News

DeSoto Parish jury has convicted a Mansfield man in the murder of a motel desk clerk and attempted murder of a motel guest.

The jury also found Terry Dewayne Powell, 20, guilty of armed robbery and attempted armed robbery. Powell faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison when sentenced on Feb. 14.

Powell offered no defense in his trial, which started Wednesday morning and ended Thursday.

Powell killed Lynda Palmer, 75, of Mansfield, on April 12 after robbing her of cash as she worked the night desk at Best Western Plus DeSoto Inn & Suites in Mansfield. He’s also accused of shooting a motel patron, Matthew Yeager, of Texas, who was staying there with coworkers.

Palmer was wellknown throughout the community. Most of her work life was spent in the retail business, particularly in jewelry sales in Shreveport and Mansfield. Her late husband, Joe Palmer, was a longtime respected educator.

Mansfield Asst. Police Chief Billy Locke has reported that at approximately 1:20 am on Saturday, January 29, 2022 the Mansfield Police, with assistance from the DeSoto Parish Sheriff ’s Department, served an arrest warrant on a 15 year old male for the Attempted Second Degree Murder of the shooting that occurred in the 400 block of Martin Luther King Drive.

The 16 year old victim had suffered multiple gun shot wounds and was transferred to Ochsner LSU Medical Center and is listed in stable condition.

The suspect is currently being held at Ware Youth Detention Center in Coushatta.

The crime is still under investigation at this time.

United States Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04) earned an A+ rating on the 2021 Susan B. Anthony List’s annual National Pro-Life Scorecard the organization announced today.

“In a political environment that was so hostile to the sanctity of human life in 2021, I’m encouraged to see so many of my colleagues still standing strong with us for unborn children,” Johnson said. “While Democrat opposition toward the pro-life movement will certainly continue into 2022, this March for Life week is an appropriate time to pause and reflect on what has been accomplished and the long way we still have to go.”

According to the SBA List: The scorecard takes into account votes and actions for every member of Congress for the first session of the 117th Congress.

Mike Johnson said, “I’m honored to have received the Faith and Freedom Coalition Friend of the Family Award, which recognizes those who stand up for the critical ideals of life, family, and religious freedom.”

Dudley Glen, outgoing Chairman of the Friends of the Mansfield Female College Museum, is shown presenting the gavel to newly elected chair, Suzanne Meredith Brossette. She is a lifelong residsent of Mansfield and DeSoto Parish, and is the daughter of the late Bob and Doris Meredith. Suzanne is married to John Brossette and they are the parents of three sons.

She is a graduate of Central School in Grand Cane and holds a degree in Medical Technology from LSUS. Suzanne worked as a medical technologist for the LSU Medical Center for 20 years until her retirement. She then opened an antique and gift shop called Village Creations in Grand Cane.

Marcia Calhoun will serve as Vice President, with Richard Wilkinson continuing to serve as Treasurer. Van Reech is the Director of the Museum.

The Friends group is excited to have Suzanne as Chairman.

Last week, Earl Carlton “Mac” McCoy received his badge officially making him the Police Chief of Stanley. The presentation was made at The Crawfish Shack in Logansport. Pictured during the presentation (l-r) are Jack Odom, Chief Mac McCoy, Kevin Mitchell, Keith Angelle (owner of the Crawfish Shack), Ryan Jones, DeSoto Clerk of Court Jeremy Evans, State Rep. Larry Bagley, and L. C. “King” Vidler. We con gratulate Chief McCoy on his appointment.

ConnectLA has received applications from 23 companies for the first round of the Granting Unserved Municipalities Broadband Opportunities program.

The total funding request for the applications is $440 million, with $711 million in total project costs and an average of 40% of total project costs in matching funds. With applications coming from 58 parishes, this figure represents requests for broadband projects in every corner of the state. In addition, the proposed applications seek to provide high speed internet to 215,000 households and 14,000 businesses.

The GUMBO grant program was launched to assist the nearly 450,000 Louisiana residents without adequate broadband speeds. The grant program is a key step in delivering access to these residents, connecting them to opportunities in healthcare, education and the workforce.

The Krewe of Aquarius, headquartered out of Logansport, has announced that their banquet will be held on January 29, 2022. The Royalty for this year will be a family affair with Sheriff Jayson Richardson named King, along with Queen Tammy Thomas and Princess Joye Malone. The banquet will be held at the RB4 Center in the Bethel Community, just outside of Logansport.

This year’s parade will be held on February 12 at 6:00 p.m. and will be dedicated to the memory of one of the founding members of Krewe of Aquarius, Teri Hawsey. She will always be a part of anything Logansport, especially Mardi Gras.

Watch for more information in next week’s edition of The Enterprise. Also, you can find information on the Krewe’s events on Facebook or by contacting 2021’s Queen Teresa Stephens.

As State Representative Rodney Schamerhorn faces his first session dealing with reapportionment he predicted North Louisiana could lose one legislative representative seat due to the declining population in North Louisiana.

Most of the talk surrounding reapportionment has centered around possibly losing a congressional seat in North Louisiana however the declining population in our part of the state is causing many state representatives and senators to try and find new residents to add to their districts.

“Most of us in this area as saying, representative wise, are thinking that Kenny Cox is term limited and his district would be the best one to lose,” the Hornbeck Republican stated.’

“We’re going to have to lose one,” according to Schamerhorn.

“His would be the best because it runs from Natchitoches to Shreveport,” he added. “All those other representatives (Shreveport/Bossier/ Ruston area ones) can then move in there. And pick up what they needed.

Veteran Texas high school coach Darrell Barbay has been named Athletic Director and Head Football Coach at Mansfield High School. Barbay will assume his new role immediately as he begins meeting with coaches, players, parents, and the faculty next week. Barbay, who earned his bachelor’s from Stephen F. Austin State University and his master’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington, has over 28 years of experience as a coach and athletic director.

“I’m extremely excited to be part of Mansfield High School and the DeSoto Parish school system,” said Coach Barbay. “I look forward to getting on campus next week and meeting the faculty and our kids.”

Barbay’s overall record as a head school coach is 160-85. His career as a head coach began at Hull-Daisetta (TX) High School (1999- 2007) and later at Anahuac (2007-2012) before moving on to Jasper (TX) where he built the Bulldogs into a perennial East Texas power.

Shortly after 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 5th, dispatchers with the DeSoto Parish Sheriff ’s Office received a call regarding a White Chevy Z71 truck that had been stolen from the area of Kickapoo Corner parking lot in Gloster. At the time, the vehicle was reported to have left in the direction of Highway 171 in the northbound lane. As deputies responded, it was also reported that the driver was swerving on the roadway, and had struck another vehicle as he exited onto 171. According to nearby witnesses, the driver began driving recklessly as he proceeded north on 171.