The story headline links to a better view of the story and share features.
News
April 20, 2026 - The Shelby County Commissioners learned of a new feature to alert taxpayers of delinquencies via text message during their meeting held April 8, 2026.
Kevin Dutton, representative of Linebarger, Goggan, Blair, and Samson LLP, provided details to the commissioners on text message notifications to individuals regarding delinquent taxes.
“The legislature enabled text message collecting for delinquent taxes, and there are several reasons that they've done that. One, everybody lives on their phone very few people even have home landlines now so when we skip trace we'll get these landline numbers but nobody answers,” said Dutton.
Dutton stated most people get all their mail that they think is relevant by email, which results in a lot of return mail or unanswered mail on tax collections. He said that doesn’t mean there isn’t good response from their mailings, and they will continue to send normal mailings.
“This went into effect September the 1st, [2025]. We've got our technology now where we can start doing that. And so we're going around and asking the tax collectors for their permission to do it,
which is all we really have to have,” said Dutton. “We don't have to have the commissioners’ court, but she wanted me to give y'all the information before she pulled the trigger.”
Dutton elaborated on the common use of smart phones among the public and the extensive reliance on texting as a means of communication.
“Everybody communicates that way. We found that text messages get more looked at than people opening mail. They'll open it and look at it, and so we decided we were going to do that,” said Dutton.
“Scammers” were considered when preparing the system for text communication and Dutton said that they devised the use of a short-code that displays as five digits at the top of the recipients text message to indicate that it’s real, as well as Linebarger, Goggan, Blair and Sampson branding at the bottom of the message.
“What you'll notice about scams also is they don't have branding. We will have the Linebarger brand down at the bottom of ours. We'll have a link for them to make a payment. We'll have a toll-free callback phone number that they can call and ask questions,” said Dutton. “We’ll also have their account number, so they can click on that and see what we're referring to.”
Dutton explained that attempts are being made to prevent people from being scammed.
“I will tell you, we've ran tests in Smith County that have been highly successful. I don't have the numbers on that yet because it hasn't gotten to me. I do know that we tried it in Van Zandt County three weeks ago and started it. Not tried it, but we started it. We sent out text messages on Monday, on Tuesday, three accounts that we had no contact with by mail or by telephone paid online. So people are going to respond to this.” said Dutton.
Debora Riley, Shelby County Tax-Assessor Collector, said that she has shared information on the Tax Assessor-Collector website about the text notification program. She noted there may be some hesitancy on the part of recipients to even open the text message and she advised they don’t even have to open the message.
“If they receive a text, they don't want to open it, that's fine, it just lets them know that they might need to go check out our online and see if they owe anything or give us a call and we'll be glad to go ahead and look that up for them so they don't actually have to open the text message if they get it,” said Riley.
Riley had a question of her own involving miscommunication, in the event a recipient has no connection to the property involved and they want their number removed.
“There is a toll free number on there that's on the actual text message itself that they can call and make those corrections. Evidently they can text back because we've received some, I’m not going to say them in court, but we've received some ugly text messages,” said Dutton.
Dutton described the cost difference of a text message being three cents to the cost of 85 cents to a dollar utilizing the United States Postal Service. Riley and Dutton clarified for the court that these messages won’t go out this year until July 2026, should they be delinquent.
“Like right now, they have their mailings, I think they had a mailing go out in February, and it didn't include the 2025s because they never include the current year until that first mailing that they do in July,” said Riley. “So that's kind of confusing for people, too, because they see their statement and they think that's everything they owe and they don't realize they owe for the current year. We have that happen a lot.”
No action was necessary to to be taken by the commissioners as the discussion was informational only. The commissioners sounded as though they were in favor of the endeavor.
Karren Price, 123rd Judicial District Attorney, presented the court with the SART (Sexual Assault Response Team) report and she introduced Emma Skinner with the Family Crisis Center in Nacogdoches and Price said she is also their interface with the governor’s office.
