The Domestic Abuse Resistance Team (DART) is recognizing April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, emphasizing education, prevention and support for victims across Winn Parish.

According to information provided by DART, sexual violence affects individuals of all genders, ages and backgrounds and includes any unwanted sexual contact or behavior carried out without consent. This can involve force, threats, manipulation or coercion.

The organization outlines multiple forms of sexual violence, including sexual assault, harassment, exploitation, trafficking and nonconsensual image sharing. Other behaviors, such as unwanted touching, public exposure and coercive acts, are also included under this definition.

DART officials note that social and cultural factors can contribute to sexual violence, including harmful norms, misuse of power and silence surrounding abuse. Prevention, they emphasize, requires community involvement at all levels — from homes and schools to workplaces and faith-based settings.

Consent remains a key component in preventing sexual violence. It must be freely given, informed and can be withdrawn at any time. DART stresses that consent is an ongoing dialogue, not a one-time agreement.

Statistics included in the report highlight the widespread impact of sexual violence. National data shows that nearly one in five women and one in 71 men in the United States have experienced rape or attempted rape. Additional data indicates varying rates among different demographic groups.

The report also notes that victims often know their attacker. Among adolescents who have been sexually assaulted, approximately 74% were harmed by someone they knew, while about 21% of cases involved a family member.

DART emphasizes that victims are never at fault. Factors such as clothing, behavior or alcohol consumption do not justify assault, and responsibility lies solely with the perpetrator.

Sexual violence is also widely underreported. Common reasons include fear of not being believed, retaliation, shame, outside pressure and distrust of law enforcement.

The organization stresses that the impact of sexual violence extends beyond individual survivors and affects entire communities.

Individuals seeking assistance are encouraged to contact the Winn Parish DART office at 301 West Main Street in Winnfield or call 318-648-0559 to connect with a local advocate.

The Natchitoches Jazz/R&B Festival, which is going to be held on the downtown riverbank May 15-16 has released its schedule for its 29^th Festival, and as usual, it is chocked full with artists for just about every musical taste, including Jazz, R&B (of course), Country, Rock & Roll, Soul, Gospel, Folk, Blues, Zydeco and much more.  

This year’s headliner is multiplatinum Country superstar, Joe Nichols, who will appear on the main stage beginning at 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 16.  Preceding Nichols will be American Idol runner up and Louisiana native John Foster at 7 p.m., local and regional favorites and Louisiana Music Hall of Fame members Johnny Earthquake and the Moondogs at 5:25 p.m., hit making R&B/Soul singer, Tiffany Rachal at 3:40 p.m., Natchitoches’ own Country music legend and Curb Recording artist Trini Triggs at 2:35 p.m., with the music being kicked off on the Main Stage by Zydeco legend, Gerard Delafose.  

There will be over 15 bands on three stages with the schedule for the Fleur De Lis Stage and Roque House Stage listed below.  For the first time ever there will also be a Natchitoches Original Music Showcase Stage located at Beau Jardin.  That stage will feature mostly Natchitoches artists performing their original music.

The fun begins on Friday night with Tribute to Legends night which will begin with Led Zeppelin tribute band, The Zeppelin Project at 7 p.m. featuring a faithful recreation of the super group’s hits.

Prior to the Zeppelin, will be Waterloo, the nation’s premiere ABBA tribute act will faithfully create the 70’s Swedish super group’s concert, including dancers and a lights show.  Attendees are encouraged dress up and sing along.  

As always, there will be plenty of great food and kids’ activities at this family event.  For more information and to order tickets go to http://www.natchjazzfest.com

Fleur De Lis Stage

12:00 – 1:00 Snake Doctors.   Led by grizzled veteran, Ed Huey, this Natchitoches based Doctors prescription will be an eclectic blend of Blues, Jazz, Folk, with a little Rock & Roll and R&B thrown in.  You will hear things you’ve never heard before from this entertaining group.

