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February 25, 2016 - The 2016 Great Texas Warrant Round Up is coming soon – If you received a citation from the Center Police Department and have not paid the citation in full or did not appear before the Judge then an Arrest Warrant has been issued for you. Contact Center Municipal Court at 936-598-3080 / 1020 Shelbyville street to take care of this matter ASAP before the Warrant Round Up starts or risk being arrested at your home, your place of work or during a traffic stop. Officers will be going to Timpson, Tenaha, Joaquin, Huxley and Shelbyville to arrest those who have outstanding warrants.
February 24, 2016 - Tuesday night at 9:35pm a man traveling on FM 417 East collided with a large Oak tree which fell in front of him and he survived. High winds were blowing and had moved through the area for the majority of the day which could have been the cause of the tree falling.
The driver was Jermicah Jahron Williams, age 32 of Mansfield, Louisiana, and he reported seeing the tree falling in front of him and there was nothing he could do. He was driving a 2000 GMC Sonoma westbound on FM 417 East when the tree fell and the truck collided with it. The truck received major damage to the front and the frame on the truck was bent.
After the crash occurred, the driver was able to exit the pickup and walked up the road for help. ACE EMS responded to the scene; however, Williams didn't require transport. The Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department was also dispatched along with Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).
The fire department arrived first and using a chainsaw cut the tree into sections and then used the winch on the front of the fire truck to help move large sections out of the roadway. TxDOT arrived and using a small bulldozer they finished clearing the roadway.
The crash was investigated by Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Trooper Keith Jones. Constable Pct 2 Jamie Hagler also responded to the crash and assisted.
February 24, 2016 - Shelby County Sheriff Willis Blackwell reports that on Monday, February 15, 2016 at approximately 7:41hrs, Shelby County Sheriff's Department was contacted by Nacogdoches Police Department who advised that a vehicle registered to a Raymond Carson of Center was located in a Nacogoches city park located on Pearl Street near the intersection of West Main Street. It was advised that a subject identified as a Thomas Wayne Hughes, Jr., 31 of Garrison was located inside the vehicle bound with handcuffs and zipties.
Sergeant Investigator DJ Dickerson was notified of the situation in which he along with Deputy Kurtes Lawrence and Patrol Sergeant Michael Griffin traveled to the residence to which the vehicle was registered to, a Raymond Carson located at 14834 Highway 7 West, Center, Texas. Upon arrival, contact was made with a Raymond Carson who at that time realized that his 2005 Toyota Tacoma was stolen. Mr. Carson had a game camera attached to a tree that was pointing towards the residence where the vehicle was parked and upon reviewing the SD card with photographs, (2) photographs were found time stamped 2:41am and 3:04am in which a white male subject of slender build wearing blue jeans and a hoodie was walking towards Carson's vehicle. It was found that the subject that was located in Carson's vehicle by Nacogdoches Police Department officers was the same observed in the photographs on the game camera.
Sergeant Investigator DJ Dickerson traveled to a neighboring residence next to Carson's residence and spoke with a subjects who advised that a Thomas Hughes, Jr. was over at his place and had left sometime in the night possibly through a bedroom window due to the window being found open and the doors locked and secured.
Sergeant Investigator Donnie G. Dickerson, Jr. spoke to Detective Killinsworth with Nacogdoches Police Department who advised that the defendant, a Thomas Wayne Hughes, Jr. had confessed that he had stolen the vehicle from the Carson residence last night and advised that he had bound himself with the handcuffs and zipties.
It was also discovered through the investigation that Hughes had traveled through a fence line to exit from the property due to a gate being secured.
Warrants were issued for Thomas Hughes, Jr. for the charges of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, State Jail Felony and Criminal Mischief, Misdemeanor B. Hughes was arrested for said charges and has since been transferred to the Shelby County Sheriff's Department and was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 Maxie Eaves receiving a total bond for both charges set at $7,000 and was released on the 23rd of February.
