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July 28, 2016 - It is no longer necessary for customers on the Paxton Water Supply in the Joaquin area (HWY 7 E, FM 137, FM 2787 and surrounding roads) to boil their water.
July 27, 2016 - The long awaited case against Jenny Rhodes Cassell has come to a conclusion as the former Center ISD teacher was sentenced on Wednesday, July 27, 2016.
Cassell stood before Judge Charles "Brick" Dickerson, 123rd Judicial District Judge, at 4:42pm to receive sentencing. A plea agreement between the state, represented by Assistant District Attorney Stephen Shires, and Lisa G. Flournoy, representing Cassell, was approved by Judge Dickerson and he covered elements of the agreement with Cassell.
The sentencing was set for 11am with a lineup of witnesses waiting to testify; however, due to delays sentencing was rescheduled to begin at 1:30pm. Open court did not in fact begin until 4:42pm after arrangements had been made within the judge's chambers over the previous four hours.
As per the agreement, starting ten days from the sentencing date, Cassell is sentenced to six months in the Shelby County Jail with the exception of a holiday furlough on Thanksgiving and Christmas should she elect to take that time. She also has been sentenced to four years deferred probation following her six month stay in jail and 40 hours of community service. She is to pay restitution to the Shelby County Children's Advocacy Center and pay court costs.
A hearing was held in Dickerson's courtroom on June 30, 2016 during which Cassell entered a plea of no contest to the charge of improper relationship between educator and student. Judge Dickerson clarified for Cassell that even though she entered a plea of no contest it is the equivalent of a guilty plea. At that time the state decided not to pursue the charge of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence and a sentencing date was set for July 27.
Following the sentencing Wednesday, Shires was available for comment on the case.
"My job as the prosecutor is to see that justice gets done in a case," said Shires.
He thanked the jurors involved in the Johanna Vickers trial earlier this year for their work as, according to Shires, the outcome from that trial reflects on the Cassell case.
"We very much used and referenced what happened in [the Vickers] case to reach the outcome in this case. Of course these two cases were very similar in many ways, they also were extremely different in other ways," said Shires.
Shires explained a serious difference is Vickers had the sexual assault of a child charge, which Cassell did not share as the individual involved in her case was of legal age.
"The legislature created this law, inappropriate relationship between educator and student, to address this sort of situation," said Shires.
Although it's clear Shires feels a conviction was a necessary end to the case, he was not without understanding for the former teacher.
"This is a situation where obviously we have a teacher who I believe was well liked and well respected on the staff and by the students who obviously was going through a very difficult time, and she made a mistake," said Shires.
Shires explained the Shelby County jurors have sent a message the charges are being taken seriously and that carried forward in the judge's decision.
"So, I had to balance those factors with the idea that there had to be some punitive measure in this case to go along with the probation, because just like I asked the jury in the Vickers case, we have to demonstrate that in Shelby County this sort of conduct is taken seriously," said Shires.
Justice being the goal, Shires feels that objective has been reached in the finale of this case.
"You're not just going to get probation, you're not going to just get a slap on the wrist, instead we added something in this which I think accomplishes justice. We cut a woman who made a mistake a break, yet at the same time we send a message, because six months flat time means it's day for day. No good conduct time, no two for one, nothing like that," said Shires.
Related story:
Center ISD Teacher Arrested for Relationship with Student
July 26, 2016 - Due in part to extensive damage in the Precinct 3 area received from heavy rains and flooding, the Precinct 3 budget was lacking in funding to deal with the emergency and assistance needed.
FEMA funding has been received by Precinct 3 and as a result Travis Rodgers, Commissioner Precinct 3, has returned the money which was borrowed to the county general fund.
"Those FEMA funds have come in, thank goodness, and Precinct 3 now has money and I think it's appropriate that we put that money back into the General Fund. I believe I've talked to Commissioner Rodgers, and he agrees," said Judge Allison Harbison.
Commissioner Rodgers made a motion for Precinct 3 to pay the $200,000 back to the General Fund and adjust the budget accordingly, as soon as possible. The motion carried.
"I would like to thank the commissioners at this time and the county judge for the help and assistance," said Commissioner Rodgers.
Judge Harbison agreed everyone is there to help each other out.
Two line item adjustments were necessary for the County Clerk's office.
Jennifer Fountain, County Clerk, explained there were some unexpected expenses with a birth certificate printer and a typewriter that had to be replaced, which decreased the county clerk expense budget. She informed the court she was advised by the County Auditor to make a line item transfer from her office machine repair fund to her office supply fund.
A motion carried to approve the line item transfer adjustments.
The judges and the counties in the lower portion of U.S. Highway 96 are seeking to expand the highway and Judge Harbison explained the motivation behind this expansion.
"They are trying to get TxDOT and even some federal funds to expand 96 to at least a four lane, possibly to have divided highway like they have right outside of Jasper, where it's divided," said Judge Harbison.
She explained portions of U.S. 96 are not four lane and with Port Arthur being a large shipping hub, the need exists.
