April 8 has marked several significant turning points in global history, from groundbreaking scientific achievements to the loss of influential leaders whose legacies continue to shape modern society.

One of the most notable events tied to this date occurred in 1974, when Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s long-standing home run record by hitting his 715th career home run. The moment was more than a sports milestone—it represented perseverance and dignity in the face of intense racial hostility. Aaron’s achievement became a defining moment in American sports history and a symbol of progress during a turbulent era.

April 8 is also remembered for the death of Margaret Thatcher in 2013, the United Kingdom’s first female prime minister. Known as the “Iron Lady,” Thatcher served from 1979 to 1990 and played a key role in reshaping British economic policy through deregulation and privatization. Her leadership remains a subject of debate, but her impact on global politics is undeniable.

In science and exploration, April 8, 1960, marked the introduction of the first weather satellite system capable of transmitting cloud images from space. This advancement revolutionized meteorology, providing forecasters with unprecedented tools to predict storms and monitor climate patterns. Today’s satellite technology traces its roots back to these early innovations.

April 8 also carries significance in civil rights history. In 1968, just days after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta Scott King led a silent march in Memphis, continuing her husband’s work and demonstrating the enduring strength of the movement. The march drew thousands and reinforced calls for justice and equality.

From sports achievements to political leadership and scientific breakthroughs, April 8 stands as a date marked by resilience, innovation, and lasting influence across multiple fields.

“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.”

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In the 1930s, the Kutol Products soap company was dangerously close to going out of business. Cleo McVicker worked hard to get Kutol’s products into stores and ultimately in the hands of consumers. Kutol needed a new product, but what? At the time, many homes in America were heated with coal which left a sooty residue on everything in the home. Unlike regular household dust which could easily be swept or vacuumed up, coal dust was finer and more difficult to remove. Sweeping and vacuuming coal dust normally sent more of it back into the air than was collected. Coal dust also contained sulfur, nitrogen, silica, and heavy metals, which could be hazardous to health. In 1933, Cleo negotiated a deal with the purchasing agent for the Kroger grocery store chain to add a cleaner to their inventory which would remove coal dust from wallpaper. Coal dust was especially hard to remove from wallpaper because it was small enough to settle into the paper fibers of wallpaper. Cleo promised Kroger a product which did not exist.

Cleo immediately contacted his brother Noah, Kutol’s main product developer, and the two began the rigorous research and development process. After countless failures, they came up with the formula for a compound which easily removed coal dust from wallpaper. Unlike liquid cleaners which required the user to apply the liquid to a cloth and swipe away the coal dust which usually made a bigger mess, Kutol wallpaper cleaner, was non-toxic, non-staining, and made no mess at all. The user simply pressed the compound onto the wall and the coal dust stuck to it. Once the compound became saturated with coal dust, the consumer threw it away and bought another can for five cents. Because it was a replenishable product, the Kutol company was saved one nickel at a time.

For 20 years, Kutol wallpaper cleaner kept the company afloat and successful. Following World War II, many people converted their homes from being heated by coal to natural gas. No longer did homeowners have the hassle of purchasing, handling, and storing a skuttle of dusty coal. Natural gas burned cleanly and was piped directly into the home. Around the same time, manufacturers began making wallpaper out of vinyl rather than paper which made it much easier to clean. By the early 1950s, sales of Kutol wallpaper cleaner began to decline quickly. The company was once again on the brink of failure.

In 1955, Joe McVicker, Cleo’s son, was searching for a way to keep Kutol from going bankrupt when Kay Zufall, his sister-in-law and schoolteacher, convinced him that Kutol wallpaper cleaner could be used for something more fun than cleaning. Joe ran with the idea. In 1956, Kutol established the Rainbow Crafts Company Inc. and repackaged the wallpaper cleaner, but Kutol was so near bankruptcy that they had no advertising budget. That could have been the end, but Joe demonstrated his product to Bob Keeshan, better known to the world as Captain Kangaroo. Bob liked the product so much that he agreed to use it in his television show at least once a week. From 1955 until 1984, Captain Kangaroo was one of the most popular children’s shows on television. Before Captain Kangaroo, Kutol struggled to sell their rebranded product. Because of Captain Kangaroo, Kutol struggled to keep up with demand. Since its introduction on Captain Kangaroo, billions of cans of rebranded Kutol wallpaper cleaner have been sold. It has become one of history’s most iconic toys and it remains popular to this day. We have all played with Kuto wallpaper cleaner, but we know it as Play-Doh.

Sources:

1. The Cincinnati Enquirer, April 19, 1936, p.25.

2. The Akron Beacon Journal, April 18, 1938, p.19.

3. David Kindy, “The Accidental Invention of Play-Doh,” Smithsonian magazine, November 12, 2019, accessed March 29, 2026, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/accidental-invention-play-doh-180973527/.

4. “The History of Play-Doh: Good, Clean Fun!” The Strong National Museum of Play, accessed March 29, 2026, https://www.museumofplay.org/blog/the-history-of-play-doh-good-clean-fun/.

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.

GRACE’S OBITUARY

Grace Elaine Cox, age 70, of Dodson, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Shreveport, Louisiana. She was born on January 14, 1956, in St. Francisville, Louisiana.

Grace was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. She cherished her family above all else and found great joy in the time spent with them. A dedicated nurse by profession, Grace had a compassionate heart and touched countless lives through her care and kindness toward her patients. She also held dear the friendships she made during her years with her Nichols Department Store family.

Outside of her work, Grace found peace and happiness tending to her flower beds and caring for her beloved six “fur babies,” who brought her constant companionship and joy.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Gene Terral, Sr. and Bertha Stotts Terral; and her beloved husband of 50 years, James Cox.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughters, Janis Lawson and husband Bobby, and Valerie Berry and husband Jeff; her grandchildren, Destiny Bryant and husband Keith, Hunter Sims and wife Katie, Garrett Berry and wife Leesha, Daniel Berry and wife Rachel, Hailey Warren and husband Blake, and Holly McCartney and husband Cole; her great-grandchildren, Little Keith, Waylon, Memphis, Colt, Grayson, Beckett, Audie, and Josie; her sister, Jewell Cloud and husband Leroy; her aunt, Mary Koop and husband Dave; along with a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends.

Pallbearers will be Hunter Sims, Garrett Berry, Daniel Berry, Wesley Coker, Spencer Gaar, and Keith Bryant. Honorary pallbearers will be Bobby Lawson, Jeff Berry, Leroy Cloud, and Anthony Harmon.

Visitation was held at Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, and again on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, from 12:00 noon until service time.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in the chapel of Southern Funeral Home with Rev. Bobby McGuire and Rev. Otis McGee officiating. Interment will follow at Transport Cemetery.

The family invites friends to share expressions of sympathy and condolences by visiting http://www.southernfuneralhome.com
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Grace will be remembered for her gentle spirit, her unwavering love for her family, and the kindness she extended to all who knew her. Her legacy of compassion and devotion will live on in the hearts of those she leaves behind.

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.

A traffic stop Sunday evening in Winnfield resulted in the arrest of a Baton Rouge man on multiple charges, including drug possession.

According to the Winnfield Police Department, Sgt. Ashley Carpenter observed a vehicle traveling 22 mph over the posted speed limit on East Lafayette Street and initiated a stop in the parking lot of the Winnfield Tire Center.

The driver was unable to produce a valid driver’s license. Officer Caden Sellers arrived as backup and was granted consent to search the vehicle, where open alcohol containers were found. A standardized field sobriety test was conducted, and the driver was determined not to be impaired.

During the stop, an officer observed the suspect placing an item in a stack of tires nearby. Upon inspection, officers located two bags of a substance identified as methamphetamine with an approximate combined weight of 10 grams.

The suspect was taken into custody and transported to the Winnfield City Jail.

Joseph C. Scott of Baton Rouge was charged with speeding (57 in a 35 mph zone), no driver’s license, open alcohol container, possession of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance and resisting an officer. Authorities said bond had not been set as of the latest update.

Four people were injured early Sunday morning in a shooting at the Winnfield Civic Center following an event attended by local teenagers.

Authorities reported that gunfire erupted around 1:30 a.m. when two individuals began shooting for reasons that remain under investigation. The incident caused panic as attendees attempted to leave the area and find safety.

All four victims, described as bystanders, were transported to Winn Parish Medical Center. Two of the injured were later airlifted by Pafford Air to trauma centers for additional treatment. As of the latest update, no fatalities have been reported, and one individual remains in critical condition.

Winnfield Police initiated an emergency response that included calling in off-duty officers to assist with crowd control, securing the scene and launching an investigation. Deputies from the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Department also responded, including Sheriff McAllister and Chief Deputy Guilliam.

The investigation is being led by Lt. Brian Glenn and Officer Edward Starks. Authorities said suspects have been identified and charges are pending.

