The Times-Picayune 02-21-2025

Throw me something different, mister

This year’s parade throws are witty, collectible and eco-friendly

BY ANNETTE SISCO Staff writer

One day while fixing himself a drink, an official with the Carnival organization Krewe d’Etat found a short, wide koozie in a kitchen drawer It fit perfectly on his oldfashioned glass As he enjoyed his cocktail, he realized the drink holder would be a welcome and innovative throw After all, parade-going is thirsty work.

“We know that people like to consume beverages along the route,” said another member who belongs to the krewe’s throw committee. Members of Krewe d’Etat are never identified So the club enlisted bead supply house Plush Appeal to create hundreds of the foam sleeves. Among members, the new item has been a

winner “It’s been very ceived,” he said. More than ever val krewes are creative muscles. ed throws are eye-catching; they also witty collectible or useful year-round. Many are also tainable. According Mardi Gras a Arthur Hardy, able branded are trending, light-up throws, made glittered go cups and long beads have in years past.

The Krewe of Muses is bringing back its popular branded beanie.

Nowadays, krewes want throws that are “eco-friendly, locally produced and sustainable,” Hardy said. “They’re avoiding plastic as much as possible.”

And at least one parading organization — the Krewe of Freret — has

Landry proposes ‘standstill’ budget

Uncertainty about revenue clouds situation

BY MEGHAN FRIEDMANN and PATRICK WALL Staff writers

As President Donald Trump’s administration considers slashing federal funding, and as Louisiana waits to see if voters will approve a constitutional amendment to rewrite the tax code, uncertainty clouds the state’s financial situation as it prepares its budget for the next fiscal year “We normally know how much we have to spend right now, and we don’t, and we won’t until May, said Taylor Barras, the commissioner of administration and Gov Jeff Landry’s top budget official. Though it’s normal for the state’s revenue forecast to change through the spring, the added wild cards could spell a tumultuous regular session for legislators, who must set the state budget by June But for now, Landry’s administration has proposed what it calls a “standstill” budget, keeping state spending as close to last year’s levels as possible. Total spending — including state and federal funds would hover around $45 billion, decreasing by about 1%. State spending would decrease

ä See BUDGET, page 12A

BY MIKE SMITH Staff writer

A reported plan by the Trump administration to cut staff at the federal office that oversees longterm disaster recovery money may hold major implications for Louisiana, which has received the highest level of such funding in the nation over the past couple decades. The plan reported by The New York Times on Thursday could nearly eliminate the of

STAFF FILE PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

The Krewe of Athena will b insulated car cups.

Sweet dreams are served with the Krewe of Okeanos king cake neck pillow.

Boat capsizes in Congo, killing 22

KINSHASA Congo A boat carrying people fleeing the ongoing rebel advance in eastern Congo has capsized, killing 22 people, authorities said Thursday

The boat was carrying people from Vitshumbi on the southern shore of Lake Edward towards Virunga National Park on the northern side of the lake when it capsized late Wednesday, said Delphin Malekani, the president of the local civil society in Kyavinonge.

The majority of victims were people fleeing the ongoing advance of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. Authorities didn’t immediately say what caused the boat to capsize. There were eight survivors, officials said.

M23 is the most prominent of more than 100 armed groups vying for control of eastern Congo’s mineral wealth. The rebels are supported by about 4,000 troops from neighboring Rwanda, according to U.N. experts, and at times have vowed to march as far as Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, more than 1,000 miles away This week, the rebels seized another provincial capital in Goma’s south, Bukavu, near Burundi. The region is rich in gold and coltan, a key mineral for the production of capacitors used in most consumer electronics such as laptops and smartphones.

Court drops charges for 3 in singer’s death

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina A court in Argentina dropped charges of criminal negligence against three of the five people indicted in connection with the death of Liam Payne, the former One Direction singer who fell from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires last October, according to a ruling obtained by The Associated Press on Thursday In its decision issued Wednesday, the Argentine federal appeals court ordered the other two defendants in the case to remain in custody. They are facing prosecution on charges that they supplied the famed British boyband star with narcotics. The ruling drops charges against three key defendants: Rogelio Nores, an Argentine businessman with U.S. citizenship who had accompanied Payne during his trip in Buenos Aires; Gilda Martin, the manager of the CasaSur Hotel in the trendy neighborhood of Palermo where Payne died on Oct 16; and Esteban Grassi, the hotel’s main receptionist. The charge of negligent homicide carries a sentence of one to five years in prison in Argentina.

A toxicology report from tests taken after an autopsy revealed that Payne, 31, had alcohol, cocaine and a prescription antidepressant in his system when he fell from the balcony Prosecutors argued that Nores had failed to comply with his duties of care by leaving Payne alone while inebriated. The court sided with defense attorneys who contended that Nores had no legal, moral or social duty to care for Payne. He also was outside the hotel at the time of his friend’s death.

Bull on the loose in rural Connecticut

KENT, Conn. — A Scottish Highland bull is the talk of the town in the rural hills of western Connecticut, where it has been roaming for over a month in the frigid winter weather after escaping from its confines.

Local residents have reported sporadic sightings, including a few over the past week, said Lee Sohl, the animal control officer in Kent. It was recently seen just over the town line in New Milford.

“People keep spotting it and they don’t know that people are looking for it,” Sohl said in a phone interview Thursday

“If somebody calls me about a sighting, then I tell the owner and they’ve been doing their best. They run right out and try to get to it But it’s hard It’s hard in this weather, and it’s very scared.” The owner, Jo Ann Joray, said there have been people out looking for the bull but they haven’t been able to catch it.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By OHAD ZWIGENBERG

Thursday of

No injuries reported in Israeli bus explosions

Authorities suspect militant attack

BY JOSEF FEDERMAN and OHAD ZWIGENBERG Associated Press

BAT YAM, Israel A series of explosions Thursday on three parked buses has rattled central Israel in what authorities suspected was a militant attack. No injuries were reported

The explosions happened on a day when Israel was already grieving after Hamas returned the bodies of four hostages from Gaza as part of a ceasefire deal. The bus explosions were reminiscent of bombings during the Palestinian uprising of the 2000s, but such attacks are now rare.

Explosives were found on two other buses but did not detonate, police spokesman Asi Aharoni told Channel 13 TV

Israeli police said the five bombs were identical and equipped with timers, and said bomb squads were defusing the unexploded bombs.

Investigators in white coveralls searched for evidence inside the burnedout metal shells of the buses, which blew up in a parking lot in Bat Yam, a city outside Tel Aviv

The city’s mayor, Tzvika Brot, said it was a miracle no one was hurt. The buses had been parked after finishing their routes, he said.

The head of the bus company said they immediately ordered all bus drivers to stop and conduct a “thorough inspection.” They resumed their routes once they were found to be safe, Ofir Karni said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Ne-

Vatican says pope ‘improving slightly’

BY NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press

ROME Pope Francis’ overall clinical condition is “improving slightly” and his heart is working well as he battles pneumonia, the Vatican said Thursday, as some of his cardinals cheered him on and insisted that the Catholic Church was very much alive and well even in his absence.

In a late update, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said Francis has no fever and that his key heart parameters “continue to be stable.”

The 88-year-old pope was admitted to the hospital on Feb. 14 after a case of bronchitis worsened; doctors later diagnosed the onset of pneumonia in both lungs on top of asthmatic bronchitis and prescribed “absolute rest.”

“If you really want him to rest, you have to hospitalize him,” quipped Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, the archbishop of Marseille, France, referring to Francis’ work ethic.

Aveline was speaking at a Vatican news conference about a Mediterranean youth peace initiative alongside his counterpart from Barcelona, Cardinal Juan Josè Omella. But given the limited amount of information about Francis’ condition, they were peppered with questions about the pope’s health and whether he might decide to resign if he doesn’t recover fully

“Everything is possible,” Aveline said.

tanyahu’s office said he was receiving updates from his military secretary and following the events. The Shin Bet internal security agency was taking over the investigation, police said.

“We need to determine if a single suspect placed explosives on a number of buses, or if there were multiple suspects,” police spokesman Haim Sargrof told Israeli TV

Sargrof said the explosives used Thursday matched explosives used in the West Bank, but he declined to elaborate.

Israel’s military has repeatedly carried out raids on suspected Palestinian militants in the West Bank since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack sparked the devastating war in Gaza. As part of that crackdown, Israel has greatly restricted entry into Israel for Palestinians from the occupied territory

A group identifying itself as a branch of Hamas’ military wing the Qassam Brigades, from the northern West Bank city of Tulkarem, posted on the messaging app Telegram: “We will never forget to take vengeance for our martyrs as long as the occupation is on our lands.” The group did not appear to claim responsibility for the attack.

Tulkarem and two refugee camps in the city have been a focus of Israel’s broad military offensive in the West Bank since the ceasefire in Gaza took effect on Jan. 19. The Israeli military said early Friday it had imposed restrictions on Palestinian movement and sealed off parts of in the West Bank amid its ongoing security operations there.

Brot, the mayor of Bat Yam, urged residents to stick with their routines but also stay vigilant, telling Channel 13 TV that schools will be open Friday and public transport will be operating.

People walk Wednesday in front of the main entrance of the

since Feb 14.

Regardless, Omella insisted that the life of the church continued even with Francis in the hospital.

“Popes change, we bishops change, priests in parishes change, communities change. But the train continues being on the move,” Omella said.

Another cardinal, Gianfranco Ravasi, had commented earlier in the day on the possibility of resignation when asked if Francis might decide to follow in the footsteps of Pope Benedict XVI and step down if he becomes too ill. Benedict became the first pope in 600 years to retire when he concluded in 2013 that he didn’t have the physical strength to carry on the rigors of the globe-trotting papacy

“There is no question that if he (Francis) was in a situation where his ability to have direct contact (with people) as he likes to do was compromised, then I think he might decide to resign,” Ravasi was quoted as telling RTL 102.5 radio.

Francis has already confirmed that shortly after being elected pontiff he wrote a resignation letter in case medical problems impeded him from carrying out his duties. There is no provision in canon law for what to do if a pope becomes incapacitated.

News conference with U.S. envoy, Zelenskyy canceled

BY JUSTIN SPIKE Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine A news conference that was planned to follow talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump’s Ukraine envoy was canceled Thursday as political tensions deepened between the two countries over how to end the almost threeyear war with Russia.

The event was originally supposed to include comments to the media by Zelenskyy and retired U.S. Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, but it was changed at the last minute to a simple photo opportunity where the two posed for journalists. They did not deliver statements or field questions as expected. The change was requested by the U.S. side, Ukrainian presidential spokesman Serhii Nikiforov said.

Kellogg’s trip to Kyiv coincided with recent feuding between Trump and Zelenskyy that has bruised their personal relations and cast further doubt on the future of U.S. support for Ukraine’s war effort.

Dozens of journalists gathered at Ukraine’s presidential office in Kyiv after being invited to take photos and observe a news conference with Zelenskyy and Kellogg As the meeting began, photographers and video journalists were allowed into a room where the two men shook hands before sitting across from each other at a table.

Journalists were then informed that there would be no news conference with remarks by the leaders or questions from reporters. Nikiforov gave no reason for the sudden change except to say that it was in accordance with U.S. wishes.

The U.S. delegation made no comment. The White House did not respond to questions about why the news conference was called off.

The two men were due to speak about Trump’s efforts to end the war Zelenskyy had previously said he

looked forward to explaining what was happening in Ukraine and showing it to Kellogg.

Kellogg, one of the architects of a staunchly conservative policy book laying out an “America First” national security agenda, has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues. Writing on his Telegram channel, Zelenskyy said the meeting with Kellogg was a “good conversation, lots of details.” He said they discussed security guarantees for Ukraine and the return of Ukrainian prisoners from Russian custody “We can and must make peace reliable and lasting so that Russia can never return with war again,” he wrote. “Ukraine is ready for a strong, truly beneficial agreement with the President of the United States on investments and security.”

Zelenskyy and Trump have traded rebukes in recent days. The spat erupted after Russia and the U.S. agreed Tuesday to start working toward ending the war in Ukraine and improving their diplomatic and economic ties. With that, Trump abruptly reversed the three-year U.S. policy of isolating Russia. Zelenskyy was unhappy that a U.S. team opened the talks without inviting him or European governments that have backed Kyiv When Trump claimed Zelenskyy was deeply unpopular in Ukraine, the Ukrainian president said Trump was living in a Russian-made “disinformation space,” suggesting he had been duped by Putin.

Trump also accused Zelenskyy of being “a dictator without elections” and suggested that Ukraine was to blame for the war. Due to the fighting, Ukraine has delayed elections that were scheduled for April 2024. Zelenskyy “retains a fairly high level of public trust” in Ukraine — about 57% according to a report released Wednesday by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology

News Tips /Stories: NEWSTIPS@THEADVOCATE.COM

An Israeli police officer inspects the scene

one of a series of bus explosions in what authorities said appeared to be a militant attack in Bat yam, central Israel.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO

Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, where Pope Francis has been hospitalized

Senate set to stay up all night to pass GOP budget

BY LISA MASCARO and KEVIN FREKING Associated Press

WASHINGTON Senators are ready to stay up all night, having launched a budget

“vote-a-rama” late Thursday in a crucial, if dreaded, step toward unleashing a $340 billion package President Donald Trump’s team says it needs for mass deportations and security measures that top the Republican agenda If ever there was a time to watch Congress in action, this might be it. Or not. Senators will be voting in rapid fashion for hours on one amendment after another diving into intricate policy details, largely from Democrats trying to halt the package. The result will be a final push by the Republicans, expected in the early hours of the morning, to use their majority power to pass it on a party-line vote.

“What we’re doing today is jump-starting a process that will allow the Republican Party to meet President Trump’s immigration agenda,” Senate Budget Committee chair Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said while opening the debate.

Graham said Trump’s top immigration czar, Tom Homan, told senators that the administration’s deportation operations are “out of money” and need more funding from Congress to detain and deport immigrants.

With little power in the minority to stop the onslaught, Democrats will instead use the all-night debate to force GOP senators into potentially embarrassing votes including the first one, on blocking tax breaks to billionaires. It was turned back, on procedural grounds.

“This is going to be a long, drawn out fight,” warned Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer

“Days like today where we vote on amendments late into the night, go a long way in revealing where each party stands and who each party is fighting for,” the New York senator said. “Democrats are

glad to have this debate.”

The package that senators are pushing forward is what Republicans view as a downpayment on Trump’s agenda, part of a broader effort that will eventually include legislation to extend some $4.5 trillion in tax breaks and other priorities That’s being assembled by House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton, in a separate budget package that also seeks up to $2 trillion in reductions to health care and other programs.

Trump has preferred what he calls one “big, beautiful bill,” but the White House is open to the Senate’s strategy of working on the border package first, then turning to tax cuts later this year As voting began, the president posted a thank you to Senate Majority Leader John Thune “and the Republican Senate, for working so hard on funding the Trump Border Agenda.”

What’s in the package

The Republican Senate package would allow up to $175 billion to be spent on border security, including money for mass deportation operations and build-

ing the U.S.-Mexico border wall, in addition to a $150 billion boost to the Pentagon and about $20 billion for the Coast Guard.

But even if the Senate pushed the package to approval in the all-night session, there won’t be any money flowing just yet

The budget resolution is simply a framework that sends instructions to the various Senate committees — Homeland Security, Armed Services, Judiciary — to hammer out the details. Everything will eventually be assembled in another package, with another votea-rama, down the road.

Sen. John Barrasso, RWyo., the No 2-ranking Senate Republican, said GOP lawmakers are acting quickly to get the administration the resources they have requested and need to curb illegal border crossings.

“The budget will allow us to finish the wall. It also takes the steps we need toward more border agents,” Barrasso said. “It means more detention beds... It means more deportation flights.”

Republicans insist the whole thing will be paid for,

rather than piled onto debt, and they are considering various options with both spending cuts and new revenues.

The committees may decide to roll back the Biden administration’s methane emissions fee, which was approved by Democrats as part of climate change strategies in the Inflation Reduction Act, and hoping to draw new revenue from energy leases as they aim to spur domestic energy production.

Democrats ready for battle

First up from Democrats will be a vote to prevent tax breaks for billionaires, according to a person familiar with the planning and granted anonymity to discuss it Democrats argue that the GOP tax cuts approved in 2017 flowed to the wealthiest Americans, and extending them as Trump wants Congress to do later this year would extend the giveaway Schumer launched a strategy earlier this week to use this first budget debate to focus on both the implications of the tax policy and also

BY JOSEPH WILKINSON

Daily News (TNS)

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An estimated 6,700 IRS workers were fired Thursday, in the middle of tax season as the agency prepares to deal with 140 million tax returns. The purge largely targeted newer “probationary” employees who have fewer protections than long-term workers, Reuters reported President Donald Trump and his top campaign donor Elon Musk, have taken a slash-and-burn approach to running the federal government since Trump took office one month ago. The duo promised to cut costs and have followed through by firing thousands of govern-

ment workers and offering buyouts to many more.

But Thursday’s move to can IRS employees, specifically tax collectors, will likely cost the government money, according to experts.

“For every $1 that the IRS spends on high-end enforcement activity the agency collects $12 in uncollected taxes,” Yale Law professor Natasha Sarin told NPR.

Instead, cutting back on IRS personnel will undercut the agency’s ability to investigate complicated tax schemes, often undertaken by some of the nation’s wealthiest citizens.

The cuts “will ensure that the IRS is not going after the wealthy and is only an agen-

cy that’s really focused on the low income. It’s a travesty,” University of Pittsburgh tax law professor Philip Hackney, a former IRS lawyer, told Reuters

While he was in office, former President Joe Biden made IRS funding a priority The agency added thousands of jobs during his four years in charge.

But even Trump’s former IRS commissioner, Chuck Rettig, criticized the decision.

“An underfunded IRS significantly benefits unidentified, noncompliant taxpayers at the direct expense of compliant taxpayers,” Rettig, who led the agency from 2018-2022, wrote on LinkedIn.

the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, which is slashing across the federal government.

It’s a better approach for Democrats than arguing against tougher border security and deportations, which divides the party

Sen. Patty Murray, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said the single biggest driver of the national debt since 2001 has been a series of Republican-led tax cuts.

“And you’ll never guess what our Republican colleagues on the other side of the aisle are focused on right now, nothing to lower the cost of eggs, it’s actually more Republican tax cuts,” Murray said.

She called the budget plan a “road map for painful cuts to programs families count on each and every day, all so they can give billionaires more tax cuts.”

Congress racing itself

The budget resolution is setting up what’s called the reconciliation process, which

used to be rare, but is now the tool often used to pass big bills on party-line votes when one party has control of the White House and Congress, as Republicans do now But Republicans are arguing with themselves over how to proceed. The House is marching ahead on its “big, beautiful bill,” believing they have one chance to get it right. The Senate views its two-bill strategy as more practical, delivering on

NoticeisherebygivenpursuanttoArticle7, Section23(C)oftheConstitutionandR.S. 47:1705(B)thatapublichearingoftheTown OfMadisonvilleoftheParishofStTammany will be held at the regular meeting place, Town Hall Council Chambers, located at 209 Hwy22W., Madisonville,Louisiana, 70447 on Wednesday,April 9, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. to consider levying additional or increased millage rateswithout further voter approval or adopting the adjusted millagerateafterreassessmentandrolling forwardtorates not to exceed the prior year’smaximum. The estimated amount oftaxrevenuestobecollectedforGeneral Alimonyinthe next taxyear from the increased millage is $165200.76 and the amount of increase in taxes attributable to the millage increase is $4631.91.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By J SCOTT APPLEWHITE

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., speaks Wednesday to reporters after meeting with Vice President JD Vance and fellow Republicans to discuss President Donald Trump’s agenda at a luncheon, at the Capitol in Washington.

Israel identifies remains of child hostages

four bodies Thursday One was identified as Oded Lifshitz, who was 83 when he was abducted during the Hamas attack that started the war on Oct. 7, 2023.

BY MELANIE LIDMAN, MOHAMMAD JAHJOUH and WAFAA SHURAFA Associated Press

TEL AVIV, Israel Forensic scientists

identified the remains of two Israeli child hostages handed over by Hamas but another body said to be their mother was “an anonymous, unidentified body,” the Israeli military said Friday

The shock announcement regarding the mother, Shiri Bibas, came as a ceasefire that’s paused the fighting in the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip remains shaky over a month after it began. Recovering the bodies of the Bibas family had been a major issue for the Israeli public, drawing flag-waving crowds along highways on a rainy day to honor the processional carrying the remains.

Central Israel rattled separately by a series of explosions Thursday on three parked buses, and the military restricted Palestinian movement and sealed off parts of the occupied West Bank

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement the Israeli military would “carry out an intensive operation against centers of terrorism” in the West Bank after the bus blasts, raising the specter of a further escalation there Hamas militants had turned over

The remains of the young brothers, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, were identified by the National Institute of Forensic Medicine in collaboration with police and the family was notified, the Israeli military said in a statement. It said the boys were “brutally murdered” in captivity in November 2023, citing unspecified intelligence and forensics findings.

The identification process for the additional body determined it was not that of their mother Shiri Bibas or any other hostage, the Israeli military said.

“This is a violation of utmost severity by the Hamas terrorist organization, which is obligated under the agreement to return four deceased hostages,” the military said. “We demand that Hamas return Shiri home along with all our hostages.”

Hamas did not immediately respond to Israel’s announcement that the body was not of the boys’ mother.

Hamas has said that all four were killed along with their guards in Israeli airstrikes. But Netanyahu’s office said Thursday that Lifshitz was killed in captivity by the Islamic Jihad militant group The Israeli military statement also said the boys had been “murdered.”

Militants who handed over the bodies displayed four black coffins on a stage in the Gaza Strip surrounded by banners, including one

“On a certain level, it closes the small chance that we had thought about,” he said. “It is also closure that he will be buried back on the kibbutz. It’s a difficult day.”

K

fir Bibas, who at 9 months was the youngest hostage, was a redheaded infant with a toothless smile when militants stormed the family’s home on Oct. 7, 2023. His brother, Ariel, was 4. Video from that day showed a terrified Shiri swaddling the boys as militants led them into Gaza.

Her husband, Yarden Bibas, was taken separately and released this month.

Relatives in Israel have clung to hope, marking the boys’ birthdays.

depicting Netanyahu as a vampire.

On each coffin, a photo of one of the hostages was stapled to the side.

Large numbers of masked and armed militants looked on as the coffins were loaded onto Red Cross vehicles before being driven to Israeli forces. The military later held a small funeral ceremony, at the request of the families, before transferring the bodies to a laboratory in Israel for formal identification using DNA.

In Tel Aviv where the bodies were transported, a double rainbow unfolded across the sky just before sunset. Thousands of people gathered at the city’s Hostage Square and recited traditional mourning

prayers. Some held orange balloons, in honor of the Bibas boys, and the crowd swelled after sundown as musicians performed subdued ballads, matching the nation’s grief.

“Our hearts — the hearts of an entire nation — lie in tatters,” Israeli President Isaac Herzog said. “On behalf of the State of Israel, I bow my head and ask for forgiveness. Forgiveness for not protecting you on that terrible day Forgiveness for not bringing you home safely.”

Lifshitz’s family said after the handover that his remains had been officially identified. His son, Yizhar, told an Israeli TV station that it had brought some closure to the family

N.Y. prison guards charged in beating death

BY MICHAEL HILL and MICHAEL R. SISAK Associated Press

UTICA, N.Y Six New York prison guards have been indicted for second-degree murder in the beating death of an inmate who was handcuffed, while four corrections workers were charged with lesser crimes.

The beating of Robert Brooks by multiple officers at Marcy Correctional Facility in December was caught unintentionally on bodyworn cameras, triggering widespread outrage and calls for justice.

Some of the corrections officers appeared in a Utica court in handcuffs while a judge heard pleas and considered bond.

Prison guards Nicholas Anzalone, David Kingsley, Anthony Farina, Christopher Walrath and Mathew Galliher were among the people charged with second-degree murder, according to court documents. The name of the sixth person was redacted because they’ll appear in court at a different time All six were also charged with first-degree manslaughter, meaning prosecutors believe they are criminally liable for the conduct of others.

The special prosecutor, Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick, said Thursday that he’ll prove in court that the guards thought the body-worn cameras were off, raising concerns about a culture among guards in which a group beating of an

inmate could be carried out with an apparent “sense of normalcy.”

Robert Brooks Jr., the victim’s son, said after witnessing court proceedings that those system issues must be rooted out, and higher authorities held accountable.

“These men killed my father it was on video. The whole world got to see it. Waiting a month for these charges has been incredibly hard. But these men must be prosecuted and convicted of the crimes they made,” the younger Brooks said.

After some of the corrections officers were released, one man said, “This is not justice, judge — These people killed a Black man,” as he left the courtroom. One woman was removed after

shouting “murder, murder.”

Body-camera video shows officers pummeling Brooks, whose hands are cuffed behind his back. Officers strike him in the chest with a shoe and lift him by the neck and drop him. The video recorded on the night of Dec. 9 has no sound, but the guards meting out the punishment and watching it appear unconcerned. Brooks, 43, died the next day

An autopsy report issued by the county medical examiner’s office in January concluded that Brooks’ death was caused by compression of the neck and multiple blunt impact injuries and that the manner of death was determined to be a homicide, according to Brooks’ family attorneys.

BY ANTHONY IZAGUIRRE, JAKE OFFENHARTZ and JENNIFER PELTZ Associated Press

NEW YORK Gov Kathy Ho-

chul won’t immediately remove New York City Mayor Eric Adams from office, but will instead push for increased oversight of City Hall as he faces intense scrutiny over his bribery case and his relationship with the Trump administration.

Hochul announced Thursday that she has, for now, decided against using her

authority to remove Adams over concerns that such a move could result in “disruption and chaos” and would ultimately be undemocratic

“New York is facing a grave threat from Washington,” she said at a news conference in Manhattan. “The Trump administration is already trying to use the legal jeopardy facing our mayor

as leverage to squeeze and punish our city.”

The decision came after she solicited opinions this week from a roster of New York political figures over questions about whether Adams could independently govern following the Justice Department’s move to drop his federal corruption case so he could help with Republican President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda.

Rather than remove Adams, Hochul said she plans to propose legislation that would require City Hall to

operate within new guardrails meant to “reestablish trust.”

The proposals include establishing a new deputy inspector general focused on New York City; creating a mechanism for the city’s comptroller, public advocate and council speaker to launch lawsuits against the federal government; and providing more money for the state comptroller to increase oversight of the city.

The measures, if approved, would be “subject to renewal” in the future, Hochul said.

A cousin of Shiri Bibas who lives in Buenos Aires, told the local Radio Con Vos station she has been reliving the trauma of the abduction Romina Miasnik said she hoped her loved ones “can become a symbol of something new of coexistence, of hatred no longer having a place.”

Supporters throughout Israel have worn orange — a reference to the two boys’ hair color and a popular children’s song was written in their honor Like the Bibas family, Oded Lifshitz was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz, along with his wife, Yocheved, who was freed early in the war as an apparent humanitarian gesture.

Hamas-led militants abducted 251 hostages, including about 30 children, in the Oct. 7 attack, in which they also killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians.

McConnell won’t seek reelection in 2026

BY BRUCE SCHREINER and KEVIN FREKING Associated Press

WASHINGTON Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell announced on Thursday that he won’t seek reelection next year ending a decadeslong tenure as a power broker who championed conservative causes but ultimately ceded ground to the fierce GOP populism of President Donald Trump.

McConnell, the longest-serving Senate party leader in U.S. history, chose his 83rd birthday to share his decision not to run for another term in Kentucky and to retire when his current term ends. He informed The Associated Press of his decision before he addressed colleagues in a speech on the Senate floor

“Seven times, my fellow Kentuckians have sent me to the Senate,” McConnell said, as aides lined the back chamber and senators listened from seats.

“Every day in between I’ve been humbled by the trust they’ve placed in me to do their business right here. Representing our commonwealth has been the honor of a lifetime I will not seek this honor an eighth time. My current term in the Senate will be my last.”

His announcement begins the epilogue of a storied

career as a master strategist, one in which he helped forge a conservative Supreme Court and steered the Senate through tax cuts, presidential impeachment trials and fierce political fights. Yet with his powerful perch atop committees, and nearly two years remaining in his term, McConnell vowed to complete his work on several remaining fronts.

“I have some unfinished business to attend to,” he said. McConnell walked gingerly to the podium, sporting a walking boot. Senators from both sides of the political aisle seemed to listen most intently as he told themthatwhilethereareany number of reasons for pessimism, the strength of the Senate is not one of them.

“The Senate is still equipped for work of great consequence,” he told them.

As he concluded, Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., motioned for the audience of senators, staff and Capitol visitors be allowed to applaud, which is usually not allowed under Senate rules. McConnell, first elected in 1984, intends to serve until his term ends in January 2027. The Kentuckian has dealt with a series of medical episodes in recent years, including injuries sustained from falls and times when his face briefly froze while he was speaking.

McConnell

Adams

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By OHAD ZWIGENBERG

Police officers salute as a convoy carrying the coffins of Israeli hostages, including two children, arrives Thursday at the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute in Tel Aviv, Israel. The bodies were handed over by Palestinian militant groups in Gaza.

Snowy roads lead to hundreds of crashes in Va., N.C.

BY BEN FINLEY, MAKIYA SEMINERA and SARAH BRUMFIELD Associated Press

NORFOLK, Va.

Roads in Virginia and North Carolina re-

mained treacherous Thursday as unusually heavy snow led to hundreds of accidents, including crashes on an interstate that involved more than 50 vehicles. Meanwhile, a polar vortex sent temperatures plunging from the Northern Great Plains all the way to Louisiana.

Two separate collisions stopped traffic on Interstate 40 in Orange County, North Carolina, on Wednesday afternoon and the stopped vehicles were struck from behind, including a tractor trailer that hit a passenger vehicle, causing a fatality, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

A total of 53 vehicles were involved in 12 crashes in the area, the highway patrol said. The driver of the tractor trailer was charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle and exceeding a safe speed for conditions.

The highway patrol responded to nearly 1,200 collisions statewide on Wednesday, according to Sgt. Christopher Knox. Crashes on Wednesday also closed por-

tions of Interstate 95 and I-85 near Raleigh, North Carolina.

Virginia State Police reported early Thursday that there had been well over 800 crashes statewide since heavy snow pounded parts of the mid-Atlantic on Wednesday At least 45 crashes involved injuries but no fatalities.

Emergency workers in Suffolk, Virginia, rescued two people from an SUV that crashed into water on Wednesday afternoon, according to the city’s Department of Fire & Rescue. Photos the department posted

on social media showed rescuers stretching a ladder to the vehicle’s roof and helping one person clinging to the roof rails crawl across the ladder to land.

Wednesday’s snowfall in Norfolk, Virginia, ranked as the eighth-highest, one-day snowfall total the coastal city has ever recorded, Weather Prediction Center meteorologist Scott Kleebauer said. Norfolk officially recorded about 10.2 inches of snow he said.

High snowfall isn’t unprecedented, he said, but it’s “certainly rare.”

“This is probably one of

Judge: White House flouting order to temporarily lift foreign aid freeze

BY ELLEN KNICKMEYER and LINDSAY WHITEHURST Associated Press

WASHINGTON The Trump administration has kept withholding foreign aid despite a court order and must at least temporarily restore the funding to programs worldwide, a federal judge said Thursday

Judge Amir H. Ali declined a request by nonprofit groups doing business with the U.S. Agency for International De-

velopment to find Trump administration officials in contempt of his order, however

The Washington, D.C., district court judge said administration officials had used his Feb. 13 order to temporarily lift the freeze on foreign aid to instead “come up with a new, post-hoc rationalization for the en masse suspension” of funding. Despite the judge’s order to the contrary, USAID Deputy Secretary Pete Marocco,

a Trump appointee, and other top officials had “continued their blanket suspension of funds,” Ali said. The ruling comes in a lawsuit by the nonprofit groups challenging the Trump administration’s month-old cutoff of foreign assistance through USAID and the State Department, which shut down $60 billion in annual aid and development programs overseas almost overnight.

those one-in-10-years type storm,” Kleebauer said.

Children in the city of 230,000 on the Chesapeake Bay used boogie boards to sled down a small hill, while some adults cleared off cars with leaf blowers. Many roadways were still covered in slush, if not snow, while authorities urged everyone to stay off the roads to give plows time to come through.

Mary Stokes, whose family owns a small environmental consulting firm, said employees weren’t able to go out into the field to conduct mold testing and other types of work to help homeowners and businesses stay compliant with environmental laws.

“We’re obviously not going to make them take a vacation day when they physically can’t come to work,” Stokes said while clearing off her SUV “But we’re not making any money It can definitely be a financial hit.”

Jared Brooks, a surgeon at a local hospital, predicted that schools wouldn’t reopen in Norfolk until at least Monday The temperature wasn’t expected to rise above freezing on Thursday

“People aren’t used to driving in these kinds of conditions,” Brooks said while shoveling the sidewalk outside of his house. “And they just don’t slow down appropriately And they get kind of crazy People just need to stay home and not even try to drive unless they have to.”

Schools were closed or relying on remote learning throughout large parts of Virginia and North Carolina, while several thousand electric customers were without power Thursday morning About 1,800 flights were canceled or delayed on Thursday across the U.S including about 250 flights in and out of Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North

Carolina, according to the flight-tracking site FlightAware.com. Meanwhile, an arctic air mass was bringing widespread, record-breaking cold to the central United States, and forecasters expected some locations in the Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley to experience their coldest temperatures on record this late in the season, according to the Weather Prediction Center In Detroit, crews are fixing a large water main break that left dozens of people without power and heat amid temperatures well below freezing. Frigid temperatures broke daily cold records Thursday across 45 weather stations ranging from North Dakota to Louisiana, Kleebauer said. Parts of Texas also broke daily cold records set in 2021 when a deadly winter storm caused the state’s power grid to mostly collapse.

THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT

PHOTO By BILLy SCHUERMAN Snow buries a truck Thursday in Norfolk, Va

19 parades kick off during first weekend

BY ARTHUR HARDY

Contributing writer

Although some Carnival parades have already taken place, the official parading schedule begins Friday With 19 krewes rolling this weekend, there are actually more parades in the next three days than on the weekend that precedes Fat Tuesday, with 15. As a group, the first weekend parades really don’t get the publicity or critical acclaim they deserve. And while none rivals the size of Endymion or Bacchus or the grandeur and tradition of Rex, each krewe makes its own contribution to Carnival.

In New Orleans, the Krewe of Oshun kicks it all off from Magazine Street and Napoleon Avenue at 5:30 p.m. Friday with a 16-float parade entitled “Children’s Literature.” This club throws krewe signature fans. Next up is the Krewe of Cleopatra with its largest membership ever — 2,800 women. Because of problems with their large floats making the turn from Jefferson Avenue to Magazine Street, the parade has moved its starting point to Napoleon and Tchoupitoulas You’ll see new tandem floats and can expect to catch decorated beverage glasses and metal cups. Don’t look for the Krewe of ALLA, which for years has been the third parade of a triple header on Friday They have moved to Wednesday and will follow Druids in the spot formerly occupied by the Krewe of Nyx.

In Jefferson Parish, where Family Gras opens, the Krewe of Excalibur presents one of Metairie’s prettiest parades at 7 p.m. Friday

The krewe of 250 riders introduces a new throw 3,000 decorated plastic eggs — most of which contain a plush baby dragon inside. The captain is the costume maker, so enjoy the elaborate collars worn by the royalty On the northshore Mandeville’s only parade Eve rolls at 7 p.m. with some 725 women aboard 34 floats. The riders throw many apple signature items. This year’s theme is “Eve Makes a Splash.” Saturday is the busiest day of the entire parade season with nine major processions in a four-parish area. St. Bernard Parish’s only parade, the Knights of Nemesis, rolls at 1 p.m. up and down Judge Perez Drive with a 15-float parade and some 300 members who toss krewe signature T-shirts. On the Uptown parade route, one can plop down a lawn chair and see six backto-back parades with a total of 124 floats. The Krewe of Pontchartrain celebrates its 50th anniversary starting at 11 a.m. at Napoleon and Tchoupitoulas with a 16-float parade that proves you don’t have to be super in size to

put on a super procession.

An oversized plush super grouper will be the hottest KOP throw

The military-inspired Legion of Mars follows with an 18-float parade titled “United in Service.” The 500 men and women aboard the floats honor the Armed Forces and first responders. Next up is the 90th anniversary Krewe of Choctaw parade, with 18 floats and 325 men, women and children. Plush tomahawks and cut-out doubloons will be Choctaw’s most treasured throws.

The Krewe of Freret follows with 1,000 co-ed riders and an emphasis on locally made, environmentally friendly throws. Local singing legend Irma Thomas will be honored as guest grand marshal.

Check out the automated Trombone Shorty float. Starting at Jefferson and Magazine at about 5:30 p.m., the Spartan Society presents a 23-float parade that includes the women’s group, Mystical Order of the Phoenix. You’ll see flambeaux and a muledrawn king’s float in the parade, titled “Love Makes the World Go ‘Round.”

The Krewe of Pygmalion follows Sparta with its silver anniversary parade that features 823 co-ed riders. Check out the new float for the captain and try to catch the various pig-inspired items.

In Metairie, Jefferson Parish’s largest parade, the MadHatters, holds forth with 39 floats and 800 riders. Local musicians and media celebrities will be featured. Throws include MadHatter hats and lighted scepters.

In St. Tammany Parish, Covington’s only night parade, the Krewe of Olympia, rolls with 450 men on 27 floats and honors local military wounded warriors at the ball and as guests in the parade with its theme, “Northshore’s Best.”

At 11:30 Sunday morning the 1,400-member Femme Fatale’s 11th annual parade features 38 floats and a wide selection of logo throws, rolling Uptown in New Orleans. The Krewe of Carrollton, the weekend’s oldest parade, follows with 650 men aboard 24 floats. Krewe-emblemed throws include decorated shrimp boots. Many locals still refer to this parade day on the Carnival calendar as “Carrollton Sunday.”

King Arthur follows Carrollton with 63 floats and 1,900 men and women.

“Carnival Gods of the Past 50 Years” is King Arthur’s theme. Unique throws include hand-decorated grails. King Arthur is a favorite with doubloon collectors because of the wide variety the krewe strikes and throws.

In Slidell at 1 p.m., the 40th anniversary Dionysus parade features 300 members aboard 19 floats with the theme “Back to the Beach.”

return

quired to wear harnesses, though it’s been a rule in New Orleans since 2014.

The traditional route

BY BLAKE PATERSON Staff writer

Mardi Gras parades in Jefferson Parish this year will head east — instead of west — along Veterans Memorial Boulevard, returning to their traditional route after several years.

Also new this year, those attending Metairie’s free Family Gras concert series which runs Friday through Sunday at Mardi Gras Plaza, will have to pass through a metal detector upon entry, and items including ice chests and outside food or drinks will be prohibited

And after a man tumbled off the second story of a Krewe of Argus float last year, the parish is now requiring riders on floats with

All east bank parades will start near the Clearview City Center and head east on Veterans, with jogs northward on both Severn Avenue and Bonnabel Boulevard before ending at Martin Behrman Avenue.

from both paradegoers and Bonnabel residents.

The parades will pass by Family Gras, located in the 3300 block of Veterans across from the Lakeside Shopping Center The lineup features Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts, Gabby Barrett, Ambrosia, Kansas, Zebra, Amanda Shaw and more.

