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It is spring—and in Franklin that means several things.
Some of which, are: Outdoor events to attend, the weather is starting to behave again, and people all over town are planting their gardens and landscaping their lawns.
And, if one were so inclined, one might just find one’s self strolling down Main Street to do some shopping, or to grab a bite to eat, or maybe just for the heck of it.
The planters along the sidewalks are filled this year with bubblegum petunias, margarita sweet potato vines and boxwood shrubs, making for a splash of color and texture and a heady fragrance thanks to the City of Franklin Main Street Design Committee.
The planter boxes were built by Nick Adams and the Franklin Senior High School Agriculture Department, and were painted by Alden Mayon and his grandson. Any merchant on Main Street can foster a planter for $75.
Diane Chauvin and Heloise LeBlanc, committee members, said that this year’s planter design was a mixture of utilizing the plants that worked well last year, and planting ones which can stand-up to varying degrees of light.
But Chauvin and LeBlanc didn’t produce the new plantscapes on their own. They share ranks with: Patti Simoneaux, Betty Veeder, Poule d’Eau Kyle, Erma Bodin, Renelle Dressel, Kathy Landry, Juanita Clemens and Elaine Karam. All of whom work on a voluntary basis.
Even with such a stalwart membership, Chauvin and Leblanc said the committee is seeking volunteers to help water and weed the Main Street planters this summer.
The committee’s primary source of funding used to come from their annual Christmas wreath sale, but Chauvin said that last year’s Tour of Homes was so successful it has now become the group’s top fundraiser.
As for future endeavors, Chauvin and LeBlanc said they have come full circle.
They said with the permission of Franklin Mayor Eugene Foulcard, which they hope to secure, they want to arrange with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to place resin sugar kettles at the lamp posts on Main Street’s medians. They will plant the kettles seasonally in conjunction with the box planters.
Chauvin said the idea has been one that has been with the committee since its inception in 2014, but they didn’t have the resources then that they have today.
So, if while wandering Main Street this spring, admiring the coquette petunias, you happen to find a fancy to feel your hands in soil, there is a way to avail yourself of this hankering and help beautify Franklin at the same time.
To volunteer for the FMSDC, call Diane Chauvin at 337-346-1299.

NEW YORK (AP) — With keto-friendly recipes sweeping social media, some followers of low-carb eating are hoping for a nod of approval in the upcoming U.S. dietary guidelines that advise Americans on what to eat.
It may seem minor, but backers say low-carb’s inclusion could influence nutrition advice that doctors give and help shape government food programs like school lunches. Currently, the guidelines cite the Mediterranean, vegetarian and other diets as examples of healthy eating.
“The main point is to get away from a one-size-fits-all diet,” said Nina Teicholz, who has written about low-carb diets.
Last year, U.S. health officials said low-carb diets will be reviewed along with other eating styles for the 2020 update to the guidelines. Backers are hopeful because the panel of experts selected to review the evidence includes members nominated by Atkins Nutritionals and a beef industry group. The group had its first meeting last week and is expected to issue a report to help shape the guidelines by next year.
Low carb’s consideration comes amid skepticism of nutrition research for producing confusing advice. Low-carb supporters say rising obesity rates show conventional wisdom about nutrition, reflected in the guidelines, doesn’t work for everyone.
Some nutrition experts caution that evidence for low-carb diets is new and that it’s unclear what the long-term effects might be. They say criticism of the guidelines is overblown, and blame the food industry for distorting messages to market low-fat snacks full of sugar and massive portions. They note the guidelines have cautioned against sugar since they were introduced in 1980, and that key recommendations have been largely consistent and remain sound.
Low-carb diets generally limit foods like bread, pasta and sugar to less than 30 percent of calories, or around 750 calories for someone eating 2,500 calories a day. The idea of restricting carbohydrates has been around for decades, and many remember the Atkins craze. The ketogenic diet has been used to treat people with epilepsy and has resurfaced as a very low-carb diet embraced by celebrities.
Charles Garrison, a mortgage officer in Florida, decided to try the keto diet, including food like waffles made with almond flour.
“I don’t plan on being super strict about it forever,” he said.
Low-carb diets can work well for people with type 2 diabetes who are more sensitive to carbohydrates. But the benefits of low-carb can also be overblown, and people still have to make sure their overall diet is healthy, said Kevin Hall of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Some nutrition experts say sticking to low-carb diets can be hard, and that people should make changes that can last. Marion Nestle, a nutrition researcher who helped write the 1995 guidelines, said she prefers guidance that encourages healthy habits, such as the types of food to eat or limit.
“People don’t eat nutrients, they eat food,” she said.
Adding low-carb diets could further muddle messages. The guidelines, now more than 120 pages , also advise people to limit the saturated fat commonly found in meat and butter — foods many link with low-carb diets.
Instead of adding another diet to the mix, simplifying the guidelines would be more useful, said Stanford University health policy researcher John Ioannidis.
“If we eat more, that will make us obese. That’s 100 percent correct,” he said.
—The Associated Press Health & Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

