Shelby County Today

February 26, 2016 - EZ Mart on Tenaha Street was the scene of a two-vehicle crash Friday, February 26, 2016 from which three were hospitalized and two were arrested.

According to Center Police Officer Angela Neal, at 3:47pm a white Dodge Charger traveling south driven by Alderea Berry, 24, of Center was stopped and preparing to make a left turn into the EZ Mart. According to witnesses at the scene the left turn indicator was active on the Dodge.

A 2001 Chevrolet 3500 pickup truck driven by Timothy McKnight, 20, of Joaquin approached from behind the Dodge and failed to control speed, striking the rear of the Dodge. This left the truck in the middle of the roadway and the Dodge came to rest on the northbound shoulder facing north.

Crystal Hubbard 26 of Center was in the front passenger seat of the Dodge and Elijah Cotton, 27, of Center was in the right-rear passenger seat. They both were transported by ACE EMS to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department for treatment of their injuries. Jarvis Johnson, 26, of Center was in the left-rear passenger seat of the Dodge and he was transported by Life-Air helicopter to an as yet unidentified hospital.

Center Police Officer Sgt. Ricky King and Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Taylor Buster assisted Officer Neal in her investigation of the crash. Trooper Buster administered a breathalyzer test on McKnight.

McKnight was placed in handcuffs at the scene and was taken into custody. He has been charged with failure to control speed, driving under the influence, failure to maintain financial responsibility and no insurance. McKnight reportedly consumed a beer which was noticeable on his breath.

Spencer Kinman, 23, of Carthage was a passenger in the Chevrolet. He was arrested at the scene for contributing alcohol to a minor which is a class a misdemeanor.

The Center Fire Department assisted at the scene with traffic control and establishing the landing zone for the helicopter.

February 26, 2016 - Some voting precincts have been consolidated for the March 1st Democratic Primary. Please note the following voting precincts and their locations. Benny Russell, Democratic Party Chair, opened two Polling Locations in each Commissioner Precinct.

Election Precincts - Location

• 1S Center, 1SW Center, 1W Center - Church of Christ, 110 Hurst Street, Center, Texas 75935
• 1N Center, 3 Sardis - First United Methodist Church, 211 N. Porter Street, Center, Texas 75935
• 1SE Center - Senior Citizens Site, 3580 Loop 500 East, Center, Texas 75935
• 2 Excelsior - Excelsior School, 11280 St. Hwy 7W (Aiken), Center, Texas 75935
• 4 Huxley, 6 Dreka, 7 Shelbyville - First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 5030 SH 87 South, Shelbyville, Texas 75973
• 5 Joaquin - First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 175 Faulkville Road, Joaquin, Texas 75954
• 8 Tenaha - First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 226 N. George Bowers Drive, Tenaha, Texas 75974
• 9N Timpson, 9S Timpson - Texas State Bank Annex, 830 N 1st Street West, Timpson, Texas 75975

Polling locations will be open from 7am to 7pm.

To view the Democratic Party ballots: All precincts

To view political candidacy announcements submitted to Shelby County Today, click here.
***Announcements are on two pages, at the bottom off the pages are links to go to the second page of announcements.

Texas Elections, Office of the Secretary of State

February 25, 2016 - According to a press release from the Shelby County Sheriff's Department, thanks to the tip of a concerned citizen, a suspect was apprehended, stolen property recovered and burglary location found before the victim even knew it had all occurred.

Press Release: Shelby County Sheriff Willis Blackwell reports on Monday, February 22, 2016 at approximately 11:20 a.m. a call was received in reference to a male subject riding a bicycle on Highway 59 heading towards Timpson from Tenaha carrying firearms.

Timpson Police Department Chief Kent Graham was notified of the call and upon Chief Graham attempting to make contact with the male subject, he then evaded on foot. Additional units were requeseted in which Constable Pct 5 Stanley Burgay, Deputy Kurtes Lawrence and Timpson ISD Police Chief Kimberly Graham responded to assist.

As a precaution, Timpson ISD school officials were notified and the school was placed on lock down. A short time later, Chief Kimberly Graham located the male subject in front of the Timpson Middle School and made contact with him at which time the male subject evaded again on foot. After setting up a perimeter and locating the male subject again, Chief Kent Graham, Chief Kimberly Graham and Timpson PD Officer Jacob Metcalf were able to take the subject into custody.

The subject discarded the bicycle along with the two rifles, identified as a 30.06 and a .22 Cricket rifle which were recovered for evidence. The subject was identified as an Adrian Herrera, 34 of San Augustine.

Shelby County Sheriff's Department Sergeant Investigator DJ Dickerson contacted the initial caller who reported Herrera and ascertained the approximate area in which Herrera was first observed on the bicycle with the firearms. Sergeant Dickerson then met with Constable Burgay approximately 5 miles from Timpson on Highway 59 North and began canvassing the area going from house to house in an attempt to locate the residence that had been burglarized.

During the canvassing, the residence that had been burglarized was located at 4844 Highway 59 North, belonging to a Jerry Roth. Forced entry was observed to the side door of the residence. After clearing the residence, Sergeant Dickerson contacted Jerry Roth at his work and advised of the incident and Mr. Roth confirmed items that had been stolen from his residence, describing the 30.06 rifle, the .22 caliber rifle along with a breathing machine, e-cigarette kit, ammunition, a blue blanket and the Kent Del Rio bicycle that Herrera was riding. Information was collected along with evidence from Roth's residence.

Warrants were issued for Adrian Herrera for the charges of Burglary of a Habitation (Felony 2) and Theft of Firearm (State Jail Felony). Herrera was also charged during the initial arrest for the offenses of Burglary of a Habitation (Felony 2), Evading Arrest (Misdemeanor A), Resisting Arrest (Misdemeanor A), Failure to Identify (Misdemeanor B), and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by Felon (Felony 3).

Due to the concerned citizen passing through and reporting his concern as well as the communication and cooperation between all agencies involved, Herrera was apprehended, property recovered, burglary location found and all before the victim even knew it had all occurred.

Investigator Dickerson said, "I express my gratitude for all involved in this incident to bring it to a hasty resolve."

Submitted by Sergeant Investigator D.J. Dickerson

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.