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November 3, 2016 - Early voting held at Shelby County Clerk’s Office, 124 Austin Street, Center, TX 75935.

  • Monday, October 24, 7:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.
  • Tuesday, October 25 – Friday, October 28th 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.
  • Saturday, October 29, 10:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.
  • Sunday, October 30, 12:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.
  • Monday, October 31, 7:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.
  • Tuesday, November 1 – Friday, November 4th, 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.

You may also apply to vote by mail through October 28th by calling the County Clerk’s office at 936-598-6361.

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November 4, 2016 -The Texas Department of Public Safety, West Shelby Volunteer Fire Department, Shelby County Sheriff's Department and Center Police Department all responded to a single-vehicle crash about five miles west of FM 711.

According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Taylor Buster, at 6:35pm November 3, 2016 a grey 2004 Honda Civic driven by Oscar Solis, 17, of Lufkin was eastbound on State Highway 7 when then vehicle left the roadway to the right.

The car continued for about 100 yards in the south ditch before it traveled across all four lanes of traffic and into the north ditch where the Civic flipped.

Solis was transported by private vehicle to a hospital in Lufkin. He was issued citations for no driver's license and wrong side of roadway not passing.

West Shelby Volunteer firemen worked traffic control until the scene was clear.

November 3, 2016 - The driver of a pickup truck involved in a a major single-vehicle crash on FM 947 Thursday, November 3, 2016 was flown by helicopter to a hospital in Shreveport.

Tenaha Volunteer Firemen, Texas Department of Public Safety and Tenaha City Marshal's office all responded to the scene of the crash, and once it was determined necessary a helicopter was requested and landed in a yard near the incident.

According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones, at 9:02am a red 2000 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Roger Dale Shoemaker, 58, of Tenaha was westbound on FM 947 when the truck traveled to the left side of the roadway on the wrong side when not passing and continued off the eastbound side. The truck traveled into the treeline, striking several trees causing major damage to the truck as well as injuries to Shoemaker due to no seat belt.

Shoemaker was issued citations for wrong side of roadway not passing, no seat belt, and possession of marijuana. The crash remains under investigation. At the time of the crash, Shoemaker was flown from the scene by Life Air Rescue and was expected to be taken to a hospital in Shreveport.

Trooper Jones was assisted at the scene by Trooper Dustin Ramos.

The dashboard and steering wheel of the pickup truck involved in the crash were pushed all the way into the driver's seat. The speedometer in the pickup truck is locked at over 100 mph. This is usually an indiactor of the speed of a vehicle at the time of impact.

November 3, 2016 - According to a Facebook post on Tenaha Tiger Spirit, the school notified all Tenaha ISD stakeholders of a potential threat made earlier today which turned out to be a hoax.

Facebook Post made at 3:23pm, Thursday, November 3rd: Earlier today, officials received an anonymous threat of a potential device in the restroom. Tenaha ISD administration immediately sheltered in place, then quickly moved all students to their designated safe location inside the Tenaha Football Stadium. We are also appreciative and happy to report that both the Tenaha City Marshal and the Shelby County Sheriff's office responded quickly and assisted TISD Police Chief in clearing every room, cabinet, and area. We are pleased to report that the threat was, in fact, a hoax and TISD will be working with all relevant law enforcement agencies to try and identify the source of the alert. All TISD children are safe and have been told what occurred and are completing the school day on schedule.

November 3, 2016 - U.S. Highway 96 two miles north of Center was the scene of a two-vehicle crash on Wednesday evening.

According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Taylor Buster, on November 2, 2016 at approximately 6:50pm Omar Acopa-Fuentes, 22, of Center was northbound in a white 2004 Chevrolet on U.S. Highway 96 North when he failed to control speed and struck the back of a silver 2001 Buick driven by Caroline Ann Evans, 76, of Center.

The vehicles came to rest in the inside northbound traffic lane blocking traffic in front of Center Christian Fellowship. The Center Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene for traffic control. Units with the Shelby County Sheriff's Department and the Center Police Department also arrived at the scene.

Evans and her two passengers, a 13-year-old female and 4-year-old female, were transported by private vehicle to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department for possible injuries.

Acopa-Fuentes was issued a citation for failure to control speed.

