The story headline links to a better view of the story and share features.
News
February 6, 2020 - Newly sworn in Constable of Precinct 4 Bryan Gray announced on Facebook on Thursday, February 6, he was resigning from office due to health issues.
The post was made at 12:59pm: Affective immediately I am resigning as Constable. I have had some health issues the last few years. Before I filed to run I talked with my Dr because I felt I had improved enough to do the job. He told me try it and if I can not do it I will know. I have found out my health is not where it need to be to preform the way I need to. To family, friends, and supporters thank you for your support when I decided to run for office, and I apologize for not being able to do the job.
The Shelby County Commissioners' Court do not at this time have a meeting scheduled for next week due to training.
February 6, 2020 - The Shelby County Commissioners learned during their February 5, 2020 meeting the purchase of the old hospital location was no longer moving forward.
Allison Harbison, Shelby County Judge, reminded the commissioners the winning bid was previously by Kevin Jones for $152,500. Through his lawyers at Mettauer Law Firm his bid has been withdrawn.
"Through his attorney, Matthew Mettauer, he is withdrawing his offer to purchase the old Shelby General Hospital location," said Judge Harbison. "I have been in contact with the City of Center Economic Development and they would like to talk to us about that property."
Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, asked Shelby County Attorney Gary Rholes about possible options relating to the sale of the property.
"I want to know if we're handicapped in any way after we've accepted this bid and he withdrew, his bid was $152,500. Are we under any, any legal obligation to take the next bid in line, or can we take an offer of $152,500 from somewhere else."
Rholes responded they would not be obligated to take the next bid in line, meaning they could accept an offer from another interested party.
Center Economic Development Corporation (EDC), during the July 17, 2019 Meeting, initially expressed a desire to acquire the property via a letter presented during commissioners' court. At that time the commissioners discussed retaining some of the property. A church had also expressed desire to obtain the property. Preliminary cleanup and demolition costs were projected to be around $200,000.
A 45-day window was given by the EDC to the county for consideration of their offer, with the possibility of an additional 15 days should an extension be necessary. Discussion during that meeting over the demolition and cleanup at that time brought the total to $380,000 with $230,000 of that being toward the project cleanup and $150,000 going toward the purchase. If potential bidders didn't hit the $150,000, Rholes said the county could still go with the city's offer.
The commissioners opened bids on December 4, 2019 and Kevin Jones submitted his bid for 6.73 acres in the amount of $152,500. Submitted by the EDC was their original letter from July 1, 2019 proposing to purchase the building and entire acreage for $150,000.
By the offer, the EDC also accepted all responsibility for asbestos abatement and demolition of all buildings on site. Although the original offer was expired at that time, they met again and extended their original offer through December 31, 2019 while also authorizing it to be their bid to the county.
During the December 4 meeting, a motion carried by the commissioners to accept the bid from Kevin Jones for the purchase of the hospital property, as-is.
Charles Barr, Commissioner Precinct 3, brought to the court a proposal to provide driveway repairs to an individual with special needs on CR 3492.
"Ms. Farmer, the Assistant Principle as well as the special needs teacher contacted me. The bus has to pull in and pick that child up at the house and they asked me if I could do some repairs so that the bus could get in and get out," said Barr.
Rholes asked what repairs Barr would be providing and McSwain asked if it's in the county road ditch, to which Barr confirmed that to be the location where he would install one culvert for entry and another for departure.
A motion carried to install the culverts.
Bryan Gray was recently appointed Constable Precinct 4 and a motion carried to approve his bond.
The commissioners discussed needed repairs for the Juvenile probation building to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) specifications. A contractor was recently asked to review the needs of the structure. Barr indicated there is a leak in the roof of the building.
"There is no wheelchair access. There's no access from the parking lot except to step up on a foot and a half to two foot wall to step up, unless you want to walk out into the street and go around," said Barr. "Besides being under code on the ADA, I think it's a safety issue."
Barr provided an estimate of $9,430 from the contractor to make the building ADA compliant and another estimate of $4,315 to repair the leaking roof.
A motion carried to repair the roof out of courthouse repairs and ADA to be taken out of the contingency fund.
Abe Benavides with McCall, Parkers and Horton law firm explained to the commissioners the firm he represents is bond council for New Hope Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corporation. According to Benavides, they are acquiring facilities in Texas and Oklahoma and those in the Shelby County area provide services for senior living, assisted living and skilled nursing.
