The Daily Review from Morgan City, Louisiana • 12

BLUFFDALE, Utah (AP) The new billion-dollar epicenter for fighting global cy- berthreats sits just south of Salt Lake City, tucked away on a National Guard base at the foot of snow-capped mountains. The long, squat buildings span 1.5 million square feet, and are filled with super-powered computers designed to store massive amounts of information gathered secretly from phone calls and emails. Two small, weathered signs in the sagebrush greet interlopers to this place with a stark warning: reservation. No But there is no visible marker bearing the name and operator: The Utah Data Center, brought to you courtesy of the National Security Agency. When it opens this fall, the facility will be the largest data storage center in the U.S.

Just ask Utah officials, and certainly not the residents of tiny Bluffdale, just north of the new center, to tell you exactly what will go on inside. They either know, or saying. And the NSAis famously tight-lipped. know a spy center. But who are they spying said Connie Robbins, an upholstery shop owner who lives in Bluffdale, a community of 8,000 some 25 miles south of Salt Lake City that is known for its rodeo and annual Old West Days.

The dearth of information has perpetuated a mystery that has spawned dozens of theories and a spoof website that even includes a phony code name for the facility: a play on nickname of the Last revelation that the NSAis collecting millions of U.S. phone records along with digital communications stored by nine major Internet providers illustrates how aggressively personal information is being congregated and analyzed and shines a brighter light on what will be going on in secret at the Utah facility, scheduled to open in October. NSAofficials say the center will play a key role in the effort to protect national security networks, and allow U.S. authorities to monitor for potential cyberthreats. In an email, agency spokeswoman Vanee Vines said that unfounded allegations have been made about the planned of the center.

like to confirm, on the record, that the Utah Data Center is a state-of-the- art data facility designed to support the U.S. intelligence efforts to further strengthen and protect the nation. Its operations will be lawfully conducted in accordance with U.S. laws and Vines wrote. She provided no additional details, however.

tained along with what other issues might be Hidalgo said. Armed with a complete picture of the extent of flooding in the parish and the circumstances of the flooding, Hidalgo said government officials can begin to look into what action can be taken or if some outside help can be obtained. Hidalgo said that flood victims can also call the parish chief administrative officer, Henry LaGrange, with the information. That number is 337828-4100 extension 511. GEISMAR (AP) Ambulances and helicopters took at least 30 people from a burning chemical plant after an explosion Thursday in Louisiana, officials said.

Early tests did not indicate dangerous levels of any chemicals around the plant in Geismar, about 20 miles southeast of Baton Rouge, but area residents were told to remain indoors with doors and windows closed, said Jean Kelly, spokeswoman for the state Depart- ment of Environmental Quality. She said helicopters took three or four people Thursday from the plant owned by The Williams Companies and ground ambulances took 30. Kelly did not have other details about injuries. The company said in a news release on its website that the flow of chemicals to the fire had been cut off. Louisiana State Police Capt.

Doug Cain said the explosion occurred around 8:30 a.m. Thursday at the plant. It makes ethylene and propylene highly flammable gases that are basic building blocks in the petrochemical industry. Athick plume of black smoke rose from the plant. At a roadblock several miles away, where family members waited anxiously to hear about loved ones, flames were easily visible above the trees.

itoring Druilhet said. So far, no changes in elevation have been found at these locations, according to Triche. are still in a state of Triche said this morning. it stands right now the roads and bridges are stable and intact. We know what the future The feasibility study is being conducted to ensure the state has a good plan in place in case a future event affects the roadway, according to Druilhet.

this time we do not foresee a need to close La. Druilhet said. Triche said that the parish government is fully supportive of the state highway depart- ment moving forward and exploring the option of building a permanent reroute of the highway. If a permanent reroute of the highway is undertaken, he said it needs to be done in a way that provides for a safe roadway while still servicing existing businesses and residents. effect an alternate route could have on residents and businesses in the area will be determined in the on-going feasibility Druilhet said.

In the event conditions develop that would make the road network unusable or unsafe before the detour or new route is constructed, the highway department has posted the follow detour routes: traveling to Pierre Part and points south will be directed to La. 1 South to La. 398 West, to La. 662 West, to U.S. 90 West to La.

70. traveling from Pierre Part and points south will be directed to U.S. 90 East to La. 662 East, to La. 398 East, to La.

1 north to La. 70. traffic (passenger vehicles and trucks below the posting of the Bayou Pigeon Bridge) will be able to take La. 997 to La. 75 to La.

404 to La. 69. If the order is given to close the road, the highway department plans to have crews install trailblazing signs to notify drivers of the detour. The department also plans to install variable message signs at the intersections of La. 70 and La.

1 and the intersection of La. 70 and La. 69 as well as one on La. 70 just north of Morgan City. The plan calls for the first two years of high school to be traditional academic classes, while the last two years would concentrate on a purely technical path of industry-identified training.

