The Times-Picayune 03-15-2025

La. execution back on for next week

Federal appeals court vacates district court ruling

BY ANDREA GALLO, MEGHAN FRIEDMANN, JOHN SIMERMAN and JOSEPH CRANNEY Staff writers

The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has cleared the way for Louisiana to resume plans to execute

death row inmate Jessie Hoffman Jr next week with nitrogen gas.

The New Orleans-based federal appeals court on Friday night vacated a Tuesday ruling from U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick of Louisiana’s Middle District, who had blocked the state from moving

forward with Hoffman’s execution, scheduled for Tuesday Dick issued a preliminary injunction, allowing time for a full trial on whether death by nitrogen gas amounts to cruel and unusual punishment, which is forbidden under the U.S. Constitution’s

A NEW HOPE

Eighth Amendment. Attorneys for the state issued a notice of appeal within minutes of Dick’s ruling.

The 5th Circuit vacated the preliminary injunction.

“In sum, the district court didn’t just get the legal analysis wrong it turned the Constitution on its head, by relying on an indisputably more painful method of execution as its proposed alternative,” the appeals court’s ruling states, written by Judge James Ho, an appointee of President Donald Trump. Dick’s ruling had said that Hoffman’s team had given enough evidence that death by a firing squad could be a more humane way for Hoffman to die. In an emergency appeal brief, at-

Jefferson Parish readies to buy former orphanage site from archdiocese

BY STEPHANIE RIEGEL Staff writer

The Jefferson Parish Council has reached a deal with the Archdiocese of New Orleans to purchase Hope Haven in Marrero, the former orphanage where dozens of children were physically, sexually and psychologically abused decades ago by priests, brothers and nuns charged with caring for them.

The parish has been leasing the 15-acre campus, with its sprawling grounds and century-old, Spanish missionstyle buildings, from the local Roman Catholic Church since 2018, and has already built a walking trail and recreational area on a portion of the site. Now, it is moving forward with plans to purchase the

Raises

People use

Trail and Park in Marrero on Thursday.

property for $3.8 million and turn it into a multiuse complex that could include expanded recreational areas, festival grounds, educational attrac-

tions and, potentially, offices or apartments. The redevelopment of Hope Haven by the parish is seen as a way to breathe new life

into what stands as a stark reminder of one of the darkest chapters in the clergy abuse scandal, said Republican state Sen. Pat Connick, who represents the area and has been leading efforts to facilitate the deal between the parish, state, archdiocese and abuse survivors.

As part of the deal, the parish has agreed to create a memorial on the site in honor of the victims.

“This could be a win-win-win for everybody — to put the property back into commerce and bring good life back to the campus,” Connick said “Evil, sick things took place there, but it is time to try to heal.”

The archdiocese which filed for bankruptcy court

ä See HOPE, page 4A

ä See EXECUTION, page 5A

Diversity efforts at Tulane probed

45 universities part of investigation by Dept. of Education

BY PATRICK WALL Staff writer

The Department of Education is investigating Tulane University for alleged racial discrimination because its graduate programs have partnered with a group that promotes diversity, federal officials said Friday in a move that aligns with the Trump administration’s crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

The department’s Office for Civil Rights is targeting Tulane and 44 other universities that have partnered with the PhD Project, a 30-year-old nonprofit that aims to increase diversity in the corporate world by helping people of color earn doctorates in businesses.

Federal officials say that partnership may violate federal laws barring racial discrimination, known as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, because the PhD Project exclusively aids people of color

“Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin,” U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement “We will not yield on this commitment.”

In a statement Friday, Tulane spokesperson Michael Strecker said the university is prepared to work with investigators to ensure Tulane is complying with the law

“We’re committed to fostering a community where everyone can thrive, without bias for or against any groups,” he said.

Diversity efforts like the ones targeted by the Trump

See TULANE, page 4A

for La. teachers would come at a cost, critics say

Vote on constitutional amendment on ballot

BY ELYSE CARMOSINO Staff writer

Louisiana residents will vote March 29 on a constitutional amendment that may seem cutand-dry: Permanently raise teacher pay by $2,000 and support staff pay by $1,000.

Louisiana teacher salaries are much lower than their counterparts in other states, and, despite

years of promised raises, they’ve only received one-time stipends the past two years. Gov Jeff Landry has strongly expressed support for increasing educator pay, saying in November that doing so would be “a much-deserved win for our unsung heroes.”

“The truth is, we have the money to pay our teachers properly,” he said, “if we make the changes to unshackle ourselves from the bad decisions of the past.”

But there’s a trade-off: If voters approve the constitutional change, known as Amendment 2, to free up

money for teacher pay, it would mean diverting millions of dollars that help fund education efforts throughout the state each year, including early education programs and scholarships for aspiring teachers.

“This is not free money,” said Jan Moller, executive director of Invest in Louisiana, a nonpartisan research and policy think tank that opposes the proposed amendment.

Though state leaders have said they will likely be able to find other funding for some of the affected programs, it remains unclear

which ones would receive that money and which risk being cut or reduced if the amendment passes. Critics have also voiced concern that the pay hikes wouldn’t be protected by the state’s education funding formula, pointing out that the amendment would instead shift responsibility to individual districts to provide the raises. They also note that the money would essentially make the stipends teachers received permanent but would not additionally increase their pay

ä See RAISES, page 6A

ELECTION 2025 EARLY VOTING

Early voting runs from March 15 to March 22, excluding Sunday, and early voting locations are open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Voters can find out where to vote at www.GeauxVote.com, on the GeauxVote mobile app or by calling their parish registrar of voters. ä Story,Page 1B

the Hope Haven Fitness

STAFF PHOTOS By BRETT DUKE

The deteriorating main building is the centerpiece of the 15-acre Hope Haven property in Marrero.

Texas AG: IDs for trans people can’t change

AUSTIN,Texas In a written opinion issued Friday, Attorney General Ken Paxton questioned the validity of court orders directing state agencies to change a person’s biological sex on driver’s licenses, birth certificates and other identification documents

Identification previously changed under court orders sought by transgender Texans should be reissued with the original sex designation, the nonbinding opinion said

The Texas Department of Public Safety requested the opinion in September about a month after it stopped accepting court orders to change gender markers on driver’s licenses. The Department of State Health Services also stopped allowing gender changes on birth certificates unless the hospital made an error

“The Transportation Code as well as the Health and Safety Code contain no provision for judicial review over the contents of driver’s licenses or birth certificates,” Paxton wrote in a 19page opinion. “Neither can DPS or DSHS change a person’s ‘sex’ designation without supporting evidence that, as a matter of law, cannot exist on the facts you describe.”

Illinois flag vote results with current one on top SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Flags engender such loyalty and pride, they often become very personal emblems with quirky or quaint nicknames: Old Glory, Union Jack, Maple Leaf — or SOB.

That would be (state) “Seal on a Bedsheet,” the derisive moniker with which some have burdened the Illinois state flag, a gleaming white banner emblazoned with the state’s bald eaglethemed emblem.

Some forward-looking lawmakers set up a contest to design a new flag and put it to a vote. In a landslide, a winner was chosen.

And it’s the current flag.

Of nearly 385,000 votes cast, the existing bunting received 43% more tallies than the next six finalists combined

“Some may call it an SOB and the vexillogical community (flag experts) may hate it, but people overwhelmingly prefer our current state flag,” said Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, whose archivist chairs the Illinois Flag Commission. Its members were chosen by the governor legislative leaders and state education and museum administrators.

Created in 1915, the current emblem is a white field featuring the state seal adopted in 1868: A bald eagle before a rising sun, a shield in its talons and in its beak, a banner expressing the Prairie State’s dual tenets: “State Sovereignty, National Union.” In 1970, “Illinois” in block letters was added at the bottom.

Last fall, residents were invited to submit their vision for a new standard. More than 4,800 did — most of them serious. The commission whittled it down to 10 finalists, then added the current 1915 flag, and banners created for the state’s 1918 Centennial and 1968 Sesquicentennial. American who snatched wombat leaves Australia

MELBOURNE,Australia An American influencer left Australia on Friday after the government announced it was reviewing her visa over a video she posted of her snatching a baby wombat from its mother

Sam Jones, who describes herself as an “outdoor enthusiast & hunter,” made her Instagram account private Thursday after she was widely condemned for the video. Jones, who also uses the name Samantha Strable, closed her social media channels to messages and couldn’t be reached for comment Friday

“There’s never been a better day to be a baby wombat in Australia,” Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said in a statement after a government official confirmed Jones had flown from the country voluntarily In the video, Montana-based Jones lifts the wombat joey by its front legs in darkness from a roadside then runs away from its mother “I caught a baby wombat,” she said as a man filming her laughs. She returns the wombat to the roadside after several seconds.

New Canadian PM sworn in

‘We will never be part of the United States,’ Mark Carney says

BY ROB GILLIES Associated Press

TORONTO Former central bank-

er Mark Carney was sworn in as Canada’s new prime minister on Friday, and will now try to steer his country through a trade war brought by U.S. President Donald Trump, annexation threats and an expected federal election.

Carney, 59, replaces Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who announced his resignation in January but remained in power until the Liberal Party elected a new leader Carney is widely expected to trigger a general election in the coming days or weeks.

“We will never, ever, in any way shape or form, be part of the United States. America is not Canada,” Carney said. “We are very fundamentally a different country.”

The governing Liberal Party had appeared poised for a historic election defeat this year until Trump declared economic war and repeatedly has said Canada should become the 51st state. Now the party and its new leader could come out on top.

proper commercial way.”

in his annexation threats and suggested the border is a fictional line.

Carney called the idea “crazy.”

The U.S. trade war and Trump’s talk of making Canada the 51st U.S. state have infuriated Canadians, who are booing the American anthem at NHL and NBA games. Some are canceling trips south of the border, and many are avoiding buying American goods when they can.

Carney has said he’s ready to meet with Trump if he shows respect for Canadian sovereignty He said he doesn’t plan to visit Washington at the moment but hopes to have a phone call with the president soon.

“The president is a successful businessman and dealmaker. We’re his largest client in so many industries,” Carney said. “Clients expect respect and working together in a

Carney navigated crises when he was the head of the Bank of Canada during the 2008 financial crisis, and then in 2013 when he became the first noncitizen to run the Bank of England — helping to manage the worst impacts of Brexit in the U.K. He will now try to steer Canada through the trade war brought by Trump.

Carney, a former Goldman Sachs executive with no experience in politics, becomes Canada’s 24th prime minister He said protecting Canadian workers and their families in the face of unjustified trade actions and growing the economy will be his top priorities.

Trump put 25% tariffs on Canada’s steel and aluminum and is threatening sweeping tariffs on all Canadian products April 2. He has threatened economic coercion

Man charged with intoxication manslaughter in Texas crash

17-vehicle pileup killed 5

By The Associated Press

A man was charged Friday with intoxication manslaughter after five people were killed and several injured in a late-night wreck in Austin, Texas, that involved over a dozen vehicles on Interstate 35, authorities said.

Authorities said that the five people killed in the crash that involved 17 vehicles Thursday just before 11:30 p.m. included three adults, a child and an infant.

First responders said that 11 people were taken to hospitals.

Solomun Weldekeal Araya, 37, was charged with five counts of intoxication manslaughter and two counts of intoxication assault after the crash, Austin police said Friday Police said he was in custody in Travis County Jail. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney Jail

records did not list an attorney for him.

Police have not detailed the circumstances that led to the wreck. Police said in an email Friday that they were still early in the investigation and had no further information available to release.

The southbound lanes of I-35 were closed following the crash, and they remained closed into Friday before reopening at about 1 p.m. The wreck left a stretch of the interstate littered with mangled vehicles and debris.

The collision was “very large and very complex,” police Officer Austin Zarling said at an early morning news conference.

Edgar Viera told KXAN television that he was at a nearby store when he heard the crash and went to try to help those involved.

“We didn’t have the proper tools to open the vehicles, so we just did what we could,” Viera told the station. “It was hard to see this.”

USPS agrees to work with DOGE on reform, plans to cut 10,000 workers

By The Associated Press

WASHINGTON Postmaster General Louis

DeJoy plans to cut 10,000 workers and billions of dollars from the U.S. Postal Service budget and he’ll do that working with Elon Musk ’s Department of Government Efficiency, according to a letter sent to members of Congress on Thursday DOGE will assist USPS with addressing “big problems” at the $78 billion-ayear agency, which has sometimes struggled in recent years to stay afloat. The agreement also includes the General Services Administration in an effort to help the Postal Service identify and achieve “further efficiencies.”

USPS listed such issues as mismanagement of the agency’s retirement assets and Workers’ Compensation Program, as well as an array of regulatory requirements that the letter described as “restricting normal business practice.”

“This is an effort aligned with our efforts, as while we have accomplished a great deal, there is much more to be done,” DeJoy wrote.

Critics of the agreement fear negative effects of the cuts will be felt across America. Democratic U.S. Rep. Gerald Connolly of Virginia said turning over the Postal Service to DOGE would result in it being undermined and privatized.

“This capitulation will have catastroph-

ic consequences for all Americans — especially those in rural and hard to reach areas — who rely on the Postal Service every day to deliver mail, medications, ballots, and more,” he said in a statement.

USPS currently employs about 640,000 workers tasked with making deliveries from inner cities to rural areas and even far-flung islands.

The service plans to cut 10,000 employees in the next 30 days through a voluntary early retirement program, according to the letter. The USPS announced the plan during the final days of the Biden administration in January but at the time didn’t include the number of workers expected to leave. Neither the USPS nor the Trump administration immediately responded to emails from The Associated Press requesting comment.

The agency previously announced plans to cut its operating costs by more than $3.5 billion annually In 2021, the agency cut 30,000 workers.

As the service that has operated as an independent entity since 1970 has struggled to balance the books with the decline of first-class mail, it has fought calls from President Donald Trump and others that it be privatized. Last month, Trump said he may put USPS under the control of the Commerce Department in what would be an executive branch takeover

The surge in Canadian nationalism has bolstered the Liberal Party’s chances in a parliamentary election expected within days or weeks, and Liberal showings have been improving in opinion polls.

The opposition Conservatives hoped to make the election about Trudeau, whose popularity declined as food and housing prices rose and immigration surge.

But after decades of bilateral stability the vote on Canada’s next leader now is expected to focus on who is best equipped to deal with the United States.

FAA permanently restricts choppers on D.C. air route

BY JOHN SEEWER and TARA COPP Associated Press

WASHINGTON Helicopters will be permanently restricted from flying near Washington, D.C.’s airport on the same route where a passenger jet and an Army helicopter collided in midair, killing 67 people, the Federal Aviation Administration said Friday

The move comes just days after federal investigators looking into the cause of the crash recommended a ban on some helicopter flights, saying a string of near misses in recent years showed that the current setup “poses an intolerable risk.”

The FAA, which manages the nation’s airspace and oversees aviation safety, has come under criticism after the National Transportation Safety Board said there had been an alarming number of near misses in recent year in the congested skies around Ronald Reagan National Airport.

The closure of the heli-

copter route near the airport makes permanent the restrictions put in place after Jan. 29 midair collision. The FAA order will allow a few exceptions for helicopter use, including presidential flights along with law enforcement and lifesaving missions. The FAA also said it is studying cities with airports where there are a high number of different types of aircraft sharing the same space. It also is looking at offshore helicopter operations along the Gulf Coast. The Army supports the FAA’s efforts to improve aviation safety around the nation’s capital and will use “alternative routes to mitigate impacts on training and readiness,” spokesman Matt Ahearn said Friday Before the collision there were 28 government agencies authorized to fly helicopters near Reagan National, including the Department of Defense, military services, law enforcement, and emergency medical services.

AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN PHOTO By JAy JANNER

Officials examine the aftermath of a fatal crash on I-35

Allies at G7 meeting preserve unity despite tensions

BY MATTHEW LEE AP diplomatic writer

LA MALBAIE, Quebec Top diplomats from the Group of 7 industrialized democracies agreed Friday on a joint statement expressing support for Ukraine and a U.S. ceasefire proposal in the three-year-old war even as President Donald Trump’s trade policies and taunts toward host Canada overshadowed the talks.

Despite the tensions, diplomats from the U.S., Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan signed off on a final communique after hours of late-night negotiations. There were concerns that the bloc’s once solid unity had been thrown into irreversible disarray by Trump’s whopping tariffs on steel and aluminum and threats for additional levies if there is any retaliation

Although the trade war and Trump’s repeated comments about turning Canada into the 51st state distracted from the discussions, diplomats were able to rally around his Ukraine peace plan.

Ukraine statement

“G7 members reaffirmed their unwavering support

for Ukraine in defending its territorial integrity and right to exist, and its freedom, sovereignty and independence,” the communique said “G7 members called for Russia to reciprocate by agreeing to a ceasefire on equal terms and implementing it fully.”

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied after the meeting that the G7 support for Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty strayed from the Trump administration’s position, including its insistence that Ukraine must be open to ceding control of some land to Russia to get a peace deal.

“I’ve never heard President Trump say that Russia has a right to take all of Ukraine and do whatever they want there,” Rubio told reporters. “So that’s not inconsistent.”

The G7 diplomats discussed, but did not detail, imposing further sanctions on Russia including the possibility of selling seized Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s defense — should Russia not accept and respect a ceasefire and providing additional support for Ukraine in that event

In a significant change from the past, the G7 state-

ment did not contain a specific condemnation of Russia for invading Ukraine. Rubio had said prior to the meetings that the U.S. did not see the value in antagonizing Russian President Vladimir Putin while he was considering Trump’s ceasefire proposal.

Putin said Thursday he agrees with the plan in principle, but set out a host of details that need to be clarified before it is accepted.

The G7 statement “emphasized that any ceasefire must be respected and underscored the need for robust and credible security arrangements to ensure that Ukraine can deter and defend against any renewed acts of aggression.”

Still, Trump’s apparent desire to draw Putin back into the fold continues to alarm G7 members. Russia was thrown out of the G8 after it seized Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.

Unity and division

Despite the agreement on key points, Trump’s policies were front and center as the allies gathered for two days of talks at a snowy resort in La Malbaie, Quebec.

All G7 members are affected by the tariffs but

Trump demands ‘accountability’ for ‘wrongs’ at Justice Department

BY ERIC TUCKER, ALANNA DURKIN RICHER and ZEKE MILLER Associated Press

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump pledged to “expose” his enemies during a norm-breaking political speech at the Justice Department in which he aired a litany of grievances against the criminal cases he faced and vowed retribution for what he described as the “lies and abuses that have occurred within these walls.”

The speech was meant to rally support for Trump administration policies on violent crime, drugs and illegal immigration But it also functioned as a triumphant forum for the president to boast about having emerged legally and politically unscathed from two federal prosecutions that one year ago had threatened to torpedo his presidential prospects but were dismissed after his election win last fall.

Though other presidents have spoken from the Justice Department’s ceremonial Great Hall, Trump’s address amounted to an extraordinary display of partisan politics and personal grievance inside a Justice Department that is meant to be blind to both. He promised to target his perceived enemies even as he claimed to be ending what he called the weaponization of the department.

The speech marked the latest manifestation of Trump’s unparalleled takeover of the department and came amid a brazen campaign of retribution already undertaken under his watch, including the firing of prosecutors who investigated him and the scrutiny of agents who investigated supporters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan 6, 2021.

“Our predecessors turned this Department of Justice into the Department of Injustice. But I stand before you today to declare that those days are over, and they are never going to come back and never coming back,” Trump said to cheers from a crowd that included political allies. “So now, as the chief law enforcement officer in our country, I will insist upon and demand full and complete accountability for the wrongs and abuses that have occurred.”

The visit to the Justice Department, the first by Trump and the first by any president in a decade, brought him into the belly of

an institution he has disparaged in searing terms for years but one that he has sought to reshape by installing loyalists and members of his personal defense team in top leadership positions.

Trump’s unique status as a onetime criminal defendant indicted by the department he was now addressing hung over the speech as he vented, in profane and personal terms, about investigations as far back as the Russian election interference investigation to the more recent inquiries into his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election and the hoarding of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate.

“We will expel the rogue actors and corrupt forces from our government. We will expose, very much expose their egregious crimes and severe misconduct,” Trump said in a wide-ranging speech.

“It’s going to be legendary And going to also be legendary for the people that are able to seek it out and bring justice. We will restore the scales of justice in America, and we will ensure that such abuses never happen again in our country.”

Trump’s visit also comes at a time when Attorney General Pam Bondi has asserted that the department needs to be depoliticized even as critics assert agency leadership is injecting politics into the decisionmaking process.

When it comes to setting its agenda, the Justice Department historically takes a cue from the White House but looks to maintain its independence on individual criminal investigations.

Trump has upended such norms.

He encouraged specific investigations during his first term and tried to engineer the firing of Robert Mueller, the special counsel assigned to investigate ties between Russia and Trump’s 2016 campaign.

Even before Bondi had been confirmed, the Justice Department fired department employees who served on special counsel Jack Smith’s team, which charged Trump with plotting to overturn the 2020 election and with hoarding classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. Both cases were dismissed last November in line with longstanding Justice Department policy against indicting sitting presidents.

perhaps none more so than Canada, the only one that borders the United States and the only one that Trump has personally antagonized with repeated derogatory comments about it becoming the 51st state.

Rubio, on his first official trip to Canada and his first to a G7 event, heard a litany of complaints as he met with his counterparts.

“We will put maximum pressure on the Americans and, meanwhile, will work on looking for off-ramps,”

Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly told reporters Friday “The Trump tariffs are going to hurt Americans. That’s our message, that’s our approach.”

Rubio, who called Joly a friend, said the tariffs are not meant to be a “hostile move” against allies but are about making trade fair Those benefiting from previous arrangements likely do “feel it

is hostile to change the status quo because it’s to your benefit,” he told reporters.

U.S., Canada diplomats Joly said her discussion with Rubio had been “frank” — diplomatic code for “blunt.”

“I wanted to be able to have a frank conversation,” Joly said. “Of course, Canada’s sovereignty is not up for debate and we had a long conversation on tariffs and trade.”

After Trump reiterated in the Oval Office on Thursday that “Canada only works as a state,” Joly stood firm.

“What I said to the secretary is that Canada’s sovereignty is not up for debate.

Period,” she said Friday

“There is no argument. There is no conversation about it.” She added, as if addressing him, “You are here, you respect us, you respect our sovereignty, you respect

our people. Period.” Rubio told reporters Friday that Trump “loves Canada” and has simply “made an argument for why Canada would be better off joining the United States from an economic perspective and the like. He’s made that argument repeatedly, and I think it stands for itself.”

Joly noted that many of the allies thought Trump’s comments were a joke.

“I said to them this is not a joke Canadians are anxious, Canadians are proud people, and you are here in a sovereign country and so therefore, we don’t expect this to be even discussed, clearly not laughed at,” she said.

Friday’s sessions were shortened due to Joly’s need to depart earlier than planned to attend Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s swearing-in ceremony and first Cabinet meeting.

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protection nearly five years ago amid mounting claims of clergy sex abuse, will need permission from the court to sell the property Thus far it has not finalized a purchase agreement.

But all parties have agreed to the deal in principle, according to leaders with the parish, state and archdiocese.

“There are still some details to be worked out,” archdiocese spokesperson Sarah McDonald said in a statement Thursday “But the site will become home to a permanent memorial to the memory and strength of abuse survivors.”

Attorneys for the committee of abuse victims did not return a call seeking comment on the deal. But another attorney, Frank LaMothe, who has represented dozens of Hope Haven survivors over the years, said he thinks his past and current clients would be supportive of creating a monument there.

“It would mean a lot to them to know there is a recognition of what they went through,” Lamothe said, adding that he could not comment on the sale specifically because he has not been involved in the negotiations.

Sordid past

Hope Haven opened in 1925 on the west side of Barataria Boulevard, next to what is now Archbishop Shaw High School, to provide care for needy children and wards of the state A few years later, Madonna Manor opened across the street.

Madonna Manor took in young children from families unable to care for them and children placed there by courts as wards of the state Hope Haven was a home for older children.

In the early 2000s, nearly two dozen lawsuits were filed against the archdiocese and its affiliate, Catholic Charities, by adults who claimed they were molested, beaten and berated as children in the 1950s and 1960s by the priests and nuns that ran the two orphanages. The archdiocese settled the suits

TULANE

administration aim to counteract past discrimination, including legal segregation, that have left Black and Hispanic students underrepresented at many universities. But critics say that any practices that consider race are by default discriminatory In 2023, a conservativeled Supreme Court banned race-conscious admission policies at colleges, saying that such policies violate the Civil Rights Act.

The Education Department’s latest investigation comes just days after the department warned Tulane and dozens of other universities that they could face consequences if they fail to protect Jewish students from antisemitism on campus. And it follows a Feb. 14 department memo that said that racial preferences in admissions, scholarships or any other academic decisions are illegal and discriminate against White and Asian students. Federal officials warned schools that

for nearly $5.2 million in 2009.

Fresh lawsuits were filed nearly a decade later, alleging abuse that occurred at Hope Haven and Madonna Manor in the 1970s and 1980s.

The suits were filed in 2018, after Archbishop Gregory Aymond released a list of credibly accused priests that included the names of eight priests who had worked at the orphanages.

In May 2020, the archdiocese filed for bankruptcy In the years since, some 550 abuse survivors have filed claims alleging past abuse.

Hope Haven would be the latest of nearly a dozen properties the church has sold as it seeks to raise money to settle claims. So far, the property sales have generated about $15 million, a fraction of the amount sought by victims, who

have asked the archdiocese and lo-

cal parishes to pony up more than $200 million, not including separate contributions they are seeking from church insurers.

Lafreniere for the West Bank?

At $3.85 million, the 15-acre Hope Haven campus, ringed with live oaks, might seem like a relative deal. The complex includes two large, century-old buildings of around 30,000 square feet each; a gymnasium dating back to 1930, and several smaller buildings. It was last appraised for $8 million, Parish Council member Deano Bonano said.

But since Jefferson began leasing the property from the archdiocese in 2018, the parish and state have spent nearly $5 million gutting, shoring and stabilizing the historic main building, which the

archdiocese had allowed to deteriorate.

It has also spent a considerable amount developing a portion of the site into a recreational area with a one-third-mile walking trail that snakes around the campus, a children’s playground and an adult fitness area.

“Given what we have in it, we felt this was a fair price, and it was in our best interest to buy it,” Bonano said.

Under the terms of the deal, the parish will put up $1.4 million toward the purchase price, money that the council approved at its meeting earlier this month The state is contributing $2.4 million.

For Connick, who led the efforts to get the state money, the revival of Hope Haven has become something of a passion project.

“This could be something so

positive for the community,” said Connick, whose grandfather ran a dairy farm near the campus a century ago.

There’s no timeline for the deal to be finalized. But, once it is, the parish will begin advertising for proposals from developers interested in the site. A master plan for the property in 2022 suggests developing an aquatic center with indoor and outdoor pools and an outdoor concert venue, as well as an expanded recreational area.

Bonano says parish leaders envision it as “the center for health and fitness in West Jefferson,” much as Lafreniere Park is on the East Bank.

The master plan also suggests leasing the two main buildings for use as senior or assisted living facilities, medical offices or apartments, and using the lease proceeds to pay for the other amenities.

The YMCA is also potentially interested in the site.

Connick said he’d like to see a children’s museum in one of the buildings.

“Why not think big?” he said. “This is an opportunity to create something special for this side of the parish.”

Email Stephanie Riegel at stephanie.riegel@theadvocate. com.

retain such policies could lose federal funding

The Trump administration has followed up on the warnings. It pulled $400 million in federal funds from Columbia University for allegedly failing to combat campus antisemitism. And last month it terminated over $600 million in federal grants for teachertraining programs, including several in Louisiana, that it said used race-based recruitment strategies

One of the programs was led by Tulane and sought to develop a pipeline of diverse, well-trained teachers for New Orleans schools by recruiting local high schoolers, college students and classroom aides.

The U.S. Education Department ended the program’s three-year, $10 million grant, saying it had been used to promote diversity, equity and inclusion and racial discrimination. Tulane denied the allegations and said it would appeal the grant cancellation

The PhD Project, which lists Tulane among dozens of partner universities, said in its 2022 annual report that it helps its “Black/African

American, Latinx/Hispanic American and Native American members pursue business PhDs with the intent to become university faculty.”

Just 4% of full-time business school faculty are Black, less than 3% are Hispanic, and less than 1% are Native American, according to 2020 data from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

The 45 universities under investigation for partnering with the PhD Project include major institutions from across the country, such as Arizona State, Clemson, Duke, Notre Dame and Yale.

The Education Department also said Friday it was investigating six other universities for allegedly awarding scholarships based on race and another for running a program that segregates students by race. Tulane is not one of those seven universities.

The department’s Feb. 14 memo ordering schools and universities to end diversity programs and race-based practices is being challenged in federal court by groups including the American Federation of Teachers,

Sunlight shines through archways at the former Hope Haven property in Marrero on Thursday.

