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By Emily Wood
LSU Manship School News Service

BATON ROUGE — Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Thursday that state residents will be able to schedule COVID-19 vaccinations by calling a hotline at 855-453-0774.
The hotline also will connect residents with medical professionals so they can ask questions about the vaccines.
It will operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. on Sundays.
“This is a smart solution, it is timely, and it comes at no additional cost,” Edwards said when he announced last week that the Louisiana Health Department would create the hotline.
Edwards lifted capacity limits on bars, restaurants and casinos last week. But unlike the governors in Texas and Mississippi, he kept a mask mandate in place for people who cannot socially distance. The aim is to guard against the rise in cases that many other states are experiencing.
Edwards said that helping residents get vaccinated remains the best solution. He said the hotline will address two barriers: lack of access to the Internet and “tech-savviness,” or the time it takes to navigate the scheduling platforms, as well as a lack of access to medical professionals to ask specific questions.
Difficulty in accessing vaccines due to a lack of computer access has been a problem for many poor people and some people living in rural areas.
More than 2.15 million total doses of vaccines have been administered in Louisiana. The Health Department said Thursday that more than 1.3 million people have received at least one dose and 898,262 people have been fully vaccinated. More than 10,000 people have died from COVID-19 in the state.
The hotline will be staffed by workers who were trained to trace the contacts of people who were infected with the virus to warn them of their exposure.
The health department is training 60 call agents this week. Ten will be trained for clinical support.

Jaheim Deontray Celestine
A son, Jaheim Deontray Celestine, was born on February 12, 2021 at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s and Children’s Hospital to Jontae Kelly and Juantraveon Celestine of New Iberia.

Emersyn Rose Howell
A daughter, Emersyn Rose Howell, was born on February 14, 2021 at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s and Children’s Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Christofer Howell of Abbeville. The mother is the former Lauren Boudreaux.

Aailyah Jane Brooks
A daughter, Aailyah Jane Brooks, was born on February 18, 2021 at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s and Children’s Hospital to Joanie Menard and John Brooks of Abbeville.

Finn Joseph Couvillon
A son, Finn Joseph Couvillon, was born on February 22, 2021 at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s and Children’s Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Couvillon of Maurice. The mother is the former Natalie Theriot.

Sienna Mae Barrientez
A daughter, Sienna Mae Barrientez, was born on February 22, 2021 at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s and Children’s Hospital to Taelynn Sellers and Adam Barrientez of Abbeville.

Maverick Grayson Guidry
A son, Maverick Grayson Guidry, was born on February 24, 2021 at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s and Children’s Hospital to Marissa Arnold and Marshall Guidry of Youngsville.

Sophia Grace Reed
A daughter, Sophia Grace Reed, was born on February 25, 2021 at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s and Children’s Hospital to Morgan Duhon and Johnathan Reed of Erath.

Xenlei Rose Briggs
A daughter, Xenlei Rose Briggs, was born on March 2, 2021 at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s and Children’s Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Dillon Briggs of Lafayette. The mother is the former Michelle Alexander.

Acelyn Grace Zufall
A daughter, Acelyn Grace Zufall, was born on March 4, 2021 at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s and Children’s Hospital to Gabrielle Zufall of Erath.

Lila Jae Romero
A daughter, Lila Jae Romero, was born on March 10, 2021 at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s and Children’s Hospital to Paige Johnson and Triston Romero of Abbeville.

Remi Louise Broussard
A daughter, Remi Louise Broussard, was born on March 11, 2021 at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s and Children’s Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Drake Broussard of Abbeville. The mother is the former Caroline David.

Kadrian Reign Bradley
and
Kardian Dream Bradley
Twins, Kadrian Reign Bradley and Kardian Dream Bradley were born on March 15, 2021 at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s and Children’s Hospital to Amber Quinn and Kelvin Bradley of Kaplan.

Kiyroni Theresa Marceaux
A daughter, Kiyroni Theresa Marceaux, was born on March 15, 2021 at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s and Children’s Hospital to Kymberly Marceaux of Kaplan.

Edmond Joseph Turner
A son, Edmond Joseph Turner, was born on March 17, 2021 at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s and Children’s Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Turner of Lafayette. The mother is the former Elizabeth Collins.

Finnley Ryker Short
A son, Finnley Ryker Short, was born on March 18, 2021 at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s and Children’s Hospital to Lauren Hue and Kevin Short.

Mason Lane Belanger
A son, Mason Lane Belanger, was born on March 23, 2021 at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s and Children’s Hospital to Rachel Mire and David David Belanger of Kaplan.

Adelee Lynn Head
A daughter, Adelee Lynn Head, was born on March 24, 2021 at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s and Children’s Hospital to Melanie Fuselier and Auston Head of Rayne.

Khazi Jewel Jackson
A daughter, Khazi Jewel Jackson, was born on Monday, March 29, 2021 at Abbeville General to Ke’Jaha Jadalind Jackson of Abbeville.

