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The Center Square/David Jacobs

On the first day of the 2020 legislative session Monday, the first of his second term, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards stressed “investments in education at every level” during his State of the State address.
“I know that it’s going to take some time to fully recover from years of budget cuts and stagnant funding in education,” he said. “But we need to demonstrate to students, to parents and to educators that we are serious when we say we aren’t going back.”
Early childhood education is the “number one priority” of his second term, he said, calling for $25 million in new funding. He is also calling for an additional $39 million for K-12 education, which he is urging school systems to dedicate to teacher raises as part of a process begun last year to increase teacher pay to at least the regional average.
Edwards is proposing a $30 million increase for higher education while funding the TOPS and Go Grant scholarship programs “at their highest level ever.”
“For ten years, Louisiana disinvested in higher education more than anywhere else in the country, and we suffered the consequences,” he said. “For the next 10 years, let’s commit to reinvesting in higher education in order to strengthen our state.”
Edwards also wants to expand the number of Jobs for America’s Graduates programs, which serves at-risk youth, from 124 to 200 by the end of his second term.
Edwards stressed the importance of diversifying the economy. He said his newly formed rural revitalization advisory council will focus on “everything from better broadband and infrastructure to more opportunities for apprenticeship programs and dual enrollment.”
Edwards will push for legislation that would establish a state minimum wage of $9 per hour Jan. 1 that rises to $10 an hour six months later. Another bill he supports seeks to prohibit employers from retaliating against employees who discuss or disclose their salary, and bar employers from asking an applicant’s salary history as a condition of employment.
Studies show that pay transparency leads to more equity in how much employees are paid, he said.
“It is simply unacceptable that Louisiana continues to have the largest gender pay gap in the country,” Edwards said. “Quite frankly, I’m ashamed of that. All of us should be ashamed.”
Louisiana maternal mortality rates exceed the national average, and black women are four times more likely to experience a pregnancy-related death, he said. Edwards plans to enact a Maternal Mortality Review to ensure that any hospital or birthing center has written policies and procedures to investigate any maternal death and to do so in a timely manner.
Edwards also is supporting a series of bills by state Sen. Jay Luneau that would ban auto insurance companies from basing rates on gender, credit score, losing a spouse or being deployed in the military. Auto insurance rates should be based on driving records, he argues.
“If in addition to real insurance reform you want to pursue other efforts, I am willing to sit down with you and discuss with a goal of finding common ground,” Edwards said, presumably referring to various changes to the state’s civil legal system some legislators say could lead to lower rates.
Near the end of his speech, he urged lawmakers to work with him to encourage Louisiana residents to participate in the 2020 Census.
“Despite the obvious challenges that we face, I am as optimistic as ever about the future of this great state,” Edwards said. “And I look forward to forging new partnerships this session as we enter a new year, a new term, and a new chapter for Louisiana.”

