The Winnfield City Council received a report during its Sept. 12 session that a four-man team from the Winnfield Fire Department responded recently to a call for assistance with wildfires in southeast Louisiana.
Assistant chief Cassidy Martin reported that the local team served from Aug. 25 through Sept. 2, mostly in the Vernon and Rapides parishes area. Through the entire region, fires burned over some 60,000 acres, destroying 20 homes and one fatality was reported. There were no injuries among the local fighters.
The team initially responded with both men and equipment but the council heard that a mechanical issue developed with the engine and the team’s mission was shifted to assisting the other departments in action. “We were going nonstop between stations and fires.” The council heard that since troubles with the engine occurred in response to this natural disaster, federal funding should be available.
Cassidy thanked Mayor Gerald Hamms for supporting the mission and stressed that because of the remaining firefighters and trained volunteers, the city’s fire protection was fully covered even with the response team assisting elsewhere. “I hope it never happens but I’d like to believe that we’d receive the same response if that situation occurred here.”
The four on the local response team were Martin who acted was team leader and operators Matthew Harrell, Ryan Gagnard and Benjamin Murphy.
In other fire department business, the council approved the hiring of Ian McLaren as a volunteer firefighter. Martin explained that McLaren who has served with the rural Fire District #3 has met with the Public Safety Committee. “He will be a help to us.”
Let’s start with the lions which prove their claim to the moniker “King of the Beasts” through their size, strength and “take no prisoners” strut as they pad calmly wherever they will.
Our Botswana driver took us to our first full-mane lion sighting in a field so parched from the winter drought that the cat wasn’t easy to see until the vehicle was nearly on top. Unbothered, he only moved his head but I have to admit that he wasn’t acting too kingly, apparently keeping some distance between himself and some nearby elephants. Lions and elephants don’t get along well.
Our next encounter was the proof. We’d been watching herds of elephants, Cape buffalo and impala, with some giraffes interspersed, heading across the watering holes towards the river. Then our guide spotted a lion pair resting in the shade of the hillside brush. The guide advised the driver to hold that position. After some time, the female stood up and strolled calmly down the incline and across the path we’d just driven. When she’d disappeared into the tall, dead grass, the male then stood and with an equal calm, took the same route. Once the big cat had also disappeared into the field, our guide urged the driver to hurry our way towards the river.
The driver pulled up (a little bit farther away than the guide would have liked) just as the lioness cut off an adult buffalo and two calves from the back of the herd and took down one calf. Several other buffalo turned as if to help, watched for a moment before changing their minds, rejoining the herd.
This took place directly ahead but our guide now called our attention to the right where the adult buffalo and second calf had been isolated. We then saw the male lion carefully approaching for the kill. The dangerous Cape buffalo is no easy prey, apparently killing more people annually than any other African animal. This one was doing a good job fending off the attack until the female abandoned her kill and teamed up to take down this much larger prey.
We watched as the rest of the pride, four younger adults, arrived from the same direction to take on the remaining calf. It was an amazing display of nature’s food chain at work. The next day on our tour, the driver came up on what we were told was the same pride of lions. Stomachs filled, they lazed under the shade of a tree, with no concern that we’d approached so close just to watch.
While we saw lions each day during our safari outings, the other encounter I’d like to talk about reminds me of the writing in the Book of Daniel when the Lord kept the lion mouths closed. At the Inyati camp next to Kruger National Park in South Africa, our drivers took a circuitous route to locate a large pride sunning on the incline of a small ravine.
We parked carefully among them, perhaps five adults and nine cubs, some in the ravine to our left, the others on the incline to our right. Some as close as the vehicle itself, the rest no farther than 20 feet off. At one point, another vehicle arrived with tourists a little younger and noisier than us. Cubs in the ravine were slightly disturbed and began getting up and moving around our vehicle to the incline side. The adults with them also shifted because the cubs had moved.
I’ve likened them to “yard dogs” on a hot day, moving only to find a cooler spot, then laying back down to ignore their surroundings. Mind you, these yard dogs could eat you if you stepped down amongst them. You might call this encounter an adrenalin thing, suspended between confidence and fear, mere feet away from such magnificent and dangerous creatures.
