The following positions are currently open at the Winn Parish Police Jury. Applications may be picked up at the Winn Parish Police Jury office.

Job Title: Dump Truck Driver:
Department: Highway Department
Description: Under direct supervision of Road Superintendent, operates trucks and other light equipment used in construction and maintenance; performs a variety of manual tasks in connection with such operations; and performs other duties as required. This is an entry-level job.
Examples of Work: Equipment Operation-Drive or operate such equipment as 5 yard dump, stake, and flatbed trucks, small farm type tractors with blade or bush hog. Provides routine maintenance on equipment, assists in mechanical repairs, performs physical labor as required; maintains simple records of equipment operations; may operate less complex equipment as needed; and services assigned equipment daily. 
Minimum Qualifications: Training and Experience -Three (3) months of experience operating one or more kinds of equipment specified for the class, OR six ( 6) months to one (1) year of experience in general labor or maintenance work.
Licenses and Certificates: Must Possess CDL license. 

Job Title: Utility Workers
Department: Highway Department
Description: Works under supervision of Road Superintendent. Must have the knowledge of operating a variety of complex and specialized equipment. Must be able to perform work as required and perform any duty as required.
Examples of Work: Drive or operate equipment such as pot hole patching truck, small farm type tractors with blade or bush hog. Provides routine maintenance on equipment, assist in mechanical repairs, performs physical labor as required; maintain simple records of equipment operations and services assigned equipment daily. 
Minimum Qualifications: Training and Experience -Three (3) months of experience operating one or more kinds of equipment specified for the class, or six ( 6) months to one (1) year of experience in general labor or maintenance work.
Licenses and Certificates: Must possess CDL license.

Job Title: Custodian
Department: Courthouse and Health Unit Maintenance
Description: Performs all janitorial services including sweeping and waxing floors, vacuuming all carpet, dusting furniture, emptying trash receptacles, moving furniture, baseboards, etc. Tends to lighting in building, and performs over-all cleaning and maintenance of building and grounds. Operates and maintains cleaning supplies and equipment. Experience in plumbing and electrical work is a plus. Must be willing, and have no problem, working with parish trustees. Must be available to be on twenty-four (24) hour call. Works directly under the supervision of the Secretary/Treasurer.

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry has recognized two of the area’s members of the legislature in conjunction with LABI’s Free Enterprise Awards. They are Senator Louis Bernard and Representative Gabe Firment.

LABI’s CEO Stephen Waguespack said, “During these sessions( regular and special legislative sessions), we saw a broad coalition of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents come together to support smart, pro-business measures.” Waguespack continued, “Their work will both help our economy begin to recover from the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic and multiple hurricanes, as well as start the process of breaking down the persistent barriers to business growth that have held Louisiana back for decades.”

A record 69 legislators (nearly 50 percent of the entire body) were named as “Most Valuable Policymakers” (MVPs), scoring a perfect 100 percent on bills important to LABI and the state’s business community during both sessions. Bernard and Firment were noted as members of the group.

House District 22 representative Firment said, “I was honored to be recognized as a “Most Valuable Policymaker” Thursday evening at the LABI Free Enterprise Awards. The award was given to representatives and senators who scored a perfect 100 percent on bills important to the state’s business community. As your District 22 state representative I will always recognize the importance of creating an environment where businesses small and large can prosper and succeed.”

Many Americans were under the belief and impression that the 2020 Presidential election was behind them following the November 3^rd election.  After days of sitting on the edge of their seats watching and waiting with great anticipation, the political pundits and major news media networks called the election for President Elect Joe Biden.  We learned shortly thereafter that acceptance of such was not so with the Trump administration.  In fact, as one of the  headlines of my weekly articles was entitled Its Finally Over, Biden Wins Presidential Election, I unfortunately, I fell prey and subscribed to pronouncements of the national pollsters in calling the election for Biden.  We had no idea that events and disinformation such as we are receiving and experiencing from the Trump administration would surface.  With all the political rancor, wrangling and false claims of voter fraud alleged and promoted by President Trump and right wing supporters claiming that Biden was wrongfully declared the winner, Trump is fighting desperately using baseless claims and innuendoes to hang on to power, and refuses to concede the election to Biden.  Yes, many missed the call on the outcome of the 2020 election, thinking that the call was final, oh how wrong we were!

