News

Estate planning requires…well…planning

Estate planning is the process of designating who will receive your assets in the event of your death or incapacitation. Often done with guidance from an attorney, a well-constructed estate plan can help ensure that your heirs and beneficiaries receive assets in a way that manages and minimizes estate taxes, gift taxes and other tax impacts. Create an inventoryYou may …

Read More »

Union Parish DART calls attention to teen violence

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 to one another. Hitting is never OK, calling someone names is not kind, and yelling at someone is not how …

Read More »

Farmerville man arrested for sexual crimes against church youth

A Farmerville man has been arrested and charged with having sexual contact with multiple minor children who attended the church where his wife worked as a youth minister.Dan S. Parker, 45, of Farmerville surrendered to Union Parish Sheriff’s Deputies Monday after a warrant was issued for his arrest, according to Sheriff Dusty Gates.The charges stem from a complaint investigators received …

Read More »

Constitutional carry bill heads to governor’s desk

BATON ROUGE — A bill allowing Louisiana residents, 18 and older, to carry a concealed handgun without a permit received final approval from lawmakers Wednesday.After years of GOP-led efforts for permitless concealed carry, the bill is poised to become law with Gov. Jeff Landry signaling that he plans to sign the legislation. Upon the Republican’s signature, Louisiana would become the …

Read More »

Mega ramp dream moves closer to reality

By Luke BrittEditorReaction to the news last week that Farmerville had purchased property adjacent to Lake D’Arbonne where a mega boat ramp will be constructed can be summed up in a single word: “excited.”Business owners, community leaders and public officials reacting to the news all said they were excited about the possibilities for the community and pleased to see the …

Read More »

Museum Archeological Research Center now in place

Union Museum of History and ArtArcheological Research Center Thomas FieldsThomas “Tuffy” Fields is an author and regular contributor to The Gazette. He can be reached by email at thelouisianaexplorer@yahoo.com. The Archeological Research Center that is associated with the Union Museum of History and Art is dedicated to archeological research and the education of residents of North Central Louisiana. In an …

Read More »

Special session bills reflect frustration over crime

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 …

Read More »

Construction continues

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 …

Read More »

Holly declares innocence in online statement

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 …

Read More »

Gates encourages UP students to apply for Sheriff’s scholarships

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 …

Read More »