Shelby County Today

October 10, 2026 - VFW Post 8904 and members of the community gathered on Friday, October 9, 2026 on the Historic Courthouse square to remember those who served in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.

Larry Hume, Post Adjutant, welcomed everyone and thanked them for coming and choosing to stand at the Veterans Memorial to remember. “Remembrance is not automatic. It’s something people decide to do and we are grateful that all of you decided to do it with us. Today, we gather to remember those who served in Afghanistan in Operation Enduring Freedom and the years that followed. And hold close the families that still carry what that war cost.”

Post Member Quartermaster Mary Roberts then led everyone in prayer for those who served in Afghanistan, the ones who came home and the ones who did not. She asked a special blessing on the families whose loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice. The pledge of allegiance was then recited by all in attendance.

Hume said, “The 7th of October, 2001, the United States of America answered the attacks of September the eleventh. Aircraft struck terrorist targets in Afghanistan, and Operation Enduring Freedom began. It became the longest war in our history. A generation of young Americans carried it into the mountains, on the roads, at the outposts, and at the gates. More than twenty-four hundred American service members died in that war. They came from big cities, from towns no bigger than Center, Texas, or Shelbyville. Five years ago, if you’ll remember, on the 26 of August 2021, thirteen of them were killed at Abbey Gate, outside of Kabul’s airport, in the last days before the withdrawal. We remember them this morning also; their names belong with the rest.

"Now, Shelby County, Texas, felt that war in the way that this country has felt every war. Staff Sergeant Kevin Casey Roberts was 25 years old. He was not born here but he married a Shelby County lady. He came to love this place, and asked to be buried among his people if something happened to him. On the 7th of May of 2008, in the Sabari District of Afghanistan, the vehicle that he was in struck an improvised explosive device, better known as an IED. He was a soldier of the 101st Airborne. He left a wife, Donnice, and two small children, Caehlen and Keeghan. And as he wished, he rests now in the West Hamilton Cemetery in Shelbyville, Texas.

"Then, five months later, on the 14th of October 2008, Specialist Cory Joseph Bertrand was killed the same way when his vehicle struck an IED. Cory was 18 years old - one month short of his 19 birthday. His mother Charlotte had signed his enlistment papers when he was 17. He told his family he had found a purpose to protect them and to protect his country. And he served with the 1st Infantry Division out of Fort Hood. He rests in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, also in Shelbyville. I personally remember both of those funerals as I attended both of them. They were not symbols they were sons, one was a husband and a father, one was a young man who walked the place with his grandfather and both are ours. In their honor and in honor of those who served and sacrificed Comrade Erik Choron will lay our memorial wreath.

"A sacrifice does not end when the news moves on. It live in a kitchen, in a cemetery road, in a child who grows up on stories. This post will keep these stories. We will say the name, we will not let Cory or Casey or the thousands besides them slip into silence."

In honor of all those who fell in Afghanistan and those who survived the war but have since left us, the burglar, Derrick Roberts sounded Taps.

Following Taps, members in the audience shared of their service as well as the service of family members in Afghanistan.

October 7, 2026 (Photo Album) - Mark Segovia of Joaquin was the final contestant to be able to withstood the heat at the 50th Annual East Texas Poultry Festival in the Wing-It competition on Saturday, October 3 on the Frances Oates stage under the big tent.

The contest started with five contestants who had six minutes to eat three wings followed by a burn period. The hot sauce came to the contestants in the following order: Frank's Buffulo Hot Sauce (Mild), Elijah's Xtreme Father and Son Handcrafted Ghost Pepper Sauce (Heat Level: ~450,000 Scoville heat units (SHU)); Elijah's Xtreme Xtreme Regret Screaming Hot Sauce (Heat Level: ~800,000 SHU); Dave's Gourmet Carolina Reaper Hot Sauce (Heat Level: ~1,000,000 to 1,250,000+ SHU); and (wasn't used) Heatonist Hot Ones The Last Dab XXX Hot Sauce (Heat Level: Over 2,000,000 SHU).

