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February 10, 2016 - The Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department (JVFD) and DeSoto Parish Fire District 1 fought a house fire near the Joaquin city square at 10:26am on Wednesday, February 10, 2016.
According to firemen at the scene, Dennis Leggett waved down JVFD fireman Steve Cockrell and alerted him the house was on fire located behind the Texas State Bank just off the Joaquin square. Cockrell moved quickly to the JVFD and drove a tanker truck to the scene of the fire on U.S. Highway 84 at the intersection of Jackson Street.
Cockrell contacted the Shelby County Sheriff's Department to alert additional units while he and a city employee began extinguishing flames. As Joaquin firemen arrived on scene, so did DeSoto Parish firemen due to an automatic response mutual aid agreement between the two departments. Firemen from both departments entered the home and were able to put down the fire and prevent a total loss of the house owned by Travis Rodgers.
3/4 of the house received major damage from the fire. Richard Woolf, the renter of the house, was not home at the time. The cause of the fire was suspected to have been a space heater, but could not be absolutely determined at the time the firemen were on scene. The fire remains under investigation. The firemen returned to the station at 11:19am.
An automatic mutual aid agreement means when a fire department is dispatched to a structure fire, other departments within the agreement will respond to assist them without first being paged out by a dispatcher.
February 9, 2016 - An election is hereby ordered to be held on May 7, 2016 for the purpose of electing three (3) at-large council positions for the City of Joaquin.
Early voting by personal appearance will be conducted each weekday at Joaquin City Hall, 124 N. Preston Street, Joaquin, TX 75954 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. beginning on April 25, 2016 and ending on May 3, 2016.
Applications for ballot by mail shall be mailed to:
AMANDA WILLEY
P. O. BOX 237
JOAQUIN, TEXAS 75954
Applications for ballots by mail must be received no later than the close of business April 26, 2016.
February 8, 2016 - Shelby County Sheriff Willis Blackwell reports that on February 7, 2016, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Cody Muse and Kurtes Lawrence responded to a residence on Loop 500 in Center after numerous complaints of possible drug traffic in the area.
Upon arrival deputies initiated an narcotics investigation which led to the discovery of numerous pieces of drug paraphernalia and a clear crystal substance believed to be methamphetamine.
The substance tested positive for methamphetamine and the total weight of the narcotics was 15.8 grams. Jarvis Taylor, 27, of Center was placed under arrest and transported to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office where he was charged with manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance (F1). He was arraigned by JP-1, Maxie Eaves and his bond was set at $4,000.
Sheriff Willis Blackwell would also like to thank Center P.D. Officers Jake Gross and Andrew Williams and State Trooper Dustin Ramos for assisting. Sheriff Blackwell states there are several narcotic investigations going on at this time and if anyone has any information of suspected illegal narcotic activities please contact the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office at 936-598-5600.
Submitted by Leah Chase
February 8, 2016 - The intersection of FM 3471 and FM 2694 was the scene of a single-vehicle crash involving a Jeep on Thursday, February 4, 2016. According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper John Hallenbeck, at 8:25pm Alvin Earl Smith, 50, of Shelbyville was driving a 2015 white Jeep Liberty traveling north on FM 3471 when he tried to stop at the intersection of FM 2694.
Smith stated his brakes did not work and the Jeep traveled across FM 2694 and into the north ditch where it rolled and came to rest on the driver's side, facing east.
No injuries were reported as a result of the crash. Smith was cited for driving while license invalid.
February 8, 2016 - Shelbyville Street at the intersection of Newman Street in Center was the location of a two-vehicle crash involving sidewalk construction workers and a pickup truck traveling in the northbound lane.
As the work crew was preparing the area for the addition of handicap ramps and sidewalk improvements, a grey 2009 Dodge Ram driven by James William Burr, 32, of Joaquin was traveling on Shelbyville Street when it struck a Kubota skid-steer SSV65 being operated by Robert Eugene Blanchard of Le Center, Minnesota for Ti-Zack Concrete Inc.
The collision caused damaged to the right rear tire of the Kubota and major damage to the right front quarter panel and wheel of the Dodge, removing the wheel. The truck continued to travel on Shelbyville Street without it's wheel for 100 feet before coming to rest on the right shoulder.
