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Jonathan Lovett’s house burned down after he allegedly set it on fire.
Photo from Office of Louisiana Fire Marshal

Abbeville man arrested for allegedly setting his house on fire

State Fire Marshal (SFM) deputies arrested an Abbeville man for defrauding an insurance company by intentionally setting fire to his home.
Last week, State Fire Marshal deputies arrested Jonathan D. Lovett (44) of 9437 Louisiana Highway 343, Abbeville and booked him into the Vermilion Parish Jail today on a charge of Arson with Intent to Defraud.
The investigation revealed that on March 21, 2025, the Meaux Nunez Volunteer Fire Department responded at 8 p.m. to a house fire in the 9400 block Louisiana Highway 343, Abbeville. When they arrived, they found the laundry room on fire. They quickly extinguished it. The fire caused minimal damage. A few hours later, at 2:32 a.m., March 22, 2025, firefighters returned to the home for another reported fire. This time, the house was fully engulfed in flames, and was destroyed.
During the investigation, SFM deputies discovered that the fire(s) were intentionally set by Lovett, that Lovett’s home was in foreclosure according to public records, and that his insurance company paid Lovett an insurance claim for the damage caused by the fire.
Anyone with information regarding any suspected arson case is asked to submit tips through our Arson Hotline at 1-844-954-1221.

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Gerald M. Nunez

August 24, 1939 ~ April 29, 2025

ABBEVILLE — A Funeral Service will be held at 4:30 p.m., Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Abbeville United Methodist Church, 213 N. State Street, Abbeville, honoring the life of Gerald M. Nunez, 85, who passed away on April 29, 2025, at a local nursing home. Reverend Cynthia L. Luquette will officiate at the funeral service. Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Bret M. Nunez, Matt A. Nunez, Clint E. Nunez, Seth A. Nunez, Jake Broussard, and Rick Nunez.
A visitation will take place at Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, 209 S. Saint Charles St., Abbeville on Friday, May 2, 2025 from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m.; and will continue on Saturday, May 3, 2025 from 1 p.m. until 4:15 p.m. when the procession will depart for the church.
Gerald had an esteemed career with Texaco that spanned several decades, during which he advanced into the positions of Plant Superintendent and Assistant Plant Manager. His work ethic and commitment to excellence were admired by his peers and contributed to his legacy in the oilfield industry.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Gerald was a lifetime member of the Abbeville Masonic Lodge No. 192 where he served as Worshipful Master at one time. He had a love of the outdoors, particularly enjoying activities such as watching football, visiting the casino, and attending tractor shows. He had a gentle soul and a kind demeanor that touched the hearts of all who knew him. His family was the cornerstone of his life, and he was a doting husband and kind-hearted man who cherished every moment spent with themHe will be remembered as a loving father to children, Bret M. Nunez and wife Rhonda, Romy N. Broussard and husband Luke, Matt A. Nunez and wife Donna, Clint E. Nunez and wife Kira, and Seth A. Nunez and wife Heather; thirteen grandchildren, Lexi Nunez, Dylan Nunez, Jake Broussard, Blair B. Suire, Ty B. Fawcett, Sydney Bass, Ethan Herren, Ross Nunez, Evan Nunez, Addison Nunez, Olivia Nunez, Preston Nunez, Wyatt Nunez, and his five great grandchildren, Bentley Suire, Christian Suire, Lila Suire, Remi Fawcett, and Reese Fawcett.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Ruby Broussard Nunez; second wife, Mary Stephens Nunez; parents, Aaron Nunez and the former Linda Meaux; two brothers, Dale Nunez and Carl Nunez; and an infant sister.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville (337) 893-4661.

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Gene Peter Meaux

November 15, 1934 ~ April 29, 2025

A Memorial Service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at Holy Cross Catholic Church honoring the life of Gene Peter Meaux, 90, who passed away on April 29, 2025 at his residence. Rev. Ravi Jampangi will officiate the memorial service. Burial will follow at St. Paul Cemetery in Abbeville.
A visitation will take place at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 415 Robley Dr., Lafayette on Saturday, May 3, 2025 from 9 a.m. until time of services. A rosary will be prayed at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
Gene was a devoted purchasing agent in the oil field industry, where he made invaluable contributions throughout his career. He was respected by his colleagues and admired for his unwavering work ethic and integrity. Beyond his professional life, Gene played a pivotal role in organizing high school rodeos in the Lafayette area, fostering community spirit and a love for the cowboy traditions he held dear.
An avid hunter and fisherman, Gene cherished the time he spent at his camp in Toledo Bend, where he created countless memories with friends and family. His love for the outdoors was only matched by his devotion to his loved ones.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Charlotte Sellers Meaux; son, Randall Meaux and his wife, Lynette of Maurice; daughters, Michelle Meaux Landry and her husband, Dale of Abbeville, and Lisa Meaux Denton and her husband, Don of Carlyss, LA; seven grandchildren, Molly, Jennifer, Seth, Hannah, Blake, Lynsie, and Kayla; seventeen great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.
He is preceded in death by his father, Willie Meaux; mother, Lelia Guidry Meaux; and sister, Faye Meaux Turner.
The family extends special thanks to the dedicated staff at Home Instead Sitting Agency and Southern Grace Hospice for their excellent care and support during his final days. Your kindness will always be remembered.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, in honor of Gene Peter Meaux.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville (337) 893-4661.