“In 2021, the legislature mandated every county create or formulate a SART team, sexual assault response team. It works exactly the same as the Children's Advocacy Center MDT (Multidisciplinary) teams meet, so we have a number of people from around the county the legislature set out exactly who is supposed to be on that team. We are now meeting quarterly y'all may remember we formed it in December of ’22,” said Price.
Price informed the court that in 2026 they have had their first mandated report to the governor's office. Although, the reporting was a little late due to new legislation enacted in 2025, Price explained that Skinner was able to help resolve that late entry as a result of her interface with the governor’s office.
“The goal of the teams is to increase reporting, because we are under reporting in that area of crime,” said Price. “We need to get better at not only encouraging young men and women who are sexually assaulted to come forward, tell us about that so that we can help you get out of that situation.”
Price described a case pending on the court docket right now that occurred in 2025, and she said she doesn’t know how the woman involved survived. By Price’s estimation, and she said by the estimation of medical staff, the woman should not have survived.
“So those things happen in our own backyards, and I know that you all are as devastated to hear that, as I am to report it,” said Price. “Hopefully the formation, and the regular quarterly meetings of a team that's dedicated to thinking about making people understand how important it is for us to report it, so that we can prosecute those cases. It's been a long time since we actually prosecuted a sexual assault of an adult in Shelby County and we need to be better and we're gonna be better.”
Skinner explained for the court that the purpose of a SART is to support adult survivors of sexual assault and increase community collaboration. Skinner says this helps survivors heal faster when they have that support from law enforcement, the DA’s office, advocates, and local nurses.
“They are more likely to come forward and report if they know that they will have a listening ear and have support afterwards, and they're also more likely to participate in the prosecution process,” said Skinner. “These cases are more likely to go to court and get justice, and put that bad guy away when those survivors know that they have a whole team behind them.”
Skinner highlighted Shelby County is fortunate to have a District Attorney that cares about supporting survivors of sexual assault, as well as the support of law enforcement.
“So this community collaboration really, it doesn't happen by accident. It takes a DA who cares, it takes law enforcement who wants to show up. It's a chance for all of us to just get in the room together and discuss these cases, discuss the changes in the law and make sure that we are all providing services and support in the most trauma-informed way,” said Skinner.
Skinner shared that data was prepared to send to the state, and should bring them into compliance; however, the SART must have the endorsement of the court to move forward to allow them to meet regularly.
“That's really why we're here, just to get y'all on board, hopefully. I really believe in SARTs. We do this in five other counties where I help facilitate and kind of do the admin work. It's really y'all's county that will benefit from this and we're excited about that. This really does work in other counties as well. It's been shown to increase reporting and also increase prosecutions of these cases,” said Skinner.
Commissioner Tom Bellmyer moved to approve the SART report, and Commissioner Stevie Smith seconded his motion. It carried with all in favor.
The commissioners were presented with a quote for $34,550 from Cornerstone Construction project involving the courthouse parking areas. The project began with tree removal.
Commissioner Roscoe McSwain anticipated some discomfort at the courthouse while the project was ongoing, but he felt that the bid was fair.
Commissioner McSwain moved to go forward with the project and approve the contract of $34,550 to be taken out of the courthouse repairs fund. Commissioner Smith seconded his motion and it carried with all in favor.
The meeting adjourned at 10:09am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Minutes of: March 4th Special Meeting, March 11th Regular Meeting, March 18th Special Meeting and March 25th Special Meeting. 2. Pay weekly expenses. 3. Pay current payroll. 4. Officers Report. 5. Lift the burn ban that was put in place on March 27. 6. Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson LLP, to discuss text message alerts for resolving delinquent accounts. 7. SART Report. 8. Quote from Cornerstone Construction for the upgrades to the Courthouse parking areas in the amount of $34,550. 9. Adjourn at 10:09am.
March 30, 2026 - The May Uniform Election Day for local non-county political subdivisions such as cities and schools is Saturday, May 2, 2026.
