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November 3, 2019 - Hurst Street in Center was the scene of a vehicle collision involving a pedestrian who was fatally injured as a result of the incident.

The Center Police Department has released follow-up information, Center Police Corporal Steve Thornburgh and Reserve Officer Kevin Sage were dispatched to a 911 Call of an Auto/Pedestrian Accident in front of Napa in the 800 block of Hurst Street on November 2, 2019 at 7:29pm. Officers arrived at the scene along with Allegiance EMS. EMTs were unable to revive the injured pedestrian who was later identified as Tamoya Gentry, 34, of Center. The driver of the Gray Ford pickup which struck Ms. Gentry was identified as Larry Sales of Coushatta, La. who remained at the scene until released by investigating Officers.

Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Jesse Fountain assisted the Center Police Department with the initial investigation. It was determined at the scene in accordance of the presence of physical evidence and eyewitness statements that Ms Gentry ran into traffic and in front of the Northbound pickup. According to the debris from the vehicle and skid marks, Mr. Sales attempted to avoid the collision with the pedestrian by slamming on his brakes and veering the vehicle to the right side of the roadway.

Marla Denby, Justice of the Peace Precinct 2, was notified and when she arrived at the scene, Ms Gentry was pronounced deceased. Ms Gentry’s family had been notified at that time and Community Funeral Home was called to transport Ms Gentry from the scene.

The Center Police Department has concluded this investigation and have determined that no charges will be filed.

To the Family and Friends of Ms Tamoya Gentry, we at the Center Police Department are deeply saddened by the loss that you and your family have encountered. Our condolences.

November 5, 2019 - Shelby County unofficial election results for November 5, 2019 Texas Constitutional Amendments are in with 9 propositions passing and 1 proposition failing.

Of the 15,215 registered voters in Shelby County, 346 ballots in person were cast during early voting and 33 by mail. Election day had 1,668 ballots cast for a total of 2,047 in all which is over two times the voter turnout of the 2017 Constitutional Amendment election with only 770.

Proposition Number 1 "The constitutional amendment permitting a person to hold more than one office as a municipal judge at the same time."

Total Ballots
For - 733
Against - 1,273

Early Voting
For - 152
Against - 223

Election Day
For - 581
Against - 1,040

Proposition Number 2 "The constitutional amendment providing for the issuance of additional general obligation bonds by the Texas Water Development Board in an amount not to exceed $200 million to provide financial assistance for the development of certain projects in economically distressed areas."

Total Ballots
For - 1,193
Against - 770

Early Voting
For - 236
Against - 138

Election Day
For - 957
Against - 632

Proposition Number 3 "The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for a temporary exemption from ad valorem taxation of a portion of the appraised value of certain property damaged by a disaster."

Total Ballots
For - 1,665
Against - 316

Early Voting
For - 319
Against - 59

Election Day
For - 1,346
Against - 257

Proposition Number 4 "The constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of an individual income tax, including a tax on an individual's share of partnership and unincorporated association income."

Total Ballots
For - 1,824
Against - 213

Early Voting
For - 334
Against - 42

Election Day
For - 1,490
Against - 171

Proposition Number 5 "The constitutional amendment dedicating the revenue received from the existing state sales and use taxes that are imposed on sporting goods to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission to protect Texas' natural areas, water quality, and history by acquiring, managing,and improving state and local parks and historic sites while not increasing the rate of the state sales and use taxes."

Total Ballots
For - 1,717
Against - 275

Early Voting
For - 322
Against - 49

Election Day
For - 1,395
Against - 226

Proposition Number 6 "The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to increase by $3 billion the maximum bond amount authorized for the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas."

Total Ballots
For - 1,291
Against - 690

Early Voting
For - 236
Against - 134

Election Day
For -1,055
Against - 556

Proposition Number 7 "The constitutional amendment allowing increase distributions to the available school fund."

Total Ballots
For - 1,414
Against - 552

Early Voting
For - 247
Against - 118

Election Day
For - 1,167
Against - 434

Proposition Number 8 "The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the flood infrastructure fund to assist in the financing of drainage, flood mitigation, and flood control projects."

Total Ballots
For - 1,396
Against - 572

Early Voting
For - 277
Against - 95

Election Day
For - 1,119
Against - 477

Proposition Number 9 "The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation precious metal held in a precious metal depository located in this state."

Total Ballots
For - 1,111
Against - 786

Early Voting
For - 216
Against - 137

Election Day
For - 895
Against - 649

Proposition Number 10 "The constitutional amendment to allow the transfer of a law enforcement animal to a qualified caretaker in certain circumstances."

Total Ballots
For - 1,825
Against - 145

Early Voting
For - 336
Against - 29

Election Day
For - 1,486
Against - 116

Early voting starts October 21, 2019 and ends November 1, 2019 between the hours of 8am and 4:30pm at the Shelby County Clerk's Office.

November 5, 2019 - (Election Notice) - Notice is hereby given that the polling places listed below will be open from 7am to 7pm, November 5, 2019, for voting in a special election to adopt or reject the proposed Constitutional Amendments as submitted by the 86th Legislature, Regular Session, of the State of Texas.

