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Pine High School eases by Central Catholic, 27-8

Central Catholic fell behind early and never could recover, falling to Class 2A Pine High School, 27-8, in both teams’ season opener in Franklinton Friday. Pine took a 13-0 lead after a quarter and extended its lead to 19-0 by halftime. While Central Catholic cut its deficit to 19-8 in the third quarter, Pine countered with eight points in the fourth period for the final score. “We started very slow,” Central Catholic Coach Tommy Minton said. “I felt like we kind of went out there and felt our way around instead of just playing ball.” While Minton said Pine had ...

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Ragin' Cajuns open season with 51-48 win against SLU

Raymond Calais set a school-record with a pair of kickoff returns for touchdowns, and freshman Elijah Mitchell scored on a go-ahead 2-yard touchdown with 8:41 remaining as the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns earned a 51-48 shootout victory against Southeastern Louisiana in the season-opener Saturday at Cajun Field.
Jordan Davis completed 12 of 23 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown in his first career start while freshman Trey Ragas scored on a 54-yard run in the first quarter as Louisiana (1-0) scored its most points in a season-opener in the modern era.
In the first meeting between Louisiana and SLU (0-1) since 1981, both teams quickly made up for lost time with a combined six touchdowns in the first quarter, including kickoff returns of 97 and 100 yards by Calais and a 54-yard run by Ragas. SLU answered Calais’ kick return to open the game by driving 68 yards in seven plays with Eugene Bethea capping the drive with a 42-yard touchdown run.
The Lions took their first lead of the night after forcing the Cajuns to punt, with Max Lyons returning a punt return 60 yards for a touchdown.
Bethea added a 1-yard touchdown run with 3:09 remaining in the first quarter that gave SLU a 21-14 lead before Calais scored his second touchdown of the night with a 100-yard return, tying Darryl Surgent (2013 vs. Kansas State) and Jeryl Brazil (2015 vs. Texas State) for the longest return in school history.
Davis tossed a 15-yard touchdown pass to Ryheem Malone to give Louisiana a 28-21 lead with 13:47 remaining in the second quarter, with Dion Ray adding a 1-yard touchdown run for a 35-28 lead with 10:01 remaining.
Jordan Wright capped a 10-play drive for the Ragin’ Cajuns with a 3-yard touchdown run in the third quarter before Mitchell’s first career touchdown gave Louisiana a 49-42 lead with 8:41 remaining.
After Sam Geraci’s punt was downed at the SLU 5 with 3:16 remaining, SLU drove 95 yards in 10 plays, with Lorenzo Nunez hitting Niher Jackson on a 29-yard touchdown pass with 42 seconds remaining. The Lions attempted a potential go-ahead two-point conversion, but Nunez was flushed from the pocket, fumbled and Joe Dillon scooped up the miscue and scored on a defensive PAT to seal the win. Tracy Walker recorded 10 tackles to lead Louisiana, with T.J. Posey adding eight. Dillon added a sack for the Ragin’ Cajuns, with freshman Bralen Trahan picking off a Nunez pass for his
first career interception.
Bethea rushed for 187 yards and two touchdowns for SLU, which gained 343 yards rushing and controlled the football for 34 minutes.
Nunez completed 15 of 25 passes for 171 yards for the Lions, with Juwan Dickey catching eight passes for 99 yards.
Central Catholic High alum and Louisiana true freshman Ja’len Johnson saw time in Saturday’s win.
Louisiana will return to action Sept. 9 when it visits American Athletic Conference member Tulsa in a 3 p.m. contest.

Suspect accused of kicking pregnant woman

A 34-year-old Amelia man has been captured after fleeing from authorities following an incident where he allegedly kicked his pregnant wife in the stomach, Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon said in a news release.

—Rodolfo Tosca Chan, 34, of Bayou Bouef Road in Amelia, was arrested on charges of domestic abuse battery-pregnant victim, domestic Abuse Battery with child endangerment, aggravated flight from an officer, disarming of a peace officer, no driver’s license, general speed law violation, no seat belt, stop lamps and turn signals required, turning movements and required signals, stop sign violation and resisting an officer with force or violence.

