CAJUN VILLAGE THRIFT STORE
HOME OF THE
5
$
Edgard Library: April 29 at 10 am Computer Class for Adults Garyville Library: April 30 at 10 am Drop In and Play for ages 1+ Central Library: April 30 at 10 am Baby Lapsit Storytime for ages 1+ Reserve Library: May 1 at 3:30 pm Wee Readers Book Club for ages 2+
BAG
Monday - Friday: 9 am to 5 pm Saturday: 9 am to 2 pm
114 Lakewood Dr. Luling | 985-331-5110
T ravelS potlight brooke.robichaux@lobservateur.com
April 27, 2019 | Saturday | Weekend EDITION
PAGE 1B
Tire Town’s tips for keeping you safe on the road
By Kevin Cates Special to L’Observateur
The highlight of Rome was visiting the Trevi Fountain, a sight that brought tears to Leonca’s eyes. She tossed three coins into the fountain from her right hand over her left shoulder in accordance with a legend to ensure she returns to Rome, falls in love and marries a Roman man. “I saw things I’ve looked at on a small screen, and I was so grateful to see them in real life,”
The Highway: a thrilling reminder that if you want to explore, all you need is a car and (if you’re lucky) a good friend. Even a simple commute to work can be exciting if you have air conditioning and your radio tuned to a good station. But remember, you are rocketing down the I-10 at 70 MPH in a rolling, metal capsule and your car cannot survive very long without being properly maintained. Tires, brakes and front-end suspension are some of the most important safety features to consider before you travel because they all work in tandem to keep your car running smoothly. So, whether you’re going to the grocery store, your mom’s house or to Canada, inspecting these three features should be the Concerned residents first thing on your can use a penny to-do list before you to check the tread embark on your on their tires to next adventure. determine how Automobile safety road ready they are. begins and ends with the road, which is why it makes sense that tires are one the first safety features on the minds of technicians during an automobile inspection. Tires are the only contact between your vehicle and the highway. They defend your car against weathLeaking fluid, er-related hazards, squealing or fearlessly face potgrinding noises, unusual vibrations holes and faithfully while braking and transport their drivbouncing and/or a ers across great dis“spongy” feeling at tances. the brake pedal If your tires are are signs your worn, they can be breaks need more susceptible to to be checked. deflating and bad traction. A simple way to check if your tires need to be replaced is the “penny check,” which involves inserting a penny into the tread groove of your car. Make sure Lincoln’s head is upside down and the penny is facing you. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, your tread depth is unsafe. Brakes don’t require a lot of explaining. If your car can’t stop on command, you and your family will be in big trouble. Thankfully, your car will let you know if your brakes are experi-
See worldwide, Page 8B
See safe, Page 7B
Pictured clockwise from top left at the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy are Logan Williams, Leonca Batiste, Rosa Singleton, Derron Cook, Joel Tumblin and Noah Williams.
“It opened my soul to different things & a worldwide future” ESJH students return from Europe; teacher planning 2020 Peru trip By Brooke Robichaux L’OBSERVATEUR
LAPLACE — Five East St. John High School students experienced the beauty of the Notre Dame Cathedral only two days before 800 years of history was consumed by ravenous fire. The visit was part of an educational spring break tour of Paris, Milan, Florence and Rome, organized by teacher Derron Cook to expand local students’ worldviews. “We have students who, for the first time, have gotten their passports,” Cook said. “Students, for the first time, have gotten on planes. We’re talking about possibility.” Students equipped with passports have the world at their fingertips and future opportunities stretching beyond St. John the Baptist Parish, according to Cook. “What’s in front of you might just be an illusion of what you think life is,” Cook said. “Life is hard; I cannot overcome certain things. That is in your near sight, but you can overlook it if you see everything you can accomplish by imagining or seeing what’s possible.” Senior Leonca Batiste was terrified and clinging to the seat at the start of her first plane ride this month. By the time she flew back to the United States, she felt like a flying pro. Leonca enjoyed Paris but truly fell in love with the Italian cities. Between hanging with a street artist, enjoying gelato and seeing the Pantheon and Leaning Tower of Pisa, she lived in the moment and hardly noticed when her phone battery died. Even foods like pizza tasted different in Europe without the preservatives accustomed to in America, according to Leonca.
