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August 2, 2016 - According to a Center Police Department press release, the Center Police Department arrested a suspect in connection to the recent bomb threats called into the Tyson plant in Center.
Press Release - On June 30, 2016, Tyson Food received a bomb threat from an unknown caller. The Center PD responded to the plant and Detective Stephen Stroud began an investigation.
As a result of an in depth investigation, Detective Stroud was able to obtain a felony arrest warrant for 42 year old Vincent Buckley, of Center, for the bomb threat. Buckley was arrested on Monday morning August 1, 2016 and booked into the Shelby County jail.
The Center Police Department would like to thank Tyson Foods for their quick response and their commitment to protect their employees. The Center Police Department and Tyson Foods takes these threats very seriously and will use all available resources to solve these cases.
Related article:
Law Enforcement Converge at Tyson Plant, Employees Evacuated
August 1, 2016 - State Highway 7 East was the scene of a motorcycle versus horse crash on Sunday morning, July 31, 2016 resulting in a life flight for the rider of the motorcycle.
It appeared the rider of the motorcycle had been traveling east around 12-midnight when a horse was standing in the middle of the roadway and the motorcycle collided with the animal.
The driver of the motorcycle was on the eastbound side of the roadway as emergency personnel treated him and moved him to a waiting ambulance. The motorcycle remained in the middle of the roadway and the palomino horse was on the westbound side of the road where it had perished from its injuries.
ACE EMS transported the rider of the motorcycle from the scene of the crash and he was later flown by helicopter to an unknown hospital for treatment of serious injuries.
Texas Department of Public Safety made attempts to locate the owner of the horse responsible for the crash; however, no contact had been made at the time of the incident. Shelby County Sheriff's Deputies assisted at the scene and the Center Fire Department helped to clear the road of debris.
(Update): According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Austin Lunsford, a 2006 Suzuki ridden by Henry Santifer, 51, of Center was traveling east on State Highway 7 toward Joaquin. Santifer attempted to avoid the horse; however, the motorcycle collide with the horse.
As of last report, Santifer remains in the hospital.
August 1, 2016 - Center Crime Stoppers is seeking the assistance of the public in identifying those involved in a crash incident which took the life of a pedestrian in Shelby County.
According to a press release issued by DPS, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers stationed in Shelby County responded to a fatal auto-pedestrian motor vehicle crash on July 28, at approximately 12 a.m. The vehicle striking the pedestrian fled the scene without notifying law enforcement, which is a felony crime. This motor vehicle crash occurred on State Highway 7, about 6 miles west of Center, Texas.
The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene by Justice of the Peace Marla Denby and has been identified as Maricela Hernandez, 29, from Houston, TX.
Details of this crash are limited. DPS can confirm that the vehicle involved in the crash struck the pedestrian and fled the scene without notifying a law enforcement agency. The driver and vehicle are being sought by State Troopers who are actively investigating this crime.
Texas DPS Troopers seek information about the driver, any passengers, and vehicle involved in this motor vehicle crash.
This is an ongoing investigation and no additional information is available at this time.
Center Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information. Anyone who has information regarding this crime should call Center Crime Stoppers at 936-598-SAFE (7233) or submit a tip online at www.centercrimestoppers.com. Remember you don't have to give your name. All calls and cash rewards are completely anonymous. Rewards will only be paid on tips submitted through the Center Crime Stoppers system.
If a caller does not wish to remain anonymous or receive a reward, anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to notify your local law enforcement agency or contact Lufkin DPS Communications at 936-699-7340.
August 8, 2016 - Travis Street in Center was the scene of a house fire on Monday, August 1, 2016 and when the Center Fire Department arrived smoke was pouring from within the residence located at 306 Travis Street at 12-noon.
Firemen searched the home for the origin of the fire and worked to eradicate any flames in the attic from the front and the back. Once flames were reduced, a ventilation fan was stationed at the front of the house.
Air packs were donned by several firemen who then entered the building to locate any hot spots within and continued to ventilate the house.
It was determined the fire originated inside of the house near the back door at the rear of the building.
"I called in the PD to assist with the possibility if there's arson involved in this," said Center Fire Chief Keith Byndom.
Once the fire was out, the Center Police Department Code Enforcement officers Jim Blackwell and Sgt. Duane Gordon were called to the scene. Upon examination by the officers, Sgt. Gordon requested Detectives to the scene as no one was residing at the house and no utilities.
"[We're] waiting on the fire marshal to get here to do an investigation of the premises to see if foul play is involved," said Chief Byndom.
The fire remains under investigation at this time.
