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Rayne infusion clinic site ‘temporarily on hold’

Announcement has been made that monoclonal infusion clinic for treating COVID-19 at the Rayne Civic Center Ballroom is temporarily on hold per the state.
The announcement comes on the heels of the Louisiana Department of Health pausing administation of monoclonal antibody treatments after recent data demonstrated that the treatment in not effective against the Omicron variant, which is now the dominant variant circulating in the U.S.
You can learn about COVID vaccination sites near you by calling Louisiana’s vaccine hotline at 855-453-0774.

Pios come up short in finals

EUNICE – While Notre Dame’s defense was on point for the better part of four quarters, the same could not be said for the Pios’ offense Wednesday evening.
The Pios scored just one point in the third quarter and were outscored 20-9 in the second half in a 35-25 setback to Class 5A Sulphur in the finals of the St. Edmund Holiday Shootout.
The loss put a halt to the Pios’ seven-game winning streak and sent them to 7-1 overall.
Sulphur improved to 11-7 with the victory.
Early on, neither team had much success on the offensive end.
The Pios got an early 3-pointer from Teddy Menard to start the game but they managed just one more point the rest of the frame on a Zach Lamm free throw and trailed 7-4.
Nick Swacker got hot from beyond the arc in the second quarter and knocked down a pair of 3-pointers for the Pios and Parker Faust dropped in two free throws with 2:41 remaining in the half to knot the score at 12-12.
Menard scored the Pios’ final two baskets of the half, including a jumper just inside the arc at the buzzer to give the Pios a slim 16-15 advantage at the break.
Things went south from there, however.
Kohl Navarre hit three straight baskets for the Tors in the third quarter before Notre Dame’s lone point of the frame was a free throw by Menard with 39 seconds remaining.
The Tors went on a 9-2 run to start the fourth quarter to push the lead to 30-19 before Lamm connected on a 3-pointer with 2:45 remaining.
Lamm added another long ball with just over a minute remaining to get the Pios within two possessions (31-25) but the Tors sank four clutch free throws down the stretch to close out the game.
Overall, the Tors went 10-for-22 from the free throw line but they made seven of their freebies in the final quarter.
Navarre paced the Tors with 10 points and Dawson Ortego had eight, all in the second quarter.
Menard was the leader for the Pios with 10 points. He also pulled down four rebounds, dished out three assists and had three blocks.
Lamm added seven points, five rebounds and two assists and Swacker had six points, eight rebounds and three steals. Faust rounded out the Pios’ offense with two points.
The Pios will have a week off before returning to action on Monday, Jan. 10 with a home game against Port Barre.
Warriors top Bearcats
In other tournament action, the Northside Christian Warriors cruised past the Basile Bearcats, 93-57, in the consolation game of the St. Edmund Holiday Shootout.
The Warriors (11-12), who moved up to No. 4 in the most recent Division V power ratings, bolted out to a 21-13 lead in the opening frame and exploded for 29 points in the second quarter to take a commanding 50-27 lead at the break.
Things didn’t get any better for the Bearcats in the second half.
The Warriors put up 24 more points in the third quarter and added 19 in the fourth.
Basile scored 30 points in the second half.
The Warriors used a balanced offensive attack that saw five players score in double figures.
Jagger Thibodeaux led the charge with 17 points and Joseph Woods had 14. Caleb Hanks and Carson Tweedel followed with 13 points each. Garrett Kidder finished with 10.
In addition to the leaders, Christian Myers scored nine points, Jake Morgan added seven and Andrew Woods had six. Andy Wang and Owen Rue rounded out the offense with two points each.
The Warriors return to action on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. with a home showdown against Division V’s No. 3-ranked ESA.
Iota slips past Abbeville
LEROY – Trailing by one with 26 seconds left and Abbeville inbounding the ball, things did not look good for the Iota Bulldogs Wednesday in their matchup with the Wildcats at the North Vermilion Tournament.
That is until Luke Duhon stepped in front of the inbounds pass to steal the ball and hit the go-ahead layup to give Iota a 40-39 lead.
The Bulldogs then forced a turnover with nine seconds remaining and Duhon sank a pair of free throws to seal a dramatic 42-39 victory.
Iota snapped a three-game skid with the victory and, in doing so, improved to 8-6 heading into Tuesday’s home showdown with the Crowley Gents.
Chase Lalonde got the Bulldogs going in the first quarter with two 3-pointers and a pair of free throws to help Iota take a 10-9 advantage.
The Bulldogs went on a 7-2 run to begin the second quarter and outscored the Wildcats 13-4 to take what seemed to be a commanding 23-13 lead at the break.
The Wildcats chipped away at the lead in the third quarter by scoring the first eight points of the frame to get within two at 23-21.
The Bulldogs answered with a 6-2 run to end the frame with a 29-23 advantage.
Lalonde scored all six of the Bulldogs’ points in the quarter.
There were three ties in the fourth quarter and the lead switched hands three times down the stretch before Duhon’s heroics.
Zalen Landry and Chad Nolan were the leaders for Abbeville with 14 and 12 points, respectively.
Lalonde led the charge for the Bulldogs with four 3-pointers and a game-high 17 points. Duhon also scored in double figures with 10 points.
Payton DarDar added eight points and Kolton Morgan had three. Andrew Thibodeaux and Cole Breaux each score two points.