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Photo by Rosco Harrington
Erath’s Brennan Broussard fist bumps coach Jeremy Picard as he rounds third after blasting a three-run homerun Saturday against Mamou.

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Photo by Rosco Harrington
Landen Derouen pitched all four innings to earn the win for Erath.

Erath Bobcats dispatch Mamou, advance to quarterfinals

ERATH – The No. 2 Erath Bobcats defeated the No.18 Mamou Green Demons 6-0 on Friday and 17-2 on Saturday ...

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Bryan Golden

Being Who You Are

Much frustration results when a person tries to be someone who they are not. When this happens a number ...

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Photo by Rosco Harrington
Kaplan Assistant coach Eric Marceaux hugs Emma Sherman (55) after her home run that helped lift the Lady Pirates to a 10-6 win over French Settlement in the Division III (non-select) quarterfinals. The No. 1 Lady Pirates (29-2) will take on No. 5 Doyle in the semifinals at noon on Friday in Sulphur.

Kaplan Lady Pirates are Sulphur bound

KAPLAN — The No. 1 Kaplan Lady Pirates defeated the No.8 French Settlement Lady Lions 10-6 on Friday to advance ...

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2024 Louisiana Cattle Festival Queens -- Front (L-R): Alex Downey, Remi Joiner and
Baylor Hebert; Middle Row (L-R): Ava Alleman and Ahna-Louise Gary; Back Row (L-R):
Olivia Bourque, Morgan Landry and Alison Pisani. This year’s pageant will be held next month.

Louisiana Cattle Festival Queens Pageant is fast approaching

The Louisiana Cattle Festival Queens Pageant is quickly approaching, and the Festival’s Board of Directors and Festival Members would like to invite the community to participate in the chance for a remarkable year-long opportunity.
The pageant will be held in the Abbeville High School auditorium on Saturday, May 3, 2025, for ages 5-24 and older. The following day and in the same location, on Sunday, May 4, 2025, the baby pageant for girls and boys of ages 0-4 years old will be held. The deadline to submit pageant entry forms is next Wednesday, February 30 for ages 5-24 and older, and Friday, May 2 for all baby divisions.
“While the pageant is a great opportunity for forming friendships and representing yourself as a contestant, being crowned a Louisiana Cattle Festival Queen or King is so much more than that. It provides a year-long reign of traveling but also engaging our local communities to promote our festival and the hardworking cattle producers and industry personnel which our festival celebrates, and the beautiful city of Abbeville. We are looking forward to celebrating our 75th festival and working alongside our new royalty to revive traditions and introduce new, exciting, family-friendly events,” says Louisiana Cattle Festival President, Karen Guilbeau.
While the time is drawing near to crown new royalty, the Louisiana Cattle Festival and Fair Association would like to first endlessly thank, honor and applaud the phenomenal reigns of 74th LA Cattle Queen, Morgan Landry, and her “royal herd” including Alex Downey, Baby Cattle Queen, Baylor Hebert, Baby Cattle King, Remi Joiner, Petite Cattle Queen, Ava Alleman, Deb Cattle Queen, Annah-Louise Gary, Junior Cattle Queen, Olivia Bourque, Teen Cattle Queen, and Alison Pisani, Ms. Cattle Queen.
Reminder: Deadline for pageant entry is next Wednesday, February 30 and Friday May 2 with the pageant taking place on Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4 at Abbeville High School. For more information on pageant registration and for entry forms, visit our website at www.louisianacattlefestival.org/pageant-information or email louisianacattlefestival@gmail.com.

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Felicia Trahan (second from left) is joined (L-R) by SoLAcc’s Thomas Falgout, SoLAcc’s
Brittany Ducote and the Rotary Club of Abbeville’s Paul Bourgeois Jr. Trahan, who will graduate from SoLAcc in May as an RN, is the recipient of the club’s Chester Broussard Memorial Scholarship.

Trahan receives Chester Broussard Memorial Scholarship

Next month, Felicia Trahan will graduate as a registered nurse from South Louisiana Community College (SoLAcc). Trahan, a Kaplan resident and ...

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