Shelby County Today

July 29, 2015 - The operation of a chicken fertilizer processing plant at the property once known as Armstrong (Bruce's) was approved by the Center City Council via an amendment of a zoning ordinance at their recent meeting held on Monday, July 27, 2015.

Brett Banner, representing a chicken fertilizer processing company, spoke with the council about the strong roots of poultry business in Shelby County over the past 65 years. He described how the efforts of John Moosberg, Mark Middleton, Mark Weaver and other individuals brought the industry to Shelby County and deliver $100 million input into the economy every year before the cattle and timber industries.

"These gentlemen that have come and offered to buy the property will be creating 30 to 35 jobs, I can speak to that, that's what he said but they will be injecting some capital into the facility to get it up and going again. It should increase our ad valorem tax property basis in bringing the property up to date," said Banner.

Banner feels very confident processing chicken litter and pellets is going to be very safe. He also expects the facility will drive up the price of chicken litter, which should help growers in the area, as there will be an increase in demand.

Mayor David Chadwick asked if there are similar plants in Texas to the one being proposed. Banner explained there is only one other similar plant located in the northeast part of the country. Councilman Howell Howard asked if the litter has to go through a compost process first.

"It goes through a composting process to take out the bad things that are in chicken litter, bad pathogens, wheat seed, things that irritate the farmers. So that's kind of the process with it," said Banner. "Pelletizing is no different than a feed mill; the same equipment and everything that's used in a feed mill."

Mayor Chadwick asked how the product would be shipped and Banner explained there are many forms in which the product can be shipped. Although some concerns have been voiced about an increase in flies around the facility due to the litter being in the area; however, preliminary tests have not received any complaints or shown evidence of a problem.

According to the City of Center zoning change/specific use permit application, two property owners voiced concerns over the possible facility. Cathryn Hall who owns vacant property opposite the railroad from the facility was concerned about the potential impact to her property value due to possible odor and the fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas which took place in 2013 killing 15 people and wounding another 226. Ronnie Peace who owns, along with several siblings, a residence adjacent to the property mirrored the concern of Hall relating to West, Texas.

"Of course we always look for the bad, we always think of West, [Texas] when we hear fertilizer, and the damage there. By removing the ammonia is that eliminating, I don't want to say the word 'all' which I know can't be said, but does it eliminate 90%-95% chance of any kind of...," said Mayor Chadwick.

Banner provided assurances the process would be safe, "Absolutely, ammonium nitrate isn't bad, basically synthetic ammonium nitrate that has explosive capabilities. Oklahoma City, West, Texas both those had been using it. So we're the opposite end, we're going organic all natural side of things, we're going the other direction from synthetic."

The facility will accept "gunpowder" dry litter only and no litter from layer houses. Litter on site will be kept out of sunlight and moisture and is composted indoors.

During the meeting a motion carried and was approved amending the zoning ordinance relating to the property at 1100 Cotton Ford Road to Heavy Manufacturing, M-2.

City of Center Polling Places

District I - Senior Citizen Center: 3580 Loop 500 East

District III - First United Methodist Church: 211 N. Porter Street

At-Large - 
Senior Citizen Center: 3580 Loop 500 East
Church of Christ: 110 Hurst Street
First United Methodist Church: 211 N. Porter Street
Center Community House: 423 San Augustine Street

Early Voting Location - Shelby County Clerk: 120 Austin Street

Resolution 2015-22 ordering election for November 2015 was approved by motion. Up for election are the positions of Mayor, City Council District I and City Council District III. Designated as two 12-hour days for early voting are Monday, October 19, 2015 and Monday, October 26, 2015 between the hours of 8am and 8pm at the Shelby County Clerk's office. From October 19, 2015 through October 30, 2015 from 8:30am to 4:30pm. As of Monday, July 27, 2015 candidates may file their applications with the City Secretary, with the last day for filing being August 24, 2015 at 5pm. Election day November 3, 2015 voting hours will be from 7am to 7pm.

During public hearing, council was informed by Chad Nehring, City Manager, about a zoning change request made by Mike Cassell, the owner of Stump Jumper MFG, LLC. Cassell applied with the city for the zoning alteration to include a property at 810 Nacogdoches Street.

The Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission met last Thursday, July 23 and considered the application which requested changing the zoning from Commercial, C-2 to Manufacturing, M-1 to accommodate boat construction and repair. It was determined during the P&Z meeting the zoning for boat manufacturing and repair applies to fiberglass boats, and the boats Cassell manufactures are aluminum. The request was then amended to a specific use permit for metal fabrication which is allowed in a heavy commercial zoned area.

