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 Schools is celebrating one of its own after North DeSoto Upper Elementary teacher Hillary Severin was named a semifinalist for the 2027 Louisiana Teacher of the Year award.
Severin, a fifth-grade math teacher and mentor teacher, was recently recognized by the Louisiana Department of Education as part of its statewide spotlight on outstanding educators ahead of the official announcement of the 2027 Louisiana Teacher and Principal of the Year finalists later this month.
Known for her data-driven approach to instruction, Severin focuses on helping students achieve growth through strategic planning, targeted interventions, and consistent classroom routines. Education leaders say her teaching philosophy centers on building curiosity, confidence, and student ownership in the learning process.
In Severin’s classroom, students are encouraged to ask questions, embrace challenges, and recognize that effort and progress are key components of success.
Along with teaching fifth-grade math, Severin also serves as a mentor teacher, helping guide and support fellow educators within the district.
The Louisiana Department of Education is highlighting semifinalists from across the state leading up to the live announcement of the 2027 Louisiana Teacher and Principal of the Year finalists. The announcement is scheduled to take place during the Teacher Leader Summit opening session pre-show at 8:30 a.m. on May 26.
DeSoto Parish school officials praised Severin’s dedication to student achievement and her commitment to fostering a positive and engaging learning environment for students and colleagues alike.
BATON ROUGE — Louisiana families may qualify for SUN Bucks, a summer grocery assistance program providing a one-time $120 benefit for each eligible school-aged child to help purchase food during the summer break.
The program applies to children ages 5 to 18 and is designed to assist families while school meal programs are unavailable during the summer months.
Most eligible children will automatically receive the benefit and do not need to apply. Automatic eligibility includes children born between Aug. 20, 2007, and July 1, 2020, who received SNAP, FITAP, KCSP or income-based Medicaid benefits at any time between July 1, 2025, and Aug. 20, 2026.
Children may also automatically qualify if they attend a school participating in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program and were approved individually for free or reduced-price meals.
Some families, however, will need to submit an application. This includes households with children attending Community Eligibility Provision schools where all students receive free meals but no meal application was completed. Families may also qualify based on household income even if they do not meet the automatic eligibility categories.
Applications for summer 2026 benefits will be accepted through Aug. 20, 2026. Approved applicants typically receive benefits within three weeks of approval.
Officials say SUN Bucks benefits will begin distribution in mid-May. Families already receiving SNAP or those who participated in SUN Bucks last summer will have benefits added to their existing EBT card. Other households will receive a preloaded EBT card by mail in a plain white envelope addressed to the child.
Families are encouraged to verify their mailing address information with Medicaid, FITAP, KCSP and their child’s school to avoid delays in receiving benefits.
SUN Bucks cards can be activated through the LifeInCheck app, by calling 888-997-1117 or online through the LifeInCheck EBT system. Cardholders will need the child’s Social Security information, birthdate and ZIP code to complete activation.
Officials also remind families to choose secure PIN numbers and avoid common patterns such as repeated or consecutive digits.
The DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office has partnered with the Shreveport Police Department and the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office to put a new law enforcement helicopter in the skies over Northwest Louisiana.
The aircraft — a 1969 Kiowa 58 acquired from the Louisiana State Police for $15,000 and fully restored with modern equipment — is based in Stonewall and represents a significant upgrade in the sheriff’s office’s aerial capabilities. The helicopter is equipped with FLIR (Forward-Looking Infrared) thermal imaging technology and a long-range camera system capable of real-time surveillance. Sheriff Jayson Richardson noted that departing from near Mansfield, the crew could already see downtown Shreveport high-rises on the camera system.
Richardson said the aircraft can remain airborne for two to three hours at a time — a major improvement over drones, which are limited by battery life and altitude. The sheriff’s office has operated helicopters for roughly 13 years, beginning with its first aircraft in 2012.
Richardson said the partnership benefits DeSoto Parish residents directly. “A better Shreveport and a safer Shreveport is a safer DeSoto Parish,” he said, noting that many parish residents travel, shop, and work in Shreveport.
Crime Stoppers has established a separate fund to help cover fuel and maintenance costs for the aircraft, with a fundraising goal of $50,000 for the year. Fuel alone runs more than $100 per hour.
