News

State, parish and community leaders, forced inside due to rain, held a groundbreaking ceremony at the Willie Davis Jr. Recreation Center Friday to mark the beginning of construction on a tournament quality Mega Boat Ramp on Lake D’Arbonne. The ramp is being constructed on Highway 33 across from D’Arbonne Lake Motel. (At right) During the ceremony, Farmerville Mayor John Crow …

A Civil War reenactor felled from mock rifle fire held his death pose for nearly an hour without moving during the Battle of D’Arbonne Landing held at D’Arbonne State Park Saturday and Sunday. The reenactment portrayed the Battle of Chicksaw Bayou that took place during the finals days of 1862. About 200 reenactors gathered in two camps – one blue, …

Gov. Jeff Landry opened the regular session of the state Legislature by challenging lawmakers to do “great things” for Louisiana. BATON ROUGE — Under new Republican leadership, Louisiana’s GOP-dominated Legislature gathered at the Capitol Monday to convene their three-month regular session, pushing conservative priorities that could reshape education policies, toughen certain criminal penalties, reduce regulations on the property insurance industry …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …