Fred R. Flurry Sr.
Passed- June 17, 2024.
Service: Services for Mr. Flurry took place at Southern Funeral Home in Winnfield on Sunday, June 23, 2024.

Sandra Gail Varnell
Passed-June 17, 2024.
Services: Visitation, Funeral and Graveside services for Ms. Varnell took place Wednesday, June 19, under the direction of Southern Funeral Home. Interment followed directly after services in the Winnfield City Cemetery.

Terry Vernon Varnell
Passed-June 18, 2024.
Services: Visitation, Funeral and Graveside services for Mr. Varnell took place Wednesday, June 19, under the direction of Southern Funeral Home. Interment followed directly after services in the Winnfield City Cemetery.

The City Council has enacted an ordinance that will allow the Winnfield City Police Department to work with Meta Solutions to use their hand-held electronic device that can measure vehicle speed, photograph the license and match that with the vehicle’s registration to generate traffic tickets.  Ordinance 6 was introduced at the council’s April meeting, tabled in May and approved June 11.

Police explain the device is similar to the familiar Radar Gun in that it’s hand-held by an officer in their police car and aimed at a moving vehicle.  The difference is that the offending vehicle is not stopped and the driver stopped and ticketed face-to-face by the officer.  The Meta Solutions process is automated and the ticket will arrive in the mail, complete with all of the how-to-respond information.

Chief Johnny Ray Carpenter told the Journal that two primary reasons propelled the department’s request for this system.  “We’re not trying to make this a speed trap or anything.  This is for the safety of our officers.  The most dangerous situation for an officer is response to domestic violence.  But the No. 2 hazard is a traffic stop.  This new system will eliminate the potential of face-to-face confrontation.  That safety issue also goes for our children because the speeding that I’m most concerned about goes on around our schools.”

Carpenter cited the second reason as shortage of officers to handle the various other issues around the city.  “The speed enforcement will be conducted by off-duty officers, leaving our on-duty force free to handle other tasks.  This program will focus on the five-lane, mainly around our schools.”

Lt. Charles Curry noted that the department has been looking at the concept for some years but early models in metro areas like New Orleans and Baton Rouge are associated with larger companies and monitoring is conducted by fixed overhead cameras, with some negative connotations.  “The hand-held device keeps the human element intact,” he said.  

While automated, ticking won’t be automatic.  Both Carpenter and Curry said some leeway, about 10 mph over, will be programmed into the devices before they can photograph a license plate.  That image is relayed directly to Meta Solutions for processing but the Police Department will get a monthly list to review and approve before tickets are mailed out.

Curry explained that it will be a few months before the system is fully in place.  Equipment will be delivered, signage put up and a public information program conducted by the company.  Then a test month is planned when the license plates of speeding vehicles will be photographed and letters sent out…but those will be warnings.  

True fines will begin the following month.  Fines are increasingly higher as excess speeds increase.  Fines are even higher in school zones.  For its part, Meta Solutions will retain 40% of the fines paid, the department and council indicated.

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The Reverend Russell Jones has accepted the call to be the first pastor of Christ Wesleyan Fellowship of Winn. The care and concern that Rev. Jones and his wife, Raynore Dixon Jones, have exhibited for Winnfield and the surrounding area was a major factor for the new church congregation, who hope to see the area impacted by the positive message of Christ.

A familiar face in Winnfield due to his more than 43 years with the Winnfield City Police Department; Rev. Jones is a Winn Parish native. He was raised by his grandparents, Sam and Alberta Ford. After graduating from Calvin High School, he has attended Northwestern State University, Louisiana College, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and Louisiana Baptist University. He also served our nation in the U.S. Navy for six years.

Rev. Jones’ experience includes pastor at Christian Fellowship Baptist in Dodson for 15 years, and he has spoken at many different churches in Winn Parish. Rev. Jones spoke at Christ Wesleyan Fellowship on New Year’s Eve 2023 and various other occasions. This led him to spend time in prayer about accepting the call to be the first Pastor of the new church plant.

Rev. Jones plans a program of visitation, personal contact, and counseling to lead Christ Wesleyan Fellowship to be a beacon of hope to Winnfield and Winn Parish. The church is committed to sharing the Gospel, with an uncompromised Biblical stand. Pastor Jones is firmly in agreement with this vision for the church and hopes to see additional spiritual growth soon.

