June 20, 2023 - On Saturday June 17 at approximately 2:45pm the Center Fire Department was notified of a fire at the Portacool Manufacturing Plant located at 711 FM 2468.

Center Fire Dept immediately responded and found heavy smoke coming from the structure and a second page was sent out asking for all available help. The fire began to spread quickly and ultimately the main production building was a total loss.

June 19, 2023 – Portacool, LLC, a global leader in portable evaporative cooling solutions and Evaporative Media Technologies, experienced a serious fire incident at one of its manufacturing facilities in Center, Texas, on June 17, 2023.

We express our gratitude to the local and surrounding area fire departments and emergency responders for their swift action and tireless efforts in containing the fire and ensuring the safety of everyone involved. 

June 18, 2023 - Josh Tipton, Constable Precinct 5, is seeking the whereabouts of Roderick Grace, 37, who has been missing for three to four weeks. 

Grace was possibly last seen in the Timpson area traveling to Garrison or the Nacogdoches area.

June 17, 2023 – Early morning storms on Friday left catastrophic damage in East Texas and Northwest Louisiana including significant impacts to transmission lines, the backbone of SWEPCO’s energy delivery network. The storm included a National Weather Service confirmed EF-1 half-mile wide tornado that touched down in Panola County, Texas and crossed into Caddo Parish, Louisiana.

June 16, 2023 - A Shelby County jury in the 273rd Judicial District Court with honorable Judge Jim Payne presiding has handed down sentencing Friday, June 16, 2023, for Michael Masterson following his guilty conviction on Thursday.

After hearing testimony from several individuals, including Masterson, the jury deliberated for just under an hour and returned their verdict.