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May 9, 2015 - (Updated) Ballots have been cast and counted and election results for cities and schools this May 9th election day are:
City of Joaquin: The new mayor of Joaquin is Bill Baker. Bill Baker received 58 votes and Pat Gray received 52 votes. (Mike Wood did not run for re-election.)
The two (2) at large City Council positions were won by Mike Adkinson and Joe Long. Mike Adkinson received 69 votes, Lee Vern Stotts Gilliam received 46 votes, and Joe Long received 55 votes.
Joaquin ISD: The two (2) board positions were won by Ronnie Belrose and Tom Harvey. Ronnie Belrose received 170 votes, Maggie Bowdin received 135 votes, Tom Harvey received 289 votes, and Jay Wilson received 152 votes. (Luke Garrett did not run for re-election)
Shelbyville ISD: The two (2) board positions were won by the two incumbents, Etola Jones and Joe Tom Schillings. Brad Hinton received 74 votes, Etola Jones received 151 votes, Chris Koltonski received 97 votes, Clint Norton received 34 votes, Joe Tom Schillings received 155 votes, and Latashia Thompson received 75 votes.
City of Tenaha: The three (3) council member positions were won by Michael Baker, Natalie Harris, and Claudine Howard. Michael Baker received 96 votes, Natalie Harris received 94 votes, Claudine Howard received 56 votes, and Larry Terry received 53 votes.
Tenaha ISD: The three (3) board positions were won by Joe Anderson, Robert Barton, and David Fallin. Joe Anderson received 153 votes, Robert Barton received 119 votes, David Fallin received 159 votes, Korey McClure received 89 votes, and Bo Morris received 87 votes.
City of Timpson: The three (3) council member positions were won by Kyle Allen, Janell Baker, and Kenneth Walker. Kyle Allen received 95 votes, Jannell Baker received 80 votes, George Grace received 76 votes, Linda Hancock received 74 votes, and Kenneth Walker received 77 votes.
Provisional ballots have come in and have changed the result of the Timpson Election, Click here to see the outcome.
Timpson ISD: The three (3) board positions were won by Dannie Hunt, Carlos Johnson, and Jim Rader. Linda Fraizer Todd received 77 votes, Dannie Hunt received 140 votes, Carlos Johnson received 136 votes, and Jim Rader received 164 votes. (Tracy Hooper and Beth Tipton did not run for re-election)
*Election results must be canvassed by the City Council or School Board before they are official.
May 8, 2015 - Sean Carter and his mother Jenny Carter spoke with students from Shelby County schools at the John D. Windham Civic Center on Friday, May 8, 2015 about the dangers of drinking
and driving with his program "When Sean Speaks." Just over 500 Center, Tenaha, Joaquin and Shelbyville students filled the main hall of the civic center to hear the dramatic story of how Sean received his injury from a drunk driving incident.
Jheri-Lynn McSwain, Shelby County Family Consumer Science Extension Agent, thanked Center ISD Superintendent James Hockenberry and Joyce Permenter, Administrative Assistant, and Center ISD for hosting the program. She also recognized Texas Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas Department of Transportation for providing the grant for the program and the Shelby County AgriLife Extension Leadership Advisory Board for sponsoring the program. McSwain introduced Jenny and Sean Carter.
As his mother began speaking, Sean in his chair awaits his opportunity to begin sharing his story which effects himself and his mother, as she now cares for her son 24 hours a day, seven days a week. She described her son as a male model with aspirations to be an attorney once he graduated college and said he was very much like any of the other students who were in the convention center before his injuries befell him, "He could have high-fived his friends, hugged his girlfriend, called me on the cell phone, but he made the decision one night and that night that he made a decision, life changed forever."
Sean was described as a good student who made good grades and would challenge his fellow students to do the same. When he attended community college he was on the Dean's list and made the National Honor Society for Small Schools and had direction in his life. He later attended Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls and during this time he was 22, and this is the time when tragedy occurred.
