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Three St. Martinville residents killed in head-on collision

ST. MARTIN PARISH – Shortly before 6:30 am on May 18, 2018, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop I began investigating a two vehicle fatal crash on LA 96 near Capritto 40 Arpent Road in St. Martin Parish.
The crash claimed the lives of 18-year-old Kenneth J. Eaglin II, 18-year-old Dajanee Oliver, and, 37- year-old Latricia L. Savoy, all of St. Martinville.
The initial investigation by State Police revealed that the crash occurred as Eaglin was operating a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu east on LA 96. For unknown reasons, Eaglin’s vehicle crossed the centerline into the westbound lane and struck a 2004 Toyota Rav4, operated by Savoy.
Eaglin and Oliver were not wearing seat belts and suffered fatal injuries. A 16 year old unrestrained passenger in Eaglin’s vehicle was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries. Savoy was wearing a seat belt and suffered fatal injuries. A 17 year old passenger and a 7 year old passenger in Savoy’s vehicle suffered moderate injuries, and a 6 year old suffered critical injuries. All three were properly restrained, and were transported to local hospitals for treatment.
It is unknown if impairment is a factor in the crash. Toxicology samples were obtained and sent to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis.
Louisiana State Troopers wish to remind motorists that all occupants of a motor vehicle must be restrained, regardless of seating position. While not all crashes are survivable, statistics show that the chances of surviving a crash rise significantly when properly restrained. Making good choices while in motor vehicles such as never driving while impaired and always ensuring every occupant is properly restrained can often mean the difference between life and death.

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Dr. Joseph Savoie, president of UL Lafayette, and One Acadiana President and CEO Troy Wayman take questions from the audience Tuesday morning during Lessons from the Corner Office.

UL Lafayette President Dr. Savoie speaks to members of One Acadiana

LAFAYETTE — When it comes to economic development and overall growth in Acadiana, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette ...

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Gina Patrice Brown- Minnick

ABBEVILLE — Funeral services for Gina Patrice Brown- Minnick is scheduled for 11AM, Saturday May 19,2018 at St. Mary Congregational Church 213 S. Louisiana St. Abbeville, LA. Interment will be in Rudd-Hill Cemetery. Reverend Kevin Williams will officiate the service.
Gina Patrice Brown- Minnick ( 57) , a long time resident of Abbeville, passed away on May 12, 2018 at her residence surrounded by family and friends.
She leaves to mourn her husband of twenty years Alvin Joseph Minnick of Abbeville, LA; two children, Gikenzey Shanette Brown and Chance Dalaney Brown of Abbeville, LA; her siblings, Rachel August of Abbeville, LA; Cathy Brown of Carencro, LA; Angela Brown of Abbeville, LA; Otis Brown Jr. of Abbeville, LA; Darrell Brown of Abbeville, LA; Lance Brown of Abbeville, LA; Timothy Brown of Abbeville, LA; Markelle Brown of Houston, TX; and Samantha Harris of Las Vegas, NV. Ten step-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents Otis Brown Sr. and Gloria Mae Bernard Brown; her paternal grandmother Pearl Ollie, and maternal grandparents Roger Bernard Sr. and Nolia Bernard; one sister Brenda Broussard-Landry, and one brother Carl Anthony Brown; her mother-in-law Lizzie Comeaux and one step-son Nicholas Dillard.
Visitation is scheduled for Saturday May 19, 2018 at St. Mary Congregational Church from 8AM until time of service.
Gina fought a good fight and now has the victory.
Kinchen Funeral Home Inc. – 218 N. Saint Valerie Abbeville, LA 337-898-9595 is in charge of final arrangements additionally condolences to the family is available on our website at www.kinchenfuneralhome.com.

