Date: 4-12-23
Name: Evelyn M Coleman
Address:  Winnfield, LA
Race: White 
Sex: Female 
Age: 64
Charge: Turning signal required, Failure to appear, Nuisance prohibited 

Date: 4-13-12
Name: John M Rouse 
Address:  Winnfield, LA
Race: White 
Sex: Male 
Age: 43
Charge: Simple battery 

Date: 4-14-23
Name: James D Smith
Address:  Winnfield, LA
Race: White 
Sex: Male 
Age: 38
Charge: Disturbing the peace (language)

Date: 4-14-23
Name: Devon L Smith 
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: N/A
Sex: N/A
Age: 27
Charge: Direct contempt of court, Simple Battery 

Date: 4-15-23
Name: John W Passman 
Address: Georgetown, LA
Race: White 
Sex: Male 
Age: 33
Charge: Criminal trespassing, Theft 

Date: 4-17-23
Name: Andrew Smith 
Address:  Winnfield, LA
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 39
Charge: Battery of a dating partner, Aggravated assault

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.

The Louisiana Forest Festival appreciates everyone who participated and showed up for support for the inaugural LumberSnack competition on April 15. It was fun and most definitely entertaining!

The 2023 Mr Louisiana Forest Festival LumberSnack competition results :

1st place: Nate Vogt
2nd Place: Austin Stevenson
3rd Place: Jonah Chandler
4th Place: Andrew Sanders

Come out for a tree cutting good time at the Louisiana Forest Festival this Friday and Saturday, April 21-22.

By Brad Dison

Meeley and Pidge were an adventurous pair of young sisters.  Pidge looked up to her older sister, Meeley.  All throughout their childhood in Atchison, Kansas, Meeley led Pidge on wonderful adventures in their neighborhood.  Meeley was certainly the leader, but Pidge was an eager participant in all sorts of shenanigans.

One boring day in 1904, 7-year-old Meeley and 5-year-old Pidge designed a ramp after a roller coaster they had seen on a trip to St. Louis, Missouri.  The girls convinced their uncle to help them build the ramp.  Once built, Meeley leaned the ramp against the family’s tool shed.  Meeley had an old wooden box that, with help, she had added wheels to create a roller coaster type car.  Meeley and Pidge climbed to the top of the tool shed.  Being the older sister, Meeley decided that it was her responsibility to test their version of a roller coaster alone. 

Without a moment’s hesitation, Meeley jumped in the car.  The car zoomed down the ramp and back up the other end.  Meeley and the old wooden box left the ramp and soared into the air.  For Meeley, time seemed to slow down.  For what seemed like a blissful eternity, Meeley flew.  This time, Pidge really looked up to her sister.  The whole event lasted only a few seconds.  But there was a problem with Meeley’s plan.  She had taken no precautions for the landing.  She wore no protective gear, nor had she mats to soften her fall.  As soon as the old wooden box touched the earth, it completely disintegrated.  Meeley’s young body flailed as she landed among the broken remains of the old wooden box.  As she came to a rest on the splintered wood, other remnants of the old wooden box crashed down onto her.  Fearing the worst, Pidge rushed to Meeley’s side.  She could see that Meeley was bruised all over.  She could almost see Meeley’s heart beating in her swelling lip.  The crash landing had badly torn Meeley’s clothes.  Despite all this, Meeley was exhilarated.  With adrenaline coursing through her young body, Meeley said, “Oh, Pidge, it’s just like flying!”  Luckily for Pidge, the old wooden box was beyond repair because she would have gladly taken her turn.

Pidge eventually outgrew her daring nature, but Meeley never did.  Meeley kept pushing the boundaries and her adventures brought her worldwide fame.  Her fame grew exponentially in 1937, not because of a goal she achieved but one she failed to complete.  In one of her last letters to her husband, Meeley wrote, “Please know I am quite aware of the hazards.  I want to do it because I want to do it.”  No amount of cajoling could ever dissuade Meeley from trying something new.   

Throughout their lives, Meeley and Pidge affectionately referred to each other by their childhood nicknames.  You have probably never heard of Pidge, whose real name was Grace Muriel.  You certainly know Meeley.  She disappeared on July 2, 1937 while attempting to become the first woman to circumnavigate the globe.  Meeley was the childhood nickname of Amelia Mary Earhart.

 Source: Yaffe, Alva. 2019. “What Really Happened to Amelia Earhart?” History by Day. March 20, 2019.https://historybyday.com/human-stories/solving-the-mystery-of-what-happened-to-amelia-earhart-americas-favorite-female-pilot/.

