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April 1, 2016 - (Update) - The jury who returned a guilty verdict against former teacher Johanna Vickers convened in the courtroom Friday, April 1, 2016 to hear testimony to help them determine the penalty for Vickers' crimes. Following another day of testimony, it was left up to the jurors if they would remain in the courthouse to decide her fate, or choose to go home for the weekend. They elected for the latter and no decision has been made in the penalty stage of the trial.

Court will reconvene in the 123rd Judicial District Court on Monday, April 4, 2016 where the jurors can come to their decision and bring the trial to a conclusion.

March 31, 2016 - The jury trial of a Shelbyville ISD teacher accused of an inappropriate relationship between educator and student has come to a close as the Shelby County Jury tasked with making a decision of guilt or innocence deliberated for just over two hours and came back with a decision of guilty on all remaining charges against Johanna Grace Vickers, but one.

These charges related to March 28, 2015; April 27, 2015; and May 9, 2015 and include consolidated count one, sexual assault - child victim.

Consolidated count two, sexual assault - child victim.

Consolidated count three, indecency with a child by contact.

Consolidated count 4, improper relationship between educator and student, while Vickers was an employee of a public secondary school, Shelbyville High School.

Consolidated count 5, improper relationship between educator and student, while Vickers was an employee of a public secondary school, Shelbyville High School.

Consolidated count 6, improper relationship between educator and student, while Vickers was an employee of a public secondary school, Shelbyville High School.

Related stories:

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Shelbyville ISD Teacher Under Arrest; School Superintendent Issues Statement

Sheriff's Department Reports on Vickers Arrest

March 31, 2016 - A Shelby County Jury began the arduous task of participating in the trial of Johanna Grace Vickers on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 following a two-day selection process from a jury pool originally consisting of 59 candidates. The first day of trial ended with the alleged victim in the case testifying and being scheduled to return the following morning.
 
The trial began with Judson Matthews, Shelbyville ISD Police Chief, taking the stand and beginning the thread which started the investigation into Vickers. He initiated questioning of Vickers and the alleged victim, a 16-year-old boy, and requested Vickers' cell phone which she voluntarily turned over, 2-3 hours after it was requested.
 
Once Matthews determined the situation he was tasked to investigate may have a criminal aspect, he contacted Shelby County Sheriff's Investigator Chad Brown, who was next to take the stand.
 
Investigator Brown's testimony revealed through his investigation he was able to recover text messages and video communications from the phone of the alleged victim in the case. The messages revealed a romantic relationship, which the victim confirmed, subsequently leading to the arrest of Vickers on charges of inappropriate relationship between educator and student.
 
Interview of the alleged victim and Vickers revealed she and the minor engaged in a variety of sex acts equating to five instances.
 
There are three separate criminal cases against Vickers, as there are three separate dates in which sex acts are said to have occurred (March 28, April 27, and May 9, 2015) and as a result each case mirrors the same number of equal charges. These charges include Sexual Assault - Child Victim (2 counts); Indecency with a Child by Contact (1 count); and Improper Relationship Between Educator and Student (3 counts).
 
A motion of consolidation was granted on March 28, 2016 combining the three cases into the same trial.
 
In each case, Vickers pleaded guilty to the three counts of improper relationship between educator and student, and thusly in engaging in sexual intercourse with the alleged victim. The other three counts in each case to which Vickers did not plead guilty specifically state Vickers caused the alleged acts to occur. The defense for Vickers, Seth Johnson, stated in opening arguments Vickers is not guilty of these counts, because she did not cause them to happen. It remains to be seen if the jury will agree with his assessment.
 
Although the relationship appeared to be reciprocal and the alleged victim stated as much while on the witness stand, the fact remains he was a minor at the time of the sexual relationship with Vickers, a 36-year-old woman.
 