President Trump has gone so far as to deny President Elect Biden access to the daily classified intelligence briefings. The head of the General Services Administration has been ordered by Trump to stand down and not certify the election outcome which would allow access to and release of resources to the Biden transition team.  Trump is unwilling to provide for a smooth transition of power which no doubt will have serious consequences regarding the security of the nation.  Those close to Trump have no political courage and under no circumstance will  urge or  tell Trump that it is time to get out of the way and  allow a smooth transfer of power because his action is putting our democracy at risk and  too much is at stake.  What a message is being sent to the rest of the world!

As a result of Trump’s refusal to accept reality, the nation now finds itself embroiled in a political crisis in addition to having to face the historic and surging numbers of COVID 19 infections and deaths from the Virus,( on November 12^th there were over 184 thousand new cases, (the highest number that has ever been reported in a single day), with hundreds of thousands new cases being admitted to hospitals in a single day, and soaring daily death rates.  Over 245 thousand Americans (mothers, fathers, spouses, children, grandparents, nurses, doctors, caregivers and first responders) have lost their lives to COVID 19. It is predicted that by February 2021 the nation could see over 400 thousand new cases of infections per day.  Wow! The nation is in a crisis that includes record unemployment, racial tensions, and unrest throughout the nation.  Another lingering crisis is that of global warming which is producing more and more hurricanes, more flooding and destruction throughout the nation. 

What is The Trump Administration doing to address these crises?  Apparently, nothing.  Recently, he has been cooped up in the White House, or spotted on the golf course while states are running out of hospital beds, makeshift morgues with refrigerated containers are springing up and being used at hospitals throughout the nation.  The nation’s health pandemic has worsened to such a degree that Doctors Without Borders, a world-renown health provider is now lending aid and assistance to one of the world’s COVID hot spots, the United States of America.  Although there is hope and the promise of a forthcoming vaccine, the nation is imperiled and is enduring a period in its history that citizens will long remember.  We must get this pandemic under control now for it is holding the nation hostage.

What is needed most is really committed and effective leadership at the national and state levels and a coordinated national strategy for defeating this virus.  We note and extend our thanks to some of the governors ,who feel they can no longer look to the national government for solutions, and are stepping up to the plate to guide their states through safety measures during this pandemic, given the silence at the White House.  Governors are sounding the alarm in their states advising and encouraging citizens to following the CDC’s national guidelines of simply wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and limiting attendance of large social events and gatherings.  Governors are admitting that we are running out of time as ICU units are being filled.  These governors are tightening up on restrictions, just short of imposing a state lockdown. They are threating to close bars, fitness centers and are on the verge of implementing a stay at home mandate as a last-ditch effort to get the virus under control. 

Dr. Herbert Simmons, Jr. is an associate Professor, Department of Criminal Justice, Grambling State University, former President, Grambling State University Faculty Senate and former Chair, Department of Consumer Education and Resource Management, Howard University, Washington, D.C.

Come out Friday, November 20, 2020 to the Downtown Vendor Fair in Winnfield. The event will be at Winnfield’s newest meeting venue located at 404 W. Main Street. There are over 17 vendors participating so you are sure to find a Christmas gift or two while also supporting Winn Parish small business. Soulful Wings will be on location providing food and entertainment.

By Royal Alexander

It is enough that the people know there was an election. The people who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything.  Joseph Stalin

It’s been interesting to watch virtually all major media declare that former VP Biden “won” the election.  It’s humorous to see Biden standing in front of the “Office of the President Elect” banner because there is no such office or position.  It’s a positive development to see the General Services Administration (GSA) not release federal funds for the so-called “Biden Transition” to begin given no winner of the election has been ascertained. 

