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March 8, 2019 Shreveport – If someone contacts you with threats to disconnect electric service unless you make immediate payment – typically using a prepaid card or another non-traceable form of payment – be alert that you are likely the target of a scam.
Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO) continues to receive reports that involve criminals posing as SWEPCO representatives contacting customers and demanding immediate payment. They use phone, in-person and online tactics.
“These scammers are targeting vulnerable groups of people, including seniors, non-native English speakers, and small business owners,” said Karen Wissing, SWEPCO spokesperson.
“If you believe a scammer has contacted you, hang up the phone immediately, delete the email or shut the door. You can verify the status of your account by using the SWEPCO app, logging into SWEPCO.com or calling us directly at 1-888-216-3523,” Wissing said.
SWEPCO employees do not call customers demanding immediate payment or insist that customers purchase a prepaid debit/cash card to pay a bill.
Scammers typically threaten disconnection of electric service and demand immediate payment. They ask the customer to purchase a prepaid debit card, such as a Green Dot card, and ask for the card’s number, granting the scammer instant access to the card’s funds.
If someone approaches you in person, ask to see an ID badge. SWEPCO personnel should be wearing appropriate company logo shirts, hard hats or ball caps. Look for a SWEPCO truck parked outside. You can verify callers or visitors claiming to be from SWEPCO by calling the customer service line at 1-888-216-3523. If you ever feel you are in physical danger, call 911.
March 7, 2019 - A trial involving the suspect in the shooting death of Austin Underbrink, 23, of Center was scheduled for earlier this week in the 273rd district Court with Judge James Payne presiding.
Jury selection was held for the first time on record at the John D. Windham Civic Center due to the large pool of potential jurors, approximately 160-170. The selection lasted all day Monday, March 4.
Tuesday morning the jury which had been selected was released by the court.
Shelby County Today requested a comment on the outcome of the case from Shelby County District Attorney Stephen Shires, who stated, "Given that the defendant involved was a juvenile, the District Attorney does not feel that it would be proper to make any public comments about the particulars of the case."
March 6, 2019 - A scammer has been calling Shelby County residents and telling them they’re going to be arrested for missing jury duty.
The only way to keep from being arrested, according to the scammer, is to purchase gift cards and give the caller the gift card information over the phone.
The caller states he is Lieutenant Del Birdwell of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office will NEVER call to warn an individual of an arrest warrant.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office will NEVER request payment by means of a gift card.
The telephone number being used by the caller is 936.203.8900. If you receive a call, DO NOT give the caller any information. This is a scam.
March 6, 2019 - A house fire resulted in a total loss Wednesday, March 6, 2019 off CR 3134.
The Center Fire Department was dispatched at 10:20am to property on CR 3134 owned by Tracy Collins.
When firemen arrived the house, located at the rear of the property, was mostly fully involved and the left side roof of the structure had already collapsed.
No one was reported to be inside at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported.
The fire remains under investigation at this time and no one was at home when the fire started.
Firemen returned to the station at 12:10pm.
March 6, 2019 Update - 12:31pm - Power has been restored to Center Middle School. There are a few lingering issues that continue because of the scope of the work that was necessary to restore power. The remaining issues will be resolved today. Therefore, Center Middle School will reopen tomorrow, March 7 without delay. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.
March 6, 2019 - SWEPCO and others have worked through the night. Unfortunately, power is not yet restored, and problems remain. Therefore, Center Middle School will be closed today, March 6. All other campuses will be open and on a regular schedule. The Center Intermediate School is without phone and internet services as a result of the outage at CMS. I again apologize for the inconvenience. All efforts are being made to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.
March 5, 2019 (Update 5:15pm) - SWEPCO crews have been working all day at Center Middle School to restore power and will continue to work into the night. Our latest update indicates that power will be restored before the start of school tomorrow. Therefore, the school will resume operations as scheduled. If anything changes, notice will be provided immediately. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.
March 5, 2019 - Center ISD reports SWEPCO is currently working to resolve an electric outage affecting the Center Middle School campus only. Due to the outage, parents wishing to pickup their child early may do so starting at 10am.
For students remaining at school, meals will be served on schedule and students will be cared for during the day until buses run at their regular time.
The power outage has also affected phone lines and there is no communication into or out of the school except through cell phone service.
An update on the situation will be issued as soon as it is available.
March 5, 2019 - Emergency responders had just cleared the scene of a crash on US 96 North when they received a second call out to a crash on SH 7 East at the Loop 500 intersection Friday evening, March 1.
The Center Fire Department was paged out around 6:30pm to assist with traffic control as a two-vehicle crash was blocking both east and west lanes of traffic of SH 7.
According to Center Police Department Officer Angela Neal, a white 2014 Ford Explorer driven by Lorinda Lee, 51, was at the stop sign of Loop 500 traveling north. The Explorer failed to yield at the stop sign to a white Dodge Avenger traveling west on SH 7 and struck the front quarter panel of Avenger with its front.
The Dodge car was driven by Malore Belrose, 18 of Joaquin, with one passenger in the vehicle, Paul Salone, who was also 18 years of age. The Dodge came to rest partially in the center lane and in the eastbound lane. The Ford SUV came to rest facing east in the westbound lane of SH 7.
EMS were called to the scene; however, no one requested transport from the crash.
March 4, 2019 - U.S. Highway 96 at the intersection of FM 2026 (Folsom Chapel Road) was the scene of a major two-vehicle crash Friday, March 1, 2019.
