News

The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) is relocating its existing Shreveport field office on Normandie Drive to a new location on Financial Plaza, near I-20 and Pines Road. The new location at 6005 Financial Plaza will open for business at 8 a.m. on Monday, March 11, 2024. A grand opening ceremony and ribbon cutting will follow at 10 a.m.

The new Shreveport OMV office is located less than one mile west of the I-20/I-220 split. The entrance on Rasberry Lane is across from the Westwood Village apartment complex. The design of the new field office will allow OMV field office staff to operate more efficiently and provide customers with a more convenient experience.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises motorists that beginning on Monday, March 11, 2024, the LA 513 bridge over Ten Mile Bayou in DeSoto Parish will be closed for necessary repairs.

This closure is scheduled to be in place for approximately 7 days.

This bridge is located approximately 1.3 miles south of the intersection with LA 346, north of the community of Pelican (see included map).

Restrictions/Permits: Total road closure at the specified location. ALL vehicles will need to detour.

Alternate Route: LA 346 and LA 175 This work will be performed weather permitting.

DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution through the construction site and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.

Area residents should exercise caution when driving, walking, or biking near an active construction zone.

Congrats to the Joaquin Varsity Cheerleaders for the 2024-2025 school year. The squad consists of: Front row (left to right): MaeLeigh Cummings, Hailee Fruge, Dixie Baker, Emma Barton-Co Captain, Kaitleigh Avery- Co Captain, Mariya Wilson-Co Captain, Halle Bonner, Haleigh Lynch, and Paloma Salvador. Second row (left to right): Abi Briggs, Kyndle Carrington, Julia Lister, Jaylee Cater, Keaton Hughes, Ellie Anglin, Rilee Chambliss, and Anna Lewis-Mascot. Top row (left to right): Addison Raybon, Emma Lewis, Landry Balkcom, Brystal Cummings, Maci Mustard, SeVana Stotts.

The National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) announced today that North DeSoto High School in DeSoto Parish Schools, Louisiana, is the recipient of the 2024 NIET Founder’s Award and its $50,000 grand prize. NIET Founder and Chairman Lowell Milken, joined by Chief Executive Officer Dr. Joshua Barnett, surprised the school during the 2024 NIET National Conference in Dallas, Texas.

Congrats to the Joaquin Jr. High Cheerleaders for the 2024-2025 school year. This year’s squad consists of: Bottom row (left to right): Zoe Sledge, Brynn Wright, Kyler Thomas-Co Captain, Bella Bowden-Mascot, Kynsleigh Mc-Millon- Co Captain, Janelle Gatlin, and Maddie Wood. Top row (left to right): Lola Bowden, Addi Cummings, Wisdom Carter.

Recently the DeSoto Parish Chamber of Commerce held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the Grand Opening of Jackie’s Pack Dog Grooming, owned by Jackie Albright. The new facility is located on King’s Highway in Mansfield.

Albright is a graduate of Texas All Breed Grooming School.

She is a true lover of animals and enjoys making them look their best. Her motto is, “Jackie’s Pack always gives them love and kisses while making them shine.”

You can find Jackie’s Pack on Facebook, call them at 318-871-6553 or contact them at albrighthjackie72@ gmail. com. Call and make an appointment for your fur baby today!

If I’m registered as a Democrat then I can vote for… Democrat presidential nominee, state central committee and parish executive committee.

Municipal, special or proposition election if on your ballot and you’re eligible to vote within its jurisdiction.

If you are registered as a Republican then I can vote for… Republican presidential nominee, state central committee and parish executive committee.

Municipal, special or proposition election if on your ballot and you’re eligible to vote within its jurisdiction.

If I’m Registered as an Other Party or No Party then I can vote for… Municipal, special or proposition election if on your ballot and you’re eligible to vote within its jurisdiction.

(The precinct register will state “Not Eligible for Election” if your jurisdiction has no such election.

The Enterprise will run a sample ballot for the Louisiana Presidential Preference Primary later in the month of March.

Delta Regional Authority (DRA) today announced nine additional healthcare facilities, including DeSoto Regional Health Systems, have been chosen to participate and receive technical support through the Delta Region Community Health Systems Development (DRCHSD) Program, which enhances healthcare delivery by providing technical assistance to critical access hospitals, small rural hospitals, rural health clinics, and other healthcare organizations across DRA’s service area.

“Access to affordable, high-quality health and wellbeing services is crucial for improving residents’ quality of life and fostering economic prosperity in rural communities,” said Federal Co-Chairman Dr. Corey Wiggins. “Investing in intensive technical assistance for healthcare providers through the Delta Region Community Health Systems Development Program not only enhances healthcare delivery but also serves as a catalyst for economic development in rural communities across DRA’s region.”

Chief Bryan Ross is a Mansfield native. He is a graduate of Mansfield High School and a graduate of Northwestern State University. In 2016, he joined the City of Mansfield Fire Department as a Firefighter. Chief Ross has continued to further his education during his tenure by obtaining various certifications. In addition to being a certified Firefighter, Chief Ross is certified as a Fire Service Instructor and is a licensed EMS Practitioner in the State of Louisiana. He was promoted to Captain of the Mansfield Fire Department in 2018 and was later promoted to Fire Chief of the Mansfield Fire Department in 2022.

Chief Bryan Ross was an award recipient at the 36th Annual Shreveport-Bossier- DeSoto African American Awards Banquet on February 10, 2024. Chief Ross was recognized as being the First African American Male Captain for the Mansfield Fire Department and for being the First African American Male Fire Chief for the Mansfield Fire Department.

Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Office SWAT, SROs, Investigators, Dispatchers, and Training Unit (among others) have been doing a complete walkthrough of the North DeSoto campuses today. This exercise is aimed at ensuring all first responders are familiar with the entire campus layout front to back, top to bottom. Examples of potential scenarios can be discussed, questioned, and answered. Just one more step in ensuring safety, and an effective response if that need should ever arise.

Walkthroughs and training exercises such as this are done at all area schools in rotation, and will continue through the week. We are grateful to these men and women who take part in this training to better equip themselves to best serve students and staff.