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August 2, 2023 - The Shelby County Commissioners approved the hiring of a deputy for the Constable Precinct 5 office during their meeting held July 26, 2023.
Following an executive session which they went into immediately after 9:30am, the commissioners returned to open session after the hour long closed session.
Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, moved to allow Constable Josh Tipton to move forward with the employment of Travis Allen Vaughn at a starting salary matching that of a Sheriff’s Department deputy salary, with no overtime pay, any overtime will be compensated through comp time and date of hire is tentatively August 2, 2023. Tom Bellmyer, Commissioner Precinct 4, move to second McSwain’s motion and the motion carried.
The commissioners met during executive session with their legal counsel, Reed Martin, representing them in ongoing opioid litigation and discussed authorizing the County Judge to execute the settlement participation and release forms regarding settlement offers from Walgreens, CVS, and Walmart in the matter of Texas Opioid multi-district litigation for the County in the matter of County of Shelby vs. Purdue Pharma, L.P.et al.
John Price, County Attorney, said the total amount the county is to receive is $77,622.81 paid over terms which vary over the different pharmacy companies.
The statewide opioid settlement amount collectively is $706,146,640.02 and Walgreens will pay theirs over 15 years; CVS will pay theirs over 10 years; and Walmart will pay theirs over six years. The total direct funds from Walgreens are calculated to be $31,895.63; CVS funds are calculated to be $29,301.22; and Walmart funds re calculated to be $16,425.96.
A motion by Stevie Smith, Commissioner Precinct 3, was seconded by Commissioner Bellmyer to approve the settlement and authorize the County Judge to sign the paperwork and the motion carried.
The commissioners considered the disbursement of the Family Protection Fund and Commissioner McSwain moved to disburse Fund 79 in the amount of $5,627.97 at 60% to the Shelby County Children’s Advocacy Center; 20% to Pineywoods Family Outreach; and 20% to CASA of Deep East Texas. Jimmy Lout, Commissioner Precinct 2, provided a second and the motion carried.
The commissioners considered a three-year lease contract with KnowInk for the Election Administration office for 30 iPads at a cost of $9,858. Commissioner Bellmyer moved to enter into the contract with KnowInk and Commissioner McSwain seconded the motion, which carried.
A Cap Fleet Buyboard quote to outfit the vehicle purchased for Constable Precinct 4 was discussed among the court, and Judge Allison Harbison explained GM designated 500 Tahoes to Cap Fleet, which were to have at least $15,000 worth of equipment on them for the use of law enforcement, and the vehicle being discussed is one of those 500.
Judge Harbison said, in doing research the vehicle is determined to be a 2023 which cannot be purchased outside of the program. As a result, the only alternative would be a 2024 model, and those cost $7,000 more.
Commissioner Bellmyer moved to approve the quote from Cap Fleet on the automobile and equipment, Commissioner Smith seconded the motion, and the motion carried.
Commissary Services Agreement between Shelby County and CTC Commissary, LLC were considered by the commissioners and Shelby County Sheriff Chief Ruth Gonzales explained the contract is a trial for 180 days, and the county can back out of the contract if they so desire at that time. The company would handle money that is deposited for inmates for commissary and would eliminate the jail having to keep track of the funds.
Ann Blackwell, County Treasurer, interjected and commented the Sheriff’s Department has previously had a system like the one being considered and that it worked well. She said the best part of a program like it is the county no longer hands checks to inmates and instead gives them a debit card with their remaining balance, which helps the county to close those accounts and not wait on the check to clear.
Blackwell encouraged trying the new company out as the county’s previous experience with Keefe Group, the previous company that handled commissary, had been good.
Commissioner Bellmyer moved to approve the contract with CTC Commissary, LLC for the trial period, and Commissioner Smith gave a second. The motion carried.
The commissioners discussed sealed bids that were opened on May 24 on a 2012 through 2022 Truck Tractor tandem-axle 400 plus HP in good condition used or new for Commissioner Pct. 3. Commissioner Smith moved to reject both bids being considered and Commissioner McSwain provided a second, and the motion carried.
Judge Harbison said she spoke with Sheriff Kevin Windham, and he was in favor of the commissioners considering the Sheriff’s Department allocating one or two of their open positions to the jail, to work as jailers and assist in getting the non-compliance issues corrected.
