News

On Thursday, June 1st around 9pm, this green 2016 Peterbilt was stolen from the Relay Station, detached from its trailer. Investigators with the DeSoto Parish Sheriff ’s Office are seeking the public’s assistance in an effort to identify and locate the suspect(s), and return the rig to its rightful owner. If you see this rig or know any information that may assist investigators, please contact Det. Jerek Lewis at 318.872.3956. Tips can remain anonymous upon request, and Crime Stoppers will even pay you for any information that leads to the identification or arrest of the suspect(s)

Last week, Michele C. “Muffin” Thomas was sworn in as Assistant Police Chief for the Mansfield Police Department. She was born and raised in Mansfield by her parents Patricia Crawford Lee and her stepfather James Lee. Michele is the youngest of her siblings, a graduate of Mansfield High School – Class of 2001, and is a member of St. Luke Baptist Church in Mansfield.

Michele is married to Chris Thomas, and has two daughters, Skylar March and MaKayla Jones, and is blessed with three stepdaughters Destiny Allen, DaKalya and Chasity Thomas.

In 2020, The Northwest Louisiana Master Gardeners selected the Bon Chase Daughters of the Revolution Chapter as one the year’s recipients of NWLAMG Community Grants. NWLAMG awards grants to organizations and municipalities that support beautification and horticultural education within our community. Of particular interest are projects that make a difference in the community, that are sustainable, and involve collaboration among local organizations.

The NWLA Master Gardeners awarded a total of $15,701. The Bon Chase DAR Chapter was awarded $300.00 of that total to construct a planter with seasonal colors at their monument around the DeSoto Parish Courthouse Square.

The planter has been erected, filled with drainage and potting soil products, and planted with seasonal spring flowers and bulbs.

Updating to 2023, the planter has had some plants that return each year, plus some new additions that make the corner of Jefferson and Washington so beautiful.

The Club heard from Suzanne Brossette who is, among many other duties, newly elected President of the Friends of the Mansfield Female College Museum. Suzanne took the reins over at a stressful and tense time for the Clista A. Calhoun Center. She told of her determination to take those reins firmly in hand and drive the team to achieve further goals. With her guidance she’s gotten The Center’s I.T. systems replaced and upgraded. Her vision is to have The Center’s main competition, Classic C. and The Cook-Hill House, working together to provide different types and sizes of venues so that our entire Parish benefits.

Toledo Bend Family Adventure Park (TBFAP), the first family waterpark and miniature golf in the area, had their Ribbon Cutting Celebration Saturday, May 20th to mark the completion of Phase I. The park will officially open to the public on Saturday,May 27th in time for the Memorial Day weekend, located at 115 San Miguel Road, Zwolle, LA 71486.

TBFAP has over five acres of fun for the entire family. Phase I includes: an 18-hole Mini Golf Course,Lazy River (301feet), Splash Pad,Kids Wading Pool,Kangaroo Jumper,Kids’ Slides, Birthday Party Pavilions, Playground, Cafe’, and more. Two Serpentine and Racing Slides,currently under construction,will be opening soon in Phase IIof the Ad enture Park.

Louisiana Daughters of the American Revolution saved 3410lbs of plastic lids and had 17 benches made to present for Louisiana Veterans Homes.

Shown in the picture is one of 3 benches at the Northwest Veterans Home in Bossier City. Rose Mary Martin, Regent for Bon Chasse Chapter was there for the presentation made on May 2. We appreciate everyone that helped us in this project in DeSoto Parish.

Our chapter was no.3 in the collection of the most lids over all of Louisiana.

The DeSoto Parish Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors would like to thank all members and the public for the tremendous success celebrating our 93rd Annual Banquet that was held March, 30 at the Clista Calhoun Center in Mansfield.

Congratulations to the winners of the various awards listed below: Emeritus Award, William Dorroh Outstanding Business Leader, Christopher Davis Outstanding Business, 4C Coffee House Public Service Award, DeSoto Parish Animal Services/BFF DeSoto Animal Services Volunteers for Economic Impact, Kathleen Davis Edna Thornton Memorial Tourism Award Battle of Pleasant Hill We would like to thank Down Home Sausage, Louisiana Plantation Pecans, Lisa Lobrano Burson, Attorney, Sew Unique Monogramming & Boutique, Kickapoo Twist Winery & Vineyards, Mansfield Drug, Walmart, Back Alley Theatre and Legacy’s Jewelry for their generous donations for our raffle.

Sheriff Jayson Richardson would like to inform the public that over the past month, Narcotics Agents have made several arrests involving the distribution of dangerous narcotics in and around DeSoto Parish. These arrests involve Meth, Cocaine, and Crack, among other drug and firearm related charges. Each month we try to let the public know what is being done about those who aim to distribute dangerous drugs within our Parish, and potentially to our younger and more vulnerable community. The following individuals have been taken into custody and transported to the DeSoto Parish Detention Center.

Sheriff Jayson Richardson asks everyone make sure to send a “HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY to Mr. Waymon (Sam) Shoalmire this past week. With that many years this man has certainly seen a lot in his day. Born on May 11, 1923, Mr. Sam has served as a Navy Veteran, and worked at Western Auto for 43 years! He currently resides in Mansfield, LA. He has 2 sons (Shelby & Randy), 4 Grandchildren, 3 Great-Grandchildren, and 2 Great-Great-Grandchildren!! How awesome is that. Happy Birthday, Mr. Sam!

Mayor Thomas Jones, Jr., Mansfield Police Chief Chris Johnson, and Asst. MPD Chief Michelle Thomas ask the citizens of Mansfield to join them as they extend congratulations to Officers Skylar Ross and Jacob Wilkerson on their graduation from the Caddo Parish Training Academy. Pictured l-r are MPD Chief Brian Ross, Asst. MPD Chief Michelle Thomas, Officer Skylar Ross, Jacob Wilkerson, and Chief Johnson. (submitted)