Jim Brown
PLEASE LOG IN FOR PREMIUM CONTENT. Our website requires visitors to log in to view the best local news. Not yet a subscriber? Subscribe today to the Abbeville Meridional or Gueydan Journal or Kaplan Herald.
Artificial turf football fields could be coming to the football stadiums at Kaplan High and North Vermilion High.
PLEASE LOG IN FOR PREMIUM CONTENT. Our website requires visitors to log in to view the best local news. Not yet a subscriber? Subscribe today to the Abbeville Meridional or Gueydan Journal or Kaplan Herald.
JEANERETTE — A Mass of Christian Burial for Mrs. Verna Mae Dubois Sonnier, 83, will be held at 1 p.m., on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at St. John the Evangelist in Jeanerette. Entombment will immediately follow at St. John Mausoleum.
Visitation will be held at 9 a.m., on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Frioux-David Funeral Home of Jeanerette and continue until the time of service. A recitation of the rosary, led by the Catholic Daughters, will be at 11 a.m.
Mrs. Verna Mae Dubois Sonnier was born on May 21, 1941, and died on January 23, 2025, at her residence. She was 83 years old. She was born in Abbeville, LA and lived in Honolulu, Hawaii for 2 years and moved and resided in Jeanerette. She retired from the Iberia Parish School Board as a bus aide after 24 years. She also retired from the family business at Sonnier’s Cracklings in Jeanerette after 52 plus years. She enjoyed being President of Jeanerette Little League Baseball and Softball over several years. She loved going to the casino and playing cards and dominos with her friends.
She is survived by her daughter, Donna Sonnier Guillotte and her husband Richard, of Jeanerette; her daughter-in-law, Charlotte Comeaux Sonnier, of Jeanerette; her granddaughter, Jill Guillotte Derouen and her husband, Jeffrey, of New Iberia; her grandsons, Tyler M. Sonnier of Houma and his significant other, Samatha Leonard and Jace Guillotte of Jeanerette and his significant other, Heather Picard; her great-granddaughters Amelia, Elise, and Evelyn Derouen of New Iberia; and her brother, Dallas Dubois and his wife Martha of Abbeville.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Neuville J. Sonnier; her sons Mark E. Sonnier and Keith A. Sonnier, her parents, Maurice and Helena Gilbert and Odey Dubois; her Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, Paul and Katherine Sonnier; her brothers, Joseph “Dim” L. Dubois, Lovelace “Shine” Dubois and wife Sable, and Odeon “Blackie” Dubois and his wife Lucille.
Pallbearers will be Richard and Jace Guillotte, Tyler Sonnier, Jeffrey Derouen, Randy and Nathan Dubois.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Ricky LeBlanc, Isaac Sonnier, Jr., and Dallas Dubois.
Gift bearers will be Amelia, Elise, and Evelyn Derouen.
The family would like to thank Dr. Michelle Menard for caring for Verna for over 10 years. A special thanks to her caregiver, Rosalynn Molison along with Peggy Landry. Also, Nurses Amy and Reese along with CNA, Nichole with Traditions Health Hospice.
Frioux-David Funeral Home, 400 Provost Street, Jeanerette, LA, 337-276-5151, will be handling the arrangements.
August 24, 1953 ~ January 22, 2025
ABBEVILLE, La. — Calvin "CW" Williams, 71 died Wednesday morning, January 22, 2025, at his residence surrounded by his loving family.
Calvin "CW" Williams was born on August 24, 1953, to the union of Lawrence and Lillian C. Williams, Sr., of Abbeville, LA. He was one of eleven children born to this union. Calvin graduated from Abbeville High in 1973. After graduation, he became the third child of the Williams family to enter military service as a soldier in the United States Navy for four years. In 1980, he started working offshore with Texaco as an oilfield mechanic, retiring in 2002 with twenty-two years of service.
Calvin was a member of St. Mary's Congregational Church where he also received Christ. Calvin, like his brother Lawrence loved to bless others with his "down-home" cooking and baking. He would make fruit cobblers and bread from scratch and barbeque for families during times of loss of a loved one. He loved cooking just as much as fishing. The fishpond was his second home and catching sacalait was his specialty. During football season you could catch him watching his favorite team on Sundays, entertaining family, and friends. Being with family and friends meant the world to him, and he loved every minute spending time with us. Calvin had a big heart and was a charitable giver. He gave generously to those in need and charities within the community.