Stephen Shires, Shelby County Assistant District Attorney, asked the alleged victim how it makes him feel Vickers is being prosecuted for having sex with him. He stated it makes him feel horrible and he feels like it's his fault. The alleged victim shared he has had to endure endless jokes and statements as a result of the whole situation. When asked for an example of a joke, he couldn't recall specifically on the spot, but he did recall being called a "teacher killer."
 
Testimony of the now 17-year-old continues at 9am on Thursday, March 31, 2016.

Related stories:

Shelbyville ISD Teacher Under Arrest; School Superintendent Issues Statement

Sheriff's Department Reports on Vickers Arrest

March 30, 2016 - Trial began today March 30, 2016 for Johanna Vickers, the Shelbyville ISD teacher accused of having an improper relationship with a student.

There are three separate cases against Vickers involving the same relationship, and there are six equal indictments in each case. Upon arraignment, Vickers pleaded guilty to three of the six charges for which she was indicted in each case.

At the end of the trial, the jury will decide the punishment for the charges to which she pleaded guilty. The trial is currently ongoing and it is up to the jury to decide the guilt or innocence of Vickers in relation to the remaining charges.

A main point of argument for defense attorney Seth Johnson, defense attorney for Vickers, is the causation of the incidents that occurred and that Vickers did not cause all incidents to occur.

The trial is ongoing and further information will be provided as it continues.

Related stories:

Shelbyville ISD Teacher Under Arrest; School Superintendent Issues Statement

Sheriff's Department Reports on Vickers Arrest

March 29, 2016 - A two-vehicle crash occurred during a funeral procession on State Highway 87 North on Thursday, March 24, 2016.

According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Sean Smith, at 4:30pm Jennifer Milford, of Timpson, was driving a white Pontiac G6 north on State Highway 87 when the funeral procession slowed down. Milford stated she couldn't see and may have looked at the sun or looked down when she rear-ended a silver Hyundai Elantra driven by Kearsten Clark, of Timpson, causing damage to both vehicles.

No injuries were reported as a result of the crash. Milford was issued a citation for failure to control speed.

March 28, 2016 - Huxley was the scene of single-vehicle crash on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 in which a car collided with a stump.

at 2:28pm Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) was informed of a one-vehicle crash on FM 139 in the Huxley area. Upon arrival, Texas DPS Trooper Keith Jones met with the citizen that called in the crash and with Jamie Hagler, Constable Precinct 2.

Trooper Jones observed a white 1999 Dodge Neon 4-door and upon investigation determined the Neon traveled off the roadway in a curve due to unsafe speed and hit a stump, causing major damage.

The driver of the vehicle reported they went to the hospital by private vehicle, and left the scene of crash. Attempts were made by DPS to locate the driver by contacting all surrounding hospitals in Shelby, Nacogdoches and San Augustine counties; however, those attempts were unsuccessful.

It later was learned the driver traveled to Vail and Son wrecker where they turned over the keys to the Neon to Vail and asked him to wrecker the car. The driver was then determined to be Hazel Marie Sullivan, 49, of Shelbyville and a citation was mailed to Sullivan for unsafe speed.

March 28, 2016 - U.S. Highway 84 in Joaquin was the location where a log truck lost its load on Wednesday, March 23, 2016.

According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones, at 7:30am Michael Dewayne Gardener, 26, of Center was driving a 2014 Mack truck for AFI Unlimited LLC. out of Shelbyville east on U.S. Highway 84 hauling logs. When Gardener  turned left on U.S. 84 the load shifted, breaking the straps holding the logs and causing logs to roll into the roadway, blocking traffic.

The Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene and directed traffic until the debris could be removed from the roadway. Once the highway was cleared, equipment was transported to the scene and was used to load the logs back onto the trailer.

Gardener was ticketed for unsecured load. No injuries were reported as a result of the crash.

March 28, 2016 - The driver of a red Dodge pickup truck was arrested on the scene when it was determined he had been driving while under the influence of alcohol.

