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A professional wrestling event, pancake breakfast and yoga and workout session in Lawrence Park are the new additions to the 83rd Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival this Labor Day weekend.

The festival will kick off Thursday and continue through Monday. This year’s festival will include three new events. Royal Shrimp Rumble presented by Gulf State Wrestling is from 2:15-4 p.m. Saturday in Lawrence Park. Pancakes in the Park presented by Morgan City Rotary Club is Sunday in Lawrence Park. Royal Shrimp Rumble features Mustang Mike, Jason Streets, The Cajun Outlaws, StoneMan, David Silver and Mad Dog Gil.

Pickup for the breakfast of pancakes, sausage, milk and coffee will be from 8 a.m.-noon Sunday and dining from 9:30 a.m.-noon in the park. If there’s inclement weather, the breakfast will be at St. Joseph Hall, 318 Third St. Advanced tickets are available for $7 each at the festival office, 715 Second St.

Also, from 8-9 a.m. Monday, Case Sports Performance and Free to Be Power Yoga will hold a community workout session in the park, Festival Executive Director Darby Ratcliff said.

Gospel music will be on the main stage from noon-2:15 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in Lawrence Park this year and not at the M.D. Shannon building as it had been in prior years, Ratcliff said. Frito-Lay will have representatives in the park Friday night through Sunday giving samples of the new Lay’s flavor, Cajun Spice.

The car show that was scheduled for Saturday has been canceled, Ratcliff said.

Festival parking is available along Front Street, Railroad Avenue and Federal Avenue. No traffic will be allowed during the festival on Greenwood Street from Front Street to Federal Avenue, Front Street between Greenwood Street and Brashear Avenue, and Second Street and Third Street from Brashear Avenue to Freret Street.

Traffic will be one-way around Lawrence Park. Carnival rides start at 5 p.m. Thursday under the U.S. 90 bridge. Pay-one-price ride bracelets are available for $25 Thursday and Monday.

No motor homes or camping trailers are allowed in or around the park. No ice chests, glass, tents, barbecue pits, pets, golf carts or four-wheelers are allowed on festival grounds. No motorcycles or vehicles may be parked on or beyond public sidewalks.

Live music begins at 6 p.m. Friday in Lawrence Park and lasts through Monday.

The Cajun Culinary Classic will open at 5 p.m. Friday and continue through 7:30 p.m. Monday. Local non-profit groups and civic organizations benefit from the proceeds.

The 41st Arts & Crafts Show & Sale will open at 5 p.m. Friday under the U.S. 90 bridge and continue through 9 p.m. Monday.

Children’s Day activities at the park will begin with children’s field and game events at 9 a.m. Saturday. A Children’s Day Mini Street Parade will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday in the area of Lawrence Park. The Children’s Village will open at 1 p.m. Saturday and continue through Sunday.

On Sunday, Mass in Lawrence Park will be at 8:30 a.m. In the event of inclement weather, Mass will move to Holy Cross Catholic Church.

The Blessing of the Fleet will begin at 10 a.m. Sunday on the Atchafalaya River from the Berwick docks and is followed by the water parade. A Street Parade will start at 3 p.m. Sunday at the corner of Second and Onstead streets in Morgan City.

Other events at the festival include Artist Guild Unlimited 55th Annual Show & Sale at Everett Street Gallery and Diving & ROV Historical Preservation Museum rig tours.

For more information, visit shrimpandpetroleum.org.

A 28-year-old man was charged with armed robbery in Morgan City after he allegedly struck a victim on the head with a pipe and stole $80 in cash, Police Chief James Blair said in a news release.

—Anthony Dixon, 28, of Everett Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 4:24 p.m. Friday on a charge of armed robbery.

Officers responded to the area of Fifth and Everett streets in regard to an armed robbery. Officers arrived and located the victim. The victim stated that while walking on Fifth Street, he was struck in the head with a pipe by an individual identified as Dixon and about $80 in cash was taken from him, Blair said.

A description of Dixon was given out to officers. Police received information that Dixon was inside a home on Everett Street. Officers arrived at the home and located Dixon inside the home. Dixon was jailed.

Blair reported that officers responded to 160 calls and reported the following arrests:

—Rhonda I. Hughes, 33, of Egle Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:56 a.m. Friday on charges of simple battery, disturbing the peace, resisting an officer by false information and on a warrant charging her with failure to appear.

Officers responded to a motel on Brashear Avenue in regard to a disturbance. Officers arrived, and Hughes was identified as the suspect. Witnesses stated that Hughes had come to the motel, caused a disturbance and committed a battery on the victim, Blair said.

When officers made contact with Hughes, she initially gave officers a false name, Blair said. A warrant check was done on Hughes, and she had an active warrant for the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office.

—Louis J. Dumesnil Jr., 50, of Oakwood Drive in Franklin, was arrested at 4 p.m. Friday on a warrant charging him with four counts of failure to appear for arraignment. Dumesnil was arrested at the police department on a city court warrant. Dumesnil was jailed.

