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For those who travel on South Hospital Drive and have to take detours due to a bridge being out, it looks like ya’ll will continue to take that same detour for at least the next five to six months.
The bridge on South Hospital Drive has been closed for just over six weeks, and traffic has detoured three to five miles.
On Monday night, the Vermilion Parish Police Jury prioritized a list of bridges that needed to be repaired. There are 17 bridges on the list. The total cost to repair the 17 bridges is estimated to be $1.4 million.
The bridges are ranked, and the bridge on South Hospital is ranked No. 2 on the list. The estimated cost to repair the concrete bridge is around $90,000.
According to the list turned in to the police jury, South Hospital Drive Bridge is the most traveled bridge out of the 17 bridges. An average of 730 vehicles travels over the bridge each day.
The bridge that made the top of the list is the concrete bridge on Jude Road, which is located south of Erath. There is an average of 490 vehicles that travel on the bridge per day.
It is estimated to cost $150,000 to repair the cement bridge. Out of the 17 bridges on the list, $150,000 is the highest cost.
There are eight out of the 17 bridges that will cost $45,000 to repair.
The bridge on Moneaux Road, which ranks No. 12 on the list, will cost the police jury $145,000 because it is a combination of cement and timber.
The state closed the 17 bridges because of safety reasons. Some have been closed for more than a year.

On February 2 2021 Louisiana lost a cultural icon – Russell Gary.
He was 87 years old.
His funeral arrangements are being handled by Vincent’s Funeral Home in Abbeville.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church
Russell, son of Raol Gary, was born in 1933 in Erath, Louisiana. During WWII, his family moved to New Orleans where his father helped to build ships, but after the war they returned to Vermilion Parish. Although Gary dearly loved athletics, he was required to work to help the family rather than participate in sports.
He attended school in Erath, but Gary graduated from Abbeville High School and, thereafter, was in the National Guard for nine years. During Hurricane Audrey in 1957, he rescued cattle and people in Tiger Lagoon. On C. B. Vincent’s marsh he nearly drowned chasing down a calf. In March, 1952, Gary married Raccy Anne Breaux, now deceased, and they had two children, Cheryl and Chris, six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
On October 22, 1957, Gary opened Gary’s Men Store in Abbeville, a popular business that operated for 38 years, across from St. Mary Magdalen Church. Later, he relocated the store across the street and just north of the Vermilion Parish Court House.
His first employee was Donald “Dono” Domingue, son of Dalton Domingue.
His first customer was Ruth Broussard, wife of Bob Broussard of Henry. He hired many boys and young men to work in his store. One who went on to much fame as a musician was Warren Schexnayder who used the name “Warren Storm.”
Close friend, Erath attorney Warren Perrin, appreciated everything Russell did to presrve the Cajun Culture and athletics in the parish.
“As a young man, like many in Vermillion Parish, I bought my first blazer from him and that’s where our friendship began,” said Perrin. “I was totally amazed at his encyclopedic memory of all of the athletes of Vermillion Parish. He truly knew everyone. As his attorney and close friend I can say unequivocally that he was the most valuable volunteer at the Acadian Museum for 20 years because he was not part time but a full-time devotee to the Cajun culture.”
Music was one of Gary’s passion.
He first got his start as a drummer for Larry Brasseaux’s band. The band had their first practice in Warren’s house and Russell attended the session in 1951. Gary was so impressed with them he hired the band to play for his store’s grand opening.
Gary was a member of the Knights of Columbus, CODOFIL and the Acadian Heritage and Cultural Fondation, Inc. For many years, Gary was also the public address announcer for the Abbeville High School football games.
Gary was also the color man for many radio broadcasts covering Vermilion Parish sporting events. He had an uncanny ability to remember the names of many of the Vermilion Parish student athletes that he covered during his long career supporting many educational and sporting events.
In January, 1982, Gary started playing music with the Fa Tras Cajun Band. The band played all over the country including St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, and the 1984 World’s Fair in New Orleans. The group was also on many television programs, including CBS, which filmed the band performing at Clement’s Dance Hall north of Abbeville.
As part of Governor Foster’s office, Gary worked for the State of Louisiana beginning October 1, 1995 doing promotions for many cultural activities. In 1996, he was appointed by Lt. Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco to be the state coordinator of Louisiana’s tricentennial FrancoFête ‘99. The successful event was recognized as the best effort of any state in the promotion of cultural tourism and set the template for the present-day cultural tourism industry.
After retiring from the state, Gary was a volunteer at the Acadian Museum for many years. Thereafter, Gary worked for the City of Abbeville until he suffered a disabling accident on October 19, 2006.
Gary did not let his physical condition stop his love of performing Cajun music and promoting the culture.
On January 28, 2012, Gary was inducted as a Living Legend of the Acadian Museum. In 2019, he was inducted into the Abbeville High Athletic Hall of Fame.
He spent the last few years of his life at Eastridge Nursing and Rehabilitation in Abbeville.
“Mr. Russell was the grandpa we all wanted. He was so loving and had encouraging words for everyone. He was overall a breath of fresh air,” Lisa Perro, RN, said.
“He will be missed,” she added with a heavy heart

