RSS Feed

Article Image Alt Text

Pictured from left to right: SRT Commander Drew David, Chad’s wife Jetsy (with baby Noah) Christian, Mia, Chad, Robert Greer (Rotary) Sheriff Mike Couvillon, Annette Mudd (Rotary), and Colonel Kirk Frith

Decorated Army veteran selected by Sheriff Couvillon for award

The Abbeville Rotary Club recently presented one of their Annual Public Servant Awards to Deputy Chad Touchet of the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Each year the Sheriff’s Office is asked to nominate someone with their department who has shown service that has gone above and beyond the call of duty.
Sheriff Mike Couvillon stated, “I want to thank the Abbeville Rotary Club for presenting this award each year. Having to choose only one deputy for this type of award is always difficult because all of our deputies took the oath to protect and serve and I believe they all work very hard. However, this type of award represents those who go beyond the call of duty to keep our parish safe.
“This year, my committee recommended Deputy Chad Touchet for this award due to his daily demonstration of professionalism, his willingness to always take that extra step in his normal everyday service to the Parish, and perhaps the most important reason; his years of service to our country. I concur with my committee's recommendation for this year’s "Deputy of The Year Award " and I congratulate Deputy Touchet.”
Deputy Chad Touchet is 43 years old and was raised in Forked Island and is a graduate of Kaplan High School, class of 1994. In July 1994, Chad entered the U.S. Army as an Infantryman and attended Basic Training at Fort Benning, Georgia.
While serving in the Army for more than 22 years, he has held a variety of positions throughout his career ranging from Rifleman, Team Leader, Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, and Company First Sergeant where he was in charge of more than 140 Soldiers in both peacetime and combat operations.
During his service to the nation, he has been stationed in the United States and various places throughout the world and served for more than 4 years in combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
For his service in both combat and peacetime, Chad is the recipient of 3 Bronze Star Medals, 3 Meritorious Service Medals, 4 Army Commendation Medals, 3 Army Achievement Medals, the Iraqi Campaign Medal with 7 Campaign Stars, the Expert Infantryman's Badge, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, and 15 other various service awards and decorations.
In 2016 while stationed in Ohio, Chad retired from the U.S. Army and immediately pursued his desire to serve, by becoming a Law Enforcement Officer. He was quickly hired by the Ohio University Police Department in Athens, Ohio and immediately stood out amongst his peers. Chad is most proud of his accomplishments in the two years of service at the Police Department where his aggressive enforcement of the state drug laws resulted in more than 90 various drug related arrests.
Chad decided it was time return home to Vermilion Parish where he applied for a position as a Patrol Deputy and was hired on by Sheriff Mike Couvillon in October 2018. After successfully completing the St. Martin Sheriff's Office Basic Academy, and the Field Training Program, Deputy Touchet was assigned as a full time patrol deputy for Vermilion Parish.
In October 2019, Deputy Touchet was selected as a member of the Vermilion Parish Sheriff's Office Special Response Team (SRT) after completing a rigorous selection and screening process. Deputy Touchet attended SWAT and Sniper Training Courses and is currently assigned as the Team Sniper.
In February 2019, Deputy Touchet was also selected to serve as a Field Training Officer for the Sheriff's Office where he will be responsible to train new Deputies selected to work in the Patrol Division.
Chad is married to Jetsy Touchet where they reside in Maurice with their three children, 21 year old Christian who attends South Louisiana Community College, 16 year old Mia who attends North Vermilion High School, and their new baby Noah.

