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January 5, 2017 - Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Lufkin District will be pre-treating roadways for the remainder of the day because of possible incoming freezing rain/sleet/snow later tonight.

Maintenance departments will begin treating normal problem areas throughout the nine counties-typically overpasses and bridges-with a salt water solution that is designed to lower the temperature at which water freezes on the roadway surface.

Roads are wet already today and with expected temperatures falling below freezing and more rain in the forecast, TxDOT wants to prepare for whatever occurs in the East Texas weather.

Motorists should be alert, drive to conditions and watch for icy patches. Don't hit your brakes should you hit an icy patch, but steer slowly to a stop. If ice accumulates on county roads or in isolated areas, motorists are advised to stay off roadways until temperatures rise above freezing.

Twitter - @TxDOTLufkin

January 5, 2017 - The jury that has been summoned for Monday, January 9, 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.

Thank you,
Lori Oliver
District Clerk
Shelby County, Texas

 

January 4, 2017 - Center Police Department Officers were conducting a traffic stop on January 2, 2017 at approximately 9:15pm at the softball field located on County Road 1000 in Center, Texas.

According to the Center Police Department press release, while out with the vehicle Officers heard rapid gun shots coming from a wooded area across the roadway toward their location. Officers called for backup and assistance came from Texas DPS and Shelby County Sheriff's Office. The short time later officers located the suspected shooter at his residence located on the same county road.

Suspected shooter was identified as 37-year-old white male Michael Creel of Center, Texas. Center Police Department officers arrested Creel and transported him to the Center Police Department where he was booked in for Aggravated Assault against a Police Officer Felony One.

This case is still under investigation and this is all the information detectives can release at this time.

Center Police Department officers and detectives have been seen searching CR 1000 near the incident location apparently in search of evidence.

January 4, 2017 - State Highway 87 South at the intersection of CR 2124 was the scene of a two-vehicle collision involving a truck and a motorcycle which has resulted in serious injury to the rider of the motorcycle.

According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper, at 4:50pm a red 1993 Ford 1-ton dually pickup truck driven by Christopher Cartwright, 31, of Shelbyville was exiting CR 2124 onto State Highway 87 heading south.

At the time Cartwright entered SH 87 a black 2004 Kawasaki 1500 motorcycle ridden by Charles Berry of Shelbyville was southbound on SH 87 when the truck failed to yield right of way and entered his path causing the motorcycle to collide with the rear of the truck.

Witnesses at the scene reported the truck was hauling a boat at the time of the incident, and Berry held onto it as the truck traveled down the road until it came to a halt not from from the crash scene.

Berry was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. He was transported by ACE EMS to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department. Berry was then transported to a trauma surgeon at Nacogdoches Medical Center in Nacogdoches for treatment of his serious injuries.

Berry was cited for failure to control speed.

Cartwright and his two passengers a male and female each 19 years old were not reported to have been injured as a result of the crash. Cartwright was issued citations for failure to maintain financial responsibility, and no insurance.

Assisting at the scene were Shelby County Sheriff Lieutenant Kevin Windham, Shelby County Constable Jamie Hagler and the Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department.

January 2, 2017 - The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning as of 8:46am Monday, January 2, 2017. The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Western Sabine Parish in northwestern Louisiana, Southeastern Nacogdoches County in eastern Texas, Southeastern Shelby County in eastern Texas, Eastern Angelina County in eastern Texas, San Augustine County in eastern Texas, Sabine County in eastern Texas until 9:30am.

At 8:46am, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Woden to near Etoile to 12 miles north of Rockland to near Ebenezer to 8 miles southeast of Colmesneil, moving northeast at 55 mph.

Hazard: 60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

Source: Radar indicated.

Impact: Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include: Center, Milam, San Augustine, Zwolle, Hemphill, Pineland, Patroon, Bland Lake, Neuville, Woden, Rosevine, Etoile, Macune, Shelbyville, Chireno, Huxley, Noble, Broaddus, Jericho and Bronson.  

Precautionary/Preparedness Actions: For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. A tornado watch remains in effect until 2pm for northwestern Louisiana...and eastern Texas.

National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, Norman, OK
6:10am CST, Monday, January 2, 2017

National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center Tornado Watch #2

January 2, 2017 - The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch 2 in effect until 2:00pm CST for the following Texas Counties: Angelina, Bowie, Camp, Case, Cherokee, Franklin, Gregg, Hardin, Harrison, Jasper, Jefferson, Marion, Morris, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Panola, Red River, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Smith, Titus, Tyler, Upshur, and Wood.