The Jones family includes two sons, Patrick Jones and Lance Holden, one daughter, Monica Kinney, and several grandchildren.

Christ Wesleyan Fellowship meets Sundays at 9:30 a.m. for Sunday School and 11 a.m. for worship in the sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church at 302 South Bevill Street. Prayer meeting is at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.

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Winnfield Senior High School graduate and baseball standout Canyon Compton has been named as an All-State player for District 3 which consists of all 2A and 3A schools in Louisiana.  

He played primarily third base and played shortstop when Jake Hemphill pitched.  Compton was categorized as Utility Player in the All-State listing.

Compton received a scholarship to South Arkansas College in El Dorado where he plays third base for the SouthArk Stars.

“His strength was his work ethic,” says WSHS coach Damion Herron.  “He was a very hard working athlete, putting in time on and off the field. He is also working to perfecting his craft. Canyon is one of the best hitters I have ever coached.”

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Winn’s OEP director Cindy Tilton, together with local police jurors will soon be traveling to rural communities across the parish to meet with leaders to discuss planning in the event of future disaster.

Jury President Frank McLaren informed the lawmakers of Tilton’s plans at the jury’s June meeting this week.  The intent is to make preparations in case of disaster.  “Certainly you can never be fully ready for whatever comes up but at least you can have something in place.”

No schedule was announced at this point.  McLaren said the director desires jurors representing each outlying community she visits to accompany her.  Any other juror would also be welcome to attend, he said.

The jury heard a preliminary presentation about a public transportation service that could be available for Winn through the Rapides Area Planning Commission.  Rural transit program manager Gracie Skinner who said the program is federally funded, requiring a local match.

“We have been operating in Natchitoches Parish for two years,” she explained.  “We want to discuss the possibility of expanding into Winn Parish.”  Skinner described her presentation as the “start of a conversation.  We want to get feedback to assess your interest.”

Although the lawmakers received some paperwork about the program included in their monthly packet, one observed that they didn’t really know what her presentation would be about.  In response to questions, they heard that the parish financial match would be around $50,000.  If launched, there would be a local office with local drivers.

McLaren said that while there may be parish interest, the jury would need to know more about the transit program.  Skinner repeated that Monday was just the start of a conversation.

Incoming sheriff Josh McAllister made a brief presentation to the jurors on relationship.  “We’ve been moving forward in our preparations and look forward to the Sheriff’s Office and the Police Jury working together.  We want to be an asset to you to see Winn Parish be successful.”  The former jury president added that he is interested in what the parish is going to do with the 911 Communications District and expressed his desire to be involved.  Don Garrett was on the agenda to give a 911 district update but was unable to attend.

Road Supt. Perry Holmes reported that despite the many recent rains, the days of good weather between have allowed crews to get in some work.  Two recent hires have manned two bushhogs which are doing “a bang-up job” of getting some roadsides cleaned up.  His report on FEMA projects indicated completions of the Manuel Long Road, Mitchell Road and Mars Hill Road.

Additionally, progress towards a five-span concrete bridge on the Harrisonburg Road is moving along.  Holmes said the 100% federally-funded project through the “Build It Back Better” program should see a letting date by the end of the year.  A Shreveport firm is coordinating the work.  Initially, Winn was slated for three “Build It Back Better” bridges but rising material costs knocked that back to one, Holmes said.

“The Harrisonburg bridge is currently open but it’s a concrete deck with wood piles on the bottom.  Some are spliced together and the bridge sees a lot of heavy traffic.  It will be good to have this replacement,” the superintendent observed.

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In a quick meeting June 10, the Winnfield City Council added personnel to both its City Police and Winnfield Fire departments and handled some other matters.

For the Fire Department, members agreed to move Joshua Colyer Jr. from the position of part-time provisional to fulltime fireman.  They also agreed to hire Frederick T. Nichols as a part-time fireman, Nichols has been fulltime with the Natchitoches Parish Fire Department.  Chief Brian Montgomery explained that this does not change the department’s staffing numbers as Colyer moved up to fill a vacancy left when a fireman took a position with the State Fire Marshal’s Office and Nichols is moving here to fill Colyer’s spot.

