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November 3, 2016 - U.S. Highway 96 two miles north of Center was the scene of a two-vehicle crash on Wednesday evening.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Taylor Buster, on November 2, 2016 at approximately 6:50pm Omar Acopa-Fuentes, 22, of Center was northbound in a white 2004 Chevrolet on U.S. Highway 96 North when he failed to control speed and struck the back of a silver 2001 Buick driven by Caroline Ann Evans, 76, of Center.
The vehicles came to rest in the inside northbound traffic lane blocking traffic in front of Center Christian Fellowship. The Center Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene for traffic control. Units with the Shelby County Sheriff's Department and the Center Police Department also arrived at the scene.
Evans and her two passengers, a 13-year-old female and 4-year-old female, were transported by private vehicle to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department for possible injuries.
Acopa-Fuentes was issued a citation for failure to control speed.
November 3, 2016 - Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) Deputies Carmen Fears and Misty Ray initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for failure to display a license plate on the rear of the vehicle and no license plate lamps on Highway 84 inside the Joaquin city limits on November 3, .
Deputy Fears approached the vehicle and found Michael Harper, 34, of Shreveport, LA in the driver’s seat. Deputy Fears made contact with Harper and obtained a temporary license tag for the vehicle and his driver’s license. Fears ran the tag for the vehicle and no record of the tag was found and Harper’s driver’s license came back suspended.
At that time, Deputy Fears placed Harper under arrest for driving with an invalid driver’s license and advised a wrecker would be in route to tow his vehicle. When placed in the patrol unit, Deputy Fears informed Harper she would be conducting a standard vehicle inventory on his vehicle, at which time Harper became very distraught and demanded a supervisor and an attorney. Deputy Fears advised Harper she would contact her supervisor for him to speak with.
While inventorying the vehicle, Deputy Ray advised Deputy Fears that Harper was kicking the windows of the patrol unit. Leg irons were requested to prevent Harper from hurting himself or damaging the unit.
During the inventory, Deputy Fears found a clear glass pipe in the console. A small black carrying case was found in the driver’s side floorboard. Inside the bag were numerous baggies containing a crystal-like substance. Field-testing determined the substance was methamphetamine. The weight of the narcotics totaled 10.08 grams.
In the trunk of the vehicle, numerous bags containing clothing and personal care items were found along with scales, cell phones, tablets, butane lighters and a laptop computer. Harper’s wallet also contained numerous credit cards with names of various individuals.
Harper was booked into the SCSO for: Possession of a Controlled Substance (F4); Delivery of a Controlled Substance (F1); and Driving While License Invalid (MC).
November 2, 2016 - The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) uncovered a large amount of stolen property at a residence on U.S. Highway 84 East in the Tenaha area on October 24.
SCSO Chief Deputy DJ Dickerson and Lieutenant Kevin Windham began investigating the incident after the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office (DPSO) reported a burglary in Logansport, LA involving a U-Haul truck.
Information was received that the U-Haul truck was seen at the residence in the Tenaha area and the residents were selling items from the yard of the property.Chief Dickerson, Lieutenant Windham and DPSO Sergeant Armstrong were met by the homeowner, Michael Foxworth, who cooperated in allowing the officers to look in the U-Haul. Michael advised that his son, Jaron Foxworth and Jaron’s girlfriend, Alexis Dickson, had been in the U-Haul, but were not there at that time. Michael stated Jaron and Dickson were driving a yellow GMC pickup truck.
While the officers were speaking with Michael, the yellow GMC turned in to the residence and immediately backed out. Officers were able to catch up with the vehicle and found Jaron and Dickson inside. While officers were questioning the suspects, Dickson was observed attempting to conceal a substance suspected to be methamphetamine in the dashboard of the GMC truck. Dickson was removed from the vehicle and produced a glass pipe to Lt. Windham. Dickson admitted the pipe was used for smoking methamphetamine. The total weight of the substance was 22.77 grams.
Officers placed Jaron and Dickson under arrest and began questioning them about property located in the vehicle being a pirogue boat and a framed painting. Both suspects told officers the items were purchased from an individual. Inconsistencies in the stories led Chief Dickerson to further question Dickson who admitted they stole the items from an abandoned residence on Highway 84 towards Joaquin. Dickson further admitted that the property in the U-Haul at the residence was stolen. Two guns were also recovered from behind the seat area of the GMC.
