RSS Feed

This week in Abbeville, a man from Gueydan is likely facing a life sentence after being convicted of sexually assaulting two juveniles for more than six years.
Scott Keith Broussard from Gueydan had a one-day trial on Wednesday at the Vermilion Parish Courthouse in Abbeville.
The jury, consisting of eight men and four women, returned a guilty verdict in 90 minutes.
Broussard was convicted of two counts of first-degree rape, one count of attempted second-degree rape, plus molestation of a juvenile, three counts of attempted indecent behavior with a juvenile, sexual battery, intimidating a witness, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. 
He will be sentenced on March 13, 2025.
In Louisiana, if someone is convicted of first-degree rape, they face a life sentence.
In this case, the victims were under 10 when the assaults started to take place.
Assistant District Attorney  Calvin “Woody” Woodruff prosecuted the case for the state, and  Lynden Burton was Broussard’s attorney.
The assaults and the attempted assaults of the two juveniles occurred from January 2016 to December 2022 in Gueydan.
The assault charges only surfaced after one of the juveniles had some dark thoughts about taking their own life a few years after the molestation.  The individual mentioned suicidal thoughts to a friend, who then informed authorities. 
An investigation began by state authorities to understand why this individual was having suicidal thoughts, and during the questioning, they discovered that Broussard had been abusing two juveniles. 
The now adult had never told anyone about the abuse, including its mother. 
“I did not have the heart to tell her. It would have killed her,” the victim said in court on Wednesday.
The mother informed the jurors that she first learned about her child’s abuse when the police began investigating the allegations.
Broussard voluntarily took the stand and denied all charges of sexual abuse.
Woodruff’s closing remarks asked the jury why would the two victims lie about the abuse.
“Why would they make this up?” said Woodruff.  “What would be the possible reason? There is none. There is no financial gain. Why would they tell their stories in front of 14 strangers? Who would want to do that? Nobody.”

 The No. 1 Vermilion Catholic Eagles punched their ticket to the Superdome Friday with a 33-0 shellacking of the No. 12 Kentwood Kangaroos in the semifinals of the Select Division IV playoffs at Eagle Stadium. 
VC (13-0) will play the No. 11 Ouachita Christian Eagles in the Select Division IV state finals on Thursday at noon in the Caesars Superdome.  Ouachita Christian defeated No. 2 Ascension Catholic 24-22 in their semifinal matchup.  
Eagles head coach Broc Prejean was pleased with his team’s performance. He thought they matched the Kangaroos’ physicality and executed the game plan to perfection. He was especially happy that they got to celebrate their semifinal victory on their home field with their family, friends, and Eagle Nation.
  “The kids hit every checkpoint that we had for them all week in terms of how we wanted this thing to play out,” Prejean said.  “Scoreboard aside, Kentwood played a tremendously physical game.  We had to be up to that task, and we were.
 “I’m hoping this is our second biggest win this year.  We want next week to be the biggest one, but we’ll enjoy tonight.  These kids have earned that.  It’s beautiful to be out here watching everybody give hugs.  It’s such a unique experience that not everyone gets to see.  I’m just proud to be a part of it.  Hats off to our coaches, players, and community.”
Once again, VC put its offense on the back of quarterback Jonathan Dartez.  The senior didn’t disappoint, rushing 40 times for 213 yards and four touchdowns.  He also completed six passes for 102 yards and another touchdown.
Dartez became the Louisiana Career Total (passing and rushing) Touchdown Leader with 173 during the game.  He passed Ju’ Juan Johnson of Lafayette Christian, who had 171.
“I’m at a loss for words,” Dartez said.  “It’s been four years, and all the hard work has paid off.  I’m happy I have a legacy at VC, and this team now has one.  That’s what I’m most proud of.”
 Not to be outdone, the Eagle defense pitched a shutout, stopping Kentwood twice on fourth down and goal to go to preserve the goose egg.  According to senior linebacker Allen McLain III, that resulted from their preparation.
“It was very important for us to keep them from scoring,” McLain said.  “We had it in our minds that we had to put in the most work this week.  The defense stepped up big time.  To get the shutout in the semifinals feels really good.”
 VC took the lead for good 4:19 into the game when Dartez capped off the opening drive with a 16-yard scamper to the left corner of the end zone.  The extra point made it 7-0 VC with 7:41 let in the first quarter.
 Dartez struck twice in the second quarter.  He dove in from the one-yard-line with 9:48 left in the half to put the Eagles ahead 13-0.  Then, with 7:32 to play, he tied the state career touchdown record when he broke free down the right sideline for a 35-yard touchdown run.  The extra point made it 20-0 at the half.
 Dartez went to the air to break the record in the third quarter.  On fourth and three, he found Will Simon in the end zone for a 15-yard touchdown and a 27-0 lead with 4:13 to play.  He scored a career touchdown 173 with 11:17 to go in the game when he ran it in from 14 yards out to provide the final margin.
   While the Kangaroos didn’t score, they made VC earn it.  Kentwood had zero turnovers and eight penalties for only 47 yards.  The Eagles had to get stops on defense and finish drives on offense.  Prejean believes a similar performance will be necessary to win the state championship next week.
“We’re a complete football team in all the right ways,” Prejean said.  “We have some things to fix, but what a performance.  Back-to-back performances really, going back to last week.  We’re going for the hat trick next week.  But first, we’re going to enjoy tonight.”

