News

In the early morning hours of Friday, Sept. 19th, DeSoto Parish Narcotics Division and members of the DeSoto SWAT executed an arrest/search warrant at an apartment located on Oak Hill Rd in Mansfield.

The warrant was on Michael D. Youngblood (59yo black male of Mansfield) for three counts of Distribution of Schedule II (Crack Cocaine). Before the execution of the warrant, agents and deputies observed Mr. Youngblood leaving his residence in a vehicle. Youngblood was stopped and taken into custody for the outstanding warrant at that time.

The Louisiana State Legislative Auditor has reported that The City of Mansfield did not comply with the state public bid law, failed to amend its budgets, didn’t publish meeting minutes and violated the state Constitution’s prohibition on loaning or donating public funds. The City did publish the minutes in The Mansfield Enterprise, which serves at the Parish Journal, but the State now requires them to be published on the Internet.

Additionally, a now-former firefighter was able to rack up about $14,000 on a city credit card.

Those were among an independent auditor’s findings in a report the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office published Monday.

Other significant deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting reported by the auditors noted included: Financial transactions processed without adequate supporting documentation or appropriate approvals.

The DeSoto Parish Cattlemen’s Association (DPCA) recently held its quarterly meeting at the DeSoto Parish Extension Office. With cooler months approaching, the discussion centered on cool-season forages. Dr. José Pereira Neto, Forage Agronomy Specialist with the LSU AgCenter, provided recommendations on forage varieties including ryegrass, wheat, oats, clover, and more.

DPCA President, Mr. Henry Richardson, shared an update on fertilizer prices with information provided by local dealer Mr. Charlie Roberts. The keynote speaker and meal sponsor, Mr. Marshall John with Louisiana Land Bank, highlighted the services and opportunities the Land Bank offers to agricultural producers across Louisiana and beyond.

Sheriff Jayson Richardson will be opening the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office Rifle Range to public residents on two available dates in September/October. The dates below will be reserved for DeSoto Parish hunters to have an opportunity to sight in their rifles for hunting season. Sheriff Richardson is pleased to offer this service to our residents free of charge, in a safe environment.

DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office SWAT participated in a September 11th Memorial Stair Climb today, held at the DeSoto Fire District #8 fire tower in Mansfield. The Fire Tower equates to a five-story climb with a five-story decent from the top via ladder. DeSoto SWAT completed a total of 110 flights of stairs carrying a full load of duty plates and equipment, in memory of the fire fighters that climbed 110 flights of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. By staying in shape and being prepared to serve and protect our own, this is one way we can honor those brave men and women that did the same for their own, on that tragic day 24 years ago.

“One of the worst days in America’s history saw some of the bravest acts in Americans’ history. We’ll always honor the heroes of 9/11. And here at this hallowed place, we pledge that we will never forget their sacrifice.” — President George W. Bush at the Pentagon, 2008

Last week, the official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held for Main Street Market, located at 216 Main Street in Logansport. It now has two locations on Main Street. The original location is located at 319 Main Street.

Many local residents, business owners, and public officials were in attendance to celebrate the occasion and shop the various vendors located in the facilities. The larger location (formerly known as Swamp Water) is located in the old Smith’s Furniture Store while the second location has opened next to Stateline Precision, both on Main Street (Hwy 84).

Both are worth strolling through the various booths to see the vast array of collectables and memorabilia that will take you back to seeing some items in your home or Grandparent’s home when you were small. Newer items include arts and crafts, etc. Congratulations, and welcome to Logansport!

Last week, the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office received a report of a vehicle driving recklessly on I-49 in the north bound lanes. Within 3 minutes, the vehicle was located by DeSoto deputies and was then identified as stolen from Vernon Parish from a few hours earlier. The driver of the vehicle failed to stop, resulting in a pursuit.

As the vehicle approached LA 509, it crossed the median into the south bound lanes. The driver then stopped on an embankment and exited armed with a handgun. The driver fired multiple rounds at deputies who returned fire.

The suspect continued on foot a short distance where he ultimately succumbed to a self inflicted gun shot wound. It was determined the suspect was wanted out of Beauregard Parish where he allegedly stole a different vehicle earlier that day. No deputies were injured during this incident.

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) announce the 2025–2026 recipients of the KLB Healthy Communities Grants (HCG) program. KLB awarded $174,509 in grant funding to 20 organizations in 17 parishes for projects focused on reducing litter and waste, edu- cating citizens, increasing recycling, and/or strengthening litter enforcement.

“The people of Louisiana take great pride in where they live, and they deserve communities that are clean, safe, and welcoming,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “These Healthy Communities Grants not only support local efforts to reduce litter, expand recycling, and educate citizens, but they also strengthen our economy and tourism industry. When we keep Louisiana beautiful, we create places where residents thrive, businesses grow, and visitors want to return again and again.”

Saturday morning, at approximately 6:45 a.m., Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop G responded to a two-vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway 169 near Louisiana Highway 172. The crash claimed the life of 34-year-old Zapien German of Carthage, TX.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2025 Mack Pinnacle was traveling south on Louisiana Highway 169, approaching the intersection of Louisiana Highway 172. At the same time, a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by German, was traveling east on Louisiana Highway 172, approaching the intersection of Louisiana Highway 169. For reasons still under investigation, the Mack truck traveled into the intersection and collided with the Chevrolet.

On September 11th, 2001 “9–11”, 19 suicide bombers linked with the Islamic extremist group al-Quaeda hijacked four airliners and carried out suicide attacks against targets in the United States. Two planes were flown into the World Trade Center towers in New York City. A third plane hit the Pentagon just outside of Washington, D.C and the fourth plane intended to crash into the Capital Building, or possibly The White House, crashed into a field in Pennsylvania when passengers were able to divert that target, but dying as heroes.

The 9–11 Attacks: On Tuesday morning of September 11, 2001, at 8:45 AM, the United States suffered a terrorist attack when an American Airlines Boeing 767 filled with 20,000 gallons of jet fuel crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center (also known as WTC) in New York City.

These terrorist attacks became known as 9/11, which is how the American date of September 11 is written.