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March 23, 1931 ~ January 11, 2025

ABBEVILLE – A Mass of Christian Burial officiated by Reverend François Sainte-Marie, will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Catholic Church, honoring the life of Larry George Dugas, Jr., 93, who passed away on January 11, 2025, at his home surrounded by loved ones.
For 40 years, Coach Dugas dedicated himself to the Vermilion Parish School System, coaching, teaching, and counseling the students he served. Coach never forgot a face, often having a story or anecdote about students new and old. His quiet manner and down-to-earth advice served him well, and will forever live on in the memory of his students and his family. Coach’s heartfelt devotion was and forever will be as a member of the “Big Blue Nation”. He truly loved his time at Erath High School and strongly believed that ”It’s a great day to be a Bobcat”. Coach started his long career as a teacher and coach at Mt. Carmel from 1956 to 1963. He then worked as a teacher and coach at Kaplan High School from 1963 to 1965, a teacher and coach at Erath High School from 1965 to 1968, and finally, as a teacher and guidance counselor at Erath High School from 1968 to 1996, Coach further served by teaching Adult Education for 21 years at Erath High School, and working as a guidance counselor for the Vermilion Parish Alternative Program. Larry served as past President of the St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Catholic Church Council and as past president of the Vermilion Catholic High School board. He was a proud United States Armed Forces member from 1950 to 1954 and a combat veteran of the Korean Conflict from 1952 to 1953. He is a lifetime member of the Louisiana High School Coaches Association and was inducted into the Erath High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999.
Larry was a devoted husband to Flaudry, his wife of 66 years. Looking at the two of them was to see the complete definition of love, honor, and cherish. He was also the best father and grandfather to his children and grandchildren, whom he adored.
A visitation will take place at Vincent Funeral Home – Abbeville on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m.; Marine Corps League Ceremony at 6:30 p.m.; a rosary being prayed at 7 p.m., and will continue on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, from 8 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. when the procession will depart for the church. The burial will take place at St. Paul Cemetery in Abbeville.
Larry is survived by his wife, Flaudry Prejean Dugas; daughter, Laurie Dugas Bush (Rodney); daughter-in-law, Trena Touchet; four grandchildren, Shawn G. Dugas, Danielle Dugas Breaux (Scott), Michael R. Bush, and Cameron G. Bush; and one great-grandchild, Ian G. Dugas.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Larry G. Dugas, Sr. and Vivian Thibodaux Dugas of Napoleonville; sister, Peggy Dugas Danos of Cut Off; son, Neil Jude Dugas; and great-grandchildren, Gabriel Anthony Breaux and Ella Elizabeth Breaux.
Serving as pallbearers will be Doug Danos, Joey Prejean, Michael Danos, Rodney Bush, Scott Breaux, Shawn Dugas, Michael Bush, and Cameron Bush. Honorary pallbearers will be Clyde Prejean, Robbie Danos, Bryan Mayberry, John Prejean, Michael Prejean, Russell Prejean, Dennis Prejean, Richard Prejean, Saul Prejean, Danny Broussard, Elwood Dupuy, Clarence Moss, and Kirk Vice.
The family would like to express their sincere thanks and gratitude to Lamm Hospice for their unwavering care and compassion.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville (337) 893-4661.

Education is vital to a child’s future.
However, that child must be in the classroom to receive the full benefit. Chronic absenteeism is becoming a growing issue, including at schools in Abbeville. 
Local leaders are looking to address the issue and reach out to community members.
Two public meetings will be held this Wednesday, Jan. 15, at the Café on State, located at 106. S. State St. in Abbeville. The first meeting will be from 9 to 10 a.m., and the second from 6 to 7 p.m.
“Our initial goal for this meeting is to build awareness and understanding of chronic absenteeism—what it is, why it happens, and how it impacts our students and community,” said Kristin Moore, the Vermilion Parish School System’s Community Outreach Facilitator for Abbeville Schools. “We want to bring key stakeholders together to share insights and ideas for addressing the issue.”
The long-term goal is establishing a community-wide culture that values and prioritizes school attendance.
“By creating a sustainable support system for students and families,” Moore said, “we strive to improve attendance rates, increase student success, and strengthen the connection between schools and the wider community.”
Chronic absenteeism often goes unnoticed, Moore said.
“Its causes are complex and vary from student to student,” Moore explained. “Some families face barriers like transportation challenges, health issues, or economic hardships, while others may not fully understand the long-term effects of frequent absences. Additionally, without consistent, collaborative intervention, the problem can snowball, impacting student performance and overall school success.”
Organizers are encouraging everyone to attend.
“We are encouraging participation from anyone who wants to be part of the solution—educators, parents, community leaders, and concerned citizens,” Moore said. “Tackling chronic absenteeism requires a collective effort, and everyone’s input and support are valuable.”
This is an issue that affects the entire community.
“When students miss school,” Moore said, “it doesn’t just affect them individually; it impacts their families, the workforce, and the broader community. Absenteeism is tied to lower graduation rates, reduced job readiness, and fewer opportunities for our youth. By addressing it together, we’re investing in the success of our entire community.”
This meeting could serve as the spark needed.
“A campaign like the People Power Pledge brings awareness, accountability, and action to an issue that has lingered for too long,” Moore said. “When people come together with a shared purpose, they create the momentum needed for real change. This initiative is just the beginning, and I believe it can inspire our community to make attendance a priority and help all students thrive.”