July 29, 2016 - Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers stationed in Shelby County responded to a fatal auto-pedestrian motor vehicle crash on July 28, at approximately 12 a.m. The vehicle striking the pedestrian fled the scene without notifying law enforcement, which is a felony crime. This motor vehicle crash occurred on State Highway 7, about 6 miles west of Center, Texas.
The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene by Justice of the Peace Marla Denby and has been identified as Maricela Hernandez, 29, from Houston, TX.
Details of this crash are limited. DPS can confirm that the vehicle involved in the crash struck the pedestrian and fled the scene without notifying a law enforcement agency. The driver and vehicle are being sought by State Troopers who are actively investigating this crime.
Texas DPS Troopers seek information about the driver, any passengers, and vehicle involved in this motor vehicle crash.
This is an ongoing investigation and no additional information is available at this time.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to notify your local law enforcement agency or contact Lufkin DPS Communications at 936-699-7340.
July 28, 2016 - U.S. Highway 96 six miles south of Center was the scene of a single-vehicle crash on Thursday, July 28, 2016. As water developed on the roadway, due to the heavy rain, the crash resulted.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones, at 3:40pm a light blue Chevrolet Suburban driven by Cotresa Miller, 37, of San Augustine was traveling south on U.S. Highway 96 South.
Due to unsafe speed on the wet roadway the Suburban hydroplaned and crossed the northbound traffic lane. The Suburban continued off the roadway into a ditch where it collided with a fence and at that time rolled.
The Suburban came to rest on the passenger side facing north. Miller was able to escape from the vehicle through the driver's side window. Passersby provided her a dry vehicle to sit in until emergency personnel could arrive.
No injuries were reported at the time of the crash. Miller was issued a citation for unsafe speed for wet conditions.
Travelers are urged to use caution when traveling in inclement weather.
July 28, 2016 - Following a storm blowing in shortly after 3:30pm Thursday, July 28th, electric outages began happening around the county.
Many areas have all ready had power restored and as of 6:30 PM, DETEC is reporting approximately 100 meters out due to the weather with the majority of these being in the Shelby (Joaquin) and San Augustine County area.
Crews are working to restore all power as quickly and as safely as possibly.
DETEC customers can report outages by calling 1-800-392-5986.
July 28, 2016 - It is no longer necessary for customers on the Paxton Water Supply in the Joaquin area (HWY 7 E, FM 137, FM 2787 and surrounding roads) to boil their water.
July 27, 2016 - The long awaited case against Jenny Rhodes Cassell has come to a conclusion as the former Center ISD teacher was sentenced on Wednesday, July 27, 2016.
Cassell stood before Judge Charles "Brick" Dickerson, 123rd Judicial District Judge, at 4:42pm to receive sentencing. A plea agreement between the state, represented by Assistant District Attorney Stephen Shires, and Lisa G. Flournoy, representing Cassell, was approved by Judge Dickerson and he covered elements of the agreement with Cassell.
The sentencing was set for 11am with a lineup of witnesses waiting to testify; however, due to delays sentencing was rescheduled to begin at 1:30pm. Open court did not in fact begin until 4:42pm after arrangements had been made within the judge's chambers over the previous four hours.
As per the agreement, starting ten days from the sentencing date, Cassell is sentenced to six months in the Shelby County Jail with the exception of a holiday furlough on Thanksgiving and Christmas should she elect to take that time. She also has been sentenced to four years deferred probation following her six month stay in jail and 40 hours of community service. She is to pay restitution to the Shelby County Children's Advocacy Center and pay court costs.
A hearing was held in Dickerson's courtroom on June 30, 2016 during which Cassell entered a plea of no contest to the charge of improper relationship between educator and student. Judge Dickerson clarified for Cassell that even though she entered a plea of no contest it is the equivalent of a guilty plea. At that time the state decided not to pursue the charge of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence and a sentencing date was set for July 27.
Following the sentencing Wednesday, Shires was available for comment on the case.
"My job as the prosecutor is to see that justice gets done in a case," said Shires.
He thanked the jurors involved in the Johanna Vickers trial earlier this year for their work as, according to Shires, the outcome from that trial reflects on the Cassell case.
"We very much used and referenced what happened in [the Vickers] case to reach the outcome in this case. Of course these two cases were very similar in many ways, they also were extremely different in other ways," said Shires.
Shires explained a serious difference is Vickers had the sexual assault of a child charge, which Cassell did not share as the individual involved in her case was of legal age.
"The legislature created this law, inappropriate relationship between educator and student, to address this sort of situation," said Shires.