Leonca Batiste and Rosa Singleton sit outside the Colosseum in Rome.
Help Wanted
BEACON Behavioral Hospital in Lutcher has expanded and is in need need of: Night RN, PRN LPN and MHTs Please send your resume to jamesr@beaconbh.com
M C Y K
WHEREVER THE JOURNEY TAKES YOU...
OUR DEDICATED SERVICE DEPT CAN GET YOU THERE • • • • • •
CHANGE OIL & FILTER TIRE ROTATION AIR FILTER REPLACEMENT WIPER BLADES BATTERY MULTI-POINT INSPECTION
555 BELLE TERRE BLVD • LAPLACE
985-652-8000
www.bayouford.net M-F 9:00 am - 7:00 pm • Sat: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Closed Sunday
| L’OBSERVATEUR |
Page 2B
Saturday, April 27, 2019
Terry Lewis Sr. running for parish president Special to L’Observateur
Terry Lewis Sr. has announced his run for the office of St. John the Baptist Parish President. Lewis said his decision to run for Parish President was made almost a year ago. “I see an urgent need for independent leadership, in which I feel I can provide. I have been a business owner for over 20 years in St. John,” Lewis said. “I have worked in chemical plants for ten years. I’m a consultant, a trained fire firefighter and worked for FEMA following Hurricane Katrina as safety director. I have established a close relationship with some FEMA and Corp of Engineers
Terry Lewis Sr.
personnel. I have had the opportunity to serve on several boards and two nonprofits we started, which I serve as president.
“One is P.U.L.L. Pastors United to Lift Lives. It was started right before Hurricane Katrina came. It allowed our church, where I
have pastored for 27 years, to offer worship space to those churches that had been flooded out in the New Orleans area. This was done for four churches at no cost to them. We supplied food and clothing for hundreds of flood victims. “At that time I went to my board of trustees and instructed them to give each church member a $300 check to help them through the ordeal of Katrina.” Lewis continues, “Another organization I started is Project H.E.R.O., which is (Helping Establish a Road to Opportunities) whereby young men and women get an introduction into the business world. My wife Lynn Lewis of 39 years is the
owner of Tori Lynn’s school of dance. My wife and I are known all over the parish for our generosity. We have four children who graduated from LaPlace elementary and East St. John High. We have been blessed with seven grandchildren who think the world of their PAPA. “After graduating high school I attended LSU and studied journalism, after which I went to Theological seminary and obtained a Doctorate in Theology; attended Southern University, received a bachelor in History, Political science and later a master’s degree in Criminal Justice. “While working in the plants, I helped negotiate million dollar contracts.”
Election announcement Sanders makes known his plan to run for Parish Council David Sanders has announced he is seeking the District 3 seat on the St. John the Baptist Parish Council. Those interested in learning more about Sanders can call 985-212-1744 or 504-232-0966. In order to appear on this fall’s ballot, candidates must first qualify during the summer window from Aug. 6-8. Election Day is Oct. 12, with a runoff election scheduled Nov. 16 if needed.
OPEN ON SATURDAY!
124 Belle Terre Blvd • LaPlace, LA
985-652-7002 800-738-2265
AUTO CARE BY LOCAL EXPERTS • Large Selection of In-Stock Value Brand Tires! • Goodyear Tire Brand Dealer! • The Best Auto Techs in LaPlace!
