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June 29, 2016 - The Texas Department of Public Safety has reported the death of a former Center ISD student resulting from a crash which occurred on June 26, 2016.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety report, at about 4am, Houston County DPS troopers responded to and investigated a one-vehicle rollover crash on FM 357, approximately four miles south of Kennard.
The preliminary crash investigation indicates a 2016 Chevrolet pickup was traveling north on FM 357 when the vehicle left the roadway to the right where it rolled over and struck multiple trees. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Austin Cline Catoe, 18, from Crockett, TX.
Catoe was transported to Houston County Medical Center where he was treated and released. At the time of the crash Catoe was traveling with three passengers which have been identified as Haley Henry, 19, from Kennard, TX, Mariaah Lopez, 17, from Crockett, TX, and Brendan Galloway, 22, also from Crockett.
Haley Henry was transported to Hermann Hospital in Houston for treatment. Unfortunately Mariaah Lopez, formerly of Center, was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash at 5 a.m., by Judge Clyde Black. Brendan Galloway was transported to Houston County Medical Center and was pronounced deceased at approximately 6 a.m.
This crash remains under investigation. No additional information is available at this time.
See obituary information here: Obituary
June 29, 2016 — COLLEGE STATION, Texas — As Texans from around the state make plans of picnics with family and friends, parades through town squares and fireworks displays after dark, Texas A&M Forest Service urges caution with outdoor activities such as grilling, campfires and fireworks.
“According to the National Fire Protection Association, July 4th has the most fires reported than on any other day and fireworks account for two out of five of those fires — more than any other cause of fire,” TFS Mitigation and Prevention Department Head Bruce Woods said.
Due to the recent rains in May and June the potential for wildfire has decreased across much of the state. However, Texas A&M Forest Service encourages everyone to use caution and stay safe this Independence Day.
“Though the rains have helped decrease wildfire potential, it has produced a lot of tall grass across the state this summer. It’s best to play it safe and avoid these areas for your fireworks fun; especially when using aerials,” Tom Spencer, TFS predictive services department head said.
Fireworks safety tips:
- Before you celebrate, always check with local government officials to ensure fireworks and outdoor burning are allowed in your county. Be sure to comply with all restrictions.
- Read and follow all warnings and instruction labels on fireworks.
- Use fireworks only under close adult supervision and in safe areas away from structures, dry grass and brush.
- Keep a hose, bucket of water and wet towels nearby in case of a malfunction or fire.
- Dispose of used fireworks in a bucket of water.
- Never ignite fireworks in a container, especially a glass or metal container.
Note: Burn bans and fireworks restrictions are determined by county government. Texas A&M Forest Service does not take a position on the use of fireworks, nor does the agency determine, set or lift restrictions.
June 24, 2016 - A Shelby County resident reported receiving a call from the IRS on Thursday, June 23rd with instructions to call (401) 710-1856 to pay taxes or they would be penalized or sued. Always use caution when receiving phone calls where the caller is threatening and demanding payment of money owed.
According to a consumer alert on irs.gov - Note that the IRS will never: 1) call to demand immediate payment, nor will the agency call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill; 2) demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe; 3) require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card; 4) ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone; or 5) threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.
Sheriff Willis Blackwell would like the citizens of Shelby County to be aware of several scams going around including an IRS scam.
The people are calling stating that you owe the IRS some money and wanting you to send it to them by credit card or bank card and saying if you don't, you will be arrested.
The IRS does not operate this way at all. Do not send them anything. These people are very persistent. If they call; just hang up.
Submitted by DJ Dickerson, Lieutenant Investigator
June 22, 2016 - The driver of a truck involved in a single-vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon, June 22, 2016 was flown by helicopter to LSU Hospital in Shreveport for treatment of his injuries.
West Shelby Volunteer Fire Department (WSVFD) was first on scene with Shelby County Probation Chief Bradley Wilburn also arriving to direct traffic. Passersby were seeing to the needs of the driver who was laying beneath a guardrail.
As Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers arrived on scene so did ACE EMS personnel who moved the driver to their ambulance and then to Excelsior ISD where a landing zone was then established with the assistance of WSVFD.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Sean Smith, at 3:20pm Blair Marsh, 48, of Nacogdoches was traveling southbound on State Highway 7 West in a yellow International 4300 truck owned by Reliable Wastewater and hauling a tank when, according to Marsh and eyewitness accounts, he swerved to avoid colliding with a coyote.
When Marsh avoided the coyote the truck began to skid sideways and collided with a guardrail causing the truck to roll during which time Marsh was ejected from the vehicle coming to rest beneath the guardrail as the truck finally came to rest against trees in the southbound ditch.
No citations have been issued at this time and the crash remains under investigation. The truck was removed by Hopkins Wrecker Service.
June 22, 2016 - Four fire departments from Timpson, Tenaha, Garrison and Appleby responded to a fire at the intersection of North 1st Street and Todd Street in Timpson on Tuesday, June 22, 2016 involving a tire shop belonging to Leo Johnson.