Senate passes funding bill to avert shutdown

BY KEVIN FREKING and LISA MASCARO Associated Press

WASHINGTON The Senate passed a six-month spending bill on Friday hours before a government shutdown, overcoming sharp Democratic opposition to the measure and sending it to President Donald Trump to be signed into law

The vote was 54-46 Democrats voiced frustration that Republicans went ahead with a measure they said included little input from them, and one they viewed as shortchanging key priorities such as health care and housing assistance. But in the end, some of them viewed a shutdown as a worse out-

come and supported Democratic leader Chuck Schumer’s effort to allow the bill to come to a final vote.

Democrats were confronted with two painful options: allowing passage of a bill they believe gives President Donald Trump vast discretion on spending decisions or voting no and letting a funding lapse ensue.

Schumer gave members of his caucus days to vent their frustration about the options before them, but abruptly switched course and made clear on the eve of voting that he will not allow a government shutdown.

His move outraged many in the party who want to fight the Trump

agenda, but gave senators room to side with Republicans and allow the continuing resolution, often described as a CR, to advance.

Democrats from all corners looked to pressure senators to kill the bill. House members wrote letters, posted on social media and held news conferences in the hours before the vote.

“The American people sent Democrats to Congress to fight against Republican dysfunction and chaos,” said a letter from 66 House Democrats to Schumer House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries and his team dashed back to the Capitol, urging senators to block the bill and negotiate a true compromise with Republi-

recent years.

cans. Some Democrats also argued that Republicans would take the blame for a shutdown, given they controlled all the levers of power in Congress and the White House.

“If you refuse to put forward an offer that includes any Democratic input and you don’t get Democratic votes, that’s on Republicans,” said Sen. Patty Murray, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee.

In contrast, Schumer picked up one unexpected nod of support — from Trump himself, who just a day earlier was gearing up to blame Democrats for any shutdown.

“Congratulations to Chuck Schumer for doing the right thing — Took ‘guts’ and courage!” the president posted on his social media account.

Schumer has acknowledged the difficult choice he faced, but insisted Democrats would not allow a government shutdown and warned of the havoc Trump and Musk could bring if federal offices shuttered.

“A shutdown will allow DOGE to shift into overdrive,” Schumer said, referring to the Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency “Donald Trump and Elon Musk would be free to destroy vital government services at a much faster rate.”

Continued from page 1A

torneys for the state urged the appeals court to vacate Dick’s ruling. The state of Alabama, the only state to employ nitrogen gassing in a modern-day execution and the template for Louisiana’s plan, submitted an amicus brief in support of Louisiana moving forward with the method.

“The district court’s findings are demonstrably misguided and warrant this Court’s emergency intervention,” attorneys for Louisiana said in their brief, painting Hoffman’s lawsuit as a last-ditch effort to delay justice. They also argued that Dick, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, ignored precedents set by the Supreme Court and the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.

The state said that Hoffman’s attorneys dragged their feet on a fresh challenge to nitrogen gassing as an execution method. Hoffman is on death row for the 1996 abduction, rape and murder of Molly Elliott in rural St Tammany Parish. Elliott’s husband, Andy

Elliott, said this week that he was torn about the execution and that while it’s been a struggle to spend so long waiting for a final resolution, Hoffman’s death would not bring him closure.

“This is justice for Mary ‘Molly’ Elliot, her friends, her family, and for Louisiana,” said Attorney General Liz Murrill in a statement Friday night.

Cecelia Kappel, an attorney for Hoffman, said Friday night that his legal team will appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. The court is not required to take up the matter, but may do so at its discretion.

“The 5th Circuit should have deferred to the district court’s assessment of the extensive evidence presented to it after a 12-hour-long hearing showing that Louisiana’s new execution method is likely to cause Jessie to suffer a prolonged and torturous death,” Kappel said. Hoffman’s method of execution, nitrogen gas, will prevent him from practicing his Buddhist breathing meditation at the period between life and death, she said “I think that is just the cruelest thing about this,” Kappel said.

Kappel said earlier this

week that Louisiana was trying to avoid scrutiny and place blame on Hoffman “for the rushed nature of these proceedings even though the State only announced it would use lethal gas for executions and set Jessie’s execution date last month.”

Dick’s decision came after a daylong hearing March 7 at which Hoffman testified, asking that the state find another way to put him to death. His lawyers argued that death by nitrogen gas would be inhumane and leave Hoffman feeling like he was drowning, causing emotional suffering.

They said death by firing squad — which is not currently legal in Louisiana but was used last week to execute a man in South Carolina — would lead to a quicker and less painful death.

In its brief, the state argued that a firing squad would cause a more physically painful death and that nitrogen gas would not be as distressing as the plaintiffs made it out to be.

It would be a surprise if the U.S. Supreme Court intervened in Hoffman’s case, based on how they have treated arguments about cruel and unusual death in

In 2019, the conservativeled Supreme Court narrowly rejected a Missouri death row inmate’s argument that his medical condition would

lead to a painful and excessively punitive execution by lethal injection. The court sided with the state in a 5-4 vote, with Justice Neil Gorsuch writing for the conservative majority They ruled that executions aren’t “cruel and unusual” solely because they are painful. Attorneys for 51-year-old

Prepared by Jill Marie Kenyon

New Orleans Forecast

RAISES

So, voters must decide at the polls on March 29: Should the money be spent on teacher pay or should it continue to fund existing education programs?

For decades, Louisiana has financially backed many education projects through money the state receives from three separate trust funds protected by the state constitution.

Two of the funding pools were formed in the wake of a 1986 settlement in which the federal government agreed to give Louisiana a percentage of the money generated from offshore development. Louisiana residents later voted to use the money as an education trust fund.

The third pool is the Education Excellence Fund, part of a trust created from a settlement in the late 1990s between the state and tobacco companies.

Together, the three funds have generated roughly $2 billion for the state since they were created, according to the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana Last year, the funds generated $68 million that was split between K-12 schools and higher education.

During a special session in November, the Legislature unanimously passed a bill that would eliminate the three funding sources from the state constitution, leaving about $2 billion to pay off a portion of teacher retirement system debt. The Legislature then voted to pass a second bill, authored by Rep. Tony Bacala, R-Prairieville, that would require school districts to use the debt-payment savings to give raises to teachers and support staff.

Voters must approve Amendment 2 next month for those changes to take effect.

Summarizing the argument for the amendment, PAR wrote that it would save the state about $1 billion in interest payments and end the “the annual financial uncertainty” for educators by funding permanent pay increases.

Cade Brumley, the state’s superintendent of education, expressed unequivocal support for the amendment, saying he believes the trade-off is worth it if it helps the state retain and attract qualified teachers.

“There’s nothing more important than a classroom teacher for kids’ academic success,” he said.

But opponents say it is misguided to eliminate a protected source of education revenue.

Unions and budget experts said because the raises won’t be built into the state’s school-funding formula, where it would remain a permanent part of the state budget, educators would rely on districts to allocate the money They also say lawmakers could later decide to put the money to other uses.

Continued from page 1A Medicare doesn’tpay for dental care.1

through employer-provided benefits. When those benefits end with retirement, paying dental bills out-of-pocket can come as a shock, leading people to put off or even go without care.

Simply put —without dentalinsurance, there may be an importantgap in your healthcare coverage.

“Now you’re leaving it up to the vagaries of the Louisiana Legislature,notjustnextyear, but every year thereafter” to find funding, Moller said. Last year, the funds provided about $10 million for early childhoodeducation.Theyalso supplied $4.5 million to assist with student testing, $3 million to improve struggling schools and $1.2 million to help school districts with teacher recruitment and retention.

The Louisiana Policy Institute for Children has warned that the funds’ removal would leave nearly 1,600 children without access to early education programs, worsening the state’s child care crisis.

Brumley said the state could possibly backfill funding for “significant endeavors” like early childhood education. However, Landry’s recently proposed budget for next fiscal year is based on current revenues and does not account for changes if the trust funds are eliminated, officials said. Some school system leaders are worried about losing funding.

The Baker school district in East Baton Rouge Parish receives roughly $53,000 annually from one of the trust funds. Superintendent JT Stroder said the money pays the salary of a staffer in the district’s early childhood program. If the funds go away, so will that position, he said.

“It won’t be a good thing,” Stroder said. “Losing any money that impacts instruction in public K-12 education is a bad idea.”

Some who say teachers deserve a permanent raise have also expressed concern about the amendment.

“We cannot rely on good intentions alone when it comes to our teachers’ and support staff’s paychecks,” Larry Carter, president of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, the state’s largest teachers’ union, told lawmakers in November In a statement last year union leaders said they support “the spirit of the bill,” but said the pay raises would be better protected if they were embedded in the funding formula.

The bill contains a stipulation that if the savings a district accrues through the plan are not enough to fully fund the raises, it will not be required to honor the salary hike, and the state will cover the difference in the education funding formula. Between four and 43 school systems are expected to need additional aid, which could cost between a few million to tens of millions of dollars a year, according to simulations run by the state education department

Bacala and Sen. Rick Edmonds, R-Baton Rouge, who co-authored the bill, did not respond to a request for comment.

Critics also say the move would shift responsibility for the raises from the state to districts.

In the past, the state’s funding formula increased teacher pay by 2.75% annually to keep up with the cost of inflation. The state ended the annual increases during the Great Recession, when Louisiana faced a budget deficit “It’s kind of taking the state out of the business of providing teacher pay raises and foisting that responsibility more onto the locals,” Moller said, adding that the Legislature should fund “teacher raises annually through the formula something the state did for years.”

That’s right. As good as Medicare is, it was never meanttocover everything. Thatmeans if you want protection, you need to purchase individual insurance.

Early detection canprevent small problems from becomingexpensive ones.

The best way to preventlarge dental bills is preventivecare. The American Dental Association recommends checkups twice ayear.

NOLA.COM | Saturday, March 15, 2025 1BN

N.O. schools face $50M shortfall

Interim leader plans to address deficit

BY MARIE FAZIO Staff writer

After an accounting error

blew a hole in the New Orleans school system budget and a lucrative settlement with the city imploded, schools have been bracing for painful cuts. But now the district leader says she has a plan to keep schools afloat Interim NOLA Public Schools Superintendent Fateama Fulmore will propose dipping into the district’s reserves and its operating budget to cover about half of the projected $50 million budget gap, which she said should prevent school funding cuts for now Though it doesn’t address the full deficit, which stems from inaccurate tax revenue projections given to charter schools last year, the plan offers some relief Charter school leaders have warned about having to fire staff and cancel summer and after-school programs if the monthly payments they receive from the district were reduced.

Greek Orthodox leader visits N.O.

Archbishop brings message of unity, shared values

BY STEPHANIE RIEGEL Staff writer

When people talk about New Orleans being a “Catholic” city they’re often referring to the Roman Catholic Church, with its 500,000 local members, 230-year-old archdiocese, and deeply ingrained traditions rooted in Roman Catholic culture. Perhaps less well-known is the city’s deep, historic ties to the Greek Orthodox Church, which established its first North American congregation Holy Trinity Cathedral in New Orleans more than 150 years ago. On Friday the head of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, His Eminence Elpidophoros, Archbishop of America, paid his first visit to the Crescent City, bringing a message of unity and shared values between the “Eastern” and “Roman” churches, which split nearly 1,000 years ago. His tour of the city included a visit with clergy candidates at the Notre Dame seminary, lunch with civic leaders at the Rex Room at Antoine’s, and a meeting with Archbishop Gregory Aymond at the Archdiocese of New Orleans’ headquarters. Later Friday, he was scheduled to preside over a worship service at Holy Trinity, which holds a special place in the Greek Orthodox Church, not only for its long history in the city but because of its resilience. The cathedral and adjacent Hellenic Cultural Center were devastated in 2005 by Hurricane Katrina’s floodwaters but reopened to worshippers just 90 days later, after the community and local business leaders rallied to rebuild.

“We very quickly reestablished, rebuilt and restored our community and our cathedral,” Elpidophoros said in an interview Friday “Maybe we can inspire everyone to know that disasters may come but we have to be strong, united and build our future again and again.” Elpidophoros, 57, was elected Archbishop of America in 2019. Unlike the Roman Catholic Church, which has a single archbishop for each of the nearly 200 archdioceses in the U.S., the Greek Orthodox Church has just one archdiocese in America, with nearly 600 parishes, 800 priests and approximately 1.5 million faithful. Of those, about 1,200 worship at Holy Trinity in New Orleans.

In his role as archbishop, Elpidophoros is responsible for visiting all 600 parishes around the country Over the past six years, he’s made it to about 200, hampered by pandemic-era delays that slowed his travel schedule. It’s important, he said, to meet the people and get to know the local communities.

“The Orthodox Christian religion is ecumenical in the sense that our teachings, traditions and services

The proposal which Fulmore will present to the Orleans Parish School Board to vote on next week, comes just over a month after Mayor LaToya Cantrell backed out of a settlement agreement with the board that would have provided schools with $90 million over a decade. The board has asked a district court judge to force Cantrell to honor the agreement.

“We have to move forward

and let things play out in litigation,” Fulmore said in an interview Friday “As the interim superintendent, I had to bring forth a solution and resolve it with what’s at our disposal right now.”

Caroline Roemer, executive director of the Louisiana Association for Public Charter Schools, said school leaders were reassured that the district and School Board seem poised to address at least part of the

deficit.

“Our school leaders have been gritting their teeth and losing sleep for months over this issue,” Roemer said, “and it is about time that this board and NOLA-PS leadership are actually coming to the table with a solution.”

Last October, NOLA Public Schools officials said they had overestimated property and sales tax revenues they

SECOND LIFE

Barrels of Super Bowl turf head to New Orleans recreation sites

BY JONI HESS Staff writer

This spring, dozens of barrels of ar-

tificial turf used in the Super Bowl will cover athletic fields operated by the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission.

For kids enrolled in the department’s sports programs and schools that use its ball fields, the turf may unlock new recreational opportunities, provide more site options for high school teams and help alleviate drainage issues that can

make grass fields unusable.

Days after the Philadelphia Eagles churned out a Super Bowl win over the Kansas City Chiefs in New Orleans, crews began rolling up more than 100,000 square yards of turf as part of the Super Dome’s annual turf replacement process.

The NFL’s Super Bowl Host Committee, led by the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation and the New Orleans Saints, selected NORDC as a recipient, which has split the turf across four facilities. The infields at Perry Roehm Stadium in Gentilly Larry Gilbert Stadium in Gert Town, Joe Brown Park in New Orleans East and the football field at the Lafitte Greenway will all receive turf, NORD officials said Friday

More than 70 in N.O. protest Musk

BY MISSY WILKINSON Staff writer

Steven Lindsley is an Army veteran who protested the Vietnam War in the 1960s, opposed Republican President Richard Nixon in the 1970s, and led a recall effort against Gov Edwin Edwards, a Democrat, in the 1990s. On Friday, he joined more than 70 demonstrators outside a Tesla Service Center on Tchoupitoulas Street, where they decried President Donald Trump’s installation of Tesla CEO Elon Musk as a senior adviser Under his Department of Gov-

ernment Efficiency Musk has led mass terminations of federal workers and cuts to agencies including USAID and NOAA. Lindsley, 82, held a sign that read “Say ‘No’ to Swasticars. Say ‘No’ to Musk’s APART-Tide.” He and others in the crowd agreed that they hadn’t seen the political climate in the nation as it is today “What feels different to me is the lack of anger and activity among independents, Democrats and students,” said Lindsley, a longtime

“I can’t wait to see the kids out there playing on it. This is definitely needed,” said NORD Chief Operating Officer Edgar Alexis.

At Joe Brown Park on Friday, the installation was practically complete. A fresh coat of painted baseball diamond markings and brightly colored “NORD” letters will greet visitors come game time later this month.

Over at the Lafitte Greenway, which is operated through a partnership between NORDC and the Lafitte Greenway Partnership, dozens of white bags filled with black pellets lined the perimeter of the 120-yard field. The pellets will aid in the turf’s durability As crews assembled the material, the

See TURF, page 3B

Early voting opens Saturday

Fate of 4 amendments to be decided

BY BOB WARREN Staff writer

Early voting for the March 29 election opens Saturday where voters statewide will decide the fate of four constitutional amendments, including one that would set in motion much of the tax “reform” work done by Gov. Jeff Landry and the Republican-controlled state Legislature during a special session last November Meanwhile, several high-profile items await voters in Jefferson and St. Tammany parishes, where a Parish Council race and two tax propositions have drawn a lot of attention. Three candidates are fighting it out for the District 1 Jefferson Parish Council seat that opened when Marion

Edwards left office on Jan. 3. The district covers Gretna, Terrytown, Jean Lafitte, Crown Point, Estelle, Barataria, Grand Isle and parts of Harvey and Marrero. Those candidates are Ricky Templet, a Gretna Republican who has served three previous terms on the council; Timothy Kerner Jr., the Republican mayor of Jean Lafitte; and Andrea Manuel, a Democrat from Gretna and bilingual Spanish educator Templet was on the council from 2012-2023, when Jennifer Van Vrancken beat him in a race for an at-large seat. Kerner lost a race for the state Senate against Sen. Pat Connick in 2023. Manuel, meanwhile, lost a race for a state House seat in 2023. Also on the Jefferson Parish ballot are three Westwego City Council

STAFF PHOTO By BRETT DUKE

Workers install turf on a multipurpose field at the Lafitte Greenway in New Orleans on Friday. NORDC is giving new life to the Super Bowl LIX turf from the Superdome by installing it at several locations.

March 29 ballot for the N.O. area

judgeship so special elections coincide with regular elections. PARISH RACES

JEFFERSON PARISH

PARISH COUNCIL, DISTRICT 1

your early voting location. For more coverage of local elections, visit our election page. Party Affiliations D = Democratic R = Republican I = Independent STATEWIDE

Constitutional Amendments

PROPOSED AMENDMENT NO 1

Allows the Louisiana Supreme Court to discipline out-of-state lawyers for legal work in Louisiana and allows the Legislature to create specialty courts not constrained to existing parish and judicial-district boundaries.

PROPOSED AMENDMENT NO 2

Amendment 2 is an expansive item that, among other things, would lower the maximum rate of the state’s income tax and increase deductions for citizens over 65; set a “government growth limit” that restricts how much lawmakers can increase spending from one year to the next; and gives parishes the option of repealing the property tax on business inventory. One of the highest-profile components of the amendment would give teachers a $2,000 pay raise and school support workers a $1,000 raise, though this would come at the expense of other educational programs.

PROPOSED AMENDMENT NO. 3

Allows lawmakers to more easily expand the list of felony offenses people under 17 can be charged with by removing an existing list of 16 specified crimes.

PROPOSED AMENDMENT NO 4

Changes the timing of filling a judicial vacancy or newly created

Timothy Kerner Jr., R Andrea Manuel, D Ricky Templet, R GRETNA CITY COUNCIL, DIS-

TRICT 4

Robert “Bobby” Black, R Randy Carr, R WESTWEGO CITY COUNCIL

DISTRICT 1

Maggie “May” Campbell, D

Jason LeBlanc, R John I. “Johnny” Shaddinger Jr., D

DISTRICT 2

Timothy “Tim” Matherne, R Johnny Nobles Jr., R

DISTRICT 5

Robert “Bobby B” Bonvillian, R

Larry Warino, R WEST JEFFERSON LEVEE DIS-

TRICT PROPOSITION

Renew 4.75 mills for 10 years start-

ing in 2028 for construction and repair of levees and maintenance of the Bayou Segnette Complex, Harvey Sector Gate Complex and the district’s share of the West Closure Complex.

ORLEANS PARISH

LAKEVIEW CRIME PREVENTION DISTRICT PROPOSITION

Levees an annual flat fee on each parcel within the Lakeview Crime Prevention District of up to $150 for 10 years beginning 2027 to be used for crime prevention and security except for a 1% city collection fee.

PLAQUEMINES PARISH PARISHWIDE CHARTER AMENDMENT PROPOSITION

Amends the charter to create the Plaquemines Port Commission as the governing authority of the Plaquemines Port, Harbor and Terminal District for matters set forth

in council ordinance No. 24-190.

ST. JAMES PARISH

Law Enforcement District

Millage Renewal

Continues to levy a special tax of 12.50 mills for 10 years beginning in 2027 to provide additional funding for law enforcement.

ST. TAMMANY PARISH

COVINGTON CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 1

Blake Bushnell, R Hermon Joseph, I Blaine Stanga, I

LIBRARY MILLAGE CONTINUATION

Continues a special tax of 4.35 mills an estimated $13,510,265 per year, for 15 years, beginning in 2025 for the library system and its facilities. SALES TAX REDEDICATION

Authorizes Sales Tax District No. 3 to continue to levy its 2% sales tax, an estimated $89 million per year, for an additional 25 years beginning Dec. 1, 2031, and allows up to 17% of that revenue, or around $15 million, to be used to fund the criminal division of the District Attorney’s Office, the 22nd Judicial District Court and expenses of the St. Tammany Justice Center.

ROAD LIGHTING DISTRICT NO. 10

PROPOSITION

Assesses $80 per structure or lot per year, an estimated $2,560 per year, for 10 years to pay for road lighting and maintaining and operating road lighting facilities and equipment.

VILLAGE OF FOLSOM, SALES TAX

RENEWAL

Continues the 0.5% sales tax for 10 years beginning 2026, an estimated $250,000 per year, for police protection.

Email Chad Calder at ccalder@ theadvocate.com.

EARLY

Continued from page 1B

races and one for a Gretna City Council seat. In St. Tammany, officials have been crisscrossing the parish to push two tax propositions.

The parish government is trying again — for a sixth time — to get voters to approve a tax dedicated to funding some costs of the criminal justice system. This time, they’re asking voters to rededicate a portion of an existing 2% sales tax for roads and drainage to cover some of the criminal justice costs.

The sales tax is expected to bring in around $89 million annually If voters give the go-ahead, up to 17% of that revenue, or around $15 million, would then be used to fund the criminal division of the District Attorney’s Office, the 22nd Judicial District Court and expenses of the St. Tammany Justice Center, according to the ballot language.

St. Tammany voters have shot down five other criminal justice tax attempts since 2016.

St. Tammany’s ballot also includes a 4.35-mill tax for the library system. That tax would bring in around $13.5 million for the libraries which amounts to around 96% of the library system’s budget, officials say Voters in St. Tammany will also decide a special race for the open District B seat on the Covington City Council.

Statewide, the four constitutional amendments involve the courts, taxes, juvenile crime and elections for judges.

n Amendment 1 would give lawmakers new authority to create new regional and statewide specialty courts.

n Amendment 2 is an expansive

N.O. district attorney announces indictments

Three murders, one rape draw multiple counts

BY JILLIAN KRAMER Staff writer

A New Orleans grand jury this week indicted three men accused of opening fire last November in front of Dickie Brennan’s restaurant, killing a woman and injuring three others.

Nicholas Miorana Jr., 29; Daniel Miorana, 21; and Darrel Adams, 23, were each indicted with one count of second-degree murder and obstruction of justice, as well as three counts of attempted

MUSK

Continued from page 1B

New Orleans resident. “We need to get the public educated to what their choices are.”

“I have fear for our democracy What’s happening now is unprecedented and wrong,” said another protester, Gary Giewat, a social psychologist.

“None of us — even if you voted for Trump — voted for (Musk),” said Sue T. a part-time New Orleans resident who declined to provide her last name, saying she feared repercussions. Near-constant honks from passing cars accompanied her and other members of Indivisible NOLA, a progressive grassroots group, as they waved American flags and signs reading “Boycott Tesla, Banish Elon Musk, Ban the Oligarchy from Govt” and “Fire Musk.”

It was among a slew of protests worldwide aimed at the vehicle brand that has helped Musk attain the title of world’s richest man, as well as take ownership of a powerful social media platform in X, formerly Twitter More than 100 demonstrations were listed Friday on the Action Network’s Tesla Takedown website, including some in England, Portugal and Spain. News reports showed demonstrations in recent days in U.S. cities including Tucson, Arizona; St. Louis; New York City; Dayton, Ohio; Charlotte; and Palo Alto, California.

A national Tesla representative did not return a request for comment. On Tchoupitoulas Street, Tesla employees worked behind a locked door and declined to comment They relocated at least eight Tesla vehicles to a fenced lot topped with barbed wire.

Demonstrators took it as a move to prevent onslaughts such as at last week’s Krewe of Orpheus parade. There, some revelers took aggressive aim

second-degree murder New Orleans police say the men executed a “targeted” daytime shooting when they killed 27-year-old Yasmeen Webb and injured a 40-year-old man, a 39-year-old woman and a 24-year-old man in the 700 block of Iberville Street.

Nicholas Miorana Jr who was previously convicted of negligent injury and weapons charges — was also formally charged with possession of a firearm by a felon

The indictment against the three men is one of a trio of second-degree murder indictments the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office announced in a news conference on Thursday District Attorney Jason Wil-

liams hailed the indictments as part of a coordinated effort by prosecutors to tamp down violent crime New Orleans saw crime rates drop precipitously over the last two years.

“That didn’t happen by accident,” Williams said The prosecutors “aren’t satisfied with those gains, though. They’re continuing to try to achieve more.”

The grand jury indicted Jalil Williams, 28, with second-degree murder, obstruction of justice and possession of a weapon by a felon as well as two robbery charges. Williams is accused of robbing and fatally shooting a Cox employee on Dec. 20 in the 800 block of Dwyer Road.

Erick Garrison, 31, who New Orleans police say killed a man in the 3100 block of St. Roch Avenue on Aug. 3 then absconded to Dallas, was indicted on counts of second-degree murder and obstruction of justice.

Prosecutors also announced a first-degree rape and armed robbery indictment against a fourth man, Michael Brooks. Brooks, 42, is accused of forcing his way into a Central City home in August and sexually assaulting a woman He was taken into custody after a SWAT standoff in Uptown.

Email Jillian Kramer at jillian. kramer@theadvocate.com.

at four Tesla Cybertruck that were rolling in between floats, allegedly damaging the vehicles with beads and other objects and leading them to leave the route Those peltings were “a spontaneous outburst” against “the installation of oligarchy in the U.S.,” said demonstrator Tony Switzer

Tesla’s stock has slid by nearly half since Trump took office in January, though it rose a bit Tuesday when Trump bought a red Tesla in a show of support for Musk that he continued on his Truth Social }platform. Musk was “’putting it on the line’ in order to help our Nation, and he is doing a FANTASTIC JOB!” Trump wrote. “But the Radical Left Lunatics, as they often do, are trying to illegally and collusively boycott Tesla, one of the World’s great

automakers, and Elon’s ‘baby,’ in order to attack and do harm to Elon, and everything he

stands for.” The Associated Press contributed to this report.

item that, among other things, would lower the maximum rate of the state’s income tax and increase deductions for residents over 65; set a “government growth limit” that restricts how much lawmakers can increase spending from one year to the next; and gives parishes the option of repealing the property tax on business inventory One of the highest-profile components of the amendment would give teachers a $2,000 pay raise and school support workers a $1,000 raise. But the money for those raises would come at the expense of other educational programs, which has prompted some criticism.

n Amendment 3 would expand the list of crimes in the Constitution for which juveniles could be prosecuted as adults.

n Amendment 4 would change the timeline for elections for vacant and newly created judgeships. Some of the amendments have been challenged in court. New Orleans attorney William Most, representing a pastor and two teachers, argued in a lawsuit challenging the tax overhaul in Amendment 2 that the wording of the ballot measure is illegally slanted in favor of the proposition. And Voice of the Experienced, a statewide advocacy group, filed a suit challenging the constitutionality of Amendments 1 and 3.

A Baton Rouge church leader has also argued that Amendment 2 could lead to the elimination of some church property tax exemptions.

Early voting runs from March 15 to March 22, excluding Sunday. Early voting locations in each parish are open from 8:30 a.m to 6 p.m. Staff writers Lara Nicholson and Alyse Pfeil contributed reporting for this story

GREEK

Continued from page 1B

are open for everyone to attend, to admire and eventually to join our church,” he said “We have proven, I think, that in the United States we can be an integral and dynamic part of the American reality.”

His personal mission is to foster Christian unity he said, at a time when the world is increasingly riven by political, cultural and religious divisions. To the seminarians at Notre Dame, he underscored their shared understanding of the Christian Gospel teachings of Jesus Christ

“Our ministry is the same because we are Christians and our traditions are so close to each other,” he said. To Aymond, he brought a message of friendship.

“We have a long and beautiful tradition dating back centuries, where the heads of our churches meet together when regularly,” he said.

Holy Trinity was the first Eastern Orthodox church in North America when it was established in New Orleans in 1864 in the Sixth Ward on what is now North Dorgenois Street. It relocated in the 1980s to its current location on Allen Toussaint Boulevard, overlooking Bayou St John.

Over the years, it has remained the cultural nucleus for GreekAmerican families throughout the region.