Calvin is survived by his compaion, Ms. Sandrus M. Harrison; his five children, Keiffer Williams (Abbeville, LA), Amber Williams (Youngsville, LA), Kevin Williams (Duson, LA), Jer'Ondrus Williams (Abbeville, LA) and 2nd Class Petty Officer Cal'Niayh H. Williams (San Diego, CA); seven sisters, Juanita Evans, Gloria Briggs, Linda (Melvin, Sr.) Cockrell, Lillian Ann Williams, Laura (Roland, Sr.) Boutte, Lesia Williams all of Abbeville, LA., and Gilda Gregoire (New Iberia, LA.); two brothers, Michael (Felicia) Williams, Sr., and Johnny Andrews all of Abbeville, LA; six grandchildren, Amelia, Kaleigh, Kaden, Keiffer Jr., Abigail, and Brooklyn. He leaves to cherish a host of family and friends.
He was preceded in death in by his parents, Lawrence and Lillian C. Williams, Sr.; one sister, Betty Williams; four brothers, George Williams, Lawrence Williams, Jr., Eddie Hills, Jr., and Joseph Andrews; niece, Phoebe Williams; nephews, Curren Joseph, Wilfred Sereal, Jr., Roderick Briggs, and Torlin Williams.
On Saturday, February 1, 2025, a celebration of Calvin's life will be held at New Life Church of Abbeville located at 1109 N. Lafitte Rd, in Abbeville, LA. The service will be officiated by Pastor Wayne Landry of Shiloh Baptist Church, Kaplan, LA. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Service will begin at 11:00 AM, with interment immediately following at St. Paul Cemetery.
Arrangemnts coducted by Vincent Funeral Home – Abbeville, 337-893-4661.
The 51st Annual Vermilion Parish 4-H Junior Livestock Show was held January 10-11th at the Cecil McCrory Exhibit Building in Abbeville. In all, 132 4-H members exhibited 289 head of livestock (beef, sheep, goats, dairy, swine) and 33 poultry exhibitors showed 108 exhibition birds at this show.
The sale of market animals totaled $162,116.75.
Every year Gulf Coast bank adds money for each exhibitor for each animal they sell. This year’s total is $1505.00. When the two figures were added, the sale total equals $162.621.75. A total of 60 market hogs sold with an average of $10.73 per pound, 10 market lambs sold with an average of $8.23 per pound, two market goats sold for an average of $4.00 per pound, and six steers averaged $5,150.00 per head.
Additional funds were raised for: the Vermilion 4-H Foundation, $4,100.00; the Kaylee McLain Memorial Scholarship Fund, $20,2012.50 (hog donated by Paityn Martin); for the Vermilion 4-H Livestock Fund, $9,502.00 (one hog donated by Hadley Dumond, lamb donated by Everette Hulin, and one hog donated by Cooper Miller); for the Jane Menard Scholarship Fund, $2,000 (steer donated by Aubrey Picou); and $8,350.00 for the Dani Ryan Andrus fund to help defray medical expenses (commercial heifer donated by Jett Andrus).
The Champion Market Hog Awards are sponsored by Kenneth Primeaux. The Overall Grand Champion Market Hog was exhibited by Durks Dumond of Forked Island-E. Broussard Elementary.
It was purchased by Sherrif Eddie Langlinais and Talos Energy for $12 per pound. The Overall Reserve Champion Market Hog was exhibited by Owen Marceaux of Kaplan High School. It was purchased by Glenn Lege Construction and sold for $10 per pound.
The Champion Vermilion Bred Market Hog was shown by Cooper Miller of Forked Island-E. Broussard Elementary. The Reserve Champion Vermilion Bred Market Hog was shown by Luke Briolo of Rene Rost Middle School. The Reserve Champion Market Hog awards were sponsored by Brady and Tara Meaux.
The Overall Champion Market Lamb was shown by Everette Hulin of Erath High School. It sold for $29.50 per pound and was purchased by the Assessor Gabe Marceaux and Savoy Electric.
The award for Overall Champion Lamb was sponsored in memory of J. G. (Ken Broussard). The Overall Reserve Champion Market Lamb was also shown by Everette Hulin. It was purchased by the Kaylee
Abigail Memorial Scholarship Fund to benefit the Vermilion 4-H Livestock fund to purchase a new weigh scale for 4-H Livestock exhibitors. It was donated by Everette Hulin. The Champion Vermilion Bred Market Lamb was also shown by Everette Hulin of Erath High School. The Reserve Champion award is sponsored by Brady and Tara Meaux.
The Champion Market Steer was exhibited and sold by Luke McLain of Vermilion Catholic High School. It was sold to Coastal Plains Meat Company and G & H Seed for $5,100 per head.
SWINE
SHOWMANSHIP:
The Kaylee McLain Overall Champion Swine Showman Buckle was won by Hallie Primeaux of Kaplan High School. The buckle was sponsored by Joshua and Bridget Duhon and Wayne Hensgens.
9-10 Years Old (Buckle sponsored in memory of Jane Menard) -----1st place & Belt Buckle Winner, Graham Dore’, FIEB Elementary; 2nd place, Bennett Pommier, Rene Rost Middle School; 3rd place, Luke Briolo, Vermilion Charter Academy; 4th place, Isabelle Marceaux, Kaplan Elementary; and 5th place, Colton Newman, Vermilion Charter Academy.
