On Thursday, February 3, 2022, just after 7:00 a.m., Troopers assigned to Louisiana State Police Troop G began investigating a two-vehicle fatality crash on US Hwy 84, west of LA Hwy 3248.  This crash claimed the life of 34-year-old Reshunda Smith, who was not restrained.

The initial investigation revealed a 2010 Chrysler 300, driven by Smith, was traveling east on US Hwy 84.  At the same time, a 2016 DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office (DPSO) Chevrolet Tahoe was traveling west on US Hwy 84.  For reasons still under investigation, Smith lost control and exited the roadway. After exiting the roadway, the Chrysler re-entered US Hwy 84 before crossing the centerline and colliding with the Chevrolet.

Smith was not wearing her seat belt and suffered fatal injuries as a result of this crash.  She was pronounced deceased at the scene by the DeSoto Parish Coroner.  The Deputy driving the DPSO vehicle was wearing his seat belt.  He was transported to a local hospital and was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

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.

Troopers would like to take this opportunity and remind motorists of ensuring their vehicle tires have adequate tread depth and are replaced when showing signs of wear.  When tires have proper tread depth they will disperse water while maintaining contact with the road surface.  In addition, reducing your speed will ensure that your vehicle will perform much safer during inclement weather.  Lastly, buckling up is the most effective way to protect yourself during a vehicle crash. Failure to take a few seconds to buckle up can have devastating consequences.  Louisiana law requires every person in a vehicle, regardless of seating position, to be properly restrained day or night.

In 2022, Troop G has investigated two fatal crashes resulting in two deaths.

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The DeSoto Parish Library said, “We had lots of fun and laughs on Wednesday making Valentine wreaths at the Pelican Library! Keep an eye out for more great programs at your local library.”

Note also …Free computer classes are offered by your library.  The Mansfield main library is offering basic computer skills on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at 8:30 am.  The Pelican branch has computer classes on Tuesdays at 10:00 am.  Basic computer skills are offered each Friday at 10:00 am at the Stonewall Branch.  And in Logansport computer classes are offered from 8:00 to 9:00 am on Wednesdays.

And a reminder that all branches of the DeSoto Parish Library will be closed on Monday February 21^st in celebration of President’s Day.

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By Nicole Tull

The Stanley High School boys and girls basketball teams played against Converse for their Homecoming. Stanley won both games. Before the games begun, the Homecoming Court for 2021-2022 school year was presented.

The Senior Maids are Bonnie Caston, Jayden Crawford, and McKinnsey Brouillette.  Bonnie Caston was crowned Homecoming Queen. The Junior Maids are Katelyn Caston and Alexis Cooper. The Sophomore Maids are Jaylie Smith and Kaitlyn Garrett. The Freshman Maids are Madeline Castillo and Aaliyah Bradford.

The Homecoming Sweethearts are Josie Celichowski (4-H), Harley Simone (FFA), Sha’Mya Whitiker (FBLA), Maggie Walker (FCA), Qunijya Johnson (Yearbook), Avery Barber (BETA), Kira Wilson (Basketball), and Tehya Stephens (Baseball).

Shootin’ on Faith Photography was on hand to take pictures of the girls as they were presented.

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By Nicole Tull

The Logansport Chamber of Commerce had their monthly meeting at the Logansport Library Tuesday evening, February 1^st. The Chamber is conducting their membership drive. Now is a great time to join as a business or as an individual. There are benefits for folks joining. If a local needs your services, the Chamber can direct them to you.

A point of interest from the meeting was the addition of the digital sign at the library. The community events are encouraged to be advertised on it. Contact the library for your event to be advertised.

Texas is always represented well. Many members of the Chamber come from over the river. A guest from Teneha visited this month. He was wanting to take back information for his town to conduct their meetings. The Mayor of Joaquin encouraged everyone to come over on the first Saturday of every month to the square for their festivities.

As the group dined over James Walker’s barbeques sandwiches, there was much discussion concerning regular business and the upcoming events at hand. Trade Days on the Riverfront is of great interest to the community and the Chamber. How often and when were discussed. Warm months will be better for the crowds. Easter weekend will boast of lots of fun on the riverfront. Egg collecting, games and food are priority. The committees will nail down details by next month so the community can be made aware.

