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During his 16 years serving District A on the Abbeville City Council, O’Neil “Parker” Hebert had a passion for youth sports and activities.
That culminated in his efforts to help create a park on Graceland Avenue, located in his district, which opened in 1988 and was named in his honor. On Tuesday, May 20, officials from the city and other community members gathered to cut the ribbon on improvements made at Parker Hebert Park.
“We are cutting the ribbon on park enhancements made at Parker Hebert Park,” Mayor Roslyn White said. “It’s fitting that we are here on May 20. The park’s original opening was on May 18, 1988. It just made 37 years, and we are very honored to be here.”
Among the recent upgrades is an entirely new playground equipment.
“If you didn’t know what was here before,” White said, “it was a little plastic playhouse from Walmart.”
Acadian Contractors donated the time and labor to refurbish an existing merry-go-round.
“It was made of really good material,” White said, “and we didn’t want to throw it out.”
White, who represented District A for four years before being elected mayor in ‘22, said the park has been a focus for her. She referenced improvements to the basketball goals made during her time on the council.
“This park has been at my heart since I was on the council,” White said. 
The mayor added that Tuesday’s event served as a de facto ribbon-cutting ceremony for improvements on Graceland Avenue, including the roadway and sidewalks. The city also added speed bumps on Graceland to enhance safety.
Council Tony Hardy, who has represented District A since ‘22, said he is pleased to see these improvements for the area. Hardy previously served as Abbeville’s chief of police from ‘10 to ‘18.
“As long as I have worked in Abbeville,” Hardy said, “this has been a sore spot. We’ve got it cleaned up. We hope to get the kids back in here. 
“It’s a good thing for the city.”
John Listi, an Abbeville native who attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony, remembers the impact Hebert made on him as a child.
“My brother and I wanted to play Biddy Basketball,” Listi said. “My dad was running the Christian Service Center, and at that time, our income was really low, with lots of mouths to feed. We were playing in the yard one day, and Mr. Parker was walking like he would normally do. He asked why we were not playing Biddy Basketball. I told him I didn’t think we could afford it. The next thing you know, we were playing Biddy Basketball. I think he waived the fee to let my brother and I play.
“It was Mr. Parker and his big, old heart that helped make sure we got to play.”
Hebert’s daughters, Christine Landry and Connie Suire, attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Listi’s story matched what they saw him do for so many.
“He loved children from all walks of life,” Suire said. “He always wanted to help children.”
Hebert’s legacy continues to allow children to enjoy sports and outdoor activities.
“I know he would be happy to see that the park is still open,” Landry said. “They are keeping it up, and they keep upgrading it. He really fought hard for this park. We were born and raised about three blocks from the park. He knew, and he knew there was a need for something for the kids.
“That was his main reason for opening this park.”
White said the city plans to build on Hebert’s vision.
“We hope to continue working on the park moving forward,” White said. “It is well-utilized in an area of high need. Thank you to the council for  being supportive and putting some money back into this park.”

According to Sheriff Eddie Langlinais, on May 22, the Vermilion Municipal and Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force conducted a narcotics investigation leading to the seizure of an assortment of illegal narcotics and an illegal firearm.
Agents observed a traffic violation and conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle whose driver was identified as Barry Guidry, 37. Probable cause was established to search the vehicle. A search of the vehicle resulted in the location of a backpack containing several types of illegal narcotics, clearly intended for distribution as well as a firearm with obliterated serial numbers.
Guidry was arrested and charged with the following:
• Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule II (Adderall)
• Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule II (MDMA / Amphetamine)
• Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule II (Acetaminophen Hydrocodone)
• Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule I (Fentanyl)
• Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule IV (Xanax)
• Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule III (Suboxone)
• Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule II (Crack Cocaine)
• Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule II (Methamphetamine)
• Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule I (Synthetic Marijuana)
• Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule I (Marijuana)
• Firearm in the Presence of a CDS
• Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
• Possession of a Firearm with Obliterated Numbers
Sheriff Eddie Langlinais reminds the citizens of Vermilion Parish that this is an ongoing investigation, and all suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty. Information on how to anonymously report illegal activities can be found on our website at www.VermilionSheriff.gov. Click on Anonymous Tips and fill out the Crime Stoppers of Vermilion Tip Form to submit information. You can also report illegal activity anonymously by calling the Crime Stoppers tip line at (337) 740-TIPS (8477) or by downloading and logging in to the P3 app where you can earn a cash reward.

Kathleen Minnick-Taylor, daughter of the late Alvin Minnick and Lizzie Como is the recipient of Nevada’s Small Business Administration Entrepreneurial Spirit award on May 9 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Kathleen is a graduate of North Vermilion high school. Her sister Sharon Minnick and Kathleen’s son, Kemet Okara accompanied Kathleen to celebrate her award at the annual Nevada SBA Small Business. Kathleen’s journey of resilience, while facing adversity, speaks to her character and integrity. These values were instilled by her parents who emphasized striving for excellence and being a role model for younger generations in their family.
As part of National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) takes the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and individuals from all 50 states and U.S. territories. Nevada Entrepreneurial Spirit award is given annually to an individual or company in Nevada who best demonstrates a pattern of entrepreneurial activities in support of small businesses.
Nominated by Monica Coburn, President of Nevada Business Advisors and selected at the district level by a panel of judges, Kathleen was recognized as the recipient of 2025 Nevada Entrepreneurial Spirit Award on at the annual Nevada SBA Small Business Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada. Kathleen’s career in business development highlights her work with the Nevada Women Business Center and Clark County Office of Economic Development. She provides business strategy, advisory services, and resources for small, woman-owned, minority-owned, and veteran-owned businesses to bolster Nevada's business and economic development industries.
Kathleen partnered and supported small business advocacy activities with Nevada’s Lieutenant Governor’s Office of Small Business Advocacy and National Association of Women Business Owners Southern Nevada Chapter to advocate for small and woman-owned businesses. She volunteers her time in a mentor and leadership capacity as a
Nevada Governor-appointed Commissioner for the Nevada Commission for Women.
Her level of engagement in Nevada’s business communities demonstrates her dedication, spirit, and leadership in Nevada's business ecosystem. Kathleen embodies the spirit of entrepreneurship and is a worthy recipient of the 2025 SBA Entrepreneurial Spirit award.

UPDATE: The name of the female driver killed has been released by the Sheriff's Office. The driver's name is Michelle Seaton. The Sheriff's Office is investigating the accident.

A female driver was killed when the white car she was driving on Roosevelt Road, located in the northern part of Vermilion Parish near the Woodlawn Bridge, collided with a sugar cane tractor traveling in the opposite direction.
The accident occurred on Tuesday at approximately 11:30 a.m.
It is not known if the driver of the car hit the tractor or the subsolier the tractor was pulling.
The impact caused the white car to veer off the road and into a ditch. Fortunately, the tractor driver was not injured.

The Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Department is investigating the accident and blocked off Roosevelt Road Tuesday afternoon.