Winn Parish District Attorney Chris Nevils confirmed to the Journal this week that the case involving the 2023 shooting death of 51-year-old Chad Camp and the arrest of his son, Andrew Camp, was dismissed in Eighth Judicial District Court on June 19 due to insufficient evidence.

In the case before court, Chad Camp was shot at home on April 15, 2023, and Andrew, then 17, was arrested for manslaughter the next day.  The elder Camp was the Ag teacher at Calvin High School and head softball coach.

Legal Analyst Franz Borghardt says DA Nevils cited the ethical obligation not to prosecute cases lacking evidence beyond a reasonable doubt.  “And if they don’t believe they can prove something, or if they don’t believe there is sufficient evidence to substantiate someone getting prosecuted, they have an ethical and moral obligation not to pursue that prosecution.”

Borghardt says charges remain against Jessica Shea, arrested for obstruction of justice and contributing to juvenile delinquency. Shea allegedly gave Andrew alcohol that night, with toxicology reports showing he was nearly unconscious from intoxication.

“They move forward with that prosecution, and the DA’s office will continue to seek justice for the victim.”  Borghardt says it’s a very complicated case involving child endangerment by Shea but charges were dropped for Andrew.

Christy King is the CASA (court-appointed special advocate) Volunteer Coordinator for Winn Parish.  She was guest speaker at the June 17 meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Winnfield where she discussed CASA and its need for volunteers.

CASA is under the umbrella of Children’s Advocacy Network which includes therapy programs, human trafficking program and the interview program. Seven parishes are included in our area. CASA is the eyes and ears for the court and the judge. In our area there are over 50 foster children and only 10 advocates. 

Each advocate is usually responsible for one child unless they are children of the same family living in the same place. So there is a need for many volunteers. Volunteers must go through training and background checks. They must be 21 years old, have a driver’s license, transportation and commit to an 18-month term. 

They create a court report that the judge reads and can use to determine what is going to happen to that child. The volunteer visits with the child, with the foster parents and with the biological parents to get information for their report. 

The goal is reunification with the parents but they have to do their part in following the parent plan to get their children back. CASA tries to work with DCFS to make the goal of reunification happen. Underlying causes of children being in foster care are drugs and sexual abuse. 

In the seven-parish area there are over 500 foster children. Foster children can be from infant to 18 years old. Because of a lack of foster parents in Winn, many of our children are sent to other places for foster care. 

CASA is a grant-funded program with National CASA and State CASA and they also do fund-raising including a Gala. 

Mrs. King was interrupted numerous times with questions and comments. It was a very informative and educational program. Kiwanis expressed appreciation for the work Mrs. King does with foster children in our community.

Thanks to the efforts of director Camelia Shelton and her staff, the City of Winnfield Animal Shelter has officially achieved ‘No Kill Status’ according to recent data reported by the Best Friends Animal Society, a non-profit animal welfare organization founded in 1984.

This achievement is hard won and reflects the shelter’s dedication to saving animal lives and maintaining high standards in their care and placement.

To be considered a no-kill facility an organization must maintain a save rate of at least 90%, meaning the majority of animals are adopted, transferred, or returned to owners. The remaining percentage typically includes cases involving severe illness or behavioral issues where humane euthanasia is considered only after all other options have been explored. Between April 2024 and March 2025, the local shelter took in 390 animals and successfully saved 364, resulting in a 93% overall save rate. Of 174 cats that entered, there was a 98% save rate. For the 216 dogs, the rate was 89%.

The Best Friends citation notes that the “No Kill” status represents more than a number. “It’s a culture of caring and compassion” showing the dedication of staff, volunteers and supporters. About two of every three shelters nationwide achieve this rating which “creates more opportunities for people and animals to experience love.”

“This recognition is the result of hard work, dedication, and strong community support,” said Camelia, shelter director. “Our staff has gone above and beyond, and we’re grateful to everyone who adopted, donated, and supported us along the way.”

The shelter aims to maintain this status moving forward and encourages continued community involvement to help every animal find a second chance.

When Rotarian Mickey Simmons asked consulting forester Glenn Austin to speak to the Winnfield club on June 4, he asked him to focus on the topic of “Is Timberland still a good investment for Winn Parish Landowners?”

