News

Due to the sponsorship of the DeSoto Parish Police Jury, Shreveport Green will provide DeSoto Parish residents a day of hazardous waste material collection to be held on Saturday, April 15, from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. This year’s collection sites include Logansport, Grand Cane and Stonewall. This would be the perfect opportunity to get rid of all those things cluttering your garage and storage unit. However, this collection is for residential waste only, and not for business or farm materials. Shreveport Green will have chemists, staff and volunteers available at the three locations, to help with the identification of your waste substances for proper disposal. Keep DeSoto Beautiful volunteers will be welcoming citizens and sharing information about the organization and upcoming cleanup.

A log truck driver has been arrested for negligent homicide in connection with a crash in January that claimed the life of a state highway worker and injured two coworkers.

Charles Barker, 42, of Florien, was booked into the DeSoto Parish Detention Center Wednesday. No bond had been set.

State police said the arrest warrant was issued following a thorough investigation of the crash.

Chris Gray, 35, of Gloster, was killed. Jalen Singleton sustained serious injuries, and Mario Ross received moderate injuries and was later released from the hospital.

The three men were filling potholes on U.S. Highway 171 with asphalt at the time of the incident.

Barker was driving an empty log truck south while two DOTD vehicles were stopped in the right lane as work crews made road repairs. Barker’s log truck hit the first DOTD truck, a 2018 Dodge Ram, causing it to leave the road.

Sheriff Jayson Richardson would like to update the public regarding a viral video that was recorded in DeSoto Parish depicting two semitruck drivers on I-49. We would like to give a timeline, what our office has done, and a bit of advice to the public.

At approximately 8am on Wednesday, March 29th, it was brought to DPSO’s attention that a video had gone viral on Facebook showing two semi-truck drivers involved in what appeared to be a road-rage incident. The video in question had been uploaded the previous Tuesday evening, March 28th. Investigators immediately made contact with dispatch and determined that no calls were received regarding this incident the prior evening.

Cornerstone Ministry was forced to postpone two of their Easter Holy week events that were scheduled for Sunday, April 2, due to the storms that were predicted in our area. Both the Cake Auction and the churchwide Easter play, “Easter Under the Stars” were rescheduled. Organizers apologize for the delay, but with outdoor events such as these, its better safe than sorry. Please make plans to join the Cornerstone members for their Cake Auction and Church-wide Easter Program on Sunday, April 30 at 7:00 p.m. at 4K Arena, located at 593 Cordova Road just outside of Logansport.

Logansport’s Chamber of Commerce has announced that the 2nd Annual Egg-Stravaganza on the Sabine will be held on Saturday, April 8 from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at Dennis Freeman Memorial Riverfront Park in Logansport. There will be games and food, along with the Egg Drop from the helicopter. The event is sponsored by the Logansport Chamber and DeSoto Parish Tourist Bureau, with help from the DeSoto Parish Sheriff ’s Office. Bring your sunscreen, insect repellant, folding chairs, blankets, and Easter baskets for this family day of fun.

Last week, the Louisiana Department of Education announced its 2024 Teacher and Principal of the Year semifinalists and New Teacher of the Year finalists. These 57 teachers and principals represent schools and systems across the state. Barry Carter, Principal of North DeSoto Middle School, was among those selected as a Louisiana Principal of the Year Semifinalists.

“Schools across Louisiana are beginning to make significant gains thanks to the commitment of our teachers and principals to remain focused on what matters most improving academic outcomes,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade B r u m l e y . “Congratulations to Louisiana’s Teacher and Principal of the Year semifinalists and our New Teacher of the Year finalists. They represent the many dedicated professionals leading our Louisiana Comeback.”

The Battle of Pleasant Hill Re-enactment Committee and Miss Battle of Pleasant Hill, Landri Leach, are hard at work planning and promoting the 159th Anniversary event scheduled for March 31 through April 2, 2023. This year’s event will mark the 159th Anniversary of the largest Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River and is held on the ground hallowed those many years ago by the blood of Americans locked in mortal combat. The re-enactment battle itself marks its 43rd Annual year of remembrance.

The 2023 Battle of Pleasant Hill Re-enactment is sure to entertain audiences as they honor the memory of one of the most significant battles of the Civil War. The committee would like to encourage the surrounding communities to keep the upcoming event in mind and to attend the event.

The Keep DeSoto Beautiful Board will meet on Thursday, March 30 at 4:00 p.m. at the DeSoto Parish Police Jury conference room. There are projects that are coming up and your input and support are needed. If you aren’t on the board, but would love to be a part on helping to clean up and support the beautification of DeSoto Parish, please call Edna Stevenson at 318-872-2500 or 318453-1602.

A very low voter turn out throughout DeSoto for a quarter- cent sales tax on Saturday, April 25 was part of the blame for the failure to pass a small tax. The ? Sales and Use Tax was to be used to fund activities and improvements for the DeSoto Council on Aging and DeSoto Animal Services, which includes not only taking care of neglected animals but supporting mosquito abatement and rabies control. Animal services also picked up animals that were homeless and sometimes formed dangerous packs. 773 voters (44%) cast ballots in favor of the tax with 995 (56%) voting against. Those residing in the City of Mansfield were excluded from voting for the tax since Mansfield is already at its sales tax limit amount.

The DeSoto Parish Police Jury asked for the sales tax, instead of a property tax, to have a dedicated source of income for animal shelter operations. Multiple attempts at getting voter approval for a property tax in recent years also failed.

The Club heard from Attorney Jon Guise from the Law Firm of Hammons, Seals, Atkins & Guice from Monroe, La. who represent the DeSoto Parish School Board. Mr. Guice said that he has visited many small towns in the State and always is impressed by the small town values that still exist there. He complimented the club for opening with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. The DeSoto Regional Hospital’s Cafeteria catered the lunch and there was still some of Teri Soule’s Guinness Stew to offer from the DKG conference. Mr. Guice discussed some important aspects of law that concern small business owners. The importance of good record keeping to fight wrongful termination or discrimination lawsuits and different ways to structure Noncompetion Agreements to more reflect the specific situation and individuals involved. He suggested engaging a good insurance agent to make sure the business has adequate coverage on Workman’s Comp, General Liability, & etc.