February 21, 2024February 20, 2024 / wpjreporter
The City was asked to seek to engage the services a UPS “Big Brown” program that could help provide window air conditioning units and perhaps some basic home repairs for underprivileged families when Police Chief Johnny Ray Carpenter and citizen Shelia Mitchell spoke up February 13.
During the Audience Participation segment of the City Council’s regular meeting, the chief accompanied Ms. Mitchell to the microphone to talk about the idea. “Last summer she tried to get cooperation from the city to call UPS’s ‘Big Brown’ but without success. So we were able to help only a few families,” Carpenter explained.”
The United Parcel Service website shows that “James ‘Big Brown’ Joseph started raising money to buy room air conditioners for disadvantaged people on his UPS route in Louisiana. Helping others made him happy, so he expanded his philanthropy to now include the Big Brown Cares Fund.
The council head that several surrounding parishes apparently contacted “Big Brown” and received assistance for some residents. Winnfield did not reach out so help here was limited. Ms. Mitchell said she has the contact information for James Joseph in New Orleans and added that now, during the cold months of winter, is a good time to start a request before the heat of summer arrives. “Our citizens need this.”
Carpenter said that the Big Brown program requires that a request for assistance must come from a homeowner (or with permission of the homeowner) and that it is for anyone in need who can’t afford the cooling unit. There is no cost, he said.
February 21, 2024February 20, 2024 / wpjreporter
The Kiwanis Club of Winnfield made presentations in February for the “Terrific Kids” who had been recognized in parish schools during the month of January.
February 21, 2024February 20, 2024 / wpjreporter
Kiwanian Jerry Pipes, pastor of First Baptist Church, spoke to the Kiwanis club, Tuesday, February 13, on “Adding Value to Others”.
He used scripture from Ephesians 4:29. Communication is adding value to others. The weakest link in communication is listening. We do not listen with our eyes, our ears and our hearts. We are too busy thinking of what we will say in response.
The goal of communication is understanding and the mission of communication is encouragement. To say the right thing at the right time adds value to others. We need to have a daily decision to live a Christ-centered and others-centered life. Living the intentional life adds value to others. The people who are truly happy are those who are giving themselves away.
We give ourselves away by living in service to others. Communication is a process that involves sending and receiving messages through verbal and non-verbal methods. 70% of communication is non-verbal – body language, facial expressions.
Five things to do every day are 1) value people, 2) think of ways to add value to people, 3) look for ways to add value to people, 4) do things that add value to people, 5) encourage others to add value to people.
Dr. Pipes closed with a story about a teacher who did not value a messy, smelly child until she knew his back story. That information changed the way she treated him and he became an exceptional student, a doctor and influential man. He always gave the credit to the teacher that believed in him. She added much value to his life.
Kiwanis members thanked Dr. Pipes for his thought-provoking message about adding value to others through service.
February 21, 2024February 20, 2024 / wpjreporter
A problem in this and other communities is the focus of February, declared “Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month” by the Domestic Abuse Resistance Team (DART), according to Annie Goods, Winn Parish rural advocate.
“Dating violence is when someone you are seeing romantically hurts you in some way, whether physically, sexually or emotionally,” she says. “Some 1 in 12 high school students experience such dating violence.”
The advocate asserts that unhealthy, abusive or violent relationships can have negative effects that can be both short- and long-term, possibly with severe consequences. Victims of teen dating violence are more likely to experience depression and anxiety, engage in unhealthy behavior (tobacco use, alcohol and drugs), think about suicide or exhibit antisocial behavior (lying, theft, bullying).
“We can help reduce teen dating violence by supporting healthy, nonviolence relationships,” suggests Goods. “During the pre-teen and teen years, it is critical for youth to begin learning skills to create and maintain healthy relationships. This could include managing feelings and communication in a healthy way.”
Goods explains that it is difficult to tell a teen the differences between healthy, unhealthy and abusive relationships. Warning signs of abuse might be displayed through the teen’s actions of possessiveness, constant put-downs, demands, jealousy or insecurity, explosive temper, isolation, false accusations and mood swings.
