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Fantasy sports proposition on Nov. 6 ballot

St. Mary Parish voters, along with voters in Louisiana’s other 63 parishes, will be able to decide Nov. 6 whether they want to legalize fantasy sports contests in their individual parish. During the 2018 regular session, the Legislature passed a bill to put the proposition on the Nov. 6 ballot. If the majority of voters in a parish vote in favor of the proposition, fantasy sports gaming will become legal there. Though legal in some states, fantasy sports gaming is currently illegal in Louisiana. Approval of the proposition would legalize in Louisiana what websites such as DraftKings and FanDuel offer,

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Police: Teen charged with battery, cruelty to juvenile

An 18-year-old Morgan City man was charged with battery of a dating partner and cruelty to a juvenile after striking two people during an altercation, Morgan City Police Chief James Blair said in a news release.

—Colby Nicholas, 18, of Wren Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:32 p.m. Tuesday on charges of battery of a dating partner, cruelty to a juvenile, simple battery and on a warrant charging him with criminal trespassing.

Officers were called to an address on Roderick Street. Officers learned after speaking with the victim and witness that Nicholas was at the home. After being brought to a second location, Nicholas struck the victim, Blair said.

During the altercation, Nicholas also struck a juvenile who was at the location, Blair said. Nicholas left the area but was located a short time later where he was arrested. Officers also found Nicholas had an arrest warrant for city court. Nicolas was jailed.

Blair reported that officers responded to 47 calls and reported the following arrests:

—Javier Castro, 30, of La. 70 in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:13 a.m. Tuesday on charges of speeding in a school zone, driving under suspension and on city court warrants for failure to appear on charges of careless operation, improper lane use and no driver’s license.

An officer patrolling near a school zone observed a vehicle that appeared to be speeding. The vehicle was found to be speeding 29 mph in a 15 mph zone. The officer stopped the vehicle and spoke with the driver, Castro, who advised the officer that his license was suspended, Blair said. Castro also had several city court warrants for his arrest. Castro was jailed.

—Trinity Harris, 19, of 11th Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:05 a.m. Tuesday on charges of remaining after being forbidden and aggravated battery.

—Kayla Francise , 20, of Keith Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:11 a.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of marijuana third offense and disturbing the peace.

Police were called to a Brashear Avenue business about a fight taking place. Officers arrived and detained several subjects believed to be involved in the fight. Witness statements revealed that Francise was called to the business and upon arrival was hit with an object that Harris threw, Blair said.

Police also learned that Harris had been told before Francis arrived that she needed to the leave the business but refused to do so, Blair said. During the investigation, Francise was found to have suspected marijuana in her possession. Both Harris and Francise were jailed.

—Anthony Harris, 22, of Arizona Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:53 a.m. Tuesday on a city court warrant charging him with failure to appear for possession of marijuana. Harris turned himself in at the police department and was jailed.

—Harlene L. Defils, 22, of Edward Lane in Jeanerette, was arrested at 2:21 a.m. Tuesday on charges of stop sign violation, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

An officer in the area of Victor II Boulevard observed a vehicle not stop at a stop sign. The officer stopped the driver. During the traffic stop the officer located suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Defils was jailed.

—William Carr, 29, of Fern Street in Patterson, was arrested at 4:42 p.m. Tuesday on charges of remaining after being forbidden and resisting an officer.

Officers were called to Teche Regional Medical Center due to a person refusing to leave. Officers spoke with the person who was refusing to leave after being treated by staff.

After several attempts to get Carr to leave by officers and staff, Carr was arrested, Blair said. Carr at this time began to resist officers while they were attempting to handcuff him, Blair said. Carr was jailed.

—Kevin Short Jr., 33, of North Bayou Black Drive in Gibson, was arrested at 6:50 p.m. Tuesday on a city court warrant charging him with probation violation.

Short turned himself in at the police department and was jailed.

