News

Welcome to Back-Alley’s Season 20252026 — our 25th season! BackAlley is excited to present six productions, which include five plays and one music show. Our opening show, How Time Slips Away, features songs performed by Rocky Maddox with Terry Sparks and friends, followed by “The Play That Goes Wrong,” “One Christmas Eve at Evergreen Mall,” “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” “Farce of Habit,” and Agatha Christie’s “Black Coffee.”

To purchase Season Tickets and/or make a donation, go to backalleygrandcane. com and click “tickets” and/or “donate.” For questions regarding season tickets and/or donations or to mail your request, call or text our box office @ 318--461-0202. We will send your season ticket confirmation and/or donation acknowledgement in a timely manner.

At approximately 2:00am on August 17, 2025, DeSoto Sheriff Patrol Sergeant Angela Jordan conducted a traffic stop on I-49, just north of the Hwy 175 exit, regarding a white Volkswagen Arteon that DeSoto dispatchers communicated had been reported stolen out of Texas. The stop was immediately assisted with the aid of K-9 Cpl. Kelby Pearah and K-9 Karen and other deputies in the area.

The driver was swiftly taken into custody without incident, and a search of the vehicle that followed revealed a much broader identity theft investigation which remains ongoing.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises motorists that on Saturday, September 6, 2025 and Sunday, September 7, 2025, there will be intermittent lane closures on I-49 northbound and southbound at the LA 3276 interchange (Exit 191 – Stonewall) in DeSoto Parish.

These lane closures are scheduled to take place from approximately 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day, and are necessary to allow for survey work to be conducted in the interchange area.

All ramps will remain open during this work.

Restrictions/Permits: N/A Alternate Route: No detour necessary.

This work will be performed WEATHER PERMITTING.

Safety reminder: DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution through the construction site and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment. Remember to leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front of you.

Ben Bonner is a 36 year old black male (5’04 tall and 141lbs) with a last know address on Hwy 175 in Mansfield, LA. He is currently wanted by the Mansfield Police Department and DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office on charges of:

• Aggravated Assault If you have information that may lead investigator to locating this suspect please contact our office at 318– 872–3956. You may also report anonymously using one of the following methods:

• Visit www.P3Tips. com• Use the “Submit A Tip” feature in Contact Us section of the DeSoto Sheriff App

• Call 1–800–505–7867

Two North Louisiana sheriffs have been elected to top leadership positions on the Executive Board of the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association (LSA).

DeSoto Parish Sheriff Jayson Richardson was elected Vice Pres- ident of the LSA Executive Board. His service on the board began in 2021. In addition to his board role, Sheriff Richardson also serves as Chairman of the Louisiana Commission on School and Nonprofit Security and as Finance Chair of the Statewide Interoperability Executive Subcommittee (SIEC), which oversees Louisiana’s radio communication systems.

Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker was unanimously elected by his fellow sheriffs to serve as Sergeant-at-Arms. This marks his first leadership position on the board and a historic first for Webster Parish. Traditionally, LSA board members progress through officer roles, beginning with the Sergeant-at-Arms role and culminating in the presidency of the association.

Mayor Thomas Jones proudly announces the Property Insurance Association of Louisiana (PIAL) has officially upgraded Mansfield’s Public Protection (PPC) from Class 4 to Class 3. This is an advancement that reflects years of dedicated service and strategic planning and investments in fire protection and infrastructure.

Jones stated, “Notably, the city was once rated Class 6. This latest upgrade makes a significant leap forward and demonstrates the city’s progress in protecting lives and property.”

He added that effective September 1, 2025 the new Class 3 rating will apply to all qualifying properties within the corporate limits of Mansfield potentially reducing fire insurance rates for both residential and commercial property owners.

Jones closed by saying, “Our goal is to achieve Class 1 over the next few years.”

DeSoto Parish Sheriff Jayson Richardson has been unanimously elected by his fellow Louisiana sheriffs to serve as Vice President on the Executive Board of the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association (LSA). Sheriff Richardson has served on the Executive Board since 2021, when he was first elected as Sergeantat- Arms, and now steps into one of its highest leadership roles, helping guide the direction of law enforcement priorities statewide.

The LSA Executive Board plays a vital role in shaping public safety policy, coordinating statewide law enforcement initiatives, and advising on key matters such as budgeting, equipment, training, jail operations, and legislation that affects protecting citizens from crime. Traditionally, board members move through a progression of officer roles, culminating in the presidency of the association.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises motorists that on Thursday, August 14th and Friday, August 15, 2025, the LA 513 bridge over Ten Mile Bayou in DeSoto Parish will be closed.

This bridge closure is necessary to allow DOTD crews to perform necessary piling repairs in order to ensure the structure remains in service.

This bridge is located approximately 1.27 miles south of the LA 346 intersection.

Restrictions/Permits: Total bridge closure at the specified location. All vehicles will need to utilize an alternate route.

Alternate Route: Detour signage will be in place. This work will be performed weather permitting.

Safety reminder: DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution through the construction site and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment. Remember to leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front of you.

Let’s meet your 2025‘26 School Resource Officers! Sheriff Jayson Richardson and Superintendent Clay Corley have once again made it their #1 priority to have a well-prepared SRO stationed on every campus in the Parish, ensuring that school safety is of the utmost importance! These men and women have spent their summer running, training, and preparing for a safe and secure new school year! DeSoto Parish is fortunate to have such a strong bond between Law Enforcement and our DeSoto Parish Schools, where each agency works tirelessly in preparation to face any challenge that may arise.

*Remember: The DPSO Sheriff App & Website have features for students and teachers to “Send a Tip to Your SRO” which is instantly sent to that schools SRO, the Sheriff himself, Chief Cason, and SRO Supervisors. Tips can also remain anonymous. While we hope you never have to use it, please ensure that your students and staff members have it!

On Thursday, June 7, at the meeting of the DeSoto Parish School Board, board members unanimously approved the naming of the Logansport High School football field in honor of longtime coach, educator, and board member Coach Dale Morvan.

The newly named Dale Morvan Field at Tiger Stadium marks the culmination of a major renovation project funded through the 2023 bond issue, bringing new life and enhanced facilities to one of the most tradition- rich athletic venues in DeSoto Parish.

“Coach Morvan has spent most of his adult life serving Logansport High School — as a coach, educator, and board member,” said Superintendent Clay Corley. “His impact goes far beyond wins and championships. Naming the field in his honor is a tribute to a legacy that has shaped generations of students, athletes, and leaders.”