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Steve Gardes
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Isabella Choate
The Louisiana Cattle Festival announced that the 2024 Junior Parade Marshal is Isabella Rose Choate.
Isabella is the daughter of Johnny and Olivia Choate of community of Theall, Louisiana and older sister to Charlie. She is currently a 7th grader at Forked Island E. Broussard Elementary.
Isabella raises Dairy and Braford Base cattle. She has been a member of the Vermilion Parish 4-H Club for three years which she participates actively in various contests and projects such as the Beef, Dairy, Horse, and Sewing projects.
Isabella currently serves as the president of her 4-H Club at FIEB, as well as Co-Captain of the FIEB Cheer Squad, and is a member of the FIEB Junior Beta Club.
For the past two years, Isabella was awarded the Top Outstanding Girl in Vermilion Parish for her outstanding work throughout the year in 4-H. She has been a member of the Louisiana Junior Cattlemen’s Association for two years. Isabella is also a member of the Louisiana Stock Horse Association which she enjoys riding in with her horse, Sally. In her free time, you can find Isabella reading a book, riding her horse, or working in the barn.
The Cattle Festival begins Oct. 4 and the parade is on Oct. 5.
Denise Mire will be inducted into the Cattle Festival Hall of Fame.
Denise Mire’s significant contributions to the Louisiana Cattle Festival will be honored as she is inducted into the prestigious Louisiana Cattle Festival Hall of Fame in 2024.
“It is with great honor that the Louisiana Cattle Festival announces our esteemed honorees for the 74th LA Cattle Festival,” Cattle Festival President Karen Guilbeau said. “We are very pleased to introduce our 2024 Hall of Fame, Denise Mire.”
The 74th Annual Cattle Festival will be held in Abbeville on Oct. 4-6.
Denise Mire’s commitment to the Louisiana Cattle Festival spans over 15 years. She served as the pageant director for 14 years and took on the role of treasurer in 2011, a position she held for a decade. Even after resigning as a Board Member to focus on her family, Denise continues to be an active volunteer, annually contributing as the pageant auditor. Her dedication to the festival is truly commendable.
“Please help us congratulate Denise Mire on her outstanding commitment to the cattle festival as our recipient of the 2024 Louisiana Cattle Festival Hall of Fame!” Guilbeau said.
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LAFAYETTE — Memorial Services for Mr. James Charles "Jimmy" Barron, 79, will be held at 6:30 p.m., on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at David Funeral Home Chapel.
A gathering will be held from 5 p.m. until time of services, on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at David Funeral Home of Abbeville.
James Charles “Jimmy” Barron, aged 79, passed away at his home on September 27, 2024, Lafayette, Louisiana. He was born on July 21, 1945, in Northampton, England to Charles Enos Barron and Daisy Florie Roff Barron. He was raised in Belzoni, Mississippi.
Jimmy served in the National Guard. He was a devoted member of his community, serving as a little league baseball coach, an ordained deacon in his church, and a proud Freemason for more than 50 years.
Professionally, Jimmy dedicated 37 years to Columbia Gulf, where he retired in 2004 as an area manager in Pecan Island, Louisiana. His leadership and dedication to his role left a lasting impact on his colleagues and the company.
An avid outdoorsman, Jimmy enjoyed golf, hunting, and fishing. These hobbies provided him not just relaxation, but also a way to connect with friends and family, sharing adventures and stories that will be cherished by all who knew him.
Jimmy is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Dorothy Burrell Barron of Lafayette; two daughters, Donna Reynolds and husband Michael of Abbeville, LA, and Monica Gillespie and husband Shane of Williamsport, PA; five grandchildren, Ashley Callaway and husband Marcus, Barron Gillespie, Rowan Reynolds, Emma Reynolds, and AnnaKate Gillespie.
The family extends their heartfelt appreciation to his health care team; Dr. Meeks, the team at NSI Homecare & Hospice, especially his caring nurse, Wendy Cole, and Jimmy’s faithful caregiver, Mildred Davis. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to First Baptist Church of Abbeville or a charity of your choice.
