News

President Frank McLaren called the Winn Parish Police Jury meeting to order on Tuesday, January 20. District Three Juror Darrell Franks introduced the guest speaker of the night, Miss Louisiana Forest Festival Queen Lily Westbrooks. Queen Westbrooks shared with the jury and the gallery her lifelong goal of being crowned Louisiana Forest Festival Queen. She also highlighted her achievements during her reign, including educating over 700 children about forestry and forest safety.

In legislative business, the jury approved the distribution of $100,000 to the Winn Parish District Attorney’s Office. The funding is designated for opioid interdiction, prosecution, and related matters, allowing District Attorney Chris Nevils and his team to advance their efforts in the parish.

On Monday, January 19, dozens of residents took to the streets to honor the life of Rodger “2REDDIE” Thomas and to demand answers regarding his murder in December. Thomas, a 39-year-old artist and father, was killed in his Henderson apartment in the early morning hours of December 23, 2025. Nearly a month later, his family and friends say there is silence from investigators. The peaceful protest began at 12:00 PM at the Winni Mart parking lot. Supporters, carrying signs and chanting for justice, marched on foot to the Winnfield City Police Station. “The community is not doing well,” said Kristopher Scott, a loved one of the Thomas family. “There is a killer or killers on the loose and we cannot risk... people are afraid to come outside and enjoy themselves.”

I have spent about 15 years living off-grid in various ways. This was mainly because of being young and working minimum wage jobs. I soon realized that I either had to make more money or find a way to live cheaper. I decided that it was easier to live cheaper. In the 80s through 2000 renting bare land to live on here in Southern Oregon was easy to find. This was a lot cheaper than regular rent.

My favorite memories were living in a teepee. I have had three of them and lived in one for a total of seven years. To me living in one has a certain sort of style that I for one appreciate.

There is no place I would rather be during a good thunderstorm. The rain coming down on the stretched canvas is like a drum. The wind makes the canvas seem to breath, as it lifts a little from the lodge poles. You can see the light of the lighting through the canvas. It is like the teepee comes to life!

LBA Education Foundation awards scholarships to NSU students

The Alpha Beta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, an international society for key women educators, recently honored Counselors of the Winn Parish schools. They were recognized for their contributions to the students of our school system. Each Counselor was presented with a certificate of appreciation and a gift card to a local restaurant. We thank them for making a positive difference in the lives of the students they serve.

The City recently held a special honorary luncheon to celebrate and honor Gladys Hobdy, a devoted public servant who retired on December 31, 2025, after 32 years of faithful and dedicated service. Ms. Hobdy served as the Utility Office Supervisor, where she carried out her responsibilities with excellence, integrity, and a genuine heart for the people.

During the luncheon, Mayor Gerald Hamms presented Ms. Hobdy with a plaque and a watch, truly giving her her well-deserved flowers in recognition of her outstanding commitment and lasting impact on the City. For more than three decades, her professionalism, leadership, and unwavering work ethic helped move the City forward and touched countless lives.

We are grateful for her many contributions and the legacy she leaves behind. As she steps into this new season of retirement, we wish her continued joy, good health, and well-deserved rest.

The Winn Parish School Board first meeting of the year started off with the election of President and Vice President for the 2026 school year. Ballots were passed around the table and votes were cast between two candidates, Lacey McManus and Joe Lynn Browning; Browning was re-elected to remain President for another year. Board members were then asked to vote between McManus and Dan Taylor for the Vice-President spot. Taylor was elected to fill the position for the 2026 school year.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and Quail Forever hosted a landowner interest meeting at the Winn Parish Library on January 6, 2026. Quail Forever is a non-governmental habitat organization that focuses on creating, enhancing, and restoring habitats beneficial to wildlife.

Jackson Martini, Louisiana State Coordinator for Quail Forever, stated “This program is targeted at private landowners to thin their forests below 60-square-foot basal area. This creates an open canopy to let sunlight hit the forest floor and allows native grasses, wildflowers, and shrubs to grow which is beneficial for quail, turkey, deer and various grassland songbirds of conservation concern”.

The LDWF informed landowners that using prescribed burns is the most cost and time efficient way to manage their property, improve wildlife habitat, and reduce wildfire risk by clearing fuels.