Shelby County Today

February 9, 2017 - The Shelby County Local Advisory Board of the Rural East Texas Health Network (RETHN) met at the County Courthouse in Center on February 8th. Board members reviewed admissions data for Burke's Regional Mental Health Emergency Center, and heard a report on Burke's new Crisis Intervention Program for those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). 

The board also received an update on issues concerning the mental health system for Texas that were being addressed during the current legislative session in Austin.

February 3, 2017 - CENTER, Texas (February 3, 2017) - The City of Center is excited to announce that the widening and reconstruction of Childs Street is complete and will reopen on Monday, February 6 at 8:00am. Childs Street will now be a 2-way street with turn only lanes onto Tenaha Street.
 
At the same time, Fair Street will be closed to through traffic. Malone Drive will dead end at the new Portacool Park parking lot. Most of Fair Street will be closed permanently to become part of Portacool Park.

February 1, 2017 - The Vietnam Peace Accord of 1973 was recognized on January 27, 2017 as VFW Post 8904 and Auxiliary members gathered on the Historic Shelby County County Courthouse lawn at the Shelby County Veteran's Memorial.

Larry Hume, Post Quartermaster, led the ceremony and and Cynthia Islas, Chaplain, gave the opening prayer.

"The Paris Peace Accord ending the Vietnam War was signed 44 years ago today in 1973, and was followed by the withdrawal of the remaining American troops, and the terms of the accord called for a complete ceasefire in South Vietnam. It allowed North Vietnamese forces to retain the territory they had captured, it provided for the release of all United States prisoners of war, and it called for both sides to find a political solution to the conflict. As an enticement to South Vietnam, President Nixon offered US airpower to enforce the peace terms. Unfortunately, this was stopped in December of 1974 when Congress cut off all military aid to South Vietnam."

Hume stated more than 58,000 Americans gave their lives in the Vietnam War and there are still 1,618 missing in action.

"At this very time, at this very minute, we have POW/MIA accounting teams continuing to search around the world wherever there are missing Americans whether they're from the Vietnam War, World War II, Korea," said Hume.

Hume said nine of Shelby County's sons were lost in the Vietnam War and in memory of their sacrifice, their names were read aloud. Reading their names were Mary Fausett, Becky Maidic and Mike Langford.

Ted Wayne Adams, killed in action November 15, 1966; William Larry “Shorty” Andrews, killed in action February 16, 1967; Jimmy D. Barnett, killed in action March 26, 1968; Mac Curtis Buckley, killed in action July 5, 1968; Larry Steven Byford, killed in action June 23, 1967; Ray Chatelain, Jr., killed in action July 30, 1967; William Henry Eaden, killed in action November 12, 1965;  Jerry Lynn Hughes, killed in action July 12, 1967; and Taylor D. Johnson, killed in action January 28, 1966.

The Memorial wreath was then placed by the family of William Larry “Shorty” Andrews. Those family members included Andrews sister, Janie Graves, and brothers Pete and Russell.

TAPS was then played at the completion of the ceremony.

February 1, 2017 - The Shelby County Courthouse Square has been added to the Majestic Castles Road Trip to Texas according to the recent January posting.

A photo of the courthouse can be found on their site with a map of the entire road trip. (This Road Trip To Texas' Most Majestic Castles Is Like Something From A Fairytale)

Nine cities were listed as having majestic architectural design and included Kerrville, Burnett, Dallas, Center, Galveston, San Antonio and Galveston.

“This grandiose courthouse in Center was built in 1885 and is meant to be reminiscent of an Irish Castle. Today it’s the visitor’s center for Shelby County and is open to the public daily,” is captioned under the photo and written by Katie Lawrence contributor to the Only in Your State site.

The historic courthouse was built by J.J. E. Gibson an Irish immigrant and is located on the downtown square in Center, Texas.

Colorful stories exist regarding the secret chambers Mr. Gibson was instructed to add to the building to allow for a quick escape when necessary.   

The road trip is designed to open the eyes to the majestic beauty found within the borders of Texas. A map is also available on-line outlining the route.

For more information on the courthouse contact info@shelbycountychamber.com
Majestic Castles Road Trip can be found on Google and Facebook