No injuries were reported as a result of the crash. Burr was cited for fail to control speed and driving while license suspended. The crash was investigated by Center Police Officer John Welch, assisted by Center Police Sgt. Ricky King.
February 8, 2016 - Shortly after 11:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 7th, the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a double-wide mobile home fire on U.S. Highway 84 East.
Units arrived to find smoke billowing from the structure. Homeowner Jackie Williams stated that his family was awakened by smoke detectors going off.
The JVFD deployed two two-man hose teams into the structure, wearing full bunker gear and SCBA. After a brief search, the fire was located in a bedroom on the west end of the house.
Firefighters were able to knock the fire down using less than 15 gallons of water, keeping water damage to a minimum. The fire was contained to the single room, with smoke damage to the rest of the home. A positive pressure fan was used to remove smoke from the house.
After removing all of the contents of the fire room, firefighters returned to the fire station at 12:35 a.m.
February 5, 2016 - Notice is hereby given that a Regular meeting of the Governing Body of the Shelby County Commissioners’ Court will be held on the 8th day of February, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. 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 January 11, 2016 Regular Meeting, and the January 25, 2016, Special Meeting of the Shelby County Commissioners’ Court.
2. Approve and pay monthly expenses.
3. Approve Officers’ Reports.
4. Public Comments on Agenda items.
5. Discuss and possibly approve FY2016 Interlocal Cooperation Act Contract between UTMB and Shelby County.
6. Discuss and possibly approve the Commercial Lease between Shelby County and Tri-County Community Action, Inc.
7. Approve the Order Appointing a Voluntary Committee to Establish a Uniform Truancy Policy in Shelby County, Texas.
8. Accept the Racial Profiling Reports submitted to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement by the Sheriff Willis Blackwell and Constable Billy F. Hearnsberger.
9. Discuss and possibly renew the Garza County Agriculture, Grazing and Hunting Lease, between Shelby County and Steven A. Hill.
10. Consider and possibly amend the Sheriff’s policy and fees regarding Honorably Retired Officers.
11. Approve making the Veteran’s Officer a full time position and increasing the hourly wage.
12. Adjourn.
February 4, 2016 - Sheriff Willis Blackwell states that on Tuesday, Feb. 2, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Kurtes Lawrence responded to a residence on County Road 1015 in reference to a homeowner finding his home being burglarized.
Upon arrival, Lawrence was met by the homeowner, who with the assistance of his son detained four individuals at gunpoint until officers arrived. The suspects stated they were given permission by an individual to wash clothes at the residence.
During the investigation, Lawrence questioned the suspects about items located in the vehicle at the residence. One individual stated there was marijuana in the car. Lawrence located the marijuana along with rolling papers. A search of the vehicle was conducted in which a metal case was located that contained drug paraphernalia and a small green plastic bag containing a white crystal substance believed to be methamphetamine. Another pouch was located inside a backpack which held two clear plastic bags and five small green plastic bags. The bags contained the substance believed to be methamphetamine and all were packaged for sale.
Lawrence and the homeowner entered the residence and discovered fresh pry marks on an interior door leading inside the home. It was discovered that the suspects entered the residence and used the washing machine to wash clothes. A small pry bar was located inside the pocket of one of the suspects. It is believed the pry bar was used to gain entry into the residence.
Arrested at the scene were Margie Nicole Stahl, 27, of Logansport; Savannah Marie Sowell, 32, of Bronson; Steve Lawrence Smith, Jr., 25, of San Augustine and Tia Lenee Meshell, 26, of Center. The suspects were charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity (M-A) - $3,000 bond; Burglary of a Habitation (F-2) - $3,000 bond and Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance (F-1) - $5,000 bond. Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 Maxie Eaves arraigned the suspects and set bonds.
Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Sergeant Derek Barbee conducted a field test on the suspected methamphetamines and a positive test result was achieved. The total weight of the narcotics yielded 12 grams. Officers assisting with arrests were: Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Roy Bailey, Sergeant Derek Barbee and Center Police Officers Jake Gross and Andrew Williams.
Sheriff Blackwell would like to thank Center Police Department Officers that assisted and the property owners for their awareness and vigilance. Sheriff Blackwell states there are several narcotic investigations going on at this time and if anyone has any information of suspected illegal narcotic activities please contact the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office at 936-598-5600.