According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Sean Smith, a call came in at 10:50pm on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 of a crash located 1 mile from U.S. Highway 96 South on FM 417. The vehicle was traveling at an unsafe speed and had gone off the roadway to the right in a sharp curve where it struck a road sign and a tree before coming to rest. The driver was identified as Daniel Eaves, 31, of Center.

Eaves was not on scene when Trooper Smith arrived, he had been given a courtesy ride to his house by the Sheriff's Department. DPS Trooper Ricardo Segura and Sheriff's Deputy Bradley Horton picked Eaves back up and returned him to the scene of the crash. During Trooper Smith's investigation he determined Eaves had been under the influence of alcohol and he was arrested for driving while intoxicated as well as possession of marijuana.

 
 

March 26, 2016 - The passing of Stanley Burgay, Shelby County Constable Precinct 5, on Monday, March 21, 2016 sparked a sorrowful time for many in the county and across the state of Texas as those who mourn him remember him with highest regard.

Funeral services were held at the John D. Windham Civic Center in Center, where the facility was filled with family, and friends. Bro. Ronnie Sowell officiated over the service and he spoke of Burgay's testimony.

"I'm a better man because I knew a good man named Stanley Burgay. He wrote his own testimony and his testimony is in the hearts of the ladies and gentlemen in this room now," said Sowell.

"Friends today, one of the first things that came to my mind earlier in the week was how much Jesus loved fishermen." He continued saying how much Stanley loved fishing and how good he was at it, "One thing as I visited with folks and listened with folks that struck me as a little different is Stanley didn't mind telling you how he caught 'em. A lot of fishermen don't want to do that. But I believe that told us something about Stanley's heart."

Bro. Sowell referenced how much Burgay liked to help people, how considerate he was of others, how important his family was to him, and most of all how important the Lord was to him.

Once the service came to a close, members of law enforcement prepared to escort Constable Burgay to his final resting place, Blair Cemetery in Timpson. A very large convoy of patrol vehicles were lined up at the rear of the civic center in preparation for departure, and once Constable Burgay was placed in a waiting hearse, his law enforcement brethren led the way.

The Center Fire Department, Center Police Department and ACE EMS shut down Hurst Street to honor Burgay and allow for the safe passage of all traveling to the cemetery.

As the procession entered Hurst Street, Shelby County Sheriff's Department Dispatch said a final goodbye to Constable Burgay.

See Stanley Burgay's obituary here

March 24, 2016 - The intersection of Loop 500 and FM 699 was the scene of a two-vehicle crash on Tuesday, March 22, 2016.

According to Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Trooper Keith Jones at 2:50pm Allison Jade Jernigan, 20, of Center was driving a white 2015 Chevrolet Cruze passenger car traveling south on FM 699 when she stopped at a stop sign at Loop 500.

Jernigan failed to yield right of way to a grey 2014 Ford Taurus driven by Anthony Samuel Granata III, 62, of Lake Charles, LA. with passenger Terri Anderson Granata, 61, when the Cruze entered Loop 500 causing the vehicles to collide leaving the Cruze in the roadway and the Taurus in a nearby ditch.

No injuries were reported as a result of the crash. Jernigan was issued a citation for fail to yield right of way, stop sign.

Center Fire Department, ACE EMS and the Shelby County Sheriff's Department all arrived on scene.

DPS Trooper Jones was assisted at the scene by Texas DPS Troopers Ricardo Segura and Taylor Buster.

March 23, 2016 - From the Shelby County Office of Emergency Management and County Judge Allison Harbison:

Individuals who were affected by recent flooding in Shelby County and have property damage or were displaced due to flood waters should contact the Shelby County Judges’ office at 936-598-3863.  Please have your name, 911 address, contact info (phone number), and a brief description and extent of damages. It is important for us to get this information as quickly as possible.

An Individual Assistance Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment will be performed in Shelby County as early as next week by the Texas Division of Emergency Management. This damage assessment is for potential add-on to the federal declaration DR-4266-TX.

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