Simmons selected Austin due to his 36 years of experience in helping landowners through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (recently retired) and who now is with Forestland Associates.  The guest discussed current market trends.     

He talked about local marketing options of timber and the future of timberland as an investment.  Austin is optimistic for the long term markets with hope of future mills or markets to handle the current excessive pine pulpwood market.    

Austin also stated that currently in terms of a timberland investment on smaller tracts, it may be worth more for the investor to sell the tracts (if there are no “generational ties” to that land) due to an increase in outdoor enthusiasts wanting to own their own recreation and hunting properties.   Don’t overlook any existing timber value.

The Winn native and lifelong resident told Rotarians that due to his family-owned timberlands here, he understands both the market side and consumer side of the process.  In his new role, he has also acquired a real estate license for timberlands.

Bradley Taylor, an upcoming junior at WSHS, has qualified to represent the state of Louisiana in the 2025 4-H Shooting Sports National Competition.

He will be competing as a part of a team of four high school students from across Louisiana in the smallbore pistol competition. The 4-H Shooting Sports National Championships is held each June in Grand Island, Nebraska, at the Heartland Public Shooting Park.

4-H youth from across the country compete in compound archery, recurve archery, air rifle, air pistol, .22 rifle, .22 pistol, shotgun, muzzleloading, and hunting skills. Bradley is the son of Amanda Taylor and the late Chad Taylor of Winnfield.

Rotarian Melissa Trammell had program responsibilities for the Winnfield club’s June 11 meeting and asked Cristy Carter to come talk about the business of “Friends Gifts and More,” a local store offering custom gift items.

Carter is a lifetime resident of Winn Parish, a 1993 graduate of WSHS and a 1997 graduate of NSU.  Her college affiliation, she joked, receives some barbs from her husband Jamie Carter who is a graduate of Louisiana Tech.  They have two sons, ages 21 and 25.  Cristy may be a familiar face to many due to her 10 years as manager at Walmart.

Friends opened in December of 2023 as an inspiration of four friends, Carter, Rhonda Wise, Heather Jones and Andrea Poisso.  She described her own mom as being “crafty,” able to build or paint anything.  Now the friends have taken that concept to provide a variety of gift items for all ages.  Each of the four brings a different skill set into the business.

“If you need a little ‘happy,’ we can provide it,” she explained.  They particularly enjoy taking the work of children, whether writing or drawing, and transforming into an array of keepsakes.  “We do special gifts, putting them onto things, almost anything you want them to be on.”  (One exception, she noted, is T-shirts.  No T-shirts).

Among the array of offerings she described are portfolio items for businesses, business logos on pens, engraved jewelry, graduate gifts like journals, hats, bridal and wedding gifts, birthday party baskets, baby gifts, Secretary Day items and more.

Carter presented some store items as door prizes to Rotarians at the program’s conclusion.  To a “Thank you” that she heard, her reply was “That’s what Friends are for.”  The store is located at 209 South Abel Street.

June is National Gun Violence Awareness Month.  It is a time to raise awareness about violence and advocate for solutions to prevent it, suggests Winn’s DART advocate Annie Goods.

Guns and domestic violence are a lethal combination.  State and federal laws must include protections to ensure that individuals with histories of domestic violence cannot purchase or possess firearms, she says.  Nearly half of all women murdered in the United States are killed by a current or former intimate partner, and more than half of these intimate partner homicides are by firearm.

DART contends violence against partners and family members is a public health crisis, and given the accessibility and availability of guns in America, this violence is often perpetrated with a firearm.  Domestic violence homicide data does not accurately capture the magnitude of domestic violence fatalities and use of firearms in domestic violence.  These gaps make it challenging to understand the full scope of domestic violence nationally and to advocate for and implement data driven domestic violence prevention strategies on the national, state, and local level.  Even when there are no shots fired, abusers often use the mere presence of a firearm to intimidate, control, coerce, threaten, and injure intimate partners.

Rosalind Penegar, the Claiborne Parish advocate, says “We have the potential to protect domestic violence victims and survivors through policies, programs, and interventions.  Additionally, we need to improve collection and reporting of domestic violence related data.