Or you could call it a God thing, where you’re sitting there, taking in this scene so close, and the only thought that can go through your mind is, “Wow!”
Mayor Hamms gave a short presentation at the conclusion of the Sept. 12 Winnfield City Council meeting and won approval from the council to launch a meal and school enrichment program on Mondays, now that the parish system has moved to a four-day week.
He indicated that since some families depend on the school food program for their children, the four-day week “leaves an open day. This would be similar to the summer feeding program.” The plan also calls for an after-hours program Tuesdays through Thursdays.
The city will partner with the Food Bank of Louisiana, Hamms said. Site for the program will be the Tommy Hamms Memorial Building, at no cost but the city will be responsible for utilities. Time would be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays. The plan will also offer after school enrichment and meal from 5 until 7 on Tuesday through Thursday. Weekly cost would be $20 per child for children grades 1 through 8.
For registration, parents will bring in their children and will be instructed on the parameters of the program. Registration records will be provided for the Food Bank. “This is something the kids need,” said the mayor. “It’s our way of giving back. We’re now getting organized and encourage adult who wish to work and volunteer for serving and tutoring to contact City Hall.”
After two weeks of preseason action away from home and two regular season games on the road, the Winnfield Tiger football team finally got to play a home game at Stokes-Walker Stadium on Friday night. The Tigers hosted the Cedar Creek Cougars, who they played on the road in Ruston last year and lost to, one of their two losses in the regular season. The Tigers were able to avenge that loss, prevailing by a score of 20-0.
Neither team put points on the board in the first half, although the Tigers had several opportunities to do so. The Tigers moved the ball well early on, but committed many miscues on several drives before they reached the end zone. They fumbled twice, both in the red zone, one of those fumbles coming on the 1-yard line, marking the second week in a row that the Tigers fumbled on the 1. They also had a punt blocked, and fumbled once again on their first offensive play of the second half. Despite the offense’s struggles, the defense did an excellent job of keeping Cedar Creek’s offense in check, keeping the score a scoreless tie going into halftime.
The Tiger offense got things going in the second half, converting their offensive possessions into touchdowns. The offense scored two rushing touchdowns, with Jaylon Jackson scoring his third touchdown of the season in only his second game. Malachi Williams got on the board too with his first touchdown of the year. Williams also made a big play on the defensive side of the ball, intercepting a Cedar Creek pass and returning it all the way back for a touchdown. The Tigers had two interceptions on the night, with Jaterion Hobdy getting the other one.
Statistically for the Tigers, quarterback Damascus Lewis completed 5 of 12 passes for 132 yards. He also ran 7 times for 16 yards. Jaylon Jackson led the team in rushing yards on the night, carrying 6 times for 54 yards, with a long run of 31 yards, running for a touchdown as well. He also caught 2 passes for 68 yards. Malachi Williams had one carry for an 8-yard touchdown. Jake Jones had an 8-yard reception, Ryan Davis had a 20-yard reception, and Josh Hayes had a 38-yard reception.
The Tigers will be at home again this Friday night for their second of four consecutive home games. They will take on their longtime rivals the Jena Giants, who are enjoying a strong start to the season. They sit at 3-0 with wins over Mangham, Leesville, and St. Frederick.
As August is the birth month of all three of Louisiana’s Winn-born governors (Huey and Earl Long and O.K. Allen), it’s only fitting that the call sign W3G be assigned to a ham radio special event station that was held here in August, says Houston Polson, a Winnfield resident and member of Central Louisiana Amateur Radio Club of Pineville.
While the retired Air Force colonel is a transplant into the community, he tells the Journal he feels like this is home and believes Winn ought to celebrate whenever it can this notoriety of three governors. The FCC designated the W3G call sign for the entire week of Aug. 23-30. Polson’s plan was to use his ham radio at home for worldwide communication during that week and was assisted by fellow ham enthusiast Dave Nolan of Bentley.
“My hopes for a larger scale special operating event didn’t work out but what we did was rewarding and I think it told the world about our wonderful town.”
