The DeSoto Parish Police Jury will hold their monthly meetings Monday, August 19 beginning at 5pm. The meetings, including the E-911 Board and the regular monthly meeting, will be held in the Police Jury Meeting room.
A special meeting will begin at 6:30pm in order for the police jury to go into executive session to discuss the lawsuit filed by David B. Means, et al against the DeSoto Parish Police Jury in the United States District Court Western District of Louisiana.
By: Evelyn Pinkston
In a unique program called “Stories from the Front,” local teens at the Mansfield Library had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the history of the Civil War through an eight-week reading of “Red Badge of Courage.” Mr. Nick Pickett, an Interpretive Ranger from the Mansfield Battle Park & Museum, presented the program.
Mr. Pickett’s interactive approach ensured that the teens felt included and engaged throughout the program. He arranged for the teens to take turns reading aloud in each class, collaboratively bringing the story to life. In addition to the reading sessions, Mr. Pickett showcased Civil War artifacts, shared excerpts
from soldiers’ letters, and even taught the teens drills used during the Civil War era.
The impact of Mr. Pickett’s volunteer work was evident as the teens expressed gratitude for his time and dedication. Their journey with “Red Badge of Courage” culminated in a special screening of the 1951 black and white movie adaptation featuring Audie Murphy, which brought the book to life on the big screen.
The teens were thrilled, and their appreciation for the experience was clear. The “Stories from the
Front” program provided a unique learning opportunity for the teens and fostered a deeper understanding and appreciation for history. The DeSoto Parish Library appreciates Mr.
Pickett’s dedication and the enriching experience he provided for the local teen group
Source: DeSoto Parish Library Newsletter
Following World War II, a large number of Idaho farmers began complaining that beavers were ruining their land. They argued that overeager beavers were building dams in their much-needed irrigation canals. Once beavers built dams in their irrigation canals, water could not get to their crops. Farmers wanted to exterminate the beavers. This led to a years-long dispute because fur trappers liked the beavers for their monetary value. They made a considerable amount of money by selling beaver pelts. Also, conservationists wanted to protect the beavers because, as The Idaho Statesman reported, “Idaho is one of the few places where [beavers] still can be found outside a zoo.” For years, farmers, fur trappers, and conservationists argued as to whether beavers “are worth a dam—their own dams, specifically.”
To quell the dispute, Idaho’s fish and game department decided to transport the beavers into the Chamberlain Basin in the Sawtooth Mountain Range in central Idaho where they could build dams and not hurt productive fields. The beavers would also help with erosion in the mountainous region. The task was daunting for the agents of the fish and game department as well as the beavers themselves. Agents, farmers, and fur trappers set out live traps to capture beavers without harming them. They put each beaver in its own cage, loaded the cages onto trucks, and carried them in this manner until they ran out of roads. Then, agents used horses to deliver the beavers deep into the woods. The trip took several days and was taxing on the agents and the beavers. Many beavers died before they could be released. Several of the beavers which survived the trip overheated and were in such poor condition that they refused to eat and died soon after being released. Conservationists needed a better way.
Ivol Sies, district conservation supervisor at Boise, Vernon Rich, federal aid coordinator for Idaho, and Elmo Meyer, conservation officer at McCall, came up with a two-part plan. They devised a new cage for delivering the beavers. Their cage was a simple spring-loaded box which was hinged at the bottom. Each box held a single beaver. The weight of the beaver kept the box closed. To be sure the cages remained closed until it was time to release the beavers, two inner tubes were pulled around the box and tied together at the top with a string. As soon as the box carrying the beaver touched the ground, the tension on the string released, the spring-loaded box opened, and the beaver crawled out. That was just the first part of their plan. They needed a way to reduce the transportation time.
Conservationists wanted to capture and release beavers back into the primitive areas of central Idaho in a timelier manner. Trucks and horses just took too long. Building roads into the Chamberlain Basin was too expensive. They had considered transporting the beavers by airplane and having agents release the beavers once they arrived, but there was no suitable place to land amongst the dense foliage. The answer came with World War II military surplus items.
On August 14, 1948, the second part of their plan to transport the beavers into the primitive areas of Idaho began. Conservationists loaded their vehicle with eight of the new hinged cases each of which contained a single beaver. Whereas all previous trips had taken several conservation agents, the new plan only required two people, one agent and a pilot. The vehicle they used was a twin-engine Beechcraft airplane. Remember, there was no place to land in the dense foliage. The pilot flew the airplane at an altitude of between 500 and 800 feet above Chamberlain Basin and the conservation agent simply pushed the cages out. Of the first 76 beavers they released into Chamberlain Basin during that operation, only one beaver died when he fought his way out of the new cage and fell to his death. The other beavers landed safely because their fall was slowed… by parachutes left over from World War II. Hundreds of beavers were safely relocated in what has become known as the beaver drop.
Sources:
1. The Idaho Statesman, August 24, 1948, p.11.
2. San Angelo Standard-Times, August 25, 1948, p.6.
3. The Spokesman-Review, September 13, 1948, p.5.
After adjourning a meeting of the Joint Budget Committee, Senate President Cameron Henry and Speaker of the House Phillip DeVillier say they’ll be working together in the interim to address the initial budget forecast.
