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Crowley Police Chief Jimmy Broussard

CROWLEY POLICE CHIEF INDICTED

CROWLEY — An Acadia Parish Grand Jury on Wednesday returned true bills charging Crowley Police Chief Jimmy Broussard with malfeasance in office, obstruction of justice and attempted first-degree injuring of public records.
After hearing testimony Tuesday morning, the grand jury indicted Chief Broussard on three counts of malfeasance in office, two counts of obstruction of justice and a single count of first-degree injuring public records.
A true bill is not a finding of guilt. It is the written decision of a grand jury that it has heard sufficient evidence from the prosecution to believe that an accused person probably committed a crime and should be indicted. Thus, the indictment is sent to the court.
Nine of 12 grand jurors must agree on a decision of true bill.
No details as to the specifics of the charges are available at this time. The Post-Signal has reached out to Chief Broussard for comment.

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Yazeid A. Shalabi

ALABAMA MAN STOPPED IN LAWTELL FOR LICENSE PLATE LIGHT VIOLATION ENDS UP WITH 25 CHARGES

A 39-year-old Mobile, Alabama, man stopped on U.S. 190 in the Lawtell area for a license plate not working ended up facing 25 counts on 12 charges, according to St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz.
Yazeid A. Shalabi, 39, of the 1700 block of 1710 Prince Street, Mobile, Alabama, was stopped in a dark-colored SUV on Feb. 18, Guidroz stated in a news release.
The deputy stopped Shalabi’s vehicle because of the license plate light not working, Guidroz stated.
But the deputy smelled an illegal substance coming from the vehicle, he said.
Shalabi was asked to exit the vehicle, he stated.
“When the deputy questioned the odor, Yazeid Shalabi handed the deputy a clear plastic bag, which contained 15 grams of a substance suspected to be marijuana. Yazeid Shalabi also had a clear plastic bag in his back pocket, which contained a pink powder suspected to be MDMA,” Guidroz reported.
Guidroz stated a search of the vehicle found:
— 14 grams of suspected marijuana;
— Two suspected THC filled vape cartridges;
— One bottle labeled Promethazine, which contained 2.5 liquid ounces;
— 235 multicolored suspected MDMA pills;
— Two aluminum foil wraps that contained suspected LSD;
— One plastic container holding suspected marijuana;
— Nine orange pills marked “U30”, suspected amphetamine / dextroamphetamine;
— 15 yellow capsules / pills marked “A” and “18”, suspected sertraline hydrochloride;
— Four peach colored pills marked “R” and “029”, suspected alprazolam;
— One white pill marked “2410V”, suspected carlsoprodol;
— Two orange and white capsules marked “Adderall XR 25mg”
— 16 blue pills, suspected alprazolam;
— Five clear and orange pills, four beige and brown pills, 17 orange pills, one peach colored pill, one blue pill, all suspected amphetamine / dextroamphetamine;
— 14 blue pills, two yellow pills, two white pills, all suspected Clonazepam,
— 10 white pills, suspected zolpidem tortrate;
— One yellow pill, suspected acetaminophen and oxycodone;
— Two white pills, suspected vyvanse;
— One pink pill, suspected oxycodone hydrochloride;
— Two white packages labeled Buprenorphine Naloxone; and
— One black digital scale.
Guidroz stated Shalabi was charged with: possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (CDS) (6 counts); possession with intent to distribute Schedule IV CDS (3 counts); possession of Schedule IV CDS (3 counts); introduction of contraband into a penal institution; possession with intent to distribute Schedule I CDS (3 counts);possession of Schedule V CDS; possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of Schedule I CDS; possession with intent to distribute Schedule II CDS (3 counts); possession of Schedule III CDS; possession of a legend drug without a prescription; and tail lamps violation.
Shalabi’s bail was set at $124,750.

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Debris from one of the wings of the old Herod School is in a pile
Tuesday afternoon.

