July 15, 2026
Ernest Smith, 56, (homeless), was arrested for remaining after being forbidden.
Aiman Alchalan, 35, of Winnfield, was arrested for domestic abuse battery (strangulation), child endangerment, false imprisonment, and possession of a firearm or carrying a concealed weapon by a felon.

July 16, 2026
Randall Vines, 47, of Winnfield, was arrested for failure to appear and direct contempt of court.
Damien Brown, 26, of Winnfield, was arrested for simple criminal damage to property.
Tiliah Davis, 25, of Winnfield, was arrested for simple criminal damage to property.
Jerry McGill, 29, of Petal, Miss., was arrested for simple battery.
William Wright, 22, of Tuscola, Texas, was arrested for simple battery.

July 21, 2026
Tabatha Ann Whatley, 30, of Winnfield, was arrested for careless operation and operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
Kade Busher, 23, of Natchitoches, was arrested for direct contempt of court.
Damien Brown, 26, of Natchitoches, was arrested for direct contempt of court.

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.

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Arrest Report

7/13/26 James Hanson W/M 46- Failure to Appear x2

7/14/26 Nathaniel Lamkin W/M 28 – Domestic Abuse Battery

7/15/26 Billy Finn W/M 28 -Criminal Trespass

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.

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District Attorney Chris Nevils has announced the latest criminal case dispositions from the Eighth Judicial District Court, with guilty pleas and sentencing handed down in multiple cases heard between July 6 and July 10, 2026.

July 6, 2026

Melissa Billingsley pleaded guilty to resisting an officer. The court deferred sentencing and placed Billingsley on two years of unsupervised probation, along with fines, court costs, probation fees, and a fee to the Office of Public Defender.

Joseph Glenn Denis pleaded guilty to aggravated assault with a firearm. He received a 10-year hard labor sentence, with execution of the sentence suspended, followed by five years of supervised probation through the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections.

Kenneth Ray Richards Jr. pleaded guilty to careless operation of a motor vehicle, possession of a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance, and obstruction of justice by tampering with evidence. He was sentenced to six months of incarceration, to be served consecutively.

Michael Dean Shows pleaded guilty to false imprisonment and possession of less than two grams of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance. He was sentenced to six months for the false imprisonment conviction and one year at hard labor for the drug conviction, with the sentences to be served consecutively.

Kevin James Wright Jr. pleaded guilty to first-offense battery of a dating partner. He was sentenced to six months in jail and received credit for time served.

July 7, 2026

John Thomas Clifton pleaded guilty to simple burglary. He received a five-year hard labor sentence, which was suspended, and was placed on three years of supervised probation.

Stafford W. Dauzat Jr. pleaded guilty to first-offense possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal mischief. The court deferred sentencing and ordered two years of probation, fines, court costs, prosecution costs, probation fees, and 25 hours of community service.

Reginald G. Ford pleaded guilty to third-offense operating a vehicle while intoxicated (DWI). He was sentenced to two years at hard labor, to be served consecutively.

Michael Dewayne Walker pleaded guilty to simple battery. He was sentenced to six months in jail with credit for time served.

July 9, 2026

Joseph Blake Audirsch pleaded guilty to criminal trespass. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail with credit for time served.

Joseph A. Beason pleaded guilty to entry on or remaining in places or land after being forbidden. He received a six-month suspended sentence, two years of probation, and was ordered to pay fines, court costs, probation fees, and a fee to the Office of Public Defender.

July 10, 2026

Kyle Michael Carpenter pleaded guilty to possession of less than two grams of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance. He was sentenced to two years at hard labor with credit for time served.

Steven Dewayne Flannigan pleaded guilty to simple battery. He received a six-month suspended sentence, two years of probation, and was ordered to pay fines, court costs, prosecution costs, probation fees, and a fee to the Office of Public Defender.

Jacob J. Kelly pleaded guilty to possession of between two and 28 grams of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance. He was sentenced to five years at hard labor, with the sentence suspended, followed by five years of supervised probation.

Jacob Wade Lott pleaded guilty to first-offense possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana (Schedule I controlled dangerous substance). He was sentenced to 15 days in jail with credit for time served.