Road closures

railings less than 48 inches tall to wear safety harnesses. Previously, only riders under 12 years old were re-

That’s the path that parades took through Metairie for decades. Starting in 2019, however, the parish deviated from the route for non-Fat Tuesday parades to try to bring out more families in the Bonnabel neighborhood by having it start there The Parish Council voted to return to the traditional route after complaints

Veterans Boulevard on Friday will be closed in both directions between North Causeway and Severn starting at 2 p.m. until all parades have ended.

On Saturday and Sunday, the same stretch will be closed starting at 9 a.m.

The parish also announced a slew of service changes for its bus system.

Jefferson Parish 2025 parade schedule

n Feb. 21: Krewe of Excalibur 7 p.m. n Feb. 22: Magical Krewe of Madhatters, 5 p.m. n Feb. 23: Krewe of Atlas, 4 p.m. n Feb. 24: Mystic Krewe of Music, 6 p.m. n Feb. 26: The Krewe of Nandi, 6 p.m. n Feb. 27: Krewe of Symphony, 6:30 p.m. n March 2: Krewe of Athena, 5:30 p.m. n March 3: Krewe of Centurions, 6 p.m. n March 3: Krewe of Kings, after Centurions n March 4: Krewe of Argus, 11 a.m. n March 4: Elks Krewe of Jeffersonians, after Argus.

Controversial Patel confirmed as FBI director

Senate narrowly approves Trump loyalist despite concerns

BY ERIC TUCKER Associated Press

WASHINGTON The Senate on Thursday narrowly voted to confirm Kash Patel as director of the FBI, moving to place him atop the nation’s premier federal law enforcement agency despite doubts from Democrats about his qualifications and concerns he will do Donald Trump’s bidding and go after the Republican president’s adversaries.

“I cannot imagine a worse choice,” U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, DIll., told colleagues before the 5149 vote by the GOP-controlled Senate. Sens. Susan Collins, of Maine; and Lisa Murkowski, of Alaska, were the lone Republican holdouts

A Trump loyalist who has fiercely criticized the agency he will now lead, Patel will inherit an FBI gripped by turmoil as the Justice Department over the past month has forced out a group of senior

bureau officials and made a highly unusual demand for the names of thousands of agents who participated in investigations related to the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

Patel has spoken of his desire to implement major changes at the FBI, including a reduced footprint in Washington and a renewed emphasis on the bureau’s traditional crime-fighting duties rather than the intelligence-gathering work that has come to define its mandate over the past two decades as national security threats have proliferated.

But he’s also echoed Trump’s stated desire for reprisal, raising alarm among Democrats for saying before he was nominated that he would “come after” anti-Trump “conspirators” in the federal government and the media.

In a statement posted after the vote on the social media platform X, Patel wrote that he was honored to be confirmed as the ninth director of the FBI, an institution he said had a “storied legacy.”

“The American people deserve an FBI that is transparent, ac-

Officials from the Division of Administration on Thursday presented their plan to the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget.

countable, and committed to justice. The politicization of our justice system has eroded public trust — but that ends today,” he wrote. He said his mission as director was to “let good cops be cops — and rebuild trust in the FBI.”

Republicans angry over what they see as law enforcement bias against conservatives during the administration President Joe Biden, a Democrat, as well as criminal investigations into Trump, have rallied behind Patel as the right person for the job.

“Mr Patel wants to make the FBI accountable once again — get back the reputation that the FBI has had historically for law enforcement,” Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said this week before Patel was confirmed. “He wants to hold the FBI accountable to Congress, to the president and, most importantly, to the people they serve — the American taxpayer.”

Democrats complained about Patel’s lack of management experience compared with previous FBI directors and they highlighted incendiary past statements that they said called his judgment into question.

“I am absolutely sure of this one thing: This vote will haunt anyone

who votes for him. They will rue the day they did it,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal,aConnecticutDemocrat.

He added: “To my Republican colleagues, think about what you will tell your constituents” and family “about why you voted for this person who will so completely and utterly disgrace this office and do such grave damage to our nation’s justice system.”

About a half-dozen Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee gathered outside FBI headquarters earlier Thursday in a last-ditch plea to derail his confirmation.

“This is someone we cannot trust,” said Sen. Adam Schiff of California. “This is someone who lacks the character to do this job, someone who lacks the integrity to do this job. We know that, our Republican colleagues know that.”

Patel’s eyebrow-raising remarks on hundreds of podcasts and in other interviews over the past four years include referring to law enforcement officials who investigated Trump as “criminal gangsters,” saying some Jan. 6 rioters were “political prisoners” and opining that FBI headquarters should be shut down and turned into a museum for the so-called deep state.

At his Senate hearing in Janu-

ary, Patel said Democrats were taking some of his comments out of context or misunderstanding the broader point he was trying to make. He also denied the idea that a list in a book he authored of government officials who he said were part of a “deep state” amounted to an “enemies list,” calling that a “total mischaracterization.”

“I have no interest, no desire and will not, if confirmed, go backwards,” Patel said as he vowed that there would be “no politicization at the FBI” and “no retributive actions taken.”

He said at the hearing that “the only thing that will matter if I’m confirmed” is a “de-weaponized, depoliticized system of law enforcement completely devoted to rigorous obedience to the Constitution and a singular standard of justice.” Patel was selected in November to replace Christopher Wray, who was picked by Trump in 2017 and who resigned at the conclusion of the Biden administration to make way for his chosen successor Wray infuriated Trump throughout his tenure, including after FBI agents searched his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida in August 2022 for classified documents in one of two federal investigations.

from about $23.3 billion to about $22.2 billion, according to official estimates.

In a video address released this week, Landry said the budget “continues the trend of decreasing the overall amount of money we spend” and is “a tremendous step forward for fiscal responsibility.”

The proposal does not mean agencies across the board would have the same amount of money to spend as last year. Instead, some agencies would see budget reductions, while others would see budget increases.

The state has only so much discretion in determining how to use what’s in its coffers. By law it must fund certain obligations, such as contractual payments and pay raises for civil service workers.

In an interview, Barras said several one-time educational expenses from last year stayed in the budget. Those included high-dose tutoring and differential teacher pay

But roughly $7 million allotted to domestic violence shelters did not make the cut, upsetting state Rep. Denise Marcelle, D-Baton Rouge. “I certainly want to make sure that we’re not going backwards in that area,” she said during the meeting, adding that women seeking shelter do not care whether the $7 million was considered a onetime expense.

Landry wants to put $93.5 million toward his signature education initiative: a scholarship program to cover the cost of private school tuition and other approved education expenses, like tutoring and textbooks.

The amount is more than double what the state spends on its existing school voucher program, which pays for low-income students to attend private schools.

The new LA GATOR scholarship program, which launches this year, will replace school vouchers and eventually will be available to all families regardless of financial need.

About half of the $93.5 million would come from phasing out the voucher program. The other $50 million is a new expense.

The potentially huge cost of universal scholarships was a major sticking point last year when Landry was urging wary lawmakers to establish the program. They landed on a compromise: The program would expand over time until all families were eligible, but the number of scholarships would depend on how much money the Legislature allocates.

Landry’s proposal would pay for

just over 11,000 students to receive scholarships next school year Just under 6,000 of the grants would go to students who currently receive vouchers, leaving about 5,300 scholarships for everyone else. Students who attended public school this year, are entering kindergarten this fall or whose families earn up to 250% of the federal poverty line, roughly $78,000 for a family of four, are eligible for the scholarships — a group numbering in the hundreds of thousands. However, priority will be given to current voucher recipients, children from low-income families and students with disabilities. Still, it is likely that many more families will apply than the available 5,300 scholarships for non-voucher students. Just how many will start to become clear after March 1, when the application system opens. Meanwhile, whether a $2,000 teacher pay raise included in the budget last year becomes perma-

nent depends upon the outcome of the March 29 election, when voters will decide on Amendment 2, a complex amendment that would change the constitution. That amendment would fund the pay raises by paying down $2 billion in teacher retirement debt. It would also make a $1,000 raise for school support personnel permanent. The amendment goes beyond teacher pay raises. It would make it more difficult to create new tax breaks down the line, take most property tax exemptions out of the constitution and give legislators control over them and cap annual spending.

The homestead exemption and sales tax exemptions for groceries, residential utilities and prescription drugs would stay in the constitution.

Email Meghan Friedmann at meghan.friedmann@ theadvocate.com.

Applications for jobless benefits tick up

Slightly more Americans applied for jobless benefits last week, but layoffs remained in the same recent healthy range.

The number of Americans filing for jobless benefits rose by 5,000 to 219,000 for the week ending Saturday, the Labor Department said Thursday Analysts projected that 215,000 new applications would be filed

The four-week average fell by 1,000 to 215,250.

Some analysts say they expect layoffs ordered by the Department of Government Efficiency to show up in the report in the coming weeks

The total number of Americans receiving unemployment benefits for the week of Feb. 8 rose to 1.87 million, an increase of 24,000 from the previous week.

30-year mortgage rate slips to 8-week low

The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. eased for the fifth week in a row to its lowest level since late December, a welcome boost for prospective homebuyers in what’s traditionally the busiest time of the year for home sales.

The average rate fell to 6.85% from 6.87% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday A year ago, it averaged 6.9%.

Borrowing costs on 15-year

fixed-rate mortgages, popular with homeowners seeking to refinance their home loan to a lower rate, also eased this week. The average rate fell to 6.04% from 6.09% last week

Rising home prices and elevated mortgage rates, which can add hundreds of dollars a month in costs for borrowers, have kept many prospective home shoppers on the sidelines, especially first-time buyers who don’t have equity from an existing home to put toward a new home purchase.

Stellantis pauses work on Jeep Compass

Stellantis NV said Thursday it has paused work at its Brampton Assembly Plant in Ontario as the automaker reevaluates plans for its next-generation electrified Jeep Compass SUV that was scheduled to start production there early next year

The carmaker said all work on the future compact crossover, which has included retooling and other preparations at Brampton, had halted immediately It was not immediately clear if any temporary layoffs were underway, and the company did not specify how long the work pause would last Stellantis is reassessing its strategies and product plans following the departure of CEO Carlos Tavares late last year, other leadership shakeups and uncertainty around President Donald Trump’s efforts to stop EV policy support and implement tariffs on goods coming from Canada and Mexico Ford has delayed the launch of next-generation gas and hybrid F-150 pickups, according to AutoForecast Solutions, which tracks vehicle production and launches It had the vehicle set to begin production in calendar year 2027 but has moved to 2028.

Wall Street pulls back from highs

Treasury yields edge lower

BY STAN CHOE Associated Press

NEW YORK — A sharp slide for

Walmart on Thursday helped pull Wall Street off its record.

The S&P 500 slipped 0.4% for its first drop after setting all-time highs in each of the last two days

The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 450 points, or 1%, and the Nasdaq composite sank 0.5%.

Walmart drove the market lower after falling 6.5%, even though the retailer reported stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected Palantir Technologies was an-

other weight on the market. It fell 5.2% to follow its 10.1% drop from the day before, after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he wants to cut $50 billion in spending next year The software company got 55% of its $2.9 billion in revenue last year from government customers. They helped offset an 8.5% jump for Baxter International, which reported better profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. It credited strength for its pharmaceuticals business, as well as for its medical products and therapies.

Burger chain Shake Shack rallied 11.1% after likewise reporting a stronger profit than expected CEO Rob Lynch said sales trends remained solid during the quarter Chinese e-commerce giant Ali-

baba saw its stock that trades in the United States climb 8.1% after reporting stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. It also talked up its artificial-intelligence developments. In the bond market, Treasury yields edged lower after a report showed more U.S. workers applied for unemployment benefits last week than economists expected.

It’s an indication the pace of layoffs could be worsening, but the number still remains relatively low compared with history

A separate report said manufacturing in the mid-Atlantic region is still growing, but not as strongly as economists expected.

While lower rates can boost the economy and prices for investments, they can also give inflation more fuel And Fed officials were discussing at their last meeting how Trump’s proposed tariffs and mass deportations of migrants, as well as strong consumer spending, could push inflation higher this year

The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.50% from 4.54% late Wednesday The yield on the twoyear Treasury, which more closely tracks expectations for upcoming Fed moves held steadier. It remained at 4.27%, where it was late Wednesday

Such numbers are likely to keep the Federal Reserve on hold when it comes to interest rates. Last month, the Fed refrained from cutting its main interest rate for the first time at a policy meeting since it began doing so in September

Walmart had strong sales, profits

Company gives measured guidance for 2025

BY ANNE D’INNOCENZIO AP Retail Writer

NEW YORK Walmart delivered another year of strong sales and profits as its competitive prices became a strong magnet for inflation-weary shoppers. Yet uncertainty about the state of the American consumer and the potential impact of tariffs have seeped into expectations for 2025.

The financial outlook from nation’s largest retailer which has thrived amid stubborn inflation, delivered a jolt across the retail sector Walmart sees per share profit over the next year coming inasmuch as 27 cents below analyst projections. Its sales outlook was also mild, potentially a reflection of challenges ahead as consumers pull back on spending and President Donald Trump’s tariffs on China and other countries threaten the low-price model that is the core of Walmart’s success.

Walmart’s Chief Financial Officer John David Rainey said shoppers remain resilient while cautious, but there is no apparent change in behavior related to tariffs. There is more uncertainty about what lies ahead, and Rainey said Walmart’s measured guidance reflects that.

“We are one month into the year, and there’s a lot that we don’t know,” Rainey said, citing the new tariff increases.

Walmart did not incorporate tariffs into its financial outlook, but Rainey acknowledged that the company’s isn’t immune to their impact.

“We’re going to work really hard to keep prices low for our members and customers,” Rainey said. “We will do the things that we can.” That means being nimble with sourc-

ing. Walmart, for example, is exploring new sourcing for microwave ovens given increased tariffs on aluminum and steel. But Rainey said some goods may have price increases. Tariffs in the headlines have fueled concern and some more shopper retrenchment in Walmart’s Mexico business, Rainey said.

Walmart has built in hedges against some tariff threats. Two-thirds of Walmart’s merchandise is sourced in the U.S., with groceries driving much of that. Groceries account for roughly 60%, of Walmart’s U.S. business. Still, Walmart shares took a hit, and other

big retailers fell, too.

Walmart is among the first major U.S. retailers to report financial results, and the numbers can provide a hint as to the mood of the American shopper Over the past year Americans have focused increasingly on necessities rather than big TVs, furniture or appliances. They’ve become much more discerning because of higher costs for credit as well as for groceries.

Walmart has flourished in that environment. It’s gained market share, notably among households with incomes over $100,000. Walmart’s online offerings and paid membership, Walmart+, have also drawn wealthier customers.

EU official meets with Trump counterparts to resolve tariff threats

BY JOSH BOAK Associated Press

WASHINGTON Hoping to head off a potential trade conflict, a top European Union official stressed the importance of active engagement and fairness in trade during a fourhour meeting with Trump administration officials.

“The top objective as it was presented to us yesterday by our American partners is reciprocity,” Maroš Šefcovic, the European commissioner for trade and economic security, told reporters at a Thursday briefing.

Šefcovic met on Wednesday with Commerce Secretary Howard

Lutnick, White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett and Jamieson Greer, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be the U.S. trade representative.

Trump has thrown the decadeslong partnership between the U.S. and Europe into turmoil by pledging to charge higher taxes on imports from Europe that he says would match the tariffs faced by American products.

But Trump’s plan for fair tariffs would also include the value added tax — which is akin to a sales tax — charged in Europe that could drastically push up import taxes and potentially trigger a broader trade conflict if the EU imposed

retaliatory measures. A broader trade war risks both an economic slowdown and higher inflation that could create financial challenges for millions of families and potentially hurt political support for Trump, as voters in 2024’s election specifically wanted him to lower price pressures.

Trump has also proposed separate sectoral tariffs on autos, pharmaceutical drugs and computer chips, in addition to having already imposed 25% steel and aluminum tariffs with no avenues to provide exceptions or exemptions.

At Thursday’s White House news briefing, Hassett said that a Mexican delegation had talks with Lutnick and him about resolving the issues. “We want trade to be fair,” Hassett said.

The EU official tried in his conversation with White House officials to equate the value added tax as similar to a sales tax as its paid by the final consumer, but he said that the issue had not been resolved

The U.S. president also has tariffs ready on Mexico and Canada over his claims that more should be done on illegal immigration and drug smuggling, though he suspended those tariffs for 30 days for ongoing talks The import taxes that could potentially harm the U.S. auto sector and other industries could potentially begin in March.

Several federal teacher-training grants cut

Programs worth $23M in Louisiana

BY PATRICK WALL Staff writer

The Trump administration has cut off federal funding to several teacher-training programs in Louisiana, dealing a blow to efforts to reduce shortages and increase diversity in Louisiana’s educator workforce.

This month, the U.S. Department of Education terminated over $600 million in grants previously awarded to universities and nonprofits across the country for the purpose of recruiting and training teachers.

Part of President Donald Trump’s sweeping crackdown on diversity initiatives, the agency said that grant-funded programs had trained teachers on “divisive ideologies” related to race and used race-based recruitment strategies. At least three cancelled grants worth over $23 million had gone to several Louisiana universities, including Tulane, Xavier and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and a national nonprofit working in Louisiana. The grants helped fund programs that aimed to prepare hundreds of teachers to work in local public schools and attract more people of color to the profession — a goal long shared by Louisiana policymakers and reiterated last year by a state task force

The Tulane-led grant, which

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there would be cut by 84%, going from a team of 936 to 150. If the plan is enacted, it is unclear how the billions that flow through the office would be distributed and if there would be larger changes to the process. There are also concerns related to the oversight role the office plays in limiting fraud and abuse among entities that receive the funding officially known as Community Development Block Grants — Disaster Recovery.

While Louisianans may not be familiar with the office itself, the money it oversees has featured heavily in the state’s disaster recovery Louisiana has been allocated $21 billion through the program since 2001, according to the Washington-based Bipartisan Policy Center, which tracks those allocations.

Separate from aid provided through FEMA, the grants help communities rebuild their housing, infrastructure and economies following major disasters.

Amounts are appropriated by Congress, then allocated and distributed by HUD based on plans provided by the states themselves.

The money is intended to cover “unmet needs” that insurance and FEMA do not supplying a vital lifeline as communities seek to bring

started in 2022 and is worth more than $10 million over three years, 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 program helps pay for them to earn degrees and gain classroom experience.

Jahquille Ross, chief of talent at New Schools for New Orleans, a nonprofit that helps run the program, said a major focus is nurturing homegrown educators with backgrounds similar to their students.

“Those are the people who are staying and who are invested in our children’s future,” he said.

Last week, a U.S. Education Department official notified the program’s administrators that their grant was being terminated. The official said the grant had been used to promote diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, and “other initiatives that unlawfully discriminate” based on race or other factors, according to a Feb. 10 letter obtained by The Times-Picayune and The Advocate.

Michael Strecker, a Tulane spokesperson, said the university would appeal the agency’s decision. He added that Tulane remains “steadfast in our mission to improve schools and address the teacher shortage by preparing highly skilled teachers and school leaders.”

The U.S. Department of Education press office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

residents back after disasters. While the process of approving and distributing the money has been seen as overly politicized, unpredictable and slow cutting staff could introduce further uncertainty, those familiar with the program say.

The Times quoted a HUD spokesperson as saying the department is “carrying out President Trump’s broader efforts to restructure and streamline the federal government to serve the American people at the highest standard.”

‘Unclear at this time’

Louisiana’s Office of Community Development has overseen planning and distribution of the funds after they arrive from Washington. It issued a statement Thursday saying it “is actively seeking more information regarding possible staffing changes at HUD.”

“Any potential impact on our agency and the Louisiana citizens we serve is unclear at this time,” it said.

The longtime head of that office until January 2024, Pat Forbes, said he was concerned cuts could further delay the process of distributing the funding as well as reduce oversight nationally

“What this does is effectively reduce the number of people who are looking out for fraud, waste and abuse,” Forbes said. “This clears the path for that across the country, everywhere that we have these grants.”

Shifting stances on diversity

Boosting teacher diversity has traditionally been a nonpartisan policy goal driven by research showing that some students’ test scores and attendance improve when they are taught by teachers of color

In Louisiana, where about only about 30% of public-school teachers are people of color compared with 60% of students, the state Education Department has made it a priority to develop a diverse teaching workforce. And last year a task force of state legislators, policymakers and education groups issued a report promoting recruitment programs “designed to attract and support aspiring teachers, particularly candidates of color.”

But the Trump administration has recently attacked federally supported efforts to promote diversity On his first day in office, the president ordered federal agencies to end all DEI programs. And on Feb. 14, the U.S. Education Department gave schools and universities two weeks to stop factoring race into decisions involving employees or students, including in admissions, hiring and training.

The notice said schools have “toxically indoctrinated students” by teaching that racism is embedded in the country’s institutions, and universities discriminated against White and Asian students by using “repugnant race-based preferences” in admissions.

On Wednesday, Louisiana’s Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley issued a memo affirming

He noted a recent allocation to Louisiana of $118 million related to Hurricane Francine, which is yet to be paid out, and questioned whether that would be delayed.

“In a process that already takes too long to get assistance after a disaster, this is going to make that process even longer,” he said.

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, noted in a brief statement that the Trump White House has said the cuts won’t affect disaster recovery

U.S. Rep. Troy Carter DNew Orleans, meanwhile, called the plan “deeply alarming and shortsighted.”

“In Louisiana, we know all too well the devastating impact of hurricanes and flooding,” he said in a statement “This office has played a critical role in our state’s recovery from disaster Cutting it to the bone will leave our communities vulnerable and unprepared for future catastrophes.”

The two other members of the New Orleans area’s congressional delegation — U.S Sen. John Kennedy R-Madisonville, and U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson — did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

‘People will just leave’

The program has proved key in rebuilding after disasters ranging from hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Laura and Ida to the 2016 flooding in the Baton Rouge area,

the federal guidance, adding that Louisiana schools should promote “meritocracy of student achievement.” He also thanked Gov. Jeff Landry, a Republican closely aligned with Trump, for helping the state education department stop “inherently divisive concepts” like DEI from “infiltrating” Louisiana schools.

It is unclear whether Louisiana education officials will continue to promote teacher diversity Brumley did not address the issue in his memo, and a state Education Department spokesperson did not respond when asked whether establishing a diverse teacher workforce remains an agency goal.

Loss of funding

The abrupt termination of the training grants sent shockwaves through the education world.

The cuts targeted two federal programs: the Teacher Quality Partnerships program, which Congress allocated $70 million last year, and Supporting Effective Educator Development, or SEED grants, which got $80 million. The grants support traditional teachereducation programs at colleges, as well as alternative pathways that help aspiring teachers earn degrees while working in schools.

Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy, president of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, said scrapping the grants would have “dire consequences” for efforts to train high-quality teachers.

“Eliminating funding for this vital work threatens student success, weakens community educa-

among others. It has prioritized low- and middleincome families without the wherewithal to rebuild on their own.

While certainly not without its flaws over the years, the money fills a gap that states would otherwise struggle to address, said Andy Winkler, director of the housing and infrastructure project at the Bipartisan Policy Center If handing states a more

tion systems, and undermines the nation’s long-term educational progress,” she said in a statement. One of the terminated grants provided $3 million to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette to help schools in the Acadiana region “create new pathways for aspiring teachers, especially those from underrepresented communities,” according to a university press release last November The university planned to partner with several school districts and a community college.

A $9.9 million grant went to Reach University a Californiabased nonprofit university that helps school paraprofessionals, or classroom aides, earn teaching degrees while continuing to work full-time. Reach, which is partnering with Delgado Community College, was using the grant to help 80 school employees in Jefferson Parish become teachers.

Reach University President Joe E. Ross said he rejected the suggestion in the grant termination letter that the program discriminated against anyone.

“We fling open our doors” to any school staffers who want to become teachers, Ross said in a statement, adding that the program “is a merit-based, discrimination-free application of federal funds.” Ross said the university will appeal the grant cancellation while continuing “to support every school employee in completing their apprenticeship degree with Reach.”

Email Patrick Wall at patrick. wall@theadvocate.com.

direct role is the ultimate outcome, that may speed the process, but present practical problems, particularly concerning oversight, he said. While Louisiana has long experience in dealing with such funding, other states do not and may struggle to handle the process on their own.

Regardless, it may be a heavy burden for any state to manage properly

Winkler said there was much at stake when it comes to a true recovery from disaster — a situation Louisianans know all too well.

“If you’re waiting even longer than CDBG-DR takes for your home to be rebuilt, or roads and bridges, people will just leave,” said Winkler “And they won’t come back.”

Staff Writer Alex Lubben contributed to this report.

BY MISSY WILKINSON and JOHN SIMERMAN Staff writer

After a brief post-Super Bowl breather, an intense security presence will return to the streets and skies of New Orleans, as helicopters, drones, bomb-sniffing dogs, SWAT team members and armored vehicles are deployed for Mardi Gras parades.

“All of the same resources that were brought out for Super Bowl, they’ll see in an elongated fashion along Mardi Gras parade routes,” said Eric DeLaune, the special agent in charge of U.S. Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans. The appointment of DeLaune, who is leading the coordination effort, followed Mardi Gras’ recent SEAR 1 designation, an upgrade from past years, when the event hovered between SEAR 2 and SEAR 3 ratings.

Just as the Taylor Swift Eras Tour in October provided a trial run for Super Bowl security, the Super Bowl itself served as a “pressure test” for the larger, longer Carnival season, DeLaune said. The heightened French Quarter security zone implemented during the Super Bowl will be enforced again, with National Guard troops stationed in the area, NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said Thursday

A new vehicle mitigation system will be introduced on the lakeside of St. Charles Avenue. Officers will position their vehicles in a “serpentine course” around barricades to slow traffic, though vehicles will still be able to pass through.

THROW

Continued from page 1A

decided to go all in with the newfangled throws, ending its practice of tossing plastic beads entirely

“I think we got to the point where we thought we needed to make a bold step,” said captain Bobby Hjortsberg. “We are eliminating hundreds of thousands of strands of beads from the streets and gutters.”

Hjortsberg is unfazed by concerns that without plastic beads, the krewe might be throwing less. “Quality over quantity,” he said.

Instead, the parade, which rolls Saturday, will shower spectators with coloring books and ecofriendly bubble kits, ball caps, red beans and rice packs, and locally made earrings New this year is the cuddly plush Billie the Ferret, a playful nod to the way Freret’s name is sometimes misspelled For krewes that roll at night, “all the riders want is light-up throws,” said Dan Kelly who does double duty as captain of the Krewe of Endymion and president of the Mardi Gras supply store Beads by the Dozen. Kelly was leaving a meeting at the Superdome, where Endymion returns for its post-roll Extravaganza this year

Light-up throws are the biggest trend he’s seen since he began as a Carnival supplier 33 years ago, and sales have grown in the past

CARNIVAL 2025

“It’s going to be a serpentine course. We’re going to weave it like a snake,” Kirkpatrick said. “That will slow anybody down who thinks they’re going to use a vehicle as a weapon.”

Kirkpatrick acknowledged an impact on residents who live on St. Charles but said they’d still be able to navigate the famed oaklined avenue.

Otherwise Kirkpatrick said spectators will see “much of the same package of safety resources and assets that you saw at the Super Bowl,” including Louisiana National Guard soldiers at the ready She said 600 of the city’s 900 sworn officers are assigned to Mardi Gras and will work 12hour shifts, including 100 in plainclothes milling among the crowds.

Louisiana State Police will deploy 150 troopers, according to Sgt. Kate Stegall.

“Technical surveillance specialists,” intelligence researchers and others in a mobile command center will again tap into the city’s network of hundreds of crime cameras, said Joshua Jackson, special agent in charge for the ATF’s New Orleans Field Division.

Louisiana State Police and NOPD determine the placement of mobile surveillance units, and one has remained in its Super Bowl location, said Bryan Lagarde executive director of Project NOLA National Crime Center Program.

“What we do daily around the French Quarter and parade routes is we see hand-to-hand transactions, and facial recognition helps us identify that person,” Lagarde said. “We’re going after the higher-intensity drug dealers who are

more likely to be armed.”

The federal contingent will be focused on intelligence related to known gang members and others who may be predisposed to violence, Jackson said.

Ice chest awareness

Jackson said that paradegoers should keep tabs on their bags or packages, with agents on the lookout for suspicious items or actions. Jackson acknowledged that Mardi Gras presents challenges in that regard. He said agents would not be conducting broad sweeps with dogs along the route.

“We’ll wait for a report from the community of a suspicious package or bag. That’s when an explosive detection canine or bomb technician would be deployed to make sure (it’s) not a threat,” he said.

Sometimes, agents might initiate the canine scrutiny themselves, said Jackson, who encouraged paradegoers to “remain vigilant and diligent” of unattended bags or coolers.

But Jackson insisted those checks will have a “surgical focus. It won’t be random.”

Kirkpatrick cautioned paradegoers against breaking the city’s rules on grills, closed tents and other barred practices.

“I don’t want to be the hard person that comes and enforces this ordinance,” Kirkpatrick said, ”but I will.”

Mayor LaToya Cantrell also announced that the city will relocate the memorial for victims of the New Year’s Day terror attack on Bourbon Street. In coordination with victims’ families, the tribute

five years, Kelly said.

“For Endymion, each member gets seven packages, and 75% of packages are light-up throws,” he said. There’s less demand these days for generic beads. “People want something that makes them look fun and fancy.” Still, there are plenty of riders who throw 30 or 40 bags of ordinary small beads, mixing them up with costlier LED blinkers, plushies, and toys. An Endymion rider needs at least 3,000 throws to make it through the ride, he said.

Old favorites return Krewe of Muses official Virginia

Saussy said the club’s 25th anniversary this year was a chance to resurrect beloved classics like its branded high-heel-topped swizzle sticks and a bandanna printed with goddesses in silhouette.

“We wanted to bring some things back,” Saussy said. When 10 inches of snow covered New Orleans in January, a Muses beanie kept heads warm across the city That’s also making a comeback this year but in yellow

New in 2025: a rechargeable, pocket-sized “I’m a Muses Fan” to cool the brows of overheated Jazz Fest-goers, and a hand-held beacon that casts a heroic M symbol.

will be moved inside the Presbytère Museum in the French Quarter, with the transition beginning Friday Quick response

Also on hand is a national ATF response team. Jackson described it as similar to the group that converged on a short-term rental in the St. Roch neighborhood where a Houston man stayed and set aflame before turning a pickup truck onto Bourbon Street and ramming dozens of revelers early on Jan. 1, killing 14.

“If something blows up or burns down, they’re the ones that come in and get the answers back to the investigative team,” Jackson said.

That team includes certified firescience and electrical engineers, as well as explosives specialists.

ATF agents will begin parade days by sweeping Mardi Gras floats with explosives-detecting dogs hours before they roll, Jackson said. “Undercover assets” will deploy to known “problem areas” that have tended to see criminal activity in the past, DeLaune said.

“The big concern is terrorism after Jan. 1,” DeLaune said. “But the reality is the majority of problems we have seen throughout the history of Mardi Gras are violence among people at the parades, or someone who is intoxicated that loses control of a vehicle.”

Jackson declined to say how many ATF agents will be on hand for Mardi Gras. He said some are assigned to “quick response” teams, including SWAT team members, there to react to incidents or threats as they arise.

“They have the highest skill set

Muses rolls on Feb. 27.

Also celebrating women and girls is the Krewe of Femme Fatale, tossing signature lipstick-kiss makeup brush kits, glittery change purses, fanny packs and games of jacks on its Uptown route Sunday Girls just want to have fun, but everyone will grab Femme Fatale’s footballs, visors and flip-flops.

In keeping with its theme “Let the Games Begin,” the Krewe of Argus will throw decks of Argus cards and poker chips when it rolls in Metairie on Fat Tuesday, said krewe official Micki Chehardy

The group’s Gus peacock plush is back, along with boxes of crayons in peacock blue shades and hand-strung beads with a peacock charm. One float, dedicated to the goddess Hera, will toss hand-decorated capes. “Not all superheroes wear capes, but we do!” Chehardy joked.

Happy anniversaries

The Krewe of Pontchartrain will celebrate its 50th anniversary on Saturday with an oversized Super Grouper plush, 50th anniversary lighted beads and charm necklaces. “The throw we are most excited about and that is the most unique is our wearable grouper plush hat it is a fantastic throw and a real collectible,” said captain Samuel T. Scandaliato.

The Krewe of Okeanos will toss a king cake neck pillow, complete with purple, green and gold sprinkles, and Hermes will fling a light-

of all of our federal components. They’re able to deal with any enforcement action that we may have to deal with,” Jackson said.

The agents work with uniformed local law enforcement — led by the New Orleans Police Department and Louisiana State Police — to “direct themselves to a person or group or object that could pose a threat to public safety,” Jackson said.

Drones stay at home

Flight restrictions will be in effect over parade areas, so people should leave their drones at home or risk losing them, DeLaune said.

“You can end up in a situation where it may get instantly commandeered,” DeLaune said. “We have the technology to take over that drone and land it.”

During the Super Bowl, law enforcement personnel seized 33 drones, he said.

“If you put your drones up, we’re going to come get them,” Kirkpatrick said.

What ATF agents don’t expect to be doing, Jackson said, is enforcing local gun laws during the first Mardi Gras under Louisiana’s new permitless concealed carry law

Now, anyone 18 or older to carry a gun concealed without a permit, though state law bars it on parade routes.

“Very few people in our community are willing

Stephen

up cape. Toilet paper, toilet seat sunglasses, poop emoji ice molds, and other juvenile delights are on brand for the Krewe of Tucks, along with socks, fedoras and a beer pong set.

Socks, pioneered by the Krewe of Proteus, are now a coveted throw at many parades. Bacchus will throw 38 different sock designs when it rolls March 2, all decorated to keep feet cozy with the theme “Louisiana Fairs and Festivals.”

And then there are the cups. An insulated metal tumbler, perfect for the morning commute or the happy hour stroll, will be handed down by the Krewe of Athena when it rolls in Metairie March 2. Krewe d’Etat will toss a cocktail shaker, plastic cups that change color a bar towel and a long, insulated can sling that holds several beers. Favors are emblazoned with the satirical krewe’s cheery skull logo.

And Rex will feature purple, green and gold metal drinkware, among the most sought-after throws that fly from the floats on Fat Tuesday Rex also tosses a unique bead from each float, illustrating the theme “La Belle Epoque,” and a wildflower seed kit from Grounds Krewe, along with bubble kits, glitter kits, coffee pouches, exfoliating hand soap and fiber tote bags.

Email Annette Sisco at asisco@ theadvocate.com.

Levee board pushes for new director

Group bucks Landry’s appointed

BY ALEX LUBBEN Staff writer

president

Simmering tensions over the role of the police chief at the New Orleans-area levee authority burst into the open on Thursday at the agency’s monthly board meeting Board president Roy Carubba, appointed by Gov Jeff Landry last year, has insisted that the agency’s police chief, Joshua Rondeno, is the best person to oversee the

South Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East, tasked with protecting the New Orleans area from storm surge flooding. But, at the agency’s monthly meeting on Thursday, members of the board of commissioners pushed back and insisted that they start the search for a new full-time director to run the agency and limit Rondeno’s authority After the meeting, Carubba called what took place a “coup” designed to snub the governor and

JUST CHILLING

return the agency to the way it was run before Carubba arrived. “That is what this coup was all about,” he said. But to members of the board, having a cop running the flood control agency undermined its legitimacy

“The levee board historically has come under attack, especially after Katrina. I think that we have made huge strides in our public reputation. People are concerned that the levee board is

now being led by a policeman,” said Commissioner Thomas Fierke. “Call it cosmetic, but I think that going into hurricane season, we need to have an engineer We need to have a regional director who is not in uniform carrying a gun,” he added. The flood agency has been formally without a director since Kelli Chandler resigned late last year Since then, Rondeno has been carrying out many of the duties that

typically fall to a regional director even though he does not meet the qualifications for the position that are laid out in state law Board members on Thursday also cited a letter, written on agency letterhead, that identified Rondeno as ‘interim regional director’ even as Carubba had insisted that he was not serving in that capacity Rondeno’s lack of qualifications to lead the agency evidently didn’t sit well with some board members.

“The chief doesn’t qualify for that position,” said Commissioner Clay Cosse at Thursday’s meeting.

See LEVEE, page 3B

Condo development files for bankruptcy

Converted auto showroom struggled to find financing

BY ANTHONY McAULEY Staff writer

The Garage, a swanky $52 million Warehouse District condominium development that includes penthouses with views of the Mississippi River, a rooftop pool and a car elevator, has filed for bankruptcy protection under the weight of more than $36 million of debt Marcel Wisznia, the New Orleans architect and developer whose projects have included The Maritime building on Common Street and Union Lofts on Carondelet Street, completed conversion of the former midcentury automobile showroom into the five-story luxury complex in early 2020, just

The Garage is seen

before the COVID-19 pandemic hit and caused widespread economic disruption.

The building has found tenants over the past few years and was about 90% occupied by the end

of last year, according to filings in federal bankruptcy court. However, mortgage payments on the property had fallen behind, and the mortgage holder a unit of New York real estate investor Bridge

Investment Group, foreclosed last spring. The building, whose tenants include the CEO of a Mississippi pharmaceuticals company, the chief creative officer of a New Orleans advertising agency, and a nationally known college football player, has been in receivership since May 2024 as Wisznia tried to find a new lender to refinance the mortgage and take care of other debt, court records show It has been managed since by a “keeper,” HGI Realty, which has collected rent and taken care of upkeep. Wisznia’s efforts to find new financing after the foreclosure proved elusive and the liens and lawsuits against the company Stephens Garage Building LLC, solely managed by Wisznia — kept piling up. Wisznia decided to put the company into voluntary

$90M school settlement dispute goes to court

City Council grills Cantrell’s top deputies

BY DESIREE STENNETT

BY BEN MYERS and JAMES FINN Staff writers

The question of whether a landmark settlement — or alleged settlement between Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s administration and the Orleans Parish School Board is legally enforceable will linger unanswered for another month after a court hearing on Thursday ended with no resolution. After more than three hours of oral arguments Civil District Court Judge Nicole Sheppard told lawyers for the administration, the board and the City Council to submit briefs and return to court for another hearing on March 25. The School Board wants the administration to honor an agreement that Cantrell’s chief administrative officer, Gilbert Montaño, approved to settle a 6-year-old lawsuit over tax revenue that the School Board claims has been improperly withheld. Council member Joe Giarrusso led the negotiations that resulted in the agreement and drafted a term sheet the School Board voted to approve. He also joined Montaño in announcing a $90 million settlement at a November news conference.

Judge denies request for new trial

Slidell pastor was convicted of child cruelty in 2024

BY WILLIE SWETT Staff writer

A state judge denied a request for a new trial by Slidell pastor and former “Survivor” contestant John Raymond late Thursday, nearly five months after Raymond was convicted on felony child cruelty charges involving students at the school he founded. Raymond argued he needed a new trial because his previous lawyer, Joseph Long, had failed to introduce a “wheelbarrow” of evidence at trial and had not allowed him to testify

But after hours of testimony from new witnesses, including both Long and Raymond, Judge John A. Keller of the 22nd Judicial District found Raymond had failed to demonstrate his claims, most importantly the question of whether Raymond understood the decision to testify was his.

“He knew it was his decision,” Keller said.

Raymond was a founder of Lakeside Christian Academy in Slidell, where he was accused of taping five students’ mouths shut for talking in class and placing his hand over another student’s until the child “went limp,” according to witness testimony at his trial last September

After that six-day trial, a jury in Covington found Raymond guilty of four felony child cruelty charges. Raymond has maintained his innocence and said he was a victim of “cancel culture.”