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Chazton Dejuan Artray Guidry

ABBEVILLE – Funeral service for Chazton Dejuan Artray Guidry is scheduled for 1:00 P.M. Saturday, May 19, 2017 at Greater Pleasant Green Baptist Church – 822 I. J. Joiner (S. Miles Street). Minister Kenneth Davenport will officiate the service. Burial will be in the Pleasant Green Cemetery on Green Street.
Chazton Dejuan Artray Guidry (16), a life-long resident of Abbeville, went home to glory on Friday, May 11, 2018. He was a student at Southside High School in Youngsville.
He leaves to cherish his memory his mother, Denise Levine King (Cornelius) of Abbeville, LA; his father, Donald Ray Guidry, Jr. (Edmonia); three sisters, Chazzmaine, Ormani Lee, and Hailee Guidry of Abbeville, LA; one brother, Omarion Lee; his grandparents, Linda Nunez (Spencer) and Cathy Willis; god-parents, Dell and Ronnie Rhodes; four aunts, Doris Newton (Freddie), Linda Vallot (Shawn), Kamilia Guidry, Tamika Lee (Maxie); one uncle, Spencer Nunez, Jr.; twelve great-aunts, nine great-uncles and a host of other relatives and friends who loved him dearly.
Chazton was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Bertha Ann Shelvin, Levine and Pervis Levine, Jr.; his paternal grandfather, Donald Ray Guidry, Sr. and his paternal great-grandmother, Viola Benoit.
Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, May 19, 2018 at Pleasant Green Baptist Church from 8:00 A.M. until time of service.
Kinchen Funeral Home – 218 N. St. Valerie Street – Abbeville, LA (337) 898-9595 is in charge of final arrangements. Additionally, condolences to the family may be expressed on our website at: www.kinchenfuneralhome.com.

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John Keith Broussard

December 28, 1952 ~ May 15, 2018

ABBEVILLE — Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, May 17, 2018 at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville honoring the life of John Keith Broussard, 65, who died Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at his residence. He will be laid to rest at St. Mary Magdalen Cemetery with Father Paul Broussard officiating the services.
He is survived by his parents, John Huey and Lula Mae Bergeron Broussard; four brothers, Johnie Broussard and his wife Wanda of Nunez, Timothy Broussard and his wife Gwen of Abbeville, Peter Broussard of Meaux, and Father Paul Broussard of Roberts Cove; five sisters, Bridget Broussard of Abbeville, Anne Broussard of Abbeville, Genny Broussard of Lafayette, Mary Menard and her husband Scott of Abbeville, and Therese Winch and her husband Luther of Montgomery, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Thursday, May 17, 2018 from 8:30 AM until time of services. A rosary will be prayed at 9:30 AM.
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.

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BSEE proposes revisions to Well Control Rule

Some recent editorials and news stories have falsely characterized regulatory review efforts currently underway at the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, apparently without having actually read the proposed revisions. One editorial in the Houston Chronicle expressed worries that many, including the U.S. Government and our agency, commonly referred to as BSEE, might have forgotten the lessons of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon tragedy and other offshore incidents. For the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement nothing could be further from the truth.

What happened on the Deepwater Horizon and to the Macondo well greatly harmed my home state of Louisiana, claimed the lives of 11 offshore workers and caused sustained, lifelong injuries that continue to impact others who were aboard that day, and will never be forgotten. The regulatory reaction to this event was put in place long ago, beginning in 2010 and through 2012.  The editorial in the Houston Chronicle fails to mention that BSEE is not proposing any changes to the rules enacted in the immediate aftermath of Deepwater Horizon: The Drilling Safety Rule and the Safety and Environmental Management Systems Rules (commonly called SEMS I and SEMS II).  

Regulation will always have an important role to play in our society, but it should never be the case that once a regulation is written it is beyond review. Well-intentioned regulations sometimes turn out to be overly burdensome or ineffective. Periodically reviewing regulations is nothing new and is something previous administrations have done.