—Tanya L. Authement, 46, of La. 182 in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:21 p.m. Friday on charges of domestic abuse battery and disturbing the peace offensive language.

—Richard Leslie, 55, of League, Texas, was arrested at 10:21 p.m. Friday on charges of discharging a firearm and possession of a Schedule III controlled dangerous substance.

Officers responded to La. 70 to the extended stay section of Lake End Park in regard to a domestic disturbance and gunshots being heard. Officers arrived and located the victim. The victim was having a verbal altercation with his wife, Authement , which later turned physical, and Authement struck him several times, Blair said.

During the altercation, the victim stated that his neighbor, Leslie, discharged his firearm, Blair said. Officers located Leslie who admitted to firing a .45-caliber handgun because he observed Authement chasing the victim, Blair said.

Leslie stated he fired the weapon in the air in order to stop the disturbance, Blair said. Officers also located a vial of suspected anabolic steroid in Leslie’s possession. Both Authement and Leslie were jailed.

—Lawrence A. Garrett, 22, of Florida Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:47 a.m. Saturday on a warrant charging him with failure to pay probation fees.

Garrett was a passenger in a vehicle involved in a traffic stop on La. 182. A warrant check revealed that Garrett held an active warrant for the 6th Ward City Court. Garrett was jailed.

—Caffery J. Williams, 52, of Garber Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 1:50 a.m. Saturday on charges of DWI second offense, careless operation, resisting an officer by flight, driving under suspension and possession of alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle.

A patrol officer in the area of Sixth and Marguerite streets observed a vehicle swerving in and out of the lane of travel. The officer tried to initiate a traffic stop, but the vehicle continued to travel and evade the officer, Blair said.

The vehicle eventually stopped on Garber Street and the driver, Williams, was arrested. While placing Williams under arrest, the officer could smell an odor of alcohol emitting from Williams’ breath, Blair said.

Police also located an open container of alcohol inside the vehicle, and Williams refused to submit to the chemical test for intoxication at the police department, Blair said. A search warrant was obtained to take a sample of blood from Williams. Williams was transported to a hospital for the sample to be drawn. After the sample was taken, Williams was jailed.

—Courtney J. Long, 39, of Third Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:23 a.m. Saturday on charges of DWI first offense and obstructing public passage.

Officers responded to the intersection of La. 182 and Myrtle Street in regard to a driver possibly asleep at the wheel. Officers arrived and observed a vehicle stopped at the intersection with the traffic signal green. Police were able to awaken the driver, identified as Long.

Long was asked to produce a valid driver’s license. Officers could smell an odor of alcohol emitting from Long’s breath, Blair said. Long refused to submit to a field sobriety test and a chemical test. A search warrant was obtained to have a sample of blood drawn from Long. Long was transported to a hospital for the sample to be taken. After retrieving the sample, Long was jailed.

—Tuan V. Nguyen, 48, of Fandal Street in Gibson, was arrested at 9:24 a.m. Saturday on a warrant charging him with probation violation. Nguyen was transported from parish jail to the police department on a city court warrant. Nguyen was jailed.

—Joseph Martinez, 28, of Grandwood Street in Patterson, was arrested at 10:17 p.m. Saturday on a charge of driving under suspension.

An officer in the area of Grizzaffi Street observed a vehicle without a license plate. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver, Martinez, had a suspended driver’s license, Blair said. Martinez was jailed.

—Richard Fontenot, 45, of La. 663 in Bayou L’Ourse, was arrested at 12:50 a.m. Sunday on a warrant charging him with failure to pay fines. Fontenot was located and arrested in the area of La. 182 and David Drive for a city court warrant. Fontenot was jailed.

—Cortez Francois, 22, of Garber Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:57 a.m. Sunday on warrants charging him with unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, battery on a dating partner and criminal damage to property.

Francois was located on Apple Street and arrested on warrants. The warrants stem from an incident in January during which Francois allegedly entered a home without permission, committed a battery on the victim and damaged the victim’s property, Blair said. Francois was jailed.

—Brandon Durkin, 28, of Mallard Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 4:13 p.m. Sunday on a warrant charging him with failure to appear for trial and a charge of possession of synthetic marijuana with intent to distribute.

Durkin was located on Mallard Street and arrested on a warrant for 16th Judicial District Court. Officers also located suspected synthetic marijuana packaged for sale in Durkin’s possession, Blair said. Durkin was jailed.

—Wybra S. Jones, 37, of Diane Drive in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:20 p.m. Sunday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting an officer.

A patrol officer observed a vehicle on Martin Luther King Boulevard with improper lighting. A traffic stop was conducted, and the driver was identified as Jones. While talking to Jones, the officer noticed a baggie in his hand containing suspected marijuana, Blair said.

When trying to place Jones under arrest, he fled from the officer. Jones was apprehended a short time later and arrested, Blair said. Suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia was located in his possession. Jones was jailed.

—Greg J. Robichaux, 47, of Houma, was arrested at 10:37 p.m. Sunday on a charge of possession of oxycodone hydrochloride.

