RSS Feed

The Romero family of Abbeville has announced that their son, Landon Romero, was involved in a head-on collision that occurred on Friday morning on La. 338. 
The accident claimed the life of 56-year-old Charles Levine, whose truck crossed the centerline and collided with Romero’s vehicle. Levine’s truck subsequently caught fire. Landon Romero had to be rescued from his vehicle by the fire departments of Erath, LeBlanc, and Abbeville. 
He was initially transported to a hospital in Lafayette and later moved to a hospital in Baton Rouge.
 Landon is a 2022 graduate of Vermilion Catholic High School. 
His parents are Tricia and Jeremy Romero, the latter of whom is a chiropractor in Abbeville.
 Landon’s sister, Lene Claire Romero, is currently a student at UL-Lafayette.
The Romero Family released an update Monday night on their son.
“ We would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support. He is improving each day, but still has a long road ahead of him in his recovery. There are a lot of unknowns at this time, but we are hopeful.”

A long-vacant downtown property is set to take on new life as the Abbeville Harbor & Terminal District announced this week it has purchased the building to house its Port Security Network, a public safety initiative developed in coordination with other state and local governmental entities, as well as the potential to include federal partners.
The property was purchased from LISPAP INVESTMENTS, LLC for $300,000, according to District officials. The building, situated in the heart of downtown Abbeville, had been on the market for over four years. Leaders said they waited to ensure no private business intended to acquire the property before stepping in.
“This purchase is about timing, opportunity, and responsibility,” said Jimmie Steen, president of the Abbeville Harbor & Terminal District Commission. “After waiting years to ensure no private business was left out, we felt it was the right moment to step in not as competitors, but as partners in security and redevelopment. Our focus is on protecting the Port, supporting law enforcement, and putting an idle building back to work for the community.”
Mayor Roslyn White praised the acquisition as a boost to the City’s long-term revitalization strategy. “Every time we see a vacant building brought back into commerce, it strengthens the momentum of our downtown redevelopment,” White said. “Having the Harbor & Terminal District invest here shows confidence in our city’s future, and it plays an important role in the overall development plan for Abbeville.”
The Port Security Network is designed to safeguard critical infrastructure and assets from potential threats, including terrorism. While plans for the building are still in the early stages, officials say it will be dedicated to operations and could eventually host additional federal partners. The facility could also serve the needs of current Port tenants, providing them with extra space to expand or coordinate their operations.
Attorney Roger Boynton, who has represented the District for more than 40 years, pointed to the legal authority behind the move. “Louisiana law is very clear on this point: the District is expressly empowered to acquire, own, and lease property in furtherance of its mission,” Boynton said. “The statute specifically authorizes the District to ‘lease or sell for manufacturing, commercial and business purposes, land or buildings owned or acquired by it.’ This authority ensures the Port can provide facilities and partnerships that support commerce, security, and further development.”
Executive Director Nick Gautreaux said the project is as much about revitalization as it is about the Port’s mission. “This acquisition represents more than a facility for Port operations; it is an investment in the long-term vitality of Abbeville. By returning this building to active use, we are creating a space where local, state, and potentially federal partners can collaborate in the shared mission of protecting critical infrastructure. At the same time, we are contributing to the momentum of downtown redevelopment, ensuring that public safety and economic progress move forward together.”
The acquisition aligns with recent investments by the City Council and Mayor in downtown Abbeville. Local leaders believe the project will restore the property to active use, supporting both public safety and further development.

