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Connie Wayne Thibodeaux

June 15, 1958 ~ January 9, 2021

ABBEVILLE - A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 16, 2021 at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Catholic Church honoring the life of Connie Wayne Thibodeaux, 62, who entered eternal rest on Saturday, January 9, 2021 at Ochsner Lafayette General Hospital in Lafayette, LA. She will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery.
Connie was the daughter of the late Alfred Thibodeaux, Sr, and Betty Wilson Thibodeaux of Abbeville, LA. She was, a native of Abbeville, LA who lived in Carencro, LA. She was a devoted lifelong Catholic who attended St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Catholic Church, in Abbeville, LA; in her younger years and while she cared for her father who lived with her for over six years. She was very active in her church parish of St. Elizabeth Seton Church in Lafayette, LA; where she served as a Eucharistic Minister, Lecturer, and member of several committees. Connie also volunteered with the Catholic Charities of Acadiana providing clerical assistance and helping at St. Joseph’s Diner. She volunteered as an Interviewer/Greeter with the Free Tax Assistance Program at the Lafayette Public Library downtown. She also served as a volunteer at the Free Lafayette Healthcare Clinic.
Connie was a graduate of Abbeville High School and a graduate of the University of Southwestern Louisiana (ULL). She was a committed and dedicated employee of the University for thirty-seven years. She retired in 2017 as the Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions. Connie was an inspiring mentor to many students and employees throughout her years at the University. Her favorite past time was travelling; she especially enjoyed cruises. She was truly a humble and loyal employee, colleague, and friend.
She is survived by two sisters, Kathryn T. Nezey (Joseph, Jr.) of Delcambre, LA and Joyce T. Perry (Marshall) of Abbeville, LA and one brother, Alfred Thibodeaux, Jr. of Abbeville, LA as well as a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her paternal and maternal grandparents and one nephew as well as her beloved dog whom she cherished and adored (Nigel).
Mass intentions may be sent directly to either St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Catholic Church or St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Saturday, January 16, 2021 from 9:00 AM until 10:45 AM when the procession will depart for the church. A rosary will be prayed at 10:00 AM.
Due to the pandemic, all attendees are required to wear masks and practice social distancing at Funeral Home, Church and Cemetery.
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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Carolyn Virginia Parker

ERATH – Graveside services for Carolyn Virginia Parker, 76, will be held at 1:00PM on Saturday January 16, 2021 at LeBlanc Cemetery, with Pastor Pres Riley Pastor of 1st Baptist Church of Abbeville officiating.
A native of Madisonville and a resident of Erath Carolyn passed away Tuesday January 12, 2021 surrounded by her loving family.
Survivors include her daughter Veronica and her husband Michael Dunn of Erath; her sons Ronald Lenard, and Carl Lenard; eight grandchildren, and twelve great grandchildren; brother Albert and his wife Etta Parker; and her sister Linda Brady.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her son Randy Lenard; husband Carl Lenard Sr.; her parents Albert and Esther Deen Parker; brother Gerald Parker; and sister Shirley Sommers.
Condolences may be sent to the Parker family at www.davidfuneralhome.org
David Funeral Home 209 E. Putnam St. Erath La.337-937-0405 is in charge of arrangements.

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Harold Barras Sr.

ABBEVILLE — Funeral services for Mr. Harold Barras Sr., 95, will be held at David Funeral Home Chapel of Abbeville on Saturday January 16, 2021 at 2:00 PM, with Deacon Keith Duhon officiating.
Visitation will be held Saturday January 16, 2021 from 9:00 AM until time of services with a recitation of the Rosary at 11:00 AM . Interment will follow at St. Mary Magdalen Mausoleum.
Harold was a true pioneer who was born March 11, 1925 and raised during the depression era on the banks of Bayou Tigre. He worked with his family trapping and fishing in Bayou Tigre, Black Crook and Cameron. His hobbies were hunting and fishing; He loved his camp on the Boston Canal in the 1960s and 1970s. At the age of 18, he volunteered in World War II as a US Navy Gunner on the Liberty ships SS Fredrick C. Hicks and SS Peter Cartwright in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans from 1943 to 1946.
After the war, he returned home, rolled up his sleeves and started his career in the boat business (Love of his life was boats). He started working on shrimp boats and bought his first boat the “Leona” in 1949. From then he would buy the boats, pay them off, then sell them to buy a bigger and better boat. In 1954 he built his first shrimp boat the “Miss Trinity Shoal” which was one of the largest and most modern shrimp boats in the Gulf of Mexico. Through the years he fished the entire Gulf of Mexico from Florida to the Bay of Campeche, Mexico.
During the 1950s, the newest and hottest growing industry in the Gulf of Mexico was the oil and gas offshore drilling and production. In 1956, Barras Boat Rentals Inc. as founded (the first offshore crew boat rental company in Vermilion Parish). In 1957, he built his first steel hull crew boat the “Mr. Ernie” and from then there was no stopping him. He continued buying and building crew boats that were working throughout the Gulf of Mexico. In late 1968 his biggest change happened when a new unknown company offered to buy him out to start their own company; this company was Offshore Logistics which became one of the largest boat companies in the world and branched out to Air Logistics. Throughout his career, he owned more than 40 boats. During his life, he was on the board on numerous economic development committees during the 1960s through 1980s.
Mr. Barras is survived by his children, Asa Barras, Tessie Bouillion and husband Calvin, and Harold Jr. (Hal) Barras and wife Margaret, 9 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. He is also survived by his sister Thelma (Bing) Broussard and sister in law Flo Barras.
He is preceded in death by parents, Simon Barras and Thelma Schexnayder Barras, his wife of 72 years Eunice Trahan Barras, daughter Sandy Barras, brothers Palmer and Sam Barras, sister Linda Barras Boudreaux (Dalton), and brother-in-law Daniel Broussard.
The family would like to thank the staff and employees of Pelican Point Healthcare & Rehab and Traditions Health (Formerly Grace Hospice Palliative Care) for the wonderful care and support you have given to our dad and our family.
Condolences may be sent to the Barras family 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 2600 Charity St Abbeville 337-893-3777 is in charge of arrangements.