Like the Roman Catholic Church, the Greek Orthodox church has seen its membership shrink in recent years, amid growing secularism and disillusionment among younger people with organized religion. One of Elpidophoros’ priorities is to reach new communities around the globe.

“We have to develop our faith and share our faith with everyone, with all nations,” he said.

Promoting ecumenism, a movement within Christianity that promotes dialogue and communication among denominations and faith traditions, is another priority At a time when religion is often weaponized and politicized, Elpidophoros said it important to guard against radical forms of any organized faith.

“Christian nationalism is dangerous, and any alignment of religion with radical ideas is extremely dangerous for our world,” he said. “I will never encourage any identification of Christian faith with any political party nor I will not allow any idea of violence to enter in our communities using the faith and the teachings of the gospel.”

Email Stephanie Riegel at stephanie.riegel@theadvocate. com.

Protesters express their issues with Elon Musk and President Donald Trump.

STAFF PHOTOS By CHRIS GRANGER

A protester outside a Tesla Service Center on Tchoupitoulas Street in New Orleans expresses their issues with Elon Musk on Friday.

Man drives wrong way on Causeway

No crashes or injuries reported

BY BOB WARREN Staff writer

If his nearly 16 years running the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway has taught Carlton Dufrechou one thing, it’s this:

“There’s never a dull moment on the world’s longest bridge.”

Dufrechou was reminded of that again at 7:48 a.m. Friday morning, after Causeway police officers stopped a

motorist who had driven the wrong way on the bridge for about two miles.

There were no crashes or injuries, but there were some scary moments, Dufrechou said The driver, who wasn’t identified, apparently got on the northbound span of the bridge in Metairie and for a time was driving in the correct direction. But a couple miles into his drive, Dufrechou said, the driver managed to turn around and began driving back toward Metairie against traffic.

The Causeway’s fog restrictions were in effect Friday morning, with southbound traffic in convoys and northbound traffic restricted to the right lane, with a reduced speed limit.

“Our commuters are well trained,” Dufrechou, the Causeway general manager, said. “At least this guy had the presence of mind to stay in the closed lane.”

Dufrechou said a number of drivers began calling bridge operators to report the wrong-way driver

“It was very short and

brief — a bunch of people calling,” he said.

Video that a motorist posted on the Facebook page “West St. Tammany Traffic and Donuts” showed the vehicle, a silver or gray SUV, driving the wrong way. The post drew multiple comments.

“Holy crap! I can’t believe the cars just driving right past I would not be able to do that,” Brittany Badinger posted on the page.

Police quickly intercepted the driver and stopped him as soon he exited the span.

Dufrechou said the man’s vehicle was properly registered and insured, but that he wasn’t carrying a driver’s license. Dufrechou said the driver was not impaired.

The officers wrote several tickets and detained the driver until a family member came to pick him and his vehicle up, Dufrechou said.

Dufrechou said it’s not the first time someone has driven the wrong way on the 24mile bridge.

“But mostly when they’re drunk and late at night,” he added.

Ex-arson investigator faces new charges

Man sentenced to prison, arrested in video voyeurism case

BY MICHELLE HUNTER Staff writer

Three months after a for-

mer Jefferson Parish arson investigator was sentenced to prison in a child sex abuse case, authorities have arrested him on new charges of video voyeurism Marshall Gaubert was ordered to serve eight years in prison December after he

SCHOOLS

Continued from page 1B

pleaded guilty to indecent behavior with juveniles in a case involving three young girls.

But Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office investigators booked Gaubert on Wednesday with two counts of video voyeurism, one count video voyeurism involving a child under 17 and one count of video voyeurism involving sexually explicit material, according to court records. According to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, a person cleaning out Gaubert’s Metairie home discovered flash drives that were believed to belong to the Fire Department.

would receive from the city by $20 million, which meant schools had budgeted, made hiring decisions and greenlit programs with inflated numbers. At the time, district officials said the mistake was caused by a “district error” involving a mix-up of fiscal and annual years. School Board members took responsibility and vowed to make up at least some of the deficit. Payments to schools have not been reduced since the error was discovered. After months of trying to determine the extent of the accounting error, city and district officials now believe that revenues could have been overestimated by $50 million: $25 million in monthly payments to schools and possibly an additional $25 million in deferred revenue that schools typically receive at the end of the academic year In November, a deal between the city, the School Board and City Council that would have put an end to an unrelated legal dispute over tax collection, seemed to offer a glimmer of hope. Under the deal, the city would have paid the district $90 million over the next decade, with $20 million paid out by April. The city also agreed to stop charging a 2% administrative fee for taxes it collects for the School Board, which officials have said would give the district an additional $11 million annually But last month Mayor

TURF

Continued from page 1B

Eagles’ and Chiefs’ logos could still be seen in the end zones

“It’ll fade eventually,” Alexis said. “But I think this looks cool.” School use

NORD manages more than 165 neighborhood parks, playgrounds, recreation centers, pools and stadiums and partners with schools and organizations for use of its fields.

“One of the nice things about NORD receiving the turf is that schools get to use it too. College games. High school games. It’s for lots of people,” said NORDC spokesperson Emily Oliver Alexis said NORDC fields were originally constructed solely for neighborhood recreation and lack subsurface padding and other elements used in competitive sports. Turf, however, offers a softer, leveled ground unlike grass fields that may suffer from holes and uneven footing when improperly maintained.

There are 17 New Orleans high schools that use NORDC playing fields for practice or games and a handful of others using them as a backup when their home fields are unplayable, according to Walter Scott, longtime New Orleans high school coach. New baseball teams at Southern University at New Orleans and Xavier and Dillard universities add to the pool of schools in need of playing space, he said.

New Orleans Area Deaths

Clark, Louise del Marmol, George Dennis Sr.,Austin Fobbs, Edward Mancuso, Loraine Miesch, Martha Molden Sr., Henry Watkins, Gail E Jefferson Garden of Memories

del Marmol, George Mancuso, Loraine New Orleans Charbonnet

But at least one of the flash drives contained inappropriate images of underage girls, according to Capt. Jason Rivarde, spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office.

Under Louisiana law, video voyeurism is defined as using a camera or other image recording device to take photos or videos of a person without their consent for lewd or lascivious purposes.

The Sheriff’s Office did not disclose the type of images discovered or where they were recorded. It’s also unclear if the victims in the voyeurism case were the same girls Gaubert pleaded guilty to abusing.

Cantrell reneged on the agreement, saying the city could not afford it, leaving schools in a state of uncertainty as they began budgeting for next school year

Justin Pickel, CFO of Collegiate Academies, said that he supported Fulmore’s plan and urged the board to pass her recommendation. Without it he said, Collegiate Academies, which operates four high schools and one post-high school program, would lose up to $1.6 million.

Alex Jarrel, CEO of Ben Franklin High School, said the plan was a “positive step.”

“With this funding, we won’t be whole,” he said, “but we can ensure that the day-to-day operations at Franklin will not be impacted.”

After the settlement agreement fell apart, NOLA

Gaubert, who had been with the East Bank Consolidated Fire Department since 2009, was first arrested in 2021 after a then-10-year-old girl revealed that he had inappropriately touched her between 2018 and 2020, the Sheriff’s Office said. Two more victims later came forward The women, who were adults in 2021, told Sheriff’s Office detectives that Gaubert had sexually abused them, as well, when they were children.

The Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office charged Gaubert with two counts of indecent behavior

Public Schools Chief Financial Officer Nyesha Veal presented the School Board with three ways to make up the gap. Each option involved pulling money from the district’s operating budget, its reserves and its “systemwide needs fund,” a pot of money the district uses for systemwide projects like growing the pipeline of new teachers.

Fulmore’s plan would take $18 million from reserves and $7 million from the operating budget, but would not touch the needs fund She said the move would not impact programs or services for students because the money has not been allocated.

The district expects to have extra operating funds, including from investment income. The district also will work to build back its

with a juvenile under the age of 13 and one count of indecent behavior with a juvenile in April 2024. He pleaded guilty as charged Dec. 4.

In a bond hearing Friday, Jefferson Parish Magistrate Commissioner Paul Schneider set bail on Gaubert’s video voyeurism charges at $40,000.

Schneider ordered that Gaubert could return to Raymond Laborde Correctional Center in Cottonport, where he is serving his prison sentence.

Email Michelle Hunter at mhunter@theadvocate. com.

savings in part by searching for redundant central office jobs that could be eliminated, Fulmore said.

After a financial audit concludes this month, officials will be able to confirm the accuracy of deferred revenue projections, Fulmore said. Officials have said that those estimates could also have been inflated by up to $25 million.

“We’re already thinking about that: What do we still have available to use?” Fulmore said, adding that the district might have to tap the systemwide needs fund. And as the legal battle with the city wages on, the district isn’t counting on money from the settlement anytime soon. A judge will decide next week whether the mayor is obligated to uphold the city’s end of the deal.

Fobbs, Edward DW Rhodes Clark, Louise Molden Sr., Henry Professional Watkins, Gail West Bank

Davis Mortuary Dennis Sr.,Austin

Obituaries Clark, Louise Ana Hogan

The turf will also improve drainage issues during harsh rains that can leave schools searching for a temporary backup plan

Beneath the “rug” as it’s colloquially known among NORDC officials is a layer of rocks and drain

“There are more college and high school teams playing baseball in the city than ever before. There is just no place to play,” Scott said St Augustine High School, through a partnership with NORDC, will begin using the field at Perry Roehm Baseball Stadium when installation is complete, officials said Improved drainage

pipes graded to channel water off the field.

“You’ll never see water just sitting on the field,” Alexis said.

NORDC Athletic Director Jermaine Hall estimated 10 games were rained out last year, despite it being a drier season. But it was “excessive” at Larry Gilbert, which tends to hold water, he said. Gilbert is one of the most used fields for high schools.

“The turf is going to be a bonus there. When it rains, it puts them at a disadvantage. You can lose two to three days of use because of the drainage,” Hall said.

The turf fields will still require regular upkeep with specialized equipment in place of a lawn mower The pellets need to be redistributed twice per season, and they need to be replaced once a year

The turf projects come as the chronically underfunded and understaffed agency has faced criticism for facility upkeep and inconsistent youth programs across its parks.

In December, former Orleans Parish prosecutor Laura Cannizzarro Rodrigue lambasted the department saying it neglects its facilities and that its fail-

ures contribute to the city’s juvenile crime problem.

CEO Larry Barabino Jr responded noting the difficulty in maintaining NORDC’s large portfolio of playgrounds and facilities and fired off a list of major renovation projects currently underway

“We are constantly repairing, replacing and fixing, especially when it comes to our outdoor facilities, where we deal heavily with vandalism,” Barabino said in a December interview

Email Joni Hess at joni. hess@theadvocate.com.

school teacher and was a skilled piano player and at the age of 16, Louise became the organist at Beulah Baptist Church with unwavering commitment until her retirement in Au‐gust, 2022. Additionally, Sister Clark served as Pres‐ident of the Beautifying Ministry She also played for neighboring churches in the Gert Town commu‐nity namely Greater King Solomon, First Zion, Little Zion, St. Joseph Churches Louise was educated in the New Orleans Public school system graduating from McDonogh #35 in 1945. She attended Southern Univer‐sity in Baton Rouge and Dillard University On March 23, 1949, Louise was united in Holy Matrimony to Willie “Bill” Clark, Sr., a WWII veteran Louise gave birth to 11 children, Doris, Joseph, Patricia, Kenneth Michael, Charles, Linda, Deborah, Keith, Wayne and Sharon and was mother to Willie, Jr and Willie Mae After retiring from Charity Hospital, she pursued her passion for helping others as a nursing assistant, as a private caregiver and at Chateau de Notre Dame Community Care Center Louise and her husband Bill operated the Starlight Café at 7731 Forshey St. in Gert Town after the retire‐ment of Odile and Lowney Washington. Their children worked in the family busi‐ness and they employed many people who lived in the community Bill and Louise also sponsored flag football and baseball teams at Norwood Thomp‐son Park. Sister Louise was preceded in death by her husband, Willie M. Clark Sr.; her children, Joseph Clark Patricia Clark Willie Clark, Jr., and Willie Mae Griffin; her parents, Rhum and Rosalie Hogan; her brother Raymond Hogan; two grandsons, Chester Reeder III and Kenneth (Pee-Wee) Clark and a granddaughter, Patricia Clark Louise is survived and missed by her chil‐dren; Doris Jackson (John) Kenneth Clark (Debbie), Michael Clark (Wonda) Charles Clark, Linda Clark, Deborah (Andrew), Keith Clark, Sr. (Crystal), Wayne Clark, Sr. (Theresa) and

STAFF PHOTO By BRETT DUKE

NORDC Athletic Director Jermaine Hall walks across the newly installed turf at Joe Brown Park baseball field in New Orleans on Friday. NORDC is giving new life to the Super Bowl LIX turf from the Superdome by installing it at several locations.

New Orleans to further

4B ✦ Saturday, March 15, 2025 ✦ nola.com

and missed by her chil‐dren; Doris Jackson (John), Kenneth Clark (Debbie) Michael Clark (Wonda), Charles Clark, Linda Clark Deborah (Andrew), Keith Clark Sr (Crystal) Wayne Clark, Sr (Theresa) and Sharon Washington (Willie Sr.); siblings, Elaine Davis, Carol Carter, Andrew Hogan (Barbara) Mary Carter (Nathan); her sisterin-law, Almatha Taylor, and brothers-in-law, Rev Louis C Clark, Johnny Taylor and Herbert Kennedy; 24 grand‐children 39 great-grand‐children and 6 great-great grandchildren; her cher‐ished friend, Emma Tapp, as well as a host of nieces nephews and cousins, rela‐tives and friends Relatives and friends of the family Pastors, officers and mem‐bers of Beulah B.C and Congregation, First Zion

M.B.C Mount Pilgrim B.C of Clinton, LA, New Begin‐nings M.B.C Greater King Solomon M.B.C., First Evan‐gelist B.C and all neighbor‐ing churches, also, employ‐ees of DePaul Community Health Center, Clark Paint‐ing, LLC., La Cancer Re‐search Center LCRC Clark Consulting, LLC., Starlight Construction, LLC Home Depot and Regional Med‐ical are all invited to at‐tend a Visitation and Musi‐cal Tribute at Greater King Solomon Missionary Bap‐tist Church 3305 Audubon Street on Friday, March 14, 2025 from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Her Funeral Service will be held at Greater King Solomon Missionary Bap‐tist Church, 3305 Audubon Street on Saturday March 15, 2025 at 10:00 am. Visita‐tion will be held from 8:00 am until 10:00 am. Inter‐ment, Providence Park Cemetery Arrangements by D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home, 3933 Washington Avenue Please visit www rhodesfuneral com to sign the guestbook

George Andre del Mar‐

mol 71, of Jefferson passed away peacefully on March 1 2025, after a long illness, leaving behind a legacy of laughter love and a little bit of mischief Born the first boy after three girls in New Orleans, he arrived ready to shake things up As a child ath‐lete, he earned “Best Camper” at Tulane Daycare a title he’d later joke was his early peak. His knack for surprises started young At Mater Delarosa School in kindergarten, he slipped out after his mom dropped him off, only to pop up in the car yelling Surprise!” when she got home. The nuns weren’t amused, but it was classic George. As a teenager, he shone as a tennis player and diver, competing in meets across the South with a grit and grace that defined him. In 1977, he met his wife, Ginger, at LSU in Baton Rouge, sparking a love that carried them through 48 years. He grad‐uated with a degree in con‐struction technology, building not just structures but a life full of warmth and connection. A devoted Catholic (received the Order of St Louis Medallion last year), George found strength in his faith as a longtime parishioner of St Agnes, where he was a fa‐miliar cherished face Though they had no chil‐dren, George and Ginger were surrounded by a lov‐ing family and a tight-knit circle of friends who’ll miss his quick wit and steady presence He faced his ill‐ness with the same courage he brought to div‐ing boards and tennis courts, and now he rests in peace, forever adored by his wife and cherished by all who knew him. Rela‐tives and friends are in‐vited to attend the Funeral Services at St Agnes Catholic Church, 3310 Jef‐ferson Hwy Jefferson, LA 70121. Visitation will begin at 9:30 am with a Mass offi‐ciated by Fr Dennis Hayes starting at 10:00 am. Inurn‐ment will followed in Gar‐den of Memories Ceme‐tery, 4900 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA 70001. To order flowers or offer condo‐lences, please visit www gardenofmemoriesmetairi e com.

Rev. Dr. Austin Dennis Sr. entered eternal rest on Tuesday, March 4 2025, at the age of 94. He was a na‐tive of Opelousas LA and a resident of Harvey, LA Rev Dennis was Pastor Emeri‐tus of New Zion Baptist Church of Marrero and Children of Israel Baptist Church of Killona He at‐tended A.P Clay Christian Bible College, Christian Bible College and Union Baptist Theological Semi‐nary, where he received a Doctorate in Theology He was Vice President Emeri‐tus with Purelight Baptist and Educational Associa‐tion, and he served as President of Seven Churches Tent Revival Rev Dennis was also a retired employee of Louisiana De‐partment of Transportation and Development and a former employee of T L James Foreman Company of Ruston, LA. Beloved hus‐band of Carolyn Toussaint Dennis, and the late Sylva‐nia Dennis by first mar‐riage, and Adline Cooks Dennis by second mar‐riage Loving father of Syl‐vania (Rodney) Perry, Veronica (Rickey) Nelson Bernadette Oakley (Jerome), Delores (Joseph) Thierry, John Dennis, Sr., James Dennis Sr Austin Dennis, Jr., Rose Ryles, Di‐anne C Brown, Paula A Castro, Flora C. Morris (Clifford), Velma C. Ander‐son (Donald, Sr.), Delia C Holmes, Rev Kim C Castro, Sr. (Troylynn) Ezekiel Tous‐saint, Derrick (Alexis) Tou‐ssaint Treenice Williams (Clifford), Carolyn (Charles) Junius Rev Johnny (Oshele) Byrd, Danijah and Jamal Dennis Great grandfather of the late Dezaniyah Harrison Son of the late John Dennis and Edolia Dennis Brother of Sarah Dennis, Elsie Den‐nis Thomas, and the late Gladys Bellard, Easton Den‐nis, Issac and Joseph Williams Ivory and Izeal Vallian. Uncle of the late Vonessa Gadison, and Ezo‐lia Johnson. Also cherish‐ing his memories are 61 grandchildren, 95 great grandchildren, 12 great great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins other relatives and friends Relatives and friends of the family also pastors, officers, and members of New Zion Bap‐tist Church, Children of Is‐rael Baptist Church Rock of Ages Baptist, and all neighboring churches; members of Purelight Bap‐tist and Educational Asso‐ciation are all are invited to say farewell. Remains will lie in repose at New Zion Baptist Church, 1131 Garden Road, Marrero, LA on Sunday, March 16, 2025, from 3:00 p.m - 6:00 p.m Celebration of Life will be held at Rock of Ages Bap‐tist Church 6533 Acre Road, Marrero, LA on Mon‐day March 17, 2025, at 11:00 a.m Pastor T. A Ran‐son Sr host pastor; Pas‐tor Edward Joseph III of St Mary Baptist Church, offici‐ator; Bishop J D. Wiley of Life Center Cathedral offi‐ciating Viewing will be held from 8:00 a.m.-10:45a.m. ONLY. Inter‐ment: Restlawn Park Cemetery-Avondale LA Arrangements by Davis Mortuary Service 230 Mon‐roe St., Gretna, LA To view and sign the guestbook please go to davismortu‐aryservice.com. Face masks are recommended

Mo ter Pa Fobbs; brother, Thaddeus Fobbs He is also survived by a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends Ed‐ward is preceded in death by his parents, grandpar‐ents, Edna H. Washington and Walter Washington, three brothers, Mervin Fobbs, Mitchell Fobbs, Joseph Fobbs and nephew Eric Fobbs Family, rela‐tives and friends are in‐vited to attend the Home‐going Celebration honoring the life of Edward Lionel Fobbs on Sunday, March 16, 2025 at Charbonnet Fu‐neral Home in the Chapel of Roses, 1615 St Philip St. New Orleans, LA at 1:00 pm. Visitation at 12:00 pm Interment Private Please sign the online guestbook at Charbonnet Labat Fu‐neral Home - New Orleans LA. Charbonnet Labat Glapion, Directors (504) 581-4411.

Mancuso, Loraine Mary Kuebler 'Lori'

Loraine Mary Kuebler

Mancuso, "Lori," was born in St Rose, Louisiana on October 19, 1927 to the late Hans Walter Kuebler and Loraine Mary Kuebler. She had 2 brothers, the late Royce Kuebler and Walter Kuebler. She graduated in 1944 from Mount Carmel High School, where she made many close friends She retained fond memo‐ries of her mischievous pranks as a boarding school student. She en‐joyed travelling downtown where she took accordion lessons at Werlein's Canal Street music store She earned a drafting certifi‐cate from the state's De‐partment of Education Di‐vision of Vocational Train‐ing for War Production Workers in 1944. She was an exceptionally skilled draftswoman working first at Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company Later she worked at Palmer and Baker Engi‐neering firm, drawing meticulous plans for high‐way structures At the USO dances at Camp Plauche during World War II, she and her St. Rose friends displayed their jitterbug dancing skills to boost the soldiers' morale She mar‐ried the late band director William Joseph Mancuso They resided in Kenner and had two children: Donna Mancuso (husband Daniel LaGrone; granddaughter Claire) and the late William Wayne Mancuso, Sr. (wife Carol; late grandson William Wayne Mancuso, Jr.; granddaughters Carole Anne Perkins (husband Ronny), and Kelly Guidry Her great-grandchildren are J Vincent Guidry and Bailey Guidry, and Tristan Perkins). Loraine attended Our Lady of Holy Cross Col‐lege for teaching certifica‐tion. She taught for many years at St Philip Neri School where she was highly requested by par‐ents due to her reputation for eliciting academic ex‐cellence from her students She was treasured for her natural teaching skills, the plays she directed, and her exciting Social Studies pro‐jects She also became an award-winning realtor for Prudential Gardner, achiev‐ing the status of Life Mem‐ber of the Multi- Million Dollar Club and Member of the Prestigious President's Circle She was an avid dri‐ver never missing an op‐portunity to hop in her Caddy to show clients their next home Loraine retired as a realtor at the age of 92. At 80, she was an extra in multiple scenes in the movie The Curious Case of Benjamin Button She de‐clined a speaking part in order to care for an ill fam‐ily member At the 2020 Thoth parade, age 92, her exuberance for catching Mardi Gras throws was photographed and posted in the Times Picayune Her cane was yet another aid to grab some beads. Lo‐raine's most admirable trait was her unwavering selflessness. She was a tireless caretaker of family members. Funeral services will be held at Garden of Memories Funeral Home 4900 Airline Drive, Metairie, Louisiana 70001, on Satur‐day, March 15, 2025. Visita‐tion will begin at 10:00 am with a funeral mass to start at 12:00 pm. Burial will follow immediately after Mass in Garden of Memories Cemetery. Pall‐bearers are nephews Don Kuebler, Stephen Kuebler, as well as Daniel LaGrone, Tristan Perkins, Wayne Mancuso and Allen Hebert To offer the family online condolences, send flowers, or plant a tree in Memory of Loraine Mary Kuebler Mancuso "Lori," visit www gardenofmemorie airi

Ttan P Wayne Mancuso and Allen Hebert

To offer the family online condolences, send flowers, or plant a tree in Memory of Loraine Mary Kuebler Mancuso, "Lori," visit www gardenofmemorie smetairie com.

Martha Haubert Miesch was born to Bernard and JuanitaHaubert on December 22, 1940. Martha was theloving eldest sister to Linda, Johnny, and Billy. The siblingsremained close for their entire lives.

Although Martha was born in Kansas, she grew up in Fort Worth, Texas. Her paternal grandparents lived on anearby farm, and it was there that she learned to swim, in asmall muddy pond, called the tank.Itwas there that she developed alovefor the outdoors, and for plants, and for wildlife. Her mother was an activemember of the Fort WorthGarden Club,and Martha became involved in gardening as well. At an early age, Martha showed atalent forart, particularly in oil painting. Over the years, she dabbled in many mediums, at which she excelled. She enjoyed painting abstracts, still life scenes and portraits.

Martha attended North Texas State Universityin Denton, Texas, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Home Economics. Shortly after graduating from college, Martha began teaching, and her roommate introduced her to the love of her life.

The two met on ablind date, fellinlove, and a year later, married. Together, Martha and Pete brought three girls into the world, Katrina, Elizabeth, and Deanna, and together Pete and Martha raised their children withanexample of love and respect. As much as Martha loved her own children, avery special love was awakened in 2006, when she became agrandmother to Stella. Being Grandma became Martha's favorite job.

Moving became amajor part of Martha's life because her husband's work as apetroleum engineer took him to places allover the world.Wherever Pete and Martha moved,Martha devoted herself to her family, she worked hard, she earned income, she pursued her interests, and she made lifelong friends.

While Martha had three children who were under the age of six, Martha somehow managed to find the time to earn her Master's degree in Art History from Southern Methodist Universityin Highland Park, Texas.

When Pete's work took him overseas, Martha studied French and Spanish, she painted,and she became actively involved as aparent volunteer at the girls' school, The American School of Algiers.

While she lived in New Orleans, she worked as a substituteteacher,she worked as adocent at the New Orleans Museum of Art for the King Tut exhibit, she worked as asubstitute teacher, and she became certified in theJapanese art of flower arranging, ikebana, and she was honored to serve as President of Ikebana International.

She loved this art form so much that when she moved to Dallas, she and a colleague co-authored an instructional book forchildren to learn about ikebana. Withone daughter in college, and two still in high school, Martha continued to substituteteach, and she accepted longterm teaching positions.

After her three children had graduated fromcollege, Martha found herself working as ateacher at Dallas Children's Hospital, where she taught terminally ill children. As heartbreaking as some days were at the hospital, Martha continued to go because she loved the children.

When Pete and Martha retired to Kerrville, Martha continued to work with children. She mentored students, and she studied to become aMaster Naturalist. After she had earned this certification, Martha found herself volunteering at the Riverside Nature Center, working with children and plants, and this became her second home.

In 2019, Martha was diagnosed withvascular dementia, and the dementia

Nature Center, working with childrenand plants, andthis became her second home. In 2019, Marthawas diagnosed with vascular dementia, and the dementia progressed rapidly in 2021 following aknee surgery with alocal anesthetic Despite forgetting words, names, faces, how to perform tasks, and eventually losing theability to move, Martha handled every second of battlingthis debilitating disease with grace. She faced the physical and mental challenges with smiles, jokes, laughter, and style. She never complained. Somehow,even though she forgot about some of the most important events in her life, she never forgot how to be polite, considerate, and thoughtful. Every day with dementia was aday filled with challenges, but Martha never felt sorry for herself, nor did sheever give up; sherelentlessly practiced everything she learned in physical therapy. She had always been an active person, butafter she was diagnosed with dementia, exercise became very difficult. Still, Martha exercised and walked, and she got outof bed, no matter howpoorly she felt.

Martha was aproud Democrat. She had apassion for learning andfor helping others. Sheexhibited kindness and compassion to everyoneshe met. She wasachampion for public education,national healthcare, environmental protection,women's rights, AIDS, Planned Parenthood, the League of Women's Voters, and she made it her life mission to protect and to educate children

Martha is preceded in death by her loving mother, Juanita and father, Bernard. She leaves behind her sister Linda, and her brothers Johnny, and Billy. She leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews. She leaves behind her loving husbandof 61 years and seven months, Edward Peter Miesch. Sheleaves behind her beloved children, Katrina Ann, Elizabeth Dawn, Deanna Jane, and her only grandchild, Stella Carina, and her former son -in-law, Tyler Mac Gill.

In the last hoursof Martha's life on March 13, 2025, she was blessed to have her hand held by her loving husband and her daughters. Bernard and Juanita will welcome seeing their loving daughter again, and although Martha's friends and family will miss her, they will remember her always, with love.

Rosary will be held at 5 PM, Sunday, March 16, 2025, at Grimes Funeral Chapels. Funeral services will be held at 10 AM, Monday, March 17, 2025, at Notre Dame Catholic Church. Family burial will be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church Cemetery in Clarksville, TX. Condolences may be sent at www.grimesfuneral chapels.com.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Grimes Funeral Chapels of Kerrville.

