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At top, THESE FRANKLIN HORNETS PLAYERS indicate fourth quarter action Friday at J. C. Dry Stadium. The Patterson Lumberjacks (1-0) edged past the Franklin Hornets (0-1) 28-14 in the regular season opener. Franklin will travel to face North Vermilion on Friday. At bottom, CENTERVILLE’S ANDREW CUVILLIER races in for one of his three touchdowns Friday at Bulldog Stadium. Cuvillier ran 14 times for 169 yard to help lead the Centerville Bulldogs (1-0) to a 54-19 victory over the Northwood-Lena Gators (0-1). Centerville will travel to Ridgewood on Friday.

MILDRED MARIE BOUDREAUX

October 14, 1929 – September 1, 2018
Mildred Marie Boudreaux, a longtime resident of Baldwin, passed away peacefully at the age of 88 in the evening hours of Saturday, September 1, 2018, at Franklin Health Care Center. She was born on October 14, 1929 in Centerville, one of five children born to the late Arnold J. Boudreaux and the late Estella Escurieux Boudreaux. Though disabled from an early age, Mildred didn’t let her circumstances get in her way. A devout Catholic, she attended Mass regularly and prayed the rosary often. Her passion in life was gardening. Nothing brought her more joy than watching her garden flourish. Some other favorite pastimes of Mildred’s were playing bingo and listening to music, especially country and western. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Those she leaves to cherish her memory include her son, Lonnie James Boudreaux; four grandchildren, Bridget B. LaGrange, Pepper B. Lewis, April Boudreaux, and Michelle B. “Micki” Harris; six great grandchildren, Lacy LaGrange, William and Marissa King, Emma and Alexa Picard, and Sydnie Boudreaux; daughter-in-law, Tina Landry; and two siblings, Shirley B. Migues and Wade “Butch” Boudreaux and his wife Joy.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death her infant sister, Stella Ann Boudreaux; and one brother, Arnold Jerome “Tut” Boudreaux Jr.
Funeral services will be held Friday, September 7, 2018, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Baldwin during at 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial, with visitation beginning at 9 a.m. and the Holy Rosary being prayed at 10 a.m. Following the services she will be laid to rest in the Sacred Heart Cemetery Mausoleum. Father Cedric Sonnier will be the Celebrant for the Mass and conduct the services. Serving as pallbearers will be Sean Picard, Andrew Harris, Ronnie Anslum, and Danny Migues.
Family and friends may view the obituary and express their condolences online by visiting www.iberts.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert’s Mortuary, Inc., 1007 Main Street, Franklin, La. 70538, (337) 828-5426.

REESE JOSEPH LANDRY

August 17, 1959 - August 13, 2018
Reese Joseph Landry, a native of Morgan City, former longtime resident of Franklin and current resident of St. Martinville, passed away at the age of 58 at his home on Monday, August 13, 2018.
A true man of nature, Reese found his joy outdoors. Whether it was working in his yard and cutting grass, or turning up earth and transforming the landscape, Reese was most happy with dirt on his hands. He was also an avid fisherman, enjoying wetting a line, waiting for that elusive nibble, and reeling them in. If he wasn’t working outside or fishing, he could usually be found cooking it up or enjoying a football game on TV, especially the Saints. He will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Reese is survived by his wife of 22 years, Debbie Ferguson Landry; his brother, Edmond “Joe” Durocher Jr.; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Junius Landry Jr. and Olive Gonsoulin Landry; and two sisters.
A gathering of family and friends will be held Friday, September 7, at Ibert’s Mortuary in Franklin from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. and again Saturday, September 8, from 9 a.m. until time of service at 12 p.m. Following the service, Reese will be laid to rest in Perpetual Park Cemetery. Rev. Wayne P. Broussard, his cousin who was like a brother, will conduct the services.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to help alleviate medical expenses.
Family and friends may view the obituary and express their condolences online by visiting www.iberts.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert’s Mortuary, Inc., 1007 Main Street, Franklin, La. 70538, (337) 828-5426.