The legislature’s leadership emphasized that today’s presentation is an initial estimate and a represents a projected continuation budget for FY 25-26. The $340 million gap shared with the committee is significantly less than earlier this year and could continue to shrink.
“The House and Senate will be working collaboratively and looking at all the factors that impact the state’s budget,” said Speaker DeVillier. “We’ve been anticipating the gap from the sunset of the .45% temporary sales tax as well as the movement of the vehicle sales tax dollars into a savings account for transportation and a 2% tax exemption on business utilities. But we have options that can be considered that will balance the budget including finding efficiencies in government and creating a more predictable tax structure for the state.”
“It’s important to know the cause and effect of our budget decisions,” said President Henry. “The budget is looking better and we have time for both chambers to look for solutions to close any gap for next year,” said President Henry. “We’ll obviously focus on our priorities as we craft the budget and continue to watch the forecast models to inform that work. This is just the beginning.”
The Division of Administration testified that the $340 million shortfall does not include $248 million in additional dollars for educational initiatives provided last year including teacher and support personnel pay stipends, differentiated compensation, tutoring services, apprenticeships and internships. Legislators say those items will factor into budget discussions moving forward.
Many college students remember the first time they stepped on campus and the first college class they attended.
LSUS wants to transform those first moments into lasting memories through its Week of Welcome, a full week of engaging activities designed to foster student relationships during the first week of face-to-face classes this fall.
Highlighted by Wednesday’s Week of Welcome Fair and Friday’s First-Year Convocation, the slate of events this coming week aims to connect new and returning students to each other and to different campus departments.
“There’s always talk about Student Life just being about student activities, but this is also a chance to help students find their niche by getting them connected to other departments and offices on campus,” said Emmanuel Sims, who assumed the Director of Student Life position at LSUS in July. “This is the time for students to really find where they belong.
“With the theme ‘Welcome Home,’ we want our students to feel like they are at home here at LSUS. When you make them feel at home, there is more pride and more desire to be engaged. We want Week of Welcome to serve as a launching pad for their entire college career.”
The schedule kicks off Monday with a Happy to be Home event featuring Happy Belly’s Italian Ice and back-to-school supply packs. Students can voice their opinions to Sims, a Shreveport native who has served in related roles at Langston University (Okla.), Jarvis Christian College, Tyler Junior College and Centenary College.
The 11 a.m. event in the University Center pairs with the traditional painting of the UC windows.
More art is on the docket Tuesday as students can participate in a giant paint by number canvas (12:30-2:30 in the UC) and receive their free Week of Welcome T-Shirt (faculty and staff can acquire a shirt for $10).
For the Week of Welcome Fair, student organizations and academic departments will line the UC Mall while students bounce between booths featuring a variety of games and inflatables. The first 200 students can help themselves to a loaded French fry bar (courtesy of The Port) or at The Hot Dawg Hut for free.
Put on your running shoes for the Color Run & Glow Party on Thursday evening at 7 p.m.
Friday’s activities simmer down with First-Year Convocation (11 a.m.) as students reflect on the first week of classes and prepare themselves for the academic journey ahead with insight from faculty members. Stick around to be part of the photo for the Class of 2028 banner.
For students living at Pilots Pointe Apartments, the festivities continue with a pool party (2-6 p.m.) where residents can meet the Student Life Team and hang out with members of Greek organizations.
“One of our goals is to make students at Pilots Pointe feel like they are a bigger part of this campus, and we want to do intentional program over there so they aren’t always having to come to us to be involved,” Sims said. “We also want to put more of an emphasis on afternoon and evening programming.”
Virtual students can also get involved through apps like LSUS’s Anchored In and Goosechase. Students can find a virtual scavenger hunt on Goosechase during Week of Welcome and be eligible for LSUS swag.
“There are specific promo items for students who aren’t able to be here in person,” Sims said. “We want all of our students to be involved, even if they aren’t physically on this campus.”
Matt Vines
When numbers are being discussed in the football preseason, it’s usually by coaches who are talking about their roster sizes and the depth they expect to have at different positions.
But a different number is taking center stage as Louisiana football kicks off starting this Friday for Midsouth Association of Independent Schools.
The number – or lack thereof – of referees and officials.
The Louisiana High School Officials Association says there’s a shortage of qualified officials, meaning that more football games may have to be moved to Thursdays and Saturdays, or in the worst-case scenario, cancelled altogether.
Greg Petrus, the LHSOA Regional Coordinator in the Alexandria area said that of the approximately 1,100 officials that don the stripes statewide, just seven percent are 30 years old or younger.
In contrast, nearly 70 percent of Louisiana officials are 50 years old or older.
Petrus spoke to TV station KALB about the statewide shortage. Coverage has surfaced in the Lafayette area as well, but all associations are experiencing shortages.
Attrition through retirement and retention issues due to fan/coach abuse and work-life unbalance are prime reasons for the shortage.
Officials give up prime nights during the week and on the weekend to work a variety of sports, not just football.
When a shortage for a particular weekend or event occurs, schools begin to look beyond their area for officials. That drives up the cost for pay officials as schools pay extra for longer travel, which could put schools with smaller athletic budgets at higher risk for cancelling games altogether.