A 33-year-old man was arrested in Bayou Vista after a deputy saw the vehicle he was driving almost strike another vehicle, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith said in a news release.

—Dedrick Jamarcus Gant Sr., 33, of Cross Road #2 in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 7:35 p.m. Monday on charges of careless operation and driving under suspension.

A deputy was patrolling U.S. 90 in Bayou Vista when he observed a vehicle traveling up Universe Street toward U.S. 90 at a high rate of speed. The vehicle failed to stop at the stop sign on Universe Street entering U.S. 90 West.

As the vehicle took the J-turn and entered U.S. 90 East, the deputy observed the vehicle swerving from left to right then attempt to merge from the left lane to right lane, almost hitting another vehicle, Smith said.

A traffic stop was conducted and the deputy identified the driver as Gant. A background check on Gant revealed he had a suspended driver’s license, the sheriff said. Gant was issued a summons to appear in court July 29.

Smith reported that deputies responded to 28 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:

—Albert Lee Bacon, 18, of Canal Street in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 8:36 p.m. Monday on charges of failure to yield and possession of marijuana.

A deputy was patrolling the area of Canal Road in Bayou Vista when he observed a vehicle fail to yield. A traffic stop was conducted and the deputy identified the driver as Bacon. While speaking with Bacon, he appeared nervous. Bacon admitted to having marijuana inside the vehicle, the sheriff said. Bacon was issued a summons to appear in court July 29.

—Joseph Cornelius Young III, 49, of Tiffany Street in Patterson, was arrested at 12:20 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant for failure to appear on a charge of careless operation of a motor vehicle.

A deputy was patrolling the area of Siracusa when he observed a male subject identified as Young standing in the middle of James Street. The deputy made contact with Young. A background check revealed the warrant. Young was arrested and transported to parish jail with no bail set.

—Shamus Michael Dardeau, 44, of Clark Street in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 2:05 a.m. Tuesday on charges of driving on roadway laned for traffic, driving under suspension and possession of marijuana.

—Tereza Marie Foster, 51, of Carol Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 2:05 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant charging her with failure to appear in court.

A deputy was patrolling the area of La. 182 in Berwick when he observed a vehicle swerving and cross the centerline and fog line multiple times. A traffic stop was conducted and the deputy made contact with the driver, identified as Dardeau, and a passenger, identified as Foster.

While speaking to the deputy, both Dardeau and Foster appeared nervous, the sheriff said. The deputy asked for consent to search the vehicle at which Dardeau granted. During the search of the vehicle, no contraband was found, Smith said.

Berwick police assisted with the traffic stop and during a search of Dardeau, marijuana was found, Smith said. A background check on Dardeau revealed his driver’s license was suspended. A background check on Foster revealed warrants for her arrest. Dardeau was issued a summons to appear in court July 29. Foster was jailed with no bail set.

Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported that officers responded to 25 calls and reported the following arrests:

—Lorelyn Marie Gotcher, 33, of Terrebonne Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:10 p.m. Monday on a charge of remaining after forbidden.

Officers responded to a Bowman Street home in reference to a person refusing to leave the property. Upon the officers arriving, they located Gotcher who was identified by the complainant as the person refusing to leave. Officers also learned Gotcher had been previously banned from the property, Blair said. She was jailed.

