News

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises motorists that beginning on Monday, October 7, 2024 at 7:00 a.m., the outside (right) lane of US 171 southbound south of the City of Mansfield in DeSoto Parish will be closed.

This closure is scheduled to remain in place for approximately 21 days, and is necessary to allow a contractor for the DeSoto Parish Police Jury to conduct improvements at CSJ Private Drive.

The lane closure will be located just south of Bedsole Lane, about a mile south of the City of Mansfield. Restrictions/Permits: N/A and Alternate Route: N/A.

This work will be performed weather permitting.

DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution through the construction site and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment. Remember to leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front of you.

Continuing our “Know Your SRO” series this week by introducing you to Dy. Kamari Clay at Mansfield Middle School! Dy. Clay has been a deputy with DPSO since May of 2022, and an Alumni of Booker T. Washington! We hope that you share these with your students so they can better know their SRO serving and protecting them at our DeSoto Parish Schools!

After years of paying excessive rates to speak by telephone with their family members in Louisiana jails and prisons, the 40,000 families of Louisiana inmates will soon receive relief, thanks to Congress and federal regulators.

The DeSoto Parish School Board is proud to recognize the incredible individuals who have been selected as the Support Staff of the Year from each of our schools! These dedicated team members go above and beyond every day to make a positive impact on our students, staff, and community. Their hard work, commitment, and passion are truly at the heart of #TheDeSotoDifference.

During their October 4th board meeting, the DeSoto Parish School Board unanimously approved a $5,542,274 capital improvement project to enhance the athletic facilities at Mansfield High School. The initiative underscores the Board’s commitment to providing top-tier resources and infrastructure for student-athletes, with upgrades spanning baseball, softball, and football facilities.

“Our core value of high performance drives every decision we make, and this project is a testament to that commitment,” said Superintendent Clay Corley.

“By providing stateof- the-art facilities for our student-athletes, we are ensuring that they have the tools needed to excel. It is a blessing that we can complete these upgrades with available funds without having to raise revenue with a bond or additional tax measures. This not only allows us to continue our mission of excellence but also reflects the sound financial stewardship of our district.”

Do you have too much “stuff” in your house and you would like a chance to get rid of it while making a little extra cash? The Ninth Annual Fifty Mile Trail of Treasure, which is always the second Saturday in October, will be held on October 12 with a rain date of October 19. The path of the continuous yard sale begins with vendors setting up on Hwy 171 in Stonewall, where they will continue through Mansfield. Pickers and treasure seekers will then find their way down Hwy 84 through Stanley and Logansport, cross over the bridge into Texas with Haslam and Joaquin completing the journey. Or, you can reverse the trail and begin in Texas, according to your preference. There are some booths such as Kickapoo Winery, plus a few more, highway 5 from Kickapoo to Logansport.

These past few weeks, Pres. Biden has touted so-called successes of his Administration. The first involved his speech at the United Nations in which he highlighted his purportedly successful use of diplomacy to strengthen global democracy. The second involved how, he argues, his Administration has reduced crime while seeking, as always, to limit the constitutional right to keep and bear arms. In both instances, I shook my head and wondered if he still had a grasp of reality.

(I think Biden’s touting of his “accomplishments” could not come at a worse time for VP Kamala Harris as Biden publicly claims ‘she was the last person in the room’ on all of his major decisions, as she desperately tries to deny the last four years — and the numerous disasters and policy failures of which she played a central role.)

DeSoto Parish Schools proudly announces that Anesha Ross, Principal of Mansfield High School, has been named the 20242025 DeSoto Parish Principal of the Year. A product of DeSoto Parish Schools herself, Ross has dedicated over a decade to advancing education and leadership within the district, making a lasting impact on both students and staff.

Under Ms. Ross’ leadership, Mansfield High School achieved its highest School Performance Score (SPS) in its history, 97.5, for the 2022-2023 school year. The school has maintained its “A” rating while experiencing significant improvements in academic performance for the 2023-2024 school year. Notably, Mansfield High School increased its SPS in five of the six core subject high school assessment areas.

On 09/10/24, three (3) arrests were made resulting from a Narcotics Search Warrant executed at an address on Pam Street in Mansfield by DeSoto Narcotics Agents, SLlU, SWAT, and Proactive Patrol. Ben L. Bonner (B/M DaB: 08/22/1988) of Mansfield was taken into custody on charges of Resisting an Officer, Possession of Marijuana under 14 grams, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Samantha D. Paul (B/F DOB: 09/19/1981) of Mansfield was taken into custody and charged with Possession of Schedule II (Cocaine) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Lastly, Allen J. Williams (B/M DaB: 12/12/1975) of Mansfield was taken into custody on a Fugitive Arrest Warrant and also charged with One (1) Count of Distribution of Schedule II (Meth). This single Narcotics Search Warrant yielded three (3) arrests, while also seizing varying amounts of Marijuana, Cocaine, Meth, and illegally possessed Firearms.

The DeSoto Parish Chamber of Chamber cordially invite members and public to join them at Mansfield Historic Site, located at 15149 LA 175 in Mansfield, for the presentation of historical items at 10:00 a.m., on Friday September 27.

Following the Mansfield Historic Site presentation, a Open House and Ribbon Cutting will be held welcoming Geaux Luxe Boutique, located at 211 Washington Avenue, Suite F in Mansfield with an Open House from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., with the Ribbon Cutting set for 12:00 p.m.

For more information contact the DeSoto Parish Chamber of Commerce at 318-872-1310.