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March 26, 2021 - An individual arrested by the Shelby County Sheriff's Department became the subject of a manhunt when he allegedly stole a patrol vehicle Thursday, March 25, 2021.

Matthew Bennett, 37, of Beckville was under arrest in the Joaquin area around 4pm in the afternoon on a warrant and placed into a patrol vehicle. According to Sheriff Kevin Windham, Bennett somehow was able to free himself and while still handcuffed got into the driver's seat of the Sheriff's Department Chevrolet Tahoe and fled.

As the patrol unit was last seen in vicinity of U.S. Highway 84 and FM 699 officers from a multitude of agencies converged on the area. As Sheriff's Department units were searching the area, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) joined them in scouring the nearby roadways.

Constables from Precinct 4, 5 and 3 all joined in assisting the Sheriff's Department. Units with the Panola County Sheriff's Department and a constable from there were stationed at the intersection of FM 699 and U.S. Highway 84.

All units, including Panola County Sheriff Kevin Lake, moved to a location on CR 4550 at 5:15pm near an oil pad site where they searched a wooded area for the vehicle and suspect. It was later determined Bennett had fired a weapon at that location prior to the arrival of deputies.

Once another sighting had been reported, the units cleared the oil pad site. As the search continued, the assistance of a Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter was requested and the location of the vehicle confirmed on a property off FM 699. While officers with the Sheriff's Department and DPS attempted to make contact with Bennett, who was still in the Tahoe, the helicopter flew overhead and announced over a loud speaker, "This is the state police, come out with your hands up, surrender you're surrounded."

For many arduous hours officers tried communicating with Bennett, who had three weapons in his possession, and tried reasoning with him.

Deputies with the DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Department were requested to the scene to potentially assist using their drone unit.

Meanwhile Center Police Department officers were prepared to move in, if necessary and assist in reclaiming the stolen Tahoe. At around 10:50pm, the Center PD unit moved in, assisted by Constable Roy Cheatwood, Deputy Heather Burnaman, Game Wardens Sam Anderson and Austin Cryer; and were able to take Bennett into custody without incident. He was later examined by EMS and no injury was reported.

The Tahoe appeared to have received extensive damage inside and out as a result of the incident, and it was towed from the location by Hughes Wrecker Service.

After being placed in custody, Bennett was taken to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with escape from custody, misdemeanor a; unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, felony 4; resisting arrest, misdemeanor a; and evading arrest with vehicle, felony 4.


March 25, 2021 - (Update 10:58pm) The suspect is in custody without incident.


(Update 10:10pm): Sheriff Kevin Windham states the area has been secured for the safety of the citizens in the area off FM 699.

The suspect remains in the vehicle and is surrounded while officers continue to negotiate with the suspect. 

The roadway is blocked from CR 3129 to CR 3689 on FM 699 and anyone needing to get through this area should take an alternate route.


Law enforcement currently have FM 699 blocked off due to negotiations with a suspect who earlier today, March 25 stole a Sheriff’s Department vehicle. 

After taking the vehicle, the suspect evaded law enforcement until he was located on FM 699 around 7:30pm with the assistance of a DPS helicopter. The vehicle with the suspect still inside is surrounded at this time.

Shelby County Today will update as more information becomes available.

March 26, 2021 - Aurora Concepts advises extra vaccines are available. It's not too late to get your first shot this week! To register, people can log on to www.auroraconcepts.net and under the "More" tab on the top bar, click on Covid vaccine. Appointment times are still available to book up to 3pm or first come first serve at the end of the vaccination clinic which ends at 4:30pm. Come out today to the John D. Windham Civic Center!

Registration is only needed for the Moderna 1st doses. For those returning for their Pfizer 2nd dose, please bring the white card you were given when you received the first dose. 

Consent forms will be provided on site.


March 22, 2021 - (Updated): 200 Moderna vaccinations have been received as of Monday, March 22. On March 26 while Aurora Concepts staff are at the civic center, they will administer the 200 Moderna 1st time doses. To register, people log on to www.auroraconcepts.net and under the "More" tab on the top bar, click on Covid vaccine.

If you are unable to register online, please call their office for assistance at 936-598-3296.

Registration is only needed for the Moderna 1st doses. For those returning for their Pfizer 2nd dose, please bring the white card you were given when you received the first dose. 

Consent forms will be provided on site.


It's Time for 2nd Round for All Who Attended March 5th Vaccine Clinic

Three weeks will have passed this Friday and for anyone who received their first dose Pfizer vaccine on Friday, March 5 in the vaccine clinic hosted by Aurora Concepts at the John D. Windham Civic Center, its time for your second dose!

The second round of injections is this Friday, March 26. The process will be exactly the same with everyone having the same appointment times. You must bring the CDC card you received following the first inoculation.

