Shelby County Today

August 7, 2018 - Center Fire Department was dispatched to a vehicle fire Wednesday, August 1, 2018 at the intersection of John C. Rogers Drive and King Street.

When the firemen arrived, smoke and flames were emanating from the passenger side of the engine of a Ford F150 Custom pickup truck. Firemen were able to extinguish the flames and prevent the fire from overtaking the vehicle. Once the fire was out, the scene was cleared and the vehicle was towed by Hughes Wrecker Service from the location.

Not long after the truck was taken from the scene, the flames reignited and the fire began to overtake the truck. The wrecker had to stop in the road on Nacogdoches Highway (State Highway 7 West) at the intersection with Lillian Street.

Firemen responded to the location at Lillian Street to fight the fire which engulfed the truck. The fire was extinguished; however, the truck was a total loss. The fire is believed to have possibly started when the brakes got too hot and ignited the front tire and engine.

August 7, 2018 - In joint operations, the Shelby County Sheriff's Department and Constable Precinct 3 have arrested three individuals resulting from an investigation into a burglary of a habitation and a stolen vehicle.

The Shelby County Sheriff's Department received a call from a residence on Childers Street in Joaquin on Sunday morning, August 5, 2018 regarding a stolen white Ford Explorer. In response to the call, Deputies Josh Tipton and Jesse Travis went en-route.

During that time, Constable Precinct 3 Roy Cheatwood, observed an unoccupied white Ford Explorer at the roadside park where U.S. Highway 84 and State Highway 7 intersect in Joaquin. When Constable Cheatwood reported the unoccupied vehicle to the Sheriff's Office, it matched the information of the stolen Explorer.

It was determined the Explorer had been stolen sometime Saturday night from the residence on Childers Street. While Cheatwood was on scene at the roadside park, the owner of the Explorer arrived at the location and confirmed for Constable Cheatwood and Shelby County Sheriff's Lt. Investigator Del Birdwell, the Explorer was his and he had not given permission to anyone for its use.

An inventory of the Explorer was taken, it was processed and then returned to the owner. According to Investigator Birdwell, from the time the vehicle was reported stolen until the time the owner laid eyes on his vehicle was less than two hours.

As Constable Cheatwood was en-route to another call at Quick Stop in Haslam early Sunday morning, he witnessed an individual enter a residence on Coulter Street he knew to be unoccupied. After the call he was responding to completed, Cheatwood received a call there were three individuals with a vehicle backed up to the residence on Coulter Street and they had entered the building.

When Constable Cheatwood arrived at the scene, the suspect vehicle was no longer at the house. Cheatwood looked in the front door and then contacted the Shelby County Sheriff's Department as he thought there may still be someone in the house. While awaiting assistance, Cheatwood spoke with an individual who provided a photograph of the vehicle which had been at the house. Cheatwood knew the owner of the vehicle in the photo and he was also able to identify one individual captured in the image.

At that time, Deputies Tipton and Travis arrived at the residence. Cheatwood was able to gain permission from the owner by telephone to enter the building by whatever means necessary and they forced entry into the house. It was apparent upon entry someone had been using the house.

The vehicle in question was well-known by the officers involved. It was later spotted, and Constable Cheatwood alerted Deputy Tipton of its location and Tipton made contact with the vehicle at Joaquin Quick Stop. Individuals identified in the photograph were inside the vehicle and were subsequently arrested. A warrant will be issued for the third individual identified in the photo.

It was determined the suspect Cheatwood identified from the house is also a person of interest in the theft of the Explorer. According to Constable Cheatwood, while seeking the location of the third suspect he indicated to Investigator Mandy Fears a residence where the suspect might be found. While at that location, Investigator Fears was given consent to search by the owner. A female at the residence was found to be in possession of 4.23 grams of a substance which field tested to be methamphetamine. She was then taken into custody.

Constable Cheatwood expressed his appreciation to the Shelby County Sheriff's Department, Investigator Birdwell, Deputy Josh Tipton, Deputy Jesse Travis, Investigator Mandy Fears, and the citizens.

"Without their help, we're not law enforcement," said Cheatwood. "We cannot do it without the citizens who led us all into this that's taking place now."

Those individuals arrested at this time as a result of these investigations include, Dorvel Williams, 51, of Joaquin - burglary of a habitation; Christopher Burch, 47, of Mansfield, LA - burglary of a habitation; and Annie Murray, 37, of Joaquin - possession of a controlled substance.

Lt. Investigator Birdwell indicated the female subject from the burglary of a habitation is actively being sought, and in addition to their efforts, Sgt. Armstrong with DeSoto Parish is pursuing leads on the Louisiana side.

August 3, 2018 - The City of Huxley will be conducting a free chlorine burnout of its water distribution system. The burnout will begin on Monday, August 6, 2018. This event will last a maximum of 30 days.

Currently the City of Huxley uses chloramines for disinfection of the drinking water. Chloramines are created by combining chlorine and ammonia. During this free chlorine burn, the disinfection process will be changed from chloramines to free chlorine. Free chlorine is a stronger and faster-acting disinfectant. Customers may notice increased flushing throughout the water distribution system during this time period, and possibly the following free chlorine burnout. 

This will allow flushing of the system to help remove sediment from the pipes and distribute the change in disinfectant.

It is important to understand that during this temporary change there may be some discoloration or cloudiness in the water and possibly a slight chlorine odor or taste. If this is experienced, customers may want to run the water through the tap until it clears. Minor pressure fluctuations and small air pockets may also occur. Flush valves should remove a majority of the color and odor, but some may reach customer lines during the process.

Is the Water Safe to Drink?

Yes, the water is safe to drink throughout this process.

Any odor and color issues will be nuisance only, which will subside as the flushing is completed. Discoloration in laundry is possible during this time. Cleaning additives are readily available at local stores to help prevent or remove any discoloration that may occur. Customers who use tap water for kidney dialysis at home should consult their doctor to advise them if any changes are necessary in their residual disinfectant neutralization procedures. Customers utilizing the water for aquariums should monitor both free and combined chlorine residuals.

During normal business hours residents may call 936-368-2633 or 936-368-2266 with any questions concerning the free chlorine burnout. The City of Huxley Water Utilities Department appreciates residents’ patience and understanding as it works to further improve the quality of the water for all customers.

August 1, 2018 - Use caution traveling down Nacogdoches Street. Work crews are detouring traffic near the intersection of Nacogdoches and Wheeler Street.