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The 2017 Annual Children’s Catch & Release Fishing Derby to be held on Saturday, June 3, at the ponds located on the grounds of Maison d’Memoire (Ken & Lynn Guidry) at 8450 Roberts Cove Road (Hwy. 98) just north of Rayne.
The City of Rayne has again joined with a number of community partners for the event, including The Acadiana Sportman’s League, Rayne Lions Club, National Wild Turkey Federation, and Maison d’Memoire.
The event will take place between 8:30 and 11:30 a.m. with the awards ceremony to follow. Registration begins at 8:15 a.m.
This catch and release fishing event is being held for children up to 15 years of age with category breakdowns in different age groups. Children must be accompanied by an adult for the day.
Activities planned include a short briefing on the rules and guidelines for the day’s activities, an educational packet containing information on tying a knot, baiting a hook, identification of fish, general fishing safety and an approximate 2 hour fishing derby with the assistance from members of Acadiana Sportsman League.
First aid stations will be on site tentatively staffed by members of the Rayne Volunteer Fire Departments First Responder Team.
Prizes awarded at the end of the fishing tournament will include largest fish in each age category and most fish caught in each age category.
A light lunch of hot dogs and cold drinks will be available, with the assistance of the Rayne Lions Club, for those enjoying the day’s activities.
Participants must bring their own fishing poles and are encouraged to bring suntan lotion, bug repellent, lawn chairs and hats for protection from the sun.
In the past ice chests were not allowed, but ice chests will be allowed this year with the following condition: they will be inspected prior to being allowed to leave for reasons of controlling the catch and release element of this derby.
While there is no fee to fish, pre-registration is a MUST! When calling, you will need to have your child(ren)’s name, age and t-shirt size.
Please make a special note that participants will not be allowed into the fishing area prior to 8:30 a.m. out of respect to patrons staying at Maison de Memoire.
Make your plans to attend today by calling Suzette Leonards at 337-334-6682 or stop by Rayne City Hall.

Henderson – A Rayne man was killed after he apparently lost control of the vehicle he was driving and crashed in a tree, according to Louisiana State Police.
On May 17, shortly before 5 p.m., State Police Troop I was notified of a single-vehicle fatality crash on Interstate 10 westbound near milepost 115 in St. Martin Parish.
The crash claimed the life of 41-year-old Brent Thibodeaux of Rayne.
The initial investigation by State Police revealed Thibodeaux was operating a 1992 GMC pickup truck westbound on I-10. For unknown reasons, Thibodeaux ran off of the right side of the roadway, crossed a small ditch embankment, and struck a large tree.
Thibodeaux was properly restrained at the time of the crash, but sustained fatal injuries. He was pronounced dead on scene by the St. Martin Parish Coroner’s Office.
It is unknown if impairment was a contributing factor, but standard toxicology results were obtained and sent to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis.

CROWLEY - The Acadia Rice Arena will pay $11,500 for an audit of its 2015 finances and will appoint someone to supervise the time sheets of its two employees.
Greg Richard, chairman of the Arena’s board of directors, asked that the Acadia Parish Police Jury approve the board’s hiring of Kolder, Champagne and Slaven and Co., LLC, to provide a detailed audit of the year 2015.
“I’m the new board chairman and we have three new board members and some of them are saying that the numbers just don’t add up from month to month,” Richard told the police jury during a special meeting Tuesday night.
Steven Moosa, representing the firm of Darnall, Sikes CPAs, explained that the police jury is due to receive the audit report for 2016 at its July 13 meeting, adding that, since the Rice Arena is an arm of the jury, an audit also was conducted of their finances.
He went on to say that such audits are common practice and that a complete audit of the Arena’s finances for 2015 could be found on the Legislative Auditor’s website.
He offered to attend the board’s next meeting and discuss, in detail, any questions members might have concerning finances.
Juror Robert Guidry suggested that the board take Moosa up on that offer.
“Before you go out and spend $11,500 of taxpayer money, let’s see if he has the answers,” Guidry recommended.
But Juror Ronnie Fabacher moved that the jury approve the audit.
“Mr. Kolder looked at some documents and he recommended the audit,” Fabacher said, referring to Burt Kolder, principal with the firm the board wanted to hire.
In addressing the jury, Kolder, while denying he ever perused any Rice Arena documents, said he recommended the detailed audit based on conversations with members.
Guidry’s substitute motion to have the board discuss finances with Moosa died for lack of a second.
The jury voted 6-2 to allow the Arena board to hire Kolder with Guidry and President David Savoy voting “nay.”
Fabacher, Danny Hebert, Chuck Broussard, Kerry Kilgore, Jimmie Pellerin and Richard Faul voted in favor.
In related action, the jury voted to have the Rice Arena board “foot the bill” for any expenses incurred by the parish administrative staff in assisting with the audit.
Concerning time sheets for the Arena’s two employees — Kermit Miller and Melissa Fusilier — the jury instructed the board to appoint someone to “verify time sheets” before they are turned in to the administrative office for processing.
Donna Bertrand, designated secretary-treasurer, pointed out that minutes from Rice Arena board meetings, on at least two separate occasions, reflect that the board voted to limit the employees to 40 hours a week with five hours of overtime, provided the overtime is approved by a supervisor.
“Prior to the new board, they were averaging 40 hours and about five hours of overtime,” Bertrand said. “In January, all of a sudden, overtime has been totalling about 36 hours a pay period (two weeks).”
Bertrand later said that, since February, there has not been less than 20 hours of overtime per employee each pay period.
Brad Andrus, jury counsel, explained that, although the Rice Arena is a separate entity, “the jury is responsible for paying the employees.”
He said appointing a supervisor “is only exercising due diligence,” but that the appointment must come from the Arena’s board of directors.
Addressing the board, he said, “The jury is requiring accountability for anyone you deem fit.”

