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October 30, 2020 - Football Scores Week 10

Friday Night Games
Center 13 - Jasper 41, Final Score
Joaquin 0 - Timpson 63, Final Score
Shelbyville 27 - San Augustine 6, Final Score
Tenaha 57 - Overton 8, Final Score

October 30, 2020 - Shelby County Clerk Jennifer Fountain reports early voting for the General Election ended at 4:30pm today and a total of 6,288 voters early voted!

If you missed out on early voting, you can vote Tuesday, November 3, 7am until 7pm, at your regular polling location.


October 20, 2020 (Printable sample ballot- Early voting for the upcoming General Election will begin Tuesday, October 13 and end October 30, at the Center Community House. 

  • Mondays, Oct. 19 and 26, 7am to 7pm
  • Saturday, Oct. 24 10am to 2pm
  • Sunday, Oct. 25, 12noon to 4pm 
  • All other days 8am to 4:30pm

Remember, there is no longer Straight Party Voting on the ballot. You will have to mark each individual you wish to vote for. Please allow for time to mark your ballot completely.

PLEASE NOTE: There is NO CAMPAIGNING inside the polling place, meaning no shirts, caps, face masks, etc containing any name or party on the ballot may be worn inside the polling place, or within 100 feet of the front door. This has always been the law. You will be asked to remove anything political before you may vote.

We will be practicing social distancing and sanitizing tables between voters to ensure your safety.

If you have any questions or need to request a ballot by mail, please call the Shelby County Clerks Office at 936-598-6361.

October 28, 2020 - A new communications console for the Shelby County Sheriff's Department has been OK'd by the County Commissioners, and at an even lower rate than originally projected during their emergency meeting held Wednesday, October 28, 2020.

The original inflated proposal had the commissioners looking at an almost $70,000 price tag for a complete replacement of a system that was absolutely going to need a repair since it was completely down, and that repair was going to cost in the neighborhood of $26,000.

"The difference in the cost of that and fixing the old stuff is just over $29,000 difference, so I think we're looking at spending instead of $55,000 we need to consider that we're only going to be spending a little over $29,000," said Charles Barr, Commissioner Precinct 3. 

Judge Allison Harbison remarked the county is doing 'OK' regarding money as there was a lot left over from the previous year's budget.

"On the 4th we'll have SRA, they're going to be coming and giving us a grant of $50,000, so I mean we have some wiggle room," said Judge Harbison.

Judge Harbison said the funds to pay for the radio console replacement are likely to come out of the Sheriff's budget.

A motion carried by Tom Bellmyer, Commissioner Precinct 4, for estimate 1175 in the amount of $54,160 for the console and estimate 1178 in the amount of $1,600 for a VPN (Virtual Private Network) bringing the total to $55,760. Barr seconded the motion.

"I'd like to add that the money, whether it's in the Sheriff's budget or whatever, it belongs to the people in the county. It's their money, and I can't think of a better way to use it than for the safety of the people in our county and the police officers," said Barr.

Aside from Timpson VFD, who did not have representation, all other fire departments were present for the meeting including West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department (Bradley Wilburn); Center Volunteer Fire Department (Rodney Mathews); Tenaha Volunteer Fire Department (Mark Odum); Huxley Volunteer Fire Department (Craig Hendricks); Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department (Chris Koltonski), and Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department (Perry Pugh, Jeremy Boyett, and Jessie Griffith).

All of the fire departments, with the exception of Center, will be dispatched from one channel unless they want to pay $5,800 to have their own channel connected to the dispatch console. Timpson VFD is the only channel that currently is dispatched through their own channel by the Sheriff's Department and with the new console changes, they will instead be dispatched through the general fire channel. Any departments that have their own channels, will then be expected to communicate with one another on their own channel after their initial dispatch from the Sheriff's Department.

Not all departments have an alternate channel which they utilize.

During the meeting Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, asked again if Timpson handles their own dispatch, or if it is handled through the Sheriff's Department. Timpson ceased handling their own dispatch in August 2013 partly to reduce expense of paying for two dispatchers since the county has a dedicated dispatch. A that time the City of Timpson issued the following statement (click here to view).

The meeting was adjourned at 11:08am.

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October 28, 2020 - The missing 15-year-old from Timpson has been found and reunited with his family Tuesday night.

According to a Sheriff's Department update, Demetrice Edmond was arrested Tuesday, October 27, 2020 by SCSO Deputies. She was charged with Harboring a Runaway Child (M-A) and was released on a bond per JP 1, Donna Hughes.

This case is still under investigation and nothing further is available at this time. 


