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The La. 182 bridge over Berwick Bay will be closed to motor vehicle traffic from 6 a.m. to noon Saturday as part of an effort to encourage pedestrians to use the bridge.

Morgan City and Berwick governmental officials agreed to the closure, Morgan City Chief Administrative Officer Marc Folse said in a news release.

This closure is in conjunction with the St. Mary Excel Focus Group and will open the bridge to pedestrian recreational traffic. Visitors are encouraged to walk, bike and utilize the elevated vantage point for any other recreational opportunities, Folse said.

Officials hope with good participation this closing will result in a first Saturday of every month closure schedule, weather permitting. Morgan City and Berwick police will supervise the closure.

VIENNA (AP) — OPEC is deciding whether to extend its current deal to cut production for six to nine months as the oil cartel faces a weakening demand outlook due to waning global growth.
The decision by member representatives meeting Monday is complicated by tensions between the U.S. and Iran that have sent prices higher.
The head of Nigeria’s delegation at the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Folasade Yemi-Esan, said Monday that her country “strongly endorsed” an extension of the deal for nine months, saying that would “offer greater certainty to the market.”
The current deal to support prices reduced production by 1.2 million barrels per day starting from Jan. 1 for six months. Most of the cuts came from OPEC nations, who agreed to cut 800,000 barrels per day, with the rest of the cuts coming from Russia and other countries. The cuts were aimed to put upward pressure on the price of oil and reduce oversupply.
Tensions between the U.S. and Iran and attacks on tankers near the Strait of Hormuz have sent oil prices higher in recent days. Over the longer term, demand could weaken according to the International Energy Agency, which cut its demand estimate earlier this month.
On Monday oil prices rose after Russia and Saudi Arabia backed an extension of the cuts. Brent crude traded 2.9% higher at $66.60 per barrel.
Since December’s decision to cut production, conditions in the oil market have become increasingly complex, making a decision over an extension less clear.
“It’s a much harder market to forecast,” said Amy Myers Jaffe, senior fellow at the Council for Foreign Relations.
“I’m of a confused mind, and I think many participants are,” Jaffe said. “I think the outlook right now is very ripe for a supply shock.”
Geopolitical turmoil and production problems in various markets have led to concern that oil supply would be tight, conditions which tends to push the price of oil higher. Tensions have been rising in the Middle East as the U.S imposed new sanctions on Iran, and oil tankers have been attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage through which a fifth of all oil traded around the world passes. And production out of Venezuela, once one of the world’s largest producers, has collapsed.
Experts say a military conflict between the U.S. and Iran would further constrain oil supply and send oil prices higher.
In addition to the supply concerns, there are worries over demand not least because of the slowdown in the global economy partly as a result of trade tensions between the U.S. and China. That raises the prospect of lower oil demand and consequently lower prices.
To some degree, those opposing forces have counter-balanced each other, but the dueling dynamics make it difficult to predict what’s likely to happen with the price of oil, and that may make decisions for OPEC leaders challenging.
Jaffe expects the price of oil to continue rising for the next few months.
“I disagree with people on the thesis that the geopolitical risk and the razor-thin supply doesn’t matter because the economy is slow, because it just hasn’t slowed down that much,” Jaffe said.

FEEDING PROGRAM
For needy and senior citizens at Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church, 113 Federal Ave., Morgan City, at noon Saturday, July 6. For info call 384-6800 or 985-384-7512.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Word of Life Family Church School Fair is 9-10:30 a.m. July 27 offers free school supplies, school uniforms and shoes while supplies and sizes last. Children must be present. Word of Life is at 108 Ryan St., Patterson.

A 33-year-old Patterson man was booked on multiple charges following a short vehicle chase on U.S. 90, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith said in a news release.

—Danny Michael Fulks Jr., 33, of Cremo Lane in Patterson, was arrested at 9:31 a.m. Monday on charges of switched license plate/stolen license plate, reckless operation no accident, no insurance, aggravated flight from an officer, driving under suspension and possession of drug paraphernalia.