The hatred for Pres. Trump is so great that every imaginable form of distraction and confusion that can be enlisted to obscure the fact that no winner has been certified is being employed.  As an attorney, I succeed or fail based upon the strength of the evidence I present in court.  Period.  Not feelings, opinions, or innuendo.  Just evidence.  So, if the Trump Campaign is not able to gather and produce for the courts adequate, reliable evidence that widespread fraud has occurred, Pres. Trump will lose the argument and the race.  But not until.

What do we know? We know that hundreds of individuals—alleging 1000s of instances of fraud—in a position to know have signed affidavits that they have personal knowledge of fraud.  Affidavits are evidence and used in courts daily across the country.  An affidavit is a written statement, under oath, that is sworn to be true.  Signing an affidavit that contains false information can subject the individual to criminal penalties.

Are all these people lying? Very unlikely.  Further, the more we learn about this Dominion computer software the more stunning it becomes.  This software was written for the sole purpose of switching votes electronically, in real time—for cheating.  We also know that as many as 30 states use this same software to administer elections.  This is a major problem. 

All of this is to say nothing of allegations that in Philadelphia, contrary to Pennsylvania state law, election observers were denied the right to monitor the counting of approximately 120,000 ballots because they were forced to stand back and away, for a 20-hour period, from where the counting was taking place.  As a result, observers could not tell whether the ballots were correctly postmarked, addressed, signed, and sealed as required by law.  There are also allegations that ballots were backdated to appear timely.  

In Wisconsin, allegations that after election observers had gone home—sometime between 3-4 am—over 100,000 ballots “appeared” and were counted and, in a statistically improbable way, all the ballots appeared to have voted for one candidate.  In Milwaukee, the county moved quickly to alter its website registration portal, so the pro-Biden vote tally did not appear so statistically improbable.

In Michigan, allegations that observers were also denied access, again contrary to state law, to counting locations from which to observe the opening of ballots and the counting process.  One woman who identified herself as an election volunteer in Clark County stated she had found a box of 500 ballots outside of the vote counting facility inscribed with the names of individuals who were not on the County’s voter rolls.  In Detroit, windows were boarded up preventing poll watchers from viewing the counting of ballots.

Our sacred right to vote is a fundamental right and held inviolate for American citizens including the 73 million who voted for President Trump.

If former VP Biden becomes president under these circumstances he would delegitimize and lame-duck his presidency at its very beginning.  Win at all costs has costs.  People can accept losing if they lose fairly and squarely and the contest was conducted honestly.  We’re a long way from knowing that. 

The views and opinions expressed in the My Opinion article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Winn Parish Journal. Any content provided by the authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything.

By Brad Dison

January 31, 1945 was a freezing cold day in Frederick, Maryland.  The temperature dipped down to just 15° Fahrenheit.  Wind gusts up to twenty-seven miles per hour made the cold temperature feel even colder.  Most people remained indoors by their fireplaces to keep warm. 

Over forty-five years earlier, three elderly ladies who had never married moved into a two story, drafty house in Frederick.  Its only source of heat was a couple of small fireplaces.  The three spinsters had decided to pool their money together and share all of their expenses.  Through the years, the three spinsters relied on each other for everything.

January 31, 1945, was no different.  The three spinsters were in their twilight years and were totally devoted to each other.  Lillie, the youngest of the three at seventy-five years old, was bedridden and depended on the other two for her very survival.  Fannie was seventy-eight years old and Ellen was eighty-eight.  The two able-bodied spinsters cooked, cleaned, tended to the fire, and did the other various chores required of the household.  However, a series of unfortunate events befell the spinsters.

On the evening of January 31, grocery store clerk Grayson Haller was making his normal grocery delivery to the spinsters’ home.  The roads and sidewalks were covered in ice and snow.  Grayson struggled to keep his footing.  As he carefully walked on the sidewalk, he saw a large bundle lying near the icy path to the spinsters’ home.  He curiously but cautiously entered the spinsters’ yard.  He starred at the bundle as he drew closer.  Suddenly, he recognized the shape.  He dropped the groceries and knelt down beside the bundle.  It was 88-year-old Ellen, the oldest of the three spinsters.  He tried to help Ellen, but he was too late.  Her body was frozen.  Grayson ran as fast as he could on the slippery ice for help.

