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Motorcyclist Dies in Iberia Parish Crash

Thu, 10/10/2019 - 9:33am

NEW IBERIA – Shortly after 2 p.m. on Oct. 9, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop I began investigating a two vehicle fatal crash that occurred on LA Hwy 87 at Westwood Drive in Iberia Parish.
The crash took the life of 37-year-old Michael Paul Schouest III of Youngsville.
The initial investigation by State Police revealed that the crash occurred as Schouest was riding a 2008 Harley Davidson motorcycle northbound on LA 87. At the same time, 81-year-old Geraldine Dartez was driving a 2001 Dodge pickup westbound on Westwood Drive. Dartez failed to yield as she was crossing over LA 87 and struck the oncoming Harley Davidson as she entered the northbound lane.
Despite the fact that he was wearing a DOT approved safety helmet, Schouest received fatal injuries as a result of the crash and was later pronounced deceased at a local hospital. Dartez was properly restrained and was uninjured. Toxicology samples were obtained from both drivers for analysis.
Dartez was cited for LRS 32:122 Right of Way / Vehicle Turning Left at Intersection. This crash remains under investigation.
Time and time again, Troopers witness preventable motor vehicle crashes. Impairment and lack of seat belt usage are primary causes of crashes across the state of Louisiana. Nearly half of the fatal crashes in Louisiana are caused by impaired drivers. Louisiana State Police urge motorists to have a plan in place that includes a designated driver. Please choose to not drive impaired or ride with an impaired driver, and always buckle up.

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2019 Gueydan High Homecoming Court

Thu, 10/10/2019 - 9:27am

Gueydan High School Principal Brandy Broussard recently announced the 2019 Gueydan High School Homecoming Court. Having the honor of being Homecoming Court Maids are, from left, Freshman Maid; Annalise Michaela Breaux, Junior Maid; Hannah Claire Vincent, Sophomore Maid; Er’Nezra Troyvilia Shae Minix, Senior Maid; Kirsten Alece Reed, Senior Maid; Sydnie Claire Simon, Freshmen Maid; Emily Nicole LaComb, Senior Maid; Rebekah Marie Lepretre, Junior Maid; McKenzie Shae Potier, Senior Maid; Gracie Elyce Simon, Sophomore Maid; Emma Claire LeJeune and Junior Maid; Sumer Rae Bonvillion.

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The merry-go-round is one of 16 rides that will be available, starting tonight.

Cattle Festival gets underway Thursday

Thu, 10/10/2019 - 9:24am

The 71st Annual Louisiana Cattle Festival begins tonight at the Red Barn in Abbeville.
The Cattle Festival is in its second year at the Red Barn on Rodeo Road. For 69 years, the festival’s activities such as music and festival rides were held in downtown Abbeville.
Last year the festival moved everything to the Red Barn and began charging $5 to enter the festival grounds to listen to the music entertainment.
Parking is not a problem reminded Cattle Festival President Francis Plaisance. He said everyone could park in the Tiffany Plaza parking lot, and a shuttle bus with air-conditioning will transport festival-goers back and forth for free.
Tonight there is no gate fee and the band, “Bayou Beats Band” will play from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Plaisance, going on his 24th year as the festival president, said this year there would be a new company and new festival rides.
Midwest Rides out of Minnesota visits Abbeville for the first time with new rides.
“This fair is one of the nicest ones in the country. It is family-owned,” said Plaisance.
On the west end of the Red Barn property will be 16 rides. Tonight and Sunday is $20 bracelet night. The fair is from 5:30 p.m. until 10 p.m.
On the east end of the Red Barn grounds is a fenced-in area where the bands will play on a stage.
By Friday, there will be food venders inside the grounds. There will also be a $5 gate fee on Friday and Saturday.
On the Festival Stage from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. is Rory Suire. From 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. will be Horace Trahan and the Ossun Express.
On Saturday, the parade will roll through Abbeville, starting at 1 p.m. It will begin at Comeaux Park and then go on South State Street towards the Courthouse. It will go around the Courthouse and then go east down Charity Street. The parade will end at the Lafitte Theater parking lot.
Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band will be on stage from 10 p.m. until midnight on Saturday.

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VC’s Kyle Romero (19), Andre LeBlanc (8) and Felix Joseph (50) look at the camera in between plays.

Vermilion Catholic climbs to No. 3 in Class A

Wed, 10/09/2019 - 11:12am

Class 5A

1, John Curtis (12) 5-0
2, Catholic-BR 5-0
3, Rummel 5-0
4, West Monroe 3-1
5, Acadiana 5-0
6, Haughton 5-0
7, Alexandria 5-0
8, East Ascension 4-1
9, Destrehan 4-1
10, Scotlandville 5-0

Others receiving votes: Zachary 26, Captain Shreve 13, Hahnville 10, Live Oak 5, Airline 3, Mandeville 2, Ruston 2, Thibodaux 1.