Also, if you know someone who has not received their first dose vaccine, Aurora Concepts has received 200 Moderna vaccines this week. If you haven't received a vaccine, call 936-598-3296 to schedule an appointment.

Related Article: Aurora Concepts Has Successful Mass Inoculation; More Vaccines This Week


Map of the projected burn areas. Click to enlarge.

​March 26, 2021 - Officials with the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas, Angelina National Forest, have advised a prescribed burn located in Compartments 88-93, Blocks A,B,C, in Angelina County. This area is located in the Boykin Spring Area south of Hwy 63.

Winds will be SE at 8-10 mph.

Ignition time of 10:00am and completion estimated at 7:00pm.

March 25, 2021 - According to the Texas DSHS Covid-19 Dashboard, the data reflects 3 new cases since yesterday. The total of active cases is 83.

Of the new cases, 2 were new confirmed cases and 1 was a new probable case. 4 new estimated recoveries were reported.

March 25th (4:40pm) Numbers: (changes since March 24th)
Total Confirmed Cases - 894 (2 new)
Total Probable Cases - 689 (1 new)
Total Fatalities - 65
Total Estimated Active Cases - 83
Total Estimated Recovered - 1,435 (4 new)

March 25, 2021 - Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) investigated a two-vehicle fatality crash last night on SH 7, about eight miles east of Nacogdoches.

The preliminary crash investigation indicates at approximately 6:40 p.m., a 2017 Chevrolet passenger car was traveling west. A 2020 Buick SUV was traveling east. For unknown reasons, the driver of the Chevrolet drove over into the eastbound lane and struck the Buick head-on.

The driver of the Chevrolet was pronounced deceased at the scene by a Nacogdoches County Justice of the Peace and has not been identified at this time. A passenger in the Chevrolet is identified as 26-year-old Brandon Guy from Mansfield, LA. Guy was also pronounced deceased at the scene.

The driver of the Buick is identified as 23-year-old Sarah Barton from Laurel Hill, North Carolina. Barton was pronounced deceased at the scene. A passenger with Barton is identified as 40-year-old Sammy Bell from Center. Bell was transported to Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital for treatment.

This crash remains under investigation. Additional information is not available at this time.

March 25, 2021 - According to the Texas DSHS Covid-19 Dashboard, the data reflects 1 new case and 1 new death over one day. The total of active cases remains at 84.

March 24th (12:55pm) Numbers: (changes since March 23rd)
Total Confirmed Cases - 892
Total Probable Cases - 688 (1 new)
Total Fatalities - 65 (1 new)
Total Estimated Active Cases - 84
Total Estimated Recovered - 1,431

March 25, 2021 - Two additional clinic sites have been added to Saturday’s COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic hosted by the Texas Military Division.

In addition to the clinic that will be held at the Windham Civic Center Saturday, March 27th from 8:00-4:00, there will also be a clinic held at the Joaquin Volunteer Department, 136 Hughes Dr., Joaquin and the Timpson Volunteer Fire Department  305 Jacob St., Timpson. The Fire Department Clinics will open at 10:00am Saturday.

The vaccine will be administered by the Texas Military Division medical personnel and will be the Johnson & Johnson one dose vaccine. 

There will be 300 doses available at the Civic Center and 100 doses at each of the 2 fire departments.

No appointment necessary, first come, first serve and be sure to bring picture ID and the vaccinations are free.


March 23, 2021 - The Texas Military Division (TMD) along with TX Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and local Emergency Management officials will be conducting another COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic this Saturday, March 27th from 8am-4pm at the Windham Civic Center in Center.

The vaccine being administered will be the Johnson & Johnson one dose vaccine. No appointment necessary so wait lines may be long.

Those eligible to receive the vaccine are those set by the TX Department of State Health Services:
 
• Front Line Medical Workers
• First Responders
• Anyone 50 and Older
• Anyone 18 and Over With a Health Condition That Increases the Risk of Severe COVID 19 Illness
• School and Licensed Child Care Workers

March 24, 2021 - According to the Texas DSHS Covid-19 Dashboard, the data reflects 2 new cases over one day and a total of 84 active cases.

Of the 2 new cases, both were new probable cases. The number of total confirmed cases reduced by 1 for a new total of 892. Case reductions have occurred before when cases are discovered to belong to a different county of residence. There was no explanation as to why the decrease.

There was 1 new recovery reported.

March 23rd (4:45pm) Numbers: (changes since March 22nd)
Total Confirmed Cases - 892 (1 less)
Total Probable Cases - 687 (2 new)
Total Fatalities - 64
Total Estimated Active Cases - 84
Total Estimated Recovered - 1,431 (1 new)

March 24, 2021 - Today, in accordance with the President's proclamation, all flags on public buildings and grounds should be be lowered to half-staff in remembrance and as a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless act of violence perpetrated on March 22, 2021, in Boulder, Colorado, and remain at half-staff until sunset, March 27, 2021. This includes any flags flying with the US Flag.

