Latest news with #Harless
American Press
22-05-2025
- General
- American Press
Avenue of Flags storage space expanding
The number of American flags displayed during the biannual Avenue of Flags has grown far beyond the original 50 in 1983 — so the need for storage space is abundant. With Memorial Day just days away, the organization held a ribbon cutting Thursday morning for its third building at Orange Grove-Graceland Cemetery on Broad Street. The two-bay structure was donated by Mallett Buildings and sits next to the larger three-bay one the company donated a few years ago to provide space for the growing number of trailers the organization uses to move the flags and poles and store supplies and equipment. 'We are about to buy a fourth trailer because we have grown that fast,' Avenue of Flags director Ted Harless said. 'There have been a lot of great people and businesses that have helped us along the way. I just want to thank Lee (Mallett) for a second building. It is just amazing.' With the addition of 50 new flags this year, the total number of flags that will line the 1.2 miles of roads in the cemetery has grown to 1,236. Each flag once covered the casket of a veteran and was loaned or donated by the family of the veteran, according to the Avenue of Flags website. A record is kept of who each flag represents. 'We have grown the Avenue of Flags to what we believe is the largest display of American flags anywhere in the United States, so it is a Louisiana treasure,' Harless said. The growing collection of U.S. flags requires hundreds of volunteers. Harless said he is looking forward to continued support from the community. Volunteers are needed on Monday to help put the flags out at 6 a.m. and take them down at 5 p.m. for Memorial Day. 'Southwest Louisiana has been a major supporter of the Avenue of Flags for the last 42 years,' Harless said. 'We need at least 300 people to come out and volunteer to help put flags up. And then at 5 p.m. that same day, we need another 300 people to show back up and help us take the flags down.' Harless has been a part of the organization for 32 years and said he has always had great reverence for the flag and those who died for their country. 'I get a lot of gratification from working with the Avenue of Flags throughout the years,' Harless said. 'To have the opportunity to display the flags on Memorial Day and Veterans Day shows two things. It shows our patriotism as a community, and we want to remember all the sacrifices of our service men and women that have served to keep us free, our country free. My father was in the military, so I was taught from a young age to respect the flag of our nation.' Also on display is a walking history of the U.S. flag with all 27 versions along with all 50 state flags in the order they became a state and were added to the U.S. flag. The Avenue of Flags was started in 1983 by the Oliver Pollock Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and Dr. Rex Smelser, according to the organization's website.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Town hall to be held in Mercer County on food accessibility, network
PRINCETON, WV (WVNS) – The issue of food access is going to be addressed on Friday, May 16, 2025 as part of a Community Town Hall. Mercer County Coalition for Healthy Communities is partnering with Nourishing Networks for this workshop. Candace Harless is the chairperson for Mercer County Coalition for Healthy Communities. Judge rules that NIOSH programs must return She said they will be discussing food insecurities, food deserts, and the right to food. 'We have a big issue with food insecurities within Mercer County, and we have a lot of people addressing those issues. I tell people we feed people very well, especially those who are in need of extra support, but we do not really collaborate very well or have a food network as we should. So this gives us an opportunity to come together and talk about what works and what does not work,' said Harless. This workshop will last from 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Mercer County 4-H Camp. Everyone is welcome and lunch will be provided. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Communities observe National Prevention Week
WEST VIRGINIA (WVNS) – West Virginia has historically been among the highest-ranking states in terms of substance use according to the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration. Each year, National Prevention Week aims to address many of the underlying factors that can lead to substance use issues. Prevention Week is an opportunity to raise awareness of substance misuse and mental health issues, and to collaborate on creating effective solutions and resources according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Chairperson for the Mercer County Coalition for Healthy Communities Candace Harless said that early prevention can affect everything from mental and physical health to social and financial status. 'Early prevention helps individuals live healthier lives, more stable lives and have better relationships, education and employment outcomes,' Harless told 59News. One crucial aspect of prevention comes in the form of connection and community involvement, factors that can decrease risk for substance use and mental health issues, according to Fayette County Health Department Prevention Coordinator, Katie Johnson. 'We know that boredom or lack of success are a couple of reasons that kids experiment with drugs,' she said. National Prevention Week will be observed from May 12 – May 17, offering a prime opportunity for folks to get involved and get educated on prevention. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Yahoo