February 21, 2024February 20, 2024 / wpjreporter
Date: 2-13-24
Name: Billy Booker JR
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 31
Charge: No seatbelt, Drug paraphernalia, Possession of schedule 2 with intent (Fentnayl, Xanax, Oxycodone, Meth, Legend drug), Simple possession of marijuana
Date: 2-13-24
Name: JushuaLooridge
Address: Natchitoches, LA
Race: White
Sex: Male
Age: 31
Charge: No seatbelt, Drug paraphernalia, Possession of schedule 2 with intent (Fentnayl, Xanax, Oxycodone, Meth, Legend drug), Simple possession of marijuana
Date: 2-14-24
Name: Daniel W. T. Norris
Address: Katy, TX
Race: White
Sex: Male
Age: 42
Charge: Turning movements required (signals), Driving under a suspension
Date: 2-15-24
Name: Jody E Johnson
Address: Georgetown, LA
Race: White
Sex: Male
Age: 35
Charge: Failure to appear (bench warrant)
Date: 2-15-24
Name: Cadarius T Sapp
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: BlackSex: Male
Age: 29
Charge: Failure to appear
Date: 2-17-24
Name: Leonard C Collins Jr
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 60
Charge: Failure to appear
Date: 2-18-24
Name: Spencer T Jones
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: White
Sex: Male
Age: 44
Charge: Failure to appear, Possession of a schedule 2.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation or arrested and charged with a crime have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
February 21, 2024February 20, 2024 / wpjreporter
Date: 2-13-24
Name: Terrance Powell
Address: Homeless
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 46
Charge: Violation of a protective order
Date: 2-14-23
Name: Kevin L Humphrey
Address: Oil City, LA
Race: White
Sex: Male
Age: 29
Charge: Battery of dating partner
Date: 2-14-24
Name: Jaron Ryan Carpenter
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 18
Charge: Simple criminal damage to property, Illegal carrying of weapons, Possession/Dealing of firearms.
Date: 2-16-24
Name: Allen Watkins
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 31
Charge: Telephone communication (Improper language, Harassment)
Date: 2-17-24
Name: Ashanti Coward
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: Black
Sex: Female
Age: 33
Charge: Cyberstalking
Date: 2-18-24
Name: Michael Wells
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 67
Charge: Disturbing the peace (language)
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation or arrested and charged with a crime have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
February 21, 2024February 20, 2024 / wpjreporter
Carolyn Carter
July 26, 1945-February 7, 2024
Service: Viewing and burial took place Friday, February 9, 2024.
Earlene “Maw Maw” Turner
April 15, 1943 – February 12, 2024
Service: Turner’s celebration of life will be held at New Zion MBC of Winnfield on Saturday February 24, 2024 at 11am. A public viewing will be this Friday, February 23, 2024 from 6pm until 8pm at the New Zion MBC of Winnfield. Burial will take place at the Winnfield Cemetery.
Gertis Demery
Passed-February 13, 2024.
Service: Viewing and Burial took place on Saturday, February 17, 2024.
Yemiah Hall
February 17, 2000 – February 15, 2024
Service: Miss Hall will be celebrated at the Abiding in Christ Ministries Church, 299 Mill Street, Campti, LA 71411 Saturday, February 24, 2024, noon. Burial will follow immediately in the St. John Baptist Church Cemetery, Chestnut, LA.
Robert Davis
Passed- February 14, 2024.
Service: Celebration of life service will take place in the chapel of Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home, 318 North Street, Natchitoches, LA 71457 Saturday, February 24, 2024, 11:00 am. with burial following in the Springville Cemetery of Coushatta, LA.
Wade Bohannon
December 16, 1969-February 12, 2024
Service: Graveside service held Wednesday, February 14, 2024.
Bruce Crain
March 23, 1947-February 14, 2024
Service: Viewing and burial held Saturday, February 14, 2024.
Mary Harris
October 13, 1932-February 15, 2024
Service: Viewing and burial held Sunday, February 18, 2024.
February 14, 2024February 13, 2024 / wpjreporter
Work should get under way by early April on an impressive new three-story Winn Community Health Center on West Lafayette Street according to CEO Deano Thornton during a presentation February 8 at the Louisiana Political Museum. It is expected to take 16 months to complete the work.
The 52,000 square foot facility will house its patient services on the first two floors. The third floor will be administration and support for Winn and the other five parishes the health center has grown to serve since 2009. The project cost including construction, furnishings and equipment will be around $28 million.
Thornton explained that there is a huge amount of due diligence involved in a project this large, unlike “going to the bank and borrowing money from one source.” Financial paperwork is anticipated to close March 21 with a ceremonial groundbreaking and project startup in early April. TBS Studio is the Shreveport/Bossier architect while Ratcliff Construction of Alexandria is the general contractor.
It was a very competitive bid process on the project, the CEO said, with contractors from Dallas and Little Rock as well as others in Louisiana hoping to win the contract. Due to proximity, Ratcliff in Alexandria will be able to access local subcontractors.
The Health Center has acquired most of the property on the north side of West Lafayette Street between the hospital and the primary school for this construction. The new building itself will be adjacent to the ATM at Sabine State Bank and parking will extend westward to the center’s present administration building. Design unique to Winnfield construction will be inclusion of two elevators and two escalators.
