News

Members of WPFD are continuing to excel in education as 3 members traveled last week to receive training in various areas to further strengthen the service that is provided to citizens of Winn Parish. Earlier in the week, Mr. John Fannin traveled to Baton Rouge to participate in an advanced extrication class. Also, Mr. Cody Lockridge and Mr. Josh Coyler Jr. recently traveled to the Louisiana Fire and Emergency Training Academy Pine Country Campus to a “mini school” with focus on multiple areas of the fire service including but not limited to fire behavior and rescue operations. *Photo credit-FETA extrication and LSFM FETA

WSHS Beta Students Eligible for National Conference

Autumn Leaves residents received a surprise visit from longtime friend and pianist, Mr. Leroy James. Residents and staff enjoyed listening to his BEAUTIFUL God-given talent and sharing memories with us all!

The Winn Parish Police Jury recently approved a pay raise for their members. The motion passed with juror’s D Carpenter, S Garrett P Evans, and A Robinson voting “yea”, and D Franks voting “nay”. K Potts and F McLaren abstained.

The increase in pay will be $300.00 monthly from $900.00 to $1200.00, with the president receiving $1,300.00 monthly.

In other business, Mr. Tony McManus has been named to the Winn Parish Fire District Board with a term of two years.

Also, Mr. Frank McLaren was relected as president and Mrs Deionne Carpenter will remain vice president.

Danny Wilburn, Kiwanis Lt. Governor for Division 11, was guest speaker at the January 14th Kiwanis club meeting. This was his first visit to our club because he was not available for the Installation Banquet.

He is a native of Pineville, La and a member of the Pineville Kiwanis club. He graduated from Pineville High School and was involved with the Key Club while in high school. The Key club is the Kiwanis high school version of Kiwanis. He worked for Cenla Forms Management (a family company) which merged with Peregrine Solutions a few years ago and he continues to work with them. He joined Kiwanis in 1983 when he was invited by a customer to a meeting and he could not refuse. He did not actually know he was going to a Kiwanis meeting until he got there. There were several people in the club that he already knew so he was happy to join. He has served and currently serves as treasurer of the Pineville club along with his duties as Lt. Governor.

With authorities in Louisiana warning to prepare for extreme cold this week, the City of Winnfield has opened an emergency warming shelter on Monday, January 20, to provide refuge from the cold.

The location of the warming shelter is Grove Street Recreation. Cots, blankets and showers have been provided. Individuals are asked to bring any personal items needed to ensure comfort.

No pets are allowed inside the shelter.

Landry has appointed Rick Nowlin of Natchitoches to serve on the Louisiana Board of Ethics. Another area appointment is Mike Smith of Winnfield, a former Republican State senator. Nowlin is a former State legislator having served in the La. House of Representatives from 2008-2012. He was Parish President of Natchitoches Parish Government from 2012-2020, being the first parish president after Natchitoches Parish adopted the Home Rule Charter form of government to replace the Police Jury. Nowlin was selected by the Republican State Central Committee to be one of the 26 at-large delegates to the Republican National Convention in July of last year.

In 1996, Smith was elected for the 31st district of the Louisiana State Senate. Smith served the maximum term of 12 years. Other appointments are Jason P. Amato, John D. Crigler, Kenneth and Vanessa G. Whipple.

Winn Parish, LA – January 9, 2025 – Winn Parish Detention Center officers discovered contraband being smuggled into the facility after intercepting a package intended for an inmate. The package, which had been mailed from an individual in South Louisiana, was flagged for inspection by correctional staff prior to being delivered to the inmate. Upon opening the package, officers discovered a folding knife, two large plastic bags containing suspected marijuana, a plastic bag containing suspected Ecstasy pills, a plastic bag with suspected Fentanyl pills, Suboxone strips, and a cell phone with charger. Winn Parish Sherif f ’s Office detectives were immediately called to the scene and have launched an investigation into the attempted delivery of illegal contraband into a penal facility. The Sheriff ’s Office has also contacted the U.S. Postal Inspector to assist with the investigation.

The Winn Parish Sheriff ’s Office is pleased to announce the recovery of a stolen horse trailer, valued at $45,000, along with the arrest of a suspect in connection to the crime.

Detectives with the Winn Parish Sheriff ’s Office received information regarding a stolen goose-neck horse trailer, originally reported stolen from Pratt, Kansas. The trailer, which was also carrying valuable equipment, belonged to a student attending Pratt Community College. The total value of the trailer and its contents was approximately $45,000.

Upon receiving the tip, Winn Parish detectives launched an investigation and were able to locate the stolen horse trailer at a residence on LA 1232. The homeowner granted detectives permission to inspect the trailer, and it was quickly determined that the trailer had indeed been stolen from Kansas.