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We are thrilled to announce that the Winnfield Fire Department has officially achieved a Class 2 Fire Protection Rating!

This outstanding accomplishment reflects the hard work, dedication, and professionalism of our firefighters, support staff, and community partners. Through improvements in equipment, training, response capabilities, and community safety efforts, we have reached one of the top fire protection ratings available. A Class 2 rating signifies excellent fire protection services and can help support lower insurance costs for residents and businesses within our response area.

Thank you to everyone who supported us on this journey — from local water services to each firefighter who answered the call day in and day out. We are proud to serve and protect our community

Interim CEO for Winn Parish Medical Center spoke to the Kiwanis Club, Tuesday, January 13th. She was accompanied by the CFO Judy LaCroix who had been at the hospital for 2 years. Mrs. Files has been employed by the hospital for 26 years beginning in administration, then in human resources and marketing. In her time at WPMC she has seen a lot of changes and CEOs. She was excited to step into the Interim CEO position although she is still doing human resources and training someone to do payroll.

The big news at the hospital is that they have signed an affiliation with Oschner Health to work on initiatives and to improve healthcare in Winn Parish. It will bring in more services and better access to care in our rural area. It also offers opportunities in recruitment and a system update. The system update offers telehealth visits and telestroke which is beneficial for a person is having a stroke to have access to specialized care.

The Rotary Club held its weekly meeting at Mama’s Iron Skillet, where Rotarian of the Day, Ted Wold, introduced the guest speaker, Eleazar Garcia, Warden of Winn Correctional Center. Garcia is a retiree of the Federal Bureau of Prisons with over 30 years of experience in the corrections field and a veteran. Managing the ICE detention facility on Gum Springs Road is a collaborative effort. Warden Garcia operates with a team that includes Sheriff Josh McAllister and Chase Team, LaSalle Corrections Chief Executive of Operations Jay Eason, and Director of Operations Indy Ramos. Sheriff McAllister spoke highly of the Warden’s leadership during the meeting. “Not only does he have the respect of employees at Winn Correctional, but he has the respect of the detainees,” McAllister said. “He has been a great partner, along with LaSalle Correctional.” Warden Garcia informed the Club that the facility currently has a maximum capacity of 1,763 detainees.

The Winn Veterans Memorial Association (WVMA) has announced that its future memorial will be located by City Hall on East Main Street. Funded through the combined support of the community, local veterans, and generous donors, the site is designed to be a “place of peace to honor all who served.”

Once completed, the WVMA will offer maintained gardens and memorials. Not only serving as a monument, the site will serve as a community hub where veterans and their families can access various support services and attend special gatherings and ceremonies.

Mayor Gerald Hamms opened the City Council meeting by presenting the “Hammy Award” to Kenneth “Mike” Smith Sr. Hamms praised Smith for his “unwavering support, strong leadership, and exceptional contributions to helping many grow and succeed,” noting that Smith has helped “create a more positive and impactful environment for the City of Winnfield.” Mike Smith, a lifelong resident and businessman of Winn Parish, served as the State Senator for District 31 from 1996 to 2008. Smith thanked the council and community for the honor of the Hammy Award, attributing his many years of business success to his mother, Marjorie “Margie” McLemore Smith. He shared that he grew up surrounded by the values of community and hard work while watching his mother run her in-home beauty salon. She later expanded the business to include a dress shop before eventually partnering with her husband, P.K. Smith, to purchase the Huey P.

The Winn Parish Fire District 3 is proud to host a SKYWARN class through the National Weather Service out of Shreveport. The class will be held on February 9, 2026 at 6pm. This class is free and open to the public to attend! At the conclusion of the class you WILL receive a certificate as a certified SKYWARN storm spotter that is valid for two (2) years. So whether you are a first responder, storm enthusiast, or just wanting to better understand storms and severe weather, come out and enjoy the evening with us. We would love to see you all there!

Winn Council on Aging was established to render services to persons in Winn Parish ages 60 and older. Winn Council on Aging is hosting a membership drive for anyone 18 or older. The drive will open January 21, 2025, and will remain open until February 4, 2025. The Annual Membership Meeting will be held February 18, 2025, at 5:30pm at Winn Council on Aging 200 N. Church St. Winnfield, LA 71483. To join or request a form, please call 318-628-2186.

Governor Landry has signed a proclamation officially declaring January as Human Trafficking Prevention Month in Louisiana, joining the national observance to bring awareness to the fight against human trafficking. This declaration underscores the state’s commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals, supporting survivors, and preventing human trafficking in all forms.

View proclamation here. In recognition of National Wear Blue Day, also known as Human Trafficking Awareness Day on Sunday, January 11, all Louisianans are encouraged to wear blue to raise awareness about human trafficking prevention. Additionally, the staff of the Governor’s Office will wear blue on Monday, January 12, as part of the ongoing effort to highlight this important issue. On the same day, the Louisiana State Capitol and the Governor’s Mansion will shine in blue as a sign of the state’s dedication to this cause.

Per Winn Parish Ordinance 003 of 2006, a BURN BAN will be implemented for all of Winn Parish effective today at 12:00 NOON.

This burn ban is being issued due to dry conditions, high winds, and mid-range humidity, which create an increased risk for wildfires.

All outside burning is prohibited This burn ban will remain in effect until further notice We appreciate the public’s cooperation in helping keep our community safe.

Chief Dustin Parker Winn Parish Fire District #3

Parker Retires From Winn Parish Medical Center