News

There is something about watching children during Christmas time that renews my soul. I remember as a child, my parents always said they enjoyed this time of the year because of how much my brother, sister, and I looked forward to it. Of course, my daddy always stressed the reason for the season and reminded us that it wasn’t about presents. Although, that didn’t stop him from making sure we each received that special gift that we asked for.

I think we all have traditions that we want to hold on to. It could be a drive to Natchitoches to see the beautiful lights, or having chicken and dressing on Christmas day. Our family opened presents on Christmas Eve evening as we got older so that Christmas day was spent having a beautiful meal, prayer time, and spending time as a family while remembering the birth of Jesus.

NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University awarded 646 degrees to 636 graduates during Fall 2022 Commencement Dec. 15-16. NSU also awarded 428 degrees to 420 Summer 2022 graduates.

Fall and summer graduates from Winn Parish are:

Dodson – Alana Bearden, Bachelor of General Studies;

Winnfield Patrika Triplett, Associate of General Studies; Kaitlyn Turner, Bachelor of Arts; Adrienne Jones, Lillian Rainwater Bachelor of General Studies; Maggie Womack, Bachelor of Music; Trinity Homan, Lauren Layton, Natalie Womack, Alecia Zimmerman Bachelor of Science; Haley Chandler, Bachelor of Science in Nursing;

Atlanta — Alexis Hanson, Bachelor of Science in Nursing;

Dodson Lydia McGaha, Bachelor of Science;

Winnfield Jacob Jones, Kellee Rey, Bachelor of Science;

Winnfield mayor Gerald Hamm’s accepted a plaque on behalf of the City of Winnfield in recognition of Winnfield electric crews offering mutual aid assistance in Florida during recent storms. This was done during the regular monthly meeting of the Winnfield City Council.

Also, during guest participation of the meeting, Mr. Dudley, a Winnfield resident was again present to express his concerns about the disturbing the peace problem in his neighborhood. He stated that it is a problem that concerns the council and needs to be addressed. “We don’t have a lot of burglary, armed robbery, rape, murder, in our neighborhood. What we have is people disturbing the peace.” Lt. Chuck Curry was present and asked to address his concern. He stated that Mr. Dudley was incorrect in his statement concerning the other crimes. He went on to list arrests that were made concerning these particular crimes and the department works together to address these crimes.

Member of School Board — District 3

Early & Absentee Reporting - 1 of 1 parishes Election Day Reporting - 5 of 5 precincts Amber Cox (NOPTY) - 55% (81) Kristan Green (REP) - 45% (65)

Total: 146 Unofficial Turnout: 18.6%

CA No. 1 (ACT 279, 2022 - HB 178) — Requires U.S. citizenship in order to register and vote in Louisiana

Runs in multiple parishes Early & Absentee Reporting - 1 of 1 parishes Election Day Reporting - 31 of 31 precincts

YES - 81% (811) NO – 19% (19)

Total: 1,007 Unofficial Turnout: 11.8%

CA No. 2 (ACT 281, 2022 - SB 160) — Requires Senate confirmation of gubernatorially appointed members of the State Civil Service Comm.

Runs in multiple parishes Early & Absentee Reporting - 1 of 1 parishes Election Day Reporting - 31 of 31 precincts

YES – 73%(738) NO - 27% (268)

Total: 1,006 Unofficial Turnout: 11.8%

Dec 9 was a special day for students at Winnfield Primary School. The school was one of just 52 schools nationwide selected for the Busload of Books Tour, a major literacy project by author/illustrator duo Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr. Robbi and Matthew and their four kids are spending the 2022-2023 school year living in a school bus/tiny home, visiting Title I schools in all 50 states (plus DC), doing presentations on creativity and collaboration, and giving away 25,000 free hardcover books to students and educators in low-income communities.

During the visit the family was greeted with donuts and a hug by Maggie Bryant and the tone continue all day. There were lots of hugs and lots of excitement. Robbi Behr added that they made a point of selecting schools that probably wouldn’t have a visiting author, for reasons of budget or geography, or both.

Two WSHS Seniors Named to All Academic Team

Rita James introduced Winn Parish Registrar of Voters Bryan Kelley. Kelley took Mrs. James job when she retired as registrar of voters in July, 2018. Kelley told the club how to register to vote and there are several ways. You can register in person with your driver’s license or ID, you can register on-line on the Secretary of State website or on the Geaux Vote site or app. You can also register by mail and at the DMV or Public Assistance offices. The deadline for in person registration is 30 days prior to an election and the deadline for on-line registration is 20 days before election. That makes it too late to register for the upcoming election on December 10th. Early voting is going on at this time. Some persons can also vote by mail. Those include senior citizens, the disabled, military and overseas workers. There are other reasons you can register to vote by mail if you are in the hospital or a nursing home or perhaps incarcerated on a misdemeanor charge.

Bring your children to visit Santa. Beginning Dec 10 - 23 he will be at his house near the Winnfield Post Office each Saturday from 1pm to 5pm.