Deputies responded to a complaint Thursday evening of a fight involving several men at a location in Amelia. Upon arrival, deputies determined that the aforementioned suspect had kicked his pregnant wife in the stomach and departed the scene afterwards, Falcon said.

Deputies searched for the suspect and eventually observed him driving in the area. Deputies attempted to stop the subject and that turned into a high-speed pursuit which ended up with the suspect crashing the car into a gate and fleeing on foot, Falcon said.

Deputies from St. Mary Parish became involved in the pursuit. At some point, Chan entered the swamp with deputies in close pursuit. The deputies used a stun gun on the suspect but he continued to flee, Falcon said. A K-9 was then used to subdue Chan and during the struggle, Chan attempted to disarm a deputy, Falcon said.

Chan was arrested and transported to Assumption Community Hospital to treated for lacerations and was released. Chan was then transported to the Assumption Parish Detention Center.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert reported responding to 179 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:

—Jeffery Lofton, 52, of California Street in Thibodaux, was arrested at 7:59 a.m. Friday on a Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office warrant for failure to appear.

A St. Mary Parish deputy received information from a Lafourche Parish deputy regarding the active warrant for Lofton’s arrest and his whereabouts. Lofton was located walking on La. 182 in Amelia and transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. He was later transferred to the Lafourche Parish jail.

—Brionne Bogen, 21, of Charlotte Drive in Patterson, was arrested at 3:52 p.m. Friday on charges of stop sign violation and operating a vehicle with a suspended driver’s license.

A deputy patrolling Bayou Vista observed a vehicle fail to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of Delmar Avenue and Southeast Boulevard. The deputy conducted a traffic stop, spoke with the driver, Bogen, and found that her license was suspended, Hebert said. Bogen was released on a summons to appear in court Dec. 1.

—Jeffery Carbajal, 20, of Spruce Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 4:07 a.m. Saturday on charges of careless operation, no driver’s license, hit and run driving and failure to report an accident.

A deputy investigating a single vehicle crash at the intersection of Lake Palourde Road and Barrow Street located Carbajal walking away from the scene.

When deputies spoke to Carbajal about the crash, he denied knowledge of the incident. Through investigation, the deputy found evidence that Carbajal was driving the car at the time of the crash. Carbajal was released on a summons to appear in court Dec. 1.

—Khuong Nguyen, 30, of La. 182 East in Berwick, was arrested at 10:42 p.m. Saturday on a charge of theft of goods.

A deputy was responded to a report of shoplifting at a store in Bayou Vista. The deputy spoke with store security personnel and learned that Nguyen was seen concealing items in his clothing before attempting to leave the business without paying for the goods. Nguyen was released on a summons to appear in court Dec. 1.

—Kelly Hamilton, 34, of La. 182 East in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:42 p.m. Monday on a charge of speeding and on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of direct contempt, speeding, and failure to honor written promise to appear.

While investigating a separate complaint in Amelia, a deputy came into contact with Hamilton and located the active warrant for her arrest. Hamilton was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Bail is set at $365.

—Tronoski Thomas, 27, of Fuselier Street in Eunice, was arrested at 9:10 p.m. Friday on a charge of possession of marijuana.

Narcotics detectives patrolling Morgan City observed Thomas smoking a marijuana cigarette while walking down Front Street near Brashear Avenue. Detectives stopped him, recovered the marijuana, and subsequently transported Thomas to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking, Hebert said.

Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported responding to 180 complaints and reported the following arrests:

—Thomas Riley Jr., 30, of Roderick Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 4:21 p.m. Friday on a St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office warrant criminal neglect of family.

Riley was located at his home on Roderick Street and arrested on a warrant. Riley was jailed.

—Ginger Russell, 40, of Oak Harbor in Morgan City, was arrested at 1:28 a.m. Saturday on charges of DWI third offense and improper lane usage.

Officers in the area of La. 70 observed a vehicle swerving in the lane of travel. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver, Russell, appeared to be intoxicated, Blair said. Russell admitted to taking prescribed medication. Russell performed poorly on a field sobriety test and registered 0.045 grams-percent blood alcohol content on a chemical test, Blair said.

