All branches of the DeSoto Parish Library have scheduled numerous events for children and adults during May.  Their latest newsletter is attached.  You may download it and save so you won’t miss a thing.

May highlights include the summer reading program kick-off program on May 31^st.  Here are the dates and a highlight from each branch:

Mansfield Main Library – May 31- Sheriff’s Department cooking hot dogs.

Logansport Branch – May 25 – Shreveport Symphony Orchestra String Trio performs at 2:00 pm.

Pelican Branch – May 31 – Animals from the Natchitoches Alligator Park

Stonewall Branch – May 31 – All Together Now reading program begins.

The full May newsletter is featured below.

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TONIGHT kicks off the 26^th annual Natchitoches Jazz/R&B Festival on the Cane River Waterway Commission main stage at 7:00pm with Elton Live! (The Elton John Experience) Followed by The Purple Madness (A Tribute to Prince) at 9:00pm.

Saturday is packed full of fun with 3 stages offering a wide variety of bands of different genres, including; Johnny Earthquake and the Moondogs, Deep Water Rehab, Klockwork Band, Jenny & Kelli plus many more.

Last but certainly not least, you’ll enjoy a “Double Shot of Country” with headliners; Mark Chestnutt and Tracy Byrd, along with Louisiana native CUPID.

Check out the times and stage location of your favorite bands here.

See full line up

 

https://www.natchjazzfest.com/lineup-2023    

 

Purchase tickets here

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/26th-annual-natchitoches-jazzrb-festival-tickets-520954377567

 

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It is graduation season.  This issue the Journal featured several recent graduates.  And we would like to feature your graduate also.

Here are the requirements:

Text must be in a Word document.

Photos need to be jpeg and formatted Landscape (turn the phone sideways), otherwise the Journal will crop or matt the photo.

Deadline is Tuesday or Thursday noon for publication the next day.

Please do not use Google Drive for your submissions.

The charge is $55 payable in advance.

So let’s hear about your graduates. 

Email information to DeSotoParishJournal@gmail.com

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Cecil Odel Gibbs passed away at the age of 74 after a lengthy illness. He was born August 20, 1948, to Thomas Cecil and Mittie Evans Gibbs in Shreveport, Louisiana and passed away on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 in Shreveport. He graduated from Longstreet High School and worked during his childhood with his brothers and dad running the family dairy farm. He then became a heavy equipment operator for over 40 years working for and retiring from Pickett Industries. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, outdoorsman and knife and gun enthusiast. He was married to the love of his life, Maria Gibbs, for over 35 years residing in Shiloh, Louisiana. Cecil was always helpful and had a huge heart when it came to his family and friends. He was always good for a joke and a good laugh.

Cecil is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Herby Gibbs, Tommy Gibbs, and Johnny Gibbs. Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Maria Gibbs; daughter, Gina Anderson and husband, David; son, Tim McDearmont and wife, Jennifer; grandchildren, Brandon Lucero and wife, Tiffany, and Cameron and Isabella McDearmont; great-grandchildren, Lucas and Lucy Lucero; and brother, Lonnie Gibbs.

After over 30 years, we would like to thank Dr. Russell Tynes and his nurses for their primary care of Cecil. Our deepest and sincerest thanks to you and your team. We are so grateful for all you have done over the years.

To Dr. Kirtan Koticha and his nursing staff. We are eternally thankful for your unending service. It was your help and recommendations that gave us more time with our dad. Thank you for trying and for never giving up. We saw how tirelessly you worked to try and save him. Thank you for your commitment and dedication to saving lives. For that we will be forever grateful.

Special thanks to Dr. Robert Massingill and his nurses, Jessica and Emily with Christus Hospice for their tireless work, compassion, and loving care during his last few days. You are a credit to your profession, and we truly appreciate all you did.

