Residents of Terrebonne Parish can expect to see a little more purple around town as the community prepares for the 2006 Relay For Life, the American Cancer Society’s team event to fight cancer. Purple is the signature color of Relay For Life, and the event will return to Terrebonne Parish on Saturday, April 22, 2006. A kick off planned for Thursday, January 12, 2006 will officially get the new Relay season underway. 

Relay For Life is the largest cancer fundraiser in the nation. Held in more than 4,200 communities nationwide last year, the event brings participants together to raise money for cancer research, education, advocacy and patient support programs.

The Terrebonne Foundation for Academic Excellence in Public Education is getting ready for the 2006 5K Run for Excellence and Cajun Food Festival on Saturday, May 13, in downtown Houma. New this year will be a Fun Run for kid’s of all ages.  Following the Fun Run, the 5K Run will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m., walkers and wheel chair participants are encouraged to participate.  Enjoy a great Cajun Food Fest with delicious food prepared by area restaurants and local chefs.  The Kid's Corner (for the younger crowd 12 and under) will feature face painting, balloon artist, storytelling, Shell Pipeline, Lumcon and the Barataria Estuary (BTNEP) will have coastal exhibits and activities, and much more will be available.

The Bucktown All Stars will entertain all evening for the entire family to enjoy. Registration forms can be downloaded from the website: www.5krunforexcellence.org, pre-register and get ready for an evening of FUN!

The Central Lafourche Trojans boy’s soccer team season came to an end Wednesday night when they loss to Northshore 2-1 in the Regional Round of the playoffs.

The players didn’t know what to expect coming into the year. They had lost

13 seniors the prior year along with their head coach. "With all we lost last year, I didn’t know what to expect coming into this year" Walter Broussard said." "I just knew we would have to play and give it our all, all year long."

Pitbull Productions will present the Universal Gladiator Championships Ultimate Cage Fighting at 7pm on January 21 at East Houma Hall, 425 Grand Caillou Rd.

The Main Event will feature Nathan "Ice Cold" Sanchez followed by Tony Arevalo for the Co-Event Middle Weight Title.

As an added feature, Ricky "Pitbull" Folse will step back in the ring after spending some time away concentrating on promotions.

By Dave Bourgeois

The following are new fisheries and wetlands bills, which have been introduced into the current legislative session as of March 29.  It must be noted that each senator and representative is also allowed to introduce up to five late bills before April 18.  If you need information on the status on any of these bills, you may call the capital at 1-225-342-2456 or 1-800-256-3793.  People with computer access can do the same by using the following Web Site address: www.legis.state.la.us.  In the bill summaries below, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is referred to as LDWF, the Louisiana Wildlife ad Fisheries Commission as LWFC, the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources as LDNR, and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry as LDAF.

Ellendale Country Club will be the host site for an important fundraiser on Tuesday, Oct. 18, to assist PGA golf professionals and superintendents in the Gulf States region that have been directly impacted by the two recent hurricanes.

"I have heard so many stories of loss from my fellow golf professionals in the past few weeks that I felt compelled to put this event together in an effort to help," said Rob Bradley, Ellendale’s Director of Golf. "These men and women who have devoted their lives to the great game of golf are hurting. In many cases, they have lost their homes and their jobs all in a matter of hours."

Pitbull Productions will present the UGC III (Universal Gladiator Championship) Summer Showdown on Saturday June 24 at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center.

The Ultimate Cage Fighting Event will begin at 8pm, with doors opening at 6pm. General  Admission tickets are  $21, $43, $37, $33, or $23 plus tax and service charges; For floor tables and ringside tables, call 985-851-4215.

Tickets available beginning May 15 through Ticketmaster, at the Civic Center Box Office, M-F from 9a-6pm, visit www.ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone toll free at 504-522-5555

The Southeastern Louisiana Lions gave the Colonels more than they can handle Saturday evening, as the Lions defeated Nicholls, 84-76, at the University Center in Hammond.

The Colonels dropped their fourth straight conference game to fall to

7-12 on the season and 3-5 in Southland Conference play. Southeastern improved to 8-11 overall, and 2-6 in the SLC.

Fisheries News By David A. Bourgeois

Seafoods are among the most perishable of all foods. Great care must be taken from the time seafood is caught or bought until it is consumed. The following tips should be useful for handling and freezing seafood.

Handling Fresh Seafood
KEEP IT COLD! Seafood should be as fresh as possible before freezing. Do not wait until it is almost spoiled to freeze it. This will result in almost spoiled quality when it is thawed and ready to use. Handle the fresh seafood correctly before freezing.

Thursday afternoon the Lady Tigers of Thibodaux entered the court of Lady Terriers of Vandebilt in Houma. There was a big showing from both schools. The cheerleaders from VCHS entered the gym and supported their Lady Terriers. With those sound u can tell it was definitely volleyball season.

The first game started and the Lady Terriers created themselves a early lead of 9-3. They both fought one until and Vandebillt extended their lead to 16-7 when The Lady Tigers broke the Lady Terries. Game one was controlled by Vandebilt. Vandebilt took game one 25-16. Vandebilts won the game from the service line.

