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St. Mary CAA Adopt A Family drive-through set for Tuesday

Mon, 12/14/2020 - 2:18pm

For nearly 50 years, Rosa Johnson, a longtime resident of Franklin, served as nutrition coordinator for St. Mary Community Action Agency Head Start Program.

Johnson, affectionately known as “Miss Rose or Mama Rosa,” took great pride and joy in ensuring Head Start children received nutritious meals. She joyfully embraced the little ones as they ran to hug her. Though Mrs. Johnson died in October, her legacy remains etched in the hearts of her children, grandchildren, and every little Head Start child who was embraced by her loving arms and smiling face.

In recognition of Rosa Johnson’s advocacy for children and families, the Johnson family recently donated $1,000 to St. Mary CAA to support the agency’s annual Adopt a Family Program. The grand gesture allows the agency to purchase bicycles for sixteen additional families. “We pray this donation will help to alleviate some of the stressors associated with the holiday season,” the family said..

Once a year, St. Mary CAA sponsors an Adopt A Family program to support the underprivileged families in the agency’s service areas. “Our objective is to spread good cheer and friendship through giving and sharing in hopes of providing a Merry Christmas through the blessings of love, gifts, and togetherness,” said CEO Almetra J. Franklin. St. Mary Parish’s program begins at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Peter Pan Head Start Center in Franklin. The Vermilion Parish program is Wednesday at Precious Moments Head Start Center in Abbeville.

This year’s program is a little different due to COVID-19 regulations. In the first-ever drive-through Adopt a Family event, sponsors and staff will hand out gifts and food to 34 families as they drive through. This time of the year is a time to reflect and be thankful for the people in our lives, the things we have survived and accomplished. The holidays are also a time to be grateful for little blessings such as precious life itself.

This year marks St. Mary CAA’s 22nd Annual Adopt a Family program to assist Head Start and homeless families with unusual circumstances. The agency is grateful for monetary and food donations. “These generous donations are what carry this program and make it more impressive each year,” Franklin said. “It is also a particular time to think about others who may not have as much as we do.” Please be reminded of how important a role you play in making this program special for our Head Start Families.

For more information or questions, contact Summers Jones or Hannah Butaud at 337-828-5703.

School Board honors

Mon, 12/14/2020 - 2:01pm

The St. Mary School Board recognized Students of the Month and Employees of the Month at Thursday's meeting.

The Daily Review/Bill Decker

Christmas art winners

Mon, 12/14/2020 - 1:58pm

The St. Mary Parish School Board honored the winners of its 2020 Christmas Card Contest at Thursday's board meeting. The overall winner is junior Alexis Couvillion of Berwick High. Fifth-grader Landon Linn of Berwick Elementary received honorable mention. Not pictured are honorable mention recipients Sophia Hastings of Morgan City Junior High, Ava Badeaux of Centerville High and Dalayshia Green of Morgan City High.

The Daily Review/Bill Decker

Governor creates Atchafalaya Basin task force

Mon, 12/14/2020 - 1:56pm

A press release Monday from the Governor's Office:

BATON ROUGE — Gov. John Bel Edwards [Monday] signed an executive order creating the Atchafalaya River Basin Restoration and Enhancement (ARBRE) Task Force to address long-standing issues in the basin and raise public awareness of the critical nature of these concerns.

“The irony of the Atchafalaya Basin is that while it is suffering from an abundance of sediment, the rest of our coast is experiencing a severe sediment deficit,” said Gov. Edwards. “The basin’s stressors are not only harming water quality and the environment but also threatening the capacity of the basin to carry flood waters from the Mississippi and Red Rivers safely and effectively. The basin is the nation’s largest river-basin swamp with a rich ecology, and it is past time that it receive more focused attention here in Louisiana and nationally.”

Chip Kline, Chairman of the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA), sees the new task force as the intersection of effective interaction among local, state, and federal agencies as well as stakeholders.

“Individual entities tend to focus on the issues most important to them out of necessity,” said Kline. “But there is a bigger picture to consider, and this Task Force will help spur collaboration so we can protect this national treasure.”

