Shonna Moss, director of the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame, has received the Pelican of Distinction Award from Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, a statewide honor recognizing leadership in promoting Louisiana as a travel destination.

Moss was recognized for elevating the Political Museum, the City of Winnfield and the region’s political and cultural heritage. As director, she has led initiatives that spotlight Winnfield as the “Birthplace of Huey P. Long” and a cornerstone of Louisiana political history.

Beyond the museum, Moss serves on the Winn Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Board and has worked for years to boost community events and the parish’s visibility. She plays an instrumental role each year in supporting the Fall Festival, the Christmas parade and Uncle Earl’s Hog Dog Trials, a signature event that draws visitors from across the country.

She is a regular at tourism and culture conferences statewide, promoting Winnfield’s attractions and the museum’s legacy. Her outreach extends beyond Louisiana; she is scheduled to speak to more than 200 Rotarians in Huntsville, Alabama, in April 2026.

The museum’s annual Louisiana Political Hall of Fame Banquet also brings statewide attention to Winnfield. The event honors distinguished political figures and public servants and, every third year, returns to Winnfield, filling the town with hundreds of guests and new tourism dollars.

Nungesser praised this year’s honorees as “ambassadors who make Louisiana shine.” Moss said the recognition reflects a community effort. “This award really belongs to so many people here in Winnfield, who work to bring back what Winnfield once had and can have again,” she shared. “Our community has a proud history and an even brighter future. Every visitor who walks through the museum doors experiences a piece of Louisiana’s story, and that story always begins right here in Winnfield.”

The award highlights how local leadership strengthens Louisiana’s tourism economy. With Moss and her staff, the Political Museum continues to preserve history while helping promote all that makes Winnfield and Louisiana stand out.

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By Matt Vines, Journal Services 

Winnfield came roaring back from a three-touchdown deficit against Many, but the visiting Tigers didn’t have quite enough fuel to take over the lead in the second half.

Winnfield (2-5, 0-1 District 3-2A) cut Many’s lead to three points in the third quarter after trailing by more than three touchdowns, but Many (4-3, 2-0) scored three straight touchdowns to pull away for a 66-40 win.

Trailing 35-12, Winnfield running back Detavious Williams rushed for a score and then returned an interception for a touchdown, before the visiting Tigers turned a Many fumble into a Nickalas Mockosher 43-yard scoring pass to Shayne Ford.

“We have a team that is resilient, and we battled until the very end,” said Winnfield coach Byron Keller.

“We had numerous obstacles to overcome and still battled.

“Having three touchdowns called back and still our guys competed. I’m proud of these guys.”
Williams scored four touchdowns (three rushing), including the first score to answer Many’s kick return touchdown to start the game.

“Detavious is the real deal,” said Many coach Tyler Hassell, who served on Keller’s staff at Red River in 2024. “He’s one of those guys you’ve got to account for on every snap.”

“Offensively, he’s explosive. He can break one at any time. And defensively, he’s just as dangerous and he’s physical with a big motor. Winnfield leans on him in a big way, and rightfully so.”

But Many had their own running back study in Daniel Thomas, who rushed for an astounding six touchdowns.

Thomas scored Many’s last four touchdowns, including three straight after Winnfield came within a few points in the late third quarter.

Winnfield can’t afford to wallow in this defeat with a trip to Mansfield (5-2, 1-0) on the books.

The Wolverines knocked off Red River, 38-30, to start district play with a victory before stepping outside the league to handle Rosepine, 45-14.

Mansfield running back Terrell Pegues is one of the most dynamic in the state and is the focal point of his offense much like Williams and Many’s Thomas are.

“We’ve got to stop the run, control the ball and control the clock,” Keller said. “We are steadily improving, now it’s time to finish a complete game.”

Winnfield is sitting outside of the Division III Non-Select picture at No. 29 (28 teams get in), and the Tigers finish with Mansfield, defending champion Red River and Lakeside.

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It’s that time again, Kate’s Krewe will ride in ‘rideATAXIA Dallas’ on Nov. 8 at Railroad Park to benefit the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA).

The annual fundraiser dedicates all proceeds to the research and development of drugs to treat Fiedreich’s Ataxia (FA), a rare neuromuscular disease that affects about 15,000 people worldwide. So far the Winn Parish team has helped raise more than $225,000 over the past eight years.

On Oct. 9, the FARA Spaghetti Dinner, organized by Laure Derr, drew more than 30 volunteers who prepared, boxed and delivered meals, helping raise more than $7,000 for the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance. The Walker families, Jimmy and Helene and Bo and Chris, expressed gratitude to the volunteers and to all who bought meals in support of their granddaughter Kate’s cause. A bake sale led by Kim Caldwell is in the works, with details coming soon.

