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RAYNE - The upcoming spring fundrasier was the main topic of discussion during the March meeting of Arceneaux Post #77, American Legion.
The annual spring fundraiser, a sausage poboy dinner sale scheduled on Sunday, April 8, at the Legion Home, will help build funds for the events sponsored by Post 77. A $6 ticket will purchase a sausage poboy, chips and drink. Tickets can be purchased from any legionnaire of Post #77 or at the Legion Home. The public’s help with this important fundraiser would be greatly appreciated.
Three new legionnaires were welcomed during the March meeting, including Steven Edward, Bobby Fracier Sr. and Bobby Fracier Jr. Edward, a Marine veteran of Desert Storm, was accepted to Post 77 with a membership vote, while Fracier Sr. and Jr. transferred from another post.
As of date, the paid-up membership dues stands at 147 of 184 needed for 100%. Legionnaires are urged to pay their dues before the May deadline.
Commander David Simon announced on Wedneday, June 13, Post 77 will host the 2018 Boys and Girls State district meeting prior to the summer event held at Northwestern every year.
Legionnaires were also reminded of the 7th District Spring Conference slated Sunday, March 11, by Post #1 in Lake Charles when new officers were to be elected for the upcoming year.
The schedule of entertainment and events slated for the Legion Home was given by Simon, who also noted the committee are almost complete with the constitution and by-laws updates.
Guest speaker was congressional candidate Josh Guillory for the November 6 state-wide election.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned and the Legion cooks provided a delicious meal.
The Rayne High Lady Wolves Softball Team began district play last week on a high note.
During a road trip to Lafayette, the Lady Wolves faced Teurlings Catholic and handled the Rebels with a 11-7 win.
Madalyn Dupont threw the win for Rayne as she took the mound once again.
Leading at the plate were Jade Louvierre and Jessi Cary, each with two hits.
Finishing up the Rayne hits were Kassidie Bourgeois, Trinity Axtell and Savanna LaCombe, each connecting for one hit a piece.
Rayne’s second district contest saw STM slide by the Lady Wolves on their home diamond, handing Rayne a 4-1 loss for a 1-1 district start.
The Lady Wolves are scheduled to meet Northside High School during a road contest today (Thursday), followed by another road trip to New Iberia where they are slated to meet Westgate High on March 20th.
WOLVES
During the weekend tournament held in Baton Rouge hosted by University High, the Rayne High Wolves Basball Team fell short and dropped two contests.
In opening diamond action on Friday, the Wolves lost to hosting University Lab3-7 and on Saturday they fell to West Feliciana in a tight 7-8 contest.
The Wolves were scheduled to meet Grand Lake and Church Point this week prior to their own RHS Wolves Tournament slated this weekend, March 16-17, at Gossen Memorial Park in Rayne.
Next weekend will see the Wolves begin district play on Tuesday, March 20, when they play host to Teurlings Catholic, followed by a road contest to Lafayette to take on Teurlings on their our diamond.
RAYNE - Rayne Chief of Police Carroll J. Stelly has released an update on the shooting which occurred on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018, Mardi Gras Night, in Rayne.
On Thursday, March 8, Rayne Police Officers arrested Forrest Charles, 34, 706 Bailey Avenue, Rayne, for his involvement in a shooting on Bailey Avenue. Charles was charged with attempted second degree murder and certain felon in possession of a firearm.
Also charged in the incident was Darrell Dugas, 36, 712 Bella Avenue, Rayne. Dugas was charged with certain felon in possession of a firearm. Due to Dugas’s current injuries sustained in the shooting incident, he has not yet been booked into the Acadia Parish Jail.
Chief Stelly advised that both suspects are well known by area law enforcement.
Chief Stelly stated Charles is currently out on bond for another recent incident involving a firearm, which is still pending in the 15th Judicial District Court.
Charles is currently booked into the Acadia Parish Jail with a total $550,000 bond.
RAYNE - Ongoing projects and the development of new ones took center stage Monday evening during the March City Council meeting at City Hall.
A recommendation was received by Mayor Charles “Chuck” Robichaux and the City Council from the Planning and Zoning Board for a potential new Rayne business near the Interstate 10 area.