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Joey Kelly Johnson, 64, entered his Heavenly Home on April 30, 2023 while spending time with his brother on beautiful Toledo Bend Lake. He was born on July 19, 1958 in Little Rock, AR to Jack Kelly Johnson and Janice Lee (Ivey) Johnson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Janice Johnson. Joey’s survivors include his daughters, Roxanna Baker (Shelly) of Conway, AR, and Samantha Baker (Shay) of Holcomb, MS, his sisters, Saundra Williams, & husband, Lee of St. Martinville, LA, and Joy Pilkinton of Sherwood, AR; his brothers, Jackie Johnson of Zwolle, LA; Jerry Johnson & wife, Gloria of Jacksonville, AR, and James Johnson & wife, Susie of North Little Rock, AR; his grandchildren, Tesla Kellie Lee of Conway, AR, Aylissa Breann Baker of Conway, AR, Savannah Baker of Grenada, MS, Kaytlin Baker, Kelsey Baker, and Branden Baker of Grenada, MS, Micheala Raymond of Holcomb, MS; his great grandchild, Miles Walters of Grenada, MS; along with a host of nieces, nephews, friends, and other relatives.

To know him was to love him. His eyes and smile would light up a room! Joey was always willing to help those in need, he was a great and simple man. He loved his family with his whole heart! His spirituality was one of his greatest attributes. May his light forever shine upon all who knew him. He loved racing, building hot rods and motorcycles, playing pool, fishing, and the ocean. Joey never met a stranger and will forever be missed and loved! Fly High, Daddy; We Love You!

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Cecil Odel Gibbs

August 20, 1948 — May 10, 2023

Service date to be announced.

Joey Kelly Johnson

July 19, 1958 — April 30, 2023

Service date to be announced.

Rosie Simon-Brown

7/30/1957 – 5/8/2023

Service: Saturday, May 13, 2023 @ 1:00 P.M. Mary Evergreen B.C. Grand Cane, LA.

Louis “L.C. ” Jones

2/17/1949 – 5/8/2023

Service: Saturday, May 13, 2023 @ 11:00 A.M. New Hope B.C. Mansfield, LA

Kristian “Phat” Jones

2/13/2002 – 5/7/2023

Service: Friday, May 12, 2023 @ 11:00 a. at Union Spring B.C.

Demarcus Hunt

6/1/1990 – 4/30/2023

Service: Saturday, May 13, 2023 @ 11:00 A.M. Arklite B.C. Mansfield, LA

The DeSoto Parish Journal publishes “Remembrances of Loved Ones” with unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $70. The Remembrance will be included in the emails sent to subscribers.  Contact your funeral provider or DeSotoParishJournal@gmail.com. Must be paid in advance of publication.

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Louisiana schools showed marked improvement on the latest state rankings released by U.S. News & World Report. This widely referenced report captured education as a component of its 2023 Best States rankings, which evaluates all 50 states. Louisiana moved up five places for Pre-K-12 education, improving to 41st in 2023.

DeSoto Parish schools ranked among the highest in the state.  Parish Superintendent Clay Corley told the Journal this is great news for local educators who have worked so hard for the children of the parish.  Corley said, “It’s particularly validating for us as a district, given our continued growth and rise in the state rankings. To now see the overall state measures trending upward is very encouraging.  As we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, this news helps to shine a positive light on public education and the great work of educators all across our state.”

State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley said, “These positive gains reflect the unwavering commitment educators and policy makers have to improving the quality of education in Louisiana.  In a state long challenged with educational outcomes, this movement is welcome news; however, we have a long way to go and must keep pushing forward.”

Superintendent Corley added, “DeSoto is ranked 6th in the state and is one of only seven districts with an overall rating of “A.”  DeSoto was also one of only 20 systems in the state to receive an “A” for student growth.  DeSoto’s climb to No. 6 in overall district performance rankings marks its highest since the inception of district and school accountability. 

Here are the top parishes in order:

Zachary Community School District

West Feliciana Parish

Cameron Parish

Ascension Parish

Central Community School District

DeSoto Parish

Vernon Parish

According to U.S. News & World Report, from 2019 to 2023, Louisiana has improved its overall Pre-K-12 ranking five spots, jumping from 46th to 41st. Categorically, Louisiana made the following improvements among the states:

College readiness improved two places from 42nd to 40th

High school graduation improved eight places from 45th to 37th

Math scores improved six places from 50th to 44th

Reading scores improved 10 places from 48th to 38th

Preschool enrollment improved six places from 15th to 9th

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The BackAlley Community Theatre’s production of Fiddler on the Roof is almost sold out.  An additional matinee on Sunday May 21^st had been added to the schedule.

