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Erath Police Chief Anna Lapointe updates School Superintendent Brad Prudhomme (back turned) on the bomb threat situation.

An Erath fire truck blocks off the street in front of Erath Middle and Erath High School.

School Superintendent Brad Prudhomme talks with members of the Vermilion Parish Sheriff Office deputies who were manning the Sheriff's command unit parked in front of Erath City Hall.

Erath schools, church cleared of bomb

Wed, 02/12/2020 - 10:32am

Erath police chief hoping to locate person who left the note by the end of the day

Update: As of 11:35 a.m. the schools and church have been cleared and the students are back in school in Erath.
Erath Police Chief Anna LaPointe will begin looking at video from the school bus where the note was found. She said she is hoping to locate who left the note by the end of the day on Wednesday.

ERATH — For the second time in less than a week, three schools in Erath had to be evacuated due to a bomb threat note found on a school bus in Erath.
At 8:15 a.m. Wednesday, school officials received the alert about the bomb threat note found another school bus that dropped off students at Dozier Elementary, Erath Middle and Erath High School.
The students and teachers returned to school by 11:30 that morning after everything was cleared.
Because it was not known at which school the note was left, all three had to be evacuated and searched for a bomb. Also, there was something different about the note found on Wednesday. It said there was a bomb located at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, which is located across the street from the high school and middle school. The church was evacuated and searched.
The students at the schools were taken to “Safe Points” locations throughout Erath.
On Monday, Erath Police Chief Anna LaPointe watched the video from the school bus where the first note was located last week. The video on the bus allegedly shows a third-grader from Dozier Elementary placing the alleged note on the floor of the bus. No criminal charges were filed against the student because the student was under the age of 10.
LaPointe was expected to watch the video from the school bus, where the second note was located.

Marguerite “Meg” Hebert Broussard

Wed, 02/12/2020 - 10:12am

March 9, 1918 ~ February 3, 2020

ABBEVILLE — Marguerite “Meg” Hebert Broussard, 101, died peacefully at Eastridge Nursing home Monday, February 3, 2020 with her beloved son, Greg by her side. She will be laid to rest with her husband in St. Mary Magdalen Cemetery. A Mass of Christian Burial officiated by Fr. François Sainte-Marie will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Catholic Church at 11:00 AM.
Meg will forever be remembered by this community for her 28 years of dedicated teaching, beginning in the small town of Wright, and her last 8 years of teaching 4th grade at just about every school in town. She was faithful to her attendance of daily Mass at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Catholic Church with her little sisters, Evelyn and “Haleen”, and was known for her sharp Bridge playing skills which she acquired at the age of 16. She met weekly with her Bridge group for many years and played to the spry age of 100. She was also loyal to a monthly sewing club for 78 years. She was a dedicated mother, devout Catholic, spectacular aunt, and a true friend to many. Meg Broussard will be forever remembered and greatly missed.
Meg is survived by her son, Gregory Broussard of Abbeville; daughter, Mary Broussard of Hammond; sister, Evelyn LeBlanc; grandchildren, Chris and Jeff Broussard; great grandchildren, Maicie Broussard, Jack and Ross Broussard and Jacob Chauncey; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lavelle Broussard; one son, Steven Henry Broussard; parents, Henry Hebert and the former Amanda Odile Mathilde Lacasse; four brothers, Henry Sylvester Hebert, Jr., Alfred J. Hebert, Robert J. Hebert, Charles “Buddy” Hebert; and five sisters, Adeline “Tee Soeur” Sims, Yvonne deGraauw, Alice Gordon, and Helen Pearson; and cousins, Rose and Malou Lacasse.
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.