Arrest Reports 9-4-18

Franklin Police Chief Tina Thibodeaux reported the following arrests:
Allen Coleman, 54, of Spruce Street, Crowley, was arrested Thursday at 9:20 a.m. on the charge of theft by shoplifting.
Coleman was booked, processed, and released on a $1,500 bond.
Glenn Vaughn Jr., 35, of Willington Avenue, Tampa, Fla. was arrested Thursday at 1:51 p.m. on the charge of theft by shoplifting.
Vaughn was booked, processed, and held on a $1,500 bond.
Robert Dantin, 49, of Robertson Street, Franklin, was arrested Thursday at 9 p.m. on the charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Dantin was booked, processed, and held on a $1,500 bond.
Danny Garner, 22, of Teche Drive, St. Martinville, was arrested Friday at 1:49 p.m. on a warrant for 16th Judicial District Court for failure to appear on the charge of simple battery.
Garner was booked, processed, and released on a $750 bond.
Kevin Gant, 31, of Grout Street, Patterson, was arrested Sunday at 7:17 p.m. on the charge of domestic abuse battery of a dating partner.
Gant was booked, processed, and released on a $5,000 bond.
Patricia Alexander, 61, of Rod Lane, Baldwin, was arrested Monday at 10:40 p.m. on charges of driving while intoxicated and careless operation of a motor vehicle. Alexander was booked, processed, and released on a $500 bond.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Scott Anslum reported the following arrests:
Mitchell Belanger, 52, of 134 Dottie’s Lane, Franklin, was arrested Thursday at 11:43 a.m. on charges of theft, theft of utilities, criminal trespassing and a warrant for charges of theft and theft of utility services.
Deputies patrolling the Franklin area were dispatched to a residence on Dottie’s Lane in reference to a theft complaint. Upon arrival at the residence, deputies made contact with the owner who stated that the neighbor had stolen the electric meter from the residence to use to access electricity at another residence. Deputies made contact with Belanger and recovered the stolen meter. Deputies also learned of a warrant for Belanger. Belanger was transported to the St. Mary Law Enforcement Center for booking. No bond was set.
Jesus Arriaga, 43, of 3201 Kaliste St., Lafayette, was arrested Thursday at 12:10 a.m. on charges of driving under suspension and no insurance.
A deputy patrolling the area of Franklin observed a vehicle turning onto La. 182 without using a proper signal. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Arriaga, and learned that Arriaga’s license was suspended and Arriaga had no insurance. Arriaga was arrested and released on a summons.
Preston Wade, 28, of 1048 Ciro St., Amelia, was arrested Thursday at 6:20 p.m. on a warrant for the charge of aggravated battery.
A deputy patrolling Siracusa observed Wade walking towards his residence and learned of an active warrant for his arrest. The deputy made contact with Wade and informed him of the warrant. Wade was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. No bail was set.
Dandre Richard, 43, of 1427 Plum St., Patterson, was arrested Thursday at 11:54 p.m. on charges of driving while intoxicated, improper lane usage and driving under suspension.
A deputy patrolling the area of Patterson observed a vehicle cross over the centerline. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Richard. The deputy noticed a strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from Richard’s person. After conducting field sobriety and observing Richard performing poorly, the deputy transported Richard to the Patterson Police Department for chemical testing. Richard’s blood alcohol concentration was 0.242g percent on the Intoxilizer 9000. Richard was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Bail was set at $3,750.
Braxton Mitchell, 29, of 210 Mitchell St., St. Joseph, La. was arrested Thursday at 3:44 p.m. on charges of possession of synthetic cannabinoids and resisting an officer flight.
Demondre Wiggins, 27, of 205 Gum Point Lane, St. Joseph, La. was arrested Thursday at 3:26 p.m. on the charge of possession of synthetic cannabinoids, and on a warrant for failure to appear on charges of failure to use seatbelts and operating without a driver’s license.
Detectives with the St. Mary Parish Narcotics Section were patrolling the area of St. Joseph when they observed several subjects sitting by a ditch. The subjects began to stand up and move when the detectives approached. As the detectives made contact with the group, one subject, later identified as Mitchell, began to flee. Contact was made again with Mitchell at a residence. The detectives found that Mitchell had drugs in his possession.
During the investigation, detectives also made contact with Wiggins and found that he had drugs on his person. Detectives then learned of a warrant for his arrest, as well. Both Wiggins and Mitchell were transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Wiggins was released on a $2,500 bond. Mitchell was released on a $5,000 bond.
Travis Dupre, 41, of 118 Myrtle Place, Houma, was arrested Thursday at 7:07 p.m. for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a minor.
Chantelle Richard, 31, of 118 Myrtle Place, Houma, was arrested Thursday at 7:07 p.m. on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a minor and improper lane use.