Rayne High School graduated a total of 143 seniors during the 2017 commencement exercises held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday morning, May 20, in the Rayne High north gym.
Highlight of the commencement ceremonies was the naming of Dexter Miller and Gabrielle Peltier as Mr. and Miss RHS of 2017. Making the presentation was RHS Principal John Prudhomme.
Also awarded during the morning commencement was the distinguished American Legion’s scholastic award from Arceneaux Post 77, Rayne. Receiving that honor were Hunter Meche and Chloe Duhon. The awards were presented by Post 77 Commander David Simon.
The valedictory address was delivered by two of the four seniors completing their high school careers “With Highest Distinction” medals (at least 4.0 GPA), including Gabrielle Peltier and Dexter Miller.
During Friday afternoon’s Class Day Awards Program, students completing their high school studies with a GPA of 3.6-3.9 were presented gold honor cords as they graduated “With Distinction.” Those awarded were Hailey Runner (3.96), Naomi Istre (3.93), Susan Quibodeaux (3.93), Shyanne Mellano (3.89), Jada Castille (3.89), Mary Jenkins (3.88), Harleigh Hollier (3.80), Skylar Primeaux (3.79), Alashia Young (3.79), Reid DeJean (3.78), Whitney Comeaux (3.76), Shaun Guidry (3.76), Logan Hebert (3.75), Sarah Pepper (3.75), Tyrell LeJeune-Lentini (3.73), Donald Whatley (3.73), Hunter Meche (3.72), Gavin Arceneaux (3.71), Rossiland Short (3.71), Brailey Guidry (3.68), Brianna Stevens (3.67), Cameron Gibson (3.66) and Shelby Simon (3.61).
Students completing their high school studies with a GPA of 3.2-3.599 were presented white honor cords as they graduated “With Honor.” Those awarded were Chloe Duhon (3.53), Brooklynn Mire (3.53), Antwuan Espree (3.47), Madelyn Touchette (3.47), Collin Higginbotham (3.45), Lindsey Runner (3.42), Natalie Alleman (3.31) and Haley Barousse (3.21).
Completing the list of the 2017 graduating class of Rayne High School are Logan Abshire, Sydni Rae Abshire, Tori Paige Alcock, Destiny Elizabeth Alleman, Nicholas Alleman, Clara Arceneaux, Garon Jacob Arceneaux, Kiley Lynn Arceneaux, Macy Victoria Arceneaux, Treyvin Kai Aucoin, Layne Eugene Babin, Tasmine Tashon Babineaux, Ethan Cade Bearb, Kensie Benoit, Cameron Rae Bessard, Brancon J. Bourliea, Cooper Charles Bourque, Michael David Braman.
Richard Seth Breaux, Brittney Michelle Broussard, Jordan Thomas Broussard, Timmi Morgan Bruce, Tajané Amirai Elizabeth Butler, Kalon Lane Byrd, Enrique Antonio Cayette, Danisha Ja’Kera Cole, Abegail Alexis Colson, Kainen Paul Comeaux, Mary Claire Cormier, Reagan Blaire Cormier, Renee Pearl Cormier, Vanessa Cormier, Virginia Fay Cormier, Christopher Paul Dore, Donald Ray Doucet.
Reece Halen Faucheux, Jessica Nicole Angilé Freeman, Gabriela Renee Fruge, Selena Michelle Fuller, Brannon Kawika Fuqua, Cheryln Paige Fusilier, Logan Bryce Gautreaux, Wyatt Paul Gilbert, Brooklyn Gotch, Darius James Gotch, Keysona Moeasha Gabrielle Guidry, Kemp Joseph Guillory, Kristina Marie Holt, Cordareux Jones, Lanie Christine Julian, Cody James Kibodeaux, Kiki Lynn Lavergne, Madison Claire Lavergne, Kayla Lyric Laxey, Aurora LeBlanc.
Damian Joseph LeBlanc, Keiantay Lanae LeBlanc, Johnathan Eric Leday, Cyla Lynn Ledet, Caris Adelle Leger, Samuel Eric Leon, Dontray Dejuan Leopold, Drake Joseph Lewis, Hannah Rose Maynard, Notorious Jason McClelland, Aizlyn Rae Meche, Courtney Taylor Menard, Dewey Joseph Miller, Joseph Chad Monroe, Brooke Elizabeth Moore, Keysuana Moore, Collin Luke Morgan, Hunter Joseph Nero.
Jayla Sinclaire Nickson, Tayla Blaire Nickson, Ashley Ortiz, Alyssa Catherine Picard, Ashlon Portalis, Jaylon Blake Reed, Alexis Paige Richard, Jake Austin Richard, Keshun Dimarkus Eshan Roberts, Cameron Blake Sampay, Joshua James Sanchez, Logan Patrick Schexnaider, Sarah Anne Schexnaider, Hunner John Seaux, Justin Jude Simon, Gage Simoneaux, Lauryn Princess Reneé Sinegal, Dewayne Reginald Smith.
Charles Elliot Solomon, Kayla Amelia Sonnier, Aaron Wayne Stanbury, Asia Brianna Stelly, Deandré Joseph Stelly, Blaire Elyse Thibodeaux, Rhiannon Demaris Nicole Thibodeaux, Huy Lee Touchet, Cameron Breana Trahan, Van Vanicor, Jasper Washington, Tityana Andrea Washington, Don’dre O’sha Wheeler, Paul Kevin Wayne White, Yasmine Nicole White, Javona Willis and Diajh Jahanté Young.