A warrant was obtained for Russell’s blood to be drawn, and police received a blood sample. Russell was jailed.

—Phillip Skaggs, 52, of Maricopa, Arizona, was arrested at 7:26 p.m. Saturday on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Officers working the Shrimp and Petroleum Festival received a report of illegal narcotics being used in the area of Front and Greenwood streets. When officers arrived, they located Skaggs.

Skaggs was told of the complaint and admitted to having marijuana inside of his vehicle, Blair said. Officers received consent to search the vehicle and located suspected marijuana and an item used to smoke illegal narcotics. Skaggs was jailed.

—John Clark, 51, of Fifth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:39 p.m. Friday on charges of remaining after being forbidden.

Officers working security for the Shrimp and Petroleum Festival noticed a large disturbance in the Lawrence Park area. As officers approached the area, the crowd began to disperse.

However, an individual identified as Clark continued to yell and use profanities, Blair said. Clark was told to leave the area or be arrested. A short time later, Clark was observed in the park yelling at individuals, Blair said. Clark was jailed.

—Randal M. Lejeune, 54, of Morgan City, was arrested at 2:26 p.m. Saturday on warrant charging him with failure to appear for distribution of cocaine and failure to return leased movables.

Lejeune was located in the area of Second Street near the fairgrounds of the Shrimp and Petroleum Festival. A warrant check revealed that Lejeune held active warrants for the 16th Judicial District Court. Lejeune was jailed.

—Jordan Granger, 28, of North Everett Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:32 p.m. Saturday on a charge of disturbing the peace intoxicated.

Officers responded to the area of South Everett in regard to a disturbance. Officers arrived and were told that Granger had come to the home causing a disturbance, Blair said. Granger appeared to be intoxicated, Blair said. Granger was jailed.

—Lejen A. Lafleur, 18, of Lajaunie Court in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:27 p.m. Saturday on a charge of disturbing the peace by using offensive language.

Officers responded to the area of Front Street in regard to a disturbance. Officers arrived and noticed a group of individual that appeared to be arguing. Officers made contact with Lafleur, who was told to leave the area and to stop using profanities. Lafleur continued to yell and use profanities, Blair said. He was jailed.

—Trey A. Duet, 18, of La. 1 in Labadieville, was arrested at 10:45 p.m. Saturday on a charge of disturbing the peace intoxicated.

—Matthew D. Rivere, 18, of La. 402 in Napoleonville, was arrested at 10:45 p.m. Sunday on a charge of disturbing the peace intoxicated.

Officers responded to the area of Front Street in regard to a disturbance. Officers arrived and observed two individuals identified as Duet and Rivere yelling and using profanities toward each other, Blair said. Both Duet and Rivere appeared intoxicated and were jailed.

—Jordan M. Granier, 21, of La. 307 in Thibodaux, was arrested at 11:30 p.m. Saturday on charges of DWI and improper lane usage

A patrol officer in the area of Brashear Avenue observed a vehicle swerving in the lane of travel. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver, Granier, appeared to be intoxicated and registered 0.166 grams-percent blood alcohol content on a chemical test, Blair said. Granier was jailed.

—Charles Lodrigue, 38, of Leona Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:30 p.m. Saturday on a charge of domestic abuse battery by strangulation.

Officers responded to a home on Leona Street in regard to a domestic disturbance. The victim stated that she and her boyfriend, Lodrigue, were having a verbal altercation which later turned physical, Blair said.

Lodrigue grabbed the victim by the neck and began to strangle her, Blair said. Officers did see marks on the victim’s neck consistent with her statement, Blair said. Officers located Lodrigue inside the home and jailed.

—Shawn E. McCauley, 40, of Francis Lane in Patterson, was arrested at 12:16 a.m. Sunday on a charge of disturbing the peace intoxicated and a warrant charging him with failure to pay a fine.

Officers responded to the area of Third Street in regard to a disturbance. Officers arrived and made contact with an individual identified as McCauley, who appeared intoxicated, Blair said. McCauley also had an active warrant through city court and was jailed.