Although it's clear Shires feels a conviction was a necessary end to the case, he was not without understanding for the former teacher.
"This is a situation where obviously we have a teacher who I believe was well liked and well respected on the staff and by the students who obviously was going through a very difficult time, and she made a mistake," said Shires.
Shires explained the Shelby County jurors have sent a message the charges are being taken seriously and that carried forward in the judge's decision.
"So, I had to balance those factors with the idea that there had to be some punitive measure in this case to go along with the probation, because just like I asked the jury in the Vickers case, we have to demonstrate that in Shelby County this sort of conduct is taken seriously," said Shires.
Justice being the goal, Shires feels that objective has been reached in the finale of this case.
"You're not just going to get probation, you're not going to just get a slap on the wrist, instead we added something in this which I think accomplishes justice. We cut a woman who made a mistake a break, yet at the same time we send a message, because six months flat time means it's day for day. No good conduct time, no two for one, nothing like that," said Shires.
Related story:
Center ISD Teacher Arrested for Relationship with Student
July 26, 2016 - Due in part to extensive damage in the Precinct 3 area received from heavy rains and flooding, the Precinct 3 budget was lacking in funding to deal with the emergency and assistance needed.
FEMA funding has been received by Precinct 3 and as a result Travis Rodgers, Commissioner Precinct 3, has returned the money which was borrowed to the county general fund.
"Those FEMA funds have come in, thank goodness, and Precinct 3 now has money and I think it's appropriate that we put that money back into the General Fund. I believe I've talked to Commissioner Rodgers, and he agrees," said Judge Allison Harbison.
Commissioner Rodgers made a motion for Precinct 3 to pay the $200,000 back to the General Fund and adjust the budget accordingly, as soon as possible. The motion carried.
"I would like to thank the commissioners at this time and the county judge for the help and assistance," said Commissioner Rodgers.
Judge Harbison agreed everyone is there to help each other out.
Two line item adjustments were necessary for the County Clerk's office.
Jennifer Fountain, County Clerk, explained there were some unexpected expenses with a birth certificate printer and a typewriter that had to be replaced, which decreased the county clerk expense budget. She informed the court she was advised by the County Auditor to make a line item transfer from her office machine repair fund to her office supply fund.
A motion carried to approve the line item transfer adjustments.
The judges and the counties in the lower portion of U.S. Highway 96 are seeking to expand the highway and Judge Harbison explained the motivation behind this expansion.
"They are trying to get TxDOT and even some federal funds to expand 96 to at least a four lane, possibly to have divided highway like they have right outside of Jasper, where it's divided," said Judge Harbison.
She explained portions of U.S. 96 are not four lane and with Port Arthur being a large shipping hub, the need exists.
"We have the support. The four judges are myself, San Augustine, Sabine and Jasper, which is in our [Council of Government] region. Then we've also partnered with Hardin County, Jefferson County and Orange County," said Judge Harbison.
Judge Harbison stated each of the counties are seeking the support of their courts for the resolution to show there is support to get the needed funding. Judge Harbison commented Shelby County is fine from Center to U.S. Highway 59 portions south of Center into San Augustine are two lane.
"We all know we've been blessed to not have hurricanes lately, but y'all know how bad it was when we had those hurricanes and a four lane would be really nice to have," said Judge Harbison.
She assured the commissioners the approval of the resolution will not involve money from Shelby County and the approval just gets the request started and the possibility of future funds.
A motion carried to approve the resolution in support of the U.S. Highway 96 Expansion Coalition.
The commissioners discussed the group health plan for the 2017 Plan Year and Judge Harbison explained the health rate plan is going to increase 2%. She stated the surplus the county is to receive back from the plan is $51,701 which should be received the end of July. Judge Harbison remarked the difference will be minor compared to past increases.
"The 2% is gonna make our employee payment go up from $567.56 to $578.90," said Judge Harbison.
Plan benefits will remain the same and coverage will not change.
A motion carried to renew the plan.
The meeting adjourned at 9:47am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Pay monthly expenses. 2. Precinct 3, Road and Bridge, to repay $200,000 to the Shelby County General Fund and adjust budget accordingly. 3. Two line item transfers in County Clerk budget. 4. Resolution in Support of the U.S. Highway 96 Expansion Coalition. 5. Continue local optional fees $10 Road and Bridge and $1.50 Child Safety Fee for Chapter 502 of the Transportation Code for the Calendar Year 2017. 6. Renew contract with Computer Information Concepts. 7. Renew group health plan for the 2017 Plan Year. 8. Adjourn
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