RSS Feed

MAURICE — A handful of Maurice residents had concerns when they saw a few hundred feet of steel pipe on the grounds where construction is taking place to build the new Acadiana Ford Dealership. Their concern was, “Who gave the OK to put the steel pipe in the ground?”
Curtis Catalon and other residents, along with Maurice Mayor Wayne Theriot and alderman Warren Rost attended the Coulee Kinney Drainage District Board meeting Thursday night to find who gave the construction company the OK to put the pipe in the ground.
Catalon said the pipe looked too small and may hamper drainage for a big rain.
Everyone learned the Coulee Kinney Drainage Board did not give their stamp of approval for the hundreds of feet to be buried. The Village of Maurice Board of Aldermen also did not give the OK for the pipe.
After a 75-minute discussion back and forth with Travis Laurent, the engineer of Paul L. Miers Engineering, who is in charge of the construction, drainage board president John Andrus gave instructions to Laurent on what to do before any pipe goes into the ground.
Andrus explained to the residents that there is a “glitch in the system” which lets the engineering firm go forth with placing the pipe in the ground without the drainage board’s approval. But Andrus explained, the “glitch” needs to be fixed.
“Hopefully that will never happen again,” said Andrus about the hundreds of yards of drainage pipe being taken to the location without anyone’s approval of it being buried. “It is a glitch in the system that happens. No one is trying to pull the wool over anyone’s eyes.”
Andrus said as soon as he found out there was steel pipe on location and the drainage board was not aware that a ditch was about to be closed without the drainage board’s approval, he made phone calls.
“It got stopped right there,” said Andrus.
The residents were also concerned with the type of pipe being buried. They learned it was a galvanized steel pipe instead of a concrete pipe. Their argument was that steel will rust away in 15 years and who is responsible for repairing or replacing the pipe when that happens.
Andrus said the drainage board does not normally get involved with the type of pipe being placed in the ground, but this is also the first time someone places steel pipe into the ground instead of concrete pipe.
“I have some concerns that it is a galvanized pipe,” Andrus added. “If we are going to allow this type of pipe, we would like more information on this.”
The drainage board agreed to let the engineers figure out what is the correct pipe to place into the ground and then they will report back to the drainage board.

KAPLAN — According to Kaplan Mayor Mike Kloesel, sand and sandbags are available today (Friday, June 5) at the city yard 412 S. Herpin (Corner of S. Herpin and E. Amy) for residents within the city limits of Kaplan.
The yard will be closed this weekend so if you want sand bags you will need to go and get them today before 4 p.m. You will need proof of address or driver's license.
“We will deliver sandbags to the ELDERLY and Handicapped between the hours of 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. this afternoon,” Kloesel said.
Call city hall to set up delivery.
“Remember, if you don't qualify for this service and use it,” Kloesel said, “you are taking away from someone else that truly needs it. Please call before 1 p.m. to guarantee that we can deliver today.”

India Dyson of Abbeville made her childhood dream come true last month by finishing the Louisiana Practical Nursing Program on the Gulf Area Campus in Abbeville.
Dyson was one of 40 graduates who celebrated last week when they received their nursing pins. But what makes Dyson’s pin ceremony different is that it almost did not happen.
Out of 40 students selected to begin the program, she was the last student selected.
“After having some difficulties early in my life, I didn’t think it would ever happen,” said Dyson, who is 39 years old. “However, I always believed that anything worth having, is worth fighting for, so my fight began in Spring of 2019.”
Once the program began, she ran into challenges. One of the first challenges was her age and how long she had been out of high school. While most of the new students in the program were just out of high school, Dyson had been out of high school for a while.
“Getting accepted in the practical nurse program (PN) was not an easy task,” said Dyson. “The PN program is very competitive and rigorous. As an older student, I didn’t think I could compete with the younger students in the class.”
There were times where she was close to quitting the program because she did not think she could survive.
“Many days I thought about quitting, but I was reminded of my dreams and the goals I had now set before me. I became eager and determined,” she said. “The harder the program got, the tougher I got.”
One person who convinced her not to quit was Gulf Coast Campus Director Lawana Stokes. The two sat together, and Stokes did her best to convince her to stay in the program.
“I reminded her this was her dream,” said Stokes. “I would try to motivate her.”
Stokes’ positive words did the trick and kept Dyson going.
I thought for sure it was over until I met, Ms. Lawana Stokes,” Dyson explained. “I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would meet someone that’s so passionate about their job and students. Ms. Stokes encouraged me, motivated me, and uplifted me with her kind words and prayers. Just when I thought it was over, here comes Ms. Stokes!”
Dyson finished the program with a 3.5 grade point average and now she waits for the graduation ceremony. She is proud of her accomplishment of finishing the PN program. She is also quick to point out, she could not have done it without family, friends, and Ms. Stokes pushing her.
“Thanks to my family, friends, and classmates in the PN program for helping me finish this race,” said Dyson. “Thank you, Ms. Stokes for pushing me when I had no push to move forward.
“I challenge all those who have a desire to become a nurse, ‘Go get it.’ It’s never too late and you are never too old!”
Stokes said they could not have been more proud of Dyson for completing the program.
“We both cried at the pinning ceremony,” said Stokes.
Applications for the summer and fall semester are still being accepted. Summer courses are online. Please stop in and visit the Gulf Area Campus today.