1:10 – 2:10 The Luke Brouillette Jazz Trio (Traditional and Modern Jazz).  Led by guitarist Luke Brouillette, this trio which includes Sammy Nix on drums and Dion Pierre on bass will play through well-loved jazz standards featuring Swing, Latin, and Bebop.  Listen and watch while these virtuosos perform some righteous jazz.  

2:20 – 3:20 Deep Water Rehab – (Classic, Southern Rock, Country, Originals & Covers).  This Winnfield-based band covering Classic & Southern Rock, Country, and even some R&B tunes.  They’ll also be performing cuts from their album of original songs which recently dropped.

3:30 – 4:30 Gumbo Delux  – (R&B/Soul). This is a high-energy Shreveport based Soul/R&B group serving up a spicy mix of covers of great songs of yesterday and today.  

4:45 – 5:45 Junior the Third – (Blues and Jazz).  This Shreveport based trio started out as raw, stripped-down Blues and has stretched into something deeper, shaped by soulful jams, old standards, and the kind of feel you can’t fake.  Pulling from the well of Delta and Hill Country blues, they built a sound that’s less about polish and more about pocket.  

6:00 – 7:00 Becky Birdwell and the Shuffle Kings (Classic Rock/R&B/Country/Gospel).  Becky and her family band has been a fixture at the festival for many years and play a crowd-pleasing mixture of classic rock, R&B, Country with some gospel thrown in.   

Roque House Stage

1:00 – 2:00 The Amazing! Rhythm Disciples (Gospel/R&B/Rock/Country/Inspirational).   This Natchitoches-based Gospel/Inspiration group will perform an eclectic blend of secular and traditional gospel music which will include some Rock & Roll, Country, Rhythm & Blues and Contemporary Christian songs.  Their set includes some unique “Mash Ups” of traditional hymns with more modern secular music.  All of it, music with a message!  

2:10 – 3:10 Jenny & Kelli (Harmonious Rock, Covers, & Originals).  These popular Natchitoches songbirds play a rousing blend of songs that you know and love along with a few of their very own originals.  Every song will feature their spectacular angelic harmonies.   

3:20 – 4:20 Broken Peaces –  (Classic Rock).  This kind of a “Super Group,” made up of members of various bands who have come together to make some great high-energy music, focusing mainly on the Rock & Roll of the 70’s through the 90’s.  

4:35 – 5:35 Badd Apple – (Classic Rock/ R&B).  Led by local legend, Billy O’Con, featuring some of the finest musicians in north Louisiana, this rocking group will have everyone on their feet and dancing from the first note.  

5:50 – 6:50 Jester – (Rock and Blues).  This 3-piece high-energy band, exploding out of Bossier City is fronted by 13 year old guitar protégé and vocalist, Odin Cobb, and is fueled by the thunderous drive of a 17 year old drummer and locked in tight by a veteran bassist.  Don’t miss this highly entertaining act.  

Advance tickets may be purchased at http://www.natchjazzfest.com

On Monday, April 13, just a few days away, the public will be able to see first-hand Winnfield’s newest, tallest building complex, the new Winn Community Health Center at 407 W. Court Street.  The public is invited to the Grand Opening of the health center beginning at 11 a.m., announced CEO Deano Thornton. 

Construction of the impressive three-story, 52,000 square foot structure has seen it rise over the past two years to occupy a footprint between W. Lafayette and W. Court streets.  The building will house the expanded array of services of Winn Community Health Center as well as the seven-parish organizational support of Trinity Community Health Centers of Louisiana.

“Who would have thought that it would come to this when we first started talking about this kind of medical care for our community in 2005?” he said.  “We were funded in 2009, opened our doors July 1 that same year, outgrew that office and moved to our current location in 2011 and are now poised to move into this wonderful structure.”

Over those years, WCHC also expanded beyond its Winn Parish borders to seven parishes with 11 clinics and 60 school-based centers under the inclusive name of Trinity Community Health Centers of Louisiana.

