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The Crowley Police Department has reported that additional charges have been levied against Addison Doucet, owner of Doucet’s Gas and Diesel Repair Shop, 225 S. Eastern Ave.
On Monday, Doucet was charged with 11 counts of theft by fraud and 11 counts of damage to property with intent to defraud.
The charges stem from ongoing complaints regarding the repair shop’s failure to work on vehicles on which customers had made deposits or paid in advance for parts, as well as complaints from customers who recovered their vehicles only to find parts missing.
Earlier this month, Addison and Jessica Doucet and Quinton Hanks, an employee of the Doucets’ repair shop, were each charged with theft by fraud over $30,000, damage to property with intent to defraud and criminal conspiracy. All three were booked into the Acadia Parish Jail and bond on each was set at $150,000 by District Judge Kristian Earles.
According to a media release issued by the CPD on Monday, the department had continued to receive calls from new complainants asserting that they had been “swindled by Doucet and the repair shop.”
Through the investigation of these complaints, Detective Chasity Coats acquired sufficient evidence to charge Addison Doucet in eleven new cases.
Doucet was booked into the Acadia Parish Jail on a $110,000 bond.
Investigation into the case continues.
The search for LSU Football’s next championship head coach is over.
Brian Kelly, who has more victories than any active coach in major college football, has been hired as the head football coach at LSU, LSU Director of Athletics Scott Woodward announced on Tuesday.
Kelly, who will receive a ten-year, $95 million contract, plus incentives, will be formally introduced as the 34th head coach in LSU Football history at a press conference on Wednesday.
Fans are also invited to welcome Coach Kelly and his family when their flight arrives at the BTR Jet Center at approximately 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The most accomplished hire in program history, Kelly joins LSU – which has won national championships under each of its last three head coaches – with more than 280 career victories in his collegiate head coaching career, the most among active FBS coaches. He is one of only five active FBS coaches who have guided their programs to multiple undefeated regular seasons since 2009, and he has led his teams to the College Football Playoffs in two of the last three seasons.
“Brian Kelly is the epitome of a winner,” Woodward said. “He has built and sustained success at every program he’s led, from multiple undefeated regular seasons and National Coach of the Year honors to national titles and College Football Playoff berths. His credentials and consistency speak for themselves.
“Most importantly, Coach Kelly’s players and programs exemplify excellence in all aspects of the student-athlete experience – in competition, in the classroom, and throughout the community – and he shares our values and vision for elevating our university and our state. We’re thrilled to welcome him and his family to Baton Rouge, and we are excited to work with him as we add to the championship legacy of LSU Football.”
“I could not be more excited to join a program with the commitment to excellence, rich traditions, and unrivaled pride and passion of LSU Football,” Kelly said. “I am fully committed to recruiting, developing, and graduating elite student-athletes, winning championships, and working together with our administration to make Louisiana proud. Our potential is unlimited, and I cannot wait to call Baton Rouge home.”
In 31 years as a head coach, Kelly has amassed a record of 284-97-2, which ranks him first among all active FBS coaches in career victories, ahead of Alabama’s Nick Saban (272 wins) and North Carolina’s Mack Brown (265 wins). Kelly has only had two teams finish below .500 during his 31-year collegiate career.
For the past 12 years, he has served as the head coach at Notre Dame. He leaves South Bend as the Irish’s all-time winningest coach with 113 victories, moving ahead of legendary Knute Rockne for the top spot in 2021. His 12-year mark at Notre Dame stands at 113-40, which includes a 54-9 mark over the past five seasons.
During his Notre Dame career, Kelly led the Irish to the 2012 BCS national title game as well as College Football Playoff appearances in 2018 and 2020. He was named National Coach of the Year by numerous outlets in 2012 and 2018. He’s the only coach to win the Home Depot Coach of the Year Award more than once, and he’s done it three times (2009, 2012, and 2018).
In 12 seasons at Notre Dame, Kelly’s teams won at least 10 games seven times, including this year, as the Irish are 11-1 and ranked No. 6 in the nation. Notre Dame’s current streak of five straight seasons with double-digit wins includes a 10-3 record in 2017, followed by a 12-1 mark in 2018, 11-2 in 2019 and 10-2 in 2020.