The LHSOA is increasing its efforts to recruit new officials and retain them from year-to-year, but they need your help.
To learn about becoming an official, visit lhsoa.com or https://www.lhsaa.org/lhsoa.
Fortunately for us humanoids, we come equipped with a variety of things that help us navigate the world, especially when you like to hunt and fish. It’s our senses; those inborn things that give us the ability to see, to hear, to feel.
Take squirrel hunting for example. You’re sitting in the woods on a cool fall morning and you hear a variety of sounds, like birds singing, leaves falling, the rustle of trees when there is a breeze. Then you detect something different. You hear the sound of tiny claws on bark or the soft “whack….whack” of something eating a hickory nut. You don’t need to see it; you already know it’s a squirrel.
Fishing for an unseen quarry lurking beneath the surface calls into play most of our senses. We hear surface feeding fish, we see our line twitch when a fish takes the lure.
It’s the sense of touch, the ability to feel what’s going on down there out of sight that may be of utmost importance. Fishing rods made of graphite and boron used by most anglers today are super-sensitive scientific marvels allowing the angler to feel the gentle pick-up when a bass inhales a plastic worm. Even with these sensitive fibers working on the side of the angler, though, sensitivity to touch is of utmost importance.
Some fishermen have a sense of touch that is more acute than other anglers. Mike Lowrance, a Murfreesboro, TN angler, is one of those. He has become a nationally-known specialist at catching fish by “feel”. He competes in national tournaments matching his skills, cast-for-cast, with the best in the business and he is able to hold his own with any of them.
Lowrance’s secret is that he has perfected the fine art of super-sensitivity more so than most anglers.
“I am of the opinion,” says Lowrance, “that my senses are no better than anybody else’s. The big difference is that when I’m fishing, I don’t let anything distract me. My attention is on what I’m doing while others may be distracted by something else. They only feel about 40 percent of what they should because they’re not paying attention.
“I cannot use a closed face reel….it has no feel. I prefer a revolving spool reel and I’ve learned you have to keep your finger in contact with the line at all times.
“When you use your line as the sensitivity device, you’re feeling it all, right down to the vibration of the lure. You know what your lure is doing. You can feel if you’re running it properly. I feel I have a quicker response with the line than the rod. As a matter of fact,” he added, “I know I do.”
One of Lowrance’s secrets is that he uses a line that has a smooth finish and that lays down smooth and flat on the spool. While he uses graphite rods because of their quickness and fast response, the line is of more importance to Lowrance.
“The rod is the casting equipment. I feel the fish with the line,” he said.
Hearing about Mike Lowrance and his ability to fish by feel, I couldn’t help but speculate that most anglers would do a better job at what they do if they forced themselves to concentrate more on feel.
Try to imagine how it would be to spend a day anchored at a favorite worm hole wearing a blindfold.
After a period of adjustment where you cast out into blackness and felt the lure settle to the bottom, it is logical to imagine that your sensitivity would begin to improve as you are forced to rely strictly on the message the line is conveying to you as you slowly work the plastic worm over structure.
Mike Lowrance developed his sensitivity in this manner, after a fashion. He did it, however, out of necessity rather than choice.
Mike Lowrance is totally blind.
CHRISTUS Kids Clinic has undergone a recent renovation and expansion that allows more children to be treated at its Shreveport facility with more resources.
CHRISTUS Kids Clinic offers pediatric physical, occupational and speech-language therapy to help children from birth to 21 years old meet developmental milestones and gain life skills through developing movement, communication, feeding and play.
The expansion of the 8,700 square-foot facility includes an additional 1,500 to 2,000 square feet, said Lisa Hooper, outpatient clinical supervisor of physical medicine and rehabilitation with CHRISTUS Shreveport-Bossier Health System.
“We’ve currently outgrown our space, and this gives us more area to be able to provide more care for our kids who are having to wait to get in,” she said. “We currently have over 35 patients per discipline who we need to get in for therapy. So, there’s a big need in the Shreveport-Bossier area to service these children.”
The clinic sees about 300 patients a week and has on staff six speech therapists, six physical therapists and seven occupational therapists and occupational therapist assistants.
The project is funded through CHRISTUS Foundation Shreveport-Bossier, with donations made through Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
“We take in donations and then match them to the projects that impact patients and families,” said Amy Heron, executive director of philanthropy with CHRISTUS Foundation Shreveport-Bossier.
Additional therapists will be hired to accommodate the expansion, said Andrew D’Avy, director of rehabilitation services with CHRISTUS Health Shreveport-Bossier.
“This clinic offers the most advanced service and equipment locally, even regionally,” he said. “In our partnership with Children’s Miracle Network, we get funding and grant monies for services, education and equipment.”
Hooper said the expansion is an important move for local and surrounding communities.
“We have children who come from two hours away to get their care,” she said.
To learn more about CHRISTUS Kids Clinic, visit our website at CHRISTUSHealth.org.
(BATON ROUGE, LA) – Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley is proposing a set of policy recommendations inspired from his Let Teachers Teach workgroup. These policies would significantly reduce the number of trainings teachers are required to repeat every year, tighten student discipline, and give effective educators more freedom over lesson planning.