Joshua Wade Searcy pleaded guilty to distribution of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance. He was sentenced to five years at hard labor with credit for time served.

Randell Neal Vines pleaded guilty to possession of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance. The court deferred imposition of sentence and placed Vines on three years of supervised probation through the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections.

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WINN PARISH — Residents should prepare for an extended stretch of hot and mostly dry weather, with temperatures climbing into the upper 90s and even reaching the triple digits this week, according to the National Weather Service.

The hottest day of the forecast is expected to be Wednesday, when temperatures will soar to around 101 degrees. While a light northeast breeze will develop during the afternoon, it will provide little relief from the intense summer heat.

Extended Forecast

Wednesday: Sunny and hot with a high near 101°. Light and variable winds becoming northeast at 5 to 10 mph during the afternoon. Overnight low around 76° under mostly clear skies.

Thursday: Sunny and hot with a high near 96°. Mostly clear Thursday night with a low around 74°.

Friday: Mostly sunny and hot with a high near 97°. Partly cloudy Friday night with a low around 75°.

Saturday: Mostly sunny and hot with a high near 97°. Partly cloudy overnight with a low around 76°.

Sunday: Mostly sunny and hot with a high near 97°. Mostly clear Sunday night with a low around 76°.

Monday: Sunny and hot with a high near 99°.

With several consecutive days of extreme heat expected, residents are encouraged to stay hydrated, limit outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day, wear lightweight clothing, and check on elderly family members, neighbors, and anyone without reliable air conditioning.

The National Weather Service also reminds the public to never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles, as interior temperatures can become deadly in just a matter of minutes.

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The Kiwanis Club of Winnfield welcomed Winn Parish Sheriff Josh McAllister as its guest speaker during a recent weekly luncheon meeting. Sheriff McAllister was introduced by Dr. Gaddis and provided members and guests with an in-depth update on the parish’s current law enforcement initiatives, technological upgrades, and community-focused programs.

The presentation kicked off with some good-natured banter when Sheriff McAllister joked that Dr. Gaddis was actually disappointed in him—explaining that the club had really wanted to invite Ruby Jean, the Sheriff’s Office’s newest single-purpose narcotics K-9 officer. Ruby Jean was unable to attend due to a vet checkup for minor heat dehydration after extensive training, but the Sheriff assured everyone she was recovering well and eager to get back on duty.

Joined by special guest Rev. Brian McAllister, newly called pastor at First Baptist Church, Sheriff McAllister addressed the club regarding the ongoing progress of the Sheriff’s Office heading into his third year in office.

During his presentation, Sheriff McAllister highlighted several key areas of progress for the parish:

Lower Crime Rates & Faster Response:

Recent statistical evaluations show violent crime in Winn Parish sits at 56% below the national average, with property crime 85% below the national average. By restructuring patrol zones, response times across rural parts of the parish have been reduced to 6–10 minutes.

Narcotics Task Force Success:

Targeted investigations have led to major narcotics seizures, keeping hundreds of thousands of dangerous fentanyl doses off parish streets.

Jail Workforce & Rehabilitation:

Rather than costly work-release facilities, the Sheriff’s Office utilizes a local workforce program. Inmates convicted of non-violent offenses work with the parish police jury, litter control crews, and the local animal shelter to foster skills and community integration prior to release.

Community & School Safety:

School Resource Officers (SROs) remain active across every public school in Winn Parish at no expense to the local school board. Local pastors and registered nurses check in on elderly residents, while the Sheriff’s Office maintains its official mobile app for real-time public emergency alerts and community updates.

Animal Control:

The department’s newly constructed shelter facility is located at the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Detention Center, where staff and workforce inmates actively manage stray and nuisance animals in partnership with the local humane society.

Following his operational overview, Sheriff McAllister answered questions from club members regarding the use of License Plate Readers (LPRs) for tracking stolen vehicles. He also discussed ongoing operations at the Winn Correctional Center, which is operated by LaSalle Corrections and primarily houses ICE detainees and undocumented immigrants.

The Kiwanis Club expressed its appreciation to Sheriff McAllister for his detailed report and continued service to the citizens of Winn Parish.