Class 4A

1. St. Thomas More (6) 4-1
2. Lakeshore (4) 5-0
3. Karr 2-2
(tie) Leesville 5-0
5. Neville 3-2
6. Northwood-Shreve 4-1
7. Eunice 4-1
8. Warren Easton 2-2
9. Bastrop 4-1
10. Assumption 4-1
Others receiving votes: Tioga 18, Carencro 15, Minden 8, Breaux Bridge 7, Evangel Christian 6, Carver 4, Landry-Walker 2.

Class 3A
1. St. James (5) 5-0
2. Sterlington (5) 4-0
3. Iota 5-0
4. University 3-2
5. Loranger 5-0
6. Union Parish 3-2
7. Lake Charles Prep 3-2
8. De La Salle 2-3
9. Madison Prep 4-1 NR
10. Wossman 4-1 NR

Others receiving votes: North Webster 22, Marksville 13, Bossier 12, Hannan 10, St. Martinville 9, Caldwell Parish 8, Jena 5, Kaplan 4, E.D. White 3, Loyola 2, Booker T. Washington-N.O. 2.

Class 2A

1. Notre Dame (10) 5-0
2. Newman 5-0
3. Lafayette Christian 4-1
4. Ferriday 4-1
5. St. Charles 4-1
6. Amite 3-2
7. Dunham 4-1
8. Kentwood 2-3
9. Many 2-3
10. Catholic-NI 2-3 NR

Others receiving votes: St. Helena 17, Lakeview 14, Avoyelles 8, East Feliciana 8, Lakeside 6, Rosepine 4, Oakdale 3, Capitol, Pine 1.

Class 1A
1. Calvary Baptist (7) 4-0
2. Ascension Catholic (2) 4-0
3. Oak Grove 3-2
(tie) Vermilion Catholic 3-1
5. Southern Lab (1) 2-3
6. Ouachita Christian 3-1
7. West St. John 3-2
8. Opelousas Catholic 5-0
9. Country Day 2-2
10. Oberlin 5-0
Others receiving votes: Grand Lake 19, Haynesville 14, East Iberville 9, Cedar Creek 7, Central Catholic 4, Logansport 1, Montgomery 1, White Castle 1.

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Mona Hemphill Hollier

Wed, 10/09/2019 - 8:39am

August 29, 1927 ~ October 7, 2019

ERATH – A Mass of Christian burial for Mona Hemphill Hollier, 92, will be held Friday, October 11, 2019 at 12:00PM at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, with Msgr Charles Dubois officiating. The family is requesting visiting hours to be held Friday, October 11, 2019 from 10:00 AM until time of services at Our Lady of Lourdes Church Hall (adjacent to church).  Interment will follow in Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Cemetery.
Mrs. Hollier was an avid reader, opera buff, traveler, and enjoyed everything in nature including flowers, trees, animals, birds, mushrooms and insects. She had a camp on the Chene Canal and spent many a day crabbing, fishing, cast netting---putting her boat in and out of the water at the Jean-Marie Landing by herself. 
She was an Official Court Reporter for Judge Bradford Ware in Acadia Parish and was also an Abstractor in parishes statewide as she enjoyed traveling the great state of Louisiana.  She was involved in several historical societies and her knowledge of the state was exponential.  She was a lifelong member of the Louisiana Historical Association and a longtime member of the Louisiana Historical Society in New Orleans.
Survivors include husband Karl B. Hollier; her two sons Scott Hollier of Abbeville and Neil Hollier of Eureka, California; daughter Karla Hollier Youngblood of Atlanta, Georgia and husband Gary; Her grandchildren Mica Hollier Toups and husband Carl, Natalie Hollier Sonnier and husband Brandon, Summer Christine Youngblood of Jacksonville, Florida and Nicholas Youngblood and wife Christina of Atlanta, Georgia; Daughter in law, Susie B. Hollier; Great grandchildren including Raleigh, Andre, Avery and Phillip Toups; Meredith, Molly and Mya Sonnier; Sophia, Jaxon and Maddox Youngblood, and a very special niece Maxine Bonnet Symmes, and husband Greg, of Lafayette.
Mrs. Hollier was preceded in death by her parents Frank Hemphill Sr., Alida Dubois Hemphill; her brother Frank Hemphill Jr., and sister Maxine Hemphill Bonnet; and her son John B. Hollier.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that all donations be made to the Louisiana Historical Society in memory of Ms Mona Hollier, 2826 St Charles Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70115
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.

Eve Amelia Greene Noel

Wed, 10/09/2019 - 8:38am

June 28, 1925 ~ October 7, 2019

ABBEVILLE — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church honoring the life of Eve Amelia Greene Noel, 94, who died Monday, October 7, 2019 at her residence. She will be laid to rest at St. Mary Magdalen Cemetery with Reverend Louis Richard officiating the services. Pallbearers will be Walter Greene, Lovelace Greene, Jr., Samuel Greene, Richard Greene, Joshua Greene and Zachary Dubois.
She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Olton “Nick” Octave Noel; parents, George Greene and the former Marie Motty; four sisters, Lucile Pere, Irene Hanks, Mary Lou Griffin and Laura Hanks; and eight brothers, Warren Greene, William Greene, Walter Greene, Marion Greene, Preston Greene, Roy Greene, Lovelace Greene and Presley Greene.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Wednesday, October 9, 2019 from 9:00 AM until 12:45 PM when the procession will depart for the church.
The Noel Family extends a heartfelt appreciation to Hope Hospice for their support; also to her sitter, Genevieve Touchet for her loving care.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.

