The Winn Parish School Board announces that the last day for meal delivery program with Healthy School Food Collaborative will be Sunday May 31st.
Pine Belt will be starting Summer School Feeding Monday June 1st. Please contact Pine Belt point of contact Pat Street for more information regarding meal sites at 318-628-7131.
By Reba Phelps
“In a world full of hate be a light….” were the lyrics of the Christian song I was just listening to while preparing supper for my little family. The image shown above has been burned in my mind constantly since this happened. There is no light in this image. I cannot get over the lifeless look on George Floyd’s face and the effortless disregard for life on the other face.
I normally dedicate time to finishing my weekly “Blessed” article for the Winn Parish Journal on Thursday evenings, but my heart was just not in it. I couldn’t even focus on its completion thinking about how our country is hurting and how we are not living in equality.
Being raised by a preacher who visited every African American church in Natchitoches Parish with kids in tow (me and my siblings) and welcomed the very same preachers at his own church in Goldonna…..this image literally brought me to my knees. My dad was not a popular preacher in Goldonna during the late 80’s and early 90’s due to this decision but he showed his children what the love of the Lord looks like and how we were born to worship with all of our brothers and sisters. Not just the ones who had the same color of skin that we did. My dad and mom didn’t see color and that’s the way they raised their children.
This picture originally struck me because it was in black and white….if you scrolled quickly by you would almost believe it was taken during the violent and brutal days of the Civil Rights movement. Oh how I wish this was an archaic image of the way America used to be. Oh how it hurts me that we are still having brutality like this in 2020. Will we still be having these conversations with our grandchildren?
When does it stop? Please pray for our country. Pray without ceasing. I stand with my friends. I kneel to beg God to save our country.
#georgefloyd #icantbreathe
Ecclesiastes 5:8
If you see oppression of the poor and denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be shocked at the sight; for one official watches over another official, and there are higher officials over them.
As of May 28, 2020, at 6:00 PM, the Winn Correctional Center (WCC) in Winnfield, LA, has 116 detainees that have tested positive for COVID-19, according to ice.gov. The website also states that there are no U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) employees working at WCC that have tested positive for the virus. It is important to note that most people working at WCC do not work directly for ICE but instead are employed by the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office (WPSO). Therefore the total number of employees that have tested positive for the virus is unknown as neither ICE nor WPSO has released any statistics for guards.
You can review ICE reported case numbers here: https://www.ice.gov/coronavirus
The cumulative case count for Winn Parish is 153 as of yesterday, according to the Louisiana Department of Health.
Louisiana Department of Health warns about Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C).
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) is a condition where different body parts can become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes or gastrointestinal organs. The cause of MIS-C is unknown but many children with this condition had the virus that causes COVID-19 or had been exposed to someone with COVID-19. In Louisiana, 13 cases and one death of a young person have been reported. To respect the privacy of the young person and their family, the Department of Health will not share additional information about the death at this time.
The CDC defines a case as MIS-C when:
The patient is under the age of 21, with a fever, laboratory evidence of inflammation, and severe illness involving more than two organs that requires hospitalization; AND
No other plausible diagnoses; AND
Positive COVID-19 test, or exposure to a confirmed case, within the four weeks prior to the onset of symptoms.
Among the 13 cases in Louisiana:
The age range is 0-19 years old.
The median age is 11 years old.
6 of the patients are female and 7 are male.
4 are currently hospitalized and 8 have been discharged.
In terms of race, 7 are African American, 3 are white and 3 fit in the other category.
In terms of ethnicity, 2 are Hispanic and 11 are non-Hispanic.
The Louisiana Department of Health will update information on MIS-C each Monday on its coronavirus webpage.
Providers who have cared for or who are caring for patients younger than 21 years of age meeting MIS-C criteria should immediately report these cases to the Louisiana Office of Public Health Infectious Disease Epidemiology team.
