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Vermilion Parish School Board race heads to Dec. 8 runoff

Fri, 11/09/2018 - 8:37am

While Tuesday’s election day secured winners in races for three seats on the Vermilion Parish School Board, another is going in to overtime.
There will be a runoff for the School Board’s District D seat. That election will be held on Dec. 8.
Reaching the runoff after Tuesday’s voting are incumbent Stacy Landry and challenger Dale Stelly.
Stelly received the most votes Tuesday, with 45 percent (996 votes). Landry, who currently serves as the school board president, followed with 42 percent (930 votes). John Breaux rounded out Tuesday’s race with 12 percent (269 votes).
Jason Roy will be joining the school board as he will represent District G after he is sworn in early next year. Roy defeated incumbent Sara Duplechain. Roy received 59 percent (1,281 votes) to Duplechain’s 41 percent (877 votes).
Returning to the school board will be Jean Broussard. He won the race for District A by 40 votes. Broussard received 51 percent (978 votes) to challenger’s Charlotte Detraz’s 49 percent (938 votes). Once he is sworn in, it will mark the start of Broussard’s first full term. He joined the board after former member Anthony Fontana stepped down earlier this year.
There will be another new face on the board in 2019. Kristy Hebert won the District H race, defeating incumbent Christopher Hebert. Kristy Hebert took 51 percent (1,238) of the votes. Christopher Hebert received 49 percent (1,201).
David Dupuis, Chris Gautreaux, Laura LeBeouf and Kibbie Pillette will return to the board. They each ran unopposed.

Garre Abshire

Fri, 11/09/2018 - 8:29am

KAPLAN — Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan honoring the life of Garre Abshire, 64, who died Wednesday, November 7, 2018 in Kaplan. Reverend Farley Painter will be officiating the services.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Christine Abshire of Kaplan; his son, Seth Abshire and his wife, Tara of Kaplan; two grandsons, Cullen Richard and Ryker Abshire of Kaplan; his mother, Shirley Mae Abshire of Kaplan; two sisters, Krisen Abshire of Kaplan and Rhonda Davis of Mississippi; and one brother, Carson Abshire of Kaplan.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Aleah Abshire; his father, Ovelton Abshire; and his three brothers, Timmy Abshire, Teddy Abshire, and Joseph Brent Abshire.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan, 300 N. Eleazar Ave., on Saturday, November 10, 2018 from 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 11:00 AM.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Kaplan, (337) 643-7276 [Service Information 225-5276]. Condolences may be sent to the Abshire family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.

Willie Nolan

Fri, 11/09/2018 - 8:26am

March 26, 1935 - November 04, 2018

A Home-going Celebration will be held for Mr. Willie “Mus” Nolan 83, at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, November 10, 2018 at Macedonia Baptist Church with Rev. E.J. Guidry, officiating.
He will await the resurrection at Greater Pleasant Green Baptist Church Cemetery.
A gathering of family and friends will begin 6:00 P.M.-9:00 P.M. Friday at Macedonia Baptist Church. Visitation will resume at 8:00 A.M. Saturday at the church until time of service.
A native and resident of Abbeville, LA. He passed at 12:45 P.M. Sunday, November 4, 2018 at Lafayette Extended Care of Lafayette, LA.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 58 years, Marvis Fairley Nolan of Abbeville, LA; five daughters; Sandra Shelvin (Donald), Julia Antoine (Nelson), Patricia Levy, Torsha Demouchet and Ida Borden all of Abbeville, LA; one step-daughter, Christine Borden of Pascagoula, MS; nine sons, Willie Nolan, Jr., Thaddeus Levy (Lou Ella), Gary Nolan (Sylvia), Anthony Levy (Yvette), Kenvern Mitchell (Yvette) Christopher Bell, Cordray Lyons, Tyrus Kelly, and Jerian Demouchet all of Abbeville, LA; two step-sons, Terrence Wells (Cheryl) and Anthony Borden of Abbeville, LA; three sisters, Alice Levine (Chris) and Julia Ned of Abbeville, LA and Amy Britton of CO; five brothers; Michael Mervin, and Archie Nolan of Abbeville, LA and Hayward Nolan and Gregory Nolan of CO. and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Nolan and Julia Wimbly; one son, Willie K. Nolan; five brothers, Lionel Williams, Charles Nolan, Robert Nolan, Jr., Freddie Nolan, and Virgil Nolan.
Active Pallbearers will be Kenvern Mitchell, Anthony Levy, Gary Nolan, Thaddeus Levy, Tyrus Kelly, and Jerion Demouchet.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Cecil Mitchell, Ricky White, B.J. Levy, Paul Davis, Lionel Labeau, Michael Nolan, Hayward Nolan, Mervin Nolan, Gregory Nolan, and Archie Nolan.
Arrangements are under the direction of Fletcher Funeral Home 1116 Green Street Abbeville, LA 70510. Condolences may be expressed at www.fletcherfuneralhomes.org.