A check of the website to purchase tickets shows that all performances, May 12^th through 20^th, are sold out.  It is reported that only a limited number of tickets remain for the May 21^st Sunday matinee at 2:00 pm.

If you do not have tickets yet to Fiddler on the Roof, CLICK HERE to reserve them.

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The DeSoto Arts Council is pleased to announce that Michael Knight, a Logansport High School Senior and Tiger Band Drum Captain, has been awarded the first DAC Scholastic Arts Grant.   “A percussionist with the ability to hop on the many instruments in this classification and learn them with ease.” That’s how Michael’s band teacher describes the six-year senior member of the Logansport High School Band.

“Michael showcases a high level of musical ability as well as a desire to always learn more about musical knowledge. He always takes the time to perfect his craft because he is a firm believer that even though something is acceptable, there are always new boundaries to push and new areas to explore,” said Logansport High School Band teacher Richard Brumbelow.

Brumbelow said Michael’s belief and tenacity has taken him far and this year alone has earned him the role of Drum Captain and a spot in the District VIII Symphonic Band, as well as the TOPS scholarship to attend Grambling State University.

LHS Senior Michael Knight said, “I know that no matter how much I practice, there will always be something to improve. This has kept me inspired to improve. Even later in life, when I have been drumming for fifty years, I know that I will find a new path to improve every day.”

The DAC Scholastic Arts Grants (SAG) is a one-time monetary gift of $1,000. It is awarded directly to the student to use at their discretion (tuition, books, or supplies). SAG was established in January 2023 to foster the study of the arts and advance the development of young artists in DeSoto Parish.

DeSoto Arts Council President Mark Poole said, “Michael discovered his love for drums early and has pursued it with zeal. We at DAC hope this grant may in a small way help him as he strives to fulfill his passion.”

SAG is offered to DeSoto Parish students that apply annually and are pursuing the arts through formal higher education. DAC selects annual applicants who are rising artists with superior creativity, desire, and pursuing a deeper understanding of their area of the arts.

As Michael begins his journey, he has the end goal in plain sight. “I plan to be the Band Director of a successful band program that attends events such as competitions regularly,” he said. This isn’t a task Michael declares flippantly. Developing and leading an exceptional band program has been his vision for years, a plan he said, he and friends have brainstormed ideas and procedures for growing and maintaining their own band program someday.

Knight said, “We will strive to grow our program as the most appreciated program in the area, and to push our students to grow individually and as a group.”

Brumbelow said Michael’s goals and vision to be a band director doesn’t surprise him at all. “I believe that Michael has a tremendous amount of potential in the field of music and will continue to strive for excellence in his music endeavors,” he said. 

The DeSoto Arts Council is a non-profit organization of volunteers and members that support individual creativity, cultural preservation, economic development, and lifelong learning through the ARTS in DeSoto Parish. DAC’s grant programs are funded through the generous donations of individuals, community programs, and local businesses. Please visit us online at desoto-arts-council-of-la.org for more information about how you can donate, download grant applications, and discover the arts in DeSoto Parish.

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By Teddy Allen

I am a Cereal Harlot.

Do not judge me: something tells me you are too.

I covet a good bowl of cereal. Have never tried to hide it.

My spousal unit knows it. My friends know it. The American People know it.

Folks like us, we’ve forgotten more about cereal than most people will ever know.

Kind of proud of it.

What about you? Don’t you love cereal with cold, cold milk? Isn’t cereal the food version of the marvelous dog? Always there when you need it, always forgiving and welcoming, refreshing, low maintenance, a friend at all times?

Tougher question: If you can eat only one cereal the rest of your days, what is it?

If you answered Frosted Flakes, you are correct. But, different strokes for different folks. Next week we will examine the Top 10 Cereals of All-Time, According to Me. What does your Top 10 look like?

In the meantime, let’s more fully explore this simple yet complex culinary treat that should be a Food Group all its own.

Consider the fascination and charm of its history, from a guy “inventing” granola more than 100 years ago to Cap’n Crunch, which is a cottage industry unto itself.