After the first week of district play, you would see something you might expect. Three teams with a 1-0 record, and three with a 0-1 record.

After four weeks of football, a clear favorite has rose across the area being the only team above a .500 winning record, South Terrebonne. However, it is still early in the season, and no team can be counted out of the district race.

Information provided by NSU Office of Community Relations

Area children can liven up their winter holidays with camps at Nicholls State University.

High school baseball players can get pointers at Chip Durham’s Baseball Camp from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, and Sunday, Dec. 4, at Ray E. Didier Field. The camp is open to juniors and seniors on Saturday and to freshmen and sophomores on Sunday. This instructional prospect camp is designed for the serious high school player who wishes to play at the college level. Participants must bring their own gear. Registration is $75 in advance or $85 at the camp.

After 7 weeks of play, the South Terrebonne Gators remain undefeated in play, and have abtained the ranking of number 5 in the state. The question now turns, how long can they keep this up? Will they win the the state title, and bring one bayou for the bayou district, or will it fall apart?

There is only one thing that is certain when we ask these questions, only time shall tell. Volleyball action continues this week as the district race is heating up.

In last week’s playoff action, E.D. White girls Volleyball advanced all the way to the State Championships, where they fell just short and were defeated 3 matches to one. On the football side, Vandebilt and E.D. White were the only two local teams to advance into the next round. Vandebilt will host St. Thomas More Friday night, and E.D. White will host Independence.

This week is full of great action on both sides of the ball. Terrebonne girls soccer team will face both the #3, and #4 rank team, and are possible of pulling and upset. For that, they have the games of the week. Take a look at the rest of the action.

By: Walter Broussard

Through the hard fought volleyball matches to the hard hitting football games, you couldn’t go wrong in the first week of action. The week would only see two football programs putting a tally in the W column. Two other came close with one and two point loses to their opponents.

However, there is no real significance to last week’s matches as the district has yet to start. If you are wanting to see a lot of local volleyball in action, you can’t miss the H.L. Bourgeious Lady Braves Classic taking place Thursday and Saturday. This will defiantly be the place to be as you take a look at this week’s action!

Another week down, another week to go. That seems to be the theme in high school sports. Whenever one week disappears into the record books, their is always another one that follows. Last week saw some good action in both soccer and basketball.

Terrebonne girls soccer fell short in all of their matches last week when competeing against ranked oppenants. Hopefully they rebound quickly. Basketball has seen good action as well. There is one think that will prove itself this week though, it is just getting started.

Junior fullback Broderick Cole was named to the Sports Network's 2006 Preseason All-American Second Team, announced Matt Dougherty, Executive Director of I-AA Football.

Named the Southland Conference Freshman of the Year in 2004, Cole enjoyed another banner season in 2005, helping lead the Colonels to their first-ever conference championship

The fall inshore shrimp season will open in that portion of Shrimp Management Zone 2 from the eastern shore of South Pass of the Mississippi River to the Atchafalaya River Ship Channel at Eugene Island as delineated by the Channel red buoy line at 12:00 noon Monday, August 14, 2006. The remaining portion of Zone 2 and all of Zones 1 and 3 will open at 12:00 noon Monday, August 21, 2006. Season dates were approved by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission at its August 3 meeting, based upon recommendations presented by Marine Fisheries Division staff.

The closing date set by the commission for these waters is official sunset Tuesday December 19, 2006 except for the open waters of Breton and Chandeleur Sounds as described by the double-rig line (LA R.S.56:495.1(A)2) which will remain open to shrimping until 6:00 a.m. March 31, 2007.

As we watch the football and volleyball season come to a close, we also have a few more opening. This week, soccer and basketball gets its tip/kick offs started. The season starts with many questions for these two sports. Will basketball provide more caliber action and attention from across the state again? Will soccer continue to provide good action for its freezing fans? Only time shall tell.

The Houma and surrounding area is represented by nine teams in Volleyball action. There is one question though, how did two teams from the same district get paired up in the first round of the playoffs? That is the main question being asked by most Volleyball supports out there. This week, Ponchatoula will travel to Assumption, Thibodaux travels to St. Joseph. Ellender will try to defeat Grace King in their home arena, Central Lafourche travels to take on #2 Mandeville, E.D. White will host West Feliciana, Vandebilt will travel to Chalmette, Morgan City will host Breaux Bridge, and Terrebonne hosts district foe H.L. Bourgeois.

In football action...

      In basketball action, district gets start on the boys side this week. Ellender, South Lafourche, and Terrebonne are all tied at 3-0 on the girls side. While their is still plenty to be determined in this sport with a long district season ahead, there is one thing that is for sure, there will be no rain outs!

      Once again it looks like the rain may catch part of the soccer district match up Friday night, which has to make people wonder, how will they finish the season? With over half of district play gone, and some teams still needing to make up district games already, it can throw a hole into the standing near the end. The Terrebonne girls seems like they will run away with the title. On the boys side, South Terrebonne and Central Lafourche are both tied at 5-0, with a district game to make up against each other.