Within a few minutes, Grayson and a police investigator returned to the spinsters’ home.  The investigator knelt down beside Ellen and tried to determine what had happened to her.  Grayson knocked on the door, took a deep breath, and prepared himself to deliver the bad news to Fannie and Lillie.  No one answered.  The investigator found that Ellen had a serious injury on her head.  Grayson knocked again.  Still no answer.  He and the investigator feared that something bad had also happened to Fannie and Lillie. 

Grayson and the investigator cautiously entered the house.  It was as cold inside the house as outside.  The investigator noted as he looked through the first-floor rooms that there were no signs of a struggle.  No chairs or other furniture was overturned.  Nothing appeared to be broken.  The house was neat and tidy.  The fire in the fireplace had burned out.  In the kitchen they made a ghastly discovery.  The cold, lifeless body of 78-year-old Fannie lay on the kitchen floor.  Sadly, there was nothing Grayson or the investigator could do for her.  They continued to search the house. 

Grayson and the investigator walked up the stairs to the second floor.  In one of the bedrooms, they made another shocking discovery.  Lillie, the bedridden spinster who relied on Ellen and Fannie for everything, was not in her bed.  Her cold, lifeless body, dressed only in her undergarments, lay on the bedroom floor.  Grayson was overcome with grief. 

Other investigators converged on the home of the three spinsters.  They found no evidence that anyone had broken into the home.  There was no damage to any of the doors or windows.  There was no evidence of a struggle.  Nothing seemed to be missing or out of place.  Upon looking at the bodies of the three spinsters, Ellen was the only one with an apparent injury. 

Following a short but precise investigation, the police concluded that the three spinsters, Ellen, Fannie, and Lillie, died on the same day, but not as a result of foul play.  They surmised that Fannie was in the kitchen and had either a brain aneurism or a heart attack.  When she fell to the floor, Ellen ran to her aid.  Unable to revive her, Ellen ran from the house to get help.  Ellen slipped on the icy path and hit her head, an injury which incapacitated her.  They concluded that she had frozen to death where she had fallen.  Lillie lay in bed until the fire was in danger of going out.  Apparently, Lillie dragged herself from her bed towards the fireplace with the intent of adding more wood and stoking the fire.  Lillie’s strength gave out before she reached the fireplace.  The fire burned quickly out.  Clad only in her undergarments, she also froze to death.  The three spinsters died from what can only be described as a series of unfortunate events.  The three spinsters all shared the last name of Flinn.  Ellen, Fannie, and Lillie were sisters.

For more Real Stories about Real People …with a Twist, order your copy of “Remember This?” at http://www.BradDison.com or from Amazon.com.   

Sources:

1. The Evening Sun (Baltimore, Maryland), January 31, 1945, p.32.
2. The Centralia Enterprise and Tribune (Centralia, Wisconsin), February 1, 1945, p.13. [erroneously listed as July 11, 1891]
3. The Daily Times (Salisbury, Maryland), February 1, 1945, p.3.
4. The Morning Herald (Hagerstown, Maryland), February 1, 1945, p.12.
5. The Old Farmer’s Almanac. “Weather History for Frederick.” Accessed November 15, 2020. https://www.almanac.com/weather/history/MD/Frederick/1945-01-31.
6. Find A Grave. “Ellen J. Flinn.” Accessed November 15, 2020. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/25163497/ellen-j.-flinn.
7. Find A Grave. “Fannie M. Flinn.” Accessed November 15, 2020. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/25163489/fannie-m.-flinn.
8. Find A Grave. “Lillie L. Flinn.” Accessed November 15, 2020. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/25163479/lillie-l.-flinn.

GRANT:
Gwen Fuqua Melder
February 21, 1934 – November 13, 2020
Visitation: Wednesday, November 18, 2020, from 11:00 a.m. until time of service at Rush Funeral Home, Pineville
Service: Wednesday, November 18, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. at 1:00 p.m.

