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In a heartfelt tribute to a cherished community member, Mayor Rachel Proctor declared May 4th as “Arlana Miller Day” in DeSoto.

This declaration honors the memory of Arlana Miller, a cheerleader at Southern University and A&M College in Louisiana who took her own life by walking into the Mississippi River.

Miller, the daughter of Janice Tappin-Miller, who established the Arlana J Miller Check on Your Strong Friends Foundation and Scholarship led a life that profoundly impacted those around her.

The month of May is considered to be mental health awareness month and with the anniversary of Miller, mental health continues to be a priority for her mother.  

Miller, a bright 19-year-old cheerleader at Southern University, was known for her vibrant spirit and her dedication to uplifting others.

Her tragic passing in May of last year sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the urgent need for mental health awareness and support.

“We’re letting people know it’s okay to not be okay,” said Tappin-Miller.

“Don’t hide because in our community we are looked at as being weak if we say that we’re not feeling okay.”

Since her daughter’s passing, Tappin-Miller has made it her mission to get legislation passed in Louisiana requiring a licensed counselor to be assigned to every sport from high school to college.

The proposed legislation would also require student-athletes to have a licensed counselor throughout their recovery process.   

“We just want to continue to educate people and let them know that your mental health does matter,” said Tappin-Miller

“We’re trying to save our youth especially because they are suffering and it breaks my heart because they’re our future and if we don’t help them now, we’re going to keep losing them.”

The scholarship fund honors Arlana’s legacy by awarding current and future high-achieving cheerleaders at Southern University and A&M College during their matriculation.

Tappin-Miller is not only a mother but an educator, whose family has been pillars in the DeSoto community for years.

Arlana’s story is a stark reminder of the silent battles many face and shows the importance of a supportive community.

“Arlana’s legacy will live on forever and we will help you uphold it by advocating for the importance of mental health awareness and encouraging regular check-ins with those we love!” said Mayor Proctor.

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WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS – 22 individuals in Wichita Falls, Texas, have been federally charged in connection with alleged drug trafficking activities.

U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton announced the charges on Monday, May 20.

Sixteen of the defendants were apprehended during a coordinated takedown operation on Thursday.

Multiple law enforcement tactical units were involved, including SWAT teams from five FBI divisions, the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team (HRT), the Texas Department of Public Safety Special Response Teams, the U.S. Marshals, and the Wichita Falls Police Department.

The remaining six defendants were previously taken into custody.

The charges stem from criminal complaints alleging conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

According to the complaints, the investigation began in March 2023, following intelligence received from confidential informants indicating that individuals associated with the Crips street gang were operating a methamphetamine distribution network in Wichita Falls and surrounding areas.

Over several months, law enforcement conducted multiple drug buys facilitated by confidential sources, which were documented through video and audio recordings.

Additionally, searches of suspects’ residences and vehicles yielded substantial quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine, fentanyl, and firearms.

To date, authorities have seized a significant amount of illicit substances, including methamphetamine, powder cocaine, crack cocaine, powdered fentanyl, and counterfeit Percocet pills laced with fentanyl, along with nine firearms.

If convicted, each defendant faces a minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment in federal prison.

The post 22 Charged in Alleged Drug Trafficking in Wichita Falls appeared first on The DeSoto Tribune.

Nine men and a company have been indicted and charged with conspiring to install so-called “defeat devices” on diesel trucks, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.

The devices would allow the vehicles to emit far more pollutants than allowed by law contravening the Clean Air Act.

The defendants, Phillip Dwain Waddell, Philip Matthew Ormand, Kolby Douglas Huneycutt, Kyle Kris Kizer, Jonathan Joseph Lohrmeyer, Justin Loutoyama Pasamonte, Archie George Sims, and Adam Marsh Stanley, along with auto dealership James Hodge Motors, Inc. (doing business as Jay Hodge Dodge) and its Chief Operating Officer, Curtis Kevin Poore, face indictments related to conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act.

“These defendants intentionally flouted laws designed to ensure our children – and our children’s children – have clean air to breathe. By installing devices that bypassed automakers’ built-in emissions controls, they spewed pollutants into our neighborhoods. The Justice Department, along with our partners at the Environmental Protection Agency, take violations of the Clean Air Act very seriously,” said Simonton. 

According to the indictment, Waddell allegedly sold aftermarket diesel exhaust components and “delete tunes,” which override on-board diagnostic (OBD) systems required by the Clean Air Act.

These delete tunes purportedly allowed vehicles to emit excess pollutants undetected by OBDs, thus circumventing emission regulations.

“Pollutants emitted from tampered vehicles can have significant harm to public health,” said Kim Bahney, Special Agent in Charge for the Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division.

“This scheme occurred over several years and spanned across multiple states, diminishing air quality.”

The indictment alleges Ormand customized delete tunes for specific vehicles, with Waddell allegedly purchasing these tunes and selling them for significant profits.

The defendants, including Huneycutt, Kizer, Lohrmeyer, Pasamonte, Sims, and Stanley, are accused of purchasing and installing these delete tunes on customers’ vehicles.

Additionally, the indictment also alleges James Hodge Motors, under the supervision of Poore, engaged in similar practices, falsifying invoices to conceal the nature of their work on customers’ trucks.

The indictment represents allegations, not evidence, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

If convicted, each defendant faces potential federal prison sentences of up to five years, while the company could incur fines of up to $500,000.

The post Ten Charged for Alleged Clean Air Act Violations appeared first on The DeSoto Tribune.

This is the monthly Student Achievement Data Progress Monitoring being held in the DeSoto ISD's ISC Board Room.

TEHRAN – Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, considered a hardliner and potential successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in a helicopter crash.

The crash occurred near the Azerbaijan border and was confirmed according to officials and Iran state media on Monday.

The incident occurred on Sunday, when Raisi, accompanied by Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and six others, was traveling through mountainous terrain.

The helicopter encountered severe weather conditions, including a blizzard, which contributed to the crash.

Search and rescue teams located the charred wreckage early Monday after an extensive overnight search.

The crash site was found in a remote area, but due to the harsh weather and challenging terrain, rescue efforts were hindered according to Iran State Television.

All eight individuals on board, including the crew, were pronounced dead at the scene.

Raisi, served as president since August 2021 and was a prominent figure in Iranian politics known for his conservative stance and close alignment with Khamenei.

His death raises significant questions about the future of Iran’s leadership, particularly regarding the succession of the Supreme Leader.

Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian was a key figure in Iran’s diplomatic relations, particularly during tense negotiations concerning Iran’s nuclear program.

His loss, along with Raisi’s, marks a substantial blow to the Iranian government.

The nation is expected to enter a period of mourning as officials work to determine the next steps in leadership succession.

Investigations are underway to figure out what was the exact cause of the crash, though preliminary reports suggest severe weather played a critical role.

The White House issued a statement about Raisi’s death and reaffirmed its support for the people of Iran and their struggle for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

“The United States expresses its official condolences for the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian, and other members of their delegation in a helicopter crash in northwest Iran.  As Iran selects a new president, we reaffirm our support for the Iranian people and their struggle for human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

The post Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi Killed in Helicopter Crash appeared first on The DeSoto Tribune.