The Let Teachers Teach policy package will be considered by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) during their meetings August 20-21. If approved, they would impact every public school in the state.
“Being an effective teacher is hard work and we seek to make the job more manageable and fulfilling,” said Dr. Brumley. “These policies will show support for hard-working teachers across Louisiana as they return to the classroom this year.”
The main areas of this Let Teachers Teach policy package are reducing state-mandated teacher trainings, creating expectations for student discipline, and providing teachers more autonomy over teaching practices and lesson planning when they consistently demonstrate success.
The teacher training policies would streamline dozens of non-academic trainings and lessons teachers must repeat each year.
“We’re moving to a ‘one-and-done’ model for many of the previously-required annual teacher trainings,” said Dr. Brumley. “Both policy-leaders and practitioners agree that required teacher trainings have become excessive.”
A new discipline policy would impact the Teacher Bill of Rights and change how school leaders must respond to persistent disruptions during class. Teachers would have the right to have a student removed from the classroom immediately when their behavior prevents the orderly instruction of other students or poses a threat.
“No student has the right to habitually disrupt the learning environment for their classmates or their teacher,” said Dr. Brumley, who just last week urged system leaders to recommit to assertive discipline action. “Students and teachers deserve peaceful schools.”
The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) collaborated with multiple stakeholders in the development of the policies.
“I’m thankful to work alongside Governor Landry, champions in the legislature, and a committed state board of education to solve complex challenges in the educational space while keeping student outcomes at the forefront of every decision,” said Dr. Brumley.
About the Let Teachers Teach workgroup
Dr. Brumley launched the workgroup in February to develop common sense solutions to unnecessary bureaucracies and classroom disruptions that keep teachers from doing what they do best — teaching students. The workgroup is composed of over two dozen teachers from across Louisiana.
The workgroup helped develop a set of recommendations PDF that can be addressed at the state, system, and school levels. Governor Landry joined Dr. Brumley and teachers from across the state to unveil the recommendations in May. The LDOE and BESE are outlining actions around all 18 recommendations. These range from new state laws, policy changes, and guidance for local school systems.
The workgroup is the product of feedback the LDOE has received through formal channels such as the Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council as well as informal channels such as classroom visits and faculty meetings hosted by Dr. Brumley.
New Louisiana Absentee Voting laws went into effect August 1. They are a part of the state’s election integrity legislative package.
Act 380 stops anyone other than an immediate family member from sending more than one marked ballot per election through the mail. This keeps an individual from possbily filling out multiple ballots and dropping them off at the post office or bringing them in person to the registrar’s office.
Act 302 makes it illegal for anyone other than an immediate family member of the voter or an employee of the Registrar of Voters office to assist with the absentee ballot of more than one voter. The law helps in the undue influence of an individual on the voter and restricts a person from assisting multiple individuals.
Act 317 states that no person, except for an immediate family member, can distribute an absentee application to any person who has not requested one. It further states that only immediate family members of the voter shall submit more than one completed application.
The law states that an immediate family member is defined as: “the individual’s children, the spouses of this children, his brothers and their spouses, his sisters and their spouses, his parents, his spouse and the parents of his spouse.”
For more information contact the Red River Parish Registrar of Voters Office at 318.932.5027.
In 2004 I decided to take my fishing to another level by fishing as a co-angler on the defuncted FLW Tour, now called Major League Fishing (MLF). I fished this level for two seasons while expanding my bass fishing knowledge. To fish with the best anglers in the world was quite the privilege and made me realize just how lucky I was to get in the boat with pro anglers like Clark Wendlandt, Dion Hibdon, and Kelly Jordon. But I also got to wet a hook in some of the best bass lakes in America.
One of my first favorites would be Lake Okeechobee in South Florida. This is a place like no other I have fished in my entire career. It is a great fishery, but also intimidating with its massive expanse of wide-open cattails patches and hydrilla grass beds.
To navigate this lake without GPS would be a nightmare and almost impossible to return to an area where you caught fish the day before, as the entire lake looks the same. But when it comes to big bass, this lake is in a class all to itself where massive largemouth bass in the ten-pound range are fairly common. It’s not unusual for a tournament angler to bring in a 30-pound 5 fish limit.
Next, Kentucky Lake! During the early 2000’s this lake was on fire and a magnet for major bass tournaments due to its great fishing. Two things played a key role in what made this lake so good…. current and ledges. Kentucky Lake is known as a great current lake as bass set up on these deep-water ledges waiting to ambush just about any lure an angler might want to throw. It’s also one of many great lakes along the Tennessee River chain. While the lake was on the decline a few years ago, it has now rebounded, and the fishing is once again really good.
Another great lake I fished during my FLW days was Beaver Lake Arkansas. This lake is a structure fisherman’s dream and was where the “shaky head” craze first started. The shaky head is a small ball head jig (usually 1/8 oz. or 3/16 oz.) with a light wire hook.
This technique is usually fished on a spinning rod with light line anywhere from 8 to 10-pound test. Known as a bottom dragging bait, this technique is great for catching finicky bass. Beaver Lake is where this technique started and has become a main stay method for catching bass all across the country.