"We have the support. The four judges are myself, San Augustine, Sabine and Jasper, which is in our [Council of Government] region. Then we've also partnered with Hardin County, Jefferson County and Orange County," said Judge Harbison.
Judge Harbison stated each of the counties are seeking the support of their courts for the resolution to show there is support to get the needed funding. Judge Harbison commented Shelby County is fine from Center to U.S. Highway 59 portions south of Center into San Augustine are two lane.
"We all know we've been blessed to not have hurricanes lately, but y'all know how bad it was when we had those hurricanes and a four lane would be really nice to have," said Judge Harbison.
She assured the commissioners the approval of the resolution will not involve money from Shelby County and the approval just gets the request started and the possibility of future funds.
A motion carried to approve the resolution in support of the U.S. Highway 96 Expansion Coalition.
The commissioners discussed the group health plan for the 2017 Plan Year and Judge Harbison explained the health rate plan is going to increase 2%. She stated the surplus the county is to receive back from the plan is $51,701 which should be received the end of July. Judge Harbison remarked the difference will be minor compared to past increases.
"The 2% is gonna make our employee payment go up from $567.56 to $578.90," said Judge Harbison.
Plan benefits will remain the same and coverage will not change.
A motion carried to renew the plan.
The meeting adjourned at 9:47am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Pay monthly expenses. 2. Precinct 3, Road and Bridge, to repay $200,000 to the Shelby County General Fund and adjust budget accordingly. 3. Two line item transfers in County Clerk budget. 4. Resolution in Support of the U.S. Highway 96 Expansion Coalition. 5. Continue local optional fees $10 Road and Bridge and $1.50 Child Safety Fee for Chapter 502 of the Transportation Code for the Calendar Year 2017. 6. Renew contract with Computer Information Concepts. 7. Renew group health plan for the 2017 Plan Year. 8. Adjourn
July 25, 2016 - The Shreveport Police Department has been searching for two suspects in a murder which took place on July 20, 2016 and one suspect made his way to Center where he is now in custody.
According to the Shelby County Jail log, Jakarris Harper, 24, of Shreveport was arrested by Center Police Officers and was booked in at 1:30am July 25, 2016 on a Shreveport warrant for murder in the 2nd degree.
The Shreveport Police Department has issued a press release stating Shreveport Police patrol officers were called to the 2900 block of Curtis Lane regarding a male victim who was discovered deceased along the roadway. Upon officer's arrival, it was learned the victim, 23 year old Ricardo Anderson had been shot multiple times. It is believed the suspects involved in the shooting fled the scene immediately afterwards, driving off in a dark colored sedan.
Arrest warrants were obtained for two men, including Harper, who based on evidence and information gathered, have been linked to the crime. Donterious Davenport, 18, of Shreveport, is still wanted on a single count of second degree murder.
Bond for each man has been set at half a million dollars each. Persons with any information regarding the whereabouts of Davenport are urged to call Crime Stoppers at (318) 673-7373 or visit their website at www.lockemup.org
July 22, 2016 - Two men have lost their lives as the result of a crash which took place on U.S. Highway 59 in Rusk County at the intersection of CR 3286.
The Timpson Volunteer Fire Department (TVFD) was dispatched to the scene at 8:37am in the direction of Tenaha. As the firemen reached the Bobo area they were dispatched again in the opposite direction toward Garrison.
When the firemen arrived at the scene a pickup truck involved in the crash was discovered by CR 3286 with one occupant inside. A logging truck had collided with the pickup truck and crashed into the woods on the southbound side of the roadway where it came to rest and, as a result of the crash, burst into flames.
The two drivers perished and were pronounced dead at the scene by Joe Sorrells, Rusk County Justice of the Peace Precinct 5.
Several additional fire departments responded to the scene including the Garrison Volunteer Fire Department, Central Heights Volunteer Fire Department, and Nacogdoches Fire Department. Ambulance personnel from Nacogdoches and Timpson Volunteer Ambulance Service were also on scene.
Hopkins Wrecker Service and Joey Ross Towing assisted emergency personnel in extricating the driver from the log truck.
(Update): According to the Texas Department of Public Safety a 2003 Mack truck driven by Christopher Wayne Harville, 35, of Converse, La. was traveling south on U.S. Highway 59 in Rusk County as a black 2000 Ford F-150 driven by Ozine Roberts, 81, of Garrison was slowing to make a right turn onto CR 3286 when the Mack struck the Ford from the rear, causing major damage.
The Ford came to rest just past CR 3286 facing northwest. The Mack truck continued traveling off the highway to the right and into a tree line where it collided with several trees and caught on fire. Harville and Roberts were pronounced dead at the scene by Joe Sorrells, Rusk County Justice of the Peace Precinct 5.
This crash remains under investigation by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
July 22, 2016 - National Weather Service of Shreveport, Louisiana issued at 3:17pm CDT Friday, July 22, 2016 a heat advisory remains in effect for much of the Four State Region through 7 pm CDT Saturday for the following counties: 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, Cass, Wood, Upshur, Marion, Smith, Gregg, Harrison, Rusk, Panola, Shelby, and San Augustine.