Bank of Winnfield is a t-shirt sponsor for the 4-H Woodman Skills Competition. 4-H is making the best better!! 4-H is A Win Winn Situation!!!

ALEXANDRIA- The Rapides Foundation has awarded $1.8 million in grants to six organizations under a new program that addresses the high number of Central Louisiana young adults ages 16 to 24 who are neither in school nor working. The Reconnecting Cenla Program Grant seeks to reconnect these young people to meaningful education and employment opportunities in the region.

Grants were awarded to Ben D. Johnson Educational Center, Central Louisiana Technical Community College, Eckerd Youth Alternatives, LaSalle Community Action Association, LaSalle Economic Development District and Rapides Parish Police Jury.

These six entities will serve as anchor organizations that will lead community-based systems of partner organizations to identify, recruit and navigate disconnected youth to education and employment opportunities. Disconnected youth are often called “opportunity youth” because of their potential to succeed and contribute to their communities.

“Research has shown that young adults who experience disconnection have significantly lower incomes, are less likely to gain meaningful employment in the future and have poorer health outcomes than their peers,” said Joe Rosier, President and CEO of The Rapides Foundation. “These community collaborations are designed to create strategies that address barriers these young adults face when reengaging with education and employment services.”

Reconnecting Cenla complements the Foundation’s Beyond Graduation Project, a retention strategy launched in 2021 to ensure students stay within the education pipeline by assigning coaches to counsel students who enter postsecondary institutions after high school. Both programs are funded under the Workforce Skills and Talent Development component of the Foundation’s Economic Development Initiative.

Each Reconnecting Cenla Program grantee was awarded $300,000 over a three-year period that began April 1. The grant also will fund technical assistance from national experts in the field of opportunity youth who will work closely with the organizations as they develop their projects.

The following Reconnecting Cenla Program Grants were awarded:

Ben D. Johnson Educational Center plans to expand its Legacy Workforce Development Program, which provides training and certification courses covering foundational job skills, digital and financial literacy, effective communication strategies and industry-based certifications to underserved populations in Natchitoches. The center will work to grow its network of referral, resource and employer partners to help participants obtain social services, job training and employment.

Central Louisiana Technical Community College will create the Cenla Outreach, Engage and Reconnect Project to establish a range of key stakeholders to grow capacity and effectiveness with engaging opportunity youth throughout Central Louisiana. The project will utilize a Carl Perkins-funded website, Career Waves 6, to highlight resources within the community and create a communication network. The project will grow partnerships with grassroots organizations by training local ambassadors on the features of the website and navigate youth to services.

Eckerd Connects will work with existing and new community partners to build a system of care for opportunity youth in Rapides and Vernon parishes. The Eckerd Connects Opportunity Youth Program will engage, empower and energize opportunity youth to address the barriers to successful education and employment. The project also will focus on building an infrastructure to connect referral sources to community partners who provide educational services and employment opportunities. Eckerd will provide direct services and strengthen local connections in communities to connect more youth to opportunities so that they can live in a sustainable manner.

LaSalle Community Action Association and its partners will create the Catahoula Youth and Young Adult Enrichment Program in Catahoula Parish. The program will identify, recruit, assess, educate and train at least 150 young adults to become economically stable through the creation of a local and regional system of service providers. The system will provide outreach and a portal for disconnected youth to enter, be assessed and connected to services, including training, that will improve the likelihood of a successful transition to sustained employment.

The LaSalle Economic Development District will serve as anchor organization for Reconnect LaSalle: Youth Embracing a Greater Future. The mission is to connect these young adults with local and regional entities that can assist them to embrace a greater future by entering the workforce or obtaining higher education. The project will develop strategies to increase awareness of available local resources and information. Other components include facilitating round table discussions with area agencies, organizations and local youth.

The Rapides Parish Police Jury’s Youth Empowerment Services Project will expand its existing outreach and services for young adults. The project will include hiring service navigators to recruit disconnected youth from Rapides Parish and connect them with resources within the American Job Center and from external partners.

Added to the line-up for the 26th Annual Natchitoches Jazz/R&B Festival

Johnny Earthquake and the Moondogs – THE CANE RIVER WATERWAY COMMISSION STAGE – 3:45 – 5:00 pm.

Mark Newman – ROQUE HOUSE STAGE – 6:00 – 7:00 pm.

Gin Mobsters – FLEUR DE LIS STAGE – 4:45 – 5:45 pm.

Josh Hyde & The Lost Parish – FLEUR DE LIS STAGE – 6:00 – 7:00 pm.

This year we kick off the festival with a Friday night show featuring Elton LIVE! The Elton John Experience and The Purple Madness, a Tribute to Prince. Shows will be going on from 7:00 PM until 11:00 PM on 5/12 AND 11 AM – 11 PM on 5/13 on the Natchitoches Riverbank!