February 24, 2016 - Shelby County Sheriff Willis Blackwell reports that on Friday, January 15th, 2016, Deputy Barbee responded to the residence of a Leonard Boehm located on Highway 7 East in Joaquin in regards to a burglary incident. Deputy Barbee took a report from Mr. Boehm, who reported that he had two chainsaws stolen from his carport area that extended off the front of the residence as well as a Homelite generator, a Troybuilt pressure washer and a Brute pressure washer. Mr. Boehm provided descriptions of the aforementioned property.
During the course of the investigation, Sergeant Investigator DJ Dickerson located the two chainsaws as reported stolen by Mr. Boehm in Shreveport, Louisiana and found that a Tevin Garrett, 23 of Center had sold them. Sergeant Investigator DJ Dickerson also located and recovered Mr. Boehm's Homelite generator in Timpson. It was also found that a Jeremy Edwards, 35 of Logansport was involved in the burglary incident and took part in selling the property.
Warrants were issued for both Tevin Garrett and Jeremy Edwards for Burglary of a Habitation, Felony 2 and have since been arrested for said charge.
February 23, 2016 - A large motor home ended up in a creek on U.S. Highway 59 north of Timpson on Tuesday, February 23, 2016 when the driver lost control of the vehicle.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Cpl. Jimmy Faulkner, at around 7am .2 miles north of CR 4657 a 2006 Foretravel motor home driven by Larry Ratliff, 65, of Nacogdoches and hauling a 2003 Acura SUV was traveling north. Although additional information on what occurred to cause the crash is not available as of the time of this report, the Foretravel failed to drive in a single lane and ended up backwards in a creek on the opposite side of the roadway.
Upon arrival of emergency personnel, the crashed vehicles were located and it was determined Ratliff was uninjured in the incident. A tree which was struck by the Foretravel was lying across nearby railroad tracks. It was cleared before any approaching trains could collide with the debris.
Hopkins Wrecker Service out of Timpson was dispatched to pull the vehicles from their location in the creek; however, enough damage was incurred by the Foretravel that it could not roll successfully and because of its location it was determined a crane was necessary to lift it from the creek.
Easley's Crane and Wrecker Service out of Lufkin was requested to the scene, arriving at 10:40am. TxDOT was on scene and blocked the southbound traffic lanes and turning Highway 59 into a two-lane roadway while the crane was used to move the Foretravel. From 11:30am until 1:42pm the crane crew worked to remove the motor home from the creek and place it on the roadway until it could be moved to a flatbed trailer and transported from the scene.
The scene was cleared and the roadway reopened at 3:45pm. Texas DPS State Trooper Dustin Ramos held the scene for Trooper Faulkner and Timpson Police Officer Michael Williams was also on scene to assist throughout the operation.
More information on what caused this crash will be updated on Shelby County Today as it is made available.
February 23, 2016 - The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Center Fire Department and Shelby County Sheriff's Department responded to a single-vehicle crash on Monday, February 22, 2016 where a truck collided into several trees and took on major damage, leaving the driver trapped.
When Center Firemen arrived, they began using Jaws of Life to extricate the driver from the vehicle. The firemen had to cut from multiple angles of the truck and used a ram tool to push the dashboard away from the driver to free him.
According to Texas DPS State Trooper Keith Jones, sometime before 10pm just before CR 3068 a black 1999 Ford F-250 pickup truck driven by Josh Gilchrist, 27, of Tenaha was traveling north on FM 414 at an unsafe speed due the curve in the roadway. The Ford exited the roadway to the right and struck a tree head-on, causing major damage.
Gilchrist was transported by ACE EMS to Nacogdoches Medical Center for treatment of his injuries. He was later transported to a hospital in Houston for surgery.
The crash remains under investigation at this time.
February 23, 2016 - State Highway 87 South outside of Center was the scene of a two-vehicle crash involving a van and motorcycle on Saturday, February 20, 2016.
