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Book explores autistic teen's experiences

Wed, 05/31/2017 - 10:45am

Ivory Bibbins

With all the odds and presumptions against him, one local teenager turned his hardship into a work of literature.
Brant Justilian, up-coming senior of Morgan City High School, recently published his short story novel “Short Stories Through The Eyes of Autism” on May 18. The novel consists of four fictional short stories told through Justilian’s unique autistic personality that touch on the topics of heroism, God, school, and summer activities.
Justilian was born with a rare 18 chromosome deletion and was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at the age 7. According to the Center for Disease Control, one of each 62 children is diagnosed with ASD with the likelihood being more common among boys (1 in 42) than among girls (1 in 189).
Justilian mentioned that at the age of 4, he couldn’t speak and had very weak muscle control.
While attending school, Justilian needed a teacher aid to help him write. Pushed by his mother and sticking to her motto of “where there is a will, there is a way,” Justilian pursued to continue to follow his passion of storytelling.
Justilian’s inspiration for writing came from his middle school teachers Beth Holley and Sandra Womack of Morgan City Junior High.
With the help of family and friends, Justilian pursued a publisher and was able to get his worked published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.
His novel is 54 pages long and is available for purchase on Amazon. Justilian is set to graduate from Morgan City High School next year with plans to attend vocational school to become a better writer.
He is writing another book.

Junior Auxiliary board members selected

Wed, 05/31/2017 - 10:33am

Junior Auxiliary of East St. Mary Parish recently selected board members for the 2017-18 year. They are, from left, Chelle Saleme, recording secretary; Laine Mayon, treasurer; Nicole Cline, president; Darby Ratcliff, vice president; and Ambre Wilson, corresponding secretary. Junior Auxiliary of East St. Mary Parish members work throughout the year on a variety of projects that focus on local children and families in need of assistance. Anyone interested in joining should visit the website www.jaofeaststmary.weebly.com or call 985-518-2650.

AgCenter Garden Fest set June 17 at Botanic Gardens at Burden

Wed, 05/31/2017 - 10:31am

BATON ROUGE — Visitors will have the opportunity to sample fruits and vegetables fresh from the garden along with creations from local food companies at the annual Garden Fest on June 17 at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden in Baton Rouge.
From 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., visitors will have an opportunity to take a hayride to the Botanic Gardens research area to taste new vegetable varieties and learn about the latest in vegetables and ornamental plants, said Burden Resident Director Jeff Kuehny.
Other garden tours will include the All-America Selections garden, the rose garden, the herb garden and the children’s garden.
The Louisiana Egg Commission will prepare and serve omelets, and visitors can sample Bloody Marys from Mason’s Grill along with samples from food companies in the LSU AgCenter Food Incubator.
AgCenter experts will conduct a plant health clinic and diagnose problems with plant specimens visitors bring to them.
Half-hour educational sessions beginning at 9 a.m. will include presentations by Jean Pittman on honeybees, Chrissy Mogren on good gardening practices for good bugs, Tyler Carr on creating unique container gardens, Yan Chen on pollinator protection and neonicotinoids, and Kiki Fontenot on backyard vegetable basics.
Children’s activities will include water slides (bring your swimsuits) and Trixie the Clown.
Admission to the event is $5 per person. Children under 4 will be admitted at no charge. The LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden is located at 4560 Essen Lane at I-10.
More information is available online at www.discoverburden.com or by phone at 225-763-3990.

Age no barrier for man long in love with neighbor

Wed, 05/31/2017 - 10:19am

DEAR ABBY: I’m 36, doing very well in business, single and deeply in love with a 58-year-old woman. She has been a neighbor since I was in grade school. She’s petite, pretty, intelligent, cheerful and looks my age. My parents moved to Florida when I turned 27, and I bought their home just so I could be near her. On my 33rd birthday, I begged her to cook for me. We had dinner and too much wine and ended up in bed. We don’t live together, and she often tells me to find a younger woman. I have tried to ...

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LEROY LLOYD TRIMM JR.

