News

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.

Last week, members of the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office K-9 Division traveled to Gulfport, Mississippi, where they instructed their nationally recognized “Decide and Deploy” course to six different agencies from across the state of Mississippi. The training focused on strengthening the skills of K-9 handlers, improving decision-making in the field, and reinforcing the working bond between handlers and their partners.

The course emphasized the importance of learning to read subtle signals and behavioral cues from a working K-9 — skills that are crucial to safe and effective deployments. Handlers were guided through real-world scenarios designed to improve communication, build confidence, and reinforce the trust needed between handler and dog. Instructors also highlighted the value of constant, ongoing training, which helps ensure that K-9 teams remain prepared for the unpredictable situations they encounter in service to their communities.

DeSoto Parish is blessed to host four residents in our schools this year. Allow us to introduce each over the next two days. Meet our resident — Presley Elliott. Ms. Elliott is a resident with us from Louisiana Tech University. She is working alongside her mentor, Mrs. Webb in her Kindergarten class at North Desoto Lower Elementary. Ms. Elliott has enjoyed many things about her residency so far but her favorite has been getting to know her students and building relationships with them. We welcome Ms. Elliott to our DeSoto Family.

Meet our resident — Haley Henderson. Ms. Henderson is a resident with us from Northwestern State University. She is working alongside her mentor, Christian Holsomback in her Kindergarten classroom at North DeSoto Lower Elementary School. Ms. Henderson has enjoyed many things about her residency so far but her favorite has been building relationships with the children. We welcome Ms. Henderson to our DeSoto Family.

Plan to attend the Christmas Open House and Silent Auction at Cook-Hill Bed & Breakfast, located at 816 5th Street in Grand Cane. This event is planned for Saturday, December 6 from 12:00 p. m. until 3:00 p. m.

Come join in the fun with refreshments while you bid on auction items. You need not be present to win, with proceeds going to Cook-Hill Restoration Fund.

For more information call 318–858–0800.

On the morning of Monday, November 24, 2025, deputies with the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office Warrants Division, assisted by the DPSO K-9 Division, successfully located and apprehended Leo Horton, a convicted felon and registered sex offender who was wanted on a parole violation for the State of Louisiana.

Deputies received information regarding Horton’s possible location and responded to a residence in Mansfield. Upon entry, K-9 “Karen” was deployed to assist in the search. K-9 Karen quickly alerted to a closet inside the residence where Horton was found attempting to hide from deputies. He was swiftly taken into custody.

Leo Thomas Horton (45yo black male of Pelican, LA) was subsequently booked into the DeSoto Detention Center on charges of a Fugitive Warrant and Resisting an Officer.

DESRI, in partnership with Cleco Power, today announced that construction has begun on the 240-megawatt (MWac) Dolet Hills Solar Project (Dolet Hills or the Project) in DeSoto Parish, Louisiana, after achievement of full notice to proceed.

“The start of construction at Dolet Hills marks an important milestone for DESRI and for the region,” said Hy Martin, Chief Development Officer at DESRI. “By repurposing the interconnection rights from a retired generating facility, this project adds new, cost-effective clean energy to serve Cleco Power’s customers. We’re proud to support economic growth with our local community benefit programs and meet the business needs of the Gulf region’s growing economy. We are especially thankful to DeSoto Parish and the City of Mansfield who have supported the project throughout its many years in development.”

The 3rd Annual “Spirit of DeSoto Tree Lighting” will be taking place on Saturday, November 29th between 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. behind the Stonewall Government Plaza. The tree ceremony is at 6:30 p.m.

A free shuttle will be available so that attendees may park at North DeSoto High School, while DPSO will transport everyone back and forth to the event. This will include loads of family fun with food, live worship music, a new and improved light show, engaging crafts for kids, and SANTA will be in attendance to take pictures under the tree! So, be sure to come out and join us on the 29th, to kick off this Christmas Season!