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a Tornado Watch for portions of Southern Arkansas, Louisiana, East Texas, Coastal Waters. Effective this Monday morning and afternoon from 610 AM until 200 PM CST.

Primary threats include... A few tornadoes possible, Scattered damaging winds and isolated significant gusts to 75 mph possible, Isolated very large hail events to 2 inches in diameter possible

SUMMARY...Multiple bands of strong to severe thunderstorms will steadily progress east-northeastward across the region this morning, with the possibility of semi-discrete supercells increasing ahead of multiple fast-moving convective lines and clusters. Damaging winds will be the primary risk, but a few tornadoes will be possible as additional moistening/destabilization occurs by late morning and midday in conjunction with strengthening low/mid-level winds.

The tornado watch area is approximately along and 85 statute miles east and west of a line from 5 miles north northeast of Texarkana AR to 40 miles south southeast of Lake Charles LA. For a complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU2).

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

REMEMBER...A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings.

National Weather Service, Shreveport, Louisiana
11:00am CST, Sunday, January 1, 2017

January 1, 2017 - The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for portions of South Central Arkansas, Southwest Arkansas, North Central Louisiana, Northwest Louisiana, Southeast Oklahoma, East Texas and Northeast Texas.

Sevier, Howard, Little River, Hempstead, Nevada, Miller, Lafayette, Columbia, Union, Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Claiborne, Lincoln, De Soto, Red River, Bienville, Jackson, Ouachita, Sabine, Natchitoches, Winn, Grant, Caldwell, La Salle, McCurtain, Bowie, Franklin, Titus, Camp, Morris, Cast, Wood, Upshur, Marion, Smith, Gregg, Harrison, Cherokee, Rusk, Panola, Nacogdoches, Shelby, Angelina, San Augustine

DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT...

Visibilities will improve through the day today with isolated to scattered showers possible. Showers and isolated thunderstorms will increase in coverage later this evening and into the overnight hours. Areas of dense fog will likely redevelop as well across portions of Deep East Texas, Northwest Louisiana, and Southwest Arkansas.

A strong upper level storm system will move into the Texas Hill Country after midnight tonight with strong to severe thunderstorms likely accompanying the storm system. These storms could move into the southern half of Northeast Texas near or just before 6am Monday morning. These storms could produce strong and damaging wind gusts along with large hail and isolated tornadoes. The more significant severe weather threat will likely hold off until just after sunrise Monday morning.

DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY...

Strong to severe thunderstorms will become more widespread on Monday encompassing mainly the southern half of Northeast Texas and Northern Louisiana and Northern Louisiana. The storms will be quick movers with the worst of the weather expected to be east of the four state region by Monday afternoon. Damaging wind gusts and large hail are the primary threats but isolated tornadoes certainly cannot be ruled out. Much colder temperatures will begin moving into the region late on Tuesday into Tuesday night. At this time, it appears that mostly dry conditions will accompany this colder airmass, at least until Friday into Saturday when small chances for precipitation return to the forecast.

SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Activation of emergency management personnel, amateur radio operators, and storm spotters could be needed just prior to sunrise Monday morning but will more likely be needed after sunrise on Monday.

National Weather Service Shreveport, Louisiana
9:50pm CST, Sunday, January 1, 2017

January 1, 2017 - The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a dense fog advisory in effect until 6am CST Monday for all of North Louisiana, Southwest Arkansas, McCurtain County Oklahoma, and portions of East Texas.

Hempstead, Nevada, Miller, Lafayette, Columbia, Union, Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Claiborne, Lincoln, De Soto, Red River, Bienville, Jackson, Ouachita, Sabine, Natchitoches, Winn, Grant, Caldwell, La Salle, Harrison, Panola, Shelby, San Augustine including the cities of Hope, Prescott, Texarkana, Stamps, Lewisville, Bradley, Magnolia, El Dorado, Shreveport, Bossier City, Minden, Springhill, Homer, Haynesville, Ruston, Farmerville, Bernice, Mansfield, Stonewall, Logansport, Coushatta, Martin, Arcadia, Ringgold, Gibsland, Jonesboro, Monroe, Many, Zwolle, Pleasant Hill, Natchitoches, Winnfield, Colfax, Montgomery, Dry Prong, Clarks, Grayson, Columbia, Jena, Midway, Olla, Marshall, Carthage, Center, San Augustine, Hemphill, and Pineland.

