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WINNFIELD, LA — The Winnfield Police Department will move forward with this year’s 19th annual Shop with a Cop program, which brings together first responders, volunteers and community leaders to support local children during the holiday season. Participating first responders include police officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, communications staff and corrections personnel.

Recent concerns were raised regarding support previously provided by the nonprofit Save a Child. Police Chief Johnny Ray Carpenter said the department will oversee the program directly this year to ensure full transparency.

“I will manage this personally,” Chief Carpenter said. “All donations and expenditures will be recorded, audited and published for public review. We use this program to build lasting, positive relationships between underprivileged children in Winn Parish and first responders by providing a safe and memorable experience.”

Chief Carpenter noted that many participating children have faced difficult events such as house fires, medical emergencies, a death in the family or other crises. “We do not want those moments to define their view of first responders,” he said. “This program is about trust, kindness and a positive memory they can carry forward.”

To support Shop with a Cop, a Boot Drive will be held Saturday, Nov. 15, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the intersection of U.S. 167 North and Thomas Mill Road. All proceeds will benefit the program.

First responders will also be visible at upcoming community events, including the rescheduled Fall Fest on Main Street next Tuesday, Nov. 4, and other seasonal activities. Residents are encouraged to stop by, ask questions and learn how to support Shop with a Cop.

Additional details on participant selection, dates and donation reporting will be announced from the department in coming weeks. 

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New date, same spooky fun for all. Winnfield’s Annual Fall Fest is rescheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 4, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

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By Matt Vines, Journal Services

WINNFIELD – Intensity and physicality.

While Winnfield plays with those things at times, coach Byron Keller said his Tigers will need a complete 48 minutes to compete against the best of District 3-2A.

The Tigers stayed within striking distance of Mansfield, trailing by two touchdowns most of three quarters this past Friday.

But the Wolverines pulled away in the final quarter of a 56-22 win.

Now Winnfield (2-6, 0-2) must turnaround and face the other primary contender for the district title when Red River (4-4, 2-1) comes to town.

While the No. 29 Tigers could potentially make the playoffs with just one win in its final two games, winning both of the remaining games would guarantee a postseason slot in Division III Non-Select.

Red River has plenty on the line as well with the No. 19 Bulldogs vying for their second straight district title and a home playoff game.

Oh, and the Bulldogs are facing their former coach in Keller, who guided Red River to its first district championship since 2005 before taking the Winnfield position this offseason.

There will be plenty of emotion as these two district rivals square off Friday.

“I’m sure that message has been said a couple times at Red River this week,” said Keller, talking about motivating players by mentioning the old coach’s name. “I’m sure they want to win and upset their old coach and have bragging rights for another year.

“Situations like that happen in high school sports and adds to the Friday night environment. But we have to focus on us and continue to get better. We have to play with physicality for 48 minutes.”

Aside from playoff implications, Winnfield players likely have their own motivation source.

Red River whipped Winnfield twice in three weeks by scores of 50-6 and 48-6, the latter in the first round of the playoffs.

“Yes, these kids remember,” Keller said.

Winnfield’s offense sort of kept pace with Mansfield for three quarters by controlling the ball as Winnfield ran more plays (55-36).

But the Tigers defense continues to struggle with containing explosive offenses as Mansfield outgained Winnfield 461-241.

Running back Terrell Pegues averaged nearly 16 yards per carry en route to 174 yards and two touchdowns, adding a 14-yard touchdown catch to the mix as well. Jaydan Hamilton added 112 rushing yards and a pair of scores as well on just seven touches.

Quarterback J.J. Howard threw for 131 yards and two scores on just 4-of-6 passing.

Winnfield’s Detavious Williams scored all three Tiger touchdowns on the ground while gaining 110 yards. Quarterback Nickalas Mockosher was efficient in the short passing game, but Mansfield tackled well to keep the Tigers to 69 yards on 11-of-15 passing.

Mansfield is the owner of the district’s most explosive offense, but Red River has the best passing attack.

Three-year starter Malique Smith is a threat to run and throw with weapons like Warren Bowman and Lathyn Lewis on the receiving end.

“Our team is aware of our ranking and what needs to happen for a playoff spot,” Keller said. “We will focus on our opponents and executing at a high level every chance we get.”

