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According to Sheriff Mike Couvillon, some programs operated or sponsored by the Vermilion Parish Sheriff Office were temporarily halted due to staffing shortages, lack of suitable inmates for work programs, and logistical problems caused by the pandemic.
These programs are now being restarted post-pandemic phase, along with the introduction of new ones.
“Like most businesses, we are not immune to periods that challenge our ability to maintain full staffing, and as a result, decisions are made that prioritize public safety FIRST. When this happens, we suspend programs in the order of how they might directly affect public safety. I am happy to announce that we have reached adequate staffing levels and have secured the necessary resources needed to bring back these programs and introduce new ones”, said the Sheriff.

Programs Being Reinstated:

The Litter Abatement Program uses inmate labor to operate a litter abatement program to pick up trash littered along our public roadways.
The Jail Garden Program uses inmate labor to grow vegetables to help feed the inmates at the parish jail. Many improvements have been made since the suspension of this program, including a protection levee with an outer perimeter fence providing a more secure environment to work inmates and an underground piped irrigation system, all paid for by grants and money generated from the inmate commissary program.
TRIAD program where law enforcement meets with senior citizens within the community to address crimes and safety concerns of the elderly.
· >GED program provides inmates the ability to work towards getting a high school diploma equivalent while incarcerated at the parish jail, which also includes a means to continue the process if discharged from the jail into the community before completion. We are in the process of advertising and searching to hire a GED instructor to facilitate the program.

Introduction Of New Programs:

An aggressive Criminal Interdiction K9 Unit equipped with new technology to target the transport of illegal narcotics within Vermilion Parish. This unit will work closely with our Narcotic Task Force and share information with other jurisdictions, including crime watch centers. We believe this will prove to be a valuable tool to help us in our efforts to fight against the transport, dealing, and use of illegal drugs in our parish.
Jail re-entry program that identifies inmates’ needs and provides resources available to aid inmates in their adjustment from jail to society.
An internet-based crime mapping program that allows our residents to monitor crimes in Vermilion Parish. The ability to see a map of Vermilion Parish showing reported crimes in areas of interest enables people to stay better informed and better prepared, enhancing safety for themselves and their families. We hope that public use of this system will cause people to share information with law enforcement and aid in developing leads to solving cases faster and putting criminals in jail.
“This administration will never sit idle. Until my very last day of service, I will continue to make improvements to YOUR Sheriff’s Office that enable us to better serve YOU. These improvements will not be the last”, said Sheriff Mike Couvillon.

August 3, 1941 ~ February 13, 2023

ABBEVILLE — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, 300 Pere Megret St., Abbeville, honoring the life of Michael Norman Russo, 81, passed away February 11, 2023. He will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Rev. Louis Richard officiating the services.
Michael grew up working in the family business, the Abbeville Bottling Works home of the parish’s famous Joe D Pop Rouge as well as the Falstaff distributorship and was a member of the Louisiana Beer Industry League of Louisiana. In 1961 he began his career owning and operating The Sportsman, a marine dealership, and retired after 52 years. Mike was a member and past president of the Acadiana Boat Show Association, served as president of the Louisiana Marine and Motorcycle Dealers Association, vice president of the Graceland Cemetery, charter member of the Vermilion Boat Club serving as commodore, member and past president of the Abbeville Jaycees, and member of the Abbeville Chamber of Commerce board. He was also a long-time member of the Abbeville Lions Club and was a past president and held all other offices at some point through the years. He was also a member and past president of the Woodman of the World Camp 7. Michael was a member of St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church where he served on the church council and served as a trustee. He was a Eucharist minister, sacristan, and altar server. Mike made an ACTS retreat in 2018 and enjoyed and looked forward to making his yearly men’s retreat at Our Lady of the Oaks in Grand Coteau. In 2021, Mike and Edith proudly received the Bishop’s Medal for Service.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Edith Broussard Russo; his daughter, Kimberly Russo Scoggin and her husband, Steven “Skip” Scoggin of Mandeville, Louisiana; his son, Joseph D. “Joe” Russo, III of Los Angeles, California; two granddaughters, Lillian Beatrice “Lily Bea” Scoggin, and Mary Frances Scoggin both of Mandeville; brothers Joey Russo and wife his wife Sue, Richard Russo, and Carlos Russo, all of Lafayette; brother-in-law, Louis Kendall Broussard and his wife, Julia of Milton.
He was preceded in death by his father, David J. Russo and his mother, Vivian Lafleur Russo; sister, Karen Russo Place; brother, Peter L. Russo; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Dudley L. and Lillian P. Broussard.
Funeral services will be held at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, 300 Pere Megret St., Abbeville, with visitation two hours prior to the funeral mass. A rosary will be said at 10:30 AM. Time of visitation is 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, funeral mass at 11:00 AM.
The Russo family would like to thank Hospice of Acadiana for their professional and compassionate 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.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 5:00 pm Monday, February 13, 2023, at Saint Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Abbeville for Alexandre Richard Langlinais, 82, who passed away Monday, February 6, 2023, at Camelot of Broussard.
Fr. Clint Trahan, pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Port Barre will be officiating for the services. A rosary will be recited at 4:30 pm Monday at Saint Mary Magdalen Catholic Church.
Richard is survived by his wife of 47 years, Elizabeth Adam Langlinais of Broussard; his son, Adam Paul Langlinais and his wife Katie of Broussard; two grandchildren, Juliette Claire and Emersyn; and one sister, Paulette Langlinais of San Antonio, TX.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Edley LeBlanc Langlinais; and one brother, John Edward Langlinais.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home of Crowley. 337-783-3313 www.geesey-ferguson.com.