Submitted by Leah Chase
The following cases were recently disposed of in the Shelby County Court on the December and January Docket. Judge Allison Harbison was the presiding Judge and County Attorney Gary Rholes represented the State.
- Coreen Burt - Theft (Class B) - $600 fine, $262 court cost, 12 months probation, attend and complete Theft program.
- Jasmine Moore - Theft By Check (Class B) - $262 court cost, $1,119.67 restitution, 12 months probation.
- Reynol Gonzalez - False Registration/Inspection (Class B) - $600 fine, $262 court cost, 12 months probation, 40 hours Community Service.
- Jonathan Lout - Theft (Class B) - $500 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.
- Michael Andrews - Theft (Class A) - $600 fine, $262 court cost, 12 months probation, 40 hours Community Service, attend and complete Theft program.
- Mary Lee - Theft (Class B) - $600 fine, $262 court cost, 12 months probation, attend and complete Theft program.
- James Bailey - Possession of Marijuana (Class B) - $600 fine, $322 court cost, 90 days Shelby County Jail.
- Ethan Myers - Driving While Intoxicated (Class B) - $1200 fine, $412.10 court cost, 12 months probation, 40 hours Community Service, attend and complete DWI education class.
- Shaddrick McCollister - Criminal Mischief (Class B) - $500 fine, $262 court cost, 60 days Shelby County Jail.
- Samuel Perez - Indecent Exposure (Class B) - $500 fine, $262 court cost, 45 days Shelby County Jail.
- Juan Perez - Driving While Intoxicated (Class B) - $1200 fine, $412.10 court cost, 12 months probation, 40 hours Community Service, attend and complete DWI education class.
- Michael Hill - Possession of Marijuana (Class B) - $600 fine, $322 court cost, 75 days Shelby County Jail.
- Michael Hill - Driving While Intoxicated (Class B) - $600 fine, $412.10 court cost, 75 days Shelby County Jail.
- Michael Hill - Possession of Controlled Substance (Class A) - $750 fine, $322 court cost, 75 days Shelby County Jail.
- Michael Hill - Driving While License Suspended (Class B) - $500 fine, $262 court cost, 75 days Shelby County Jail.
- Christopher Askew - Resisting Arrest (Class A) - $700 fine, $292 court cost, 90 days Shelby County Jail
- Christopher Askew - Possession of Marijuana (Class B) - $600 fine, $322 court cost, 90 days Shelby County Jail.
- Guadalupe Valdez - Driving While Intoxicated (Class B) - $1200 fine, $412.10 court cost, 12 months probation, 40 hours Community Service, attend and complete DWI education class.
- Aung Win - Fleeing a Accident (Class B) - $600 fine, $262 court cost, Final Judgement.
- Stacy Samford - Driving While License Suspended (Class B) - $500 fine, $262 court cost, 6 months probation.
- Pamela Henderson - Driving While License Suspended (Class B) - $500 fine, $262 court cost, 12 months probation.
- Charlie McCowin - Driving While License Suspended (Class B) - $500 fine, $262 court cost, Final Judgement.
- Robert Stephenson - Driving While Intoxicated (Class B) - $600 fine, $412.10 court cost, 6 months probation, attend DWI education class.
- Juan Flores - Driving While Intoxicated (Class B) - $1200 fine, $412.10 court cost, 12 months probation, attend DWI education class, 40 hours Community Service.
February 4, 2016 - Hurst Street in front of Valero gas station was the scene of a two-vehicle head-on collision Wednesday, February 3, 2016.
According to Center Police Officer John Welch, at 5:07pm a white 1995 Ford pickup truck driven by Gabriela Sapp, 21, of Carthage was traveling south on Hurst Street. A grey 2008 Toyota Tundra driven by Randy Dean, 53, of Shelbyville was preparing to turn into the Valero gas station when Dean said his vision was obstructed by the sun and the trucks collided head-on.
The collision spun the Tundra to face south and resting against the Ford which was facing east. Sapp was transported by ACE EMS for treatment of possible broken bones. No citations have been given at this time and the crash remains under investigation.
The Center Fire Department assisted at the scene with traffic control.
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