Newly elected Erath Mayor Taylor Mencacci (left), and newly elected aldermen Jason Connor (middle) and Scott Bernard go over the voting totals that they track of during the election on Tuesday.

New mayor plans to run Erath like a business

Thu, 11/08/2018 - 1:00pm

Mencacci will begin his term in January

ERATH — Taylor Mencacci is a businessman, and he plans to run the town of Erath as a business.
Mencacci is the new mayor of Erath, beating long-time Erath politician John Earl LeBlanc. LeBlanc had been the mayor for one term but had been an alderman for 20-plus years before.
Mencacci, 36, has a full-time job in New Iberia. He is an administrator of Ambulatory Service Center. He manages 20 people at his day job. He plans to use his day-job managing skills to operate the town of Erath.
“The city is on a fixed income. We can not push for higher sales tax and get more sales tax,” he added. “It does not work that way. It is the same thing at the surgery center, where I work. It is a fixed price on what they pay us, and we have to control spending to make a profit. At the same time, we have to provide good service for the patients we take care of. It is the same thing for Erath. You can not cut expenses that will hurt people who live in the town. We will have to do it the right way and cut some costs, but at the same time, keep the residents of Erath in mind.”
Unlike LeBlanc who stayed in Erath and oversaw the town on a full-time basis, Mencacci will not be able to operate the town like LeBlanc did because he works in another city. That’s where he will count on the town’s supervisors to run their departments.
“We have directors and people in charge of city hall. We have a chief of police, waterworks director,” Mencacci added. “It is holding those supervisors accountable every day.”
Before throwing his hat into the mayor’s race, Mencacci was an alderman for one term. It was during this term as alderman that he decided he wanted to be mayor.
It was during his term as an alderman that he saw how the town of Erath was being run and how some aldermen and the mayor did not work together.
“When I was an alderman, I got much resistance from the mayor of not wanting to work with the aldermen,” said Mencacci. “From there on, I was not one to put up a fight. I decided to work peacefully with whoever is there. I decided then I wanted to be the mayor.”
When he first became an alderman, the thought of being mayor of Erath was never in the back of his mind, he said. A year into his alderman term, the idea of being mayor became larger and larger.
Mencacci said he did not like the way the town of Erath was being run. He heard from the residents who shared their concerns about the town.
There will be four new aldermen. Only long-time alderman Robert Vincent returns.
The new aldermen are Jason Connor, Scott Bernard, “Boo” Landry, and Mike Richard.
The four new aldermen ran on the platform of moving Erath forward. Mencacci plans to begin moving Erath forward in January when he and the aldermen are sworn in.
“We are bringing business experience. We also need to manage expenses in Erath,” he said. “The new aldermen who were elected bring their business minds to Erath. I believe that government is a business, and we need to run it like a business.”

Barbara S. Vincent

Thu, 11/08/2018 - 11:36am

March 7, 1947 ~ November 6, 2018

KAPLAN — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church honoring the life of Barbara Suire Vincent, 71, who died Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at Gueydan Memorial Guest Home. She will be laid to rest at Kaplan Cemetery with Reverend Mark Miley officiating the services.
She is survived by her son, Jonathan Vincent and his wife, Tammy of Maurice; her daughter, Valetia Vincent of Kaplan; her sister, Mary Jane Richard of Crowley; her two brothers, Clifford Suire of Nunez and Mayo Suire, Jr., of Forked Island; and six grandchildren, Jacque Vincent, Amie Vincent, Hayden Vincent, Hunter Vincent, Tyler Stelly and Kameron Stelly.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Alton J. Vincent; her parents, Mayo Suire and the former Louise Rung; one brother, Dewey Suire; and her sister, Rosetta Menard.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan, 300 N. Eleazar Ave., on Friday, November 9, 2018 from 9:00 AM until 10:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM; Saturday, November 10, 2018 from 8:00 AM until the procession departs for the church.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Kaplan, (337) 643-7276 [Service Information 225-5276]. Condolences may be sent to the Vincent family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.

