News

On May 25, 2022, shortly after 5:00 p.m. the Winn Parish Sheriff ’s Office (WPSO) requested that the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations (LSP BOI) investigate a deputy-involved shooting. The incident involved the Jackson Parish Sheriff ’s Office (JPSO) and occurred on U.S. Highway 167 near Dodson. Detectives from LSP BOI responded to the scene.

The preliminary investigation revealed that deputies with JPSO responded to a disturbance at the Forest Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Jonesboro. As deputies approached the facility, they observed the suspect operating a vehicle that was leaving the scene. The suspect was later identified as 53-year-old Abe Banks of Jonesboro. Deputies attempted to stop Banks, but he refused to stop and a vehicle pursuit ensued. The pursuit continued south on U.S. Highway 167 into Winn Parish. During the pursuit, Banks’ vehicle had a mechanical failure and stopped in the roadway.

The Winnfield Police Department has joined many agencies in enforcement activities for the National “Click it or Ticket” campaign for Fiscal Year 2022. They are utilizing grant money awarded by the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission to pay officers to work overtime in seat belt enforcement details.

ON-GOING ENFORCEMENT WAVE

May 23 - June 8, 2022 (Click It or Ticket It)

Louisiana law states that all drivers and passengers, regardless of which seat they occupy in a vehicle, must wear a seat belt or be properly restrained in a child safety seat that is properly installed. The fine for not being properly restrained is $50. Fines for improper child safety are $242.50. Besides being the law in Louisiana, wearing your seat belt is the single most important thing a driver or passenger can do to protect themselves in the event of a crash. The LHSC supports national programs such as “Click It or Ticket” that raise awareness of the need for proper restraint usage.

The annual WHS/WSHS alumni reunion will be Saturday, June 25, 2022. Activities include a coffee on Saturday morning from 10:00 to 12:00 at WSHS. Please use the entrance adjacent to the bus dock. The banquet will be at the Central Louisiana Technical Community College beginning at 6:00 PM with a meet and greet hour from 5:00 to 6:00. Doors will open at 4:30. It is not too late to register and pay for the banquet meal. If you need a registration form, contact Jimmie Frazier Davies at 318-628-6622 or by email at jimmieleedavies@hotmail.com. Deadline for registration is June 11, 2022. If you would like to receive three alumni newsletters a year, contact Ms. Davies to be added to the database. With the exception of 2020 and 2021, the reunion has been held yearly on the fourth Saturday in June since 1955. The graduating class celebrating their 50th year hosts the reunion.

Tiger baseball boys were honored May 24 at the annual WSHS Athletic Banquet.

1 ^st Team All District: Jake Pharr, Hunter Tucker, Canyon Compton, Brady Johnson, Jacob Whisonant, and Ryland Brister.

2 ^nd Team All District: Aron Guerrero, Jake Hemphill, Bricen Page, Dyllan Lawson, and Eli Little.

All District Co-MVP went to Hunter Tucker.

The following is a list of other awards given: Coaches Award (Jake Pharr), Team MVP: (Hunter Tucker), Offensive MVP (Hunter Tucker), Defensive MVP (Brady Johnson/Dyllan Lawson), Clay Ferrand Memorial: Canyon Compton

The Louisiana Loggers Self-Insured Fund hosted an appreciation dinner on Friday, May 6 with invited guests of the Logger of the Year and the Louisiana Loggers Association board. Guests enjoyed a meal prepared by Jamey Maxwell, as well as a specialty cake by Sweets by Nonnie.

During the occasion, the 2022 Logger of the Year, Cathy and Wade Rivers of C & W Logging, Inc was honored. Wade was born into a logging family. His father, Sam A. Rivers, Sr., had his own logging job beginning in 1951. In 1974, he started Sam A. Rivers and Sons INC., where he employed 5 of his 7 sons. Wade went to work for his dad in 1976. He later went to work for his brother Vernon and eventually started up a job with his brother Lindsey and was contracted to Walsh Timber. In 1997, Wade formed his own company, C & W Logging, INC. The logging company has been a member of the Louisiana Loggers Self-Insured Fund for almost 25 years.

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.