The Domestic Abuse Resistance Team (DART) is observing Mental Health Awareness Month by highlighting the non-linear nature of recovery and the importance of self-compassion for survivors. Serving the community since 1994, DART continues its mission to help keep families safe while providing resources for those navigating the emotional complexities of healing.
The organization emphasizes that healing does not have a fixed deadline and that “growth” can often be found in the simple act of surviving challenges that once felt insurmountable. During this month of awareness, residents are encouraged to practice patience with their mental health journey, acknowledging that some days will naturally feel heavier than others.
Key Messages for Mental Health Awareness:
Healing is Individual: There is no “behind” in the healing process; it is a continuous state of becoming.
Self-Compassion: Past versions of yourself deserve compassion rather than criticism.
Persistence: It is vital to give yourself credit for the days you do not give up and grace for the days you are still figuring things out.
Mental Resilience: Be gentle with your mind, as it is the tool carrying you through every life experience.
DART remains a steadfast resource for families in Winn Parish, offering support and safety for those affected by domestic abuse.
After 22 years of shared finances, a new disagreement puts one couple at odds: should they help an adult son with car payments, or protect their retirement?
Alvia D. Hall, 49, address listed as homeless, was arrested for theft and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
Daniel McHenry, 28, of Winnfield, was arrested for domestic abuse battery involving strangulation.
April 30, 2026
Ty’Lexcia Gilbert, 21, of Winnfield, was arrested for non-consensual disclosure of a private image.
May 5, 2026
Cassandra Holden, 63, of Winnfield, was arrested for exploitation.
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.
4/28/26 Joseph Audrish W/M 45- Criminal Trespass x2, Theft
4/30/26 Alvin Hall B/M 48- Bench Warrant
5/1/2026 Donald Barnes B/M 68- Failure to Appear for Revocation
5/2/2026 Jeremy Rowell W/M 40- Possession of Sch II, 2nd Subsequent Offense
5/2/2026 Leron Angel Jr B/M 49- Fugitive form Arcadia
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.
Winn Parish Fire District 3 responded to 13 total incidents throughout the month of April, according to the department’s latest monthly activity report.
The district’s call volume for April was led by vegetation fires and emergency medical service assists, which accounted for eight of the total 13 calls. Crews responded to four vegetation fires and provided assistance on four EMS calls during the month.
Other activity included:
Two motor vehicle accidents
Two natural gas leaks
One rubbish fire
The department released the data as part of its ongoing commitment to community transparency and safety. District officials expressed gratitude for the community’s continued support, noting that collective awareness helps build a safer parish.
Winn Parish Fire District 3 operates under the mission that “your safety is our mission.”
Faith Baptist Church, 1145 Horseshoe Road, Winnfield, LA
Hand in Hand Hospice Care will host a free, no-commitment informational meeting on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Faith Baptist Church. The session is designed to help individuals and families prepare for future health challenges by focusing on a plan for comfort, quality of life, and dignity.
Attendees will learn about the services hospice care provides, who qualifies for care, and the steps required to begin receiving services.
WHAT: Hospice Informational Meeting WHEN: Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. WHERE: Faith Baptist Church, 1145 Horseshoe Road, Winnfield, LA 71483 COST: Free
EVENT DETAILS: * A meal will be provided for all attendees.
The meeting is open to the public with no obligation required.
CONTACT: Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP by calling or texting 318-302-0477.
Proposal sparks discussion on experience, longevity, and the future of Louisiana’s courts
By Journal Staff
Voters across Louisiana will consider Amendment 5 on the May 16, 2026 ballot, a proposal that would increase the mandatory retirement age for judges from 70 to 75.
If approved, the change would allow judges to complete full terms—some as long as 10 years depending on the court—provided they have not reached their 75th birthday at the time of service.
A Shift Reflecting Longer Lifespans
Supporters of the amendment point to a broader societal trend: Americans are living longer and remaining professionally active later in life than when the current retirement limit was established decades ago.
Under the existing system, judges who reach age 70 are required to step down, regardless of their health, performance, or desire to continue serving. Proponents argue that this can lead to the loss of experienced jurists at a time when institutional knowledge and continuity are valuable to the court system.
Continued Service Beyond the Bench
Even under current law, many retired judges remain involved in the legal system, often serving in temporary or ad hoc capacities to assist with caseloads. Backers of Amendment 5 say the proposal would formalize and extend that opportunity, allowing qualified judges to remain in full-time roles longer rather than transitioning to limited assignments.
Broad Support Across Legal Circles
The amendment has drawn backing from various members of Louisiana’s legal community, including attorneys, judicial organizations, and others who cite the benefits of experience and stability on the bench.