The entities hosting an election May 2nd are: City of Tenaha, City of Timpson, Shelbyville ISD, and Timpson ISD.
Upcoming calendar dates to note are listed below.
- Last day to register to vote or update your voter registration is April 2.
- Early Voting is April 20 - 28, 2026. Note: No weekend voting and no voting on San Jacinto Day (April 21st).
- Election day is May 2, 2026
April 20, 2026 - Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, reports that County Road 1005 at Mill Creek to the intersection of County Road 1024 will be closed Tuesday, April 21, from 8am till 3pm.
Drivers should plan an alternate route during this time until the roadway is back open.
April 19, 2026 - State Loop 500 at the intersection of Farm-to-Market 699 was the scene of a major crash incident early on the morning of Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
Emergency responders were dispatched to the location of the incident and found both vehicles involved to be on the eastern side of the roadway with one on the shoulders and the other further off the roadway in a ditch.
Center Fire Department personnel and Shelby County Sheriff's deputies diverted traffic while Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers investigated.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 6:39am, a black 2018 Dodge Ram 1500 driven by Anthony Flemings, 60, of Center was traveling east on F.M. 699 approaching the intersection of S.L. 500, while a white 2015 Dodge Ram 1500 driven by Primitivo Reyna, 59, of Chicago, IL. was traveling east on S.L. 500. It is reported that Flemings disregarded the stop sign at the intersection and struck the 2015 Dodge.
Flemings was transported to the Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries and is being charged for driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor offense, pending results.
Reyna was transported to Shelby Emergency Department of Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
Investigating the crash were Trooper Keith Jones assisted by Trooper Ashley Hughes.
Center Police Department officers also assisted at the scene.
According to DPS, this is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
April 17, 2026 - The U.S. Attorney’s office has reported the sentencing of a Houston man to Federal prison for his involvement in a “Hook and Chain” crime spree in at least two states.
According to details in a press release Cody “break da bank cobo” Williams, 27, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank theft and was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Sean D. Jordan on April 15, 2026. Williams was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $71,639.
According to court documents, from June 2020 to June 2024, Williams was involved in a crime spree referred to as “Hook and Chain” burglaries, which involved stealing a truck, attaching hooks and chains to the vehicle, and using it to drag the door off an ATM to retrieve the cash currency from the machine. This crime spree involved several burglaries in Texas and Arizona, including the Texas Bank on South Preston Road in Prosper. The conspiracy resulted in a loss of over $400,000 in bank funds and damage to property.
Shelby County was the target of similar incidents during the same time period and law enforcement suspected the ATM thefts were well organized by a large group of individuals from the Houston area. In October 2020, thieves made an attempt at a “hook and chain” operation at the Shelby Savings Bank on Selma Street in Center when Center Police Officers interrupted that attempt and apprehended suspects Robert Washington, Jr. and Paul Benjamin Madison.
In November 2020, an ATM at Citizens Bank on Austin Street in Center was the target of a “hook and chain” involving a red 2000 Ford F-350 with a chain which was later located at a car dealership nearby. It wasn’t reported at that time if those involved were successful in obtaining any funds from the machine.
According to Shelby County court documents, cases against Madison which included two counts of engaging in organized criminal activity that were dismissed in consideration of convictions in Harris and Cass Counties for other crimes. He was sentenced to 10 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Inmate Division, and is eligible for parole as of January 2025. Otherwise, his projected release date is September 2030.
Madison was sentenced to 10 years in Harris County for theft of property <$300K ATM; and aggravated robbery. In Cass County he was sentenced to five years for two counts of engaging in organized criminal activity.
Washington’s Shelby County case of engaging in organized criminal activity remains open as of April 2026; however, it is listed as being placed on inactive status and hasn’t had any new entries since August 2023 when his attorney withdrew as counsel.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, the case against Williams was investigated by the FBI, Fort Worth Police Department, and Pottsboro Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Johnson.