Carl Toups

Toups ready to serve as Justice of the Peace in Ward 1

Thu, 11/08/2018 - 8:54am

Carl Toups joined the race for Justice of the Peace in Ward 1 because he wanted to be able to help the people of his community.
A majority of the people in the Ward 1 community, which covers the Erath area, agreed that Toups is the right person for the job.
In a three-man race, Toups received 58 percent (1,906) of the 3,289 votes. Chris Langlinais finished second, with 30 percent (987 votes). Brian Richard received 396 votes (12 percent).
“I would like to thank all the constituents of Ward 1,” Toups said Wednesday morning. “I would like to thank my friends and family. I want to thank everyone who allowed me inside of their home and supported me for this election.
“I am humbled and appreciative to be elected Justice of the Peace.”
Toups will take over for former Justice of the Peace Shane Broussard, who stepped down because of health issues. Toups will serve the remainder of Broussard’s unexpired, six year-term. That term ends on Dec. 31, 2020. Rene Dartez also serves as Justice of the Peace in Ward 1.
Part of Toups’ new duties will be handling small claims court, for issues and disputes under $5,000.
“It’s anything too small to go into a larger court,” Toups said.
Toups is ready to get on the job.
“They will let me know when I will be sworn in,” Toups said. “Those are some of the details that are going to be worked out.”
Toups’ goal of joining the race to serve his community has certainly worked out.
“I like to help people,” Toups said. “It’s a good example for my family, my four kids, that we give back and try to make a difference in the community.”

Lyman Lee Trahan

Thu, 11/08/2018 - 8:22am

November 25, 1943 ~ November 6, 2018

KAPLAN — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, November 9, 2018 at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church honoring the life of Lyman Lee Trahan, 74, who died Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at The Heart Hospital of Lafayette. He will be laid to rest at Kaplan Cemetery with Reverend Mark Miley officiating the services. Serving as pallbearers will be Matthew and James Trahan, Sammy and Joseph Pistorius, and Kendrick and Wade Trahan.
Mr. Trahan, a native of Kaplan, attended Kaplan High School, USL (now UL-L), and The School of Medical Technology at Touro Infirmary in New Orleans. Returning to Kaplan in 1965, he began working in the laboratory at Abrom Kaplan Memorial Hospital. In 1966, he joined the Louisiana National Guard, and was trained as a medic.
In addition to his job as Chief Medical Technologist, he became the director of ancillary services, including X-Ray and Pulmonary services. In 1994, he was named Administrator of Abrom Kaplan Memorial Hospital, and served in that position until his retirement in 2013. In the five years preceeding his retirement, he was instrumental in forming an alliance with Lafayette General Medical Center. Lyman was a past member of the Church Council of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church in Kaplan, and a Eucharistic Minister for many years.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Karen Clark Trahan; his older son, Matthew Trahan and his wife, Kirby and their son, Hudson and daughter, Dylan of Key West, FL; his younger son, James Trahan and his wife, Lee and their sons, Joseph and Sammy Pistorius of Phoenix, AZ; one sister, Della Schexnyder and her husband, C.J.; his brothers, Perlis Trahan and his wife, Myrtis and Marion Trahan and his wife, Shelia; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ophe and Lula Trahan; his brothers, Ritter Trahan and his wife, Mildred and Leo and his wife, Carol; and his niece, Mia Trahan.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan, 300 N. Eleazar Ave., on Thursday, November 8, 2018 from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM; Friday, November 9, 2018 from 9:00 AM until the procession departs for the church at 10:45 AM.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Kaplan, (337) 643-7276 [Service Information 225-5276]. Condolences may be sent to the Trahan family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.