(Notifiquese, por las presente, que las casillas electorales sitados abajo se abriran desde la 7am hasta las 7pm el 5 Novembre de 2019 para votar en al Elleccion Especial para adoptal o rechazar la enmiendos propuestas constitucional asi como fueron sometidas por la 86a Legislatura, de la Estado de Texas.)

Locations of polling locations

  • Precinct 1 N (Center) - Polling location is at First United Methodist Church, 211 N. Porter Street, Center, Texas 75935 
  • Precinct 1 SO (Center) - Polling location is at Church of Christ, 110 Hurst Street, Center, Texas 75935
  • Precinct 1 SE (Center) - Polling location is at Pineywoods Family Outreach Center, 255 Haley Drive, Center, Texas 75935
  • Precinct 1 SW (Center) - Polling location is at Center Community House, 423 San Augustine Street, Center, Texas 75935
  • Precinct 1 W (Center) - Polling location is at JOI Ranch Building, 5198 FM 2026, Tenaha, Texas 75974
  • Precinct 2 (Aiken) - Polling location is at Excelsior School, 11280 St. Hwy 7 W, Center, Texas 75935
  • Precinct 3 (Sardis) - Polling location is at Campti Pentecostal Church, 6153 FM 414, Center, Texas 75935
  • Precinct 4 (Huxley) - Polling location is at Lydia Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 14998 FM 139, Shelbyville, TX 75973
  • Precinct 5 (Joaquin) - Polling location is at First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 175 Faulkville Road, Joaquin, TX 75954
  • Precinct 6 (Dreka) - Polling location is at Dreka Pentecostal Church, Fellowship Hall, 1193 FM 2427, Shelbyville, Texas 75973
  • Precinct 7 (Shelbyville) - Polling location is at First Baptist Church - Shelbyville, Fellowship Hall, 5030 SH 87 South, Shelbyville, Texas 75973
  • Precinct 8 (Tenaha) - Polling location is at First United Methodist Church Fellowhip Hall, 226 N. George Bowers Dr., Tenaha, TX 75974
  • Precinct 9N (Timpson) - Polling location is at Texas State Bank Annex, 830 N 1st Street W, Timpson, TX 75975
  • Precinct 9S (Timpson) - Polling location is at Timpson School Gym Foyer, 836 Bear Dr., Timpson, TX 75975

Early voting by personal appearance will be conducted each weekday at:
(La votacion adelantada en persona se ilevara a cabo de lunes a vienes en:)

Shelby County Clerk's Office, 124 Austin Street, Center, Texas between the hours of 8am and 4:30pm beginning on October 21, 2019 and ending November 1, 2019.
(Entre las 8 de la monana y las 4:30 de la tardeempezando el Octobre 21, 2019 y terminando el Novembre 1, 2019.)

Application for ballot by mail shall be mailed to:
(La solicitudes para boletas que se votaran adelantada por correo deberan enviarse a:)

Jennifer Fountain - Shelby County Clerk
P.O. Box 1987 or 124 Austin Street
Center, Texas 75935

Application for ballots by mail must be received no later than the close of business on October 25, 2019. (Las solicitudes para boletas que se votaran adelantada por correo recipirse para el fin de las horas negocio el Octobre 25, 2019.)

Early voting starts October 21, 2019 and ends November 1, 2019 between the hours of 8am and 4:30pm at the Shelby County Clerk's Office.

November 5, 2019 - In November 2019, Texas voters will decide on 10 proposals in a statewide constitutional amendment election. The first day of Early Voting is Monday, October 21, 2019 and ends Friday, November 1, 2019. Election day is Tuesday, November 5, 2019 with polls closing at 7pm.

  • Proposition 1, Allows persons to serve as more than one appointed or elected municipal judge
  • Proposition 2, Allows the Texas Water Development Board to issue up to $200 million in bonds
  • Proposition 3, Authorizes temporary property tax exemption for disaster areas
  • Proposition 4, Prohibits the state from levying an income tax on individuals
  • Proposition 5, Dedicates revenue from the sales tax on sporting goods to parks, wildlife, and historical agencies
  • Proposition 6, Authorizes the legislature to increase bonds for the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute
  • Proposition 7, Increases distributions to the state school fund
  • Proposition 8, Creates a Flood Infrastructure Fund
  • Proposition 9, Authorizes property tax exemption for precious metals held in depositories
  • Proposition 10, Allows for transfer of law enforcement animals to handlers or others if in animal's best interest

To learn more about the propositions, visit BallotPedia online at https://ballotpedia.org/Texas_2019_ballot_measures

November 1, 2019 - The Jury that was summoned for Monday, November 4, 2019, for the 123rd Judicial District Court, Honorable LeAnn K. Rafferty, 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.

October 30, 2019 - Precinct 4 Road and Bridge will be making repairs on Thursday, October 31 to the bridge at the spillway on E. Lake Timpson Road. 

The repairs should be completed in one day. Travel will be restricted during some of the repair activities.