Individually, Notre Dame players claimed eight consensus All-America honors playing for Kelly, while the Irish had players win nine national awards during that span. Kelly’s Notre Dame teams have produced 53 NFL Draft picks since 2012, including nine in the first round.
Academically under Kelly, the Irish had eight players earn the prestigious CoSIDA Academic All-America honor, and three were selected as National Football Foundation Scholar-Athletes. As a team, Notre Dame consistently ranked among the nation’s top four in the NCAA’s Graduation Success Rate.
Prior to joining the Irish, Kelly transformed Cincinnati into a football powerhouse, winning Big East titles in 2008 and 2009. In three years at Cincinnati, the Bearcats won 34 games and appeared in the Orange and Sugar Bowls. In 2007, Kelly led Cincinnati to the school’s first-ever 10-win season with a 10-3 mark and a win in the PapaJohns.com Bowl. In his final season at Cincinnati, Kelly’s team posted a 12-0 mark and earned a berth to the Sugar Bowl.
Kelly’s first Division I head coaching position came in 2004 when he took over at Central Michigan. In three years with the Chippewas, Kelly’s teams won 19 games, claimed the Mid-American Conference title in 2006 and appeared in a bowl game for the first time in 12 years.
Kelly’s first head coaching job came at Division II Grand Valley State in 1991, a position he held for 13 years. He won 118 games at Grand Valley State and led the Lakers to back-to-back national titles in 2002 and 2003. He won 41 games during his final three years in Allendale.
A native of Everett, Massachusetts, Kelly was a four-year letterwinner at linebacker and two-time team captain at Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts. He graduated from Assumption in 1983 with a degree in political science.
Kelly and his wife Paqui have three children – Patrick, Grace and Kenzel. The Kellys are active in community outreach and have established the Kelly Cares Foundation which has donated nearly $5.8 million to support causes related to the fight against breast cancer since its founding in 2008.
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Well-Ahead Louisiana, the chronic disease prevention and healthcare access arm of the Louisiana Department of Health, has been awarded $345,000 in federal funding through the Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act.
Provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the funding will be used to implement effective Alzheimer’s interventions, including boosting early detection and diagnosis, reducing risk and preventing avoidable hospitalizations.
“This grant provides an opportunity to take the foundation Well-Ahead has established in chronic disease prevention and management, as well as outreach to healthcare providers, and expand upon it to improve outcomes for Louisiana’s residents living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia diseases, as well as those who serve as their caregivers,” said Melissa R. Martin, Director of Well-Ahead Louisiana.
State Rep. Malinda White (I-Boglausa) co-authored Act 73 in the 2021 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature, which calls for an increase in general education about Alzheimer’s and other dementia diseases, as well as a specific effort to educate healthcare providers on early detection, the link to chronic diseases and effective care planning.
“Being a caretaker for a family member diagnosed with Alzheimer’s opened my eyes to the travesty of this cruel disease,” said Rep. White. “I was honored to carry a bill that would help bridge the efforts to educate citizens across Louisiana about Alzheimer’s. I hope to connect the dots through this effort to detect Alzheimer’s at its earliest stage and at the very least, delay its onset. Hopefully, we will eventually find a cure.”
According to the Louisiana Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, there are approximately 92,000 people in Louisiana ages 65 and older with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, with 204,000 family members and caregivers dedicating their time to caring for them.
“Early detection and diagnosis is so important to care planning for people with Alzheimer’s. This funding will support efforts to implement programs and policy solutions that will improve the lives of individuals living with dementia and their family caregivers,” said Paula Shamsie, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association’s Louisiana Chapter. “The Alzheimer’s Association is committed to working with the Louisiana Department of Health to develop needed strategies and resources that can help families across the state.”
Well-Ahead Louisiana will work with the Alzheimer’s Association and other partners as they focus on policy, system and environmental changes to promote risk reduction, early diagnosis, the prevention and management of comorbidities and avoidable hospitalizations for residents with Alzheimer’s or other dementia diseases. Data will be used set priorities, develop public health action plans, address social determinants of health and provide support for those who serve as caregivers to persons with dementia.
Funded activities will align with the Healthy Brain Initiative State and Local Public Health Partnerships to Address Dementia, which was created by the CDC and the Alzheimer’s Association to act as a road map to ensure Alzheimer’s and other cognitive health issues are incorporated into existing public health initiatives.