"Internal Revenue Code requires that New Hope receive the approval or acknowledgement of a governmental entity with jurisdiction of each facility in the project," said Benavides.
Benavides stated there are 28 facilities in the project and counties he named included Bowie, Collin, Dallas, Lubbock, Panola, San Augustine, Smith, Shelby and others in Oklahoma. The one facility in Shelby County is Pine Grove Nursing Center.
Benavides further explained there would be no obligation on the county relating to the facility, and the approval only allows New Hope Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corporation the ability to receive the tax exempt bonds on the facility.
A motion carried to approve the resolution.
Agenda items approved during the meeting included: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Current payroll. 3. Driveway repairs for Special needs person on CR 3492. 4. Bryan Gray Constable 4 Bond. 5. Repairs to the Juvenile Probation Office in order for it to meet ADA specifications and roof repair. 6. Resolution approving financing by New Hope Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corporation of Health Facilities located within Shelby County. 7. Adjourn.
February 3, 2020 - State Highway 7 West at the intersection with CR 1210 was the scene of a crash incident between a trailer and a house. The trailer struck an old store location called B&B Tackle & Grocery at CR 1210.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Jonathan Stinson, at around 1pm a 2012 white Ford F550 was traveling westbound towing a 2013 trailer with an empty tank. The trailer hitch malfunctioned, and broke, releasing the trailer as the truck turned onto County Road 1210.
At the time the trailer became disconnected from the truck and continued rolling into a house where it came to a stop. The trailer was empty at the time of the incident, and no neglect was discovered relating to the trailer disconnecting.
The driiver of the vehicle was identified as Russell John Reynolds, 69, of Beckville and he was not reported to have received injury as a result of the crash incident.
Reynolds was issued a citation for expired trailer registration.
West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department and Shelby County Sheriff's Department were on scene to assist.
According to Benny Russell, a relation of the property owner, the building which the trailer struck was previously a grocery store that closed in the early 80s.
Click image for an enlarged view
January 31, 2020 - Shelby County Commissioner Tom Bellmyer is announcing the completion of the bridge on CR 4356. Bellmyer states both the bridge and roadway are now open for general traffic.
January 13, 2020 - Shelby County Commissioner Tom Bellmyer is notifying the public construction on a bridge located on CR 4356 has begun, and is now impassable during construction.
The bridge is scheduled for replacement on Monday, January 20 and the construction will take a minimum of 7 days and possibly up to 10 days depending on weather. It is located 1.6 miles west of US 96 North of Center.
The current bridge has a weight limit of 5,000 pounds and once the replacement is complete it will be able to carry a legal limit load.
Your patience is appreciated during this time of construction.
January 29, 2020 - Bryan Gray was sworn-in to the position of Shelby County Constable Precinct 4 following an executive session held during the Shelby County Commissioners' Court meeting held January 29, 2020.
Allison Harbison, Shelby County Judge, administered the oath of office to Gray who is taking on the duties of Constable 4. Jacob Metcalf recently resigned from the office.
A motion carried by the commissioners to appoint Gray as Constable Precinct 4.
Tom Bellmyer, Commissioner Precinct 4, described repairs that would be performed on a bridge located on County Road 4773. Once the bridge is completed, Bellmyer expects the bridge to be capable of withstanding most large loads.
A motion carried to approve the repairs to the bridge.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Ann Blackwell to administer to scheduling of State-Mandated Cybersecurity course that is required for all county employees who have access to county computer systems and/or databases. 3. Update/repair of bridge on County Road 4773. 4. Appoint Bryan Gray to the office of Constable Precinct 4. 5. Adjourn.
Update - The suspect provided law enforcement with incorrect identification and will be receiving an additional charge of Failure to Identify. The suspect is actually Jeremy Wade, age 30.
January 28, 2020 - The Center Police Department received a call Tuesday, January 28th for shots fired on Carroll Street around 10am.
According to Center PD Sergeant Ricky King, the police department received a shots fired call on Carroll Street earlier. Upon arrival, officers made entry into the residence at which time the suspect exited out a window in the back. He was later apprehended on Porter Street between Boles Feed and the Methodist Church.
The suspect was identified to be Christopher Butts, 27 of Dallas, and has been charged with felony 3 deadly conduct.
Sergeant King said, "There is no active shooter anywhere. We made an arrest on a subject that was recklessly firing a firearm." He added that because he was firing in the direction of houses and businesses he was charged with a felony 3 offense.