The last point of business was voting on the Chamber member of the month. Angela Murray was nominated. She serves as the treasurer for the Chamber and does an outstanding job. She is invested in the community and offers many usable ideas to the Chamber.

The next meeting will be 6:00 pm Tuesday, March 1^st at the library. All are encouraged to attend.

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Clarence Willilams Sr.

June 5, 1971 to January 30, 2022

Service: Friday, February 4, 2022, 1:00 P.M. Willow Grove Baptist Church Highway 1 Interment: Starlight Cemetery Armstead, LA

Earnestine Jones-Hamilton

June 30, 1944 to January 30, 2022

Service: Saturday, February 5, 2022, 12:00 P.M. New Elizabeth Baptist Church Grand Cane, LA.

Troyer Jones

March 8, 1958 to January 28, 2022

Service: Saturday, February 5, 2022, 11:00 A.M. Freedom Worship Coushatta, LA Interment: Summer Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.

Rev. Clifford Johnson

March 26, 1953 to January 27, 2022

Service: Saturday, February 5, 2022, 1:00 P.M. Mt. Mariah Baptist Church Cemetery Kingston, LA.

Nancy Philyaw-Hickman

July 18, 1930 to January 25, 2022

Service: Saturday, February 5, 2022, 11:00 A.M. Antioch Baptist Church Pleasant Hill, LA.

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The state health department said all community-based COVID-19 testing and vaccination events supported by the Louisiana National Guard in Northwest Louisiana will be closed on Friday, February 4, due to weather.  Testing and vaccines will be available at the public health units in DeSoto, Natchitoches, Red River and Sabine parishes, which will remain open.

Krewe Of Demeter Mardi Gras parade is Saturday February 5 in downtown Mansfield.  Tailgating and setup up downtown around the square and along the route is permitted and encouraged.  Parade rolls at 6:00 pm.  It’s a family, fun event so come early and enjoy.

Saturday from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm the Mansfield main library will offer a free movie day for kids.  Call the library at 872-6100 for more information.

In exercising caution for the safety of students, faculty and staff, Northwestern State University’s Shreveport campus will be closed on Friday, February 4.  Students, faculty and staff are advised to use extreme caution on roadways, overpasses and bridges that may freeze and black ice that could cover roads as temperatures fall into the upper 20s.  Students who commute from Shreveport should notify their instructors if they are unable to travel.

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Congratulations to Hannah Gamble Touchton of Grand Cane.  Hanna won $100 and a Valentine’s Day red rose from the Flower Shop in Mansfield.  Her prize will be presented this week and her story will appear in the Friday DeSoto Parish Journal.

The Journal is rewarding our email subscribers with an opportunity to win $100 and a rose just for signing up for a free subscription.  Each of our subscribers are rewarded every Wednesday and Friday morning with local DeSoto Parish news delivered directly to their favorite device.

Would you like to be our next $100 winner?  Then CLICK HERE to get your free subscription to the Journal.

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The Quarterback Club put on quite a show Monday night to celebrate the graduating seniors on the Griffin Football Team.  The annual football banquet was held at Summer Grove church in south Shreveport.  Coach Dennis Dunn and his assistant coaches presented numerous awards won by individual members of the team.

Coach Dunn reminded the team that although they had some losses this season, they came incredibly close to going all the way to the state championship.  He thanked the seniors for their hard work.  “You laid the foundation,” Dunn said, “You gave us something to build upon in coming years.  And I don’t think a state championship is that far away.”

Underclassmen on the team presented the seniors with their game jerseys.  And there were congratulations all around.

Leading off the evening was the coach of ULM in Monroe, Terry Bowden.  His message was one of hard work, getting an education, and building your personal faith in God.  Bowden has coached college football for 27 years.  He spoke of his father Bobby Bowden and his brothers and the competition that came about in his family.  He talked every day of competing for his father’s favor.