Research shows that domestic violence offenders have criminal histories but may not have been convicted of crimes of domestic violence.”

On Monday, June 16, 2025, the Village of Goldonna Mayor and Council sponsored a Town Hall meeting to have their Natchitoches Parish School Board Member, Chad Fredieu and School Board President, Reba Phelps hear the concerns and questions from the community. It was standing room only for the crowd as they pitched different ideas that the school property could be used for. The Dusty Cut League organizer, Tara Ayres, expressed her concern for the ball field as they rely on it every summer for ball games. She confirmed that they still want to continue having games just as they have for the last thirty five years. Fredieu explained that the Board has not made a firm decision but they are interested in working with the community for a solution that benefits the residents of Goldonna. 

The community confirmed their willingness to raise money and help with upkeep in order keep the building in good repair and used for the good of the village and the residents. 

The Goldonna Assembly of God will be hosting Terry Terrell on Friday, June 20, 2025 at 6:30 in the evening. The church invites you to attend an evening of music and message as they welcome Terrell. Terrell is a regular in the Goldonna area and he packs the pews at every stop. Brother Timmy Harris and Pam Harris cordially invite you and your family to attend. 

Goldonna Baptist Church is gearing for their Annual Wiffle Ball Tournament to be held 

July 26th (behind) their church. Get your youth groups, high school ball teams and friends together for a fun, fast-paced day. All proceeds will go to Operation Christmas Child shipping costs. 

The tournament rules are as follows:

-6 players on a team. At least 3 players must be female. All female teams are welcomed.

-Entry fee $60/team.

-Field will be drawn behind GBC. 

-Pitching rubber will be 15-20 feet from home plate. Bases will be 25-30 feet apart.

-Wiffle balls and bats will be provided. i.e. You must use ours!

-All games will have a 15 minute time limit or 3 innings, whichever comes first. 

-10 run rule in effect after 2 complete innings.

-Defensive team must field a pitcher. The other 5 players can be in any configuration they choose.

-No walks, hit by pitch, bunts or looking strikeouts. However, there will be swinging strikeouts.

-Pitchers may throw overhand but the umpire can declare a ball thrown too hard an illegal pitch. i.e. Don’t throw too hard at little people! 

-Teams not present at game time will forfeit. 

-NO AGE LIMITS.

-Obviously, no alcohol allowed. 

-All other softball rules apply.

Concessions will be served in the air conditioned fellowship hall and winning team will receive T-shirts. Double elimination. Bring your awnings and lawn chairs.

There will be a box for anyone to bring donations for the OCC boxes. Every donation will be worth a free drink.

There will be a waterslide for the children and a $10 band will allow all-day access.

The Louisiana Trails is accepting new members and donations for the organization. The organization accepts ATV riders, biking, bird watchers, hikers, horseback riding, and mule or horse drawn wagons. A three day membership pass costs $15.00, a one year membership costs $35.00 and a lifetime membership costs $200.00. If you are interested in a membership you can contact Timmy Harris at 318-481-7191.

For news to share please email Reba Phelps at jreba.phelps@gmail.com

The Louisiana Folklife Center at Northwestern State University will present the program “A Life of Zydeco: A Musical Informance with Chubby Carrier” on June 21 at 1 p.m. at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum at 800 Front Street in Natchitoches. The event is free and open to the public. 

Dr. Shane Rasmussen, professor of English and director of the Louisiana Folklife Center at Northwestern, will interview Carrier about the cultural significance of zydeco in Louisiana. Their discussion will include songs performed by Carrier on his accordion. Carrier will headline the 45th annual Natchitoches-NSU Louisiana Folklife Festival on July 19 in air-conditioned Prather Coliseum on the NSU campus. 

A third-generation zydeco musician, Carrier began his music career in Louisiana dance halls playing accordion and drums in his father’s zydeco band from the age of 12. Carrier played drums with Terrance Simien from 1986 to 1989, and then formed his own band, Chubby Carrier and the Zydeco Swamp Band. The band has released a total of 11 albums since 1989. Carrier has performed at the Chicago Blues Festival, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and the Utrecht Blues Festival in Amsterdam, and has played with Santana, B.B. King, Travis Tritt and Buddy Guy. Carrier’s most recent album, “Zydeco Junkie,” was the 2010 Grammy winner for best zydeco or Cajun album. 

