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Detectives with the Rayne Police Department are investigating numerous vehicle burglaries which occurred in the southern part of the city.
These incidents occurred during the early morning hours of December 12, 2021, when multiple suspects made entry into several unsecured vehicles.
One suspect is described as a black male with a tall, thin build, wearing glasses, a hooded sweatshirt and jeans.
The suspect’s vehicle was captured on video surveillance and is described as a four-door sedan with damage to the front passenger side door.
Items stolen include firearms, wallets and U.S. currency.
Anyone having any information regarding these crimes is urged to call the tips line at 337-789-TIPS or download the P3 app on a mobile device to report a tip anonymously.
All callers will remain anonymous and can receive up to a $1,000 cash reward for information leading to an arrest in this case.
MAMOU – Any worries about the Iota Lady Bulldogs being rusty after a two-week layoff due to quarantine were put to rest early on Friday.
The Lady Dogs (10-8, 1-1) built up a 25-8 lead in the first half and cruised from there to a convincing 47-25 District 5-3A victory over Mamou’s Lady Demons.
The contest was Iota’s first since their victory over Carencro on Dec. 21 when they upended Carencro, 43-36. They were put into quarantine after that and had to forfeit five games, including their district opener against Northwest that was slated
On Friday, the Lady Dogs showed no signs of rust on either end of the court, especially in the opening frame.
The guests forced the Lady Demons into eight turnovers in the opening quarter and went on a 17-0 run to basically put the game away over the first eight minutes.
Avery Young dropped seven points in the quarter and Sage Wimberly had four.
From there, the pace slowed tremendously with the Lady Dogs working in the reserves throughout the final three quarters.
The two teams matched each other point-for-point in the second quarter with each scoring eight points.
The Lady Dogs pushed their lead to 37-16 in the third quarter thanks to four points from Wimberly and three each from Young and Brinna Hebert.
Wimberly added six more points in the final frame and Young added four.
That duo led the Lady Dogs in the scoring column with Wimberly tallying 18 points and Young had 16.
Wimberly also added 10 rebounds and Young had eight rebounds, six assists and five steals.
Hebert followed with six points, five rebounds and one blocked shot. Laiken Vige, Chloe Cooley and Emily Hebert each scored two points and Ella Jabusch had one. Emily Hebert also pulled down six rebounds and dished out four assists and Jabusch had five boards.
The Lady Dogs return to action this week with a pair of league games on tap. They play host to Church Point this evening at 6 o’clock and travel to Ville Platte on Friday.
Pios upend Pirates
KAPLAN – Zach Lamm erupted for 32 points Friday to help lead the Notre Dame Pios to 54-41 victory over the Kaplan Pirates.
The Pios improved to 9-1 with the victory heading into tonight’s District 6-2A opener against Lafayette Christian at A.B. Dore Gym.
Lamm dropped in a pair of 3-pointers and scored 10 points in the opening frame to help the Pios jump out to a 15-6 advantage Friday.
Lamm and Teddy Menard each scored three points in the second period and the Pios outscored the Pirates 10-6 to increase their lead to 13 (25-12) entering the break.
Lamm continued his tear by scoring all 14 of Notre Dame’s points in the third quarter. He drilled his fourth 3-pointer of the night, added two shots in the lane and went 7-for-8 from the free throw line in the quarter to help the visitors extend their lead to 39-24.
The Pios went 11-for-16 from the charity stripe in the fourth quarter and Menard pitched in nine points.
Lamm added eight rebounds and four steals to add to his 32-point performance. He hit 12 free throws in the second half.
Menard added 15 points, seven rebounds, five assists and six steals, Nick Swacker had four points and eight rebounds, Jackson Casanova scored two points and Grady Faulk finished with one.
Wolves roll past Gents
CROWLEY – The Rayne Wolves bolted out to a 34-14 lead in the first half and never looked back Friday in a 67-32 thumping of the Crowley Gents.
The Wolves, coached by former CHS standout Donavon Morris, improved to 14-12 with the victory.