A motion carried and was approved to allow ordinance 2015-2 amending zoning ordinance 2015-5.

The meeting went into executive session and when the meeting returned to open session no motions were made resulting from the executive session.

Items on the agenda receiving approval include:

  1.  July 13th workshop and regular meeting minutes.
  2.  Ordinance 2015-2 amending zoning ordinance for decision on application 2015-5 for zoning change of 810 Nacogdoches Street from Commercial, C-2 to Manufacturing, M-1 – amended to Specific Use Permit for Metal Fabrication.
  3.  Ordinance 2015-3 amending zoning ordinance for decision on application 2015-6 for zoning change of 1100 Cotton Ford Road from Manufacturing, M-1 to Heavy Manufacturing, M-2 with Specific Use Permit for Fertilizer Plant.
  4.  Resolution 2015-22 ordering election for November 2015.
  5.  Resolution 2015-23 TDA Community Enhancement Grant Application.
  6.  Resolution 2015-24 Maximum Considered Tax Rate for FY 2016 of $0.54000 per $100 valuation.
  7.  Contract for household waste collection event with Rineco Environmental Service and Pineywoods RC&D. Tentatively scheduled for September 19th.
  8.  Award airport tree removal bid to Baldwin Tree Service for $15,995.
  9.  Plat of CP Homes Living 17 Addition to the City of Center.
  10.  Annual dues for DETCOG.
  11.  Center Police Department Reserve Officer Robert Shannon Brazeal, giving the police department 8 reserve officers.

July 28, 2015 (Update) - Cadarius Evans turned himself in to Sergeant Investigator DJ Dickerson at the Shelby County Sheriff's Department on Monday, July 27, 2015 at approximately 7:51pm and on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 at approximately 1:00pm Travor Hubbard was stopped by Center Police Department and custody turned over to Deputy Kurtes Lawrence for transport to the Shelby County Sheriff's Department jail facility.

July 27, 2015 (Original Article) - Center Crime Stoppers is seeking information on the whereabouts of Cadarius Evans, 19, and a Travor Hubbard, 21, both of Center. Both Evans and Hubbard have an active warrant for Burglary of a Habitation, a 2nd Degree Felony.

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, they may call the Shelby County Sheriff's Department at 936-598-5600 and speak with Sergeant Investigator DJ Dickerson.

If anyone is found to be hindering the apprehension, harboring or concealing, providing or aiding with any means of avoiding arrest or effecting escape or warns Evans or Hubbard of impending discovery or apprehension will be arrested and charged in accordance with Penal Code 38.05 Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution, a 3rd Degree Felony.

July 27, 2015 - Due to the increasing number of security alarm calls, the Shelby County Sheriffs Office (SCSO) is requesting property owners register any security systems installed and existing in the county (outside the Center City Limits).

Forms to register the systems are available at the SCSO. An initial registration fee of $30 is required to register new systems or any existing systems. Property owners will not incur any additional charges unless the SCSO responds to more than three false alarms in a calendar year. After three false calls, a fee of $30 will be charged per incident.

Shelby County Sheriff Willis Blackwell suggests property owners have their alarms adjusted to prevent alarms from being set off falsely. Blackwell said deputies respond to numerous false alarm calls per night and with no more than two deputies on duty per shift, it is difficult to cover the false calls which average more than 200 per month.

This change will not affect Life Alert systems or similar systems used by the ill or elderly citizens in the county. For more information contact the SCSO at (936) 598-5601.

July 27, 2015 - National Weather Service Shreveport, LA at 327 PM CDT Sun Jul 26, 2015 has issued that a heat advisory is now in effect until 7 PM CDT Monday evening for extreme Southeast Oklahoma, Southwest Arkansas, much of East Texas, and all of North Louisiana.

An upper-level high pressure system will remain anchored over the southern plains and Mississippi Valley through the start of the new work week. Very hot temperatures, combined with available low level moisture, will help produce dangerous heat index values this afternoon and again Monday. In addition, low temperatures will only fall into the mid-to-upper 70s briefly before sunrise Monday providing little relief at night. The heat advisory is in effect until 7pm CDT Monday.

* Event: Heat index values will range between 105 to 110 degrees over portions of East Texas late Monday morning through the afternoon. Light winds during the afternoon will further add to the heat stress conditions.

* Timing: Heat index values will be in excess of 105 degrees from late morning through the afternoon hours.

* Impact: The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity values will combine to create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are possible.

Precautionary/Preparedness Actions
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.

A heat advisory means the combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will 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 and neighbors.