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If you were not able or didn’t care to early vote, Louisiana voters statewide will go to the polls on Saturday, November 13, from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. to determine the outcome whether the majority are for or against four proposed constitutional amendments.

Amendment No. 1 on the ballot states, “Do you support an amendment to authorize the legislature to provide for the streamlined electronic filing, electronic remittance, and the collection of sales and used tax Levied within the state by the State and Local Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Commission and to provide for the funding, duties, and responsibilities of the commission? (Adds Article VII Section 3:1)

As we all watched in awe of what artist Matthew Yerby was creating we wondered what the finished product would look like. The finished product of the beautiful B52 drew oohs and ahhhs from us all upon its completion, and continues to presently, The following is a post that Yerby made on his Facebook account:

“I arrived in Mansfield, LA too late to make a stencil. The streetlights were too bright to project a 90 ft. image. After free handing the B-52 bomber with sidewalk chalk, I am beyond humbled at the size of our nation’s air destroyer. It’s never been so clear to me why NO OTHER MILITARY wants to pick a fight with us.

Each of my 16 days on this 30 ft. x 90 ft. mural, I had to make something bigger. All glory be to God because this isn’t me. That’s His work through me. I know this because I’ve never been so terrified to begin a freehand project, but there’s something about Louisiana that reminds me of faith.

On October 26, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced he will lift Louisiana’s statewide mask mandate in all settings except for K-12 schools, after sustained improvement across the state in terms of new cases, test positivity and hospitalizations. The Governor’s updated order allows school districts to opt out of the mask mandate as long as they continue to follow the existing quarantine guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to better separate exposed students and faculty members from others and avoid outbreaks on campus.

Northwestern State University celebrated their Homecoming Festivities from October 21 through Saturday, October 23. During that time span, events included several induction programs in addition to the half-time presentation of the Homecoming Honor Court.

One of those events on Saturday included the N-Club Hall of Fame induction for the Class of 2020 in Magale Recital Hall. Regina Roe, daughter of Susan and Reggie Roe, Sr. of Frierson, was among eight other honorees in the 2020 Hall of Fame Induction class. She was presented by Lady Demon Track and Field Coach, Mike Heimerman.

On Monday, October 25, the City of Mansfield voted to conduct a community assessment/feasibility study to determine if the city should build its own municipal fiberbased broadband network.

The five-member council voted unanimously to hire Louisiana Connected (www.Louisiana-connected.com ) to conduct the study. The study, which will be done in partnership with Lit Communities, https://litcommunities.net/ will take between four to six months to complete and will include cost estimate for the system’s buildout as well as the areas in town that have Internet deficit.

Mayor John H. Mayweather, Sr., was in full support of the feasibility study. He said conducting a feasibility study is the first step for a partnership with the private sector to provide high-speed and affordable fiber-based broadband to every household and business in the city.

Nearly 140 guests arrived at the Heidelberg Ballroom in the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center last week to honor those awarded the distinction of Everyday Heroes by Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) for their extraordinary efforts in furthering the organization’s mission to “promote personal, corporate and community responsibility for a clean and beautiful Louisiana.” The keynote address was delivered by Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, who spoke to Louisiana’s beauty, strength, and brighter days ahead.

The list of honorees included:Andrew R. Johnson, IV | The Alice Foster Award presented by Troy West, son of former

First Lady Alice Foster. Louisiana’s former First Lady, Alice Foster, played a crucial role in beautification and preservation efforts across the state in helping to launch Keep Louisiana Beautiful. The Alice Foster Award is KLB’s highest award recognizing an individual for their exceptional leadership and contribution to KLB’s mission.

On Friday, November 5, the DeSoto Chamber of Commerce cordially invites you to stop by for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Daphne’s Tamales, located at 802 Washington Avenue in Mansfield. The Ribbon Cutting is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. If you have any questions, call the Chamber at 318-872-1310.

Robert “Robbo” Davidson, author of “The Evil I Have Seen” will be featured at a book signing at KWLA Radio, located at 605 San Antonio Street in Many, on Thursday, October 28 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.

“The Evil I Have Seen” is a collection of true crime short stories in Sabine and DeSoto Parishes from the memoirs of veteran homicide investigator, Detective Lt. Robert “Robbo” Davidson. Six accounts are woven together with his memories, case files, witness statements, and trial transcripts.

Davidson partnered with P. J. Jones to write his memoirs. Jones is an award winning journalist, the recipient of the Sunshine Award from the Society of Professional Journalists for open records investigations.

Beginning November 15, Michael Norton will begin his employment as the new DeSoto Parish Administrator for the DeSoto Parish Police Jury. Currently he serves as a town councilman for the Town of Stonewall and heads the Bossier City tax division. His salary is set at $120,000 per year with the same benefit package that was previously held by longtime administrator Steve Brown. While Brown stepped down as the administrator, he still serves as the Parish Engineer until his upcoming retirement in the near future.

The Jury received over 100 applicants for the Administrator position, but the list was narrowed down to three of the top candidates. Others being considered were Stephen Hickman of Castor and Patrick Duck of Texarkana, Texas.

Early voting in DeSoto Parish and throughout the state of Louisiana will begin on October 30 though November 6, with the exception of Sunday, October 31 for the November 13, 2021 election. Voting hours are from 8:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

DeSoto Registrar of Voters Amanda Raynes stated that DeSoto voters will have two locations to choose from to cast their early votes. Location 1 is at the Registrar of Voters Office, located at 104 Crosby in Mansfield with Location 2 at the Stonewall Government Plaza, located at 1746 Hwy 171 in Stonewall.

DeSoto will join voters from the entire state to cast their decisions for or against four proposed constitutional amendments.