RSS Feed

Vermilion Parish is due for an economic explosion, the likes of which it has never seen, if rumors of a space exploration company developing here come to fruition.
Brownsville, Texas, is a perfect example of what can happen locally, Sen. Bob Hensgens said this week.
“If anything happens down below the Intracoastal Waterway that happened in Brownsville,” Hensgens told members of the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, “this economy is about to take the biggest boom that it has ever taken.”
Earlier this year, rumors began to swirl heavily about either SpaceX or Blue Origin purchasing more than 130,000 acres on which to build a facility south of Pecan Island. While it remains only rumors at this time, Hensgens said if a project does move forward with one of those companies, the economic impact could be monumental.
“Make no mistake,” Hensgens said, “we are talking Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos level of investment, the two richest men in the world.
“Like all of you, I’m taking the possibility seriously.”
While nothing is concrete, a potential project of this magnitude could set a solid foundation for the future of the parish. Hensgens said it has shown up in other places.
SpaceX has developed in Brownsville, Texas, a process that began with the purchasing of property in 2014. Construction and other processes, including FAA regulations, followed into ‘18.
“SpaceX spent $4 billion on infrastructure,” Hensgens said on Thursday. “There were $100 million in purchases from local supply and service companies. That’s sales tax generated throughout that area. You’re talking $90 million in coastal protection. They protected their $4 billion worth of stuff, and everybody else got protected, too. One magazine rated Brownsville one of the poorest cities in the nation. It is now one of the fastest improving economies in the United States.”
Hensgens referenced what the Meta’s data center has returned for local government entities in Richland Parish.
“Teachers in Richland Parish got huge 13th checks,” Hensgens said of bonus pay for educators. “Some of them got $50,000 13th checks this year. That is what these big, hyper-scale developments bring to the areas where they are.
“They change it forever, and change it for the good.”
While speaking to more than 200 people at the Rotary Club of Abbeville’s meeting, Hensgens drove home the point that this change is not imminent.
“I hold no details of a possible SpaceX or Blue Origin purchase of property in Vermilion Parish,” Hensgens said. “Like all of you, I have heard nothing but the rumors since March.”
Again, stressing the word potentially to describe the project, SpaceX or Blue Origin locating in Vermilion Parish could change it into something it has never really had the opportunity to be.
“Vermilion Parish has always been an oil field hub,” Hensgens told chamber members. “Honestly, we’ve never been the center of the oil field. We’ve never been one of the main cogs of the economy of Acadiana. If it goes further, and an announcement is made by the Governor (Jeff Landry), who has spent thousands of hours working on this possible project, we’re going to see an economy that we have never seen before.”

September 6, 1925 — July 24, 2026

ERATH – A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Mr. Joseph  “J.C.” Broussard, age 100, at 1 p.m., on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Erath. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Lourdes Mausoleum.
Visitation will begin at 9 a.m., on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at Frioux Funeral Home of Erath, and continue until the time of service. A Recitation of the Rosary will be led by Kathy Faulk at 11 a.m.
Mr. Joseph C. “Jay” Broussard proudly served his country in the United States Navy, a commitment that reflected his lifelong sense of duty and patriotism. Following his military service, he dedicated 42 years of his career to UNOCAL, where he retired as a Production Superintendent. His hard work, leadership, and dedication earned the respect of his colleagues throughout his career. He was a proud member of the American Legion and the Knights of Columbus, organizations that reflected his commitment to service, faith, and community. Outside of work, his greatest joy was his land and his cattle. He took great pride in caring for them and found peace in the simple pleasures of rural life. An avid traveler, he enjoyed exploring the beauty of North America, visiting much of the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, as well as Canada. Whether traveling to new destinations or spending time on his land, he embraced life with a spirit of adventure and appreciation for the outdoors. He will be remembered as a hardworking, devoted man whose love for his family, his country, and the land he cherished defined the life he lived so well.
Joseph is survived by his son, Oswald Broussard and his wife Ginny; two grandchildren, Laurie Touchet and her husband Jeremy, and Christine Broussard and her husband Shane; two great-grandchildren, Zach Broussard and Ann-Racheal Touchet; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Merlyn B. Broussard; daughter, Racheal Broussard; great-grandson, Andre Touchet; parents, Lastie and Elita Broussard; companion, Joyce Landry; and siblings, Irene Broussard Bourque, Lily Broussard Vincent, Lula Domingue, and Steve Broussard.
Pallbearers will be Zach Broussard, Jeremy Touchet, Russ Landry, Scott Broussard, Chad Hebert, and Van Lemaire.
Honorary pallbearers will be Shane Broussard, Ravely “R.J.” Domingue, and Mike Landry.
Family and friends may sign the guest register book and/or send condolences at www.friouxfunerals.com
Frioux Funeral Home of Erath, 209 E. Putnam St., (337) 937-0405 will be handling the arrangements.