Larry Pillette

Wed, 02/12/2020 - 10:05am

ABBEVILLE — Memorial services for Larry James Pillette will be held Thursday, February 13, 2020 from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 noon at Kinchen Funeral Home – 218 North St. Valerie Street.
Larry Pillette (77) a native of Erath and a long-time resident of Abbeville, LA passed away on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at his residence. He was a retired oilfield worker and also owned a landscaping business. He was a great father and an amazing friend.
He leaves to mourn his passing his children: daughter Amber Alexis (Josh) of Abbeville, LA; son Derell Alexis of Abbeville, LA; five (5) grandchildren: Ambriana Vallien, Ly’nia Vallien, Joshua Broussard, A’mia Broussard and Kayden Alexis.
He was preceded in death by his wife Marion D. Pillette; his parents Walter J. Pillette and Rosebell Robertson; his sister Veronica Pillette Jacquet and his brother Kenneth Pillette.
Kinchen Funeral Home of Abbeville –(337) 898-9595 – is in charge of final arrangements. Additionally, condolences to the family may be expressed on our website at: www.kinchenfuneralhome.com.

Dallas J. Trahan

Wed, 02/12/2020 - 9:53am

May 11, 1927 ~ February 10, 2020

KAPLAN — Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, February 13, 2020 at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan honoring the life of Dallas Joseph Trahan, 92, who died Monday, February 10, 2020 at Kaplan Healthcare Center. He will be laid to rest at St. Alphonsus Cemetery with Reverend Mark Miley officiating the services.
He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Gussie LeBlanc Trahan of Kaplan; his son, Larry Trahan and his wife, Charlene of Abbeville; his daughter, Doris and her husband, Gail LeMaire of Kaplan; his five grandsons, Kent LeMaire, Doyle LeMaire, Brady Trahan, Jacob Trahan, and Chad Trahan; his eight great grandchildren, his two great-great grandchildren; his sister, Sable and her husband, Cliff Lasalle of Kaplan; and his two brothers, Dudley Trahan and his wife, Dolores of Maurice and Douglas Trahan of Maurice.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elias Trahan and the former Elia Broussard; his two brothers, Andrew Trahan and Issac Doucet; and his two sisters, Eula Mae Harrington and Adele Hardy.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan, 300 N. Eleazar Ave., on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 from 2:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM; Thursday, February 13, 2020 from 8:00 AM until the time of the services at 11:00 AM.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Kaplan, (337) 643-7276 [Service Information 225-5276]. Condolences may be sent to the Trahan family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.

Donald Ray Wadlington

Wed, 02/12/2020 - 8:47am

December 15, 1947 ~ February 11, 2020

ABBEVILLE — Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, February 13, 2020 at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville honoring the life of Donald Ray Wadlington, 72, who died Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at his residence. He will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Pastor Scott Crosby officiating the services. Pallbearers will be Jordon Hoke, Corey Menard, Caleb Doss, Nichalos Fish, Timmy Schexnaider, and Jordon Trahan. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Greyson Hoke, Carter Turner, Landon Falgout, and Wyatt Falgout.
Donald is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Wadlington; four sons, James Falgout and his wife Debby, Dale Gaspard, William “Jr.” Gaspard, and Chris Gaspard; daughters, Torie Fish and her husband Nichalos, Sueann Gaspsard, and Jessie Jean Falgout; special daughter, Nhung Pham; sisters, Cathy Duhon and her husband Dexter, Sarah Cessac and her husband Rickey, and Barbara Doss; grandchildren, Paige Trahan, Ahlia Trahan, Jordon Trahan, Taylor Hoke, Katelynn Gaspard, Jamie Falgout, Linda Falgout, Landon Falgout, Danielle Falgout, Jeighla Falgout, James Falgout II, Sabrina Roy, Tabatha Luquette, Chris Roy, Ashley Roy, Lani Roy, Misty Roy, Christopher Gaspard, Nicole Gaspard, Kayla Gaspard, Willis Gaspard; and eight great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Linda Broussard Wadlington; mother, Lynnette Wadlington; father, Ernest Wadlington; brother, Ernest Pete Wadlington.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 from 10:00 AM until 10:00 PM; Thursday, February 13, 2020 from 8:00 AM until time of services.
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.