Old Herod High being torn down

An old era is coming to an end to make room for a new era to begin.
On Monday, Vermilion Shell and Limestone Company began tearing down the old Herod High School to make room for the new Williams Scholar Academy built on the same grounds.
The project is scheduled to take at least three weeks. When Vermilion Shell is 100 percent complete, there will be only dirt on the location. The cement driveway and foundation will also be removed.
The debris is being hauled to a landfill in Coteau.
Over the last two days, traffic has been above average because of onlookers. Many attended the school when it was Herod High School and then it became a fifth and sixth-grade school in the 1970s and 1980s.
Alvin Minnick was one of those people who drove by the demolition. He turned into the parking lot to get a closer view.
Minnick attended Herod High until the sixth grade, and then he was transferred to J.H. Williams Middle School because of the segregation of schools in Vermilion Parish in the late 1960s.
He sat in the car and watched as the contractor knocked down parts of the old grade school wing, where he attended.
Minnick, who graduated from Meaux High School in 1975, did not have a problem with the old school being torn down. He said it was time.
“I never thought I would see this (tearing down), but the school is so old, it was time for a change,” said Minnick.
“I think it is time for it to go, because it has been an eyesore for so long. No one wanted to invest money into the school. Then came Pastor Walter August, who bought the school, and he wants to do something positive for the area. That is a great thing for Abbeville.”
Timothy Moore is the site manager for the tearing down of the old school. He got wind that people posted on the internet about being sad that the old school will be gone in a few days.
“The memories will be gone.”
That did not sit too well with Moore, who helped start a youth boxing club in Abbeville a few years ago.
“I knew there were upset people before the tearing down of Herod,” said Moore on Tuesday. “Certain neighbors and those who came to this school wanted to know why we were tearing it down. This is a new vision that God wants.”
Once the four acres are cleared and the property inspected, construction will start on a new school called Williams Scholar Academy.
Also being built on the property is a new James A Herod cultural center and museum. The museum will list the teachers who taught at the school and memorabilia of the old Herod High and the gym. Parts of the bleachers will be rebuilt in the museum.
Moore said Pastor August, Tiffany Williams-Spraggins and Dr. Twyla Williams-Damond are willing to work to make the grounds a better place.
He said now it is the community’s turn to help clean up the area. He expects some negative feedback from parts of the community about the tearing down of Herod High. He also knows more people are positive that something is being done to the property.
“This is the vision that God has. The people who are positive and get behind the project are all that matters. Positivity has to come to Abbeville,” said Moore.

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(From L to R): Owner of Crawfish Haven Barry Toups, 2020 King of Louisiana Seafood Chef Robert Vasquez, Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, Allison Clune, Nicholls State President Dr. Jay Clune, Louisiana's Cajun Bayou CEO & President Cody Gray, Chef John Folse, 2019 King of Louisiana Seafood Chef Nathan Richard, and The Cajun Ninja Jason Derouen celebrate the 5th Annual Pardoning of the Crawfish at the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute on the campus of Nicholls State University.

Lt. Gov. Nungesser grants reprieve to one lucky crustacean during 5th Annual Pardoning of Crawfish

