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Fans of Elijah Mitchell will need to buy a new football jersey when the 2025 NFL season starts in September.
On Monday, Mitchell, a 2020 Erath High graduate, signed a free agency one-year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. His one-year salary will be $3.5 million.
The Kansas City Chiefs’ quick work in free agency continued in the legal tampering window provided by the NFL with the news that the team had signed Elijah Mitchell to a one-year deal.
Mitchell was the sixth-round choice of the San Francisco 49ers in the 2021 NFL Draft. 
The Chiefs concentrated on rebuilding their backfield during the offseason. They had previously relied on Isiah Pacheco, who has faced injuries, and veteran running backs Kareem Hunt and Samaje Perine. Both Hunt and Perine are 30 years old and are set to become free agents, although the team might choose to re-sign one of them.
Mitchell missed the entire 2024 season on injured reserve for the 49ers with a hamstring. MCL injuries robbed him of a few games during his rookie year in 2021, and myriad injuries have limited him to just over 240 offensive snaps over the last three full NFL seasons.
In 2024, the 49ers reached Super Bowl LVIII but lost 25-22 to the Kansas City Chiefs. In the Super Bowl, Mitchell had 2 carries for 8 yards and scored a touchdown against the Chiefs.
In three seasons as a running back for Erath, he rushed for 4,000 yards and 50 touchdowns. In his senior year, he rushed for 1,900 yards and 28 touchdowns. 
After high school, he signed with UL-Lafayette. Mitchell played in 42 games and carried the ball 527 times in college for 3,267 yards and 41 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 49 passes for 597 yards and five touchdowns.

Clare L. Martin of Maurice has been appointed as the Executive Director of the Vermilion Council on Aging (VCOA).
Martin brings years of experience working with elder populations and nonprofit management. As part of her vision for the VCOA, Martin says she would like to become “embedded” within the communities of Vermilion Parish to increase outreach to senior citizens. 
According to Martin, she is committed to “reaching deep so that senior citizens and their families can take full advantage of the services and programs such as home-delivered meals, social group (congregate) meals, wellness and recreation activities, homemaker services, and respite/sitter services that the VCOA offers.”  
Martin calls Vermilion Parish home. She aims to meet community leaders, business owners, and individuals who can help the nonprofit organization broaden its impact on seniors through sponsorships, donations, and volunteerism. 
“I hope to engage the people who are shaping our communities to bring awareness to the needs of our elderly population. I hope to grow support for the vital services and programs of Vermilion Council on Aging that can improve the quality of life for our elderly residents,” Martin said. “I’d also like to thank the dedicated staff of VCOA for their hard work and endeavors to serve the elderly of Vermilion Parish. They have done a tremendous job and deserve great appreciation,” Martin further noted.
The Mission of the Vermilion Council on Aging is to help the elderly of Vermilion Parish maintain their independence and dignity in their homes and grow old comfortably and gracefully. The emphasis is on reaching those who are isolated, alone, and in need.
For more information or opportunities to support the Mission of VCOA, contact Clare Martin at (337)893-2563 or vocadirector@gmail.com. VCOA’s offices are located at 1928 Graceland Avenue in Abbeville, LA, and office hours are 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday.  
The Vermilion Council on Aging is a 501 ( c ) 3 nonprofit. Donations are 100% tax-deductible.

On Thursday, March 6, 2025, at approximately 7:27 pm, the Abbeville Police Department responded to several calls reporting shots fired at 1021 W Port Street, the address of Chapel Down Apartments.
Upon arrival, officers received information that someone from one of the apartments walked to the rear of the complex and discharged 4 or 5 rounds from a firearm. The apartment security cameras were checked, and a suspect was identified. Officers located casings behind one of the buildings.
Officers arrested DaMarcus Broussard, 21, of Lafayette. Broussard was charged with Illegal Discharge of a Firearm and Possession of a Stolen Firearm.
Broussard was transported to the Abbeville Police Department to be booked on both charges, then transported to Vermilion Parish Correction Center.
Abbeville Chief of Police Mike Hardy would like to send a message to anyone that shoots a firearm in the city limits of Abbeville that illegal discharge is a Felony and anyone who is charged with illegal discharge will go to jail.
Hardy said he would like to thank everyone who called to report this incident. Hardy stressed that Abbeville Police needs the community’s assistance to get the bad element off our city streets.
This case is still actively under investigation and Chief Hardy urges the public to provide any further information regarding this crime or any other crime by calling the Abbeville Police Department at (337) 893-2511. You may also contact our “Tips” line at (337) 892-6777. All callers may remain anonymous. Citizens may also send anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers of Vermilion by calling (337) 740-TIPS or the P3 app, which can be downloaded through the Apple App Store or at Google Play Store.

