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The City of Franklin is partnering with Southern University & A&M College System’s Agricultural Land-Grant Campus to bring educational opportunities to Franklin.
This partnership will bring the mobile campus of Southern University to Franklin for 16 weeks this fall. Certifications in four separate categories are: Small Business Development Certification Program, Food and Farm Safety Certification Program, Master Small Ruminant (goats, sheep), Producer Certification Program and Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certification Program.
Programs are focused on enhancing the capability of Louisiana small farmers and businesses within our region and courses are offered at the post-secondary level to provide experiences and skills needed to enter the work force beyond the entry-level position and are free to qualified applicants.
—The Food Safety Certification Program provides basic training to farmers and food production managers. How to prevent, minimize, and reduce the risks of food product contamination during farming, purchasing, receiving, storing, preparing, cooking, reheating, and serving. Federal guidelines for the food production facilities are covered for participants to learn the importance of food safety from farm to table.
—The Small Business Development Certification Program assists economically challenged landowners in creating and strengthening agricultural businesses. This educational program includes courses that develop and improve upon the professional skills of Louisiana small entrepreneurs and farmers.
—The Master Small Ruminant Producer Certification Program is a comprehensive course for beginning and advanced goat and sheep producers. This training program is to provide educational training opportunities in small ruminant production, management and marketing for Low to Moderate Income (LMI) and/or Urgent Need producers to assist in building a viable and sustainable goat and sheep industry in the state of Louisiana. Farmers must pass a farm inspection to become certified as a Master Small Ruminant Producer. A non-certification track is also available for producers.
—The Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certification Program is an intensive 12-session training and field-study farm tour employing sustainable agriculture practices. In this program, participants will become familiar with techniques and strategies necessary to grow fresh fruits, vegetables and animals in an urban environment sustainably. Participants learn to work within ordinances and guidelines of city government and galvanize others within the community around agricultural policy. Participants also learn to recycle available resources and discarded items to promote healthier lifestyles and communities.
All four class certification programs are a total of four weeks with the mobile unit being in Franklin for a total of 16 weeks. Classes will be held behind City Hall in Southern University’s Mobile Educational Technology vehicle which operates as both a high-tech educational classroom and a mobile extension of their brick and mortar facilities. For more information of the certification go to www.suagcenter.com.
Those interested in the certification programs may pick up the Household LMI Form-2019 at City Hall in the Tax Department during normal business hours beginning today.
Deadline to register is July 15. For more information contact Ed “Tiger” Verdin, Director of Public Relations, City of Franklin, at 337-828-6347.

