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As Jan. 17 celebrated the life, memory, and great work of Dr. Martin Luther King, it brings to mind those selfless but fierce individuals throughout our history that have contributed to the future of those who would go after them. In researching some of the great women who have fought for the rights of women, minorities, and even those that had no voice, there are so many that should be recognized. One such woman is Maude Ballou. She was considered the “Daredevil” who served as MLK’s right-hand woman. In 1955, Maude Ballou—a young mother who had studied business and literature in college and was program director of the first Black radio station in Montgomery, Alabama—was approached by her husband’s friend, a young minister and activist named Martin Luther King, Jr., to be his personal secretary. After agreeing, Ballou became the Rev. Dr.

The January 11 meeting of the Winnfield City Council was held via zoom this month. All members were in attendance except for councilwoman Sarah Junkin. There were no amendments to the agenda. There was also no old business.

In new business, the December 14 regular meeting were accepted and carried. The new floor’s at the Civic Center was the next item on the agenda. Councilman Hamms asked if this was the revenue from FEMA that is being used to pay for the flooring and Mayor Moss clarified that the monies would be coming from the recreation sales tax. The matter went up for a vote with Miller and Holden voting “no” and Hamms and Phillips voting “yes”. Mayor Moss was the tiebreaker and voted “yes” and the new flooring was approved.

Exciting things are happening in Winnfield and one of the most needed is the construction of the new housing duplexes on Neil Waggoner Drive. This has not been an overnight project. Mayor Moss stated that it was a bit of a process to get the land put within the city limits. Developer Steve Perry purchased 21 acres through Realtor Tommy Straughan. Mr. Perry has other apartment duplexes in places such as Ruston and Jonesboro. Mayor George Moss and Mr. Jessie Phillips toured the other properties and were impressed with the structures.

Human trafficking is defined as the unlawful act of transporting or coercing people in order to benefit from their work or service, typically in the form of forced labor or sexual exploitation. Although the entire month of January has already been recognized as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, January 11 is specifically dedicated to awareness and prevention of the illegal practice.

In 2000, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act addressed modern-day slavery, becoming the first federal law to do so. In 2007, the United States Senate established Jan 11 ^th as National Human Trafficking Day. In 2010, President Obama dedicated the entire month of January to awareness and prevention of human trafficking.

The weekly meeting of the Winn Rotary Club was held on Jan. 5 ^th at Linda’s Country Kitchen. The guest speaker was 8 ^th Judicial Court Judge Anastasia Wiley. Judge Wiley was the Winnfield city judge for 12 years before filling the seat left behind by Judge Jacque Derr upon his retirement.

Judge Wiley credited Judge Derr for setting a basis for her to follow while adding that a few changes have taken place over the last year that she explained as “how you eat an elephant – one bite at a time.” These changes have included the time of court, which was previously at 9:30am and has now been set for 9:00am. Wiley states that she tries to always “remember her rearing,” and holds to her belief of being patient, dignified, respectful, and courteous in her position as Judge and expects that of those that enter her court.

On January 17, 2022, The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday will mark the 27 ^th anniversary of the national day of service. This day was established to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King, and to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities. Americans celebrated the first official Martin Luther King Day, which is the only federal holiday commemorating an African-American, on Monday, January 20, 1986. In 1994, Congress designated the holiday as a National Day of Service, and marking the third Monday in January every year as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service.

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Congressman-elect dead after fight with COVID-19

Masked Mourners filled a Louisiana church to mourn Congressman-elect Luke Letlow one day before he would have been sworn in as a member of the House of Representatives. Letlow, 41, dies of COVID-19 complications when he suffered a heart attack after undergoing an apparently successful operation to remove a blood clot.

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Lawyer Keith Gates sworn in a the newly elected City Court Judge

“It’s an honor and a privilege to work as a judge, and a big responsibility to be the judge for the Winn Parish people,” newly elected Louisiana Supreme Court Judge Jay McCallum said. “We want honest judges, but most of all we want fair judges, and Keith Gates is one of the best people for the job.” Gates first official duty as city Judge was the swearing in of Samantha Kelly as the City Court clerk.

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It’s impossible to think of the New Year without considering a New Year’s resolution. Maybe it’s to become healthier, or make some other lifestyle change. It could be a goal to reach within the year. Whatever the resolution may be, the idea of a New Year’s resolution is not a new tradition. In fact, it dates back to 2000 B.C.

The Babylonians celebrated the New Year during a 12-day festival called Akitu. This was the start of farming season to plant crops, crown their king, and make promises to pay their debts. The Babylonian New Year was adopted by the ancient Romans, as was the tradition of resolutions. The timing did shift, however, with the Julian calendar in 46 B.C., which declared January 1 st as the start of the new year.

Monday, January 3^rd the city of Winnfield water system was shut down for several hours in order for workers to repair a water leak coming from a main line near 415 Bevill St.

Winnfield Mayor George Moss arrives at work site where main water line was being repaired.