RSS Feed

On Friday, after 7 a.m., the driver of a Chevy truck went off the road on U.S. 167 as it was entering Abbeville. The truck went through two ditches, crossed Palm Hospital Road, and finally stopped after hitting the “Welcome to Abbeville” sign.
The sign, which has been around for 15 years, is made of foam. But it was the cement base of the sign that actually stopped the truck.
The driver was taken to a local hospital, and their name or medical condition wasn’t available on Friday.

Working on a project for which you are passionate can be its own reward. That is certainly the case for Eric Adcock, a renowned South Louisiana musician, pianist, songwriter, and longtime Abbeville resident, about the role he played in the album “A Tribute to the King of Zydeco.”
For his part in that album, one that honored the 100th birthday of Zydeco legend Clifton Chenier, Adcock can now take pride that he is an integral part of a GRAMMY winning album. “A Tribute to the King of Zydeco” won the top award in the “Best Regional Roots Music Album” category during this past Sunday’s GRAMMY Awards ceremony.
On Tuesday evening, the city Adcock loves to call home provided some time to recognize his success and affiliation with the album. The Abbeville City Council honored Adcock by recognizing his work on the recording and invited him to speak about the making of the album and ultimate win.
“Thank you to the council for acknowledging this honor,” Adcock said. “I am a very proud citizen of Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, and Louisiana. To be able to make music to honor the legacy of Clifton Chenier is profound for me, and for our efforts to be recognized on the world stage, with the highest honor, is just humbling. We were able to honor the legacy of a tremendous musician, who laid the groundwork for an entire culture, worldwide.”
Councilman Brady Broussard Jr. said the admiration for Adcock is mutual. “The city is very proud of the local connection of one of our residents to the GRAMMY Award,” Broussard said.
The album and its win are further connected to Vermilion Parish, as much of the recording production took place at Dockside Studio in Maurice, engineered by Justin Tocket. Dockside Studio, owned by Steve and Cezanne Nails, has now produced 14 Grammy wins.
“For those of you who don’t know,” Adcock said, “one of the most legendary recording studios is right up this Bayou Vermilion. I do a lot of session work and have made lots of records there. It’s just so authentic, and it felt like the right place to do a record that is a tribute to King Clifton.”
Musical producers, Joel Savoy of Eunice-based Valcour Records, and Steve Berlin of legendary band Los Lobos, along with Executive Producer, John Leopold, produced the album.
The concept blended notable Louisiana roots musicians with numerous featured artists, such as The Rolling Stones, Jimmie Vaughan, Marcia Ball, Sonny Landreth, Taj Mahal, Jon Cleary, Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, Charley Crockett, John Hiatt, and others. Representing South Louisiana accordion masters included Clifton’s son, C.J. Chenier, as well as Geno Delafose, Keith Frank, Nathan Williams Sr., Anthony Dopsie, Curley Taylor, Roddie Romero, and Steve Riley.
Adcock contributed his skills on the piano, Hammond B-3 organ and backing vocals as part of the studio band called “The Dockside All-Stars” which also included Lee Allen Zeno on bass, Jermaine Prejean on drums, Roddie Romero on guitar, Derek Huston on saxophone, Sherelle Mouton and Paul “Bird” Edwards on rubboards.
“It’s tremendous to think about what it takes for a record of this magnitude to happen,” Adcock said. “We had over 40 guest artists at the highest levels along with our homegrown group of ace studio musicians providing the foundation, who were all there to honor Clifton’s incredible legacy.”
“Clifton Chenier was a huge inspiration to us all and we put our heart and soul into this recording. I am just so proud of all the musicians, producers, and folks who came together to be part of this album.”
“I love Abbeville,” Adcock said. “I take a lot of pride in representing who we are as a culture and a people, especially through music. For this album to be recognized, and to win the GRAMMY, is surreal. And what makes this even more beautiful is that all profits from the album sales are donated to the newly established Clifton Chenier Memorial Scholarship Fund for studying Zydeco accordion at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette - so his legacy can endure for future generations.”

ERATH - Since the start of football season, Erath High senior Kaiden Viator has worn a necklace with a brooch. Inside it is a photo of him and his father, Keith Viator.
Kaiden keeps the photo close because his father, Keith, passed away in June 2025 at just 56 years old.
The only time Kaiden takes off the necklace is when he plays or practices football.
“My dad was my number one fan,” Kaiden said. “He was my personal trainer, and he made me who I am today.”
This past football season, Kaiden played and practiced without his father, who had always encouraged him to improve.
“I played with a chip on my shoulder, but I didn’t let it get to me,” he said. “I knew my team needed me, and they had my back.”
On Wednesday, for National Signing Day, Kaiden wore the brooch over his shirt. He wanted his father to be with him in spirit as he signed to play football for Louisiana Christian University (LCU) in Pineville, Louisiana.
“I know he would have wanted to be here,” Kaiden said.
Kaiden played on the Bobcats’ defensive line, helping the team to a record 11-1 season in 2025. Before LCU contacted him, only a small college in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, had shown interest. He didn’t want to be six hours from his family, but he was willing to go if it meant playing football.
About two weeks ago, an assistant coach from LCU contacted Kaiden to say they were impressed with his game film. LCU then invited Kaiden and his family for an official campus visit.
The decision was easy for him.
“I was glad they offered me a scholarship while I was there,” Kaiden said. “Playing at LCU is much closer than going to Arkansas. But I was willing to go if it meant playing football.”
Last year, LCU finished with an 8-3 record and went 7-1 in conference play. They opened the season against McNeese State and lost 54-9. The team also played schools from Arizona, Texas, and Oklahoma.
Two athletes from Vermilion Parish are already on LCU’s roster.
Erath High graduate Mason Hebert is listed as a tight end, and Gueydan High graduate Micah Marceaux plays on the offensive line.

