By Renee Simpson
Forecasts for last week’s Tropical Storm Bonnie showed a storm surge threat for low-lying areas on the West Bank. Thankfully the storm wasn’t nearly as intense as projected.
However, Public Works readied areas along Bayou Des Allemands by erecting HESCO baskets along Up the Bayou Road and Down the Bayou Road. The baskets, made of wire mesh and felt, stand four feet high and can be quickly filled with sand to create sturdy temporary levees in areas where storm surge may threaten.
While the baskets take hours to put up, they can take up to a week to tear down. Because of this time differential and the potential for a very active hurricane season ahead, the parish will leave the baskets in place for the remainder of the season.
Parish officials urge residents to use caution around the baskets.
St. Rose chickens test positive for West Nile
As the summer drags on, West Nile Virus is once again a concern.
The Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory recently confirmed a sentinel flock to be positive for the encephalitis virus in St. Rose.
The parish’s mosquito control contractor, Mosquito Control Inc., has already begun its response to the finding, which includes larviciding mosquito breeding sites within a five-block area and increased general spraying.
Residents in the area will be notified via flyer, and all parish residents are asked to protect themselves against mosquito bites.
Below are some general tips to avoid West Nile Virus:
•When you are outdoors, use insect repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient. Follow the directions on the package.
•Many mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. Be sure to use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants at these times or consider staying indoors during these hours.
•Make sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
•Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird baths weekly. Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out. Keep children’s wading pools empty and on their sides when they aren’t being used.
For more information, visit the cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile.
‘SCP Today’ takes look back at summer
It’s hard to believe Summer 2010 is drawing to a close.
The parish’s monthly talk show is taking a look back at the July 3 celebration at the West Bank Bridge Park and the Louisiana Catfish Festival, both major summertime events here in the parish.
Tune in at 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. daily to see your friends and neighbors interviewed by the Public Information Office. Other topics include ideas for healthy after-school snacking and a tour of the Recycling Foundation facility in Baton Rouge. (It’s where the parish sends all materials recycled at the monthly drop-off events.)
The show can also be viewed online at scptoday.com.
Parish has no plans to stop monthly recycling drop-offs
The parish holds monthly re-cycling drop-offs on the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon at the Arterbury Building in New Sarpy and St. Charles Plaza in Luling.
Please join us at the next event to be held Aug. 7.
Here’s a tip for all who recycle and all those interested in starting: While materials do not have to be sorted by type, they should be placed in either recyclable containers or plastic containers that allow the items to be dumped loose into the truck.
Plastic bags and other thin garbage bags can only be recycled at grocery stores. In the large sorting operation in Baton Rouge, the bags read as paper because they are so thin and lightweight, and enough of them can jam equipment.
Recyclables stored in plastic bags do not always make it to the end of the processing unit.
Renee Allemand Simpson serves as public information officer for St. Charles Parish. She can be reached at (985) 783-5183 or rsimpson@stcharlesgov.net.
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