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Kiwanian Miranda Atkins, RDH, spoke to the Kiwanis Club on Tuesday, Oct. 28. Her program was titled “Gum Disease Can Kill More Than Your Smile.” Atkins has been a dental hygienist for 18 years and works for Dr. Bill Gaddis as well as a clinic in Monroe.

Atkins said oral health is closely tied to our overall health. She outlined two kinds of inflammation, acute and chronic, noting that inflammation breaks down collagen. In the mouth, inflammation presents as gingivitis and periodontal disease. Gingivitis is caused by plaque and can be influenced by smoking and hormonal changes; with good hygiene, it is reversible. Periodontal disease is chronic, affects the gums, causes bone loss that is irreversible, and must be maintained over time. Patients with periodontal disease may need hygiene visits more than twice a year.

She added that bacteria in the mouth can enter the bloodstream and cause serious problems. People with artificial joints, heart valves and stents usually need a prophylactic antibiotic before teeth cleaning or other dental work. This precaution can also apply to people with cardiovascular disease, diabetes or colorectal cancer.

Atkins recommended anti-inflammatory foods such as blueberries, cranberries and avocados, along with omega-3 sources including salmon and other fatty fish. She said fried foods, sugary snacks and omega-6–heavy items can promote inflammation.

Her bottom line was simple: people need to know the importance of taking good care of their teeth. Audience questions underscored that replacing teeth is expensive regardless of the method.

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The Winn Parish Journal is teaming up with the Juanita Pharr Cancer Support Group to shine a light on local cancer survivors. Each month we will bring awareness to various types of cancer and share success stories of our local community members. Today’s survivor Spotlight is on Susie O’Bryan.

After learning she had breast cancer in August 2025, Susie began treatment at Women’s Hospital in Baton Rouge. What helps most, she says, is the obvious care shown by her doctors and that nearly all of her caregivers are women who can relate on a more personal level when addressing her questions and concerns

She is blessed with a large support system that includes her husband Ronald O’Bryan, her daughter Lana Knotts, her son Kendall and all of her grandchildren. Her church, The Family Church (located at 1806 Maple St) and her coworkers at the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office have been extremely encouraging , sponsoring fundraisers to help with expenses during treatment. “Seeing the love pouring out from our community shows me how truly special Winn is,” O’Bryan said.

When asked what she would tell others facing this disease, O’Bryan shared, “Always remember that God has you through it all.” She draws strength from her faith and from the “army” of family and friends who stand beside her. She has recently started sharing her story at Juanita Pharr Cancer Support Group, where honest conversation and fellowship reminded her she is not walking this road alone.

As Susie continues treatment, she leans on a familiar verse to steady her: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13. With faith, family and friends surrounding her, Winn Parish is proving once again that love is a powerful medicine.

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The Winn Chamber of Commerce & Tourism invites the community to its Annual Awards Banquet at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Winn Community Center.

Each year the Chamber recognizes local businesses, business leaders and organizations whose work strengthens Winn Parish. Awards to be presented include:

• Business of the Year

• New Business of the Year

• Spirit of Myrtis Allen Award

• Business Person of the Year

• Volunteer of the Year

• People’s Choice Award

Every nominee represents the best of our community, reflecting commitment and spirit that help Winn Parish thrive. The banquet is a time of appreciation, fellowship and celebration.

Tickets are $10 for Chamber members and $15 for nonmembers. For tickets or more information, call 318-628-4461.

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Winnfield Nursing and Rehab Center will welcome Winn families for a community Halloween trunk-or-treat from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 30, 2025, at 915 1st St.

Families are invited to wear their favorite costumes and enjoy a safe, family-friendly evening with music, games and plenty of candy. Volunteers will decorate trunks and greet children along their parking lot, creating a festive space for neighbors to celebrate together this spooky season. 

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Did You Know?
Families who give sincere compliments and practice positive communication see measurable benefits:

• Children and teens are more likely to repeat good behaviors.
• Emotional bonds between family members grow stronger.
• Daily praise and calm responses reduce stress for both parents and children.

Strengthening Families Lesson #2: Building Bonds Through Praise and Calm
Families participating in the Strengthening Families Program (SFP) met again this week at First United Methodist Church in Winnfield for their second session,  a lesson centered on the power of positive communication, compliments, and calmness in strengthening family relationships.

The SFP, facilitated by Winn Community Health Center and funded through a grant from The Rapides Foundation, brings parents, teens, and children together each week to build skills that nurture emotional well-being and family connection.

