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Members of the Rotary Club of Winnfield gathered this past Wednesday for their weekly noon meeting to receive a briefing on the upcoming electoral cycle. Guest speaker Bryan Kelley, from the Winn Parish Registrar of Voters office, provided details regarding the mechanics of the Closed Party Primary scheduled for this May.

The roar of chainsaws and the scent of pine are returning to the Winn Parish Fairgrounds on April 24-25. The community will gather for the 48th Annual Louisiana Forest Festival, a celebration of the industry that serves as the leading workforce of North Louisiana. From lumberjack competitions to family-friendly “bubble parties,” this year’s festival promises a blend of saw dust, glamour, and pines.

If the smell of fresh-cut wood doesn’t get you, the aroma of spicy seafood will. The highly anticipated Crawfish Cook-Off, will be “MC” by the popular Camper Cooking with Kennah. For the young ones in the family, the festival grounds will feature: the bubble party tent, face painting. glitter tattoos, and so much more.

The dust has finally settled at the Winn Parish Fairgrounds after a week of high-stakes action and heritage. From March 16th through March 22nd, our hometown became the main attraction for “baying” as we hosted the 31st Annual Uncle Earl’s Hog Dog Trials.

The arena was filled with the sounds of rhythmic baying and the cheers of spectators who traveled from across the country to witness the trials. This wasn’t just a local gathering; it was a national stage for some of the finest canine in the hog baying business.

While the Catahoula Leopard and the Blackmouth Cur were out in full force, the trials saw a wide variety of bay dog breeds. Competitors and families brought their best-trained dogs to put months, and often years, of rigorous training to the ultimate test.

District 2-C All-District honors were announced this week for Winn Parish, with Calvin and Dodson High Schools claiming a share of the accolades. Leading the charge was Calvin’s Stephen Turner, who was named Coach of the Year after a historic 28-3 season that saw his team punch their ticket to the state tournament in Hammond.

The girls’ First Team All-District list was a testament to the depth of talent in the parish. Calvin’s core sophomore Ja’Leigha Hobdy, and juniors Alexa Collins and A’Miya Marshall all earned First Team nods: they were joined by Dodson High School senior Jada Connor.

On the boys’ side, senior leadership took center stage. Dodson Panther senior Jase Shirley and Calvin Cougar senior Zhavion Walker both secured First Team All-District spots.

The crack of the bat and the roar of the crowd returned to the diamonds on March 21st as the Winn Dixie Youth officially kicked off their spring ball season. The Opening Day ceremony brought together players, coaches, and eager fans to celebrate the return of a beloved game.

Winn Warrior Eric Folden took the mound to throw the ceremonial first pitch, a strike delivered to Eli Shields, a player for the Kiwanis team. The pairing was particularly meaningful: the Kiwanis Club is the program’s longest-running sponsor, supporting local youth sports since approximately 1955.

Ranging from ages 4 to 13, the teams are outfitted in jerseys sponsored by local businesses, both small and large. This partnership showcases the unique way the Winnfield community rallies to support its youth while promoting the local economy.

The Chick-fil-A pop-up returned to The Stump on March 18. With fast service and high community interest, these bi-weekly visits are a stepping-stone toward a permanent storefront right here in Winnfield!

The Winn Parish Police Jury met for its regular monthly meeting this past Monday, March 16, at the Courthouse. Sheriff Josh McAllister addressed the Jury, expressing his gratitude for their continuous support in cleaning up the streets of Winn Parish. McAllister highlighted the successful Litter Patrol initiative and the Jury’s financial contributions to the Animal Shelter. Secretary-Treasurer Karen Tyler announced that the upcoming Litter Pick-Up Day is scheduled for Thursday, April 23.

A major forest fire that sparked on Wednesday, March 18th, near J. Creel Road has been successfully contained, thanks to a massive coordinated effort by local agencies and community volunteers. The Winn Parish Sheriff ’s Office (WPSO) issued an immediate evacuation notice for residents living on and around J. Creel Road. Despite the intensity of the “roaring fire,” officials confirmed today that no homes or structures were lost.

Sheriff Josh McAllister expressed deep gratitude for the swift action of the first responders who worked tirelessly to battle the flames. The containment was a multi-agency effort including: WPSO Deputies, Winn Parish Fire District Three, Winnfield Fire Department, Winn Parish Police Jury, LA DOTD, LA State Police, La Department of Ag and Forestry, La Fire Marshalls, all of our neighboring parish and town fire departments and local volunteers that pitched in.

The Calvin High School Lady Cougars’ historic season came to an emotional close on Monday, March 2nd, as they fell 46-39 to the Pleasant Hill Varsity Eagles. Despite the loss, the Lady Cougars showcased the same relentless attitude that has defined their remarkable 28-3 season. From the opening tip-off until the final buzzer, Calvin played with a level of grit that kept the Hammond and Calvin crowd on its feet. While the scoreboard f a v o r e d the Eagles, the Lady Cougars’ individual efforts highlighted a team that refuses to back down: Amiya Marshall was a force on both ends of the court. Marshall anchored defense with 3 blocks and 11 steals, constantly disrupting Pleasant Hill’s rhythm. She also proved clutch at the line, sinking 7-of-10 free throws. Gabby Edwards dominated the glass, pulling down a team-high 11 rebounds. Her efforts led a team rebounding surge that helped the Lady Cougars rack up 43 total rebounds against the Eagles.

On February 9, 2026, Jayce Cambre and a 17year-old juvenile were arrested in Winn Parish for stealing a Tigercat skidder from a logging site in Sikes, Louisiana.

Evidence recovered at the scene led Winn Parish Sheriff ’s Office investigators to a residence located at 893 LA Highway 127. After obtaining a search warrant for the residence, deputies arrested Cambre and the juvenile for the theft.