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July 8, 2015 - The latest figures from the U.S. Census Bureau show a continuing shift in the overall population in the 12-county Deep East Texas Council of Governments (DETCOG) region. “Not only are we experiencing people moving out of the DETCOG Region,” said DETCOG Executive Director Walter Diggles, “but there is also a shift in the makeup of the population.” In the four years since 2010 the region’s overall population decreased by 216.
“What we found in our “State of the Region” report earlier in the year continues to be echoed in these numbers,” said Diggles, “most of the regional economic and census growth is occurring in the 5 DETCOG Counties along the Hwy 59 corridor: San Jacinto, Polk, Angelina, Nacogdoches and Shelby.” The 2014 Census figures show those five county’s populations increasing by 2,870 people since 2010. The increase in those 5 counties means the remaining 7 counties in DETCOG lost a total of 3,086 people in the four year period.
Not only has there been an overall shift in population in the DETCOG region, but there have been changes in the demographic makeup. The number of Whites has dropped by 1.2%, and Blacks decreased by 0.1%. At the same time Hispanics in the region increased by 1.3%.
There are only two age groups in the region showing an increase in population. Individuals 65 years of age and older increased by 8.3%. The region wide count for 18 to 24 year-olds increased by 1.9%.
Statewide the overall population has increased 7% to 26,956,958 from 2010 to 2014. The state is also undergoing a demographic shift. The Hispanic portion of the state’s population increased by 1.3% in the four year period, Blacks decreased by .03% and Whites dropped by 1.6%.
The Deep East Texas Council of Governments Region includes the counties of Angelina, Houston, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity and Tyler. Its members include local governments, school districts, water districts, non-profit organizations and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas.
July 7, 2015 - The Shelby County grand jury for the July term of the 123rd Judicial District Court met on Monday, July 6, 2015 and handed down indictments for 37 cases.
Marcus Antonio Hill received two indictments for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, second degree felony. The indictments allege on June 18, 2015 Hill recklessly caused bodily injury to Auston Michael Arnold and Sean Michael Arnold by shooting and striking both victims with a shotgun while driving down the highway. (See related story here.)
Luis Acuna was indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, first degree felony. The indictment alleges on August 19, 2014 Acuna recklessly caused serious bodily injury to Angela Liker by pointing a gun at Liker. At the time Acuna was in or had a dating relationship with Liker.
Delond Elroy Barnes was indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, second degree felony. The indictment alleges on September 2, 2014 Barnes threatened bodily injury to Jonas Dewaun Goodwin while displaying a handgun with white grips during the assault.
William Zachary Parks was indicted for assault bodily injury, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on September 8, 2014 Parks recklessly caused bodily injury to Tynae Swindle by impeding the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of Swindle by applying pressure to her throat or neck or blocking the nose or mouth.
Robert Thomason was indicted for aggravated sexual assault, first degree felony. The indictment alleges on September 5, 2014 Thomason caused the penetration of the female sexual organ of a child who was then and there younger than 14 years of age, and not the spouse of the Thomason, by his sexual organ.
Geana Cheshire was indicted on three separate charges involving drug possession. The first indictment for possession of a controlled substance, state jail felony, alleges Cheshire was in possession of dihydrocodeinone on July 14, 2014. The second indictment for delivery of a controlled substance, second degree felony, alleges Cheshire delivered methamphetamine to an individual cooperating with law enforcement. The third indictment for delivery of a controlled substance, state jail felony, alleges Cheshire delivered lisdexamfetamine to an individual cooperating with law enforcement.
Travis Wayne Patton Sr. was indicted for Robbery, second degree felony. The indictment alleges on September 27, 2014 Patton threatened or placed Clinton Bob Crocker in fear of imminent bodily injury or death while committing theft of property.
Dustin Bryan Estes and Curtis Bryan Estes were each indicted for burglary of a building, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on September 15, 2014 the Estes entered a building without the consent of Larue Defriend and attempted to commit or committed theft of 15 boxes of scented candles in glass containers, red dot cups, suitcase of costume owned by Larue Defriend and Joyce May.
Morgan Magee and Brent Howard Denby were each indicted for burglary of a building, state jail felony. The indictments allege on April 15, 2015 and April 18, 2015 Denby and Magee entered a building owned by Gary Miller and attempted to commit or committed the theft of the following: Makita circular saw, Makita worm gear saw, Makita battery chargers, Stihl pull chainsaw, Stihl pole saw, Senco red nail gun, Stanley metic open end wrenches, Stanley open end standard wrenches, Makita 18-volt hammer drill, 2 packs of AA and AAA energizer batteries owned by Miller. Keith Monroe Harris and John Chisenhall were each indicted for theft, state jail felony in relation to the same incident as Magee and Denby.
