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Members of the Erath Town Council voted to become a Full Requirements Member of LEPA at its meeting on Jan. 12.
The LEPA Board of Directors then approved the agreement at its Jan. 15 meeting.
The agreement was signed by Town officials and LEPA representatives on January 16th, making Erath the fourteenth Full Requirements Member of LEPA, meaning that LEPA serves as its electricity provider. The other thirteen Full Requirements members include Abbeville, Gueydan, Jonesville, Morgan City, Plaquemine, Minden, Natchitoches, New Roads, Rayne, St. Martinville, Welsh, Winnfield and Vidalia.
Erath has been a long-time Member of LEPA but made the move to a Full Requirements Member because LEPA provides very competitive power rates to its Full Requirements Members. “I’m proud to announce our town’s partnership with the Louisiana Energy and Power Authority (LEPA) as our new wholesale power supplier,” said Mayor Taylor Mencacci. “This strategic move is projected to deliver significant savings for our community. LEPA’s municipal-focused model supports Erath’s long-term success, while its invaluable mutual aid has proven essential during hurricanes and everyday emergencies.”
LEPA General Manager Kevin Bihm said, “Not only will this new contract provide Erath with electricity savings, it will also provide additional benefits that come with Erath being an integral part of the LEPA Organization. Erath Mayor Taylor Mencacci sits on the LEPA Board of Directors and provides valuable input to the organization, and his representation on the Board ensures that Erath has a vote and a voice.”
LEPA was created by the State Legislature in 1979 as the joint-action agency for the State of Louisiana. LEPA’s current membership is comprised of 20 cities and towns that own their electric distribution systems. The member cities of LEPA include Abbeville, Alexandria, Erath, Gueydan, Houma, Jonesville, Kaplan, Lafayette, Minden, Morgan City, Natchitoches, New Roads, Plaquemine, Rayne, Ruston, St. Martinville, Vidalia, Vinton Welsh and Winnfield.

The No. 20 Abbeville Lady Wildcats and the no. 13 Abbeville Wildcats used big second halves to come from behind and beat the Acadiana Renaissance Charter Academy Lady Eagles 59-36 and Eagles 78-61 on senior night at Abbeville High.
The Lady Cats (8-11, 3-0) trailed by as many as six in the second quarter before settling for a 26-23 deficit at the break. Junior guard Tianna Briggs scored nine points in the first half to keep Abbeville within striking distance.
AHS Girls’ Head coach Myles Hutchinson attributed the slow start to the side effects of the weather and overconfidence.
“It was a combination of having three days off, not being able to prepare, and our mentality to start the game,” Hutchinson said. “Coming off two big district wins, I felt we underestimated them to an extent.”
Abbeville began the second half on a 7-0 run to take a 30-26 lead. They extended the lead to as many as 15 before settling for a 45-36 advantage heading into the fourth quarter. They pitched a shutout in the final frame, outscoring ARCA 14-0 to provide the final margin.
“Once they realized those girls came to play, they were able to turn it on,”” Hutchinson continued. “They created an adverse situation and got themselves out of it. That’s a good sign.”
Amani Linton led three Lady Cats in double figures with 17, including four three pointers. Briggs and Armani Bashay each finished with 11 while Tierra Bolden, Khrystani Samuels, and Keira Gordon each added six and Lyric Joiner scored two.

Wildcats
dodge ARCA

The Abbeville Wildcat were able to knock off ARCA, 78-61, at home.
The Wildcats are now No. 13 in the Division II Non-Select Power Point rankings.
The Wildcats (15-9, 3-0) trailed by as many as five three times in the first half before a jumper by sophomore guard Nigel Baudoin put AHS ahead for good, 31-29, with 1:30 left. They then closed the half on a 4-0 run to lead 35-29 at the break.
Head coach Trevor Eaton started the game with his seniors on the court. He went to his normal rotation to start the second quarter.
“The senior group we had out there to start came out and played hard,’ Eaton said. “They hit some big shots and kept us in the game. Once we went to our true lineup, we started rolling.”
Over the first four minutes of the third, Abbeville outscored ARCA 17-4 to open a 52-34 lead. They stretched it to as many as 24 in the fourth quarter before cruising to the 18-point win.
“ARCA is not a bad ball-club,” Eaton continued. “They have some guys that can shoot, and they got a little confidence going. Once we settled down, we played Wildcat basketball and took control of the game.”
Jacolby Campbell led three Wildcats in double figures with 12. Kaylon Fletcher and Demetric Brailey each added 11 while Cameron Samuels dropped nine. Nigel Baudoin scored eight while Jaidyn Levy scored seven. Chayson Gray and Jazavion Briggs each scored six while Trentin Campbell added three and Kobe Vital and Jaylin Joiner each. Added two.
Both Abbeville teams completed the first-round district play at Kaplan on Friday.

