News

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.

A person walking along US Highway 167 North was struck and killed by a motor vehicle in the early morning hours of Saturday, November 23rd. The accident was reported at approximately 3 a.m. Lacey Allen, age 54 of Jonesboro, was pronounced dead at the scene. Initial investigation indicates that Allen was walking southbound on the improved shoulder, on or close to the white line, when he was accidentally struck by a northbound 2006 Mazda SUV driven by Crystal Harstad Layfield, also of Jonesboro. Ms. Layfield had just left her place of employment when the accident occurred.

No foul play is suspected. No charges have been filed as of today as the investigation is continuing. Routine toxicology and autopsy results are pending.

The Winnfield Police Department urges those who walk on or near streets to wear bright clothing. Reflective vests are even better. Always walk facing on-coming traffic. It is illegal to walk on a roadway when sidewalks are available.

Winnfield Police Department Officer Cassidy Martin received certification as a Special Weapons And Tactics, (SWAT) Officer this past week, November 10-15. Officer Martin, who has been with the police department since 2006, attended and graduated from the 27th Basic SWAT Operator School located in Lafayette. The 60-hour course included intense physical fitness testing that involved runs with and with special gear, weapons training, obstacle courses, and live scenario practices that used simulation rounds.

How many of your prayers have been answered?

We ask; God answers. Yet, far too often we neglect to thank him.

“On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.’ When he saw them he said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, ‘Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?’ Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ And he said to him, ‘Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well (Luke 17:11-19 ESV).”

Give Thanks!

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!