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February 26, 2026 - A Shelby County Grand Jury delivered seven indictments, on Monday, February 23, 2026. The grand jury was impaneled for the January 2026 term of the 273rd Judicial District Court.
Jarrod Dukes was indicted for murder, first degree felony. The indictment alleges, on July 6, 2025, Dukes intentionally and knowingly caused the death of Tommie Lee Bryce by shooting him in the face and/or neck with a gun, which is a deadly weapon. (123rd Judicial District Court) (Related Article: Sheriff's Dept. Releases Name of Car Wash Shooting Victim)
Martin William Gregg was indicted for murder, first degree felony. The indictment alleges, on February 9, 2025, Gregg intentionally and knowingly caused the death of Richard Casey Byrd by shooting him with a shotgun, which is a deadly weapon. (273rd Judicial District Court) (Related Article: Man Slain in James Community; Murder Charge for Alleged Shooter (Update))
Jesus David Flores was indicted for murder, first degree felony. The indictment alleges, on September 24, 2025, Flores intentionally and knowingly caused the death of Jeremy Smith by shooting him in the head with a gun, which is a deadly weapon. (123rd Judicial District Court) (Related Article: Tenaha Truck Stop Scene of Shooting Incident; Suspects in Custody)
Jorge Vazquez was indicted for murder, first degree felony. The indictment alleges, on June 26, 2025, Vazquez intentionally and knowingly caused the death of Jeremy Jereaud Smith by shooting him in the head with a gun, which is a deadly weapon. (273rd Judicial District Court) (Related Article: Tenaha Truck Stop Scene of Shooting Incident; Suspects in Custody)
(Some of the following content contained within indictments is of a sensitive nature and may not be suitable for younger viewers.)
Donald R. Moore was indicted for indecency with a child sexual contact, second degree felony. The indictment alleges on November 14, 2020, Moore engaged in sexual conduct with a child younger than 17 years of age. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Jeremiah Chase Davis was indicted for online solicitation of a minor, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on March 6, 2025, Davis was intent on committing the offense of possession of child pornography, intentionally distributed through a commercial online service in a sexually explicit manner, namely, exchanging photographs of sexual organs through snapchat with a minor (a). (123rd Judicial District Court)
Jeremiah Chase Davis was indicted for online solicitation of a minor, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on March 6, 2025, Davis was intent on committing the offense of possession of child pornography, intentionally distributed through a commercial online service in a sexually explicit manner, namely, exchanging photographs of sexual organs through snapchat with a minor (b). (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.
February 26, 2026 - (Order) - WHEREAS, the County of Shelby is under imminent threat of severe damage, injury of loss of life or property resulting from the threat of wildfires due to extremely dry grassland fuel, drought and other weather-related conditions; and
WHEREAS, THE COUNTY JUDGE of Shelby County has determined that to mitigate the hazard posed by wildfires during the current dry conditions, extraordinary measures must be taken to alleviate the suffering of people and ot protect or rehabilitate property,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE COUNTY JUDGE OF SHELBY COUNTY:
1. That a local state of disaster is hereby proclaimed for Shelby County pursuant to § 418.108(a) of the Texas Government Code.
2. This Declaration of a local state of disaster shall continue for a period of not more than seven days from the date of this declaration unless continued or renewed by the Commissioners Court of Shelby County.
3. All outdoor burning is prohibited in the unincorporated areas of Shelby County. This Order does not prohibit outdoor burning activities carried out by Federal Certified Agencies.
4. This Declaration of shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed promptly with the County Clerk of Shelby County.
5. This Declaration of the local state of disaster activates the Shelby County Emergency Management Plan.
This Proclamation shall take effect immediately from and after its issuance; ORDERED THIS 25th DAY OF February, 2026.
February 25, 2026 - The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the Choice public water system, 2100005 to issue a Boil Water Notice on February 19, 2026, to inform customers, individuals, or employees that due to conditions which occurred recently in the public water system, the water from this public water system was required to be boiled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
The public water system has taken the necessary corrective actions to restore the quality of the water distributed by this public water system used for drinking water or human consumption purposes and has provided TCEQ with laboratory test results that indicate that the water no longer requires boiling prior to use as of 2/25/2026
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact, Matt Di Verdi 936-591-4346.
February 19, 2026 - Due to a loss of pressure from a broken main, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the CHOICE Water system, ID# 2100005 to notify all customers that were without water 2/19/2026 on FM 711 north of CR 1005 and CR 1273 (everyone 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.
February 25, 2026 - Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison stated during Commissioners' Court February 25, 2026, that she would be implementing a burn ban on the day of the meeting.
"I'm going to do it today, and that way it'll be on the agenda next week to ratify it, or we can drop it next week," said Judge Harbison.
