News

The regular meeting of the Logansport Town Council was held on Monday, December 10 with all members present. Smiling faces surrounded the table with the news that the millage proposition had passed with 60% of Logansport’s voters in favor of the new tax.

Items on the agenda included amending the 2018 with a few additions and adopting the 2019 budget. Both were unanimously approved.

Individual councilman reports were minimal with Dwight Gatlin asking if anything could be done to force the owner of a local business to repair their parking lot that was in deplorable conditions. Suggestions were made with Mayor Judge Cordray informing the group that he would make a few phone calls to inquire about how to proceed with the problem.

Cordray mentioned that even though the property was out of the Logansport City Limits that a Mexican restaurant would be opening in the old Country Skillet building at the corner of Hwy 84 and Hwy 191.

Desoto Parish District Attorney Garry Evans and his guests were in Baton Rouge on December 11, 2018, to attend the Annual Christmas party at the governor’s mansion. Governor Edwards and first Lady Edwards greeted a select group of elected officials and friends from all over the state, and were also pleased to announce the budget was balanced and there is a surplus for the first time since the Blanco Administration.

To read more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition. http://etypeservices.com/Mansfield%20EnterpriseID391/

On Saturday, Dec. 8, the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department held their annual awards banquet and Christmas celebration at the First Baptist Church in Joaquin. Firefighters and their guests were treated with a steak dinner with all the trimmings.

Media/Public Relations and Training Officer Stephen Ewing reported of several awards that were awarded to deserving individuals. Assistant Chief Jeremy Boyett, Firefighter Jesse Parent and Ewing were recognized for Perfect Attendance at all fire department meetings, with Assistant Chief Steve Cockrell recognized for responding to the most calls in 2018.

The Keachi Heritage Foundation, Inc. is proudly hosting a Christmas Musicale, entitled “A Classical Christmas Evening”. According to Keachi Mayor Travis Whitfield, the event is slated for Sunday, December 16 at 6:00 PM at the Keachi Presbyterian Church, located on Hwy 5. Featured entertainment for the evening will be Dr. Leonard Kacenjar and the Shreveport Festival Strings Quartet. These musicians come from all over the area, but are based out of Shreveport.

Dr. Kacenjar, who also is the conductor of the Project String student orchestra, received his Bachelor degree from Julliard School of Music in New York as well as a Master’s degree from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. He is active in the East Texas musical community, conducting the Marshall Symphony Orchestra and the Shreveport Summer Music Festival.

Last week, State Representative Larry Bagley held a conference at his Stonewall office that included Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) Secretary Dr. Shawn Wilson, DOTD Executive Counsel Joshua Hollins and DOTD District Engineer Administrator for the Shreveport area, David North. Also in attendance were Keachi Mayor Travis Whitfield, Stonewall Mayor Randy Rodgers, Logansport Mayor Judge Cordray, and DeSoto Parish School Board President Dudley Glenn.

The visit began with the group riding sections of Hwy 5, Hwy 171 and Hwy 3276 (the Stonewall-Frierson Road), which are all obviously in serious need of repair. Bagley wanted the men to experience a ride on these roads and see first hand the condition they were in.

NEWS

Due to the Louisiana State Supreme Court overturning the conviction of a child murderer that was sentenced to death on May 28, 2014, Brian Horn once again found himself in a DeSoto Parish Courtroom. Thursday, December 6, would be his first return there since his case was been sent back to DeSoto Parish for a new trial. Horn was convicted and sentenced to death for murdering 12-year-old Justin Bloxom in May 2014.

Horn did not speak during the hearing to address procedural matters, which included the appointment of a certified capital defense attorney to represent Horn in the death penalty case. The public defender in court with Horn on Thursday was temporary.

Judge Amy Burford McCartney stated that she was not prepared to appoint legal representation for Horn since she didn’t have a complete list of certified capital defense attorneys for the Thursday hearing.