News

Have you looked to the sky during dusk and seen an amazing sight in the sky lately? Did you know that the beautiful sunsets have been caused by dust and smoke from hundreds of thousand miles away from the Deep South and more precisely in DeSoto Parish? There have been several beautiful sunsets over the past several weeks due to upper level winds pushing Saharan Dust.

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Cloudy skies and intermittent rain could not wash away the immense joy felt at the Grand Opening of La Chèvre Hair Studio, located at 982 Jenkins Street in Mansfield. Owner Markessia Gholston opened her hair studio on Saturday, July 13, 2019, with the support of family and friends by her side.

Markessia has loved helping women look their best for several years as both a cosmetologist and stylist, which led the Mansfield native to want to open her own salon in her home town. La Chèvre is a full service salon, specializing in weaves and perms, with Markessia excelling as a colorist and as a perruquier, or maker of wigs. Basic services that all salons offer are done with a positive twist as they include being accompanied Markessia’s class and style, along with a friendly smile. She also performs lash extensions and eyebrow techniques.

On July 17, DeSoto Emergency Medical Services honored a hero at their Central Station in Mansfield.

In April 2019, Micayla Springer was attending a baseball game in DeSoto Parish when Jewell Rogers collapsed. Micayla, who had recently finished a CPR course, jumped into action without hesitation to perform the life saving technique. She continued CPR until the ambulance arrived, most likely saving Mrs. Rogers’ life.

DeSoto EMS Assistant Director Karl Mann said, “We need more people like Micayla in our parish!”

Upon presentation of a plaque commemorating Micayla’s heroic action, it was announced that DeSoto Parish EMS will be offering a free CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) class on July 29 at the Stonewall station, located at 4944 Hwy 3276 (Stonewall-Frierson Road), from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

On July 15, a concerned citizen’s call- in of suspicious activity at a home on Highway 3015 led to DeSoto Parish Deputies responding to the location, which resulted in a manhunt. When Deputies arrived at the house they became apprehensive after searching the structure. They then called for backup when Greggory Lynn Jordan appeared from the woods armed with a rifle.

According to Sheriff Jayson Richardson Jordan started yelling as he came from the woods, and tried “suicide by cop”. He began firing at deputies, who returned fire.

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Average SWEPCO customers will see their monthly bills decline more than $13 per month for the next three months due to lower federal taxes paid by SWEPCO, according to Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell.

An average SWEPCO residential customer using 1,282 kilowatt-hours will receive a credit of $13.62 on their August, September, and October electric bills.

Extending the benefit, average SWEPCO bills for November 2019 through July 2020 will reflect reductions of $3.03 each month.

The overall impact is a reduction of $24.4 million for SWEPCO’s 231,000 Louisiana customers. Exact impacts for customers will be based on their individual consumption.

For CLECO, Campbell said that average customers will see their monthly bills decline more than $12 per month for the next 12 months due to the same reason.

On Monday, July 8, the DeSoto Parish Police Jury began their Board meeting by presenting Achievement and Service Awards to two employees. Robert Evans and Lynette D. Taylor were both recognized for 5 years of service with the Jury.

New Business items including the Discussion of the 2019 Road Program Construction Schedule and Update on the Detention Center Repairs were deferred to next month’s meeting due to the absence of Parish Administrator Steve Brown and Juryman Jeri Burrell.

The Krewe of Demeter had been approved for $15,000 by the Budget and Finance Committee at the July 1 Committee Meeting with a unanimous vote by members Greg Baker, Ernel Jones, Rodriguez Ross, and Charlie Roberts, with the committee chaired by Jimbo Davlin. It seems after that meeting and sometime before the July 8 meeting, Ernel Jones rescinded his vote and the item was not placed on the agenda for the full Jury to take action.

This week the Louisiana Department of Education publicly released the results of the 2018-2019 LEAP 2025 assessments. DeSoto Parish Schools led the state in overall improvement in the percent of students achieving mastery and above in grades 3-8. When including high school students, the district ranks 2nd overall across the state.

“The hard work of our teachers and administrators was evident as our students improved toward the new goal of mastery,” said Superintendent Clay Corley.

Mansfield Elementary School, under the guidance of Principal Brittany Anderson, led the district in assessment performance growth and percentage growth of students reaching mastery and above. “Our entire faculty and staff are deeply committed to our vision of building a strong foundation at Mansfield Elementary School, and the data shows that we are on the right path for accomplishing our vision,” said Principal Anderson.

Louisiana State Police – Troop G has reported that on the morning of July 6, 2019, the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations was contacted by the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office (DPSO) and the Mansfield Police Department (MPD) to investigate an officer involved shooting incident involving their departments.

Preliminary investigation reveals that at approximately 10:00 a.m., MPD officers attempted to stop the driver of a suspected stolen vehicle in Mansfield. The driver refused to stop and a pursuit was initiated with the assistance from DPSO. During the pursuit, the suspect struck a DPSO vehicle and a MPD vehicle. At some point during the encounter, officers discharged their firearms striking the suspect.

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DeSoto Regional Health System proudly announced that a groundbreaking celebration for their new Rural Healthcare Clinic took place on Friday, June 28th at 10am. Todd Eppler, CEO- DeSoto Regional Health System (DRHS) served as Master of Ceremonies. Invocation was led by Brian McNew with McNew Architecture. Remarks were given by Mayor Pie Martinez and Town Council Member Martha Henderson. Other attendees included: Members of the DRHS Board of Directors: Deborah Dees, Johnny May, Stephen Flanders, Richard Wilkinson, and John Freeman; Joel Bianca (Citizen Bank), John Bradly (Integrity Builders), Chris Sooter (Integrity Builders), Rafe Eubanks (Integrity Builders), Dr. Peter Lau and Kimberly Rials, FNP.

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On July 2, DeSoto Parish became a sadder place with the loss of long time DeSoto Parish Tourist Bureau Executive Director Edna Rae Thornton, who had retired from that office in the latter part of 2018. Affectionately known to many residents as “Ms. Edna”, she was a friend to all and a stranger to none. She was a native of Oil City, Louisiana, but considered Mansfield her home. She dearly loved DeSoto Parish, its history, attractions, and people.

Edna’s face was a familiar one all over the parish as she attended all Ribbon Cuttings, Ground Breakings and Open Houses whenever a new business or facility opened its door. She was always there, usually in her chosen millinery for the day, eager to help promote and welcome them to DeSoto Parish.

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