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August 11, 2015 - Shelby County rocked once again by allegations of an improper relationship between a teacher and student as a Center ISD teacher has been arrested.
Jenny Cassell, 32, of Timpson was booked into the Shelby County Jail on charges of Improper Relationship Between Educator and Student (felony 2) at 12:20pm Tuesday, August 11, 2015. She was placed into custody by Center ISD Chief Pete Low and he transported her to the jail where she was escorted inside by Low and Center Police Detective Nicole Faulkner.
According to a press release issued by Detective Faulkner, Cassell was recently employed by the Center Independent School District. A joint investigation was conducted by the Center ISD Police and Center Police Department. Cassell turned herself in and was booked into the Shelby County Jail. Justice of the Peace Maxie Eaves arraigned Cassell and set bond at $20,000.
In a related story Johanna Vickers, 35, of San Augustine and a teacher at Shelbyville ISD was arrested Thursday, May 14, 2015 on the same charges on two $25,000 bonds.
According to a press release issued by James Hockenberry, Center ISD Superintendent, on August 5, the Center ISD received a report that an educator employed by the District had engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a student. Consistent with its practice, the District placed the educator on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation, which began immediately after receipt of the initial report.
The District notified law enforcement, Child Protective Services and the parents of the student. The District has also notified the Texas Education Agency so that it can conduct its own investigation.
The educator resigned employment with the District on August 6. The district continued with its investigation thereafter.
The District's highest priority is the safety of its students. The District has a zero tolerance policy for any inappropriate relationship between educators and students. The Center ISD will continue to respond swiftly and effectively to insure the safety of its students.
More information regarding Rhodes-Cassell will be updated as it is made available.
5:08am Monday, August 10, 2015
August 10, 2015 - Heat Advisory now in effect until 7pm Tuesday. Heat index values will be between 105 and 110 degrees from late morning into the early evening hours today and again on Tuesday. Oppressive heat will continue through Monday for the Four state area and far parts of East Texas and North Louisiana into Tuesday. Hot temperatures and high humidity values will combine to create a dangerous situation to people, pets, and animals.
Precautionary/Preparedness actions
A heat advisory means a period of hot temperatures is expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible. Drink plenty of fluids. Stay in an air-conditioned room. Stay out of the sun. Check on relatives, neighbors, and pets.
5:19am CDT Saturday, August 8, 2015
August 8, 2015 - A heat advisory remains in effect through 7pm Monday.
A building heat wave will result in most area heat indices ranging from 105 to 110 degrees each day from late morning into the early evening hours with a few spots topping that today (Saturday) with readings above 110 possible. Dangerous heat index levels will extend into early next week and will create an situation that could harm people, pets, and animals outside. Heat illness will be possible for those unprepared to beat the heat.
Precautionary/Preparedness Actions
A heat advisory means a period of hot temperatures is expected. The combination of hot temperatures and relative humidity will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses will be possible. When leaving your vehicle, check the backseat. If outdoor activity is necessary, drink plenty of water before, during, and after exposure to the heat. When possible, stay in air-conditioning. Stay out of the sun and check up on relatives, neighbors, and pets.
Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside this weekend. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Otherwise, know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, such as a sudden loss of perspiration. Wear light-weight and loose fitting clothing with a hat and whenever possible, drink plenty of water to hydrate.
To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas. Anyone overcome by the heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an EMERGENCY..... call 911.
August 7, 2015 - Shelby County Judge, Allison Harbison, would like to urge everyone to use caution when burning outdoors.
Commissioners Court will consider adopting a 90 day burn ban on Monday, August 10th, however, until then Judge Harbison asks everyone to use good judgement when burning trash or brush.
Judge Harbison talked with the Texas Forest Service and if you feel you must burn outdoors, they ask that you call the proper authorities at the first hint of danger.
4:59am Friday, August 7, 2015
August 7, 2015 - The heat advisory is in effect through 7pm Sunday, August 9th.
A building heat wave will result in area heat index values between 105 and 110 degrees from late morning into the early evening hours Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The heat will extend into the new work week as well.
The dangerous heat indices will create an situation that could harm people, pets, and animals outside. Heat illness will be possible for those unprepared to beat the heat.
Precautionary/Preparedness Actions
A heat advisory means a period of hot temperatures is expected. The combination of hot temperatures and relative humidity will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses will be possible. When leaving your vehicle, check the backseat. If outdoor activity is necessary, drink plenty of water before, during, and after exposure to the heat. When possible, stay in air-conditioning. Stay out of the sun and check up on relatives, neighbors, and pets.
Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside this weekend. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Otherwise, know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, such as a sudden loss of perspiration. Wear light-weight and loose fitting clothing with a hat and whenever possible, drink plenty of water to hydrate.
To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas. Anyone overcome by the heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an EMERGENCY..... call 911.
August 6, 2015 - Flabbergasted was the state of those attending the Special Called Meeting of the Timpson City Council on Thursday, August 6, 2015. Mayor Debra Smith, council members Yvonne Ramsey and Kyle Allen were in attendance as well as citizens of Timpson and members of the media.
Ray Marshall, a handicapped citizen of Timpson, hurried home from work in Tyler to arrive in time for the meeting only to wait in disappointment due to no quorum. Mr. Marshall was prepared to speak his opinion concerning the proposed reduction in Police Force; however, his voice couldn't be heard due to the absence of three council members: Ronnie Wolfe, Janell Baker, and George Grace who each support the reduction in force.
