News

The DeSoto Parish Extension Office — LSU AgCenter would like to thank Mr. Norton (Parish Administrator), Mr. Rister (Parish Engineer), and the DeSoto Parish Police Jury for the recent upgrades to the David B. Means Memorial 4-H Barn. The DeSoto Parish Extension Office staff are grateful for your continued support of our programs for the citizens of DeSoto Parish.

The 37th Annual Shreveport-Bossier- DeSoto African American Scholarship Awards Banquet will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at the Morning Star Baptist Church Family LIfe Center, 5340 Jewella Avenue at 6 p.m.

The Keynote Speaker will be Dr. Martin Lemelle, Jr., President of Grambling State University.

12 people from North Louisiana will receive “The African American Achievement Award’ for their many contributions in making our society a better place to live.

Roy Griggs, owner of Griggs Enterprises, Inc. (McDonald’s Franchise), will receive the “ICON of the YEAR Award.” This special award will be presented by Pastor CeJay, Program Director of KOKA Radio.

Individual Tickets are $50 and a Table of eight (8) is $350. Tickets can be purchase at Flynn’s Church Supply, 4102 Hearne Avenue, Shreveport.

ALL PROCEEDS GO TOWARD COLLEGE SCHOLARHSIPS.

On January 24, the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office bid a happy farewell to Chief Raymond Sharrow as he enters the retirement phase of life! Chief Sharrow, raised in Mansfield and a Stanley High School graduate, has served the citizens of DeSoto Parish in Law Enforcement for the last 30 years! He began his career in Law Enforcement as a graduate of Class 53 at the BPCC Training Academy at Bellevue before joining the ranks at DeSoto under Sheriff Hugh Bennett.

During his tenure at DPSO he has served in the capacity of a Corrections Deputy, K-9 Deputy, Patrol Sergeant, S.W.A.T. Sergeant, Narcotics Lieutenant, Narcotics Captain, a long member of the Tri-Parish Task Force, and he retires as the Chief Criminal Deputy under the leadership of Sheriff Jayson Richardson. He enjoyed todays retirement party in the presence of dozens of current and former employees of the Sheriff’s Office, his wife Sonya, their children and a host of grandchildren.

We are proud to highlight Mr. Mark Ross, District 8 School Board Member during National School Board Recognition Month!

Your dedication to our mission and core values of excellence, integrity, and service carries through to the important work being done with students in our schools. Your contributions make #TheDeSotoDifference in our community.

This National School Board Recognition Month, we are honored to recognize Mr. Dale Morvan, District 7 School Board Member.

Mr. Morvan’s dedication to our mission exemplifies #TheDeSotoDifference as he inspires a strong sense of community and responsibility in our students. His commitment to serving others and supporting education creates meaningful opportunities that positively impact the lives of those in DeSoto Parish Schools. #SchoolBoardRecognitionMonth #DeSotoServes

The Stanley High School community and DeSoto Parish Schools celebrated the grand opening of the new Stanley High School Student Activity Center on Thursday, January 16, 2025. This state-of-the-art facility, made possible through the support of the December 11, 2021, bond proposal, represents a significant milestone in the district’s ongoing commitment to enhancing facilities, athletic fields, and classroom spaces for students and staff.

The event included a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1:00 PM, followed by a spirited community pep rally and the dedication of the new court at 5:30 PM. The evening culminated in home basketball games featuring the Panthers and Lady Panthers taking on Converse in their inaugural matchups in the new facility.

This National School Board Recognition Month, DeSoto Parish Schools proudly celebrates Ms. Alice Thomas, our dedicated District 5 School Board Member, for her dedicated service to our students, educators, and community.

Ms. Thomas exemplifies #TheDeSoto-Difference through her steadfast commitment to our core values. Her thoughtful leadership and advocacy ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed in a positive and supportive environment. #SchoolBoard-RecognitionMonth #DeSotoServes

This National School Board Recognition Month, DeSoto Parish Schools is excited to recognize and welcome Mr. Phillip Palmer, our new District 6 School Board Member.

Mr. Palmer embodies #TheDeSotoDifference through his commitment to serving our students, families, and educators reflects his dedication to the DeSoto Parish Schools community. #SchoolBoardRecognitionMonth #DeSotoServes

DeSoto Parish Schools is honored to recognize Jeffrey Dillard, District 3 School Board Member, for his dedication to our students and community.

Dillard’s support for our mission and values drives meaningful progress in our schools and opens doors for continued growth and success.

We deeply appreciate your commitment and impactful leadership in DeSoto Parish Schools, Dillard. Thank you for your remarkable service! #SchoolBoard-RecognitionMonth #TheDeSotoDifference

On December 11, 2024 at 5:09pm, 911 operators with the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding a house fire with a wheelchair bound person trapped inside. The caller was not physically able to remove the person and needed immediate assistance. Just 4 minutes after the call, deputies arrived on the scene to find visible flames and smoke coming from the open front door, and the caller standing on the front porch. Sgt. Aaron Anderson quickly grabbed a fire extinguisher from his patrol unit while deputies Melvin Fayard, Reagan Prosperie, and Hunter Martinez swiftly entered the home to find the victim. Located inside was a fire in the living room filled with smoke, with the victim seated in a recliner. The deputies were able to move the victim to her wheelchair and get her outside to arriving paramedics within 1 minute and 7 seconds after arriving on scene. She was treated on scene for minor burns and smoke inhalation, and later transported for further evaluation.