During the course of the investigation, items have been recovered from burglaries in Liberty County, Nacogdoches County, Shelby County and DeSoto Parish Louisiana.
As this investigation continues, more charges will be filed.
The SCSO would like to thank the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this investigation.
November 2, 2016 - The jury that has been summoned for Monday, November 7, 2016 for the 123rd District Court Honorable Charles C. "Brick" Dickerson 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.
November 1, 2016 - FM 947 two and a half miles outside of Tenaha was the scene of a single-vehicle rollover from which two people involved were taken to the hospital.
The Tenaha City Marshal's Office, Tenaha Volunteer Fire Department and ACE EMS were all initially dispatched top the scene of the crash to help those involved.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Austin Lunsford, at approximately 4:44pm a 1995 Infinity passenger car driven by Sylvia Jeanett Hodge, 32, of Gary was traveling west on FM 947. The Infinity left the roadway to the right and began to roll into the westbound bar ditch of the roadway.
Field sobriety tests were conducted and Hodge was found to be intoxicated. She was transported by ACE EMS to Tenaha where she was life-flighted to LSU hospital in Shreveport with incapacitating injuries.
Hodge's passenger Jeremy Blane Rhodes, 41, of Gary was transported by ACE EMS to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department with non life threatening injuries.
November 1, 2016 - Following an executive session of the Tenaha City Council, a motion carried to appoint Elizabeth Municipal Court Judge. Darren Gray was then approved as the rehire as Deputy Tenaha City Marshal following a motion.
During officers reports, Marshal Jimmy Wagstaff stated there are several ordinances and codes that are going to begin being enforced, because they have to be enforced.
Sheryl Clark, City Secretary, said she really thinks the team of employees is strong and and they are working well together.
"I want to thank you for giving Elizabeth [Swint] a chance here to represent the City of Tenaha as the Judge. She's going to do a fantastic job," said Clark.
Mayor Jernigan informed the council and community of a letter submitted by Michael Baker, alderman. Baker informed the city he has resigned his position effective immediately on October 23, 2016.
Natalie Harris, alderman, stated to Swint she is excited about her stepping into the position as Municipal Court Judge and she believes she will be great at the job.
Mayor Jernigan welcomed Swint to her position and stated he believes she will handle the job responsibly, which is all anyone can ask of her.
Council heard an estimate for projected repairs on Cemetery Road and Houston Street. The projected cost for each street was $6,500 for Houston Street and $21,000 for Cemetery Road as presented by Pierce Construction. Mayor Jernigan explained the city has not yet sought bids on the project and got a cost estimate from the company.
Cliff Lloyd, alderman, asked for the city to contact Blazer Construction about an estimate on the project. He commented Bradley Allen, Commissioner Precinct 4, had done some work on the Cemetery Road in the past.
The council reviewed and discussed nuisance ordinance #20-06-20-3. Mayor Jernigan explained to the council the ordinance is already on the books and he was not seeking action from them, instead he wanted them to be aware there are several ordinances he intends to address in the coming months for the city to begin enforcing.
Jernigan stated the only thing the council will likely have to revisit on the nuisance ordinance is a fine fee schedule. He explained the ordinance includes such things as junk cars, overgrown trees, overgrown property and trash in a yard among other things. Mayor Jernigan said enforcement will come after proper notification to anyone in violation of the ordinance.
Becky Barker addressed the council during public comment about water supply to McNeill Park. She stated in speaking with Mayor Jernigan the water supply to the park is a low priority. She stated, with homecoming in mind, several other citizens and herself with the assistance of a city worker planted roses and shrubs around the park.
Barker is very proud of how the quickly put together project worked out and she asked the city to install a water line and hydrant in the park as soon as possible in order to water the plants. Efforts have been made by Barker and her husband to water the plants via a 5 gallon bucket, but this has proven to be an arduous task. She asked the council to consider the request to help spruce up the park and city.
Mayor Jernigan said he would be speaking with the Director of Public Works about using a grass truck to provide water for the time being.
The meeting adjourned at 6:09pm
Agenda items approved during the meeting: 1. Minutes from September 26, 2016 Regular Scheduled Council Meeting and October 20, 2016 Special Called Council Meeting 2. September 2016 Financial Report. 3. TMRS Retirement Eligibility - Reduce From Current 25 Years to 20 Years. 4. Municipal Judge appointment of Elizabeth Swint. 5. Rehire of Deputy City Marshal Darren Gray. 6. Adjourn at 6:09pm.