Besides the Winn Community Health Center here in Winnfield, this office operates centers in Grant, Bienville, Lincoln, Rapides and Avoyelles parishes. It also has school-based services in Winn and Rapides parishes, serving some 40 schools. In 2023, they saw 39,000 different patients for 135,000 visits. The center’s network has 300 employees and when its new building is complete, 125 employees will be here daily.
Services include primary care medicine, pediatrics, behavioral health, dental, podiatry, pharmacy and at some centers, gastro-intestinal services. Once the larger building is completed, the additional space will allow for expanded services, Thornton said.
“They like to call this an investment in a rural, under-served, heavily-minority area, which we are,” said Thornton. “I’m thankful to be able to make this kind of investment in our community. It enables us to meet our mission in providing quality healthcare services here for the next 50 years.”
February 14, 2024February 13, 2024 / wpjreporter
One Winnfield man has been arrested and a warrant seeking the arrest of a second has been issued in connection with a police pursuit and hit-and-run February 7.
The incident began around 4 p.m. last Wednesday with a routine traffic stop by state police, according to local officials. The subjects fled the scene and the pursuit followed.
One witness described it as a “slow-speed pursuit” as the Louisiana State Police SUV with emergency lights flashing tailed an older white vehicle north on Ethel Street. “At Wren Street, the fleeing vehicle’s driver paused before gunning it up the Wren Street incline. The driver then made an impressive right into the back drive of Lagniappe Home Health. The state patrol trooper also made the tight turn while activating the siren.”
Police reported that the suspect drove through the parking lot. Upon entering the five-lane across from the Donut Palace, the suspect’s car impacted a small black pickup that ended up sideways on the curb. Two black males abandoned their car and fled the scene. Sirens of other law enforcement vehicles responding to the incident were heard and the road was soon blocked by police and emergency vehicles. No injuries from the wreck were reported.
State Police were joined by units from the Sheriff’s Office, City Police and City Marshal’s Office in a search for the men that focused on the Mosley Drive area. Sheriff Cranford Jordan said his office’s chase dog team was employed as one man attempted to cross Hwy 84 west around Sylvan Meadows where he was apprehended around 5:15 p.m.
Arrested was Ario Armbrister, 25, of King Street who was charged as a felon in possession of a firearm and aggravated flight. State Police sought a warrant for the arrest of the second suspect and that was signed by Judge Anastasia Wiley.
February 14, 2024February 13, 2024 / wpjreporter
Winn Parish students will begin school on Wednesday, August 7, for the 2024-25 school year, with a calendar very similar to the current school year schedule. The Board approved that proposal at its February meeting held Monday.
The three full weeks of August will be five-day classroom weeks as they were this year, then the pattern of four-day weeks with Mondays-off will resume after Labor Day, September 2.
Traditional holidays will include the full week of Thanksgiving, November 25-29 (returning to class December 3); the full weeks of Christmas and New Years, December 23-January 3 (returning to class January 7); and the full week prior to Easter, April 14-18 (returning to class April 22). Schools get one additional holiday thanks to the Presidential Election on November 5 when school closure is mandated.
The school year ends for Seniors on May 7 while May 22 will mark the final day for the remainder of the student body.
Progress Report periods will be September 11-13, November 13-15, February 5-7 and April 9-11. End of the first 9-Weeks will be October 11. End of the second 9-Weeks will be December 20. End of the third 9-Weeks will be March 7.
As to Professional Development days for teachers when students do not attend, educators’ school year will start Monday and Tuesday, August 5-6. Other Professional Development days will be Monday, October 21 (also Parent Conference); Monday, January 6 after Christmas break; Monday, March 17 (also Parent Conference); and Friday, May 23 at the close of the school year when report cards will be mailed out.
Supt. Alfred Simmons explained that the schedule provides 152 school days, made up of 63,720 “instructional minutes” that don’t include time to move between classes, lunch and recess. Teacher Days total 158. He also noted that based on input since the committee session a week earlier, the Easter/ Spring break was switched from the week after Easter to the week prior. “Some thought it was too long from Christmas break to this. The switch makes sense.”
February 14, 2024February 13, 2024 / wpjreporter
Winnfield City Police continue seeking leads that could result in the arrest of the individual responsible for the robbery of Lagniappe Video Bingo on Hwy 167 north on January 25.
Detective David Loftin says that security video on the premises shows seven occupants were in the building at 1:47 a.m. when an unknown male entered the room wearing pantyhose over his head as well as a facial mask, a brown jacket, black shirt, black jeans and cleated shoes. He had a firearm in-hand that he waved as the other occupants fled the building.
