News

The first day of summer and an Open House complete with ribbon cutting were two things that were celebrated in Mansfield on Friday, June 21. At 2:00 p.m., Mindy Runge, along with her family, friends, and the business community joined the DeSoto Chamber of Commerce welcoming Runge and her employees to their new business location at 513 Washington Avenue. The agency is conveniently located next door to Southern Classic Fried Chicken, and is in front of Just Teasin’ Hair Salon.

Runge began her career as a social worker after her college graduation, but soon became frustrated with that line of work, which is very tedious and stressful. She took the advice of a family member and soon began working as an agent. Runge stated that she is a second generation agent, and worked with family for three years.

The Mansfield Civic Group has worked hard to prepare for the Fifth Annual Juneteenth Celebration. Mansfield Alderwoman Marylinda Green once said that they start working on the next year’s event the day after the current one ends. This year’s celebration will be held on June 28, 29, and 30 around the courthouse square. Festival favorites that will be returning include musical entertainment, food and beverage booths, information booths, and arts and crafts.

Musical entertainment is the focal point of the Juneteenth celebration with the best of the best providing DJ and live music, showcasing Zydeco Blues, Hip Hop, Gospel and Old School R & B/Soul throughout the weekend. The admission is $10.00, with children up to age 4 admitted for free.

On June 4, 2019, the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office received information of possible improper actions of an employee. The employee was immediately placed on administrative leave and subsequently terminated for policy violations.

A joint investigation between the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office and Louisiana State Police found that former Deputy Joseph P. Procell had arrested a female subject for an out of state warrant. During the transport of the individual to the correctional facility, it is believed Procell coerced the incustody individual to perform a sexual act in exchange for leniency.

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A special workshop was held on Thursday, June 13, for discussing rules and regulations that the DeSoto Parish Police Jury felt needed addressing. All special event organizations, including trail rides, car shows, and festivals, were asked to have a representative present for the meeting.

Police Jury President Reggie Roe asked Sheriff Jayson Richardson to open the meeting with his comments. He began by telling the Jury about his deputies’ recent experiences with one of the trail rides and the concern he had for public safety. Richardson said that residents were unable to leave their homes, and he had fourteen patrol cars dispatched to the area.

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On Saturday, June 15, the DeSoto Parish Chamber of Commerce held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Gloria’s Sweet and Sassy, located at 8352 Hwy 171 in Grand Cane. Members of the business community, officials, family and friends were in attendance to welcome owners Donna Tingle and Tammy Lowe to the historical village.

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On Thursday, June 13, the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Department honored Warden Randy Clark with a retirement party. Co-workers, friends and family stopped by between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to enjoy a buffet spread of a variety of barbequed meats and the trimmings, along with jambalaya and etouffee.

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Chairman John Neilson of DeSoto Parish Waterworks District # 1 Water Treatment Facility will host an Open House of Wednesday, June 26 from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Neilson said, “There will be guided tours at the top of every hour, and we invite everyone to come and see the most modern water treatment facility in the State of Louisiana.” The Water Treatment Facility is located at 100 Water Plant Road, which is located on Circle Drive Road off of Highway

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On June 3, Jamie S. Lawrence came on board at the Central School Corporation as the new principal, or head master. Lawrence comes to DeSoto Parish from her hometown of Martin and currently resides in the Black Lake area.

Her career has always been in the educational field since receiving her degree from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches. She will be able to draw from her experiences in the classroom as a teacher from Coushatta Elementary and most recently River Dale Academy in East Point as she plans projects to achieve her goals for Central. Also, her degree in Business Administration will assist the business portion of her job as Principal.

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On June 6, the DeSoto Parish School Board held their regular meeting. Items on the agenda that passed unanimously included holding a public hearing for the Budget for 2019-20 in addition to millage rates.

Items grouped together for members’ voting were approving audit reports for the schools, approving bids as presented for duplicating supplies, janitorial supplies, food service dairy and juice, food service bakery products, food and supplies as well as approving The Mansfield Enterprise and Interstate Progress as the official journal for 2019-20. All passed unanimously.

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At the June 3 Committee Meeting, the behavior during and after a recent trail ride was the hot topic of conversation. Citizens voiced their concerns, both pro and con for the popular events that are held in various locations across the parish.

The first guest to address the Jury had a business along the route to where the trail ride was held. It seems that unruly motorists were breaking the law and making nuisances of themselves, and were even a threat to those that lived and held businesses on Highway

175. She continued that between 6:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., the traffic traveling up and down that part of the highway from I-49 became uncontrollable. Residents could not even leave their driveways, and if they had have needed an ambulance or other emergency vehicle they would not have been able to respond to the area.