The revisions our agency proposed recently are a set of changes to the 2016 Well Control Rule. This rule was not put in place during the aftermath of Deepwater Horizon; it was promulgated in the final year of the Obama Administration, six years after the Deepwater Horizon incident. We found that much of the Well Control Rule contains common-sense provisions – which we are leaving untouched – but some provisions were pushed through over strong, common-sense objections and concerns voiced during the public comment period.

Our regulatory review process was conducted logically by BSEE’s career federal employees. Many of the employees who worked on the rule review were with the agency at the time of the Deepwater Horizon incident and are committed to safety.

Our mandate was simple: establish regulatory certainty for offshore activities that is consistent with safe and responsible development of America’s offshore natural resources in line with principles of sound public stewardship. To fulfill this mandate we were guided by the adage, “use a scalpel, not a chainsaw.” After a careful review of the Well Control Rule’s 342 provisions, the BSEE team of career engineers and regulatory specialists proposed revisions for less than 18 percent of them.

The BSEE team then compared each of the changes they proposed to the 424 recommendations arising from the 26 separate reports from 14 different organizations developed in the wake of – and in response to – the Deepwater Horizon incident.  This required 78,440 separate and specific analyses. After careful analysis, the team determined that none of the proposed rule changes would ignore or contradict any of those recommendations, or alter any provision of the 2016 Well Control Rule in a way that would make the result inconsistent with those recommendations.

We have now entered the next phase of the regulatory review process, one where we invite public comment and dialogue. Our goal is to provide America with smart regulations that ensure safe exploration for America’s energy future, and we are optimistic the public comment period will further help us reach that goal.

Energy is vital to our way of life. In addition to helping to fuel America, the royalties and other revenues from offshore oil and gas contributed over $2 billion to the U.S. Treasury last year. These revenues support our national parks, our wildlife refuges, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and other critical programs. The 300,000 plus jobs tied to the offshore make a lot of things possible; they support families, and provide revenues for teachers, schools, libraries, and police departments.

I am on record as having said, “We must NEVER have another Deepwater Horizon or anything close to it.” I come to work every day with the lessons of that tragedy in mind. The lessons are ingrained in BSEE’s commitment to continuously work for safe and responsible operations offshore. We owe this to the men and women who each day put on their hard hats and steel toe boots, and kiss their families good-bye to do the hard work necessary to fuel America.

 

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Abbeville Police looking for witnesses to teen’s murder

It has been four days since someone shot and killed 16-year-old Chazton Guidry, allegedly while playing dice, and the Abbeville Police Department still can not find a witness to the shooting.
His mother, Denise Levine, told the KATC TV station that the incident occurred as a result of an argument during a dice game and is asking anyone who knows anything about the incident to come forward.
Just before 11 p.m. on Friday, May 11, the Abbeville Police Department responded to a complaint of shots fired in the area of Bailey Street and Clover Street.
The officers searched the area and located Guidry near the intersection. He was transported to Abbeville General where he succumbed due to his injuries.
According to Ryan Boutte, a detective for the Abbeville police department, no one has yet come forward and said they witnessed the shooting.
Guidry became the second male teenager killed in Abbeville in five months.
On Dec. 17, 2017, Dylan Plowden was shot and killed. Plowden was found shot near the intersection near Kibbie and Vernon streets at about 7:30 p.m.
Abbeville Police have arrested and charged Jalen Levine, 25, with first degree murder.
Plowden was only 14 years old when he died.

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Kaye Broussard is heading off into retirement after 32 years of teaching music.

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Kaye Broussard has brought music to countless students during her 32 years as a teacher.

