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Attorney General Jeff Landry: Louisiana Department of Justice
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 08, 2019
BATON ROUGE, LA – As part of his efforts to make Louisiana a safer state for all citizens, Attorney General Jeff Landry is warning Louisiana parents and guardians to take note of several child products that have been recently recalled.
“These recalled products may potentially endanger the children of our State,” said General Landry. “I strongly urge Louisiana parents and guardians to take a moment to view the list of products in order to prevent their families from harm.”
Attorney General Jeff Landry listed the following recalled products:
Children’s Power Wheels Barbie Campers by Fisher-Price
Cat & Jack Toddler Boots by Target
Holiday Milk Bottles by Crate and Barrel
WIC Nutrition Plates by Brush Art
Baby Rattle Socks by Midwest-CBK
Rechargeable Power Banks by Daniel M. Friedman & Associates
Children’s Globes by Bulk Unlimited
For more information on the recalled products (including pictures and descriptions) and remedies for their consumers, view the Spring 2019 Safety Box here.
Abby Trahan won 14 games with Southern Miss this year.
Including her high school senior year, Abby Trahan has won 80 games and lost 32 as a pitcher in four years .
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss junior right-handed pitcher Abby Trahan has been named C-USA Pitcher of the Year, the league announced on Tuesday.
Trahan is the first Southern Miss pitcher to earn the C-USA Pitcher of the Year award since Felicia Gonzalez in 2001. The only other pitcher to ever win the award in the history of the Southern Miss softball program is Golden Eagle legend Courtney Blades who took home the award in 2000.
“I am so excited to be named C-USA Pitcher of the Year. I worked hard all year for this award, and I am so blessed to finally be able to call it mine. Now my focus is to win a ring with my teammates.”
Southern Miss head softball coach Wendy Hogue on Trahan being named C-USA Pitcher of the Year
"As soon as Abby stepped on campus, there was no doubt she possessed the ability to be the best pitcher in C-USA. She plays with such an intense passion for the game. That asset, when paired with her God-given ability, and a solid defense around her produces numbers worthy of this prestigious award."
The Kaplan native has made quite the name for herself since arriving on the campus of Southern Miss in the fall of 2018. Trahan entered Southern Miss with an impressive resume after transferring from Saint Francis University (Loretto, Pa.). As a sophomore at Saint Francis University last season, Trahan was named NEC Pitcher of the Year, NFCA All-Great Lakes Region Second Team and First Team All-NEC.
Trahan has continued her success in her first season with the Golden Eagles as she led C-USA in multiple pitching categories for the majority of the season. She previously collected C-USA Pitcher of the Week honors twice this season.
Trahan ended the regular season with a 1.89 ERA and a 14-11 record. The right-handed hurler started 27 games and appeared in 30. Trahan went the distance in the circle 19 times and piled up 162.2 innings pitched. The Golden Eagles' ace tallied a total of 129 strikeouts, seven shutouts and one save. She issued just 31 free passes and notched six complete-game shutouts during the regular season.
Trahan currently ranks in the top 12 in C-USA in earned run average (1st), opposing batting average (9), innings pitched (4th), strikeouts (5th), strikeouts looking (T-4th), wins (T-6th) and games started (3rd).
Counting her senior year at Kaplan High, Trahan has an overall pitching record of 80-32.
She posted a 23-5 record her senior year at Kaplan. She was 43-16 for two years at St. Francis University. Her first year at Southern Miss, she posted a 14-11 record.
The Honor Chair for Allen Bares Jr. is one of 89 that has been presented to the families and departments of fallen officers by Saving A Hero’s Place, Inc.
Allen Bares Jr
Taking part in the presentation of the Honor Chair for Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Deputy
Allen Bares Jr. are Col. Kirk Frith, Bares’ parents, Allen Bares Sr. and Lynn Bares, Sheriff Mike Couvillon, Bares’ son, James, Major Darryl Leblanc, Tina, his widow, and Major Ron Sonnier.
Walter Henning of Saving A Hero’s Place, Inc. speaks during Monday’s presentation of Allen Bares Jr.’s Honor Chair.
Next month will mark five years since Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Allen Bares Jr. gave his life in the line of duty.
He is not forgotten, as Bares remains forever in the hearts and minds of his family, friends and those with whom he served. Many of the people who hold a special place for Bares gathered Monday morning at the Sheriff’s Office training center to dedicate a place for him.
Through Saving A Hero’s Place, Inc., an Honor Chair has been placed front and center in the training’s center’s room. Saving a Hero’s Place is a non-profit organization in the state of Texas whose mission is to remember fallen American law enforcement officers with custom-built honor chairs meant to stand the test of time and forever hold the place of the fallen hero.
“It’s an honor for them to do this,” Bares’ widow, Tina, said. “It’s for the family, but it is also for the department.
“It’s so that Allen will never be forgotten.”