October 27, 2020 - The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is actively seeking the whereabouts of Ahsiyah Terril Patton, 15, from Timpson. Patton is described as a black male, 5’5” and weight 120 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes.

Patton was last seen in Timpson on October 20, 2020 with his biological mother, Demetrice “Damitriyunna” Edmond.

If you have information in regards to Patton or Edmonds, or if you know there whereabouts, you are urged to contact the SCSO at 936.598.5601.

October 27, 2020 - Troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash on US 59, approximately 2.5 miles north of the city of Garrison in Rusk County at 7:15am this morning, October 27. 

The investigators preliminary report indicates that the driver of a 2020 Kenworth towing a semi-trailer was traveling north on US 59 in the outside lane of traffic slowing to turn right into a private drive. At the same time, the driver of a 2006 Freightliner truck towing a trailer was also traveling north on US 59 and struck the rear of the trailer the Kenworth was towing. 

As a result of the crash, the driver of the Kenworth, Jessie Dale Cashion, 40, of Lancaster and his co-driver Robert Allen Cain, 48, of Nacogdoches were transported to Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital in stable condition.

The driver of the Freightliner was identified as Salvador A. Oliva, 65, of Edinburg, was pronounced at the scene by Judge Jackie Risinger and was taken to Laird Funeral Home in Nacogdoches.

The crash remains under investigation.

October 27, 2020 - Shelby County Commissioners addressed the dire need of replacement radio dispatch equipment during an emergency session held Monday, October 26, 2020.

Representing the Sheriff's Department was Chief Deputy Kevin Windham and he was accompanied by Tracy Rook and Jody Brown with Texas Premier Communications, LLC (TPC) to explain the current situation with communications. 

Judge Allison Harbison stated Sheriff Willis Blackwell contacted her on Friday, October 24 and informed her the communications console was not operational, and Judge Harbison confirmed with Chief Windham her understanding is there have been ongoing problems with the console before this time and the hope was to "piecemeal" it together and hopefully the radio system would work for a while at a cost of $20,000.

"He told me that a whole console would be around $60,000," said Judge Harbison.

With such a great need and expense, Judge Harbison called the emergency meeting to discuss with the radio technicians what is needed. To give further information, Chief Windham addressed the court.

"Our radio has had issues since December, three years ago," said Chief Windham. "Our dispatchers are unable to reach our officers. A lot of times we prefer to go through the radio to dispatch our calls. You know, that's an officer safety issue and so we prefer to use our radio to dispatch calls. And, a lot of cases that is not possible so therefore they have to be dispatched by the telephone."

Chief Windham explained what a safety issue for officers that creates when they are on a scene and status checks can't be accomplished by dispatch, because they're unreachable.

"This is a problem that's been going on for at least three years that I know of," said Chief Windham.

Rook and Brown with TPC presented the likely cost of installing a new console and a microwave link. Rook stated he installed the console that has been in use at the Sheriff's Department 15-17 years ago and it's usefulness is running out due to age. He could fix the current unit for a little over $26,000; however, there's no guarantee something else wouldn't break down since it's at "end of life."

The cost of replacing the console and adding a microwave link, which would allow for radio technicians to diagnose and even possibly fix a problem, is estimated around $70,000.

The commissioners were discussing possible ways to reduce the cost of the console, and a potential way to reduce cost is to reduce radio connections running through the console at a cost of $3,000 each. A consensus was then to potentially dispatch all fire departments from one channel and as a result the commissioners decided to meet with all fire chiefs at another emergency session Wednesday, October 28.

"To answer the courts question concerning dispatching for our volunteer fire departments, I mean I'm willing to commit to that, communications and paging our fire departments through the radio system. Of course I cannot speak for Sheriff Blackwell at this time," said Chief Windham.

Judge Harbison said her goal is for everyone to work together for a common good. 

Tom Bellmyer, Commissioner Precinct 4, confirmed costs with the radio technicians of potentially $70,000 and then he directed his questioning to the Sheriff's Department regarding budgeting.

"Deputy Windham, you made a comment early in your discussion that this radio system has been a problem for three years, it's 15-17 years old and has been a problem for three years. We are in the first month of the 2021 budget, and I never heard a word, or at least I don't recall a word about the radio system needing upgrade or to be replaced when we went through several budget meetings," said Bellmyer. "I don't mind telling you that I'm aggravated that we have an emergency meeting on a machine, granted it broke down Friday, but we never heard anything. We could have budgeted a new piece of equipment, and now we're in an emergency for a non-budgeted item."