Following their monthly meeting last week, the Planning Board recommended to the council a portion of the commercial subdivision currently named I-10 Rayne Chevron, LLC., for the development of one lot in the subdivision for the construction of a Taco Bell Restaurant.
Following discussion and map views, the council approved the board’s recommendation for the new business, which will be located just north of I-10 Chevron fronting Hwy 35 North.
Two ongoing projects were presented by Tim Mader during the engineer’s report portion of Monday’s meeting.
The first was the approval of the council to accept the bid received from CDG Energy, LLC, of Alexandria, who was awarded the contract for the Barbara Street pump station improvements and sanitary sewer force main extension project.
It was noted CDG Energy was the same company used by the city for the Carver Street pump station work completed last year and other water and sewer projects in the past.
The second project presented by Mader and approved by the council was the adoption of a resolution for the city’s Municipal Water Pollution Prevention (MWPP) audit on its wastewater treatment facility located on West Jeff Davis Avenue.
From the submitted report/audit, Mader noted “the city’s numbers are very good, some of the best around” when commenting on the discharge measurements.
The second ongoing project was addressed to the council by Rodney “Coonie” Richard of Building Code Inspection Services, on behalf of Tim Cormier, of the Hope Recovery Center to be located at 300 S. Bradford St., the former Rayne-Branch Hospital and Pauline Faulk Center.
Richard, along with Jim Ziller of Ziller Architects, presented an area plan and comprehensive master plan for the center, in addition to phases the center would undergo during construction and remodeling.
The phases would consist of:
(1) Initial Construction (install sprinkler system, repair/replace fire alarm system and repair/replace emergency and exit lighting;
(2) Phase 1 - recovery ministries (complete upgrade of patient room wing/ancillary space, complete dining area upgrade and outfit patient rooms, dining and ancillary space;
(3) Phase 2 - outpatient therapy (complete upgrade of exam, counseling, conference, testing lab and ancillary space;
(4) Phase 3 - job training/vocational school (complete upgrade of offices, conference group rooms and ancillary space; and
(5) Future Plans (expansion as needed).
Richard and Ziller also recommended that, for each phase, the proposed renovation should proceed as follows:
(1) submit drawings and description of the specific work to building code inspection services and the Fire Marshal’s Office for plan reviews;
(2) after plan approved, purchase required permits from the City of Rayne; and
(3) call for required inspections throughout the course of construction.
“This is an extremely well-built facility,” stated Ziller of the proposed project site. “The roof has been fixed and patched so no further damage will result from leaks. But, it needs a lot of work which will take a lot of money.”
When asked by Robichaux of the approximate cost for the completed project, a $1 - $2 million amount was given.
“Once you begin a project like this, you just never know what the final tally will be,” noted Richard.
The total square footage for the project is approximately 45,000 square feet.
Two demolition projects located at 801 E. Butler and 812 W. Perrodin were given 90 days for demolition.
A request by Police Chief Carroll Stelly to declare a 2007 Dodge sport utility vehicle as surplus was approved by the council to be submitted for auction sale.
The council also approved a resolution in support of an application for the creation of the City of Rayne Cultural District and submission to the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation, Tourism, Office of Cultural Development.
A street drive was approved by the council for St. Joseph’s Life Teen for the weekend of April 27-28, with funds to benefit a retreat for the group.
Terry Broussard was re-appointed to a five-year term to the Youth Recreation Board.
City Clerk Annette Cutrera presented the monthly financial update, noting the budget was “in-check.”
General Manager Cordell A. Grand of LEPA (Louisiana Energy and Power Authority) gave a presentation of the recent spike in utility rates during the extreme January weather including freezing temperatures and snow.
He explained the higher utility bills Rayne residents incurred was due to higher usage and the higher cost purchased by LEPA during the unusual freezing weather conditions. Grand reassured the city that all usage has returned to normal.
RAYNE - Rayne Chief of Police Carroll J. Stelly announced his officers have made four arrests and are continuing to investigate an aggravated burglary.
At 10:55 a.m. on Tuesday, March 13, officers responded to a call of a suspicious vehicle at 500 East Henry and a possible home invasion in progress with two juveniles inside the home.
