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December 19, 2022 - Over the week December 11 through December 17 the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department had three calls as well as our annual officer election. Here’s a summary of the weeks events.
Of the three calls, two consisted of medical assistance and the other a request to help funeral home personnel with a deceased person.
In other news, the department held its final meeting of the year Monday night to elect the officers for 2023. The results of which are:
Chief and Fire Marshal - Jeremy Boyett
1st Assistant Chief - Rusty Wilson
2nd Assistant Chief - Mike Stephens
Secretary/Treasurer - Athena Ezernack (left) and Training Officer - Stephen Ewing (right)
Traffic Officer - Tommy Boyett
Safety Officer and Chaplain - Steve Cockrell
Maintenance Officer - Michael Bates (right) and Assistant Maintenance Officer - Michael Parker (left)
Reporter- Brock Pugh
That will conclude the final report for 2022. Reports will resume in January of 2023. Thanks to our loyal readers for your support and we hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
December 16, 2022 - A Shelby County Grand Jury handed down 19 indictments on Monday, December 5, 2022, including one for murder. The grand jury was impaneled for the July 2022 term of the 123rd/273rd Judicial District Courts, and grand jury was held in both the 123rd/273rd Judicial District courts.
Ethan Myers was indicted for murder, first degree felony. The indictment alleges, on November 13, 2022, Myers intentionally and knowingly caused the death of Sarah Hopson by blunt force trauma to her head with an object unknown to the grand jury.
Donald Tipton was indicted for theft of property, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on June 14, 2021, Tipton unlawfully took a John Deere 310DL backhoe with an enclosed cab of the value of $30,000 or more but less than $150,000 from Yellow House in Abilene, Texas, the owner, without its consent.
Dalton Grant Miller was indicted for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on March 31, 2022, Miller operated a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 truck without the consent of Gary Wayne Cason, the owner.
Carlos Deshun Cowthorn was indicted for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on March 3, 2022, Cowthorn operated a maroon 1986 Chevrolet Caprice without the consent of K.L. Metcalf, the owner.
Katherine Diane Curbow was indicted for fraud use/ possession of identifying information, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on August 14, 2021, with intent to harm or defraud another and without the consent of Tammy Hanson, possessed less than five items of identifying information of Hanson including names, dates of birth, account numbers, passwords, private client information that was on an iPhone.
Laderha Hebert was indicted for assault public servant, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on April 30, 2022, Hebert recklessly caused bodily injury to Shelby County Sheriff's Deputy Aaron Jones by kicking him in the head and Jones was a public servant lawfully discharging an official duty, namely detaining the defendant.
John Michael Brumfield was indicted for forgery financial instrument, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on October 31, 2021, Brumfield made a writing so it purported to be the act of Michael Alexander as treasurer for Union Missionary Baptist Church, who did not authorize the act, and said writing was a check of the tenor following: $400.
(Dates in parenthesis indicate the date of the alleged incident):
- Giselle Salinas, possession of a controlled substance PG2 <1G (tetrahydrocannabinol, other than marijuana), state jail felony (May 20, 2022).
- Margie Stahl, possession of a controlled substance PG 1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (June 2, 2022).
- Dontay Demond Barnes, possession of a controlled substance PG 1/1-B <1G (phencyclidine), state jail felony (April 8, 2022).
- Jimmy Dale Chamberlain, possession of a controlled substance PG 1/1-B >=1G<4G (methamphetamine), enhanced - second degree felony (March 23, 2022).
- Rodney Dewayne Gray, possession of a controlled substance PG 1/1-B >=1G<4G (phencyclidine), third degree felony (April 8, 2022).
- Justin Warren Hightower, driving while intoxicated - 3rd or more, third degree felony (May 22, 2022).
- Lawonda Jean Roland, possession of a controlled substance PG 1/1-B <1G (phencyclidine), state jail felony (May 10, 2022).
- Keith Monroe Harris, possession of a controlled substance PG 1/1-B >=1G<4G (methamphetamine), third degree felony (April 8, 2022).
- Keith Monroe Harris, possession of a controlled substance PG 1/1-B >=1G<4G (methamphetamine), third degree felony (December 2, 2021).
- Laderha Hebert, driving while intoxicated with child under 15 years of age, state jail felony (April 30, 2022).
- David Vincent Tillotson, possession of a controlled substance PG 1/1-B >=1G<4G (methamphetamine), third degree felony (March 24, 2022).
- Gustavo Pallares, possession of marijuana >4oz<=5lbs, state jail felony (April 30, 2022).
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.
December 16, 2022 - Timpson Volunteer Fire Department was called out to a house fire at 2:48am Thursday, December 15, 2022, on CR 4020.
Upon arrival, fire personnel discovered a dwelling fully involved and a second portable structure fully involved as well.
Timpson VFD fire fighters worked to extinguish the flames and overhauled on the hot spots that remained until 5am when the scene was cleared and all units returned to the station.
No injuries were reported as the house was vacant at the time of the fire.
Shelby County, Texas Included in Settlement Agreement
December 16, 2022 – Attorney General Paxton announced a planned $3.1 billion settlement with Walmart, with over $168 million designated for Texas, for Walmart’s role in the nationwide opioid epidemic. The agreement will largely track the terms of the Global Prescription Opioid Litigation Settlement Agreement with the opioids distributors that was executed in July 2021.
“The opioid epidemic has had devastating impacts on millions of Americans, and we are hopeful that we will reach a final agreement on all terms to ensure that Walmart is held responsible for their role in it,” said Attorney General Paxton. “This settlement is yet another example of my office’s commitment to protecting the people of Texas and ensuring that we hold accountable those who have violated the law and worsened the effects of the opioid epidemic.”
This agreement is the latest opioid settlement that Attorney General Paxton has negotiated for Texas. To date, Attorney General Paxton has secured approximately $2.4 billion for Texas from the manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies, and others that caused the opioid crisis, including Walmart, Allergan, Mallinckrodt, Teva, Endo, Johnson & Johnson, and McKinsey.
Attorney General Paxton worked closely on these negotiations with the Attorneys General of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.
To read the full settlement agreement, click here.
December 13, 2022 - The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a Tornado Warning for East central Nacogdoches County in eastern Texas, South central Shelby County in eastern Texas, Northern San Augustine County in eastern Texas until 5:15pm CST.
At 4:28 PM CST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located 9 miles northeast of Etoile, or 21 miles southeast of Nacogdoches, moving northeast at 30 mph.
Hazard: Tornado.
Source: Radar indicated rotation.
Impact: Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.
This dangerous storm will be near San Augustine and Bland Lake around 4:55pm CST. Neuville around 5pm CST.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Calgary, Chireno and Denning.
Precautionary/Preparedness Actions
Take Cover Now! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a Tornado Warning for West central Sabine Parish in northwestern Louisiana, Southeastern Shelby County in eastern Texas, East central San Augustine County in eastern Texas, Northwestern Sabine County in eastern Texas. Until 2:30om CST.
At 2pm CST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Rosevine, or 26 miles southeast of Center, moving northeast at 40 mph.
Hazard: Tornado.
Source: Radar indicated rotation.
Impact:: Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.
This dangerous storm will be near Milam around 2:10pm CST. Zwolle around 2:30pm CST.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Sexton, Toledo Bend Reservoir North and Huxley.
Precautionary/Preparedness Actions
Take Cover Now! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
December 13, 2022 - Center ISD is going to release campuses and buses an hour earlier than normal today due to the potential forecasted weather. Parents, if you want to get your student please feel free to do so. We are trying to ensure the safety of our car riders and bus riders.
December 13, 2022 - Due to the threat of severe weather conditions in the area, Tenaha ISD will release at the end of 7th period today, Tuesday, December 13th at 2:31pm. Buses will be rolling by 2:35pm. Basketball games for this evening are postponed until tomorrow at 5pm.
December 13, 2022 - Joaquin ISD will release early today at 1:30pm due to weather.
Defember 13, 2022 - Shelbyville ISD will Early Release today, Dec. 13 at 1pm due to possible bad weather.
December 12, 2022 - The U.S. Highway 59 North on-ramp in Tenaha was the scene of an 18-wheeler roll over crash Saturday, December 10, 2022.
Emergency personnel with the Tenaha Volunteer Fire Department, Shelby County Sheriff's Department, and EMS personnel responded to the scene to assist those involved in the crash.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Ashley White, at around 7:30am a white 2015 Kenworth truck-tractor driven by Raif Turner, 55, of Lubbock hauling a tanker carrying miscellaneous materials was traveling the U.S 59 North on-ramp.
Turner failed to control speed and lost control through the turn before the truck-tractor left the roadway to the left and overturned onto its driver's side.
Tenaha VFD personnel utilized Jaws of Life to extricate Turner from the cab of the Kenworth and assisted EMS in moving him to a nearby ambulance before transporting him to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department for possible treatment.
Wrecker crews worked with a Hazmat crew to clear the scene by around 2pm.
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