Tire Town Auto Service,
LLC
For the best deal around
M C Y K
421 Belle Terre Blvd. | LaPlace
TireTownStores.com | 985-652-4063
| Road safety |
Saturday, April 27, 2019
Page 3B
Child passenger protocols to follow Special to L’Observateur
Parents and caregivers take various measures to safeguard their children around their homes. The same attention to safety also extends to when families leave the house. Rules in place concerning vehicular safety are designed to keep kids safe on the road. Car seats, boosters and seat belts provide protection for infants and children when used correctly. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that car crashes are a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13. The NHTSA’s General Estimates System states that, in 2016, 394 children age 5 or younger died in car crashes. However, in that same year, 328 were saved by using car seats.
The right car seat can save lives, but parents, especially those expecting their first child, can easily become overwhelmed by the various types of seats on the market. Understanding the different seats, and when and how to use them, can help parents navigate their options. Choosing a car seat There are various types of car seats, and each may be appropriate depending on a child’s age and size. • Rear-facing: This is the best seat for young children, as it cradles the child to reduce stress to the neck and spinal cord. • Forward-facing: This has a harness and tether that limits child’s forward movement during a crash. It is typically used for children age 2 and older. • Booster: This is a seat that elevates and positions the child so that the vehicle’s seat belt
fits properly over the child’s body. Seat belts are used when children outgrow boosters. They should lie across the upper thighs and be snug across the shoulder and chest. Each type of safety seat has subsets that further customize the fit and positioning for the child. When to use a car seat The automotive agency AAA provides a state-by-state rules governing car seat use at drivinglaws.aaa.com. Installing the seat Read the car seat instructions and refer to the vehicle’s owner’s manual for proper installation. Seats for young children utilize low anchors that max out at certain weights for installation. Most forward-facing and booster seats rely on tethers to install.
Reduce distractions behind the wheel by taking these simple steps Special to L’Observateur
Despite the fact that automobiles are now designed with more safety features than ever before, the rate of traffic accidents and fatalities continue to rise. The National Safety Council says safety improvement like crash-avoidance technology hasn’t reduced accidents, and driver error is still to blame for many crashes — with distractions behind the wheel and impaired driving leading the way. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says
distracted driving claimed 3,450 lives in 2016 alone. Distracted driving is defined as any activity that diverts drivers’ attention from the road. This can include everything from talking to passengers to eating to fiddling with the car radio. However, distractions from technology have become alarming, particularly texting or reading phones while driving. During daylight hours, approximately 481,000 drivers use cell phones while driving. The NHTSA says removing one’s eyes from the road for a mere 5 seconds when traveling at 55 miles per
hour is like driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed. Reducing distractions should be a priority for all drivers. Here are some suggestions, courtesy of Geico insurance and AAA Exchange. • Store loose gear and other items that can roll around away from the driver’s seat so you are not tempted to reach for them. • Adjust mirrors, GPS maps, climate controls, music, and more before you put the car in drive. • Use a mobile phone only for emergency purposes and only after pulling over to the side of the road. Avoid social conversations on the
phone while driving. • Limit the number of passengers you allow inside your car. The more passengers, the more distractions. This is especially true for young drivers. • Eat food before getting in the car. Snacking while driving makes you less attentive to the road around you. • Secure children and pets accordingly. Both should wear harnesses and not be given free reign to roam around the car. • Try to focus only on driving while in the car. Leave the multitasking to when you’re not behind the wheel.
DON’T TEXT AND DRIVE
SHERIFF MIKE TREGRE
the
St. John the Baptist Sheriff’s Office
985-652-9513 “REMEMBER TO ALWAYS BUCKLE UP” E DF Clerk of Court
Donnie’s Car Care, LLC Join in Full with Automotive Shop police torch run SERVICES: The St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office will present its 2019 Law Enforcement Torch Run May 16 to benefit the Louisiana Special Olympics, beginning at 8:45 a.m. at Frostop on Airline Highway in LaPlace. Runners and bike riders are encouraged to participate. A post run celebration will be held at Frenier’s Landing in LaPlace. For more information, call 985-652-7058 or 985359-8753.
• AC Repair • Tune Ups • Tires • Brakes • Oil Changes Check Engine Light
512 Hemlock LaPlace, LA
985-359-7383
We are proud to be part of our community. Drive safely.