Lt. Charles Curry made a presentation on behalf of Chief Johnny Ray Carpenter to council member Teresa Phillips for the Personnel Committee, seeking the City Council to approve the hiring of Brian Goody on fulltime provisionary status.  Goody was described as “highly qualified, post-certified with two years of experience.”  The council approved.

Council member Ada Hall introduced an ordinance that would impose speed bumps and a 15 mph speed limit on Moss Street.  Hall said that it has come to her attention that with the gym open for summer recreation, children would be crossing for that and the summer feeding program.  Traffic should be slowed for safety reasons, she said.

And the council approved Ordinance 6, “META Solutions Speed Control,” introduce by council member Chiquita Caldwell.  The measure had been introduced in April, tabled in May and brought back up and approved in June.  (See full details in related story, “Automated Traffic Control.”)

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Winnfield City Police remind residents there are 3 ways to take care of a bench warrant:

• Traffic Charges have resulted in your license being suspended.

• Some dates are Arraignment, Trial, or Sentence Review

• Go by the City Court Clerk’s office at 113 E Main Street, meet with Cash Melville, City Court Clerk, and get a recall on the warrant:
  
  

Name   Reason/Charges    Case No.   Date of Warrant

Kendra Pimpleton   Simple Battery   220807   9/1/22

Angela Procell   DUS   210615   3/4/21

Jonathan Preston   No Insurance   220834   9/7/23

Speeding, No D/L   230488   6/2/23

Dewondre Powell    Speeding; Tail Lamps    221101   11/17/23

Amber Poisso    Expired Registration    230598    12/12/23

Terrance Powell    Violation of Protective Order    240236   5/2/24

Ronald Rials   Improper Lane Usage; DUS   2106417    9/2/21

Leonard Rhodes   Expired Registration, No D/L   221243   9/7/23

No D/L   221244   9/7/23

Albertina Riser    Signs & Signals, DUS, Exp Registration    230763   2/22/24

Cheyenne Reppond    Child Restraints, No D/L, FTA    230566   5/2/24

Tyron Raybon    No Seat Belt    240150    1/17/23

Dana Smith    Theft    230867   5/16/24

Hit and Run   230110   4/25/2024

Kevin Sapp   Theft   220503   12/19/22

Theft  170118  12/19/22

Kristen Scott   Careless Operation, No Insurance   221246    3/2/23

Corey Sonnier   Theft, FTA    220810   7/6/23

No S/B  220884  7/6/23

Taylor Sevario   No S/B   210711   7/6/23

Michael Sharp   Theft   230569   11/2/23

Terry Sanders   Speeding   210619   9/2/21

Name   Reason/Charges   Case No.   Date of Warrant

Jayla Simon   No S/B Criminal Mischief    210502   12/16/21

Jesus Sierra   Window Tint, No D/L   220180   4/7/22

Tara Stevens   No Seat Belt, DUS   220364   6/2/22

Ethan Smith    No Seat Belt    230519    8/5/21

Shawn Smith    Expired Plates, DUS, No Insurance    230127  11/22/23

Dellvonte Snow   Careless Operation   230567   12/12/23

Careless Operation/Hit & Run   230799  1/11/24

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The Winn Summer Reading program with special events at all the library branches continues.

Today, June 19, the Sikes branch at 2 p.m. will feature “Ocean Craft” for children ages 13 and older. Thursday, June 20, will bring a 1 p.m. program at Calvin, “Book Gathering.”

Next week begins with Monday, June 24, featuring Coach Miles at Atlanta at 10:30 a.m. with “Archery.” On Tuesday, June 25, Coach Miles will bring that “Archery” program to Calvin at 10 a.m. Then at 2 p.m. at Winnfield, children will “Prepare for Pedro” at 2 p.m.

Wednesday, June 26, sounds yummy as the LSU AgCenter brings an “Ice Cream” program to Dodson at 10 a.m. and repeats that program at 2 p.m. at the Sikes branch. Thursday, June 27, will feature an all-day (8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.) “Grab & Go Craft” opportunity at the Winnfield library, offering everything a youngster needs to build a DIY Wind Chime. Then Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries will be presenting at Atlanta at 2 p.m.

At the Winnfield Library on Friday, June 28, folks needing assistance in filling out Food Stamp Applications will have the chance to meet with a certified SNAP coordinator from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m.

