Jim Brown
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Bill Wilson
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On Wednesday at 10:45 a.m., O’Darrius Greene from Abbeville was charged with three counts of attempted first degree murder for a shooting that allegedly took place on January 2, 2024.
The Abbeville Police Department found Greene easily because he was already in the parish jail for four counts of simple burglary.
On January 2, 2024, at 10:29 p.m., the Abbeville Police Department received a call about shots fired at Veterans Memorial and John Hardy Drive, according to a news release from the Abbeville Police Department. Officers responded to the call and discovered that the shooting took place near the intersection of Alphonse Street and East Oak Street in Abbeville.”
When officers arrived at the scene, they found a male victim with a gunshot wound to his head and a female with a gunshot wound to the upper part of her left arm. Both victims were transported to a local hospital.
On Wednesday, Greene was charged with allegedly shooting the male and female in the car, along with someone else.
The Abbeville Police Department detectives questioned Greene about the shooting over the last few months, with Greene in jail.
Peggy Marie Robichaux passed away at 4:15 p.m. on July 29, 2024, at Lourdes Hospital with her loving husband by her side. She was born July 7, 1941, in Henry, Louisiana and was the daughter of Sulie Thibodeaux and the former Therese Rodrigue. On August 18, 1962, Peg married Charles Robichaux and they were married 63 years. They had one son, Chad Robichaux.
Peg graduated from Henry High School in 1959. After high school, she attended USL and began to pursue a career in education. She went on to teach second grade for 35 years at Gueydan and Kaplan Elementary. Peg enjoyed working in her flower garden and various personal artwork.
Peg is survived by her husband Charles Robichaux and her son, Chad Robichaux and wife Rachel. She had one granddaughter, Tori Robichaux. Peg is also survived by two brothers, Dr. John Thibodeaux and wife Pam; and Troy Thibodeaux and wife, Cindy; and two special nephews Brandon Thibodeaux and Max Thibodeaux.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Rudy Thibodeaux and wife Diana.
Peg's Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, August 3, 2024, in Martin & Castille's La Fleur de Lis Chapel in Lafayette, 600 E. Farrel Road, Lafayette, Louisiana 70508.
Reverend Cedric Sonnier, Pastor of St. Mary Mother of the Church in Lafayette, will officiate the service.
The family requests that visitation be observed on Saturday, August 3, 2024, from 8:00 AM until the time of services and a small reception will be held in the funeral home cafe until 11 a.m.
View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com.
Martin & Castille - SOUTHSIDE, 600 E. Farrel Road, Lafayette, Louisiana 70508, 337-984-2811 - is in charge of arrangement.
John Tommasini keeps an eye on the ball.
Ryan David reacts to missing a putt on the playoff hole. Had he made the putt, it would have tied John Tommasini and force another playoff hole.
John Tommasini (left) hugs Ryan David after the final hole.
The 2024 Southern Oaks Club Champion came down to the 2022 Southern Oaks Club Champion and the 2023 Southern Oaks Club Champion battling it out on a playoff hole.
The 2022 club champion, Ryan David, made a birdie on No. 18 to tie John Tommasini, the 2023 club champion, and force an extra hole.
The first playoff hole was No. 1, a short par 4 that could be reached with the driver.
Tommasini teed off first and used his 7-iron to stay in the middle of the fairway. The ball landed 123 yards from the hole.
On the other hand, David used his driver in hopes of reaching the green like he did earlier in the day when he birdied the hole.
David’s drive missed the green and was pin-high about 20 feet from the flag.
Tommasini used a 55-degree wedge and nailed his second shot on the green, 18 feet below the flag.
“I was trying to get the ball (off the tee box) to the 120-yard mark because I know I can hit my 55-degree wedge at 120 yards,” said Tommasini. “I wanted to give myself a chance.”
David chipped up and was about 14 feet on the side of the hole.
Tommasini putted first, and he nailed it for a birdie. It was Tommasini’s only birdie of the day. Tommasini said he did not get excited because David still needed to putt.
“I was waiting for Ryan’s shot to go in. I was not excited because I thought he would make the putt.”
David needed to make his putt to force another playoff hole. His putt lipped out of the hole, giving Tommasini his second straight club championship.
The two golfers, who are good friends, hugged after David’s miss.
David explained his strategy on the playoff hole.
“I was going for it, win or lose,” said David. “I could hook a 7-iron out of bounds as easily as a driver out of bounds, so I decided to go for it.”
