The story headline links to a better view of the story and share features.
News
November 6, 2020 - After multiple reports of storage buildings being burglarized in the City of Center over a period of several months, Center Police Department Street Crimes Detectives were able to develop a suspect vehicle by security camera footage.
A Bolo Report was put out within the Department in an attempt to locate the vehicle. Officer M. Davidson located the vehicle and made an identification of the driver the first night the Bolo was released.
The following morning Detectives traveled to the residence of the suspected person and was able to identify stolen property at the residence. Several Interviews were conducted for the next couple days and multiple suspects were identified and a large amount of property was located.
This investigation has been lengthy and the individuals responsible are in jail on multiple Felony Offenses.
There were approximately seven different individuals arrested in relation to this case and more warrants are pending. The most important thing is that the stolen property has been returned to the owners and there is still property to be returned.
If you were a victim of a burglary of a storage building in the City recently and you did not report it, please contact the Center Police Department. If you have a storage building and you have not checked on your property lately, please do.
November 5, 2020 - Timpson ISD held a Board of Trustee election November 3, 2020 for two seats on the board. Two seats were up for election and three candidates were vying for the positions.
After the votes were tallied, those who won seats on the board were Tammy Sparks and Brinson Stewart.
The results are as follows with candidates listed in the order they appeared on the ballot:
- Carlos Johnson - 191
- Brinson Stewart - 255
- Tammy Sparks - 330
November 4, 2020 - College Street in Center was the scene of a house fire Wednesday, November 4, 2020 around 1:15pm.
When firemen arrived at the scene of the fire, smoke was billowing from within and it was yet to be determined if anyone was inside the house.
As the firemen worked to extinguish the flames they quickly learned the house was a duplex and they then gained access to the front of the house to fight fire from both sides.
No one was within the structure when the fire began and the firemen were able to put out the fire before the entire building became involved.
November 4, 2020 - The citizens of the City of Tenaha voted to adopt a new local sales and use tax at the rate of 2%. With 169 voters coming to the poll, the new tax rate passed with a total of 116 voting 'for' and 53 voting 'against.'
The voting breakdown:
Early Voting (Total Ballots 44)
- For - 38
- Against - 6
Election Day (Total Ballots 125)
- For - 78
- Against - 47
November 3, 2020 - The City of Tenaha has one item on the November 3rd ballot - “The adoption of a local sales and use tax in the City of Tenaha at the rate of 2%.”
Voting today, November 3, 2020 for Precinct 8 (Tenaha) is at the First Methodist Church - Schiede Hall, 256 N. George Bowers Drive, Tenaha, Texas 75974.
Polls are open from 7am until 7pm.
Update 9:06pm - All boxes are in and 64.83% of the registered voters in Shelby County voiced their opinion at the polls in the 2020 November 3rd General Election. For Shelby County, the voters were definitely more Republican than Democrat representatives.
For local election results, the City of Joaquin voted in three council members - Steve Cockrell, incumbent Frank Cooper, and incumbent Jessie Griffith. To see the election results for Joaquin, they are listed below the General election results.
November 3, 2020 - Finally, election day is here and results are coming in! Not sure what has haunted 2020 more - COVID-19 or the election as both have had polarizing effects for the country.
However, 2020 has brought the voters to the polls in record numbers. Shelby County had 7,000 voters cast their votes early and mail-in! For perspective, in the last presidential election early voter turnout was 4,781 and election day had 5,609 ballots added to the early voters for a total of 10,390. With 1,500 more early voters this year over 2016, it's exciting to see if the total voter turnout on election day will set another record in this crazy year.
Results will be updated as they come in.
