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Everyone knows it is hot. But what many don’t know is that Vermilion Parish is having major drought issues.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor’s latest map, one third of Vermilion Parish is under extreme drought conditions. The other two thirds of the parish is under a severe drought.
Also experiencing extreme drought conditions are parts of Iberia, Lafayette and Acadia parishes.
Since 2000, it is only the second time Vermilion Parish has experienced extreme drought conditions. The last time was in 2011.
The Drought Monitor is a map of the United States that comes out every Thursday. The map uses precipitation data to determine the drought conditions throughout the United States.
Categories for the Drought Monitor are divided into five sections labeled D0-D4.
• D0 stands for “abnormally dry,” meaning the region is experiencing dry weather, but a formal drought has not developed yet.
• D1 stands for “moderate drought,” which means the region is experiencing some damage to crops and water levels are getting low.
• D2 stands for “severe drought,” where crop damage is likely and water restrictions might occur.
• Things only get worse in D3 “extreme drought,” where crop losses become major and water levels go extremely low.
• Finally, there is D4 “exceptional drought,” which is the highest category. This final category means widespread crop damage and historically low water levels leading to significant restrictions.
While most parish residents have noticed the drought conditions because their lawns are turning brown, Vermilion Parish sugar cane farmers have more to lose than grass.
Because of the lack of water, sugar cane growth has been stunted by more than 75 percent.
With planting season underway, sugar cane farmers must selectively take the healthiest and tallest sugar cane to cut and plant.
A handful of sugar cane farmers are not waiting for rain and have taken matters into their own hands by pumping water in their sugar cane fields.
Jim Domingues of Erath, who farms 6,000 acres of sugar cane in the parish, recently got a few old water pumps running and began trying to flood his fields with water.
“I have to try something,” Domingues said.
One way to tell sugar cane is in distress is the lack of growth, and the tips at the end of the leaves are beginning to turn brown.
Domingues said any rain would help, but it may be too late because sugar cane is finished growing.
He added that the sugar cane mills have the final say on when harvesting will begin.

December 3, 1962 ~ August 13, 2023

ABBEVILLE — Memorial services will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, August 18, 2023, honoring the life of Frankie Dean Deville, Sr., 60, who died Sunday, August 13, 2023 at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center. Pastor David Rousse will office the service. He will be laid to rest at Bancker Cemetery at a later date.
He is survived by his wife, Edna Paguigan Deville; four sons, Frankie Dean Deville, Jr. and his wife, Chantel of Missouri, Zechariah David Deville and his wife, Pauline of North Dakota, Gabriel Luke Deville of Houma, and Christopher "Petey" Reuben Deville of Colorado; three daughters, Tabitha Elizabeth Roath and her husband, Jack of Lafayette, Natalie Nichole Landry and her husband, Chad of Springfield, LA, and Naomi Grace Deville of Mississippi; fourteen grandchildren; mother, Enola Duhon Connor; brother, Daniel Dean Deville of Abbeville; sisters, Brenda Lee Shaver and her husband, Bub of West Virginia, and Sarah Jean Romero and her husband, Shane of Scott, LA; and his beloved pup, “Buddy”.
He was preceded in death by his father, Wilson Deville; step-father, Bradley James Connor; infant son, Frankie James Deville; and brother, Freddie Deville.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Friday, August 18, 2023 from 10 a.m. until time of service.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.

According to Sheriff Mike Couvillon, the Vermilion Municipal and Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force made the following arrest for narcotics related offenses within the parish.
On Aug. 7, after a lengthy investigation, agents were able to seize a large amount of various narcotics as well as a firearm from Fabian Mitchell, (Date of birth: 7-23-1982).  Mitchell was placed under arrest without incident after attempting to discard the narcotics and the firearm.  Mitchell was charged with the following offenses:
• Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
• Possession of a Firearm in the presence of a Controlled Dangerous Substance
• Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule I, (MDMA)
• Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule II, (Crack Cocaine)
• Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule II, (Methamphetamine)
• Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule II, (Cocaine)
• Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule III, (Hydrocodone)
• Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule IV, (Alprazolam)
• Transactions Involving Drug Proceeds
• Possession of Schedule I, (Marijuana)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Sheriff Couvillon would like to thank the Mayors, and their council, of Abbeville, Gueydan, and Erath, along with their Chiefs of Police, for their support of the Vermilion Municipal and Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force. Sheriff Couvillon also applauds the concerned citizens of Vermilion Parish for their awareness and assistance in helping the Task Force in fighting the war on illegal drugs. He  encourages all citizens with information in regards to illegal drug activities to contact the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office or the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit at 337-740-4501 or E-mail the Task Force anonymously at taskforce@vpso.net and your e-mail will be held in the “strictest of confidence” and replied to in a very timely manner.
More information on reporting drug activities can be seen on our Web Site at www.vpso.net. Click on Narcotics and fill out the TURN IN A PUSHER information. 

