Latest news with #Fontenot
USA Today
07-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Countdown to Kickoff: Jerry Fontenot is the Saints Player of Day 62
Fontenot is one of the best players to wear No. 62 in Saints history There are 62 days left before the New Orleans Saints start their 2025 regular season. The Saints will open their year at home against the Arizona Cardinals, but with Kellen Moore on the sidelines as their new head coach. No New Orleans player is currently wearing number 62. Guard Lucas Patrick wore the number last season for the team. Instead, our choice for Saints Player of the Day is one of the best players to suit up in No. 62 for the franchise: Jerry Fontenot. A local graduate of Lafayette High School in Louisiana, Fontenot would go on to star at Texas A&M. He'd cap his Aggies career as a 1st Team All-Southwest Conference selection in 1988. The Chicago Bears and head coach Mike Ditka then selected Fontenot midway through Round 3 of the 1989 NFL Draft. Fontenot played in every game as a rookie, but somewhat sparingly as a reserve. He'd see increasingly more playing time through 1990 and 1991, combining for nine starts while playing every contest. By 1992, Ditka's last year with Chicago, Fontenot was the team's starting center. He remained in that role even after Ditka's departure. Between 1992 and 1996, Fontenot started all of the Bears 80 regular season games. During Fontenot's eight years with Chicago, he'd play in 128 games with 89 starts and never missed a game. When Mike Ditka was hired as coach of the New Orleans Saints in 1997, Jerry Fontenot returned to his home state to join his former coach. Fontenot started all 16 games at center for the Saints in 1997. The following year, Fontenot missed the first game of his career as injuries limited him to only four outings. He'd bounce back in 1999 and would go on to make 80 consecutive starts at center for New Orleans between 1999 and 2003. Jerry Fontenot anchored a strong offensive line for otherwise abysmal teams under Ditka. He remained a standout player once Jim Haslett arrived as coach in 2000 and was an underrated member of an explosive offense. Fontenot appeared in 100 games in seven years with the Saints, starting every contest. Only Saints Hall of Famer John Hill has worn No. 62 for more games with New Orleans than Fontenot. After the 2003 season, New Orleans released Fontenot. He'd go on to play his final NFL season with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2004. After retirement, Fontenot was an offensive assistant with the Green Bay Packers for 10 years from 2006 to 2015. He was part of a Packers staff that won Super Bowl XLV over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
American Press
23-06-2025
- American Press
‘Home of the Happy
South Louisiana journalist and author Jordan LaHaye Fontenot signs copies of her book 'Home of the Happy: A Murder on the Cajun Prairie' on Monday at the Elton Library. The book explores the kidnapping and murder of her great grandfather, Aubrey LaHaye, in 1983 in Evangeline Parish. (Doris Maricle / American Press) Jordan LaHaye Fontenot grew up not knowing much about her late great-grandfather, Aubrey LaHaye, who was kidnapped and murdered in Evangeline Parish in 1983. She knew he was taken from his home at knifepoint, and his wife, Emily, was left tied up after a man came to the house asking to use the couple's telephone after having car trouble. His body was discovered in Bayou Nezpique 10 days after an extensive search involving local, federal and state law enforcement. Growing up, Fontenot said she had limited knowledge of the tragedy because the family rarely talked about it, leaving many questions unanswered. Fontenot recently wrote a true crime memoir titled 'Home of the Happy: A Murder on The Cajun Prairie,' which explores the mysterious kidnapping and murder of her great-grandfather who she never knew and stories from her family. 'I think it's a family story about a tragedy that still has a lot of questions left lingering,' she said, noting that her family has remained tight-lipped for years. 'For me, it was an effort to answer some of them and just speak them into the world in a way that they haven't been over these past 40 years.' During a book signing Monday at the Elton Library, Fontenot said she started working on the project as part of her thesis project while majoring in English. She has a minor in journalism, which she uses today as the editor of Country Roads magazine. 'At first, it was more like an essay and it evolved into a book over the years with encouragement from my professor at the time and my Dad who began sharing more details about the event than I had ever heard before,' she said. She decided to delve deeper into the long-unspoken family history by interviewing relatives while they were still able to share their recollections. Her grandfather, Dr. George Wayne LaHaye, the last surviving child of her great grandfather, was able to witness the book's publication before his recent passing. 