Latest news with #Ruffin


Scottish Sun
06-07-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Two brothers in miracle escape from Texas floods after they swam for their lives as water reached top bunk in camp cabin
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TWO brave young brothers have told of their gutsy escape from the Texas floods - which have killed at least 50 and left dozens missing. Piers and Ruffin Boyett were asleep in the cabin at Camp La Junta on the bank of the Guadeloupe River when it was hit by a wall of water at 4am. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 11 Piers (left) and Ruffin (right) Boyett had to swim out of their camp cabin to higher ground Credit: ksat 11 The floods have left a trail of destruction around Kerr County Credit: AFP 11 Damage to a home near Camp Mystic Credit: AFP 11 The heartbreaking scene in Camp Mystic, from dozens of girls went missing Credit: AFP Further down the river, Camp Mystic - a Christian camp hosting around 750 girls - was also swamped, and over 20 girls are still missing. They awoke to find water rising rapidly around them - and were forced to make a split-second decision. The plucky pair knew immediately that they had to swim. Younger brother Piers told KSAT: "The flood started getting bigger. read more in us news TRUMP'S RUMPY PUMPY GRUMP Donald Trump 'moaned he could not access PORN in White House' "We had bunk beds in our cabins and [the water] was going up to the top bunk and we had one choice — and we had to swim out of our cabin.' Ruffin, the elder one, said: 'I had a first-hand view of the flood. "The cabins were flooding and the walls, they broke down. 'All of the campers in those cabins had to go up on the rafters and wait there until they could swim out." The brothers fought through the water to reach another cabin on higher ground. They waited there until a rescue bus arrived to take them away from the Guadeloupe River and back to safety. 15 children among 50 dead in Texas floods with little girls still missing' Whilst the Boyetts made it out of the water, not everyone has been so lucky. A Texas dad-of-two died while valiantly trying to save his family from the floods - after having is arm almost cut "clean off". Julian Ryan, 27, was with his family in their trailer home when the surging waters hit. His mother, fiance Christinia, six-year-old and 13-month-old were all huddled in the bedroom after being shaken awake at 4am on Friday. Christinia told KHOU: 'It just started pouring in, and we had to fight the door to get it closed to make sure not too much got in." 11 Julian Ryan died while trying to help his family escape their trailer during the floods Credit: gofundme 11 His fiance, two children and mother survived Credit: khou 11 11 The two kids were sitting on a floating mattress when the door of the bedroom burst open and water cascaded in. It was then Ryan took a bold decision to save his family. The dad punched a hole in one of the bedroom windows - but the shattered glass severed an artery and almost cut the limb "clean off". With blood spurting from the wound and emergency crews unable to reach the house, Julian told his family: "I'm sorry, I'm not going to make it. I love y'all." 11 The waters continued to rise and the trailer was eventually broken in half - allowing the rest of the family to escape. Christinia said: 'He was the best father, and was always such a happy person who was never above helping people, no matter what it cost. A GoFundMe has been set up to support the family after they lost Julian, and it has so far raised almost $30,000. It reads: 'Julian gave his life for his family, passing as a true hero. While his family is eternally grateful for his sacrifice, they are shattered by their loss." Rescuers are still scouring the devastated landscape in central Texas, but hopes of finding survivors are fast dwindling. 11 Janie Hunt, 9, also died after floods hit the all-girls Christian summer camp on Friday night 11 Best friends Eloise Peck and Lila Bonner were sharing a cabin and both lost their lives Credit: X/Keenan Willard 11 The scene of devastation inside Camp Mystic Credit: AFP Larry Leitha, Kerr County sheriff, said on Saturday: "We have recovered 43 deceased individuals in Kerr County. "Among these who are deceased we have 28 adults and 15 children." Multiple people lost their lives in other counties, bringing the current confirmed death toll to 50 - though this is sadly expected to rise. The most desperate search is for a group of school-age girls who went missing from Camp Mystic - a Christian summer camp near the river. Heartbreaking photos from the wrecked site show sodden mattresses and teddies strewn across dormitories. On Saturday, Sheriff Leitha said 27 of the children were still missing.