Related articles:
April 16, 2026 - State Loop 500 and U.S. Highway 96 South was the scene of a two-vehicle crash incident Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
When officers arrived, one vehicle involved was located in a ditch and the other vehicle had come to rest on the southbound side of U.S. 96.
According to the Center Police Department, at 8am a blue 2015 Ford Focus Titanium passenger car driven by Arnyrice Wallace, 22, of Louisiana was westbound on SL 500. The Ford entered the intersection at a green light and a brown 2019 GMC pickup truck driven by Guadalupe Arguello, 44, of Center was southbound on U.S. Highway 96 when it ran a red light traveling into the intersection, striking the Ford.
The Ford came to rest on the southeastern corner of the intersection. The GMC came to a stop on the southbound shoulder of U.S. 96.
Wallace was transported by ambulance to Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of possible injuries.
No citations were reported to have been issued.
Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers assisted at the scene.
April 16, 2026 - Officials with the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas, Angelina Sabine Ranger District will be conducting a controlled burn today, April 16, 2026, starting at 11am in San Augustine County at Black Ankle.
Smoke: Winds are out of the South and drift smoke may be noticeable in the area Forest and unit: Sbine, Black Ankle, Block B and C, Compartment 65, 1828 Acres
Type of ignition will be Aerial, and the projected completion time is 6pm.
Smoke will impact areas around the prescribed burn, and long-range drift smoke may be present during and after ignition operations.
Please drive with caution. Ground personnel will be operating in the area and smoke may impact visibility on local roads and highways near the burn unit.
For more information, contact the Angelina Sabine Ranger District at (936) 897-1068 or (409) 625-1940
U.S. Forest Service Prescribed Burn Tracker:
Please see the map of the projected burn area by clicking the following: Southern Region Prescribed Burn Accomplishment Tracker (arcgis.com)
April 15, 2026 - A missing Beauregard, Louisiana man was located in Center on April 15, 2026, following a search that began on the previous day.
Center Police Department officers located Dusty Whiddon, 36, on Old San Augustine Street in Center at around 9am Wednesday morning.
Whiddon’s vehicle was discovered abandoned on U.S. Highway 96 in Shelby County. Mike Hanson, Shelby County Chief Deputy, confirms Whiddon had parked in a rest area there on Monday, April 13. A neighbor to the location of the rest area had checked on Whiddon, since he had seen the vehicle sitting there, and Whiddon had accepted some water from him. Whiddon had reported to another neighbor to the location that he was out of gas at one point.
Chief Hanson said that a dispatcher, who lives in that direction, had noticed Whiddon parked in that area and encouraged a deputy to check on the man. Shelby County Sheriff's Deputy Thomas Jernigan made contact with Whiddon, everything seemed alright and Whiddon just had pulled off to park there. At the time of Deputy Jernigan's contact there was no identity return to indicate he was a missing person until later in the day. Deputy Jernigan returned to the location of the vehicle; however, Whiddon was no longer with the vehicle.
Businesses at the intersection of SL500 and U.S. 96 have security systems that captured Whiddon on foot during the day. Chief Hanson said that Jerrod Nutt with Despino's Tire Service was kind enough to review security footage at their location and the Shelby Emergency Department also had footage identifying Whiddon on the contractor side of Ace Hardware.
Due to the initial information received indicating Whiddon may have had intent to harm himself, DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Department was then requested to provide a search and rescue helicopter to try and locate Whiddon.
The helicopter was seen at around 10pm April 14, as it circled over Center and appeared to fly in a grid pattern south of the city as they used their forward looking infrared.
According to Chief Hanson, Whiddon said that he had slept in a yard overnight before officers located him.
Whiddon has since been evaluated by the Burke Center and they determined he wasn't a danger to himself or others. Following his evaluation, he was free to go.
April 14, 2026 - The commissioners were presented with a proclamation for April as Child Abuse Awareness Month in Shelby County during their April 1, 2026, meeting and they were addressed by Collin Mathews, Shelby County Children's Advocacy Center Board President.
