RSS Feed

Loula “Lou” Richard Cooper-Meche

Fri, 12/10/2021 - 1:02pm

CROWLEY

On Nov. 30, 2021, Loula (Lou) Richard Cooper-Meche passed away, peacefully, in her sleep.
Lou was born on July 21, 1931, in Lyons Point to Wilson and Viola Guidry Richard. She graduated from St. Michael High School in Crowley in 1948.
After high school she went to Lake Charles in search of work. That was where she met and married Troy Cooper in 1957. After Troy’s graduation from college, Troy joined the military and Lou became an Army wife.
As an Army bride and young mother, they lived in San Marcus, Texas, and Fort Rucker, Alabama, where Gina was born. Cherie was born 13 months later.
She flew by herself with her daughter Gina at 16 months old and Cherie at 3 months old to meet Troy at their station at Poitiers, France. They returned to the U.S. three years later to Fort Eustis, Virginia, Fort Benning, Georgia, back to Europe for 1 1/2 years in Frankfurt, Germany, and finally New Cumberland, Pennsylvania. Her daughters fondly remember that wherever they moved, Lou had their belongings unpacked and made a home within hours of arriving.
Following her divorce, she and her daughters moved back home to Crowley, where Lou trained as a beautician and opened her business, “Head Hunters”. Her daughters remember those as happy years, where in true Miss Lou style, she became the “cool mom’ to all their friends and their home became the hub of their social lives.
Once her girls were in college, Lou met and married her favorite dance partner in life, Emery Meche. Together they created a welcoming home full of wonderful aromas of Cajun food and the most competitive Bourre’ games ever played. Once in the door, she made you family.
She spent the last 15 months of her life living with her daughter Cherie and her partner Steve in Madison, Wisconsin, where she enjoyed the wildlife outside her window and particularly a bird garden, they made for her in the backyard.
She will be remembered with deep love and affection as a great dancer, lover of Cajun music, a wicked card player and her way of making strangers feel like family.
Miss Lou is survived by her daughters Gina Cooper Neumeyer of Crowley, and Cherie Cooper Smith, (Steve DeMarb), of Madison, Wisconsin, as well as her one granddaughter, Kathryn “Katie” Neumeyer Schmaltz, (Jason Schmaltz) of Crowley; and two great-granddaughters, Ella, and Greta. She is further survived by her many Meche stepchildren, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Russell; and her husband Emery Meche.
Pallbearers will be Mike Smith, Adam Smith, Troy Meche, John Guidry, Ronnie Spell and Barry Meche.
Honorary pallbearers will be Steve DeMarb, Jason Schmaltz, Terry Guidry, Raphael Meche, Chuck Vondenstein and Neil Schexnaider.
The family wishes to thank Heartland Hospice Madison, Wisconsin, for their amazing care and support, her wonderful caregivers and Southwind Nursing and Rehabilitation.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 am Thursday, Dec. 16, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Crowley.
Officiating for the services is Father Clint Trahan, pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Port Barre.
The family is requesting visiting hours to be held Wednesday from 2 p.m.to 8 p.m. with a rosary being recited at 6 p.m. and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home in Crowley.
Entombment will be in St. Joseph Mausoleum in Rayne.
Condolences may by sent to the family by www.geesey-ferguson.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home of Crowley.

Howell “Howie” Arlistus Dennis Jr.

Fri, 12/10/2021 - 1:01pm

LAFAYETTE

Funeral services were held Saturday, Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. at Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Lafayette for Howell (Howie) Arlistus Dennis Jr., 82, who died at his home on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021.
Father Joseph Daly officiated the services.
Visitation was Saturday from noon until 2 p.m. at Delhomme Funeral Home in Lafayette.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Robert Boone Outland III, Robert Boone Outland IV, Bernard Archie Watson Jr., Bernard Archie Watson III, Chris Verret and Jon Feerick.
Howie is survived by a son, Howell A. Dennis III of Lafayette; a daughter, Barbara Dennis Outland (Robert) of Rich Square, North Carolina; two grandchildren, Robert Boone Outland IV and Mary Lois Outland, both of Rich Square; his nephew Bernard Archie Watson IV (Missy); three nieces, Anne Dennis Mouton (Stephan), Mary Dennis Miller and Kathryn Watson Thomas (Dave); and Maery Butler of Lafayette, who he described as his “second daughter.”
He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 44 years, Kathryn Stokes Dennis; his parents, Howell A. Dennis Sr., and Mary Stewart Dennis; his brother, Macy Stewart Dennis; and his nephew, David Stewart Lawrence Dennis.
Howie was born Dec. 17, 1938, in Lafayette. He was a 1956 graduate of Lafayette High School and a 1960 graduate of the University of Southwestern Louisiana, where he threw the javelin for the school’s track team and was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity.
Howie served his county honorably in the U.S. Navy from 1960 to 1963. He worked for the Texaco Oil Company for three years following his military service.
Eventually, he decided to attend LSU Law School and graduated in 1969. Specializing in oil and gas law, he practiced law in Lafayette for 46 years and retired as a partner with the law firm Dennis, Bates and Bullen.
Howie enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren; reading about World War II history; and being a devoted fan of the LSU Tigers and New Orleans Saints. Although nothing is official, it is believed he may have set the world record for the number of times an individual has seen the movie “Patton.”
The family wishes to thank Amedysis Hospice Care, especially Stuart, Brittney, Sonya, and Whitney. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the American Diabetes Association or Ridgecroft School in Ahoskie, North Carolina.
Personal condolences may be sent to the Dennis family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com.
Howell Arlistus Dennis Jr. and his family were cared for and entrusted final arrangements to Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette.