Polson said that during the 10 hours of radio operation during that week, they made 376 contacts in 42 states and 23 foreign countries. Those included contacts in such far-off locations as Germany, England, Israel, Russia, Australia, Ukraine and Japan. Sometimes, he explained, the radio contacts are made like phone calls to other ham operators they know. Often, however, a call is simply put out over a given frequency and if another operator is out there and responds, the conversation begins.
Usually that communication is simple and short. After an exchange of ID codes and information such as signal strength, Polson might explain Winn’s fortune as birthplace of the three governors, this being a small town in north Louisiana and home of good folks. He in turn might learn he was talking to another small-town resident in New Jersey and inquire about the weather or the high school’s football season. And they’d sign off. Other contacts could lead to discussions that would go on for an hour. Further contact details are always available through the system.
This is not just idle time spent by the 6,000 ham radio operators in Louisiana. It’s ongoing practice, if you will, so that these ever-vigilant volunteers will be ready to respond should disaster strike and all other forms of outside communication fail. In Winn’s case, Hurricane Laura comes to mind. During a 24-hour long exercise event the last weekend in June, Polson’s ham club took to the field and setup operation at the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Shooting Range. He explained, “we didn’t just plug the radio into the wall socket. We used emergency generators, batteries, solar power and even a radio satellite to make contacts.”
“The exercise was a success”, he continued. “Our 45 club members made nearly 4,000 radio contacts in all 50 states and 19 foreign countries on all six continents. It’s not high-tech, mostly done on hardware wire.”
Polson said that with his simple radio, his generator and a wire antenna, he can set up anywhere in the parish in 30 minutes and be communicating across the USA. That’s much quicker than any emergency response system can be brought in and start running.
Readers wishing to know more about ham (amateur) radio and its central Louisiana enthusiasts, check out the following feature provided courtesy of our neighboring Jena Times:
Ham Radio Operators Conduct National Exercise
BY CRAIG FRANKLIN Editor, Jena Times
In a world that is dominated by digital and internet communications, it would surprise many to learn that there is an alternative means of communication that exists should the unthinkable ever occur.
Ham radio, also known as amateur radio, has been around since the late 1800’s and today that simple technology of transmitting radio waves using radio frequency systems to communicate locally and around the world has evolved to include more than just Morse Code or voice transmissions but also email and so much more.
The uninformed will liken ham radios to CB radios but in truth, CB’s are no match for the powerful network that ham radios offer. They can operate on very little power but provide communications across states and nations. They are especially useful in catastrophic events that leave other electrical communications obsolete.
On Saturday and Sunday, June 24 and 25, ham radio operators from the Central Louisiana Amateur Radio Club (CLARC) participated in a national amateur radio exercise at the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Range. The ARRLL Field Day is an annual amateur radio activity organized since 1933 by the American Radio Relay League, the National Association for Amateur Radio in the United States.
Hams from across North America ordinarily participate in Field Day by establishing temporary ham radio stations in public locations to demonstrate their skill and service. Their use of radio signals, which reach beyond borders, brings people together while providing essential communication in the service of communities. Field Day highlights ham radio’s ability to work reliably under any conditions from almost any location and create an independent, wireless communications network.
“Hams have a long history of serving our communities when storms or other disasters damage critical communication infrastructure, including cell towers,” said Kirk Garber, President of CLARC. “Ham radio functions completely independently of the internet and phone systems and a station can be set up almost anywhere in minutes. Hams can quickly raise a wire antenna in a tree or on a mast, connect it to a radio and power source, and communicate effectively with others.”
“This is a time where we all get together and train to get better at what we do,” Perry Nelson of Jena said. “Any time there is a major disaster we go ahead and start listening and transmitting, seeing where we can help.” Allen Fontenot from Eunice, has been a ham operator for 22 years and remembers vividly how ham operators were crucial during Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
“Everything was down, police/fire/ambulance radios, internet and cell phones, but ham operators were transmitting,” he said. “Our club went to the (Rapides) coliseum and set up like we’re doing today to relay information from New Orleans. There were ham operators in New Orleans and they were the only ones able to get information out because all other forms of communication were down.”
One of CLARC’s oldest members, Jack Brossette of Pineville, has been a ham operator since 1962. When Hurricane Betsy struck Louisiana in 1965, he was part of the team that helped during the devastation.
