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To All Concerned with the Safety of our Children,
February 28, 2017 - At approximately 8:10 AM on February 28, 2017 one of the Tenaha ISD Administrators received a call from a male in a disguised voice that there was “a bomb in your school”. Immediately thereafter, the TISD administrative team and TISD Police Chief David Jeter took action to evacuate the students and staff to the Tiger Football Field as prescribed in our Crisis Management Plan. The evacuation was announced door to door and silently. It was orderly. There was zero panic or upset with any of the children. And, in all, the entire district was safely relocated within four to five minutes of receiving the call. At that time, TISD admin and support staff along with Mr. Jeter and the Tenaha City Marshall took care to inspect every room, stall, and space in the entire TISD campus to ensure that no device was present or that anything looked suspicious. In all, TISD was evacuated for approximately forty minutes and the all clear was given at around 8:50 AM.
This incident is the second such incident that TISD has responded to this school year. The first resulted in an arrest and prosecution. It is my hope that this will result in the same end. However, a larger issue exists and is problematic. Our current society has become so desensitized to “real-life” that incidents like this are all too often shrugged off as “no big deal” or just “a goof”. People seemingly lack care for the safety and well-being of other people. I am incensed that somewhere someone thought making such a threat was in any way “cool”. I can assure you that with the help of law enforcement, I hope to show the culprit how “cool” it really was. In America, our public schools represent a bastion of safety and nurture. To be exposed to the type of threats that are common to the Middle East or a 3rd World Nation is wrong. Our children deserve better.
To our public and supporters we want you to know that safety is and always will be our FIRST priority. Everything else is impossible without it.
To our detractors and the culprits who would perpetrate such an act, know that the resolve of the Tiger Family is stronger than a phone call.
To our students and staff, as always, it is your care and commitment to one another that creates our Pride. And it is our Pride that makes us the best.
It is my sincere hope that those who read this take a moment to consider what our kids deserve. At the very least, they deserve a reasonable assurance that their safety matters to people everywhere.
Sincerely,
Scott Tyner
February 27, 2017 - NRCS District Conservationists Janet Ritter and Mark Lowery reported a yearly update to the Shelby County Commissioners' Court on the Attoyac Bayou WS SCS Site 12 Dam Emergency Action Plan at their recent meeting held on Monday, February 27, 2017.
Lowery explained the emergency action plan is for the flood control structure at the intersection of FM 138 and FM 415. The structure was built in 1976, and is a compacted earthfill dam on Stockman Creek. According to Lowery there are six such structures strategically placed throughout the county.
"This one specifically, a couple of years ago they did a review, and they found out there's, I believe, a store and a house downstream so if the dam was to breach it would potentially cause some kind of economic loss," said Lowery.
The plan which was presented has been developed by TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) providing a step-by-step guide of what to do should such a breach occur.
"Each year they ask us to look over it, update it, make sure all of the county officials on it are correct, all of the contact information is correct. So this is just an annual update," said Lowery.
The definition by TCEQ standards is a loss of human life is possible 1 in 6 lives or one or two habitable structures in the breach area and damage to secondary hideaways as designated by Texas Department of Transportation.
A motion carried to approve the emergency action plan.
Roy Cheatwood, Precinct 3 Constable, submitted several expenses to the county for reimbursement which according to Allison Harbison, Shelby County Judge, relate to his constable certification and schooling. Judge Harbison informed the commissioners Cheatwood has funds in his travel budget, which she informed Constable Cheatwood if the money is moved from his travel budget it will decrease.
Charles Barr, Commissioner Precinct 3, questioned the inclusion of clothes in the collection of bills and Judge Harbison explained it is her understanding it is mandatory during training for students to wear a uniform while they attend class and that is for what the clothing was purchased.
According to information Judge Harbison received from an attorney with the Commissioners and County Judges Association, the constable may use any item that is presently included in his budget for his training. He went on to state; however, under local government code 152, a commissioners court cannot change the allowances for an elected officer during the fiscal year.
"That means we can't give him anymore money, but it's possible that he could use all of his budget for training," said Judge Harbison.
Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, interjected TCLEOSE funds could only be utilized by a certified peace officer.
"It's only for education fund account for expenses related to continuing educations of persons licensed under this chapter, which is a licensed peace officer," said Judge Harbison.
McSwain was not in favor of the county purchasing uniforms for the purpose of an individual who is attending school, "I don't think the county at this point has a precedent where they pay for people's uniforms to go to school, first of all. Second of all, I would have gotten certified last year before I took office and at this point in time like you say, we cannot affect a change to his travel expenses or his fuel for his vehicle, because he's done getting that benefit from the county. I just don't feel like it's the county's responsibility to pay for his clothes."