Sources: DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office; Shreveport Police Department
Residents across DeSoto Parish can expect a stretch of warm temperatures and mostly sunny skies through the upcoming weekend as stable weather conditions settle into the region, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters say daytime highs will remain consistently near 88 degrees from Wednesday through Sunday, while overnight temperatures are expected to stay mild in the upper 60s and lower 70s.
Wednesday’s forecast calls for sunny skies with a high near 88 degrees. Winds are expected to remain calm before shifting northwest at around 5 mph later in the day. Wednesday night will be mostly clear with lows around 67 degrees.
Sunny conditions are expected to continue Thursday with another high near 88. Thursday night will bring partly cloudy skies and a low around 68 degrees.
By Friday, mostly sunny weather is expected to persist with afternoon highs once again reaching near 88 degrees. Friday night is forecast to be partly cloudy with lows around 69.
The weekend outlook remains warm and dry, with mostly sunny skies Saturday and Sunday and highs continuing near 88 degrees both days. Overnight lows Saturday night are expected to remain mild near 71 degrees under partly cloudy skies.
Meteorologists say no significant rainfall is currently expected during the extended forecast period, providing favorable conditions for outdoor events, sports activities, and weekend plans across the parish.
Residents spending extended periods outdoors are encouraged to stay hydrated and take precautions during the warm afternoon hours.
Logansport High School has been selected to participate in the Disney Musicals in Schools: Stage Connect Program, giving local elementary students a unique opportunity to experience musical theater with support from Disney on Broadway.
School officials announced the honor this week, noting that the school was chosen from more than 800 applicants nationwide to participate in the program during the upcoming school year.
The initiative will provide next year’s third- through fifth-grade students with the opportunity to take part in a full musical theater production while receiving educational resources, guidance, and support connected to Disney on Broadway.
School leaders described the selection as a major achievement and an exciting opportunity to expand arts education opportunities for students in DeSoto Parish.
“We are so honored to be a part of this and to bring new experiences and skills to our students,” the school shared in its announcement.
The Disney Musicals in Schools program is designed to introduce students to musical theater while helping build confidence, teamwork, creativity, and performance skills through participation in school productions.
Officials say the program will allow students to experience hands-on learning in acting, singing, stage performance, and production preparation while encouraging collaboration and self-expression.
Additional details about the upcoming production and student participation opportunities are expected to be released later this fall as planning begins for the program’s first year at Logansport High School.
Rainy weather did little to slow down the excitement and determination on display during the 2nd Annual DeSoto 4-H Parish Horse Show held Friday at the Flying M Arena in Keatchi.
Hosted by DeSoto 4-H, the event brought together 32 competitors who showcased the skills they developed throughout the year while exhibiting their horses in a variety of events and competitions.
Organizers said this year’s show highlighted the continued growth of the parish’s Horse Club program, with participants demonstrating confidence, poise, and strong horsemanship despite the challenges that can come with working alongside horses — and unpredictable weather conditions.
“As our kiddos entered the arena to exhibit their equine friends, it was truly evident how much growth they have shown,” organizers shared following the event. “Even with the trials horses can present, poise and presence won out in the arena today.”
The event drew support from across the community, with organizers expressing gratitude to the many volunteers, sponsors, parents, and supporters who helped make the show possible.
Special thanks were extended to the 4-H Junior Leaders, DJ Haley, Nicole Jackson, Lynn Walker, Bobbie Cunningham, Judge Chris Pearce, Expand Energy, participating families, volunteers, and the Flying M Arena for their contributions to the event’s success.
DeSoto 4-H leaders also praised the continued support shown by the parish community toward youth programs and agricultural education initiatives.
Officials say the Horse Club continues to grow and plans are already underway for future events and opportunities for young riders across the parish.
At the conclusion of the show, organizers congratulated all participants and winners for their hard work and dedication throughout the season, calling the event another successful year for DeSoto Parish 4-H.
The Louisiana Department of Health is urging residents to prioritize water safety as summer approaches, reminding families that strong safety practices can help prevent drownings and serious water-related injuries, particularly among children.
The reminder comes as Gov. Jeff Landry has proclaimed May as Louisiana Children’s Trust Fund Swim Safety Month.
According to recent data compiled by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the fourth leading cause of injury-related deaths among children ages 0 to 14 in Louisiana.
LDH officials said most drownings are preventable and often happen quickly and quietly. Between 2022 and 2024, 55 children drowned in Louisiana, according to the LDH Office of Public Health. More than half of those children were unsupervised, and 42 percent drowned in water areas without proper protective barriers. Most incidents occurred in swimming pools.