THIBODAUX, La. – Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser, along with the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, granted an official pardon to Lafitte the Crawfish during the Fifth Annual Pardoning of the Crawfish event. The Chef John Folse Culinary Institute on the campus of Nicholls State University in Thibodaux played host to this year’s event, which is uniquely Louisiana. Started in 2017 by Lt. Governor Nungesser and held on the first Tuesday following Mardi Gras, this annual pardoning celebrates crawfish season in Louisiana and across the Gulf South.
“Here in Louisiana, we are the largest domestic producer of crawfish producing about 150-million pounds a year. It’s a delicacy in our state and peak season runs now through Easter. So what better way to celebrate our culture and heritage than to grant Clyde his freedom before he ended up on a tray in a restaurant or a backyard boil,” said Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. “And in true Louisiana fashion, we had to have a party complete with music, food, family, friends. No matter where you go in Louisiana, you can find something that will Feed Your Soul, from our culture and arts to our cuisine and history.”
The lucky crustacean is named Lafitte in honor of Lafitte’s Landing Restaurant, Chef John Folse’s first restaurant in Louisiana. Opened in 1978 at Viala Plantation in Donaldsonville, a fire in October 1998 destroyed the restaurant. Lafitte’s Landing later reopened at Bittersweet Plantation, Chef Folse’s home for 20 years.
The Chef John Folse Culinary Institute on the campus of Nicholls State University is located in the center of Louisiana’s rich culture and culinary traditions and deep in a natural environment rich in the crops, seafood and wild game that inspired those dishes, allowing students to immerse themselves not only in cooking, but to learn about the cultural and ecological origins of the foods that they study.
“Nicholls State University loves crawfish. Our biology students study them in Dr. Chris Bonvillain’s Crawfish Lab, our culinary students learn how to prepare them here at the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute, and our entire campus comes together during our annual Crawfish Day celebration,” said Dr. Jay Clune, Nicholls President. “So, we welcome Lafitte the crawfish to our campus with open arms. I want to thank my friend, Lt. Gov. Nungesser, and the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board for bringing this event to Nicholls.”
In keeping with tradition, Barry Toups, owner of Crawfish Haven in Kaplan, caught and selected the guest of honor for his reprieve. Lafitte the Crawfish was then transported to the Nicholls State University campus where he was the king of his own parade through the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute to his regal habitat. Lt. Governor Nungesser then bestowed the official pardon upon Lafitte, delivering an official proclamation to the University and the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute to mark the event.
Following his pardoning, the Louisiana Office of State Parks transported Lafitte to Bayou Segnette State Park in Westwego, Louisiana, where he will live out the rest of his days burrowing in the mud, swimming in the bayou, and making the state park his new home.

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Mazie Connor DeHart

September 16, 1930 ~ February 20, 2021

ABBEVILLE— Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, March 13, 2021 at Abbeville United Methodist Church honoring the life of Mazie Connor DeHart, 90, of Abbeville, who passed away Saturday, February 20, 2021 at her residence.
She is survived by her daughter, Catherine Guillory (Jerry), three sons, Robert DeHart (Annette Frederick), Glenn DeHart (Cherie Lewis), and Jeffery DeHart; 12 grandchildren, Kristine G. Colomb, Karen G. Hebert (Neil), Kady Guillory (Tony Morvant), Coney DeHart, Tillie D. Richard (Jacob), Dustin DeHart, Cody DeHart (Lani Suire), Jevon DeHart (Kelsie Fraiser), Jordan DeHart, P J Lege (Danielle), Amanda Comeaux, and Emelie Lege; 24 great grandchildren, Jenna Duck, Courtney Colomb, Amiee Tuna (Tony), Lillian Hebert, Ellen Hebert, Emilee Hebert, Zoey Dore, Cali Dore, Addison Lege, Dillan Lege, Kylie Scanland, Colton Comeaux, Eli Sepalvado, Audrey DeHart, Harper DeHart, Gus Richard, Caden DeHart, Carter DeHart, Paislee DeHart, Stella DeHart, Emersyn DeHart, Asher DeHart, Chandler Richard, and Zaine Davidson; 4 great-great grandchildren, Kaleb LeBlanc, Melody Music, Lauren Tuna, and Kristen Tuna.
She was preceded in death by her husband, LeRoy DeHart, parents, Lodias Connor, and the former O’Nezie Trahan; and a grandchild, Sydney Colomb.
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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Lula Mae Bergeron Broussard

November 4, 1931 ~ February 23, 2021

ABBEVILLE — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, February 26, 2021 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church honoring the life of Lula Mae Bergeron Broussard, 89, who died Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at her residence. She will be laid to rest at St. Mary Magdalen Cemetery with her son, Reverend Father Paul Broussard officiating the services. Pallbearers will be Jeremy Broussard, Luke Winch, Brice Menard, Marcus Broussard, Nicholas Broussard, and Ethan Menard. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Rome Winch, Christopher Broussard, and Jared Broussard.
She is survived by her children, Johnie Broussard and his wife Wanda, Bridget Broussard, Anne Broussard, Genny Broussard, Timothy Broussard and his wife Gwen, Peter Broussard, Mary Menard and her husband Scott, Theresa Winch and her husband Luther, and Reverend Father Paul Broussard; fourteen grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John Huey Broussard; parents, Clarence Bergeron and the former Lorna Trahan; son, John Keith Broussard; and three sisters, Audrey Broussard, Jane Hebert and Dolores Falgout.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Friday, February 26, 2021 from 9:00 AM until 10:45 AM when the procession will depart for the church. A rosary being prayed at 10:00 AM.
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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Gussie Broussard Landry

