News

The Grant Parish Sheriff ’s Office investigated a shooting in the Packton community, resulting in the arrest of two people.

The shooting stemmed from an argument, leading to Nathaniel McAllister shooting a man, twice. After shooting the man, McAllister took the man’s vehicle.

The victim was taken to a hospital for treatment and the injuries are not life threatening.

Nathaniel McAllister, 23 years old, of Winnfield, was arrested for Attempted Second Degree Murder and Carjacking.

Sarah Heath, 37 years old, of Winnfield, was arrested for Accessory After the Fact and Issuing Worthless Checks.

Sunday night, December 29th, Laurel Heights Baptist Church honored Bro. Jimmy Yocum for his 90th birthday (December 31st) and his retirement as our interim with Fifth Sunday singing and a birthday party. The singing included songs by Mary Lou Blackley, Gary Busby and Margaret Coon from Laurel Heights. Bro. Jimmy and Miss Florence also sang “It Is Finished” with daughter Tammy Bumgardner playing the piano. Their daughters Beverly Taylor and Tammy Bumgardner are both talented musicians and they also sang and then Tammy played a song on the autoharp with Beverly accompanying her. There was also congregational singing. Bro. Craig James, the Director of Missions for the North Central Baptist Association, spoke a few words from Matthew 25 about the good and faithful servant. Bro. Jimmy has been and will continue to be a good and faithful servant. He has been preaching for over 60 years.

Milestone anniversary to be commemorated with $75,000 fundraising campaign

In 2025, CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini celebrates 75 years of extending the healing ministry of Jesus Christ across the Central Louisiana community. To commemorate this milestone anniversary, the CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Foundation aims to raise $75,000 in 75 days, honoring 75 years of dedicated service to Cenla.

“We invite everyone touched by the Sisters of Charity and CHRISTUS St. Frances to consider donating $1 or more a day for 75 days to support the vital, lifesaving care at our hospital,” said Ashley Walker, executive director of philanthropy, CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Foundation. “While our fundraiser will officially launch on Jan. 7, we welcome donations at any time to help us continue our mission.”

With fireworks tents and stands starting to see more sales following the Christmas holiday, the State Fire Marshal’s Office wants to encourage all Louisiana residents to not only be safe when using fireworks, but knowledgeable when buying them.

More than 300 retail fireworks permits have been issued for this endof- the-year season, as it is state law for wholesale and retail fireworks business operators to be appropriately licensed by the SFM, in the parishes and municipalities where they are legally allowed. The sales season extends through 11:59 p.m. on January 1, 2025.

Kiwanis November 2024 Terrific Kids

And Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown (Jonah 3:4.)

The book of Jonah is not only a testimony to God’s sovereignty, but it is a testimony to the effectiveness of His word. God sent a mean, reluctant preacher, with a halfhearted sermon, to a wicked and vicious people, and turned them from their course of sin.

Here is this preacher, preaching a message that, on his part, can neither be called heartfelt, nor compassionate. God does not need your help in the equation to work His word into the hearts of men. He is God all by Himself. And even so, He is pleased to use men to facilitate His word, to bear His word, and to distribute His word. Yet, only God can deliver the right message, at the right time, to the right heart. You may be warm and inviting in your speech, but that won’t open a closed heart. You may be cold and callous, as Jonah, and that won’t close an open heart.

12-13 DAYLON J. ANTHONY: BATON ROUGE, LA B/M, 20, NO HEADLIGHTS, POSS OF A FIREARM BY FELON. 12-14 LAYTON ALLEN HIGGS: W/M 19, AGG SECOND DEGREE BATTERY 12-15 KRISTIN G. SCOTT: WINN LA, B/F 44, NO SEAT BELT, DRIVING UNDER SUSPENSION. 12-16 KELLI N. HOFFPAUIR: SALINE, LA W/F 47, FTA X2 12-18 TERRANCE LEMOND POWELL: WINN, LA B/M 48, VIOLATION OF PROTECTIVE ORDER OF COURT (FTA) 1COUNT CODY JAMES EDMONDS: JONESBORO, LA W/M 31, BATTERY OF A DATING PARTNER, SIMPLE CRIMANAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, THEFT

District Attorney Chris Nevils reports the following action was taken in Eighth Judicial District Court on November 18, 2024 SADAWNTE T. LIVINGSTON: Defendant entered guilty plea simple flight from an officer. Sentence – serve 6 months, suspended, 2 years probation, pay fine, court cost and probation fee.

JEAN PAUL STROUD: Defendant entered guilty plea cruelty to the infirmed. Sentence – serve 10 years at hard labor in custody of Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections, 10 years jail sentence suspended and placed on supervised probation with Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections 3 years.

Winn Parish Student of the Year honorees were each recognized at the December meeting of the Winn Parish School Board. Jackson Compton a 5th grade student at Winnfield Middle School, Sienna Box an 8th grade student from Calvin High School, and Emily Nevils who is a Senior at Winnfield Senior High School, were acknowledged by the board for their accomplishments.

A power point presentation was also displayed to recognize the other school winners. Those include Jase Tinsley (5th grade – Calvin High School), Dakota Marker (5th grade – Dodson High School), Brody Tucker (8th grade – Dodson High School), Braelynn Goleman (8th grade Winnfield Middle School), Kyleigh Blundell (12th grade – Calvin High School), and Garrett Jones (12th grade – Dodson High Shool). Congratulation to all of these students!

14, 2024. Participating children, nominated by the local schools, met at the Winnfield Civic Center located at the Winn Parish Fairgrounds at 2:00 pm, and loaded onto Emergency vehicles (Fire Trucks, Police Units, Water Rescue, etc.) for the 2:30 pm parade through town to the local Walmart Supercenter. There were volunteers who assisted these youngsters in their shopping for Christmas gifts.

The event was sponsored by the Police Department through a local non-profit organization named “Operation Save a Kid”. Money is raised throughout the year, mainly from donations from businesses and individuals, as well as boot drives. This is the 17th year for the Shop with a Cop Program in Winnfield. Last year 110 kids were given a Christmas they might otherwise have not had. Each year our goal is to meet or exceed the prior years’ numbers.