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The Mid-South West Showdown is set to light up Eagle Stadium as the DeSoto Eagles prepare to clash with the Creekside Seminoles out of Fairburn, Georgia in a state-against-state football game.

DeSoto Head Coach Claude Mathis sat down with The DeSoto Tribune and spoke about the upcoming and highly anticipated matchup with Creekside.

The Eagles have won back-to-back state championships and reign supreme in Texas football, having blown out Humble Summer Creek 74-14 to take home their second consecutive state title.

The event, scheduled for Saturday, August 31, promises an evening of thrilling competitive sportsmanship and community spirit.

As the teams gear up for the 5 p.m. kickoff, fans from both sides are buzzing with anticipation.

The Eagles, known for their formidable defense and high-powered offense are determined to guard the line and maintain their home turf advantage.

Meanwhile, the Seminoles are ready to bring their A-game, having only lost to California powerhouse Mater-Die, challenging the Eagles with their dynamic offense.

Kick-off is set for Saturday, August 31 at 5 p.m. at Eagle Stadium.

The post DeSoto Host Creekside Seminoles in Mid-South West Showdown appeared first on DeSoto Tribune.

On Monday, July 1st, Majed Al-Ghafry officially began his role as the new City Manager of DeSoto.

 The city announced the appointment with enthusiasm as anticipation and optimism surrounded Al-Ghafry’s arrival.

The announcement was made by the city via social media, and expressed a warm welcome to Al-Ghafry, wishing him success as he embarks on this new chapter in his career.

“Team DeSoto would like to extend a warm welcome to Majed and wish him all the best as we work with him to move DeSoto forward!” the post read.

Al-Ghafry brings a wealth of experience to the position, having previously held significant roles in municipal management.

His background and expertise are expected to be instrumental in addressing the city’s challenges and leveraging opportunities for progress.

The new City Manager’s arrival comes at a pivotal time for DeSoto, a city that continues to grow and evolve.

Al-Ghafry’s leadership is anticipated to bring fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to the city’s administration.

Residents shared their thoughts on the new city manager in social media posts on the city’s Facebook page.

“The citizens of Desoto welcomes you City Manager Majed. Please know that you have the full support of the community as we are looking forward to your arrival,” said Mary Morris Bonaparte.

Another user named Sumbel Zeb wrote “Wonderful addition to the City of DeSoto! Congratulations!”

As Al-Ghafry steps into his new role, the DeSoto community extends its best wishes for his success and looks forward to a productive partnership aimed at enhancing the quality of life for all residents.

The post DeSoto Welcomes New City Manager Majed Al-Ghafry appeared first on DeSoto Tribune.

Shavondra Smith, now 36 years old, spoke at the emergency press conference called by the Black Dallas Clergy and provided details of her stint at the center.

From 13 to 17 years old, Smith was in and out of the justice center and recalled her experience at the facility.

“We were locked in our cells multiple times. Five of us, I know, tried to commit suicide at the same time because we were put on lock down,” said Smith.

She along with many others and the Dallas Black Clergy are calling for changes to be made at the detention center after damming reports have shed light on unsavory conditions.  

The post Shavondra Smith Details Her Experience at HWJDC appeared first on DeSoto Tribune.

Sunday the Dallas Black Clergy held an emergency press conference after damming reports from a whistleblower revealed horrid conditions in the Henry Wade Juvenile Detention Center.

The group met in front of the facility Sunday to discuss conditions that the group calls “inhumane and harsh.”

Reverend Dr. Frederick Douglass Haynes, III: founding Member of the Dallas Black Clergy and Senior Pastor at Friendship-West Baptist Church lambasted local officials and facility leadership.  

“Seriously, Dallas County seriously, Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center, seriously,” remarked Haynes.

“Have you declared war on our children and we don’t know about it because the inhumane and evil conditions that we are hearing about and that has been reported on is reminiscent not of a juvenile justice center but of a POW camp. It sounds like they are prisoners of war who are being tortured and traumatized,” said Haynes.

Members of the Dallas Black Clergy want to meet with the entire Dallas County Juvenile Board and discuss with the conditions at the Henry Wade Justice Center.

At Sunday’s press conference, the group said that they hope to meet with members of the juvenile board in July ahead of the Board’s scheduled meeting in August.

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Following a damning whistleblower report on the inhumane conditions for juveniles at the Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center, the Dallas Black Clergy has called for an emergency press conference to address the community.

The press conference aims to shed light on the reported abuses, demand action from Dallas County officials, and mobilize community support for systemic changes.

The press conference comes as former and current employees came to local news outlet WFAA to expose the conditions at the facility.

The conference will take place at the Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center on Sunday, June 30, at 3 p.m.

Speakers  from the Dallas Black Clergy include:

·  Rev. Dr. Frederick Douglass Haynes, III: Founding Member of the Dallas Black Clergy; Senior Pastor, Friendship-West Baptist Church

·  Rev. Dr. Michael W. Waters: Founding Member of the Dallas Black Clergy; Founder and Lead Pastor of Abundant Life A.M.E. Church

·  Sha Smith: Impacted Individual by the Henry Wade conditions

·  Mr. John Fullinwider: Co-Founder of Mothers Against Police Brutality

·  Rev. Dr. Irie Session: Founding Member of the Dallas Black Clergy for Safety, Equity and Justice; Co-Pastor of The Gathering: A Womanist Church in Dallas

·  Minister Dominique Alexander: President and CEO of the Next Generation Action Network

·  Rev. Virzola Law: Senior Minister of Northway Christian Church

The conference comes in the wake of a September 2023 report by the Lone Star Justice Alliance’s Reimagine Justice Coalition.

The coalition highlighted severe violations of state juvenile standards at the facility.

Key findings include:

• 15 violations of state juvenile standards.
• Juveniles isolated in cells for up to five days.
• Inadequate daily showering for detained children.
• Failure of guards to conduct regular checks, especially for those on suicide watch.
• Disparities in case processing times, with White (including Hispanic) children facing shorter waits compared to Black children.
• High rates of deeper system involvement for children, despite being reported as low or medium risk.

In Nov. 2023, John Wiley Price, ranking member of the Dallas County Commissioner’s Court, sat down with The DeSoto Tribune to discuss the standards of the Dallas Juvenile Detention Center.

The post Dallas Black Clergy to address Conditions at Juvenile Center appeared first on DeSoto Tribune.