The Louisiana Legislature convened this week for a special session called by Gov. Jeff Landry in an effort to implement new tough-on crime policies.The bills lawmakers approve are likely to drastically reshape the state’s justice system, rolling back many of the efforts by former Gov. John Bel Edwards to reduce the number of people incarcerated in state prisons.Bills filed this …

Construction on the new Reeves Memorial Medical Center in Bernice continues, and this week the hospital announced that the dirt work necessary to prepare the site for construction is nearly complete. The new $25 million medical center broke ground in November and when finished will include state-of-the-art facilities that include new services, including dental and 0women’s health care. The facility …

By Luke BrittEditorFormer Union Parish High School football star Trey Holly on Saturday issued a statement on social media saying he is “100% innocent” of the criminal charges levied against him last week.Holly was one of three people arrested Feb. 15 for their alleged role in a Feb. 9 shooting at Union Villa Apartments in Farmerville that left two people …

The Northeast District Livestock Show was held January 31st-Febuary 3rd in Delhi. Union Parish 4-H Exhibitors represented the parish well with bringing home several awards.The Union Parish 4-H Livestock Program is a unique opportunity to use animals and educational projects to enhance youth development. The main objectives of the program deal with the young people, not the animals. Participants learn about …

A free deer habitat workshop will be offered on March 5, 2024, at the Lincoln Parish Library in Ruston, Louisiana.Wildlife biologist and author David Moreland will provide tips and techniques to develop an ideal deer habitat on your land. Moreland is a retired wildlife biologist with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. He served as State Deer Biologist for …

Lake D’Arbonne is the site of the second stop on the 2024 Crappie Masters Schedule as the best anglers from across the country get ready to battle it out for the guaranteed $20,000.00 prize purse February 23rd & 24th, 2024.The First Crappie Masters National Qualifier was back in January on Lake Talquin with the team of Ethan, Brayden and Mike …

Editor’s Note: February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. The following commentary was submitted by the Union Parish DART program. In 2010, Congress declared February as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. It is a great reminder for DART, parents, caregivers and teachers to begin a conversation about preventing dating violence.We teach our children from a young age to be kind …

The Louisiana Sheriffs’ Scholarship Program will award scholarships to worthy Louisiana students to assist with furthering their education and training.“We support education in Union Parish, and I encourage our students to apply for these scholarships,” said Sheriff Dusty Gates.There are no restrictions on the purposes for which scholarships are spent. The scholarships are not loans and will be awarded as …

Grambling alumnito be honored Feb. 25The Union Museum of History and Art in Farmerville will host a special reception on Sunday, Feb. 25, at 3 p.m., to recognize Grambling State University honors graduates.The event, presented by the Grambling State University Honors College and Office of Continuing Education, will recognize selected local Grambling alumni who have graduated from the Honors College …

By Luke BrittEditorRetired Farmerville Police Chief George Cothran, who led the town’s police department for nearly 25 years, died Feb. 8. He was 83-years-old.Cothran was described by those who knew him as a generous man who enjoyed helping people and seldom passed an opportunity to make people laugh.“If you know someone who is loved by young children and old people, …