Early voting for the November 5 Presidential Election ended at 6 p.m. Tuesday when the Registrar’s Office in Winn Parish closed its doors. During the Early Voting period, 2,447 voters came in person while another 267 absentee (mail) ballots had been received, an overall total of 2,714 or 32.1% of Winn’s 8,459 registered voters.
That total could rise since nearly a week remains when mail-in ballots can be received. Absentee by mail ballots must be received by the Registrar of Voters Office by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, November 4, to be counted in this election, according to Registrar Bryan Kelley.
By comparison, 2,814 of the 8,932 voters registered in the 2020 Presidential Election voted early and absentee. That was 31.5%.
Going back one more election cycle to 2016 when there were 9,259 registered voters, 2.033 (or 31.6%) cast their votes early or absentee.
In the 2024 early and absentee voting, 2,447 were in-person and 267 absentee. White voters accounted for 2,281, while Blacks were 405 and Others 28. There were 1,195 Male and 1,519 Female. Democrats were 727, Republicans 1,449 and Other 538.
Poll will open at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, November 5, and will remain open for voting until 8 p.m. Voters must go to their polling places on that day to be counted in the election. There will be no voting at the courthouse on Election Day.
After weeks and weeks and weeks of blue skies with no rain, a predicted 70 percent chance of rain on Halloween has forced organizers to shift Winnfield’s downtown Fall Festival from this Thursday to Saturday.
Currently, weather for Saturday is predicted as being nice, warm and partly cloudy. Time for the festival is the same at 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Families can expect to find a lot of fun all the way down Main Street from the Methodist Church to the First Baptist Church.
One change will be location of the Costume Contest. The Museum is being used for a private event that day so the new contest site will be located at the Farmers Market. It will be appropriate, right across the street from the Methodist Church’s colorful Pumpkin Patch. Parents will want to have their youngsters there by 5 p.m. for registration because judging in the various age categories begins at 5:30 p.m.
Also please note that the Duck Hunting Contest and the Pumpkin-Painting Contest will both hold their Halloween deadlines, according to the sponsoring Sheriff’s Office. Pumpkins for the contest need to be turned in at the Sheriff’s Office before 5 p.m. Thursday because that’s when the judging will begin. Ducks should be turned in between 5 and 5:30 p.m. Thursday.
Despite the rain delay, the rest of the 2024 Fall Festival is planned to fill Main Street Winnfield with fun and activity from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Saturday,” says Shonna Moss at the Louisiana Political Museum. Trunk or Treat for the children will be discovered along Main Street, including the Pumpkin Patch and food at the Methodist Church to the west and Bounce Houses at the Baptist Church to the east.
Revelers are reminded of a new event, a Hayride through Winnfield which will carry passengers past hauntingly decorated city blocks just off the thoroughfare of Main.
Not much time remains for Decorating Pumpkin for the contest sponsored by the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office. There are four age categories in this kids-only contest (through age 18). Participants will need to use their own pumpkin and supplies for their painted (not carved) pumpkins.
The Duck Hunt for ages 18 and younger is also new to the Festival, also sponsored by the WPSO. Little rubber ducks of all colors and personalities will be hidden in plain sight (no digging necessary) along Main Street from the Methodist Church to the Museum. Participants are asked to limit themselves to five ducks in order to allow as many children and youth as possible to take part. Among the hidden ducks will be four distinctively-marked ducks that will earn special prizes for the finders.
One more thing: for the babies-only (ages under 5), hidden will be clear mini-ducks. Not available to the older children, these will be keepsakes for the youngsters.
The community is reminded that Bank of Winnfield is holding an Open House this afternoon from 2 until 3:30 p.m. to celebrate its most recent renovation project at their main branch on the corner of Main and North Jones streets.
The bank has been at several locations since it first opened in 1901 and has served the community from its present downtown site since 1961. Bank of Winnfield also has a Northside Branch at 5932 Highway 167 North.
President Buddy Heard and the officers and staff at Bank of Winnfield invite the community, customers and non-customers alike, to this Open House to come see the improvements made. There will be also refreshments and door prizes that visitors may enjoy.