The Atchafalaya Basin is one of the most recognizable sources of Louisiana’s unique cultural heritage and lifestyle fueled by a natural abundance of plants and wildlife, and vast opportunities to experience its beauty. The basin also serves a critical role in the flood protection of Louisiana’s citizens. However, manmade changes have modified historical flow patterns and impacted the hydrology and habitats of the basin, resulting in degraded water quality, excessive sedimentation, proliferation of invasive aquatic species, and rising conflicts among stakeholders.

“As the non-federal sponsor for the Atchafalaya Basin Floodway System Project, CPRA looks forward to working with the ARBRE Task Force in addressing the complicated issues of the basin and their connection with the coastal program,” said CPRA Executive Director Bren Haase.

Both government and non-governmental entities are hopeful the Task Force will be the catalyst to propel needed progress.

“The Atchafalaya Basin has long been a priority system for us,” said Keith Ouchley, State Director for The Nature Conservancy, Louisiana. “These are serious issues that we have not been able to address for a long time, but public awareness can go a long way in helping to address them.”

The Task Force will submit an initial report, due September 1, 2021, to the CPRA Board. The report and associated efforts will seek to elevate critical issues within the basin and the importance of holistic management for navigation, flood control, economics, and restoration. It will also identify and build support for new and recurring sources of funding, identify shared goals and values, and proactively build consensus and advise the Atchafalaya Basin Program on matters relating to the implementation of the Atchafalaya Basin Floodway System - Louisiana Project and its importance to the State’s coastal program.

La. National Guard's top enlisted man steps down

Mon, 12/14/2020 - 1:49pm

SGT. 1ST CLASS DENIS B. RICOU Louisiana National Guard Public Affairs

Command Sgt. Maj. Robert “Joey” Stiefvater retired and relinquished responsibility of the Louisiana National Guard as the senior enlisted leader to Command Sgt. Maj. Clifford Ockman, Jr. during an official ceremony at the Camp Beauregard post theater in Pineville on Dec. 6.
“Sergeant Major Stiefvater, thank you for your leadership, support and sacrifices for 36 plus years,” said Brig. Gen. D. Keith Waddell, adjutant general of the LANG. “You have done a remarkable job in every unit you have served and your mentorship and leadership to many soldiers and airmen will endure for many years to come.”
Stiefvater, a resident of Pineville and a graduate of Northwestern State University, has served as the senior enlisted advisor to the army and the senior enlisted leader of the entire LANG for the past 7 years. From the years 2000-2013, he served as battalion command sergeant major for the 1st Battalion, 244th Aviation Regiment; 1st Battalion, 141st Field Artillery; and 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment. Stiefvater also served as command sergeant major for the 139th Regional Support Group and 225th Engineer Brigade.
“Although today is a day to signify a transfer of responsibility and to saying goodbye, for me … it’s a day to give thanks,” said Stiefvater. “To the Louisiana National Guard, I want you to know that there is no doubt in my mind that this Natchitoches boy would not be where he is today without your support. All of the success I have not only goes to God but to all of you. I am in awe to have watched what you do and have done during my time.”
Before assuming responsibility as the LAARNG SEA, Stiefvater mobilized in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2004-2005 and supported many state of emergency operations including Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav, Ike, and Isaac. He also served as Task Force Command Sergeant Major during Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Operation River Guardian.
As the newly appointed senior enlisted leader, Ockman will now advise the adjutant general of Louisiana on all matters pertaining to the more than 11,400 soldiers and airmen in the state.
“Sergeant Major Ockman, congratulations on this well-deserved honor … and I have no doubt you will excel at this position,” said Waddell. “You have been an exceptional standard bearer, always committed to excellence, and a strong advocate for our guardsmen, their families and our organization.”
Ockman, a resident of St. Charles Parish and graduate of Excelsior College in New York, has served in various infantry positions throughout his active duty and National Guard career. Since 2005, he has served as a command sergeant major for the 1-141st Field Artillery Battalion, 199th Leadership Regiment, 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 139th Regional Support Group and the 199th RTI. He also served as the commandant of the Louisiana Noncommissioned Officer Academy, as the senior enlisted advisor of the Construction and Facilities Management Office, the Reintegration Office and most recently as the SEA of the LAARNG.
“Thank you to Sergeant Major Stiefvater for your leadership, friendship and counsel. We will miss your mentorship,” said Ockman. “To the soldiers and airmen, I will support you and your families, the unit goals, the command vision and provide the tools for training to maintain the readiness of both our state and federal missions.”
Ockman is a veteran of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Operation Uphold Democracy, and Operation Iraqi Freedom III.
Some of Stiefvater’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal, Reserve Components Achievement Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Silver Hour Glass and “M” Device, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral 4, Army Service Ribbon, Oversees Ribbon, Multinational Force and Observers Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Basic Parachutists Badge, Honorable Order of Saint Barbara and the Bronze Order of the De Fleury Medal.

