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A Sanctuary Without a Ceiling: Building a Heart for Winn Parish The room at the Kiwanis lunch fell quiet as Michael Durbin looked across the audience, asking a single question: “How many of you have a father or family member that was a veteran? Almost every hand in the room rose, a sea of shared history and sacrifice. Beside him stood Shannan Chevallier, his partner in a mission that has become the heartbeat of Main Street .

For Durbin, a veteran himself, this project is deeply personal, rooted in a memory from forty years ago when, on his first night at boot camp, as an eighteen-year-old recruit, he cried himself to sleep thinking of his mother. That memory birthed the central vision for the memorial: **a statue of a mother kneeling in prayer, clutching the American flag**, surrounded by five soldiers representing each branch of service. A sixth soldier will stand alone in a corner, honoring the “fallen soldiers, men and women that did not get to come home”.

Firefighters from Winn Parish Fire District 3 (WPFD 3) took their training to the next level on April 13th, braving the intense heat of a specialized Flashover Simulator. The training, provided by the Louisiana Fire and Emergency Training Academy (FETP), offered local responders a firsthand look in structural firefighting.

The Flashover prop is a mobile laboratory of fire behavior. By manipulating fuel loads and ventilation, instructors can create a controlled environment where firefighters witness the transition from a growing fire to a flashover, the ignition of every combustible surface in a room. The simulator allows firefighters to see how oxygen flow impacts fire growth. Beyond fire science, the exercise focuses on psychological composure, teaching responders to remain calm and tactical under extreme thermal stress.

The local Rotary Club received a dose of “The Happiest Place on Earth” during its weekly meeting this past Wednesday where Thomas Little, shared insights from a recent leadership retreat at Disney World in Florida. Little was part of a group of 16 Nursing Home Administrators sent by Central Management to attend Disney’s Approach to Leadership Excellence. The three-day program is designed to show how personal principles shape professional leadership and how to set a standard for others to follow. During the session, Thomas and his fellow administrators explored the core strategies used by The Walt Disney Company. Beyond the technical strategies of management, Thomas emphasized the human element that sets Disney apart. He noted that while every team member was dressed, whether in a specific “costume” for a themed area or a professional uniform, the attire wasn’t the focal point. “The most important thing the employees were wearing was a smile,” Little told the club.

On April 20th, the Winnfield Middle School campus transformed into a training ground for safety and emergency preparedness. Winn 4-H hosted the CRM ATV Safety Training course, an intensive program designed to provide students in grades 5-12 with the essential skills needed to navigate the risks of off-road riding.

The ATV course went beyond basic riding mechanics, offering a approach to safety that included: First Aid Training & CPR , “Stop The Bleed”, and ATV Safety Certification.

The necessity of such programs is proven by national data. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), between 2018 and 2020, there were 2,448 deaths in the United States associated with Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs). The statistics reveal a particularly high risk for younger riders and ATV users: ATVs accounted for more than two-thirds of all OHV-related fatalities and nearly 300 deaths involved children under the age of 16.

The 48th Annual Louisiana Forest Festival is set to take over the Winn Parish Fairgrounds on April 24–25, celebrating the industry that serves as the backbone of North Louisiana’s workforce. From high-stakes lumberjack competitions to family-friendly “bubble parties,” this year’s event promises a perfect blend of sawdust, glamour, and pines.

The festivities begin on Friday, April 24th, with the “Sawdust Social” from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Vibewinner Productions will provide the soundtrack for the evening, keeping the energy high with music all night long. It is a true family affair, featuring: Kids Zone attraction, a mechanical bull, and Face painting for the little ones.

The action kicks into high gear early on Saturday, April 25: 7:00 a.m. – The Race For Chase 5K begins at the Fairground Livestock Barn.

8:00 a.m. – Opening ceremonies lead directly into the 4-H Woodsman Skills, Loader Competition, Truck Rodeo, and a roaring Truck Show.

Winn Parish healthcare changed forever this past Monday, April 13th, as the Winn Community Health Center (WCHC) officially opened the doors to its state-of-the-art, 52,000-square-foot facility. The ceremony was a sea of blue as employees, community leaders, and local citizens gathered side-by-side to celebrate an expansion that promises not only enhanced affordable healthcare, but a significant economic boost for Winn Parish.

The journey to this facility began in July 2009 in a modest medical office located behind the old Sonic. Since then, WCHC has evolved into a powerhouse network under Trinity Community Health Centers of Louisiana, which now employs over 500 people across nine facilities statewide.

The City Council was called to order for its regular meeting at the Allen Building this past Tuesday, April 14.

First on the agenda was City Engineer Henry Shuler, who provided insight into future renovations to the ozone plant for much-needed wastewater improvements. The project will be funded by a $2,000,000 loan from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). Shuler stated, “This deal isn’t going to fix everything, but it’s a step in the right direction… with the sewer side being the most critical issue.”

Effective immediately, a burn ban is now in place for Winn Parish by Winn Parish Fire District 3.

Due to current conditions, all outdoor burning is strictly prohibited until further notice. This measure is necessary to help prevent wildfires and protect lives, property, and emergency responders.

Please comply with this ban and report any violations or signs of fire to local authorities.

Stay safe and help keep our community protected.

We would like to inform our valued customers that the City implemented a new utility billing software system in January. While this conversion was necessary to improve our services long-term, it has unfortunately resulted in some unexpected system issues.

These issues have caused: Delays in utility billing Intermittent problems with the online payment portal Longer wait times and delays in assisting customers in the office Please know that we have been actively working to correct these challenges. Multiple steps have already been taken, and we continue to work diligently with our software providers to fully resolve all issues as quickly as possible.

At this time, our staff is carefully reviewing customer accounts on a daily basis to ensure accuracy and to address any discrepancies. We are committed to making sure each account is handled properly and fairly.

Louisiana is a place like no other, but it takes all of us to keep it that way. This year, for Love The Boot Week, we are rolling up our sleeves to ensure our hometown stays clean, green, and beautiful. Join George Moss and his crewfor a community cleanup day at Earl K. Long Park.

The event will take place on Saturday, April 18th, from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. We encourage everyone to be a part of the change by bringing along a sturdy pair of gloves and a friend to help out. It’s a great way to give back to the community while enjoying the fresh air with your neighbors.

Hot dogs and chips will be served to all volunteers during the event. Let’s show our state pride and keep Louisiana beautiful, starting right here at home. We can’t wait to see you there!