Clint Porterfield, Shelby County Auditor, stated it is not out of the ordinarily for the county to purchase uniforms for law enforcement officers as has been demonstrated in previous purchases for deputies with the sheriff's department.
"The items that come into question are those items of which you would buy that are apparel you could wear anywhere. Usually a uniform has some sort of emblem, a name. It's not something that you would wear on your off time to a personal event," said Porterfield.
An exception Porterfield remarked on is footwear, which he stated is not normally included in what is purchased for a uniform.
"If we were to pay for this, would you want to make a stipulation that there has to be a verification of certification before you make the reimbursement," said Porterfield.
McSwain stated he looks at the sheriff's department differently because those officers are hired, have a boss to work directly under and have a dress code to which they have to adhere, "A constable wears whatever he pleases."
Porterfield remarked some of the items offered for reimbursement may be considered office supplies such as an RCA 7 Tablet. Judge Harbison said the Precinct 3 Constable office has $605.05 remaining in its general budget.
A motion carried to reimburse Constable Precinct 3 $81.38 (criminal law book and RCA Tablet).
Judge Harbison presented upkeep on the historical courthouse and grounds including trimming trees and repairing a sidewalk. She provided the commissioners with a list of work needing to be addressed around the courthouse. One tree beside the old County Clerk's building is actually pulling on the electrical connection going into the building.
"The Historical Commission came to me with this and we've asked the Chamber [of Commerce] if they might donate, maybe give $500 toward this since it's their yard too," said Judge Harbison. "The Historical Commission, we've asked them to give some also on it, just to have it a community project."
There are two sidewalks Judge Harbison remarked are dangerous and a quote for $1,550 from Norris Daniel Construction has been received to make the needed repairs. Some of the work will be done near the Daughters of the Republic of Texas building as there have been incidents at that location in the past.
A quote presented by David Chandler for $3,950 was to remove the leaning oak tree by the old County Clerk's building and do a great deal of trimming and shaping around the property, as well as remove debris.
Judge Harbison said the Historical Commission is planning a fundraiser to help pull funds together to restore the old bandstand on the square so events can be held there.
Judge Harbison said she looks forward to partnering with the city to pressure wash the sidewalks around the courthouse after the tree work is completed.
A motion carried to approve the sidewalk work and the tree and brush work.
Daniel O'Rear, representing Shelby County Juvenile Probation, presented the commissioners with a contract for grant funding, which has already been submitted.
"We need y'all to recognize the grant income and record it in our budget. It's gonna be $8,928 we're going to use all of that for counseling and psychological services," said O'Rear.
A motion carried approving the Grant R funds in the amount of $8,928.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:10am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Pay monthly expenses 2. New personnel policy. 3. Emergency Action Plan for Shelby County. 4. Reimburse Constable Precinct 3 $81.38. 5. Upkeep on the Historical Court House grounds by trimming trees ($3,950), and repairing a sidewalk ($1,550). 6. Recognize grant income ($8,928) and adjust budget accordingly for Juvenile Probation. Agenda items tabled during the meeting include: 1. 2017 DOT Drug Testing Agreement with Compliance Management, LLC.
February 26, 2017 - State Highway 7 and FM 139 intersection in Joaquin was the scene of a two-vehicle crash which had a fatal outcome for one driver involved.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State (DPS) Trooper Dustin Ramos, at 8:55am a grey 2016 Chrysler 200 driven by Joyce Glaze, 65, of Joaquin was emerging from the stop sign at FM 139 and failed to yield right of way at the stop sign to traffic on State Highway 7 East.
At that time a black 2008 F-450 driven by Ricardo M. Reyes, 45, of Baytown was eastbound on State Highway 7 and struck the Chrysler on the driver’s side causing major damage and bringing the two vehicles to rest in the yard of a residence on the north side of the highway.
Glaze succumbed to her injuries at the scene and was pronounced dead by Margie Anderson, Justice of the Peace Precinct 3. Watson & Sons Funeral Home transported Glaze from the scene.
No injuries were reported of Reyes at the scene.
Providing traffic control and assistance were the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department; Roy Cheatwood, Constable Precinct 3; and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department.
Texas DPS State Trooper Jesse Fountain assisted Trooper Ramos with the investigation.
February 24, 2017 - U.S. Highway 59 on the north end of Timpson was blocked Friday, February 24, 2017 when a truck-tractor left the roadway and struck some trees.