11-12 Years Old (Buckle sponsored by Dewey Domingues, Southern Sugar) -----1st place & Belt Buckle winner, John Luke Barras, F.I.-E.B. Elementary; 2nd, Layla LeBeouf, Rene Rost Middle; 3rd, Karson Richard, Vermilion Charter Academy; 4th, Adilyn Kirkpatrick, Vermilion Catholic Lower Campus; 5th, Adelle Marceaux, Rene Rost Middle School.
13-14 Years Old (Buckle sponsored by Savoy Electric) -----1st place and Belt Buckle Winner, Morgan Dore’, FIEB Elementary; 2nd place, Hadley Dumond, F.I.-E.B. Elementary; 3rd place, Durks Dumond, FIEB Elementary; 4th place, Cooper Miller, FIEB Elementary; and 5th place, Royce Agilar, FIEB Elementary.
15 & 16 Years Old-----(Buckle sponsored by Dronet’s Floor Gallery) 1st place and Belt Buckle Winner, Jace LaCoste, Erath Middle; 2nd place, Paityn Martin, Kaplan High School; 3rd place, Emily Vidalier, Kaplan High School; 4th place, Owen Marceaux, Kaplan High School; 5th place, Hogun Sherman, Erath High School.
17 Years and Older----(Buckle sponsored by G & H Outdoor Store) 1st place and Belt Buckle Winner, Hallie Primeaux, Kaplan High School; 2nd place, Ahna Newman, Kaplan High School.
BREEDING SWINE:
The Overall Grand Champion and Overall Grand Champion Vermilion Bred Breeding Gilt was a Duroc shown by Cooper Miller of F.I.-E.B. Elementary School.
Jace LaCoste of Erath Middle School showed the Overall Reserve Champion Breeding Gilt with his Berkshire gilt. The Overall Reserve Champion Vermilion Bred Breeding Gilt was a Duroc shown by Cooper Miller of F.I.-E.B. Elementary School.
The Champion Breeding Gilt award was sponsored by Wayne and Rhonda Miller.
MARKET HOGS:
Brianna Primeaux of Rene Rost Middle showed the Division Champion Market White Hog.
In the Market AOB Division, Paityn Martin showed the Division Champion AOB Market Hog. Karson Richard of Vermilion Charter Academy showed the Reserve Division Champion AOB Market Hog. Cooper Miller showed the Champion and Reserve Champion Vermilion Bred Market AOB hogs.
In the Market Barrow Division, Durks Dumond of FIEB Elementary School showed the Champion Market Barrow. Graham Dore’ of FIEB Elementary School showed the Reserve Champion Market Barrow. Cooper Miller of FIEB Elementary School showed the Champion Vermilion Bred Market Barrow and Luke Briolo of Vermilion Charter Academy showed the Reserve Champion Vermilion Bred Market Barrow.
In the Market Dark Division, Owen Marceaux of Kaplan High School showed the Division Champion Market Dark Hog. Karson Richard of Vermilion Charter Academy showed the Division Reserve Champion Market Dark Hog. Royce Agilar of FIEB Elementary shows the Market Dark Vermilion Bred Reserve Division Champion in the Market Dark Division.
The Champion Market Hog award was sponsored by Kenneth Primeaux.
SHEEP SHOWMANSHIP:
13 Years and Under: (Buckle sponsored by Ethan Goutierrez in memory of his dad, Garrett Goutierrez and Grandfather, Ned Goutierrez) - 1st, Brinley Saltzman, Rene Rost Middle School. 2nd, Blaze Housend, Kaplan Elementary School.
14 & Older: (Buckle sponsored by Benny Goutierrez, Benny G’s Feed & Farm Supply) - 1st, Emily Vidalier, Kaplan High School; 2nd Addisyn Meaux, Rene Rost Middle; 3rd, Everette Hulin, Erath High School; 4th, Lane Goutierrez, Erath High School; and 5th, Lillian Hebert, ARCH 4-H.
BREEDING SHEEP:
The Champion and Reserve Champion Vermilion Bred AOB Breeding Ram was shown by Brinley Saltzman, Rene Rost Middle School.
The Champion AOB Breeding Ewe was shown by Emily Vidalier, Kaplan High School. The Reserve Champion and Champion Vermilion Bred AOB Breeding Ewe was shown by Brinley Saltzman. The Reserve Champion Vermilion Bred AOB Breeding Ewe was shown by Brinley Saltzman of Rene Rost Middle. The Champion and Reserve Champion AOB Breeding Ewe awards were sponsored by Brady and Tara Meaux.
The Champion and Champion Vermilion Bred Babydoll Southdown Breeding Ram was shown by Taven Housend of Kaplan High School.