"Denise and her staff are absolutely incredible. I think they've had 143 interviews and served over 200 families this year and last year," said Mathews.
He encouraged the commissioners to tour the Children's Advocacy Center and learn from the staff what they do every day, which he stated is "truly remarkable."
"Child Awareness Month is just a good time to really shine a light on the darkness that's often hidden," said Mathews.
He further commented on the resilience of the children they serve and the fantastic job the staff does at the Children's Advocacy Center.
"I just want to brag on our partners as well because we have the Sheriff's Department, Police Department, and the District Attorney here and they are absolutely just you know the huge part of the the puzzle so we are so appreciative of all their hard work and we have honestly just the best team in Shelby County. We're proud of them," said Anna Register, SCCAC Forensic Interviewer.
Commissioner Roscoe McSwain moved to approve the proclamation declaring April as Child Abuse Awareness Month in Shelby County. Commissioner Shannon Metcalf seconded his motion and it passed with all in favor.
The commissioners considered the disbursement of the Child Safety Fee fund and County Judge Allison Harbison stated a portion is distributed to municipalities in the county. The commissioners then had $12,944.07 to consider splitting.
The proposed split was a 65%-35% split between Shelby County Children's Advocacy Center (SCCAC) and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). Judge Harbison said the split would net $8,413.65 to SCCAC and $4,530.43 to CASA.
Tonya Harry, director of CASA, shared some of their statistics and about some generalities about the placements they oversee.
"We served 41 children from Shelby County since April of last year. Some of those children have been in care for a long time. One young lady specifically has been with us since 2020," said Harry. "We did serve, we're happy to say, most of those kids with volunteers so only 13 had to be served by staff. Shelby County kids are not all placed in Shelby County, so we do drive as far as Port Lavaca, Bryan, Beaumont, Waxahachie. We hope one day that we have enough foster homes or relative placements here in Shelby County to be able to take all of our kids. We hope that for all of the counties that we serve, so that they can be closer to where they came from."
Harry said they are still in their location that CASA moved in to around a year-and-a-half ago, located on Southview Circle in Center.
"The Shelby County [Children's] Advocacy Center it's the same clients because our clients start with them, and so they're those first responders," said Harry. "All the first responders are here they see the children first, and do those hard interviews. We serve a smaller, more specific number of children, all the children that are in foster care for Shelby County. We stay with them anywhere from one year up to six, eight years. It depends."
Harry continued, "For each child that comes into care, the older they are, their chances of being adopted are reduced. So I was happy to connect with Bob [Reeves] from Bonehill because we have a young lady that could be eligible for some scholarships. She was our speaker actually this year. She's from Shelby County. She's in nursing school now and in extended care. So we're really proud of her."
Judge Harbison invited Denise Merriman, SCCAC Executive Director, if she had any additional information to provide about the SCCAC.
"We just again appreciate the community support, it's so important because the Advocacy Center is a community-owned organization that we have the community involved in what we do," said Merriman. "We recently had a community engagement kind of push to have people come through and tour the Advocacy Center, [we] had several different businesses and groups come through. I really love to have the commissioners all come through and do a tour, and I think it helps understand all the different moving parts of what we do when you see our building."
Commissioner Bellmyer moved to dispurse the funds as outlined in a 65/35 split with $8413.64 going to SCCAC and $4,530.43 going to CASA. His motion was seconded by Commissioner Smith, and it carried with all in favor.
Bob Reeves spoke on behalf of Bonehill Foundation regarding Vocational Education Month.
"I'm on the Bonehill Foundation. We give away about $450,000 in scholarships only for Shelby County kids, vocational or undergraduate degrees," said Reeves.
Reeves explained that the foundation has come to the conclusion around $200,000 doesn't get used in another foundation, and they decided to use the funds in a more productive way.
"The foundation adopted a plan, a five-year plan, really it's a marketing plan. We want to market to all the kids, especially the parents in Shelby County, the opportunities of vocational education and that there's money available," said Reeves.
