The information below is a generated summary of the aid and service the Winn Parish Fire Department has provided its community over the course of the year. We thank our local firefighters and EMTs for their vigilance and protection of Winn Parish and all who call it home.
The Winn Parish Police Jury would like remind it’s contractors to apply for a heavy hauling permit.
A heavy hauling permit is essential for transporting loads that exceed standard weight and size limits. It ensures safety, compliance with regulations, and protects infrastructure. Permits allow authorities to manage the movement of oversized and overweight vehicles, minimize potential damage to roads and bridges, and reduce the risk of accidents.
WINN PARISH POLICE JURY HEAVY HAULING PERMIT
Sec. 24-35. Vehicles prohibited except by permit.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person, corporation, or entity to operate a vehicle or combination of vehicles having a total gross weight in excess of 20 tons on parish roads and bridges maintained by the parish without first obtaining a permit from the police jury.
(b) The permit shall be issued by either the parish highway department or the main office, if, in the exercise of their discretion, they determine that the applicant should have a permit. The departments shall consider the following factors in the issuance of the permit, as well as any other circumstances existing in the particular case:
(1) There is an economic necessity for the permit;
(2) There exists a necessity of transportation by public roads; or
(3) The departments consider that the best interest of the parish requires the issuance of the permit.
(c) The permit shall be issued by either department at no cost.
(d) The permit shall be issued for a specified time designated on the permit by the departments and at their discretion; however, no permit shall be issued for a period exceeding 90 days.
(e) The permit, or a copy thereof, shall be kept in each vehicle or piece of equipment that exceeds the weight limits established by this section.
(f) Any person, corporation or entity who operates a vehicle on parish roads and bridges having a total gross weight in excess of 20 tons, without having a valid, unexpired permit issued by the parish, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than $250.00 for a first offense. Upon conviction of a second offense, the offender shall be fined not more than $500.00. If the offender has been convicted under this section two or more times previously, upon any subsequent conviction, the offender shall be fined not more than $500.00 or imprisoned in the parish jail for not more than six months, or both.
(g) Any ordinance, or part thereof, in conflict herewith be and is hereby repealed, except in those instances where lower weight limits have been designated for specific roads and/or bridges.
(Ord. No. 1 of 1998, § 1, 7-20-1998)
FOR PERMIT, CONTACT THE WINN PARISH POLICE JURY AT 318-628-5824
The information below is a generated summary of the aid and service the Winn Parish Fire Fire District 3 has provided its community over the course of the year. We thank our local firefighters and EMTs for their vigilance and protection of Winn Parish and all who call it home.
Sadly most domestic abuse that occurs in a home where children are present is witnessed by those children, states Winn’s DART advocate Annie Goods.
“In fact, one study found that 90% of children in violent homes have seen one parent physically abusing the other. Some children in the U. S. live in families in which domestic violence occurred at least once in the previous year.”
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, witnessing violence between parents is the most influential risk factor for children to carry violent behavior from one generation to the next. Boys, especially who witness domestic violence are twice as likely to abuse a partner as an adult.
KIDS KNOW WHAT’S HAPPENING: There is emotional trauma when a child has been subjected to that type of experience. It’s due to no fault of the survivor, but the violence does emotionally and physically affect children. It puts them in places of complete chaos. Later on in life, there is a propensity for this child to be violent because of this.
THE EFFECTS OF LIVING WITH VIOLENCE: Children respond to domestic violence in various ways and the effects will vary by age, but some signs to watch for that indicate trauma has occurred or is occurring include:
Aggression
Behavior Problems
Trouble interacting with peers
Being emotionally withdrawn or detached
Separation anxiety
Fear
Anxiety
Low self-esteem
Difficulty concentrating
According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, the most important step to take when children are exposed to domestic violence is to remove them from the situation and place them where they feel safe, as well as making sure they see their abused parent or caregiver is safe. Also, helping them plan strategies for staying safe gives them a sense of control and helps them feel less vulnerable.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact DART’S local office at 318-648-0559 or the 24 hour crisis hotline at 318-251-2255 for confidential support and assistance.
It is always interesting to me when Louisiana has a case before the U.S. Supreme Court as we do now, Callais v. Louisiana. Our never-ending odyssey of congressional redistricting continues to be just that.
A brief update. Although the Supreme Court was poised, and expected, to rule upon the 2024 Louisiana redistricting map, it opted not to and instead put off ruling on the case until next year. Rather, on August 1, 2025, the Supreme Court ordered the parties to provide additional legal briefing to the Court addressing this question: whether Louisiana’s creation of a second majority-Black congressional district violates the 14th or 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
What this indicates to me is the Court wants to take another, perhaps broader, look at the potential inconsistency and tension that exists between the Voting Rights Act (VRA) and the 14th Amendment’s prohibition of racial gerrymandering.
