Around Town
August 4, 2025 - Shelby County Outreach Ministries has free back to school shoes. Come see us at our corporate location located at 930 Shelbyville Street. Our hours are Monday through Friday from 10am to 2pm. For more information, you can call 936-598-4990.

August 1, 2025 - VFW Post 8904 gathered at the Shelby County Veterans Memorial on Friday July 25, in recognition of the 72nd anniversary of the signing of the Korean War Armistice.
Larry Hume, Post Adjutant, reminded everyone that the war lasted from June 25, 1950 to July 27, 1953.
“Hundreds of thousands of Americans served their country in that war and many gave their lives,” said Hume. “You know some people call the Korean War the forgotten war, but those Americans who served during that time will never be forgotten by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. They served honorably and with distinction.”

Hume remarked that some called it a Korean conflict, and that It was not a conflict, but a war. With 33,686 battle deaths, 2,830 non-battle deaths, and 103,000 wounded and still today the missing in action from the Korean War is over 7,600 Americans.
“We can never thank and recognize those who served during that time enough,” said Hume. “Now during the Korean War seven citizens of Shelby County were among those killed in action. One is still missing in action and four others were former prisoners of war who were returned but have since passed.”

The group then recited a Roll Call of Honor read by Theresa Hume, Auxiliary member; Mary Faucett, Auxiliary President; and Mary Roberts, Post Quartermaster, read the names of those killed in action and those who were prisoners of war. Larry Hume stated Willie Windham is still missing in action since August 12, 1950.
After the names were read, Hume stated, “One year ago, on July 1, 2024, our post lost a longtime life member John Alan Piersol. John served as our post commander from 2009 to 2011 and he also served in several other positions throughout the years. He was a charter member of our post honor guard and gave 462 hours rendering final military honors to our Shelby County veterans. John was a proud U.S. Army paratrooper who served in the Korean War and we remember him today on the first anniversary of his death.”
Larry Jones, Post member, then placed the memorial wreath upon the Shelby County Memorial and Taps was played as presented by Gene Hutto, Past Post Commander.

Killed in Action:
- Floyd Harris killed in action in September 24, 1950
- Clifford Hughes killed in action August 13, 1950
- Johnny V. Mena killed in action April 19, 1951
- Bobbie F. Mock killed in action November 22, 1950
- Billy Clyde Stephenson killed in action November 5, 1952
- Leonard Williams killed in action May 18, 1951
- Willie Wilson killed in action May 27, 1951
Missing in Action:
- Willie E. Windham missing in action since August 12, 1950
Prisoners of War:
- Herbert L. Langford, North Korean prisoner of war
- Pearl D. Lucas, North Korean prisoner of war
- Billy Westcoat, Chinese prisoner of war
- Leonard Scott, North Korean prisoner of war
August 1, 2025 - Shelby County Outreach Ministries is currently seeking dedicated individuals to serve as substitute cooks for its Senior Nutrition Site. Interested applicants are invited to pick up an application at Shelby County Outreach Ministries or call us at 936-598-4990. The office is located at 930 Shelbyville Street, Center, Texas.

August 1, 2025 - Shout out to the Center ISD 2025-2026 Superstar Substitutes! Fifty total substitutes attended the annual Orientation for an update on policies and safety protocols for the upcoming school year. We are so thankful to each of you for your commitment to helping CISD students succeed!

July 30, 2025 - Thanks to the 2025 Texas Book Festival Grant, the Fannie Brown Booth Library is pleased to announce the arrival of new Young Adult books that will be available for checkout soon. New books by authors such as Jenny Han, Kellye Abernathy, Elisa Amore, Kathleen Glasgow, and many others are just waiting for young readers to explore.
More will be coming soon! Come check them out! (Pun intended).

July 29, 2025 - Six members of the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department recently attended a week of training at the 96th Annual Texas Fire Training School presented by the Texas Engineering Extension Service, a division of the Texas A&M University System. The school is held at the Brayton Fire Training Field, the largest training facility of its kind in the world.
Firefighter Brock Pugh, Firefighter Julie Bates, and Assistant Fire Chief Michael Bates completed HAZMAT Awareness and Operations. Firefighter Michael Parker took Common Passenger Vehicle Extrication, and Assistant Fire Chief Stephen Ewing served as a Guest Instructor in ASP-701 Fundamentals of Fire Attack.
Over 800 students and 300 instructors participated in the school this year. The school offers courses in all disciplines of fire/ rescue, from basic firefighter skills to all types of technical rescue, to officer development and leadership training. The Joaquin VFD has maintained a presence at the school every year since 1973, recognizing it as an invaluable resource to acquire the training necessary to meet the needs of a growing community.







July 25, 2025 - Back to School is almost here! Give yourself or your child the best start to the school year with confidential, compassionate mental health support.
- Stress and Anxiety
- School Transitions
- Behavioral Concerns
- Family Support
- Teen Mental Health
Limited appointments available in Center, San Augustine, and Carthage.
Counseling sessions are filling up fast! Call HOPE Community Medicine today to reserve your spot 936-591-8380.
July 22, 2025 - The Piney Woods Photographic Society held their regular monthly meeting this past Saturday, July 19, 2025, in Center, Tx. at the First Methodist Church.
The July Challenge was "Show Me Your Patriotism" where club members may submit up to 3 of their pictures that represent Patriotism, a reminder for everyone what it means to be an American.
To view all the challenge photos, check out Piney Woods Photographic Society Flickr page, https://www.flickr.com/groups/pineywoodsphotographic/ or for more information about the PWPS check out our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/groups/PineyWoodsPhoto.
July Challenge
"Show Me Your Patriotism"

1st Place Tie: Debra Cockrell, "God and Country"

1st Place Tie: Julie Cantrell-Green, "Beneath The Flag They Served"

3rd Place: Charley Cantrell, "A Seat For The Stars And Stripes"

Photos submitted. From left: Pam Hall, Darren Whiteside, Benita Collard, Sherry Harding (Outreach Ministries), Collin Mathews, and Taighen May.
July 18, 2025 - The team of Mathews Realty in Center had an incredible day giving back to the community they love so much!
For the past month they have been collecting fans of all shape and sizes to donate to Shelby County Outreach Ministries with hopes of helping someone in need beat the Texas heat. The turnout was phenomenal and they surpassed their goal of 100 and collected 141 fans to help local families stay cool this summer.

Also, they delivered comfort bears to the Center Police Department as part of Project Blue Bears. The mission is to provide new stuffed animals for children facing accidents, domestic disputes, or any other crisis situation.

From left: Darren Whiteside, Charlene Jackson, Lt. Andrew Williams, Pam Hall, Collin Mathews, Lt. Billy Lusk, Benita Collard, and Taighen May
Mathews Realty thanks the local law enforcement and outreach organizations for the work they do every day to help others!
July 17, 2025 - The Fannie Brown Booth Memorial Library is pleased to announce that it is a recipient of the 2025 Texas Book Festival Grant for the development of their book collection. The grant is for $2500 and will be used to enhance the library's Young Adult and Spanish book sections. The Fannie Brown Booth Memorial Library is one of only 50 libraries in the state of Texas to receive the award. This is the third time in recent years that the library has received the award, having also won it in 2018 and 2023.
The Texas Book Festival has contributed over $3.7 million to Texas libraries since launching the grant program. The Texas Book Festival is proud to support the work of local libraries by fostering a love of reading and best serving library patrons with books that meet their needs and interests.
Look for announcements and promotions from the library when the new books arrive.










