, she calls our home constantly to have her driveways cleared even though my husband is at work.
How do we put a stop to this when the snow starts falling this winter?
FED UP IN PENNSYLVANIA
DEAR FED UP: Your husband has been a good neighbor; this woman hasn’t acted like one. The next time you get a call like that when your husband is at work, TELL her your husband is “too busy” to help her out.
Then suggest she hire a person or snow removal service that does it professionally. She can certainly afford it.
DEAR ABBY: I am at a crossroads. My wife and I have grown apart. I thought we could go to counseling to resolve it, but she wants no part of it.
My issue is this: My daughter came to me asking why Mommy is kissing “Mr. Jones” and telling him she loves him. I can handle the heartbreak, but for my daughter to see this kills me inside.
How do I confront this?
HEARTBROKEN FOR MY CHILD
DEAR HEARTBROKEN: Talk to your wife about what your daughter told you. When couples separate, they usually try to spare their young children the details of their romantic lives until enough time has passed for the kids to adjust to the breakup.
That your wife couldn’t wait to do this is regrettable. Because she refuses counseling, if you haven’t talked to an attorney, the time to do it is now.
DEAR ABBY: My daughter-in-law’s mother has a brother who is a pastor. Recently, they held a small Sunday morning service at my daughter-in-law’s house. The brother wanted to do a “laying on of hands,” where he would say a short prayer about each person.
When it was my turn, he put his hand on my head and prayed for “all my bad habits” to be healed. I was mortified. This was in front of my grown sons and other people I know.
Everyone has some bad habits, but why would he single me out to shame and embarrass like that? I don’t think his intentions were holy. Advice?
FEELING ABUSED IN FLORIDA
DEAR FEELING ABUSED: You would feel less “abused” had you told that tasteless individual how his “blessing” made you feel when it happened. However, if you have his phone number, it’s still not too late. You deserve an apology. And if you are invited to any more of those small religious services, I suggest you politely decline.
***
To receive a collection of Abby’s most memorable — and most frequently requested — poems and essays, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 to: Dear Abby — Keepers Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.
Donald “Don” Patrick Lasseigne, 69, a resident of Bayou Vista, passed away on Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at Thibodaux Regional Health System, surrounded by his loving family.
Don was born on November 23, 1951 in Morgan City, the son of Jessie M. Lasseigne and Alberta Brizzard Lasseigne.
For more than 30 years Don found great enjoyment serving the customers of Frank’s Motor Company as service manager and working for Mr. Frank; he considered his co-workers to be family. After retirement, he found things to keep him busy and would oftentimes tell people that he never really retired, but was under new management, Sybil’s. He loved spending time with his family, and his grandchildren meant everything to him; he cherished the time that he was able to spend with them. Don truly loved serving his wife and loved spending time with her. It didn’t matter what they were doing as long as they were together. He loved camping, especially at Lake End Park, where he met many dear friends.
He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife of 49 years, Sybil Landry Lasseigne of Bayou Vista; two sons, Sean Lasseigne and Gregory Lasseigne and wife Katie, both of Bayou Vista; six grandchildren, Liam Lasseigne, Colin Lasseigne, Kali Lasseigne, Jayde Lasseigne and boyfriend Carson LeBlanc, all of Bayou Vista, Madison Doiron of Thibodaux, Benjamin Lasseigne and girlfriend Catilynn Ackerman of Patterson; one brother, Richard Lasseigne and wife June of Patterson; one sister, Ann Lasseigne of Morgan City; two brothers-in-law, David Landry and wife Jennifer and Michael Landry and wife Cindy, both of Bayou Vista; two sisters-in-law, Cheryl Breaux and husband Marvin of Patterson and Diana LeBlanc of Franklin along with a host of nieces and nephews.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Jessie and Alberta Brizzard Lasseigne; one brother, Michael Lasseigne; father-in-law, Lee Landry; mother-in-law, Hazel Landry Roy and her husband Harold.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers will be Ben Lasseigne, Wesley Knight, Joseph Lasseigne, Matthew Breaux, Zach Sprayberry and Nick Guillot. Colin Lasseigne will serve as an honorary pallbearer.
