News

DeSoto Parish Superintendent of Schools Clay Corley has announced that after a successful trial at sporting events during the 2023-2024 school year, DeSoto Parish Schools will implement OpenGate Metal Detection Systems at all middle and high schools starting August 8, 2024. The OpenGate system is a state-of-the-art, fast, efficient, and accurate weapons detection system.

“The safety of our students and staff is our top priority,” said Corley. “In light of recent events across the state and country, TheOpenGatesystem will help us to ensure that everyone who enters our facilities can experience a safe environment.”

The OpenGate system is the same system used at professional sporting events, museums, and other venues. It uses advanced sensors and software to detect weapons, including firearms, knives, and explosives. The system’s design minimizes false positives so that fans can move through the security checkpoint quickly and easily.

DeSotoParishSchools is honored to announce that Amanda LaFollette, Principal of Mansfield Elementary School, has been named the 2025 Louisiana Elementary School Principal of the Year by the Louisiana Department of Education at the 18th Annual Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Awards Gala, co-sponsored by Dream Teachers! This remarkable achievement makes LaFollette the third consecutive division winner for Louisiana Principal of the Year from DeSoto Parish. Tamela Phillips, former Principal of North DeSoto High School, won the 2023 Louisiana High School Principal of the Year. Barry Carter, Principal of North DeSoto Middle School, won the 2024 Louisiana Middle School Principal of the Year.

I have good news. After a very productive and successful meeting with the Debris Removal Contractor and the Debris Monitoring company

today, I am happy to announce that we have a date set for them to begin. That day is July 29, 2024. As a reminder, residents in need of debris removal should consider two things prior to the pickup date. First, the debris must be related to the recent severe storms. No other junk, trash, or unrelated materials will be picked up. Second, debris that remains on private property cannot be moved by the debris contractor. They will not pick up debris unless it is in the rightsof- way. Residents are encouraged to move debris to the rightsof- way. Contractors will be in large trucks hauling for at least 10 days. They will also have some heavy equipment cutting large trees and hanging limbs that may cause issues for the roads. They will provide flagging to properly

DeSoto Parish Clerk of Court Lisa Lobrano Burson is proud to announce the acquisition of Mindy Brown, who will serve as office manager.

Mindy joins the Clerk’s office from Mansfield High School, after serving 10 years as an English teacher, master teacher, and the 2019 DeSoto Parish Teacher of the Year. Prior to her tenure at MHS, Mindy was an office manager and loan officer at Southern Ag Credit for 8 years.

Mindy has a Bachelors of Science in Human Resources degree, a Master of Business Administration degree, and a Master of Arts in Teaching degree. She is also a Notary Public.

Mindy has been committed to serving our community and is such an asset to our community. We are grateful to have her at the DeSoto Parish Clerk’s Office.

Qualifying for various offices in DeSoto Parish began on Wednesday, July 17, 2024. They include: Justice of the Peace — District 4 Mayor of the Town of Logansport Mayor of the Village of South Mansfield Aldermen of the Village of South Mansfield (3)

Council Members of the Town of Logansport (5) Council Member of the Village of Longstreet (1)

Be watching for the list of qualifying officials.

Media, local leaders, business owners, and branch managers all gathered in the sweltering heat today to hear what Perry Thompson had to announce regarding a new Christmas Park opening this year in Stonewall. Thompson made an announcement that the Lumiere

Immersive Christmas Experience will officially open this November 2024, with a host of amazing features to offer to anyone choosing to “Be our Guest.”

On July 16, 2024, Sheriff Jayson Richardson recognized Patrol Division Dy. Tristan Reed and Sgt. Angela Jordan for their exceptional service in responding to an active shooting that took place in DeSoto Parish on July 6, 2024.

Both Dy. Reed and Sgt. Jordan responded without hesitation, thereby offering life-saving techniques in triage of a shooting victim, caring for wounds using combat gauze to pack two bullet wounds, and continued treatment of the victim until EMS arrived to take over the scene.

In keeping the victim and the crowd of civilians calm, Dy. Reed and Sgt. Jordan both showed exemplary action and leadership, preventing further panic and/or injury to the nearby civilians.

Sheriff Richardson expresses his appreciation and gratitude for both Dy. Reed and Sgt. Jordan and their outstanding service to our community.

This week Deputies with the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office attended the annual D.A.R.E. Conference held at the LSUS Campus. The event was held from July 15th through 19th, and hosted by Northwest

Louisiana departments in the State of Louisiana. Lt. Natasha Jones with DPSO also played a huge part in hosting the event, along with the President, Jason Jones from Shreveport PD. Our DeSoto Sheriff Pilot, Dakota McGarity, flew out to participate in the event as well.

Stanley High School SRO Lane Burns spoke to attendees from various agencies on how he has worked with DeSoto Students to create an interactive school mapping system for training and emergency response purposes. These maps, complete with room numbers and visualizations, have now been completed for all DeSoto Parish campuses, and are accessible by every department employee on their cellular device.

One of the highlights of the celebration occurred on “Meet the Merchants Day.” Patrick Dennis of KTBS news interviewed each of the merchants located in the historic district. Vicki Murray, owner of “In High Cotton” is the most recent merchant to locate in the district. Although Vicki is a resident of Coushatta she explained to Patrick Dennis that she opened her shop in Grand Cane because of the business friendly environment made possible by the Mayor and Aldermen. She states that the Village is like “going back in time” to another era. “In High Cotton” carries a variety of vintage, antique. and gift items.

On July 9, 2024, agents with the Tri-Parish Drug Task Force concluded a several month-long investigation involving the illegal sales of Narcotics in DeSoto Parish. DeSoto deputies from SLIU (Street Level Interdiction Unit) and K9 Unit, conducted a traffic stop in the Frierson area on Christopher Darby (B/M DOB 01/06/91) of Mansfield.

During the traffic stop, 583 Ecstasy pills suspected to contain Fentanyl were seized along with a firearm. Agents then executed a Narcotics Search Warrant at the residence of Christopher Darby. In total, 933 Ecstasy tablets were seized. Darby has been arrested and booked into the DeSoto Detention Center and charged with the following: — Possession of Schedule I (Fentanyl) with Intent to Distribute — Possession of Schedule II (Hydrocodone) — Possession of a Firearm in the Presence of CDS — (2 Counts) Distribution of Schedule I (Ecstasy) — Possession of Drug Paraphernalia — Window Tint Violation