What do I mean by that?
The Equal Protection Clause in the 14th Amendment of our Constitution requires that our laws apply equally to everyone and prevents governments from discriminating against different groups, particularly based upon their race. However, Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which was designed to enforce the 15th Amendment to the Constitution—which guarantees the right to vote regardless of race or color—prohibits voting practices that result in the denial or abridgement of the right to vote on account of race. This includes practices that “dilute” minority voting strength.
And it is this argument—that minority voting strength is being “diluted”—that prompted the minority plaintiffs in the Callais case to bring suit to require the Louisiana Legislature to draw a congressional map that includes 2 (two) minority/Black congressional districts. They argue that because Louisiana has 6 (six) congressional districts and 1/3rd of Louisiana’s population is black, the black population should be entitled to at least 2 (two) black congressional districts. That’s the argument under the Voting Rights Act.
However, the Louisiana residents who have brought suit to knock out this 2nd, newly-created black congressional district argue that the only way to insure that another black congressional district is created is to draw a racially gerrymandered district that meanders and snakes its way over much of the state all in an effort to find enough black voters to create the black district. That is a violation of Equal Protection and unconstitutional, they argue.
So, this is the box Louisiana, and many other states, finds itself in: our state can try to draw “race conscious” congressional districts to be sure we comply with the Voting Rights Act (and not be sued) and avoid diluting minority voting strength and enabling minority voters an equal opportunity to elect their preferred candidates. However, these race-conscious districting efforts can be challenged under the Equal Protection Clause as unconstitutional racial gerrymandering.
WOW. From a legal standpoint, this is quite a place to be. Let me close with some speculation and a recommendation.
I speculate that at some point the Supreme Court will have to either limit or strike down Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act because, in order to achieve its goal of protecting minority voting strength, states are forced to draw race-based districts which are unconstitutional. The Voting Rights Act (VRA) is a statute, and no statute trumps the Constitution so the VRA could fall to the constitutional mandate of equal protection in the 14th Amendment. If the VRA is struck down, redistricting across the nation will be affected.
I respectfully recommend that our Louisiana Legislature call a Special Session to draw a new map based upon redistricting principles the Supreme Court has previously laid out. Article I, Section 4 of our Constitution states that state legislatures determine the “times, places, and manner” of holding elections for Senators and Representatives. And, although a new map would obviously be contingent upon what the Supreme Court eventually does, it is much better to be prepared for what I believe will be, ultimately, the striking down of the current, 2024 map. In the meantime, Louisiana should act.
The Supreme Court should confirm the Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection and end the Voting Rights Act requirement of racial discrimination. This would honor and adhere to the principle inherent in Dr. Martin Luther King’s “dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character …”
Royal Alexander
Once upon a time, there was such a thing as courtesy and etiquette with all people who loved to go fishing. Today those two words do not exist on our area lakes and waterways. Why is that? Is it because people don’t care anymore? Or is it because we have raised a generation of anglers who have never been taught the unwritten rules of the water?
People today, I believe, no longer have patience and think that when they are on the lake, there are no rules. We have become such a “me” society that no one thinks about how their actions might affect others on the lake; and to add to that, they don’t care!
I want to take the high road here and give people the benefit of the doubt when it comes to courtesy. But then, you pull up to a boat ramp and watch how people are oblivious as to what is going on around them. They’re in their own little world blocking the entire boat ramp while they get all their junk in the boat.
You would think by now, in 2025, that word would have gotten out about how to manage a boat ramp the proper way. You should load all your gear into the boat AWAY from the ramp, not once you line up to launch your boat.
People talk about road rage and how people have forgotten how to drive. Well, this same rage is now taking place on our area lakes. Boaters with little to no experience are on the water now and have no idea on navigation do’s and don’ts.
Even experienced tournament anglers are doing things they know are not right. The worst and most common thing happening today is one angler cutting off another angler. While I don’t have a problem with sharing a particular stretch of boat docks or a point, there’s an unwritten rule on how you should approach another angler that’s already there.
The rule is if you approach another angler on a stretch of boat docks, you don’t come in on him and start fishing one dock away, especially if his boat is pointing in the direction of the dock you pulled up on. Go down 5 or 6 docks, start there and go away from the angler and fish in the opposite direction … not towards him.
If you pull up on a point with another angler already there, either go to the next point or ask permission to share the point with him. The rule in fishing goes back to what we’ve always heard, “First come, first serve.” You’re always better asking for permission to share a point than to just bulldoze your way in.
So, to all the up-and-coming anglers, listen up! There are two things to always remember. One: Never cut another angler off when he’s fishing a stretch or fishing boat docks. ALWAYS pay attention to the direction the guy is fishing and go the opposite direction!