Summer Reading fun will roll over into July as well, says Director Priscilla Massey. As July approaches, watch the Winn Parish Library website at winnlibrary.org or Google their Facebook page.

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Kiwanian Joe Evans spoke to the Kiwanis club, June 18. He pointed out our motto on the wall which says we “serve the children of the world.”He talked about the ways our local Kiwanis club serves the children of the world. 

The first way is through the Toys for Kids program every year at Christmas which is coordinated by Rita James. Not to toot his own horn but for two years now the Evans family has been helping to supply a children’s book for each bag given to a child at Christmas.  

Another program for older children would be our scholarships that we give to graduating seniors in our parish. This year Kiwanis presented 3 scholarships. Evans is part of the cooking crew for the Kiwanis scholarship lunch that raises money for the scholarships.  

The last program he spoke about was Terrific Kids. Evans was awarded Terrific Kid in the 6th grade, the first month he was at a new school. Several years ago he and his girls (Sophee, Sadee, Siblee and Sallee) began putting the packets together for the Terrific Kids program. 

He shared with the group the contents of the envelope which includes a pencil and pencil flag, a pin, a zipper pull, a refrigerator magnet, a sticker, a bookmark from the Winn Parish Library and a bumper sticker. Coupons from local businesses include a Mount Grace Thrift Store coupon, an ice cream cone from the Dodson Roadside Cafe, apple slices from McDonalds, a cookie coupon from Brookshires and something from Sonic.  

He told a funny story about a child’s reaction when his name was called at Calvin and asked others in the group to tell about something that happened at a presentation.  The Terrific Kid Program will resume in September after school starts in August. 

Kiwanians thanked Joe for giving new insight into the programs that the club does for children in this community. 

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Signup for a Tackle Football program for youngsters (ages 7 through 13) in Winnfield and Winn Parish has been open but time is short before the signup deadline of Monday, July 1.  Signup is at the Grove Street Recreation Center. 

This signup is to ensure that Winn Parish will have enough players to make up a team.  That number needed is 25 for each of the age division.  Those division are “Midget” (ages 7-8); “Minor” (ages 9-10); and “Major” (ages 11-13).

Parents are reminded that while the signup deadline is about 10 days away, they have two additional weeks (July 15) before registration cost fees are required.  Costs for each player are $140 which will include registration fee, insurance and jersey.  

There will also be equipment costs of at least $150 to $200 which will include helmet, shoulder pads and pants.  Equipment costs will need to be paid by July 26.  The City Recreation Department is actively working on getting sponsors to help offset the cost to parents of the equipment and is looking for donations towards the program.

“We want to remind parents again that the July 1 signup deadline is critical to understanding if interest level here is enough to move this football program forward,” said Recreation Director A.B. Hall.  “We’ve had a lot of inquiries but folks usually wait until the last minute to actually respond.  Some are concerned about the equipment costs but it’s another month before those are due and with sponsors, we may even be able to lower those costs.”

Hall added that if youngsters have the opportunity to get excited about football when they are little, that interest could carry over to their middle school and high school years.  “If that’s the case, you could say this is an opportunity to build for the future of the Tiger Football program.”

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On June 11, area first responders participated in a “First Responder Day” for children attending school at the Behavior Specialists of Louisiana located on Maple Street in Winnfield.  While sponsored by the Center, it also furthers positive interaction between children and all first responders incorporating the “Bridge the Gap” program of the Winnfield Police Department.

Representatives from the Winnfield Police Department, Winnfield Fire Department and Advance Ambulance Service were on hand to show and describe the emergency vehicles and equipment used in the daily activities of each department.  The Winnfield Police Department was represented by Officer Cassidy Martin who is also the Assistant Chief of the Winnfield Fire Department.  He showed his police unit, allowing children to learn to how the emergency lights and sirens are activated and the purpose of their use.  He also displayed several pieces of equipment, mostly those used by officers in dangerous situations, commonly called the Special React Team or SRT for short.  These included breaching tools, shields, and protective gear.

At the end of his presentation, each participant was given coloring books, toy badges and pencils provided by Chief Carpenter.  Fun was had by all while providing an excellent learning experience.

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I was a little surprised the other day when I asked a group about fast-approaching “Flag Day” but no one raised a hand.