Advocates emphasize that the proposal does not eliminate voter oversight. Judges would still be required to stand for election, meaning the public retains the ability to decide whether a candidate—regardless of age—should continue serving.
Considerations for Voters
As with any constitutional amendment, the decision ultimately rests with voters. Amendment 5 raises broader questions about balancing experience with generational turnover, as well as how best to structure long-term service in the judiciary.
Voters will have the opportunity to weigh those factors when they head to the polls on May 16.
Oil and gas activity in Natchitoches Parish remained robust through the month of April, with eighty (80) new leases filed at the Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court office.
While a majority of the leasing activity continues to be concentrated in the western portion of the parish—stretching from the intersection of Interstate 49 and Highway 6 to the Sabine Parish line, and extending ten miles north toward the Spanish Lake bottoms—new developments are emerging.
A significant shift in recent activity includes the first signs of leasing on the east side of I-49. Additionally, while the primary focus remains west, energy companies are also expanding their footprint with new filings recorded south of LA Hwy 6.
In addition to the rise in lease filings, an upcoming public meeting has been scheduled for May 18 to discuss a proposed 3D seismic graphing project. The survey is expected to cover approximately 310 square miles, the majority of which is located within Natchitoches Parish.
The meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express, located at 5137 University Parkway.
Landowners who have been approached with lease offers or seismic survey requests are encouraged to consult with qualified legal counsel before signing any agreements, as these contracts can have long-term implications for mineral and surface rights.
A review of Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court records confirms the 80 leases filed in April 2026. The NPJ obtained this information directly from the parish’s online Public Records system.
Total Leases filed in calendar year 2025: 405 Total Leases filed in calendar year 2026 203
She’s not just a nervous flyer anymore—she’s dreading every trip. With family and work pulling her cross-country, is it time to face her fears or stay grounded for good?
Kristen Lessard, 38, of Livingston, LA, was arrested for possession of Schedule II, drug paraphernalia, and driving with a suspended license.
Zoria Johnson, 19, of Natchitoches, LA, was arrested for theft, contraband, and non-consensual disclosure.
Courtney Medlin, 41, of Marion, LA, was arrested for failure to appear.
April 22, 2026
Ladaisha Gibbson, 28, of Winnfield, LA, was arrested for battery of a police officer, resisting an officer, resisting an officer with force or violence, and threatening a police officer.
April 23, 2025
Danielle L. Williams, 33, of Winnfield, LA, was arrested for battery of a dating partner.
April 25, 2025
Janthony L. Foster, 28, of Winnfield, LA, was arrested for a domestic abuse battery warrant, failure to appear, and violation of a protective order.
Tyler Evans, 25, of Natchitoches, LA, was arrested for direct contempt of court and possession of Schedule II.
April 26, 2025
J’vaune Dobbins, 19, of Jonesboro, LA, was arrested for careless operation, illegal tint, driving with no license, and resisting an officer.
April 27, 2025
Paul Grazatti, 53, of Readhimer, LA, was arrested for no registration, no license plate, operation with a suspended license, and possession or distribution of drug paraphernalia.
April 28, 2025/2026
Kevontrez Sapp, 22, of Winnfield, LA, was arrested April 28, 2025, for second-degree battery.
Braylon Goff, 21, of Winnfield, LA, was arrested April 28, 2026, for simple battery.
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.
4/21/26 Austin Havard W/M 54- Enter/Remaining After Being Forbidden
4/22/26 Ronald Bryan W/M 54- Fugitive from Rapides Parish
4/23/26 LaQuetta Thomas B/F 38- Contributing to the Delinquency of Minors
4/24/26 Edward Smith B/M 50- Possession with Intent Sch II, Obstruction of Justice, Drug Paraphernalia, Possession Sch IV, Resisting Officer, No Seatbelt
4/26/26 Joseph Audirsch W/M 45- Failure to Appear, No Insurance
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.
Winn Parish Medical Center physical therapist Tiffany Camp Waters spoke to the Kiwanis Club on Tuesday, April 28, highlighting nearly three decades of service to the community.
Waters, who earned a degree in kinesiology from Louisiana Tech University before attending physical therapy school at LSU Shreveport, has been with the medical center for 27 years. Since graduating in 1998, she has worked at the Specialty Clinic, primarily focusing on outpatient care while also providing inpatient services for acute care patients and home health visits.
During her presentation, Waters emphasized the importance of staying active, noting that for every day a patient spends in the hospital, it typically takes a week to regain the lost strength.
