The Gazette

07/25/2025

The Union Voters League held its 38th annual banquet at the Willie Davis Recreation Center on July 24, 2025.

07/24/2025

Running back transfers amid legal issues

Former LSU running back Trey Holly has enrolled at Southern as a walk-on, a team spokesperson confirmed Tuesday night.
Holly participated in the Jaguars’ first preseason football practice Tuesday night, according to WVLA-TV. Southern coach Terrence Graves told reporters that Holly is eligible to play.
Holly, a redshirt sophomore, had been suspended by LSU for more than a year after he was allegedly involved in a February 2024 shooting in his hometown of Farmerville. One woman and one man were injured by gunshot wounds, officials said at the time. Holly has been awaiting trial on one felony count of illegal use of a weapon or dangerous instrumentality. His attorney, Mike Small, said Holly would plead not guilty. Holly claimed his innocence in a social media post after the shooting. “I have been falsely identified,
accused, and arrested,” Holly wrote at the time. “I am 100% innocent and the people that know me know this is not my character at all. I was not involved in the incident at all.”
The Union Parish Sheriff’s Office, which conducted the investigation, determined three people fired multiple rounds. It
said the shooting stemmed from earlier altercations at a nearby
apartment complex.
After the shooting, Holly was arrested and booked on three felony charges. He originally faced one count of attempted second-degree murder and one count of aggravated criminal damage to property, but those charges were rejected by a grand jury.
Holly’s trial was supposed to begin July 7, Small said, but it was postponed because the air conditioning went out in the Union Parish courthouse. Small said he hopes a trial date will be selected at their next court appearance Aug. 28.
Southern begins its season Aug. 23 against North Carolina Central in Atlanta. The Jaguars have six other running backs listed on their roster. They have to replace leading rushers Kobe Dillon, who transferred to Incarnate Ward, and Kendric Rhymes.
Holly was still listed on LSU’s online roster Tuesday night. He
was one of five running backs on the team heading into the season
along with sophomore Caden Durham, junior Kaleb Jackson, and freshmen Harlem Berry and JT Lindsey.
At Union Parish High, Holly set a Louisiana high school
record with 10,523 career yards rushing. After signing as a fourstar
recruit, he rushed 11 times for 110 yards and one touchdown as a freshman. He did not play his sophomore year because of the suspension.
With his legal status still in question, Holly was not expected to return to practice at LSU. The Tigers open preseason camp next
week before their first game Aug. 30 at Clemson.

07/21/2025

Winners from Sunday night's pageant for the 2025 Louisiana Watermelon Festival

07/16/2025

FATHER DEAD AND SON ARRESTED FOLLOWING
DEADLY HATCHET ATTACK
Bernice, LA — On Saturday, July 12, 2025, deputies with the
Union Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported stabbing at
the Bernice Villa Apartments, located at 115 W. 4th Street. Upon
arrival, they discovered a man deceased inside the apartment. UPSO Criminal Investigations Division (CID) responded and
began an investigation. Investigators determined the victim, 71-year-old Delmer Watt Sr., of Bernice, was likely deceased several
hours before UPSO was contacted.
The investigation identified the victim’s son, 36-year-old Delmer
Watt Jr., as the suspect. Watt Jr. was still on scene and taken into
custody without incident. CID investigators recovered a hatchet
believed to be the weapon used, along with other evidence linking
Watt Jr. to the crime. Watt Jr. was reported to have a history
of conflict with his father and appeared to be impaired during
questioning.
Watt Jr. was booked into the Union Parish Detention Center
on a charge of First-Degree Murder. This incident remains under
investigation.

07/16/2025

UPPJ Courthouse UPDATE:
The UPPJ Courthouse Committee met on July 15, 2025, and opened bids for labor, plumbing and mechanical to replace/repair the air-conditioning system in the existing courthouse. Later that afternoon the full jury approved the low bid from Mechanical Services & Systems, LLC from West Monroe, 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 amount
of $1,060,000.00.
The Gazette attended the bid opening and asked when the start work date and finish work date would 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 Hutto responded to the effect that while discussions were being had, there was no information he could
release on that subject at that time.

