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July 3, 2018 - The morning sky was aglow with flames at the intersection of Center and Shelbyville streets early Tuesday, July 3, 2018 in Center due to a house fire.
When Center Fire Department firemen arrived at the McLendon house, not long after 5am, the two-story structure was completely engulfed in flames. Embers were escaping into the still dark sky as flames also found their way across Shelbyville Street to neighboring yards where residents were wetting roofs with garden hoses to prevent fire from catching.
Water was applied by firemen to structures located directly next door to the enflamed building in attempts to prevent further spread of the fire.
Police officers encouraged one resident two doors down from the flaming building to at least be prepared to evacuate his home in case the fire reached his residence, however it did not.
The wooden house burned hot and fast until what remained was a single flame, emanating out of what used to be the back of the house, from an old natural gas line.
Shelbyville Street was shut down from Pine Street to Center Street by Center Police Department and Center Fire Department until the firemen cleared the scene.
Public records indicate the home is owned by Clifton McLendon. The property was not being lived in at the time of the fire.
July 3, 2018 - The Shelby County Appraisal District does not have phone service at this time. It is unknown when our phones will be working again. We believe the lines were damaged from a house fire on Shelbyville street.
July 2, 2018 - The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating a report of criminal mischief that occurred between the evening hours on June 29 and early morning hours on June 30, 2018 at the Smith Cemetery on CR 3153 in Center.
Suspects appeared to have connected part of the fencing to a vehicle and peeled approximately 150 feet of fence from its setting. The damage occurred on both sides of the roadway. A total of 300 feet of fencing was damaged. The cemetery gate was also ripped from the fence.
The initial investigation revealed the tire tracks were from a dually type of vehicle.
If you have any information regarding this case, you are asked to contact the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office at 936.598.5601.
July 2, 2018 - The National Weather Service Shreveport, LA issues a Hazardous Weather Outlook at 10:37am CDT Monday, July 2, 2018.
This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northwest Louisiana, east Texas and northeast Texas - De Soto, Sabine, Wood, Upshur, Marion, Smith, Gregg, Harrison, Cherokee, Rusk, Panola, Nacogdoches, Shelby, Angelina, San Augustine
Today and Tonight... An upper level ridge of high pressure will remain anchored over much of the area today. As a result, temperatures will climb into the upper 90s to near 100 degrees this afternoon. When combined with the humidity, heat indices will range from 100 to 105 degrees once again. If you must be outside, remember to take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water.
Tuesday through Sunday... An upper level disturbance will drift west across the Lower Mississippi Valley and into Southern Arkansas and much of Louisiana Tuesday, which should help initiate scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms over much of the region. However, one more day of very hot temperatures is expected especially over East Texas, Southeast Oklahoma, portions of Southwest Arkansas and Northwest Louisiana, as temperatures again climb into the upper 90s, and resultant heat indices range between 100 and 105 degrees. These scattered showers and thunderstorms will persist Tuesday night and Wednesday over much of the region as this disturbance continues to drift west across the area. Brief heavy rainfall and locally gusty winds will be possible in the stronger storms. While these storms may become more isolated Thursday, scattered showers and thunderstorms should increase Friday through Sunday, ahead of a potential series of upper level disturbances that will again shift west across the region.
June 29, 2018 - State Highway 7 West was the scene of a major single-vehicle crash from which the driver was flown by ambulatory helicopter Thursday, June 28, 2018.
The crash was witnessed by John Green, who was preparing to enter SH7 from CR 1211 (Lake Pinkston Road) when he witnessed the truck leave the roadway following which he called for emergency assistance.
While Texas Department of Public Safety State (DPS) Troopers arrived and began investigating the incident, members of the West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department and Shelby County Sheriff's Deputies assisted with traffic control.
The driver of the pickup truck was moved from her vehicle by ACE EMS personnel, who were assisted by DPS Troopers and firemen in getting her to an ambulance. Center Fire Department firemen and Center Police Officers were also on scene to help.
It was determined a helicopter was needed to transport the driver and a landing zone was established in the middle of SH 7.
According to Texas DPS State Trooper Jesse Fountain, at 9:20am white 1999 Ford F-250 driven by Elaine Higginbotham, 76, of Center was eastbound on SH 7. At that time she failed to negotiate a left-hand curve in the roadway and left the pavement before striking several trees.
When emergency personnel arrived on scene, Higginbotham was trapped within the truck and it took several men and fire personnel to get her out of the vehicle.
Higginbotham was transported from the scene by Life Air Rescue to University Health in Shreveport for treatment of unknown injuries.
Traffic Alert - Road Closure
June 28, 2018 - State Highway 87 / Shelbyville Street in Center will be closed on Friday, June 29th at the BNSF Railroad crossing for work that is being done by the railroad.
