ActionNews17.com

Kelly Granted Immediate Eligibility for 2020-21   HAMMOND, La. –  Less than a week from the 2020-21 season opener, Lady Lion junior center Natalie Kelly was ruled immediately eligible for competition, SLU head coach Ayla Guzzardo announced this week.    Kelly, a 6-3 center from Albany, Louisiana, was initially expected to sit out a season after transferring from Auburn. However, the NCAA granted a waiver that will allow Kelly to suit up for the Nov. 25 opener versus Alcorn State. The addition of Kelly to this year’s active roster will bolster SLU’s performance on and off the court, according to Guzzardo.    “We’re so excited for Natalie to have the opportunity to play for us immediately,” Guzzardo commented. “She’s not a tradition back-to-the-basket post player, but she can get to the basket and has a good midrange game. Defensively, her ability to block shots is going to make her an immediate impact player for us.”   Kelly has fit in immediately with ...

  Holy Ghost Catholic School in Hammond announces their 2020-21 Students of the Year:   Olivia Krause, daughter of Jason and Katie Krause, is a 4.0 student and was chosen as the 5th Grade Student of the Year.   Olivia is a B-Quest student and is also a member of the school's 4-H club.  She enjoys volleyball and softball, playing on a rec team in both sports.  Olivia also excels in Math and Reading, having earned AR Points Club status and First in Math awards. Eliza Foster garnered the title of 8th Grade Student of the Year.   Daughter of Lee and Greta Foster, Eliza is also a 4.0 student.  Also in B-Quest, Eliza is an Advanced Math student and is also enrolled in English 1, a freshman course.  She earned Duke TIP recognition, Top 5 Reader at HGCS, Good Samaritan award and  also participates in the Diocesan Quiz Bowl, HGCS Art Club and National Junior Honor Society.  Eliza serves as a Student Council representative...

  Press Release from the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office: A Slidell-area man is wanted in connection with a shooting that occurred Tuesday (November 17) night near Slidell. At approximately 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 2100 block of Bluebird Street in reference to gunshots. The subsequent investigation revealed that a family dispute at a residence on Bluebird Street escalated into a fight, and numerous shots were fired at a vehicle occupied by two of the individuals involved in the dispute. One of those individuals sustained a single non-life threatening gunshot wound and had left the scene prior to deputies’ arrival. He was located by deputies at an area hospital, where he was being treated for his injuries. Warrants have been issued for the arrest of Chalmers Latrell Gillin, 37, in connection with the incident. Gillin is wanted on the following charges: L.R.S. 14:37.4 Aggravated Assault with a Firearm L.R.S. 14:55 Aggravated...

***Due to a cyberattack,  AN17.com  will not be posting photos of decedents at this time.*** Verdie Grey Blackwell Verdie Grey Blackwell passed away on Wednesday, November 18, 2020 in Mandeville, LA. He was born on December 8, 1930 in Franklinton, LA to the late Greal Blackwell and Mary Stafford Blackwell. Verdie was the beloved husband of the late Mildred Martin Blackwell. He was the loving brother of Bobby Blackwell, Margie Jones, the late Vernon Blackwell, and Billy Blackwell. Verdie was the uncle of Debbie Morgan, Keith Cox, and Jimmy Cox (Sandy). Relatives and friends are invited to the Funeral Service at E.J. Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 W. 21st Avenue, Covington, LA 70433 on Monday, November 23, 2020 at 11:00 AM with visitation from 9:00 AM until service time. Interment will follow the service at Blackwell Cemetery, Mockingbird Hill Rd., Folsom, LA. Paul Mitchell Boone Paul Mitchell Boone passed away at his residence in Bogalusa, La on Thursday, November 19, 2020 at...

           Press Release from Hammond Police: November 21, 2020, City of Hammond, LA — On November 20, 2020, at approximately 11:41 pm, the Hammond Police Department began investigating a pedestrian hit by a train at the 100 block of North Cate Street.   The victim was identified as Ridge Michael Melancon, 25, of Gramercy. Witnesses stated they believe he was attempting to place a quarter on the railroad tracks when he was struck by the train. Melancon was pronounced deceased on the scene.  The investigation is ongoing.