Article Image Alt Text

Linda Broussard Demette

March 4, 1948 ~ May 27, 2020

ERATH — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, May 30, 2020 at Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church, 700 S. Broadway St., Erath honoring the life of Linda Broussard Demette, 72, who passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at The Carpenter House of St. Joseph Hospice. She will be laid to rest at Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery with Fr. Andre Metrejean officiating the services. Surviving as pallbearers will be Blaze Demette, Seth Demette, Joseph Martin, Henry Demette, Drake Bourgeois and Bradeon Bourgeois. Honorary pallbearers include Troy Vice and Mike Bourgeois.
Heaven has gained the most beautiful soul. Linda was best known as “Maw Lynn” to her grandchild. Linda will always be remembered for her beautiful smile and always being well-dressed. In her spare time, she enjoyed trips to the casinos, taking a cruise, shopping, dancing and attending concerts.
Linda is survived by her husband of 54 years, Perry James Demette; three daughters, Tracy Vice and her husband, Troy of Abbeville, Rachelle Demette of Erath, and Shantelle Bourgeois and her husband, Mike of Maurice; seven grandchildren, Brooke, Blaze, Seth, Brittney, Drake and Braedon; five great grandchildren, Olivia, Gunner, Abigail, Julianna and Jensen; and brother, Hubert Broussard.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Theodore Broussard and the former Lorena Bouillion; and granddaughter, Madison Bourgeois.
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.

Article Image Alt Text

Eliza B. Roy Nezey

DELCAMBRE — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Mrs. Eliza B. Roy Nezey, the former, Eliza Broussard, 100, at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, May 30, 2020, at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church with Fr. Buddy Breaux as the Celebrant..
A visitation will be held at the church on Saturday 8:00 A.M. until the time of the funeral mass with a rosary to be recited at 9:00 A.M.
Entombment will be in the Mausoleum of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Cemetery in Delcambre, LA.
A resident of Abbeville, LA she passed at 8:01 P.M. on Sunday, May 24, 2020, at her residence.
Eliza was a member of St. Martin dePorres Catholic Church in Delcambre, LA where she was a member of the Rosary Society.
She leaves to cherish her memory, four sons, Joseph F. Roy of Delcambre, LA, John Roy (Birdie) of Baytown, TX, Albert Roy (Ruth) of Delcambre, LA and Peter N. Roy, Sr. (Carolyn) of Abbeville, LA; four daughters, Iona Roy of Port Arthur, TX, Mary Dozier Campbell, Viola Gilbert (Nolan) and Irma Marie Roy (Daniel) of Delcambre, LA; a grandchild that she loved and reared as her own, Peter N. Roy, II of Erath, LA; one brother, Avery Broussard of Lafayette, LA, 37 grandchildren, 62 great grandchildren, 58 great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Voris Nezey; parents, Joseph Broussard and Louise Boyance Broussard; five brothers, Edwin Broussard, Olias Broussard, Dominic Broussard, Caesar Broussard and Leonce Broussard and five sisters, Ida Francis, Elizabeth Broussard, Nama Robinson, Louise Comeaux and Yvonne Broussard.
Condolences may be expressed at www.fletcherfuneralhomes.org
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Home (337-369-3341) 609 West Admiral Doyle Drive, New Iberia, LA 70560.

Article Image Alt Text

Susan Scott Hebert

ERATH – Funeral Services for Mrs. Susan Scott Hebert, 58, will be held at 1:00PM on Saturday, May 30, 2020 at David Funeral Chapel of Erath with Deacon Tim Marcantel officiating. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Lourdes Mausoleum.
Visitation will be held at David Funeral Home of Erath on Saturday, May 30, 2020 from 9:00AM until time of service, with a recitation of the rosary at 11:00AM.
A native of Houma and a resident Erath, Mrs. Hebert died at 4:18AM on Thursday, May 28, 2020 at her residence. She was known for her love to cook for her family and spent time with her grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband of 42 years, Michael Hebert, Sr. of Erath; a son, Michael Hebert, Jr. and his wife Bethany of Erath; two daughters, Katrina Hebert and her husband Blake LeBlanc of Erath and Jeannie Guidry and her husband Timothy of Erath; a brother, Karen Scott; ten grandchildren, Joshawa Hebert, Trey Hebert, Drake Hebert, Devin Fuselier, Kerriann LeBlanc, Maidson Guidry, Lindsay Guidry, Allie Guidry, Serena Hebert, and Owen Hebert; and two great grandchildren, Braxton Hebert and Ahna Hebert.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Johnny and Jeanette Lachico Scott; a brother, Albert Scott; and a sister, Sally Boudreaux.
Serving as pallbearers will be Michael Hebert, Jr., Timothy Guidry, Joshawa Hebert, Drake Hebert, Blake LeBlanc, and Trey Hebert.
You may sign the guest register book and express condolences online at www.davidfuneralhome.org
David Funeral Home of Erath at 209 E. Putnam St. (337)937-0405 will be handling the arrangements.