Emergency personnel responded to the well-known crash location Friday afternoon. One vehicle was left in a ditch where U.S. 96 and FM 2026 meet, while the other vehicle involved had traveled a long distance down the highway where it had obviously rolled before coming to a stop.
While Center Fire Department firemen and Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies worked traffic control and Center Police Officers were on scene, Texas Department of Public Safety investigated the crash.
According to Cpl. Jimmy Faulkner, a black Altima driven by a 16-year-old minor driver of Center was northbound on U.S. 96 and was stopped to make a left turn onto FM 2026. At that time a black Ford F-150 driven by Wayland Carl Whiteside, 33, of Joaquin was also northbound when Whiteside failed to control speed and struck the Nissan in the rear.
The Nissan traveled into the ditch where it spun around and came to rest facing south. The Ford traveled into the southbound traffic lanes where it rolled and skid on the roadway before coming to rest facing south.
Whiteside was transported from the scene by ambulance to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department for examination. The minor driver was later taken by private vehicle to the hospital.
March 2, 2019 - The Shelby County Livestock sale has ended at the John D. Windham Civic Center raising over $74,000 with additional money being added. The official results along with additional livestock show results will be posted soon.
Auction results below: *Money has been added by buyers to bring all money up to over $2,000 for each exhibitor who made the auction!
Grand Champion Steer - Baylor Kimbro (Timpson FFA), purchased by Hawkeye Hunting Club for $4,500. *Farmers State Bank presented $1,000 for Highest Placing County Bred Steer.
Grand Champion Swine - Jayden Cater (Joaquin FFA), purchased by XTO for $3,500.
Grand Champion Goat - Avery Metcalf (Timpson FFA), purchased by Farmers State Bank for $3,500.
Grand Champion Lamb - Jairo Blanco (Joaquin FFA), purchased by Shelby Savings Bank and General Shelters for $2,500.
Reserve Grand Champion Steer - Ethan Wood (Joaquin FFA), purchased by Oil Field Buyers Group for $4,499
Reserve Grand Champion Swine - Alexis Clouse (Joaquin FFA), purchased by Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative for $2,500.
Reserve Grand Champion Goat - Wesley Wages (Center FFA), purchased by Shelby Savings Bank and General Shelters for $2,500.
Reserve Grand Champion Lamb - Macey Jo Hanson (Timpson FFA), purchased by Common Disposal and L&R Timber for $2,000.
3rd place Steer - Abi Hooper (Shelby Co. 4-H), purchased for $3,000.
3rd Place Swine - Kyleigh Avery (Joaquin FFA), purchased for $1,500.
3rd Place Goat - April Ramsey (Timpson FFA), purchased for $2,250.
3rd Place Lamb - Kennedy Bush (Center FFA), purchased for $1,999.
4th place Steer - Trey Harvey (Joaquin FFA), purchased for $4,498.
4th Place Swine - Slade Kirby (Center FFA), purchased for $1,250.
4th Place Goat - Ashlynn Lindgren (Timpson FFA), purchased for $2,000.
4th Place Lamb - Lance Holloway (Center FFA), purchased for $1,999.
5th place Steer - Jake Neal (Joaquin FFA, purchased for $4,498.
5th Place Swine - Kaitleigh Avery (Joaquin FFA), purchased for $1,500.
5th Place Goat - Hannah Wages (Center FFA), purchased for $2,000.
5th Place Lamb - Logan Holloway (Center FFA), purchased for $1,999.
6th Place Steer - John Weir (Joaquin FFA), purchased for $1,500.
6th Place Swine - Evan Miller (Joaquin FFA), purchased for $1,600.
6th Place Goat - Keelie McDonald (Timpson FFA), purchased for $2,000.
6th Place Lamb - Caden Solomon (Timpson FFA), purchased for $1,999.
7th Place Swine - Lauren Neal (Joaquin FFA), purchased for $2,499.
7th Place Goat - Alyssa Cummings (Joaquin FFA), purchased for $2,000.
7th Place Lamb - Cara Searay (Timpson FFA), purchased for $1,999.
8th Place Swine - Madison Russell (Center FFA), purchased for $2,499.
8th Place Goat - Carsen Vickers (Center FFA), purchased for $2,250.
8th Place Lamb - Emmalee Richardson (Timpson FFA), purchased for $1,999.
March 1, 2019 - Weather statistics for February 2019 were prepared by Ann Forbes, U.S. Weather Service Observer.
Highest Temp was 80 degrees on 2-06-2019
Highest Temp on Record was 90 degrees on 2-24-1986
Lowest Temp was 29 degrees on 2-08-2019
Lowest Temp on Record was 0 degrees on 2-03-1951
Rainfall Recorded was 3.96 inches
Average Monthly Rainfall is 4.95 inches
Below Average by 0.99 inches
Highest Recorded for this Month was 9.22 inches in 2018
Lowest Recorded for this Month was 0.34 inches in 1996
3 days 32 degrees on Below
Trace of Snow on 2-09-2019
Rainfall through 2-2019 is 10.00 inches
March 1, 2019 - TxDOT Alert: The nine-county Lufkin District today is pre-treating overpasses, bridges, major corridors and state highways ahead of predicted freezing temps and possible precipitation on Sunday, March 3rd. Drive with care and stay alert. Visit http://drivetexas.org for statewide conditions.
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