April 14, 1933 ~ May 29, 2020

ABBEVILLE—A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, June 5, 2020 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church honoring the life of Rita Ann Mayard Hebert, 87, who passed away peacefully at her home on May 29th, 2020. She will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Father Donald Bernard officiating the services.
She was born on April 14th, 1933, in Henry, LA, and attended school at E. Broussard High School in Forked Island before graduating from Abbeville High School in 1951.  On December 6th, 1953, she married Oliver “Bonney” Hebert, and together they had five children, Kathleen Rita Touchet (Patrick), Jackie Bullock (Stephen), Robert “Robbeaux” Hebert (Michele Toups), Lisa Johnson (David), and Jason Hebert. 
Rita’s life, although often joyful, was not an easy one. A quiet, lonely child, she worked hard as an adult to overcome her shyness.  Widowed at 42, she became a working mother to provide for her children, often sacrificing and doing without so they could have the things they needed.  She was first employed at Bordelon Hardware, and then spent 17 years working at Anthony’s Department Store.   
Rita loved to cook, always searching through her collection of well used cookbooks to find new recipes to try. She was a fearless explorer of different cuisines, but there were three dishes she prepared that consistently achieved perfection: a rich, melt-in-your-mouth cornbread dressing, a satiny smooth Thanksgiving giblet gravy, and a spicy corn casserole that we couldn’t fight over later because there were never any leftovers.  She was a good dancer and had great taste in music: among her favorites were Ray Charles, Van Morrison, Aretha Franklin, and her son Robb.  She disliked shopping, particularly for clothes and shoes, and had a hard time receiving gifts—she always felt we had spent too much or bought things that were “too nice” for her.  She loved venturing out to the grocery store-- as Jason would say, “Don’t go with her to Robie’s if you’re in a hurry! Mom knows everyone in the place and they all want to stop and talk with her.”
Rita will be remembered by her family and friends for her loving and generous heart, her kindness, and her stubborn streak.   Her smile was radiant.  She was thoughtful, open minded, and gracious, with a fun-loving sense of humor and a mischievous laugh. She doted on her little dog Daisy, and Daisy adored her in return. 
If there was one quality that defined Rita and set her apart, it would have to have been her unfailing belief in redemption. She had faith that no matter how many mistakes a person made in their lives, there would always be another opportunity to start over.  She saw each day as a new beginning, and firmly believed it was never too late for someone to make a change in their life for the better.  Hope had a permanent place in her heart.
She embraced rebirth; after all, she had managed to transform herself from an unsure and overwhelmed young widow into a woman who had the strength and determination to take on hardships with courage and grace.   
Along with her children, Rita is survived by her grandchildren and their spouses: Josh Bullock (Johanna Piper),  Andrew Bullock (Andrea Orozco Carmona), Camille Bullock Pozderac (Jon,)and Melissa Moore (Jimmy); along with three great grandchildren, Sofi Bullock-Orozco, Ethan Humble, and Maya Mosley, with another great granddaughter due in the fall.   In addition, she had one great-great grandchild, Ezra Shea Humble.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Oliver V. Hebert; her father, Robert Mayard; her mother and stepfather, Eunice Menard Mayard Hebert and Fernand Hebert; and her brother, Paul Royal Mayard. 
Rita also leaves behind many loving friends and relatives, including her niece and godchild, Tami Mayard Baudoin; her uncle and aunt, Raywood and Rose Menard, their son Randy Menard, his wife Theresa, and their children.
She will be sorely missed by us all.
The family would like to thank Whitney Credeur of Hospice of Acadiana for the gentle care she gave our mother and the comfort and support she provided to us.
There will be a private viewing by the family, and then a Mass of Christian burial at 2 p.m. on Friday, June 5th at Saint Mary Magdalen church, 300 Pere Megret Street, Abbeville La.   Masks are required, and social distancing is strongly encouraged.
In lieu of flowers, Rita’s memory may be honored by sending donations to Hospice of Acadiana (hospiceofacadiana.com), or Old Dog Haven (olddoghaven.org.).  Family and friends are encouraged to share their condolences, memories, and stories in her online guestbook: @vincentfuneralhome.net
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.