Walter Henning, a member of the San Antonio Police Department and manager of Saving A Hero’s Place, Inc., delivered the chair from Texas to Vermilion Parish on Monday, as each chair is hand delivered. Bares’ chair is now one of 89 honoring fallen officers in 17 states. It is the second one in Louisiana, along with a chair for Cpl. Michael Middlebrook of the Lafayette Police Department.
Henning said the origin of Saving A Hero’s Place came from simply honoring a fellow fallen officer in San Antonio.
“We have roll call in our department every day,” Henning said. “We all sit in the same spot every day. That’s our chair. We sit next to the same guys every day. We lost one of our guys and his chair was always going to be empty. One of our other guys who is a woodworker built a chair and it was placed in the spot during roll call.
“That seat was his and will always be his.”
Allen Bares Jr.’s died on June 23, 2014, after being shot while responding to an incident on his day off. Sheriff’ Mike Couvillon said he will never forget that day.
“When I look at that date,” Couvillon said, “I can tell you exactly what I was doing that day. I think everyone in this room can tell you what they were doing that day. With this chair, we are going to think about Allen every day. We thank you (Saving A Hero’s Place).
“This is a blessing.”
Col. Kirk Frith echoed the Sheriff’s sentiment.
“Allen is forever in our memory,” Frith said. “With the fast pace of everyday life, we don’t think about him every day. What this chair does, because this is the place all deputies come to train, when you walk in this building, you will be reminded and we will think about our fallen hero, Deputy Allen Bares Jr.
“Thank you very much and this is great what this organization is doing.”
Henning said this mission will go on as long as it can. He said there are currently 64 requests for chairs around the country. Tina Bares asked that others support Saving A Hero’s Place, Inc. Donations can be made through www.savingaherosplace.org.
“I encourage people to support them so that they can continue to do this,” Tina Bares said. “Look at what they are doing for us. I know what this means for me and all of us. I want that for other families and other departments.”
Dr. Twyla Williams Damond talks to board members.
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LAFAYETTE — South Louisiana (SOLA) Giving Day will be held on Thursday, May 9 beginning at midnight and ending at 11:59:59 p.m. CST. SOLA Giving Day is a 24-hour online fundraising event for 104 nonprofit organizations, churches, and schools who serve Acadiana.
Using a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone, anyone can make a donation to support their favorite cause and organization by visiting www.solagivingday.org.
Currently, matching gift donations totaling $708,500 have been secured to support more than 40 organizations. A matching donation is a charitable contribution by private donors that will match the general public’s donations dollar for dollar. A list of the organizations who have received matching donations can be found online at www.solagivingday.org/matchinggifts.
SOLA Giving Day will award $24,000 in cash prizes to top performing organizations who receive the most donations in several categories.
South Louisiana Giving Day is an event of the Community Foundation of Acadiana. CFA is a tax-exempt, donor-centric, entrepreneurial foundation whose core purpose is building legacies and improving communities by connecting generous people to the causes they care about. Learn more at www.cfacadiana.org.
EUNICE — A Jeep left the Murphy gas station on front of Walmart Tuesday afternoon, ran across U.S. 190 and came to rest upside down in the potted soil in front of Tractor Supply. One person was removed from the Jeep. A Eunice Police officer said there was no other injuries. (Photo by Harlan Kirgan)
FRISCO, Texas—McNeese freshman outfielder Kaylee Lopez has been named the Southland Conference Hitter of the Week, the league announced Monday afternoon.
Lopez, a native of Indian Bayou, helped McNeese to its regular series sweep over Lamar over the weekend.
The rookie was 6 for 11 at the plate with a .545 batting average along with five RBI one double, two stolen bases and scored one run.
Lopez did most of her damage in Friday’s doubleheader where she opened the series going 3 for 4 with a double, two stolen bases and three RBI.
In the second game of the series, it was Lopez’s hit in the fifth inning that tied the game up at two apiece. She then provided the game winning hit in the seventh inning to give McNeese the 3-2 win.
On the year, Lopez has started in the outfield for McNeese in 33 out of its 40 games.
On the year, she has a .292 batting average in 155 plate appearances. In high school Lopez hit more than 30 home runs. Her first year playing softball, Lopez has hit only one home run and she has knocked in 12 runs.
Teammate Demi Boudreaux, another former North Vermilion softball player, is the starting catcher for McNeese. Boudreaux has started in 48 out of 53 games at catcher.
On the year she has a .239 batting average. She has knocked in 21 runs and hit two over the fence.
FYI: Lopez and another former North Vermilion softball player, Elise Vincent, who is a junior at Northwestern State, made third team All-Southland Conference. Both Vermilion Parish girls made it as outfielders.
(U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Noshoba Davis)
Louisiana National Guard Lt. Col. James Williams, Jr. is pinned by his wife, Toni, during his promotion ceremony.