The Specialty Clinic treats a broad range of conditions, including recovery from joint replacements, strokes, sports injuries, and spinal cord injuries. Waters also works with patients suffering from musculoskeletal disorders, fibromyalgia, and TMJ. Because the clinic does not currently have an occupational therapist, Waters is trained to treat upper-body issues involving the hands and shoulders.
Waters also discussed several key aspects of modern therapy:
Pre-surgery therapy: A newer approach focused on strengthening patients before a procedure to reduce post-operative recovery time.
Balance therapy: Waters demonstrated techniques used to help patients improve stability and prevent falls.
Adaptive equipment: She showcased various tools available to assist the elderly population in maintaining independence.
Home programs: Patients receive specialized routines to continue their progress during and after their formal clinical sessions.
As a hospital employee, Waters requires a doctor’s order for her services. She operates with a team of four at the Specialty Clinic, including a licensed physical therapist assistant, a receptionist, and a physical therapy tech with more than 20 years of experience.
Waters noted that those interested in entering the field as a physical therapist assistant can pursue two-year degrees at Louisiana Christian University or Bossier Parish Community College. Additionally, the University of Louisiana at Monroe is graduating its first class in the field this year.
On a personal note, Waters shared that her daughter is currently in medical school and plans to practice in a rural community.
Please vote Yes for Constitutional Amendment 5 on the ballot for May 16. The amendment raises the age of retirement for Judges in Louisiana to 75 years, from the current 70-year retirement mandate. The reasons are simple.
The voters are best suited to decide if a candidate should continue to serve.
Experienced, highly qualified Judges are being forced into retirement.
People are living longer productive lives and working longer.
No other political office has a mandatory retirement age.
By Supreme Court oversight, incompetent Judges can already be removed.
While the amendment does not put an end to what can only be called age bias, it does soften its effect. Voting Yes to raise the age is simply the right thing to do. In this election cycle alone, some 60 Judges of the approximately 360 in the State are being forced to retire. While some are doing so voluntarily, many others have an earnest desire to continue to serve the people of this great state. They should have the opportunity to do so, and it should be up to the voters to decide if they can continue, not some arbitrary age limit.
Michael Durbin and Shannan Chevallier speak at the Kiwanis lunch April 21, 2026, highlighting their vision for the Winn Parish Veterans Memorial
The room at the Kiwanis lunch fell quiet as Michael Durbin looked across the audience, asking a single question: “How many of you have a father or family member that was a veteran? Almost every hand in the room rose, a sea of shared history and sacrifice. Beside him stood Shannan Chevallier, his partner in a mission that has become the heartbeat of Main Street .
For Durbin, a veteran himself, this project is deeply personal, rooted in a memory from forty years ago when, on his first night at boot camp, as an eighteen-year-old recruit, he cried himself to sleep thinking of his mother. That memory birthed the central vision for the memorial: **a statue of a mother kneeling in prayer, clutching the American flag**, surrounded by five soldiers representing each branch of service. A sixth soldier will stand alone in a corner, honoring the “fallen soldiers, men and women that did not get to come home”.
With a skeptical start to this project, Durbin didn’t falter. He knew he needed a partner who shared his grit and love for Winnfield, leading him to ask Chevallier to serve as Executive Vice President. He chose her because he knew she “wouldn’t quit” and possessed a deep devotion to the community. Together, they have turned a 100-year-old building into a “roofless sanctuary” where a **70-foot flagpole** will reach through the open ceiling toward the sky.
The project is a testament to community resilience, having already saved an estimated $100,000 through donated time, equipment, and volunteer labor. From the planned white brick walls to the black steel accents to be fabricated by local supporters, every inch of the memorial is designed to be a place of quiet reflection. “It’s going to be a memorial that people from out of town… are going to come to Winfield to see,” Durbin told the crowd.
Chevallier shared the vision for the memorial’s walls, which will be lined with **commemorative bricks** honoring veterans both living and deceased. Refusing to place names on the floor where they would be walked upon, the team chose to elevate these honors to the walls themselves.
As the meeting adjourned, the emotional weight of the project was clear. Durbin, who recently recovered from two heart surgeries, spoke of the memorial not as a personal achievement, but as a divine calling. “This memorial will change Main Street in this town forever,” he said. With a goal to complete the sanctuary by October 18th—the anniversary of the day they received the building—Michael and Shannan invited the community to help them finish a “heart for veterans” that Winn Parish can be proud of forever. Ways the community can give. Venmo (@WinnVMA), or accounts at Sabine State Bank, and Bank of Winnfield.
Photo, Dr. Gaddis, Michael Durbin, Shannan Chevallier, and Mary Lou Blackley.
