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September 23, 2021 - According to the Texas DSHS Covid-19 Dashboard, the combined numbers of Monday through Wednesday show 29 new cases, 1 new death, and 45 estimated recoveries. Of the new cases, 0 were reported on September 20th, 10 were reported on September 21st, and 19 were reported on September 22nd.

The number of active cases is now 199.

September has had 299 new cases reported, 14 new deaths reported, and 282 estimated recoveries reported.

September 22nd Numbers: (changes since Sept. 21)
Confirmed Cases - 1,588 (5 new)
Probable Cases - 1,122 (14 new)
Fatalities - 90
Active Cases (Estimated) - 199
Recovered (Estimated) - 2,421 (16 new)

September 21st Numbers: (changes since Sept. 20)
Confirmed Cases - 1,583 (6 new)
Probable Cases - 1,108 (4 new)
Fatalities - 90 (1 new)
Active Cases (Estimated) - 197
Recovered (Estimated) - 2,405 (29 new)

September 20th Numbers: (changes since Sept. 19)
Confirmed Cases - 1,577 (0 new)
Probable Cases - 1,104 (0 new)
Fatalities - 89
Active Cases (Estimated) - 219
Recovered (Estimated) - 2,376 (0 new)


Pictured above are Hannah Reyna, Nacogdoches County Deputy Precinct 1 Constable, and Roy Cheatwood, Shelby County Constable Precinct 3.

September 22, 2021 - Shelby County Constables Josh Tipton, Precinct 5, and Roy Cheatwood, Precinct 3, have recently made the discovery of stolen guns in the Shelby County area. 

According to the constables, they discovered two guns on September 21, 2021, one of which had been stolen out of Nacogdoches County. This was predicated by the discovery of two other stolen guns on the previous week.

Constable Cheatwood returned a 9mm pistol to Hannah Reyna, Nacogdoches County Deputy Constable Precinct 1, who was investigating the theft of that gun from Nacogdoches County.

The constables want to relay to public citizens the importance of writing down serial numbers, taking photos, and somehow marking valuable items in such a way that is difficult for a thief to discover. That way in the event they are stolen, an individual would have records kept in a safe place for that time.


Pictured above are William Sowell, Nacogdoches County Precinct 1 Constable, and Hannah Reyna, Nacogdoches County Deputy Precinct 1 Constable  

Constables Cheatwood and Tipton stressed how important working with surrounding agencies is in making a positive impact in law enforcement.

The investigation continues and warrants are forthcoming on the responsible parties involved in the theft of the firearms.

September 22, 2021 - Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department reports at 1:25am on Wednesday, September 22nd, the fire department was dispatched to a reported structure fire in the 600 block of East Saddle Street in Joaquin. 

Firefighters arrived to find a single wide mobile home with heavy fire showing from the kitchen end of the structure. 

The home was occupied by a family of five at the time the fire was discovered. Fortunately, everyone got out safely. Firefighters entered the structure and performed an interior attack, achieving a quick knockdown of the fire. 

Despite the quick knockdown and extensive salvage and overhaul operations, the home and its contents were a total loss. 

After ensuring that all hot spots were extinguished, fire units returned to the station at 3:10am. 

The JVFD was assisted on the scene by units from Desoto Fire District #1.

September 21, 2021 - (Update): As of 6:20pm, Mr. Scruggs returned home safely.


September 21, 2021 - The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the whereabouts of Bruce E. Scruggs, 85, of Timpson. Scruggs is a white male, 6’2”, weighs approximately 210 pounds with green eyes and silver hair.

He was last seen driving a 2013 grey Dodge pickup with Texas plate CHS3569 on FM 2026 in the Timpson area. The Dodge truck has a silver toolbox in the back with a visible dent.

If you have any information on Scruggs’ location, or if you have seen him, please contact the SCSO immediately by calling 936-598-5601.

September 21, 2021 - State Highway 87 South was the scene of a major two-vehicle collision Tuesday morning, September 21, 2021, sometime just before 6:50am.

Emergency responders including Shelbyville VFD and Sheriff's Department rushed to the scene to help those trapped inside a Jeep involved in the incident. Center Fire Department was immediately requested to the scene, as Jaws of Life was needed. Center Fire Department personnel worked diligently to cut through the vehicle to free those trapped inside. The roadway was blocked for several hours as emergency responders worked the scene.

The Jeep had collided with the rear of a log truck which was hauling a load.

According to information released by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Troopers investigated a fatal crash on the 9000 block of State Highway 87 just over four miles south of Shelbyville.

The preliminary investigation by Trooper David Shields indicates that at approximately 6:50am, a 2002 Freightliner truck-tractor semi-trailer was traveling north on SH 87, while a 2020 Jeep SUV was traveling behind it. The Jeep, for an unknown reason, struck the rear of the truck tractor semi-trailer.

The driver of the Freightliner has been identified as Steven Bennefield, 57, of San Augustine, and he was not injured.

The Jeep driver has been identified as Mianna Adair, 32, of Joaquin, and was transported to Christus Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler for treatment. Her passenger, Chesney Grace Adair, 7, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene by Marla Denby, Justice of the Peace Precinct 2.

The crash remains under investigation, no additional information at this time.

Watson & Sons Funeral Home transported Chesney Grace Adair from the scene.

