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AHS catcher Josh Citizen (14) applies the tag to prevent a run from scoring against Northwest on Monday. (photo by Rosco Harrington)

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Senior pitcher Braylon Himel allowed one earned run and did not walk any in Abbeville’s win. (photo by Rosco Harrington)

Abbeville Wildcats end six-game skid

The Abbeville Wildcats halted a six-game losing streak on Monday with an 8-3 victory over the Northwest Raiders at Roy Theriot Field.
The Wildcats (6-11) entered the contest fresh off a weekend sweep courtesy of Morgan City. The Tigers outscored Abbeville 42-14 in the three-game series.
Abbeville has a power ranking of No. 30 in Division II Non-Select. Northwest (5-12) has a power ranking of No. 28.
AHS head coach Jeff Stephens is proud of the way his team responded to the losing streak.
“We played the kind of baseball that we’re capable of playing,” Stephens said. “It was nice to see the guys play together and compete. We have a great group of kids who really enjoy playing baseball. When they do it the right way, it’s really fun.”
“Baseball is a hard sport. It’s hard to show up every day. But these guys continue to do it. Whether we win or lose, they continue to show up. They’re not going to fold, and that’s what it takes to be a good ball player.”
The Wildcats also finished a game against Northwest that had been suspended due to darkness on February 16th. Play resumed in the bottom of the seventh with one out and Abbeville ahead 15-13. They quickly recorded the final two outs to win the game.
Stephens sees his team getting better every day, and that quick ending was a testament to that improvement. By April, he expects the Wildcats to be a tough out.
“We’ve been talking a lot about cleaning up our game,” Stephens said. “I think the guys are finally starting to see it. They’re starting to understand the game within the game. We still have a lot of work to do and a lot of baseball to play, but I think we’re tracking in the right direction.”
Senior righty Braylon Himel started on the bump for Abbeville and went the distance. He took a shutout into the seventh before allowing one earned run on five hits and no walks while fanning eight.
Himel was also a force at the plate. The leadoff hitter had a double, an RBI, two walks, three runs, and three stolen bases to drive the Wildcat offense. He scored on an error in the first inning and on a wild pitch in the second to put the Wildcats ahead 2-0 early.
Himel led off the fourth inning with a double and later scored on an error to make it 3-0 before an Oatlon Smith RBI groundout scored Deylon Joseph and Nathan Daniels scored on a wild pitch to make it 5-0 after four.
Himel drove a sacrifice fly to centerfield in the fifth that scored Smith before Darrell Davis and Joseph scored on wild pitches to make it 8-0 after five.
The Raiders scored three times in the seventh before Himel shut the door. Dwight Pelican had a two-RBI double, and Ethan Jenkins had two hits to lead Northwest.
Abbeville hosted Beachman’s Academy on Tuesday. They finish the week at home against A.J. Ellender on Friday.

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Erath’s Koah Copell leads off from second base. Copell delivered the game-winning hit in the bottom of the seventh inning against Newman on Saturday. (photo by Cadn Lange)

Erath Bobcats earn 10th win

As of Monday, the Erath Bobcats got their 10th win of the year and moved up to No. 4 in the Division III Non-Select power standings.
The Bobcats, winners of four straight, beat the Newman Greenies 7-6 on Saturday to improve to 10-5 overall.
The Greenies, out of New Orleans, fell to 9-6 overall.
Erath needed all seven innings to secure the win. The Bobcats were down 6-5 heading into the bottom of the seventh frame.
Erath scored two runs in its last at-bat for the win.
With one out, Landen Derouen walked, and then Jack Landry was hit by a pitch that put two runners on base.
The Bobcats advanced on passed balls to set up the game-winning runs. Derouen went to third, and Landry hustled to second base.
Tate Collins did not waste any time, knocking in Derouen to tie the game, 6-6.
Cade Francis, the next batter, was walked, which loaded the bases.
On the third pitch, Koah Copell ripped a line drive to right field that scored Landry from third base.
The Bobcats outhit Newman 10-7.
Copell had two of the 10 hits.
Erath needed three pitchers to try to cool off Newman.
Pitcher Jack Landry started the game and went 2 1/3 innings. Carson Detraz pitched 3 2/3 innings in middle relief.
Landon Lemaire homered to left field, which helped EHS tie the game 3-3 in the third inning.