Raymond subsequently hired a new lawyer, Jane Hogan, who specializes in post-trial criminal defense, and requested a post-verdict acquittal. Keller denied that request in November

On Thursday, Raymond argued from the witness stand that some of the witnesses used by Northshore District Attorney Colin Sims’ office to make their case against him were part of a campaign to frame him.

Raymond said Long had failed to introduce evidence that would have undermined the credibility of witnesses and called Long’s examination of state witnesses “lame.” Raymond also played a recording of a conversation between him and Long in which Long threatened to quit if Raymond continued to “micromanage” the trial.

STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD

St. Charles Avenue streetcar riders are all bundled up Thursday after the New Orleans metro woke up to an arctic blast.

Carubba Rondeno

Fierke

neighbors in the 9th Ward, they have expressed significant anxiety and fear regarding safety, health, and noise issues as well as concerns about the devaluation of their property and the potential destruction of their neighborhood if the grain terminal project proceeds,” wrote Moreno, who is running for mayor She went on to urge the port to “provide information on all phases of the project, as well as any pertinent documents, business plans, and, most importantly the environmental and health assessments by posting them online for public review on the Port’s website.”

Until that happens, she has requested that the project be put on hold.

Project moves forward

After the bond approval, neither the port’s board members nor company representatives for Canadabased Sunrise Foods International have shown any sign that they plan to slow progress.

Branch declined to comment following the board meeting, saying she was “not available” to speak to reporters.

In a statement provided by port press secretary Kimberly Curth after the meeting, officials acknowledged that they received Moreno’s letter

“We respect the concerns raised by Councilwoman Moreno, as well as the concerns voiced by community members in our recent board meetings and community outreach events,” the statement said. “We will continue to engage with our tenants and stakeholders to address these concerns and we will continue to provide outreach and information to local officials and residents of the Holy Cross neighborhood.”

In a separate statement from Sunrise Foods International, which plans to open the terminal by the summer at the Alabo Street Wharf in Holy Cross, company officials also avoided any commitment to slow the project

“Sunrise Foods International remains committed to continued open dialogue with the community ensuring that concerns regarding health, safety and the well-being of the surrounding neighborhoods are addressed,” a statement from the company reads.

The company went on to say that details about their plan for the facility — including their operational process, pest control strategy and an environmental assessment of the air quality impacts — were still being finalized and would be available for review next week

During the meeting, two representatives from Tulane

RAYMOND

Continued from page 1B

Sims, in turn, effectively found himself defending Raymond’s former attorney, highlighting’s Long’s decades of experience as a lawyer and arguing Raymond had little additional evidence for his defense Keller said he thought that while some of the evidence Hogan introduced called into question some decisions made by Long, it did not do so as strongly as she suggested. Raymond has had public squabbles with Sims before. Raymond is was well-known in St. Tammany and Baton Rouge political circles and has been an elected member of the Republican Parish Executive Committee and the Republican State Central Committee.

When Sims ran for District Attorney, Sims declined to participate in a forum hosted by the Republican Parish Executive Committee as long as Raymond, whom he was prosecuting at the time, refused to recuse himself from the group’s decision about whether to endorse Sims.

University’s Environmental Law Clinic echoed criticisms over a lack of transparency and questioned if port board members were violating open meetings laws because of how little public discussion occurred at previous meetings as elements of the project were approved.

“When the board takes a vote on a consequential item with no discussion in public, as has been happening on the Sunrise Foods matter, it raises questions about whether the board’s deliberations are happening behind closed doors or whether the board isn’t deliberating at all and isn’t listening to the public’s comments and instead rubber-stamping staff’s proposals,” said Chad Molnar, of the Tulane Environmental Law Clinic.

Residents ‘not deterred’

In a presentation to the board, port Chief Financial Officer Ronald Wendel said about $9 million of the bonds approved will be used at the Alabo Street Wharf.

The money, which is expected to be issued by April, will pay for fire and electrical upgrades, a new dehumidification system, vessel unloading and rail loading systems and other upgrades to ready the facility to move 10 train cars per day of soybeans, corn and other grains.

For months, scores of residents have raised concerns over the project, which port officials said would be funded even if the bonds were not approved.

Lindsay Edwards, who lives just blocks from the Alabo Street Wharf, called the board “disrespectful” for its failure to provide information and its refusal to engage with residents in light of the community’s overwhelming opposition to the project

“These aren’t the actions of someone who’s coming here to ‘revitalize,’ ” Edwards said, criticizing the board’s description of their work at the wharf. “These are the actions of someone who is trying to pull the wool over a community’s eyes and do something that they are not proud of.”

Despite the bond approval, Jeffrey Wittenbrink, a Holy Cross resident who has been leading the charge against the grain terminal, said residents are not discouraged.

He said the letter from Moreno, the support from the Tulane law clinic, the continued vocal opposition from residents and a question from board member James J. Carter who, without mentioning the grain terminal specifically, asked if bond funding could be redirected to other projects all counted as wins for residents.

“We’re not deterred in any way,” he said.

Email Desiree Stennett at desiree.stennett@ theadvocate.com

Prosecutors drop shooting charges

Woman had been booked in a grandmother’s 2022 death

BY GABRIELLA KILLETT Staff writer

The Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office has refused charges against a woman who was arrested in the shooting death of a grandmother at Morris Jeff Community School’s high school graduation in 2022. All charges were dropped Tuesday against Laverne

GARAGE

Continued from page 1B

Duplessis 43 who had faced a manslaughter charge in the death of Augustine Greenwood, 80, who was attending her grandson’s high school graduation at Xavier University Convocation Center in late May 2022.

As families were dismissed from the ceremony, women from two of the graduates’ families began to argue in the parking lot The fight escalated, and shots rang out. Duplessis’ attorneys have said she shot another suspect, Brandon Rock, not Greenwood, in self-defense.

District Attorney Jason Williams’ office agreed this

bankruptcy, known as Chapter 11, just before Christmas.

Under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, Chapter 11 allows a company to keep operating while it works with creditors to come up with a new repayment plan, which must be approved by a federal bankruptcy judge.

“We placed it into Chapter 11 and are finalizing a reorganization plan,” Wisznia said via text last month “We are confident that we will successfully do so,” he added but declined to comment further

The case is in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, under Judge Meredith Grabill. A Feb 24 hearing is scheduled to consider appointing investment bank Chaffe & Associates as financial adviser to Wisznia. 1950s-era car showroom

The original building was completed in 1951 and opened as Stephens Garage, serving first as a Buick dealership and, later, a Chevrolet showroom for over five decades.

Wisznia acquired the five-story property in 2007 for $4.9 million and a decade later started the $52 million renovation, transforming the building into an “urban chic” mixed-use development. A distinctive feature of the residential complex was its innovative car elevator system, allowing residents to park their vehicles directly adjacent to their units — a nod to the building’s automotive heritage, Wisznia said at the time.

There are 11 penthouse units that currently rent for up to $6,400 a month for a 2,000 square foot apartment, plus around 50 others with monthly rents starting at around $2,000 for the under-800 square foot flats, court filings show There is also just over 20,000 square feet of ground floor space for rent as retail or other commercial use.

The Garage was part of a wave of new condominium complexes built in the Warehouse District during the re-

SCHOOL

Continued from page 1B

week, saying new evidence revealed that Duplessis did not cause Greenwood’s death nor “initiate actions that led to (her) death.” Williams’ office declined to describe that evidence but said it justified Duplessis’ actions. Dismissing charges against her was the only appropriate action to take, the district attorney’s office said in a statement. Three others were arrested in connection with the investigation, but only Duplessis and Rock, 21, were booked with the killing. Manslaughter and weapons charges against Rock remain. He awaits a

trial scheduled for March. “We look forward to holding the proper individual responsible,” a statement from Williams’ office read. Duplessis’ attorneys Branden Villavaso and Nicholas Lindner released a statement on the case Wednesday: “It’s unfortunate that it took so long to get to this point, but we’re happy with the outcome and that the charges were dismissed,” they said. “Mrs. Duplessis is extremely happy to be home with her family.”

Duplessis was released Wednesday and had been incarcerated since her arrest in June 2022.

covery from Hurricane Katrina. They included the 16-story Eleven Hundred Annunciation, the Kolarama on Magazine Street, and 425 Notre Dame Condos. Those three alone added nearly 200 upscale units. The economic downturn caused by the pandemic led to a supply glut, even though some developers changed course and went for hotel and shortterm rental operations instead.

Tax credit financing

Wisznia relied heavily on federal and state historic building tax credits to help finance his restoration of the property, as well as a Restoration Tax Abatement One key restriction of the federal program is that the property must maintain its income-producing status for a period, typically five years. The restriction meant that Wisznia could not convert the complex to condominiums and sell them off to pay down the debt.

In early 2021, while he was slowly leasing the properties as the economy recovered from the pandemic, Wisznia had to raise a bridge loan of just under $30 million That mortgage plus interest now accounts for most of the $35 million of secured debt.

The multifamily real estate market in New Orleans as a whole has been

of school hours. She also cited a pair of multimillion-dollar judgments the city had not accounted for until after Cantrell’s deputies greenlit the settlement late last year

steadily rising over the past year in terms of occupancy and rent levels, according to MMG Real Estate Advisors. The downtown market has 93% occupancy with monthly rents average above $2,000, the firm’s data show Parke McEnery, who had been hired to find buyers for The Garage units before it went into bankruptcy, said that turning the complex into condominiums and selling them off is the best way to put it back on firm financial ground. “The path that works to achieve the necessary revenue to ultimately retire the debt is absolutely a condo exit,” McEnery said. Other creditors with liens against the property include Paul Flower’s development and construction company Woodward Design and Build, which is owed about $2.6 million. Woodward had started to build the Hotel Bonsai at The Garage for Wisznia, a planned boutique hotel and restaurant that was abandoned for lack of funds. The largest unsecured creditors are Affordable Housing Partners, a unit of Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway which specializes in investments in historic tax credits. It’s owed $500,000. Also, Fundkite, a New York City firm that makes fast-approval business loans for up to $2 million. They’re owed $273,000.

If the Bible says it, he believes it, Raymond said “How far can you take it?” Sims questioned, quoting a proverb that states “Thou shalt beat him with a rod.”

“I would never beat a child with a rod,” Raymond responded.

The hearing featured testimony from two of Raymond’s children, Raymond’s friends and his cousin, Elizabeth “Beth” Wolfe, who also happens to be a state appellate court judge.

The defense called Wolfe to the stand, where she recounted a conversation she had with Raymond the week of the trial in which he said he was going to testify She said she would “pray” for him to make the right decision, and was surprised to learn he hadn’t testified

But it was Wolfe’s testimony that Keller ultimately invoked in determining that Raymond knew it was his choice to make.

The defense said they plan to appeal Keller’s decision. A sentencing date has been set for March.

In addition to being a pastor, Raymond appeared on the reality TV show, “Survivor,” in the 2002 season, which was set in Thailand. He was the first contestant to be voted off.

Sims took the opportunity on Thursday to grill Raymond, who said “physical discipline is biblical” about his views on corporal punishment.

Whether Montaño was authorized to agree to a settlement that Giarrusso spearheaded, and whether the agreement itself actually constitutes a finalized settlement, are among the questions that lawyers will argue over in the next round of briefs. They’ll also argue whether Cantrell ratified the agreement by signing the 2025 city budget, which included $10 million for a settlement.

That payment was due on Dec. 31, and another $10 million was due by April 1, according to the deal. Annual payments of $7 million would come over the next decade, starting this year The board wants Sheppard to force the city to pay $27 million for now — the two lump-sum payments and the first annual payment — and to stop the practice of keeping 2% of the sales and property taxes the city collects on the board’s behalf.

As the court hearing played out, council officials grilled Cantrell’s top deputies for the second time in a week, pressing for a more detailed accounting of funding woes the administration blamed for the need to abandon the deal.

Giarrusso, who as council budget committee chair took a leading role in writing the budget along with Montaño, sparred early in the meeting with the mayor’s finance director, Romy Samuel.

Samuel has said the city backed out of the settlement in part due to temporary problems with the influx of cash. Not enough taxes were entering the city’s coffers early in the year to safely pay out the settlement amount all at once, she has argued.

At the same time, she has attributed the problem to a series of apparently deeper shortfalls in the city budget

On Thursday, Samuel said New Orleans is losing money because stationary cameras set up in school zones are not clocking traffic violations outside

Many of the arguments reiterated explanations from the previous week’s meeting. Even council members who have historically been quick to side with Cantrell’s administration became visibly irritated.

Council member Eugene Green demanded that Samuel explain why the administration put forward a budget, later signed by the mayor, that Cantrell’s own finance director says did not align with the reality of the city’s financial picture.

“Did the administration submit to us a balanced budget as required?” Green asked.

Samuel responded that Green’s question should be directed to Montaño, who was not present at the meeting. Green was not satisfied.

“Do we have the ability to pay these bills or do we not?” he asked. “Either the administration submitted a balanced budget, or it did not.”

Montaño and Cantrell’s press staff did not respond to inquiries about the exchange.

Back in court, lawyers for the School Board and council said the city’s practice of skimming from school taxes has crunched the system for years. They also said the School Board had every reason to rely on Montaño, the mayor’s highly visible second in command, as a Cantrell administration representative when hammering out legal deals.

“The CAO for the last several years has been the point person. No one goes to ask the mayor any questions,” said William Aaron, the School Board’s lawyer That Cantrell waited more than two months after the budget passed with her signature to voice objections

“doesn’t really make sense,” Aaron said.

Aaron and a lawyer for the council, Judy Barrasso, also pointed to a string of emails in which the city attorney, Donesia Turner, helped draft

a cooperative endeavor agreement to memorialize the agreement They said the emails show that Turner, who is responsible for directing the city’s legal affairs, had agreed to the settlement on behalf of the city

“She’s editing and writing and approving that agreement,” Barrasso said, arguing that state law doesn’t require a final document to prove that an enforceable agreement exists.

Ike Spears, representing the Cantrell administration, countered that Barrasso was trying to substitute a “hodgepodge” of email communications and budget ordinances for a legally binding agreement.

Turner has since disputed that she agreed to the terms, which she said she only learned of after they were negotiated.

The budget amendment containing the $10 million lump sum payment clearly labels it as a school settlement, but Spears said nothing suggests Cantrell ever saw that document. He said Cantrell only signed the master budget ordinance, which doesn’t include a line item for a settlement.

Spears also pointed out that the School Board didn’t dismiss the case once the budget passed, which he said violated the proposed settlement terms. The terms say the board would dismiss the case “without prejudice” at that time, meaning plaintiffs could refile it at a later time, according to the terms. The case would be dismissed for good after the first payment.

“The School Board wants to have it both ways,” Spears said.

PHOTO PROVIDED By WISZNIA | ARCHITECTURE + DEVELOPMENT

Marcel Wisznia’s development, The Garage, on Carondelet Street, gave potential renters for its 51 apartments and buyers for its 11 condos 3D virtual tours via the Matterport platform.

LEVEE

Continued from page 1B

“You have to have some engineering experience.

The restructuring of the agency has been overseen by Landry’s informal adviser in New Orleans, Shane Guidry, though Guidry does not serve the agency in any official capacity In one sign of his influence, Carubba on Thursday asked a Times-Picayune reporter to run his onthe-record statements by Guidry before printing them. Guidry previously compared his relationship with the governor to Elon Musk’s relationship with President Donald Trump.

Board member K. Randall Noel put forward the resolution to start the search for a new regional director But he had to push to include it on the meeting agenda after Carubba directed it not to be included prior to the meeting. The board overrode Carubba to add it and approved the resolution by a 6-2 vote.

“We’re only four months away from hurricane season,” Noel said. He stressed the importance of putting “somebody full time into position that can run this organization, this authority, and prepare appropriately.”

The resolution called for the formation of a search committee to find a new permanent regional director, and appointed the agency’s Director of Engineering Chris Humphreys to serve as interim regional director until the position is filled. It also stipulates that Humphreys will have appointing authority — or the ability to hire and fire employees — over most agency employees. Rondeno will retain that authority over the agency’s roughly 60-officer police force.

“I would rather stand alone on the governor’s side than stand with everyone who is going against his will,” Rondeno said after the meeting.

The tensions between Carubba and other board members have been playing out behind the scenes since January’s board meeting.

Carubba, in an email sent after that meeting, encouraged three board members — K. Randall Noel, Deborah Settoon and Derek Rabb — who had called on him to hire a new regional director in January to follow “proper channels of communication within the agency” rather than airing their opinions in public. Carubba also vehemently defended Rondeno’s leadership.

“My opinion stands as is that the agency is running incredibly well the way it is and we are delivering good governance,” Carubba wrote in the email.

“By the way,” he continued, “that opinion is based on fax [sic] and figures and walking the halls and seeing the morale of the men and women improve as we are making substantive changes both to the culture and structure in a very large part to the chief and his vast institutional knowledge of civil service matters and his inherent leadership skills.” Guidry, for his part, noted that boards are put in place to make decisions independently and said he wasn’t close enough to the day-to-day operations of the agency to be able to either approve of or condemn the board’s actions on Thursday But he said that the governor had tasked him and Carubba with ensuring that the flood protection authority made sure homes don’t flood while also elevating the role of the agency’s police.

“If that’s not what they’re doing,” Guidry said, “then we’ve got a problem.”

Email Alex Lubben at alex.lubben@ theadvocate.com.

New Orleans Area Deaths Murray Henderson

Clark, Maurice

Professional Adams, Talair

Bartholomew, William Sanders, Bryan

Baudean, Troy St Tammany

Celestine, Errol

EJ Fielding

Clark, Maurice Ikerd, Carol Daniels, William West Bank Ellis Jr.,Alfred Mothe Fraiche Jr., Thomas Fulton, Thesma Baudean, Troy Gaines, Gloria Gros Jr., Jessie Gauthreaux, Hubert and Victoria Laughlin, Margaret Baudean, Troy Louis

Robinson FH

Giles, Patrick Bartholomew, William Green Sr., Lawrence West Leitz-Eagan Gros Jr., Jessie Haley, Charles Gauthreaux, Hubert and Victoria Henry, Sylvester Obituaries Ikerd, Carol Jackson, William Adams, Talair

brother Eugene Bartholomew, 11 children, 39 grandchildren, one great-grandchild a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends Rela‐tives and friends of the family are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at St Thomas Catholic Church 17605 LA-15, Pointe à la Hache, LA 70082 on February 22, 2025, at 11 am Visitation will begin at 9 am. Interment will be pri‐vate. Funeral planning en‐trusted to Robinson Family Funeral Home, 9611 LA-23, Belle Chase, LA 70037 (504) 208-2119. For online condo‐lences, please visit www robinsonfamilyfuneralho me.com

Baudean, let us remember the laughter, the love, and the unwavering generosity that defined him. In his ab‐sence, let us strive to carry forth the light he bestowed upon us a reminder that true love and kindness en‐dure, long after the sun sets on a beautiful life.

Celestine, Errol

Jacobs-Carrere, Charmaine Johnson, Shelia Larrimer, Brant Laughlin, Margaret Medo,Anna Monclair, James Moore, Belle Noll, Rebekah Richard,Alvin Richardson Sr., Hayes Sanders, Bryan Sanders, Leatha Segura, Helen Thomas Jr., Louis Virgil, Clarence Warning, John Clark, Maurice David

Richardson FH Giles, Patrick New Orleans

Boyd Family

Adams, Talair

Celestine, Errol Green Sr., Lawrence Segura, Helen Charbonnet

On Monday, February 10, 2025, Almighty God served final summons to His child, Talair Adams and called her home. She hastily yet humbly stepped aboard the Chariot of Eternal Life Left with broken hearts to cherish her memories are her loving husband Byron Adams her mother Brenda Delpit, sisters: Jemelle (Lamar) Delpit Geralyn (Andre) Reddic and Danyell Seaman brothers: Corey Bouton and Damien Hol‐loway father-in-law, Wal‐ter Alexander, brother-inlaw Ryan Alexander, 5 aunts, 2 uncles and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins other relatives and friends Preceded in death by her fathers, the late Clifford Bouton and Gerald Delpit mother-inlaw Linda Alexander, grandparents, Leona Tassin, Lionel & Rosemary Bouton, uncle Lionel Bou‐ton Jr and Aunt Linda Seiber. Talair was such a bright light, and we will love and cherish this spe‐cial gift that was given to us by God until we meet her again and farewell will be no more. She will truly be missed. Treasured fam‐ily, friends, and Waste Con‐nections colleagues are in‐vited to attend a Funeral Service on Saturday, Febru‐ary 22, 2025 for 10:00 am at Household of Faith Church, 2074 Paxton St in Harvey LA. Pastor Antoine Barriere officiating Interment will follow at Mount Olivet cemetery 4000 Norman Mayer Ave., New Orleans, LA. Guestbook Online: www anewtraditionbegins. com (504) 282-0600. Linear Brooks Boyd and Donavin D Boyd Owners/Funeral Di‐rectors.

Errol Celestine, New Or‐leans native and a resi‐dent of the DFW area for the past 20 years, passed away on Thursday, Febru‐ary 13, 2025, in Dallas. Errol was born on October 26, 1949, to Wilfred Celestine (deceased) and Josephine Smith (deceased) He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Almaz Celestine; four children: Abbey Celes‐tine, Phillip Celestine, Eliz‐abeth Celestine, and Brook Celestine, daughters-inlaw: Lacy Celestine and Grace Celestine, grandchil‐dren: Kedar Amayah and Zariyah, siblings: Ronald Celestine Debbie People and Kevin People Family and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Service on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and In‐ternational Shrine of St Jude, 411 N. Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70112 for 1:00 p.m. Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m Parking will be provided on the cor‐ner of St Luis and Ram‐part. Interment will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 4000 Norman Mayer Ave New Orleans, LA 70122 Guestbook Online: www anewtraditionbegins com (504)282-0600. Linear Brooks Boyd and Donavin D Boyd Owners/Funeral Di‐rectors.

age 95, p away peacefully on February 5, 2025, at Passages Hospice New Orleans after a lengthy illness. A lifelong resident of New Orleans, he was born on January 19 1930, to the union of the late John B. and Mollie Wal‐lace Daniels. The youngest of eight children, William was known as “Daniels” “Dan” or “Mack” to family and friends William at‐tended Valena C Jones Ele‐mentary School and Gilbert Academy in New Orleans He earned a degree in Mathematics from South‐ern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge and a Master’s Degree in Edu‐cation from Xavier Univer‐sity of New Orleans. In 1955, while in the Army he married the love of his life, Valda Marie Wilder. Two daughters were born into this union. William worked for more than 43 years in the Orleans Parish School System as a math teacher and guidance counselor re‐tiring in 1996. After retire‐ment, he enjoyed traveling, watching educational pro‐grams, and spending time with his family He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving and devoted wife of 69 years, Valda Wilder Daniels daughters Theda Daniels-Race, PhD (Paul) and Urica Daniels Regis, MBA (Wayne) grandchil‐dren Kylan (Chelsea), and Peyton Race, and Royce Regis, godsons Irving Joseph Johnson, III and Ado “Joe” Ball, and many more family and friends He was preceded in death by his parents John B. and Mollie Wallace Daniels, his devoted mother-in-law, Vi‐vian Haynes Richmond and siblings Samuel Pay‐ton Sally Payton Carter Mary Payton Swearingen, Helen Payton Francois Edith “Hazel” Daniels Carl‐ton John Henry Daniels and Joseph Baldwin Daniels Relatives and friends of the family are in‐vited to attend the Cele‐bration of Life Services on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at St Rita Catholic Church at 2729 Lowerline Street in New Orleans Visi‐tation will be from 9:30 am – 10:30 am with the mass immediately following. In‐terment: Lake Lawn Park Cemetery & Mausoleum, 5454 Pontchartrain Boule‐vard, New Orleans Arrangements entrusted to D.W Rhodes Funeral Home 3933 Washington Ave Please visit www rhodesf uneral com to sign the on‐line guestbook

Whited Jr., Charles Williams Jr., Charlie E Jefferson Ellis Jr., Alfred

Fulton, Thesma Haley, Charles Richardson Sr., Hayes Dennis Funeral Home Henry, Sylvester Jackson, William Williams Jr., Charlie Bartholomew, William V.

DW Rhodes

Daniels, William Jacobs-Carrere, Charmaine Richard,Alvin Estelle J Wilson

Warning, John Gertrude Geddes

Moore, Belle Thomas Jr., Louis Lake Lawn Metairie Medo,Anna

Noll, Rebekah Whited Jr., Charles Little John FH Monclair, James Sanders, Leatha Majestic Mortuary Ellis Jr.,Alfred Gaines, Gloria Johnson, Shelia Virgil, Clarence

William V. Bartholomew departed this life peace‐fully at his home in Pointe à la Hache, LA on February 7, 2025. He was 70 years old to a lifelong resident of Plaquemines Parish. He was the son of the late Theophone Bartholomew and Jean Regina Bartholomew William was a devoted husband to Charlotte Bartholomew for 27 ½ years Together they share 11 children (6 daugh‐ters Danyell Bartholomew, Jennifer SummerBarthelemy, Triquila, Lashara Tenasha and Shaquanna Harvey; 5 sons William Jr Gary and Tyrell Bartholomew, Stan and Lloyd Harvey He was pre‐ceded in death by his brothers Calvin and Theo‐phone Justin Jr and sister Eugenie Bartholomew He survived by his wife Char‐lotte Bartholomew and brother Eugene Bartholomew, 11 children, 39 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. Rela‐tives and friends of the

In the comforting em‐brace of time we gather to remember Troy Louis Baudean whose sun shone brightly from May 9, 1965, in the quaint surroundings of Marrero Louisiana, until its untimely setting, as he went home to be with the Lord on February 6, 2025, in St. Tammany Hospital Cov‐ington, Louisiana. He was a steadfast presence in the lives of many, having dedi‐cated over forty years as a District Manager for the Secretary of State, Elec‐tions Division, where his commitment and integrity were a testament to his character To those privi‐leged enough to know him Troy was not just a man of duty; he was a beacon of joy, his laughter echoing through the hearts of fam‐ily and friends alike He possessed a warmth that drew people in, and his generous soul never hesi‐tated to lend a helping hand to anyone in need His humor danced within the air, transforming ordi‐nary moments into cher‐ished memories. Troy's passions extended beyond his professional life He cherished the simple yet profound joys of fishing, finding peace and solace amidst nature's splendor casting his line into tran‐quil waters alongside loved ones. The thrill of competition emerged when he played pool, demonstrating not only skill but also an innate ability to connect with oth‐ers over friendly games Seafood boils became cherished family tradi‐tions, where laughter, sto‐ries, and delicious food melded into unforgettable gatherings that will forever linger in the hearts of those present. The void left by Troy's departure res‐onates deeply He leaves behind his beloved wife, Roxann Breaux Baudean, who shared in his adven‐tures and laughter His mother, Joanne Rogers Baudean, and father, Her‐man Alvin Baudean will carry forward the legacy of their son with pride and love. He is survived by his cherished daughters Ash‐ley Jones (Phillip) and Brit‐tany Sparacina (Michael), who reflect his spirit and strength. He was adored by his brother, Darren (Bo) Baudean (Evelyn), and to‐gether they wove a tapes‐try of memories filled with camaraderie and uncondi‐tional support Among his most treasured gifts Troy (Grampy) counted his grandchildren: Troy, Lan‐don, Brycen, Saige, and Brantley, whose lives he touched profoundly im‐parting lessons of kind‐ness, humor and re‐silience. He is also remem‐bered fondly by a host of nieces and nephews, each carrying forward a piece of his loving spirit. As we honor his memory we rec‐ognize those who have preceded him in rest: his devoted grandmother Nora Durapau Daigle, and grandfather Joseph Daigle who welcomed him to the eternal embrace of family

A visitation in remem‐brance of Troy will be held at Harvey - Mothe Funeral Homes LLC, located at 2100 Westbank Expy., Har‐vey, LA, on February 22, 2025, from 11:30 a.m until 3:00 p.m. Following this, a memorial service will cele‐brate his remarkable life, commencing at 3:00 p.m and ending at 4:00 p.m Cremation has been en‐trusted to Mothe Funeral Home, ensuring Troy's journey continues in a peaceful form, much like the tranquility he sought during his many fishing ex‐peditions As we gather to share stories and celebrate the life of Troy Louis Baudean, let us remember the laughter the love and the unwavering generosity that defined him. In his ab‐sence, let us strive to carry forth the light he bestowed upon us, a reminder that true love and kindness en‐

Maurice David Clark en‐tered into eternal rest on February 3,2025 Maurice was born to the union of the late Reverend Isaac David Clark and Annie Ruth Clark Maurice attended Joseph S Clark high school He also served in the United States Army Re‐serves. Maurice leave to cherish his wife Gloria Hillard Clark and two sons Damien (Zaharrah) and Brandon Clark. His mother, Annie R. Clark four broth‐ers: Jimmie A. (Octavia) Clark, Bernard D. Clark, Myron D Clark and Ethan Turner five sisters: Irma Clark Anita Clark, Cornelia Clark and Myra Clark, Becky Clark and Joenita (Brent)Washington and six grandchildren: Damien Jr. Asjah, Skye, Makenzie, Syndee and Aria; Motherin-law, Lela Blanson of New Orleans, LA; Father-in-law, Vernon Creecy Sisters-inlaw: Victoress Jenkin and Danielle Blanson Brothersin-law: Marlon Creecy and LeGraph Creecy. Devoted brother-in friend, Arnold J Francis and a host of nieces, nephews, other rel‐atives and friends are in‐vited to attend celebra‐tions of Life on February 22,2025 visitation 9:00AM until service time 11:00AM at Murray Henderson Fu‐neral Home 1209 Teche St New Orleans, La 70114 Elder Abraham D Peden is officiating

Alfred Ellis Jr was born on September 6, 1968, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Addine Alexander and Al‐fred Ellis Sr He gave his life to the Lord at an early age and carried his faith with him throughout his life. Alfred attended public schools in New Orleans be‐fore joining Job Corps where he gained valuable skills and experiences Over the past decade, he embraced a life of travel, spending much of his time in Georgia and Florida De‐spite his travels, his heart never strayed from New Orleans, and he eventually returned to the city he loved to be closer to fam‐ily Alfred had a deep pas‐sion for singing and cook‐ing, with pasta being his favorite dish to prepare and enjoy He especially loved sharing his cooking with his siblings, always eager for them to try his latest creations. He found

Daniels, William Mack

William Mack Daniels age 95, passed away peacefully on February 5 2025, at Passages Hospice New Orleans after a lengthy illness. A lifelong resident of New Orleans,

Fraiche Jr., Thomas 'Tommy'

Thomas Fraiche, Jr., 55, passed awayunexpectedly due to asudden medical complication. He entered the arms of the Lord on February 7th, 2025. He was preceded in death by his Mother, Ann Mary Bevan Fraiche. He is survived by his Father, Thomas Fraiche Sr., Children: Jack Fraiche and Abby Fraiche, Sisters: Sharon Fraiche, Suzanne Fraiche (Chris). He brought laughterto all who knew him. He will be deeply missed by his family and close circle of friends. Please pray for Tommy and details for the celebration of his life will be forthcoming.

Thesma Ann Fulton, age 85, entered eternal rest on Friday, February 14, 2025 at East Jefferson General Hospital. She was born on November 28, 1939 in New Orleans, LA to the late Louis Joseph Robinson and Agnes Eva Turnior Beloved wife of Henry S Fulton for 66 years and 70 years to‐gether. Middle sister of Marthell Adams and the late Bernadine Frere Also survived by their beloved daughter, Tara M Watson; grandchildren Xavier J Watson and Chantell M Watson along with her grand cats, Tuti, Chase, Bella Ghost and Maxi Thesma was a skilled do‐mestic homemaker most known for her love of fash‐ion/designs, keeping up by sewing the hottest dresses that she sketched out watching award shows She made dresses, cos‐tumes and enjoyed dress‐ing the grandkids up for school events. She was a true Sagittarius, which made her "One of a Kind " All are invited to attend the funeral. A Mass of Christ‐ian burial honoring the life and legacy of the late Thesma Ann Fulton will be held at Corpus Christi/Epiphany Catholic Church, 2022 St Bernard Avenue New Orleans LA 70116 on Saturday, Febru‐ary 22, 2025 at 10 am Inter‐ment St Louis No 3 Ceme‐tery, 3421 Esplanade Av‐enue New Orleans LA 70119. No Repass. Respect the family’s privacy. Please sign the online guestbook at www charbonnetfuner alhome com Charbonnet Labat Glapion Directors (504) 581-4411.

bile AL Her passion for helping people was so great that she attended and graduated from Syd‐ney Collier Vocational School nursing program Gloria was initially of the Methodist faith, where she attended Brooks United Methodist Church There‐after, she joined and was baptized by her husband at Little Zion Baptist Church, New Orleans, Louisiana She moved her member‐ship to Morning Star Mis‐sionary Baptist Church, still under the auspices of her husband. where he was the overseer Due to Hurricane Katrina, she placed her membership with Elm Grove Baptist Church under the leader‐ship of Rev Dr Errol K Domingue. During her membership with Morning Star, she was affiliated with the Ideal Missionary Baptist and Educational Association presently under the leadership of Dr J C. Dyson, Sr She served as President of the Ideal Ministers Wives and Wid‐ows Served as Vice-Presi‐dent of Ministers Wives of the Southern General Asso‐ciation, Served as a mem‐ber of the Martha Grand Chapter Order of Eastern Stars She was married to the late Rev. Dr. Lawrence Gaines. She had two daughters, Dr. Bonnie Jack‐son (Rev. David S Jackson) and Sheila Gaines She cherished her role as a grandmother and greatgrandmother, along with a host of nieces and nephew Gloria is preceded in death by her husband Rev. Dr Lawrence Gaines, her mother Fannie Porter Dev‐ina her father Ira Ross, Sr. her brothers Ira Ross, Jr and Murray Ross. Never forgetting her stepfather, Andrew Devina Service will be held on Friday, Feb‐ruary 21, 2025 at the Elm Grove Baptist Church, 1069 N 38th Street Baton Rouge, La Viewing 10:00 –11:00 a.m., Service to begin 11:00 a.m Interment Resthaven Memorial Park 10400 Old Gentilly Rd New Orleans, La. Professional arrangements entrusted to Majestic Mortuary Service, Inc. 1833 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., New Orleans, Louisiana 70113 (504) 5235872.

Gauthreaux, Hubert and Victoria

Together in life and now in eternity, Hubert Whitey" Martin Gau‐threaux, Jr (born Novem‐ber 21, 1948) and Victoria Wilcox Gauthreaux (born March 11, 1951) entered Heaven hand in hand on February 15, 2025, their lives cut short by the reck‐less actions of a drunk dri‐ver Married for 55 years Hubert and Victoria built a life centered around fam‐ily, love, and devotion to one another. They were blessed with three chil‐dren, Shane (Charleen) Gauthreaux, Brent Gau‐threaux and Vanessa (George) LeBlanc, who, along with their five grand‐children Brooke, Claire Gavin, and Hubert Gau‐threaux III, and Caleb Pittman brought immea‐surable joy to their lives Hubert was the son of the late Hubert Gauthreaux, Sr and Joyce Falati Gau‐threaux He was preceded in death by his brother, Michael Gauthreaux, and is survived by his sisters An‐gelle Martin and Vickie Esta. Hubert retired after dedicating 28 years of ser‐vice to Tulane University’s Facility Services. A pas‐sionate Tulane fan he rarely missed a chance to cheer on his beloved Green Wave, attending as many baseball and football games as possible Victo‐ria was the daughter of the late Bernice Hymel Jones and Rodney Wilcox, Sr., but was raised by her dad Warren "Puddin" Jones She was preceded in death by her brothers, Rodney Wilcox Jr and Warren Jones, Jr., and her sister, Mary Sue Easley She is survived by her sister, Denise Westbrook and sis‐ter-in-law, Sharon Wilcox Victoria spent 30 years serving as a secretary at the Jefferson Parish Sher‐iff's Office She loved so‐cializing, shopping, and making sure everyone knew she was a proud "Gretna girl." In retirement Hubert and Vickie made their home in McNeill, Mis‐sissippi but their hearts remained in Gretna, where they spent most weekends visiting the same neighbor‐hood establishments with hopes of reconnecting with old friends and always making new ones. Their bond was a testament to lifelong love, and now they are reunited with their grandson, Hubert III, in everlasting peace. They

reconnect old friends and always making new ones Their bond was a testament to lifelong love and now they are reunited with their grandson Hubert III, in everlasting peace They are also survived by many nieces, nephews Godchil‐dren, extended relatives, and countless treasured lifelong friends The family would like to thank the City of Gretna, the Gretna Po‐lice Department the Jeffer‐son Parish Police Depart‐ment, Staff of West‐side/Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home, family, friends, and the entire community for their overwhelming sup‐port during this difficult time. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in the Chapel of Westside/LeitzEagan Funeral Home 5101 Westbank Expressway, Marrero, LA on Saturday February 22, 2025 at 1:00 p.m Visitation will begin at 8:00 a.m. Interment will fol‐low at Westlawn Cemetery, Gretna, LA. Express condo‐lences at www westsidelei tzeagan.com

Patrick L. Giles departed this life on Tuesday Febru‐ary 11, 2025. He is survived by his parents Clyde Giles Jr. and Gloria W Starwood, 2 sons, Jordan Gentry and Jyron Westley, 1 brother, Cedric Giles and a host of other relatives and friends Relatives and friends are invited to attend the fu‐neral service at Richardson Funeral Home 11112 Jeffer‐son Hwy., River Ridge, LA 70123 on Saturday, Febru‐ary 22, 2025 at 10:00 a.m Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m Interment: Saint John Memorial Gardens Ceme‐tery, 2205 W. Airline Hwy., Laplace, LA 70068. Richard‐son Funeral Home of Jeffer‐son, River Ridge, LA in charge of arrangements www richardsonfuneralho meofjefferson com.

Green Sr., Lawrence

Lawrence Green Sr., a native of New Orleans and lifelong resident of the lower 9th ward, entered into eternal rest on Tues‐day, February 4, 2025, at the age of 95. He was the son of the late Joseph Green and Leona Francis Mitchell. He leaves to cher‐ish his memory to his 6 children: Lawrence, Jr., Eu‐gene (Irma) Alvin, and Maurice Green, Melba Gib‐son, and Rosemary Charles Also survived by 52 grandchildren and other relatives Preceded in death by his wife of 56 years Marion Cheneau Green, children: Perry, Tina, and Donna Rose Green, and siblings: Joseph, Jr. Eddie, and Mil‐ton Green Family and friends are invited to at‐tend a Homegoing Celebra‐tion on Saturday, February 22, 2025, for 10:00 a.m at The Boyd Family Funeral Home, 5001 Chef Menteur Highway, New Orleans, LA 70126. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m Pastor Mal‐colm Collins, officiating In‐terment will be private Guestbook Online: www anewtraditionbegins com (504) 282-0600. Linear Brooks Boyd and Donavin D Boyd Owners/Funeral Di‐rectors.

