February, 2025

• 12 February

  Union Parish Library Spark Songwriter Studio

  The Union Parish Library kicks off the second annual Spark Songwriter Studio in February!The program is free for students grades 6-12 and applications are being accepted now.Stephanie Herrmann, Director, comments, “The Spark Songwriter Studio is a program where we pair students with music mentors that walk them through the songwriting process.”Kimberly Dean, musician who traveled and performed with the gospel …

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• 12 February

  Farmerville “kicks off” Mardi Gras Parade

  

  On Saturday, February 8, The Town of Farmerville held their yearly Mardi Gras Parade. Gathering the town together down N. Main Street, people enjoyed a sense of community with neighborhood friends and family.When it was time for the parade, each of the floats was garnished in green, gold, and purple, but only one float can be the best. Voted best …

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• 5 February

  Fishing Report

  

  BUSSEY BRAKE – Anglers are catching some really big crappie on jigs and shiners in open water. Bass are best flipping soft plastics. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole at 323-8707. OUACHITA RIVER – The river is rising. A few catfish are being caught. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707. LAKE D’ARBONNE – catfish.Crappie …

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• 5 February

  Snow Storm extension to hunting seasons

  

  Glynn HarrisGlynn Harris is a long-time outdoor writer from North Louisiana and has won more than 50 writing and broadcasting awards during his 47 year career. We in north Louisiana did not get to enjoy all that takes place when we get snow, which we didn’t get this time around. Folks in the southern portion of the state were busy …

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• 5 February

  Letter to the Editor: Johnny Creed

  What is the public’s best interest? I guess it would depend on who you asked and maybe being specific about the subject.Take for instance the video equipment that was purchased by the Police Jury to live stream the public meetings the jury holds supposedly to keep the public informed. That I think would be in the public’s best interest. For …

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• 5 February

  This is our country

  

  Thomas FieldsThomas “Tuffy” Fields is an author and regular contributor to The Gazette. He can be reached by email at thelouisianaexplorer@yahoo.com. Many years ago I left the tranquility of Union Parish and spent my summer as a Committee Clerk of the Retirement Committee at the state capital in Baton Rouge. This was during the regular session of the Louisiana Legislature. …

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• 5 February

  Laughing through the frost: wacky ideas

  

  Jim BrownJim Brown is a former Louisiana state senator, Secretary of State, Commissioner of Insurance and a regular contributor to The Gazette. All the winter shenanigans around us this past month are pointing to a New Ice Age in my life.Yes, I’m ready to forget the longstanding advice of hunkering down with firewood, canned soup and thermal socks, and instead …

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• 5 February

  News Briefs

  GSU art professor to speak in Union Museum Feb. 8Grambling State University art professor Rodrecas Davis will discuss the life and art of Clementine Hunter on Saturday, February 8, at 11 a.m. in the Union Museum of History and Art. A display of 50 original Hunter artworks will be on display in the museum at that time. The talk is …

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• 5 February

  St. Jude Radiothon returns Feb. 13 – 14

  The region’s 44th St. Jude Radiothon will be broadcast Feb. 13-14 from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. on Ruston station Z107.5. During the event, donations can be made by calling 1-800-787-5288 or by donating online via the station’s website (Z1075fm.com), Facebook (Z107.5) or Instagram (Z1075fm) pages. In-person donations will be collected in related side events at the Ruston Walmart Supercenter and Super …

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• 5 February

  Safety Planning for DV Survivors

  Most people who care about DV are aware of the term “safety plan” and how it can help someone prepare to leave an abuse situation safely. But, an emotional safety plan might be a term that is not familiar; it is the idea of developing ways to move forward from a violent past.After leaving an abusive partner, starting fresh and …

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