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Members of the 2024 North Vermilion baseball team (in no certain order) Colt Lejeune, Devin Blanchard, Cody Breaux, Sam Galland, Kaius Hebert, Brody Lambeck, Logan Thompson, Brock Broussard, Colton Jeansonne, Ethan Gaspard, Collin Broussard, Kohen Landry, Cohen
Herpin, Jansen DeAngelo, Ben Carter, James Higginbotham, Jax Smith, Drew Durke, Hunter Denais, Avery Stutes, Alex Landry, Cooper Petrey, Jackson Romero, Blaze Duhon and Isaac Russell.

North Vermilion Patriots return to Sulphur after one year absence

When the North Vermilion Patriots, seeded 6th, play against Pearl River Rebels, seeded 10th, today (Wednesday), NV head coach Jeremy ...

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Didier Hougardy of Hannut, Belgium, (far left) speaks during Thursday’s Jumelage welcoming luncheon at Kaplan City Hall as Kaplan Mayor Mike Kloesel, Blake Williams and Jonathan Perry (L-R) look on. Williams and Perry are members of the Kaplan Jumelage Committee.

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Locals and visitors from Hannut, Belgium filled the upstairs at Kaplan City Hall on Thursday for the Jumelage Welcome luncheon.

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The groups from Kaplan and Hannut exchanged gifts as part of Thursday’s official welcoming.

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Mayor Mike Kloesel offered a key to the city to each of the guest from Hannut.

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Jonathan Perry and Mayor Mike Kloesel (right) show of the flag created by local artist Leigha Briolo. The flag was given as a gift to the guests from Hannut.

Kaplan, Hannut celebrate Jumelage

KAPLAN — What do Kaplan and Hannut, Belgium, have in common? For one thing,  each has people who are happy to ...

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Robert "Bobby" Broussard, Jr.

November 17, 1935 ~ May 6, 2024

ABBEVILLE — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, May 10, 2024 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church honoring the life of Robert "Bobby" Broussard, Jr., 88, who died Monday, May 6, 2024 at The Carpenter House of St. Joseph Hospice. He will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Reverend Nicholas DuPre' officiating the services. Pallbearers will be Blake Cormier, Garrett Broussard, Ricky Cormier, Danny Cormier, Ron Broussard, and Wade Trahan.
He is survived by his son, Gerry Broussard and his wife, Cynthia of Katy, TX; daughter, Becky Cormier and her husband, Ricky of Abbeville; four grandchildren Blake Cormier, Kelly Cormier, Elizabeth Broussard, and Garrett Broussard; two great grandsons, Jacques Cormier and Beau Cormier; brother, Ronald "Ronnie" Broussard; and nephew, Ron Broussard.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mabel Courville Broussard; and parents, Robert Broussard, Sr. and the former Camelia Perry; and nephew, Craig Broussard.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Friday, May 10, 2024 from 9 a.m. until 2:45 p.m. when the procession will depart for the church. A rosary being prayed at 1 p.m.
The family would like to thank The Carpenter House, Jefferson Healthcare, Vermilion at Eastridge, Cedar Crest Memory Care, and other care givers. The Broussard family would also like to thank family and friends for all their support throughout this journey. He will be dearly missed.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.

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Abbeville has QR code for motorists to keep up with road repairs

As the Abbeville downtown area undergoes extensive road work expected to last several months, commuting in the area may present challenges, including road closures, detours, and altered parking arrangements.
Motorists should plan accordingly and allow extra time to reach their destinations. Sidewalks will remain open to allow access to businesses along the route.
To keep residents informed, the city has implemented a communication strategy. Daily email alerts are being sent out to subscribers, detailing the latest closures and alternate routes. These updates are also being posted regularly on the city’s official social media channels and website.
The city said it understands the inconvenience the road work may cause; however, this is a crucial step towards enhancing our city’s infrastructure for the future. The city said it appreciates everyone’s patience and cooperation during this time.
For those wishing to stay updated on the latest developments, the city has made it easy to sign up for email alerts. By simply scanning the provided QR code, individuals can input their email address and receive daily updates straight to their inbox.
Despite morning disruptions, crews reopen roads each evening, allowing for smoother traffic flow during non-peak hours. As the project progresses, the city remains committed to minimizing disruptions and ensuring the safety and convenience of all residents and visitors.

