News

Winn Parish PreKindergarten registration will be held in place of Round Up from March 5, 2022 through June 24, 2022. Beginning March 5, 2022, registration information for PreK for the 2022-2023 school year may be obtained at the following locations: Atlanta High School, Calvin High School, Dodson High School, Winnfield Primary School, and the Winn Parish School Board Office. All students must be four years old on or before September 30, 2022 to enter the four-year-old program. Information required for registration includes: 1) the completed Winn Parish Early Childhood Application 2) income verification 3) copy of child’s social security card 4) copy of the child’s birth certificate 5) up to date immunization record and 6) parent/caregivers’ proof of residence.

Mayor George Moss met with Field Representative, Murphy Chestnut as well as former Mayor of Monroe, Mr. Jamie Mayo who works with M5 Consulting concerning the long going drainage issues. The City of Winnfield is currently involved in multiple lawsuits filed by residents of Boone, Perkins, Dunbar, Orange, and Martin Luther King Streets concerning drainage issues dating back to 2017. Mayor Moss has reached. Pictured from L to R: Jamie Mayo, Jessie Phillips, Murphy Chestnut, and Mayor George Moss.

Sheriff Cranford Jordan gives credit to his deputies within the WPSO for helping to control spending and have a balanced budget. Jordan states that at the beginning of the fiscal year of July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021, the savings balance was $6,734,720.00. After paying $3,000,000.00 on the Winn Parish Detention Center note, they were left with a balance of $4,639,955.00. On January 28, 2022 the remaining balance owed on the Detention Center was $3,737,743.54. Jordan hand delivered the payoff check at that time. The remaining balance in the reserve in case of emergency is $900,000.00. Money was saved over the course of 9 years to pay off the Detention Center note.

Autumn Leaves Nursing and Rehabilitation held a beauty pageant for residents on February 24. There were many family members and friends in the audience to cheer for their loved ones. Each contestant was escorted in and answered questions for the judges. The room was decorated with a Mardi Gras theme and each contestant received a beautiful rose. It was a hard job for the judges because every single contestant looked amazing.

Since her initial arrest on February 16, 2022, a subsequent investigation led to more charges against, Allie Joyce Wilkerson, 50, of 404 South Jones ST, Winnfield LA 71483, when warrants were obtained by the WPSO Narcotics Investigator.

While in the WPSO Detention Center on the two original charges, Wilkerson was arrested and charged with the following additional charges:

Warrant - Distribution of a controlled dangerous substance – Morphine Warrant - Distribution of a controlled dangerous substance - Hydrocodone

Total bond for the four charges has been set at $600,000, however, more arrests are expected as the investigation continues.

Winn Parish PreKindergarten registration will be held in place of Round Up from March 5, 2022 through June 24, 2022. Beginning March 5, 2022, registration information for PreK for the 2022-2023 school year may be obtained at the following locations: Atlanta High School, Calvin High School, Dodson High School, Winnfield Primary School, and the Winn Parish School Board Office. All students must be four years old on or before September 30, 2022 to enter the four-year-old program. Information required for registration includes: 1) the completed Winn Parish Early Childhood Application 2) income verification 3) copy of child’s social security card 4) copy of the child’s birth certificate 5) up to date immunization record and 6) parent/caregivers’ proof of residence.

Dugdemona Soil and Water Conservation District is an organization with a mission to help promote conservation of natural resources through stewardship and education. The District hosts different projects each year to help people of Winn, Jackson and Caldwell Parishes understand how to put conservation on the ground and to better educate students about conservation.

Each year DSWC hosts a Tree and Shrub Sale. This fundraiser is their largest fundraiser and all proceeds are used to help sponsor area projects such as the Feral Hog Control Program, Forestry Awareness, and Restoration of Wildlife Habitats. This year Grace Wins Food Truck will be set up at the location as well. It will be held on Hwy 167 South next to the old Sonic in Winnfield.

At their February meeting, the Winn Retired Teachers Association honored in a candlelight service four members lost in 2019-2020: Ethel Lea Peters, Melba Bradford Little, Mary Kirkendall, and Anne Duke.

Dr. Durwood Duke spoke of Ethel Lea Peters and her life which include 40 years of service in the educational field. He spoke of her dedication, loyalty, and friendship during her years in our school system.

Sheila Causey then memorialized Melba Bradford Little. Mrs. Little taught high school English for 30 years. Her standard of excellence, love of students, and dedication to her work and coworkers made her the “consummate professional of her time.”

To honor Mary Lee Kirkendall, Ethel Howell reminded us of Mary’s talents and commitment to the Lord, her education and her 30-year career in teaching. Mary was a sister and a friend to Ethel and will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

The WSHS Powerlifting Team participated in the Darbonne Woods Charter School competition on February 5. The team came home with several awards including Kaleb Womack placing 3^rd in the 275 lb class, Clayton Chandler placing 3 rd in the 198 lb class, and Travon Nichols placing 1 st in the 198 lb class and voted Outstanding Lifter of the Heavy Weight Division with a 600 lb Deadlift.

The Family Dollar store in Winnfield has temporarily closed after the FDA reported over 1000 dead rodents were discovered at the franchises Arkansas distribution center. More that 400 Family Dollar stores have been closed due to the finding. The infestation has been an issue dating back to at least 2014 after a downtown Memphis location because of the smell of “dead rats” in the facility. In 2019 a health inspection report noted rodent droppings on store shelves at a Hickory Hill, Illinois Family Dollar.