News

At the Thursday night meeting of the DeSoto Parish School Board, the Board voted in favor to go forward by approving and awarding the bid for the Stanley School improvement project.

Board member Coday Johnson said, “Tonight we made history at SHS. The DSPB approved and awarded the bid for OUR project. To say a weight has been lifted is an understatement. I’m am so thankful for those of you that saw the vision and helped along the way on this 2+ year journey. Believe it or not I am also thankful for the ones who were/are (and hopefully someday won’t be) against it. This process has shown me how much you have to fight for something if you truly believe in it. It provides so much for our community and it’s residents. I’m ready to break ground and you are ALL invited to be a part of it!”

Lt. Robert “Robbo” Davidson and P. J. Jones, authors of the true crime book, “The Evil I Have Seen” will hold a book signing on Saturday, December 10, 2022 at the Storybrew Coffee Shop located at 780 Front Street in Natchitoches. The signing will be from 9:30 a.m., until 2:00 p.m. Both hardback and paperback books will be available for purchase. This book is a true story; non-fiction about seven capital murder cases in Northwest Louisiana. The victims were from Caddo, DeSoto, Sabine, and Webster Parishes, and Kilgore, Texas.“The Evil I have Seen” was awarded the First Place True Crime Non-Fiction in Readers Favorite International Book Award Gold Medal!It is truly a page turner, and the type of book that you can’t put down until you’ve completed it. You can find the book for sale also on his website, www.robertdavidson.com

Griffins are just one win away from their first ever trip to New Orleans to play for a state championship. They would be on the road once again taking on the #1 Iowa Yellow Jackets.

The Cook-Hill House Bed and Breakfast, located on the corner of Shelby and 5th Street ,will serve as headquarters for the tour. Guests will be served refreshments.

Parking for the tour will be available at Central School. A tractor drawn wagon will be at this location to transport visitors to the various historic homes. Tickets are $20.00 and may be purchased at Grand Cane Village Hall from 8:00 to 12:00 week days and at the Village Loft from 10:00 to 5:00 on Thursdays and Fridays and from 10:00 to 2:00 on Saturdays. Guests will turn in their tickets at the last home visited. A ticket will then be drawn for a beautiful home made quilt.

The Mansfield Fire department is honored to present to citizens of Mansfield their new engine. This has been a very much needed piece of the puzzle that will help us continue to protect the citizens more efficiently. Thank you Mayor Thomas Jones for making sure all of your departments are able to do their jobs safely and efficiently.

Sheriff Jayson Richardson has announced the Beard Charity Donation for the month of October! Since November of 2021, Sheriff Richardson has offered deputies the opportunity to grow out their beards in exchange for a $20 per month donation. At the end of each month a $1,000 donation has been given to a local nonprofit of the Sheriff ’s choosing. This months donation marks a total of $12,000 donated back to the community thus far.

The Logansport Friends of the Library held their annual Veteran’s Day program on November 11 at a local restaurant in Logansport.

Brenda Adams opened the program welcoming everyone. After the pledge, the prayer was led by Ty Martin. Speaker was Danny Rogers., who encouraged everyone to follow their genealogy roots to find their family members who had a part in our military.

He thanked all the veterans for their service as well. A poem by Civilian veteran Ellen Cogswell was read to the group.

Everyone enjoyed their meal, visiting and sharing their stories with each other. The Friends of the Logansport Library would like to thank all veterans for their time and service, and all those that celebrated the day with us.

A Joaquin man suspected in the death of a Joaquin woman has been charged with murder.

Ethan Myers, 26, of Joaquin was arrested Monday in connection with the death of Sarah Hopson, 36, of Joaquin. Hopson was found dead in her home Sunday from an apparent violent act after Shelby County sheriff ’s deputies conducted a welfare check. The deputies said they saw a white male exiting the property upon their arrival. After an investigation and search, Myers was found and initially charged with resisting arrest. An autopsy on Hopson was ordered, but the cause of death has not yet been determined.

On November 17, the Louisiana Department of Education publicly released the 2021-22 School and District Performance Scores. DeSoto is ranked 6th in the state and is one of only 7 districts with an overall rating of “A”. DeSoto was also one of only 20 systems in the state to receive an “A” for student growth. “I am so proud of the hard work happening in DeSoto,” said Ms. Alice Thomas, DeSoto Parish School Board President.

Central School in Grand Cane recently presented their 2022 Homecoming Court: Pictured left to right are Freshmen Maid Amanda Seekford escorted by father Justin Seekford, Sophomore Maid escorted by father Chris Alexander, Queen Ashley Young escorted by father Beaux Young, Crown bearer Payton Huckabay, Basketball Sweetheart Ashlee Austin escorted by father Earnest Austin, Junior Maid Ryleigh Cliburn escorted by father Marshall Cliburn, Senior Maid Gracie Hesser escorted by father Brian Hesser.