Reeves explained they plan to change and adapt with the program as time goes on and hopefully reach students as early as in the sixth grade where the student and their parents might consider a future in welding, or an electrician.
During his presentation, Reeves informed the commissioners of the Vocation and Career Tech Day held at the Windham Civic Center April 7. He said there would be 10-12 businesses there, and military representatives.
"I'm going to tell you our secret weapon, our boots on the ground, is Ms. Copelin," said Reeves.
He further commented that the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce through President Deborah Chadwick was extremely helpful in planning the event.
"You all know that no one does anything by themselves, it's always a team effort and and as Bob said, we have a lot of great resources in our county," said Copelin. "We want students to know they do have opportunities here, that they don't need to think, 'I need to get out of here as fast as I can,' and that just takes teamwork and it takes time, and so we appreciate your support."
Chadwick commented she was proud to have been included and that it is definitely the brainchild of Bonehill Foundation. She recognizes the importance of the program.
"Most of our students cannot afford to go off to a four-year college, don't have the means of transportation and we want them to stay here and grow our county and support our county," said Chadwick. "I applaud Bob, and the foundation and Alease for taking the leap of faith."
Commissioner Tom Bellmyer moved to declare April as Vocational Education Month in Shelby County, and Commissioner Stevie Smith seconded his motion. It carried with all in favor.
While the commissioners reviewed the weekly expenses, Judge Harbison focused on the National Guard being in Shelby County and Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department providing them with facilities while they were in the area.
"During the ice storm, we were blessed to have a National Guard Troop sent to us to help,” said Judge Harbison. “Joaquin [Volunteer Fire Department] were gracious enough to house them for us for a week.”
Judge Harbison explained the fire department supplied food for the National Guardsmen, as well as their facilities, and on a daily basiss they would work all day and then return to the fire department’s facility.
“Their light bill is usually $200-$250, and they’ve got a large light bill of over $700 nearly $800,” said Judge Harbison.
The total being $784.44 and Judge Harbison said that the fire department asked if they could get some assistance with the bill.
“I just think it’s the right thing to do, those guys went and worked all over the county they were just invaluable,”said Judge Harbison. “They saved the commissioners from having to go out and help individuals.”
Judge Harbison further commended the National Guard, “They just picked up the chainsaws and helped people, you know, get limbs off their homes and everything.”
Judge Harbison further encouraged the commissioners to consider paying the utility bill for the fire department.
Commissioner Smith commented on the benefit of the fire department allowing access to their facilities during the storm.
“That was a great help, we also had the highway patrol was staging out of and all the first responders, and it got to where for a while we couldn’t get food anywhere and they were making something. I could go over there and get something to feed my hands,” said Commissioner Stevie Smith.
Commissioner Bellmyer also elaborated on the help he National Guard provided while they were in Shelby County.
“They were in Precinct 3 and Precinct 4 for days and it was a tremendous help in my precinct,” said Commissioner Bellmyer. “Not only just the saw work that they did, but they rode a lot of roads and identified hazardous areas so that we knew where we were going next, so it was a big help.”
Judge Harbison commented they National Guard also performed wellness checks on individuals to make sure they were in safe condition.
"I know that Joaquin is the volunteer fire department, but I think that we should support them in any way we can if they're going to offer their facilities for us to utilize," said Judge Harbison.
Commissioner Stevie Smith moved to approve the weekly expenses with the addition of travel expense for Juvenile Correction, and Commissioner Shannon Metcalf seconded his motion. It carried with all in favor.
The commissioners were presented with a resolution in support of the application for the Texas Historical Commission Courthouse Grant for Project Planning and Full Restoration Grants.
Rayford Copelin, representing the Shelby County Historical Commission, explained to the court what the application is for and confirmed to Judge Harbison that it's related to the grant, which the county sought to participate in during 2024.
"This is the second round. Again, we're asking the [Texas Historical Commission] (THC) to participate in their grant program to restore the Old Courthouse," said Copelin. "The last time we applied for a $10 million grant we finished about ninth in the rankings, because this is a point system as far as the grant goes. This year, the top four that got the money are out of the picture, but they've also, the state has allocated twice as much money this year and so we're hoping that we'll compete well in the grant system."
