News

WINNFIELD, La. — The Kiwanis Club of Winnfield named Troy Rogers its 2025–2026 Kiwanian of the Year during the club’s annual installation banquet held Monday evening, October 5, at Mama’s Iron Skillet.

The prestigious award was announced and presented by outgoing Club President Mary Lou Blackley, who commended Rogers for his dedication, versatility, and hands-on service across the club’s many initiatives.

“He just kind of jumps in anywhere and everywhere we need him,” Blackley stated during the presentation. She highlighted his willingness to spearhead public relations, keep the community informed through photos and news updates, recruit guest speakers, and help cook at the annual scholarship meal. Blackley also recognized Rogers’ extensive civic outreach, serving as an active bridge between Kiwanis and local community partners, including area fire departments, law enforcement, and Masonic organizations.

Winnfield is getting ready for an evening of fall fun, family activities and community fellowship as the annual Fall Festival returns to Main Street on Tuesday, October 27.

The festival will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with local residents, families and businesses invited to join in the celebration and help create special fall memories for the community.

Organizers are encouraging individuals and businesses to get involved by setting up a table or decorating a vehicle and becoming part of the festivities. Whether you choose to showcase your business, decorate for the season or simply join your neighbors for an evening of fun, everyone is encouraged to participate.

The Winn Parish School Board convened for its regular public meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 5, in the board meeting room.

During the meeting, the board heard from Keith Gates, a candidate for District Attorney in the upcoming Nov. 3 election. Gates addressed board members regarding future collaboration, outlining goals to reduce truancy and maintain support for the Student Resource Officer (SRO) program. Emphasizing accountability and open communication, Gates proposed holding quarterly meetings involving his office, the superintendent, school staff, and the Sheriff ’s Office to coordinate student safety efforts.

Following the opening presentations, the board formally approved the minutes from its Sept. 8 meeting.

The air across the fairgrounds was thick with the irresistible scent of funnel cakes, corndogs, and cotton candy this past week as the community gathered for the much-anticipated annual fair. Residents of all ages came out in droves to celebrate local tradition, agriculture, and community spirit. In the livestock barns, the dedication of local youth was on full display as participants spent months raising, grooming, and training their animals for the big week, while judges carefully evaluated cattle, swine, goats, and poultry to hand out coveted blue ribbons. Beyond the livestock rings, the exhibition halls overflowed with creativity as visitors wandered through rows of crafted quilts and award-winning homegrown vegetables and baked goods, each telling a story of patience, skill, and local pride.

Winnfield Senior High School (WSHS) has announced a series of updated campus safety and screening protocols set to take effect on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. The newly implemented measures are designed to strengthen campus security, streamline identification procedures, and maintain a safe learning environment for students, faculty, and staff.

Under the updated guidelines, all student belongings will be required to pass through a metal detection checkpoint upon entering the school. Administration noted that the screening process is intended to minimize the need for hands-on searches of personal property.

The Winn Parish School Board convened its committee meetings on September 28 at the WPSB Meeting Room, addressing district enrollment figures, financial costs per student, and the timeline for the upcoming superintendent search.

During the Finance and Budget Committee meeting, Superintendent Troy A. Bell presented district enrollment data showing a minor decrease of only two students since the start of the school year, bringing total parish enrollment to 1,588 students. A breakdown of the statistics shows 88 Pre-K students across the district, with 48 at Winnfield Primary, 20 at Calvin, and 20 at Dodson. For grades kindergarten through three, Winnfield Primary has 307 students, Calvin has 87, and Dodson has 68, totaling 462 students.

On September 21, 2026, the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office received a report from Winnfield City Police regarding the theft of a gray Ford pickup truck pulling a trailer with a boat from TAZ Mart in Winnfield. Winnfield Police reported that the vehicle was last seen traveling north on U.S. 167 and was reportedly taken by two Black males.

A short time later, the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office received a report of a boat and trailer blocking the roadway on Louisiana Highway 156. Deputies responded and confirmed that the boat and trailer matched the description of those stolen with the pickup truck.

Deputies began searching the area for the stolen vehicle and soon located it traveling south on Gum Springs Road off Louisiana Highway 156. The vehicle failed to stop for deputies, and a pursuit was initiated. During the pursuit, speeds exceeded 125 mph.

The Winn Parish Police Jury met for its regular meeting on Monday, Sept. 21, in Room 112 of the Winn Parish Courthouse, addressing parish tax certification, infrastructure updates, board appointments, and presentations from state and youth organizations.

Assistant Secretary of Wildlife Tommy Tuma addressed the jury regarding recent developments within the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) affecting Winn Parish. On Sept. 3, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission approved a resolution establishing the 1,894-acre Coochie Brake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in southwest Winn Parish. The WMA was created through a cooperative endeavor agreement between the LDWF and the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism Office of State Parks.

The Kiwanis Club of Winnfield welcomed former district judge and Winnfield City Judge Jacque Derr as the guest speaker for its weekly meeting. Derr was introduced by Dr. Bill Gaddis as part of the civic club’s nonpartisan tradition of offering equal speaking time and a balanced forum to local candidates.

Lifelong Roots and Legal Experience Derr, who is campaigning for the office of District Attorney, reflected on his lifelong connection to the community and his 50 years in the legal profession. A Winn Parish native, Derr attended Eastside and Westside Elementary before graduating as part of the very first senior class to walk across the stage at the current Winnfield Senior High School campus on Highway 167 North.

Following high school, he attended the Air Force Academy Preparatory School and Louisiana Tech University, where he served as student commandant of cadets in ROTC.