Nathaniel “The Rock” Nixon, a former inmate at both Vermilion Parish Correctional Center (VPCC) and Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, recently returned to VPCC to share his personal testimony with trusty inmates, offering his candid reflection on crime, incarceration, accountability, and personal transformation.
During his visit, Nixon recounted his last arrest in the early 2000s by current Warden Sammy LaPorte and the 45-year sentence imposed by then-prosecutor Richard J. Putnam, III, who now presides as Abbeville City Court Judge.
Nixon spoke openly about the roots of his incarceration, identifying drug use as the catalyst that led him into a life of crime including armed robbery and battery. Noting his lack of education and employable skills, he said he turned to illegal activity simply to survive. Over time, those choices accumulated into 25 arrests and eight felony convictions, ultimately resulting in a 45-year sentence at Angola.
The reality of that sentence, Nixon recalled, set in during the bus ride to the prison. The ride was silent. He realized he was being separated from everyone and everything he had known— family, freedom, and society itself. At that moment, he understood there was no guarantee he would ever make it out.
Nixon spent years in extreme confinement, at times locked down for 23 hours a day. It took him more than two decades to truly confront his circumstances and take responsibility for his actions. He shared that his deepest hurts were in knowing the pain he caused his mother and that he wouldn’t see his children grow up. He then emphasized that incarceration, while painful, can also be an opportunity if used correctly.
“I’ve been given a second chance I wasn’t supposed to have,” Nixon told VPCC trusties. He reminded those in attendance that time in prison is a time meant for reflection, growth, and self-correction—a chance to “straighten out what you’ve done” and come to your senses.
He stressed the importance of mental and physical well-being, warning that the two things a person can never afford to lose are their mind and their health. According to Nixon, real change begins with holding yourself accountable but changing the way one thinks, which then changes his behavior.
Nixon encouraged inmates to take their time incarcerated seriously. He said the best way to spend time is by studying, praying, learning to mature, and preparing for life beyond incarceration. He urged them to write letters asking for forgiveness and to accept responsibility for the harm they caused. Even in an uncomfortable environment, he said, growth is possible.
One of the most painful moments of Nixon’s incarceration was losing his daughter’s mother while he was still imprisoned. He described that loss as the catalyst for realizing his worst fear: dying inside of prison. Despite everything, Nixon said he never lost hope. He did all the things he encouraged the VPCC trusties to do and turned his life around, ultimately gaining his freedom in 2022. Now able to speak to others as an example, he framed his current position as a privilege, using his story as proof that trust can be rebuilt, and doors can open when a person commits to change.
After gaining his freedom in 2022, Nixon now uses his story to encourage others. His message to the inmates was direct: get serious about getting better. Use the time wisely. Take responsibility. “Transformation is possible,” he said, even after decades behind bars.
Warden Sammy LaPorte said Nixon’s presence and message were a powerful example for those currently incarcerated. “No one would have ever thought back in the day that he would be here today--free, with a sense of love and responsibility,” Warden LaPorte said. Reiterating that Nixon’s story shows that change is possible.
Sheriff Eddie Langlinais echoed that message, addressing the trusties directly. “We don’t want to see you here. Our goal is to get you back into society as productive citizens,” Sheriff Langlinais said. “And if this guy can do it, you can. He came here to spread the word and share his story. We spoke outside before coming in here. If just one of you was listening, that’s great. But just imagine if you were all listening.”
The Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office and Vermilion Parish Correctional Center continue to provide programs and opportunities aimed at rehabilitation, education, and successful reentry into the community.

Emma Smith, a junior at Delcambre, is having an impressive indoor high-jumping season so far.
She won first place at her last two indoor meets, clearing 5-8 each time.
On January 17, she took first place at the McNeese Indoor Meet with a jump of 5-8.
The following week, she went to Baton Rouge for the LSU High School meet, where she again cleared 5-8 to win the event. She also placed 8th in the 60-meter hurdles.
On Jan. 10, at the Texas A&M Indoor High School meet, she finished third with a jump of 5-7 3/4.
Her personal best in high school is 5-8.
This week, Smith is set to compete at McNeese again as she prepares for the Division II LHSAA Indoor State meet in a couple of weeks.
Smith is the current Division II indoor state champion.