Article Image Alt Text

New Iberia Man Killed in Two-Vehicle Crash

NEW IBERIA – Shortly after 7:30 on Thursday morning, Troopers with Troop I began investigating a two-vehicle fatality crash on LA 88 at Fremin Road.
The crash took the life of 55-year-old David Marcotte.
The preliminary investigation revealed Marcotte was traveling south on Fremin Road in a 2012 Chevrolet Colorado. For reasons still under investigation, Marcotte failed to yield and began to make a left turn onto LA 88 in front of an approaching 2005 Ford F-450. It was being driven westbound on LA 88 by 29-year-old David Bourque of St. Martinville. The vehicles collided in the intersection and although Marcotte was properly restrained, he suffered fatal injuries. Bourque was properly restrained during the crashed and suffered minor injuries. Impairment is not suspected on the part of Bourque and unknown on the part of Marcotte. A toxicology report is pending for both drivers and the crash remains under investigation.
Troopers remind motorists to always look and make sure it is clear before pulling into traffic or across intersections. Never try and “make it” across when it is unsafe to do so. While not all crashes are survivable, proper use of seat belts can greatly decrease an occupant’s chance of death and may greatly reduce the extent of injury. Louisiana law requires every vehicle occupant, front seat and back seat, to be properly restrained day or night.

DOCTORS, NOT INSURERS, SHOULD PRESCRIBE MEDICATIONS AND TREATMENT

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

As a kidney transplant surgeon and board member of the National Kidney Foundation of Louisiana, I work to treat chronic kidney patients every day to help them have a better quality of life. Their care and lives are in my hands and I take this responsibility very seriously. This is why the National Kidney Foundation of Louisiana and kidney transplant professionals and patients support HB 263 by Representative Huval to update the state's step therapy law and ensure that Louisiana patients have access to the right medicine at the right time.

Step therapy, also known as "fail first," is an insurance company practice that requires patients to try and fail one or several medications dictated by their insurer before allowing the patients to take the medicine recommended and prescribed by their provider. Step therapy protocols vary widely among insurers. Navigating an exception request to the step therapy protocol can be confusing and time consuming for patients and their healthcare providers, sometimes taking weeks or even months. Transplantation is a relatively new field and is on the cutting edge of technology. Transplantation represents the best option for the multitudes of people with kidney failure; however, these patients require life-long monitoring for complications of the transplant, including infections and rejection. The transplant physician community in the U.S. is constantly working to improve the lives of their patients and study new breakthroughs in treatment every year. Shackling a patient to an older therapy when newer therapies are being utilized not only hampers progress for these patients but can increase the risks of kidney graft losses, increasing mortality and overall costs for everyone.

Louisiana was the first state to address step therapy/fail first practices employed by health insurance companies. Since then many states, including Texas, have followed Louisiana's lead. HB 263 by State Representative Mike Huval provides reasonable updates and modernizes our current legislation.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become evident that people with chronic conditions and compromised immune systems are at higher risk of complications or death from infection. Unnecessary barriers to appropriate treatments for their underlying conditions make it more likely that these patients could need additional medical interventions or even hospitalization, placing additional burdens on an already burdened healthcare system.

Now is the logical time to support and pass HB 263 so patients can appropriately seek exceptions to 'fail first' policies and avoid the unnecessary burdens that prevent appropriate and timely care.

