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.

Tremelda Elaine Pattain
October 3, 1977 – August 17, 2025
Service: Services for Mrs. Pattain will take place Saturday, August 30, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. in the Winnfield Senior High School Auditorium (631 Thomas Mill Road Winnfield, LA, 71483). A wake service will be held Friday, August 29, 2025 from 5-8 p. m. at the Morning Star Baptist Church (306 MLK Drive Winnfield, LA, 71483). Interment will follow in Winnfield Cemetery. 

Deacon William “Wee” Hall
September 30, 1950 – August 18, 2025
Service: Services for Mr. Hall took place Sunday August 24, 2025 at 2:30 p. m. at the Morning Star Baptist Church (306 MLK Drive Winnfield, LA, 71483). Interment will follow in the Winnfield Cemetery.

Sadie Mae Ballard
March 5, 1932 – August 19, 2025
Service: Graveside services for Mrs. Ballard took place on Friday, August 22, 2025, at Garden of Memories Cemetery, under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield. 

Haley Marie Frederick
May 14, 1991 – August 20, 2025
Service: Services for Miss Frederick took place on Monday, August 25, 2025 in the First Assembly of God Church in Winnfield. Interment followed in the New Jerusalem Cemetery under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield.  

Stephen Kary Brown
January 3, 1950 – August 20, 2025
Service: Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 25, 2025, at Hurricane Creek Baptist Church. Interment followed in Hurricane Creek Cemetery under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield.

Betty Sue Shows
January 31, 1940 – August 21, 2025
Service: Services for Mrs. Shows will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, in the chapel of Southern Funeral Home in Winnfield. Interment will follow at New Jerusalem Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest beside her husband.

Tammie Louise Thompson
September 15, 1957 – August 23, 2025
Service: Services for Mrs. Thompson will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at Southern Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Sanders Chapel Cemetery in Calvin under the direction of Southern Funeral Homes of Winnfield.

Last week the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of Winnfield Police Officer Jessie R Phillips, 58, of Winnfield.  Phillips has been a part-time officer for over 20 years.  He has been assigned as the Community Liaison Officer whose duties included planning and coordinating community events, acting as the bridge between community leaders, businesses, and the police department.  He has supported several annual community events including the Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial celebration, the Community Easter Egg hunt, Forest Festival, DugFest, Trunk or Treat, and Shop with a Cop.  Donations were sought from area businesses as well as boot drives throughout the year. Last year was a milestone as 125 kids were given Christmas through Shop with a Cop that may otherwise have not had  Christmas at all.  

According to GPSO officials, Phillips has been charged with theft over $1000 (Felony) misuse of funds, and Malfeasance (Felony) from alleged activities occurring in Grant Parish.  No further information has been released to the public or the Winnfield Police Department as this is still considered an open investigation.

At a special council meeting held Tuesday afternoon, the Winnfield City Council retired to executive session to discuss this developing story.  At the conclusion, Phillips has been placed on Administrative Leave.  

The Winnfield Police Department, while involved in the community events, did not have access to funding accounts as those were handled by the “No Child Left Behind”, a non-profit organization that supported these community events.

Chief Johnny Ray Carpenter stated that his department will continue to support this community and all of its events, to include the Shop with a Cop program.  “This will be my 20th year of providing Christmas to underprivileged children and that will not change.”  

The department reminds readers that an arrest is based on probable cause, however, an individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Taylor Leggett, a 33-year-old mother of two and owner and operator of The Lawn Lady landscaping in Tyler, Texas, returned to her childhood home in Winn Parish to distribute 144 units of Narcan, valued at $5,000, to combat the continued rise in opioid related deaths. 

Leggett, born in Calvin, Louisiana, and later a college student in Natchitoches Parish, has maintained a deep connection to the area and its people despite her relocation to Tyler. Concerned about the rise of opioid overdoses and drug-related crimes in her hometown, she took action to provide a safe and accessible outlet to this life-saving resource.

On the morning of July 24, Leggett drove down from Texas with a box full of Narcan and passed out the medication in under two hours in front of the Winnfield Sno Cone stand, located off W Court St in Brookshire’s parking lot. She collaborated with a Texas-based opioid treatment advocate to facilitate her intentions, motivated by her deep emotional ties to the community and her desire to combat the local drug epidemic.

