The Masonic Fraternity, probably the oldest of its kind in the world, is known as a charitable, and educational society whose purpose is to build up the good character of its members.  Every year the Downsville Lodge awards an Honesty & Integrity (H&I) Award to deserving High School Junior Students.  This unique award doesn’t consider any other characteristic or talent …

The Union Parish Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate a drive-by shooting that occurred on East Jackson Street in Farmerville just after midnight Tuesday. Two trailer homes were struck in the shooting, the bullets penetrating the homes’ thin walls, narrowly missing the sleeping occupants. Using footage from video cameras, investigators have been able to identify vehicles that were in the area …

Funeral services for Mr. William Carl Lemoine, age 72 of Marion, LA, were held at 2:00 PM, Friday, November 17, 2023 at Meridian Baptist Church in Marion, LA with Bro. Glyn Nale officiating. Burial followed in Roark Allen Cemetery in Marion under the direction of Farrar Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, November 16, …

Funeral services for Mr. Paul Wright Hayes, Sr., age 84 of Farmerville, LA, was held at 10:00 AM, November 22, 2023 at Salem Baptist Church in Farmerville with Bro. Mike Deville officiating. Burial followed at Liberty Taylor Cemetery under the direction of Farrar Funeral Home. Paul was married to the love of his life, Patty, for 62 years. He had …

Funeral services for Mr. James Edward Jennings, age 78 of Downsville, LA, was held at 2:00 PM, Monday, November 13, 2023 at Cedar Crest Baptist Church in West Monroe, LA with Dr. Greg Clark and Dr. Ryan E. Jennings officiating. Burial followed at Holmesville Cemetery in Downsville, LA under the direction of Farrar Funeral Home. James was raised in Downsville, LA …

For the first time ever, Louisiana has approved a hunting season for black bears. The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) announced that it has adopted a Notice of Intent to hold a hunting season for the animal in December 2024. The commission voted unanimously on Thursday to allow the hunt. The hunt will be by lottery and will be …

By Luke BrittEditor For months Police Jury Secretary-Treasurer Paula Strickland has been trying to get the Union Parish Police Jury to adopt a new policy governing how the parish handles public records requests, and once again, at their monthly meeting on Tuesday, the jury tabled the issue, this time without so much as a syllable of explanation. The reason, I …

By Luke BrittEditor The Union Parish Detention Center’s $3 million-a-year inmate work release program has been under audit since September when the Department of Corrections discovered that the balances in a number of inmate accounts did not match the balances recorded in the detention center’s accounting software. The DOC’s Chief Auditor, Jewell Freeman, confirmed on Wednesday that no inmate funds …

Funeral services for Dr. Verna Lucille Barron, age 75 of Nacogdoches, TX, formerly Spearsville, LA, were held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at Farrar Funeral Home with Bro. Kurt Auger officiating. Burial followed at Spearsville Community Cemetery under the direction of Farrar Funeral Home. Dr. Barron was born September 23, 1948 to Guy Tom Waston Barron and Lucille …

 By Sarah Hamilton Union Parish High School The Union Parish High School FFA chapter recently competed in the FFA National Chapter Award competition.  The National Chapter Award evaluates a portfolio built by FFA members to showcase the outstanding leadership and citizenship displayed by its members.  During the 2022-2023 school year, UPHS FFA members completed 15 community service projects and leadership …