Congressman Comes to DeSoto

Our representative in the US Congress, Mike Johnson held a Town Hall meeting in DeSoto Parish on Monday.  It was streamed live on the DeSoto Parish Journal’s Facebook page.  You may watch from the archive HERE.

Johnson criticized the current President, his administration, and Democrats in Congress for their stand.  He said, “They have been tough on the family, but all will change soon.”  Johnson referred to the next national election cycle in 2020.  His big three issues are, “Inflation, immigration and incompetence.”

The Congressman termed the current administration incompetent.  “People are frustrated about what is happening,” said Johnson.  He added, “The team in charge is not exposing values that most of us believe in.  The American ideas.  These values made us the exceptional country we are.”

The major issues of interest in the coming months include a Mississippi abortion case to be argued before the US Supreme Court today (Wednesday December 1) that could result in overturning the landmark Roe Vs Wade decision.

Another issue, Johnson said, “This week the Senate is about to pass the National Defense Authorization act for military spending and construction.  Our major priorities are Barksdale Air Force Base and Fort Polk.  As it left the House, the bill authorizes more spending for the military in Louisiana’s 4th District than elsewhere in the country.”  Johnson said he is very pleased that is about to happen.

And Congressman Johnson spoke of the $29 Trillion deficit.  “Right now, the government is into too many things, and they don’t do any of them well.  If we don’t fix this, inflation will be a permanent way of life, our currency will be devalued, and our kids will not have all the freedoms that we had.”

For over an hour, Johnson discussed national issues and he also took questions from the audience.  Some of those issues were election reform taking in place in many states following the 2020 elections, the mandate that all employees receive COVID vaccine to work, and Johnson was asked if Donald Trump would run again for President in 2024.  Johnson said he met recently with Trump and discussed that subject.  He said all Trump would comment was, “Whatever I am planning to do, you will be very, very happy.”

You may watch the entire Town Hall on the DeSoto Parish Journal’s Facebook page.  Just CLICK HERE.


Let’s pack the house

Dana Smith is a longtime supporter of the Logansport football program.  As she explained to the Journal, “and I no longer have a player on the team!”

Smith is encouraging everyone to come support our LHS Tigers as they take on Oak Grove For the Semi Finals this Friday Night at Tiger Stadium.  It’s time to go “Big and Classy” Tiger Style! 

Friday night our #1 ranked Tigers will host #4 ranked Oak Grove at Tiger Stadium in the Semifinals at 7:00.  We will be tailgating 4:30 – 6:30 in a BIG way. 

Smith outlined the scrumptious menu, “We will have Brisket, Down Home Sausage, Loaded Mashed Potatoes, Drinks and Desserts fully catered by Belrose Real Pit BBQ.”  She added, “And there will be a live performance by The Ashley Rachall Band.  It is all thanks to our generous sponsors.” 

“Everyone is welcome and it’s all FREE!” added Smith. “The only requirement is that at 6:30 we all enter Tiger Stadium with all the noise we can  bring.  Our boys and coaches are ready, and we are all enjoying the ride so let’s bring all we have and keep this train rolling.”


Fire District One Toy Drive

Calling on all elves and Santa’s helpers! DeSoto Fire District #1 visits Caring Hands pediatric day health center every year to let the children view the fire truck.  Firefighters spread a little Christmas joy!

We have added a list of toys that some of the children would like and can use. If you’d like to drop off an item, you can do so at our central station located at 300 Marshall road in Logansport until December 20th!


Come See Us Saturday

We’re headed to Grand Cane Saturday for the Christmas Festival Market. Look for the DeSoto Parish Journal’s booth.

The Journal has a present that is good news for everyone in the parish. And we are giving it away. There is an abundant supply so we will not run out.

Everyone who stops by the Journal booth at the market will be awarded a subscription to the DeSoto Parish Journal at NO CHARGE!  You heard right. Free!  As in free.

