State

City races draw 15 candidates

Fifteen people have qualified for offices to be filled in the March 24 municipal election here in St. Martinville. The only uncontested race is for the District 5 council seat held by Edmond Joseph, who was elected just last year to serve the unexpired term of the late Romanus “Ike” Robertson.

Sheriff: Man caught with drugs in home search

A 27-year-old Morgan City man was jailed on drug charges after St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s deputies searched his home and found him inside smoking a synthetic cannabinoid cigar, Sheriff Scott Anslum said in a news release.

Police: Suspect threatened person with gun

A 26-year-old Morgan City man was booked into jail Sunday after allegedly brandished a gun and threatened someone during an argument, Morgan City Police Chief James Blair said in a news release. —Gage Ford, 26, of Ditch Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:02 p.m.

Official: Congressman listening to port’s voice

Dredge the waterways and business will come. That's a sentiment Port of Morgan City leaders have expressed again and again. A spokesman for one congressman assures port officials their voices are being heard, he said Monday. The Morgan City Harbor and Terminal District Commission met Monday.

Mike Kelly retires from DA’s Office

For 34 years, Mike Kelly was an attorney in many of Avoyelles Parish’s major criminal court cases -- on the defense side for nine years and as an assistant district attorney for the prosecution for the past 25. For the past 15 years he has been the 1st assistant district attorney, No.

Ex-officer pleads in federal court

Troy Leblanc of St. Martinville pleaded guilty to one count of “misprision of a felony” before Judge Elizabeth E. Foote of the U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana, Lafayette Division, on Dec. 21. Leblanc, who reportedly resigned from the St.

Patterson Family Dollar sustains major damage in fire

A 12-year-old boy has been charged with aggravated arson after starting a fire Monday at Family Dollar store on Catherine Street in Patterson, causing major damage to the store, said Brant Thompson, chief deputy with the state fire marshal’s office. No one was injured in the fire, Thompson said.

Police: Suspect’s blood alcohol content nearly triple legal limit

A 57-year-old Houma man was arrested in Morgan City on a DWI second offense charge after registering a blood alcohol content of nearly three times the legal limit, Police Chief James Blair said in a news release. —Todd J. Gautreaux, 57, of Vicari Street in Houma, was arrested at 3:57 p.m.

New judge takes oath

Submitted Photo Suzanne de Mahy, elected to the 16th Judicial District Court bench July 14 without opposition to finish the term of retired Judge Paul de Mahy, was formally sworn in Dec. 15 at the St. Martin Parish Courthouse. Paul de Mahy presided over the half-hour ceremony.

Abbeville Council backing local shrimp industry

Local elected officials recognize the importance of the Vermilion Parish shrimping industry and are hoping that some of the nation’s top elected officials will see that, too. The Abbeville City Council voted Tuesday night to adopt a request the Louisiana Congressional delegation and the U.S.