Darnall, Sikes & Frederick is celebrating its 75th anniversary.
How has the firm evolved since its founding?
Bobby Darnall: My grandfather founded the firm after returning from World War II. He started as a single-man shop, and I don't think he could have envisioned the size and success we've achieved today. We've grown from one person to a team of 175 across six offices. A pivotal moment was the merger between the Darnall firm and the Sikes Frederick firm in the early 90s, which set us on a major growth trajectory. While we've expanded to become a full-service firm offering specialized accounting and wealth management services that he never would have imagined, we still hold true to his core philosophy: do whatever it takes to take care of the client.
Erich Loewer, III: I remember hearing stories about Bobby's grandfather hand-delivering tax returns to clients' homes. That commitment to service is something we still practice today. In the 27 years I’ve been with DSF, I’ve seen our team double in size and our revenue increase fourfold. That growth is a testament to the foundation laid by our predecessors.
What are some of the most significant achievements in DSF's history?
Jenifer Zaunbrecher Marcial: Moving into our office in River Ranch was more than a change of address, it was a signal to clients and the community that DSF is accessible, visible and deeply invested in Lafayette’s growth. It’s helped us attract talent, host more client-facing events, and collaborate better across teams, which ultimately improves responsiveness and service quality.
Bobby Darnall: The mergers and acquisitions have been key. The initial merger in the early 90s was the big one, but since then, we’ve continued to expand by acquiring and merging with other like-minded firms. Each merger was a careful combination of firms that shared our dedication to client service. This year, we were also honored as Large Business of the Year, which feels especially meaningful as we celebrate this 75-year milestone.
How does DSF maintain its connection to its rich history while looking toward the future?
Bobby Darnall: For me, it’s very personal. I still have clients and partners who talk about my grandfather. Continuing his legacy means a lot to me, and I know he would be proud to see a descendant carrying on his work.
Erich Loewer, III: My father started our Eunice office in 1969 and rejoined the firm in 1998 when I did. We have many multi-generational connections here. All retired shareholders can look at what they created and take pride in how we are maintaining and building upon their legacy.
Jenifer Zaunbrecher Marcial: I chose DSF because of its reputation for integrity and its commitment to mentorship. Over the years, I’ve seen how the firm’s values show up in the way we train younger staff, invite diverse viewpoints, and ensure clients are never ‘handed off’ without context. That continuity is why I’m proud to be here—and why I hope to be part of our 100th anniversary.
What makes your Abbeville office so important to the firm’s success?
Bobby Darnall: The Abbeville office, which we established in 1994, is one of our main revenue centers and serves some of our largest clients. These clients are pivotal to the economy of Vermilion Parish. We recently completed a major renovation of our building in downtown Abbeville, which is a symbol of our long-term commitment to the area.
Jenifer Zaunbrecher Marcial: I started my career in the Abbeville office, and it shaped my approach to client service. In Abbeville, you learn quickly that relationships and responsiveness matter just as much as technical expertise. I worked on everything from small businesses to complex family entities, often side-by-side with owners who expected both precision and practicality. That grounding taught me to translate complex guidance into actionable steps, something our clients still value today.
Erich Loewer, III: Some of my favorite clients are in Abbeville. Although my main office is in Eunice, I make the 50-mile trip at least once a week, as being present for our clients and the community is important.
What message do you want to convey to clients and the community as you mark this milestone?
Erich Loewer, III: If I had to pick one word, it would be trust. A firm doesn’t grow to our size without a culture of trust—trust within our organization, trust with our clients, and trust in the community. That internal trust allows us to earn the external trust we value so much.
Bobby Darnall: We want clients to know that we are here to help them grow. We strive to be more than a compliance firm; we are consultants and advisors. Our goal is to help our clients achieve their business, retirement, and life goals. We've grown with our clients for 75 years, and we plan to continue doing so.
How does DSF stay ahead in a constantly changing industry?
Bobby Darnall: Our unique selling point is that we are a full-service firm. We have the knowledge and capability of a much larger national firm, but with the local touch and community focus that people value. We can handle highly complex projects while remaining accessible.
Jenifer Zaunbrecher Marcial: You see this in specialized areas, such as non-profit tax returns. New clients often come to us because their previous CPA didn’t have that expertise. We have someone in-house for nearly every need, so clients don't have to seek out a regional or national firm. We also prioritize technology and security to protect our clients’ data, which is more critical now than ever.
Looking ahead, what is the future for DSF?
Erich Loewer, III: The future is our people. We are committed to hiring only the best. We seek leadership material and top-quality individuals because this ensures we are building a legacy of excellence for future generations. Clients want an advisor they won’t outlive, and our focus on developing young talent provides the stability they need.
Bobby Darnall: Our path is always growth-oriented. This includes not just our firm's growth, but our clients' growth. We will continue to be advisors who help our clients thrive, and we will remain deeply invested in the communities we serve, just as we have for the last 75 years.