News

At all three DeSoto Parish Sheriff ’s Office locations in Mansfield, Logansport, and Stonewall, and at the Pelican Branch Library, we have a Drug Drop Off Box setup and available during normal office hours.

You may bring your medications for disposal and place them into the box anytime Monday - Friday, from 8am until 4:30pm. Please be sure that the medication is in a container/ sealed bag of some sort so it doesn’t spill out, and do not drop off narcotics or needles into the boxes. While convenient, it is not safe to flush old drugs down the toilet. Medication can be toxic to local water systems, and keeping old medicine around the house could cause someone in your home to fall ill if taken by mistake.

* IF you have METH, drop your name and address in the box and we will come to you! You may even be entered to win a free multiple night stay at one of our luxurious facilities. (All inclusive!) Act Now, while supplies last.

The Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission (SBSC), in partnership with the Brookshire Grocery Arena and Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA), are proud to announce that they will host the 2023 Ochsner LHSAA State Wrestling Tournament on February 10 -11.

“Bossier City is proud to host the 2023 Ochsner LHSAA State Wrestling Tournament this weekend,” said Sara Nelms, director of sports for SBSC. “On behalf of the sports commission team and the Shreveport-Bossier community, I would like to thank the organizers for entrusting us to host this championship event. We know Shreveport-Bossier is an incredible destination and the perfect location to host major events. That coupled with the dedication of a knowledgeable team allows us to successfully host and help create a substantial economic impact for our area.”

The 35th Annual Shreveport-Bossier-DeSoto African American Awards Banquet will be held on Saturday, February 11 at 6:00 p.m. at the Morning Star Family Life Center, located at 5340 Jewella Avenue in Shreveport.

Two of the twelve people to be honored are from DeSoto Parish. They are Dr. Gretchen Gilyard-Petterway, Pediatrician at Mid-City Pediatrics in Shreveport and Jeri Burrell, who represents District 4B on the DeSoto Parish Police Jury board. Burrell is the first woman and first African American woman elected to serve on the Police Jury. Ten other people from North Louisiana will also be recognized as 2023 Outstanding African American Achievement Award winners.

Guest speaker for the event will be Dr. Dennis Shields, President of Southern University System, Chancellor of the Baton Rouge campus.

DeSoto Parish Administrator Michael Norton has reported “Due to the recent rains and in anticipation of any further weather activity, sandbags are available to DeSoto Parish residents at the Police Jury road department located at 424 Liberty Lane, Grand Cane, LA 71032. Each household will be limited to 20 sandbags. Identification as a resident will be required as there is a limited number of sandbags available.

“ For more information call the Police Jury at 318-872-0738.

On Friday, January 27, Shakela Hamilton celebrated moving from her smaller location on Louise Street to her larger location at 1059 Washington Avenue in Mansfield. Kela already has an awesome reputation for serving delicious food, but this new location that is adjacent to the Mansfield Inn, gives her a larger kitchen and an area for seated dining. Refreshments and samples of her food were served to a large crowd that came out to show their support. Everyone enjoyed the delicious offerings!

Malik Stotts signed his National Letter of Intent on Wednesday, February 1st to play football at Harding University. Malik was a 4 sport athlete at Joaquin High School where he played Football, Basketball, Baseball, and ran Track. Over the course of the last two seasons on the football field Malik accounted for over 3,000 yards of offense and 44 TD’s.

Come to the Logansport Riverfront on Saturday, February 11 from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p. m. for a Pop Up Market and Corn Hole Tournament. The event is fundraiser sponsored by the River City Fest committee.

There will be arts, crafts, and a variety of food vendors that need your support. For more information contact Kathi Wells at 318286-3751. Always room for one more!

About 130 people in north Louisiana were ordered to evacuate Saturday after a train derailed and at least two cars began leaking hazardous products, state police said.

The Union Pacific Railroad train derailed about 10:30 p.m. Friday in the DeSoto Parish town of Keachi, about 30 miles southwest of Shreveport, Louisiana State Police Trooper Jonathan Odom said.

“The initial investigation revealed that approximately 16 cars derailed, which caused the release of a corrosive liquid,” Odom said. “In the best interest of public safety, a mandatory evacuation for everyone in a 1.5-mile radius was issued.”

This is a significant time in America, and we want to Honor and celebrate the work of African Americans as we stand together bringing about a change.

We the African American Celebration Committee would like to Thank You, Mayor Thomas Jones of Mansfield, LA for your untiring dedication, work for mankind and being a pillar of society throughout the African American Community and all other Communities. Because of your works we would like to honor you as our Trail Blazer and the Mayor of Mansfield for the year 2023 during Black History Month.

We would like to Honor you in our 35th Annual African American History Month Parade and Ball Celebration on Saturday February 4, 2023, on KTBS TV3, KPXJ-CW21, kickoff at 11am – 3pm Downtown Shreveport LA. The public is invited to come and celebrate with Mayor Thomas Jones in Shreveport LA.

For more information you may call Barbara Norton Founder 1988 (318) 519-5991.(submitted)

On Wednesday, January 25th, the DeSoto Parish Sheriff ’s Office hosted the DeSoto Council on Aging at the Sheriff ’s Training Center in Grand Cane for the quarterly “Senior Fun Day!” Due to COVID-19 concerns, the event has seen many setbacks in scheduling while attempting to resume as usual.