Fourth of July is just around the corner, but itchy mosquito bites may already be a problem in your neighborhood.
Last week was National Mosquito Control Awareness Week and he American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) has tips to help you declare independence from those pesky blood-suckers.
Pools are open and grills are going, but are you cooking up a breeding ground for mosquitoes? Standing water and dark clothing are two things that attract them. AMCA recommends people follow the three D’s to keep mosquitoes away:
—Drain: Empty out water containers at least once per week
—Dress: Wear long sleeves, long pants, and light-colored, loose-fitting clothing
—Defend: Properly apply an approved repellent such as DEET, picaridin, IR 3535 or oil of lemon-eucalyptus
Make your yard a mosquito-free zone by disposing of any tire that can breed thousands of mosquitoes; drilling holes in the bottom of recycling containers; clearing roof gutters of debris; cleaning pet water dishes regularly; checking and emptying children’s toys; repairing leaky outdoor faucets; and changing the water in bird baths at least once a week.
Joseph Conlon, AMCA Technical Advisor said, “Encouraging your neighbors to also eliminate sources on their own property is critical to a community-wide control program. Mosquitoes require water to complete their life cycle. If their water source is eliminated, so are their offspring.”
Mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance. Their bites can spread diseases such as Zika and West Nile Virus. “We already have the mosquitoes,” Joseph Conlon, AMCA Technical Advisor said. “We are continually importing the diseases they carry. We must be prepared to prevent their spread throughout our public health landscape—and this requires safe, effective, sustained mosquito control and awareness in the community.”
AMCA stresses mosquito-borne diseases do not only affect humans—they also kill countless birds, reptiles, animals and endangered species each year. Awareness of these parasites—including canine heartworm, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and Western Equine Encephalitis—is another important component of mosquito control the general public must embrace.
What is St. Mary Parish Mosquito Control doing to reduce and monitor potential disease-vectoring and nuisance mosquitoes?
—Surveillance Program: This is what St. Mary Parish Mosquito Control does to track mosquito populations through samples caught in traps set twice a week.
—Gravid trap: There are 15 gravid traps set throughout the parish. These traps are set out twice a week and target catching the Southern House Mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus). This trap is designed to attract a gravid (pregnant) mosquito; this means they have had a blood meal and could potentially be carrying a disease like West Nile virus, eastern equine encephalitis, or St. Louis encephalitis. These mosquitoes are collected and sent off to be tested weekly at the LSU Veterinary School in Baton Rouge. Thus far, St. Mary Parish Mosquito Control has sent off nearly 350 mosquito pools to be tested and none have tested positive for WNV, EEE, or SLE.
—CDC Light trap: There are 15 light traps set throughout the city. These traps are set out once a week and collect a variety of species of mosquitoes. The collections from these traps are used to target problem areas, and used to detect what species of mosquitoes we have in our parish. Knowing the type of mosquito: floodwater, permanent water, or container-breeding mosquito dictates treatment method.
—Adulticiding: This is what St. Mary Parish Mosquito Control does to attempt to control adult mosquitoes in the parish.
—Spray truck: The spray trucks run early in the morning and late in the evening (dawn and dusk). The parish is capable of running up to four spray trucks but typically runs three trucks on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The parish has 10 different spray zones that are sprayed between once and twice per week depending on mosquito population.
—Larviciding: This is what St. Mary Parish Mosquito Control does to attempt to control the aquatic life stage of the mosquito.
—Truck/ATV larviciding: These spray units are used to treat standing water and roadside ditches after rain events. The areas that are treated are areas that are known for holding water, which are common breeding areas, and are checked regularly after rain events until they dry up.
—Public Education: These are the efforts the program makes to educate the public about what they can do to prevent breeding sites around there home.

Two women were arrested at a Morgan City business after police learned the women were involved in a physical altercation, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith said in a news release.

—Reandra Wenndresse Taylor, 31, of Roderick Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:43 p.m. Thursday on a charge of aggravated battery.

—Constance Nicole Bertrand, 31, of Fifth Street in Berwick, was arrested at 10:43 p.m. Thursday on a charge of disturbing the peace by fighting.

A deputy was dispatched to a business on La. 182 in Morgan City in reference to a disturbance. During the investigation, authorities learned that Taylor and Bertrand were involved in an altercation, Smith said. Both were booked into parish jail. No bail was set for Taylor. Bertrand’s bail was set at $1,000.

Smith reported that deputies responded to 39 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrest in east St. Mary Parish:

—Rebecca Courville Price, 47, of General McArthur Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:11 a.m. Thursday on a warrant charging her with issuing worthless checks.

Price was located at the St. Mary Parish Courthouse on the warrant. Price was released on a summons to appear in court Sept. 26.

Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported that officers responded to 39 calls and reported the following arrests:

—Jacob Alexander Rhodes, 20, of Tupelo Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 1:30 a.m. Friday on charges of no headlights and possession of marijuana over 14 grams first offense.

—Jason Thomas Vining, 20, of Louisa Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 1:30 a.m. Friday on a charge of possession of marijuana over 28 grams second offense.

An officer on patrol observed a traffic violation in the area of Brashear Avenue and 4th Street. A traffic stop was conducted. The driver was identified as Rhodes, and his passenger was identified as Vining. Both Rhodes and Vining were found in possession of suspected marijuana, Blair said. They were jailed.

—Heather Ann Spencer, 38, of Bowman Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:47 p.m. Thursday on warrants charging her with five counts of failure to appear in court.