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East Winnfield Baptist Church announces that the theme of its 2026 Vacation Bible School program will be the Veggie Tales-inspired “The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything.”  It’s coming up soon, set for next Monday through Friday, July 27 through July 31.

VBS organizers are calling all heroes to “Hoist the mainstay and set sail on a high-seas Bible adventure.”  Youngsters ages Pre-K 4 (potty-trained) through 6^th grade are invited to come to this VBS as a fun break just in time before school begins this fall.  They’ll enjoy Bible lessons, music, crafts, skits, games and snacks.  VBS Commencement will be held Sunday evening, August 2 at 5 p.m.

All this will take place act East Winnfield Baptist Church nightly from 6:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.  The church is located at 6584 Hwy 34 N in Joyce, just north of the flashing light. 

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Winnfield cowboy Kayson Lasyone has earned one of youth rodeo’s most prestigious titles, claiming the 2026 International Finals Youth Rodeo (IFYR) Team Roping Championship alongside partner Jacob Stansbury of Santa Fe, Texas.

The championship was won during the 34th Annual International Finals Youth Rodeo, held July 12-17 at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The IFYR is recognized as one of the world’s richest and most prestigious youth rodeo events, attracting nearly 1,000 competitors from across the United States and several other countries to compete for championship titles and more than $250,000 in prize money.

Lasyone and Stansbury entered the championship round tied for second place after posting qualifying runs of 5.7 seconds and 6.2 seconds. When the pressure was at its highest, the duo delivered a 5.60-second run in the championship round, finishing with a three-head aggregate time of 17.5 seconds to secure the IFYR Team Roping Championship.

The victory places Lasyone among an elite group of youth rodeo champions and highlights the strength of Louisiana’s rodeo talent on the national stage.

The International Finals Youth Rodeo has served as a proving ground for future professional rodeo competitors for more than three decades, bringing together many of the top young athletes in events including team roping, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, and more.

For Winn Parish, Lasyone’s championship is another source of local pride, as the young cowboy has demonstrated the dedication, skill, and composure needed to succeed against some of the nation’s best youth rodeo competitors.

The championship buckle and title mark a significant milestone in Lasyone’s rodeo career and add an international championship to his growing list of accomplishments.

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Louisiana’s youth employment certificate process has changed and is now managed by Louisiana Works.

Under the updated process, employers are responsible for issuing work permits and verifying a minor’s age. Schools will no longer issue work permits or employment certificates.

Employers must use the new Louisiana Works Employment Certificate.

Louisiana Works also reminded schools that access to the Louisiana Works Employment Certificate System will end July 24, 2026.

The update is intended to provide important information for parents, students, employers and school partners preparing for youth employment.

Questions may be directed to EmploymentCertificate@la.gov or by calling 225-342-2683.

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The Domestic Abuse Resistance Team (DART) will host its 2026 annual conference, titled “Collaboration Is the KEY: Building Stronger Community Partnerships to End Domestic Violence,” on Thursday, Aug. 20, at the Ruston Civic Center.

The full-day training event is designed to bring together community partners, service providers, and local advocates to strengthen collective efforts in preventing and addressing domestic violence across the region.

WHAT: DART 2026 “Collaboration Is the KEY” Conference

THEME: Building Stronger Community Partnerships to End Domestic Violence

WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026 | 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

WHERE: Ruston Civic Center, Ruston, LA

REGISTRATION: Registration is currently open.

Media Opportunity & Coverage Details

• Visuals/Audio: Keynote remarks, training sessions, and networking opportunities among regional community leaders and advocacy groups.
• Interviews: DART leadership and representatives will be available on-site for interviews regarding local domestic violence prevention initiatives and partnership efforts.

About DART

The Domestic Abuse Resistance Team (DART) provides comprehensive outreach, support, and education services to individuals and families impacted by domestic violence throughout North Louisiana.

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If I have learned nothing else over my many years of tournament bass fishing, it’s the fact that it’s a young man’s sport. Being young has its privileges, especially when it comes to energy levels and mobility. At the age of 65, I no longer hop around the boat like a rat on crack. 

Now I’m a little more cautious in making sure I don’t hang a toe getting up on the front deck of my Caymas boat.  I’m just trying to maintain my balance and make sure that I don’t fall in the lake! 

