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.

Danny Eugene Smith
April 28, 2005 – December 29, 2024
Service: A Memorial Service for Mr. Smith took place Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 10:00 AM, at Christian Harmony Baptist Church (Natchitoches, LA).

Bradley Keith Culp
October 17, 1964-January 12, 2025
Service: A graveside service was held for Mr. Culp in Jones Cemetery on Friday, January 17, 2025, at 1:00 PM.

Julie Ann Gilcrease Boyett
July 4, 1946-January 13, 2025
Service: Services for Mrs. Boyett began on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, with visitation from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM at Cypress Creek Baptist Church in Dodson, Louisiana. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 PM. Interment will take place at Cypress Creek Cemetery (Dodson, LA).

Rev. Ronald “Ronny” Taylor
July 25, 1948 – January 14, 2025
Services: Services for Mr. Taylor began with  visitation at Gloryway Church on Thursday, January 16, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and again on Friday, January 17, 2025, from 10:00 AM until the final service at 11 AM. Interment followed in the Gloryway Cemetery.

Shirley Lonadier Tarpley Till
April 16, 1936 – January 15, 2025
Service: The arrangement information and date for Mrs. Till’s services are incomplete at this time. Please check back for more details/updates when available. Thank you. 

Timothy Dolan Smart
June 25, 1954 – January 15, 2025
Service: Funeral services for Mr. Smart took place on Sunday, January 19, 2025, at 2:00 PM in the Southern Funeral Home Chapel. Interment followed in Sardis Cemetery under the direction of Southern Funeral Home.

Fredrick Leon Lawrence
August 27, 1955 – January 5, 2025
Service: A graveside service for Mr. Lawrence took place Thursday, January 16, 2025 within the Garden of Memories. 

Dr. Jerry W. Williams
April 23, 1933 – January 15, 2025
Service: Funeral services for Dr. Williams took place Saturday, January 18, 2025 within First Baptist Church of Winnfield at 1:00 PM. Interment followed in the Garden of Memories.

Jettye Lou Thomas Kemp
July 10, 1955 – January 16, 2025
Service: Funeral services for Mrs. Kemp began with visitation on Sunday, January 19, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Southern Funeral Home. A Rosary and Prayer Service followed at 6:00 PM. A graveside service was held at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, where interment followed. 

Odelia Castro
January 16, 1944 – January 19, 2025
Service: Services for Mrs. Castro will begin with visitation Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at Southern Funeral Home from 12:00 PM to 1:45 PM. Graveside services will follow at Hurricane Creek Cemetery, where interment will follow. 

Margaret Ann James
February 1, 1942 – January 18, 2025
Service: Funeral services for Mrs. James will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 1:00 PM in the Southern Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM, that day until the time of service. Interment will follow in the Gayla Traina Cemetery (Jonesboro, LA). 

This information is courtesy of the Winn Parish School Board 

Winn Parish Detention Center officers discovered contraband being smuggled into the facility after intercepting a package intended for an inmate. 

The package, which had been mailed from an individual in South Louisiana, was flagged for inspection by correctional staff prior to being delivered to the inmate. Upon opening the package, officers discovered a folding knife, two large plastic bags containing suspected marijuana, a plastic bag containing suspected Ecstasy pills, a plastic bag with suspected Fentanyl pills, Suboxone strips, and a cell phone with charger.

Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives were immediately called to the scene and have launched an investigation into the attempted delivery of illegal contraband into a penal facility. The Sheriff’s Office has also contacted the U.S. Postal Inspector to assist with the investigation.

 Authorities are working diligently to identify the individual or individuals responsible for sending the package, and once identified, a warrant for their arrest will be obtained.

Sheriff McAllister expressed his gratitude for the efforts of the correctional officers at the Winn Parish Detention Center, stating, “The diligent work and attention to detail displayed by our staff ensures a safe and secure environment for both officers and inmates. Their commitment to upholding the safety of our facility is invaluable.”

The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Winnfield Senior High School’s new head football coach and athletic director Byron Keller told the large crowd at Pine Ridge Country Club on Monday night that he’s excited to be back in Winnfield.

The south Louisiana native (St. James Parish) has gained experience, having already coached at 7 different schools, 3 of them as head coach, and this is the first time that the community has turned out to welcome his arrival.

