If you have damage to report from the recent storm, there is a link for you to click.   Damage.La.gov will walk you through the process of reporting your damage to the State.  This information was provided to the Sheriff’s Office, and all questions should be directed to this website (there is also a number to call on the site).

Damage.LA.Gov is a Virtual Louisiana initiative and damage reporting process launched by GOHSEP in the spring of 2020. It gives the citizens of Louisiana access to self-report damages in the aftermath of significant disasters including hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and winter weather.

Your reports help parish, state, and federal authorities better understand the location and severity of damage impacts. That information also helps expedite the individual assistance process following major disasters and emergencies.

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The DeSoto Sheriff’s Office tells the bad guys to cool it this summer.  Their memo to the public, especially the bad guys:

Due to the numerous excessive heat advisories we have recently experienced, the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office is requesting that all criminals kindly “Stop it.” 

Cut it out.  It’s too hot for that, and we all know it. 

Any further questions can be referred to your gramma, meemaw, big mama, nanny, nana, moomoo or whomever in your household controls the switch, flyswatter, flip-flop, tv remote, extension cord, or nearby inanimate object. 

Find you some business, preferably legally in the A/C somewhere, and we promise to do the same.  Teamwork makes the Dream work.

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By Brad Dison

It was the 1969 Toronto Pop Festival and Malcolm “Mac” John Rebennack Jr.’s band was scheduled to perform.  Mac looked like something from a strange other world.  He had strands of beads and other trinkets interwoven into his hair and “powders coming out of his ears.” Strips of colorful rags hung from his clothing.  He used a walking stick which looked like its intended use was for casting spells rather than walking.  The 18-year-old musician was in perfect health and did not require any type of apparatus for walking.  The stick was just part of who Mac was.  When Mac walked in a room, everyone instinctually turned their gaze his way.

The concert was held at an outdoor venue, and it had been raining periodically throughout the day.  Mac and his band were onstage playing their unique mixture of jazz, blues, rock and roll, and funk which the media nicknamed “voodoo rock,” when the rain began to pour.  As if it were a part of the show, Mac raised the unique walking stick toward the sky and held it there for a few moments.  His eyes focused on the dark clouds.  Some say he mumbled a few words.  Suddenly, as if under Mac’s spell, the rain stopped completely.

Mac was born and raised in New Orleans’s middle class Third Ward.  His father owned and operated an appliance store.  In addition to household appliances such as washers, dryers, and refrigerators, Mac’s father sold sound systems and records in a variety of genres Mac later described as “gospel, bebop, real filthy party records, and hillbilly stuff like Hank Williams.”  Mac’s father also repaired appliances and sound systems.  Mac was first subjected to the gypsy world of musicians as a child when he accompanied his father on sound system repair jobs at local clubs.  Mac was more than a decade away from the required age to enter the clubs, but he was allowed since he was helping with the repairs.  Mac was entranced.  He recognized at this early age that he wanted to be a performer just like them.  Within a short time, Mac learned to play multiple instruments with almost no instruction.

By the time he was a teenager, he was writing songs for other artists and playing guitar for recording sessions.  Mac said, “New Orleans produced a lot of good piano players and some good drummers, but for some reason there weren’t a lot of guitar players around, so I kind of filled the need.”  Mac was always modest.  Aaron Neville recalled that “the ratty dude,” which is how he referred to Mac, “was a bad dude on guitar.”  But that changed when Mac was 20 years old.

In 1961, Mac was on tour with his friend, fellow New Orleans native Ronnie Barron.  When Mac and Ronnie were not performing, they spent most of their time at a local motel.  During their stay, Ronnie and the motel manager’s wife became friends, maybe more than friends.  The motel manager confronted Ronnie about the possible infidelity and an argument ensued.  In a fit of rage, the motel manager pulled a pistol from his pocket.  Mac grabbed the pistol with his left hand just as the motel manager pulled the trigger.  POW!!!   Because of Mac’s quick action, the bullet missed its intended target.  For Ronnie, Mac was in the right place at the right time.  For Mac’s left ring finger, Mac was in the right place at the wrong time.  The bullet passed through his finger and left it “hanging by a thread.”  Surgeons repaired his mangled finger to the best of their abilities, but Mac’s career as a guitar player had ended with that pistol shot.  Mac transitioned from guitar to bass and then to piano, his first instrument.