Wed, 05/31/2017 - 9:46am

Leroy Lloyd Trimm Jr., 43, a resident and native of Franklin, La., passed away on Saturday, May 27, 2017 at 2:15 p.m. in New Orleans, La.
Visitation will be observed on Saturday, June 3, 2017 at the Pilgrim Grove Baptist Church in Morgan City, La. from 9 a.m. until funeral services beginning at 11 a.m. Burial with Military Honors will follow funeral services in the Greenwood Cemetery in Greenwood.
Leroy Jr., was a Veteran United States Army, receiving an Honorable Discharge.
Memories of Leroy Jr., will forever remain in the hearts of his father, Leroy Trimm Sr. (Charlotte) of Morgan City, La.; one son, Tidas Trimm of Jeanerette, La.; one daughter, Liana Garrett Trimm of Buffalo, New York; his companion, Patricia Rideaux of Franklin, La.; three brothers, Darren Watson and Makye Richard both of Morgan City, La. and Lawrence Watson Sr. of Bossier City, La.; six sisters, Mrs. Phillip (Trina T.) Dural of Verdunville, La., Tia T. Verrett of Norfolk, Virginia, Mrs. Charles (Lakeisha T.) Green of Houston, Texas, Mrs. Anthony (Michelle) Fernandez of Franklin, La., A’lter Moore of Houston, Texas and Nicole Moore of New Iberia, La. and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Leroy Jr. was preceded in death by his mother, and both his paternal and maternal grandparents.
Jones Funeral Home of Morgan City-Franklin-Houma-Jeanerette in charge of arrangements.

Visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family.

Police Reports 5-31-17

Wed, 05/31/2017 - 9:44am

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert reported the following arrests:
Jonathan Beadle, 26, 402 Pecan Drive, Franklin, was arrested on Tuesday at 11:15 a.m. for criminal trespass. Beadle was released on a summons.
Waynesha Shaw, 26, 162 Mary Garret St., Charenton, was arrested on Tuesday at 2:31 p.m. on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of speeding and operating a vehicle without a driver’s license. Shaw was released on a $750 bond.
Marvin Gabriel, 26, 210 Baptiste St., Baldwin, was arrested on Tuesday at 2:34 p.m. on three warrants for armed robbery, criminal trespass and illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. No bail is set.
Lorenzo Merritt, 28, 107 Hurst St., Patterson, was arrested on Tuesday at 7:54 p.m. on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of failure to stop at a stop sign and failure to honor written promise to appear. Merritt was released on a $250 bond.
Lorenzo Harris, 31, 5209 Frederick Trailer Park Lot 3, Baldwin, was arrested on Tuesday at 9:40 p.m. on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of aggravated assault, resisting an officer by flight, criminal damage to property and disturbing the peace by fighting. No bail is set.
Steven Smith, 29, 311 Assumption St., Napoleonville, was arrested on Wednesday at 10:05 p.m. for turning movements and required signals violation and possession of Schedule I – marijuana. Smith was released on a summons.
Franklin Police Chief Sabria McGuire reported the following arrests:
Melvin Hunter, 45, Mary Garret Road, Baldwin, was arrested on Tuesday at 11:38 a.m., on a warrant for the charge of theft over $750. No bond is set.
Joel Loustalot, 30, Liner Street, Franklin, was arrested on Tuesday, at 3:50 p.m., on a warrant for the charge of illegal possession of stolen things. Loustalot was transferred to Morgan City Police Department.
Ladante Tabor, 20, Weber Street, Franklin was arrested on Tuesday, at 9:01 p.m., for possession of drug paraphernalia. Tabor was on a $1,500 bond.

Suspect sought

Wed, 05/31/2017 - 9:44am

In the early morning hours Sunday deputies responded to a report of a burglary at a residence on Verdunville Road near the intersection of Francine Road. The deputy collected evidence that the suspect broke a glass door, entered the home and stole a purse. The deputy obtained surveillance of the suspect. The crime occurred around 3 a.m. Sunday morning. Detectives are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the person seen in the video. Anyone who may know the identity of the suspect or who may have information on the crime can contact the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office at 337-828-1960, 985-384-1622, or by email, at crimewatch@stmaryso.