I touched Cap’n Crunch once with a 10-foot pole and promised never to again. But against a cereal that is so self-important it doesn’t even spell out Captain, I am in the minority. There is Cap’n Crunch Berries, Cap’n Crunch Peanut Butter Crunch, Cap’n Crunch Caramel Crunch, Cap’n Crunch All Berries … dude should have made General by now.

But my spousal unit as a youth enjoyed Cap’n Crunch. I was shocked at this revelation. Investigated further and discovered I am matrimonied to a person whose favorite cereals growing up were Golden Grahams and something I’ve never even seen in real life, and that is King Vitaman, spelled ‘man’ instead of ‘min,’ which in itself is messed up. Why would a little girl eat that? You think you know a person …King Vitaman breathed its last in 2019 so how good could it have been and how good could it have been for you? 

Let’s take a roll call and see what memories these bring back:

What is so special about Special K?;

Post Alpha-Bits. Discontinued in 2021. And yes, I took a physical knee in honor of the cereal, and vowed to never eat a Post cereal again — until that night when I ate a bowl of Cheerios, one of history’s greatest cereals;

Sugar Smacks, Trix (are for kids), Grape Nuts and Post Toasties;

(Cukoo for) Cocoa Puffs, Cocoa Crispies, and Count Chocula, which is the cereal company’s way of saying, “We want your child to weigh 260 by fifth grade”;

Total (which is total baloney if you’re a kid), Life, Quisp, Apple Jacks, Lucky Charms, Crispy Critters, Fruity Pebbles (the Flintstones franchise, which is totally bogus since everyone knows there was no cereal in the Stone Age, DUH!), Franken Berry, Sugar Bombs, Shredded Wheat, and on and on we could go.

Your Top 10. Be thinking … (Malt-O-Meal or Cream of Wheat equals an automatic disqualification.)

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

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Vida Blue was born on July 28, 1949, in Mansfield, Louisiana. He celebrated his 73rd birthday in July last year (2022) before he died on May 6, 2023.

Vida Blue, a hard-throwing left-hander who became one of baseball’s biggest draws in the early 1970s and helped lead the brash Oakland Athletics to three straight World Series titles before his career was derailed by drug problems, died Saturday. He was 73.

Blue grew up in Mansfield and played high school ball for DeSoto High in Mansfield.  High school baseball fans of that day got a preview of Blue’s high leg kick delivery as another fastball blew past a waiting hitter.

Blue died at a hospital in San Francisco’s East Bay area of medical complications stemming from cancer, the A’s said.

“There are few players with a more decorated career than Vida Blue,” the team said in a statement Sunday. “Vida will always be a franchise legend and a friend.”

Blue was voted the 1971 American League Cy Young Award and Most Valuable Player after going 24-8 with a 1.82 ERA, 301 strikeouts and 24 complete games, eight of them shutouts. He remains among just 11 pitchers to win both honors in the same year.

Following his award-winning 1971 season, Blue clashed with A’s owner Charlie Finley over his salary and played sparingly in 1972 as the A’s marched to the first of three straight World Series titles.

The left-hander played an integral role in the 1973 and 1974 titles. But Blue’s tumultuous relationship with Finley was a sign of things to come as the owner broke up the A’s championship core instead of paying the stars in free agency.

After Blue clashed publicly with Finley, the A’s owner traded Blue twice only to be blocked each time by baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn, first in June 1976 to the Yankees and then in December 1977 to the Cincinnati Reds. Kuhn vetoed the deals under the commissioner’s authority to act in the “best interests of baseball.”

Blue posted a 209-161 career record with a 3.27 ERA, 2,175 strikeouts, 143 complete games and 37 shutouts over 17 seasons with Oakland (1969-77), the San Francisco Giants (1978-81, ’85-86) and the Kansas City Royals (1982-83).

A six-time All-Star, Blue helped pitch the Swingin’ A’s to consecutive World Series titles from 1972 to ’74. Since then, only the 1998-2000 New York Yankees have accomplished the feat.

“Vida Blue has been a Bay Area baseball icon for over 50 years,” Giants president Larry Baer said in a statement. “His impact on the Bay Area transcends his 17 years on the diamond with the influence he’s had on our community.”

