News

Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office Welcomes New DARE Officer

A St. Maurice man is in jail facing multiple charges following his arrest early Friday morning in a wooded area near his home.

Marvin Ray Evans, 41, was arrested on warrants from Grant and Winn Parishes.

Winn Parish Sheriff, Josh McAllister, stated that Evans fled on foot from his residence around midnight while Winn Parish authorities attempted to serve the warrants.

The Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office Chase Team deployed and captured Evans within about 30 minutes in a wooded area about 150 yards from his home.

Evans allegedly fired upon law enforcement during flight. The Sheriff stated that no one was injured.

On the evening of August 23 WPFD was dispatched to Zion Hill Church Rd in reference to a structure fire. Upon arrival, firefighters were met with with a single wide manufactured home that was approximately 40-50% involved. Also involved was a Dodge Ram pickup truck. Upon inspection a service line was observed arcing on the ground. A 100 lb freestanding LPG cylinder was also observed near the structure. The valve on the cylinder had been compromised and the vapor had ignited creating a torching effect on the side of the house. Firefighters were notified of the hazards that were present and also notified Entergy to disconnect electrical services to the residence. Firefighters were able to gain control of the leaking cylinder and removed it from the area. Also during this time contact was made with WFD to send additional manpower. Advanced ambulance was also requested for standby.

Winn Parish District Attorney Chris Nevils presented a very interesting program to the Kiwanis club, Tuesday, August 20th. He gave each member a handout that he received from the Natchitoches DA Billy Harrington. The first page was about domestic violence and the second page was the 2024 Legislative session highlights.

Covid greatly impacted the criminal justice system in Louisiana as well as other states. Because of people being forced to stay at home there was an increase in domestic violence involving family members. The Legislature passed a law that enhanced the sentencing range due to choking. Previously if one person tried to choke another person their sentence was the same as if they just punched the other person. Domestic violence is hard to prosecute for many reasons including the fact that the abuser brings in the money so the victim is not willing to prosecute.

Well known author Ms. Reggie Ann Walker Wyatt of Shreveport will be bringing lots of beautiful antiques, collectibles, heirloom quilts, Vera Bradley goodies, and so much more to her family home in Winnfield for the 2nd Annual Sales Along 84 event that is to be held September 5, 6, and 7. Pictured above are just a few of the items that will be on display. Ms. Wyatt along with her daughters are geared up to visit, offer great deals, and you may be able to convince Ms. Wyatt to offer some of her books to purchase.

This will be the second year for the Sales Along 84 event that will cover over 110 miles of no less than 196 vendors of yard sales, flea markets, antiques, handmade items, collectibles, sidewalk sales, food, and lots of fun.

The Pea Patch in Winnfield is excited to participate in this year’s Sales Along 84 along with other local businesses. There will be yellow balloons used to signify vendors who are participating in this 3 day event.

A great group of students worked together to kick off the 2nd Annual Winnfield FFA Open Car Show on Saturday, August 17. The heat didn’t hinder spectators and participants from joining in on the fun.

On August 13th, 2024, the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office kicked off with clean-up efforts on Neil Wagoner Drive, Mimosa, Old Alexandria Hwy, and Country Club Road. The plan is to have the Litter Patrol out daily across the parish to clean up.

On the first day of the school year 20242025, Wednesday August 7, 2024, for the Winn Parish school system, Superintendent Al Simmons addressed the Winnfield Rotary Club on matters of public education in the parish. He emphasized that the purpose of our public education system is devoted to giving our kids a better life. Data generally shows that well-educated people live longer, healthier lives, and that is the goal of our educational system and those who labor in it.

Guest speaker Audrey Calhoun, younger sister of Ethel Howell, spoke to Kiwanis on August 13th. They were close in age and both graduated from Pinecrest High School and from Grambling. She graduated early because she did not want to stay at Grambling by herself. Ethel was an extrovert and Audrey was an introvert. Audrey’s bachelor’s degree was in biology and you can’t find a job without a master’s degree in biology. The National Forest Service recruited at Grambling and she signed up for a summer job and went to Yellowstone. While there she learned you did not walk alone at night because of bears. She spent two summers at Yellowstone and knew she wanted to work for the National Park Service. She enrolled in La Tech in forestry. When she graduated from Tech she was the first woman forester and the first black forester. She really wanted to work for the National Park Service but the jobs were highly competitive. So she was offered a job by the US Forest Service in Alexandria.

The Operation Christmas Child West Central Louisiana Area Team is excited and proud to announce that Goldonna Baptist Church will be opening its doors in 2024 for the first time as a Drop Off Location for the Operation Christmas Child West Central Louisiana Area. Goldonna Baptist Church has long been a supporter and participant in the Operation Christmas Child project. Churches, organizations and individuals that participate in Operation Christmas Child will be able to drop off their gift-filled shoeboxes at Goldonna Baptist Church during National Collection Week that is slated for November 18-25, 2024. Kristin Dupree is the Drop Off Team Leader at Goldonna Baptist and will be available to accept your shoebox gifts during National Collection Week. Goldonna Baptist joins FBC Winnfield in Winn Parish, Martin Baptist Church in Red River Parish, Calvary Baptist Church in Many La. and Mitchell Baptist Church in Converse, La.