An additional 54 children were hospitalized due to nonfatal drownings or near-drownings, which health officials say can lead to lifelong disabilities and permanent developmental impacts.
State health officials are encouraging parents and caregivers to actively supervise children whenever they are near water, keep young children within arm’s reach and never leave children unattended around pools, lakes or other bodies of water.
The department also recommends enrolling children in swim lessons at an early age, installing protective barriers and self-latching gates around pools, ensuring pools and spas have compliant drain covers and teaching children to avoid pool drains.
Officials say extra caution should be used in open water environments such as lakes and beaches, where conditions can include low visibility, changing depths, currents and underwater hazards.
Families are also encouraged to use U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets during boating and water recreation activities, avoid alcohol while swimming or supervising children and learn CPR and basic rescue skills in case of emergencies.
Additional water safety information, swim lesson resources and CPR class information are available through the Louisiana Department of Health.
DeSoto Parish Schools officially dedicated its Facilities and Operations Building in honor of the late Heith Parker during a ceremony held May 8, recognizing his decades of leadership and service to the district.
The newly named Heith Parker Facilities and Operations Building serves as a lasting tribute to Parker’s commitment to DeSoto Parish Schools and the impact he made on students, staff, campuses, and the community throughout his 26-year career.
District officials said Parker’s dedication, leadership, and focus on excellence helped shape the growth and development of school facilities across the parish while maintaining safe and effective learning environments for students and employees.
Parker began his career with DeSoto Parish Schools during the 1998–1999 school year as an Adult Education teacher and coach at North DeSoto High School, where he worked with both the football and baseball programs. He later served as a Physical Education teacher at North DeSoto Elementary and Middle School while continuing to mentor students through athletics and academics.
Over the final decade of his career, Parker served as Director of Facilities and Operations, overseeing campus improvements, construction projects, maintenance operations, and districtwide safety standards.
School leaders credited Parker with playing a major role in the evolution and modernization of district facilities throughout DeSoto Parish.
“This dedication honors a man who truly understood the mission of Making a Difference,” Superintendent Clay Corley said. “Heith Parker invested his heart and soul into this district, leaving a powerful legacy of service and commitment that will forever inspire the DeSoto Parish Schools family for years to come.”
Officials said the building dedication reflects not only Parker’s professional accomplishments, but also the compassion, work ethic, and leadership values he demonstrated throughout his life and career.
The district expressed gratitude for Parker’s years of service and said his legacy will continue inspiring future generations of educators, staff members, and students across DeSoto Parish Schools.
DeSoto Parish Schools are celebrating significant improvements in early literacy achievement after newly released assessment data showed major reading gains among students across the district during the 2025–2026 school year.
According to district officials, results from the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) assessment revealed that the percentage of kindergarten through third-grade students reading at or above grade level increased from 70 percent at the end of the 2024–2025 school year to 80 percent in 2025–2026 — a notable 10-point increase districtwide.
School leaders credited the progress to the combined efforts of educators, students, and families working together to strengthen literacy skills at an early age.
“This growth reflects the strong commitment of our educators, students, and families to excellence in early literacy,” said Willa Smith, Supervisor of Student Learning.
“Grounded in our core values of high performance and making a difference, we have remained focused on ensuring every child builds a strong literacy foundation,” Smith said. “This milestone is not just a measure of progress, but a testament to what is possible when a community aligns around student success.”
District officials also highlighted literacy improvements across individual campuses, including Logansport High School, Mansfield Elementary School, North DeSoto Lower Elementary, North DeSoto Upper Elementary, and Stanley High School.
Superintendent Clay Corley called early literacy one of the most critical indicators of long-term student achievement and praised teachers and families for their role in reaching the district’s new benchmark. “Early literacy is undeniably the single most important indicator of a student’s future success,” Corley said. “Reaching this 80 percent proficiency milestone doesn’t happen by accident; it is the direct result of the hard work and high performance of our teachers in the classroom, combined with the irreplaceable support of our families at home.”
“Together, we are living out our mission to make a difference in the lives of our students by building the strong literacy foundation our students need for lifelong success,” he added.
The district’s progress comes as Louisiana continues emphasizing literacy achievement through state legislation designed to strengthen reading proficiency among young learners.