Closer to home, and a place that just might be the best bass lake in America as named a couple of years by Bassmaster Magazine, is Lake Sam Rayburn! Located just across the Louisiana/Texas state line in East Texas, Sam Rayburn is the crown jewel of the bass fishing world. Anglers commonly weigh-in 30-pound stringers almost year around.
Whether you like to fish deep or shallow, Rayburn offers you the opportunity to fish anyway you desire. It is a great deep structure fishing lake, along with plenty of shallow cover for bass to hide. Probably the number one technique used here is the Carolina rig. This is a drag the bottom technique with a ¾ or 1 ounce tungsten weight with a 3-foot leader using a baby brush hog in watermelon/red.
Rayburn is also the second biggest lake in Texas and gets more tournament fishing pressure than any other body of water. It’s truly amazing how each week this lake gets pounded but continues to put out 20- and 30-pound stringers.
Other great lakes that I’ve had the pleasure to fish include Lake Hartwell and Santee Cooper South Carolina, Lake Eufaula in Oklahoma and South Alabama, Lake Chickamauga and Old Hickory in Tennessee, Toledo Bend, Lake Fork and a lake I grew up on Lake Monticello located just outside of Mt. Pleasant, Texas. But one of my newest favorites is East Texas’ very own Lake of the Pines. This lake has been a sleeping giant but in recent years has really become a very popular bass tournament lake.
While some will disagree, another place that has a special place in my heart is the mighty Red River! This body of water has become one of my personal favorites. I’ve had quite a bit of success on the Red River and it seems to suit my style of fishing.
I guess you could say I have been truly blessed to get the opportunity to fish some of the best fisheries in America. Along the way, I’ve made an endless list of friends of both professional anglers and weekend warriors. It has been through this list of anglers that I have been able to sustain a great outdoors radio/podcast program for 17 years called Hook’N Up & Track’N Down.
But I’ve also had a little help with two great co-hosts, Gary McCoy and Mike Echols. Together we have been able to put together an outdoors program that’s both highly entertaining and educational.
To wrap this up, we are lucky to live in a country with so many great places to wet a hook in the many lakes and rivers loaded with great fish catching opportunities. Not only can anglers bring in great stringers but can make some great memories just as I have done!
Till next time, good luck, good fishing and make sure to introduce a kid to the great outdoors.
Steve Graf
Angler’s Perspective
Due to low attendance, the DeSoto Parish Chamber of Commerce has canceled their August Chamber luncheon Tuesday, August 20.
The DeSoto Arts Council will hold their Annual meeting on Thursday, August 22 at 6pm at the Cook Hill House. Local photographer Greg Ellis talk about his process as he selects subjects, and captures images. Lite refreshments available.
The Friends of the Mansfield Female College presents “A Bridal Vendor Fair” at the Clista Calhoun Event Center in Mansfield on August 25 from 2-5pm.
Kat Arnold Ministries will present ‘Fall in Love with Jesus – Through His Creation’ on Saturday, September 7 at the RB4 Event Center, 791 Nash Road in Logansport. Doors open at 4pm, dinner served at 5pm. Dress casually and join in for an unforgettable experience with God and girlfriends. Register here: https://www.katarnoldministries.com/event-list
Barbara Gail Sharrow
December 10, 1941 — August 6, 2024
Service: Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 11am at Rose Neath Funeral Homes – Mansfield
Patricia Housley
February 24, 1959 — August 6, 2024
Service: Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 11am at Evergreen Baptist Church – Ajax
Stafford Whitaker Sr.
February 24, 1932 — August 12, 2024
Service: Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 11am at Mt. Mariah Baptist Church – Kingston
Willis Charles Fuller
August 25, 1955 — August 12, 2024
Service: Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 2pm at Mt. Mariah Baptist Church – Kingston
DeSoto Parish Schools announced the appointment of two exceptional educators to leadership positions within the Department of Student Learning. Ms. Jasmine Taylor has been named the new Student Learning Coordinator for Math, and Mr. Brandon Fontenot has been appointed as the Student Learning Coordinator for Science and Social Studies.
Jasmine Taylor enters her 10th year in education, bringing a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success. After beginning her career in Caddo Parish, Ms. Taylor joined the DeSoto Parish Schools family in October 2018. She has since served in various capacities at Mansfield Middle School, including as a 7th and 8th grade Math teacher, Algebra 1 instructor, Math Mentor Teacher, Head Girls Basketball and Volleyball coach, and most recently, the Master Teacher of Math and Science. Ms. Taylor’s dedication and excellence have earned her significant recognition, including being named the 2022 Middle School Teacher of the Year and the 2023 Louisiana Exemplary Educator.
In her new role as Math Coordinator, Ms. Taylor will focus on advancing student Math proficiency across all DeSoto Parish Schools. Reflecting on her appointment, Ms. Taylor stated, “I am following the steps God has ordered. I have so much to give to students and teachers, so now the thought of my impact spreading district-wide excites me. Math has always been my top subject, and I want to incite that passion for Math content everywhere. I’m looking forward to building positive relationships across our campuses and hope to infect everyone with my growth mindset! It is only up from here!”
Brandon Fontenot began his educational career at Logansport High School in 2014 and has since amassed a decade of experience in high school science education, exclusively within DeSoto Parish Schools. Mr. Fontenot joined the faculty at North DeSoto High School in 2017, where he has continued to cultivate a passion for science education.