Molden Sr., Rev. Dr. Henry Ernest

Reverend Doctor

his

Helen Marie Joseph Molden. They enjoyed 75 years of wedded bliss. Dr Molden is predeceased by his parents, Freddie and Magnolia Molden, siblings, Freddie Molden Jr Ethel Hunter, Alfred Molden, Mary Craig and his son Gregory L Molden, MD He is survived by his wife Helen, his daughter Debo‐rah Molden Underwood (Levi), his sons, Henry E Molden, Jr (Sabrina) and Karl B Molden Sr (Sherita), as well as seven grandchildren Angelo Sean and Gyasi Under‐wood, Jamal and Kwame Molden, Brandon and Karl Molden and nine great grandchildren His is a legacy of untiring love and dedication to his family The visitation will be held at Mount Tabor Baptist Church, 4128 Franklin Av‐enue New Orleans LA 70122, Rev Dr. Ronnie M Vinson Pastor, on Satur‐day, March 15, 2025, from 9 – 10 am The funeral

Watkins, age 70, de‐parted this Earthly Life on Friday, March 7, 2025. She is preceded in eternal life by her husband,

daughter,

parents,

and Evelyn

great grandson, Isaiah Windford; 6 siblings; in-laws, Clarence and Margarete Watkins; and sister, Joyce Bell. Gail leaves to cherish her fond memories her 3 children Lakeisha Watkins Jasmin (Demond), Quielie Watkins and Clifford Watkins (Lakelia Jackson); 7 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandchild; and a host of nieces, nephes, other relatives, and friends Relatives and friends of the family are all invited to attend her Cele‐bration of Life Service on Saturday, March 15, 2025 10:00AM, at Good Hope Baptist Church 2028 Wyer St, Gretna, LA. Visitation will be held from 9:00AM until the hour of service Interment Restlawn Memo‐rial Park, Avondale, LA Please visit www pfsnewo rleans com for full obitu‐ary, sign the guestbook, and/or order flowers Ser‐vices Entrusted to: Profes‐sional Funeral Services “Celebrating Life” 1449 N Claiborne Ave. New Or‐leans, LA 70116. 504-9487447.

Miesch, Martha Haubert

Watkins, Gail

Gail

Clifford Watkins;

Jamie Watkins;

Willie

Honor;

del Marmol, George Andre

Fobbs,

BRIEFS FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

Wall Street rallies to best day in months

U.S. stocks rallied to their best day in months on Friday as Wall Street’s roller coaster suddenly shot back upward. That still wasn’t enough to keep the U.S. market from a fourth straight losing week, its longest such streak since August.

The S&P 500 jumped a day after closing more than 10% below its record for its first “correction” since 2023. The last time the index shot up that much was the day after President Donald Trump’s election, when Wall Street was focusing on the upsides of Trump’s return to the White House.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq composite also jumped.

A multiday “relief rally could be coming” after so much negativity built among investors, said Yung-Yu Ma, chief investment officer at BMO Wealth Management. Swings in sentiment don’t go full-tilt in just one direction forever, and the U.S. stock market has been tumbling quickly since setting a record less than a month ago. While stock prices may be close to finishing their reset to account for tariffs set to hit in April Ma said concerns about how big an impact cutbacks in federal spending will have on the economy are “likely to remain for some time.”

BR office once home of Lamar sells for $2M

An office building on Corporate Boulevard that was once the headquarters of Lamar has been sold for $2 million.

The building at 5551 Corporate was purchased by an LLC of the same name, according to documents filed Thursday with the East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court’s office. The seller was River Regional Properties III LLC of Baton Rouge, which lists as officers former Ascension Parish Coroner Dr John Fraiche and his wife, Donna, an attorney and longtime civic and community leader Local attorney Charles Landry was listed as the manager of 5551 Corporate, according to a business filing with the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office. Landry said he facilitated the deal for a client, whom he could not disclose. The buyer is in the process of evaluating what will be needed to renovate the space for any potential future tenants Will Adams and Kelly Morgan of Beau Box Commercial Real Estate represented the sellers, while Fabian Edwards of Elifin Realty represented the buyers. The agents would not disclose details about the sale, citing confidentiality requests made by the parties involved.

The office at 5551 Corporate is a three-story, nearly 52,000-squarefoot building that once served as the offices for Lamar Advertising. The building opened in 1981 and was renovated in 2013 It was damaged in a fire in December 2023 and has been vacant since then.

Gold rises to new heights as anxiety spreads

Amid widespread economic turmoil, the price of gold has soared to levels never seen before.

The going price for New York spot gold closed Thursday at record $2,988 per troy ounce — the standard for measuring precious metals, which is equivalent to 31 grams — per FactSet. That’s over $825 higher than gold’s spot price one year ago Gold futures surpassed the $3,000 mark Thursday But as of Friday afternoon, fell to just over $2,994.

The price of spot gold is up nearly 14% since the start of 2025, per FactSet By contrast, the stock market has tumbled. The benchmark S&P 500 has tumbled more than 5% this year, with even blue chip stocks fading Interest in buying gold can rise sharply in times of uncertainty, as anxious investors seek safe havens for their money If trends continue, analysts say gold’s price could continue to climb in the months ahead

BUSINESS

NOLA.COM/BIZ

U.S. public nervous about economy

Trump’s tariffs drive consumer anxiety

BY JOSH BOAK and CHRISTOPHER RUGABER Associated Press

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump’s volatile tariff threats are unleashing historic jumps in public anxiety, with the potential to undermine his pledges to strengthen a U.S economy that is increasingly weakened.

The University of Michigan’s index of consumer sentiment tumbled 10.5% on a monthly basis in March and plunged 27.1% over the past year The preliminary report released Friday shows that consum-

ers’ expectations of annual inflation climbed to 3.9% from 3.5%, the largest monthly jump since 1993.

Along with a ferocious stock market sell-off and downgrades to growth estimates by Wall Street economists, the latest confidence numbers are evidence of possible blowback facing Trump, who just months into his term has suggested that his threats of import taxes meant to create factory jobs would in the short term cause “a little pain.”

Declines were “seen consistently across all groups by age, education, income, wealth, political affiliations, and geographic regions,” Joanne Hsu, director of the survey said in a statement. “Many consumers cited the high level of uncertainty around

policy and other economic factors.”

Even Trump’s base supporters are turning slightly more pessimistic. Sentiment fell 3.2% among Republicans. They backed Trump in last year’s election on the promise that he would boost growth and bring down prices after inflation spiked to a four-decade high in 2022 under then-President Joe Biden, an event that caused consumer confidence to slump for the Democrat and helped pave the way for Trump’s return.

Bill Adams chief economist at Comerica Bank, warned that the waning confidence could crush economic growth.

“People who are afraid the economy is headed into a ditch won’t buy new cars or houses, go out to eat, or go on vacations,” Adams said. “If

consumer sentiment continues to sour, spending will likely follow it lower and the economy could take a substantial hit.”

The survey also found that Americans expect unemployment to spike in the coming year

So far, Trump appears to be doubling and tripling down on his commitment to taxing imports.

The Michigan consumer sentiment reading follows a sharp drop in consumer confidence in February, as measured in a separate survey by the Conference Board. It also comes as the S&P 500 stock index has fallen more than 8% over the past month, as companies such as Target, Walmart and Ford have warned about the uncertainty caused by tariffs.

Fla. farmers await disease-free trees

Industry battered by storms, loss of acreage

BY MIKE SCHNEIDER Associated Press

LAKEWALES,Fla.— As Trevor Murphy pulls up to his dad’s 20-acre grove in one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States, he points to the cookie-cutter, one-story homes encroaching on the orange trees from all sides.

“At some point, this isn’t going to be an orange grove anymore,” Murphy, a thirdgeneration grower, said as he gazes at the rows of trees in Lake Wales, Florida. “You look around here, and it’s all houses, and that’s going to happen here.” Polk County, which includes Lake Wales, contains more acres of citrus than any other county in Florida. And in 2023, more people moved to Polk County than any other county in the country

Population growth, hurricanes and a vicious citrus greening disease have left the Florida orange industry reeling. Consumers

are drinking less orange juice, citrus growers are folding up their operations in the state and the major juice company Tropicana is struggling to stay afloat. With huge numbers of people moving into Florida’s orange growing areas, developers are increasingly building homes on what were once groves.

Many growers are now making the difficult decision to sell orange groves that have been in their families for generations to developers building homes to house the increasing population.

Others, like Murphy, are sticking it out, hoping to survive until a bug-free tree or other options arrive to repel the disease or treat the trees.

“I would like to think that we’re at the bottom, and we’re starting to climb back up that hill,” Murphy said.

When Hurricane Irma blasted through the state’s orange belt in 2017, Florida’s signature crop already had been on a downward spiral for two decades because of the greening disease. Next came a major freeze and two more hurricanes in 2022, followed by two hurricanes last year A tree that loses branches and foliage in a hurricane can take

three years to recover, Murphy said. Those catastrophes contributed to a 90% decline in orange production over the past two decades. Citrus groves in Florida, which covered more than 832,00 acres at the turn of the century, populated scarcely 275,000 acres last year, and California has eclipsed Florida as the nation’s leading citrus producer

“Losing the citrus industry is not an option. This industry is so ingrained in Florida. Citrus is synonymous with Florida,” Matt Joyner, CEO of trade association Florida Citrus Mutual told Florida lawmakers recently Nevertheless, Alico Inc., one of Florida’s biggest growers, announced this year that it plans to wind down its citrus operations on more than 53,000 acres, saying its production has declined by almost three-quarters in a decade.

That decision hurts processors, including Tropicana, which rely on Alico’s fruit to produce orange juice and must now operate at reduced capacity Orange juice consumption in the U.S. has been declining for the past two decades, despite a small bump during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Producers of Entrepreneur Week set schedule

New Orleans event planned March 24-29

BY RICH COLLINS Staff writer

The producers of New Orleans Entrepreneur Week have released details for the 2025 event, which is scheduled to take place March 2429 at multiple locations citywide before two days of programming on the campus of Loyola University in New Orleans. Now in its 14th year, the free, weeklong celebration of entrepreneurship will gather more than 100 speakers and panelists, who will discuss business, technology innovation and culture.

This year, nonprofit business accelerator The Idea Village, NOEW’s founder, has partnered with Loyola to co-produce the event which is scheduled to coincide

with the New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University

“Bringing NOEW to campus is going to take our entrepreneurship program to a whole new level,” said Robert “Bobby” Savoie, dean of Loyola’s College of Business. “The gathering will be good for participating businesses and will be an excellent networking opportunity for our students.”

The two-day NOEW Summit, previously held at Gallier Hall, is designed to attract entrepreneurs, investors, students and “anyone with a stake in the city’s future.”

The event will spotlight south Louisiana entrepreneurs. Matt Wisdom, who sold his tech company TurboSquid for $75 million in 2021, will join Waitr founder Chris Meaux to talk about the lessons they learned launching their first companies, how they’re approaching entrepreneurship

the second time around, and how AI is reshaping the startup landscape. Jim Odom, founder of PreSonus, will explain how he built and sold his global music tech company

The Fender Musical Instruments Corporation bought the Baton Rouge-based startup in 2021. Walt Leger, president of New Orleans & Company, will join Idea Village CEO Jon Atkinson in a discussion about the future of the New Orleans brand and explore how innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship are fueling the city’s next chapter Hospitality veterans Amy Sins, Larry Morrow and Robert LeBlanc will discuss the future of hospitality and night life in New Orleans, as well as their expansion into new markets. Other highlights of NOEW programming at Loyola include a dedicated “mini-summit” cel-

ebrating Black entrepreneurs and investors, a panel about the business of festivals, and a look at how universities can fuel economic growth.

Unlike previous years, when the week culminated with a pitch competition, this year’s NOEW is taking a different approach. On Friday, three startups that have successfully completed the Idea Village’s accelerator program over the years will make presentations and receive an investment commitment from NOEW, which launched its Momentum Fund last year There will be several other pitch competitions throughout the week. After the Idea Pitch event, NOEW will conclude with a panel focusing on “My Black Country,” a memoir written by songwriter Alice Randall. See the full schedule at NOEW. org.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MARTA LAVANDIER

Trevor Murphy inspects an orange tree in one of his groves on Feb 18 in Sebring, Fla. Murphy, whose family has been growing oranges for generations, is hoping for a cure to citrus greening a bacterial infection that together with other factors has decimated the industry.

OUR VIEWS

Uncertainty, fear are taking

over our conversations

How many of you are dealing with this?

You’re having conversations with family, friends and associates that are supposed to be uplifting and positive, but they start to meander and dissolve into comments about sad events of the day and the ongoing tide of bizarre decisions coming out of Washington, D.C.

Edward Pratt

There’s simply no breathing space for what used to be hours of sitting around chatting about the past, good times, sports and positive thoughts. The conversations are becoming more dire, resulting from the rapid and bizarre rants and troubling minute-to-minute shifting decisions from the White House. Tariffs. Did you know much about them months ago? Thousands of people losing their jobs and families being battered at the whim of a billionaire.

It’s troubling, and try as you might, you can’t get away from it anywhere.

It makes me think of the late Rev. Timothy Wright’s 1981 iconic song, “Trouble Don’t Last Always.” The song is probably sung in virtually every Black Baptist church in the U.S. Its short verses speak to what’s going in the country and across the table right now

Here’s a bit of the song: “I’m so glad trouble don’t last always. I’m so glad. Weeping may endure for a night. Keep the faith, it will be all right.” Man, I want to believe in that.

Sitting around Monday evening with some fellas, we began our usual moments of laughing and joking about goings-on in our past. That’s what a bunch of older guys do when given enough time to reflect. But that came to a sudden halt and drifted to serious talk of the violence here in Baton Rouge and nearby areas, involving children killing children over arguments that mean nothing in the big picture.

There was a bit of defeatism in the conversation about ending the violence. The hope is to find a means to bring a major reduction. The understanding is that this will be tough.

As one guy said, “You can’t get a moment to breathe before some other stupid s*** happens.”

But nothing compares to friendly conversations going up in flames ignited by the lit match of the President Donald Trump + DOGE Elon Musk systematic destruction of jobs, funding for low-income families, health care and education programs

Then there is the talk of tariffs and how people will be affected. Most folk don’t know what tariffs mean, but they know “it just sounds bad,” a friend said.

Well, that’s OK because some in the president’s administration can’t explain it. On the day I was writing this, the president’s press secretary got it wrong about who pays for tariffs.

The uncertainty and the feeling of impending hardships are dominating conversations online, before and after church services, in the middle of card games and among co-workers in offices across the country

The fear is palpable, and why not? In one conversation, a guy asked how some long-standing businesses and young entrepreneurs survive with hundreds of thousands of people being thrown out of work.

What happens with cuts to programs that feed children and protect them from illnesses? And then there’s the thought of how many of these cuts may lead to increased homelessness, crime and even the breakup of families

Remember these conversations are taking the place of fun chats about movies vacations and things that happened while shopping.

You try to sit and watch a basketball game, and a bulletin comes across the screen about tariffs on and off, or government departments being shredded and workers fired, or threats to ignore or lop off one branch of government to make it easy for the president to make his worrisome vision a reality.

Dale Carnegie wrote: “Remember, today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.” I say no way folks worried about or saw something like this coming yesterday

But we can hope that Rev Wright’s song is right that “trouble don’t last always.”

Email Edward Pratt, a former newspaperman, at epratt1972@yahoo.com.

A novel approach to cutting the federal government’s budget

The Trump administration, under direction from Elon Musk, is in a process that might best be described as gutting the budget. The budget is being cut in a way similar to how private corporations do it when they need to maximize efficiency to enhance or restore profits.

The problem is that government’s highest priority is service, not profit, and many people fail to see the distinction. We expect certain services from government, and we do not expect government to profit from providing them. Nor should we. That said, I know of nobody who would object to efforts aimed at squeezing more efficiency and effectiveness from our government. Deficiency in both regards is the reason we find ourselves in such turmoil today Having spent over 20 years in government budgeting, I have to say a variation of the current approach is the only way to actually cut the budget. During my tenure

we tried many ostensibly rational approaches to budget cuts and none of them worked. Though almost as simple as what Musk it doing and things we have done in the past, what I am suggesting has never, in my experience, actually even been tried.

Based on the best information readily available (and, there’s lots of it), assign cuts at the department level. Give department heads the most flexibility possible and tell them to make the cuts and be fully accountable for them. Do not allow an appeals process. This approach would require upfront analysis, but, as I say, the information necessary to assign the cuts is already there, as is the staff necessary to do the analysis. What has been lacking so far is the resolve. The executive branch has to propose it, and the legislative branch has to enact it. Both have to abide by it.

STEPHEN WINHAM retired state budget director

In defense of the lowly penny

“Watch the pennies, and the dollars will take care of themselves” is an adage that may go the way of the alarm clock, rotary phone and marbles.

President Donald Trump has taken on the lowly penny by declaring that the U.S. Mint will issue fewer pennies thus reducing the number in circulation. His excuse is that it costs more to mint than its face value. This has implications on currency use, Congressional power and inflation. Let me focus on the last. As a hypothetical, let’s buy a soft drink at a convenience store. It will be some odd-numbered price such as $1.79 or $2.23 or the like. Adding tax will increase it by some amount that may end in a number other that

0 or 5. There’s a 66% chance of this happening. If you pay by credit this is a moot point. If you pay cash, the penny now takes a front-row seat. What happens to the final cost if it ends in a number other than 0 of 5 (a nickel or a dime.)? Will the store drop the pennies you owe? Not likely You will pony up the difference in cost between the calculated cost and 0 or 5.

Sure, it’s only one penny at the least or four pennies at the most. It is still a real value that is greater than you need to pay The penny is actually a real thing that will save your money “Watch the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves”

EARL PRATZ Metairie

Losing heart as our state and country deteriorate

I feel very discouraged about our state leaders agreeing and following in President Donald Trump’s footsteps. I know our state is “red” and only “blue” in a couple of cities, but our rights as Americans are dwindling every day that these individuals are in office. I pray that during the midterms we will have a few more Democrats step up to the plate.

When everyone works together for the people, I feel that we have better results overall. I’ve written to our representatives but don’t actually expect them to change. Sen. Bill Cassidy approving Robert Kennedy Jr as Secretary of Health and Human Services really tops the cake.

I’m disappointed these actions are claimed to be based upon “Christianity.” I am a Christian and have been all my life. These decisions have nothing to do with those principles taught by Christ. When Trump refused to place his hand on the Bible at his swearing in ceremony, why didn’t Christians jump on that?

LINDA PIERCE New Orleans

Voucher program harms public school teachers

So, as I understand school vouchers, public school teachers’ tax money pays the salary of private schoolteachers. Although I am not certain if this is constitutional, I am certain that it is not appropriate.

CLYDE LEBLANC retired public school teacher East Baton Rouge Parish

Saints assistant

Haslett gets full-circle moment

Some things in life are predestined

Jim Haslett was the son of a coach and knew he would go into coaching as soon as his NFL playing career ended So it was no surprise to Jim and his wife, Beth, when their only son chose the same career path after his collegiate playing days ended.

Chase Haslett recently was named the tight ends coach on Kellen Moore’s new Saints staff, making it a full-circle moment for the Haslett family A little more than 25 years ago, Jim was named the ninth head coach for the Saints and eventually led the club to its first playoff win.

Now, instead of pacing the Superdome sidelines under the pressure and stress as the head coach, Jim looks forward to visiting New Orleans as a proud parent and fan while watching the third generation of coaching Hasletts try to win games as an assistant.

“He’s definitely excited and geared up for it,” the elder Haslett said by phone from his home in Pittsburgh on Wednesday “He’s a heckuva coach He gets along with players really well, and he’s advanced really quickly in a short period of time.”

Added Beth: “He’s like his father, just totally into it. He’s a go-getter.”

Beth joked that the last thing she wanted was another coach in the family After decades of living the transient life of a coach’s wife, she was hoping Chase would choose a more stable and perhaps sane — profession The couple’s daughters,

and son, Chase, pose for a photo after a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans in 1999.

BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer

Safety Reid explains why he chose New Orleans in free agency

According to Justin Reid, about a quarter of the NFL’s 32 teams checked in on him when he became a free agent, a list he soon whittled down to three.

And when he told his family members one of those teams, they made their preference as clear as a cloudless sky

“I was letting them know, ‘Hey, there’s a possibility I end up signing with the (New Orleans) Saints,’ ” Reid recounted. “And my text message thread with the family started blowing up, ‘Sign with the Saints! Sign with the Saints!’ ” Reid, the 28-year-old Prairieville native, granted his family’s wish. Shortly after free agency opened, he agreed to a three-year,

Curiel’s triple powers LSU to victory over Missouri

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

Derek Curiel had reached base in every game of his LSU career before his Southeastern Conference debut Friday The streak wasn’t in jeopardy as he came to the plate in the fourth inning, even though he had popped out and flew out in his first two trips to the plate. It was a big moment for different reasons — the bases were loaded with one out and the score was knotted at 2-2. As the freshman has done so many times already, he got ahead in the count 2-1 before Missouri left-handed senior Ian Lohse left a slider over the plate.

That’s when Curiel pounced

“I read the slider out of (his) hand,” Curiel said, “and I tried my best to stay on it.” He hooked the ball down the left-field line pulling it enough to where he didn’t think it would stay fair But the ball stayed in play and cleared the bases

“I was pointing (at) it, I was like, ‘Come on stay fair,’ “ Curiel said “And then the wind, I think, was going the opposite way, so

it helped push it back a little bit.”

As he slid into the third, he pointed to the sky. The streak was still alive. But more importantly, LSU had taken a 5-2 lead.

Curiel’s triple proved to be the gamechanging hit as No. 1 LSU took down Missouri 12-5 in its SEC opener at Alex Box Stadium.

“Some guys are born to play baseball and born to line up the barrel with a baseball,” LSU coach Jay Johnson said. “He’s one of those guys.”

Four LSU hitters drove in multiple runs including Curiel, sophomore Jake Brown, sophomore Steven Milam and senior Luis Hernandez. Brown, who didn’t even start the game, and Curiel were the only LSU players with multiple hits.

“If they execute the plan with their talent and have good self-discipline to continue to do that, eventually we’re going to break through,” Johnson said. “And I’m pleased

ä See LSU, page 4C

$31.5 million contract with the team he grew up watching. When he was introduced at the Saints’ Airline Drive facility Friday morning, he did so with most of his family sitting in the audience.

“Being right here in this moment, just walking around the building, as everything is starting to settle in, it’s just one of the best feelings ever,” Reid said. “I’ve got my whole family here in the building right now supporting me. I feel like the city is wrapping their arms around me.”

This is more than just a homecoming story of course.

New Orleans plugged a hole on its defense by signing a safety who is coming off arguably his best professional season. He is a

ä See SAINTS, page 3C

I’ve got my whole family here in the building right now supporting me. I feel like the city is wrapping their arms around me.”

BY WILSON ALEXANDER Staff writer

LSU football significantly increased the amount of money that has been spent on its roster going into the 2025 season, helping form a team that coach Brian Kelly believes can contend for the SEC championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff. Kelly told The Advocate in a recent interview that $26.5 million has been

PROVIDED PHOTO By HASLETT FAMILy

Former New Orleans Saints head coach Jim Haslett

Jeff Duncan

JUSTIN REID, Saints safety

ä See DUNCAN, page 3C

PHOTO By PATRICK DENNIS LSU’s Derek Curiel celebrates after hitting a three-run triple in the fourth inning of LSU’s 12-5 win over Missouri on Friday at Alex Box Stadium.

6:40

Skip Bertman’s wife, Sandy, dies at age 87

Sandy Bertman, the wife of former LSU baseball coach and five-time national champion Skip Bertman, died on Thursday night in Baton Rouge, LSU announced Friday She was 87 years old.

Sandy Bertman was a native of Brooklyn and met Skip in 1961 while teaching at Madie Ives Elementary School in Miami. They were engaged three months later and got married on Feb. 11, 1962. Their marriage lasted for 63 years. Sandy arrived in Baton Rouge with her husband in 1984, when he was hired to become the LSU baseball coach. He led the Tigers to their first national championship in 1991 before leading them to four more titles over the next nine seasons. His final season was in 2001.

Cowboys reunite with Fowler on 1-year deal

Lee, Bhatia share lead at The Players

BY DOUG FERGUSON AP golf writer

VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Min Woo

PONTE

Lee and Akshay Bhatia shared the lead at The Players Championship going into a weekend with strong wind in the forecast and the potential for a wide-open chase. That includes Justin Thomas, the biggest surprise Friday Thomas opened with a 78 and was tied for 134th when he set the tournament record with 11 birdies. A bogey from the water on the 18th hole forced him to settle for a 10-under 62 to tie The Players record with Tom Hoge.

“Everything seems to happen in mysterious and weird ways,” Thomas said, unclear if he was speaking to his round or the very game of golf.

Lee made a sloppy bogey on his final hole at the par-5 ninth. Bhatia got creative with a wedge to make birdie on the ninth Both had a 66 and were tied for the lead at 11-under 133.

Thomas was seven shots behind and not the least bit bothered by the deficit.

“I’m happy I have a tee time tomorrow,” Thomas said. “I was losing to everyone playing golf at one point.” Thomas witnessed the only other 62 at the TPC Sawgrass because he was playing with Hoge that day in 2023. He forgot about that until he saw an image posted on the video board behind the 17th green of him and Hoge hugging.

From the right rough on the 18th the plan was to punch it low under the trees to about 20 yards short of the green. But the thick grass grabbed his club and turned it left, and the ball raced through the fair-

way into the water Thomas took a penalty drop, hit a lob wedge to 2 feet for bogey and at least shared the mark.

Now comes the hard part. The TPC Sawgrass can be daunting in any conditions, but the 25 mph gusts expected Saturday — and the possibility of wind and rain Sunday

— can make the Stadium Course a real thrill ride

Rory McIlroy was at the top of the leaderboard during his morning round that featured six birdies in 11 holes, only for his momentum to stall. He had a pair of bogeys over the closing stretch, the last one on the par-5 ninth, for a 68 to finish two shots back.

“I think I hit more fairways in six holes today than I did in 18 yesterday,” McIlroy said “Got it in play

much better and then from there was able to give myself some opportunities and obviously make some birdies early Couldn’t quite continue that on to the back nine, but it was much better off the tee.”

Collin Morikawa, the runner-up last week at Bay Hill who chipped in twice among his nine birdies in a round of 65, also was shots behind with Alex Smalley, who birdied two of his last three holes for a 67.

“I can’t say I drove it great and hit the ball amazing, but I really just took advantage of when I did hit good shots,” Morikawa said. “I putted really nicely Also I didn’t try fighting it too much. I knew it wasn’t quite exactly how I was hitting it, and you just make due.”

Two-time defending champion Scottie Scheffler had to settle for

a 70 and was six shots behind, still very much in the mix considering he rallied from five behind on the final day last year

The 36-hole cut fluctuated throughout the afternoon with some wild shifts and plenty of emotion. The cut was 1-under 143.

Xander Schauffele made it on the number, extending his cut streak to 59 on the PGA Tour, the longest active streak since Tiger Woods (142) from 1998 to 2005.

That required the PGA and British Open champion hammering a hybrid onto the green at the ninth on his final hole and two-putting for birdie and a 71. That sounded like small consolation for Schauffele, who only returned last week from two months of letting a rib injury heal.

Danny Walker also gets a weekend tee time after starting the week wondering if he would play at all. He didn’t get into the field until Thursday morning when Jason Day withdrew with an illness. One of 26 newcomers in the field, Walker three-putted the final hole to finish at 1 under and had to wait an hour to see if he would make it.

Among those missing the cut were Ludvig Aberg, who won the Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines last month and is No. 5 in the world. He had five double bogeys over two rounds, three of them Friday

Jordan Spieth had another wild ride, which included hitting one shot left-handed out of the pine straw well left of the fifth fairway Spieth was on the cut line late in the day when he hit the island green at No. 17 and then drilled a drive down the 18th fairway, leading to birdie and a 71 that put him eight shots back.

LSU announces changes to spring football game

BY WILSON ALEXANDER Staff writer

Instead of playing a traditional spring game, LSU football is making an adjustment.

LSU announced Friday it will have an open practice April 12 inside Tiger Stadium with an autograph session for fans afterward. Gates open at 9:30 a.m., and it is free to attend.

ROSTER

Continued from page 1C

according to 247Sports, before the portal opens again in April.

“We have a football team that now is poised to play with anybody in the SEC,” Kelly said “We didn’t before.” The roster would not have been assembled without money, and after a fundraising push, Kelly said about $13 million came from the NIL collective in recent months

Kelly noted some of the money went toward the 2024 team, though he did not specify how much.

Sources with knowledge of the situation told The Advocate the Bayou Traditions collective spent $5.5 million on the 2024 roster So far, the collective has put $7.5 million toward the 2025 team, though a source said the number could increase in the coming months.

Kelly also expects LSU football players will receive $13.5 million during the 2025-26 school year when teams can begin paying

The open practice will replace the public scrimmage that was usually held at the end of spring football. Though LSU announced Jan. 28 that it would play a spring game, coach Brian Kelly decided to adjust the format. Multiple teams around the country this year have changed their spring game or canceled it all together Nebraska, Texas, Southern Cal and others called off their public

players.

LSU has not said how it plans to distribute the projected maximum of $20.5 million that schools would be able to share in the first year of a settlement in the House antitrust case which must be approved in April by U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken.

However, Kelly said the money will not be spent entirely on the 2025 roster Revenue sharing will operate on the academic calendar, and LSU plans to reserve an unspecified amount for the 2026 team.