Notre Dame lands 18 on All-District squad

The Notre Dame Pios and the Lafayette Christian Academy Knights reaped the bulk of the awards on the All-District 6-2A team announced recently.
But that was no surprise.
The Crusaders, who won the league title and lost to St. Charles in the Division III state championship game, garnered 25 total selections, 14 on the first team and 11 on the second.
The Pios, who went 9-3 overall and reached the Division III semifinals, claimed 18 overall picks, 10 on the first team and eight on the second.
LCA also swept the team’s top three honors: Coach of the Year, Trev Faulk; Outstanding Offensive Player, JuJuan Johnson and Outstanding Defensive Player, Brylan Green.
The Pios cruised through the regular season with an 8-2 record with their only losses being to Class 4A Teurlings and Class 2A perennial power Lafayette Christian.
The Pios also logged quality non-district victories over Cecilia, a Class 4A quarterfinalist, as well as Class 5A’s Southside and Comeaux. They also defeated traditional Division III power Catholic of New Iberia.
In district play, the Pios walked through league foes Lake Arthur (55-0) and Welsh (47-7) before falling to LCA.
Notre Dame picked up four first-team selections on the offensive side of the ball in wide receiver Zach Lamm, tight end Luke Bertrand, offensive lineman Nick Vice and running back Lucas Simon.
Lamm, a senior, was one of the top receivers in Acadia Parish after hauling in 44 passes for 724 yards and four touchdowns.
Bertrand was also a force in the Pios’ aerial attack. The senior had 24 catches for 339 yards and four touchdowns.
Vice, also a senior, was part of the Pios’ offensive line, one that paved the way for 2,398 yards rushing and 1,538 yards through the air.
Simon, a senior, was the Pios’ leading rusher with 821 yards and 15 touchdowns on 116 carries. He also had three receptions for 56 yards.
The rest of the first-team offense consists of LCA receiver Darien Riggs, offensive linemen Fitzgerald West, Micah Miller and Brennen Charles, quarterback JuJuan Johnson and place kicker Jackson Priest.
Welsh’s Brady Hall made the team on the offensive line, Cohen Fontenot got on at running back and Cale Navarre made it at the athlete position.
Port Barre’s lone selection was Gavin Grimmett at running back.
Notre Dame’s first-team defensive selections included seniors Alex Stevens and Karson Broussard on the defensive line, Luke Hoffpauir and David Trisler at linebacker and Caleb Comeaux and Matt Bernard at defensive back.
Stevens posted a team-high 72 tackles, including 17 for a loss. He had nine sacks, one interception and two fumble recoveries.
Broussard finished with 64 tackles, 12 for a loss including five sacks.
Hoffpauir tallied 60 tackles, 14.5 for a loss and two pass breakups and Trisler had 47 tackles, including four sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery.
Comeaux recorded 28 tackles and had one interception and two fumble recoveries and Bernard had nine tackles and three pass breakups.
Green headlined LCA’s defensive selections at defensive back along with Jordan Allen.
Also earning honors for LCA were Sam Taylor at kicker, Alonzo Reyes was the kick returner, Brayden Zeigler made it at linebacker and Masey Lewis grabbed a spot on the defensive line.
Welsh’s Rhett Davis earned a spot on the defensive line Koen LeBlanc made it at linebacker.
Earning second-team honors for the Pios were Nick Swacker at quarterback, Christian Breaux and Isaiah McCrory on the offensive line, Jake Brouillette at running back, Jeremy Prevost on the defensive line, Hudson Leblanc at linebacker, Max Veillon at defensive back and Austin Doucet at kick returner.
Honorable mentions for the Pios include Jake Benoit, Ross Miller, Blake Francis, Tripp Mixon, Nick Doucet, Brayden Broussard, Andrew Habetz, Luke LeBlanc, Joe Frank, Thomas Meche, Hunter Leonards, Grady Faulk and Teddy Menard.