Judge Harbison said she has heard from four different fire departments in the county and in the northern end of the county fire departments there have had increased difficulty with residents burning and letting the fires get out of control.
Luciana Barr, Shelby County Emergency Management Coordinator, commented that the wind is high, is drying out grasses and it's just not a good idea to burn. She also said that other counties and parishes in the vicinity have burn bans in place, as of the meeting.
"It's been advised to us through TDEM, like I said I've talked to four fire chiefs and while the indexes are low to mod[erate] right now, it's not a bad idea and if in a week we've got three to four inches of rain we can let it drop," said Judge Harbison.
The commissioners approved seeking bids on a surplus bridge that Precinct 1 Road and Bridge is selling.
Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, said that he wanted to give two weeks for bids to be received.
The motion by Commissioner McSwain was to accept the bids by Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 2pm. The motion received a second from Tom Bellmyer, Commissioner Precinct 4, and it carried with all in favor.
Ann Blackwell, County Treasurer, discussed the County Investment Policy with the commissioners.
"We have to review this every year and I'll send it out to TexPool, Investar which was formerly First National Bank and Farmer's [State Bank], anybody where we have investments," said Blackwell. "I did make a few changes, took a new class, got some new information and just wanted it to be updated."
Some of the updates Blackwell indicated were to help obtain maximum return on some investments.
She explained that in the old policy the investment committee wasn't identified and she has added that the committee is made up of the county treasurer, county judge, and the county auditor.
The policy also now explained the responsibility of some of the funds.
Shannon Metcalf, Commissioner Precinct 2, moved to approve the county investment policy and to adopt the changes that have been made. Commissioner Bellmyer offered a second to his motion and it carried with all in favor.
In reference to a resolution to Designate County Investment Officer, Commissioner McSwain moved to name the County Treasurer as such, and his motion received a second from Commissioner Metcalf. The motion carried by vote with all in favor.
During the Commissioners' Court Reports portion of the meeting, Commissioner McSwain commented that there was a fire in his precinct yard dumpster on the week before the meeting. He explained he was contacted in the evening about the fire and the fire department reported that the fire had apparently been smoldering for hours.
"Things like that keep happening, that's going to continue pushing me as Precinct 1 to do away with the dumpster, I hate that," said McSwain.
Racial profiling reports from the Shelby County Sheriff's Department, District Attorney's Office, and Constable Precinct 3 Roy Cheatwood were presented to the court as well as racial profiling exempt status from Zach Warr, Constable Precinct 1, and Jamie Hagler, Constable Precinct 2. According to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, agencies that do not make motor vehicle stops in the routine performance of duties must fill out the one page online exempt status report.
All racial profiling reports and exempt status filings were approved by the commissioners through motion and vote with all in favor.
Several agenda items relating to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds utilized by the county for several expenditures were approved by the commissioners and Judge Harbison indicated these were necessary for the closeout of the program. They included a “Standards of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Policy,” “Document Management and Records Retention Policy,” “Local General Procurement Policies and Procedures Statement,” and “Financial Management Policies and Procedures Policy.”
All items relating to the ARPA program were approved through motion and vote by the commissioners with all in favor.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:13am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Pay current payroll. 3. Precinct 1 to advertise for sealed bids for one (1) surplus bridge. 4. Record the Racial Profiling Exempt Status for Constable Pct. 1 Zach Warr. 5. Record the Racial Profiling Exempt Status for Constable Pct. 2 Jamie Hagler. 6. Record the Racial Profiling Report for Constable Pct. 3 Roy Cheatwood. 7. Record the Racial Profiling Report for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department. 8. Record the Racial Profiling Report for District Attorney, Karren Price. 9. “Standards of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Policy” for the ARPA program close out. 10. “Document Management and Records Retention Policy” for ARPA close out. 11. “Local General Procurement Policies and Procedures Statement” for ARPA close out. 12. “Financial Management Policies and Procedures Policy” for ARPA close out. 13. Annual review of County Investment Policy with the following possible actions: a. Adopt Resolution of Annual Review of Investment Policy b. Resolution to Designate County Investment Officer 14. Record the 2025 Continuing Education Hours for County Clerk, Jennifer Fountain. 15. Adjourn at 10:13am.
February 22, 2026 - Center Fire Department fire personnel fought a truck fire in the Mt. Gillion Community on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
The firefighters were dispatched to the location sometime just before 4pm, and when they arrived a white Dodge 4x4 pickup truck was on the northbound shoulder and fully involved in the fire.
While the firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze, Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies halted the flow of traffic in the northbound side and Center fire personnel directed traffic in the immediate vicinity of the fire.