November 3, 2016 - Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) Deputies Carmen Fears and Misty Ray initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for failure to display a license plate on the rear of the vehicle and no license plate lamps on Highway 84 inside the Joaquin city limits on November 3, .

Deputy Fears approached the vehicle and found Michael Harper, 34, of Shreveport, LA in the driver’s seat. Deputy Fears made contact with Harper and obtained a temporary license tag for the vehicle and his driver’s license. Fears ran the tag for the vehicle and no record of the tag was found and Harper’s driver’s license came back suspended.

At that time, Deputy Fears placed Harper under arrest for driving with an invalid driver’s license and advised a wrecker would be in route to tow his vehicle. When placed in the patrol unit, Deputy Fears informed Harper she would be conducting a standard vehicle inventory on his vehicle, at which time Harper became very distraught and demanded a supervisor and an attorney. Deputy Fears advised Harper she would contact her supervisor for him to speak with.

While inventorying the vehicle, Deputy Ray advised Deputy Fears that Harper was kicking the windows of the patrol unit. Leg irons were requested to prevent Harper from hurting himself or damaging the unit.

During the inventory, Deputy Fears found a clear glass pipe in the console. A small black carrying case was found in the driver’s side floorboard. Inside the bag were numerous baggies containing a crystal-like substance. Field-testing determined the substance was methamphetamine. The weight of the narcotics totaled 10.08 grams.

In the trunk of the vehicle, numerous bags containing clothing and personal care items were found along with scales, cell phones, tablets, butane lighters and a laptop computer. Harper’s wallet also contained numerous credit cards with names of various individuals.

Harper was booked into the SCSO for: Possession of a Controlled Substance (F4); Delivery of a Controlled Substance (F1); and Driving While License Invalid (MC).

www.scsotx.org

November 2, 2016 - The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) uncovered a large amount of stolen property at a residence on U.S. Highway 84 East in the Tenaha area on October 24.

SCSO Chief Deputy DJ Dickerson and Lieutenant Kevin Windham began investigating the incident after the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office (DPSO) reported a burglary in Logansport, LA involving a U-Haul truck.

Alexis Dickson was booked into the SCSO for: VOP Liberty County: OC: POCS (F4 – No Bond); POCS, penalty group 1>=4g<200g (F2). Jaron Foxworth was booked for: VOP Liberty County; POCS – No Bond, penalty group 1>=4g<200g (F2); Unlawful possession of firearm by felon (F3).Information was received that the U-Haul truck was seen at the residence in the Tenaha area and the residents were selling items from the yard of the property.Chief Dickerson, Lieutenant Windham and DPSO Sergeant Armstrong were met by the homeowner, Michael Foxworth, who cooperated in allowing the officers to look in the U-Haul. Michael advised that his son, Jaron Foxworth and Jaron’s girlfriend, Alexis Dickson, had been in the U-Haul, but were not there at that time. Michael stated Jaron and Dickson were driving a yellow GMC pickup truck.

While the officers were speaking with Michael, the yellow GMC turned in to the residence and immediately backed out. Officers were able to catch up with the vehicle and found Jaron and Dickson inside. While officers were questioning the suspects, Dickson was observed attempting to conceal a substance suspected to be methamphetamine in the dashboard of the GMC truck. Dickson was removed from the vehicle and produced a glass pipe to Lt. Windham. Dickson admitted the pipe was used for smoking methamphetamine. The total weight of the substance was 22.77 grams.

Officers placed Jaron and Dickson under arrest and began questioning them about property located in the vehicle being a pirogue boat and a framed painting. Both suspects told officers the items were purchased from an individual. Inconsistencies in the stories led Chief Dickerson to further question Dickson who admitted they stole the items from an abandoned residence on Highway 84 towards Joaquin. Dickson further admitted that the property in the U-Haul at the residence was stolen. Two guns were also recovered from behind the seat area of the GMC.

During the course of the investigation, items have been recovered from burglaries in Liberty County, Nacogdoches County, Shelby County and DeSoto Parish Louisiana.

As this investigation continues, more charges will be filed.

The SCSO would like to thank the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this investigation.

www.scsotx.org

November 2, 2016 - The jury that has been summoned for Monday, November 7, 2016 for the 123rd District Court Honorable Charles C. "Brick" Dickerson 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.

November 1, 2016 - FM 947 two and a half miles outside of Tenaha was the scene of a single-vehicle rollover from which two people involved were taken to the hospital.