I’ve also noticed that the older I have gotten, the further it seems to be from the driver’s seat console to the front of my boat. Just putting the trolling motor in the water also requires a little more energy now, even with high-tech lift-assist-systems that trolling motors have today. 

Even tying on a new lure can be a challenge as I need my reading glasses just to see what I’m doing. Threading fishing line through the eye of a hook requires skill that used to be automatic; now it’s an adventure and a test of my patience! 

One aspect that today’s young anglers seem to do a better job of is covering water and fishing as many places as they can in a day’s time. Older guys tend to stay in one area longer and fish it thoroughly just because we don’t want to take the time or exert the energy to move. 

I have also noticed the younger generation of today are not very likely to offer much help for the older guys who might be launching their boats by themselves. 

This was something I was always conscious of during my younger days. If I saw an older gentleman trying to launch his boat by himself, I always offered a helping hand. I think it’s just the way my generation was raised, to always be looking out for the elderly.

Even today, and now that I’m the older guy at the ramp, I’ll still offer ANY angler assistance. It’s just good manners.

In today’s tournament world, I find myself trying to stay in better shape just so I can compete with these young guns. To compete on any tournament trail, you must spend time on the water. 

A good angler will practice 8-10 hours a day in the boat trying to locate as many schools of bass as he can. It’s not uncommon for the really good anglers to practice from sunup to sundown. Again, nothing will make you a better angler than time on the water! 

These are the anglers who will not only cash more checks but will also be holding up the trophy at the end of the tournament. You cannot compete in today’s bass fishing world by taking shortcuts or only fishing for a few hours a day, no matter how good you think you are. 

Another issue at my age is that some days, fishing is literally a grind and a test of your patience. The bass don’t always bite all day long and there are only a few small windows of opportunity where the bass will feed. If you’re not on the water, you will miss those opportunities. 

There will be some days that you will ask yourself, “Why am I out here?”  But these are the days that will separate the good anglers from the average ones. The good anglers will stay on the lake and make every attempt to figure out how to make the fish bite. 

This is called persistence and determination, which can go a long way in having tournament success. It’s also called focus, which I find is a lot harder to maintain as I’ve gotten older. Focus ensures that you don’t miss those windows of opportunity when you get that unexpected bite. 

One thing that has not changed, even at the age of 65, is my desire to compete. I’m still that same competitive soul who gets so much joy in a high finish and beating the younger generation. We’ve all heard, age is just a number. That’s true until you reach what you think is that age …then reality sets in.

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

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Mr. Julian Franklin (Jay) Howell Jr., age 80 of Dodson, LA passed away July 19, 2026 at Autumn Leaves Nursing Home. He was member of Full Gospel Temple in Jonesboro and was a retired dispatcher for Bell Trucking where he worked for many years. Jay was the son of the late Julian Franklin Howell and Rebecca Deese Howell. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Janice Howell, son Bryan Lasyone, sisters

Patricia Jacobs and Freida Brown and great-grandson Lincoln Brister. Those left to cherish his memory include his sons Patrick Howell (Kourtney) of Atlanta, Terry Howell (Melissa) of Danville, Shannon Lasyone (Amber) of Alvin, TX, daughter Debbie Melton of Dodson, and daughter-in-law Margaret Lasyone of Weston. Jay also leaves behind 11 grandchildren: Brieanna Howell, Peyton Howell, Chris Kennedy, Jamie Brister, Amanda Parks, Kelli Melton, Cody Melton, Katie Boyett, Sean Lasyone, Colby Lasyone and Dustin Lasyone as well as 12 great-grandchildren and siblings: Willie Howell, Robert Howell, Mary Oliver, Jenny Vines, Gloria Harkins and Bert Howell as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held in the chapel of Southern Funeral Home on July 22, 2026 at 2:00 pm. with Bro. David Wilson and Bro. Author Robinson officiating. Interment will follow at Cypress Creek Cemetery in Dodson, LA.

Friends visited with the family in the funeral home on Tuesday, July 21st from 5:00 to 8:00 pm and can again on Wednesday, July 22nd from 12:00 until 2:00 pm.