Theresa “Terri” Lynn Broussard passed away peacefully at home on August 13, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. She was an angel who walked the earth for 68 years. 
Terri was born on December 10, 1954, in Franklin, Louisiana, and grew up in Bayou Vista. She was a genuine nurturer, looking after her three younger siblings and serving as a role model throughout their lives. She graduated third in her class from Berwick High School in 1972, where she developed many special and irreplaceable friendships that continued to the time of her passing. 
Terri went on to attend secretarial school and landed her first job in 1974 at Texaco in Morgan City. There she met Paul Damian Broussard, a civil engineer who would become her best friend, soulmate, and lifelong partner. The couple married on June 12, 1976, and began their family in Berwick, later moving to Mandeville. They spent 47 blissfully wedded years together. 
The couple has four children who absolutely adored their mother. For Terri, her kids were her life’s work and greatest accomplishments. She excelled at her role as homemaker. Terri cherished her expanding family, embracing and loving her children’s spouses as if they were her own kids. Her reward was earning the title of Ami — “friend” in French — which is what Terri chose as her grandmother name. Nothing gave her more joy than spending time with her entire family. She fostered an environment of love and affection that was unmatched and served as an inspiration to many. No conversation with her kids ended without a shared “I love you."
While Terri was a lifelong resident of South Louisiana, she enjoyed exploring the world with Paul on their many adventures. The couple has visited all 50 states — 49 of them with their kids in tow — 60 countries, and all seven continents. Terri’s diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis in 2002 did nothing to deter the couple from continuing their worldwide travels. They had their next three international trips booked at the time of her glioblastoma diagnosis in February 2023, with many more destinations in waiting.
Terri was a devout Catholic and long-time parishioner at Our Lady of the Lake (OLL) Church. If Paul and Terri weren’t on a big trip or visiting their kids or grandkids, they could be found in front of the church at the vigil mass every Saturday evening. For nearly 30 years, Terri was involved in or leading the church’s card ministry, writing messages to the sick and homebound in her meticulously perfect script. She was also a Eucharistic Minister for many years. 
Terri and Paul served as a mentor couple at church, preparing nearly 40 engaged pairs for the sacrament of marriage over their 20 years of ministry. They relished the opportunity to share their married life lessons to the engaged couples who came through their home. A true OLL power couple, Terri humbly served as head of the Lady Knights while Paul led the church’s Knights of Columbus Council as Grand Knight from 2022 to 2023. 
Terri will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who knew her. Her goodness and light were undeniable. She was a gentle, kind, and compassionate soul who was a true model of a life well lived. The courage and strength she showed during her illness inspired her family to face life’s challenges with dignity and grace. Daughter, sister, friend, wife, mother, aunt, godmother, mother-in-law, grandmother — she embraced each of her roles wholeheartedly, leaving a legacy of love in her wake.
Terri is survived by her husband, Paul; her children Rennan Broussard, Renee (Chuck) Brown, Robin Broussard, Ross (Ana Maria) Broussard; her grandchildren Bennett and Kian Broussard, and Margot and Maisie Brown; her siblings Joyce (Tim) Brady, Diane “Boo” Naquin, Harry “Buster” (Vanessa) Naquin; and her many nieces, nephews, and siblings-in-law. Terri was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Bernice Naquin, and her grandson, André Gabriel Broussard.  
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 312 Lafitte Street, Mandeville, LA, 70448, on Thursday, August 17, at 12:00 p.m. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. until mass time, and a rosary will be said immediately prior to mass. Interment will take place following the service at Saint Joseph Abbey Cemetery, 75376 River Road, Saint Benedict, LA 70457.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions in Terri’s memory to the National MS Society or the Glioblastoma Foundation. E.J. Fielding Funeral Home is entrusted with funeral arrangements. Please sign the guestbook at www.ejfieldingfh.com.