Opinion

If you live in Louisiana, we know all about a dysfunctional response to natural disasters. Remember Katrina? Are we witnessing another lackadaisical and dysfunctional response to the wildfire tragedy on the island of Maui in the Hawaiian lands? So far, news reports cite some 2000 businesses and homes destroyed with over 1000 residents who still remain uncounted for. Jim BrownJim …

By Luke Britt/Editor Now that the dust has settled around the Landfill Assurance Trust Fund interest rate flap and the parish stands to reap healthy interest earnings for, at least, the next 18 months, it seems appropriate to assess how the community responded to that embarrassing financial misstep. While the citizens of Union Parish were in no way responsible for …

Headlines across Louisiana blared out in recent weeks that automobile insurance rates in the state will see a huge increase.  State Farm, whose rate request was rubber stamped by the Department of Insurance, will increase its rates by an average of 17.3%. Progressive Insurance Company will increase just over 10% while Allstate will jump up 18%, GEICO by more than …

If you’ve been waiting for that special something that happens once in a blue moon, this may be your lucky month – and you’ve got three weeks to prepare for it. A blue moon will occur Aug. 31. Sallie HollisSallie Rose Hollis is a native of Rocky Branch and retired Journalism Professer from Louisiana Tech University. Contact her at sallierose@mail.com. …

By Tuffy Fields I can’t believe it’s been thirty-four years. Occasionally events happen in our lives that are so indelible in one’s mind that the event remains crystal clear over the years. So vivid are these memories that they feel as if they happened only yesterday. For me one of these occasions was the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq; an …

I’ve been needing a little pick-me-up lately. Hey, it happens. As we journey through life (please refer to the overall name of this column), we encounter moments of joy, sorrow and everything in between. So in my ponderings today, I’m wondering what topics might bring me – and as a result, you – a moment of merriment. You know how …

Have you ever had a moment when something jogs your thoughts and you are shocked as you ask yourself where all the time went. You may mutter to yourself, “My how time flies”. One of these epiphanies happened to me recently. I saw the poster for the next Watermelon Festival when I walked into the Farmerville City Hall.  The beauty …

I’m not a movie junkie but I do enjoy a good flick and like to experience it on the big screen.  There’s just something special about getting out of the house and being around people. This is an even better experience if the movie has meaning and value and the actors truly turn a story into an epic. Last week …

     Can you afford your property insurance in Louisiana?  Rates across the state continue to go up. The legislature just finished its regular session, and no viable solutions were offered.  Headlines in national publications blurted out: “Louisiana insurance market is collapsing!” All the insurance department has come up with is to give grants to a number of smaller insurance companies.  …

I’m not a movie junkie but I do enjoy a good flick and like to experience it on the big screen.  There’s just something special about getting out of the house and being around people. This is an even better experience if the movie has meaning and value and the actors truly turn a story into an epic. Last week …