Cleco offers electrical safety tips for holiday season

Fri, 12/10/2021 - 12:55pm

With the holiday season underway, Cleco is reminding customers to celebrate safely by taking the necessary precautions when installing electrical ...

PLEASE LOG IN FOR PREMIUM CONTENT Our website requires visitors to log in to view the best local news from Acadia Parish, LA. Not yet a subscriber? Subscribe today!

LDH reports 13 additional probable Omicron cases in state

Fri, 12/10/2021 - 12:53pm

Brings total number in La. to 17 — 16 probable, 1 confirmed

BATON ROUGE

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) Wednesday evening reported 13 additional probable cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
The probable cases involve nine individuals in Region 1 (Greater New Orleans area), two individuals in Region 2 (Baton Rouge area), and two individuals in Region 7 (Northwest).
This brings the total number of Omicron cases in the state to 17 – 16 probable and 1 confirmed.
One of the earlier probable cases involves an individual in Region 4, which is the Acadiana area, who traveled internationally. This individual did not require hospitalization, according to the health department.
The first confirmed Omicron case in Louisiana was identified on Dec. 3.
The CDC and LDH recommend everyone 5 years of age and older get vaccinated and that everyone 18 years of age and older get a booster if eligible. It is also more important than ever to use those public health tools we know work — mask according to applicable guidelines, practice good hand hygiene, and get tested and stay home if you feel sick.
On Nov. 26, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified a new variant — B.1.1.529 — as a Variant of Concern and named it Omicron. This new variant was first reported to the WHO by government officials in South Africa.
Since that time, it has been detected in 50 countries and more than 20 states.
Information is still emerging, but Omicron includes multiple mutations across the SARS-CoV-2 genome. There is concern that this new variant may be more transmissible than previous strains and that Omicron may carry an increased risk of reinfection compared to other variants of concern.
LDH has established a network of laboratories to conduct genomic sequencing on positive SARS-CoV-2 specimens in order to track circulating SARS-CoV-2 lineages, including newly emerging variants such as Omicron. Epidemiologists, laboratorians and researchers will continue to closely monitor these data in order to continue to identify Omicron cases in Louisiana.
“These new cases of Omicron should serve as a reminder of the ongoing threat of COVID especially as we get ready to gather for the holidays,” state Health Officer Dr. Joseph Kanter said in a statement. “The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is get vaccinated and get the booster.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and LDH recommend everyone 5 years of age and older get vaccinated and that everyone 18 years of age and older get a booster if eligible. The CDC also recommends wearing a mask in certain settings.
LDH said there is concern this new variant may be more transmissible than previous strains and that omicron may carry an increased risk of reinfection compared to other variants of concern.

Brad Davis to remain as LSU’s offensive line coach

Fri, 12/10/2021 - 12:51pm

BATON ROUGE

Brad Davis will remain as LSU’s offensive line coach, head coach Brian Kelly announced.
Davis, a Baton Rouge native who is currently serving as LSU’s interim head coach for the Texas Bowl, is in his first season with the Tigers. He joined the LSU staff in June after one season at Arkansas.
In his first year with the Tigers in 2021, Davis developed an offensive line that improved each week of the season. Despite starting 11 different players on the offensive line, the most of any school in the nation, Davis’ group played its best football during the final month of the regular season.
LSU had only one offensive lineman start every game (center Liam Shanahan), and the Tigers used nine different starting lineups. LSU started the same offensive line in back-to-back games just twice in 2021.
Davis’ last five years have been spent in the Southeastern Conference as he coached the offensive lines at Florida (2017), Missouri (2018-19) and Arkansas (2020).

LSU’s Raymond headed to Florida

Fri, 12/10/2021 - 12:51pm

FLORIDA

Longtime LSU assistant Corey Raymond is Florida's new cornerbacks coach and assistant head coach on defense, first-year coach Billy Napier made official Thursday.
This is a home-run hire for Napier, who has announced five staff members since his first day on the job Sunday. Raymond is regarded as the best defensive backs coach in the country and an elite recruiter.
Raymond, a former LSU standout who spent six years playing in the NFL, has been at his alma mater for the past decade (2012-21). His secondary has produced seven first team All-Americans, a list that includes Eric Reid (2012), Jalen Mills (2015), Jamal Adams (2016), Tre’Davious White (2016), Greedy Williams (2018), Grant Delpit (2018 and 2019) and Derek Stingley Jr. (2019, 2020).
A total of 14 LSU defensive backs have been drafted under Raymond's watch, including three first-round picks (Adams, White and Reid), five second-round picks and third-rounder Tyrann Mathieu, the SEC Defensive Player of the Year and Chuck Bednarik Award winner in 2011. Additionally, Delpit claimed the 2019 Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back.
Raymond was responsible for signing eight five-star recruits and 18 top-100 overall prospects during his time at LSU, according to the 247Sports Composite.
Napier announced his first four staff hires Monday: associate head coach/director of football strength and conditioning Mark Hocke, co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Patrick Toney, running backs coach/associate head coach (offense) Jabbar Juluke, and offensive analyst Ryan O’Hara, who will coach the quarterbacks with Napier.

Lady Rebels top Welsh in tourney play

Fri, 12/10/2021 - 12:49pm

LAKE ARTHUR

The Midland Lady Rebels have numerous offensive weapons at their disposal and on any given night, any of their starters can lead the way.
On Wednesday, it was a trio of starters that Welsh couldn’t contend with in the opening game of the Lake Arthur Tournament.
Caitlyn Boudreaux, Gracie Miller and Myra Carlson each scored in double figures and the Lady Rebels cruised to a 59-39 victory over the Lady Hounds.
“When we have patience, we have a lot of people that can score the ball,” said MHS coach Christy Hebert, whose team improved to 11-3 overall with the victory. “They are all unselfish and they have been pretty consistent.
“The girls really don’t focus really on how much they score; it just depends on the night and who’s hot and who’s not. Whoever’s hot, that’s who we try to get the ball to.”
On Tuesday, it was guard Caitlyn Boudreaux who had the hot hand early on. She scored six quick points to help Midland jump out to an 8-4 advantage midway through the opening quarter. Gracie Miller knocked down a pair of free throws followed by a long range 3-pointer at the end of the quarter that put the Lady Rebels up 18-9.
“Caitlyn is very aggressive,” said Hebert. “She’s a dribble-drive guard and she attacks the basket.”
Miller took over in the second quarter with six more points and Makenzie Oliver added a pair of baskets in the lane. Myra Carlson hit her second 3-pointer of the night in the period and the Lady Rebels were able to take a 33-20 advantage at the break.
“We kind of started out slowly, but the girls knew they had to wake it up and play fast,” said Hebert. “We were slow and sluggish on defense but we made the adjustment and thankfully our shots started to fall.”
The Lady Hounds closed the gap to eight (38-30) early in the third quarter but Midland went on a 9-0 run after that to push the lead back to 17 (47-30).
“They (Welsh) made a little run there in the third quarter, but we answered right back,” said Hebert. “I fussed at my girls because we kind of let them back in the game, but I was proud of the way we answered and pushed the lead back to double figures.”
Carlson added another shot from beyond the arc and Boudreaux scored four points during the run.
Carlson knocked down her fourth 3-pointer just before the buzzer and the Lady Rebels took a comfortable 50-33 advantage into the final stanza.
“The big thing for us is that when teams come out and try to shut down one player, our other girls step up,” said Hebert. “Myra has been playing well and she’s shooting the ball more now, which I’m very happy with because she has a great shot.”
The Lady Rebels spread the floor in the final frame, but still managed to outscore the Lady Hounds 9-6. Miller, Boudreaux and Holi Myers each hit baskets in the lane and Bailee Guidry knocked down a shot from beyond the arc.
Boudreaux led all scorers on the night with 16 points before leaving the game midway through the fourth quarter with a hand injury.
Miller added 13 points and Carlson hit four 3-pointers for a total of 12 points.
In addition to the leaders, Oliver pitched in eight points, Guidry added five, Marlie Boudreaux scored three and Myers finished with two.
“I’m just so proud of this group,” said Hebert, who only has eight players on the team. “They are a young group and I feel they still have so much to learn, but yet they are still managing to figure out ways to win.”
The Lady Rebels close out tournament play today when they take on Class 5A Southside at 7:30 p.m.