The Journal is delivered to your email every Wednesday and Friday morning. We’ll keep you up to date with DeSoto Parish news, sports and other events.

Look for the big DeSoto Parish Journal banner at the Christmas Festival Market from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm. We’ll be along Back Alley. See you in Grand Cane Saturday!


Leafing Through Your 2021, Book By Book

By Teddy Allen

Is this the 12th month of 2021 or the 24th month of 2020? When Waylon Jennings recorded “Stop the World and Let Me Off” in 1965, he was a man way, way ahead of his time.

Crazy, crazy …

But things are getting better, as evidenced by our annual Best Books of the Year list. You won’t find any pandemic-related works here like you did last year. Who can forget the 2020 bestsellers, like LOCKDOWN!: Your Place or Mine?, or 1,501 Ways To Make Banana Bread, or The Vaccine Two-Step: Let’s Give it a Shot.

And of course, everyone’s favorite recent trilogy, Why Masks Work and the sequel, Why Masks Don’t Work, followed by the recently published Why Masks Might or Might Not Work.

Crazy crazy crazy crazy crazy…

For years we’ve published our favorite books in late December, but in a rare moment of logical thinking, I figured it would be best to do this now in case you need a Christmas present idea. So …

Isaac’s Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History by Erik Larson was my favorite book of the year. Published in 2000 and on my shelf since, I just got around to reading it, about the Galveston hurricane, Sept. 8, 1900. I have a friend who’s read it three times, and I can understand why.

These others get four of five stars:

News of the World (2016) by Paulette Jiles, about a 72-year-old man in post-Civil War times on a journey from Wichita Falls to San Antonio. In small towns along the way, he reads the news to people who have no access to it. His companion is a girl, 10, kidnapped but now safe, who he’s returning to her family. She basically brings him to life again. I haven’t seen the movie yet, starring Tom Hanks.

 

Also The Music of the Statler BrothersAn Anthology (2020) by the retired group’s lead singer, Don Reid, and Songteller: My Life in Lyrics (2020) by Dolly Parton. And two books by the late Carl Reiner, My Anecdotal Life (2003) and I Just Remembered (2013). I listened to the authors read the Parton and Reiner books, which was part of the joy. Same with a couple of Dick Van Dyke books, My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business (2011) and Keep Moving: And Other Tips and Truths About Living Well Longer (2016). Van Dyke will be 96 Dec. 13. Also Never Have Your Dog Stuffed, and Other Things I’ve Learned (2005), written and read by Alan Alda, if you happen to be a fan. Finally, This is Your Captain Speaking: My Fantastic Voyage Through Hollywood, Faith and Life (2013), a nice surprise by the entirely likeable Gavin MacLeod from “The Love Boat” and Murray on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.”

Same with the just-released The Boys, written and read by brothers Ron and Clint Howard, about growing up as child actors but mainly about their endearing relationship with their less-successful actor parents.

Loved it.

Other biggies:

Life Lessons (2021), a book of semi-Sunday school lessons, also by the Statlers’ Don Reid;

A Burning in My Bones (2021), the authorized biography of Eugene Peterson, translator of The Message, authored by Winn Collier;

Also The End of Me (2015) by Kyle Idelman, about the tricky business of dying to self, Improving Your Serve (2004) by Chuck Swindoll, and Anne Lamott’s 2012 Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers. Pastor Tim Keller and others would suggest she left out confession, that;

Help, Sorry, Thanks, Wow would be a more exact title, but most all agree, including Keller, that it’s a thoughtful and most helpful little book.

Also four of five stars to Inside Comedy (2021) a semi-modern history of comedy by David Steinberg, The Only Plane in the Sky (2019), an exhaustive oral history of 9/11 by Garett Graff, Squeeze Me (2020) by Carl Hiassen, who writes brilliant novel after brilliant novel defending his native Florida, pointing out political absurdities in ways that are scorching and funny, and The Queen’s Gambit (2003) by the late Walter Tevis about a female chess prodigy. (The recent drama series on Netflix, set during the Cold War 1950s, is as many thumbs-up as you can give it.)