Officers came into contact with Spencer on La. 70. A warrants check revealed city court had warrants for her arrest. She was jailed.

—Gregory Williams, 60, of La. 182 in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:20 a.m. Thursday on a charge of theft less than $1,000.

Officers responded to a business on La. 182 in reference to a theft. The caller advised a person concealed merchandise valued at $13.07 before exiting the business without paying for the items.

Officers were able to locate the person matching the description walking on La. 182. He was identified as Williams, and he was in possession of the stolen items, Blair said. He was jailed.

Berwick Police Chief David Leonard Sr. reported the following arrests:

—Georgette Cuvillier, 37, of Houma, was arrested at 10:08 a.m. Thursday on a 16th Judicial District Court warrant charging her with failure to appear for criminal neglect of family and on charges of possession of marijuana, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Cuvillier was transferred to parish jail.

—Michael Martin, 36, of Second Street in Berwick, was arrested at 8:35 p.m. Thursday on charges of simple burglary, theft of medication, illegal possession of stolen things and a 16th Judicial District Court warrant charging him with failure to appear for contempt of court. Bail was set at $8,750.

—Lucille Rodriguez, 39, of Franklin Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:55 p.m. Thursday on a 16th Judicial District Court warrant charging her with failure to appear for criminal neglect of family. Rodriguez was released on $500 recognizance bail.

Patterson Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported the following arrests:

—Ryan Delahoussaye, 25, of River Road in Berwick, was arrested at 8:05 a.m. Thursday on charges of violation of a protective order and illegal carrying of a weapon. No bail was set.

—Jeremyah J. Smith, 20, of Constant Street in Lakeworth, Florida, was arrested at 9:39 p.m. Thursday on a charge of suspended driver’s license. Smith paid $360 bail.

—Marcus Battle, 44, of Plum Street in Patterson, was arrested at 4:06 a.m. Friday on charges of speeding 47 mph in a 35 mph zone and no driver’s license. Bail was set at $473.

—Bethany Cooney, 26, of Rosemary Road in New Iberia, was arrested at 4:36 a.m. Friday on charges of speeding 72 mph in a 55 mph zone, no proof of insurance, open container, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and DWI first offense. No bail was set.

Franklin Police Chief Morris Beverly reported the following arrest relating to east St. Mary Parish:

—Tommy Morgan Jr., 29, of Belanger Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:50 p.m. Thursday on a warrant charging him with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia third offense. Morgan was jailed with no bail set.

