News

For the second time in four years, Stephen “Tank” Lotief has been let go from his coaching position at Kaplan High School.
On Thursday at 10:30 a.m., Lotief finished up football practice and instructed his players to put on their uniforms since it was picture day in the gym for football.
However, Lotief was not present during picture day.  Instead, he was called into Principal Shay Herpin’s office, joined by assistant superintendent Marc Turner. Herpin informed him that his coaching duties were being removed at KHS. 

A Vermilion Parish jury found Carlton Eugene Hills guilty on Wednesday, July 30, 2025 of the Second Degree Murder of Dalvin Mullins, and Obstruction of Justice.
The crimes occurred on July 8, 2024 in the city of Abbeville, and the defendant faces a mandatory life sentence in prison for the Second Degree Murder and up to an additional 40 years for the Obstruction of Justice.

LAFAYETTE — On July 29, 2025, just before 11 p.m., Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop I began investigating a single-vehicle fatality crash on Louisiana Highway 724 (South Fieldspan Road) near its intersection with Paul Molbert Road.
The crash claimed the life of 36-year-old Schuyler Lewis of Abbeville.
The preliminary investigation revealed Lewis was driving a 2023 Kia Sportage south on LA Hwy 724. For reasons still under investigation, the Kia traveled off the roadway to the right while in a curve before striking an embankment, a tree, and a utility pole.