| By Drew Broach | Deputy metro editor EVER VIGILANT: A year ago, hospitals braced for a flu season collision with the coronavirus. It never came, for the widespread use of masks and social distancing all but wiped flu off the map, leading to one of the mildest flu seasons on record worldwide. But precautions waned this spring, and respiratory viruses came back in full force during the summer, when typically those viruses lay low. Now doctors are using that experience to forecast what might happen when distancing is more relaxed during flu season, which stretches from October through March and usually sees respiratory viruses flourish. SPENDING SPREE: A week after Hurricane Ida laid waste to Kenner, Kenner Mayor Ben Zahn's administration went to Lamarque Ford and agreed to buy 15 pickup trucks, most of them used but four of them costing $68,000 or more - including one that cost $84,870.Two weeks later, Kenner bought five more at Lamarque, altogether agreeing to pay more than $935,000 for 20 trucks. Administration officials said the purchases were needed to shore up an aging fleet, which included six vehicles damaged by the storm. City Council members are skeptical. FOR PETE'S SAKE: Jazz musicians from across New Orleans gathered Saturday at the Carver Theater for the funeral of Bennie Pete Jr., the gentle giant who cofounded the Hot 8 Brass Band and played tuba in the group.Not only was he talented, several said, he often helped others through hard times. Thanks for starting your Sunday with us. Keep up with news all day on NOLA.com. D.B. | 