News

On Wednesday, May 18, 2022, just before 12:00 a.m., Troopers assigned to Louisiana State Police Troop G began investigating a one-vehicle fatality crash on LA Hwy 191, just south of Pierce Road. This crash claimed the life of 40-year-old Jon Temple, who was not wearing a seat belt.

The initial investigation revealed a 2009 GMC Sierra, driven by Temple, was traveling north on LA Hwy 191. For reasons still under investigation, Temple exited the roadway and struck a tree.

Temple, who was not unrestrained, was fatally injured as a result of this crash and was pronounced deceased on the scene by the DeSoto Parish Coroner.

Impairment is suspected to be a factor in this crash. Routine toxicology samples were taken and submitted for analysis. The crash remains under investigation.

The bald eagle’s role as a national symbol is linked to its 1782 landing on the Great Seal of the United States. Shortly after the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress gave Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams the job of designing an official seal for the new nation. However, the three Founding Fathers failed to come up with a design that won Congress’ approval, as did two later committees that were given the task. In mid-June 1782, the work of all three committees was handed over to Charles Thomson, the secretary of Congress. Thomson chose what he thought were the best elements of the various designs and made the eagle, which had been introduced by artistically inclined Pennsylvania lawyer William Barton in a design sub mitted by the third committee, more prominent. (Since ancient times, the eagle has been considered a sign of strength; Roman legions used the animal as their standard, or symbol.)

DeSoto Soil & Water Conservation District is now taking orders for tree seedling until June 10, 2022. Please call 318-872-4814 weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. or come by 405 Polk Street, Suite D, Mansfield. DeSoto SWCD will be placing orders with the nursery on June 10th. Seedlings can be picked up during the annual seedling sale to be held in February 2023, at the USDA Service Center Office in Mansfield, Louisiana. Seedlings are available on a first come, first served basis. Email: Chad @ chad.berly@la.nacdnet.net or Chrissy @ chrissy.ebarb@la.nacdnet.net if there are any species you have been wanting please let us know, and maybe we will be able to purchase them.

$3.00 Seedling Species Available: Chinese Chestnut, American Elderberry, Sawtooth Oak, Red Maple, Southern Crabapple, Bald Cypress, White Flower Dogwood, Mayhaw, Persimmon and Sycamore.

Patricia “Pinkey” Perry of the Stanley Community is currently fighting lung cancer and is undergoing weekly treatments. A fundraiser to help with her expenses and bills has been set for Saturday, May 28, beginning at 11:00 a.m. next to Rick’s Liquor at 8218 Hwy 84 just outside of Mansfield.

Barbeque chicken plates will be $10.00 with pre-sale tickets available at Rick’s Liquor. Sausage dog plates will also be on sale for $5.00 beginning at 8:00 a.m. A cornhole tournament will begin at 2:oo p.m. with a $20.00 entry fee, with a cash prize for the winner. The losing team can re-enter for $20.00.

Raffle prizes that are still being donated with a list to be posted soon. The cost is $5.00 per ticket, and pre-sale tickets are now available. Larger raffle prizes, including a four-foot porch swing, a 4 burner hard top griddle, and a Yeti cooler, will be raffled for $10.00 per ticket.

Shortly after midnight on May 15, 2022 all suspects were apprehended in Houston, Texas by the Houston Police Department’s (HPD) Midwest Crime Suppression Team.

In a joint effort by the Red River Parish Sheriff ’s Office C r i m i n a l Investigations Division, the LA State Police Troop G Investigations Unit, the Bossier Parish Sheriff ’s Office, the LA Fusion Center and the Houston Police Department‘s Crime Suppression Team, the unoccupied getaway car driven by Victoria Tune was located in the parking lot of a Houston motel where it was kept under surveillance by HPD for several hours.

Eventually all four suspects, being driven by one of the suspect’s relatives, returned to the vehicle where they were surrounded and taken into custody by HPD’s Crime Suppression Team. All suspects will be extradited back to Louisiana where they will face additional charges reference the escape.

Original LSP Story

St. Mark Baptist Church Cemetery Committee welcomes all families to our annual clean up day in the Holly Community. We plan this day every year to invite families to clean up our local cemetery. In years past we have picked up sticks, raked around gravesites, cut around any trees, and picked up trash. Workers should bring trash bags, gloves, shovels, rakes, clippers, weed eaters, etc.

We will be meeting on Monday, May 30 beginning at 7:00 a.m. Bring water and any snacks that you and your family will need. St. Mark Baptist minister Rev. Willie Sherrin stated, “We cannot wait to see everyone there!”

A DeSoto Parish police juror whose own permit for a trail ride event in Mansfield for May 6 and 7 has been questioned. Now she plans to put on her own ride without a permit. The Bossmane Riding Club, whose trail ride was cancelled by the Bossier Police Jury and permit refused in DeSoto, has filed suit against BPPJ and plans to file against DPPJ on the grounds that their constitutional rights have been violated.

“Our civil rights been violated,” Police Juror Jeri Burrell, echoed during a committee meeting Monday night.

Problems for trail rides in both DeSoto and Bossier Parish’s came right after issues stemming from out of town people attending the Big W Trail ride on June 12, 2021. A person was shot during the event and a DeSoto Deputy had to physically carrying him out of the crowd because emergency vehicles could not get through to pick the victim up. Grand Cane residents also complained of property damage.

The DeSoto Fire District 9 Ladies Auxiliary in Frierson will host their Annual Catfish Fundraiser Dinner on Saturday, May 14 at the “old central station” location, located at 5535 Hwy 175 in Frierson from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Plates are $9.00 and consist of catfish, coleslaw, french fries, hush puppies, dessert and drink. You are invited to sit and dine with your neighbors, or grab a carry out plate to go. Bring your family, friends, and appetite and come join us!

For more information call FDF 1 Auxiliary President Synda Dillard at 318-872-4905 or 318-773-3369.

Sheriff Jayson Richardson has announced the recipients of the annual Louisiana Sheriff ’s academic scholarship program for the 2021-2022 school year. The Sheriffs’ Scholarship is made possible by the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Honorary Membership Program (LSHMP). Louisiana Sheriffs provide scholarships to graduating high school students from each parish where the Sheriff is an affiliate of the program. Qualities such as academic achievement, leadership, and character are considered in making selections of Sheriffs’ scholarship recipients. The only limitations are that applicants be permanent residents of Louisiana, scholarships be utilized in higher education within the State, and students be enrolled as full-time undergraduate students. These scholarships are awarded in sixty-four parishes throughout the state.

Sheriff Richardson would like to acknowledge and congratulate this years selected recipients:

Former Village of Longstreet Clerk Kristen Jackson Thompson appears to have paid herself excess wages totaling $35,428 from January 23, 2019 to May 19, 2021. According to Mayor Wanda Sue Field, s. Thompson was authorized to work a maximum of 30 hours per week; however, available time sheets show that Ms. Thompson paid herself an average of 46 hours per week during this period. By paying herself for excessive hours, Ms. Thompson may have violated state laws.