Three of five stars to The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz (2020) by Erik Larson, The Dutch House (2019), a novel by Ann Patchett, and March Violets (1989), a Berlin noir-like novel by a new guy for me, the late Phillip Kerr, about his German private eye Bernie Gunther.

Finally got around to Moneyball (2011) by Michael Lewis; loved it. And Tobacco Road (1932) by Erskine Caldwell. Re-read The Adventures of Huck Finn (1884) by Mark Twain and The War of Art: Break Through Your Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles (2002) by Steven Pressfield, always a good call.

See you at the library. Read on!

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu


Mansfield Christmas Parade

Mansfield will host their Christmas Parade on Saturday December 11 beginning at 2:00 pm.  Come celebrate the Season.

The City of Mansfield is seeking entries in the following categories:

Floats, Performing/Marching Units (Under 10 years of age)

Performing/Marching Units (10 years of age and up), Bands

Automobiles and more. 

Trophies will be awarded for FIRST, SECOND & THIRD places in each category. Download the parade form:

discoverdesoto.com/event/mansfield-christmas-parade


Men of Prayer

DeSoto Men of Prayer holds their monthly meeting Thursday in Stonewall.  It is usually a men only event, however this month there is a small change. December is “Bring your wife or a guest night.” 

We will have Pastor Matt Tyson as our guest speaker.  We will be lead in Worship by Keith Simmons and Caleb Robison.  On the Geaux Catering will be providing the meal. 

For FOOD, FELLOWSHIP AND GOD, Come out and join us December 2nd.


Jack Frost in Paris

By Brad Dison

In the summer of 1929, Anne Parrish and her husband, Charles Albert Corliss, were strolling leisurely along the picturesque Seine River in the City of Light (La Ville Lumière), Paris, France.  They spent their time taking in the sites and browsing through the numerous bouquinistes stalls along the Seine River.

Bouquinistes, French for booksellers, have sold used and antique books in small green stalls which line the banks of the Seine River at fixed points since 1859.  Prior to that, beginning around the 16th century, bouquinistes peddled their books from carts along the river.

Anne derived great enjoyment from looking through the stalls of old books.  Anne was a lover of books.  She was a successful American novelist and children’s book writer.  Many of her books appeared on the New York Times best sellers lists.

In one of the 900 bouquinistes stalls somewhere between Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre, Anne saw the cover of a familiar children’s book which brought back memories from her own childhood.  The book, “Jack Frost and Other Stories”, was worn from age but still in decent enough condition.  It was a book like the one she had as a child in Colorado.  Although she had never tried to seek the book out, she had never seen another copy.  Her mind raced back some 30 years back in time to the Colorado Springs of her childhood.  She glanced at the book for only a second or two and her mind was made up.  She bought the book for a single franc.

Anne was elated to find a book like the one she had cherished as a child.  Her husband was less than enthusiastic and was “skeptical as to its literary value”.  Anne explained that she wanted the book not because it was an important literary work but for its sentimental value.  Anne’s husband challenged her to recall anything about the contents of the book.  She thought for a moment and remembered a story about a girl named Dorothy who hated her nose.  Her husband, still skeptical, shuffled through the book until he came upon the story of Dorothy, just as Anne has claimed.  Her husband knew it was useless to question her further and shuffled through the pages.  Just then, something caught his eye.  On the front page of the book, the flyleaf, he saw a name and address written in a childlike scrawl.  He looked at the book with a seriousness that took Anne by surprise.  Without saying a word, he turned the book around and pointed to the writing in the book.  Anne read the childish scrawl and was just as shocked as her husband.  Written in the book was the original owner’s name, “Anne Parrish, 209 N. Weber St., Colorado Springs”.  Anne had unknowingly bought her own childhood copy of “Jack Frost and Other Stories”.       