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Sandra Goodman points to where the contractors began work on her yard.

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This is what the ditch along her property line looked like before it was cleaned.

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This is what it looks like today after contractors cleaned it.

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This is the $2,500 bill she received from the city.

Abbeville city hall sends citizen $2,500 bill after city hires contractor to clean part of her yard

Sandra Goodman says she cannot afford to pay bill

The city of Abbeville is getting tougher about enforcing ordinances regarding abandoned houses, overgrown yards, and junk-inoperable vehicles in yards.
Just ask long-time Abbeville resident Sandra Goodman, 71, about how tough the city is getting on cleaning up Abbeville.
Last month, she received a bill from the city that was $2,500.  
The bill was divided into two parts. The largest amount, $1,675, was for the contractor the city hired to clean her yard.
The other part, $837, is for the city’s administrator fee.
If she does not pay the $2,500 bill by May 10, the city will proceed to file a lien against her property.
“The resident is no different than any other citizen in Abbeville,” said Abbeville attorney Bart Broussard. “She did not comply with the ordinance, and if you do not comply, this is what happens.”
Broussard said the city’s ordinances align with state law and comply with state and city ordinance notification requirements.
The city of Abbeville mailed Goodman a bill for $2,512.50. Goodman said she has decided to hire a lawyer and file an injunction against the city. She also plans not to pay the bill because she cannot afford it. 
Goodman has lived at 1002 Thomas Street for over 40 years and recently received complaints from the city about her property.
She enjoys letting the vegetation grow in her yard to create shade and has small rose bushes and trees along her property line next to the drainage ditches.
According to city attorney Bart Broussard,  Bryan Fisher, the city’s new code enforcer officer, gave Goodman a notice in February. He sent her a letter on February 6, 2024, about the violations on her property. One of those violations was abandoned vehicles on her property. Goodman covered the abandoned vehicles, as  Fisher suggested.
The other violation was small trees along the side of a drainage ditch. According to Goodman, Fisher advised her to cut down the small trees, which she and a friend did on August 7, she said.
Broussard said Fisher had been in contact with Goodman since February 6 and warned her that the city would hire a contractor if she did not clean her yard. 
The city did precisely that. 
On April 8, she heard a chainsaw at work in her yard. She walked outside and saw a man removing and cutting tree branches on her property. She walked over and asked who they were. She said she was told they were contractors hired by the city to clean part of her property. 
“I did not know they were coming,” said Goodman. “They had no instructions. They told me they were there to clean up the yard and ditch. The city should have notified me they were coming onto my property.” 
She said the contractor was  “unprofessional” and had a 12-year-old helper. 
“The contractor told me the city told him to come to clean my yard and the ditch,” she said. “The contractor should not have been on my property. I never permitted him to come on my property. He just started cutting. I disapproved of the contractors coming onto my property. I went without notice.”
Goodman said the contractors should have only cleaned the ditch and not go onto her yard and cut branches.
Goodman said she has no plans to pay the bill.
“If I pay this bill, what is to say they do not return in six months and fine me $2,500 again?
“There are bigger problems to fix than fining someone $2,500 because they have small trees growing along their property line. They should be worrying about crime  instead of putting liens on houses lived in by 71-year-old ladies.”
Broussard said he understood her concerns about the high bill, but she did not comply with the ordinance.

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Carlisle Quackenbos is all smiles after winning the pole vaulting Class A state title.