KAPLAN – The Kaplan Lady Pirates’ softball team is off to a hot start in 2025, posting a 6-1 record.
While Lady Pirates’ head coach Brittany LeBeouf is replacing the production and leadership of current Alabama freshman Kennedy Marceaux and current BRCC freshman Briley LeBeouf, her team has already defeated powerhouses Iowa, John Curtis, and Lutcher this season.
“We have a young team, starting four freshmen,” LeBeouf said.  “Our seniors do a good job of keeping them always composed.  We make a mistake; it’s the next ball.”
The four freshmen starters are  Liberty Greene (second base), Gabby Braus (centerfield),  Emma Sherman (designated player) and Cheyanne Breaux (third base).
LeBeouf likes what she sees thus far.
“I think we showed that this weekend against some great competition.  We still have a lot of work to do, but I’m happy with what I’m seeing early. We have to keep working and getting better every day.” LeBeouf credits her team’s work during the off-season for their crispness in the Spring.  She believes discipline is the key. 
“Our workout regimen in the Fall, all preseason, was military-type stuff to be mentally tough and disciplined,” she explained.  “Waking up at 6 a.m. all summer long shows discipline, and we’re very disciplined when we play.
“That’s how we run this program.  We preach discipline.  Good things come with discipline.”
Another bright spot for LeBeouf has been Lexi Greene’s pitching. The sophomore southpaw has 63 strikeouts and 16 walks in 36 innings. 
“Lexi works really hard,” LeBeouf said.  “She’s day in and day out putting in extra work.  She leaves practice and goes to pitch more.  Her preparation shows.  She’s composed on the mound.  She keeps our team calm.”      
Kaplan played six games in seven days to begin the season.  On Tuesday, February 25, they kicked off the 2025 regular season with a 23-0 shellacking of Rayne.   Then they beat Iowa 5-0 on consecutive days, Denham Springs 10-0, John Curtis 4-1, and Lutcher 3-1 before taking Sunday off.
The Lady Pirates kicked off District 5-3A play on Monday, defeating the Erath Lady Bobcats 16-0.
“For the last couple of years, we’ve been starting district earlier,” LeBeouf said.  “We like to play district early so we can prepare for the playoffs late in the season.”
Greene started in the circle and pitched two innings, allowing no runs on no hits and one walk while striking out four.  Emma Sherman pitched the final inning, striking out all three batters she faced.
Abbigale Ford drove in five runs on three doubles to lead Kaplan at the plate.  Greene had a double and two RBI, while Addyson Hebert and Jenna Duhon each had a double and one RBI.  Drew Kass had a single and one RBI.

Southside...7
Kaplan..,,....6

In Thursday’s game against Southside, the Lady Pirates lost the lead late in a 7-6 defeat. 
The game was tied at six in the top of the seventh when Kobi Lam grounded out, scoring one run.
Kaplan was the first to get on the board in the second when Liberty Greene grounded out, scoring one run.
KHS added one run in the third inning. Baleigh Landry grounded out, making the score 2-0.
Southside took the lead in the top of the sixth. Briley Lovell homered to center field, scoring three runs, to give Southside a 6-4 lead.
Lexi Greene homered to left field, which helped the Lady Pirates tie the game at six in the bottom of the sixth.
Lexi Greene began the game for  KHS on the hill.
The pitcher surrendered 10 hits and seven runs (six earned) over seven innings, striking out nine and walking six. 
Leadoff hitter  Liberty Greene KHS had two hits in three at-bats. Greene also stole three bases.