The degree program would look different in each region of the state and be based on the needs in that area. The goal is to graduate students who are ready to be gainfully employed in middle class technical jobs, White said. Is it needed? you took a hundred 18- year-olds who were certified welders and lined them up in front of us, it would be like an Old West saloon fight (between the companies present). hire said J. Ray Barker, Bollinger human resources director.

Referencing the need in the area, William Simmons Terrebonne Career and Technical High School principal, said sitting on a gold mine in this state and we teach our kids to mine An obstacle to the goal is accountability requirements, which reward more points to schools who graduate students prepared for college through advanced placement courses and high ACT scores. Pete Boudreaux, St. Mary supervisor of career, technical and alternative education, who was in attendance, said, have to offer those principals some reward for pushing the (career and technical education) classes until you do that, as a former principal, my on the line so going to give you going to make my (school performance) scores the Boudreaux told White. White said ultimately his office will propose changes to the accountability formula by which schools receive performance scores. issue with the endorsements was that it was as if all career education is equal, as if all dual enrollment is equal I think all career and technical education is equal just like I think all academic education is equal but with you all the way.

If we change accountability, we get White said. White is conflicted about using the ACT, a standardized test designed to determine college readiness, he said. On one hand, the state, he said, went to requiring all high school students to take the ACT as part of accountability for three reasons. It tests students who have access to college and never take the test. It also provides a series of three tests beginning in eighth grade, allowing teachers to have data tracking a progress toward college and career readiness.

Finally, it is a basic measure that most people understand, White said. On one hand, the test does have a profound effect on accountability scores when all students are required to take a college preparedness test that they may not have taken four core courses in during high school. also have a concern. still wrestling with this. if we give up on the ACT, I worry that we send a message to the kids and the families of our state that being prepared academically is somehow opposed to being prepared career-wise.

I believe you should be able to get a career diploma and get a high score on your White said. White said the timeframe to gather information on changes to the career diploma extends through October. He will ask the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to change the degree requirements at that time. The 201314 school year could be used for pilot programs in areas like this region that already have a cooperative program between education and industry. The program then would be applicable for juniors on a career pathway statewide in the 2016-17 school year, White said.

we want is for your local school systems, industry and technical colleges to define the pathway to White said. April 23, 1930 June 12, 2013 Shelton Lee Hewitt, 83, a native of Hornbeck and a resident of Bayou Vista for 49 years, passed away Wednesday, June 12, 2013, at Ochsner Medical Center in Kenner. Shelton is survived by his wife of 62 years, Billie Evans Hewitt of Bayou Vista; one son, Kevin L. Hewitt of Bayou Vista; one daughter, Shellie Hewitt- Quinn of Destrehan; four grandchildren, Maegan Quinn, Nicolette Quinn, Ryan Quinn, and Brad Quinn, all of Destrehan; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Elma Hewitt; two brothers, Joe Vern Hewitt and Robert D.

Hewitt and one sister, Nelda Self; all of Hornbeck. Shelton was an educated man, having received his associates degree in electronics from Port Arthur Community College. Shortly after college, Shelton joined the United States Army and served during the Korean Conflict. Following his military service, Shelton began work for Sun Oil Company in Beaumont, Texas, as an electronics technician. In 1964, Shelton was transferred to Morgan City where he laid roots and retired.

Following retirement, in 1986 he started his own electronics repair business, S.L. Hewitt where he worked for himself until 2007. Shelton was a loving father and grandfather as well as a dedicated husband. He loved to squirrel hunt and fish in the Atchafalaya Basin. Atime of remembrance and visitation will be held Friday, June 14, 2013, from 6 to 9 p.m.

at Hargrave Funeral Home in Morgan City. Visitation will resume Saturday, June 15, 2013, at 9 a.m. until the time of services at Bayou Vista Baptist Church at 1 p.m. with Masonic and military honors following in Memorial Park Cemetery in Patterson. Rendering military honors will be the East St.

Mary Funeral Squad. AArroouunndd TToowwnn PUBLIC POOL Morgan City Public Pool open for public swim 1 to 5 p.m. daily. Cost $4. Adult lap swim held 6 to 7 a.m.

and 6 to 7 p.m. Cost $10 per week. For swimming lesson info call 985-3804652. Happy birthday Cedes Brooks, we love you have a marvelous and blessed day, Dad, brother-in-law Earl and the whole Williams family. Morgan City man accused of battery on fellow employee By ZACHARY FITZGERALD Morgan City Police Chief Travis Crouch reported the following arrests: Lee Martinez, 49, of Morgan City, was arrested at 9:27 a.m.

