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Earlier today, deputies with the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office were involved in a high speed pursuit that ended with the arrest of a Texas man.

The incident began when a deputy observed a dark grey Chrysler 300 traveling northbound on Interstate 49 near the Asseff Road exit at speeds exceeding 90 mph. The deputy attempted to execute a traffic stop of the vehicle, but the driver accelerated, with speeds soon surpassing 100 mph. During the pursuit, the suspect exited at the Relay Station exit, ramping the exit embankment before reentering I-49 northbound.

St. Patrick’s Day commemorates Saint Patrick, a 5th-century Romano-British missionary who was kidnapped as a teenager and enslaved in Ireland. After escaping, he returned to convert the Irish to Christianity, using the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity. He died on March 17, 461, and is the patron saint of Ireland.

He was born in Maewyn, Succat in Roman Britain, and was kidnapped at age 16 by Irish pirates. He was forced into slavery for six years as a shepherd in Ireland, turning to prayer for comfort.

Following a divine vision he escaped and returned to Britain, where he became a priest amd later returned to Ireland as a missionary. He used the shamrock to teach The Trinity… Father, Son, and Holy Ghost to the Irish people. Legend credits him with driving the snakes out of Ireland.

Secretary of State Nancy Landry said this week that $25 million more is needed to cover the $100 million cost of replacing Louisiana’s 35-year-old ballot machines The system would consist of new touchscreen voting machines that print paper ballots and have climate-controlled facilities for storage. Additional expenses would maintain cybersecurity protections and allow for risk-limiting audits, which are considered the top standard for voter integrity.

“Louisiana voters have consistently indicated that they want a system that combines the speed of modern technology with the security of a voter-verifiable paper ballot, as required by state law,” Landry told the Senate Finance Committee Monday. The paper ballots will allow voters to verify their choices before casting.

Landry also told the committee that her agency’s investigators had identified 403 non-citizens who were registered to vote in Louisiana. Eight-three of them had voted in at least one election, she said.

In an ongoing effort to stay up to date on the law and continuing ed ucation, Deputy Clerks LaBrittainy Allen, Mea gan Burton, Amanda West, Alex Crawford, and Cassie Tadlock at tended the 74th Session of the Louisiana Clerks of Court Institute on behalf of the DeSoto Parish Clerk of Court’s Office.

TexasNENAisproud to endorse Deputy Chief Phillip Daniels, ENP, CMCP for NENA — National Emergency Number Association 2nd Vice President!

Phillip brings nearly 30 years of dedicated public safety and 9–1–1 service, currently serving as Deputy Chief of the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office and Administrator of the DeSoto Parish Communications District. His career has spanned every level of emergency communications, from telecommunicator and supervisor to executive leadership — giving him a deep, first-hand understanding of the challenges we face every day.

If elected, Phillip plans to: Advocate for telecommunicator wellness and resilience

The audit report made by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor, which was for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, had five findings. The report was made by an External CPA.

The independent auditor found that the former clerk used public funds to pay attorney’s fees in a case that resulted in a personal civil penalty against him. In addition, the former clerk used $12,271 in public funds to pay for campaign consulting expenses in 2023. The clerk’s office also failed to maintain proper supporting documentation for expenses, failed to file its audit report with the Legislative Auditor’s office within the required time frame, and failed to ensure that all of the funds deposited in its bank accounts were secured by federal deposit insurance or the pledge of bank-owned securities, as required by law.

WHEREAS, the DeSoto Parish Police Jury has determined that extremely dry conditions and/or hazardous weather conditions presently exist within DeSoto Parish; and WHEREAS, these conditions create a significant fire hazard that threatens life and property; and WHEREAS, the DeSoto Parish Police Jury is authorized to take such action as necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of DeSoto Parish.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, that Emergency Burn Ban is hereby issued for all areas of DeSoto Parish effective February 23, 2026 and shall remain in effect until rescinded by the DeSoto Parish Police Jury.

BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED that: 1. All outdoor burning is hereby prohibited 2. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, burning of trash, leaves, limbs and yard debris.

Online Pre-K registration will open February 23rd. You can visit desotoreadystart.com and click on the “Registration” link to access the portal. The deadline for registration is May 31, 2026.

DeSoto Ready Start is having Early Childhood Roundup (PreK Registration) in person on April 23, 2026 at 7:30 a. m. — 12:00 p. m. at the DeSoto Administration Building (399 Jenkins St., Mansfield).

Students must be 4 years old by September 30, 2026 to register for PreK-4.

You will need the following documents to upload when you register: — Child’s birth certificate, social security card, and immunization record — Parent/Guardian’s current drivers license, electric bill, 2nd household bill, and last 2 check stubs for all adults in the household (if no Medicaid/ SNAP) For more information you may contact tina.anderson@ desotopsb.com or call the district office (318) 872–1198.

The DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office is conducting training today and tomorrow on Human Trafficking Awareness and Reporting led by Louisiana Child and Youth Trafficking Collaborative (LCYTC), for deputies and staff across multiple divisions.

This course includes personal testimonies and real-world case studies, providing insight into how trafficking occurs, how victims are identified, and how law enforcement can properly respond. In Louisiana, hundreds of traffickingrelated reports are made each year, and Interstate corridors throughout North Louisiana continue to make our region vulnerable to both labor and sex trafficking. Ongoing training ensures our deputies remain prepared to recognize warning signs, protect victims, and pursue offenders.

February 12 marked 6 years since Dy. Donna Richardson-Below was tragically and suddenly taken from us due to a motor vehicle incident in the early morning hours of Feb. 12, 2020. It was certainly a very difficult morning for so many, and one that DPSO employees will never forget.

When you walk the halls and offices of our agency, you will find that Donna’s memory and smile are evident still today, because she was and remains loved by so many. DPSO takes great pause today to remember Donna, her family, and the host of co-workers who were greatly affected by the void her absence has left in the lives of so many.