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March 15, 2024 - Due to a broken water main the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the CHOICE Water system, ID# 2100005 to notify customers that were without water March 15, 2024 from intersection of CR 1005 and FM 711 south to CR 1298 (anyone without water) to boil their water, prior to consumption (e.g., washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc). Children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions.

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes.

In lieu of boiling, individuals may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes.

When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the public water system officials will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking water or human consumption purposes.

Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Matt Di Verdi 936-591-4346.

March 13, 2024 - According the the National Weather Service Shreveport the chance for severe storms remains possible late this week across our Four State area. This threat will arrive Thursday afternoon, extending through the evening/overnight and early Friday morning. Large hail will be the primary threat during this event, but damaging wind gusts and a few tornadoes will also be possible. Rainfall also could be heavy at times with some localized flooding.

Climate data for March 13, 2024:
Today's High - 81
Today's Low - 66
Today's Winds - South wind 10 to 15 mph
Normal High - 70
Normal Low - 47
Record High - 89 in 1918
Record Low - 20 in 1948
Record Precipitation - 3.04

March 12, 2024 - McKee Street in Center was the scene of a structure fire March 12, 2024.

Center Fire Department (CFD) personnel were dispatched to the location on the 100 block of McKee Street at 10:10am. When firefighters arrived, the structure was fully involved and they began attacking the fire with water.

As they worked to extinguish the structure, a pickup truck parked at the back of the structure was also included in the fire.

The firefighters were able to put down the fire involving the structure and the vehicle and prevent further spread to the house on the property.

Due to the excessive heat, the residence received damage to its front, but did not catch on fire.

According to the CFD, a cause of the fire has not yet been determined. They returned to the station around 4:10pm.

There was lawn maintenance equipment nearby and a man on the property suspected the cause may have resulted from a lawn mower.

No injuries were reported due to the fire. The property is owned by Sandrel Slaughter and the resident wasn’t home at the time of the fire.

Center Police Department personnel were on scene to assist during the fire.

March 12, 2024 - Constable Josh Tipton reports the arrest of a Timpson man on school grounds following the discovery of illegal narcotics in his possession on March 12, 2024.

According to Constable Tipton, at 9am he received a call reporting an unknown individual entering school corridors and attempting to access the school by pulling on door handles.

Constables Tipton and Taylor Fanguy responded in tandem as a two-officer unit and made contact with the individual. The constables determined the identity of the suspect to be Bradlee Potter, 27, of Timpson, and according to Constable Tipton they observed potter to demonstrate behavior consistent with being under the influence of narcotics.

During further investigation, Constable Tipton states Potter admitted to having drug paraphernalia in his possession subsequently removing a methamphetamine pipe from his pocket and placing it on the ground before Constable Fanguy. A search of Potter’s person revealed 4.2 grams of methamphetamine to be in Potter’s possession in front of the Timpson middle school.

Potter was arrested and transported to the Shelby County Jail and while being booked in it was discovered he had an additional two-plus grams of methamphetamine, bringing the total to six grams.

Due to the presence of the methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of the school, the possession of a controlled substance charge against potter will be enhanced to a felony.

Constable Tipton gave a criminal trespass warning to Potter for the school grounds and he asked any citizen or school staff to contact Tipton immediately if they witness Potter on school grounds.

For the public’s knowledge, Constable Tipton provided the disclaimer this all occurred during spring break. He said this is part of the constables collective dedication to the children of Shelby County and to the schools. Constable Tipton thanks Constable Fanguy for assisting.

March 11, 2024 - FM 2140 was the scene of a single-vehicle motorcycle crash on March 8, 2024, in the Neuville area.

The driver reached out to a co-worker, Kris Risinger, as they were both driving in separate vehicles to meet their boss, Rafael Soto, to receive payment for their labor.

Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Troopers were alerted of the incident and Trooper Dustin Ramos was dispatched to the scene.

According to the Texas DPS, at 2:03pm Troopers were dispatched to the scene and upon arrival it was determined a 2001 Harley Davidson motorcycle ridden by Cody Akers, 27, of Joaquin was southbound on FM 2140 at an unsafe speed.

Akers missed the right curve and traveled off the roadway through a ditch and came to rest in a field.

Akers refused treatment by EMS and was not reported to have received any injuries. He was issued citations for unsafe speed, no insurance, and no driver’s license.

Just after Trooper Ramos issued citations to Akers he continued his investigation, while Soto and Risinger left, and following the investigation Akers was arrested.

Hughes Wrecker Service then towed the motorcycle from the location.

According to the Shelby County Jail log, Akers was arrested for possession of marijuana <2oz, misdemeanor b.

