A walk and balloon release in support of Breast Cancer Research will be held here in Winnfield on Saturday, October 26, with a theme “We Are Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.”

Lineup for the walk which will begin at 8 a.m. will be at the Farmers Market on Main Street.

Organizers are “calling all supporters, thrivers and survivors” to join in this Making Strides event.  It is a non-competitive walk where individuals unite to bring awareness of breast cancer. It also serves to generate donations that help fund research into this disease as well as providing patient assistance.

 

A checklist of ways to be involved has been provided by organizers:

Come out to participate in the walk.  Bring family, friends and others.  (If you can’t walk, come spectate, donate, release balloons).

Share this upcoming event information with others.

Wear pink (t-shirt, costume, outfit) for yourself or in honor of loved ones.

Bring signs to support the walk or for a participant.

Bring pink balloons for the balloon release at the end of the walk.  Leave balloons in your car until time for the release.

Make a donation at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer site:  (Find an Event Near You:Donate:WinnStrong2gether!)

For questions, contact 318-302-2607.

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A great turnout of both volunteers and buyers has made the Kate’s Krewe annual Spaghetti Sale a success.

Spearheaded by Mrs Laure Derr, there was over $7,000 raised going to FARA for research for a cure for Friedreich’s Ataxia.

Both Walker families (Jimmy & Helene and Bo & Chris) whose granddaughter, Kate, is the inspiration for the fundraising efforts appreciate the work of the many volunteered and the support of those who purchased meals, expressing their thanks.

“The adage of ‘It Takes a Village’ is so true when it comes to things like this,” observed Bo Walker.

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First Presbyterian Church members will continue their fundraising efforts with a Chicken Spaghetti Lunch set for Sunday, October 27 (with another on Sunday, November 24).

Though few in numbers of membership, the church near the overpass bridge serves as a center of many community activities.  “We do all that we can to keep our little church going,” says organizer Carolyn Phillips.

The October 27 lunch will be take-out only, at a donation cost of $10 per plate.  Pickup time is noon until 2 p.m.

Place orders with Carolyn Phillips at 318-332-0796.

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First responders in Winn are sponsoring the annual Meet & Greet for the Bridging the Gap program this Saturday, October 19, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on the grounds of the Winnfield Police Department at 405 South Jones Street.  

The Winnfield Police Department, Winnfield Fire Department, and the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office are extending an invitation to all to come by and meet personally with the first responders of your community.  

There will be a water slide and bounce house for the kids, along with music, food, and giveaways.  First Responders welcome the opportunity for the entire community of Winnfield to come together.  As you know, there has been a lot of gun violence the past few years, so this is the time for you to air your thoughts and suggestions and to hear some of the local efforts and prevention programs.  

This is not only a local project, but one sponsored by the National Night Out Program, which develops police and community partnerships to solve community issues.  Guest speaker, newly appointed Assistant Chief Charles Curry, will give a short presentation on the background and intent of the National Night Out program and “how big we can make this program a part of our community next year.”

The Community Liaison Officer, Jessie Phillips, has spent a lot of time and effort to put this program together with the goal to push for a better Winnfield, along with a better understanding of the roles of all first responders.  “We would like you to meet & greet the people who are serving you in our community,” said Phillips.  “Our goal is to push for a better Winnfield.  Get to know your first responders so you won’t fear them but rely on them for help and assistance.”

Included will be a balloon release and prayer for victims of gun violence, suicide and bullying.

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Mid-October and things are getting for reals this football season as leaves change and so do teams’ fortunes.

The calendar suggests we are inching up on mid-season — unless you are a Dallas or New Orleans fan; then records and scores suggest the season might just be over.

Oh, the twists and the turns. 

And so it’s been in this most popular and crazy game since the first farmboy came across a pig’s bladder and in a moment of genius said, “Now wait just a dog-gone minute!” stamped “WILSON” on it and invented the football. Thus, the term “pigskin,” which bats leadoff in today’s Art of Sports Talkin’, Football Edition.

