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July 6, 2016 - Law enforcement officers closed in on a pursuit involving Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Troopers as they attempted to stop a vehicle on State Highway 7 West on Wednesday afternoon, July 6.
The pursuit began somewhere in the west end of the county as Texas DPS State Troopers Taylor Buster and Austin Lunsford attempted to stop a black Nissan Maxima which was traveling at a high rate of speed. The Troopers were finally able to come to bring the vehicle to a stop at FM 711.
Shelby County Sheriff's Deputies and Center Police Officers arrived at the scene to assist the troopers. Once the driver and passenger in the front seat were detained it was discovered the driver had three additional passengers in the back seat including an infant and two elementary age children.
Once the officers identified the individuals, the driver Tristian Reynolds, 26, of Center was arrested for fleeing or attempt to evade police officer and was transported to the Shelby County Jail.
The officers held the scene until the mother of the children arrived to claim them and the vehicle.
July 6, 2016 - Timpson emergency personnel were dispatched at 4:15pm on July 5, 2016 to a trash fire on U.S. Highway 59 South just over 1 1/2 miles outside of the city. When the first firemen from Timpson Volunteer Fire Department (TVFD) arrived on scene it was discovered a structure was on fire.
The Timpson Volunteer Ambulance Service (TVAS) was also requested for an individual at the residence. Once on scene firemen extinguished flames surrounding the house and began working on the building which had burned to the ground until it was learned the house was no longer being lived in.
According to the TVFD the property belongs to Michelle Parks and a trash burn reportedly got out of control and caught the house on fire.
The firemen remained on scene to insure the fire would not spread and the TVAS did not transport anyone from the scene.
At 5:45pm the TVFD cleared the scene and returned to the fire station.
July 6, 2016 - The 27th Annual East Texas What-A-Melon Festival kicks off today, July 6, 2016 with the official watermelon cutting at 5pm.
The Shelby County Ministers' Fellowship has organized a night of fellowship and praise with gospel music on the stage starting at 6pm until 10pm with the festival closing at 10:30pm. Performances to enjoy are Jeff and Norine Spring; Christina Smith; Bro. Alvin Davis and Open Door Church; Rev. Robert Gipson and Mt. Zion C.M.E. Church; Rev. Karen Jones and First United Methodist Church; Leigh Porterfield; Patti Pustka and First Baptist Church; and Bishop W.C. Martin and Bennett Chapel Church.
5:00pm - Rides Open and Vendors Open ($20 Arm Bands, 5:30pm to 10:30pm)
6:00pm - Shelby County Ministers' Fellowship has the stage until 10pm, Gospel music, Praise, and Worship
10:30pm - Festival Closes
July 5, 2016 - An unknown black male went to Adams Electric located at 502 Railroad in Center on Monday July 4, 2016 at approximately 9:55pm. There the suspect cut the lock from the gate gaining entrance into the back lot.
The suspect then pried open the back doors and entered the building and disabled one inside surveillance camera but failed to locate other cameras in the building. An assortment of tools were taken by the suspect, jugs of freon used for air conditioning units and then the suspect fled out the same way he entered.
The Center Police Department Detectives Division is asking for the public to review the still shots from the surveillance camera to see if they could identify the suspect.
Center Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information. Anyone who has information regarding this crime should call Center Crime Stoppers at 936-598-SAFE (7233) or submit a tip online at www.centercrimestoppers.com. Remember you don't have to give your name. All calls and cash rewards are completely anonymous. Rewards will only be paid on tips submitted through the Center Crime Stoppers system.
Submitted by Detective Stephen Stroud
July 4, 2016 - The Dixie Youth Baseball South Regional Baseball Tournament Championship games are today, July 4, 2016.
- T-Ball Division I (Bracket) Championship game is between Bullard and Hudson at 5:30pm. T-Ball Division II (Bracket) Championship game is between Shelbyville and West Rusk at 5pm. Congratulations to Tri-Cities for receiving the Sportsmanship award.
- Machine Pitch Division I (Bracket) game is between Kilgore Red and Panola National at 4:30pm. Machine Pitch Division II (Bracket) game is between Overton and Tatum and starts at 3:00pm. Congratulations to Huntington for receiving the Sportsmanship award.
- Coach Pitch Division I (Bracket) Championship game is between Nacogdoches American and Bullard National at 4:30pm. Coach Pitch Division II (Bracket) Championship game is between Fairfield and Onalaska at 3pm. Congratulations to Diboll for receiving the Sportsmanship award.
Let's play ball . . .
July 1, 2016 - FM 138 was the scene of a two-vehicle crash early Friday morning, July 1, 2016 from which two people involved fled the scene.
The Shelby County Sheriff's Department, Center Fire Department and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) were all dispatched to the scene 10 miles from Center.
While Texas DPS State Trooper Dustin Ramos investigated the crash, Center firemen provided traffic control and Deputy Chris Benton searched for the missing parties involved in the crash.
It appeared at the scene a white Dodge Ram 2500 4X4 and a yellow Jeep Wrangler collided head-on sometime before 6am. The driver of the Jeep and another passenger exited the vehicle, and fled the scene, abandoning a third passenger and a dog in the Jeep.
Those involved remaining at the scene refused treatment from ACE EMS. Authorities continue the search for the other two individuals involved in the wreck.