Detectives with the St. Mary Parish Narcotics Section were patrolling Amelia when they observed a car cross over the fog line onto the shoulder as it exited US 90. The detectives conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Richard. During the course of the stop, detectives learned that Richard had methamphetamine on her person.
Detectives also made contact with the passenger, Dupre. Dupre had a backpack in his possession and the detectives found drugs and drug paraphernalia inside it. Both Dupre and Richard were transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. No bond was set.
Juvenile male, 15, Patterson, was arrested Friday at 8:56 a.m. on the charge of disturbing the peace by fighting.
Alaila Payton, 17, of 140 Mill Road, Patterson, was arrested Friday at 8:56 a.m. on the charge of disturbing the peace by fighting.
Juvenile female, 15, of Patterson, was arrested Friday at 8:56 a.m. on the charge of disturbing the peace by fighting.
Aalyiah Batiste, 18, of 312 Comeaux St., Patterson, was arrested Friday at 8:56 a.m. on the charge of disturbing the peace by fighting.
Juvenile female, 15, of Patterson, was arrested Friday at 8:56 a.m. on the charge of disturbing the peace by fighting.
Deputies patrolling the area of Patterson were dispatched to Patterson High School in reference to a report of a fight that had taken place. Upon arrival, deputies spoke with the principal and made contact with Payton, Batiste, and three juveniles involved in the fight. Payton and Batiste were transported to the St. Mary Law Enforcement Center for booking.
Batiste’s bail was set at $1,000.
Payton was released on $1,000 bond.
The three juveniles were released to their guardians pending juvenile court proceedings.
Kevin Mitchell, 27, of 221 Sunset Avenue, Bayou Vista, was arrested Friday at 1:40 p.m. on the charge of theft.
Deputies patrolling Bayou Vista were dispatched to a local business in reference to a shoplifting complaint. Upon arriving at the business, the deputies made contact with store personnel who observed a man take merchandise and exit the store without paying. Deputies made contact with the man, who was identified as Mitchell. Mitchell was transported to the St. Mary Law Enforcement Center for booking. Mitchell was released on a summons.
Rodney Granger Jr., 24, of 543 Verdun Lane, Verdunville, was arrested Friday at 11:55 p.m. on a warrant for failure to appear on charges of flight from an officer, reckless operation of a vehicle and unlawful operation of an off-road vehicle.
A deputy patrolling the area of Patterson was assisting in an investigation of an unrelated disturbance when he made contact with Granger during a traffic stop near Cotton Road. Through the stop, the deputy found that there was an active warrant for Granger’s arrest. Granger was transported to the St. Mary Law Enforcement Center for booking. Granger was released on a $1,500 bond.
Jonathan Judice, 29, of 1005 Oakdale St., Franklin, was arrested Saturday at 1:17 a.m. on an active warrant for the charge of criminal trespassing.
A deputy patrolling the area of Franklin observed two four-wheelers traveling northbound at milepost 10. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and learned that one of the drivers, Judice, had an active warrant for his arrest. Judice was transported to the St. Mary Law Enforcement Center for booking. Judice was released on a $1,000 bond.
Alyssa Acosta, 26, of 819 Ditch Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested Saturday at 9:13 a.m. on the charge of disturbing the peace by language.
Kathryn Wallace, 32, of 9898 Arnold Road, Denham Springs, was arrested Saturday at 9:13 a.m. on charges of disturbing the peace by language and simple battery.
Deputies patrolling Bayou Vista were dispatched to a business in reference to a fight between two females. Deputies made contact with Acosta and Wallace. Through the investigation, deputies found evidence of a fight between the two women.
Acosta was arrested and released on a summons.
Wallace was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. No bail is set.
Darnell Ayro, 35, of 121 Edward Lane, Jeanerette, was arrested Saturday at 10:48 a.m. on charges of possession of stolen things, driving under suspension and a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of failure to register as a sex offender.
A deputy patrolling Amelia was dispatched to the area of US 90 East in reference to a reckless driver. The deputies found the reported vehicle parked at a business in Amelia and made contact with the driver, Ayro. Through the investigation, the deputy learned of an active warrant for Ayro’s arrest. The deputy also learned that the vehicle was reported stolen in Houston, Texas, and Ayro’s license was suspended. Ayro was transported to the St. Mary Law Enforcement Center for booking. Ayro was released on a $10,000 bond.
Travis Joseph, 37, of 204 Bob St., New Iberia, was arrested Saturday at 12:05 a.m. on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of driving while intoxicated.
A deputy patrolling Cypremort Point observed a vehicle parked behind a business with visible “no trespassing” signs posted. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Joseph. Through the stop, the deputy learned of an active warrant for Joseph’s arrest. Joseph was transported to the St. Mary Law Enforcement Center for booking. No bail is set.