Two: Never pull up on a point when another angler is already there. If you just insist on trying to fish there, ask the other angler for permission and how he’s going to fish it.
Bottom line, follow the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Good luck, good fishing and hopefully cooler weather is coming soon!
Date: 8-5-25
Name: Derrick Wayne Starks
Address: Natchitoches
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age:44
Charge: Failure to Appear
Date: 8-5-25
Name: Amanda D. Jacobs
Address: Sykes
Race: White
Sex: Female
Age: 33
Charge: Failure to Appear
Date: 8-6-25
Name: Eugene Talbert
Address: Montgomery
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 68
Charge: Failure to Appear
Date: 8-6-25
Name: Rachel M. Bishop
Address: Winnfield
Race: White
Sex: Female
Age: 35
Charge: Failure to Appear
Date: 8-6-25
Name: Martavion Chatman
Address: Winnfield
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 24
Charge: Fugitive from Winn x3
Date: 8-6-25
Name: Kevin J. Wright
Address: Winnfield
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 36
Charge: Battery of a Dating Partner, Home Invasion
Date: 8-7-25
Name: Kevin J. Wright
Address: Winnfield
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 36
Charge: Simple Criminal Damage to Property
Date: 8-7-25
Name:Amanda D. Jacobs
Address: Sykes
Race: White
Sex: Female
Age: 32
Charge: Flight from Officer (Aggravated)
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.
Date: 8-5-25
Name: Dillion James Good
Address: Winnfield
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 20
Charge: Disturbing the Peace
Date: 8-5-25
Name: Robert Sowle
Address: Winnfield
Race: White
Sex: Male
Age: 39
Charge: Simple Battery
Date: 8-6-25
Name: Eugene Talbert
Address: Montgomery
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 68
Charge: Direct Contempt of Court
Date: 8-6-25
Name: Kevin J. Wright
Address: Winnfield
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 35
Charge: Simple Criminal Damage to Property
Date: 8-7-25
Name: Kevin J. Wright
Address: Winnfield
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 35
Charge: Aggravated Flight from Officer
Date: 8-7-25
Name: Robert Holden Sr.
Address: Winnfield
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 67
Charge: Theft (Utilities)
Date: 8-10-25
Name: Christopher S. Etheridge
Address: Winnfield
Race: White
Sex: Male
Age: 55
Charge: Arraignment, Direct Contempt of Court
Date: 8-12-25
Name: Tony Phillips
Address: Winnfield
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 54
Charge: Aggravated Cruelty to Animals
Date:8-12-25
Name: Amanda Jacobs
Address: Sikes
Race: White
Sex: Female
Age: 33
Charge: No Drivers License in Possession, Simple Obstruction of Highway, Stop Signs and Yield Signs
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.
William Dewayne Desadier
September 28, 1965 – August 4, 2025
Service: Funeral services for Mr. Desadier took place at 2:00 p.m., Friday, August 8th, at the First Assembly of God in Winnfield. Interment will follow at Sardis Cemetery under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield.
Lawrence Ferrier, Jr.
August 22, 1949 – August 8, 2025
Service: Funeral services for Mr. Ferrier will be held at Northside Baptist Church of Montgomery, Louisiana on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. Interment will follow in Mt. Zion Cemetery of Wheeling, Louisiana following the service under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield.
The Winn Parish School Board approved a $30 Mills, 20-year bond for the Calvin School District during its regular meeting on Aug. 4, while also reviewing the upcoming school year’s budget, personnel status, property bids, and technology plans.
The bond passed with a roll call vote: Scott, Vines, Cox, Underwood, Taylor, Carpenter, and Browning voted yes; McManus and Long voted no. Howell and Willis were absent. The board also heard a budget report from Jennifer Vidrine for the 2025–26 general fund, but no action was taken. A public budget hearing will be held at the next meeting, with a required legal notice to be published by Aug. 20.
The board reaffirmed its rejection of the proposal from the Winnfield Police Department to install speed cameras near Winnfield Senior High School, which was previously discussed at the last committee meeting, July 28.
Several bids for surplus school properties were ratified, despite public concern. Joseph Lang, a bidder for the former Atlanta High School building, questioned the ethical removal of items, specifically air conditioners, after the bid was submitted. Superintendent Al Simmons stated those items were marked for future district use and that property descriptions had been made available prior but offered for he and Lang to sit down at a later date and discuss. Lang insisted that all items present at the time of bidding should remain with the property and suggested the need for a more transparent and detailed bid packet process moving forward. Despite his concerns, he stated he still intends to move forward with the purchase.
Dr. Bob Jordan presented a technology proposal from Trafera, the same company the district worked with the previous year. Though there were two other vendors, Trafera was the only complete bid received. With a motion from Joe Laine Long and a quick second from Lacey McManus, the board voted, accepting the technology bid.