Windham responded, "I understand your frustration, I truly do, but it has been an issue."

Bellmyer reiterated his frustration over the radio system having been a problem for years and not being brought to the attention of the commissioners during budget discussions to help prepare instead of having an emergency situation and having to come up with money from somewhere.

"I agree, but I don't make those decisions," stated Windham.

"That's it, you're not the Sheriff," said Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1.

Chief Windham agreed there needs to be good communications.

Jimmy Lout also stated, "I'd like to say one thing, he's not the Sheriff. He's elected Sheriff, but he don't take over till January 1."

A motion carried by the commissioners to table repairing or purchasing a new radio console for the Sheriff's Department until the next emergency meeting held Wednesday, October 28 at 10:15am.

The meeting adjourned at 12:13pm.

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US 59 Update at 11:25am: US 59 North of Garrison has reopened to two-way traffic only as crews continue to clear a heavy truck crash. Motorists are being directed through one northbound and one southbound lane. Motorists should reduce speed and obey all traffic control.


US 59 Update: One southbound lane is open and moving slowly north of Garrison at the scene of a crash between two 18-wheelers. Motorists should prepare for delays, stay alert and reduce speed through this area.


October 27, 2020 - Alert: All lanes of US 59 North of Garrison are currently closed after two 18-wheelers collided. Fire is reported and emergency crews are on the scene. TxDOT will assist in traffic control once it is safe. 

Motorists should prepare for delays. Time of clearance is not known at this time.

October 22, 2020 - Officers responded to Center Auto Repair in reference to a concerned citizen reporting that there was suspicious activity on the morning of October 17, 2020 around 5:50 am. The caller believed that two individuals may have been breaking into a vehicle on the property. Officers arrived and was unable to located any persons on the property but found a truck with the engine still running.

Corporal S. Thornburgh, while in route to assist his Officers observed a gold colored Ford F-250 backed up to the ATM machine located at 111 Selma Street (Shelby Savings Bank). Corporal Thornburgh made contact with an unknown individual to investigate the suspicious activity. The individual immediately began to run. After a brief foot pursuit, the suspect was taken into custody.

Corporal Thornburgh observed several tools that were used to break into the machine as well as a chain and tow hook attached to the rear of the truck. Corporal Thornburgh then contacted the Center Police Department's Street Crimes Division to respond and assist with the investigation.

Detective Sergeant R. King arrived to process the scene and interview suspects who were in custody. After lengthy interviews it was found that this attempted ATM theft was one of many that are well organized by a large group of individuals from the Houston area. This investigation is ongoing and there are several Felony Arrest Warrants pending. The agencies with proper jurisdiction are communicating and will continue to investigate.


(From left) Robert Washington, Jr. and Paul Benjamin Madison

Paul Benjamin Madison, 18, was arrested for Theft of Property (Felony 2), Theft of Property (State Jail Felony), and Evading Arrest (M-B}. Also arrested was Robert Washington Jr., 18, who was involved in the thefts. Both individuals were the suspects in the burglaries of motor vehicles in the city as well.


October 19, 2020 - Center Police Officers responded to a call on Austin Street in Center at a business near Shelby Savings Bank on Sunday, October 18, 2020. 

At the scene it appeared a delivery van belonging to the business was broken into, and someone attempted to steal the vehicle in a manner very much like the truck involved in the attempted theft at the bank.

Although it wasn't obvious when the vehicle break-in happened, officers investigated the scene and appeared to be working to lift fingerprint evidence from the vehicle.

At this time, the Center Police Department is not releasing any information relating to the bank incident citing an ongoing investigation.


October 17, 2020 - Shelby Savings Bank in Center was the scene of an attempted ATM theft Saturday morning, October 17, 2020. 

Sometime around 5:50am, Center Police Department officers were called to the parking lot of a nightclub on Southview Circle (U.S. Highway 96 South) where a white pickup truck was apparently sitting in the parking lot running.

When officers arrived at that scene they discovered the 2003 Ford Super Duty F-250 truck was running and the drivetrain was detached.

Shortly after, officers discovered a theft in progress at Shelby Savings Bank located at 111 Selma Street. A tan 2001 Ford Super Duty F-250 pickup truck was backed up to the ATM, with a chain attached to the rear of the pickup truck and the front of the ATM was open. 

The officers were able to place one individual immediately in custody, and a second one allegedly fled the scene in a black sedan. Texas DPS State Troopers caught up to the black car at Tyson on Shelbyville Street, where the second suspect was apprehended.

