News

The Winn Parish Courthouse is going through a few changes. It’s evident as you pass by. At the Oct 4 meeting of the Winn Parish Police Jury, Mr. Author Robinson offered a motion to enter into a contract with Brinson Dirt Contracting, LLC in the amount of $101,510 for landscaping and maintenance at the courthouse. The motion was given a second by Mr Kyle Potts. It was followed by a vote of 4 yeas, 0 nays, and one abstained.

Winnfield Chapter FFA member Emily Nevils recently qualified for the National Semifinals and made the top 8 Gold Emblem Extemporaneous Speaker. Emily is pictured above with Mr. Ryan Riley.

The festival started off with prayer by Reverend Norris Curry and the raising of the United States Flag followed by the National Anthem.

Children were jumping in a bounce house or riding the bull, or swinging and playing in the sand box all day. Paint a pumpkin was a big hit with the children.

Friday night kicked off the Festival with a delicious fish fry followed by Coyote Moon band playing great music for 4 hours. Many vendors displayed their art and craftsmanship on Saturday.

Entertainment was a big hit with Sean Michel, Jimmy Lewis and 8 Second Ride, Captain Joe and Cody Cooke and Bayou Outlaw. Our main attraction was enjoyed by all with Marty Haggard telling tales on his dad Merle and singing some of his great songs.

On home game football nights at Tiger Field at Winnfield Middle School, you will find the Voice of the Tigers, Chuck Jurek, with the play by play action from John Grider Memorial Press Box. Chuck has been involved with Winnfield Middle School Football going on seven years. Coach Chance Williams says, “We always look forward to listening to Mr. Chuck because as a former player and being around the game for so long, he is in tune with what is happening on the field.”

Chuck grew up through the ranks of Winnfield Football playing for Coach Darrell Peddy at Winnfield Junior High School and Coaches Larry Dautrieve and Doug Moreau at Winnfield Senior High School and then on to Louisiana Tech Football. He is no stranger to the game and it shows when he is announcing.

The Winn Genealogical and Historical Association was organized in September of 1996 with 13 members and in 1997 merged with the old Winn Historical Society. It was discontinued in 2020 due Covid. A reorganization meeting was held October 5th in the meeting room above the Winn Parish Health Unit which includes an ample meeting room, a kitchenette and a filled to the brim library room. This space is provided by the Winn Parish Police Jury. There were several former members and some new members present. Officers for 2025 are Troy Rogers, President; Donald Boyette, Treasurer; and Doris McFarland, Secretary.

Dues are $25 per member per year, $30 per family per year and $15 for charter members. They are in good financial standing despite not having met since 2020.

We are Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Join us on Satruday, October 26 in Winnfield, LA. Lineup at the Farmer’s Market. Walk begins at 8 a.m.

Calling all supporters, thrivers and survivors to join in on a Making Strides Breast Cancer Walk. This is a non-competitive walk where individuals unite to bring awareness to and help end breast cancer through donations. The American Cancer Society uses funds raised from donations for research and patient assistance.

How can you help? Come out participate in the walk, bring your family friends and others to participate.

Share the event with others. Wear PINK, t-shirts, or costumes, or outfits. You can wear shirts in support of your loved ones no longer with us or people you know in the fight or a survivor.

Bring signs of support or who you are walking for.

Bring PINK balloons for the balloon release at the end of the walk.

Secretary of State Nancy Landry reminds voters that early voting for the Nov. 5 Presidential General and Open Congressional Election began on Friday, Oct. 18 and continues through Tuesday, Oct. 29 (excluding Sunday, Oct. 20 and Sunday, Oct. 27) from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Citizens who want to vote early may do so in person at their parish Registrar of Voters Office or at other designated locations, which can be found at voterportal.sos.la.gov/earlyvoting.

The LSU Health Shreveport Partners in Wellness Cancer Screening Program celebrated their 25th anniversary at Winn Parish Medical Center. The program developed by Feist Weiller Cancer Center at LSU Health Shreveport developed the program in 1999 with a goal of reducing cancer in Louisiana particularly in underserved communities. Feist Weiller Cancer Center Director, Dr. Richard Mansour, thanked Rep. Jack McFarland for the support provide to the program by the state of Louisiana and also thanked employees of Winn Parish Medical Center for being a longtime partner of the program.

To date, more than 39,000 breast, colon, prostate and cervical screenings have been provided in over 30 rural and underserved communities. To make an appointment for a screening, visit, lsuhs.edu/piw.

There’s a new podiatrist in town, Dr. Cameron McMahen, was introduced to the Kiwanis club by Dr. Mark Shelton. Dr. Shelton made a few announcements before introducing Dr. McMahen. Dr. Shelton is the Medical Director for the Winn Wellness Clinic, which is a rural health clinic and is funded by the state. As of December 1st Dr. Shelton will be at Winn Wellness full time. He is moving his practice there. Sandy will be accompanying him and Jennifer will become a full time grandmother. Dr. Iglesias is also seeing patients at Winn Wellness Clinic. In response to a question about space Dr. Shelton said there are plans in place for expansion but he could not elaborate on that yet. In his introduction of Dr. McMahen he used 11 foot puns in 30 seconds. And the audience contributed a few more.

Pumpkin Patch Now Open at FUMC