Under Act No. 520, all kindergarten through third-grade students in traditional public schools are required to participate in literacy screening assessments. Additionally, Act No. 422 mandates that third-grade students scoring at the lowest achievement level on the literacy screener may not advance to fourth grade.
District leaders said the legislation reinforces the importance of ensuring students develop strong reading skills by the end of third grade.
DeSoto Parish Schools are also encouraging families to continue supporting literacy development at home by reading regularly with children, creating reading-friendly environments, and incorporating vocabulary-building activities into daily routines.
The district says it remains committed to fostering a love of reading and ensuring every student develops the literacy skills needed for long-term academic and personal success.
Students with the DeSoto Parish 4-H Club received a firsthand look at the important role K-9 units play in law enforcement during a special presentation hosted Thursday morning at the Dave Means 4-H Building in Grand Cane.
Members of the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office K-9 Division met with students beginning at 9 a.m., sharing insight into how specially trained dogs assist deputies in a variety of situations across the parish. Sgt. Kelby Pearah and Deputy Nolan Perot spoke with students about the duties of K-9 handlers, the specialized equipment used in the field, and how tracking dogs are deployed to help locate missing children, elderly residents, and other individuals in need of assistance. Deputies also explained how modern technology can support search and tracking efforts during real-world operations.
The morning’s biggest attraction, however, may have been the live demonstrations from two four-legged members of the DPSO team.
Retired K-9 Rex briefly stepped out of retirement to showcase the skills and energy that made him a valuable part of the division during his years of service. Students also had the opportunity to meet active-duty K-9 Cujo and observe the difference between a retired K-9 and a currently working law enforcement dog.
Throughout the event, students remained engaged with questions, laughter, and enthusiastic reactions as deputies demonstrated the capabilities of the K-9 unit.
Officials with the sheriff’s office said the visit was an opportunity not only to educate students about public safety, but also to strengthen connections between local law enforcement and the community.
The DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office expressed appreciation to the teachers, staff, and event organizers who helped coordinate the presentation and make the experience possible for local 4-H students.
DeSoto Parish 4-H is celebrating a major achievement after local member Addison Barber was selected by Louisiana 4-H to serve as a National Shooting Sports Ambassador.
The announcement marks a significant honor for Barber, who will now represent both DeSoto Parish and the State of Louisiana through leadership and advocacy within the national 4-H Shooting Sports program.
DeSoto 4-H officials praised Barber’s accomplishment, calling it a testament to hard work, dedication, and leadership development within the organization.
“What a huge accomplishment,” DeSoto Parish 4-H shared in its announcement. “We know you will represent DeSoto Parish 4-H and the State of Louisiana with your best leadership abilities.”
The National Shooting Sports Ambassador program recognizes outstanding 4-H members who demonstrate strong leadership skills, sportsmanship, and commitment to youth development through shooting sports education and competition.
Barber’s selection also represents the achievement of a personal goal, according to local 4-H leaders, who commended the young ambassador for reaching an important milestone.
The DeSoto Parish 4-H program continues to provide opportunities for students across the parish to develop leadership skills, teamwork, responsibility, and confidence through a variety of educational and extracurricular activities.
Local supporters and fellow 4-H members have joined in congratulating Barber on the statewide and national recognition.
Three DeSoto Parish graduating seniors have been named recipients of the 2026 Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association Scholarship, recognizing their academic achievement and future educational goals.
Each year, the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association selects one graduating senior from every parish in Louisiana to receive a $1,000 scholarship to assist with college and educational expenses. DeSoto Parish Sheriff Jayson Richardson expanded the local program by personally funding two additional $1,000 scholarships for DeSoto Parish students, bringing the total number of recipients in the parish to three.
This year’s scholarship recipients are:
Luke Odom Delafield — North DeSoto High School
Caroline Grace Magee — Logansport High School
Trace Allen Ogle — North DeSoto High School
According to the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office, scholarship funds may be used by recipients for a variety of educational expenses, including books, meals, clothing, school supplies, housing, and other college-related needs.
Sheriff Richardson said he strongly believes in investing in the future of DeSoto Parish students and supporting young adults as they continue their education beyond high school.
Officials noted that scholarship application information was distributed earlier this year through the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office Facebook page and shared with schools throughout the parish prior to the application deadline.
Recipients were selected by a volunteer committee made up of individuals outside of the sheriff’s office. DPSO officials expressed appreciation to those volunteers for their time and commitment in helping review applications and select recipients from what was described as a highly talented group of students across the parish.
