The 1978 Urania train derail/robbery

Among goods recovered by Urania Chief of Police Ernest Keene are numerous whiskey barrels, boxes of paper towels and toilet tissue and bags of flour shown above. âWe are asking everyoneâs cooperation in this matter and are asking them to please bring back any items they may have taken from the wreckage,â Keene emphasized.

News

January 18, 2022

(Note: North LaSalle History Tidbit has a guest writer this week.) It was a Saturday night in early December 1978 that my wife, Velda came home to inform me of the train derail in Urania. Velda was the manager at that time for the Urania Store or “Fox Paul Mall.” Shirley Harris had told Velda that they were giving away the damaged goods from the wreck but not to tell everyone.

News, Photo Gallery

TRICKS and TREATS – Halloween Skate Jam

October 29, 2025

The Jena Skatepark Committee hosted the Tricks for Treats Halloween Skate Jam on Saturday, October 25 at the Jena Community Center where kids and adul...

Columns/Opinions

Check Your Hearing & Heart

By: Rev. Randy Ray Sponsored By: JENA PHARMACY Brandon Poole, Pharm D

October 29, 2025

For many years I have suffered from hearing loss. I attribute it to the many years in my early life of running equipment, working at a sawmill and sho...

Columns/Opinions

Letters To The

Letter To The Editor

By Craig Franklin Editor

October 29, 2025

Dear Editor, As Louisiana’s lieutenant governor — and more importantly, a proud Louisianan — I’ve seen firsthand how our state’s unique election syste...

News

Economic Road Show Set for LaSalle

By Craig Franklin Editor

October 29, 2025

LaSalle Parish will be featured as part of an Economic Roadshow next week as Louisiana Central (central Louisiana economic development agency) tours t...

News

Jena Child Burned in Freak Accident

Parents issue warning about keeping electronics out of beds

By Reagan Franklin Knight Assistant Editor

October 29, 2025

Parents issue warning about keeping electronics out of beds Around 5 a.m., Sunday, October 19, Jena residents Chris Johnson and Lauren Morrow woke to ...

News

Halloween Events Planned

Staff Report

October 29, 2025

Various Halloween events will take place this week as the parish uses the time to provide activities along with many “treats” for area children. The t...