A deputy was traveling west on U.S. 90 when he observed a vehicle with a license plate that didn’t match the vehicle. The deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop when the suspect , later identified as Fulks, began to flee from the deputy, Smith said.

After a short pursuit, Fulks was apprehended. The deputy was advised by dispatch that Fulks was driving with a suspended driver’s license and had no vehicle insurance. Fulks was jailed with no bail set.

Smith reported that deputies responded to 41 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:

—Myron Hatch Jr., 46, of Federal Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:43 p.m. Monday on two warrants for failure to appear on charges of unauthorized use of a movable, possession of methamphetamine less than 2 grams, possession of marijuana 14 grams or less, possession of drug paraphernalia first offense and illegal use/ consumption/ possession/ distribution of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a person under 17.

Hatch was transported from Assumption Parish jail to the St. Mary Parish jail on the warrants. No bail was set.

—Mary Janet Frisco, 37, of Cross Road No. 2 in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 7:43 p.m. Monday on a warrant charging her with failure to appear in court.

Frisco was transported from the Assumption Parish jail to the St. Mary Parish jail on the active warrant. No bail was set.

—Donna Sherrie Reed, 48, of Saturn Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 2:56 a.m. Tuesday on three warrants for failure to appear on charges of driving under suspension, hit-and-run and disturbing the peace.

A deputy was patrolling the area of Teche Road in Bayou Vista when he observed multiple subjects in the middle of the road. The deputy made contact with the subjects, one identified as Reed. The deputy was advised by dispatch of the active warrant for Reed. She was jailed with bail set at $633.

—Charles H. Pittman, 49, of Moon Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 12:05 a.m. Monday on charges of reckless operation of a vehicle and resisting a police officer with force or violence.

A deputy with the K-9 division was stationary on the corner of Saturn and Moon roads in Bayou Vista when he observed a vehicle turn onto Moon Road at a high rate of speed. The deputy attempted to catch up to the vehicle when the vehicle pulled into a driveway.

The deputy identified the driver as Pittman. During the arrest, Pittman became irate and aggressive toward the deputy, the sheriff said. Pittman was jailed with bail set at $500.

—Courtney Smith, 30, of Barrow Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:42 p.m. Monday on a charge of possession of marijuana.

Narcotics detectives were traveling down La. 182 in Berwick when they observed a vehicle swerve off the roadway several times. Narcotics detectives conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, identified as Smith. During the investigation, drugs were located, the sheriff said. Smith was released on a summons to appear in court Oct. 16.

—A male juvenile, 17, was arrested at 8:53 a.m. Monday on a warrant for failure to appear on a charge of unauthorized use of a movable $1,000 or less and criminal trespassing.

A deputy was dispatched to a home in reference to a civil matter. During the investigation, the deputy made contact with the juvenile and learned of the warrant. The juvenile was released to his guardian pending juvenile court action.

Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported that officers responded to 33 calls and reported the following arrests:

—Mark Anthony Webb, 35, of Fourth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:45 p.m. Monday on a Franklin police warrant charging him with failure to pay registration fee and failure to notify of an address change.

Officers were called to a home on Fourth Street for a disturbance. Upon arriving, they came into contact with Webb. A warrants check revealed a warrant for his arrest by the Franklin Police Department. He was jailed.

—Robert Anthony Norris, 29, of Sixth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 1:50 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant charging him with failure to appear in court.

Officers came into contact with Norris in the area of Sixth and Belanger streets. A warrants check revealed city court had a warrant for his arrest. He was jailed.

—Dezzie Jane Booty, 39, of Maple Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:11 p.m. Monday on a warrant charging her with failure to appear in court. Officers located Booty on Maple Street and arrested her on a city court warrant. She was jailed.

Patterson Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported the following arrests:

—Abishai J. Arenas, 24, of Laurel Street in New Orleans, was arrested at 3:57 p.m. Monday on a charge of speeding 68 mph in a 55 mph zone and possession of marijuana. Bail was set at $2,250.

—Eric T. Trahan, 20, of Daphne Street in Patterson, was arrested at 11:58 p.m. Monday on charges of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Trahan paid $77 bail.

Berwick Police Chief David Leonard Sr. reported no arrests.