News

Northwestern State University awarded 796 diplomas to 779 graduates during spring commencement exercises that took place in three ceremonies May 8-9 in Prather Coliseum.

Several students from Winn Parish received their diploma. Below are those locally: Dodson – Casey Thomas, Associate of General Studies; Heather Wehunt, Bachelor of Social Work; Katie Boyett, Master of Science in Nursing; Winnfield — Katina Walker, Associate of General Studies; Christine Harrel, Bachelor of General Studies; Victoria Hubbard, Bachelor of Science; Bryn Dill, Master of Arts; Morgan Austin, Master of Education.

Congratulations to all!

Did you know that about 30% of melanomas begin in existing moles, but the rest start in normal skin? This is why it is so important to do skin checks because the majority of melanomas don’t begin as moles. Also, caught early, melanomas are highly treatable.

Melanoma can form on any area of your body. I wasn’t aware of that until I began having PET scans. When scheduling for my first scan, I was asked to come at a particular time due to it taking a bit longer than most scans because they would scan my body from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet.

Families in Winnfield recently gathered to celebrate a milestone in their journey toward stronger relationships and brighter futures. On May 10th, the Strengthening Families Program (SFP) held its most recent graduation ceremony at the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame, where participants enjoyed a delightful evening of dinner and games. SFP is a proven family skills training program aimed at enhancing communication, parenting practices, and the social and life skills of children and adolescents. Through structured sessions, families engage in activities that promote bonding, problem-solving, and positive interaction.

The program in Winnfield is facilitated through Winn Community Health Care, thanks to a grant obtained by The Rapides Foundation. By bringing families together and providing valuable resources, SFP aims to reduce risk factors associated with substance abuse, delinquency, and other behavioral issues.

Winn Council on Aging and Hand in Hand Hospice will host a Fan Drive on Friday, June 7, from 8am-12pm at Winnfield 1st Assembly of God Church.

If anyone would like to donate fans or proceeds to purchase fans, please go by Winn Council on Aging at 200 N Church St. Winnfield. Also, you may contact one of the following: Mary Adams (318) 413-9731 or (318) 628-2186 Delores Sampey (318) 663-4584 or (318) 521-8068. Food and entertainment will be provided during the Fan Drive.

On Saturday, June 1, 2024 Kisatchie National Forest, the Winn Parish Sheriff ’s Office, and the Winnfield Bass Club will host a free Youth Fishing Derby on the Winn Ranger District. The Winn District invites children ages 2-12 to participate in the derby at the Bombing Range Pond, 7 miles west of Winnfield. Check-in will begin at 7:30am with fishing at 8:00am and concluding at approximately 10:00am with an award ceremony for the derby winners.

Please bring your own fishing gear (rods, poles, lines, hooks, etc), bait (for catfish and bream), water, sunscreen, chairs. Adults may cast for children, but are not allowed to reel in the fish.

Randy Hudson, a 1974 graduate of Dodson High School, lost his class ring shortly after graduation.

After diligently searching for the ring, he finally gave up and ordered a new one.

He thought about the ring several times throughout the years, but never expected to see it again.

One day, may years later, he got a call and not knowing the number he didn’t answer it but then received a text saying, “This is the Chief of Police of Dodson.”

Randy called to see what he wanted and can you imagine his surprise when the chief asked him if he had lost a class ring?

Randy went to see the chief. He told Randy that he needed to know where he had lived in Dodson. When Randy told him he said, “well that’s the people who have the ring.”

Randy paid them a visit. They told him that their dog had dug it up by the carport. After cleaning it up, they contacted the chief. Would you believe that ring still looked brand new after 50 years?

Keep Louisiana Beautiful has once again recognized The City of Winnfield’s efforts to beautify our community and eradicate litter. The City of Winnfield announced that Keep Louisiana Beautiful has awarded the city a $8,000 grant to help beautify the 167 N entry to Winnfield. “This grant award represents an active partnership of KLB, City of Winnfield’s Keep Winn Beautiful, local lawmakers, the citizens of Winn Parish, and a host of volunteers who have worked tirelessly to clean up hot spots around our town and parish to raise awareness for KTB’s anti-litter initiative,” Chevallier said. “We are really excited about the project this grant will fund and the improvements it will make possible at the entrance of Winnfield.”

City of Winnfield Mayor Gerald Hamms echoed Chevallier’s sentiments adding, “This is great news for the City of Winnfield. The Keep Louisiana Beautiful grant is truly a blessing for our community.”

Music, good food, and the company of fine friends are essential ingredients for a celebration. On Saturday, April 20, Christ Wesleyan Fellowship of Winn combined the three for their anniversary of the founding of the church on April 16, 2023.

A member of the Global Methodist Church, Trinity Conference since October 2023, Christ Wesleyan meets on Sundays and Wednesdays in the sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church, 302 South Bevill St. Larry and Donna Bates hosted the Fish Fry meal, which included fish caught by member Glenn Ford and desserts brought by the ladies of the church. Members and guests enjoyed the food while listening to live music presented by Tammy and Stan Griffith, Danny Davis, John Evers, and Donny Spikes.

Brandy Smith of Tyler, Texas, a mother of five and first-generation college graduate, said that pushing fear aside, accepting help and believing in her own abilities were key factors in completing her degree. Smith will graduate from Northwestern State University with a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences May 8. Since childhood, Smith dreamed of working in medicine. She graduated from Mineral Wells (Texas) High School in 2000 at age 17 and enrolled in Weatherford Junior College seeking a biology degree. Right out of high school, she found a job as a radiology scheduler at a prominent Fort Worth hospital where her love for radiology blossomed. In 2002 she started X-ray school at John Peter Smith School for Health Career Development, graduating in 2004.

Winnfield, LA—— Winnfield Police are investigating a shooting that left 2 dead in the Hatfield section of town. An investigative team was immediately dispatched upon confirmation by the shift supervisor.

Initial findings indicate an apparent murder/ suicide incident as it has been determined that the male subject had fired several shots from a handgun striking the female subject, then turned the gun on himself. After interviews with family members and close associates, police have been unable to determine a motive for this tragic situation. Neither victim had any prior dealing with police.

They are identified as Amyria McDonald, age 20, of Winnfield, and Virgil Smith, Jr., of the Winnfield and Natchitoches area.

Chief Johnny Ray Carpenter stated, “Our hearts go out to these families and friends. This has affected an entire community for such a senseless tragedy to these young people who had their whole lives ahead of them.”