The Texas Commission on Jail Standards found the Shelby County Jail to be non-compliant in March 2023 regarding routine intervals of 30-minute and 60-minute checks that were being exceeded, and the jail has been working to get under control since that time.
Judge Harbison said there was a meeting included Lt. Chad Hooper, Capt. DJ Dickerson, and Leah Chase about the compliance issues.
“We’ve got to get the non-compliance fixed and [Chief Gonzales] has been working on this,” said Judge Harbison.
Judge Harbison said Gonzales feels it would be beneficial to have two more full-time jailers to strictly make sure all of the rules and regulations are enforced on cell checks and things of that nature. With five or six open deputy positions at this time, the county has some flexibility in utilizing the funds for those positions in the jail for the time being.
During discussion, Chief Gonzales revealed a new Jail Administrator has been hired and his name is John Mills, who has been Sergeant, and he is being given 90 days.
Commissioner McSwain moved to allocate funds for two deputy positions to jailer positions, Commissioner Bellmyer seconded the motion and it carried.
The meeting adjourned at 11:25am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Allow Constable Josh Tipton to move forward with the employment of Travis Allen Vaughn at a starting salary matching that of a Sheriff’s Department deputy salary, with no overtime pay, any overtime will be compensated through comp time and date of hire is tentatively August 2, 2023. 2. Pay weekly expenses, with the exception of two invoices for fuel Commissioners McSwain and Bellmyer paid for using their county credit cards and thusly negating any need for reimbursement. 3. Current payroll. 4. Authorize the County Judge to execute the Settlement participation and release forms regarding settlement offers from Walgreens, CVS, and Walmart in the matter of Texas Opioid multi-district litigation for the County in the matter of County of Shelby vs. Purdue Pharma, L.P.et al. 5. Disburse Fund 79 – Family Protection Fund in the amount of $5,627.97 at 60% to the Shelby County Children’s Advocacy Center; 20% to Pineywoods Family Outreach; and 20% to CASA of Deep East Texas.. 6. Three-year lease contract with KnowInk for the Election Administration office for iPads. 7. Cap Fleet Buyboard quote to outfit the vehicle purchased for Constable Precinct 4. 8. Commissary Services Agreement between Shelby County and CTC Commissary, LLC for a trial period. 9. Void the PurpleWave auction contract to sell a Pct. 1 Cat Maintainer which was approved on July 12, 2023. 10. Commissioner Pct. 3 to auction off a Volvo 950 Motor Grader Maintainer Serial # 40518 on PurpleWave. 11. Ratify the Order of Outdoor Burning County Wide. 12. Sheriff’s office to auction off a 2012 Sierra Travel Trailer (VIN 4X4FSEK21CJ036532), 2008 Crown Vic (2FAFP71V28X180691), and 2008 Jeep Laredo (VIN 1J8GS48K68C109832) on PurpleWave. 13. Sealed bids that were opened on May 24th on a 2012 through 2022 Truck Tractor tandem-axle 400 plus HP in good condition used or new for Commissioner Pct. 3. 14. Allow the Sheriff’s office to allocate one or two of their open positions to the jail, to work as jailers and assist in getting the non-compliance issues corrected. 15. Accept the withdrawal of the bid from Donnie Fountain Construction for the Pct. 3 Road and Bridge Maintenance Barn. 16. Award bid to Cornerstone Manufacturing and Construction for the Pct. 3 Road and Bridge Barn in the amount of $170,908. 17. Go out for bids on new vehicles through BuyBoard for Constable Pct. 1, 2, and 3. 18. Adjourn at 11:26am.
August 1, 2023 - (Update 2:55pm) The Shelby County Sheriff's Department has issued a press release, which reads as follows: Shelby County Sheriff Kevin W. Windham reports that on Monday, July 31, 2023, at approximately 9:45pm, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding a shooting incident that had reportedly occurred at a residence located at 6190 FM 138 in Center. Law enforcement personnel responded and discovered a male subject identified as Elmer Gene Richards, 54, of Center, deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. The suspect in the shooting incident was identified as Elmer’s brother, James Wayne Richards, 58, of Center.
Preliminary information is that Elmer and James were involved in an argument that escalated into the shooting incident. James Richards was arrested for first degree murder and transported to the Shelby County jail.
Elmer Richards was pronounced by Justice of the Peace – Precinct 1, Donna Hughes, and an autopsy has been ordered.
