News

Do you know these men? Jerry D. McManus, dob: 1948, dod: 1968, home of record: Atlanta.

Freddie McWilliams, dob: 1945, dod: 1967, home of record: Winnfield

George W. Nelson, dob: 1943, dod: 1967, home of record: Winnfield

Perry L. Peoples, dob: 1944, dod: 1967, home of record: Dodson

Last week, Samantha Taylor of Winnfield Senior High School, had the opportunity to join over 500 young people from across the country to learn about political process in the vibrant, living classroom of the nation’s capital as part of Citizenship Washington Focus: Presidential Inauguration (CWF-PI), an intensive 4-H civic engagement program for high-school youth held at the National 4-H Conference Center in Chevy Chase, MD.

State Police Troop E released the following information on January 14th. “ Earlier today, a single vehicle crash killed a man from Natchitoches, LA and injured a man from St. Maurice, LA. Neither men were wearing a seat belt. Troopers responded to the crash around 2:40 p.m., which occurred on US Hwy 71 north of Montgomery, LA. The crash involved a 1998 Ford Explorer, driven by Michael L. McKinney (B/M 41 yrs) of St. Maurice. The Ford was northbound on US Hwy 71 when McKinney lost control and exited the right side of the roadway. After exiting the roadway, the vehicle collided with several trees.

In observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the Winn Parish Voter’s and Civic League hosted their 26th Annual Prayer Breakfast and invited the community and civic leaders to join in remembering Dr. King and his many contributions to the Civil Rights movement. As the crowd filled the Winnfield Kindergarten School Annex Building, Mr. Louis Bell served as the Master of Ceremonies and called the event to order, after which Brother Franklin Williams and the Morning Star Youth Choir presented a message in song. Minister Troy Nash offered up the invocation and Ms. Rosa Williams welcomed the attendees. Ms. Shirley Radford spoke about the special occasion being recognized, and then a bountiful breakfast of eggs, biscuits, bacon and sausage was served. Cmeaux entertained those present with a live painting he made of Dr. King during the ceremony, while Pastor Lonnell Johnson, Jr. sang

The atmosphere was festive at the last regular meeting of the Winn Parish Police Jury on December 19. All members were present along with some of the Jury’s family members, local political leaders Representative Jack McFarland and Representative Terry Brown, Mayor Kiah Beville, Workforce Development Director Sondra Redmon, and citizens who were spectators of the open meeting.

Following is a news release from Louisiana State Police Troop E, which was issued on December 29, 2016. As an update, early on the morning of December 30, Troopers arrested and charged Keaton A. Spurlin with vehicular homicide, in reference to the death of the 18 month old infant. Alexandria, LA – Last night, a crash involving two vehicles injured four children, two of which were infants. One infant later died as a result of the injuries he sustained in the crash. The driver of the vehicle, that caused the crash, was determined to be impaired.

The Rotary Club of Winnfield was honored to have a very special guest at their last meeting of 2016. Congressman Ralph Abraham attended the meeting to enjoy lunch with Rotary members and speak with them regarding changes we can expect to see after President Elect Donald Trump takes office. The meeting was opened with prayer, led by Brother Joel Hines from The Family Church, and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Ted Wold. There were several special guests who were recognized, including Mr. Lionel Johnson, Mr. Cas Moss, and Mr. Keith Gates, along with the featured speaker Congressman Abraham and his Chief of Staff.

Richie Broomfield (right) and Danny Browning (left) were sworn into office on December 28, 2016. Each took his oath in the Clerk of Court’s office in Winnfield. Broomfield will serve as Mayor of Dodson and Browning ad Alderman of Dodson for the remaining two years of this term.

Winn Parish Work Ready Team Leaders announced that it has met all criteria to become a certified ACT Work Ready Community, at the Winn Parish Police Jury meeting on Monday, December 19, 2016. The achievement caps a 16-month engagement process and begins a two-year growth and maintenance phase to retain certification. Mayor Kiah Beville serves as the Winn Parish leader of this initiative. He attended the ACT Work Ready Academy to receive training in using this process for a solid economic development tool in Winn Parish. “The Work Ready Communities Certification is critical to Winnfield and Winn Parish remaining competitive in the economic development process. It will help not only future development, but will also help businesses and workers that we already have here,” stated Mayor Beville.

Last month, Desirae Bruce, Winn CASA Coordinator for the Rapides Children’s Advocacy Center made area residents aware of a special need, and volunteers stepped up to give. Winn Parish has approximately 14 children in foster homes, and it was her mission to make certain those children were not forgotten at Christmas time. Donations were collected at the advocacy office in Winnfield, and the people of our parish were generous. Clubs from Calvin High School collected new toys, Toys for Kids and the Police Jury Office made donations. Dr. Dupree’s office joined in the efforts, as did Ms. Darlene Tucker, Ollie Moore and Ms. Anna Stanfield and her Ladies’ Bible Study Group. From Beulah Baptist Church, the Pre-K Sunday School Class and Women’s Bible Study Group collected toys and clothing. Aaron’s Furniture Store made a donation, as did 8-year-old Karson Hemphill. Also, joining the efforts were the children who competed in the Christmas on the Dug’ Hot Chocolate Stand Contest.