'The book follows me as I do the research mostly,' she said. 'It goes back and forth into the scene and then me in first person. It describes what happened, but then also watches as I dig into court files and FBI records and conversations with my Dad about these questions that we still have.' She spent nearly eight years scheduling numerous interviews, conducting extensive research, sifting through old newspaper articles, examining court files and FBI records and meticulously piecing the story together. For the most part, people, including close family members, were generous in sharing their versions of the story, she said. 'There's some people who are pretty uncomfortable with all of this being just out in the world, and it's a lot of stuff that they kind of put in the past as a way to get forward and it's coming back up,' she said. 'But they all have been very supportive of me which I appreciate because this is in many ways more their story than it is mine.' Fontenot said writing the book was challenging at times simply because of the sensitive nature of the subject of the matter and its connection to her family. 'It becomes very personal and this all happened before I was even born,' she said. 'There were parts that were really hard to write and hard to do interviews because they were very emotional.' Her father has been her biggest support throughout the project. 'I wouldn't have felt comfortable doing it without that support,' she said. Despite completing the book, Fontenot says many aspects of the case remain unresolved, and rumors persist even decades later. With the passage of time, the loss of records, and the passing of individuals, these questions may never be fully answered, she said. John Brady Balfa was convicted of LaHaye's murder in 1985, although some individuals harbor doubts regarding his involvement. Fontenot said she intends to leave the final judgement to her readers. Balfa, who is currently serving a life sentence at Angola State Penitentiary, continues to pursue appeals based on what he claims is withheld evidence. He is the nephew of renowned Cajun musician Dewey Balfa, and his father, Harry, was an accordion player in the Balfa Brothers' band. Fontenot reached out to Balfa requesting a meeting, noting that he has never met with any members of the LaHaye family. His response was a Christmas card simply signed 'Merry Christmas.' Fontenot describes her book, despite its focus on the murder, as both a love letter to Evangeline Parish and an investigative piece. 'I think readers from this area are going to see a lot of places that they recognize and names that are familiar, and that's been kind of interesting feedback from people from here so far,' she said, adding that she also learned a lot about South Louisiana, including the complexities of its people and the importance of storytelling in its culture. Looking ahead, Fontenot hopes to write another book, though the subject and format are still undetermined. 'I think there's a collection of essays that exist in my brain somewhere that will come out eventually, and then there's some stories that I'd like to play around with like fiction stuff, but I've never published fictions yet, so I'm a little more uncomfortable in that world, but we'll see,' she said.
American Press
07-06-2025
- Sport
- American Press
All-Southwest La. Small Schools: Iguess, Fontenot named MVPs
K inder's Brianna Fontenot and Welsh's Dane Iguess closed out their high school softball and baseball careers with stellar seasons to lead their teams deep into the playoffs. They are the American Press All-Southwest Louisiana Small Schools MVPs. Softball Fontenot won her third All-Southwest MVP honor. She won her first as a freshman in 2022, and last season she was the Big Schools MVP when the Yellow Jackets were in Class 3A. 'From when the season started, till the end, she gave everything that she had even on her rough days,' Kinder head coach Sarah Chaney said. 'When some games were on the line, coaches, as well as her teammates, had trust in her to do whatever she needed to do.' Fontenot batted over .500 for a fourth time while striking out once in 87 plate appearances. The Purdue signee and prolific hitter had 24 extra-base hits, including seven home runs, and drove in 40 runs to push her career totals to 52 home runs and 204 RBIs. She led the Yellow Jackets to the quarterfinals for the second time in her career with 12 multi-hit games and 10 games with two or more RBI. In the circle, she was equally feared with a 15-1 record and a 2.33 earned run average in 102 1/3 innings. She struck out 119 batters and walked 17. She pitched two no-hitters, including one against Oakdale on March 19 with 12 strikeouts. She finished her high school career with 504 strikeouts and a 60-14 record in four seasons as a starter. 'Brianna has made such an impact on Kinder High softball since the beginning of her freshman year, coming in as a starter and learning and growing as a teammate, and also as a person and player,' Chaney said. 