The white car stopped in a ditch after hitting the tractor (right) that was traveling in the opposite direction.
UPDATE: The name of the female driver killed has been released by the Sheriff's Office. The driver's name is Michelle Seaton. The Sheriff's Office is investigating the accident.
Rylann Viator takes a photo next to the sign “SOTY” which stands for Student Of The Year.
ERATH — Last weekend provided plenty of pride for the Erath community.
While the Erath Bobcats competed for a state on the baseball field, Erath Middle School’s Rylann Viator received word that she had been named the Louisiana Department of Educations’s Middle School Student of the Year.
“I was honestly in shock!,” Viator exclaimed. “I couldn’t believe it at first. I am never speechless, but I couldn’t find the words in all the excitement. I just felt incredibly excited and thankful.
“It’s such a huge honor, and I’m still smiling about it!”
KAPLAN – On May 17, 2025, shortly after 10:00 p.m., Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop I were notified a single-vehicle fatality crash on Louisiana Highway 335 near Teche Road.
The crash claimed the life of 40-year-old Sommer Simon of Crowley.
The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2017 Ford Mustang, driven by Simon, was traveling west on LA Highway 335. For reasons still under investigation, the Ford traveled off the roadway to the left, struck multiple trees, and became fully engulfed in flames.
The detective unit for the Sheriff’s Office is housed on the third floor of the old bank.
The Vermilion Parish Police Jury is poised to offload two Abbeville buildings, aiming to cut losses on insurance and utilities.
The spotlight is on the old Hibernia Bank on Charity Street, and the old Abbeville Health Unit by Jim’s Tire, a burden they’re eager to shed.
Selling these properties not only frees up funds but also lightens their real estate load, allowing them to refocus on community needs rather than property management.
There are numerous ways in which Abbeville can grow during the next 20 years.
City officials, both present and future, will now have a plan to reference to help guide any potential growth.
During Tuesday’s meeting, the Abbeville City Council adopted a resolution endorsing the Abbeville Planning Commission’s adoption of Imagine Abbeville, the city’s 20-year master plan. While not everyone in attendance agreed, the council voted 5-0 in favor of the agenda item. The planning commission previously adopted the master plan during a meeting on April 28.
318 N. Main St.
Abbeville, LA 70510
Phone: 337-893-4223
Fax: 337-898-9022
219 North Cushing Avenue
Kaplan, LA 70548