The sheriff’s office congratulated all three students on their accomplishments and wished them continued success as they begin the next chapter of their educational journeys.
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) approved a Notice of Intent (NOI) for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) to conduct a recreational alligator hunting season from Oct. 1-31, 2026. The action came during the LWFC’s May meeting Thursday (May 7) in Baton Rouge.
“We are proud to increase recreational opportunity for Louisiana sportsmen and women across the state with this exciting new season,” said LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth. “The American Alligator is a true conservation success story, and by being able to have a recreational season, we are able to further promote this success and the rich hunting heritage that makes up the Louisiana way of life.”
The recreational season would be separate from the commercial season. Properties already issued commercial harvest tags are excluded from recreational eligibility. Alligators, hides, meat and parts taken under a recreational hide tag may not be sold, bartered or commingled with commercial-tag alligators.
The recreational season would be conducted by lottery. Only Louisiana residents may apply. A total of 5,000 participants would be selected with two recreational alligator hide tags issued to each participant. Immediate tag attachment upon harvest and tag validation within 72 hours via department portal, LA Wallet, phone, or LouisianaOutdoors.com, is required.
Method of take is restricted to hook and line, or snatch hook only — anchored, tethered, or originating from immovable eligible property with written landowner permission. Pole hunting and free shooting is prohibited.
There would be eight zones statewide with recreational opportunity in each zone. Zones B and C would have 1,250 participants, Zone A 500 participants and zones D, E, F, G and H 400 participants each.. A recreational alligator hunter must possess a basic hunting license, the recreational alligator hunting license, valid recreational hide tags and written proof of land ownership or permission. A recreational alligator hunting license would be $25 for residents and $150 for non-residents.
To see the full NOI, visit the LDWF Alligator Hunting webpage.
Public comment on the NOI will be accepted through June 26. Comments may be submitted to LDWF Alligator Program Manager Jeb Linscombe at LDWF, 200 Dulles Drive, Lafayette, LA, 70506, or by email at jlinscombe@wlf.la.gov.
I’ve always heard the saying that “some things never change,” but that would not be the case for bass tournaments. When you look back at tournament participation over the last 10 years, one thing is very apparent; anglers have walked away from bass tournaments.
Let’s look at some of the reasons that might explain why participation is down. But understand this, you can’t point your finger at just one reason. First and foremost, we are living in a different time as compared to the hay day of tournament bass fishing that was the 1990s and early 2000s.
After the conclusion of the COVID outbreak in 2021, for some reason tournament participation has gone south. Tournaments were at full strength during COVID as anglers were looking for an escape from isolation. Bass boat sales were out the roof nationwide with people retreating to the outdoors.
All the major tournament trails were filling up with a maximum number of entries anywhere from 200 to 300 boats or more. But a couple of years after COVID, for whatever reason, anglers quit showing up.
That was about the time forward-facing sonar became an issue. Nothing in the last 40 years has had as much controversial impact than forward-facing sonar.
Now I’m not pointing the finger at this alone because it may be just a coincidence that anglers were dropping out of tournaments. But for the last five years, anglers have come up with other reasons for not fishing competitively.
Some say it’s the economy, but I’m not totally buying into this idea. One thing about bass tournament anglers, they will do whatever it takes to make sure they can still compete even if it means selling their youngest child or their wife getting a second job in order to save enough money for them to fish the next tournament.
While I’m joking about them selling their youngest child, there is one thing that seems to be a common variable to anglers not showing up: gas prices! Back in 2014 when a tank of gas cost you an arm and a leg ($4 a gallon), anglers decided to park their high-dollar bass boats.
While gas prices can have an influence on whether anglers fish or not, presently we are once again on the verge of anglers parking their boats as gas prices continue to rise due to the war with Iran.
Here’s a major concern of mine that I think is having a negative effect on tournaments … cheaters! Over the last two years, there have been more anglers disqualified for rules violations and more people who have been caught cheating.
This has given the sport a black eye and is just another reason anglers are thinking twice before entering a tournament. They just don’t trust that someone is not cheating! Even on local weeknight shootouts, there have been anglers caught cheating just to win a couple hundred dollars.
So, even with all the reasons we’ve mentioned, one angler recently summed it up as to why tournament participation is down nationwide: “It’s just not fun any more!”