I learned about this date in history class back in elementary or junior high and for some reason the date stuck in my mind.  Apparently it didn’t so much for others, putting it in the Columbus Day category for most.  Anyhow, Friday, June 14, was Flag Day in the United States so we put out our driveway flags for the occasion.

You’ll find on the internet that “Flag Day is a holiday celebrated on June 14 in the United States. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress.  They even described the significance of the stars, the stripes and the color selection.  It is not an official federal holiday, just a day recognized.   

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation that designated June 14 as Flag Day.  Then on August 3, 1949, National Flag Day was officially established by an Act of Congress, still not an official federal holiday.  Pennsylvania became the first state to celebrate Flag Day as a state holiday, with New York following suit, almost…theirs is designated as the second Sunday in June.  (That’s also according to the internet).

Winn Parish Journal

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If you graduated from Winnfield High School or Winnfield Senior High School, or if you attended but did not graduate from the school, you are welcome to attend the alumni’s annual reunion festivities which are held on the fourth Saturday of June each year. This year’s reunion will take place this Saturday, June 22. 

Each year, the events are hosted by the class celebrating the 50th anniversary of their high school graduation. Members of the class of 1974, directed by Paul Harlan, have been planning diligently for an entertaining and memorable weekend of activities.

The reunion events on Saturday include a coffee in the morning beginning at 10 a.m. at the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame. The banquet will be held at the Winnfield Civic Center in the evening. One must RSVP to attend the coffee, but there is no charge to do so. You must register and pay in advance to attend the banquet in the evening.

If you would like to receive the alumni committee’s newsletter and a registration form for the reunion each year, please send your name, municipal address, and email address to Jimmie Lee Davies at jimmieleedavies@hotmail.com or to Mary Lou Blackley at blackleym0227@gmail.com, and your information will be added to the mailing list.

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Hundreds of kids who dream of playing in the pros – or, kids who just love to play – are registered for the already filled-to-capacity free New Orleans Saints & Pelicans/Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Junior Training Camp on Saturday morning on the Northwestern State campus in Natchitoches.

The JTC annually provides two hours of full throttle fun alongside Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame members and NSU coaches, and staff from the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans community relations department. It is presented by Natchitoches Regional Medical Center.

Everyone who registered should have received an email Monday with a link to an easy-to-complete JTC waiver form that needs to be submitted online by Friday at 5. Those who don’t return that form online will have to complete it Saturday morning before being able to join the fun. JTC organizers are using the online form to hopefully avoid a bottleneck of kids whose participation could be delayed by having to fill out the form on Saturday.

If there are questions about the waiver form, or if it wasn’t received, call the LSHOF Foundation office at 318-238-4255. The camp filled to capacity last month.

The LaSportsHall.com website has the full schedule for the Induction Celebration this weekend. The JTC is one of three free events, beginning with the Thursday evening Welcome Reception from 5-7 at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum at 800 Front Street in Natchitoches. The biggest free ticket is Friday night’s Rockin’ Riverfest concert from 6-10:30 on the downtown riverbank, featuring a fireworks show after the Class of 2024 is introduced at 9:15.

The Junior Training Camp runs from 9-11 a.m., starting with registration between 8-9 a.m. at the Webb Wellness and Recreation Center (WRAC) gymnasium. Due to the full capacity of 350 campers signed up, it’s important for parents to get their campers checked in well before the fun starts at 9 a.m. Then, campers get introduced to the sports stars who will be coaching them for the next two hours, inside focusing on basketball skills, and outside at Turpin Stadium, with football and general sports skills instruction.

Every camper will bring home two free T-shirts, other items, and a coupon for a meal at Raisin’ Canes. Photos from the camp will be posted on the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Facebook page, and so will a highlight video.

The goals of the JTC are simple – a fun, and thrilling, experience for the kids, free of charge; skills instruction from some of the best to ever play, or coach, the games; and promotion of health lifestyles and positive life choices.

The campers are separated into two groups. One stays inside for the first hour for basketball instruction, while the other is next door at Turpin Stadium, having football fun. The groups switch locations in the second half of the camp.

Parents can follow their favorite campers and watch all the fun from the stands in the gym and on the east side of Turpin Stadium – where it will be sunny, and hot, watching some really cool memories being made.

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