(U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Noshoba Davis)
Louisiana National Guard Lt. Col. James Williams, Jr. (center) stands with his wife, Toni (center left), kids and family members after being promoted during an official ceremony at Camp Beauregard in Pineville.
PINEVILLE – Surrounded by friends, family and colleagues, the Louisiana National Guard promoted James Williams, Jr. to the rank of lieutenant colonel at Camp Beauregard in Pineville, Dec. 18.
Williams is a long-time Vermilion Parish resident. He lives in Meaux with his family. He and his wife, the former Toni Lege have been married for 24 years. Together they have four children, James (III) who also serves in the LANG, Caroline, Ann Claire and Emma.
“I remember when I first met Lt. Col. Williams in 1997. He was a young E-5 not long off active duty, and I decided to make him a platoon leader as an E-5. The one thing I noticed about him was that he was always smiling and he led his Soldiers from the front the entire time,” said Maj. Gen. Glenn H. Curtis,
adjutant general of the LANG. “He’s always been one of the leaders we’ve depended on, and I want to congratulate you on [your promotion] today.”
Originally from Violet, Williams holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He was commissioned in 1998 as a second lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers through the direct commission program.
Williams initially enlisted as an active duty Soldier and served with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 307th Engineer Battalion. In 1997, he joined the Louisiana National Guard, where he served in the 1088th Engineer Battalion; 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team; Recruiting and Retention Command; and the 199th Regional Training Institute. Williams has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (III), Operation Iraqi Freedom (X) and Operation New Dawn.
“Maj. Gen. Curtis, 20 years ago you were there for my first promotion as my battalion commander, and should this be my last, I cannot think of anyone else that I would want to be here,” said Williams. “From you I’ve borrowed the appreciation of the American Soldier, and that, no matter where you go, to always be grateful for those that serve with you.”
He has served in numerous positions throughout his career including platoon leader, company executive officer, company commander, assistant brigade engineer, logistics officer, battalion operations officer, battalion executive officer, and currently serves as the deputy commander of the 199th Regiment, (Regional Training Institute).
Williams’ military education includes the Primary Leadership Development Course, Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced Course, the Support Operations Course, Command and General Staff College Intermediate Level Education course, Basic Airborne and Advanced Airborne School, and the Sapper Leader Course.
His awards include: Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Commendation Medal with silver oak leaf cluster, Army Achievement Medal with silver and bronze oak leaf clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Component Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze oak leaf cluster, Humanitarian Service Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster), Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” device, Global War on Terrorism Service Ribbon, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Army Reserve Component Overseas Service Ribbon Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Louisiana Cross of Merit, Louisiana War Cross, Louisiana Emergency Service Ribbon with silver Fleur-de-lis, Louisiana Longevity Medal with three Fleur-de-lis, Meritorious Unit Commendation, German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge, the bronze De Fleury Medal, Senior Parachutist Badge Combat Action Badge and the Sapper Tab.
“I just want to thank everybody that was here with me today, and I cannot express my appreciation enough to all of you,” said Williams. “There are many that I have served with that have in some way, shape or form influenced my career and for that I’m grateful.”
“Toni, we started this journey a long, long time ago; when I wanted to enlist into the Army you had no idea of what you were getting into and neither did I,” said Williams. “You’ve stood by me through it all: hurricanes, floods, loss of a home and deployments. You’ve been there through the thick and thin, good times and bad and I could not be here without your love and support.”
April 4, 1933 ~ May 5, 2019
ABBEVILLE — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Catholic Church honoring the life of Paul A. Broussard, 86, who died Sunday, May 5, 2019 at Eastridge Nursing Center. He will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Fr. François Sainte-Marie officiating the services.
Paul taught middle school for 33 years in Vermilion and Iberia Parish schools. He was known to have the kindest heart, even in the end. Above all he was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather who cherished time spent with his family.
Paul is survived by his wife of 62 years, Shirley Hebert Broussard; two sons, Mark James Broussard and his wife Tina of Kaplan, and Kendal Paul Broussard and his wife Sonya of Parks; one daughter, Donna Broussard Payne of Abbeville; four grandchildren, Brandy Broussard, Jessica B. Conner and her husband Jacob, Caroline Broussard and Collin Paul Broussard; two great grandsons, Jayden Paul Conner and Jace Conner; and three sisters, Ruth Broussard of Abbeville, Beryl Broussard of Carlys, and Connie Broussard Landry of Abbeville.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Minus Paul Broussard and the former Louise Weekly; one brother, Purvis Joseph "Buddy" Broussard; one sister, Yvonne Hebert; and son-in-law, Clifton Joseph Payne, Sr.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 from 10:00 AM until 10:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM; Wednesday, May 8, 2019 from 8:00 AM until 12:45 PM when the procession will depart for the church.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.
318 N. Main St.
Abbeville, LA 70510
Phone: 337-893-4223
Fax: 337-898-9022
219 North Cushing Avenue
Kaplan, LA 70548