State

Police: Drunk driver caused crash

A 30-year-old Berwick woman allegedly caused a vehicle crash in Morgan City while intoxicated and then began punching a window of the other vehicle involved in the crash, Police Chief James Blair said in a news release. —Krystal N. Tolento, 30, of Second Street in Berwick, was arrested at 1:26 a.m.

Patterson begins choosing interim chief

PATTERSON — The process of replacing Police Chief Patrick LaSalle is underway. The Patterson City Council could have an interim replacement for LaSalle, who retired Friday after more than 20 years on the job here, as early as April 16.

Franklin police seek 2 suspects

The Franklin Police Department is asking for assistance in locating Darien “Gerber” Mitchell. Mitchell was developed as a suspect and is wanted on charges of attempted second degree murder, firearm or weapon in a firearm-free zone and illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentality.

Council OKs sale of Talley property

By unanimous vote the St. Martinville City Council Monday approved the sale of just more than one acre of the old Talley property along Bayou Teche to Alcee J. “Chip” Durand Jr., owner of the St. John Restaurant adjacent to the property. The purchase price was $104,000, its appraised market value.

Simmesport takes over former school site

Another former school has been given a new purpose as the Town of Simmesport took possession of the former Dunbar High/Simmesport Elementary complex March 15. “This will be a community-changer for Simmesport,” Mayor Leslie Draper III said. “It opens up so many opportunities for empowerment.

Marathon bible reading starts today

Fête-Dieu du Teche will host the Jubilee of the Word Marathon in the Town Square here beginning on Wednesday, April 4, at 12:30 p.m. and concluding on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 8 at 4:30 pm. Organizers expect the event to draw more than 3,000 people to come and “marinate” in the Word of God.

Chris Few settles federal lawsuit over son’s death

Parties in a federal lawsuit concerning the shooting death of a 6-year-old boy reached an undisclosed settlement late last Thursday.

Police: Man fled from officers and struck tree

A 37-year-old Patterson man was caught Wednesday after fleeing from Morgan City police and crashing a vehicle into a tree, Police Chief James Blair said in a news release. —Jovan M. Mosley, 37, of Bernard Street in Patterson, was arrested at 10:30 p.m.

Parish jobless rate dips to 6.3 percent

After a promising trend in employment statistics in recent months, February employment numbers in St. Mary Parish were a letdown, a parish economic official said. St. Mary Parish’s unemployment rate dropped to 6.3 percent in February from 6.

Road construction LA 105 from St. Landry Parish Line to LA 1183

LA 105: St. Landry Parish Line to LA 1183 Avoyelles Parish S.P. No. H.012107 Control Section No. 144-04 The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), advises the public that, weather permitting, on Thursday, April 5, 2018 road construction work will begin on LA 105 from the St.