Winn Parish Enterprise

09/06/2024

07/24/2024

July 24, 2024

LOUISIANA STUDENTS MAINTAIN LEAP GAINS MADE OVER PAST TWO YEARS
ELA mastery rate improves for students in grades 3-8, students with disabilities in grades 3-8 improve overall mastery rate for third consecutive year

(BATON ROUGE, LA) - The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) released LEAP results for the 2023-2024 school year today. Statewide data shows Louisiana students maintained recent gains made on the state assessment that measures proficiency in core academic subjects. The English/language arts (ELA) mastery rate for students in grades 3-8 improved by one point and students with disabilities in grades 3-8 grew their overall mastery rate for the third consecutive year.

"Following consecutive years of improvement, these latest scores show students holding steady," said Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. "With a need to see increased outcomes, however, these numbers substantiate our recent aggressive efforts to simply let teachers teach, provide students with high-dosage tutoring, refresh our school accountability model, and expand options for students to access high-quality schools."

Download a presentation on today's results.

Results from the 2024 LEAP assessments show:

In ELA, students in grades 3-8 improved their previous overall mastery rate by one point. ELA mastery rates improved in grades 3, 5, 6, and 7 and declined in grades 4 and 8.
In math, students in grades 3-8 maintained their previous overall mastery rate. Math mastery rates improved in grades 4 and 7, remained the same in grades 5 and 6, and declined in grades 3 and 8.
In science, students in grades 3-8 maintained their previous overall mastery rate. Science mastery rates improved in grades 3, 5, and 6 and declined in 4, 7, and 8.
The percent of students scoring "Unsatisfactory" — the lowest achievement level — decreased when compared to last year in grades 3-12.
The overall mastery rate for students with disabilities improved in 3-8 for the third consecutive year.
Third graders grew two points in both ELA and science.
Fourth graders dipped three in ELA and two in science, while growing two in math.
Fifth graders grew three points in ELA and one in science.
Sixth graders grew two in ELA and three in science.
Students in grades 4 and 7 grew in math for the third consecutive year. Fourth graders improved by two points and seventh graders by one.
Eighth graders dropped one in both ELA and math and three in science.
Louisiana's overall mastery rate for students in grades 3-8 is 34, high school is 36, and the combined rate is 35. All of those percentages match totals from the previous year. The mastery rate measures the percentage of students who scored Mastery or above on LEAP and are considered proficient. LEAP results for the 2023-2024 school year are now available on the LDOE website.

LEAP measures proficiency in English/language arts (ELA), math, science, and social studies for grades 3-12. Social studies results were not available this year because the LDOE is developing an assessment for Louisiana's new Freedom Framework social studies standards. The operational social studies test will occur in the spring of 2025.

07/15/2024

Visitors to the Gum Springs Campground and Horse Camp in Winn Parish are advised to bring their own drinking water effective immediately (July 15) as the well pump which services the Winn Ranger Station, work center and Gum Springs recreation area is out of commission. We will let the public know when the well pump has been restored.

07/14/2024

Montana Wanted Person Arrested in WinnfieldWinnfield, LA----The Winnfield Police Department was contacted by a Detective from the Bozeman, Montana Police Department that they had information that a wanted person from their jurisdiction was in the Winnfield area. The department received faxed copies of felony warrants issued by the 18th Judicial District Court of the State of Montana, for the County of Galllatin for several charges. After a brief search, Officers Ashley Carpenter, Edward Starks III and Cassidy Martin located the person living and working in the Winnfield area. Contact was made on July 10th and the offender was taken into custody without incident.Sidney Sanquan Jones, age 33, currently of Winnfield, LA, was arrested on 4 counts of In**st, 1 count of Sexual Abuse of Children, and Unlawful Transactions with Minors in the state of Montana. He is currently being held at the Winn Parish Detention Center awaiting extradition to Montana. He has a right to an extradition hearing, or he may choose to waive that right and have Montana officials arrange for his transport back to their jurisdiction. A person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

07/10/2024

Come join us!!!

07/04/2024

Hope to see you there!

07/01/2024

The Enterprise has obtained a copy of the budget of the WPSO dated 6/30/2012 when Sheriff Jordan took office (1st pic), and a copy of his exit audit dated 6/27/24 as he turns over the reigns to the new Winn Parish Sheriff, Josh McAllister. Thank you for your dedication and service Sheriff Jordan and congratulations and best wishes to Sheriff McAllister as he takes over at midnight tonight, 6/30/24.

