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Don Landry

Don Landry is new District Attorney

Tue, 11/03/2020 - 11:03pm

Vermilion, Lafayette, and Acadia parishes have a new district attorney named Don Landry.
Don Landry, a former assistant district attorney who worked under former district attorney Mike Harson, grabbed more votes than “Danny” Landry. Danny was current 15th Judicial District Attorney Keith Stutes’ number one prosecutor. Stutes did not seek re-election.
After starting as a clean race for the first six months, the Don and Danny race began getting ugly, with both candidates throwing mud at one another in advertising ads in the final weeks.
Don Landry is no stranger to Vermilion Parish. For years, he was the attorney for the Erath Aldermen and mayor.
Because of his Vermilion Parish connections, he collected twice as many votes (16,667 to 7,954 votes) in Vermilion Parish than Danny. Don beat Danny in Acadia and Lafayette Parish, as well.
Don beat Danny by gaining 63 percent of the votes (95,593) to 37 percent (57,122 votes) in the three parishes.

Joe Del Duhon, IV

Tue, 11/03/2020 - 4:09pm

January 23, 1995 ~ November 2, 2020

ABBEVILLE — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, November 5, 2020 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church honoring the life of Joe Del Duhon, IV, 25, who died Monday, November 2, 2020 at Abbeville General Hospital. He will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Father Donald Bernard officiating the services. Pallbearers will be Hayes Doucet, Canon Clark, Chelcie Sonnier, Blaythe Painter, Kenneth Johnson, Cy Boudreaux, Boyd Denais, and Sklyer Touchet.
Joe Del will be remembered by his loved ones for being a naturally gifted athlete who possessed a big heart, his generosity, his selflessness, and kindness. He will be greatly missed but never forgotten.
He is survived by his parents, Joe Del Duhon, III and Donde Hoffpauir; brother, Hayes Doucet; two sisters, Taylor Duhon and Brooklyn Comeaux; paternal grandmother, Barabara Baudoin and her husband, Rodney; maternal grandparents, Larry Hoffpauir and his wife, Linda; nieces, Kinsley Hebert and Knova LeBlanc; aunts, Nikki Baudoin, Barbara Lynn Duhon, Donna Duhon, Crystal Daigle and Kaysha Clark; first cousins, Keesha Touchet, Skyler Touchet, Cameron Duhon and Cannon Clark; and his four-legged best friend, Drake.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Joe Del Duhon, Sr.; uncle, Joe Del Duhon, II; and first cousin, Kylan Langlinais.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Wednesday, November 4, 2020 from 11:00 AM until 10:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM; Thursday, November 5, 2020 from 8:00 AM until 12:45 PM when the procession will depart for the church.
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.

Rosie Simon Lopez

Tue, 11/03/2020 - 4:08pm

ERATH — A Mass of Christian Burial for Mrs. Rosie Simon Lopez will be held at Our Lady Of Lourdes Catholic Church on Thursday, November 5, 2020 at 2:00PM with Father Metrejean officiating.
Visitation will be held at David Funeral Home on Thursday, November 5, 2020 from 9:00AM until time of services with a recitation of the Rosary at 12:30PM.
A native of Erath, Mrs. Rosie passed away Monday, November2, 2020. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great- grandmother.
She is survived by her daughters, Juanita Romero and her husband Vest of Lafayette, and Charlotte Segura and her husband Blaine of Erath; her grandchildren, Ryan Turner and his wife Jennifer of Carencro, and Barrett Segura and his wife Taryn of Opelousas, and Kaden Romero ; and her great-grandchildren, R.J. Turner, Annie Kay Segura, Gavin Domengeaux, and Grant Domengeaux.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Theophille Simon and Neomi Bonin Simon; her sisters, Noelie Boudreaux, Inez Romero, Lily Broussard, and Annie Lou Viltz; and her brother, Ophey Simon.
You may sign the guest register book and express condolences online at www.davidfuneralhome.org
“In order to keep the community safe, we will honor the July 13, 2020 Louisiana Mandates. All families and their guests are required to wear a face covering while at the funeral home. Thank you for your understanding during this unprecedented time.”
David Funeral Home of Erath 209 E. Putnam St. (337)937-0405 will be handling the arrangements.