Principal Chase Bartlett also said the school is excited to see Keller taking the helm of the football program.  He noted that when they looked at the possibilities for the position. Keller’s name came to the top.  Keller had been at WSHS previously as an assistant coach and emphasizes the school’s priorities for players of “academics, athletics and community involvement.”

Keller graduated from St. James High School then studied at NSU where he received his degree.  (An influence, his wife, is from Natchitoches, he pointed out).  He went back to his hometown where he worked as an assistant and coordinating coach for 12 years.  They then moved to Natchitoches.  He served as head coach at Lakeview, head coach at Natchitoches Central, came to Winnfield, served as an assistant at Many one year when they won the state championship, then served as head coach at Red River.

Also returning to the Tiger sidelines with the new coach will be his assistant Tommy Tharp who has been at WSHS before.  He told those assembled that he’d loved his time here and built relationships with coaches and staff but other coaching opportunities arose.  He emphasized that he’s “not taking the attitude that this is just a rebuilding year.  We want to move quickly.  We’re going to try to win any way we can that’s within the rules.  It’s going to be a whole lot more fun putting this program back where it belongs.”

Initially Keller was told that his coaching staff would be “slim” but that too has grown as coaches have agreed to come on board.  Bartlett introduced the Tiger coaching staff as including Dammion Herron, Micah Griffin, Eric Hardaway and Chance Williams.

The new head coach has met with the team and is looking for “positive changes.”  He said training has already begun for the fall season, with a focus on the weight room where the necessary elements of strength, speed and attitude are built.

WHEN: Saturday, January 18, 2025
TIME:  9 AM
WHERE: 7675 Hwy 167S, Winnfield, LA 71483

Selling for: City of Winnfield, City of Natchitoches, Local Rental Company, Contractors and Farmers
Construction Equipment, Tractors, Trucks, Trailers, Farm Equipment, 50+ Vehicles, Tools & Much More!

For more information, call Rex at 318-648-8509 or 318-471-0962 or visit us online at: www.lasyoneauctions.com 

LIVE BIDS: www.proxibid.com/lasyone

There’s something for everyone!! We hope to see you there!!
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• Partial Listing: ∙ New 2024 IR LSU Golf Cart, 4 Seater, Electric, Loaded ∙ Kubota X1140 RTV, 4 Seater, Diesel ∙ Kubota RTV 500 w/bed, 4×4, Gas, 3871hrs ∙ Kubota RTV 900, Camo w/bed, 4×4, Diesel, 1407hrs ∙ Kawasaki Mule RTV, 4 Seater, 4×4, w/Bed, Diesel ∙ Several 4 Wheelers • Stratos Boat Trailer • 2007 Hummer SF97 Army Truck, 4×4, w/bed, Diesel • New Holland BR7070 Crop Cutter Round Hay Baler • New IRD25 Dump Buggy on tracks • New Holland LS160 Skidsteer • Ditch Witch 3610D Trencher w/Backhoe Attachment • Xtreme XR1045 Telescopic Forklift w/pipe clamps, 10k Capacity • John Deere 160C LC Excavator, cab/air, 6528hrs • Link-Belt LS3400 Excavator, long reach • 2022 Kubota SVL 75-2 Skid Steer on tracks, Cab/Air, 1100hrs • Barreto 401 Walk Behind Trencher • YanMar VIO 35 Excavator, Rubber Tracks, w/Hydraulic Thumb, 1200 hrs • 2007 Mack CHN613 Day Cab Truck, 320k mis • 2004 International 7300 Bucket Truck, 4×4 • 1985 Ford F-700 Dump Truck • 2010 Ford Mini Van XLT, Auto, Gas, 188033 mis • 2007 Toyota
  Tacoma Truck, 4×4, Auto, 185k mis, 4dr • 2007 Ford E-350 XLT • Passenger Van, 88k mis, one owner (from local church) • 2009 Nissan Altima • 2004 Ford Mustang Convertible • 2013 Freightliner Sleeper Truck • 2015 Ford Police Interceptor • 2016 Chevy Tahoe Police Car (2) 2016 Top Hat Bumper Trailer w/Ramps • Lowboy Trailer w/Dovetail & Ramps • 2007 Load Trail GN Car Hauler Trailer • 2011 Tiger Heavy Duty Bumper Trailer • 2000 HM Bumper Trailer, dual axle
  w/tailgate • Several Gooseneck & Bumper Trailers • Delco Steam Cleaner Pressure Washer, diesel
• New & Used Containers • Set of Metal Tracks fits JD Dozer • Pipe Racks • 4 Snatch Blocks
• Heavy Duty Spreader Chain • Bolsters for Log Trailer • 2 Dura Heat Shop Heaters • Boss Power 40KW Generator • Brush Bandit Model 150 Wood Chipper on Trailer • Detroit Diesel Engine • Terex RL4 Light Plant on Trailer, low hours • New AGT Quick Attach Forks • Genie GS-2632 Manlift • Fuel Tank on Skid • 7ft Grapple for Brush • 5ft & 6ft Bushogs • Bobcat Quick Attach Auger Attachment • Hobart Champion Generator • Truck Load 24ft Free Standing Cattle Panels • Detroit Diesel Power Unit on Trailer • Metal Shelves • 7ft Bionic Dirt Blade • Scaffolding • 3PH Cultivator • King Kutter 5ft Disk • Arts-Way 425-A Feed Mixer Grinder • Vermeer Accu-Bale Plus XL Series 605 Round Baler • Feed Troughs • Atlas Copco XAS 185 Air Compressor • 5ft Heavy Duty Disk • Vicon CM2400 Hay Cutter • Modern 6ft Quick Attach Brush Cutter • Tracks to fit Cat 262 Skid Steer • 50 joints 2 7/8 Pipe • Load of Priefert Gates & Panels • Miller Matic 35 Welder • Heavy Wall 4in & 6in Hose Pipe on Reel • 2 Approx 10,000 Gallon Steel Water Tanks on Skids • Cattle Feeder on Dual Wheels • Tools and lots more!!

The Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office announced the recovery of a stolen horse trailer, valued at $45,000, along with the arrest of a suspect in connection to the crime.

Detectives with the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office received information regarding a stolen goose-neck horse trailer, originally reported stolen from Pratt, Kansas. The trailer, which was also carrying valuable equipment, belonged to a student attending Pratt Community College. The total value of the trailer and its contents was approximately $45,000.

Upon receiving the tip, Winn Parish detectives launched an investigation and were able to locate the stolen horse trailer at a residence on LA 1232. The homeowner granted detectives permission to inspect the trailer, and it was quickly determined that the trailer had indeed been stolen from Kansas.

During their investigation, detectives discovered additional property at the same location. This included a 2014 green Honda Rancher 4-wheeler, which had its serial numbers intentionally removed. Following the discovery of these items, detectives obtained a search warrant for the property and began verifying the serial numbers of all other equipment on the premises.

The horse trailer and the 4-wheeler were confiscated, and Damichael Le Sean Perry was arrested and booked into the Winn Parish Detention Center. He is facing charges of Illegal Possession of Stolen Property in connection with the horse trailer, as well as Alteration/Removal of Identification Numbers on the 4-wheeler.

The owner of the stolen horse trailer has been notified of the recovery and is working with authorities to proceed with the return of their property.

Sheriff McAllister reminds the public that all individuals are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Gov. Jeff Landry picked three former elected officials and two retired state judges last week to serve on the reconfigured Louisiana Board of Ethics that expands from 11 to 15 seats this month.  One is Winn Parish native Mike Smith.

Two of the governor’s members are former state lawmakers. Former state Sen. Kenneth “Mike” Smith Sr., D-Winnfield, served in the Legislature from 1996 to 2008, and former state Rep. Rickey Nowlin, R-Natchitoches, served from 2008-12. 

“I just pray the Lord can use me to serve,” Smith told the Journal.                                                                  

Landry pushed for dramatic changes to the ethics board last year that gave the governor far more influence over the body.  He increased the size of the board and upped his own appointees from seven to nine. The Louisiana House and Senate also get one additional nominee each, for a total of six seats. 

For the first time, the governor and legislators are also allowed to appoint people directly to the board. Previous governors and lawmakers were only able to pick ethics board members off of lists of nominees selected by the leaders of Louisiana’s private colleges and universities.

