As we gather with family and friends for Thanksgiving, it’s worth pointing out a few extra reasons to be grateful in Louisiana. Sure, fresh oysters for the dressing can’t be overlooked, but we’re taking this occasion to highlight a few other people who deserve special mention.
Roadside hero
A tow truck driver in Webster Parish came to the rescue of a car crash victim last month. According to KSLA-TV, Andrew Lincoln was headed from Sibley to Haughton on a towing call when he noticed a wrecked vehicle on the side of the road. As he got closer, he saw flames coming from the car. Another man who had stopped told Lincoln there was someone inside, but the door was jammed.
As fire engulfed the vehicle, Lincoln was able to pull the woman to safety. The Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office honored him for saving her life.
First Amendment defenders
We regularly turn to our friends at the Tulane First Amendment Clinic to bolster our investigative reporting. Its lawyers also recently stepped up for a local community group.
A lawsuit the clinic brought on behalf of Rise St. James forced the town of Grammercy to back down from a $10,000 bond it required for the group to hold a protest march. A settlement led to a change in policy that waives the bond requirement for organizations that have a track record of compliance. Terms also called for the town to cover $45,000 in attorneys’ fees.
Deep-fried fundraiser
A collaboration between the Dawnbusters Kiwanis Club in Jefferson Parish and the Krewe of Carrollton Carnival organization will fry some 1,000 turkeys for a Thanksgiving fundraiser. The money goes toward the community projects the Kiwanis Club sponsors.
The cooking marathon starts at 3 a.m. Thursday, WWL-TV reports.
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Cheers to a happy and safe Thanksgiving for all.
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Greg LaRose