News

 Union Parish Sheriff’s Office  STAFF REPORT   MARION MAN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER AFTER KNIFE ATTACK  The Union Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Marion man following a violent domestic incident with a knife near Marion.  On 2/14/2026, UPSO deputies were dispatched to a residence in the Conway community of Marion in reference to a reported domestic disturbance involving a knife. …

Union Parish Sheriff’s OfficeSTAFF REPORT ARKANSAS WOMANARRESTED IN CHILD SEXABUSE INVESTIGATIONThe Union Parish Sheriff’s Officehas arrested an Arkansas woman onmultiple felony charges followingan investigation into the sexual andphysical abuse of a juvenile in UnionParish.In November 2025, Union ParishSheriff’s Office received a complaintalleging sexual abuse and physicalabuse involving a minor child. UPSOCriminal Investigations Division (CID)investigators immediately initiated aninvestigation.

Union Parish Sheriff’s OfficeSTAFF REPORT FENTANYL DISTRIBUTIONINVESTIGATION YIELDSARREST OF MARION MANThe Union Parish Sheriff’s Officehas arrested a Marion man followinga lengthy narcotics investigationconducted by agents with the Sheriff’sOffice Narcotics Division.On February 5, 2026, deputieslocated and arrested John RomanWomble, 36, of Marion, in connectionwith multiple outstanding arrestwarrants. The warrants stem fromseparate investigations in 2025involving the distribution of illegalcontrolled dangerous substances withinUnion …

 BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana’s 2026 U.S. Senate race is accelerating into a marquee Republican primary, with incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy facing a growing field of challengers ahead of the state’s newly restored partisan primary elections.  Among the Republicans seeking the seat is Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming, a physician, military veteran, and former U.S. congressman who has positioned his …

 Meta’s Hyperion AI data center will sprawl to four times the size of Manhattan’s Central Park  Meta has quietly purchased roughly 1,400 acres—an area almost twice the size of Manhattan’s Central Park—adjacent to its already-mammoth 2,250- acre Hyperion AI data center site in Richland Parish, La., Fortune has learned. The combined land parcels for the campus will bring the project …

HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS MONTH  “Trafficking in persons,” “human trafficking,” and “modern slavery” are umbrella terms—often used interchangeably—to refer to a crime whereby traffickers exploit and profit at the expense of adults or children by compelling them to perform labor or engage in commercial sex. When a person younger than 18 is used to perform a commercial sex act, it is …

 INDICTMENT UPGRADES CHARGES IN SIMPSON JUVENILE SEX CASE  In October 2025, the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office received a report of a sexual assault involving a juvenile victim. UPSO Criminal Investigations Division (CID) detectives initiated an investigation into the allegation. Forensic interviews and evidence collected during the investigation provided detailed accounts of the crimes. 

 On 1/20/2026, UPSO deputies responded to a report of a stabbing at an apartment complex residence inside the city limits of Bernice. Upon arrival at the scene, deputies located a male victim suffering from multiple cut wounds, who was seriously bleeding. Deputies immediately rendered first aid until an ambulance could arrive, and the patient was transported to a local facility. 

 Spearsville native LaShandria (Shan) D. Jackson-Cheeks was officially promoted to Chief Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force on January 6, 2026, achieving the highest enlisted rank in the United States Air Force.  Chief Master Sergeant is the highest enlisted rank attainable in the Air Force, earned by only 1% of Airmen. The rank reflects exceptional leadership, professionalism, and …

 Winter storm anticipated to hit Louisiana this weekend, beginning Friday night  The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for north central and northwest Louisiana. It will go into effect Friday morning and run through Sunday morning.  Davyon Hill with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says freezing rain is expected to arrive on Friday night and the …