The February 17^th Kiwanis meeting guest speaker was Dr. Troy Bell, Superintendent of Schools for Winn Parish. Dr. Bell and his wife have 4 children between them and 3 grandchildren. They live in Kelly, La and she works for a bank in Columbia. Her commute is shorter than his and that’s alright.

He started in education at the age of 38 and has been in education for 21 years. He began coaching and teaching math which is not what a coach normally teaches but he says he is a math nerd. He taught and coached in Caldwell parish and was in the Franklin parish Central office. In Franklin parish he did every job which was helpful in preparing him to be Superintendent. His doctorate is in theological education and ministry. 

Both Caldwell and Franklin are similar to Winn in that they are rural areas but he said Winn has more community involvement.

He was hired on September 2, 2025 and worked with Al Simmons during the time of transition and Simmon’s retirement. Simmon’s was very helpful to him and answered his numerous questions.

The school enrollment for 2025-26 is 1567. This number has decreased by 200 over the last 6 years. There is a general decline across the nation not just in Winn parish. Only 2 school districts out of 69 districts in Louisiana have increased. Those districts are Lincoln(Ruston) and Calcasieu(Lake Charles). Our district receives $6800 per student in MFP funds. The decline in enrollment has cost $1.6 million in funds. If the enrollment continues to decline there will have to be adjustments made just like in any other business or household. One reason for the decline in enrollment is virtual school, home school and private schools. There are many options for parents for schooling. If a student is enrolled in virtual school their MFP money goes to that virtual school. Seventy per cent of money received has to be spent on instruction.

The Winn Parish school system has 300 employees of which 115 are teachers. The general fund budget is $15 million and the total budget is $20 million. There is no money paid for Pre K students because Pre K is not required. The teachers are paid through grants.

In academics there will be a new system for grading schools next year.  Schools are basically graded on ELA (English and Language Arts) and Math. It will grade the growth of the student.

A question was asked about the 4 day school week whether it was beneficial or detrimental. Bell said Caldwell parish schools have had a 4 day school week for over 20 years so it was not new to him.

There is less time in the classroom which is not necessarily good however it is better for teacher recruitment. It is a way to attract teachers because the pay is not as good as other parishes. But there are several other parishes in our area who have gone to a 4 days school week. We have 88% certified teachers and there are currently no teacher openings in Winn Parish.

A question was also asked about employees of the Central office. Most of them are paid through grants and they do more than one job. They are of great benefit to the teachers according to our Kiwanis teacher.

The Kiwanis club appreciated Superintendent Bell coming to speak to us and giving us information that helps us understand our school system better.

Former Winnfield Mayor George Moss has officially announced his candidacy for Mayor, citing experience, steady leadership, and a continued commitment to the future of the city.

Moss previously served as Mayor of Winnfield during one of the most challenging periods in recent history. His administration guided the city through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hurricane Laura, and two significant winter ice storms. During those crises, Moss worked closely with federal, state and local officials to maintain essential services, protect public safety, all while bringing the city into financial stability. 

“In times of uncertainty, leadership matters,” Moss said. “I am proud of how our community came together during some of the most difficult days Winnfield has faced. We worked hard to keep our city functioning, informed, and prepared.”

Throughout his previous term, Moss emphasized fiscal responsibility, infrastructure maintenance, and cooperation among city departments. He also worked to strengthen relationships with parish, state, and federal partners to secure resources when the community needed them most.

Now, Moss says he is ready to serve again.

“Our city has strong potential,” he said. “Winnfield deserves experienced, steady leadership that understands both the challenges and the opportunities before us. I am committed to listening to our citizens, supporting our businesses, and continuing the work necessary to move Winnfield forward.”

Moss expressed gratitude for the support he has already received and said he looks forward to visiting with residents throughout the campaign.

The election date and qualifying period will be announced according to the official election calendar.

