News

The Winnfield Fire Department recently made history by now having ten full time fire fighters. The fire department has four shifts and will now have two fire fighters per shift plus the part time and fire officers to supplement that as well. Recently hired due to a vacancy was John Hurt and with the tenth full time position, Matthew Harrell was hired also. The fire department would like to thank the mayor and council for making this happen and supporting the fire departments efforts to better protect the citizens of Winnfield. Meet the new fire fighters:

John Hurt:

Been in the fire service since 2019

EMT-Basic

Hazmat awareness & operations

Fire Fighter I & II

Driver operator-Pumper & Aerial

Fire Instructor I

Public Fire Educator I

Matthew Harrell

Been in the fire service since 2018 Third generation fire fighter at WFD

EMT-Basic

Hazmat awareness and operations

A little over a year ago Natchitoches Parish School Board member Mr. Eugean Garner walked into the school board office to attend a regular monthly meeting. Dr. Grant Eloi, Board Superintendent, approached Mr. Garner and told him that he had some good news he wanted to share with him after the meeting. After the meeting, Mr. Lee Waskom along with Dr. Eloi met with Garner and told him that they had a little over $1,000,000 to give to the Goldonna school to establish fiber optic high speed internet. The District Technology Coordinator, Mr. Mike Cozad, played a huge part in the process as well, says Garner. “They could have used that money for other things. They could have used it for new laptops or anything in the technology department. I am indebted to these three men,” stated Garner. He also feels indebted to the other members of the NPSB for voting to use the money in this manner.

There are currently 297 Winn Parish residents who could lose their voting privileges due to inactive status.

This list includes 9 with Atlanta area addresses, 7 from Calvin, 29 from Dodson. There are also 5 voters from Montgomery, 2 in the Olla area, 8 with Natchitoches addresses who reside in Winn Parish, 5 from Montgomery. The list also includes 9 from the Sikes area, 3 from Tullos, and 219 residing in Winnfield.

The list, according to the Secretary of State’s office, is of inactive voters because of a number of reasons. During the annual canvass an individual’s registration address might be able to be verified by the parish registrar of voters or the address on file has been returned undeliverable.

In some cases, the mailing address may not be within the city limits of that town, but the address are based on the mail delivery address. That’s why there are 8 on the list who live in Winn Parish but have a Natchitoches mailing address for example.

On July 19, the Winn Parish Communications District Board Members held a meeting in the meeting room of the WPSO. During that meeting, Sheriff Jordan went over the financial report. The members of the board approved the report. Mayor Gerald Hamms was in attendance and given an update on the procedures of the meetings. Sheriff Jordan also explained that the 911 Control is in the basement of the courthouse. There are three places that can answer 911: WPSO, WPD, and the Detention Center. The 911 System started in Winn Parish in 1989 with no funds available. Currently, this is the third system. Rates have not increased since 1989, which began at $.50 per residential phone.

Mayor Hamms asked about training for the dispatchers. Jordan explained that training can be done at any time and that it is part of the fire rating that those dispatchers should be trained. He stated that it is mandatory for dispatcher’s of the WPSO be trained.

Per Winn Parish Ordinance 003 of 2006, I hereby declare a BURN BAN on all outside burning in Winn Parish effective at 6 am on Thursday 21 July 2022. It shall remain in effect until further notice.

The BURN BAN shall not apply to prescribed burns by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, by those trained and certified by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry or by those who conduct prescribed burning as a “generally accepted agriculture practice” as defined by the Louisiana Right to Farm Law (R.S. 3:3601 et seq.).

The current KBDI as of 19 July 2022 is 601 and 700, this range puts Winn Parish in a SEVERE DROUGHT Condition.

Violation of this BURN BAN may result in a $500 fine and/or six months in jail.

A group of students for the Winn Parish 4-H attended the 4-H Teen Leadership Training at NSU on July 20. Several members presented at the training and some participated in the hands on activities.

The Atlanta branch of the Winn Parish Library recently held a Wood Mason Jar Craft event that was open to the public.

Alex Adams and Kaleb Womack of WSHS won the state championship in their weight category for the WSHS Powerlifting Team.

*9-8-8 is a new easy to remember 3 digital dialing code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL). *The phone number for NSPL has been 1-800-273-TALK. While this 10- digit number will continue working, the new 3-digit dialing code of 9-8-8 will be active in Louisiana beginning July 16, 2022. *By dialing 9-8-8 you will be routed to a local contact center and connected with a live specialist trained in emotional support, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention. These contact centers are approved by the national network of Lifeline centers and accredited to provide telephonic suicide prevention work. *By dialing 9-8-8 you can also receive referrals to local behavioral health agencies/facilities. *Your call is routed to your local center based upon the area code of the phone you are dialing from. **In Louisiana area codes 504, 225, and 985 will be routed to VIA LINK. **In Louisiana area codes 318 and 337 will be routed to LACG.

Boys Coach Pitch ages 7-8 tryouts will be held on July 26 from 6:30pm-7: 30pm at the Grove Street Recreation Department, Field 3. Children cannot turn 9 years old before May 1, 2023. There will be weekly games in Natchitoches and the season will begin the first week of September.

Students from Winnfield Middle School have once again competed at the National level for the Junior Beta Convention. This year made nine appearances for the school in the past ten years. Their hard work, dedication, and tradition are to be commended. This year, thanks to top five finishes at the State Convention, the following individuals/ groups participated in both in-person and virtual competitions in June.

Virtually, our Elementary (5th grade) Quiz Bowl team took a test after placing second at State and placed tenth at Nationals. The team of Zachary Kelley, Natalie Parker, Kenneth Richard, and Carson Thompson should be very proud of their hard work and accomplishment of this place.

The Winn Parish Library is accepting applications for Library Director. Please contact Mona Bamburg at 318-628-4478 or mbamburg@state.lib.la.us for additional information and application package.