Focus SB

Dear Readers: Several weeks have elapsed since my first FOCUS SB article on the DCFS (Dept. Of Children and Family Services) and its handling of children placed in the State’s care and custody. It appears my initial investigation and report to you was only the tip of the iceberg. The situation appears more dire than I first suspected.

Regions Bank announced on Monday, May 12, Digital Experience Researcher Kay Goke from the company’s technology division has been honored with the 2025 Lee Ann Petty Heart of Service Award. This is the highest honor awarded among Regions’ 20,000-member workforce, and it recognizes not only great professional dedication but also community involvement that goes well above and beyond. Regions Chairman, President and CEO John Turner presented the award to Goke at the bank’s annual Chairman’s Club celebration.

Carrie and Mike Bamburg soonwill be empty nesters as four of their children get ready to graduate from high school at the same time. The proud parents will get to see their quadruplets Ethan, Logan, Evey and Aidan walk the stage and receive their diplomas one by one on Saturday. All four will graduate from Bossier High School. Two of the quads, Ethan and Evey, are this year's valedictorian and salutatorian.

Summer break is approaching, and it’s time to explore activities for children to keep them engaged and safe. For the first time, six parish agencies have collaborated to create a summer program designed to keep youth and teens busy.

Robinson Film Center just announced that the executive chef of Abby Singer’s Bistro, Chef Neima DiGrazia, is set to appear on Food Network’s series, “Beat Bobby Flay.” The episode, which is called “Fight Like a Lion,” is set to air Thursday, May 29 at 8 p.m. on Food Network. A Caddo Parish student has been named Louisiana's Elementary School Student of the year. Eden Gardens Elementary fifth-grader Mary Mack Thornton is Louisiana's Elementary School Student of the Year.

The weather is perfect on this beautiful Saturday, and just like any other business day, the staff at Taylor's Restaurant are hard at work serving their customers.

The Bossier Chamber of Commerce held its fourth annual Salute to Community Heroes event on Thursday at Margaritaville Resort Casino.

The Greater Shreveport Chamber and Caddo Parish Public Schools (CPPS) recognized the 40 students who completed the inaugural Greater Shreveport Youth Leadership Program in a ceremony May 7, at the Petroleum Club. The Program is a partnership between the Chamber and CPPS for selected students in Caddo Parish to help prepare them to be the next generation of community and business leaders.