Judy Lynn Bissell Daniels
June 23, 1954 — January 17, 2026
Visitation: Wednesday, January 21 from 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.at Rose-Neath Funeral Home
Services: Thursday, January 22 at 2:00 p.m. at Old Union Baptist Church

Nancy Louise Watson
September 22, 1959 — January 18, 2026
Not yet available

Gladys Mae Norris
02/15/1947 – 01/15/2026
Visitation: Friday January 23 from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Jenkins Funeral Home Chapel
Services: Graveside Saturday January 24 at 11:00 a.m. at theCommunity Cemetery

Sarah Sean Clay
02/16/1942 – 01/14/2026
Visitation: Friday January 23 from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Jenkins Funeral Home
Services: Saturday January 24 at 11:00 a.m. at Mary Evergreen B.C.

DeSoto Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or billvance.erg@gmail.com. (Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to billvance.erg@gmail.com

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The attached report displays all individuals charged over the last 7 days, including those arrested by summons who may not have been booked directly into the Detention Center. The attached arrests have been made by DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office (DPSO), Mansfield Police Department (MPD), and Louisiana State Police (LSP.) An arrest is indication that probable cause existed during an alleged offense. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Comments are disabled on crime related posts to ensure public safety.

At the school board meeting, DeSoto Parish Schools proudly honored outstanding staff members as part of their monthly Employee Recognition Program.

The January honorees include:

Support Staff of the Month: Anthony Green, LHS

Teacher of the Month: Scott Ziegler, MHS

New Teacher of the Month: Shamika Belton, MMS

Leader of the Month: Krystalline Meshell, NDHS

“These individuals go above and beyond every day to make a positive impact in our schools,” said school officials.

DeSoto Parish Schools also expressed gratitude to community partners Aneca Federal Credit Union, Alera Group, MarketPlace Chevrolet Stonewall, and RBW Consulting for sponsoring and supporting the recognition program. Their partnership helps highlight the dedication and excellence of the people shaping students’ lives across the parish.

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Residents across DeSoto Parish can expect a stretch of mostly sunny skies and cooler temperatures through the end of the week and into the holiday weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

Wednesday will bring mostly sunny conditions with a high near 61 degrees. Winds will shift from the southwest to the northwest during the morning hours, blowing between 5 and 15 mph with gusts that could reach 20 mph. Skies will remain mostly clear Wednesday night, with temperatures dipping to around 33 degrees.

Thursday ushers in cooler air, with sunny skies and a high near 49. Clear conditions will continue into

Thursday night, as lows settle near 34.

Warmer temperatures return slightly on Friday, with sunshine and a high near 59. Friday night will remain mostly clear, with lows around 35.

The weekend will continue the trend of dry, bright weather. Saturday will be mostly sunny with a high near 53, followed by a mostly clear night and a low around 32. Sunday stays sunny with a high near 52, and temperatures will fall to near 29 Sunday night under clear skies.Looking ahead to Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day will be sunny with a high near 54—ideal weather for outdoor activities and community events.

Overall, the forecast offers a calm and pleasant stretch, with cool mornings, mild afternoons, and plenty of sunshine for DeSoto Parish.

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Residents of DeSoto Parish and surrounding areas are invited to explore the world of beekeeping through a new educational series hosted by the LSU AgCenter. The four-part “Beginning Beekeeping” program will kick off on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, offering aspiring beekeepers a hands-on introduction to this growing and rewarding practice.

The first session will guide participants through the basics of getting started, including how to acquire bees, the essential equipment needed, and tips for proper hive placement. Designed for beginners and the bee-curious alike, the program provides a practical foundation for anyone interested in raising honeybees.

Throughout the four-part series, participants will learn about:

Beekeeping basics

Essential equipment

Hive health and management

The life cycle of honeybees, forage sources, and more

Classes will be held at the Red River Parish Extension Office, located at 1919 Alonzo Street in Coushatta.

The series aims to equip participants with the knowledge and confidence needed to successfully start and maintain a hive.

Those interested are encouraged to RSVP. For more information, contact Randall Mallette at 318-932-4342.

The “Beginning Beekeeping” series offers a unique opportunity for residents to gain practical skills while learning about the vital role honeybees play in agriculture and the environment.

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Northwestern State University has announced its Honor List, Dean’s List, and President’s List for the Fall 2025 semester, recognizing students for outstanding academic achievement. Students on the Honor List earned grade point averages between 3.0 and 3.49, Dean’s List honorees posted GPAs from 3.5 to 3.99, and President’s List students achieved a perfect 4.0 while enrolled full time.