Sources:

  1. Quad-City Times (Davenport, Iowa), July 28, 1941, p.9.
  2. Lauren Gray, “40 Amazing Coincidences You Won’t Believe Actually Happened,” Best Life, June 14, 2019, bestlifeonline.com/weird-coincidence/.
  3. “Les Bouquinistes,” Afar, accessed November 23, 2021, afar.com/places/les-bouquinistes-paris.

Christmas Piano Recital

The Mansfield Main Library will be hosting its annual Christmas Piano Recital at the Clista Calhoun Center, 515 Louisiana St., Mansfield, on Friday, December 10 @ 6:30 p.m.

Doris Ross from the Library told the Journal the Invocation will be given by Delbert Terry, Director of the DeSoto Parish Library.  The audience will be greeted by Doris Ross, Mansfield Main Branch Manager and Cataloger.

Pianists include Marty Rogers, Timmie Jackson and Sharon Maynor. Brian McCarty will be playing the clarinet and pianists and soloists will be Nan Esth Turner, Kervin Campbell, Mary Jo Sallis and John Neilson and DeCarlos Ross.

Following the recital, closing remarks will be by Doris Ross and Delbert Terry. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information, contact Doris Ross at 872-6100.


Cheering at Disney World

Congrats to these LJH Cheerleaders who recently represented Logansport High School at Disney World. See them in action at the playoff football game at home Friday night.

TEAM DONALD! There are 4 teams that perform at 4 different days/ times. This team was handpicked by UCA, per Disney’s request! They want the best of the best performing on Thanksgiving Day! What an honor! We’re so proud of these girls!


ETC… For Wednesday, December 1, 2021

There are no reported cases of the new Omicron variant in the state.  The Louisiana Department of Health continues to monitor the situation, and they strongly recommend that people prepare and take action to protect themselves and their families. People who are vaccinated and eligible for a booster need to use this time to get their boosters. Those who are not vaccinated should get vaccinated. All international travelers, regardless of vaccination status or recent history of COVID-19 infection, should be tested 3-5 days after arrival.

Friday from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at the Library there will be a Christmas Sock Fashion Show.  The event is for 4th through 7thgraders.  Bring your favorite pair of Christmas Socks.  Call Mrs. Spencer at 872-6100 for more information.

And early voting for the December 11th election wraps up Saturday.


Congressional Town Hall Monday To Be Streamed Live

United States Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04) will host four Town Hall meetings on Monday, November 29th, to provide Washington updates and take questions from constituents. Each Town Hall event is open to the public and open to the media.  The DeSoto Parish Journal will stream the meeting live from our Facebook page.

Johnson’s DeSoto parish stop will be Monday, November 29th — 11:30 am to12:30 pm. It will be held in the Back Alley Community Theater, 1902 W. Main Street in Cane.

The public is invited and Johnson will take questions from the audience, time permitting.  To join the Journal’s live stream, go to Facebook.com/desotoparishjournal and search for videos.  The stream will be live a few minutes prior to the event start time of 11:30.


Early Voting Begins Saturday

DeSoto voters may cast ballots for the December 11th election beginning tomorrow, Saturday November 27th.  The early voting period runs through the following Saturday, December 4th, excluding Sunday.

On the ballot is a bond election in School District No. 3.  Up for approval is $8.5 million in 20 year bonds.

The other items on the ballot are wet/dry votes in the town of Logansport.  There are 5 propositions dealing with the selling and consumption of alcoholic beverages in Logansport.


Boards And Commissions Appointments

This week, Governor John Bel Edwards announced his appointments to several Louisiana boards and commissions.  On the list is one individual from Mansfield.

The Louisiana Executive Board on Aging (LEBA) is run from the Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs. Its role is to advise, report and recommend on matters of relevance to the elderly of Louisiana. The LEBA board member appointments and duties are outlined in the GOEA Policy and Procedures Manual in subchapter A, §1103.