Deposits That Build Relationships
This week’s lesson introduced the concept of an “Emotional Bank Account.” Just like a savings account, every interaction makes a deposit or a withdrawal. Sincere compliments, kind words, and positive attention are deposits that build love and trust, while criticism and harsh words act as withdrawals that drain emotional security.

Families learned that keeping a healthy balance means offering at least four positive comments for every correction. When parents, teens, or children take time to notice the good in one another, it strengthens connection and makes everyone more willing to cooperate.

Participants practiced giving Reinforcing Compliments, praises that are specific, sincere, and describe why the behavior was helpful. A kind tone, smile, or gentle touch can make the message even more meaningful. Families were encouraged to use these compliments at home daily to boost confidence and happiness in every family member.

Replacing Criticism with Calm

Just as deposits strengthen relationships, criticism weakens them. Families discussed how frequent criticism, even when meant to help, can leave others feeling discouraged or unloved. Instead, the group practiced how to ignore minor annoying behaviors, a technique that often leads those behaviors to fade away when they no longer receive attention.

To help parents and kids manage their own frustration in the moment, coaches introduced Instant Stress Busters, quick ways to stay calm and centered. These included deep breathing, counting slowly before responding, or taking a brief moment to relax before speaking. Staying calm not only prevents conflict but models emotional control for children and teens.

“Looking for and daily complimenting the good in family members helps me like them more — and helps them behave better.”
— SFP Lesson 2 Power Statement

Learning Together as a Family

While parents, teens, and children met separately for part of the evening, each class focused on the same ideas: look for the good, speak with kindness, and stay calm under stress. Children learned these lessons through games and stories; teens practiced through discussion and role play; and parents applied them to real-life challenges at home.

During the Family Practice Session, everyone came together to share compliments, and participate in some role play scenarios.  The room filled with laughter as families practiced expressing appreciation in ways that felt genuine and warm.

A Continuing Journey of Connection

By the end of Lesson #2, families left with a clear message: relationships grow stronger when we focus on what’s going right. Praise, patience, and calm communication can transform how families interact day-to-day.

Weekly SFP sessions continue through mid-December at First United Methodist Church in Winnfield.
The Strengthening Families Program is coordinated by Winn Community Health Center and funded through a grant from The Rapides Foundation.

For more information, contact Shonna Moss at 318-628-0169.


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Walk through any hospital in Louisiana and there’s a good chance you’ll meet a nurse, technologist, or healthcare leader who began their journey at Northwestern State University. From Natchitoches to Shreveport, Alexandria, and Leesville, NSU has become one of the state’s most respected names in healthcare education.

Healthcare is changing quickly, and so are the demands on those who deliver it. Hospitals need more trained professionals. Patients need more access to care. Families need people who can lead with skill and compassion. For many in Louisiana, that career path begins at NSU’s College of Nursing and School of Allied Health.

“Our students come from every corner of Louisiana and every stage of life,” said Dr. Aimee Badeaux, Dean of the College of Nursing and School of Allied Health. “Some are high school graduates looking for their first step. Others are licensed professionals seeking to grow in their careers. What unites them is a commitment to helping others, and that’s something we know how to develop.”

NSU offers one of the most comprehensive selections of healthcare programs in the region. Students can choose from associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees across nursing, radiologic sciences, and allied health.

Among the most popular options:

• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) and LPN to ASN
• Military Medic/Paramedic to ASN — the only program of its kind in Louisiana, offered in Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Alexandria, and Leesville
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), RN to BSN, LPN to BSN, and Accelerated BSN (BS to BSN)
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with concentrations in Administration, Education, and multiple Nurse Practitioner tracks
• Doctoral-level Nurse Anesthesia, Executive Leadership, and Educational Leadership programs
• Bachelor and Master of Science in Radiologic Sciences — including the first Sonography program in North Louisiana
• Bachelor of Applied Science in Allied Health, with concentrations in Health Science & Technology and Health Sciences Leadership & Management

For working registered nurses, the RN to BSN program remains a top choice. The online format offers flexibility and affordability while maintaining a strong academic foundation.

“Many of our RN-BSN students are balancing full-time jobs and family commitments,” explained Dr. Greg Handel, Executive Vice President and Provost. “We built the program to meet them where they are. It’s affordable, accredited, and recognized nationally for quality.”