The following students from communities across DeSoto Parish were recognized:

Honor List (GPA 3.0–3.49)

Frierson: Elizabeth Bryant, Bella Sandefur

Gloster: Cameron Curtis, Raven Fields

Grand Cane: Carli Hanks

Logansport: Kelsey Bolden, Ava Vowell

Mansfield: Shaniyah Blaze, Mckayla Courtney, Darrian Hall, Shayoni Hudson, Ladeidre Jackson, Valentina Puac, Rhiannon Sims, Makayla Terrell

Pelican: Madison Mcquiddy

Stonewall: Alexandria Cole, Ariel Cooke, Mya Dunn, Brooklyn Fowler, Courtney Johnson, Abigail Jones, Elana Sepulvado, Devanee Simon, Emily Turner, Xaria Turner, Mary-Elizabeth Widener

Dean’s List (GPA 3.5–3.99)

Frierson: Joshua Bouriaque, Jozey Isom

Gloster: Alexis Procell, Ellianna Ruiz

Logansport: Alexa Gannon, Emily Lagars, Jasmine Odom

Mansfield: Brittany Davis, Elizabeth Houston, Amanda Johnson, Nysia Samuels-Rochelle, Kemariya Thomas

Stonewall: Lacy Carney, Natalie Cobb, Sierra Dean, Aly Delafield, Tyler Erario, Hunter Hanson, Madison Jones, Amber Melton, Madison Pender, Lauren Perot, Jordan Porterfield, Kirsten Sepulvado, Macy Wiley, Gabriel Williams, Madison Woods

President’s List (GPA 4.0)

Frierson: Angelina Lee

Gloster: Dakota Boyd, Makayla Butler

Logansport: Hayden Dowden, Javier Sanchez, Jaylie Smith

Mansfield: Shacobie Gray, LaQuista Pegues, Paulette Rambin, LaQuinta Sudds

Stonewall: Rhyan Floyd, Anna Giddens, Abagail McInnis, Braedon Theodos, Laylen Wallace

Keatchie: Arianna Findley

These students represent the academic excellence found throughout DeSoto Parish. Northwestern State University officials noted that students on these lists must be enrolled full time and meet strict grade point average requirements.

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One of the great joys of ministry is baptizing infants. We Methodists believe that God does the baptizing—we’re just the human instruments of His gracious activity. And because we’re Methodists, we’re so laid back about it that we offer the full buffet: immersion, sprinkling, and the mysterious middle option known as affusion.

If you’ve never seen affusion, imagine a college prank that somehow wandered into the sanctuary and got canonized. For the uninitiated, affusion is simply pouring water over the candidate’s head. It’s the liturgical equivalent of someone saying, “Hold still, this won’t hurt… probably.”

Most babies are adorable, and I love holding them for those few sacred moments. But sometimes the baptismal waters are troubled. One Sunday, little Junior had a pacifier in his mouth. Before I took him from his mother, she reached in and pulled the pin. Now, taking a pacifier from a baby and pulling the pin on a grenade share certain similarities. In both cases, you brace yourself, because the next sound you hear will not be angelic.

Some infants, on the other hand, fall asleep in my arms midbaptism. They’re so peaceful and precious. I’ve been in ministry long enough that those sleeping cherubs are now full members of the church—and they still fall asleep in my arms, only now it’s during the sermon. So the next time you see a brother or sister snoozing in the pew, feel free to wonder whether they slept through their baptism too. And remember: every one of them was once a cute baby… or at least someone said they were.

But here’s the part that stops me in my tracks: many of the infants I’ve baptized recently will live to see the year 2100. I will not. They will witness things we can’t imagine. Think of the changes you’ve seen in your lifetime. Technology evolves so fast it makes your head spin. A decade ago, we were introduced to the smartphone. Before that, our phones were not very bright. They were basically pocket bricks that could call your mama and maybe play Snake if you were lucky. Now they can do everything except fold the laundry—and I’m sure that’s coming.

So the next time you see an infant, be amazed. You are looking at someone who will experience a century you will never see. Pray for them. Pray that they inherit a world shaped more by compassion than conflict. Pray that our technology builds community instead of tearing it apart. Pray that they grow up knowing peace, and knowing the astonishing power human beings have to love one another.

Because the future they will live in is the future we hand them. Through them, you and I get to touch a world beyond our years. That’s worth pondering the next time you’re in the presence of a child.Maybe that’s why this story is in the sacred text:

Parents brought their children to Jesus so He could bless them. The disciples tried to shoo them away—because apparently even in the first century, church people were good at gatekeeping. But Jesus was having none of it. He said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them. The Kingdom belongs to such as these.” And then He gathered them up, placed His hands on their tiny heads, and blessed them.

Pray for a child.

They hold the keys to the kingdom.And they hold the future we will never see—but God will.

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By Steve Graf    

I’ve always wondered what makes one athlete better than another. Why do some excel more than others? Is there a secret pill or an exercise regimen that makes them better? Well today we’ll ask the same questions about bass tournament anglers.

I’ve heard for years that no angler has learned anything without another angler telling them. While this might be true in a few cases, I’m not sure that’s the case with everyone.