Pine scores 22 in 4th quarter to stun CCHS 40-34

Three first-half turnovers came back to bite Central Catholic after a huge Pine High School fourth-quarter rally to stun the Eagles 40-32.
The Raiders entered the fourth quarter down 34-18 but scored three times, including the final two touchdowns by wide receiver Jordan Anderson on long pass plays, to secure the win.
Anderson finished the game with five receptions for 200 yards and two touchdowns.
“Us throwing the ball is not always a bad thing,” Pine Coach Bradley Seal said. “They’re really good. They’re really good up front, but they started pounding us. If they don’t turn the ball over in the first half and just keep it and pound us, pound us, pound us, it’s probably so far ahead we can’t come back.”
Central Catholic Coach Tommy Minton said his team can’t turn the ball over repeatedly against a quality opponent like Pine.
“That’s one thing right there, and then we had an opportunity with six minutes left in the ballgame and four minutes left in the ball game to run the clock out, and we don’t,” he said.
Minton also said the Eagles simply just didn’t tackle Pine’s wide receivers when they had solid coverage on them.
Trailing 18-12 at the half, Central Catholic seized the momentum to begin the third quarter as the Eagles needed just three plays following the kickoff to punch the ball in the end zone. The drive ended when Davidyione Bias darted 59 yards to the end zone with 10:17 left in the third quarter. Bryce Grizzaffi’s two-point run was good, giving Central Catholic a 20-18 lead.
Bias led the Eagles with 29 carries for 209 yards and three touchdowns.
Pine fumbled the ball on its first offensive play following the score, and the Eagles recovered at the Raiders 39.
Nine plays later, Central Catholic quarterback DeDe Gant connected with tight end Caleb Menina for a 3-yard touchdown completion with 4:44 remaining in the third quarter. The Eagles led 26-18 following a failed two-point conversion.
Menina led the Eagles’ receivers with three catches for 34 yards and a score, while Gant completed 7 of 12 passes for 68 yard with one touchdown and two interceptions. Gant also rushed 10 times for 82 yards and a score.
Central Catholic successfully pulled off an onside kick following the score and again, cashed in as Bias scored on a 24-yard run with 2:36 remaining. Bias’ two-point run was good for a 34-18 Central Catholic lead.
From there, however, Central Catholic’s offense cooled as the Eagles would not gain another first down.
While Pine was basically one-dimensional the rest of the game, resorting to its passing game by necessity, Markell Cotton and Anderson put the Raiders back in the ball game, and eventually lifted them to victory.
After stopping Central Catholic’s first drive of the fourth quarter, the Raiders scored on three straight possessions.
Cotton had the first score via a 19-yard reception from Logan Temples with 6:54 remaining. Cotton’s two-point run was successful, cutting the Eagles’ lead to 34-26.
Cotton finished the game with five catches for 71 yards and two scores, while Temples completed 11 of 28 passes for 276 yards and four touchdowns. Temples also had one rushing touchdown.
Seal said Anderson and Cotton are “really, really good.”
He also complimented the play of Temples.
“Our quarterback stood in there and took some shots,” Seal said.
After a crucial third-down stop, keeping Bias two yards short of a first down and forcing a Central Catholic punt, the Raiders needed just two plays to get even closer to the Eagles.
On second down from the Pine 26, Temples found Anderson for a short completion. Anderson slipped a tackled and raced down the field for a 74-yard touchdown with 4:14 remaining in the contest. Pine’s two-point conversion failed, but it had cut its deficit to 34-32.
After forcing another Central Catholic three-and-out, Pine reached the end zone in dramatic fashion.
Facing a fourth-down-and-five situation from its own 36, Temples again connected with Anderson on a short pass that he turned into a 64-yard touchdown with 1:57 remaining. Temples’ two-point conversion was good for a 40-34 Pine lead.
Central Catholic committed its fourth turnover of the evening on its final drive as Gant was intercepted with 1:08 remaining, sealing the Pine win.
Early on, Pine drove down the field for a score on its first drive of the game, capped by Temples’ 18-yard run with 10:08 remaining in the first quarter. The two-point run failed, and Pine led 6-0.
“I was surprised the first drive we ran the ball on them like we did, because we knew they’re loading the box,” Seal said.
However, he said the one-one-one matchup with defenders on defense is what Pine likes.
While Pine got the ball back on a fumbled kickoff return after Temples’ touchdown and again on the Eagles’ second offensive drive after the Eagles had moved the ball into Raider territory, the Raiders were unable to capitalize.
Central Catholic tied the game at 6 7:58 remaining in the first half on a 33-yard run by Gant. The Eagles’ two-point run failed, leaving the score tied at 6.
The teams exchanged touchdowns on the next three drives as Temples completed a 22-yard touchdown pass to Cotton for a 12-6 Pine lead with 4:10 remaining in the second quarter before Bias responded with a 6-yard touchdown run with 2:16 remaining to tie the score at 12.
Pine scored the final touchdown of the half via a 5-yard run by Jaheim Williams with 1:57 remaining in the first half for an 18-12 Pine lead.
Pine finished the game with 351 yards of offense (276 passing and 75 rushing), while Central Catholic totaled 370 yards of offense (302 rushing and 68 passing).
“We moved the ball, and to me, the two critical turnovers in the first quarter hurt us bad, because we were moving the ball well then,” Minton said. “That’s two drives that we get nothing out of. It’s a matter of going back and correcting mistakes and getting ready for next week.”
Pine will return to action Sept. 7 when it hosts Varnado, while Central Catholic will travel to Covington to face Archbishop Hannan on Sept. 7.