The investigation is still active and ongoing.
At the same time the school was dealing with a separate incident. Center ISD made a statement on Facebook, "Today, an unidentified person was seen on the FL Moffett campus looking into cars. When approached, the man ran towards the softball field. The area was searched, and he was not found. According to the Center ISD emergency operation plan, a hold on the FLM and CHS campuses was put in place. The hold has since been lifted. No students were outdoors at the time of the incident, and at no time were students in danger."
January 27, 2020 - State Highway 87 (SH87) South just before CR 2050 was the scene of a single-vehicle crash incident Monday, January 27, 2020.
Emergency personnel were dispatched to the location just north of Shelbyville at 9am. Center Fire Department firemen were requested, as it was reported the driver was trapped and couldn't get her door to open.
When Shelby County Sheriff's Deputies arrived, they were able to help her out of the vehicle and extrication tools were not necessary.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Jonathan Stinson, at 8:55am a blue Saturn Ion driven by Courtney Michelle Reierson, 29, of Center was southbound on SH87 when she failed to drive in a single lane, crossed over the northbound traffic lanes and struck a tree.
Ambulance personnel transported Reierson from the location of the crash to Nacogodoches Memorial Hospital in Nacogdoches.
Reierson was issued citations for fail to drive in a single lane and no insurance
Shelby County Sheriff's Deputies and Constables assisted at the scene with traffic control.
January 24, 2020 - The Jury that was summoned for Monday, January 27th, 2020, for the 273rd Judicial District Court, Honorable James A. Payne Jr., presiding, has been cancelled.
All cases scheduled have been resolved or passed.
Anyone receiving a jury summons for this day is released until they receive a future summons.
January 23, 2020 - The intersection of U.S. Highway 59 and 84 was the scene of a two-vehicle crash incident January 17, 2020.
Timpson Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to the location and Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers investigated the crash as it was during a time Timpson Police Department was closed.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Dustin Ramos, at 5:05pm a white 2014 Chevrolet driven by Micah Nutt, 55, of Timpson was southbound on U.S. Highway 59 in Timpson.
As the Chevrolet was passing U.S. Highway 84 a black 2011 Honda CR-V driven by Trevor Warren, 24, of Houston failed to yield right of way from a stop sign. As it crossed U.S. 59 into the path of the Chevrolet attempting to enter U.S. 84, the truck collided with the right rear quarter of the Honda.
The Chevrolet came to a stop in the southbound traffic lane of U.S. 59 and the Honda pulled into a nearby parking lot.
Nutt was transported by Timpson Volunteer Ambulance Service to Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital for treatment of possible injiries.
Warren was issued a citation for fail to yield right of way - stop sign.
The location of the crash was the same spot where a fatal crash occurred on January 9, 2020, involving similar circumstances.
Timpson Volunteer Fire personnel diverted traffic around the crash scene while DPS investigated.
According to State statistics, there have been 24 crashes at the intersection over the past 10 years. Timpson Police Department investigated 20 of those crashes with one of them having been a fatal incident. Texas Department of Public Safety has investigated four crashes in that location with one of them also having been a fatal incident, which was the most recent.
January 22, 2020 - A 38-year-old Carthage, Texas, man has been convicted of federal firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown today.
Timothy Earl Brown was found guilty today of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition following a two-day jury trial before U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle.
According to information presented in court, on Oct. 14, 2016, law enforcement officers were dispatched to a rural residence in Panola County for a prowler. Brown was spotted by law enforcement carrying a rifle in a wooded area near the home. Brown fled but was apprehended and also found in possession of a revolver. Further investigation revealed Brown is a convicted felon and prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition. Brown was convicted in Panola County in 2000 for theft, in 2000 for escape and in 2011 for sexual assault. He also has a prior conviction in the Eastern District of Texas for being a felon in possession of a firearm in 2004. Brown was indicted for this incident on June 21, 2018 and charged with federal firearms violations.
Under the federal statute, Brown faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case was prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative. Project Safe Neighborhoods is aimed at reducing gun and gang violence; deterring illegal possession of guns, ammunition, and body armor; and improving the safety of residents in the Eastern District of Texas. Participants in the initiative include community members and organizations as well as federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
This case was investigated by the Panola County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jim Noble and Alan Jackson.
Pages
