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September 13, 2017 - DeSoto Parish Crime Stoppers Felon of the Week Program is asking for the public’s help in locating/identifying suspect(s) wanted from DeSoto Parish Area.

Ryan K. Jones of Logansport, La. Jones is wanted for Violation of Protective Order. Jones is described as a white male, 6’2” tall and weighing 250lbs. Jones is 42 years of age.

DeSoto Parish Crime Stoppers is offering a reward up to $1,000 for information that results in the suspects arrest, anyone with information is asked to call the Crime Stoppers line at 1-800-505-STOP(7867) all calls are confidential or contact the Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Office at (318)872-3956. Capt. James Clements.

September 13, 2017 - With all Commissioners and County Judge present, a Commissioners' Court meeting Monday, September 11, 2017 vetted county business including courthouse security and a possible energy audit. The court also heard from a Precinct 4 citizen concerning needed repairs to CR 4840.

Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison invited Mac Warren, a member of the audience, to give an invocation which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the American and the Texas flags.

Discussion included placing a Courthouse Security monitor in the foyer, Judge Harbison said, "We had discussed this awhile back and kind of ran out of money in my budget for making improvements. Hopefully, in October we will work on some additional courthouse security but I just think it would be better if we are going to have a guard at the door that they have the monitor there to see what's going on." She continued, "What I propose is that an additional [monitor] to be out there and to move courthouse security out to the front, to the front counter."

Clint Porterfield, County Auditor, advised there were funds available in the Courthouse Security account to finance the expenditure. A motion was made and carried to install an additional security monitor in the front foyer with the funds coming out of the Courthouse Security account.

Janitorial services were on the agenda again for more discussion. Three bids were received which were from Joyce K. Horton, Angela Raybon, and Jo Stone. The discussion was whether to continue contracting the service or to hire an employee.

Porterfield advised new employee expenses would be approximately $6,700 per year for health insurance, retirement match is 7% which would be another $1,800 - $2,000 depending on pay, plus unemployment, life insurance, and worker's compensation. The total new employee expense would be around $9,000 plus the salary.

Judge Harbison also advised that if the county goes the route of hiring an employee versus having a contract for janitorial services, the county would be responsible for purchasing all of the supplies which in the past have been provided by the contractor. The county would also have to advertise for the position.

Commissioner Pct 4 Charles Barr responded, "I tend to lean toward having our own employee because otherwise, reading this contract, our services include this, this, and this, so on and so forth, when we really need to determine what those jobs are. I lean in that direction, I don't know how the other Commissioners feel, I'm kind of leaning in that direction."

Commissioners were presented the option to make a short contract agreement of 90 days for the time being and not to renew the full 1-year term until it can be decided to continue contracting the service or to hire an employee. Commissioners chose to table the item on Janitorial Services.

A presentation was made by Steve Smelley with the Way Companies regarding Energy Sustainability of county buildings. Smelley spoke, "We are a hundred year old company, privately held, and what we do and how we do it works. If you will look at counties across the state of Texas, building infrastructure is 50 years or older, most of your infrastructure is at the end of its life cycle. You have very high operating costs." He continued to talk about high operating costs and estimated what the outcome would be if the county followed through, "We are able to capture 20% to 40% of what you are spending on your utility spend and able to reinvest that back into your infrastructure." He stated the county is protected under Government Code section 302 (Energy Savings Performance Contracts for Local Governments.)

A heated discussion ensued concerning how the program works and what it would obligate the county to pay in the future if the county gave authorization to the company to perform an Energy Audit of the county buildings and present an action plan of their findings back to Commissioners' Court. Smelley said, "All I'm asking today is that you authorize the judge to sign my action plan which allows me to perform this audit for you at no charge to the county and we'll get that done and I've got all the dates here and I should be back in front of you with a November time frame."

Commissioner Pct 1 Roscoe McSwain asked, "Essentially, what you are talking about, the savings will come from the electrical bill?" and Smelley replied it would come from gas, water, and electric.

County Attorney Gary Rholes questioned the procedure and requested to see a contract before the county signed anything. McSwain expressed concerns about how the process will be paid for and if the results of the audit obligates the county to a future bill.

Following a long discussion, Commissioner Pct 3 Charles Barr made a motion to approve the authorization for the Energy Audit. County Judge Allison seconded the motion after no other Commissioners spoke. Upon voting, Commissioners McSwain, Jimmy Lout, and Bradley Allen voted against the motion and it failed.