Another week of prep action complete, and another one yet to come! It seems like that will be the trend for the upcoming months, but this is one to be stressed about for many teams.

This week starts the mark of district play for football teams, which means that they must start putting a tally in the W column, or face not making the playoffs. The action promises to be just as good as any other week, with emotions and intensity flying high.

So here is a look at this week’s action!

      It is that part of the season where it is time for the District Pretenders to seperate themselves from the Contenders. While the Basketball race continues to be close, so does the soccer. The only district race that is not close is the girl's soccer race as #6 ranked Terrebonne Tigers are pulling away from the pack. The only real threat they will face is Central Lafourche, who they beat 3-0 in the first round.

       While the race seems to be unclear, the skies are seeming to clear out the way so things can clear up in the district matches. Hopefully we shall see some more good match up as you take a week at this week's action!

The legendary Manning quarterbacks will “Air it Out” Saturday, July 8, at Nicholls State University in a skills demonstration featuring Peyton and Eli Manning as well as several NFL and college quarterbacks. The session will begin at 11 a.m. in John L. Guidry Stadium as part of the annual Manning Passing Academy July 6 to 9 at Nicholls. Tickets are $1 for children 12 years and under and $5 for adults. Proceeds will benefit the Nicholls Department of Athletics. The four-day summer camp for high school football players is expected to attract up to 1,000 of the nation’s most promising quarterbacks and receivers this year.

For the first time in Nicholls State University history, sports facilities at the university are receiving a combined total of about $1.6 million in improvements.

The much-needed upgrades to Guidry football stadium, Stopher basketball gymnasium, Chabert weight room, the softball field and Didier baseball field are coming mostly from donations secured by the university and its Department of Athletics.

With only three weeks left of saftball action before the palyoffs take place, the race is still wide open. There are 5 teams with either three or four losses all trying to get the number one seed going into the playoffs. If there was ever an unpredictable year, it would be this one. Teams are battling it out, and every win is now more important than ever. Check out there action, it surely will not disappoint.

In baseball the district race is also unpredictable with only five games played, every team in the district already has a point in that dreaded L column. All indications point to them taking it down to the wire as well.

By: Robert Barrilleaux, Jr.

It was a warm evening in early May, and a perfect night for baseball, as the Colonels baseball team took the field against LSU.  As the teams were preparing to begin the game, the Tigers took time out to honor there four seniors.  One of these seniors was the Tigers starting picture, Clay Dirks, #13, who led the Tigers for 6 2/3 innings before he received a very honorable round-of-applauds as he left Alex Box Field for the last time.

The Tigers started the scoring in the second inning as #18, Nick Pontiff, scored off of senior, Steven Broschofsky's, double. However, this would not go unanswered, as Nicholls' John Beauchamp, #6, hit a RBI single in the top of the 4^th inning.

Thibodaux - Student athletes at Nicholls State University are distinguishing themselves in the classroom, according to information released today by the National Collegiate Athletic Association on the academic progress rates of nearly 6,272 Division I teams. 

Not only were Nicholls’ athletics teams among the majority of Division I organizations that received no sanctions associated with progress rates – Nicholls was the only Southland Conference institution to receive no penalties.

“We are delighted that our teams continue to improve academically,” said Rob Bernardi, athletics director. “Our escalating APR scores are a clear indication of our progress.”

The Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center is pleased to officially announce it has been selected to serve as the new host site for the Louisiana High School Basketball Coaches Association Girls’ and Boys’ All-Star Games, scheduled for Saturday, March 24, 2007.

The event will bring 60 of the state’s best girl and boy basketball players, as well as over a dozen coaches and staff members, to Houma and the bayou region.  And with their families and fans in tow, the Civic Center is expected to welcome over 3000 spectators, who will witness, not one, but two battles of East versus West on the hard court.

Fisheries News

By David A. Bourgeois

Crawfish Outlook for 2007

Whether you like them fried, boiled or in a stew, crawfish are a Louisiana favorite. And for the next several months, crawfish can be found on dinner tables and in backyard boils across the state. For consumers, the good news is that 2007 has brought a new crop, which at this time is ahead of last year’s season.

Crawfishing in Louisiana conjures up images of people maneuvering boats through sloughs and bayous. In reality, most of Louisiana’s crawfish production comes from ponds located in southwest and south central Louisiana. About 1,200 crawfish producers cultivate more than 116,000 acres. About 70 million pounds of pond-raised crawfish are caught, with an economic value of more than $40 million. Much of the wild crawfish crop consists of catches in the Atchafalaya Basin. Nearly 1,100 fishermen harvest more than 8 million pounds of wild crawfish with an economic value of nearly $5 million.

The Second Annual Eagle Expo will be held in Morgan City on February 8-10, 2007. This year’s events include a series of boat tours into Lake Verret, Bayou Black, the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway via Bayou Boeuf and the Atchafalaya Basin. Other events include a welcome reception, an evening social and dinner with presentations at the Louisiana State Museum at Patterson sponsored by America’s Wetlands Campaign, breakfast, seminars and a picnic lunch at Brownell Memorial Park, a designated birding sanctuary.