John Chisenhall was indicted for theft, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on September 7, 2014 Chisenhall stole a Magnum Light Plant of the value of $1,500 or more but less than $20,000 from the owner Larry O'Rear without his consent.
Eddie Joe Chisenhall received an indictment for injury to a child, elderly or disabled individual, third degree felony, and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, state jail felony. The indictments allege on September 15, 2015 Chisenhall caused bodily injury to Bobby Holloway, an individual 65 years of age or older, by striking him with a closed fist to the left side of the head. It is also alleged on the same date Chisenhall operated a vehicle without the consent of Holloway.
Linda Anne Blount was indicted for burglary of a habitation, second degree felony. The indictment alleges on August 9, 2014 Blount entered the habitation of Randall Lout without his consent and attempted to commit or committed an assault against Lout.
Brittany Marcelin and Tevin Terrell Garrett each received indictments for theft, state jail felony. The indictments allege on September 11, 2014 Garrett and Marcelin stole a BBQ Pit Trailer valued at $1,500 or more but less than $20,000 from the owner, Marlin Ray Jones III.
Tevin Terrell Garrett was indicted for burglary of a building, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on September 7, 2014 Garrett entered a building owned by Glen Heintschel, Jr. and attempted to commit or committed theft of a 2003 Honda Rancher TRX350, owned by Tony Eugene Ard.
Tiffany Newman received an indictment for credit card/debit card abuse against the elderly, third degree felony. According to the indictment Newman with intent to fraudulently obtain a benefit, used a credit/debit card, belonging to John Richerson, an elderly individual 65 years of age or older.
Stephen Williams and Therrin Anthony Keele each received indictments for theft, state jail felony, and burglary of a building, state jail felony. The indictments allege on September 24, 2014 and September 28, 2014 Williams and Keele entered a building without the consent of the owner, Wren Brown and attempted to commit or committed theft of 1 Meade telescope on tripod, 3 General Electric room A/C units, 1 Shop Vac, and 1 Lasko fan. It is also alleged Keele and Williams stole aluminum and copper of the value of less than $20,000 from Brown without consent. Keele received a separate indictment for burglary of a habitation, second degree felony, alleging on September 29, 2014 he stole copper wiring, air conditioner unit, suitcase containing baby clothes, wash basin pitcher and bowl, and L.E.D. lantern.
Ray Howard Neuwirth was indicted for credit card, debit card abuse, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on September 9, 2015 Neuwirth exercised control over a debit card belonging to Danielle Almaraz without her consent.
(Dates in parenthesis indicate the date of the alleged incident)
Marcus D. Roberts, possession of a controlled substance, second degree felony (September 5, 2014).
Emerson Sanatio Evans, driving while intoxicated, third degree felony (January 2, 2014).
Emerson Sanatio Evans, driving while intoxicated, third degree felony (September 10, 2014).
Carlos Lara-Paredes, possession of a controlled substance, state jail felony (September 20, 2014).
Robert Bolton, hindering secured creditors, state jail felony (August 3, 2014).
Lateisha Clifton, delivery of a controlled substance, first degree felony (September 1, 2014).
Kelvin Tyrone Berry, injury to a child, elderly or disabled individual, state jail felony (September 29, 2014).
Indictments and information are not a conviction, and are a matter of public record. All individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law.
June 18, 2015 - National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for Southern Rusk County in Northeastern Texas, Nacogdoches County in Eastern Texas, Western Shelby County in Eastern Texas, and Angelina County in Eastern Texas until 8am Thursday, June 18, 2015.
At 5:05am, Doppler Radar indicated a thunderstorm producing heavy rain across the warned area. Up to two inches of rain has already fallen. Flash flooding is expected to begin shortly.
Center Police Department officers Jim Blackwell and Stephen Thornburgh performed a high water rescue at 4:00am this morning for a vehicle stalled out in water across US 96 South. Center Fire Department was on scene to assist as well. Please use extreme caution traveling on roadways.
Highways flooded in Shelby County:
96 South just outside of Center before Loop 500 - Center FD is diverting traffic to 87S and Loop 500 to 96S
87 South about a half mile south of Loop 500, between Borders Poultry Supply and the large storage tanks (Sunoco Logistics)
FM 138 (Arcadia Road), at the bridge south of Hurst Street
96 North outside of Center
7 East near the Airport
Highway 59 at the Shelby County and Panola County line.