There were jokes and lighthearted moments.  Bowden is a great storyteller.  But woven in those stories were some sound advice for the graduating seniors and other members of the Griffins.

Bowden made several simple points of what college recruiters are looking for.  “Athletic ability is given,” he said, “It is genetic, your God given ability.  That you cannot control but there are things you can control like hard work.”

Bowden’s points were work hard, keep up your studies, and build a good character.  Bowden said, “Be the hardest worker.  Put the time in.  Set your goals high and pay the price to achieve them.”

On academics, Coach Bowden said, “You have to have the ACT scores and the GPA.  Are you doing what you have to do?  If you make the grade there is a college for you.”

And on character, Bowden said, “Character is what you do when no one is looking.  What kind of character do you have?  Do what is right, not what’s wrong.  What is your spiritual life like and what about your faith?  Do you go to church, do you pray, and do you need something more?  Football is a priority, but don’t make football the priority in your life.  Make God the priority in your life and you’ll have all the other things.”

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We are sad to announce that Back Alley Community Theatre will not be able to present our upcoming musical, “Smoke on the Mountain.”  We are trying to make arrangements to present this show later this summer.  This close to show opening, we were not able to replace a cast member and bring you the quality of show you expect  from Back Alley. Thank you for your understanding.

For those who purchased tickets online, your ticket purchase will be refunded. For Season Ticket holders, your season ticket will be honored at the rescheduled “Smoke on the Mountain” show.

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By Teddy Allen

The tomboys of my rural youth came in all shapes and sizes, girls who could run barefoot on gravel or make riding a horse look effortless as riding a front porch rocker.

They could climb up and down the insides of tiered tobacco barns like spiders, play backyard ball as long as any boy, ride bikes and pop wheelies ’til sundown, get just as dirty as you and love every minute of it.

We knew girls could play.

But we hadn’t seen nothin’ yet.

In 1973, we watched a woman named Billie Jean King beat a man in tennis on primetime TV. A man! Then the 1976 Olympics and Nadia Comaneci came along and all us boys were wondering, “How can a 14-year-old female flip around that high off the ground and keep her balance on that little piece of wood?”

Tip of the iceberg.

Nancy Lieberman. Cheryl Miller. Jackie Joyner-Kersee. Nancy Lopez. I went to school with and/or saw Louisiana Tech’s Pam Kelly and Janice Lawrence and Kim Mulkey and, at what was then Northeast Louisiana, Eun Jung Lee earn their Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame credentials on basketball courts all over the country.

More modern names are Venus and Serena Williams, Simone Biles, and the United States women’s national soccer team. The spotlight on female athletes has come a long since Wilma Rudolph.

We didn’t know it, but of course this sort of thing had been going on since Babe Didrikson Zaharias took to winning a couple of gold medals in track and field in the 1932 Olympics, then won 10 LPGA majors in her spare time. Legend has it she’d show up for exhibitions against men in this town or that, tee up a ball, back off and say, “So, who’s playing for second?”

Woman against boys.

All those trailblazers have made it easier for female athletes to have more opportunities, something celebrated today, February 2, the 36th annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD), made possible by the Women’s Sports Foundation established in 1974 “to advance the lives of women and girls through sports and physical activity.”

The Foundation’s mission is to enable all girls and women to reach their potential, both in sports and in life.

With a special assist from the WNBA and to recognize the 50th anniversary of Title IX, Caddo Parks and Recreation is celebrating the day with a “Her Time to Play” virtual event.

Girls ages 10-14 are invited to participate in the event, which will include a wellness check, education around Title IX, a panel discussion led by female athletes and trailblazers such as NY Liberty player Betnijah Laney, and interactive breakout rooms “to help inspire girls to play basketball, teach them to realize their full potential, as well reflect upon the importance of advancing gender equity.”

The time is Wednesday, February 2, 5:30 pm – 6:45pm. Register here:

caddoparks.org/event/her-time-to-play/

You’ll receive a Zoom link after registration is completed.