Cheryl Agnes “Kitty” LeBlanc

Tue, 02/11/2020 - 2:38pm

January 8, 1947 – February 3, 2020

With heavy hearts, we announce that Cheryl Agnes “Kitty” LeBlanc, 73, passed away on Monday morning, February 3, 2020, at Lafayette General Hospital. In keeping with her wishes, she will simply have a private graveside service officiated by Fr. Andre Metrejean.
Born in Port Arthur, Texas, Kitty lived most of her life in the Gross Isle area near Abbeville. She was a devoted wife, mother, and aunt who enjoyed cooking and spending time with (and helping) family and friends. She also looked forward to monthly lunch dates with her classmates. A talented and experienced seamstress, she sewed in different capacities in the retail industry and, in recent years, ran her own alteration service. Always interested in promoting the city of Erath, she used her creative skills and talents to complete several “town” projects. She designed a flag for the Town of Erath and personally sewed it over a period of many years before it was officially dedicated in 1996. She also designed the original sign that hung over the Acadian Museum. While her 1999 Centennial Celebration mural depicting a 33 cents United States Postal Stamp is still displayed at Erath City Hall, her painted mural of the old Erath water tower (and the list of names honoring the hurricane victims who died when the tower collapsed in Hurricane Hilda) was displayed along with other local artists’ murals for many years on another downtown building before the building was sold and refurbished. A poem that Kitty wrote about Erath was once featured on t-shirts and postcards that were distributed through her place of business at the time. She was a member of the Erath 4th of July Association. Kitty also worked with Abbeville’s Giant Omelette Celebration by making the Chevaliers’ hats for many years.
Kitty is survived by her husband of 55 years, Jude Leotard LeBlanc, and three sons: Quince LeBlanc of New Iberia; Chris LeBlanc of Abbeville; and Nathan LeBlanc and his wife, Shana, of Abbeville; as well as three grandchildren, Brittney Howell and her husband, Richard; Griffin LeBlanc, and Pierce LeBlanc, and two great grandchildren, Sawyer Howell and Madelyn Howell. She is also survived by her brother, Adam M. Toups and his wife, Frances; a sister-in-law, Kathy Toups; and several nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents Adam and Myrtice Toups; a brother, Davie Toups; and a sister, Phyllis Toups.

Jude Leotard LeBlanc

Tue, 02/11/2020 - 2:33pm

September 2, 1943 – February 3, 2020

With great sadness, we announce that Jude Leotard LeBlanc, 76, passed away on Monday evening, February 3, 2020, at his residence. In keeping with his wishes, he will simply have a private graveside service officiated by Fr. Andre Metrejean.
Jude was born, raised, and lived in the Erath area all of his life. He was a quiet, thoughtful, loving husband and father. He was a man of few words, but he loved to laugh. Moments of laughter in and around the house could often be heard from afar. Through the years, he lived for the children in his life and worked in multiple capacities as a construction worker.
Jude is survived by three sons: Quince LeBlanc of New Iberia; Chris LeBlanc of Abbeville; and Nathan LeBlanc and his wife, Shana, of Abbeville; as well as three grandchildren, Brittany Howell and her husband, Richard; Griffin LeBlanc, and Pierce LeBlanc, and two great grandchildren, Sawyer Howell, and Madelyn Howell. He is also survived by a sister, Clodora “Pookie” LeBlanc Comeaux, a sister-in-law, Mary LeBlanc, and several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Cheryl Agnes “Kitty” LeBlanc; his parents Leotard and Eula M. LeBlanc LeBlanc; a brother, Ashton LeBlanc; and a sister Ludie LeBlanc Bouillion, and her husband, Dennis Bouillion.