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Residents across Winn Parish can expect warm temperatures and mostly cloudy skies through midweek, with rain chances gradually increasing heading into the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

Wednesday will bring mostly cloudy conditions with a high near 79 degrees. Southwest winds between 5 and 10 mph are expected, with gusts reaching up to 20 mph at times.

Cloud cover will continue Wednesday night, with overnight temperatures falling to around 61 degrees.

Rain chances return Thursday, with a 20 percent chance of showers developing after noon. Skies will remain mostly cloudy, and temperatures will climb to near 80 degrees. A slight chance of showers will continue into Thursday night, with lows around 59.

Friday will remain warm, with partly sunny skies and a 20 percent chance of showers. The daytime high is expected to reach near 79 degrees. Rain chances increase Friday night, with a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms and overnight lows dropping to around 56.

The likelihood of rain continues to rise into Saturday, when there is a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Despite the rain chances, skies will become mostly sunny at times, with cooler temperatures and a high near 73 degrees. Saturday night will bring a continued 40 percent chance of showers and a noticeable drop in temperatures, with lows around 44 degrees.

Conditions are expected to improve by Sunday, with mostly sunny skies returning and cooler temperatures, as the high reaches near 65 degrees.

Residents are encouraged to stay weather aware, especially heading into the weekend when thunderstorm chances increase.

The Winnfield Primary School held their fifth 4-H meeting on Jan.13. The meeting was called to order by the president, Laila E. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Zaylee B. and the 4-H pledge was led by Cecila C. The secretary read the minutes from the last meeting and the reporter read the news article.

We had two demonstrations. The first one was led by Ellie F. She talked about how to apply makeup. Step 1 was to ask a grown up, followed by step 2: washing your face and step 3 applying the make-up. She said to make sure to clean your brushes regularly and to remember that a little bit goes a long way. Pick soft colors for every day use and save the bright ones for parties. Lastly, it is important to wash your face off at night.

Della, the wildlife agent, did a demonstration on a place in Arkansas that rescues big cats. Many different cats get rescued by the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. There the cats get toys, water, food and many other things to keep them healthy and entertained. Each cat there has a name and story. We learned that big cats are not pets.

The educational program was conducted by our 4-H agents Mr.Donny and Mrs. Bethany. They taught us about how to put together a healthy plate of food using the “My Plate” as a guide. Each plate meal should include grains, fruit, dairy, and protein. We shared our ideas with each other of what we could put on a healthy plate for each category.

Our club supported the local food pantry during the month of January by collecting 45 packs of spaghetti and 28 cans of pork & beans. We also added 11 more cans of spaghetti sauces.
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February 18 marks the birthday of Toni Morrison, one of the most influential literary figures in American history and a towering voice in African American culture. Born in 1931, Morrison reshaped how Black stories were told, studied, and valued, leaving a permanent mark not only on literature but on pop culture, education, and national conversations about race and identity.

Morrison’s novels centered Black life with depth, complexity, and honesty at a time when those perspectives were often marginalized or excluded altogether. Works such as Beloved, The Bluest Eye, and Song of Solomon explored themes of history, trauma, love, and resilience, challenging readers to confront uncomfortable truths about America’s past and present.

While Morrison’s work is frequently studied in academic settings, her cultural influence extends far beyond classrooms. Her storytelling style, which blended folklore, realism, and lyrical prose, has inspired filmmakers, musicians, and writers across genres. References to her work appear in song lyrics, visual art, and modern television narratives that focus on generational memory and identity.

February 18 offers a moment to reflect on how Morrison helped redefine whose stories mattered. In 1993, she became the first Black woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, a milestone that elevated African American voices on the global stage. Her achievement wasn’t just personal — it signaled a broader recognition of Black literature as essential to understanding the human experience.

Morrison was also deeply engaged in popular discourse. Her interviews, essays, and public speeches were widely shared and quoted, especially during periods of heightened racial tension in the United States. She had a rare ability to speak with clarity and authority while remaining accessible, making her a cultural figure whose influence reached well beyond literary circles.