"On the way home the driver who had probably had two drinks for every one of Sean's drinks, lost control of the vehicle and it spun and slammed into a tree where Sean was sitting," said Carter. "Sean is not paralyzed, but he does have a traumatic brain injury and it left him unable to walk and unable to talk. He is a public speaker, however, and we are very honored to speak on behalf of Texas Department of Transportation and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service who fund our speaking."
Sean uses the aid of a computer to express himself and share his message from his wheelchair in which he says his choices put him and that he is now 32, "If I knew then that the decision I would make the night of March 27, 2005 would effect the rest of my life, putting me here in this wheelchair unable to walk or talk, you can bet I would have not done what I did. I was not doing anything wrong, so I thought. What I did is something too many people have done before me and many more will continue to do."
His mother always told him not to drink and drive and Sean says he thought he was always right. As long as he and his friends kept paying at the bar on the night he would receive his injuries, they continued to serve them, "We were on the way home, not five minutes from my apartment when the driver lost control of his truck and it spun and slammed into a tree on the passenger side. That is where I was sitting. Luckily the fire department was close so the emergency personnel arrived on scene quickly. They had to use the Jaws of Life to cut me out of the truck."
As a video played for the students to see, Jenny explained Sean's pelvis was fractured during the crash. He has more than 35 scars, and 18 pieces of metal in his body. Both of his lungs collapsed with the second one collapsing while in the I.C.U. and during that time he was also infused with 22 blood transfusions. She described what happened during the crash and that the occupants were in a bench seat.
"Sean was seat belted in. When the truck spun and slammed into a tree, that's where Sean was sitting, his side and that tree met. His body could not move in because the guys were there and the seat belt was on, so it shattered along his right side. He now has a long nail inside the femur, it's called an intramedullary nail. At the end of that bone is a round ball that goes into your hip socket, that was shattered so there's four screws in it. His right arm was broken, it has a plate with screws in it now. Sean's pelvis was shattered, that's why the bar was drilled into his hip," said Carter. "His bladder was ruptured, so he had a tube implanted surgically through his abdomen into the top of his bladder and then, guys, he had another tube in his penis to keep his bladder dry so it could heal."
She continued to describe Sean's injuries including lacerations to his liver and spleen. Exploratory surgery of his abdomen was necessary as he was bleeding from an unknown location. A feeding tube was necessary and he had to have a tracheotomy, "All of the injuries that Sean had, all of those that I explained to you, he could have died from that combination of injuries, but worst of all was this traumatic brain injury. He didn't get it from any blow to his head; nothing at all hit his head, but as the truck stopped his head continued to move quickly from side to side and when it did his brain rubbed up against the inside of his skull and caused an all over brain injury called a diffuse axonal injury. The young neurosurgeon that explained it to me said, 'I'm classifying it severe.' So he has a severe diffuse axonal injury and he said, 'My job is to tell you the worst, your job is to hope for the best.'"
Sean told the audience how he had been of the "that will never happen to me" mindset previous to his injuries and asked if the students really want to take that same chance, "Drunk driving definitely does cause horrible, tragic deaths. It has also left people like me wishing that we were dead at times. My mom used to have a job that allowed her to fly all over the country, after the crash she quit and now takes care of me 24/7. I thank God every single day because she did that to care for me."
He continued to tell the students what his life has been like since the crash and how difficult life became for him, "Once my mind started working again and I realized all that I was unable to do, life became a living hell. Here I am, a prisoner of my own body, maybe I am kind of used to it but at first I fought the devil with many thoughts of suicide. Trouble was, I couldn't figure out how, not because I didn't want to, but because there was no physical way for me to do it."
God was the focus of Sean's blame until he came to grips that his abuse of alcohol was responsible, not God, "Now, I know that he is in my corner, helping me with every breath I take."
Now Sean and his mother spend their time traveling around the country and sharing his message with everyone they can. His hope continues that he will one day regain his movement, "The very thing that keeps me going is I know there are people far worse. There is always an excuse for whatever it is, it doesn't mater, you just have to make a decision one way or another. It doesn't matter that I cannot walk, it doesn't matter that I cannot talk, regardless I'm ever the best that I can be."
Sean continued by focusing on the crime of drunk driving, "Everyone is so easy going about the crime of drunk driving, and that's the thing, it is a crime. Why don't we start treating it like one?"
