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May 19, 2017 - FM 947 just under three miles from Tenaha was the scene of a single-vehicle crash resulting in an arrest on May 16, 2017.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State trooper Taylor Buster, at 5:19pm a black 2007 GMC 1500 driven by Samuel Swann, 30, of Center was westbound on FM 947 when the truck left the roadway to the left and Swann over corrected right causing the truck to travel back across both traffic lanes.
The truck traveled off the roadway again to the right in a side skid before flipping and coming to rest on its top with major damage to the vehicle.
Swann was arrested for driving while intoxicated and was transported to the Shelby County Jail. Swann and his passenger, Britney Stewart, 25, were not reported to have received injury as a result of the crash.
The crash was investigated by DPS State Trooper Richard Hill, assisted by DPS State Troopers Taylor Buster, Sean Smith and Justin Sikes.
May 19, 2017 - Notice is hereby given that a Special Meeting of the Governing body of the Shelby County Commissioners' Court will be held on the 22nd day of May, 2017 at 9:30am in the Courtroom of the Shelby County Courthouse at 200 San Augustine Street, Center, Shelby County, Texas to deliberate and consider action on the following items:
1. Approve and pay monthly expenses.
2. Public discussion on agenda items.
3. Discuss and possibly approve the Interlocal Agreement for E9-1-1 Automatic Location Information Maintenance Service for FY 2018-2019 between Deep East Texas Council of Governments (DETCOG) and Shelby County.
4. Discuss and possibly approve the Interlocal Agreement for Public Safety Answering Point Services for FY 2018-2019 between the Deep East Texas Council of Governments (DETCOG) and Shelby County.
5. Proclamation declaring May as Elder Abuse Prevention Awareness Month.
6. Discuss and possibly accept the resignation of Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, Maxie Eaves effective July 1, 2017.
7. Discuss replacing Judge Eaves and the procedures for appointing a replacement for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1.
8. Adjourn.
May 17, 2017 - U.S. Highway 59 on the south side of Tenaha was the scene of a two-vehicle crash on Sunday, May 14, 2017 when a vehicle entered highway traffic.
According to Tenaha Deputy City Marshal Jacob Samford, at 4pm a silver 1995 Mercury driven by Travis Ray Handy, 18, of Tenaha crossed U.S. Highway 59 from W. Railroad St. and was attempting to enter Martin Luther King Drive.
A black 2005 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck driven by Randy Jay Sims, 53, of Trinidad, Texas was northbound on U.S. 59, with passenger Kimberly Sims, 23, of Tenaha. At that time the Mercury crossed and failed to yield right of way to the Chevrolet, colliding with the driver's side of the truck.
Transported from the scene by ACE EMS was Randy Sims for treatment of unknown injuries.
Handy was issued citations for fail to yield right of way, no driver's license, and no insurance.
The Tenaha Volunteer Fire Department assisted at the scene with traffic control and with vehicles involved at the scene.
Deputy City Marshal Samford was assisted with the investigation by Deputy City Marshal Darren Gray.
May 16, 2017 Update (DPS Press Release) - As a result of the crash involving the Shelbyville ISD school bus, Victor Lee, 13, of Shelbyville, was pronounced deceased yesterday at a Nacogdoches Hospital.
The driver of the 1997 Dodge truck has been identified as Courtland Vaughn, 20, from Shelbyville, TX. Vaughn was not reportedly injured as a result of the crash. Marla Denby, 53, of Shelbyville was identified as the driver of the school bus and was treated at a local hospital for her injuries.
Several other students involved in the crash were transported to area hospitals.
This investigation remains ongoing.
May 15, 2017 - Tragedy has struck the Shelbyville area as a crash incident involving a school bus in Lout Town has resulted in the death of a student.
Emergency personnel and school officials all responded to the scene of the incident to provide support for the students involved in the wreck. Once the students exited the bus, they were moved to a nearby county road where anyone injured could be treated.
