News

At approximately 8:30pm on Thursday, January 6, the Mansfield Police Department was called to the 900 block of Johnson Street to a report of a shooting. Upon arrival Officers discovered that a domestic disturbance had occurred and two people had been shot. Both victims were transported to DeSoto Regional Hospital Emergency Room. The male victim was air lifted to Ochsner LSU Hospital with multiple gunshot wounds. The female victim was pronounced deceased at DeSoto Regional Hospital Emergency Room.

This investigation is an ongoing effort between Mansfield Police Department and the DeSoto Parish Sheriff ’s Office, as it happened both inside and outside of the city limits. DPSO can confirm that the suspect in this case, Eddie Ray Jones (50) fled to an area outside of the city limits where he took his own life shortly after the shootings occurred.

An investigation will continue, and further information may be provided at a later date.

On January 4, 2022, shortly after 4:00 p.m., Troopers assigned to Louisiana State Police Troop G began investigating a one-vehicle fatality crash on LA Hwy 177, just south of I-49. This crash claimed the life of 48-year-old Allen Boyd, Jr., who was not wearing his seat belt.

The initial investigation revealed a 2017 Peterbilt tractor-trailer, driven by Boyd, was traveling north on LA Hwy 177. For reasons still under investigation, Boyd’s vehicle began to leave the roadway, where it overturned, and ejected him from the cab.

Boyd was unrestrained at the time of the crash and suffered fatal injuries. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Impairment is not suspected to be a factor in this crash; however, routine toxicology samples were taken and submitted for analysis. The crash remains under investigation.

Captain Linda Carter and the Krewe of Demeter formally invite you to attend the Bal & Tableau honoring the royalty of the Krewe of Demeter VI on Saturday, January 29 from 6:00 p.m. until midnight at the David B. Means Memorial 4-H Building, located at 10117 Hwy 171 in Grand Cane. Tickets for the event are $80.00 with a bottomless cup available for $20.00. The event is formal with the royalty presentation set for 7:30 p.m. The theme of the event is “Cruising with the Krewe”.

For more information call Karen Baker at 318-869-5803 by January 22, 2022.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration announced first-year airport funding awards on Thursday. In all, $2.89 billion will be made available to airports around the nation. The money can be invested in runways, taxiways, safety and sustainability projects, as well as terminal, airporttransit connections and roadway projects.

Louisiana has 51 airports on the list to receive funding, with amounts ranging from $110,000 to more than $14 million. The C. E. “Rusty” Williams Airport in Grand Cane was allocated $110,000, along with Springhill and Vivian. The three small airports received the least amount of funding, with Hart Airport in Many and the Minden Airport each receiving $159,000.

On December 28, Raymond and Evelyn Powell celebrated their 73rd Wedding Anniversary. Since Mrs. Evelyn is in rehab at Mansfield Nursing Center due to recent surgery set backs, Mr. P. joined her at MNC for a very special luncheon that was brought in just for them. We wish them the happiest of anniversaries and much health, wealth and happiness in 2022! May God Bless this very special couple!

It has been a tradition for The Enterprise to team up and help Santa with his letters from DeSoto Parish, Joaquin, and Pleasant Hill children for several decades. This year with postal issues continuing to plague the country, Santa needed our help more than ever. Believe me, we did our part with special Santa letter typist elf Taylor Curry, along with staff members Kaycee Deas and Julie Morris. Together we typed over 29 newspaper pages of letters comprising 2 sections that expressed the children’s heartfelt wishes and want lists. The popular yearly feature has become so popular that Santa couldn’t help but chuckle “Ho! Ho! Ho!” when he saw the letters that The Enterprise printed in 2021.

On November 18, Fifth Grade students from Stanley High School were honored with a DARE Graduation ceremony, with Sheriff Jayson Richardson and Sgt. Natasha Jones leading the programs.

Two essay winners, Lillie Pierce and Karlee Moton, were recognized with special DARE patches and backpacks, loaded with special goodies.

Sgt. Jones, who is their instructor, said, “We are so proud of each of them and for our two essay winners. We can’t wait to see them use what they learned in DARE in their everyday lives!”

The DeSoto Parish Sheriff ’s Office says, “Go Panthers!”

The year 2020 was probably one of worst years in both American and world-wide history due to the dreaded words of COVID-19. Everyone seemed ready for this year to pass on by as quietly as possible, but the celebration of greeting a new year will still be brought in with hope for much better health, wealth and happiness. True the celebration as we greeted 2021 was not be as lavish and populated nor held in venues that parties are usually held in, but we moved forward making new customs for the year with hope that we could return to as normal of a life style as possible.

On December 17, Victoria Byrd signed her National Letter of Intent to run track at Northwestern State University. Victoria is a 4 year letterman in track at Joaquin ISD.

Victoria qualified for the state track meet her freshman year in 3 events. That year she placed 2nd in the 100 meter. Due to the Covid shutdown she missed her sophomore year track season but did not let this slow her down. During her junior year she qualified for the State track meet again in the 100, 200, and the long jump. She placed 3rd in the long jump and won State in the 100 meter and 200 meter.

Citizens, coaches, teachers and students of Joaquin, as well as the entire area, are so proud of Victoria for all her past accomplishments and look forward to what she will achieve during her Senior year as well as her upcoming years at Northwestern.

Doris Ross, Branch Manager/Cataloguer of the Mansfield Main Library is shown receiving a pin and letter from Library Director Delbert Terry for her 40 years of service. Ross began her library career on December 14, 1981 when the library reopened under its first director Ronald Bausch.