Carrier was among the musicians recently featured on the CBS News program “60 Minutes” in a segment on Cajun and zydeco music. 

The event is sponsored by the Louisiana Folklife Center. Support for the Festival is provided by grants from the Cane River National Heritage Area, Inc., the City of Natchitoches, Cleco, the Louisiana Division of the Arts Decentralized Arts Fund Program, the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, the Louisiana Office of Tourism, the Natchitoches Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, the Shreveport Regional Arts Council and the State of Louisiana. 

The views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities. 

For more information, call the Louisiana Folklife Center at (318) 357-4332, email folklife@nsula.edu, or go to nsula.edu/folklife. 

The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Celebration’s Round Table Luncheon is the most exclusive, yet casual, opportunity for the public to enjoy hearing from the Class of 2025 inductees.

It’s next Saturday, June 28, at noon at Riverside Reserve, 104 Mill Street, in Natchitoches. There are still a few seats available among the 300 guests for the seventh annual Round Table Luncheon presented by the Tiger Athletic Foundation.

Registration is available for the luncheon and can be made by visiting LaSportsHall.com, or by calling 318-238-4255. It is a ticketed event and only a few dozen seats are still open to see and hear from 2025 inductees including Nick Saban, Andrew Whitworth, Vickie Johnson, Danny Granger, Danny Broussard and Joe Scheuermann.

Festivities begin next Thursday evening, June 26, at 5 with the free of charge Welcome Reception open to all, no registration necessary, at the Hall of Fame museum facing the traffic circle at 800 Front Street in Natchitoches.

The Friday, June 27 slate begins with the BOM Celebrity Bowling Bash at Four Seasons Bowling Center in Alexandria. Friday evening is the free Rockin’ River Fest concert on Cane River Lake in downtown Natchitoches, from 6-10:30, with the Class of 2025 introduced at 9:15 right before a sports-themed fireworks show over the water.

Events Saturday include the free for kids Saints and Pelicans Junior Training Camp, the Round Table Luncheon, and the Induction Reception and Ceremony, which is sold out. A waiting list is being compiled.

The Round Table Luncheon starts with tremendous Louisiana cuisine and quickly kicks into gear with Fox Sports announcer (and 2020 LSHOF inductee) Tim Brando interviewing small groups of inductees on stage in a very informal and fast-moving setting.

A poignant scene at the 2019 luncheon unfolded before the program when Peyton Manning, being inducted later that day, stopped by to greet LSU legend Johnny Robinson, who was inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame two months later.

Scenes like that, up-close access and the fun-filled dialog between Brando and the Hall of Fame inductees combine to provide a memorable 90-minute event.

The Hall of Fame Round Table Luncheon shapes up as a highly entertaining opportunity for guests to have a up-close-and-personal experience and be entertained and well fed in a casual setting, with a touch of elegance at Riverside Reserve on the banks of Cane River Lake just a mile from downtown Natchitoches.

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.

Ellis Green, Sr.
Passed-June 8, 2025
Service: Final services for Mr. Green will take place at the Asbury United Methodist Church, 704 5th Street, Natchitoches, LA 71457 Friday, June 20, 2025, at 11:00 AM.

John James Moore
January 9, 1942 – June 11, 2025
Service: Funeral services for Mr. Moore began at 2:00 PM.on Sunday, June 15, 2025, at Yankee Springs Cemetery.

Debra J. Hanson
December 20, 1956 – June 12, 2025
Service: Services for Mrs. Hanson took place within the chapel of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield on Monday, June 16, 2025. Interment followed in the Garden of Memories Cemetery.

Brodie Danielle Alford
April 21, 1992 – June 11, 2025
Service: Funeral services for Ms. Alford took place Tuesday, June 17th, 2:00 PM that afternoon in the chapel of Southern Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Zion Hill Cemetery (Tannehill, Louisiana).