News

Nearly 140 guests arrived at the Heidelberg Ballroom in the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center last week to honor those awarded the distinction of Everyday Heroes by Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) for their extraordinary efforts in furthering the organization’s mission to “promote personal, corporate and community responsibility for a clean and beautiful Louisiana.” The keynote address was delivered by Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, who spoke to Louisiana’s beauty, strength, and brighter days ahead.

The list of honorees included:Andrew R. Johnson, IV | The Alice Foster Award presented by Troy West, son of former

First Lady Alice Foster. Louisiana’s former First Lady, Alice Foster, played a crucial role in beautification and preservation efforts across the state in helping to launch Keep Louisiana Beautiful. The Alice Foster Award is KLB’s highest award recognizing an individual for their exceptional leadership and contribution to KLB’s mission.

On Friday, November 5, the DeSoto Chamber of Commerce cordially invites you to stop by for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Daphne’s Tamales, located at 802 Washington Avenue in Mansfield. The Ribbon Cutting is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. If you have any questions, call the Chamber at 318-872-1310.

Robert “Robbo” Davidson, author of “The Evil I Have Seen” will be featured at a book signing at KWLA Radio, located at 605 San Antonio Street in Many, on Thursday, October 28 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.

“The Evil I Have Seen” is a collection of true crime short stories in Sabine and DeSoto Parishes from the memoirs of veteran homicide investigator, Detective Lt. Robert “Robbo” Davidson. Six accounts are woven together with his memories, case files, witness statements, and trial transcripts.

Davidson partnered with P. J. Jones to write his memoirs. Jones is an award winning journalist, the recipient of the Sunshine Award from the Society of Professional Journalists for open records investigations.

Beginning November 15, Michael Norton will begin his employment as the new DeSoto Parish Administrator for the DeSoto Parish Police Jury. Currently he serves as a town councilman for the Town of Stonewall and heads the Bossier City tax division. His salary is set at $120,000 per year with the same benefit package that was previously held by longtime administrator Steve Brown. While Brown stepped down as the administrator, he still serves as the Parish Engineer until his upcoming retirement in the near future.

The Jury received over 100 applicants for the Administrator position, but the list was narrowed down to three of the top candidates. Others being considered were Stephen Hickman of Castor and Patrick Duck of Texarkana, Texas.

Early voting in DeSoto Parish and throughout the state of Louisiana will begin on October 30 though November 6, with the exception of Sunday, October 31 for the November 13, 2021 election. Voting hours are from 8:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

DeSoto Registrar of Voters Amanda Raynes stated that DeSoto voters will have two locations to choose from to cast their early votes. Location 1 is at the Registrar of Voters Office, located at 104 Crosby in Mansfield with Location 2 at the Stonewall Government Plaza, located at 1746 Hwy 171 in Stonewall.

DeSoto will join voters from the entire state to cast their decisions for or against four proposed constitutional amendments.

Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell is proud to announce the completion of an Energy Efficiency project for the DeSoto Parish Police Jury.

The $220,000 grant awarded to the DeSoto Parish Police Jury in 2021 funded the installation of high-efficiency LED lighting at all of the parish-owned facilities.

“These improvements will reduce energy consumption, which will result in lower electric bills, as well as reducing the long-term maintenance costs associated with older fixtures. Every dollar that our local governments and public bodies save on their electric bills is a dollar that can help them improve service to the public in other ways”, Campbell said.

At the last regular meeting of the City of Mansfield’s Board of Aldermen, various officials and individuals were honored with commemorative plaques for their help gathering disaster relief supplies for those impacted by Hurricane Ida.

The Mansfield Police Department started with any empty truck bed and trailer and left Friday morning packed fully packed and covered with tarps that will also be left for the victims of Ira. MPD Assistant Chief Billy Locke led the convoy from Mansfield to deliver all of these items, plus much need fuel where there currently was none. Even if people had generators the machines would not work without fuel.

Photos by Mickey Morgan

The Mansfield Wolverines’ Homecoming Court has been announced for 2021. The Homecoming Game will be held October 29 at Washington-Taylor-Rogers Stadium. The Wolverines will be playing the North Webster Knights. The Homecoming Queen and Football Sweetheart will be announced during halftime. Mansfield’s Homecoming Formal Court Coronation will be Thursday, October 28 at 7:00 p.m. in the Wolverine Gymnasium. The doors will open at 6:45 p.m. The Parade will be on Friday, October 29 and will begin at 11:30 a.m. at MHS.

Senior Maids (l to r) Sha’Korryah Wyatt, Bryanna Jenkins, Ariell Thomas, and Cierra Taylor. The Homecoming Queen and Football Sweetheart will be chosen from these four young ladies.

Sophomore Maids (l to r) Trinity Ford and T’La Dewitt. .

Junior Maids (l to r) Cylicia Jackson and Lyric McKinney.

Freshman Maids (l to r) Kaitlyn McDaniel and Zakhia Austin.

The Bon Chase Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) ladies are shown with Chief Deputy Raymond Sharrow (center back row) and some of the local deputies with the goodies they gave for their “National Day of Service”. The group also enjoyed hearing deputy Sgt. Todd Edwards speak at their October meeting on Women’s safety. (submitted)

The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) and LanguageLine Solutions have partnered to offer a free, on-demand, language interpretation service to non-English and limited English speaking customers. LanguageLine phone interpreting services quickly connects OMV visitors with a highly trained interpreter within seconds. Interpretation services are available in over 240 languages at all OMV field offices.

Earlier this month Stonewall Mayor Randy Rodgers aka Mayor Santa and his wife Pam Rodgers were the winners of KISS 93.7 Country radio in Shreveport’s “Caught in the Act” contest. They were awarded a $100 gift certificate from Silver Star Smokehouse to enjoy an evening out to celebrate their new title. To win this award someone has to nominate a person that they feel do good deeds and is a role model to others.