Mac fell into a deep depression and tried to dull it with drugs.  He was arrested for possession of narcotics and spent time in a federal prison.  Upon his release in 1965, Mac moved to Los Angeles, California where he became a session piano player for artists such as Buffalo Springfield and Sonny and Cher.  In 1967, Mac recorded his first album, Gris-Gris, with other transplanted New Orleans musicians.  While working on the album, Mac began working on a way to incorporate the Mardi Gras tradition that he was so fond of into his live shows.  He created a character for his live shows that he named after a 19th-centuryth century Louisiana voodoo priest.  In creating this character, Mac said he was “just tryin’ to hustle album deals, just tryin’ to hustle money.”  Rather than being a one-off character as Mac had planned, he became known as the character.  Malcolm John Rebennack Jr. may have been known as Mac to his close friends, but the world knows Mac as Dr. John.  He is most associated with his biggest hit single released in 1973 called “Right Place, Wrong Time.”

 Sources:

1. Browne, David. “Dr. John: The Joy and Mystery of a New Orleans Saint.” Rolling Stone, 24 July 2019, rollingstone.com/music/music-features/dr-john-joy-mystery-new-orleans-saint-861931/amp/. Accessed 18 June 2023.
2. “Dr. John – Right Place Wrong Time (Official Audio).” youtube.com, youtube.com/watch?v=W4PjWgiH-LQ. Accessed 7 Feb. 2023.

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Logansport High posted, “What started off as a project for some of our LHS students under the guidance of Deputy Burns & Coach Stroud has now been presented across the state. 

From Mark Pierce with the Sheriff’s Office:

Just want to give a shoutout to my guy Lane Burns for taking initiative, involving students, and putting in the work to achieve a greater law enforcement tool for school safety in our parish. Now’s he’s taking it abroad!  Lane, along with a representative with MapMe spoke today to a room full of School Resource Officers and others across the state about a program he and students started at Logansport High School.

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By Steve Graf

Over my years of traveling all over the South from one tournament to another, I’ve had a few funny and sometimes difficult encounters. Most of the time it’s something mechanical like a flat tire, a wheel bearing going out on my boat trailer, or motor trouble with my outboard engine like a lower unit going out. But sometimes Mother Nature decides to invade my territory with a snake trying to get into my boat or an occasional alligator who likes to make his presence known. But one recent event at Toledo Bend was a different kind of incident.

As anglers, we spend all day searching for fish we hope will put us in the winner’s circle or at least get a check. Practicing for an event can be physically exhausting and mentally draining. So, a good night’s sleep is very important for an angler to be able to function at a high level. The last thing we want is for our sleep to be disrupted in the middle of the night.

Well on the night of May 25th at Toledo Bend, I was in my deep sleep phase when I heard something outside my bedroom window. As anglers, we are all paranoid about someone stealing things out of our boat and are on constant alert. On this particular night, I awoke to a loud noise like someone was outside. There were three of us staying together at this VRBO house and we each had our own boat. The area we were staying in seemed to be a very quiet neighborhood, so to think that someone was outside going through our boats got my full attention. 

Just like the Night Before Christmas, “When out on the driveway there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. Away to the back door I flew like a flash, threw open the door to see all the trash.” Well, there he was, standing in the trash and enjoying some leftover wings from the previous guest. It turns out that the bandit was a massive raccoon who decided to order the trash can wings. Now as I opened the door, you would think this raccoon would scurry away. But not this guy; he was not intimidated by me at all. He actually had a look on his face like, “What do you want? Can’t you see I’m eating?”

Not looking to abandon the buffet of chicken wings he had found, he let me know really quickly, as he stood up on his hind legs, that I had better back off if I knew what was good for me. Now I’ve come across a few raccoons during my 62 years on this earth, but none as bold or as bad as this one. He was not going away easily, and it would take my best bluff to send him down the road to another feast.

It was at this point that I reached down and grabbed the lid of the trash can he had destroyed, and I started banging it and ran toward him. At first, he didn’t seem to even give me a second thought as he continued to devour his order of wings. Then I decided to get on his level as I bent over, with my lid for protection and gave him a hardcore stare which turned out to be a game changer for some reason. I had gained the advantage over this wing-eating bandit as he scurried off and headed back to the woods. 

Understand, raccoons are smart and very persistent, and I knew he would probably return to face me again, maybe with backup. I was right! As I got back into bed, the bandit returned and began to attempt to open another trash can by literally running and jumping on it. It was so loud that I could not believe my two fishing buddies weren’t getting up to see what was going on! They slept right through all the commotion and never even rolled over. Once again, I headed to the back door and faced this evil doer for the last time. As I opened the door, I ran directly at the chicken wing bandit and this time he ran off for good as I shouted, “And never come back!”

You never know what will transpire on a fishing trip, but sometimes you must sleep with one eye open just in case a bandit of the night shows up. Till next time, good luck, good fishing and don’t forget your sunscreen!

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All branches of the DeSoto Parish Library have a full schedule of activities this summer for kids and grown-ups alike.  Check with your local branch for all they offer. And be sure to get your children involved in the summer reading program.