06/22/2024

UPDATE

06/09/2024

“Click It or Ticket” Campaign Results 2024Winnfield, LA----The “Click It Or Ticket” campaign, sponsored and funded by the National Highway Safety Administration and administered by the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission started May 20 and ended at midnight on June 2. The Winnfield Police Department was awarded a grant by the LHSC that resulted in 100 hours of overtime hours for officers to provide saturated patrols for enforcement of traffic laws and seat belt violations.During this time period, the total number of violations cited was 218 of which 199 were seat belt violations. In Winnfield City Court, fines for seat belt violations, 1st offense, is $60.00. Many officers stop offenders for moving violations and, at their discretion, drop to the lesser charge of a seat belt violation to avoid the higher fines and higher insurance rates for the driver.The Winnfield Police Department reminds drivers that while this campaign center around the Memorial Day weekend, all occupants shall always use their seat belts at all times as required by law. Statistic have proven that restrained occupants are more likely to survive a crash than an unrestrained person.This grant has also provided monies to participate in the next national campaign, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” centered around the Labor Day weekend. This is a High-Visibility Traffic Safety Enforcement program that begins August 16 and runs through September 3.

06/09/2024

Traffic Stop Leads to Drug ArrestWinnfield, LA----On May 29 Officer Ashley Carpenter of the Winnfield Police Department, while making a traffic stop for an equipment violation, made an arrest for possession of illegal narcotics. While identifying the driver and explaining the reason for the stop, Carpenter became suspicious of the occupants and called for a K-9 unit. While awaiting for a K-9-unit, Officer Carpenter, along with her back up officer, Pedro Reynoza, were notified that one of the occupants, Robet Snelling, was wanted by the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office for outstanding warrants.Once Sgt Brian Glenn arrived with his K-9, he conducted an open-air sniff with the dog alerting on the driver’s side. This gave officers probable cause to search the vehicle. Discovered during the search was ma*****na and methamphetamine, along with drug paraphernalia. The was another unidentified white, powdery substance that could not be identified, and with the threat of fentanyl that is available, it was secured and sealed for crime lab submission. The driver was also found to be in possession of containers of pills identified as Trazodone and Buspirone, both requiring a prescription to possess.Tiffany Harrington Hale of Winnfield was charged with Possession of Ma*****na, Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Schedule II (M**h), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of Legend Drugs without a prescription. She was sent to the Winn Parish Detention Center. Robert Snelling, also of Winnfield, was turned over to Winn Parish Deputies for their outstanding warrants.

06/09/2024

Stolen Vehicles Recovered Winnfield, LA----Monday morning, just after midnight, it was discovered that the old Creosote Plant Environmental Clean-up Project site, located on Front Street, had been entered through a gate that had the lock cut. It was discovered that one of the clean-up companies on site was missing a Kubota industrial Off-Road ATV they had rented from HHR Services of Natchitoches. The estimated value of the equipment was approximately $20,000. Officers searched throughout the remainder of the morning with no success of finding the Kubota.Sgt Brian Glenn of the Winnfield Police Department, night shift supervisor, had remained after shift change and was still searching the area after daylight when he came across a car that appeared wrecked and stuck on Howard Loop Road. As he drove up to offer assistance, the driver, a b/m he knew from previous dealings as Joe Anderson, Jr., ran into a wooded area. This was about the same time as the morning shift officers were responding to a call of a stolen car from the Winn Dialysis Center on West Court Street. While a patient who had arrived to receive her dialysis treatment was being assisted into the facility by her son who had driven her there, an unknown person got into her vehicle and drove away. As officers radioed the information, Sgt Glenn realized he had driven upon the stolen vehicle. He called for assistance from the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Winn Chase Team. The dogs with the Chase Team led officers to the suspect’s location in the Briarwood apartments were he was taken into custody without incident.The investigation that followed led to video footage that showed the suspect stealing the car at the dialysis center. Further investigation led to the recovery of the stolen ATV. Joe Anderson, Jr., of Winnfield was charged with Theft of a Motor Vehicle and Possession of Stolen Things valued over $5000, less than $25,000. Both charges are major felonies punishable by up to 10 years at hard labor each. Anderson is on probation on past charges. He is currently being held in the Winn Parish Detention Center. No bond has been set as of this time.