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Kaplan Lady Pirates win two

Braus hits 3 home runs in two games

The Kaplan Lady Pirates have now won three straight, beating Cecilia 16-5 and Chalmette 7-2 on Saturday.
In the win over Chalmette, Gabrielle Braus hit two home runs and drove in four for Kaplan.
She homered in the third and fifth innings.
In the bottom of the second, Kadey Duhon tripled, scoring two runs.
Lexi Greene pitched five innings and allowed five hits and two runs for the win.
In the big win over Cecilia, Lexie Greene drove in six runs on four hits.
She hit a home run that scored three runs, a double in the second that scored two more runs, and a single in the first inning that scored a run.
Braus hit a solo home run. She has now hit three home runs in two games.
Kadey Duhon doubled, scoring two runs.
Kaplan (7-4) is No. 4 Division III Non-Select power rankings.

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Vermilion Parish Chief Deputy Clerk of Court Vanessa Vollmer speaks to members of the Rotary Club of Abbeville.

‘Know before you Geaux’

Chief Deputy Clerk explains closed primaries ahead of May 16 election

When voters go to the polls on May 16, there will be some changes.
Voters within the city limits of Abbeville and Kaplan will select among candidates in the various races in their municipal elections, as they have always done. There will not be any changes in that regard.
Where things will differ is in closed primaries for U.S. Senate and U.S. Representative in the 3rd Congressional District.
Vermilion Parish Chief Deputy Clerk of Court Vanessa Vollmer spoke to members of the Rotary Club of Abbeville on Wednesday to share information on the new process. It’s part of the “Know before you Geaux” campaign from Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry.
“We’re trying to get the word out to let voters know what to expect,” Vollmer said.
In the past, Louisiana had open, or jungle primaries, in statewide and federal elections. That process allowed voters to select among all candidates, regardless of party affiliation. As of this year, through state legislation that passed in 2024, those primaries are now tied to party affiliation. On May 16, registered Democrats will select among three candidates for U.S. Senate. Registered Republicans will choose among four candidates. Democrats in Vermilion Parish have three options running for U.S. Representative in the 3rd Congressional District, which includes the parish. Republicans will not see that option on May 16, as incumbent Congressman Clay Higgins is the only one to qualify in February.
In Vermilion Parish, there are 16,812 registered Republicans and 10,634 registered Democrats. However, there are a significant number of voters registered as No Party, 10,398 in total. Some of those voters were previously registered as Independent. As of Aug. 1, 2025, the Independent is no longer a party in Louisiana.
“After the state legislature dissolved the Independent Party,” Vollmer said, “the Registrar of Voters sent out letters to Independents letting them know that it would be dissolved on Aug. 1. They could either take action to register with one of the two major parties, or they could become No Party. If they took no action, they would be automatically changed to No Party.”
For those 10,398 No Party voters, they will not be shut out on May 16. At their polling place, they can choose to fill out a declaration of ballot choice, allowing them to select Democrat or Republican. However, should those voters vote in a potential runoff on June 27, they will have to vote for whichever party they selected in May.
“They will be locked into that party,” Vollmer said.
There will be no winners in the Senate race on May 16 or in the runoff on June 27. Those elections determine who will be on the ballot for the Senate and Congress in November.
“At that point,” Vollmer said, “voters can choose among all candidates, regardless of party. It will be an open general.”
As for the May 16 election, residents have until April 15 to register to vote or to make changes in person. They will have until April 25 to make those changes through the GeauxVote Online Registration System (sos.la.gov). Early voting will take place May 2-9. Appropriate adjustments will be made for those participating in early voting and for mail-in ballots.
Vollmer said that anyone with questions can contact the clerk’s office at 337-898-4536 or the Vermilion Parish Registrar of Voters Office at 337-898-4324.
Vollmer reminded voters that five state constitutional amendments will appear on the May 16 ballot.
“If you don’t live in Abbeville or Kaplan,” Vollmer said, “or you are affected by the closed primaries, there will still be something for everyone in the parish to go out to vote on May 16.”

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Old VPSO divisions are now part of the newly for Technology Support Unit.

New Technology Support Unit strengthens Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office operations, innovation