During the program, Jenny Carter acknowledged the mother of Jordan LeBlanc, Sherry, who was present at the civic center for the program. Leblanc, who was from Timpson, lost his life in March 2014 due to the actions of another driver who chose to drive drunk. The other driver perished as well, "A year ago this woman's life changed forever too, but she lost her beautiful boy. A drunk driver hit him head-on and killed him, some of you may have known Jordan LeBlanc, his mom's at the back of the room. I cannot tell you how that hurts. You see that's why we do what we do. They aren't good old boys that are out on the road having a drink and sitting in their car. Of course they didn't mean to kill somebody, but they killed somebody or they maimed somebody. They are criminals and if you don't realize that, if you don't realize you are putting yourself in that position to become a criminal, a murderer then you need to wake up."
Just as last year when the Carters spoke in Timpson, together they are visiting 50 schools in Texas and sharing their story. Any schools interested in having the Carters present their program in the future and for more information on Sean and Jenny Carter visit their website at www.whenseanspeaks.com.
May 8, 2015 - According to an updated press release, the Shelby County Sheriff's Department has discovered more areas which were burglarized.
Shelby County Sheriff Willis Blackwell reports that on Friday, May 08th, 2015, unknown suspect(s) forced entry into (5) residences in Shelby County.
The areas in which the burglaries occurred were (1) on FM 417 West, (2) in the Jericho Community, (1) on County Road 1234, and (1) on County Road 1510. Suspect(s) stole firearms, boots, clothing, a Sentry safe and money.
Shelby County Sheriff Willis Blackwell reports that on Friday, May 08th, 2015 between the hours of 9:00am and 10:00am, unknown suspect(s) forced entry into (2) residences located in the Jericho community on FM 711. Suspect(s) stole firearms, pair of Ostrich boots, a Sentry safe and money.
If anyone has any information regarding this case, please contact the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office at 936-598-5600 and ask to speak with Criminal Investigation Division Sergeant DJ Dickerson or Investigator Kevin W. Windham.
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
May 6, 2015 - The driver of a vehicle on FM 415 was arrested after emergency personnel was dispatched to a car fire on Tuesday, May 5, 2015 where the vehicle crashed by the roadway.
When the Center Fire Department arrived the car was completely engulfed in flames. As the fire truck arrived the firemen quickly began pulling hoses and putting water to the fire. The flames were quickly quenched and the firemen prevented the fire from spreading into the woods where the vehicle had come to rest. While putting out the remainder of the flame the firemen discovered a canine passenger had perished in the vehicle.
ACE EMS, Texas Department of Public Safety and Kurtes Lawrence, Shelby County Sheriff's Deputy, also arrived at the scene soon after the firemen. Once the driver was cleared by EMS, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Trooper Jade LaVergne began her investigation during which the driver of the vehicle was placed under arrest.
According to DPS Trooper LaVergne, sometime just before 4:38pm a maroon 2001 4-door sport utility vehicle Hyundai driven by Ernest Young, 48, of Timpson was traveling on FM 415 toward FM 138 when he failed to maintain a single lane in a curve and left the roadway to the right before striking a tree and rolling the vehicle. The vehicle caught fire after it came to rest.
Young showed signs of intoxication once DPS Trooper LaVergne arrived and was subsequently arrested for driving while intoxicated due to poor performance on field sobriety tests provided.
The Center Fire Department and local passersby helped with traffic control and held the scene until the vehicle was towed.
May 4, 2015 - Firemen from Center and Shelbyville responded to a dangerous barn fire Sunday, May 3, 2015 due to explosive material in close proximity to the blaze.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Department received a 9-1-1 call around 3:30pm for a barn on fire on CR 1092 in the Shelbyville area on the property of Mike Lout. The Shelbyville V.F.D. and the Center F.D. were both dispatched and advised several vehicles parked near the barn had already caught on fire and there were fuel storage tanks located nearby.
Shelbyville Volunteer Firemen were first to arrive on scene and began attacking the blaze as well as ensuring the safety of the fuel tanks to prevent an explosion. The Center Volunteer Firemen soon arrived and together the departments worked to extinguish the flames.