Even then, LSU would have the ability this year to at least triple what it spent on the 2024 team between the funds from the collective and revenue sharing.

“This is an investment where we raised money, and then with the new House settlement, there’s going to be another $13.5 million if it follows the course of what’s been prescribed,” Kelly said. “But that’s going to be stretched out over (2026) as well.”

Under the new system, the NCAA said every third-party NIL deal of more than $600 will have

scrimmages for various reasons. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian pointed to workload concerns, and Nebraska coach Matt Rhule feared other teams would poach players after seeing them on TV

In a recent interview, Kelly questioned canceling spring games as a way to prevent other teams from evaluating rosters on TV, saying “I’m not buying that one.”

But he did think there was merit

to go through a clearinghouse run by Deloitte, which is supposed to determine whether compensation meets fair market value and achieves a valid business purpose, potentially curbing collective spending.

As a result, Kelly said deals were front-loaded to use the money from LSU’s collective before the settlement would take effect July 1.

The post-settlement future of Bayou Traditions is uncertain.

LSU plans to exceed the revenuesharing cap by helping players

find NIL deals.

In order to fund the roster Kelly said LSU “had to raise millions of dollars in a very short period of time” in early December It then divided the money into three categories: current players, transfers and incoming freshmen. The highest percentage went toward player retention. Kelly said starters such as quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, running back Caden Durham and linebacker Whit Weeks “are not free.”

“Clearly whether you believe it or not, their agents are getting hit

to the idea of changing spring games in an attempt to slow down transfer portal activity The transfer portal opens again April 16-25.

“I think that there’s more of, ‘Why don’t we just keep our business a little bit more closely guarded than being so public about it, especially with the ability to transfer so easily?’ ” Kelly said. “I think that there’s much more of a sense of that.”

up by other schools saying, ‘We can give you X,’ ” Kelly said. “You have to protect your roster, too.”

LSU also looked for more instant starters in the transfer portal than in the past. It has signed 16 so far, tied for the most in one year during Kelly’s tenure The previous offseason, LSU signed nine transfers in a class that ranked 43rd nationally Kelly said all of the transfers are on the two-deep as LSU began spring practice this week, adding he feels “really good about the depth of the team and the roster itself.”

After the investment LSU made, he thinks the Tigers could win their first SEC title since he became the head coach.

“Regardless of how we played the game before, we would have needed help,” Kelly said. “Something favorably would have had to happen. We don’t need that now. We need to play the game, play the game the right way, be prepared, do the right things in all areas. If we do that, we’ve got a team that can win the SEC.”

The Dallas Cowboys are turning to a familiar face to boost their pass rush, agreeing with free agent Dante Fowler on a one-year contract worth up to $8 million two people familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Friday Fowler first joined the Cowboys in 2022 to reunite with Dan Quinn, his former head coach in Atlanta. The 30-year-old followed Quinn last year when Quinn took over as Washington’s coach after three years as the defensive coordinator in Dallas. The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Fowler had 101/2 sacks for the Commanders, who reached the NFC championship game before losing to Super Bowl champion Philadelphia.

Iowa men’s hoops fires coach after 15 years

Iowa fired coach Fran McCaffery on Friday after the Hawkeyes won their fewest games and had their lowest Big Ten regularseason finish in seven years. The 65-year-old McCaffery, who was under contract through 2028, had said last week that he intended to return for a 16th season rather than retire.

Athletic director Beth Goetz decided a change was in order amid declining attendance at CarverHawkeye Arena and will sign off on McCaffery’s $4.2 million buyout. McCaffery was 297-207 with the Hawkeyes after Thursday night’s 106-94 loss to Illinois in the conference tournament.

McCaffery is Iowa’s all-time wins leader and longest-tenured coach in program history

Curry first to make 4,000 3-pointers in NBA history

SAN FRANCISCO Stephen Curry’s shooting range and accuracy from way back have long stood alone — whether with a defender or two in his face or when letting it fly from the logo.

Now, the NBA’s career leader in 3-pointers has reached new territory from beyond the arc: Golden State’s star guard is the first player in league history to reach 4,000 3s. He did it Thursday, a day before his 37th birthday His 4,000th came from the right wing and under pressure off a pass from Moses Moody with 8:19 left in the third quarter, on his fourth attempt of the night. Fans jumped to their feet and roared when Curry made it, and a tribute played on the big screen during a timeout shortly after

WR Kupp, Seahawks agree on $45 million, 3-year deal Cooper Kupp and the Seattle Seahawks have agreed on a threeyear, $45 million contract. Kupp, the Super Bowl 56 MVP was released by the Los Angeles Rams on Wednesday He’ll help replace DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett for his home state team in Seattle, which traded quarterback Geno Smith and signed Sam Darnold in free agency

Kupp, who starred in college at Eastern Washington and is from Yakima, Washington, was the AP Offensive Player of the Year in 2021 when he won the receiving triple crown by catching 145 passes for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Kupp has been plagued by in-

AP PHOTO By CHRIS O’MEARA

Min Woo Lee yells after hitting his second shot on the ninth hole during The Players Championship on Friday in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

JOHNSON

LSU gym claims share of SEC regular-season title

BY SCOTT RABALAIS

Staff writer

The LSU Tigers knew they had to give a strong performance at Auburn on Friday night if they were to come away with the victory and claim at least a share of the Southeastern Conference regularseason gymnastics championship Freshman Kailin Chio and fifth-year senior Haleigh Bryant helped make sure of that outcome.

Chio recorded her first career 10.0 mark with a perfect routine on vault and Bryant won the all-around, powering the No. 2-ranked Tigers to a season-best road score in a 198.200-197.550 victory over No. 14 Auburn at Neville Arena LSU finished the regular season 11-2 and 7-1 in SEC competition, earning a piece of its first SEC regular-season title since 2018. The Tigers will share that championship with No. 1 Oklahoma, which wrapped up its first SEC regular season with a 198.475197.975 victory at Georgia. LSU handed Oklahoma its only loss of the season, 198.050197.675, at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center

SAINTS

Continued from page 1C

versatile defensive piece whom new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley can and likely will move about his chessboard. In Reid, the Saints are also getting a player who has played in the last three Super Bowls, winning two of them, with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Reid understands his recent history may be important when it comes to playing a part in reversing the downward trajectory of the organization because he understands what it takes to win in the NFL. There are standards that must be met, Reid said. Accountability, work ethic, attitude and fundamentals. And to meet those standards, there has to be organizational buy in.

“If you have everybody playing as a team and not as a group of individuals, then that’s where you’re going to bring your best football out and you’re going to have some success,” Reid said “I want to bring that attitude I want to bring a sense of calmness to everyone on the defense, so when I’m out on the field, guys can have trust that I’ll be in position to make plays, and I will help put them in position to make plays.” Reid has some familiarity with some of the roster already He was Chiefs teammates with Khalen Saunders and Clyde EdwardsHelaire, and he spent one season starting alongside Tyrann Mathieu when both were playing for the Houston Texans Because of their prior experience together he is confident he will fit nicely next to Mathieu

The teams likely will head into next Saturday’s SEC championship meet in Birmingham, Alabama, as the No. 1 and 2 seeds They will be in the second rotation at 7 p.m. on the SEC Network.

LSU’s best road score of the season outside of Baton Rouge the Tigers’ 198.125-195.475 win over George Washington at the Raising Cane’s River Center also counted as a road meet — was a 197.650 on Jan. 11 in the Sprouts Collegiate Quad in Oklahoma City. LSU had been chasing that mark all season but knocked it out of the park in their final road meet with six scores that tied or set season- or career-high marks.

The Tigers started with a strong 49.600 on uneven bars, led by a 9.975 from Bryant that tied for first with Auburn’s Olivia Greaves.

LSU also got a career-high 9.95 from Aleah Finnegan and a 9.925 from Konnor McClain.

LSU then moved to vault where Chio took over Competing in the fifth spot after 9.90s from freshman Lexi Zeiss and Finnegan, Chio posted her flawless routine to give the Tigers’ their second 10.0 score of the season after one

Reid thinks of himself and Ma-

SAINTS ADD TO DEPTH ON D-LINE

The New Orleans Saints have prioritized their defensive line to start free agency, and they’ve made another move to add depth to the group.

The Saints are signing defensive end Jonah Williams to a one-year contract, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed. Williams, 29, spent last season with the Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Rams and Detroit Lions appearing in nine games with one start.

The 6-foot-5, 275-pounder entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2020 out of Weber State. He has 80 career tackles and 21/2 sacks.

Over the last week, the Saints traded for defensive tackle Davon Godchaux re-signed Chase young to a three-year deal, reworked Cam Jordan’s contract, extended Nathan Shepherd’s deal by one season and restructured Khalen Saunders’ contract.

Matthew Paras

thieu as cerebral players who are excellent communicators. And, stylistically, they pair well.

“Tyrann is a savvy vet. Every offense needs to know where he’s at because he will show up and steal the ball away some type of way,” Reid said. “I see myself as a physical tone-setter — if you want to come down the hall with me, you’re going to have to pay a toll for it.” Reid is eager to get to work in

Saints

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

When the NFL released its draft order last week, the New Orleans Saints were in line to have eight selections this spring.

But as it turns out, the NFL made a mistake one that will benefit the Saints.

The Saints gained an additional compensatory seventh-round pick after the league’s management council informed teams of a recalculation of this year’s comp picks.

As a result, the Saints earned pick No. 254 that previously was held by the Cleveland Browns.

The changes removed an additional pick originally awarded to the Miami Dolphins and moved back the selections of the Browns and Los Angeles Chargers by one pick.

“The NFL Management council erred on including Cedrick Wilson Jr as a compensatory free agent, which opens up that 7th round

2025 comp pick to the Saints for Isaac Yiadom going to (San Francisco),” tweeted Over The Cap’s Nick Korte, an expert on the NFL’s compensatory formula Wilson, signed by New Orleans last year to a two-year deal, was not eligible to count as a compensatory free agent because the Dolphins previously had shortened his old contract, Korte wrote With the Saints gaining an additional seventh-rounder, the franchise now has nine selections in this year’s draft (sorted by roundoverall selection): n 1-9 n 2-40 n 3-71 n 3-93 (from Washington) n 4-112 n 4-131 (from Washington) n 6-184 n 7-248 (from Philadelphia through Washington) n 7-254

Email Matthew Paras at matt. paras@theadvocate.com

from Finnegan on beam March 7 against Georgia. A 49.575 on vault gave LSU a 99.175-98.825 lead halfway through the meet, just about the same time Oklahoma was wrapping up its win at Georgia.

LSU increased its lead on floor with a 49.650, just a half-tenth off its best score this season in that event. After 9.925s from Chio and Amari Drayton, Finnegan drilled her performance with a seasonhigh-tying 9.975 to get the win, giving LSU a 148.825-147.975 lead going to the final rotation.

The Tigers had some wobbles on balance beam, working around a 9.725 from Kylie Coen in the second spot. But LSU still posted a solid 49.375 that marked its best beam score of the season outside of Baton Rouge thanks to a winning 9.95 from Bryant that tied her season high. She recorded a 39.775 to win the all-around over Finnegan (39.700) and Chio (39.650) to give Bryant 103 career titles, the third most in LSU history

For more LSU sports updates, sign up for our newsletter at theadvocate.com/lsunewsletter

Staley’s scheme. Entering his eighth NFL season Reid said the scheme he’d be playing in was an important part of his decision. He saw Staley’s defense as one that fit “like a glove.”

“He mixes things up. I love that,” Reid said of Staley “Not everything is always the same thing over and over He allows guys to be versatile, and I see myself as a versatile player who can play a lot of different positions and cause some problems for the offense. I’m excited to be a weapon for him.”

Reid said he also considered offers from the Titans and Eagles, but he decided upon a return home. It wasn’t just because of the urging from his family There was a big part of him that wanted this, too.

“Every kid in Louisiana dreams about playing for the Saints,” he said. He knows what it means throughout the state when the Saints are successful. He said he was getting chills thinking about leading the Who Dat chant, what he considers to be one of the best traditions in sports. When he looks at the Saints, on the heels of their fourth consecutive season without a playoff appearance, he sees possibility — a roster that he believes is talented, and a new head coach in Kellen Moore that he believes in.

He hopes he can restore what he knew as a proud and successful franchise.

“I think that we have something where there’s a lot of momentum going and we can build something special,” Reid said “I see nothing but opportunity and blue skies for us.”

Email Luke Johnson at ljohnson@theadvocate.com.

DUNCAN

Continued from page 1C

Kelsey and Elizabeth, are executives with DraftKings and Blue Cross Blue Shield, respectively

But Chase’s career path was largely single-tracked. From his youth days in New Orleans — where he spent afternoons by his father’s side at Saints practices and his nights playing video games with Saints star receiver Joe Horn — he seemed fated for a football life.

“It’s all I’ve ever been around,” Chase said Monday during a meet-and-greet session for Saints coaches with local reporters. “Seeing how my dad could impact players throughout the course of his career, that’s touched me to the point where I want to continue to do that. I didn’t get into coaching for myself; I do it for others. That’s truly why I’m here.”

After a playing career as a quarterback at Illinois and Indiana University of Pennsylvania (his father’s alma mater), Chase dove right into coaching.

By all accounts, Chase is not as intense or fiery as his father who famously would turn red-faced and toss his headset from time to time on the sidelines. In one way, though, Jim said Chase has passed on the Haslett gene to his two children.

“They’re all Haslett,” said the elder Haslett, the NFL Coach of the Year in 2000, who last served as the head coach of the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL in 2023. “The first thing they do each day is grab a football or a baseball or a golf club.”

“Seeing how my dad could impact players throughout the course of his career, that’s touched me to the point where I want to continue to do that. I didn’t get into coaching for myself; I do it for others. That’s truly why I’m here.”

CHASE HASLETT Saints tight ends coach, on his father Jim Haslett

Mike Riley, the former head coach of the San Diego Chargers and an assistant on Haslett’s Saints staffs, gave him his start at the University of Nebraska. From there, he climbed the ladder, from Mississippi State to Mercer to his first NFL job as a quality control coach on Mike McCarthy’s Dallas Cowboys staff — where the offensive coordinator was none other than Moore.

Chase served in a variety of roles on the Cowboys offensive staff and had an offer to stay in Dallas this year but bypassed it for a chance to join Moore in New Orleans. In his first full-time role as a position coach, he will mentor a talented and veteran room led by Taysom Hill, Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau. “Phenomenal coach, phenomenal person, love his energy,” Moore said of the younger Haslett. “He comes from a great football family He’s a really special coach, so we were fired up to get a chance to get him and put him in position in the tight end room.”

Understandably, many of Chase’s memories from his time in New Orleans have been fogged by time. He was only 7 when his father was named head coach in January 2000. He and his sisters attended St. Martin’s School just down the block from the Saints’ facility on Airline Drive. He was bound for Rummel High School when Jim and the Saints parted ways after the grim Katrina season of 2005. But those early years were formative ones, and he’s maintained a connection to the city ever since. His cellphone still carries a 504 area code, and his Twitter homepage displays a photo of him and his sisters in Ricky Williams Saints jerseys during Jim’s head coaching days in New Orleans. He’s returned for the weddings of friends over the years and recently had dinner with one of his childhood buddies from the area.

“It’s a great opportunity,” said Haslett, 32. “Kellen is a great coach, and it’s a great organization. I definitely want to win another Super Bowl here. That’s the goal.” Chase said a flood of memories flashed through his head when he arrived at the Saints’ facility last week to sign his contract and go through orientation. Watching practices on the outdoor fields. Running sprints with his father after workouts. Climbing the stairs to the second-floor coaches’ offices, where he used to visit his father in the big office on the

Now, serendipitously perhaps, he works down the hall in his own office on the right.

“Kinda like déjà vu,” he said.

“It’s pretty cool. It’s definitely surreal.” Some would call it destiny

left.

PROVIDED PHOTO By HASLETT FAMILy New Saints tight ends coach Chase Haslett, center, is seen with parents Beth and Jim Haslett at a Dallas Cowboys game against the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 17, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.y

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL

LSU gymnast Kailin Chio finishes the vault during the SEC meet against Oklahoma on Feb 14 at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center

LSU rides latest fast start to first SEC win

BY JIM KLEINPETER

Contributing writer

LSU softball saw its hot hitting cooled off a bit in its SEC opener but Kentucky couldn’t slow down the No. 4 Tigers fast start.

LSU jumped ahead of the No 23 Wildcats 4-0 after two innings, and pitcher Sydney Berzon made it stand up in a 4-1 victory at Tiger Park on Friday It was the fifth consecutive game LSU (25-1, 1-0 SEC) has led at least 2-0 after one inning and the sixth time in seven games as the Tigers extended their winning streak to nine.

Tori Edwards hit a run-scoring single and McKenzie Redoutey a two-run triple for a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Catcher Maci Bergeron’s run-scoring single in the second made it 4-0.

“We were just talking about how that, how much easier it is to play defense and all the things that come with that (jumping ahead),” LSU coach Beth Torina said. “They do such a good job of being prepared. A huge part of that is we have the best leadoff hitter in the country in Danieca Coffey, who gets on base all the time. Out or safe, she sets the tone for the offense, the way she carries herself in her at-bat in the first inning.”

Berzon allowed only four hits and received stellar defensive play behind her After giving up a run in the third inning, Berzon (100) didn’t allow a baserunner past

LSU

she tries to get Kentucky’s Hallie Mitchell out on Friday at Tiger Park.

first in the last four She struck out five walked two and induced 10 groundball outs.

LSU had multiple fine defensive plays to back Berzon. Left fielder

Jadyn Laneaux plucked a line drive just off the grass to prevent a hit; second baseman Sierra Daniel turned two hot shots into outs; and Coffey at third and Edwards at first did the same one time each.

“I felt good, and the thing that gave me confidence was how well my defense was playing behind me,” Berzon said. “You get enough experience that the butterflies go away, and the excitement is more what I feel.

“Getting the lead lets me play a little freer. My movement pitches move a little more. I don’t have to

be absolutely perfect with every single pitch.”

Coffey walked to start the bottom of the first before Jalia Lassiter hit into a fielder’s choice Bergeron then walked, and the runners moved up on a passed ball. Edwards sent a liner up the middle to score one run, and Redoutey slammed a triple to left-center field to score two more.

“It’s because during the week we’re preparing for these pitchers and we’re a doing a really good job of it,” Redoutey said of the hot starts to games. “The coaches are preparing us well, and we’re really confident going into the game.”

LSU kept up the pressure on Kentucky starting pitcher Sydney Langdon (1-2). McKaela Walker led off the second with a walk, Avery Hodge singled and Coffey hit a hard grounder off Langdon’s leg to load the bases. One out later, Bergeron singled to left to score Walker, but Hodge was out at the plate on the throw from Wildcats left fielder Hallie Mitchell.

Carson Fall replaced Langdon in the third, and she retired the first seven hitters she faced Kentucky (17-8, 3-1) got its only run when Mitchell led off the third with a walk and went to second on a single by Delani Sullivan. An infield single by Ally Hutchins loaded the bases before McKenzie Bump lined a sacrifice

fly to left. That was the only inning Berzon allowed more than one baserunner

LSU players split on challenging balls, strikes

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

Over the past decade, technology has played a greater role in baseball.

Instant replay; various ball tracking devices that measure spin rate, movement and velocity; and PitchCom devices relaying pitch calls to pitchers and fielders’ wrists at the press of a button are some of the common examples.

They have transformed the sport, starting in pro ball before eventually trickling down to colleges like LSU.

But one piece of tech that hasn’t made its way to the collegiate level yet is the Automated Ball-Strike challenge system. The ABS challenge system is a mechanism that enables a batter, pitcher or catcher to challenge a ball or strike call from the umpire.

Each team gets two challenges and loses a challenge if the um-

pire’s call is confirmed. The technology used to determine the balls and strikes is Hawk-Eye, which tracks the exact location of pitches as they enter the strike zone

The first use of the ABS challenge system in the minor leagues was in the Single-A Florida State League in 2022. The apparatus has been utilized in Triple-A the last two years and is being used in MLB spring training games this year for the first time.

There’s nothing indicating the system will come to the college game soon, but LSU players have expressed mixed feelings as to whether or not they’d utilize it if given the chance.

LSU sophomore outfielder Jake Brown and junior right-hander Anthony Eyanson said they’d be hesitant to challenge calls. Eyanson went as far as saying he doesn’t want the system to be used in college.

“It doesn’t really make a differ-

ence,” Brown said. “I think especially where we’re at, the umpires are normally pretty good. And I don’t want to lose the challenge because I thought something was a ball.”

Juniors Chris Stanfield and Daniel Dickinson would embrace the ABS challenge system if given the chance.

Both admitted they aren’t terribly familiar with the rules, but they still were enthusiastic about the idea.

“As soon as the umpire makes a bad call,” Dickinson said, “I’m challenging every single time.”

Junior Jared Jones also would be interested in playing with an ABS challenge system He just wants to make sure he is 100% right before challenging anything.

“I think there are times where I would catch myself doing it,” Jones said. “I’d have to be totally sure, though. I mean, I’m not going to try and guess and be wrong.”

MEN’S TOP 25 TOURNAMENT ROUNDUP

Lanier scores 23 as Vols down Texas

BY TERESA M. WALKER Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Chaz Lanier

scored 17 of No. 8 Tennessee’s first 21 points, and the Volunteers never trailed Friday beating Texas 83-72 in the Southeastern Conference Tournament quarterfinals.

The fourth-seeded Volunteers (26-6) also gave coach Rick Barnes the 832nd victory of his career moving him into sole possession of 10th all-time after being tied with Cliff Ellis The Vols will play regular season champ and third-ranked Auburn, a 62-57 winner over Ole Miss in the semifinals Saturday Lanier finished with 23 points Zakai Zeigler scored all of his 19 points in the second half after playing nine minutes with two fouls in the first half. Jahmai Mashack added 13 and Igor Milicic Jr 12. Texas (19-15) came to its first SEC Tournament as the 13th seed after winning the Big 12 Tournament two of the last four seasons. Kadin Shedrick and Jordan Pope each had 14 apiece for Texas Tre Johnson had 11. Tennessee led 41-38 at halftime, then jumped out to a 65-50 lead halfway through the second against a team playing its third game in as many days.

No. 2 HOUSTON 74, No 17 BYU 54: In Kansas City, Missouri, Emanuel Sharpe scored 26 points, LJ Cryer had 20 and second-ranked Houston stifled No. 17 BYU in a victory Friday night that moved the Cougars into the Big 12 Tournament championship game for the second consecutive season. Milos Uzan added 14 points and Mylik Wilson pulled down 13 rebounds, helping the tournament’s top seed jump to a big early lead and roll into Saturday night’s matchup with ninth-ranked Texas Tech or Arizona on a 12-game win streak.

No. 3 AUBURN 62, OLE MISS 57: In Nashville, Tennessee, Johni Broome scored 23 points and grabbed 14 rebounds as regularseason champion Auburn opened its bid to repeat at the Southeastern Conference Tournament by holding off eighth-seeded Mississippi on Friday

The third-ranked Tigers (28-4) will play No. 8 Tennessee, an 83-72 winner over 13th-seeded Texas, in the semifinals Saturday

No.6 ST.JOHN’S 79,No.25 MARQUETTE 63: In New York, Zuby Ejiofor scored a career-high 33 points, a St John’s record in the Big East Tournament, and the sixth-ranked Red Storm pulled away from No. 25 Marquette on Friday night to reach the conference championship game for the

Tulane advances to AAC tourney semis

BY GUERRY SMITH Contributing writer

FORT WORTH, Texas

The Tulane men’s basketball team struggled to make layups in the first 10 minutes against Florida Atlantic, could not stop Owls freshman center Matak Vokietaitis from having a career performance and fell into all kind of foul trouble in their AAC tournament quarterfinal.

The Green Wave still found a way to survive and advance.

Gregg Glenn’s rebound and putback dunk with 2:47 left tied the score and sparked an 11-2 finishing kick as fourth-seeded Tulane beat No. 5 seed Florida Atlantic 83-76 on Friday at Dickies Arena in a back-and-forth nail-biter The Wave (19-13) will play top-seeded, 16th-ranked Memphis (27-5), which survived its own close call against Wichita State, at 2 p.m. Saturday as it tries to reach a league championship game for the first time since 1992.

Combined with a 12-0 run at the end of the first half, Tulane was better than Florida Atlantic when it mattered most even though three guys played through four fouls for the final six minutes and Glenn picked up his fourth at the 3:16 mark.

“I talk about how young we are and being the only team in the country without a senior but it felt like I had nine or 10 seniors today,” coach Ron Hunter said.

“They never cracked Early in the year teams would jump on us and we’d kind of fade back. People wrote us off in November, and these guys have just grinded it out.”

Tulane junior Asher Woods led a balanced scoring attack with 20 points on 6-of-10 shooting. Kaleb Banks scored 14 of his 17 points in the first half to put the Wave in front, and Glenn had 15 of his 17 in the second half after missing five of six shots before halftime.

Point guard Rowan Brumbaugh contributed 15 points and seven assists, but Hunter singled out reserve Mari Jordan, who had 10 points, a team-high eight rebounds and a key steal in 20 minutes.

The pivotal moment came right after Glenn’s dunk when Vokietaitis, who matched his season high with 21 points and added a personal-best 12 rebounds, fouled out going for an offensive rebound with 2:19 left. Jordan sank both free throws to give the Wave the lead for good with 2:19 left, and the Owls’ were in disarray offensively the rest of the way without Vokietaitis, jacking up contested 3-pointer s to finish 9 of 33 from long range.

“The truth is if he stays on the floor, we’re probably in a different situation right now,” firstyear Florida Atlantic coach John Jakus said. “I don’t know that for sure because (the Wave) did a

Continued from page 1C

with the maturity I see out of them.”

Hernandez drove in LSU’s first runs of the day on a two-run home run in the second inning. The blast was his second homer of the year and tied the score.

good job, but I would have liked to roll my dice and see what happened.”

Woods created some cushion with a high-degree-of-difficulty turnaround bank shot in the lane with 1:21 left for a 78-74 advantage, and Tulane sealed it by making five of six free throws. Jordan, a redshirt freshman, came up big while freshman Kam Williams struggled to a twopoint day, missing all three of his 3-point attempts. Jordan finished the first-half run with a steal that he turned into a layup after driving nearly the length of the floor, setting the tone with his energy “Mari Jordan was the difference for us today,” Hunter said. “What he did was incredible. A lot of the things you see on the stat sheet won’t even show up.”

The 7-foot Vokietaitis was terrific from the start, scoring nine of FAU’s first 12 points while forcing Tulane’s drivers to miss an array of shots in the lane. The Owls outscored the Wave by 11 when he was on the floor, were outscored by 18 when he sat and rode his six consecutive points to a 72-68 lead with 4:51 left. Tulane took over from there, exhibiting a tremendous will to win.

“I just gave it all I’ve got,” Glenn said. “I was a little nervous the first four minutes, but the rest of the game we just did what we do best.”

The first half changed course dramatically twice after missed layups. Glenn, had one go off the rim that would have put the Wave up 25-17, and FAU responded with a 15-2 run to take its largest lead, 32-25. That spurt ended right after the Owls’ Kaleb Glenn missed a driving layup, and they went scoreless for the final 4:58. Jordan started the first-half finishing kick with back-to-back layups in transition. Kaleb Banks tied the score on a 3-pointer Brumbaugh sank a rushed 3-pointer with one second left on the shot clock to make the score 35-32.

The second half was just as topsy-turvy before Tulane earned its way into the semifinals for the third time in four years.

Memphis awaits. In a January home game, the Wave trailed the Tigers by only three points at the final media timeout before falling by 12.

Hunter joked his ace in the hole for the rematch could be a tribute to Tigers’ coach Penny Hardaway, a four-time NBA allstar and two-time league player of the year for Memphis.

“I brought my old Penny Hardaway shoes,” Hunter said. “I might wear them again out of respect for my brother just to give us a little luck.”

home run in the second inning but was superb otherwise. At one point he retired 15 of 17 batters.

“Not a lot of pitchers think about it like this, but honestly, the tworun home run might have helped me,” Anderson said. “Honestly, I think that it kind of changed my mindset. Instead of just being on cruise control, (I focused on) getting after one batter at a time.

first time in 25 years.

Big East Player of the Year RJ Luis Jr added 13 points and Ejiofor grabbed nine rebounds as the top-seeded Red Storm (29-4) wiped out an early 15-point deficit. They advanced to play second-seeded Creighton or No. 3 seed UConn on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.

No. 7 MICHIGAN ST 74, No. 23 OREGON

64: In Indianapolis, Jase Richardson scored 17 points and Jeremy Fears Jr added 11 points and five assists to lead No. 7 Michigan State past No. 23 Oregon in the first of Friday’s four Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal games.