Very few of us fish for a living. We love tournaments because we enjoy the comradery and the competition. Most guys are perfectly happy if they just get a check to help cover their gas, hotel and food.
But it’s sad that we live in a world today where there will always be a couple of bad apples that can ruin it for everybody. I just hope that one day anglers can look forward to fishing a tournament and not have to worry if someone is cheating.
Hopefully the heyday of tournament bass fishing is not over. But it’s going to take time for some anglers to return to the sport they love. Tournament organizations are in a pickle today trying to figure out the formula that will encourage tournament anglers to return.
Every tournament trail is always attempting to get more anglers to enter their events. Their dilemma is trying to figure out who should be their target demographic group. Should they cater to the younger generation (18 to 34) or try to get the 35 and older anglers back?
There’s one key component they’ll need to factor in when getting more anglers to return; they must gain their trust again.
The Natchitoches Jazz&R&B Festival, which is celebrating its 29th year on May 15-16 is widely regarded as one of the top if not, THE top music festivals in north Louisiana.
According to festival chairman Rodney Harrington, the event is the culmination of a year long community effort and would not be possible without the generous support of area businesses, concertgoers, and musicians.
“First and foremost, we have a super hard-working board of directors and core group of volunteers who work all year long for no other reason than to help provide good quality musical entertainment for the people of our area and beyond,” said Harrington.
“The festival simply wouldn’t happen without the generosity of our sponsors or partners as we call them”, Harrington continued, “they step up to the plate year after year and allow us to put on a top quality festival featuring A-list artists and first class sound and production.”
Harrington did say that ticket sales are critical, however, and at the end of the day, it’s all about putting” butts in the seats.”
“With advance online ticket sales, we are able to track where our purchases are coming from and it’s pretty eye-opening,” Harrington said, “ we have folks coming to this festival from literally all over the country, although we rely heavily upon people who are in driving distance.”
He encourages local businesses which, for whatever reason, did not become sponsors, to please consider buying tickets to give to their employees and/or customers.
Harrington says that the festival was started over 30 years ago mainly to provide a venue for local musicians to perform and it still maintains its loyalty to that group.
“The lineup of performers includes lots of local acts and they are going to be amongst the best you’ll see at the festival, “says Harrington.
For the first time, this year’s festival will feature a stage where all performers will play only their original music. This will be in the beautiful setting of Beau Jardin and will be presented in cooperation with The Natchitoches Original Music Showcase.
BREAKING NEWS ALERT: VIP TICKETS ARE NEARLY SOLD OUT AND THE JAZZ FEST BOARD ANTICIPATES TERMINATING THE FURTHER SALE OF THOSE TICKETS IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE.
In April, Cleco employees celebrated National Volunteer Month by volunteering their time and energy by serving more than 800 hours at 50 charitable organizations across Louisiana.
Whether they worked as part of a volunteer team or served on their own, a Huge Shout Out to all the great Cleco volunteers who are making an impact in their communities.
In 2025, Cleco employees volunteered over 5,000 hours across the service territory, and supported over 400 organizations through giving and volunteering.
Cleco Power LLC is a regulated electric utility company headquartered in Pineville, serving approximately 290,000 retail customers in the state. Its service territory spans 24 parishes, including Acadia, Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Catahoula, DeSoto, Evangeline, Grant, Iberia, Jefferson Davis, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Red River, Sabine, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Vermilion, Vernon, and Washington Parish, providing electricity to both residential and commercial customers.
You can find out more about Cleco’s involvement in the community, as well as their charitable giving program, at Cleco.com.
Graduation season is officially here, which means students across Louisiana are preparing for one of life’s biggest milestones… and one of its longest ceremonies. Between the packed auditoriums, nervous sweating, endless speeches, and the fear of tripping on stage, every graduate knows survival requires a few essentials: graduation cords, a portable fan, sunglasses for hiding tired eyes from cramming for finals, and a fully charged phone ready for photos the second it’s over.
Several years ago, a radio station in San Francisco conducted a nonscientific listener survey. Sixty-eight percent of the people surveyed were for it. Twenty percent were against it. The remaining twelve percent had no opinion on the matter. So the radio station concluded from this nonscientific survey that the vast majority were in favor of it. The funny part is that the radio station never asked a question. It was an illustration of the bandwagon effect. If you get enough people walking down South Trenton Street in the same direction at nearly the same time, a parade is likely to break out.