—Dan T. Mouzakis, 54, of Pharr Street in Berwick, was arrested at 2:21 a.m. Sunday on charges of disturbing the peace intoxicated and resisting an officer.

Officers responded to a business on Fifth Street in regard to being open after hours. The premises were eventually cleared. Officers were then flagged down a by an individual identified as Mouzakis.

Mouzakis appeared intoxicated and began yelling and using profanities, Blair said. While trying to place Mouzakis under arrest, he began to pull away from officers. Mouzakis was subdued, arrested and jailed, Blair said.

—Russell Singleton Jr., 49, of Sterling Drive in Houma, was arrested at 6:06 p.m. Sunday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of OxyContin, on a Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office warrant for failure to appear child support and illegal use of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of people less than 17 years of age.

Officers responded to a business on Ditch Avenue in regard to a vehicle parked at the location with possible illegal narcotics inside the vehicle.

A description of the vehicle was given out and it was located on La. 182. A traffic stop was conducted and Singleton was identified as the driver. There was strong odor of suspected marijuana was emitting from the vehicle, Blair said.

Officers searched the vehicle and located suspected marijuana and pills identified as OxyContin and drug paraphernalia, Blair said. Officers also observed a 4-year-old child inside the vehicle. A legal guardian was called to pick up the child. Singleton was jailed.

—Tina Franklin, 42, of Main Street in Patterson, was arrested at 7:19 p.m. Sunday on charges of disturbing the peace by using offensive language and two counts of battery on a police officer.

Officers responded to the fairgrounds of the Shrimp and Petroleum Festival in regard to an individual causing a disturbance. Officers arrived and observed a woman identified as Franklin yelling and using profanities, Blair said.

Officers tried to calm Franklin down, but she continued to scream and use profanities, Blair said. Franklin then pushed one of the officers, Blair said.

Franklin was placed under arrest and while putting her in the patrol car, she kicked an officer, Blair said. Franklin was jailed.

—Vaughn R. Millien, 24, of Napoleonville, was arrested at 10:33 p.m. Sunday on charges of possession of marijuana and resisting an officer by giving false information.

Officers working the fairgrounds in the area of Greenwood and First streets came into contact with an individual, who had a strong odor of marijuana emitting from him, Blair said.

The individual, who was later identified as Millien, appeared nervous while talking to officers, and police located suspected marijuana on Millien, Blair said. Police also determined that Millien had given officers a false name, Blair said. Millien was jailed.

—Scotty Adkins, 46, of Roderick Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 4:18 p.m. Monday on a charge of remaining after being forbidden.

Officers responded to a home on Fourth Street in regard to a disturbance. The victim stated that Adkins had been told by officers on a prior incident not to return to the home, but had returned starting a disturbance, Blair said. Officers knowing of the prior incident located Adkins outside the home and arrested him. He was jailed.

—Louis A. Bourque, 31, of Onstead Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:59 a.m. Monday on charges of domestic abuse battery by strangulation and false imprisonment.

Officers responded to a home on Onstead Street in regard to a domestic disturbance. The victim stated that her boyfriend, Bourque, had struck her several times, grabbed her by the neck and also would not allow her to leave the home, Blair said.

The victim had marks on her neck and facial area consistent with her statement, Blair said. Officers located Bourque inside the home, and he was jailed.

—Patrick Gaudet, 56, of Teche Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 2:01 a.m. Monday on charges of DWI, improper lane usage, possession of alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle and no headlights.

A patrol officer in the area of La. 182 near Cottonwood Street observed a vehicle without its headlights on and swerving in the lane of travel.

A traffic stop was conducted, and the driver, Gaudet, appeared intoxicated, Blair said. Gaudet performed poorly on a field sobriety test and registered 0.148 grams-percent blood alcohol content on a chemical test, Blair said. Gaudet was jailed.

—Gilbert C. Howard, 47, of Youngs Road in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:40 a.m. Monday on a warrant charging him with principle to theft.

Howard was located on La. 182 and determined to have an active warrant. The warrant stems from an August incident during which Howard allegedly received items from a clerk at a business without paying for them, Blair said. Howard was jailed.