—Brittan Boudreaux, 33, of Elizabeth Drive in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:22 p.m. Tuesday on city court warrants for failure to appear for speeding, failure to appear for possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to appear for resisting an officer, failure to appear for criminal trespassing and failure to appear for attempted possession of drug paraphernalia.

Boudreaux was arrested at Morgan City Police Department after being transferred by another agency. Boudreaux was jailed.

—Garrett Lemieux, 52, of Cherrydale Avenue in Baton Rouge, was arrested at 11:31 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of disturbing the peace intoxicated.

Officers were called to Federal Avenue due to someone knocking on a home. Officers were able to locate and identify Lemieux as the person who was at the home knocking. Police determined that Lemieux was intoxicated, Blair said. Lemieux was jailed.

—Spencer Robin, 42, of Bush Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:02 a.m. Wednesday on a charge of disturbing the peace intoxicated.

Spencer was arrested after officers were called to Egle Street due to a disturbance. Officers arrived and located Spencer outside the residence yelling. Spencer was found to be intoxicated and was placed under arrest. Spencer was transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Scott Anslum reported that deputies responded to 27 complaints and reported the following arrests:

—Stephanie Mercer, 47, of J Street in Patterson, was arrested at 4:52 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant charging her with simple battery.

A detective went to a home on J Street to locate Mercer in reference to a warrant for her arrest for simple battery. The arrest warrant stemmed from an incident at a business in which Daigle and another person allegedly were striking a person. The detective made contact with Daigle without incident and transported her to parish jail for booking. Daigle was released on $2,500 bail.

—Brittan Boudreaux, 33, of Lizabeth Drive in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:20 p.m. Tuesday on 11 warrants for failure to appear on charges of speeding, possession of drug paraphernalia, two counts of resisting an officer, two counts of criminal trespass, two counts of contempt of court, attempted possession of drug paraphernalia, contempt of court-probation fees and contempt of court-fine.

A deputy patrolling Bayou Vista observed a person riding a bicycle with no lights and made contact with the rider, Boudreaux. Through the investigation, the deputy learned that Boudreaux had 11 warrants for his arrest through the Morgan City Police Department. Boudreaux was booked into parish jail and then transferred to another agency.

—Lee Boudreaux, 43, of North Verret Street in Amelia, was arrested at 6:14 p.m. Tuesday for two drug court warrants charging him with creation or operation of clandestine laboratory.

A detective located Boudreaux at a home on Arnold Street in Amelia. The detective arrested Boudreaux on the active warrants without incident and transported him to parish jail. No bail was set.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrest:

—Michael Blanchard, 50, of Kimberly Drive in Shreveport, was arrested at 9:37 a.m. Tuesday on a 16th Judicial District Court warrant charging him with failure to appear for traffic arraignment. Blanchard posted $350 bail.

Franklin Police Chief Tina Thibodeaux reported the following arrest relating to the Tri-City area:

—Alvin Fitch, 31, of Honey Lane in Bayou L’Ourse, was arrested at 9:29 a.m. Tuesday on warrants charging him with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, monetary instrument abuse, possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance, illegal carrying of weapons by convicted felon, and two counts of possession of clonazepam. Fitch was booked and then transported to St. Mary Parish jail.

Patterson Police Chief Janis Merritt reported no arrests.

Deshotel busy promoting area festival

Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival Queen Caylee Deshotel has been busy promoting the Morgan City festival. She attended the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival Sept. 29-30 in New Iberia, top photo. Deshotel, left in bottom photo, attended the Louisiana Cotton Festival Oct. 13-14 in Ville Platte and greeted the 64th Louisiana Cotton Festival Queen Tara Babin.