ERATH — A Mass of Christian Burial for Mrs. Gussie Broussard Landry will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 3PM with Father Metrejean officiating.
Visitation will be held at David Funeral Home of Erath on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 from 9AM until time of services with a recitation of the rosary at 10AM.
A native of Erath, Mrs. Gussie was a skilled at upholstery and enjoyed sewing and doing alterations. For a time, she worked in the fabric department at West Brothers. She also enjoyed her time working in the cafeteria at Dozier Elementary School for over 10 years. She was a member of the Ladies Altar Society and a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. She was even awarded Catholic Daughter of the year in 1995 and 2006.
She is survived by her son, Michael James Landry and his wife, Susan of Erath; her daughter, Susan L. Hebert and her husband Kimeral of Erath; her sister, Earline Baudoin; her grandchildren, Stacy Breaux, Kristy Landry, Blake Landry, Coty Dore, and Derek Hebert; and her great grandchildren, Cole Domingue, Reese Domingue, Ashlyn Porche, Rose Dore, and Bella Lopez.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Louis J. Landry; her parents, Wally Broussard and Laura Trahan Broussard; her brother, Eugene Broussard; and her sister, Ussay Toups.
The Landry family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Maison du Monde for their outstanding care and thoughtfulness.
You may sign the guest register book and express condolences online at www.davidfuneralhome.org
“In order to help keep the community safe we will honor the July 13, 2020 Louisiana Mandates.  All families and their guests are required to wear a face covering while at the funeral home. Thank you for your understanding during this unprecedented time.” 
David Funeral Home of Erath (337)937-0405 209 E. Putnam St. will be handling the arrangements.

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Danny Broussard has been coaching at STM since 1983.
Photo courtesy of Jay Faugot Photography

1,049 wins and counting: Meaux High grad now ranks as the 10th winningest high school coach in the United States

