News

Spearsville area may see windfall from lithium mining

By Luke Britt/Editor Spearsville Mayor Karen Black seldom gets three phone calls a month from people looking to invest in her quiet corner of Northeast Louisiana, so when she recently received three such calls in a single afternoon she said she knew something was up. “Someone called about economic development in the area, then someone who wanted to purchase some …

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Legislators deliver $500,000 to purchase, renovate UP Museum

By Luke Britt/Editor The muses, those nymphs of Greek mythology believed to inspire all art and knowledge, have been whispering in the ears of Union Parish’s legislative delegation, and fortunately, Rep. Chris Turner and Sen. Stewart Cathey were listening. On Tuesday, Turner and Cathey were on hand to announce a $500,000 capital outlay for the Union Museum of History and …

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UP man sues men allegedly behind Marion Spencer Facebook page

By Luke Britt/Editor A Marion man is suing three men linked to a Union Parish Facebook page that published a post he says wrongly accused him of making a political contribution in exchange for favorable treatment from Union Parish Sheriff Dusty Gates and that the post also revealed private information, including his social security number, to the public. The lawsuit …

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Candidates qualify for October 14 primary elections

Six candidates claim victorybefore a single vote is cast Staff Report The qualification period for the October primary elections ended Thursday, and six local races appear to have already been decided. Incumbent Clerk of Court Dodi Eubanks and incumbent Tax Assessor Lance Futch are unopposed, giving them de facto victories for those offices. Coroner Renee Smith chose not to seek …

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Marion to construct new park downtown

By Luke Britt/Editor The Town of Marion will soon have a new park, a public computer lab, a new Family Dollar store and new security cameras in the downtown area, according to members of the Town Council who met for their regular monthly meeting Tuesday. Mayor Danny Smith also announced that the Marion office of the Union Parish TRIAD program …

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DWI suspect crashes, narrowly misses firefighters

 Staff Report A suspected drunk driver crashed into a fallen tree that two Union Parish firefighters were in the process of removing from LA Highway 2 near Crossroads early Sunday morning. The firefighters were not injured, but the vehicle’s driver – Carlos Mata, 24, of Sealy, TX – was arrested and booked into the Union Parish Detention Center on multiple …

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Bernice considers new ordinances to stop mobile home free-for-all

By Luke Britt/Editor The Town of Bernice is taking the steps to correct a deficiency in its zoning ordinances that has resulted in a proliferation of mobile homes being installed “wherever one will fit,” town attorney Joe Cusimano said when the Town Council met on Tuesday.  “The way the ordinances work now, people can put mobile homes in any residential …

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LA Fire Marshal issues statewide ban

NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office has issued a statewide burn ban due to extreme heat and dry conditions. The burn ban will remain in effect until the State Fire Marshal’s Office rescinds it. Residents should avoid any outdoor burning. Private burning will only be allowed with permission through a local fire department. Barbeque grills, fire pits …

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Candidates for October election must qualify this week

Gazette Staff Report The 2023 campaign season begins in earnest in Union Parish next week as candidates for five local offices, seven statewide offices and 2 legislative seats begin qualifying. The qualifying period for the Oct. 14 primary begins Tuesday and ends Thursday, Aug. 10. When Union Parish voters step into voting booths on election day, they will be choosing …

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Farmerville man flees police, admits to murder plan

A Farmerville man led police on a short vehicle chase Tuesday, and after being apprehended, revealed he was enroute to kill two people when the chase began, according to a Union Parish Sheriff’s Office report. Judge H. Milliken, 42, of Farmerville was booked into the Union Parish Detention Center on charges of attempted second degree murder and multiple traffic charges, …

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