FM 414, 3/4 of a mile off of 87 South
Use caution:
San Augustine Street in Center near Mangum Funeral Home (Manhole cover displaced in the roadway due to water flowing out)
No reports for 87 North or 96 North between Center and Tenaha
June 5, 2015 - Nacogdoches Medical Center continues its commitment to bringing high quality acute medical care to the residents of East Texas with an investment of over $2 million for the construction of a Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This 8-bed Level II NICU will provide the expertise, compassion and support needed to achieve the best possible outcomes for premature and critically-ill newborns.
“This project will fulfill a significant need in Nacogdoches and our surrounding service area,” said Scott Sundell, Director of Business Development. “An expert team of neonatologists and specially trained nurses will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Babies born prematurely or who need more intensive treatment will now be able to remain close to home and receive specialized, high quality care.”
Though most babies are born healthy, sometimes they require a higher level of care. According to the March of Dimes, nearly 1 in 7 newborns require admission to a NICU and usually stay for about 10 days . “Based on the approximately 2,000 annual births in the Nacogdoches area, there is a community need for about 8 advanced care nursery beds,” reported Sundell. “Our nursery will fully meet this demand.”
Medical Center has been researching and developing this program for some time. “We began talks with our local obstetricians and pediatricians at least 4 years ago,” Sundell shared. “It takes that long to ensure we have a program that will deliver this service in a patient-focused, safe, consistent manner. At Medical Center, we are determined to provide a high quality level of care, in the right way. This investment shows that commitment, and we are very proud of it. Our clinical team, including nurses, respiratory techs and pharmacists, will spend the next 9 months shadowing expert clinicians in large NICUs in Dallas and Houston. So, by the time the construction is done in early 2016, we’ll have experienced staff ready to take care of our community.”
“Medical Center’s NICU will allow premature babies born locally to remain in Nacogdoches while they mature and develop,” stated Dr. Kim Procell, Pediatric Chair at Medical Center. “Instead of transferring at-risk newborns to Houston or Shreveport, the family unit can remain intact, which will significantly reduce the financial and emotional burden placed on parents during an already stressful time in their lives.”
Infants in the neonatal intensive care unit will receive care tailored to individual needs. Incubators and ventilators designed to reduce the stress of the post birth experience and mimic the nurturing environment of the mother’s womb will be available and utilized as part of the treatment plan. This advanced technology, along with the expertly trained team of specialists and nurses guiding the course of care will impact both the immediate and long-term health of premature babies and other acutely ill infants.
“Everyone looks forward to the birth of a baby as a healthy, joyous event,” stated Melanie Miller, Medical Center’s Director of Women’s Services. “However, in those cases where a newborn is premature or has medical problems, it is reassuring to know that knowledgeable specialists and advanced equipment are on hand at Nacogdoches Medical Center.” She continued, “We will operate a 24/7 neonatal transport team, complete with a transport isolette, so we can serve everyone in our area, not just the babies born at Medical Center. This will truly be a community-wide service.”
July 3, 2015 - As of 10:21am Friday, July 3, 2015 a statement in relation to the charges provided by Christi Woodworth, Vice President of Public Relations for SONIC, America's Drive-In is as follows: For the last several weeks, legitimate credit card transactions at a very limited number of credit card readers at 11 SONIC Drive-Ins were not processed promptly. There was no data breach at SONIC.
Once the processing issue was discovered, the transactions were processed. Unfortunately, a number of those transactions are dated a number weeks ago. Customers who have concerns about any charges from their local SONIC should talk with the manager of the drive-in.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause our customers and are working to ensure this does not happen again in the future.
The franchisee who owns and operates the Center, Tex. drive-in, together with SONIC corporate, are working closely with authorities to demonstrate that the charges are legitimate.
According to a Shelby County Today viewer, Sonic in Center has had a security breach with their credit card system. The viewer stated their credit/debit cards were charged for various amounts yesterday, July 1, 2015 and charges were found on several different cards to Sonic.
Upon contacting the Center Police Department, it was confirmed an investigation had been started.
Center PD received a complaint concerning possible credit card abuse. Center PD Detective David Haley is handling the investigation and advised, "It's going to be investigated to the fullest. Right now it appears that its not a Sonic employee targeting individuals so they can try to take their debit card information. It appears that Sonic's credit card system has been hacked at this point."
Haley went on to advise anyone who suspects fraudulent charges on their account, "Sonic is cooperating fully to try to resolve this. The best thing to do at this point is to dispute it with their bank. Sonic will get that dispute from the bank and we'll get that information from Sonic."
Sonic is the complainant right now because it was their system which was hacked.