The community is reminded that there will be “Meeting at the Pole” this Monday night, November 4. The gathering for prayer will be at the flagpole located at the Farmers Market on Main Street in Winnfield.
Regardless political affiliation, anyone may be involved in this gathering for community prayer set to begin at 6 p.m. Prayer will be for our nation, for the Nation of Israel, for the State of Louisiana and for the Parish of Winn.
The City of Winnfield together with its Recreation Department will be dedicating its two Walking Trails in ceremonies Saturday, November 2.
The Walking Trail at Henderson-Holden Park will be dedicated in honor of Freddie D. King who served as assistant recreation director at the Moss Street Gym when the city has separate recreation programs.
The Walking Trail at the Grove Street Rec will be dedicated in honor of businessman, former mayor and Winnfield “ambassador” Max Kelley.
Dedication of the trail at Henderson-Holden Parish will be held at 10 a.m. that Saturday. Then activities will shift to the Grove Street trail where the dedication will be held at 10:30 a.m. Immediately following will be a small reception in the Grove Street Gym.
City Hall notes, “We encourage all to come honor these two men who were such inspirations in our community. We look forward to seeing you there.”
The Winnfield Tigers lost a close game last Friday night against the Mansfield Wolverines 20-14. The Tigers didn’t go down easy on their last game of the season at Stokes-Walker Stadium, though.
Luck was not on the Tiger’s side last Friday night as things started out rough as the opening drive ended in a fumble. This pulled in the Tiger defense where they did a good job holding the Wolverines with a fourth down tackle by Josh Hayes handing the possession over to Winnfield. In the second quarter, quarterback Nickalas Mockosher threw an impressive 50 yard pass to Gabe Wren who scored Winnfield’s first touchdown.
Later in the game, a long touchdown pass to Tank Lewis scored Winnfield another six points, and this was followed up with a successful attempt by the Tiger’s offense for a two point conversion bringing the game to a nail biting 20-14. The Tiger’s defense did a fighting job as usual and held the Wolverines. However the offense had a difficult time moving down the field. No matter the heart they possessed last Friday it proved a difficult game with the Tiger’s being so close behind their competitors.
Next Friday the Winnfield Tigers will play the Red River Bulldogs at Red River High School whose record is currently 4-4. The weather should be 68 degrees Fahrenheit with a 30 percent chance of rain. Consider making the journey out to support the Winnfield Tigers!
The Grand Opening of The Prodigal House of Winnfield will be held tomorrow night, Saturday, November 2, from 6 until 7 p.m., next to the Methodist Church Gym.
Available will be a $5 bowl of jambalaya and $1 drinks while touring the house. Organizers ask, “Pray with us, for the future residents, as we ‘Bridge the Gap’ between recovery and freedom.” Proceeds benefit The Prodigal House Foundation, with drink sales supporting Youth Speed the Light.
A little info about the house:
The Prodigal House of Winnfield offers a faith-based transitional living space for individuals who have completed recovery programs. It focuses on providing a structured environment where residents can develop life skills, secure employment, and strengthen their spiritual foundation.
The home is designed to support the continued journey toward independence and freedom, bridging the gap between recovery and a stable future. For more information on their mission and how to get involved, visit the web page:
Winnfield Middle School’s 8th grade football team sits with Chuck Jurek in an expression of their appreciation for his dedication as the “Voice of the WMS Tigers.”
On home game football nights at Tiger Field at Winnfield Middle School, you will find the Voice of the Tigers, Chuck Jurek, with the play by play action from John Grider Memorial Press Box. Chuck has been involved with Winnfield Middle School Football going on seven years.
Coach Chance Williams says, “We always look forward to listening to Mr. Chuck because as a former player and being around the game for so long, he is in tune with what is happening on the field.”
Chuck grew up through the ranks of Winnfield Football playing for Coach Darrell Peddy at Winnfield Junior High School and Coaches Larry Dautrieve and Doug Moreau at Winnfield Senior High School and then on to Louisiana Tech Football. He is no stranger to the game and it shows when he is announcing.
Chuck recalls, “I remember the special times I had at this level and Winnfield Senior High School. I just wanted to do something extra for the kids so they can have the same experience because when you hear your name come over the loud speaker, it’s something you never forget.”
