News

On July 18, 2024, a tractor was stolen in Stonewall, LA. Investigators with the DeSoto Sheriff’s Office are requesting help from the public in an effort to identify the two pictured suspects (one white male and one white female) who are believed to be involved in this crime. Crime Stoppers is willing to pay up to $1,000 for any information that would lead to the identification or arrest of one or both suspects involved in this crime. You can send in a tip anonymously using one of the following methods: — IN THE APP: You can go to Forms & Tips on the Home Screen of our App, and tap on Submit A Tip to fill out a short form.

— BY PHONE: You may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-505-7867, or call our office directly and ask for an investigator at 318-872-3956.

— WEBSITE: You can go to www.P3Tips. com to submit a tip.

Tips will remain anonymous, but in order to get paid we may need to make contact with you somehow.

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? Organizers are making plans to help you out and have announced the date for the first event of its kind to wind through DeSoto Parish and end in Joaquin, Texas. The “Fifty Mile Trail of Treasures” will be a continuous yard sale, with vendors setting up on Hwy 171 in Stonewall, where they will continue through Mansfield. Shoppers 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 lying at the end of the trail.

Join us at BackAlley Community Theatre in Grand Cane as we present Drinking Habits by Tom Smith, the weekends of September 20 and 27. To save the Sisters of Perpetual Sewing Convent financially, two enterprising nuns have taken it upon themselves to turn grapes into wine and sell it to local residents. However, Mother Superior loathes alcohol, and two journalists work tirelessly to expose this rumor. Things go haywire very quickly, and the action gets crazier and crazier.

Terry Sparks recently performed in the sell-out performance of Terry, Rocky, and Friends. She is a long-time favorite of BackAlley, having performed in our popular music shows Double Trouble, Patsy Cline, and Classics. She has performed in multiple plays including Dashing Through the Snow, Rumors, and Southern Fried Funeral. Terry has directed many shows including Chapter II and Farce of Nature. Terry sings with Rose Park Baptist Church Choir and is a retired registered nurse, living in Grand Cane.

Dy. Coleman Caston — Logansport High School

Each week the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office will be sharing a little more information about your SRO’s at each of the DeSoto Parish Schools! This week, we’d like to introduce you to Dy. Caston who graduated from Stanley, has served at North DeSoto, and this year can be found roaming the halls of Logansport High School! We hope you share these with your kiddos so they can “Get to Know their SRO’s” a little better!

Last week, a Trooper assigned to Troop A was on patrol and observed a vehicle cross the divider line while traveling south on Interstate 110 in East Baton Rouge Parish. A traffic stop was initiated, and the driver was identified as 28-year-old Isaiah Gilbert of Hammond. At the time of the arrest, Gilbert was on leave following a separate incident on March 10, 2024, where he was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated (1st Offense) and Careless Operation. Gilbert has been employed with the Louisiana State Police since 2021.

During the DWI investigation this morning, Gilbert was transported to Troop A, where he gave a breath sample, which registered above the legal limit. He was transported to the East Baton Rouge Parish Jail and booked on the following charges: Improper Lane Usage, Driving While Intoxicated (2nd Offense), Driving While Under Suspension for Certain Offenses, Simple Damage to Property, and Open Container.

DeSoto Parish Cattlemen’s Association Quarterly Meeting will be held Tuesday, August 27 at 6:00 p.m. To register contact John Salley at jsalley@agcenter.lsu.edu or 318-872-0533. The event location is at DeSoto Parish Extension Office, 10117 Hwy 171 in Grand Cane.

Speakers and their topics include Harry Richardson, District Sales Manager of Lonestar Feed; Brett Richard, Account Manager of Ridley Block Operations; and Joshua Salley, County Agent, LSU AgCenter Update. Dinner will be provided.

Narcotics investigations and/or arrests may be carried out by DeSoto Parish Narcotics Agents, Street Level Interdiction Unit (SLIU), Tri-Parish Drug Task Force, K9 and/or S.W.A.T. The following arrests have been made recently in regard to the illegal possession and/ or distribution of Meth in DeSoto Parish. An arrest in an indication that probable cause existed during an alleged offense. All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

DeSoto Regional Hospital has been a standing part of the community that has served the people of DeSoto Parish for 72 years. On Friday, August 23 the first major work to take place at DRHS in over twelve years began with a ground breaking ceremony that included board members, dignitaries and construction workers. It was an exciting day for the expansion project to begin with people hoping the upgrades not only mean expansion for patients but also more jobs for the facility.

State Rep. for District 7 Larry Bagley said, “ With new buildings and a new hospital wing, there will be new jobs. There will be opportunities for a lot of people. It’s going to be a big economic impact for DeSoto Parish, and we certainly need that.”

This is a $50 million project that has been in the works since 2021. Construction should take around two and onehalf to three years to complete, DeSoto Regional remaining operational during upgrades.

Cody Whitlock and Stormey Webster with Chesapeake Energy dropped by to visit Sheriff Jayson Richardson yesterday, and brought a check for $1,000 to donate to the Sheriff’s Bringing Joye Program.

A little while back, Chesapeake Energy held a “Bring Your Kids to Work” day which was also part of their kids Community Outreach Program. DeSoto Sheriff Patrol Lt. Joe West and Cpl. Kelby Pearah brought K9 Rex out to visit the kids and do a live demonstration, which is also why you see Rex with his head buried in the special gift bag they made for him!

This year, the children at Chesapeake raised the $1,000 donation themselves to go to a great cause. “Bringing Joye” hosts many events in the community for our residents and students with special needs. The donation will certainly create many smiles in the days to come. We thank Chesapeake Energy staff and kids for their kind generosity!