This Emergency Order shall be effective as of 12:01 a.m. on May 28, 2020 and shall remain in effect until further notice from the State Health Officer. This Emergency Order will supersede the previous Orders regarding the closure of Tanning Facilities, only as to the provisions affecting Tanning Facilities.
(1) All facilities, businesses, or operations that meet the definition of
a “Tanning facility” as defined in La. R.S. 40:2703, whether holding a
permit from the Department of Health or not, shall remain closed and
continue to suspend all operations until FURTHER NOTICE from the
State Health Officer, subject to the exception in subparagraph (a)
below:
(a) Exception: Beginning May 28, 2020, at 12:01 a.m., a
facility, business, or operation that meets the definition of a
“Tanning facility” as defined in La. R.S. 40:2703, whether holding a
permit from the Department of Health or not, may re-open for the
limited purpose of OFFERING TOUCHLESS/CONTACTLESS SPRAY
TANNING METHODS or TOUCHLESS/CONTACTLESS UV TANNING
METHODS, provided that such Tanning facility adheres to the Office
of the State Fire Marshall’s Open Safely Phase I guidelines for
Beauty Shops, Salons, Barber Shops, or Tanning Salons (Contact
Tanning Only).
You can read the order here.
Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC) will begin its four-day work week for the summer on Monday, June 1. The four-day work week schedule will end Friday, August 7.
Employees will work four, 10-hour days, Monday through Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. All campuses will be closed on Fridays including Alexandria, Ferriday, Huey P. Long (Winnfield), Lamar Salter (Leesville), Natchitoches, Rod Brady (Jena), Sabine Valley (Many), and Ward H. Nash-Avoyelles (Cottonport).
The four-day work week is for the summer only, and it coincides with the start of the college’s summer semester classes. CLTCC will resume normal operating hours Monday, Aug. 10 in preparation for the start of fall classes on Monday, Aug. 17. Enrollment for the Summer and Fall sessions is ongoing.
Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO), an American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) company, has received Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) approval of its request to add 810 megawatts (MW) of wind energy.
The LPSC today approved the terms of a settlement agreement reached in March 2020 by all parties in the proceeding, including the LPSC Staff, the Alliance for Affordable Energy, Walmart, Inc. and SWEPCO.
“This is an exciting opportunity to bring more low-cost renewable energy to our Louisiana customers,” said Malcolm Smoak, SWEPCO president and chief operating officer. “We appreciate the careful review by the Louisiana Public Service Commission for this plan to bring the benefits of resource diversity and long-term savings to the families, businesses and communities we serve. Clean and affordable energy helps customers meet their own renewable energy and sustainability goals, and makes our community more competitive for economic development.”
As part of the settlement agreement, SWEPCO also plans to issue a request for proposals for up to 200 MW of solar generation resources to be located in the company’s service territory with construction beginning in the next three years, pursuant to regulatory requirements and review. Significant increases in wind and solar energy are part of SWEPCO’s long-range Integrated Resource Plan.
North Louisiana LPSC Commissioner Foster Campbell made the motion in favor of the SWEPCO wind and solar plan, and it was unanimously approved by the LPSC.
“This is the largest renewable-energy project ever put forward by a Louisiana utility,” Campbell said. “I’m proud that the Louisiana Commission is making this move. And I’m happy that it has a Northwest Louisiana solar component to go along with the wind power.”
“Wind and solar should no longer be called ‘alternatives’ – they are now the first choice for many power companies. That’s because they are clean and often cheaper,” Campbell said. “We owe it to the 231,000-plus SWEPCO customers in Louisiana to make these investments.”
SWEPCO’s wind project includes the acquisition of three wind facilities in north central Oklahoma – known as the North Central Energy Facilities – in conjunction with its sister company, Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO). Pending regulatory approvals, SWEPCO will own 810 MW, or 54.5% of the 1,485-MW project. SWEPCO and PSO will acquire the projects at their completion in 2020 and 2021.