The Board of Ethics administers and enforces the provisions of the Code of Governmental Ethics and the rules and regulations with respect to public employees and elected officials, including final decisions of the Ethics Adjudicatory Board.

The Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated a shooting in the Packton community, resulting in the arrest of two people.  Winn Parish sheriff’s deputies served the warrants, delivering the suspects to Grant authorities.

Officials said the shooting stemmed from an argument, leading to Nathaniel McAllister twice shooting a man. After the shooting, McAllister took the man’s vehicle, the GPSO reported. 

The victim was taken to a hospital for treatment and the injuries are not life threatening.

Nathaniel McAllister, 23 years old, of Winnfield, was arrested on charges of Attempted Second Degree Murder and Carjacking.  

Sarah Heath, 37 years old, of Winnfield, was arrested on charges of Accessory After the Fact and Issuing Worthless Checks.

A good gathering of the Winn Parish Retired Teachers Association came together at the parish library for their monthly meeting January 13 to hear Winn native Dr. “J.J.” Bamburg who operates five Behavioral Specialists clinics in north and central Louisiana the serve some 150 children with various diagnostic and developmental concerns.

Monday, he told the group that Behavioral Specialists of Louisiana has the clinical team and staff with  experience working with children and adults with developmental disabilities and behavioral excesses.

“The theme of our association this (school) year is to focus on children who have graduated from Winn schools and gone on to make contributions to society, some of them returning home, some making a difference in other areas,” explained member Laure Derr.  

Also included in this year’s list of speakers are Mrs. Genevieve Gordon, former Sheriff Cranford Jordan, principal Justin Tinsley, Supt. Al Simmons, Judge Keith Gates, Mayor Gerald Hamms, Sheriff Josh McAllister, Keundric Dooley Loucious, Trinity CEO Deano Thornton and architect Lisa Peddy Frontaura.

There are about 50 members of the Winn Parish Retired Teachers Association and 29 were in attendance for the Monday program.  “Our purpose is to stay abreast with trends in education and to assist…be available…with the school system as we can,” said association president Ethel Howell.  “This is an opportunity to continue to meet and stay in touch during retirement.  We are losing so many of our former educators.”

Dr. Jay Bamburg is a 1988 graduate of Winnfield Senior High School.  He received his BS degree in Psychology from Belmont University, his MS degree in Clinical Psychology from NSU and his PhD from LSU in Clinical Psychology.  He has worked in various capacities for the State of Louisiana, done extensive consulting work and served as an expert for the U.S. Department of Justice.  He opened his first Behavioral Specialists office in 2015.

Randy Reppert Cole, age 74, left for his eternal home on January 11, 2025 at Houston Methodist Hospital after a sudden unexpected illness.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 14th at First Baptist Church Winnfield, Louisiana from 5:30 to 8:30. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 on Wednesday, January 15th also at First Baptist. After the service, he will be laid to rest at Kitchens Creek Baptist Church in Ball, Louisiana. Not only is this place special to Randy because of the ties it holds to family, but also because it is where he rededicated his life to the Lord in his early adulthood.

Randy was born in Monroe, Louisiana on September 9, 1950. He was a proud graduate of West Monroe High School class of 1968. While there, he played football and pitched for the Rebel baseball team. After that, he attended Louisiana Tech University where he earned an undergraduate degree in Zoology in 1972. While at Louisiana Tech he commuted to class with the “Wild Bunch Transit System.” However, the highlight of his college years was a date to the State Fair football game with a girl who had graduated from West Monroe with one of his sisters.

Next, he attended LSU School of Dentistry where he earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1976. On December 28, 1974, while on a break from dental school, he married that West Monroe girl from the State Fair game, the love of his life Melanie Ann Read. They were a devoted couple and God richly blessed their marriage over 50 years.

In the summer of 1976, the community of Winn Parish was in need of a dentist and Melanie had fond memories of her early childhood there, so the couple moved to Winnfield where Randy established his dental practice. From that point on around town he became affectionately known as “Dr. Cole.” Randy’s philosophy of dental care centered around compassionate treatment of each and every patient and that care was not just reserved for business hours. He was always willing to attend to dental emergencies that would arise. Over his 45 year career, Dr. Cole helped thousands of patients in a practice that ended up spanning not just Winn Parish but the entire surrounding area.