Norma White Dugas

Tue, 02/11/2020 - 1:22pm

April 4, 1939 - February 8, 2020

ERATH – The life of Norma White Dugas will be celebrated in a Mass of Christian burial at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 12, 2020, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Erath. Monsignor Douglas Courville, JCL, pastor of St. Stephen Church in Berwick, Louisiana, will be the celebrant of the Mass, and will conduct the funeral services. Scripture readings will be by Anna Trahan and Renèe T. Chaisson; gift bearers will be her grandchildren. Visitation will be held at David Funeral Home in Erath on Tuesday, February 11, 2020, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, February 12, 2020, from 8:00 a.m. until the time of services. Rosary will be led by Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Entombment in Our Lady of Lourdes Mausoleum will follow Mass.
Norma, 80, of Lafayette, Louisiana, died on Saturday, February 8, 2020, at Lafayette General Hospital surrounded by her family.
Born April 4, 1939, in Abbeville, Louisiana, she was the only daughter of Joseph Doris White and Ernestine Broussard White.
Following graduation from E. Broussard High School, she attended Spencer Business College. In 1955, Norma was chosen Queen of the Agriculture Festival in Erath.
On May 4, 1958, Norma married Rodney James Dugas of Erath where they made their home until moving to Lafayette, Louisiana, in 2007. Norma was employed by the Bank of Erath and Gulf Coast Bank for several years, and was a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court 1670 of Erath. In addition to being a wife, mother, and grandmother, Norma most enjoyed cooking, sewing, dancing and sharing her life within those she loved. She will be forever remembered for her beautiful smile, unwavering Christian faith, and kind heart.
Norma is survived by her devoted husband of 62 years, Rodney James Dugas; two sons Jude Gerard and wife Donna-Sue of Lafayette; Mitchell Gerard and wife Rachel of Gulf Breeze, Florida; two granddaughters, Sophie Lin and Melody Grace; two grandsons, Joseph Parker and James Clark; two nieces, Charmaine (Stan) Swearingen and Anna (Fred) Trahan; three nephews, James White, John (Sandy) Trahan, and Donald (Tina) Trahan; sister-in-law and husband, Elsie Faye and Carlin Trahan, along with friends and extended family.
Norma was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Doris White and Ernestine Broussard White; her infant son, Jason Edmond Dugas; brother, Eldridge White; mother-in-law, Leurline T. Dugas; father-in-law, Eluse E. Dugas; and niece, Elizabeth Trahan Korf.
Pallbearers will be her son Mitchell; nephews John David Trahan, Donald Emile Trahan, Nathan Jerome Thibodeaux, Edward James Thibodeaux; and dear friend Edson L. Davis, Jr. Honorary pallbearer is Michael LeBlanc.
The family would like to express their gratitude to friends Brenda Calkins and Cherelle Thibodeaux and to Dr. Michael Cain, Dr. Jason Breaux, Dr. Bradley Chastant II, Dr. Jody Rosson, Dr. Michael Alexander, First Option Home Health and the many nurses at Lafayette General Hospital for their commitment and care.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
You may sign the guest register book and express condolences online at www.davidfuneralhome.org
David Funeral Home of Erath, 209 East Putnam Street, (337) 937-0405 is in charge of arrangements.

Seniors Rachel Bui and Phuong Duong are good friends at Abbeville High School. They told each other they each made a 35 on the ACT and both are going to LSU next semester.

35: Two Abbeville High seniors just missed getting perfect ACT score by one point

Tue, 02/11/2020 - 11:12am

Rachel Bui and Phuong Duong are two Abbeville High School Seniors who missed making a perfect score on the ACT ...

