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Winn Parish Juniors were honored with the Honesty and Integrity Awards on October 13th, acknowledging their outstanding contributions to their high school community. The Eastern Star Lodge #151 hosted a celebratory dinner, for the eight awardees and their families. The recognized students were Joe Lewis, Macey Anderson, Logan Adams, Brady Fallis, Asa Walker, Alora Marker, Finlay McManus, and Kirsten Phelps. Most Worshipful Brother Woody Bilyeu, Past Grand Master delivered a compelling address emphasizing the core values of honesty and integrity in Masonic tradition. Eastern Star Lodge Worshipful Master Charles Carroll congratulated the students on their impressive achievements, earning them this prestigious recognition.

Monday night, October 13th, the Kiwanis club of Winnfield held its Installation Banquet for the 2025-2026 year at Mama’s Iron Skillet. After the delicious meal out-going President Rita James made a few remarks and gave out some awards for members who went above and beyond. Those members included Miranda and Chet Atkins, Dr. Bill Gaddis, Lamar Tarver, Steve Bates, Margaret Coon and Jim Nicol. She presented the Spirit of Kiwanis award to Troy Rogers and Ethel Howell received Kiwanian of the Year.

Dr. Bill Gaddis presented Rita James a plaque commemorating her year of service 20242025.

Lt. Governor of Division 11, Danield Wilburn, then installed the officers for 2025-26. He began with Dr. Bill Gaddis as Secretary-Treasurer, Troy Rogers as Vice-President, Ethel Howell as President-Elect, Rita James as Past President and Mary Lou Blackley as President.

There are several verses in the Bible about lightning, and I know two ministers who personally attest that they have had visions, in which they saw lightning coming from the Master Jesus’s fingers, going to different parts of the world. HALLELUJAH!

Lightning is a powerful thing, but how much more the lightning of the Word of our God, Who is the living and only God--the LORD of Heaven and earth!

Crafting at Sikes Branch Library

The Winn Chamber of Commerce and Tourism is hosting their 2nd Annual Community Backbones Skeleton Contest. The contest began Oct 1 and will run through Oct 25. Every vote will count toward bragging rights. Businesses are participating by decorating using skeletons. All participants should send their picture and the name of your skeletons to winnparishchamber@ gmail.com.

Winnfield, LA – The facility located deep in the piney woods of Winn Parish—now known as the Winn Correctional Center and currently housing about 1,400 ICE detainees—was the topic of discussion Tuesday, September 30th, as Sheriff Josh McAllister and LaSalle Corrections Warden Eleazar Garcia Jr. addressed the Winnfield Kiwanis Club. The two leaders spoke on their long-standing partnership and the facility’s operations.

Warden Garcia brings a wealth of experience to the facility, having retired from the Federal Bureau of Prisons. He also worked at the Pollock Federal Prison north of Alexandria. While living in Central Louisiana, he met his wife, making the area his home.

(StatePoint) Among the many implications of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” signed into law this past July 4, are cuts to health and nutrition benefits for millions of Americans, which could have significant negative implications for babies and children, according to the National Collaborative for Infants & Toddlers (NCIT).

“This far-reaching legislation will have effects on every aspect of American society — from schools to businesses to hospitals to food pantries,” says Sadaf Knight, CEO, Florida Policy Institute. “Most babies born this year will lose thousands of dollars over their lifetimes due to these combined factors, and the impact will grow for future generations.”

Kiwanis August 2025 Terrific Kids