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Chris Herpin

Chris Herpin honored as Cattleman of Year

Tue, 10/08/2019 - 2:57pm

Chris Herpin has been named Cattleman of the Year for the 71st Louisiana Cattle Festival.
The Cattle Festival will be held Oct. 10-13 in Abbeville.
Growing up, Herpin had always been interested in the cattle industry. Working cattle with family and friends has always been a passion of his. After high school, Herpin joined the army.
“After being away in the army for several years,” Herpin said, “I came home and eventually started the Chris Herpin Trucking Company, which I owned for about 15 years.”
Herpin was also on the board of directors for the United Braford Breeders, past president of the Louisiana Braford Association, and I am currently the president of the Vermilion Parish Cattlemen’s Association. Herpin is employed with the Vermilion Parish Assessor’s Office.
“We started raising Braford cattle in the late 1990s as my daughter’s 4-H project,” Herpin said, “which in turn expanded to a 20 year showing adventure.”
All three of Herpin’s children showed cattle on a parish, district, state and national level for these years.
“That one 4-H calf turned into what is now Herpin Cattle Company, which wouldn’t have been successful without loving family and friends,” Herpin said.
Herpin said learning from neighbors, friends, and in-laws has greatly influenced him and his family, allowing them to enjoy their cattle operation.
Herpin is married to Andi Herpin, with whom he has three children, Victoria, Michaela, and Ridge, and three grandchildren, William, Henry, and Anna Barbara. Herpin said he and his family would like to thank the Louisiana Cattle Festival Association and the Vermilion Parish Cattleman’s Association.
“I am very humbled and grateful to have the honor of being the Cattleman of the Year,” Herpin said.

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Jamie Vallery

Abbeville Police arrest man in connection to August homicide

Tue, 10/08/2019 - 9:38am

​As part of an ongoing investigation, detectives with the Abbeville Police Department were able to secure an arrest warrant against Jamie Vallery of Abbeville for a crime related to the homicide of Jacoby Lee of Abbeville on Aug. 21.
Vallery was arrested on Oct. 7, 2019. Vallery has been charged with Accessory to 2nd Degree Murder for the homicide of Jacoby Lee of Abbeville on Aug. 21. Vallery was transported to the Vermilion Parish Correctional center, where his bond has been set at $500,000.
The homicide investigation is ongoing. Due to the ongoing nature of this investigation, no other information regarding this investigation is being released at this time.
Abbeville ​Chief of Police William Spearman said he would like to commend his officers for a job well done. Chief Spearman would especially like to thank the citizens of Abbeville for their support and help they provide to the Abbeville Police Department.
Anyone with any information regarding any crime is encouraged to contact the Abbeville Police Department. You may contact our “Tips” line at 892-6777. All callers may remain anonymous. Citizens may also send anonymous tips through the Tip411 system at the department’s Facebook page @ www.facebook.com/AbbevillePolice Department/, the official web page @ www.abbevillepd.com by clicking on the “Submit a Tip” link provided or through the official Abbeville Police Department app, which can be downloaded through the Apple App Store or Google Play.

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Christopher Broussard is the Junior Cattleman of the Year.

Christopher Broussard named Junior Cattleman

Tue, 10/08/2019 - 9:13am

Christopher Broussard, son of Timothy and Gwen Broussard, has been named Junior Cattleman for the 2019 Louisiana Cattle Festival.
The Cattle Festival will be held in Abbeville on Oct. 10-13.
Broussard is a 10th grade student at Abbeville High School. He is the youngest child of seven. His siblings are Jared, Nicholas, Leah, Britney, Marcus, and Annemarie. His hobbies are researching cattle production, marketing beef, raising and showing cows. You might have guessed it, he lives on a farm.
Broussard is an active 4-H member and has been involved in the Beef Project for eight years. He has exhibited his animals on the parish, district, state and national levels and has won numerous awards. Beef promotion and marketing is very important to Christopher because he already has a plan to market his beef.
Broussard is an all-around youth and
participates in many other projects and contests. His favorite contest is tractor driving and his least favorite is completing record books, but he gets it done and has been honored for his efforts. He won the Club Congress Trip and will be traveling this fall to Atlanta, GA and is being honored here tonight because of his outstanding records.
Broussard is very competitive at 4-H University, Achievement Day, Demonstration Day, Personal Development, Record Books, and Cookery Contests. He is a member of the Jr. Leader Club and has been on the leadership team for two years. His leadership abilities have directed the club to focus on the environment this year for their community service project.
Broussard is a hard worker and can be found at the 4-H barn setting up for contests and workshops very often. He is dedicated, dependable and loves to help others. Because of his efforts and many accomplishments, Christopher is most deserving of the honor to be named the Junior Cattleman for the 2019 Louisiana Cattle Festival.

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