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A 5,000-gallon diesel tanker truck that caught fire yesterday afternoon after the engine ignited has now been cleaned up and removed from a DeSoto intersection.

Local authorities explained that residents were able to return home after firefighters were able to diminish the fire.

“As of 9:45 PM Friday: While all hazards related to the DeSoto Diesel Tanker Truck Fire have been mitigated, and residents were allowed to return to their homes, it will be a bit longer before the intersection of Parkerville and Cockrell Hill Roads will be reopened,” said DeSoto Communication Manager Matt Smith.

“DeSoto Fire informed us that while the burned out tanker truck is safe and secure, the remaining diesel fuel in it, is still very hot and will be allowed to cool. That is what is preventing the intersection from being opened earlier.”

The cleanup of the intersection was completed at about 1:45 AM and the intersection of Parkerville and Cockrell Hill Roads was reopened to traffic according to DeSoto Police.

The traffic lights at the intersection are flashing red due to damage from the fire and should be treated as a four-way stop until city repairs are completed.

Friday afternoon, the city was notified of a smaller size tanker truck that had been engulfed in flames due to the engine catching fire.

From there the fire traveled and quickly engulfed the truck.

DeSoto Police said the driver made it out alive and was not hurt.

The post DeSoto Intersection Reopened after Tanker Truck Fire appeared first on DeSoto Tribune.

A tanker truck has caught fire in DeSoto at the intersection of S Cockrell Hill and W Parkerville Road.

Residents in the area were urged to evacuate after a 5,000-gallon tanker truck carrying diesel fuel caught fire this afternoon according to DeSoto Fire Chief Bryan Southard.

The City of DeSoto issued an evacuation notice for residents within the following area: from W Parkerville Rd to Summerside Dr to the north, Richard Pittman Dr to the south, Elerson Rd to the east, and Keswick Dr to the west.

DeSoto Police confirmed that the female truck driver was not injured in the fire.

She told fire officials that she noticed smoke coming out of the engine while sitting at a red light.

The fire moved from the engine to the tank.

“Due to the fuel that was on fire, we basically had to let it burn,” said Southard.

Fire trucks from Duncanville, Cedar Hill and Dallas fire departments were called in to help battle the blaze.

Emergency services are still on the scene working to help ensure public safety.

Nearby residents that have been evacuated will be allowed back in the area once the DeSoto Fire Department deems it is safe to return to their homes.

Residents had been advised to leave the area promptly and follow any instructions from emergency personnel.

Chief Southard expects that it will take the rest of the day to clean up.

Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

The post Tanker Truck Catches Fire at DeSoto Intersection appeared first on DeSoto Tribune.

Students at Amber Terrace, Cockrell Hill, and The Meadows elementary schools learned the value of where food comes from through a unique school project.

The garden revitalization project, sponsored by WIPRO at the University of North Texas at Dallas, educated PreK through 5th-grade students about the origins of food and the importance of healthy eating habits.

The program incorporated both hydroponic and traditional outdoor gardening methods, allowing students to engage in hands-on learning experiences.

The hydroponic system, which grows plants using nutrient-rich water instead of soil, provided an up-close view of plant root development and the overall life cycle of plants.

Meanwhile, the outdoor garden exposed students to conventional gardening practices, including soil preparation, seed planting, weeding, and watering.

Throughout the year, students cultivated a variety of plants and observed their growth from seeds to maturity.

Through their efforts and methods of gardening, the students were able to harvest fresh produce, including tomatoes, peppers, and leafy greens.

The harvest reinforced lessons on plant care and growth and supplied healthy food for students’ families.

At the end of the harvest, students even provided DeSoto ISD superintendent Dr. Usumah Rodgers with some of the produce from the students.

Rogers praised the program’s success in fostering an interest in gardening, nutrition, and environmental stewardship among DeSoto’s youngest learners.

The school district is said to be eager to continue this initiative in the upcoming 2024-2025 school year, further nurturing the development of green thumbs among students.

For more information and to view a photo album of the project, click here.

The post Garden Project Teaches DeSoto ISD Students about Food and Health appeared first on DeSoto Tribune.

DeSoto’s annual Crawfish Festival, a beloved family-friendly and community event celebrating Louisiana’s rich culinary heritage has been cancelled.

This year’s festival was cancelled due to forecasted inclement weather according to the city’s website and social media post.

“After careful consideration, we have determined that it is in everyone’s best interest to cancel the event. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We appreciate your understanding and support,” the post read.

The post DeSoto Annual Crawfish Festival Cancelled appeared first on DeSoto Tribune.

A Dallas man has been sentenced to 60 years in federal prison after he was found guilty of filming himself sexually assaulting girls as young as six years old.

Leigha Simonton, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas announced the sentence Wednesday, May 29, via press release.

Gemond Copage Miller, 34, was indicted in December 2021 and pleaded guilty in January 2024 to two counts of production of child pornography.

He was sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Brantley Starr, who also ordered Miller to be supervised for life following his release from prison.  

Miller filmed himself sexually assaulting children as young as six years old, then sold the footage on the internet according to court documents.

When watching video footage, investigators were able to match Miller’s tattoo to the distinctive tattoos shown in the footage.

At Wednesday’s sentencing hearing, prosecutors said Miller admitted to abusing at least ten girls under the age of twelve.

Law enforcement identified at least 38 videos of child sexual abuse material produced by Miller according to the release.

Authorities have not yet identified all of the victims that were involved.

Miller was also in possession of approximately 722 images and 1,733 videos consisting of child sexual abuse material.

“My sense of safety and security has been shattered,” said a 13-year-old victim in a statement read aloud by her mother.

The victim at the time was just six years old when she was first assaulted.

“I am the first victim to come forward… Knowing that there are others shows that this is what he does. This is who he is. And he does not care that he took the innocence of children.”

The post Dallas Man Sentenced to 60 Years in Prison for Abusing Minors appeared first on The DeSoto Tribune.