The family shared recently that Kate began a new medication about 18 months ago and has seen progress while another therapy awaits FDA approval. Kate graduated in May from the University of Arkansas with a double major in supply chain management and marketing and now works at Sam’s Club headquarters in Bentonville.

Donations may be made at give.curefa.org/kateskrewe2025 or by mail to Kate’s Krewe at 700 W. North St., Winnfield, LA 71483, or 131 Pine Ridge, Winnfield, LA 71483. Checks can be picked up by calling 318-663-1611 or 318-481-8922.

For more information about rideATAXIA and FARA, visit curefa.org. 

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Main Street is set to flood pink this coming Saturday, Oct. 25, as community members gather at the farmer’s market for the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk at 8 a.m.

The event is open to all at no cost, whether in teams or taking part individually.

Participants are encouraged to wear pink and bring signs honoring loved ones, thanking caregivers or recognizing survivors. The walk aims to raise awareness while supporting the American Cancer Society’s work in research, patient services and advocacy.

Donations can be made online by visiting the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides page and using “Find a participant or team.” Search “WinnStrong2gether2025” and confirm the team leader listed as Phillis Booker, then select “Donate to Save Lives.”

For more information, call 318-302-2607.

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Did You Know?
Families who share at least three meals together each week experience:
• 33% lower risk of youth substance use
• Higher grades and stronger self-esteem among children
• Closer emotional bonds and lower stress levels for parents and teens

“Every family has the power to strengthen their relationships — one meal, one conversation, and one moment at a time.”
— Strengthening Families Program Motto

Healthy Brains & Stronger Bonds Through the Strengthening Families Program
The Strengthening Families Program (SFP) is an evidence-based initiative that brings parents and children ages 7 to 17 together to improve family relationships and reduce the risk of teen substance use.

SFP is designed for all families–not just those experiencing challenges. In this program, a family is defined as one or more adults responsible for one or more children, and a parent is any adult with that responsibility.

Each 11-week series features engaging, skill-based lessons for parents, teens, and children, followed by a joint family practice session where everyone comes together to apply what they’ve learned.

The current session began Thursday, October 9, at the First United Methodist Church in Winnfield, and will continue weekly through mid-December.

Parents: Nurturing with Purpose
In the parent session, families explored how nurturing parenting practices encourage positive behavior and strengthen emotional connections. Parents learned that the brain continues developing until around age 25 and that consistent, simple habits can help children thrive.

Three daily routines were introduced:

“My Time” – 10–15 minutes of one-on-one interaction with each child.

Mindfulness – brief exercises to reduce stress and counter Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs).

Family Dinners – three to five pleasant, screen-free meals per week to improve communication and reduce risky behaviors.

Parents were encouraged to practice mindfulness morning and night, express gratitude during meals, and emphasize positive, affirming interactions throughout the week.

Teens: Building Healthy Brains and Strong Minds
Teen participants discovered how their brains continue to grow into early adulthood — and how daily choices can shape that development. Lessons highlighted healthy brain habits such as proper sleep, balanced nutrition, and avoiding alcohol and drugs.

Mindfulness was introduced as a powerful “brain-training” skill to strengthen focus and emotional control. Teens practiced mindful breathing, identified negative thoughts, and participated in group discussions about responsibility and decision-making.

To reinforce what they learned, teens were encouraged to enjoy regular “My Time” with parents, take part in family dinners, and join family fun nights designed to build trust and teamwork.

Children: Learning Through Play
Children in the youth class learned about feelings, kindness, and healthy habits through stories, songs, and games. They discovered that spending time with their parents, helping others, and showing gratitude all help their brains and hearts grow stronger.

Play-based activities emphasized that love and laughter are essential for a healthy brain and a happy home.

A Family Journey Toward Connection
By the end of the evening, families left with practical tools they could begin using right away — mindful breathing, family meals, and quality time together. These small, daily practices nurture emotional balance, encourage positive communication, and strengthen family bonds.

Sessions are held weekly at the First United Methodist Church in Winnfield. The program is facilitated by Winn Community Health Center and funded through a Strengthening Families Program Grant from The Rapides Foundation.

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

Paid Content 

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Autumn Blessings Ladies Night Our will be held October 25, 2025 at the Creston Baptist Church located on Highway 9 at Black Lake. The special speaker for this fun event will be Goldonna’s own, Linda Dupree. The church invites everyone and encourages them to bring a friend to enjoy fellowship, food as well as arts and crafts.

