News

On July 1, Sheriff Jayson Richardson was officially sworn in by District Judge Amy Mc-Cartney for his third term as Sheriff of DeSoto Parish.

Sheriff Richardson stated that he looks forward to seeking growth for our DeSoto community by showing those abroad that DeSoto Parish is a safe place to work and live. His aim for the future is to continue making progress in areas of public safety, and being fully transparent with our DeSoto residents.

While Sheriff Richardson is widely respected for being an honest and fair leader in law enforcement, it is a lesser known fact that he is also very technology driven. His work in bringing the DeSoto Sheriff’s Office into the modern age has solidified our office as one of the leading law enforcement agencies in the state of Louisiana.

The Louisiana “America 250” State Commission today unveiled a new standard license plate commemorating the 250th birthday of the United States. The Louisiana “America 250” State Commission is charged with coordinating activities and events related to this celebration.

The new Louisiana standard license plate features 18 stars representing Louisiana as the 18th state to join the union in 1812. It was designed by the Louisiana “America 250” State Commission. The license plate will be distributed from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026 — the conclusion of the U.S. Semiquincentennial year.

Surrounded by supporters, elected officials, and citizens, Lisa Lobrano Burson was sworn in today as DeSoto Parish Clerk of Court in Mansfield. Chief District Court Judge Amy Burford McCartney administered the oath of office to Burson, who was joined by her husband, Jason, and son, Maverick.

“I am honored to serve as your Clerk of Court and fully appreciate the responsibility and duty that you have entrusted to me. I am grateful to you for that trust, and along with it, the expectation to fully perform our duties with the highest integrity, competency, and service.

“When I announced candidacy for this office in 2023, I pledged to bring transparency and accountability to the forefront of the Clerk’s Office. Beginning today, my staff and I will carry out this promise.

If you notice the top of the paper (the official term is the masthead) on this week’s edition, The Enterprise and Interstate Progress has turned over to Volume 121, Issue 1 effective July 1, 2024. The Enterprise officially marked its 120th anniversary to begin its 120th year of publication.

In 2021, we had to leave our much-loved address at 202 Adams Street on the DeSoto Courthouse Square to move to our beautiful new office facility, located at 110 Welsh Street, still in Mansfield. We are situated behind the old Capital One building and across the street from Progressive National Bank’s drive-through at 110 Welsh Street in Mansfield. If you haven’t stopped by to see our new location, we’d love to have you come by for the grand tour of our beautiful “Lagniappe House: Home of the Enterprise”. It truly is a “little something extra” just like the name says.

One of the annual events that is most anticipated in our area is the Annual Rickey Warren Memorial Fireworks Display on the banks of the Sabine River in Logansport. On Thursday, July 4, this will mark the official ninth (a year was skipped due to Covid) year that DeSoto Fire District 1 has delighted throngs of people that are drawn to DeSoto Parish and Shelby County to view the spectacular pyrotechnics show. DFD 1 Chief Mark Magee said that the show is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. or “dark thirty”, but could be a little later as they wait for complete darkness in the nighttime sky to fully showcase the exhibition. The event is completely free, but donations are gladly accepted and appreciated. The show was put on hold due to river conditions, but DFD 1 planned to begin working on the show on Monday, July 1.

Daughters of the American Revolution Bon Chasse Chapter presented Mansfield State Historic Site manager, Amy Boone, with a stand for their American Flag. Pictured are Rose Martin, Chapter Regent, Amy Boone, and Pam Melton, Chapter Vice-Regent.

If you have never visited this site in Mansfield, you are missing out on some wonderful Louisiana history.

Former Mansfield City Alderman Mitch Lewis has been working behind the scenes picking up the proverbial dropped ball of the dedication and renaming of the Mansfield Post Office that was approved and scheduled in 2020. Johnson realized that somewhere, somehow the dedication had never been completed.

Lewis contacted several politicians that had been a part of the original project with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson’s office coming through with a positive update.

On June 27, word came through from Speaker Johnson’s office that he would be getting with the post office to set a dedication date.

The people of DeSoto Parish thank Lewis for his dedication and hard work to see that the Simpkins dedication will be carried out. Be watching for a dedication date in the near future.

Please refer to the following story that was run in The Enterprise a couple of years ago.

Three arrests have been made by Narcotics Agents with the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office in regard to illegal drug activity within the parish. More are expected to follow. During a lengthy investigation, Narcotics Agents were able to make drug related arrests on two subjects, Matthew Rawls (W/M DOB 07/01/91) of Mansfield, and Glenn Blomberg (W/M DOB 07/08/76) of Stonewall.

Rawls was arrested on charges of Possession of Schedule II (Meth) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Blomberg was arrested on a single charge of Possession of Schedule IV (Gabapentin.). Both were booked into the DeSoto Detention Center.

An armed and dangerous suspect sought by Sabine Parish is now in custody. Joshua Perry, (B/M 23yoa) was wanted by Sabine SO for pulling a firearm on Sabine Parish Deputies on June 18th. Perry fled on foot from the scene, and a wanted post was made by Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office shortly after. Perry, and a female accomplice, Alexis Sepulvado (W/F 23yoa) were located just before midnight on June 18th by DeSoto Sheriff Narcotics Agents, Patrol, K-9, Aerial (Helicopter), and with assistance from Sabine Sheriff Narcotics. Perry and Sepulvado will face multiple charges. Joshua Perry will be charged with Aggravated Assault with a Firearm upon a Peace Officer, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Resisting an Officer, Distribution of a Controlled and Dangerous Substance, and Fugitive Warrant. Alexis Sepulvado will be charged with Obstruction of Justice and Expired Registration. Both have been booked into the DeSoto Detention Center.

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