The Champion Babydoll Southdown Ewe was shown by Jayce Richard of Kaplan High School. The Reserve Champion Babydoll Southdown Ewe was shown by Rain Housend of Rene Rost Middle School. The Champion and Reserve Vermilion Bred Babydoll Southdown Ewe were shown by Blaze Housend of Kaplan Elementary.
Champion and Reserve Champion Babydoll Sheep awards were sponsored in memory of Guy LeDoux.
MARKET LAMBS:
The Champion Market Lamb award was sponsored in memory of J. G. “Ken” Broussard. Everette Hulin of Erath High School showed the Overall Champion Market Lamb and the Reserve Champion Market Lamb. Everette also exhibited the Champion Vermilion Bred Market Lamb.
The Reserve Champion Market Lamb award was sponsored Brady and Tara Meaux.
GOAT SHOWMANSHIP:
The belt buckle for the 14 and older Goat Showmanship Division was sponsored by Corey and Shannon Vidalier. Winners in the 14 and over division were: 1st and Belt Buckle Winner, Cheyenne Earnest, Erath Middle School; 2nd, Kole Cantonwine, ARCH 4-H Club; 3rd, Mathiew Breaux, Kaplan High School.
The belt buckle for the 13 and under Goat Showmanship Division was sponsored by Jeremiah & Manda Earnest. Winners in the 13 years and under category were: 1st and Belt Buckle Winner, Camille Pridgen, Erath Middle School; 2nd, Lena Goudeau, Indian Bayou Elementary; 4th Eli Earnest, Dozier Elementary; and 5th, Rhys Broussard, Maltrait Memorial Catholic School.
BREEDING GOATS:
The Grand Champion Commercial Doe was shown by Mathiew Breaux of Kaplan High School. Kole Cantonwine exhibited the Reserve Champion Commercial Doe. The Champion and Reserve Champion Commercial Doe awards were sponsored by Ricky Bearb.
The Champion Market Goat was shown by Coen Trahan of F.I.-E.B. Elementary School. The Reserve Champion Market Goat was shown by Kole Cantonwine of ARCH 4-H Club.
The Champion AOB Meat Buck was shown by Rhys Broussard of Maltrait Memorial Catholic School.
The Champion AOB Dairy Buck was shown by Cheyenne Earnest of Erath Middle School.
Cheyenne Earnest of Erath Middle School exhibited the Grand Champion and Reserve Champion AOB Dairy Doe. Cheyenne also showed the Reserve Champion and Reserve Champion Vermilion Bred AOB Dairy Goat.
The Champion Nigerian Dwarf Buck was shown by Camille Pridgen of Erath Middle School. Cheyenne Earnest of Erath Middle School exhibited the Reserve Champion Nigerian Dwarf Buck.
The Champion and Champion Vermilion Bred Nigerian Dwarf Breeding Doe were shown by Camille Pridgen of Erath Middle School. The Reserve Champion and Reserve Champion Vermilion Bred Nigerian Dwarf Breeding Doe were shown by Cheyenne Earnest of Erath Middle School.
Champion and Reserve Champion Nigerian Dwarf Goat awards were sponsored by Jeremiah and Manda Earnest.
BEEF SHOWMANSHIP:
The Denise Gastal Memorial Award belt buckle for Overall Champion Beef Showman was won by Alyssa Gaspard of Kaplan High School. The sponsors for this belt buckle were Joshua, Bridget, and Isaac Duhon.
9-10 Years Old (Sponsored by Randy Broussard.) –---- 1st and Buckle Winner was Weston Duhon, Forked Island-E. Broussard Elementary, 2nd, Wyatt Duhon, Indian Bayou Elementary; 3rd, Emma Andrus, Vermilion Charter Academy; and 4th, Myles Dupuis, Meaux Elementary and 5th, Natalie Callahan, ARCH 4-H Club.
11-12 Years Old (Buckle sponsored in memory of Freddie LeMaire, Jr. by The Gaspard Family and Scottie Lemaire) ----- 1st and Belt Buckle Winner, Claire Carlin, Forked Island-E. Broussard Elementary; 2nd, Mallorie Broussard, ARCH 4-H Club; 3rd, Emma Andrus, Vermilion Charter Academy; 4th, Sydney Stelly, Vermilion Catholic Lower Campus; 5th, John-Luke Barras, Forked Island-E. Broussard Elementary.
13-14 Years Old-----(Buckle sponsored in Memory of Jeffrey Faulk, Senior) 1st, & Belt Buckle Winner, Mason Andrus, N. Vermilion Middle School; 2nd, Anna-Kate Stelly, Vermilion Catholic Lower Campus; 3rd, Summit Saltzman, Kaplan High School; 4th, A.J. LeBlanc, Rene Rost Middle School; and 5th, Liam Callahan, ARCH 4-H Club.