Vermilion Parish Sheriff Eddie Langlinais announces the consolidation and rebranding of the Sheriff’s Office Investigative Support Unit (ISU) and Information Technology (IT) divisions into the newly formed Technology Support Unit (TSU).
Sheriff Langlinais fulfilled a campaign promise by establishing the Investigative Support Unit (ISU) shortly after taking office in July 2024. Initially staffed by one deputy, the Unit supported investigations and monitored camera systems across Vermilion and surrounding parishes. With the addition of camera trailers and video-capable drones, the ISU
expanded its operations, grew its team, and was later restructured to combine with the Information Technology department, enhancing both investigative and technological capabilities.
Sheriff Langlinais stated that this restructuring reflects the evolving technological demands of modern law enforcement and unifies all technology-related operations under a single, coordinated command structure. The creation of the Technology Support Unit enhances operational efficiency, improves coordination across divisions, and ensures that the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office remains at the forefront of innovation in public safety.
The Technology Support Unit will oversee all technological operations for VPSO, including the administration of the Sheriff’s Office Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) program, which operates a fleet of four drones used for search and rescue operations, crime scene documentation, and tactical support. The TSU is responsible for UAS maintenance, pilot training, and compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations.
The Unit also manages VPSO’s mobile surveillance and traffic safety fleet, consisting of four mobile camera trailers used for crime deterrence and event monitoring, with additional units currently in production, as well as two speed trailers that support traffic enforcement and public safety initiatives. Responsibilities include equipment maintenance, deployment coordination, and data management.
Oversight of all video surveillance systems falls under the TSU, including security camera operations, system monitoring and maintenance, and the management and retrieval of video evidence. The unit further administers the agency’s communications infrastructure, including radio system maintenance, programming, and emergency communications support.
A significant function of the Technology Support Unit is in-house software development and maintenance. The Sheriff’s Office develops and manages numerous custom law enforcement applications that support accounting, financial management, evidence tracking, timesheet reporting, policy management, and other operational needs. The continued development of new, agency-specific applications eliminates costly recurring licensing, maintenance, and vendor support fees, allowing taxpayer dollars to be redirected toward additional public safety priorities.
In addition, the TSU oversees the agency’s network infrastructure, including fiber optic and ethernet network design, installation, maintenance, and security optimization. The Sheriff’s Office operates its own data center, with the TSU responsible for internal server administration, workstation deployment and lifecycle support, data backup systems, secure storage, and disaster recovery operations.
Sheriff Langlinais emphasized the importance of this transition, stating:
“The formation of the Technology Support Unit reflects our commitment to using technology to better serve and protect Vermilion Parish. By investing in mobile surveillance, drone capabilities, and a self-managed data center—and by developing our own software in-house—we improve efficiency, reduce taxpayer costs, and strengthen our ability to meet the demands of modern law enforcement.”
Sheriff Langlinais added that the establishment of the Technology Support Unit ensures the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office remains technologically advanced, fiscally responsible, and fully prepared to serve the citizens of Vermilion Parish.

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Fr. Alexander Albert leads the procession form the church to the cemetery.

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Vermilion Catholic students take part in the burial of the unclaimed bodies at the Old Catholic Cemetery behind St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church

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Member of Vermilion Catholic’s Class of 2026, take part in the eighth year of the holding a Mass of Christian burial for unclaimed bodies.

Vermilion Catholic

As you approach the front doors of Vermilion Catholic you will see a two-part school motto displayed above both doors. Upon entering the school building the first part reads, “Enter to Learn Christ” and as you leave the building the second part reads, “Leave to Serve Christ.”
This motto is something we strive to instill in all of our students on a daily basis.
Beginning with the Class of 2019, the senior classes embraced this motto. Mimicking the project of St. John’s Cathedral in Lafayette, our seniors began the task of fundraising to bury those unclaimed in Vermilion Parish. As a result, they were able to raise enough money to provide a final resting place for these cremated remains.
To date we have been able to bury 68 cremated remains. On Thursday, the senior class of 2026 was able to honor 2 unclaimed and were able to give them a proper Christian burial.
A mass of Christian Burials celebrated by Fr. Albert, took place for this years’ remains during a weekly school mass on Thursday, March 5, 2026 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church. Burial followed immediately in the Old Catholic Cemetery behind the church.
Reba Broussard, a teacher at VC, who has helped organize the effort through the years has called this, “A Corporal Work of Mercy.”

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Lloyd Doré III speaks about the Cultural and Historical Alliance Center during Tuesday’s Abbeville City Council meeting. Doré, along with others, urged city officials to keep the center in its current location.

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The Cultural and Historical Alliance Center in Abbeville.

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The Vermilion Parish Government Complex (old Hibernia building).