No 11 MARYLAND 88, No. 24 ILLINOIS

65: In Indianapolis, Rodney Rice scored 26 points, Derik Queen had 19 points and 10 rebounds and No. 11 Maryland routed No. 24 Illinois 88-65 on Friday night in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals. The Terrapins (25-7) will face the winner of the late quarterfinal between Michigan and Purdue in the semifinals. No. 16 MEMPHIS 83,WICHITA ST 80: In Fort Worth, Texas, PJ Haggerty scored a career-high 42 points and led the go-ahead run for 16thranked Memphis in a win over Wichita State in a quarterfinal game at the American Athletic Conference tournament Friday

After Curiel’s triple and a groundout from junior Daniel Dickinson that drove in a run, Brown kept the fourth inning alive. He pulled a single into right field to drive in junior Jared Jones.

“He doesn’t need to have more talent,” Johnson said of Brown.

“He just needed some time, some experience. He went through a couple small hiccups here early in the season. But, I mean, he’s been really good.”

Brown’s second run-scoring hit came two innings later on a tworun double that hit the left-field wall. The opposite-field shot grew LSU’s lead to 9-2. His third run-scoring at-bat came in the eighth inning on a fly out to left field that allowed Curiel to score. Milam then blasted his fifth homer of the year into right field — a two-run shot — to stretch the LSU lead to 12-5.

“He’s strong and he’s a really good hitter, and it’s a tight swing,” Johnson said, “and his approach is much better.”

Starting on the mound for LSU (18-1, 1-0 SEC) was sophomore left-hander Kade Anderson. He went a career-high 61/3 innings, striking out 11 batters and allowing just four hits and three earned runs. He surrendered a two-run

“I think I just kind of changed my mindset (to), ‘I’m gonna finish this inning’ instead of, ‘Let’s see if I can get through seven.’ “ Anderson exited with one out and runners on the corners in the seventh inning to a standing ovation. He was replaced by junior right-hander Connor Benge, who gave up a sacrifice fly that drove in a run but escaped the inning without allowing anything else.

Benge allowed back-to-back solo homers to Missouri (8-9, 0-1) to begin the eighth inning. The blasts cut the LSU lead to 9-5.

“Guys got a couple good swings on him when we sent him back out there,” Johnson said. “So we’ll look at that.”

Redshirt sophomore left-hander

DJ Primeaux replaced Benge after the homers and retired both left-handed hitters he faced before turning the ball over to junior Zac Cowan. Cowan struck out the next hitter to end the eighth. He then threw a scoreless ninth to finish the game. LSU faces Missouri again on Saturday for the second game of the series at Alex Box Stadium. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. and the game can be streamed on SEC Network+

Email Koki Riley at Koki. Riley@theadvocate.com.

PHOTO By APRIL BUFFINGTON

third baseman Danieca Coffey puts her foot on the bag as

THE VARSITY ZONE

Country Day wills itself to state title

Cajuns claim hard-fought win over Calvary Baptist

BY CHRISTOPHER DABE Staff writer

LAKE CHARLES — Country Day

would not be denied. Not after all it did to get the lead again.

The third-seeded Cajuns overcame a deficit of seven points in the third quarter and held on at the end to defeat No. 1 Calvary Baptist 59-56 in the LHSAA Division III select state championship Friday at Burton Coliseum.

Junior Herman Dyson scored 11 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter, including the basket that put his team ahead for good with 32.4 seconds remaining.

Outstanding player selection Curtis McAllister, a 6-foot-3 freshman and the son of former New Orleans Saints legend Deuce McAllister, had 17 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals. The win gave Country Day (266) its eighth LHSAA boys basketball state title, the sixth with Mike McGuire as coach and the first since 2019.

Calvary (28-4) had the ball last. But Country Day sophomore Kellen Brewer (13 points) swatted away the 3-point attempt that would have tied the score as time expired.

“One thing about these guys, they’re not going to back down,” McGuire said.

“We gave up the lead and one of these kids came in the huddle and said, ‘We’re not losing it. We’ve come too far Let’s play Country Day basketball.’ ” McAllister showed impressive scoring ability with 11 points in the first half, helping Country Day to a 25-16 lead. He blocked a shot on the perimeter and took

the ball toward the hoop for a contested layup. He made a 3-pointer from the right corner on a kickout by Dyson in the post

The third quarter told a different story. Calvary sophomore Tyrone Jamison dominated the period with 12 points and two assists, helping the Cavs to a 42-35 lead before a Country Day timeout with 3:19 remaining in the quarter He finished with 19 points.

The Cajuns closed the quarter with a 7-0 run that included a 3-pointer by eighth grader Rhys Diley (10 points) Foul trouble had Dyson on the bench before he took over in the fourth. His putback tied the score at 49-all, and he followed with another bucket off a pass to the post from Brewer for a 51-49 lead.

Twice, Calvary responded with baskets that tied the score after Country Day went ahead. Dyson scored his final go-ahead basket when he rebounded the ball at the other end and dribbled the length of the floor for a layup.

After Brewer snagged a rebound when Calvary missed a 3 at the other end, Dyson went to the free-throw line and made two free throws for a 57-53 lead.

Calvary sophomore Robert Wright made a 3 but Diley and Dyson each made a free throw to push the lead to three points before the final shot by Calvary landed behind the goal standard setting off a Country Day celebration.

“I was just telling myself,

‘We’re not going to lose this game,’ ” said Dyson, who made 7

of 8 from the free-throw line and had three assists and two steals.

McAllister, who made the winning basket in the semifinal against Dunham on Tuesday, became a full-time starter late in the season for his ability on defense. His offensive game grew from there.

“Me personally, I knew we were going to come to the state championship,” he said. “I wanted to play my hardest for these seniors.

“Today, we came out just having fun and did everything to win this game.”

McGuire credited seniors Andrew Nelson and McAllister Callejo for the example they set for the younger players.

“When we made this run,” McGuire said of the nine-game winning streak that ended the season, “I could sense the chemistry, the togetherness, the bond, the brotherhood. They will never forget this.”

Contact Christopher Dabe at cdabe@theadvocate.com

St. Aug meeting experienced team of ‘grown men’

St Thomas More’s calling card as well as Knights is defense

BY CHRISTOPHER DABE Staff writer

LAKE CHARLES St. Augustine

coach Wade Mason can understand what St. Thomas More went through as a state runner-up last year

Mason was a junior on a St. Augustine basketball team that lost in the final seconds of a state championship against C.E. Byrd in 1994. The next year, Mason and his teammate refused to be denied a championship as the Purple Knights defeated Catholic-Baton Rouge in the Class 5A championship.

Mason saw some of that desire from the St. Thomas More players when they defeated John Curtis at the buzzer in a semifinal on Thursday

That set up an LHSAA Division I select state final between No. 4

St. Augustine (29-4) and No. 3 St Thomas More (28-4) that is set for noon Saturday at Burton Coliseum.

“They have a different chip on their shoulder,” Mason said. “They have a different desire than everybody else that’s playing, in my opinion.

“I can only speak from what I see out of them, but I lived it. In 1994, my junior year at St. Aug, we lost to Byrd by one at the buzzer Which led us to my senior year, 1995, winning the (USA Today) national championship. We were not going to lose again.

“There was nothing our coach had to tell us. There was no motivational speech. There wasn’t him making practice hard. There was no punishment — nothing.

“That feeling that you had of losing in the state championship. That’s something you have to go through.”

St. Thomas More won the semifinal with a full-court pressure defense that forced multiple turnovers, which in turn led to quick baskets in the fourth quar-

ter Senior point guard John Luke Bourque scored 15 points and made the winning shot for a 46-44 victory

St. Thomas More has five senior starters, including post player Grayson Roy, who had 12 points in the semifinal.

“Those guys are grown men,” Mason said. “They’re all strong. They all play with force. They do what they do. They run their system. They fight to the end.”

St. Aug reached the state final after it trailed No. 1 Liberty by 10 points in the third quarter and had a near-perfect shooting performance from that point forward for a 43-41 victory on Wednesday Key players for St. Aug include all district selections Aaron Miles, a sophomore point guard, and senior forward Jakobe Shepeard. St. Aug shot 70% (17 of 24) from the field to offset 27 turnovers.

St. Aug impressed St. Thomas More coach Danny Broussard with the poise it kept against reigning state champion Liberty

“I thought that experience on the court with all those Liberty guys that came back (from last season), that would kind of be the difference in the game,” Broussard said. “I’m not going to lie when I was sitting in the stands and Liberty went up by seven, I thought, ‘Oh man, Aug might be in trouble.’ But you know what, they just did their thing.”

St. Aug has a team filled with players who were on the junior varsity last season, making this run to the state finals even more remarkable.

“In their minds, they felt they were varsity players,” Mason said. “They felt slighted. And now they want to prove to people they should have been on varsity.”

Now with a chance at winning a state title, some might say those players have already proven that point.

For St. Aug, a win would bring the school a seventh LHSAA state championship the first since it won in 2021 in a 12-team Division I bracket. St. Thomas More is a seven-time state winner including four in a row from 2018-21 while in Division II.

BY CHRISTOPHER DABE Staff writer

LAKE CHARLES — Shaw and Hannan will meet for a third time this season when they play in the LHSAA Division II select championship game set for 4 p.m. Saturday at Burton Coliseum.

Shaw won the first two meetings that were played in entirely different settings.

“The first one, we were both in a tournament (hosted by Country Day) and sort of disappointed with a loss the previous night,” Hannan coach Errol Gauff said.

“We thought we might be playing in the championship game, and we were playing in that other game, so I think both teams said, ‘Hey, let’s just play and don’t let anybody get hurt.’

ning streak that started with those two wins against Hannan. Hannan (24-6) has won 10 in a row since the second loss to Shaw Leading players for Shaw include 6-foot-7 senior Kobe Butler (16 points, 12 rebounds per game; Jackson State commitment) and 6-6 sophomore Triston Naquin (12 ppg and nine rpg). Hannan can counter in size with 6-6 senior Drew Timmons (22 ppg and 10 rpg, Navy signee).

points in the semifinal, and Hannan senior Anthony Thompson, who made a 3-pointer and followed with a three-point play late to help create some distance against Peabody

The last meeting between Shaw and Hannan before this season came when Timmons was a freshman.

“He was really good then,” Laurendine said. “I want to say he led them in points then too.”

A win would give Shaw its first basketball state championship since 1997 and its third overall. Hannan won its only title in 2022.

Shaw won those two games by nearly identical scores: 59-53 on Dec. 21 and 59-54 on Jan. 7.

“We kind of brought a lot of energy and got out on them early and they needed to make a push late,” Shaw coach Wesley Laurendine

“That second one in mid-January, I think both teams turned up the intensity a little bit. We were at home. Shaw came there and (in the) second, third quarter they did a good job getting a hold of it, and we kept fighting but we went down by five. It’s going to be a I’m looking forward to Saturday.”

recalled about the second game. “I think they got it to like, three, late in the fourth and we went and extended it back to 10 and it finished at five.

“Errol does a really good job, and they’re going to run all their stuff. We just got to do a good job trying to get them out of it.” Shaw (29-2) has a 19-game win-

Top-seeded Shaw dismantled No. 5 Madison Prep 71-47 in the semifinals on Wednesday No. 2 Hannan outlasted reigning state champion and No 3 seed Peabody 31-29 in a game where baskets were hard to come by Both teams know what to expect from each other

“They’re big,” Timmons said of Shaw, “and have a few guards that can shoot and play They’re just a good team — but so are we.”

Other key players include Shaw senior Khalil Awogboro, who made three 3-pointers and scored 16

Laurendine and Gauff met in the regular season knowing full well they could have another matchup in the playoffs or state final.

“It was important for us to play the game because we knew they were going to be a top seed,” Laurendine said.

Contact Christopher Dabe at cdabe@theadvocate.com

STAFF

PHOTO By JOHN MCCUSKER Alexandria’s Jordyn Johnson, left, loses the ball as St. Augustine’s Aaron

PHOTOS By KIRK MECHE

Country Day players celebrate after their 59-56 victory over Calvary Baptist in the

championship game at the LHSAA boys basketball tournament on Friday in Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles. Country

Curtis McAllister, left, goes after a loose ball during the Division III select final Friday in Lake Charles.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) It's up to you to implement change. Look around you, and if something doesn't feel right or suit yourneeds,makeadjustmentsandcarry on. If doubt sets in, take a pass.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) Look for the good in everyone you deal with today. A smile orkindgesturewilltakeyoufurtherthan will making demands. Pay attention to detail when dealing with institutions.

TAURUS(April20-May20)Improveyourliving space, lifestyle or relationships with associates. Keep the peace, regardless of howothersreact.Afinancialopportunity can free up accumulated debt.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Consider what makesyouhappyandfollowthepaththat will take you there. Refuse to let anyone goad you into something you don't want to do. Don't give in to guilt tactics.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) Pay attention to what others expect of you and what's at stake. Less complaining and more action will help you dodge negativity and outside interference. Put your emotions on the back burner and do your best.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Stay on top of matters, go directly to the source and interact with people who can help you get things done. Be accommodating, but set boundaries that ensure you don't have to give up what's important to you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) A change of scenery will do you good. Whether you travel toyouroldstompinggroundsortoplaces

you've never been, you can spark your imagination.

LIBRA (Sept 23-Oct 23) Live and learn. Look around and consider ways to improve your surroundings, relationshipsandlifestyle.Setpersonalgoalsand build a routine around whatever lowers stress and helps you build strength.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Participating, being active and mingling with people who share your interests will help you find your desired happiness. Don't sit idle when there is so little time and much to explore.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Take what others say with a grain of salt and refuse tobecomeunnervedorrespondunnecessarily.Concentratemoreonyourselfand your environment.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Travel, attend a reunion or revisit something you must address before you can feel comfortable moving forward. Anger doesn't solve problems, but rational alternatives can.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Invest more time and money in your surroundings, your skills and the prospects that interest you. A financial gain is possible if you build equity instead of spending money on things.

The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact. © 2025 by nEa, inc. dist. By andrews mcmeel syndication

FAMILY CIrCUS

Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

TODAy'S CLUE: A EQUALS O

CeLebrItY CIpher

For better or For WorSe

peAnUtS zItS

SALLY Forth

beetLe bAILeY

Mother GooSe And GrIMM SherMAn’S LAGoon

Sudoku

InstructIons: sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the sudoku increases from monday to sunday.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

THe wiZard oF id

BLondie

BaBY BLueS

Hi and LoiS

CurTiS

Bridge

BY PHILLIP ALDER

Henry David Thoreau said, “When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest.”

Many years ago, an expert married couple played together, and whenever the wife was the declarer, the husband turned on his portable CD player. As you might have guessed, they are not still married. But if running tunes through your mind helps you to relax and think more clearly, do it.

In today’s deal, what do you think of the bidding? After West leads his fourthhighest heart against three no-trump, what should South do?

The South hand has only 19 high-card points, but it has a very good five-card suit, one 10 and two nines. It also has seven control points (ace - 2; king - 1), which is normal for a two-no-trump opening. So I agree with South’s bid. And North, with 4-3-3-3 distribution, was playing the percentages in not using Stayman.

Declarer starts with seven top tricks: four spades, one heart, one diamond and one club. And there are at least three more winners available from the club suit. The original declarer, though, was tone-deaf. Thinking West had led away from the heart king, South played low from the board. However, East won with his king and shifted to the diamond king.

Declarer ducked, took the next diamond, crossed to dummy with a heart, and ran the club jack. But when the finesse lost, the contract went down two. If South had been humming, he would have won the first trick with dummy’s heart ace and taken the club finesse. Then he would have won at least 10 tricks.

© 2025 by nEa, inc., dist. By andrews mcmeel syndication

Each Wuzzle is a word riddle which creates a disguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: nOOn gOOD = gOOD aFTErnOOn

Previous answers:

word game

InstRuctIons: 1.

Average

today’s thought

“You believe that there is one God; you do well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” James 2:19

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

dIrectIons: make a 2- to 7-letter word from the letters in each row. add points of each word, using scoring directions at right. Finally, 7-letter words get 50-point bonus. “Blanks” used as any letter have no point value. all the words are in the Official sCraBBlE® players Dictionary, 5th Edition

ken ken

InstructIons: 1 Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 thorugh 4 (easy) or 1 through 6 (challenging) without repeating. 2 The numbers within the heavily outlined boxes, called cages, must combine using the given operation (in any order) to produce the target numbers in the top-left corners. 3 Freebies: Fill in the single-box cages with the number in the top-left corner. HErE is a

Puzzle Answer

Scrabble GramS

Get fuzzy

jump Start

roSe iS roSe animal crackerS

DuStin

Drabble

Wallace the brave

breWSter rockit

luann

ARTIST’S EVOLUTION

GREEN THUMB: Still dealing with the cold Page 8

BACKSTORy: A night off for dancing during Lent Page 16

HOME | DESIGN | GARDEN | REAL ESTATE

Nancy Hirsch Lassen shares her Mid-City home with husband Jim Gambill and a collection of artwork that spans her career, as well as those of other local artists, and pulls into use a variety of her creative talents. Jyl Benson tells the story on Page 12.

Karen Taylor Gist

Lent is designed to be a time of penance and deprivation, but a custom in the 1880s let New Orleanians take St. Joseph’s Night off — to dance. Learn more in John McCusker’s Backstory on Page 16.

A modernist estate on Bamboo Road in New Orleans comes with an architectural pedigree, but that’s not what will take your breath away. Read all about it on Page 4.

The InsideOut home and garden section is published every Saturday by The Times-Picayune Questions about InsideOut should be directed to the editor

INSIDEOUT EDITOR: Karen Taylor Gist, kataylor@theadvocate.com CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS:

Victor Andrews, Jyl Benson, Dan Gill, John McCusker

COVER DESIGN: Andrea Daniel

COVER PHOTO: Jeff Strout TO BE FEATURED: Send information and photos to insideout@theadvocate. com

ONE IN A MILLION

Bamboo Road estate is under $5M. PAGE 4

IN DETAIL

Smoothing out some hard edge. PAGE 7

GREEN THUMB

Patience wearing thin after the freeze? PAGE 8

COVER STORY

A home overflowing with art. PAGE 12

InsideOut’s mission is to give readers peeks inside the many different ways that people in the New Orleans area live. We profile spaces that are opulent, or just offbeat; sophisticated or simple; functional or lighthearted; historic or brand-spanking new And anything in between Please help us by sending information and JPEG photos of your home, or specific spaces inside it, to insideout@theadvocate.com. We love gardens and outdoor spaces, too. And we’re waiting to hear from you.

BACKSTORY

Odd St. Joseph’s custom from the 1830s PAGE 16

INSIDE INFO

Home and garden happenings. PAGE 17

REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS

Recent transactions in the metro area. PAGE 20

INSIDE STORY

Need a mother-in-law house? Try an ADU. PAGE 23

877MoutonStreet •Lakeview$685,000

Stunning 3Bd, 2.5Ba, 2,303sfhomeonlrg corner lotinsought-afterarea, blends comfort, style& convenience. Be astonished by landscaped yd,wraparound porch, 10ft ceilings,lrg windows… lots of nat’llight &gorgeouswalnut floors.Open-concept floorplanisperfect forentertaining. Cozy living room w/ frplc& theperfect kitchen. Primary& luxuriousen-stebathretreat awaits CharlotteJohnson 985-205-2770

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Exceptionaltownhouse!A rare opportunitytoown aone-of-a-kind,designerstyled home.Stunning3-story,4Bd/3.5Ba/3,323Sf residence, exquisitely styled by designer LeeAli combines elegance &comfort.Customdetails galore setthe stagefor ahomethatissophisticated &inviting. Off-streetprkgfor 2. Move rightin& startenjoyingyourpiece of thepark. TrulyA Must See! Dawn Talbot •504-481-7632TrishaFaliveno• 504-654-9504 ShaunTalbot• 504-975-9763 Talbot Realty Group• 504-525-9763

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ExquisiteGardenDistrictHome. 5BR, 5.5Ba, luxury finishes throughout, spacious den, living room,diningroom. Excellentflowperfect forentertaining. Gourmetchef’s kitchen, firstfloor primarysuite hasdeluxebath. Second floorhas 4bedrooms, 3full baths, bonusroom/office.Elevator, full housegenerator.Gated frontcourtyard with fountain,parking for3 plus cars.Huge landscaped backyard with room fora pool EleanorFarnsworth504-663-0211

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18GrassCourt•RiverRidge/ColonialFarmsSubdvn$1,250,000 Welcometothisexquisite,thoughtfullydesignedcustom-built5bed,4.5bath,4,567 sf home locatedona peaceful cul-de-sac,thatreflects meticulous craftsmanship created by BrianGille architect. This home offersanabundance of luxuriousliving spacew/timelessdetails,a gourmetkitchen,muchcurbappeal, aprivate oasis includinga saltwaterpool& beautifullylandscapedcrtyd.Don’t miss this one! SarahKeiffer 225-270-0438 KellerWilliamsRealty455-0100504-455-0100

BY VICTOR ANDREWS Staff writer

Positioned along the edge of Orleans and Jefferson parishes, Bamboo Road is the address of a unique dwelling.

Inside the gates of the almost 1-acre property lies an Arthur Davis-designed home that contains almost 10,000 square feet of space, surrounded by Robin Tanner-designed grounds that seem to meld heightened midcentury style with Asian influences. It’s on sale for $4.875 million.

Solid concrete walls and columns create a superstructure for walls of glass that bring the lush landscape inside.

Starting from arrival at the front door under an expansive covered drive, the

Sitting on almost an acre of landscaped grounds, 5 Bamboo Road in New Orleans sits on the edge of Orleans and Jefferson parishes.

three-bedroom house feels akin to a resort, and that image continues throughout. Flanking either side of the multilayered foyer are the formal living and dining rooms, with fanci-

ful screen panels that can close the rooms off or open them with ease. The living room, with two entire walls of glass overlooking manicured waterfall gardens, is anchored by a fireplace and

PROVIDED PHOTOS By JAMES NORTON Al fresco features abound in the house, particularly in the glass ceiling of the den.

ONEINAMILLION

Electric golden sliding screens are a highlight of the formal dining area, able to partition the space from the foyer for more intimate dining

wet bar in dark tones, counterbalancing the light tiled floors. A wine cellar and additional storage are discretely tucked behind the bar

The dining room, boasting dark stone tile flooring, is positioned across a short hall with china storage and a powder room. The room opens onto what might be considered the heart of the home.

The den is a grand space that evokes the feel of an expansive courtyard, helped by the arched glass ceiling that makes the space seem more al fresco than interior. It is full of interesting details, with columns and lighting befitting a grand palazzo. Highlights of the room include a bar with seating for six, a wood-burning fireplace, built-in seating

A central jetted tub is the focal point of the primary en suite, paired with a standing glass shower, twin vanities and twin water closets.

in several spots and a rich herringbone wood floor to keep the space grounded.

Off the den is the kitchen, with commercial-grade appliances along one wall. A central island, one of two, offers seating, and the sleek cabinets, paired with dark counters and floors, keep the focus on the food, all under a coved ceiling

In the primary bedroom behind the den, a slanted wall of windows overlooks the pool. The connected bath is a spalike retreat, with a large jetted tub central to the space, backed by a glassenclosed shower that features a window looking over the grounds.

main house are the ‘wall treatments’ for the glassed guest house.

A central island is one of two in the kitchen area, open to the main den.

Views of the garden, pool, yard and

ESTATE

Continued from page 5

Twin vanities, as well as a makeup station, and twin water closets are also part of this preparation area. The walk-in closet is a boutique-size storage area with custom compartments for various pieces of apparel.

Across the hall from the primary suite is second den with a built-in couch and multiple shelves for reading or relaxing.

Down a flight of stairs is a combination bedroom and sit-

ting room, a multilevel enclave that includes a full bath and large walk-in closet.

The third bedroom suite

is on the opposite side of the home, behind the fireplace in the grand den. It also features ready access to the backyard.

The resort feel continues in the backyard, with a saltwater pool and hot tub taking center stage among the numerous paths and plantings that punctuate the space.

Water garden features abound, forming a tranquil backdrop for the home’s guest house. Repeating coves form the ceiling of the space, echoed in the cabinets and the wet bar. A full bath is located inside as well.

The home is listed by Shaun McCarthy, of the MacCarthy Group Realtors, (504) 322-7337.

One in a Million is an occasional series featuring upscale homes for sale in the metro area.

PROVIDED PHOTOS By JAMES NORTON

A seating nook occupies the coveted space between the ornate stairs leading from the foyer into the den.

A

FAN FAVORITES

Whatever you call these little half moons, whether fan windows or lunette windows or something else, their graceful shapes can turn a rectangular door into an archway or a sharpangled window into something softer and more elegant.

— Karen Taylor Gist

STAFF

PHOTOS

By JOHN McCUSKER

GREENTHUMB

GARDEN TIPS

NEW SEASON: Cool-season bedding plants planted in fall or winter are putting on an outstanding display. Enjoy them until they begin to play out in late April or May.At that time, remove them and plant warm-season bedding plants for summer color While some cool-season bedding plants may still be available at nurseries and garden centers, they are not the best choice for planting now if you want something that will bloom through the heat of summer.

GETTINGTHIRSTY: Warmer temperatures and active growth make watering increasingly important if regular rainfall does not occur (we have been relatively wet so far this spring). New plantings of vegetables and bedding plant transplants need the most attention.They are vulnerable to drying out until the plants have a chance to grow a strong root system into the surrounding soil.

FEEDTHE LAWN: Apply a fertilizer to your lawn over the next three weeks. Use a lawn fertilizer and follow label directions carefully. Excessive fertilizer can damage your lawn.And be sure to spread it evenly or you will get uneven results If weeds are a problem, you may use a combination fertilizer and weed killer (weed and feed).

IRIS CARE: We’ve been getting plenty of rain, but should dry weather occur, keep your Louisiana irises well watered through May. Remove any developing seed pods after flowering is finished.This will help keep the plants from flopping over and prevent them wasting resources producing seeds we don’t need.

will

up again after going

but

Growing concerns

If you’re tired of waiting, go ahead and replace cold-damaged plants

Dan Gill GREEN THUMB

Let’s face it. Many of our cold-damaged landscapes have a bad case of ugly this spring. And I’m still getting lots of questions on how to deal with the damage.

So, the big question is, “How long do I have to look at these sad, brown plants before I know they are dead and can pull them up?”

Answer: You don’t have to wait at all. I typically recommend waiting until late April or even May to see if a tropical will send up new growth before removing it. But that’s only a suggestion. Even if there’s a chance the plant is still alive, you may want to clean things out and replace them with attractive plants so badly you don’t care. You may want your

ä See GROWING, page 10

For now, prune only the brown leaves. If some green remains, leave the

FILE PHOTO By JEFF STROUT Lawns

green

brown from the cold,

it’s a good time to fertilize anyway.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER Many types of palms will survive, but many won’t.

frond.

GREENTHUMB

Decompose mulches to avoid issues in the soil bed

BY DAN GILL

Contributing writer

Recently, I read that wood mulches can deplete the soil of nitrogen as they break down. Is this true? If so, what can I add to the soil to compensate for this nitrogen depletion?

Or is there another kind of mulch you would recommend that is readily available? Would it be OK to mulch using the fallen leaves of live oak trees? — Carrie

That information does not apply to mulches. When you use low-nitrogen organic materials for mulch, such as cypress mulch, wood mulch, pine bark mulch, pine straw or fallen leaves (oak leaves make an excellent mulch), nitrogen depletion in the soil of the bed is not an issue.

The organic matter that is applied on top of the soil interacts with only the very surface of the soil. It decomposes slowly at the surface without affecting available nitrogen levels down in the soil of the bed

This information applies when low-nitrogen organic materials that have not been composted are incorporated into the soil of the bed during bed preparation. Nitrogen is not actually depleted, it is just temporarily tied up. This can happen when organic materials such as shredded wood chips or pine bark are incorporated into the soil.

The microorganisms that utilize the low-nitrogen organic matter as food (decay it) must obtain the nitrogen they need from somewhere else. They take nitrogen from the soil, and tie it up in their bodies as their populations surge. When the organic matter is largely decayed and the food runs out, the microorganisms begin to die. This returns the tied-up nitrogen back to the soil, with the added benefit of decayed organic matter

The problem arises during

the decomposition phase. At that time, so much nitrogen may be tied up in the bodies of microorganisms that plants are unable to obtain all they need to be healthy This leads to pale leaves and stunted growth, symptoms of nitrogen deficiency

To keep this from happening, the gardener can do one of two things. First, the organic matter can be composted before it is dug into the bed That way the decomposition process has already occurred, and the addition of the material will not

lead to tied up nitrogen.

Or the gardener could simply add a nitrogen-containing fertilizer at the time the organic matter is added. That way, there will be enough nitrogen to satisfy the needs of the microorganisms and the plants. Granular generalpurpose fertilizers, such as 155-10, or organic fertilizers like blood meal or cotton seed meal would be fine.

I notice my azaleas are beginning to bloom. Is now a good time to fertilize them? — John

Most of us wait for our aza-

out new growth while they are still blooming. While this is not a problem for the plant, it is disappointing to see the flowers covered partially by the new growth.

