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May 25, 2021 - U.S. Highway 96 just outside of Center at Loop 500 was the scene of a four-vehicle crash on Friday, May 21, 2021.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Sgt. Stephen Wood, at 11:25am a black 2006 Toyota Corolla driven by Jose Jorge Cubas, 37, of Center was northbound on U.S. Highway 96 North near CR 3760 and had slowed to make a left-hand turn into a private driveway.
At that time a grey 2009 Honda Accord driven by Brandon Lee Dye, 20, of Fort Smith, Ark., with passenger Dalton Brooks Ellison, 19, was also northbound and failed to control speed when Dye stated he did not see the Toyota, and collided with the rear of the Toyota, leaving the Honda in the northbound traffic lanes.
The Toyota was pushed into oncoming traffic where it struck the front distributive of a silver 2008 Nissan Altima driven by Deborah Jean Schoubroek, 49, of Joaquin and caused major damage to both vehicles. The Nissan spun around and came to rest in the southbound ditch beside the private drive and the Toyota came to rest back in the northbound traffic lane.
A black 2018 Ford F250 driven by Jason Wade Parker, 47, of Sulphur, LA., with passenger Eric Slade Hunt, 54, was also northbound when the initial collision occured and veered right to avoid a collision with the Toyota and the Nissan and subsequently struck the Toyota. The Toyota remained in the northbound traffic lane and the F250 was able to safely pull off to the northbound shoulder.
Once on scene the Center Fire Department utilized Jaws of Life to extricate Schoubroek from the Nissan, and assisted EMS in moving her to an ambulance for transport.
Schoubroek and Cubas were each transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of possible injury.
Dye was issued a citation for failure to control speed and Cubas was issued citations for failure to maintain financial responsibility and no driver license when unlicensed.
May 24, 2021 - Shelby County Constable Precinct 3 Roy Cheatwood has reported the discovery, and seizure of, an illegal distillery in the Joaquin area.
After receiving report of whiskey, an illicit beverage, being distilled illegally Constable Cheatwood opened an investigation into the circumstances and confirmed it was being produced out of a mobile home in Joaquin off Doogieville Loop.
Constable Cheatwood contacted the Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission (TABC) and received guidance from Agent Doug Richardson on the necessary protocols to follow in dealing with an illegal still.
Accompanied by DPS Trooper Keith Jones, Constable Cheatwood approached the alleged manufacturer of whiskey and spoke with him about the illegal distillation of whiskey. Although the individual initially denied having a still, he eventually confirmed there was one and Constable Cheatwood seized the equipment as allowed by the Alcohol Beverage Code, Title 4. Regulatory and Penal Provisions, Chapter 103. Illicit Beverages, Sec. 103.03 which permists a peace officer to seize the equipment without a warrant.
TABC Agent Richardson has been with TABC for at least nine years and to his knowledge during that time a still hasn't been seized in Shelby County. Further research into court records doesn't reflect a previous seizure of a still in Shelby County.
At this time the illegal distillation of whiskey remains under investigation.
Tom Bellmyer, Precinct 4 Commissioner, announces the closure of CR 4760 at the end of FM 1970 South where it crosses into Rusk County at the Attoyac River Bottom.
The roadway is flooded and is closed from the end of 1970 into the river until further notice.
May 22, 2021 - FM 139 at the intersection of State Highway 87 South was the scene of a single-vehicle crash with a tree Saturday, May 15, 2021.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones, at 1:22pm a red 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 driven by Mark Thomas Diebolt, 88, of Shelbyville was traveling FM 139 approaching State Highway 87 South.
Diebolt disregarded the stop sign and traveled across the roadway, streering right and striking a large oak tree.
Diebolt was transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department for medical evaluation. He was issued a citation for disregard stop sign.
The truck was towed from the scene.
May 22, 2021 - U.S. Highway 59 and 84 intersection was the scene of a two-vehicle crash in Timpson.
Emergency responders were dispatched to the location on Saturday, May 15, 2021 at 8:01pm.
Upon arrival at the scene, DPS Troopers discovered one vehicle remained in the roadway while the other involved was pulled off the roadway.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones, a silver 2016 Fiat 500X driven by Amber Stokes, 40, of Mt. Enterprise was northbound on U.S. 59 and was preparing to turn onto U.S. 84 West. Stokes stopped at the stop sign in the traffic circle and then failed to yield right of way to oncoming traffic.
At that time a silver 2019 Ford Focus driven by Krystal Tyann Earl, 39, of Timpson was southbound on U.S. 59 when the vehicles collided.
No injuries were reported of Strokes, Earl, or her passengers Kristin Barry, 18, and a 16-year-old male.
Stokes was issued a citation for fail to yield right of way. The Ford was towed from the scene.