Zakkary Scott Broussard
A son, Zakkary Scott Broussard, was born on Monday, March 29, 2021 at Abbeville General to Mr. and Mrs. Dillion Scott Broussard. The mother is the former Amber Nicole Broussard.

Lyanna Belle Butler
A daughter, Lyanna Belle Butler, was born on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at Abbeville General to Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Thomas Butler III. The mother is the former Holly Ann Olivier.

Kalix Rayne Berry
A son, Kalix Rayne Berry, was born on Thursday, April 1, 2021 at Abbeville General to Markeyia La’shay Berry of Abbeville.

Devon Jeremiah Batiste
A son, Devon Jeremiah Batiste, was born on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at Abbeville General to Elizabeth Clair Melancon and Seith Thurston Batiste, Jr. of Abbeville.

ABBEVILLE — A Christian Mass of celebration was held on Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 11 am. at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church with a rosary at 10:00 AM led by Jim Thompson and Deacon Bill Vincent for Irvin J. Levy Jr., who passed away on Friday, April 2, 2021.
Irvin J. Levy Jr., was born in Abbeville, Louisiana on January 20, 1953 to Josephine Moss Levy and Irvin Levy, Sr. He was the oldest of three children.
Irvin attended Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic school until seventh grade and later promoted to ninth at Vermilion Catholic High School where he was a graduate of the VCHS Class of 1970 with honors. During his tenure in high school, he was listed among Who’s Who National Students as well as Who’s Who High School Students. Irvin was a retired veteran of the United States Air Force. After his retirement from the military, Irvin work for Jim Thompson where he was a concrete finisher for 30 years whom he considered to be one of best friends. He also had five friends/brothers from another mother: Chris Landry, Johnny Joseph, Darrell Thibeaux, and Calvin Williams “his boys”, and Ernest Matthews Sr. whom he loved as a second father.
Irvin an avid bicyclist, sometimes would ride 20-30 miles daily, but he always rode his bike faithfully to attend weekday 6:30 am mass every morning, rain or shine at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church.
He was a wonderful “Paw Paw” to his six grandchildren and a great “Uncle Baba” to his two nieces and eight great nieces and nephew. They will surely miss seeing riding to their houses on his bicycle every day.
He was preceded in death by his parents Josephine and Irvin Levy, Sr.; his maternal grandparents Anita Pierre Moss and Sylvest Moss; and his paternal grandparents Adeline Cole Levy Butcher and Enroy Levy.
Irvin is survived by his two daughters: Laura Levy (Shannon) and Espaina Levy both of Abbeville and his only son Earl J. Levy (Denais) of Youngsville and the mother of his children Ramona Perro. Two sisters - Anita R. Levy of Abbeville, LA and Cassie Ann Levy of Rosenburg, TX; six grandchildren- Don’drea, Rhome, Riley, Rhiya, Jhakai, and Dazani; Aunt Ruby Floyd of Dallas, TX; Uncles Dr. Louis Levy (Betty) of San Antonio, TX and Joseph Butcher (Beverly) of Abbeville, LA; three godchildren Tyler Levy, Don’Trielle Comeaux and Jameka Landry. Two nieces- Danielle R. Mitchell and Andrea N. Mitchell and four great nephews: Kirk, Kolby, Trevis and Grayson and four great nieces: Jasmine, Don’Trielle, Donya and Aniya.
The family asks that everyone still follow COVID guidelines by wearing a mask to funeral services.
Thank you to David Funeral Home of Abbeville, 2600 Charity St. 337- 893-3777, entrusted with services.

LAFAYETTE – As Acadiana sees decreases in COVID-19 cases and increases in the number of people getting vaccinated, South Louisiana Community College will be able to offer several sections of face-to-face classes this Fall.
Classes in these programs will offer some face-to-face sections this fall: Business, Criminal Justice, General Studies, Digital Media, and Louisiana Transfer.
“We know some of our students prefer this class format and we are glad to be able to offer it again,” said Dr. Darcee Bex, interim Vice Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs at SLCC. She noted that class formats for summer will not change.
The following class format definitions have been created for the Fall 2021 semester. Students can reference these definitions when selecting a class section.
• Face-to-Face Courses (LEC, LAB, LEC/LAB) – Students come to campus and sit in the room with an instructor and classmates. Students should register for the lecture and lab course type.
• Hybrid (HYB or HYD) – Students come to campus on some days, then meet with their instructor the other days on Webex. Students should register for the HYB or HYD course type.
• HySync (Has an S next to the course title) – This option is for students who don't want to come to campus, but would like to meet with their instructor each class period on Webex. Students should register for the HySync course type.
• Online (Web) – This option is for students who don't want to come to campus. They want to complete classwork online without having to login at a specific class time. Students should register for the online/Web course type.
Students can visit the class schedule and look for classes designated with Lab, Traditional Lecture, or Lecture/Lab Combined to see face-to-face options.