On March 9, at approximately 12:43 p.m., officers from the Abbeville Police Department received information of a threat made against Abbeville High School.
​Officers immediately took action, securing the school. Officers worked with school officials, Vermilion Parish School Board Superintendent Brad Prudhomme, Vermilion Parish School Board Staff, Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office and K9 handlers from LA K9 to assure that all of the children and school staff were able to safely leave the school.
​An investigation is being conducted by the detective division of the Abbeville Police Department. No arrests have been made at this time. The details of the threat are not being released.
Abbeville Chief of Police William Spearman would like to commend his officers for a job well done. Chief Spearman would also like to thank the citizens of Abbeville for their support and help they provide to the Abbeville Police Department.
​Chief Spearman would also like to remind all of the citizens that we are there, 24 hours a day, to serve you. We encourage all of our citizens to stay vigilant and contact us if you need. In addition to dialing 911, you can contact us at 893-2511. You may contact our “Tips” line at 892-6777. All callers may remain anonymous. Citizens may also send anonymous tips through the Tip411 system at the department’s Facebook page @ www.facebook.com/AbbevillePolice Department/, the official web page @ www.abbevillepd.com by clicking on the “Submit a Tip” link provided or through the official Abbeville Police Department app, which can be downloaded through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Lawrence John Trahan (76), died Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at his home in the country, which he fondly called “the best place in the world.” Holding his hand during his final days was his devoted wife of 53 years, RoyLynn.
He was known during his life by many names: Lawrence to his wife, Daddy to his four daughters, Poppa to his ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and “Doc” to the many farmers and ag industry people who gathered around the table at Crowley Grain throughout the years.
Lawrence was born in Morse on September 27, 1943 to the late Anniss and Walter Trahan. He was the youngest of five children and graduated from Midland High in 1962. During the Vietnam War he joined the Air Force and was stationed in Topeka, Kansas from 1962-1966 and completed his service with a rank of Airman 1st Class.
Following his years in the service, he returned to Louisiana and married RoyLynn in 1966. He went on to complete his degree in agronomy from McNeese State University. His love of the land and farming led him to work in the agricultural industry and purchase Crowley Grain Drier in 1991, where he had worked as an agronomist and field consultant since 1976. He was often referred to as “Doc” by farmers in this area for his expertise in diagnosing their rice crop’s needs and traveling miles each day checking their fields.
He was a man of few words, and most who heard his quiet speech took what he said to heart. He was generous and took care of many families, farmers and friends in need. His love of farming led him to grow a big garden each season and share its bounty with friends and neighbors. When the pace of his life began to slow down, he could often be found mowing his pasture or tending his beautiful rose bushes on his 10 acres in Acadia Parish.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Anniss Istre Trahan Broussard and Walter Joseph Trahan, his stepfather, Caroll Broussard, his sister and brother-in-law, Irene and Roy Trahan, another brother-in-law Joseph Simon, and his son-in-law, Darren Martin.
Left behind are his wife RoyLynn Schexnyder Trahan, his four daughters, Andrea Trahan and her husband Dave, Julie Maust and her husband Jay, Alice Frank and her husband Ted, Jeanne Marcantel and her husband Jerome, his grandchildren, Nadia Farque and her husband Jared, Hailey McPherson and her husband Jake, Zachary and Erin Trahan, Claudia and Andrew Frank, Max and Edith Marcantel, two step-grandchildren, London Maust Hannan and Sierra Maust, his great-grandchildren Joey, Hayden and Hadleigh Farque. He is also survived by his siblings Mary Simon of Leesville, Joseph Trahan of Baton Rouge, and his brother and sister-in-law Carl and Lissette Trahan of Lafayette and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held at Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home on Sunday, March 8, 2020 from 3:00-9:00 p.m. With the Divine Mercy Chaplet sung at 4:00 and a Rosary recited at 6:00 pm. Visitation continued on Monday from 8:00 am until 9:30 am. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Margaret Catholic Church in Estherwood on Monday, March 9, 2020 at 10:00 am with interment at Woodlawn Mausoleum. Father Randall Moreau celebrated the service. Pallbearers included Dave Trahan, Zachary Trahan, Max Marcantel, Michael Trahan, Jimmy Simon and Derek Myers.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Margaret’s Catholic Church in Estherwood.
The family would like to thank St. Joseph Hospice, Kayla Schexnayder, Tara Patin, Victoria Ortego and Shantella Touchet who helped care for him in his final days, and all of you who called, visited and prayed so devotedly throughout his illness.

The Junior Auxiliary of Abbeville held its annual “JA Jewels” prom dress service project at Magdalen Place.
Junior and Senior girls of Vermilion Parish were invited by invitation to shop prom essentials in a boutique atmosphere at no cost to their families.
With a total of 60 invitations distributed, 28 were provided with formals, shoes, jewelry and handbags. Once the recipients chose their dress, they were steamed and alterations were provided onsite as well as dry cleaning if needed.
All of the supplies that were provided were at no cost to the ladies and their families. Attendees are always grateful and in “awe” upon entering the event.
The ladies of Junior Auxiliary are grateful to the Sonnier’s of Magdalen Place for offering their beautiful space for the project and Joyce Armentor who joins the ladies for alterations during the event and after.
Having the opportunity to help these young ladies find the perfect dress, shoes, and accessories with no financial worry is phenomenal. We look forward to the event every year.
Learn more about the Junior Auxiliary of Abbeville and their mission to render charitable services that are beneficial to the children of Vermilion Parish at www.jaofabbeville.org