CCHS Pine
First downs: 16 12
Rushing yards: 302 75
Passing yards: 68 276
Total yards: 370 351
A-C-HI 12-7-2 28-11-0

Score by Quarters
CCHS 0 12 22 0 -- 34
Pine 6 12 0 22 -- 40

Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Pine: Logan Temples 18-yd. run. (Run fails) 10:08
2nd Quarter
CCHS: DeDe Gant 33-yd. run. (Run fail) 7:58
Pine: Temples 22-yd. pass to Markell Cotton (Run fail) 4:10
CCHS: Davidyione Bias 6-yd. run (Kick fail) 2:16
Pine: Jaheim Williams 5 yd. run (Run fail) 1:57.
3rd Quarter
CCHS: Bias 59-yd. run (Bryce Grizzaffi run) 10:17
CCHS: Gant 3-yd. pass to Caleb Menina (Run fail) 4:44.
CCHS: Bias 24-yd. run (Bias run) 2:36.
4th Quarter
Pine: Temples 19-yd. pass to Cotton. (Cotton run) 6:54.
Pine: Temples 74-yd. pass to Jordan Anderson (Run fail) 4:14.
Pine: Temples 64-yd. pass to Anderson (Temples run) 1:57.

Individual Stats
Central Catholic
Rushing
Davidyione Bias, 29-209, 3 TDs; DeDe Gant, 10-82, 1 TD; Hugh Hamer, 4-17; Team, 2-(-6).
Passing
DeDe Gant, 7-12-2, 68 yds., 1 TD.
Receiving
Caleb Menina, 3-34, 1 TD; Brooks Thomas, 3-33; Bryce Grizzaffi, 1-5.