According to Timpson Police Chief Kent Graham, at 12:07pm Darryl Davison, 51, of Cicero, Ill. was northbound on U.S. Highway 59 leaving Timpson in a 2011 red Freightliner owned by JWP Express out of Carpentersville, Ill. located on Deer Path Lane.
Davison was hauling a load of strawberries, when he stated a deer ran out in front of him on the highway. Davison subsequently left the highway to the left and struck a tree, blocking north and south traffic lanes.
The Timpson Police Department was assisted by the Texas Department of Public Safety, Precinct 5 Constable Robert Hairgrove, and Precinct 4 Constable Jake Metcalf and the Timpson Volunteer Fire Department in diverting traffic from the scene with emergency personnel stationed at FM 1645, Bear Drive and State Highway 87 until the scene was cleared.
Chief Graham commented the Timpson Volunteer Fire Department did an outstanding job diverting traffic and preventing further incidents.
No injuries were reported as a result of the incident, Davison was issued a citation for fail to drive in a single lane.
The Freightliner was towed from the scene.
February 24, 2017 - Charles Mitchell, 273rd Judicial District Judge, signed the order to dismiss the whistleblower case against Shelby County Sheriff Willis Blackwell and Shelby County on February 21, 2017 with prejudice.
The term "with prejudice" means the plaintiff, Derek Barbee cannot file another case making the same claim.
According to court documents, Barbee filed a motion to dismiss the case with prejudice on January 11, 2017. The motion states all matter in controversy between plaintiff and defendant have been resolved. Since the time of the filing for dismissal, the case has apparently been at a standstill.
Barbee formerly was a Shelby County Sheriff Deputy and he filed the whistleblower case on February 16, 2016.
Shelby County Today originally reported on this story at that time, and the allegations suggested the illegal use of detention center trusty labor to improve a private deer camp lease of Sheriff Blackwell. It was also alleged Sheriff Blackwell used other equipment in relation to this project all belonging to the Sheriff's Department.
(See original story with related information here: Sheriff, County Being Sued Over Allegations of Misuse of Property, Retaliation)
Since the time of the filing of the civil case, an investigation has been under way by the Texas Rangers. According to the Texas Ranger case report, on January 12, 2016 "Texas Ranger Travis Brazil initiated a cursory investigation into the allegations he received concerning Shelby County Sheriff Willis Blackwell. Sheriff Blackwell had allegedly used the Shelby County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) Mobile Command Center trailer for personal use at his deer lease in Panola County. Sheriff Blackwell also allegedly used SCSO inmates to do cleanup work and welding jobs on his deer lease in Panola County."
At that point the legible portion of the report ends as the remainder has been redacted. Shelby County Today has made numerous requests for the investigation report from the Texas Rangers; however, requests have been denied each time because the case is "an ongoing investigation."
The mostly redacted report was started on April 7, 2016 by Ranger Brazil and since then the case has been handed off to other Rangers. Although several requests have been made, the initial reply from the Texas Rangers on July 12, 2016 supplied the most information as related to the redacted 11 page report.
The Shelby County District Attorney's office has been in possession of this report since mid-2016. Shelby County Today contacted District Attorney Stephen Shires in reference to the case and his intent.
"I'm not going to say anything, or take any position on this whole thing, on something that clearly has such political implications. My focus right now, because don't get me wrong, I've got great legal assistants, I've got the best investigator that you could find, but I am still one lawyer. I'm one guy and I have to look at how I can best serve the Shelby County Community, and right now when something serious comes up I have to deal with it, but I still have to triage things and the most bang for our buck right now in dealing with what we have going on is focusing on the drugs, focusing on the illegal narcotics," said Shires.
Shires elaborated on his concerns for narcotics issues across the county, which is where his attention lies, and the strides his office has taken in dealing with that issue. He says some cases will be gotten to at a later date, "I understand about public integrity of our system, but right now I feel I'm doing the community the best service by focusing on those things, and that means other things, other kinds of cases they just, they'll get their turn at some point."
Shelby County Today asked Shires if the Office of the Attorney General's office could address the case and he stated he hasn't looked at that possibility yet, "but if that time comes it will be handled appropriately." He also stated he has no control over the Texas Rangers investigation.
Although the civil case is now ended, after almost a year of an investigation into the alleged abuse of official capacity, the Texas Rangers have failed to provide the public with an answer whether the facts of their investigation would indicate illegal activity or offer vindication of a public official whose job it is to enforce the laws of Texas.
February 24, 2017 - Three Deep East Texas Electric Coop (DETEC) linemen were injured and transported to hospitals following an incident that took place on CR 3801 on Thursday, February 23, 2017.