Law enforcement officers from the Center Police Department and Shelby County Sheriff's Department were on scene to assist via traffic control while the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) investigated the crash.
According to Texas DPS State Trooper Taylor Buster, at around 7pm a blue 2013 Yamaha motorcycle operated by Tyler Morris, 18, of Center with passenger Rachel Lawson, 17, was traveling south and was preparing to turn onto CR 2026.
A blue Dodge Grand Caravan driven by Stacey Casey was also traveling southbound in the outside lane behind Morris. Casey failed to control speed and struck the motorcycle in the rear causing it to lay over on its side.
Morris and Lawson were both transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department for treatment of their injuries and have since been released.
Casey was not reported to have received any injuries as a result of the crash and was issued a citation for failure to control speed.
Trooper Buster was assisted at the scene by Deputy Adam Renfro, as well as Center Police Officers Bobby Walker and Steve Thornburgh.
February 22, 2016 - Law enforcement officials received word of a man armed with a rifle riding a bicycle on Highway 59 north of Timpson on Monday, February 22, 2016.
According to a press release issued by the Timpson Police Department, at approximately 11:20 a.m. today Chief Kent Graham was notified of a male subject riding a bicycle on U.S. Highway 59 coming into Timpson armed with an assault rifle. The suspect ran into a residence on Highway 59 that was being worked on. Upon Chief Graham making contact with him, the suspect fled and a call for assistance was answered by Constable Stanley Burgay, Deputy Kurtes Lawrence, and Timpson ISD Chief of Police Kimberly Graham.
The school (Timpson ISD) was notified and it was placed on lock down as a precaution. Approximately 20 minutes later, Chief Kimberly Graham observed the suspect in front of the Middle School and made contact with him. Another foot pursuit ensued and the suspect was taken into custody by Chief Kimberly Graham, Officer Jacob Metcalf with the Timpson Police Department, and Chief Kent Graham, after the suspect had broken into another home in an attempt to flee from Law Enforcement again.
It was determined that the suspect had been armed with a 30-06 rifle, and a .22 caliber rifle which had been taken in a burglary from a residence earlier in the day. Chief Graham would like to thank all Officers involved for their help in apprehending this suspect without any Officers being injured.
Chief Graham later confirmed for Shelby County Today, the man had dropped the rifles when he first fled and was unarmed from that point forward, as well as on school grounds. Although the man had dropped the weapons, it was unknown to law enforcement if he remained armed with any other weapons and he was treated as an armed suspect until it could be confirmed he no longer was.
February 22, 2016 - The following cases were recently disposed of in the Shelby County Court. Judge Allison Harbison was the presiding Judge and County Attorney Gary Rholes represented the State.
- Jonathan Lout - Theft (Class B) - $600 fine, $262 court cost, 35 days Shelby County Jail.
- Jonathan Lout - Criminal Trespass (Class B) - $500 fine, $262 court cost, 35 days Shelby County Jail.
- Misti Hogue - Evading Arrest (Class B) - $600 fine, $292 court cost, 65 days Shelby County Jail.
- Misti Hogue - Resisting Arrest (Class A) - $600 fine, $292 court cost, 65 days Shelby County Jail.
- Misit Hogue -Theft (Class B) - $500 fine, $262 court cost, 65 days Shelby County Jail.
- Misti Hogue - Theft of Service (Class B) - $500 fine, $262 court cost, 65 days Shelby County Jail.
- Savannah Sowell - Probation Revocation - 60 days Shelby County Jail
- Cody Pate - Resisting Arrest (Class A) - $500 fine, $292 court cost, 40 days Shelby County Jail.
- Dwyatt Teel - Fail To Identify (Class B) - $500 fine, $262 court cost, 15 days Shelby County Jail.
- David Weaver - Driving While License Suspended (Class B) - $500 fine, $262 court cost, Final Judgement.
