News

Mansfield Mayor John Mayweather, the Board of Aldermen, Chief Annette Blue and Assistant Chief Billy Locke are proud to announce that Officer Jeffrey Walker has graduated from the Caddo Parish Training Academy, Class # 49. Chief Blue stated how proud they were of Officer Walker and wish him the best of luck in his law enforcement career. Pictured l-r are Mansfield Police Officer Josh Schenck, Asst.

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Sheriff Jayson Richardson and the DPSO staff would like to congratulate six new deputies on their graduation from the Caddo Parish Training Academy, Class of #49. Among those graduating, three will be heading to Patrol and three are headed to Corrections.

We congratulate Lane Burns, Logan Calhoun, and Tara Carson who will be entering Corrections, and Cody Greer, Charla McLeod, and Kenn Yoruw who will be on Patrol.

The Caddo Parish Training Academy is a 16-week program, with one additional week for those seeking a career in Corrections. The course is a major achievement, but it does not come easy. Academy is challenging in many different areas ranging from physical, mental, and strategical operations. There is a minimum of 496 hours, which must be completed and is set forth by POST, the Peace Officers Standards and Training Council.

Aubree was the spokesman for the group of children that live and play on Mary Jane Boulevard as she gave her approval to Mansfield City Hall, with a special thank you going to City Clerk Marvin Jackson. A “thumbs up” for a job well done is about the best compliment you can get from this group of young citizens. It’s worth mentioning that Aubree and her siblings are among the group that pick up the litter in the Mary Jane Blvd. area when needed. They take their duties seriously to help keep Mansfield beautiful and litter free.

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Last week, former DeSoto deputy Joseph Procell pled guilty to malfeasance in office after having sex with a female inmate during a transport in June 2019. Procell pleaded guilty in exchange for a second charge of third degree rape being dismissed. The dismissal was without prejudice meaning the District Attorney’s Office is not prevented from bring it up again.

Assistant District Attorney Ed Blewer said that Procell was given an 18 month suspended sentence, placed on 18 months of active supervised probation and ordered to attend sex offender counseling. Procell agreed to permanently give up his police officer certification, and he agreed not to work in any position with power of arrest or law enforcement again. Since he pled guilty to the Malfeasance charge only and the rape charged dropped, Procell was not required to register as a sex offender.

On Tuesday, April 27, Cleco made a $1,500 donation to the DeSoto Regional Health System Foundation to support the health care system’s planned expansion.

The foundation raises funds for the DeSoto Regional Health System, which is comprised of a nonprofit hospital, three rural health clinics and a wellness facility.

DeSoto Regional Health System recently announced plans to completely modernize its Mansfield Campus, enlarge its emergency department and build a new rural health clinic.

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Most of us are familiar with the old adage, ‘Good help is hard to find.” However, that saying should never be used to describe long-time, former employee Jim Ruffin. James “Jim” Ruffin began his tenure with the City of Mansfield in January 1991 and remained a dedicated employee of the City for 30 years. He recently retired (in February 2021) and has deservedly embarked on the next chapter of his life.

When Jim accepted the position of Public Works Director for the City, he and his late wife Susan’s (married for 38 years) only child Clifton was just 3 years old. Clif is now married with a family of his own, two children (a boy and a girl) with another little one on the way. So now Jim is looking forward to becoming a granddad all over again, very soon. Clif and his wife and kids presently reside in Houston, Texas, a place Jim visits often, now that he’s a retiree.

The Lady Griffins of North DeSoto are no strangers to playing in the state tournament in Sulphur. The Lady Griffins made their 6th appearance in the semi’s in the last 7 years and entered the playoffs as the #1 seeded team in class 4A. On Friday, the Lady Griffins came away with the 3-2 semifinal win over Neville. With that win they would advance to the championship game on Saturday where they defeated Beau Chene by a score of 13-7.

Mansfield Middle and High School Band Director Roy Gipson is proud to acknowledge three outstanding student musicians that have received music scholarships to Grambling State University. The exceptional and award winning “Best Band in the Land” seeks the very finest each year for their musical program.

GSU made the decision that MHS had three of these outstanding performers that they wanted to add to their program. Ivanna Brown and Trandice Williams received P1 Scholarships, with Precious Jones acquiring the P1 Plus, which is the highest musical scholarship, along with a top-notch academic grade average.

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The 2021 National Day of Prayer in DeSoto Parish will be done a little different once again this year. Tradition would call for the event to be held on the DeSoto Parish Courthouse lawn, with Logansport holding their meeting on the Riverfront and Stonewall holding theirs at one of the schools. To comply with Gov. John Bel Edwards’ gathering mandates, this year’s event will be held but without speakers, special music or fellowship. The traditional date will still be held on the first Thursday in May, which falls on May 6th this year.

The theme for 2021 is “Lord, Pour Out Your Love, Life, and Liberty,” with related scripture found in 2 Corinthians 3:17, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Liberty.”

Local organizer of the event, Winter Case, said, “The National Day of Prayer has not been cancelled or delayed. Due to the attendance restrictions we are opting for a non-meeting National Day of Prayer event.

On April 16, officers and members of the DeSoto Parish Chamber of Commerce hosted a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for 4C Coffee House in Grand Cane. Owner Rhonda Cox (center holding bow) is surrounded by family, friends, and parish officials welcoming the new business to the community. Days and hours are Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. until 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.

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