Serving the family as pallbearers will be Kevin Howell, Larry Howell, Chad Harkins, Marshal Brown, Bert Howell Jr., and Willie Howell, Jr. Honorary Pallbearers will be Leroy James, Shelby Bonnette, Toby Gorham and Chad Bowen.

The family extends a special thank you to Nadia Starks and Autumn Leaves Nursing Home, Hand-In-Hand Hospice and Dr. Mark Shelton for their care of Jay during his illness.

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July 22 marks one of the most famous days in American crime history.

On July 22, 1934, notorious bank robber John Dillinger was shot and killed by federal agents outside the Biograph Theater in Chicago after leaving a movie. His death ended one of the nation’s most highly publicized manhunts during the Great Depression.

Dillinger became one of America’s most infamous outlaws after a string of bank robberies, jail escapes and confrontations with law enforcement across the Midwest. Newspapers closely followed his crimes, turning him into a household name at a time when many Americans were struggling through economic hardship.

Federal authorities tracked Dillinger to the theater after receiving information from an informant. As he exited the building, agents attempted to arrest him. When he tried to flee, he was shot and killed.

The event marked a significant moment in the history of federal law enforcement. The pursuit of Dillinger helped elevate the public profile of what would become the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) under Director J. Edgar Hoover and led to increased attention on interstate crime-fighting efforts.

More than 90 years later, Dillinger’s story continues to be the subject of books, documentaries and films, making July 22 a notable date in American history.

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In the early months of 1915, New York policemen knew unsavory characters had been living rent free in the dilapidated and seemingly abandoned building across the street from their station house in Brooklyn.  Finally, in late April, construction workers began demolishing the old building.  Only then did the policemen realize the scope of their problem.  As each floor was systematically disassembled, the unwelcome tenants just moved closer to street level.  The tenants that left the building took up residence in adjoining buildings or lived in the street.  They even began occupying the police station itself.  When policemen chased one away, it seemed that two or three more would take its place.  The New York Times reported, “Policemen who have faced all kinds of danger unflinchingly do not hesitate to say that it makes them feel decidedly uncomfortable.” That was an understatement.  The problem with the unwelcome tenants was out of control.  It affected all of the policemen in one way or another.  Some were unable to eat properly.  Others were unable to get a good night’s sleep.  Their work performance waned.  The whole area was going to pot.  The problem was not relegated to a single station house.  Other New York police station houses including Morrisania Police Station, Alexander Avenue station, and West 152d Street station were facing similar crises.               

In May 1915, the New York City Police Department added more than 100 new officers from a certain local tribe whose sole purpose was to rid their areas of the unwanted tenants by any means necessary.  A team of new officers at the Morrisania Police Station was led by an officer named Peter whom that station’s Lieutenant Peter Brady had adopted and named after himself years earlier.  In some cases, the police department filled the position by using the local homeless population, which solved two problems at the same time.  At the Alexander Avenue station, one new officer was not only homeless but nameless as well.  At the time of the New Yok Times’s report, the other officers at the Alexander Avenue station were trying to come up with a name for him.  One of the new officers at the Brooklyn Station who was described as being large and battle-scarred took the “by any means necessary” portion of his orders to heart.  The New York Times reported, “No count was kept of the number of [them] which [he] dispatched, but those he failed to slay he routed completely from the station house, so terrifying them that, according to the police, [none] since has had the temerity to show his nose in the place.”  With the help of the new officers, the crisis of the New York Police Department was resolved.  Why have you not heard of this murdering cop or his fellow officers who certainly performed similar atrocities against the unwelcome tenants?  They were from, as the New York Times reported, the “Feline Tribe.”  Those police officers and the unwelcome tenants were respectively… cats and rats.        

Source: New York Times, May 7, 1915, p. 23.

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Julian Franklin Howell Jr.
July 24, 1945 — July 19, 2026
Service: Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 2pm at Southern Funeral Home, Winnfield.

Randy Cotten
November 26, 1949 — July 16, 2026
Service: Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 12:15pm at Mars Hill Cemetery, Atlanta, LA. 

Winn Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or bill@journalservicesllc.com. Must be paid in advance of publication. Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to WinnNewsLa@gmail.com