I could go on one of my rants about people not thinking critically about political, educational, existential, or spiritual matters — but I won’t. I will say this: you need to read more than just the headlines on the website. You need to read the article. And you need to read more than one verse of the Bible if you want the whole picture. We often form opinions based on emotion rather than actually thinking something through. (I know — shocking.)
I talk about this because when people find out I’m a minister, they usually ask a question that goes something like this: “Do Methodists believe in drinking wine and playing cards at the dance held on Sunday afternoon at the movie theater?” This is not a serious question, but the ones people ask me are just as funny. When someone asks me about a specific “sin,” I usually ask them what they think. You might be surprised to know that people are looking for direction and validation in their lives. I’m amused that they mostly want to know if I’m AGAINST the same things they’re against. Often, in seeking direction and validation for our spiritual position, we join a church where people “think like we do.”
Nonchurch folks define the congregation of Trinity Methodist in two ways: by who attends our church, and by what we are AGAINST. I have a list of jokes to prove my point, but space doesn’t allow me to share them. (You’re welcome.) In church life, the bandwagon is joined as much for what a church is against as for what the church believes. But do you really want anyone defining you by what you’re against?
Now here’s what I want you to hear — and I want you to hear it louder than any bandwagon rolling down the street. I am FOR YOU. I believe God loves you just the way you are — not the “improved,” “cleanedup,” “Sundaybest” version of you, but the real you, the one who sometimes burns the biscuits, loses their patience, and wonders if they’re getting any of this right. You don’t have to do one single thing to earn God’s love. Not one. I believe God wants the best for you — and your “best” doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. God loves you so much that He sent Jesus into the world to show us that love with skin on.
And if you’ve never heard anyone say this plainly, let me be the first: you matter, you are loved, and heaven is not rolling its eyes at you. God is not waiting for you to get your act together — God is already cheering for you, believing in you, and walking with you.
After 22 years of shared finances, a new disagreement puts one couple at odds: should they help an adult son with car payments, or protect their retirement?
Burger joints are as much a part of our American culture as the fish and chip shops are in England. On April 25, 1960, Michael James “Jim” Delligatti opened a drive-in restaurant franchise in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. Jim’s drive-in operated on a streamlined technique in which they could deliver a hamburger, French fires, and a milkshake in 50 seconds or less. The menu consisted of just ten items: hamburgers, cheeseburgers, French fries, triple thick milkshakes, Coca Cola, root beer, Orangeade, milk, coffee, and hot chocolate. By using their assembly line process, they could prepare 36 hamburgers in just 110 seconds. Jim’s drive-in had the space to prepare 6,000 hamburgers a day. At $.15 each, the profit margin per hamburger was small, but they made up for it in volume. Customers flocked to Jim’s drive-in. The food was inexpensive, quick, and tasted good. A bright neon sign identified the drive-in. The brightly lit food preparation area was enclosed by 900 square feet of quarter-inch plate glass so customers could see that their food was served quickly in spotless surroundings. Business was so good that by 1971, Jim owned a dozen drive-in restaurant franchises in western Pennsylvania. Jim eventually owned 48 restaurants in the drive-in restaurant chain.
Jim always paid attention to what his customers wanted. After hearing that they desired a bigger sandwich, Jim went to work. After a short time—speed was of the utmost importance—Jim created a bigger sandwich by using items already on his menu and adding a unique sauce made from salted egg yolks, mustard, onion, garlic, and relish. In March of 1967, Jim used his Uniontown drive-in to test out his new sandwich. Demand exploded and Jim added his new creation to the menus of his other drive-ins. The results were the same. Jim’s larger sandwich was a hit, but the parent company did not want to alter their original menu. Jim explained, “they figured, why go to something else if (the original menu) was working so well?” Eventually, Jim’s creation was added to the national chain’s menus with resounding success. Since 1968, the chain has sold billions of Jim’s larger sandwiches. In 2006, the parent company estimated that they were selling 550 million of them each year at a rate of 17 each second.
Jim did not become wealthy off of his creation that is now sold in over 100 countries. Jim received no payment and no royalties for the creation, but that was okay with Jim. After more than six and a half decades, Jim’s Drive-In is still open. From the menu at the drive-in restaurant at 575 Morgantown Street in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, you can still order the sandwich Jim created there by combining two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, and onions, on a sesame seed bun. It is said to be the most popular sandwich on the planet. Jim, the owner of a McDonald’s franchise, was the creator of the Big Mac. …and it’s time for lunch.
