News

Mansfield Mayor John Mayweather delivers his State of the City Address:

On Friday, February 11, at 2:30 p.m. the public is cordially invited to join Judge Amy Burford McCartney, Volunteers for Youth Justice, and the DeSoto Parish Police Jury for the Grand Opening of the DeSoto Parish Juvenile Court Calming Studio. The new facility is located at the DeSoto Parish Courthouse, 101 Texas Street in Mansfield.

The Calming Studio is a state-of-the-art unique concept providing a therapeutic atmosphere to youth who are required to attend Child In Need of Care court (CINC). The design of the Studio diminishes stress and trauma associated with a child’s experience during court proceedings.

This sensory-rich room has been created in partnership with Judge Amy Burford McCartney, Volunteers for Youth Justice, DeSoto Parish Police Jury, LA Commission on Law Enforcement & NW LEPA, Inc., Flaghouse, Inc. in Canada and Lauren Marchive, architecture/environmental consulting in Shreveport.

State Representative Larry Bagley was recently presented with the Elected Official of the Year Award for his legislative efforts to improve the lives of those with disabilities. Bagley serves on the powerful Appropriations Committee and as the Chairman of the Health and Welfare Committee, which has allowed him to successfully direct over $76 million over the past 6 years to support organizations that serve those with disabilities.

“From my first visit to Holy Angles in Shreveport, I was all in,” Bagley said when asked why he works so hard to help fund services for those with disabilities.

February 2, is our traditional Ground Hogs Day and while most of the country will be watching Punxsutanwney Phil emerge from his den in Pennsylvania. In Louisiana we really don’t have ground hogs so we improvise. Some have teased that we let a crawfish or a gator come out and predict our length of seasons. In South Louisiana the Cajuns watch for Pierre C. Shadeaux, which is a nutria rat.

Shadeaux doesn’t predict whether or not we will have six more weeks of winter. He takes into account our Southern weather where in Louisiana we can have on shorts and flip-flops on Monday and be in coats, hats, and gloves by Friday. Shadeaux predicts if Louisianans will see a longer spring and shorter summer or vice versa.

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.