Even after her passing in 2019, Morrison’s presence in pop culture continues to grow. Book clubs, social media discussions, and film adaptations have introduced her work to new generations of readers. Quotes from her novels regularly circulate online, often used to frame conversations about justice, beauty, and self-worth.

As Black History Month continues, February 18 stands as a reminder of the power of storytelling — and of Toni Morrison’s role in ensuring African American stories were not only told, but honored.

A celebration of Life for Mr. Michael “Mickel” Jones, Sr. will be Saturday February 21, 2026 at 2 p.m. at the Greater Neal Temple C.O.G.I.C. 286 Old Alexandria Rd. Winnfield, La 71483. A public viewing will be at 1:00 p.m. until the time of service.

Please continue to be prayerful for this family during their time of bereavement.

This winter has been a banner season for the dogs digging holes in the yard. With no grass to slow them down, they’ve taken to excavation like they’re auditioning for a canine episode of Gold Rush. They dig with abandon—pure, unfiltered joy. They’ve discovered a corner of the yard where two fences meet, a natural low spot that practically whispers, “Come on boys… dig here.” And they have obeyed that whisper with religious devotion.

Their digging has become a daily game: they dig, and I fill. They dig again, and I fill again. It’s our own little liturgy of futility. The hole is impressive—honestly, at this point I think the city should consider it for historical landmark status. They’ve even tunneled under the fencepost. Every day I stand there with my shovel, muttering, “Surely this time I’ve filled it,” and every day the dogs look back at me like, “Bless your heart.”

The other day, while filling the hole for the 47th time (give or take), I noticed it seemed to stretch out into the field behind the house. That was odd. I tried to imagine the position the dog must have been in to dig beyond the fence—some kind of canine yoga pose, no doubt.

Curiosity got the best of me, so I walked around to the other side. And there it was: a matching hole. My dogs weren’t just digging a hole—they were digging a two-sided hole. A collaborative, multi-campus excavation project. Most dogs dig under a fence to escape the yard. Mine? They dig under the fence and then keep digging on the other side, not to escape, but because the hole itself is the joy. They could have run free, explored the world, chased squirrels in new zip codes… but no. They stayed focused on digging the best hole ever dug in that backyard.

They are on a perfect hole-digging mission.

And it makes me wonder: what about your life? Do you have that kind of focus and tenacity as you try to live out your purpose?

Or—and let’s be honest here—are you more like the rest of us, digging a hole on one side of the fence, then walking around and digging the same hole from the other side? We don’t always need help escaping our problems. Sometimes we need help stopping the digging.

That raises the real question: what is your purpose in living? There’s a place called the church, and on Sunday mornings we help you wrestle with that question. We help you find direction, hope, and meaning.

And yes—many times—we help you climb out of the very hole you’ve dug for yourself.

Because unlike my dogs, you don’t have to keep digging. You really can step into a bigger world.

And we’d love to help you do it.

Remember when canceling cable was supposed to save us money? This week’s cartoon takes a playful jab at the modern household budget, where the “Streaming Services” column somehow rivals the mortgage. With platforms multiplying faster than passwords can be remembered, viewers may be wondering if they traded one big bill for five smaller ones that add up even faster. It’s a lighthearted look at subscription overload in the age of endless content — and endless monthly charges.

Well, here we go again! Only a month and a half into the new year and controversy prevails in the bass tournament world. After a 2025 season full of controversy and one disqualification after another, in the first tournament of the year on Sam Rayburn, once again we have another disqualified winner. As a tournament angler myself, I’m not even sure I can put this into words.

Are you kidding me? Why and how does the BFL (Cowboy Division) season start off with someone breaking the rules? I would say I’m surprised, but with so many disqualifications this past season, I’m not.

I’m beyond the shock value of someone getting caught cheating or failing a polygraph. This was something that basically never happened from when I started tournament fishing (1990) till 2020. But over the last six years, it’s becoming the norm, especially in 2025.

