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August 23, 2021 - The intersection of SL 500 and State Highway 7 (SH7) East was the scene of a major two-vehicle crash Friday, August 20, 2021.
When officers arrived at the scene, a truck hauling a trailer was flipped over in the middle of the roadway and a passenger car involved also remained in the middle of the road.
According to Center Police Officer Kevin Sage, a black 2021 Ford Super Duty F-350 driven by Ryan Hunt, 34, of Huntington was westbound on SH7 hauling a flatbed trailer, and was preparing to turn left on SL 500. At that time a silver 2008 Pontiac G6 driven by Martin Leon, 26, of Timpson was eastbound.
The Ford turned left on SL 500 in front of the Pontiac, failing to yield right of way, which subsequently struck the Ford on the passenger side with the front right quarter panel of the Pontiac. The Ford rolled over in the roadway and came to rest on its top, and on top of a stop sign, facing west. The Pontiac remained in the roadway where the collision occured, facing east.
Leon was transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department for medical treatment.
At 8:40 a.m. Wednesday, August 25, Bennett entered the lobby of the SCSO and turned himself in to authorities without incident.
August 23, 2021 - The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) is actively investigating a homicide that occurred Saturday, August 21 on County Road 2225 in Center.
According to Sheriff Kevin W. Windham, deputies responded to the scene at approximately 10:40 p.m. in reference to a disturbance that involved gunshots. Once on scene, deputies discovered that 41 year-old Delvin Deon Bailey, of Center, had been fatally wounded.
Investigation into the disturbance revealed that earlier in the evening, Bailey and 41 year-old Justin Earl Bennett, of Center, had gotten into a physical altercation at a party that took place on CR 2225. Witnesses stated that Bennett left the location, only to return approximately an hour later, and the two began fighting again. Witnesses stated that during the fight, Bennett allegedly fatally shot Bailey and fled the scene in a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The vehicle has since been recovered.
A warrant has been issued for Bennett for Murder (F-1). Bennett is described as black male, 5’9” and weighs approximately 210 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. Bennett has tattoos on both forearms, scars on his left arm and left calf.
Anyone with information on Bennett’s whereabouts is urged to contact the SCSO at 936-598-5601, or by calling 9-1-1. Bennett is considered armed and dangerous, do not approach him.
If anyone is found to be hindering the apprehension, harboring or concealing, providing or aiding with any means of avoiding arrest or effecting escape, or warns Bennett of impending discovery or apprehension, will be arrested and charged in accordance to Penal Code 38.05 Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution, a Felony 3 offense.
The SCSO extends our sympathy to the family of Deon Bailey.
Leah Chase, SCSO Public Relations
At 8:40 a.m. Wednesday, August 25, Bennett entered the lobby of the SCSO and turned himself in to authorities without incident.
August 23, 2021 - The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) is actively investigating a homicide that occurred Saturday, August 21 on County Road 2225 in Center.
August 22, 2021 - The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) is actively seeking the whereabouts of Justin Earl Bennett. According to a press release issued by the agency, Bennett is described as a 41-year-old black male, 5’9”, 210 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. Bennett has tattoos on both forearms, scars on his left arm and left calf. Bennett is wanted for Murder (F-1) out of Shelby County.
Bennett is considered Armed and Dangerous.
Anyone with information on Bennett’s whereabouts is Urged to contact the SCSO by calling 936.598.5601. If the vehicle or the subject is spotted, Do Not Approach. Call 9-1-1.
Sheriff Kevin Windham is seen above (in the cowboy hat) conferring with officers.
August 22, 2021 - The Shelby County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a shooting death which took place on a new feed mill road which connects to Loop 500 Saturday evening, August 21.
Shelby County Sheriff Kevin Windham confirms, a trail ride event was ongoing when two men had an altercation, which resulted in the death of one, and the other to flee.
Deputies responded to the scene at approximately 10:40pm in reference to a disturbance that involved gunshots. Once on scene, deputies discovered that 41-year-old Delvin Deon Bailey, of Center, had been fatally wounded.
As of 1am, a suspect was being sought.
Shelby County Sheriff's Investigators are seen above with Chief Deputy Ruth Gonzales.
After the first incident occurred, a stabbing was reported on McCowan Street in Center, and a victim in that incident was life-flighted by helicopter from the Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department.
A suspect is also being sought in the McCowan Street stabbing.
Center Police Department Detective Bobby Walker, is seen with Officers Mandy Fears and John Clevenger.
Community Funeral Home transported the deceased man from the first scene and he was pronounced deceased by Donna Hughes, Justice of the Peace Precinct 1.
Center Fire Department personnel were called to both scenes to assist with crowd control, if necessary.
Texas Game Warden’s Sam Anderson and Austin Cryer were on scene to assist, as well as Constables Josh Tipton and Roy Cheatwood.
Both investigations continue by the agencies involved, and additional details are pending.
Detective Walker and Cpl. Steve Thornburgh search nearby for evidence of the McCowan Street incident.
August 20, 2021 - According to the Texas DSHS Covid-19 Dashboard, 13 new cases were reported on Friday. The new active cases decreased to 172 due to 14 new recoveries.
The new cases pushed August Covid-19 numbers to 217 new cases.
August 20th Numbers: (changes since Aug. 19)
Confirmed Cases - 1,351 (5 new)
Probable Cases - 934 (8 new)
Fatalities - 74
Active Cases (Estimated) - 172
Recovered (Estimated) - 2,039 (14 new)
August 19th Numbers: (changes since Aug. 18)
Confirmed Cases - 1,346 (12 new)
Probable Cases - 926 (7 new)
Fatalities - 74
Active Cases (Estimated) - 173
Recovered (Estimated) - 2,025 (16 new)
August 20, 2021 - Today, we received information that there was speculation that Center ISD is talking about shutting down. At this point, there has been no discussion between administration and the school board to shut down. The last time the district shutdown was due to a declaration by Governor Abbott.
