News

Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Bankston hosted the Winn Parish Retired Teacher’s Association meeting at their home on Dec. 14. It was a beautiful event with a Christmas theme. This is the first time the group has been able to meet since the COVID-19 epidemic forced things to come to a standstill. In attendance were over 30 members and of course those that have passed were there in spirit. The first item on the agenda was to discuss arrangements to honor those members who have passed since the epidemic. “If we do nothing else right throughout this next year, this has to be done right,” said Mr. Tommy Bankston. Also in attendance was the District 8

President, Mrs. Genevieve Gordon from Sabine Parish. Mrs. Gordon gave an update on events and meetings within the Association.

After the meeting was adjourned, members visited and enjoyed a beautiful display of food and refreshments.

Winnfield First Baptist will be offering Christmas dinner to the community at no cost Friday, Dec. 24 ^th from 11:30am – 1:30pm. There will be curbside pick-up or dine-in. The church is located at 201 East Court St. This event is just a piece of a whole plan of things to come. Dr. Jerry Pipes, the pastor of Winnfield First Baptist, is excited about a new three year strategic plan that has been put into place to “Help everyone every where find and follow Jesus,” which is their mission statement. The church recently held an “I Serve Sunday” in which members went out into the community to assist and help others such as cleaning yards, delivering goody bags to the elderly, and other out reach projects. Members attended church, held prayer and then disbursed to their prospective projects.

There are 5 core values that drive their mission statement. Those five core values include:

Autumn Leaves residents and staff enjoyed a great trip to the Saline Creek Christmas Tree Farms on Thursday, December 2, 2021. Owners, Mrs. Nikki and Mr. Scott Bedgood provided all with a picnic lunch. Photographer, Mrs. Patti Warren and Santa Claus were there to take pictures of all the residents. Mr. Scott demonstrated how they cut and bale trees when they are purchased. Mrs. Nikki also demonstrated how she makes wreaths that are also sold at the Christmas Tree Farm. Then the residents were able to tour the gift shop on the grounds as well. Autumn Leaves appreciates the Saline Creek Christmas Tree Farm for everything they did for our residents. It was such a treat for them to be able to go on such a nice little outing to experience Christmas in such a special way.

Mr. Jessie Phillips has been over the Shop with a Cop program for many years and each year it grows with this year being the largest yet. This year there were over a hundred kids filling the civic center excited to shop. Santa was on hand to visit with the children and take a few pictures. As they loaded onto the rescue vehicles, fire trucks, and police vehicles, the anticipation and excitement would warm any heart. Mr. Phillips stressed that this program would not be possible without the local merchants, donations, and volunteers. Employees of the local Walmart assisted in helping with the event and shopping with the kids. Once again Shop with a Cop was a great success.

Mayor George Moss and City of Winnfield honored this years parade Grand Marshall, Steve Vines, with a reception at the Winn Parish Library on December 3 ^rd . There were many former students and friends of Mr. Vines there to share memories as well as tell a few stories of the past. Kiwanian Lamar Tarver presented Vines with a plaque to commemorate him as the 2021 Grand Marshall of the Winnfield “Whofield” parade.

If you enjoy the Winnfield parade each year, more than likely the feeling is mutual that this was at the top of the list for being the BEST. The floats seemed to go on and on with no end in sight as onlookers waved and gathered candy that was thrown. The anticipation seemed to be in the air early in the day as participants worked on their floats, vendors were seen putting up their booths, and people were already setting their chairs out early afternoon along the parade route in hopes of getting a good view. It seems that the entire parish was involved and ready to celebrate the Christmas season with the kick off of the “Whofield” parade. The list of participants ranged from churches, to tractor clubs. Below you will find a list of all entries and float winners.

Winnfield Police Dept

Winn Parish Sheriff ’s Dept

Winnfield Fire Dept – Chief Montgomery Grand Marshal – Steve Vines Cenla Shrine Club – (Participation Award)

It’s time again for Toys for Kids volunteers to gather donations for the children throughout. This is a yearly event sponsored by the local Kiwanis Club that strives to gift children who might not otherwise receive Christmas gifts. As always, the Friday after Thanksgiving brought Sheriff Cranford Jordan and his deputies, along with the Winn Fire District and volunteers to kick off the boot drive. Then on Saturday, November 27 ^th , a great group of volunteers came through Winnfield with a load of toys. The group varied with different biker clubs and volunteers. Each one arrived with a smile on their face and an arm full of goodies to donate to Toy’s for Kid’s. Mrs. Rita James and Mike Riffe were at the courthouse to greet them and accept the gifts on behalf of Kiwanis. The spirit of giving is in the air. When out buying Christmas for your family, please remember those that are less fortunate.

Be sure and check your bills that you receive. This $10 note was found recently after it was given to an individual as part of change here in Winnfield. This time of the year seems to ramp up the risk of receiving counterfeit money as payment. Shoppers should be on alert as shopping season gears up. Take a quick glance at cash when you receive it from any retail establishment or individual.

The U.S. Department of The Treasury warns to not, for your own personal safety, try to return it to the passer. Contact your local police department OR call your local U.S. Secret Service Office. Banks can, at their discretion, replace fake money received by their customers, but they are unlikely to do so. It makes little difference where the counterfeit came from – a store, an individual, or an ATM. In most cases, you’ll end up writing off the loss.

Winn Parish – On November 25, 2021, at approximately 5:15 p.m., Louisiana State Police Troop E responded to a fatal crash on U.S Highway 167 north of Dodson. This crash claimed the life of 23-year-old Zaria L. Griffith of Ruston.

The initial investigation revealed a 2004 Mazda 3, driven by Griffith, was traveling south on U.S. Highway 167. For reasons still under investigation, Griffith’s vehicle traveled off the roadway and struck a tree.

Griffith, who was restrained, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead. Griffith’s two passengers, who were also restrained, sustained minor injuries and were transported to a local hospital. A toxicology sample was obtained and submitted for analysis.

The Winnfield Rotary Club presented each school in the Winn Parish School District, as well as the Central Louisiana Technical & Community College, with a special United States flag on November 17, 2021. What makes the flags special? Two things: first, each flag was flown over the United State Capitol Building, the building that represents the center of our government; second, each flag was presented in honor and appreciation of the men and women educated in each school who have served in any branch of the United States military.