The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of the 3rd Floor Critical Care Unit at Thibodaux Regional Health System, as well as the nurses and staff with St. Joseph Hospice for the loving care that they gave to Don.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 6, 2021 at Twin City Funeral Home with Father Herb Bennerfield III officiating. A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., at which time a rosary will be prayed. Following the services, Don will be laid to rest in the Morgan City Cemetery.
Staff Report
All-purpose Vermilion Catholic receiver Jonathan Dartez scored three touchdowns, and teammates Seth Noegel and Travin Moore added late scores to lift the visitors to a 32-20 win Thursday over Central Catholic.
The game pitted two teams at the top of District 8-1A, each with 4-0 district records heading in. The loss was the first for Central Catholic in seven games after an 0-2 start.
Now the teams await their playoff assign-ments, scheduled to be announced at 11 a.m. Sunday by the Louisiana High School Activities Association.
The touchdowns by Noegel on a 10-yard run and Moore from 2 yards out broke open a game that was tied 20-20 late in the third quarter.
Vermilion Catholic’s methodical but high-powered running game overcame Central Catholic’s injury-plagued offense, led by the rushing of quarterback Caleb O’Con and running back Damondrick Blackburn.
Blackburn, who was fighting an injury, nevertheless did the heavy lifting and scored on runs of 2 and 10 yards.
Dartez, a wide receiver who occasionally lined up to take direct snaps, had first-half TD runs of 7 and 1 yards, and broke loose for a 62-yard score in the third quarter.
Blackburn’s touchdown runs and a 5-yard plunge by Jonathan Picou helped Central Catholic keep pace until Noegel and Moore put Vermilion Catholic ahead for good.
Central Catholic turned the ball over on downs twice late in the second half.
Tylon Hollins intercepted a Vermilion Catholic Hail Mary pass at the end of the first half.
Central Catholic finishes the regular season at 6-3. Vermilion Catholic is 7-3.
On Friday, longtime Central Catholic coach Tommy Minton leads Vandebilt Catholic into Friday’s District 8-4A finale at Morgan City.
Patterson hosts Lutcher and Berwick is at Donaldsonville in District 9-3A games.
(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, Morgan City and Berwick authorities reported six arrests Wednesday.
Morgan City
Police Chief James F. Blair reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 44 calls for service within the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:
—Nico Queintrell Skipper, 32, Dora Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 10 a.m. Wednesday on a 6th Ward Morgan City Court warrant alleging probation violation.
—Zacharia Joy, 52, La. 182, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:10 p.m. Wednesday on charges of criminal trespassing and criminal damage to property.
—Richard Davis, 59, James Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:37 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of disturbing the peace (intoxicated).
—Dezzie J. Booty, 42, Maple Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:08 p.m. Wednesday on charges of during under suspension and improper lighting.
St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 43 complaints and made this arrest:
—Jericho Billington, 28, Bayou Vista, was arrested at 1:51 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. Billington was released on a summons to appear Feb. 3.
Berwick
Police Chief David Leonard reported this arrest:
—Robin M. Fabien, 54, Parro Lane, Berwick, was arrested at 10:25 p.m.. Wednesday on a charge of domestic abuse battery.
At 10:03 p.m. Wednesday, officers were dispatched to a residence on Parro Lane in reference to a domestic disturbance. Officers learned that the victim and the suspect, who was identified as Fabien, were involved in an argument when Fabien committed a battery upon the victim.
At the conclusion of the investigation, Fabien was placed under arrest and booked into the Berwick Jail, where she remains with no bond set.
Central Catholic and Berwick scored Bi-District victories Wednesday and Morgan City was a Tuesday winner in the high school volleyball playoffs. They move into Friday's Regional round.
In Division III, No. 10 Berwick was a 3-0 winner over No. 23 Crowley by scores of 25-16, 25-7, 25-23 . Berwick advances into Friday's Regional at No. 7 Iowa.