Revival on the Ballfield will be held November 9-16 nightly at 6:30pm on the Goldonna Ballfield located on Ballfield Road. Bring your chair and your Bible for a once in a lifetime event.

The Blessing Box is fully operational and ready to help anyone in need. The box is located at the Stand. If you have extras of any food or literature item, leave it in the box. If you need something please take it from the box. The organizers of the Blessing Box want to remind the community it is for anyone and everyone, don’t be shy if you are in need!

The Goldonna Christmas in the Park will be hosting a Gumbo Fundraiser on November 9^th from 10:30am until it is all sold out. The fundraiser will be held at Town Hall. Please contact Eugene Garner for additional details at 318-533-5044. Tentative plans include to move the festival to the school campus to help alleviate any weather related issues. The festival will be releasing more details about this year’s event in the coming days.

Reba Phelps

Jreba.phelps@gmail.com

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“Lights, Cameras, Cure,” a red-carpet celebration hosted by the Juanita Pharr Cancer Support Group, will honor local cancer survivors and patients on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.

The evening entertainment will blend live music from The Comeback Kids and a benefit auction led by Brandon DuBois of DuBois Auctions. Guests will enjoy pork loin, scalloped potatoes, salad, green beans, a roll and dessert.

All cancer survivors and patients will receive a ticket at no cost. General admission is $30 per person, or a table for eight is $200. Tickets are available for pickup at the tax assessor’s office in the courthouse, or The Pea Patch Gallery in Winnfield.

Families are encouraged to email photos of loved ones who fought and lost their battle so they can be added to the memorial slideshow.

To donate in memory or in honor of someone, to sponsor the event, or to contribute items for the silent auction, contact Todd Hughes at 318-302-1872, Lindlay Howell Coates at 318-628-0401, or Rhonda Pharr at 318-332-4713.

All proceeds will remain in Winn Parish to help cancer patients with travel expenses related to treatment. Help is available to any local patient by emailing juanitapharrcsg@gmail.com or calling Rhonda Pharr. Please allow a couple of days to process checks.

Join the Juanita Pharr Cancer Support Group in celebrating survivors, remembering those we’ve lost and assisting neighbors in treatment.

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Spooky fun and friendly faces will fill the parking lot as Autumn Leaves Nursing & Rehabilitation Center hosts its annual Halloween trunk-or-treat from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at 342 Country Club Rd. in Winnfield.

Neighbors of all ages can make their rounds to decorated trunks for candy and stay for food, casual games and prizes while visiting with residents and staff. Costumes are encouraged.

The family-oriented event is open to the public and offers a safe, well-lit way for families to celebrate Halloween while giving Autumn Leaves residents an opportunity to visit with the community.

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When I began writing this column in 2018, my sole purpose was to make people feel normal about their struggles, their path in life, find the delicately hidden silver lining and share how God can be found in the deepest details of our lives

Life has changed a lot for me and my daughters since 2018. But the one thing that has remained a constant is that we are always running into some calamity or life lesson where we see the Lord’s hand guiding us away from harm. More times than not, we have faced this humor, grace and a therapist and the Word of God. Sometimes it has taken us a little longer than expected to see what God is doing.

Especially in this case.

When my youngest daughter was passionately praying to be admitted to LSU, I always reminded her to pray for God’s will to be done. So we would ask God to open all the doors that he wanted open and close all the doors that he needed to. Prayers sounded a lot like this….”Dear Lord, I really want to wear purple and gold, it is my heart’s desire and I’ve worked so hard for this. If it’s your will, please let me onto Louisiana State University campus, I will live for you. Geaux Tigers, in Jesus name, Amen”

On a crisp December evening, two days before Christmas, while crossing the Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge on our way back from New Orleans, God answered her prayer. She received her email stating that she was accepted. We couldn’t have ask for a sweeter and more timely answer from the man upstairs.

When August rolled around and she moved out of the nest, life took a turn.

Every time I received a call or text from her, I truly wasn’t sure if she would be over the moon excited about college or packing bags while delivering a tearful message declaring her disdain for Math. It was truly a rollercoaster ride of emotions for the first thirty days. All I know is that I constantly prayed for her and asked God to give her peace, and show me the wisdom to help her through these dark days of college math and life changes.

On a recent weekend home we visited one of our favorite local lunch spots. As we were enjoying our meal, so many people stopped by the table to see how my daughter was enjoying her first semester of college. Unable to hold back her tears she admitted to her former math tutor that she was really struggling and having a hard time. I truly respected her honesty instead of lying about how great her first few days of college were going. It took a lot of strength to admit that she was struggling. I even found myself replying to well-wishers. “Please pray for her. She is struggling”.