Jessie N. Gros, Jr.

passed away on Monday, February 17, 2025 at the age of 95. Beloved husband of Dorothy “Tally” McDon‐ald Gros by second mar‐riage and of the late Lou Henderson Gros by first marriage Father of Vickie Gros, and Jessie N. Gros III, (the late Debbie) and Pat‐tie Gros Harris. Son of the late Jeanne Pertuit Gros and Jessie N. Gros, Sr Brother of the late Marie DeSeamus and Betty The‐riot. Grandfather of Brit‐tney Wylie, Jeanne-Marie Harris, Jessie “Jay” N. Gros, IV, and Donovan Harris Great grandfather of An‐derson Bellanger. Uncle of Maureen Theriot, Debbie Cemo, and Edward DeSe‐mus Jr He was President of Deltide Fishing & Rental Tools, Inc He was a mem‐ber of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre American Legion Post 222, Lions Club, Harvey Canal Industrial Association and the Gretna Sportsman Club. He served proudly in the United States Marine Corp and was a lifelong resident of Marrero, LA Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Funeral Mass in the chapel of Mothe Funeral Home, 2100 Westbank Expwy Harvey, LA on Sat‐urday, February 22, 2025 at 1:30pm. Visitation will be held from 11:30am until 1:30pm Interment, West‐lawn Memorial Park Ceme‐tery. Family and friends may view and sign the on‐line guest book at www mothefunerals.com

Charles Isadore Haley age 73, passed away at his home in New Orleans, LA on Friday, February 7, 2025 He lived his adult life in New Orleans but was born in Woodville, MS on Febru‐ary 5 1952 to the late Mat‐tie Odessa Jackson Poole and Isaac Haley Loving fa‐ther of Anita, LaToya, Caleb Haley and Tomika Goffner In addition to his children, Mr. Haley also leaves to cherish his legacy, four grandchildren; former wife Carolyn Haley; siblings, Walter, Eddie, Reginald, Mary and Susan Haley Reginald and Ricky Jones, Patricia Harden Gail Thomas and Brenda Adams; stepbrothers Henry, Walter and Fred Poole, as well as a host of brothers and sisters-inlaw nieces nephews other family and friends In addition to his parents, Charles is also preceded in death by a sister, Carol Jones; stepbrother Her‐bert Poole, Jr; grandson, Raynold Fenelon Jr and great-granddaughter, T’Aja Pembrick A Celebration service honoring the life and legacy of the late Charles Isadore Haley will be held at New Home Fam‐ily Worship Center, 1616 Robert C. Blakes, Sr. Drive, New Orleans, LA 70130 on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 11 am Interment Pri‐vate. Visitation 9 am in the church Please sign online guestbook at www char‐bonnetfuneralhome.com. Charbonnet Labat Glapion, Directors (504) 581-4411.

3 grandchildren, and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Relatives and friends of the family also pastors, officers and mem‐bers of Greater King Solomon Baptist Church, Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church and all neighboring churches; also Officers and members of Pigeon Town Steppers, and all Second Line Clubs; em‐ployees of Ochsner Hospi‐tal LCMC hospital, New Or‐leans Country Club, New Orleans Public Schools transportation, Children Hospital and Nopsi Hotel are all invited to attend his Homegoing Celebration on Saturday, February 22 2025, at 10:00 am, at Greater King Solomon M.B.C., 3305 Audubon Street New Orleans La. 70125. Rev Dr C.L. Franklin of Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church officiating Interment will follow at Providence Memorial Park, 8200 Airline Dr., Metairie, La. 70003 Visitation will begin at 9:00 am at the church Traditional Jazz Fu‐neral will begin at Harrell Park at 11:45 am, 2202 Leonidas St., New Orleans, LA 70118. To view the full the obituary and leave con‐dolences please visit https://www dennismortu aryservice.com/obituary/ sylvester-sly-henry

Carol Martha Ikerd age 71, of Hammond, Louisiana, passed away on Saturday February 15, 2025. She was born on February 23, 1953, in New Orleans Louisiana She is survived by her sis‐ter Patricia Ikerd Swindler; and many extended family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, James Elliott Ikerd and Mildred Loise Summers Ikerd; brother-inlaw, Leon Eugene Swindler, III. Carol grew up in St Bernard Parish and at‐tended an activities work‐shop with ARC (Associa‐tion of Retarded Citizens) She lived a long, happy beautiful life despite hav‐ing down’s syndrome and was almost always sur‐rounded by her loving fam‐ily and friends A nearly 20year resident of the Op‐tions Group Home in Ham‐mond, Carol’s life was full of many wonderful incred‐ible experiences. She will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by her family and friends In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Carol’s memory to Options Pre‐mier Services for People with Disabilities at option‐s4u.org/ways-to-give/ or by mail to 19362 West Shel‐ton Road, Hammond, Louisiana 70401. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral services on Carol’s favorite day of the year—her birthday Sunday, February 23, 2025, at 2:00 p.m at E J. Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 West 21st Avenue, Covington, Louisiana with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m In‐terment will follow in Pinecrest Memorial Gar‐dens. E J. Fielding Funeral Home of Covington, Louisiana is honored to be entrusted with Ms. Ikerd’s funeral arrangements. Her family invites you to share thoughts, memories, and condolences by signing an online guestbook at www ejfieldingfh.com

Charmaine Jacobs-Car‐rere of New Orleans, Louisiana passed away on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at the age of 55. She leaves to cherish her memory her devoted husband, Donald Carrere, parents, Wilmer and Patricia Jacobs, broth‐ers Gregory Jacobs (Brandy), Wilmer Jacobs Jr. stepchildren Don Car‐rere II (Maria) and JonDevin Carrere (Michelle), aunt Stephanie Simmons nieces and nephews: Nicholas, Isabella and Blake Jacobs, grandchil‐dren Mykel, Maddox and Miles Carrere, and a host of other cousins, relatives friends, and co-workers Members of the Ladies of Purple Scholars, HIPO, Club XX, The Vikings Krewe, St Martin De Porres and St Maria Goretti Parishes, em‐ployees of ED&F Man fam‐ily, and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Mass on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at St. Martin De Porres Church, 5621 Elysian Fields Avenue New Orleans Louisiana 70122, Visitation: 9:00 AM – 10:30 Rosary Recitation @ 10:30 AM with mass service immediately following at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ladies of Purple Scholars at ladiesforpurpleschol‐ars.org Arrangements by D.W Rhodes Funeral Home 3933 Washington Avenue Please visit www rhodesf uneral com to sign the guestbook.

Ann

Jacobs-Carrere, Charmaine

Giles, Patrick L

Ikerd, Carol Martha

Fulton, Thesma Ann

Haley, Charles Isadore

Johnson, Shelia Ann

Shelia

Johnson, a lifelong resident of New Orleans, La. departed this life on Sunday, February 2, 2025 in the care of her doc‐tors at Touro

Henry, Sylvester 'Sly'

gr were everything. She had a unique way of cursing you out and apologizing at the same time. She enjoyed dressing up, putting on her red lipstick wigs drinking her beer, dancing and lis‐tening to her music no matter the time of day and you better not tell her any‐thing Her favorite quote was “God got me, God has a plan for me.” When there was trouble, she would say “we need to pray more” She was still singing during her illness in the hospital along with her kids and grandchil‐dren. She truly enjoyed life to its fullest. Shelia leaves to cherish her memories three children: Shakhalila, Larrynisha and Khalil John‐son, five sisters: Sumellow Jones Delphia Walker, Vera White, Stayce Demoulin and Gwendolyn Mitchell

five brothers: Freddie John‐son, Terrell Jones, Hure C Walker Jr., Willie and Kevin White, 13 grandchildren: Micheal Khali, Khalil Khai’lan, Khyler, McKieren, McKenzie and Kyrie John‐son, Alicia and Louis Barnes, Mason Hampton Crystalynn Madison and Karlie Bartholomew her cousins: Roslyn Perkins, Debra Thompson and a host of nieces, nephews, great-grandchildren, fam‐ily and friends A Funeral Service will be held on Sat‐urday, February 22, 2025 at 10 am (visitation at 9 am) at St Stephen Baptist Church, 1738 L. B Landry Ave New Orleans La Fol‐lowed by burial at Resthaven Memorial Park 10400 Old Gentilly Road, New Orleans, La. 70127

Professional arrangements entrusted to Majestic Mor‐tuary Service Inc. (504) 523-5872.

Brant Angus Larrimer, age 85, passed away on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. Brant was born in Columbus, Ohio on February 23,1939 to the late Lawrence and Evelyn (Branthaver) Larrimer. He is also preceded in death by his wife Judith Larrimer and brotherGavin Larrimer. Brant earned his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Ohio State University He was aReal Estate Broker with multiplecompanies throughout his career including Sunrise Homes, All Star Inc. Realtors, and RE/MAX Real Estate Partners where he was one of the first Broker Associates in the New Orleans metro area. Brant was an avid fanofhis alma mater, OSU, but also cheered for the Saints, LSU Tigers, and Tulane Green Wave. In addition to sports, Brant loved spending time with his family in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, at the beach home he and Judy purchased in 1974. Brant was avolunteer within his community participating in organizations such as the CamelliaClub of New Orleans, Kiwanis Club, and the Zurich Classic. Brant will be deeply missed by his daughter, Lisa Larrimer Simon (Tony); his sons, Kent and Dana (Miree) Larrimer; his grandchildren —Alanna, Ariane, Olivia, Camille, Patrick, Mavis, Kaylee, and Kaiden; his sister-in-law, Alice (Gavin) Larrimer; his brothers, Bruce Larrimer, Larry (Sharon) Larrimer, and Bob (Mary Tarantino) Larrimer; and his six greatgrand children. His family will receive friends to celebrate his life on Sunday, February 23 (Brant's birthday) at the TPC Louisiana Golf Club, located at 11001 Lapalco Blvd., Avondale, LA 70094 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. with ashort presentation at 3:00 p.m. Please join the family to celebrate the life of Brant Larrimer.

away peacefully on Tues‐day, February 11, 2025, at the age of 89. Margaret was born the youngest of nine children in Gretna LA to Salvadore Marchese and Margaret Panepinto Marchese She was a grad‐uate of Holy Name of Mary High School in Algiers, class of 1954. She worked at Chevron Oronite in Belle Chasse, LA, and the US Naval Support Activity in Algiers. A native of Gretna, Margaret lived in Belle Chasse for over 40 years and was a resident of Birmingham, AL, since Hur‐ricane Katrina Her gra‐ciousness, contagious smile and irrepressible good spirits will live on in our hearts and our many fond memories Margaret was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years Donald Laughlin, her daughter Darlene Laughlin Matherne (Andy), and her parents and siblings, with whom she is now reunited She will be dearly missed by the rest of us: her chil‐dren Larry Laughlin (Bar‐bara) Jacqueline Laughlin Strader (Kent), and Scott Laughlin (Christina); her sister-in-law Sylvia Danigole Marchese; her grand‐children Amber Matherne, Adelyn Matherne Johnston (Thor), Matthew Chivleatto (Sarah) Amanda Chiv leatto Williamson (Beaux), Patrick (Maggie), Lee (Rachael) Ryan Aiden, Ian and Makaylain Laughlin; and her six great-grand‐children and multiple gen‐erations of nephews and nieces. Relatives and friends are invited to cele‐brate Margaret’s life on Saturday, February 22nd, at Mothe Funeral Home in Harvey, LA A family gath‐ering at 8 AM will be fol‐lowed by a public visitation from 9 to 11 AM Beginning at 11 AM there will be a fu‐neral Mass to which all are welcome. A procession will then bring Margaret to her final resting place beside her husband Don at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Belle Chasse The family would like to thank the staffs at The Suites in Algiers, An‐derson at Summerfield, and St. Joseph Hospice for their care and kindness.

Medo, Anna Tortorich Anna Tortorich Medo passedaway quietly at home on Wednesday, February12, 2025, just shy of her 102nd birthday. She was born on March 11, 1923, in NewOrleans, Louisiana. She is survived by her five children: Steven O.Medo, Jr.(Kathy), Karen M. Oertling (Lawrence), Margaret M. Babin (Wilbur), David J.Medo, and Elizabeth M. Ricci (Rick), 10 grandchildren: Anne M. Ready (Davis), StevenO Medo, III, (Jennifer), Ryan S.Medo (Frannie), Megan B. Medo, Wesley T. Cardwell (Katherine), Katherine C. Davis (Matt), Joseph M. Cardwell (Allison), James L. Oertling (Emily), Andrew P. Oertling, Benjamin M. Oertling (Erin), and21 great-grandchildren. Anna is also survivedbyher niece Lorraine Bannon Duncan and nephewJohn A. Bannon, Jr. (Margaret) and their children and grandchildren. She is precededindeath by her belovedhusband of 61 years Steven Otto Medo and her daughter Marion M. Cardwell (Terrance), her parents Marion A. Tortorich and Loretta DiMaggio Tortorich, and her sister, MarieTortorich Bannon. Anna attended Ursuline Academy and graduated from Loyola University in 1943 with a bachelor's degreeinchemistry in an age where women were not common in the sciences. She workedat SouthernRegional Research Laboratories during WWII researching alternative sourcesofrubber in atime of war shortage. Anna marriedthe love of her life Steven Medo of Niles, MichiganonMay 14,1944, with whom she shared alarge and loving family. She enjoyed visits with her grandchildrenand great-grandchildren. She was avolunteeratthe Vatican pavilion at the 1984 World's Fairand the Old Ursuline Convent. She enjoyedplaying bridge with her lifelong friends every Monday and she was happiest whenher entire family gathered for Sunday dinner. In March 2023, family and friends celebrated Anna's 100th birthday in grand fashion where she was recognized by Proclamation from the New Orleans CityCouncil. Anna was aloving mother, grandmother and devoted great-grandmother. She was kind and caring to all. She will be greatly missed. The last years of herlife were very specialtoher thanks to the care provided by her loving and devoted son, David. Avery special thanks to Veronica Brown for her kindness and dedication in helping to carefor Anna. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Pius XCatholic Church. Donations in memory of Anna may be sent to

and dedication in helping to care for Anna. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Pius XCatholic Church. Donations in memory of Anna may be sent to Magnolia Community Services, 100 Central Avenue, Jefferson, LA 70121. To view and signthe family online guestbook, please visit www.lakelaw nmetairie.com

Monclair, James 'Juneboy'

James “Juneboy” Mon‐

clair entered into eternal rest on Friday, February 7, 2025 at Touro Hospital. He leaves to cherish his mem‐ories, his devoted wife and caregiver, Jaqueline Brass Monclair; one son, James B Monclair; daughter-inlaw Deshawn V. Monclair of Houston TX; five grand‐children, Brandon and Jor‐dan Monclair of Houston TX, Caroline, Jacob and Kendra; two sisters-in-law, Linda Magee and Gwen‐dolyn (Sam) Smith; one brother-in-law, Wilbert Brass; cousin, Audria M Green of Beaumont, TX; close friend and former employer Mr Dan Rowell a host of other relatives and friends He was pre‐ceded in death by his par‐ents, Brettie and Benjamin Monclair; siblings Caroline Monclair and Charles Earl Gray; father and motherin-law, Wilbert and Rosalie Galentine; and brother-inlaw, Lawn L. Magee. James worked at NASA for many years as a Janitorial and Road and Grounds Supervi‐sor He also worked for Rowell Cleaning Services for 32 years. Relatives and friends of the family, also pastor officers and mem‐bers of First Mount Calvary Baptist Church are invited to attend the Funeral Ser‐vice on Saturday, February 22, 2025 beginning 10:00 a.m at Star of Bethel Bap‐tist Church, 2217 Harmony Street Church visitation from 9:00 a.m until the hour of service. Entomb‐ment Providence Park Cemetery Rev. David M Patin Sr. and Gwiena Magee Patin, Funeral Direc‐tors. Professional service entrusted to Littlejohn Fu‐neral Home, 2163 Aubry Street, Cal K. Johnson, Fu‐neral Director/Manager Info: (504) 940-0045.

Moore, Belle Louise

Belle Louise Moore, age 82, was born on July 3, 1943, in New Orleans LA She departed this life on Wednesday, January 22 2025. She retired as a Disc Jockey from the Radio Sta‐tion WWOZ 90.7 FM where she was also known as “Brown Sugar” She had a fondness for music. She met many friends over the radio and some in person She will leave a lasting legacy. Belle leaves to mourn cousins, Sheila Marshall and Jo Lynn Adams her godchild Monique Ramsey, sister-inlaw Ann Wiltz, friends Rosemary White, Lena Steward, Donald Lowe, Maryse Dejan, Stephen Liv‐ingston and a host of other nieces, nephews cousins sisters-in-law, brothers-inlaw and friends. Belle was preceded in death by her beloved husband Anatol Moore, and her brother Robert Boyd Relatives and friends of the family are in‐vited to attend the Cele‐bration of Life Service on Saturday February 22, 2025, at Gertrude Geddes Willis Funeral Home, 2120 Jack‐son Avenue New Orleans LA 70113 12:30 p.m Visita‐tion from 11:30 a.m until 12:30 p.m Interment St Roch #2 Cemetery 1725 Music Street, New Orleans, LA 70117. You may sign the guest book on www ger trudegeddeswillis com Gertrude Geddes Willis Fu‐neral Home, Inc., in charge (504) 522-2525.

Rebekah Noll, aged 99, a distinguished New Orleans artist and cherished mother, grandmother, and great -grandmother, passed away peacefully from natural causes on February 13, 2025.

Rebekah, born in 1925 in Jackson, Mississippi, grew up in Owensboro, Kentucky, where she developed apassionfor art. She studied at Purdue University, where she met her husband,Paul DeWitt Noll. They married in 1946 and had four children, Pamela, Paula, Patriciaand Paul. The family settled in New Orleans where all four children spent most of theirchildhood.Despite motherhood, Rebekah thrived in her artistic career, co-owning alocal art gallery--Lagniappe-- publishing books,and teaching art classes. After Paul's death in 1980, she continued her creativepursuits while nurturing her family. In her later years, Rebekah relocated to Texas and dedicated her time towards painting and cherishing time withher grandchildren, creating lasting memories. Rebekah's life, filled with purpose and joy, left alasting impact on those around her. She is survived by her three daughters, son, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, while being preceded in deathby her husband,parents, brother, daughter, sister, and granddaughter.

Visitation services will be held on February 22, 2025 at 2p.m. at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home in New Orleans, LA

Alvin Joseph

Alvin Joseph Richard passed away on January 24, 2025, surrounded by family Beloved husband of the late Arlene LeCesne Richard He was a native of New Orleans, born October 14, 1932, to the late Clarence Andrew, Jr. and Olga Adrienne Richard Fa‐ther of Terrence Gerard Richard, Kent Michael Richard and Wendy Michelle Richard Fatherin-law of Rose Quezergue and Gwendolyn Alexis Richard Grandfather of Nikolaus Charles Richard (Bianca), Brandon Joshua Richard Natalie Quezergue Richard, Isabel Grace Bunn, Gabriel Joseph Bunn Melissa Alexis Lindsey, and Neal Anthony Robert. Great Grandfather to Brayden Aymar and Brixton Wade Richard Brother of Irvin Richard and the late Clarence Richard. Brotherin-law of Elsie Richard, Dr Charmaine LeCesne Young, Errol LeCesne, Dr Terrel LeCesne Kenneth LeCesne and Blaine LeCesne, the late Armond LeCesne, Jr. Norvin LeCesne, and Diane LeCesne Kelly Prior to Alvin’s administrative posi‐tions at Xavier University he taught at a local junior high school He joined Xavier’s administrative staff first, in the role of As‐sistant Dean of Men, then later to become the Dean of Men. After receiving his graduated degree from Xavier, he went on to be‐come Head of Admissions Alvin then decided to pur‐sue his Doctorate degree in education from the Univer‐sity of Illinois Once achieving this educational milestone, he accepted a position at Dartmouth Col‐lege in Hanover New Hampshire. He held several positions during his tenure there, including Dean of Students Associated Dean of the College, then Acting Dean overseeing all under‐graduate affairs He then ultimately became Director of Affirmative Action and Special Assistant to the President promoting diver‐sity and inclusion within the college After complet‐ing his tenure at Dart‐mouth, Alvin and family re‐turned to New Orleans ac‐cepting his new role at Xavier as Dean of the Grad‐uate School until his retire‐ment Relatives and friends of the familare invited to

Dean oversee un ‐graduate affairs He then ultimately became Director of Affirmative Action and Special Assistant to the President promoting diver‐sity and inclusion within the college. After complet‐ing his tenure at Dart‐mouth Alvin and family re‐turned to New Orleans ac‐cepting his new role at Xavier as Dean of the Grad‐uate School until his retire‐ment. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Memorial Mass of Christian Burial on Sat‐urday, February 22, 2025, at Katherine Drexel Chapel at Xavier University 3932 Pine Street, New Orleans, LA 70125 at 10:00 am. Visita‐tion begins at 9:00 am Fol‐lowing the Mass, interment will be at St Roch No. 2 Cemetery 1725 Music St New Orleans, La. 70117 Arrangements by Duplain W Rhodes Funeral Home, 3933 Washington Ave., New Orleans, LA 70125. Please visit www rhodesfuneral com to sign the online guestbook, share memo‐ries, and condolences with the family

Hayes W. Richardson Sr., entered eternal rest on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at the age of 83. Loving husband of Lilly Brown Richardson Beloved father of the late Pamela Richard‐son Elliott, Darlene Richardson Jones, Hayes W Richardson, Jr. (Shel‐phili) and Tisha Starks Givens. Brother of Lawrence Parker, Sr Also survived by ten grandchil‐dren, seven great-grand‐children a host of other relatives and friends Rela‐tives and friends of the family are invited to attend the funeral. A Celebration service honoring the life and legacy of the late Hayes W Richardson, Sr. will be held at My Re‐deemer Missionary Baptist Church, 2829 Washington Avenue New Orleans LA 70113 on Saturday, Febru‐ary 22, 2025, at 10 am In‐terment Providence Memo‐rial Park and Mausoleum Visitation 9 am in the church Please sign online guestbook at www cha rbonnetfuneralhome.com Due to the surge in Covid/RSV/Flu, face mask and social distancing strongly encouraged Char‐bonnet Labat Glapion Di‐rectors (504) 581-4411.

father Alvin

his grandparents,

and Rita Cosse Sanders Christopher Jr and Jeanne Morney Bordenave Family and friends are invited to attend the Mass of

Leatha Hunter Sanders, also known as Linda en‐tered into eternal rest on Thursday, February 6, 2025 at the age of 93 years old Wife of the

Sylvester

of

and

Ce‐

and

Daugh‐ter of the late Mayso L and Mary Hunter Sister of the late Charles, Clyde Sr. Richard, Maydell Hunter and Mary Lee White. Also survived by a host of grandchildren great chil‐dren and great great grandchildren, other rela‐tives and friends Relatives and friends also pastor, of‐ficers and members of Mt Salem Missionary Baptist Church are invited to at‐tend the funeral service on Saturday, February 22 2025, at Mt Salem Mission‐ary Baptist Church 2800 First Street, beginning 10 am. Church visitation 9 am until service time Inter‐ment Providence Memorial Park. Professional Service Entrusted to: Littlejohn Fu‐neral Home, 2163 Aubry Street, Cal K. Johnson, Fu‐neral Director/Manager Info: (504)940-0045.

Helen Marie Segura passed away on February 6 2025, at the age of 84 at

Campus Helen was born in

Bryan Michael Sanders was born in New Orleans LA on April 7, 1970, and en‐tered into the eternal pres‐ence of the Lord on Febru‐ary 12, 2025, at the age of 54. He was a long-time em‐ployee of CVS where he was considered a friend to many. Bryan graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 1989. Bryan, af‐fectionally known as Bubba, leaves to cherish his memories, wife Leon‐dria Dedmond Sanders, children Dania, Brandi, Jacaren Victoria Mother Jean Sanders, his brothers, Alvin Jr. (Erica) Kerry (Shena), Sean (Keasha) Sanders His loving com‐panion Tabitha Flores, and her children Ashley & Eric Rubio He is also survived by a host of aunts, uncles cousins, nieces, nephews, and close friends. Bryan is See more DEATHS

MS, and raised in New Orleans LA She was educated in Orleans Parish and Catholic School system She was a member of St Phillip The Apostle Catholic Church Helen is survived by: her loving mother Isabella Davis, 2 sons: Zimbalish Segura, Jimmy Segura (Darlene) and 4 daughters: Lisa Se‐gura-Nevilles, Zina SeguraDavis (Raymond), Simone Segura, and Tiffany Robin‐son (Richard) ten grand‐children: James, Lameka, David Larry Angelica Ter‐ryiana, Richon, Jimmy, Jameka, and Jamon and 23 great-grandchildren Also survived by a host of other relatives and friends Pre‐ceded in death by her fa‐ther Bonnie James Davis, 3 sons: Kinny Robinson, Bon‐nie Segura and Jonathan Segura, Jr., 1 grandson Richard Coleman Jr Fol‐lowing my daughter’s final wishes, interment was pri‐vate. We would like to thank The Boyd Family Fu‐neral Home for their care at our time of bereavement and Staff at Ochsner Main Campus. Guestbook On‐li wt diti be

Noll, Rebekah

Louise Robertson

Sanders, Leatha Hunter

late Stanley

Sanders Mother

Richard M. Hunter

lestine Hunter (Michael), Margaret H Dawson, Carol Hunter, Trina Hunter

the late Stanley A Hunter, Danny Hunter Mark Hunter

Leatha Hunter

Richardson Sr., Hayes W

Larrimer, Brant Angus

Richard,

Segura, Helen Marie

Ochsner Hospital Main

Pascagoula

Sanders, Bryan Michael

Laughlin, Margaret Marchese

Our beloved Margaret Marchese Laughlin passed away peacefully on Tues‐day February 11, 2025, at the age of 89. Margaret was born the youngest of nine children in Gretna, LA, to Salvadore Marchese and Margaret Panepinto Marchese. She was a grad‐

OPINION

NOLA.COM/opinions

Super Bowl success showed N.O.’s potential

New Orleans won the Super Bowl. Big time! The city’s unique culture, cuisine, music and people were, as usual, a huge hit with visitors. But we got the basics right, too. Downtown and the French Quarter were transformed. Streets were paved, and potholes were filled. Murals replaced graffiti. Streetlights shined, and garbage was practically nonexistent New Orleans was clean and safe How did we do it, and how do we guarantee lasting results?

It wasn’t magic.

Yes, Gov Jeff Landry demonstrated strong leadership by engaging in the overall Super Bowl effort and ensuring the provision of necessary state resources. The appointment of GNO Inc CEO Michael Hecht was also a masterful stroke

But an entire city bureaucracy still needed to mobilize and execute on 500-plus projects identified as critical. How could the city of New Orleans not known for stellar project execution — possibly pull this off?

The answer emerged in basic “Management 101” principles that were put into process:

n Establish clear goals.

n Infuse a sense of urgency and purpose.

n Build teamwork by ensuring cross-departmental engagement, communications and accountability

n Set an overall culture of performance, with consistent measurements.

As expectations rose, and performance surged, one success built on another Team spirit flourished. A sense of pride and a getthe-job-done attitude permeated not only City Hall but also the entire community.

Law enforcement parlayed its already tremendous progress in reducing violent crime into quick fortification of the French Quarter (The Metropolitan Crime Commission reported that January, notwithstanding the tragic deaths due to terrorism, had fewer violent crimes than any year’s start in the last decade.) The Islamic Stateinspired attack on Bourbon Street, 39 days before the Super Bowl, challenged our law enforcement and security protocols. But again, the city showed its resilience.

When Super Bowl weekend arrived, walks through the French Quarter and downtown revealed sights to behold. Officers from multiple law enforcement agencies were everywhere and ever professional, courteous and on high alert. A sense of order prevailed and instilled confidence. Visitors and locals had even more fun than usual as all felt safe.

Proper dental health is a key foundation to children’s health

Nothing captures innocent joy like a child’s smile. As a dentist and a new dad, this is especially true for me.

Yet far too many young smiles are put at risk every day because the importance of oral health to overall health remains overlooked within our health system and the barriers to care faced by our underserved communities remain overwhelming for so many February marks National Children’s Dental Health Month, but the conversation shouldn’t be tied to a holiday We must examine why such a critical aspect of a child’s healthy future is so often overlooked and how we can make sure all Louisiana children get the dental care they need to thrive.

First, let’s acknowledge that simply having insurance coverage does not ensure access. I see the systemic barriers to access firsthand in my work as the dental director for DentaQuest, one of the organizations managing the state’s Medicaid dental program

Many different things contribute to difficulty accessing oral health care, but all demonstrate how social determinants of health drive oral health disparities. From living in a dental desert — nearly every parish is designated as a federal dental health professional shortage area — to difficulty finding culturally competent care or transportation challenges, food insecurity and poor nutrition, lowerincome families and communities of color face significant barriers to oral health care

But we can address the gap between having benefits and using benefits by focusing on two key areas: education and access.

Many parents assume that because baby teeth are temporary, they don’t need to worry about the dentist yet, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. While we may lose our baby teeth, we do not lose the elements that make our mouths ripe for cavities: bacteria, dietary habits, hygiene habits, and even underlying medical conditions.

Experts agree children should see a dentist as soon as their first tooth comes in. This is so families can establish relationships with their primary dentist, dental professionals can ensure a child’s mouth is structurally healthy,

and children can make positive associations with the dental office. It is also a chance for families to learn healthy hygiene and nutrition practices, hopefully reducing the need for restorative dental services in the near future. Cavities are one of the most common chronic diseases among children in the United States. Data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that by age 9, half of American children have had a cavity in at least one of their teeth. The CDC also highlights that 34 million school hours are lost due to emergency dental care needs, which can be far less risky with regular dental care. Poor oral health, including cavities and gum disease, impacts nutrition, school attendance, selfesteem, and many other aspects of a person’s well-being.

The good news is, there are things we can do in Louisiana to improve access for those who need it most. For one, we can meet people where they are. This means taking advantage of existing innovations such as teledentistry and mobile dentistry, methods that have proved extremely popular and successful in overcoming barriers to oral care. EXCELth community health center in New Orleans, for example, is rebuilding its mobile dental unit to bring oral health care to more people in Orleans and surrounding parishes.

Other programs go beyond traditional care. DentaQuest’s case management program, for example, works with Medicaid-enrolled families and individuals to help them find a dental home (a dental version of a primary care provider) and connects them with additional resources to overcome other access barriers. That may include identifying transportation options or helping the family find a provider who can competently care for a child with disabilities.

There’s no question that social determinants of health, including oral health, can change the trajectory of a child’s life. So, as we look to build a healthy future for all Louisianans, we must ensure that oral health is not left behind

Damien Cuffie is the Louisiana dental director for DentaQuest

Moving forward, Mardi Gras is quickly approaching, followed by French Quarter Fest, Jazz Fest and Essence Festival. The best path is to maintain and build GNO Inc.’s partnership with the city Joe Threat, the city’s deputy chief administrative officer for infrastructure, has effectively led the weekly cadence toward achieving goals. Threat, Hecht and the team can work together again and deploy the same winning formula. Let’s quickly identify the next 500 infrastructure projects, announce an aggressive timeline for completion and have this team spread the progress citywide.

We also learned from the recent effort that money is not a primary obstacle. The cost to accomplish the Super Bowl infrastructure work was an incremental $6 million-$8 million. Additionally, the Super Bowl undertaking was accomplished with existing department heads and staff. Clearly the city has what it needs to do the work.

Regarding security, Landry, the Louisiana State Police, the New Orleans Police Department and regional and federal officers have demonstrated the ability to provide law and order to the area. Now, enduring protocols must be established for day-to-day operations in the French Quarter and on Bourbon Street, specifically This can be accomplished in cooperation

with the area’s businesses and residents. However, security must remain the priority as the orderliness shown during the Super Bowl is infectious, discourages criminal behavior and promotes safety and economic activity citywide

Additional funding for security protocols can be secured from the state and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security The New Year’s Day attack on the French Quarter underscores that this unique neighborhood — an iconic American symbol — is also a target. It’s appropriate for DHS to stand with the city and state and provide necessary resources to safeguard against any future acts of terrorism. Finally, the homeless transitional center set up by Landry and his team has proved to be a success, as individuals receive humane treatment, good medical care and are kept out of dangerous conditions on the street. The center, in some form, should be maintained From infrastructure to cleanliness to security and beyond, we have rediscovered how to succeed The curtain has been lifted to spotlight momentum, confidence and an overall winning playbook We must never go back.

Gregory R. Rusovich is a civic and business activist.

New Orleans’ love for people, life should fuel its care for all

New Orleans needs help providing it to them.

There is no city that celebrates life like New Orleans does.

A lot of people only think of “Girls Gone Wild” or Bourbon Street when they think of New Orleans. Others recall images of Mardi Gras parades This year they’ll think of the Super Bowl.

But what makes the city truly great — and unique — is its unflagging love for the people who live and visit there. When I first moved to New Orleans while playing for the Saints, people from the neighborhood dropped homemade food off on our porch for weeks. They embraced us as family We quickly learned an old saying that in our experience holds true:“You can leave New Orleans, but New Orleans never leaves you.”

We met a couple at church who happened to have the same baby stroller we did, and we’re still good friends to this day When I flew back from an away game, the fans greeted the team at the airport even when we landed in the rain at two o’clock in the morning, whether we had won or lost.

There aren’t many gated communities in New Orleans, either Everybody lives next to everybody else, for better and for worse. This cuts across political divides, social divides and economic disparities. In a visual emblematic of a culture with such vivid contrasts, I once even saw a pregnancy center that shared a parking lot with a Planned Parenthood; a striking picture of life and death.

This sense of life and warmth comes despite obvious, deeply entrenched social and political problems: New Orleans struggles with crime. It also struggles with poverty Marriage rates are slowing, and many families are broken.

A history of discriminatory policies and practices looms ominously in the shadows of the welcoming smiles, unparalleled cuisine and jubilant celebrations.

While it’s situated in a state with some of the strongest pro-life laws in the nation, it’s also a city where mothers face frighteningly high levels of maternal mortality and low levels of economic opportunity

They need more of New Orleans’ characteristic warmth and willingness to help. Frankly,

That support must come through policy — but it must also come from us, our families, our churches. In New Orleans, we see profound resilience. You look around the street in New Orleans and everywhere there are unlikely alliances coming together in real, durable human joy You see families, churches and neighborhoods already engaged in the support and uplift of the most vulnerable among them. You see a whole city that in the wake of catastrophe or terrorism intentionally sets aside differences, grievances and sorrows to celebrate together every year You see a city that in the spirit of her native daughter Ruby Bridges continues to overcome.

If we want to honor and protect life, we must embrace and support all of its facets. We can do justice for the marginalized. We can compassionately feed our neighbors. We can be courageous voices for the voiceless. We can be both witness and friend to the would-be mothers, fathers, husbands and wives in our lives. We can be or become the family that vulnerable mothers need and rely on to choose life for their children.

In a profound way, New Orleans taught me the importance of people over possessions. When much has been lost, one learns to hold tightly to relationships and loosely to the things. As my barber explains, “Things can be replaced. People can’t.” Through their words and deeds, my friends in New Orleans showed me that life matters. From womb to tomb this sentiment represents the very best of our movement. So if you became one of the over 120 million viewers who watched the Super Bowl this year, I hope you enjoyed the game. But remember that the only reason football games are worth watching — and crawfish boils are worth having — is that human life is always, and always has been, worth determined and joyful communal uplift and celebration.

Benjamin Watson is a former Super Bowl champion and author of “The New Fight for Life: Roe, Race, and a Pro-Life Commitment to Justice.”

COMMENTARY

ROOM FOR DEBATE WAR IN UKRAINE

President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week and vowed to begin talks to end the war in Ukraine.The news alarmed European leaders, who appear to be cut out of the negotiations.They see worrying signs that the Trump administration is not on the same page about the threat Russia poses. Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his country won’t accept any deal about its future without being included in talks. Is the Trump administration pursuing a path that will lead to peace or is it playing a dangerous game by ignoring history? Here are two perspectives:

Spurious U.S. ‘realism’ about Ukraine flirts with catastrophe

“The Czechs,” murmured Chamberlain. He had lit a cigar and pushed back his chair “We have rather forgotten about the Czechs.” — “Munich,” by Robert Harris

In Robert Harris’s meticulously researched novel about 1938, the leaders of four nations Germany, Italy, France, Britain — settled the fate of a fifth, Czechoslovakia. “Realism” dictated its dismemberment.

A Czech official: “The Germans will be able to cut our country in half within a day.” British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain’s aide: “I am not responsible for the realities of geography.

Ninety percent of your country will remain intact and you will not be invaded.”

In 1938, in Munich, four nations worked their wills at another’s expense. Trump told Ukraine about the call with Putin, and European leaders learned about it afterward.

Putin is waging what Johns Hopkins scholar Hal Brands calls (in his new book, “The Eurasian Century”) “a quasigenocidal war.” But a revanchist and expansionist Russia worries Europeans more than it worries Donald Trump.

Last week in Munich, a city closer to Ukraine than Washington is to Atlanta, Vice President JD Vance told Europeans that the principal security threat they face is insufficient free speech, exemplified particularly by the refusal of other German political parties to govern in coalition with Alternative for Germany, a fascist-adjacent party sympathetic to Ukraine’s would-be executioner, Vladimir Putin. Vance spoke two days after President Donald Trump’s 90-minute phone conversation with Putin. The day of that call, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared it “unrealistic” to hope for peace negotiations through which Ukraine regains pre2014 territories (before Russia’s seizure of Crimea) or gains NATO membership

Perhaps those two outcomes are unattainable. But Kaja Kallas, Estonia’s former prime minister and the European Union’s foreign policy chief, tartly questioned the realism of giving the Russians “everything that they want even before the negotiations have been started.”

Konstantin Malofeyev, a “tycoon who runs several Russian volunteer units fighting in Ukraine” (per the Financial Times), says of the E.U. and Ukraine: “Their opinion doesn’t matter anymore Ukraine is just the pretext for a grand dialogue between two great countries.”

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ARE

writer’s city of

published. Letters are not to

“Look,” he said on Feb. 3 regarding Europe, “we have an ocean in between. They don’t. It’s more important for them than it is for us.” But the ocean was there in 1941. And someone should explain to Trump the acronym “ICBM.”

Vance, who has said “I don’t really care what happens to Ukraine,” might someday care.

Hours before Chamberlain signed the Munich agreement an aide told him (per Harris) that Hitler “plans a war of conquest to gain living space for the German people.” Hitler had said so. Chamberlain: “You need to learn a few lessons in political reality.” Realities such as the reluctance of democratic publics to face unpleasant realities Particularly for the benefit of (as Chamberlain had described the Czechs) people in “a far away country,” “of whom we know nothing.” We know Putin’s thinking about who should be Russians, and what Russia should be. He has told us.

Trump says he does not care “much about anything” other than “peace.”

“Peace for our time,” Chamberlain said triumphantly when he landed in London from Munich. Peace lasted 336 days, until Sept. 1, 1939, the first of the European war’s 2,077 days. The road to war in 1939 was paved with spurious “realisms.” Today, the road to a wider war is being paved by U.S. leaders’ ignorance of history, and by nonsense from people who are paid to make sense of things.

Email George Will at georgewill@washpost.com.

History teaches there is no substitute for victory

In his 1951 farewell address to Congress and the American public (known as the “old soldiers never die, they just fade away” speech), Army General Douglas MacArthur said something the Trump administration should recall as it seeks to end the war between Russia and Ukraine: “... once war is forced upon us, there is no other alternative than to apply every available means to bring it to a swift end. War’s very object is victory, not prolonged indecision. In war there is no substitute for victory.”