05/27/2024

Sheriff Cranford Jordan has officially retired plate WP17 in honor of former WPSO Deputy Clayton James Horne. Jordan stated that this decision was made to “honor Horne for his excellent service during his time with the sheriff’s office.” Deputy Horne also carried the title of U.S. Army Specialist while serving his country. Horne committed his life to serving both his community and his country. At the time of his death, Horne was deployed to Saudi Arabia with the 351st Military Police Company, 160th Military Police Battalion in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.On August 30, 2019, Horne was brought home for the final time. He received a hero’s welcome with streets lined with family, friends, law enforcement and community as his body was brought back to the parish that he loved so much. During his 23 years on earth, Clayton James Horne touched many lives and none more so than those he shared his testimony and love for the Lord with. That impact would exceed any other service during his time here.It seems fitting that the decision to retire plate WP17 be made on this Memorial Day holiday. The special holiday that recognizes those brave men and women who served their country and paid the ultimate price in doing so.

05/07/2024

MELANOMA AWARENESS MONTH
Did you know that about 30% of melanomas begin in existing moles, but the rest start in normal skin? This is why it is so important to do skin checks because the majority of melanomas don’t begin as moles. Also, caught early, melanomas are highly treatable.
Melanoma can form on any area of your body. I wasn’t aware of that until I began having PET scans. When scheduling for my first scan, I was asked to come at a particular time due to it taking a bit longer than most scans because they would scan my body from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet.
When I was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic melanoma in 2012, there were not many treatment options available. In fact, the drug that I began taking had just been FDA approved for melanoma. It is a targeted drug for a specific mutation called BRAF. My sister, who had melanoma as well, was on the same drug for a short period of time. She also used an immunotherapy drug, and a cocktail of 3 different chemo’s and a bio therapy drug. I have been fortunate that this targeted drug has kept my cancer turned “off”. With brain MRI’s and PET scans every four months, I am closely monitored by my oncology team.
So what causes melanoma? Most experts believe that a major risk factor is overexposure to sunlight, especially sunburns when you are young. Statistics show that 86% of melanomas are caused by solar ultraviolet (UV) rays. Did my sister and I spend lots of time in the sun? ABSOLUTELY! If I knew then what I know now, I would have chosen to remain white as a bedsheet during the summer days. Unfortunately, my sister and I both chose tanning beds and sunlight.
So what are some risk factors for developing melanoma? Although anyone can develop the disease, lots of times its seen in people with:
A personal history of melanoma.
A family history of melanoma.
Fair skin, freckles, blond or red hair and blue eyes.
Living in locations closest to the equator or in high elevations.
A history of tanning bed use.
Having lots of moles, especially atypical moles.
A weakened immune system.
Both my dad and my sister had melanoma, so there is a family history for me. Each person with a first degree relative diagnosed with melanoma has a 50% greater chance of developing the disease. My family was in the 1% because we have had two or more first degree relatives diagnosed with melanoma.
No matter if you run a risk due to any of these factors or not, please do everything you can to prevent it. Melanoma is the deadliest of all skin cancers.
Summer is here and we all want to be out enjoying the beautiful days filled with swimming, outdoor activities, etc. In doing so just be diligent and protect your skin.

Stacey Friday Kaiser

05/07/2024

Beautiful Adirondack chairs built out of treated 2x4s and 2x6s! $100 apiece! Two are ready for pickup! Contact us for more details!

04/25/2024

Central Louisiana Technical Community College-Huey P. Long Campus here in Winnfield will be hosting a FAFSA day April 29th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This is an opportunity to connect face-to-face with a representative from Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) and complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

This event is open to the public as well as future students of Central Louisiana Technical Community College.
Any questions, please contact the Campus at 318-628-4342.

04/13/2024

Everybody meet Myrah! Thanks to our supporters and some donors from the Mt. Grace Men & Women’s center, we are helping Myrah get a fresh start! We got her birth certificate in the mail last week, flags lifted yesterday from the DMV, and her tip card today. Next up, drivers ed. What may be small for some is huge for her! This opens up many doors for her future.

This is what The Prodigal looks at as a hardship. In order for us to be functional in life there are certain things or milestones we must accomplish. We as the Prodigal are proud to be of help in situations like these! Thanks Winn parish, your giving changes lives. ❤️

04/05/2024

STORY >> https://tinyurl.com/4ry96b9f
The Ruston Police Department is reminding the community about the importance of staying vigilant after a woman who was leaving Origin Bank found herself surrounded by people trying to access her car and purse.