Go ahead. Register. You’ve got next.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

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By Nicole Tull

Logansport and Stanley schools celebrated 100 days of learning this past Friday. Some students dressed up to look like they were 100 years old. Livvy Patton even brought a blow-up cane to complement her gray hair and glasses.

Other students’ classes offered a variety of activities to celebrate the milestone. One LHS class wore paper crowns indicating “100”. They also had two types of cookies in plastic food bags that looked like “100” when held up. Ms. Wise’s class at Stanley also donned decorated paper crowns that showed they were “100 Days Smarter”.

On the following Monday, Stanley School celebrated its 101^st day of school with a nod to Dalmatians. Several classes dressed in polka dots to resemble the spotted dogs. Ms. Wise took inspiration from Cruella, the other black/white character from the 101 Dalmatians movie.

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Over the past few months, residents may have noticed a few extra beards here in DeSoto Parish! That is because, in November, Sheriff Richardson informed his deputies that our office would be participating in a new challenge as part of an effort to raise money for local charity. For deputies participating, beards could be grown and neatly kept in exchange for a small donation. The total amount donated would then be delivered to a local charity of the Sheriff’s choosing. As a result, we are happy to announce that nearly $1,000 was raised among our whiskered staff!

On February 1st, Sheriff Richardson was able to present the donation to the non-profit group BFF of Desoto Animal Services, who helps bring awareness  and assistance to the DeSoto Animal Shelter! Pictured are Sheriff Richardson, Barbie Higginbotham with DeSoto Animal Services, several participating deputies, and “Buffy,” a local pup that is excited to be on her way to her new forever home in New York. Because of donations such as this, the BFF group is able to help in supplying food, supplies, and fund transports of local animals to anxiously awaiting families throughout the United States!

The program has been so successful that Sheriff Richardson has decided to continue the charity program for months to come! Each month, donations will be collected from our participating bearded staff, and will be distributed to another local charity. We send a special thanks to the participants, and for the work that BFF of DeSoto does for our community!

Pictured from left to right: Deputy of Public Relations Mark Pierce, Assistant Warden R.L. Cox, Sgt. Kevin Coleman, Mrs. Barbie Higginbotham, Sheriff Jayson Richardson, Sgt. Mike Armstrong, and Deputy Brad Lowe.

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This month high school baseball and softball get underway at Logansport.  The Lady Tigers begin first with a gave vs Lakeside to be played at Southwood High on February 3^rd.  Then there is the Airline Hall of Fame Game at 5:00 pm on February 7^th.

Both baseball and softball play on February 10^th at Joaquin, TX.

The complete schedules are below.

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By Brad Dison

Vesna Vulović loved to travel and longed to see the world.  In 1971, 21-year-old Vesna had a chance encounter with a friend who was an air hostess, often referred to as a stewardess.  Vesna was excited to learn that she could travel to London and many other worldwide destinations at the expense of the airline.  The time between flights was hers for sightseeing or shopping.  Vesna recognized this as a wonderful opportunity and applied to JAT Airways, Yugoslavia’s largest airline.  JAT agreed to hire her if she could pass a medical examination.  Vesna had a history of low blood pressure, which she knew would make her fail her medical examination.  On the day of her examination, Vesna intentionally drank an excessive amount of coffee.  The trick worked.  Vesna passed her examination and was cleared for flight.

Flight 367 departed on the morning of January 25, 1972 from Stockholm, Sweden and had a stopover in Copenhagen, Denmark.  Vesna and the rest of her flight crew had spent the previous day shopping in Denmark, waiting to relieve the incoming crew that afternoon.  Vesna and her flight crew arrived at the airport in Denmark to relieve the flight crew which had flown from Stockholm to Copenhagen.  Vesna and her crew arrived at the airport and watched as the passengers deplane.  Although some of the passengers were continuing their journey on the same jet, the passengers were required to deplane as a safety measure.  One man caught the attention of everyone in the vicinity.  He seemed terribly annoyed by something, but Vesna never learned the cause of his irritation. 