So many of today’s anglers have learned so much through the internet and on YouTube. You can literally learn any technique and know when to use it simply by watching a YouTube channel.

Want to learn how to use your electronics? Watch YouTube! Want to learn about a drop-shot, Carolina Rig, or how to flip a jig? Watch YouTube! Want to understand how to fix an issue with your boat? Watch YouTube! It’s an endless resource of information.

But the older generation of anglers, like me, has learned through trial and error. We’ve learned from other anglers who came before us how to get better or how to fix an issue we’re having with our boats. We didn’t always have the internet as a resource. But there was one resource that came by mail once a month: Bassmaster Magazine!

This was my generation’s internet. Every issue in the mailbox addressed everything from different ways to catch bass, to how to replace a water pump or change the oil in the lower unit of the motor. Today, I’m still a subscriber to not only Bassmaster Magazine, but another publication called B.A.S.S. Times.

But just like great athletes, there’s something different about anglers who win more than others. The first thing I have noticed is their confidence level is usually high. They believe in what they are doing to catch bass and they understand bass behavior.

Another trait I’ve noticed is how the top anglers tend to think outside of the box. They don’t follow common trends or thought patterns other anglers do. Most of these winning anglers tend to do things a little differently.

I believe that the great anglers like Kevin Van Dam, Dustin Connell, Jacob Wheeler and the late Aaron Martens, each possess a sixth sense. They tend to think a little differently than the average bear. They don’t always follow traditional thinking when it comes to how they should be catching bass.

A phrase commonly used by these exceptional anglers is that “they let the fish tell them what and how they want the bait.” Saying this to the average angler means nothing, but to the great anglers, it explains a lot.

They don’t try to force a technique onto the bass. Every angler always has a game plan going into the tournament based on what and how they caught bass in practice. But on tournament day, the great anglers are not afraid to abandon that game plan and change their approach in the middle of the day.

I’ve also found that great anglers are really good at reading the water. To those who don’t bass fish, this is something that’s a gift that not all anglers have. They can literally walk up to the edge of the lake and tell you how they will catch them on that day just by looking at the water.

The great anglers have abilities just like great athletes. They have intangibles that make them special that some call the ‘it” factor. You can’t coach “it,” you’re born with “it.”

While all anglers can get better by spending time on the water, reading magazines or watching You Tube videos, there will always be those anglers who possess something that cannot be measured…God-given talent!

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

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These days, the campaign trail doesn’t wind through town halls — it runs straight through your phone. This cartoon takes a swipe at modern politics, where selfies, likes, and viral moments can matter more than boring old things like healthcare or infrastructure. When the algorithm is watching, the question becomes: is the goal to solve problems, or just rack up views?

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Jerry Hubbard was a singer/songwriter. In February 1967, Hubbard released his first album, but it failed to reach the top 100 charts. He had recorded singles as early as 1955, when he was 18 years old, but after twelve years in the industry a hit song still eluded him. Disc jockeys occasionally played songs from his debut album on the radio, one of which peaked at No. 53 on the Billboard country music charts, but still no hit song. Critics compared his voice to the sound of a bandsaw. Hubbard admitted, “I can sing, but I’m not a polished, theoretical singer,” but he kept trying.

A few weeks later, Elvis Presley, who regularly listened to the radio in search of songs to record, heard one of Hubbard’s songs and loved it. He decided he wanted to record a version of it. Elvis and his band gathered at Studio B in Nashville and began working on the song, but there was a problem. Elvis was disappointed with the result. Despite numerous attempts, they were unable to get a sound that suited Elvis. Producer Felton Jarvis told Elvis that the key to the song was the lead guitar which Scotty Moore was unable to duplicate. Jarvis said that if he wanted that sound, he needed to get Hubbard in the studio because he played the lead guitar part. Elvis agreed. Elvis and his band worked on other songs while Jarvis began searching for Hubbard. Jarvis located Hubbard’s wife, but she explained that Hubbard had taken his daughters fishing on the Cumberland River just outside of Nashville. Once Jarvis explained the situation, Hubbard’s wife rushed to the river. Hubbard was in disbelief. He had been performing Elvis songs live for years. Hubbard called the studio and explained that it would take him a while to get there. Hubbard did not take the time to shower, change clothes, or shave. He later explained that he had not shaved in several days and reeked of fish. He grabbed his guitar and headed to the studio. Hubbard quipped, “I was there in about twelve and a half minutes.”

Everyone was shocked at Hubbard’s appearance as he walked into the studio. That all changed when Hubbard began playing the intro to the song. Hubbard recalled, “[Elvis’s] face lit up and here we went.” In about as much time as it took Hubbard to drive to the studio, twelve and a half minutes, they had a recording that Elvis was thrilled about. That song, “Guitar Man”, went to No. 1 on the country charts.