Blue was released by the Royals in August 1983 and ordered that December to serve three months in federal prison and fined $5,000 for misdemeanor possession of approximately one-tenth of an ounce of cocaine. Blue was sentenced to one year in prison, but U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Milton Sullivant suspended the majority of the term.

Blue didn’t play in 1984 and was suspended that July 26 by Major League Baseball through the remainder of the season for illegal drug use.

He returned to baseball with the Giants for two seasons starting in 1985. Blue was among the players ordered by baseball commissioner Peter Ueberroth in 1985 to be subject to random drug testing for the rest of their careers.

After his 2005 arrest in Arizona on suspicion of DUI for the third time in less than six years, Blue was sentenced to six months in jail after failing to complete his probation. But he was told he could avoid incarceration by spending time in a residential alcohol treatment program.

A’s great Dave Stewart tweeted out his condolences, calling Blue “my mentor, hero, and friend.”

Portions of this report from ESPN

Photo from AP Photo and ESPN

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Last Thursday the National Day of Prayer was observed in the parish.  This is a day when residents, pastors, and other leaders around the community come together to pray over our schools, local government, and ultimately our nation. 

At noon Thursday leaders from around DeSoto Parish gathered on the Courthouse lawn in Mansfield to join together for just that cause.  Various pastors from around the community spoke, and individually prayed over our students/faculty, local government, our nation, and our churches. 

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By Royal Alexander

I was taken aback this week to learn that President Biden has decided to send 1,500 active-duty troops to the national security and humanitarian disaster that is the U.S. southern border.  This is obviously connected to the ending next week of border restrictions contained in the Title 42 public health law.

Various news agencies have reported that perhaps as many as 35,000 illegals are staged on the Mexico side of the border in Ciudad Juarez alone—waiting to continue this two-year invasion of America encouraged by the Biden administration—and will soon cross over our border with Mexico and into the U.S. at El Paso.  This desperate reality has cities across the U.S. declaring states of emergency and requesting federal funding as they prepare for an avalanche of illegals.

To put this news in context, let’s recall how things were a mere 2.5 years ago.

Recall the unrelenting efforts of the Trump Administration to suppress and turn back the tide of illegals of every kind.  Please know that we are long past talking about Hispanics who are coming to America to work, seeking a better life.  We are now having transported into our country illegally massive quantities of drugs (including fentanyl which is killing Americans everyday), human and child trafficking, violent criminals, terrorists, and everything in between.

However, the entirety of the Biden Administration has been about undoing all of the Trump Administration efforts.

So, why now?

My best guess is that this disaster on the Southern border is finally doing real harm to the President’s reelection prospects—the blue states and sanctuary cities are finally feeling the crushing economic burden imposed by illegals that states like Texas and Florida have borne for years.

To this end, I read an article in the Wall Street Journal this week entitled “Chicago’s Sanctuary City Awakening.”  It makes the point that because of the impact of both Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Florida Governor Ron Desantis busing illegals from their states to sanctuary cities like Chicago, Chicago is now crying for help as it shoulders the burden of thousands of men, women, and children with no resources of their own. 

However, as WSJ notes, “that’s nothing next to El Paso which this week declared a state of emergency, as it braces for the end of Title 42 pandemic expulsions.”  A state of emergency.  Numerous American cities are now literally begging for help to stop the illegal invasion that is overwhelming them.

I also note that the Biden White House has carefully tried to avoid the elephant in the room this week—that the man, Francisco Oropesa, accused of murdering five people, including an eight-year-old child, in Cleveland, Texas, is an illegal alien who was previously deported five times.

Recall, this is the same Biden Administration that has told us repeatedly that the “border is secure.”

Governor Abbott tweeted this week that “Biden says he will deploy 1,500 troops to the border — primarily to do paperwork.  And only for 90 days. This does nothing to stop illegal immigration.” He added, “I deployed up to 10,000 Texas National Guard to the border to fill the gaps created by Biden’s reckless open border policies.”