The Gents, who open District 6-3A play tonight at David Thibodeaux Academy, fell to 5-13 overall.
Tayshuan Colomb and Lance Smith paced the Wolves with 18 and 17 points, respectively. Bleyton Young added nine points and Dashuante Cormier had seven in the victory.
The Gents were led by Zuri Poullard with nine points and Chris George with seven.
Also scoring for the hosts were Trevonta Ben (5), Rasheed Charles (4), Cam’ron Scott (3), James Collins (2) and Omar Butler (2).
The new LFT Terminal will open on Thursday, Jan. 20, when the first flights take off from Lafayette Regional Airport and the process of decommissioning the old terminal begins.
The successful path to opening the New LFT Terminal without any debt began on Dec. 6, 2014, when voters overwhelmingly approved a 1-cent sales tax lasting eight months, to support its construction.
Almost 60 percent of the votes cast supported the tax which could not be extended and was dedicated for the sole purpose of constructing the new terminal.
Between April 1, 2015, and Nov. 30, 2015, $33 million was collected from the temporary tax, jump-starting the funding process for the $150 million construction project, the largest in Lafayette Parish in decades.
This local funding served as a match to federal and state funding, a partnership that made the project possible.
The Lafayette Airport Commission (LAC) chose three nationally-recognized firms to complete the project:
- RS&H, a leading aviation architectural and engineering firm was hired in June 2016 to design the terminal;
- CBRE Heery International, a leading project management and construction management firm was hired to oversee the project for the LAC in March 2016; and
- the Lemoine Company and Manhattan Construction Company (a joint venture) was awarded the construction contract in November 2017.
In addition to Lemoine, 17 local subcontractors worked on the project
RS&H developed multiple concepts and prepared two for presentation to the LAC for consideration — named Spirit and Journey. The LAC turned to the public to rate the designs before making their selection.
Over two weeks, 5,110 people rated the concepts through engagement at libraries, civic organizations, community centers and on the airport’s website, recommending Journey.
The LAC confirmed the Journey design in February 2017.
RS&H met with local community leaders to help understand the Acadiana region, which influenced the Journey design. The design reflects the present and future vision of this public space.
The project was guided by the journey and voyage of many people who have settled in Acadiana, where their collective story continues to be celebrated in art, music, food, festivals and family gatherings to create a shared experience..
The canopy has colored glass featuring the colors of the Acadian flag.
The project was completed with the following milestones:
• On budget
• Debt free
• With minimal delay with COVID-19 and several active hurricane seasons
The groundbreaking occurred on Nov. 7, 2018.
The “topping out,” signaling the building had progressed to a point where final iron beam for the structure is put in place, was held in October 2019.
Partial substantial completion occurred on Oct. 31, 2021.
The New LFT Terminal by the Numbers:
• 120,000 square feet, twice the size of the existing terminal.
• 966 parking spots, an increase of more than 200 parking spaces when compared to the existing terminal.
• Two TSA security screening lines with the ability to add a third line.
• 194 security cameras throughout the terminal, covering all public areas.
• Five departure and arrival gates — all with new jet bridges.
• Two Mothers’ Rooms located in the terminal.
• A Service Animal Relief Area (SARA) located inside the terminal.
More “fast facts and features”:
• A completely new system baggage handling system. After passengers check their bags at the ticket counter, baggage undergoes security screening in a secure, non-public location.
• The public address system is a state-of-the-art audio system.
• All lighting in the new terminal is LED.
• Visitors to the new terminal have access to food and drinks on both sides of the security checkpoint.
• The rotunda area (where the bar and restaurant are located), is equipped with dramatic Sage Glass, which tints automatically depending on the angle of the sun, providing an amazing view of the airfield.
• Rental cars are located adjacent to the terminal right outside the rental car agencies’ counters.
• The old terminal will be demolished for future expansion.
The Attakapas Study Club of Crowley met on Jan. 12 at the home of Ethel Thibodeaux.
President Liz Regan called the meeting to order and JoAnne Arnaud led in the Pledge of Allegiance and club collect.