Proclamation can be viewed by clicking here

If you fly an outdoor flag that cannot be lowered, respect can be shown by tying a black ribbon or cord at the top of the staff.

March 23, 2021 - Radio communication issues in Shelby County continue to be a point of discussion for the Shelby County Commissioners as was apparent in their Wednesday, March 17, 2021 meeting.

Two proposals were up for consideration by the commissioners, one that is meant to possibly return the Sheriff's Department radio system to 80% functionality, and the other to provide the volunteer fire departments with communications once again.

According to statements made by Sheriff Kevin Windham at a previous meeting, the radio communications for the Sheriff's Department are nominal and according to firemen at the recent meeting, are non-existent for them.

The proposal offered to the commissioners for the Sheriff's Department radio system during the March 10 meeting left the commissioners with more questions and doubts by the time the March 17 meeting came around. County Judge Allison Harbison was going to be seeking in-writing one promise of Texas Premier Communications they made in discussion; if the microwave antennas don't work, they would not be a cost to the county.

Installation of the antennas would still be the responsibility of the county at $10,000 to install them. At this time, the proposal doesn't give a cost for taking the antennas down, which would also be the responsibility of the county. If it costs $10,000 to install the antennas, will it cost the county the same amount to bring them down?

Commissioner Tom Bellmyer expressed a desire of the radio company to install the equipment and for the county to pay nothing until the system is proven to function.

"Install it, and if it works we'll pay the bill, if it doesn't work he can take it out," said Bellmyer. "Because, I didn't get a comfortable feeling last week when the presentation was, because I think it was Commissioner McSwain asked the question 'is this going to fix it?' and their was some hesitation whether it would really fix it or not, or correct the issues."

Several fire departments were present for the meeting and Bellmyer described how their presence meant radio communications for them is very important. He remarked the total sum for installing both systems would come to almost $207,000.

"If we're going to spend that kind of money, we as a collective group of citizens need to be assured that the system's going to work, because it's your tax dollars and my tax dollars that's paying for it," said Bellmyer.

By the end of the discussion over radio communications, several radio companies had been mentioned by name that do the same kind of work; however, no one was left with a clear indication that any other company could guarantee a functional product.

"Our debate is that this is an ongoing issue since I've been here, and it's frustrating to continue to throw money at something and it does not fix the problem," said Commissioner Roscoe McSwain.

Sheriff Windham agreed that it's frustrating and stressful especially when public servants are out in the community with no way to communicate.

"We had a great system before they went with the digital," said Mark Odom, Tenaha Volunteer Fire Chief. "It worked, we could talk from Nacogdoches, you could talk from Shreveport. Now you can't talk from Tenaha to Center."

Odom described the voter system that was in place at that time until it was taken down in the beginning of 2014.

"I just don't understand why now we got two separate systems that we spend money on and neither one of them work," said Odom.

With the way the fire departments are paged out now, as of October 28, 2020 when the new console was approved for installation, all fire departments are paged out on the fire channel and then they switch to their own channel for communication after that. Currently, they can't rely on the main fire channel for dispatch.

"That's why we need the analog up too because they're paging all seven departments out, six because Center does their own, but by paging all six of us out it's on the Shelby County Fire channel which is a mutual aid channel," said Jeremy Boyett, Joaquin Fire Department. "Everybody in here I think has their own channel they go to for fires."

Boyett described a scenario where all fire departments are needed at the same location, they would communicate on the one Shelby County Fire channel instead of on their own fire department channel, so they could better work together.

It was also determined there is another issue directly affecting the fire department radios. Tuffy Green, Timpson Fire Chief, asked Sheriff Windham if a tower on McSwain Hill has yet been fixed.

Green asked, "We talked about getting it, he said it was going to cost $6,000-$8,000 to fix, did he ever fix that one?"

"The mayor was with us from Timpson and said the city would help fix the tower, so I was wondering if it ever got fixed," said Green.

Sheriff Windham answered, "no" that tower had not been fixed.

"The one that I called you about Allison, about the antenna that you were going to find money for, did that ever get [fixed?]. Because, we're still dead in Joaquin," said Boyett.

Sheriff Windham reminded the court he had spoken with Tracy Rook, Texas Premier Communications, right after the ice storm and they were still waiting on that antenna at that time.

Judge Harbison said she would ask Rook when she talked to him. Boyett said the only dispatch they have in Joaquin at this time since January 25 is email, if the internet is working.

Projects much smaller, but not less important than the one proposed to the commissioners are potentially still waiting in line to be started.

