Shelby County Today

March 4, 2026 - The county burn ban, put in place February 25, 2026, was ratified during the Wednesday, March 4, 2026, meeting if the Shelby County Commissioners' Court.

During discussion it was agreed by the commissioners that conditions remain necessary for the ban to remain in place, and that they would revisit the issue again at the next meeting on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.

Judge Harbison commented on the deficient weather outlook for the coming week. 

"If you notice our rain chances have went down every day. Saturday's the only day we're having anything over 10%," said Judge Harbison.

Commissioner Tom Bellmyer moved to ratify the burn ban to keep it in effect, Commissioner Shannon Metcalf seconded the motion and it carried with all in favor.

An executive session was held during the meeting from 9:50am until 11:09am and those whose presence was required of the commissioners included John Price, County Attorney; John Pope, Constable Precinct 5; Rowdy Green; and LeAnn K. Rafferty, 123rd Judicial District Judge. 

After the commissioners returned to open session, it was revealed that Rowdy Green would be appointed to the position of Precinct 4 Constable recently vacated by Taylor Fanguy on February 7, 2026. 

Commissioner Bellmyer moved for Green to be appointed Precinct 4 Constable and for him to be sworn in during the March 11, 2026, Commissioners' Court Meeting. Commissioner Roscoe McSwain seconded the motion and it carried with all in favor.

It was also announced that John Pope, Precinct 5 Constable, will now have a deputy constable and he was given permission to hire the individual, who was not named during the meeting. 

Commissioner Bellmyer announced that the commissioners reviewed and approved Pope's deputy position candidate during executive session.

"I think you're wanting to put him in employment starting Monday," Said Commissioner Bellmyer.

He then reiterated to Pope that his deputy nominee was approved.

Constable Pope agreed that hopefully he would have him working by then, depending on TCOLE.

County Attorney Price indicated that a motion was not required regarding the deputy constable position.

The details of Judge Rafferty's meeting with the commissioners wasn't publicly shared at the time of the meeting.

Representatives of the American Red Cross were present during the meeting as the commissioners considered a proclamation to declare March as American Red Cross Month.

"I'm Kimberly Cline, executive director for our Southeast Deep East Chapter, which we cover 17 counties. You guys are our most northern county that we cover and we go all the way down to the coast in our Texas Gulf Coast region," said Cline. "I do very much appreciate you putting this proclamation to be signed because it gives our volunteers the honor, recognition that they deserve for their selfless giving every day."

Cline stated that the American Red Cross responds to a disaster every eight minutes on the national level and she said that is accomplished in part through the Neighbors Helping Neighbors volunteer program.

"We thank you guys for such an amazing partnership and everything. You know this last winter weather really proved a lot, and this community I'm so thankful for because it came together very quickly, overnight actually."

Cline was accompanied by two volunteers including Bob Walsh who shared that he has been volunteering since 2017 with the American Red Cross and Corliss Bonner, a volunteer since 2025, also of Nacogdoches.

The commissioners approved the proclamation with first a motion by Commissioner Bellmyer to declare March American Red Cross Month and a second by Commissioner McSwain. The motion carried with all in favor.

Casey Anderson, Shelby County Commissioner's Secretary, explained to the court about designating Deep East Texas Council Of Governments (DETCOG), on behalf of Shelby County, to verify addresses online for 911 addressing. 

"DETCOG has basically come up with two different resources, the first one, is an address verification letter which has to be voted on by the board," said Anderson. "The other one is where they can actually go online, put the coordinates in and send me a request for an address. So nothing's really going to change. It's just going to give people another option."

Commissioner McSwain moved to designate DETCOG, on behalf of Shelby County, to verify addresses online. Commissioner Shannon Metcalf seconded the motion and it carried.

The commissioners considered allowing TxDOT to close a section of FM 139 in Paul's Creek to replace an existing bridge.

"This is a troublesome close because [FM] 139 is a well-traveled road it gets the people on the Joaquin side to the Huxley side and it gets the people from the Huxley side to the Joaquin side," said Judge Harbison.

Judge Harbison commented that if TxDOT totally closes that bridge, the school bus from Joaquin will have to go 23 miles out of the way to carry kids home and the same for Shelbyville if they have to travel through that area with students. According to Judge Harbison, the project isn't scheduled until 2029.

"I don't know that we approve this closure right now, I think we need more discussion and if TxDOT doesn't agree we'll probably have to get the schools involved," said Judge Harbison. 

Commissioner Metcalf moved to not close the road, which was followed by a second from Commissioner Stevie Smith. The motion carried with all in favor.

Establishing the value of TxDOT surplus riprap contributed to all precincts of the County was discussed by the commissioners and Judge Harbison sought further clarification on the item.