In his new position as Student Learning Coordinator for Science and Social Studies, Mr. Fontenot will support K-12 curricula across the district. Speaking on his new role, he shared, “Science and social studies constitute an increasingly vital component of a student’s preparation for life beyond the classroom. I am eager to collaborate with schools in their endeavor to establish foundations in these disciplines for their students. I can’t wait to see the amazing things our students do.”
The appointments of Ms. Taylor and Mr. Fontenot mark a significant step forward in DeSoto Parish Schools’ mission to provide high-quality education and support for all students. Their combined expertise and commitment to excellence will play a crucial role in ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed.
Source: desotopsb.com
DeSoto Sheriff Jayson Richardson recently shared that over the past three weeks there has been an abundance of reports of stray animals on the loose in various areas of DeSoto Parish. These incidents range from animals being randomly dumped out in or near residential areas, residents not properly containing their pets, animals damaging property, or animals becoming aggressive toward residents and/or their children.
Sheriff Richardson is taking steps now to eliminate this from being a public issue and reminded residents of Louisiana State Code RS 14:102.1. DPSO will strongly enforce it moving forward.
This code includes, but is not limited to:
– Anyone tormenting, beating, or injuring any animal whether it belongs to themselves or others.
– Unjustifiably failing to provide an animal with proper food, drink, shelter, or veterinary care.
– Anyone abandoning (or dumping) any animal, unless it is turned over to an animal control center.
– This RS Code goes on to describe many other incidences where someone can be held accountable by law enforcement for the mistreatment, dumping of, or not properly caring for an animal anywhere in the State of Louisiana.
The DPSO seeks the public’s assistance to work alongside them to combat this issue. If you witness someone dumping an animal, or manage to capture this crime in footage, contact the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office immediately at 318-872-3956 and make a report. However, if it is life threatening always call 9-1-1. A deputy will be dispatched to the location, and a proper investigation will be opened.
The DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office will hold anyone accountable for not only the mistreatment of animals but also for littering parish streets and placing residents in danger by dumping said animals as well.
Punishment for these crimes can range from a fine to imprisonment or both, depending on the circumstances of the crime. Repetitive complaints or disregard for the laws as stated above will also be taken into consideration.
Matt Vines
Football fans, whether cheering for the homestanding Logansport Tigers or the visitors, have enjoyed a first-class experience at Logansport. Thanks to DeSoto Parish District 1 voters passing a $23 million bond proposal this past November, of which football stadium upgrades were a part, construction on the home and visiting stands is rounding into form.
The Logansport Tiger Football Facebook page has posted photos throughout the construction phases that show gradual rise of the stands on newly poured concrete foundations. “It’s definitely a motivation factor for everybody, whether it’s myself, the staff or the players,” said Logansport head coach Kevin Magee. “They just set the press box on top this morning.
“When I started in this position 11 years ago, I never imagined something like this would come to fruition. But it goes to show you the community support of this high school, and it’s very humbling to know that people thought enough of this school to vote for the bond.”
The football stadium upgrade has been a point of discussion in recent years after some features of the stadium were part of the original 1952 structure. The new construction addresses compliance issues with ADA (The Americans with Disabilities Act) and will include improved restrooms, concessions, seating and parking areas.
The stands should be complete in about a week, with the new scoreboard, jumbotron and sound system in place in the next three weeks. There’s plenty of time for construction to finish before the opening home game against Kinder in Week 5 on Oct. 4.
“I might be most excited about the sound system because I think that will really change the dynamic of what people experience here on Friday nights,” Magee said. “We planned our schedule that way intentionally just because there’s always the potential for the construction timeline to be affected by a number of factors.
Football is far from the main benefactor.
The bond provides funds to consolidate the Logansport campuses’ mobile classrooms and build a central corridor with fewer access points, which improves school security. Other improvements include gymnasium renovations that will update its façade and expand its lobby. The band program will also have a renovated practice space that provides an acoustic benefit.
The football stadium renovation was part of Phase 1 of the construction plan, with other phases taking place over a multi-year period. “The school improvements were badly needed,” Magee said. “Once all of this is finished, the look and feel of the campus will reflect the amazing job that our teachers are doing in the classroom every day.”
I mapped out two simple tasks for Saturday.
Task number one was to trim the hedges in the front yard. They all look like planted versions of a Chia-pet. The task would not take long. I have purchased power tools that make this task a breeze. I was breezing along through the task, about to turn the corner from the east side to the north side of the house, when a complication arrived. The battery powered hedge trimmer suddenly died. I looked for obstructions, there were none. I changed the battery. That didn’t work either. I sought out advice from the experts at You Tube. I found a video with a guy describing how to fix the same problem. He had my very model suffering from the same symptoms. After five minutes of watching that video, I decided I was not taking the thing apart. I developed a new strategy. On Sunday after church, I went to Lowes and bought a new one. As soon as I send this article to the nice people who publish it, I’m back at hedge trimming.
Task number two was to cook the steaks. That is always fun. No one bothers me when I’m cooking steaks. It is alone time that produces sumptuous results. I cheat! I have one of those wood pellet grills. The grill is so smart it is attached to my phone. I can be in the car miles away and instruct the grill to light and heat up to a certain temperature. If I use a meat probe, the probe reports the temperature to my phone. It is all technological.