Facts about Harry and Meghan’s baby

LONDON (AP) — Kensington Palace said Oct. 15 that Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, duchess of Sussex, are expecting their first child to be born in the spring of 2019. Here are answers to some questions about the baby-to-be.
WILL THE BABY EVER BE KING OR QUEEN?
It is very unlikely. Harry and Meghan’s first child will be seventh in the line of succession for the throne when it is born next spring. The baby will be behind its grandfather, Prince Charles; its uncle, Prince William; its cousins, William’s three children: George, Charlotte and five-month-old Prince Louis; and the baby’s father, Prince Harry.
WILL THE BABY BE A PRINCE OR PRINCESS?
The baby will not automatically become a prince or princess, although it is possible that could happen if Queen Elizabeth II chooses to intervene.
Titles were limited by King George V in 1917 in a way that would exclude Harry’s children unless the queen takes action. The baby will also not be entitled to the HRH designation, meaning “His royal highness” or “Her royal highness.”
The children and grandchildren of the queen are made princes and princesses — that’s why Harry has that title — but this doesn’t apply to great-grandchildren.
The only exception, as expressed by the king in 1917, is for “the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales” — in this case, that would be Prince George, the first child born to William and Kate, the duchess of Cambridge.
The queen can intervene if she chooses to, as she did in the case of William’s other children, but it is unclear if she will do so in Harry’s case because his children will be farther from the line of succession.
WHAT WOULD BE THE BABY’S TITLE BE?
If it’s a boy, he would likely be known as the earl of Dumbarton. A girl would likely be known as Lady Mountbatten-Windsor, with her first name inserted after lady. Since the baby is unlikely to become monarch, Harry and Meghan will have a fair amount of leeway when choosing the child’s first name without having to worry too much about royal tradition.
WHAT CITIZENSHIP WILL THE BABY HAVE?
The baby will have British citizenship due to its father. Harry and Meghan would also be able to apply for U.S. citizenship for the baby because Meghan is an American who lived in the U.S. long enough for her child to qualify. It will be up to them to decide if they want to do so.
It might be awkward for a British royal to also seek a U.S. passport, but the two countries are close allies and there is so much goodwill for Meghan that such a move might not be controversial.
Meghan herself is in the process of obtaining British citizenship. She has not said if she plans to give up her U.S. passport when she becomes British, but British law does not require her to do so.

Wife irked as man reconnects with old partners on Facebook

DEAR ABBY: My husband has an extensive sexual history. He has had sex with more than 80 partners. All the encounters were when he was in high school and in his early 20s. Most were one-night stands with female friends. When we met, he was honest, and I was understanding. He didn’t keep in touch with any of those females (pre-Facebook). But now he’s friends with several of them on Facebook, and while he doesn’t “talk” to them, he comments and “likes” many of their posts. This makes me uncomfortable because I don’t feel that past sexual partners should be part ...

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Radio logs for Oct. 17

The following are the radio dispatch logs from the Morgan City Police Department. To report unlawful or suspicious activity, call the police department at 985-380-4605.

Tuesday, Oct. 16

7:13 a.m. Marguerite and Seventh streets; Warrant arrest.

7:35 a.m. 500 block of Hilda Street; Animal complaint.

8 a.m. 400 block of Laurel Street; Animal complaint.

8:23 a.m. 900 block of Marguerite Street; Arrest.

8:29 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Criminal damage to property.

8:37 a.m. 1000 block of Brashear Avenue; Arrest.

10:16 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.

10:28 a.m. 600 block of Front Street; Lost and found.

11:32 a.m. Seventh Street near Brashear Avenue; Complaint.

11:57 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Theft.

12:58 p.m. 1300 block of Victor II Boulevard; Vehicle accident.

1:16 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Lost and found.

1:44 p.m. 1100 block of Dora Street; Medical.

2:10 p.m. David Drive and Marguerite Street; Arrest.

2:13 p.m. 800 block of Brashear Avenue; Theft.

2:24 p.m. 800 block of First Street; Investigation.

2:53 p.m. Sixth and Belanger streets; Traffic incident.

3:08 p.m. Allison Street near Martin Luther King Boulevard; Theft.

3:10 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.

3:18 p.m. 1800 block of Victor II Boulevard; Medical.

3:57 p.m. 400 block of Laurel Street; Complaint.

4:11 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Remove subject.

4:30 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Stand by.

5:23 p.m. 700 block of Belanger Street; Stand by.

