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Married dad, 36, and female entrepreneur, 31, both meet tragic end after two boats collide on Louisiana lake

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Married dad, 36, and female entrepreneur, 31, both meet tragic end after two boats collide on Louisiana lake


A married father and a female boat passenger were killed in a accident on a Louisiana lake after their boats collided. 

Chase Sharkey, 36, of Greensburg, was operating a 25-foot pontoon boat when it collided with Thuy Gustin’s Sea Fox boat in the Tickfaw River near Kings Point, roughly 65 miles outside of New Orleans, on Sunday. 

Gustin, 31, of Springfield, was found trapped underneath the Sea Fox around midnight after it capsized by a Good Samaritan, who jumped into the water to save her, according to Fox 8 Live. She ran her own marketing firm. 

They performed CPR on the mother-of-two until an ambulance arrived and she was taken to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead. 

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Sharkey, a father of four, was found deceased by rescue crews 12 hours later. 

Gustin, 31, (pictured) was found trapped underneath the Sea Fox after it capsized by a Good Samaritan, who jumped into the water to save her

Chase Sharkey, 36, of Greensburg, (left) was operating a 25-foot pontoon boat when it collided with Thuy Gustin’s Sea Fox boat in the Tickfaw River near Kings Point on Sunday. Gustin, 31, of Springfield, (right) was found trapped underneath the Sea Fox after it capsized by a Good Samaritan, who jumped into the water to save her

It is unclear if his wife, Shelly Verberne Sharkey, was on the boat. One friend suggested she was, but further details have not been shared. 

DailyMail.com has reached to Shelly for comment.  

Six others – three from each boat – were injured in the crash and all were taken to the hospital with serious injuries, according to WDSU. 

The cause the crash is currently unknown. DailyMail.com has contacted the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, who are investigating the crash, for comment. 

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Six others - three from each boat - were injured in the crash and all were taken to the hospital with serious injuries

Six others – three from each boat – were injured in the crash and all were taken to the hospital with serious injuries

Plenty of tributes came in for the father-of-four, including from his business, Sharkey Mechanical Services, which wrote in a Facebook post: ‘His legacy of love, laughter, and friendship will never fade. We will continue to keep his memory alive through our work.

‘Chase’s unwavering passion for his craft left an indelible mark on everyone he met, and his work ethic was unmatched. We will miss him dearly, but we will continue to thrive in his honor and the legacy he has built.’ 

Friend, Jonathan Taylor wrote on Facebook: ‘Chase Sharkey was truly one of a kind. The first time I met him he made me feel like we had been friends since childhood. Chase was a true father and husband. I didn’t get to spend much time around his family but I knew they were his number one priority just by the conversations we had. Chase was also a staple in his church and his community.

Sharkey, a father of four, (pictured with his family) was found deceased by rescue crews 12 hours later

Sharkey, a father of four, (pictured with his family) was found deceased by rescue crews 12 hours later 

It is unclear if his wife, Shelly Verberne Sharkey (pictured together), was on the boat. One friend suggested she was, but further details have not been shared

It is unclear if his wife, Shelly Verberne Sharkey (pictured together), was on the boat. One friend suggested she was, but further details have not been shared

‘I’m thankful I got to know him over the past 4 years and I think we can all learn from Chase and how he lived his 36 years on this earth.’

Another friend, Erin Foster, wrote: ‘To know him was to love him. Chase Sharkey was a great friend…One thing for certain is he loved his wife, his kids, his family, and everyone else’s babies also.’

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Former Livingston Parish President Layton Ricks said in a statement: ‘He loved life. You knew where you stood with Chase and when you were a friend you were a friend. His word was his bond, and he was honest, sincere and trustworthy.

‘His friendship was genuine and I will be forever grateful for it. One of the things outside of his family, work and weightlifting we always talked about was being saved and he truly was. So I know without a shadow of doubt he would tell me: “Boss don’t worry about me big dog cause I’m sitting here talking with Jesus so I’m good.” 

‘I will miss you my friend and forever be thankful for your friendship all these years. Love you buddy!’ 

Friends remembered Gustin as 'so full of life and always ready for the next adventure'

Friends remembered Gustin as ‘so full of life and always ready for the next adventure’ 

A GoFundMe has been set up for the Gustin's funeral services, which has raised more than $14,000 out of its $25,000 goal

A GoFundMe has been set up for the Gustin’s funeral services, which has raised more than $14,000 out of its $25,000 goal 

An equal number of tributes poured in for the mother-of-two, with friend Lindsay Picou writing: ‘Thuy…I’m still in disbelief.