When you fertilize, use a fertilizer labeled for azaleas or acid-loving plants.

Please provide any tips on getting rid of ginger forever It is too invasive, and I am getting too old.Thanks. — Gretchen

leas to finish blooming before fertilizing them. Fertilization can encourage azaleas to send

Chris Dorion

504.451.4274

Gingers do have the ability to spread by underground rhizomes, and over time, some

ä See ADVICE, page 11

Chris@Char-Realty.com

STAFF FILE PHOTO By PATRICK DENNIS Oak leaves can be used for mulch.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By ELLIS LUCIA Ginger plants grow from underground rhizomes and can be difficult to get rid of.

GREENTHUMB

GROWING

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landscape to look better sooner rather than later Nurseries will certainly applaud that attitude.

But if you can be patient, some plants may very well send up new growth from their bases. If a plant has sentimental value, would be hard to replace or you just like it a lot, you will likely want to give it every opportunity to grow.

If it is easily replaced and you didn’t like it that much anyway, you may decide to cut your losses.

By now, you should have cleaned out all of the damaged growth from herbaceous tropicals like gingers, elephant ears, philodendrons, cannas, bird of paradise plants and ferns.

Woody tropicals, such as hibiscus, angel’s trumpet, croton, oleander, bougainvillea, clerodendrums, ixora, citrus trees and tibouchina, are generally left alone until they sprout, when you can clearly see what is alive and what is dead.

However, if you can determine what is dead and what is alive, prune now. Scratch the bark with your thumbnail. Brown tissue under the bark indicates that part of the plant is dead; green tissue indicates it is alive.

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Scratch the stem of angel’s trumpets and other woody tropicals with your thumb to see if there’s green underneath the bark. Or, wait until it’s time to sprout to be sure whether they’re dead or alive.

Grass will be greener

South shore residents are not used to seeing their St. Augustine lawns go completely brown and dormant over winter Don’t panic — this is normal when it gets as cold as it did. There is no need to do anything special, and the lawns should green up just fine. Now through early April is a great time to apply a fertilizer to your lawn. Be sure to follow directions carefully as

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If cool-season weeds are a major issue, you may apply a lawn weed killer combined with a lawn fertilizer — commonly called “weed and feed.” Again, follow label directions carefully

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If your landscape was devastated in the February freezes, it indicates you may have relied on tropicals for too much of your landscaping. This would be a good time to evaluate where you used tropicals and if replacing them in some areas with hardy, evergreen shrubs would be appropriate. Of course, nothing can replace the exotic beauty of the tropicals we use in our landscapes, and periods of extreme winter weather will vary year to year And when you think about it, nothing thrives and performs so well in our long, hot, humid summers as do tropical plants. So, don’t go overboard and get rid of them all — but you might decide to use fewer.

Read my palms

We were lucky — most palms appear to have survived the freezes on the south shore. Some of the hardier species weren’t even touched by the cold, like the windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei), jelly palm (Butia capitata), cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto) and native dwarf palmetto palm (Sabal minor).

Others did not fare as well. Some pygmy date palms (Phoenix roebelenii) may have died, but many have survived (especially if protected). Chinese fan palms (Livistona chinensis) and Washingtonia palms (Washingtonia robusta) and queen palms (Syagrus romanzoffiana) may have been damaged but should recover.

On the north shore and other areas of southeast Louisiana, where temperatures went well

Continued from page 8 ä See GROWING, page 11

STAFF FILE PHOTO By JOHN

GREENTHUMB

GROWING

Continued from page 10

below 20 degrees, most or all of the pygmy date palms appear to have been killed, and the queen palms look iffy All other types appear likely to recover even if their fronds are brown now

As to pruning, fronds that are still partially green should be left on the palm. They continue to photosynthesize and provide food for the palm. Prune these off when new fronds have grown out. Totally brown fronds may be prune now You can give palms until summer (June/July) to sprout out before making a final decision on their removal.

Add a splash of color

Nothing will cheer you and your landscape up like a few well-placed beds and containers of colorful bedding plants

Long lasting warm-season bedding plants are becoming increasingly available at nurseries. By mid-March, the chances of killing freeze are unlikely,

ADVICE

Continued from page 9

types can get out of hand. Cut the ginger back to the ground. Then, dig up the rhizomes and dispose of them.

You could have this done by a landscape maintenance company if the job looks too big for you to tackle. They may miss a few pieces, so keep an eye out for any stray sprouts this summer Dig them out promptly as soon as you see them.

Dan Gill is a retired consumer horticulture specialist with the LSU AgCenter. He hosts the “Garden Show” on WWL-AM Saturdays at 9 a.m. Email gardening questions to gnogardening@agcenter.lsu. edu.

amazed how fast regrowth will occur on tropical plants. The ground does not freeze here, and the root systems of tropical plants are just as big as they were last summer

As a result, the new growth will be very fast This growth spurt may result in delayed flowering and fewer flowers this summer, but the plants will attain a nice size before you know it. Trim back as needed to control this enthusiastic growth and encourage bushiness.

making it reasonable to begin planting these tender plants.

Coming back strong

If they survived, you will be

Our long, hot growing season will aid greatly in the recovery of tropical plants that survived the freezes. By late summer, you will hardly remember what they look like now

STAFF FILE PHOTO By

LESLIE WESTBROOK

CREATIVE PUR

Lights streaming into multiple windows gives a glow to wooden floors in the dining room. The table and several pieces of artwork illustrate an Asian flair found throughout the house.

Comfy seating and eclectic art create an inviting living area. Paintings behind the sofa are by Lassen; the torchiere

The four-bay Creole cottage is located in Mid-City.

PHOTOS By JEFF STROUT

URSUITS

COVER STORy

A lifetime of design and painting skills come to the fore in artist’s home

BY JYL BENSON Contributing writer

The Mid-City home that Nancy Hirsch Lassen shares with her husband, Jim Gambill, reflects the story of her evolution from fledgling student artist to interior decorator/gallerist and back to being an artist, now with a national following and celebrated for her distinctive contemporary abstract style.

She is represented at galleries in New Orleans; Taos, New Mexico; High Point, North Carolina; and Birmingham, Alabama.

The walls and trim throughout the four-bay Creole cottage’s public spaces are painted the same saturated neutral

ä See ARTIST, page 14

An inviting porch looks out over the backyard.

“I keep my works that I love that did not sell. I am relieved when I get to keep them.”

NANCy HIRSCH

LASSEN

iere (left) and gold ceramic bowl on the table are by artist Benny Burts

Nancy Hirsch Lassen and Jim Gambill sit at home in Mid-City with their two Cavalier King Charles spaniels.

ARTIST

Continued from page 13

burlap shade that sets off the warm colors in her own art and the works of the many others Lassen has collected Some are museum quality; others were picked up from artists showing their works in public spaces.

In addition to her works, her collection includes those of Kaori Maeyama, Jere Allen, Tore Wallin, Judy Applebaum, Sandra Blair Richardson, Lyle Morehouse, Mario Villa, Craig McMillin, Benny Burts, Peter Robinson Smith, Nell Tilton, Julie Thigpen, Morris Henry Hobbs and Emile Frey

There is an indefinable quality to the pieces to which she gravitates — even she cannot define it.

“It’s always as if I am just drawn to a piece,” she said. “I keep my works that I love that did not sell. I am relieved when I get to keep them.”

Finally, a house

The 2019 move into the four-bay Creole cottage was one she made at the behest of Gambill, a manufacturing process consultant whom she married in November after eight years of dating.

The home’s largely monochromatic exterior color palette provides a soothing backdrop for vibrant tropical foliage, much as neutral interior colors do for the art collection.

“He wanted a house,” Lassen said. “I lived in Lakewood South, where I lost almost everything to 71/2 feet of

The saturated neutral wall color in the great room allows the artwork to come forward, while the Asian-inspired, rosy red cocktail table and striped throw pillows add pops of color.

water after Katrina. That made me a devoted renter. But painting the walls the color I want has been nice.”

Lassen’s interior design skills were pressed heavily into service as she accomplished creating a home with a breathtaking amount of art — paintings, drawings, sculpture, ceramics, floral design and so much more — without the result feeling like a museum or a gallery, but instead the comfortable home she set out to create.

So replete is the beauty and visual interest throughout the home, the furnishings for which reflect a substantial Asian influence, that an unadorned flat-screen television fades away on a wall among more compelling things.

Window coverings of natural woven grass also recede among the many works of art.

The goal is for mundane implements throughout the home to disappear. Lassen’s reaction to the arrival of telephone charging cords for her bedroom sums up her approach to her

Even the corners of the home are prime space for artwork. Shown here, in the dining room, are six portraits by Lyle Morehouse and a sculpture from Mario Villa Gallery.

house.

“Oh, good, finally! These cords match the wall color,” she said. “I am so sick of looking at those ugly cords. They need to vanish.”

A history with art

The draw to visual art and composition came early for Lassen

When she was 5, the Baton Rouge native told her father that when she grew up, she wanted to decorate the glamorous windows at Hurwitz Mintz furniture store on Royal Street.

In 1975, as her graduation in fine arts from Newcomb College at Tulane University approached, she was walking through the French Quarter with a friend. He asked what her plans were.

She said, “Well, I always wanted to do the windows at Hurwitz Mintz.”

“He walked me in (to Hurwitz Mintz), made the introduction (to the owner), and I was hired that day to work in the stockroom for $2.10 an hour. I kept finding things to do so I

Peter Robinson Smith made this sculpture in the hallway by twisting window screens; if hit the right way with light, they throw interesting shadows.

PHOTOS By JEFF STROUT

A grouping of sculpture and planters sits outside Lassen’s backyard studio.

An abstract painting by local artist Sandra Blair Richardson.

could keep working there, but, in retrospect, I was a college graduate willing to work for $2.10 an hour, so I was probably safe.”

She ultimately became an interior decorator with the company and fulfilled her childhood dream of outfitting the store’s massive picture windows before moving next door to join Units, the sister company focused on cutting-edge contemporary style.

In 1986, she opened Interior & Extras on Metairie Road, where she carried the works of an array of artists and artisans and used those works in adorning other people’s homes.

Back to the brushes

When her daughter left for college in 2004, Lassen returned to painting. She enrolled in classes at the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts and studied under Nell Tilton until 2018. Under Tilton’s direction, Lassen developed a fascination with the intersection of nature and industry that informs her work.

“I am fascinated by telephone lines, wires, scaffolding, the Port of New Orleans,” Lassen said. “I did an exhibition around train trestles and another on trains. I used to always get stuck at the train crossing on Metairie Road. I was so aggravated that I started taking pictures of the trains and came to

Small ceramic houses hanging over the refrigerator are by Judy Applebaum.

A piece of Nancy Hirsch Lassen’s artwork hangs over the bed in the primary suite, and an old Japanese sword is converted into use as a curtain rod It’s another example of the Asian accents that occur throughout the home.

love them.”

Her mixed-media works, many large-scale, are executed with bold brush strokes and a tendency toward warm colors. She estimated having turned out 800 paintings throughout her still-thriving career.

In 2023, she and Gambill opened Paintspace NOLA. In this studio

space, an international coterie of artists gathers to instruct students who travel to the studio on Soniat Street from worldwide to learn. Lassen maintains a studio at Paintspace, but she has another, too. It’s located in a small cottage behind her 2,200-squarefoot home, which brings all of her experiences full circle.

A Jere Allen painting is paired with works of ceramic art.

An abstract painting by Tore Wallin was damaged in Hurricane Katrina and has been reframed. The ceramic blow is by Craig McMillin.

BACKSTORY

An 1844 advertisement in the Daily

altarsthe Before

A

Catholic feast day with a more controversial celebration predated Sicilian St. Joseph’s custom

BY JOHN McCUSKER

Contributing writer

This week, across the New Orleans area, descendants of Sicilian immigrants will lay out elaborate altars laden with food and drink in honor of St. Joseph. The tradition, a deeply rooted old-world custom, became part of the city’s fabric following waves of Sicilian immigration in the 1880s.

As thousands of newcomers settled in the lower French Quarter — soon nicknamed “Little Palermo” — they brought their culture, their food and, of course, their brand of faith.

Still, as hundreds of visitors descend Wednesday to experience the altars, it is worth noting there were long-practiced local customs surrounding March 19 in the decades before the Sicilians arrived. And they were predictably lively, being New Orleans.

A March 20, 1895, Times-Pic-

ayune headline tells the story: “St. Joseph’s Day celebrated with religious ceremonies and at night the dancers gather for a taste of the pleasures which they yielded to Lent.”

The newspaper dubbed St. Joseph’s Night as “an oasis in the social desert.” Dancing on St. Joseph’s Night had been a staple activity since at least the 1830s.

Dancing scene

Throughout the 19th century, Catholics had adhered to the social convention of giving up dancing during Lent, leaving ballrooms empty and entertainment venues struggling. But St. Joseph’s Night became an exception, or at least that’s what many people believed.

The Picayune reinforced that notion in 1855, declaring March 19 was, “by rules of the church, the only opportunity until Easter to indulge in any amusements.”

Not so, argued the Morning

St. Joseph Church in Gretna, completed in 1926, is a Spanish Colonial Revival master work, a far cry from the original 1859, wood-frame church where Father Stenmans once preached He was quoted in 1914 in the Times-Democrat about St. Joseph altars.

Star and Catholic Messenger in 1868, firmly stating, “There is no foundation for such a method of celebrating the day.”

But dance halls across the city weren’t concerned with theological disputes.

The famed Orleans Ballroom in the French Quarter even continued hosting costume

balls three nights a week throughout Lent, advertising them daily in newspapers. (By 1881, the site had been transformed into a convent and orphanage by the Sisters of the Holy Family.)

Altars steal the scene

St. Joseph altars had been

a way to celebrate the feast day for three decades when, in 1914, the Times-Democrat wrote about the altar at St. Joseph Church in Gretna. It reported that the Rev Stenmans said high Mass, then visited “the homes of several prominent members of the Italian congregation in Gretna and Harvey to bless the votive altars erected therein specially for the occasion.”

The altar tradition continues today at St. Joseph as the 50 members of the church women’s club prepare this year’s offerings, baking traditional Italian fig, sesame and anise cookies. This week, the goodies will be laid out atop a white tablecloth accented by gold ribbon in a setting of art,

STAFF FILE PHOTO By JOHN McCUSKER

The St. Joseph’s altar at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Metairie is among the many set up annually around the area.

ARCHIVE IMAGE

Picayune announces a St. Joseph’s Day dance at the Washington Armory.

STAFF PHOTO By JOHN MCCUSKER

STAFF PHOTO By JOHN McCUSKER

A detail of a frieze on the front of St. Joseph Church in Gretna, which was built in 1927.

BACKSTORY INSIDEINFO

The

flowers, cakes and statues of Joseph and other saints.

After Mass, a ceremonial procession will stop at three doors, knocking each time in the ritual known as tupa-tupa — Italian for “knock-knock.”

The first two doors remain closed, but the third opens to reveal the altar, where Archbishop Gregory Aymond will give a blessing before hundreds of plates of spaghetti Milanese, glazed-carrot casse-

role, fried fish, artichoke and green bean casserole and cake are served.

So, whether your March 19 plans involve fasting or feasting, dancing or quiet reflection, parades or prayer, may your St. Joseph’s Day be all you hoped. And if you don’t make it to an altar this year, take comfort in knowing your absence leaves more cookies for the rest of us.

Happy St. Joseph’s Day.

Pontchartrain Home Show this weekend

Visit the Pontchartrain Home Show and Louisiana Food Fest in Kenner this weekend for all things home and garden.

The annual exposition will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Pontchartrain Convention and Civic Center, 4545 Williams Blvd., at the lake.

Exhibitors show many cutting-edge products and concepts for remodeling, renovation, repair and construction.

Plus, the Louisiana Food Fest offers samples from more than 20 local brands.

Tickets start at $8. Visit jaaspro.com.

Rescheduled iris market set for lakefront

Louisiana irises will be on sale at 10 a.m. Sunday at the New Basin Lighthouse, 8001 Lakeshore Drive, in New Orleans, rescheduled from an earlier date.

The Greater New Orleans Iris Society sale features the potted plants for $10 each. Visit facebook.com for information about the group.

Spring Ramble opens northshore locales

The Spring Ramble for the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation will be Saturday in Covington and Madisonville.

The twice-annual tours through historic sites offer access to properties not usually open to the public.

Included is a visit to the Villa de la Vergne, a 1780s home constructed on a bluff bound by the Bogue Falaya and Abita rivers. The property suffered from years of neglect, but a new owner is rehabilitating the house and grounds.

Check in is at Christ Episcopal Church, 120 N. New Hampshire St., in Covington for a schedule and information. No transportation is provided; ride-sharing is encouraged. A box lunch is included.

Longue Vue hosting Design Symposium

Four featured speakers will look at how design and experiences combine in homes and environments at the annual Design Symposium on April 2-5 at Longue Vue House and

Gardens, 7 Bamboo Road, in New Orleans.

In addition to lectures by architect Gil Schafer; Stella Chase Reese, of Dooky Chase Restaurant; Austen Barron Bailly, of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art; and Tracee Dundas, of New Orleans Fashion Week, the event will host field trips for school groups and a community design day

Tickets start at $250. For information, visit longuevue. com.

Learn the art of bonsai at Mandeville brewery

Head to Chafunkta Brewing Co., 69123 Sky Brook Road, in Mandeville on Friday for an introduction into the ancient Asian art of bonsai.

The instructors with Bonsai Bar provide fundamental skills and techniques with brew culture in the background.

Additional sessions are planned.

Cost starts at $85. For information, visit bonsaibar.com.

Have a home and garden event coming up? Send it to events@theadvocate.com.

FILE PHOTO By PHIL GUARISCO

Orleans Ballroom on Orleans Avenue in the French Quarter, shown in the 1960s when it was a convent. Today, it’s the lobby of the Bourbon Orleans Hotel.

NEW ORLEANS

TRANSFERS ISSUED FEB. 27 TO MARCH 3

DISTRICT 1

BANKS ST. 3424-26: $384,500, Dewitt A. Godfrey and Megan Koza Godfrey to 3424 B St. LLC

GIROD ST. 330: $470,000, Thinh P Pham to James P. Cooper.

GRAVIER ST. 404, TCHOUPITOULAS ST. 301: $1,450,000, 301PH LLC to Eligio Wines LLC.

MAGAZINE ST. 760, UNIT 115:

$250,000, Joi Long and Robert M. Lieb to Aaron Carlton and Lily Garda Calton.

MAGAZINE ST. 760, UNIT 220:

$305,000, BDKK Family Properties LLC to Benjamin Buisson and Laura C. Buisson.

MAGAZINE ST. 1408-1410:

$550,000, Xue Yang to Airol LLC.

POEYFARRE ST. 920, UNIT 333:

$282,000, Cameron Francis Nodier to Karen Marie Mancl Antosch and Larry M. Antosch.

ST. JOSEPH ST. 735: no value stated, 735 737 St. Joseph Street LLC to Where Yaat Baby LLC.

S. ALEXANDER ST. 120-122:

$465,000, John R. Demahy to Sais Yero.

DISTRICT 2

BARRACKS ST. 1326-28: $242,000, Aulston Taylor to Doby Properties LLC.

BIENVILLE ST. 4821: $460,000, Kerry Ann Sicomo Caraway to Sarah W Lungaro.

CHEF MENTEUR HIGHWAY

9601-9677, DAUPHINE ST. 227, ST. CHARLES AVE. 7133: $100, Catherine Associates LLC to Canopy

REALESTATETRANSFERS

Partners LLC

GEN. DIAZ ST. 5318-5320: $365,000, Edward Charles Pick and Rodney Louis Pick to Christina Ingrassia.

HAWTHORNE PLACE 5481:

$415,000, Federal National Mortgage Association to Drew Keith and Kelsey Keith.

MARSHAL FOCH ST. 6411:

$649,000, Kayla Grace Hansel and Nicholas Hansel to Austin Park and Susan M. Park.

MEMPHIS ST. 6229: $621,000, Lainie M. Wick to Jonathan Waters and Katherine Ofriel Waters.

N. LOPEZ ST. 334: $260,000, Anthony Greenberry and Stephanie Simon Greenberry to Ryan Veillette.

N. MURAT ST. 600: $220,000, Brandon Trones and Erin Klodginski to JNJ Amusement LLC.

TURQUOISE ST. 920: $770,000, Colleen Kelly Dupepe and Derek Raymond Dupepe to John Merritt Dyer and Tammi Conerly Dyer.

URSULINES AVE. 2332: $415,000, 2332 Ursulines LLC to Joshua Doss.

DISTRICT 3

ABUNDANCE ST. 3322: $7,000, Leroy Charles to AZ Royalty Investments LLC.

A.P. TUREAUD AVE. 2625-2627: $275,000, Jeffery Bruce Arceneaux and Yiana Mercadel Arceneaux to Bellevasion Estate LLC.

BALDWIN WOODS ROAD 4001: $70,000, Barker Investors and Yang Su to Rogelio Medina.

BANCROFT DRIVE 5830: $100, William R. Burk IV to Danielle Doiron Leger and Walter John Leger III.

BUNKER HILL ROAD 7040-42, SAIL ST. 7819, 7831, 7837, 7843: $344,000, Ann Kohlbatz Franklin to Adey LLC.

CHARTRES ST. 2831: $8,000,000, New Orleans Center For Creative Arts Foundation to State of Louisiana.

CLEMENTS DRIVE 5500: $365,000, Drs Developers LLC to Lashannon S. Grant.

DAVEY ST. 4148: $450,000, Alejandra C. Burgos to Grace Wilde Moore Penning.

DEBORE CIRCLE 4965: $315,000, Damien Roby Coleman to Alicia M. Roby.

DESIRE ST. 815-17: donation, no value stated, Joe Amos Melcher Jones to Glenn Louis Jones Melcher.

GABRIEL DRIVE 4759, 4767, 4801, REDWOOD ST. 4735: donation, no value stated, Miracle Magee Fulton and Tracy Fulton Sr. to M & M Realty LLC.

JAPONICA ST. 1435: $2,050,000, Euphrosine Properties LLC to Stay Ready Nola Inc.

LAKE FOREST BLVD. 10555: $110,000, Nola Hard Money Services LLC to Propertydoc LLC.

MADRID ST. 2323: $174,000, Camrin Keziah Moon Wells and Philip Lee Wells to Kathleen Martin.

MARQUIS ST. 7818: $37,000, Paradise Homes LLC to L & S Martinez Transportation LLC.

MAXINE DRIVE 11424: $437,000, Dedra Burke to Corwin Lemon.

METROPOLITAN ST. 3227: $15,000, New Orleans Redevelopment Authority to Home of New Expectations Inc.

MURANO ROAD 4220: $298,000, Lawrence M. Wendel and Winifred B. Wendel to Gail Zentz Pearsall and Gwynne Duncan Pearsall Jr.

N. DERBIGNY ST. 2505-07: $285,000, Ashley Wennerstrom to Jennifer J. Rajkumar.

N. GALVEZ ST. 1918-20: $360,000, Avant Garde Oz LLC to Devoderick Davis.

NORWOOD COURT 6811: $229,000,

Roger Lewis Jr. to Mary Lawson Lewis.

PAULINE ST. 2321, 2327: $85,000, Heather Nichole Kendall, Jeffrey D. Kendall and Margaret A. Kendall to Asianeen Norma Cantillano.

PORT ST. 1729: $105,000, Sheilia S. Ceaser and Zachareeia Bennett to Breanne Nicole Sparta.

PORT ST. 2233-2235: $39,500, April Reimonenq Fernandez and Edmond S. Fernandez Jr. to Samantha K. Nichols.

PRESSBURG ST. 2512: $400,000, Ashley Brownlee De Oliveira to Christian Collor.

SPAIN ST. 820: $240,000, Jason F. Sellards to Cathey Odonnell Meagher and Michael A. Meagher.

ST. FERDINAND DRIVE 5500: $82,650, Carrington Mortgage Services LLC to BMRC Properties LLC.

ST. ROCH AVE. 2428: donation, no value stated, Gailon Carey Sr., James Earl Carey, James Ferdinand Carey, Veronica Carey Wimberley, Violet Carey Henderson and Willie Frank Carey to Donald Nixon and Frankie Carey Nixon.

SHALIMAR DRIVE 4525-4527: $166,000, LSF9 Master Participation Trust to Good Look Concepts LLC.

UNITY DRIVE 8025: $26,500, Reggie Eugene Ford to Rogers C. Anderson and Tiffany S. Anderson. URQUHART ST. 5422-24: $82,500, Arthurine Roby to TSD Properties LLC.

WALLACE DRIVE 402: $73,000, Anson Jamal Williams, Brandi Elizabeth Williams and Laurette Spurlock Williams to Roccos Renovation Group LLC.

DISTRICT 4

COLISEUM ST. 3104: $270,500, Elizabeth Sloan Ponder Memory to Christine Mencken Bostick and Jeffrey Lee Bostick.

FELICITY ST. 1422-24: $550,000, Daniel Checkman to William S Vincent Jr.

FOURTH ST. 1424: $10 and other valuable consideration, 1424 Fourth St. LLC to Ashley Ann Lyons Porter Holly PRYTANIA ST. 1922: $233,000, Robert T. Jansen III LLC to Donald Keith Worme and Victoria Lee Allen Worme.

ST. CHARLES AVE. 1205, UNIT 605: $239,000, Anthony C. Martin to

Albert Richard Sciarappa, Christina J. Sciarappa and Kathleen Sciarappa.

ST. CHARLES AVE. 3201, UNIT 305:

$50,000, David G. Williams to Andrew S. Williams and Catherine W. Huettemann Williams.

SECOND ST. 515-17: $390,000, Anne Marie Vineski Vollono to Elizabeth MacLean Thomson

THIRD ST. 911: $498,000, Jonathan Rubenstein to BD & T Real Estate

WASHINGTON AVE. 1629:

$290,000, 1629 Washington LLC to Cathy May Hooper Beeding.

DISTRICT 5

BRUNSWICK COURT 105: $249,900, Roofingdevelopments LLC to Keivondra Collins and Mary Collins.

BRUNSWICK COURT 6616:

$250,000, Joel C. Alsandor to Takeah J. Frazier.

HUDSON PLACE 2756: $269,300, Rockey D Booc to Bakaria Caliste and Sade Helen Oconner Caliste.

LEBOEUF ST. 442-444: $51,000, Castlerock 2023 LLC to 444 Leboeuf LLC.

MACARTHUR BLVD. 5301: $270,000, Zachary Bennett to Ahoefa Agbobli.

OXFORD PLACE 5924: $217,500, John M. McDermott Jr., Kelly McDermott, Kevin J. McDermott and Shannan McDermott Brown to Maury V Baker.

PINEHURST DRIVE 92: $427,000, Kelly T. Dejan to David Goodwin and Shannon Goodwin.

RICHLAND ROAD 1700: $175,000, Barry Celestin and Tangia Frey Celestin to Trachell Deidra Jones.

SHIRLEY DRIVE 1432: $30,000, Georgia P. White to Glen Dale Irons.

VALLETTE ST. 840-42, 841: donation, no value stated, Oscar J. Rainey to Joan Cooper Rainey.

VAN BUREN ST. 1651801: $25,000, Anthony Joseph Zabbia Jr., Charles Joseph Gassen Jr., Hollis Charles Gassen Jr., Michelle Rene Gassen, Richard Samuel Zabbia, Robert Francis Zabbia and Strader Michael Carrigen Gassen to Kimthanh Tran Nguyen.

VESPASIAN BLVD. 3608: $92,500, Kendra M. Joseph to Pushing Keys LLC and R&R Nola Corp.

DISTRICT 6

ALINE ST. 1212: $500,000, Barry

REALESTATETRANSFERS

Lynn Lyall and Harry Robert Lyall to Elise Pierce.

ANNUNCIATION ST. 6225: $100, Cynthia Swan and Joseph A. Armitage to Tina Brown Sachs.

AUDUBON ST. 2809-2811: $475,000, Lennie Marie Davidson Locklear and Norbert Rudolph Davidson Jr. to Austin Billiot and Ella Browndsdon Billiot.

BARONNE ST. 4729-31: $1,200,000, Avrea I. McCargo Stoops and Mark S. Stoops to Janna Lynn Hart Black and Timothy James Black.

CLARA ST. 5817-19: $534,000, East Campus LLC to Charming Character Homes LLC.

CALHOUN ST. 831: $100, Calhoun 2007 Trust to John R. Mansfield.

CONSTANCE ST. 4106: $755,000, Erin Kathleen Oshea Harrell and Kevin Nicholas Harrell to Craig Allen Burley and Grace Becker Burley

CONSTANTINOPLE 1508: $182,500, Marc P. Bourgeois and Marcel A. Bourgeois to Kimberly Berry Szubinski.

FRERET ST. 4222: $325,000, Ian Hughes to Emily A. Walsh.