Saturday, I went to light the grill.
The grill informed me that it needed to do a software update. How much software could a grill need? Has Microsoft discovered my grill and wants to install one of those infernal updates? The grill would not let me bypass the update.
While the grill was updating, I piddled with the plants in the yard. I looked at my phone to see how the grill was working. The update also applied to my phone. Suddenly, the grill app wanted the log in stuff. Do you remember the password you set two years ago for your grill app? Me neither.
I took care of the grill. While I cooked the steaks, I managed the password for the phone app. The relaxing Saturday had fallen apart by now.
I cleaned the grill and seasoned the griddle I had also used for the steaks. I went into the peace of my study to finish working on the sermon. There it was, the end of a perfect day, Microsoft wanted to update the software on my computer.
I started wondering if Jesus ever had “one of those days.” After reading the gospels, I can answer, “Yes, He did.” The Bible tells us what he did. He went off by himself and prayed.
You might give that a try the next time you have “one of those days.”
Doug de Graffenried is Pastor of Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston.
You can contact Doug at dougsponderings@gmail.com
The DeSoto Parish Library is delighted to introduce the newest additions to its team, who are set to bring their passion and expertise to their respective roles.
Brittany Payne recently joined the Pelican Branch as a Library Assistant, and the Pelican community has already well-received her friendly and welcoming nature.
Jermiracle Rochelle has taken on the role of Library Assistant at the Mansfield Library. Jermiracle enjoys spending quality time with her family and has various hobbies, including socializing with friends, exploring new dining spots, watching movies, and indulging in her love for music.
Evelyn Pinkston is the new Children’s Librarian at the Mansfield Library and brings enthusiasm and dedication to working with children of all ages. Married to Billy, Evelyn leads a busy life but remains passionate about reading, going on adventures, and engaging with her community and church.
It is anticipated that Brittany, Jermiracle, and Evelyn will enrich the library’s offerings and services, ensuring all community members feel included and represented. The DeSoto Parish Library
welcomes the newest team members and looks forward to their valuable contributions.
Source: DeSoto Parish Library Newsletter
I read an interesting article this past week entitled “America Isn’t Sacred, Only God Is.” The article was written by Brian A. Graebe, a Catholic priest. The article makes the point that the frequent use by our elected leaders of godly language in civil or governmental matters is misplaced.
For example, Fr. Graebe states that President Biden used the word “sacred” four times in a recent speech, referring to the “sacred” task of “perfecting our nation,” the equally “sacred,” in Biden’s view, “cause of our country” and the “sacred” ideals of our founding documents. Graebe responded that while “the aforementioned may be important, praiseworthy and deserving of respect. None are sacred.” (Wall Street Journal, 08-02-24).
The article offers an additional, similarly erroneous example. After Jan 6th, then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi referred to the U.S Capitol as a “temple of democracy.” Fr. Graebe points out that “a temple is a place to worship God … and while the U.S. Capitol is famous, iconic and worthy of protection and respect, it isn’t a temple and democracy isn’t a religion.” (WSJ).
The gist of his article is that “an increasingly irreligious culture seeks to appropriate the words of faith” and that is what I found interesting.
Pres. Reagan’s famous “Shining City on a Hill” remains a powerful illustration of what he believed America was, is, and could be. But the reason the illustration is such an inspiring and enduring image is not because the lofty and beautiful city was “shining … or tall, proud and built on rocks stronger than oceans,” but because God had ordained it. That is what imbued it with hope and promise.
We used to know that. We used to designate as sacred only those rarities in life that truly are.
I think of the language of George Washington’s Farewell Address to the nation:
“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. … And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”
I think of Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence: he states that America takes its separate and equal station in the world, to which it is entitled by “the laws of Nature and of Nature’s God.” He also emphasized our being endowed “by our Creator with certain unalienable rights.” He powerfully closes the Declaration by “appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the rectitude of our intentions” and does so “with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence.”
I think of John Adams, in his explication of public and private virtue, stating that “our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
I think of Benjamin Franklin who stated: “I have lived a long time, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth—that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?”
Throughout American history, these principles have resonated with us because we know the source from which they flow, God Almighty. If that has changed because we have drifted from these principles—and replaced them with secularism and atheism—we should recognize that drift and return to them. In fact, we must. America is unique, not sacred but we remain blessed, strong, and prosperous when we remember that God is.
As our increasingly irreligious—even anti-religious—culture mis-appropriates the symbols and the vocabulary of religion in an effort to demonstrate an alliance with a God of their own construction, which is then used to “sanctify” their political agenda by suggesting that ‘God is on their side,’ I think it’s worth remembering President Reagan’s admonition that ‘the question isn’t whether or not God is on our side. The question is whether or not we are on God’s side?
Royal Alexander
Every vote from the major TikTok Sports outlets from around the country has been tabulated, and the result is no surprise:
Nasdaq University of Georgia A&T&M is picked to repeat as BC$ national champion — even though each member of the team agreed to a restructured contract and less money this fall for more money later.