15 -16 Years Old- (Buckle sponsored in memory of Teenie Man, Flo, and James Hebert)--1st and Belt Buckle Winner, Paityn Martin, Kaplan High School; 2nd, Addyson Stelly, Kaplan High School; 3rd, Luke McLain, Vermilion Catholi High School; 4th, Jillian Hebert, Gueydan High School; 5th, Everett Pourciau, Vermilion Catholic High School.
17 & Older ----- (Buckle sponsored by Coastal Plains Meat Company) ---- 1st and Belt Buckle Winner, Alyssa Gaspard, Kaplan High School; 2nd Isaac Duhon, Kaplan High School; 3rd, Allen McLain, Vermilion Catholic High School; 4th, Jillian Broussard, North Vermilion High School; and 5th, Bryce Trahan, Kaplan High School.
BREEDING BEEF SHOW
The Division Champion and Division Champion Vermilion Bred Non-Brahman-Influence Commercial Heifer was shown by Weston Duhon of FIEB Elementary. The Division Reserve Champion and Reserve Champion Vermilion Bred Non-Brahman-Influence Commercial Heifer was shown by Audrey Duhon of FIEB Elementary School.
The Division Champion and Division Champion Vermilion Bred Brahman-Influence Commercial Heifer was shown by Hosea Alexander of ARCH 4-H.
The Overall Champion and Champion Vermilion Bred Commercial Heifer was exhibited by Weston Duhon, and the Overall Reserve Champion and Reserve Champion Vermilion Bred Commercial Heifer was shown by Audrey Duhon.
Commercial heifer awards were sponsored by Chad Dartez Trucking and LeMaire Cattle Company.
Champion and Reserve Champion awards for the Santa Gertrudis division were sponsored by Troy and Monique Luquette. The Grand Champion, and Grand Champion Vermilion Bred, Santa Gertrudis Bull were shown by Turner Dupuis of N. Vermilion Middle School. The Reserve Champion and Reserve Champion Vermilion Bred Santa Gertrudis Bull were shown by Myles Dupuis of Meaux Elementary.
The Champion and Champion Vermilion Bred Santa Gertrudis Heifer was shown by Cade Scalisi of Meaux Elementary School. A.J. LeBlanc of Rene Rost Middle School showed the Reserve Champion and Reserve Champion Vermilion BredcSanta Gertrudis Heifer.
The Champion and Reserve Champion awards for the Grey Brahman Divisions at the Vermilion 4-H Livestock Show were sponsored in Memory of Bryan Veazey by the Bryan Veazy family.
The Champion and Champion Vermilion Bred Grey Brahmans Bull was shown by Isaac Duhon of Kaplan High School. The Reserve Champion Grey Brahman Bull was shown by Isaac Duhon of Kaplan High. The Reserve Vermilion Bred Champion Grey Brahman Bull was shown by Addyson Stelly of Kaplan High School.
The Champion and Champion Vermilion Bred Grey Brahman Heifer was shown by Isaac Duhon of Kaplan High School. The Reserve Champion Vermilion Bred Grey Brahman Heifer was shown by Emma Andrus of Vermilion Charter Academy, and the Reserve Champion Vermilion Bred Grey Brahman Heifer was shown by Isaac Duhon of Kaplan High.
The Champion and Reserve Champion Red Brahman Bull awards were sponsored by B & L Cattle, Bud LeBlanc and Leah Hebert. The Champion Red Brahman Bull was shown by Paityn Martin of Kaplan High School. The Reserve Champion and Champion Vermilion Bred Red Brahman Bull was show by Audrey Duhon of Forked Island-E. Broussard Elementary School. The Reserve Champion Vermilion Bred Red Brahman Bull was shown by Mason Andrus of North Vermilion Middle School.
The Champion and Reserve Champion Red Brahman Heifer awards were sponsored by Calvin and Loraine LeBouef. Alyssa Gaspard of Kaplan High School exhibited the Champion Red Brahman Heifer. The Reserve Champion and Champion Vermilion Bred Red Brahman Heifer was shown by Paityn Martin of Kaplan School. The Reserve Champion Vermilion Bred Red Brahman Heifer was shown by Weston Duhon of Forked Island-E. Broussard Elementary School.
The Champion and Reserve Champion AOB Brahman Influence awards were sponsored by Tim and Gwen Broussard.
The Champion and Champion Vermilion Bred AOB Brahman Influence Heifer was shown by Turner Dupuis of North Vermilion Middle School. The Reserve Champion AOB Brahman Influence Heifer was shown by Claire Carlin of FIEB Elementary. The Reserve Champion Vermilion Bred AOB Brahman Influence Heifer was shown by Jillian Broussard of North Vermilion High School.
