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Voters casting their ballots Saturday will likely have to deal with heavy rain.

Forecasters expect much of south Louisiana to get about 3 to 5 inches of rainfall from Friday night through Saturday. The Morgan City area is expected to receive possibly slightly less rain, with 3 to 4 inches projected, said Seth Warthen, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

A flash flood watch for the area starts at 6 p.m. Friday and will continue through 6 p.m. Saturday, Warthen said. The rain should start to move out of the area Saturday evening, he said.

Four suspects were arrested, including two on numerous charges, after authorities went to a Bayou Vista home, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Scott Anslum said in a news release.

—Jared Loupe, 41, of Carol Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday on charges of resisting an officer by force, battery of a police officer, possession of drug paraphernalia, and on 13 warrants for failure to appear on charges of six counts of possession of methamphetamine, 10 counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, one count of possession of heroin, one count of possession of alprazolam, two counts of illegal use, consumption or distribution of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a person under 17, four counts of possession of hydrocodone, two counts of operating a vehicle while license is suspended-revoked-canceled, four counts of improper lane usage, two counts of possession of clonazepam, two counts of possession of buprenorphine hydrochloride, three counts of possession of marijuana, two counts of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, two counts of transaction involving proceeds from drug offenses, two counts of violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance law in a drug-free zone, two counts of possession of methamphetamine between 28-200 grams, two counts of possession of fentanyl and two counts of possession of schedule II drugs.

—Korianne Parker, 29, of Carol Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of anabolic steroids, possession of drug paraphernalia, violation of controlled dangerous substance law-drug free zone (church, school, park), resisting an officer, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a minor and on three warrants for failure to appear on charges of unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, possession of alprazolam, possession of hydrocodone, possession of Subutex, possession of acetaminophen/codeine, operating a vehicle while license is suspended-revoked-canceled, operating a vehicle without proof of insurance and disturbing the peace by fighting.

—Teraza Foster, 51, of Carol Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, violation of controlled dangerous substance law-drug free zone (church, school, park) and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a minor.

—Garrett Topham, 43, of Elm Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant for failure to appear on a charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

A narcotics detective was called to a home on Carol Road in Bayou Vista to assist patrol with a narcotics investigation. The deputies had observed a truck pull up at the residence of Parker who had active warrants for her arrest. A male subject exited the vehicle and was recognized as Loupe, who also had active warrants for his arrest, Anslum said.

As deputies surrounded the house, Loupe was observed trying to run out of the back of the house but went back inside when he saw deputies. Loupe exited out the front door of the house where the detective made contact with him. As the detective tried to take Loupe into custody, Loupe resisted and during the struggle the detective was struck by Loupe, Anslum said.

Parker came to the door and when deputies ordered her to get back, she shut and locked the door. Deputies gained entry into the home and made contact with Parker and Foster. Through the investigation, warrants for Parker were verified. Drugs and drug paraphernalia belonging to Parker and Foster were also found in the home, Anslum said.

While at the home, deputies also made contact with Topham as he sat in the truck in front of the house. Deputies learned that Topham had an active warrant for his arrest. The deputies advised Topham of the warrant and he was taken into custody.

Foster was arrested and released on a summons to appear in court March 6, 2019.

Loupe, Parker and Topham were jailed with no bail set yet.

Anslum reported that deputies responded to 23 complaints and reported the following arrests:

—Don Fryou, 30, of Elaine Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:06 a.m. Wednesday on a warrant for failure to appear on charges of resisting an officer and driving under suspension.

Deputies patrolling Bayou Vista went to a home on South Road in reference to a subject with active warrants. Upon arrival, the deputies made contact with Fryou and advised him of the warrants. Fryou was booked into jail and then released on $3,000 bail.

—Jonathan Ashley, 30, of 9th Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 4:55 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant for failure to appear on charges of theft of goods less than $500 and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Deputies patrolling Bayou Vista were dispatched to U.S. 90 east in Bayou Vista in reference to a crash. Upon arrival, the deputies made contact with Ashley and learned of an active warrant for his arrest. Ashley was jailed with no bail set.