Community marks 90 days since Harless shooting with candlelight vigil
Despite the rainy weather Sunday night, community members came together outside of the London Police Department for a candlelight vigil in remembrance of Doug Harless. Harless, 63, was shot at his home on Vanzant Road in the Lily community during the attempt to serve a search warrant by LPD at the incorrect address. Harless died as a result of the officer-involved shooting on Dec. 23, 2024. Sunday marked 90 days since his death, which remains under the investigation of Kentucky State Police Post 11 as of press time. Community member Jamie Burns, who has been actively involved in many events held in Harless' memory, encouraged those at the candlelight vigil to stand for at least 23 minutes in remembrance of the date Harless passed. Wearing ponchos with umbrellas in hand, attendees lit each other's candles on the sidewalk outside of the LPD, reflecting on Harless and his passing. Among attendees was Sheryl Molihan, who spoke on the impact the incident has had on the community. 'This situation has literally broken all of our hearts,' Molihan stated. 'The first night I heard that this had happened, I broke down and cried, and immediately started praying for the family because it was so surreal.' Although Molihan has moved away from London, her hometown, she has attended all but one of the events held for Harless. She urged that no one being indicted for the incident would be a 'travesty.' 'There is no ending that makes this better,' said Molihan. 'You can't bring an innocent man back, but I think that the only justification for the family is going to be someone being indicted for this.' Molihan's sister, Sheila Wittenback, also attended the vigil. It was Wittenback's birthday, however, she felt she should prioritize the 'most important thing first.' She has been at each of the events thus far. 'I'm just showing my support because I think that it's a tragedy,' Wittenback commented. 'It could've been anybody.' Married couple Kristy and William Eversole attended the gathering as well. The pair knew Harless personally, sharing that they were 'good friends' for over 20 years. 'He was a good man. He was an innocent man and a good friend,' Mrs. Eversole stated. 'I will stand until justice is served.' Mr. Eversole also affirmed that Harless was a 'good person,' commenting, 'As long as I am breathing, I will hold my sign right down there for everybody to see.' Mr. Eversole's sign reads, 'Justice for Doug.' He recently held the sign across the street from London City Council's latest special-called meeting, standing alone. The next event in honor of Harless will be a protest outside of the April 7 London City Council meeting at 5:30 p.m. To stay updated on events held in Harless' memory, join the 'Justice for Doug' Facebook group.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Yahoo
Harless' sister joins protestors outside of Monday London City Council meeting
Horn honks and chants by protestors could be heard by attendees of the London City Council meeting Monday as community members lined the sidewalk outside to demand justice for Doug Harless. It has been nearly 80 days since the fatal London Police officer-involved shooting of 63-year-old Harless, which remains under the investigation of Kentucky State Police Post 11 at this time. In a show of solidarity, community members gathered outside of the recent special-called city council meeting to send a clear message regarding the Dec. 23 shooting. The protest began at 5 p.m., just 30 minutes before the meeting, and continued throughout. Protestors held signs pertaining to the incident as they chanted, 'Justice for Doug,' and 'Wrong person, wrong address.' Among attendees was Angie Martin, Harless' sister. Martin learned of her brother's death after receiving a phone call on the morning of Christmas Eve last year. 'It was pure devastation,' Martin stated. 'We had to try to make it through the next few holidays trying to put together what had happened, and we're still — 77 days later — trying to figure out what happened.' Harless was killed at his home in the Lily community when the police attempted to execute a search warrant at what turned out to be an incorrect address, leaving the community with unanswered questions. The agency's only statement on the incident indicated Harless had been armed. Martin urged, 'We want to know: What are you going to do to make sure this never happens again? What measures are you taking as community leaders? 'He was a normal blue-collared worker,' Martin said of her brother. 'He got up and went to work every day, then he came home. He loved his daughters. He loved his grandkids. He loved his family. He minded his business and didn't bother anybody.' Following the incident, a Facebook group called 'Justice for Doug' emerged. In the group, members remember Harless and organize events to call for justice for him. Monday's protest was the latest in a series of events held by the group, with the initial one taking place Jan. 4. 'The support of the community is amazing,' Martin commented. 'It's not just us [the family] and losing my brother. The citizens of the community are scared; they want change. They need change.' The group has garnered at least 3,800 members at this time. 'Accountability — that's what we would like to see,' Martin said on behalf of the group. 'We will not give up until it's done.' To stay updated on gatherings such as this one, join the 'Justice for Doug' Facebook group at
