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VC senior Kennedy Harrington cheers on the VC senior baseball players while riding in the parade of vehicles in front of Sellers Field.

VC senior baseball player Colby Boudreaux watches the parade of vehicles pass in front of Sellers Field. Boudreaux stood on his car and listen to the cheers.

VC senior Andre LeBlanc sits in the back of his truck and watches everyone drive by Sellers Field. LeBlanc just took in the moment on Monday, knowing he will no longer wear a VC uniform.

With the lights on at Sellers Field in Abbeville, VC senior
Colin Broussard watches some 50 vehicles drive by as the seniors watched in amazement.

VC parent Sharon Belaire holds the Eagle Mascot in her hand as she drives by
Sellers Field.

VC senior Rosie Hagle cheers on the VC senior baseball players while riding in the parade of vehicles in front of Sellers Field.

Vermilion Catholic baseball players honored

Thu, 04/16/2020 - 12:25pm

Lights go on at Sellers Field, 6 seniors watch parade

Seven Vermilion Catholic High baseball players were honored Monday night.
Vermilion Catholic joined other school districts across the state and nation by participating in the “Be the Light” campaign on Monday.
The lights at Sellers Field in Abbeville were turned on at 8 o’clock p.m. to honor the current VC baseball seniors, who had their season ruined due to the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Suddenly, as the lights were turned on, there were vehicle lights and horns blowing en route to Sellers Field. For 15 minutes, close to 50 vehicles paraded in front of Sellers Field blowing their horns and yelling, in support of the seniors. The seniors stood outside of their vehicles and watched in amazement.
The seniors being honored are Colin Broussard, Colby Boudreaux, Andrew Daspit, Andre LeBlanc, Andrew Marceaux, Moe Maxile and Hunter Smith. “This is wild,” said senior Andrew Marceaux. Daspit was the only senior missing.
Also in attendance were head baseball coach Ben Harrington and head basketball coach Cory Brodie, who stood across the street from the seniors. Harrington was happy his players were able to get a send-off despite only playing a handful of games this year. “Seeing our boys smiling from ear to ear tonight as they watched the procession was something I will remember forever,” said Harrington. “I was completely overwhelmed with emotion.”
Harrington said having 50 vehicles was terrific to see, and he thanked the “VC family.” “It was phenomenal, and I want to thank them (the VC family) for showing up for our boys,” said Harrington. “I am so happy that we could do something to give our seniors recognition; however, these seniors deserve so much more.”
The virus has forced all schools to remain closed for the rest of the 2019-20 school year. The LHSAA has also canceled all spring sports events for the remainder of the year. Before the LHSAA officially canceled spring sports last week, there was a slim chance that spring sports would continue. But then the LHSAA decided to cancel the remaining sports.
“We were having a good year with seven seniors and to have that taken away is heartbreaking,” said Broussard, a two-sport athlete for VC. “Our hopes were up that maybe we could finish the season, and then we were disappointed again when we got the news about the season being canceled.”

Lighthouse church in Abbeville plans to serve soup, hand out masks & hand sanitizer

Thu, 04/16/2020 - 12:17pm

Trula Campbell is a member of a large family, so when one of her siblings got a cold or the flu, her parents could not afford to send them to a doctor. Instead, the family cooked vegetable soup as a way to build up their immune system.
Campbell is 67 years old and a member of Lighthouse for Jesus Ministries in Abbeville. So, when the church was looking for a way to help residents during the coronavirus pandemic, Campbell, who also cooks for the church, thought about how she grew up eating vegetable soup to build up the immune system. Why not feed the community vegetable soup in hopes of preventing people from getting the COVID-19, she thought.
On Saturday, Lighthouse for Jesus Ministries will be serving chicken noodle soup and beef vegetable soup out of the church’s food truck. The church will also be handing out masks and personal sized hand sanitizer when someone picks up their soup.
“The church wanted to make something different, a different approach,” said Campbell. “What better way to build up everyone’s immune system than eating soup. Soup is full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that fight illness and build up the immune system.”
The six church volunteers will keep their distance from everyone, said Campbell.
The soup will be served in a sealed cup and distributed out of the church’s food truck.
When the soup is handed to each person they will also receive a mask and hand sanitizer.
The church’s food truck will be serving at the Herod Village Apartments on 1500 Israel Parker Drive, from noon to 1:15 p.m., and then it will move to 609 North Bailey Street from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
“We will serve until we run out,” said Campbell.