Copelin explained there are not a lot of areas that more points can be accumulated than they procured the last time, because such a good job was done then.
"I applaud y'all as commissioners for standing behind this and being able to say, 'hey, we're willing to take a leap of faith to get this courthouse restored,' especially when you're talking about a 400% profit or grant that y'all don't have to pay and anything like that," said Copelin.
He said the resolution is showing their support and he anticipates further discussion as the process moves forward.
Judge Harbison read the resolution, which states: "And it's resolved that Shelby County Commissioner's Court does hereby resolve that it is in the best interest of Shelby County, Texas to apply for the Texas Historical Commission Courthouse for Project Planning and Full Restoration."
Commissioner Stevie Smith moved to approve the resolution of support of the application, and Commissioner Bellmyer seconded his motion. The motion carried with all in favor.
The Shelby County Sheriff's Department was seeking funding in the amount of $6,161.88, for the Sheriff’s Office historical data migration between Spillman (Motorola) Records Management System and the Current Kologik Records Management System.
"As anybody like Jennifer Fountain, and I know and you all know, whenever you do a conversion to a new system you have to get that data to put it into the new system and I think that that did not happen, or has not completely happened," said Judge Harbison.
Chief Deputy Mike Hanson concurred with Judge Harbison, and shared some of the complications facing the data migration and what sounds like are the potential risks of any entity utilizing strictly off-site data storage.
"It's been a difficult portion of the transition between the two systems. We knew that there's essentially about six to seven years of data that's in the old system, and there was a plan in place to migrate that through our current RMS provider Kologic," said Hanson. "Spillman has been, they've been hard to communicate with and possibly because they realized that we're trying to leave. We've made numerous attempts to try to rectify this and find the most cost-effective way once we saw what they wanted to charge, which our representative with Kologic said they felt was outrageous, but they're a big company and they've got our data."
Chief Hanson said they have considered alternative methods of storing the data; however, that hasn't resulted in a favorable solution.
"We've even went the route with Joey [Orellana], trying to discuss with him, is there a way that we can hold this data securely in-house? He had a plan for that. He talked back and forth with Spillman, because they speak the same language. There's really not a good way to do that either," said Chief Hanson.
Commissioner McSwain confirmed with Chief Hanson the effort the funding is requested for would transfer the data from the old system to the new system, and make it accessible from the Kologic system the Sheriff's Department now utilizes.
"We should never have never gone live with Kologic until we had that data, I mean I never did that as a clerk, we never went live until we had all the data available," said Judge Harbison.
Chief Hanson said the Sheriff's Department still has the Spillman system to access the non-migrated-data, but that it needs to be in the new system because it won't always be available in its current format at Spillman.
"And your people have to know they have to go back to that other one because we called during court, two court dates, and I had a gentleman who was trying to get his court case settled, and the county attorney's office had nothing on it, and Kim Causey called the dispatch, and they said, 'no, he's never been arrested,' and he said, 'I assure you I was arrested. I stayed overnight,' and I said, 'well, let me call somebody else,' so I called Tiffany [Curry] and was told that, yeah, she didn't look back at the other [system]. So you need to let your people know how important it is when somebody calls for records that they've got to check both databases. That is just vital," said Judge Harbison.
Judge Harbison further stated that there's nothing more important in the record world than to not have a lapse in between.
Commissioner McSwain made a motion to move forward, ASAP and for the funds to come out of the Sheriff's Department budget. Commissioner Metcalf seconded his motion and it carried with all in favor.
The meeting adjourned at 10:41am.
Proclamation declaring April as vocational education month in Shelby County, Texas
Whereas a strong workforce is essential to the economic growth, stability, and long-term prosperity of Shelby County, Texas,
And whereas vocational and technical education provides students and adult learners with practical skills, industry certifications, and pathways to meaningful, high-demand careers. And whereas skilled driving, mechanics, and other craft industries are vital to the infrastructure, businesses, and communities of Shelby County.