Combative conversationalist won’t tone down his approach

DEAR ABBY: My significant other is a super-nice guy, who everyone likes and gets along with – until the topics of religion, spirituality and afterlife come up. Any discussion of these subjects (whether or not it involves him) is injected with his sarcasm, hostility and sharp criticism.
He refuses to be silent during the discussions and ends up intimidating people, which leaves everyone feeling judged and negative. I have tried telling him his attacks are unnecessary, unwelcome and as closed-minded and naive as the arguments put forth by those who unquestioningly follow any set of teachings.
His diatribes are long, monotonous, offensive and always ending with, “show me proof,” which is nearly impossible. He considers it a “win,” which reinforces his behavior. We’ve had this discussion several times, and I’m not getting through. I have a strong belief system, but I believe everyone has their own process for achieving spirituality. This is why I can accept him as he is, and I’m happy to spar with him in private.
How do I convey how inappropriate and disrespectful his behavior is when he hijacks a discussion with his uncalled-for arguments and negativity? – SPARRING PARTNER IN MICHIGAN

DEAR PARTNER: How unfortunate, not to mention rude and obnoxious, that your significant other can’t control his impulse to hijack other people’s conversations on these subjects. His craving to be the center of attention appears to be bottomless. I doubt there’s anything you can say to him that will transform him into someone capable of civil conversation. If it hasn’t already happened, your boyfriend the boor will eventually find himself as welcome as a polecat at a picnic. This ultimately may affect your own social life – so be prepared.

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been having the same disagreement for nearly the entire 20 years we have been married. He likes having his family (anywhere from two to five people) stay overnight at our house for three to four days every year. I’m an introvert. I need some alone time, and I’d prefer they stay at a motel. He insists it would be “inhospitable,” even though we’d still spend 10 or 11 hours a day with them.
I do not like waking up to other people, family or not. He grew up in a large family, while I did not. He actually threatened me with divorce (I’m not sure if he was serious or if it was just a scare tactic, but it hurt) if I was going to make him tell his family they can’t stay here. I am 58. I haven’t worked in eight years and I have no skills. He knows this, so I feel I have no choice but to agree.
He says I’m being selfish since it’s only once a year. I know I’m lucky. He provides well for us financially and is a wonderful husband except for this one obstacle, so I know I should just agree. But how do I get over my anxiety about this? – DREADING IN TEXAS

DEAR DREADING: The most effective way to deal with an anxiety issue is to talk about it with a licensed psychotherapist. Because your husband provides well for you financially, you can afford to consult one. If you do, it may help you learn how to get moments of alone time in which to recharge while the relatives are there.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