July 14, 1937 ~ December 1, 2024

ABBEVILLE- A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, December 7, 2024, at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church honoring the life of Evelyn LeMaire Sellers, 87, with Reverend Daniel Picard officiating. Evelyn passed away on December 1, 2024, at Our Lady of Lourdes Heart Hospital. Readers for the Mass will be Steve Sellers and Ellen LeMaire, gift bearers will be Sandra Faulk and Kristi Durke. She will be laid to rest at St. Paul Mausoleum at a later date. Honored to serve as pallbearers will be Devin Bell, Patrick LeMaire, Doug Sellers, Carl Sellers, Eric Sellers and Brett Trahan.
Evelyn was a cherished “only” child, and was equally cherished by her husband, Gayle. She was used to being sheltered and protected, and upon their wedding day, Gayle assumed that role lovingly and for life. Theirs was a marriage of complete devotion to each other. She loved her faith, family, and friends, and was a gentle, quiet soul, who loved to watch the activity, and laugh with and enjoy others, especially friends and family. She respected privacy, and though she was devoted to her children, she gave them their space. She loved her grandchildren, and her great grandchildren - so so much. It was proud and precious time to her when she could be with them. She was easy to tease, and at least one side of the family called her “Aunt Eleven”. She enjoyed celebrating birthdays at El Camino, with friends. She just cherished the family time and being together.
Evelyn enjoyed her lady friends for many, many, years and always looked forward to their regular games of Pokeno and cards.  It was often the highlight of her week. Evelyn enjoyed Bingo, spending time at the casino to flirt with “Lady Luck” and she was often the very lucky one!  She loved garage sales!  She enjoyed her pampering time to get her hair or nails done. She liked to look pretty, and that was certainly not difficult.  She loved the fact that Gayle religiously brought her coffee in bed in the mornings. She and Gayle developed lifelong friendships and irreplaceable memories traveling and camping with family and friends in their “Bayou Allegreaux” motor home club.  It was always an adventure and they traveled far and wide - sometimes to Canada, or Mexico, Tennessee, or California. Festivals, like Lagniappe on the Bayou and casino campgrounds were also a favorite. They were always game for the next adventure during those years. The bonds of friendship and camaraderie were strong, and they “followed” those friendships even when they could no longer participate. Life is rarely kind in the last years, but she and Gayle accepted change and help, graciously. They hated giving up their home, but transitioned to Woodbriar Assisted Living for each other and to make their care easier for their family. They operated out of love and devotion from beginning to end. Those of us who were fortunate enough to be part of the family or their friends group will miss their gentle ways, their smiles, their humor and generosity, and most of all, watching them show us how to love each other for life.
A visitation will take place at Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville on Friday, December 6, 2024, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a rosary to be prayed at 5:30 p.m. Visitation will resume on Saturday, December 7, 2024, from 10 a.m. until 1:15 p.m. when the procession will depart for the church. Reverend Daniel Picard will officiate at the funeral mass.
She is survived by her daughter, Donna Lynn Sellers; granddaughter, Jessica Impastato and Kalynn Impastato Bell and her husband, Devin; great-granddaughter, Annalynn Rose Bell; and great-grandson, Andrew Dean Bell.
She is preceded in death by her spouse of sixty three years, Gayle Sellers; and son, Kevin Sellers and their Blessed Angel.
In lieu of flowers or plants Donna would prefer Masses to be offered for her Dad, her Mom.

The weather outside may not be frightful, but it is looking “a lot like Christmas.”
For the past 20-plus years, this time of year has meant the Christmas Stroll is almost year.
“We are celebrating 25 years of the Christmas Stroll is an amazing experience for downtown Abbeville that has become a tradition,” Abbeville Main Street Manager Charlene Beckett said. “What began a quarter of a century ago and it still brings smiles and holiday cheer to the people who attend.”
As has always been the case, the Stroll will be held fist Thursday in December. That makes it this Thursday, Dec. 5, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Stroll began as a partnership between the Downtown Business Association and the Main Street Program. It was designed as an old fashion Christmas event highlighting our beautiful downtown. It isn’t a retail event as it is more promotional by encouraging residents and visitors to come with their family and enjoy the white lights, visit with friends and see what Abbeville has to offer.
“Each year we have created a collectible Christmas ornament that honors one of our downtown buildings,” Beckett said.
This year the ornament honors Gulf Coast Bank. As has been the case each year, local artist Jeannie Comeaux designed the ornament.
Over the years the Stroll has added a holiday village that delights the children by making it a great spot for photos.
Visiting downtown you may run into the Grinch and get picture with Santa.
“The Stroll Card was created to encourage attendees to explore all the participating spots,” Beckett said. “As you visit participating businesses during the Stroll
remember to support our downtown while checking off your holiday list or
dining in one of our restaurants.
“Remember, as you visit each location, collect a stamp on your card.”
Once your card is fully stamped you bring the card to Magdalen Square, drop it in the box for a chance to win a gift basket which is drawn at 8:15 pm.
“So, grab your family or friend and come stroll through our festive downtown and enjoy all the holiday cheer this event has to offer,” Beckett said.