—Curtis Gaudet Jr., 25, of Lake Palourde Road in Amelia, was arrested at 6:46 p.m. Wednesday on three warrants for failure to appear on charges of two counts of simple battery and one count of simple criminal damage to property.

A transportation deputy made contact with Gaudet as he was transported to parish jail from another agency for booking. No bail was set.

Blair reported that officers responded to 35 calls and reported the following arrests:

—Kacy L. Norman, 33, of North First Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:26 a.m. Wednesday on a warrant charging her with two counts of drug court violation.

Norman was located at her home on North First Street and arrested on a 16th Judicial District Court warrant. Norman was jailed.

—George L. Adair Jr., 45, of School Lane in Thibodaux, was arrested at 8:45 a.m. Wednesday on a warrant charging him with six counts of failure to appear for arraignment.

Adair was transported from the Lafourche Parish jail to the Morgan City Police Department on a city court warrant. Adair was jailed.

—Robert W. Levitt Jr., 55, of Portier Court in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday on a warrant charging him with two counts of failure to appear for arraignment.

Officers responded to the parking lot of a business on La. 70 in regard to an individual that appeared to be asleep inside a vehicle. Officers arrived and located the vehicle and were able to awaken the individual, identified as Levitt.

A warrant check was done on Levitt, who had an active arrest warrant for city court, Blair said. Levitt was jailed.

—Donald Turner, 67, of Adams Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday on a warrant charging him with burglary of an inhabited dwelling.

Turner was placed under arrest at the police department on a warrant. The warrant stems from a November incident during which Turner allegedly went into a home and took several items, Blair said. Turner was jailed.

—Jerry L. Norman, 56, of Fourth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:01 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Officers responded to a home on Fourth Street in regard to a disturbance and possible illegal drug activity. Officers arrived and made contact with Norman, who was in possession of suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, Blair said. Norman was jailed.

Patterson Police Chief Janis Merritt reported the following arrests:

—Demetria D’Lynn Pauley, 43, of Veterans Avenue in Patterson, was arrested at 6:07 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of disturbing the peace-fighting. Pauley posted $459 cash bail.

—Balee Elaine Verdin, 17, of Veterans Avenue in Patterson, was arrested at 6:07 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of disturbing the peace-fighting. Verdin was released on recognizance bail.

Franklin Police Chief Tina Thibodeaux reported the following arrest relating to east St. Mary Parish:

—Jermy Hall, 28, of Russel Lane in Patterson, was arrested at 9:14 p.m. Wednesday on a New Iberia City Court warrant for failure to appear on a charge of resisting arrest by false identification and a 16th Judicial District Court warrant for failure to appear on a charge of aggravated criminal damage to property. Hall was jailed with no bail set yet.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported no arrests.