July 1, 2015 - The Center Police Department is investigating a burglary of Dr. Singsong’s office. The burglary took place between Friday June 26th and Monday June 29th. During the burglary a prescription pad along with other items were taken. If you have any information about this burglary, Please contact Detective David Haley at the Center Police Department at 936-598-2788.
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.
July 1, 2015 - The Center Fire Department prevented the loss of a house Tuesday, June 30, 2015 when they responded to the home of Lynn Locke located in Center 2 1/2 miles north of Loop 500 off U.S. Highway 96 South at 3:16pm. Local 9-1-1 was unavailable at the time Locke called and she had to contact the fire department directly as 9-1-1 calls were being transferred to Nacogdoches County.
Shelby County Today was on scene when the Center Fire Department arrived and witnessed smoke and flames billowing from one end of a pool house located behind Locke's home. Firemen wearing breathing apparatus entered the house to address the fire from within as water was sprayed on the building from the outside.
The firemen extinguished the flames quickly and were successful at preventing further spred through the rest of the building. Extensive damage was received to the bathroom at the corner of the house where the fire originated and up into the roof as well as smoke damage throughout.
A cause for the fire has not been determined at this time and remains under investigation.
June 30, 2015 - 
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is looking for Joseph C. Roy and Stacy Pharris Tullos Roy. They have several felony warrants and were last seen in the Onalaska/Livingston area operating Walkers Waterfront Campground during the month of May. They are from Tenaha, Tx area in Shelby County and were last seen driving a 2003 Silver Chevy Van TX LP FKV0285. They may be traveling with two young males around the ages of 9 and 13.
If you know their whereabouts or have any information you can contact your local law enforcement agency, Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 936-327-6810, or call Crime Stoppers at 936-327-STOP where you can remain anonymous and may collect a cash reward for information leading to an arrest.
June 29, 2015 - The Shelby County Relay for Life held their wrap-up party on Friday, June 26th and announced raising a total of $74,516.71. Team and individual awards were presented and recognition was given to everyone who helped make Relay for Life 2015 a success.
Becky Parfait, Shelby County Relay for Life Committee Chairperson, announced she would be stepping down as chairperson for the event due to personal reasons. She addressed everyone about next year's relay saying, "Even though I'm not chair, I look forward to seeing all of y'all again next year. The first ten years we did wonderful! Hopefully, we won't need another ten [years] but we will take each one as it goes and as long as we need to do it, we will continue to do it." Parfait continued saying, "The Relay will continue even without me at the top. Somebody will take over and we will make sure [Shelby County Relay for Life] doesn't die."
"It has been my honor and privilege to be event chair for as many years as I have been event chair. My heart will always be with Relay. I'll always fund-raise; I'll always be on a team," expressed Parfait.
The first awards presented recognized fundraising levels which were as follows:
Rising Star Level ($1,000 up to $2,499) - Never Give Up Always Look Up, Smyrna Sole Savers, and Gaddy’s Medical
Silver Level ($3,500 up to $4,999) - TSB Believe Team (Texas State Bank) and Cooling for a Cure (Portacool)
Gold Level ($5,000 up to $7,499) - Timpson ISD and Shelby Savings Bank
Jade Level ($10,000 up to $14,999) - Lydia MBC
Sapphire Level ($15,000 up to $24,999) - Strides of Hope
Team Captains were recognized for their hard work and continuing efforts throughout the year. Team captains were presented with a standup cooler and co-captains were presented with gift bags. Team Captains were Cooling For a Cure - Laurie King; Gaddy’s Medical – Susan Mitchell, (co-captain) Shirley Brittain; Game Warden Wives! – Brittany Hall; Lydia MBC - Amy Oswalt; Never Give Up Always Look Up – William Morris; Shelby Savings Bank – Whitney Burgay; Smyrna Sole Savers – Stacy O’Rear; Stepping For a Cure – Requanah Santifer; Strides of Hope – Stacey Scarborough, (co-captain) Kristin Whisenant; Texas State Bank – Mary Cummings; Timpson ISD – Teresa Burns.
Committee members were recognized as well. They are Accounting - Stacey Scarborough; Luminaria – Kristen Whisenant; Survivor - Stacey O’Rear, Sandy Runnels, Shirley Brittain, Paula Kay; Teams - Tammy Sparks and Amber Coburn; and Staff Partner – Rachelle Frankens.
The family and children of committee members were recognized for their work and support. Committee members sign up for the challenge; family members involuntarily become a part of the team and endure all the challenges along with the committee members.