It was confirmed the pickup truck left backed up to the ATM machine at Shelby Savings Bank had been taken from a mechanic shop on Southview Circle, and the white truck located in the nightclub parking lot had also originally been in the mechanic shop lot.

Additional information on the suspects and charges will be updated as it's made available by the Center Police Department.

October 20, 2020 - With Shelby County finding a new location to house the Justice of the Peace and Constable for Precinct 5, the City of Timpson is finding this scenario to have developed into an expensive wrinkle.

The Justice of the Peace building has been located on City of Timpson property since 2015 when the county decided to move the Justice of the Peace office to a prefab structure, and the City of Timpson allowed the structure to be placed on city property at no charge.

Now, five years later the commissioners shifted gears and approved the lease of a location in Timpson not far from where the office had been before it was placed on city property, and therein lies the wrinkle. With this new location, the city is potentially going to have to come up with just south of $50,000 to provide a compliant location for the Justice of the Peace and Constable.

This comes after the Timpson council only just recently chose to lay off one of their officers, because the budget wouldn't allow them to afford her, and leaving the city with one remaining officer.

During the Tuesday, October 20, 2020 meeting, mayor Debra Smith informed the council Tracy Broadway, Justice of the Peace Precinct 5, informed her the Justice of the Peace office was being moved a couple of months previous to the meeting.

"That's just great and that's wonderful for them, and I read in the news that next day that Allison [Harbison] announced we were also going to fix the sidewalk," said Smith. "Yes the sidewalk needs to be fixed, but it would have been a lot easier plan if there weren't people in the building, using the building."

William Richardson with Cox Contractors Inc. was present for the meeting and mayor Smith explained he has gotten a plan together to present to the council.

Although the project isn't guaranteed to come in at $49,500, there is a great deal of uncertainty at this time, because the project is being considered under short time constraints.

Smith offered up the sidewalk is currently not ADA compliant; however, she explained once a project is started and the sidewalk is torn into, it will have to be made ADA compliant because it's new construction.

Kyle Allen, councilman, asked why the city is going to have to tear into the sidewalk.

"The JP and them just rented it and announced that they've got a, that it's a government office, so it's got to be ADA compliant for them to be in it," said Smith. "And they decided ahead of us."

Allen suggested it sounds like that's the county's problem, and Smith explained it's the city's problem, because it's a city sidewalk. Charleston Johnson, councilman, asked who made the decision to move the JP from the previous location to the new one, and Smith confirmed the county made that decision.

"We're fixing to give them $49,000 and we just got rid of a police officer. It's just going to look crazy of us paying them when we got rid of an officer," said Johnson.

Tiffany Collins, councilwoman, agreed with Johnson she doesn't know where the city is supposed to come up with the money. 

Mayor Smith suggested a portion of the funding may be able to come from the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and they won't have an answer to that question until the EDC meets next. She also said she would reach out to the county and see if they could contribute some to the expense of the sidewalk.

A motion carried to table the sidewalk project until after the next EDC meeting has been concluded to verify funds from the EDC will be used to make the upgrade to the sidewalk.

Earlier in the meeting, the council reviewed bids and heard from five different sanitation companies seeking to provide service to the city. 

After reviewing the bids and hearing from each company, what services they offer, a motion carried by the council to approve Lilly Sanitation out of Garrison.

Agenda items approved during the meeting include:
1. Consent Agenda: Items included under the Consent Agenda require little or no deliberation by the Council. Approval of the Consent Agenda authorizes the City Secretary to proceed with the conclusion of each item as reflected in the Minutes of this meeting.

A. Minutes from the Regular Meeting held on Sept 15, 2020

B. Financial Statement for the month of  September 2020

C. Accounts Payable – September 2020

2. Award City garbage contract, effective January 1, 2021, to Lilly Sanitation.

3. Revise the Police Handbook for the work schedule to be pre-approved by the City Council every three months, taking affect with the November 1, 2020 schedule.

4. Adjourn.

Agenda items tabled during the meeting include:
1. Bid from Cox Contractors to build an ADA compliant ramp and parking area at the office of the JP and Constable on Bremond and Austin St.

October 20, 2020 Center Police Officers were called to a local motel located on Hurst Street in Center Saturday, October 17, 2020 where a body had been discovered around noon. 

The individual who was found deceased in the motel room was identified as a 64-year-old white female who stayed for three days and was scheduled to leave Saturday; however, management found her in the room. 

At this time the body has been sent to Tyler for an autopsy and no foul play is thought to have occurred. 

This in an open investigation, and is pending autopsy results as ordered by Donna Hughes, Justice of the Peace Precinct 1.

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