Tommasini finished the two-day tournament with a score of 144 (71-73). David had the same score, 144 (71-73). David birdied three of the last four holes to force a playoff hole.
“I am happy that God has kept me healthy to do this,” Tommasini said. “There is no guarantee. I believe the Lord has given me this day, and I try to live each day as well as I can.”
Eric Marceaux, competing in the First Flight, had the lowest two-day score of the tournament. His total score was 142, including a tournament-low 69 on Sunday.
John Ross Hollier, 12, was the youngest golfer. With a two-day score of 201, he finished second in the Third Flight.
Here are the top three finishers in each flight of the Southern Oaks Championship
Championship
Flight
1. John Tommasini - 144 (71-73)
2. Ryan David - 144 (71-73)
3. Dustin Bertrand - 145 (71-74)
First Flight
1. Eric Marceaux - 142 (73-69)
2. Kaine Stevens - 146 (72-74)
3. Alec Broussard - 151 (76-75)
Second Flight
1. Jordan Frederick -160 (78-82)
2. Brennan Gallet - 163 (83-80)
3. Brett Saltzman - 169 (87-82)
Third Flight
1. Emile Chiasson - 192 (99-93)
2. John Ross Hollier - 201 (101-100)
3. David Young - 206 (90-116)
Super Senior Flight
1. Duane Lege - 146 (73-73)
2. Joey Cuccio - 155 (79-76)
3. Johnny Hollier - 157 (80-77)
The QSA Center was packed with more than 400 people.
For 29 years, the Boys and Girls Club’s Celebrity Waiter event in Vermilion Parish has been growing, and this year is no exception.
Residents and businesses in the area have joined forces to raise funds for the Boys and Girls Rodney Simon Unit in Abbeville.
In 29 years, this popular fundraiser has generated over $2 million for the Abbeville Club.
“Our focus each year is to raise as much money as we can for the local club,” said Brian Ford, Operator of Development of the Boys & Girls Club of Acadiana.
Last week’s 29th Annual Celebrity Waiter, held at the QSA Center in Erath, raised an incredible $100,000 to fund the Rodney Simon Unit in Abbeville.
“It’s exciting to see that the community continues to be increasingly involved,” Ford said. “They continue to appreciate and understand the importance of having the Boys & Girls Club in their community to help grow the youth who will eventually become the people leading the city.”
The event also honored Jack Gupta, the owner of Eagle Pest Control in Vermilion Parish. Over the past 29 years, Gupta and his wife, Dr. Padmini Gupta, have donated more than $100,000 to the Boys and Girls Club in Abbeville. The children of the club presented Jack Gupta with a photo surrounded by words expressing their gratitude for his contributions over the years.
Gupta thanked the children and said, “We need to take care of our children in the parish.”
Celebrity Waiter has grown over the last 29 years, including the amount raised in one night.
The fundraiser was originally held at Black’s, located in downtown Abbeville. It outgrew Black’s and then moved to Magdalen Place, but also outgrew that building.
In order to raise more money, it had to move to a larger venue, V.N. Hall, to accommodate more people.
It is now at the QSA Center in Erath for the last couple of years.
With the $100,000 fund-raising night, this year’s event could have been one of the most successful in its 29 years. The auction raised close to $50,000, with two duck hunts donated by Fred Hoyt bringing in $10,000.
Hoyt is one of the founding fathers of the Celebrity Waiters. He, Rodney Simon, former sheriffs Ray Lemaire and Mike Couvillon, and Lynwood Creswell started the event, which raised around $40,000.
“I am elated that it has taken to a new level,” Hoyt, who still attends the Celebrity Waiter. “It is a great cause. The kids who attend the Boys and Girls Club need a place to go. They can go there and get tutored, along with getting the help they need for school. I am glad to see the Boys and Girls Club still exists.”
The Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested a man from Lake Charles and charged him with three counts of home improvement fraud.
According to the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s website, Brent Dugas, 48, was initially arrested on July 17 and charged with two counts of home improvement fraud.
Then, on July 26, he was arrested again on the same charge.
As of Monday, Dugas was still in the parish jail.
Home improvement fraud, also known as a home improvement scam, occurs when a contractor or company, or someone pretending to be one, tricks a homeowner into paying for an unfinished or poorly done renovation or remodel.
The Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office gave no details about the arrest.
On July 19, the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office also arrested Dugas and charged him with contractor fraud.
Authorities learned the victim and owner of SLPS Pole Barns and Buildings signed a contract to construct a building on the victim’s property in Acadia Parish. The contractor was paid half of the cost of the project during the contract signing.