NATCHITOCHES:
Ella D. Byone
March 30, 1930 – November 13, 2020
Service: Saturday, November 21 at 11 am at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Cloutierville

Gloria S. Milsap
March 26, 1952 – November 15, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Doretha Harris
November 11, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Valerie Groves
November 9, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Winn Parish reported 100 new cases of COVID Friday, November 13, 2020. The increase brings the parish total to 846. According to the LDH website of the 846 cases 783 are confirmed and 63 are probable. 

The increase in Winn Parish cases is part of the largest increase in coronavirus cases in Louisiana since August. State officials warned Friday that more restrictions are on the horizon if numbers do not improve.

In a press conference on Friday Governor John Bel Edwards addressed the spike in Louisiana cases. “We do not have to go backwards in terms of re-imposing restrictions we’ve already moved through … but the people of Louisiana will determine whether in fact we have to do that,” “I know we’re all tired. I get it. COVID fatigue is real,” Edwards said. “But just because we’re tired of COVID doesn’t mean COVID is going to leave us alone. That’s not the way it works.” Edwards said.

WINN PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Name: Landon C. Phelps
Date: 11-6-2020
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: White
Gender: Male
Age: 26
Charge: Possession of Schedule I Marijuana, Possession of Schedule II Methamphetamine, Prohibited Acts
Bond: Not Listed

Name: Mark Andrew Stevenson
Date: 11-6-2020
Address: Sikes, LA
Race: White
Gender: Male
Age: 41
Charge: Warrant – Driving Under Suspension w/Accident
Bond: Not Listed

Name: Maya J. Fitzgerall
Date: 11-7-2020
Address: Suwanee, GA
Race: Black
Gender: Female
Age: 22
Charge: Speeding 90 in a 50, Careless Operation
Bond: $5,000

Name: Victoria S. Stewart
Date: 11-7-2020
Address: Saline, LA
Race: White
Gender: Female
Age: 24
Charge: Improper Lane Use, DWI 1st
Bond: $10,000

Name: Robert W. Beardon
Date: 11-7-2020
Address: Homeless
Race: White
Gender: Male
Age: 34
Charge: Probation & Parole Warrant, Possession of Paraphernalia
Bond: Not Listed

Name: Timothy Scott Honeycutt
Date: 11-7-2020
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: White
Gender: Male
Age: 36
Charge: Warrant, No Drivers License, Expired Motor Vehicle Inspection, No Motor Vehicle Inspection
Bond: Not Listed

Name: Phillip Page
Date: 11-9-2020
Address: Red River Parish Jail
Race: White
Gender: Male
Age: Not Listed
Charge: Failure to Appear Warrant, Probation and Parole Warrant
Bond: Released to Red River

Name: Christopher Scott Etheridge
Date: 11-9-2020
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: White
Gender: Male
Age: 50
Charge: Aggravated Assault with a Firearm, Obstruction of Roadway, Resisting an Officer, Illegal Possession of Stolen Things, Criminal Trespassing, Possession of a Firearm by a Felon
Bond: $162,500

Name: Joseph Baker, Jr.
Date: 11-10-2020
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: Black
Gender: Male
Age: 41
Charge: Disturbing the Peace, Resisting an Officer X 3
Bond: $15,000

Name: Tyler W. Garrett
Date: 11-10-2020
Address: Dodson, LA
Race: White
Gender: Male
Age: 37
Charge: Bank Fraud, Illegal Transfer of Money, Identity Theft, Explotation of the Infirmed
Bond: $30,000

Name: Brice Jermaine-Neremiah Jordan
Date: 11-10-2020
Address: Baton Rouge, LA
Race: Black
Gender: Male
Age: 22
Charge: Obstruction of Justice, Possession of Schedule I Marijuana, Fugitive out of EBRSO
Bond: $2500

Name: Robert Wayne Bearden
Date: 11-10-2020
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: White
Gender: Male
Age: 34
Charge: Illegal Carrying of Weapon, Theft of Motor Vehicle, Simple Burglary, Trespassing, Simple Criminal Danger to Property, Attempted theft of Motor Vehicle
Bond: $90,000

Name: Kenda Jessica McDaniel Milstead
Date: 11-10-2020
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: White
Gender: Female
Age: 47
Charge: Crime Against Nature
Bond: No Bond