Upon his arrival, an officer discovered possible entry was made into the residence where two children were located, a 14-year-old female and seven-year-old male.
Once the officer made entry, he observed four black male suspects in the home, all of which exited the house through a window. One suspect was immediately captured and responding officers captured the other three suspects in the neighborhood.
Officers recovered a 2018 Red Chevrolet Silverado with Texas registration reported stolen on March 6, out of St. Landry Parish.
Officers also recovered a firearm that was stolen in a 2014 burglary in Lafayette.
The investigation is continuing at this time.
RAYNE - Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 15, 2018, at a 3:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rayne, for Daniel James Alleman, 63, who died Wednesday, March 14, 2018, at residence in Rayne.
Interment will be in the St. Joseph Cemetery #2, Mausoleum in Rayne.
Rev. Kevin Bordelon, Pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rayne, will be the Celebrant of the Funeral Mass and will conduct the funeral services.
Survivors include wife, Adlia Guidry Alleman; two sons, Brent Alleman, Mark Alleman and wife Erica; and five grandchildren, Morgan Alleman, Graci Alleman, Logan Alleman, Tylee Alleman, Kragen Alleman, all of Rayne.
He was preceded in death by father, Ulysse Paul Alleman; mother, Wilma Breaux Alleman; and a brother, Darrell Alleman.
Pallbearers will be Travis Guidry, Tommy Garrett, George Mayeaux, Preston Breaux, Jake Alleman and Ronnie Trahan. Honorary pallbearers will be Melvin "Peanut" Moreau and Logan Alleman
A Rosary will be prayed Thursday, March 15, 2018 at 12:30 pm in Gossen Funeral Home in Rayne.
The family requests that visitation be observed in Gossen Funeral Home in Rayne on Thursday, March 15, 2018, from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm.
Friends may view the obituary and guestbook online at www.gossenfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Gossen Funeral Home, Inc. of Rayne, LA, (337) 334-3141.
RAYNE - A Mass of Christian Burial for Charles Murphy Alleman, 83, of Rayne, will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 14, 2018, at 1 p.m. in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Rayne.
Father Kevin Bordelon, pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church, served as celebrant. Entombment followed in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery No. 2 Mausoleum, Rayne.
Visitation was held on Tuesday, March 13, from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. in Gossen Funeral Home, with a rosary recited at 6 p.m. Visitation continued on Wednesday, March 14, from 8 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. in the funeral home.
Mr. Alleman passed away on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at his Rayne residence.
A native and lifelong resident of Rayne, Mr. Alleman was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. He worked as a mechanic for many years. He enjoyed woodworking, gardening, and reading, but his greatest joy in life was caring for and spending time with his family. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy aboard the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Ticonderoga, on which he visited many ports of call throughout the Mediterranean Sea.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Lucy Dupont Alleman of Rayne; daughters, Marlene Royer and companion, Jerry Williams of Rayne, and Gwen Schmidt and husband, Carl of Scott; sons, Keith Alleman and wife, Lisa of Scott, and Jason Alleman and wife, Leslie of Rayne; brother, Merlin Alleman of Rayne; 18 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Preceding Mr. Alleman in death were his parents, Arthur and Mathilda Breaux Alleman; son, Eric Alleman; granddaughter, Carolina Schmidt; brothers, Tony Alleman, Esteve Alleman, Leodice Alleman, Joseph Alleman, Caesar Alleman, Louis Alleman and Ardon Alleman; and sisters, Rita Breaux, Maria Perrodin, Dora Moss, Loretta Maitre, Anna Credeur, Mathilde Meche, Felicia Alleman and Cecile Broussard.
Serving as pallbearers were Jacob Alleman, Chris Royer, Ethan Alleman, Evan Alleman, Michael Alleman, and Farrell Dupont. Honorary pallbearers were Carl Alleman, Joseph Breaux and Mark Schmidt.
Serving as giftbearers for the Mass were Crystal Eskine and Jessica Burgess, and delivering the readings were Hannah Alleman and Nathalie Doucet.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.gossenfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Gossen Funeral Home, Inc. of Rayne, 334-3141.
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