Tonia Epperson addressed the court regarding her mother's road, CR 4840 also known as Prairie Street, which is in Pct 4, Commissioner Allen's precinct. After passing out a map, Epperson spoke on behalf of her mom, Betty Crump, who lives on the road, "She had numerous times asked Mr. Allen about a creek that crosses in front of her driveway to maintain that. He has stated to her just recently that it was not in the county, it belonged to the city and that he was not going to fix it." She presented evidence showing the section of the roadway where the creek is located is in the county and the court agreed it was in the county.

Allen argued he didn't say it wasn't in the county but that a large majority of the road wasn't in the county. A lively discussion ensued between Epperson and Allen concerning when the area of the driveway became part of the county. He advised he felt the problem was her driveway culvert, "Her problem is her driveway culvert. I've carried Commissioners (Charles Barr) out there and we looked at it. It's undermined, it needs to be tore out, and a new one put in."

"We can put a culvert in where the creek is. It may give you enough to turn out but it's not going to address your water problems," continued Allen.

"The problem is that when those culverts (across the roadway) were originally put in the road was wider on each side because the road came to the edge of those culverts. As it has washed, [the road] has narrowed and narrowed and narrowed so that you have this much culvert on each end sticking out because there is no retaining wall, there is nothing that is there to hold the material onto the top of the culverts. That road does get under water. That is why..." said Epperson. Allen interjected, "and it is going to continue doing so." Epperson understood the area will continue to have water issues but she felt if the side of the culvert was cleaned out it would help.

Allen advised he has plans to replace that culvert and already has it ordered but he could not say the exact day when the culvert would be put in. He would be replacing the two culverts which currently run across the road with a larger culvert. Epperson said thank you and expressed appreciation for the Commissioners' time.

Items approved in the meeting:
1. Minutes of the August 7, 2017 Budget Workshop, August 14, 2017 Regular meeting, the August 14, 2017 Budget Workshop, August 28, Special meeting, and August 31, 2017 Special meeting, of the Shelby County Commissioners’ Court
2. Payment of weekly expenses
3. Officers' report: (See below Ann Blackwell report)
5. 2018 Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day (Mon., Jan. 1st), Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Mon., Jan 15th), President's Day (Mon., Feb. 19th), Good Friday (Fri., March 30th), Memorial Day (Mon., May 28th), Independence Day (Wed., July 4th), Labor Day (Mon., Sept. 3rd), Columbus Day (Mon., Oct. 8th), Veterans' Day (Mon., Nov. 12th), Thanksgiving Holidays (Thurs., Nov. 22; Fri., Nov. 23), Christmas Holiday (Mon., Dec. 24th; Tues., Dec. 25th; Wed., Dec. 26th)
6. Placing Courthouse Security monitor in the foyer
7. Sheriff's and Constables fees for 2018
10. Approved the County Auditor to conduct audit of District Attorney Forfeiture/Seizure funds per code of criminal procedure 59.06(g).

Items tabled for another meeting:
8. Discuss and possibly take action on Janitorial Services.

Ann Blackwell, County Treasurer, presented her financial report as follows:

Debra Riley, Tax Assessor Collector - Total of $121,522.13
     Property Collections $90,830.66
     Motor Vehicles $30,691.47
Jennifer Fountain, County Clerk - $36,182.71
Lori Oliver, District Clerk - $17,111.45
Melissa Crouch, JP 1 - $7,385
Marla Denby, JP 2 - $943
Margie Anderson, JP 3 - $11,475
Jenny Hicks, JP 4 - $2,416
Mike Crouch, JP 5 - $3,036
Total fees office collections - $200,071.29

Zack Warr, Constable 1 - $1,008
Jamie Hagler, Constable 2 - $90
Robert Hairgrove, Constable 5 - $180

Investments earned a total $1,062.81 bringing the total value of investments to $1,792,838.51 for certificates of deposit and investments. Interest earned on interest bearing checking accounts was $740.09.

September 13, 2017 - The Center Fire Department was dispatched to a stock trailer fire on FM 138 six miles west of Center Friday, September 8, 2017 at 2:45pm.

When the firemen arrived at the property of Earl Kiddy, no one was on scene where the stock trailer and mobile home were both engulfed in flames.

The firemen were able to extinguish the trailer and majority of the mobile home before the owner returned. It appeared he had been doing some burning of debris which had gotten out of control and caught the trailer and mobile home on fire.

September 12, 2017 - Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers were dispatched to locate a vehicle crash involving a tree after a driver arrived at the hospital.