U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler commented on what could have been done prior to needing troops:  “Biden could have finished the wall. He could have enforced our nation’s laws. He could have protected our national security,” he tweeted.  “But he chose to do nothing. Now, active-duty troops head to the border to clean up his mess.”

U.S. Senator Tom Cotton suggested the Biden troop initiative is a mere “publicity stunt” designed to confuse Americans who may believe the Biden Administration is finally taking seriously the pending waves of illegal immigration. (Breitbart)

If the whole situation were not such a dangerous and tragic one, it would be hard not to say “I told you so” to these American sanctuary cities who have ignored federal immigration law for years and done everything possible to impede law enforcement from apprehending and deporting illegals.

This is the point: one of the constitutional powers that actually is directly granted to the federal government is the solemn obligation to secure our borders and defend them against invasion.  The Biden Administration is, by design, abjectly failing at this responsibility.

As President Trump has said, “If you don’t have borders then you don’t have a country.”

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By Paige Nash

Family members, friends, colleagues and elected officials convened at the Louisiana Tech Academic Success Center at the Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) Wednesday, May 3, to honor local Founder and Executive Director of the “Dream Hunt Foundation” Jeff Warren.

Mike Johnson, Congressman for the 4th District, recognized and presented this year’s five Congressional Commendation recipients, including Warren.

“Scripture tells us it is really important to give honor where honor is due, and it says in the Book of Romans that we are supposed to delight in doing that and we do,” said Johnson. “Today we want to recognize some people and organizations who deserve that. We are going to present them with the biggest honor that I am capable of giving and that is a certificate of ‘Congressional Commendation’ in appreciation of their work.”

A decade ago, in 2013 Warren founded the Dream Hunt Foundation out of Desoto Parish. The mission of this non-profit organization is to help kids with special needs or underprivileged youth fulfil their dream of experiencing a “hunt-of-a-lifetime.” Special accommodations are made on behalf of the Dream Hunt Foundation to make sure the trip is enjoyable, safe and memorable while also meeting each child’s specific and individual needs.

“He had a dream of making the dreams of others come true,” said Johnson. “If you have never seen a highlight reel of some of the kids who have done this, it is a life changing event. You cannot imagine the delight. It really is a dream. It gets me choked up.”

Johnson became teary eyed as he explained to those in attendance how many lives the Dream Hunt Foundation has touched through their heartfelt and inspiring work.

The Dream Hunt Foundation will be hosting their 6th Annual Monroe 4-Man Scramble Golf Tournament next month, June 6, at the Black Bear Golf Club in Delhi. To sign up visit: dreamhunt.networkforgood.com/events/53464-2023-monroe-golf-tournament

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Monday was a wonderful day for the 4th graders of North DeSoto at Clara Springs Baptist Camp.  Activities were hosted by Louisiana State Police Troop G.

Students were able to enjoy a day of various activities such as archery, canoeing, and target shooting. They were also able to get hands on experience with LSP, DPSO, and LDWF equipment and K9 displays.

This event wouldn’t have been possible without the help of the Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.  They assisted the staff at Clara Springs Baptist Encampment.

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This Week’s report covers a one week period as of 9:00 am Monday morning and includes of all arrests made in DeSoto Parish by the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office (DPSO), Mansfield Police Department (MPD), and Louisiana State Police (LSP.)

This report covers May 1-8, 2023.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Funeral services celebrating the life of Kathy Ott Forrest, 61, of Oxford, Louisiana, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Chapel, 943 Polk St., Mansfield, Louisiana. Reverend Frankie Mathis will be officiating the service. A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at the funeral home.

Kathy was born on October 30, 1961, in Converse, Louisiana to Lottie and Marvin Ott, Sr. and entered into rest on May 5, 2023. She was the 9th child of 13 children. Kathy was a loving wife, mother, and especially a proud grandmother.

