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July 21, 2022 - State Highway 7 West was the scene of a two-vehicle crash on July 15, 2022, just under seven miles from Center in the Mt. Herman community.
Accoring to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones, upon arrival just after 2:51pm the roadway was blocked by two passenger vehicles involved in the crash. During investigation it was determined a grey 2010 Ford Edge driven by Angela Escobedo, 24, of Tenaha exited a private driveway onto State Highway 7 West preparing to turn west.
The Edge failed to yield right of way to a white 2021 Lincoln Corsair driven by Saundra O'Connor, 60, of Center traveling eastbound which then struck the Edge on the driver's side, causing major damage to both vehicles.
Escobedo and her passenger Eulalia Guadalupe-Solis, 54, were transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Medical Center for treatment. O'Connor was transported by private vehicle to Shreveport for treatment of her injuries.
A 4-year-old minor female passenger in the Edge was not injured and was tranported from the scene by a family member.
Escobedo was issued a citation for fail to yield right of way private drive.
West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department and Shelby County Sheriff's Deputies assisted in directing traffic past the crash scene.
July 21, 2022 - The Shelby County Commissioners took no action to lift the burn ban during their July 20, 2022, meeting due to the continued drought and need for a substantial amount of rain.
Stevie Smith, Commissioner Precinct 3, explained his desire to borrow funds from the CRF (Coronavirus Relief Fund) to purchase a new truck for his precinct.
He said he looked at a pickup truck at Center Motor Company and has been looking over his budget with Clint Porterfield, County Auditor, and he said he would be cutting it a little close on his budget.
"[Center Motor Company] told us they'd finance it for me for three months, came back and talked with [Clint Porterfield] and the PO (purchase order) would have been written this year," said Smith. "It would be better just to borrow the money from the fund and replace it in my next year's budget."
Porterfield added Smith would have some funding opportunities that would become available soon and CTIF reimbursements (County Transportation Infrastructure Fund) coming.
"We did discuss that as soon as possible, when this money is available, that the treasurer would then process a check to reimburse the CRF fund from his budget, or from these income funds that he would be receiving," said Porterfield. "We would not carry this over very long into next year. Hopefully, we'll do it this year with the sale of this equipment."
A motion carried to approve borrowing funds from the CRF to purchase a new truck.
The meeting then moved on to setting deadlines to take sealed bids on a 2007 Ford pickup truck belonging to Commissioner Precinct 3.
"We didn't put that in the motion last week, so we need to clarify that, how long we're going to take bids," said Judge Allison Harbison.
A motion carried to have bids in by August 9 to be opened on the court date of August 10.
Two pieces of equipment Smith was seeking to post on Purple Wave for sale included a 2007 CAT Excavator and a 2011 CAT D6K Dozer. Smith explained the equipment is good, he just has more efficient equipment.
"I've been in office 20 months now, there hasn't been 10 gallons of fuel burnt through either one of them," said Smith. "The reason why, they're so big it takes an 18-wheeler to move them."
A motion carried to take online bids with Purple Wave for the sale of a 2007 Cat Excavator, which was followed by a motion to take online bids with Purple Wave for the sale of a 2011 Cat D6K Dozer.
The meeting then adjourned at 9:38am.
Agenda items approved during the July 20 meeting include: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Current payroll. 3. Commissioner Pct.3 to borrow funds from the CRF fund to purchase a new truck. 4. Set deadlines for sealed bids on 2007 Ford Truck with bids to be in by 8/9/2022 and opened on 8/10/2022. 5. Commissioner Pct. 3 to take online bids with Purple Wave for the sale of a 2007 Cat Excavator. 6. Commissioner Pct. 3 to take online bids with Purple Wave for the sale of a 2011 Cat D6K Dozer. 7. Adjourn.
July 20, 2022 - Five Way Water and Choice Water request no outside watering by their customers until further notice due to drought conditions.
Updated: The suspect is now in custody as of 10:25am.
July 20, 2022 - The DeSoto Sheriff's Department is seeking the public's help in locating a bank robbery suspect.
According to an alert from DeSoto Sheriff's Department, around 9am this morning, Progressive Bank in Logansport was robbed. The suspect, identified in the picture with vehicle, is described as a slender black male, black shirt, jeans and high top Air Jordan's. Suspect was in a maroon truck, TX RSS2757.
If you should see this vehicle or can identify the suspect, please contact 911.
Further details may be released at a later time.
July 20, 2022 - The National Weather Service, Shreveport, LA issued at 3:07am on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 the Excessive Heat Warning remains in effect until 7pm this evening.
