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Plans for the “Historic Downtown Franklin Pocket Park” were unveiled Tuesday night at City Hall in Franklin.
Glenn Todd, city inspector, and Ed “Tiger” Verdin, city public relations director, presented to Mayor Eugene Foulcard and Franklin Councilmembers an artist’s rendering of the proposed pocket park, as Verdin described the vision behind the planning of the park.
“In the heart of historic downtown Franklin, lies a barren green space that once housed the Center Theatre during our city’s yesteryears,” Verdin said. “The Center Theatre was demolished in 2016. With that area being vacant, it was envisioned that the space was ripe and would be the right eco-friendly area to help create foot traffic for our downtown area, and spur the ongoing revitalization of Franklin.”
Verdin described the “healing power of nature” as “unifying,” and said, “The open air art space and stage memorializing Mayci Breaux within the park will deliver a message of hope and healing for generations to come.”
Breaux was one of several victims of the Lafayette theatre shooting on July 23, 2015. She was laid to rest here in her hometown of Franklin.
Verdin said plans further include a fountain dedicated to victims of gun violence, and a ballerina near a small performance stage, which will be situated at the southeastern center point of the park.
The presentation continued with Todd describing the functionality of the park.
“We were looking for something that we could afford to do, that each person in our city could have a part of,” Todd said, “kind of like making our own time capsule. So each person can make a mark here with the plan that we have going forward.”
Todd described tiles and bricks composing the walkway of the park, available for purchase and memorialization by citizens and businesses.
“This is going to be the first time in anyone in this room’s living memory, that anything has been constructed in downtown Franklin, Louisiana,” he said, calling the opportunity to purchase a brick, a chance to speak to our descendants.
Verdin closed by saying, “As you can see, with ideas and visions, and the energetic people that live here, we can make anything happen.”

Glasgow-based The Maxwell Quartet will bring the sounds and stories of Scotland to Morgan City Municipal Auditorium at 7 p.m. Jan 7. Season subscriptions for the remaining three concerts of the 2019-2020 season are available for $45 for adults and $10 for students K-12. Single concert tickets are $25 for adults and $5 for students K-12. All tickets, subscription or single concert, are available online at www.morgancitylive.com or at the door.

Police stopped a vehicle for traffic violations and saw a hand-rolled cigar with suspected marijuana, which led to a search and the discovery of a gun in the vehicle and ecstasy on the driver, Berwick Police Chief David Leonard Sr. said in a news release.
—Robert Parker Jr., 39, of Berwick, was arrested at 10:33 p.m. Tuesday for charges of possession of a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance (MDMA-Ecstasy), possession of marijuana, possession of a firearm by convicted felon, possession of firearm in the presence of controlled dangerous substance, driving under suspension, general speed law violation, following too close and 6th Ward court probation violation.
Officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on U.S. 90 for following too close and general speeding. The driver was identified as Parker and the officers observed a partially burnt hand-rolled cigar containing suspected marijuana inside the vehicle.
It was learned that Parker had an outstanding warrant for his arrest through 6th Ward Morgan City Court. A search of the vehicle was conducted and officers located a semi-automatic handgun which Parker could not legally possess due to him being a convicted felon. A search of Parker’s person also revealed that he was in possession of MDMA (Ecstasy). He was jailed with no bond set.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that the Sheriff’s Office responded to 28 complaints and reported the following arrests:
—Theresa Sandling, 54, of Cleveland Street in Patterson, was arrested at 11:37 a.m. Tuesday on a charge of hit and run. A deputy was dispatched to a residence on Becky Drive in reference to a hit and run crash that happened at a local business Sunday.
The deputy made contact with the complainant who stated that someone backed up into his vehicle while he was at the business. The deputy obtained information and developed Sandling as the driver of the vehicle. She was arrested and released on a summons to appear March 11.
—Scott Anthony Ledet, 52, of Morgan City, was arrested at 9:43 a.m. Tuesday on a charge of traffic control signals, driving under suspension and no insurance.
A deputy was stationary on Southwest Boulevard and U.S. 90 when he observed a vehicle turn right on red when it is posted “no right on red.” The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with Ledet. Dispatch advised the deputy that Ledet’s license was suspended and he did not have insurance on the vehicle. He was arrested and released on a summons to appear March 11.
Morgan City Police Chief James F. Blair reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 34 calls of service and the following arrest was made:
—Demarcus Deshawn McNeal, 22, of Cypremont Street in Franklin, was arrested at 1:44 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of first offense possession of marijuana.
The Morgan City Police Department received a complaint of a person brandishing a firearm in the area of Headland Street and Railroad Avenue. Officers came into contact with McNeal during their investigation. McNeal was found in possession of suspected marijuana. He was jailed.
Patterson Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported there were no arrests.

High school offensive and defensive linemen usually don’t get a lot of attention, but that was just the opposite for Patterson High School standout Javin Turner.
Turner signed his national letter of intent to play college football at Southeastern University in Hammond at Patterson High School on Wednesday during National Signing Day.
Turner, a four-year starter, was recognized for his outstanding talent as soon as he stepped on the PHS campus when he was called the next big-time recruit from Patterson.
But coaching turnover and consecutive losing seasons may have hurt the 6-foot-3, 271 standout’s recruitment.
“I think he accomplished a lot with three different coaches in four years,” former Patterson coach Marvin Dantzler said. “I had Javin as a freshman and told the newspaper he was the next big thing, but it’s difficult developing in so many systems.
“But SLU got a player with a huge upside and I think he will flourish there. It’s also great for me, I’m a Lion, too! I graduated from Southeastern and they get a real good kid, on the field and in the classroom.”
Turner is special because of his size and athletic ability. He’s what coaches call a “dancing bear,” because he moves so well for his size.
“That’s why I would rather play defense in college because I’m too good an athlete to just play the O-line,” he joked. “I just thank God that I got a full scholarship. I think I might have gone to a bigger school if we would have won like Patterson did in the past, but at this point, I wouldn’t change a thing. I loved going to war with my brothers on Fridays.”
He was mainly recruited by Nicholls State University and South-eastern.
“Southeastern came to every home game and I was recruited by Tank Calais from Patterson who coaches there,” Turner said. “So I feel real good about my decision.”
Turner was joined by his huge extended family all clad in Southeastern green T-shirts.