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On Monday, the Vermilion Parish Sherriff’s Office (VPSO) received credible information as to the whereabouts of a suspect that was recently featured on Crime Stoppers of Vermilion. According to Eddie Langlinais , Director of the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes Task Force and Coordinator of Crime Stoppers of Vermilion.
Patrol deputies responded to 1012 W. 5th Street, Kaplan, LA 70548, in order to serve warrants on Christopher Simon (DOB: 2/7/1991) of Kaplan. Simon was wanted for multiple violent felony charges such as home invasion, simple burglary, theft, domestic abuse-strangulation, and contempt of court. Upon arrival, the VPSO warrants deputy attempted to make contact with Simon and he barricaded himself inside of the home.
The VPSO Special Response Team (SRT) was deployed to the home and utilized an armored vehicle to move into a position where the team could make demands for a peaceful surrender.
As a result, Simon eventually did the right thing by surrendering peacefully and was taken into custody without incident.
Credit goes to a multi division and agency effort that included the VPSO SRT, the VPSO Patrol Division, the VPSO Warrants Division along with the Kaplan Police Department, said Langlinais.
Director Langlinais said, “Our Crime Stoppers program is beginning to demonstrate its value as we feature both crimes and fugitives on the local TV stations for our viewers here in Vermilion Parish.
“We are excited about it and implore our viewers to promote our Crime Stoppers Program to their friends, families, and neighbors. It’s a prime example of how things can work when people and law enforcement agencies come together for the greater good, because the safety of our loved ones and our communities matter most. Together, we can make a difference. “
Director Langlinais extends his thanks to the “Crime Stoppers of Vermilion” board members, the videographer, and the local medias, who all donate their time and resources to help sponsor and promote the “Crime Stoppers of Vermilion” program. “Our efforts would not be possible without the help of all those involved in our Crime Stopper program”, said Director Langlinais.

Kevin Sagrera, of Abbeville, has been appointed to the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission by Gov. John Bel Edwards. Sagrera, will serve as commercial fishing and fur industry representative of the seven-person commission until February 2028.
Sagrera, a lifelong Louisiana resident, will make his first appearance on the Commission on February 3 when the group meets in Baton Rouge.
“Our family has been a part of Louisiana’s fur industry since the 1930s,” Sagrera said. “But my love for the resource extends beyond the fur and alligator industry; hunting and fishing have been a part of my family since I was a boy.”
Sagrera and his wife Wendi have 2 children, Jacob and Logan. He is the owner of Abbigator Inc. and has served on the Vermillion Parish Police Jury, the Louisiana Fur and Alligator Advisory Council, and is a graduate of the LSU Agriculture Leadership program.
“I look forward to giving back to the state that has given us so much, and to help preserve our state’s resources for future generations,” Sagrera said.

It is my extreme pleasure and honor to announce that I am running for the office of Council Woman for District C in the City of Abbeville.
A number of people have asked me why I want to be on the City Council and my answer is very simple, I was Raised, I Live in, and I Love District C.
I have been a mother, resident, caregiver and/or a business owner in District C for over 20 years. I have the experience to be an asset promoting our beautiful City, increasing economic development & tourism, and supporting our citizen’s needs.
I am a graduate of Class of 1973 at Abbeville High School and then Spencer Business College. I was married to the recently deceased Glenn Trahan for 38 years who is also from Abbeville and I live in the home my parents bought in the 1960’s.
A little more about me...I started my career in the insurance field working in a support role and then eventually as a sales agent. I was an active member of the National Association of Insurance Women, an organization aimed to foster professional improvement of women insurance agents through education. While participating with the association, I traveled to conventions and viewed the pros and cons of many downtown districts which will help me as your City Councilwoman.
When the oil field took a downward turn in the mid 1980’s, our family moved to Arkansas. While living there, I became an Activity Director at a local nursing home and was responsible for supporting the resident’s mental health through activities. It was this role that continues to foster the desire to help people.
While in Arkansas I also volunteered for the baseball board, band board, and helped run the concession stand at football games, all while working full time.
Luckily we were able to move back to Louisiana, where I again worked as an Activity Director at Carencro Guest House.
I eventually decided to start a new career in baking and worked at Gambino’s Bakery before starting my own bakery, Rachel’s Sweet Shop here in District C in downtown Abbeville. I ran my bakery that I started from the ground up for five years. Then using this experience, I started a new business, Let’s Get Popp’n Kettle Corn which is still going strong today.
I continue to volunteer for numerous causes including my Church, Covenant United Methodist Church along with volunteering at the Pumpkin Patch.
So here is my plan:
• I will work with the future Mayor and Council Members for the betterment of District C
• Having raised four boys that were each very active in several sports, I will work to improve the recreational facilities and opportunities for our youth .
•I will work to make sure the sidewalks in District C are in good shape and safe for our citizens to use
• I will continually monitor our streets for potholes and other issues and work to have those problems addressed
• I will work to correct the drainage issues throughout District C, including State Street, Jefferson Street, Main Street and First Street from flooding
• I will make sure all of the alleyways in District C are clean and mowed
I would appreciate your support and vote for me, Rachel S. Trahan on March 26th and remember that I was Raised, Lives, and Loves District C!

Paid for by
Rachel Sirmon Trahan

Seventh Ward Elementary School custodian had car trouble since the summer, but it never stopped him.
Jerry Plowden started working as a custodian at Seventh Ward Elementary in June.
“One afternoon, Mr. Jerry’s car wouldn’t start when he was leaving, and a teacher brought him home,” said Marlene Primeaux, principal of Seventh Ward Elementary School.
“I’ve been having trouble with the vehicle, and it just quit on me!” said Plowden. “I thought it was the fuel pump.” He had previously changed two heads and the bell housing when the car started giving him trouble in the summer.
Ciji Romero, the teacher who gave him a ride home, wondered if faculty and staff would donate money to help him out. The teacher went to the principal with the idea, and it was approved.
The faculty and staff raised about $500 and put it on an O’Reilly Auto Parts gift card.
“It was a group effort. We collected for about a week,” said Romero.
“We are like a little family,” said Angie Detraz, a pre-k teacher at Seventh Ward Elementary School.
“We ended up raising more than the amount needed to pay for the part,” said Primeaux. Although they raised more than needed for that one part, Plowden later found out that it wasn’t the only major issue with the vehicle. The car is still waiting to be fixed since there was more than met the eye.
“It made me feel warm that somebody cared,” said Plowden. “It was overwhelming but very nice.”
“The thing that I admire the most is that he always finds a way to come to work, even though he doesn’t have a car,” said Primeaux.
“These teachers and this principle, they’re phenomenal,” said Plowden. “They went out of their way to support me.”
If people want to donate to help Plowden, please Venmo or PayPal @CijiRomero. Label the donation mentioning Jerry Plowden.