There was an added concern when the firemen were informed of the possibility of someone being located inside the burning structure along with livestock. Once the flames were knocked down enough, several firemen entered the structure to search. The person was located by family to be elsewhere and safe. It was confirmed during the search the livestock inside the barn perished.
Much of the building was destroyed along with farm equipment, several vehicles and trailers. The firefighters did save a portion of the structure which was a work shop area and they prevented the fire from spreading to any of the nearby structures. No one was injured from the fire.
Shelby County Sheriff Willis Blackwell and Deputy Bradley Horton both responded to the scene of the fire as well.
May 4, 2015 - U.S. Highway 84 in Timpson was the scene of a single-vehicle crash on Monday, May 4, 2015.
According to Timpson Police Officer Michael Williams, at 3:15pm L'erin Brinson, 34, of Timpson was traveling west on U.S. Highway 84 in a silver Honda. Just under 1/2 mile from the U.S. Highway 59 intersection the Honda traveled off the roadway to the left and through a fence to a horse pasture. The vehicle continued to travel parallel with the roadway through the pasture until it struck another fence.
Once through the fence the Honda continued to travel the front yard of a residence beside the pasture where it struck several items in the yard and just scraped by a horse sculpture in the yard. From there the vehicle finally came to rest when it struck another horse pasture fence.
The Timpson Volunteer Ambulance Service (TVAS) and Timpson Volunteer Fire Department were also dispatched to the scene.
Brinson refused treatment by TVAS and went home by private vehicle. The crash remains under investigation and no citations have been issued as of the time of this report.
The photos above show the path the Honda took as it traveled through the yard where it just scraped the horse sculpture before finally coming to rest against a pasture fence.
May 4, 2015 - A Shelby County grand jury for the July term of the 273rd Judicial District Court met on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 and handed down indictments for 30 cases.
Danise Lashun Nobles was indicted for forgery, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on June 11, 2014 Nobles signed a check in the name of Derrick Carpenter on a Tyson pay check in the amount of $281.05.
Marcos Aguilar received an indictment for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, first degree felony. The indictment alleges, on January 5, 2015 Aguilar recklessly caused bodily injury to Florentina Rojas Gonzalez by stabbing her in the abdomen with a kitchen knife.
Margie Beatrice Estes was indicted for exploitation of child, elderly, or disabled person, third degree felony. According to the indictment, on June 24, 2014 Estes caused the exploitation of Carrie Marie Kidwell, an elderly person, by the illegal or improper use of identifying information of Kidwell by obtaining almost $10,000 credit in Kidwell's name without her permission.
Jessy Ray Hamilton received an indictment for burglary of a habitation, second degree felony. According to the indictment, on May 22, 2014 Hamilton entered the home of Jody Jacobs' without Jacobs' consent and attempted to commit or committed the theft of a motorized tiller.
Marquel Dequan Ealy was indicted for assault on a public servant, third degree felony, with an enhancement - repeat habitual offenders, second degree. The indictment alleges, on January 11, 2015 Ealy knowingly or recklessly caused bodily injury to Randy Dickerson, a Shelby County Sheriff's Office Jailer, by fighting him and causing injuries to his face.
James Melvin Fleming received an indictment for theft, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on May 5, 2014 Fleming unlawfully appropriated cattle panels valued between $1,500 or more but less than $20,000 from Larry Kay, the owner.
Ronnie Swindle was indicted for theft, state jail felony. According to the indictment, on June 4, 2014 Swindle unlawfully appropriated a 1939 Ford Coupe and a 1962 Ford Galaxy Station Wagon valued between $1,500 or more but less than $20,000 from Linda Banton, the owner.
Ashley Elizabeth Porterfield received an indictment for theft, state jail felony. According to the indictment, on June 24, 2014 Porterfield unlawfully appropriated fuel valued between $1,500 or more but less than $20,000 from Gena Gail Porterfield, the owner.