While MacArthur was referring to wars engaged in by the U.S., his philosophy could also be applied to the war between Russia and Ukraine.

cessions before talks formally begin. And to exclude Ukraine, the victim of the invasion, at least in initial talks, is like allowing an opponent in poker to have an extra ace.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth appeared to let the cat out of the bag when he wrongly stated even before peace negotiations begin that Ukraine should not expect to regain territory lost to Vladimir Putin’s invasion of the sovereign nation. Putin has said he won’t give an inch of Ukrainian land he has seized. European leaders have expressed alarm that they have not been consulted or included in negotiations, even while President Donald Trump wants them to “do more” when it comes to helping Ukraine while simultaneously assisting in ending the war Has everyone forgotten what Neville Chamberlain told Adolf Hitler at their 1938 meeting in Munich? Chamberlain delighted the cunning Hitler, saying the fuhrer could keep the Sudetenland (now the Czech Republic) he had invaded, thinking that would satisfy his ravenous territorial yearnings and bring “peace for our time.”

World War II came in large part because Hitler regarded the West as weak, preferring an illusory “peace” rather than his defeat. When negotiating, especially with an evil adversary — Nazi Germany then and Russia’s Vladimir Putin now — the worst strategy is to make con-

President Donald Trump promised to end the war on his first day in office, which seemed presumptuous, as well as impossible. It’s now approaching his 30th day in office and the fighting continues. Being a successful negotiator in business is one thing, as Trump thinks he has been. Doesn’t he immodestly say that about himself? On the world stage it is quite different and more dangerous because lives are in danger, not just in Ukraine, but in other countries should Putin diagnose the West as lacking resolve and effectively giving him, as he might see it, a green light to invade other sovereign states in pursuit of his stated goal of “re-claiming” Russian territory lost following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Wall Street Journal columnist William McGurn is right when he asks “Will Ukraine be Trump’s Vietnam? Consider the 1973 Paris Peace Accords. (National Security Adviser Henry) Kissinger won a Nobel Prize, but Saigon fell.” If victory is not the goal, what else is there? General MacArthur characterized anything short of victory as “prolonged indecision.” That lane only invites the spread of evil and harm to other nations if Ukraine’s “allies” refuse to stand in the gap, or don’t contribute enough to Kiev’s protection. If the Trump administration is not cautioned by what happened in 1938 when an evil monster was allowed to have his way with one state before invading others and launching the Holocaust, perhaps it needs another reminder of what occurred in 1973. Accommodating evil never ends well. Email Cal Thomas at tcaeditorstribpub.com.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By OLEG PETRASIUK

Ukrainian servicemen fire an MRLS BM-21 ‘Grad’ towards Russian army positions near Chasiv yar, Donetsk region, Ukraine, on Saturday

George Will Cal Thomas

Whited Jr., Charles Lewis

New Orleans Forecast

Thomas Jr., Louis

Minister Louis Thomas, Jr., age 83, was born on July 27, 1941, in New Or‐leans, LA. He departed this earthly home on Saturday February 8, 2025. Louis was the loving uncle of Carlotta Navarre (Albert) and Zina Woodard (Michael). Beloved Godfather of Renita Redmond Samuel and Jane Jones Gibson Louis was preceded in death by his parents Louis (Thomas) Tolmas and Rachel Jones Joseph; his stepfather Charlie Joseph; his son Emanuel Russell; his brothers Cyril Bour‐geois (Dorothy) and Louis Tolmas, Jr.; his grandpar‐ents David Jones and Nancy Jones; his niece An‐drea Bourgeois Lee; and his goddaughter Laurette Steele Bernard. Relatives and friends of the family also Pastor, officers and members of Greater Asia B.C., St John M.B.C. #1 & #2 St John Faith Church Standing For God Ministry, all neighboring churches and employees and staff of University Medical Center and Passage Santuary are invited to attend the Cele‐bration of Life Service on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at Greater Asia Baptist Church, 3708 St Bernard Avenue New Orleans LA 70122 at 10:00 a.m. Visita‐tion from 9:00 a.m until 10:00 a.m Pastor Mary Rogers, Officiating Inter‐ment Mount Olivet Ceme‐tery, 4000 Norman Mayer Avenue New Orleans LA 70122 You may sign the guest book on www ger trudegeddeswillis. Gertrude Geddes Willis Fu‐neral Home, Inc., in charge (504) 522-2525.

Marie Segura passed away on February 6, 2025, at the age of 84 at Ochsner Hospital Main Campus. Helen was born in Pascagoula MS, and raised in New Orleans, LA. She was educated in Orleans Parish and Catholic School system. She was a member of St. Phillip The Apostle Catholic Church Helen is survived by: her loving mother Isabella Davis, 2 sons: Zimbalish Segura, Jimmy Segura (Darlene), and 4 daughters: Lisa Se‐gura-Nevilles, Zina SeguraDavis (Raymond) Simone Segura, and Tiffany Robin‐son (Richard), ten grand‐children: James, Lameka, David, Larry, Angelica, Ter‐ryiana Richon, Jimmy Jameka, and Jamon and 23 great-grandchildren. Also survived by a host of other relatives and friends. Pre‐ceded in death by her fa‐ther Bonnie James Davis 3 sons: Kinny Robinson, Bon‐nie Segura, and Jonathan Segura, Jr., 1 grandson Richard Coleman Jr. Fol‐lowing my daughter’s final wishes, interment was pri‐vate We would like to thank The Boyd Family Fu‐neral Home for their care at our time of bereavement and Staff at Ochsner Main Campus Guestbook On‐line: www anewtraditionbe gins.com (504) 282-0600 Linear Brooks Boyd and Donavin D. Boyd Own‐ers/Funeral Directors. Virgil, Clarence Anthony

Minister Louis Thomas, Jr. age 83, was born on July 27, 1941, in New Or‐leans LA He departed this earthly home on Saturday, February 8, 2025. Louis was the loving uncle of Carlotta Navarre (Albert) and Zina Woodard (Michael) Beloved Godfather of Renita Redmond Samuel and Jane Jones Gibson Louis was preceded in death by his parents Louis (Thomas) Tolmas and Rachel Jones Joseph; his stepfather Charlie Joseph; his son Emanuel Russell; his brothers Cyril Bour‐geois (Dorothy) and Louis Tolmas Jr.; his grandpar‐ents David Jones and Nancy Jones; his niece An‐drea Bourgeois Lee; and his goddaughter Laurette Steele Bernard. Relatives and friends of the

also Pastor, officers and members

M.B.C.

B.C

#2, St. John Faith Church, Standing For God Ministry all neighboring churches and employees and staff of University Medical Center and Passage Santuary are invited to attend the Cele‐bration of Life Service on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at Greater Asia Baptist Church 3708 St Bernard Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70122 at 10:00 a.m Visita‐tion from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m Pastor Mary Rogers, Officiating Inter‐ment Mount Olivet Ceme‐tery, 4000 Norman

Warning, John Fredrick 'DJ PUG'

Clarence Anthony Virgil, born August 1, 1989 to Veronica Virgil and the late Clarence Dorsey, entered eternal rest on February 12 2025 at the age of 35. He was a native of New Or‐leans, La Relatives and friends of the family are in‐vited to attend the Funeral Service on Saturday, Febru‐ary 22, 2025 at Majestic Mortuary 1833 Oretha Cas‐tle Haley Blvd, New Or‐leans, La 70113 at 10:00 am Visitation begins at 9:00am. Interment private Due to COVID-19, everyone attending is encouraged to wear masks and adhere to social distancing. Profes‐sional Arrangements en‐trusted to Majestic Mortu‐ary Service, Inc (504) 5235872.

John Fredrick (DJ PUG)

Warning, entered eternal rest on February 12, 2025 at his home, at the age of 57. He was born August 2, 1967 in New Orleans, LA. Son of the late Arthur Sr. and An‐nise Warning. Father of the late Johnae Warning He at‐tended and graduated from Francis T. Nicholls High School John was a truck driver for Christiana (US Foods) and LaFarge. He was a member of Third Rose of Sharon Baptist Church, where he was an Honorary Deacon He leaves to cherish his mem‐ories, his loving wife She‐lita Johnson Warning, daughter Ashley Warning his son Aaron Washington, his granddaughter Zoey Burns He was the Godfa‐ther of Devon Warning, Erin Clayton and Jonah Perry Brother of Timothy George (Kay) Arthur Warning (Diane), Dennis Warning (Gerallen) Betty Harrison (Bryan), Donald Warning (Denise), Ronald Warning and the late Michael Warn‐ing Brother-in-law of Kim and Leon Davis, Desmond and Michelle Johnson, Joanetta and Stanley An‐derson, John Perry III, Tara Johnson (Clarence Evans) Kevin Jones (Ronnise), Damon Johnson, Sr. and Cornell Minor. Father-inlaw John Perry Jr and Mother-in-law Roslyn Perry Best friend of Mer‐rick Lee. He is also sur‐vived by a host of nieces, nephews cousins and friends Relatives and friends of the family also Pastor, officers and mem‐bers of Third Rose of Sharon Baptist Church, and employees of Dorignac's Food Center, Dominos Sugar Refinery in Chal‐mette and City Park Police Dept. are invited to attend the Celebration of Life Ser‐vice on Saturday February 22, 2025 for 10:00 a.m at Third Rose of Sharon Bap‐tist Church 2132 Third Street New Orleans, La 70113. Rev Kendrick C Allen, Sr officiating Visita‐tion from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m Entombment: Mt. Olivet Mausoleum, 4000 Norman Mayer Ave New Orleans, LA 70122. Arrange‐ments Entrusted To Estelle J Wilson Funeral Home, Inc. 2715 Danneel Street NOLA 70113. Information: (504) 895-4903. To sign on‐line guest book please visit www estellejwilsonfh com

Charles Lewis Whited Jr. died peacefully on Saturday, February 15, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Born in New Orleans on December 20, 1954, he was the son of Beatriz Ajubita Whited and Charles Lewis Whited. Charles spent several childhood years in Venezuela with his family and forever valued this early immersion into its culture and the Spanish language.

Charles attended De La Salle High School, during which time he augmented his education by taking courses at Tulane University. He received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia, where he was amember of Delta Kappa Epsilon.He held three degrees from Tulane University: aJuris Doctor, aMasters of Business Administration, and aMasters in Admiralty Law.

Charles' admiralty law practice included representation of shipowners and Protection & Indemnity Clubs through which he made many lifelong friends in theinternational shipping community. Well-respected by his clients -whether from Asia, Europe, or Japan -he valued the rich cultural dimensionsofhis professional life. Charles was particularly noted for his expertise in handling disputes involvingcharter parties, bills of lading, and cargo claims. Charles possessed superior intellectual gifts, and alimitless range of interests, curiosity, and knowledge. He could be counted on to elevate the conversation with proficiency (andhumility) on whatever the topic.His expertise in art spanned its centuries andincluded, as asampling, acommand of the contextual origins of pictures, the lives of their creators, and the collections wherethey are held.

Charles Lewis Whited Jr. died peacefully on Saturday, February 15, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Born in New Orleans on December 20, 1954, he was the son of Beatriz Ajubita Whited and Charles Lewis Whited.Charles spent several childhood years in Venezuela with his family and forever valued this early immersion into its culture and theSpanish language.

Charles attended De La Salle High School, during which time he augmented his education by taking courses at Tulane University. He received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia, where he was amember of DeltaKappa Epsilon. He held three degrees from Tulane University: aJuris Doctor, aMasters of Business Administration, and aMasters in Admiralty Law.

Charles' admiraltylaw practice included representation of shipowners and Protection& IndemnityClubs through which he mademany lifelong friends in the international shipping community. Well-respected by his clients- whether from Asia, Europe, or Japan -he valued the rich cultural dimensions of his professional life. Charles was particularly noted for his expertise in handling disputes involving charter parties, bills of lading, and cargo claims.

Charles possessed superior intellectual gifts, and alimitless rangeofinterests, curiosity, and knowledge. He could be counted on to elevate the conversation withproficiency (and humility) on whatever thetopic. His expertise in art spanned its centuries and included,as asampling, acommand of the contextual origins of pictures, the lives of their creators, and the collections where they are held. Charles was achampion of local artists. His meaningful engagement with his many friends in the art world was devoted to the fulfillment of their creative

Charles was achampion of local artists. His meaningful engagement with his many friends in the art world was devoted to the fulfillmentoftheir creative vision. The sweeping array of works in Charles' personal collection reflects his impassioned belief in art and its potential to inspire.

He was proud of his Basque heritage, relished visits to San Sebastián, and looked forward to annual travel to Madrid, where he retraced his steps through the galleries of the Prado, never tiring of revisiting beloved works of art.

Charles was an in-demand guest at many family tables and never missed participating in both the celebratory milestones and the more somber occasions of his vast field of friends. His friends' children andgrandchildren affectionately knew him as "Tío Carlos." The loss of the loyalty, wisdom, affection, trustworthiness, and sense of humor of this North Star is forever poignant.

Charles enjoyed years of camaraderie through his memberships in the Rex Organization and The Pickwick Club.

Much appreciation is expressed to Dr. Glenn Kelley, Dr. Aimee Aysenne, and Dr. Robert Greer, together with the Neuro-ICU staff at East Jefferson Hospital for their expert, tender care.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his brother, John Whited (Katherine); his nephew, Colin (Mary); and hisniece, Ann (Cory). He is also survived by his great-nephews, Luca Whited and Sawyer Behm.

AFuneral Mass will be held in the chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, on Monday, February 24, 2025 at 11:00AM, with visitation starting at 10:30AM. The interment will follow the Mass at Metairie Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, any donations in Charles' memory may be made to YAYA; theNew Orleans Center for Creative Arts; the New Orleans Museum of Art; the Charles L. Whited Jr. Jefferson Scholarship Fund at the University of Virginia (https://www.jeffersonsch olars.org/); or the charity of your choice. To view and sign the online guest book, please visit lakelawnmetairie.com

the contextual origins of pictures, the lives of their creators, andthe collections wherethey are held. Charles was achampion of local artists. His meaningful engagement with his many friends in the art world was devoted to the fulfillmentoftheir creative vision. The sweeping array of works in Charles' personal collection reflects his impassioned belief in art and its potential to inspire. He was proudofhis Basque heritage, relished visits to San Sebastián, and looked forward to annual travel to Madrid, where he retraced his steps through thegalleries of the Prado, never tiring of revisitingbeloved works of art.

Charles was an in-demand guest at many family tables andnever missed participating in both the celebratory milestones and the more somber occasions of his vast field of friends. His friends' children andgrandchildren affectionately knew him as "Tío Carlos." The loss of the loyalty, wisdom, affection, trustworthiness, and sense of humor of this North Star is forever poignant.

Charles enjoyed years of camaraderie through his memberships in theRex Organization andThe Pickwick Club. Much appreciation is expressed to Dr. Glenn Kelley, Dr. Aimee Aysenne, and Dr. Robert Greer, together with the Neuro-ICU staff at East Jefferson Hospital for their expert, tender care.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his brother, John Whited (Katherine); his nephew, Colin (Mary); and hisniece, Ann (Cory). He is also survived by his great-nephews, Luca Whited and Sawyer Behm. AFuneral Mass will be held in the chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, on Monday, February 24, 2025 at 11:00AM, with visitation starting at 10:30AM. The interment will follow the Mass at Metairie Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, any donations in Charles' memory may be made to YAYA; theNew Orleans Center for Creative Arts; the New Orleans Museum of Art; the Charles L. Whited Jr. Jefferson Scholarship Fund at the University of Virginia (https://www.jeffersonsch olars.org/); or the charity of your choice. To view and sign the online guest book, please visit lakelawnmetairie.com

"Charles" D Williams Jr departed this life on Saturday, February 8 2025 at the age of 69 at East Jefferson General Hospital. Charlie "Charles" was born to the late Ophe‐lia DeSilva and

D

on December 17, 1955 in New

Loving

of Kenya M Williams, Annette and Michael Carroll; ex-hus‐band of Betty Williams Nel‐son; cherished brother of Ronald (Debra) DeSilva; also survived by 4 grand‐children, 2 godchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews other relatives and friends In addition to his parents, Charlie was preceded in death by two sons, three grandsons and one sister Relatives and friends of the family are

DEATHS continued from

Whited Jr., Charles Lewis

Segura, Helen Marie

Helen

Williams Jr., Charlie D. 'Charles'

Charlie

Charlie

Williams Sr.

Orleans, La

father

Thomas Jr., Louis

Saints tap Nussmeier as OC

BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer

For almost as long as Kellen Moore was a candidate to be the next head coach of the New Orleans Saints, Doug Nussmeier was considered a favorite to join his staff as the offensive coordinator

That move will soon become official, ac-

Drayton is ‘a total package’ for LSU gym team

BY SCOTT RABALAIS Staff writer

LSU went to the final rotation this past Friday night against No. 1-ranked Oklahoma trailing in the meet by a scant 0.075 points By the time the Tigers got to the fourth spot in their floor rotation, sophomore Amari Drayton’s spot, LSU was in position to pull off the comeback.

Drayton put them there.

ä LSU at Kentucky 6 P.M. FRIDAy, SECN

A dazzling routine that drew a 10.0 score from one judge and got a 9.95 overall, a season- and career-high mark, gave Aleah Finnegan in the next spot the opportunity to clinch the emotional victory with a 9.80. Haleigh Bryant got another 9.95 in the anchor spot, tying Drayton, LSU freshman Kailin Chio and two OU gymnasts for first place, but the Tigers didn’t need her score to win the dual meet.

That LSU had that luxury was in large part thanks to Drayton, a sophomore from Spring, Texas, just outside Houston who embodies both the present flair and future greatness of the LSU program when seniors like Bryant and Finnegan depart the floor after this season.

“I’ve never gotten a 10 in my life,” Drayton said. “I was so excited (for the one judge’s score). Having the potential to get a perfect score makes me want to work harder, work in and out of the gym every day to stay with the same mindset.” LSU coach Jay Clark has frequently sung Drayton’s praises in her two years with the team, her talent as well as her positive attitude. She was also the Tigers’ alternate Friday on balance beam but isn’t training now for uneven bars because of a shoulder problem.

“She’s explosive,” Clark said. “She’s expressive. She shows her routines well. Everything she does is big and has tremendous amplitude.

“Then you’ve got that personality She’s got this infectious laugh and smile I can see her continuing to grow and be a fan favorite. She’s got it all. She’s a total package.”

Drayton will try to help the No. 3-ranked

ä See DRAYTON, page 3C

cording to a league source, with Nussmeier filling out the last remaining spot on the Saints’ offensive coaching staff. NFL Media was the first to report the hire.

The 54-year-old Nussmeier comes to the Saints from the Philadelphia Eagles, where he served as the quarterbacks coach under Moore last season. Before their shared time in Philadelphia, Nussmeier also worked un-

der Moore with the Los Angeles Chargers (2023) and the Dallas Cowboys (2019-22).

Moore has already said he intends to call the offensive plays as head coach, meaning Nussmeier’s job should center around building out the offense and creating the game plan every week.

ä See SAINTS, page 5C

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

Jay Johnson took his time filling out his first lineup card before the season started.

He wanted to be patient. LSU has a deep pool of positional players, and he believed that getting a full picture of what they were capable of before slotting guys into certain spots in the lineup was necessary

“I didn’t want my brain to go somewhere that wasn’t the most productive,” LSU’s baseball coach said in his last news conference before the start of the season. “And I actually feel like by doing that on the position player side, for sure, I feel like I have much better feel for this team this year than last year.”

Johnson acknowledged that “might sound crazy.” LSU had more returning players heading into last year than this year Twelve players who played in a game last sea-

son return to the 2025 team, as opposed to the 21 who played on the national championship-winning team and came back in 2024.

But, by the time the last season began, and especially once the Tigers reached Southeastern Conference play, Johnson had trouble figuring out what his best team should look like, regardless of the matchup.

“I think I maybe tried to force some things last year that I don’t want to say guys weren’t ready for,” Johnson said, “but like I wanted them to be able to do something so bad when it wasn’t going to happen.”

The lineup, though talented, was overly reliant on home runs and skewed more right-handed than Johnson would’ve preferred. Younger players thrusted into larger roles couldn’t fill the void left behind by Dylan Crews, Tre Morgan and company

ä See LSU, page 3C LSU

Jay Johnson walks on the field on opening day before first pitch against Purdue Fort Wayne last Friday at

BY JEFF DUNCAN Staff

LSU coach Johnson has ‘a better feel’ for this season’s team

coach

Alex Box Stadium. STAFF PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON LSU gymnast Amari Drayton finishes her floor routine as the crowd erupts at an SEC meet against No 1 Oklahoma last Friday at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center Drayton’s routine drew a 10.0 score from one judge and got a 9.95 overall.

2

‘We’re

embracing this journey together’

Pels look to make most of second half of difficult season

BY ROD WALKER Staff writer

The hole is way too deep to climb out of.

The New Orleans Pelicans, with a 13-42 record, are much closer to a chance at drafting Duke sensation Cooper Flagg than they are to sniffing a play-in spot.

But that doesn’t mean the Pelicans, fresh off the All-Star break, aren’t looking forward to the final stretch of the season that begins Friday night on the road against the Dallas Mavericks

“Our guys have been incredible all season,” said Pelicans coach Willie Green. “I know the results aren’t there. They know the results aren’t there. But they are steady every day taking care of the opportunities in front of them.”

The Pelicans hope to pick up where they left off before the break. In their last game, they pulled out a gutsy overtime

victory over the Sacramento Kings, thanks in part to a 43-point effort from CJ McCollum and some major contributions from Trey Murphy, Jose Alvarado and role players like Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. That win snapped a 10-game losing streak, one of several lengthy losing streaks this season.

“It’s tough, it’s really tough,” Zion Williamson said about the struggles. “I mean, we had a lot of things not really go our way But all you can do is make the most of the situation you’re in at the moment.”

The moment finds the Pelicans with the second worst record in the NBA. They are on pace to win just 20 games, which would be the second worst record in franchise history Teams in this situation usually focus more on player development. But because of all the injuries the Pelicans have faced, they’ve been in player development mode all season.

“Unfortunately for us, the injuries have brought about player de-

velopment in a way that we never would’ve wanted them to,” said David Griffin, the Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations. ”So to some degree, we just need to keep doing what we’re doing. We need everybody to continue to grow in the way that they are. As we’re going through what we are, the turmoil will reveal some very positive things.”

The biggest positive so far this season has been the growth of Trey Murphy, who has blossomed into a star Murphy’s emergence made the trade of Brandon Ingram much easier for the Pelicans to make.

“There’s actually several players along the lines of Trey that have shown incredible growth,” Griffin said. “I think what makes Trey’s explosion as a player so significant to us is it happened at the time where we really needed to know what he was capable of. The injuries may have provided the opportunity to show us that.”

The same goes for rookie center Yves Missi, the first-round draft pick who became a promising starter sooner than anyone expected.

“One of the things that excites us the most coming down the stretch is that we get to lean into some of that growth that’s already taken place,” Griffin said.

In addition, the Pelicans now get to see how their two newest pieces (Bruce Brown and Kelly Olynyk) will fit. Brown and Olynyk were acquired in the Ingram trade. Brown has played in two games for the Pelicans, while Olynyk has yet to make his debut.

“We’re really excited about both of these players from the standpoint of what they offer us moving forward,” Griffin said. “This is not viewed as a short term situation with either player in our minds and we hope as the season unfolds, they grow to feel the same about us.”

There are just 27 games remaining in what has been a disappointing season, especially on the heels of winning 49 games a year ago. Despite the woes, Green expects his team to continue to compete until the end.

“Everybody has stayed together and continued to work,” Green said. “We’re embracing this journey together.”

LSU to back McMahon with more funding

BY SCOTT RABALAIS Staff writer

Amid speculation about Matt McMahon’s future as LSU’s men’s basketball coach near the end of a difficult third season with the program, the school is committed to coming up with more NIL funding to help with roster building going forward, a source familiar with the situation said. That would appear to significantly increase the likelihood that McMahon will return for a fourth season in 2025-26, but the source would not speculate on that.

LSU’s men’s basketball program is reportedly one of the least-funded programs in the Southeast-

ern Conference in terms of NIL money that helps coaches attract top-shelf high school and transfer talent.

A report Monday on the website On3.com said LSU was backing McMahon and making growing the NIL budget for men’s basketball a priority That report went on to say that LSU and South Carolina are the least well-funded SEC programs in terms of NIL. LSU improved to 14-12 overall with Tuesday’s 81-67 victory over South Carolina, still tied for 14th in the SEC with Oklahoma at 3-10. South Carolina is last at 1016 and 0-13 in the SEC, the only program in the 16-team league with an overall losing record. Asked Monday about the On3. com report, McMahon said that

he is grateful for the support he has already received from the athletic department and is most focused on coaching this team to a successful close to the regular season. The Tigers have five regularseason games remaining, all against ranked opponents, starting with a home date Saturday against No. 2 Florida (5 p.m., SEC Network). McMahon, 46, is in his third season at LSU and 10th season as a collegiate head coach overall. He is 45-47 with the Tigers and 14-35 in Southeastern Conference play He went 154-67 in seven seasons at Murray State, including a 31-3 mark in 2021-22 before taking the LSU job. McMahon took over at LSU

after Will Wade was fired in March 2021 following the school receiving a notice of allegations from the NCAA detailing significant misconduct. Most of Wade’s tenure at LSU was shrouded by a nation-wide federal investigation into college basketball improprieties that became public in September 2017.

At one point after Wade’s departure, LSU’s roster had zero players on it. McMahon put together a team for the 2022-23 season that included 15 players, but those Tigers were only able to go 14-19 and 2-16 in SEC play

In 2023-24, McMahon’s second team went 17-16 but a respectable 9-9 in SEC play. LSU received an NIT bid but lost in the first round.

Wembanyama expected to miss rest of season

San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama’s season is likely over after he was diagnosed with a blood clot in his right shoulder, a condition that will sideline one of the league’s brightest stars. Wembanyama is beginning treatment immediately and the Spurs are working under the expectation that the 7-foot-3 center from France will fully recover said a person with knowledge of the situation who spoke to The Associated Press. Wembanyama’s condition — deep vein thrombosis — was diagnosed this week after he returned from the All-Star Game, the Spurs said Thursday It is almost always treated with blood-thinning medication, and players in contact sports such as basketball have long been advised to avoid playing while using such medication because of the heightened chance of bleeding.

Texas coach Sarkisian gets raise, extension

The University of Texas System Board of Regents approved a raise and contract extension for football coach Steve Sarkisian on Thursday after the Longhorns advanced to the College Football Playoff semifinals for the second consecutive season

The new deal extends Sarkisian’s contract by one year through the 2031 season. It raises his salary this year from $10.4 million to $10.8 million. Annual raises will push his salary to $12.3 million by the final year

The regents also approved raises and one-year contract extensions for special teams coordinator Jeff Banks and linebackers coach Johnny Nansen. Banks is extended to 2027 when he will earn $1.3 million. Nansen was extended to 2026, when he will earn $1.2 million.

Mavericks star Davis out at least two more weeks

Newly traded Anthony Davis was dominant in the first half of his only game with the Mavericks against Houston on Feb. 8, but pulled up lame late in the third quarter of Dallas’ 116-105 victory

The 10-time All-Star had missed his last two games with the Lakers because of an abdominal injury before the seismic trade that sent fellow superstar Luka Doncic to Los Angeles. Davis then sat the first two games he could have played for Dallas before suiting up against the Rockets.

The groin injury only intensified criticism of Dallas general manager Nico Harrison over a trade that infuriated many Mavericks fans. Doncic was out the last five-plus weeks of his Dallas career with a calf injury that has plagued the 25-year-old the past few seasons, but the 31-year-old Davis has a much longer history of injuries.

Police detain man who caused Raducanu distress

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Dubai police detained a man who caused Emma Raducanu distress by exhibiting fixated behavior” toward the British star at a tennis tournament. The 22-year-old Raducanu had been approached by the man at the Dubai Championships where he left her a note, took her photograph, and engaged in behavior that caused her distress, the government of Dubai’s media office said Thursday The 2021 U.S. Open champion saw the man in the stands during her second-round match against Karolina Muchova on Tuesday night. At one point she was in tears and stood behind the umpire’s chair

Longhorns hoops coach Schaefer gets extension

AUSTIN, Texas The University of Texas System Board of Regents approved a three-year contract extension for women’s basketball coach Vic Schaefer through the 2029-2030 season on Thursday Schaefer, 63, is in his fifth season at Texas and has led the Longhorns to three Elite Eight finishes. Texas (26-2) is ranked No. 2 and tied for first in the Southeastern Conference as the Longhorns contend to be one of the four No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament. Schaefer’s current annual base salary of $2.3 million remains the same through the 2026-27 season, then goes up $100,000 each year of the extension to $2.6

and 2018.

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

New Orleans Pelicans guards CJ McCollum, left, and Trey Murphy celebrate after McCollum scored against the Sacramento Kings during overtime on Feb 13 at the Smoothie King Center

Improved control makes Lombardi two-way standout

BY GUERRY SMITH Contributing writer

If Michael Lombardi has a favorite place to pitch, it is Alumni Field in Hammond. A year after striking out a career-high eight in four innings of early relief against Southeastern Louisiana, he blew his fastball by five batters in two spotless innings for a save in Tulane’s 5-3 comeback victory on Wednesday in frigid weather Look for him to pitch again this weekend when Tulane (4-0) hosts Loyola Marymount (4-1), which was picked sixth in the nine-team West Coast Conference. Friday’s opener has been moved to 2 p.m. from 6:30 to avoid the worst of the cold.

Always tough to hit with a fastball approaching the mid-90s, Lombardi is developing the command that could make the Green Wave’s two-way standout just as valuable on the mound as he is at the plate.

“He’s probably not thrown as many strikes as he’d want to in his career,” Tulane coach Jay Uhlman said Thursday. “Yesterday was the vision you see for him. If he can do that every time, he’s a Big Leaguer He’s working his way into that. When your jobs are split by two different times of the game, it’s really difficult.”

Last year Lombardi limited opponents to a .189 batting average in 17 appearances with five starts, but he walked 36 and hit seven more in 412/3 innings on his way to a 3.89 ERA. As a freshman in 2023, he walked 25 in 291/3 inning while plunking another five, finishing

LSU

Continued from page 1C

LSU was versatile on the mound with nine left-handers, but many of them struggled while the staff as a whole had trouble consistently throwing strikes. They lacked reliable arms outside of Luke Holman Gage Jump and Griffin Herring and were missing a third starting pitcher.

The Tigers eventually pulled it together in time to make the SEC tournament championship game and be two outs away from advancing to a super regional. But their uneven play from start to finish was a factor in why 14 players decided to enter the transfer portal.

“Some guys that were here didn’t need to be here because they couldn’t understand that at a place like this, it’s not about you,” Johnson said at the LSU First Pitch Banquet in January, “it’s about something much bigger than yourself

“Once we kind of moved the wrong guys off the bus, then we started to get the right guys on the bus.”

Getting “the right guys” meant raiding the transfer portal for more depth and versatility on offense, while adding more than a handful of strike throwers to a pitching staff that lost 12 of its top 14 arms in terms of innings. Johnson also brought back 12 players 13 including redshirt sophomore right-hander Chase Shores who was out for all of 2024 due to Tommy John surgery He also added 10 freshmen, a class he feels better about than any incoming group he’s had at LSU before.

2

with a 6.14 ERA despite allowing a staff-low .175 batting average.

His goals are much higher as a junior even though he is pulling double duty leading off the lineup at designated hitter in the first four games.

“I feel like I’ve come along a lot,” he said. “Every year I just get more mature and more experienced, and that’s benefiting me.

After watching Lombardi strike out two of the three Southeastern hitters he faced in the eighth inning, pitching coach Anthony Izzio left him in for the ninth He responded by striking out the side.

All but six of his 26 pitches were strikes.

“We had a really good heart-toheart conversation about what it takes to pitch at this level and beyond that,” Izzio said. “It’s not easy We’ve got guys who work every day at their craft, and to try to do both is hard. You can start to see the evolution of his strike throwing really take off from the work he’s put in for the past couple of weeks.”

Lombardi, a New York native, was not bothered by the cold, windy weather in Hammond.

“I do love pitching there,” he said. “They have a very close backstop, so for me it’s a nice visual being able to throw.”

Without his productive at-bats earlier in the game, he would not have been in position to get a save.

His bunt on a squeeze play scored Jackson Linn for Tulane’s first run.

After Kaikea Harrison’s two-RBI single up the middle capped a go-

ON DECK

WHO: Omaha (1-3) at LSU (4-0)

WHEN: 4 p.m., Friday WHERE: Alex Box Stadium ONLINE: SEC Network+ RADIO: WDGL-FM, 98.1 (Baton Rouge); WWL-AM, 870 (New Orleans); KLWB-FM, 103.7 (Lafayette)

RANKINGS: LSU is No. 3 by D1Baseball; Omaha is unranked

PROBABLE STARTERS: LSU — LHP Kade Anderson (1-0 0.00 ERA); Omaha — RHP Brayden Curtis (0-0, 11.25) PREGAME UPDATES: theadvocate.com/lsu ON X (FORMERLY TWITTER): @KokiRiley

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Anderson threw a five-inning shutout in his first start of the year against Purdue Fort Wayne. He surrendered just four hits and had eight strikeouts. Omaha earned its first win of the season on Tuesday over Nicholls State after getting swept by Tulane to start the year Koki Riley

Derek Curiel was an outfielder Johnson had been recruiting since he was in seventh grade. Lefthander Cooper Williams was committed to Texas A&M before flipping his pledge over the summer to LSU. These were high school players Johnson and his staff targeted and recruited, not prospects they inherited from the previous regime.

“I think we recruited better And there’s several reasons for that.

I could talk for a long time about that,” Johnson said “... We had the full runway with this class, like full runway from start to finish.”

LSU softball schedule eases for with chilly conditions ahead

BY JIM KLEINPETER

Contributing writer

The schedule doesn’t look as tough this weekend for LSU softball, but the No. 6 Tigers will be fighting an additional opponent that doesn’t show up on the schedule.

The recent polar vortex will drop temperatures significantly for the LSU Invitational beginning Friday with a 3:30 p.m. game against Penn State, followed by a 6 p.m. contest versus Southern Miss.

LSU plays Southern miss and Nicholls State on Saturday and wraps it up with another game against Nicholls on Sunday Windy and cold conditions hit the campus Wednesday and LSU coach

Beth Torina said it was all part of her young team’s conditioning.

“There’s no such thing as cold weather, just a lack of preparation,” Torina said. “That’s what we say around here from a person who hates the cold as much as anyone.

feeling good about themselves

We’re keeping them grounded and working making sure they’re getting better every day.”

LSU isn’t the power hitting team of past seasons. The Tigers have six homers, three each by Maci Bergeron and Tori Edwards. But they’re playing aggressively on the bases and have nine steals in 11 attempts with a .377 team batting average. Senior third baseman and leadoff hitter Danieca Coffey triggers the offense with a 536 average and a .632 on-base percentage. The pitching staff looks deeper with junior All-American Sydney Berzon and freshman sensation Jayden Heavener but Tatum Clopton, Ashley Vallejo and Emilee Casanova have all thrown shutouts in limited action.

ahead three-run sixth, Lombardi’s high chopper toward third base brought in Tanner Chun for insurance. His 0-for-4 line in the box score was misleading. “With the wind howling in at 25 miles per hour we knew it was going to be a gritty kind of game without much extra-base hits and we were going to have to manufacture runs,” he said. “I’m a cerebral player I use my brain a lot. It’s a thinking man’s game.”

Lombardi’s mind is in overdrive as he handles his huge load. He says the coaches accommodate him with meeting times so he does not miss much with the pitchers or hitters, but he still has to process plenty of information while managing the workload on his body to make sure he does not wear down.

After starting 41 games last season and hitting .277, he wants to do more. Perfect Game, which made him a first-team All-AAC pick, and D1Baseball.com, which rated him the 75th-best reliever in college baseball, expect him to succeed.

So does Uhlman, who believes Lombardi’s National Honor Society background helps him tremendously

“He’s a special kid,” he said. “Not only is he really good at school, but he’s a really heady player and thinks the game like a coach.”

Playing for a winning team while getting to hit and pitch is like living a dream for Lombardi.

“It feels like being a kid and just going out there to play,” he said “I’m really grateful to get the opportunity to do it every day.”

As a result of Johnson’s offseason work, LSU’s lineup can match up better against left-handed and right-handed pitching The Tigers have been more patient at the plate and are faster than they were last year, utilizing that attribute on the basepaths this past weekend.

They can score runs in more ways than one, and their improved depth has also allowed Johnson to hone in on further developing each player within their role on the team.

“There’s the depth to be able to look ahead and go like, ‘This will work for this player,’ “ Johnson said, “We were kind of locked into ‘You better hit the ball over the fence’ (last year), and it just, it wasn’t my style of a team.”

Meanwhile, the pitching staff has thrown a plethora of strikes. The Tigers only walked two batters last weekend as opposed to last year when they surrendered 22 walks in their opening three games.

LSU’s depth on the mound was something that stood out to junior first baseman Jared Jones throughout the preseason.

“I think the biggest difference from this year’s team and last year’s team is on the mound,” Jones told The Advocate. “I don’t think it’s even close.”

When Johnson decided his lineup for Friday’s season opener, he said it came together more easily than it ever has before. He isn’t sure if that’s a good thing or not, but it’s hard to imagine a coach who isn’t confident in his team saying such a thing.

“I will say, I really like going to the field every day with this team,” Johnson said.

“(We’ll be) hitting outside for practice the next couple of days; we’re not shying away from it, not even making it a thing. We’re going to have a million different conditions (all season) whether it be heat, delay games there’s no easy road. We’re continuing to ask them to perform in whatever conditions there are.”

So far, so good for a team full of inexperience with some upperclassmen sprinkled in. The Tigers are off to a 10-0 start for the third consecutive season, wading through four wins against ranked opponents last weekend in milder conditions.

Torina said she likes the way her team has responded to the challenges with a growing maturity

“Toughness has been their whole goal, be a little tougher,” Torina said. “Be tougher in every at-bat, every moment. Holding each other accountable is another way to be tough. They’re finding different ways to be competitive at all times.

“(Last weekend) was a great test Everyone is excited we stood up to the test. They’re

DRAYTON

Continued from page 1C

Tigers come home with a victory from No. 9 Kentucky on Friday night in Lexington. First vault is set for 6 p.m. on the SEC Network. It’s been a controversial, or at least confusing, week for LSU. Despite beating No. 1 Oklahoma in the program’s first No. 1 versus No. 2 showdown since 2021, an achievement that would boost a team to the top rung in most sports, the Tigers instead slipped to No. 3 in this week’s national rankings.

The reason: NQS: National Qualifying Score. At this point in the season, women’s collegiate teams are ranked taking only their top six scores (including a minimum of three road scores) into account, eliminating the top score and averaging the other five. On that basis, LSU’s season average actually improved from 197.400 to 197.420, but the Tigers still dropped a spot behind UCLA (197.455), which shot up from No. 5.

Part of the mathematics dragging down LSU’s NQS is the Tigers’ worst performance of the season, a 196.600 on Jan. 24 in a loss at Arkansas. If LSU can post anything better than a 196.600 at Kentucky, the Tigers’ season average will improve as that score will be counted along with LSU’s 197.650 in the Sprouts Collegiate Quad meet in Oklahoma City and its 197.300 last time on the road in a win at Alabama. Thewholeprospectsoundseasier than it has historically been for the Tigers.LSUhasn’twonatKentucky since 2017, including a 197.175196.575 loss there in two years ago. Clark said Monday he doesn’t care that LSU dropped, at least for now, to No. 3. A more-immediate goal is trying to win a piece of the program’s first regular-season title since 2018. The win over OU lifted the Tigers (7-2 overall) into a first-place tie with the Sooners (10-1), both at 4-1. Clark said he has tried to depressurize his team as much as possible, trying to help them forget (if possible) that they need to win their last three SEC meets at UK, against Georgia and at Auburn to insure they capture at

“There’s a special feel with this team,” said Clopton, who joined the team last season but sat out two full seasons to recover from a shoulder injury “How we’ve opened the season and how young and energetic. It’s a unique feel I’m excited for whatever comes our way and how we respond to it.”

