News

Last week U.S. Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04) announced an almost $4 million grant to improve safety along the Kansas City Southern rail line that runs between Frierson and Starks. These improvements, authorized by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), will fund predictive warning systems at 24 crossings along the 157-miles of rail between the two towns. This funding can be used for a variety of warning systems, including flashing lights, gate arms, and motion detectors.

To read more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition. http://etypeservices.com/Mansfield%20EnterpriseID391/

DeSoto Parish Registrar of Voters (ROV) Amanda Raynes has announced that a ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at the ROV Annex in Stonewall on Thursday, October 8 at 2:00 p.m. The new office is located at the new DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Satellite Office and Stonewall Municipal Complex on Hwy 171. Special guest at the event will be Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin.

To read more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition. http://etypeservices.com/Mansfield%20EnterpriseID391/

At the September 14 meeting the DeSoto Parish Police Jury honored the memory of one of their own. The road maintenance facility located at 424 Liberty Lane in Grand Cane will now be called the J. O. Burch Memorial Road Maintenance Facility. The decision was made due to Burch’s dedication to the people of the parish, especially the parish road system as Chairman of the Road Maintenance Committee for many years.

To read more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition. http://etypeservices.com/Mansfield%20EnterpriseID391/

Following discussions with restaurant and hospitality industry leaders, Gov. John Bel Edwards today altered his Phase 3 order to allow the on premises sale and consumption of alcohol until 11 p.m. at restaurants, casinos and bars in parishes that are eligible to opt in to reopen bars. However, all bars must still close by 11 p.m.

The Governor’s order previously ended the sale or service of alcohol for on-site consumption at 10 p.m. as part of mitigation measures recommended by the White House and designed to reduce the spread of COVID-19 across the state. While bars remain closed for on-site consumption in some areas, in parishes with lower incidence of COVID, local government may opt in to open their bars. Four parishes that are eligible have opted in so far: Acadia, Jefferson Davis, St. Landry and Plaquemines.

On September 18, 2020, around 9:45 a.m., Louisiana State Police Troop G responded to a two-vehicle, fatal crash on U.S. Highway 84 near Louisiana Highway 481. This crash claimed the life of 42-year-old Jason Sant of Mansfield.

The preliminary investigation revealed a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt, driven by Sant, was traveling westbound on U.S. Highway 84. At the same time, a 2019 Freightliner tractor-trailer was traveling eastbound on U.S. Highway 84. For reasons still under investigation, Sant crossed a double yellow line and traveled into the opposing lane of travel, which resulted in a collision with the tractor-trailer.

Sant, who was properly restrained, sustained fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced dead. Toxicology samples were obtained and submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.

The Northwest Louisiana Human Trafficking Task Force is comprised of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and non-governmental organizations, and was formed in an effort to promote enhanced collaboration between all agencies involved in combatting human trafficking cases in our area. This Task Force has launched a campaign to fight sexual predator cases called “Project R.I.S.K.,” Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced.

Members of the Task Force have noticed a disturbing trend in the rise of sexual predator cases in the Western District of Louisiana. Because of this trend, the Task Force has launched “Project R.I.S.K.” (Reliable Internet Safety for Kids).

On September 22, U.S. Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04) released the following statement after his bill, H.R. 5384, passed the U.S. House of Representatives. H.R. 5384 names the post office in Mansfield, LA after civil rights leader and former Louisiana legislator Dr. C.O. Simpkins, Sr. Mansfield was the late civil rights leader’s hometown.

Raised in Shreveport, La., Dr. Simpkins was active in securing voting rights for African American Louisianans and worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King throughout the civil rights era. Dr. Simpkins was a founder of the United Christian Conference on Registration and Voting, and was an advocate for peaceful protest through nonviolence and civil disobedience.

To read more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition. http://etypeservices.com/Mansfield%20EnterpriseID391/

Investigators with the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office have identified a subject in connection with the homicide that took place near Marshall Road in Keachi, La.

Valeria Nichelle Robinson (48 yo / black female) is wanted on a charge of 2nd Degree Murder in connection to the killing of 64 year old Roy Long of Keachi. If you or someone you know has information on this case or the whereabouts of Valeria N. Robinson, please contact Lt. Reggie Roe or Detective Russ Jones at (318) 872-3956. Anonymous tips may be provided using www.P3Tips.com (Crime Stoppers) for which you may receive a reward up to $1,000 in the event your tip leads to an arrest. Enter TIP-ID: 390-H166.

To read more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition. http://etypeservices.com/Mansfield%20EnterpriseID391/

On September 9, 2020, around 4:45 a.m., Louisiana State Police Troop G responded to a twovehicle, fatal crash on Louisiana Highway 765 near Marshall Road. This crash claimed the lives of two women from Texas.

The preliminary investigation revealed a 2017 International tractor-trailer was stopped in the northbound travel lane of Louisiana Highway 765 preparing to make a right turn. At the same time, a 2017 Jeep SUV, driven by 27- year-old Julia Patton of Carthage, Texas, was traveling northbound on Louisiana Highway 765 approaching the stopped tractor-trailer. For reasons still under investigation, Patton failed to stop and struck the trailer’s rear bumper.

William E. Dorroh, President and CEO of Community Bank of Louisiana announced today that Casey Files had been elected by the board of directors as Assistant Cashier and Branch Manager of the Logansport Office of Community Bank of Louisiana.

Casey is a 2004 graduate of Mansfield High School and a 2008 graduate of LSUS in Business Administration. At the bank, she has most recently held the position of assisting Branch Manager John Russell with consumer lending duties and leading numerous bank teams on special projects. She is a tenyear veteran of Community Bank of Louisiana, previously held positions as assistant branch manager and branch manager at World Finance and as a summer worker at International Paper. Casey is a mother of two, Brody age two and Nolan age five, she is married to Justin Files and they reside in Mansfield

In making the appointment, President Dorroh stated, “We are thrilled to make this announcement of Casey’s promotion.