Civilians first on scene offered assistance with returning the school bus to an upright position. Quickly thereafter, emergency personnel provided immediate medical attention to the child who later lost his life.
Upon arrival, Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputy Adam Renfro began working with others including Marsha Cooper, with the US Forest Service, to perform CPR on the child when EMS arrived. Jud Matthews, Shelbyville ISD Police Chief, continued working with him as he was transported to the ACE EMS ambulance.
Center Fire Department and Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department arrived on scene to provide additional support with the victims of the crash and with traffic control while the area became quickly flooded with family members of the students, community members and additional school representatives. Constable Pct 2, Jamie Hagler was also on scene assisting.
While DPS Troopers Keith Jones, Jimmy Faulkner and John Hallenbeck worked to investigate the incident, ambulances carrying additional medical personnel from the surrounding counties of San Augustine and Sabine County rolled out with students being transported for unknown injuries or to be evaluated for the possibility of injury, as a precaution.
Shelby County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Kevin Windham was already on scene when Sheriff Willis Blackwell arrived with additional units. Chief DJ Dickerson, who is also a licensed EMT, went to help see to the needs of the students stationed on the county road.
Vail and Son Wrecker Service and Williams Wrecker Service assisted in removing the truck and bus from the scene.
Until all students were clear of the location, school officials remained on site.
According to a press release issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety, (DPS) Troopers are investigating the crash on FM 139 at County Route 2552.
At approximately 4 p.m., a Shelbyville Independent School District bus was turning right from FM 139 onto CR 2552 to travel south when it was struck from behind by a 1997 Dodge pickup. The collision caused the school bus to turn over, resulting in the death of an 11-year-old boy and injuring several students.
The investigation is ongoing and more information will be released as it becomes available.
May 15, 2017 - FM 947 (Tennessee Road) outside of Tenaha was the scene of a single-vehicle crash Friday, May 12, 2017.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones, at around 9pm a red 1998 Ford F-150 owned by Michael Hall of Diboll and driven by Joshua Carroll Kelley, 28, of Gary was westbound on FM 947, two miles outside of Tenaha.
At that time Kelley was intoxicated when he left the roadway and struck a tree causing damage. A passerby called 9-1-1 when Kelley was witnessed leaving the scene of the crash in the wrecked truck.
Several law enforcement officers headed in the direction of the vehicle. Jake Metcalf, Constable Precinct 4, reported that as he approached the truck it moved into his lane of travel and almost struck his vehicle.
Constable Metcalf was able to get Kelley to pull over at that location until DPS Troopers arrived as well as Tenaha City Marshal Deputy Jacob Samford.
ACE EMS arrived at the scene and no injuries were reported resulting from the incident. It was determined at the scene Kelley was intoxicated and he was arrested by Trooper Cpl. Jimmy Faulkner for driving while intoxicated. He was transported to the Shelby County Jail and was also charged with driving while license invald.
May 15, 2017 - Loop 500 in Center was the scene of a crash involving a pickup truck and an 18-wheeler on Friday, May 12, 2017.
According to Center Police officer Steve Thornburgh, at around 3:50pm a 2005 Ford pickup truck driven by Matthew Harding, 18, of Center was eastbound on Loop 500 at Goodman Street.
As Harding approached Goodman Street he failed to control speed and ran off the road to the right across the entrance to Goodman Street and down an embankment before colliding with the left rear of a parked truck-tractor trailer.
ACE EMS responded to the scene and no injuries were reported as a result of the crash. Citations were issued to Harding at the scene.
Officer Thornburgh was assisted with the investigation by Officer Andrew Williams.
May 12, 2017 - (Update): As of 8:30PM, DETEC is reporting 500 meters remaining without power.
Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative is reporting approximately 800 meters remaining without power in the Timpson, Garrison and Trawick areas following Thursday’s storm that swept through the area. Wind-blown trees and limbs on the lines accounted for a loss of power to approximately 6,000 members at DETEC’s peak outage period. DETEC line crews have reported significant damage in the Garrison and Timpson areas.