The Stonewall Library is having too much fun each week during Storytime. Join them every Wednesday at 10:00 am to hear a great story, make a fun craft, play games and more.  The photo is from a recent fun session.

At the Pelican Branch Library, the kiddos really enjoyed their visit with Ms. Amy. She talked to us about all the cool cameras she brought to show and the different types of photographs.  She also let the kids become photographers taking pictures with her camera.

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CHRISTOPHER JORDAN COOPER

March 18, 1966 ~ June 17, 2023 (age 57)

Services TBA

Patricia Ann Gannon

July 3, 1938 — June 17, 2023

Funeral service was at 2:00 pm Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 943 Polk Street, Mansfield, Louisiana.

Carrie McClinton

4/14/1960 – 6/13/2023

Service: Saturday, June 24, 2023 @ 11:00 A. M. Antioch #2 B. C. Pleasant Hill, 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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Curtain going up tonight at 6:00 pm at Back Alley Community Theatre.  The summer production by the Dramaniacs youth drama camp is taking center stage.

They are going Back to the 80s! When modern teen Mary Fitzfry gets sent back in time by an eccentric professor, she finds herself in the middle of a totally tubular cavalcade of 80s pop culture.

Your favorite young actors are all there in this hilarious parody to make all ages cheer “I love the 80s!”

Performances are tonight, June 23rd & Saturday, June 24th at 6:00pm and a matinee on Sunday June 25th at 2:00 pm.  Tickets are $10 and are available on their website. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE.

More than twenty Northwestern State University Theatre and Dance students have been hired for summer work by professional companies around the United States or have been admitted to nationally recognized graduate programs. Students work as actors, choreographers, hosts or in a variety of roles. Several professional companies come to NSU annually to audition students. NSU students also submit an audition directly to companies. Students have an opportunity to attend the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) that allows them to audition for over 50 companies looking to hire talent for summer or year-round employment. 

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Recovery efforts are well underway following a series of storms that moved through the parish late last week.  Many residents remain without power.  And the work of clearing away all the downed trees and debris is just beginning.

Cooling Station in Stonewall:  The Stonewall Substation (Government Plaza) was open again Tuesday morning (8am – 4:30pm) for those seeking a place to cool off, charge devices, and grab water and a snack. In addition, Fire District 3 will remain available after business hours as well. 

1746 Hwy 171 in Stonewall – Substation

5200 Hwy 3276 in Stonewall – Fire Dist 3

Road closures as of Tuesday morning

CLOSED ROADWAYS – UPDATE

UPDATED Tuesday @8am:  It would appear that all roadways are back open at this time.  You may experience some areas that are passable but still have debris close to or on the sides of the roadway, until a full cleanup can be conducted.  Please be careful, and mindful of your surroundings.  Thank you to all that shared our posts during this storm.

UPDATED Saturday @ 3pm: The following is a list of roadways previously deemed closed due to downed trees and/or power lines. We have updated these to reflect what we know to be cleared or remain closed.  Some are currently being double-checked now, and may reflect an update momentarily.

✅ Passable = you may cautiously pass through

🚨 Not Passable = do not attempt traveling 

⚠️Checking = we are currently working to confirm

✅- Hwy 5 at Westwood Dr. (passable)

✅- 484 Blunt Mill Rd   (passable)

✅- Red Bluff Rd (passable)

✅- 171 at Duncan Road (passable)

✅- 306 Meadow Dr. (passable)

✅- Hwy 3015 West of Smyrna (passable)

✅- Hwy 5 at Jesse Latin Rd (passable)

✅- Long Rd Gloster  (passable)

✅- Hwy 175 north of I49 (passable)

✅- Linwood Rd north of 3276 (passable)

✅- L B Bailey Rd (not passable)

✅- Hwy 172 west of Hwy 169 (passable)

✅- Jefferson St. at Schley St. (passable)

✅- Mounce Rd at Blunt Mill Rd (passable)

✅- 300 Block of Jeanne Ln (passable)

✅- Holly St and Third St in GC (passable)

✅- 183 B B Lane Stonewall (passable)

✅- 379 Harris Rd  Keatchie (passable)

✅- 1432 Stanley Rd (passable)

✅- 144 Marr Rd  (passable)

✅- 156 Cartwheel Dr (passable)

✅- 1763 Jessie Latin Rd  (passable)

✅- 193 J2B Ln  (passable)

✅- 213 Jackie Ln (passable)

✅- 275 Bozman Rd (passable)

✅- 379 Harris Rd  (passable)

✅- 396 Meadow Dr (passable)

✅- 519 Woodlawn Park (passable)

✅- 522 Vinson Dr  (passable)

✅- 7457 Hwy 5. (passable)

✅- Black Oak Dr (passable)

✅- Third St and Beech St (passable)

✅- Palmer Rd off Hwy 481 (passable)

We will be updating this list live on this Facebook post as we receive new information.