There were eleven members and one guest present: Arnaud, Jackie Buescher, Roberta Sonnier, Barbara Lengefeld, Bonnie Matirne, Gerry Meche, Josie Millet, Sandra Pruitt, Regan, Thibodeaux, Roy Lynn Trahan and Peggy Ancelet (guest).
The club voted unanimously to accept Barbara Courville as a member and JoAnne Arnaud read a letter recommending that Peggy Ancelet be considered as a member.
President Regan addressed the idea of changing the group’s meeting time from 2:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. in order to allow members to get home earlier and before dark. This was voted upon and passed unanimously.
The program was “Researching Our Birth Year.” Each person shared things that happened in her own birth year, starting with the oldest member on down to the youngest. Many interesting facts were shared and the program was enjoyed by all.
Delicious refreshments were served by hostesses Thibodeaux and Sonnier.
DEAR ABBY: My girlfriend, “Dyanne,” and I recently had a baby conceived not long after we started dating. While I love my child with all my heart, Dyanne is constantly dropping hints that she wants an engagement ring or a “promise ring.” I understand why because she has explained her reasons. But she’s pressuring me to provide something I believe should come when I feel comfortable doing it.
While some would say I don’t act like it, I’m traditional in some ways for a millennial. I believe that when I give someone a ring, it should be because I plan to marry her. I don’t consider marriage the way most do, and think I can just get divorced and it’s no big deal. I think Dyanne puts too much emphasis on what others think and that’s one of the reasons she wants a ring.
Am I wrong to stall until I feel ready to actually propose and not just say, “Sure. One day we will, and here’s a ring in the meantime”? – UNENGAGED IN CALIFORNIA
DEAR UNENGAGED: Nowhere in your letter did you mention that you love Dyanne. You should not give her a ring and keep her in a holding pattern if you aren’t sure you want to follow through with the commitment. Be honest. Tell her you care about her and love your child and intend to responsibly co-parent with her, but you are not ready for marriage and don’t know when you will be. That’s the truth.
DEAR ABBY: I’m a volunteer tour guide for several historic sites. One of them is a cemetery. My fellow guides and I are concerned – not to mention saddened – when we see children running around unsupervised, and standing on and climbing on the gravestones. Cemeteries are sacred places in which the dead should be remembered and honored.
When parents or caretakers allow children to use the cemetery as a play area, they fail to teach them respect for the dead or for the survivors who are visiting the graves of their loved ones. They also place their children in danger. Gravestones can fall or tip over. Children have been killed or seriously injured by toppling stones. Flat grave markers can be tripping hazards.
When we caution parents about these dangers, we are often met with indifference.
Please urge your readers to take our concern for their children’s safety seriously and control their children’s activities in cemeteries. – CONCERNED TOUR GUIDE
DEAR CONCERNED: I’m pleased to pass along your message because it is an important one.
Cemetery etiquette is simple: Treat the graves as you would the graves of your own cherished loved ones, or as you would like your own to be treated. This includes no loud chatter, and because there are people in mourning there, not walking on the graves, not leaving chewing gum on the gravestones, keeping pets leashed – if they are brought there at all – and teaching children the difference between a cemetery and a playground.
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.
January 11
• Melissa Ann Benoit, Morse: Arrested by Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office for possession with intent to distribute Schedule II narcotics ($1,500 bond); bench warrant (no bond).
• Michael Barthe, Rayne: Arrested by Estherwood Police Department on two bench warrants (no bond); writ of attachment (no bond).
• Kyeyanna Keys, Crowley: Arrested by Louisiana Fire Marshal Office for aggravated arson (no bond); fugitive warrant (no bond); simple criminal damage to property ($1,000 bond).
• Travis Gotte, Iota: Arrested by Iota P.D. for possession of Schedule IV narcotics ($1,500 bond).
• Johnathan Lee, Crowley: Arrested by APSO on a hold for other agency (no bond).
January 12
• Cody Meche, Rayne: Arrested by Rayne P.D. on a bench warrant ($1,000 bond).