This case is actively being investigated. If you have any information regarding this investigation, please contact the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office at (936) 598-5601.
(Update - 12:43pm): According to the Shelby County Jail booking log, James Richards, 58, of Center has been arrested and charged with murder, felony 1.
A residence just under five miles from Center on FM 138 is the scene of a shooting incident currently under investigation by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department.
Assisted by additional units from county constables and Texas Game Wardens, investigators cordoned the area at the front of the residence with crime scene tape where the victim was located while they gathered evidence.
According to Shelby County Sheriff’s Lt. Chad Hooper, at approximately 10pm the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department received a call on FM 138 of a possible shooting. Once deputies arrived on scene, a deceased male individual was located.
Another individual is in custody, and the incident remains under investigation. Additional information is pending release by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department.
Donna Hughes, Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1, performed the inquest of the deceased individual, and Watson & Sons Funeral Home transported him from the scene.
The Sheriff’s Department was assisted by the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Game Wardens and Shelby County Constables Jamie Hagler, Josh Tipton and Zack Warr.
Photo courtesy Timpson Volunteer Fire Department
July 31, 2023 - A train collided with a trailer load of hay just outside of Timpson Monday, July 31, 2023.
Timpson Volunteer Fire Department, Constable Precinct 5 office, and Texas Department of Public Safety all responded to the crash scene.
According to Union Pacific Railroad Media Relations, at about 3pm CDT today, a southbound Union Pacific train collided with a trailer carrying hay about three miles southwest of Timpson.
No one was injured.
The incident occurred at a private crossing after a trailer being pulled by a tractor became stuck on the railroad tracks. The tractor was no longer attached to the trailer at the time of the collision.
Photo courtesy Timpson Volunteer Fire Department
July 31, 2023 - State Highway 87 South near CR 2124 was the scene of a major crash involving a truck tractor and a house.
Emergency responders hurried to the scene of the crash incident Monday, July 31, 2023, at around 10:10am.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones, a white 2013 Western Star, owned by Southern Transport, LLC of Gladewater, and driven by Johi Arthur William St-Clair, 45, was northbound on State Highway 87 south of Shelbyville.
At that time his front right steer tire blew, which caused St-Clair to lose control as the truck exited the roadway to the right and struck a pine tree on the left side of the truck and then continued until it came to rest inside of a residence.
St-Clair was transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Medical Center- Shelby Emergency Department for observation of medical needs. No charges were filed at the time of the crash.
No one was reported to have been inside of the house at the time of the collision.
Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department and Center Fire Department assisted at the scene.
July 31, 2023 - Over the week of July 23rd through 29th the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department had 5 calls. Here’s a summary of the week’s events.
Sunday at 8:27pm a page was received for someone with a broken arm at the Joaquin ISD football field. The JVFD medical team responded and put a splint on the patient’s arm before Allegiance EMS arrived to transport.
Later Sunday night, two calls were received within minutes of each other. The first was in regards to a person requesting EMS transportation to the ER due to a issue they were having, and the second was a person with pressure in their chest at the Joaquin Apartments. In both cases, the JVFD medical team and Allegiance EMS were dispatched.
Wednesday night at 7:57 the Joaquin VFD responded to a structure fire on County Road 3689. Upon arriving on scene first responders found two mobile homes set close to each other, one of which had burned almost completely to the ground, with the other catching fire on one end. The JVFD, with help from Center and Tenaha Fire Departments, were able to stop the fire in the second mobile home before it reached the other end, and put out what remained of the first mobile home. No one was in either house at the time of the fire.
Saturday at 11:11am a call came in for someone having trouble breathing on Highway 7 East. The JVFD med team responded as well as Allegiance EMS and the patient received the help they needed.
With that, this edition of the report will come to a close. The Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department hopes everyone has a great and safe week ahead.
Related article: Joaquin VFD Fights Dual House Fire; Other Departments Assist
July 27, 2023 - Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department (JVFD) responded to a dual house fire on July 26, 2023, on CR 3689 at around 7:30pm.
When fire personnel arrived at the scene of the fire, one mobile home was fully involved in fire and surrounding woods had also caught on fire.
Tenaha Volunteer Fire Department and Center Fire Department arrived to give additional support in extinguishing the fire as it began to catch a second mobile home just nearby.