David Funeral Home of Abbeville will be handling the arrangements. 2600 Charity St. Abbeville, LA 70533 (337) 893-3777.
Harbor and Terminal Board of Commissioners in the photo are Tim Creswell, Wayne LeBleu, Patrick Duhon, Jimmie Steen, Carlton Campbell and Harbor and Terminal Executive Director Nicholas Gautreaux. They are presenting a check to and Sheriff Eddie Langlinais. The money will be used to buy bullet proof vests for each department.
The Abbeville Harbor & Terminal District, also known as the Port of Vermilion, has announced a significant initiative to enhance the safety and security of its operation and the community within its jurisdiction. In collaboration with the Abbeville City Police Department and the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Department, the district reinforces its commitment to protecting the community, its tenants, and vital assets.
The Abbeville Harbor & Terminal District Board of Commissioners has unanimously approved the procurement of two ballistic bulletproof vests for each department. This decision reflects the district’s proactive approach to port security and its dedication to supporting the law enforcement officers who serve the area.
Sheriff Eddie Langlinais emphasized, “The safety of our citizens and the security of our port infrastructure are paramount. These new ballistic vests represent a significant investment in our capability to protect and serve confidently.”
Chief Mike Hardy of the Abbeville City Police expressed his gratitude, stating, “This generous support from the Abbeville Harbor and Terminal District highlights the strength of our partnership. Together, we are setting a standard for community and port security.”
Jimmie Steen-President, Patrick Duhon-Vice President, Carlton Campbell-Secretary/Treasurer, Wayne LeBleu, Bud Zaunbrecher and Tim Creswell of the Abbeville Harbor & Terminal District Board of Commissioners reiterated the district’s commitment: “Our mission goes beyond port development. It’s about creating a safe environment where our community and businesses thrive.”
Nick Gautreaux, executive director of the Abbeville Harbor & Terminal District and Port of Vermilion, added, “These enhancements to our security framework are critical. We’re protecting assets and ensuring our district remains safe for everyone.”
The Abbeville Harbor & Terminal District covers a strategic area of approximately 73 square miles around the Vermilion River, Freshwater Bayou, and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. This initiative reinforces the district’s security measures and ensures the safety of its citizens, officers, tenants and infrastructure.
For more information about the Abbeville Harbor and Terminal District and its initiatives:
Contact:
Nicholas Gautreaux
Executive Director
Abbeville Harbor and Terminal District
Port of Vermilion
124 North State Street
Abbeville, LA
Phone: 337-893-9465
Erath receiver Cameron Soirez out runs VC defender Trevin Hebert en route to a 68 yard reception.
VC linebacker Allen McLain III attempts to tackle Erath quarterback Jack Landry.
VC's Luke McLain gets thrown in the air.
VC running back Joe Langlinais looks for running room and a block from Will Simon.
Erath's Mason Hebert (left) and Aiden Bourque team up to tackle a VC runner.
VC's Hudson Hebert (5) catches one of his five catches against Erath. Tackling him is EHS linebacker Mason Hebert.
It’s tough to come back when you’re down 21 points in the first quarter. Somehow, the Erath Bobcats fought hard and reduced the deficit to just seven points with less than three minutes remaining.
Erath scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter, but time ran out, and the Eagles (4-0) won 41-34. The Bobcats were trailing 35-13 at the 7-minute mark in the third period but never gave up.
At the 3:32 mark in the fourth quarter, EHS quarterback Jack Landry found Luke Etie open for a 22-yard touchdown pass. Suddenly, Erath had new life and only trailed 41-27 with 3:32 to play in the game. Erath head coach Eric LeBlanc called for an onside kick, and Erath sophomore Ayden Tallmore successfully recovered the ball.
Erath recovered the onside kick at the VC 38. On first down, EHS quarterback Jack Landry connected with Talen Landry for a 38-yard touchdown reception. Eli Felipe nailed the extra point for EHS. Suddenly, the Bobcats were only down by seven points (41-34) with three minutes to play.