The Alzheimer’s Association has warned that nearly 6 million Americans today are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and the disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, with 1 in 3 Americans over the age of 85 living with Alzheimer’s. It is estimated there will be as many as 16 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s by 2050, with 110,000 of those being Louisiana residents.
Well-Ahead connects communities to tools and resources that help improve the health of Louisiana’s residents where they live, work, learn and play. For more information, visit www.wellaheadla.com.
The Alzheimer’s Association Louisiana Chapter serves all parishes across the state, helping all those facing Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias by providing support groups and educational resources, while advancing crucial research and public policy initiatives. Their mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Their vision is a world without Alzheimer’s.
Notre Dame head football coach Lewis Cook didn't head for Destin after his team's final game of the 2021 football season, ala LSU's Ed Orgeron.
Instead, Cook went home Friday night, wondering about 'what might have been' and he woke up Saturday and Sunday with his focus fully on the 2022 season ahead.
The No.2-seeded Division III Pios saw their season end in heart-breaking fashion Friday when a last-minute rally fell short and the No. 3-seeded St. Charles Comets escaped Gardiner Memorial Stadium with a 17-13 victory. It marked the second-straight season the Comets ousted the Pios one game short of the Division III state championship game.
St. Charles will now face Lafayette Christian Academy, which defeated Newman and its highly-touted quarterback, Arch Manning, 49-7, on Friday.
Meanwhile, 25 miles to the northeast, Church Point continued its magical season by defeating powerhouse West Feliciana, 28-14.
The Bears, now 13-0 with six shutouts, will go on to face top-seeded Sterlington this Friday. Sterlington earned its semifinals berth by outlasting powerhouse Madison Prep, 40-34, in overtime.
Back in Crowley, the Comets proved once again to be a thorn in the Pios' side.
The win was third straight over the Pios deep into the playoffs, the other two being in 2020 (24-22) and 2016. (21-10) The Pios' one win over the Comets was in 2012 (27-7).
"We played well in spots, but there were a few plays we just couldn't make," Cook said after Friday's loss. "The guys had a great year and we just fell one week short."
After a physical first-half that left Notre Dame down 14-7, the Pios regrouped in the second half and had a chance to win when they began a drive with just under four minutes to play and down by four, 17-13.
The Pios drove all the way to the Comets 17 behind the passing of Nick Swacker and receiving of Zack Lamm. But a controversial grounding penalty set the Pios back and facing a long fourth-down, the Pios (9-3) were unable to convert.
"Yeah, I sat in my chair when I got home and thought about a couple of plays here and there that maybe would have made a difference, but...," Cook admitted Sunday. "It hurts, it always does when you get this close.
"But for this team to do what it did, well, I'm just so proud of them. I can't tell you how many people came up to me during the year and said "coach, ya'll so small." Heck, our biggest offensive lineman was our tight end (Luke Bertrand) and he is 215 pounds.
"But they played with heart and they got better and better as the season went on.
The Pios held the Comets to only nine first downs, 27 rushing yards, 112 passing yards and 139 total yards, which made the loss tough to swallow.
The Pios, on the other hand, had 226 total yards - 114 rushing and 112 passing.
"We were shorthanded - minus starting tackle, tailback and backup quarterback - but that's no excuse," Cook said. "We had opportunities and we got into the red zone twice in the fourth quarter; we just weren't able to get it done."
Cook's attention quickly turned to 2022 on Saturday.
"We (coaches) met Saturday and went over things , cleaned up and began looking at the off-season coming up," he said. "We start our testing this week and we'll go from there."
The Pios, who began the season with 11 new starters on offense in 2021, have four starters returning on each side of the ball in 2022.
"It's like this almost every year," said Cook of the rebuilding facing the Pios."It's next man up."
In Church Point, Arceneaux is experiencing the season he's long awaited.
He even chided with reporters after his Bears' victory over West Feliciana when he was asked what his formula would be for beating Sterlington, this week's opponent and the No. 1 seed in Class AAA:
"Score more points than Sterlington,' he quipped.
That assignment shapes up as a tall order for the Bears, giving the Panthers' resume'.
