hough always in the middle of nearly constant chaos for 40 years, she maintained such an efficient and graceful purpose that you wondered if Flo was a real person or something you plugged in at dawn and turned off at midnight.

Born June 1, 1936, in Ruston to Evelyn Mabel and Lonnie Lee, Ms. Florine Davis “Flo” Miskelley passed away Friday in Ruston due to complications from a stroke.

She was 87.

But in Flo Years, who knows how old she was? In the four decades she worked for (ran?) Louisiana Tech’s athletic department until her retirement in 2005, the University got at least 120 working years from her.
A graduate of both Ruston High (1953) and Tech (1955), she worked eight years in Mississippi before she was hired by Tech football coach and athletic director Joe Aillet in August of 1965 as the ticket manager and the only secretary in the entire athletic department.

She had asked to work anywhere on campus but in athletics. And then she told Aillet she didn’t know anything about football.
“That’s OK,” he told her. “You won’t be playing.”
And she didn’t. But she did most everything else.
She was the last of the old-school athletic business managers and ticket chiefs, doing it all with no technology outside of her brain and ingenuity. Pencil. Pad. Memory. Smiles.

No one knows how she did it. I was 18 and she was 42 and in her prime when I met her in 1978; saw her at the field house most every day for the next six years and heard each of these phrases daily, hundreds of times through the years:
“Ask Flo.”
“Where’s Flo?”
“You’d better talk to Flo.”
“Flo will know.”
Every day of the world.

She was either structured and systematic or the luckiest person ever because whatever needed doing got done, and with a refined and stylish air only she seemed to manage.

She defines Unsung Hero, and there’s one in every athletic department. (We are thinking Roxanne Freeman before her retirement from Northwestern State, as a for instance.) They exude a goodness you can feel on top of a productivity you can see and a competence you can bank on.
Triple threats.

That was Flo. A motion perpetual but unhurried, a spirit undefeated.
Flo made her customers feel special; athletic message boards from other schools mentioned how nice “the ticket lady at Tech” was. She made us boys feel cared for, made us feel we mattered.
And she loved her dogs. You could do a lot worse if you were a stray in Lincoln Parish than to wander up to Flo’s house.

Everybody loved her, is the deal. When she stepped down as Associate Athletic Director, 600 people showed up for her reception and, though she was a bit embarrassed by it all, gave her a standing ovation.

Her obituary was three paragraphs, six sentences, just 129 words. She probably wanted it that way. That’s so Flo.
She was the ticket we were all so lucky to get.

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Logansport High School’s Veterans Day program is today, November 8, at 9am in the Logansport Elementary Gym. All Veterans are invited to a breakfast prior to the program at 9am in the library.

Pelican Library has partnered with the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana to host adult cooking and nutrition classes every month. The first one is today, November 8 at 2pm. Adults 18 and up are invited to join in on “Cooking Matters” featuring basic budget-friendly dishes. 

It’s a festive Saturday in Grand Cane. Invite your friends and family to come visit and see the new shops and holiday items during Village Market hosted by HGCA November 11 from 8am til 2pm. It is free to the public. 

Join the adult painting class at Mansfield Library on Monday, November 20 at 10am. Have fun and explore your creativity, learn new skills and socialize. All supplies will be provided. Sign up by November 13. Call 318.872.6100 for more information.

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Jimmy Carl Coker
January 24, 1950 — October 30, 2023
Service: Saturday, November 11 at 10:30am at Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints – Stonewall

Danny J Weber
August 7, 1939 — November 5, 2023
A memorial graveside service will be held on later date

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Congratulations to all of the Picker Winners so far, but now it is time to launch a new game.  The Marketplace Chevrolet College Football Pickers Contest for this week is now active. 

We’re giving away another $100 this week.  Just CLICK HERE to enter and win.  Good Luck!

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The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises motorists of these upcoming Road Closures in the area:

1. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises motorists that beginning on Monday, November 6, 2023, the LA 3015 bridge over Bushneck Bayou near the Village of Longstreet in DeSoto Parish will be closed. This closure is scheduled to last approximately two weeks, and is necessary to allow DOTD crews to perform repairs to the structure. This bridge is located approximately one mile west of the intersection with LA 5. Restrictions/Permits: Total road closure at the specified location. All vehicles will need to utilize an alternate route. Alternate Route: Detour signage will be in place.

2. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises motorists that beginning on Monday, November 6, 2023, the US 84 bridge over Bayou Pierre in Red River Parish will be closed for repair. This bridge closure is scheduled to be in place for approximately five weeks, and is necessary to allow DOTD crews to perform repairs to the girder, bridge piles, and other components. This work will ensure the bridge can remain in service in the future. This bridge is located approximately 2.3 miles west of LA 1 near the DeSoto Parish line. (see included map). Restrictions/Permits: Total road closure at the specified location. All vehicles will need to utilize an alternate route. Alternate Route: Detour signage will be in place.

3. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announces a project to repair a section of LA 5 in DeSoto Parish. The $15.3 million project stretches from Thomas Road near Logansport to LA 172 at the Town of Keatchie, providing improvements to approximately 11 miles of roadway. The project includes full-depth pavement patching, which is a long-lasting method used to repair the base layers on certain sections of roadways and strengthen the existing pavement. Once patching is complete, work will move to the mill and overlay portion of the project, which will repair the driving surface of the roadway. Other work includes the installation of drainage structures, permanent signage, and striping. Construction is anticipated to begin in early November 2023. Lane closures will be necessary as work progresses, so motorists should expect some possible delays in the construction zone. The entire project is anticipated to be complete in late 2024, with progress dependent on weather conditions and other factors that can impact construction timelines. Previous construction projects have repaired sections along the LA 5 stretching from Logansport to Kickapoo (US 171). In all, nearly 20 miles of LA 5 will have been repaired once this current project is complete

All road work will be performed WEATHER PERMITTING.

Safety reminder:

DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution through the construction site and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.

Area residents should exercise caution when driving, walking, or biking near an active construction zone.

Additional information:

Call 511, visit http://www.511la.org, or download the Louisiana 511 mobile app for additional information. Out-of-state travelers may call 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511). Motorists may also monitor the LA DOTD website at http://www.dotd.la.gov, by selecting MyDOTD, or by visiting the DOTD Facebook and Twitter pages.