Anil S. Paramesh, MD, MBA, FACS
Professor of Surgery, Urology and Pediatrics,
Surgical Director, Kidney/Pancreas/Living Donor Transplantation,
Tulane University School of Medicine
New Orleans, LA

Article Image Alt Text

Ollie Trahan Noel

September 28, 1927 ~ May 23, 2020

ABBEVILLE — It is with a heavy heart that we announce the death of Ollie T. Noel, age 92. Ollie passed away on May 23, 2020 in her home with her doting daughter at her side.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, May 28, 2020 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church. She will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Father Don Bernard officiating the services.
She is survived by her daughter, Sandra H. Smith; three grandchildren, Shawn Fritz and fiancée, Tammy Cormier, Lisa Toups and husband, Mickey, and Baret Fritz; and five great grandchildren.
She was proceeded in death by the love of her life, Walter Pete Noel; her first husband and Sandra’s father, William Harrengton; her parents, Wilfred and Loretta Trahan; and her brothers; Murray Trahan, Sr. and Riley Trahan.
Ollie was a devoted Catholic and said her rosary every day. She was a homemaker, wife, mother, grandmother and aunt. She enjoyed playing cards, and she especially liked winning. She also enjoyed traveling with her best friend Kathy Chilton, where she was always the hottest babe in the crowd. She may have had 40 years on her fellow travelers, but she was irresistible to the men. Her favorite activity was spending time with her many, many friends.
She loved a good joke – the naughtier and dirtier, the better! Ollie could also take a joke. She loved to laugh, and her laugh was infectious. You could not be around Ollie and be in a bad mood.
She had an extensive vocabulary of curse words, probably more than most people learn in a lifetime. Ollie was more than the life of the party. She fed and mothered a vast extended family. There are many who were unrelated to Ollie but refer to her as mom. They tell story after story about her feeding them or taking them in when they were young.
Everyone always knew where they stood with her. She liked you or she did not, it was black or white. There were very few people that Ollie disliked. If she disliked someone, there was likely a good reason.
Ollie was beloved by most everyone. She had lots and lots of friends. She was admired and adored by them all. Once you met Ollie, you never forgot her. She was not sophisticated, but she could assess the worth of someone or something long before anyone said a word. No one, not a single soul, would want for comfort while she had a say in the matter. You could depend on her.
Ollie was a strong, determined, independent and fiercely loyal woman. There really are no words to capture the essence of Ollie. God broke the mold with her, and there will never be another like her.
All people die, but not all people live. Ollie lived, and she loved, and she laughed. She packed two lifetimes into her 92 years. She traveled, she worked, and she worked brutally hard. She cooked. She was known all over for Vermilion Parish for her fabulous culinary skills. She fell in love, mended a broken heart from the deaths of the three people she loved the most, and still put one foot in front of the other. She did so with grace, integrity and courage.
We will miss you Ollie – every second of every minute of hour of every day. We will miss the way your face lit up and the way your eyes twinkled every time you laughed. We will miss your on the mouth kisses. We will miss the long, comforting hugs. We will miss you. However, we have your memories and we know that you are thrilled to be reunited with your mom, Pete, and Riley. Give your mom a kiss. Dance to a good belly rubbin’ song with Pete and laugh until you cry with Riley. We will hold you close in our hearts forever.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Thursday, May 28, 2020 from 9:00 AM until 1:45 PM when the procession will depart for the church. A rosary will be prayed at 11:00 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.

Article Image Alt Text

Lynn Paul Thibeaux

January 27, 1944 ~ May 23, 2020

ABBEVILLE — Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, May 29, 2020 at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville honoring the life of Lynn Paul Thibeaux, 76, who died Saturday, May 23, 2020 at his residence. He will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Fr. Andre Metrejean officiating the services. Pallbearers will be Jude Mire, Kelly Mire, Chris Mire, Elvin Michaud, Ralph Hutchinson and Kevin Thibeaux. Honorary pallbearers will include the City of Abbeville Firefighters.
Lynn is survived by his wife, Elaine Thibeaux; two sisters, Deanna Touchet and Linda Ann Goutierrez and her husband Donney; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents. Joseph Olin Thibeaux and the former Alice Marie Hebert; brother, Allen Thibeaux; and brother-in-law, Jimmie Touchet.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Friday, May 29, 2020 from 9:00 AM until time of services. A a rosary being prayed at 11:00 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.

