News

DeSoto Parish Schools is pleased to announce that Mansfield Elementary School Principal Amanda LaFollette has been named the 2023-2024 DeSoto Parish Principal of the Year.

Student outcomes at Mansfield Elementary School have improved significantly this past school year. Mansfield Elementary serves as DeSoto Parish Schools’ Student Wellness program pilot and is named a model of excellence for literacy by the Louisiana Department of Education.

Superintendent Clay Corley recognizes this great work at Mansfield Elementary: “In our quest for high performance, leaders like Amanda LaFollette truly help set the standard. This accolade is a testament to her unwavering commitment, innovative leadership, and the transformative impact she continues to make at Mansfield Elementary. Our school system is fortunate to have such a dedicated educator who projects our core values to serve our students.”

On September 19, Sheriff Jayson Richardson reported that three DeSoto Parish Deputies were sent to the hospital following an exposure to the lethal drug Fentanyl in the DeSoto Detention Evidence Room. All three were taken to a Shreveport hospital after showing symptoms of possible exposure.

Two were treated and released to recover at home, according to DeSoto Sheriff’s Information Office Mark Pearce. The third was still hospitalized but was scheduled to be released to go home later in the week.

It’s a new month and that means it’s time for another Beard Blessing from Sheriff Jayson Richardson’s “Whiskers for Charity” program! Back in 2020, Sheriff Richardson began this program where deputies can grow out of their beards for a small monthly donation. Thus far we have been able to raise over $20,000 that has been donated back into our community to various non-profit organizations! This month, Sheriff Richardson picked HGM Community Development Corporation for our August/September donation!

With news of the distribution of dangerous drugs sweeping across our nation and wreaking havoc on our communities, this agencies aim will always be to limit the distribution of dangerous illegal substances within DeSoto Parish. We do this, not only for the sake of our children, but also for the sake of those family members who struggle with addiction daily. Sheriff Jayson Richardson would like to once again commend our DeSoto Narcotics Agents and K9s for a job well done. For the month of August, 8 individuals were taken into custody on charges that include: - Distribution

- Possession

- Possession with Intent to Distribute

- Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

- Possession of a Stolen Firearm

- Possession of a Firearm in Presence of a Controlled Dangerous Substance Among those arrested are:

Do you have too much “stuff” in your house and you would like a chance to get rid of it while making a little extra cash? The Ninth Annual Fifty Mile Trail of Treasure, which is always the second Saturday in October, will be held on October 14 with a rain date of October 21. The path of the continuous yard sale begins with vendors setting up on Hwy 171 in Stonewall, where they will continue through Mansfield. Pickers and treasure seekers will then find their way down Hwy 84 through Stanley and Logansport, cross over the bridge into Texas with Haslam and Joaquin completing the journey. Or, you can reverse the trail and begin in Texas, according to your preference.

Shaniyah Blaze of Mansfield is this year’s recipient of the Luther W. Lott Sr. Memorial Scholarship, presented to a Northwestern State student whose parent or guardian is an employee of Lott Oil Co.

Blaze is a graduate of Mansfield High School and is pursuing a degree in radiologic sciences. Her mother, Marion Blaze, has been employed by Lott Oil for five years.

“This scholarship means a lot to me because I come from a low-income family so any funding put toward my degree is very greatly appreciated,” Blaze said. “The financial assistance will be used toward books and other necessities needed to complete my degree work.”

After graduation, Blaze plans to work as an ultrasound technician or radiologic technician.

The Krewe of Demeter has announced the date of their Eighth Royalty Coronation set for Saturday, September 23 at the David Means Memorial 4-H Center, located at 10117 Hwy 171 in Grand Cane. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the Tableau is set for 7:00 p.m.

Tickets for members are $60.00 and non-member tickets are $75.00. Bottomless cups are available for $20.00 each at the door. Music will be provided by DJ Cougar and the event will be catered by Billy B’s Cajun Grill. Other events during the evening besides the Royalty Coronation include the Booze Wagon Raffle and Split the Pot. Suggested attire is either Patriotic or Mardi Gras casual.

On September 11th, 2001 “9-11”, 19 suicide bombers linked with the Islamic extremist group al-Quaeda hijacked four airliners and carried out suicide attacks against targets in the United States. Two planes were flown into the World Trade Center towers in New York City. A third plane hit the Pentagon just outside of Washington, D.C and the fourth plane intended to crash into the Capital Building, or possibly The White House, crashed into a field in Pennsylvania when passengers were able to divert that target, but dying as heroes.

The 9-11 Attacks On Tuesday morning of September 11, 2001, at 8:45 AM, the United States suffered a terrorist attack when an American Airlines Boeing 767 filled with 20,000 gallons of jet fuel crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center (also known as WTC) in New York City.

These terrorist attacks became known as 9/11, which is how the American date of September 11 is written.

The REAL ID enforcement date is approaching and the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles is encouraging residents to prepare now. Beginning on May 7, 2025, the only state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards federal agencies will accept for official purposes are those that meet REAL ID standards. OMV is urging all residents to consider a REAL ID compliant credential when renewing their license or identification card. Residents who are not eligible for renewal can upgrade by applying for a duplicate license or identification card that is REAL ID compliant.

“All Louisiana residents should review the REAL ID requirements and plan accordingly. Do not wait until the last minute. Now is the time to prepare for the May 2025 enforcement date,” stated OMV Commissioner Karen St. Germain. A Louisiana REAL ID compliant driver’s license or identification card will display a gold circle with a star cutout in the top right corner.

Converse Mayor Troy H. Terrell is a man who is very proud of his son and his two grandsons.

His son, Troy Neal Terrell, is a 1990 graduate of Converse High School and he now lives with his wife Tiffany and two sons in Stonewall. He recalled he played basketball at the same time Bert West was at Zwolle.

Troy was the top player at Converse at the time and made the Mighty proud of his grandsons is Converse Mayor Troy H. Terrell, center. At left is Kengston Terrell and at right is Lelex Terrell. They are sons of Troy Neal Terrell and Amber Hornsby.

All- District, the All State and the Louisiana All Star Team which played in Baton Rouge that year. He received a scholarship from Coach Mike McConathy, who was coach at Bossier Parish Community College at the time. He later transferred to East Texas Baptist University for Bert West.