Wendell Dale Suire

Thu, 04/16/2020 - 12:08pm

November 19, 1957 ~ April 14, 2020

COW ISLAND — Graveside services will be held honoring the life of Wendell Dale Suire, 62, who died Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at his residence. He will be laid to rest at St. Anne Cemetery with Reverend Matthew Barzare officiating the services.
He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Mary Nell Gaspard Suire; three stepchildren, Denise and her husband, Stoney Broussard of Forked Island, Rayburn Mouton and his wife, Sue of Rifle, CO, and D.J. Mouton and his wife, Kaysie of Maurice; one brother, Weston Suire and his wife, Cheryl of Kaplan; one sister, Ruby Stoute and her husband, Jr.; seven grandchildren, Tyra, Ashtin, Austin, Trevor, Hunter, Drake, and Hayes; and three great grandchildren, R.J., Violet, and Emorie.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Estha Suire and the former Marie Touchet; and one sister, Mary Dartez.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Kaplan, (337) 643-7276. Condolences may be sent to the Suire family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.

Louisiana Department of Health COVID-19 Updates for April 15

Wed, 04/15/2020 - 12:09pm

BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana Department of Health has updated its website to reflect the latest number of COVID-19 positives and will continue to update its website at noon each day. As of noon on April 15, the Department reported 433 additional cases since yesterday, bringing the total to 21,951 positive cases.

Hospitalization
A total of 1,943 COVID-19 patients are currently hospitalized; of those, 425 patients require ventilation. Information on available hospital beds, ICU beds, and hospital vents is on the LDH dashboard.

Deaths
The Department reports an additional 90 deaths since yesterday, bringing the total to 1,103 deaths. Deaths are listed on the LDH dashboard by parish under the by parish tab and information by age can be found on the by age tab.

Nursing homes
COVID-19 cases have been reported by 124 nursing homes in Louisiana. 1,320 COVID cases have been reported among residents of nursing homes; 275 COVID-19 deaths have been reported among residents of nursing homes. These facilities care for thousands of Louisianans, including older people and those with underlying medical conditions that put them at higher risk for complications and death from COVID-19. This does not include other adult residential settings.
In many cases, a nursing home resident is tested and diagnosed with COVID-19 by a provider outside of the long-term care facility. The facilities have begun self-reporting positive cases to the Department of Health. Due to the volume, the Department is no longer listing individual facilities. The Department continues to work with facilities to minimize the spread of the illness and protect residents and staff. Facilities have been given guidance to minimize the spread of illness.
The Department will update the number of nursing homes with COVID-19 cases, the number of nursing home residents who are confirmed to have COVID-19 and the number of deaths among these residents on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Returning to work guidance
The Department has issued guidance for essential workers returning to work post-COVID-19 recovery.

Delta Broussard Wild

Wed, 04/15/2020 - 11:01am

February 21, 1936 ~ April 12, 2020

ABBEVILLE — A memorial will be held at a later date honoring the life of Delta Broussard Wild, 84, who died Sunday, April 12, 2020 at Abbeville General Hospital.
Delta enjoyed life. She was a feisty lady who was always kind, sweet, and loved by everyone she met. Delta loved going to the casinos, being outside in her yard, and enjoyed watching NFL football, but only when the Saints played. Delta had a passion for reading. She had just enough books that she could have started her own book club.
She enjoyed spending time with her family. She loved her children unconditionally, and made sure every opportunity she had to let her children know she loved them first.
Delta is survived by her two sons, John Edward Wild III of Mesquite, TX, and Jamie Lee Wild of Abbeville; three daughters, Debbie Ashworth Picou and her husband, Justin of Abbeville, Jody Wild Demarcay and her husband, Darin of Abbeville, and Heather Simon Picard and her husband, Jeremy of Erath; two step-daughters, Jackie Oram and Judy Guthans; one brother, Adam Broussard of Abbeville; 12 grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ulysse P. Broussard, Sr. and the former Medora Hebert; daughter, Diana Ashworth; brothers, Ulysse Broussard, Jr. and Jimmy John Broussard; two sisters, Elise Whitley and Nora Broussard; husband, John Edward Wild II and daughter-in-law, Johnette Suratt Wild.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.

