News

Newly sworn in to their designated elected seats, pictured left to right are Antonio Washington-District D, Rita Myles-District E, Marylinda Green-District A, Mansfield Mayor Thomas Jones, Victoria Jackson-District C and Christopher Thomas-District B. In addition to representing District B as Alderman, Christopher Thomas was also elected as Mayor Tempore.

A family owned business, Cardinal Music Company, started things off with a bang on July 5, keeping in a festive spirit from celebrating Independence Day the day before.

Paula and Steve Wilkinson have raised and encouraged their two sons to use their God given musical talents, beginning at church, and then forming their own band. The musical roots run deep and the Wilkinson men decided that is how they wanted to make their living, but remain in the Stonewall area. They also were encouraged by their late uncle musician Randy Lambert, whose presence is felt throughout the store.

The DeSoto Friends of the National Rifle Association Volunteer Fundraising Committee are putting on the finishing touches for their 10th Annual DeSoto Friends of the NRA Banquet. They are currently seeking donations and sponsors from area businesses to help insure the banquet’s success in support of Friends of the NRA and community.

The banquet is scheduled for Saturday, August 6, 2022 at the David B. Means, Jr. Memorial 4-H Building, located at 10117 Highway 171 in Grand Cane. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the banquet will start at 7:00 p.m. As in previous years, there will be a silent auction, live auction, raffles, and games to play. A dinner of fish, shrimp and chicken strips with all the trimmings will be served. As always, the DeSoto NRA Banquet is a family oriented event, therefore, no alcohol will be served or allowed on the premises.

When Thomas Jones was elected as Mayor of Mansfield, he had to resign from his seat on the DeSoto Parish Police Jury as representative for District 2. Two nominees were presented, Trina Boyd-Simpson and Jones’ wife, Rosalyn Jones.

Juror Jeri Burrell is a relative of Mrs. Jones and abstained from voting. Ernel Jones and Richard Fuller voted for Rosalyn Jones, with Rodriguez Ross, Jimmy Holmes, B. D. Mitchell, Keith Parker, Kyle

Kennington and Reggie Roe voting in favor or Simpson.

With Simpson being appointed, she will complete the term that Thomas Jones had been elected to.

On July 1, Mayor Thomas Jones and the Aldermen for the City of Mansfield were sworn in for their terms in office by DeSoto Parish Clerk of Court Jeremy Evans. The semi-formal event was held at Classic C Event Center on Jefferson Street that was beautifully decorated for this solemn occasion where the elected officials affirmed their official oaths of office. Mayor Jones wife, Rosalyn, held the Bible as she stood by her husband’s side during his swearin.

Aldermen Marylinda Green-District A, Victoria Jackson-District C, Antonio Washington-District D, and Rita Myles-District E all raised their right hands and swore an oath to fulfill their duties as aldermen to the best of their abilities.

Sheriff Jayson Richardon has reported that on Tuesday July 5th, around 11:40 a.m., DPSO and EMS responded to a report that an individual had been shot just off of Highway 84 near the Bethel community.

A DeSoto Sheriff ’s Deputy and DeSoto Firefighters were at the compactor site taking off trash from the previous nights fireworks display that had occurred in Logansport. A young adult male walked up visibly injured and claimed to have been shot at a location just down the road, north of the compactor site.

The victim was able to provide details to the Deputy on site that would assist in identifying and locating the suspected shooter. EMS was nearby, and able to quickly respond to and treat the victim who was then transported to an area hospital. The victim sustained one gunshot wound to the head, which is believed to be a moderate but non-life threatening injury.

Sheriff Jayson Richardsn and the The DeSoto Parish Sheriff ’s Department Bearded Deputies Fundraiser has selected DeSoto Fire District 9 Ladies Auxiallry for the July recipient.

This month will make a grand total of $8,000 that has been donated to local charities in our Parish since this fun little program began back in December. While our deputies have enjoyed getting to grow out their whiskers for the first time in decades, the ultimate goal is to give back to our community and highlight some of the amazing non-profits we have in DeSoto Parish. Each participating deputy donates $20 per month in exchange for getting to grow out their beard, which is then donated to a local charity of the Sheriff ’s choosing.

On July 1, Judge Amy McCartney administered the Oath of Office to Stonewall’s new Mayor, Ken Kaffka. Pictured by his side and holding the Bible for the ceremony is his wife Shirley. More photos on page 12.

During the freezing weather in February 2022, Calvary student Grayson Gamble received an invitation in the mail that would warm up her world. Grayson was nominated by her teacher, Rebecca Johnson, to attend the Junior National Young Leaders Conference. Grayson is currently in Washington D. C., which will serve as her living classroom as she and other students will explore leadership through the lens of American history at the National Museum of American History in addition to the Lincoln, Vietnam Veterans, and Korean War Veteran Memorials. Also on her itinerary was a visit to George Washington’s Mount Vernon, just outside the nation’s capital, and participation in the “Be Washington” simulation. A possibility of enjoying an unforgettable after-hours evening at the Maryland Science Center was also on Grayson’s agenda.

If you notice the top of the paper (the official term is the masthead) on this week’s edition, The Enterprise and Interstate Progress rolled over to Volume 119, Issue 1 effective July 1, 2022. The Enterprise officially marked its 118th anniversary to begin its 119th year of publication. Our biggest change this past year was adding a new advertising salesman and production assistant, Kaycee Deas, who replaced Martha Rivers upon her retirement.