FEMA agrees to pay 100 % of hurricane debris removal

Tue, 11/03/2020 - 3:31pm

It will save parish around $1 million

The Vermilion Parish Police Jury received great news Friday afternoon when they got word from FEMA that President Donald Trump approved 100 percent federal cost-share for debris removal caused by two hurricanes.
Police Jury President Dane Hebert said by FEMA picking up the other 25 percent it will save the parish about $1 million.
In the past, FEMA usually has agreed to pay for 75 percent of debris removal and the local government pay for 25 percent.
The only time FEMA has paid for 100 percent was for Hurricane Rita 15 years ago.
Hebert said he received a phone call from one of Trump’s aides, who asked Hebert what his parish and south Louisiana is in need of at this moment.
Hebert told the president’s aide it would help the parish if FEMA paid for 100 percent of the debris removal. The aide said he would see what he could do.
On Friday, FEMA announced Vermilion and other parishes were going to receive 100 percent.
“I want to thank President Trump for helping us,” said Dane.
There are contractors in the parish picking up storm damage debris from Hurricane Laura. Then came Hurricane Delta, which did more storm damage.
The two hurricanes were combined for debris removal. They still have 65 days out of 90 days to remove debris.
The contractors bring the debris to a landfill out of the parish.
Thus far, they have removed 155,000 cubic yards of debris throughout Vermilion Parish.

Second quarter is when VC turns on the offense; The Eagles are scoring an average of 27 points in the second quarter

Tue, 11/03/2020 - 10:53am

The second quarter turned out to be Vermilion Catholic’s go-to quarter.
Thus far, the Eagles scored an average of 27 points in the second quarter.
On Friday in New Iberia, VC whipped Highland Baptist 46-6 in a district game.
VC (4-0) led 7-0 after the first quarter, but then exploded for 21 points in the second quarter to put the game away.
Against Hanson, VC was losing 8-6 when the first quarter ended. By halftime, the Eagles led 44-6 and cruised to a 56-8 win.
Three weeks ago, against the Erath Bobcats, VC was ahead 7-0 at the end of the first quarter. VC scored 27 points in the second period and blew the game open, and went on to win 47-0.
This second-quarter scoring trend began in the first game of the year against Abbeville.
After the first quarter, VC was leading 7-0. But by halftime, the Eagles had scored 20-second quarter points and was leading 27-7 at halftime.
VC head coach Broc Prejean explains the reasoning behind the second-quarter explosion.
“Our kids do a great job of making adjustments and understanding what they are up against,” said Prejean. “We would love to start hot and hang points in the first quarter, but it speaks to their character and our coaching staff that they are able to lock in mentally and make the necessary changes to get positive results.”
On Friday, the Eagles’ first-quarter touchdown was set up by Saul Dartez’s 49-yard punt return, down to the Highland 23 yard line.
On first down, quarterback Drew Lege connected with John Robert Allums for a 22 yard pass, and he was tackled at the Highland 1.
On the next play, Drew Lege snuck it up the middle for a touchdown. Robert nailed the extra point for the 7-0 lead.
The Eagles blew the game open by scoring 21 points in the second period.
Just in the second quarter, receiver John Robert Allums had six catches for 48 yards. He finished the game with 10 catches for 94 yards and one touchdown.
Dartez had six catches for 138 yards (23 yards a catch average) in the game.Lege just missed throwing for more than 300 yards. He completed 22 out of 28 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns.
VC did not have one player rush for more than 50 yards.
Travin Moore Jr. had 45 yards on five carries and a touchdown.
Joshua Sagrera had four carries for 35 yards.
Thomas Bellaire had a touchdown run. He had two carries for 17 yards on the night.