‘I knew I was going to love you from the moment I met you. You were so full of life and always ready for the next adventure. But even with all of that spirit, you led with nothing but heart. You loved everyone around you so deeply, and made sure they knew it.’ 

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Another friend, Kendra M. Berthelot wrote on Facebook: ‘Carrying a heavy heart today. My beautiful girl, you will be so missed. I don’t even have the words to say. I love you. Rest easy, Angel.’

A GoFundMe has been set up for the Gustin’s funeral services, which has raised more than $14,000 out of its $25,000 goal. 

A Meal Train has been set up for the Sharkey Family, with nearly $3,000 in donations and plenty of meals going to the surviving family. 



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Louisiana

More Storms Monday – Severe Storms Possible by Midweek

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More Storms Monday – Severe Storms Possible by Midweek


(KMDL-FM) You might not have realized it, but you’re on a roller coaster. No, not the kind of roller coaster you look forward to riding, but the kind of roller coaster only Mother Nature can devise in the form of Louisiana’s annual up and down weather conditions, also known as spring.

READ MORE: Louisiana Parishes That Have the Most Tornadoes

Much of Louisiana was affected by strong storms with heavy rains and gusty winds during the day on Saturday and extending into Sunday morning. By later afternoon yesterday, conditions had improved, and it looked as though the work and school week would be off to a much calmer start.

Heavy Rain Possible in Louisiana To Start the Work Week

The start of the work and school day will be much calmer; however, the ride home on this first day of “extra sunlight” thanks to Daylight Saving Time will include a decent chance of showers and storms. Oh, and there are already reports of thick fog.

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So, after a foggy start this morning, you could be picking up kids from school or driving yourself home from work in a torrential downpour. And you’ll get to do all of this while you’re mentally addled from the twice-a-year time change.

Rain chances are listed at 50% for this afternoon, but they do taper off quickly after the sun goes down. The Weather Prediction Center is forecasting a slight risk of an excessive rain event for portions of Louisiana later today. The area of concern is generally along and well north of US 190.

When Is The Next Threat of Severe Storms in Louisiana?

Tuesday should be a cloudy but breezy and warm day. Then on Wednesday, the rain chances and the next threat of severe storms will move into Louisiana.

weather.gov/lch

weather.gov/lch

The Storm Prediction Center outlook for Wednesday’s severe weather potential suggests that the northern and central sections of the state might be more at risk for stronger storms than the I-10 corridor might be.

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READ MORE: Who Is Appearing at Patty in the Parc in Lafayette?

We will know more about that potential later this morning when the SPC updates its forecast. The outlook for the remainder of the week, including the Patty in the Parc Weekend event in Downtown Lafayette, looks to be spectacular.

Patty in the Parc Entertainment 2011-2025

Gallery Credit: Dave Steel

 

 

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Louisiana

Tech companies could receive large tax breaks in Louisiana as data centers begin construction

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Tech companies could receive large tax breaks in Louisiana as data centers begin construction


RICHLAND — Tech companies could receive significant tax breaks in Louisiana as data centers break ground in the state. 

According to a report by The Advocate, Meta officials told state officials in 2024 that they would need significant tax breaks while negotiating the $27 billion data center project currently being built in North Louisiana. 

Based on projections of Louisiana’s tax exemptions and the expected expenditures of the companies, state and local governments could potentially give billions in tax breaks to the tech giants. 

Several states, including Louisiana, have seen backlash to data centers as residents worry about potential rising electric costs and strain on water systems.

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Virginia is currently debating whether or not to repeal tax exemptions for the tech companies, as it has cost state and local governments in Virginia $1.9 billion in 2024 alone. 

The tax break exempts data centers from state and local taxes for multiple things data centers require, including servers, chillers, electric infrastructure and construction costs. 

The scale of the data center projects, which include tens of billions in spending, coupled with Louisiana’s sales tax of 10%, means tax breaks could be worth huge amounts. 



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Louisiana

Why tech giants could reap massive tax breaks in Louisiana as data centers break ground

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Why tech giants could reap massive tax breaks in Louisiana as data centers break ground


Gov. Jeff Landry speaks at an event Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Shreveport Municipal Auditorium in Shreveport, La., held to announce that Amazon plans to build data centers in Caddo and Bossier Parishes. He is joined by Roger Wehner, left, vice president of Economic Development for Amazon, and Matt Vanderzanden, CEO of STACK Infrastructure.



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