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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.

The WPPJ monthly meeting was held on Dec. 20 ^th . The meeting opened with adoption of the minutes from previous meeting and public hearing. Police Jury President, Mr. Josh McAllister opened the floor for road superintendent, Mr. Perry Holmes, gave an update on the roads. Grading of the parish roads has been going as planned with exception rain putting things to a halt at times. “There is one motor grader down but hopefully it will be in soon,” said Mr. Holmes. Potholes are still being filled throughout the parish. District 4 police jury member Tammy Griffin asked if things were still on track with the work on highway 501 and Mr. Holmes stated that they are. It has taken 17 days to cut Jake Creel Rd. because of weather but Holmes states that it has finally been completed.

Many families were blessed this holiday season by receiving a ham donated by the local West Frazier plant. On Dec. 21 ^st , over 600 hams arrived at the Joyce location. Plant manager, Mr. Billy Bell stated that this is the second year that they have done this. Sheriff Cranford Jordan and deputies of the WPSO, as well as the Winnfield Police Department, assisted West Frazier employees in getting hams out to residents within the parish by delivering them, while the rest were handed off to residents as they lined up in their vehicles at the mill.

Children throughout Winn Parish slept soundly awaiting the arrival of Christmas after learning that Winn Parish Sheriff Cranford Jordan arrested the famed Christmas thief, The Grinch on Dec. 21 ^st . Grinch, 56, a green male who resides on Mount Crumpit near Whoville, had been hiding in Winn Parish, waiting to steal Christmas trees, ornaments, decorations and presents for parish children.

Sheriff Jordan said, “We received a tip from Cindy Lou of Whoville who told us Grinch was heading to our parish. We set up surveillance and were able to spot his dog, Max, who was traveling on the shoulder of US 167 between Dodson and Tannehill. We secretly placed a microphone on his collar and let him go. Thankfully, he went to Grinch who was hiding in the woods near Highway 505. Grinch tells his dog everything, so we were able to listen in on his plans to ruin Christmas.”