“In 1965 I had my first experience in real life in doing what we’re training to do today,” he said. “We actually had guys put mobile ham radios in police cars and that is what they used to communicate back to police headquarters because everything else was down.”
“Hams are completely off the grid,” Garber stated. “Having the electricity out or internet down doesn’t affect us. We can run off battery power or generators and you can actually run these radios on a 12-volt battery for eight hours.” Although the thrill of talking with someone great distances away is exciting, the main reason ham operators do what they do is for the assistance it provides to so many.
“When a hurricane hit Panama City Beach a few years ago, I was listening after the eye made landfall and heard a man call out to see if anyone was listening,” he said. “I told him I was and he asked me to get a message to his daughter who lived in Colorado to tell her he was okay. He gave me her number and I called her up and relayed the message. She was so grateful for that call because she hadn’t heard from her dad since the hurricane hit.” “It’s during those times that being a ham operator is most fulfilling,” Garber said.
There is no age limit for someone to become a ham operator. Several members of the club have children who are operators and CLARC is hoping that more will join. “We are really hoping that more youth will get involved with ham radio,” Garber continued. “There is so much they learn being involved with it, from building electronics, to learning frequencies and communication technology, to service to others.”
CLARC has members in over seven Central Louisiana parishes and all of the its members say that being a ham operator is a passion that also serves a great service. “And it’s fun,” Garber said. “We have a great time not only visiting with one another at our meetings but we have friends all over the world thanks to ham radio.”
By their continued commitment to training during events such as Field Day, they keep their skills sharp and ready to answer the call for the next disaster. When all else fails, ham radio will be available to help when it’s needed the most.
Members of the Central Louisiana Amateur Radio Club participated in a national amateur radio exercise Saturday and Sunday, June 24 and 25, at the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Range. Events like this are held at least once a year to hone skills and demonstrate ham radio’s ability to work reliably under any conditions from almost any location. Winnfield resident Houston Polson, fifth from left, is a member of the club.
With the recent drop in temperatures, it has made us realize that the first day of fall is just around the corner. With fall weather comes lots of outdoor events and festivals, the cooler temps make it much more bearable!
The Christmas in the Park Committee is announcing their intent to have the festival become an all-day event. The committee is having a Pulled Pork Fundraiser on Sunday, October 8th from 11:00am until they are sold out. The plate includes a sandwich, baked beans, chips, dessert and a drink for the cost of $10.00. More details in the coming weeks! In the meantime if you wish to assist with any of the planning please reach out to Mayor Gayle Cloud.
There will be a political forum held at the Goldonna School on Thursday, September 28th at 6:30. Candidates for Senator, Sheriff, Parish President and Parish Council have been invited. Please make plans to attend this important event.
The Goldonna Baptist Church is busy serving the youngest population of Goldonna. Well, actually they are busy serving the youngest population in the world. Pastor Ben Dupree shared with me that there is only one month left before their packing party for Operation Christmas Child. There is still time to turn in your donations to fill shoe boxes that will be sent globally to various youth. Kingdom Kids kicked off on Wednesday, September 13th. Kingdom Kids will operate every Wednesday along with the Natchitoches Parish School calendar. If school is in, chances are Kingdom Kids is in session enjoying a full meal, a Bible lesson and singing.
The River of Life Family Worship Center will be holding a Men’s Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, October 21st at 8:00 in the morning. Mark your calendars for a delicious meal and fellowship with friends. If you are looking for a reason to be thankful, Pastor Tim Harris and Pam Harris shared that they are in the early stages of planning for a revival. Gerald Crabb; minister singer songwriter, will be visiting the church November 17-19. More details to come about this exciting revival weekend near Thanksgiving.
The 2nd Annual “Josh Feirn Memorial Cornhole Tournament” will be held this weekend. September 23rd beginning at 10:00am until 10:00pm at the Grand Bayou Resort. Live music will begin at 5:00 with Spencer Brunson and Deep Water Rehab. Please contact Morgan Feirn or Jade Burke.
WSHS made a presentation to one of its former athletes during halftime of the Winnfield Senior High School vs. Cedar Creek School of Ruston on Friday, Sept. 15.
