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On Sunday night, a high-speed car chase on Charity Street in Abbeville ended with a car crashing into the Cajun Claws Restaurant.
Abbeville Chief of Police Mike Hardy reported that Kevin Collins from Carencro was allegedly caught shoplifting at the Wal-Mart in Abbeville. After being spotted, Collins fled the store, prompting a high-speed pursuit by the police down Charity Street. It is estimated that speeds of more than 90 miles per hour were reached during the chase.
Collins eventually lost control of his vehicle, crashing into the bar area of Cajun Claws Restaurant on Charity Street.
The car crashed through the front of the restaurant and came to a stop in the dining area. The restaurant was closed at that time and was scheduled to reopen the following weekend. Collins was taken by Acadian Ambulance to Abbeville General Hospital due to a knee injury he allegedly sustained. After being released from the hospital, he was arrested and booked into the parish jail on multiple charges.
During the booking, the Abbeville Police learned Collins was wanted on an attempted murder charge in Iberia Parish.
Cajun Claws owners Jodi and Donni Choate were called to their restaurant moments after the crash.
Jodi posted this on her Facebook Page: 
“It seems a high-speed chase ended in our restaurant, but it could have been so much worse if we had patrons in our bar,” she wrote. “We were scheduled to be open next week, so I guess upon further word from the hubs, I will know more. I beg all of you to be kind. We really never know what one is going through, and this too shall pass.”
She thanked the Abbeville Police Department for how they handled the crash.
Collins, as of Tuesday, was still in the Vermilion Parish Correctional Center. 
Cajuns Claws employee C.J. Frederick began a  Go-Fund-Me account to help rebuild the restaurant. Frederick set a goal of $30,000, and thus far, just under $1,000 has been donated. 
Frederick wrote on the GoFundMe Me Page: “They would never ask for help, but it will take a village to assist them in rebuilding what was demolished. Please see Jodi’s take on this tragic event — such a strong woman who has been carrying a heavy load for quite some time. If you can find it in your heart to help lift them, then my job has been done to assist them in the best way I know how. Anything helps! Thank you all in advance. Much love!”

Jacob "Coach" Byler
July 29, 1940 ~ July 3, 2024

Kaplan—A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church honoring the life of Jacob "Coach" Byler, 83, who died Wednesday, July 3, 2024 at Brookdale Assisted Living. He will be laid to rest at Hebert Cemetery with Fr. Mikel Polson officiating the services. Pallbearers will be Britt Byler, Ashton Crochet, Lucus Broussard, Linden Bercegeay III, Tommy Pillette, and Mark Aubrey Cole. Honorary pallbearers will be Kerry Richard, Chad Hargrave, Jimmy Broussard, and Ray Broussard.

Visiting hours will be observed at Vincent Funeral Home in Kaplan, 300 N. Eleazar Ave., on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 from 2:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 6:30 PM; Wednesday, July 10, 2024 from 8:00 AM until the procession departs for church at 10:45 AM.

Coach Byler was a dedicated educator and coach for 43 years and leaves behind a profound legacy of commitment, inspiration, and love. Coach Byler had a tremendous impact on countless students and families through his roles as a teacher and coach, touching lives and shaping futures with his hard work and caring nature.

He began his remarkable career at Saint Paul’s in Covington before returning to the Lafayette area, where he spent 15 influential years at Cathedral Carmel High School. At Cathedral Carmel, he served as an assistant football coach and head track coach before becoming the school's last head football coach. His dedication and leadership were evident in every role he took on.

When Cathedral Carmel High School closed and St. Thomas More opened, Coach Byler became the first head football coach at Saint Thomas More High School, setting the foundation for the school's football program. After four impactful years at STM, he spent the next 21 years at Erath High School, where he became the winningest all-time football coach. His success wasn't limited to football; he was also a highly successful track and field coach, guiding many athletes to reach their full potential.

Even in retirement, Coach Byler's passion for coaching never dimmed. He continued to volunteer at North Vermilion High School, contributing to both the football and track programs, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to the development of young athletes.

Coach Byler's career was adorned with numerous individual awards and team accomplishments, reflecting his exceptional coaching abilities and dedication. His impact on multiple communities is a testament to his hardworking and caring nature. He was a coach that players wanted to play for, inspiring countless athletes with his leadership and compassion.

Beyond his professional achievements, Coach Byler was the "head coach" of his own family. He was a beloved father and grandfather, whose love and guidance were felt deeply by his family. He will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Jacob "Coach" Byler's legacy will continue to inspire future generations. His memory will be cherished by his family, friends, students, and the many communities he served.

He is survived by one son, Thomas Byler (Stacy) of Youngsville; one daughter, Tracy Byler (Ad Himel) of Lafayette; one brother, Patrick Byler (Jane) of New Iberia; and three grandchildren, Grace Crochet (Ashton), Britt Byler, and Lily Byler.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Broussard Byler; his parents, Jules Byler and the former Lelia Conner; and his mother- and father-in-law, Newton and Loris Broussard.

In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made to the Vermilion Parish Future Educator Scholarship Fund, a newly formed scholarship fund created to honor Coach Byler’s legacy. There will be envelopes available at the funeral home for donations to be made.

All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Kaplan, (337) 643-7276. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.

A Lafayette Parish sugar and cattle producer is this year’s Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Outstanding Young Farm Woman. 
Vermilion Parish resident Amanda Duhon, 33, received the award at the Louisiana Farm Bureau’s 102nd Annual Convention in New Orleans on June 27, 2024.  Duhon is a first-generation sugarcane farmer and a fourth-generation cattle producer, but she said that wasn’t always the case.  
“I was actually a first-generation cattle farmer until three years ago,” Duhon said. “My grandparents had cattle on both sides going back a few generations, but my parents didn’t have cattle until three years ago whenever they purchased 30 head of for themselves. So, it’s interesting to now be a fourth-generation cattle farmer whenever you’re 33.” 
In addition to managing the day-to-day duties of an 800-acre farming operation alongside her husband, Kelsi, Duhon is also a mom to three little boys, and the author of two children’s books. In 2020, Duhon said she started writing her first book, Case and the Sugar Run, to help educate children about how their food is produced.       
“There was still a disconnect where kids didn’t know where their food was coming from,” Duhon said. “So, I decided to do something about it, and I realized a dog could bridge the gap between everybody. I mean, everybody has a dog, people in apartments, people in the city, people in the country. So, I wrote a book about my dog, Case, and how he goes around and shows you how sugarcane goes from your farm to table.”   
Duhon said that sometimes it can be difficult to be a woman in a man’s world, especially in the agriculture field, but it’s important for women to be involved in the industry.  
“I want women to understand that they do have a role on the farm, Duhon said. “I’m one of those people that think ‘women can do tough things too.’ I love my husband, and I get his help as much as I can, but there’s plenty of times where I’m the one who’s hauling in ten sacks of feed because he can’t be there. I’m the one who’s having to go work the cattle or move them around from pen to pen or even from field to field. We really make it a partnership. And it’s sometimes kind of hard. Sometimes I get frustrated, but then again, you remind yourself women can do hard things too. And we do and we get it done.” 
As the 2024 Outstanding Young Farm Woman Award winner, Duhon received a $2,000 cash award from the Louisiana Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company, a trip to the American Farm Bureau Fusion Conference in Denver, Colorado, a $500 cash award by BASF, and two $250 cash awards courtesy of Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation and Louisiana Farm Bureau Insurance Companies.