According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers Taylor Buster and Richard Hill, Sometime on the morning of September 10, 2017 a white GMC pickup truck driven by Luke Clark, was eastbound on FM 417. Clark disregarded a stop sign and crossed 417 striking a tree with the front center of the vehicle.

Clark was transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of unknown injuries.

When the Troopers, Shelby County Constable Precinct 2 Jamie Hagler and Sheriff's Deputy Adam Renfro located the truck, it had been moved from the crash scene to a residence on CR 2068 in Shelbyville.

September 12, 2017 - Lower speed limit signs are scheduled to be posted on Wednesday, September 13, 2017 that will lower the speed limit on SH 7 East in Nacogdoches, San Augustine and Shelby counties.

Texas Department of Transportation commissioners approved the recommendation for the speed limit adjustment in August. The new speed limit was reduced from 75 mph to 65 mph. The change will become enforceable when the signs are set.

The section of SH 7 East where the speed limit will be changed includes .3 miles east of SL 224 in Nacogdoches to Martinsville. The reduced speed also extends from just east of Martinsville and continues on SH 7 through San Augustine County and will end at the Center city limits in Shelby County.

Motorists should remain alert and obey all traffic control devices and speed limits.

For more information, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or (936) 633-4395.

September 12, 2017 - AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton today issued a consumer alert following a report from Equifax Inc., one of the nation’s three major credit reporting agencies, that it experienced a data breach affecting 143 million Americans, including nearly 12 million Texans. From mid-May through July, hackers accessed names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses and, in some cases, driver’s license numbers from Equifax credit reports. Around 209,000 individuals had their credit card numbers stolen. Equifax revealed the breach last week.

“My office has been in contact with Equifax and is working to get to the bottom of how this massive data breach occurred, and how we can protect the 12 million Texans it reported who are at potential risk of identity theft,” Attorney General Paxton said. “We will do what’s necessary to hold Equifax accountable. In the meantime, I encourage Texans to educate themselves about how to best protect their personal information and to file a complaint with my office if they have any concerns about this breach.”

The Consumer Protection Division of the attorney general’s office offers the following tips to Texans who may be affected by the Equifax data breach:

Check your credit report by going to a free service: www.annualcreditreport.com. Accounts or activity that you don’t recognize could indicate identity theft.

Consider placing a credit freeze on your files. Such action makes it more difficult for someone to open a new account in your name.

If you decide against a credit freeze, consider placing a fraud alert on your files. It warns creditors that you may be an identity theft victim and will make it more difficult for someone to open credit in your name.

Beware of email and telephone scams related to the data breach. Don’t give out personal information to those who contact you asking for information to verify accounts, and be wary of clicking on links or downloading attachments in email messages. Legitimate businesses do not ask consumers to verify account information via cold calls or emails. If in doubt, contact the bank or business directly at a phone number or website known to you.

Carefully review bank and credit card account statements and look for unauthorized charges. If you find any, contact the bank or business immediately to dispute them.

When it’s tax season, consider filing early and look out for any correspondence from the IRS. This will lessen the chance of someone fraudulently filing on your behalf. This is especially important if you’ve confirmed you’re a victim of identity theft.

For more information on how to protect your credit and personal information, visit the Fighting Identity Theft page of the attorney general’s website at https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/identitytheft. If you believe you are a victim of the data breach, you can file a complaint online at https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/cpd/file-a-consumer-complaint.

September 8, 2017 - A Shelby County grand jury for the July 2017 Term of the 123rd Judicial District Court met Thursday, September 7, 2017 and indicted 40 cases on 27 individuals.

The grand jury handed down three indictments of Kenith Wyatt Windham, the man who has filed a federal lawsuit against the Center Police Department for alleged excessive force.

Kenith Wyatt Windham was indicted for aggravated assault, first degree felony - enhanced: habitual felon 15-99 years or life. The indictment alleges on January 21, 2017 Windham recklessly caused serious bodily injury to Center Police Officer Spencer Anderson, by hurting his hip, leg, and/or knee while fighting Anderson as the defendant was resisting arrest.

Windham was also indicted for evading arrest or detention with vehicle, third degree felony - enhanced: punished as second degree felony. The indictment alleges on January 21, 2017 Windham used a vehicle to flee from Center Police Officer Spencer Anderson.

Windham was also indicted for escape, third degree felony - enhanced: punished as second degree felony. The indictment alleges on January 21, 2017 Windham knowingly escaped the custody of various Shelby County law enforcement officers including, but not limited to Officer Spencer Anderson and/or Sgt. Chris Knowlton when the defendant was under arrest for the felony offense of evading arrest with a vehicle.

