News

The crowd anxiously awaits the next match as the competitors step onto the mat. As this 5”4 brown eyed youngster fist bumps the referee and his opponent, he looks down at the mat thinking about his first move that he will show to his opponent. The referee looks at both boys making sure they are ready to start the match. Butterflies are looming endlessly in one of the competitors who loves to compete in Jiu-Jitsu. This is what he works so hard for, this moment, this match. Every tournament he feels it’s his first, wanting to prove to others and mostly to himself that he can be the best. One day he hopes to achieve that black belt that takes years of determination and sacrifice to achieve. This eight year old is not your typical “little boy” He may be little in stature but he has the will, heart and desire of a giant. He has patience and dreams.

Autumn Leaves Nursing & Rehabilitation Center hosted their 2nd Annual Trunk or Treat this past week. So many in the community pitched in to make it even more successful than last year. Those involved in making this happen for the residents in community were Brookshires, Mac’s, 1st Assembly of God Church as well as those who participated by setting up their “trunks” for the “treaters”. The 1st place trunk winner was Beetlejuice and the 2nd place winner was Candyland.

At approximately 11:10 pm Tuesday Night, Oct 29, a passing motorist called 911 and reported a male person laying in the ditch on the side of La Hwy 34 (S. Jones Street), bleeding from the head. Upon arrival, first responders found a local resident, Denzel Foster, age 33, lying on the shoulder of the roadway with major injuries after having been struck by an unidentified vehicle. “Dre”, as he was known, frequently walked wherever he needed to go.

Two special men were honored and remembered this past weekend. These men gave tirelessly to their community during their lifetime. To honor them, the walking tracks at Henderson Holden Park and Grove Street Recreation were named after them. The Henderson Holden Park walking track is now the Freddie D King Memorial Walking Track. Grove Street Recreation walking track is now the Maxwell Kelley Memorial Walking Track. Family and friends of both men were present to witness the event. A deserving tribute to two wonderful men. Pictured (top) is the family of the late Freddie D King. Pictured (bottom) is the family of the late Max Kelley.

Sometimes in a small town nestled in a rural area, it can be very difficult for a new business to come to town and do well. Especially when it is a business that many /most people do not completely understand or know exactly what it offers to the community Well Winn Parish let me introduce a business that offers a sport that most of us do not know about. I know I certainly do not, heck I cannot even pronounce it correctly with my Missouri accent. The business is called Gracie United Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Did you know that Winnfield is fortunate to have a gym offering this self-defense to children and adults? This gym was established 4 years ago and unfortunately most of the community is unaware of this gym or what it offers. Hopefully we will be able to change that.

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.