Black Education Matters

Tue, 11/03/2020 - 9:10am

By Thomas Sowell

Most Americans would probably be shocked and angry if they knew all the dirty tricks used to sabotage charter schools that are successfully educating low-income minority children.
This is not "systemic racism." It is plain old selfishness on the part of traditional public school officials and teachers unions protecting their own vested interests.
Most of us might see charter schools that succeed where traditional public schools have failed as welcome news, especially in minority communities where there is so much bad news.
But, when there are a million public school students on waiting lists to get into charter schools nationwide, that amounts to many billions of dollars a year that traditional public schools would lose, if all those students could actually transfer. That would represent a lot of jobs lost in traditional public schools. It would also represent a lot of union dues lost, because most charter school teachers do not belong to a union. The success of many charter schools is definitely unwelcome news to both traditional public school officials and teachers unions.
The law gives parents the right to transfer their children from traditional public schools to charter schools. But how many can actually exercise that right depends on how much capacity the charter schools have. All across the country, traditional public school officials and teachers unions do all they can to keep charter schools from expanding their capacity.
In many states, there is simply a law putting an arbitrary numerical limit on how many charter schools will be permitted. It doesn't matter whether the charter schools are good, bad or indifferent. Or whether the traditional public schools are good, bad or indifferent.
In other words, this is not about the quality of education for students. It is about protecting traditional public schools from a mass exodus of the students they have failed to educate.
A numerical limit to the number of charter schools is not enough by itself. After all, existing charter schools could expand their capacity. But, for that, they would need more classrooms -- and classrooms and school buildings are controlled by existing public school officials.
Even in cities where many school buildings have been completely vacant for years, charter schools have been prevented from using those buildings, by various tricks.
Some of these buildings have been sold, with explicit provisos in the deeds that they cannot subsequently be used again as schools, but only for residential or other purposes.
Some school officials have openly admitted that they are trying to keep those buildings from falling into the hands of charter schools. In Milwaukee, this was spelled out officially. In Detroit, a school board member said, "there is no way we should be sustaining our competition."
Similar policies have been followed in Chicago, Washington, Cleveland, Indianapolis, and elsewhere. Some vacant school buildings have simply been demolished, making sure they cannot be used by charter schools.
These are just some of the tactics used against charter schools by traditional public school authorities, who constantly declare their devotion to the students. But actions speak much louder than words.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has denounced and obstructed charter schools repeatedly. Yet, when he ran for mayor in 2013, a poll showed that 96% of black voters favored him.
This is what can happen when the vast majority of black votes automatically go to one party. Under these conditions, neither party has much incentive to serve black interests.
This year, Joe Biden told a black man that, if he didn't vote for him, he wasn't black. How is that for taking the black vote for granted? Both Vice President Biden and Senator Kamala Harris have declared their support for teachers unions.
Teachers unions supply millions of votes and millions of dollars to politicians, mostly Democrats. They don't do that automatically, but require politicians to do something in return.
Unless black voters take the same attitude, their interests -- and the future of their children -- will be sacrificed for the political support of teachers unions.
This year the Republicans are making an effort to get more black votes. Record high average incomes for blacks and record low unemployment rates for blacks are part of this administration's record. But support for charter schools, including awarding more than $9 million to the Success Academy schools in Harlem and other minority communities may be even more important for the future.
Everything depends on how well Republicans inform black voters and how receptive those voters are to breaking their old voting habits.

Thomas Sowell is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305. His website is www.tsowell.com. To find out more about Thomas Sowell and read features by other Creators Syndicate columnists and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.