Firefighters gained entry to the second structure and attacked the fire from within, while other units continued to engage the first structure.
The fire departments were able to save the second structure and prevent additional nearby buildings from catching on fire.
At this time additional details are pending release from the JVFD.
July 27, 2023 - Law enforcement officials are investigating a shooting incident that took place around 1:40pm Thursday, July 27, 2023, in the Timpson area.
According to Constable Josh Tipton, Precinct 5, Shelby County Sheriff’s Department dispatch received a call alerting to a possible accidental shooting at a residence in the 200 block of CR 4855. As Sheriff’s Department deputies were en-route to the scene, additional units were requested of other agencies to assist.
Constable Tipton was first on scene, and at that time the victim was observed within the residence to have injuries while EMS was already en-route.
Another individual at the scene was detained, and precautionary measures were taken for the purposes of protecting evidence and the detained individual was placed in Constable Tipton’s vehicle.
A short time later, when EMS arrived, it was determined the victim had succumbed to their injuries from a single gunshot wound.
Shelby County Sheriff’s Lt. Chad Hooper was notified by Constable Tipton of the circumstances at that time.
Investigators with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, and Constable Precinct 5 Office then processed the scene within the residence.
Tracy Broadway, Precinct 5 Justice of the Peace, performed the inquest at the scene and Taylor Funeral Home transported the individual from the residence. An autopsy has been ordered and will be performed in Dallas.
Additional information is unavailable at this time, due to those involved being juveniles and the incident remains under investigation.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Department and Constable Precinct 5 office thank the Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers for assisting at the scene, and Timpson Volunteer Fire Department for providing drinking water at the scene.
July 26, 2023 - FM 1970 was the scene of a single-vehicle crash near CR 4855 on July 24, 2023, at around 1:30pm.
Emergency responders with the Timpson Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched to the scene to aid anyone involved in the crash and divert traffic.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Tim Grace, a white GMC Yukon driven by Billy Dale Nicholson, 73, was westbound on FM 1970 when it left the roadway to the right, and then re-entered the roadway in a side skid before rolling one time and coming to rest on its wheels.
Nicholson was transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Medical Center in Nacogdoches with minor injuries.
A citation was issued for fail to drive in a single lane.
July 26, 2023 - County Road 2050 was the scene of a dual house fire Sunday, July 23, 2023, which was responded to by two fire departments and the Texas Forest Service.
According to the Center Fire Department, firefighters were called out at 3:05pm for a structure fire, and with smoke being visible once the fire truck was on Loop 500, Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department was contracted to assist before firefighters arrived at the scene. Once at the 300 block of CR 2050, one house was fully involved in fire and had already collapsed. A vehicle beside the house was also fully involved, and another vehicle was in immediate danger of catching on fire.
Firefighters were able to save the other vehicle, which was heavily damaged.
The fire went through the woods by the first structure into a pasture, and a slightly wooded area, where it caught a vacant mobile home on fire as well. The fire personnel saved the second house, which was approximately a third damaged. Texas Forest Service mapped somewhere between five and 10 acres which had burned.
As the fire progressed, some of the fire crews were dispatched to a nearby roadway on the other side of the fire to perform structure protection on County Road 2231 until the bull dozer could get there and finish building a fire break.
The cause of the fire is unknown.
Area fire departments have continued to respond to wildfires in Shelby County. Residents are encouraged to continue to comply with the burn ban.
July 25, 2023 - State Highway 87 North near CR 1615 was the scene of a major single-vehicle crash Friday, July 21, 2023.
Members of the Timpson Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene and assisted in extricating the driver from the vehicle and moving him to an ambulance. The highway was shut down by the fire department for a period of time after that to allow for a life flight helicopter to land on the roadway and transport the driver from the scene.
According to information from Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Troopers investigated the crash just [south] of Farm-to-Market Road 1645.
The preliminary crash investigation indicates that a red 2020 Dodge Ram Laramie pickup truck driven by Gregory Stanford, 33, of Timpson was traveling east. It is reported that the driver failed to drive in a single lane to the right and struck a tree.
Stanford was transported to LSU Shreveport for treatment. Stanford was cited for failing to drive in a single lane, not wearing a safety belt, and having an open container in the vehicle.
Also assisting at the scene were the Constable Precinct 5 office and Shelby County Sheriff's Department.
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