Election results are below. (City of Joaquin and City of Tenaha results are located below General Election Results)
Election statistics
Registered Voters (Total) - 15,585
Ballots Cast (Total) - 10,104
Ballots Cast (Early and Mail-in) - 7,000
Ballots Cast (Election Day) - 3,104
| PRESIDENT / VICE-PRESIDENT |
| Donald J. Trump / Michael R. Pence (REP) -- 79.05% |
| Early 5,398 | Election Day 2,564 | TOTAL 7,962 |
| Joseph R. Biden / Kamala D. Harris (DEM) -- 20.43% |
| Early 1,552 | Election Day 506 | TOTAL 2,058 |
| Jo Jorgensen / Jeremy "Spike" Cohen (LIB) -- 0.36% |
| Early 22 | Election Day 14 | TOTAL 36 |
| Howie Hawkins / Angela Walker (GRN) -- 0.04% |
| Early 2 | Election Day 2 | TOTAL 4 |
| Write-in -- 0.12% |
| Early 4 | Election Day 8 | TOTAL 12 |
| UNITED STATES SENATOR |
| John Cornyn (REP) -- 78.77% |
| Early 5,356 | Election Day 2,498 | TOTAL 7,854 |
| Mary "MJ" Hegar (DEM) -- 20.19% |
| Early 1,493 | Election Day 520 | TOTAL 2,013 |
| Kerry Douglas McKennon (LIB) -- 0.75% |
| Early 48 | Election Day 27 | TOTAL 75 |
| David B. Collins (GRN) -- 0.27% |
| Early 15 | Election Day 12 | TOTAL 27 |
| Write-in -- 0.02% |
| Early 1 | Election Day 1 | TOTAL 2 |
| UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 1 |
| Louie Gohmert (REP) -- 79.98% |
| Early 5,169 | Election Day 2,354 | TOTAL 7,523 |
| Hank Gilbert (DEM) -- 20.02% |
| Early 1,423 | Election Day 460 | TOTAL 1,883 |
| RAILROAD COMMISSIONER |
| James "Jim" Wright (REP) -- 79.90% |
| Early 5,369 | Election Day 2,539 | TOTAL 7,908 |
| Chrysta Castaneda (DEM) -- 19.01% |
| Early 1,432 | Election Day 449 | TOTAL 1,881 |
| Matt Sterett (LIB) -- 0.82% |
| Early 51 | Election Day 30 | TOTAL 81 |
| Katija "Kat" Gruene (GRN) -- 0.27% |
| Early 16 | Election Day 11 | TOTAL 27 |
| CHIEF JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT |
| Nathan Hecht (REP) -- 74.14% |
| Early 5,007 | Election Day 2,276 | TOTAL 7,283 |
| Amy Clark Meachum (DEM) -- 19.32% |
| Early 1,444 | Election Day 454 | TOTAL 1,898 |
| Mark Ash (LIB) -- 6.54% |
| Early 361 | Election Day 281 | TOTAL 642 |
| JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT, PLACE 6 |
| Jane Bland (REP) -- 75.79% |
| Early 5,073 | Election Day 2,298 | TOTAL 7,371 |
| Kathy Cheng (DEM) -- 24.21% |
| Early 1,678 | Election Day 676 | TOTAL 2,354 |
| JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT, PLACE 7 |
| Jeff Boyd (REP) -- 74.64% |
| Early 5,022 | Election Day 2,270 | TOTAL 7,292 |
| Staci Williams (DEM) -- 19.20% |
| Early 1,423 | Election Day 453 | TOTAL 1,876 |
| William Bryan Strange III (LIB) -- 6.16% |
| Early 335 | Election Day 267 | TOTAL 602 |
| JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT, PLACE 8 |
| Brett Busby (REP) -- 79.43% |
| Early 5,090 | Election Day 2,318 | TOTAL 7,408 |
| Gisela D. Triana (DEM) -- 19.61% |
| Early 1,398 | Election Day 431 | TOTAL 1,829 |
| Tom Oxford (LIB) -- 0.95% |
| Early 53 | Election Day 36 | TOTAL 89 |
| JUDGE, COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS, PLACE 3 |
| Bert Richardson (REP) -- 79.77% |
| Early 5,335 | Election Day 2,525 | TOTAL 7,860 |
| Elizabeth Davis Frizell (DEM) -- 20.23% |
| Early 1,495 | Election Day 498 | TOTAL 1,993 |
| JUDGE, COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS, PLACE 4 |