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Late last week Gov. John Bel Edwards issued a State of Emergency Declaration for North and Central Louisiana in response to several waves of severe weather and strong winds that moved across the area in the past week.

Several Louisiana parishes have declared states of emergency, and it is anticipated that other parishes may declare states of emergency and may be in need of assistance to response to this event.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) along with emergency crews have been deployed to the impacted areas and repairs are underway, however, it is anticipated that it may take days or up to one week before the power is fully restored.

“This emergency declaration will give parish officials access to much needed resources to help with the impacts of this severe weather and the significant power outages,” said Gov. Edwards. “I have directed GOHSEP Director Casey Tingle to travel to Shreveport to meet with local officials from the impacted parishes and am receiving constant updates. We are making certain officials receive the assistance they need as quickly as possible. We are urging everyone to pay close attention to the information and warnings from state, local and emergency officials.”

The following parishes are experiencing water outages: Bienville; Bossier; Caddo; Caldwell; DeSoto; and Jackson.  The following parishes have been placed under boil advisories: Bienville; Bossier; Caddo; Catahoula; Grant; Natchitoches; Tensas; and Webster.

“In addition, the National Weather Center predicts excessive heat in Louisiana and has issued a Heat Advisory & Excessive Heat Warning over the next couple of days. Please take this heat warning seriously. Heat related illness can occur in many different ways, and it is important to stay hydrated and cool to prevent illness but to also recognize the signs and seek help immediately should it be necessary. Also, we know that some people may choose to use a generator. Remember the following for generator safety: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions; do not place the generators inside; place them at least 20 feet away from your home, downwind away from doors, windows and vents. Please check on the elderly, your family, friends and pets and stay safe.”

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An update from the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office:

Many of you may have noticed by now that our “Inmate Roster” website is down, both online and in the Sheriff App.  Yes, we know all you nosey folks out there (like us) need to get the tea on what’s going on in the parish.  (seriously, the site gets over 10,000 hits per day)  The truth is, we’ve migrated over to a new software, and it is being reconnected as we speak.  This new software allows us to pull the stats below much faster, and we thought we’d share.  You can expect the Inmate Roster to come back online in the DeSoto Sheriff App by Wednesday (fingers crossed) and the website shortly after.  So, to satisfy those nosey desires a bit, we thought we’d share the following stats, so you are all able to get your fix until that day arrives.  Check this out:

Between Monday, June 12th and Today (7 days):

– 446 Total Calls for Service

SUMMARIZED:

4 calls regarding illegal use of ATVs on Roadways

5 calls regarding Harassment

5 calls regarding a Unwanted Person(s)

6 calls regarding Livestock or Dogs at Large

7 calls regarding Disturbing the Peace

7 calls regarding Theft and/or Burglary

14 calls regarding Traffic Accidents

14 calls regarding Disputes, Fights, Domestic Disturbances

15 calls regarding Reckless Operation

15 calls regarding a Welfare Check

15 calls regarding Suspicious Person/Vehicle/Activity

20 calls regarding Burglary Alarms

24 calls regarding Downed Power Lines

42 calls regarding Trees Across the Road

180+ calls regarding drivers requesting assistance, traffic stops, flat tires changed, out of gas, stranded motorists, or traffic control.

Of course, there are various other calls in there that aren’t shown, but this is a pretty decent relevant summary.  When we start back publishing the Weekly Arrest Report, who would want to see something like this posted more frequently

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By Teddy Allen

We’ve been taught since we were stuffing our jaws with Fruit Loops that breakfast is the Most Important Meal of the Day.

That might be true, though some would agree with me that the most important meal of the day is the one you are eating Right Now.

Still, word to the wise, the complimentary breakfast at a hotel is NOT the most important meal of the day. It is just a buffer to get you out of the hotel and on your way to your next meal — and out of the hotel with the feeling that you’ve stolen something free.

Let’s review.

Summertime, the best of all the seasons — including Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons — begins today.

No school. The fish are jumpin’ and the cotton is high. Your daddy’s rich and your ma is good-looking.

Summer! Watermelon. Baseball. Sunshine until 9 at night. Fireworks. Fireflies.

It’s a beautiful thing, summer is.

So, what’s not to love? — besides it being 110 degrees and many of us not having power — a common North Louisiana peculiarity.

Nothing, really, except the oasis that is the complimentary hotel breakfast.

Many of you will go on a summer trip soon. Or now. Awesome. Have a ball.