Winnfield Middle School Football thanked Chuck Jurek for his dedication and devotion to Winnfield Middle School Academics and Athletics.
LPC Matthew Whitaker shown in his Winnfield office with colleague, case manager Stacey Crain.
He says it’s like being a doctor except his is “Talk Therapy” as opposed to traditional “Medicine Therapy.” That’s Matthew Whitaker, licensed Professional Counselor at Winn Community Health Center.
“Mental health illness has always been around,” he told the Journal. “But in the past, Americans thought that mental health was not such a big thing. We had bigger fish to fry. But today, counselors take a broader look at problems of anxiety, depression, grief counseling, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Counselors don’t just look at the surface level. Perhaps they’re looking at a trauma or even prior traumas that were factors.”
Whitaker who has been at the Winnfield clinic for 3 years does assessment and counseling for clients, both children and adults. That begins by viewing symptoms, making his diagnosis then beginning counseling. As he talks with individuals, his view is “a softer focus though seven different windows.”
The intake session begins in the counselor’s office (with chairs, not a couch, the Journal observed). That is when Whitaker will inquire about the symptoms, conduct information gathering, have a Q&A screening then have more in-depth questions before forming his diagnosis. When children are brought in to the clinic, their parents come with them for the intake session. Individuals may come to counseling through self-referral or through doctor referrals.
Talk Therapy sessions are about 45 minutes in length and begin with general questions like, “How are you feeling today?” The conversation moves on as the counselor observes and may reveal a trauma at the root of the problem. In the treatment process, Whitaker can recommend some coping skills and practice those skills in the office.
One such skill is deep breathing but that’s not just holding your breath, Whitaker explains. “Actually, there is a real scientific method of doing it right and it makes a difference.” For a young child, he said, coloring on a sheet of paper might help spark a conversation with the counselor to help understand issues.
While counseling may provide coping mechanisms for individuals to deal with anxiety or depression, Whitaker said those issues may never be “gone.” They may come and go, depending on life’s circumstances. So periodic or future counseling may be in order.
“The most important thing I’d like to share is don’t brush any emotions you have under the rug, thinking maybe you’ll get over it. Maybe you won’t. Reach out…family members or friends do a good job. Don’t underestimate the human mind.”
Trinity Community Health Centers in Winnfield, Bienville, East Grant, Avoyelles and Lincoln all offer Behavioral Health Services “from beginning to end.” That’s from medical provider to counselor and social worker to psychologist.
At Winn, Whitaker is “local,” born in Winnfield, a 2011 graduate of WSHS and 2015 graduate of NSU (psychology). He received his Masters at NSU in Clinical & Mental Health Counseling and is working on another in Healthcare Management from Michigan State University.
Participants begin one-mile walk through downtown Winnfield at 8 a.m. Saturday in their part for Breast Cancer Awareness.
Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, on Saturday morning, October 26, families, friends and supporters from the community gathered on Main Street at 8 a.m. to participate in the American Cancer Society’s Virtual Event, “Making Strides of Strides On the Go.” The registered team name for the group in Winnfield was WinnStrong2gether!
For this event, supporters, survivors and “thrivers” in attendance safely enjoyed a leisurely one mile walk down Main Street, blocked around to Center Street then back to Main Street, which was festively decorated for the occasion with pink signs and pink bows for Breast Cancer Awareness.
The walk ended on the parking lot of the Winn Parish Library where there were over 50 balloons released as a show of support for the fighters, admiration for the survivors and to honor the lives of those we lost to Breast Cancer. Before leaving those in attendance were led in a heartfelt prayer of support, encouragement and hope.
There was not a registration fee to participate in this walk but those who chose to do so were able to go online and make a donation under the WinnStrong2gether team where the funds will be used to continue to help fund the future of breast cancer research and programs for loved ones today and for the next generation
For those who missed the walk this year, plans are already being made to hold another “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” Walk in October 2025.
Remember that “Awareness Is the First Step to Prevention.”
Local families wishing to improve their home dynamic while also helping keep their children addiction-free have the opportunity to enroll in the next series of the Strengthening Families Program, an 11-week course beginning in early December.