Microsoft to contractors: Give new parents paid leave

Microsoft will begin requiring its contractors to offer their U.S. employees paid leave to care for a new child.
It’s common for tech firms to offer generous family leave benefits for their own software engineers and other full-time staff, but paid leave advocates say it’s still rare to require similar benefits for contracted workers such as janitors, landscapers, cafeteria crews and software consultants.
“Given its size and its reach, this is a unique and hopefully trailblazing offering,” said Vicki Shabo, vice president at the National Partnership for Women and Families.
The new policy affects businesses with at least 50 U.S.-based employees that do substantial work with Microsoft that involves access to its buildings or its computing network. It doesn’t affect suppliers of goods. Contractors would have to offer at least 12 weeks of leave to those working with the Redmond, Washington-based software giant; the policy wouldn’t affect the contractors’ arrangements with other companies. Leave-takers would get 66 percent of regular pay, up to $1,000 weekly.
The policy rolls out over the next year as the company amends its contracts with those vendors. That may mean some of Microsoft’s costs will rise to cover the new benefits, said Dev Stahlkopf, the company’s corporate vice president and general counsel.
“That’s just fine and we think it’s well worth the price,” she said.
Microsoft doesn’t disclose how many contracted workers it uses, but it’s in the thousands.
The new policy expands on Microsoft’s 2015 policy requiring contractors to offer paid sick days and vacation.
Other companies such as Facebook have also committed to improve contractor benefits amid unionization efforts by shuttle drivers, security guards and other contract workers trying to get by in expensive, tech-fueled regions such as the San Francisco Bay Area and around Washington’s Puget Sound.
Facebook doesn’t guarantee that contract workers receive paid parental leave, but provides a $4,000 new child benefit for new parents who don’t get leave. A much smaller California tech company, SurveyMonkey, announced a paid family leave plan for its contract workers earlier this year.
Microsoft said its new policy is partially inspired by a Washington state law taking effect in 2020 guaranteeing eligible workers 12 weeks paid time off for the birth or adoption of a child. The state policy, signed into law last year, follows California and a handful of other states in allowing new parents to tap into a fund that all workers pay into. Washington will also require employers to help foot the bill, and will start collecting payroll deductions next January.
A federal paid parental leave plan proposed by President Donald Trump’s daughter, Ivanka Trump, could rely on a similar model but has gained little traction.
“Compared to what employers are doing, the government is way behind the private sector,” said Isabel Sawhill, a fellow at the Brookings Institution who has urged the White House and Congress to adopt a national policy.
Sawhill said it is “very unusual and very notable” that Microsoft is extending family leave benefits to its contract workers. Microsoft already offers more generous family leave benefits to its own employees, including up to 20 weeks fully paid leave for a birth mother.
Microsoft’s push to spread its employee benefits to a broader workforce “sends a message that something has to happen more systematically at the federal level,” said Ariane Hegewisch, a program director for employment and earnings at the Institute for Women’s Policy Rese-arch. Until then, she said, it’s helpful that Microsoft seems willing to pay contracting firms more to guarantee their workers’ better benefits.
“Paid family leave is expensive and they acknowledge that,” Hegewisch said. Otherwise, she said, contractors with many employees of child-bearing age could find themselves at a competitive disadvantage to those with older workforces.
Republican state Sen. Joe Fain, the prime sponsor of the measure that passed last year, said Microsoft’s decision was “a really powerful step forward.”
By applying the plan to contractors and vendors around the country, “it really creates a pressure for those state legislatures to make a similar decision that Washington made.”
—Associated Press reporter Rachel La Corte contributed to this article from Olympia, Washington.

Options abound for retiree’s wife to join his explorations

DEAR ABBY: The wife of “Headed for the Open Road” (June 25) will never forgive herself if she doesn’t accompany her newly retired husband on his open-road adventures. After working for 40 years and retiring from my third job, my life partner and I went everywhere and did everything together. Three and a half months after my retirement, he passed away suddenly. I would never have forgiven myself if I hadn’t experienced our frozen Jeep in Yellowstone or the eerie silence on the edge of the Hoh Rain Forest in western Washington state. That wife needs to get off her ...

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Soap Opera Review: Wedding-day danger on ‘Days’

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Bill was furious when he learned that Katie, encouraged by Thorne, is thinking of suing for full custody of their son, Will. Hope had to go to her ultrasound appointment alone when Liam rushed off to help Steffy with Kelly. DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Before John and Marlena could say their “I do’s,” a desperate Sami, who had a gun, tried to warn Marlena she was in danger, but was too late and Marlena was shot. Things went horribly wrong when Paula and Sami confronted Kristen. GENERAL HOSPITAL: After purchasing a newspaper, Peter offered Lulu a job ...

