WINN: Maxine Russell Cooper July 16, 1937 – April 26, 2022 Service: Thursday, April 28 at 2 pm at the Chapel of Kinner & Stevens Funeral Home, located at 1947 S. Second Street in Jena
Kenneth Ray Bustin December 4, 1957 – April 24, 2022 Service arrangements will be announced by the family at a later date.
NATCHITOCHES: Joni Collins-Moore November 10, 1966 – April 23, 2022 Service: Saturday, April 30 at 10 am at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home
SABINE: Billie Faye Alverson Dyess Visitation: April 27, 2022; Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath – Many from 12:30pm to 2pm Services: April 27, 2022 at 2pm Interment: Will follow at Progress Cemetery in Pleasant Hill, Louisiana
The Winn Parish Journal sat down with Winnfield Mayor-elect Gerald “Scooter” Hamms to discuss his recent election win.
Hamms, one of five siblings, was born and raised in Winnfield. He graduated from Winnfield Senior High School in 1978 and then joined the Unites States Marine Corps, where he served for three years. Hamms returned to Winnfield after completing his armed forces commitment and attended Louisiana Tech.
Being around people involved in the community inspired Hamms to get involved in local politics. “From the beginning, I just wanted to do my part to help my community,” stated Hamms.
Hamms is no stranger to running for office. Before serving two terms on the City of Winnfield City Council, he previously ran for Winn Parish Sheriff and Winn Parish Police Jury. When asked if losing previous election bids ever made him think he should stop pursuing political office, he stated, “No, not at all; Abraham Lincoln lost eight elections before being elected president. I was certain my time would come, but it would be in the Lord’s time, not my time. So, I was doing my part and waiting on the Lord.”
When Hamms takes office in July of 2022, he will make history by being the first elected black man to hold the office of Mayor of Winnfield, LA. When asked if he ever considered that he was making history, he stated, “No, I didn’t think about that when I decided to run for mayor. But, I take it very seriously, and it’s not lost on me that the Lord has trusted me to carry out this opportunity.”
When asked about his plans for the city, Hamms says, “I have a 30, 60, 90-day plan. But, first, I will need to get into office and access each department before deciding on any changes. The recreation department is of specific interest to me because I spearheaded the sales tax that the recreation department receives for funding. I plan to work closely with the recreation board and upgrade the rec; because our children are the future.”
As far as his personal life, Hamms is currently unmarried with two children, Germi and Kaytreeal. He is a member of New Zion Church in Winnfield, where his brother Tommy Hamms was previously the pastor and his nephew Tammel Hamms is currently the pastor. “My family keeps me grounded. We are all very close,” stated Hamms.
The community is hosting a free Family Fun Day celebrating Mayor-Elect Hamms on Saturday, May 7, 2022, from 1 PM – 9 PM at the Winnfield Civic Center.
2022 Winnfield Tigers Jumps Out To Early Lead In Victory Over Lakeview
An early lead helped 2022 Winnfield Tigers defeat Lakeview 11-1 on Thursday. 2022 Winnfield Tigers scored on a single by Jacob Whisonant, a stolen base by Canyon Compton, a double by Aron Guerrero, a stolen base by Ryland Brister, a groundout by Bricen Page, an error, and a single by Hunter Tucker in the first inning.
2022 Winnfield Tigers secured the victory thanks to seven runs in the first inning. 2022 Winnfield Tigers ‘s big bats in the inning were led by singles by Whisonant, Brister, Sean Lawe Spangler, and Tucker, a groundout by Page, an error on a ball put in play by Dyllan Lawson, and a double by Guerrero. Guerrero led things off on the pitcher’s mound for 2022 Winnfield Tigers . Guerrero went five innings, allowing one run on five hits, striking out five and walking one.
I Coleman was on the hill for Lakeview. The hurler went three innings, allowing ten runs on nine hits. A Sowell threw one inning out of the bullpen.
2022 Winnfield Tigers totaled ten hits. Tucker and Brister each racked up multiple hits for 2022 Winnfield Tigers . Tucker led 2022 Winnfield Tigers with three hits in three at bats. 2022 Winnfield Tigers stole 11 bases during the game as four players stole more than one. Tucker led the way with four. Coleman went 2-for-2 at the plate to lead Lakeview in hits.
2022 Winnfield Tigers Falls To Many
Many pulled away for good with two runs in the fourth inning. In the fourth T Mclendon singled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring one run.