The first half of the fun-filled course entails separate parent, teen and children sessions followed by family practice sessions in the second half, explains Shonna Moss at the museum. She points out that Strengthening Families skills are targeted at all families, not just special skills for “deficient families.”
It is also a commitment by participating families to remain through the 11-week program. It’s not a drop-in and drop-out series. (SFP defines “family” as one or more adults responsible for one or more children. “Parents” are adults with that responsibility.)
Feedback from earlier courses shows parents saw increased family unity. Increase positive communication and parenting skills, increased family management, better parent/child relationships and decreased family conflict.
SFP uses trained coaches to facilitate, helping teach communicating the good every day and eliminate harsh criticism. They use communication and fun family meetings for problem-solving and win-win negotiations. By creating family rules with rewards for good behavior, there are also mild and fair (and also understood) consequences for violations. Coaches help participants learn to reduce stress and use good anger-management skills. They show that drugs and alcohol hijack the teen brain. Listed too are choosing friends and monitoring a child’s activities.
“The Strengthening Families Foundation is committed to helping keep our nation’s youth addiction-free by providing parents with the skills to keep their children from using alcohol and drug,” said Moss. “Prevention is the key. Research shows most adult addiction begins in the teenage years.”
The next Winn Strengthening Families series is expected to begin December 9, at First United Methodist Church. Each session, held Monday nights, lasts from 90 minutes to two hours. There is still room in this next class for additional families to sign up.
For more information, contact Shanna Moss at 318-628-0169.
The Wellness Wednesday series at the Winn Parish Library continues next week when the topic of Respiratory Issues will be explored on Wednesday, November 6. The program will begin at noon.
Asthma is an example of a respiratory issue that can be managed, explains agent Shannan Chevallier of the LSU AgCenter. Like diabetes and high cholesterol, asthma takes ongoing monitoring and management to keep it under control.
“Come join us for Novembers Wellness Wednesday to find out more about asthma and other respiratory issues and how you can take control,” she says.
The series is supported by the library, LSU AgCenter, the Rapides Foundation and City of Winnfield.
The Winnfield Kiwanis Club will be holding its annual pancake supper fund-raiser, Thursday, November 7 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. This event will be held at the First Presbyterian Church.
This will be a dine-in or take-out event. Children under 5 eat free with an adult. Those dining in will get pancakes, sausage and a drink. There are no drinks with take-out. Checks should be made payable to: Kiwanis Club of Winnfield Foundation.
Cost is $8 per person. The money raised goes to the Terrific Kid program and other programs for children. Tickets are available from any Kiwanis member.
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.
The 2nd Annual Pumpkins in the Park will be held on October 30th in the park. The pumpkin can be real or faux, painted or carved. Any pumpkin will do! There will be arts and crafts for the children and lots of family fun. The pumpkin prize categories include: Kindergarten and under, 1st through 5th grade, 6th through 12th grade and adults. Pumpkin drop off begins at 5:15. All pumpkins should be properly in place by 6:00pm.
Please make time to stroll through the park and vote on your favorites.
Goldonna Baptist Church will be hosting a Trunk or Treat on October 30th at 6:00pm. Vans will not be running for Kingdom Kids during the special event.
A Community Church Service will be held on November 1st at 6:30pm at the Goldonna Assembly of God Church on Tally Street. Bring a friend and a pot luck dish for fun, family, fellowship and faith.
The Goldonna Assembly of God Church will also be hosting a Chili Cook-Off and Gospel Singing on Saturday, November 2nd at the Trails Pavilion. All contestants will need to have their chili at the Pavilion by 11:00am. Cash prizes will be awarded to First and Second Place.
There will be a Veteran’s Day Program on November 9th at 10:00am at the Goldonna Cemetery. Larry McGee is the organizer of the event and the community is very excited to celebrate all of their Veterans.
The Goldonna Elementary Junior High is in the middle of Red Ribbon Week. Wednesday is Wear Red Day, Thursday is Wear your Halloween Costume Day and the week ends with Team Up Against Drugs Day by wearing your favorite sports jersey. Homecoming will take place on November 7th. The students will have their Homecoming Dance on Friday, November 8th. RSVP’s and payment for Thanksgiving Lunch is due by November 1st.