During the distribution, Winn Parish Sheriff Josh McAllister and members of his team visited the site to show support and speak with Leggett at length as the initiative progressed. The sheriff expressed interest in learning more about the resources she obtained and hoped for future partnerships across the parish, emphasizing the importance of community collaboration in addressing opioid overdoses.

Leggett explained that many people misunderstand the scope of the epidemic, believing overdoses only affect young drug users. “Victims can be as young as two or as old as ninety-five,” she explained, noting that many cases involve the elderly due to small mistakes such as medication negligence or accidental exposure. Narcan (a brand name for naloxone) can reverse overdoses within minutes when administered through a simple nasal spray, often with just one or two doses needed for successful application.

The community response was overwhelmingly positive according to Leggett. Several business owners in Winn Parish and neighboring parishes, including LaSalle and Natchitoches, reached out to her with the intention of supporting similar initiatives in their communities. Leggett plans to gather more resources to return to Winn Parish and distribute Narcan again in the near future, “This is just the beginning,” she said. “I want to keep bringing Narcan back home and doing what I can to help the people of this Parish.”

Ten Winn Parish 4-H members traveled to Ireland this July as part of Louisiana 4-H’s first overseas trip, joining more than 100 students and adults from across the state to explore rolling farmlands, historic castles and sweeping coastal landscapes.  

For eight days, participants explored Irish farming and culture through hands-on learning. Organized by Louisiana 4-H in partnership with EF Tours, the trip brought together youth and adults from across the state for a journey that blended education, community service and cultural exchange.  

The group toured dairy, beef, oyster and strawberry farms, as well as an apple orchard, gaining firsthand knowledge of Irish agriculture and agribusiness practices. At one stop, members engaged in community service by helping a local farmer plant Romanesco, a hybrid of broccoli and cauliflower, for use in his restaurant operation. That evening, they enjoyed a farm-to-table supper featuring vegetables harvested from the same farm, where the Romanesco they planted will eventually be served once it’s ready for harvest.

Their trek featured stops in Dublin, Waterford, Kilkenny, Galway and the Cliffs of Moher. In Dublin, members toured St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the EPIC Museum and the historic library before traveling to the Irish National Stud Farm in Kildare. They later explored Kilkenny Castle and Gardens and toured Highbanks Orchard, an organic apple farm where they sampled several items produced on site. The group also visited Wheelocks Strawberry Farm, where the farmer’s story of perseverance inspired participants to consider how a similar perspective could be applied in their own communities upon returning home. “The best strawberries you will ever eat were grown on this farm,” states Chevallier. 

Other stops included Glengowla Mines, where they witnessed a sheepdog demonstration and explored local mining history; Kylemore Abbey, where they enjoyed lunch and shopping; and an oyster farm, Connemara Oysters, where they learned about aquaculture and had the opportunity to shuck, clean, package, and sample fresh local oysters.  

The trip concluded in Galway with a walking tour and a glimpse of the city’s horse-racing festivities before the group returned to Dublin for their departure.  

For Winn Parish Nutrition and Community Health Agent Shannan Chevallier, the trip emphasized the value of agricultural innovation. She highlighted Highbanks Orchard, where farmers turn their apple harvest into juices, syrups and other products to minimize waste and expand their business. She noted how those practices could inspire similar efforts in Winn Parish, where leaders are working to strengthen local resources and attract new industry.  

“The trip showed our members not only the challenges Irish farmers face, but also the creative solutions they use,” Chevallier said. “It was a reminder that we can build on what we already have in Winn Parish to grow stronger communities.” 

Two young Winnfield chefs recently won top honors at the Louisiana 4-H University’s Next Healthy Food Star competition in Baton Rouge with their “Crawfish Enchiladas,” earning the opportunity to take part in The Great American Seafood Cookoff (4-H Edition) held in Morial Convention Center in New Orleans August 2-3.

The dish highlighted two of Louisiana’s top commodities, crawfish and sweet potatoes, represented by the crawfish filling and sweet potato tortilla. That competition was limited to 4-H Youth in grades 9 through 12.  Each state determined its qualifiers.

