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SERVING: MATHEWS • GHEENS • LOCKPORT • VALENTINE • LAROSE CUT OFF • GALLIANO • GOLDEN MEADOW • LEEVILLE • GRAND ISLE
Sunday, October 22, 2017
Study: Oil spill cleanup caused illness
By Holly Duchmann Daily Comet Staff Writer
Seven years after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill dumped millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, a federal study confirmed what one local doctor had suspected for years. Chemicals used in the cleanup W made thousands of people sick. Dr. Michael Robichaux, a ear, nose and throat doctor in Raceland, said he saw many patients experiencing the same symptoms after being exposed to the oil dispersants. The most common symptoms were abdominal pain, skin rashes, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, as well as endocrine disturbances where his patients bodies were not producing enough stress-relieving hormones. “I saw it over and over again, and I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that this type of process exists. I lived through it, I saw it and I’m still seeing it,” Robichaux said. The federal study, conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, specifically examined associations between the two oil
More job losses predicted in 2018
Scott presented his annual economic fore- zon that should keep them on good footing until cast at a luncheon held last Thursday in Gray the oil industry recovers, Scott said. Danos also by the South Louisiana Economic Council and appears stable at the moment. The Houma-Thibodaux area could lose Coastal Commerce Bank. Despite the gloomy The Houma-Thibodaux area has been af1,800 more jobs next year, and a local shipyard picture for next year, he fected by a three-year oil bust may shut down, a state economist predicted predicts about 700 new that has stripped more than last week. 16,700 jobs from the local jobs in 2019. “The most worrisome area for me, and the economy. Thoma-Sea and reason we don’t have a more optimistic forecast, Bollinger Shipyards have A federal report last month is your shipyards,” said Loren Scott, Louisiana taken on new roles makshowed the area, comprised of economist and professor emeritus at Louisiana ing boats for Pacific Terrebonne and Lafourche State University. “Thoma-Sea and Bollinger are Coast fishing trawlers parishes, had the fourth-worst adapting and building other ships ... but Edison and taking on contracts economy in 2016 among the Chouest might have to padlock its North Amer- t with the Navy and Coast nation’s 382 metro areas. The ican Shipyard if there isn’t a turnaround in the Guard as a way to adapt local gross domestic product, Gulf oilfield in the near future.” to the downturn in the the total value ofV goods and S MATHEWS • GHEENS • LOCKPORT • VALENTINE • LAROSE According to Scott, Edison Chouest Off- oil industry, Scott said. services produced, shrank by • keep GALLIANO • GOLDEN MEADOW • LEEVILLE • GRAND ISLE shoreCshould be able to open its “survivor Gulf Island Fabricators and Port Fourchon 10.4 percent. The area’s unemployment rate, yard” in LaShip and its Port Fourchon repair have big projects such as research vessels for 5.7 percent in August, is among the nation’s yard even if the North American Shipyard is Oregon State University and the $888 million highest. forced to close. liquefied natural gas export facility on the horiSee Jobs Page 3-A By Dan Boudreaux Daily Comet Staff Writer
Y
Felon fires multiple rounds at Deputies during pursuit
See Study Page 3-A
MEETINGS MONDAY, OCT. 23
LAFOURCHE FIRE DIST. #3 Board of Commissioners 6:30 p.m. Fire Central 17462 W. Main - Cut Off TUESDAY, OCT. 24
LAF. PARISH COUNCIL 5:00 p.m. 4876 Hwy. 1 - Mathews LAFOURCHE LODGE 7:30 p.m. West Main - Cut Off
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 25 LAF. PORT COMMISSION Committee Meetings 10:30 a.m. 108 A.O. Rappelet Rd. Port Fourchon
INSIDE
Arrests.............................5-A
Calendar of Events.........2-A Classifieds.......................4-A Engagements ...............2-A
Horoscope.....................5-A Lottery.............................2-A Memorials................4-A/5-A
News In Brief..................2-A Obituaries.......................5-A
Worship Directory...........6-A
VOLUME 29 NUMBER 8
Staff photos by Babs Catholics celebrated the Annual Praying the Rosary for America Saturday, October 14 with Our Lady of Fatima public rosary and walking procession in Galliano. Pictured are a group of men carrying Our Lady of Fatima on the procession that took place from St. Joseph Catholic Church to Galliano Food Store.
See Borne Page 5-A
Health department reminds residents of importance of annual flu vaccine
With flu season starting, the Louisiana Department of Health reminds all residents of the importance of getting an annual flu vaccine. The flu causes approximately 500 deaths and nearly 3,000 hospitalizations each year in Louisiana, and tens of thousands of deaths in the U.S. “We’re seeing flu activity early this year and an annual flu shot is the best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu, which can be very serious even deadly,” said Dr. Rebekah Gee, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health. “Flu shots have been proven time and time again to be both safe and effective, and I encourage everyone to take this important step to protect their communities this flu season.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Louisiana Department of Heath recommend a yearly flu shot for everyone over six months
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A Cut Off felon was arrested Tuesday after leading deputies on a highspeed pursuit throughout the South Lafourche area. Daniel Borne, 39, of Cut Off was taken into custody Borne after a brief standoff with deputies following the pursuit. Borne was scheduled to appear in court for a jury trial on Tuesday due to several charges stemming from multiple incidents. The charges included burglary, theft, DWI, drug possession, and traffic violations. When Borne failed to appear, eight warrants for Contempt of Court were issued for his arrest with a total combined bond set at $1.2 million. At around 1:30 p.m., deputies responded to a call that Borne had allegedly stolen a truck from a residence on East 58th Street in Cut Off. The resident said Borne had arrived the night before on a motorcycle, which was also later determined to have been stolen. When the resident awoke, Borne and his truck were gone. While deputies were conducting the investigation, Borne returned to East 58th Street in the stolen truck. Deputies attempted to conduct a traffic
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of age who does not have a complicating condition, such as a prior allergic reaction to the flu shot. While recommended for everyone, getting a flu shot is especially crucial for people who may be at higher risk for serious complications. This includes babies and young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions and people 65 years and older. Symptoms of the flu include fever, headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches and nausea. Vomiting and diarrhea also can occur and are much more common among children than adults. The main way the flu is spread from person to person is through the coughs and sneezes of an infected person. A transfer can also occur when a person touches their own nose or mouth after coming into contact with infected droplets, nose drainage or saliva from an infected person.
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