| Kevin Patrick Yeary (REP) -- 79.78% |
| Early 5,325 | Election Day 2,519 | TOTAL 7,844 |
| Tina Clinton (DEM) -- 20.22% |
| Early 1,496 | Election Day 492 | TOTAL 1,988 |
| JUDGE, COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS, PLACE 9 |
| David Newell (REP) -- 80.27% |
| Early 5,323 | Election Day 2,512 | TOTAL 7,835 |
| Brandon Birmingham (DEM) -- 19.73% |
| Early 1,447 | Election Day 479 | TOTAL 1,926 |
| MEMBER, STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, DISTRICT 9 |
| Keven M. Ellis (REP) -- 79.32% |
| Early 5,304 | Election Day 2,506 | TOTAL 7,810 |
| Brenda Davis (DEM) -- 20.68% |
| Early 1,525 | Election Day 511 | TOTAL 2,036 |
| MEMBER, STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 9 |
| Chris Paddie (REP) -- 100% |
| Early 5,699 | Election Day 2,641 | TOTAL 8,340 |
| CHIEF JUSTICE, 12TH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT |
| Jim Worthen (REP) -- 100% |
| Early 5,838 | Election Day 2,694 | TOTAL 8,532 |
| DISTRICT JUDGE, 123RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT |
| Leann Kay Rafferty (REP) -- 100% |
| Early 5,699 | Election Day 2,586 | TOTAL 8,285 |
| DISTRICT ATTORNEY, 123RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT |
| Karren S. Price (REP) -- 100% |
| Early 5,730 | Election Day 2,588 | TOTAL 8,318 |
Unopposed Candidates Declared Elected
- County Attorney - Gary Rholes (REP)
- Sheriff - Kevin W. Windham (REP)
- County Tax Assessor-Collector - Debora Riley (REP)
- County Commissioner, Precinct No. 1 - Roscoe McSwain (REP)
- County Commissioner, Precinct No. 3 - Stevie Smith (REP)
- Justice of the Peace, Precinct No. 1, Unexpired Term - Donna Hughes (REP)
- Justice of the Peace, Precinct No. 3, Unexpired Term - Melba Rodgers (REP)
- Constable, Precinct No. 1 - Zack Warr (REP)
- Constable, Precinct No. 2 - Jamie Hagler (REP)
- Constable, Precinct No. 3 - Roy Cheatwood (REP)
- Constable, Precinct No. 4 - Taylor Fanguy (REP)
- Constable, Precinct No. 5 - Josh Tipton (REP)
City Election Results
City of Joaquin - 3 Council Positions
- Steve R. Cockrell - 68
- Frank Cooper - 80
- Floyd Blackman - 27
- Sage Davis - 23
- Krystal Sandifer Raybon - 53
- Jessie Griffith - 81
City of Tenaha Tax Rate - “The adoption of a local sales and use tax in the City of Tenaha at the rate of 2%.”
Passes with total of 116 voting 'for' and 53 voting 'against.'
Early Voting (Total Ballots 44)
- For - 38
- Against - 6
Election Day (Total Ballots 125)
- For - 78
- Against - 47
November 3, 2020 - The City of Joaquin is holding election for three at-large City Council seats from 7am until 7pm today, November 3, 2020.
The candidates are as follows and as they are ordered on the ballot:
- Steve R. Cockrell
- Frank Cooper (Incumbent)
- Floyd Blackman
- Sage Davis
- Krystal Sandifer Raybon (Incumbent)
- Jessie Griffith (Incumbent)
Voting today is held at 175 Faulkville Street, Joaquin, Texas 75954, at the Methodist Church.
November 2, 2020 (Printable sample ballot) - Notice is hereby given that the polling places listed below will be open for 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., November 3, 2020, for voting in the general election to elect Members of Congress, Members of the Legislature, and state, district, county, and precinct officers.
