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Students and staff of three Erath schools were evacuated Friday because of a bomb threat note written allegedly by a student from Dozier Elementary, according to Erath Police Chief Anna LaPointe.
On Monday, the Erath police viewed video from the bus where the note was found and determined it was a student under the age of 10-years-old, who allegedly wrote and left the note.
No criminal charges will be filed against the child because the child was under the age of 10, LaPointe said.
She did not release the name of the student because of the age of the student.
Friday morning, law enforcement was called to Erath after someone located a bomb note on a school bus. Law enforcement was not sure what student wrote the note because the bus drops off students at three different schools, Dozier Elementary, Erath Middle, and Erath High School.
The Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office searched all three schools in search of a bomb. None was found, and students went back to class by noon.
On Friday, interim Superintendent Brad Prudhomme said he would like to thank the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Erath Police Department, and the Mayor of Erath for their assistance in the evacuation of our schools. He would also like to thank the parents for their continued trust and support in our efforts to keep their children safe. Administrators, teachers, staff, and student body followed their school’s emergency plan efficiently and are to be commended.

Walk into North Vermilion High School, and you will see a bunch of shoes stacked up against the wall. It looks like North Vermilion has a shoe drive. But if you go closer to the shoes, you will learn they are not real shoes.
Instead, the shoes are made of plaster and cardboard and painted to look like real shoes. The reason they are there is that they are part of a sculpture created by the four art classes at North Vermilion. The sculpture will be on display by the office for the next couple of weeks.
Teacher Kelly deClouet and her classes spent three weeks creating 150 pairs of different shoes in remembrance of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which was on Jan. 27.
On top of the shoes, taped to the wall are pictures of the Holocaust and a brief explanation of what the shoes represent.
The words: “Each shoe represents 33,000 people who were killed in the concentration camps because they were deemed “Life not worthy of Life.” These included Jews, Jehovah’s Witnesses, homosexuals, criminals, handicapped people, political prisoners, gypsies and more. Never Forget.”
“We decided we should do something for the Holocaust,” said deClouet. “I have heard of shoe projects that pay tribute to Holocaust victims. My students were excited to make present-day shoes. This is what it would look like if the Holocaust would happen today.”
The pile of shoes has baby shoes, kid shoes, sandals, Crocs, sneakers and dress shoes. Every pair of shoes is different.
The Art 4 class lined up the shoes to make sure at least one shoe of the 150 pairs of shoes are on display. In front of the shoes is a wire that represents barbed wire, which surrounded the camps.
“The kids loved it,” said deClouet.

