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DeSoto Parish Sheriff ’s Office deputies have finished up a multi-day training event thanks to our local DeSoto EMS. This is the first time our deputies have had access to an open “Wound Simulator” which allows training on packing, as well as stopping bleeds on lacer ations and gunshot wounds. All in attendance were able to refresh their skills and certifications in CPR, AED, First Aid, among various other life saving procedures. Deputies from various divisions including front office staff participated in the training. This was an in-depth, hands-on approach that allowed deputies to react in real time to realistic emergency situations. We cannot overstate our thanks to DeSoto EMS for inviting our staff to take part in this training, and hosting the event at their facility.

In the early morning hours of Friday May 27th, two unidentified suspects were able to make entry into the Donut Shop, located at 996 Main Street in Logansport and stole money from the local business. The suspects were pictured wearing masks and gloves as they entered through the Drive-Thru window, and appeared to run north from the rear of the building between the railroad tracks and Mill Road. This business has suffered monetary loss as well as damages to the business. Investigators with the DeSoto Parish Sheriff ’s Office are seeking assistance from the public in an attempt to identify and bring these suspects to justice.

Sheriff Jayson Richardson would like to acknowledge and congratulate Cpl. Donta Phillips for his recent completion of instructor training at IPTM, or Institute of Police Technology and Management.

This extensive training was held in Deland, Florida from May 2nd to May 13th, and consisted of 2 weeks (80 hours) of teaching students to become instructors in the Motors division. Cpl. Phillips currently serves in our DeSoto Sheriff Motors Division, and is now a certified Nationwide Motors Instructor, able to teach others in DeSoto Parish and abroad. This instruction consisted of both on and off road maneuvers of a motorcycle in a law enforcement capacity. Students were tasked to hold their own classroom instruction, as well as teaching in outdoor on-hand instruction.

Lillie Giles was principal of Logansport High School for numerous years before she was promoted and moved to the Central Office of the DeSoto Parish School Board. She currently serves as Director of Administration. Recently, LHS surprised the beloved Ms. Giles with a dedication in their garden area in her honor with a bench inscribed, “In honor of Ms. Lillie Giles for making a difference in the lives of students for 50 years”.

Logansport welding students under the direction of Alan Bagley and Josh Dahlem built the bench that will sit in the Garden Area in the front of Logansport’s Junior and High School wings.

When The Enterprise called the Superintendent’s office to see if Ms. Giles was retiring, the reply was, “Heavens no…we could not do without her! She is just being honored.”

Those associated with the project thank everyone that kept the project top secret for several months, since it is never easy to get one over on Ms. Giles!

On Wednesday, May 18, 2022, just before 12:00 a.m., Troopers assigned to Louisiana State Police Troop G began investigating a one-vehicle fatality crash on LA Hwy 191, just south of Pierce Road. This crash claimed the life of 40-year-old Jon Temple, who was not wearing a seat belt.

The initial investigation revealed a 2009 GMC Sierra, driven by Temple, was traveling north on LA Hwy 191. For reasons still under investigation, Temple exited the roadway and struck a tree.

Temple, who was not unrestrained, was fatally injured as a result of this crash and was pronounced deceased on the scene by the DeSoto Parish Coroner.

Impairment is suspected to be a factor in this crash. Routine toxicology samples were taken and submitted for analysis. The crash remains under investigation.

The bald eagle’s role as a national symbol is linked to its 1782 landing on the Great Seal of the United States. Shortly after the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress gave Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams the job of designing an official seal for the new nation. However, the three Founding Fathers failed to come up with a design that won Congress’ approval, as did two later committees that were given the task. In mid-June 1782, the work of all three committees was handed over to Charles Thomson, the secretary of Congress. Thomson chose what he thought were the best elements of the various designs and made the eagle, which had been introduced by artistically inclined Pennsylvania lawyer William Barton in a design sub mitted by the third committee, more prominent. (Since ancient times, the eagle has been considered a sign of strength; Roman legions used the animal as their standard, or symbol.)

DeSoto Soil & Water Conservation District is now taking orders for tree seedling until June 10, 2022. Please call 318-872-4814 weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. or come by 405 Polk Street, Suite D, Mansfield. DeSoto SWCD will be placing orders with the nursery on June 10th. Seedlings can be picked up during the annual seedling sale to be held in February 2023, at the USDA Service Center Office in Mansfield, Louisiana. Seedlings are available on a first come, first served basis. Email: Chad @ chad.berly@la.nacdnet.net or Chrissy @ chrissy.ebarb@la.nacdnet.net if there are any species you have been wanting please let us know, and maybe we will be able to purchase them.

$3.00 Seedling Species Available: Chinese Chestnut, American Elderberry, Sawtooth Oak, Red Maple, Southern Crabapple, Bald Cypress, White Flower Dogwood, Mayhaw, Persimmon and Sycamore.

Patricia “Pinkey” Perry of the Stanley Community is currently fighting lung cancer and is undergoing weekly treatments. A fundraiser to help with her expenses and bills has been set for Saturday, May 28, beginning at 11:00 a.m. next to Rick’s Liquor at 8218 Hwy 84 just outside of Mansfield.

Barbeque chicken plates will be $10.00 with pre-sale tickets available at Rick’s Liquor. Sausage dog plates will also be on sale for $5.00 beginning at 8:00 a.m. A cornhole tournament will begin at 2:oo p.m. with a $20.00 entry fee, with a cash prize for the winner. The losing team can re-enter for $20.00.

Raffle prizes that are still being donated with a list to be posted soon. The cost is $5.00 per ticket, and pre-sale tickets are now available. Larger raffle prizes, including a four-foot porch swing, a 4 burner hard top griddle, and a Yeti cooler, will be raffled for $10.00 per ticket.

Shortly after midnight on May 15, 2022 all suspects were apprehended in Houston, Texas by the Houston Police Department’s (HPD) Midwest Crime Suppression Team.

In a joint effort by the Red River Parish Sheriff ’s Office C r i m i n a l Investigations Division, the LA State Police Troop G Investigations Unit, the Bossier Parish Sheriff ’s Office, the LA Fusion Center and the Houston Police Department‘s Crime Suppression Team, the unoccupied getaway car driven by Victoria Tune was located in the parking lot of a Houston motel where it was kept under surveillance by HPD for several hours.

Eventually all four suspects, being driven by one of the suspect’s relatives, returned to the vehicle where they were surrounded and taken into custody by HPD’s Crime Suppression Team. All suspects will be extradited back to Louisiana where they will face additional charges reference the escape.

Original LSP Story

St. Mark Baptist Church Cemetery Committee welcomes all families to our annual clean up day in the Holly Community. We plan this day every year to invite families to clean up our local cemetery. In years past we have picked up sticks, raked around gravesites, cut around any trees, and picked up trash. Workers should bring trash bags, gloves, shovels, rakes, clippers, weed eaters, etc.

We will be meeting on Monday, May 30 beginning at 7:00 a.m. Bring water and any snacks that you and your family will need. St. Mark Baptist minister Rev. Willie Sherrin stated, “We cannot wait to see everyone there!”