Article Image Alt Text

Gueydan Duck Festival canceled for 2020

GUEYDAN - The Gueydan Duck Festival has joined the long list of festivals being canceled because of COVID-19.
On Tuesday, Jerrod Broussard, the president of the Gueydan Duck Festival, announced the festival board of directors voted to cancel the festival, which was scheduled to be held in August.
“After much deliberation and heavy hearts, the festival board has made the very hard decision to cancel the 2020 Duck Festival,” said Broussard in a press release.
Broussard said because of the state guidelines, the board felt that it was in the best interest for the health and safety of their loyal patrons to cancel the festival.
The board of directors thanked their sponsors for being loyal throughout the year and because many may be experiencing financial hardships during the pandemic.
Broussard announced that the 2019 Gueydan Duck Festival Queen Rebekah PePretre and Teen Queen Sarah McAllister will continue their reigns and represent the Duck Festival until August of 2021.
The board of directors have already begun preparing for next year.
“Our sights are already set on preparing to make the 2020 Gueydan Duck Festival the best in history and we will work hard until then to plan out every detail to make sure that we achieve that goal,” said Broussard.
Other festivals from Vermilion Parish that have already been canceled due to the coronavirus are the Cattle Festival, Cake and Ice Cream Festival, Fourth of July Celebration and the Daylily Festival.

Article Image Alt Text

Leblanc Elementary School’s Rachelle Brown has been named a semi-finalist for State Principal of the Year.

Leblanc Elementary’s Rachelle Brown says being named State Principal of the Year semifinalist represents school

Rachelle Brown’s name is on the list of semi-finalists for the Louisiana Department of Education’s State Principal of the Year.
This comes after the Vermilion Parish School District named Brown Vermilion Parish Elementary Principal of the Year in December. Brown has served as principal at Leblanc Elementary School since 2018.
“It really is an honor to be recognized on both the district and state level,” Brown said. “It really is an unbelievable honor.”
However, as far as the Leblanc Elementary School principal is concerned, it should simply be the school’s name on the list.
Brown, one of 24 semifinalists for the 2021 Principal of the Year honor, said her inclusion on the list is the result of every facet of what everyone involved with Leblanc Elementary is accomplishing.
“Our team at Leblanc Elementary is great,” Brown said. “I feel like this recognition needs to be more about them than Rachelle Brown.”
A key member of that “team” is assistant principal Kristin Moore.
“I have such a great assistant principal,” Brown said. “We do so much as a team. Her support has been second to none. Having her by my side has been such a big part of this.”
There are so many others who play important parts.
“I really want to recognize everybody,” Brown said. “Our teachers, students, and parents are all important to make this school successful.
“It has been the perfect situation of people coming together to make this all happen.”
And there’s been plenty happening at the school.
“We took on so much in year two,” Brown said. “We took on Leader in Me and French Immersion. No one does that. Our whole staff just embraced it and everyone was on board. Everyone took a leadership role to make this work. Our parents have done their part, and our students have become little leaders.”
Whether this all leads to Brown moving on will be decided later. Brown will take part in another round of interviews and will submit both a video and a written portion of the process.
“I think we should know something in July as to who makes the final cut,” Brown said.
Brown is sure of one thing; she is happy to continue to promote Leblanc Elementary School throughout the remainder of this process.
“It’s humbling to get this recognition,” Brown said. “This is the Principal of the Year. I wish it would be for the School of the Year. Everything we have accomplished, we have accomplished together. This is such a special community and such a great place.
“This is a result of all the right people in the right place at the right time.

Pages

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