News

Bishop Cynthia Fiero Harvey of the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church has notified the congregation of the Joaquin Methodist Church that it is seizing their church building and all their property, and will be offering these for sale to the highest bidder. The original property for the Joaquin Methodist Church was purchased by the congregation in 1904 with deed issued and filed in 1905. Members donated additional properties to the church in 1944, 1962, and 1980.

In 1905, the congregation built a frame church building on the property, which they used for services for almost 50 years. In 1951 members of the congregation tore down the wood building and with their own hands built the brick building where they have worshiped for the past 73 years.

In July 2024, the Mansfield Police Department contacted the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations/Bossier Field Office to investigate a stolen credit card belonging to the Mansfield Fire Department (MFD).

The preliminary investigation revealed that the MFD credit card was used in over 180 unauthorized transactions, resulting in illegal purchases totaling more than $14,000.00 for gas. These transactions occurred between February 2024 through July 2024 at gas stations in Louisiana and Texas.

Investigators learned that 22-year-old former MFD Fireman Donald Anthony Jr. of Mansfield stole the MFD credit card following his termination from MFD in February 2024. Thereafter, he engaged in numerous unauthorized transactions using the stolen credit card.

Last week, House Republicans again unanimously selected Speaker Johnson to lead the House Republican Conference and continue serving as the 56th Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 119th Congress.

“We had a very productive day together as a Republican Conference, and the theme that you’ll hear over and over from all of our members across the conference is that we are unified and energized and ready to go,” Speaker Johnson said. “We have to deliver for the American people beginning on day one in the new Congress, and we will be ready for that.

House Republicans also elected Rep. Steve Scalise to serve as Majority Leader, Rep. Tom Emmer to serve as Majority Whip, Rep. Lisa McClain to serve as Conference Chairwoman, Rep. Richard Hudson to serve as NRCC Chairman, Rep. Blake Moore to serve as Conference Vice Chairman, Rep. Kevin Hern to serve as Conference Policy Chair, and Rep. Erin Houchin to serve as Conference Secretary.

A House tax committee voted Thursday to advance Gov. Jeff Landry’s proposal for a flat 3% personal income tax rate.

If approved by the full House and Senate, the plan would eliminate the current income tax brackets and move the state closer to Landry’s ultimate goal of eliminating the income tax.

Thursday’s vote by the House Ways and Means Committee marked the first step in passing what is seen as Landry’s flagship portion of the tax plan introduced during his Wednesday speech at a special session of the Legislature.

“This is an income tax cut for everyone in Louisiana,” said Rep. Julie Emerson, R-Carencro, who chairs the committee. “The overall goal is to stimulate the economy and broaden our tax base. We want to show the people we are lowering their personal income tax rates, just like other states where they are thriving.”

Louisiana voters exercised their rights to vote in the November 5, 2024 Presidential and Congressional Primaries with Republican Donald J. Trump and “J. D.” Vance winning statewide and nationally. Statewide, Democrat Kamala D. Harris and Vice President nominee Tim Walz received 766,405 Louisiana votes, or 38%, with Trump winning with 1,208,233 votes statewide or 60%. DeSoto Parish also backed Trump with 9,356 votes, or 67%, with Harris receiving 4,426, or 32%.

Trump was elected the 47th president of the United States, defeating Harris after winning the key swing states of Pennsylvania, Georgia, Wisconsin, and North Carolina, and over-reaching the 270 electoral votes needed for victory at 295. He won not only the electoral vote majority but also the popular vote. The State of Arizona was still undetermined at this writing, but was leaning toward an increased Trump electoral vote victory, which would tally his electoral votes to 307.

Logansport High School honored Head Coach Kevin Magee on Thursday, November 7th for reaching a remarkable career milestone of 100 wins. The celebration comes after Coach Magee led the Tigers to a 55-0 victory over LaSalle last Friday, continuing his legacy as a cornerstone of Logansport’s athletic success.

A Logansport Tiger through and through, Coach Magee has the rare distinction of winning a state championship both as a player and as a coach at the same school. Taking over the program in 2014, he inherited a team that had finished 2-8 the previous year. In just one season, Coach Magee laid the foundation for a championship- caliber team, leading the Tigers to a 7-5 record and an appearance in the regional round of the playoffs. His leadership and dedication drove the team forward, culminating in an 8-5 finish and a quarterfinal appearance the following season.

As we all watched in awe of what artist Matthew Yerby was creating we wondered what the finished product would look like. The finished creation of the beautiful B52 drew oohs and ahhhs from us all upon its completion, and continues to presently. The following is a post that Yerby made on his Facebook account:

“I arrived in Mansfield, LA too late to make a stencil. The streetlights were too bright to project a 90 ft. image. After free handing the B-52 bomber with sidewalk chalk, I am beyond humbled at the size of our nation’s air destroyer. It’s never been so clear to me why NO OTHER MILITARY wants to pick a fight with us.

Each of my 16 days on this 30 ft. x 90 ft. mural, I had to make something bigger. All glory be to God because this isn’t me. That’s His work through me. I know this because I’ve never been so terrified to begin a freehand project, but there’s something about Louisiana that reminds me of faith.

The Pelican Branch Library is holding a “Big Buck Contest” from October 1 until the end of deer season on January 31, 2025. No pre-registration is required and there is no fee to enter. If you would like to enter your trophy buck, simply bring a photo with your name and phone number by the Pelican Library, 145 Jackson Street Pelican, LA 71063 during our business hours Monday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; email photo to ljackson@state.lib. la.us, post it to our Facebook page: DeSoto Parish Library (while you are there, click like!) or text a photo to 318-464-6425.

The largest buck taken will win $100!

Contest rules are as follows:

1. Deer must be a whitetail buck and killed in DeSoto Parish, Sabine Parish or outlying areas within the days of October 1, 2022 and January 31, 2023.

Lifelong DeSoto Parish resident Raymond E. Powell will be honored with a hundred year old birthday celebration on Saturday, November 9 from 1:00 p. m. until 2:30 p. m. His actual birthday is November 5, but the celebration will be held at the Clista A. Calhoun Center, located at 515 Louisiana Street, Mansfield, LA 71052.

Raymond was born in Deadwood, Panola County, Texas to Nelson and Lizzie Alexander Powell, with two older brothers completing the family. When he was about six years old Methodist Minister Nelson moved his family to Logansport, which was only about six miles away from their residence and farm.

The Powell boys received their education at Logansport High School, with Raymond receiving a full athletic scholarship in boxing to Southwestern Louisiana, now known as UL–Lafayette, home of the Ragin’ Cajuns.

Opening soon at BackAlley Theatre in Grand Cane is Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily, a comedy/mystery by Katie Forgette.

Ken Murphy plays Moriarty, notorious arch nemesis of Sherlock Holmes. He is an experienced actor and director, having been involved in theater for almost 40 years. “I’ve played characters of all types in my lifetime,” says Murphy. “In this play, getting a chance to be an evil genius — I just couldn’t turn that down!”

“I’m so honored to be part of this cast,” says newcomer Mindy Seekford, who has is playing the dual role of Mrs. Tory and Kitty Dupree. “They are all seasoned actors and it’s been great to have them coach me as I develop my character.”