5:51 p.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Disturbance.

6:52 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.

6:56 p.m. Fourth Street and Railroad Avenue; Stalled vehicle.

7:28 p.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Arrest.

7:43 p.m. 100 block of Roderick Street; Alarm.

8:02 p.m. Allison Street; Stalled vehicle.

8:05 p.m. 1000 block of Seventh Street; Alarm.

8:43 p.m. 1200 block of Federal Avenue; Removal of subjects.

9:38 p.m. Roderick Street; Criminal damage to property.

9:38 p.m. 800 block of Susan Street; Patrol request.

10:22 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.

11:13 p.m. 700 block of Federal Avenue; Arrest.

Wednesday, Oct. 17

12:11 a.m. 900 block of Railroad Avenue; Assistance.

1:48 a.m. 500 block of Egle Street; Arrest.

2:17 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.

4:15 a.m. 1500 block of Federal Avenue; Complaint.

Red Ribbon Week kicks off with motorcade Saturday

The Morgan City Police Department D.A.R.E. vehicle leads the 2016 St. Mary Parish Red Ribbon Week Motorcade through Berwick. The 30th anniversary of Red Ribbon Week in St. Mary Parish will kick off with the motorcade Saturday traveling across St. Mary Parish. Line-up will start at 8 a.m. at Glencoe Charter School with the motorcade rolling at 9 a.m. The motorcade will travel through Charenton, Sorrell, Four Corners, Baldwin, Franklin and Garden City and break for coffee and snacks at the school board office in Centerville. The motorcade will then continue through Centerville, Verdunville, Shady Side, Ricohoc, Patterson, Bayou Vista, Berwick, Morgan City and Siracusa. Lunch will be provided by the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s office and served at the Amelia Volunteer Fire Department. (The Daily Review/Zachary Fitzgerald)

Coats for Kids is Saturday

Food and games are part of a Coats for Kids fundraising event set for 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at the Siracusaville Recreation Center.
Houma Ruff Ryders is hosting the charity event with all proceeds going to help provide coats for children in east St. Mary Parish.
On sale will be hot dogs, hamburgers and boiled turkey necks with corn and potatoes. Games will consist of a bounce house, egg toss, basketball, flag football, washers, potato sack race, three-legged race and egg-on-a-spoon race.
Donations and coats will be accepted throughout the event located at 1110 Grace St. in Siracusaville.
For information call 985-498-8595 or 985-498-0810.

Wheel House for Oct. 17

FALL FUN FEST
At Mt. Era Baptist Church, 406 Lawrence St., Morgan City, 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20. Free for all ages.

BREAST CANCER
Awareness program at Little Zion Baptist Church, 2746 Sixth St., Berwick, 8 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 21. Public invited.

CONCERT
Britain’s Got Talent semifinalists Vox Fortura in concert at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6 as part of the Community Concert Association of Morgan City 2018-19 season. Subscription available at $45, adult; and $10, students K-12 with three more concerts to follow. Single event tickets are $25, adults and $5, students K-12. Tickets available at the door. For info visit online: www.morgancitycca.biz.

VETERANS DAY
Celebration at Cypress Park, corner of Myrtle Street and Victor II Boulevard, Morgan City at 2 p.m. Nov. 11. Public invited. Sponsored by City of Morgan City and VFW Post 4222.

VETERANS DAY
Mass at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 1112 Saturn Road, Bayou Vista, 10:30 a.m. Nov. 11. All veterans and the families invited.

VFW 5k
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4222 5K is 8 a.m. Dec. 8, Lawrence Park, Morgan City. Runners and walkers register by calling 985-385-2474.

Louisiana Politics: State's Nov. 6 ballot has parish presidents, too

Candidates for parish presidencies are reaching out to voters with increased engagements in a handful of parishes, including Pointe Coupee, West Feliciana and Plaquemines.
According to the Secretary of State’s Office, only 24 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes elect a chief executive. Thirty-nine have either a police jury or parish commission, while Orleans — as the exception to many rules — has a mayor and city council act as the de facto parish government.
Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin said the presidential role is concentrated almost exclusively south of Interstate 10. That means Ascension, East Baton Rouge, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Lafayette, Livingston, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana.