- Kevin Davis - Possession of Marijuana (Class B) - $600 fine, $322 court cost, 12 months probation, 40 hours Community Service, attend and complete Drug Offender Program.
- Detreleon Osby - Theft (Class B) - $600 fine, $262 court cost, Final Judgement.
- Kimberly Lacy - Theft (Class B) - $262 court cost, Final Judgement.
- Devante Gray - Burglary of a Vehicle (Class A) - $800 fine, $262 court cost, 100 days Shelby County Jail.
- Gary Watts - Possession of Marijuana (Class B) - $600 fine, $322 court cost, 12 months probation, 40 hours Community Service, attend and complete Drug Offender program.
- Jerry Lovett - DWI 2nd (Class A) - $1,200 fine, $412.10 court cost, 12 months probation, attend and complete DWI education class.
- Jeffery Wright - Criminal Mischief (Class B) - $600 fine, $262 court cost, 12 months probation, 40 hours Community Service.
- Anthony Buckley - Driving While Intoxicated (Class B) - $1,200 fine, $412.10 court cost, 12 months probation, 40 hours Community Service.
- Giovani Johnson - Possession of Dangerous Drug (Class A) - $600 fine, $322 court cost, 12 months probation, 40 hours Community Service.
- Johnny Luman - Theft (Class B) - $600 fine, $262 court cost, 12 months probation, attend Theft program.
- Lester Mann - Driving While Intoxicated 2nd (Class A) - $800 fine, $412.10 court cost, 12 months probation, attend and complete repeat offenders DWI education class, install ignition interlock.
- John Moore - Driving While Intoxicated (Class B) - $1,200 fine, $412.10 court cost, 6 months probation, attend and complete DWI education class.
Update - Tenaha I.S.D. candidate information added below.
February 19, 2016 - The deadline to file an application for a place on the May General Election ballot was at 5pm on Friday, February 19th for cities and schools. The deadline to file an application to run as a write-in candidate is February 23rd.
Below is a list of those who filed to run for either council member, mayor, or school board trustee.
City of Huxley - Three positions were up for re-election and all were unopposed. The positions and candidates are Mayor Larry Vaughn and Council members Larry Matthews and Prentice Hendricks.
City of Joaquin - Three at large positions are on the ballot for the City of Joaquin. As of 4:23pm, Frankie Cooper, (I) Benjamin Brittain, (I) Lee Vern Stotts Gilliam, and (I) Pat Gray each filed applications for a place on the ballot.
City of Tenaha - The following names are in the order the applications were received. This order is not the official ballot order. There were two council positions up for election, that of Tommy Rinkle and Durand Steadman, who did not file for re-election; however, Stephanie Marie Glenn and Cliff Lloyd filed applications. Four applications were filed for position of Mayor: Natalie Harris, Orinthia Johnson, Carl Jernigan, and Joseph Lemoine.
City of Timpson - There are two council positions on the ballot and Yvonne Ramsey (I) and Al Skinner have both filed applications. Council member Ronnie Wolfe did not file an application to run for re-election. Two applications were also received for Mayor and they were Debra Smith and George Grace.
Joaquin I.S.D. - Two trustee positions will be on the May ballot and (I) Jay Dee Cockrell, (I) Charlie Leflett, Jeff Cater, Susan McCann, and Bill Mason all filed applications to run.
Shelbyville I.S.D. - Three board of trustee positions are up for election. Filing to run are (I) Duane Lout, (I) Joey Lawson, and Chris Koltonski. Trustee member Kelly Parker did not file to run for re-election.
Tenaha I.S.D. - Seven individuals filed for a place on the ballot which has only 2 positions available. Those who filed are Colelette Cross DePriest; Josh Jernigan; James Tyler Reeves; Ronny Samford (Incumbent); Aaron Roland (Incumbent); Roger Holley; and Marshay McClure
Timpson I.S.D. - Two trustee positions are up for election and three candidates have filed to run who are George Duke, Justin Timmons, and Sheila Richard.
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