Back when March Madness began, we reviewed basketball, also known informally as roundball or b-ball or the rock, as sports has a language all its own, and each individual sport has an even more specialized lingo. A field goal is different in football than in basketball. “Pin” is one thing in bowling and another in wrestling, and foul trouble is when a basketball player or team is in danger of reaching the limit of fouls allowed without disqualification or penalty. Foul trouble is also what you are in when you sit next to a fan who smells like an old sneaker, and fowl trouble is when the concession stand runs out of chicken tenders.

And so it goes.

Now we walk “foobaw,” as an offensive lineman in a bad mood might grunt.

We start with a biggie, born in 1975 in the NFL playoffs in Minnesota when beloved Dallas quarterback Roger Staubach retreated into the pocket in a desperate situation trailing the Vikings late, said afterward he closed his eyes and “said a Hail Mary,” and launched a bomb to future fellow Pro Football Hall of Famer Drew Pearson, who caught the ball in double coverage to score and give the Cowboys the win. And so was born the football Hail Mary, when a quarterback chunks a long desperation pass to a receiver, usually clumped with a lot of other shoulder-padded humanity and usually into the end zone, as Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers did Monday Night in New York in the Jets loss to Buffalo. A pair of sidenotes: a Hail Mary is not always complete — such is life — and a Hail Mary sounds the same but is different in meaning than what you might say when Mary is late or spills hot coffee on your lap.

“Encroachment” is believed to be when a defensive player enters the “neutral zone” before the snap — although in reality, no one truly knows what encroachment is, and if they say they do, even if they are a football official, they are lying.

“Officials” are called referees (or convicts or zebras because of the striped shirts they wear); these are the people who call holding on your team pretty much whenever the mood strikes. Fans with money on the game should be able to call encroachment against the zebras.

“Pooch kick” is what happens when the kicker, during a kickoff, doesn’t kick it very far on purpose; this lessens the odds of the receiving team having a good return. If that same kicker is a dog owner and misses a field goal, it increases the odds that he’ll perform a pooch kick when he gets home, and if that happens, we hope he misses every field goal he tries for the rest of his pitiful football life.

“Hard count” is what the quarterback does when he is calling for the ball to be snapped and changes the rhythm of his call to try and draw the defense offsides. It’s also what happens when a person from South Carolina like me is asked to add.

“Victory formation” is when the offense, with a lead and time expiring, bunches together at the line of scrimmage, as if they are gossiping, so the quarterback can take a knee and run clock and end the game. It is a favorite formation, and we hope your team gets to run it every time you play.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

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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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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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Terry Janell Beaubouef
July 8, 1957 – October 10, 2024
Services: Funeral services for Mrs. Beaubouef took place in the chapel of Kinner and Stevens at 2:00 PM on October 14, 2024. Interment took place in Jena Cemetery (highway 84 east of Jena).

Barbara Jean Shirley Shelton
June 28, 1940 – October 8, 2024
Service: Graveside services for Mrs. Shelton took place at Brown’s Cemetery on Sunday October 13, 2024 at 2:00 PM under the direction of Southern Funeral Home.

Rev. Robert Franks
September 30, 1937 – October 12, 2024
Services: Funeral services for Reverend Franks will be conducted at the Greater Pentecostal Church of Winnfield on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at 2:00 PM. Interment will follow at Bolton-Teagle Cemetery.

Tuesday, October 1, Winn Parish Sheriff Josh McAllister received a report of a missing person.  The family of Marvin Lewis Jr. of Winnfield, stated they had not had any contact with Marvin for 24 hours and were concerned.  The Lewis family also reported they had received information their son, Marvin Lewis Jr., had been shot. 

Investigators from Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office and Winnfield City Police Department began interviewing possible witnesses and people who recently had been in contact with Marvin Lewis Jr. Investigators were able to learn a 2013 white Nissan Versa belonging to the Lewis Family was missing along with Marvin.  A BOLO (Be on Lookout) was issued for the Nissan and sent to surrounding parishes.