Erath attempted a second onside kick but had a different outcome than the first. With the hands team on the field for the kickoff, VC’s Will Simon recovered the onside kick at midfield.
The Bobcats needed to stop the Eagles’ offense on four downs to get the ball back. But that was harder said than done because of the VC quarterback.
VC quarterback Jonathan Dartez carried the ball on all seven plays on the final drive.
With 22 seconds remaining in the game and VC facing a fourth down on the EHS 21-yard line, Dartez ran for 10 yards to secure a first down and VC’s fourth victory.
“On our end, that is two games in a row we had a chance to put a team away, and we did not quite do it,” said VC head Broc Prejean. “But I have to give Erath credit. Coach (Eric) LeBlanc and his team fought to the end. That is a heck of an effort for them not to quit. I am proud of him as a coach on how Erath played. They pushed us all of the way.”
The last time VC lost a regular-season game was in 2021 against Erath (36-34). Dartez, who was a freshman at the time, was the quarterback in that game. Since that loss, Dartez has not lost another regular-season game. VC has now won 29 straight regular-season games.
“Our offense always runs through John-John,” said Prejean. “He was hungry for this one. I know the score 36-34 still weighs heavy on him. I remember seeing him as a freshman, losing to Erath three years ago. He earned the right to be the deciding factor in this game.”
Dartez finished the game with 168 yards rushing on 32 carries and three TDs. He also threw for 202 yards and three touchdowns.
Erath head coach Eric LeBlanc was proud of his team and how they fought back in the fourth period.
“It is hard to overcome after getting down like we did, especially against a team like VC,” said LeBlanc. “We were down 21-0 like that.
“Overall, as a team, we executed well, except in the first quarter. We stepped up at the right moment.”
In the first quarter, VC scored twice on a 62-yard TD reception by Hudson Hebert and a 32-yard TD reception by Allen McLain III. McLain also caught a 34-yard TD reception in the second period.
Hudson had five catches for 114 yards and a touchdown.
EHS quarterback Jack Landry completed 13 out of 26 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns.
Cameron Soirez led Erath with four catches for 131 yards. His longest catch of the game was a 68-yarder.
Johnathan Goodrich had five catches for 40 yards.
Landry had 10 carries for 57 yards, Mason Hebert had 15 carries for 57 yards, and he scored twice for the Bobcats.
BREAUX BRIDGE - The Kaplan Pirates used a team effort to beat the Breaux Bridge Tigers 37-0 on Friday.
It is the second straight game the Pirates have scored 37 points after they only scored six against Ascension Episcopal to open the season.
On Friday, the KHS offense scored 24 points in the first half, which was plenty enough, but they capped it off with 14 in the second half to ice the shutout.
The Pirates ran for 240 yards on 57 carries.
Wyatt Hebert was the busy man in the backfield for Kaplan. Hebert led the team in rushing and scoring. He had 28 carries for 133 yards and four touchdowns.
His TD runs were for 1 yard, 5 yards, and 6 yards, and his final one was for 1 yard.
Braxen Leblanc scored Kaplan’s final touchdown with a 1-yard run. LeBlanc had five carries for 16 yards in the game.
Other ball carries for Kaplan were Bradyn Bearb (11-42) and Daylon Landry (6-36).
The Kaplan defense also had a heck of a game. They held Breaux Bridge to minus eight yards rushing and 43 yards passing, for a total of 35 yards.
In the last two games, Kaplan’s defense has only allowed six points.
Kaplan quarterback Sabe David completed 100 percent of his passes.
Sabe was 2-for-2 throwing.
He threw an 11-yard pass to Carter Petry and an eight-yard-yard pass to Bearb. On Friday, Kaplan entertains the 0-3 Loreauville Tigers.
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318 N. Main St.
Abbeville, LA 70510
Phone: 337-893-4223
Fax: 337-898-9022
219 North Cushing Avenue
Kaplan, LA 70548