Hubbard was thrilled that one of his songs reached the No. 1 position even though it was recorded by another artist. In 1971, Hubbard finally took one of his own songs to No. 1 on the country charts, “When You’re Hot, You’re Hot”. He recorded other hit songs such as “Amos Moses”, “The Bird”, “She Got the Goldmine (I Got the Shaft)”, and “East Bound and Down”, which was the theme song for the iconic film in which he co-starred with Burt Reynolds, Smokey and the Bandit. Few people remember the name Jerry Hubbard, but it all becomes clear when you see his full name, Jerry Reed Hubbard.

 

Source: “Jerry Reed Impromptu Gearz Interview, Part 4,” G V, Youtube.com, July 9, 2010, https://youtu.be/bF9te3INOZ0?si=9e0PKUyycdsJrzEV.

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The Latest Question & Answer

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By Nutrition Agent, Erin Stockton

Recipe of the Month: Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Serves: 4 | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 20 minutes

 

Bring a little Italian flavor to your dinner table with this simple, diabetes-friendly parmesan crusted chicken recipe. Serve with a side of zesty pasta salad for a balanced meal the whole family will love. For more information about healthy eating and active living, contact your local LSU AgCenter nutrition & community health agent, Erin Stockton (estockton@agcenter.lsu.edu).

Ingredients:

Vegetable cooking spray
3 (6 – 8 oz.) boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into even strips
1 ½ cups low-fat or non-fat plain yogurt
1 cup breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon flour
1 teaspoon paprika
2 teaspoons no salt Creole seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and spray the cooking sheet with vegetable cooking spray.
Cut chicken breast into even sized strips.
Place chicken strips in yogurt and refrigerate while preparing the rest of the ingredients.
In a dish, mix breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, flour, paprika, no salt creole seasoning, and garlic powder.
Coat each piece of chicken with yogurt and dredge in crumb mixture, pressing down on both sides to get a coating of crumbs.
Place chicken stripes on the cookie sheet that has been sprayed with vegetable cooking spray.
Bake for 15-20 minutes or until chicken is tender and juice runs clear, or to the safe internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

Erin Stockton is a Nutrition Agent with the LSU AgCenter in DeSoto, Sabine, and Natchitoches Parishes. A certified educator for over 20 years, she provides research-based programs to help families make healthy food choices and stay active. For program requests or questions, contact her at 318-872-0533, estockton@agcenter.lsu.edu, or on Facebook at LSU AgCenter DeSoto & Natchitoches Nutrition & Community Health.

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Digital news network’s no-paywall model drives advertising reach in underserved markets

By Frank Johnson
Special Report

The Parish Journals of Louisiana generated 17.6 million articles read in 2025 across 17 parishes in northwest and central Louisiana, according to site analytics data, establishing the digital network as a significant advertising platform in markets traditional media increasingly abandons.  While many social media platforms get their “counts” by you simply scrolling across their article or post, the 17.6 million Parish Journals analytics are specifically from articles opened and read – a huge difference for those who understand the value of that! 

The network, operated by Journal Services LLC, maintains individual publications serving Avoyelles, Bienville, Claiborne, DeSoto, Grant, Jackson, LaSalle, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Rapides, Red River, Sabine, Vernon, Webster and Winn parishes, plus the Shreveport-Bossier Journal covering Caddo and Bossier parishes.

Unlike legacy newspapers implementing paywalls while reducing rural coverage, Parish Journals publications remain entirely FREE to readers — a model creating distinct advantages for advertisers seeking reach beyond metropolitan markets.

Geographic footprint addresses news deserts

The network spans Louisiana’s northern border through central parishes, delivering hyperlocal coverage to both population centers and agricultural communities where traditional news operations have contracted or closed entirely.

Each publication focuses on municipal government proceedings, school board operations, high school athletics and regional business developments — content that generates sustained reader engagement and repeat traffic.

Site analytics show consistent readership across rural parishes that major media outlets typically serve only through regional editions or wire service content, if at all.

Paywall-free access multiplies advertising reach

The network’s most significant competitive advantage centers on unrestricted content access and its impact on advertising distribution.

When readers share Parish Journals articles through social media, email or messaging platforms, recipients access full content immediately without subscription barriers. Advertisements within shared articles reach expanded audiences at no additional cost to advertisers.

Paywalled competitors face structural limitations: subscribers may share content, but non-subscribers cannot access articles or view advertisements without subscriptions. This restricts organic distribution and caps advertising reach at existing subscriber counts regardless of content popularity.

Parish Journals articles continue generating traffic and advertising impressions weeks or months after publication as readers discover and share content without access restrictions. High school sports coverage particularly demonstrates this sustained engagement as families share game stories and season recaps long after initial publication.

Learn more about advertising opportunities with the Parish Journals network.

Digital infrastructure enables targeting flexibility

The network’s digital-first operations provide capabilities traditional print cannot match: real-time campaign deployment, performance analytics, geographic targeting across multiple parish markets, and mobile accessibility.