Swan song playing on Broussard’s 32-year career as music teacher

ERATH — Kaye Broussard has had a long run in teaching music at Erath Middle School.
Her journey began 32 years ago, with 27 of those years at Erath Middle. Recently, Broussard decided to retire with great service and wonderful times under her belt.
Broussard comments on her years as a teacher as ‘some of the best times’ she has had in her professional life. “Who gets to go to work, listen, play, and teach music, and thoroughly enjoy every aspect of your job? It has truly been such a pleasure growing with my students, as well as watching them grow. I get to teach them for several years throughout their middle school stay, so it is very easy to get attached.”
She often tells her students to enjoy what you do, and do what you love. “I have had so much fun, and it has been an awesome experience.”
Her reason for retiring at this point in time is simply because she is having ‘way too much fun’. “I want to be able to remember these times as good times.” Aging becomes everyone; she wants these memories to be fond, rather than being anything other than that.
She wants to be able to travel with her husband, spend time with her eight grandchildren, and enjoy her home life with her family. “The sky is the limit, I can do whatever I want, with this being my last year teaching, I will still probably wake up at 5 am, but with that time, I can do whatever I want.”
Erath Middle Principal Wendy Stoute said Broussard has earned that option.
“We want to wish Ms. Kaye Broussard the very best in her retirement,” Stoute said. “She has given so selflessly for the past 27 years here at Erath Middle School. Her passion for music and love for her students was evident every day, in every single class. She will be missed but has earned every bit of her retirement!
“Thank you Ms. Kaye for inspiring and motivating all of your students to do their very best!”
With only a few days left of her school teaching career, it is definitely a bittersweet moment. Leaving her life’s work at the school, and continuing her life’s work at home, Broussard will surely miss her children at school, but will definitely soak up her time with her children and grandchildren at home.
“I am scared, happy and sad,” Broussard said, “all at the same time. To have lived on such a tight schedule, which I loved, I get to live on my own schedule.
“It’s going to be interesting, new, and very different from the past 32 years.”

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Kanzi Spraggins wore his SLCC cap and gown last week when he received an associate degree.

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Kanzi will be wearing his high school cap and gown Saturday to graduate from Lighthouse.

Spraggins receives college degree before high school degree

Kanzi Spraggins’ family attended his graduation from South Louisiana Community College on Thursday.
Kanzi finished with an overall grade point average of 3.9 and also earned 61 college credits for an associate’s degree.
So, what separates Kanzi from the rest of the community college graduates?
He received an associate degree before he ever received his high school diploma.
Kanzi is a senior at Lighthouse Christian Academy in Abbeville. Last week he walked on stage at the SLCC campus in Lafayette and received a college degree. This week, he will walk on another stage in order to receive his high school diploma.
That is right; for the last two years, Kanzi has been attending SLCC while enrolled in high school. He began when he was a junior in high school. He drove everyday either in the morning or late afternoon. Then, he took a couple of classes in the summer.
“It felt weird being on stage, but at the same time, it gave me a lot of confidence in my self,” said Kanzi as he began getting ready for his high school graduation. “It made me feel good, knowing what I accomplished right
before starting in a university environment.”
His senior year in high school was also his sophomore year in college. He took english classes, a handful of math classes and behavioral science classes. While writing papers for high school, he was also having to write english and psychology papers for SLCC.
Out of the 61 credits he earned at SLCC, half will transfer to UL, where he will major in electrical engineering in the fall.
After his mother, Tiffany Spraggins, who is the principal at Lighthouse, came up with the idea about attending SLCC instead of UL, Kanzi was for it.
Not many mothers get to attend two separate graduations for the same child in a seven-day period.
“It was phenomenal,” said Tiffany about seeing her son on stage at SLCC. “I looked at him lately, and he looks all grown up. Thursday night (at SLCC), he looked so young. I am proud of him.”
On Friday, Kanzi was busy with his 10 senior classmates preparing for graduation. Despite having an associate degree in his back pocket, he could not wait for high school graduation.
“This graduation holds more emotional value to me,” he said. “This classmates are who I grew up with. It is something special.”
Kanzi made a 25 composite on his ACT and scored a 32 in english. He will graduate as the valedictorian for Lighthouse with a 4.2 grade point average.
This summer, there is no more school for Kanzi until the fall. He said he plans to do as much traveling as possible.
“I have been in school for almost two years straight without taking summers off,” he said. “I need to take a break.”
He earned it.

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