Just don’t have a big expectation over the complementary hotel breakfast.

The trend began a decade or so ago. You pay $130-ish to stay in a hotel. And they say, “Hey, breakfast is on us.”

Which is beautiful. I’ve eaten dozens.

But I know it’s just a powdered egg and maybe a sausage that is intended to get me on my way. Don’t do as I’ve seen hundreds do: they complain that this isn’t hot or the toaster doesn’t work or the bacon is microwaved.

Hey: it’s a bonus. It’s complimentary. It’s “free.” That waffle iron has been used by hundreds of people, not just by your wife or daughter. You eat your hotel waffle made by yourself, you take your chances.

Most of us have stayed in nice hotels once or twice. Omelet stations. Waitresses or waiters. Bacon fried instead of microwaved.

We still have that option. But if you stay at a Complimentary Breakfast place, you know going in that the plates will be Styrofoam. So don’t ask for something for nothing. Grab a bite and move along.

Somewhere, there is a great Complimentary Breakfast Hotel Staff that makes sure all is ship shape. I’ve seen them and adore them. But more times than not, the hotel is just giving you a pat on the back — or on the stomach — and telling you to move along.

I appreciate their trying. We should too. Grab a pre-frozen biscuit and hit the road.

Find a good place for supper. Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

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LCCM Policy Solutions is a non-profit established to advocate and educate legislators and the public on public policy based on conservative principles.

By utilizing a myriad of scholars, policy wonks, pollsters, and activists, we help craft and promote top conservative policy priorities for Louisiana.

From fiscal issues to social issues and everything in between, LCCM Policy Solutions is a beacon for those interested in advancing Louisiana to a more conservative run government.

Paid Content by LCCM Policy Solutions

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DeSoto Youth Shooting Sports Foundation thanked each and every one who bought a ticket to support our DeSoto Parish Kids.  Your support and dedication are appreciated and does not go unnoticed. 

Your contributions for this raffle will be divided between Eli (Smallbore Rifle) and Dalton (Shotgun) to help with expenses for Nationals.  The drawing  winner is Robert Braud.  The foundation thanked him for his continued support of our youth.”

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DeSoto Parish Schools announced that Mr. Corey Hill has been named Principal of Mansfield Middle School. Mr. Hill, a native of Minden, LA, is married with 3 children and 1 grandchild. 

Hill previously served in DeSoto Parish as a career teacher for 9 years. Mr. Hill stated, “I credit all my growth as an educator to the TAP model. TAP instilled habits in me that I use in every part of my life. I believe in educating the whole child and excellence is the expectation.” 

DeSoto Schools said, “We look forward to welcoming Mr. Hill back to DeSoto Parish.”

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By Royal Alexander

This is a dangerous time for America.

Why?

Because as the Wall Street Journal states, “for the first time in U.S. history, the prosecutorial power of the federal government has been used against a former President who is also running against the sitting president.” (WSJ, 6-10-2023.)  

That’s scary. 

Using the power of government to eliminate political opponents is what happens in dictatorships.  It’s what happens in places like China, N. Korea and Iran and banana republics like Venezuela where the strongman in power uses the military to crush his political opposition.

It’s not supposed to happen in America, but it is happening here.

The Trump indictment is nothing other than the Biden forces trying to destroy their chief rival for the presidency and they have formally weaponized our federal government to do it.

We can stop pretending this decision to indict was removed from the influence of the Biden White House.  That’s laughable.  The Special Counsel who brought this indictment was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland to create the appearance of separation, but the special counsel’s recommendation can be overruled by AG Garland who is going to do what the Biden White House tells him to do.

That’s why many Americans believe the Biden White House is orchestrating this political persecution.

Former federal prosecutor Francey Hakes stated she believes President Trump and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have been treated “so differently” when it comes to allegedly mishandling classified documents. (Newsmax, 6-12-23).

“She (Hillary Clinton) was treated so differently,” Hakes stated. “She was brought in to interview at the FBI.  She was allowed to have her lawyers with her.  Her lawyers were given immunity before they were allowed to sit with her. Nobody ever seized her server to look at it, to do any kind of forensic review of it and you have here President Trump … his lawyers were actually brought into the grand jury and ordered by a judge to testify as to things that would ordinarily be considered privilege.  There was a raid on Mar-a-Lago and then there was a grand jury investigation and then there was a special counsel.  Trump and Clinton were definitely treated differently so it’s hard for me to see Lady Justice with her blindfold on at this moment.” (Newsmax, 6-12-23)

Former law professor, liberal Democrat Alan Dershowitz has stated his grave doubts about the strength of this indictment.