And whereas, vocational training programs help students earn higher wages, reduce student debt, and enter the workforce with valuable job-ready skills.
And whereas, Shelby County is home to outstanding school districts, including Center, Timpson, Tenaha, Joaquin, and Shelbyville. whose students can benefit from increased awareness of vocational and technical career opportunities,
And whereas partnerships among schools, training institutions, local businesses, and community organizations strengthen access to workforce education and help prepare the next generation of skilled workers,
And whereas the Bonehill Foundation is sponsoring a county-wide initiative to promote vocational education opportunities, scholarships, training sites. and career pathways available to students throughout Shelby County, and whereas a countywide vocational education day will be held April 7th at the John Wyndham Civic Center in Center Texas, bringing together students, educators, employers, and community leaders to highlight workforce training opportunities.
Now therefore, be it resolved that I, Allison Harbison, County Judge of Shelby County, do hereby proclaim the month of April as vocational education month in Shelby county and encourage all schools educators students parents businesses and communities community leaders to recognize the value of vocational and technical education to support programs that develop skilled trades and career training and to work together to expand opportunities that prepare Shelby County residents for successful and rewarding careers.
Be it further resolved that Shelby County recognizes the importance of workforce development and applauds the efforts of the Bonehill Foundation and local partners in promoting career training pathways that strengthen our community and economy.
Proclamation declaring April as Child Abuse Awareness Month in Shelby County
Whereas during the month of April 2026, Shelby County Children's Advocacy Center will observe National Child Abuse Awareness Month to raise awareness of child abuse and neglect and create strong communities to support the strengthening and healing of abused children and their non-offending family members.
And whereas each year, hundreds of Shelby County children are confirmed victims of child abuse and neglect, and its prevention is a countywide responsibility.
And whereas Shelby County Children's Advocacy Center serves hundreds of abused and neglected children as well as their non-offending family members each year
And whereas it is important to remember that children are our future and we must nurture and protect them and provide a safe environment in which they can grow and prosper.
Now therefore be it resolved that the Commissioner's Court of Shelby County, Texas hereby recognizes and proclaims April 2026 to be Child Abuse Awareness Month.
In Shelby County, Texas and our dissolved citizens to work together to help significantly reduce child abuse and neglect in our community.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Ratify the Burn Ban. 3. Proclamation declaring April as Vocational Education Month in Shelby County. 4. Proclamation declaring April as Child Abuse Awareness Month in Shelby County. 5. Adopt the Resolution in Support of the Application for The Texas Historical Commission Courthouse Grant for Project Planning and Full Restoration Grants. 6. Record the notification of acceptance report for the closeout of Shelby County's LATCF grant award. 7. Disburse the Child Safety Fee Fund. 8. Funding, in the amount of $6,161.88, for the Sheriff’s Office historical data migration between Spillman (Motorola) Records Management System and the Current Kologik Records Management System tobe paid out of the Sheriff's Department budget. 9. Reapplication and resolution to move forward with the submission of a new grant/reimbursement request, for FY-27, to the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority. 10. Adjourn 10:41am..
April 14, 2026 - The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office reports that on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 123rd Judicial District Court Judge LeAnn Kay Rafferty presided over an open plea on punishment in a possession of a controlled substance case of methamphetamine greater than four grams. The defendant, Adria Polley, was sentenced for 60 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Institutional Division (TDCJ-ID).
The defendant had multiple prior convictions, which included three prior incarcerations in the penitentiary for similar offenses over the course of the last twenty years. The case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Stroud. The defendant will be eligible for parole in five years.
“While we would like this sentence to represent a significant period of incarceration, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles simply doesn’t live in the same world we do. This defendant will likely serve significantly less than 10 calendar years on this conviction from the court,” said Karren Price, 123rd Judicial District Attorney.
Pages