Thursday, October 3, at approximately 11:30 a.m., deputies from the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office located an abandoned vehicle matching the description of the missing Nissan.   The vehicle was located on Brewton Camp Road at the intersection with Coldwater Road.  After verifying the vehicle through the VIN number and registration, a search warrant was obtained for the vehicle.  Inside the trunk of the vehicle, deputies discovered the body of a black male.  The deceased was later determined to be that of Marvin Lewis Jr. who had been missing since September 30.  The body is being sent to Little Rock where an autopsy will be performed.

Two people have been arrested concerning the disappearance and death of Marvin Lewis Jr.  Zephaniah Davis of Winnfield, was arrested and charged with Second Degree Murder and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.  Catherine Cable of Winnfield was arrested and charged with Accessory to Second Degree Murder.  Both individuals were booked into the Winn Parish Detention Center.  According to Sheriff McAllister, the investigation is continuing, and other arrest or charges could be pending.

Sheriff McAllister thanked his staff, the Winnfield City Police Department, Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office and Louisiana State Probation and Parole for their assistance during this investigation.

He also reminds the public that all parties are presumed innocent until proved guilty in a court of law.

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When government can’t seem to come to the aid of those caught up in disaster, it seems like individuals and groups and churches step in and step up to help.

Winn Parish folks have been part of that rescue mission in the wake of Hurricane Helene on the east coast, notably in the Ashville, NC, area.

Rickey Griffin, driving back Tuesday morning to Winnfield with Kelly Fannin after delivering a very large “Care Package” to North Carolina, told the Journal that the whole thing started at a coffee table in Wattsville Center when Fannin and Bobby Bates discussed the situation and challenged “if you donate 10 cases of water, I’ll donate 10 and we’ll take it there.”

Others heard and more and more water started showing up at this neighborhood meeting place.  “One thing led to another, then it got on Facebook,” said Griffin.  Water was stacked on the back dock of Wattsville Center and soon the first trailer planned for the delivery journey was not large enough and another had to be brought in.

Still the payload grew and yet another, larger trailer was pulled into service, replacing the other.  But not only was it water that went east but also gifts of diapers, handy-wipes, canned food, toilet paper, toothbrushes and toothpaste and a new generator, said Fannin.  “And I couldn’t tell you how many cases of water.”

The two had thought of driving straight through but at around 8 at night, realizing they couldn’t unload if they kept on, stopped in Livonia, GA.  But the “hotel” they found didn’t give them much rest so around 3 a.m. they resumed their journey, arriving in Hendersonville, NC, round 6:30 a.m.  This is nearly 40 miles from Ashville, just about as close as you could get at this time from that hard-hit community.

That dawning hours was still a little early for help to be ready but word got out and 15 or 20 members of First Baptist Church there arrived around 8 a.m. to unload the relief supplies into an old Dollar Store building which had been brought into service for this rescue mission.

“We didn’t have to do anything,” noted Griffin.  “Those volunteers took care of it all.  They assured us that they would deliver these supplies to Ashville.”  In this way, folks in Winn reached out to help make a difference to others in need.

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An overview of the role of resource officers in Winn Parish schools, as requested by the school board, was detailed by Sheriff Josh McAllister when he met with the board’s committee session September 30.

“Their main goal is to promote safety and prevent crime,” he began.  This could include making an arrest when criminal activity is involved.  It also means being a positive role model for students, working with guidance counselors to assist in resolving conflicts, addressing safety concerns in the schools and coordinating any emergency response.

He went on to say that the school resource officer provides a visible presence to deter trespassers and deter criminal activity on the school grounds.  In this context, officers work with the school system to create a safe environment, monitor security cameras together with school personnel and patrol the school grounds, parking lots and buildings for security checks.

Finally he noted that the officers do not create policy nor do they interfere with existing school policy.  “The school resource officer is there to prevent crime and take action when criminal activity occurs,” he emphasized.  “Discipline falls under school policy unless a criminal act occurs.”

Resource officers will also work to provide security at special events such as ballgames, conferences and other extra activities held at the schools.

There is a resource officer in each of the schools, although Winnfield Middle School and Winfield High School, with their adjoining campuses, share an officer.  A resource officer must have three years of service as a law enforcement officer, 40 hours of certified training, be commissioned as a law enforcement officer and be knowledgeable of the laws.  He also mentioned their having the right attitude for a “good fit” at a school.