On our way out, we ran into her most cherished former Sunday School teachers from First Baptist Church who inquired how her new journey was going. Again, with all of our honesty, we shared that she has struggles. Almost immediately, the cherished Sunday School teacher asked if he could lead us in a prayer. As their food was being delivered, we all held hands bowed our heads as he prayed during the busy lunch crush. It was the most kind and authentic display of Christian love to be prayed for, instantly.

I told him that I so admired his boldness and beautiful obedience to pray for us. It truly changed our day. With his humble smile, he simply said, “I was hungry and the food was here.”

We all laughed but we knew better. God placed all of us in the lunch spot knowing that his faithful servant would be obedient and pray for the girl who was struggling.

I sincerely hope this encourages you to share your struggles with your family, your church family or whoever is offering a shoulder to lean on. God cares for his children and sends help when it’s needed the most. He put us here to bear each others burdens.\

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Galatians 6:2

Reba Phelps

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The Louisiana-based congressional redistricting case, Callais v. Louisiana, was argued for a second time this past Wednesday at the U.S. Supreme Court.  It is always interesting to me when Louisiana has a case before the Supreme Court.

The case was first argued in March and centered on whether Louisiana’s 2024 congressional map—which added a second majority-Black district— amounts to an unconstitutional racial gerrymander.  The outcome could determine how states nationwide apply the Voting Rights Act (VRA) in future redistricting cycles.  The Court delayed ruling and ordered the parties to submit new legal briefs addressing whether Louisiana’s creation of a second majority-Black congressional district under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) violates the 14^th Amendment (equal protection) or 15th Amendment (the right to vote may not be prohibited based on race) to the Constitution.

Although the questions the Justices ask during oral argument may very well not be indicative of how they ultimately rule in a case, I still find their questions insightful.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s questions indicated that the 1965 Voting Rights law may not have been intended to last forever and, instead, “sunset” at some point.  Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s questions reflected the same concern.  Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson interjected that because the VRA is derived from the 15th Amendment, “it does not have a time limit.”  It was an interesting point although I don’t think it is legally correct.

Louisiana’s Solicitor General, Ben Aguiñaga, arguing for Louisiana, urged the Supreme Court to prohibit the use of race as a factor in redistricting. “We are 50 years removed” from the original use of these race-based factors, he argued, and they “have placed states in impossible situations, where the only sure (thing) is more racial discrimination for more decades.”  He contended that the racial considerations required under VRA are tantamount to a system of “government-mandated racial balancing” and urged them to be rejected outright.

He then took some sharp questioning from Justice Jackson who asked him whether, in Louisiana’s view, identifying and remedying racial discrimination is a “compelling interest.”  “If I’m right that Section 2 is about identifying the problem and requiring some remedy, I don’t understand why your answer to Justice Kagan’s question about, ‘Is this a compelling state interest,’ would be ‘no,’” Jackson said.  “The answer is obviously yes,” Jackson said. “You have an interest in remedying the effects of racial discrimination that we identify using this tool. Whether you go too far in your remedy is another issue.”  Justice Jackson then confounded me when she seemed to suggest that being a minority voter was similar to being disabled under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

In defending the Louisiana law and map as she is required to do, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill originally argued that the map adding the 2^nd minority district could stand legal muster.  However, when the Supreme Court requested that the parties address specifically how the 14^th and 15th Amendments affect the VRA, the state took the position that race-based redistricting is unconstitutional.

This rehearing indicates to me that the Court wants to take another look at the potential inconsistency that exists between the Voting Rights Act (VRA) and the 14^th Amendment’s prohibition of racial gerrymandering.

The Equal Protection Clause in the 14^th Amendment of our Constitution requires that our laws apply equally to everyone and prevents governments from discriminating against different groups, particularly based upon their race. However, Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which was designed to enforce the 15^th Amendment—which guarantees the right to vote regardless of race or color—prohibits voting practices that result in the denial or abridgement of the right to vote on account of race.  This includes practices that “dilute” minority voting strength.

These two legal principles are directly in conflict.  The Voting Rights Act (VRA) is a statute, and no statute trumps the Constitution so the VRA could fall to the constitutional mandate of equal protection in the 14^th Amendment.  If the VRA is struck down, redistricting across the nation will be affected.

The Supreme Court should confirm the Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection and end the Voting Rights Act requirement of racial discrimination.  This would honor and adhere to the principle inherent in Dr. Martin Luther King’s “dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character …”

Royal Alexander

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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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