Contact Information:

Erin Buchanan
Public Information Officer
Shreveport-Bossier District
(318) 549-8402
erin.buchanan@la.gov

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This is the final week of the Marketplace Chevrolet College Football Pickers Contest. And today is the last day to enter to win the $100 prize. Deadline for entry is 4:00 pm today.

Congratulations to last week’s winner John Russell of Grand Cane. John did the best job of all the DeSoto Parish entries of predicting the outcomes of ten college football games. Great job John.

There are a couple of contests this week that could result in upsets. Will you select the correct teams? CLICK HERE to enter the final contest. Good luck!

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There will be a DeSoto Parish Police Jury meeting Monday, November 6, 2023 starting at 5pm. The meeting will take place in the Police Jury Meeting Room, 101 Franklin Street.

The following committees will meet: Administrative, Budget and Finance, Insurance, Solid Waste, Road, and Airport and Animal Control.

The Administrative Committee meeting items will include accepting several resignation and appointments, and rescinding the authorization for Jurors and employees hunting on any Jury property.

The Budget and Finance Committee meeting items include amending the budget to transfer $120,000 from the general fund to the Office of Community Service fund.

The Insurance committee will review and approve the best group health insurance proposal from the Insurance Broker.

The Solid Waste committee will discuss two items–approve quote for scrap pickup and approve Change Order No. 1 for the Borrow Area Preparations for $93500 to increase the quantities.

The Road committee will vote to authorize the President to sign Change Order for road drainage improvements on Charlie Jones, Daw, Mounce, and Nash Roads.

The Airport and Animal Control committee will discuss to authorize the President to sign the State Project No. H015175 Obstruction Removal Runway 36 Approach Phase III.

 

 

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Graveside service for Kathleen James will be 10:00 AM, Saturday, November 4, 2023, at Grand Cane Cemetery, Grand Cane, LA. Officiating the service will be Pastor Mike Scott.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Alton James, Sr.; parents; brothers, John Irvine, Jr., and Jimmy Irvine; great-granddaughter Brycee Jo Burkett; great-grandson Shepherd Wade Keen; and son-in-law, Joel Allen.

Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Alton James, Jr. and wife Suzanne; daughters, Judy Hazelwood and husband David, Kathy Boobar and husband Tim, and Lori Strange; grandchildren Samuel James and wife Jessi, Stacey March and husband David, Carol Sutton and husband Allen, Micah Hazelwood, Daniel Hazelwood, Holly Knight and husband Bradley, Janie Jo Burkett and husband Jacob, Jacob Allen and wife Amber, Caleb Strange, and Mallory Keen and husband Stetson; great-grandchildren, Cooper James, Juliette James, Coen March, Addison March, Marin March, Noah Sutton, Grace Sutton, Timbre Hazelwood, Ava Knight, Greta Knight, Harper Knight, James Knight, Jolie Knight, Blake Burkett, Banner Burkett, Bryon Burkett, Boone Burkett, Harrison Allen, Henry Allen, Alice Allen and Georgia Keen.

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Vincent Damon Furnier was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1948.  Vincent’s father, Ether Moroni Furnier, was a preacher in The Church of Jesus Christ.  His paternal grandfather, Thurman Sylvest Furnier, was also a minister in the church and became president of the organization in the mid-1960s.  Unsurprisingly, Vincent was active in the church.  Most people, even Vincent, expected him to follow in the family business and become a church leader, maybe even a preacher, but a series of events altered the trajectory of his life.   As the saying goes, “The Lord works in mysterious ways.” 

As a child, Vincent struggled with a series of illnesses.  Vincent’s father moved the family from Detroit to Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix.  The drier climate had the desired effect as the illnesses that plagued Vincent vanished. 

In Glendale, Vincent pulled away from the church.  Children sometimes need to find their own way in life, and so it was with Vincent.  By his twenties, Vincent had stopped going to church altogether although he expressed an interest in returning to church.  He explained, “I’m afraid my appearance would be embarrassing for my father.  I don’t mean that he would be embarrassed, and he would never tell me.  But I don’t think his congregation would like it.”  Vincent’s appearance certainly drew attention.  Vincent wore makeup and bought all his clothes from the Salvation Army.  He sometimes wore his sister’s hand-me-down clothes or something his mother made for him.  Vincent disliked anything that looked new.  When he bought clothing for his girlfriend, he shopped in antique stores. 

Vincent’s life changed forever in 1964 when he and four fellow cross country teammates, Glen Buxtin, Neal Smith, Dennis Dunaway, and Michael Bruce, participated in Cortez High School’s annual Letterman’s talent show.  Vincent and his teammates called themselves the Earwigs, but there was a problem.  Other than Glen Buxton, who played guitar, none of the others played musical instruments.  To circumvent their lack of talent, the Earwigs dressed to resemble the Beatles, complete with wigs, and pretended to play instruments while a record played Beatles songs.  Vincent, the Earwigs’ lead singer, sang parodied lyrics to the Beatles songs.  For example, one of the songs they mimed and parodied was “Please Please Me.”  In it, rather than singing “Last night I said these words to my girl,” Vincent sang “Last night I ran four laps for my coach.”  The reception was better than anyone expected.  Vincent and his teammates won the talent show.  Because of their strange success, they decided to form a real band.  Vincent’s friends learned to play instruments and Vincent began to write songs and to improve his singing voice and stage presence.  In his high school yearbook, Vincent said his ambition was to become “a million record seller.”  

Vincent and his friends performed under various band names from the Earwigs to the Spiders and Nazz with minor success.  Finally, Vincent and his friends decided that they needed a gimmick to succeed.  They settled on a band name which sounded innocent and wholesome, which was in direct contrast to their stage shows.  The band became somewhat successful, but with that success came pressure, drugs, and alcohol.  Vincent became an alcoholic and drug addict.  It is likely that Vincent has died more times than any other human in history.  On multiple occasions, Vincent has died seven, eight, sometimes ten times in a single evening.  Each time, he was brought back to life.  Finally, after decades of drug and alcohol abuse, Vincent found a new addiction which took the place of drugs and alcohol.  Vincent became addicted to golf.  The son and grandson of preacher men also became a born-again Christian.  The Lord works in mysterious ways.