Jeff Crouere

Corrupt media are biggest Biden donors

Tue, 11/03/2020 - 9:06am

In the final days of this presidential campaign, former Vice President Joe Biden is awash in donations. Throughout the presidential campaign, Biden has benefitted from Wall Street and Hollywood support and massive donations from billionaires like Mike Bloomberg.
In this campaign, the difference between Biden and President Donald Trump is dramatic. Combined with the Democratic National Committee, Biden outspent Trump and the Republican National Committee by a total of $200 million. Biden enjoyed an even more significant advantage of $343 million when the political action committees and outside groups affiliated with the two campaigns were compared.
Yet, these advantages do not come close to the massive benefits that Biden has received from the mainstream news media and the “big tech” social media giants. Every day, President Donald Trump is pummeled with unfair media coverage and questions by reporters who are incredibly biased. His news conferences and media opportunities are always combative with reporters trying to manufacture controversies for the President.
In contrast, former Vice President Joe Biden is protected by reporters who do his bidding. For example, Biden was recently asked what flavor milkshake he bought, but not aggressively questioned about his son’s “laptop from hell.”
This week, Biden briefly took media questions after he voted. Of course, he was not asked about the scandalous revelations included in his son’s laptop. For example, there was evidence that the former Vice President had knowledge of his son’s corrupt consulting deals. This contradicted Biden’s repeated claims that he knew nothing about his son’s various consulting arrangements.
The New York Post printed a series of stories about the laptop, but this reporting was completely suppressed by Twitter and Facebook. In fact, the New York Post’s Twitter account was locked because of this reporting. These social media titans have chosen Biden in this presidential race. Along with Google algorithms favoring Biden, the President is facing a tremendous hurdle to overcome.
Even though the former Vice President’s lies were further exposed by military veteran Tony Bobulinski, the media showed no interest in the story. Bobulinski agreed to come forward after the Hunter Biden story was called “Russian disinformation” by U.S. Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) and others. Bobulinski told the truth to protect his family’s sterling reputation of proud service to our country.
This courageous whistleblower was interviewed by Tucker Carlson of Fox News. He dramatically discussed how he met twice with Joe Biden to discuss these international business deals.
Bobulinski told Joe Biden’s brother that he was worried about the former Vice President’s ties to a Chinese energy company. Of course, nothing was done to cancel these deals, since this type of arrangement had become the Biden family business.
In a country with fair media coverage, this story would have been front page news for weeks. Instead, there was practically no coverage of this bombshell. It is typical of how the media have treated all controversial news involving Biden. His mental issues have been ignored even though it is apparent that he is experiencing some type of incapacity. Just recently, Biden referred to President Trump as “George,” not just once, but twice.
The media not only suppresses negative stories about Biden, but also positive stories involving President Trump. This week, it was announced that the nation’s gross domestic product grew by a blistering 33.1% rate in the last quarter. The media treated this report with disinterest. Instead, it breathlessly recounted fake poll results showing Biden far ahead and Covid-19 stories involving a record number of “cases.”
The value of the media manipulation Biden has received is worth tens of billions of dollars. Clearly, the mainstream media and the big tech giants are the largest donors to the Biden campaign.
This type of treatment is nothing new. While the media have been very liberal for decades, there has been an intense type of hostility directed toward President Trump. The media have been totally opposed to Donald Trump since the day he came down the escalator and announced his presidential campaign in 2015.
Since then, there has been no fairness or objectivity in their reporting about President Trump. In the twelve-week period ending October 20, the Media Research Center (MRC) examined the news programs of the major broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, and NBC). Remarkably, these biased networks gave President Trump 92% negative coverage. According to the MRC, this is consistent with the type of negative coverage President Trump has received for the last several years.
On the broadcast networks, the disparity of news coverage between the President and Joe Biden was stunning. During the period ending October 20, the MRC discovered 822 negative statements about President Trump, while there were only 31 negative statements about Joe Biden, a differential greater than 26 to 1.
As this presidential race ends, the contributions that the media and big tech have given to Joe Biden are immense. From the bias to the censorship, there has never been a greater contribution given to any presidential candidate in our nation’s history.
Whatever happens in this election, our country is in danger if these media and big tech behemoths continue to manipulate public opinion to such a great extent. In communist nations, the press always provided the public the government position and no dissent or diversity of opinion was allowed. In our country today, the press presents the viewpoint of the Deep State, the Democrats and the globalists who oppose President Trump.
In communist nations, most people eventually were able to discern the bias and manipulation of their state media and the iron curtain crumbled. Likewise, let us hope and pray most American voters disregard what the media and big tech have done in this election and re-elect President Donald Trump to another term.

Jeff Crouere is a native New Orleanian and is a political columnist, the author of America's Last Chance and provides regular commentaries on the Jeff Crouere YouTube channel and on www.JeffCrouere.com. For more information, email him at jeff@jeffcrouere.com

Joseph Paul “J.P.” Mayer

Tue, 11/03/2020 - 8:59am

GUEYDAN — J.P. was born on January 13, 1956 in Port Arthur, TX to Robert Mayer and Joanne Jackson and was called to his Heavenly father on October 30, 2020. J.P. worked as a mechanic; he loved fixing things. He also loved the outdoors, especially when he was hunting or fishing. In his spare time J.P. enjoyed dancing and watching football. J.P. was a kind and loving man who will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
J.P. is survived by his father, Robert Mayer of Abbeville, LA; his stepbrother, Robert “Robbie” Mayer, Jr. of Delcambre, LA; his sister, Troylynette Monk of Beaumont, TX.
J.P. is preceded in death by his mother, Joanne Jackson; his stepmother, Joyce Mayer.
Funeral services for “J.P.” Joseph Paul Mayer will be held at Matthews & Son Funeral Home in Gueydan, LA on Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at 2:00 PM with Father Corey Campeaux officiating. J.P. will be laid to rest in the Gueydan Cemetery following his Service.
A gathering of family and friends will be held on Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at Matthews & Son Funeral Home in Gueydan, LA beginning at 10:00 AM with a Rosary being recited at 1:00 PM and continuing until the time of his Service at 2:00 PM.
To extend online condolences, please visit our website at www.matthewsandsonfuneralhome.net
Arrangements have been entrusted to Matthews & Son Funeral Home.

