News

Former Winnfield Mayor George Moss has officially announced his candidacy for Mayor, citing experience, steady leadership, and a continued commitment to the future of the city Moss previously served as Mayor of Winnfield during one of the most challenging periods in recent history His administration guided the city through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hurricane Laura, and two significant winter ice storms. During those crises, Moss worked closely with federal, state and local officials to maintain essential services, protect public safety, all while bringing the city into financial stability “In times of uncertainty, leadership matters,” Moss said. “I am proud of how our community came together during some of the most difficult days Winnfield has faced. We worked hard to keep our city functioning, informed, and prepared.”

Tuesday, February llth Brian Montgomery, Winnfield Fire Chief, spoke to Kiwanis. He brought Captain Charles Long and Captain Ben Murphy to the meeting with him. Montgomery started at the Fire Department as a volunteer in 1994 and was hired as employee in 1996. He became chief in 2015.

He was very happy to share the good news that the Fire Department has achieved a class 2 fire rating. This is a classification of the Property Insurance Association of Louisiana which evaluates fire departments based on a grading scale. The rating affects the fire insurance premium costs. The ratings are determined every 5 years. The rating is 1 being best to 10 being worst. The Winnfield Fire Department has had a class 3 rating for many years and a lot of work went into now being a class 2. They are well within the boundary between class 2 and class 3 so they should be able to maintain class 2. Once the 5 years is over and the rating is established the process starts all over again.

The Atlanta Branch Library

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.