For 38 years, Danny Broussard has been the head basketball coach at St. Thomas More High School (STM) and has won an incredible 1,049 games.
Broussard, 61, is now the 10th winningest boys high school basketball head coach in the nation.
“All those wins mean I am old as dirt,” said Broussard, who laughed. “It is an honor to be on the list with these legendary coaches.”
Broussard could move into ninth place with six more wins. Morgan Gilbert of Tyronza Bay High School has 1,055 wins and is in ninth place.
If Broussard continues to coach for another five years and averages 20 wins a season, he could become the fourth all-time winningest high school basketball coach in the country.
The winningest high school coach is Robert Huges (1,333 wins) from Forth Worth, Texas. Broussard is 295 wins away from catching Huges. Broussard would need to win an average of 29 games over the next 10 years to catch him.
“It is going to be tough to catch him,” said Broussard. “How long am I going to keep coaching? As long as I continue to have fun and my health holds up. I am not going stay coaching so I can get wins and to move up in the ranks.”
Over the last 38 years, he has coached against four of the coaches on the all-time high school coaches list.
As of today, Broussard ranks as the third-winningest boys basketball coach in Louisiana.
The Louisiana winningest boys basketball coach is Peabody head coach Charles Smith (1,075 wins) and Joel Hawkins at Southern in Baton Rouge is second.
Broussard took over the head coaching job at St. Thomas More in 1983. He replaced his brother, Rickey Broussard, who accepted an assistant coaching job at USL (Now UL-Lafayette). Three years later, Broussard coached STM to a state championship. STM won state titles in 1986, 2013, 2018, 2019 and 2020 under Broussard.
STM has appeared in the “Final Four” 15 times.
In 38 years, Broussard has only had one losing season.
Broussard’s teams win an average of 27.5 games a year.
Growing up in the Meaux community, basketball was the sport of choice. Broussard played sports year round. As a player, he helped bring Meaux High to the Class C state championship game in 1977, with his brother, Kim, as the head coach.
Rickey Broussard encouraged him to get involved in coaching. When he was 15 years old, Danny was coaching the fourth and fifth graders at Meaux.
When St. Thomas More opened in the early 1980s, Rickey offered Danny an assistant coaching job fresh out of college. With a baby face, many thought Danny was a student instead of a coach.
By the end of 1989, Danny Broussard had taken St. Thomas More to three Top-28 appearances in four years, adequately cementing his place at St. Thomas More.
Growing up in the Meaux community, basketball and baseball were Broussard’s passions.
Looking back, Broussard said he took a little away from all the men who coached him.
His older brother, Rickey, coached him at Meaux High during his freshman and sophomore years. In his final two years, Frank Hardy was the head coach.
He said Rickey and Hardy had different styles of coaching techniques. Rickey was tough, and Hardy was more laid back. Then there was Cordell Dartez, who was the assistant coach.
“They were all great men who I took a little bit from everyone,” he added.
Basketball coaches were not the only coaches who influenced him. He credits his baseball coaches, who were helping him become a great coach.
Bob Trahan and Tommie Picard were two baseball coaches who had a major influence on him. Trahan preached to his players to know baseball’s fundamentals, while Picard showed him how to have passion for the sport he coaches.
Broussard also credits his wife, Deanna and their three children for supporting him for all of these years.
“Family support is a big reason why I have been successful,” he said. “My wife has been great and has supported me throughout my coaching career. I could not have been successful without her.”
Broussard is the son of the late Flordra and Ervy Broussard.

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Don David Comeaux

Don David Comeaux, of Mandeville passed away peacefully at his residence Friday afternoon, February 19, 2021. He was born on August 10, 1957 in Abbeville, Louisiana to Paul Warren Comeaux and Betty Louise Broussard Comeaux.
He is survived by his loving children Andrea Comeaux Cooper, Cale Wayne Comeaux, Paul Tyler Comeaux( Marcela), and Dustin David Comeaux (Olivia), and his 6 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild. He is also survived by his parents Paul Warren and Betty Louise Comeaux, his siblings Michael Comeaux (Carol) and Betsy Comeaux Fox. He will also be missed by a host of nieces and nephews, as well as scores of close friends he considered family.
Don was a longtime resident of Mandeville, as well as his home town of Maurice and a devoted member to Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, as well St. Alphonsus Catholic Church of Maurice, Louisiana. His true passion was spending time with his family and friends and coaching his children’s many sports teams especially basketball. Don was an avid golfer and a true cajun host. We will all miss his cooking especially his gumbo, laughter, and company. Don had the best quick wit, and loved to have the last word.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral mass at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 312 Lafitte St, Mandeville, LA 70448, on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 10:00 AM. He will then travel home to Maurice, Louisiana for a funeral mass at 3:00 PM and interment to follow at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 8700 Maurice Ave, Maurice, Louisiana 70555. Interment will follow the funeral mass.
With COVID-19, restrictions social distancing and face mask are required to attend services.
The­­­ ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Comeaux family invites you to share thoughts, fond memories, and condolences online at E. J. Fielding Funeral Home Guest Book at www.ejfieldingfh.com.

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LeBlanc Elementary names Support Person of the Year

LeBlanc Elementary’s Support Person of the Year Crandall Landry! His dedication to the students, staff, and facility make him a huge asset to the LeBlanc community. He is pictured with Principal Rachelle Brown and Assistant Principal Kristin Moore.

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Vermilion Today

Abbeville Meridional

318 N. Main St.
Abbeville, LA 70510
Phone: 337-893-4223
Fax: 337-898-9022

The Kaplan Herald

219 North Cushing Avenue
Kaplan, LA 70548