The Champion and Champion Vermilion Bred Beefmaster Heifer was shown by Summit Saltzman of Kaplan High School. The Reserve Champion Beefmaster Heifer was shown by Aubrey Picou of Maltrait Memorial Catholic School. Everett Pourciau of Vermilion Catholic High School exhibited the Reserve Champion Vermilion Bred Beefmaster Heifer.
The Champion and Reserve Champion Braford Base awards were sponsored in memory of Dani Ryan Andrus.
The Champion and Champion Vermilion Bred Braford Base Bull was shown by Ridge Andrus of North Vermilion High School. The Reserve Champion and Reserve Champion Vermilion Bred Braford Base Bull was shown by Isabella Choate of FIEB Elementary.
The Champion Braford Base Heifer was shown by Mallorie Broussard of ARCH 4-H Club. The Reserve Champion Braford Base Heifer was shown by Ridge Andrus of North Vermilion High School.
The Miniature Hereford Bull award was sponsored by Trahan Brangus, LLC. The Champion Miniature Hereford Bull was shown by Olivia Stelly, Kaplan High School.
The AOB Non-Brahman Awards were sponsored by Foster Lanie.
Bryce Trahan of Kaplan High School exhibited the Champion and Champion Vermilion Bred AOB Non-Brahman Influence Bull. The Reserve Champion AOB Non-Brahman Influence Bull was shown by Preslynn Roy of Kaplan Elementary School.
The Champion AOB Non-Brahman Influence Heifer was shown by Griffin Roy of Rene Rost Middle School. The Reserve Champion and Champion Vermilion Bred AOB Non-Brahman Influence Heifer was shown by Lily Perrin of Kaplan High School. Bryce Trahan of Kaplan High School showed the Reserve Champion Vermilion Bred Non-AOB Brahman Influence Heifer.
The Champion Steer was shown by Luke McLain of Vermilion Catholic High School. The Reserve Champion Steer was shown by Natalie Callahan of ARCH 4-H Club. The Champion and Reserve Champion Steer awards were sponsored by Foster Lanie.
DAIRY SHOWMANSHIP:
The buckle for Dairy Showman was sponsored by Paradise Island Cattle Company.
The 1st and Overall Champion Dairy Showman, Isabella Choate of FIEB Elementary; 2nd place, Olivia Stelly, Kaplan High School; and 3rd place, Charlie Choate, F.I.-E.B. Elementary.
BREEDING DAIRY
The Champion and Reserve Champion Dairy Show awards were sponsored by Wilhelm Farms, Ed and Susan Wilhelm.
The Grand Champion and Grand Champion Vermilion Bred AOB Breeding Dairy was shown by Isabella Choate of F.I.-E.B. Elementary. The Reserve Champion and Reserve Champion Vermilion Bred AOB Breeding Dairy was shown by Olivia Stelly of Kaplan High School.
Olivia Stelly of Kaplan High School showed the Division Champion Commercial Dairy Cow. Isabella Choate of FIEB Elementary exhibited the Reserve Division Champion Commercial Dairy Cow.
Charlie Choate of F.I.-E.B. Elementary showed the Division Champion and Reserve Division Champion Commercial Dairy Heifer.
The Overall Champion Commercial Dairy was shown by Olivia Stelly. The Reserve Commercial Dairy was shown by Charlie Choate.
POULTRY
SHOWMANSHIP
Awards for the 14 and Over Poultry showmanship were sponsored by Double L Farms, Andre Lanie. Results for that division were 1st, Emma Scroggin, North Vermilion High.
Awards for the 13 and Under Poultry showmanship were donated by Al and Leisa Lee. Results were 1st, Marissa Gaspard, North Vermilion Middle School; 2nd, Evangeline Verret, Vermilion Catholic Lower Campus; 3rd, Brayden Castille, Rene Rost Middle School; 4th,Grayson Lege, Indian Bayou Elementary; 5th place, Miranda Gaspard, At-Large member.
POULTRY SHOW
Double L Farms, Andre Lanie, sponsored the awards for the Poultry Show. Winning Best of Show with his White-Faced Black Spanish was Emery Lege of Vermilion Charter Academy. Winning Reserve Best of Show was Lanie Vincent of Kaplan High School with her Black Old English Game.
Champion Standard Bird was shown by was Emery Lege of Vermilion Charter Academy. Reserve Champion Standard Bird was also shown by Emery Lege with her Black Breasted Red Shamos.
Champion Bantam Bird was shown by Lanie Vincent of Kaplan High with her Black Old English Game bird. Reserve Champion Bantam Bird was shown by Evangeline Verret with her Silver Seabright.
The Vermilion 4-H livestock exhibitors would also like to thank the following show sponsors: Vermilion Parish Police Jury; Vermilion Parish Farm Bureau; Vermilion Parish School Board, Vermilion Rice Growers Association; Vermilion Parish Cattlemen’s Association; Vermilion Parish Cattlewomen’s Association, Vermilion Parish Farm Bureau YF&R, and the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service.
