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BATON ROUGE — Gov. John Bel Edwards is requesting a major disaster declaration for the State of Louisiana as the number of cases of COVID-19 grows and the state’s efforts to combat the spread of illness intensifies. The declaration would allow the federal government to provide additional support for state and local agencies in dealing with this growing public health threat.
“It is still impossible to know exactly how long the COVID-19 pandemic will impact Louisiana, but what we do know is that we have more cases per capita than every state, except for New York and Washington. Sadly, 34 people have died in Louisiana and our case count continues to rise, which is why we need additional federal aid,” Edwards said.
“We have overwhelmed our stocks of key resources needed for our hospitals, first responders and emergency managers. There will be a long-lasting impact on the state of Louisiana, and we have taken aggressive mitigation measures to fight the spread of COVID-19. I have been appreciative of the support of the federal government, especially Vice President Mike Pence’s COVID-19 task force, and I am hopeful FEMA will quickly approve our request as we continue our response and work towards recovery.”

June 30, 1945 ~ March 21, 2020

KAPLAN — Private graveside services will be held honoring the life of John “Poppa John” Krmenec, 74, who died Saturday, March 21, 2020 at his residence. He will be laid to rest at Cossinade Cemetery with Pastor Lane Payne officiating the services.
He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Freida Mathews Krmenec of Kaplan; his three sons, John Michael Krnenec and his wife, Deanie of West Monroe, John Lyle Herpin and his wife. Krystal of Valdosta, GA and Danny Herpin and his wife, Ty Walsh of Maurice; his two daughters, Dora and her husband, Bob Carr of Fort Walton Beach, FL, and Jeanne and her husband, Kent LeMaire of Kaplan; his daughter-in-law, Sharon Herpin; his six sisters, his two brothers, his 16 grandchildren; and his 12 great granchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fernand Krmenec and the former Vivian Bryce; and his son, T-Tom Herpin.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Kaplan, (337) 643-7276.

The Abbeville Police Department is committed to the health and wellness of the city of Abbeville.
Chief of Police William Spearman said the department also needs to protect the health and wellness of its police officers so that they can continue to serve the public.
To limit the exposure to the citizens and officers during this pandemic, the Abbeville Police Department will be modifying some of our services. Effective immediately, a “Priority Dispatch” protocol is being implemented.
• No civil fingerprinting will be done. This includes, but is not limited to, CCW permits, employment fingerprinting, healthcare worker background printing, etc.
• No physical inspections on vehicles will be done
• The front lobby of the police department will be closed to the general public. For walk-in complaints, there is a camera and intercom system already in place. An officer will get the information and will handle the complaint outside of the office.
• Non-emergency calls for service, such as complaints where a suspect is no longer present, or the crime has already occurred shall be handled by an officer over the phone.
• Citizens are being asked to obey the state mandated “stay at home order”.
Emergency calls or crimes in progress will still be dispatched to patrol officers. Incidents which may require an on-scene investigation will also be responded to as necessary. The Abbeville Police Department will remain in constant contact with other emergency groups, and when prudent, will return to our normal services. Chief Spearman would like to thank the citizens of Abbeville for their cooperation and understanding in this trying time.

One school board member accused the school board president and the superintendent of allegedly breaking the law regarding to the start of the “grab and go” meal program this past week.
On Thursday a special board meeting was held to try and pass an emergency resolution. The emergency resolution lets the superintendent make decisions about the school system without getting school board approval during the coronavirus crises.
Thursday night, the emergency resolution was shot down, 4-3, because of specific verbage in the resolution. Another special meeting was called for Friday night, for after the wording has been changed in the emergency declaration, and it is expected to pass.
However, at Thursday’s meeting, school board member Chris Gautreaux, questioned who gave Superintendent Brad Prudhomme the authority to start the meals program and to promise lunchroom workers extra money for cooking the meals?
“First of all, I can not support this resolution, based on a few things,” said Gautreaux. “The reason I can not support this is that I have a trail of emails saying that most of this has already been decided without board approval. There is nowhere in the governor’s declaration of emergency that says the president or the superintendent has the right to make decisions for the board and or spend money for the board. Based on those reasons alone, I am taking these emails to the proper authorities because I think there is an abuse of power or malfeasance in office.”
What Gautreaux is referring to is the start-up of the “grab and go” meal program that began Wednesday morning. More than 500 students have been fed at six different schools. Gautreaux said School Board President Kibbie Pillette should have called a quick board meeting so the board could have approved spending the money for the meals program. Instead, Gautreaux said Pillette said all school board meetings were canceled.
“Why all of a sudden do we have a board meeting?” asked Gautreaux.
Pillette said state officials asked that all school boards in the state pass this resolution.
“So you passed a resolution after everything is implemented and after we started spending money?” Gautreaux replied. “Why did we not have a meeting on Monday or Tuesday like most school boards did? Good leaders rise to the top. They do not cancel everything.
“Now we are in a pickle. I am not going to be a part of a cover up. This is a cover up,” said Gautreaux. “This is a cover up; to cover up, you all spending money without board approval.”
Gautreaux also wanted to know who promised lunchroom workers “hazard pay” for cooking meals for the meals program?
“How can you promise hazard pay when it is not board approved?” asked Gautreaux. “What budget item is it going to come from? Do they deserve the pay? Yes. How can all of these decisions be made? They are made by the president who has no authority. Voting on the phone, which is illegal.”
Gautreaux reminded everyone that his questions are not directed towards stopping kids from eating in Vermilion Parish. It is about “possible abuse” of power, he said.
Gautreaux closed the meeting by saying, this is in the school board member commentary.
“You can continue to act unilaterally and politicize the students’ future, but as long as I am on this board, I will hold all of you accountable and never allow you to suppress the parents and kids’ voice,” Gautreaux said.
Prudhomme and Pillette did not respond to Gautreaux’s questions during Thursday’s meeting.
Prudhomme said the school district will continue to serve the meals as long as they are allowed. He thanked everyone for helping serve the meals.