All three teams have losing records as a result of tough competition. Penn State (3-7) has losses to No. 11 Duke and No. 17 Mississippi State. Third baseman Brooke Klosowicz is batting .429 with two homers and nine RBIs. The top pitcher is Mady Volpe with a 1-2 record and a 1.84 earned run average. Southern Miss (2-7) has a win over Ole Miss with losses to Kentucky, Northwestern and Arkansas. Right fielder Hannah Christian leads the Goden Eagles with a .308 average. Their staff is led by Kayla Giardina and Jana Lee. Nicholls State (3-6) is coming off a loss to No. 5 Tennessee. Catcher Riley Rutherford is hitting .406 and freshman shortstop Ally Mooneyham is batting .417. Averi Paden is the Colonels’ top pitcher at 1-2 with a 3.75 ERA.

least a piece of the SEC regularseason title.

“They know enough to know,” Clark said. “They’re not oblivious to these things, or that there’s a regular-season championship that we’re competing for Internally we’re trying to de-emphasize it as much as possible. We have to be process-based and performance-based compared to outcome and perception.

“We’ve got to stay focused on the task at hand. We’ve got to take the next step as a team and get better.” Every road meet is a challenge, but Drayton said she knows the plan the Tigers need to have.

“We need to adjust to their equipment and their environment as quickly as we can,” Drayton said.

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

gymnast Amari Drayton

at the Pete Maravich

STAFF FILE PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

Tulane pitcher Michael Lombardi throws the ball during a game against Texas Southern on April 2 at Turchin Stadium.

ä Loyola Marymount at Tulane.

P.M. FRIDAy, ESPN+

THE VARSITY ZONE

Riverdale names Longo new football coach

Longtime assisant coach has interim tag removed after replacing Foster

BY CHRISTOPHER DABE Staff writer

Riverdale High School has selected Mark Longo as its next head football coach

Longo first was named interim coach in December after the school decided against having Wallace Foster return after one season on the job. Longo said the school told him about two weeks ago he would have the interim label removed from his job title.

Longo, a 1997 Riverdale graduate, was an assistant coach for the past 23 years, he said.

“Riverdale really is my home,” said Longo, an offen-

sive guard and linebacker when he played at Riverdale. Riverdale athletic director Sean Temple was part of a five-person selection committee that interviewed three finalists among 14 applicants for the position, he said.

“It’s really just the love and the passion that he has for our school in general that was really overwhelming when he came in for his interview,” Temple said. “He got a little emotional about it. Just something that was in his heart and in his blood.”

Temple said the school had no doubt Longo could be a head coach because he has been the head track and field

coach for the past 20 years. He also coached soccer for some of those years.

“He’s got 50 or 60 kids (in the track program),” Temple said “Managing a large team like that is very similar to managing a football team.

“A lot of the same kids in track also play football.”

Longo, who had not applied to be the head coach, has assisted several head coaches during his time at the school, including his brother Paul, for two years in the early 2000s.

The coach before Foster was Kyle Walker, who spent four seasons at Riverdale and returned to Chalmette

as an assistant coach after he coached there previously Longo, who coached the linebackers coach last season, said he has coached just about every position but quarterback.

“I’m grateful for my principal for taking me on as a head coach,” he said.

Riverdale is coming off a 5-5 season highlighted by an overtime win against John Ehret. The Rebels started the season 5-2 but lost the final three games, including a first-round playoff game to McDonogh 35. Riverdale had all-district players at quarterback, receiver and linebacker who are graduating, but Longo

said several other talented players will return from last season.

“We have so many guys that we’re returning that are

outstanding players,” Longo said.

Contact Christopher Dabe at cdabe@theadvocate.com

Holy Cross forward

Erik Santamaria heads the ball off a corner kick against Teurlings Catholic in the second half of their Division II state championship game on Thursday at Strawberry Stadium in Hammond. Santamaria scored two goals and had an assist in winning Outstanding Player honors. Holy Cross won 3-2.

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

CONTROLLED CHAOS

Santamaria’s high-difficulty goal lifts Holy Cross to Div. II state title

BY MIKE GEGENHEIMER

Contributing writer

Erik Santamaria dribbled around two defenders, pulled back, fell down, got back up, dribbled around those same defenders again as they tried to kick the ball loose, pushed to the goal line and fired a shot with a nearly impossible angle that somehow found the back of the net.

If it sounds chaotic and confusing, it wasn’t much better in real time. The Holy Cross forward gave everything he had with the Division II soccer state championship on the line at Strawberry Stadium in Hammond. It worked. No 2 Holy Cross (22-1-3) hoisted the championship trophy with a 3-2 win over No 1 Teurlings Catholic (23-1-0) on Thursday night behind a superhuman performance by Santamaria that featured two goals and an assist. For the second straight year, he was named the game’s Most Outstanding Player “It’s just quiet. I don’t hear any-

TUESDAY Division IV

Boys: No. 1 Newman 3, No. 2 Ascension Episcopal 1 Girls: No. 2 Newman 7, No. 1 Loyola Prep of Shreveport 0

Continued from page 1C

“It’s just quiet I don’t hear anything I just know I have to do what’s best for the team Sometimes I know I have to step up.” ERIK SANTAMARIA, Holy Cross forward

thing,” Santamaria said of the chaotic play, which was his second goal of the night “I just know I have to do what’s best for the team. Sometimes I know I have to step up.”

Santamaria certainly stepped up when Holy Cross needed him most.

His first goal came in the 23rd minute when he received a long ball over the top and beat the charging Teurlings keeper to poke it in.

His second finish was in stoppage time of the first half.

His final contribution on the night came in stoppage of the second half when he placed a perfect cross to Cooper Wolterman who fought through the Teurlings keeper once more to squeak a third and final goal across the line.

“He makes it look so easy when

it’s not,” Holy Cross coach Stuart Hayers said “He should be going on to bigger and better things in the future and playing college because he’s a very talented boy, and credit to him for putting in the work all these years.”

As a team, Holy Cross controlled play for much of the night. The Tigers outshot Teurlings 19-5, including 7-4 in shots on frame.

But Teurlings made the most of its chances, coming within inches of an equalizer in the final seconds of the game.

Down 3-1 in stoppage time, Teurlings cut the lead in half with a goal by Charlie Mader Moments later, the Rebels of Lafayette nearly sent the game to overtime on a pointblank shot by Carson Dwyer that was narrowly saved by Holy Cross keeper Cole Osborne.

While Santamaria was the player of the game, Hayers named Osborne’s save the play of the game.

“Gotta make the save,” Osborne said. “I’m the last line and I didn’t want to let all my teammates down.”

BY SPENCER URQUHART Staff writer

with a team-high 25 points and 10 rebounds.

WEDNESDAY Division III

Boys: No 2 University 1, No. 1 Loyola Prep of Shreveport 0 Girls: No. 1 Parkview Baptist 2, No 3 University 0

THURSDAY Division II

Boys: No. 2 Holy Cross 3, No. 2 Teurlings Catholic 2 Girls: No. 1 St.Thomas More (19-2-5) vs. No. 2 St. Scholastica (15-4-6), n

SATURDAY Division I

Boys: No. 6 St. Paul’s (21-53) vs. No. 4 Catholic (16-3), 5 p.m. Girls: No. 4 MCA (22-4-3) vs. No. 2 Byrd (19-3-4), 7:30 p.m.

The Northshore girls basketball team made the right halftime adju stments in a Division I nonselect firstround playoff matchup Thursday night. No 12-seeded Northshore was tied with No. 21-seeded Benton at halftime at 32-32. Northshore scored the first four points of the third quarter and went on 9-0 run to close the quarter in a 70-58 win in Slidell. The Panthers went on another 8-0 run in the fourth quarter, and their second-half scoring surge was spearheaded by senior Cherie Spencer The school’s all-time leading scorer Spencer had 18 second-half points.

“I challenged them in the locker room at halftime to come out in the first four minutes and apply the game plan that we had,” Northshore coach Michael Gowland said. “(Benton) had two really capable shooters and a big girl that’s physical, and we had to hold them to one shot per possession. Then we hit some shots. Cherie came up big.”

Benton limited Spencer to seven points in the first half. The North Texas signee eventually found her rhythm and finished

Select Division I No. 9 Riverdale 61, No. 24 Kenner Discovery 33 No. 14 Mount Carmel 32, No. 19 Higgins 24 No. 1 John Curtis, bye; No. 2 Edna Karr, bye; No. 5 Dominican,

“During halftime we made sure we made it a halfcourt game,” Spencer said. “We made sure we got our defensive rebounds and offensive rebounds to prevent (Benton) from pushing it up. We did a good job of that, and we capitalized off their turnovers.” Northshore made eight 3-pointers while Benton had six. Spencer had a four of those Panthers 3-pointers, while senior Kiley Lizana added three. Lizana and Kristyana Lambert scored 14 points each. Other Northshore scorers included Kasey Smith with seven points, Chelsea Barbarin with five and La’Jaz Johnson with four

“We did what we had to do in the third quarter to really get the distance between us and (Benton),” Gowland said. “We had Cherie score her usual points, but when you get other girls adding 14. “That’s really complementary to what we do. As great as Cherie is, it’s a team game, so it’s going to take all of us in the playoffs to continue to advance.”

Kryshena Bostic led Benton with 17 points, including a teamhigh three 3-pointers. Addison Morris had nine points followed by Jonnah Carter with eight. Next up for Northshore is a trip to Lake Charles to face No. 5-seeded Barbe in the second round. Barbe defeated No. 24 Ruston 62-32 on Thursday “I like where we’re sitting in the bracket,” Gowland said. “On Monday, we’ll find out what we’re made of.”

Rory McIlroy, left, and Shane Lowry walk off the 10th green during the Zurich Classic on April 26 at TPC Louisiana in Avondale. STAFF FILE PHOTO By BRETT DUKE

Spencer

PROVIDED PHOTO

Mark Longo, left, was selected as the head football coach at Riverdale High School, his alma mater

All-Star Turner, Cubs finalize $6M deal

The Associated Press

MESA, Ariz. — The Chicago Cubs fi-

nalized their $6 million one-year contract Thursday with Justin Turner, who then went through workouts with the team before its opening game of spring training Turner, a two-time All-Star third baseman, did some work at first base. He started 40 games at first base last season for Toronto and Seattle, and made four starts at third base while hitting .259 with 11 homers, 55 RBIs and a .354 onbase percentage in 139 games.

The 40-year-old Turner provides the Cubs some security at third base behind young Matt Shaw, who has been slowed by a left oblique issue this spring. Turner, who can earn an additional $2.5 million in bonuses, could also back up Michael Busch at first base and go into the lineup as their designated hitter

Outfielder Alexander Canario was designated for assignment by the Cubs to make room on the roster Chicago reached its deal with Turner after initially pursing Alex Bregman in free agency before he agreed to a $120 million, threeyear deal with the Red Sox last week.

Turner is a .285 career hitter over 16 big league seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Baltimore, Boston, To-

Boone is entering his eighth season as manager The team had exercised his 2025 option in November

“No other place I want to be No other team, organization, group of people that I want to be doing this with,” Boone said. “And to get to do it in New York in front of passionate New York Yankee fans, this is the end result that I certainly wanted and glad it was able to work out.”

Boone has led the Yankees to a 603-429 record, three AL East titles and one pennant. New York reached the World Series last year for the first time since 2009, losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games.

in my view I’m confident in what I’m doing. I feel that I’m pretty good at this.”

Boone succeeded Joe Girardi after the 2017 season and was given a three-year contract with a team option for 2021. He agreed in October 2021 to a three-year contract with a team option for 2025.

Marlins MARLINS GET RELIEVER MARTINEZ OFF WAIVERS PUT RHP PÉREZ ON 60-DAY IL: The Miami Marlins claimed righthanded reliever Seth Martinez off waivers Thursday from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

ronto and Seattle. He has 198 homers and 814 RBIs in 1,678 games. He was part of the Dodgers’ World Series title in 2020.

Canario, who is out of minor league options, was acquired by the Cubs when they traded Kris Bryant to San Francisco in a 2021 deadline deal. The 24-year-old Ca-

nario appeared in only 21 games the past two seasons with Chicago, hitting .286 with two homers and eight RBIs in his only big league action.

Yankees

YANKEES, BOONE AGREE TO 2-YEAR CON-

TRACT EXTENSION: Aaron Boone and the New York Yankees agreed Thursday to a two-year contract extension through the 2027 season.

Boone became the third Yankees manager to lead the team to the postseason in six of his first seven years after Casey Stengel and Joe Torre but hasn’t delivered a title and understands the criticism, saying “if you can’t handle that, then it ain’t for you” and “I came in eyes wide open.”

“I don’t like that we haven’t won a championship yet, so that bothers me,” Boone said. “But I know what I signed up for when I got into this. We talk about it all the time, but I wouldn’t want it any other way The fact that it matters as much as it does here and that there’s such a high standard and there’s so much expectations, that so much beats the alternative

Martinez was designated for assignment Monday by the Diamondbacks when they finalized a $1.35 million, one-year contract with right-hander Kendall Graveman that can be worth up to $3.3 million.

Arizona got the 30-year-old Martinez off waivers from Houston after the end of last season. Martinez had a 3.59 ERA in 44 games for the Astros in 2024, and was 6-6 with a 3.93 ERA in 111 games since making his big league debut with them in 2021.

Right-hander Eury Pérez, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery last April, was put on the 60-day injury list to make room on the Marlins roster Pérez was 5-6 with a 3.15 ERA in 19 starts for the Marlins as a rookie in 2023.

and wins

Chicago hurler Poteet makes first ABS challenge

MLB has installed robot umps in 13 spring training ballparks

BY DAVID BRANDT AP baseball writer

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Chicago Cubs pitcher Cody Poteet believed the 95 mph fastball he threw to Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Max Muncy was in the strike zone Home plate umpire Tony Randazzo disagreed and called it a ball Instead of arguing, Poteet simply patted the top of his cap, signifying he wanted to challenge the call. After a few seconds, the verdict was ready on the video board in right-center field. Poteet was correct — the pitch was a strike just catching the bottom of the zone

The first test of the Automated Ball-Strike System went off without a hitch Thursday, with Randazzo quickly reversing the call. Instead of a 1-1 count for Muncy, the batter was in an 0-2 hole and struck out three pitches later Robot umpires arrived in the big leagues, at least in exhibition games. The Cubs and World Series champion Dodgers opened the spring training schedule with an added wrinkle: Camelback Ranch is among the test sites for the ABS, which could be used in big league regular-season games as soon as 2026.

Human umpires still call every pitch, but each team has the ability to challenge two calls per game, with no additions for extra innings. A team retains its challenge if successful, similar to the regulations for big league teams with video reviews, which were first used for home run calls in August 2008 and widely expanded

SAINTS

Continued from page 1C

This will be Nussmeier’s first time serving as an offensive coordinator at the NFL level, though he does have significant experience coordinating offenses at major college football programs, such as Alabama, Florida and Michigan.

Nussmeier is a former Saints quarterback himself — the team selected him in the fourth round out of the University of Idaho in 1994. He appeared in five games with the Saints and spent some time with both the Colts and Broncos before finishing his playing career in the CFL.

to many calls for the 2014 season.

Only a batter pitcher or catcher may challenge a call, signaling with the tap of a helmet or cap Assistance from the dugout is not allowed. A challenge must be made within 2 seconds, and the graphic of the pitch and strike zone will be shown on the scoreboard and broadcast feed. The umpire then announces the updated count.

MLB estimates the process averages 17 seconds.

The Cubs and Dodgers opened this year’s spring training schedule earlier than the other 28 teams because they’re playing each other in Tokyo to open the regular season on March 1819. There will be five games on Friday before all teams get started this weekend.

The Dodgers played a few of their regulars in the opener, including shortstop Mookie Betts, third baseman Max Muncy and right fielder Teoscar Hernández. Yoshinobu Yamamoto started on the mound as he prepares to start the opener in Tokyo.

Yamamoto threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings, giving up three hits and striking out two. He threw 19 of 27 pitches for strikes. Japanese two-way star Shohei Ohtani was not in the lineup as he continues to recover from offseason surgery on a partially torn labrum in his left (nonthrowing) shoulder, an injury sustained during the World Series. He’s expected to get some Cactus League at-bats and be ready to hit by the regular season but likely won’t pitch until May.

MLB has installed the ABS system in 13 spring training

AP FILE PHOTO Former Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, right, and quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier watch players warm up on Oct 29, 2023

While his playing career took him out of Louisiana decades ago, Nussmeier has maintained a strong connec-

ballparks that are home to 19 teams. The Florida stadiums, all in the Florida State League, are Detroit, Minnesota, the New York Mets, New York Yankees, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Toronto, plus the ballpark shared by Miami and St. Louis.

Five test sites in Arizona all are shared: the Diamondbacks/Colorado, Chicago White Sox/Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland/Cincinnati, Kansas City/Texas and Seattle/San Diego.

The technology

A Hawk-Eye pose-tracking system of cameras was installed and used to track pitches and whether they are within a strike zone based on the height of each batter who is measured without shoes before a team’s first test game. MLB estimated the calibration process at less than one minute for each player There are eight cameras at most of the spring training ballparks in the test and 12 at the Diamondbacks/Rockies stadium.

While the strike zone actually called by big league umpires tends to be oval in shape, the ABS strike zone is a rectangle, as in the rule book.

Developing a consensus on what a computer strike zone should be has been an issue.

Dugout iPads available to all teams will have an application called ProTABS that allows players to check pitches against their individual strike zone. Information will update after every plate appearance and players can give MLB comment on single pitches and the overall system.

tion to the state. He married a Louisiana native, Christi Nussmeier, who is a former member of the Saints dance team. And his son, Garrett Nussmeier is LSU’s starting quarterback.

Nussmeier is the final piece of the offensive staff assembled by Moore. He joins three coaches he’s worked with in the past (offensive line coach Brendan Nugent, tight ends coach Chase Haslett and quarterbacks coach Scott Tolzien) as well as two coaches with prior Saints ties (running backs coach Joel Thomas, receivers coach Keith Williams).

Email Luke Johnson at ljohnson@theadvocate. com.

PGA Tour moves closer to Saudi LIV Golf deal

BY DOUG FERGUSON AP golf writer

Tiger Woods joined PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and player director Adam Scott in a second White House meeting Thursday with President Donald Trump, another sign the sport is moving rapidly toward ending the division brought on by Saudi-funded LIV Golf.

Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia and the financial muscle behind the rival league, also was part of the meeting.

“Thanks to the leadership of President Trump, we have initiated a discussion about the reunification of golf,” the PGA Tour said in a statement signed by Monahan, Woods and Scott.

The tour said it would share more details when appropriate, adding: “We are committed to moving as quickly as possible.”

“We share a passion for the game and the importance of reunification,” the statement said. “Most importantly, we all want the best players in the world playing together more often and are committed to doing all we can to deliver that outcome for our fans.”

Trump said later at a Black History Month reception, where he acknowledged the presence of Woods, Scott and Monahan, “We had some interesting

discussions.”

Woods entered the room with Trump and went on stage with him wearing the Presidential Medal of Freedom he received from Trump in 2019. Trump prodded him to speak and those in attendance began to chant, “Tiger, Tiger.”

It was the second time in just over two weeks that PGA Tour leadership Woods and Scott are on the board — met at the White House. Woods had to leave before the Feb. 4 meeting because his mother died in Florida. He played golf with Trump on Feb. 9.

Woods had said during the CBS broadcast of the final round at the Genesis Invitational that “we have another meeting coming up.”

“I think that things are going to heal quickly,” Woods, the tournament host, said

on the Sunday broadcast. “We’re going to get this game going in the right direction. It’s been heading in the wrong direction for a number of years and the fans want all of us to play together all the top players playing together, and we’re going to make that happen.” LIV Golf launched in June 2022 and lured away several top names — Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm over the next few years with signing bonuses reported to top $100 million in some cases. The PGA Tour PIF and the European tour (commercially known as the DP World Tour) signed an agreement in June 2023, but it expired at the end of the year as the Justice Department raised antitrust concerns.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By LINDSEy WASSON

Seattle Mariners third baseman Justin Turner reacts to hitting a solo home run against the New york yankees on Sept. 18 in Seattle. The twotime All-Star will play for the Chicago Cubs this season.

PHOTO By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Donald Trump speaks as golfer Tiger Woods listens during a reception for Black History Month in

Legacy Bowl founders making coach Robinson proud

James “Shack” Harris and Doug Williams both starred at quarterback at Grambling playing for the late, great Eddie Robinson Harris and Williams could both tell you one story after another about the many lessons Robinson taught them on and off the field — to transform them from boys to men. The lessons Robinson instilled in them, they are now trying to instill in others.

And because of that, they both know Robinson would be smiling his big ole smile if he was still around to see the work his two former quarterbacks are doing this week in New Orleans.

For the fourth year in a row, Harris and Williams are spearheading the Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl, a showcase of some of the best draft-eligible players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

“We hate the fact that coach Rob is not here to see this,” Harris said. “This is his type of thing. He believed in his players getting an education and he believed in their future. There’s not a greater leader and mentor than Eddie Robinson.”

The game is set for Saturday at 3 p.m. at Tulane’s Yulman Stadium.

HBCU Legacy Bowl, 3 P.M. SATURDAy NFL NETWORK

Team Robinson will consist of players from schools in the Southwestern Athletic Conference and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Team Gaither, named after legendary Florida A&M coach Jake Gaither, is comprised of players from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association.

“When you talk about HBCUs, it’s not just about Grambling for me,” Williams said “It’s about all of them. You want to see all these kids get an opportunity to perform and hopefully an opportunity to play.”

In addition to the game, there was an HBCU combine held Monday at the Saints’ training facility.

All 32 NFL teams had scouts in attendance at the combine, held one week before the NFL combine in Indianapolis.

“These guys aren’t going to Indy,” Williams said. “So this is their opportunity to get seen.

For many players, Saturday will be the last time they ever put on shoulder pads. It’s why the Legacy Bowl is about much more than the actual game. A career fair was held on Thursday and continues Friday to give students an opportunity to inter-

STAFF FILE PHOTO By BRETT DUKE

Doug Williams, former Grambling football coach and NFL quarterback, chats with people before the start of the HBCU Legacy Bowl on Feb 19, 2022, at yulman Stadium. Williams and former teammate James “Shack” Harris are spearheading the Legacy Bowl for the fourth consecutive year

view for jobs. Many are hired on the spot.

“When you look at it realistically every player is not going to get a chance to play in the National Football League,” Williams said. “But they do have a chance to interview for a job and I think that in itself sets the stage for the whole week.”

Williams and Harris understand that life is bigger than just football. Their former college coach

made sure they understood that. Because of those lessons, the Legacy Bowl is important to them. Neither of them have to be doing the work they’re doing this week. They’ve already left their mark. Williams, 69, became the first Black quarterback to start a Super Bowl and the first one to win it. He also was named the game’s Most Valuable Player Harris, 77, became the first Black quarterback to win an NFL play-

SCOREBOARD

p.m. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at McNeese, 4 p.m. Southern at Grambling, 4:30 p.m. Northwestern State at UNO, 5 p.m. Florida at LSU, 5 p.m. Louisiana Tech at Western Kentucky,

79 Mercyhurst 65, Fairleigh Dickinson 60 Monmouth (NJ) 68, Hofstra 62 St. Francis (Pa.) 81, Le Moyne 76, OT Vermont 59, Bryant 55 Wagner 63, Stonehill 57 SOUTH Appalachian St. 79, Georgia Southern 74, OT Austin Peay 92, Queens (NC) 78 Elon 69, Towson 63 Florida Gulf Coast 83, Stetson 80 James Madison 83, Georgia St. 63 Kennesaw St. 83, UTEP 73 Marshall 81, Old Dominion 77 NC A&T 53, Campbell 50 New Mexico St. 61, Jacksonville St. 52 Radford 77, UNC-Asheville 53 MIDWEST Bellarmine 80, E. Kentucky 74 Northwestern 70, Ohio St. 49 FARWEST CCSU 81, Chicago St. 75 Tulane 86, East Carolina 81 Late Wednesday EASTCAROLINA(15-12)

LaBeaux 3-4 0-1 7, Walker 5-12 4-5 14, R.Felton 7-19 1-1 18, Hayes 1-7 0-0 3, Riley 5-11 8-9 19, Farell 5-10 0-0 14, Woodard 3-9 0-0 6, Cason 0-0 0-1 0. Totals 29-72 13-17 81. TULANE(15-11) Banks 8-11 6-8 25, Glenn 2-6 2-2 6, Brumbaugh 5-14 10-12 21, Woods 4-12 2-3 11, Williams 5-6 0-0 13, Daniels 0-0 0-0 0, Jordan 2-5 1-2 6, Ringgold 1-2 2-2 4, Greene 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 27-56 23-29 86. Halftime—Tulane 46-32. 3-Point Goals—East Carolina 10-30 (Farell 4-8, R.Felton 3-10 LaBeaux 1-1, Riley 1-2, Hayes 1-6, Walker 0-1, Woodard 0-2), Tulane 9-23 (Williams 3-4, Banks 3-5, Brumbaugh 1-3, Jordan 1-3, Woods 1-6, Glenn 0-1, Ringgold 0-1). Fouled Out—Walker. Rebounds—East Carolina 35 (Riley 8), Tulane 34 (Williams 10). Assists—East Carolina 16 (Hayes 5), Tulane 15 (Brumbaugh 7). Total Fouls—East Carolina 23, Tulane 14. A—1,454 (4,100) Women’s state schedule Wednesday’s games Texas State 69, UL 58 Tulsa 73, Tulane 54 Thursday’s games UTRGV 67, McNeese 44 Southeastern 65, Northwestern State 58 UL-Monroe 84, Troy 73 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 59, Nicholls 44 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 59, UNO 44 Georgia at LSU, n Friday’s games None scheduled. Women’s national scores EAST Albany (NY) 56, Maine 40 Bryant 61, Vermont 53 CCSU 62, Chicago St. 61 Fairfield 72, Rider 46 Fairleigh Dickinson 65, Le Moyne 46 Manhattan 68, Iona 65 Marist 69, Canisius 62, OT New Hampshire 65, Binghamton 38 North Carolina 68, Syracuse 58 Sacred Heart 74, Merrimack 48 Siena 66, Niagara 64 St. Francis (Pa.) 70, Mercyhurst 69 St. Peter’s 70, Mount St. Mary’s 54 Stonehill 77, Wagner 64 UMBC 53, Mass.-Lowell 51 SOUTH Alabama A&M 70, Florida A&M 67 Austin Peay 66, Queens (NC) 57 Bellarmine 78, Jacksonville 73 Bethune-Cookman 56, Alabama St. 53 California 76, Virginia 70 Davidson 66, George Mason 50 E. Kentucky 71, North Florida 58 Florida St. 69, Pittsburgh 55 Fort Wayne 69, N. Kentucky 57 Furman 72, Mercer 70 Lipscomb 61,

off game about a decade and a half before that. They know Robinson wouldn’t have been satisfied with them stopping with those accolades though.

“Coach Rob would probably say ‘Hell, you ain’t worth a damn,’” Williams said. “You have to help somebody who helped you. If we don’t help these young guys, who is going to help them? We’ve got an opportunity to do what we’re doing and to keep doing what we’re doing.”

South Carolina State coach Chennis Berry, one of the coaches for Team Gaither, has been a part of the Legacy Bowl since its inception. He appreciates the work the two guys who made it all happen have done.

“I don’t know if the players understand how big it is,” Berry said. “You are talking about legends. You are talking about Doug Williams and Shack. You’re talking about the cream of the crop. All these guys strive to be like those guys are who have already paved the way They need to understand that the opportunity of a lifetime only lasts the lifetime of the opportunity The opportunity is now for these young men, so we are thankful to Doug and Shack.” Coach Robinson would most certainly be proud, too.

Email Rod Walker at rwalker@ theadvocate.com.

Rod Walker

Parades, ‘The History of King Cake’ and Family Gras

n Taking it to the streets: that’s the word for the first big weekend of Carnival parades in New Orleans and surrounding areas. Leading the Uptown schedule are OSHUN and CLEOPATRA, starting at 5:30 p.m. Friday. EXCALIBUR rides in Metairie at 7 p.m. In Mandeville, EVE takes off at 7 p.m. On Saturday, Uptown is packed with PONTCHARTRAIN at 11:30 a.m., followed by LEGION OF MARS, CHOCTAW and FRERET, with SPARTA and PYGMALION rolling at 5:30 p.m. NEMESIS rolls at 1 p.m. in Chalmette. MADHATTERS roll in Metairie at 5 p.m., with OLYMPIA in Covington at 6 p.m. Sunday starts Uptown with FEMME FATALE at 11 a.m., followed by CARROLLTON and KING ARTHUR Slidell will see DIONYSUS at 1 p.m., and ATLAS rolls in Metairie at 4 p.m.

n Find out more about the pastry star of the season when Deutsches Haus hosts ”THE HISTORY OF KING CAKE: 4,000 YEARS FROM ANCIENT ROME TO PRESENT-DAY NEW ORLEANS.” Matt Haines offers the information feast as part of the Haus’ “Coming to American Lecture Series,” at 1700 Moss St. on Bayou St. John at 2 p.m. Sunday. Free. deutscheshaus.org

LIVING

the piano, painted by Jaouad, that Batiste used for the national anthem at the Super Bowl.

n For the first big weekend of parades, Jefferson Parish cranks up the entertainment with FAMILY GRAS three days of music, food, art and kids’ activities in the 3300 block of Veterans Memorial Boulevard (at Lakeside Shopping Center) in Metairie. The musical lineup includes Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts, Debbie Gibson, Amanda Shaw and the Imagination Movers. Gates open an hour prior to the music, which begins at 4 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. visitjeffersonparish.com.

It was a moment where we were in the chrysalis, hoping for metamorphosis — and since then we’ve reentered that chrysalis and emerged transformed again and again.

SULEIKA JAOUAD

BY KEITH SPERA Staff writer

For his Super Bowl LIX performance of the national anthem, Jon Batiste made art on art.

The Yamaha Silent Grand Piano he played on the field featured a pastel-colored butterfly motif painted by his wife, the author, speaker and artist Suleika Jaouad.

That one-of-a-kind customized piano, seen by millions of Super Bowl viewers, now has a life beyond the game.

For at least the next month, the Super Bowl piano will be on display inside the New Orleans Museum of Art’s Lapis Center for the Arts. Visitors to the museum can view the piano during normal operating hours.

The piano was transported to NOMA directly from the Caesars

Superdome on the Monday after the game Batiste and Jaouad also visited the museum that day to pose for pictures with the piano in its new, temporary home.

The opportunity to paint the piano came during a difficult time for Jaouad.

She has twice beaten leukemia

She chronicled her first battle in her best-selling 2021 book “Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted.”

Her second cancer battle, which involved a bone marrow transplant, coincided with Batiste’s career reaching new heights following his 2022 Grammy Awards triumph. The 2023 film “American Symphony” documented the contrast of the couple’s extreme highs and lows.

ä See BUTTERFLY, page 2D

Billy Joel, Stevie Nicks team for performance

Pair to play Superdome on Oct. 18

BY KEITH SPERA Staff writer

Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks performed on different weekends of the 2013 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

and

and Nicks are set to coheadline the Dome on Saturday, Oct. 18. Tickets for this “One Night — One Stage” show go on

sale to the general public on Friday, Feb. 21 at 10 a.m. via LiveNation.com. During this week’s presale for Citi card members, prices started at $99 plus fees for the cheapest terrace-level seats and ranged up to $2,450 for a front row ticket on the floor in section B. In 2024, the Dome hosted three nights of the Essence Festival of Culture, three sold-out nights of Taylor Swift and a Zach Bryan concert. Other than Essence, the Joel/

Nicks show is the only 2025 Superdome concert announced so far Rock ‘n’ Joel Nicks has never sung in the Superdome. Joel previously played the city’s biggest room 31 years ago, on April 8, 1994. Before the Smoothie King Center opened as the New Orleans Arena in 1999, Joel and other major artists would sometimes book a show at the Dome in its reduced-capacity configuration. Given the strong ticket sales for both Joel’s and Nicks’ most recent appearances in the Crescent City individually, a bill featuring both

should fill the Dome in its full endstage concert capacity The catalogs of both artists are codified in the canon of classic rock. From his 1971 debut album, “Cold Spring Harbor,” through 1993’s “River of Dreams,” Joel churned out perfectly crafted, melodically unassailable singles that sounded great on the radio. He’s only released one new pop song in the past 30 years — 2024’s “Turn the Lights Back On” — but fans still turn out in droves to hear him and his band play the old hits and cover songs. Joel stepped away from performing for three years in the early 2010s, but has consistently filled arenas and stadiums again for the past decade From January 2014 through July 2024, he sustained a sold-out, once-amonth residency at New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden. Throughout his career, he’s headlined the venue a total of 150 times. In recent years, he’s perfected a model of co-headlining stadiums with a classic rock peer Sting, Rod Stewart and Nicks are slated to join him at various shows in 2025.

Artist and writer Suleika Jaouad and her husband, Jon Batiste, at the New Orleans Museum of Art with

PROVIDED PHOTO By JEN ROSENSTEIN

STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD

Jon Batiste performs before the start of the Super Bowl at the Caesars Superdome on Feb 9.

Krewe of Pontchartrain celebrates 50 years at ball

The Krewe of Pontchartrain marked 50 years of Carnival celebrations last evening at the grand ballroom of the Chateau Golf and Country Club for the annual coronation gala.

Reigning over the festivities as King Pontchartrain

L was Mr Trent Richard Pouey and as Queen Pontchartrain L was Mrs. Kristen Pouey Barton The monarchs are siblings and the children of Mr and Mrs. Richard Louis Pouey The king is married to Mrs Rebecca Bornstein Pouey and the queen is married to Mr Andrew Timothy Barton. The queen wore a gown of India lace over gold lamé, embellished with gold and crystal rhinestone trim and spotted with imported crys-

Continued from page 1D

In the Sept. 1 “Back Again” issue of her online newsletter, The Isolation Journals, Jaouad revealed that a routine bone marrow biopsy had turned up a small amount of leukemia. That necessitated the resumption of chemotherapy treatments.

“While taking a break after a tough couple of months of chemo,” Jaouad wrote last week on Instagram, “I got an invitation that proved impossible to turn down: painting Jon Batiste’s piano for the Super Bowl.

“I had 36 hours to do it — 36 hours to take something that would be seen by some 127 million people from ideation to experimentation to creation and completion.”

Journaling to a motif

Super Bowl weekend was a big one for Batiste.

Barely 24 hours before the game, he presided over a sweaty, two-hour, all-star revue at a free mini-festival in the Ninth Ward.

“He Gets Us presents Jon Batiste’s Love Riot Festival” was billed as a “day of hope and celebration” on the campus of George Washington Carver High School.

Backed by his band and the Gospel Soul Children, Batiste showcased songs from his 2021 album “We Are” along with a parade of special guests. They ranged from fellow New Orleanian Ledisi, who would sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” in the Superdome the next day as part of the YouTube TV Pre-kick Show, to Public Enemy’s Flavor Flav At the Superdome minutes before the start of Super Bowl LIX, Batiste opened his version of the national anthem by cueing up the “Triggerman beat” — a building block for much New Orleans hip-hop and bounce — on a sampler that sat atop the Yamaha piano. That subtle sample gave his national anthem a hint

TEAM

Continued from page 1D

Joel last performed in New Orleans on Feb. 10, 2017, at the Smoothie King Center. Because his stage was open on all sides, tickets were sold around the arena’s entire circumference.

The 16,000-plus in attendance that night was one of the largest concert crowds in the Smoothie King Center’s history Prior to that, Joel delivered a well-received set at the 2013 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. That lovely afternoon made up for his notorious 2008 Jazz Fest performance in the midst of a monsoon. Joel would later describe that ’08 gig at the Fair Grounds as the worst weather he’d ever performed in He should have no weather issues when he returns in October

A familiar face and voice

Stevie Nicks is also no

tals. Her Medici collar was overlayed in matching lace and trim. The king’s tunic was of gold lamé. Maids, carrying Carnivalhued bouquets and escorted

of New Orleans street culture.

The custom-painted piano carried its own message.

Knowing she only had 36 hours to paint the piano, Jaouad wrote on Instagram, generates “the kind of pressure that can feel creatively suffocating.”

To “let some air in,” she turned to what is, for her, the “starting point of everything”: journaling.

“I began to free-write about the many ways this occasion felt meaningful.

I wrote about Jon — about the kid from Kenner who began taking piano lessons at age 11 and the extraordinary city that birthed him, about the vibrancy of its colors and culture, its art and music and rich creative history

“I wrote about the American Dream and Jon’s embodiment of it and about the American Dream in a broader sense — how this country is as divided as it’s ever been, how half the country feels that the American Dream is in peril while the other feels like it’s being rescued from peril, how in this moment, we must believe it’s possible for those fractures to heal.

“I wrote about our love — about meeting at band camp in our teens, falling in love in our twenties, then getting married (three years ago last week!) on the eve of being admitted to the hospital for a bone marrow transplant. It was a moment where we were in the chrysalis, hoping for metamorphosis — and since then we’ve reentered that chrysalis and emerged transformed again and again.”

That’s when the image of a butterfly came to her, a symbol, she wrote, “that seemed to contain all the elements of the thoughts swirling around in my head: the sense of metamorphosis and transformation, of uncertainty and hope, of fragility and strength.”

The abstract line drawing of a butterfly she sketched in a margin of her journal inspired the design painted on the Ya-

stranger to New Orleans and Jazz Fest, having visited multiple times as a member of Fleetwood Mac and as a solo artist.

She performed with Fleetwood Mac on the second Saturday of the 2013 Jazz Fest (Joel headlined the first Saturday). She almost filled the Smoothie King Center on her own on March 15, 2017, during a solo tour She returned to the Smoothie King Center in February 2019 with Fleetwood Mac. Fleetwood Mac was supposed to replace the Rolling Stones at Jazz Fest in 2019, only to bow out as well after Nicks fell ill. She was booked as a solo act for both the 2020 and 2021 Jazz Fests, which were scuttled by the pandemic.

She finally made it to the Fair Grounds in 2022, drawing one of the largest crowds of the festival for her first show following her pandemic hiatus. She brought some audience members to tears by dedicating “Landslide”

by an officer of the krewe, were Misses Alyssa Alice, Camryn Alice, Natalie Louise and Taylor Louise Albers, daughters of Mr and Mrs. Thomas Louis Albers;

maha piano her husband played at the Super Bowl.

Fitting home at NOMA

The plan to display the piano at the museum grew out of discussions between Batiste, Jaouad and Susan M. Taylor the Montine McDaniel Freeman Director of NOMA.

“When art and music merge, we can see the power of creativity to define significant moments,” Taylor said in a statement.

“We are delighted to share Suleika and Jon’s collaboration with visitors to NOMA.”

Fittingly, the Lapis Center the mixed-use performance, lecture and event space at NOMA, in and of itself illustrates transformation.

The center’s walls bear the panels of Enrique Alférez’s “Symbols of Communication,” the language-themed bas-relief sculpture initially created in 1967 for the three-story lobby of The Times-Picayune’s now-demolished old headquarters at 3800 Howard Ave. (That site is now home to the Five O Fore Golf + Entertainment complex.)