Preceding Kathy in death are her parents, Lottie Black Ott and Marvin Ott, Sr.; and three of her sisters, Sue Mayes, Charlotte McCune, and Diane Lord.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Ricky Forrest; daughters, Hannah Wilson (Matthew), Jessica Wilson (Michael), and Charli Richardson (Jared); sisters, Betty Butler (Ronnie), Vicki Gardner (Bill), Mary Ott, April Ott, and Lisa Goins (Lee); brothers, Marvin Ott, Jr. (Karen), Tim Ott (Sonya), Glynn Ott (Rhonda), and Mike Ott; grandchildren, Kaigan, Zade, Jack, Caleb, Grace, Brent, Waylon, Willie, Ian, and Alice Rose; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Honoring Kathy as pallbearers will be Glynn Ott, Jacob Ott, Jeff Ott, Jordan Ott, Brian Lord, Tim Ott, and Mike Ott. Honorary pallbearers will be Jakob Ryder, Ryan Migues, Daniel Savell, Richard Allee, Micah Forrest, and Billy Newsom.

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Vida Blue

July 28, 1949 to May 6, 2023

Funeral service to be announced.

Kathy Ott Forrest

October 30, 1961 — May 5, 2023

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Chapel, 943 Polk St., Mansfield, Louisiana.

The DeSoto Parish Journal publishes “Remembrances of Loved Ones” with unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $70. The Remembrance will be included in the emails sent to subscribers.  Contact your funeral provider or DeSotoParishJournal@gmail.com. Must be paid in advance of publication.

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Logansport and North DeSoto baseball teams travel to Sulphur, LA next week for semi-final games in the baseball playoffs.  Logansport plays DeQuincy on Tuesday at 7:00 pm.  North DeSoto plays Iowa on Thursday at 11:00 am.

 

From DeSoto Parish Schools, “We are pleased to announce the following administrative appointments for DeSoto Parish Schools.  Mr. Brandon Burback-Supervisor of Administration, Mr. Kevin Gardner-Supervisor of Student Services, and Mr. Chris Bush-LHS Principal, have all played an integral role in the education for our students and have excelled in their current positions. They are eager to continue supporting students and staff as they begin their new leadership positions.”

 

The Grand Cane Board of Aldermen has a special meeting called at Village Hall on Tuesday May 9^th at 9:30 am.  The agenda includes the switching of locations for several businesses. One is a Request by Ashley Permenter to merge her business (Altered Grace) with Alicia Blunt’s (Double B Nutrition).  The other is a request by Austin Patton to move his business (Rockin P Ranch & Leather) to Ashley’s for more space.

 

Men of Prayer at Stonewall said their June 1^st meeting at the Stonewall Community Center will feature Dr. Bruce Hennigan, Author and Apologist as the guest speaker.  Food, Fellowship and God for men of all ages.

 

Senior Honor Cord Ceremony for Mansfield High Juniors was held Tuesday at 1:00 pm in the New Gym.  The event was by invitation only and was not open to the public.

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The North DeSoto Griffins advanced to the state baseball semi-final game by defeating Assumption High on their home turf two games to one.  Final scores of the Friday and Saturday games were:

Friday afternoon – Assumption 10 – North DeSoto 0 (5 inning mercy rule)

Saturday morning – North DeSoto 11 – Assumption 1 (5 inning mercy rule)

Saturday afternoon – North DeSoto 4 – Assumption 1

North DeSoto advances to the state semifinals vs #7 Iowa at Sulphur.  The game will be played Thursday May 11th  at 11:00 am.

Meanwhile the Logansport Tigers are preparing for their state semifinal game in Sulphur on Tuesday May 9th.  That game will be played at t:00 pm. 

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The director of the BackAlley Community Theatre’s production of Fiddler on the Roof has announced the addition of another performance due to high demand for tickets.  Amy Hall informed the cast and crew at Sunday’s rehearsal that the additional performance will be a 2:00 pm matinee on Sunday, May 21st.

Online ticket sales are available by CLICKING HERE.

Hall also informed the crew that many of the six scheduled performances are sold out.  Hall said, “There are only a few tickets available for all shows.  Most availability is Friday evening May 19th.  Tell everyone if they are planning on coming to Fiddler on the Roof, they should go online and reserve their seats.”  Tickets for the additional Matinee on May 21st are also available on that website.

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Where is the best place in the parish to get a cool, refreshing, healthy drink of water?  Results of the 2022 study released recently by the Louisiana Department of Health indicates five water systems in DeSoto Parish scored highest while some systems are not doing as well. 