MAGNOLIA ST. 4701: $450,000, Matthew J. Madden to Christopher William Sandifer and Mary Colleen Dowd Lynn

MARENGO ST. 615: $489,000, Alaina Maria Galbraith Baldwin and Michael Cutter Baldwin to Brandon P. Neugent and Madeline E. Priest Neugent.

NASHVILLE AVE. 3600: $465,000, Lydia B. Kuykendal Marmer and Whitney E. Marmer Kuykendal to Lora Bradley Saunders and Richard Saunders.

PALMER AVE. 2126-2128: $700,000, Morc LLC to Brenda Smith Tolbert and Craig Tolbert.

ST. CHARLES AVE. 3915: $370,000, Brian Michael Stewart and Sadie Sumerlin Stewart to Marina Linam Silva and Michael L. Silva.

S. TONTI ST. 4320-22: $600,000, Jorge A. Maldonado and Karen Funez Maldonado to Charles Edward V. Decker, Cody Wayne Crawford, Kaylila Pasha Crawford and Sarah Pasha.

STATE ST. DRIVE 3319: $486,875, Henry C. Worley and Leslie R. Worley to Anne Kee Irvin and Kaare Egedahl.

STATE ST. DRIVE 4374: $195,000, Wilhelmina Dumas Briggs to Gary Kelso.

WALNUT ST. 296: $1,175,000, Mary Meyer Toups and Wilbur Anthony Toups III to Melissa Schutz Lilly

W. LAVERNE ST. 7840: $235,000, Amyrick Russell to Carl Wayne Williams.

DISTRICT 7

22ND ST. 143: $375,000, Nancy Spranley Kearney to Joshua Culotta.

37TH ST. 428: $562,000, Ramon J. Vallejo to Cameron Joseph Budzius and Mary Margaret Louise Wilbert Budzius.

BELLAIRE DRIVE 6830: $773,000, Sob Investments LLC to Curtis Smiley and Sakura Smiley.

BREAKWATER DRIVE 8008: $200,000, Robin Blair Durant to Kenneth Purcell and Maryanne Marino Purcell.

BREAKWATER DRIVE 8010: $425,000, Robin Blair Durant to Kenneth Purcell and Maryanne Marino Purcell.

COLAPISSA ST. 9127: $29,000, SAJ Realtors LLC to Rodney Smith and Roger Smith.

FORSHEY ST. 8801: $90,000, Johnny T. Mixon Jr. to ENLS Investments LLC.

FORSHEY ST. 8809: $45,000, Johnny T. Mixon Jr. to ENLS Investments LLC.

LEONIDAS ST. 1829: $140,000, St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church to Tamara Welch and Velton Welch.

MONROE ST. 1314-16: $435,000, Matthew James Bible and Teresita Maria Redmann Bible to Jack Hamilton Landess and Taylor Elizabeth Murphy Landess.

NELSON ST. 7831: $615,000, Amanda Wolf Carrier and Robert Edward Carrier to Gretchen Elizabeth Siemers Follmer and Joseph Christin Follmer.

PRITCHARD PLACE 8525: $310,000, Kendall Marie Griffin Tillman to Andres Pena Paez and Juliana Narvaez Cano Paez.

EAST JEFFERSON

n TRANSFERS FOR MARCH 1-6

JEFFERSON

JEFFERSON PARK AVE. 541: Alexander Garcia to Elegant Houses LLC, $122,000.

MORRIS PLACE 4320: Dawn A. Foy to Ashtin Hoverman, $225,000.

KENNER

CHATEAU BLVD. 4136: Tania Guerrero to Simmons Property LLC, $215,000.

CONNECTICUT AVE. 3916: Yvette G. Serpas to Wj Houses LLC, $135,000.

FLORIDA AVE. 4137: Silvio ä See EAST, page 20

UPTOWN HISTORIC HOME

3713 CARONDELET STREET

Renovation opportunity! This Victorian stylehomeboastsfive bedrooms,three full bathrooms,two half baths, andover3700SFoflivingspace on 2floors (4132 SFtotal.There aremanyhistoricarchitectural detailsincluding 12 ft highceilings, pocket doors, coal fireplaces,and hard wood floors. Thereisabrick driveway, and French Quarterstyle patio. Wholehouse generator! The1st levelwas remodeledtocreatemorelivingspace andnow features 2large bedroomswith walk-inclosets,alarge playroom,one full bath,laundry andone-halfbath. The rear storageareaunder theservice wing couldbeawonderful recroomorgym Phenomenallocation just oneblock off of St.Charles withplentyofgreat dining options withinwalking distance.MartinWineCellar, Superior Seafood&Oyster Bar, andNew Orleans Hamburgerand Seafood areall within afew blocks.

REALESTATETRANSFERS

EAST

Continued from page 19

Gurdian to Gt Real Estate Investments LLC, $100.

FLORIDA AVE. 4137: Silvio Gurdian to Silvio Gurdian, $337,583.

INDIANA AVE. 3221: Kevin W Dukes Jr. to Luis H. G. Bernal, $324,000.

KENTUCKY AVE. 2409: Melissa A. Ward to Daja Realty LLC, $90,000.

MAINE AVE. 3300: Rmh 2023 2. Trust to Jian L. Liu, $215,000.

MCKINLEY ST. 91: Mei M. Xiao to

WEST JEFFERSON

n TRANSFERS FOR MARCH 1-6 AVONDALE

MADIERA DRIVE 177: Yesu S. Daasan to Rhonda B. Morales, $181,000.

GRAND ISLE

LIVE OAK DRIVE 118: Martha E. L. Frost to Wilbert J. Kraemer Jr., $60,000.

Paige Held, $429,000.

VETERANS BLVD. 724: Williams LLC R. J. to Carlos A. Urbina, $60,000.

WEST ESPLANADE AVE. 1301: Habub Rentals LLC to Bromat Properties LLC, $925,000.

METAIRIE

ARGONNE ST. 4608: Mark Blalock to Quinlivan Homes LLC, $300,000.

AURORA AVE. 319: Marechal Property Ventures LLC to Tassa L. Alexander, $1,600,000.

EDENBORN AVE. 2301 UNIT 407: Edward J. Shockley to Tina A.

GRETNA

FAIRFIELD AVE. 391: Lulich Malayne Demars Testamentary Trust to Jennifer C. Moser, $175,000

HUEY P LONG AVE. 2442: Evleaner Brooks to Baron Construction, $69,500.

KINGSWAY DRIVE EAST 957: Belinda M. Weston to Jasmine M. Ezeb, $265,000.

LAFAYETTE ST. 632: W. Harvey III to Thomas L. Claverie, $125,000.

WALL BLVD. 525: Ronald A. Gasser to Ronald A. Gasser, $105,000

HARVEY

CAVENDISH PLACE 3421: Mahmoud Hammad to Terry S. Martin, $475,000.

HAMPTON DRIVE 1849: Hung

Q. Vu to Bao Han Vu Revocable Living Trust, donation, no value

•$1,125,000 /$5,500

&tilebathtub surround.The 20 foot ceilingsinthe denw/ floor to ceiling windows offer apanoramic view of thepool &the bay. Twoprimary suites! AMustSee to Appreciate AllIt’sCharm &Beauty!!! Drive your golf cart to nearby SunkistGolf Course or fish off thepier. All on an oversized lotthatdid notflood during Hurricane Katrina!

Shockley, donation, no value stated.

JEANNETTE DRIVE 4417: Gia S. Dermody to Patricia M. Artigue, $320,000.

MARION ST. 3725 UNIT 4: Berneece L. B. Ervin to Yi Zhen, $120,000.

NURSEY AVE. 1509: Kyle Kelly to Sarah Saussy, donation, no value stated.

PEOPLES ST. 3924: Anthony Penick to Dandan Zhu, $371,900.

RIDGEWAY DRIVE 540: Carlton C. Main to John P. Kippers, $425,000.

SIGUR AVE. 1531: Marcia Lyon to

stated.

PATRICK PLACE 3904: Colin J. Lacy to Gina Saunier, $210,000.

TALLOW TREE LANE 1164-66: Dtv Enterprises LLC to Dtv Enterprises LLC, $345,500.

LAFITTE

CEMETERY ST. 5138: Kathleen L. Doming to Harley Foret, donation, no value stated.

MARRERO

ALLO AVE. 964: Jane B. Cavallo to Andre C. Barrios, $85,000.

AMES BLVD. 4617: Joel K. Miller Jr. to Megan E. Wilson, $265,000.

BARATARIA BLVD. 501: Franklin E. Castro to Franklin E. Castro Jr., donation, no value stated.

BUCCANEER DRIVE 2516: Mousa A. Ayyad to Rasheed D. King, $245,000.

MAGNOLIA ST. 5028: Kenneth J. Desalvo to Valerie Ingrham,

www.helenkatz.latter-blum.com helen.katz@compass.com

Kathleen Davenport, $1,150,000.

TAFT PARK 1913: Gertrude Dupont to Roger III Dey, $310,000.

TEMPLE ST. 4429: Patricia Lobell to Helen Tomkow, $302,500.

WHITNEY PLACE 2700 UNIT 832 : Timothy G. Breaux to Sidney G. Montecino, $105,000.

WILTY ST. 6412: Lana Figueroa to Leticia Juarez, $200,000.

WILTY ST. 6501: Leticia Juarez to Martha Pena, $270,000.

RIVER RIDGE

CHARLOTTE DRIVE 9628: Dustin S. Mcghee to Loan Funder LLC, $166,667.

$185,000.

SIEGLINDE COURT 2817: Julio Cano Jr. to Cortes Properties LLC, $100,000.

TAFFY DRIVE 2541: Milton J. S Mendoza to Hilda D. Cardoza, donation, no value stated.

TERRYTOWN

E. MARLIN COURT 632: Astrid T Bronner to Alexis Mcquarter, $238,000.

FIELDING AVE. 656: Dustin J. Shaw to Estefania Salas, $260,000.

OAKWOOD DRIVE 668: Lam T. Nguyen to Xiuying W. Qiu, $140,000.

WESTWEGO

VICTORY DRIVE 577: Jose Reyes to Karla C. Reyes, donation, no value stated.

ST. TAMMANy

TRANSFERS FEB. 19-24

ABITA SPRINGS

CROWN COUNTRY ESTATES, LOT 70: Travis S. Anglin and Ashley F. Anglin to Gerald M. Dysart and Michele B. Dysart, $42,500.

HILLCREST COUNTRY CLUB ESTATES, LOT 22, SQUARE 7: Maxine L. Becker Broemmeksiek to Southern LandPro LLC, $1,869.

NEAR ABITA SPRINGS, PORTION OF GROUND: John McDowell Jr. to Nicolas Diego Nicolas, $12,000.

COVINGTON

ABITA RIVER DRIVE 1040: KPM Construction LLC to Tien Van Le and Nhu Thi Nguyen, $493,000. ALDER CREEK COURT 609: Akinsowon Oke and Abiola Oke to Joseph M. Diecidue and Caitlin Diecidue, $691,000.

BARRINGTON DRIVE 1227: DSLD Homes LLC to Jocelyn Jolicoeur, $383,685.

BARRINGTON DRIVE 1243: DSLD Homes LLC to Ronald J. Bordelon, $320,765.

BRADBURY PLACE 2313: Joshua P. Brunet to Elyse J. Ordogne and Kiah N. Ordogne, $405,000.

BRANCH CROSSING 756: Elisa F. Hurst to Kurt Schexnaildre and Jennifer D. Schexnaildre, $289,990.

BUNNY LANE 72206: Richard W. Kerr and Susanna P. Kerr to Alexis Jimenez-Rodriguez and Mahelvi B. Garcia, $265,000.

DELTA LANE 1164: NAF Cash LLC to Sherri L. Tyler, $640,000.

DELTA LANE 1204: Ronald D. Hoefeld Jr. and Kelly M. Hoefeld to Timothy Upton and Patricia Upton, $719,000.

ESTELLE COURT 3005: Lloyd R. Resweber and Maxine R. Resweber to Jason K. Ballinger and Michelle L. Balllinger, $327,000.

GABRIEL DRIVE 2103: DSLD Homes LLC to Joeann K. Dantin, $344,500.

HEATHERSTONE LANE 104: James Callis and Ragan E. Benton Callis to Ryan Juneau, $323,000.

Enjoythe freedom of condo living in this affordable, luxurious, 24/7 secure condounitat 600PORT OF NEWORLEANS PLACE: Themostsoughtafterpremier building in theCityofNew Orleans! 1723 SQ FT Come seethisfresher look!

HUMMINGBIRD ROAD 106: Wayne J. McCants and Laurie M. McCants to Jeremy Boelte inter vivos trust, $2,010,000.

HUMMINGBIRD ROAD 43: Dale J. Misiek and Holly K. Pisarello Misiek to Wayne J. McCants and Laurie M. McCants, $1,775,000.

HYACINTH DRIVE 48: Geneva C. Monlezun to Jessica C. Bladholm, $315,000.

JENKINS AVE. 19391: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. to

Christian LaNasa, $110,000.

JENKINS ST. 69237: Desiree D. King to C. B. King LLC, $40,000.

JOHN T. PRATS ROAD, PORTION OF GROUND: Nicholas M. Soileau and Margaret M. Soileau to Pierre L. Thibaut and Vanessa C. Thibaut, $165,000.

MILLION DOLLAR ROAD 19130: Maxanne Noel Ragusa Estate to David C. Brandt and Sarah H. Fitzgerald Brandt, $370,000.

PLACE ST. ETIENNE 637: Rachel L. Wilcox to Patricia D. Gilmore, $490,000.

PRIMROSE LANE 04: Michael J. McMichael to Shirley Oriano, $445,000.

RAINBOW DRIVE, LOT 19: Elizabeth B. Barkerding, Mary B. Barkerding and Sarah B. Davies to Robert M. Keenan, $15,000.

RIVER OAKS DRIVE 831: Sherri H Tyler to Christopher Rogers and Clare Rogers, $620,000.

SILVERBERRY DRIVE 65: Beryl G. Morgan to Anthony J. Palazzo, $275,000.

SLEMMER ROAD 19411: Their Family irrevocable trust to Whitney M. Keller, $149,350

TAMMANY HILLS SUBDIVISION, LOTS 38, 40, 42, SQUARE 106: Gerald J. Delatte and Tracy I. Delatte to Total Home Solutions LLC, $40,000.

TAMMANY TERRACE SUBDIVISION, LOT 29, SQUARE 14, LOTS 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 29, SQAURE 17,: Patricia G. Lane to Dylon R. Moore, $20,000.

W. 19TH AVE. 209: Brent A. Fortenberry and Susan B. Fortenberry to Carlton C. Main and Andrea W. Main, $280,000.

W. 21ST AVE. 918: Daniel LaRocca and Gina M. Catalanotto LaRocca to Jolee M. Von Aspern, $187,500.

WOODCREST DRIVE 138: Succession of John E. Haluska to Arturo E. Gurdian and Daniela S. Balladares Gurdian, $250,000.

FOLSOM

CHENEL ROAD 81457: Barry R. Reinstein and Carleen J. Reinstein to Hitchcock Family Trust, $895,000.

LA. 1078 12510: Malvina P. Sanders to David J. Trahan Sr., $90,000.

NEAR FOLSOM, PORTION OF GROUND: Larry E. Aleman Jr. and Kelli M. Alack Aleman to David L. Stander and Shannon Barrios Stander, $714,000.

NEAR FOLSOM, PORTION OF GROUND: Salmen Co. LLC to Michele R. Rodriguez, $1,000,000.

NEAR FOLSOM, PORTION OF GROUND: Coremen Investments LLC to Edward J. Daussat and

REALESTATETRANSFERS

Gina F. Daussat, $190,000.

NEAR FOLSOM, PORTION OF GROUND: James A. Hughes and Margaret E. Crow Hughes to David L. Stander and Shannon B. Stander, $652,630.

S. MORGAN ROAD 81295: Pine Plantation LLC to Seth Mabile and Holly Stewart-Mabile, $140,000.

WILLIE CEMETARY ROAD 11096: Gary E. Nordgren Jr. to Sandy B. Nordgren, donation, no value stated.

LACOMBE

LABOSTRIE ROAD 28650: Bank of Louisiana to John P. Costello, $21,500.

LACOMBE ACRES ANNEX SUBDIVISION, LOT 12, SQUARE 7: Ryan M. McGuire to Jerry W Deglandon, $12,000.

MADISONVILLE

ARTIC FOX RUN 721: Joseph M. Diecidue and Caitlin Diecidue to Sean M. Baudier, $377,000.

GAINESWAY DRIVE 415: Joshua T. Kilpatrick and Leigh Ann Kilpatrick to Jason C. Legaspi Jr. and Amanda M. Lofaso Legaspi, $300,000.

SPRING HAVEN SUBDIVISION, PHASE 3A, 3B, PORTION OF GROUND: Spring Haven LLC to Integrity Builders Inc., $160,000.

MANDEVILLE

ADIN DRIVE 33: Succession of Marie S. Giambelluca and Michael Joseph Giambelluca Jr. to Theresa Giambelluca Lowder, $242,000.

BLUE HERON DRIVE 126: Barbara Anne Brown to Eileen Jordan Family Trust, $454,200.

CULVER COURT 1728: Keith L. Baker and Bernadine F. Hast Baker to NEI Global Relocation Co., $377,000.

CULVER COURT 1728: NEI Global Relocation Co. to Jared M. Meredith and Shelbi E. Ellis, $377,000.

HAMPTON COURT 114, UNIT 314: Frances Ann Mazzetti to Frances B. Mazzetti Living Trust, donation, no value stated.

JUNIPER COURT 61: Calin ColceriuDandu and Amanda Colceriu-Dandu to Gregory Shelton and Jamie Shelton, $10 and other valuable considerations.

LOCKE ST. 67270: Edward S. Swan and Carolyn S. Swan to Nicole N. Swan, $237,725.

MAKO NAKO DRIVE 246: Kenneth Saul Weeks and Jennifer J. Weeks to John Woitovich and Lillian M. Woitovich, $312,600.

MANDEVILLE ANNEX SUBDIVISION, LOT 6A, SQUARE 21: Roxie Timberlake Meyers to Faulkner Home Rentals LLC, $170,000.

MORNINGSIDE DRIVE 206: Kevin A. Parkins and Kristen P. Parkins to Zhao Management Trust, $885,000.

MULBERRY ST. 65455: A-S Property Management Team LLC to Brooke Fontenot and Luke Fontenot, $358,000.

OSCAR ST. 23352: Ka Wun Kiki Sanders to Florida Exteriors LLC, $65,000.

RED MAPLE DRIVE 523: David E. Babb and Beth A. Crompton Babb to William H. Oakland II and Belinda D. Oakland, $445,000.

SANDPIPER LANE 97: Shelley P. Winstead and Guy V. Winstead to Jared H. Freeman and Laura G. Freeman, $100 and other good and valuable consideration.

W. RIDGE DRIVE 2053: Succes-

sion of Vincent L. Libert Jr. and Linda H. Libert to Grant Amerson, $329,000.

WINNERS CIRCLE 8081: Ravi G. Shah to John K. Richard and Maria M. Richard, $570,000.

PEARL RIVER

16TH SECTION ROAD 69465: Succession of Alfredo T. Surla and Susan T. Surla to Audrey M. Moss Jr. and Christine C. Moss, $295,000.

CALHOUN SUBDIVISION, LOT 6, SQUARE 3: B&B Land Corp. to Jerry Livingston and Hazel Livingston revocable trust, $10,000.

CALHOUN SUBDIVISION, LOT 7, SQUARE 3: B&B Land Corp. to Jerry Livingston and Hazel Livingston revocable trust, $10,000.

LA. 36 37049: John E. Bennett Jones to Cindy J. Fisk, donation, no value stated.

SIXTH WARD

NEAR SIXTH WARD, LOT 1E2: Chad D. Heinz and Renee’ J. Heinz to Paul J. Nilsen, donation, no value stated.

SLIDELL

BIRDIE DRIVE 80, UNIT 14-C: Jolene Hazel to Beth Gauthreaux, $110,000.

BRENWOOD SUBDIVISION, LOT 7, SQUARE 4: Drinda Charbonnet Scariano to JSJ Homes LLC, $8,000.

CAPELLA COURT 62773: DSLD Homes LLC to Carlos A. Roundy and Carmen R. Roundy, $274,535.

CLEARWOOD DRIVE 306: Amber Mae Robbins to Wanda C. Adams, donation, no value stated.

CROSS GATES BLVD. 267: Daniel M. ä See TAMMANY, page 22

Readers respond to a single dilemma

Dear Readers: Many of you wrote to me in response to “Independent and Irritated.” This 65-yearold single woman was struggling with how to reply to people who questioned why she never married despite her older age. So many readers wrote in to share their own similar experiences and suggest some wonderful replies to an invasive and awkward question.

Here are some of my favorites I wanted to share with you.

By The Associated Press

TODAY IN HISTORY

DearAnnie: The letter from “Independent and Irritated” brought back a conversation that changed my life. I was a young, jilted fiancée trying to understand what happened to my dreamt-of future, now in shreds. A very kind, wise and highly educated Southern lady said to me “Oh, honey, you can ALWAYS get married, but think of all the OTHER wonderful things you can do.” I so admired her and her many accomplishments in education and public service, and for her charitable contributions to our community, and while she did eventually marry, she told me it was because she had run out of other things to do! — Keeping My Options Open

TAMMANY

Continued from page 21

Schindler to Loan Hoang Baldwin, $220,000.

HOLLY DRIVE 58423: Jarrell M.

DearAnnie: I thought your response to “Independent and Irritated” was gracious and thoughtful. As a 53-year-old straight, cis-gendered woman who has never married or had children, I’ve also had to develop a response to similar questions about my marital and childbearing status. My response for the last 20-plus years has been, “Just lucky, I guess.” This is no different than a family friend with 13 children who was constantly asked after the first half-dozen or so if she was pregnant again. Her response was, “I don’t know, but my husband and I are still having sex.” Both our responses tend to bring about the desired end to the conversation very quickly. Ask obnoxious questions, get obnoxious answers. When will people learn that these types of questions are inappropriate? It’s no different than asking couples who have

Bush and Tabitha M. Powell Bush to Roilandys S. Pena and Karen Y. Mejia Lopez, $210,433.

JAY ST. 2107: Gerald J. Marcotte to Ronald J. Cooper and Rita M. Cooper, $186,000.

KINGSTON DRIVE 124: Maria B. Rivero to Gustavus Moyer II,

been dating for any significant amount of time when they’re going to get married or asking married couples when they’re going to have children. Not everyone has the same relationship or life goals. Can’t we just meet people where they are and get to know or enjoy them as is? If more people would just mind their own business, the world would be a much better place. — Lucky SingleWoman

DearAnnie: Like “Independent and Irritated,” I am single in my 60s. I’ve had my share of relationships, and as I got older, I valued my singleness. I can clean my house when I want, do laundry when I want, etc. When people ask if I’m lonely or whatever, I just tell them I’m joyfully single. They smile and let it go. — Joyfully Single

DearAnnie: In response to the writer who asked how to respond to people who ask why she never married, say what I say: “I never met anyone whose company I enjoyed more than my own.” —“Lily”in NJ

Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators. com.

$215,000.

LA. 433 54469: Joseph S. Corona III to Christine Corona, donation, no value stated.

MANCHESTER DRIVE 558: Claire Zimmer Baudot to Maria Baudot Rideau, donation, no value stated.

MARAIS RIVER DRIVE 4534: D.

Today is Saturday, March 15, the 74th day of 2025. There are 291 days left in the year Today in history:

On March 15, 44 B.C., on the “ides of March,” Roman dictator Julius Caesar was assassinated by Roman senators, including Brutus and Cassius, who feared Caesar was working to establish a monarchy

On this date:

In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson, addressing a joint session of Congress, called for new legislation to guarantee every American’s right to vote. The result was passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

In 1972, “The Godfather,” Francis Ford Coppola’s film based on the Mario Puzo novel and starring Marlon Brando and Al Pacino, premiered in New York.

In 2012, convicted former Illinois Gov Rod Blagojevich entered a federal prison in Colorado, where the 55-yearold Democrat began serving a 14-year sentence for corruption. (He was released in February 2020 after President

R. Horton Inc. — Gulf Coast to Sabrina N. Sims, $266,900.

MARINE DRIVE 1038: Angela C. Simms to Aaron F. Yohn and Emily L. Jaunet, $275,000.

MCMANUS ROAD 56300: Sarah M. Maine, Rebecca M. Henley and others to Matthew N. McManus,

Donald Trump commuted his sentence; Trump pardoned Blagojevich in February 2025.)

In 2018, a pedestrian bridge under construction over a busy Miami highway collapsed, crushing vehicles beneath it; six people died and 10 were injured.

In 2019, a gunman killed 51 people at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, streaming the massacre live on Facebook. (Brenton Tarrant, an Australian White supremacist, was sentenced to life in prison without parole after pleading guilty to 51 counts of murder and other charges.)

Today’s birthdays: Actor Judd Hirsch is 90. Singer Mike Love (The Beach Boys) is 84. Actor Frances Conroy is 72. Rock singer Dee Snider (Twisted Sister) is 70. Baseball Hall of Famer Harold Baines is 66. Filmmaker Renny Harlin is 66. Rock singer Bret Michaels (Poison) is 62. Singer-TV host Mark McGrath (Sugar Ray) is 57. Actor Eva Longoria is 50. Musician will.i.am (Black Eyed Peas) is 50. Actor Kellan Lutz is 40.

$75,000.

MOONRAKER DRIVE 412: Joseph Cervini and Janet R. Cervini revocable living trust to Charles D. Couget Jr., $370,000.

MOONRAKER DRIVE 205: Clarence Boone III and Lisa Boone to Clarence Boone III and/or Lisa Boone revocable living trust, donation, no value stated.

NEAR SLIDELL, PORTION OF GROUND: Skye Louise Fontenot to Chaise A. Kurucar, $30,000.

STEELE ROAD 107: Jerry Nelson Ross Jr. to BMRC Properties LLC, $130,000.

WEEPING OAK LAND 5: Toby Dufrene and Ciji Dufrene to Patrick L Poole and Freda S. Poole, $630,000.

WESTLAWN DRIVE 1387: Laura A. Sollberger Thomas, Leonard C. Sollberger and Brian D. Sollberger to John Rios IV and Olivia R. Signaigo Rios, $200,000.

SUN/BUSH

ALBERT ROAD 81016: St. Jane De Chantal Roman Catholic Church to Sanad Amer, $690,000. ELLIS DRIVE, PORTION OF GROUND: Kenneth T. Pruitt to Brenda D. Farve, $10,000.

Annie Lane

ANNIE

Accessory dwelling units add purpose to extra space

BY ANGIE HICKS

Ask Angi (TNS)

From bringing in passive income to creating more space for family fun, accessory dwelling units have a lot of uses. If you have some extra space on your property, you might consider making it useful by building an ADU

The term refers to secondary homes, houses or apartments that are located on the same property as a main home. Sometimes ADUs are called inlaw suites or guesthouses.

The rise of multigenerational households is reshaping home design and renovation priorities. According to the 2024 Angi State of Home Spending Report, with 1 in 4 homeowners living in multigenerational households, these homeowners are more likely to be taking on larger renovations and adding lifestyle-enhancing features

An ADU can serve many purposes. Many families use them to accommodate people, whether that means creating a space for aging parents or an apartment for older children. Other people build ADUs with the intention of renting out the space to make passive income. You might also simply want to build one for your own purposes, such as creating a stand-alone studio or additional storage space away from the house.

Many people choose to build ADUs from scratch behind their main homes, but you don’t need to have a massive lot or big yard. A lot of the units even start as existing structures on your property, such as a shed or detached garage.

Not only can you make money by renting out your ADU, but building one can increase your property value by up to 30%, making it a smart financial investment for a lot of families.

The additional buildings are always a secondary addition to the main home, and are owned by the owner of the central home. An ADU can’t be bought or sold separately from the main property.

Units that are intended for housing are often subject to additional local regulations. In most cases, they must have their own private entrance, a bathroom, and a full kitchen with counters, sink, running water, cabinets and a stove.

The cost of an ADU varies depending on your intentions.

A basic garage conversion might cost as little as $20,000. Building a detached unit from scratch is likely to cost $40,000 at the basic level and could reach $125,000 or more, depending on your goals.

Be aware that an ADU will change a lot about how you interact with your property. It will likely increase property taxes, and their separate utilities will increase your energy costs. Plus, they’ll need all the same maintenance and upkeep as a main home.

Building an extra unit is a complex construction process and might not be right for

Accessory dwelling units, secondary residences on the same property as established houses, are filling an increased need for affordable housing or a separate home office.

that weekend-warrior DIYer Because ADUs tend to involve running utilities such as electricity, water and gas lines to the structure, much of the work may require permits and licensed professionals. So it’s really important to find the right contractor who can help you along with the process and make sure that this job gets done well.

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