The National Association of Social Workers - Louisiana Chapter honored DeSoto Parish's Sheriff Arbuckle as the Public Official of the Year Award during their Annual Conference in Baton Rouge, on March 16, 2016. Each year NASW Louisiana honors a person that has exemplified leadership, ingenuity and excellence in his or her office. Excellence in government is a challenge in our ever-changing world. Delivering top quality service during good times is easy; only those with long-term vision are able to continue to deliver quality service in difficult or challenging times.
On Friday, March 18, members of the DeSoto Parish Chamber of Commerce hosted a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Phydeaux’s Crawfish, Shrimp and More, located at 820 Holly Street in Grand Cane. Chamber officers and members, officials, friends and family were present to participate in the event. Phydeaux’s is owned by Todd and Tammy Kennedy and is open Thursday from 11:00 AM until 8:00 PM, and on Friday and Saturday from 11:00 AM until 10:00 PM.
The DeSoto Parish School System is proud to name Sedric Clark as Principal of the Year. Clark, the educational leader at Mansfield High School, is a strong representative for DeSoto Parish Schools. “With the help of his school team, Mr. Clark has done an outstanding job of giving students opportunities to experience success,” said Dr. Cade Brumley, Superintendent of DeSoto Parish Schools.
The new DeSoto EMS Facility, located at 4944 Hwy 3276 (Stonewall-Frierson Hwy) in Stonewall, will hold an Open House on Saturday, March 26 from 12:00 PM until 3:00 PM.
On Tuesday, March 8, rain began to fall across most of Louisiana, with DeSoto Parish catching its fair share. After Tuesday night’s downpour, a volunteer evacuation was advised to residents that lived along the Sabine River in Logansport, with River Road, Garrett’s Park and Caraway Island the most affected. In Stonewall, Sleepy Hollow subdivision was also under the volunteer order. As the rain continued to fall, the saturated ground could hold no more.
Leaders within the DeSoto Parish School System understand the necessity of having high-quality teachers in front of every child. Because of this, the system invests heavily in its employees and, in turn, those teachers invest in their students. Due to this dynamic, student outcomes in DeSoto Parish have steadily increased over the last few years. For example, the systems graduation rate leads the State of Louisiana at 95%, student proficiency scores are above state average for the first time in history, the parish has no failing schools, and the system is ranked a “B” by the Louisiana Department of Education.
Organizers are working hard on last minute details for the National Wild Turkey Federation’s (NWTF) annual banquet. The Saturday, March 19 affair will be held once again at the Dave B. Means, Jr. Memorial 4-H Building, with doors opening at 5:30 PM, and the dinner to be served at 7:00 PM. While ticket sales have been brisk, those that are interested in attending but have not been able to purchase a ticket due to DeSoto Parish’s recent weather can do so at the door. Sponsors are also still being accepted.
DeSoto Regional Health System CEO Todd Eppler welcomed a robust crowd to the DeSoto Hospital Association annual meeting on Tuesday, February 23. This meeting of the ownership group of the health system offers Eppler an opportunity to give his annual “State of the Health System” address.
Haley Parker was six years old when she found out that her mom was pregnant. On the day that her sister, Lacey, was born, the doctors made a diagnosis that would change her family’s life forever. The doctors told them that Lacey had Down Syndrome, Trisomy 21, and she only had ten days to live. However, it was not God’s plan for Haley to lose her sister. Lacey persevered and broke every boundary that the doctors placed on her. At six months old, Lacey was sent into heart surgery in Dallas.
Louisiana State Senator John Milkovich, Louisiana District 38, will hold a Town Hall Meeting for the communities of Wallace, Evelyn, Benson, Catuna, Oxford, Rambin, Pelican, Springhill, and surrounding communities.