On Tuesday, No. 9 Morgan City scored a 3-1 victory over No. 24 Lusher Charter, 25-16, 19-25, 25-12, 25-14. Morgan City goes on the road for 4:30 p.m. Friday Regional against St. Louis Catholic at S.J. Welsh Middle School.
In Division IV, `17th-seeded McDonogh No.35 edged 16th-seeded Patterson 3-2. The scores were 25-27, 25-21, 23-25, 25-21, 15-13. McDonough plays top-seeded Ascension Episcopal in Friday's Regional.
In Division V, No. 6 Central Catholic was a 3-0 winner over No. 17 Ecole Classique, 25-14, 25-7, 25-11. Central Catholic hosts the 6 p.m. Friday Regional against No. 11 Central Private.
The Regional winners will advance into Thursday's state quarterfinals in Lafayette.
A Louisiana appeals court has issued a temporary setback for Ochsner Health as a lawsuit challenging the hospital chain’s employee COVID-19 vaccination mandate was sent back to a lower court for further review.
Ochsner, the state’s largest health system, implemented a vaccination mandate for all employees in August. The policy set an Oct. 29 compliance deadline, after which unvaccinated health workers would be terminated.
Dozens of employees in Shreveport sued the health care giant, but the case was dismissed early last month. The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeal in Shreveport, however, ruled Ochsner cannot penalize its employees while the vac-cination mandate is still being challenged in court.
Disciplining or firing unvaccinated employees “would unlawfully abridge certain alleged constitutional rights,” a three-judge panel said Thursday, one day before the vaccine deadline.
The panel reversed a Caddo Parish district court’s dismissal, which it said was in “error,” and remanded the case back to state District Judge Craig Marcotte for a full hearing.
“The matter is remanded to the trial court with instructions to enter a temporary restraining order enjoining any disciplinary action [by Ochsner] including termination of employment for unvaccinated employees on October 29, 2021, as requested and to conduct a hearing on the request for preliminary injunction and declaratory relief within the timeframe provided by law,” the decision said.
While applying only to Ochsner employees in the appeals court’s north Louisiana jurisdiction, plaintiff attorney Jimmy Faircloth, who once served as executive counsel to former Gov. Bobby Jindal, said the decision could have far-reaching consequences.
“This ruling applies not only to the Ochsner Shreveport plaintiffs in the case, but it has broader implications for all hospitals statewide who are imposing vaccine mandates,” Faircloth said in a statement.
“The anti-reprisal statute prohibits employers from taking action against employees for refusing to participate in an unlawful activity. It provides for damages and attorney fees against an offending employer. The Second Circuit just informed employers that this action is very likely unlawful,” he said.
Faircloth sued Ochsner’s Lafayette location in September on behalf of 48 unvaccinated employees. That case also was dismissed at the district court level. The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal, the largest of Louisiana’s five circuit courts, however, rejected a similar appeal last week.
In response to Thursday’s ruling, Ochsner Health President and CEO Warner Thomas issued a statement, saying the decision was both “surprising and disappointing.”
“This ruling is inconsistent with established Louisiana law as well as with decisions of courts across the country upholding COVID-19 vaccine mandates,” he said.
Thomas said the vast majority of Ochsner employees have complied with the health system’s vaccination mandate and the policy is aligned with “the anticipated federal requirement for COVID-19 vaccination of staff within all Medicare and Medicaid-certified facilities announced Sept. 9.”
“Ochsner Health intends to appeal to the Louisiana Supreme Court and is confident we will prevail,” Thomas said.
(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.)
Driving violations led to a marijuana possession charge Tuesday for a Jeanerette man, according to the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office.
St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 38 complaints and reported these arrests:
—Dwayne Jamon Provost, 38, Jeanerette, was arrested at 12:03 p.m. Tuesday on charges of no passing zones, turning movements and required signals, aggravated flight from officer, aggravated obstruction of highway, and possession of marijuana.
Provost was also named in a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charge of criminal neglect of family. Bail has not been set.
