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Across the country and in North Texas, communities are coming together to pay tribute to fallen police officers, recognizing their dedication and sacrifice in serving and protecting their communities.

Among these communities, DeSoto stands out as it held a solemn Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony in front of its police station.

The ceremony, organized by the DeSoto Police Department, serves as a reminder of the bravery and selflessness exhibited by law enforcement officers.

With reverence and respect, city leaders, community members, and fellow officers gathered to honor the memories of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

“In the performance of their duties, there were 136 law enforcement officer fatalities in 2023 with Texas losing roughly 11 officers,” said DeSoto Mayor Rachel L. Proctor.

As the sun cast its warm glow over the gathering, officers from the department stood at attention, setting a somber tone for the ceremony.

“We gather together today to honor and pay tribute to those officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their communities,” said Assistant Chief Jesionek speaking to onlookers.

“But before fulfilling our somber purpose here today, please allow for the presence of hope as the number of officer line of duty deaths decreased by 39% from 2022 to 2023 and for the first time since 2019, COVID-19 was not the leading cause of on-duty death.”

As Mayor Proctor looked upon the Table of Honor, Assistant Chief Jesionek described the items on the table representing a fellow fallen officer and what they left behind.

Each item is read aloud, accompanied by a moment where the solemn notes of bagpipes fill the air, followed by a 21-gun salute to honor those who fell in the line of duty.

In DeSoto, across North Texas, and the country, the Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony serves as a powerful testament to the valor and sacrifice of fallen police officers.

Video of the ceremony can be viewed on the City of DeSoto’s Facebook page.

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The City of DeSoto paid homage Wednesday morning to the nation’s fallen peace officers who gave their lives in the line of duty. More than 70 officers, officials, and residents turned out for the event which included words of support and profound gratitude.

DeSoto Mayor Rachel L. Proctor and several members of the DeSoto City Council were on hand to honor the fallen. The Mayor read a proclamation pointing out that “In the performance of their duties there were 136 law enforcement officer fatalities in 2023 with Texas losing roughly 11 officers.”

While the death of even one peace officer is trag

In recognition of excellence and exemplary work in the classroom, the DeSoto Independent School District has recognized multiple educators as the 2024 Campus Teachers of the Year.

Their unwavering commitment to excellence and dedication to student achievement have earned them well-deserved recognition within the educational community.

From the Early Childhood level to High School, these exceptional teachers exemplify the highest standards of teaching excellence at their respective campuses.

Their passion for education shines through in their daily efforts, leaving an indelible mark on the DeSoto ISD community.

As they bask in the glow of this prestigious recognition, these educators are reminded that their tireless efforts do not go unnoticed.

They are not just educators; they are architects of the future, shaping the minds and hearts of tomorrow’s leaders.

As these teachers earn the district’s overall Elementary and Secondary Teacher of the Year honors, these educators carry with them the admiration and respect of their peers and students alike.

Their continued success serves as a testament to their outstanding contributions to the field of education.

The 2024 Campus Teachers of the Year names and schools are listed as follows:

Early Childhood:

• Tiffany Moline, Amber Terrace Early Childhood Learning Center

Elementary:

• Janice Washington, Cockrell Hill Elementary School
• Irene Chaney-Babino, The Meadows Elementary School
• Lauren Stewart, Frank D. Moates Elementary School
• Monay Freeman, Woodridge Fine Arts Elementary

Specialized Learning (K-8):

• Lakesha Jackson, Katherine Johnson Technology Magnet Academy
• Shandreneka Perkins, Ruby Young Personalized STEAM Academy

Middle School:

• Ashley Simpson, DeSoto West Middle School
• Mary Moore, Curtistene S. McCowan Middle School

High School:

• Nikena Madison, DeSoto High School

General (K-12):

• Brent Taylor, DeSoto Alternative Education Program

The post DeSoto ISD Announces 2024 Campus Teachers of the Year appeared first on The DeSoto Tribune.

DeSoto residents will no longer have to travel to Cedar Hill or Dallas to buy their favorite chicken sandwich meal as Chick-fil-A is set to open a brand new location in the city.

Chick-fil-A DeSoto will be the 149th Chick-fil-A franchise location in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

The newest location for the popular chicken restaurant is located at 616 W. Belt Line Road in DeSoto.

The restaurant is open for dine-in, carry-out, and delivery from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday. 

The new Chick-fil-A will also feature Mobile Thru, a fully dedicated drive-thru lane where guests can pick up orders placed ahead of time on the Chick-fil-A App.

The addition of Chick-fil-A in DeSoto will help bolster the local economy by bringing approximately 100 jobs to the community.    

The restaurant is locally owned and operated by James Pruitt who will be responsible for all day-to-day activities of the business. 

“I am excited to bring Chick-fil-A to DeSoto, where our commitment goes beyond serving delicious food; it’s about fostering a tight-knit culture of growth and development for our Team Members,” Pruitt expressed.

In celebration, Chick-fil-A DeSoto will recognize 100 local heroes making an impact in the DeSoto area and provide them with free Chick-fil-A entrées for a year.

Marking its newest location in DeSoto, Chick-fil-A, Inc. has donated $25,000 to Feeding America to support local hunger relief efforts of North Texas Food Bank.

The Restaurant will also participate in the Chick-fil-A Shared Table program, an initiative that redirects surplus food from the restaurant to local soup kitchens, shelters, food banks and nonprofits in need. 

“Alongside my wife, Azucena, who will lead talent development, we are dedicated to not only creating great experiences for our Guests but also nurturing the potential within each member of our team. Together, we look forward to making a positive impact in DeSoto,” said Pruitt.

The post Chick-fil-A DeSoto Set to Open Bringing Jobs and Community Impact appeared first on The DeSoto Tribune.

The DeSoto Independent School District Board of Trustees installed new member Eboni Mitchell, Place 6, and incumbent board member Traci McNairy, Place 7, during the Monday, May 13, 2024, special called board meeting.

Dallas County Justice of the Peace (Precinct 1 – Place 1) Thomas G. Jones hosted the swearing-in ceremony for the installation.

Eboni Mitchell, Place 6

Eboni Mitchell is originally from South Central Los Angeles, California where she graduated from George Washington Preparatory High School before attending San Jose State University where she received her Bachelor of Business Management.

With nearly 25 years of public service experience, Mitchell has expertise and knowledge in strategic planning, project management, business analysis, procurement and contract management, finance, and information technology (IT) operations.

In addition to her time in public service, Mitchell has also worked in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait supporting military efforts as part of LOGCAP III, Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Mitchell has been a resident of Glenn Heights for 20 years and has two children: Caleb, who will be graduating from Parish Episcopal School in May 2024 and continuing his education at Purdue University and Bryson, a current freshman at DeSoto Early College High School.

Mitchell is committed to fiscal responsibility by approving a budget that is in the best interest of DeSoto ISD scholars, transparency and accountability, and ensuring that all students, teachers and staff have a safe and supportive school environment.

Traci McNairy, Place 7

DeSoto ISD Trustee Traci McNairy has been involved in education for