It is the policy of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the grounds of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age or disability. If you would like more information on the 4-H Livestock program, contact Hilton Waits at hwaits@agcenter.lsu.edu, Anna Barras at albarras@agcenter.lsu.edu or call the office at 337-898-4335.
LSU AgCenter file photo
LSU AgCenter crawfish agent Todd Fontenot said that despite the
historic freezing conditions and snowfall in many crawfish-producing parishes, producers and consumers can expect a quick rebound.
BATON ROUGE, La. — As south Louisiana begins to thaw out after the historic arctic blast and double-digit inches of snowfall in many crawfish-producing parishes, many are wondering if there will be a repeat of 2024 that saw small harvests and high prices due to the previous year’s drought. LSU AgCenter researchers are cautiously optimistic that there is barely a snowball’s chance in Acadiana of that happening.
AgCenter crawfish agent Todd Fontenot said that due to the physiology of the crustaceans, there may be a short dip in production. But as temperatures begin to return to normal for this time of year, harvesters, restaurants and home boilers should witness a quick rebound.
“We don’t foresee it being more than a temporary slowdown,” he said. “Since crawfish are cold blooded, their bodies slow down and they burrow as low as they can get in the mud and vegetation and stay there to protect themselves from the elements and predators because they are most vulnerable at that stage.”
When crawfish are facing these conditions, they’re not foraging and eating, so it does tend to set production back a bit as long as the weather remains frigid, Fontenot said.
During longer, sustained periods of freezing, production could be adversely affected. But the deeper the water in the pond, the more insulated the crawfish are when burrowing down, Fontenot said.
While Fontenot said there was some ice on his pond north of Eunice, it wasn’t significant, with the deeper water measuring above freezing at 36 degrees near the bottom.
With temperatures expected to rise into the 70s next week, Fontenot expects the mudbugs to start looking for food again and production to ramp up shortly thereafter.
“I think we’re going to rebound faster than previous years where it might have stayed in the 40s the week following a hard freeze,” he said. “With the positive upcoming forecast, I think it will take about a week, so folks should feel optimistic about getting their crawfish for the Super Bowl.”
When it comes to one of crawfish farmers’ biggest enemies — the invasive apple snail species, which disrupts harvest season — Louisiana is in a bit of uncharted territory.
“The cold tolerance of apple snails hasn’t been thoroughly studied,” said AgCenter entomologist Blake Wilson. “Through much of the winter, the snails stay dormant beneath the soil surface in flooded ponds. So they are generally insulated from the coldest temperatures.”
Wilson expects the snail eggs to have been killed, as they are above the water surface with no protection from the cold. But he does not anticipate the weather having a significant effect on populations next spring because egg numbers are low during the winter months anyway.
“Having said all that, these are the coldest temperatures invasive snail populations would have experienced since becoming widely distributed in the state,” Wilson said. “They haven’t been successful establishing much further north, presumably because they are unable to survive colder winters, so there is a chance it will have a more pronounced effect than I think. Time will tell.”
This drone shot was captured by -Corey Lege after downtown Abbeville got hit with over seven inches of snow. You can see the colorful buildings, including the Bank of Abbeville on the corner. Magdalen Square, on the right, is blanketed in snow.
The infrastructure of the city of Abbeville remained largely unscathed during the freezing temperatures that engulfed the area earlier this week.
Abbeville Mayor Roslyn White said while city officials have plenty of experience planning for hurricanes, that doesn’t necessarily translate when temperatures linger in single digits.
“Freezing weather, especially for prolonged periods, presents a different set of challenges than other types of storms,” White said.
However, city officials didn’t allow a similar event from a couple of years ago to go to waste in regard to having a proper plan in place.
“The freeze plan we implemented in early 2023 helped us to get through the recent winter storm,” White said.
Much of that plan centered around the city’s water system, something White said was the most vulnerable asset during freezes.
“Like many of the systems around us,” White said, “we saw a higher consumption than normal.”
White spent most of Wednesday at the water plant alongside the operators.
“When temperatures started to rise,” White explained, “we started losing water reserves faster than normal at a rate that we knew we would be unable to keep up with. As a team, we discussed options and made some tweaks that helped. We were also able to ‘stop the bleeding.’
“That effort took the entire team and the help of residents.”
Members of the Abbeville Fire Department spent Wednesday and Thursday riding a grid through the city to look for leaks, shutting them off once they were located.
“We pleaded with residents to conserve water, and we acted quickly when leaks were called in,” White said.
Once able, the city began to replenish water reserves overnight on Wednesday.
“On Thursday, we followed the plan again, and it worked,” White said Friday morning. “This morning (Friday), our system is operating back up to near normal operations.”
Power to homes is another primary concern during weather events.
“Thankfully, we had very little major issues with the electrical system,” White said. “I believe this is a credit to our proactive maintenance and vegetation management approach.”