At NOMA, visitors can get up close and take pictures of the Super Bowl piano but are not allowed to play it However, the museum hopes to develop a concert series using the piano.

Meanwhile, it’s available to inspire.

“Life is a series of coming-of-age arcs and art is a vehicle for that,” Batiste and Jaouad said in a joint statement.

“We want folks to be inspired by this work and to come experience this piano while it’s at the New Orleans Museum of Art.”

The New Orleans Museum of Art is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and from noon to 7 p.m. on Wednesday On Wednesdays, admission is free for Louisiana residents courtesy of The Helis Foundation’s Art for All initiative.

Email Keith Spera at kspera@theadvocate. com.

to the Foo Fighters’ recently deceased drummer Taylor Hawkins.

Nicks was set to return to New Orleans less than a year later to headline the Smoothie King Center on April 2, 2023. Citing a COVID-19 infection within her band, she first postponed, then canceled, that show She finally appeared at the Smoothie King Center on Feb 28, 2024, filling it. Nicks prefaced most of the 18 songs with a story as long as the song itself. The stories gave fans insight into her thought processes, personality and worldview, plus behind-the-scenes glimpses of her life and career That show also featured a poignant “Landslide” dedication: to Christine McVie, her recently deceased Mac bandmate and friend. Together she and Joel will add another chapter to their extensive New Orleans histories on Oct. 18.

Email Keith Spera at kspera@theadvocate.com.

Emma Grace Pillow, daughter of Mr Devin David Pillow and Ms. Amy Kate Scandaliato; Emily Ann and Shelby Robin Pouey, daughters of Mr and Mrs. Steven

Joseph Pouey; Daniella Marie Wright, daughter of Coast Guard Cmdr and Mrs. Joseph Denton Wright III; and Catherine Marie and Cecelia Frances Zimmermann, daughters of Mrs. Louise Browning Zimmermann and the late Mr Paul Michael Zimmermann. Prior to the tableau, the captain emeritus was recognized for his service.

Festivities began with the national anthem followed by the introduction of past royalty, officers and float lieutenants. The king was presented his goblet by the officers and the queen received her scepter from the captain. Lastly, in keeping with tradition, her majesty was presented her signature second-line umbrella and led krewe members and guests around the ballroom floor to conclude the tableau. Dining, dancing and entertainment by Sugar Shaker continued. General chairman was Mr John Tessitore. Vicechairmen were Mr Michael Haydel and Dr David Mulnick. Master of ceremonies was Mr Alden Hagardorn.

Okeanos queens gather for Carnival memories

TODAY IN HISTORY

By The Associated Press

Today is Friday, Feb. 21, the 52nd day of 2025. There are 313 days left in the year Today in history

On Feb. 21, 1965, civil rights activist Malcolm X, 39, was shot to death inside Harlem’s Audubon Ballroom in New York. Three men identified as members of the Nation of Islam were convicted of murder and imprisoned; all were eventually paroled. (The convictions of two of the men were dismissed in November 2021, when prosecutors said new evidence had undermined the case against them.)

On this date:

In 1885, President Chester Arthur dedicated the Washington Monument.

In 1916, the Battle of

Verdun, the longest battle of World War I, began in northeastern France.

In 1973, Israeli fighter planes shot down Libyan Arab Airlines Flight 114 over the Sinai Desert, killing all but five of the 113 people on board.

In 1975, former Attorney General John N. Mitchell, former White House Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman, and former White House Domestic Affairs Adviser John D. Ehrlichman were sentenced to 21/2 to 8 years in prison for their roles in the Watergate cover-up. (Each ended up serving less than two years.)

In 1992, Kristi Yamaguchi of the United States won the gold medal in women’s figure skating at the Albertville Winter Olympics; Midori Ito of

Japan won the silver Nancy Kerrigan of the U.S. the bronze. Today’s birthdays: Film and music executive David Geffen is 82. Actor Tyne Daly is 79. Actor Anthony Daniels is 79. Actor William Petersen is 72. Actor Kelsey Grammer is 70. Country musician Mary Chapin Carpenter is 67. Baseball Hall of Famer Alan Trammell is 67.

Jordan Peele is 46. Singer Charlotte Church is 39. Actor Elliot Page is 38. Actor Joe Alwyn is 34. Actor Sophie Turner is 29.

Former queens of the Krewe of Okeanos ball gathered at Chateau Golf and Country Club in Kenner

From left they are Clair Deroche, the 2025 queen, with Cookie Olivier, Christy Strickland, Karen Tusa, Sandra Schenck, Maria Kay Chetta, Clara Cerniglia and Jessica Adubato, the 2024 queen.

PROVIDED PHOTO

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Let your personality shine. Engage in chatter and enjoy the company of those who spark your imagination, but don't feel obligated to buy anyone's love. Say no to temptation.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) Take care of tasks you've let slip. Call an expert and get the lowdown on how to deal with matters that are holding you back. Sign up for something that offers insight into where you want to be.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Put muscle behind your plans and rearrange your residence to make room for developing projects. Be secretive about your plans; when the time is right, you'll blow everyone's socks off with what you reveal.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Take a realistic look at your lifestyle and the lessons you've learned. Today is not a day for daring ventures — tread carefully, especially when in groups.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) Push yourself; you can accomplish plenty if you are quick to respond and eager to implement your desires. Satisfaction comes from doing the best you can.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Learn from change. Observation will help you decipher whether following or leading the way is in your best interest Keep your thoughts to yourself until you have a thorough plan in place.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Embrace life and attend events that help you put

situations in perspective. Take your time and refuse to let insecurity result from criticism or bullying.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Gather information, test your faculties and map out a plan. Travel, group participation and events that bring you in contact with people you'd like to get to know better will lead to interesting prospects.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Communication is the path to understanding and moving forward. Test your imagination and creative strengths, and discover a pastime that brings you peace and joy.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) A friendly demeanor will help ward off anyone trying to pick a fight or take advantage of you. Keep active. It's up to you to invest in yourself and build opportunities.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) You'll have many unique ideas. Apply your skills to manifest what you want and attract support. Use pent-up energy by participating in physical activities.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Take time to reflect. Get your thoughts in order before making a big decision. Be open and receptive to what others say while following the path that suits your needs and budget.

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

FAMILY CIrCUS

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

TODAy'S CLUE: K EQUALS F

CeLebrItY CIpher

For better or For WorSe

peAnUtS

zItS

FrAnK And erneSt

SALLY Forth

beetLe bAILeY

Mother GooSe And GrIMM

LAGoon

bIG nAte

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

BY PHILLIP ALDER Bridge

Benjamin Franklin said, “If a man could have half of his wishes, he would double his troubles.”

Atthebridgetable,sometimesadouble can increase an opponent’s troubles. In this deal, if East does not double North’s five-diamondBlackwoodreply,Westwill lead the club queen against six spades. But if East doubles, West will start with the diamond four. What should South do in each case?

When North responded with a threespade game-invitational limit raise, South launched Blackwood. This was a theoretical error because he had two immediate heart losers. If North had shown no aces, South would not have knownwhattodo.Southshouldhavecontrol-bid (cue-bid) four clubs, showing a first-roundcontrolthereandexpressing slaminterest.Then,whenNorthcontrolbidfourhearts,Southcouldhavejumped straight to six spades.

After a club lead, South wins, draws trumps, and runs the heart jack. The finesse loses, but declarer has 12 tricks. When West leads a diamond, though, South must be careful. There will be a tendency to assume that the heart finesse is winning, but that line leads to trouble. Declarer should play low from the board and capture East’s diamond queen with his ace, draw trumps, and play three rounds of clubs, ruffing the last in his hand. Then South casts adrift with his last diamond.

Eastwins,butisendplayed.Ifheshifts to a heart, it is into dummy’s ace-queen. Orifheleadsaminor-suitcard,declarer sluffs a heart and ruffs on the board. © 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. Words must be of four or more letters 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,”

toDAY’s

Average

loCKhorNs

Troublemakers make the most trouble for themselves. G.E. Dean

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

PiCKles

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.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

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

WiShinG Well

Scrabble GramS

roSe

DuStin Drabble

859-989 LONGBRIDGE

OF

By virtue of and in obedience to a Writ of SEIZURE AND SALE from the 24th Judicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana, in the above num‐bered and enti‐tled cause dated January 13, 2025, I have seized and will proceed to sell to the highest bidder at public auction, at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway, Har‐vey, Louisiana 70058, on April 2, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. the following de‐scribed prop‐erty to wit: One certain lot of ground to‐

Asalea Gardens (for‐merly Sizeler Tract) Morris Place and Hyman Drive, desig‐nated as Lot 86; and according to survey by J.J. Krebs & Sons, Inc., C.E. and S., dated January 9, 1976, a copy of which is an‐nexed to an act before Philip E James, Jr., Notary Pub‐lic, dated Janu‐ary 26, 1976, said

and 3 lines from the corner of

Louisiana, in that part thereof known as Jefferson Park Subdivi‐sion, in Square “T” thereof, bounded by Jef‐ferson Park East Asalea Gardens (for‐merly Sizeler Tract), Morris Place and Hyman Drive, desig‐nated as Lot 86; and according to survey by J.J. Krebs & Sons, In da 1976, whi ne an Ph Jr li ar sa co

By virtue of and in obedience to a Writ of SEIZURE AND SALE from the 24th Judicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana, in the above num‐bered and enti‐tled cause, dated October 31, 2024, I have seized and will proceed to sell to the highest bidder at public auction, at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway, Har‐vey, Louisiana 70058, on April 2, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. the following de‐scribed prop‐erty to wit:

A certain lot of ground to‐gether with all the buildings and improve‐ments thereon, and all the rights ways privileges, servitudes, ap‐purtenances thereunto be‐longing or in anywise appertaining, situated in the Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana, in that part thereof known as Air‐line Parks Sub‐division ac‐cording to a plan by H.E. Landry, dated October 26, 1950, revised January 9, 1951, on file in the of‐fice of the clerk of court for the Parish of Jefferson in plan book 16, and a resubdivi‐sion of various lots in Square "A", "M", "N" and "J", all as per plan of re‐subdivision made by H.E. Landry, C.E., date January 28, 1953, approved by the police jury for the Parish of Jeffer‐son on February 11, 1953, on file in the office of the clerk of court for the Parish of Jeffer‐son in book of plans 19, and which said property is more particu‐larly described as follows, to wit:

Lot "C" of Square "J", which said square is bounded by Sadie Avenue Airline Park Boulevard Hodgson Av‐enue and West Metairie Av‐enue, all as per print of survey made by H.E Landry C.E., dated June 20, 1953, accord‐ing to the afore‐said Lot "C" measures 50 feet front on Sadie Avenue by a depth of 110 feet between equal and paral‐lel lines and is com‐posed of a por‐tion of originals Lot 20 and 21.

from the intersection of Driftwood Boulevard and Antigua Drive and measures thence 60 feet front on Antigua Drive, same width in the rear by a depth of 100 feet between equal and parallel lines. This sale is sub‐ject to all supe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liens and privileges

TERMS - The full purchase price is due at the time of the sale

NOTE:

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATE OF LOUISIANA NO: 857-575 CARRINGTON MORTGAGE SER‐VICES LLC VS ELIZABETH A. STONE A/K/A ELIZABETH STONE

By virtue of and in obedience to a Writ of SEIZURE AND SALE from the 24th Judicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana, in the above num‐bered and enti‐tled cause, dated Septem‐ber 17, 2024, I have seized and will proceed to sell to the high‐est bidder at public auction at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Expressway, Harvey, Louisiana, 70058, on April 2, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. the following de‐scribed prop‐erty to wit:

All that certain lot or parcel of ground, to‐gether with all the buildings and improve‐ments thereon, and all the rights, ways, privileges servitudes, ap‐purtenances and advantages thereunto be‐longing or in anywise apper‐taining situated in the City of Kenner, Parish of Jefferson, State of Louisiana, in that part thereof known as Driftwood Park, Section 3, and according to a plat of sur‐vey by Gilbert, Kelly and Cou‐turie, Surveying and Engineering, dated October 28, 1975 a copy of which is an‐nexed to an act registered in COB 997, Folio 553, said portion of ground is designated as Lot 8, Square 1, which square is bounded by An‐tigua Drive (for‐merly Wolfson Avenue), Drift‐wood Boule‐vard, Hans Avenue, Emile Avenue and 35th Street, and which lot commences at a distance of 420 feet from the intersection of Driftwood Boulevard and Antigua Drive

NOTE: All funds must be Cashier's Check, Certified Check, Money Order or Personal Check with irrevocable Bank Letter of Credit

COREY J. GIROIR

Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P LOPINTO, III

Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

The New Orleans Advocate: February 21, 2025, March 28, 2025 feb 21-mar 28-2t $89.71

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATE OF LOUISIANA NO: 860-716

U S BANK TRUST COM‐PANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, AS SUCCESSOR-ININTEREST TO U S BANK NA‐TIONAL ASSOCI‐ATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CA‐PACITY BUT SOLELY AS IN‐DENTURE TRUSTEE FOR THE HOLDERS OF THE CIM TRUST 2021-R3 MORT‐GAGE-BACKED NOTES SERIES 2021-R3 VS CATINA PORTER CURTIS IN HER CAPACITY AS IN‐DEPENDENT AD‐MINISTRATOR OF THE SUCCES‐SION OF CYN‐THIA PORTER LANDRY A/K/A CYNTHIA M PORTER A/K/A CYNTHIA P LANDRY

By virtue of and in obedience to a Writ of SEIZURE AND SALE from the 24th Judicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana, in the above num‐bered and enti‐tled cause dated January 8, 2025, I have seized and will proceed to sell to the highest bidder at public auction at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway, Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058 on April 2, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. the following de‐scribed prop‐erty to wit: That certain piece or portion of ground, with all the buildings and improve‐ments thereon, and all of the rights, ways, and privileges servitudes, ap‐purtenances and advantages thereunto be‐longing or in anywise apper‐taining situated in the Parish of Jefferson State of Louisiana, Hooter Heights Subdivision, Being a Portion of Former Plots A&B, Hooter Heights Subdivi‐sion, and de‐scribed accord‐ing to plan by J..J Krebs and Sons, Inc., C.E., Dated July 20, 1981, Ap‐

Hooter Heights Subdivision, Being a Portion of Former Plots A&B, Hooter Heights Subdivi‐sion and de‐scribed accord‐ing to plan by J..J Krebs and Sons, Inc., C.E. Dated July 20, 1981, Ap‐proved by the Jefferson Parish Council under ordinance No 15354, In De‐cember 1, 1982, which said lots are described as follows: Lot 11, Square E Bounded by Hooter Road, Pato Street East Line of Subdivi‐sion, Bridge County Avenue and Louisiana Highway 18, measuring 50 feet front on Hooter road, Same Width in the rear by a depth of 130 feet between equal and paral‐lel lines. All as more fully shown on Sur‐vey of Joseph L. Kreller Jr Land Surveyor dated June 29, 1983, Resurveyed September 9, 1983, March 9, 1984, and June 25, 1984, a copy of which is attached to an act passed be‐fore John A.E. Davidson, No‐tary Public Dated June 25, 1984

This sale is sub‐ject to all supe‐rior security in‐terests mort‐gages, liens and privileges

TERMS - The full purchase price is due at the time of the sale

NOTE: All funds must be Cashier's Check, Certified Check, Money Order, or Personal Check with irrevocable Bank Letter of Credit

CRIS R JACKSON Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P LOPINTO III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

The New Orleans Advocate: February 21, 2025, March 28, 2025 feb 21-mar 28-2t $109.30

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATE OF LOUISIANA NO: 844-626

LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC VS TROY ANTHONY BOURGEOIS, II A/K/A TROY A BOURGEOIS II A/K/A TROY BOURGEOIS II

By virtue of and in obedience to a Writ of SEIZURE AND SALE from the 24th Judicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana, in the above num‐bered and enti‐tled cause, dated Septem‐ber 5, 2023, I have seized and will proceed to sell to the high‐est bidder at public auction, at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Expressway, Harvey, Louisiana, 70058, on Febru‐ary 26, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. the following described prop‐erty to wit:

A certain lot or parcel of land, located in the State of Louisiana, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Town of Jean Lafitte, being desig‐nated as Lot 22B, Square 1, Rose Thorne Subdivision, as shown on a plan of subdivision by Tildon J. Dufrene, Jr., Land Surveyor dated June 26, 2001, by resub‐‐

being desig‐nated as Lot 22B, Square 1, Rose Thorne

Subdivision, as shown on a plan of subdivision by Tildon J. Dufrene, Jr. Land Surveyor, dated June 26, 2001, by resub‐division Ordi‐nance No 358 of the Town of Jean Lafitte dated Septem‐ber 12, 2001, recorded on 8/13/2010 at COB 367, folio 398, revised at COB 3274, folio 961, in the records of Jef‐ferson Parish according to which Lot 22-B, Square 1 is more fully described as follows:

Lot 22-B, Square 1, measures 104.00 feet front on Jean Lafitte Boulevard, by a depth along its side‐line with Lot 21 of 125.06 feet, a depth on its op‐posite sideline of 121.36 feet and closes in the rear a dis‐tance of 101.08 feet, all as is more fully shown on said survey.

And

One 2011 Plat‐inum Manufac‐tured Home, VIN PHAL02180AB, which has been immobilized and perma‐nently affixed to the property by Declaration of Immobilization dated May 8, 2017, registered in COB 3388, page 142, and further by Man‐ufactured Home Affidavit of Affixation dated January 29, 2018, regis‐tered in COB 3400, page 789. This sale is sub‐ject to all supe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liens and privileges

TERMS - The full purchase price is due at the time of the sale

NOTE: All funds must be Cashier's Check, Certified Check Money Order, or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit.

COREY J GIROIR Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P LOPINTO III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

The New Orleans Advocate: January 17, 2025, February 21, 2025

$98.71 jan 17-Feb 21-2t

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATE OF LOUISIANA NO: 856-364

HANCOCK WHITNEY BANK VS ANTHONY JOSEPH MARIE, JR

By virtue of and in obedience to a Writ of SEIZURE AND SALE from the 24th Judicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana, in the above num‐bered and enti‐tled cause, dated August 1, 2024, I have seized and will proceed to sell to the highest bidder at public auction, at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway, Har‐vey, Louisiana 70058, on Febru‐ary 26, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. the following described prop‐erty to wit: TWO CERTAIN LOTS OF GROUND, TO‐GETHER WITH ALL THE IM‐PROVEMENTS

KLIEBERT PAULI

70058, on Febru‐ary 26, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. the following described prop‐

TWO CERTAIN LOTS OF GROUND, TO‐GETHER WITH ALL THE IM‐PROVEMENTS THEREON, AND ALL RIGHTS, WAYS SERVI‐TUDES, AND AD‐VANTAGES THEREUNTO BE‐LONGING OR IN ANYWISE AP‐PERTAINING FORMING A PART OF THE ORIGINAL LOT NOS. 85, 87 AND 89 OF THE ORIGINAL SALAVILLE SUBDIVISION, IN THE TOWN OF WESTWEGO, PARISH OF JEF‐FERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, WHICH SAID LOTS WERE RE‐SUBDIVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH PLAN OF HENRY E. LANDRY, CIVIL ENGINEER, DATED MARCH 2, 1928, A COPY OF WHICH IS ANNEXED TO AN ACT OF SALE PASSED BEFORE CONRAD A. BUCHLER LATE NOTARY PUBLIC FOR THIS PARISH AND STATE, DATED JUNE 26, 1928, BEING A SALE BETWEEN HENRY VER‐HEUGEN AND ERNEST PLAI‐SANCE TO SIDNEY PLAI‐SANCE, AND AC‐CORDING TO SAID PLAN, THE SAID LOTS HEREIN CON‐VEYED ARE DES‐IGNATED AS LOT NOS. TWENTY (20) AND TWENTY-ONE (21), WHICH SAID LOTS MEA‐SURE EACH THIRTY-TWO (32) FEET FRONT ON OTTO STREET, BY A DEPTH BE‐TWEEN EQUAL AND PARALLEL LINES, OF ONE HUN‐DRED TWENTYEIGHT (128) FEET

This sale is sub‐ject to all supe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liens and privileges

TERMS - The full purchase price is due at the time of the sale

NOTE: All funds must be Cashier's Check, Certified Check, Money Order, or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit.

EMILY A MUELLER Attorney for Plaintiff JOSEPH P LOPINTO III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

The New Orleans Advocate: January 17, 2025, February 21, 2025

$94.48 jan 17-Feb 21-2t

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATE OF LOUISIANA NO: 855-061

FIFTH THIRD BANK, NA‐TIONAL ASSOCI‐ATION VS SUSAN LEMOINE By virtue of and in obedience to a Writ of SEIZURE AND SALE from the 24th Judicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana, in the above num‐bered and enti‐tled cause, dated June 25, 2024, I have seized and will proceed to sell to the highest bidder at public auction, at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway, Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Febru‐ary 26, 2025 at

STATE OF

seized and will proceed to sell to the highest bidder at public auction, at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway, Har‐vey, Louisiana 70058, on Febru‐ary 26, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. the following described prop‐erty to wit: THREE CERTAIN LOTS OF GROUND, to‐gether with all the buildings and improve‐ments thereon and all the rights ways privileges, servitudes, ap‐purtenances and advantages thereunto be‐longing or in anywise apper‐taining situated in the Parish of Jefferson , State of Louisiana in that part thereof known as INGLESIDE HEIGHTS SUBDI‐VISION, in SQUARE 5, bounded by Aris, Rose, Focis and Chrysanth‐ernum and Canal Streets, designated as LOT NOS. 71, 72 AND 73 which adjoin each other and mea‐sure each 25 feet front on Aris Street, the same width in the rear, by a depth between equal and parallel lines of 120 feet All as per plan of Al‐fred E Bonnabel, Sur‐veyor, dared November 12, 1921, and in ac‐cordance with a survey by Ster‐ling Mandle, Land Surveyor, certi‐fied correct on October 14, 1966. LOT NO. 73 commences 400 feet from the intersection of Aris and Rose Streets. Further in accordance with a survey by Gilbert, Kelly & Cou‐turie, Inc Sur. dated October 13, 2000; subject to restrictions, servitudes, rights-of-way and outstanding mineral rights of record affect‐ing the prop‐erty

The improve‐ments thereon bear the Munici‐pal No 344 Aris Avenue, Metairie, LA 70005

This sale is sub‐ject to all supe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liens and privileges

TERMS - The full purchase price is due at the time of the sale

NOTE: All funds must be Cashier's Check, Certified Check, Money Order, or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit.

ASHLEY E MORRIS Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P LOPINTO III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

The New Orleans Advocate: January 17, 2025, February 21, 2025

$97.12 jan 17-Feb 21-2t

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATE OF LOUISIANA NO: 831-846

CITIBANK N A VS MICHAEL G. PAULI AND SUSAN KLIEBERT PAULI By virtue of and in obedience to a Writ of FIERI FACIAS from the 24th Judicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana, in the above num‐bered and enti‐tled cause

By virtue of and in obedience to a Writ of FIERI FACIAS from the 24th Judicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana, in the above num‐bered and enti‐tled cause, dated August 21, 2024, I have seized and will proceed to sell to the highest bidder at public auction at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway, Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Febru‐ary 26, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. the following described prop‐erty to wit:

Situated in the Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana, more particulary de‐scribed as Harlem Parkway Subdivision, Square 5, Lot L. Together with all the improve‐ments and improvements thereon.

This sale is sub‐ject to all supe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liens and privileges

TERMS - The full purchase price is due at the time of the sale

NOTE: All funds must be Cashier's Check, Certified Check, Money Order, or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit.

CRIS R JACKSON Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P LOPINTO III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson The New Orleans Advocate: January 17, 2025, February 21, 2025 $57.95 jan 17-Feb 21-2t

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATE OF LOUISIANA NO: 792-344 THE MONEY SOURCE, INC VS SARA LOPEZ PHILLIPS A/K/A SARA LOPEZ HERNANDEZ WEDGEWORTH PHILLIPS

By virtue of and in obedience to a Writ of SEIZURE AND SALE from the 24th Judicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana, in the above num‐bered and enti‐tled cause, dated February 28, 2019, I have seized and will proceed to sell to the highest bidder at public auction, at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway, Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Febru‐ary 26, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. the following described prop‐erty to wit:

A CERTAIN POR‐TION OF GROUND to‐gether with all the buildings and improve‐ments thereon, and all of the rights, ways privi‐leges, servi‐tudes, appurte‐nances and advantages thereunto be‐longing or in anywise apper‐taining, situated in the PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, in SQUARE NO. 19, WILLOWDALE SUBDIVISION, SECTION 3, bounded by Morton and York Streets, In‐grid Lane and Elise Avenue, desig‐nated as LOT

3, bounded by Morton and York Streets, In‐grid Lane and Elise Avenue, desig‐nated as LOT 267, on survey of Adloe Orr, Jr., C.E. dated Sep‐tember 15, 1961, re-dated December 7, 1962, according to which, said lot commences 65’ from Ingrid Lane and measures thence 65’ front on Morton Street, by a depth of 105’ between equal and paral‐lel lines; subject to restrictions, servitudes, rights-of-way and outstanding mineral rights of record affect‐ing the prop‐erty

The improve‐ments thereon bear municipal no.: 6208 MOR‐TON STREET, METAIRIE LOUISIANA 70003.

This sale is sub‐ject to all supe‐rior security in‐terests mort‐gages, liens and privileges

TERMS - The full purchase price is due at the time of the sale

NOTE: All funds must be Cashier's Check, Certified Check, Money Order, or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit. KRISTY MASSEY FINLEY Attorney for Plaintiff JOSEPH P LOPINTO III Sheriff Parish

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATE OF LOUISIANA NO: 850-341

WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS TRUSTEE OF WAMPUS MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST VS CHRISTOPHER CLARKS By virtue of and in obedience to a Writ of SEIZURE AND SALE from the 24th Judicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana, in the above num‐bered and enti‐tled cause dated January 24, 2024, I have seized and will proceed to sell to the highest bidder at public auction at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway, Har‐vey, Louisiana 70058, on Febru‐ary 26, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. the following described prop‐erty to wit:

That certain lot of ground to‐gether with all the buildings and improve‐ments thereon and all the rights, ways privi‐leges, servi‐tudes, and ad‐vantages there‐unto belonging or in anywise apper‐taining situated in the Parish of Jefferson, State of Louisiana, in that portion formerly known as "Ames Farms, now known as Oak Knoll Subdi‐vision, as per subdivision plat of Ned R Wil‐son, R.L.S dated August 24, 1981, revised

that portion formerly known as "Ames Farms," now known as Oak Knoll Subdi‐vision, as per subdivision plat of Ned R Wil‐son, R.L.S., dated August 24, 1981, revised September 15, 1981, Octo‐ber 28, 1981, No‐vember 16, 1981, and November 17, 1981, ap‐proved by the Jefferson Parish Council pursuant to Or‐dinance No. 15006, recorded in COB 1018, folio 510, being desig‐nated thereon as Lot 25, and according to said plan, said lot is located and measures as follows, to-wit: Lot 25 is imme‐diately adjacent to Lot 24 and measures 50.75 feet front on Towering Oaks Avenue, same width in the rear, by a depth on the westerly side‐line of 114.12 feet and a depth on the opposite side of 114.13 feet

All in accor‐dance with a survey, certified correct by J J. Krebs & Sons, Inc., Surveyors dated January 23, 1984, resur‐veyed April 12, 1984, and resur‐veyed Novem‐ber 12, 1984, copy of which is an‐nexed to act registered in COB 1155, page 93.

This sale is sub‐ject to all supe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liens and privileges

TERMS - The full purchase price is due at the time of the sale.

NOTE: All funds must be Cashier's Check, Certified Check Money Order, or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit.

COREY J GIROIR

Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P LOPINTO III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson The New Orleans Advocate: January 17, 2025, February 21, 2025

$100.83 jan 17-Feb 21-2t

10 o'clock

One certain lot of ground to‐gether with all the buildings and improve‐ments thereon, and all of the rights, ways privi‐leges, servi‐tudes, advan‐tages and ap‐purtenances thereunto belonging or in anywise apper‐taining, situated in the Parish of Jefferson, State of Louisiana, in that part thereof known as Whitney Heights Subdivi‐sion, in Square No. 13 thereof, bounded by Clif‐ford Drive, North Labarre Road, 14th and 17th Streets, designated as Lot No 128 of said square on a plan of survey by Adloe Orr, Jr. & Associates, Civil Engineers & Surveyors, dated February 25, 1957, revised July 18, 1958, and ac‐cording to which said lot measures as follows, to-wit:

Lot No 128 mea‐sures sixty feet front on Clifford Drive, the same width in the rear, by a depth on the di‐vision line of Lot No 127 of one hundred four feet and a depth on the opposite side line of one hun‐dred four and thirteen hun‐dredths feet

This sale is sub‐ject to all supe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liens and privileges

TERMS - The full purchase price is due at the time of the sale

NOTE: All funds must be Cashier's Check, Certified Check Money Order, or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit.

COREY J GIROIR Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P LOPINTO III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

The New Orleans Advocate: January 17, 2025, February 21, 2025

$89.18 jan 17-Feb 21-2t

bidder at public auction, at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway, Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Febru‐ary 26, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. the following described prop‐erty to wit:

Two certain lots of ground, to‐gether with all the buildings and improve‐ments thereon, and all of the rights, ways, privi‐leges, servi‐tudes, appurte‐nances and ad‐vantages there‐unto belonging or in anywise apper‐taining situated in the State of Louisiana, Parish of Jefferson, State of Louisiana, in that part thereof known as Bonnabel Place Subdivi‐sion; said lots are designated by the numbers 29A and 29-B in Square No. 76; said lots adjoin each other and mea‐sure each 25 feet front on He‐lios Avenue, by a depth of 150 feet between equal and paral‐lel lines. Lots No 29-B begins 212 feet from the corner of Helios Avenue and Claudius Street Square No 76 is bounded by He‐lios Avenue, Hesper Avenue Claudiun and Caesar Streets, according to the resubdivision map of Bonnabel Place made by Alfred E. Bonnabel, Civil Engineer & Surveyor of Jef‐ferson Parish dated October 30, 1924 and deposited in the Office of the Clerk of Court of Jefferson Parish on November 3, 1924, in accor‐dance with Act No 134 of 1896. All in accordance with a plan of survey by J.J Krebs & Sons, Inc. C.E & S. dated April 4, 1966

This sale is sub‐ject to all supe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liens and privileges

TERMS - The full purchase price is due at the time of the sale

NOTE: All funds must be Cashier's Check, Certified Check Money Order, or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

COREY J GIROIR Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P LOPINTO III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson The New Orleans Advocate: January 17, 2025 February 21, 2025

$101.89 jan 17-Feb 21-2t

SALE from the 24th Judicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana, in the above num‐bered and enti‐tled cause dated Septem‐ber 9, 2024, I have seized and will proceed to sell to the high‐est bidder at public auction at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Expressway, Harvey, Louisiana, 70058, on Febru‐ary 26, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. the following described prop‐erty to wit:

THAT CERTAIN PIECE OR POR‐TION OF GROUND to‐gether with all the rights, ways, privileges, servitudes, ap‐purtenances and advantages thereunto be‐longing or in anywise appertaining thereto, located in the Parish of Jefferson, State of Louisiana, in that part thereof known as Woodmere Subdivision, Section 5, desig‐nated as Lot 1419, Square MM, which said square is bounded by Redbud Lane, Woodmere Boulevard, Ac‐cacia Lane (side) and Alex Kornman Boulevard (side), and said lot commences at a distance of 501.22 feet from the inter‐section of Red‐bud Lane and Woodmere Boulevard, and measures thence 60 feet front on Redbud Lane same in width in the rear, by a depth of 100 feet be‐tween equal and parallel lines. All as more fully shown on sur‐vey by J. J Krebs & Sons, Inc., dated Au‐gust 31, 1978, a copy of which is attached to Act registered in COB 942, folio 636.

This sale is sub‐ject to all supe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liens and privileges

TERMS - The full purchase price is due at the time of the sale

NOTE: All funds must be Cashier's Check, Certified Check, Money Order, or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit.

L GRAHAM ARCENEAUX Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P LOPINTO III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

The New Orleans Advocate: January 17, 2025, February 21, 2025

$89.19 jan 17-Feb 21-2t

AND ESTATE OF JOY‐ANNE B MASANZ

By virtue of and in obedience to a Writ of SEIZURE AND SALE from the 24th Judicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana, in the above num‐bered and enti‐tled cause, dated August 8, 2024, I have seized and will proceed to sell to the highest bidder at public auction at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway, Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Febru‐ary 26, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. the following described prop‐erty to wit:

A CERTAIN PIECE OF POR‐TION OF GROUND, TO‐GETHER WITH ALL OF THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON, AND ALL AT THE RIGHTS, WAYS, PRIVILEGES SERVITUDES, APPURTE‐NANCES AND ADVANTAGES THEREUNTO BELONGING OR IN ANYWISE AP‐PERTAINING SIT‐UATED IN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, IN THAT PART THEREOF KNOWN AS MORNINGSIDE PARK, DESIG‐NATED AS LOTS 23 & 24, SQUARE 8 IN ACCORDANCE WITH A SURVEY OF J.J KREBS & SONS, INC. DATED 12/2/64, ATTACHED TO AN ACT BEFORE PAUL MORPHY JR., N.P. DATED 2/23/65, AND ACCORDING THERETO SAID LOTS ADJOIN EACH OTHER AND MEASURE EACH 25 FEET FRONT ON HUDSON STREET SAME IN THE REAR, BY A DEPTH OF 120 FEET BETWEEN EQUAL AND PARALLEL LINES: LOT 24 FORMS THE CORNER OF HUDSON STREET AND 12TH STREET

This sale is sub‐ject to all supe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liens and privileges

TERMS - The full purchase price is due at the time of the sale

NOTE: All funds must be Cashier's Check, Certified Check, Money Order, or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit.

CRIS R JACKSON Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P LOPINTO III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

AND FELICIA BROWN

By virtue of and in obedience to a Writ of SEIZURE AND SALE from the 24th Judicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana, in the above num‐bered and enti‐tled cause, dated October 24, 2024, I have seized and will proceed to sell to the highest bidder at public auction, at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway, Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Febru‐ary 26, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. the following described prop‐erty to wit: THAT CERTAIN PIECE OR POR‐TION OF GROUND, to‐gether with all the buildings and improvements thereon, and all of the rights. ways, privi‐leges, servi‐tudes. appurte‐nances and advantages thereunto be‐longing or in anywise apper‐taining situated in the Parish of Jefferson. State of Louisiana in that part thereof known as SOUTH AVONDALE HOMES SUBDI‐VISION, SEC‐TION III, accord‐ing to plan of William Maier, C. E., dated August 24, 1964, approved by the Jefferson Parish Council under Ordinance No 6792, and filed for record as Entry No 303-279, reg‐istered in COB 599, folio 505. and in Plan Book 50, plan 58, of the records of the Clerk of Court for the Parish of Jeffer‐son. according to which the said lot has the fol‐lowing dimen‐sions and desig‐nation: LOT 40, SQUARE 16, said square bounded by Blanche, Dorothy and Ruth Drives, and South Jamie Blvd., and mea‐sures 54 feet front on Dorothy Drive, the same in width in the rear, by a depth of 100 feet be‐tween equal and parallel lines. Also ac‐cording to sur‐vey by Dading, Mar‐ques & Associ‐ates, Inc., dated 9/25/97, except said lot is bounded by Dorothy Dr., South Jamie Blvd., Blanche Dr (side) and Ruth Dr. (side), and said lot commences at a distance of 112' from the corner of South Jamie Blvd and Dorothy Dr The improve‐ments thereon bear the Munici‐pal No 108 Dorothy Drive, Avondale. LA 70094.

JOSHUA P MATHEWS Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P LOPINTO, III

Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

The New Orleans Advocate: January 17, 2025, February 21, 2025

$111.95 jan 17-Feb 21-2t

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATE OF LOUISIANA NO: 830-003

LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC VS EDNA SPARKS, (A/K/A EDNA GRAVES)

By virtue of and in obedience to a Writ of SEIZURE AND SALE from the 24th Judicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana, in the above num‐bered and enti‐tled cause, dated July 19, 2022, I have seized and will proceed to sell to the highest bidder at public auction, at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway, Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on April 2, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. the following de‐scribed prop‐erty to wit: ONE CERTAIN LOT OR PARCEL OF GROUND, to‐gether with all the buildings and improve‐ments thereon, and all of the rights, ways privileges servitudes, ap‐purtenances and advantages thereunto be‐longing or in anywise apper‐taining, situated in the Parish of Jefferson, State of Louisiana, in that part thereof known as Elm Park Subdivision, Jef‐ferson Parish Louisiana, des‐ignated as Lot 28, Square 2, all as more fully described on that plan of sur‐vey by Wilton J. Dufrene, Land Surveyor, dated August 24, 1981, annexed to act registered in COB 2899, folio 459.

Money Order, or Personal Check with irrevocable Bank Letter of Credit

AMY R ORTIS Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

The New Orleans Advocate: February 21, 2025, March 28, 2025 feb 21-mar 28-2t $89.71

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATE OF LOUISIANA NO: 829-211

MIDFIRST BANK VERSUS JEZABELA DAMACIA ASEN‐CIO (A/K/A JEZ‐ABELA ASENCIO, JEZABELA ORTIZ)

TERMS - The full purchase price is due at the time of

NOTE:

Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway, Har‐vey, Louisiana 70058, on Febru‐ary 26, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. the following ‐

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATE OF LOUISIANA NO: 857-569 STANDARD MORTGAGE CORPORATION VS CURTIECIA DIXON A/K/A CURTIECIA LEWIS, DI‐VORCED WIFE OF DARWIN DIXON By virtue of and in obedience to a Writ of SEIZURE AND SALE from the 24th Judicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana, in the above num‐bered and enti‐tled cause, dated Septem‐ber 9, 2024, I have seized and

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATE OF LOUISIANA NO: 856-586 U S BANK TRUST NA‐TIONAL ASSOCI‐ATION NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR LEGACY MORT‐GAGE ASSET TRUST 2021-GS2 VS ESTATE OF REGINA M BEHAN A/K/A REGINA MAE PURSELL BEHAN

The New Orleans Advocate: January 17, 2025, February 21, 2025

$93.42 jan 17-Feb 21-2t

Being the same property ac‐quired by Felicia M. Brown and Henry L Brown by act dated November 9, 2015. registered in COB 3361, folio 439, Jeffer‐son Parish Louisiana

This sale is sub‐ject to all supe‐rior security in‐terests mort‐gages, liens and privileges

TERMS - The full purchase price is due at the time of the sale

NOTE: All funds must be Cashier's Check, Certified Check, Money Order, or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit.

JOSHUA P MATHEWS Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

According to survey of Dufrene Survey‐ing & Engineer‐ing, Inc., dated July 9, 1997, said lot 28 has a measurement of 60 feet front on Louise Court same in width in the rear by a depth of 100 a feet between equal and paral‐lel lines, Said lot commences at a distance of 540 feet from the corner of Louise Court and Rickey Street, Said lot is bounded by Louise Court, Rickey Street, Dale Avenue (side) and Louise Court (side)

Which has the address of 252 Louise Court Gretna, LA 70056

This sale is sub‐ject to all supe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liens and privileges.