The Krewe de la Renaissance Acadienne held their annual Mardi Gras ball this past Saturday at the Hilton DoubleTree Hotel and Ballroom in Lafayette.
The evening’s theme was Festival Palooza.
Reigning over the events this year is King XV Matthew Joseph Hebert and Queen XV Michelle Hargroder Simon.
King Matthew Hebert is the son of Marcus Hebert and Rachel and Tommy Picard. He is a 1997 graduate of Erath High school and attended UL Lafayette with studies in Environmental and Sustainable Resources. Matt has been employed with Gulf Island Services since 2006 where he currently holds the position of Purchasing Manager.
He has been married to Ellen Hinckley Hebert for 18 years and they reside in Abbeville with their two children Luke and Anna-Claire. Along with being an avid hunter and fisherman, he enjoys volunteering within the community where he currently serves as Vice President of the Erath 4th of July Celebration as well as participating on the boards of various cooking benefits and competitions.
In his spare time, Matt enjoys traveling to support his kids in band and dancing competitions, being outdoors, working with his two Labrador retrievers and spending time with family and friends.
Queen Michelle Hargroder Simon is the daughter of Don and Arlene Hargroder. She was born in Lafayette and moved to Vermilion Parish in 1992 and has been here ever since.
She is a 2000 graduate of Vermilion Catholic High School and attended UL in business management and is a member of Tri Sigma Sorority Alumni. She graduated from the National Automobile Dealers Association Academy in 2007. Michelle is currently the COO of Courtesy Automotive Group.
She is a founding member of Fuel Vermilion, served as chair for March of Dimes, served on the Mount Carmel School board for seven years and served on the Board of the National Kidney Foundation, as well as Vermilion Delta Water Fowl and a State Board Member of Coastal Conservation Association.
She continues to volunteer for many other local organizations. She has a daughter, who is her pride and joy, Taegyn, who attends Vermilion Catholic and her better half, Jon Stevens, who she enjoys doing life with.
The ball doors opened at 6:30 p.m. for guests and the performances began at 7 p.m. Guests were greeted by the evening’s host Brian Campbell and the Executive Director at the Vermilion Parish Tourist Commission, Ali Miller.
This year’s theme was Festival Palooza.
Guests were entertained by out of town guests, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” played by Michelle & Steven Caldwell.
The Smiths traveled to the festivals in our area taking a little something with them at each stop.
Their first stop was the Gueydan Duck Festival with court members Gary Guidry, Jacob Landry, Bo Bernard, Kyle Collins, Al Mendoza, Pierre Hebert, and Matt DesOrmeaux.
The Smiths then “moo-ved” on over to the Queen’s hometown of Abbeville, Louisiana for the Cattle Festival where they were entertained by court members Leah Langlinais, Sonya Couvillon, Mikel Toups, Eric Toups, Mike Touchet, Will Caillouet, Jon Stevens, and Taegyn Simon.
After the Cattle Festival, the Smiths rocked the boat at the Delcambre Shrimp Festival where they had a great time with court members Kristen Vincent, Claire Broussard, Hannah Landry, Camille Floyd, and Shawnee Hebert.
Next, the Smiths made their way to the King’s hometown of Erath, for the annual 4th of July Celebration where they had a popping good time!
They ate, drank, danced at the fais do do, and paid tribute to our veterans with court members Skye Collins, Jonelle DesOrmeaux, Hannah Granger, Amelie Caillouet, Camille Floyd, Anna Claire Hebert, Luke Hebert, and Ellen Hebert. The last stop was back in Abbeville for the famous Omelette Celebration featuring court members “Crazy Liz” Schexnayder, Dawn Meehan, Melissa Prejean, Aimee Puhecker, Angelle Broussard, Roslyn White, Laurie Hulin, Shane Langlinais, and Corey Lege.
After the final stop, court members were introduced to the crowd along with Krewe de la Renaissance Acadienne Board members and the Krewe’s past Kings & Queens.
The court toasted the newly King & Queen and then processed out into the crowd throwing beads and trinkets to the Mardi Gras Mambo.
The party continued after the presentation and guests were entertained by the live band SOULED OUT.
The King and Queen and members of their court and krewe will be in the Youngsville Parade on Saturday, February 18th.