—Jennifer Bourgeois, 36, of Florida Street in Delhi, was arrested at 5 p.m. Monday on a warrant charging her with two counts of telephone harassment. Bourgeois was located at the police department on a warrant. She was jailed.

—Cassie Rankin, 30, of Faith Street in Bayou L’Ourse, was arrested at 6:48 p.m. Monday on a charge of criminal trespassing.

Officers responded to a suspicious person attempting to enter an abandoned home on Second Street. Officers arrived and located Rankin inside the abandoned home. Upon officers coming into contact with Rankin, they suspected she was impaired and verified she was trespassing on the property, Blair said. She was jailed.

—Monica Lynn Hebert, 30, of Main Street in Patterson, was arrested at 9:18 p.m. Monday on a warrant charging her with failure to appear to pay a fine.

Officers came into contact with Hebert on Victor II Boulevard. A warrant check revealed city court had a warrant for her arrest. She was jailed.

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

—A male juvenile, 17, of Berwick, was arrested at 9:14 p.m. Monday on charges of possession of THC oil and drug paraphernalia. The juvenile was released to a guardian.

—Cameron Aucoin, 19, of Monarch Drive in Houma, was arrested at 2:45 a.m. Saturday on a charge of license plate light required and a 16th Judicial District Court warrant charging him with failure to appear for trial. Aucoin posted $1,000 bail.

—Casey Chenevert, 21, of La. 182 in Berwick, was arrested at 4:40 a.m. Saturday on charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of Xanax with intent to distribute, entering contraband into a penal institution, violation of controlled dangerous substance law in a drug-free zone and a hold for probation and parole. Bail was set at $10,000.

—Tyrik Singleton, 20, of Jones Street in Berwick, was arrested at 10:05 p.m. Sunday on charges of possession of marijuana less than 14 grams, possession of drug paraphernalia, obstruction of justice and violation of controlled dangerous substance law in a drug-free zone. No bail was set yet.

—Dontravious Henderson, 20, of Grandwood Drive in Patterson, was arrested at 10:05 p.m. Sunday on charges of possession of marijuana less than 14 grams, possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of controlled dangerous substance law in a drug-free zone. No bail was set yet.

—Martine Minor, 37, of Fourth Street in Berwick, was arrested at 11:25 p.m. Sunday on a City Court of Morgan City warrant charging her with failure to appear to pay a fine. Minor was transported to the Morgan City Police Department.

—Samson McKinley, 31, of Fourth Street in Berwick, was arrested at 11:35 p.m. Sunday on a charge of domestic abuse battery. No bail was set yet.

—Corey Dupre, 35, of Smith Willow Road in Houma, was arrested at 1:50 a.m. Monday on a charge of possession of marijuana less than 14 grams. Bail was set at $2,000.

Patterson Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported the following arrests:

—Ashley Renee Jones, 34, of Bowman Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 1:16 p.m. Monday on charges of introduction of contraband into a penal institution and possession of marijuana. Jones posted $1,500 bail.

—Christopher G. Rood, 38, of Queensberry Drive in Lafayette, was arrested at 3:58 p.m. Saturday on a charge of speeding 20-25 mph over the speed limit. Rood posted $691 bail.

—Lester Thomas Jr., 45, of Hurst Street in Patterson, was arrested at 12:29 p.m. Sunday on a charge of suspension, revocation and cancellation of driver’s license. Bail was set at $854.

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

—Valerie M. Soto, 35, of Velma Court in Bayou L’Ourse, was arrested on charges of entering or remaining after being forbidden, resisting an officer and home invasion.

On Saturday, deputies were dispatched to the home of Soto’s parents and interviewed those people present. Witnesses indicated that Soto was not permitted on the premises under any circumstance, Falcon said.

Soto indicated she had only gone there to visit her children and did have her father’s permission. That claim could not be corroborated, Falcon said.

Based on all information provided to deputies, Soto was arrested and did put up some resistance, Falcon said.

Soto was booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center with bail set at $27,000.