Berney LeBlanc

Wed, 04/15/2020 - 10:46am

1925 - 2020

WAPPINGERS FALLS, New York - Berney Joseph LeBlanc, 95, a resident of Wappingers Falls, NY since 1988, died on April 8, 2020 at home surrounded by his family.
Born on January 9, 1925 in Abbeville, LA, Berney was predeceased by his parents Duprelon LeBlanc and the former Adele Bergeron. After dating since age twelve, Berney married his teenage sweetheart, Frances Viator, on January 26, 1946 in Abbeville, Louisiana. She predeceased him on July 3, 2008. He proudly served our country in the US Army during World War II and was employed as an Office Manager for A&P in Long Island, NY and Edison, NJ.
Berney loved his family - he dedicated his life to his wife, daughter, granddaughters, and great grandchildren. Right up until his final days, he enjoyed cooking and hosting dinners for them. He especially loved the phone calls, visits, letters, and Cajun treats from his extensive extended family who always made him feel special. Berney was great at giving good advice and wisdom, and never stopped trying to help and support his family. He was a proud and humble man, whoever met him adored and gravitated to him. He always knew how to make you laugh. He was also a generous financial donor to many charitable organizations. He gave true meaning to the words, "The Greatest Generation."
Berney is survived by his daughter, Judy DeGiorgio of Wappingers Falls; his granddaughters, Lauren Lewis and her husband Michael of Poughkeepsie, Jeannine Conforti and her husband Joseph of Hopewell Junction, and Tara DeGiorgio and her fiancé Brian Bischoff of Holmes; his great grandchildren, Christopher and his partner Sara, Rebecca, Mackenzie, Kaylie, Berney, and Jacob; his son in law, Mario DeGiorgio; and his large extended Cajun family. In addition to his parents and his wife, he was predeceased by his granddaughter, Lisa DeGiorgio; 4 sisters, Lucy (Fredrick), Euna (Theroit), Eula (Faulk)), and Zoie (Lege); 3 brothers, Eunice, Essie, and D.A.
Service will be private for the family with entombment in the Community Mausoleum at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery. A memorial service in his honor will be set for a later date. Donations may be made in Berney's memory to Hudson Valley Hospice, 374 Violet Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY. Please visit Berney's Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.

Sister Christina Marie Griggs O. Carm

Wed, 04/15/2020 - 10:44am

1929 - 2020

Sister Christina Marie Griggs, a Sister of Mount Carmel, died April 12, 2020 at St. Agnes Healthcare and Rehab Center in Breaux Bridge, LA. She was 91 years old and in the 73rd year of her religious profession.
Sister Chris was born Mary Geraldine Griggs on March 10, 1929 in New Orleans, LA to George Clifford Griggs of Shreveport, LA and Mary Isabelle Deshotel of Opelousas, LA. She entered the Congregation of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on Aug. 13, 1944, and received the habit of the Sisters of Mount Carmel Aug. 2, 1945. On Aug. 4, 1947 she made her first profession, and pronounced perpetual vows Aug. 3, 1950. She celebrated her 70th jubilee in 2017.
Sister Chris graduated from Mount Carmel High School in Lafayette in 1946. She earned a Bachelors’ degree in Education from Loyola University, New Orleans in 1946 and a Masters of Education with a concentration in Home Economics from St. Louis University in Missouri in 1970.
Sister Chris taught from 1947 to 1978 at parochial and Mount Carmel schools in Abbeville, New Iberia, Thibodaux, Westwego, LA and Mount Carmel Academy, New Orleans, LA. From 1979 - 1982 she served as religion coordinator for Cathedral-Carmel, Lafayette. She served as senior sisters’ coordinator at the Motherhouse in New Orleans, as Pastoral Associate at St. Joseph Church in Ville Platte, LA, Associate Provincial Directress of Lay Carmelites in Aylesford, IL and was Director of Programs at the Carmelite Spirituality Center, Lacombe, LA. Since 2010 she served as assistant in the care of the congregation’s elderly sisters in Carencro and Lafayette, visited the homebound, and was Spiritual Assistant to Lay Carmelites at St. Joseph’s in Rayne, LA until 2016 when she moved to Evangeline Oaks Guest House, Carencro, LA, and to Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home in Opelousas, LA. In 2017, until her death, she resided at St. Agnes Healthcare and Rehab Center in Breaux Bridge, LA. Sister Chris was selected as Outstanding Secondary Teacher in 1975 and received the Martin Luther King, Jr. award during her ministry in Ville Platte, LA.
Sister Chris, the sixth of nine children, was preceded in death by her parents, George Clifford Griggs and Mary Isabelle Deshotel Griggs, sisters Lelia Annie Tanner and Stella Virginia Martin and three brothers Henry Octave Griggs, George C. Griggs, Jr. and Fred Ivy Griggs. She is survived by two sisters Shirley Rose Bailey of Lutz, FL. and Rita Catherine Lanier of Denham Springs, LA., one brother John Christopher Griggs (Cassie) of Walker, LA and brother-in-law James Martin (husband of Stella Virginia) of Cecilia, LA.
Interment will be in the Sisters of Mount Carmel tomb at St. Joseph Cemetery, 401 S. Adams Avenue, Rayne, LA 70578. Members of the immediate family are invited. Father Eddie Martin, Sister Chris’ nephew from St. Aloysius Church, Baton Rouge, LA will preside at the interment services. Martin and Castille Funeral Home, Lafayette, LA is entrusted with her arrangements.
Donations may be made to the Mount Carmel Retirement Fund, P.O. Box 1160, Lacombe, LA 70445.