Making moves
It’s a historic election in Pointe Coupee, as voters are selecting their first parish president after abolishing the police jury in a 2016 referendum.
It’s a two-man contest with Rep. Major Thibaut facing off against Mike Cashio, a former parish constable and cattle farmer. Thibaut, who is term limited, expressed his interest in the race early this term, leading one fellow Ways and Means committee member to jokingly refer to him as “Mr. Parish President” during a hearing.
By all indications, Thibaut is the clear favorite. According to campaign finance reports, he has nearly $160,000 on hand, having built a sizable war chest by virtue of being unopposed in his last two races. It is also worth noting that Thibaut’s House district encompasses all of Pointe Coupee, giving him the added advantage of parishwide name recognition.

A Kenny for your thoughts
In West Feliciana, a special election is underway to replace Parish President Kevin Couhig, who announced his resignation earlier this year. Because of timing, this contest has the potential to re-play itself next fall, as the winner will only get a few months in office before having to run for re-election to a full term.
It’s a three-person race, with Rep. Kenny Havard up against current Parish Council President John Thompson and Lauren Field, the executive director of the St. Francisville Area Foundation.
Unlike the race in Pointe Coupee, no clear frontrunner has emerged yet. Havard, like Thibaut, has the name recognition advantage since his House district covers the vast majority of West Feliciana. But also keep an eye on Thompson, who could make waves as a black candidate in a parish with a nearly 45 percent minority population. Don’t sleep on Field either. She is fully embracing her role as the female candidate, in addition to capitalizing on her connections with the parish’s civic organizations.

Perez parish presidency
A race with the confluence of a son seeking his father’s old job, political infighting and a rematch with an foe from a pervious campaign can only mean one thing — it’s election time in Plaquemines Parish.
Politics has been a wild and ambitious game of hardball down in the marshes at the end of the Mississippi River. This is especially true when it comes to who fills Leander and Chalin Perez’s old seat as the chief executive of Louisiana’s largest parish.
Incumbent Parish President Amos Cormier III is seeking a full term in the top spot, having won the special election to succeed his late father in 2016. Cormier will be facing off against Kirk Lepine, the parish councilman who he defeated in a runoff two years ago and Burghart Turner, a former parish councilman who is making his third try for the seat.
All three candidates have parishwide name recognition by virtue waging earlier campaigns for parish president. That being said, it’s safe to assume that Cormier is this race’s frontrunner. He has the power of incumbency in addition to a war chest of nearly $120,000. By comparison, both Lepine and Turner’s reports show them with less than $10,000 in their campaign kitty.
This race has already gotten heated somewhat, with Lepine attacking Cormier over the delay in construction of athletic facilities. In addition, the parish council has also considered contempt charges against Cormier over his office’s slow transition to a new headquarters in Belle Chasse.

Political tidbits
— The governor’s office will be seeing some staff shuffling, as special assistant Micah Cormier moves into a new role as press secretary. Cormier will be taking up the new duties in addition to his current work as JBE’s “body man.” Speechwriter Lauren Leist will likewise be moving into an expanded role in the press shop as the new deputy director of communications.
— The 2019 race for sheriff is already on in St. Tammany Parish. Incumbent Sheriff Randy Smith kicked off his re-election campaign Tuesday night, while Covington Police Chief Tim Lentz formally announced his candidacy Wednesday afternoon.
— Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain traveled to Washington next week to lobby U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue for federal assistance for the state’s soybean farmers.

They said it
“They are solely trying to create baloney.”
—Interim Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin, on his opponents, at the Press Club
“Here’s some mayo for that baloney.”
—Rep. Rick Edmonds, responding to Ardoin, at the Press Club
For more Louisiana political news, visit www.LaPolitics.com or follow Jeremy Alford on Twitter @LaPoliticsNow.

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