Stiefvater resides in Pineville with his wife, the former Teresa Malone. He is also father to three children: Corey, Christin and Emma.

Morgan City police radio logs for Dec. 10

Mon, 12/14/2020 - 1:39pm

Friday, Dec. 11
6:17 a.m. 1000 block of Third Street; Suspicious person.
6:40 a.m. Brownell Homes; Complaint.
7:36 a.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Medical.
8:09 a.m. Fig Street; Suspicious person.
10:23 a.m. 3200 block of Wytchwood Drive; Animal.
10:28 a.m. 400 block of Bowman Street; Complaint.
10:33 a.m. Railroad Avenue and First Street; Arrest.
11:05 a.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Medical.
11:26 a.m. 600 block of Willow Street; Animal.
12:09 p.m. U.S. 90 East; Debris in road.
12:12 p.m. Orange Street; Medical.
1:04 p.m. Fifth and Maine streets; Fight.
1:07 p.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Intoxicated person.
1:16 p.m. 7300 block of La. 182; Forgery.
2:17 p.m. General McArthur Street; Animal.
2:37 p.m. 7500 block of La. 182; Theft.
3:20 p.m. Terrebonne Street and Federal Avenue; Harassment.
3:28 p.m. 1000 block of Third Street; Welfare check.
3:48 p.m. Brownell Homes; Harassment.
3:52 p.m. Morgan City Police Department; Arrest.
4:01 p.m. 400 block of First Street; Complaint.
4:09 p.m. 1000 block of Seventh Street; Frequent patrols.
4:44 p.m. La. 70 near Veterans Boulevard; Juvenile problem.
4:47 p.m. 6000 block of La. 182; Animal.
5:15 p.m. Union and Third streets; Civil matter.
6:19 p.m. 100 block of Glenwood Street; Disturbance.
6:34 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Stalled vehicle.
6:35 p.m. 7100 block of La. 182; Assistance.
6:46 p.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Welfare concern.
6:48 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Disturbance.
6:51 p.m. 1000 block of Front Street; Alarm.
8:05 p.m. 700 block of Freret Street; Civil.
8:23 p.m. Third Street; Juvenile problem.
8:48 p.m. Apple Street; 911 hang up.
10:01 p.m. Railroad Avenue and Fourth Street; Suspicious subject.
10:29 p.m. 2300 block of Clements Street; Complaint.
Saturday, Dec. 12
12:02 a.m. Florence and Fifth streets; Complaint.
12:45 a.m. 1400 block of Ellzey Street; Loud music.
2:52 a.m. Acorn and Orange streets; Arrest.
2:56 a.m. 300 block of Wren Street; Medical.
3:41 a.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Assistance.
8:28 a.m. 600 block of General Hodges; Animal.
10:03 a.m. La. 70; Medical.
10:35 a.m. 900 block of First Street; Animal.
11:37 a.m. 400 block of Fourth Street; Escort.
12:38 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Disturbance.
12:56 p.m. 900 block of Second Street; Animal.
1:04 p.m. 1100 block of Chester Bowles; Animal.
1:21 p.m. 100 block of Eleventh Street; Complaint.
1:35 p.m. 500 block of Terrebonne Street; Alarm.
2:50 p.m. 3100 block of Diane Drive; Alarm.
2:59 p.m. 100 block of Railroad Avenue; Complaint.
4:15 p.m. Brownell Homes; Medical.
5:05 p.m. 1000 block of Third Street; Mentally ill person.
5:30 p.m. 300 block of Louisa Street; Animal complaint.
5:38 p.m. 600 block of Fifth Street; Disturbance.
5:41 p.m. 600 block of Grove Street; Complaint.
6:16 p.m. Wytchwood and Walnut drives; Disturbance.
6:24 p.m. 500 block of Barrow Street; Disturbance.
6:33 p.m. 400 block of Louisa Street; Complaint.
6:41 p.m. 300 block of Patton Street; Disturbance.
7:59 p.m. 100 block of Headland Street; Complaint.
8:24 p.m. 1000 block of Third Street; Theft.
10:08 p.m. 200 block of Florida Street; Complaint.
10:31 p.m. 100 block of Chennault Street; Loud music.
10:44 p.m. 2300 block of Federal Avenue; Loud music.
11:47 p.m. 400 block of First Street; Removal of subject.
11:59 p.m. 300 block of Laurel Street; Animal complaint.
Sunday, Dec. 13
2:27 a.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Animal complaint.
8:05 a.m. 1400 block of Railroad Avenue; Animal.
8:36 a.m. North Third Street; Disturbance.
9:58 a.m. 900 block of Second Street; Animal.
11:06 a.m. Ochsner St. Mary; 911 Hang up.
12:33 p.m. 2300 block of Tupelo Street; Medical.
12:55 p.m. 1900 block of Victor II Boulevard; Complaint.
12:56 p.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Medical.
1:17 p.m. 700 block of General Hodges; Harassment.
4:37 p.m. Maple Street and Shaw Drive; Suspicious vehicle.
4:52 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Suspicious subject.
5:35 p.m. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and La. 182; Crash.
6:02 p.m. 700 block of Florence Street; Complaint.
6:12 p.m. 1700 block of Dale Street; Loud music.
6:54 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Disturbance.
7:01 p.m. 1000 block of Clothilde Street; Alarm.
7:33 p.m. 1000 block of Seventh Street; Alarm.
7:48 p.m. 3100 block of Wytchwood Drive; Loud music.
9:08 p.m. 600 block of Brashear Avenue; Complaint.
9:08 p.m. 1000 block of Chennault Street; Alarm.
9:12 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Traffic incident.
10:16 p.m. 700 block of Sixth Street; Complaint.
10:22 p.m. 1400 block of Railroad Avenue; Disturbance.
11:41 p.m. 600 block of Freret Street; Medical.
Monday, Dec. 14
1:12 a.m. 7500 block of La. 182; Complaint.