Dense fog advisory now in effect until 6am CST Monday. Areas of dense fog will continue to develop tonight over much of North Louisiana, Southwest Arkansas, and portions of East Texas. Visibilities will be reduced to near or below a quarter mile. Dense fog will cause sudden reductions in visibility, hazardous driving conditions, and possible travel delays.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A dense fog advisory means visibilities will frequently be reduced to less than one quarter mile. If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you.

Morgan MageeKevin AskewDecember 31, 2016 - Two individuals have been arrested following the alleged brutal beating, disrobing, and kidnapping of an individual seeking to sell audio equipment.

Kevin W. Askew, 32, of Timpson was arrested December 12, 2016 and has been charged with aggravated kidnapping, felony 1, $25,000; aggravated robbery, felony 1, $25,000; and engaging in organized criminal activity, felony 1, $5,000. Morgan Magee, 33, of Center was arrested December 23, 2016 and has been charged with aggravated kidnapping, felony 1, $25,000; aggravated robbery, felony 1, $25,000; engaging in organized criminal activity, felony 1, $5,000; violation of probation: original charge - possession of a controlled substance, no bond set; violation of probation: original charge - burglary of a building, no bond set; and violation of probation: original charge - hindering apprehension or prosecution, no bond set.

According to the arrest affidavit, an investigation was opened December 17, 2016 when the victim reported the occurence to Shelby County Sheriff's Deputy Cody Muse. He told Deputy Muse of the alleged events occurring on December 13, 2016 when he met with a man at Valero gas station in Center to sell a set of car audio speakers.

It was then the victim learned Kevin Askew, who accompanied the man he was meeting, was seeking to purchase the speakers. After their business was completed, Askew asked for and received a ride from the victim. The victim alleges he drove to a location on CR 1168 to the residence of a friend of Askew and upon arrival he was unable to arouse Askew as he had passed out in the vehicle.

After finding it impossible to awaken Askew from his slumber, the victim drove to a friend's house in Martinsville. The following morning, December 14, 2016 the victim departed his friend's residence at 7:30am with a then awake Askew and embarked on a trip to Nacogdoches to see another friend. During this trip, Askew supposedly received a text message his girlfriend had been in an automobile accident and was in the hospital, and he asked the victim to drive him home to change clothes and then on to the hospital.

While on the way to his house, Askew allegedly claimed to be missing a small pouch and the two men searched the stopped vehicle for the pouch on the side of the road. Following the fruitless search, the pair continued on their journey to Askew's home.

Several individuals were located at Askew's house upon arrival including Morgan Magee, another female and two black males unknown to the victim. While the victim sat on a couch in the residence amidst the other individuals, Askew allegedly entered the room with a baseball bat and struck the victim several times in the head and leg with the bat and punched him in the face whilst accusing him of taking the missing pouch from Askew.

After this assault, the victim claimed the larger of the two black males held a large hunting knife while he stood over him. The victim then lay unconcious for about an hour. Askew and the two other males allegedly stripped the victim naked, followed by the smaller of the two black males tying him up with electrical cord. The victim believes this happened at around 9am.

During this time, Askew is alleged to have contacted a friend of the victim who agreed to meet at the residence. The victim claims Magee entered the room holding his cell phone telling him she would be keeping the device.

The friend of the victim was able to convince the victim's captors to release him. Askew allegedly had the victim fill out a bill of sale for his vehicle and took his keys and advised the vitctim to pay him $300 within 24 hours.

During a follow-up interview by Sheriff's Department Investigator Michael Griffin, the victim was asked for a description of the role Magee played in the incident. The victim alleged Magee acted as a mediator telling him if they were given what they wanted everything would be better, and when his friend arrived to pick him up Magee gave him the SIM card for his phone and told him she would sell it to him for $175. The victim also said his captors kept claiming he had stolen Askew's "dope."

December 30, 2016 - A day of dryness and wind proved to be the formula for the spread of grass fires on Thursday, December 29, 2016 sending the Center Fire Department into action.

The initial set of flames which had the firemen en route was located just off Spur 699 on CR 3735 at 1:45pm. A fire which had been located behind one house spread through its yard to a neighboring yard. Fire was dangerously close to reaching one of the houses; however, the firemen arrived in time to prevent a total disaster.

At 2:19pm the firemen responded to another grass fire in the James Community on CR 3215. The fire had gotten out of control and spread from a trash fire and had gotten close to the road. The fire was extinguished and further spread prevented.

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