March 11, 2024 - Shelby County has received an allocation from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds from the U.S. Department of Treasury and has elected to use these funds to complete eligible projects. This solicitation is for one 1.5 ton F550 or equivalent single cab truck with 11ft steel bed flatbed. The solicitation may be provided when requested via e-mail to the address below. Bids must be received no later than March 25, 2024, 12:00 PM. Please submit your sealed bid, including 1 marked original(s) and 2 copies to Ann Blackwell, County Treasurer, 200 San Augustine St Box 5 Center, TX 75935, and email to: ann.blackwell@co.shelby.tx.us.

It is the responsibility of the submitting firm to ensure that the bid is received in a timely manner. Submissions not received by the specified date and time will be rejected. The County reserves the right to negotiate with any and all individuals or firms that submit bids and may award a contract to multiple service provider(s). Residents and Businesses, Minority Business Enterprises, Small Business Enterprises, Women Business Enterprises, United States Veterans and Labor Surplus Area firms are encouraged to submit proposals. Shelby County is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

March 8, 2024 - Shelby County Sheriff Kevin W. Windham reports the arrest of Tiffany Parker, 26, of Shelbyville, and Elizabeth Barton, 27, of Shelbyville.

Tiffany ParkerOn March 8, 2024 at approximately 5 a.m., Deputy Cody Muse with the sheriff’s office responded to a disturbance on County Road 2799 in Shelbyville, where a vehicle had also been reported stolen by Parker and Barton. At 8 a.m., CID Lieutenant Chad Hooper and CID Sergeant Aaron Jones began working on the case.

“Due to excellent work done by Deputy Muse, by 11am, investigators were able to locate the vehicle both suspects in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, where they were arrested and taken into custody.”

Elizabeth BartonBoth suspects will be extradited back to Shelby County, where they face charges of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle (SJF) and Robbery (F-2).

“I would like to commend Deputy Muse, as well as Lieutenant Hooper and Sergeant Jones for their quick response time to bringing this investigation to an end.”

The SCSO would like to thank Lauderdale County for their assistance.

Two additional bridges also slated for replacement later in the year.

March 8, 2024 – Two Shelby County bridges are currently closed as work began this week to construct new bridges.

County Road 4760 at the Attoyac Bayou Relief, and CR 3047 at Prairie Creek are closed for the bridge replacement project that is scheduled to be complete by August, weather permitting.

Two additional bridges are scheduled for replacement later this year as part of the same project. Other bridges slated for replacement are located at CR 271 at Naconiche Creek and CR 526 at La Nana Bayou. Work to replace these bridges should be completed by February 2025. THK Construction, Longview TX, is serving as contractor for the $2 million bridge replacements.

As work begins at each location, motorists are urged to stay alert, plan to take alternate routes and obey all traffic control.

March 8, 2024 - A Shelby County Grand Jury handed down 19 indictments on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. The grand jury was impaneled for the January 2024 term of the 123rd/273rd Judicial District Courts.

In addition, a previously sealed indictment handed down July 26, 2023 from the grand jury impaneled for the July 2023 term of the 123rd Judicial District Court is included. Jerry Curtis Lewis was indicted for publish/threat to publish intimate visual material, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on April 27, 2023, Lewis without the consent of and with intent to harm an individual intentionally disclosed visual material, namely photographs, depicting the individual engaged in sexual conduct and the visual material was created under circumstances in which the individual had a reasonable expectation of privacy that the visual material would remain private. The indictment further alleges, the disclosure of the visual material caused harm to the individual, namely, by disclosing the photograph to the individual's spouse and the disclosure of the visual material revealed the identity of the individual. The photograph captured the individual's recognizable facial features, and accompanying text indicated the individual's identity. (123rd Judicial District Court)

Urias Federman Molina-Merlo was indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on November 19, 2023, Molina-Merlo threatened Dylan Molina Torrez with imminent bodily injury by using and exhibiting a deadly weapon, namely a knife.

David Morgan Creel was indicted for obstruction or retaliation, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on February 25, 2022, Creel threatened to harm another, to-wit: Gabriel Arndt, by an unlawful act, to-wit: leaving video messages to her relaying a threat to, "get back with me or I will have 15 cartel come to your house and do some vicious [expletive] to you," in retaliation for or on account of the service of Gabriel Arndt as a public servant, to-wit: Child Protective Service (CPS).