'I wish her the best at Purdue and can't wait to see what she accomplishes there.' Baseball Iguess headed up a strong senior class to lead the Greyhounds to the state tournament for the first time since 2019. The 6-foot-2 southpaw went 9-1 in 12 starts on the mound and pitched five complete games. In 72 2/3 innings, he struck out 93 batters with 18 walks and a 1.80 ERA. Opponents struggled against him, batting .197. 'He had a great year,' Welsh head coach Caleb Hayes said. 'I think it is going to go down as one of the best pitching years in school history. He is just a competitor.' Iguess hit .330 as the Greyhounds' leadoff batter with seven doubles, using speed to steal 20 of 21 bases and score 27 runs. At the top of the order, he didn't get many opportunities to drive in runs (8), but he came up big in the Non-select Division IV semifinals with a walk-off RBI hit in Welsh's 8-7 eight-inning win over DeQuincy. Iguess was a defensive asset with a .902 fielding percentage. In the postseason, Iguess went 2-0 with 25 strikeouts and seven walks in 18 innings and helped the Greyhounds get through the quarterfinals after losses in 2023 and '24. 'He actually started in a quarterfinal game as a sophomore and junior and both of those didn't go our way,' Hayes said. 'It was kind of fitting that we rolled with him in the quarters and we leaned on him in the semifinals, and we got to the state championship game.' Coaches In his sixth season as head coach, Hayes, a former Greyhound standout, took Welsh back to the final for the first time since 2018. Welsh won two of its first seven games but turned things around to earn the No. 2 seed in Non-select Division IV and finish 23-11. The Greyhound lost to the four-time defending state champion, Oak Grove, in the final. In her first season as head coach, Chaney helped her former high school break out of its regional round jinks and reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2022. The Yellow Jackets lost in the regional round in 2023 and '24 as a top-four seed. Kinder started the season 12-1 and finished 17-6. They bowed out of the playoffs to Non-select Division III runner-up Jena in the quarterfinals. Small Schools Baseball Pos. Player, School Cl. Statistics P Carson Rainwater, DeQuincy Sr. 9-4, 1.39 ERA, 116 Ks P Gage Guidry, Vinton Jr. 6-2, 1.67 ERA, 108 Ks P Cohen Cormier, Welsh Sr. 5-5, 2.50 ERA, 40 Ks P Riddick Meaux, Kinder Jr. 5-1, 1.60 ERA, 30 Ks C Andrew Dowden, DeQuincy Sr. .486 avg., 3 HR, 50 RBIs INF Cameron Bonin, Lake Arthur Jr. .458 avg., 17 RBIs, 19 runs INF Rylan Young, Grand Lake Sr. .455 avg., 38 RBIs/8-0, 55 Ks, 1.50 ERA INF Connor Courmier, Vinton Sr. .350 avg., 13 RBIs, 12 runs INF Gabriel McKee, Rosepine Sr. .379 avg., 24 RBIs, 35 runs OF Dane Iguess, Welsh Sr. .330 avg./9-1, 93 Ks, 1.80 ERA OF Blaze Brister, Merryville Jr. .395 avg., 12 RBIs, 15 runs OF Turner Rodriguez, DeQuincy Jr. .400 avg., 35 RBIs / 7-2, 74 Ks UT Layne Bageux, Lacassine Jr. .371 avg., 3 HR, 29 RBIs UT Law Faulk, Grand Lake Fr. .484 avg., 25 RBIs/ 5-0, 1.10 ERA UT Braeden Strother, Oakdale Sr. 5-3, 2.07 ERA, 45 Ks/ .273 avg. UT Hunter Broussard, Reeves So. .362 avg., 20 RBIs, 31 runs UT Madden Spicer, Hackberry Fr. .278 avg., 21 RBIs/4-3, 60k MVP — Dane Iguess, Welsh COACH OF THE YEAR — Caleb Hayes, Welsh Softball Pos. Player, School Cl. Statistics P Ainslie Willis, Oakdale Jr. 10-5, 3.12 ERA, 97 Ks P Brianna Fontenot, Kinder Sr. 15-1, 2.33 ERA, 119 Ks P Marli Jones, Rosepine So. 13-6, 3.60 ERA, 142 Ks P Maddie Vinatieri, DeQuincy So. 14-11, 3.80 ERA, 172 Ks C Aubrey May, Kinder Jr. .419 avg., 12 doubles, 22 RBIs INF Alaina Bearb, Grand Lake Jr. .352 avg., 37 runs, 16 SB INF Analeigh Roberts, Rosepine Jr. .378 avg., 8 HR, 26 RBIs INF Aubrie Richard, Bell City Jr. .364 avg., 6 doubles, 14 RBIs INF Shay Lott, Merryville Sr. .477 avg., 37 SB, 18 RBIs OF Layla Gauthier, Lake Arthur Sr. .529 avg., 13 RBIs OF Reesie Jinks, Fairview Sr. .646 avg., 25 runs, 32 SB OF Onnie Remedies, DeQuincy Fr. .411 avg., 34 RBIs, 12 SB UT Madelyn Nolen, Starks Sr. 12-6, 113 Ks/ .570 avg., 38 RBIs UT Jolie Gary, Vinton Sr. .551 avg., 6 HR, 33 RBIs/ 982/3 IP, 116 Ks UT Addison Hollier, Lacassine So. .490 avg., 22 RBIs, 20 runs UT Jolie West, Oakdale Sr. .565 avg., .643 OBP, 27 RBIs UT Maggie Johnson, Welsh Sr. .407 avg., 16 RBIs, 25 runs MVP — Brianna Fontenot, Kinder COACH OF THE YEAR — Sarah Chaney, Kinder
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Homeowners struggle as prices skyrocket for household necessity: 'A lot of people are just being priced out'