TERMS - The full purchase price is due at the time of the sale

NOTE: All funds must be Cashier's Check, Certified Check Money Order, or Personal Check with irrevocable Bank Letter of Credit

AMY R ORTIS Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

P LOPINTO III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

New

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

By virtue of and in obedience to a Writ of SEIZURE AND SALE from the 24th Judicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana, in the above num‐bered and enti‐tled cause, dated February 29, 2024, I have seized and will proceed to sell to the highest bidder at public auction, at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway, Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on April 2, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. the following de‐scribed prop‐erty to wit: That certain piece or portion of ground to‐gether with all the buildings and improve‐ments thereon, and all the rights, ways, privileges servitudes, ap‐purtenances and advantages thereunto be‐longing or in anywise apper‐taining situated in the parish of Jefferson, State of Louisiana, in the subdivision known as Bayou Estates, being a resubdivision of lots H-100-A and H404-A of Ames Farms and ac‐cording to a sur‐vey by J.J Krebs & Sons, Inc. C.E. dated November 20, 1967, approved by the Jefferson Parish COuncil on January 11, 1968, by Ordi‐nance No 8600, registered in COB 671, Folio 320, said lot is more fully de‐scribed as fol‐lows: All in accor‐dance with a survey thereof made by Rene A. Harris, C.E dated March 10, 1971. Lot 6, Square A bounded by Sauvage Av‐enue, Drainage Canal on the north, Drainage Canal on the west and the south boundary line of the subdivision; Lot 6 commences at a distance of 294.03 feet from the corner of Sauvage Avenue and the south Boundary line of the sub‐division and measures thence 60 feet front on Sauvage Avenue, same width in the rear, by a depth between equal and parallel lines of 100 feet

This sale is sub‐ject to all supe‐rior security in‐terests mort‐gages, liens and privileges

TERMS - The full purchase price is due at the time of the sale

NOTE: All funds must be Cashier's Check,

24TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATE OF LOUISIANA NO: 794-957

SHERRY BOUDIN NOONAN VERSUS HAROLD PATRICK NOONAN, II

By virtue of and in obedience to a Writ of FIERI FACIAS from the 24th Judicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana, in the above num‐bered and enti‐tled cause, dated June 27, 2024, I have seized and will proceed to sell to the highest bidder at public auction, at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway, Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on March 26, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. the following de‐scribed prop‐erty to wit:

1. Any monetary award made to Harold Noonan, III in the Commu‐nity Partition in this matter 2. The member‐ship interest of Harold Noonan, III in the entity known as NOLA INVESTMENT PROPERTIES, LLC.

This sale is sub‐ject to all supe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liens and privileges TERMS - The full purchase price is due at the time of the sale NOTE: All funds must be Cashier's Check, Certified Check Money Order, or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit.

IRL R SILVERSTEIN

SEIZURE AND SALE from the 24th Judicial

District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana, in the above num‐bered and enti‐tled cause, dated Septem‐ber 21, 2022, I have seized and will proceed to sell to the high‐est bidder at public auction at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Expressway, Harvey, Louisiana, 70058, on April 2, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. the following de‐scribed prop‐erty to wit:

ONE CERTAIN LOT OF GROUND, TOGETHER WITH ALL, THE BUILD‐INGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON, AND ALL OF THE RIGHTS, WAYS, PRIVILEGES, SERVITUDES, APPURTE‐NANCES AND ADVANTAGES THEREUNTO BE‐LONGING OR IN ANYWISE APPERTAINING, SITUATED IN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, IN THAT PART THEREOF KNOWN AS OAK COVE SUBDIVISION, SECTION 2: BEING A RESUB‐DIVISION OF FORMER PARCELS X, Y LOTS 1 THROUGH 10 OF SQUARE 19, LOTS 1 THROUGH 10 OF SQUARE 20, AND LOTS 1 THROUGH 39 OF SQUARE 21, AND ACCORDING TO A PLAN OF RESUBDIVISION MADE BY HAR‐RIS & VARISCO, CIVIL ENGI‐NEERS AND SURVEYORS, DATED 5/30/77, APPROVED BY ORDINANCE NO 12939 OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUN‐CIL DATED 6/30/77, REGIS‐TERED IN COB 898, FOLIO 945 OF THE CON‐VEYANCE RECORDS OF JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA, AND ACCORDING THERETO SAID LOT IS DESIG‐NATED AND MEASURES AS FELLOWS LOT 21 OF SQUARE 19A, HOUNDED BY TULIP COURT, NATURE DRIVE, THE 40 FEET STRIP RE‐SERVED FOR LEVEE PARCEL X-A, AND PRITCHARD ROAD, AND SAID LOT 21 MEASURES 65 FEET FRONT ON TULIP COURT SAME IN WIDTH IN THE REAR, BY A DEPTH OF 95 FEET BETWEEN EQUAL AND PARALLEL LINES ACCORDING TO A SURVEY BY BARRIS & VARISCO, CON‐SULTING ENGI‐NEERS, DATED JUNE 28, 1979, A COPY OF WHICH IS AN‐NEXED HERETO, THE ABOVE PROPERTY HAS THE SAME MEA‐SUREMENTS, DESIGNATIONS AND LOCATION AS HEREIN‐ABOVE SET FORTH, IS BOUNDED BY NATURE DRIVE, TULIP COURT PRITCHARD ROAD AND 40 FEET RESERVED FOR LEVEE AND LOT NO. 21 COMMENCES AT A DISTANCE OF 187.18 FEET FROM THE COR‐NER OF NATURE DRIVE AND TULIP COURT

This sale is sub‐ject to all supe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liens and privileges

TERMS - The full purchase price is due at the time of the sale.

NOTE: All funds must be Cashier's Check, Certified Check Money Order, or

privileges TERMS - The full purchase price is due at the time of the sale

NOTE: All funds must be Cashier's Check, Certified Check Money Order, or Personal Check with irrevocable Bank Letter of Credit CRIS R JACKSON Attorney for Plaintiff JOSEPH P LOPINTO III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

The New Orleans Advocate: February 21, 2025, March 28, 2025 feb 21-mar 28-2t

$119.89

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATE OF LOUISIANA NO: 833-593

U S BANK NA‐TIONAL ASSOCI‐ATION NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS LEGAL TITLE TRUSTEE FOR RMTP TRUST SERIES 2021 BKM-TT-V VS ANNETTE FRANKLIN A/K/A ANNETTE JOHN‐SON FRANKLIN

By virtue of and in obedience to a Writ of SEIZURE AND SALE from the 24th Judicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana, in the above num‐bered and enti‐tled cause, dated October 14, 2022, I have seized and will proceed to sell to the highest bidder at public auction, at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway, Har‐vey, Louisiana 70058, on April 2, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. the following de‐scribed prop‐erty to wit: That certain piece or portion of ground, to‐gether with all the buildings and improve‐ments thereon, and all the rights, ways, privileges, servitudes, ap‐purtenances and advantages thereunto be‐longing or in anywise apper‐taining situated in the City of Kenner, Parish of Jefferson, State of Louisiana in that part thereof known as University City Subdivi‐sion, and which por‐tion of ground according to the plan of subdivi‐sion by J. L Fontcuberta Surveyor, dated November 1960, approved by the City of Kenner, December 14, 1960, by Ordinance of 633, recorded in Plat Book 41, folio 23, as re‐vised by plan of resubdivision by Rene A Harris, Inc., C. E., dated March 15, 1963 recorded in Plat Book 48, folio 14, Parish of Jeffer‐son and accord‐ing to plan of re‐subdivision of Rene a Harris, C E., dated Novem‐ber 15, 1965, ap‐proved by the City of Kenner, December 20, 1965, by Ordi‐nance No 881, and further ac‐cording to plan of resubdivision of C.A Wethern, Jr., Land Surveyor, dated July 11, 1973, approved by the City of Kenner, by Ordinance No 1552, registered in COB 797, folio 755 said lot is designated and measures as follows:

‐

Land Surveyor, dated July 11, 1973, approved by the City of Kenner, by Ordinance No 1552, registered in COB 797, folio 755 said lot is designated and measures as follows:

Lot 11-C, Square 66, being bounded by Tu‐lane Drive, Miami Place, Trinity Drive and Kilgore Place, commencing 560 feet from the corner of Tulane Drive and Miami Place, measuring 50 feet front on Miami Place, same width in the rear by a depth of 110 feet between equal and parallel lines. Ass as more fully shown on sur‐vey by C A.

Wethern Land Surveyor, dated April 10, 1976; subject to restrictions servitudes, rights-of-way and outstanding mineral rights of record affect‐ing the prop‐erty

Improvements thereon bear Municipal No. 135 Miami Place, Kenner, Louisiana. This sale is sub‐ject to all supe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liens and privileges

TERMS - The full purchase price is due at the time of the sale

NOTE: All funds must be Cashier's Check, Certified Check Money Order, or Personal Check with irrevocable Bank Letter of Credit

CANDACE A COURTEAU Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

The New Orleans Advocate: February 21, 2025, March 28, 2025 feb 21-mar 28-2t $123.55

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATE OF LOUISIANA NO: 834-480 BANK OF AMERICA, N A VS SHAWN T WALKER

By virtue of and in obedience to a Writ of SEIZURE AND SALE from the 24th Judicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana, in the above num‐bered and enti‐tled cause dated Novem‐ber 23, 2022, I have seized and will proceed to sell to the high‐est bidder at public auction, at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Expressway, Harvey, Louisiana, 70058, on April 2, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. the following de‐scribed prop‐erty to wit:

A CERTAIN PIECE OR POR‐TION OF GROUND, to‐gether with all the buildings and improvements thereon, and all of the rights, ways, privi‐leges, servi‐tudes, appurte‐nances and advantages thereunto be‐longing or in anywise apper‐taining situated in the STATE OF LOUISIANA PARISH OF JEF‐FERSON, in Township 14 South, Ranges 23 and 24

nances and advantages thereunto be‐longing or in anywise apper‐taining situated in the STATE OF LOUISIANA, PARISH OF JEF‐FERSON, in Township 14 South, Ranges 23 and 24 East, Southeast Land District of Louisiana, West of the Missis‐sippi River, known as The Harvey Canal Property, and designated as Parcel P-3 as per plan of re‐subdivision made by J. J Krebs & Sons, Inc., dated May 15, 1973 revised September 26, 1973, April 11, 1974, May 5, 1975, De‐cember 29, 1975 and October 19, 1976 and March 27, 1978 approved by the Jefferson Parish Council by Ordinance No 13381 on May 17, 1978 recorded COB 929, folio 239 and which said portion was subdivided into WOODMERE SUBDIVISION SECTION 6, all as per plan of subdivision made by J. J Krebs & Sons, Inc., dated March 28, 1978 approved by the Jefferson Parish Council by Ordinance No 13381 recorded COB 929, folio 239 and as per Act of Dedica‐tion before Odom B Heebe, NP dated June 28, 1978 in COB 931, folio 281 same being de‐scribed as follows: LOT 1643, SQUARE UU, which Square is bounded by Chriswood Lane, Wood‐mere Boulevard, Greenbriar Lane (side) and Alex Kornman Boule‐vard (side) and said lot commences 260 feet from the corner of Chris‐wood Lane and Woodmere Boulevard with a 65 foot front on Chriswood Lane, same in rear, by a depth of 100 feet be‐tween equal and parallel lines; all as shown on sur‐vey by J J. Krebs & Sons, Inc., C. E & S., dated May 26, 1979, resurveyed Au‐gust 8, 1979 to show improve‐ments.

This sale is sub‐ject to all supe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liens and privileges

TERMS - The full purchase price is due at the time of the sale

NOTE: All funds must be Cashier's Check, Certified Check Money Order, or Personal Check with irrevocable Bank Letter of Credit

FOERSTNER G MEYER Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P LOPINTO III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

The New Orleans Advocate: February 21, 2025, March 28, 2025 feb 21-mar 28-2t $117.24

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATE OF LOUISIANA NO: 838-910

U S BANK TRUST NA‐TIONAL ASSOCI‐ATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCAF ACQUISI‐TION TRUST VS MICHAEL G.

TRUSTEE FOR RCAF ACQUISI‐TION TRUST VS MICHAEL G. PAULI AND SUSAN KLIEBERT PAULI

By virtue of and in obedience to a Writ of FIERI FACIAS from the 24th Judicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana, in the above num‐bered and enti‐tled cause, dated January 8, 2025, I have seized and will proceed to sell to the highest bidder at public auction, at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway, Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on April 2, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. the following de‐scribed prop‐erty to wit: THAT CERTAIN PIECE OR POR‐TION OF GROUND, to‐gether with all the buildings and improvements thereon and all of the rights, ways, privi‐leges, servi‐tudes, appurte‐nances and advantages thereunto be‐longing or in anywise apper‐taining situated in the PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATE OF LOUISIANA, in HARLEM PARK‐WAY SUBDIVI‐SION, in SQUARE NO. 5, bounded by Bore Street, Ridgelake Drive Beaulieu Street and the property line of Metairie Lawn Subdivision, designated as LOT "L" on a plan of survey by R.P. Rordam, C.E. dated No‐vember 5, 1940, revised March 14, 1941, accord‐ing to which said Lot "L" commences at a distance of 42 feet from the corner of Bore Street and the prop‐erty line of Metairie Lawn Subdivision, and measures thence 42 feet front on Bore Street same width in the rear by a depth of 120 feet between equal and parallel lines, all as more fully shown on an‐other print made by R.P. Rordam, C.E dated November 5, 1940, redated October 17, 1947, and an‐nexed to act be‐fore Robert U. Blum, N.P., dated Decem‐ber 16, 1947. Ac‐cording to re‐vised survey by R.P. Rordam, C.E., dated March 17, 1955, said property is situated in the same Parish, Subdivision and Square thereof, is des‐ignated by the same Lot Letter "L", has the same measurements, and commences at a distance of 236 feet from the corner of Bore Street and Ridgelake Drive.

All as more fully shown on sur‐vey by Dading, Marques & As‐sociates, Inc. dated 10/22/97; sub‐ject to restric‐tions, servi‐tudes, rights-ofway and out‐standing min‐eral rights of record affect‐ing the prop‐erty

The improve‐ments thereon bear the Munici‐pal No 3005 BORE STREET (Formerly 2803 Bore Street) METAIRIE LOUISIANA 70001.

‐

The improve‐ments thereon bear the Munici‐pal No 3005 BORE STREET, (Formerly 2803 Bore Street) METAIRIE, LOUISIANA 70001.

This sale is sub‐ject to all supe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liens and privileges

TERMS - The full purchase price is due at the time of the sale

NOTE: All funds must be Cashier's Check, Certified Check, Money Order, or Personal Check with irrevocable Bank Letter of Credit

ZACHARY YOUNG Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

The New Orleans Advocate: February 21, 2025, March 28, 2025 feb 21-mar 28-2t $125.71

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATE OF LOUISIANA NO: 836-068

WELLS FARGO BANK, N A VS THE UNOPENED SUCCESSION OF JOSEPH TIPADO, JR A/K/A JOSEPH TIPADO JR

By virtue of and in obedience to a Writ of SEIZURE AND SALE from the 24th Judicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana, in the above num‐bered and enti‐tled cause, dated March 16, 2023, I have seized and will proceed to sell to the highest bidder at public auction at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway, Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on April 2, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. the following de‐scribed prop‐erty to wit:

That certain piece or portion of ground to‐gether with all the buildings and improve‐ments thereon, and all of the rights, ways, privi‐leges, servi‐tudes, advan‐tages and appurtenances thereunto be‐longing or in anywise apper‐taining situated in the Parish of Jefferson, State of Louisiana, in Township 14 South, Ranges 23 East and 24 East Southeast Land District of Louisiana, West of the Missis‐sippi River, known as the Harvey Canal Property, Jeffer‐son Parish Louisiana, and designated as Parcel P-6, as per plan by J. J Krebs & Sons, Inc., C.E. & S., dated 7/24/78, which said por‐tion has been resubdi‐vided into Woodmere Sub‐division Section 7, all as per plan of resubdivision by J.J. Krebs & Sons Inc. C.E. & S., dated 7/24/78, ap‐proved by the Jefferson Parish Council by Ordi‐nance No 13812, on 3/28/79, reg‐istered 4/27/79 in COB 955, folio 226, and as per Act of Dedica‐tion before Odom B Heebe, N.P., dated 5/18/79, regis‐tered in COB

nance No 13812, on 3/28/79, reg‐istered 4/27/79 in COB 955, folio 226, and as per Act of Dedica‐tion before Odom B Heebe, N.P., dated 5/18/79, regis‐tered in COB 957, folio 60, which said lot is more fully de‐scribed as follows:

Lot 1986 of Square B-1 which square is bounded by Alex Kornman Boulevard, Chinkapin Street, Nathan Kornman Drive (side), a 105 foot canal right of way and a 120 foot Louisiana Power & Light right of way and which said lot measures 50 feet front on Alex Kornman Boulevard, a depth on the northerly side‐line of 100 feet, a first depth on the southerly sideline of 127.64 feet, a second depth along the southerly side‐line of 16.26 feet, and a width in the rear of 141.33 feet; all in ac‐cordance with survey by J.J Krebs & Sons, Inc. C.E. & S dated 1/5/81, resurveyed on 1/28/81 to show improvements, and survey by Richard T. Dad‐ing Inc. Survey‐ors, dated 5/1/87.

This sale is sub‐ject to all supe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liens and privileges

TERMS - The full purchase price is due at the time of the sale

NOTE: All funds must be Cashier's Check, Certified Check, Money Order, or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit.

COREY J GIROIR Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

The New Orleans Advocate: February 21, 2025, March 28, 2025 feb 21-mar 28-2t $117

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATE OF LOUISIANA NO: 847-304 FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION VS FRANCISCO ANTONIO CASTRO III

By virtue of and in obedience to a Writ of SEIZURE AND SALE from the 24th Judicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana, in the above num‐bered and enti‐tled cause, dated October 9, 2023, I have seized and will proceed to sell to the highest bidder at public auction at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway, Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on April 2, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. the following de‐scribed prop‐erty to wit:

One (1) certain lot or parcel of ground to‐gether with all the buildings and improve‐ments thereon, situ‐ated in the Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana, in that subdivision known as Westwood Crossing, and being desig‐‐

and improve‐ments thereon, situ‐ated in the Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana, in that subdivision known as Westwood Crossing, and being desig‐nated on the of‐ficial plat of said subdivi‐sion, on file and of record in the of‐fice of the Clerk and Recorder of said Parish and State, as Lot Number Nine‐teen Square E (19-E), said sub‐division said lot having such size, shape and dimensions and being sub‐ject to such servitudes as are shown on said map This sale is sub‐ject to all supe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liens and privileges

TERMS - The full purchase price is due at the time of the sale

NOTE: All funds must be Cashier's Check, Certified Check, Money Order, or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit.

CRIS R JACKSON Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P LOPINTO III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

The New Orleans Advocate: February 21, 2025, March 28, 2025 feb 21-mar 28-2t $71.18

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

dated January 25, 1978, regis‐tered in COB 919, folio 423, of the Conveyance Records of the Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana; and according to said plan, said lot is desig‐nated as fol‐lows:

LOT NO 7, of Square "O", which said square is bounded by property now or formerly belonging to L.C. Fox, Six‐teenth Street Curtis Drive (formerly Do‐lores Drive), and Camphor Street Lot No 7 mea‐sures sixty-six (66') feet front on Curtis Drive between equal and paral‐lel lines of eighty-three and fifty onehundredths (83.50') feet; subject to restrictions, servitudes, rights-of-way and outstanding mineral rights of record affect‐ing the property. The improve‐ments thereon bear the Munici‐pal No 1561 Curtis Street, Harvey, LA 70058.

This sale is sub‐ject to all supe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liens and privileges TERMS - The full purchase price is due at the time of the sale

NOTE: All funds must be Cashier's Check, Certified Check Money Order, or Personal Check with irrevocable Bank Letter of Credit

ASHLEY E MORRIS Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P LOPINTO III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson The New Orleans Advocate: February 21, 2025, March 28, 2025 feb 21-mar 28-2t $101.89

24TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATE OF LOUISIANA NO: 847-173 GMFS LLC VS CAMERON BRUCE By virtue of and in obedience to a Writ of SEIZURE AND SALE from the 24th Judicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana, in the above num‐bered and enti‐tled cause dated Septem‐ber 25, 2023, I have seized and will proceed to sell to the high‐est bidder at public auction at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Expressway, Harvey, Louisiana, 70058, on April 2, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. the following de‐scribed prop‐erty to wit: THAT CERTAIN PIECE OR POR‐TION OF GROUND, to‐gether with all rights, ways, privileges, servitudes, ad‐vantages and appurtenances thereunto be‐longing or in anywise appertaining, situated in the PARISH OF JEF‐FERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, in that part thereof known as Kings Grant East Sub‐division, Phase 2, in accordance with plan of survey and subdivision of Don A. Garland, Surveyor, dated August 8, 1977, a copy of which is on file in the office of the Clerk of Court and Ex-Of‐ficio Registrar of Jefferson Parish Council under Ordi‐nance 13226, dated January 25, 1978, regis‐tered in COB 919, folio 423, of the Conveyance Records of the Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana; and according to said plan, said lot is desig‐nated as fol‐JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH

JANICE C SCOTT

By virtue of and in obedience to a Writ of SEIZURE AND SALE from the 24th Judicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana, in the above num‐bered and enti‐tled cause, dated May 17, 2024, I have seized and will proceed to sell to the highest bidder at public auction at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway, Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on April 2, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. the following de‐scribed prop‐erty to wit:

A certain lot or portion of ground to‐gether with all the buildings and improve‐ments thereon, and all the rights, ways, privileges, servitudes, ap‐purtenances and advantages thereunto be‐longing or in anywise apper‐taining situated in the Parish of Jefferson, State of Louisiana, in that part thereof known as Claiborne Gardens Subdivision, said portion being desig‐nated as Lot forty-one (41) of square one hundred seven (107) According to a plan by Rene A Harris, C.E. dated April 9, 1971, Square 107 is bounded by North Clark Lane East Krueger Lane, Stilwell Lane East Claiborne Parkway and East Clark Lane. Lot 41 com‐mences at a dis‐tance of 153.93 feet from the point of cur‐vature of North Clark Lane into East Clark Lane and measures thence 63.0 feet front on North Clark Lane, the same width in the rear, by a depth be‐tween equal and parallel lines of 105 feet

This sale is sub‐ject to all supe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liens and privileges TERMS - The full purchase price is due at the time of the sale

NOTE: All funds must be Cashier's Check, Certified Check, Money Order, or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit.

COREY J GIROIR Attorney for Plaintiff JOSEPH P LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

The New Orleans Advocate: February 21, 2025, March 28, 2025

feb 21-mar 28-2t $114

By virtue of and in obedience to

Writ

SEIZURE AND SALE from the 24th Judicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana, in the above num‐bered and enti‐tled cause, dated June 20, 2024, I have seized and will proceed to sell to the highest bidder at public auction at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway, Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on April 2, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. the following de‐scribed prop‐erty to wit: THAT CERTAIN PIECE OR POR‐TION OF GROUND, to‐gether all the buildings and improvements thereunto, and all rights ways privileges, servitudes, ap‐purtenances and advantages thereunto be‐longing or in anywise apper‐taining situated in the Parish of Jefferson, State of Louisiana in that part thereof known as FLORAL COURT SUBDIVISION, and to survey of J.J. Krebs & Sons, Inc., C.E., August 25, 1965, is further designated as follows:

LOT 63 SQUARE 8, which said Square is bounded by Or‐chid Drive, 15th Street, 14th Street end N.E boundary of the subdivision and the said Lot 63 measures 63 feet front on Orchid Drive same width in the rear, by a depth of 83.5 feet between equal and parallel lines, and the said lot commences 120 feet from the corner of 15th Street and Orchid Drive; subject to re‐strictions, servi‐tudes, rights-ofway and out‐standing min‐eral rights of record affecting the property. Improvements thereon bear the Municipal No 1425 Orchid Drive, Harvey Louisiana 70058.

This sale is sub‐ject to all supe‐rior security in‐terests mort‐gages, liens and privileges

TERMS - The full purchase price is due at the time of the sale

NOTE: All funds must be Cashier's Check, Certified Check, Money Order, or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit.

ZACHARY GARRETT YOUNG Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

The New Orleans Advocate: February 21, 2025, March 28, 2025 feb 21-mar 28-2t $92.36

NO: 855-462

MORTGAGE AS‐SETS MANAGE‐MENT, LLC VS MEHDI BAL‐DOSSE AND MARY BAL‐DOSSE (A/K/A MARY K BAL‐DOSSE)

By virtue of and in obedience to a Writ of SEIZURE AND SALE from the 24th Judicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana, in the above num‐bered and enti‐tled cause dated July 9, 2024 I have seized and will proceed to sell to the highest bidder at public auction at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway, Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on April 2, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. the following de‐scribed prop‐erty to wit: ALL THAT PAR‐CEL OF LAND IN JEFFERSON PARISH, STATE OF LOUISIANA, AS MORE FULLY DE‐SCRIBED IN DEED BOOK 3023, PAGE 896, ID# 0920000960, BEING KNOWN AND DESIG‐NATED AS LOT P, BLOCK 360, HIGHWAY PARK A CERTAIN PIECE OR POR‐TION OF GROUND TO‐GETHER WITH ALL THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON, AND ALL OF THE RIGHTS, WAYS, PRIVILEGES, SERVITUDES, APPURTE‐NANCES AND ADVANTAGES THEREUNTO BELONGING OR IN ANYWISE AP‐PERTAINING SITUATED IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA, PARISH OF JEF‐FERSON, CITY OF KENNER, IN HIGHWAY PARK SUBDIVISION, ACCORDING TO A PLAN OF RE‐SUBDIVISION MADE BY ADLOE ORR, JR. & AS‐SOCIATES, C.E., DATED JULY 9, 1957, REVISED SEPTEMBER 13, 1957 A COPY OF WHICH IS IN THE OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT, PARISH OF JEFFERSON, IN PLAT BOOK 34, FOLIO 8, SAID PORTION OF GROUND IS DESIGNATED AND MEASURES AS FOLLOWS: LOT P, SQUARE NO 360, WHICH SQUARE IS BOUNDED BY KENTUCKY AV‐ENUE, 27TH STREET, KANSAS AV‐ENUE AND 26TH STREET; SAID LOT COM‐MENCES 180 FEET FROM THE CORNER OF KENTUCKY AV‐ENUE AND 27TH STREET AND MEASURES THENCE 60 FEET FRONT ON KEN‐TUCKY AVENUE, SAME WIDTH IN THE REAR BY A DEPTH OF 122.5 FEET BETWEEN EQUAL AND PARALLEL LINES; ALL AS SHOWN ON SURVEY OF ADLOE ORR, JR. & ASSOCIATES, DATED APRIL 17, 1958, A COPY IS ANNEXED TO ACT NO 123410. ACCORDING TO SURVEY BY GILBERT, KELLY & COUTURIE, INC. DATED JULY 20, 1991

This sale is sub‐ject to all supe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liens and privileges

TERMS - The full purchase price is due at the time of the sale

NOTE: All funds must be Cashier's Check, Certified Check Money Order, or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

EMILY A MUELLER Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P LOPINTO III

Cashier's Check, Certified Check Money Order, or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit.

EMILY A MUELLER Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

The New Orleans Advocate: February 21, 2025, March 28, 2025

feb 21-mar 28-2t $109.83

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATE OF LOUISIANA NO: 857-337

UMB BANK NA‐TIONAL ASSOCI‐ATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS LEGAL TITLE TRUSTEE OF LVS TITLE TRUST XIII VS KAREN E ORTIZ A/K/A KAREN

ORTIZ A/K/A

KAREN E BOD‐INO A/K/A KAREN BODINO

By virtue of and in obedience to a Writ of FIERI FACIAS from the 24th Judicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana, in the above num‐bered and enti‐tled cause dated January 3, 2025, I have seized and will proceed to sell to the highest bidder at public auction at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway, Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on April 2, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. the following de‐scribed prop‐erty to wit:

A certain lot of ground, to‐gether with all the buildings and improve‐ments thereon, and all the rights, ways, privileges servitudes and advantages thereunto be‐longing or in anywise apper‐taining, situated in the Parish of Jefferson, State of Louisiana in Calvary Court Subdivi‐sion, in the square bounded by Orchard Road, Sharla Drive, Calvary Court, Citrus Road and Mark Lane, des‐ignated as Lot No 8 on a sur‐vey made by E. L. Eustis and Sons, C.E., dated Decem‐ber 18, 1967, re‐dated January 16, 1968, accord‐ing to which, said lot commences at a distance of 100 from the corner of Orchard Road and Sharla Drive and measures thence 66 front on Orchard Road, by a depth between equal and parallel lines of 100. Tax ID: 0910011330.

This sale is sub‐ject to all supe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liens and privileges

TERMS - The full purchase price is due at the time of the sale

NOTE: All funds must be Cashier's Check, Certified Check, Money Order, or Personal Check with irrevocable Bank Letter of Credit

COREY J GIROIR Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P LOPINTO III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson The New Orleans Advocate:

COREY J GIROIR Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P LOPINTO III

Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

The New Orleans Advocate: February 21, 2025, March 28, 2025 feb 21-mar 28-2t $84.42

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24TH JUDICIAL

DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATE OF LOUISIANA NO: 857-500

LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC VS DARRIELLE L GROSS A/K/A

DARRIELLE L GROSS KA

By virtue of and in obedience to a Writ of SEIZURE AND SALE from the 24th Judicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana, in the above num‐bered and enti‐tled cause, dated Septem‐ber 3, 2024, I have seized and will proceed to sell to the high‐est bidder at public auction, at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Expressway, Harvey, Louisiana, 70058, on April 2, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. the following de‐scribed prop‐erty to wit:

That certain piece or portion of ground, to‐gether with all the buildings and improve‐ments thereon, and all of the rights, ways, privi‐leges, servi‐tudes, appurte‐nances and advantages thereunto be‐longing or in anywise apper‐taining situated in the Parish of Jefferson, State of Louisiana, in that part thereof known as Parcel C-1A, The Orleans Village Corpora‐tion Tract now known as West‐minster Park Ex‐tension No. 6, as per subdivision plan of J.J Krebs & Sons Inc. C. E & S., dated March 25, 1982, approved by the Jefferson Parish Council pursuant to Or‐dinance No. 15159, recorded on June 22, 1982 under entry No 1017868 of the records of the Clerk of Court, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana and being more fully described as follows, to-wit:

Lot 1, Square 8A is bounded by Watling Drive, Rue Louis Phillipe, a 130 foot drainage servitude and parcel C-1A-1 of the Orleans Vil‐lage Corpora‐tion Tract, and forms the intersection of Watling Drive and Rue Louis Phillipe and measures thence 47 feet front on Watling Drive, 20.42 feet on the curva‐ture of Watling Drive into Rue Louis Phillipe, 112 feet front on Rue Louis Phillipe, 60 feet in the rear on a line parallel to Watling Drive, and 125 feet on the side line parallel to Rue Louis Phillipe All in accor‐dance with a survey by J.J Krebs and Sons Inc., C.E. & S., dated August 9, 1983, resur‐veyed on August 23, 1983 to show im‐provements and revised on Octo‐ber 25, 1983. And according to plat of survey by Mandle Sur‐

vy Krebs and Sons, Inc.

C.E. & S dated August 9, 1983, resur‐veyed on August 23, 1983 to show im‐provements and revised on Octo‐ber 25, 1983. And according to plat of survey by Mandle Sur‐veying, Inc Land Surveyor, dated February 7, 1992, said Lot 1, Square 8A has the identical boundaries and measurements as above set forth; subject to restrictions servitudes, rights-of-way and outstanding mineral rights of record affect‐ing the prop‐erty

Improvements thereon bear the Municipal Number 1900 Watling Drive, Marrero, Louisiana 70072.

This sale is sub‐ject to all supe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liens and privileges

TERMS - The full purchase price is due at the time of the sale

NOTE: All funds must be Cashier's Check, Certified Check, Money Order, or Personal Check with irrevocable Bank Letter of Credit

CANDACE A COURTEAU Attorney for Plaintiff JOSEPH P LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson The New Orleans Advocate: February 21, 2025, March 28, 2025 feb 21-mar 28-2t $123.59

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATE OF LOUISIANA NO: 848-353 WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT IN ITS INDI‐VIDIUAL CAPAC‐ITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR BCAT 2020-3TT VS BEVERLY PIERCE GILBERT, (A/K/A BEVERLY EMELDA PIERCE GILBERT, BEVERLY PIERCE, BEV‐ERLY GILBERT BEVERLY E PIERCE GILBERT) AND THE OPENED SUC‐CESSION OF EM‐METT GILBERT (A/K/A EMMETT C GILBERT EMMETT C GILBERT SR EMMETT GILBERT SR ) AND KEVA GILBERT JONES, (A/K/A KEVA GILBERT, KEVA JONES) AND ENNIS GILBERT AND THE UN‐OPENED SUCCESSION OF EMMETT C GILBERT, JR , (A/K/A EMMETT GILBERT, JR EMMETT C GILBERT) AND TONDRA GILBERT, (A/K/A TONDRA T GILBERT) AND KYLE P GILBERT, SR , (A/K/A KYLE GILBERT SR , KYLE P GILBERT, KYLE GILBERT) By virtue of and in obedience to a

Act No. 966420.

dated Novem‐ber 2, 2023, I have seized and will proceed to sell to the high‐est bidder at public auction, at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Expressway, Harvey, Louisiana, 70058, on April 2, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. the following de‐scribed prop‐erty to wit: THAT CERTAIN PIECE OR POR‐TION OF GROUND, to‐gether with all the buildings and improvements thereon and all of the rights, ways, privi‐leges, servi‐tudes, advan‐tages and appurtenances thereunto be‐longing or in anywise apper‐taining situated in the PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATE OF LOUISIANA, for‐merly being a part of Lot 17 and 18 of Destrehan Divi‐sion, located in Section 56, Township 14 South, Range 24 East, now known as SPAN‐ISH OAKS SUB‐DIVISION, PHASE III, all as per plan thereof by J.J Krebs & Sons Inc., C.E. & S., dated 06/16/1977, and approved by the Jefferson Parish Council under Ord. No. 12988, on 08/11/77, recorded in COB 904, folio 968, and as per Act of Dedica‐tion before Bernhardt C. Heebe, Notary dated 10/18/77, recorded in COB 908, folio 170, an according to said plan the property is des‐ignated as LOT 426 In that area bounded by JOYA LOMA, SPANISH OAKS DRIVE, PLOT M2, NOGALERA VIA, QUEBRADA DEL SUR, 100 FEET RESERVED FROM ROAD, TRAPP CANAL AND THE SOUTH BOUNDARY OF THE SUBDIVI‐SION, said lot commences at a distance of 418.04 feet from the corner of Spanish Oaks Drive and Joya Loma, and mea‐sures thence 43 feet front on Joya Loma along a curve having a radius of 50 feet, a width of 142.81 feet in the rear, by a depth of 105.02 feet on the Plot M-2 side and a depth of 132.34 feet on the opposite sideline, all as more fully shown on sur‐vey of Joseph L. Kreller, Jr., L.S., dated 04/22/81, a copy of which is attached to Act No. 966420.

Which has the address of 13 Joya Loma St, Harvey, LA 70058

This sale is sub‐ject to all supe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liens and privileges

TERMS - The full purchase price is due at the time of the sale

NOTE: All funds must be Cashier's Check, Certified Check Money Order, or Personal Check with irrevocable Bank Letter of Credit

REMY F SYMONS Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P LOPINTO, III

Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

The New Orleans Advocate: February 21, 2025, March 28, 2025 feb 21-mar 28-2t $138.41

Which has the address of 13 Joya Loma St, Harvey, LA 70058

This sale is sub‐ject to all supe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liens and privileges

TERMS - The full purchase price is due at the time of the sale

NOTE: All funds must be Cashier's Check, Certified Check Money Order, or Personal Check with irrevocable Bank Letter of Credit

REMY F SYMONS Attorney for Plaintiff JOSEPH P LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

The New Orleans Advocate: February 21, 2025, March 28, 2025 feb 21-mar 28-2t $138.41

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATE OF LOUISIANA NO: 857-526

U S BANK TRUST NA‐TIONAL ASSOCI‐ATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE ON BE‐HALF OF BRAVO RESIDENTIAL FUNDING TRUST 2021-HE3 VS EDWIN R ESTRADA AND ROSE MARIE TORUNO A/K/A ROSE MARIE TORUNO ESTRADA

By virtue of and in obedience to a Writ of FIERI FACIAS from the 24th Judicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana, in the above num‐bered and enti‐tled cause dated January 7, 2025, I have seized and will proceed to sell to the highest bidder at public auction at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway, Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on April 2, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. the following de‐scribed prop‐erty to wit: A CERTAIN PIECE OR POR‐TION OF GROUND, TO‐GETHER WITH ALL THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON, AND ALL OF THE RIGHTS, WAYS, PRIVILEGES, SERVITUDES, APPURTE‐NANCES AND ADVANTAGES THEREUNTO BELONGING OR IN ANYWISE AP‐PERTAINING SITUATED IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA, PARISH OF JEF‐FERSON, CITY OF KENNER, IN GREATER HOLLY HEIGHTS SUBDI‐VISION, SEC‐TION 3, IN SQUARE "P", BOUNDED BY GLEN EAGLE LANE, SESSIONS LANE, VALMONT LANE AND BARON LANE, DESIGNATED AS LOT 10; SAID LOT COM‐MENCES 253.63 FEET FROM THE CORNER OF GLEN EAGLE LANE AND SESSIONS LANE AND MEA‐SURES 50 FEET FRONT ON GLEN EAGLE LANE, SAME IN WIDTH IN THE REAR, BY A DEPTH OF 100 FEET BETWEEN EQUAL AND PARALLEL LINES; ALL AC‐CORDING TO A SURVEY BY GILBERT, KELLY AND COUTURIE, INC., DATED

RIGHTS, WAYS, PRIVILEGES SERVITUDES, APPURTE‐NANCES AND ADVANTAGES THEREUNTO BELONGING OR IN ANYWISE AP‐PERTAINING, SITUATED IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA, PARISH OF JEF‐FERSON, CITY OF KENNER, IN GREATER HOLLY HEIGHTS SUBDI‐VISION, SEC‐TION 3, IN SQUARE "P", BOUNDED BY GLEN EAGLE LANE SESSIONS LANE, VALMONT LANE AND BARON LANE, DESIGNATED AS LOT 10; SAID LOT COM‐MENCES 253.63 FEET FROM THE CORNER OF GLEN EAGLE LANE AND SESSIONS LANE AND MEA‐SURES 50 FEET FRONT ON GLEN EAGLE LANE SAME IN WIDTH IN THE REAR, BY A DEPTH OF 100 FEET BETWEEN EQUAL AND PARALLEL LINES; ALL AC‐CORDING TO A SURVEY BY GILBERT, KELLY AND COUTURIE, INC. DATED MAY 1, 1991, COPY OF WHICH IS ANNEXED TO ACT NO 9127772; subject to restrictions, servitudes, rights-of-way and outstanding mineral rights of record affect‐ing the prop‐erty

The improve‐ments bear the municipal ad‐dress 3273 GLEN EAGLE LN, KEN‐NER, LA 70065.

This sale is sub‐ject to all supe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liens and privileges

TERMS - The full purchase price is due at the time of the sale

NOTE: All funds must be Cashier's Check, Certified Check, Money Order, or Personal Check with irrevocable Bank Letter of Credit

ZACHARY YOUNG Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

The New Orleans Advocate: February 21, 2025, March 28, 2025 feb 21-mar 28-2t $104.00

Krewe of Cleopatra