News

Not only was Nov 25 Black Friday, it was also a great time to give to the Toys for Kids Boot Drive. The boot drive is sponsored by Winn Kiwanis in conjunction with the Winn Parish Sheriff ’s Office and the Winn Parish Fire Department. Deputies, firemen, and Kiwanians all gathered together at the red light near Walmart in Winnfield and accepted donations from those who passed by. The dreary weather didn’t hinder the day of giving.

This event is held each year during the holiday season to raise funds for gifts that are given to children in Winn Parish. The Toys for Kids program began over 17 years ago by the Timbermen and later by Kiwanis.

The 2022 Winnfield Christmas Parade is set for Dec 2 at 6:00pm on Main Street. If you are interested in participating in the parade, please complete an entry form and return it to the Louisiana Political Museum or email to shonnamoss@gmail.co m. The entry deadline is Nov 30.

This year’s theme is “A Louisiana Christmas” and parade sponsors are Winn Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis of Winnfield, and the Louisiana Political Museum. A fireworks display will follow the parade and is being sponsored by City of Winnfield.

Entry forms can be picked up at the Louisiana Political Museum, City Hall or Sabine State Bank.

The Winnfield Fire Department began live burns as of November 30, 2022. If you would like information about the department burning one of your properties go by the station located at 306 S.Abel St and ask for Chief Montgomery or Asst. Chief Martin. If it meets requirements you will be added to the list. All the department is asking for this is a simple donation of bottled water and/or Powerade/Gatorade.

Dove Award winner, Joseph Habedank, will present a free Christmas Concert on December 1, beginning at 7pm at First Baptist Church in Winnfield. Joseph and his wife Lindsey live in Nashville, TN. He was just named Gospel Music’s Favorite Soloist for the 4th consecutive year. He also has a powerful unique testimony about addiction and the power of God’s redemption. He will be sharing some of his won amazing songs as well as some Christmas favorites.

Don’t miss this great opportunity to share an evening with this wonderfully talented young man. It will be a fantastic kickoff to the Christmas season.

The Louisiana Energy and Power Authority (LEPA) Board of Directors unanimously approved a resolution at its Nov. 17 meeting, commending the City of Winnfield line workers who traveled to Florida to assist the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) in restoring electric service after Hurricane Ian.

The City sent a 4-member crew, two bucket trucks and a pick-up truck to assist FMEA after Hurricane Ian made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane on September 28, 2022. The Winnfield lineworkers traveled and worked for two weeks with lineworkers from Lafayette Utilities System (LUS) to help restore electric service in the communities of Gainesville and Lakeland, Florida.

FMEA requested mutual aid assistance from LEPA just prior to the hurricane’s arrival. Winfield had received valuable assistance from mutual aid line workers from other states, including Florida after it suffered significant damage from Hurricane Laura in 2021.

Mr. Perry Holmes, Road Superintendent, gave a road update at the regular monthly meeting of the Winn Parish Police Jury. During that update he stated that grading is going well with the exception of issues with one of the graders. He also added that he has not been able to get #57’s rock since the Mississippi River is down so he has been using a 2” rock. “Hopefully we will get #57’s in a couple of weeks,” stated Holmes.

Also, DOTD bridge inspectors recently inspected the bridge on Beulah Church Road and the bottoms of the pipes are starting to rust so the rating has dropped from a 7 to a 3, requiring a load rating being put on it, although he is looking into the price of replacing those three pipes.

Mr. Kenneth Pardue of Southern Tire Mart near Creston, La was in the audience and recognized by jury president, Josh McAllister. Mr. McAllister thanked Pardue for being present and for bidding on tires this year.

Mr. Dudley, a citizen of Winnfield, was present to speak as part of the audience participation during the monthly meeting of the Winnfield City Council on November 8. Again, Mr. Dudley brought the loud music problem to the attention of the council. He stated that the problem has been going on for years and has been addressed over the years but it is still a problem. He also brought copies of the ordinance to give to each council member. The Chief of Police, Mr. Johnny Ray Carpenter addressed the issue as well and stated that since Oct. they have responded to 54 calls by Mr. Dudley’s concerning the loud music. He then asked one of his night shift Sergeants to address the issue. He stated that each call that Mr. Dudley made was addressed. He stated that the area is regularly patrolled each shift and it is documented on the logs. Mayor Hamms then stated that there would be a meeting set up with Mr. Dudley to address the issues.

Early Voting will be held in the Registrar of Voters office in the Winn Parish Courthouse Saturday, November 26 through Saturday, December 3 (closed Sunday, November 27) from 8:30 AM until 6:00 PM. Enter through the Main Street entrance. The election will be Saturday, December 10. On the ballot are School Board District 3 and three constitutional amendments. Sample ballots are currently posted outside the Registrar’s Office and will be available online at www.sos.la.gov two weeks prior to election. Sample ballots are also available on the GeauxVote app which also allows you to monitor results on Election night.

School Board District 3 Amber Cox Kristen Green

Constitutional Amendments

The monthly meeting of the WPSB was held on Nov 7. All board members were present except Mrs. Clingan, Mr. Howell, Mrs. McManus, and Mr. Bryant .

The Executive Committee Report was received and adopted.

Representatives from WSHS and Dodson High School FFA were present to give a report on the success of their trip to Inianapolis. Miss Cadie Coleman, the new Agriculture teacher at Dodson, presented the team that competed in Environmental Natural Resources. They placed Silver overall. Each student gave a little information about the trip and details of the competition.

Mr. Riley was present with several from the FFA team from WSHS that attended nationals in Indianapolis and brought home three national places.

Minutes from the Oct 3 regular monthly meeting were received and adopted.

The Finance and Budget Committee Report was received and adopted.

The Academics and Instruction Committee Report was received and adopted.

Pastor Jeff Shows invites the public to East Winnfield Baptist Church, which has been in revival since Monday and will have its concluding service tonight, Wednesday Nov. 16. Rev. Chad James has handled the preaching for the series.

Bro. Chad is pastor at Atlanta Baptist Church where he has served since January 2019. He surrendered to the preaching ministry in 2015, serving for a time as deacon/interim pastor at Northside Baptist Church in Montgomery. Prior to that time, he served 18 years in the music ministry.

Bro. Chad and his wife, Melisa, have two sons, Andrew, 21, and Landry, 17.

He explained that topics on the three nights have drawn from various Scriptures relating to the specific themes. Themes so far have been “Revive,” then “Thrive,” with tonight’s theme concluding the trio with “Alive.”

Service will begin at 6:30 p.m. “We hope any and all will feel welcome to come join us in this time of inspiration and revival,” said Pastor Shows.