Keep our community safe. Please drive carefully. M C Y K
Page 4B
| L’OBSERVATEUR |
Saturday, April 27, 2019
Saturday, April 27, 2019
| L’OBSERVATEUR |
Page 5B
| L’OBSERVATEUR |
Page 6B
Saturday, April 27, 2019
Four values told through hearts of children On the last of day of my granddaughters’ Easter break, we traveled to Amite and spent the day in Liuzza Land. Our party of nine picked the best strawberries I’ve ever eaten, fed the goats and jumped on a huge trampoline. We almost had the park to ourselves, and the girls enjoyed the freedom to wander around to see the animals, play on the swings and run back and forth between two small buildings. One building was set up to look
like a classroom, the other was a church. Whether I most enjoyed my granddaughters pretend to be teachers or preachers is a toss-up, but the content of their church service was the high-
RONNY MICHEL HEARTS IN TOUCH
light of my day. Adeline stood at the front of the church and asked, “What are our four values?” Olivia and Charlie immediately raised their hands while I sat in amazement as the three of them reviewed the values taught to them in the children’s services at One Hope Church. First, Love God. Jesus taught this in Matthew 22, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all you mind.”
The second part of the scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” is the second value that the girls recited – Love People. Adeline called on her cousin for the third value. “Do your best,” Olivia said. Charlie concluded the lesson, “Have fun.” While these values are kid-friendly, they have no age limit. Ronny Michel may be reached at rmichel@rtconline.com.
Thibodaux Regional plays key role in mass casualty drill Special to L’Observateur
Pictured are Kim Beetz, Louisiana Department of Health Region 3 Administrative Designated Regional Coordinator; Greg Stock, Thibodaux Regional CEO; and Pam Roussel, Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Region 3 Coordinator.
M C Y K
THIBODAUX — Thibodaux Regional Medical Center is committed to the safety of its patients and the region. The hospital has worked to improve its emergency preparedness with detailed planning and continuous training through leading and participating in both internal and external disaster drills. Most recently, Thibodaux Regional participated in another regional full scale drill involving mass casualties on April 16. The drill was held in association with the Louisiana Department
of Health Region 3, the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness Region 3, first responders and other local and regional organizations. The large scale event originated in Terrebonne Parish. Mock victims were transported to local hospitals including Thibodaux Regional Medical Center. The purpose of the exercise was to evaluate the readiness of key local and regional agencies, as well as hospitals for response and emergency operations, protection of responder’s safety, and coordination of care and resources.
“Thibodaux Regional has a detailed emergency preparedness plan that is activated during disasters,” Thibodaux Regional CEO Greg Stock said. “Hospital staff are well prepared and ready to act when an emergency situation arises and work to safeguard the safety of patients, visitors and staff. “As a leader, we work together with other agencies and eagerly participate in drills such as these to continuously seek opportunities to improve. “These activities also help to enhance the working relationship and collaboration between the agencies and organizations involved.”
TIRE REPAIR
| L’OBSERVATEUR |
Saturday, April 27, 2019
Safe: Trust your gut From Page 1B
encing wear and tear. If your brake light is on, getting your car inspected is a no-brainer. But there are a few other warnings to keep your eyes and ears out for including leaking fluid, squealing or grinding noises, unusual vibrations while braking, bouncing and/or a “spongy” feeling brake pedal. Trust your gut, and your nose. If you smell burning, you need to check your brakes. Front-End Suspension can feel daunting because it’s comprised of both steering and suspension components. If your Front-End Suspension is in disrepair, it can potentially affect your alignment, which will cause connecting parts to wear prematurely or cease to function entirely. These features also affect anything that’s considered “unsprung mass,” which refers to anything that doesn’t sit above the shocks or springs of your car. If you can’t steer or you lose traction you will lose the ability to move, and nothing ruins a road trip faster than a stranded car! If any of these safety hazards sound familiar, call Tire Town Auto Services for a quick and friendly car inspection! They’ll have your car running smoothly in no time so you can get back to exploring the wide, open road.
