Shelby County Today

February 12, 2021 - On Saturday, November 3, 2001 at approximately 07:00am, Deputies with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a wooded area off FM 699 near Flat Fork Creek in Center, Texas, where a hunter had discovered what appeared to be a crime scene. It was apparent from the findings at the scene that a murder had occurred. A homicide investigation was initiated, although the body of the suspected murder victim, a Tara Lea Blue, was and still is missing. Tara Lea Blue was 30 years of age.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Division is committed to the pursuit of justice, not just for the victims, but also for the victims family who are left behind. Despite the passing of many years, the following victims and their untimely deaths have not been forgotten, nor will the families who are left behind looking for answers and much needed closure. There is no statute of limitations for homicide in the State of Texas. The pursuit for justice continues.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is asking for any information that will lead to further evidence in this case and/or further information that will assist in securing a conviction for the suspect(s) involved, so justice can be served and bring the much-needed closure for the victims families.

You are encouraged to contact SCSO Cold Case Investigator DJ Dickerson at (936) 572-0255 or you can submit a tip anonymously in the form provided here. Any information will be greatly appreciated, not only by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, but especially to the victims family.

The pursuit of justice continues.

February 11, 2021 - Urgent Winter Weather Message National Weather Service Shreveport LA 3:26 PM CST Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021

Light icing will continue to be possible into this evening across portions of East Texas with the potential for light icing expanding east in the Four State region overnight...

Cold air continues to slowly filter into the Four State Region from the north and northwest with light precipitation continuing to push back into southern portions of the region this afternoon. Temperatures will be above freezing in most of the region where there is precipitation late this afternoon and this evening, except in portions of East Texas near and just south of the Interstate Twenty corridor where temperatures will be near freezing. 

These areas will remain in a Winter Weather Advisory through tomorrow morning as periodic light freezing rain or freezing drizzle will continue to be possible. This threat for light icing will grow to incompass all areas of the Four State region along and south of the Interstate Twenty corridor late tonight and the advisory will include those areas as well by late tonight.

Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Claiborne, Lincoln, Union, De Soto, Red River, Bienville, Jackson, Ouachita, Sabine, Natchitoches, Winn, Grant, Caldwell, La Salle, Harrison, Panola, Shelby, Angelina, San Augustine, including the cities of Shreveport, Bossier City, Minden, Springhill, Homer, Haynesville, Ruston, Farmerville, Bernice, Mansfield, Stonewall, Logansport, Coushatta, Martin, Arcadia, Ringgold, Gibsland, Jonesboro, Monroe, Many, Zwolle, Pleasant Hill, Natchitoches, Winnfield, Colfax, Montgomery, Dry Prong, Clarks, Grayson, Columbia, Jena, Midway, Olla, Marshall, Carthage, Center, Lufkin, San Augustine, Hemphill, and Pineland 3:26pm CST Thursday Feb. 11, 2021

Winter Weather Advisory in effect from midnight tonight to noon CST Friday, February 12.

What: Light Freezing rain expected. Total ice accumulations of a light glaze.

Where: Portions of north central and northwest Louisiana and east and northeast Texas.

When: From midnight tonight to noon CST Friday.

Impacts: Light icing should be primarily limited to elevated surfaces, bridges, trees, and powerlines. The potential for hazardous conditions on bridges could impact the morning commute.

Precautionary/Preparedness Actions

Slow down and use caution while traveling. Prepare for possible power outages.

The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

February 11, 2021 – Lufkin District crews will begin treating major roadways with brine solution early Friday ahead of predicted winter weather.

The nine-county district is preparing to begin 12-hour shifts on Saturday. US 59 and other major roads, elevated surfaces, bridges and overpasses will be treated and re-treated as necessary throughout the coming weather event. Driving is discouraged on Monday and Tuesday due to possible icy patches. The brine solution does not keep roadways from freezing, but helps keep roadways open and clear of as much ice as possible.

“We are discouraging travel unless it is absolutely necessary,” said Rhonda Oaks, public information officer. “If you must drive, slow down. Be alert and watch out for TxDOT crews working through this winter storm. Give them room to work safely.”

Crews will be out in the pre-dawn hours Friday to check for possible slick spots and begin the brining process. For information throughout this weather event, visit drivetexas.org for road closures and conditions statewide. For local alerts, warnings and closures, visit Texas Department of Transportation (Lufkin) on Facebook and TxDOT Lufkin on Twitter.

For more information, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or call (936) 633-4395.