Rice Queen attends Orange Festival, USA Rice Outlook Conference

Fri, 12/10/2021 - 12:44pm

BURAS

PHOTO SUBMITTED
84th International Rice Festival Queen Caroline Hardy, far right, recently attended the 75th Plaquemines Parish Fair and Orange Festival in Buras, where she learned about citrus farming and competed in citrus-related games. Welcoming her to the Dec. 4-5 event were, from left, 2021 Plaquemines Parish Fair and Orange Festival King Dave Cvitanovich and 2021 Plaquemines Parish Fair and Orange Festival Queen Annabelle Picou. That same weekend she also attended the 2021 USA Rice Outlook Conference in New Orleans.

Book release reception set for Dec. 14

Fri, 12/10/2021 - 12:42pm

Lisa Soileaux, LSN Staff Writer

RAYNE

In anticipation of the 150th Anniversary Celebration of St. Joseph Catholic Church in early 2022, Tony Olinger and Charles Sidney Stutes have co-authored a book chronicling the entire history of the church in Rayne – and beyond.
The book is full of features on the pastors, the Sisters of Mt. Carmel and their convent that developed into St. Joseph High School and Rayne Catholic Elementary, and of course, the parishioners who have impacted St. Joseph’s over 150 years of service.
Hundreds of truly unique photos highlight the book, as well as anecdotal stories about benefactors, and even a few from some of the more colorful characters in the church’s past – all collected and recounted for posterity to preserve the uniqueness of St. Joseph Church, which began as a ”Gospel Wagon” hauled by oxen to serve the community of Rayne.
To kick off this 150th Celebration, a book release reception will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 14, starting at 7 p.m. in the Parish Hall located across from St. Joseph Church on South Adams Avenue.
The co-authors will be signing books available at the reception for $20 a copy, a perfect Christmas gift and keepsake.
Some historical items will also be displayed at the event and a light reception will be held for the hour-long book signing.
The public is invited and encouraged to attend this special kick-off event.
For more information about the book release reception, call the church at (337) 334-2193.

Love interest raises eyebrow at man’s shift in behavior

Fri, 12/10/2021 - 12:36pm

DEAR ABBY: A few months ago, I started dating a widower. He is a really great guy, and he seems perfect for me. I’m divorced, and my adult children live in other states. We have many shared interests and have a lot of fun together.
I noticed early on that he is very emotional, but occasionally, he seems to have manic episodes where he works himself nearly to death, doesn’t eat or sleep much and then abruptly leaves. When we talk afterward, he picks on me for really trivial – or untrue – things. I know bipolar disorder isn’t simple to diagnose, and I don’t think this issue has ever come up with him. I just wonder if this relationship has a chance.
His first marriage ended in divorce, and his children want nothing to do with him. Evidently, his second marriage was good, but she died last year. His youngest son is in college. My self-esteem isn’t tied to this. I enjoy his company 95% of the time, and I think I love him. I don’t plan to ever remarry and neither does he. I don’t think he is dangerous, but I am a no-drama type, so I’m wondering if I should let him go, even though it would be hard to do. – SEEING SIGNS IN MICHIGAN

DEAR SEEING SIGNS: If what you have written is accurate, you have seen this man only during his “highs” – but not during his lows. Because bipolar illness can be treated, IF the person is willing to admit they “may” have a problem, it would be wise to discuss this with him when he’s in a normal phase and suggest that he be screened. If he refuses, then might be the time to rationally (rather than emotionally) decide whether to let him go.

DEAR ABBY: I have two beautiful daughters from a previous marriage. My ex and I get along well (better as friends than partners) and do things as often as possible with the girls, which includes travel. We usually take one to two trips a year. The girls love it, and so do we.
I am now remarried. My wife has a hard time with the traveling, and we have had many fights about it. She would like both families to travel together, but my girls don’t want that. My ex’s mom has just booked a trip to Hawaii and is willing to pay for me to go. My wife said absolutely not because Hawaii is such a paradise.
I’m torn because these trips are the only real quality time I have with the girls. There is absolutely nothing going on between my ex and me. The girls would rather travel with their mom than anyone else. What should I do? – PACKED AND READY

DEAR PACKED: How long have you been remarried? And how old are your girls? Although they may enjoy the fantasy of their parents being a happy family, that is all it is – a fantasy.
It’s wonderful that you and your ex-wife enjoy an amicable relationship, but the time has come for you to stand up for the woman to whom you are presently married. She should have been welcomed on those trips right after the two of you made it official, and you should have made that clear. I don’t blame your wife for being upset at this point. I would be, too. You should encourage your wife to come, too – and devote some time to being with her.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.