Approximately one year later, the victim filed a criminal complaint against the contractor for violation of residential contractor fraud, according to APSO.
June 16, 1931 ~ July 23, 2024
ABBEVILLE — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 29, 2024 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church honoring the life of Rose Toth Labauve, 93, who died Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at her residence.
She will be laid to rest at St. Mary Magdalen Cemetery with Reverend Nicholas DuPre’ officiating the services.
Pallbearers will be Barton L. Migues, Jody K. Migues, Buddy Dautriel, Glenn Lege, Nicholas T. Gautreaux, and Nicholas T. Gautreaux, II. Honorary pallbearers will be James “Jay” Campbell, Wayne LeBleu, and Tim Creswell.
Mrs. Rose was a cherished member of our community. Mrs. Rose’s remarkable dedication to public service and her unwavering commitment to her community will be remembered and appreciated by all who had the honor of knowing her.
Mrs. Rose began her distinguished career as a volunteer with the Abbeville Harbor & Terminal District (Port of Vermilion) in 1954. For the first six years, she worked tirelessly without pay, demonstrating her genuine passion and selfless dedication to the development of the Port. Her efforts were pivotal in recording the history of the Port since its inception in 1954, a task she continued with great dedication until her retirement in June of 1996.
Throughout her 42 years of service, Mrs. Rose set up the bookkeeping from the ground up and exemplified excellence in service.
Her friendly smile and can-do attitude endeared her to Commissioners past and present, and her presence was a source of inspiration and support to all. She was instrumental in the transition to the new District office building and played a significant role in key projects such as the Freshwater Bayou channel and the Leland Bowman Locks.
Mrs. Rose’s extensive knowledge of the district’s history provided invaluable guidance and insight, helping to shape its future. The experience, knowledge, and advice to all who worked with her has been a mainstay in her contribution to the community and the legacy of her advice will live on.
Rose is survived by her loving family, including her nephews and niece, Barton L. Migues, Jody K. Migues, and Silvia Migues Norton; cousins, Evelyn Fiorentino and Karen Durham; as well as several great nieces and nephews. Most importantly she is survived by her feline companions, Opal and Little Sister who comforted her during her time of need.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William Toth and Rose Gulrich Toth of Marydel, Maryland; husband, Fernand “Buster” LaBauve; sister-in-law, Ruby F. Migues; and canine companion for many years her golden retriever, “Goldman”.
A special thanks to Cheryl Decuire Broussard whom she trained for her job and who always answered her calls for assistance or just to have a personal conversation. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and the entire community.
The family would like to thank Community Personal Care and Community Hospice Care for their compassionate, personal, and professional care of Mrs. Rose.
A special thanks to her care givers, Judy Darlene Baudoin, Clarissa Starlard, Nykira Horne, Halle Nunez, Zach David, Valerie Dore, and Chaplain Matt Palmer.
Rest in peace, Mrs. Rose. Your life was a blessing, and your memory will be a treasure. Please join the family in gathering to honor and remember Mrs. Rose’s extraordinary life and legacy.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Rose Toth Labauve’s memory to Catholic Charities of Acadiana, Post Office Box 3177, Lafayette, LA 70502, reflecting her lifelong commitment to community service.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
February 15, 1928 ~ July 24, 2024
KAPLAN — It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother, Juanita Menard LeBlanc. Juanita passed away on Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at Abbeville General Hospital at the age of 96.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, July 29, 2024 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church. She will be laid to rest at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Cemetery with Father Alexander Albert officiating the services.
She is survived by her children, Jimmy Duhon (Jane), Maxine Frederick (Kenneth), and Rusty LeBlanc (Sharon); nine grandchildren, Jimmy “Bubba” Duhon (Christine), Michelle Martin (Dwayne), Lance Lege, Shawn Lege (Jan), Vickie Vincent (Kevin), Dawn Hebert (Josh), Kade LeBlanc (Ginger), Shellie Hargrave (Jace), and Brook Frederick (Stephen); 17 great grandchildren; and 19 great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Alcide Menard and Lorraine Peltier Menard; her husband, E.J. LeBlanc; one daughter, Darlene Duhon Lege; one sister, Ester Menard; two brothers, Raymond and Clifton Menard; and one grandson, Chad Duhon.
The family would like to thank Eastridge Assisted Living and Lamm Hospice for the care provided.
318 N. Main St.
Abbeville, LA 70510
Phone: 337-893-4223
Fax: 337-898-9022
219 North Cushing Avenue
Kaplan, LA 70548