—Jason Mullins, 43, Franklin, was arrested at 8:05 p.m. Tuesday on charges of turning movements and required signals, stop signs/yield signs, and driving under suspension. Mullins was released on a summons to appear Feb. 3.
—Shane Joseph Granger, 34, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:26 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of possession of marijuana. Granger also was arrested on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the following charges of operating a vehicle while license is suspended, improper lane usage, operating a vehicle not covered by security, improper child restraint and failure to secure vehicle registration.
Bail has not been set.
—Louis James Ross, 41, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:36 p.m. Tuesday on charges of open container, aggravated assault and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bail has not been set.
Morgan City
Police Chief James F. Blair reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 45 calls for service within the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests beginning Tuesday:
—Josue B Avilez-Ortiz, 29, Chennault Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:50 p.m. Tuesday on a 6th Ward Morgan City Court warrant alleging failure to appear for trial July 30.
—Nico Queintrell Skipper, 32, Dora Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:34 p.m. Tuesday on a 6th Ward Morgan City Court warrant alleging four counts of failure to appear to pay fine June 1.
Franklin
Police Chief Morris Beverly said the Franklin Police Department responded to six complaints over the past 24 hours and made these arrests:
—Bernard Babino, 47, Ninth Street, Franklin, was arrested at 6:04 p.m. Tuesday on the charges of simple battery and resisting an officer by failure to comply. Babino was booked, processed and held on a $5,000 bond.
—Ingrid Jack, 31, Blakesley Street, Franklin, was arrested at 7:13 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant dated Oct. 27 alleging disturbing the peace (fighting) and obstructing a public passage. Jack was booked, processed and released on a $2,000 bond.
Assumption
Sheriff Leland Falcon reported this arrest:
—Austin Wade Bercegeay, 23, Ridgeland Drive, Denham Springs, was arrested Monday on charges of speeding 86 mph in a 55 mph zone, driving under a suspended driver’s license and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
The charges resulted from a Monday evening traffic stop on La. 70 in Pierre Part.
A uniformed patrol deputy/K-9 unit observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation westbound on La. 70. The deputy initiated a stop of that vehicle and made contact with the driver identified as Bercegeay.
The deputy noted a pungent odor of suspected marijuana emitting from the vehicle. It was determined that the driver was operating his vehicle with a suspended driver’s license.
After the interview, the deputy concluded that additional investigation was warranted.
The deputy positioned his K-9 and conducted an open-air sniff of the suspect vehicle. The K-9 alerted positive for the presence of controlled dangerous substances. A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of a significant quantity of suspected marijuana.
Bercegeay was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center and released on a $5,000 bond.
—Jean Newby, 55, North Main Street, Mooresville, North Carolina, was arrested Oct. 14 on charges of theft, bank fraud, monetary instrument abuse and illegal transmission of monetary funds.
The charges resulted from a series of financial transactions that were conducted when the victim attempted to sell a vehicle through Craig’s List in November 2019.
Deputies initially investigated the complaint and at some point, it was followed up by detectives.
During the initial stages of what was supposed to be a sale, the victim reported that he was notified by a financial institution that the check he received was fraudulent.
Through a lengthy investigation, Newby was identified as a suspect in the scheme.
Through the investigation, detectives determined Jean Newby had been arrested in the past for a similar scheme in North Carolina.
Detectives issued arrest warrants for Newby.
Newby was arrested in North Carolina on or about Oct. 14. She was transferred to Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office, at which time she was booked Monday with bond set at $80,000.
St. Mary Council on Aging Director Beverly Domengeaux posted this notice on Facebook:
HELP FOR SENIORS NEEDED. Our hot meal program for Seniors is in need of dedicated individuals who want to work just 3 hours per day delivering the only meal that some of these Seniors receive.
Hours are 9-12; Monday-Friday. Reliable transportation needed.
Applications are available at the Morgan City Site, 301 Third Sr.,
Patterson Site 909 First Street; Franklin Site 302 Iberia and the Administrative Office at 613 2nd Street. We also are in need of a homemaker aide in Patterson and Franklin.
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