Worlita L. Jackson of Mansfield has been reappointed to the Louisiana Executive Board on Aging. Williams is a licensed clinical social worker for the DeSoto Parish School Board. She will represent the 5th Public Service Commission District.


Turkey Disguise Winner

Hide a turkey?  The DeSoto Parish Library offered a prize reward to the person submitting the best disguise for a turkey.  The idea was to keep Mr. Turkey safe from becoming someone’s Thanksgiving dinner.

The Library has announced the winner.  He is Bentley Womack.  “We want to say a great big thank you to everyone that participated and helped disguise Mr. Turkey so he wouldn’t be eaten on Thanksgiving Day.  All of your disguises were awesome,” said the library.  The winner, Bentley Womack, disguised his turkey as a hunter.  Great Job Bentley!  Come on down to the library to claim your prize!


DeSoto Chamber Has New Officers

The DeSoto Parish Chamber of Commerce elected new officers at it’s November meeting.  The new President of the Executive Committee is Pam Hubier.  She works at Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College.

Other officers elected are Jayson Richardson, Vice President; Judge Amy McCartney, 2nd Vice President; Joann Atkins, Treasurer; and Cindy Williams, Secretary.

The Chamber approved reducing the number of members of the Board of Directors.  At present there are 30.  This is being reduced to 20 members.  Primary reason for the reduction was stated as the difficulty in finding 30 people to serve.

Also at that meeting several changes to the By-Laws were discussed and approved.  Most were described as routine changes.  And the budget for 2022 was discussed and approved.


Almost Unnoticed

By John Brewer

This past Monday was a significant day in the history of these United States and the World.  Yet this day went almost unnoticed.  It wasn’t a significant anniversary, like the 10th or 25th of the event.  It was the 58th anniversary. Your reporter remembered and the images with this article bring those events back as vividly as when I first read that tattered sheet of news copy.

It was a Friday shortly after noon and I was a student in college.  I worked part time at the local radio station.  That is where I got the news. I was notified to get to work quickly, so I ditched afternoon classes and headed to the station.

The air was grim when I arrived.  I soon found out why.

My role was to cover the local angle, to see what people thought of those horrific events.  And as such began a career in radio journalism that would span 50+ years.  I suppose that is why I do the Journal.  It is sort of in your blood.

Have you guessed yet what happened at 12:39 pm on Friday, November 22, 1963 yet?  That was the assassination of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy.  Fifty-Eight years ago.  I remember it just like yesterday.

Note:  The top photo is the President, First Lady and Texas Governor John Connally sitting in the Presidential Limo before departing Dallas Love Field for downtown.

The tattered and yellowed paper that has faded with time is the original news we received from the UPI.

The photo of the limo driving off just after the President was wounded is from a home movie made by one of the spectators who lined the motorcade route.

And the photo made up of type characters is from UPI and was sent to all teletype machines on their system a short time after the events of November 22nd.

The teletype page and Presidential portrait are from UPI.  Other images are from the book Four Days by UPI and American Heritage Magazine.


An Angler’s Thanksgiving

By Steve Graf

Now that we have carved the turkey and taken a nap while watching the Dallas Cowboys traditional Thanksgiving Day game, we can now turn our attention to Christmas. But before we begin to think about jolly Ole St. Nick, let’s take a look at why I’m so thankful. No one appreciates more than me the opportunities I’ve had over the years to pursue and chase largemouth bass all across the southern United States. As a bass fisherman, I am truly blessed in so many ways. While I’m sure I’ll probably leave something out, here’s my list of what I’m thankful for.