For some of the band members, their dream had become a nightmare.  After a decade of performing together, the band fell apart.  Vincent wanted to keep performing but disagreements with the other band members meant that Vincent could not use the band name.  Finally, Vincent found a loophole.  The only way he could perform under his old band name was to legally change his name to the band name.  In 1973, Vincent legally changed his name.  Under his new name, Vincent has sold more than 50 million records.  His deaths, as mentioned earlier, were not due to illness or overdose.  He continues to die multiple times an evening in various ways as part of his elaborate stage show.  You know Vincent Damon Furnier, who became addicted to drugs and alcohol, then became a born again Christian and avid golfer, as Alice Cooper. 

Sources:

1.      The Ottawa Journal, August 20, 1971, p.12.

2.     Albany Democrat-Herald, April 19, 1975, p.33.

3.     The Baltimore Sun, April 26, 1975, p.10.

4.     Concord Monitor, July 29, 2004, p.6.

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In honor of Veterans Day, the Mansfield Historic Site will look at the fate of those who survived the Civil War and what their lives were like once the war was over, as well as compare their stories with those veterans who returned home from war in later wars. We will also present stories of those who sought to make a new life for themselves as ranchers, cowboys, and prospectors in the open spaces of the American West. After the presentation, there will be a roll call in honor of all the regiments, United States and Confederate, that fought at the Battle of Mansfield.

Four volunteers are needed with Civil War uniforms, two Confederate and two Federal, to form a small honor guard and carry the Confederate and Federal colors. Following the annual presentation in the theater, there will be a formal roll call of the Confederate and Federal regiments that fought at the battle.
The site also wants to honor all American veterans that fought in the years before and since the Civil War.

The program will take place November 11 from 2- 5pm at the Mansfield State Historic Site located on La. Hwy. 175, three miles south of Mansfield. Admission is $4.00 per person age 4-61; seniors 62 and over and children 3 and under are free. For more information, call (318) 872-1474 or (888) 677-6267, or visit our website at https://www.crt.state.la.us/louisiana-state-parks/historic-sites/mansfie….

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Now that I’m in my early 60’s, I’ve noticed that my level of patience is deteriorating rather quickly. The one area really being tested is with the human race and their level of disrespect and stupidity. Now it’s no secret that I too have had my share of crazy moments that I’m not very proud of. But we now live in a time that, for some reason, people have forgotten how to act. The word courtesy has disappeared from the American vocabulary.

About a month ago, I was fishing the American Bass Anglers (ABA) two-day divisional championship on Lake Sam Rayburn. It was during our morning take-off that one human being decided to show just how big a butt head he could be. He CHOSE to make it all about himself instead of being courteous.

Take-off is where the tournament director calls out boat numbers as anglers head out for a day of competition. These take-offs take place next to a boat dock as anglers drive their boats past the dock with their live-wells open. As the boat passes the dock, the director makes sure you have no fish in your live-well and that your aeration system is working properly. It’s basically called a rolling start and is very common among tournament circuits.

Our tournament director, Chris Wayand, who does an outstanding job, was getting ready for take-off when he approached a gentleman fishing off the dock. Chris explained to the man that he was about to release the boats for the tournament, and they would be driving by the dock where he was fishing. Chris politely asked the man if he would like to reel his line in while we drove by so that no one would cut his line with their boat motors.

This is where things went south in a hurry as the boat dock fisherman went off on Chris with a foul language outburst and stated that he had just as much right to fish off that dock as we did to drive by it. Chris acknowledged the man’s point of view and agreed that he did have the right to fish off the dock, but that we would be out of his way in 10 to 15 minutes. Chris was very nice and never even raised his voice even after the guy was rude and inconsiderate.

Recognizing that the dock fisherman was not going to reel his line in for take-off, Chris made an announcement to the tournament anglers and asked that we try and veer away from the dock as quickly as possible so as not to run over the man’s fishing line.

As Chris began to call boat numbers and anglers idled by the boat dock, it was about boat #3 that the moment got really ugly. Boat #3, due to inexperience and inability to control their boat better, managed to run over the dock fisherman’s fishing line and cut it. The angler jumped out of his chair and ran down the dock cursing Chris Wayand while shaking his finger in Chris’s face. The angler used pretty much every curse word in the English language to express his displeasure with his line being run over and that us tournament anglers think we own the lake.

While none of us actually had ownership over any part of Lake Sam Rayburn, this old man (probably in his mid 70’s) was still giving Chris a piece of his mind as I approached the dock as boat #11 during take-off. If I could have the opportunity to talk with this gentleman, I would ask him a couple of questions. Why was he so uncooperative and refused to show a little respect for our take-off that morning? Why was he so set on continuing to fish knowing that the odds of him catching a fish were basically zero while bass boats were driving directly over his fishing area?

For some reason the dock fisherman decided to try and make a point by refusing to cooperate and show a little courtesy to avoid a confrontation. Instead, he CHOSE to make a public scene and show everyone just how uncooperative he could be. What is wrong with people today? Why do some folks choose to be selfish rather than use just a little common sense? Why can’t people be respectful and get along? Where did we as a country lose our respect for one another?

But this one incident is just an example of the country we live in today. IT’S ALL ABOUT ME! Till next time good luck, good fishing and let’s all try to get along and regain respect for each other.

Steve Graf

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Funeral services for Henry Sale will be 10:00 AM, Friday, November 3, 2023, at Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home Chapel in Mansfield, LA. Officiating the service will be Rev. Jesse Truitt. Interment will follow at Mansfield Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 7:00 Thursday, November 2, 2023, at the funeral home.

Henry was born September 25, 1962, in Mansfield, LA and passed away October 29, 2023.
Henry was preceded in death by his parents, James Sale and Lucy Petty. Those left behind to cherish his memory are his wife, Hope Sale; sons Henry “Hank” Sale, II; daughters Ellen Dominguez and husband Eli and Emily Norred and husband Tyler; sister Noel Sale; brother, David Robert Sale; and grandchildren, Blair Sale, Henry Sale, III, Henley Sale, Brylee Dominguez, Brenna Dominguez, Braelynn Dominguez, and Joshua Norred.

Honoring the life of Henry as pallbearers will be Jeff Smith, Rex Middleton, Cole Truitt, Tyler Norred, Eli Dominguez, and Trey Wax.

