News

The Pelican Branch Library is partnering with LifeShare Blood Center to host a SUMMER BLOOD DRIVE this Friday, July 29-2pm-6pm in Pelican. Donors get a free “Summer Donor” t-shirt. We will have door prizes, hot dogs and a bounce house for the kiddos!! DeSoto Fire District 8 and DeSoto EMS will be there as well as Victoria Horton, from Louisiana Primary Care Association. Come out for this awesome community event. Donate blood, save a life! Call Kriston Newsom, Pelican Library Branch Manager at 318-755-2353 for more information!

Emmanuel Falcon is a Mansfield High School graduate planning to go to LSUS in the fall, majoring in Computer Science & Technology. Based on his academic excellence, Progressive National Bank selected him as our $1,000 College Scholarship Award recipient! Pictured (left to right) are Wayne Davis, CEO; Emmanuel Falcon; Dorothy Falcon Davis, Mother; Chelsey Drew, Administrative Assistant; Kade Rogers, President.

The November 8 ballot for DeSoto will see some candidates running unopposed with some new names seeking election. Multiparish election for Senator John Kennedy’s seat will have the largest number of running mates, with Representative Mike Johnson unopposed. Judge for the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeal, Sec. 2B. Frances Pitman, also runs unopposed.

Mayors Travis Whitfield of Keachi and Marsha Richardson of Grand Cane will remain in office, with no one qualifying to run against them. The current three aldermen of Grand Cane, Mayor Protem Rhonda Meek, K. E. “Ed” Campbell and Clayton Davis, will maintain their positions with no one running against them.

No one qualified to run for the position of council member in the Village of Longstreet. Aldermen for the Village of Stanley had two qualify for their seats, Dane Blount and Angela Cleveland, who will automatically serve those positions.

On July 20, The Louisiana Department of Education (the Department) announced the 2023 Teacher and Principal of the Year state-level winners.

Brittany Bonnaffons of Hahnville High School in St. Charles Parish has been selected as the 2023 State Teacher of the Year and Dr. David Schexnaydre, Jr. of Harry M. Hurst Middle School in St. Charles Parish is the 2023 State Principal of the Year.

“I would like to extend my personal congratulations to Brittany and David and thank them on behalf of the entire Department,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. “I look forward to celebrating with them and all honorees at what I expect to be a fantastic night for Louisiana educators.”

The UM Share School Uniform Ministry, a cooperative ministry of DeSoto Parish United Methodist Churches, offers free school uniforms to all in the parish who have need. Parents are invited to bring their child(ren) to the distribution sites to help pick their favorite style and size. This organized group of Methodist is excited and happy to help those who need a little assistance in getting ready for school.

Mansfield and North DeSoto Schools uniform distribution is Friday, July 22, from 10AM – Noon and 4 – 6PM, and Saturday, July 23, 10AM – Noon. The distribution will be held at First United Methodist Church, located at 502 Polk Street in Mansfield. It you missed the Logansport-Stanley School on Monday, July 18, and Tuesday, July 19th, from 4-6:30PM each day, call the numbers listed below to see if they have the particular uniform pieces and sizes that you are in need of.

On July 15, The Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights (HTOL) announced that they have added Logansport and Ruston as the two newest destinations along the trail. Christmas vacationers can now find information about the holiday happenings in these two towns at the Holiday Trail of Lights website and on social media. The other current cities on the trail are Shreveport-Bossier, Minden, Natchitoches, Alexandria-Pineville, and Monroe-West Monroe, Louisiana.

“It’s very exciting to see the Holiday Trail of Lights continue to grow,” HTOL Board Chairman and Marketing Director for Natchitoches CVB Kelli West said. “The addition of Ruston and Logansport to our Christmas marketing materials will make the trail even more accessible and compelling to locals and visitors alike.”

Newly sworn in to their designated elected seats, pictured left to right are Antonio Washington-District D, Rita Myles-District E, Marylinda Green-District A, Mansfield Mayor Thomas Jones, Victoria Jackson-District C and Christopher Thomas-District B. In addition to representing District B as Alderman, Christopher Thomas was also elected as Mayor Tempore.

A family owned business, Cardinal Music Company, started things off with a bang on July 5, keeping in a festive spirit from celebrating Independence Day the day before.

Paula and Steve Wilkinson have raised and encouraged their two sons to use their God given musical talents, beginning at church, and then forming their own band. The musical roots run deep and the Wilkinson men decided that is how they wanted to make their living, but remain in the Stonewall area. They also were encouraged by their late uncle musician Randy Lambert, whose presence is felt throughout the store.

The DeSoto Friends of the National Rifle Association Volunteer Fundraising Committee are putting on the finishing touches for their 10th Annual DeSoto Friends of the NRA Banquet. They are currently seeking donations and sponsors from area businesses to help insure the banquet’s success in support of Friends of the NRA and community.

The banquet is scheduled for Saturday, August 6, 2022 at the David B. Means, Jr. Memorial 4-H Building, located at 10117 Highway 171 in Grand Cane. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the banquet will start at 7:00 p.m. As in previous years, there will be a silent auction, live auction, raffles, and games to play. A dinner of fish, shrimp and chicken strips with all the trimmings will be served. As always, the DeSoto NRA Banquet is a family oriented event, therefore, no alcohol will be served or allowed on the premises.

When Thomas Jones was elected as Mayor of Mansfield, he had to resign from his seat on the DeSoto Parish Police Jury as representative for District 2. Two nominees were presented, Trina Boyd-Simpson and Jones’ wife, Rosalyn Jones.

Juror Jeri Burrell is a relative of Mrs. Jones and abstained from voting. Ernel Jones and Richard Fuller voted for Rosalyn Jones, with Rodriguez Ross, Jimmy Holmes, B. D. Mitchell, Keith Parker, Kyle

Kennington and Reggie Roe voting in favor or Simpson.

With Simpson being appointed, she will complete the term that Thomas Jones had been elected to.