“So how have we come so far?  I’ve always said that when you surround yourself with good people, good things happen,” Thornton continued.  “Our organization is made up of people who care about the well being of the folks in their community and it shows.  We’re in the business of taking care of people.  This is an amazing, state of the art facility which we’ve been proud to add to the heart of Winnfield.”

The Grand Opening for the general public is Monday, April 13, with activities beginning at 11 a.m.  Thornton said there will be a tent, music with a DJ, refreshments including Dana’s Pulled Pork Sandwiches and giveaways.  The following morning, Tuesday, April 14, medical services at the new center will commence.

Photos below give an early view of what awaits the public during Monday’s Open House:

The Winnfield Kiwanis Club will hold its annual scholarship fundraiser lunch Monday, April 13, at the Farmers Market.

The menu features Boston butt steak, green beans, potato salad, bread and dessert. Tickets are $10 and are available from any Kiwanis member. The event is takeout only, with pickup available from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Proceeds fund scholarships awarded to graduating seniors from Winnfield Senior High School, Calvin High School and Atlanta High School. Scholarship applications are available at each school.

The Kiwanis Club appreciates the community’s continued support of this annual tradition.

The Women of Zion of New Zion Missionary Baptist Church will host its second annual health fair Saturday, April 25. The event begins at 10 a.m. at the church, located at 430 West Jones St.

Under the theme “Save a Life,” the fair focuses on the stewardship of the body, guided by the scripture 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. The program will feature guest speakers and various health presentations.

The event offers free health screenings to the public, including checks for:

• Height and weight
• Temperature and pulse rate
• Respirations
• Blood pressure and blood sugar

The health fair is open to men, women and children. G. Tomell Hamms serves as pastor of New Zion Missionary Baptist Church

By Cole Gentry, Chief Marketing Officer at Northwestern State University

The drive to campus often carries two things at once, excitement and uncertainty.

For many students, college begins before the first class ever meets. It starts in the quiet questions that build during the summer. Where do I go? Who do I ask? What will this place feel like once it becomes mine?

At Northwestern State University, Freshman Connection is designed to answer those questions early and well.

The program serves as NSU’s official orientation for new first-year students attending the Natchitoches, Alexandria, Leesville, and Shreveport campuses. It gives students an organized, welcoming introduction to campus life, academic expectations, and the people who will help shape their first year. Students meet in small groups led by current student Connectors, who guide conversations, share advice, and help make a university feel personal from the very beginning.

That matters, because the transition to college rarely feels small.

Students are stepping away from familiar routines and entering a new environment with new expectations. They are learning how to manage time, ask for help, build relationships, and take ownership of their education. Freshman Connection meets them in that moment. It does not overwhelm them with information and send them on their way. It introduces them to the rhythm of NSU, one conversation, one session, and one connection at a time.

During orientation, students learn about academic advising and register for fall classes. They are introduced to campus services and resources that support strong academic choices and healthy social decisions. They explore opportunities for involvement and begin to understand what responsibility looks like in a college setting. By the end, the university is no longer a collection of buildings and offices. It starts to feel familiar.

“We want you to leave orientation knowing exactly where you belong,” said Dr. Mary-Katherine Maggio, director of First Year Experience and Student Engagement. “You arrive as a visitor, and you leave as a Demon.”

That sense of belonging is one of the most important parts of the experience.

Freshman Connection is also built with families in mind. Parent Connection runs alongside the student program and gives parents and guardians a closer look at first-year transitions, student involvement, campus services, university procedures, and academic resources. NSU also offers Kid Konnection for siblings ages 5 to 12, creating a family-centered welcome that recognizes college is often a transition shared by more than one person.

The 2026 schedule gives families several options. Natchitoches will host sessions May 20 to 21, May 27 to 28, June 17 to 18, and July 9. Additional one-day satellite events are scheduled for Alexandria on June 23, Leesville on June 24, and Shreveport on June 25, and these sessions are only for students attending those campuses. Registration opened Feb. 10 through the myStatus portal at www.nsu.la/mystatus, where students can also review admissions, financial aid, housing, and orientation information in one place.