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Northwestern State University has named 22 students to its 2023 Homecoming Honor Court. Members of the court were selected by a vote of the student body. The court will be presented after the volleyball match between Northwestern State and McNeese State which begins Saturday, Nov. 4 at 3 p.m. in Prather Coliseum.

Zoe Johnson of Morgan City will be queen of the court and Zac Cooper of Winnsboro will be king.

Other members of the court are Lizzie Blanchard of St. Martinville, Kameron Burns and Nicholas Knotts of Haughton, Jacob Boyter and Nicholas Cooksey of Bossier City, Madison Cook of Vivian, Johnny Cox Jr. of Coushatta, Hannah Davis of Hammond and Scott Fowler and Mary Anna Scruggs of Natchitoches.

Also selected were: Latyriona Jones of Evergreen, Linzie Lampert of Deville, Natalie Mangandi, Caiden Matthews and Kacy Young of Shreveport, Zachary Remedies of Zwolle, Avery Tullos of Benton, Derrick Varnado, Jr. of Gonzales, Malaya White of Opelousas and Terrell Woodard Jr. of Carencro.

Johnson is the daughter of Sonya Johnson and Michael Johnson. She is a senior business administration major. Johnson is a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority where she has served as president, recruitment director and vice president of harm reduction. Johnson is president of Purple Jacket Honor Society, treasurer of the Order of Omega and president of Demon Volunteers in Progress. She is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society and Students for Animal Protection and was a freshman orientation leader for three years. She worked in the university’s First Year Experience office.

Cooper is the son of Sherry Cooper-Carroll and Tim Carroll. He is a senior communications major. Cooper is a member of Pi Kappa Phi, the Spirit of Northwestern Marching Band, the Order of Omega and Demon Volunteers in Progress. He is a member of Demon Mentor Network, Alpha Lambda Delta and a mentor for the President’s Leadership Program. He was a freshman orientation leader.

Blanchard is the daughter of Clyde and Roxanna Blanchard. She is a senior psychology and addiction studies major. Blanchard is a member of Alpha Omicron Pi, the University Programming Council, Alpha Lambda Delta, Students for Animal Protection and the Demon Mentor Network. She is also a member of Psi Chi Honor Society, Order of Omega, Purple Jackets Honor Society and Demon Volunteers in Progress.

Boyter is the son of Brian and Kelly Boyter. He is a senior psychology major. He is president of Pi Kappa Alpha and was a freshman orientation leader for two years. Boyter is a member of the Order of Omega, Alpha Lambda Delta, Students for Animal Protection and the Catholic Student Organization.

Burns is the son of Lindsay Burns and Jason Burns. He is a junior biology major with a biomedical concentration. Burns is a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He was involved in the First Year Experience program and was a freshmen orientation leader. He is a member of Demon Volunteers in Progress, the Catholic Student Organization and Students for Animal Protection.

Cooksey is the son of Sean and Sally Cooksey and Melinda Cooksey. He is a senior history major. Cooksey is a member of Kappa Alpha, the Student Government Association, Alpha Lambda Delta, Order of Omega, Phi Alpha Delta and Demons in Government. He is also a member of the Catholic Student Organization, Interfraternity Council, Demon Volunteers in Progress and the Demon Mentor Network. He was a freshman orientation leader.

Cook is the daughter of Vanessa Cook and Chad Cook. She is a junior health and exercise major. Cook is a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority, the President’s Leadership Program and Demon Volunteers in Progress. Cook is also a member of Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, Purple Jackets Club, Order of Omega, Blue Key Honor Society and the Student Government Association.

Cox is the son of Johnny Cox Sr. and Valerie Cox. He is a junior nursing major. Cox is a founder of the Black Male Alliance and is active in the Student Government Association. He is a member of Blue Key Honor Society and Helping Hands and is an alumnus of the President Leadership Program.

Davis is the daughter of Latoya Williams. She is a junior biology major. Davis is a former member of the President Leadership Program, and a member of the Purple Jackets Honor Society. She was a freshman orientation leader and a member of Alpha Lambda Delta. Davis is commissioner of student affairs in the Student Government Association and a member of Order of Omega, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Demon Volunteers in Progress and La Belle Femme.

Fowler is the son of Blake and Kara Fowler. He is a senior business administration major. Fowler is a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity and president of Interfraternity Council and Order of Omega. He was in the Presidential Leadership Program and was a freshman orientation leader. Fowler was a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, Blue Key Honor Society, Demon Volunteers in Progress and the Demon Mentor Network.

Jones is the daughter of Melissa Jones and Mathaniel Jones. She is a junior health and exercise science major with a concentration in physical therapy. Jones was a transfer ambassador and freshman orientation leader. She is a member of Demon Volunteers in Progress, La Belle Femme and the Demon Mentor Network. Jones has written for the student newspaper, the Current Sauce.

Knotts is the son of Mike and Bridgette Knotts and Susanne and Mike Sewell. He is a senior business administration major. Knotts is a member of Blue Key Honor Society and Demon Volunteers in Progress. He was a freshman orientation leader, a Presidential Leadership Program member and a founder of Demons Doing Good.

Lampert is the daughter of Loren and Lisa Lampert. She is a junior health and exercise science major with a concentration in occupational therapy. Lampert was a freshman orientation leader and is a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority and Demon Volunteers in Progress and is active in the Baptist Collegiate Ministry. Lampert was in the Presidential Leadership Program and was later a mentor in the program. She was a student worker in the Office of First Year Experience and is former president of Alpha Lambda Delta First Year Honor Society.

Mangandi is the daughter of Mandi Trosclair and Lucas Trosclair and Cesar Mangandi and Nancy Mangandi. She is a senior psychology major. Mangandi is a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority, Purple Jackets, Demon Volunteers in Progress and Order of Omega. She is a Presidential Leadership Program mentor, a member of the Demon Mentor Network, served as a freshman orientation leader and worked in the Office of First Year Experience.

Matthews is the son of Shakira Johnson. He is a junior business administration major. Matthews is a member of the Presidential Leadership Program and was a freshman orientation leader. He is a member of the Theta Lambda chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity Inc, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society and is active in the Student Government Association. Matthews was a Reginald F. Lewis Scholar and is active in the Army ROTC program.

