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December 12, 2019 - Due to the construction on the sidewalk in front of the Shelby County Clerk's Office on the downtown Center square, and for the safety of our customers, we will be locking our front door for the next two weeks, beginning today, December 12, 2019. We do have our back door unlocked, and you can park at the active courthouse and walk across the road to the back of our office, and come through the back door. We do have a sign to let you know which door to use. Thank you for your understanding and patience during this time.
December 5, 2019 - A Shelby County Grand Jury indicted a former Sheriff's Department Jailer on November 25, 2019 who was arrested earlier in September 2019.
The grand jury impaneled for the July term of the 123rd Judicial District Court handed down an indictment of Jayaveon Jacoy Standley for violation of civil right of person in custody: improper sexual activity.
The indictment alleges, on September 25, 2019, Standley engaged in deviate sexual activity with an inmate who was in custody in the Shelby County Jail.
Related articles:
Former Sheriff's Department Jailer Arrested on Improper Sexual Activity Charge
December 4, 2019 - U.S. Highway 59 north of Tenaha was the scene of a major crash Wednesday, December 4, 2019 which resulted in a fatality.
It appeared the collision occurred at the intersection of FM 157 and U.S. 59 between a blue Chrysler Pacifica and a white Dodge Ram pickup truck hauling a flat bed trailer.
According to information provided by Tenaha Police Chief Jeremy Pope, the Tenaha Police Department (TPD) continues to investigate a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred on Wednesday, December 4, 2019 at approximately 9:30am. The crash occurred at the intersection of Loop 157 and US Highway 59 North.
The preliminary investigation has indicated that a blue 2017 Chrysler Pacifica driven by De'Undria Jackson, 21, of Tenaha was northbound on Loop 157, and entered the intersection at US Highway 59. While crossing the South bound lanes of traffic the vehicle collided with a white 2010 Dodge Ram pickup driven by Martin Aguilar, 50, of Brownsboro, Texas hauling a gooseneck trailer.
Jackson was pronounced deceased at the scene by Jackie Kirkwood, Justice of the Peace Pct. 4.
Tenaha Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to the scene and Woods Volunteer Fire Department assisted by using Jaws of Life to extricate the driver of the Pacifica.
The family of the deceased has been notified. This case continues to be under investigation by TPD and no charges have been filed at this time.
Three passengers from the pickup were transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department in Center for treatment of possible injuries. Those passengers were Carlos Reynoso, 28, Luis Moreno, 60, and Juan Espiriceta, 39.
December 2, 2019 - A Center man has been sentenced December 2, 2019 to 150 years imprisonment, according to information released by the Shelby County District Attorney's office.
Six cases are the total number referenced in the press release; however, only two are named. The two cases specifically referenced are from a September 11, 2016 incident in which James received two aggravated sexual assault, 1st degree felony charges.
The following information includes the charge and number of years jail time James will receive as a result of his convictions.
The first set of incidents involved two victims of James on September 1, 2016 and as a result he was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, 2nd degree felony - 20 years; and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, 2nd degree felony - 20 years.
Another incident garnered several more charges for James as on September 11, 2016 a third victim suffered unlawful restraint, 3rd degree felony - 10 years; aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, 2nd degree felony - 20 years; aggravated sexual assault, 1st degree felony - 40 years; and aggravated sexual assault, 1st degree felony - 40 years.
Due to the plea agreement, one case of assault on a public servant against James was dismissed,
According to the press release issued by the District Attorney's office, Defendant Anthony Letroy James was convicted and sentenced to a total of 150 years imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division.
James was convicted on six cases, including two charges of aggravated sexual assault for which he received two separate sentences of forty (40) years each. The matter was resolved via plea bargain reached between Shelby County District Attorney Stephen Shires and the defense counsel for Mr. James, just before a jury trial was set to begin in the 123rd Judicial District Court, Honorable Judge LeAnn Rafferty presiding.
The District Attorney appreciates the folks that reported for jury duty this morning, and their willingness to hear a difficult case. Because of that service, justice was served and the victim in the cases is now able to move forward in her life, putting this matter squarely behind her.
Related articles:
Altercation Between Neighbors Results in Stabbing
December 2, 2019 - State Highway 7 East at the intersection of Loop 500 was the scene of a two-vehicle crash Monday December 2, 2019.
According to Center Police Officer Spencer Anderson, at 3:04pm a blue Ford 2011 driven by Dorothy Niemeier, 72, of Woodville, Texas was westbound on State Highway 7 when she failed to yield right of way to oncoming traffic as she turned left onto Loop 500.
