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This holiday season, Louisiana 4-H has been active around the state. Between events and opportunities like overnight camps and community projects, 4-H’ers have been busy working together and improving their communities.

In Ouachita Parish on Nov. 20, 4-H students unveiled a food pantry outside of the Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana, which has a family garden. The idea was to give unsheltered people around downtown Monroe a place to have access to free, healthful foods that are difficult to find in the area.

“It’s in a high poverty part of Monroe. There’s a lot of homeless people around, a lot of people that just need a little extra help, and the garden was producing a little bit more than what they were using for their purposes,” said Cathy Agan, AgCenter agent and Ouachita Parish chair. “The Children’s Coalition wanted to find out a way to share that with the community so that extra produce from the garden can go in there.”

Sheriff Jayson Richardson announces more arrests related to the illegal distribution of dangerous narcotics in DeSoto Parish. This is part of an ongoing effort between DeSoto Sheriff Narcotics Agents, DeSoto SWAT, Street Level Interdiction Unit (SLIU) and DeSoto K-9 unit. The following arrests include individuals suspected of Possession or Distribution of dangerous narcotics, among other related charges. All have been booked into the DeSoto Detention Center. All suspects are to be presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

On 12/09/24, James Hewitt Clements (44yo White Male of Frierson, LA) was taken into custody by DeSoto Narcotics Agents and Patrol Division on 4 Counts of Distribution of Schedule IV (Xanax), DeSoto Narcotics Warrant, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Marijuana, and Speeding 71/55 mph zone.

In the past two days we have received multiple calls, some avoiding obvious scams and some getting scammed out of a large sum of money. Each phone scam is different, therefore it is pointless to share the details of each scam as they are constantly changing. Instead, here are some RED FLAGS to help you identify a SCAM: The call is very random or unexpected.

The caller doesn’t want you to hang up.

The caller acts unprofessional when you do not comply.

The caller demands a payment immediately.

The caller threatens you with warrants, arrest, etc.

They request that you pay with gift cards, bitcoin, etc.

If they claim to be or have a relative in custody.

If you don’t have the DeSoto Sheriff App, you should! We send out public notifications for Arrests, Severe Weather, Road Closures, Missing People, and other important info you may want to be aware of! There is even a new section for Events around DeSoto Parish! You can download our App, for FREE, from your Google Play and Apple App stores by searching for “DeSoto Parish Sheriff”. Get yours installed today, and stay informed!

*Be sure to enable push notifications after install to receive alerts!

The year 2020 was probably one of worst years in both American and worldwide history due to the dreaded words of COVID-19. Everyone seemed ready for this year to pass on by as quietly as possible, but the celebration of greeting a new year will still be brought in with hope for much better health, wealth and happiness. True the celebration as we greeted 2021 was not be as lavish and populated nor held in venues that parties are usually held in, but we moved forward making new customs for the year with hope that we could return to as normal of a life style as possible.

Louisiana education ranks near the top of another national study. A new report places Louisiana education fourth overall nationally when revisiting the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the Nation’s Report Card. The 2022 test was the first time this national assessment was taken by students since 2019.

States’ Demographically Adjusted Performance on the 2022 Nation’s Report Card seeks to capture how well students in each state score on NAEP compared with demographically similar students around the country. This particular study ranks states with their scores adjusted for student demographics such as income, ethnicity, exceptionalities, and language barriers. Published since 2015 by the Urban Institute, it adjusts for differences across states.

Sheriff Jayson Richardson announces another string of arrests related to the illegal distribution of dangerous narcotics in DeSoto Parish. This is part of an ongoing effort between DeSoto Sheriff Narcotics Agents, DeSoto SWAT, Street Level Interdiction Unit (SLIU) and DeSoto K-9 unit. The following arrests include individuals suspected mostly of Possession or Distribution of Meth and/or Crack Cocaine, among other charges related to each incident. All have been booked into the DeSoto Detention Center. All suspects are to be presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

On 11/20/24, Alexandra N. Revell (35yo White Female of Lafayette, LA) was taken into custody by the DeSoto Sheriff SLIU on charges of Possession of Schedule II (Meth), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Open Container, and No License Plate Light.

On December 12, 2024, Sheriff Jayson Richardson recognized Patrol Deputy Kristopher Lindsey (left) and Patrol Deputy Micah Latin (right) for their exceptional service in responding to an unconscious male, not breathing, within just the last few days. Dy. Lindsey and Dy. Latin responded without hesitation, performing life-saving techniques including proper usage of AED and CPR until EMS arrived to take over the scene.

The DeSoto Parish Library community is preparing to bid a heartfelt farewell to Linda Foreman, a beloved leader and cherished figure as she retires after an extraordinary 43 years of service. Linda’s dedication, vision, and leadership have played an instrumental role in shaping the library and its patrons for generations to come.

Foreman began her began her journey with the library in 1981 shortly after the Mansfield Library reopened its doors following a lengthy closure due to funding issues. That same year she was entrusted with overseeing the grand opening of Logansport’s Library, after being closed of several years, marking the beginning and inclusive space for all members of the community. Known for her passion for literacy, Linda has always believed deeply in the power f reading.