Remedies is the son of Anna and Kenny Remedies. He is a hospitality management and tourism major with a minor in Communications. Remedies is a member of Pi Kappa Alpha where he serves as external vice president and was a freshman orientation leader. He is president of Students for Animal Protection, Interfraternity Council vice president, a member of Demon Volunteers in Progress, the Demon Mentor Network, Tri Beta, ASM, the Catholic Student Organization and is a Hospitality Management and Tourism Ambassador.

Scruggs is the daughter of Sammy and Connie Scruggs. She is a senior strategic communications major. Scruggs is a member of Blue Key Honor Society, Order of Omega Honor Society, Students for Animal Protection (SAP), Demon Volunteers in Progress and was a freshman orientation leader. She is a member of Demons in Government, the Student Government Association, Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, Demon Mentor Network and the President’s Leadership Program.

Tullos is a junior biology major and is the daughter of Robyn Edmonds and James Tullos and Shane Edmonds and Adelia Tullos. She is family group leader in the Baptist Collegiate Ministry, a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority, events coordinator in the Presidential Ambassadors, treasurer of Purple Jackets and vice president of Alpha Epsilon Delta. Tullos is also a member of Tri-Beta Biological Honors Society, American Society for Microbiology, JOVE Research, Order of Omega, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society Demon Mentor Network and was a 2022 Freshman Connector.

Varnado is a junior communications major and is the son of Trenell Smith and Derrick Varnado Sr. He is a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity where he serves as president. Varnado was vice-president of Recruitment and Programming for the Interfraternity Council in 2022-2023. He was a Reginald F. Lewis Scholar.

White is the daughter of Melissa Miller and John Christopher White. She is a senior communications major with a minor in psychology. White is a member of the Student Government Association, the National Association of Black Journalists, Helping Hands Service Organization and the African American Caucus. She was a freshman orientation leader and is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, Order of Omega and the Eta Chi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Woodard is the son of Cathy and Michael LeBlanc. He is a junior biology major. Woodard is a co-founder of the Black Male Alliance, commissioner of external affairs for the Student Government Association and was a freshman orientation leader. He was the public relations chair for Alpha Lambda Delta and a member of Blue Key National Honor Society, the National Society of Leadership and Success, and was on the Helping Hands Logistics Committee. Woodard is a member of the African American Caucus, Demon Volunteers in Progress and is a marketing Intern at NSU Sodexo Dining Services.

Young is the daughter of Tracy Young and Marty Young. She is a junior history and hospitality management and tourism major. Young is a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority where she is vice president of harm reduction), an alumna and current mentor in the President’s Leadership Program, student coordinator of the NSU Food Pantry, secretary of Purple Jackets and Blue Key Honor Society, and past historian and junior advisor of Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society. She is a member of the Order of Omega Honor Society, Demon Volunteers in Progress and the Baptist Collegiate Ministry and was a freshman orientation leader.

Pictured:
Members of Northwestern State University’s 2023 Homecoming Honor Court are, from left, Terrell “TJ” Woodard Jr., Malaya White, Jacob Boyter, Lizzie Blanchard, Nicholas Cooksey, Linzi Lampert, Zachary Remedies, Tyra Jones, Nick Knotts, Mary Scruggs, Zach Cooper (King), Zoe Johnson (Queen), Hannah Davis, Caiden Matthews, Natalie Mangandi, Kameron Burns, Madison Cook, Derrick Varnado, Avery Tullos, Johnny Cox, Jr, Kacy Young and Scott Fowler.

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Northwestern State University’s Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development will honor several individuals during Homecoming Festivities Nov. 3-4. 

Honorees who will be inducted into the Hall of Distinguished Educators will be Ben LaGrone of Colfax, Phillip McClung and Janna Masson Maggio of Natchitoches; Janice Marie Barrios Moreau of Alexandria and Carolyn Williamson Burroughs of Haughton. 

Brittany Bonnaffons of New Orleans will be recognized as an Outstanding Young Professional in Education and Dr. Vickie Stevens Gentry will be honored as a Friend to Education.

A reception to honor this year’s group of inductees will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 4 in the Teacher Education Center Commons.  The induction program will begin at 11:30 a.m. in the Middle Lab Auditorium. 

LaGrone earned a B.S. in Agri-Business in 1984, a B.A. in Elementary Education in 1986, M.Ed. in Education Administration and Supervision in 1989 and completed 30+ graduate hours in Educational Administration and Supervision in 1994.  He is the director of the Department of Teaching and Learning for the Natchitoches Parish School Board.

LaGrone began his career as a teacher and coach at Montgomery Junior High and High School, providing instruction in math, science, social studies and P.E.  He was assistant principal at South Grant Elementary for three years, then was a site administrator at Grant Alternative School before he was named principal at Dry Prong Junior High where he served from 1997-2008. He also served as a mentor principal for the Louisiana Educational Leadership Induction Program.  LaGrone was Grant Parish Principal of the Year in 2002 and was a regional finalist for Louisiana Principal of the Year.

In 2008, LaGrone was appointed principal at NSU Middle Lab School, where he created a system to ensure a safe and orderly school environment and a “learning first” culture. He has also been director of the Louisiana Gear Up Summer Camp, for eighth graders who will become first generation college students. He was Natchitoches Parish Principal of the Year in 2010. In 2017, NSU Middle Lab was named a Blue Ribbon School and in 2018, LaGrone was again named Natchitoches Parish Principal of the Year. He has served the profession in many capacities, as a member of numerous academic committees and participating in many leadership training initiatives.

McClung earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education at NSU in 1981 and a Master’s in Education in 1991. After student teaching at Winnfield High School, he began his career teaching at Georgetown High School from 1981-1984 before moving to the Natchitoches Ninth Grade Center from 1984-1991.  From 1992-2016, he was school technology coordinator and 8^th grade team leader at NSU Middle Lab while he was also a supervising teacher, cooperating teacher and adjunct instructor for NSU’s College of Education and Division of Continuing Education.

During the course of his career, McClung earned several honors, including Natchitoches Parish High School Teacher of the Year, Natchitoches Jaycees’ Outstanding Young Educator and was twice named Natchitoches Parish Middle School Teacher of the Year.  He was a regional finalist for Louisiana State Teacher of the Year in 1995 and Louisiana State Middle School Teacher of the Year om 1996.  He also earned the Louisiana Middle School Association Award of Excellence in Education and APEL Distinguished Clinician for mentoring preservice teachers.