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Jeff Crouere

The Purge Is Here

In recent years, most Americans refer to The Purge as a television and movie series, that depicts the violence and mayhem which occurs when citizens can commit any crime, including murder, during a 12-hour period once a year. However, the real “Great Purge” truly happened, it was not just Hollywood fiction.
In the Soviet Union, during the Stalin years, communist party leaders purged their membership ranks of “undesirables” on a regular basis. In the “Great Purge” of 1936-38, more than four million people were executed and many more were sent to prison.
Sadly, many progressives in our country today have communist tendencies. Although these leaders are not calling for the execution of Trump supporters, many are claiming that the “deplorables” should be banished from society and should be purged from public life. Instead of a 12-hour period, they are trying to make it permanent.
Even before Hillary Clinton used the term “deplorables” to refer to Trump supporters, the President’s political base faced withering criticism and ostracism from left wing members of the media, the political establishment, and the Deep State. We should never forget the infamous texts of former FBI agent Peter Strzok, who described Trump supporters as smelly Walmart shoppers.
This week, CNN’s Anderson Cooper said the protesters who gathered at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday will “go back, you know, to the Olive Garden and to the Holiday Inn they’re staying at, and the Garden Marriott, and they’re going to have some drinks and they're going to talk about the great day they had in Washington.” This elitism is insufferable, but it is all too commonplace among the left. They hate both President Trump and the 74+ million people who voted for him.
When rioters and looters committed acts of violence throughout the country this summer, many in the media and Democratic Party excused their actions. It was called justified even though police officers were attacked and killed. Clearly, politicians showed they are more worried about the security breach in the U.S. Capitol than the destruction of businesses owned by average Americans.
Of course, anyone who broke laws on Wednesday, breached security, stole items from the U.S. Capitol or committed vandalism should be prosecuted. The violent events which led to the deaths of five people must be vigorously condemned. Nonetheless, it should be noted that a substantial majority of the protesters were peaceful and traveled to Washington D.C. to express their free speech rights to condemn electoral fraud, not to commit violence. There is also substantial evidence that the Trump protest was infiltrated by members of Antifa, who participated in the security breach at the U.S. Capitol. These individuals must be identified and prosecuted as well.
In the aftermath of the January 6th protests, President Trump and many of his most popular supporters have been banned from social media platforms, such as Twitter and Facebook. A pro-free speech alternative to Twitter, Parler, has been removed from app stores by Google and Apple and their servers were shut down by Amazon.
The Lincoln Project, a hate group of “Never Trump” so-called Republicans, wants to create a database of all people who worked in the administration and make sure none of them can find employment. It has become so ridiculous that progressives in Hollywood want to remove President Trump’s cameo appearance in Home Alone 2. Not to be outdone, liberals in academia have also acted. President Trump’s honorary degrees at Lehigh University and Wagner College were revoked this week.
None of this compares to the insanity being pushed by Democrats and “Never Trump” Republicans on Capitol Hill. U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is calling for the resignation, impeachment, or removal of President Trump by use of the 25th amendment. These proposals show the President’s enemies only want political retribution and to divide our country even more.
The rally was held for a good reason, to show support for the President and to oppose the electoral fraud that occurred across the country. To be clear, President Trump did not issue a call for violence, only peaceful protests. He expressed his support for law enforcement and called for an orderly and smooth transition. He did not incite violence and condemned the “heinous attack” at the U.S. Capitol.
Despite the legitimacy of the President’s complaints about election fraud and his condemnation of violence on Wednesday, his political enemies are trying to eliminate any future Trump campaign. In addition, his supporters who attended the rally on Wednesday are facing a different kind of purge. Some are losing their jobs, while others are facing a boycott.
Rocker Ariel Pink was dropped from his record label after his attendance at the Trump rally. The owner of a successful grocery chain in the New Orleans area, is now dealing with a boycott of his business.
Young conservative activist C.J. Pearson, who is a student at the University of Alabama, also attended Wednesday’s rally. Because of his non-violent participation, he is the subject of a petition calling for his removal from the university. Pearson did not storm the U.S. Capitol or commit a crime, so he should not face any penalties for his actions.
In this country, we still possess 1st Amendment rights, and our citizens are allowed the freedom to speak, assemble and petition their government. Unfortunately, too many politicians and members of the media want to revoke those rights.
If elections are not secure and our constitutional rights are not being protected, the future of our country looks bleak. The progressives now have total power and want to silence the voices of all opposition. The “cancel culture” is alive and well.
If these powerful forces were confident about their positions, they would welcome debate. Sadly, the suppression of free speech that has happened on college campuses is now occurring on social media and throughout our country.
Many years ago, Lord Acton wrote, “absolute power corrupts absolutely.” It is still true today.