Local residents will have the chance not only to see these winners, Ella Higginbotham and Catherine Page, in person but also taste the key component of their award-winning dish, a soup made from the crawfish filling, during a special meet & eat event at Winnfield’s Pea Patch Gallery on Thursday, August 21, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The recipe was developed by Pat Thurmon and appears in the cookbook “Thyme with Friends,” a collaboration by Thurmon, Rae McManus and Sharon Brewton. On sale at the Peapatch, the cookbook is a fundraiser towards costs of a kidney transplant for McManus.  “Come meet the girls and enjoy some of their prize-winning dish,” invites Mrs. Thurmon.

The Bank of Winnfield has an immediate opening for a loan processor at its main location.

Some experience is required. Very competitive salary and benefits for the right person.

If interested, please contact Kyle Armitage at the bank at 318-628-4677.

The Bank of Winnfield is an Equal opportunity employer.

The last time we gathered, we reflected on where we’ve been and what brought us to where we are today. We looked in the mirror and saw two possibilities: one image of a community blessed with great assets—but one that squandered them—and another of a community with those same assets, ready to start fresh and build back stronger.

Yes, mistakes have been made. But if life has taught us anything, it’s this: mistakes are the only things we can truly call our own. What matters is that we learn from them—and move forward.

Right now, Winn Parish feels adrift. Perhaps we’ve been lost for some time. Too often, we look around for someone or something to blame. But like any addict seeking recovery, the first step is acknowledging the truth: the problem starts with us.

For too long, we’ve allowed petty jealousy, positions of power, race, and social or economic status to divide us. That must end—now. If we are going to move forward, we must do it together. We must be a team, and every single one of us needs to be on that team. You cannot sit on the sidelines, nitpicking and complaining while contributing nothing, and expect anything but more of the same.

Get involved. Ask, “What can I do to help?” President John F. Kennedy was right when he said: “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” The same principle applies here. So, with that in mind, let’s consider some realities—and some possibilities.

Facing the Future

Government is the largest employer in Winn Parish—and in much of Louisiana. That reality comes with risks. As technology advances, resources shrink, and efficiency becomes the priority, how long can this model last? Will the state continue to fund 72 separate school districts, dozens of police juries, district attorneys, and other local offices indefinitely? Or will consolidation become the only economic option?

This isn’t a new concept. Years ago, Winn Parish was not its own judicial district—it was combined with Grant Parish. That changed for political reasons, not efficiency. Across the state, similar shifts have happened repeatedly.

Even now, we see examples of streamlined governance. East Baton Rouge Parish, for instance, doesn’t have individual mayors or city councils for its towns. Instead, it operates under a single parish government with one council and one leader. Could such a model work in a small, rural parish facing financial challenges like ours? Maybe. At the very least, it’s a question worth asking.

Building Solutions Together

Local organizations—economic development boards, chambers of commerce, advisory committees—can play a huge role in guiding growth. But they need two things: leadership and participation. They need people willing to put in the time and effort.

Here’s the truth: the only bad ideas are the ones that are never shared. If you have an idea, bring it forward—but do so constructively, not critically. Don’t just shout, “We need jobs!”—everyone knows that. Instead, ask how we can create them.

Imagine our parish as a hedge maze. Everyone inside knows the goal is to find the way out. We don’t need leaders who just point out the obvious—we need leaders who ask the right questions: Who? What? When? Where? How? If their answers are vague or evasive—if they say, “I’ll look into that” or “That’s a good question”—they aren’t ready to lead. Real leaders acknowledge problems and bring ideas for solutions.

The Path Ahead

Not every idea will work the first time. Some will fail. That’s part of progress. Edison didn’t invent the light bulb in a day—it took countless attempts. But when that bulb finally lit, the world changed. That’s what persistence does.

We need leaders who can rise above politics, race, and social divides—leaders who unite, not divide.

There’s an old saying I love: “If you want to change your world, change your mind.” So, Winn Parish, let’s change our mindset. Let’s work together for real change. Let’s champion each other—and let’s change our world.

George Moss is a former Winnfield City Mayor now turned columnist. This piece is the third installment of several being shared with the Winn Parish Journal. 

Gail Shelton spoke to Kiwanis on Tuesday, Aug. 19, about her experience as an extra in The Chosen. If you are unaware, this is a TV series about the life of Christ. The idea came from Dallas Jenkins, who is the creator and director.

