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The journey that has led Carl Armato to manage a multistate health care system is an extremely personal one.

He held a book signing Wednesday at The Atchafalaya at Idlewild near Patterson. His new book titled, “A Future with Hope,” explores his journey living with Type 1 diabetes and “having hope through that journey,” Armato said. The book is available on Amazon.com, and all proceeds go toward diabetes research, especially to try to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes.

He is president and CEO of Novant Health, an integrated health care system in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Virginia. Novant manages 15 hospitals and 580 clinics with a total of 30,000 employees.

Armato, 54, grew up in Patterson and graduated from Patterson High School in 1982.

Book sales from Wednesday’s book signing go to the local Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

At 18 months old, he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes during a time when there were no juvenile diabetes research foundations and no glucometer to monitor blood glucose. Diabetes has two forms, Type 1 and Type 2.

Type 1 is an autoimmune disease that prohibits the pancreas from producing insulin to be able to regulate blood sugar or glucose. Type 2 usually occurs later in life often due to an unhealthy lifestyle. With Type 2 patients, the pancreas produces insulin but doesn’t properly use it, Armato said.

Armato’s book can help anyone with diabetes manage the disease from his personal experience, he said.

While in high school, Armato went to an eye doctor who asked him what he wanted to do in life. Armato told the doctor that he wanted to be an accountant.

But the doctor told him that might be difficult to do with Type 1 diabetes due to the risk of going blind and not being able to see small numbers.

That news horribly upset Armato. But his parents rallied behind him. His father asked God to give Armato the discipline to manage the disease and find a way to use the illness to help others. He went on to earn accounting and MBA degrees and pursued a career in health care management.

“I believe that I’m running one of the biggest health care systems and helping others with all chronic diseases,” he said.

Novant cares for 90,000 people with diabetes. Of that number, 68 percent now have normal hemoglobin A1C, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, Armato said.

“Our goal is to have more and more diabetics be able to find that normal range so that they can fulfill their dreams,” he said.

A few years ago, Armato was recognized by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in North Carolina for living with diabetes for 50 years. He talked about having hope with a chronic disease.

One 20-year-old woman approached Armato after the event with tears in her eyes and hugged him. She’d attended that event for many years, but had rarely heard speakers discuss having hope while living with diabetes, Armato said.

Armato decided on his drive home from that event that he would take the notes he’d written over the years and write a book to share with others throughout the country.

The U.S. Coast Guard has issued the following river safety advisory due to the high water in the region.

Based on current conditions on the Atchafalaya River, the captain of the Port Houma will enforce a minimum speed restriction for all northbound vessels entering the Vessel Traffic Service Berwick Bay traffic zone. Any vessel unable to maintain 3 mph shall require an assist vessel.

North and south tows transiting the Morgan City triple-span bridges and tows intending west at Mile Marker 98.5 are limited to 600 feet. Northbound tows greater than 600 feet transiting through the Morgan City triple-span bridges will be required to break down their tow.

South tows transiting through the Morgan City triple-span bridges are limited to day light operations only and shall require an assist vessel if greater than 400 feet.

South and north tows 400 feet or greater transiting westbound at Mile Marker 98.5 shall require a shadow assist. All tows remain subject to the Vessel Traffic Service Berwick Bay High Water towing limitations and any additional Emergency Vessel Movement Controls. This MSIB supersedes all previous High Water marine safety bulletins released by the Captain of the Port Houma in this 2018-19 high water event.

All Mariners are advised of shoaling extending from the Morgan City, City Pier to the center of the channel in the vicinity of the Morgan City triple-span bridges, some areas in this location have less than 2 feet of water. The U.S. Coast Guard has marked this shoaling with four Red buoys. In addition, shoaling exist at 20 Grand Point, Mile Marker 99 on the right ascending bank, Stouts Pass, and at the south entrance of the Bayou Chene.

All Mariners are to use extreme caution while transiting these areas and are encouraged to contact VTS Berwick Bay for any amplifying information or to make further reports of shoaling.

An inmate at St. Mary Parish jail admitted to starting a small fire while attempting to cook food on a table top, Sheriff Blaise Smith said in a news release.