Jeff Crouere is a native New Orleanian and is a political columnist, the author of America's Last Chance.For more information, email him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com

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Fleeing Driver Killed,Three Injured in Fiery Crash on I-10

LAFAYETTE PARISH – On January 13, 2021, shortly after 8:30 p.m., Louisiana State Police Troop I responded to a two-vehicle fatal crash on Interstate 10 westbound near Louisiana Avenue. The crash claimed the life of an unidentified driver.
The preliminary investigation by State Police revealed a deputy with the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a stolen 2016 Dodge Charger in Iberville Parish. The driver refused to stop and a pursuit ensued, continuing west into St. Martin and Lafayette Parishes. Troopers attempted to stop the fleeing vehicle by deploying spike strips before the Charger entered Lafayette. The driver continued west and entered a highway construction zone where he struck a contractor work truck with three highway workers on board. Immediately after the crash, the Charger became engulfed in flames with the unidentified driver trapped inside.
The driver of the Charger was pronounced dead at the scene by the Lafayette Parish Coroner’s Office. The three workers were transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries. Due to the severity of the crash, investigators were unable to obtain a toxicology sample from the driver of the Charger. A routine toxicology sample was obtained from the driver of the work truck and will be submitted for analysis. The crash remains under investigation.
In 2020, 14 people in Louisiana lost their lives in work zone crashes. Motorists should always observe posted speed limits and pay attention while driving through any work zone.
Troop I has investigated 4 fatal crashes resulting in 5 deaths in 2021.

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Vermilion Parish OEP is waiting on more information on the date the
COVID vaccine will be received.

Now, no date given to take vaccine at Comeaux Park

Well, there is now no date set for people in Vermilion Parish to receive their vaccine for COVID-19.
Last week the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) informed Vermilion Parish’s Emergency Preparedness Director Homer Stelly that the state planned to be in the parish to administer the vaccine, starting next week.
Since then, Stelly received a phone call from the Louisiana Department of Health erasing a scheduled date and is now saying tentatively set towards the end of the month.
“It all depends on getting the vaccine,” answered Stelly on why the date was pushed back.
When the LHD gets more vaccine, it will contact Vermilion Parish to set a date and time.
Here are the qualifications for the vaccine. These vaccines will be available only for those in Phase 1B, Tier 1:
• Persons ages 70 years or older
•Outpatient clinic providers and clinic staff
•Urgent care clinic providers and staff
•Community care clinic providers and staff
• Behavioral health clinic providers and staff
• Dialysis providers and clients
Home health service providers, direct support workers and recipients
• Dental providers and staff
• Students, residents, faculty and staff of allied health schools.