They started small with three episodes. There was not a lot of money available, so he asked for crowdfunding, the viewers and supporters pay. You can make a donation to the foundation in support of the filming. It is free to watch and is available on Prime Video and also through an app you can download to your phone or smart TV.

The series has been seen by 280 million people worldwide and has been translated into 40 languages.

Shelton believes that because she donates every month, she received an email asking if she wanted to sign up to be an extra. She signed up for three days in May in Utah and was accepted. There are 600 extras on set at a time, and they come from all over.

After she was accepted, she made her travel arrangements, which are paid for by the individual. All expenses are covered by participants, and they receive no payment for their time. Her flight was delayed, so she was only there for two days.

The set is about 40 miles from Provo, where she stayed, and was built by the Mormons. It is in the middle of nowhere, the reason being that there is no modern-day noise. It serves as the temple in Jerusalem and includes other sets. There is also a set in Midlothian, Texas, where they are currently filming.

There is a huge tent that holds all 600 extras, where they waited for their time. It had tables and chairs with people reading the Bible, singing, working puzzles, playing cards, etc. The tent was about a quarter mile from the set, and when their group was called, they walked to the set. They had to be quiet and could make no eye contact with the actors or camera.

They listened for: “Quiet on the set. Rolling. Background. Action!”

She appeared in four scenes in the Court of Women, simply walking, “ABC”: always be crossing (quietly), pantomiming a conversation, and walking with purpose. They had 12-hour days starting at 8 a.m. and ending at 8 p.m. Meals, plenty of water, and first aid (if needed) were provided. They were not supposed to take pictures. She saw only a few cast members.

“It was a fascinating experience,” Shelton said. “I learned a lot about filming, production, and what happens behind the scenes. It required a lot patience because of the amount of downtime.”

Shelton recommends that if you have not seen The Chosen, you should start at the beginning. There is a lot of backstory and character development. She was an extra in Season 6 (the crucifixion season), which will be shown in the future. Season 5 is out now.

Starting the season a little short, the JV Dodson Lady Panthers fell to the JV Castor Lady Tigers with a final score of 34-19. The girls are excited to begin the season, with Myleigh Bolton leading the team in scoring with a total of five points.

In Tuesday night’s game, the JV Dodson Panthers came up short with a score of 50-20 against the JV Castor Tigers. Ryder Diffey led the Panthers with 12 points. The boys are looking forward to a strong season.

The JV teams finished out that week playing in the Saline Tournament on Aug. 14 and 15. We wish them the best of luck and say, Go Panthers!

Intimate partner violence isn’t just harming the primary victim; it’s negatively affecting our entire population

Who and What Declares a Public Health Crisis?

“The definition of a public health crisis is qualitative, not quantitative,” says George Benjamin, MD, chief executive director of the American Public Health Association.  “It represents a health threat that is substantial in size or impact such that an urgent response is needed.”

A public health crisis can be determined by the federal government or by individual states, and among the latter, the definition of what constitutes a crisis may differ.  It is something that poses a substantial risk of a significant number of human fatalities or incidents of permanent or long- term disability.

Experts, Health Professionals Agree Domestic Violence is a Public Health Crisis

Domestic violence is indeed of significant prevalence and impact that it is at public health crisis levels.  One of the tragedies of this phenomenon is the fact that it is amongst people who both know and are supposed to care for one another.  It is a breakdown in the relationship such that conflict becomes physically or emotionally violent.

Domestic violence, intimate partner violence, gender- based violence- no matter what we call it can have long lasting, far reaching, and often devastating consequences for individuals, their families and entire communities; and it’s not only the physical violence inflicted by abusers that affect survivors’ health.

“Victims of intimate partner violence have higher rates of chronic stress which can lead to chronic mental health conditions, diseases, chemical dependency, substance abuse issues, complications with pregnancies, etc.: says Alicia Nichols, LSW, Deputy Director of the National Center on Gun Violence.

There are too many women and children being affected by domestic violence.  When people think about it, they think it’s just physical; but it’s verbal and it’s psychological which sometimes impacts even more.  The combination of these is a CRISIS.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Rosalind Penegar, D.A.R.T. Claiborne Parish Rural Advocate @ 318-927-2818 Monday-Friday from 9:00-2:00 pm or call the crisis hotline @ 1-888-411-1333