Loftin said the video had no audio so it is unsure what the robber demanded. The images did show that the intruder then used a passcode to gain entry into the count room. Once inside, he saw money on the table, grabbed it all and exited the building, the detective reported.
“No one was hurt in the incident and this crime is still under investigation,” he said. “Anyone with information that might assist is encouraged to call the department at 628-3511.”
February 14, 2024February 13, 2024 / wpjreporter
The Kiwanis Club of Winnfield made presentations in January to the “Terrific Kids” at parish schools for the month of December. The local club has been involved with this uplifting program for students grades Pre-K through Grade 4 for over 25 years. It’s not just grade-structured but a pat on the back for all-around citizenship, with teachers rather than Kiwanians making the selection of the worthy children. Each child personally receives a certificate, a gift packet and a tee shirt from club members who go to the schools monthly.
February 14, 2024February 14, 2024 / NPJ
Goldonna Baptist Church will be hosting a Skeet Shoot on March 30th with all proceeds benefitting the Operation Christmas Child mission. resume their Operation Christmas Child collections for 2024. The entry fee is $25 and lunch will be provided. The church is asking for local businesses to consider donating an item for the winner’s prize package. Donors will be recognized on the day of the event as well as social media “shoutouts”. Please contact Pastor Ben Dupree if you want to participate or donate prizes.
Anytime someone asks what makes Goldonna so special it is easy to point to the residents who comprise the Village of Goldonna. Out of the four hundred twenty four residents, one particular lady stands out in the crowd. Although she doesn’t live in the city limits of Goldonna, she spent most of her life there with her family consisting of her husband and three sons. Mrs. Linda Dupree has been an active member of the community and supporter of all things “Goldonna” as long as anyone can remember. Her family of five quickly grew to include daughters-in-law and grandchildren. While it is not easy to sum up her love for her community in words… mainly because she is often found on the “serving” side of church events, town events, weddings and funerals… it is easy to remember some of her contributions that many may not know about. During COVID Linda began a ministry and labor of love that including providing families with Bible study lessons while church were closed due to the pandemic. These Sunday School lessons began with a small group of five people but soon grew to encompass more than forty families. Although churches have long since reopened, her ministry continues with a smaller group that is homebound. These lessons are routinely mailed to anyone who has a need. While I personally was the recipient of these lessons for a few weeks, I can attest to the blessing that came neatly placed in an envelope with a message that was compiled with love by Linda Dupree, herself. Goldonna is blessed to have Linda Dupree as a dedicated friend.
Goldonna Assembly of God Church will host a Men’s Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, March 23rd at 8:00am. The special guest speaker will be Russel Jones. To RSVP please contact Daniel Kirkham at 310228-7698. The church will also hosting a Revival with the Seed Sowers beginning on March 3rd at 10:00am and 5:00pm. March 4th thru 9th services will begin at 6:30.
Goldonna Elementary Junior High School will host a Mardi Gras Parade on Friday, February 16th at 9:00am. The parade will exclusively feature the Pre-K through 2nd grade students. Baseball and softball are in full swing. Goldonna Wildcats will take on the Marthaville Hawks on February 27th at 5:30. The Good News Club will meet on February 27th, March 26th and April 30th from 3:00 until 4:45. After school programs and attendance recovery is held Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays from 3:00 until 5:00. Attending two days of after school programs will excuse one full unexcused absence.
If you have news to share please email Reba Phelps at jreba.phelps@gmail.com
February 14, 2024February 14, 2024 / wpjreporter
Despite rainy weather that probably cut down on attendance, organizers of the ninth annual Winn Community Feast called the February 10 event a success. The lunch was held at the Winnfield Civic Center.
It was one more effort by a group calling themselves “Caring & Sharing in Unity” not only to provide meals here in the community but at the same time to draw folks closer by encouraging them to share those meals together. This time the repast was grilled/smoked chicken with macaroni & cheese, green beans, a roll plus a table with a wide variety of desert selections.
The concept was launched by Shelia Mitchell at her home in 2010 as “Support Ministry.” It expanded to Caring & Sharing in 2019 with the involvement of Jane Purser and others. Through the years it’s been held in different places including churches and back and forth at the Civic Center and Ms. Mitchell says she hopes this might be their permanent site.
“This feast and fellowship was possible due to so much help and support from Laurel Heights Baptist Church, First United Methodist Church, Christ Wesleyan Fellowship, South Winnfield Baptist Church and Louisiana Adult & Teen Challenge Women’s facility,” said Mary Lou Blackley.
“Franklin Williams’ very talented “one-man band” added a wonderful gospel atmosphere to the occasion. We are especially grateful to our main cooks, Roderick Williams and Jessie Phillips. Both men have cooked on the grill for us in the past, as well as this year. We couldn’t put on the event without them!”