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Vermilion Parish middle, high schools to remain hybrid until Feb. 1

Superintendent Byler says current COVID cases not conducive to original Jan. 19 return to full schedule

Vermilion Parish middle schools and high schools had planned to welcome all students back on Jan. 19.
Plans have changed.
Those students will instead remain on a hybrid schedule until Monday, Feb. 1. Vermilion Parish Superintendent Tommy Byler said Wednesday afternoon that the current number of COVID-19 cases in the parish prompted the decision.
“Unfortunately, the number of cases and quaranitines in our schools have not yet begun to decline,” Byler said. “Because of this, we will remain Hybrid for middle and high school students until Feb. 1.”
Vermilion Parish had 89 new cases reported on Wednesday. That comes after the Louisiana Department of Health added 60 cases on Tuesday.
After beginning the school year on a hybrid schedule, students in middle and high school eventually returned to an everyday schedule. When COVID cases began to surge late last year, those students returned to a hybrid schedule, with the idea that they would fully return next Tuesday.
“While we were truly hoping to return to face to face everyday on the 19th,” Byler said, “we do not feel like the numbers we are sitting at currently merit a full return.”
Byler commended everyone involved for their parts in navigating a tough situation. He said decisions like this one do not come easily.
“I appreciate your flexibility and understanding in this matter and hope that you know that the well being of our students and staff are always going to play a role in these tough decisions,” Byler said. “Let’s continue to do our part to help a downward trend in the data and plan for a return on Feb. 1.
“Again I apologize for this notice and I held the decision for as long as I could but in the end it is the safest decision for all involved at this time.”

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Donald “Don” Landry

LANDRY TAKES OATH AS 15TH JDC DISTRICT ATTORNEY

LAFAYETTE — A new attorney is now on the job in the fifteenth judicial district.
Lafayette, Acadia, and Vermilion parishes swore in District Attorney Donald “Don” Landry Monday night. He started his first day in office this week before officially being sworn in.
Landry is familiar with the position. He worked for 34 years under former District Attorney Mike Harson before he lost reelection in 2014.
“I noticed that the six years that I was not in office that it looked like cases were kind of piling up,” Landry said, adding that the first goal in his term is to reduce the number of backlogged cases and ensure cases are prosecuted in a timely manner.
“I’m going to take the challenge and do my very best to find some creative ways to try to move those dockets,” Landry said. “I’m also going to really try my hardest to stay in touch with the community.”
Communication will be the key to what Landry does. He says plans are being made to meet with law enforcement on a regular basis. He also promised to always answer the phone or return anyone’s phone call.
“People like to communicate. They like to let you know what they think. They like for you to listen to their concerns and try to bring some solutions to their concern, and I learned that if you just work with people, if you just talk to them a little bit,” Landry said. “Talk to them a little bit that you’re just going to get a lot more done.”

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Mildred Cornor Benoit

August 1, 1929 ~ January 12, 2021

KAPLAN — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, January 15, 2021 at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Catholic Church honoring the life of Mildred Cornor Benoit, 91, who died Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at her residence surrounded by her children. She will be laid to rest at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Cemetery with Reverend Matthew Hebert officiating the services.
Mildred was born in Cow Island, a graduate of Spencer’s Business College and spent 34 years working for a number of Kaplan physicians. Mildred was an active member of the Ladies Altar Society, cooked for the bereaved and was a member of the VFW Auxiliary.
She was co-director of the Kaplan Care, an assistance program for the elderly and was recognized for the many volunteer hours she put into the program.
Mom was known as an avid Saints, LSU, UL and Astros fan.
She will be remembered for being a wonderful cook and most of all – she never gave up on anyone.
She is survived by her two daughters, Rebecca (Judy) LeJeune of Tucson, AZ and Vida (Jim) Brough of Clovis, CA; her two sons, Vince Benoit of Kaplan and Cedric Benoit of Branson, MO; her grandchildren, Brandon, Rocky, Heidi, and Luke Benoit and Caton Brough; her 11 great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; her brother-in-law, Donald (Yvonne) Benoit of Lake Arthur, and her sister-in-law, Helen Rose Cornor.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence J. Benoit; her parents, Edier Cornor, Sr. and the former Effie Leonard; her two sisters, Myrtis Miia and Helen Bouillion; her brother, Edier Cornor, Jr.; and her two grandchildren, Bryon Lawrence Brough and Oliver Thomas.
The family wants to extend their since appreciation to Dr. Barker (Cardiologist) and Dr. Anderson (Radiation Oncology) and Hospice of Acadiana.
To help the community safety we will honor the Louisiana mandate of July 13, 2020. All family and guests are required to wear a mask /face covering at the funeral home/church and there will be no gathering after burial service.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan, 300 N. Eleazar Ave., on Friday, January 15, 2021 from 9:00 AM until the procession departs for the church at 1:45 PM with a rosary being prayed at 10:30 AM.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Kaplan, (337) 643-7276 [Service Information 225-5276]. Condolences may be sent to the Benoit family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.

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Dozier Beta Club creates cards for residents at Eastridge Nursing Home

Due to Covid restrictions, Dozier Elementary’s Beta Club couldn’t visit and work on holiday activities with the residents as they’ve done in the past years. They did, however, still create cards for the residents. Following that, Dozier Elementary Beta President Connor Toups and Sponsor Shelanne Richard delivered the Christmas cards handmade by Beta members to Eastridge Nursing Home in Abbeville.

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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