—Carlven C. Chapman, 41, of Louisiana Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:46 a.m. Monday on a charge of domestic abuse battery- child endangerment.

Officers responded to the area of Fourth and Florida streets in regard to a domestic disturbance. Officers arrived and spoke to the victim.

The victim stated that her boyfriend, Chapman, struck her in the facial area while holding their infant child, Blair said. Officers observed marks on the victim and she was bleeding from her lip, Blair said. Chapman was located and jailed.

—Kirk M. Anslum, 35, of Morgan City, was arrested at 7:43 p.m. Monday on warrants charging him with no turn signal and possession of methamphetamine.

Officers located Anslum on Myrtle Street. Anslum held an active warrant for the Morgan City Police Department. The warrant stems from an August incident during which suspected methamphetamine was found in Anslum’s possession, Blair said. Anslum was jailed.

Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported responding to the following arrests:

—Tristen Hines, 20, of Live Oak Street in Patterson, was arrested at 2:03 p.m. Friday on a St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office warrant for failure to appear on a charge of domestic abuse battery-first offense. Bail was set at $3,500.

—Darrell Sides, 43, of Wise Street in Patterson, was arrested at 10:52 a.m. Saturday on a charge of appearing intoxicated in public. Sides was jailed on $300 bail.

—Jacob Alcina, 29, of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Patterson, was arrested at 11:59 p.m. Sunday on charges of possession of prescribed medication without a prescription, simple burglary and two Jackson County Sheriff’s Office warrants charging him with DWI first offense and possession of a controlled dangerous substance. No bail was set yet.

—Kristy M. Solar, 25, of Mike Drive in Patterson, was arrested at 4:06 a.m. Sunday on a charge of reckless operation with an accident. Bail was set at $344.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported no arrests.

LEILA FAITH BUDD LANDRY

September 22, 1942 - September 1, 2017
Leila Faith Budd Landry, a native of Bayou Sorrel and a resident of Bayou Sale for over 50 years, passed away at the age of 74 on September 1, 2017, just 21 days shy of her 75 birthday. Leila was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who loved the Lord with all her heart. In her early years, she enjoyed horseback riding and teaching children to ride as well as barrel and pole race. Leila was also a woman of many talents and passions. Some of her favorites included sewing, painting, writing, genealogy, and especially traveling in their RV. Together with her husband they traveled the country, including Alaska and Canada.
Those she leaves to cherish her memory include her husband of 57 years, Harry J. Landry; her son, David Landry Sr. and his wife Lisa; nine grandchildren, Matthew Gassiott and his wife Amber, Joshua Gassiott, Annaliese Gassiott, Tabitha Hopkins and her husband Lawrence, Rebecca Cameron and her husband Stephen, David Landry Jr. and his wife Jodie, Christy Landry, Patricia Moore and her husband Daniel, and Stephanie Landry; ten great grandchildren, Madigan, Zachary, Rylie, Ethan, Abigail, Meghan, Garrett, Emmalynn, Titus, and Zachariah; one brother, Lonnie Budd and his wife Frances; and her sister-in-law, Nell Hopkins.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Laurie Landry; and her parents, Elvin “Peter” Budd and Violet “Chick” Burns Budd.
A gathering of family and friends will be held Wednesday, September 6, at Ibert’s Mortuary in Franklin from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. and again Thursday, September 7, from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. conducted by her brother, Rev. Lonnie Budd. Burial will take place privately at a later date in Teche Gardens Cemetery.
Family and friends may view the obituary and express their condolences online by visiting www.iberts.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert’s Mortuary, Inc., 1007 Main Street, Franklin, La. 70538, (337) 828-5426.

Wheel House for Sept. 5

THRIFT STORE
At 304 South Railroad, Morgan City, 25 cents sale on all items 8:30-11 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday during September. All proceeds benefit Sacred Heart Catholic Church charities.

HOWARD D. JENNINGS

December 22, 1943- September 1, 2017

Howard D. Jennings, 73, of Factoryville, Pennsylvania, died Sept. 1, 2017, at Hospice of the Sacred Heart, Dunmore. Born in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, on Dec. 22, 1943; the son of the late Howard D. and Annie B. Jennings. His wife is the former Susan Kathryn Marin, formerly of Patterson, Louisiana. They celebrated their 50th anniversary on Aug. 22.