RoadSafe Traffic Systems will have the BNSF railroad crossing on Shelbyville St near the Tyson Foods plant closed 7:30am to 4:00pm so BNSF can make needed repairs to the crossing at this location. We will have a detour route in place please follow and pay attention to the construction signs that will be place out.
June 28, 2018 - Center PD Traffic Stop Leads to Discovery of Cocaine
Center Police Officer Brian Wright conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle being driven by Marcus Brandon Cartwright on June 23, 2018. During the traffic stop Center Police Department (CPD) Sgt. Knowlton utilized his canine, K9 Elliott, who then alerted on the vehicle.
A search of the vehicle resulted in Officers recovering approximately .5 grams of suspected cocaine.
Cartwright is currently out on parole for a previous narcotics related arrest. Cartwright was subsequently arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance PG1<1G.
PCP, Drug Paraphernalia Leads to Narcotics Seizure, Arrest of Two
CPD Sergeant Christopher Knowlton conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle being driven by Shamus Jaquan Ross. During the traffic stop a probable cause search was conducted of the vehicle with the discovery of approximately 13.5 grams of suspected Phencyclidine (PCP) being made.
Ross was subsequently arrested for the recovered PCP and his passenger, Eric Jerome Nobles, was arrested for a “crack” pipe that was recovered from his pants pocket.
Methemphetamine Discoverd During CPD Traffic Stop
Officer Brian Wright conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle being driven by Juanita Lee Briggs on June 10, 2018. During the traffic stop Sgt. Knowlton utilized his canine, K9 Elliott, who then alerted on the vehicle. A search of the vehicle and Briggs’ person was then conducted with officers recovering approximately 34 grams of suspected methamphetamine, multiple baggies for narcotics packaging, and a set of digital scales.
A warrant has been issued for Briggs’ arrest for the recovered narcotics.
June 28, 2018 - The Center Police Department sent out the below press release regarding the fire on Tuesday, June 26th at the Police Department.
On June 26, 2018 at approximately 7:00 pm, an inmate (Katina Marshay Evans) had been incarcerated at the Center Police Department Jail for a Misdemeanor C, Public Intoxication. Evans apparently had smuggled a cigarette lighter into her cell and lit a small fire using toilet paper and towels. The fire was quickly extinguished by PD Dispatcher Karen Shields. Fortunately, the fire had caused minimal damage. All inmates were evacuated to fresh air and were evaluated by ACE EMS. Meanwhile, the Center Voluntary Fire Department arrived at the scene, assessed the incident and ventilated the jail.
As Katina Evans was being escorted to safety, she attempted to escape by running from the jail, through the back door and toward the rear parking lot entrance. She was quickly detained by Sgt Knowlton and Officer Maegan Wright where the Taser was deployed but did not penetrate her clothing.
Other than the Misdemeanor Evans was facing, she is now charged with Arson- Felony 2 and Escape while Arrested or Confined- Felony 3. Evans is currently on probation through Shelby County.
June 27, 2018 - The Center Police Department (CPD) was the scene of an apparent fire Tuesday, June 26, 2018 when the Center Fire Department was dispatched to it.
Upon arrival at the police department, Shelby County Today witnessed an inmate in an orange jump suit who was on the ground and who had been tazed. ACE EMS ambulance personnel were at the police department and checked the inmate for any injury.
Meanwhile, firemen were inside the police department with a ventilation fan evacuating the building of smoke. Observed on the ground outside the side entrance to the police department was a scorched roll of toilet paper that was still smoking.
After the firemen cleared the building of smoke, they returned to the station.
At this time additional information is pending from the police department as to what happened.
City of Huxley Public Notice to Boil Water Effective June 27, 2018 has been rescended
June 27, 2018 - Due to low chlorine residuals, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required the City of Huxley water system PWS 2100019 to notify customers of the need to boil their water in the Oakdale Community, English Bay and Brinson Marina areas prior to consumption.
To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and making ice should be boiled and cooled prior to use. The water should be brought to a vigorous, rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes. In lieu of boiling, you may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source.
When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the water system officials will notify you that the water is safe for consumption. Instructions to discontinue boiling will be issued in the same manner as this notice.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Huxley Water Treatment Plant at 936-368-2633.
June 26, 2018 - A stolen vehicle was discovered Monday, June 25, 2018 behind a former Tyson feed mill located on U.S. Highway 96 just south of Tenaha.
According to Jake Metcalf, Constable Precinct 4, he was patrolling a construction site on U.S. 96 when he discovered a black 2011 Chevrolet Camaro with temporary tags.
Upon running the plate and vehicle identification number through TCIC (Texas Crime Information Center) and NCIC (National Crime Information Center) through Shelby County, the Camaro was determined to have been stolen from Harris County in the Houston area.
The vehicle was processed on scene and Hopkins Wrecker towed the Camaro from the location.
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