  1. My health… At the age of 60, and still in decent shape, I’m able to get in and out of my boat without busting my butt. I can still make that giant leap onto the front deck and drop the trolling motor in the water. I can fish all day and still feel pretty good the next day, as long as I’m taking my joint supplements and Aleve!
  2. My boat… As a young man growing up, I looked forward to the day I would be launching my 20-foot Ranger bass boat with a 250 HP Yamaha engine on the back and the best Minn Kota trolling motor (Ultrex)… that with the push of a button will lock you down on a brush pile in the middle of the lake.It is a boat fully carpeted with awesome seats that rides like a luxury car and the best state of the art electronics that could probably help navigate your way to the moon and back.
  3. The best rods and reels…. Another blessing is being a part of an awesome company like Daiwa. They have a tremendous line of rods and reels that I have used for the last six years, that just might be the best on the planet.
  4. My relationships with certain companies…. Over the years, I’ve forged relationships with companies like Ranger Boats, Daiwa, SPRO, Gamakatsu, V&M,Seaguar fishing line and Santone Lures. Great companies that are staples in the bass fishing industry. What a blessing!
  5. Great tournament organizations … I love competition and today anglers have a multitude of options to choose from. Organizations like B.A.S.S. and Major League Fishing (MLF) offer a wide range of tournaments for all skill levels from high school to college to professional. At no time in history has there been so many bass fishing opportunities that allow anglers to compete.
  6. The best lakes in the country….Take a pen and draw a 150-mile radius around Natchitoches, Louisiana, and you will have circled three of top 10 lakes in the country. Located right here in our own back yard are legendary lakes like Toledo Bend, Sam Rayburn and Caddo. But just outside that radius in East Texas sit Lake Fork, Lake of the Pines, Lake Monticello, and I’ll even throw in the Red River, just because of its history of hosting the Bassmaster Classic twice and a place I love to fish.
  7. Friends and fellow competitors…. This is what makes tournament bass fishing special. The friendships and connections I have made through bass fishing is insane. While all of us want to win every time we launch our boats, there’s something special about the relationships you form with fellow anglers that cannot be explained. Just like any other sport, there are “clicks” or groups of guys that will help each other during an event like maybe sharing a technique they’re using or sharing information about a bait they’re getting bites on. Within each of these clicks though, is a word called trust. Bass anglers are a funny bunch when it comes to sharing info and before they will share, trust must be established. Just like a marriage, if trust is broken, that bond is severed forever.

One more thing, as an outdoorsman I’ve had the joy of watching some of the best sunrises and sunsets ever seen. God paints an awesome display each and every day on a giant blue canvas. There’s something special in the air on a tournament morning just before take-off with the sun rising in the east and anglers sitting on the water. It’s an indescribable feeling of how good God is and what a privilege it is to get to do what I do. I’m truly thankful for all of this, and so much more, that I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy during my long bass fishing career. Till next week, good luck, good fishing and don’t forget to set the hook!


La Tech Commencement

Johnson focuses on perseverance and purpose in Louisiana Tech’s Fall 2021 Commencement address.  Louisiana Tech University conferred degrees on 284 in the University’s Fall 2021 Commencement ceremonies, held Saturday in the Thomas Assembly Center.

State Rep C. Travis Johnson, a 2007 Louisiana Tech graduate in Political Science, advised Tech’s newest alumni to focus on perseverance and purpose in order to achieve their future goals.

“No matter what, when things seem not to be going in your favor, you must persevere,” Johnson said. “I believe you will soar if you do not let the adversities you face obliterate your passion. You must use your adversities and see setbacks as set ups for success.”

The graduates should also work to find their true purpose in life, Johnson said.

“Knowing your why is absolutely critical,” Johnson said. “When you are walking the path that is laid out only for you, then every person you meet, every mistake you make, every accomplishment you obtain, will lead you to your goals.

“Your purpose is not a job or a title, your purpose is what you are called to do.”

Johnson is a native of Ferriday who has served the 21st District in the Louisiana Legislature since 2019


Journal Accepts Announcements

The DeSoto Parish Journal publishes public and private announcements.  Some of the categories of announcements we publish include Help Wanted, Public Meetings, Obituaries, Engagement, and Wedding announcements.