“Is it strong enough to justify an indictment of the leading candidate to challenge the president in next year’s election? Even with the recorded statements, this case isn’t nearly as strong as the one that led to President Richard Nixon’s resignation in 1974.  Nixon was almost certainly guilty of destroying evidence, bribing witnesses and other acts of obstruction.  Many of the charges in this case are matters of degree.  Nor have prosecutors any evidence that Mr. Trump’s actions damaged national security more than those of Mr. Biden, Mr. Pence and Mrs. Clinton did.” (WSJ, 6-12, 23).

Former Asst. U.S. Attorney Andrew McCarthy underscores this point stating “we have a long record that now goes on for years with Hillary Clinton the most notorious case of it, where you have a two-tiered justice system and its obvious that the quality of justice that people get is dependent on their partisan affiliation or whether they are connected to people in the ruling class or not.”  (FOX News).

Hillary Clinton kept 33,000 classified emails, Joe Biden had multiple locations including the floor of his garage at home with classified documents he could not legally possess as Vice President; even Barack Obama withheld documents—but none of them were raided by the FBI as Trump was, and certainly none but Trump was ever criminally charged.

And all of this is to say nothing about the latest information that then-VP Joe Biden took $5 million dollars in a bride from a higher up at Burisma, the Ukrainian energy giant.  Are we really supposed to believe that the rushing out of the Trump indictment as the Biden bribery case explodes is coincidental?

This is also to say nothing of the coverup of the Hunter Biden laptop by the FBI and DOJ, all the while Biden’s own classified document scandal has disappeared from the public radar.  

Again, this is the weaponization of the federal government against the chief political opponent of the regime in power.  As Americans who believe in equal justice under law, we simply cannot tolerate it.

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North DeSoto High announced that the Skills USA national competition has begun.  The school posted, “We are proud of our competitors and looking forward to seeing how they do.  So far they have finished orientation, attended the meet and greet and now ready for Customer Service competition.”

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Funeral services celebrating the life of Patricia Gannon, 84, of Logansport, Louisiana will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 943 Polk Street, Mansfield, Louisiana. Officiating the service will be Rev. Dale Gannon and Rev. Jerry Gannon. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Logansport, Louisiana. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at the funeral home.

Patricia was born July 3, 1938, in Logansport, Louisiana, to Ralph and Avis Messick and passed away at home on Saturday, June 17, 2023.

Preceding Patricia in death were her husband, Dan Gannon; her sons, Dan E. Gannon, Jr. and David Scott Gannon; sister, Margaret Heard, and parents, Ralph and Avis Messick.

Left behind to cherish her memory are her daughter, Dana Myers and husband, Mike; daughter-in-law, Connie Gannon; grandchildren, Angela Daughtry and husband, David, David Myers, Scotty Gannon and wife, Heather, Daniel Gannon, Jesse Gannon, Sam Gannon and wife, Mallory, Sarah DeLeon and husband, Mark; great grandchildren, Michael, Daisy, and Ethan Daughtry, Zack and Drew Gannon, Erin and Daniel Gannon, Danny Spears, Bryan and Maddie Norwood, Mallory DeLeon, and Maelie Gannon, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Honoring Patricia as pallbearers will be Scotty Gannon, Zack Gannon, Sam Gannon, Jesse Gannon, Daniel Gannon, and Mark DeLeon. Honorary pallbearers will be Danny Love, Gary Seago, Cecil Seago, Bob Heard and Johnny Gannon.

The family would like to thank Karen Campbell and Inda Myers, and Hospice staff, Stuart and Marsha for their loving care.

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Patricia Ann Gannon

July 3, 1938 — June 17, 2023

Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 943 Polk Street, Mansfield, Louisiana.

Brenda Heard Bruner Moerchen

August 4, 1950 — June 9, 2023

A memorial was held Saturday, June 17, at 10:00 am at Eastside Missionary Baptist Church in Minden.

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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North DeSoto water update (boil advisory) from ND Water:  A boil advisory is effect until further notice.  The system has been operating on backup water supply and asks customers to be mindful of usage.  This is as of earlier this week.

The Stonewall branch of the parish library said the next Swapportunity will be the first Wednesday in July.  The library posted, “We will be creating an awesome 4th of July craft.”

Clara Springs Camp reminded everyone “we can’t wait to see you Friday for the June Fourth Friday Fish Fry. Grand Cane Baptist Church will be the hosts.

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Mansfield Elementary School’s After-School Dance Program and Fancy Feet Dance School 2.0 have been invited to participate in the 2023 Mansfield Juneteenth Parade Saturday, June 24, 2023.  The Float is Open to the 2023 MES After-School Dance Program and Dance Teams from the Mansfield Elementary Talent Show and Dance Review.