Again, Center ISD does not have any plans to shut down due to COVID-19 or the Delta Variant.
We will see you Monday. Have a blessed and restful weekend.
Dr. Brian Morris
Superintendent
Center ISD
August 20, 2021 - Firefighters responded to a residence just over five miles down FM 711 from State Highway 7 West on Saturday, August 14, 2021.
The house, located just past CR 1281, had been struck by lightning during a storm that was passing through the area.
A structure at the back part of the house was engulfed in flames. While the fire personnel were actively working to extinguish the flames, residents and family members extracted belongings from the building that was not on fire.
The firefighters were successful in preventing the fire from spreading to the rest of the house. The building behind the house was a total loss.
West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department and Center Fire Department were both on scene workign together fighting fire.
August 19, 2021 - According to the Texas DSHS Covid-19 Dashboard, 19 new cases were reported on Thursday. The new active cases rose to only 173 because 16 new recoveries helped to offset the new cases.
The new cases pushed August Covid-19 numbers to over 200. Now, nearly a third of the new cases (66) in August are just from the last three days and August still has 12 days remaining.
August 19th Numbers: (changes since Aug. 18)
Confirmed Cases - 1,346 (12 new)
Probable Cases - 926 (7 new)
Fatalities - 74
Active Cases (Estimated) - 173
Recovered (Estimated) - 2,025 (16 new)
August 18th Numbers: (changes since Aug. 17)
Confirmed Cases - 1,334 (8 new)
Probable Cases - 919 (14 new)
Fatalities - 74
Active Cases (Estimated) - 170
Recovered (Estimated) - 2,009 (3 new)
August 17th Numbers: (changes since Aug. 16)
Confirmed Cases - 1,326 (15 new)
Probable Cases - 905 (10 new)
Fatalities - 74
Active Cases (Estimated) - 151
Recovered (Estimated) - 2,006 (3 new)
2020 Population and Housing State Data
August 19, 2021 - The results of the 2020 Census are in and showing Shelby County to have experienced a 5.6% decrease in population since 2010. The State of Texas as a whole had a 15.9% increase going from 25,145,561 in 2010 to 29,145,505 in 2020.
The new population of Shelby County is now 24,022 which is 1,426 less than the 25,448 reported 10 years ago. The population density is 30.2 people per square mile with the population density expressed as average number of people per square mile of land area.
Panola County shared similar changes as well with a decrease of 5.5%. Panola's population went down from 23,796 in 2010 to 22,491 in 2020 and the population density is now 27.7 people per square mile.
The two counties in East Texas which saw the largest reduction in population was Newton County with -15.4% and San Augustine with -10.7%.
Of the nearest neighbors to Shelby County, only four counties of thirteen saw an increase in population: Greg 2.1%, Harrison 4.9%, Nacogdoches 0.2%, and Smith 11.3%.
Below are the 13 east Texas counties and their Census results for 2020 in order of population changes from greatest % increase to greatest % decrease:
Smith County - (2020) 233,479 | (2010) 209,714 | Change: 23,795 (11.3%)
Harrison County - (2020) 68,839 | (2010) 65,631 | Change: 3,208 (4.9%)
Greg County - (2020) 124,239 | (2010) 121,730 | Change: 2,509 (2.1%)
Nacogdoches County - (2020) 64,653 | (2010) 64,524 | Change: 129 (0.2%)
Angelina County - (2020) 86,395 | (2010) 86,771 | Change: -376 (-0.4%)
Cherokee County - (2020) 50,412 | (2010) 50,845 | Change: -433 (-0.9%)
Rusk County - (2020) 52,214 | (2010) 53,330 | Change: -1,116 (-2.1%)
Panola County - (2020) 22,491 | (2010) 23,796 | Change: -1,305 (-5.5%)
Shelby County - (2020) 24,022 | (2010) 25,448 | Change: -1,426 (-5.6%)
Jasper County - (2020) 32,980 | (2010) 35,710 | Change: -2,730 (-7.6%)
Sabine County - (2020) 9,894 | (2010) 10,834 | Change: -940 (-8.7%)
San Augustine County - (2020) 7,918 | (2010) 8,865 | Change: -947 (-10.7%)
Newton County - (2020) 12,217 | (2010) 14,445 | Change: -2,228 (-15.4%)
August 19, 2021 - Repairs to the water main along Highway 7 West that serves our water system are required and will be conducted on Friday, August 20, 2021.
While no major impact or shortages are expected, some customers may experience reduced pressure resulting from flushing. To help reduce the chances of a water shortage, we ask our customers to conserve water where possible. The estimated time of completion is 6:00 pm Friday.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact our Public Works Department at 936-598-2941.
August 18, 2021 - According to the Texas DSHS Covid-19 Dashboard, 22 new cases were reported today and the new active cases rose to 170.
Of the new confirmed cases, 1 was an older case reported by a lab.
August Covid-19 numbers are up to 185 new cases reported as of today. Nearly a quarter of the new cases (47) in August are just from the last two days.
August 18th Numbers: (changes since Aug. 17)
Confirmed Cases - 1,334 (8 new)
Probable Cases - 919 (14 new)
Fatalities - 74
Active Cases (Estimated) - 170
Recovered (Estimated) - 2,009 (3 new)
August 17th Numbers: (changes since Aug. 16)
Confirmed Cases - 1,326 (15 new)
Probable Cases - 905 (10 new)
Fatalities - 74
Active Cases (Estimated) - 151
Recovered (Estimated) - 2,006 (3 new)
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