07/12/2025

Union General Hospital celebrated the grand opening of its new Rural Health Clinic with a ribbon cutting ceremony this week.

07/09/2025

134th Continental Congress D.A.R. in D.C.

WASHINGTON, DC - More than 4,000 members of the Daughters of the American Revolution convened this week in the nation’s capital for the 134th Continental Congress, the latest gathering of the longstanding service organization’s annual meeting. The week-long convention consisted of business sessions, committee meetings, and social functions, and was topped off with formal evening ceremonies at which national DAR award recipients were honored. In attendance were Vice President General Charlotte White and State Chaplain Amy Linder, Oakley Chapter; State Registrar Cyndy
Hardaker, Regina Wood, and Chapter Regent Janice Nelson, Fort Miro Chapter; Dorothy Donald and Chapter Regent Melissa Johnson, D’Arbonne Chapter; and Kate McClendon, Katie Collins, Bonnie Collins and Ainsley Collins, Chief Tusquahoma Chapter, of the NELA District.
While at Congress, these Louisiana members attended the Business Session and Installation Ceremony to witness Katherine “Katie” Collins, daughter of Coach Pat Collins and Bonnie Slemons Collins, sister of Coach Mike Collins and wife Terri and Cherie Collins Wilbanks, receive her sash as the 48th Louisiana State Regent, Daughters of the American Revolution. “Louisiana is Better Together, Sisters in Service,” said Collins.
“Continental Congress is a time-honored tradition and opportunity for our members to come together to share ideas and celebrate our country’s rich history. This year is particularly exciting as we prepare for our nation’s 250th anniversary,” said Pamela Wright, President General. “Service to our country is at the heart of everything DAR does, and it is always inspiring to welcome more than 4,000 Daughters here at our historic headquarters in Washington, DC. Working together, we are dedicated to advancing historic preservation, education, and patriotism for generations to come.”
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism. Its members are descended from the Patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War.

07/09/2025

Union General Rural Health Clinic Opening

Union General Hospital hosted a celebratory Ribbon Cutting and Open House on Tuesday afternoon to mark the official opening of the new Union General Rural Health Clinic, located at 1025 Marion Highway in Farmerville. The event brought together community leaders, healthcare advocates, local residents, and staff members for a meaningful ceremony that underscored the importance of
access to quality rural healthcare.
The program, hosted in collaboration with the Union Parish Chamber of Commerce, began at 4:00 PM with a warm welcome and introductions, followed by an invocation, remarks from local and state dignitaries, and a ceremonial ribbon cutting.
Dianne Davidson, CEO of Union General Hospital, offered heartfelt remarks celebrating the significance of the new clinic and those who made the project possible. “This clinic represents more than a new building. It reflects our ongoing mission to provide high quality, accessible healthcare right here in Union Parish, close to home, where it matters most,” Davidson shared during her speech.
She took a moment to recognize Evalyn Ormond, the former Union General CEO, who began the original clinic in 2001 and led with vision and love for the community. “Evalyn’s legacy is part of the very foundation we build on today,” Davidson said.
Chip Layton, Deputy Chief of Staff for Speaker Mike Johnson (LA-04), attended the ceremony on behalf of the Speaker and presented an official recognition to commemorate the opening of the new clinic, underscoring federal-level support for rural healthcare initiatives in North Louisiana.
The community was also honored with remarks from Mayor John Crow, Mayor of Farmerville, who spoke with pride about the partnership between the town and Union General Hospital and the impact of the new clinic on residents’ well-being.
Special recognition was also extended to:
• Senator Stewart Cathey and State Representative Chris Turner for their continued advocacy for rural healthcare
• USDA, with heartfelt appreciation to Katina Spencer and Matthew Seaton for their guidance and support
• Livingwell Foundation, and President & CEO Alice Prophit, for generous grant funding and continued support of mental health initiatives
• Union Parish Hospital Service District and the taxpayers of Union Parish for investing in the future of healthcare
• Mayor John Crow for his unwavering support of Union General Hospital
• Union Parish Chamber of Commerce for hosting the event
• Union General Hospital Board of Directors for their leadership and dedication
• The Clinic’s staff and Maintenance Department for their efforts in ensuring a smooth transition and successful setup
• Union General Administration staff, especially Claudia Wade, for grant management
Following the ceremony, guests toured the new facility, enjoyed refreshments, and had the opportunity to meet clinic providers and staff. The clinic will offer comprehensive primary care services for all ages and will play a pivotal role in the expansion of mental health
services in the region—made possible by recent funding from the Livingwell Foundation.
As Davidson concluded, “This clinic is more than bricks and mortar. It is a commitment to providing care, comfort, and hope to everyone who walks through its doors.”
Union General Hospital continues to expand its footprint in serving Union Parish with excellence, compassion, and a deep commitment to rural healthcare.

