News

A brief manhunt earlier on Thursday, January 8., with assistance from the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office K-9 tracking team and air support, led to the arrest of a Natchitoches man who fled into the woods following a domestic disturbance Saturday night, according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.

On Saturday evening, January 3, 2026, at approximately 6:15 p. m., deputies assigned to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office Patrol Operations Bureau were dispatched by the NATCOM 911 Center to a reported domestic disturbance involving a knife in the 4900 block of Louisiana Highway 3278 near Natchitoches.

Deputies arrived on scene and made contact with the victim, who was uninjured.

While speaking with her, deputies learned her son, identified as 24-yearold Elias M. Quiller, had allegedly threatened to kill her before fleeing into the woods prior to their arrival. Deputies were provided with a description of the suspect.

U.S. District Judge Maurice Hicks Jr closed a long-running school desegregation case in DeSoto Parish on Monday, less than a week after the U.S. Department of Justice, the Louisiana Attorney General and the DeSoto Parish School Board asked the court to dismiss the case and release the schools from federal oversight.

It is the second decades- old desegregation case in Louisiana brought to a swift end by the Trump Administration and state Attorney General Liz Murrill, who last year had a case in Plaquemines Parish dating back to the 1960s dismissed. Murrill and Gov. Jeff Landry, both Republicans, have vowed to fight for other remaining desegregation orders to be lifted, with Landry assuring school systems last year that “there is an end in sight.”

The Central Christian Academy FFA chapter traveled to Franklinton, La last week to compete at the area and state FFA Dairy Evaluation Career Development Event contest and walked away with 1st in Area II! We are so proud of the hard work these kids did to accomplish this! A special thank you to Mrs. Pam Hesser and Mrs. Katelyn Calhoun for the time you have put in with them

The DeSoto Parish SchoolBoardextendstheir congratulations and best wishes to Clinton Fuller, Student Services Director, on his retirement after 34 years of dedicated service, and to Worlita Jackson, Wellness Specialist, who is retiring after 26? years of faithful commitment to our district.

As they close this chapter, we extend our deepest gratitude for their dedication to the students, families, and staff of our schools. We wish both Mr. Fuller and Ms. Jackson a joyful, well deserved retirement filled with new adventures and continued success.

Northwestern State University ROTC Cadets Jaylon James of Stonewall and DaMarkus Lawson of Fort Polk took the oath of office to serve as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army as part of commencement exercises Wednesday.

A separate formal ceremony and reception took place Thursday for family and friends. James graduated with a Bachelor of Science in psychology, a concentration in substance abuse and a minor in military leadership. He has branched Logistics and will continue to serve in the Louisiana National Guard. He is assigned to the 199th Brigade Support Battalion as the Maintenance Control Officer.

Thepastyearmarked a period of significant progress, investment, and long-term planning across DeSoto Parish, with major advancements in infrastructure, public services, recreation, and economic development. From new construction projects to upgraded facilities and community programs, 2025 demonstrated a continued commitment to improving the quality of life for residents.

One of the most visible improvements this year was the launch of a newly redesigned parish website. The updated platform now provides easier access to public information, including Police Jury agendas, Board of Election Supervisors meetings, ITEP committee updates, road permit searches, and public announcements. A new “Need Help” feature allows residents to submit questions or requests directly to the appropriate department, improving communication and responsiveness.

It’s the end of a long, stressful, contentious year for many of us. We’ve absorbed more than our share of anxiety over the election, over world events, and over the rising prices of…well, everything. And now, here come the holidays barreling toward us like a tinsel-decked locomotive. Ugh. How are we supposed to get in the holiday spirit when all we can muster right now is a half-hearted “bah humbug”?

Actually, the stretch between now and New Year’s is a great time to get your sparkle back and end 2024 on a high note.

I’m not talking about shopping till you drop and running the gauntlet of holiday obligations. Those things will only make the stress and exhaustion worse. I’m talking about waking up to the raw, miraculous, mind-blowing miracle that it is to be alive I’m talking about a mindset shift. Much like George Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life, we all have the capacity to learn to see the same old world with fresh eyes.

Donnie Dufour retired from our Board of Directors to day. Join us in Congratulating him on his retirement and thanking him for his service to Progressive National Bank and the Community.

Pictured left to right are Progressive National Bank President Cade Rog ers, Retired Board member Donnie Dufour, and CEO Wayne Davis

DAR Northwest District hosted its annual VA Christmas Party December 3rd at the Overton Brooks Medical Center in Shreveport. Veterans received Christmas cards, buttons, lapel pins and colored sheets from a local elementary school. They were offered a variety of cookies and water or lemonade. We always enjoy this time with our Veterans. Participating Chapters were Bon Chasse, Frances Rebecca Harrison, Pelican and Shreveport.

Sheriff Richardson announces the arrest of a violent felon who has been on the run since March of this year. Isom Scott, a 44yo black male of Many, Louisiana, was wanted on charges of Domestic Abuse Aggravated Assault (felony), Interfering with Emergency Communications (misdemeanor), and Domestic Abuse Battery with Strangulation (misdemeanor). Warrants were issued earlier this year, but Scott fled and had been evading capture for several months. After an extended investigation, DeSoto Parish Deputies assigned to the U.S. Marshals Violent Offender Task Force were able to locate Scott in west Shreveport, where he was taken into custody without incident. Scott is also facing additional charges through Federal Probation and Parole.

Sheriff Richardson extends his appreciation to the deputies and task force personnel involved for their persistence and commitment in locating and apprehending this violent offender.