Students in NSU’s healthcare programs train in high-fidelity simulation laboratories that recreate real-world clinical settings. From emergency response to pediatric care, these labs allow students to practice critical skills in a safe environment before moving into hospitals and clinics.

Those partnerships with regional healthcare providers are another reason NSU graduates are in such high demand. Students complete clinical rotations with major hospitals, community clinics, and long-term care facilities throughout Louisiana, gaining the experience and confidence that employers look for.

“The hands-on training our students receive makes a real difference,” said Dr. Badeaux. “They graduate with practical skills and a sense of responsibility to their patients and communities.”

That preparation shows in the outcomes. NSU boasts NCLEX pass rates of 98% for ASN graduates and 96% for BSN graduates, consistently exceeding state and national averages.

The university has also earned top national recognition, including:

• #1 in Louisiana among Top Public Schools – U.S. News & World Report, 2026
• #1 Best Online Nursing Program – The Princeton Review, 2024
• #1 Best Nurse Practitioner and MSN Programs – NursePractitionerOnline.com and RegisteredNursing.org, 2025

In the past five years alone, Northwestern State has produced more registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and radiologic technologists than any other institution in the state.

Behind every successful graduate is a team of faculty who are both experienced clinicians and committed educators. With an average class size of 17, students receive the kind of personal attention that larger universities often can’t provide.

“Students succeed here because they’re known here,” said James T. Genovese, President of Northwestern State University. “We take pride in offering an environment where each student’s goals are understood, supported, and celebrated.”

As Louisiana’s population grows and healthcare needs become more complex, NSU continues to adapt. The university is expanding key programs to new sites, building stronger partnerships with hospitals, and investing in technology that enhances training and patient simulation.

Dr. Badeaux summarized it simply: “Every day, we’re educating the professionals who will care for our families tomorrow. That’s work we take seriously.”

For students and families exploring healthcare careers, Northwestern State University offers a trusted path — from the first day of class to the first day on the job. To learn more or connect with an advisor, visit www.nsula.edu/nursing.

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My late father, Albert George ‘Ladd’ Alexander, Jr. a Louisiana Republican political leader and political friend of President Reagan, would frequently say, only half-jokingly, ‘Each night I get on my knees and thank God Almighty that I don’t get all the government that I pay for.”

He would definitely understand the political moment in which we currently find ourselves, as the partial government shutdown reveals that hard working American taxpayers are paying for hundreds of billions in salaries for ‘non-essential’ federal government employees.

In short, we are over three weeks into this so-called government shutdown and very little has changed in the lives of most Americans.  This begs the question: do we really need the enormous federal government that we have and pay trillions of hard-earned dollars for?

A number of writers and commentators have pointed out that the shutdown has a very positive aspect to it.  As David Huff writes in the Wall Street Journal, “every government shutdown is an efficiency audit in disguise.  During a shutdown, agencies must identify and keep essential employees on the job, forcing a triage that reveals the government’s assessment of what it needs to function.” (D. Huff, WSJ, October 16, 2025).   

That’s why a shutdown is far leaner and more targeted than attempting to pass laws to trim or eliminate parts of government, which never happens! The federal government never voluntarily reduces its size.  That is why President Reagan’s famous line still resonates so powerfully today: a government program “is the nearest thing to eternal life we’ll ever see on this earth.”

So, this forced government shutdown is actually beneficial because during that period, Mr. Huff continues, “agencies must submit ‘contingency plans’ categorizing which employees are essential  … and only five narrow exceptions qualify: those employees protecting life and property, those necessary to the president’s constitutional duties, those performing legally mandated activities, those with funding outside the annual budget, and those authorized by other laws.”  In this sense, every employee is “fired” and the only employees who are brought back are those performing core functions.  What a novel idea!  Huff concludes by stating that based upon this approach he believes “roughly 25% of the federal workforce could be permanently cut.”

By the way, what is the main hangup in restarting the federal government? 

As The Heritage Foundation explains “to vote for a continuing resolution (CR), the Senate Democrats are demanding in part that Congress resume Medicaid, Medicare, and Affordable Care Act premium subsidy policies that open the door for illegal aliens to receive government benefits. These loopholes were terminated in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) that was signed into law this July.  The OBBBA limited eligibility for health benefits to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, … thereby stopping eligibility for illegal aliens and other aliens here on a temporary basis. The Senate Democrats’ CR bill would repeal these changes made by the OBBBA.”  (The Heritage Foundation, October 1, 2025). 