Heat advisory remains in effect until 7 pm CDT Saturday…
* EVENT... an upper level ridge of high pressure will maintain very hot conditions over the area. Temperatures on Saturday will climb to the mid and upper 90s with heat index values ranging from 105 to 110 degrees.
* TIMING... through 7 pm CDT Saturday.
* IMPACT... a heat advisory means that hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a situation in which heat related illnesses are possible. Caution is recommended for those who will be outdoors.
Precautionary/Preparedness Actions
Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear light weight and loose fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water.
Reduce Risk During Outdoor Work
The occupational safety and health administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency - call 9 1 1. A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible.
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Stay in an air-conditioned room
- Stay out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors.Short Term Forecast
SHORT TERM FORECAST
National Weather Service of Shreveport, Louisiana issued at 4:39pm CDT Friday, July 22, 2016 a short term forcast for the following counties: 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, Camp, Morris, Cass, Wood, Upshur, Marion, Gregg, Harrison, Rusk, Panola, Nacogdoches, Shelby, Angelina, and San Augustine.
Now
National weather service doppler radar continues to show isolated showers and thunderstorms developing across portions of north and Central Louisiana, South Central Arkansas and East Texas. This activity is drifting to the southwest at 10 to 15 mph. Wind gusts of up to 35 mph can be expected. Rainfall accumulations of up to a tenth on an inch can be expected over the next couple of hours.
July 22, 2016 - Notice To Boil Water Due to repairs at the plant, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required our water System, Paxton Water, to notify customers of the need to boil their water prior to consumption. This is for the customers that were out of water on 7/22/2016 on Hwy. 7 east, Fm 139 and 2787, and all side roads.
To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and making ice should be boiled and cooled prior to use. The water should be brought to a vigorous, rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes. In lieu of boiling, you may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source.
When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the water system officials will notify you that the water is safe for consumption. Instructions to discontinue boiling will be issued in the same manner as this notice. If you have any questions concerning this matter, you may contact Vince Di Verdi at 936-590-9177 or 936-332-7683.
July 22, 2016 - Sheriff's Department, Center Police Department and Texas Department of Public Safety all responded to a reported bad wreck on State Highway 7 East of Center just past the Loop 500 intersection Friday mid-morning.
According to DPS State Trooper Keith Jones, a two-vehicle crash occurred at 9:30am on SH 7 East involving an 18-wheeler and a pickup truck on Friday, July 22, 2016. A white 2005 Chevrolet Silverado pickup driven by Robert Hughes, Jr., 76 of Center, was traveling east on SH 7 following behind a red 2005 Peterbilt truck-tractor pulling a 2012 trailer, owned by Durango Trucking. The driver of the truck-tractor was Ricky Wayne Burnaman, 62 of Etoile, and he was slowing to make a right turn into TxDOT parking lot. The truck-tractor crossed over the center lines to swing wide to make the turn when the Chevrolet pickup attempted to pass on the right on the shoulder and the truck-tractor turned into the pickup truck. The truck-tractor struck the driver's side causing distributed damage with its passenger side front.
Neither driver reported injuries. Hughes was cited for failed to pass on the right when safe. Law enforcement provided traffic control until the roadway was cleared.
July 21, 2016 - Three teens were involved in a near-tragic crash on U.S. Highway 84 in front of the Joaquin High School on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.
Directly following the crash involving a white pickup truck and the entrance wall to Joaquin ISD, employees of the school rushed to the aid of one individual involved who received injury. As the young man lay on the ground, the school employees provided shade for him by setting a canopy over him until additional help could arrive.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones, at 1:10pm Johnathan Taylor Webster, 17, of Joaquin was driving a white 1997 Ford F-150 eastbound on U.S. Highway 84 at an unsafe speed.
Webster attempted to make a left turn into the Joaquin High School parking lot and due to the speed crashed head-on into a brick wall. The front seat passenger in the truck a 17-year-old male passenger of Joaquin was not wearing a seat belt and struck the windshield face first, causing injury.
A 16-year-old male passenger was riding in the open bed of the pickup truck when the crash occurred; however, he was uninjured.
Webster was issued a citation for unsafe speed, and allowing child less than 18 to ride in open bed. The 17-year-old passenger was transported from the scene by ACE EMS to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department for treatment of his injuries, he was also issued a citation for no seat belt.
July 21, 2016 - State Highway 7 East in Joaquin was the scene of a two-vehicle crash on Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at the intersection of FM 139.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones, at 7:45am Alexis Cheyenne Byrd, 18, of Joaquin was traveling west in a silver 2012 Chevrolet Cruze when she failed to control speed.
The Cruze collided with a tan 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe which was preparing to turn left onto FM 139 and was driven by Mimi Leanne Creasy, 28, of Tenaha and was also occupied by a 2-year-old male passenger.
Major damage was received by the Cruze and it was towed from the scene, the Tahoe was able to be driven from the scene.
No injuries were reported at the scene. Byrd was issued a citation for failure to control speed.
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