John Henry Rippon - February 18, 1942 — July 4, 2026

John Shane Rippon - June 12, 1973 — July 26, 2025

Services will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2026, honoring the lives of John Henry Rippon and John Shane Rippon, father and son.
The services will be held at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes in Erath, La. Burial will take place in Erath Cemetery. A gathering of family and friend will be held at the Erath Hall on the church grounds.
John Henry entered eternal rest on July 4, 2026. John Shane preceded his father into eternal rest on July 26, 2025.
During the service, the family will also honor Al Harrington, a father, brother and uncle, who passed away on January 6, 2026.

Jun 22, 1942 — Jul 21, 2026

ABBEVILLE — A Mass of Christian Burial for Mr. Gerald James Clostio, 84, will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, July 24, 2026, at St. Theresa Catholic Church with Fr. Francois Sainte-Marie officiating. Interment will follow at St. Paul Cemetery.
Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. until the time of service on Friday, July 24, 2026, with a recitation of the rosary at 11 a.m.
Gerald was a loving husband, devoted father, and proud grandfather whose family meant the world to him.
He proudly served his country in the United States Army, a service he carried with honor and pride throughout his life.
After returning home, Gerald dedicated 47 years to Borden's Dairy as a home delivery driver. He was known for his strong work ethic, dependability, and friendly nature.
Gerald enjoyed the simple pleasures in life. He loved listening to country music, watching old Western movies, cheering on the Houston Astros, and anything red, white, and blue. His love for his country was evident in the way he lived his life.
Gerald will be remembered for his kindness, patriotism, unwavering dedication to his family, and the lasting impact he made on those who knew and loved him. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
He is survived by his wife, Ann Broussard Clostio; a daughter, Christine Saxby; five sons, James “Buddy” Clostio and his wife Sharon, Eric Clostio and his wife Dawn, Scott Clostio and his wife Jackie, Trent Clostio and his wife Kay, and Cody Clostio; thirteen grandchildren, Quinn Saxby and his wife Mali, Conrad Saxby and his wife Chelsea, Jenee Higginbotham and her husband Andrew, Coy Clostio and his wife Ashley, Tiffany Simon and her husband Stoney, Doies Gaspard and his wife Ashley, Laney Lege and her husband Pierre, John Eric Clostio, Hunter Clostio, Kaylan Huntsberry and her husband Charles, Mary Ellen Marceaux and her husband Brilan, Trey Clostio, and Zaylor Clostio; twenty-three great-grandchildren; three great-grandchildren on the way; a sister, Patsy Romero and her husband Leland; a sister-in-law, Nellie Broussard; and countless nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Arvis and Eunice Derpin Clostio; Dolores Mire, Donald Clostio; two in-laws, Perfay Broussard and Lillian Broussard; and a brother-in-law, Howard Broussard.
Serving as pall bearers will be Hunter Clostio, Trey Clostio, Doies Gaspard, John Eric Clostio, Zaylor Clostio, and Coy Clostio.
Serving as honorary pall bearers will be Quinn Saxby, Conrad Saxby, Stoney Simon, Pierre Lege, Aiden Simon, Charles Huntsberry, Brilan Marceaux, and Andrew Higginbotham.
The family would like to offer their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Acadiana Health Home Care, Timari, Amy, Anne, the nurses at the VA of Lafayette, the staff at Maison de Lafayette, and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital for all their comfort and care they shared with Mr. Gerald and his family.
Family and friends may sign the guest register book and/or send condolences at www.friouxfuneralhome.com
Frioux Funeral Home of Abbeville at 2600 Charity Street (337) 893-3777 will be in charge of the arrangements.