At the regular DeSoto Chamber of Commerce luncheon meeting to be held on Tuesday, October 19, the four candidates for Judge for the 42nd District Court will be guest speakers for the event. They include Amy Burford McCartney, Adrienne White, John Evans and Brenda Ford. After all candidates have spoken, they will field questions from those in attendance.
In 2013 the DeSoto Parish Police Jury funded a new Mosquito Control program in response to concerns about the West Nile Virus. Today, two mosquito spray units and a third backup unit patrol 800 miles of roadway in DeSoto Parish every weekday from April to October attempting to control the mosquito population which carries such viruses as West Nile, Chikungunya, Dengue Fever, and Zika.
Although Flowers and More has been in operation for several months, the DeSoto Chamber of Commerce hosted an official welcome ceremony to the full service floral service on Thursday, September 24. Friends and relatives joined area businessmen and officials to complete the Fall Open House celebration. Owner Paul Brantley has been in the floral business for forty years, beginning his career as floral supply distributor and supplier in Northwest Louisiana.
State Representative-District 7 Larry Bagley recently attended the Louisiana Family Forum Legislative Awards Banquet in Baton Rouge, where he was presented the Family Advocate Award. Pictured with Rep. Bagley is Gene Mills, President of Family Forum.
Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle would like to inform the public of an on-going investigation into the theft of wheels and tires from Marketplace Chevrolet Buick in Stonewall. Deputies responded to the location this on September 26 and received a complaint of about 30 vehicle’s wheels and tires being stolen from the dealership. Detectives have been assigned to the case and it is an on-going investigation at this time.
The DeSoto Parish School System has broken ground on a new Alternative Program facility. The alternative program will move from its present location – a collection of portable buildings on Whaley Street in Mansfield – to its new home at the AirPark in Grand Cane. The land was acquired through a land-swap with the DeSoto Parish Police Jury whereas the school system received five acres of land in exchange for land behind the Multi-Cultural center that has now been developed into a community park.
The “Louisiana Economic Growth Committee” submitted petitions to De Soto Parish Registrar of Voters calling for a December election to allow alcohol sales in the city. The group consists of local residents, business and community leaders and local businesses. State law required the group to gather more than 770 signatures of city registered voters. The group turned in more than 1,000 verifiable signatures, far exceeding the state law requirement.
On Saturday, September 17, the DeSoto Parish Chamber of Commerce was joined by members of the Stonewall business community as well as family and friends to celebrate the grand opening of Southern Roots Flowers and Gifts, which is located at 2068 Hwy 171, Suite 4B in Stonewall.
Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle would like to congratulate some longtime employees on their retirement as well as announce their replacements and promotions. On September 1, three deputies have retired and combined take with them over a century (105 total years) of experience from the Sheriff’s Office. Chief of Corrections Dennis Reed (34 years), Deputy Carolyn Landrum (36 years), and Captain Toni Morris (35 years) said their farewells to other employees and friends at a combined retirement party.
On Friday, September 2, the DeSoto Parish Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony for Fresh Shoes and JADD Tax. The new business carries shoes for all occasions and is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM, but is closed on Sunday. The business also houses and tax and small loan company that has the same business hours. Pictured are Laurie Williamson; (the staff and owners in no particular order) Devian Brown, Bobby Brown, Ethel Cash Campbell and Bobby Campbell; and DeSoto Chamber Exec.
