fgazette.com Community news site for Union Parish Louisiana

Sallie HollisSallie Rose Hollis is a native of Rocky Branch and retired Journalism Professer from Louisiana Tech University. Contact her at sallierose@mail.com. The recent Olympics have set me thinking again about my potential competitive eating skills. Basically, I eat like a dog. Have you seen those Facebook reels where a dog totally wolfs down food in a nano second, without …

In loving memory of a man whose presence was a beacon of strength and wisdom, Thomas Larkin Bayles peacefully departed this earthly realm on August 12, 2024. He was born in the serene town of Farmerville, LA, one of 7 siblings, on August 3, 1933, to Gertie Williamson Bayles and Thomas Jefferson Bayles. Thomas was a devoted husband to Louise …

Dr. Richard Ingram Ballard was born on February 19, 1957 to Ingram Ramsey Ballard and Catherine Canterberry of Farmerville, La. He passed away on Saturday, August 17, 2024 with his loving wife by his side. Dr. Ballard was a graduate of Farmerville High School and attended Northeast Louisiana University for his undergraduate degree on a track and field scholarship. He …

The author of this letter has requested to remain anonymousIf you have a story you would like to share, contact editor@fgazette.com The article about the town of Farmerville’s sewage system caught my notice. This is & has been a serious health issue for individuals recreating in the Eagle Point (& surrounding) area. Case in point… about 18 years ago, my …

Congratulations to Vickie Wheelis, Ed. D. The Board of Directors of Union Museum of History and Art-Discovery Place is pleased to announce that Vickie Wheelis, Ed.D., will serve as the first-ever director of the museum beginning September 3. “We are delighted that Dr. Wheelis will become our director and use her considerable leadership skills to guide the museum in achieving …

The following article is the first half of a historical piece written by Jacyln Tripp and Dr. Gary Joiner about the history of Willie Rainach, a conservative, segregationaliist politician from Claiborne Parish. When recording Civil Rights history, historians and journalists often focus on those who fought for civil rights. And the stories of civil rights heroes are crucially important to our heritage …

The mayor and council members voted August 12, 2024, to increase taxes without further voter approval and adopted increased reassessments resulting in increased taxes to town property owners. The estimated amount of tax revenues to be collected in the next year from the increased millage is $285,271.12 and the amount of increase in taxes attributable to the millage increase is …

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. Fortunately for us humanoids, we come equipped with a variety of things that help us navigate the world, especially when you like to hunt and fish. It’s our senses; those inborn things that give …

Linda Bridges, 61, of Linville, Louisiana passed away on August 9 in the Crossroads Community.  A visitation will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Kilpatrick Funeral Home in Farmerville, Louisiana. Preceding her in death were her spouse, Luther Douglas Platt, parents, Andrew Jackson Bridges, Jr. and Lucille Freeberg Bridges and a sister …

Thomas FieldsThomas “Tuffy” Fields is an author and regular contributor to The Gazette. He can be reached by email at thelouisianaexplorer@yahoo.com. Most people that have been raised in Louisiana have to some extent been exposed to the Long’s family and their political legacy on the state and the nation. What is interesting to note is that the tentacles of this …