Gov. Edwards signs Proclamation moving Louisiana's elections back several weeks

Wed, 04/15/2020 - 10:34am

BATON ROUGE — Today, at the request of the Louisiana Secretary of State, Gov. John Bel Edwards has postponed Louisiana’s elections for another few weeks because of the COVID-19 outbreak in the state. The Governor originally moved the elections on March 13.
The June 20, 2020 Presidential Preference Primary election in Louisiana is hereby rescheduled for July 11, 2020 from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. The July 25, 2020 election is hereby rescheduled for August 15, 2020 from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Kyla Mouton

Abbeville police looks into death of 22-year-old mother of 2;

Wed, 04/15/2020 - 9:31am

Kyla Mouton passes away in Lafayette hospital

Detectives with the Abbeville Police Department have launched an investigation into the death of Kyla Mouton.
According to the death notice, Mouton, 22, died Monday in Lafayette.
Abbeville Police Lt. Jonathan Touchet said the department is actively investigating Mouton’s death. The police department did not release any information in regard to the cause of her death.
Services for Mouton are pending. Carney Funeral Home in Lafayette is in charge of the arrangements.
Mouton, a 2016 Abbeville High graduate, leaves behind a one-year-old child and a two-year-old child.
According to Kyla’s mother, Shawntel Mouton Levine said her daughter died due to brain-damage caused by allegedly getting into fights with two females .
Levine said her daughter got into at least four fights, in the seven days last week. She began complaining of headaches, caused by the fights, last week, added Levine.
The Abbeville Police are searching for the people who allegedly got into fights with Mouton.

Louisiana COVID deaths spike over 1,000

Tue, 04/14/2020 - 9:26pm

Using cellphones to track the virus

LEO HONEYCUTT

BATON ROUGE

As Louisiana's Corona virus numbers had seemed to be leveling, suddenly the state Tuesday posted the largest one-day spike in deaths, an additional 129, breaking above 1,000 in Louisiana's COVID-19 fatalities at 1,013.

"The virus is obviously fatal for a number of these people, as we are reporting these deaths," Governor John Bel Edwards said at his Tuesday press conference. "People are contracting this disease and spreading this disease, so it's important that people follow the precautions we give them, whether it's the order to stay home, whether it's the hygiene, social distancing, all these things."

But another reality that has the governor concerned is traffic. Police and GOHSEP employees have observed that traffic in many parts of Louisiana is now back to levels almost as high as the days before Coronavirus.

"I did fly to north Louisiana yesterday over some of our major highways," Governor Edwards said, "and I did see more traffic than, quite frankly, I expected to see or wanted to see. People here at GOHSEP tell me they've seen a marked increase in traffic. In addition, we have social distancing apps now that are assigning letter grades. We weren't doing particularly well to begin with. I think our state was a 'C' or a 'C-'. I think we moved down to a D most recently because they [cellphone service providers] are using the GPS data in people's phones to measure what the movement is."

The governor fears what he's always feared, that Louisianans -who tend to be outdoors and social individuals- are getting cabin fever and have reached their limit of the lockdown. To get more proof that the virus is still very much with us, he is ramping up still more testing. He says Louisiana has regained the position of testing more per capita 'more rapidly' than any other state.

"The key to moving forward, especially between now and at such time when the vaccine becomes available will be through very aggressive, robust testing," he said, "plus contact tracing."

"Contact tracing" is a new term for the ability by cellphone service providers to use the Bluetooth feature of a people's cellphones to tell not just their movements but how close they get to others and whether they have been near someone diagnosed with COVID-19.

"All of it is incredibly important," insists the governor. "The worst thing you can do is not know what you're dealing with. And now we can say we have testing in every single region of the state. We're trying to expand on the testing that's available for surveillance purposes, diagnostic purposes and for detecting the presence of the antibodies through serology tests."

Governor Edwards says testing is the ultimate key to when Louisianans can go back work. He says he'll be watching closely Louisiana's statistics for the last two weeks of April, saying those will be decisive.

"And the test results will inform our decision," he said. "And not just about who potentially can go to work. But if we start seeing another spike in the testing, we may have to ratchet back down and put in more restrictions. What we don't want to do is go right back to that place we've been trying to avoid."

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Vermilion Catholic baseball players honored

Lighthouse church in Abbeville plans to serve soup, hand out masks & hand sanitizer

Wendell Dale Suire

Louisiana Department of Health COVID-19 Updates for April 15

Delta Broussard Wild

Berney LeBlanc

Sister Christina Marie Griggs O. Carm

Gov. Edwards signs Proclamation moving Louisiana's elections back several weeks

Abbeville police looks into death of 22-year-old mother of 2;

Louisiana COVID deaths spike over 1,000

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