Sources:
1. The Evening Standard (Uniontown, Pennsylvania), April 12, 1960, p.7.
2. The Evening Standard, March 2, 1971, p.69.
3. Valley News (West Lebanon, New Hampshire), December 4, 2016, p.12.
For at least one day this week, aviator sunglasses become socially acceptable indoors, people suddenly feel the need for speed on their morning commute, and someone, somewhere, will absolutely attempt a volleyball reference they are too young to fully understand.
May 13 marks National Top Gun Day, an unofficial holiday celebrating the 1986 blockbuster film that turned fighter pilots into pop culture icons and permanently convinced generations of movie fans that motorcycles, leather jackets, and dramatic runway walks were essential personality traits.
The holiday arrives this year with even more momentum as both Top Gun and Top Gun: Maverick are returning to theaters for a limited anniversary run beginning May 13 to celebrate the original movie’s 40th anniversary.
That means Americans this week may once again find themselves explaining to younger family members why everyone over age 35 instinctively says “Talk to me, Goose” during minor inconveniences.
The original Top Gun, released in 1986 and starring Tom Cruise as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, became one of the defining films of the 1980s. The movie reportedly boosted Navy recruitment, made aviator sunglasses wildly popular, and helped launch one of the most recognizable soundtracks in movie history.
Even people who have never seen the film somehow still understand the references. “Danger Zone” starts playing, and suddenly everyone feels qualified to land fighter jets.
The holiday itself has developed a surprisingly loyal online following over the years, with fans celebrating by rewatching the movies, quoting dialogue, and debating whether Top Gun: Maverick somehow managed to outperform the original nearly four decades later.
Social media users have already begun posting their plans for the annual celebration.
Azzie Lee Richardson – Mitchell 10/15/1948 – 05/07/2026 Services : Friday May 15, 2026 @ 1:00 p.m.
Ben Elam 05/03/1939 – 05/06/2026 Visitation : Friday May 15 from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Jenkins Funeral Home Chapel Services : Saturday May 16 at 11:00 a.m. at Mary Evergreen B.C.
Purvis Fortson 03/04/1935 – 05/04/2026 Visitation : Friday May 15 from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m Jenkins Funeral Home Gravesite : Saturday May 16 at 11:00 a.m. at Bethlehem Cemetery
Billie Faye Demease 06/07/1955 – 05/03/2026 Visitation : Friday May 15 from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Jenkins Funeral Home Chapel Services : Saturday May 16 at 11:00 a.m. at New Mt. Olive B.C. in Coushatta, La
Milton “Felix” Payne – Sr. 06/07/1954 – 05/01/2026 Visitation : Friday May 15 from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Jenkins Funeral Home Chapel Services : Saturday May 16 at 1:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church Mansfield
Betty Jean Hall August 18, 1950 — May 11, 2026 Graveside Services: Thursday, May 14 at 1:00 p.m. at Cool Springs Cemetery
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
The Shreveport Police Department and DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office have unveiled a new law enforcement helicopter aimed at strengthening public safety efforts across the region.
Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith joined DeSoto Parish Sheriff Jayson Richardson on May 7 to introduce the aircraft, which will provide aerial support for both the City of Shreveport and DeSoto Parish.
According to officials, the helicopter is equipped with advanced technology designed to assist with crime prevention efforts, support officers on the ground, aid in search operations, and provide assistance during major incidents.
Law enforcement leaders said the aircraft will help with suspect tracking, locating missing persons, and improving officer safety while enhancing coordination between agencies.
Officials described the partnership as an example of regional cooperation focused on improving community safety and expanding law enforcement capabilities.
Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop G responded to a single-vehicle crash on May 10 around 6 am on Louisiana Highway 175 near Louisiana Highway 5. The crash claimed the life of 35-year-old Delon Perkins of Tyler, TX.
The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2020 Kenworth tractor-trailer, driven by Perkins, was traveling south on Louisiana Highway 175. For reasons still under investigation, Perkins’ vehicle exited the roadway and overturned.
Perkins, who was properly restrained at the time of the crash, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Impairment is not suspected; however, standard toxicology samples were taken and submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.
While the cause of this crash remains under investigation, Louisiana State Police urges drivers to obey all traffic laws and remain alert while driving. While not all crashes are survivable, taking simple precautions such as these can mean the difference between life and death.