In addition to being a devoted family man, Randy was an active member of the Winnfield Lions Club for almost forty years and twice served as President. He was honored to be named a Melvin Jones Fellow for being dedicated to humanitarian services for Lions Club International. He has also served as the Winn Parish Republican National Committee chair and the President of the Winn Parish chapter of the Louisiana Tech Alumni Association.

Thursday afternoons and on weekends you would likely find Dr. Cole and friends on the golf course. He loved the time outside and never minded a hot summer day, but you can be sure if it was below fifty-five degrees he would be indoors. To him yard work was not a chore, but joyful work in which he took pride. He was an avid bridge player his whole life and was a member of numerous card playing groups through the years. Although he holds degrees from both Louisiana Tech and LSU, Randy was an “Ever Loyal Be” Bulldog. He enjoyed supporting both the College of Applied and Natural Sciences and Bulldog Athletics with his family and friends.

Of all the places Randy loved and spent time, none were more dear to him than First Baptist Church Winnfield. He loved the Biblical teachings he learned from the pulpit, the music ministry that always touched his heart and his Sunday School class where they studied God’s word together and strengthened each others’ faith as iron sharpens iron.

Randy was preceded in death by his parents, Pat Phillips Cole and Bonnie Lee Reppert Cole.

Randy is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Melanie Ann Read Cole; daughters Shelley Cole Parker (Jeff) of Choudrant, LA and Kendal Cole Singh (Kevin) of Ruston, LA; grandchildren Preston Luke Parker, John Cole Parker and Patrick Woodgate Singh; siblings Karen Cole Ballenger (Grady) of DeLand, FL and Kristy Cole Farr (Doug) of Monroe, LA and his beloved nieces and nephews.

Serving as pallbearers will be Lyn Bankston, Steve Bates, Curtis Crenshaw, Rick Hanna, Mervin Parker, Billy Thurmon, Tommy Harrel and Jimmy Walker with honorary pallbearers being the members of Joe Kelley’s Sunday School class.

To celebrate his life, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church in Winnfield, LA 201 E. Court Street, 71483; Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home P.O. Box 4196 Monroe, LA 71211; or Samaritan’s Purse P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.

Photos Courtesy Tiger Snaps

The WSHS Tigerettes have had tough going in the early season as they stood 3-11 before they went on the road yesterday to face Mansfield in their District opener.

But coach Tony Rainey is confident that the ladies are “coming together” just in time for the portion of the season that really counts.  “Winnfield has a high power ranking which means they’ve faced some strong opponents during this pre-district action.  But it’s better to play up rather than play down to get ready for District.

“Additionally, we’re just now coming back to strength.  We’ve had players out due to sickness.  I’d like to say we’re overcoming, improving and that we’ll be coming together as the intense district competition begins.”

Coach Rainey added that the Tigerettes will play a makeup game at home against Joneboro-Hodge on Friday night since the January 10 game was postponed due to weather conditions.  “This home game is a great opportunity for fans to come out to support our players,” he said.

Photos Courtesy Tiger Snaps

The Winnfield Senior High School Tigers traveled to Homer for basketball action January 7 and defeated the Pelicans by a tally of 56 to 41.  They stood 7-3 for the season as they moved into District play against Mansfield on Tuesday.

The Tigers outscored Homer in each of the four quarters of the game, compiling field goal stats of 38%.  Jaylon Jackson and Ja’Ven Jackson combined for 45 points of the WSHS offense.  Jaylon put 24 points on the board, including four 3-pointers in 11 tries.  Ja’Ven added 21 points.

Also adding to the Tiger scoring were Kendrick Davenport with 5 (including a 3-pointer), Germany King with 4 plus 9 assists, and Damascus Lewis with 2.

Winnfield enjoyed a 35-27 edge in total rebounds over Homer, with virtually all players notching up that stat.  Defense saw 8 steals by the Tigers, with 4 by Jaylon Jackson and 1 by each Lewis, Davenport, SemaJ Evans and Ja’Ven Jackson.  Lewis accounted for 3 blocks while each of the Jacksons added 1.

Tiger Snaps photos shows team action from the earlier home games against Peabody and Pineville.