News

The City recently held a special honorary luncheon to celebrate and honor Gladys Hobdy, a devoted public servant who retired on December 31, 2025, after 32 years of faithful and dedicated service. Ms. Hobdy served as the Utility Office Supervisor, where she carried out her responsibilities with excellence, integrity, and a genuine heart for the people.

During the luncheon, Mayor Gerald Hamms presented Ms. Hobdy with a plaque and a watch, truly giving her her well-deserved flowers in recognition of her outstanding commitment and lasting impact on the City. For more than three decades, her professionalism, leadership, and unwavering work ethic helped move the City forward and touched countless lives.

We are grateful for her many contributions and the legacy she leaves behind. As she steps into this new season of retirement, we wish her continued joy, good health, and well-deserved rest.

The Winn Parish School Board first meeting of the year started off with the election of President and Vice President for the 2026 school year. Ballots were passed around the table and votes were cast between two candidates, Lacey McManus and Joe Lynn Browning; Browning was re-elected to remain President for another year. Board members were then asked to vote between McManus and Dan Taylor for the Vice-President spot. Taylor was elected to fill the position for the 2026 school year.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and Quail Forever hosted a landowner interest meeting at the Winn Parish Library on January 6, 2026. Quail Forever is a non-governmental habitat organization that focuses on creating, enhancing, and restoring habitats beneficial to wildlife.

Jackson Martini, Louisiana State Coordinator for Quail Forever, stated “This program is targeted at private landowners to thin their forests below 60-square-foot basal area. This creates an open canopy to let sunlight hit the forest floor and allows native grasses, wildflowers, and shrubs to grow which is beneficial for quail, turkey, deer and various grassland songbirds of conservation concern”.

The LDWF informed landowners that using prescribed burns is the most cost and time efficient way to manage their property, improve wildlife habitat, and reduce wildfire risk by clearing fuels.

The cooler months are ideal for planting many tree species in Louisiana. Staking newly planted trees can offer muchneeded support as they start to put down roots — especially in the case of large trees.

“When you get that instant effect from a mature tree being put into the landscape, you’ve got a lot of top-heavy growth, but you don’t have the root ball to accommodate that,” said Damon Abdi, assistant professor of landscape horticulture at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station. “Staking is a great method to be able to give a little bit of stability to the tree as it’s integrating into its new landscape.”

Staking prevents the root ball from shifting and incurring damage while the tree acclimates to its surroundings. To reap the benefits of staking, however, you must do it properly. Follow these steps from Abdi for the best results.

Step 1: Install stakes

(StatePoint) With a few smart updates, especially those that protect against winter’s biggest water woes, you can transform your home into the calming sanctuary you need during the coldest, darkest days of the year.

Below, Moen, the number one faucet brand in North America, shares three ways you can ensure that your space is optimized for a peaceful winter season.

1. Get Peace of Mind with Smart Water Security Water damage is one of the most common and costly home disasters. The Insurance Information Institute reports that one in 60 insured homes nationally files a water damage or freezing claim each year, with average claim costs surpassing $13,000. During the coldest months, frozen pipe bursts and other undetected leaks, big or small, can mean expensive, sudden repair costs and the devastating loss of sentimental items.

Kiwanis November 2025 Terrific Kids

Pine Belt Multi-Purpose Community Action Agency, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program and no client, applicant or employee shall, on the basis of race, sex, age, color, national origin, religion, disability, political affiliation or any other non-merited factor, be denied the benefits of, be excluded from participation in, or otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or service which this CSBG funded agency operates. For additional information contact: TyAnne Bradley – EO OFFICER, 708 South Cooper Avenue, P. O. Box 508, Jonesboro, LA 71251, 318-259-6444, ext. 102. TDD/RELAY SERVICES – DIAL 711. “Equal Opportunity Employer/Program,” Auxiliary Aides and Services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

Hurricane Creek Baptist Church Treats WPSO to Special Thanksgiving Meal

Two new police officers will be joining the ranks of other officers as graduates of the Alexandria Regional Police Academy on November 20th, 2025. Chief Johnny Ray Carpenter and Lt Brian Glenn are photographed with the officers, Joseph Carrithers and Caden Sellers.

Training began July 27th and lasted for 17 weeks. Cadets were subject to a rigorous physical training program as well as academics consisting of criminal laws, search and seizure supreme court cases, traffic laws, defensive tactics, firearms training, and more specialized training such as DUI detection, Intoxilizer operator, high-speed pursuits, spike-strip deployment and defensive driving. They are also trained in crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques when dealing with persons in mental crisis.

It’s always good news when new businesses come to Winn Parish. In this instance, this new business offers many services to support and serve the community and parish.

Brett Lang is a native of Atlanta, Louisiana. His parents are Joe and Lisa Lang. Brett has an extensive law enforcement background that began over 20 years ago in South Louisiana. In early 2025, he moved back to Winn Parish and has now opened Law Enforcement Services, LLC. The location is at 317 Thomas Mill Road, building B, in Winnfield.