Staffing updates confirmed that all certified teacher positions were filled as of that afternoon, with only a few paraprofessional vacancies remaining. Simmons outlined professional development plans and the schedule for the school year’s opening. “As I’ve told every group—bus drivers, cafeteria managers, special education teachers—this is what we do. Students coming to class. This is the whole reason our jobs exist,” Simmons said.
The district will move to a new parent-teacher communication platform, ParentSquare, replacing apps like Remind and GroupMe. Simmons said the change offers better oversight, compliance, and archival tools. Additionally, the board reviewed the policy limiting student-written excuses. Parents were encouraged to review the student handbook for attendance and communication guidelines as we begin a new year.
Before adjourning, the board assigned several follow-up actions: contact legal counsel to begin the process of disposing of surplus properties, meet with Lang to address his concerns, and conduct a final review of the budget before the public hearing.
The board will gather the evening of Thursday, Aug. 7, at 5 p.m. for a special public session for the purpose of interviewing Superintendents for the district.
The Winn Parish Library wrapped up its Color Our World Summer Reading Program in July with great success, attracting more than 2,000 children, teens, and adults and hosting 60 total events throughout the summer.
More than 600 participants registered, reading over 750 minutes, earned prizes such as gift cards, headphones, coolers, and other items. The library also partnered with Winn Parish Summer School students, offering incentives to help strengthen their reading skills.
For those who missed this year’s program, the library announced its 2026 theme, Plant a Seed, Read!, with details and activities to be revealed in the spring.
As the new school year begins, the library reminds residents that numerous educational resources remain available both in-house and online. Homework LA offers free tutoring for all ages and grade levels through online sessions with certified tutors.
Mango Languages, a web and app based learning tool, helps users study more than 70 languages, including Spanish (Latin America).
Additionally, Reading Eggs, a fun, game-like reading comprehension program for kindergarten through eighth grade, will soon be available again at the library.
All these resources are free to use with a library card.
The Juanita Pharr Cancer Support Group is working to compile a list of volunteers willing to provide transportation for their patients who do not have a way back and forth to their doctor’s appointments.
The Support Groups leader, Rhonda Pharr says the effort would not only be meaningful but a way of supporting members of this community afflicted with cancer. One less worry for them or their families to carry during their journey.
The next group meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 19 at the First United Methodist Church fellowship hall (located at 300 W Main St, Winnfield, LA).
Those interested in volunteering or learning more about the support group are encouraged to contact Mrs.Pharr at 318-332-4713.
By George Moss
It’s almost the season…. No, not Christmas but election season and once again, we here in Winnfield must choose our leaders. But, who is it going to be? Where will they come from? And, what can they do for us? Before we choose these leaders we must ask ourselves if they understand the situation we are in. These people must know the daunting task ahead and we as voters must know that there is no magic button that will achieve greatness. It will take time.
Winn Parish was once a strong, proud parish but, no more. We have allowed mediocrity and self-enrichment to undermine everything our forefathers worked for. With that in mind, we here in Winnfield are at a turning point. We can either work together to build a future for our children and grandchildren or we can continue on our path of mediocrity and watch our children leave to build their lives elsewhere. If that continues we will watch our home sink into devastation like so many other towns before us.
To move forward we must first look at ourselves in the mirror. Who are we? What have we done? Why are we in the place we are in and how can we get out of it? Then, break that down even more. Who am I? What have I done? Have I sat back and complained while others tried to do the work. Have I contributed anything more than complaints?
In the first paragraph I said, we ask of our leaders what can they do for me. That is the problem! For years, so many in Winnfield and Winn Parish have been looking out for “me”. If you are one of those people that just wants to sit back and wait for the world to hand you something……. YOU ARE THE PROBLEM.
When I was mayor I was constantly asked why don’t “y’all” build this or build that and why are there not more businesses in our town? The real question is…. Who is “y’all”? Who is “they”? The answer is “we”. The answer is “you”. So, let’s look into that mirror and take a hard look at ourselves and try to find out the answer to some of those questions, and in doing so, maybe we can at least have a clue as to where we are going.
Step one is a reality check. Where are we? Winnfield and Winn Parish have been on a downward spiral for decades with no relief in sight. As I continue in my next article we will take out that mirror again and see if we like what we see.
To be continued..
George Moss is a former Winnfield City Mayor now turned columnist. This piece is the first installment of several being shared with the Winn Parish Journal.
The Winnfield FFA will host its 3rd Annual Car Show on Friday, Aug. 30, at Winnfield Senior High School.
Registration begins at 8 a.m., with awards presented at noon. Categories include Top 10, Student Vote, Sponsors’ Choice, and more.
The event will also feature a silent auction, food vendors, and free coffee and donuts for early birds.
For registration or sponsorship information, contact Ryan at 318-331-1619 (call or text).