October 16, 1929 ~ January 25, 2020

PILLAR OF ABBEVILLE EMMET PUTNAM PASSES AWAY

In the late afternoon on Saturday, January 25, 2020, Emmet Perkins Putnam III passed away peacefully with his family by his side from complications related to Parkinson’s Disease. He is preceded in death by his parents, Emmet Perkins Putnam, Jr. and Ruth Argue Putnam; his sister, Lise Putnam Liddell; and his brother, George Argue Putnam.
He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Marilyn Fisch Putnam; his son, Emmet McWhan Putnam; his daughter, Marilyn Putnam Penn (Irven); and his sister, Ruth Putnam Carter.
Emmet was born on October 16, 1929. He grew up and attended elementary school in Abbeville. He completed preparatory school at Sewanee Military Academy in Sewanee, Tennessee. After attending Tulane University for 1 year, he transferred to Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee and graduated cum laude with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1951. While at Vanderbilt, Emmet met Marilyn “Mellie” Fisch of Atlanta, Georgia and at the time of his graduation, they were engaged to be married.
Not long after their wedding in the summer of 1952, the young couple moved to Denver, Colorado, where Emmet joined Lumber Dealers, Incorporated (LDI), a lumber millwork manufacturing firm.
During the Korean Conflict, Emmet served in the Army Air Force Corps of Engineers, stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Anchorage, Alaska, from 1953-1955. He was an engineer and builder of U.S. airbase landing strips.
At the end of his military service in 1955, Emmet found himself at a crucial crossroad. Witnessing the struggles of his father during his later years pained Emmet greatly and he made the decision to move back to Abbeville to join his father in running Abbeville Lumber Company rather than return to Denver. Emmet worked as a builder and contractor. He built many fine homes and commercial buildings. The two were soon joined by his brother, George Putnam. Together they grew the business and later expanded to the Jacqulyn Street location in 1975. From 1963 on, Emmet served as President and CEO of Abbeville Lumber Company.
Throughout his tenure as President and CEO of Abbeville Lumber Company, Emmet was a member of Allied Building Stores (ABS), a regional lumber dealer buying co-op. He served on the Board of ABS from 1975 to at least 1983 and as Chairman of the Board from 1978-1980. At the annual meeting in Monroe, Louisiana approximately 10 years ago, Emmet was honored for his longstanding and dedicated service to the organization.
In 1967, Emmet’s brother started building offshore living quarters. That vision expanded into a new venture which became Abbeville Offshore Quarters. Later, Emmet’s nephew joined them as a full partner. Capitalizing on each other’s strengths, coupled with a deep trust and respect for one another, together they forged two successful interrelated partnerships. With Emmet at the helm of Abbeville Lumber Company and George at the helm of Abbeville Offshore Quarters, the partnerships thrived and endured through the eventual sale of both businesses.
One of the great joys of his professional life for nearly 50 years was his role as a Founding and Organizing Board Member of Gulf Coast Bank. From February 1971 through his retirement from the Board in 2018, Emmet enjoyed being an integral part of the development, growth and expansion of the bank. He cherished his relationships with the Patout family, fellow Board Members and employees of the bank.
Emmet also had a long history of civic and community involvement. He was active in the Abbeville Chamber of Commerce; Kiwanis Club; and as a member of the Session of First Presbyterian Church of Abbeville. He served on the Vermilion Parish Library Board for many years and was Chairman of the Board in 1983.
An avid outdoorsman and birder, Emmet delighted in sharing his love of the outdoors with his family. He took them on many trips and adventures locally and nationally over the years. He supported local and national conservation and wildlife preservation efforts through Ducks Unlimited, The Audubon Society and The Nature Conservancy and was involved in local chapters.
Born just prior to the stock market crash of 1929, the turbulent economic times of the Great Depression bore a significant impact on Emmet’s young mind. That period served to instill and solidify his conservative values and shaped his outlook on life. He grew up knowing the value of a dollar and was very disciplined in his handling of finances. In fact, when he was about to be married, his own father, Emmet Putnam, Jr. said to his son’s betrothed, “Mellie, I feel sorry for you. Emmet hates to let it go.” It must be said, however, that rules of fiscal responsibility did not apply when it came to hunting and fishing!
The Emmet Putnam philosophy of life, at its core, was basically this: there is no problem in life that cannot be solved by hard work and exercise, a philosophy which he lived with every fiber of his being, to the best of his ability, for his entire adult life. He did everything at full speed. He could not sit still. He was in constant motion and rarely allowed himself an idle moment.
As a Civil Engineer by training, Emmet had exacting, perfectionistic standards in his work and believed in doing things right the first time. He exhibited little patience or tolerance for those who were willing to settle for anything less. On a side note, any behavioral shortcomings or character flaws that manifested in his children did not come from him.
Throughout his working years, Emmet held a genuine affection and admiration for the many fine carpenters, craftsmen and tradesmen with whom he had the opportunity to work. Stories of those rugged individuals became legend. Rest assured, he remembered you all, including those active during his father’s days, and thoroughly enjoyed the occasions when he crossed your path around town.
There was not much in life that Emmet enjoyed or appreciated more than a good story. His laugh could often be heard well above the crowd at social gatherings. He loved to share repeatedly, every chance he got, tales of the characters who were his parents’ friends; childhood adventures with his buddies; hunting and fishing trips, local and international, with cousins and friends; birdwatching trips with close friends; crab boils and crawfish boils out at the camp in Intracoastal City; water skiing on Schooner Bayou; the larger-than-life outrageous friends who were infamous jokesters and storytellers themselves; and the annual Texas deer hunting trips. He would always start with, “Didn’t I tell you that story?” or “Did I ever tell you the story about…?” and it would go from there.
The older brother of the Putnam triplets, Emmet was the self-appointed, quintessential big brother. He shepherded the family through matters that concerned them collectively and always kept a watchful eye out whether they needed it or not. The bond of family was sacred to him, unshakeable. He would allow nothing to come between he and his siblings that posed a threat to their relationships.
Following his diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease in 2007, Emmet waged a valiant effort to fight the symptoms with which he had to contend. He did so with grit and determination. Were it not for the debilitating effects of his illness, he very likely would have lived another decade. In the end, his physical body lacked the reserves to continue the fight.
Emmet Putnam was a fine gentleman. He was kind, considerate and generous. He was the rock of his entire family. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all who knew him.
The family wishes to thank all of the friends and caring members of First Presbyterian Church of Abbeville for their kind gestures and visits during Emmet’s last days.
Pallbearers will be George Argue Putnam, Jr., Thomas Brown Putnam, John Tarrant Putnam, Edward Putnam Carter, Frank Austin Liddell and Robert Bruce Liddell.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Bobby Cooper, Berry Cooper, David Moreland, Patrick Patout, Paul Patout, Wilbur Sensing and Charles Sonnier.
Visitation will be observed at Vincent Funeral Home, 209 S. St. Charles, Abbeville, Louisiana, on Friday, February 7, 2020 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
A graveside service will be held at Graceland Cemetery, Abbeville, Louisiana at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 8, 2020. Reverend James Sawyer of Baton Rouge will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Abbeville, 109 N. Louisiana Avenue, Abbeville, LA 70510.
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.

