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2 weeks 6 days ago
Demolition began Tuesday of the house on Mullberry that has long sat vacant. The site will be used by the Madison Parish Library.
Demolition began March 10 on a building on Mulberry Street next to the Madison Parish Library as part of a project tied to a cooperative endeavor agreement between the City of Tallulah, the Madison Parish Police Jury and the Madison Parish Library.
The agreement calls for the removal of the building and construction of a parking area and outdoor space for the library.
City officials said on Facebook that the project addresses a blighted structure and will provide space for library use.
By Timothy Holdiness - Publisher/Editor on
2 weeks 6 days ago
The Madison Parish Police Jury discussed staffing shortages in the parish maintenance department during its March 9 meeting.
Parish Superintendent Clinton Epps told jurors the department is short about six to eight workers.
Epps said the shortage has affected work including grass cutting, ditch cleaning and other maintenance across the parish.
The department is currently hiring tractor operators, truck drivers and laborers.
By Timothy Holdiness - Publisher/Editor on
2 weeks 6 days ago
At their March 9 meeting, the Madison Parish Police Jury discussed the state litter enforcement program and penalties for violations.
Under the program, a person who is cited may be ordered to perform community service for a first offense. A later offense can carry a fine of up to $500.
Parish President Jane Sanders said residents can report littering by providing the vehicle license plate number to 855-LA-LITTER.
By Timothy Holdiness - Publisher/Editor on
2 weeks 6 days ago
The Madison Parish School Board voted March 9 to authorize the superintendent to explore a contract with STAR Academy.
The authorization follows a Feb. 19 letter from the Louisiana Department of Education and State Superintendent Cade Brumley.
Superintendent Charlie Butler told board members the program would not place a financial burden on the district during the first three years.
He said the district could decide after that period whether to continue the program.
By Timothy Holdiness - Publisher/Editor on
3 weeks ago
The Madison Parish School Board voted March 9 to merge Madison Middle School and Madison High School into one school serving grades six through 12 beginning with the 2026–2027 school year.
The action follows a Feb. 19 letter from the Louisiana Department of Education and State Superintendent Cade Brumley directing the district to merge the schools.
The majority vote took place during a special meeting at the Madison Parish School Board Training Center in Tallulah.
By Timothy Holdiness - Publisher/Editor on
3 weeks 5 days ago
Weekly updates from CSWR show repairs, equipment work and maintenance on the Tallulah water system during January and February 2026.
Staff handled requests and customer work during the period. Disconnections for nonpayment increased during February. Ten disconnects were reported for the week ending Feb. 6, 22 for the week ending Feb. 13 and 30 for the week ending Feb. 27.
By Timothy Holdiness - Publisher/Editor on
3 weeks 6 days ago
Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple is working with a national panel of insurance commissioners to establish
By Sheldon “Trey” Vice III - LSU Manship School News Service on
3 weeks 6 days ago
The Tallulah City Council debated the city’s water system plan, reviewed finances and revoked a previously issued occupational license during its regular meeting Feb. 26 at City Hall.
All council members were present and no public comments were made on the agenda.
The council approved minutes from the Feb. 12 meeting with corrections. Councilman Toriano Wells voted against the minutes pending corrections, while the remaining council members voted in favor.
By Timothy Holdiness - Publisher/Editor on
4 weeks ago
Madison High School defeated Port Allen 58–52 on March 3 in the second round of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Division III nonselect boys basketball playoffs at Madison High School.
No. 2 seed Madison faced No. 15 seed Port Allen. The teams were tied 12–12 at the end of the first quarter. Madison led 26–18 at halftime and 42–33 after the third quarter.
By Timothy Holdiness - Publisher/Editor on
4 weeks 1 day ago
The Greater Mt. Olive Baptist Church downtown, along with several Christian friends from far and wide, came together to witness the installation of a powerful and dynamic Woman of God-Pastor Joyce Williams, and Dea. David Williams, Sr.
It was a beautiful Sunday for such a joyous occasion. The installation speaker was the former undershepherd of Greater Mt. Olive, Pastor D.J. Redden, Sr. And the musical guest was Pleasant Grove No.1 on Bailey Road, under the talented Dea. Marvin King.