Related article: Center PD Faces Excessive Force Allegations

Matthew McMahon and Randa Askew McMahon were each individually indicted for injury to a child, first degree felony. The indictments allege on June 1, 2017 the McMahons recklessly by omission caused serious bodily injury to a child by causing or allowing the child's potassium, protein and albumin levels to fall to very low levels. The potassium level is alleged to have fallen to a dangerously low, life-threatening level - all due to chronic nutritional deficiency.

Related articles: Two Arrested on Alleged Child Abuse Charges | Shelby County Couple Accused of Child Abuse Receive Quick Release Following Bond Reduction

John Blankenship was indicted for abandoning or endangering a child, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on September 14, 2016 Blankenship recklessly, or with criminal negligence engaged in conduct that placed a child younger than 15 years of age in imminent danger of death, bodily injury or physical or mental impairment, by having marijuana easily accessible to said child.

Kimberly Kay Stolich was indicted for abandoning or endangering a child, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on September 14, 2016 Blankenship recklessly, or with criminal negligence engaged in conduct that placed a child younger than 15 years of age in imminent danger of death, bodily injury or physical or mental impairment, by having marijuana easily accessible to said child.

Corey Deon Wilson was indicted for tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on August 24, 2016 Wilson, knowing that a traffic stop was in progress, he intentionally or knowingly concealed ecstasy pills with intent to impair its availability as evidence in the official proceeding.

Cedric Jermane Gee was indicted for possession of a controlled substance in a drug free zone, state jail felony - penalty enhanced to third degree felony. The indictment alleges on August 31, 2016 Gee knowingly possessed with intent to deliver methamphetamine in an amount of less than one gram. It is further alleged this was done within 1,000 feet of a playground owned by Union Acres.

Cedric Jermane Gee was indicted for possession of a controlled substance, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on August 31, 2016 Gee possessed methamphetamine in an amount less than one gram.

Cedric Jermane Gee was also indicted for unlawful possession of a firearm, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on August 31, 2016 Gee having already been convicted of the felony offense of manufacturing/distribution/possession of a schedule I substance in Louisiana, intentionally or knowingly possessed a firearm at a location other than the premises Gee lived.

Cedric Jermane Gee was indicted for theft of a firearm, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on August 31, 2016 Gee took a firearm without the effective consent of the owner.

Richard Elmo Coon was indicted for bail jumping and failure to appear, third degree felony - enhanced punishment as per second degree felony. The indictment alleges on July 17, 2017 being a person lawfully released from custody, with or without bail, on condition that he subsequently appear intentionally or knowingly failed to appear in accordance with the terms of his release.

Donald Ray Runnels was indicted for bail jumping and failure to appear, third degree felony - enhanced punishment as per second degree felony. The indictment alleges on July 17, 2017 being a person lawfully released from custody, with or without bail, on condition that he subsequently appear intentionally or knowingly failed to appear in accordance with the terms of his release.

Samantha Lopez was indicted for burglary of a habitation, second degree felony. The indictment alleges on July 15, 2016 Lopez entered a habitation without the consent of the owner Rachel Sowell. It is further alleges Lopez attempted to commit or committed theft of an LED LCD TV set, gold chain and gold bracelet, box of assorted items including razor knife, screwdrivers etc., DeWalt drill, JVC movie camera, multiple items of jewelry, purple HP stream notebook, multiple Xbox games, ZTE touchscreen phone, assorted cell phone chargers, multiple Wii games and large JVC camcorder owned by Sowell.

Sherry Jeannine Berwick was indicted for forgery, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on September 19, 2016 Berwick executed a writing so it purported to be the act of Gene Stephens, who did not authorize the act, by way of fraudulent checks and fraudulent debit card transactions from a closed account at USAA Federal Savings Bank, San Antonio, Tx. belonging to Stephens.

Jacoby Dashun Ivy was indicted for engaging in organized criminal activity, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on December 18, 2015 Ivy with intent to establish, maintain, or participate in a combination or in the profits of a combination consisting of Ja'mon Moore, Kentrevious Brantly, and Jasmine Harper who allegedly collaborated in carrying on the hereinafter described criminal activity. The group is alleged to have conspired to commit the offense of theft promotion by agreeing with each other that they would engage in conduct that constituted said offense and Ivy, Moore, Brantly and Harper performed an overt act in pursuance of said agreement: theft from Shelby Savings Bank.