Locations of the Polling Places
- Precinct 1 N (Center) at First United Methodist Church, 211 N. Porter Street, Center, Texas 75935
- Precinct 1 SO (Center) at Church of Christ, 110 Hurst Street, Center, Texas 75935
- Precinct 1 SE (Center) at Panola College Center, 3600 Loop 500, Center, Texas 75935
- Precinct 1 SW (Center) at Center Community House, 423 San Augustine Street, Center, Texas 75935
- Precinct 1 W (Center) at JOI Ranch Building, 5198 FM 2026, Tenaha, Texas 75974
- Precinct 2 (Aiken) at Excelsior School, 11270 St. Hwy 7 W, Center, Texas 75935
- Precinct 3 (Sardis) at Campti Pentecostal Church, 6153 FM 414, Center, Texas 75935
- Precinct 4 (Huxley) at Lydia Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 14998 FM 139, Shelbyville, Texas 75973
- Precinct 5 (Joaquin) at First United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall, 175 Faulkville Road, Joaquin, Texas 75954
- Precinct 6 (Dreka) at Dreka Pentecostal Church, Fellowship Hall, 1193 FM 2427, Shelbyville, Texas 75973
- Precinct 7 (Shelbyville) at First Baptist Church - Shelbyville, Fellowship Hall, 5030 SH 87 South, Shelbyville, Texas 75973
- Precinct 8 (Tenaha) at First Methodist Church - Schiede Hall, 256 N. George Bowers Drive, Tenaha, Texas 75974
- Precinct 9N (Timpson) at American State Bank, 830 N. 1st Street West, Timpson, Texas 75975
- Precinct 9S (Timpson) at Timpson School Gym Foyer, 836 Bear Drive, Timpson, Texas 75975
Application for ballots by mail must be postmarked by Tuesday, November 3, 2020 by 7:00 p.m. and received no later than Wednesday, November 4, 2020 by 5:00 p.m.
November 3, 2020 - The Center Police Department is once again investigating the vandalism and attempted theft of a local bank automated teller machine (ATM) as of Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
Center Police Department Officers were at the scene of the incident around 5am just off the Center square at Citizens Bank where the ATM had been ripped from the concrete base it was once located on in the drive-through of the bank.
The badly damaged ATM was left nearby at the entrance to the drive-through.
Located behind a car dealership off Houston Street was a red 2000 Ford F-350 with a chain attached to it that apparently had been utilized in the incident. The truck also appeared to have been damaged enough in the attempted theft the would-be thieves left it behind.
It’s unclear at this time if the vandalism resulted in a theft; however, it did appear to have resulted in a great deal of expensive damage.
A similar attempted theft occurred at Shelby Savings Bank on October 17, 2020 just over a block away from Citizens Bank.
This information will be updated once more information is known from the Center Police Department.
Related Article:
Center Police Officers Foil Bank ATM Theft (Update Oct. 22)
November 2, 2020 - As of Sunday, November 1, 2020 the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reports Shelby County now has a cumulative case count of 554. The largest COVID-19 cases increase over the past 2 weeks fell on October 27th with 5 new cases reported. The total increase over the two week period was 15 new cases.
October 19th - cumulative total 539
October 20th - 0 new cases (cumulative total 539)
October 21st - 3 new cases (cumulative total 542)
October 22nd - 0 new cases (cumulative total 542)
October 23rd - 0 new cases (cumulative total 542)
October 24th - 0 new cases (cumulative total 542)
October 25th - 0 new cases (cumulative total 542)
October 26th - 2 new cases (cumulative total 544)
October 27th - 5 new cases (cumulative total 549)
October 28th - 1 new case (cumulative total 550)
October 29th - 3 new cases (cumulative total 553)
October 30th - 1 new case (cumulative total 554)
October 31st - 0 new cases (cumulative total 554)
November 1st - 0 new cases (cumulative total 554)
DSHS also reports 1 new death for Shelby County due to COVID-19 for a cumulative count of 31.
November 2, 2020 - The Shelby County Clerk's Office will be closed Monday, November 2, and Tuesday, November 3, due to the General Election. We will be in the office to answer any elections questions you have. You may call us at 936-598-6361. However, we will not be open for any other business these two days.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Pages