  The Vermilion Catholic Eagles have a new head softball and wide receivers coach.
Jason Lopez joined the VC family in July.  Aside from coaching, he teaches seventh and eighth-grade Social Studies as well as high school English.
Lopez is a 1997 graduate of Rayne High School.  He then attended both UL-Lafayette and LSU before graduating with a bachelor’s degree in history from UL in 2001.  From there, Lopez went to law school.  That decision led to his first experience with Abbeville.
Lopez is a 1997 graduate of Rayne High School.  He then attended both UL-Lafayette and LSU before graduating with a bachelor’s degree in history from UL in 2001.  From there, Lopez went to law school.  That decision led to his first experience with Abbeville.
  “I went to law school for a year and figured out that I really hated that,” Lopez said.  “I actually lived in Abbeville for a year after that.  I was working offshore and lived on State Street.  It’s wild because I didn’t think I’d ever be back, but you never know what life has in store for you.”
 Lopez then decided to join the United States Army, where he enjoyed a career spanning over 20 years.  He earned his master’s degree in history from LSU in 2012 before earning a second master’s degree in military studies from Marine Corps University in 2016.  He is currently a doctoral candidate in war studies at the Royal Military College of Canada.
Lopez is married to Noel Lopez.  She is an ER nurse from Raleigh, North Carolina. 
 Together, they had five children.  Landri is the oldest at 21.  She’s a senior in college.  Jackson would be 19, but he unfortunately passed away.  Andrew is 16 and is a junior tackle on the football team at VC.  Emma is 13 in the eighth grade at VC.  She’s a softball player.  The caboose is Cooper.  He is six years old and in the first grade at VC.
When he decided it was time to retire from the Army, Louisiana, and a school where he and all his kids could be at the same time were his requirements.  When he interviewed with VC, the school not only fulfilled the bare minimum, but it also far exceeded his expectations.
 “We were looking for our next job after retirement, and my wife said she’d really like to live in Louisiana,” Lopez said.  “I had to check her for a fever because it’s melt-your-face hot here in August.  But it’s family first, and my mom, grandma, and brother all still live here.
 “I did my interview, and the kids did their shadowing in the Spring, and it was a perfect fit.  I constantly pinch myself, and I’m not exaggerating.  The kids, the families, and the environment are just amazing.  My kids and I wake up every day excited to go to school.  Every day is a blessing.”
 Being a military family, the Lopezs know a thing or two about schools.  They’ve lived in nine different states over the years.  Emma, the eighth grader, has attended six other schools. 
“VC is a special place,” Lopez said.  “With our military experience, we’ve been to good schools with great education and great athletic programs, but none of them have checked every box the way VC does.  We’re beyond blessed to be here.”
Lopez is currently focused on the football team, but he also has his eye on the upcoming softball season.  This will be his first head coaching job at the high school level, but he has coached his daughters in travel ball for 20 years.
 “I’m looking forward to working with these girls in this environment where everyone is bought in,” Lopez said.  I had the opportunity to interact with some of them, and they are excited.  They’re looking forward to a new face and a new coaching style.”
 Lopez believes his family has found their forever home.  If he has his way, they will be staples of the VC community for years to 
“I’m a loyal guy,” Lopez said.  “When we find something that works, we like to stick to it.  This is a special place, and we’d like to stay here as long as they’ll have us.”

LAFAYETTE - The Abbeville Wildcats faced difficulties from the game’s start to the final minutes on Thursday.
AHS head coach Jonathan Zenon, still in search of his first win after 12 games, decided to attempt an onside kick to start the game. Unfortunately, the attempt was unsuccessful. As a result, Lafayette Renaissance Charter (LRC) gained possession of the ball at midfield and quickly scored one of their seven touchdowns, leading to a decisive 48-6 victory over the 0-2 Wildcats.
With less than three minutes left in the game, the Wildcats found themselves on the LRC one-yard line but failed to score after seven attempts. LRC, a Class 2A team, then regained possession and ran out the clock, improving their record to 2-0.
LRC did what it wanted against Abbeville in the first half.
In its first three possessions, it scored and led 21-0 at the end of the first period.
At the end of the first quarter, the Wildcats put together a decent drive and moved the football down into LRC territory, attempting a long pass. It was intercepted, and the LRC defender ran it back for what looked like another touchdown.  But AHS safety Justin  Montgomery ran the LRC defender down and tackled him at the 10-yard line.   Two plays later, LRC was in the end zone for a 28-0 lead.
LRC did not punt one time in the first half and led 35-0.
Both teams put up a lot of offense in the first half. LRC had 241 yards of offense (108 rushing, 133 passing), while Abbeville had 122 (76 passing, 46 rushing). 
Abbeville quarterback DaZavien Maze completed nine out of 19  passes for 76 yards and an interception. Cameron Samuels had three catches for 38 yards, and Jacolby Campbell had three receptions for 23 yards. 
Montgomery had six carries for 36 yards in the first half.
The Wildcats did have one bright moment on the first play to open the second half. Montgomery, at the AHS 47, took the handoff and ran it 53 yards for a touchdown.  The extra point was missed, putting AHS down 35-6. 
The Wildcats attempted their second onside kick of the game, but LRC recovered it at midfield. Two plays later, LRC was in the end zone for a 41-6 lead.
LRC had close to 250 yards rushing and around 200 yards passing for four quarters.
Abbeville, on the other hand, Montgomery had 101 yards rushing on 11 carries, while Maze had 10 carries for 18 yards.
Samuels had four catches for 48 yards for AHS.