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Editor’s Note – UPPJ Courthouse UPDATE:The UPPJ Courthouse Committee met on July 15, 2025, and opened bids for labor, plumbingand mechanical to replace/repair the air-conditioning system in the existing courthouse. Later thatafternoon the full jury approved the low bid from Mechanical Services & Systems, LLC from WestMonroe, La. The low bid was $875,200.00.Two other bids were received: one from The Payne Company of Shreveport, La. in the amount of$928,000.00; and one from Byrnes Mechanical Contractors, Inc. of West Monroe, La. in the amountof $1,060,000.00.The Gazette attended the bid opening and asked when the start work date and finish work datewould be. No one knew the answer to that question. Juror Hutto stated “as soon as possible.”The Gazette also inquired about the status of security for the courthouse, to which Juror Huttoresponded to the effect that while discussions were being had, there was no information he couldrelease on that subject at that time.

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Father dead and son arrested, hatchet attack

Bernice, LA — On Saturday, July 12, 2025, deputies with theUnion Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported stabbing atthe Bernice Villa Apartments, located at 115 W. 4th Street. Uponarrival, they discovered a man deceased inside the apartment.UPSO Criminal Investigations Division (CID) responded andbegan an investigation. Investigators determined the victim,71-year-old Delmer Watt Sr., of Bernice, was likely deceased severalhours before …

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