The service is not cheap.  McAllister estimated that the annual cost to the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office is around $350,000, figuring regular duties plus special events coverage and travel.  “We’re playing tax so we don’t have to pay,” said President Joe Lynn Browning.

Questions at the presentation’s conclusion led to board discussion with the sheriff in which there was no consensus.  At the heart of the question was a recent incident where students fighting at WSHS were arrested.  Several members argued that that police action seemed heavy-handed.  Others held that, for overall school safety, police action is necessary.  Most listened quietly as the debate unfolded.

The sheriff noted that his officers will respond appropriately to criminal acts.  As to kids fighting on the playground, he told the board “that’s your call.”

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Winnfield Senior High School Principal Chase Bartlett took the opportunity of the School Board’s monthly “Spotlight” agenda item to brag on accomplishments of the school’s band as well as other “Excellence Every Day, Every Way” throughout WSHS.

“I want to spotlight the hard work and effort that our students put in with classes, sports and special activities.  WSHS is a place where students and teachers come to school every day to do their best.”  An earlier theme was “Excellence without Excuses.”  This year, that’s been adapted to “Excellence Every Day, Every Way.”

The school offers many opportunities so he said the October spotlight could have been on many of the groups and clubs at the school.  He selected the WSHS band because of its recent growth and its role of engendering school spirit and pride, perhaps most visible during this, Homecoming Week.

He told the board that “it’s not a lie to say we’ve struggled to maintain over that past couple of years” when band participation, once a great part of the WSHS scene, had faded to 6 or 7.  A turning point came when Kenny Guin, a WSHS band member from 1998 to 2001, asked for the opportunity to build the band back to its former greatness.

Today, with nearly 40 enrolled in band and some 30 of those taking part in events like football games, “that is remarkable,” said Bartlett who also praised Kathy Bankston who assists Guin with the band.

“You can hear the excitement at our events,” the principal went on.  “Our band is a big part of that.  They are good.  They have been a big part of bringing back the pride at WSHS.”

The seating area in the School Board meeting room was fuller than usual Monday night as Bartlett had asked band members to attend.  Many did and were each invited to greet the board and explain their role in the band.

Members are:  Joseph Bourgeyone, Dylan Smart, Rayshawn Hollingsworth, Justus Coward, Jaleeya Walker, Shaniya Sapp, Persia Davenport, Kimorie McMillian, Raishaun Harris, Cleotis White, Patience Green, Richard Harris, Latasi Mafinas, Calijah Manning, Ar’tavious Rogers, Savannah Vargas, D’yani Nears, Kimbreanna Mckinney, London Boyd, Kamari Evans, Violet Garvey, Alyesha Green, Jace Gympin, Zai’niya Hobdy, Raniya Jackson, Norah Parrack, Audrilyn Shaw, Brianna Southerland, Jordan Sullivan, Alan Vargas, Emily White, Madilyn White, Carter Williams, and Braylon Willis.

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Dental care may not be the first thing that comes to mind when families think about healthcare (that being a trip to the doctor’s office) but dental care is one of the range of professional services offered to its clients by Trinity Community Health Centers of Louisiana.

This professional service with highly sophisticated technical capabilities is available at Trinity’s clinics in Winnfield, Marksville, Colfax, Ruston and Ringgold.  Let’s step into their original dental office in Winnfield where the sign “Winn Community Dental Center” hangs on a building across the street from where Trinity’s three-story office complex is now rising impressively.

Here you’re greeted by Dr. Joe Rustom whose warm smile must put at ease those who might experience angst over being at the dentist’s.  Dr. Rustom grew up in Greenwood, MS, met his wife in Houston, graduated from the University of Tennessee and settled into Winnfield in 2014 where his first practice was with Trinity.

“We see all ages,” emphasized the doctor.  The office staff includes two hygienists who handle all the tooth cleaning responsibilities.  A second dentist, Dr. Marc Lippas, has joined the Winn office on a fulltime basis.  His wife, Dr. Katie Lippas, serves as dentist is the Marksville office.