Texas homeowners are facing skyrocketing insurance costs, with policies becoming harder to find and more expensive because of natural disasters' increasing severity, reported KHOU 11 News. New homeowner Jonathan Leopold discovered this harsh reality while trying to secure insurance for his Houston home. "You have to have home insurance that qualifies with the mortgage company. It was a little frustrating that I had to shop multiple insurance agencies," he shared. Insurance broker Melody Fontenot confirmed this trend is widespread. "I'm going to say about 10 to 15% higher. Definitely. Yes. And in some areas even more," she explained. The situation has become dire for many Texans. "A lot of people are just being priced out," Fontenot noted. Insurance companies are increasingly pulling out of flood-prone areas that have experienced multiple flooding events. When fewer companies serve a region, remaining insurers can raise rates even higher. Attorney John Black, who represents homeowners against insurance companies, highlighted the growing tension: "Insurance companies are charging more and giving less, covering less." This insurance crisis is a result of our changing climate. As warming temperatures drive more severe weather events across Texas, from hurricanes to floods, insurance companies face mounting claims and financial pressure. When smaller companies can't handle the rising costs of climate-related disasters, they're forced to merge with larger firms or go out of business entirely. Consolidation reduces competition, allowing remaining companies to charge higher premiums. Without adequate coverage, homeowners face devastating personal and financial losses when disasters strike. Many families may need to compromise on protection, leaving them vulnerable during increasingly unpredictable weather events. Do you think home heating costs are higher than they should be? Definitely Depends on the season Depends where you live No Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The situation also disproportionately affects people in particularly vulnerable communities. For instance, if you live in an area that's already experienced flooding, you may find it nearly impossible to secure affordable coverage. Despite these challenges, homeowners have options to help manage insurance costs. Fontenot recommends shopping around for new rates each year to find better deals as the market changes. You can also work on improving your credit score, which can lower your premium costs over time. Many people don't realize how much their credit rating affects their insurance rates. Using an insurance broker rather than contacting companies directly can save you time and money. Brokers work with multiple companies and can find options you might miss on your own. For his part, Leopold persevered through the difficult process. "I just continued to shop and did not get discouraged," he said. Industry experts also suggest considering higher deductibles to lower monthly costs, bundling home and auto insurance for discounts, and installing protective features like storm shutters or reinforced roofing that can qualify you for premium reductions. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
American Press
08-05-2025
- American Press
UPDATE: Suspect in fatal of shooting of 14-year-old not talking
Jonathan Simien. (Special to the American Press) A GoFundMe and other fundraisers have been launched to help cover funeral expenses for a 14-year-old Lake Arthur girl who was fatally shot while visiting a friend. The victim, identified by family and friends on social media as Nayomie Marie Fontenot, was fatally shot shortly before midnight Wednesday at a residence in the 1200 block of State Street in Lake Arthur. The residence is the home of a close friend of the victim, according to Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff Kyle Miers. Jonathan Simien, 18, of Lake Arthur was arrested Wednesday and charged with second-degree murder and illegal carrying and discharge of a weapon. He is currently being held without bond in the Jeff Davis Parish Jail. On Thursday, Miers said the investigation is ongoing and authorities are working to understand the circumstances of the shooting as the suspect is not providing information. He also said that more charges are possible. 'Detectives are working diligently to validate information gained by witnesses and family members,' he said. 'So at this time, I'm not going to comment on motives or what led to the fatal shooting.' Additionally, Miers said his ability to release information is limited due to the involvement of multiple juveniles. Investigators have questioned other individuals who were present at the residence but unharmed. Fontenot was a student at the James Ward Center for Excellence in Jennings. Joni McZeal of Lake Arthur has initiated a Go Fund Me campaign to help Fontenot's family with funeral expenses with a goal of $5,000, As of Thursday afternoon, over $4,920 has been donated. A message on the GoFundMe page from the McZeal/Fontenot family expressed their need for support in giving Fontenot a dignified and heartfelt farewell during this difficult time. They thanked donors in advance for their contributions. Additionally, a car wash fundraiser will be held noon to 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the MLK Park on GC Chaney Avenue in Lake Arthur to further assist with funeral costs. The services for Fontenot are scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 14, at Antioch Baptist Church in Lake Arthur.