In addition to the environmental benefits of wind energy, SWEPCO customers will save an estimated $2 billion over the 30-year expected life of the new facilities.
SWEPCO’s 810-MW proposal is scalable to align with regulatory approvals by state, subject to commercial limitations. Two states that approve the project would have the ability to increase the number of megawatts allocated to them if one state does not approve the proposal.
The LPSC approved an option that could increase Louisiana’s allocation to an estimated 464 MW from the original 268 MW. The Arkansas Public Service Commission also accepted an option to increase its allocation when it approved the project earlier this month. The project remains under regulatory review in Texas.
PSO received final Oklahoma Corporation Commission approval Feb. 20, 2020, of a settlement agreement in its plan to add 675 megawatts of wind energy.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved the acquisition of the wind facilities by SWEPCO and PSO.
SWEPCO serves more than 536,300 customers in three states, including 231,000 in northwest and central Louisiana, 185,500 in Texas and 119,800 in Arkansas.
Please note that the State Law limits number of people during the visitation period and attendance at the service to ten (10) or less and that social distancing be observed! This must be strictly enforced! Thank you in advance for your cooperation. It is designed for the safety of the family, our staff and the general public.
WINN:
Sharon Evette Kelley
October 13, 1971 – May 27, 2020
Service: Sunday, May 31 at 2 pm at the Antioch Community Cemetery in
Goldonna
NATCHITOCHES:
Latrice Thomas
March 15, 1992 – May 24, 2020
A WALK THRU (non-lingering) visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, May 30, 2020; followed by a PRIVATE family funeral service at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel with burial in the Fern Park Cemetery.
Carl (“FISH”) Wayne Stewart
November 5, 1957 – May 28, 2020
Arrangements TBA
RED RIVER:
Sandra Jean Guin
December 21, 1947 – May 23, 2020
Service: Friday, May 29 at 11 am in Our Lady of the Rosary Cemetery
As of May 26, 2020, at 5:15 PM, the Winn Correctional Center (WCC) in Winnfield, LA, has 93 detainees that have tested positive for COVID-19, according to ice.gov. The website also states that there are no U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) employees working at WCC that have tested positive for the virus. It is important to note that most people working at WCC do not work directly for ICE but instead are employed by the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office (WPSO). Therefore the total number of employees that have tested positive for the virus is unknown as neither ICE nor WPSO has released any statistics for guards.
You can review ICE reported case numbers here: https://www.ice.gov/coronavirus
By Kevin Daugherty
It’s that time again! Those bundles of cuteness are being born in many areas of the south. I had my first newborn fawn encounter of the year, in Winn Parish, on Monday. I don’t think there’s a better example of how nature was designed to ensure the survival of a species than the whitetail deer, particularly fawns. If you don’t believe that, let’s look at all of the built-in defenses that help protect these seemingly easy targets.
A healthy doe will typically have one to three fawns each year, with two being most common. Interestingly, when she has two or more, each is often sired by a different buck. Fawns typically will begin to stand and nurse within 30 minutes after birth. As soon as they’re able to walk on wobbly legs, usually within a few hours, the mother will lead them away from the birth site. There’s too much evidence and odor there for predators looking for an easy meal. Speaking of removing evidence and odor, a fawn won’t urinate or defecate in the absence of its mother. They will only do so when stimulated by the doe and she cleans it up. I won’t go into detail but you probably get the picture. For the first week or two of its life, a fawn will spend the majority of time lying curled and motionless. These first few days are a critical time and when they’re the most vulnerable. This is often when people happen upon them and assume they are abandoned. This usually isn’t the case and they should be left alone. They don’t need any intervention from us. A doe will rarely abandon her fawn, unless something happens to her. She’s usually foraging or bedded within earshot and returns two or three times a day to nurse and groom them. She stays away so she won’t draw attention to the fawn’s location. A doe with twins will separate them. I assume this is done to avoid loss of both, if one is found by a predator. I’ve read that a fawn has a very rapid heart rate, even at rest, until it senses danger. Then, as it’s bedded, it drops its head, lowers its ears, and its heart rate falls dramatically. Its breathing will then become slower and deeper. This is all to avoid detection. In a few days, it will begin to follow its mother around. Though it will still spend a lot of time sleeping, it’s now learning to communicate, getting familiar with its surroundings, and starting to select its own bedding sites. Its legs are now getting stronger and, within about three weeks, it’s fast enough to escape most any danger. It will also begin eating vegetation at about three weeks of age, figuring out which plants are more desirable than others. As the days pass, it will get stronger, begin to frolic around, and develop an understanding of its place in the herd.