Landry, Hanks united in holy matrimony

Couple to reside in Maurice following New Year’s Eve wedding

Miss Caroline Noelle Landry of Maurice and Mr. Matthew David Hanks of Rayne were united in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony during a 7 p.m. ceremony on Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, at Saint Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Abbeville.
Officiating the Nuptial Mass were Father Mikel Polsen and Father Louis Richard.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Boyd Dennis Landry of Maurice. Her mother is the former Cheryl Ann Waguespack of Vacherie. The bride is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Waguespack of Vacherie and Mrs. Janelle Landry of Maurice and the late Mr. Alvin Landry.
The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Allen Hanks of Rayne. The mother of the groom is the former Mollie Alice Cassedy of Crowley. The grandparents of the groom are Mrs. Bonnie Faulkinberry, the late Mr. Isaac David Hanks of Rayne and the late Mr. and Mrs. Ashton Cassedy of Crowley.
Escorted by her father, the bride wore a one-of-a-kind designer dress from Yvonne LaFleur. The wedding dress was an ivory satin strapless ballgown with a lace sweetheart bodice adorned with pearls and crystals featuring an elegant chapel length train. She wore an Angel Cut veil with crystal trim, fingertip in length. The bride carried a cascade bouquet of Eskimo roses, white hydrangeas, white dendrobium orchids and white lisianthus accented with Italian ruscus foliage. Intertwined in her bouquet was a rosary from her maternal grandmother, which her mother and sister also carried on their wedding days. A handkerchief from Rome with her initials and wedding date monogrammed in light blue wrapped the stems and was also carried by her sister on her wedding day. The bride also wore the same sixpence in her shoe that her mother and sister wore on their wedding days.
The bride was attended by her maid of honor and sister, Laura Landry, and her matron of honor and sister, Jena Menard. Bridesmaids were Isabelle Hanks, sister of the groom; Ashley Goss, Madison Landry, Molly Landry and Ali Waguespack, cousins of the bride; and Leah Servat, friend of the bride. The bridesmaids wore satin trumpet gowns by Hayley Paige Occasions in the color candlelight. The full-length gowns featured curved necklines, natural waists and open backs with strap details. They carried bouquets of white hydrangeas, Eskimo roses, white wax flowers and seeded eucalyptus accented with Italian ruscus foliage.
Abigail Waguespack, cousin of the bride, served as flower girl. She wore an ivory satin and organza sleeveless dress with a scoop neckline, trimmed with delicate pearls. The dress featured a natural waistline with delicate pearls, an organza bow in the back and satin covered buttons. Her hair was adorned with a crown of fresh baby’s breath and she carried a pomander ball of baby’s breath and Italian ruscus foliage.
Nicholas Hanks, brother of the groom, served as the best man. Groomsmen were Connor Menard, brother-in-law of the bride, and friends of the groom, Jacob Habetz, Claiton Johnson, Logan LaGrange, Jacob LeLeux, Hunter Miller and Nicholas Satchell. The ushers for the wedding were Matthew Fontenot, JP Foreman, Landon Johnsey and Emile Trahan. Serving as ring bearer was Corbin Hanks, cousin of the groom. They wore black tuxedos with black bow ties.
The mother of the bride was escorted by Matthew Fontenot. She wore a metallic, jacquard bodice ball gown featuring pleated sleeves, cinched at waist detailing and a hand embroidered jeweled belt.
The mother of the groom was escorted by her son, Matthew Hanks, along with her husband, Robert Hanks. She wore a multi-colored abstract jacquard gown in shades of teal, copper, mauve and black. A full inverted pleated skirt fell from the one shoulder fitted bodice.
For the ceremony, scriptures were read by Caroline Cassedy and Lauryn Bass, cousins of the groom. Serving as gift bearers were Ashley Hanks, cousin of the groom, and Mary Meaux, friend of the bride. Serving as program attendants were Lily Bass and Elise Hanks, cousins of the groom. Serving as the wedding music ensemble were Laura Humble, vocalist, Tommy Guidry, organist, and Will Green, trumpeter.
Following the ceremony, a reception was held at Magdalen Place, which was decorated with beautiful floral centerpieces and candlelit tables.
The bride’s cake was a four-tiered confection of alternating flavors consisting of red velvet, chocolate and almond covered with a French buttercream icing. The top tier was a traditional design to replicate the bride’s parents’ wedding cake and was adorned with a beautiful wedding topper used at the wedding of the groom’s late maternal grandparents in 1962. Fresh flowers and greenery were added as a finishing touch to the cake. The groom’s cake was a beautiful assortment of cheesecakes placed on gold dessert stands on a table decorated with greenery and dried rice stalks.
Guests were entertained by GTO of Lafayette. The night concluded with the bride and groom, along with their family and friends, ringing in the new year with party hats and noisemakers.
The groom’s parents honored their son and his bride-elect along with their wedding party at dinner on the eve of their marriage at Black’s Oyster Bar and Seafood in Abbeville.
The couple plans to take a weekend getaway until their original honeymoon plans are rescheduled. The couple will reside in Maurice.

