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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.

The Winn Parish School Board moved forward with several major financial and infrastructural initiatives during its regular meeting on Monday, March 2. Following recommendations from the February 23 committee meeting, the board focused heavily on bond issuances and long-term visions for district facilities.

A highlight of the meeting was a presentation by Lisa P. Frontaura, Vice President of TBA Studio. Frontaura shared preliminary design ideas for possible additions to Winnfield Middle School. The proposed project aims to expand the middle school’s capacity, potentially allowing students from Winnfield Primary School (WPS) to transition to the middle school campus in the future. While still in the early stages, the move signals the board’s commitment to consolidating resources and modernizing the learning environment.

Progress on Veterans Memorial Coming Soon to Honor Those Who Served

Sheriff Josh McAllister is proud to announce that the Winn Sheriff ’s Department has received a generous grant from the Gary Sinise Foundation for the purchase of six Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).

After deputies and staff completed training on the proper use of these life-saving devices, an AED will be assigned to each patrol shift. Sheriff McAllister noted that since taking office, deputies have performed CPR on individual’s numerous times in response to various medical emergencies. In many cases, deputies are the first to arrive on scene, and having immediate access to an AED can make the difference between life and death.

The 31st Annual Uncle Earl’s Hog Dog Trials will take place March 16th through March 22nd at the Winn Parish Fairgrounds. Established in 1994, the event was named in honor of three-time Louisiana Governor “Uncle” Earl Long. A beloved native of Winn Parish, Long was widely known not just for his politics, but for his life as a dedicated stockman and avid boar hunter. What began as a tribute to his legacy has grown into the “Super Bowl” of hog dog baying, drawing spectators and competitors from across the United States.

The gates will be open daily from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with a $10 entry fee for the public. Beyond the high-stakes action in the arena, the fairgrounds will host vendors offering food, live entertainment, and merchandise. For those looking to take home a piece of history, tshirts for the 31st annual event are currently available for purchase at the Louisiana Political Museum located on Main Street.