That is why Freshman Connection matters. It gives students structure before the semester begins. It helps them move from uncertainty to clarity. It gives them names, faces, places, and next steps.

And for many, it marks the moment college stops feeling distant and starts feeling real.

At the end of Freshman Connection, students depart with direction. They know where to go, who to contact, and how to begin. They leave having already taken an important first step toward success at Northwestern State.

Explore Freshman Connection: www.nsu.la/fc
Apply to NSU: www.nsu.la/apply
Register for Freshman Connection: www.nsu.la/mystatus

“It breaks my heart to think about children growing up with so much uncertainty because one parent isn’t paying what they should. When the support doesn’t come, it’s the kids and the custodial parent who carry the burden every single day — and no family should have to live that way.”

 See what Ida says 

October 11, 1933 — March 28, 2026

Jane Claborn Purser, a cornerstone of the Winnfield community, transitioned to her eternal home on March 28, 2026. Her 92 years were a profound testament to the biblical call to love one’s neighbor, defined by a life of quiet grace, unwavering faith, and a tireless commitment to serving others.

A Ministry of Presence and Service

Jane’s civic leadership was not merely a duty but an extension of her Christian walk. For 56 years, she served the Rotary Club of Winnfield, embodying the motto of “Service Above Self” through a lens of faith. Her devotion was most visible at the Winn Community Food Pantry, where she spent her retirement years as the hands and feet of Jesus, ensuring her neighbors were nourished in both body and spirit.

A devoted Elder of First Presbyterian Church, Jane believed deeply in the power of redemption. This belief led her to the Winn Correctional Center, where she spearheaded the pre-release program and served through KAIROS Prison Ministry. To Jane, these were not just programs, but a mission to offer the “second chances” promised by her faith to those seeking a new path.

Nurturing the Next Generation

Jane’s 40-year career as an educator and counselor was her primary mission field. She viewed every student as a child of God, leading with a kindness that left a lasting imprint on generations. Her commitment to Christian education shone through “Tuesday School,” a program she helped create to nurture the spiritual lives of Winnfield’s children.

Even in her professional leadership with Delta Kappa Gamma and the development of Project LET, Jane’s work was characterized by the “pure joy” and selflessness that earned her the titles of Citizen of the Year and Woman of the Year.

Family and Legacy

Jane was preceded in death by her parents Howard and Rhodalee Claborn, brother John D. Claborn and her husband of 50 years, Donald Raymond Purser. Together, they built a home centered on love and service, with four children—Paul (Rosanne), Donald (Leah), Pamela, and Matt (Tracy). Her legacy of faith continues through her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were her greatest earthly treasures.

Celebration of Life

A service honoring Jane’s life and her journey home will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Winnfield on Saturday, April 11, at 11:00 a.m., presided over by Pastor Lane Thompson of New Iona Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Winn Community Food Pantry, PO Box 302, Winnfield, LA 71483, or the NSU Jane Purser Band Scholarship at this link https://northwesternstatealumni.com/purser-scholarship/, continuing Jane’s mission of supporting education and community care.

Winnfield Police are investigating a hit-and-run incident involving a toddler that occurred during a gathering at Luckey Street Park.

According to authorities, officers were notified through a 911 call that a child had been taken to the emergency room at Winn Parish Medical Center after being struck by a four-wheeler. Reports indicate the incident happened during a family gathering where multiple individuals were riding off-road vehicles.

Investigators said the suspect was identified and was seen loading the four-wheeler onto a trailer before leaving the scene.

Officers conducted a search and later located the vehicle at a residence on Cedar Drive. Authorities said warrants are being prepared for the suspect.

Proposed charges include hit-and-run driving, reckless operation of an off-road vehicle and second-degree cruelty to a juvenile.

Officials said the child was treated and released, and the injuries were not considered life-threatening.