News

On November 4, the state ethics board issued an opinion that the brother of the Mansfield mayor cannot be the next police chief for the city.

Kem Jones, the brother of Thomas Jones, who began serving as mayor on July 1, wrote to the state ethics board on September 7 asking five questions all related to scenarios of him being the chief of police or in some capacity in the Police Department. He recently served as Investigator during Gary V. Evans administration as District Attorney.

Kem Jones, who said he is a certified officer, even asked if it was permissible for him to be the chief, a training officer or auxiliary officer without monetary compensation.

An attorney for the ethics board cited state law that prohibits an agency head from employing an immediate family member. A brother is included in the list of family members.

The lack of paid compensation is immaterial, the board said.

Veterans and family, please check in the main office of each school to be escorted to the program being held in your honor. Thank you for your service!

T h u r s d a y , November 10 10:00 a.m. - Program honoring all Veterans will be held at 10:00 a.m. in the Central School Auditorium in Grand Cane with a reception to follow.

Friday, November 11: 8:00 a.m. – Logansport High School: On Friday, November 11th LHS will host a Veterans Breakfast, followed by a program at 9:00 a.m. in the gymnasium.

9;00 a.m. – Stanley High School will hold their Veterans’ program at 9:00 a.m. in the gymnasium.

If you haven’t already participated in Early Voting, please make an effort to cast your ballot on November 8 at your designated location. DeSoto voters will go to the polls for school board members in several districts, our state senator, and 8 propositions that are to be voted on statewide.

Donnie Dufour, who is currently serving as Finance Chairman, has represented District 4 for several terms and is being opposed by Xavier Foster and Robert Mitchell. KaTina Lane and James “Jim” Veuleman are challenging Alice Hamilton Thomas of District 5 for her seat, who currently serves as DPSB President.

District 6 School Board member Coday Johnston is opposed by Brian LaFleur, while current Dale Morvan of District 7 has been challenged by Sonja Smith Polley. Bobby Boyd, Representative for District 10, has one contender, LaTarsha Ross Shelton. Member for District 11, Rosie Mayweather, has one contestant challenging her, Johnny R. Jones.

Listed below, you’ll find a list of DeSoto parish residents owed money by the state of Louisiana.

The names listed on page 4B in the Classified and Legals section have been reported to the Louisiana Department of the Treasury as being persons appearing to be the owners of unclaimed funds subject to the provisions of LSA-R.S. 9:151-182, Uniform Unclaimed Property Act. The amount of names for the mailing addresses in DeSoto include 117 for Mansfield, 1 for South Mansfield, 39 for Frierson, 28 for Logansport, 20 for Gloster, 73 for Stonewall, 15 for Keachi, and 11 for Pelican These funds have been presumed to be abandoned and taken into the protective custody of the Department of the Treasury. There is no deadline for claiming your money; however, you must provide proof of ownership before the funds will be released. A copy of photo identification will be required and other information that will positively identify the rightful owner may be needed.

Joaquin High Announces, Congratulates Sept. Teachers of the Month

Early voting for the November 8 Primary in DeSoto Parish will have voters choosing between school board members in Districts 4, 5, 6, 10 and 11. Multistate decisions include the race for Republican Senator John Kennedy’s seat in addition to eight amendments.

You have two locations to choose from to early vote, the main Registrar of Voters Office, located at 104 Crosby Street in Mansfield, just off of Polk Street, or at 1746 Hwy 171 in the municipal complex and DeSoto Sheriff’s Office in Stonewall. Hours are from 8:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. each day of early voting, with both locations closed on Sunday.

Sheriff Jayson Richardson has a very low tolerance for illegal possession of a firearm, especially those involved in violent or drug related crimes. While we stand as firm supporters of your 2nd Amendment right to bear arms, there are those among us who carry illegally with intent to cause harm to those in our community. Our deputies typically respond after a crime has already been committed, and the violence we witness would lead anyone to be more proactive to prevent those incidents in the future. When we say “Illegal Possession” that does not mean we are patrolling the streets looking for any individual with a weapon. Just to share a few examples of what constitutes illegal possession: - The carrying of a Firearm by a Felon who is has been prohibited by a court from carrying for purposes of future potential violence.