2 arrested in Morgan City on drug-related charges

Mon, 12/14/2020 - 1:29pm

Staff Report

(Editor’s Note: The charges listed here and the narratives that go with them are provided by the police agencies that made the arrests. Guilt or innocence has not been determined in court.)

A Thursday traffic stop resulted in arrests related to prescription drugs and a probation violation, Morgan City Police Chief James F. Blair said.
—Christine Maria Stoute, 45, Roderick Street, Morgan City, at 3:06 p.m. Thursday on charges of turning movement and signals required, operation a motor vehicle with a suspended driver’s license, possession of Suboxone, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a legend drug (Gabapentin) without a prescription. Stoute was also arrested on a warrant for failure to appear
for trial.
—Katherine Victoria Stoute, 28, Mallard Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:06 p.m. Thursday on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia and on warrants for probation violation and three counts of failure to pay fine.
An officer on patrol observed a traffic violation in the area of Patton Street and Halsey Street.
The officer conducted a traffic stop and identified the driver as Christine M. Stoute along with her passenger, Katherine V. Stoute. A computer check revealed Christine Stoute’s driver’s license was under suspension.
A warrant check revealed the City Court of Morgan City held active warrants for both Christine Stoute and Katherine Stoute.
During the traffic stop, officers located suspected drug paraphernalia in their possession.
Christine Stoute was additionally found in possession of suspected Suboxone, a drug used to treat opioid addiction, and Gabapentin, an anti-epileptic, without a prescription.
Blair also reported these arrests:
—Cotina Lana Walton, 38, Charlotte Drive, Patterson, was arrested at 10:17 a.m. Thursday on charges of turning movements and required signals and possession of drug paraphernalia.
An officer on patrol observed a traffic violation in the area of Brashear Avenue and Sixth Street.
The officer conducted a traffic stop and identified as Walton. During the traffic stop, Walton was found in possession of drug paraphernalia. She was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
—Demetris Owens, 27, Orange Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:29 p.m. Thursday on a charge of domestic abuse battery.
Officers were called to a Wren Street address for a domestic disturbance. They learned Owens committed a battery on a family member. He was placed under and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
—Amanda Davis, 37, Wren Steet, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:55 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for contempt of court (violating terms of probation).
Davis was located at the Berwick Police Department and placed under arrest on an active warrant held by the City Court of Morgan City. She was transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
Berwick Police Chief David Leonard reported these arrests:
—Robert Fair, 46, New Orleans, was arrested at 5:59 p.m. Thursday on charges of driving under suspension and speeding 36 mph in a 20 mph zone. fo
—Somer Higgs, 39, Morgan City, was arrested at 6:26 p.m. Thursday on a charge of possession of marijuana.
About 5:59 p.m. Thursday, Berwick officers were patrolling the area of River Road when they observed a vehicle traveling faster than the posted speed limit, and a traffic stop was conducted. After they made contact with the driver, Fair, a driver’s license check revealed that he was driving with a suspended driver's license.
Fair was placed under arrest and officers then made contact with his passenger, who was identified as Higgs. Higgs was found to be in possession of marijuana and was also placed under arrest.
Both were transported to Berwick Jail where Fair posted bond of $327.00 cash bond and Higgs posted bond of $2,000.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith reported these arrests:
—Cecilia Castillo, 29, Patterson, was arrested at 1:30 p.m. Thursday on seven counts of cruelty to animals.
Castillo was released on a summons to appear March 30.