A/C Diagnosis with 1lb Freon 99
$44
Kev’s Glass Automotive Residential Commercial Free Mobile Service
Kevin Marchese
985-652-2818
Cooliant System Flush 99
$59
*excluding diesel engines
OIL CHANGES Conventional............$2499 Synthetic Blend......$4299 Full Synthetic..........$5699
*excluding diesel engines
*Up to 5 quarts *Cartrige Filters Extra
FREE BREAK INSPECTIONS *Lifetime Warranty Breaks
All work reported to Carfax Still owned by Jay Laborde Brent Venezia - Manager
M C Y K
Page 7B
| L’OBSERVATEUR |
Page 8B
Saturday, April 27, 2019
Worldwide: Students helped raise money for their April trip From Page 1B
Leonca said. “It opened my soul to different things and a worldwide future. I’m overjoyed to have gone out of the country and to be able to say I’ve crossed many things off my bucket list.” Senior Rosa Singleton enjoyed meeting new friends within a group of 33 students from Boston who joined in on the tour. One of the Boston guests even invited the East St. John High students to her upcoming birthday party, and there are plans for a New Orleans meet-up in the future. “What made me really want to go on the trip is that most people really don’t get to meet new people,” Rosa said. “We know everybody in our parish, so it was good to meet new people on that trip and have more friends to communicate with.”
Derron Cook, Noah Williams, Leonca Batiste, Logan Mitchell, Rosa Singleton and Joel Tumblin stand outside Vatican City, the Roman Catholic Church headquarters.
Rosa found Milan and Florence the most scenic destinations, and she’s taken to saying the Italian phrase “Ciao Ciao” when telling people goodbye. Students Noah Williams,
Joel Tumblin and Logan Mitchell also took the trip. Noah was intrigued by “drastically different” food, language and style of dress, which he described as “looser” than what’s typical in the
United States. In the months leading up to the trip, Noah and the other students participated in a series of fundraising efforts that included food sales, a school dance and pri-
vate donations. “We’re very thankful to everyone who went to their pockets and were able to bless us with this trip,” Noah said. “We’ve learned so much, and we are willing to give back what we’ve learned to future generations.” Fundraising taught students to set and work toward goals, according to Cook. During the journey, students also learned to document their experiences through digital media. Photos and videos from the trip will be shown in an upcoming exhibition through Cook’s Motionphics in Action nonprofit. Cook’s future plans include passport days at East St. John High and a 2020 trip to Peru open to students from surrounding schools. For more information on the Peru trip, call Cook at 912-604-6348.
“NO JOB TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL” 5599 W. Airline Hwy. Garyville, LA 70051
Is it time to hang up the keys?
e decision to stop driving can be difficult for seniors, and oen the responsibilty can fall to their children to spot the warning signs. While taking this step can be life-changing, it can also save lives. ousands of seniors are killed or injured in car crashes every year. Part of the reason for the high number of deaths and injuries can be attributed to increased frailty with age. However, keeping elderly drivers out of dangerous situations on the road can keep them from being hurt or killed in a crash.
Ashton Manor Assisted Living and Memory Care in Luling, right over the bridge, is your local leader and expert on all things involving Senior Care. At our beautiful community we can assist with everything from socialization to physical tasks like medication management, dressing, bathing, assistance with meals and more! Weekly housekeeping, all activities, engaging programs, meals, laundry INCLUDED in your monthly rent! Call today for an exclusive tour or to speak with one of our professionals in regards to important steps on your journey to make sure your loved one is safe and happy! Our goal is to give you and your family 100% quality time and the ability to continue making memories to cherish!
Mention this ad and we will assist you with part of your moving expense when joining our community!
270 Ashton Plantation Blvd. Luling • 985-785-8288 www.ashtonmanor.com
M C Y K