Although the Bears have been prolific in scoring points - and even better at not allowing points to opponents (481-40) - they will be faced with their toughest challenge of the season in the Panthers.
In three playoff games, the Panthers have averaged 49 points a game and they have scored 50 or more points in four of their last five games. Prior to Friday's game with Madison Prep, the Panthers had not been challenged since Sept. 24 when they held on to beat North DeSoto, 38-35.
A week later, they crushed Jennings, 45-14.
Those figures are no fluke, either. In 13 games, the Panthers have scored 586 points or an average of 45 per game.
And while those numbers may be worrisome to most opponents, they aren't likely to intimidate a Church Point defense which has been described as the school's best ever.
The unit, led by linemen Javen Gibson and Jamarrion Citizen, linebacker Gavin Middlebrooks and defensive back Armstead Mouton, has posted six shutouts, allowed only 20 points during the regular season and held an explosive West Feliciana team to 132 yards and only 1-of-12 third down conversions.
Looking ahead to Sterlington, Arceneaux said: "We're going to have to put together four great (practice) days and show up prepared. I haven't seen them yet, but they'll be big and physical and run the ball."
Sterlington, which won a state championship in 2016, trailed 27-14 starting the third quarter against Madison Prep, but rallied to get within six, 27-21, entering the fourth quarter. They tied it up to force overtime and then won after scoring in OT and holding Madison Prep on four downs.
The Panthers are led by quarterback Mason Lawhorn, who had touchdown passes of 48 and 31 yards last Friday and running back Trammell Colvin, who rushed for 101 yards and scored two touchdowns, including the winning touchdown on a 10-yard run
Jerry Terrell “T” Houston, a native of Crowley, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2021, at the age of 54.
He is survived by his daughter, Terreyelle Carter; mother, Evelyn Clement; father and step-mother, W.C. and Leecy Houston; sisters, Lynnella (Albert) Solomon, Kimberly Houston and Hope Mills; brother, Dwayne Houston; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Henry Aucoin, his maternal and paternal grandparents and other relatives.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 2, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church for Edward Johnson, 93, who passed away at his home surrounded by his loving family on Nov. 27, 2021.
Fr. Jonathan Janise, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, will be officiating for the services. The family is requesting visiting hours to be held Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. A Rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Interment will be in Woodlawn Mausoleum.
Ed was an avid fisherman and loved to cook for everyone. His pies will be missed by many of his family and friends.
He is survived by three daughters, Dora J. Leger and her husband Calise of Rayne, Diana J. Hollier and her husband Larry of New Orleans and Suzanne Johnson of Rayne; one son, Allen Johnson and his wife Jane of Tulsa, Oklahoma; six grandchildren, Troy Leger, Larry Hollier Jr., Michelle Cole, Monte Potier, Jason Potier and Miles Johnson; eight great-grandchildren, Ryan Leger, Spencer Leger, Tanner Leger, Lilly Potier Patterson, Tyler Cole, Sam Cole, Max Cole and Pierce Hollier; and four great-great-grandchildren, Mason Leger, Maverick Leger, Greyson Leger and Roman Patterson.
Ed is preceded in death by his wife, Lilly Mae Melancon Johnson; his parents, Jeroh and Armenia Winn Johnson; three sisters, Irene Cormier, Vernice Broussard and Ruby Sellar; and four brothers, Curley, Burley, Stanley and Hilton Johnson.
Pallbearers will be Monte Potier, Jason Potier, Miles Johnson, Ryan Leger, Spencer Leger and Tanner Leger. Honorary pallbearers will be Calise Leger and Troy Leger.
The family would like to thank Suzanne Boullion, Norma Cole, Courtney Hebert and Lamm Hospice for all their care and compassion given to Mr. Johnson.
Condolences may be sent to the family by www.geesey-ferguson.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home of Crowley.
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Crowley Post-Signal
602 N. Parkerson Ave, Crowley, LA 70526
Phone: 337-783-3450
Fax: 337-788-0949
Rayne-Acadian Tribune
108 North Adams, Rayne, LA 70578
Phone: 337-334-3186
Fax: 337-334-8474
Church Point News
c/o The Eunice News, 465 Aymond St., Eunice, LA 70535
Phone: 337-457-3061