So much is expected of first responders when they arrive at a crash scene, and the community at large isn't always aware of the terrible circumstances they have to directly face when they help those in need.

Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department expressed enormous gratitude to the Center Fire Department for responding to the scene with Jaws of Life and other extrication tools to help.

September 18, 2021 - Three new deaths were reported on Saturday bringing Septembers reported deaths to 13.

According to the Texas DSHS Covid-19 Dashboard, Friday and Saturday combined numbers show 35 new cases and 34 estimated recoveries. Of the new cases, 19 were reported on September 17th and 16 were reported on September 18th.

The number of active cases is now 219.

September has had 270 new cases reported and 237 estimated recoveries reported.

September 18th Numbers: (changes since Sept. 17)
Confirmed Cases - 1,577 (6 new)
Probable Cases - 1,104 (10 new)
Fatalities - 89 (3 new)
Active Cases (Estimated) - 219
Recovered (Estimated) - 2,376 (4 new)

September 17th Numbers: (changes since Sept. 16)
Confirmed Cases - 1,571 (3 new)
Probable Cases - 1,094 (16 new)
Fatalities - 86
Active Cases (Estimated) - 207
Recovered (Estimated) - 2,372 (30 new)

September 16th Numbers: (changes since Sept. 15)
Confirmed Cases - 1,568 (5 new)
Probable Cases - 1,078 (6 new)
Fatalities - 86
Active Cases (Estimated)- 218
Recovered (Estimated) - 2,342 (16 new)

September 16, 2021 - According to the Texas DSHS Covid-19 Dashboard, there were 11 new cases and 16 estimated recoveries reported on Thursday. The number of active cases is now 218.

September has had 235 new cases reported and 203 estimated recoveries reported.

September 16th Numbers: (changes since Sept. 15)
Confirmed Cases - 1,568 (5 new)
Probable Cases - 1,078 (6 new)
Fatalities - 86
Active Cases (Estimated)- 218
Recovered (Estimated) - 2,342 (16 new)

September 15th Numbers: (changes since Sept. 14)
Confirmed Cases - 1,563 (13 new)
Probable Cases - 1,072 (10 new)
Fatalities - 86
Active Cases (Estimated) - 223
Recovered (Estimated) - 2,326 (12 new)

September 16, 2021 - State Highway 87 South was the scene of a single-vehicle crash September 14, 2021, just south of CR 2010.

According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper David Shields, at around 9:10pm a white 2003 GMC Yukon driven by Walter Cartwright, 57, of Shelbyville was southbound on State Highway 87 when, for an unknown reason, the vehicle traveled off the roadway to the right.

The vehicle struck a tree on the driver's side and came to rest facing the roadway.

Center Fire Department personnel were on scene to assist in moving Cartwright to an ambulance. He was transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department for possible injuries.

No citations were issued at the time of the crash. The crash remains under investigation.

September 16, 2021 - The Shelby County Attorney's Office has negotiated a settlement September 16, 2021, involving the alleged illegal gambling activities uncovered by Shelby County Constables on September 5, 2021.

Through a hearing held before 123rd Judicial District Judge LeAnne K. Rafferty, Gary Rholes, Shelby County Attorney, and criminal defense lawyer Sean Hightower, representing Fardeen Sayani, worked out the arrangements and according to Rholes the court order allows him to administer those funds to help law enforcement.

"I'd just like to thank all law enforcement who worked on this and Honorable Judge LeAnne Rafferty for affording us a quick hearing," said Rholes.

Constable Cheatwood said he and County Attorney Rholes have been working on this together from day one.

"We just want to thank the citizens of our precincts, for working with our offices on illegal activity going on in Shelby County," said Constable Cheatwood.

Rholes said around $16,000 and 16 gaming machines have been relenquished in the arranged settlement. 

Constable Cheatwood thanked several law enforcement officers and agencies for helping with the operation.

"I want to give thanks to Jamie Hagler, Constable Precinct 2; Josh Tipton, Constable Precinct 5, for working with me to begin what started in my precinct; Taylor Fanguy, Constable Precinct 4; Scott Burkhalter, Tenaha Police Department; Billy Lusk, Timpson ISD Police Department; Texas Department of Public Safety; Bryan Murff, Panola County Constable for coming and checking on my well-being," said Cheatwood.

Constable Josh Tipton mirrored Cheatwood’s appreciation of the other officers and agencies and in addition, he and Constable Cheatwood wanted to thank Sgt. Cody Muse. 

Related article:
Constables Halt Alleged Illegal Gambling Operation

September 15, 2021 - According to the Texas DSHS Covid-19 Dashboard, there were 23 new cases and 12 estimated recoveries reported today, September 15th. The number of active cases is now up to 223.

September has had 224 new cases reported and 187 estimated recoveries reported.

September 15th Numbers: (changes since Sept. 14)
Confirmed Cases - 1,563 (13 new)
Probable Cases - 1,072 (10 new)
Fatalities - 86
Active Cases (Estimated) - 223
Recovered (Estimated) - 2,326 (12 new)

September 14th Numbers: (changes since Sept. 13)
Confirmed Cases - 1,550 (18 new)
Probable Cases - 1,062 (21 new)
Fatalities - 86 (2 new)
Active Cases (Estimated) - 214
Recovered (Estimated) - 2,314 (23 new)

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