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Eleven senior police officers from the Abbeville Police sued the city over pay. In February of 2026, a judge will rule on how much the city owes.

How much will Abbeville owe 11 senior police officers?

Tue, 11/11/2025 - 1:47pm

In February 2025, 11 senior Abbeville Police Officers won the first round of their lawsuit against the city over a pay dispute.
On Monday afternoon at the district court in Abbeville, Judge Michelle Billeaud listened to both attorneys discuss how much the city should pay in back wages to the 11 senior police officers.
James Hilburn, the attorney for Abbeville, argued that the city does not owe the 11 officers any money.
Some of the senior officers suing the city were in the courtroom.

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Logan Hoke

State Police arrests man after running over pedestrian, fleeing scene

Wed, 11/05/2025 - 10:49am

On Sunday, just after 10:30 p.m., Louisiana State Police Troop I started investigating a fatal hit-and-run involving a pedestrian on Louisiana Highway 700 near Highway 92 in Vermilion Parish.
The crash killed 28-year-old Tony Barthe Jr. of Rayne.
The initial investigation showed that on November 2, 2025, Barthe was found dead along LA Hwy 700. Evidence suggested he had been hit by a vehicle.
Police later found the suspected driver, Logan Hoke of Duson.
Troopers learned that Hoke was driving a 2020 Ford Edge north on Hwy 700, following another vehicle.

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Man, juvenile arrested after gunshots fired toward residence in city

Tue, 11/04/2025 - 1:41pm

On Oct. 28, at approximately 12:42 a.m., officers with the Abbeville Police Department were dispatched to the area of Schlessinger Street and East Martin Luther King Drive in reference to a complaint of the sound of gunshots in the area.
Upon arrival, officers located multiple .223 spent rifle shell casings at the intersection of Dutel Street and Greene Street.

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A Kaplan resident has around 30 chickens and roosters by his house. He mentioned that he breeds them with the intention of selling. In 20 days, he’ll need to figure out which birds to keep and which to let go. A new Kaplan ordinance now permits him to keep just five birds - with a limit of two roosters.

Kaplan adopts new poultry ordinance

Thu, 10/30/2025 - 9:54am

In 20 days, a new law will take effect in Kaplan, prohibiting residents from owning more than five poultry within the city limits. On Tuesday, the Kaplan City Council approved a new poultry ordinance limiting the number of poultry each person can own.
The new ordinance states that a person can have no more than five birds at their home. If it is poultry, there can only be two roosters out of the five. It limited the number of roosters because of their crowing.
The new ordinance also carries a stiff $ 200-a-day fine.

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Councilman Francis Plaisance (second from left) brings up recent shootings during the Abbeville City Council meeting on Oct. 21.

‘What can we do?’

Thu, 10/30/2025 - 9:49am

Councilman Francis Plaisance is alarmed by the continued act of shots being fired within the city limits of Abbeville.
Plaisance addressed Chief of Police Mike Hardy during the latter’s comment time during Tuesday’s Abbeville City Council meeting.
“First of all, I think you have the most difficult job in the city,” Plaisance told the chief. “I want to establish that. However, we have a serious, serious crime problem in our city. I know you are aware of that.”

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