Don’t forget about our headliners, a Double Shot of Country with stars Mark Chestnutt and Tracy Byrd, and a whole lotta line dancing with the legendary Cupid, all on Saturday.

We still have The Steel Magnolias Getaway Giveaway to be announced so get your tickets and be entered into the drawing!

Click the link below for more information and to purchase tickets
https://www.natchjazzfest.com

Calvin High School in Winn Parish was the scene of a well-played match as the Lady Cougars defeated the Castor Lady Tigers in the first round of the LHSAA Class C playoffs by a score of 13-3 on Monday, April 17. The matchup was far more than a softball game, however. It was an affirmation of all that is right and good about life in small-town Louisiana, and of America itself.

Calvin is a small village with a population of 242 people in the last census. The school draws from the village and surrounding area and has 330 students in pre-K through 12th grade. Like its counterparts across rural Louisiana, it is a place of faith, family, deep roots, and tradition. The Winn Parish school superintendent’s grandfather was a coach and principal at the school, leading them to a state basketball championship in the late 1930’s – a championship they practiced for on a court with a dirt floor as the school had no gym at the time. The school was founded in 1924 and the present building was erected in 1929. Many of the teachers are alumni themselves and have their own children in the school. It is a tight-knit group.

The school, team and community were rocked by the tragic death of the long-time girls’ softball coach, Kevin Chad Camp, mere days before the team was slated to play Castor in the first game of the LHSAA playoffs. That is a heavy burden for a group of young people to bear, but the girls gathered together and decided that the only thing to do was to play as their coach would have wished. There would be no cancellation or postponement. The team would be there, ready to play. Calvin High School’s Assistant Principal David Lee Huckaby stepped up to coach the young women, and the village and surrounding area came out en masse to support their team and to honor Coach Camp’s memory. The spectators’ area was packed as over 500 people came to support their team.

The game featured a moment of silence in coach Camp’s memory before the first pitch. After the game, both teams gathered, linked arms and prayed together. The post-game activities concluded with a balloon release in the Calvin High School colors.

The Journal Media Group would like to commend the Castor High School Lady Tigers on a hard-fought game. We also extend our best wishes to the Calvin High School Lady Cougars as they advance in the playoffs. You, your coaches, teachers, community and families exemplified everything that is great about America. The game was a joy to watch.

Alleged “family situation” leads to death of Calvin softball coach

Henry O’Con
November 10, 1953 — April 13, 2023
Service: Thursday, April 20 at 11 am at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Natchitoches

Thelma Allen
April 18, 2023
Arrangements TBA

Steven “Cal” Nelson
December 13, 1980 – April 17, 2023
Arrangements TBA

Luttie Richardson
April 16, 2023
Arrangements TBA

Rosa M. Hamilton
February 9, 1944 – April 13, 2023
Service: Saturday, April 22 at 11 a.m. at the RAM (Restoration Apostolic Ministries), located at 175 Fairgrounds Road in Natchitoches

Joshua L. Chism
August 23, 2001 – April 12, 2023
Service: Friday, April 21 at 1 pm in the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, 318 North Street in Natchitoches

Monday, March 27th, 2023, the Winnfield Police Jury convened at 5 pm for a “special call” meeting. Among the listed matters on the agenda for discussion that evening, were the GIS mapping is a significant issue and will have a resolution this coming Monday. 

Shortly after beginning with prayer and pledge, the motion of business was adopted. The Jury proceeded to the first item of said business, discussing quotes on GIS (Geographical Information System) for Winn Parish presented by our current Tax Assessor, Lawrence Desadier. 

A geographic information system (GIS) is a system that creates, manages, analyzes, and maps all types of data. GIS connects data to a map, integrating location data (where things are) with descriptive information (what things are like there). For example, the information stored with each land parcel can generate countless maps and tables that display and summarize property values, land use, tax revenues, and ownership. This provides a foundation for mapping and analysis used in almost every industry. It helps users understand patterns, relationships, and geographic context and improves communication, efficiency, management, and decision-making. GIS data includes imagery, features, and base maps linked to spreadsheets and tables and integrates many data layers using spatial location. Spatial analysis lets you evaluate or assess things like setting routes, tracking transportations, and establishing correlations between objects, events and places. 

Desadier stated within the meeting that he had previously inquired about grants to fund this endeavor but has yet to find them. He explains that he has sent out procurements for a mapping system and received three proposals.

Monday, March 27th, 2023, the Winnfield Police Jury convened at 5 pm for a “special called” meeting. Among the listed matters on the agenda for discussion that evening was the GIS mapping which is a significant issue and will have a resolution this coming Monday. 