Advertisers can execute both broad regional campaigns and parish-specific initiatives through a single media partner while maintaining unlimited organic reach through social sharing.

Contact Journal Services LLC to discuss your advertising strategy.

Market positioning amid industry consolidation

As consolidation reshapes Louisiana media markets and legacy publications reduce rural coverage while implementing subscription barriers, Parish Journals has systematically expanded into underserved communities.

The result: comprehensive regional reach combined with genuine local focus across individual parish markets, without subscription barriers limiting advertising effectiveness.

The network’s 2025 performance — 17.6 million articles read across 17 parishes — demonstrates sustained audience engagement in markets where traditional news operations struggle to maintain profitability.

For businesses seeking connections with audiences across northwest and central Louisiana’s diverse communities, the platform provides documented reach and engagement with the structural advantage of unrestricted content access multiplying advertising distribution.

Contact Journal Services LLC regarding advertising rates and partnership opportunities.

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Larry D. Green
10/16/1951 – 01/09/2026
Visitation: Friday January 16 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Jenkins Funeral Home Chapel
Services : Saturday January 17 at 11:00 a.m. at Bethlehem B.C. #2

Shirley Chandler Wheless
November 4, 1944 — January 7, 2026
The family will be holding a graveside committal service at a later date

DeSoto Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or billvance.erg@gmail.com. (Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to billvance.erg@gmail.com

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The DeSoto Parish School Board has been formally released from a federal desegregation order that had been in place since 1967, marking the end of nearly six decades of court oversight of the parish’s public school system.

The announcement was made by the Office of the Louisiana Attorney General on Jan. 7, which stated the release followed legal action taken by the Attorney General’s Office in coordination with the United States Department of Justice. With the order lifted, the elected members of the DeSoto Parish School Board now regain full authority over district operations.

According to the Attorney General’s Office, the consent decree had remained in effect despite the absence of disputes among the involved parties for approximately the past 10 years. The office characterized the continued federal oversight as unnecessary given the district’s compliance and stability.

The release returns full governing powers to the locally elected school board, ending what officials described as 60 years of litigation and federal control. The Attorney General’s Office credited cooperation with the U.S. Department of Justice, including its Civil Rights Division, in bringing the long-standing case to a close.

The decision represents one of several efforts by state and federal officials to formally conclude decades-old desegregation cases across Louisiana where court supervision is no longer deemed necessary.

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The attached report displays all individuals charged over the last 7 days, including those arrested by summons who may not have been booked directly into the Detention Center. The attached arrests have been made by DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office (DPSO), Mansfield Police Department (MPD), and Louisiana State Police (LSP.) An arrest is indication that probable cause existed during an alleged offense. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Comments are disabled on crime related posts to ensure public safety.

DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office air support and K-9 units played a key role in the successful arrest of a Natchitoches man following a brief manhunt this weekend, highlighting strong cooperation between neighboring law enforcement agencies.

According to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright, the incident began Saturday evening, January 3, 2026, around 6:15 p.m., when deputies with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a reported domestic disturbance involving a knife in the 4900 block of Louisiana Highway 3278 near Natchitoches.

Deputies made contact with the victim, who was not injured. During the investigation, deputies learned the victim’s son, identified as 24-year-old Elias M. Quiller, had allegedly threatened to kill her with a kitchen knife before fleeing into nearby woods prior to their arrival. The victim reported Quiller had been acting erratically throughout the day and stated she feared for her life, noting the threats were not an isolated incident. Deputies collected information for an offense report, including video evidence, but were unable to locate the suspect that night.

Based on probable cause, deputies obtained an arrest warrant for Quiller through a 10th Judicial District Court judge.

The following morning, Sunday, January 4, 2026, at approximately 7:12 a.m., deputies were called back to the residence after the victim reported Quiller was in her backyard. Deputies observed the suspect flee across Louisiana Highway 3278 into a wooded area. Later that morning, at about 9:33 a.m., Quiller was again spotted before running back into the woods. Natchitoches Parish deputies established a perimeter and requested assistance.

The DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office responded by deploying its K-9 tracking team, along with additional deputies, drones, and helicopter air support. Deputies from both agencies conducted a coordinated search covering approximately 1.5 miles of wooded terrain.

Quiller was eventually located and given loud verbal commands to stop, which he ignored while attempting to flee once more. After continued noncompliance, the K-9 unit was deployed, and Quiller was taken into custody following a dog bite to the hip. Deputies rendered aid at the scene, and Natchitoches Regional Medical Center EMS transported Quiller for medical evaluation. He was treated and later released.

Following his release, Quiller was booked into the LaSalle Corrections/Natchitoches Detention Center. He was charged with one count of Domestic Abuse/Aggravated Assault and one count of Resisting an Officer. He remains in custody.