Wednesday for simple battery. Officers received a complaint from a Roderick Street business in regards to a person who had committed a battery on a fellow employee. Officers investigating were advised that Martinez had committed a battery on another employee and had left the business, according to Crouch. Officers located Martinez at his residence and placed Martinez under arrest. Martinez was taken to the Morgan City Jail where he remains.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert reported the following arrests: Cheramie, 42, of Fir Drive in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:32 p.m. Wednesday for possession of cocaine and disturbing the peace. Narcotics detectives were patrolling the Morgan City area when they observed a man on Maine Alley who was yelling loudly and taking off his shirt in preparation to fight with another person. Detectives made contact with the man, identified as Cheramie.

Detectives received consent to search his person and located a bag of cocaine in pocket, according to Hebert. Cheramie was taken to the parish jail and held. No bail is set. LaShelle Tapia, 35, of Carol Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 10:50 a.m. Wednesday on a warrant for failure to comply with the terms and conditions of probation.

Adeputy located Tapia at her residence on the warrant. She was taken to the parish jail and held. Bail is set at $20,000. Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported no arrests. Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported no arrests.

Page 12 The Daily Review, Morgan City, Thursday, June 13, 2013 (Continued from Page 1) (Paid Notice) December 10, 1933 June 10, 2013 Donald Ray Blankenship, 79, a resident of Bayou Vista, passed away Monday, June 10, 2013, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Possum was born on Dec. 10, 1933, in Mount Pleasant, Texas, the son of Ross and Faye High Blankenship. Possum loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He loved being in the outdoors whether he was tending to his garden or taking his grandchildren fishing, as fishing was his favorite past time.

He enjoyed watching baseball, especially when the Houston Astros were playing. He would always have his radio on listening to his country music. He will be sadly missed and remembered by his loving wife, Shirley Blankenship of Bayou Vista; three children, Becky Blankenship Beadle, Buddy Ray Blankenship and Vicki Blankenship Laubach and husband, Gary, all of Patterson; nine grandchildren, Matthew Paul Beadle, Jonathan Ray Beadle, Kelsey Ann Beadle, Grace Victoria Beadle, Brenna Renee Blankenship, Jude Christian Blankenship, Blaine Edwin Laubach, Trey Anthony Laubach and Travis Adam Laubach; and one brother, Bobby Blankenship of Berwick. Possum was preceded in death by his parents, Ross Blankenship and Faye High Blankenship. Visitation will be held from noon to 6 p.m.

Friday, June 14, 2013, at Twin City Funeral Home with a funeral service being held at 4:30 p.m. Donald Ray Blankenship Donald Ray Friends are invited to leave condolence messages for the family at www.twincityfh.com Twin City Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. www.twincityfh.com March 22, 1939 May 26, 2013 Billy Jo Earnest Binion, 74, of Bayou Vista, passed away at his home Sunday, May 26, 2013. He was born on March 22, 1939, in Decota, W.Va., to J.T. and Opal Binion.

He enlisted in the Air Force and served from 1956 to 1962. He married Rita Mendoza on Oct. 18, 1958, in Franklin. They had three children and later divorced. He married Amanda Aucoin on Aug, 10, 1985, in Bayou Vista.

Billy loved spending time with his family and was passionate about fishing. Throughout his life, he went fishing at every possible opportunity, and always had a fishing pole with him no matter where he went. He will be sadly missed by all. He is survived by his wife, Amanda Aucoin Binion of Bayou Vista; his son, Curt Binion of Morgan City; his daughters, Terri Binion Morrison of Seneca, S.C.; Tina Binion Arns and her husband, Don, of Blue Grass, Iowa; stepdaughter, Lori Hebert and her husband, Chad, of Centerville; brothers, Tom Binion of Wayland, Sam Binion and his wife, Margie, of Ringgold, a sister, Susie Shively and her husband, Dale, of Rossville, seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, J.T.; mother, Opal Knipp; stepfather, Chester Knipp; father-in-law and mother-in- law, Paul and Myrtle Aucoin; and sisters, Betty Johnson and Shirley Powell.

Agraveside service with military honors will be held Saturday, June 15, 2013, at 11 a.m. in the Morgan City Cemetery with a time of remembrance to follow at Calumet Baptist Church. Billy Jo Earnest Binion Billy Jo Earnest Binion (Paid Notice) Hargrave Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. www.hargravefuneralhome.com Dedicated to Dignity 985) 384-8605 To view the online obituary and leave condolences via the Internet, browse www.hargravefuneralhome.com Shelton Lee Hewitt Shelton Lee Hewitt (Paid Notice) Hargrave Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. www.hargravefuneralhome.com Dedicated to Dignity 985) 384-8605 To view the online obituary and leave condolences via the Internet, browse www.hargravefuneralhome.com Diplomas (Continued from Page 1) (Continued from Page 1) La.

70 At least 30 injured in La. plant explosion Utah is home to new mega-warehouse for data Flooding.