VIENNA (AP) — OPEC countries were gathered Thursday to find a way to support the falling price of oil, with analysts predicting the cartel and key ally Russia would agree to cut production by at least 1 million barrels per day.
Crude prices have been falling since October because major producers — including the U.S. — are pumping oil at high rates and due to fears that weaker economic growth could dampen energy demand. The price of oil fell 22 percent in November and was down again on Thursday amid speculation that OPEC’s action might be too timid to support the market.
Saudi Arabia, the heavyweight within OPEC, said Thursday it was in favor of a cut.
“I think a million (barrels a day) will be adequate personally,” Saudi oil minister Khalid Al-Falih said upon arriving to the meeting in Vienna. That, he said, would include production for both OPEC countries as well as non-OPEC countries, like Russia, which have in recent years been coordinating their production limits with the cartel.
That view was echoed by others, including the oil ministers of Nigeria and Iraq.
“I am optimistic that the agreement will stabilize the market, will stop the slide in the price (of oil),” said Iraq’s Thamir Ghadhban.
Investors did not seem convinced, however, and were pushing the price of oil down sharply again on Thursday, with some experts saying there is concern about the size of the cut. The international benchmark for crude, Brent, was down $1.52 at $60.04 a barrel.
“The cartel has to go above and beyond the 1 million barrels cut, to at least 1.4 million to really steady the ship,” said Neil Wilson, chief market analyst at Markets.com.
The fall in the price of oil will be a help to many consumers as well as energy-hungry businesses, particularly at a time when global growth is slowing. And U.S. President Donald Trump has been putting pressure publicly on OPEC to not cut production. He tweeted Wednesday that “Hopefully OPEC will be keeping oil flows as is, not restricted. The World does not want to see, or need, higher oil prices!”
While Saudi Arabia has indicated it is willing to cut production, its decision may be complicated by Trump’s decision to not sanction the country over the killing of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
enators say, after a briefing with intelligence services, that they are convinced that Saudi’s de-facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman , was involved in Khashoggi’s death. Some experts say that gives the U.S. some leverage over the Saudis, though Al-Falih denied that on Thursday.
When asked if the Saudis had permission from Trump to cut production, Al-Falih replied: “I don’t need permission from any foreign governments.”
Experts say this week’s meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries will influence the price of oil over the coming months. How strongly it does so could depend on Russia’s contribution, which will be determined in a meeting on Friday.
Analysts estimate that if Russia is willing to step up its production cuts, OPEC and non-OPEC countries could trim production by a combined 1.3-1.4 million barrels a day. A cut of 1 million barrels would be the minimum to support the market, and anything less could see the price of oil fall another $10 a barrel, according to Wilson.
“The stakes are high now for OPEC,” he said.
OPEC’s reliance on non-members like Russia highlights the cartel’s waning influence in oil markets, which it had dominated for decades. The OPEC-Russia alliance was made necessary in 2016 to compete with the United States’ vastly increased production of oil in recent years. By some estimates, the U.S. this year became the world’s top crude producer.
OPEC is also riven by internal conflict, especially between regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran. One of the key questions in Thursday’s talks is whether to exempt Iran from having to cut production, as its energy industry is already hobbled by U.S. sanctions on its crude exports.
Meanwhile, Qatar, a Saudi rival and Iranian ally, said this week it would leave OPEC in January. While it said it was purely a practical decision because it mainly produces natural gas and little oil, the move was viewed as a symbolic snub to the Saudi-dominated organization.

Emmy Robison has been named Central Catholic Elementary School’s Student of the Year for 2018-2019. The Student of the Year Awards program recognizes outstanding students who have demonstrated excellent academic achievement, leadership ability, and citizenship.
The program is sponsored by the Louisiana superintendent of education through the State Department of Education and the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Robison will go on to compete at the regional level.
Emmy is a fifth-grader in Jean Cantrell’s class at Central Catholic. She lives in Morgan City and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dane Robison and granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Peter Blum, Jaime Robison, and Jodi Businelle. She has two younger sisters, Ella, who is in kindergarten at Central Catholic, and Ava, who is 19 months old.
Emmy writes, “Reading has been a huge part of my life. Whether it is at school, in the car, or at the park, you can be sure that I will have a book with me. When I read, I get lost in another world, the world of the characters. Reading opens my mind to new ideas and expands my vocabulary.” In first grade, she read 2 million words for the Accelerated Reader program. In second grade, she read 3 million words. The trend continued in third grade, when she read 4 million words, which was a school record, and in fourth grade, she read 5 million words. This year in fifth grade, her goal is to read 6 million words. She has already reached three million words, so she is well on her way to her goal.
Emmy was diagnosed with asthma when she was very young, and as a result, she has considered becoming a pediatric pulmonologist to find solutions to pediatric asthma. She also loves reading about space, and another of her career aspirations is to be an astronaut. Because of the influence of an uncle who is a history teacher, she loves history and considers becoming a history teacher.
Emmy participates in a multitude of school-sponsored service programs as well as individually giving back by packing boxes for Operation Christmas Child, an organization that sends shoe boxes filled with toys, toiletries, school supplies, and clothes to children who are less fortunate. “Helping these children is important to me because they live in poverty and need things that we take for granted," she said.
“Throughout my life, different events have shaped who I have become. I realize that it is the people that I have come in contact with who are the real influences in my life. Whether I become a pediatric pulmonologist, an astronaut, or a history teacher, I have been very fortunate to have so many inspiring people in my life who have shaped my future. My main goal now and in the future is to help other people in the way they have helped me.”