Waste Management: Don’t seek shelter in containers

With cold weather moving in, Waste Management reminds the community that waste containers should not be used as shelter from winter conditions.
“Waste Management requests that the community please stay out of waste containers, for your safety, and for the safety of our drivers. We understand individuals may go to great lengths to seek cover from severe weather. However, if someone is inside a waste container when it is emptied, there is a significant risk of injury or death. By working with our customers and exercising additional vigilance, we hope to reduce this risk,” said Tony Franco, area safety manager.
Waste Management makes safety a priority when handling community waste. Although people may look at a waste container as providing options for more than just the disposal of trash, please note that waste containers are pieces of heavy industrial equipment, serviced by heavy collection trucks with hydraulic crushing equipment. Tragedy can result when people climb into waste containers.

Louisiana unemployment benefit goes up

Louisiana’s maximum weekly unemployment benefit went up by 11% Sunday, the first increase in more than a decade. The new payments,

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APSO Daily Bookings: Dec. 25 - 27

December 25
• John Guidry Jr., Branch: Arrested by Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office on a bench warrant (no bond); aggravated battery with a dangerous weapon ($3,500 bond); illegal possession / carrying of a firearm ($65,000 bond); illegal use of weapons ($40,000 bond).
• Julien Christopher Schexnider, Kaplan: Arrested by Rayne Police Department for two counts of monetary instrument abuse ($4,000 total bond).

December 26
• Randy Charles Meche, Crowley: Arrested by APSO on a bench warrant (no bond).

December 27
• Steven James Cormier, Rayne: Arrested by Rayne P.D. for violation of protective orders ($2,500 bond).
• Gardinal Keith Hulin, Church Point: Arrested by Crowley P.D. for exploitation of the infirmed ($5,000 bond); bench warrant (no bond).
• Megan Blair LeJeune: Arrested by APSO on a writ of attachment (no bond).

Oral treatment for COVID approved for emergency use

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently issued an Emergency Use Authorization for Pfizer’s Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir tablets and ritonavir tablets) - the first oral treatment for COVID-19.
The pill can be used to treat mild-to-moderate coronavirus disease in adults and pediatric patients who are 12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kilograms (about 88 pounds) who test positive for COVID and are at high risk of hospitalization or death.
Paxlovid is available by prescription only and should be initiated as soon as possible after testing positive for COVID and within 5 days of symptom onset.
Prescribers should be aware of the potential for significant drug interactions and contraindications for use with certain drugs. In addition, Paxlovid is not recommended in patients with severe kidney or severe liver impairment. In patients with moderate renal impairment, a reduced Paxlovid dose is needed.
Louisiana has received a very limited number of Paxlovid regimens. These pills have been allocated to a small number of independent pharmacies across the state. If you feel you may be a good candidate for the treatment, contact your provider or medical professional.

DEA releases emoji decoder

The Drug Enforcement Administration has released an “emoji drug code” guide the agency said can help provide readers “a better sense of how emojis can be used in conjunction with illegal drug activity.”
The guide, published in December on the DEA website, “decodes” various emojis, small digital icons frequently used in online and phone messaging.
“The Drug Enforcement Administration is aware of drug trafficking organizations using emojis to buy and sell counterfeit pills and other illicit drugs on social media and through e-commerce,” a document accompanying the guide said.
Among the “decoded” symbols are a snowflake emoji for cocaine, a diamond emoji for meth, and a maple leaf, which the agency said is “universal for drugs.”
“Emojis, on their own, should not be indicative of illegal activity, but coupled with a change in behavior, change in appearance, or significant loss/increase in income should be a reason to start an important conversation,” the document said.

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