Javoris Gatlin was indicted for burglary of a habitation, first degree felony. The indictment alleges, on June 19, 2014 Gatlin with intent to commit the felony offense of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon entered the habitation of Cindy Gatlin.
Clyde Francis Rutherford was indicted for assault bodily injury, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on June 6, 2014 Rutherford knowingly or recklessly impeded the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of Myra Durham by applying pressure to the throat or neck and or blocking the nose or mouth of Durham.
Christopher Ray Bolton received four indictments. According to the indictment for theft, state jail felony, on June 3, 2014 Bolton unlawfully appropriated a firearm from Billy Ray Bolton, the owner. Bolton was also indicted for the alleged June 3, 2014 unlawful possession of firearm, third degree felony. Two indictments were for theft, state jail felony. The first indictment alleges Bolton unlawfully appropriated two Snapper push lawn mowers, one Murayama string trimmer, and a Snapper/Briggs and Stratton pressure washer valued between $1,500 or more but less than $20,000 from Randy Ballard. The second indictment alleges Bolton unlawfully appropriated a chainsaw, power tools, and tool sets valued between $1,500 or more and less than $20,000 from ACE Hardware.
Kaiman Deray Carter was indicted for theft, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on May 1, 2014 Carter unlawfully appropriated two rims and two tires valued at between $1,500 or more but less than $20,000 from Walter Barnes.
Olen Jamie Hamm received an indictment for theft, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on January 13, 2014 Hamm unlawfully appropriated metal construction materials valued between $20,000 or more but less than $100,000 from General Shelters of East Texas.
Steven Dennis was indicted for intoxication assault, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on April 5, 2014 Dennis operated a motor vehicle while intoxicated and did by reason of intoxication cause serious bodily injury to Taylor Spinks by driving into Spinks.
Cody Williams received three indictments. Two of the indictments relate to June 2, 2014 and they include possession of a controlled substance, state jail felony, and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence. The indictments allege Williams was in possession of methamphetamine and during a traffic stop he threw a clear plastic bag with a small amount of a crystal-like substance. Williams was also indicted for theft, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on December 7, 2014 Williams unlawfully appropriated miscellaneous jewelry valued between $1,500 or more but less than $20,000 from Mary Hodge, the owner.
Kevin Jacob Zamora was indicted for theft, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on December 7, 2014 Zamora unlawfully appropriated miscellaneous jewelry valued between $1,500 or more but less than $20,000 from Mary Hodge, the owner.
Filed on Information was a charge against Daniel Jacob Bonge for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, state jail felony. Bonge is alleged on November 27, 2014 to have an automobile without the consent of Michele Wagstaff, the owner.
(Dates in parenthesis indicate the date of the alleged incident)
Amanda Leann Jones, possession of a controlled substance, state jail felony (February 24, 2014).
Amanda Leann Jones, driving while intoxicated with child passenger, state jail felony (February 25, 2014).
Juanita Lee Briggs, possession of a controlled substance, third degree felony (June 28, 2014).
Jimmy Jack Turner, possession of a controlled substance, state jail felony (June 12, 2014).
Vicente Miguel Navarrete-Vazquez, driving while intoxicated with child passenger, state jail felony (June 29, 2014).
Robert Preston Chambliss, possession of a controlled substance, state jail felony (May 3, 2014).
Larry Wayne Cartwright, possession of a controlled substance, state jail felony (June 5, 2014).
Larry Wayne Cartwright, unlawful possession of a firearm, third degree felony (June 5, 2014).
Donald Ray Runnels, evading arrest, third degree felony (June 19, 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.
May 4, 2015 - Shelby County Sheriff Willis Blackwell reports that on Friday, May 1, 2015 at approximately 7:30am, Shelby County Sheriff's Department Deputy Roy Bailey responded to a reported shooting that occurred on State Highway 87, South of Loop 500 in Center, Texas.
An employee with the City of Huxley was traveling South on Highway 87, south of the Loop 500 in a City of Huxley work truck when a Ford F350 4-door dually pickup, red in color came up beside him and began yelling at the victim in a road rage incident. According to the victim, the suspect brandished a tan pistol and fired one shot in which the bullet was found to have traveled through the left side of the City of Huxley work truck and lodged in a new gas meter that was in the bed of the pickup. The victim provided a description of both the vehicle and the suspect.