"The fire department antenna went out and so they put it on the Probation Office," said Judge Harbison. "What they forgot to tell us was that it was 200 feet lower, so we voted several weeks ago, a month ago, to replace that antenna and it was ordered then, but we need to find out if it's been installed."

Yazoo Thomas, Huxley Fire Department, informed the court they have their own antenna and repeater on their water tower in Huxley. He asked how that ties into the system they are considering and Boyett stated it doesn't it's for the Huxley Volunteer Fire Department system only. 

"It is a crying shame that 25 years ago we had better signal and better radio capabilities than we do now with all of the upgrades and technology and everything," said Judge Harbison.

Jerryl Adams, West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Chief, shared with the court the kind of public outcry fire department representatives receive.

"I know a lot of the fire chiefs and assistant chiefs, they're the ones they get a lot of slack from the public, they won't say anything to y'all, but they'll come to us," said Adams.

Judge Harbison explained she does hear from people in the community about the communications as well.

"I guess they think we're important or something," said Adams. "We're not anymore important than anybody else is, but they depend on us to make sure they're safe on fires and [roadway] accidents. That's been everybody's biggest problem lately, even more than fires."

Bellmyer shared with the court he has been in office for 27 months and radio communications were a point of discussion from the start. 

"There has been one common theme that I have heard nearly every time that the fire chiefs have come and whatnot, 'it used to work until they took equipment down.' All of the equipment in all of these radios is county equipment and how it gets taken down without approval of the court, I would really like in the future that if county radio equipment gets manipulated it should be at the approval of the court. Not at the whim of someone that decides they want to move it," said Bellmyer.

All of the firemen present agreed with Judge Harbison the radios worked until the county switched to a digital radio system.  

Judge Harbison asked Bellmyer to speak with Bobcat Communications and she said she would be in contact with Texas Premier Communications. Bellmyer invited representatives of the fire departments to all return when the commissioners discuss radio communications again on March 31.

"We've got to keep this dialogue going so we can get to a decision and move forward. So, I would invite everyone if they can get it in their agenda to come back in two weeks," said Bellmyer.

A motion carried by the commissioners to table agenda items 10 and 11. 

Sheriff Windham updated the court on the most recent report from the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) who informed the county the jail failed to comply with the minimum standards. The report was issued on March 4, 2021. 

"What we're doing, we've got a class set up for this Monday, [March 22]. That was one of the things that was recommended that our corrections officers receive training on dispensing medication and that was where we had an issue with compliance," said Sheriff Windham.

According to the TCJS report it was determined medications are not being dispensed in accordance with written instructions from a physician. One inmate was prescribed two prescription medications daily and from February 25 to March 3 only received one pill daily. Another inmate was prescribed two tablets at bedtime and only one tablet was given from February 21 to March 2. The report states the Medication Administration Records were altered to show that two tablets were dispensed when according to the pill count only one was given daily from February 21 to February 26. Another inmate was prescribed one dose of a seizure medication in the morning and two doses of the same medication at night; however, according to the report the medication was only given to that inmate in the mornings from February 25 to March 3.

The TCJS report further states, "The issue of following written physicians orders was an area of technical assistance during the FY20 inspection. Follow-up action required - administration will conduct training with staff regarding dispensing medications in accordance with a physicians written order. Documentation of the training conducted and training rosters of staff attending will be scanned and emailed to the inspector within 30 days."

Required suicide prevention training for newly hired jail staff, and current staff has not been provided, according to the report. As a result jail administration is to provide the needed training to all staff in accordance with the agency's approved operational plan within 60 days.

A motion carried to accept the Texas Commission on Jail Standards report.

The commissioners were set to consider the replacement of the courthouse sign for a proposed $30,000; however, Judge Harbison explained the sign company has added the possibility of tearing down what remains of the current sign, and she needs to confirm if that will be at an additional cost. As a result she requested the commissioners table the item.

A motion carried to table the replacement of the courthouse sign.  

America Montes addressed the court on making Private Road 800 into a County Road. In looking at the road, it was suggested by the commissioners to Montes there are 11 property owners on that roadway who would likely have to make dedications of property to allow for easements on their property for the roadway to be properly maintained.

The meeting was adjourned.

Agenda items approved during the meeting include:
1. Pay weekly expenses.

2. Current payroll.

3. Treasurer to advertise for RFP for County Bank Depository Contract.

4. Resolution Opposing SB 234/HB 749 Efforts to Silence County Officials. Presented by County Treasurer.

5. Record completed required Continuing Education hours for Shelby County Treasurer.

6. Recognize the report with Texas Commission on Jail Standards.

7. Adjourn.

Agenda items tabled during the meeting include:
1. Replace the courthouse sign that was damaged during Hurricane Laura.

2. Upgrades on Sheriff’s radio system.

3. Upgrades on the VFD radio system.

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