Dewey J. Derouen

Tue, 11/03/2020 - 8:57am

ABBEVILLE – Funeral Services for Mr. Dewey J. Derouen, 90, will be held at 1:00PM on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 at David Funeral Chapel of Abbeville with Deacon Tim Marcantel officiating. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery.
Visitation will be at David Funeral Home of Abbeville on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 beginning at 9:00AM until the time of the services with a recitation of the rosary at 12:30PM.
A native of Iberia Parish and a resident of Abbeville, Mr. Derouen died at 1:29AM on Sunday, November 1, 2020 at Eastridge Nursing Home. He worked in the Oil Field for The Oil Company which became ODECO until he retired. Mr. Dewey enjoyed working in his yard and fishing.
He is Survived by his wife of 15 years, Dolores Romero Derouen of Abbeville; two sons, Bradley Derouen and his wife Liz of Coteau and Curney Derouen and his wife Vicky of Erath; four brothers, Harold Derouen, Harry Derouen, Dave Derouen, and Avery Derouen; four grandchildren, Clarissa Harrington, Dewey Derouen, II., Danielle Derouen, and Michelle Cannon; and fourteen great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Clara Belle Trahan Derouen; his parents, Etienne and Rene Romero Derouen; and a sister, Ella Jane.
Serving as pallbearers will be Curney Derouen, Dewey Derouen, Jason Cannon, Willis Romero, Farrell Fontenot, Jacob Fontenot, and Nathan Derouen.
You may sign the guest register book and express condolences online at www.davidfuneralhome.org
“In order to help keep the community safe we will honor the July 13, 2020 Louisiana Mandates. All families and their guests are required to wear a face covering while at the funeral home. Thank you for your understanding during this unprecedented time.”
David Funeral Home of Abbeville at 2600 Charity St. (337)893-3777 will be handling the arrangements.

Kenneth Broussard was helping at the clerk of court’s office the day before election.
He will be at his precinct Tuesday at 5 a.m. and not leave until 8:30 that night.

Broussard has been working at polls for close to 40 years in Kaplan

Tue, 11/03/2020 - 8:54am

It is the Super Bowl of elections for those who work the polls.
Like with the Super Bowl, some will have a hard time sleeping the night before and then there are some who are treating it like any other election.
Kenneth Broussard, 70, of Kaplan, is looking forward to working today. Broussard is one of 39 commissioners-in-charge who oversee 55 voting precincts in Vermilion Parish.
“I expect us to be busy so that it won’t be a long day,” said Broussard.
Some political experts are predicting at least 50 percent voter turnout in Vermilion Parish.
Broussard will arrive at his precinct in Kaplan at 5:30 am. to begin getting things ready for when the polls open at 6 a.m. and will stay open until 8 p.m. He will be joined by four commissioners, who sit at the table and get signatures from voters before they vote.
Overseeing voting in Kaplan is nothing new for Broussard. He began working as a voting commissioner in the early 1980s. For the last 16 years, he is now a commissioner in charge and oversees voting in a certain precinct.
Broussard, a former Rene Rost Middle School principal, said he wanted to be a commissioner because he thought it would be a good way to meet Kaplan’s community after teaching in Lafayette.
That was 38 years ago, and he is still meeting Kaplan residents. He said he enjoys it and plans not to retire anytime soon.
His job is to make sure the people vote in the correct precinct by making sure the commissioners sign in everyone who comes to vote. He oversees what voters are wearing. His job is to make sure no one has a political shirt or cap promoting an individual candidate.
If a person has a “Vote Trump” shirt on, he will politely ask them to remove it or wear something over the shirt. If they refuse, he will inform them they won’t be able to vote. Broussard said if you speak to them nicely, they will do what you ask.
Broussard also makes sure the voting lines do not get too long. He reminds everyone they have three minutes to vote. After three minutes, if they are still voting, he will encourage them to hurry.
“For this election, people need to be prepared before they go vote,” Broussard said. “Some have cheat sheets, while others are using an app. Those who are prepared normally take one or two minutes to vote.”
Over the last 35-plus years, he has seen voting change somewhat. Vermilion Parish voters are voting on a different machine than when he first began.
Voters did not always have to show a picture ID as they do now, he said.
Also, it was not uncommon for voters to bring food, so that others could eat in the past. That has since stopped.
Over the last 35 plus years, the worst thing that has happened at his precinct is the lights going out during voting. Other than that, things have gone smoothly.
“I expect everything will go well today,” he added.
Diane Meaux Broussard is the clerk of court in Vermilion Parish. She appreciates someone like Broussard and all of the other commissioners in the parish.
“It is very important to have a good Commissioner in charge,” said Broussard. “It is also valuable to have knowledgeable Commissioners. I am proud to say Vermilion has both. They are hard working people. I am grateful for their dedication.”

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Don Landry is new District Attorney

Joe Del Duhon, IV

Rosie Simon Lopez

FEMA agrees to pay 100 % of hurricane debris removal

Second quarter is when VC turns on the offense; The Eagles are scoring an average of 27 points in the second quarter

Black Education Matters

Corrupt media are biggest Biden donors

Joseph Paul “J.P.” Mayer

Dewey J. Derouen

Broussard has been working at polls for close to 40 years in Kaplan

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