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Clare L. Martin of Maurice has been appointed as the Executive Director of the Vermilion Council on Aging (VCOA).
Martin brings years of experience working with elder populations and nonprofit management. As part of her vision for the VCOA, Martin says she would like to become “embedded” within the communities of Vermilion Parish to increase outreach to senior citizens. 
According to Martin, she is committed to “reaching deep so that senior citizens and their families can take full advantage of the services and programs such as home-delivered meals, social group (congregate) meals, wellness and recreation activities, homemaker services, and respite/sitter services that the VCOA offers.”  
Martin calls Vermilion Parish home. She aims to meet community leaders, business owners, and individuals who can help the nonprofit organization broaden its impact on seniors through sponsorships, donations, and volunteerism. 
“I hope to engage the people who are shaping our communities to bring awareness to the needs of our elderly population. I hope to grow support for the vital services and programs of Vermilion Council on Aging that can improve the quality of life for our elderly residents,” Martin said. “I’d also like to thank the dedicated staff of VCOA for their hard work and endeavors to serve the elderly of Vermilion Parish. They have done a tremendous job and deserve great appreciation,” Martin further noted.
The Mission of the Vermilion Council on Aging is to help the elderly of Vermilion Parish maintain their independence and dignity in their homes and grow old comfortably and gracefully. The emphasis is on reaching those who are isolated, alone, and in need.
For more information or opportunities to support the Mission of VCOA, contact Clare Martin at (337)893-2563 or vocadirector@gmail.com. VCOA’s offices are located at 1928 Graceland Avenue in Abbeville, LA, and office hours are 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday.  
The Vermilion Council on Aging is a 501 ( c ) 3 nonprofit. Donations are 100% tax-deductible.

On Thursday, March 6, 2025, at approximately 7:27 pm, the Abbeville Police Department responded to several calls reporting shots fired at 1021 W Port Street, the address of Chapel Down Apartments.
Upon arrival, officers received information that someone from one of the apartments walked to the rear of the complex and discharged 4 or 5 rounds from a firearm. The apartment security cameras were checked, and a suspect was identified. Officers located casings behind one of the buildings.
Officers arrested DaMarcus Broussard, 21, of Lafayette. Broussard was charged with Illegal Discharge of a Firearm and Possession of a Stolen Firearm.
Broussard was transported to the Abbeville Police Department to be booked on both charges, then transported to Vermilion Parish Correction Center.
Abbeville Chief of Police Mike Hardy would like to send a message to anyone that shoots a firearm in the city limits of Abbeville that illegal discharge is a Felony and anyone who is charged with illegal discharge will go to jail.
Hardy said he would like to thank everyone who called to report this incident. Hardy stressed that Abbeville Police needs the community’s assistance to get the bad element off our city streets.
This case is still actively under investigation and Chief Hardy urges the public to provide any further information regarding this crime or any other crime by calling the Abbeville Police Department at (337) 893-2511. You may also contact our “Tips” line at (337) 892-6777. All callers may remain anonymous. Citizens may also send anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers of Vermilion by calling (337) 740-TIPS or the P3 app, which can be downloaded through the Apple App Store or at Google Play Store.

KAPLAN – The Kaplan Lady Pirates’ softball team is off to a hot start in 2025, posting a 6-1 record.
While Lady Pirates’ head coach Brittany LeBeouf is replacing the production and leadership of current Alabama freshman Kennedy Marceaux and current BRCC freshman Briley LeBeouf, her team has already defeated powerhouses Iowa, John Curtis, and Lutcher this season.
“We have a young team, starting four freshmen,” LeBeouf said.  “Our seniors do a good job of keeping them always composed.  We make a mistake; it’s the next ball.”
The four freshmen starters are  Liberty Greene (second base), Gabby Braus (centerfield),  Emma Sherman (designated player) and Cheyanne Breaux (third base).
LeBeouf likes what she sees thus far.
“I think we showed that this weekend against some great competition.  We still have a lot of work to do, but I’m happy with what I’m seeing early. We have to keep working and getting better every day.” LeBeouf credits her team’s work during the off-season for their crispness in the Spring.  She believes discipline is the key. 
“Our workout regimen in the Fall, all preseason, was military-type stuff to be mentally tough and disciplined,” she explained.  “Waking up at 6 a.m. all summer long shows discipline, and we’re very disciplined when we play.
“That’s how we run this program.  We preach discipline.  Good things come with discipline.”
Another bright spot for LeBeouf has been Lexi Greene’s pitching. The sophomore southpaw has 63 strikeouts and 16 walks in 36 innings. 
“Lexi works really hard,” LeBeouf said.  “She’s day in and day out putting in extra work.  She leaves practice and goes to pitch more.  Her preparation shows.  She’s composed on the mound.  She keeps our team calm.”      
Kaplan played six games in seven days to begin the season.  On Tuesday, February 25, they kicked off the 2025 regular season with a 23-0 shellacking of Rayne.   Then they beat Iowa 5-0 on consecutive days, Denham Springs 10-0, John Curtis 4-1, and Lutcher 3-1 before taking Sunday off.
The Lady Pirates kicked off District 5-3A play on Monday, defeating the Erath Lady Bobcats 16-0.
“For the last couple of years, we’ve been starting district earlier,” LeBeouf said.  “We like to play district early so we can prepare for the playoffs late in the season.”
Greene started in the circle and pitched two innings, allowing no runs on no hits and one walk while striking out four.  Emma Sherman pitched the final inning, striking out all three batters she faced.
Abbigale Ford drove in five runs on three doubles to lead Kaplan at the plate.  Greene had a double and two RBI, while Addyson Hebert and Jenna Duhon each had a double and one RBI.  Drew Kass had a single and one RBI.