Many scored three runs in the seventh inning. Many scored its runs on a error by H Evans.
J Deville led things off on the hill for Many. The bulldog surrendered one run on three hits over five and a third innings, striking out five.
Jake Pharr was on the pitcher’s mound for 2022 Winnfield Tigers . The righthander allowed three hits and three runs over four innings, striking out one. Jacob Whisonant threw three innings in relief.
Whisonant, Dyllan Lawson, and Canyon Compton each collected one hit to lead 2022 Winnfield Tigers .
J Smart led Many with two hits in two at bats. Many stole eight bases during the game as two players stole more than one. Mclendon led the way with three.
The Tigers play in the 1st round of the LHSAA Class 2A playoffs Tuesday 4-26-22 at 6 PM at home against Independence.
Early voting was April 16-23 (excluding Sunday, April 17) from 8:30 AM – 6 PM. Election day is April 30, 2022.
The deadline to request an absentee ballot is April 26 by 4:30 p.m (other than military and overseas voters). You can request an absentee ballot online through the Voter Portal or in writing through the Winn Parish Registrar of Voters Office.
The deadline for a registrar of voters to receive a voted absentee ballot is April 29 by 4:30 p.m. (other than military and overseas voters).
On election day, the polls are open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
On the ballot:
Council Member — District 2, City of Winnfield
Name
Sex
Party
Ada Hall
Female
Democrat
Winona Harrell
Female
Democrat
Winn Parish Early Voting Results through Saturday, April 23, 2022.
Friday, April 22nd, Calvin Cougars Varsity weathered a scare by Castor in the seventh inning where Calvin Cougars Varsity coughed up four runs, but Calvin Cougars Varsity still won 10-5 on Friday. Castor’s big inning was driven by singles by #8 and #7 and a double by #18.
Dylan Kyle led things off on the mound for Calvin Cougars Varsity. The fireballer lasted four and two-thirds innings, allowing two hits and zero runs while striking out six.
#8 led things off on the pitcher’s mound for Castor. The pitcher went three and two-thirds innings, allowing five runs on six hits and striking out one. #1 and #18 entered the game from the bullpen, throwing two innings and one-third of an inning respectively.
Calvin Cougars Varsity smacked two home runs on the day. Joseph Adams went yard in the fourth inning. John Bradley Griffin went for the long ball in the fifth inning.
Calvin Cougars Varsity totaled 11 hits in the game. Griffin, Wayne C Huckaby, and Adams each racked up multiple hits for Calvin Cougars Varsity. Griffin led Calvin Cougars Varsity with three hits in four at bats.
#7 went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead Castor in hits.
Pictured above: #20 Dylan Kyle on the pitcher’s mound
2022 Team Roster
12 Cooper Spangler 08 Joseph Adams 09 Sidney Anderson 17 JB Griffin 20 Dylan Kyle 33 Kaden Browning 21 Wyatt Bedgood 44 Payton Mercer 03 Aden Coleman 35 Gunnar Yocum 55 Gavin Musgrove 05 WC Huckaby 23 Landon Poisso
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Date: 4-20-22 Name: Richard A. Jordan Address: Winnfield, LA Race: White Sex: Male Age: 46 Charge: Direct Contemp of Court x 2
Date: 4-20-22 Name: Torrmanna L. Kennedy Address: Winnfield, LA Race: Black Sex: Female Age: 19 Charge: Simple Criminal Damage to Property, Disturbing the Peace by Violent & Tumultuous Manner
Date: 4-20-22 Name: Terry T. Brown, Jr. Address: Winnfield, LA Race: Black Sex: Male Age: 23 Charge: Failure to Appear Sentence Review Hearing
Date: 4-23-22 Name: Hailey R. Dauzat Address: Winnfield, LA Race: White Sex: Female Age: 21 Charge: Failure to Appear Arraignment
Date: 4-23-22 Name: Danexter D. Rettain Address: Winnfield, LA Race: Black Sex: Male Age: 32 Charge: Failure to Appear Arraignment x 2
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.
The Winn Parish School Board Committees will meet in a special called meeting Monday, April 25, 2022, at 5:00 PM in the meeting room of the Winn Parish School Board for the purpose of adopting a technical amendment to the school board election districts.
Winn Parish School Board committee meeting will take place immediately following.
SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA Winn Parish School Board April 25, 2022
A. Invocation B. Pledge of Allegiance C. Roll Call D. Order of Business E. Resolution – Adopt a Technical Amendment to the School Board Election Districts F. Adjourn
WINN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD Committee Meeting Agenda April 25, 2022
Academics and Instruction – Carpenter, Clingan, Howell, Long, McManus 1. 2022 Summer Learning Program
Maintenance and Building – Browning, Clingan, McManus, Riffe, Scott 1. Summer Workers 2. Repairs to WSHS Track
Baton Rouge, La. — The Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana (TRSL) provided $2.3 billion in retirement income in Fiscal Year 2021, with north Louisiana retirees and beneficiaries taking home $422 million. Of that amount, the TRSL provided $7,741,845 in retirement income to 317 recipients in Winn Parish.
Almost 90% of the retirement dollars TRSL pays out goes to individuals who live in Louisiana, where they buy local goods and services.
The average monthly benefit for a regular retiree of TRSL is $2,282.
“As the largest public retirement system in Louisiana, we are proud of the positive impact we have on the state’s economy,” said Katherine Whitney, director of the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana. “TRSL’s benefit payments give more than 81,600 retirees and beneficiaries the buying power to support their communities. Their years of hard work are rewarded with a stable retirement income that allows them to invest in the local economy. Whether they’re buying groceries at the supermarket or picking up plants at the nursery, they are a powerful part of Louisiana’s economic engine.”
More information on TRSL’s economic impact can be found in the 2022 Investing in Louisiana report below.
Join Walk4Hope tomorrow at the Louisiana Forest Festival for a walk/run raising awareness for suicide prevention/mental health awareness.
Proceeds from entry fee/t-shirt sales will be donated to Hope4Winn.
Participants will meet on the Coon Hunters Building side of the Winn Parish Fair Grounds.
Registration starts at 8 AM the cost tomorrow is $15 (does not include a shirt) and the walk/run starts at 9 AM. The event will start with a balloon release.
For any questions, please send an email to Hope4Winn by clicking here.
The City of Winnfield City Council will meet in a special called meeting today at 3:30 PM at Winnfield City Hall located at 120 East Main St., Winnfield, LA 71483.
Agenda:
I. Call to Order II. Agenda Amendments (if any) Old Business – Action Items
Early voting is April 16-23 (excluding Sunday, April 17) from 8:30 AM – 6 PM.
The deadline to request an absentee ballot is April 26 by 4:30 p.m (other than military and overseas voters). You can request an absentee ballot online through our Voter Portal or in writing through your Registrar of Voters Office.
The deadline for a registrar of voters to receive a voted absentee ballot is April 29 by 4:30 p.m. (other than military and overseas voters).
On election day, the polls are open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
On the ballot:
Council Member — District 2, City of Winnfield
Name
Sex
Party
Ada Hall
Female
Democrat
Winona Harrell
Female
Democrat
Winn Parish Early Voting Results through Thursday, April 21, 2022.
SaveCenla, a nonprofit organization focused on providing the public with information and events that will promote mental health awareness and suicide prevention, is hosting a two-day Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) interactive workshop May 5-6, 2022 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM at CLTCC in Winnfield located at 5960 US-167, Winnfield, LA 71483. There is no cost to register.
ASIST is a two-day interactive workshop in suicide first aid. ASIST teaches participants to recognize when someone may have thoughts of suicide and work with them to create a plan to support their immediate safety. Although healthcare providers widely use ASIST, participants don’t need formal training to attend the workshop—anyone 16 or older can learn and use the ASIST model.
Since its development in 1983, ASIST has received regular updates to reflect improvements in knowledge and practice. As a result, over 2,000,000 people have taken the workshop. In addition, studies show that the ASIST method helps reduce suicidal feelings in those at risk and is a cost-effective way to help address the problem of suicide.
Saving Lives from Suicide
Thoughts of suicide are surprisingly common. At any given time, around 1 in 25 people is thinking about suicide to some degree.
For most people, thinking about suicide isn’t about wanting to die. Instead, it’s the tension between their reasons for staying alive and their desire to escape from the pain that feels unbearable.
Within this tension lies the risk of death and the possibility of intervention, hope, and life. This is where someone with the right skills can help tip the balance and change a life forever. This is where LivingWorks training comes in.
For more information on the ASIST two-day training, click here.
Register for the two-day workshop in Winnfield, La here.
