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Setup kicked off early this morning for the first day of Fit, Fun and Fabulous Serving St. Mary Parish in downtown Franklin. From 9 a.m.-1 p.m., various medical agencies, local programs and area services will take part in a walking tour and health fair for all ages.

Shortly after 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Troopers with Troop C began investigating a fatal crash involving a pedestrian on La. 1247 near Robin Street. The crash took the life of 30-year-old Krystal Meranta of Morgan City.
The preliminary investigation revealed 23-year-old Jonathan Daigle of Labadieville was traveling east on La. 1247 in a 2011 Nissan Maxima. As he approached Robin Street, Daigle encountered Meranta in the middle of the eastbound lane. His vehicle struck Meranta and she sustained fatal injuries. Daigle was properly restrained and was not injured. Impairment is suspected on the part of Meranta and a toxicology report is pending. Daigle submitted a breath sample and no alcohol was detected. This crash remains under investigation and no further information is available at this time.
Troopers urge pedestrians to maintain a heightened level of awareness while walking near the road. Simple precautions such as wearing reflective materials, avoiding distractions, and walking a safe distance from travel lanes while facing oncoming traffic could help prevent many pedestrian related crashes. Troopers would also like to take this opportunity to remind motorists that making good choices, such as never driving while impaired and ensuring every occupant is properly restrained, can often be the key to preventing and surviving serious crashes.

BATON ROUGE (AP) — Republican Ralph Abraham has abandoned his claims to avoid intraparty fighting in Louisiana’s governor’s race and has begun taking more direct hits at GOP contender Eddie Rispone, as both men try to unseat the Deep South’s only Democratic governor.
With early voting ongoing through Saturday, Abraham, a third-term congressman from northeast Louisiana, has released an ad calling Rispone desperate and saying Rispone is lying to voters about Abraham’s record.
The 30-second spot comes two weeks after Rispone, a Baton Rouge businessman largely self-financing his campaign with his own millions, launched an attack ad about Abraham’s congressional votes and challenging his support of President Donald Trump.
Rispone’s ad drew backlash from some Republicans who worried it could damage both campaigns and give an assist to Democratic incumbent John Bel Edwards instead. At the time, Abraham said his focus would remain “aimed solely” on defeating Edwards, not returning fire on Rispone.
But since then, some polls show Rispone gaining ground and even surpassing Abraham ahead of the Oct. 12 election, after Abraham had consistently polled in the race’s No. 2 spot. With the release of that polling data, Abraham has responded with targeted criticism of Rispone in forums and the new ad.
Rispone has defended his approach as drawing distinctions with the candidates in the race, and Abraham’s campaign spokesman David Weinman said the response is about “correcting lies.” Weinman didn’t say in which TV markets the ad is running.
“It’s unfortunate that we had to devote time and resources rebutting blatant lies from my Republican opponent. We will not launch personal attacks against my Republican opponent, but I will defend my conservative record and values,” Abraham said in a statement.
Abraham had largely ignored Rispone in the first TV debate featuring all three major candidates, trying to frame the race as a two-man competition between him and Edwards. But in last week’s televised debate in Lafayette, Abraham and Rispone tangled directly.
Abraham struck at Rispone’s claims that he’s the only businessman in the race and the outsider. Abraham said he has run multiple businesses, and he said Rispone’s been involved in politics “a long time as a donor,” longer than Abraham’s been in office.
Meanwhile, Rispone again criticized Abraham for a 2016 statement suggesting Trump should consider stepping aside from the GOP presidential nomination after a recording emerged in which Trump boasted about groping women.
Louisiana Republican Party leaders have worried about repeating the GOP infighting of the 2015 governor’s race that helped Edwards win.
Polls show Edwards well ahead of his competitors, but Abraham and Rispone are trying to keep him from an outright primary victory. All contenders run on the same ballot regardless of party. If Edwards doesn’t top 50% of the vote, he’ll face the second-place finisher in a Nov. 16 runoff.

December 6, 1944 — September 27, 2019
Mona Gail Kimble Walker, 74, a resident of Bayou Vista, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 27, 2019, at her home surrounded by her loving family.
Mona Gail was born on December 6, 1944, in Simmesport, Louisiana, the daughter of Benjamin Kimble and Lillian Jackson Kimble.
Family was one of the most important things to Mona Gail. She loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and cherished the time that she was able to spend with them making memories. Some of her favorite things included cooking for her family, hosting tea parties with her grandchildren, and extended family gatherings. She enjoyed being outdoors, as she was a lover of nature. She loved to watch the birds, especially her eagles and also enjoyed growing tomatoes in her garden. Mona Gail was always on the go. She especially loved traveling to Willie Nelson concerts, as he was her favorite singer. She loved boat rides and wetting a hook. She enjoyed watching Nascar, traveling with her husband to several races. She cherished a great cup of coffee and enjoyed drinking a cup with her many friends and family members. When she was not on the go, Mona Gail loved to make sure she got to take her Sunday afternoon nap.
She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her husband of 26 years, John Walker of Bayou Vista; three children, Delman Tibbetts and wife Kim of Youngsville, Terri Lou T. Lancon and husband Ricky of Jeanerette, and Jannie Walker of Berwick; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one brother, Benjamin Kimble and wife Sue of Minden; two sisters, Lou Harris and husband A.J. of Baton Rouge, and Dollie Hughes of Livingston; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mona Gail was preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin and Lillian Jackson Kimble; two daughters, Lori Tibbetts and Delores Tibbetts; and five siblings, Fred Kimble, Esther Picard, Norma Pecoraro, Cotton Kimble and Terald Kimble.
Memorial services will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 3, 2019, at Twin City Funeral Home with Pastor Steve Spurlin officiating. A memorial visitation will be held from 5 p.m. until the time of the memorial service.