Sheriff Wright expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by DeSoto Parish authorities.

“I would like to personally thank DeSoto Parish Sheriff Jayson Richardson and the men and women of the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office for their swift response and outstanding assistance,” Wright said. “Their K-9 tracking team, air support, and additional manpower played a critical role in safely locating and apprehending the suspect. This incident underscores the importance of strong partnerships between law enforcement agencies.”

Natchitoches Parish deputies involved in the incident included Deputies H. Layfield, Lt. B. Smith, Sgt. C. Olliff, A. Coon, Sgt. D. Halliburton, T. Miller Jr., J. Edwards, and A. Weeks. The victim was issued a Louisiana Automated Victim Notification form.

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DeSoto Parish residents can expect warm temperatures to continue through midweek, followed by increasing rain chances and a noticeable cooldown heading into the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

Wednesday will be mostly sunny with a high near 76 degrees. Winds will be calm early, becoming southerly around 5 mph by morning. Skies will turn mostly cloudy Wednesday night, with overnight lows near 61 and south winds increasing to 5–10 mph.

On Thursday, a 30 percent chance of showers is expected under mostly cloudy skies. High temperatures will reach near 77 degrees. Thursday night will bring a slight chance of showers, with thunderstorms possible after midnight. Lows will remain mild around 64, with rain chances near 20 percent.

Rain chances increase on Friday, with showers and thunderstorms possible throughout the day. The chance of precipitation rises to 50 percent, and highs will be slightly cooler near 73 degrees. Friday night, rain chances decrease to 30 percent, mainly before midnight, with mostly cloudy skies and lows around 43.

The weekend will usher in cooler and drier conditions. Saturday is forecast to be mostly sunny with a high near 58, while Saturday night will be mostly cloudy and chilly, with lows around 37.

Sunday will remain mostly sunny but cooler, with a high near 54. Temperatures will drop significantly

Sunday night, with partly cloudy skies and lows dipping to around 29 degrees.

By Monday, sunshine returns with mostly sunny skies and a high near 55, bringing a cool but pleasant start to the new week in DeSoto Parish.

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The DeSoto Parish Police Jury has announced updated hours of operation for parish compactor sites, effective January 1, 2026.

According to parish officials, most compactor locations across DeSoto Parish will operate Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with Saturday hours from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. All compactor sites will remain closed on Sundays.

Several locations will also offer expanded weekday availability, with select sites open on Tuesdays and Thursdays in addition to the standard schedule. These expanded hours are intended to provide residents with greater access and flexibility for household waste disposal.

The updated schedule applies to all parish compactor sites, including but not limited to Benson, Clear Lake, Frierson, Grand Cane, Logansport, South Mansfield, Stonewall, and surrounding areas.

Residents are encouraged to review the full compactor site schedule or contact the DeSoto Parish Police Jury for details specific to their nearest location before visiting.

Parish officials remind the public to follow all posted rules and guidelines when using compactor facilities to ensure safe and efficient operation for everyone.

 

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DeSoto Parish officials have announced that a burn ban is now in effect, effective immediately, following consultations with local fire chiefs.

The decision was made due to current conditions that increase the risk of wildfires and uncontrolled burns. Parish officials are urging residents to comply with the ban to help protect lives, property, and emergency responders.

The burn ban will remain in place until conditions improve. Parish leaders stated that the public will be notified as soon as the ban is lifted.

Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and follow all safety guidelines during this period.

Further updates will be provided by the DeSoto Parish Police Jury as conditions change.

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I have a preacher friend who delivered a baby. Yes—delivered a baby. Some ministers get called to preach revivals. Some get called to chair committees. Rev. Kathy Howell? She gets called to the maternity ward parking lot in Jennings, Louisiana.

Kathy was visiting her mom in the hospital and had been waiting with her all morning. Since her mom couldn’t eat before her test, Kathy said, “Mama, I’m going to walk across the street to Wendy’s and get a burger. I’ll be right back.” That’s already a holy act—leaving a hungry mama to go get a single, solitary burger.

So off she goes, walking across the parking lot in her clerical garb. Yes, even we Methodist ministers have the shirt with the backwards collar. We don’t get many perks in ministry, but we do get one fashion statement that says, “I am available for baptisms, blessings, and—apparently—obstetrics.”

She was wearing her Roman collar when a man jumped out of his car with the look of someone who had just realized babies don’t wait for paperwork. He yelled, “How do I get to the emergency room entrance—my wife is having a baby!”

Kathy walked over, looked in the car, and sure enough, that baby was clocking out of the womb early.
Now, I like to think of myself as available to offer care and comfort to those in extremis. But let me be clear: no call of God would have me climbing into the front seat with a woman about to pop out a baby. I’m more of a “boil some water and rip some sheets” kind of helper. You know—19thcentury frontier medicine. Very safe. Very sanitary.