—Derrick Matthews Turner, 40, Franklin, was arrested at 11:45 a.m. Thursday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of operating a vehicle while license was suspended/revoked/canceled and operating a vehicle without proper required equipment. Turner released on a summons to appear March 30.
—Adrian John Hixon, 38, Centerville, was arrested at 1:36 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of operating a vehicle while license was suspended/revoked/canceled. Hixon was released on a summons to appear on March 30, 2021.
—Juvenile male, 16, Baldwin, was arrested at 6:25 p.m. Thursday on a charge of simple battery. The juvenile male was released into the custody of a guardian pending juvenile court proceedings.
—Shana Jones, 34, St. Joseph, was arrested at 4:30 p.m. Thursday by the Narcotics Section on a charge of reckless operation of a vehicle. Jones was released on a summons to appear March 30.
—Kemper Batiste, 18, St. Joseph, was arrested at 4:28 p.m. Thursday by the Narcotics Section on a charge of possession of marijuana. Batiste was released on a summons to appear March 30.
—Travis L. Zeno Jr., 18, St. Joseph, was arrested at 4:28 p.m. Thursday by the Narcotics section on a charge of possession of marijuana. Zeno was released on a summons to appear March 30.
Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon reported these arrests:
—Dusty Raphael Allemand, 35, Cypress Street, Labadieville, was arrested Friday on charges of criminal trespassing and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Early Friday morning, deputies investigating a traffic and trespassing complaint near Delise Road located a side-by-side off-road vehicle on private property being operated by Allemand.
Deputies interviewed Alleman and found him to be in possession of a rifle. Upon further investigation, it was determined that Allemand was a convicted felon.
At the time of the arrest, Alleman was out of jail on $75,000 bond for his arrest in the continuing Take a Ride operation for distribution of methamphetamine. Allemand was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.
—Roger L. Ross, 38, La. 400, Napoleonville, was arrested Thursday on a charge of distribution of crack cocaine.
As part of the continuing Take a Ride narcotics investigation, agents identified Ross as trafficking illegal narcotics in the Assumption Parish area.
During this investigation, agents obtained probable cause to secure an arrest warrant for Ross.
On Thursday, Ross was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.
St. Martin Parish Sheriff Becket Breaux reported these arrests:
—Kimberly Alexander, 41, Beaver Springs Drive, Houston, was arrested Thursday by the Breaux Bridge Police Department on charges of possession of Schedule II narcotics and failure to appear.
—Joshua Arceneaux, 35, Parkway Drive, Breaux Bridge, was arrested Thursday on charges of aggravated assault with a firearm; illegal use of a weapon; simple possession of marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia; manufacture, distribution or possession with intent to distribute Schedule II and Schedule IV drugs; and possession of a firearm while committing or attempting a crime.
—Darius Champ, 22, Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, was arrested Thursday on charges of aggravated assault with a firearm, unauthorized use of a movable, possession or dealing in a firearm with an obliterated serial number or mark, and domestic abuse battery.
—Russell Goulas, 41, Periou Street, Henderson, was arrested Thursday by the Henderson Police Department on charges of domestic abuse battery and failure to appear.
—John Olivier, 30, Allen Road, St. Martinville, was arrested Thursday for failure to appear.
—Michael Savoy, 47, Theatre Street, St. Martinville, was arrested Thursday on an extradition warrant for the U.S. Marshals Service.
—Theodore Castille, 40, Berard Street, Arnaudville, was arrested Friday on charges of theft valued at $1,000-$4,999 and resisting an officer.
—James Jenkins, 54, Polk Road, Abbeville, was arrested Friday on a charge of domestic abuse battery.
—Lance Lemaire, 40, Guadalajara Street, New Iberia, held for the U.S. Marshals Service.
—Markalon Batiste, 22, Dorset Street, Breaux Bridge, was arrested Saturday on charges of domestic abuse battery and child endangerment related to domestic abuse.