Howard was a Professor of Sciences for over 45 years at Keystone College; teaching Biology, Botany and Zoology. He was director of the Youth Conservation Corps, of the Nokomis Program and KCEEI at Keystone College. Howard was the eighth recipient of the annual Margaretta Belin Chamberlin Chair of Distinguished Faculty Service. He was awarded the Thomas P. Shelburne Environmental Leadership Award, the David Gray Award, and the Presidential Medallion for his spirit, dedication and love of Keystone.

Surviving besides his wife are two sons, Leigh M. Jennings of Dalton and Eric D. Jennings of Old Forge; and a brother, Ronny and his wife Karen of Weeksville, North Carolina.

Memorial Service will be held Thursday, Sept 7 at 7 p.m. at Anthony P. Litwin Jr. Funeral Homes Inc., 33 Reynolds St., Factoryville, PA, with Pastor Deborah A. Loessy officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Howard D. Jennings Nature Preserve at Keystone College, PO BOX 50, La Plume, PA 18440.

Anthony P. Litwin Jr. Funeral Homes Inc. of Factoryville, Pennsylvania, 570-945-5646, is in charge of arrangements.

JOSEPH EMMETT FITZPATRICK

Joseph Emmett Fitzpatrick Jr., 96, a resident of Berwick, passed away Wednesday, August 30, 2017, at home surrounded by his family.

Joseph was born October 9, 1920, the son of Joseph Fitzpatrick Sr. and Nellie Green Fitzpatrick.

Joseph loved to spend time with his family and friends. He had a huge heart and was loved by everyone he met.

Joseph will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by two grandchildren, Carman Cothron and wife Claire of Morgan City and Kevin Cothron and wife Michelle of Morgan City; one great-grandchild, Chris Cothron and wife Sarah of Baton Rouge; one great-great-grandchild, Corbeau "Beau" Cothron; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Nellie Fitzpatrick; his wife, Eula Gaspar; and two sisters, Orris Cothron and Patricia Percle.

Claire Cothron would like to give a special thanks to Jennifer Crouch and Jasmine Guidry from HomeHealthcare who watched over Joseph tremendously; a special thanks to Journey Hospice Care for taking care of Joseph during his final days; and a special thanks to Deborah Leger Morrison and Buddy Crappell for assisting Claire as the caregiver for Joseph.

A visitation will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, September 5, 2017, at Twin City Funeral Home until the time of service at 1 p.m. with Father Freddie officiating. After services Joseph will be laid to rest in Berwick Cemetery.

Teche Regional births announced

Born to Matoka Harris of Franklin, a girl, Kiersey Noel Turner, on Aug. 25 at Teche Regional Medical Center in Morgan City. She weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces and measured 19 inches. —— Born to Mr. and Mrs. Shawn Harrison (nee: Jessica Hollifield) of Franklin, a boy, Colton Edward Harrison, on Aug. 28 at Teche Regional Medical Center in Morgan City. He weighed 8 pounds, 7 ounces and measured 20½ inches. —— Born to Breezy Rivere of Pierre Part and Tremaine Francois of Morgan City, a boy, Tyri Joshua Francois, on Aug. 28 at Teche Regional Medical Center in Morgan City. He weighed 7 ...

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‘Don’t touch me. I’m dying.’ Harrowing Harvey stories emerge