Mayor Harris: City hopes to continue upgrades

Wed, 05/31/2017 - 9:43am

BY JANELL PARFAIT
The St. Mary Parish Chamber of Commerce hosted a luncheon at The Forest in Franklin on May 24 for the parish mayors and leaders to give updates on their respective communities.
Mayor Raymond Harris Jr. of Franklin spoke about the progress made in the utility fund and the liquid and solid waste fund.
“It’s been easy to make progress there, than in our general fund, because we can set our own rates in our utility fund,” Harris said. After voting to increase water rates by $3, “where they should be,” Harris has noticed an improvement in funds.
“I suppose in the first few weeks, customers wondered why there was an increase in their bills,” he said. “But after they came in and saw the value it had, they understood.”
“(The increase) is something I looked at years ago when I was an accountant,” Harris continued, “but it was too complicated to invest in. Well, I feel good about that now; I’m in a financial position where we’re able to go out and do that.”
The water system, which has relied on outdated technology, will be upgraded “into a state-of-the-art system and improve our collections.”
Harris is prepared to secure a $2 million loan to “make some much needed improvements at our sewer plant.”
The sewer plant was put online in 1986 and has since then experienced difficulties due to its flawed design.
“We’ve done our best to manage,” Harris said, “but the truth of the matter is that on rainy days, we could never advance because we were exceeding all of our limits because the body of water coming into the plant was much more than we could handle.”
An engineering firm specializing in sewer plants was brought in to replace older equipment, which will allow the plant “to handle any capacity on rainy days.”
“We’re buying new technology and investing in technology that will keep us operating effectively for a long time to come,” Harris said. “As we’ve seen in other places, if you do not invest in your infrastructure, you will have major problems. We don’t want to get fined and we definitely don’t want citizens getting sick because of something we failed to do.”
In addition to upgrading the sewer plant, Harris announced that new pumps will be built along Franklin Canal to combat storm surges and flooding. Yokely Canal will be widened “in the next few months to a year” so that more water can reach its pumps.
Harris has also noticed more local businesses sprouting throughout Franklin.
“We’re seeing a lot of start-ups, a lot of mom-and-pop,” Harris said. “And that’s good because that means those businesses will generate sales taxes and employ people. It doesn’t make up for the losses in our oilfields, but it does help. So I’m excited that, economically, we are seeing some gains; we are moving forward.

Art Walk registration ongoing; 20 spots left for Aug. 12 event

Wed, 05/31/2017 - 9:42am

Just 20 spaces remain for artists and authors of all ages who would like to participate in this year’s Franklin Art Walk.
Artists and authors are paired with business owners on Main Street for a distinctive art appreciation and shopping experience from 3-6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12 in historic downtown Franklin.
The types of art that are accepted include: drawing, basketry, painting, pottery, recycled art, quilts, handmade accessories, mixed media, photography, sculpture, fiber arts, wood art, stained glass and published books of literature and poetry. All art, literature and poetry displayed must be the original work of the artist or author.
Entry brochures are available at The French Door, Chic & Shabby, Meyer’s Shoe Store and Fad’s News Stand. Entry brochures can be obtained by sending an e-mail to ashields@franklin-la.com. The deadline for entries is Friday, July 14 at 12 p.m.
For more information about the Franklin Art Walk, contact the Community Development Department (ashields@franklin-la.com or 337-828-6345) and follow the City of Franklin on Facebook: City of Franklin, Louisiana-Mayor’s Office and City of Franklin, Louisiana-Economic Development.

Chamber recognition

Wed, 05/31/2017 - 9:41am

The St. Mary Chamber of Commerce recognized Four Seasons Furniture and Appliances in Franklin for 40 years of service. The recognition by Jo Anne Bergeron to Four Seasons' Belinda Darden was made at the chamber’s luncheon held last week at the Forest Restaurant.