News

A literacy grant from International Paper Foundation will enable Northwestern State University’s Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development to create a Center for Excellence in Teaching to serve aspiring teachers through mentoring, service projects and well-being awareness.

The IP Foundation presented the $5,000 grant to administrators in the School of Education where components are already in place to improve teacher preparation. Creating a Center for Excellence will enhance and centralize those initiatives, according to Dr. Neeru Deep, interim dean of the College.

A recently approved grant known as CCAP B-3, written through the Winn Parish School Board, could offer qualified families with paid tuition for children ages 6 weeks to 3 years of age at a Type III childcare center.

In addition, it was announced that a Type III childcare center is now in operation here, with the Rapides-based Cenla Christian Childcare Center having opened its doors in Winnfield this November. Cenla Christian Childcare Center owners Matt and Shannon Johns announced the opening of their fifth location, this one in Winnfield, in early November. CCCC has grown from four active locations to this fifth location in Winnfield which is Matt’s hometown. The center currently serves children from 6 weeks to 12 years of age, has an experienced and credentialed staff, and has the capacity to serve over 50 children.

Ensuring a positive impact on the forestry industry across the southern United States, Martin Sustainable Resources LLC in Alexandria recently donated $1 million to Louisiana Tech as a leadership gift toward construction of the University’s new Forest Products Innovation Center (FPIC), with the assurance of another $1 million to be presented by June 2024.

The Center will be on South Campus and provide space for a transdisciplinary approach to solving the challenges associated with the timber industry. Groundbreaking is set for late Spring, 2024.

Many many thanks to the Calvin School and everyone that participated in donating toys for the Kiwanis Toys for Kids program. Lots of happy faces for needy children on Christmas morning. It fills my heart with goodness when children will give to other children. What a wonderful community we live in. Again thank you Calvin school, the only school that donated. 

In the heart of Winnfield, a cherished Christmas tradition continues to shine brightly. For many years, Christmas Eve candlelight services have illuminated the First United Methodist Church and churches around the world, creating a profound sense of peace and unity during the holiday season.

This year, First United Methodist Church is proud to announce that the tradition lives on, as Pastor Joel Carter extends an invitation to the entire community to join in a heartwarming celebration of faith and light.

The candlelight service, including Communion, will take place at 6:00 PM on Sunday, December 24th, offering a sacred and enchanting experience for all who attend.

For Pastor Carter, this annual event holds special significance.

“It’s a tangible way for God’s light to enter the darkness that surrounds this world,” he explains.

The Enterpries used it’s connections to make sure a lot of kids know how special they are and how proud Santa is of them for being so good this year. Santa and his elves sent out over 250 letters and certificates letting kids know they were on his “nice” list this. We received some awesome pictures to share. It’s the most wonderful time of the year and these kids prove it to be true. More pictures to come in each edition leading up to Christmas.

Calvin High School FFA competed at the District LDE Competition at LaSalle High School recently. They did an awesome job and brought home several award. Congratulations to all of you. Those that placed were: . Sienna Box placed 1st in Creed Speaking, Rebekah Dupree placed 1st in Prepared Speaking, Gianna Conzonere placed 2nd in Prepared Speaking, Brooklyn Teddlie placed 2nd in Employment Skills, Lauren Chandler placed 4th in Employment Skills. Congratulations to all of those from Winn Parish that competed in this event.

This year the annual Goldonna Christmas in the Park will feature an all day festival that will end with a parade and fireworks.

Events will get kicked off at 10am on Saturday, December 9 at Goldonna Town Hall located at 3159 Main Ave. in Goldonna.

There will be live music from 11:00am-4pm and the parade will begin at 5pm. Following the parade the evening will end with a beautiful firework show.

Vendors will be set up that the pavilion that is located right by the old rail road tracks. Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be on hand to visit with the kids. Everyone is invited and encouraged to join in on a day of celebrating the Christmas season.

The Winnfield Christmas Parade sponsored by the Kiwanis Club, the Winn Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Winnfield took place Friday, December 1st at 6 PM on Main St. There were over 50 entries in the parade which had the theme of Piney Woods Express.

Grand Marshal of the parade was Carolyn Phillips former Cooperative Extension Agent and Director of the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame. Mrs. Phillips has been an integral part of the community since 1962. Prior to the parade a reception was held at the Winn Parish Library honoring Carolyn Phillips as the Grand Marshall. She received a plaque from Kiwanis President Margaret Coon commemorating this event. Mayor Gerald Hamms and Councilwoman Chiquita Caldwell surprised Mrs. Phillips with a “Hammie” for her years of service in the community.

The election of October 14, 2023, was the subject of Winnfield’s Rotary meeting on November 15, 2023. Bryan Kelley, Winn Parish Registrar of Voters as well as a longtime Rotarian, gave the club members the low down on the voting statistics for the day.

At present, Winn Parish has 8,417 registered voters, of which 35.25% are registered Democrats, 37.91% are registered Republicans, and almost 27% are registered as other or no party. Of those registered voters, 4,657 or 55.33% voted in the most recent election. Only 52.44% of registered Democrats voted, whereas 66.69% of registered Republicans voted.

Early voters comprised 43.23% of all voters in the October 14, 2023, election, and 56.77% of those voting did so on election day itself. Republicans were the largest percentage of those voting early, with 46.65% of early voters, and early voting Democrats were only 33.23% of the total. 23.92% of all registered voters voted early. Early voters include those voting by mail.