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December 12, 2018 - State Highway 7 West was the scene of a major single-vehicle crash early November 26, 2018. 

According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Jonathan Stinson, at 8:20am a beige 2006 Toyota Sienna passenger van driven by Brandie Lou Benedetti, 36, of Center was eastbound on State Highway 7 West in the outside lane.

From there, the Toyota traveled across the westbound traffic lanes and left the roadway where the vehicle struck a barbed wire fence and two trees. The collison caused front end right damage due to partial impact and right back quarter damage due to angular impact.

No injuries were reported from the crash. Benedetti was issued a citation for unsafe speed.

The owner of the fence was informed of the resulting damage.

December 7, 2018 - (Update): According to Center Police Officer Brian Wright, Brandon Wilson, 26, of Logansport was driving westbound in a white Peterbilt truck-tractor, owned by BC Petroleum, on State Highway 7 East.

As Wilson turned left onto Loop 500, the Peterbilt was traveling too fast with an oversize heavy load and the truck-tractor overturned. 

Wilson was transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department for possible injury. 

No citations have been issued at the time of this report.


December 6, 2018 - Efforts are currently underway to upright an overturned truck-tractor hauling a tanker at the intersection of State Highway 7 East and Loop 500 in Center. TxDOT is currently on scene directing travelers around the wrecked truck, and a wrecker crew is trying to put the truck back onto its wheels.

Work is being done at this time to transfer the saltwater being hauled by the truck from the overturned tanker to another tanker now on scene.

Anyone driving in this direction should use caution, and expect travel delays.

More information will be updated as it's available.

December 6, 2018 - Emergency personnel were dispatched to a major single-vehicle rollover crash 11 1/2 miles west of Center just after CR 1234 on December 5, 2018.

According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Jonathan Stinson, at 3:40pm a 17-year-old female of Nacogdoches was driving a black 2013 Ford F-350 was eastbound on State Highway 7 West. 

The driver was headed from school in Nacogdoches to Center when the right rear fender of the Ford struck the eastbound guardrail. The collision caused the truck to roll one time, and come to rest at the other end of the guardrail facing westbound, with the left rear of the truck resting against the guardrail.

An ambulance was on scene; however, the driver only received minor scratches and was released at the scene.

A citation was issued for fail to drive in a single lane. 

West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department firemen directed traffic at the location until the crash debris was clear at 5:15pm.

December 6, 2018 - Alert: A truck hauling salt water has overturned on SL 500 near SH 7 East in Center.

Motorists should prepare for delays, reduce speed and stay alert as emergency responders clear the scene.

USPS Limits Service Wednesday, Dec. 5

December 5, 2018 - The Postal Service® will suspend regular mail delivery and retail service on Wednesday, December 5. USPS® will provide limited package delivery service on that day.

USPS Suspends Regular Mail Delivery

President Donald J. Trump has declared December 5 as a national day of mourning, calling on Americans to remember the vast contributions of former President George H.W. Bush. To honor the life and legacy of President Bush, the Postal Service will observe the national day of mourning.

All Post Office® locations will be closed.
Regular mail will not be delivered.
Package delivery will be limited.

December 4, 2018 - According to a Tenaha Police Department press release, three Tenaha residents were arrested Monday on drug charges following the execution of search warrant.

Tenaha PD Press Release: On Monday, December 3, 2018, Officers with the Tenaha Police Department executed a search/arrest warrant at a residence located on North Rail street in Tenaha. The search warrant pertained to the Possession and distribution of dangerous and illegal narcotics.


(First photo) John C. Jones, (Second photo) Latishana Gray, (Last photo) Carlton D. Horton

As a result of this investigation, the occupants of the residence John C. Jones, age 29; Latishana Gray, age 26; and Carlton D. Horton, age 28, all of Tenaha, were arrested without incident.

Jones was charged with Delivery of Marijuana; State Jail Felony, and Possession of Marijuana; State Jail Felony. Horton was charged with Possession of Marijuana; State Jail Felony and Latishana Gray was charged with Possession of Marijuana; State Jail Felony and Possession of Dangerous Drug Class (A) Misdemeanor.