07/09/2025

UPPJ flunks courthouse legal obligations

The Union Parish Police Jury “UPPJ” is required by law to provide and bear the expense for a suitable building and requisite furniture for District and Circuit Courts. R.S. 33:4713(A). The Parish is responsible for security provided in the courthouse; however, judges are authorized to implement rules of decorum and conduct within their courtroom and judicial offices. The Parish shall also provide a good and sufficient courthouse, with rooms for jurors.
R.S. 33:4715. (1)
In its current condition, the courthouse is unfit for public use, primarily due to its non-functioning air-conditioning system. The courthouse was built more than 60 years ago from concrete, cinderblock and non-insulated glass windows. With the exception of the 911 office and the clerk of courts office on the first floor, both of which have installed a separate air conditioning system from the rest of the building, the courthouse is a sweltering heat box with temperatures reaching into the high 90’s in the courtroom. Combine that with high humidity and it becomes difficult for a normal person to breath. The second floor contains two courtrooms, three judges’ chambers and the entire Union Parish based District Attorney’s staff.
Sources reveal that the judges have made numerous attempts to have the UPPJ meet its legal obligation to at least address the air-conditioning system, to practically no avail. As recent as last
November, temperatures made it difficult and unhealthy for many to try to function in the court rooms. The accompanying picture was taken on November 3, 2024, and depicts the UPPJ’s anemic attempt to circulate air in the main courtroom, yet the heat remained in the high 80’s.
This condition has existed for years and the UPPJ has ignored it insofar as using its general fund to remedy the problem. As recently as last month, the judges requested that the freon be re-charged in the existing system, pending a permanent fix, and
the UPPJ refused that request, according to UPPJ President Glen Hutto who stated it would just be a waste of money. This resulted in the postponement of the Trey Holly trial which had been scheduled to start on Monday of this week, leaving his academic and athletic status in limbo for more months. Holly has consistently maintained his innocence and requested a quick trial date to clear his name.
UPPJ continues to flounder on the courthouse issue requiring the court personnel to scavenge for alternate sites, such as the UPPJ Annex building, and UPDC visitor room.
Hutto stated that $850,000 had been requested in bonded revenue to revamp the air conditioning system but the status of that request is unclear at this time.
An additional issue at the courthouse is the complete absence of security. In practically every other courthouse in the state, entry requires passing security and a metal detector and bag screener. This is to prevent people from bringing weapons into the courthouse and is for protection of the court, the public servants working in the court the parish government and the public in general. It doesn’t take a deep thinker to realize that some of the most dangerous people end up in court and they are accompanied by people who are sympathetic to them. It is a matter of time before the absence of security at the courthouse could result in real tragedy. Yet UPPJ ignores its legally mandated responsibility to provide security to that facility.
To be fair, some members of the UPPJ have no control over these problems because the jury seems to be divided more than ever. It seems Jurors Hutto, Bridges, Holly, Pilgreen and Wade are the five jurors of the nine who usually are of one mind and who actually run the parish government. They could correct these problems, but if past is prologue, that will not happen.

(1) See: h t t p s ://app.l l a . l a .gov/ l l a l a .nsf/883963BA21F0AF2A86258591005557F0/$ FILE/Parish Obligations to Fund Other Public Officials.pdf

07/07/2025

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07/06/2025

The Union Parish Chamber of Commerce held its annual fireworks show over Lake D'Arbonne on Saturday night.

07/04/2025