Anyone who knows the whereabouts of those involved should contact authorities as soon as possible.
(Update): According to the Texas Department of Public Safety Report, the preliminary crash investigation indicates a 2009 Jeep was traveling eastbound on FM 138 when it crossed over into the westbound lane and struck a 2012 Dodge pickup. The driver of the Jeep reportedly fled the scene of the crash and was later located and identified as Robert Lynn Gordon, 34, from Gary.
Gordon was traveling with two female passengers, Jessica Pugh, 29, and Jennifer Terry, 35. Terry was transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department in Center for possible treatment. The driver of the Dodge was identified as Charles Harris, 59, from Center. Harris was also taken to Nacogdoches Medical Center in Center by private vehicle with unknown injuries.
As a result of the crash Gordon was charged with wrong side road-not passing, fail to maintain financial responsibility and accident involving damage. This crash remains under investigation. No additional information is available at this time.
According to the Shelby County Jail log, Terry was booked in on July 1 with a charge of public intoxication.
July 1, 2016 - Newly Appointed Constable Precinct 5 Robert Hairgrove was sworn into office on Friday, July 1, 2016 at the Shelby County Courthouse.
Constable Hairgrove was sworn in by Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison in the courtroom on the third floor of the courthouse.
Hairgrove won the election this year for Constable Precinct 5 and was scheduled to take office on January 1, 2017. Following the passing of Stanley Burgay, who held the position of Precinct 5 Constable for 12 years, it was necessary to appoint someone to the position.
The absence of Burgay has been noticeable and has left a great need for someone to take on his position and fulfill his duties. The Shelby County Commissioners' Court recently approved Hairgrove's appointment.
June 30, 2016 - The Timpson Volunteer Fire Department responded to a two-vehicle crash on FM 1971 just over the Rusk County line at 5:57pm on Thursday, June 30, 2016.
When the firemen arrived at the scene of the crash at CR 3251 just under 2 miles from U.S. Highway 84 one vehicle remained partially in the roadway and traffic control was necessary.
A trailer loaded with a boat which was being towed by a Jeep was removed from the trailer hitch of the Jeep and attached to another vehicle to help clear the roadway.
It appeared an RV being hauled by a grey Dodge pickup truck traveling south lost a wheel which came into the path of white Jeep Wrangler traveling north. The driver of the Jeep was able to prevent the vehicle from rolling and brought it to a stop on the southbound side of the roadway in a ditch.
Once the scene was clear, the Timpson Volunteer firemen returned to the station in Timpson.
(Update): According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Erik Ramirez, at 5:48pm a silver 2014 Dodge Ram 2500 driven by Kevin Scott Bryce, 35, of Timpson was traveling south on FM 1971 pulling a 5th wheel Montana motorhome.
As the truck and motorhome passed a white 2016 Jeep Wrangler driven by Phillip Alston Russell, 30, of Austin with passenger Treasi Marino, 36, which was traveling north hauling a boat. When the vehicles passed, a left side tire came off of the motorhome and struck the Jeep.
The Jeep came to rest in the west ditch facing north and the Dodge came to rest in the west ditch facing south.
Bryce was issued a citation for display expired license plate/registration insignia.
June 29, 2016 - The Texas Department of Public Safety and other emergency personnel responded to the scene of a single-vehicle crash on June 23, 2016 on FM 1970 North.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones, at 9:40pm Glenn Edward Maynard, 61, of Long Branch was traveling south on FM 1970 in a 1999 red Jeep Grand Cherokee Classic.
Maynard stated when he entered into a curve two deer ran into the roadway. As he swerved to miss striking the deer the Jeep exited the right side of the roadway and Maynard over corrected to the left and overturned sliding down FM 1970 before coming to rest in the middle of the roadway taking up both traffic lanes.
Maynard was seen by Timpson Volunteer Ambulance Service and he refused treatment at the scene. The Timpson Volunteer Fire Department and Timpson Police Department assisted at the scene with traffic control and clearing the roadway.
The Jeep was towed from the scene. Maynard was issued a citation for fail to drive in single lane.
June 29, 2016 - The Texas Department of Public Safety has reported the death of a former Center ISD student resulting from a crash which occurred on June 26, 2016.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety report, at about 4am, Houston County DPS troopers responded to and investigated a one-vehicle rollover crash on FM 357, approximately four miles south of Kennard.
The preliminary crash investigation indicates a 2016 Chevrolet pickup was traveling north on FM 357 when the vehicle left the roadway to the right where it rolled over and struck multiple trees. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Austin Cline Catoe, 18, from Crockett, TX.
Catoe was transported to Houston County Medical Center where he was treated and released. At the time of the crash Catoe was traveling with three passengers which have been identified as Haley Henry, 19, from Kennard, TX, Mariaah Lopez, 17, from Crockett, TX, and Brendan Galloway, 22, also from Crockett.
Haley Henry was transported to Hermann Hospital in Houston for treatment. Unfortunately Mariaah Lopez, formerly of Center, was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash at 5 a.m., by Judge Clyde Black. Brendan Galloway was transported to Houston County Medical Center and was pronounced deceased at approximately 6 a.m.
This crash remains under investigation. No additional information is available at this time.
See obituary information here: Obituary
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