The firefighters extinguished the flames that appeared to have originated from the front and engine compartment of the vehicle.
A cause of the fire was not immediately determined. The driver reported that as he was northbound on State Highway 87, he could smell something coming from the truck and when he pulled off onto the side of the road and looked under the hood, the engine compartment was already in flames.
He was able to avoid injury and dialed 911.
February 20, 2026 - The intersection of Austin and San Augustine Streets in Center was the scene of a single-vehicle crash, just off the Center square on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
Center Police Officers were alerted around 11:30pm of the incident and responded to find a vehicle without a driver, following a brief search the driver was located, and was subsequently detained.
According to the Center Police Department, a blue 2023 Nissan Sentra driven by Corbin Odom, 22, of Center was eastbound on the square when the Nissan crossed over onto Austin Street before jumping the curb on the oncoming side of the roadway. The Nissan struck a stop/street sign at that intersection and came to a stop on the bump out alongside the sidewalk area. According to the CPD, Odom fled the area and was later located just up the roadway from the incident.
Odom was not reported to have been injured and was charged with driving while intoxicated 2nd, misdemeanor a; duty upon striking fixed object, misdemeanor b.
The vehicle was towed from the scene and Shelby County Sheriff’s Department deputies assisted at the scene.
February 20, 2026 - According to Texas Election Code, Section 87.121, the early voting clerk shall maintain for each election a roster listing each person who votes an early voting ballot by personal appearance and a roster listing each person to whom an early voting ballot to be voted by mail is sent.
This information can be found on the Shelby County Elections website and will be updated each day. https://www.co.shelby.tx.us/page/shelby.Elections
February 20, 2026 - City of Center announces a road closure this week for sewer repairs.
On February 20, 2026 (Friday) Wheeler Street will be closed at Sanders Street intersection starting at 5:30pm until February 24, 2026 – Tuesday. Due to repairs on a sewer main. Traffic will need to find alternate route.
Michael Parrish
Asst. Public Works Foreman
February 17, 2026 - City of Center announces two upcoming road closures this week for water and sewer repairs.
On February 18, 2026 – (Wednesday) – Shelbyville St. will be closed between McKee St. and Collier St. for repair of water line. Local traffic will be detoured down McKee St. and Collier St. Truck traffic will be let thru the area.
On February 19, 2026 – (Thursday) – Logansport St. will be closed between Porter St. and George Ihlo St. for repair of sewer main. Traffic going thru Farmers Bank Drive thru will have to exit right coming out. Traffic coming into town on Logansport St will be detoured down George Ihlo.
February 16, 2026 - Hurst Street Center was the focus of emergency personnel on Sunday, February 16, 2026, immediately following a crash that resulted in a major natural gas leak.
According to Center Police Department (CPD), an unlicensed male juvenile driver was northbound in a grey 2020 Dodge Ram pickupo truck on Hurst Street sometime before 6am when he fell asleep and left the roadway before striking a business sign and then a gas meter, causing a major natural gas leak.
Once the driver escaped the vehicle at the scene, a Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputy advised him to clear the immediate location to a safe zone away from the crash site.
The driver was not reported to have been injured and citations were issued. Residents in the immediate area were alerted as to the gas leak so that they could safely evacuate their homes.
CPD officers, Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies, Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers blocked Hurst Street to traffic at the intersection of Nacogdoches Street and Crawford Street. Although, several drivers attempted to bypass the officers to no avail and in some instances received citations.
Center Fire Department personnel were staged at the intersection of San Augustine Street and Wheeler Drive to prevent immediate access to the location.
All throughout the ordeal, a loud hissing sound could be heard emanating from the gas line as it released pressurized gas into the air. Once CenterPoint Energy personnel were on scene, Center Fire Department personnel assessed the situation in which the gas meter that was struck remained lodged beneath the truck involved in the crash.
After firemen gained assessed the damage to the meter beneath the truck, they were seen conferring with CenterPoint Energy personnel. It was apparent to all on scene when the firemen sealed the line as the loud hissing finally was silenced.
At that point, the truck was able to be dislodged from the business sign and gas meter by a wrecker and traffic returned to normal on Hurst Street by 9am.
February 15, 2026 - (Update): As of 9am the gas leak was stopped and the roadway was re-opened to traffic.
Center Police Department officers commenced with continuing their investigation of a single-vehicle crash that initially caused the gas line to rupture.
Hurst Street between Crawford Street and Nacogdoches Street in Center is shut down due to a major gas leak resulting from a vehicle crash at 6am Sunday, February 15, 2026.
Emergency responders are in scene. CenterPoint Energy arrived at 7:31am and are awaiting another crew to address the leak.
Driver’s are encouraged to take alternate routes until the roadway is re-opened.
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