In addition to publishing articles on learning and instruction, McClung served on the Louisiana Department of Education committee that developed accountability and piloted languages arts assessment for the LEAP test and pursued technology training to implement one of the charter programs for “Computers for Louisiana’s Kids.”

Maggio is an educator with 30 years of early childhood experience that includes teaching, supervision of staff, budgeting meeting state and national early childhood program standards.  She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education at NSU in 1992 and a Master’s of Education with a concentration in early childhood education in 2006.  Her academic and teaching experience includes eight years as a prekindergarten 3-year-old classroom primary teacher, 21 years as a prekindergarten 4-year-old classroom primary teacher and 17 years as an adjunct instructor at the collegiate level.

Maggio began her career with the Natchitoches Central Right Start program, then was a teacher at NSU’s Child Development Center for 10 years before she was named director of the CDC, where, among many other duties, she was responsible for compliance with state licensing requirements, curriculum development, budgeting, safety and training staff that included supervision and assessment of university students.

Since 2014, she has worked for the Natchitoches Parish School Board as a pre-K teacher responsible for lessons, supervision and assessment of students, testing for magnet applications and assisted with observations for preschool classes in childcare and Head Start. Earlier this year Maggio was appointed NPSB early childhood coordinator, where she prepares and implements meetings, communicates with teachers and paraprofessionals about curriculum implements, documents progress towards goals and keeps the parish in compliance with state regulations. She has also served as an adjunct instructor for NSU.

Moreau has 47 years of teaching experience with15 years in mentoring and supervision.  She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at NSU in 1976 and went on to earn a Master’s in Education, +15 (Academically Gifted) and +30 (Elementary Education).

Moreau began teaching at elementary schools in Rapides Parish while also serving as sponsor of school 4-H Clubs and yearbook and working as a Gifted mentor and for the Louisiana Department of Education in test preparation and writing curriculum guides.  She later focused on Gifted education, serving as Rapides Parish Gifted Coordinator and supervisor of Summer Horizons Gifted Summer Program, establishing Gifted programs at qualifying Rapides Parish high schools and developing the Rapides Parish Enrichment Academy for identifying gifted minority students. Moreau was a presenter at the National Special Education Super Conference and the Louisiana Special Education Super Conference, was a teacher and test administrator for Sylvan Learning center for 10 years and was a teacher for the Louisiana College CATS summer program.

Since 2011, she has been at Grace Christian School providing teacher in-services, analyzing test scores, training and mentoring teachers and observing and evaluating PK-12 teachers.  She is also responsible for planning and coordinating several programs, fund raisers and service projects at the school. In addition to earning numerous professional honors, Moreau is involved in numerous civic and professional organizations and an active member of St. Frances Cabrini Church. 

Burroughs served as dean and professor of science in the Division of Nursing and Allied Health at Bossier Parish Community College from 2008-2022.  As dean, she was responsible for the academic leadership of the 14 science, nursing and allied health programs offered by the Division, ensuring the continual development and accreditation of programs and developing schedules to meet the needs of the students. She also served on the BPCC Planning Council, evaluated division employees, compiled and analyzed division assessment and effectiveness documentation and provided administrative guidance in the initiation, implementation, and accreditation of new programs in Nursing (Registered), Practical Nursing, and Fire Science.

Burroughs earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology Education at NSU in 1976, Master of Education at LSU-Shreveport in 1983 and 12 graduate hours in life sciences at Louisiana Tech in 1995. She began her career as a high school biology teacher and coach in Louisiana and Texas before joining the faculty of Bossier Parish Community College in 1984 where she taught courses and lab instruction in biology, anatomy and physiology.   

Beginning in 1997, Burroughs served as division chair and associate professor of science responsible for academic leadership and administration for the academic division offering courses in science, as well as serving as program director.  In 2003, she was named division chair and associate professor of Science and Allied Health where she was responsible for the initiation, implementation, accreditation, administration, and continued development of 12 allied health programs in addition to the science program and faculty. She also provided classroom instruction of biological sciences and administrative guidance in the initiation, implementation, and accreditation of the Occupational Therapy Assistant, Paramedic, and EMT programs.

Bonnaffons, who teaches high school algebra at Hanhville High in Luling, is Louisiana’s 2023 Teacher of the Year, representing more than 50,000 teachers in the state. She graduated from the Louisiana Scholars’ College at NSU in 2003, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She went on to earn a Master of Science in Business Administration from Louisiana State University, a Master of Science in Exercise Science from the University of Louisiana Monroe and a Master of Arts in Teaching from NSU in 2014.  

As Teacher of the Year, Bonnaffons highlights and enriches the work of both students and teachers. Students entering her Intensive Algebra class had scored unsatisfactorily on their middle school LEAP tests. Bonnaffons led 93 percent of her learners to pass the Algebra 1 LEAP 2025. She believes math teaches students perseverance, reasoning and problem-solving skills, while the community brings together the big picture. She currently serves as a teacher representative on the Louisiana Board of Education and formerly on the Louisiana Teacher Advisory Council working to elevate the voice of teachers in educational policy. Bonnaffons’ initiated a Tutu Tuesdays social media series which reaches over 9,000 followers weekly as it shines a light on the great achievements and everyday practices taking place with educators and learners across the country.

In 2018, Bonnaffons became the head coach for the track team. Since that time, the team has captured four district team championships, was regional runner-up twice and produced more than 50 individual district medalists, more than 30 individual regional medalists and more than 15 state medalists. Bonnaffons has been inducted to the N-Club Hall of Fame at Northwestern State University for athletic achievements, collaborates with the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference track and field championships, and gives athletes the chance to see collegiate opportunities.

Gentry retired from Northwestern State as provost and Chief Academic Officer in 2019.  Prior to that, she was dean of the College of Education and Human Development for 10 years, where she served as the leader in curricular areas and supervised faculty while teaching, advising and promoting excellence in academic standards. Throughout her career, research by Gentry and collaborators was published and presented on the state, national and international levels.  In service to the profession, she has been active in numerous leadership teams at NSU and other academic and professional organizations, earning many honors, awards and grants. 