Participants must pre-register to receive Tee-Shirts for the Parade. The deadline is Friday, June 16, 2023. The Parade Route will begin at the Old Wal-Mart Location and proceed to Downtown Mansfield.  Students are to arrive at the location by 10:00 am and the Procession begins at 11:00.

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The DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office is assisting the City of Mansfield Police in locating a suspect involved in an early morning shooting that took place in Mansfield just before 6am today. We are seeking information from the public who may have knowledge of the suspect or can assist in bringing him to justice. Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 for any information that leads to an arrest, and you can provide this information 100% anonymously.

ZAMIR KESHUN MASSEY (Black Male, 19 years old, from Mansfield) is currently being sought on charges of SECOND DEGREE MURDER and ATTEMPTED SECOND DEGREE MURDER. Massey stands 5’11” tall at approximately 138 pounds. (See attached photo) If spotted, contact 911 immediately and do not attempt to approach the suspect. You may also reach out to the Mansfield Police Department regarding this case, as it took place in the City of Mansfield.

This is an ongoing investigation, and no further details will be provided from our agency at this time.

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By Brad Dison

Willie Johnson was born on January 25, 1897.  His poor sharecropper parents struggled to survive off of what they grew in the poor earth in Pendleton, Texas.  At some point, Willie and his family moved to a farm with far better soil near Marlin, Texas.  When Willie was five years old, his father got Willie a homemade cigar box guitar.  Willie quickly learned to play the cheap instrument.  According to Willie’s widow, when Willie was seven years old, his father and stepmother got into a physical altercation allegedly over Willie’s stepmother’s infidelities.  During the brawl, Willie’s stepmother was holding a caustic solution of lye water.  As Willie’s father and stepmother fought, the caustic solution splashed into Willie’s eyes and completely blinded him.  From that moment on, he was known as Blind Willie Johnson.  

Blind Willie’s lack of sight made working in the fields nearly impossible.  Blind Willie sang and played his guitar while his family worked in the fields.  In a way, Blind Willie helped more with his voice and guitar than he would have if he had not been blinded.  His songs kept up morale in the fields and set the pace for planting and harvesting crops.  In his twenties, Blind Willie began playing a Stella brand guitar and singing religious songs on the street corners of Marlin, Texas.  He tied a tin cup to the neck of his guitar.  Upon hearing the unmistakable clink of a coin or coins dropping into his tin cup, Blind Willie gave an appreciative nod and a smile.

In December 1927, a talent scout set up a makeshift recording studio for Columbia Records in Dallas, Texas.  The scout had heard of Blind Willie’s talent and invited him to a recording session.  On that cool December day, Blind Willie recorded six songs including “Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground.”  Columbia initially released two songs from Blind Willie’s session “I Know His Blood Can Make Me Whole,” and “Jesus Make Up My Dying Bed.”  Selling more than 15,000 copies, Blind Willie’s first record sold more than Columbia’s most established star, Bessie Smith.  With the success of his first record, Columbia’s talent scout brought Blind Willie in for four more recording sessions between 1927 and 1930.  In total, Blind Willie completed 30 songs.  Blind Willie’s rise to stardom seemed to be assured until the Great Depression left most of his fans with no spare money for buying records.  Blind Willie’s professional music career ended with little fanfare.  Sadly, Blind Willie Johnson and his recordings are largely forgotten today.  Although sales of his first record far exceeded expectations, he was far from reaching the required $1 million from the sale of at least 500,000 units for the Recording Industry Association of America to award Blind Willie a gold record.  

In August and September 1977, NASA launched two robotic interstellar probes named Voyager 1 and Voyager 2.  Both space probes carried numerous instruments for recording a wide array of measurements, taking photographs, recording audio, and transmitting that information back to scientists on Earth.  Also included on the space probes were two phonograph records which contained over a hundred imprinted images which displayed different aspects of life on Earth as well as the sounds of frogs, crickets, volcanoes, laughter, a human heartbeat, footsteps, animal sounds, 27 pieces of music, and greetings in 59 languages.  Etched onto each record were pictures showing how to play the sound recordings and how to retrieve the photos using equipment which was located near the records on the space probes.  NASA included this information to show the diversity of life and culture on Earth in the event that they come into contact with an advanced alien civilization.  Voyager 1 is traveling at over 38,000 miles per hour and has reached a distance of 14.8 billion miles from Earth.  Voyager 2 is traveling at over 34,000 miles per hour and has reached 12.4 billion miles from Earth.  At their current trajectories, it will take another 14,000 to 28,000 years before Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 will exit our Solar System.