The first few months of a fawn’s life are a daily struggle for survival. So what can we do in order not to make their life more stressful than it already is?
Be mindful when mowing
It’s a newborn fawn’s instinct to hunker down and lay still, even when something loud is approaching. This makes them very vulnerable to mowing. Tall grass and brushy areas are
prime fawn habitat. The only things I mow from mid-May to August are my yard and maintained trails. Even when doing that, I keep a watchful eye open. If I absolutely have to mow something like a food plot, I always walk it first.
Do not disturb
If you walk up on a fawn lying down and not moving, don’t disturb it. It most likely hasn’t been abandoned and there’s nothing wrong with it. Remember, a newborn’s instinct is to not run. Take a picture, enjoy the sight, and move on.
It’s best to never touch a fawn but if you see one directly in harm’s way, it’s okay to move it a short distance. Just because a human touches a fawn doesn’t mean the doe will stop taking care of it. The idea that does abandon fawns if they’re touched by humans is simply not true. However, that doesn’t mean it’s okay to give it a bottle and try to make it a family pet! Place it a short distance away, in the shade, where it will be safe. If it gets up and runs off, don’t chase it. It will likely travel a short distance and pick a spot to lay down and wait for its mother.
Very few things in nature are as beautiful as a newborn fawn. I look forward to their arrival, each year, just as much as I look forward to those velvet antlers appearing on their father’s heads. Whitetail deer, both young and old, are amazing animals.
Kevin Daugherty is a forestry and wildlife consultant, real estate agent, and the managing member of ForestLand Associates, LLC. He’s a member of the Association of Consulting Foresters, Louisiana Forestry Association, Society of American Foresters, and is a Land Certification Inspector for the Quality Deer Management Association. He and his wife live in rural Winn Parish. For questions about this article Kevin can be reached at (318) 312-1240 or kevin@forestland.com
The cumulative case count for Winn Parish is 145 as of yesterday, according to the Louisiana Department of Health.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing illness in people and others that circulate among animals, including camels, cats and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can evolve and infect people and then spread between people such as has been seen with recent outbreaks of MERS and SARS. Visit http://www.coronavirus.gov to learn more.
Symptoms
For confirmed infections, reported illnesses have ranged from infected people with little to no symptoms (similar to the common cold) to people being severely ill and dying. Symptoms can include:
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Or at least two of these symptoms:
Fever
Chills
Repeated shaking with chills
Muscle pain
Headache
Sore throat
New loss of taste or smell
CDC believes at this time that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 after exposure.
There is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for COVID-19 infection. People infected with COVID-19 should receive supportive care to help relieve symptoms.
A person is considered recovered when it has been at least seven days after the onset of illness, AND at least three day after resolution of fever (without the use of fever-reducing medications) AND resolution or improvement in respiratory symptoms.
How does novel coronavirus spread?
