News

Juneteenth is short for June Nineteenth, which marks the enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas in 1865. It was Union General Gordon Granger who read General Orders No.3 stating that all slaves were free. Today, it commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and is also known as Freedom Day.

On January 1, 1863, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation at the height of the Civil War. On paper, slaves in Texas were free, but they were not aware of it. Texan slave owners kept the news to themselves, delaying emancipation of 250,000 slaves by another two years.

There are several theories why such news was delayed, including the murder of the messenger and securing further cotton harvests from Texas.

Other delayed news was the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Court, which was only heard more than two months after.

Mansfield Mayor Thomas Jones reports that during the past few weeks, there has been a vast amount of underground drilling along US Hwy 84 and US Hwy 171. This activity is associated with future Internet and broadband connectivity for rural communities in DeSoto and adjoining parishes.

He continued, “With $1.355 billion in funding allocated through the Infrastructure and Investments and Jobs Act to support broadband access and connectivity throughout the state — the 8th-largest allocation in the nation and 10th-largest per capita — GUMBO 2.0 expands on ConnectLA’s efforts to combat the digital divide in our unserved and underserved communities. GUMBO 2.0 is a program that provides grants to Internet service providers and electric co-operatives to expand broadband access in unserved areas of Louisiana.”

At the regular meeting of the DeSoto Parish School Board, state champions in Track and Field, Powerlifting, and Wrestling were recognized parish-wide for their outstanding accomplishments.

Those recognized from Mansfield High School – Class 2A Outdoor Track and Field include Zakhia Austin, LaJordan Boykin, Germance Robertson, and LaBrashia Ross as the 4X100 Women’s Relay Champions.

Other award winners from MHS include 400m Champion LaJordan Boykin, Discus Champion Kaitlyn McDaniel, Long Jump Champion Jayden Hamilton, 110m & 300m Hurdles Champion Jaden Youngblood. Youngblood also was recognized as the 60m Hurdles Champion in Indoor Track.

Students from North DeSoto High School – Class 4A Track and Field are Javonte’ Taylor for the High Jump and Triple Jump Champion, North DeSoto Boys Powerlifting – Division II Champion Blake Chambers – 148 lb. Weight Class.

As a beekeeper, I want to gently remind everyone: please don’t leave fruit out for bees, especially during the June Gap—the brief but dangerous period between spring and summer blooms when nectar sources become scarce. While offering fruit might seem like a kind gesture, it often ferments quickly in the sun, developing harmful bacteria that bees can carry back to the hive. This contaminated food can spoil their stored honey and even threaten the health of the entire colony.

State Representative for District 7 Larry Bagley has reported that office has received many phone calls inquiring about the status of the road closure on LA 764. He wanted to provide you with updated information from Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) related to that closure and upcoming work.

Bagley continued, “The pipe that needs to be replaced under the roadway is too large for our crews to remove and replace, so we are bidding out the work. Up to this point, the project has been designed and the contract proposal has been developed, both on an expedited timeline due to the road already having been closed. The road is closed due to safety concerns for the traveling public, as the decision to close a road/bridge is never taken lightly. We understand the hardship a road closure poses on the communities that depend on that corridor.”

The DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Department has reported that they need to get the word out about multiple eports of texts and emails that residents have received regarding a ticket or citation they need to pay immediately. Please note: Our office does not send out emails or texts to collect on tickets/ citations. If you receive one claiming to be from our office, the DMV, or any other agency....it is a SCAM.

Most all of these reports have come from elderly residents who don’t use Facebook, so be sure that you are sharing this information with your friends and family. Also, encourage your senior parents, church members, and family to download and have the DeSoto Sheriff Application so DPSO can communicate these scams with them even if they do not use Social Media! It is also a great tool for them to have in the event of a weather emergency, and more.

God’s Food Pantry in Logansport will be open June 19th, 9-12 for food pick up. Please be prepared to wait a little extra time because it is time to renew your application. Failure to renew will result in your application being put on hold.

It is the lifeblood of our nation known by names such as The Star Spangled Banner, Old Glory, The Stars and Stripes, the Red, White, and Blue and possibly other favorable names. The American Flag carries a picture of our past and our present. The flag is the single symbol that bonds our diverse United States of America. It stands for the people and for the land and for the nation’s ideals. It stands for the people’s dreams of the future.

When the American Revolution broke out in 1775, the colonists weren’t fighting united under a single flag. Instead, most regiments participating in the war for independence against the British fought under their own flags. In June of 1775, the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia to create the Continental Army — a unified colonial fighting force — with the hopes of more organized battle against its colonial oppressors. This led to the creation of what was, essentially, the first “American” flag, the Continental Colors.

Mansfield Pharmacy Retains Independent Spirit and Local Ownership under Health Mart Brand

Beginning April 22, 2025, Mansfield Drug, located at 132 Jefferson St. in Mansfield, LA, will be sporting a new look. The pharmacy, which has served the greater Mansfield and DeSoto Parish area for more than 60 years, is joining the Health Mart network. The announcement was made by Dr. Nilay A. Patel, PharmD, Owner of Mansfield Drug.

On May 30, the DeSoto Parish Chamber of Commerce hosted a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony welcoming Dr. Patel, along with his family and staff to the Mansfield business community.

While this new partnership will result in fresh signage, décor and a new logo, the pharmacy will remain independent and locally-owned with the same high level of quality services and personal care upon which the city of Mansfield, LA has come to rely while increasing its ability to compete with the national pharmacy chains.

Last week was EMS week and we want to take a moment to thank all those who have chosen a life of service in Emergency Medical Services — especially the dedicated men and women of DeSoto Parish EMS. One week could never be enough to fully express our gratitude for all that you do. Your commitment, compassion, and professionalism make a difference every single day. We are truly grateful for each and every one of you. Thank you for your service to the citizens and visitors of DeSoto Parish.