Three items were on the Special Called Meeting Agenda: 1) consider Reduction in Force of the Police Department from a 5-man department to a 3-man department, 2) adopt the "proposed" budget for the General Fund for the City of Timpson for 2015-2016, and 3) possible amendments to the employee handbook, changes which would be needed contingent to an approved reduced police force. The three items were at the request of the majority of the council and the majority of the council were a no show.
Where were the missing council members? The City Secretary, Leslie Leathers, attempted to contact the missing-in-action with no avail. After calling one of the absent council member's spouse, the phone was answered only to have the line go dead immediately. The very law enforcement whose jobs have hung in the balance were requested to perform welfare checks for Wolfe, Baker, and Grace. It is unknown the outcome of the welfare checks.
Why would elected officials not show up to the very meeting where the item they requested be presented for vote was on the agenda? They had the opportunity to vote for what they felt was best for Timpson; however, they chose not to make it their priority. If Wolfe, Baker, and Grace had justifiable reason for not attending the meeting, why would they not have notified the city secretary or the mayor so the meeting could be rescheduled. Why would they waste the time of the citizens of Timpson, the media, and the council who did attend?
The budget for the City of Timpson has been a near yearlong struggle among the council and mayor. One side argues the police department is costing the city too much money which they feel will leave the city destitute in the future because of the unjustifiable over expenditure. Council Member Ronnie Wolfe has remained the voice of concern demanding a reduction in force.
While on the other side of the conundrum, Mayor Smith has presented the council with a balanced budget which she feels would support the 5-man police department as well as a 4-man police department and has seen open support from Council Member Kyle Allen.
At the last meeting on July 30th which was also a Special Called meeting, Mayor Smith presented the council with a budget reflecting a 4-man police force with a reduction in force of only one. Councilman Wolfe rejected the budget along with the support of Baker and Grace demanding a 3-man police force. The majority of the council was getting their wish, an opportunity to pass a reduction in police force.
Are they alive and well? Why would they not attend? Why the no-show?
What's a no-show? According to Collins English Dictionary, a no-show is a person who fails to take up a reserved seat, place, etc, without having cancelled it. Council members are elected into office and have a reserved seat during all City of Timpson Council meetings.
August 6, 2015 - A joint operation involving the Rusk County Sheriff's Office, Henderson Police Department, Constable Precinct 3 Tim Barton, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, and the Center Police Department on August 4, 2015 resulted in the seizure of approximately one hundred (100) marijuana plants.
The marijuana plants were located growing inside a mobile home located on Rusk County Farm to Market Road 1971. During the investigation Tommie Bryce, 35, of Timpson and David Williams, 38, of Carthage were arrested. Both charged with the criminal offense of possession of marijuana, five pounds or less but more than four ounces, a state jail felony.
Law enforcement officials worked late into the night dismantling the indoor marijuana grow. The search warrant that was executed at the suspected place was issued by Rusk County District Judge Clay Gossett. Further assisting in the investigation were investigators with Child Protective Services.
The seized suspected marijuana and apparatus utilized to facilitate the cultivation of the marijuana has an estimated street value of $120,000. Both Bryce and Williams remain incarcerated in the Rusk County Jail pending arraignment.
4:44am Thursday, August 6, 2015
August 6, 2015 - UPDATED: A heat advisory is in effect from 1pm Thursday through 7pm Friday.
A building heat wave along with high humidity will combine to produce heat index values between 105 to 109 degrees across the four state area Thursday and Friday afternoons.
Precautionary/Preparedness actions
A heat advisory means a period of hot temperatures is expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses will be possible. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after exposure to the heat. When possible, stay in air-conditioning. Stay out of the sun and check on relatives, neighbors, and pets.
Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear light weight and loose fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water.
To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas. Anyone overcome by the heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an EMERGENCY..... call 911.
Texas’ Voter ID Law to Remain in Effect
August 6, 2015 - Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton today released the following statement on the ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on Texas’ Voter ID law:
“Today’s ruling was a victory on the fundamental question of Texas’ right to protect the integrity of our elections and the state’s common sense Voter ID law remains in effect. I’m particularly pleased the panel saw through and rejected the plaintiffs’ claim that our law constituted a ‘poll tax.’ The intent of this law is to protect the voting process in Texas, and we will continue to defend this important safeguard for all Texas voters.”
Texas has successfully held three statewide elections and numerous local and special elections with the Voter ID law in place – with no disenfranchisement reported.
Texas Solicitor General Scott Keller presented arguments on April 28, 2015, on behalf of the State of Texas in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
The Texas Legislature enacted Texas’ Voter ID law in 2011 through Senate Bill 14 (SB14), which requires voters to present government-issued photo ID when voting at the polls. The seven acceptable forms of photo ID include the following: a Texas driver’s license, free Texas election identification card (EIC), Texas personal identification card, Texas license to carry a concealed handgun, U.S. military identification card, U.S. citizenship certificate, and U.S. passport. Connect with us: Follow us on Twitter at @TXAG • Find us on Facebook at TexasAttorneyGeneral
August 6, 2015 - As of 6pm on August 4, 2015 a BURN BAN is in Effect in the City of Joaquin. No Outdoor Burning until further notice. This is for the City Limits Only.
Jeremy Boyett
Assistant Chief/Fire Marshal
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