MAURICE – On Tuesday, June 24, 2025, shortly after 3:00 p.m., Troopers with Louisiana State Police
Troop I began investigating a two-vehicle fatality crash on Louisiana Highway 92 at its intersection with Louisiana Highway 343. The crash claimed the life of 19-year-old Noah Ducote of Port Barre.
The Vermilion Parish School Board has plans to demolish old gymnasium at Rene Rost Middle School.
KAPLAN — It sounds like the days are numbered for the old Rene Rost Middle School gym in Kaplan.
The Vermilion Parish School Board has plans to tear down the damaged structure.
At Thursday night’s school board meeting, the board members learned that to bring the 75-year-old-plus gym up to operating condition, it will cost just under $2 million to repair a gym that does not have air conditioning.
Denise Lotief
North Vermilion High School Principal Denise Lotief has spent more than three decades working in education.
Lotief announced that time is now coming to an end.
“After 32 incredible years in education, I’m stepping into a new chapter of my life — retirement,” Loteif said in a post on social media. “This decision has not been easy, as this has truly been my second home for so long.”
Pictured (L-R) are Miss Freedom Karmen Landry, Miss Justice Keylene Coleman, Miss Juneteenth Queen 2025 Jaylie Williams (16) in the middle is the 2024 Miss Juneteenth Queen Sanatryn Fruge, Junior Miss Juneteenth Queen Karlee Stewart, Junior Miss Justice Kyli Alyra Bolden and Junior Miss Freedom Seriniti Broussard.
The Vermilion Parish NAACP #6276 and Mt. Triumph Baptist Church hosted the Fourth Annual Miss Juneteenth Pageant on June 7 at the Abbeville High School Auditorium.
The participants showcased their talents, beauty, etiquette, and humility, as noted by the organizers. Representatives from both the Vermilion Parish NAACP and Mt. Triumph Baptist Church expressed their gratitude to all the parents who supported their children in this event. They also thanked the community for coming out to support the girls, as well as the judges and the master of ceremonies, Lawana Stokes.
Layla Bolden hangs up a shirt at the Wildcat Wardrobe. Two years ago, Bolden turned her room into a place J.H. Williams students can grab what they need for a school day, should the need arise.
Along with uniforms, and other donated items, Layla Bolden has collected shoes.
One cabinet in Layla Bolden’s room at J.H. Williams, known as the Wildcat Wardrobe, is full of school supplies.
It’s still early in the summer, so kids definitely don’t want to think too much about returning to school.
However, when the year does begin in August, should a student at J.H. Williams Middle School in Abbeville need something for school on a given day, he or she won’t have to think about where to find it.
For the past two years, the Wildcat Wardrobe at J.H. Williams has provided students with various necessities that may arise during a school day. Layla Bolden, the school’s behavior interventionist, helped organize the effort.
318 N. Main St.
Abbeville, LA 70510
Phone: 337-893-4223
Fax: 337-898-9022
219 North Cushing Avenue
Kaplan, LA 70548