So many anglers today either can’t read or they’re just plain dumb. Tournament bass fishing is not a difficult sport to understand. It’s really quite simple; as an angler all you have to do is READ THE RULES!

I have been a part of the tournament bass fishing world for over 30 years and never have I seen so many rule breakers and cheaters! Anglers who are willing to do whatever it takes to get into the winner’s circle or cash a check.

The sport has acquired a “win at all costs” mentality. But what’s making me nervous is there seems to be a trend that’s taking place in ALL bass tournament circuits nationwide. Is this a reflection on our society or just the fact that so many anglers feel the odds are in their favor when it comes to NOT getting caught?

Some bass fishing trails offer random polygraphs to a handful of anglers in the tournament no matter what their place of finish. It’s normal for the first-place angler to take a polygraph while other anglers are selected at random by computer.

There are some organizations that don’t offer polygraph testing due to the cost involved with paying an examiner. These are events that I tend to shy away from, as I’ve seen first-hand that there are anglers out there that will cheat even on a local weeknight three-hour tournament for a $200 first place prize.

On a sadder note, one angler this past year got caught cheating in a Fisher’s of Men tournament! An organization that is basically an outreach program to bring anglers closer to Christ.

If you asked those who have cheated why they did it, if they’re honest, I’ll bet it wasn’t just about the money, but more about being recognized as one of the best anglers in their region. Like so many other athletes in sports, it’s all about their ego!

Now understand this, there is a difference between a cheater and rule breaker. Not all violations fall under the category of cheaters. For example, all anglers are required to wear a lifejacket when the big engine is running or the boat is on plane so, if an angler forgets to put on his lifejacket while running from point A to point B, he’s not cheating, but rather he has broken a rule.

Webster defines a “cheater” as someone who violates rules dishonestly. Bass tournament organizations define it as someone who knowingly decided to break a rule on purpose with the intent of gaining a competitive advantage.

So, where are we in terms of getting rid of the cheaters in a bass tournament? First, there must be severe consequences for those that choose to cheat instead of playing by the rules.

Second, tournament organizations and judges must make examples out of these low-lifes by prosecuting them to the fullest extent of the law. After all, once they walk across that stage and receive a check, they’ve just committed fraud.

It’s also up the anglers themselves to help police these bass tournaments by reporting anything they see that would be considered breaking a rule or cheating during the tournament.

If you see suspicious activity like an angler putting fish in a basket under a dock or you find bass that have been tied to a stump on a shallow flat, make sure to report all suspicious activity to the tournament director immediately.

We can only hope that one day anglers will show more integrity and honesty by following the rules. After all, it’s only a bass tournament, not a matter of life and death.

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

CALVIN (Top Photo): left to right: Rogan Carroway, Kaycie Holmes, Evelyn Maricelli, Kenna Bonnette, Nikki Mercer. Kiwanian: Margaret Coon, Teacher Kim Dupree, Principal Justin Tinsley

DODSON: left to right: Gracie McBride, PJ Cardoza, Fallyn Coleman, Kathrynn Vines, Jolie Boothe.  Principal Wendy Miller and Kiwanian Rita James

WINNFIELD PRIMARY SCHOOL

Kindergarten: left to right: Kobi Holmes, Wesley Tarver, Marco King-Armstrong.
Principal Byron King and Kiwanian Ethel Howell

Grade 1: left to right: Ri’Leigh Starks, Skyleigh Spivey, Karmen Bloodsaw, Owen Griffin, D’Martae Burks.
Principal Byron King and Kiwanian Ethel Howell

Grade 2: left to right: Triton Coody, Bre’azia Fontenot, Madelyn Nation, Davionna Lamb.
Principal Byron King and Kiwanian Ethel Howell

Grade 3:  left to right: Jathen Brady, Kingsleigh Evans, Charlie Garcia.
Principal Byron King and Kiwanian Ethel Howell

Grade 4: left to right: Waylon Myers, Keymonie Jones, Karter Pennington, Tobius Brackett