News

Most people from this area are familiar with the Chesapeake building that was built in close proximity to I-49 a few years ago. It seems right after the grand opening and dedication ceremony was held Chesapeake’s interest started to fade in DeSoto. The beautiful facility was there, but was barely used.

Fast forward to March 2021, when Love’s Vice President Rick Shuffield began looking for property along the I-49 corridor to expand the large travel station/truck stop chain into northwest Louisiana, and possibly DeSoto. Shuffield found his contact with Walker-Alley and Associates in Shreveport when he spoke with commercial realtor Chris Stokes.

On Monday, April 12, a regular early morning at the Best Western hotel in Mansfield ended with a hotel desk clerk fatally wounded and a patron critically injured during a robbery attempt. While the clerk was being held up at approximately 3:45 a.m., an unsuspecting guest stepped off the elevator not knowing what he was walking into.

The Mansfield Police Department and the DeSoto Parish Sheriff ’s Office worked together the entire morning and at one time had him surrounded in a building on the DeSoto Parish School Board’s property off of Oxford Road. After concentrating on that area, he was not found until later in the day.

During the manhunt for 20-year-old Terry Dewayne Powell of Mansfield, all area businesses, banks, and schools were on lock down since the alleged shooter was classified as armed and dangerous, and the public was asked not to interact with Powell.

The Logansport Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed a new restaurant to the area by hosting a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony launching the Grand Opening for Tio Nacho Mexican Restaurant, located at 1100 Main Street.

Owner Leyla Olvera is excited to bring her recipes and versions of Tex-Mex cuisine to Logansport and believes her menu has something to offer every taste from children, to salad and vegetables lovers, to steaks, and of course, true Mexican lovers of Tex-Mex. The menu is broken down into the categories of appetizers, Tio Nacho Classics, Lunch Specials (from 11:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.), Dinner Plates including combination meals, child plates, side orders, and desserts. Most meals are served with rice and beans unless otherwise noted. Beverages offered include Coca-Cola products in addition to Mexican drinks of Norchata, Jamaica, and Tamarindo.

Plans are currently underway by the Historic Grand Cane Association (HGCA) for “The Village Market at Grand Cane” set for Saturday, April 17 from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The event was formerly known as Grand Cane Trade Days and has had several successful runs. If you are interested in being a vendor you can contact HGCA at grandcanehistoric@gmail.com , call them at 318-858-0800, or message them on Facebook at Historic Grand Cane Association.

These events, like many others held in the Village, are to attract visitors and tourism to Grand Cane, DeSoto Parish, and Northwest Louisiana as a whole. HGCA consists of a group of citizens that love their historic village and want to share its many charms and history with visitors.

Some restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 in Louisiana, including strict occupancy restrictions for bars and restaurants, will be eased this week following sustained improvements in COVID-19 hospitalizations and vaccinations, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Tuesday. Social distancing of six feet will still be required in businesses and Louisiana’s statewide mask mandate remains in place.

The Louisiana Department of Education today announced the 2022 Teacher and Principal of the Year Semifinalists. The 48 semifinalists are elementary, middle and high school educators from school systems across the state. Finalists will be selected from this group and announced live at the 2021 Teacher Leader Summit during the plenary event on May 25 in New Orleans. DeSoto Parish is honored to announce that North DeSoto Upper Elementary

Teacher Leah Darden is in the Semifinalists category. The DPSB website reads, “Leah’s commitment to student success exemplifies the teaching profession and she DeSoto Strong! We wish her the best of luck.”

Early voting will begin on April 10 and end on April 17, 2021 (with the exception of Sunday, April 11) when DeSoto voters go to the polls to early vote in a run-off between Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) candidates Michael Melerine-R and Cassie Williams-D and whether or not to pass a 1 mill property tax allocated for Animal Services.

The BESE seat became vacant when Tony Davis resigned taking a job in another state.

Those that live in District 2 will cast their preference for Kyle D. Kennington-R or Ronald “Ronnie” Allen-R. The Kennington-Allen runoff in District 2 will fill the seat vacated by Judge Nicholas Gasper, who resigned his Jury sear after winning the election to serve the 42nd Judicial Division. His appointment, Bradley Sepulvado, expressed no wishes to run for the seat full time upon accepting the position.

Ethan P. Arbuckle has been named one of SB (Shreveport-Bossier) Magazine’s Top Attorneys for 2019. He is a graduate of North DeSoto High School, LSUS, and Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge.

After graduation, Arbuckle worked for a firm in Shreveport for a few months before opening his general practice firm in Stonewall that focuses on divorce custody law, probate/succession law, estate planning law, and personal injury law. His future plans are to grow his firm and continue to do what’s best for anyone seeking his assistance.

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Sheriff Jayson Richardson and his staff would recently held a party to celebrate the retirement of Deputy Tommy Williamson.

Williamson has worked with the DeSoto Sheriff’s Office for 12 years, beginning as jailer in the DeSoto Detention Center. Soon it was discovered that he was not only a hard worker but a skilled farmer with outstanding agricultural capabilities. Williamson then chose an opportunity to take a position in Special Services, which including going out with the inmates to clean, work in gardens, and various other duties that have been vital to DPSO.

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U.S. Congressman for the 4th District Mike Johnson has accepted an invitation to be the keynote speaker for the DeSoto GOP Luncheon on Thursday, April 8 at 12:00 p.m. at the Stonewall Community Center, located at 5208 Hwy 3276 (Stonewall-Frierson Road). Johnson will be providing an update on what is currently going on in Washington, D. C. He will also be available to answer questions and for photographs.

Also, DeSoto Parish Police Jury Administrator Steve Brown will speak and provide information on the upcoming tax on the April ballot to support animal services in DeSoto. He, too, will be available to answer questions after speaking.

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