Shortly after beginning with prayer and pledge, the motion of business was adopted. The Jury proceeded to the first item of said business, discussing quotes on GIS (Geographical Information System) for Winn Parish presented by our current Tax Assessor, Lawrence Desadier. 

A geographic information system (GIS) is a system that creates, manages, analyzes, and maps all types of data. GIS connects data to a map, integrating location data (where things are) with descriptive information (what things are like there). For example, the information stored with each land parcel can generate countless maps and tables that display and summarize property values, land use, tax revenues, and ownership. This provides a foundation for mapping and analysis used in almost every industry. It helps users understand patterns, relationships, and geographic context and improves communication, efficiency, management, and decision-making. GIS data includes imagery, features, and base maps linked to spreadsheets and tables and integrates many data layers using spatial location. Spatial analysis lets you evaluate or assess things like setting routes, tracking transportation, and establishing correlations between objects, events and places. 

Desadier stated within the meeting that he had previously inquired about grants to fund this endeavor but has yet to find them. He explains that he has sent out procurements for a mapping system and received three proposals. 

1. EFS GeoTechnologies at $15 a parcel (26,858 parcels if EFS does mapping) and a yearly fee of $9,600.
2. Geographic Computer Technologies, LLC, for a total cost of $143,000, with an annual cost of $6,000.
3. Spatial Net, Inc for a total cost of $68,000 and . a yearly fee of $2,000

Mr. Desadier requested that the Jury allocate the money for GIS using Arpa funds since his office can not afford the initial costs. Desadier suggested Spatial Net, Inc, stating that if the Jury voted in favor and funded the service, he could maintain the yearly $2,000 from his office budget.

In the case of Winn Parish, the question of property maps online (a function designated to the Tax Assessors Office) has been a consistent question for a decade or more. The internet became public domain in 1993, gaining accessibility and popularity in the early 2000s–that’s quite a bit of time to go without that sort of step forward, something several citizens have voiced over the years. That includes Desadier’s opponent in the ongoing Tax Assessor’s race (voting to begin October 14th, 2023), Chet Atkins, who has put a consistent voice to the matter since announcing his candidacy in January.

Four out of the sixty-four parishes in Louisiana still need an online mapping system. Winn Parish is one of the remaining four.

The Jury has taken the matter under advisement and will meet Monday, April 17th, at 5 pm, with GIS mapping on the agenda for a vote.

Contact your Jury members and let them know your questions or concerns on this issue before Monday evening!

District 1/Mr. Phillip Evans (318 646-2045)
District 2/Mrs. Deionne Carpenter (318-302-3113)
District 3/Mr. Josh McAllister, President (318-332-9699) or (318-729-1727)
District 4/Mrs. Tammy Griffin (318-277-6582)
District 5/Mr. Kirk Miles, Vice-President (318-413-0754)
District 6/Mr. Author Robinson (318-628-7634)
District 7/Mr. Frank McLaren (318-646-2421)

Having a criminal record can make it difficult to get a good job. 

In order to address this issue the United Way of Central Louisiana will host a Second Chance Job Fair at the Alexandria Mall from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. on April 21, 2023.

For more information, please contact Carmen Coutee at Carmen.Coutee@la.gov.

Tyler Pyles, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, has opened Winnfield Physical Therapy in Winnfield on Highway 167. They started out 3 days a week and are now open 5 days a week as of April 4th. Tyler’s connections to Winnfield include his father Coach Andy Pyles and his mother Angela Audirsch. His goal was to bring a new business to the community which is also a service to the community. He believed that a PT clinic would thrive in Winnfield. It would be beneficial to the community so people would not have to travel to get physical therapy. The general public’s knowledge of physical therapy is not adequate. Physical therapy began as a bachelor’s degree, then became a master’s decree and is now a doctorate degree. Pyles attended PT school in St. Augustine, Florida. After graduation he worked a the University of Georgia, then took a travel job in Virginia close to Washington, D.C., and then returned to Shreveport and worked in Stonewall. He has a business partner who owns the clinic in Stonewall, one in Benton and now Winnfield. Patients now have access to physical therapy without a doctor’s order. The first exam is a full body check and they do look for red flags that would indicate that the patient needs to see a doctor. Physical therapists are trained in anatomy and biomechanics which gives them more knowledge than a physician would have. At Winnfield Physical Therapy they also help you sleep better, eat better and help with ways to relieve stress. They accept insurance, Medicare and some Medicaid plans. They also accept cash. They do not treat children under 7.

Pyles said he is happy to be here and offer a service to the community