New York Post
05-07-2025
- Climate
- New York Post
Young brothers swam for their lives to survive Texas flooding at Camp La Junta: ‘We had one choice'
Two brave brothers recalled the harrowing moment they woke up to flood waters surging through their camp cabin in Texas in the middle of the night — forcing them to make the split-second decision to swim for their lives. Piers and Ruffin Boyett were fast asleep at Camp La Junta in Hunt, Texas, when they awoke at 4 a.m. Friday as the fierce storm raged, causing the waters of Guadalupe River to swell to 26 feet in 45 minutes. 'The flood started getting bigger,' younger brother Piers recounted to local KSAT on Saturday. Advertisement 'We had bunk beds in our cabins and [the water] was going up to the top bunk and we had one choice — and we had to swim out of our cabin.' Brothers Piers (left) and Ruffin (right) Boyett were forced to flee their cabin at Camp La Junta — by swimming out. The brothers, both wearing Camp La Junta T-shirts, recalled a terrifying scene. Advertisement 'I had a first-hand view of the flood,' Ruffin said. 'The cabins were flooding and the walls, they broke down.' 'All of the campers in those cabins had to go up on the rafters and wait there until they could swim out,' Ruffin added. Ruffin told the outlet that he was the first person to wake up in his cabin, and that his counselor was asleep as the waters continued to rise. Advertisement 'He woke up like, 'What? We're flooding!'' Ruffin said of his counselor. Devastation along the banks of the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, Texas. REUTERS The boys were able to find safe quarters after swimming out — sheltering in 'cabins on hills' at their camp for 17 hours. 'No one died, we're thankful for that,' Ruffin said, patting his brother on the back. Advertisement 'On the way here, we saw some of the other camps destroyed. Obliterated,' the elder brother said in disbelief. Camp La Junta is one of many youth camps in Kerr County — which experienced unprecented flooding early Friday morning. Forty-three people have died — 28 adults and 15 children, officials said in a Saturday night update. Camp Mystic, a Christian summer retreat for girls, saw at least four campers killed and as many as 23 girls still unaccounted for, according to local officials.
Montreal Gazette
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Montreal Gazette
Alouettes' Joshua Archibald stoked to be healthy and play against former B.C. team
By For a brief moment in time, Joshua Archibald can claim the stars have been aligned in his world. Signed as a free agent last winter by the Alouettes, the Canadian defensive-end has recovered from his hamstring injury and will finally make his debut for Montreal on Saturday night at Molson Stadium (7 p.m., CTV, TSN1, TSN5, RDS, TSN Radio-690, 98.5 FM). That it comes against the B.C. Lions — his former team — and on the field on which he played collegiately for McGill, adds to the subplot. That it comes five games into the season isn't quite how Archibald would have drawn up the scenario, however. 'That's a pretty wicked combo,' Archibald said. 'I can't tell you the emotions I'm going to feel when I step onto that field, but God knows there's going to be some goosebumps. I'm just excited to play against my former team; excited to finally break the ice on the season.' Archibald, 27, spent three seasons with the Lions before signing with the Alouettes on the opening day of free agency last February. And while it's not uncommon for free agents to return to their roots, the 6-foot-3, 242-pound Archibald is coming off his most productive CFL season. In 17 games with B.C., he had 15 defensive tackles, six on special teams, four sacks and forced two fumbles. 'He is a system fit for us,' defensive co-ordinator Noel Thorpe said. 'What he can do off the edge, his pass-rush ability. He can drop (into coverage) and play multiple positions for us. He really fits what we do.' Along with Archibald's return, boundary cornerback Dionté Ruffin (hamstring) also will make his season debut against B.C., replacing the injured (shoulder) Lorenzo Burns. Any defensive player who lines up on the short-side can expect to receive plenty of activity. And that was the case for Burns during last week's 35-17 loss at Hamilton when Tiger-Cats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell frequently targeted Kenny Lawler and Tim White against Burns. While Thorpe said Burns played well and didn't allow any deep throws, the return of Ruffin, now in his fourth CFL season, comes at an opportune time. 'He (Ruffin) has played multiple positions in our secondary — and played them at a high level,' Thorpe said. 'He's going back to a spot he's very familiar with.' Ruffin played all 18 games last season and excelled in Montreal's secondary. Along with his 56 tackles, he had a team-leading five interceptions — one of which was returned for a touchdown. 'I'm a guy who wants to be hands-on,' he said. 'I'm excited to get back out there for myself, and continue to keep the ball rolling. No matter where the team needs me I'm confident in my ability, in my preparation to perform at the high level the team would want me to.' Ruffin hasn't played since last November's East Division Final loss to Toronto, when he was used at field halfback. The Alouettes committed six turnovers in the game and were denied an opportunity to defend their 2023 Grey Cup championship. 'If I'm being completely honest, as a competitor, you never forget the moments that sting,' Ruffin said. 'We didn't seize what we wanted, but it was still a great learning experience.' McLeod Bethel-Thompson starts a second consecutive game at quarterback for Montreal, replacing the injured (hamstring) Davis Alexander. Receiver Austin Mack (hamstring) also remains sidelined, as does defensive-tackle Dylan Wynn (foot). This marks Montreal's first home game in a month after playing three straight on the road. While the Alouettes (3-1) remain atop the East Division, they're coming off their first loss of the season and would like to enter their first bye week in the schedule feeling good about their progress. The Lions (1-3) have lost three straight, but the visitors will be buoyed by the return of Canadian quarterback Nathan Rourke, who missed the last two games with an oblique injury. Rourke has passed for 573 yards and four touchdowns while being intercepted once. He also has 11 carries for 112 yards and a touchdown. B.C. has won four consecutive games against Montreal. 'He's dynamic back there,' Thorpe said. 'He shows mobility in the pocket. When he crosses the line of scrimmage he's a very good runner. He throws a good deep ball, has very good accuracy, reads the field very fast and gets the ball (quickly) out of his hand. They like to attack you vertically and their receiving corps is solid.' The Lions' Keon Hatcher is the league's leading receiver, while tailback James Butler is second in rushing.