Jacoby Dashun Ivy was indicted for theft, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on December 18, 2015 Ivy unlawfully appropriated, by acquiring or otherwise exercising control over $10,700 from Shelby Savings Bank.

Antonio Jaso Aguilar was indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, first degree felony. The indictment alleges on August 30, 2016 Aguilar threatened Shelby Rodriguez with imminent bodily injury by pointing a handgun at Rodriguez and discharging it in her direction as she fled Aguilar. The indictment further alleges Aguilar exhibited a deadly weapon during the assault and that he and Rodriguez had a dating relationship at that time.

Antonio Jaso Aguilar was indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, second degree felony. The indictment alleges on August 30, 2016 Aguilar threatened Alaina Penelope Zelawa with imminent bodily injury by pointing a handgun at Zelawa and discharging it in her direction as she fled Aguilar. The indictment further alleges Aguilar exhibited a deadly weapon during the assault.

Antonio Jaso Aguilar was indicted for obstruction or retaliation, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on May 19, 2017 Aguilar threatened to harm Detective David Haley by an unlawful act, by coercing a witness to perjure herself  falsely testifying in an official proceeding that she was engaging in a sexual relationship with Detective David Haley.

Antonio Jaso Aguilar was indicted for unlawful possession of a firearm, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on August 30, 2016 after having been convicted on the felony offense of burglary of a habitation October 10, 2012 Aguilar possessed a firearm before the fifth anniversary of release from confinement or possessed a firearm at a location other than his residence.

Antonio Jaso Aguilar was indicted for delivery of a simulated controlled substance, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on January 6, 2017 Aguilar delivered to a confidential informant a simulated controlled substance purported to be the controlled substance methamphetamine.

Antonio Jaso Aguilar was indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, first degree felony. The indictment alleges on February 9, 2017 Aguilar threatened Brandi Wright with imminent bodily injury by threatening to kill her while exhibiting a black pistol during commission of the assault. Such threat was allegedly made in retaliation against Wright due to her service as a prospective witness.

Earl Henry McMillian was indicted for evading arrest, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on August 19, 2016 McMillian, while using a vehicle, intentionally fled Center Police Officer Andrew Williams.

Earl Henry McMillian was indicted for driving while intoxicated with child passenger, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on August 19, 2016 McMillian operated a motor vehicle while intoxicated, by reason of the introduction of alcohol into the body, while the vehicle was occupied by a passenger younger than 15 years of age.

Reno Nale was indicted for false report, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on August 3, 2016 Nale initiated a report of a possible suicide by tying a grey string around his neck and tying it to a bar. It is further alleged Nale knew the report was false or baseless and would ordinarily cause action by an official agency organized to deal with emergencies, Center Police Department.

Brad Adams was indicted for theft, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on November 7, 2016 Adams unlawfully appropriated by acquiring or exercising control over $13,800 belonging to Shelby Capital Adjusters LLC.

Dakota Rogers was indicted for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on July 23, 2016 Rogers operated an automobile without the consent of Neal McFadden, the owner.

W.A. Nichols was indicted for deadly conduct, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on April 9, 2016 Nichols discharged a firearm at or in the direction of Justin Taylor.

Aubrey Shanyae Cooks was indicted for credit card/debit card abuse, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on May 26, 2012 exercised control over a debit card from Charles Burrows without his consent.

(Some of the following content contained within indictments is of a sensitive nature and may not be suitable for younger viewers.)

Eric Bernard Carpenter was indicted for aggravated sexual assault, first degree felony. The indictment alleges on January 1, 2014 through April 13 Carpenter caused the penetration of the female sexual organ of a child who was younger than 14 years of age, and not the spouse of Carpenter, with Carpenter's sexual organ.

(Dates in parenthesis indicate the date of the alleged incident)

  • Marcus Vantrell Booker, possession of a controlled substance (ecstasy), third degree felony (August 24, 2016).
  • Timothy Orme, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), state jail felony (August 23, 2016).
  • Timothy Orme, failure to comply with registration requirements, third degree felony (August 23, 2016).
  • Mark Lee Seifried, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), first degree felony (August 11, 2016).
  • Randle Roydell Calhoun, possession of a controlled substance (phencyclidine - PCP), third degree felony (September 22, 2016).
  • Dennis Jacoby Jackson, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), second degree felony (April 14, 2016).
  • Dennis Wayne Johnson, failure to comply with registration requirements, third degree felony (September 16, 2016).
  • Richard Elmo Coon, failure to comply with registration requirements, second degree felony (September 1, 2016).
  • Luis Alberto Ruiz, failure to comply with registration requirements, state jail felony (January 6, 2017).