Related article:
Swint Sworn in as Tenaha Municipal Court Judge
October 31, 2016 - Law enforcement from Shelby County joined in on a high-speed chase that began in San Augustine County Saturday, October 29, 201.
As the chase closed in on Center, Shelby County Sheriff's Deputies, Center Police Department officers and Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers were ready.
According to Joey Haley, San Augustine Police Department Detective, he and his partner Mike Price attempted to serve an arrest warrant on Kenneth Jenkins for probation revocation. Jenkins fled in a vehicle north on U.S. Highway 96 at speeds up to 130 mph. On more than one occasion he passed cars in the construction zone in San Augustine County nearly going head on into oncoming traffic.
All of the units from Shelby County then joined in on the pursuit and traveled into San Augustine County.
Haley says when Jenkins saw Center PD and DPS had Highway 96 shut down at Loop 500, he made a u-turn and fled back to San Augustine where he finally stopped at his residence on Hilltop Avenue.
Detective Haley arrested Jenkins for evading arrest in a motor vehicle, the original warrant and wrote him several additional citations.
October 30, 2016 - Emergency personnel from Timpson and Texas Department of Public Safety units responded to County Road 4694 for a major crash on Sunday, October 30, 2016.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Taylor Buster, at 1:55pm a white 1998 Jeep Cherokee driven by Deborah Parker, 47, of Spring Hill Louisiana was traveling south on CR 4694.
Two miles from the intersection with FM 947 Parker lost control of the Jeep due to unsafe speed, causing the Jeep to collide with a tree and come to rest on the passenger side facing north, and trapping Parker.
Timpson Volunteer Fire Department used Jaws of Life to extricate Parker from the vehicle and Timpson Volunteer Ambulance Service transported her to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department for treatment of her injuries.
A 16-year-old female passenger who is Parker's daughter was unharmed in the crash. Trooper Buster was assisted at the scene by Trooper Dustin Ramos. Timpson Police Officer Jake Metcalf also responded with additional emergency units.
October 28, 2016 - Shelby County is under a burn ban per an order by County Judge Allison Harbison which was put into effect on October 24, 2016.
As a result, all outdoor burning is prohibited in unincorporated areas of Shelby County aside from any burning which may be carried out by federally certified agencies.
This burn ban can stay in place for up to seven days and may be extended by the Shelby County Commissioners' Court. A special meeting of the commissioners' court has been set for Monday, October 31 to consider ratifying the burn ban and keep it in place, or to discontinue the ban.
Read the full order by clicking here
October 26, 2016 - AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton today cautioned consumers about the dangers of wearing decorative contact lenses for Halloween costuming or cosmetic reasons. The decorative lenses, also marketed as “costume,” “fashion” or “colored” lenses, pose potential serious risks to eye health, including infections and loss of vision.
Before buying decorative lenses, the attorney general’s Consumer Protection Division (CPD) recommends the following precautions:
- Always visit a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist for proper fitting of cosmetic contact lenses.
- Never buy contact lenses without a prescription; Texas law does not exempt cosmetic lenses from the prescription requirement.
- Buy contact lenses from a seller that requires you to provide a prescription, whether you purchase in person or online.
- Avoid buying lenses from street vendors, convenience and dollar stores, flea markets and novelty stores.
Last month, the attorney general’s office obtained settlements with 21 San Antonio-area convenience and dollar stores for selling contact lenses without prescriptions. Store owners agreed to pay $50,000 in civil penalties and attorney fees, and to permanently stop selling the lenses.
CPD is charged with enforcing a variety of state and federal consumer protection laws. Consumers in the state have received hundreds of millions of dollars in refunds, services, debt forgiveness or loan restructuring because of the work of the division. In addition to penalties and restitution, CPD has collected millions of dollars in attorneys’ fees, which have saved taxpayer dollars by helping to replenish funds allotted to the division’s mission to protect consumers.
CPD also receives and reviews complaints submitted to the office by consumers; while the attorney general is prohibited from representing such individuals, these complaints are used by the office to help shape priorities and identify issues affecting Texans. Consumers can file complaints by visiting: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/cpd/file-a-consumer-complaint
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