Dangerously hot conditions with high temperatures between 100 and 105 degrees and heat index values up to 114.
All of north central and northwest Louisiana, south-central and southwest Arkansas, southeast Oklahoma, and northeast Texas.
Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities.
Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.
Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.
Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.
Areas in Louisiana includes De Soto, Red River, Sabine, Natchitoches, Winn, Grant, Caldwell, La Salle. Texas counties include Cherokee, Rusk, Panola, Nacogdoches, Shelby, Angelina, and San Augustine. Including the cities of Mansfield, Stonewall, Logansport, Coushatta, Martin, Many, Zwolle, Pleasant Hill, Natchitoches, Winnfield, Colfax, Montgomery, Dry Prong, Clarks, Grayson, Columbia, Jena, Midway, Ella, Jacksonville, Rusk, Henderson, Carthage, Nacogdoches, Center, Lufkin, San Augustine, Hemphill, and Pineland.
Update: The Forest Service reported at 9:47am Wednesday, July 20, 2022, the forest fire on CR 1022 is fully contained. The size of the fire was increased to 70 acres.
Update: The Forest Service reported at 9:55pm the 65-acre wild fire is 80% contained.
July 19, 2022 - The Texas A&M Forest Service along with the Center Fire Department and the Huxley Volunteer Fire Department are working to contain a 65-acre forest fire in the area of CR 1022 in the southern part of Shelby County. Several residents in the area have been evacuated as a precaution.
Center FD was paged out to a grass fire at 4:45pm to 321 CR 1022. Shortly after arriving on scene the fire quickly spread across the roadway, CR 1022, to be burning on both sides. Assistance was requested from the Forest Service who arrived to assess the situation and estimated 25 acres to be involved.
The Texas Forest Service has two bull dozers on the ground working and as of 7:30pm a U.S. Forest Service bull dozer has arrived to assist. The Forest Service also has a plane flying the area evaluating the fire. The Center FD and Huxley VFD are on scene near homes in the area to provide protection. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Department is assisting with road blocks in the area which has been closed off to traffic.
The latest update at 7:40pm estimates the fire to be 65 acres and is currently 20% contained. Current wind speed is blowing south 12 mph according to the Center Municipal Airport (KF17). The temperature is 99 degrees.
July 19, 2022 - State Highway 7 (SH 7) East at the intersection of SL 500 was the scene of a two-vehicle crash July 14, 2022.
Emergency responders with the Center Fire Department and Texas Department of Public Safety arrived at the scene to assist the Center Police Department officers.
According to Center Police Officer Spencer Anderson, at around 2pm a black 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche Octavia Lampkin, 74, of Timpson was turning from loop 500 onto SH 7 westbound with passenger Jimmy Lampkin, 75.
The Avalanche failed to yield to a silver 2003 Honda Pilot driven by Shantella Peoples, 41, of Mansfield, LA who was westbound on SH 7 and was unable to avoid colliding with the Avalanche.
Peoples and Octavia Lampkin were both transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of possible injury.
No citations were issued at the time of the crash incident.
July 19, 2022 - The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the theft of a vehicle. On July 18, 2022, between 12:30pm and 4pm, a blue 2016 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab was removed from the side of the road on CR 3080 in Joaquin.
The Texas license plate on the vehicle is HCV5231. If you have seen this vehicle or have information on the location of it, you are asked to contact Investigator Chad Hooper at 936-572-5045.
*Note: This is a stock photo of the vehicle*
July 19, 2022 - The SCSO is seeking the whereabouts of 15 year-old Tatiana Gordwin. Gordwin has been missing from Timpson since July 14, 2022. Gordwin is a black female, 5’2″ tall and approximately 130 pounds. Gordwin is considered a runaway. If you have any information on Gordwin or her whereabouts, please contact the SCSO at 936-598-5601.
July 18, 2022 - Drought conditions are widespread across the state. The City of Center is experiencing mild drought conditions with no rain forecast in the near future. We encourage all citizens to help conserve our precious water resources. The City of Center is asking residents to assist the City with conserving water based on the City’s Drought Contingency Plan.
To assist, residents and businesses should:
• Voluntarily reduce watering of landscape, water between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.
• Voluntarily reduce water usage in the home or business
• Repair known leaks (dripping faucets, running toilets)
With your help, these voluntary measures could significantly reduce the water demand and in turn hold off any mandatory limitations set forth in the Drought Contingency Plan required by the State of Texas.
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