Wondering where your 2019 tax statements might be?

October 24, 2019 - Shelby County Tax office started collecting for the 2019 taxes as of October 8th, 2019.

Mail for our area was routed through the Houston distributing center but because of past flooding damage, our mail has been redirected to Shreveport or Dallas. This could cause some delay receiving your Shelby County Tax Statements. 

We have 3 schools that offer a discount if taxes are paid early.  

Excelsior ISD, Joaquin ISD and Shelbyville ISD - 3% in Oct, 2% in Nov, and 1% in Dec

We will be extending the discount for the convenience of our taxpayers.

3% Oct 8–Nov 15, 2019 | 2% Nov 16–30, 2019 | 1% Dec 2019

Options for viewing your tax statement:

1. You can view your account online to see tax amount due. https://propaccess.trueautomation.com/clientdb/?cid=73
2. E-mail with us the name on the account to be paid with your property ID #, we will email a statement back - shelbytax@co.shelby.tx.us
3. Call our office 936-598-4441 and we can get a duplicate statement out to you via mail or fax. 

PAYMENT OPTIONS:

By Credit Card
May make payments through www.certifiedpayments.net with Shelby County Bureau Code #1242857. *Please note a 2.5% convenience fee is charged.

By Mail
Make check or money order to:
Debora Riley, Tax Office
200 San Augustine St. Box C
Center, TX 75935

* Please include your Property ID number on check or money order.

Debora Riley, PCAC
Shelby County Tax Assessor Collector

October 23, 2019 - Shelia Harris, District Extension Administrator, accompanied by Lane Dunn, County Extension Agent, and Feleshia Thompson, County Extension Assistant, presented Thompson to the Shelby County Commissioners at their October 9 meeting as the new Family Consumer/Family Community Health Agent, which was the position previously held by Jheri-Lynn McSwain.

"Felishia for almost three years has been working in the Shelby County Extension Office with the Better Living For Texas Program as an Extension Educator," said Harris. "So I do present her as our finalist for that position."

Harris further stated Thompson is from the area, has roots in the community. She will also continue a lot of her previous duties as well as taking on additional 4-H programs as she works with Dunn and so many more people in the county.

"I'm just pleased to present Feleshia today to be approved as the new agent," said Harris.

A motion carried to approve Feleshia Thompson to her new position as Family Consumer/Family Community Health Agent beginning October 14, 2019.

"I will serve Shelby County, I will make y'all proud, I will continue some of the programs that Jheri-Lynn started and increase some things for Shelby County," said Thompson.

Agenda items approved during the meeting include:

1. ​Minutes of the September 4, 2019 Public Hearing, September 4, 2019 Special meeting, September 11, 2019 Public Hearing, September 11, 2019 Regular meeting, September 18, 2019 Special meeting, September 25, 2019 Special meeting, and September 30, 2019 Special meeting of the Shelby County Commissioner’s Court.
2. Pay weekly expenses.
3. Officers Report.
4. Nomination of Allison Harbison and Robin Connell as Board Members for the Shelby County Appraisal District.
5. Feleshia Thompson to her new position as Family Consumer/Family Community Health Agent beginning October 14, 2019.
6. 2020 Resolution for the Indigent Defense Grant Program.
7. Deed right away back to McAdams at CR 1039.
8. Adjourn

Agenda items tabled during the meeting include:

1. Updating phone system

October 21, 2019 - The Jury that was summoned for Tuesday, October 22, 2019, for the 273rd 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 the receive a future summons.

Update: US 59 from just south of Garrison to the city of Timpson has been reopened for travel following an early morning crash that resulted in a HazMat spill. Drive safely.


October 21, 2019 - US 59 North, just south of Garrison, is currently closed due to a crash and resulting HazMat spill. Emergency crews are on the scene. TxDOT crews are currently setting up a detour at US 259 in Nacogdoches and US 84 in Timpson. Motorists should prepare for lengthy delays as this scene clears. Reduce speed and stay alert for the detour and all traffic control in the area.

US 59 Closure: This closure extends from just south of Garrison to US 84 in Timpson due to a HazMat spill with evacuations. Please choose alternate routes or detour US 84 south from Timpson to maneuver around the closure. Traffic control is in place. This closure is expected to clear by 5 pm today. Motorists should prepare for delays.

According to a press release, The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) responded to a report of a hazardous material spill this morning on US 59, about three miles south of Garrison.

Preliminary information indicates at approximately 7:45 a.m., a 2007 Freightliner truck tractor semi-trailer was traveling north when the vehicle reportedly swerved to avoid a vehicle that had hydroplaned, causing two containers with approximately 600 gallons of Scavsol 75T, a hazardous material, to fall from the vehicle and spill onto the highway.

Multiple agencies have responded to the scene. A Haz-Mat Team is also responding to conduct clean-up efforts.

The substance is a corrosive chemical. Nearby residents have been evacuated for safety purposes, and a one-mile perimeter has been established until the scene has been cleaned up and determined to be safe.

No injuries were reported as a result of this incident. No additional information is available at this time. 

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