Name: Joseph Todd Browning
Date: 11/12/2020
Address: Dodson, LA
Race: White
Gender: Male
Age: 38
Charge: Driving Under Suspension, Possession of Schedule IV Clonazepam, Unsafe Vehicle, Determination of Drug Paraphernalia
Bond: Not Listed

Name: Michael R. Gray
Date: 11-13-2020
Address: Dodson, LA
Race: White
Gender: Male
Age: 34
Charge: Failure to Appear Warrant, Speeding 82/65, Criminal Mischief, 
Bond: No Bond

Name: Michael R. Gray
Date: 11/13/2020
Address: Dodson, LA
Race: White
Gender: Male
Age: 34
Charge: Criminal Mischief, Filing False Police Report
Bond: No Bond

Winnfield Police Department

Name: Jale Brew
Date: 11-7-2020
Address: Winnfield, LA 
Race: Black 
Gender: Male
Age: 58
Charge: Domestic Abuse Batterty
Bond: $5,000

Name: Kyeshika Johnson
Date: 11-9-2020
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: Black
Gender: Female
Age: 32
Charge: Simple Battery, Disturbing the Peace, Intoxication, Resisting an Officer
Bond: $3,500

Name: Travis Deal
Date: Not Listed
Address: Not Listed
Race: White
Gender: Male
Age: 19
Charge:  Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Driving Under Suspension
Bond: Not Listed

Name: Glenard K. Carter
Date: 11-14-2020
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: Black
Gender: Male
Age: Not Listed
Charge: Hit and Run Driving, Reckless Operation of a Vehicle, Aggravated Flight from an Officer, Aggravated Assault with a Motor Vehicle Upon a Police Officer, Resisting an Officer, Possession of Schedule II Cocaine, Possession of a Weapon by a Convicted Felon.
Bond: No Bond

Winn Parish Police Jury will hold it’s regular monthly meeting tonight at 5:00 PM.

POSITION: Receptionist / Assistant Clerk

DESCRIPTION: Responsible for providing a variety of routine and complex clerical and administrative skills, answering the telephone, meeting and greeting the public and assisting the public with any inquiries that they may have. The receptionist will be responsible for maintaining the City’s social media accounts, website and various files and records related to the operations at City Hall and will assist the City Clerk.

CONTACT: City of Natchitoches, Human Resources Department located at 1400 Sabine St. or P.O. Box 37, Natchitoches LA 71458-0037. Applications may also be picked up upstairs at City Hall located at 700 Second St. or you can download an application on line at http://www.natchitochesla.gov

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Applications will be accepted through: November 19, 2020

THE CITY OF NATCHITOCHES IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

COVID-19 testing is provided every Monday, by the National Guard at the Winn Parish Health Unit located at 301 W Main St #101, Winnfield, LA 71483. The testing hours are 8am-12pm. This is a free service for our community.

Register online at health.questdiagnostics.com/stlou

WINN:
Georgia Roberson
September 14, 1944 – November 2, 2020
Arrangements TBA

NATCHITOCHES:
Ella D. Byone
March 30, 1930 – November 13, 2020
Service: Saturday, November 21 at 11 am at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Cloutierville

W. E. Dowden, Jr.
August 06, 1933 – November 13, 2020
Service: Was Sunday, November 15 at 2 pm at Kisatchie Baptist Church

Gloria S. Milsap
March 26, 1952 – November 15, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Julia Sprawls Coutee
December 26, 1946 – November 12, 2020
Service: Tuesday, November 17 at 3 pm in the Fern Park Cemetery

Doretha Harris
November 11, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Valerie Groves
November 9, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Rev. Willis Scott
October 19, 1951 – November 9, 2020
Service: Tuesday, November 17 at 11 am in the chapel of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home

SABINE:
Phillip Nolan Rivers
July 23, 1965 – November 12, 2020
Service: Tuesday, November 17 at 2 pm at Antioch Baptist Church

Huey Randall Heard
August 14, 1937 – November 12, 2020
Service: Monday, November 16 at 10 am at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel