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May 9, 2016 - U.S. Highway 96 South was the scene of a major two-vehicle crash between a passenger car and a truck-tractor on Monday, May 9, 2016.

Emergency crews raced to the scene just south of CR 1008 (6 miles south of Center) where one vehicle was left overturned in the middle of the roadway. Debris was all around the crash scene with wheels from both vehicles involved strewn on and beside the roadway.

EMS and Center firemen worked to extricate the driver of the vehicle in the middle of the roadway and move her to a waiting ambulance.

According to Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Trooper Cpl. Jimmy Faulkner, at 11:35am Henry Thornton, 62, of San Augustine was traveling south in a black 2015 Peterbilt truck-tractor owned by DRL out of Center pulling an empty shavings trailer.

For an undetermined reason the truck-tractor crossed over into the northbound traffic lane and into the path of oncoming traffic. Carriston Hendricks, 33, of Shelbyville was driving a white 2014 Ford Explorer north on U.S. 96 as the truck-tractor crossed over and collided with the explorer with the rear driver's side of the trailer, causing major damage.

Once Hendricks was freed from the Explorer she was transported by ACE EMS to Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital for treatment of her injuries.

No injuries were reported to have been received by Thornton as a result of the crash. He was issued a citation for wrong side of road not passing.

Cpl. Faulkner was assisted in his investigation by Texas DPS Trooper Sean Smith.

 

May 9, 2016 - The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch from 7:20pm Monday, May 9, 2016 until 2am Tuesday, May 10, 2016 for Shelby County. Other counties included in this watch are as follows: Panola, Bowie, Camp, Cass, Franklin, Gregg, Harrison, Marion, Morris, Red River, Rusk, Titus, and Upshur.

Hazardous Weather Outlook for Tonight
Thunderstorms will increase in coverage and intensity later this afternoon through tonight as an upper level trough advances east onto the plains and mid south region.

Strong to severe storms are possible later this afternoon and through early evening. Threats include large hail, damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes with any storms that do become severe.

May 9, 2016 - On March 30, 2016 Center Police Department was dispatched to a Theft at the Center Walmart on Hurst Street. 

It was reported to officers that several black females along with several children had committed a theft inside the store. The adults loaded items inside plastic containers and attempted to leave the store with the stolen merchandise. All of the suspects including the children left in a Blue Dodge Durango which is seen in the following photo.

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 Center Crime Stoppers system.

May 6, 2016 - Notice is hereby given that a Regular Meeting of the Governing body of the Shelby County Commissioners' Court will be held on the 9th day of May, 2016 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 the minutes of the April 11, 2016 Regular Meeting and the April 25, 2016 Special Meeting of the Shelby County Commissioners' Court.

2. Approve and pay the monthly expenses.

3. Approve Officers' Reports.

4. Public Comments on Agenda items.

5. T.C. Hughes to address the Court regarding the road leading into his property on County Road 4428.

6. Sheriff Blackwell to discuss and possibly approve moving the existing jailboard and monitors into an adjacent office from dispatch to have jailers operate same.

7. Sheriff Blackwell to discuss and possibly approve permission to accept bid from Lunabite to build and install a Sheriff's Office website.

8. Proclamation declaring May as Elder Abuse Prevention Awareness Month.

9. Discuss and possibly take action on appointing a Constable in Precinct 5.

10. Discuss and possibly take action on becoming a member of the National Flood Insurance Program.

11. Consider and possibly adopt the Resolution to become a member of the National Insurance Program.

12. Adjourn.

May 7, 2016 - City and School election day results are as follows:

CITIES

City of Joaquin
Council (3)
(I) Pat Gray - 34
Frankie Cooper - 31
(I) Benjamin Brittain - 27
(I) Lee Vern Stotts Gilliam - 13

City of Tenaha
Council (2) *Election unopposed
Stephanie Marie Glenn
Cliff Lloyd

Mayor
Carl Jernigan - 70
(I) Orinthia Johnson - 58
Natalie Harris - 48
Joseph Lemoine -  9

City of Timpson
Council Members (2) *Election unopposed
(I) Yvonne Ramsey
Al Skinner

Mayor
Debra Smith - 136
George Grace - 69

SCHOOLS

Joaquin I.S.D.
Board of Trustee Positions (2)
Bill Mason - 227
Jeff Cater - 157
(I) Jay Dee Cockrell - 126
Susan McCann - 20

Shelbyville I.S.D.
Board of Trustee Positions (3) *Election unopposed
(I) Duane Lout
(I) Joey Lawson
Chris Koltonski

Tenaha I.S.D.
Board of Trustee Positions (2)
(I) Aaron Roland - 138
(I) Ronny Samford - 113
Colelette Cross DePriest - 110
Marshay McClure - 106
James Tyler Reeves - 64
Roger Holley - 49
Josh Jernigan - 39

Timpson I.S.D.
Board of Trustee Positions (2)
Justin Timmons - 396
(I) George Duke - 309
Sheila Richard - 152

Bond Election
For - 260
Against - 238

May 6, 2016 - The jury that has been summoned for Monday, May 9th for the 273rd District Court by Honorable Judge Charles R. Mitchell 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. 

Click the photo above to see a larger image.

Update: The (2) suspects depicted in the photographs were found to be juveniles. The juvenile suspects came to the Sheriff's Department last night with their legal guardians to meet with the investigator regarding the cases filed.


May 5, 2016 - On Tuesday, April 26th, 2016 Patrol Deputy Adam Renfro took a report from a Danny Gage with Tenaska Operations regarding a criminal trespass and a criminal mischief incident that had occurred at the company's property located on County Road 3524 in Joaquin.

The unknown suspects illegally entered the property by cutting a fence line that enclosed the critical infrastructure site. Surveillance video footage captured the suspects. If you recognize the suspects in the photographs taken from the surveillance video footage, please contact Center Crime Stoppers.

Click the photo above to see a larger image

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.

If a caller does not wish to remain anonymous or receive a reward, they may call the Shelby County Sheriff's Department at 936-598-5600 or 936-572-1468 and speak with Lieutenant Investigator DJ Dickerson.

Click the photo above to see a larger image.

Click the photo above to see a larger image.

Click the photo above to see a larger image.

Click the photo above to see a larger image.

May 5, 2016 - Commissioner Travis Rodgers would like to alert the public as to County Road 3267 being washed out due to high water at the bottom of Flat Fork Creek. The road is closed and barricaded, do not go around the barriers as you may become submerged. 

Click for full mapMay 5, 2016 - Officials with the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas, Sabine  National Forest, have advised a prescribed burn located in Compartments 18 & 19, (Block B, C & D ) 2,902 acres (Boles Field Area). Winds are predicted from the North to 6 mph, gusting to 8 mph.

Please see the attached map of the projected burn areas.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Sabine Ranger District office (409) 625-1940

May 4, 2016 - Potential Allergy Concerns for Those with Wheat and Soy Allergies

BRENHAM, Texas, May 3, 2016 – Blue Bell Ice Cream is voluntarily recalling select lots of Rocky Road pints produced in its Brenham, Texas, plant because they may be mispackaged and actually contain Cookies ‘n Cream Ice Cream.  That ice cream contains the undeclared allergens soy and wheat, which may present a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction risk to people who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to soy or wheat.

No illnesses have been reported to date, and there are no other health or safety concerns except for those posed to people that have soy or wheat allergies.  A Blue Bell employee discovered the incorrect packaging while restocking a retailer.

The pints can be identified as a Rocky Road pint with a Cookies ‘n Cream lid, and contain Cookies ‘n Cream Ice Cream. They can also be identified by the following code located on the bottom of the pint: 022918576.  A picture of the affected product is included below.

The ice cream pints were distributed in Texas and Louisiana through retail outlets, including food service accounts, convenience stores and supermarkets.

Product: Rocky Road Ice Cream pints with Cookies ‘n Cream lid and Cookies ‘n Cream product.

Code Date: 022918576

Consumers who have purchased these items can return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. For more information, consumers with questions may call 979-836-7977, Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. CST.

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