RSS Feed

Velma Charles, age 72, a resident and native of Sorrell, Louisiana. Passed away on Friday, November 29, 2019 at her resident in Sorrell, La.
Visitation will be observed on Saturday, December 7, 2019 St. Moses Baptist Church (20315 Highway 182 Sorrell- Jeanerette, La.) from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Eastern Stars Presentation at 12:30 p.m. and Funeral Ceremony Starting at 1 p.m The Interment will take place in Sorrell Community Cemetery.
Ms. Charles, is survived by her mother Mrs. Viola Charles of Sorrell, La.; a dear cousin Mrs. Ida Mae Poledore of Sorrell, La.; four godchildren Xiomara Ellis of Broussard, La., Deatra McBride of Sorrell, La., JaMichael Talmore of New Iberia, La. and Dexter Smith of Sorrell, La.; a nephew Bradford Harris of Houston, Texas; an aunt Mrs. Dorothy Echols of Savannah, GA.;
She was preceded in death by her father, one sister, and her grandparents.
Officiating Minister Rev. B.K. Stevens. The Otis Mortuary, Inc. of Franklin, La. is in charge of arrangements.

The City of Franklin is hosting its 4th Annual Christmas Lighting Contest on Tuesday, Dec. 10.
All residents have to do to enter is turn on their Christmas lights by 6 p.m. on that day. Business owners and residents are eligible to participate. There will be four residential districts and one business section.
The judges will be comparing exterior decorations only, including decorations in windows that are visible from the exterior. Only decorations that are visible from the street will be judged. Judges will not enter the property to view the back or side yard.
First and second place plaques will be awarded in each section. Winners will be announced at the Franklin City Council meeting on Dec. 17 at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
For more information about this year’s Christmas Lighting Contest, contact Tammy Rogers at 337-828-6350 or trogers@franklin-la.com.
Also upcoming are:
Christmas Under The Lampposts, Dec. 7, at 6 p.m., to include a Decorated Golf Cart Parade and Christmas on the Bayou Lighting Ceremony.
The parade will start at the corner of Jackson Street and Main Street and head down to the St. Mary Parish Courthouse Square for the Christmas on the Bayou Lighting Ceremony with this year’s Lamp Lighter that will be announced at the ceremony.
Mingle & Jingle, Thursday, Dec. 12 from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m., (Franklin Merchants Association & City of Franklin’s) will include photos with Santa, trolley rides, cookie decorating, ornament making and more.
Home for the Holidays Christmas Gala & Dinner, featuring local entertainer Clay Boudreaux at the Teche Theatre for the Performing Arts, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m.
Clay Boudreaux is a musician, vocalist/boardist based in Baton Rouge. Clay has entertained audiences now for over 40 years. Originally from Franklin, Clay now resides in Baton Rouge. His primary instrument is piano. In addition, he is also an acclaimed vocalist and organist. His repertoire is extensive and includes music from Broadway, standards, rock and roll, the 50s and 60s to today. He performs songs from artists such as Elton John, Neil Diamond, Lionel Ritchie, Frank Sinatra, Van Morrison, Michael Buble’, John Legend and many more. Cocktail parties, anniversary parties and weddings are his specialty.
Some might call him a “one man band” but he needs to be seen and heard to be believed. He uses a microphone, keyboard, computer and excellent sound system to produce a very high quality sound. Show tunes are part of his repertoire as well. Musical theatre is a big influence on his music. He was accompanist for Franklin Little Theater for many years, with stage credits including the roles of Billy Crocker in Anything Goes and Emile de Becque in South Pacific.
City of Franklin’s New Year’s Eve Bicentennial Kickoff Celebration
Get ready to start the New Year with the city’s Bicentennial Kickoff Celebration on New Year’s Eve at 6 p.m. hosted by Diane Wiltz and Ed “Tiger” Verdin in the St. Mary Parish Courthouse Square.
Kicking off with Johnny Chauvin & the Mojo Band, followed by the dance king himself, Cupid & the Dance Party Express Band and D.J. Fab, with the lowering of our beloved and iconic lamp post down the St. Mary Parish Courthouse as the countdown to midnight leads to a fireworks display.