"About a year ago when when Casey [Anderson] and I were working on some of my FEMA activity, I had a quite a bit of riprap that I used on one of my projects that had been donated and I got approval it was a donation," said Commissioner Bellmyer. "I tried to apply for it, and FEMA denied me because the commissioner's court had never established a value of a donation. I reached out to Jim Allison [General Counsel of the County Judges and Commissioners] to ask if for an interpretation. He said, 'yes, any time that you get a donation like that, you should have court establish a value to it.'"

Bellmyer stated that TxDOT established a value at $20 a cubic yard and he wanted to make it public record that if in the future a value to it would be needed, it's recorded.

Commissioner Bellmyer moved to that the surplus riprap donated from TxDOT be evaluated at $20 a cubic yard. Commissioner Metcalf seconded the motion and it carried with all in favor.

During Commissioners' Court Reports Commissioner McSwain announced that the auction for his Peterbilt Truck ended and the truck sold for $30,500.

The meeting adjourned at 11:13.

American Red Cross Month, 2026 Proclamation:
In March, we celebrate American Red Cross Month by honoring our neighbors who make its humanitarian mission possible in Shelby County. Every day, their acts of kindness change lives, bringing relief, comfort and hope when help can't wait. This compassionate spirit runs deep in our community, just as it has for 145 years through the American Red Cross.

Today, those who serve with the American Red Cross light the way during emergencies - whether it's delivering shelter, food and comfort after disasters; providing a safe, lifesaving blood supply for patients facing conditions like cancer treatments, childbirth complications and traumatic injuries; assisting military members, veterans and their families with 24/7 global support; or empowering individuals with skills like first aid and CPR that save lives.

These collective efforts are a powerful reminder that the strength of our community lies in our shared commitment to one another. As we mark Red Cross Month, let's celebrate our local heroes and resolve to continue lifting each other up, so no one faces an emergency alone

Now, Therefore We Commissioners Court of Shelby County by virtue of the authority vested in me by the laws of Shelby County and Texas do hereby proclaim March 2026 as Red Cross Month. I encourage all citizens of Shelby County to reach out and support its humanitarian mission.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 4th day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-six, and of the Shelby County Texas

Agenda items approved during the meeting include:

1. Pay weekly expenses.  

2. Ratify the current Burn Ban.

3. Proclamation declaring the month of March as American Red Cross Month.  

4. Designate DETCOG, on behalf of Shelby County, to verify addresses online.   

5. Not to allow TxDOT to close a section of FM 139 at Paul’s Creek to replace the existing bridge.  

6. Establish the value of TXDOT surplus rip contributed to all precincts of the County at $20 a cubic foot.

7. Appoint Rowdy Green to Constable Precinct 4.

8. Adjourn 11:13am. 

March 4, 2026 - Law enforcement officers engaged in a pursuit on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, after a white 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup truck allegedly failed to stop when a Center Police Department unit attempted a traffic stop at around 2pm.

Officers traveled south on State Highway 87 South from Center to Shelbyville, and were seen on CR 2110 where the pursuit deviated from the main highway for a brief time before returning to SH 87 and heading south once again.

Ricardo Reyes

The pursuit traveled around 20 miles south of SL 500 in Center before turning onto CR 2156, and law enforcement officers have confirmed it traveled to the end of the roadway and drove through the entrance gate to a property before continuing approximately 100 yards to the front of a house where it drove through a fence and came to rest.

There officers continued pursuit of the driver on foot and placed the driver in custody.

Center Police Officers arrested Ricardo Reyes, 21, of Shelbyville and he was placed in the Shelby County Jail on charges of evading arrest/detention with a vehicle, felony 3; possession of a controlled substance PG 2 >=4G<400G, felony 2; tamper/fabricate evidence with intent to impair, felony 3; evading arrest/detention, misdemeanor a; and reckless driving, misdemeanor b.

Agencies participating in the pursuit include the Center Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Shelby County Sheriff’s Department.

February 17, 2026 - Early voting in the 2026 March 3rd Primary Elections began at 7am on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Links to sample ballots, polling locations, and early voting schedule are below.

• Polling Locations (Democrat and Republican)
• Democrat Sample Ballot for all Precincts
• Republican Sample Ballot for all Precincts
• Early Voting Schedule

March 2, 2026 - Commissioner PCT 2 has announced that will be a scheduled control burn in the area of Patroon and East Liberty (CR 2865) today Monday, March 2nd. The scheduled burn should begin around 10:30am and continue throughout the day. Please use caution if you should be traveling within this area today.

Editor's Note: The county is still currently under a burn ban. While burn bans restrict debris burning, prescribed or controlled burns (used for land management) are often exempt if conducted under specific, safe guidelines and registered with the Texas A&M Forest Service.