Honored was Alex Adams, a 2023 graduate of WSHS who was a two-time winner of the Louisiana state title for powerlifting for the 181-pound category.
The halftime ceremony was made on the field at Stokes-Walker Stadium by coach Klint Womack who presented Adams with his State Championship ring. Friday night was the first home game for the Tigers and the first opportunity for Adams’ presentation before the hometown crowd.
It was a fitting touch for the evening that the Tigers, tied 0-0 at halftime, went on to defeat Cedar Creek by a final score of 20-0.
Attending the Sept. 12 session of the NCBA fellowship are left, Donald and Brenda Cardin, next Norris and Mitzi Curry, back Wesley Venable, Carmen and Bruce Cardin, Linda Venable, Craig and Tammy James, center Jimmy and Florence Yocum and moving left from center, Melanie McAllister, Dr. Jeffrey Steed, Brian McAllister, Mitchell Miles and Mary and Jeff Shows.
Pastors and wives from churches in Winn and Jackson parishes gathered Sept. 12 at East Winnfield Baptist Church for the quarterly pastors & wives fellowship, North Central Baptist Association, an event that featured guest speaker Jeff Steed of the Louisiana Baptist Foundation.
The dinner and program included an overview by director of missions Craig James of recent and upcoming activities among associational churches. Then he introduced Dr. Steed from the Baptist building in Alexandria.
Dr. Speed explained that the foundation works to partner with churches to assist in financial matters in a number of different ways. Included are capital & stewardship campaigns, cash management, church loans, a computer support line, ministry accounting services, online giving, payroll services and a program he called “Giving Beyond Cash” to help churches deal with non-cash gifts like real estate or stocks.
“Churches could think of us as a savings account,” he said. “We are currently working with 450 churches across the state.” He said the foundation is reaching to increase their assistance to churches, telling the Tuesday gathering that he or others in the office are often out making presentations like this to groups large and small.
Among the many topics Dr. Steed mentioned during his quick presentation is one called “House in Order” which is a seminar format of Biblical principles for a properly planned estate. By having their house in order, an individual may wish to have their estate planned in a way that both protects their family yet leaves a tithe to the church or other Christian causes.
McManus Timber Co., Inc. Encompasses 40 year milestone
Liz and Tony McManus would like to thank the people of Winn Parish for the help and support received over the past 40 years. We know that without it, McManus Timber would not be what it is today. I want to thank our employees for their work and dedication, especially through these hot summer months. Hopefully the worst is behind us and cooler temperatures are close. As our company has aged so have our workers. Several of our great friends are no longer with us. To those men’s children and family, McManus Timber is very grateful. To all the support companies that supply the things necessary to keep the wheels turning, a very big THANK YOU.
Our hope here at McManus Timber Co., Inc. is that with continued cooperation among each other, that Winnfield and Winn Parish will stop losing population and start thriving once again, and that our children will be able to stay here and find good jobs if they desire.
That is why we would like to ask the voters of Winn Parish to Strongly consider supporting Josh McAllister for Winn Parish Sheriff. It is a fact that Winn Parish has been in decline for a long time. Many of my friends and your children sadly have moved away to find better careers. Liz and I were blessed to have settled here in “timber country”, and have been sustained by this industry. But most people that chose a different path could not stay here.
Six years ago a group of Louisiana Loggers decided to send Josh and my daughter, Toni, to Baton Rouge to try to help change things in our industry. As with most new endeavors, it was slow at first, until they learned the ropes and met the people that have the ability to direct the help in our direction. I would like to report the phenomenal success that has been achieved, through legislation proposed by Josh and Toni that was passed into law. Loggers like us are reaping the benefits on every load that we haul and Winn Parish has also benefited from them!
Since Josh was elected to the jury in 2016, our parish has experienced several major natural disasters. As parents and citizens of Winn Parish, we are very proud of our children. When trouble came, they went and found the help needed for many that were effected. Some people make claims about Josh’s lack of law enforcement experience. Did you know that some of Louisiana’s best sheriffs came from a business background?