The first of the final two contestants to pull off their gloves was Weston Boyd which left Segovia as the sole survivor.

1st place winner - Mark Segovia
2nd place - Weston Boyd

Winning the 8th Annual Wing It contest, Segovia joins the League of Fire Champions: (2025) Nickolas Smith of Center; (2024) Adam Vigil of Huxley; (2023) Matthew Kay; (2022 - tied) Allen Nestle of Center and Weston Boyd of Georgetown; (2020) Ray Fountain of Center; and (2019) Jason Filz of Huxley.

October 7, 2026 - For 50 years, the Poultry Festival has brought our community together to celebrate our poultry industry, our local businesses, and most importantly, the wonderful people who make Shelby County such a special place to call home.

This past weekend, we celebrated 50 years of traditions, friendships, family, fun and hometown pride.

A celebration this big does happen without many dedicated volunteers, sponsors, businesses, civic organizations and community members. Thank you to all the many volunteers who worked tirelessly to make it a success!

A Huge Thank You to all our Generous Sponsors! The Poultry Festival, and all our other annual events, would not be possible without your generosity and support.

Also, we would like to thank General Shelters of Texas for donating the ticket booths; Spartan Structures for donating the coupon booth; Ace Hardware for donating the fencing, Brookshire Brothers for sponsoring the Coke Booth; Center Motor ATV for the use of several ATVs and allowing the dumpsters to site on their property: Republic Services for donating the dumpsters; First Baptist Church for allowing the use of the Family Life Center gym for the Creative Arts, Photography and Quilt Shows; Raymond Construction for moving the ticket booths. Thank you to Portacool for donating the street barriers. Thank you to Badders Law Firm for the use of their property for our dining area and a Huge thank you to Jason Mitchell and the City of Center Parks staff who kept the Festival clean.

I would also like to extend my sincere appreciation to the Center Police Department as well as to our other local law enforcement agencies for their outstanding service during this year’s Festival. Their presence, professionalism and dedication helped ensure a safe and enjoyable weekend for all attendees. We are so grateful for their continued commitment to protecting our community and supporting our local events. Thank you!

We are looking forward to Celebrating the 51st Anniversary of the Poultry Festival next year!

October 3, 2026 - The 50th Annual East Texas Poultry Festival Open Photography Show wrapped up on Saturday, October 3, 2026. The exhibit was on display all three days of the festival with visitors given the opportunity to vote on their favorites. All the entries were exceptional, and the judges were faced with the challenge of selecting the winners from all the photos submitted. Thanks to all the competitors and volunteers for their interest and hard work.

Special Awards

Adult’s Best of Show - B J Wood
Adult’s People’s Choice - B J Wood
Piney Woods Photographic Society Award - B J Wood
Janet Windham Hughes Memorial Landscape Award - Debra Cockrell
Donna Warren Holt Memorial Flower Award - B J Wood

Adult’s Animals
1st place - Janice Carter
2nd place - Janice Carter
3rd place - Dustin Liggitt
Honorable Mention: LeaAnn Robertson

Adult’s Urbana
1st place - B J Wood
2nd place - B J Wood
3rd place - Kathy Luna

Adult’s Flowers
1st place - Janice Carter
2nd place - B J Wood
3rd place - Janice Carter
Honorable Mention: B J Wood

Adult’s Fine Art
1st place - Bobbie J Wood
2nd place - Janice Carter
3rd place - Billie F. Jones
Honorable Mention: Bobbie Jean Wood

Adult's Digital Manipulation/Photo Restoration
1st place - Billie F. Jones

Adult’s Poultry
1st place - B J Wood
2nd place - B J Wood

Adult’s Scenics
1st place - B J Wood
2nd place - Debra Cockrell
3rd place - Bobbye Stone
Honorable Mention: B J Wood

Adult’s People
1st place - B J Wood
2nd place - B J Wood
3rd place - Billie F. Jones