One man used his last words to save a friend’s life, warning him away from a live electrical wire. Another died checking on his uncle. Several others were last seen helping people out of floodwaters.
They’re among Harvey victims who lost their lives trying to save other people. Others died doing their best to survive the catastrophic disaster.
They range from 6 years old to 89. Their stories are emerging as the death toll from the storm continues to mount.
Twenty-five-year-old Andrew Pasek was on a mission to check on his beloved older sister’s cat when he stepped on a live electrical wire in ankle-deep water Aug. 29, his parents said through sobs Aug. 31.
Pasek then fell into the lamppost attached to the live wire. Pasek’s friend moved closer to help, but Pasek warned him away.
“He said, ‘Don’t touch me. I’m dying,’” according to his mother, JoDell Pasek, who lost her other son to a drunken driver in the 1990s.
Al Pasek said his son was “a remarkable young man” who was always rescuing animals that needed a home and even once saved his own father’s life when he choked on a piece of food and couldn’t breathe for more than a minute.
“This is absolutely devastating,” Al Pasek said of his son’s death.
Al and JoDell Pasek want to scatter their son’s ashes at Mount Rushmore, where they had long planned to take a family trip. “Maybe we’ll still take that family trip,” a tearful JoDell said.
Houston police Sgt. Albert Steve Perez died heading to work around 4 a.m. Sunday. The 60-year-old father of two left after his wife urged him to stay home, Houston police Chief Art Acevedo said.
“I’ve got work to do,” Perez told his wife, according to the chief. “He has that in his DNA.”
Acevedo added: “I’ve only been here nine months, we’ve got 6,500 employees and I knew who Steve Perez was, because he was a sweet, gentle public servant.”
Two men, 45-year-old Yahir Rubio-Vizuet and 33-year-old Jorge Perez, died in a boat accident while on a mission with family and friends to save people from the floodwaters, according to their family. Two men in their group remain missing, with their family members posting Facebook Live videos as they search on foot for their loved ones.
Other victims of Harvey died in their homes, businesses, or cars, simply trying to stay safe or find refuge.
Fifty-eight-year-old Ruben Jordan disappeared while driving during the storm and was confirmed dead by the Friendswood Police Department, according to his family, who don’t know exactly what happened to him.
Jordan, a beloved football and track coach at Clear Creek High School, was “a hell of a man” with a reputation for helping people, said his brother, Oscar Drew Jordan.
He said Ruben Jordan once took a former student who was addicted to drugs into his home so he could get clean, and then helped the young man get his own apartment.
“He had a bigger heart than anyone I know,” his brother said.
Samuel Saldivar told police he was trying to bring his elderly parents and his brother’s four grandchildren to safety from their flooded home when the van he was driving was tossed by a strong current into the bayou as it crossed a bridge Sunday.
Saldivar escaped through a window but the others were trapped when the van’s partially submerged sliding door wouldn’t open.
The bodies of Saldivar’s parents and the four grandchildren, who were between 6 and 16, were found Wednesday in the submerged van.
On Tuesday, 82-year-old Ronald Zaring died on a rescue bus on the way to a hospital.
His son, Devin Zaring, said that after the storm hit, there was no way he could get to the nursing home in Friendswood where his Navy veteran father was living after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
But Zaring took comfort in knowing his father was in good hands. Residents and staff were evacuated to a local high school Monday and then were headed to Huntsville.
Ronald Zaring probably died of heart disease combined with pneumonia.
“He was just a super nice guy. He didn’t know a stranger,” Devin Zaring said. “Everybody loved him.”
On Wednesday amid clear skies, 65-year-old Donald Rogers decided to check on his uncle, who lived 10 miles away in Fulshear, Texas.
Rogers and his wife, 58-year-old Rochelle, were passing over a bridge in their pickup when the swift current flipped it over, said Rogers’ stepbrother, Tony Henny.
Rochelle was able to call 911 but rescuers arrived only to find the couple dead in their truck.
“Both of them were very, very good, very caring, extremely benevolent people,” Henny said. “Donald especially would give his last.”
—Associated Press writers Frank Eltman in Garden City, New York, and Anthony Izaguirre in Philadelphia, and AP News Researcher Rhonda Shafner in New York contributed to this report.

Local high football school roundup

The Franklin High Hornets traveled to battle the Patterson Lumberjacks in the season opener on Friday. Franklin dropped a 26-0 decision Patterson. In other games, the Hanson Memorial Tigers fell to the St. Edmund Blue Jays, 35-6 on Saturday at McCloskey Field. The West St. Mary Wolfpack came up on the short end of a 19-12 setback to the Abbeville Wildcats on Friday in Abbeville. No information was known about the Centerville-Northwood game.

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