VC has state champion pole vaulter

Quackenbos vaults 9-5 to claim title

Carlisle Quackenbos of Vermilion Catholic captured the pole vault at Thursday’s Class A state track meet in Baton Rouge.
Quackenbos only needed two jumps to win the title. She cleared 9-5 on her second-to-last attempt.
Marley Moore of VC also had a good day. She finished third in the long jump (15-10.5) and was seventh in the 100 meter dash (12.98).
VC’s Luke McLain was fifth in the javelin and Bree Duhon was sixth in the hurdles.

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Kennedy Marceaux, Kaplan's shortstop, was named the MVP of the district.

Kaplan dominates all-district softball team

Marceaux named MVP, LeBeouf is coach of the year

The Kaplan Lady Pirates showcased their unparalleled prowess in the 2024 All-District 5-3A games, emerging as the dominant force on the all-district first team.
The Lady Pirates landed 11 on the first team and had the MVP and the Coach of the Year.
Senior Kennedy Marceaux, with a .700 batting average, was named the district’s most valuable player. The other district coaches voted Brittany LeBeouf as coach of the year. 
The Lady Pirates, who won the district title for the fourth straight year, dominated the infield and outfield on the first team.
The first team infield consisted of Kaplan players such as Addyson Hebert at catcher, Abbigale Ford at first base, Regan Smith at second base, London Greene at third base and Marceaux at shortstop.
Jessa Lopez and Haylie Robinson were two out of the three outfielders.  Kaplan center fielder Lexi Greene was a first-team pitcher.
Kaplan pitcher Briley LeBeouf also landed on the first team with a 4-0 record.
Kaplan’s Ellie Marceaux and Baleigh Landry landed on the first team as utility players.
Erath freshman Elise Mencacci went 2-0 on the mound to land on the first-team all-district team.
Joining her on the first team from Erath were Kristina Landry as an outfielder, Keiresten Perro, Ali Bouillion as utility players.  Erath’s Kate Wilson was selected as a designated player. 

First Team

Position Name School Class Record/Avg
Pitcher Briley LeBeouf Kaplan 12 4-0/.500
Pitcher Lexi Greene Kaplan 9 .500
Pitcher Elise Mencacci Erath 9 2-0
Catcher Addyson Hebert Kaplan 11 .285
1st Base Abbigale Ford Kaplan 11 .555
2nd Base Reagan Smith Kaplan 12 .428
3rd Base London Greene Kaplan 12 .666
Shortstop Kennedy Marceaux Kaplan 12 .700
Outfield Jessa Lopez Kaplan 12 .545
Outfield Haylie Robinson Kaplan 12 .200
Outfield Kristina Landry Erath 11 .400
Utility Ellie Marceaux Kaplan 12 .428
Utility Baleigh Landry Kaplan 11 .428
Utility Brielle Casey SMSH 12 .364
Utility Kiersten Perro Erath 12 . 384
Utility Ali Bouillion Erath 10 . 475
Utility Elli Goutierrez SMHS 11 .400
DP Kate Wilson Erath 9 .417

MVP - Kennedy Marceaux, Kaplan
Coach of the Year - Brittany LeBeouf, Kaplan

Second Team

Position Name School Class Record/Avg
Pitcher Jaylan Wiltz SMSH 10
Pitcher Erika Hebert Crowley 12
Catcher Madyson Vallo Erath 11 .350
1st Base Lily Smith Erath 10 .365
2nd Base Ellie Goutierrez Erath 12 .420
Shortstop Chloe Suire SMSH 12 .667
Outfield Mollie-Grace LeBlanc Erath 11 .333
Utility Sarinity Walker Abbeville 10 .556
Utility Aaliyah Pillette Abbeville 9 .400
Utility Addie Bergeron SMSH 11 .375
Utility Elli Potier Crowley 10 .400
Utility Alayna Hollie Crowley 12 .300

Honorable Mention
Drew Kass, Kaplan; Carlie Broussard, Kaplan; Kalli Trahan, Kaplan; Kadey Duhon, Kaplan; Kiersten Cormier, Jayda Foucheaux, Devaney Savoy, Shalacie Sonnier, China Williams

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Abbeville Meridional

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