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Officials: Gordon should have minimal impact on St. Mary

St. Mary Parish leaders prepared for the worst, but Tropical Storm Gordon appeared Tuesday morning that it will have minimal if any impact on the parish, according to officials.

As of Tuesday morning, the National Weather Service projected Gordon to make landfall Tuesday night on the Mississippi coast. The storm’s winds were at 65 mph as of 7 a.m., but forecasters anticipated the storm becoming a hurricane before making landfall.

“It was kind of a good practice run for us,” said David Naquin, director of the St. Mary Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. “We had to gear up as though it was going to hit us.”

“As the track went further east, and it’s still moving east, that just draws it that much further away from us. I think our impacts are going to be relatively low, if any at all,” he said.

National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center officials have indicated to area leaders that they’re “very confident” where the storm is headed, and the impact to St. Mary Parish should be “hardly anything,” he said.

“The storm could actually still take a turn. But, again, the confidence level (for the projected path) is very high for both the weather service and the hurricane center,” Naquin said.

Parish officials have designated sand bag filling locations just as a precaution. People should bring their own shovels for all sandbag filling spots.

St. Mary Parish government had sand and sandbags available beginning Tuesday morning in Amelia under the La. 182 bridge and in Bayou Vista at the public works barn.

Also on Tuesday, the city of Patterson Public Works Department was scheduled to have sand and bags available across the tracks at the fire station and outside the gate on Taft Street.

St. Mary Parish School Board administrators watched the storm overnight but decided to open schools Tuesday.

The Patterson City Council, scheduled to meet Tuesday, postponed its meeting until 6:30 p.m. Sept. 11.

Officials don’t expect to have to operate the Walnut Canal barge in Morgan City as the water level shouldn’t reach the threshold for operation, said Lee Dragna, board chairman for St. Mary Parish Consolidated Gravity Drainage District No. 2. Pumping stations in the Morgan City area are ready for use should they be necessary, Dragna said.

Naquin reminded area residents that now is the time “to go over your game plan” if a storm hits the area and they had to evacuate. He encouraged people to practice their plan.

On the west end of the parish, sand bags are available at the Hanson public works barn and District 11 fire station in Four Corners.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Gordon lashed South Florida with heavy rains and high winds on Monday and is expected to strengthen into a hurricane when it hits the central U.S. Gulf Coast.

Gordon formed into a tropical storm near the Florida Keys early Monday as it moved west-northwest at 17 mph. The storm is expected to reach hurricane strength when it hits the Gulf Coast, including coastal Mississippi, by late Tuesday. From there, it is forecast to move inland over the lower Mississippi Valley on Wednesday.

A hurricane warning was put into effect for the area stretching from the mouth of the Pearl River in Mississippi to the Alabama-Florida border. As much as 8 inches of rain could fall in some parts of the Gulf states through late Thursday.

The Miami-based center said the storm is also expected to bring “life-threatening” storm surge to portions of the central Gulf Coast. A storm surge warning has been issued for the area stretching from Shell Beach, Louisiana, to Dauphin Island, Alabama. The warning means there is danger of life-threatening inundation. The region could see rising waters of 3 to 5 feet.

“The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast near and to the east of the landfall location, where the surge will be accompanied by large waves,” the center said.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency Monday and said 200 National Guard troops will be deployed to southeastern Louisiana.

The storm’s predicted track had shifted slightly east as of Monday evening, meaning Louisiana is currently just outside the area under the hurricane warning. Still, the southeastern part of the state remains under a tropical storm warning and residents need to be prepared for the storm to shift west, Edwards said.

“This storm has every possibility to track further in our direction,” Edwards said during a news conference Monday evening.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell held an afternoon news conference and said the city has “the pumps and the power” needed to protect residents. But authorities issued a voluntary evacuation order for areas outside the city’s levee protection system, including the Venetian Isles, Lake Saint Catherine and Irish Bayou areas.

Cantrell urged residents within the levee protection area to stock up on supplies and shelter in place.

This story has been changed to correct the Patterson City Council's Sept. 11 meeting time.

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1014 Front Street, Morgan City, LA 70380
Phone: 985-384-8370
Fax: 985-384-4255