Coronavirus spreads from an infected person to others through:
Respiratory droplets produced when coughing and sneezing
Close personal contact
Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
By Brad Dison
In August, 1944, the world was at war. Everyone, it seemed, had some role to play in what was the deadliest conflict in human history. Most able-bodied men joined some branch of the military. Factories which had produced consumer goods before the war, retooled and manufactured the many tools for war including uniforms, tanks, airplanes, etc. Women, who had previously been largely responsible for keeping house, entered the workforce to fill the void by men who had joined the military, and collectively became known as “Rosie the Riveter.” School children held scrap drives where they collected scrap metals, paper, rubber, and rags for the war effort. Hollywood actors, comedians, singers, dancers, and musicians performed for soldiers in USO shows around the world to keep morale high.
On August 13, 1944, a troupe of five entertainers took a Catalina flying boat from Guadalcanal and headed south for Sydney, Australia. The troupe consisted of Frances Langford, Jerry Colonna, Patty Thomas, Tony Romano, and Leslie Townes. During the flight, Leslie chatted with the pilot, Lieutenant James “Fergie” Ferguson. At about dusk, some 300 miles south of Sydney, the airplane’s left engine sputtered. Fergie’s demeanor became serious when the engine failed. He looked at his gauges and tried to restart the engine, but it would not restart. The fuel line to engine had ruptured. The Catalina quickly began losing altitude. The pilot told Leslie and the others to put on their Mae Wests, which was a slang term for inflatable life preservers used by aircrews. The name derived from the actress Mae West because, when inflated, the preserver was said to have resembled the actress’s chest and the name rhymed with breast.
Despite the pilot’s best efforts, the plane continued to lose altitude. Fergie looked for a suitable spot to land the flying boat, but there was no water in sight. The plane was fitted with wheels, but there was no clear land in the area large enough to land the plane. The only option was to lighten the airplane and hope the plain could gain altitude. In desperation, the pilot hastily ordered the troupe to throw anything they could from the plane. The troupe dumped the airplane’s heavy tool kit, Francis Langford’s and Patty Thomas’s glamourous and expensive wardrobes, the troupe’s personal baggage which included their collection of souvenirs, and several cases of cigarettes. Tony Romano refused to throw his prized guitar out of the plane.
Leslie nervously returned to the pilot, gave him a forced smile, and asked if they had thrown out enough weight for the plane to level off. Leslie’s teeth “rattled like a typewriter.” The pilot kept his focus on the controls and on the skyline. Leslie only had to look at the pilot to get his answer. The plane continued its descent. Leslie returned to the cabin with the bad news. He begrudgingly told the others that they had to dump his three cases of whiskey of a brand virtually unobtainable in Australia. Once again, Leslie returned to the pilot hoping for better news, but he had none to give. Just then, they saw the Camden Haven River just a short distance away.
Fergie aimed the plane for a straight stretch in the river. He warned the occupants that the plane was descending too quickly and would make a hard landing in the water, which would probably damage the underbelly of the plane. The occupants would have just a short time to exit the plane before it sank. The pilot had but one chance to get his landing right. Although they were landing on water, if they hit the water too fast and too hard, everyone would probably be killed on impact. If he slowed the plane too quickly, it would stall and fall out of the air like a rock. Everyone braced for impact.
Just a few feet above the water, Lieutenant Ferguson pulled back on the controls to slow the plane. The Catalina hit the water hard and bounced just a single time. The plane hit the water again and came to a quick stop. To their surprise, the plane did not sink. Luck was on their side. The plane slide to a stop on a sandbar which was just a few inches below the water level. The relieved occupants of the crashed Catalina climbed out of the plane and stood in the ankle-deep water. Luckily, no one was injured in the crash. However, Tony Romano bruised his shins as he climbed out of the beached plane. Local fishermen saw the plane crash into the river and came to their assistance. The survivors waded to shore.
They learned that the small town of Laurieton was just a short distance away. The troupe walked into the town and called the base in Sydney to report the crash. Learning that it would take some time to get a replacement plane to pick them up, the troupe put on a hastily-arranged charity show at Laurieton’s tiny town hall. Nearly all of the 300 citizens of Laurieton happily attended the biggest show to ever come to their town.