Gentry joined the faculty at NSU in 1980 as assistant professor of physical education.  She served on faculty at LSU-A and LSU-S and was lecturer at Texas A&M University before being named head of NSU’s Department of Health and Human Performance in 2001, dean of the Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development in 2006 and provost in 2016.

Gentry earned a B.S. in Health and Physical Education at the University of Alabama-Birmingham in 1978, a Master’s in Health and Physical Education at University of Montevallo in 1980 and a Ph.D. in Kinesiology at Texas A&M University in 1993.

Information on NSU Homecoming festivities is available at www.northwesternstatealumni.com 

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Northwestern State University announced updated plans for this weekend’s Homecoming schedule.  The university’s Homecoming will take place Nov. 3-4 as administrators and staff honor students and alumni.

Events on Friday, Nov. 3 include the Long Purple Line luncheon and induction program that will begin at noon at the Natchitoches Events Center. Check-in will begin at 11:30 a.m. The annual parade and pep rally, a popular community event, will begin at 5:30 p.m., starting on campus and ending at the downtown Natchitoches riverbank, where the Homecoming Honor Court will be recognized and spirit groups will perform.

On Saturday, Nov. 4 the N-Club Hall of Fame reception will begin at 8 a.m. in Hanchey Gallery, followed by the induction program at 9 a.m. in Magale Recital Hall.  Hall of Distinguished Educators will begin with a reception at 10:30 a.m. in the Commons area of the Teacher Education Center, followed by the induction program at 11 a.m. in the Middle Lab School auditorium.

Alumni tailgating will take place at Collins Pavilion and Tailgate Field from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.  The ROTC tailgate has been cancelled.

At 2 p.m., the Spirit of Northwestern Demon Marching Band will perform in Turpin Stadium, along with other spirit groups. Inductees into the School of Creative and Performing Arts Hall of Fame will be recognized. The band will then do a walk through from Turpin to Prather Coliseum. 

Doors to Prather Coliseum will open at 2 p.m. in advance of the 3 p.m. volleyball match between the Lady Demons and McNeese. The band will play “The Star-Spangled Banner” and the NSU Demon fight song at 2:55 p.m. Between sets 1 and 2, inductees into the Hall of Distinguished Educators will be recognized.  Between sets 2 and 3, Mr. and Miss NSU and inductees into the N-Club Hall of Fame, the Long Purple Line and the Hall of Distinguished Educators will be presented.  Following the game, the NSU Honor Court will be presented with the Arch of Steel.

Alumni who plan to attend specific reunions and/or events are encouraged to reach out to the planning organization for details and updates. 

Information will be posted at www.nsula.edu and https://northwesternstatealumni.com as it becomes available. 

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The Pelican Branch is having their Fall Book Sale TODAY from 9am – 5pm. Children’s and adult titles will be available. Hardback books are 3 books for $1. Children’s books will be 6 for $1. Call 318.755.2353 for more information. 

Provencal Christian Academy will host their 5th Annual Car Show on Saturday, November 11 from 9am-1pm. Provencal Fall Fest will also be in full swing that day. Lots of activities are planned including the parade at 2pm and Bingo at 5pm. 

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Henry Sale
September 25, 1962 — October 29, 2023
Service: Friday, November 3 at 10am at Rose Neath Funeral Homes – Mansfield

Kathleen James
December 5, 1930 — October 28, 2023
Graveside service: Saturday, November 4 at 10am at Grand Cane Cemetery, Grand Cane

Edmund Claiborne Jr.
May 24, 1958 — October 28, 2023
Service: Saturday, November 4 at 1pm at Jenkins Funeral Home Chapel

The DeSoto Parish Journal publishes “Remembrances of Loved Ones” with unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $70. The Remembrance will be included in the emails sent to subscribers.  Contact your funeral provider or DeSotoParishJournal@gmail.com. Must be paid in advance of publication.

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The Logansport Tigers clinched at least a share of the Class A District 3 title with a 20-3 win over St. Mary’s Thursday night at Turpin Stadium.

St. Mary’s took a 3-0 lead on a Payne Williams 41 yard field goal in the 2nd quarter.

Just before the half Logansport took the lead for good when Garrett Barron connected with Jordan Meshell in the corner of the end zone for a nine yard touchdown pass. The Tigers converted the two point conversion and led 8-3 at halftime.

Logansport (8-1, 3-0) wraps up the regular season Friday night when they host Montgomery.

Source: Tim Owens/KTAL

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The Journals congratulates John Russell for winning the latest Marketplace Chevrolet College Football Pickers Contest.  There is a check for $100 on the way to John.

 

And the Journal has another $100 waiting for some lucky DeSoto Parish reader.  All you have to do is CLICK HERE to enter this week’s contest.  Do the best job of selecting the winners of ten college football games and the prize is yours.

 

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The Gubernatorial General Election will be held on Saturday, November 18. The purpose of a general election is to have run-offs for any races in the preceding primary election in which no candidate receives more than 50% of the total votes. 

For this election, there are statewide races for Secretary of State, Attorney General, and Treasurer. Locally, Clerk of Court, several Police Jury districts and District 4 of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) seat will be decided. There are also four proposed amendments to the State Constitution. 

Early voting begins November 3 and runs through November 11 (closed November 5 and November 11).
Voting will take place at the Registrar’s Office in the Red River Parish Courthouse from 8:30am until 6pm. 

You may also choose to vote by absentee ballot. The deadline to request a mail in ballot is November 14 by 4:30pm. You can request a ballot through the Voter Portal or in writing through the Registrar’s Office. The deadline for the Registrar to receive a mail ballot is November 17 by 4:30pm. 

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By Doug De Graffenried

Yesterday at Trinity Methodist Church we hosted our annual Trunk or Treat event. It was massive. There were kids everywhere, adults too.

Toward the end of the event, one of our youths came to me with a puppy. The puppy is a very young little guy. There were a group of our High School girls who were approached by a lady who said, “I’m not going home with this puppy.” The lady gave the puppy to the girls and vanished into the throng of people. You know what happened next. The girls all called their dads with the query, “Can we keep it?” Because the dads were not here, they were firm in their puppy adoption denial. Finally, one dad said, “Take the puppy to the preacher, he’ll take it.”