At that time a white 2009 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Dwight Stevenson, 32, of Mansfield, Louisiana was eastbound on State Highway 7 and as the Ford pulled in front of him a collision occurred.
The Ford remained in the middle of the roadway and the Chevrolet continued into a nearby ditch where it came to rest.
Stevenson was transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of possible injuries. No citations were issued at the time of the crash.
Texas Department of Public Safety assisted at the scene and Center Fire Department diverted traffic around the crash scene.
December 2, 2019 - Weather statistics for November 2019 are prepared and submitted by Ann Forbes, U.S. Weather Service Observer.
Highest Temp was 80 degrees on 11-06-2019 and 11-22-2019
Highest Temp on Record was 91 degrees on 11-14-1942 and 11-11-1944
Lowest Temp was 19 degrees on 11-13-2019
Lowest Temp on Record was 12 degrees on 11-30-1976
Rainfall recorded was 1.55 inches
Average Monthly Rainfall is 5.04 inches
Below Average by 3.49 inches
Highest Recorded for this Month was 16.58 inches in 1940
Lowest Recorded for this Month was 0.46 inches in 1999
Rainfall through November is 50.32 inches
Average Rainfall through November is 48.77 inches
First Frost and Freeze was 11-01-2019
Hope your Thanksgiving was blessed and you will have a Very Merry Christmas!!!
To view full weather report, click here.
December 1, 2019 - A dump truck was involved in a single-vehicle crash Sunday, December 1, 2019 and caused a spill on the road, delaying traffic traveling through the area on State Highway 7.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Taylor Buster, at around 8:45am a green 2008 Cub Cadet dump truck driven by Martin Galvan, 28, of Center was eastbound on State Highway 7 about 1 mile west of FM 711.
The truck failed to drive in a single lane and left the roadway to the right, dropping off the edge of the pavement. Galvan overcorrected left causing the truck to flip over. The truck then skid across the highway and came to rest in the westbound ditch on its passenger side.
A load of gravel being hauled by the dump truck was spread across both sides of the roadway.
Galvan refused transport by ambulance from the scene with intention to go to a hospital later. He was issued a citation for fail to drive in a single lane.
West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department diverted traffic at the scene so it could be cleared.
November 30, 2019 - Significant weather advisory for southeastern DeSoto west central Natchitoches and northern Sabine parishes southeastern Shelby and Northern Central Sabine counties until 3pm CST
At 2:14pm CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8 miles east of Patroon, or 23 miles southeast of Center, moving northeast at 50 mph.
Penny size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include: Milam, Zwolle, Converse, Allen, Oak Grove, Pleasant Hill, Noble, Toledo Bend Reservoir North, Belmont, Marthaville, Rambin and Ajax.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 7pm CST for northwestern
Louisiana, and eastern Texas.
November 30, 2019 - The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for the following counties until 8pm: Angelina, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Marion, Nacogdoches, Panola, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Smith, Upshur
November 27, 2019 - Following acceptance of resignations for two Justice of the Peace by the Commissioners' Court, the list of offices below to be included on the 2020 Primary Ballot has been updated. Filing for a place on the ballot ends December 9, 2019.
November 18, 2019 - The upcoming Presidental election has dominated the national news; however, it isn't the only office to be included on the 2020 Primary Election ballot.
The offices which will be on the 2020 Ballot are:
FEDERAL
President
United States Senator
United States Representative, District 1
STATE
Railroad Commissioner
Justice, Supreme Court, Place 3
Justice, Supreme Court, Place 5
Justice, Supreme Court, Place 9
Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 2
Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 5
Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 6
Member, State Board of Education, District 9
State Representative, District 9
Justice, 12th Court of Appeals District, Place 2
Justice, 12th Court of Appeals District, Place 3
District Judge, 123rd Judicial District
District Attorney
COUNTY
County Attorney
Sheriff
County Tax Assessor-Collector
County Commissioner, Pct 1
County Commissioner, Pct 3
*Justice of the Peace, Pct 1 (2-year unexpired term)
*Justice of the Peace, Pct 3 (2-year unexpired term)
Constable, Precinct 1
Constable, Precinct 2
Constable, Precinct 3
Constable, Precinct 4
Constable, Precinct 5
County Chairman
Anyone wanting to file for a place on the Primary ballot for precinct chair can file starting Tuesday, September 10, 2019.
The first day to file for all other candidates for offices is Saturday, November 9, 2019 with a filing deadline for candidates being Monday, December 9, 2019 at 6pm.
The Primary Election date is set for March 3, 2020.
To view political candidacy announcements which have been submitted to Shelby County Today, click here. Older candidacy announcements for previous elections will show as well; please notice the publish date at the beginning of an article to see if it is a new announcement.
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