L.V. Trahan

Wed, 11/07/2018 - 8:58am

ABBEVILLE — A Celebration of Life Legacy for Mr. L.V. Trahan, 87, will be held at David Funeral Home of Abbeville on Friday, November 9, 2018 from 10:00AM until 9:00PM with recitation of the Rosary at 7:00PM.
L.V. was born on July 26, 1933 in Abbeville, passed away Monday, November 5, 2018 at Kaplan Healthcare in Kaplan, LA. Mr. Trahan met the love of his life JoAnn Boudreaux in 1953 and they enjoyed 65 years together before her passing in February of this year.
His is survived by a daughter, Goldie Bengtson and her husband Les of Abbeville; a son, Melvin Trahan and his wife Karen of Kaplan; eight grandchildren, Jessica Lewis of Metairie, Coby Bengtson, Rebecca “Becky”, Maddie and Nicole Bengtson of Abbeville, Brandon Trahan of Orlando,FL, Hannah, PJ, and Denise Carlson of Kaplan; nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
L.V. will be enjoying his heavenly reunion with his wife, JoAnn Boudreaux Trahan; his parents, Dua and Inez Trahan; an infant son, Lovelace Trahan, and a brother, Dudley Trahan.
The family would like to thank Dr. Randall Faulk, Kaplan Healthcare, and Bridgeway Hospice.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.davidfuneralhome.org
David Funeral Home of Abbeville at 2600 Charity St. (337) 893-3777 will be handling the arrangements.

Sonia Ann Bourgeois Haley

Wed, 11/07/2018 - 8:56am

February 7, 1947 ~ November 2, 2018

ABBEVILLE — A memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM on Friday, November 9, 2018 at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville honoring the life of Sonia Ann Bourgeois Haley, 71, who died at 3:35 AM on Friday, November 2, 2018 at Vermilion Health Care Center.
Sonia was born on February 7, 1947 to Antoine and Yolande LeBlanc Bourgeois.
She graduated from Franklin High School in Franklin, Louisiana. She worked at Motorola and Quincy Paper Box in Quincy, Illinois.
Sonia is survived by her daughter, Terri Heck of Abbeville; son, Michael (Melissa) Haley of Perry, Missouri; three granddaughters, Samantha (Justin) Heck of Quincy, Illinois, Danniele (Christopher) Robertson of Quincy, Illinois, and Jamie-Lynn Haley of Perry, Missouri; three great grandchildren, Maddison Elaine Winningham, Thomas William Robertson and Justin "J.D." Dean Winningham, Jr. all of Quincy, Illinois; and one brother, Dennis Neal Bourgeois of Kaplan, Louisiana.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Antoine Bourgeois and the former Yolande LeBlanc; two sisters, Donna Bourgeois and Anita Martin; and son-in-law, William Heck.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Friday, November 9, 2018 from 1:00 PM until time of services.
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.

Bob Hensgens

Vermilion Parish voters help Hensgens win District 26 Senate seat

Tue, 11/06/2018 - 10:21pm

Bob Hensgens will be heading to the Louisiana Senate. The longtime Vermilion Parish Representative won the District 26 Senate Seat after Tuesday’s win over Jerry Gaspard and Jean Menard. Hensgens will move to Senate when Sen. Jonathan Perry, who will be joining the Third Circuit Court of Appeal, steps down in December.
“What an outcome - what a night!,” Hensgens exclaimed. “I can’t thank everyone enough for the trust they have shown in me with this election victory! Thanks to my family who has done without me for many hours. Their support has been incredible! We ran this campaign the old fashioned way with “meet and greets”, no television, nor radio. That kind of race takes dedicated supporters to do so much work. They have put much effort in this campaign over the last few months. Thanks to all my friends and loyal supporters! To all the voters in District 26 this outcome is more than I expected. You make the work worth it! From Church Point to Erath, and Gueydan to Sunset and all in between you have made this campaign the most fun I have ever experienced. I want to give a special shout out to one of my opponents, Mr. Gerry Gaspard, Gerry was called to run this election and he ran it with dignity and grace! I am so glad to have been able to get to know him! I am so fired up, I can’t wait to officially start serving Senate District 26 starting on December the 9th, and continuing to work and gain more of the people’s support!
“Again, thanks to everyone involved, November 6,, 2018 has been a great day for me. Tomorrow the work begins!”

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Vermilion Parish School Board race heads to Dec. 8 runoff

Garre Abshire

Willie Nolan

New mayor plans to run Erath like a business

Barbara S. Vincent

Toups ready to serve as Justice of the Peace in Ward 1

Lyman Lee Trahan

L.V. Trahan

Sonia Ann Bourgeois Haley

Vermilion Parish voters help Hensgens win District 26 Senate seat

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