Imagine the poor woman in the passenger seat. She looked at Kathy—this unexpected, collarwearing, Wendy’sseeking angel—and said, “My husband and I prayed the whole way here that God would take care of us… but I was not expecting His answer to be you.”
And she did not say it with confidence. It was more like, “Lord, is this… is this really what we’re doing today?”

Kathy patted her hand and said, “You’re going to be okay. God’s got you.” And apparently God said, “Yes, and I’ve also got a Methodist minister with a nursing degree and a halfeaten burger waiting across the street.”

By the time the husband came back with the wheelchair and the nurse, he was a father. Right there in the front seat of a car in the hospital parking lot in Jennings, Louisiana, Reverend Kathy Howell delivered a baby. That is a great day’s work for a minister. Most of us are thrilled if we can find the right page in the hymnal.

Now, how dare God answer a heartfelt prayer for medical attention with a Methodist minister. Honestly. God should do a better job of answering prayers. Don’t we all feel that way sometimes? We pray for help, and God sends… well… us. Or someone who looks suspiciously like they were on their way to Wendy’s.
The hospital even let her sign the birth certificate because she delivered the baby. And she signed it:
“Reverend Katherine Howell, R.N.”

Turns out, before she was a Methodist minister, Kathy Howell ran the emergency room at East Jefferson Hospital in Metairie. So, I suppose God answered that prayer exactly the way it needed to be answered.
Which is just like God—always sending help, always showing up, and occasionally doing it in a Roman collar with a Frosty waiting across the street.

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A burn ban may stop brush fires, but it doesn’t slow fear, outrage, or misinformation. Some fires don’t require permits.

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Northwestern State’s football team will play six games at Turpin Stadium in 2026, including a season-opening Thursday night, Aug. 27 contest renewing a long dormant series with nearby Louisiana Christian (formerly Louisiana College), and third-year coach Blaine McCorkle’s Demons will visit NSU’s oldest rival, Louisiana Tech in Week 2.

The 12-game schedule was announced on Tuesday as part of a Southland Conference-wide schedule release for the 2026 season.

“Thursday night openers are always fun because the students are here and you get a good crowd. We opened up against Alcorn on Thursday night last year and it was a great atmosphere so we are excited to do that again,” said McCorkle.

The game with the Wildcats is the first between the two programs since 1968 in a series dating back to 1908.. LC dropped football in 1969, and resumed it two decades ago. Located in Pineville, Louisiana Christian plays at the NAIA Division I level and has visited Southland members McNeese and Houston Christian in season-openers in the past two years.

“I can see LC bringing a lot of people up and they’re a good football team,” said McCorkle. “I give Coach (Ben) McLaughlin a lot of credit. They’ve won their conference two of the last three years, and they do a lot of good things. There’s no doubt their players will be excited to come in here and play.”

Northwestern renews another regional rivalry the following week when it travels to Louisiana Tech on Sept. 5. The first meeting with the Bulldogs since 2023 begins a stretch of three straight September road games for the second straight season.

Sandwiched between the trip to Ruston and a program-first trip to Utah to close a home-and-home agreement with Weber State (Sept. 19), the Demons travel to East Texas A&M (Sept. 12) for the first of nine SLC games on the schedule.

After four straight seasons with multiple FBS opponents on their non-conference schedule, the Demons face just one in 2026.

“Excited about the regional rivalry with Tech. We have a history of playing a lot over the years,” McCorkle said. “I know our kids will be really excited to go up there and play against people that they know. There’s a lot of crossover on our rosters with high school teammates or guys you played against when you’re that close in proximity.

“Then after a week of conference play against East Texas A&M, back on the road to Weber State, who came in here two years ago and handled us pretty good. They have been a perennial FCS power. So, three non-conference games this year and we definitely have our work cut out for us. They should set us up pretty good going into conference play to know where we are.”

With two Louisiana-based teams in the non-conference, the Demons face five total in-state opponents on the year, including the first home conference game against Southeastern on Sept. 26. It signals a stretch of three of four and five of seven games inside Turpin Stadium.

McNeese (Oct. 17) and Nicholls (Oct. 24) also visit Natchitoches in 2026, marking the first time since 1978 the Demons host the Colonels, Cowboys and Lions in the same season and the first time with all being Southland Conference opponents.

The last time NSU played five games against in-state teams in the same season was 2017.

After consecutive home games in mid-October, the Demons close their home slate with consecutive home games in early November, hosting UTRGV (Nov. 7) in the first football meeting between the two schools in history, and HCU (Nov. 14).

“Six home games is a big deal,” McCorkle said. “It’s been a while since we’ve had six home games. And then Louisiana Tech is right up the road. So really, you have within proximity, seven right here in our backyard where all our fans all be able to see us play.

It is the first time since 2013 the Demons have six home games during a season.

NSU closes the season with a Thursday night rivalry game against Stephen F. Austin, this time in Nacogdoches.