A Mass of Christian Burial for Mary Ann Marceaux, 76, of Mermentau Cove, was held at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Mermentau on Monday, Jan. 17, at 11 a.m. with Father Schumacher officiating.
Visitation was held at Matthews and Son Funeral Home in Jennings on Sunday, Jan. 16, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. with a rosary recited at 6 p.m., led by Elaine Blanchard. Visitation resumed on Monday at 8 a.m. until the time of her Funeral Mass.
Mary Ann was laid to rest in St. John the Evangelist Cemetery.
Mary Ann was born in Crowley on Nov. 12, 1945. She was called to her Heavenly Father on Jan. 13, 2022.
Mary Ann was a lifelong resident of Mermentau Cove and a lifelong faithful parishioner of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, where she married her late husband, Oscar “Bobby” Marceaux, on Oct 17, 1964.
She sold AVON for 50 years and she loved visiting with people. She also worked for numerous years as a care-giver to many people.
In her spare time, she loved to color and watch her favorite movies. Her greatest joy came from spending time with family and friends.
Mary Ann was a kind and loving person she will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Mary Ann is survived by her son, Michael Marceaux of Mire; her daughter, Joanna Marceaux Borde (Kyle) of Mermentau Cove; her three grandchildren, Amber Marceaux Richard (Jared), Kyle Blaine Borde Jr. (Beth) and Trace Aaron Borde; her four great-granddaughters, Emme, Mallorie, Riley and Kara.
Mary Ann is preceded in death by her husband, Oscar “Bobby” Marceaux; her parents, John W. Breaux and Edith Verret Breaux; and her infant brother, David Michael Breaux.
Mary Ann’s family would like to extend a very special thanks to her caregivers, Marie Migues and Carolyn Hanks; as well as Dr. Aekther and the staff at Acadia General.
To extend online condolences, please visit our website at www.matthewsandsonfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Matthews and Son Funeral Home.
The Rotary Club of Crowley heard the plans for this year’s Krewe of Town Revelers’ Carnival Ball when Laurie Suire, ball captain, was on hand as the most recent guest speaker.
Suire told the group of the ball’s theme and particulars in a most unique way – by reading a poem she had written, “’Twas the Night Before Mardi Gras.”
The theme for this year is “Cimmer in Love?” and ball-goers can expect the court to present the tales of an “array of couples who each learned a lesson.” According to the poem, it will be a “tale of lovers’ woe that you won’t want to end.”
This year will see some changes from carnival balls past. One change is the scheduling of the ball. This year the ball will be held 10 days before Mardi Gras on Feb. 19.
Another change is that the ball will be held at The Grand Opera House rather than the International Rice Festival Building.
The venue change was planned while the Rice Festival Building was undergoing renovations that prevented use of the building.
And then there was COVID, which caused the Krewe of Town Revelers to postpone that year’s celebration.
Although the renovations have now been completed, the ball already had been meticulously planned around the layout and features of the opera house.
According to Suire, the staging of the ball presents a variety of challenges and requires a very intricate script that includes “every single thing that has to be done,” from music to lights to props. So, with all of the planning already in place for the opera house, the Krewe of Town Revelers decided to hold it there.
Additionally, this year’s event will feature live music by the Nik-L Beer Band.
The ball will begin at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 5:30 p.m.
Tickets for the ball are now on sale. Theater seats are $75, balcony seats are $50 and general admission (which does not include theater access) is $35.
Additional information may be obtained by calling the Crowley Town Club at 783-1432.
More information and a link to purchase tickets can be found on the opera house web page at http://www.thegrandoperahouse.org. Tickets are also available at https://ci.ovationtix.com/36057/production/1087606.
Crowley Post-Signal
602 N. Parkerson Ave, Crowley, LA 70526
Phone: 337-783-3450
Fax: 337-788-0949
Rayne-Acadian Tribune
108 North Adams, Rayne, LA 70578
Phone: 337-334-3186
Fax: 337-334-8474
Church Point News
c/o The Eunice News, 465 Aymond St., Eunice, LA 70535
Phone: 337-457-3061