As a wet spring turns into a wet summer, attention is turning to a seasonal pest: mosquitoes.
This is Mosquito Control Awareness Week, and the American Mosquito Control Association has tips to help you declare independence from those pesky blood-suckers.
Pools are open and grills are going, but are you cooking up a breeding ground for mosquitoes? Standing water and dark clothing are two things that attract them. The association recommends people follow the three D’s to keep mosquitoes away:
—Drain: Empty out water containers at least once per week
—Dress: Wear long sleeves, long pants, and light-colored, loose-fitting clothing
—Defend: Properly apply an approved repellent such as DEET, picaridin, IR 3535 or oil of lemon- eucalyptus
Make your yard a mosquito-free zone by: disposing of any tires.. Tires can breed thousands of mosquitoes; drilling holes in the bottom of recycling containers; clearing roof gutters of debris; cleaning pet water dishes regularly; checking and emptying children’s toys; repairing leaky outdoor faucets; and changing the water in bird baths at least once a week.
In St. Mary, the Mosquito Control program includes, according to the parish government::
—Surveillance Program: This is what St. Mary Parish Mosquito Control does to track mosquito populations through samples caught in traps set twice a week.
—Gravid trap: There are 15 gravid traps set throughout the parish. These traps are set out twice a week and target catching the southern house mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus). This trap is designed to attract a gravid (pregnant) mosquito; this means they have had a blood meal and could potentially be carrying a disease like West Nile virus, eastern equine encephalitis, or St. Louis encephalitis.
These mosquitoes are collected and sent off to be tested weekly at the LSU Veterinary School in Baton Rouge. St. Mary Parish Mosquito Control has sent off nearly 350 mosquito pools to be tested and none have tested positive for WNV, EEE, or SLE.
—CDC Light trap: There are 15 light traps set throughout the city. These traps are set out once a week and collect a variety of species of mosquitoes. The collections from these traps are used to target problem areas, and used to detect what species of mosquitoes we have in the parish. Knowing the type of mosquito: floodwater, permanent water, or container-breeding mosquito dictates treatment method.
—Adulticiding: This is what St. Mary Parish Mosquito Control does to attempt to control adult mosquitoes in the parish.
Spray truck: The spray trucks run early in the morning and late in the evening (dawn and dusk). The parish is capable of running up to four spray trucks but typically runs three trucks on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The parish has 10 different spray zones that are sprayed between once and twice per week depending on mosquito population.
—Larviciding: This is what St. Mary Parish Mosquito Control does to attempt to control the aquatic life stage of the mosquito.
—Truck/ATV larviciding: These spray units are used to treat standing water and roadside ditches after rain events.
—Public education: These are the efforts the program makes to educate the public about what they can do.
sites around there home. As a wet spring turns in o a wet summer, attention is turning to a seasonal pest: mosquitoes.
This is Mosquito Control Awareness Week, and the American Mosquito Control Association has tips to help you declare independence from those pesky blood-suckers.
Pools are open and grills are going, but are you cooking up a breeding ground for mosquitoes? Standing water and dark clothing are two things that attract them. The association recommends people follow the three D’s to keep mosquitoes away:
—Drain: Empty out water containers at least once per week
—Dress: Wear long sleeves, long pants, and light-colored, loose-fitting clothing
—Defend: Properly apply an approved repellent such as DEET, picaridin, IR 3535 or oil of lemon- eucalyptus
Make your yard a mosquito-free zone by: disposing of any tires. Tt=ires can breed thousands of mosquitoes; drilling holes in the bottom of recycling containers; clearing roof gutters of debris; cleaning pet water dishes regularly; checking and emptying children’s toys; repairing leaky outdoor faucets; and changing the water in bird baths at least once a week.
Mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance. Their bites can spread diseases such as zika and West Nile virus.
In St. Mary, the Mosquito Control program includes, according to the parish government::
—Surveillance Program: This is what St. Mary Parish Mosquito Control does to track mosquito populations through samples caught in traps set twice a week.
—Gravid trap: There are 15 gravid traps set throughout the parish. These traps are set out twice a week and target catching the southern house mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus). This trap is designed to attract a gravid (pregnant) mosquito; this means they have had a blood meal and could potentially be carrying a disease like West Nile virus, eastern equine encephalitis, or St. Louis encephalitis.
These mosquitoes are collected and sent off to be tested weekly at the LSU Veterinary School in Baton Rouge. Thus far, St. Mary Parish Mosquito Control has sent off nearly 350 mosquito pools to be tested and none have tested positive for WNV, EEE, or SLE.
—CDC Light trap: There are 15 light traps set throughout the city. These traps are set out once a week and collect a variety of species of mosquitoes. The collections from these traps are used to target problem areas, and used to detect what species of mosquitoes we have in our parish. Knowing the type of mosquito: floodwater, permanent water, or container-breeding mosquito dictates treatment method.
—Adulticiding: This is what St. Mary Parish Mosquito Control does to attempt to control adult mosquitoes in the parish.
—Spray truck: The spray trucks run early in the morning and late in the evening (dawn and dusk). The parish is capable of running up to four spray trucks but typically runs three trucks on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The parish has 10 different spray zones that are sprayed between once and twice per week depending on mosquito population.
—Larviciding: This is what St. Mary Parish Mosquito Control does to attempt to control the aquatic life stage of the mosquito.
—Truck/ATV larviciding: These spray units are used to treat standing water and roadside ditches after rain events. The areas that are treated are areas that are known for holding water, which are common breeding areas, and are checked regularly after rain events until they dry up.
—Public education: These are the efforts the program makes to educate the public about what they can do to prevent breeding sites around there home.