As temperatures began to rise on Friday, White said the efforts of many were to thank for getting through the period when those temperatures were at their lowest.
“We have a great team,” White said. “They work hard to provide great service to our community, especially in adverse weather conditions.”
ABBEVILLE — Kay Smith Thomas, a resident of Abbeville, age 87, died on Friday, January 17, 2025. Kay was born and raised in Sicily Island, LA. At age 18, she moved to Abbeville and married Ronald Thomas.
Kay is survived by her two daughters, Laura Thomas Lejeune and her husband, Michael, of Abbeville (Meaux Community) and Marilyn Thomas Cabrol and her husband, Buddy, of Abbeville; six grandchildren, Amy Lejeune, Cassidy Lejeune, Julie Lejeune Romero, Katie Cabrol Villien, Mitchell Cabrol, and Jennah Cabrol Branch; fifteen great-grandchildren, Ashton Hammond, Evelyn Lejeune, Maddox Hammond, Eleanor Lejeune, Thomas Villien, Sawyer Villien, Quinn Villien, Tripp Deroussell, Adele Romero, John Wyatt Branch, Rhett Romero, Carley Lejeune, Jude Branch, Jack Branch, and James Branch.
Kay was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Thomas; and her parents, William Smith and Mildred Harris Smith.
A memorial service is to be held at Abbeville United Methodist Church on Saturday, February 1, 2025 with visitation at 9 a.m. and services at 10 a.m.
The family of Kay Smith Thomas express their most sincere gratitude to the entire staff at the Vermilion at Eastridge and to the nurses of Audubon Hospice for their loving and passionate care given to Kay.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Cypress Funeral Home & Crematory, 206 W. Lafayette St., Maurice, LA 70555.
January 9, 1966 ~ January 17, 2025
ABBEVILLE — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, January 24, 2025, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Erath with Reverend Clinton Sensat officiating, honoring the life of Roxane Marie Vincent, who passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on January 17, 2025, at the age of 59. A burial will follow in the LeBlanc Cemetery.
Honored to serve as pallbearers will be Michael J. Vincent, David J. Vincent, Gabrielle M. Vincent, Jeffrey P. Vincent, James E. Davis, Logan P. Gary, and Joseph "Joey" Vincent, II.
A visitation took place at Vincent Funeral Home in Abbeville on Thursday, January 23, 2025, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m., with a vigil service and rosary being prayed at 6 p.m. by Deacon Tim Marcantel. Visiting hours resumed on Friday, January 24, 2025, from 8 a.m. until 12:40 p.m. when the procession departs for church.
Roxane was a native of Erath, where she took great pride in raising her three children. She was a cook at The Hot Food Corner in Delcambre for several years, a job she enjoyed and coworkers she considered as family. Roxane enjoyed spending time in her garden, fishing, traveling with her family, and spending time with her grandchildren.
She is survived by her mother, Wanita Trahan Vincent; two sons, Michael J. Vincent and David J. Vincent; one daughter, Gabrielle M. Vincent; one brother, Joseph "Joey" Vincent II; four sisters, Carolyn V. Hudson, Wendy A. Vincent, Eugenia "Gena" M. Vincent, and Mitzi G. Vincent; and two grandsons, Noah P. Vincent and Dylan M. Vincent.
She is preceded in death by her father, Joseph Larson Vincent; brother, Jimmy P. Vincent; and nephew, Christopher Trahan.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville (337) 893-4661.
ERATH - It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Derek Hebert who passed away on January 16, 2025, at his home in Erath, Louisiana.
Funeral Service will be held for Derek Hebert, age 37, on Saturday; January 25, 2025, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m. with Fr. Clinton Sensat as Celebrant. Entombment will follow at Our Lady of Lourdes Mausoleum.
Visitation will be held from 8:00 a.m. until the time of service at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.
He is survived by his father, Kim Hebert, and mother Susan Hebert, a brother Coty Dore, and niece Rose Dore.
He was preceded in death by his maternal parents, Louis, and Gussie Broussard Landry.
Derek's love of music began at the early age of 10 years old, when he learned to play Cajun accordion, guitar, and bass guitar, all self taught with a natural talent for music. He was fortunate enough to play with numerous local bands and even won multiple accordion contests at different area festivals.
Beyond his musical talents he was a craftsman who enjoyed woodworking and building his own Cajun accordions.
Derek was a kind, quiet and gentle soul; always ready to lend you a helping hand. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
Family and friends may sign the guest register book and/or send condolences at www.davidfuneralhome.org
Frioux-David Funeral Home of Erath at 209 E. Putman (337)-937-0405 will be handling the arrangements.
318 N. Main St.
Abbeville, LA 70510
Phone: 337-893-4223
Fax: 337-898-9022
219 North Cushing Avenue
Kaplan, LA 70548