News

Judge Jim Wiley spoke to the Kiwanis club Tuesday, December 10th. The topic of his talk was “The People I Have Met Good and Very BAD”. He grew up in Jonesville, La and met his first politician (Earl Long) at a young age across the street from his house at the Wiley Fish Company which belonged to his uncle. He attended Law School at Loyola in New Orleans and worked at the Civil District Court while going to school. Earl Long graduated from Loyola Law School. Huey Long never graduated from high school or college but studied for a year and got a judge to see that he passed the bar.

After graduating law school and passing the bar Wiley started practicing law in Jena. He came to Winnfield 51 years ago at the invitation of Charlie Bice. Mr. Bice was district attorney at the time and he needed someone to help with his private practice.

According to Winn Parish Sheriff Josh McAllister school resource deputies and local school officials recently attended critical incident training.

Entitled Lessons Learned from the Department of Justice Critical Incident Review of Uvalde, Texas School Shooting, the training was sponsored by the Caddo Parish Sheriff ’s Office, LSU Police Department, and the Office of Homeland Security.

The Sheriff stated that the training covered recommendations for tactics, leadership, incident command, coordination, school safety, emergency management, public communications, pre-incident and post-incident process, and traumatic support services.

During the recent December meeting of the Winnfield City Council, the council approved the removal of speed bumps on Tupelo Street. Councilwoman Caldwell addressed the council stating that the safety of the citizens is imperative and traffic control devices such as speed bumps are of use to slow down those speeding. She added that those speed bumps on Tupelo Street have been successful and are no longer needed at the location.

There was no other new or old business to address at the meeting. Before closing Councilwoman Hall stated that the Winnfield Senior High School JAG Class desired to make Mayor Hamms an honorary member of their class. She shared that the mayor was also supportive and a wonderful mentor for those students. After a few words from Mayor Hamms.

National Grinch Day was celebrated at Dodson High School recently with a visit from non other than the Grinch himself and Cindy Lou. Cindy Lou read a story to the children as they listened intently

Bring the kids to visit Santa. He will be in Winnfield beginning Dec 7 and also on the following Saturday’s leading up to Christmas from

1pm – 5pm. Santa will be at his house located new the Post Office.

The weather was cool and fitting for the 2024 Winnfield Christmas Parade on Dec 6. There were lots of participants and even more spectators as floats rolled through Main St. From Little Debbie to Grisswold, there was no shortage of creativity. The following is a list of Winnfield Christmas Parade Winners: President’s Award - James Drilling Company Governor’s Award - Louisiana Political Hall of Fame and Museum Mayor’s Award - City of Winnfield Theme Award - First Baptist Church Spirit Award - New Zion Missionary Baptist Church Honorary Mentions include: Elite Athletics City of Winnfield Animal Shelter First Assembly of God Calvin High School Varsity and Junior Cheer One Eighty Ministries/The Family Church Winnfield Senior High Band and Toy Tigers Dustin Hillman – Grisswold Goldonna Elementary/Junior High Cheer Winnfield Senior High Cheerleaders Jordan Hill United Pentecostal Church The Chase Team Tiger Shine Auto Matt

Christmas is a time of fun, love, and celebrating with family and friends. But what do we really know about Christmas? Here are 10 fun facts you may not have ever known about this special time of the year: The tradition of hanging stockings by the fireplace is said to derive from the story of St. Nicholas. Supposedly, he tossed gold coins down a chimney, which landed in stockings that were drying by the fire.

The crook-necked candy cane represents a shepherd’s crook, symbolizing the shepherds who visited baby Jesus. The red stripes are said to represent the blood of Christ, while the white symbolizes His purity.

Believe it or not, tinsel was made of real silver in the 17th century. It was used to reflect candlelight on the tree before electric lights were invented. However, it eventually tarnished, so other materials became more popular.

Will Dearmon, a native of Winnfield, has been announced as Louisiana Tech’s new chief development officer. Dearmon will oversee the University’s development operations, leading strategic and comprehensive fundraising initiatives to ensure the growth and sustainability of the Foundation.

Dearmon is a 2013 graduate of Louisiana Tech and went on to earn his master’s degree in public service and administration with a concentration in higher education administration from Texas A&M University in 2016. He has an extensive background in corporate strategy, fundraising, communications, operations, and higher education partnerships.

“I never met a man I didn’t like,” Will Rogers was quoted as saying. It’s likely that Leroy James never met a piano he didn’t like. Leroy, who will be the Grand Marshal of the December 6 Christmas Parade in Winnfield, has been known through the years to sit down and begin playing anywhere he saw a piano, perhaps Lynda’s Country Kitchen or Pea Patch.

Folks enjoyed it and those lining Main Street the Friday night of the parade will hear the Grand Marshal playing his Grand Piano as his float moves slowly along the route. He has had a love of music since a young age and comes from a “musicallyinclined” family.

Born March 15, 1945, in Gaars Mill, Leroy continues to serve his community well with his engaging musical talent. He has sung to bless people at the nursing home, comforted families in loss of love ones (singing at funerals), and played and sang at different churches. This affable gentleman never meets a stranger.

Members of WPFD along with the WPSO and Winnfield Kiwanis teamed up to collect funds for Toys for Kids at the annual boot drive this past Saturday. Pizza Hut made sure those giving of their time to collect donations were fed. Winn Parish citizens showed once again that they have a giving heart as passerby’s stopped to put monetery donations into the boots that volunteers held out as they stood in front of the Walmart intersection.