Dr. Rustom explained that Trinity can handle the full range of general dentistry needs at its clinics, including cleaning, fillings, extractions, dentures, bridges, crowns and even some root canals.  Not in the picture are braces and implants.  “We work with a network of specialists in Ruston, Alexandria, Shreveport and Natchitoches who can take care of those patients who we can’t.”

Unique to the Winnfield office is their ability to create in-house same-day crowns. “Dentistry has changed a lot over the decade since I began,” he explained.  In the past, the patient would bite into a mold to create a casting for a crown’s design.  Dr. Rustom displayed a hand-held scanner that transfers the full image of a problem area onto an interactive computer where the crown is digitally designed then “we adjust for small details for an ideal fit.”  In a workroom, more high-tech equipment uses that image to create an actual crown which is then heat-treated, ready for placement.

Dental care is also available through Winn’s school-based program.  With parental approval at the start of the year, students may be bused to the clinic for exams, tooth-cleaning and X-rays.  If additional dentistry is needed, a letter is sent home to parents whose responsibility it is to bring the child back in for their appointment.  

As a man who likes to hunt and fish (especially offshore), he concludes “we’ve enjoyed our time here.”  Wife Leah teaches 5th grade at Winnfield Middle School.  They have two children, Abe, 9, and Marilyn, 7.

 

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By Jasmine Jones

Photos Courtesy Tiger Snaps

The Tigers lost a hard fought game last Friday night against Bunkie. Fighting through the rain and much of the flying wildlife, they came out 50-14 after four challenging quarters.

With dark clouds looming, the Tigers began their battle against the Panthers. After a Bunkie touchdown the Panthers went for a two point conversion but the defensive front led by Damascus “Tank” Lewis held the Panther’s back from converting the extra points. Soon after, Breylan Starks deflected a pass that would have landed Bunkie threateningly close to the endzone. Towards the end of the first quarter, Damascus “Tank” Lewis blocked an attempted field goal further preventing the Panthers from racking up points. 

In the second quarter, on the Tiger’s possession, Jordan Washington carried the ball for a successful run, which was followed with a run by Lewis, and led to the initial first down of the night. Then Logan Adams, and Javonta Grisby made a great stop preventing the Panthers from another first down, giving Winnfield possession. 

The second half started off strong with Breylan Starks making a touchdown-preventing tackle as the Bunkie receiver attempted to run for the endzone. Soon after, Lewis made a good return on the punt covering more than ten yards, setting Winnfield up for success with a great position on the field. Towards the end of the third quarter, Tank Lewis ran from the 20 yard line into the endzone despite many attempts by Bunkie to bring him down. This was followed with an excellent kick by Noe Vasquez, the Tiger’s newest kicker, who converted the extra point. 

In the final quarter of the game, Jeremy Mamon drove hard up the middle upon receiving the ball successfully setting the Tigers in a position such that Javen Jackson was able to run a deep route with Nickalas Mockosher connecting with him for Winnfield’s second and final score. Noe Vasquez then performed another well executed kick bringing the Tigers another point. Then on the return following Winnfield’s touchdown, Jeremy Mamon made a full stop causing the Panther’s carrier to fumble where Logan Adams was able to recover the ball, continuing the Tigers control over the field until time ran out. 

“Bunkie was as good as we thought they were, athletically there are not many teams at our level that can compete” said head coach Jay Watson in a post-game interview. “I challenged our boys at half-time to keep fighting and they did. These two touchdowns will give our kids a lift going into this week. In addition, I am very proud of our kicker who is a late addition to our team and gives us confidence moving forward.” When asked about next week’s game he stated “We need to keep the boys focused going into the second half of the season.”

The Tigers will play at home next week for the much anticipated homecoming game against the Rosepine Eagles who currently stand 0-5 in their record. Many activities will be taking place this week in preparation for this game including a parade on Thursday afternoon, October 10. The game next week should be far more comfortable than this week with temperatures in the seventies with no chance of rain. Consider coming out to support the Winnfield Tigers!

 

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