Marlene Menard
ERATH — On July 4, Erath native Marlene Menard, daughter of Donald Menard and the late Lucy Menard, announced her candidacy for Mayor of Erath, bringing a lifetime of public service and leadership to a campaign focused on communication, transparency, accountability, and community participation.
The Vermilion Parish School System is celebrating exceptional academic progress following the release of the 2026 Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP) results. Districtwide, the percentage of students performing at the Mastery and Above level increased from 43% in 2025 to 46% in 2026, a three-point gain that propelled Vermilion Parish to 6th in the state of Louisiana among all school systems.
Carl Toups
Carl Toups has announced that he will not seek re-election as Justice of the Peace for Ward 1 in Vermilion Parish and has formally notified the Louisiana Secretary of State that he will step down from the position effective June 30, 2026.
Toups was first elected to the office during a special election in 2018 and was subsequently re-elected without opposition in 2020. Throughout his tenure, he has served the Vermilion residents of Ward 1 by performing the duties of the office with dedication and commitment to the community.
Rockets could be launching south of Pecan Island in the near future.
Seven weeks after first breaking possible SpaceX news to the Abbeville Meridional , State Sen. Bob Hensgens (District 26) spoke with the Abbeville Meridional about the still-probable SpaceX transaction and what it could mean for Vermilion Parish and the broader Acadiana region.
There are two new members ready to join the Abbeville City Council.
Bang Bui and Rachel Touchet Mouton won their respective runoff races Saturday night.
Bui defeated incumbent Carlton Campbell for the at-large seat on the council. Bui received 894 votes (63%). Campbell finished with 514 votes (37%).
Mouton claimed the District B seat on Saturday. Fifty-eight percent (210 votes) of the votes went to Mouton on Saturday. Incumbent Francis Plaisance took 42% (154 votes).
318 N. Main St.
Abbeville, LA 70510
Phone: 337-893-4223
Fax: 337-898-9022
219 North Cushing Avenue
Kaplan, LA 70548