Kickoff times and the homecoming date will be set later, officials said.

Date	Opponent	Location
Aug. 27	Louisiana Christian	Natchitoches
Sept. 5	at Louisiana Tech	Ruston
Sept. 12	*at East Texas A&M	Commerce, Texas
Sept. 19	at Weber State	Ogden, Utah
Sept. 26	*Southeastern	Natchitoches
Oct. 3	*at Lamar	Beaumont, Texas
Oct. 10	Open date	—
Oct. 17	*McNeese	Natchitoches
Oct. 24	*Nicholls	Natchitoches
Oct. 31	*at UIW	San Antonio, Texas
Nov. 7	*UTRGV	Natchitoches
Nov. 14	*HCU	Natchitoches
Nov. 19	*at Stephen F. Austin	Nacogdoches, Texas

*indicates Southland Conference games

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By Steve Graf    

Over the past three years, tournament participation has fallen off dramatically mainly due to forward-facing sonar (FFS). Organizations have made rule changes with the hope of bringing tournament anglers back. Some have eliminated FFS all together, while the Major League Fishing trails like the BFL’s and the Toyota Series have put a time limit (three hours) on how long FFS can be used on tournament day.

While there’s no pleasing all the anglers, some tournament trails are hoping that the changes they have made will encourage anglers to come back and fish. They’ve made compromises for both sides, those who are in favor of FFS and those who want it eliminated from the sport all together.

Some anglers feel this new technology has no place in pro tournament fishing. It’s a great tool for the weekend warrior and an awesome tool for scouting. But for tournament use, others feel it is damaging the integrity of the sport. It’s made touring pros out of average to below average anglers.

Where organizations believe they have lost co-anglers, it turns out the boater/pros are also walking away. Early registration for the upcoming BFL (Cowboy Division) on Sam Rayburn indicates that they have more co-anglers signed up than boater/pros. This is a big problem for the parent company, Major League Fishing.

So many factors are at play when it comes to getting anglers back. Economy, price of boats and too many tournament trails are creating problems, not to mention the FFS issues.

To use a political hot word for 2026, “affordability” is a big concern for a lot of anglers. One tournament director of a major fishing organization made the comment that anglers are not having “fun” anymore. This is very much a true statement!

I agree with this comment. The fun days of showing up at a particular body of water and competing with guys you respect and have good relationships with are gone.

We, as anglers, never really thought about anyone cheating. But with so many issues last year with rules violations and failed polygraph tests, it’s now the first thing that pops into our heads when we back our boats down the ramp.

COVID, I believe, has also played a hand in the drop-off of angler participation. Back during the pandemic, the structure of tournaments changed. Anglers who fished during this period know that tournament directors focused on making sure we kept our distance from each other due to COVID restrictions.

The rules for a weigh-in changed as you had to stay in your boat and bring your fish to the scales one at a time. No more gathering of anglers at the weigh tanks.

Once you weighed in, you were expected to leave immediately, and winning checks were often mailed. This took all the fun out of tournament fishing and eliminated the connection anglers had developed over the years.

But during this difficult time, it was truly a lifesaver and a boost to anglers’ morale because they were excited just to have bass tournaments. Anglers appreciated the efforts organizations and directors put forth just so anglers could compete. Connections and comradery are very important to bass anglers. That’s what makes it fun!

Hopefully 2026 will bring a new beginning and a resurgence of anglers coming back to fishing tournaments. My hat is off to all tournament organizations as they try and navigate the new technology with FFS while trying to please as many anglers as possible.

I’ve always said the worst job in the world would be trying to make bass fishermen happy.

Best wishes and tight lines to all anglers for the upcoming tournament season!

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

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The LSU AgCenter will be offering cattle producers the opportunity to become certified Louisiana Master Cattlemen this spring. The Louisiana Master Cattleman Program was developed in 2004 to increase cattle producers’ knowledge of the cattle industry and help them become more profitable and productive. The Master Cattleman Program is a series of lectures held once a week in the evenings that cover topics including pasture management, animal health, nutrition, cattle handling, and economics of beef cattle operations. In addition to these topics, participants in the Master Cattleman Program will complete the Beef Quality Assurance Certification Program. Classes will be held at the Red River Parish Extension Office in Coushatta, LA. Lectures begin on Thursday, March 5, and will be held each Thursday night until May 7 from 6 P.M until 9 P.M. Evening meals will be provided. Tuition fees for this course are $225 per person and pre-registration is required. The deadline to register for this course is February 23. Space is limited so sign up soon. For more information on this course, please contact any of the following LSU AgCenter extension agents: Lee Faulk (318-245-4200), Joshua Salley (318-872-0533), or Randall Mallette (318-932-4342).

“It is the policy of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the grounds of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability. If you need special assistance to participate in this course, please call 319-927-2578.”

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