Timpson Volunteer Fire Department personnel diverted traffic at the crash scene until all vehicles were clear of the roadway.
May 21, 2021 - The water over CR 4323 has subsided, and the roadway is once again open.
May 20, 2021 - Commissioner Precinct 4 Tom Bellmyer reports CR 4323 is temporarily closed due to high water at Risinger Creek. The water is over the roadway more than 14 inches. Signs will be put in place shortly for the closure. Please be careful when coming upon water across a roadway. Turn around, don't drown.
May 21, 2021 - Summer is right around the corner and the Fannie Brown Booth Library is getting ready for the 2021 Summer Reading/Learning Program.
Our first event will be Wednesday, June 9th, at 10:30 a.m. with Summer Preschool Story Time. This program is for ages 2-5 years. Children must be accompanied by an adult caregiver.
Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. will be our Adult Programs.
The schedule for children ages 6-13 years is listed below.
Reading logs, along with a schedule of summer activities, may be picked up at the Library beginning Friday, June 4th.
Our summer program is once again sponsored by the Center Noon Lions Club.
6-13 years Schedule
Imagineers – ages 6 – 8 years
June 10, 2021, Thurs. 10:30am - Marshmallow Shoot
June 17, 2021, Thurs. 10:30am - Roy & Bandit
June 24, 2021, Thurs. 10:30am - Magnet Maze
July 1, 2021, Thurs. 10:30am - Airplane Launcher Challenge
July 7, 2021, Wed. 10:30am - Magician David Wonder (both groups)
TWEENS – ages 9-13 years
June 10, 2021, Thurs. 2pm - Where Are You?
June 17, 2021, Thurs. 2pm - Beginner Origami
June 24, 2021, Thurs. 2pm - Tie It Up Right!
July 1, 2021, Thurs. 2pm - Drumming at the Library!
July 7, 2021, Wed. 2pm - Magician David Wonder (both groups)
June 26, 2021, Sat. 10:30am - Traveling Trunk of Texas (for everyone) Daughters of the Republic
Reading Program
Reading logs may be picked up at the library beginning Friday, June 4th, and must be completed and returned to the library by Friday, July 9th.
Children may select books from the library or from other sources to read. To be eligible for the program, they must keep a reading log that lists the title of the books read or a time log that lists how much time they spent reading. Non-readers who wish to participate may have parents read and keep logs for them.
For more information, please call the library at 936-598-5522.
May 19, 2021 - According to the Center Police Department, a stabbing occurred at Shady Oaks fuel station on Saturday May 8, 2021 around midnight. An employee of the gas station was in their vehicle preparing to leave when a SUV pulled next to the pumps. A Hispanic male exited his vehicle and approached the employee's car and the employee rolled the window partially down.
The employee told him that the pumps were closed. He responded by reaching through the window with a knife and stabbing the victim multiple times. The suspect returned to his vehicle and left the scene. The victim required medical attention which included sutures and was later released.
The Suspect was described to be a Hispanic male, mid 20s to early 30s, short and stocky. If you have any information, contact Center Police Department Detective Nicole Faulkner 936-598-2788.
May 18, 2021 - FM 138 was the scene of a single-vehicle crash on Monday, May 10, 2021.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Dustin Ramos, at 9:38pm a grey 2017 GMC Yukon driven by Patricia Wright, 47, of Center was westbound on FM 138 at the 3000 block.
Due to fatigue, Wright left the roadway to the right and traveled for some distance before striking a culvert which caused the GMC to flip and come to rest on its top in the right side of the roadway.
No citations were issues at the time of the crash.
Center Fire Department fire personnel responed to the scene to assist with traffic control.
May 18, 2021 - Constable Precinct 3 Roy Cheatwood reports two incidents Sunday, May 16, 2021, which resulted in the recovery of stolen items.
Between 4pm and 5pm on Sunday a call was received about a stolen firearm which had been taken on that day. Assisted by Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones, Constable Cheatwood responded to the house where the gun had been stolen and through investigation a potential suspect was determined.
As the investigation into the stolen gun was ongoing, another call was received of an enclosed cargo trailer which had been dropped off on a property located on CR 3252. While investigation into the stolen gun continued, the officers responded to the location of the stolen trailer, which was missing a license plate and vehicle identification number.
It was determined the trailer was a 2015 model 12-14 foot long and had been stolen out of Nacogdoches County, and was being sought by officers there. The firearm, a Sccy 9mm, was also recovered off a location on Connell's Ferry Road. Both of these investigations remain ongoing.
Constable Cheatwood reports this is the 40th vehicle recovered by his office in four years, and one of numerous stolen firearms. He expressed appreciation to members of the community for their help in these two cases and to the Texas Department of Public Safety for their assistance.
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