Although Blind Willie Johnson never earned a gold record on Earth, he certainly earned a gold record in space.  His recording of “Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground” is one of the 27 songs included on the gold-plated “The Sounds of Earth” record which is still traveling through space.  Perhaps one day in the distant future, in a galaxy far away, one of the first sounds an advanced alien civilization will hear from our small planet will be that of Blind Willie Johnson.  “The Sounds of Earth” records can remain playable for more than 1 billion years.   

Sources:

1. NASA. 2019. “Voyager – the Golden Record.” Nasa.gov. 2019. voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/golden-record/.
2. Pinkard, Ryan. 2016. Review of Dark Was the Night: The Legacy of Blind Willie Johnson. Tidal.com. February 26, 2016. tidal.com/magazine/article/dark-was-the-night-the-legacy-of-blind-willie-johnson-share/1-23219.

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Major Cyber Attack at OMV Vendor, Louisianans Should Act Urgently to Protect Their Identities

Louisiana’s Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) is one of a still undetermined number of government entities, major businesses and organizations to be affected by the unprecedented MOVEit data breach.

MOVEit is an industry-leading third party data transfer service used to send large files. It is widely used across the country and around the world, and reports are rapidly emerging of newly discovered exposures of sensitive data in this major international cyber attack.

There is no indication at this time that cyber attackers who breached MOVEit have sold, used, shared or released the OMV data obtained from the MOVEit attack. The cyber attackers have not contacted state government. But all Louisianans should take immediate steps to safeguard their identity. 

OMV believes that all Louisianans with a state-issued driver’s license, ID, or car registration have likely had the following data exposed to the cyber attackers:

• Name
• Address
• Social Security Number
• Birthdate
• Height
• Eye Color
• Driver’s License Number
• Vehicle Registration Information
• Handicap Placard Information

Gov. John Bel Edwards met with the Unified Command Group at 11 a.m. Thursday to be briefed on the incident, where he instructed the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP), Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV), Louisiana State Police (LSP), and the Office of Technology Services (OTS) to act to inform Louisianans of the breach and their best next steps as soon as possible.

We recommend all Louisianans take the following steps immediately: 

1. Prevent Unauthorized New Account Openings or Loans and Monitor Your Credit

Individuals can freeze and unfreeze their credit for free, which stops others from opening new accounts and borrowing money in your name. Freezing your credit does not prevent the use of any existing credit cards or bank accounts. Freezing your credit may be done quickly online or by contacting the three major credit bureaus by phone: 

Experian 1-888-397-3742 www.experian.com/freeze

Equifax 1-800-685-1111 www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/

TransUnion (888) 909-8872 www.transunion.com/credit-freeze

Please also request and review your credit report from these agencies to look for suspicious activity.

2. Change All Passwords

As an additional precaution, consider changing all passwords for online accounts (examples: banking, social media, and healthcare portals) in the event your personal data was used to access these accounts. Utilize multi-factor authentication when able. Learn more about password protection at www.CISA.gov.

3. Protect Your Tax Refund and Returns with the Internal Revenue Service

To prevent someone else from filing returns or receiving your federal tax refund, request an “Identity Protection Pin” from the Internal Revenue Service by signing up at: https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/get-an-identity-protection-pin or calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. 

4. Check your Social Security Benefits

All individuals who are eligible, applied for, and/or are receiving social security benefits (including disability), please consider registering for a ssa.gov account at https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/ to stop others from stealing your benefits. If you suspect Social Security fraud, call the Office of Inspector General hotline at 1-800-269-0271, Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or file a complaint online at oig.ssa.gov.

5. Report Suspected Identity Theft

If you suspect any abnormal activity involving your data, including financial information, contact the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-FTC-HELP or visit www.ReportFraud.FTC.govimmediately. 

The State of Louisiana will be issuing additional information in the coming days. Additional tips on protecting your data and identity can be found at nextsteps.la.gov and www.IdentityTheft.gov.

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Join us at Back Alley Community Theatre and hold on to your hoverboards, we’re taking a trip Back to the 80s! When modern teen Mary Fitzfry gets sent back in time by an eccentric professor, she finds herself in the middle of a totally tubular cavalcade of 80s pop culture. There’s a lot of familiar faces, from the teens in breakfast-time detention to the guys chasing ghosts and dancing zombies, but the biggest surprise of all is Mary’s own protective mom as a teen. Turns out she’s actually kind of rad – but thanks to Mary’s time travel, she’s in trouble. Can Mary make things right? This adventure takes you from the mall where everything happens, to a suburban sitcom street, to a cave under the high school – and you can choose who to feature from a flexible throng of characters to bring your audience maximum nostalgia. A hilarious parody to make all ages cheer “I love the 80s!”

Show times are June 23 and 24 at 6:00 pm and June 25 at 2:00 pm.

Tickets are $10 and available HERE

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