June 2019

SPORTS BRIEFS

Redskins QB Alex Smith on playing again: ‘That’s the plan’

Whistle while you watch? Vandy fan plans to keep noise down

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Fans at the College World Series and across the Southeastern Conference may have never seen Preacher Franklin.

They’ve surely heard him.

Franklin is one of the two famous, or infamous, “Vanderbilt Whistlers,” and his distinctive chirps can be heard throughout stadiums the Commodores play in and in the background of television broadcasts.

Vandy fans love it, or at least tolerate it. Fans of the opposing team or neutral observers find it annoying. Really annoying.

The 72-year-old Franklin’s whistle typically goes nonstop between pitches.

FORMER HEAD OF CHARITY PLEADS GUILTY IN EMBEZZLEMENT CASE

BATON ROUGE (AP) — The former lead fundraiser of a Louisiana hospital foundation has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $550,000 for his personal use.

News outlets report 49-year-old John Paul Funes entered guilty pleas Thursday on charges of wire fraud and money laundering. Prosecutors say the fired president and CEO of Our Lady of the Lakes Foundation falsified records in order to use the charity’s money for gift cards and to send family and friends to LSU and New Orleans Saints football games.

UK STUDY SHOWS SEAL SINGING ‘TWINKLE, TWINKLE, LITTLE STAR’

LONDON (AP) — Researchers in Scotland say gray seals can copy the sounds of human words and songs including “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.”

The study by University of St. Andrews researchers showed that three trained seals were able to imitate parts of popular tunes.

The research team’s findings were published Thursday, including video footage of the seals. The study gave the researchers a better understanding of the evolution of vocal learning and human language development.

Picking the Perfect Melon

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As part of ongoing fundraising efforts, the Jennings Optimist Club is selling Sugartown watermelons on Elton Drive near Tractor Supply.Madison Thimmesch is pictured here picking the perfect melon for her family to enjoy.

Lucky Break

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People do not always have the opportunity to do the kind of work they have dreamed of, yet some people catch a lucky break.

One Jennings native is working on making a career out of something she has enjoyed her entire life.

Breann Davis, 21, said she has been singing all her life.

“I been singing for as long as I can remember,” said Davis. “Around age 4, my dad could see the love and passion I had when it came to singing and music.”

She said she doesn’t ever recall a time when she was shy when it came to singing or performing.

Oscar (1854-1900) and Henry (1817-1862)

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Iwas late rerturning my library books, Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Ernest” and “Henry David Thoreau’s “Walden.” My renewed interest in these men came indeed from a Van Morrison song,”Fair Play,” that drove my senses into thoughts of romance long since past. I am still seeking the connection between the two writers and Van Morrison. However, I have concluded that Thoreau is so far above the heads of high schoolers that it was almost a complete loss to have had us read it. But, had I not read it then, I would not be writing these words now.

School board, committee seeking July agreement

The independent Welsh Community Steering Committee and the Jeff Davis Parish School Board are hoping to reach an agreement before July 18 on how to best fund needed campus renovations in Consolidated School District 1.

Board members will decide at the July meeting whether or not to send a tax proposal to the November ballot that could benefit Welsh-Roanoke Junior High, Welsh Elementary and Welsh High. What exactly that proposal will entail has yet to be determined.

Med Express having issues with 911

The new ambulance company in the parish is asking officials here to help with 911 dispatch compatibility.

Med Express Director of Operations Tyler Martin approached the Jeff Davis Police Jury this week to request that his company be added into the parish’s 911 rotation.

“We’ve been here for the last few weeks and things have been going well,” he said. “The hospitals and nursing homes have said that they have been pleased with us.”

Martin also said that since locating in the parish, response times in the rural areas of the parish have decreased.

Infant dies, child’s father confesses to abuse

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WELSH - A 2-monthold baby has died and its father has confessed to causing the infant’s fatal injuries.

Zackary Chevallier, 22, of Welsh confessed to investigators shortly after the child was hospitalized that he had struck the baby on the back of its head several times to stop the child’s crying, Welsh Police Department Chief Marcus Crochet said Friday.