Southside...7
Kaplan..,,....6

In Thursday’s game against Southside, the Lady Pirates lost the lead late in a 7-6 defeat. 
The game was tied at six in the top of the seventh when Kobi Lam grounded out, scoring one run.
Kaplan was the first to get on the board in the second when Liberty Greene grounded out, scoring one run.
KHS added one run in the third inning. Baleigh Landry grounded out, making the score 2-0.
Southside took the lead in the top of the sixth. Briley Lovell homered to center field, scoring three runs, to give Southside a 6-4 lead.
Lexi Greene homered to left field, which helped the Lady Pirates tie the game at six in the bottom of the sixth.
Lexi Greene began the game for  KHS on the hill.
The pitcher surrendered 10 hits and seven runs (six earned) over seven innings, striking out nine and walking six. 
Leadoff hitter  Liberty Greene KHS had two hits in three at-bats. Greene also stole three bases.

Darian Duhon

Darian Duhon, a North Vermilion graduate, is off to a good start as a senior at Washburn University in Kansas.
Duhon has played in all 16 games and has a batting average of .367. He has 22 hits, two doubles, two triples, and two home runs and knocked in 11 runs.

Tyson LeBlanc

Tyson LeBlanc, a North Vermilion graduate, is on fire at the plate for the LSU-Eunice Bengals.
During the weekend matchup against Murray State College, LeBlanc went five for nine at the plate and knocked in six runs.
During the season, he has a .347 batting average of 72 at-bats. 
He has 25 hits, six doubles, one triple, four home runs, and 16 RBI.
LeBlanc is the starting shortstop for LSU-E.

Lane Patin

Lane Patin is the starting shortstop for the LSU-A baseball team. 
The North Vermilion graduate has a .273 batting average, including 17 hits, 1 HR and he knocked in six runs.

Cody Breaux

Cody Breaux is a Coastal Alabama Community College freshman and managed to start in five games.
He has a .182 batting average with two hits, and he scored twice.

Aiden Leonard

Aiden Leonard is a sophomore pitcher at Northeast Texas Community College.
He has appeared in five games and has a pitching record of 2-2 with an ERA of  2.95.
The North Vermilion graduate has appeared in 21 innings.

Camden Breaux

NV grad Camden Breaux is an Aiden Leonard teammate at Northeast Texas Community College.
Breaux, a freshman, has a batting average of .192, and he has five hits.

SOFTBALL

Kennedy Marceaux

Kaplan High grad Kennedy Marceaux is a freshman at the University of Alabama. 
She has gotten 22 at-bats and has eight hits for a .363 batting average.
She has batted in eight runs, two doubles and two home runs.
In 22 at-bats, she has struck out only twice.

Lexi Broussard

Lexi Broussard, an NVHS graduate, is doing well at Louisiana Christian University in Pineville, La. She has a .347 batting average, 17 hits, five doubles, and eight runs scored.

Mia Broussard

Pitcher Mia Broussard is a grad student at Louisiana Christian University. 
The right-hand pitcher from NVHS is sporting a 4-2 record and her .3.28 ERA. She has struck out 20 batters. She also bats and has a .188 batting average.

Briley LeBeouf

Kaplan High graduate Briley LeBeouf is off to a 4-1 start on the mound for Baton Rouge Community College.
She has pitched in 23 innings, struck out eight, and sports an ERA of 4.26.

Kennedy Kelly

A North Vermilion graduate, Kennedy Kelly plays shortstop for Baton Rouge Community College. She has played in 21 innings and is batting .250. She has scored three runs and stolen three bases.