“This will allow us to invest more money on transfers to fill immediate needs,” coach Tommy “Dough” DiCosmo said. “The restructuring of the contracts speaks to the unselfishness of this team. Humbles me as a coach. They won it all last year and they’re more than willing to wait for a few hundred thousand down the road instead of cash right now for the best chance to repeat.”
The usually unflappable DiCosmo stopped and appeared to choke back tears before saying, “It’s not the wins I’ll remember, or the championships, or the trophies … well, I mean, I WILL remember the wins and the championships and the trophies because those things got me a house off No.7 fairway and some beach property. But what I’ll also remember — besides the trophies and some pretty solid investments that should allow me to retire year after next with the lifestyle I’m accustomed to, minus the locker room smell — is how these guys were willing to take some deferred stocks instead of cash up front. ‘Unselfish’ is the word that comes to my mind.”
He stopped, gathered himself, then said, barely above a whisper, “Old school.”
“The team that pays together, stays together,” team captain and All-American linebacker CD “Low Blow” Lee said. “Word.”
Lee is one of a triplet set of linebackers on an ATM team that dominated last year. As a trio, Lee and brothers CA and CB registered more than 300 tackles.
“If there’s been a better combo of linebackers to ever play, I sure ain’t seen ’em,” defensive coordinator Bowler Johnson said. “And won’t, not in this lifetime.”
The triplets’ little brother CC anchors the secondary at strong safety. One of the bigger safeties to ever play the game, the 6-6, 225-pound baby of the Lee bunch runs a 4.4, can bench a small county and is one of the reasons opponents attempted just two passes of more than 15 yards all season. While each was completed, one resulted in a limp-off, the other in a cart-off.
The offense starts with Jimmy “No Shoes” Taylor, a barefooted wonder who confuses defenses and electrifies fans with his daring runs, rocket arm, and six-car garage. A senior from the tobacco fields of small-town Virginia, Taylor missed the first week of fall drills after wrecking his Jag on the drive from his summer home in Jackson Hole.
“He’ll be ready for the opener,” offensive coordinator and NFL Hall of Fame receiver Quincy “Eye Black” Fontenette said. “Insurance covered the Jag; also got Jimmy a new deal with an insurance company whose name I can’t say right now, but I have some pamphlets I’ll be happy to hand you after practice.”
Elo “6-Sport” Capers, everybody’s favorite running back, is healthy after having spent the summer “lifting weights, getting my shoulder back right, and rotating the tires on my Audi,” the heralded junior said. Besides football, Capers has lettered in basketball, baseball, track and field, breakdancing, and advanced/varsity trampoline.
He’s good, but the Guys Up Front might be better. The self-proclaimed Best Dressed Offensive Line in Football (each player wears a necktie during games), the ATM offensive line is anchored by center Trudell “Big Hands” Patterson and guards Blaze “Big Feet” Butler and Grayson “Big Fill-in-the-Blank” Katona.
“Every girl’s crazy ’bout a sharp-dressed man,” the shy and popular Katona said.
The offense usually plays with only one tackle, but opposing defensive coordinators will testify that at a cat-quick 7-2, 360, Moses “Where He At?” Abraham sort of counts as two guys anyway.
ATM opens the season against Wofford.
Picked to finish second this season are The New York Stock Exchange University of Alabama AT&T Fightin’ Benjamins.
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DeSoto Parish Schools announced the launch of the DeSoto Hub, a fresh, all-in-one resource platform designed to support students, parents, and staff members. Formerly known as DeSoto University, the newly branded DeSoto Hub offers a streamlined, user-friendly experience, providing essential tools and information to help navigate life within DeSoto Parish Schools. The DeSoto Hub serves as a centralized location for everything from educational resources to community support, ensuring that all members of the DeSoto Parish Schools community have easy access to the information they need. For more information, visit http://www.desotopsb.com.
The DeSoto Parish Chamber Luncheon will be held on Tuesday, August 20th at noon. In lieu of a speaker attendees will play DeSoto Parish Jeopardy. Sunrise Cookies will caterer the event. RSVP by 11:00 am Friday, August 16.
The Stanley baseball team will hold a golf tournament fundraiser at the Mansfield Country Club Saturday, September 14 with a 9am tee off. There will be two flights with first place prize of golf bags. The format is 4 man scramble with entry fee of $500 per team. Contact Dayton Craig (318.461.0182) or Coday Johnston (318.617.6136) for more information.
Northwestern State University’s College of Education and Human Development is seeking nominations for the 2024 Hall of Distinguished Educators and Outstanding Young Professionals. The deadline for nominations has been extended to Thursday, Aug. 15. The Hall of Distinguished Educators is the highest honor bestowed by the School of Education. Nominees must have earned an education degree from Northwestern State University, must have a minimum of 30 years of service in the field of education and must have made significant contributions to the field of education and/or the larger community at a local, state, national or international level. Nominees may be living or deceased. Outstanding Young Professionals in Education must have earned an education degree from NSU and have a minimum of 10 years of service in the field of education. Nominees must have made significant contributions to the field of education and/or the larger community. Nominees must be age 45 or younger. More than 100 educators have been honored with the Hall of Distinguished Educators award since 2000. Applications are available at http://www.nsu.la/HODEapplications. For more information, contact Gabby Trindle at trindleg@nsula.edu.