Successful companies know how to surround themselves with the people that excel in whatever they want to accomplish. Law enforcement is no different. We think that Josh will make a great sheriff because of his police jury experience and his many years at McManus Timber managing personnel and cost issues of equipment and payroll. He and Toni have learned how to navigate through the process and will hopefully be able to get support for our parish from his many friends made in the house and senate. Let’s give Josh a chance. We can not settle for business “as usual” and expect a different result.
“Our 2023 Winn Parish Fair is just a few weeks away, set to be held Oct. 2 through 7,” says Fair president Jamey Maxwell. “Our emphasis is on keeping our Fair family-friendly and working to make it safe for the kids. We want to thank the people of Winn for staying with us through the difficult COVID times and now that we’re through that, urge you to come on out.”
With this in mind, the Fair board has removed the old Pilot Club building. It was in bad shape and they didn’t want anyone to be injured. Since the building is gone, that land is being repurposed to provide a separate area for the carnival workers to stay. The plan then will be to set up rides for adults at the north end of the grounds and games and rides for children at the south end. “This will allow families with small children to enjoy the fair without being exposed to the loud and boisterous atmosphere of the adult portion of the Fair,” says Maxwell.
The carnival will again be provided by Midwest Rides in their sixth year under contract. “It’s difficult to find a carnival willing to come into a small community like ours. We had a good year with this carnival last year with many comments on the cleanliness and friendliness.”
The city of Winnfield has a “No Sagging” ordinance, and this ordinance will be strictly enforced. The Fair also has a “No Hoodie” policy (where a hoodie may be attached to a sweatshirt but not worn over the head to hide identity). The fair also have a “No Alcohol or Open Container” ordinance on the premises.
Monday through Friday, the Commercial Building will be open through daytime hours when school groups come through at various times to tour exhibits. The building is also open nights when the midway is in full swing. Gates are open free to the public during the day, with gate fees beginning at 5 p.m. Maxwell pointed out that the Fair board sets aside monies each year for ongoing repairs and improvements. One investment this time has been LED lighting inside the Commercial Building which will mean both better visibility and lower costs.
Monday, Oct 2 at 6 pm the midway Rides open-Midwest Ride with Unlimited ride armband for $20
Tuesday- Oct 3 Outside events open 6 pm with Pay one price rides on the Midway. Note this is a Canned Food Drive: Bring in 3 canned goods, get $5 off the price of an armband-$15 instead of $20. Political Stumping Featured at 7. Come hear the candidates on this fall’s ballot promise voters what they can bring to their office in this old fashioned “stumping.”
Wednesday, Oct 4 Midway rides open at 6. This is Buddy Day, purchase 2 armbands for $30. Feature entertainment at 7 with New Zion Missionary Baptist Church music ministry, Pastor Tomell Hamm and choir director Chianne Holmes at Amphitheatre stage.
The Winnfield Rotary Club was honored to host the Rotary International District 6190 Governor on September 13, 2023. She is Linda Thomas of Leesville, Louisiana, an energetic and enthusiastic Rotarian who has been active and involved since the moment she became a Rotarian.
Mrs. Thomas was a Severe Profound Special Education teacher for 33 years, so service is a way of life for her. This makes her a good fit for Rotary, whose motto is “Service above Self!” Since joining Rotary in 2014, Mrs. Thomas quickly became a leader, completing all Rotary leadership training and actively serving as president of her local club, assistant district governor over the Natchitoches, Leesville, Many and Winnfield clubs, district governor nominee and now district governor.
Linda encouraged the members of the Winnfield Club to continue its service to the community, including providing new school uniforms to local students, giving dictionaries to all Winn Parish fourth graders, and helping provide Christmas gifts for the foster children of Winn Parish, among other smaller projects.
Linda believes we all have greatness within us. One must simply stop and take the time to observe it. “We are all different,” she says, “but we ALL have something to give” to our communities. She perfectly exemplifies this principle in the wholehearted service she gives our area through her leadership in Rotary.
There was a time years ago when I worked as a journalist for Willamette Industries, creating and producing newsletters about how the company’s policies promoted good habitat for wildlife. One of the events I visited as an observer was watching as professionals in the industry deliberately set fires, prescribed fires, for the good not only for timber growing on the lands but for wildlife living on the company’s acreage.