By Karl Thomas on
1 month ago
Madison Parish Courthouse. Photo by Timothy Holdiness
A state district judge on Tuesday disqualified Antonio Wilson from running in the May 16, 2026 election for mayor of Tallulah, finding he failed to meet the residency and domicile requirements under Louisiana law.
Judge Angela Claxton of Division A of the Sixth Judicial District Court ruled from the bench Feb. 24 in the civil proceeding Liz Murrill, in her official capacity as Louisiana Attorney General, versus Antonio Wilson and Marion Hopkins, Clerk of Court. The petition sought to remove Wilson from the ballot under La. R.S. 18:492 and La. R.S. 33:384.
By Timothy Holdiness - Publisher/Editor on
1 month ago
Residents who plan to vote in the May 16 election must be registered by April 15, 2026, according to the Louisiana Secretary of State.
Louisiana citizens may register to vote if they are at least 18 years old by Election Day, are U.S. citizens and meet residency requirements. Individuals who are 16 or 17 may pre-register and will be eligible to vote once they turn 18.
By Journal Staff - Madison Journal on
1 month 1 week ago
A man was arrested Feb. 18 after a woman reported that her former boyfriend was stalking her and was outside her residence with a rifle, according to the Madison Parish Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office said it received a call from a woman who stated that her former boyfriend was stalking her and that she believed he was outside her residence with a rifle.
Deputy Smith responded and saw a Black male wearing camouflage clothing jump a fence and run on foot, authorities said. Rodney Mitchell, Black male, date of birth May 26, 1999, was taken into custody.
By Timothy Holdiness - Publisher/Editor on
1 month 1 week ago
An equipment failure at the Tallulah water plant left customers across the city without water pressure Friday and prompted a systemwide boil water advisory.
Magnolia Water reported that one of the plant’s two aerators failed Feb. 20, disrupting operations at the production site and causing low to no water pressure for all customers served by the Tallulah water system, WSID LA1065003. The outage affects the entire 71282 ZIP code.
Crews began repairs on the failed aerator as the outage continued.
Published on
1 month 1 week ago
Louisiana has received a major federal disaster declaration following a severe winter storm that battered the northern part of the state with ice, extreme cold and widespread utility outages in January.
The declaration approves federal assistance for nine parishes – Bienville, DeSoto, East Carroll, Franklin, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas and West Carroll – allowing state and local governments to seek reimbursement for debris removal, emergency response costs and infrastructure repairs.
By Nolan McKendry - The Center Square on
1 month 1 week ago
Dana A. Williams, who grew up in Tallulah, has been nominated for a 2026 NAACP Image Award for her book, “Toni at Random: The Iconic Writer’s Legendary Editorship.”
The book is nominated in the Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/Autobiography category for the 2026 NAACP Image Awards.
By Timothy Holdiness - Publisher/Editor on
1 month 1 week ago
The Madison Parish Police Jury approved multiple items and heard updates on infrastructure and youth programs during its Feb. 9 meeting at the Madison Parish Courthouse. All jurors were present for the meeting.
By Timothy Holdiness - Publisher/Editor on
1 month 1 week ago
The Tallulah City Council approved a contract for a new city attorney, a renovation proposal for the Madison Community Center and a resolution supporting a $50,000 police equipment grant during its Feb. 12 meeting at City Hall.
Councilwoman Carla Turner-Harris was absent due to a family illness. All other members were present.
By Timothy Holdiness - Publisher/Editor on
1 month 1 week ago
A Tallulah man was arrested on a warrant in connection with a shots-fired incident that occurred in October at Brooklyn Heights Apartments, according to Tallulah Police Chief Buster McCoy.
McCoy said that on Oct. 11, 2025, at 12:02 p.m., officers responded to a shots-fired call at Brooklyn Heights Apartments, 701 North Chestnut Street in Tallulah. Officers made contact with the victim, Deontae Washington.
By Timothy Holdiness - Publisher/Editor on
1 month 1 week ago
Wetlands with USDA recently announced a $700 million Regenerative Pilot Program to help American farmers adopt practices that improve soil health, enhance water quality, and boost long-term productivity, all while strengthening America’s food and fiber supply.
Administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), this new Regenerative Pilot Program delivers a streamlined, outcome-based conservation model—empowering producers to plan and implement whole-farm regenerative practices through a single application.
By Madison Parish USDA Service Center on