An officer in the area of Federal and Brashear avenues observed a vehicle going faster than the posted speed limit. A traffic stop was conducted, and the driver was identified as Robichaux.

Robichaux gave the officer consent to search him, and the officer located a pill identified as oxycodone hydrochloride. Robichaux was jailed.

—Robert W. Jones, 26, of Oakdale Street in Franklin, was arrested at 1:35 a.m. Monday on charges of driving under suspension and improper lane usage.

An officer on U.S. 90 west observed a vehicle swerving in and out of the lane of travel. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver, Jones, had a suspended driver’s license, Blair said. Jones was jailed.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Scott Anslum reported that deputies responded to 107 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:

—Tuan Nguyen, 48, of West Syls Lane in Amelia, was arrested at 3:25 a.m. Saturday on a warrant for failure to appear on a charge of probation violation.

A deputy patrolling Amelia observed a vehicle touch the center line several times. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Nguyen. During the stop, the deputy learned of an active warrant for Nguyen. Nguyen was jailed with no bail set.

—Lindsey Couvillier, 33, of Henry Street in Patterson, was arrested at 9:42 p.m. Saturday on charges of possession of marijuana and obstruction of justice.

A deputy patrolling the area of Patterson observed a vehicle make a turn without using a proper turn signal. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.

During the investigation, the deputy made contact with a passenger in the vehicle, Couvillier. Marijuana was found in the area where Couvillier was sitting, Anslum said. Couvillier was released on a summons to appear Nov. 13.

—Anna Landry, 30, of South Broadway Street in Church Point, was arrested at 9:55 p.m. Sunday on charges of failure to dim headlights and driving under suspension.

Deputies patrolling the Morgan City area observed a vehicle fail to dim its lights. The deputies conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Landry. Through the stop, and deputies learned that Landry’s license was currently suspended. Landry was released on a summons to appear Nov. 13.

—Byrone Cole, 21, of Buccola Avenue in Marrero, was arrested at 3:25 a.m. Monday on charges of resisting an officer by flight, speeding and proper equipment required on vehicles.

A deputy patrolling Siracusa observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. The deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop but the vehicle continued to travel on U.S. 90 east at a high rate of speed. The vehicle came to a stop five miles later and the deputy made contact with the driver, Cole.

The deputy noticed an aftermarket license plate was obstructing the view of the license plate expiration date. Cole was jailed with bail set at $2,000.

—Shundren Johnson, 22, of Tiffany Street in Patterson, was arrested at 12:25 a.m. Sunday on a charge of driving under suspension and on five warrants for failure to appear on charges of theft, two counts of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and speeding.

A narcotics detective with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a complaint of a reckless driver on U.S. 90 near Morgan City. The detective conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Johnson. The detective learned that Johnson’s license was suspended and there were active warrants for Johnson’s arrest. Johnson was jailed with no bail set.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported no arrests.

Patterson Police Chief Janis Merritt reported no arrests.

David Patterson and Caylee Deshotel were crowned the 83rd Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival King and Queen Saturday during the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival Association’s coronation held at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium. They will reign over the festival in Morgan City when it begins Thursday with a ribbon-cutting at 5:15 p.m. under the downtown U.S. 90 bridge at Second Street. Festivities will continue through Monday with a variety of events including live bands in Lawrence Park, carnival rides, arts and crafts, and the traditional Blessing of the Fleet which will be held at the Berwick dock this year.
Patterson is chief financial officer, secretary and treasurer of Central Boat Rental. He is also chief financial officer, secretary, treasurer and co-owner of Bayou Testers & X-Ray Services, and Acadiana Testing & Heating.
The 1980 Central Catholic High School graduate received his bachelor’s degree in finance from Louisiana State University in 1984. He serves on the advisory council and finance committee of Central Catholic Elementary School in Morgan City. Patterson has also served as president of the Holy Cross Elementary advisory board and treasurer of the St. Mary Golf & Country Club board.
He is a member of the American Petroleum Institute, St. Mary Industrial Group, American Welding Society and the American Society of Non Destructive Testing.
The Berwick resident is married to Kellye Barbier Patterson and they have five children.
He enjoys what his native Louisiana has to offer — hunting, fishing and LSU sports.
Deshotel is the 19-year-old daughter of Christy and Sonny Deshotel of Morgan City.
She was a valedictorian graduate from Morgan City High School and is on a pre-law track studying public relations at LSU where she is on the dean’s list. She is a member of Christ the King Catholic Church, Alpha Delta Pi’s Omega chapter, and serves as social media chairwoman for the recruitment and marketing team. She is also on the sisterhood committee and risk management team.
Her interests include traveling, photography, attending summer camps, tennis, working for her sorority, volunteering and more.

Submitted Photo
Tayla Weary and Kelsey Crochet, 2018 graduates of Morgan City High School, were the recipients of the onetime H&J Scholarships. The students were selected for each based on their academic performance, outstanding community service and written essays. Herman Hartman and Earl Johnson presented the scholarships.