The United Way of Acadiana has named Carlee Alm-LaBar its new President/CEO of United Way of Acadiana, bringing to the organization her deep understanding of the issues and extensive community contacts.
“Over the last several years, I’ve been in positions that allowed me to see the needs and opportunities in our region. United Way of Acadiana is a perfect fit to leverage that knowledge and bring people and passion together to improve the lives of our citizens, Alm-LaBar said.
Alm-LaBar’s new position is effective February 26, although she will begin onboarding immediately. Interim President/CEO Troy Cloutier will continue to serve and aid in the transition over the next several weeks.
“United Way of Acadiana has developed a new, streamlined organizational structure over the past year,” Scott Dominque, United Way of Acadiana board chair said. “As we enter our seventy-first year of service, we are ready for Carlee’s leadership and are looking forward to a bright, strong future.”
Alm-LaBar, who recently ran for Mayor-President of Lafayette Parish as a no-party candidate, said running for office helped her get a deeper level of understanding of the issues that face Lafayette and other communities in the United Way of Acadiana service area.
“I was blessed during the campaign to have connected with so many people,” Alm-LaBar said. “United Way has an amazing history of transformative change in Acadiana, and I’m thrilled to be a part of helping our citizens thrive.”
Alm-LaBar was most recently the Director of Traditional Neighborhood Developments for Southern Lifestyle Development. She worked for Lafayette Consolidated Government for eight years, serving in the Mayor-President’s office under Joey Durel and then Joel Robideaux, who appointed her the Director of Development and Planning. Prior to her roles in government, she worked more than eight years in the nonprofit sector. She is a graduate of Leadership Louisiana, a current board member and past chair of Leadership Institute of Acadiana, and the Community Vice President for the Junior League of Lafayette. Carlee has received several community honors including Acadiana’s 20 Under 40 Award and was recognized as a 2015 Women Who Mean Business honoree. She holds a Master of Public Administration degree from LSU and a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
“Carlee’s collaborative leadership style, knowledge of our communities, and her desire to solve problems for the betterment of others makes her a perfect fit as the new President and CEO of United Way of Acadiana. I am grateful Carlee will leverage her experiences and talents to harness the caring power of people through United Way,” Sarah Berthelot, President/CEO of Louisiana Association of United Ways said.
“The board and Troy have done an amazing service to our community during the transition and search. I’m looking forward to working with all community stakeholders to help link organizations and individuals in need,” Alm-LaBar said. “As a community, our recent economic challenges make the need for all of us to work together with organizations serving our citizens even more important.”