The Tenaha City Marshal's Office, Tenaha Volunteer Fire Department and ACE EMS were all initially dispatched top the scene of the crash to help those involved.

According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Austin Lunsford, at approximately 4:44pm a 1995 Infinity passenger car driven by Sylvia Jeanett Hodge, 32, of Gary was traveling west on FM 947. The Infinity left the roadway to the right and began to roll into the westbound bar ditch of the roadway.

Field sobriety tests were conducted and Hodge was found to be intoxicated. She was transported by ACE EMS to Tenaha where she was life-flighted to LSU hospital in Shreveport with incapacitating injuries.

Hodge's passenger Jeremy Blane Rhodes, 41, of Gary was transported by ACE EMS to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department with non life threatening injuries.

Elizabeth Swint (left) is seen with Mayor Carl Jernigan (right) following her approval by the Tenaha City Council as the new Municipal Court Judge.

November 1, 2016 - Following an executive session of the Tenaha City Council, a motion carried to appoint Elizabeth Municipal Court Judge. Darren Gray was then approved as the rehire as Deputy Tenaha City Marshal following a motion.

During officers reports, Marshal Jimmy Wagstaff stated there are several ordinances and codes that are going to begin being enforced, because they have to be enforced.

Sheryl Clark, City Secretary, said she really thinks the team of employees is strong and and they are working well together.

"I want to thank you for giving Elizabeth [Swint] a chance here to represent the City of Tenaha as the Judge. She's going to do a fantastic job," said Clark.

Mayor Jernigan informed the council and community of a letter submitted by Michael Baker, alderman. Baker informed the city he has resigned his position effective immediately on October 23, 2016.

Natalie Harris, alderman, stated to Swint she is excited about her stepping into the position as Municipal Court Judge and she believes she will be great at the job.

Mayor Jernigan welcomed Swint to her position and stated he believes she will handle the job responsibly, which is all anyone can ask of her.

Council heard an estimate for projected repairs on Cemetery Road and Houston Street. The projected cost for each street was $6,500 for Houston Street and $21,000 for Cemetery Road as presented by Pierce Construction. Mayor Jernigan explained the city has not yet sought bids on the project and got a cost estimate from the company.

Cliff Lloyd, alderman, asked for the city to contact Blazer Construction about an estimate on the project. He commented Bradley Allen, Commissioner Precinct 4, had done some work on the Cemetery Road in the past.

The council reviewed and discussed nuisance ordinance #20-06-20-3. Mayor Jernigan explained to the council the ordinance is already on the books and he was not seeking action from them, instead he wanted them to be aware there are several ordinances he intends to address in the coming months for the city to begin enforcing.

Jernigan stated the only thing the council will likely have to revisit on the nuisance ordinance is a fine fee schedule. He explained the ordinance includes such things as junk cars, overgrown trees, overgrown property and trash in a yard among other things. Mayor Jernigan said enforcement will come after proper notification to anyone in violation of the ordinance.

Becky Barker spoke with the Tenaha Council about the need for water at McNeill Park.

Becky Barker addressed the council during public comment about water supply to McNeill Park. She stated in speaking with Mayor Jernigan the water supply to the park is a low priority. She stated, with homecoming in mind, several other citizens and herself with the assistance of a city worker planted roses and shrubs around the park.

Barker is very proud of how the quickly put together project worked out and she asked the city to install a water line and hydrant in the park as soon as possible in order to water the plants. Efforts have been made by Barker and her husband to water the plants via a 5 gallon bucket, but this has proven to be an arduous task. She asked the council to consider the request to help spruce up the park and city.

Mayor Jernigan said he would be speaking with the Director of Public Works about using a grass truck to provide water for the time being.

The meeting adjourned at 6:09pm

Agenda items approved during the meeting:
1. Minutes from September 26, 2016 Regular Scheduled Council Meeting and October 20, 2016 Special Called Council Meeting
2. September 2016 Financial Report.
3. TMRS Retirement Eligibility - Reduce From Current 25 Years to 20 Years.
4. Municipal Judge appointment of Elizabeth Swint.
5. Rehire of Deputy City Marshal Darren Gray.
6. Adjourn at 6:09pm.

Related article:
Swint Sworn in as Tenaha Municipal Court Judge

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