News Reader

Juneteenth, a national holiday marking the end of slavery following the Civil War in 1865, has been celebrated by Black Americans for decades.

However, it wasn’t officially recognized as a federal holiday until three years ago.

Many across the country celebrate Juneteenth, commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States.

The holiday is often celebrated with prayer and religious services, speeches, educational events, family gatherings, and picnics.

Recently, on June 15, the cities of DeSoto, Cedar Hill, Duncanville, and Lancaster celebrated Juneteenth with their annual Juneteenth Celebration.

The holiday is observed every year by the Best Southwest Communities with a festival, music, food, and dancing.

The annual observance marks the day on June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, announcing the end of the Civil War and the abolition of slavery.

It would be more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued.

In 2021, Juneteenth was designated a federal holiday, thanks in part to the efforts of activist Opal Lee in raising awareness.

The day is also observed internationally, with organizations in various countries using it to recognize the end of slavery and honor the culture and achievements of Black Americans.

As Juneteenth is recognized and celebrated, the holiday provides an opportunity for reflection and to honor those who fought for freedom, justice, and equality, as well as to celebrate the rich cultural heritage and achievements of Black Americans.

The post Juneteenth | Celebrating Freedom and Cultural Heritage appeared first on DeSoto Tribune.

Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) have introduced the Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants List.

This latest initiative by Gov. Abbott aims to locate and apprehend repeat offenders who have entered the country illegally and are sought for dangerous crimes committed within Texas.

Funded by the Governor’s Public Safety Office, Texas Crime Stoppers will offer cash rewards to individuals who provide information leading to the arrest of any of the fugitives listed.

“When President Joe Biden took office, he dismantled every effective border policy his predecessor put into place,” said Governor Abbott.

“As a result, we have seen record high levels of illegal immigration, including dangerous criminals and terrorists who are a threat to the public safety of our state and our nation. These illegal immigrants will now be spotlighted on our 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants List. Texas is a law-and-order state, and with the help of our fellow Texans, we will ensure that the illegal immigrants on this list are taken off our streets and put behind bars to keep our communities safe. Texas will continue to take unprecedented action to protect Texans and our state from President Biden’s border crisis.”

Similar to other Texas 10 Most Wanted lists, individuals on the Criminal Illegal Immigrants List may be featured as the department’s monthly highlighted fugitive.

To qualify for the cash rewards, tips must be submitted through one of the following methods:

• Crime Stoppers Hotline: Call 1-800-252-TIPS (8477).
• DPS Website: Submit a web tip by selecting the relevant fugitive and clicking the link under their photo.
• Facebook Tip: Click the “SUBMIT A TIP” link found in the “About” section of the Texas Crime Stoppers Facebook page.

All tips remain anonymous, and tipsters will receive a tip number instead of using their name.

DPS Special Agents will coordinate with local and federal law enforcement agencies to apprehend the identified fugitives.

This will help and determine which individuals will appear on the Texas 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants List.

Current lists and photos of these fugitives are available on the DPS website.

Authorities advise Texans not to attempt to apprehend these fugitives, as they are considered armed and dangerous.

“Criminals from around the world who enter the United States illegally and commit crimes in Texas are a threat to public safety,” said DPS Director Steve McCraw.

“Individuals on Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants List are likely to commit other crimes, and DPS is enlisting the public’s help in apprehending these offenders before they commit additional crimes. I thank Governor Abbott and Texas Crime Stoppers for their partnership in launching this important program.” 

The post Gov. Abbott Announces Texas’ Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants List appeared first on DeSoto Tribune.

Every year thousands of Texans are scammed by criminals posing as workers from electric utility companies.

Oncor, Texas’s largest energy delivery company, is warning people about scam attempts and how to protect themselves from falling victim.

 Criminals will pose as Oncor utility workers and approach or attempt to contact people in the service territory.

These fraudsters will try to collect money or credit card information, often threatening disconnection of electric service if payment isn’t made immediately.