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OPELOUSAS MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO BURNING 3 BAPTIST CHURCHES IN ST. LANDRY PARISH

Tue, 02/11/2020 - 9:29am

LAFAYETTE — U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that Holden Matthews, 22, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Lafayette to intentionally setting fire to three Baptist churches because of the religious character of those buildings. Specifically, Matthews pleaded guilty to three counts of violating the Church Arson Prevention Act—one count for each church—as well as one count of using fire to commit a federal felony. The fires, which Matthews set over a ten-day period in March and April of 2019, completely destroyed each of the church buildings. United States District Court Judge Robert R. Summerhays presided over the hearing.
At the plea hearing, Matthews admitted that, between March 26 and April 4, 2019, he intentionally set fire to three Baptist churches with predominantly African-American congregations in the Opelousas, Louisiana area. First, on March 26, 2019, Matthews set fire to St. Mary Baptist Church in Port Barre, Louisiana. Next, on April 2, 2019, Matthews set fire to the Greater Union Baptist Church, in Opelousas, Louisiana. Then, on April 4, 2019, Matthews set fire to the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Opelousas, Louisiana. The fires Matthews set destroyed each of the church buildings. Matthews admitted to setting the fires because of the religious character of these buildings, in an effort to raise his profile as a “Black Metal” musician by copying similar crimes committed in Norway in the 1990s. Matthews further admitted that, after setting the third fire, he posted photographs and videos on Facebook that showed the first two churches burning. Matthews admitted that he had taken these photographs and videos in real time on his cell phone, as he watched those churches burn, and that he had posted them to Facebook in an effort to promote himself in the Black Metal community.
“Today, the defendant has taken responsibility for the burning and destruction of three of our churches,” said U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph. “The freedom to safely congregate and worship in our churches is a fundamental right of all Americans and will be vigorously protected by my office and our law enforcement partners. I want to thank the ATF, FBI, St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office, St. Landry Parish Fire Department, Louisiana State Fire Marshal, Louisiana Attorney General’s Cybercrime Unit, Louisiana State Police, and the Florida State Fire Marshal for their hard work and seamless collaboration on this case.”
“The Department of Justice will remain unwavering in its protection of the freedom to practice religion without the threat of discrimination or violence,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “Matthews admitted to setting fire to three churches because of their religious character. His disgraceful conduct violated the civil rights of the church’s parishioners and harmed their communities.”
“Protecting our communities is a vital part of our mission,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn. “ATF will continue to provide expertise and resources to investigate arson at houses of worship which threaten the well-being of our communities. I would like to thank all of our law enforcement partners for working tirelessly to ensure justice will be served.”
“Holden Matthews made a conscious decision to randomly target and destroy churches within his own community,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Bryan Vorndran. “His atrocious actions inflicted severe pain and grief upon these congregations, as well as all of St. Landry Parish. Throughout this investigation, the men and women of the FBI, ATF, Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office, St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office, St. Landry Parish District Attorney’s Office, Louisiana State Police, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry’s Cybercrime Unit, and the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office worked tirelessly to bring Holden Matthews to justice.”
Matthews will be sentenced on May 22, 2020. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, and a statutory maximum sentence of 70 years in prison.
This case was investigated by the ATF’s National Response Team, the Lafayette Satellite Office of the ATF’s New Orleans Field Division, the Lafayette Resident Agency of the FBI’s New Orleans Field Office, the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal, the Louisiana State Police, the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation’s Cyber Crimes Unit, the St. Landry Parish Fire Department, and the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Luke Walker, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana, and Trial Attorney Risa Berkower of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
For more information about the Department of Justice’s work to combat and prevent hate crimes, visit www.justice.gov/hatecrimes: a one-stop portal with links to Department of Justice hate crimes resources for law enforcement, media, researchers, victims, advocacy groups, and other organizations and individuals.

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Erath schools, church cleared of bomb

Marguerite “Meg” Hebert Broussard

Larry Pillette

Dallas J. Trahan

Donald Ray Wadlington

Cheryl Agnes “Kitty” LeBlanc

Jude Leotard LeBlanc

Norma White Dugas

35: Two Abbeville High seniors just missed getting perfect ACT score by one point

OPELOUSAS MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO BURNING 3 BAPTIST CHURCHES IN ST. LANDRY PARISH

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