Please submit details and photos to:  DeSotoParishJournal@gmail.com.  Be sure to include your name and working cell phone number.  You will be contacted to make arrangements for publication and pricing.


Don’t Let Your Holiday Travel Turn Tragic

Throughout the holiday season, millions of Americans will be on our roadways eager to spend time with family and friends. According to the American Automobile Association, 2021 is expected to be one of the busiest travel years due to new health and safety guidelines. An estimated 53.4 million people will travel this season compared to 47.1 million in 2020. This increase in travel could also potentially lead to an increase in motor vehicle crashes.

In 2020, nearly 800 people were injured and eight people were killed in fatal crashes in Louisiana during the Thanksgiving holiday period (November 25-29).  In an effort to decrease the number of crashes and keep our roadways safe, Louisiana State Police will be proactively patrolling our state’s highways during the Thanksgiving travel period focusing on impaired driving and occupant protection, as well as aggressive and distracted drivers.

Last year, nearly half of fatal crashes investigated involved impaired drivers. Alcohol and drugs can impair visual ability, alter sense of time and space, impair fine motor skills needed to operate a motor vehicle, and decrease reaction times. Troopers have a “zero tolerance” policy and those caught driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be arrested. Motorists are encouraged to either designate a sober driver or utilize an alternate ride home before consuming alcohol.

Louisiana State Troopers and local law enforcement partners will be working to enforce the state’s seat belt laws as part of NHTSA’s high visibility Click It or Ticket seat belt awareness campaign.  Louisiana law requires all vehicle occupants to be properly restrained, regardless of their seating position, day or night.  While not all crashes are survivable, wearing a seat belt is the single most effective action motorists can do to reduce the risk of injury or death in the event of a crash. Troopers along with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission urge all drivers to ensure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained. Every Trip, Every Time!

Aggressive driving behavior, such as speeding and distracted driving, are among the leading causes of highway crashes. Speeding and driver distractions can reduce a driver’s ability to react to a roadway hazard and extend their distance necessary to stop a vehicle. Distracted driving can take many forms, but all remain extremely dangerous to everyone on our roads.

As you plan your travel route this year, visit http://www.511la.org or dial 511 for the latest road conditions, including closures and construction. The Louisiana 511 phone app is also available for download.  Motorists that witness hazardous road conditions or reckless drivers are encouraged to call *LSP (*577) and report that activity to the nearest Louisiana State Police troop location.

Every day, Troopers witness preventable crashes that lead to lifelong consequences. As you travel this Thanksgiving holiday period, we ask for your help in making Louisiana’s roadways safe. We are thankful to serve the citizens of Louisiana every day, and we hope you and your family have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving holiday!


ETC… for Friday, November 26, 2021

Thank you from the DeSoto Parish Journal to all the folks who have made us their local news source.  Thanks to the hundreds of subscribers to the Wednesday and Friday morning emails.  And a thank you to others who see our articles on social media sites.

And most of all, thank you to our new friends who spread the word that the DeSoto Parish Journal is the new digital news source for the parish. 

Please contact us and let us know your thoughts.  Email to:

DeSotoParishJournal @gmail.com or text to 318-564-3609.  Be sure to include your name, email, and cell phone so we can respond.


Tigers Advance, Griffins Falter

One school in the parish continues into the football playoffs this week.  Logansport High won last Friday night and they will play again.

The North Desoto Griffins could not overcome the Falcons from Northwood.  Final score was 19 to 9 as North Desoto’s season came to an end.

The Logansport Tigers were victorious at home in a big way.  After a bye week on November 12th the number one 1A school gave the home crowd thrill after thrill last Friday night.  When it was all over, Logansport shut out Arcadia 50 to 0.

Friday night the Tigers will be on the road, headed south to face number nine seed Basile.