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Winn Parish is a land defined by its roots. Named after Walter O. Winn, the representative who fought for its establishment, this parish is a big part of Louisiana’s political and natural history. Home of the Louisiana Forest Festival, the birthplace of three state governors, historic Drake’s Salt Works, and the towering pines that fuel the local economy, Winn Parish has much to be proud of.

However, a new and troubling narrative is emerging alongside this proud history. Recent data from Accredited Drug Testing reveals that approximately 10% of adults in Winnfield and Winn Parish reported illicit drug use in the past month, while the area has seen a 15% increase in opioid overdoses over the past year. With drugrelated arrests up 20% in the last two years and 40% of teen treatment admissions attributed to cannabis use, it is clear that substance abuse is becoming a heavy burden for local families.

Donkey Basketball brought together families from Dodson and the surrounding areas for a night of entertainment where the donkeys clearly held the home-court advantage. Laughter echoed through the Dodson High School gym on February 7th as riders faced off against their four-legged opponents. All proceeds from Saturday’s Donkey Basketball event benefited the Dodson FFA chapter. Despite the inevitable bruises and backaches for the riders, the community turnout ensured a successful fundraiser for the students.

Ethel Lucille McDavid turned 100 years old, marking a milestone that few are blessed to reach. Born February 15, 1926, Mrs. McDavid has spent a lifetime witnessing history unfold, from the Great Depression and World War II to the modern age of smartphones and social media. Through it all, family members say she has remained a steady example of strength, faith, and unconditional love.

The Rotary Club held its weekly meeting this Wednesday at Mama’s Iron Skillet, where member Kiah Beville invited guest speaker Deano Thornton. Thornton, the former mayor of Winnfield, now serves as the CEO of Trinity Community Health Centers of Louisiana. What began in July 2009 as a modest medical office located behind the old Sonic has since expanded into a network of nine health clinics, with plans for further growth across Louisiana.

The Krewe of Kingfish invites you to a unique Mardi Gras celebration on Saturday, February 14. This isn’t your typical parade, Krewe of Kingfish wants YOU to be part of the action! The Krewe are welcoming golf carts, side-by-sides (with or without trailers), marchers, and kids on dirt bikes or battery-operated rides. Entry is completely free! Lineup begins at 10:00 AM at Hometown Farm Supply (formerly Town & Country) with the parade rolling at 11:00 AM. Please note: A licensed driver must operate all golf carts. Come throw beads, trinkets, and candy, then stay for the festival immediately following the route. To enter, contact a Krewe member or apply online at https://forms.gle/FjQtW9LAgxFEHxmg8.

The Winn Parish School Board met Monday, February 2, to adopt a budget resolution addendum for the 2025–26 school year. This resolution authorizes Winn Parish Superintendent of Schools Troy A. Bell to sign for and receive grants from all state and federal entities. One of the primary grants is the USDA Rural Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant. The DLT program is designed for rural areas with populations of 20,000 or fewer; as of the 2020 U.S. Census, the population of Winn Parish was 13,755. DLT grant funds, which range from $50,000 to $1 million, can be used to purchase or support: audio, video, and interactive video equipment, broadband facilities used for distance learning or telemedicine (up to a specific percentage), computer hardware, network components, and software, instructional programming, and technical assistance and instruction for using the equipment.

Big news from the Winnfield Fire Department. We are thrilled to announce that the Winnfield Fire Department has officially achieved a Class 2 Fire Protection Rating that will go into effect March 4, 2026.

Fire Departments across Louisiana are graded through a point system on a scale from One to Ten. The best a department can receive is a class one (1). Large cities such as Shreveport, Monroe, and New Orleans are just a few of the departments who are a class 1.

For many years the Winnfield Fire Department has maintained a Class 3 Fire rating but several years ago promoted the goal of reaching a class 2.

Fire ratings consist of water distribution systems, hydrant flows and inspection, Dispatch telecommunication training and performance along with Fire Department Training certifications, response deployments, Public fire safety education, Equipment, Personnel staffing, and a host of other factors.

The Krewe of Kingfish invites you to a unique Mardi Gras celebration on Saturday, February 14. This isn’t your typical parade, Krewe of Kingfish wants YOU to be part of the action! The Krewe are welcoming golf carts, side-by-sides (with or without trailers), marchers, and kids on dirt bikes or battery-operated rides. Entry is completely free! Lineup begins at 10:00 AM at Town & Country, with the parade rolling at 11:00 AM. Please note: A licensed driver must operate all golf carts. Come throw beads, trinkets, and candy, then stay for the festival immediately following the route. To enter, contact a Krewe member or apply online at https://forms.gle/FjQtW9LAgxFEHxmg8.

While most of us seek the safety of four walls during a storm, linemen are heading straight into it. Working around the clock in severe conditions to ensure our community remains safe and powered, these crews face high-risk environments where one wrong move can be catastrophic. These men and women willingly leave behind their own families, and often their own dark, unpowered homes, to prioritize the needs of the public. 24-year-old Entergy lineman Hunter Alexander serves as a living testimony to the dangers faced on the front lines. While working to repair lines damaged by the recent ice storm near Jonesboro, Louisiana Alexander sustained severe, lifealtering injuries. He has already undergone an emergency fasciotomy to restore blood flow to his arms, and he faces a long road of additional surgeries and recovery ahead. His story is a reminder that the electricity we often take for granted comes at a high personal cost for those tasked with maintaining it.

Dodson High School is set to host an evening of unconventional athleticism and community fun as Donkey Basketball returns on Saturday, February 7, at 7:00 PM in the Dodson High School New Gym, with all proceeds benefiting the Dodson FFA chapter. The competition promises a night of laughter as local teachers, students, and community members attempt to navigate the basketball court while mounted on donkeys. In addition to the main event, the evening will feature a special intermission for children aged 12 and under, which are invited to the court for free donkey rides during the break. This family-friendly event serves as a fundraiser to support the education and leadership initiatives of FFA, an organization dedicated to preparing the next generation for careers in agriculture.