News

Joaquin High Announces, Congratulates Sept. Teachers of the Month

Early voting for the November 8 Primary in DeSoto Parish will have voters choosing between school board members in Districts 4, 5, 6, 10 and 11. Multistate decisions include the race for Republican Senator John Kennedy’s seat in addition to eight amendments.

You have two locations to choose from to early vote, the main Registrar of Voters Office, located at 104 Crosby Street in Mansfield, just off of Polk Street, or at 1746 Hwy 171 in the municipal complex and DeSoto Sheriff’s Office in Stonewall. Hours are from 8:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. each day of early voting, with both locations closed on Sunday.

Sheriff Jayson Richardson has a very low tolerance for illegal possession of a firearm, especially those involved in violent or drug related crimes. While we stand as firm supporters of your 2nd Amendment right to bear arms, there are those among us who carry illegally with intent to cause harm to those in our community. Our deputies typically respond after a crime has already been committed, and the violence we witness would lead anyone to be more proactive to prevent those incidents in the future. When we say “Illegal Possession” that does not mean we are patrolling the streets looking for any individual with a weapon. Just to share a few examples of what constitutes illegal possession: - The carrying of a Firearm by a Felon who is has been prohibited by a court from carrying for purposes of future potential violence.

Joaquin ISD September Students of the Month

The Desoto Regional Health System Foundation hosted a Meet and Greet at the Clista A. Calhoun Center as a “Thank You” for the Association Members and Providers for all they do to support the DeSoto Regional Health System and the community. Pictured is the “Festive” Foundation Board with their sombreros. A big crowd was on hand last Thursday afternoon to enjoy the company, meet the Providers, and partake of the Tex-Mex buffet that was provided by the DeSoto Regional Health System Hospital Cafeteria. DRHS CEO Todd Eppler (far right) welcomed Association members to the October 13 event with a big “Bienvendio”.

St. Joseph’s Altar Society will host a Bazaar on Saturday, October 22nd from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. in St. Joseph Catholic’s Church Hall at 305 Jefferson Street in Mansfield.

A wonderful variety of homemade items and baked goods will be available as well as lunch plates. Lunch will be pulled pork sandwiches, chips, a cookie, and a drink for $8. Raffle tickets for three great prizes are available now with all members or at the church office. Call 318872-1158 more information.

The first prize is a wonderful Gift Basket totaling in value over $1,000, containing over $520.00 worth of gift cards and other items. The second prize is a Blackstone tabletop grill. The third prize is a canvas painting of DeSoto Parish’s treasured Rock Chapel, located in the Carmel community. Tickets are $1.00 each or six tickets for $5.00.

Proceeds from the event will be used for parish hall renovations. Thank you in advance for your support.

According to DeSoto Parish Police Jury President Ernel Jones, a parish-wide burn ban has been issued as of Monday, October 10. The ban will continue until notices are posted or announced by area media.

According to the order, anyone violating the burn ban will be subject to the maximum fines and penalties allowed by law. The ban will be in effect until the area receives a substantial amount of rainfall. Smokers are also asked to not throw lit smoking materials out the window of their vehicles. Not only is it illegal to litter with subsequent fines, it is currently a dangerous and potential fire hazard.

Questions can be addressed to citizens’ respective Fire Districts to ascertain when and if it is once again safe to burn at their particular location.

Last week, The Louisiana Supreme Court chose not to hear an appeal filed by a DeSoto Parish man previously convicted and sentenced to death for killing a 12-year-old Stonewall child.

The Supreme Court denied a writ application from Brian Horn, meaning the justices did not even take a look at it.

At issue were motions filed by Horn’s defense attorneys alleging the DeSoto District Attorney’s Office did not give them adequate notice of what crimes Horn was being charged with. Assistant District Attorney Lea Hall responded that in short, it was ludicrous motion and that he didn’t have to respond beyond what he had already done.

Some water customers may have noticed a message printed at the bottom of the water bills they received in early October which read, “Water Rate Increase on Bill Received in November”. Similar notices have been posted on the City’s website and \\Facebook page; and now the City utilizes this publication to further inform its water customers of this increase. It bears mentioning that there has not been an increase in water rates for users connected to the City of Mansfield’s public water system in over seven years (last increase in July 2015). The City has tried fervently to avoid increasing its rates, until now. High inflation rates in recent years and a current, unstable economy has steadily caused the City’s operating costs to soar. Inflation has had a negative impact on all service industries and the City has not been exempt from its damaging effects.