News

On Saturday, June 11, 2022 Kisatchie National Forest, the Winn Parish Sheriff ’s Office, and the Winnfield Bass Club will host a Youth Fishing Derby on the Winn Ranger District. The Winn District invites children ages 2-12 to participate in the derby at the Bombing Range Pond, 7 miles west of Winnfield. Check-in will begin at 7:30am with fishing at 8:00am and concluding at approximately 10:00am with an award ceremony for the derby winners.

Please bring your own fishing gear (rods, poles, lines, hooks, etc), bait (for catfish and bream), water, sunscreen, chairs. Adults may cast for children, but are not allowed to reel in the fish.

Central Louisiana Technical Community College - Huey P. Long Campus, Practical Nursing Graduating Class XXXIV Pinning Ceremony - Wednesday May 18, 2022, at 6pm at CLTCC Huey P. Long Campus CLTCC College-Wide Graduation Ceremony - Thursday May 19, 2022 at 5pm at Rapides Parish Coliseum. Front Row (left to right): Chasten Atkins, Macie Demma, Cheryl Eaves, Myranda Lowe, Jessie Bradley Shyann Garner, Myleah Burks, Fonisha Stringer, Cheyenne Hattaway; Back Row (left to right): Billie Jade Etheridge, Stacy Jensen, Bailey Meggs, Bailey Scroggs, Destane Moore, Shadricka Babers, Jon’nae Bradley, Shelby Johnson, Hannah Brown.

On February 10, 1858, Eastern Star Lodge No. 151 of Winnfield was officially chartered. In spite of the many moves by the Lodge and at least two fires, the original by-laws adopted on that date have been preserved, as well as the minutes of the Lodge.

Through the changes of time, culture, and society, the Lodge has held steadfast to its history. That history includes wars that have been fought and lives that have been impacted by those wars. The Vacant Chair Degree is a ritual that is done by members of the Lodge to offer a stern reminder of the price paid not only by those who died in the service of our country, but also the price paid by their family and friends.

The Vacant Chair Degree was formerly a secret ritual created to honor Master Masons who died serving in the various wars fought since the founding of our country. Recently it was modified to honor all soldiers killed in battle, and is now open to the public.

Elizabeth Vidos, also known as Lady Chops, will be performing at the Winn Parish Library as part of the 2022 Summer Reading Program. Lady Chops is a one-woman drumming show. She is a talented percussionist whose past work includes performing in the hit show “STOMP.” Her program titled “Drum Roll Please” is energetic, interactive and fun for all ages as she incorporates over 15 different instruments including buckets, body percussion and the Cajun rubboard. The times and dates of her performances are: May 31, 2022 – Dodson Branch Library at 10:00 and the Main Branch at 2:00, June 1, 2022 – Calvin Branch Library at 10:00 and the Sikes Branch Library at 2:00.

The Winn Parish Police Jury adopted a Resolution requesting the United States Congress reject the recommendation to close the Alexandria Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Pineville. At the May 16 regular called meeting, Police Jury Vice President, Mr. Kirk Miles offered the Motion and received a second by Mr. Author Robinson.

Police Jury President, Mr. Josh McAllister added that other parishes have also adopted the same Resolution. He stated that there are many veterans in Winn Parish that use that facility.

The Resolution states the following:

Alexandria Veterans Affairs Medical Center provides inpatient medical and surgical, inpatient mental health, community living centers, and outpatient services to veterans in the surrounding area.

Thousands of veterans are served each year at this facility, including a potential population of more than one hundred thousand veterans and an active patient roster of more than thirty seven thousand veterans.

The Winnfield Fire Department continued live burn training on Lucky Ave. May 10, 2022 at 08:00 Hrs. 11 fire fighters and four fire apparatus participated. This effort continues to serve the citizens of Winnfield by helping to clean up abandon properties they own and helps the fire fighters freshen up their skills and keeps the apparatus in tip top shape and working condition.

It’s time once again for the Annual D.A.R.E. Fair. Each year, the Winn Parish Sheriff ’s Office hosts this event and with the help of the community, offers a day of fun, food, activities for kids and adults to finish out the school year for the kids in Winn Parish as well as offer informative information.

This year’s D.A.R.E. Fair will be held on Saturday, May 21 from 10am-1pm at the Central Louisiana Technical College in Winnfield. There will be door prizes, funnel cake’s, face painting, informational booths will be set up, and lots of giveaways. Also on hand will be the LLEGS Trailer, Teen Challenge, K-9 Demo, WPSO Drone, LA State Police, the Forest Service, and the Parish Library. Free hot dogs will be served as well.

This is a family event so everyone is invited and encouraged to attend the 2022 D.A.R.E. Fair. It will be a great time for all.

The Winn Parish Police Jury / Saline Lake Game and Fish Preserve Commission and Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced the scheduled drawdown of Saline Lake, in Natchitoches and Winn parishes, starting approximately June 1, 2022. The primary purpose is to control the growth of giant Salvinia during the upcoming summer months when growth potential is at its highest. The 2021 WLF aquatic vegetation management plan can be found on the LDWF website (Fisheries-Publications and Brochures-Inland Vegetation Management Plans-Saline Lake, Winn Parish).

The lake will dewater at a rate of 3 to 4 inches per day until it reaches a target drawdown level of 8 feet below normal pool stage. The control gates will close on approximately October 1, 2022, to allow the lake to refill for fall, winter and early spring recreational activities.

May 8-14 is National Hospital Week and what better way to celebrate than to plan a week of honoring healthcare workers. That’s just what WPMC did. Each day held something special for healthcare workers. The hospital made sure that employees were celebrated and treated with door prizes, sweet treats, and lots of good food.

National Hospital Week began as National Hospital Day in the year 1921 as an attempt to inspire community members to support hospitals after the Spanish flu outbreak in 1918. In 1953, it was changed to National Hospital week. It actually takes place during the week of Florence Nightingale’s birthday, which is on May 12. She is considered the founder of modern nursing. The holiday was established by the American Hospital Association to shine a spotlight on hospitals, health systems, and health care workers who strive to save lives daily.