There are fires burning now on timber lands, especially in southwest Louisiana that are anything but prescribed; these are out of control wildfires like the ones we often read about devastating hundreds of thousands of acres out west.
Todd Martin President and CEO of Southern Loggers Cooperative. Martin provided insight into prescribed fires versus wildfires.
“One of the most valuable tools used in the forestry industry are prescribed fires. These are intentionally set. Weather conditions have to be right where there is little or no chance that the fire intentionally set doesn’t turn into a wildfire,” said Martin.
Wildlife such as deer, turkey and quail benefit from prescribed fire in that beneficial browse and tender forage plants are generated. When a wildfire goes through, it chars and burns everything which seriously limits what wildlife have available, according to Martin.
“What we are seeing now in Louisiana is an outbreak of wildfires from a standpoint I have never seen in my career,” he added.
Martin gave some mind-boggling information about the extent of these fires raging around the state, especially in southwest Louisiana. “In the month of August alone,” he said, “our state has responded to 522 fires covering over 61,000 acres. The two biggest fires are the one known as the Tiger Island fire involving over 31,000 acres with the Highway 113 fire near Pitkin covering some 8500 acres. Most of these fires are only about 50% contained so there is much work to continue until they’re extinguished. What is needed is a good prolonged rain over the affected area, something that is not in the long-range forecast as of now.
“Last week we held meetings in Lake Charles and you could look out the window of the building where we met and actually see the Tiger Island fires burning 40 miles away. This situation is more serious than people realize,” Martin said. Three years ago, the forests in southwest Louisiana were devastated when Hurricane Laura destroyed much of the timber in the area where the fires are located today. According to Martin, the timber destroyed by the hurricane was replanted with new trees that were growing and doing well. The fires blazing in that area today have virtually wiped out all the new growth of timber that was replanted.
How did these wildfires get started? A TV news report this week indicated that fires were deliberately set with a hefty reward waiting for someone who can identify the culprit who set southwest Louisiana ablaze. Right now, the entire state is under a burn ban and if heeded should keep other fires from igniting under these extremely dry conditions.
Keeping our eyes on the skies for rain clouds and praying that we’ll soon get rain seems to be an obvious plan of action that will extinguish these raging fires and preventing new ones from cropping up.
Northwestern State University’s School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) is pleased to announce STEM Day, designed for prospective students to dive into promising career opportunities within STEM fields. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with accomplished faculty and like-minded peers, gaining valuable insights into our diverse range of degree programs. The STEM School encompasses the Department of Biology and Microbiology, the Department of Engineering Technology, the Division of Mathematics, the Department of Physical Science, and the Department of Veterinary Technology.
For high school students in grades 9-12, Northwestern State University’s School of STEM is offering an exceptional opportunity to dive deep into their fields of interest. Through engaging and interactive hands-on demonstrations, students can gain valuable insights into the exciting worlds of STEM. Participants will have the chance to choose from several specialized tracks, in biomedical/microbiology, natural science/ecology, veterinary science, chemistry and physics or mathematics/engineering.
Date: 9-13-23 Name: Kandi L Crawford Address: Dodson, LA Race: White Sex: Female Age: 32 Charge: Probation violation
Date: 9-14-23 Name: Jemaris D Lowe Address: Chatham, LA Race: Black Sex: Male Age: 34 Charge: Contraband in penal institution, Possession of schedule one with intent to distribute, Distribution of a schedule three (attempted)
Date: 9-16-23 Name: Ronald Guin Address: Winnfield, LA Race: White Sex: Male Age: 44 Charge: Possession of a schedule two (meth), Driving under suspension
Date: 9-16-23 Name: Nathan D Washington Address: Winnfield, LA Race: Black Sex: Female Age: 35 Charge: Simple battery, Resisting an officer
Date: 9-16-23 Name: Christopher L Vercher Address: Winnfield, LA Race: White Sex: Male Age: 42 Charge: Simple battery, Criminal trespassing
Date: 9-16-23 Name: Lynwood Hudson Address: Winnfield, LA Race: Black Sex: Male Age: 63 Charge: 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.