Firemen with the Timpson Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) responded to the scene located next to Texas State Bank at 6:14pm and initiated the attack on the fire. More units with Timpson VFD quickly arrived and joined in the fight.
Tenaha VFD was next to arrive and they joined Timpson firemen in donning SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) and entering the building. The Timpson Police Department was on scene with the first firemen to arrive, and initiated traffic control on the highway to prevent any traffic incidents. As additional fire units arrived, the Texas Department of Public Safety and Garrison Marshal's Office offered support.
Garrison VFD assisted the firemen in locating any hot spots within the building. Although considerable damage was incurred at the front section of the building, the firemen were able to keep the fire from breaching the rear half of the building.
The property is owned by Cadell Stephenson. The fire is suspected to have been electrical in origin and remains under investigation.
June 21, 2016 - The intersection of CR 1005 and CR 1024 was the scene of a single-vehicle crash Friday, June 17, 2016 where the driver involved was trapped.
First responders with the Shelby County Sheriff's Department, ACE EMS and the Center Fire Department worked together to safely extricate the driver from the vehicle which was turned on its side in a ditch. After the driver was assessed for any injuries the emergency personnel were able to get him out of the vehicle and into a waiting ambulance.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Trooper Keith Jones, at 7:16pm Jerry Don Mahan, 64, of Center was driving north on CR 1005 in a white 2002 Chevrolet Blazer when he turned too early at CR 1024 and rolled into the ditch coming to rest on the driver's side against a culvert.
Mahan was transported by ACE EMS to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department for treatment. Texas DPS Trooper John Hallenbeck assisted Trooper Jones with the investigation.
June 17, 2016 - On Friday, June 17, 2016 at approximately 9:49am Officers with the Center Police Department along with several other agencies including the Texas Department of Public Safety, Shelby County Sheriff's Office, Center Fire Department, Center ISD, responded to Tyson Foods in regards to a Bomb Threat.
Officers arrived and evacuated all Tyson employees to a safe location. Officers notified the Barksdale Air Force Base Bomb Dog Division for their assistance in locating a possible explosive device with their K-9's.
The Center Police Department had ACE EMS on standby along with life flight in case of any Tyson or First Responder injury. The building and premises were searched by the military bomb dogs and Center Police Officers and no devices were located.
This case is still under investigation by the Center Police Department, Texas Rangers, and Federal Bureau of Investigations. The Center Police Department would like to express their sincere appreciation for the assistance from all the first responders on scene.
Update: As of 1:47pm, the Tyson plant has been cleared and employees are being allowed back inside. Emergency responders are leaving the scene and Shelbyville Street is opened back up for traffic. The Air Force who brought their bomb dogs to search the plant have left as well.
Update 11:37am: According to Scott Flowers who is on scene, the military has arrived with dogs and they are headed to the Tyson plant.
Update: The road block on Shelbyville Street has been moved back to the area of H & S Grocery due to the number of people in the area because of the evacuation.
June 17, 2016 - Emergency personnel responded to the Tyson Plant shortly before 10am Friday morning on June 17, 2016. Unofficial reports are a bomb threat was called in.
The Center Fire Department is rerouting traffic from 87 South around the loop and Shelbyville Street is blocked off. Tyson employees were evacuated from the plant and instructed to go westbound on Shelbyville Street a safe distance from the plant.
Currently on scene are officers from the Center Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Texas Rangers.
It is advised to avoid this area as through traffic has been blocked at this time as a safety percaution.
June 16, 2016 - Law enforcement officers responded to the scene of a single-vehicle on Tuesday, June 14, 2016 from which the driver eventually was arrested.
Jamie Hagler, Constable Precinct 2, and Center Police officers arrived at the location of the crash to assist the Texas Department of Public Safety with the investigation.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones, at 10am Johnathan Polley, 28, of Center was traveling north on State Highway 87 in a green 1995 Mercury Grand Marquis. As the Marquis neared CR 2010, it left the roadway to the left and onto the other side of CR 2010 where the vehicle struck a tree.
When officers arrived it was determined Polley was intoxicated. He was arrested at the scene and charged with driving while intoxicated and he was transported by the Center Police Department to the Shelby County Jail. The vehicle was towed from the scene.
June 14, 2016 - Center native Jonathan Hennigan has been recruited by the Philadelphia Phillies baseball organization after posting a 5-2 record as a pitcher for Texas State University. He is an Applied Science Major and a transfer student who was a member of a Galveston College team who went 41-19 a year ago.
Hennigan is the son of Kim and Phil Hennigan II. His grandfather Phil Hennigan played professionally for the New York Mets and Cleveland Indians.
Jonathan is a 6’4” , 190 lb., left-handed pitcher with good tools which helped draw attention to his talents. He became a 21st round draft choice when the Phillies chose him on June 11th.
Additional links:
- The Official Athletics Website of Texas State - Jonathan Hennigan - 2016 Baseball
- Hennigan, Studdard, Hill, Mazzoccoli Drafted
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