Council discusses options to keep Cultural Center in place

Everyone who spoke on the matter agreed on one thing: the Abbeville Cultural and Historical Alliance Center should stay in its current location.
How that plan ultimately comes to fruition remains undecided, at least for the moment.
During a packed meeting on Tuesday, the Abbeville City Council voted to have evaluation of the Parish Government Complex (Old Hibernia building) conducted by an architect and to authorize Mayor Roslyn White and City Attorney Bart Broussard to meet with Vermilion Parish Police Jury President Chad Vallo and Paul Moresi III, the police jury’s legal counsel, to discuss potential transfer of ownership of properties. A decision would then be made by the council at a future meeting.
“We can see what the cost is and what is the best deal to the city,” Councilman Brady Broussard Jr. said.
The Cultural Center is currently located across from Magdalen Square, a place it has called home for nearly 20 years. The building houses the Abbeville’s Giant Omelette organization, the Vermilion Arts Council, Acadian Center of the Acadiens and the Vermilion Parish Tourism Commission.
Since 2005, the city has leased the building from the police jury, which owns the facility that previously served as the parish library, for $7,200 annually. The agreement included two 10-year options, the first of which the city exercised last August. However, around the same time, wanting to rid itself of the building, the police jury sought a new location for the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office’s (VPSO) investigative unit, which had long operated in the old Hibernia building, with the Cultural Center as an option. An effort began to find a solution that worked for all parties, including the jury transferring ownership of the old Hibernia building and the cultural center to the city. Under that plan, the city would allow the sheriff’s office investigative unit to remain in its current location until a new VPSO facility is constructed. Sheriff Eddie Langlinais has expressed a desire to have a new facility that has all VPSO divisions under one roof, something that could happen in the coming years.
On Tuesday, members of the organizations in the Cultural Center shared their desire not see their work uprooted. Lloyd Doré III, president of the Abbeville Historical and Cultural Alliance, has already been made by these groups.
“The organizations have contributed a lot to Abbeville and to Vermilion Parish,” Doré said. “A vast number of visitors have come to the Cultural along with events that we have hosted and assisted with, which all take place downtown. The Abbeville Cultural Alliance has spent over $50,000 to improve that facility. In ‘18, the Vermilion Parish Tourist Commission moved from the By-pass to the Cultural Center. There have also been talks of the Chamber of Commerce moving into the building. Given the efforts, renovations, and improvements to this facility, it would appear unwise to abandon all of them.
“We are seeking the council’s help to preserve this investment made by the groups and the city of Abbeville.”
In ‘14, the city received a $330,000 grant to upgrade the building, including new restrooms. That worked, wrapped up in ‘16.
Meg Hebert, a member of the Giant Omelette, encourages those who have not to visit the Cultural Center, which she said plays a vital role in promoting local culture.
“If you have,” Hebert said, “you know how important this building is to the community as it is presently being used. Moving the non-profits and the tourist information center, it will severely disrupt the activities of these groups, who serve our community. This building is located in a central area of our downtown, and is integral to tourism.
“I strongly urge you to make the decision to acquire the Cultural and Historical Alliance Center, in order to continue this building for the proper purpose of the betterment of our community.”
White said the city had the building appraised. That came back at $544,000. The city has no had an appraisal on the old Hibernia building. Councilman Francis Plaisance said it is a “no-brainer” to keep everything intact at the Cultural Center. However, due to uncertainty about what it will cost the city to make the necessary repairs, he said he has concerns about the city obtaining the old Hibernia as a means to make that happen.
“I don’t like that we’re associating it with the Cultural Center,” Plaisance said. “I think, no matter what, the Cultural Center needs to stay there. We need to do whatever it takes to keep them there. The Hibernia building, I’m a little concerned about. The building is 45 years old, and it has had problems. The police jury has been trying to get rid of this building, rather than tear it down for $200,000, is what they are telling me. I would like to see the Cultural Center be totally separate from that. Instead of putting $500,000 in that a building that may fall to the ground, I’d just assume by the Cultural Center.”
White said the deal on the table included both buildings. She said the old Hibernia building is has potential. There would be some cost to address deferred maintenance, which could run around $200,000.
“I do think the building is well within saving,” White said. “I think it is a good building. It does have some issues, but to build a building like that today, you’re looking at $8-10 million. Do we want to take this building from the police jury? I will come with some immediate costs to stop water intrusion. We would have to see from there how much money we want to put into it.”
Broussard said the old Hibernia building could eventually house Abbeville City Court and the Abbeville Marshal’s Office, as well as provide additional space for the Abbeville Police Department. He explained he has spoken with City Court Judge Richard Putnam III, Marshal Jeremiah Bolden, and Chief of Police Mike Hardy.
“City Court has outgrown its building,” Broussard said. “The marshal is in a closet in the city court. Chief Hardy has been considering buying a new building to store files. This (building) would alleviate that need. This would be good for citizens. I want to thank Police Jury President Chad Vallo for offering the city the chance to keep the Cultural Center and take the Hibernia building in the same deal.
“I can tell you those departments are ready to move, and are badly in need of more space.”