All three subjects were transported to the Shelby County Jail for booking. Jones, Gray, and Horton are being held in lieu of a combined $30,000 bond.

Among items seized were approximately two pounds of marijuana, illegally possessed prescription pills, drug paraphernalia, packaging materials, firearms, and US currency, used to facilitate sales and purchases of illegal narcotics.

Tenaha Police Department would like to extend thanks to Texas Department of Public Safety (Texas Highway Patrol); Shelby County Constable Pct. 3, Roy Cheatwood and Shelby County District Attorney in partnership, of a common goal, of keeping our state and county clean of illegal activity and for their assistance with the execution of this search warrant.

Anyone with information regarding criminal activity is urged to contact the Tenaha Police Department at 936-248-3841. All callers can remain anonymous, your tips are one of law enforcements greatest assets.

December 4, 2018 - Officer Kurtes Lawrence with the Tenaha Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Highway 96 South near Loop 157 on Saturday, December 1, 2018.

Lawrence observed a Cadillac passenger car fail to maintain a single lane and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle.


Jeremy Patton

Contact was made by Officer Lawrence with the driver who was later identified as Jeremy Patton, 34. Upon approach of the vehicle Officer Lawrence detected the odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle and or person.

After further investigation and a probable cause search of the vehicle Officer Lawrence was able to locate and seize a baggie of marijuana, weighing approximately 4 grams and a quantity of multi-colored pills which were believed to be ecstasy, weighing approximately 20 grams.

Patton was taken into custody, transported to the Shelby County Jail and booked in without incident on the following charges: Possession of Controlled Substance, Felony 2 and Possession of Marijuana, Misdemeanor (B).

December 4, 2018 - As a result of the recent passing of President George Hebert Walker Bush, Governor Greg Abbott has proclaimed Wednesday, December 5, 2018, as an official day of mourning for the state of Texas. TxDOT offices will be closed.

December 3, 2018 - (Update): Center PD press release - November 27, 2018 Center Police Dept responded to the 500 block of Lakewood Drive in reference to a male subject that had been shot.

The male subject was outside working in the backyard when he heard several shots. He was then struck in the right shoulder and was transported to the Center E. R. for treatment.

The victim was treated and released a short time later. The case is still under investigation.

Detective Nicole Faulkner


November 27, 2018 - A man was hospitalized Tuesday, November 27, 2018 following a shooting incident in Center which put officers on high alert just after 4pm.

Area residents may have witnessed law enforcement officers from multiple agencies converge on a wooded area just east of Loop 500 and State Highway 7 West in search of the shooter.

Units with Center Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff's Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, and a Texas Game Warden were stationed around the area in attempts to ensnare the suspect.

Center Police Officer Steven Thornburgh and K9 Taz entered the woods with other officers in search of the individual who was described as being clothed in camouflage. 

At this time, the suspect has not yet been apprehended and the condition of the victim has not yet been released.

Additional information will be provided on Shelby County Today as it is made available by the Center Police Department.

Anyone with information regarding the suspect in this incident is encouraged to contact the Center Police Department at 936-598-2788.

December 3, 2018 - Weather statistics for November, 2018 prepared and submitted by Ann Forbes, U.S. Weather Service Observer.
 
Highest Temp was 81 degrees on 11-01-2018
Highest Temp on Record was 91 degrees on 11-14-1942 and 11-11-1944
Lowest Temp was 26 degrees on 11-15-2018
Lowest Temp on Record was 12 degrees on 11-30-1976
 
Rainfall Recorded was 9.33 inches
Average Monthly Rainfall is 5.04 inches
Above Average by 4.29 inches
Highest Recorded for this Month was 16.58 in 1940
Lowest Recorded for this Month was 0.46 inches in 1999
 
Yearly Rainfall through November is 69.39 inches
Yearly Average through November is 48.77 inches
Above Average by 20.62 inches
First frost and freeze was 11-14-2018 with very light snow flurries - low was 29 degrees
Killing frost was 11-15-18 with 26 degrees

Click here for full weather report

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