News

On January 17, 2022, The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday will mark the 27 ^th anniversary of the national day of service. This day was established to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King, and to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities. Americans celebrated the first official Martin Luther King Day, which is the only federal holiday commemorating an African-American, on Monday, January 20, 1986. In 1994, Congress designated the holiday as a National Day of Service, and marking the third Monday in January every year as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service.

1/6

Congressman-elect dead after fight with COVID-19

Masked Mourners filled a Louisiana church to mourn Congressman-elect Luke Letlow one day before he would have been sworn in as a member of the House of Representatives. Letlow, 41, dies of COVID-19 complications when he suffered a heart attack after undergoing an apparently successful operation to remove a blood clot.

1/13

Lawyer Keith Gates sworn in a the newly elected City Court Judge

“It’s an honor and a privilege to work as a judge, and a big responsibility to be the judge for the Winn Parish people,” newly elected Louisiana Supreme Court Judge Jay McCallum said. “We want honest judges, but most of all we want fair judges, and Keith Gates is one of the best people for the job.” Gates first official duty as city Judge was the swearing in of Samantha Kelly as the City Court clerk.

1/20

It’s impossible to think of the New Year without considering a New Year’s resolution. Maybe it’s to become healthier, or make some other lifestyle change. It could be a goal to reach within the year. Whatever the resolution may be, the idea of a New Year’s resolution is not a new tradition. In fact, it dates back to 2000 B.C.

The Babylonians celebrated the New Year during a 12-day festival called Akitu. This was the start of farming season to plant crops, crown their king, and make promises to pay their debts. The Babylonian New Year was adopted by the ancient Romans, as was the tradition of resolutions. The timing did shift, however, with the Julian calendar in 46 B.C., which declared January 1 st as the start of the new year.

Monday, January 3^rd the city of Winnfield water system was shut down for several hours in order for workers to repair a water leak coming from a main line near 415 Bevill St.

Winnfield Mayor George Moss arrives at work site where main water line was being repaired.

The WPPJ monthly meeting was held on Dec. 20 ^th . The meeting opened with adoption of the minutes from previous meeting and public hearing. Police Jury President, Mr. Josh McAllister opened the floor for road superintendent, Mr. Perry Holmes, gave an update on the roads. Grading of the parish roads has been going as planned with exception rain putting things to a halt at times. “There is one motor grader down but hopefully it will be in soon,” said Mr. Holmes. Potholes are still being filled throughout the parish. District 4 police jury member Tammy Griffin asked if things were still on track with the work on highway 501 and Mr. Holmes stated that they are. It has taken 17 days to cut Jake Creel Rd. because of weather but Holmes states that it has finally been completed.

Many families were blessed this holiday season by receiving a ham donated by the local West Frazier plant. On Dec. 21 ^st , over 600 hams arrived at the Joyce location. Plant manager, Mr. Billy Bell stated that this is the second year that they have done this. Sheriff Cranford Jordan and deputies of the WPSO, as well as the Winnfield Police Department, assisted West Frazier employees in getting hams out to residents within the parish by delivering them, while the rest were handed off to residents as they lined up in their vehicles at the mill.

Children throughout Winn Parish slept soundly awaiting the arrival of Christmas after learning that Winn Parish Sheriff Cranford Jordan arrested the famed Christmas thief, The Grinch on Dec. 21 ^st . Grinch, 56, a green male who resides on Mount Crumpit near Whoville, had been hiding in Winn Parish, waiting to steal Christmas trees, ornaments, decorations and presents for parish children.

Sheriff Jordan said, “We received a tip from Cindy Lou of Whoville who told us Grinch was heading to our parish. We set up surveillance and were able to spot his dog, Max, who was traveling on the shoulder of US 167 between Dodson and Tannehill. We secretly placed a microphone on his collar and let him go. Thankfully, he went to Grinch who was hiding in the woods near Highway 505. Grinch tells his dog everything, so we were able to listen in on his plans to ruin Christmas.”

The Kiwanis Toys for Kids program has once again made sure children in the community will have a great Christmas. Over 300 children will receive gifts this year through this important outreach and it requires the efforts of many who give of their time and donations. The toys were distributed to families December 13 ^th and 14 ^th from the basement of the courthouse. Mrs. Rita James has been chairman of Toys for Kids for over 15 years. Each year James is joined by Mike Riffe who help’s with the task of purchasing toys. Sheriff Cranford Jordan has also worked with the program for over fifteen years. Each year he asks that his deputies participate and they are always eager to volunteer. This year $11,000 was raised at the boot drive and also through donations from businesses and individuals. Kiwanian’s Lamar Tarver, Steve Bates, Dylan and Starr Womack and Dr. Jerry Williams all assisted with the boot drive.

Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Bankston hosted the Winn Parish Retired Teacher’s Association meeting at their home on Dec. 14. It was a beautiful event with a Christmas theme. This is the first time the group has been able to meet since the COVID-19 epidemic forced things to come to a standstill. In attendance were over 30 members and of course those that have passed were there in spirit. The first item on the agenda was to discuss arrangements to honor those members who have passed since the epidemic. “If we do nothing else right throughout this next year, this has to be done right,” said Mr. Tommy Bankston. Also in attendance was the District 8

President, Mrs. Genevieve Gordon from Sabine Parish. Mrs. Gordon gave an update on events and meetings within the Association.

After the meeting was adjourned, members visited and enjoyed a beautiful display of food and refreshments.