Vesna, her flight crew, and the passengers, a total of 28 people, boarded the jet for the next leg of the flight to Zagreb, Croatia.  The irritable man failed to reboard the jet.  At 3:15 p.m., flight 367 departed from Copenhagen.  Vesna served drinks and snacks to the passengers and crew.  46 minutes after takeoff, at 4:01 p.m., as the jet flew at an altitude of 33,333 feet, an explosion ripped through the jet’s baggage compartment.  The cabin instantly depressurized and, due to her low blood pressure, Vesna passed out.  The jet broke apart over the mountainside village of Srbská Kamenice in Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic).  Vesna, unconscious, was trapped in the jet’s fuselage by a food cart.  The other 27 people on the flight were blown out of the jet when it depressurized and they fell to their deaths.  The jet’s fuselage plummeted from a height of 33,333 feet (6.3 miles) toward the ground until it struck the snow-covered mountainside at an angle.  The deep snow and the angle in which the fuselage hit softened the impact. 

Bruno Honke, a local villager who had been a medic during World War II, was the first to reach the impact sight.  He assumed there were no survivors but, to his surprise, he heard someone screaming from the wreckage.  He rushed to the pile of debris and found Vesna.  Vesna had a fractured skull, three broken vertebrae, several broken ribs, a fractured pelvis, and both legs were broken.  Bruno stayed with her until rescuers arrived and transported Vesna to a hospital.     

Vesna was in a coma for 27 days.  When she regained consciousness, she was temporarily paralyzed below the waist and suffered from amnesia.  The last thing she remembered was greeting the passengers as they boarded flight 367.  Her family learned of the crash about two weeks after it occurred and rushed to her bedside.  Ten months after the crash, after several operations and months of therapy, Vesna finally regained the ability to walk though she limped for the rest of her life. 

To everyone’s amazement, Vesna did not fear flying following the crash.  She simply said that she had no memory of the crash.  In September of 1972, Vesna told the airline that she was anxious to return to work.  Rather than return her to her previous job as a flight attendant, JAT Airways provided Vesna with a desk job.  For the rest of her life, Vesna suspected that the irritable man was somehow responsible for the explosion which caused the crash. 

The mere fact that Vesna survived earned her a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for the “highest fall survived without parachute.”  But Vesna Vulović should not hold that record.  You see, a JAT Airways employee confused Vesna for another flight attendant with the same first name and assigned her to that fateful flight.  It was supposed to be Vesna Vulović’s day off.

Sources:

1. The Fresno Bee (Fresno, California), February 2, 1972, p.15.
2. Guinness World Records. “Highest Fall Survived Without Parachute.” Accessed January 29, 2022. guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/highest-fall-survived-without-parachute.

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This Thursday night, February 3^rd, DeSoto Men of Prayer will meet at Stonewall.  Matt Butts, Student Minister from Gloster Baptist Church will be our guest speaker. 

Come early.  Hunter Tuck will be leading us in worship.  There will be plenty of food prepared by Chris Kirkley.

Come on out and join us.  Men of all ages welcome.

From DeSoto Men of Prayer.

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The following arrests were made in DeSoto Parish between January 23 – January 29, 2022, over a one week period.

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Desoto Animal Services needs dog foo. We have 7 bags left and that will only last a few days. We feed Star Pro in the red bag. Other dog food that is donated is used in the community, in situations such as lending to fosters, feeding strays until caught, etc. We feed this food consistently to our dogs since switching feed can cause upset stomachs. Please donate to Desoto Town and Country Feed Store. We purchase the feed by the pallet. One pallet has 40 bags, at $36/bag. You can pay toward a pallet or purchase bags individually. We appreciate your generosity and unwavering support of our shelter.

Logansport High School said, “We are blessed with one of the best in #TigerNation. Congrats Miranda Blount for being chosen as DeSoto Parish Elementary Teacher of the Year.”

The preschool story hour is back at your local library.  Wednesdays at 10:00 am is story time at all branches of the DeSoto Parish Library.

Philip Maxfield with LifeShare will be at North Desoto High on Wednesday the 2nd and Thursday the 3rd during lunch for students to sign up for a blood drive.  He will go over the requirements for giving blood with each at that time.

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