The following are the radio dispatch logs from the Morgan City Police Department. To report unlawful or suspicious activity, call the police department at 985-380-4605.
Tuesday, Dec. 3
6:12 a.m. 300 block of Lawrence Street; Complaint.
8:14 a.m. 500 block of Fourth Street; Medical.
8:33 a.m. 6000 block of La. 182; Forgery.
8:47 a.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Disturbance.
10:15 a.m. 2000 block of Keith Street; Medical.
10:33 a.m. 200 block of Brashear Avenue; Theft.
11:26 a.m. 400 block of Lawrence Street; Complaint.
11:35 a.m. 700 block of Second Street; Alarm.
12:29 p.m. 700 block of First Street; Theft.
2:17 p.m. Ninth and Greenwood streets; Accident.
2:50 p.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Removal of subject.
3:41 p.m. 100 block of South Railroad Avenue; Disturbance.
4:36 p.m. Victor II Boulevard and Myrtle Street; Traffic incident.
4:39 p.m. 200 block of Roderick Street; Juvenile problems.
6:03 p.m. 1100 block of Chester Bowles Street; Juvenile.
6:13 p.m. Sixth Street and Brashear Avenue; Telephone harassment.
6:27 p.m. 1400 block of Victor II Boulevard; Domestic disturbance.
7:04 p.m. 700 block of Sixth Street; Civil matter.
7:23 p.m. 800 block of Ninth Street; Alarm.
8:04 p.m. 200 block of Halsey Street; Welfare concern.
9:21 p.m. Patton Street; Assist Sheriff’s Office.
9:59 p.m. 800 block of Victor II Boulevard; Alarm.
Wednesday, Dec. 4
11:05 p.m. 400 block of Louisa Street; Complaint.
2:01 a.m. 300 block of Cardinal Street; Suspicious subject.

In a new study, 41 U.S. states and territories show significant declines in obesity among children, age 2 to 4 years, from low-income families enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children between 2010-16, according to data published recently in The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
In 2009, WIC state agencies were required to implement redesigned WIC food packages to better align with the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans and infant feeding practice guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics. This change led to increased availability of healthier foods and beverages in authorized WIC stores and improved dietary quality among families who enrolled in WIC.
In addition to the food packages, WIC helps to establish successful long-term breastfeeding, provides participants with a wider variety of food, and offers WIC state agencies greater flexibility in prescribing food packages to adapt to participants with cultural food preferences.
Despite these recent declines in obesity among children enrolled in WIC, the prevalence remained high in most states in 2016.
“Improvements in national, state, and caregiver guidance around nutrition and physical activity may be contributing to this decline in childhood obesity,” said CDC Director Robert Redfield, M.D. “We are moving in the right direction and helping parents make healthy choices for their children is reducing the potential for complications posed by childhood obesity later in life.”
CDC and U.S. Depart-ment of Agriculture researchers analyzed obesity trends from 2010 to 2016 among young children, aged 2 to 4 years, from low-income families enrolled in WIC. Over 12.4 million children aged 2 to 4 years from 56 WIC state agencies and territories were included in the study.
Key findings:
In 2016, obesity prevalence among young children enrolled in WIC varied from 7.8% to 19.8%.
During 2010–16, obesity decreased by more than 3% in seven WIC state and territorial agencies (New Jersey, New Mexico, Utah, Virginia, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico).
Three state agencies showed significant increases in obesity: Alabama (0.5%), North Carolina (0.6%) and West Virginia (2.2%)
A previous study reported that 34 of 56 WIC state/territory agencies experienced decreases in obesity prevalence during 2010–2014.
“While we have seen some progress, obesity prevalence among young children remains too high,” said Dr. Ruth Petersen, M.D., M.P.H., director of CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity. “We must persist in our efforts to support healthy eating and physical activity for this positive trend to continue.”
Efforts to address childhood obesity
In addition to improvements in the WIC program, local, state and national efforts designed to prevent childhood obesity, may have contributed to this decline. For example, CDC provided support for states and communities to implement nutrition, breastfeeding support, physical activity, and screen time standards in early care and education systems and settings. Also, improvements in maternity care policies and practices to support breastfeeding in birthing facilities and workplaces could be a factor in this decline in childhood obesity.
What more can be done?
There is no simple solution to the issue of childhood obesity. Further implementation of a comprehensive approach that calls for positive changes in multiple settings to promote healthy nutrition and physical activity for young children could help continue the declines in childhood obesity. Policy makers, state and local organizations, business and community leaders, school, childcare and healthcare professionals, and individuals must work together to create an environment that supports a healthy lifestyle.
Parents can serve nutritious foods for meals and snacks and be a role model for preschoolers by eating fruits and vegetables alongside them. Parents can make water available throughout the day and limit the screen time of preschoolers at home. Parents can support and encourage preschoolers to be physically active every day.
There are several ways state and local organizations can create a supportive environment to promote healthy living behaviors that prevent obesity. States can embed National Standards for obesity prevention into state early child care education guidelines such as licensing, quality rating, subsidy, professional development.
States and communities can support mothers who choose to breastfeed, work with early care and education centers (child care) and schools to improve healthy food and beverage offerings and opportunities for physical activity for children. In addition, they can work to increase access to healthy and affordable foods and make it easier and safer to walk and bike where families live, learn, work, and play.
For more information about CDC’s childhood obesity and prevention efforts, visit www.cdc.gov/obesity.
To read the full report: www.cdc.gov/mmwr.