18 new COVID cases in local parishes

Mon, 12/14/2020 - 1:06pm

St. Mary has 13 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and St. Martin has five for the 24 hours ending at midday Monday, the Louisiana Office of Public Health reported. One new fatality was also reported in St. Mary.

Statewide, the number of COVID-positive people in hospitals fell for a second straight day.

St. Mary has now had 2,493 confirmed COVID cases since the pandemic began. Those positives were detected with molecular tests. Another 140 resulted from the less sensitive antigen tests and are considered probable.

St. Martin's confirmed case count rose to 3,037 with 148 probables.

Assumption had no new confirmed cases, so the count remains at 1,032 with 124 probables.

The confirmed COVID-related fatality was the 92nd for St. Mary, with another six deaths listed as probably COVID-related. The tolls remain at 70 with five probables in St. Martin and 25 with one probable in Assumption.

Statewide:

--1,022 new cases raise the confirmed count to 250,292 with 19,351 probables.

--27 newly reported fatalities raise the toll to 6,535 with 310 probables.

--The number of COVID-positive people in hospitals fell by six to 1,527.

--The number of people on ventilators dropped by 15 to 147.

Hattie Watts, Patterson Junior High closed Monday

Mon, 12/14/2020 - 7:48am

Two Patterson schools will be closed Monday due to a power outage, St. Mary Parish Superintendent Teresa Bagwell said.
Patterson Mayor Rodney Grogan said wind and tree limbs caused the outage.
Cleco Corp. Corporate Communications Manager Jennifer Cahill said power was lost around 5 a.m., and around 6:15 a.m., it had been restored to most customers. She said the remainder of the customers, including the schools, were back in service by 7:30 a.m.
Bagwell said schools will reopen Tuesday as scheduled.

La. electors will meet at State Capitol

Mon, 12/14/2020 - 6:11am

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin will host the meeting of Louisiana’s Electoral College at 11:30 a.m. Monday in the Senate Chamber of the State Capitol.

Ardoin will administer the oaths of office to the eight electors of the Republican Party prior to their official votes for president and vice president of the United States.

Individuals wanting to watch a live stream of the proceedings can do so by visiting http://www.legis.la.gov and clicking on the live streaming link.

Louisiana’s electors include: Vinson Serio, at large; Woody Jenkins, at large; Erik Skrmetta, 1st Congressional District; Bob Monti, 2nd Congressional District; Ross Little, 3rd Congressional District; Rodney Michael Collier, 4th Congressional District; Kay Kellogg Katz, 5th Congressional District; and Beth A. Billings, 6th Congressional District. In the event that one of these electors is not present, an alternative elector will assume his/her duties by law.

The Electoral College, administered by the National Archives and Records Administration, is a process that began as part of the original design of the United States Constitution. The Founding Fathers established the Electoral College as a compromise between election of the president by Congress and election by a popular voter. The people of the United States vote for the electors who then vote for president.

For more information on the Electoral College, visit https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/.