Axios
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Nashville Pride hopes for big crowds despite corporate pullbacks
Nashville Pride organizers are hoping for a record crowd this weekend, even as they've had to tighten their budget due to reduced support from several corporate backers. Why it matters: Dwindling interest from some major sponsors reflects the increasingly tough political landscape LGBTQ+ pride events face this year. But festival organizers tell Axios the challenges only underscore the importance of the celebration. State of play: In an open letter, the organizers said shrinking corporate involvement left them with "a significant budget gap." They urged supporters to "show up where others have stepped back" by buying tickets or donating to the cause. Zoom in: Nashville Pride board member Brady Ruffin says community support for the festival is "incredibly strong." The event has grown exponentially since launching in 1988. About 240 vendors are participating, he says. More than 140 entertainers will be on hand throughout the weekend, starting with a Friday night concert with headliner Kim Petras. The big picture: Pride events around the country are seeing longtime corporate allies back away this year. The trend is part of a broader backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion spurred on by the Trump administration. Past Nashville Pride sponsor Nissan, one of the companies that stepped back this year, said its Pride pullbacks nationally were part of a broad review of marketing and sales spending, per the New York Times. Tennessee has long been seen as a leader in anti-transgender policies. Lawmakers have pushed restrictions on drag queens and gender-affirming health care. Last week, the Supreme Court upheld the state's ban on gender-affirming care for minors. The Nashville-based Southern Baptist Convention recently passed a resolution supporting efforts to reverse Obergefell v. Hodges, the landmark case that legalized same-sex marriage 10 years ago. What they're saying: Ruffin tells Axios that this year's event "feels more pressing and needed than ever." " The pushback we're facing politically only reinforced why this work matters," Ruffin says. "We're not just throwing a parade or a party or a festival — we're building a platform and making a statement. "In a time when we're hearing a lot of harmful rhetoric from the highest levels of leadership, it's crucial to create spaces that celebrate joy, resilience and visibility." If you go: Pride events will run Friday-Sunday. Tickets for the Friday night concert at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park are $44. Festival passes for Saturday and Sunday start at $10.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Key LSU football recruiting target reveals commitment date and finalists
LSU football 2026 target Emanuel Ruffin will announce his college choice on July 4, according to a post from his social media account on Tuesday. The four-star defensive lineman's top two are Ohio State and LSU. He made official visits to each, Baton Rouge on May 30 and Columbus on June 6. The two schools emerged as his favorites amid a host of Power Four offers, and On3's Prediction Machine lists the Tigers as the favorites. Advertisement 247 Sports ranks Ruffin the highest out o the major recruiting outlets, slotting him at No. 117 overall and No. 19 at his position. On3's Industry Rankings put the six-foot-3.5, 290 pounder at No. 31 among defensive linemen. Ruffin would be the second defensive line commitment for LSU in the 2026 cycle, joining five-star Richard Anderson. The Tigers' class currently ranks second in the SEC and fifth nationally with 10 commitments, 90% of which are blue chips. Head coach Brian Kelly's staff needs new momentum on the recruiting trail following the loss of top quarterback target Bowe Bentley to Oklahoma. Securing Ruffin would provide a spark for the Tigers heading deeper into the summer. This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Key LSU football recruiting target reveals commitment date