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Former Abbeville resident sentenced to 25 years for child sex offenses

LAFAYETTE– On February 26, 2026, David Fail, a 43-year-old former Abbeville resident, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison after his August 2025 conviction by a federal jury for transporting and possessing child sexual abuse materials (“CSAM”).
“Recidivist child sex predators are among the most dangerous people in our society, seeking out and victimizing our children to satisfy their own sick desires,” said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “This case shows that law enforcement will find these predators in the dark corners of the Internet where they hide and that their crimes will land them behind bars for decades when they’re caught.”
Evidence presented at trial showed that Fail, who had been convicted for possessing and receiving child pornography in 2006 and for sexually exploiting a minor in 2013, was the subject of a cybertip provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that he maintained an online, cloud-based storage account where he had uploaded more than 100 files containing CSAM. Law enforcement agents were able to identify Fail through his use of unique internet protocol addresses as well as information known to law enforcement through the State of Louisiana’s State Sex Offender and Child Predator Registry.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
The United States Homeland Security Investigations, the Louisiana Bureau of Investigations, and the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated this case with assistance and cooperation from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Bordelon II and former Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker with assistance from Legal Assistant Christy Angelle.

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Kaplan catcher Owen Marceaux attempts to catch the baseball while a Lion player slides safely into home plate. (photo by Rosco Harrington)

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Trent Guidry started on the hill for the Kaplan Pirates. He pitched four innings against Covenant Christian on Monday.

Kaplan Pirates win two, lose one in three games

After winning two straight games, the Kaplan Pirates lost to Covenant Christian Lions 11-1 on Monday.
It was a scoreless game for two innings, and then the Lions scored four runs in the third, two in the fourth, and five in the fifth to seal the win.
Kaplan, who scored 19 runs in its two wins, was held to only one run off three hits.
Trent Guidry was the opening pitcher for KHS. He allowed six runs (one earned) over four innings, strikingout one and walking five.
Gage Guidry went 2/3 of an inning, allowing five runs on three hits.
The two Guidrys had a hit, along with Sabe David.
Kaplan falls to 4-9 overall and is No. 19 in the Non-Select Division III Power standings.
Covenant Christian improves to 8-4 and has a power ranking of No. 5 in Select Division IV.

Kaplan.................7
Breaux Bridge...0

On Friday, Kaplan beat Breaux Bridge 7-0 and came back on Saturday to whip Eunice 12-0.
In the win over Breaux Bridge, pitcher Aiden Gaspard held his ground and did not allow a single run, and only allowed one hit for KHS. He also struck out an amazing 15 Tigers.
Kaplan led 2-0 after six innings against Breaux Bridge. Reese Meaux doubled home a run in the first inning for KHS. Meaux finished the game 2-for-3 at the plate.
The Pirates blew the game open at the top of the seventh inning by scoring five insurance runs.
In that inning, Gaspard doubled, which scored a run, followed by Owen Marceaux’s 2-RBI single and Trent Guidry’s RBI-double.

Kaplan...12
Eunice....0

The Pirates scored seven runs in the top of the first inning and never looked back.
The Pirates scored 12 runs on only six hits, but Eunice committed four costly errors.
In the first inning, Marceaux singled home a run, and Trent Guidry also singled, which scored a run for KHS.
Luke Hebert hit into a fielder’s choice, but it scored two runs for Kaplan.
Pitcher Sabe David earned the win for Kaplan. He surrendered three hits and no runs in five innings of work.
Marceaux and Guidry had two hits.

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Erath head coach Jeremy Picard talks with players Tate Collins (6) and Carter Champagne. Collins had three hits and he drove home three runs on Saturday.

EHS nips Central LaFourche in bottom of seventh inning

The Erath Bobcats got back to their winning ways on Saturday, over the weekend, nipping Central Lafourche 6-5 in dramatic fashion.
With the score tied, 5-5, in the bottom of the seventh inning, Cade Francis singled home the game-winning run for EHS.
Erath (7-5) outhit Central Lafouche, 6-5.
Tate Collins had half of Erath’s six hits. He singled in the second inning, doubled in the third, and doubled again in the fifth.
He knocked in three runs and scored two.
Landen Derouen and Francis had two hits.
Jack Landry started on the mound for Erath, and he went 3 1/3 innings. He allowed three hits, one earned run,walked three and struck out two.
Kolin Rodriguez pitched the final 3 2/3 innings to earn the victory. He gave up one earned run, surrendered two hits and struck out.

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Abbeville Meridional

318 N. Main St.
Abbeville, LA 70510
Phone: 337-893-4223
Fax: 337-898-9022

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219 North Cushing Avenue
Kaplan, LA 70548