News

Sheriff Jayson Richardson asks everyone make sure to send a “HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY to Mr. Waymon (Sam) Shoalmire this past week. With that many years this man has certainly seen a lot in his day. Born on May 11, 1923, Mr. Sam has served as a Navy Veteran, and worked at Western Auto for 43 years! He currently resides in Mansfield, LA. He has 2 sons (Shelby & Randy), 4 Grandchildren, 3 Great-Grandchildren, and 2 Great-Great-Grandchildren!! How awesome is that. Happy Birthday, Mr. Sam!

Mayor Thomas Jones, Jr., Mansfield Police Chief Chris Johnson, and Asst. MPD Chief Michelle Thomas ask the citizens of Mansfield to join them as they extend congratulations to Officers Skylar Ross and Jacob Wilkerson on their graduation from the Caddo Parish Training Academy. Pictured l-r are MPD Chief Brian Ross, Asst. MPD Chief Michelle Thomas, Officer Skylar Ross, Jacob Wilkerson, and Chief Johnson. (submitted)

Sheriff Jayson Richardson and Deputies have been out all week, working together with other businesses and agencies, honoring our teachers this week! Our educators are so very important to the lives of so many in our community, young and old. They’ve taught us, and some are now teaching our kids. So if you saw that Tactical Grilling Unit rolling this week…we were likely headed to a different school each day! Very Special Thanks to Community Bank of La, and Farm Bureau of Gloster for making this event so special for our community!

Recently, Christopher Johnson was selected to fill the Mansfield Police Chief position. Chief Johnson is a native of DeSoto Parish and currently resides in the City of Mansfield. He graduated from Mansfield High School and then received a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Grambling State University. Before transitioning to Chief, Johnson was currently employed with the Mansfield Police Department as a Sergeant. His qualifications and experience should make him a valuable asset to our team and our City.

Maria Hogan was presented to the Council as the appointment during the City Council Meeting on April 24, 2023. He received a unanimous confirmation from the city council with welcoming applauds from the crowd attending the meeting. Please welcome Chief Johnson and give him your utmost support as he embarks upon this new chapter in his life.

Mansfield Athletic Standout, Vida Blue, who was a flame throwing left-hander who became the youngest MVP in AL/NL history in 1971 and helped the Athletics win three straight World Series championships from 1972-74, died on Saturday. He was 73.

“There are few players with a more decorated career than Vida Blue,” the A’s said in a statement. “He was a three-time champion, an MVP, a six-time All-Star, a Cy Young Award winner, and an Oakland A’s Hall of Famer. Vida will always be a franchise legend and a friend. We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends during this arduous time.” Selected by the Kansas City A’s in the second round of the 1967 MLB Draft out of DeSoto High School in n o r t h w e s t e r n Louisiana, Blue made his debut at the age of 19 in 1969, the franchise’s second year after moving to Oakland.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) are pleased to announce volunteers removed a record 313 tons of litter during Love the Boot Week April 17-23, 2023.

United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that state, local, and federal law enforcement partners, along with other civic and community leaders from the Shreveport and Northwest LA area held meetings this week to develop strategies together to help one another as the violent crime in the Shreveport area continues.

Join us at BackAlley Community Theatre as we enjoy “To Life,” “Miracles of Miracles,” and “Do You Love Me?”- musical hits of the award winning Broadway musical FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. Fiddler is the moving story of fathers and daughters, husbands and wives, and life, love, and laughter. The musical features a talented cast, lavish music, and lively dance, and will bring you an uplifting celebration that raises its cup To joy! To love! To life!

BackAlley show dates are Friday and Saturday, May 12 and 13 @ 7:00, Sunday, May 14 @ 2:00, and Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, May 18, 19, and 20 at 7:00. To purchase your ticket and reserve your seat, go to our website www.backalleygrandcane. com. Season ticket holders may reserve your seat by calling 318461-0202 or on our website.

Semi Finals: North DeSoto 11 over Brusly 0 Finals: North DeSot0 versus Albany Laney Johnson MVP

Love’s Travel Stops is now serving customers in Mansfield, Louisiana, and Harlingen, Texas, with new locations that opened today. The location in Mansfield, located off Interstate 49 at exit 172, adds 80 jobs and 67 truck parking spaces to DeSoto Parish. The location in Harlingen, along I-69E at exit 30, adds 50 jobs and 62 truck parking spaces to Cameron County. The DeSoto Chamber of Commerce will hold a Ribbon Cutting ceremony at Love’s, located at 1940 Hwy 84, just off of US Hwy 84 and I-49 outside of Mansfield, on Wednesday, April 26 at 10:30 a.m.

“In adding a 19th location in Louisiana, and a 79th in Texas, Love’s is strengthening our commitment to bringing Highway Hospitality to well-traveled roads where customers need fast, friendly service,” said Shane Wharton, president of Love’s. “These new locations will give our customers the amenities they want in the safe, clean environments they expect from Love’s.”