So, our government is shut down primarily because Democrats in the U.S. Senate want to provide, at a huge cost to American taxpayers, health care to illegal aliens. 

Fox News stated that “most recently, Democrats blocked a Republican-led attempt to provide essential government workers with paychecks amid an ongoing, 23-day shutdown, calling the bill overly selective and incomplete.”  (Fox News, L. Briceno and E. Elkind, October 23, 2025).  That bill, proposed by Sens. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., and Todd Young, R-Ind., failed in a 54-45 vote, where 60 votes were needed to advance the bill over the threat of a filibuster.

Columnist Kimberly Strassel writes that “shutdowns are a byproduct of Washington dysfunction. But Democrats’ intransigence in this one—their indifference to convention or consequence in their drive to impose their demands on a country they lost in the last election—is unfortunate evidence that dysfunction can always get worse.” (K. Strassel, Wall Street Journal, Oct. 23, 2025).

Obviously, at some point our federal government will need to fund its priorities.   I think the resolution offered by Republicans would be more than adequate to that task because it would fund the government while negotiations occur on the issue of health care subsidies and many other things.  We will see how that works out.  However, an unintended result of this and other previous shutdowns is that the American people see that we have much more government than we need and for this reason, among others, this disruption has value.

Royal Alexander

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(Part II)

Today we’ll continue our thoughts on the state of professional bass fishing and where it’s headed. Like the old saying goes, “Nothing lasts forever,” and I worry that the sponsorship or business side of fishing is getting tougher and more complicated as companies are now looking hard at how they spend their advertising dollars. 

Today’s anglers are fighting among themselves for a much smaller piece of the pie while the amount of sponsorship dollars has dwindled. It’s becoming more difficult for anglers to land sponsors who have now decided to tighten their belts with regards to advertisement. 

It’s Business 101, all about ROI (return on investment) as sponsors are no longer passing out money like candy. Companies have gotten more conservative on how much money they are willing to pay an angler to represent them. They’re also no longer hiring as many anglers to be a part of their marketing teams as they have in the past.  

Company marketing plans have changed and this all started when the old FLW Tour went under in 2019, followed in 2021 when FLW was absorbed by MLF (Major League Fishing). This has changed the landscape of professional bass fishing as anglers try to make a living.

Recently with a smaller market of sponsors for anglers to choose from, along with a tight economy, professional anglers are having to look at other ways to raise money in order to support their families, pay for entry fees and travel expenses. It has slowly become the land of the haves and the have nots. 

By that I mean, if you have money or come from money, you stand a better chance of making it as a professional angler than someone who is strapped for dollars, sleeping in their truck, and fishing for pay checks. 

The older generation of anglers who have helped make the sport what it is today are now being phased out by a younger generation that requires less money to sponsor. 

Let me explain. For years companies would hire professional anglers to do commercials and promote different products they offer. But as social media began to take hold, companies started turning to the younger generation due to their social media skills and their ability to navigate the web.

The difference between the older generation of anglers and the younger ones is that companies were having to pay a substantial amount of money to the older guys. The younger anglers, who are very social media savvy, are less demanding and will do promotions for pennies on the dollar or maybe a product exchange. 

This has changed the landscape for how professional anglers can make a living. Companies today want anglers who understand the dynamics of social media, can sell a product, and have good communication skills. Just winning tournaments is not enough any longer.

So where is all of this headed? Is the future dream of being a professional bass fisherman still a reality? Major League Fishing has recently cut the number of anglers in its circuit down from 65 to 51, eliminating 15 anglers! 

This of course helps with distribution of the so-called pie as there are now less anglers trying to lock down sponsors. I personally believe that anglers are going to have to reach out to sponsors that are not related to the fishing world like the FLW Tour did back in the early 2000s. 

FLW did an excellent job of bringing in companies like Tide, Snickers, Land of Lakes, Castrol Oil, Kellogg’s and Walmart. They basically followed the same marketing plan as NASCAR by reaching out to non-endemic sponsors. 

Being a professional bass angler is a great way to make a living and a dream for so many! Currently, there are a lot of questions as to what direction professional bass fishing is headed. 

But there’s one thing that has remained constant in this profession. Young anglers today face the same challenges that the older generation faced — how to make money and provide for their families! 

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