Indictments and Information are not a conviction, and are a matter of public record. All individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law.

September 8, 2017 - The Shelby County Commissioners' Court met Thursday, August 31, for their first special meeting to review weekly expenses.

The new weekly meeting schedule of the commissioners' court is due to an opinion given by Texas Attorney Ken Paxton indicating the county would be liable for payments not specifically authorized by the commissioners.

Bills to be paid before the next meeting were presented to the commissioners.

The commissioners began going down the list of bills for examination and for use as an example Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, selected a bill for vehicle repairs submitted by Robert Hairgrove, Precinct 5 Constable.

"That's what I disagree about this system that we're embarking on is if they've got it in the budget they're going to go ahead and spend it anyway. But, once they expend it, if we don't agree with paying it we're going to get sued for it. It's kind of a backwards setup," said McSwain.

McSwain proposed if the county is going to "micromanage" everything, then permission should be sought for such expenditures. He said he's uncomfortable with the procedures they're now having to go through and he doesn't see the benefit.

"If the budget approves the payment, you know, expenditure we're going to have to approve to pay. Only thing I can see is this would help if somebody paid something that wasn't in their, bought something that wasn't in their budget," said McSwain.

Judge Harbison said the reason they are having to go through this process is because of the law and the Attorney General's opinion on the issue making it so the treasurer cannot write the check for bills without first being approved by the commissioners.

"Even though it's in their budget and it's allowable for them to use it within their budget, the whole process is it has to be approved by court before she can," said Allison Harbison, Shelby County Judge.

McSwain questioned how they know when any item presented is the best deal there could have been in making the purchase.

Clint Porterfield, Shelby County Auditor, explained for the commissioners his and the treasurer's duties. He said when the bills come through, his responsibility is to make sure that what is presented is budget appropriate.

"I'm not looking at the amount, I'm not looking at who it is, I'm just looking to see what it is and make sure that it is a county appropriate, prudent expenditure," said Porterfield.

The treasurer's job is to disburse the funds and make certain they are available. He said the process of verifying what the county will or will not pay for is a different matter.

When a budget is prepared it is within statute the budget is prepared by line item. A that time whoever the vendor may be is not known, only that the expenditure is a possibility in the future.

"The point is well taken if we're going to have expenditures like this, then maybe we need discuss it in court first before the expenditure takes place," said Porterfield.

Porterfield explained that procedure would be to have a purchase order and present that to the court, before the service or purchase is completed.

Shelby County does not have a purchasing department and he suggested that was the scenario which fit with what McSwain was proposing.

"You also have to remember, because you're dealing with elected officials, you know you're giving them and they have the discretion to run their office as they see fit, " said Porterfield. "Your responsibility is to make sure that it's a prudent expenditure that fits the budget and we have the funds available for it and go from there."

Further discussion was had on the issue and even the possibility of establishing a purchasing order department was something that may be investigated. Porterfield proposed, to save the county money, to advise any county officials or departments to bring any purchases which may be out of the ordinary before the commissioners for consideration before moving forward.

A motion carried to approve paying the weekly expenses.

September 8, 2017 - DeSoto Parish Crime Stoppers Felon of the Week Program is asking for the public’s help in locating/identifying suspect(s) wanted for the following crime.

The suspect pictured in the photo’s is wanted for stealing items from the saddle tack shop in Stonewall, La. It appears in the photo of the pickup that the door doesn’t close and the suspect held on to it while driving off. The vehicle is an older model white ford F150. Any information on this suspect you are asked to contact the Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Office. Remember we don’t want your name just your information, all callers remain anonymous.

DeSoto Parish Crime Stoppers is offering a reward up to $1,000 for information that results in the suspects arrest, anyone with information is asked to call the Crime Stoppers line at 1-800-505-STOP(7867) all calls are confidential or contact the Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Office at (318)872-3956. Sgt. Shawn Parker

September 8, 2017 - The jury that has been summoned for Monday, September 11, 2017 for the 273rd District Court Honorable Charles R. Mitchell presiding has been cancelled due to the scheduled cases being resolved or passed.

Anyone receiving a summons for that day is released from jury service until they receive a future summons.

(Update): The District Clerk's phone line is currently not functioning, making it impossible for people to call in to check with the office.

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