News

The DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s’ Office is back with another installment of “Beyond the Badge,” a way of helping DeSoto residents get to know those that serve our community here at your local Sheriff’s Office! First Responders are more than just a uniform, they are mothers, fathers, neighbors, and some of their kids even go to school with yours! As a vital part of protecting and serving DeSoto Parish, we want you to know who they are on a personal level. Each month we will be highlighting one, selected by their supervisor, and we hope you read and share along with us. For the month of June we want to introduce you to: Administrative Assistant, Holly Kennedy- Jones!

In June 2023, Javarius Holden was sentenced by the 42nd District Court in DeSoto Parish on charges of Possession of Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute. He received 40 years in prison (10 suspended) and 3 years supervised probation. Fentanyl is no longer a foreign substance to our area. Currently it is most commonly used by individuals who reside outside of DeSoto attempting to gain entry and negatively affect the lives of our residents. In an effort to protect those in our community with a weakness for these dangerous narcotics, and out of safety for our DeSoto Parish children, Sheriff Jayson Richardson will continue lead this effort to seek out, arrest, and charge those responsible for trafficking these dangerous drugs across our DeSoto Parish border. Our Narcotics Agents have made great headway in making our Parish a safer place to live, and we are grateful for all the hard work they and our K9/Deputies put in each and every day.

Mansfield Mayor Thomas Jones reported, “As the citizens of Mansfield are aware, railway switching in the heart of our city has been an ongoing issue for several decades now. Extended wait times have really worsened over the years with more concerns about accessing the local hospital for medical emergencies responding to house fires, accidents and public safety in general”.

“I had been in communication with KCS management several years ago about the railway switching bottleneck on the main streets of the city. At that time, KCS was looking at an extension track south of the parish towards the Benson Community. Evidently that potential project stalled and other talks began. So we fast forward to the current plan which has come into fruition, an extension track north of Mansfield. This extension will allow an entire unit train to park outside of the city limits. This should lessen wait times as passing trains can continue without slowing down as much,” Jones continued.

The LSU Ag Centers are excited to welcome Erin Stockton to the DeSoto Parish Extension Office. Erin is our new Family and Consumer Sciences Agent for the LSU AgCenter in DeSoto and Bossier Parishes.

Erin will be working with the Flavors of Health program here in DeSoto and in Bossier Parish. She will also handle SNAP-ED programming in Bossier Parish. Some of the programs that Erin will be offering include healthy eating, pressure cooker testing, living with diabetes, and much more.

Erin is a graduate of William Carey University in Hattiesburg, MS, where she received a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in English. She is also a graduate of Louisiana Christian University where she earned a master’s degree in the Art of Teaching. Erin has been an educator for the past 18 years in MS and LA, with the past 13 years spent in Sabine Parish. She was actively involved in 4-H as a volunteer and sponsor while her children were in school.

One of the annual events that is most anticipated in our area is the Annual Rickey Warren Memorial Fireworks Display on the banks of the Sabine River in Logansport. On Tuesday, July 4, this will mark the official eighth (a year was skipped due to Covid) year that DeSoto Fire District 1 has delighted throngs of people that are drawn to DeSoto Parish and Shelby County to view the spectacular pyrotechnics show. DFD 1 Chief Mark Magee said that the show is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. or “dark thirty”, but could be a little later as they wait for complete darkness in the nighttime sky to fully showcase the exhibition. The event is completely free, but donations are gladly accepted and appreciated.

A family owned business, Cardinal Music Company, started things off with a bang on July 5, 2022 keeping in a festive spirit from celebrating Independence Day the day before. In 2023, the store, which is a 50-50% business investment of Steve Wilkinson and his son Cardis, is celebrating in a new larger location in the same shopping center. They have added more instruments and have a larger inventory including some boutique items. Also, they will embrace hosting various clinics and a once a month acoustic jam, with the next one set for the 3rd Saturday of July (July 15) at noon.

The first music clinic is slated for July 6 at 6:00 p.m. with Adam Hood. Spots are limited at $25.00 per person. The Wilkinsons are very excited to be able to offer this event at their store.

The sky darkened on a Saturday afternoon. The wind blew and blinding sheets of rain came down. The storm broke and the residents of Grand Cane gathered on Main Street heard the clicking of horse’s hooves on the pavement. A large group of horses could be seen in the distance moving down the street. The horses and riders were leading a “trail ride,” a Grand Cane tradition for the past 40 years. Following the lead horses were individual riders on prancing horses with colorful bridles. Many of the riders wore traditional cowboy attire. Following the horses were pickups filled with cowboys celebrating the trail ride. Those gathered on Main Street watching the parade, both young and old, could be seen tapping their feet to the rhythm of hip hop music coming from the vehicle speakers.

Last week, Coday Johnston pleaded guilty to domestic abuse battery, which is a misdemeanor offense and does not require his resignation from elected office. His sentence included payment of a fine, court fees, and probation costs.

The DeSoto Parish Sheriff ’s Office is assisting the City of Mansfield Police in locating a suspect involved in an early morning shooting that took place in Mansfield just before 6am ton June 15. They are seeking information from the public who may have knowledge of the suspect, or can assist in bringing him to justice. Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 for any information that leads to an arrest, and you can provide this information 100% anonymously.

Louisiana Connected and the city of Mansfield, are pleased to announce a partnership allowing the company to construct a fiber optic network that will deliver highspeed internet service directly to the homes and businesses in this Northwest Louisiana town.

The Mansfield City Council, on May 22, 2023, voted unanimously on a Binding Memorandum of Understanding(MO U) with Louisiana Connected to design, build and operate the fiber-based broadband municipal system.

Louisiana Connected will fullyfund the multimilliondollar construction and operation of the Mansfield network with private capital.

“Since the pandemic, I have worked alongside the City Council to fulfill the desire of many residents for efficient broadband in the city,” said Mayor Thomas Jones. “I am excited to be on track with my goal to deliver on that strategic plan and look forward to a collaborative partnership with Louisiana Connected going forward.”