—Kenneth Wayne Rollins, 29, of Diane Lane in Patterson, was arrested at 2:05 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of fire-raising in a correctional facility.

Deputies received a report concerning a fire inside one of the dorms at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center in Centerville. Upon further investigation, authorities learned that several inmates were gathered around a table inside a dorm with a small fire underneath Inmates were attempting to cook food on the table top, Smith said.

The fire was quickly extinguished and the deputies were able to identify as Rollins as a suspect. After speaking with Rollins, he admitted to starting the fire with batteries from the TV remote, resulting in the above-mentioned charge, the sheriff said.

Smith reported that deputies responded to 40 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:

—Russell Thomas, 37, of Carmen Street in Patterson, was arrested at 5:51 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, manufacturing of crack cocaine, possession of powdered cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of MDMA with intent to distribute, violation of controlled dangerous substance law in a drug-free zone (library and school), transactions involving drug proceeds, possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, obstruction of justice, resisting an officer and possession of drug paraphernalia..

Narcotics detectives along with the assistance of the Patterson Police Department executed a search warrant in the 1200 block of Carmen Street in Patterson. Upon arrival, detectives encountered Thomas in front of the apartment.

While attempting to detain Thomas, detectives observed Thomas throw crack cocaine, the sheriff said. Thomas was detained after a brief struggle. Detectives conducted a search of the home and found crack cocaine, powdered cocaine, and MDMA pills, along with several items of drug paraphernalia, Smith said.

Detectives also recovered $3,308 in cash, and a 12 gauge pistol grip shotgun, the sheriff said. Thomas' home is located less than 2,000 feet from a library and a school. Thomas is also a convicted felon which prohibits him from possessing a firearm. Thomas was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. No bail was set.

—Carmel James Triggs Jr., 37, of Tall Timbers Lane in Patterson, was arrested at 11:22 a.m. Tuesday on warrants charging him with failure to pay annual registration fee, failure to provide notification as a sex offender and duty of offender to notify law enforcement of change of address.

Triggs was located by deputies in the area of Park Street in Patterson. He was informed of the warrants for his arrest. Triggs was jailed with no bail set.

—Charlie Dionel Kelly Jr., 40, of Tiffany Street in Patterson, was arrested at 8:48 p.m. Tuesday on charges of turning movements and required signals, possession of MDMA, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

A deputy was patrolling the area of U.S 90 West near Cotton Road in Patterson when he observed a vehicle make a lane change without using a turn signal. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was identified as Kelly.

Kelly appeared to be nervous while speaking to the deputy. Kelly was asked if any illegal narcotics were inside the vehicle, at which time he answered no, the sheriff said. K9 Vickie was deployed to conduct an open-air sniff. K9 Vickie was alerted to the presence of drugs in the vehicle. Deputies conducted a search of the vehicle and found the schedule I drugs, loose marijuana, and drug paraphernalia, Smith said. Kelly was jailed with bail set at $5,000.

—Oscarnique Nijreel Toups, 22, of Friendship Alley in Amelia, was arrested at 12:22 a.m. Wednesday on a warrant charging him with failure to appear in court.

A deputy was patrolling the area of Friendship Alley in Amelia when he observed two subjects standing in the roadway. The deputy made contact with both subjects. A background check on Toups revealed the warrant. Toups was jailed with bail set at $320.

Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon reported the following arrest relating to the area:

—Ronald J. Armond Jr., 25, of Muriel Street in Bayou L’Ourse, was arrested on a charge of unauthorized use of a movable.

On Jan. 25, deputies responded to a complaint during which a vehicle owner indicated that Armond had picked up her car Jan. 22 to do repair work and was supposed to return it the same day but never did, Falcon said.

Responding deputies entered the vehicle in the computer database as stolen and filed an arrest warrant against Armond.

On Jan. 30, Louisiana State Police Troop L, contacted Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office that the vehicle in question was involved in a high-speed law-enforcement pursuit in St. Tammany Parish and identified Armond as the driver, Falcon said. Armond was jailed in St. Tammany Parish. Armond was later booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center where he remains pending a bail hearing.

Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported that officers responded to 45 calls and reported the following arrests:

—Jerry Lee Favors, 54, of Railroad Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:21 p.m. Tuesday on warrants charging him with two counts of failure to appear to pay fines and a hold for the Patterson Police Department.

Officers came into contact with Favors on Railroad Avenue. A warrant check revealed warrants for his arrest through City Court of Morgan City and Patterson Police Department. He was jailed.

—Roman Bayda, 41, of Amber Avenue in Rowlett, Texas, was arrested at 11:14 p.m. Tuesday on charges of turn signal violation and possession of marijuana first offense.

An officer on patrol observed a vehicle commit a turn signal violation on La. 182. The officer conducted a traffic stop on Sandra Street and identified the driver as Bayda. During the traffic stop, suspected marijuana was located in Bayda’s possession, Blair said. He was placed jailed.

—Reinnaldo Joel Mejia, 27, of Fourth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant charging him with domestic abuse battery. An officer located Mejia on Fourth Street and arrested him on a warrant. He was jailed.

—Brett Bagliardi, 23, of Saragosa Pond Lane in Spring, Texas, was arrested at 1:02 a.m. Wednesday on a charge of possession of marijuana.

Officers conducting an investigation of illegal narcotic activity at a motel on La. 182 came into contact with Bagliardi. Officers located suspected marijuana in his possession, Blair said. He was jailed.

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

—Nickisha Gibson, 33, of Young Street in Berwick, was arrested at 12:44 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of battery of a dating partner. No bail was set yet.

August 7, 1941-March 29, 2019
Thomas Edgar Guion was born in Thibodaux, LA to the late James and Bernice Hebert Guion. He was a former resident of Kingsville, TX, Thibodaux and Patterson, LA, and LaGrange, GA.
Tom started his education at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux. Then attended the seminary from 1960 to 1966 in Texas. Moved back to Louisiana and graduated with degrees in English and Social Studies, subsequently earned his master’s degree in counseling from Nicholls. Tom taught at Patterson High School and was Berwick Jr. High School guidance counselor for 22 years. He worked for the state of Louisiana as a rehab counselor, then moved to LaGrange, GA and worked for the State of Georgia as a Vocational Rehabilitation counselor. He worshiped as a parishioner of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in LaGrange and was active with the St. Vincent de Paul Society. He volunteered with “Love in the Name of Christ”.
As a young man, he agreed against becoming a Catholic priest, Tom decided to wed and have children. Tom was truly devoted to family and friends, but his true love and devotion was to our Lord God and Jesus’ Sacred Heart. His life continued to revolve around service of others. Tom has left a legacy with many comical drawings, true works of art, but mostly with his teaching to all of us on the ability to love and show compassion and understanding of others, through Christ.
Tom has been survived by his wife, Kathleen Davis Guion; three daughters, Christine (Kip) Justilian of Pierre Part, LA., Jennifer Guion of Mandeville, LA., Yvonne (Robby) Madson of Houston, Texas and one son, David (Tracey) Guion of Missouri City, Texas; stepchildren, Beth (Steven) Cole of Ashland, Ohio, Jonathan Summers of Gainesville, Georgia; the mother of his children, Evelyn Rockenbaugh Estay; grandchildren, Erin (Chris) Sullivan, Eimee Reese, Max Thomas LeRay, Eli Justilian, Cade Madson, Harlie Madson, Samantha Noriega, Waide Noriega, and Dalton Thomas Guion; three step-grandchildren, Maggie Cole, Patrick Cole and Ryland Summers; three great-grandchildren, Piper Phillips, Raylynn Guidry and Reese Sullivan; and siblings, Peggy Hayes, Jim (Paulette) Guion, Judy (Reynold) Barousse and Bill (Cyndi) Guion.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 6, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in LaGrange, GA with interment to follow at Meadoway Gardens on Hamilton Road.
Family and friends of Tom will be having a celebration of his life on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 10 a.m. at Christ the Redeemer Church in Thibodaux, LA.
Donations in memory of Tom may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Peter’s Catholic Church (200 Lafayette Parkway, LaGrange, GA 30241), Love In the Name of Christ (609 West Center Street, Manteca, CA 95337) or The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (2644 S Sherwood Forest Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70816).