February 10, 2021 - The Shelby County Commissioners agreed to an opioid abatement fund council settlement funds in the amount of $109,925 during their meeting February 10, 2021.

Commissioners considered a resolution in support of State of Texas and Texas Political Subdivision’s Opioid Abatement Fund Council and Settlement Allocation term sheet.

The attorneys pursuing this claim have presented to the commissioners court in the past and Judge Harbison explained what the resolution is for and the resulting funds the county should receive.

"Shelby County's amount is $109,925," said Judge Harbison. "There are no strings on this money, it doesn't have to be used on any specific program or for any specific reason."

Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, recalled the litigation as being something the county has been a part of for years and he asked why the county would not accept a settlement.

Judge Harbison stated there is no reason not to accept the settlement and it has been no cost to the county. She also stated accepting the settlement wouldn't negate any future potential litigation for the county on its own.

She remarked the cities of Center and Timpson would each be receiving some funding as a result of the opioid litigations and she shared with Smith what Timpson's part would be.

"You're going to be getting $12,642," said Judge Harbison.

Judge Harbison stated counties with hospitals would receive a larger settlement.

"Since we don't have a county hospital, we will not be getting a bigger settlement," said Harbison.

She offered the commissioners more time to consider, and have the attorneys attend the next commissioners' court meeting; however, Gary Rholes suggested the commissioners should move forward with approving the settlement.

"I know there was a lot of negotiation to get to this settlement and I would recommend you, we approve it and not make him come down here," said Rholes. "We don't want to hold up the deal, Shelby County doesn't want to hold up the deal."

A motion carried to approve the resolution for the settlement.

The commissioners considered a resolution in Opposition to Unfunded Mandates to present to the Texas Legislature.

"Texas Association of Counties always likes to get this to be sure a remind the legislators that please do not pass any bills that's going to cost us more money," said Judge Harbison. "We do this every two years."

Judge Harbison said she knew the commissioners had just returned from conference and would have been encouraged to approve such resolutions.

"Jim Allison (general counsel for the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas) spoke specifically about the legislative session that's going on now, and he specifically encouraged each commissioners court to adopt this resolution," said Commissioner Tom Bellmyer. "In addition to that he encouraged each elected official in the courthouse to adopt this resolution as that elected official."

A motion carried to approve the resolution in opposition to unfunded mandates.

During the meeting, the commissioners approved a resolution in support of the District Attorney testing of Forensic Evidence Grant.

At a previous meeting Karren Price, District Attorney, presented the commissioners with information on the grant. She explained it was a Forensic Evidence Reimbursement grant which would potentially alleviate cost to the county for autopsies, DNA and other forensic processes up to a total cost of $1,000,000.

"They need this grant to apply for monies," said Allison Harbison, County Judge. "It is just saying that if we don't use all the funds that they'll be returned. Any misuse, or loss of funds will be returned in full to the governor."

Judge Harbison is designated as the authorized official in relation to the grant.

A motion carried to approve the resolution in support of the District Attorney testing of Forensic Evidence Grant.

The commissioners entered into executive session toward the end of the meeting. In the closed session was Josh Tipton, Constable Precinct 5; Gary Rholes, County Attorney; and Debra Smith, Timpson Mayor.

Executive session lasted 50 minutes, while the open meeting only lasted 20 minutes, and when the commissioners returned to open session no action was taken. There also was no explanation why the Timpson mayor and Precinct 5 constable were engaged in talks with the commissioners.

"The executive session was a discussion item only, we made no decisions and at this point we're not making any decisions. It was just an information for the court," said Judge Harbison. "We all just had a good discussion and we cannot make any decisions on it at this time."

Agenda items approved during the meeting include:

1. Minutes of the January 4, 2021 Public meeting, January 6, 2021 Special meeting, January 13, 2021 Regular meeting, January 20, 2020 Special meeting, January 27, 2021 Special meeting, and January 27 Special meeting of the Shelby County Commissioner’s Court.
2. Pay weekly expenses.
3. Last week’s payroll. 
4. Officers reports.
5. Advertise for bids on road maintenance materials for Shelby County.
6. Record Racial Profiling Report for Shelby County Constable Pct. 4.
7. Resolution in support of District Attorney Testing of Forensic Evidence Grant.
8. Resolution supporting in its entirety the State of Texas and Texas Political Subdivision’s Opioid Abatement Fund Council and Settlement Allocation term sheet.
9. Resolution in Opposition to Unfunded Mandates to present to Texas Legislature.
10. Adjourn.