News

History was made last week when the state legislature overturned Gov. Edwards’ veto on US Congressional maps. Such action took place Wednesday, March 30, after lawmakers suspended its current session and convened a special veto override session. During the one-day veto session, the House voted 72-23 to override the governor’s rejection of the map, while the Senate voted 27-11. The votes largely fell along party lines.

The override, which required a two-thirds vote in each chamber, was a rare occurrence in Louisiana.

The Governor, most state Democrat lawmakers, and civil rights leaders opposed the US. Congressional map redesign submitted in February because it did not create a second majority-minority district. Instead the current configuration of the six US. Congressional districts were only tweaked to reflect population shifts between northern and southern parishes.

On Sunday, March 27, DeSoto Parish Sheriff ’s jail bookings show that James Coday Johnston was booked into the DeSoto Parish Detention Center at 11:18 p.m. He was arrested on a charge of domestic abuse battery by strangulation, due to a disturbance at the Johnston residence.

Johnston represents District 6 on the DeSoto Parish School Board and was released on bail in the amount of $50,000 on Monday, March 28.

Johnston is currently serving his third term as a School Board member for District 6 with his term expiring December 31, 2022. Since he is booked with a felony, his resignation would be required if convicted.

The DeSoto Parish School Board is proud to report that Superintendent Clay Corley was named Superintendent of the Year for Region VII. During the March School Board meeting, Dr. Gwile Freeman presented a plaque recognizing Corley for this achievement. DPSB Vice President Dudley Glenn said, “We are grateful for Mr. Corley’s leadership and dedication to the students of DeSoto Parish as well as parents, faculty, staff, and the communities that surround and support our schools”.

The DeSoto Parish School Board is excited to announce that Tamela Phillips, North DeSoto High School Principal, has been named a Louisiana Principal of the Year Semifinalist. We are proud of you, Mrs. Phillips! You are the DeSoto Difference!

The unofficial turnout of Early Voting and Election Day turnout totals from Saturday, March 26 show all three incumbent Mayors being overturned by their challengers.

Mansfield Mayor John Mayweather (D) was defeated by Thomas Jones (D), who currently serves on the DeSoto Parish Police Jury. Jones received 626 (43%) to Mayweather’s 502 (34%). Former Mansfield Alderman Joseph Hall, Jr. (D) garnered 330 votes (23%). A total of 1,458, or 49.5%, turned out to cast their Mansfield mayoral votes.

Stonewall Mayor Randal S. “Randy” Rodgers (R) received 242 (42%) with challenger Ken Kaffka (R) getting 328 (58%). The total amount of votes cast was 570 or 28.7%.

In the Longstreet Mayoral race, incumbent Mayor Wanda Sue Fields (NOPATY) lost to Connie Jackson (R). Fields received 9 votes (33%) to Jackson’s 18 votes, with a total of 27 (22.7%) Villagers voting.

DPSO Cpl. Roman Hanks discovered that there appears to be a few people gunning for his job as SRO at Stanley High School! Career Day at SHS allowed students to show off what they aspire to be when they grow up! Word is, one of them told Cpl. Hanks that he didn’t want to be an SRO. He wants to be the SROs boss. Better be careful out there Cpl. Hanks! They are coming for you!

It is that time once again! Sheriff Jayson Richardson has gathered some bearded deputies together to present a donation to a local charity, here in DeSoto Parish! Over the last three months, deputies who want to grow out their whiskers can donate money that will in turn be given to a local charity of the Sheriff ’s choosing. This month, Sheriff Richardson was able to provide the Foster Grandparents of DeSoto Parish with a $1,000 donation!

For those that aren’t familiar with what Foster Grandparents of DeSoto do, we’d love to explain it to you. Our local Foster Grandparents seek out seniors in the community, 55 years and older, to pair them with children in our school system who may need a little extra confidence or praise in the classroom. Schools will reach out to the Foster Grandparents when a special need arises in the classroom, and they will come out and offer a more one-on-one approach to learning, while following the direction of the teacher as well.

On March 23, State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley named Mansfield Elementary School in DeSoto Parish one of Louisiana’s Models of Excellence for their literacy intervention initiative, Strategic Literacy Focus. Models of Excellence is a statewide award that recognizes benchmark programs that exemplify the Louisiana Department of Education’s Believe to Achieve priorities.

“Literacy is at the core of all learning,” said State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley. “The Department has selected Mansfield Elementary School as a Models of Excellence recipient for their commitment to elevating literacy in ways that will impact current students and future generations.”

The Mansfield High School Beta Club attended the 2022 Beta State Convention on February 23-25 in Baton Rouge, La. Beta Club is an organization for high schoolers that is distinguished by its core values of service, academics, and leadership. Students are invited to this prestigious club upon maintaining a 3.0 G.P.A. or above, and having a clean discipline record.

The annual Beta Convention is a conference where students compete with peers from across the state, showcase their service activities, and campaign for roles as state officers. MHS took 18 students to compete in the areas of academics, business, art, and talent.

The Wolverine Betas did not come home empty handed. Madison Jones earned 3rd Place in On-Site Drawing. She was given a random topic and was challenged to create a sketch in under two hours.

Do you enjoy performing or have a special talent? Have you ever watched those talent show competitions and thought, I could do better than that? Could you possibly use a little extra cash? Then look no further; if you think you have what it takes to win then put your money where your talent is and sign up to audition for NORTH DESOTO’S GOT TALENT.