February 8, 1943 ~ February 2, 2021

ABBEVILLE — We are sad to let you know Rose Mary Hagood, born on February 8, 1943, passed away very unexpectedly on February 2, 2021 after a sudden diagnosis of cancer.
Born and raised in Abbeville, LA, she was one of five children born to the late Clifton Earl Hagood, Sr. and Mary Kitchell Hagood. Rose is preceded in death by her uncle James R. Kitchell, Sr. (Heloise “Doll”), her aunts Isabel Kitchell, Louise Kitchell Burroughs, Bird Kitchell Speer, her brother Clifton Earl Hagood, Jr., and her cousin Howard Speer. She will be forever remembered by her siblings Lawrence (Michelle), Barbara Dianne, and William “Bill” (Debbie); her sister-in-law Judy; her very dear nephew William “Billy” and niece Amanda “Mandy”. Rose will be missed by her first cousins (who were more like siblings as they grew up together) Rebecca “Becky”, James “Paw Paw” (Marilyn), Reed (Beth), along with countless other cousins and friends whom were blessed to know her. Pallbearers will be William “Billy” Kitchell Hagood, Jr., James Robert Kitchell III, James Robert Kitchell IV, Reed Kitchell, Scotty Fatjo, and Kevin McDaniel.
Rose grew up on Charity Street in a house filled with her parents, four siblings, her uncle and his wife and their three kids, and two aunts—there was never a dull moment. She graduated from Abbeville High School in 1961. She then attended and graduated from USL. Rose worked at the Mechanical Engineering Department at USL for her entire career. She started as the secretary and retired after 30+ years of service as the Assistant to the Dean of the department.  After she retired Rose stayed busy with various groups and organizations including DAR; Galvez Chapter, Abbeville Volunteer Tour Guides, General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC); Abbeville Chapter, French Club (mostly for the wine and cheese!), Bridge Club and Garden Club. In 2008 Rose was named “Outstanding Club Woman” for Louisiana by GFWC for her continuing efforts through the club to assist schools after Hurricane Katrina. Rose was a very active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Congregation and the ladies stitching group.  Rose enjoyed international travel with her sister Dianne and cousin James and his wife Marilyn. Rose loved a great party, good meal and was always present at the big and small events for her family and friends.
Rose will be remembered for her big smile and even bigger hugs. Friends and family are invited to visiting hours on Friday, February 5, 2021 from 5-8pm at Vincent Funeral Home, 209 S St. Charles Avenue, Abbeville, LA 70510. The family asks that you please wear a mask and practice social distancing. The funeral services will be held Saturday at the Abbeville United Methodist Church. Due to COVID restrictions the service and burial will be limited to family and pre-notified guests. The family would like to extend their gratitude to Alice Ann Boyton, Jenny Milligan and Mother Madge McLain for their friendship and care especially in Rose’s final days. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 101 E Vermillion Street, Abbeville, LA 70510 or St. John the Divine Episcopal Church (Stephen Ministers), 2450 River Oaks Boulevard, Houston, TX 77019.
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.

By David Jacobs |
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Louisiana officials will work with local partners to deploy “mobile vaccine teams” to areas with little access to health care, Louisiana Department of Health Secretary Courtney Phillips said Tuesday.
In a congressional subcommittee hearing held remotely, Phillips said Louisiana is prepared to distribute more COVID-19 vaccine doses as they are made available.
“We’re ready,” Phillips said. “I think most states are.”
President Joe Biden's administration announced Tuesday a 5% increase in the number of vaccine doses the federal government will distribute to states this week. This represents a 22% increase since Biden took office and will be the minimum supply level for the next three weeks, administration officials said.
The Biden administration also said it would begin sending vaccine doses directly to pharmacies. Louisiana already includes pharmacies as part of its distribution plan. Of the 1,919 providers enrolled in Louisiana’s plan, however, only 613 have gotten any vaccine doses because of the limited supply, Phillips said.
She said 90% to 95% of the doses Louisiana gets are in arms within a week and the state ranks 18th in the number of residents vaccinated per 100,000. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention numbers show Louisiana has received 648,925 doses and administered 463,179. Phillips said the CDC’s stats are misleading because they include doses being held back for the patient’s second dose, which is needed to get the full benefit, and doses sent for the federal government’s public-private nursing home program, which states do not control.
State officials said last week only 26% of nursing home workers had taken advantage of the opportunity to get vaccinated through the federal program. Phillips said the state has been able to redirect some of those doses to the broader community and continued flexibility in the program would be appreciated.
Phillips also praised the federal government’s recent efforts to let states know three weeks out how many doses they can expect to get on a weekly basis, which helps with planning. Federal officials previously had given states one week of notice.
She also thanked Congress for its financial support, which she said is still very much needed for the COVID-19 response.
“The recent notification of the 100% FEMA reimbursement has provided great relief to our public health team, coupled with the 100% Louisiana National Grant reimbursement and the second tranche of federal grant funds has been the resources needed for us to adequately respond to this pandemic,” Phillips said in her prepared remarks.
As of Jan. 30, Louisiana had been allocated 438,100 first doses, with 93,600 diverted to the federal program, leaving 344,500 available for in-state allocation, Phillips said. The federal government sent 67,350 COVID-19 vaccine doses to Louisiana this week, up from 58,150 doses last week.