Brittney Ford, DETEC Communications Specialist, said, "At this time, the DETEC linemen are receiving medical care and are in good spirits. We appreciate your prayers and ask that you continue to pray for these employees and their families.
"We are all family at DETEC and currently our focus is on their needs and recovery. DETEC is cooperating with regulatory organizations and the incident is under investigation, so out of respect for the workers involved, DETEC has not released the names of those employees or details of the incident at this time."
Prior to the incident, the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to the scene at 12:57pm to a grass fire on CR 3801. When the firemen arrived, they discovered a utility pole with an electric transformer attached had collapsed and caused a fire in a residents yard.
Fire had spread throughout the property. The firemen were able to extinguish the flames in the yard preventing it from reaching the house and extinguish the pole and electric transformer before DETEC personnel arrived. The firemen returned to their station at 1:27pm.
After that, ACE EMS was dispatched to the scene at 2:21pm for three DETEC linemen who were injured as a result of an apparent electric shock.
When Shelby County Today arrived at the scene, there were several utility trucks at the location and linemen were working to raise a new pole and transformer. Two ACE EMS ambulances transported the three men from the scene, two of them were transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department for treatment and the third individual was transported by a Life Air helicopter to LSU Hospital in Shreveport.
No further information is available at this time.
February 24, 2017 - All four lanes on the north end of Timpson on U.S. Highway 59 North are currently blocked. The Timpson Volunteer Fire Department will be diverting traffic onto FM 1645 toward Center.
Travelers are asked to be cautious and prepare to take alternate routes until an 18-wheeler blocking the northbound and southbound traffic lanes on the roadway has been cleared.
Related article:
Truck-Tractor Crashes on U.S. 59 in Timpson, Blocks Highway
February 23, 2017 - (Update): John Cody McDaniel was arrested at 11:58 a.m. Thurs., Feb. 23 on CR 1443 in Center.
February 22, 2017 - Center Crime Stoppers is seeking information on the whereabouts of John Cody McDaniel, 34, of Center. McDaniel has active felony warrants for Burglary of a Habitation (F-2) and Burglary of a Building (F-4).
McDaniel is described as a white male, 6’0” tall, weighing 170 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes. He has tattoos on his arms and back.
Center Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information. Anyone who has information should call Center Crime Stoppers at 936-598-SAFE (7233) or submit a tip online atwww.centercrimestoppers.com. Remember you don't have to give your name. All calls and cash rewards are completely anonymous. Rewards will only be paid on tips submitted through the Center Crime Stoppers system.
If a caller does not wish to remain anonymous or receive a reward, they may call the Shelby County Sheriff's Office at 936-598-5600 or 936-572-1468 and speak with Chief Deputy DJ Dickerson.
If anyone is found to be hindering the apprehension, harboring or concealing, providing or aiding with any means of avoiding arrest or effecting escape or warns McDaniel of impending discovery or apprehension will be arrested and charged in accordance to Penal Code 38.05 Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution, a Felony 3 offense.
Submitted by Leah Chase
http://www.scsotx.org
February 23, 2017 - Officials with the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas, Sabine National Forest, have advised a prescribed burn located in Compartment 30,37-41, 4,943 acres. This area is located in Ragtown. Winds are predicted from the South at 10-15mph. Please see the attached map of the projected burn areas.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Sabine Ranger District office (409-625-1940)
February 20, 2017 - Wet roadway conditions proved influential in a resulting crash in the Grigsby Community on State Highway 7 West which sent four people to the hospital on Monday, February 20, 2017.
West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene and assisted Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) personnel in directing traffic and helped EMS personnel to move the occupants of a Camry to a waiting ambulance.
According to Texas DPS State Trooper Keith Jones, at 3:54pm Phyllis A. Osbourne, 76, was driving a red Toyota Camry with passenger Cherryl J. Lovejoy, 72, eastbound on State Highway 7 just east of FM 2913 when the Camry began to hydroplane.
The Camry continued into the westbound traffic lanes and into the path of a green Jeep Patriot driven by driven by Patrick O'Bryan Brittain, 33, with passenger Nathan Wilson Brittain, 29, both of Center. The vehicles collided, leaving the Camry in the outside westbound traffic lane and the Patriot on the westbound shoulder.
Osbourne, Lovejoy and both Brittains were transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital for treatment of their injuries.
Osbourne was issued a citation for unsafe speed.
Assisting Trooper Jones at the scene were Troopers Taylor Buster and Sean Smith.
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