However, it’s essential to recognize that while Oncor delivers electricity to over 13 million Texans, it is not a retailer and does not directly sell electricity to customers.

No genuine Oncor employee will ever visit your home to collect payments, nor will they ask for credit card information via phone, text, in-person, or online.

“It should be a red flag to customers if someone contacts them by phone or in person requesting payment,” said Oncor Director of Corporate Security Jim Stockton.

“You can call Oncor (888.313.6862) to confirm an employee’s identity, but if you fear for your safety, call 911 immediately. Do not let a stranger into your house or go anywhere with them. We take imposters very seriously and will work in tandem with local law enforcement to investigate and prosecute anyone who violates the law and the public’s trust.” 

For more information about UUAS and the different type of scams click here.

The post Oncor Warns About Scam Attempts appeared first on The DeSoto Tribune.

In response to the growing demand for skilled tradespeople, the South Texas Vocational Technical Institute (STVT) has been making significant strides in vocational education across Texas.

With a network of campuses across the state, STVT has committed itself to providing quality education and training in various technical fields.

STVT Arlington offers a wide range of vocational programs tailored to meet the needs of students pursuing various career paths.

“We feel there are a few points that set STVT apart from other vocational schools,” said Jennie Adams, South Texas Vocational Technical Institute Executive Director.

“First is our accelerated program timelines and flexible class offerings. We understand that many of our students are returning to the education environment for a career change or career advancement while also having family obligations. Our day and evening class options mean they can remain employed while taking courses in their program and they can go to school during the time that works best for them. Also, students can often finish their program in less than a year, which means they can return their full focus back to family and career obligations, Adams explained.

Two notable programs that are offered at the Arlington campus include its CNC Machinist training program and its Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training program.

The CDL training program is designed to train students for careers as professional truck drivers, providing comprehensive instruction in vehicle operation, safety regulations, and industry best practices.

The American Trucking Association (ATA) reported an unprecedented truck driver shortage in 2021 and projected a shortage of over 60,000 drivers for 2023.

It is expected that that number will increase to 82,000 in 2024.

Graduates of the CDL program are prepared to pursue opportunities in the transportation and logistics sector, a field with a growing demand for qualified professionals.

Computer numerically controlled machines (CNC) use raw materials and turn them into manufacturing components used across various industries, from healthcare to aviation. 

A CNC Machinist learns to read blueprints, sketches, computer-aided design (CAD), and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) files.

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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing Harris County over its recently implemented guaranteed income program, Uplift Harris.

The program provides nearly 2,000 residents with $500 per month for 18 months, according to Paxton.

The roots of the program, approved by Harris County Commissioners with a 4-1 vote in 2023, lie in its aim to address financial insecurity among residents.

However, Paxton argues that distributing public funds without conditions or oversight violates the state constitution.

Under Uplift Harris, selected households would receive $500 monthly for 18 months, funded by $20.5 million allocated from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act.

Despite receiving over 59,000 applications, only 1,924 households were chosen through a lottery system, as outlined on the county website.

According to Paxton’s office, the indiscriminate distribution of funds infringes upon the constitutional principle of equal rights.

The Attorney General asserts that Harris County’s approach fails to ensure public benefit and lacks transparency in recipient selection.

The Harris County program mirrors similar efforts seen in the state’s capitol.

The recent pilot program in Austin is aimed at addressing housing insecurity.

Unlike Harris County’s approach, Austin’s program disbursed $1,000 monthly to 85 households at risk of homelessness.

The city council’s decision in 2022 marked Austin as the first major Texas city to utilize tax dollars for guaranteed income programs.

Austin officials emphasized the potential for these programs to foster economic mobility and housing stability.

As the legal battle ramps up, the outcome of Paxton’s lawsuit against Harris County could significantly impact the future of guaranteed income initiatives in Texas and beyond.

The post Texas Attorney General Challenges Harris County’s Program in Court appeared first on The DeSoto Tribune.