On the morning of August 15, the replacement plane arrived and transported the troupe to Sydney to continue their shows for the soldiers. During the Sydney show, Leslie told the crowd about the crash in a series of jokes. He said the pilot “ordered everyone to put on their Mae Wests. Jerry Colonna held out for a while for a Lana Turner, but he finally settled for Mae West.” The crowd roared with laughter. Leslie told the crowd about having to dump all of the belongings from the plane; “Colonna, I hate to throw out this case of liquor; I’m saving it for a sick friend,” “Who is the sick friend?” Colonna asked. “Me,” Leslie replied. The crowd roared with laughter again. He told the soldiers, “This morning we saw a shark swimming around wearing Frances Langford’s gowns, smoking a cigarette and singing, ‘I’m in the Mood for Love.’” Again, the crowd roared with laughter. Leslie told the crowd about his visit to the Laurieton post office. He told the postmaster his name and asked to use the telephone. The skeptical postmaster at first refused because he was in disbelief. He asked to see his identification as proof. Leslie showed his identification to the postmaster. The postmaster allowed Leslie to use the phone after he realized he was speaking to the real Leslie Townes “Bob” Hope.
Sources:
The McAllen Monitor, August 16, 1943, p.8.
Arizona Daily Star, November 19, 1943, p.3.
The Central New Jersey Home News, August 14, 1944, p.1.
The Knoxville News-Sentinel, August 14, 1944, p.1.
Lafayette Journal and Courier, August 15, 1944, p.1.
The Evergreen Courant, August 17. 1944, p.8.
Des Moines Tribune, August 28, 1944, p.1.
The Fresno Bee, September 5, 1955, p.17.
Winn Parish Dixie Youth’s season has officially been canceled. Refunds will be issued in original form of payment if possible. For cash or check payments, we will be at the Allen Building Tuesday and Thursday between 5 and 7 to issue cash refunds.
Thank you for your patience and understanding. This has been a trying time for everyone.
The 911 address can save lives, in an emergency, seconds can make a lifesaving difference. The City of Winnfield encourages all city residence to have a valid 911 addresses posted on their property, the number shall be displayed in a location visible from the road which the number is assigned.
For this reason, it is extremely important that residents receive and use the Correct 911 address for your residence, business, or church. If you are unsure of your address, then it is vitally important that you call the 911 Coordinator, Mr. Don Garrett at 318-628-1534 to find out what your exact 911 address is. Please do not assume your 911 address based on your neighbor’s address. Please allow the 911 coordinator to assign your new address. When you receive your new 911 address, there are certain people that you should inform. Failure to inform these people may result in interruption of certain services or mistakes in the postal process that can cost you time and money. Most importantly, failure to inform certain people and businesses can cause errors in emergency response and can even endanger your life. It is IMPORTANT to understand that your 911 address can differ from your mailing address. It is IMPORTANT to inform people or businesses of both your new physical address AND billing address. You should contact the companies that provide services to your home such as the power and water company, cable company, etc. and notify them of the change in your SERVICE address. Please be careful to make the distinction between BILLING address and SERVICE address.
THE CITY OF WINNNFIELD IS ASKING THAT EVERYONE HAVE A VALID 911 ADDRESS SIGN POSTED BY JULY 1, 2020.
AFTER JULY 1, THE CITY WILL BE POSTING 911 SIGNS FOR ANY RESIDENCE THAT DOES NOT HAVE A VALIDAD 911 ADRESS SIGN. PLEASE NOTE IT WILL BE AN ADDITIONAL FEE.
City ordinance(Ordinance No.10 of 2019/19-2c) states that Each resident or business of Winnfield/Winn Parish shall display structure numbers at least three (3”) inches in height and on a red or black background. Numbers shall be placed at the residence or business in such a way that they are clearly visible from all directions from the addressed street, highway or roadway, day, or night.