News

Sheriff-elect Josh McAllister was the guest of honor at Winnfield Rotary Club’s meeting on February 14, 2024, at the invitation of Rotarian of the Day, Scarlett Lee. McAllister will be sworn into office at midnight on June 30, 2024.

He spoke to the Rotarians of his plans for the Sheriff ’s office when he takes over the post. In connection with his law enforcement duties, he will appoint as his chief criminal deputy retired State Trooper Mike Gilliam and plans to increase the number of officers and patrols.

The sheriff-elect also plans to participate in an intergovernmental task force and join with our neighboring parishes in combatting the use and distribution of illegal drugs. His plans also include involvement of local church groups in drug rehabilitation programs.

Winn Parish was placed under a burn ban on February 28 due to high wildfire potential that is expected to last over the next several days. Winn Parish Fire District 3 Fire Chief Dustin Parker stated that his team responded to six vegetation related fires in the matter of just a few days. The remaining two fires were due to power line arcing. The most recent fire occurred on the evening of February 27 and resulted in an estimated 150 acre fire.

Officials gathered to discuss the situation and determined that implementing a burn ban was necessary to help mitigate potential wildfires.

Winn Parish schools will host in-person prekindergarten registration events at the school sites in March 2024. Prekindergarten registration packets for the 2024-2025 school year may be obtained beginning March 1, 2024 at Calvin High School, Dodson High School, Winnfield Primary School, and the Winn Parish School Board Office. The 2024-2025 Winn Parish Early Childhood Application and financial forms will be included in the folders obtained at the identified locations and will also be available online at www.winnpsb.org beginning March 1, 2024.

The WPSO recently held a very special reception for one of thier own. Deputy Morgan Ray Perry has retired after over 35 years of service. Sheriff Cranford Jordan stated that Perry is the longest serving deputy on the force. Jordan also added that Perry is a wonderful person and has been a faithful servant to Winn Parish. Congratulation to Deputy Perry!

Sheila Mitchell recently received the Hammy Award for being an outstanding citizen Winnfield community. Mitchell explained that without God this would never happen and she is thankful for a city that acknowledges her steps that God ordered her to take to help others she also stated, God will get all of the glory in all she does. Congratulations to Sheila and thank you.

Michael Durbin was born and raised in Winnfield. He learned from his father to put God first and everything else will follow. He didn’t always follow that but after marrying his wife Connie he began to do better. He has a strong work ethic and has always worked hard. Rhett Butler gave him his first opportunity in the trucking business. Then the business was sold to Quality Carriers. Later Michael went into business with a couple of friends and started Gulf Coast Carriers. They started with 10 trucks and now have 320. By the end of the year they should have 350. This has become a million dollar business. He believes that he is successful because of God.

Dodson High School students, Harlen Malone, Nathaniel Underwood, Noah Box, Garrett Jones, Kayleigh Frederick, Brooklyn Malone, Madelyn Cotton and Charlie Buckley were selected as winners of NASA’s Tech Rise student challenge. This team of students taught by Casey Thomas Tolar were one of 60 winning teams chosen across the United States. In fact, they were the only school in the state of Louisiana that were chosen as finalists. NASA is now supporting the development and demonstration of the payload that was drawn out in their proposal submission, the Hephaestus Rocket Lander. Dodson High School received a welcome kit, $1500.00, weekly technical support from Future Engineers and earned a spot to test their completed project on a NASA sponsored flight. The team will be very busy for the next few months completing the build that will be tested on a rocket-powered lander.

On Monday, February 26 from 11:00am – 3:30pm, the WSHS Tigers will host a baseball camp for ages 6-14. The cost of the camp will be $35. For more information about this event, please contact Coaches Herron or Spangler.

Autumn Leaves Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Krewe of Methuselah celebrated their annual Mardi Gras Pageant on February 12th, 2024. The Krew of Methuselah crowned a new king and queen. King, Mr. Joseph Fredieu and Queen, Ms. Doris Leeper along with their court chosen 1st runners up were, Mr. John Meredith, Ms. Georginna Williams, and 2nd runners up were, Mr. Gereld Fisher and Ms. Lorrie Snook. A special thanks to our judges…Mrs. Tiffany McBride from Lagniappe Homecare, Mrs. Delores Sampey from Hand in Hand Hospice, and Mrs. Jessica Etheridge, our Marketplace Chaplain along with special entertainment provided by Mrs. Sondra Walker and Mrs. Jessica Etheridge. Following the pageant family, friends, and community were invited to stay and enjoy punch and king cakes made by Sweet Joy Bakery out of Alexandria, La. Autumn Leaves would also like to thank our Auditors, Mrs. Kasey Bevill, Mrs. Kylie Mercer, and our Photographer, Mrs. Sandi Teal. A HUGE shoutout to our Beautician, Ms.

Winn Parish schools will host in-person prekindergarten registration events at the school sites in March 2024. Prekindergarten registration packets for the 2024-2025 school year may be obtained beginning March 1, 2024 at Calvin High School, Dodson High School, Winnfield Primary School, and the Winn Parish School Board Office. The 2024-2025 Winn Parish Early Childhood Application and financial forms will be included in the folders obtained at the identified locations and will also be available online at www.winnpsb.org beginning March 1, 2024.