I took the puppy. I know the drill! The puppy has a nice puppy carrier with a soft bed inside. The puppy got warm milk and puppy food. While I’m writing this, the puppy is at the vet being checked out and given shots.

Last night, the puppy met the two other dogs occupying our home.

Rolo and Chester are not small dogs. Both are Pitbull mixes. They play rough when they play with each other. They are both terrified of this puppy. He is a little terrier mix. They are not sure what to do with him. Last night, there was sniffing, tail wagging, and lots of dog bowing. If you have not seen the bowing position of a dog wanting to play you have missed something.

The dog slept in his doggy carrier and each time he whimpered both big dogs were right there making sure I heard the puppy and tended to him. The very strange thing was that the puppy was in the bed on my pillow when I woke up this morning. I guess I have some reflex action that took care of the crying puppy during the night.

The puppy doesn’t have a name, yet. If I keep him, his name will be Nick. That’s right, since it is LSU week, I’m naming the puppy Nick Saban! If you don’t like that name, I have a puppy you can adopt and you can pick a better puppy name!

I am not a dog whisperer. Each time I have brought a dog home, I am reminded that my life was broken down on the side of life’s road, a savior named Jesus reached down from heaven, righted my life, and invited me to follow Him. I do love dogs and who can turn their back on a puppy? But for me it is theological.

Nick Saban (the puppy) reminds me of being lifted out of my lost condition and finding a home where I am loved.

Has Jesus rescued you?

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Why this petition matters

Started by Travon Jones
The fight to finish out the season is because it’ll give the athletes an outlet for the troubles times we’re facing. This is a life changing decision we feel we should have a say in. With us canceling the remaining games there will be a lot of missed opportunities as well for players. We came to NSULA wanting to take big strides on and off the field. Taking one of those aspects away does more hurt than help. Now is the time to act, because tomorrow isn’t promised and our game is in a few days.

Complete The Petition Now:

https://www.change.org/p/we-want-to-finish-our-2023-season-out?fbclid=IwAR3nr3zVmf4FFu-hblx_rKQKhKwlUWmShGgzbo6iwQNWDMyR7s5cbUkPf20

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NSU football quarterback Tyler Vander Waal posted a statement on X (formerly Twitter) Saturday, October 28 expressing his “2 cents” about the handling of NSU’s season. His statement follows:

‘Dr. Jones and Kevin have failed the players immensely. The canceling of the season was never about Ronnie. They used his unfortunate passing as a cop out. The lack of leadership was evident. As much as I respected Coach Laird as a coach and a man, he didn’t have any control of this team. As players, we were kept in the dark about everything. The decision makers here thought it was a good idea to cancel the season and take away the only structure we had? They thought it would be smart to take away these players outlets during a time of grief? Where we go to be together and have fun and play the game we love? To cancel the season because we’re not all mentally there and need more time to grieve and then start offseason workouts on Monday? No, I fully believe there was more to this decision than we will ever know. This was just an easy way to get out of things. Most, if not all, of the players in that locker room wanted to play the last 4 games. They didn’t consider the players in this decision and they failed us as
athletes.’

Vander Waal also joined Billy West Live podcast Saturday. Listen to it here.

The NSU athletic department released the following statement apparently in response to Vander Waal’s social media post.  

“We understand and respect the feelings of our players. They are fierce competitors and no doubt some wanted to get back on the field of play. At the end of the day we had to take the health and welfare of players and coaches into consideration when making this difficult decision. While not easy, we are confident we made the right call.”

Photo source: nsudemons.com

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Northwestern State University will hold Homecoming activities and events as planned Nov. 3-4. The school announced on Oct. 26 that the remainder of the football season has been cancelled following the death of a student-athlete, but administrators and staff will continue with activities to honor students and alumni.

In a message to the student body, Student Government Association President Bailey Willis said Homecoming week activities for students, the kick-off concert, lip sync, fun run, food drive and service day, will take place as planned.

“Homecoming is not about a football game,” Willis said. “Homecoming is about the NSU family, students, alumni and the spirit of the university. I encourage you to attend all the events that you are able, wear your purple proudly, cheer for your fellow Demons and let naysayers know that Demons rise above.”

Friday, Nov. 3 events include the Long Purple Line luncheon and induction program that will begin at noon at the Natchitoches Events Center. The annual parade and pep rally, a popular community event, will begin at 5:30 p.m., starting on campus and ending at the downtown Natchitoches riverbank, where the Homecoming Honor Court will be recognized and spirit groups will perform.

On Saturday, Nov. 4 the N-Club Hall of Fame induction program will begin at 8 a.m. in Magale Recital Hall. Hall of Distinguished Educators will take place at 11:30 a.m. in the Middle Lab School auditorium. Tailgating will go on as planned. Administrators are working out details to highlight a scheduled volleyball match between the Lady Demons and McNeese as a central athletic event, along with ways to recognize students, alumni and spirit groups. Those plans will be announced as details are finalized.

“Our staff, students and volunteers have put many hours in planning events to recognize the deserving students elected to the Homecoming Honor Court as well as alumni who will be honored during the weekend,” said Dean of Students Reatha Cox. “Although Homecoming will be a bit different, it will be every bit as meaningful. It’s an opportunity to come together in a spirit of solidarity and support and show how strong the Demon family is.”

“Sometimes in life, we find ourselves in circumstances that we cannot control, but how we respond is what defines our character,” Willis said. “Please join me and your fellow Demons in coming together during Homecoming week and celebrating what it means to be part of the NSU family.”

Information will be posted at www.nsula.edu and https://northwesternstatealumni.com as it becomes available.

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Sheriff Jayson Richardson proudly announces that Dy. John Lary and Dy. Reagan Prosperie have officially completed Academy and are ready to serve DeSoto Parish! The Shreveport Police Academy is a 16 week program for those seeking a career in Law Enforcement. The course is a major achievement, but it does not come easy. Academy is challenging in many different areas ranging from physical, mental, and strategical operations. There is a minimum of 496 hours which must be completed and is set forth by POST, the Peace Officers Standards and Training Council. Both have officially passed the Louisiana POST Certification!

Deputy John Lary (R) will be headed to our Patrol Division, while Deputy Reagan Prosperie (L) will join the Special Services Division with a future as a School Resource Deputy! We are certainly proud to have them both a part of our DPSO Family!

Source: DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office

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