ABBEVILLE, La. – Vermilion Foundation, an Affiliate of Community Foundation of Acadiana, is granting $50,000 over the next five years to expand access in Vermilion parish to Arts in Education, a program of Acadiana Center for the Arts.
In addition to the five-year, $50,000 commitment, two members of the Vermilion Foundation Advisory Board have each committed $5,000 for one year, and one member has committed $5,000 per year for five years. All contributions will be matched by a group of Arts in Education campaign donors called the “Visionaries”, a partnership with philanthropists through Community Foundation of Acadiana.
In September, Acadiana Center for the Arts (ACA) kicked off the Arts in Education campaign to expand access to the Arts in Education program beyond Lafayette Parish to more than 190 schools across Acadiana. The program supports curriculum development, training, and implementation to provide arts-based lessons in Science, Math, English, and Social Studies while bringing arts experiences across all art forms to students. With the help of Vermilion Foundation’s grant, the initiative will be made possible in all schools within the Vermilion Parish School System.
Vermilion Foundation Advisory Board Member Arlene Collee said, "The Vermilion Foundation is here to make a difference in our parish, so we’re thrilled to partner with the Acadiana Center for the Arts on this important initiative. Expanding access to arts education is essential for the well-being of our community, and we’re looking forward to the real impact this program will make in the lives of students in Vermilion Parish.”
In December, members of the Vermilion Foundation Board, Collee and Richard Broussard, presented a check to ACA Executive Director Samuel Oliver, joined by Vermilion Parish School System Members.
“The Vermilion Foundation is just ramping up,” said Collee. “Plans are in the works for next year’s giving, and we’re excited for what’s on the horizon.”
Vermilion Foundation, an Affiliate of Community Foundation of Acadiana, has a local advisory board made up of members from Vermilion Parish including Richard Broussard, Annie Caillouet, Arlene Collee, Dr. Jack Gupta, Karen Hoyt, Becky Sirmon Joy, Earl Landry, Pat Patout, Kevin Sagrera, Odile Segrest, Dr. Jacob Demary Sellers, Gene Sellers, Charles Sonnier, and Carl A Turnley.
CFA is one of south Louisiana’s premier philanthropic organizations benefiting our region, with a focus on the parishes of Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Mary, St. Martin, and Vermilion. CFA’s core purpose is to build legacies and improve communities by connecting generous people to the causes they care about. Since its inception in 2000, CFA has realized cumulative gifts exceeding $384 million and has made cumulative grants of more than $210 million. You can learn more at www.cfacadiana.org.

Abbeville Mayor Roslyn White wishes to clarify confusion regarding the city’s sales tax revenue.
Starting in 2025, Louisiana will increase its sales tax collection by half a cent. This increase will raise Abbeville’s sales tax to 11 percent, making it the highest in Vermilion Parish.
Last week, the Meridional reported that 6 percent of the 11 percent collected is for Abbeville, and the other 5 percent is for the state.
Mayor White aimed to clarify a common misconception regarding the 6 percent tax collected in Abbeville. She explained that only 1.75 percent of this tax goes to Abbeville; the remaining 4.25 percent is allocated to various government agencies across the parish.
A person will pay $11 in sales tax on a $100 purchase in Abbeville.
Here is a breakdown of where the money will go on the 11% sales tax collected in Abbeville on a $100 purchase:
• $5 or 5% goes to the state.
• $1.50 or 1.5% goes to the Police Jury
• $1.50 or 1.5% goes to the School District
• 75 cents or 0.75% goes to the Sheriff’s Office
•  $1.75 or 1.75% goes to the city of Abbeville.
• 50 cents or 0.50% goes to the Hospital Service District #2
The total amounts to $11, which is 11% of a $100 purchase.
“I hate taxes, and I agree sales tax is high, but that is why it is even more important to be clear and transparent about actual numbers so people understand what their taxes pay for and why taxes are higher in some parts of the parish versus others,” she said. “More importantly is why is the tax in Abbeville City limits the highest in the parish. What does that sales tax pay for?”
A big chunk of that 1.75% collected goes towards keeping Abbeville and parish residents safe.
Abbeville has the only full-time fire department in the parish.  The city of Abbeville Fire Department also responds to fires not only within the city limits but also in other areas as needed, on a nearly daily basis. 
She said this is a cost the city pays out of its budget that no other municipality or rural area has. 
If you live outside the city limits, your house or business is on fire, and your local volunteer department needs assistance, the Abbeville Fire Department responds. That service currently runs just over $4 million per year. 
 The police department alone runs just under $3.7 million.
 So, it takes a combined  $7.7 million to operate the police and fire departments in Abbeville. 
The Mayor explained that those two combined budgets account for 64% of the City’s General Operating Budget. 
“More importantly, if you look at what the 1.75% of sales tax brings in for the City of Abbeville, the total hovers around $6 million annually, which does not even cover the cost of public safety,” said Mayor White.
 “Throughout the years, the mandated retirement for fire and police has steadily increased, which is why at some point, many years ago, the city rededicated half of one percent of the Capital Outlay (projects) portion of sales tax to cover retirement and health benefits for city employees.”
 Mayor White also explained what residents’ property taxes pay for.
 Abbeville collects a total of $440,000 annually for property tax. Mayor White said the combination of sales and property taxes.
“If you do the math, property, and sales tax combined does not cover the cost of public safety, let alone the other employees like the street team, administrative staff, and projects like infrastructure and park improvements,” she said. “The difference is covered by other sources such as licenses, fees and utility sales.”
The Mayor stated that ensuring substantial sales tax collection in Abbeville requires residents to shop locally.
“Local taxes are under my umbrella, and I can account for where your money goes in Abbeville, she explained.   “I hope people do not choose to shop outside of Abbeville because a portion of the money spent in our local community stays here, and for that money, you get the protection of your home or business, road improvements, and you support local jobs. When you shop in other places, none of your money goes back into your community; it goes to the state and other communities. That’s OK occasionally, but it hurts the place you call home over time.”