Systems earning an “A” were the Grand Cane Water System, Logansport Water System, North DeSoto Water System, Rambin-Wallace Water System (scored 100%), and the Highway 531 Water Supply.

Those earning a “B” were the Keatchie Water System, and DeSoto Parish Waterworks District One.

One system got a ranking of “C.” That was the East DeSoto Water System.

One system earned a grade of “D.” That was the Mansfield Water System.

Two systems in the parish received a failing grade.  They were the South Mansfield Water System with a grade of 51% or an “F” and the South DeSoto Water System with a grade of 49% or an “F.”

Here is the link to the report page on the Louisiana Department of Health website.  You may read the results for yourself.  CLICK HERE

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The Tigers are headed to Sulphur, LA for the Division 2 semi-finals in baseball.  Logansport is the #2 seed and they defeated Delcambre on Wednesday at home.  Final score was Logansport 9 and Delcambre 6.

On Thursday, #3 seed DeQuincy defeated Welsh 11 to 2 to advance.  They play the Tigers Tuesday May 9^th at McMurry Park in Sulphur at 5:00 pm.

Meanwhile the North DeSoto Griffins play today in the Division 4 quarterfinals.  They travel to Assumption High for a best of three series.  First game is today at 4:00 pm.

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Thursday afternoon at 3:09 pm DeSoto Parish Sheriff communications received a 911 call from an individual advising she received a call from her child stating there were shots being fired at the school. Initial information indicated the North DeSoto campus. Deputies arrived on scene within one minute of the call. 14 units including two Louisiana State Troopers were actively clearing the campus in under 5 minutes with other units arriving shortly after.

It was determined fairly quickly that this was a false alarm.  When information comes into our office that even suggests there may be danger at one of our schools, we respond immediately and ask questions later.  Fortunately, this was a false alarm that led to many units responding to the location.

As this was happening further information revealed that  Northwood High School was possibly involved. Caddo Sheriff’s Office was advised and responded. The caller is cooperating with Caddo authorities to determine the source of information they received.

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By Brad Dison

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is an endurance car race held each June in the town of Le Mans, France.  The purpose of the race is for car manufacturers to focus on manufacturing sporty cars which are also reliable.  The winner in this race is not the driver who crosses the finish line first, but the driver who covers the most distance in the 24-hour period.

Although 54-year-old Leonard had raced cars since he was a teenager, he was new to professional race car driving.  He was considered a rookie.  Leonard wanted to prove that he was a serious driver, and Le Mans was the perfect opportunity.  

Leonard was roughly 20 years over the average age of the other race car drivers in the 1979 Le Mans.  He and teammates Dick Barbour and Rolf Stommelen took turns driving their Porsche 935 turbo.  Rain poured on the racetrack for hours, but Leonard and his teammates were gaining ground.  With each passing hour, they came closer to victory.  Just 2 ½ hours from the end of the race, Leonard and his teammates were in second place.  Then, the lead car, driven by brothers Don and Bill Whittington, stalled with a broken injector pump belt.  If they were unable to fix the car quickly, Leonard and his teammates would take first place.  Don Whittington fashioned a replacement belt and got the car back in the race, but Leonard’s team was catching up.  In the last hour of the race, Leonard’s car developed engine trouble which required them to drive slower than the other cars just to finish the race.  Some of other cars reached speeds in excess of 220 miles per hour.  Finally, the race was over.  Of the 55 cars which entered the endurance race, only 22 completed the race.

When the results were in, Leonard’s team had completed 299 laps, but the Whittington brothers were declared the winners with 306 laps completed.  The Whittington brothers won by a distance of only 58 miles in the 24-hour race.  Don Whittington commented that Leonard’s coming in second place “is sure going to take some of the limelight from us.”  Leonard, the rookie race car driver, was better known for movies in which he appeared such as “Cool Hand Luke,” “The Sting,” “The Color of Money,” and “The Hustler.”  Leonard, that rookie racecar driver who nearly won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in his first attempt, was the middle name of actor Paul Newman.  Not bad for a rookie.

Sources:

1. The Daily News, June 11, 1979, p.20.
2. The Odessa American, June 11, 1979, p.9.

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