Mitchell Lynn Lawson was indicted for assault by choking, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on January 3, 2024, Lawson recklessly caused bodily injury to Jeffrey Lawson a member of the defendant's family, by impeding the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of Jeffrey Lawson by applying pressure to his throat or neck. (273rd Judicial District Court)

Benjamin Jemel Utley was indicted for fraudulent use or possession of identifying information, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on April 13, 2016, Utley with intent to defraud or harm another and without consent of LouTex, obtained and used less than five items of identifying information of LouTex, namely financial institution account number. (273rd Judicial District Court)

Andrew Taylor Potter was indicted for assault peace officer/judge, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on September 20, 2023, Potter recklessly caused bodily injury to Shelby County Sheriff's Investigator Aaron Jones by hitting Investigator Jones' hand with his head, and Potter knew Jones was a police officer and Jones was lawfully discharging an official duty, namely trying to restrain Potter. (123rd Judicial District Court)

Johnny Ray Taylor was indicted for assault family violence enhanced, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on October 11, 2023, Taylor caused bodily injury to Olivia Canipe, a person with whom Taylor has or has had a dating relationship as described by the Texas Family Code, by striking her in the eye. Before the commission of the charged offense, Taylor had previously been convicted of a similar offense under the laws of another state to-wit: Louisiana. (123rd Judicial District Court)

Andrew Taylor Potter was indicted for obstruction or retaliation, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on September 20, 2023, Potter threatened to commit an offense involving violence to a person, namely, "sick his dogs on Officer Jones," and, "you better watch your family when I get out of jail," with intent to place Aaron Jones in fear of imminent serious bodily injury, and Aaron Jones was a peace officer of the Shelby County Sheriff's Office. (123rd Judicial District Court)

Mark Dewayne Hubbard was indicted for credit card or debit card abuse, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on November 27, 2023, Hubbard knowingly used a debit card, namely, Doches Credit Union debit card with knowledge the card had not been issued to Hubbard with knowledge that said card was not used with the consent of the cardholder, namely, Kaneisha Berry/Daniels. (273rd Judicial District Court)

(Some of the following content contained within indictments is of a sensitive nature and may not be suitable for younger viewers.)
Ty Camden Spurlock was indicted for indecency with a child sexual contact, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on August 1, 2022, Spurlock engaged in sexual contact with a child less than 17 years of age with intent to arouse and gratify the sexual desire of Spurlock. (123rd Judicial District Court)

Ty Camden Spurlock was indicted for indecency with a child by exposure, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on August 1, 2022, Spurlock exposed his genitals or any part thereof knowing a child less than 17 years of age was present with intent to arouse and gratify the sexual desire of Spurlock. The indictment further presents, Spurlock caused the alleged victim to expose their genitals. (123rd Judicial District Court)

Ty Camden Spurlock was indicted for sexual assault, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on April 14, 2023, Spurlock caused the penetration of the female sexual organ of a child younger than 17 years of age and not the spouse of Spurlock by means of Spurlock's sexual organ. The indictment further alleges, Spurlock caused [oral sexual contact] of a child younger than 17 years of age and not the spouse of Spurlock. (123rd Judicial District Court)

(Dates in parenthesis indicate the date of the alleged incident):

  • Gustavo Angel Pallares, possession of a controlled substance in Penalty Group 2 (PG2) (psilocin), second degree felony (January 2, 2023). (123rd Judicial District Court)
  • Daniel Boyd Eaves, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=4G<200G (methamphetamine), second degree felony (June 1, 2023). (273rd Judicial District Court)
  • Lawrence David Pierce, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=1G<4G (methamphetamine), third degree felony (October 3, 2022). (273rd Judicial District Court)
  • Sherri Shires Lewing, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (October 1, 2023). (123rd Judicial District Court)
  • Michael Anthony Ratcliff Jr., possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (August 24, 2023). (273rd Judicial District Court)
  • Juan Carlos Salvador-Perez, felony driving while intoxicated, third degree felony (October 21, 2023). (273rd Judicial District Court)
  • Clfford Neal Ruth, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (phencyclidine), state jail felony (November 26, 2023). (123rd Judicial District Court)
  • Keith Issac Clary, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (January 6, 2024). (123rd Judicial District Court)

Indictments and Information are not a conviction, and are a matter of public record. All individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law.

March 8, 2024 - Update: As of around 1:30pm, Nacogdoches Street was cleared and traffic is flowing normally again. Crews are working to clear trees, debris and power lines in Lakewood.

State Highway 87 South is also clear and traffic is operating normally again.


12:10pm: Nacogdoches Street (SH 7 West, Nacogdoches Highway) in Center is currently blocked off from Southview Circle to Loop 500 as of 12-noon due to a storm which has blown through and taken down many trees, as well as power lines.

The entrance to Lakewood is also blocked by trees. Travelers should be careful and consider taking an alternate route until Nacogdoches Street is cleared.

There are also several trees down in the roadway on 87 South as of 12-noon. Drivers should use caution and consider alternate routes until the highway is clear.


Trees across roadway on SH 87 South. (Submitted photo)


Trees across roadway on SH 87 South. (Submitted photo)


Trees across roadway on SH 87 South. (Submitted photo)


(Submitted photo)

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