DETEC crews will continue working to restore power to all member as quickly and as safely as possible. DETEC would like to remind members to be safe - Stay Away From All Downed Lines. Consider them all to be live and dangerous.
Call DETEC at 1-800-392-5986 to report downed lines and outages.
Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative is a non-profit electricity provider serving approximately 40,000 members in eight counties in Deep East Texas: San Augustine, Shelby, Sabine, Panola, Nacogdoches, Rusk, Jasper and Newton.
May 11, 2017 - A Tornado Warning remains in effect until 945PM for Northwestern Shelby County.
At 852PM, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located about 4 miles south of Timpson, or 13 miles west of Center, moving east at 30 mph.
Hazard: Tornado.
Source: Radar indicated rotation. Significant damage has been reported with this storm near Garrison.
Impact: Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.
This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of northwestern Shelby County.
Precautionary/Preparedness Actions: TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!
Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night. Do not wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!
May 11, 2017 - The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Southeastern Rusk County in northeastern Texas, Northeastern Nacogdoches County in eastern Texas, Shelby County in eastern Texas, Northwestern San Augustine County in eastern Texas until 945PM.
At 844 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Timpson to near Martinsville to Nacogdoches to 7 miles north of Lufkin, moving east at 35 mph.
Hazard: 70 mph wind gusts.
Source: Radar indicated.
Impact: Expect considerable tree damage. Damage is likely to mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings.
Locations impacted include Nacogdoches, Center, San Augustine, Garrison, Melrose, Woden, Patroon, Shelbyville, Martinsville, Bland Lake, Neuville, Chireno, Huxley, Oak Ridge, Hurstown, Denning, James, Calgary, Jericho and Stockman.
Precautionary/Preparedness Actions: For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.
May 11, 2017 - TYLER, Texas – A 22-year-old Zwolle, LA man has been sentenced to federal prison for his part in a kidnapping conspiracy scheme targeting individuals in the Eastern District of Texas and surrounding area, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today
Gary Cutright pleaded guilty on Jan. 10, 2017, to conspiracy to commit kidnapping and was sentenced to 156 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Thad Heartfield.
According to information presented in court, between July 2014 and January 2016, Cutright conspired with several individuals to commit kidnapping, robberies and assaults throughout the Eastern District of Texas and the Western District of Louisiana. Specifically, Cutright and his codefendants are responsible for a December 2015 incident in which an individual was kidnapped in Louisiana and brought to Carthage, Texas. Defendants were also responsible for a March 2016 incident in which an individual was kidnapped from Longview, Texas.
Other defendants convicted in the conspiracy include:
Cory Carnell Mitchell, 29, of Tenaha, Texas pleaded guilty on Jan. 9, 2017, to conspiracy to commit kidnapping and was sentenced to 262 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Ron Clark on April 5, 2017.
Montonious Robinson, 22, of Shreveport, LA, pleaded guilty on Ja. 10, 2017, to conspiracy to commit kidnapping and was sentenced to 168 months in federal prison on May 4, 2017 by U.S. District Judge Thad Heartfield.
Christopher Douglas, 33, of Logansport, LA, pleaded guilty on Apr. 6, 2017 in the Western District of Louisiana, to conspiracy to commit kidnapping and will be sentenced at a later date.
Quannell Newton, 37, of Many, LA, pleaded guilty on Nov. 16, 2016, to conspiracy to commit kidnapping and was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Ron Clark on Feb. 21, 2017.
The cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, Explosives (ATF) and the Texas Department of Public Safety – Criminal Investigation Division – Tyler (DPS-CID). The United States Marshals Service (USMS), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Lufkin Police Department, Nacogdoches Police Department, Center Police Department, Carthage Police Department, DeSoto Parrish Sheriff’s Department, Sabine Parrish Sheriff’s Department and the Panola County Sheriff’s Department assisted in the execution of the arrest warrants. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul A. Hable in the Eastern District of Texas and by Assistant U.S. Attorney James Cowles in the Western District of Louisiana.
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