Fourteen people received ‘$1000 T-shirts' for raising $1,000 plus for Relay for Life. They were: Gaddy Medical team - Shirley Brittain; Lydia MBC team - Sue Carter, Atwood Kay, Amy Oswalt, Imernell Vaughn, Jack Vaughn; Smyrna Sole Savers team - Stacy O’Rear; Strides of Hope team - Rebecca Parfait; Timpson ISD team - Teresa Burns, Amber Coburn, April Ramsey, Tammy Sparks; and TSB Believe - Mary Cummings, Mary Lowe.
Awards were presented for teams and individuals who logged their money raised online. Most money raised online by a team was 3rd place with $210 was Stepping for a Cure, 2nd place with $3,292 went to Lydia MBC, and 1st place with $4,226.10 raised went to Timpson ISD. Most money raised online by an individual awards were then presented and all but one of the individuals was a member of the Timpson ISD team. Third place went to Teresa Burns with $695.10 raised and second place was a tie with $1,000 each raised by April Ramsey, Timpson ISD, and Atwood Kay who is a member of LydiaMBC team. First place individual was Amber Coburn who raised $1,756 online.
Overall Awards were presented to teams and individuals for most money raised. Most Money Raised Team awards were 3rd place for $7,200 raised went to Shelby Savings Bank, 2nd place with $10,841 raised went to Lydia MBC, and 1st place with a total of $22,377.12 raised went to Strides of Hope. Most Money Raised Individual awards were presented with 3rd place going to Mary Cummings with TSB Believe team for raising $2,860, 2nd place went to Imernell Vaughn with Lydia MBC for raising $3,100 and 1st place was won by Becky Parfait, Strides of Hope, for raising $21,020.
Gaddy’s Medical team received Silver Survivorship team recognition for having a total of 25 years total in survivor years among its members.
The following teams all received Rising Star Level certificates.
June 29, 2015 - Shelby County Emergency personnel were on scene for a two-vehicle crash in San Augustine County on Friday, June 26, 2015 which resulted in a fatality for one passenger involved. Personnel with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Shelby County Sheriff's Department, Center Police Department and Center Fire Department were all dispatched to the crash scene. The location was reported to be on the Shelby County side and due to the severity of the crash, first responders continued to search for the location. Eventually the crash was located 2 1/4 miles from the Shelby County line in San Augustine County.
Personnel quickly began checking those involved in the crash and immediately called for more ambulances to be en-route as well as Jaws of Life. The Center firemen and San Augustine Volunteer firemen began working to extricate people from vehicles. Sheriff's Deputies and Police Officers actively assisted EMS personnel in moving occupants from the vehicles to waiting ambulances.
The driver of a Dodge pickup truck and two children from a Honda Pilot were removed first from the vehicles. It was determined the 12-year-old female passenger was in need of critical care and a life-flight was requested. While the helicopter was en-route, firemen worked at extricating the driver of the Pilot from the vehicle. The San Augustine Sheriff's Department and firemen established a landing zone for the helicopter.
Once the driver was removed from the Pilot it was determined the passenger, his wife, had passed away. A Life-Air Rescue helicopter landed at the scene of the crash and airlifted the 12-year-old female from the scene.
According to the DPS report, at 10pm a 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 pickup truck driven by Bryan Norris Spurgeon, 53, of Orange was traveling north on U.S. Highway 96. A 2015 Honda Pilot driven by William Pond, 61, of Orange was traveling south at the same time when Spurgeon drove on the wrong side of the roadway when not passing and caused the vehicles to collide head-on.
Spurgeon received non-incapacitating injuries and was transported from the scene to San Augustine Memorial Hospital for treatment, and was later released. William Pond received injuries and was transported to San Augustine Memorial Hospital for treatment of his incapacitating injuries. He was later transported to ETMC Tyler in stable condition for treatment. An 11-year-old male passenger of Indiana was in the back set of the Pilot. He was transported to San Augustine Memorial Hospital with non-incapacitating injuries, was treated and released. A 12-year-old female passenger of Indiana, also in the backseat of the Pilot was in stable condition with incapacitating injuries. She was transported by Life-Air Rescue to LSU Hospital for treatment of her injuries.
Malinda Sue Pond, 61, of Orange was pronounced deceased at the scene by JD Miller, Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 of San Augustine County. She was transported from the scene by Wyman Roberts Funeral Home in San Augustine.
All parties involved in the crash were wearing their seat belts. Following his release from the hospital, Spurgeon was arrested and booked into the San Augustine County Jail for Intoxication Manslaughter. The crash remains under investigation by DPS Trooper Jade LaVergne who was assisted at the scene by DPS Trooper Keith Jones.
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