News

K9 Deputy Hunter Martinez (pictured) and his new partner, K9 Cholo (also pictured but with more hair), have recently completed the K9 Academy together and will officially begin all sniffing duties tomorrow, Dec. 4th! Cholo is a male German Short Haired Pointer, specially trained in Narcotics and Tracking. He will be a great addition when handling missing persons and/or children!

A brother in arms, a Green Beret A friend and family each and every day Strong, humble and devoted Honors rarely noted Head kept down doing his job Then back to the FOB missions Conquered and defeated Never once being retreated. Aways from home many times…only once in the headlines Nor for glory nor for fame Most never knew his name Starred fear in the eyes while standing tall One great hero to us all Rode that plane called the “Angel Flight” So we could sleep in peace at night Many left here, here to sob For he was to become a Soldier of God Saluting you my hero, my friend Until we meet yet once again!

The holiday season is set to shine bright in Stonewall, with the return of its beloved Christmas Parade and the debut of a new community event. Mark your calendars for December 9, 2024, as the town transforms into a festive wonderland, promising fun and excitement for all ages.

Christmas Parade Brings Festive Cheer This year marks the 9th annual Stonewall Christmas Parade, with the theme “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. The parade will roll through the North Desoto School Complex at 6:30 PM on December 9, featuring dazzling floats, spirited music, and a special appearance by Santa Claus himself.

Following the parade, spectators will be treated to a breathtaking fireworks show, lighting up the night sky with holiday magic.

When we count our blessings at Thanksgiving the majority of us are safe and warm in our homes, surrounded by an extreme amount of food and family to share it with. Do we stop and think about how we earned the celebration and enjoy that luxurious freedom? Although we recently celebrated Veterans Day, we need to stop and thank our veterans that sacrificed so much in wars the United States has fought in from off and on from 1776 until our present time. Most of them were only young boys and men that left home for the first time in their lives to answer a greater cause than self worth… the love of their country.

It’s been just a little over 7 years since DeSoto Parish lost our own soldier hero, Green Beret SSG Richard Lee Vazquez, who was killed in action in Afghanistan. What seemed like a nightmare that always happened in other parts of the United States, the tragedy hit home in our community with many family and friends affected due to the loss of one of our hometown boys.

Leadership points to the people of Louisiana as biggest winners

Legislators adjourned the 3rd Special Session of 2024 ahead of schedule adopting several bills focused on improving Louisiana’s tax structure and returning more money to its citizens. Lawmakers had until Monday, at 6:00 p.m. to complete their work on tax reform, but instead finished just before 3:30 pm today.

Legislation headed to the governor’s desk for signature includes but is not limited to reducing both personal and corporate income taxes for everyone, doubling the standard tax deductions for seniors, getting rid of the state’s corporate franchise tax, making permanent a $2,000 teacher pay raise and advancing a constitutional amendment giving lawmakers more flexibility to reduce taxes in the future.

An investigation by DPSO Narcotics Agents has recently concluded with one suspect arrested on charges of Distribution of Schedule II (Crack Cocaine). Over the course of the investigation an arrest warrant was issued for 53yo Carlan A. Williams (B/M of Mansfield, LA.) Two search warrants were also obtained by Narcotics Agents for two residences linked to Williams in Mansfield, LA, one on South Park Avenue and another on Cooper Road. On the afternoon of November 21, 2024, while conducting surveillance on the suspect, Carlan A. Williams was observed leaving the residence on South Park Avenue in a vehicle. Williams was traffic stopped by DPSO Street Level Interdiction (SLIU) and K9 Units. Williams was taken into custody on the existing arrest warrant without incident. On the same afternoon, DeSoto Narcotics Agents, SWAT, K9, and SLIU executed the search warrants of both residences.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises motorists that beginning on Friday, December 13, 2024 at 6:00 p.m., US 84 (Polk Street) at the Canadian Pacific Kansas City railroad crossing in the City of Mansfield in DeSoto Parish will be closed.

This road closure is scheduled to be in place until Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at approximately 5:00 p.m., and is necessary to allow the railroad company to replace two of the crossings at this location.

This crossing is located 0.22 miles west of the intersection with LA 175 (Lake Road). See included map.

Restrictions/Permits: Total road closure at the specified location. All vehicles will need to utilize an alternate route.

Alternate Route: Detour signage will be in place.

This work will be performed WEATHER PERMITTING.

Christmas in Grand Cane will be something special on December 7 as residents invite you to come and celebrate the Village’s “125 Years of Christmas Tradition”.

Beginning at 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Grand Cane merchants will have their beautifully decorated shops ready to tempt you to purchase a Christmas gift or two, or even treat yourself to a purchase for yourself. Crafts, homemade gifts, and food items are just a few of the things that will be on display.

At 11:00 a.m., the traditional parade will begin, with Progressive National Bank — Grand Cane Branch’s manager, Marva Anderson, leading the way as Parade Marshall. The floats will represent the decades of time in the Village, which will thrill all ages with their holiday decorations and throws.

Some tax cuts adopted by the state House of Representatives last week were undone by a Senate committee on Tuesday when it took up major elements of the governor’s tax proposals.

The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee backed away from abolishing tax credits for historic preservation of buildings and production of movies and TV shows. The committee also rolled back a corporate income tax cut from a 3.5% tax rate adopted by the House to a 6% rate, not as generous as the House, but still lower than the existing top rate of 7.5%.

Meanwhile, the House has not moved forward with Gov. Jeff Landry’s original plan to pay for income tax cuts partly by creating sales taxes on more than 41 services like car washes.

In September 1620, a small ship called the Mayflower left Plymouth, England, carrying one hundred two passengers including an assortment of religious separatists seeking a new home where they could freely practice their faith and other individuals lured by the promise of prosperity and land ownership in the New World. After a treacherous and uncomfortable crossing that lasted sixty-six days, they dropped anchor near the tip of Cape Cod, far north of their intended destination at the mouth of the Hudson River. One month later, the Mayflower crossed Massachusetts Bay, where the Pilgrims, as they are now commonly known, began the work of establishing a village at Plymouth.