Officials have not released the names of the victims due to their ages and out of respect for their families.

Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Winnfield Police Department at (318) 628-3511. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details will be released as they become available.

Residents across Winn Parish can expect a mix of sunshine, clouds, and periodic storm chances as a shifting spring pattern settles over the region through the upcoming week.

Midweek: Warm with Isolated Storms

Wednesday begins on a relatively quiet note, though a slight chance (20%) of afternoon showers and thunderstorms develops after 1 p.m. Skies will transition from mostly cloudy to gradually sunnier conditions, with temperatures climbing to around 87°F. Winds from the south at 5–10 mph may gust up to 20 mph at times.

Wednesday night remains mostly cloudy and mild, with a low near 67°F and continued southerly breezes.

Thursday into Friday: Increasing Rain Chances

Rain chances ramp up Thursday, with a 50% likelihood of showers and thunderstorms under mostly cloudy skies. Highs will be slightly cooler, topping out near 81°F. Storm chances taper slightly Thursday night, dropping to 20%, with lows around 65°F.

By Friday, another round of scattered storms is expected, especially after 1 p.m., with a 50% chance of precipitation. Despite the unsettled weather, temperatures rebound to near 86°F under partly sunny skies. A few lingering showers may persist into Friday night before diminishing after midnight.

Weekend: Stormy Start, Then Cooler Air Moves In

Saturday continues the unsettled trend, bringing a 50% chance of afternoon and evening thunderstorms. Highs will reach the low 80s, but conditions become more active Saturday night with continued storm chances and a noticeable drop in temperatures to around 53°F.

Sunday sees a shift toward cooler weather, with a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms and a high near 70°F. Overnight lows dip further into the mid-40s as rain chances decrease.

Early Next Week: Clearing and Comfortable

By Monday, calmer conditions return with mostly sunny skies and a pleasant high near 70°F—offering a refreshing break from the previous days of humidity and storms.

Bottom Line:

Winn Parish will experience a classic spring pattern this week—warm, humid days with scattered storms, followed by a cooler and drier air mass moving in by early next week. Residents are encouraged to stay weather-aware, especially during afternoon and evening hours when storms are most likely to develop.

The Kiwanis Club welcomed the Rev. Lamar Carpenter as its guest speaker during a recent meeting, where he delivered a message centered on the meaning of Easter and Holy Week.

Carpenter was introduced by Kiwanian Chet Atkins, who is also a member of Beulah Baptist Church. A graduate of Calvin High School, Carpenter later earned an associate degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has served as pastor of Beulah Baptist Church for 35 years and has indicated plans to retire from pastoral ministry in the near future.

In addition to his pastoral work, Carpenter has been involved in a long-standing nursing home ministry and serves as a chaplain for the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Department.

During his presentation, Carpenter spoke about the significance of Holy Week, the period leading up to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Drawing from multiple passages of scripture, he reflected on the suffering of Jesus, the discovery of the empty tomb, and the central message of the resurrection.

Carpenter also shared insights from a personal visit to Israel, made possible through the generosity of a church member. During that trip, he participated in a Lord’s Supper observance in the Garden of Gethsemane, which he described as a meaningful spiritual experience.

His message emphasized the foundational Christian belief in the resurrection and its importance as the central focus of Easter.

The Kiwanis Club expressed appreciation for Carpenter’s visit and his message to members.

For the past two years, Winn residents have watched the rise of the impressive three-story complex on West Court Street that will house the array of services of Winn Community Health Center as well as the seven-parish organizational support of Trinity Community Health Centers of Louisiana.

Now the time has arrived. On Monday, April 13, the public is invited to the Grand Opening of the center beginning at 11 a.m., announced CEO Deano Thornton. There will be a tent, music with a DJ, refreshments of Dana’s Pulled Pork Sandwiches and giveaways.

“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 center’s staff held an early preview of this new structure on March 31. The Grand Opening for the general public is Monday, April 13. The following morning, Tuesday, April 14, medical services at the new center will commence.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announced that a significant bridge replacement project in Winn Parish received bids in March.

The project will replace five bridges along Louisiana Highway 124 near Winnfield. The improvements are intended to enhance structural safety and ensure long-term reliability for motorists traveling the route.

The apparent low bid for the project totaled $10,330,565.30, making it one of the larger المشاريع included in the latest round of bid announcements.

Transportation officials said bridge replacement projects are prioritized based on structural condition and public safety needs.