During the course of the investigation, the suspect was found to be a Spencer Ryan Niedert, 25, of Center. Mr. Niedert was found to be in a red Ford F-350 4-door dually pickup and was positively identified by the victim. The pistol was also recovered. A warrant was issued for Mr. Niedert and he was arrested for one count of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Felony 2. Mr. Niedert was booked into the Shelby County Sheriff's Department jail.
Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 Jenny Hicks arraigned Mr. Niedert on Saturday, May 2, 2015 and set bond at $45,000.
This case was investigated by Shelby County Sheriff's Department Criminal Investigation Division Sergeant DJ Dickerson and Investigator Kevin W. Windham.
May 1, 2015 - Keith Byndom and Council member Joyce Johnson each were appointed to boards during the Center City Council meeting held on Monday, April 27, 2015. Johnson has served as the city's representative on the Deep East Texas Council of Government Board and was once again elected to that position by her fellow council members.
The Center Housing Authority has recently had a vacancy on their board. Members of the board recommended Keith Byndom, Center Fire Chief, as a new member and the recommendation was presented to the city council. As a result the council voted to appoint Byndom to the Center Housing Authority as its newest board member.
Resolution 2015-18 Nomination of Project for 2015 TxDOT TAP for the development of facilities for pedestrians and bicycles within the city was approved by the council. Just previous to the meeting, a public hearing was held to explain the proposed project. Chad Nehring, City Manager, stated TxDOT had a new call for programs for public improvement projects in the communities.
"As they do every two to three years when they come out with these new program calls they change what their goals are and what they're looking for and how their scoring criteria work," said Nehring. "We've worked with our grant consultant and a project engineer, or at least a project consulting engineer to try to decipher TxDOT's latest call. It is called Transportation Alternative Program, or Transportation Alternative Projects."
According to Nehring, it is geared toward non-motorized safe access through communities, which would include bicycles and other wheeled transportation absent of a motor. These routes have different construction standards and are usually seen in larger metropolitan areas.
"We tried to put together a project based on the parks master plan, interconnecting parks, interconnecting school campuses and some other standard pedestrian sidewalk projects that either have already been programmed or have been prioritized by the council or Street Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) as high priority pedestrian sidewalks," said Nehring.
The proposed application for sponsorship by the city and application includes sidewalks on Martin Luther King Drive, which has already been planned by the SEDC, and was awaiting the second half of its funding in the next fiscal year. Another portion of the projected project would include a 10-foot pedestrian and bicycle pathway along the north side of Roughrider Driver all the way to the new softball complex.
The approval of this application is not an award of funds for the project; it is only approval to move forward with the application for possible project.
One activity which Nehring says would benefit from this project and has become a lot more common in Center are 5K runs, "You've seen more and more of the 5K runs I think now we're to the point of having about one a month. Even if they're not highly organized we're about having one a month and this will create a circuit that will not have them crossing any highways or back and forth traffic on the same pathway. It would keep you from having to close roadways and other things and still allow for those events and activities."
The council approved an addendum to the Center Municipal Airport lease agreement as the current lease agreement does not allow for septic or sewage at any of the airport hangar locations and are required to be self-maintained. Current construction at the airport is requesting the state approved septic system for a 64x16 area of land adjacent to the hangar structure outside of area 20 on the layout plan. This addendum is not to be included in the standard lease agreement and is not expected to impact future hangar locations.
During the items of interest portion of the meeting Mayor David Chadwick commended the City of Center staff for receiving recognition from the Government Finance Office Association as it shows the transparency of the budget and reflects the good job performed by the staff.
The John D. Windham Civic Center is reaching its 5th anniversary and Nehring mentioned to the council a small reception to commemorate those five years will be held on May 6 from 4pm to 5:30pm.
According to Nehring DETCOG awarded a partial grant of $20,000 to the City of Center for it's law enforcement grant application. The request was for $75,740 which is expected to provide for the purchase of a server, 12 computers and anti-virus software. He also stated the scoring was changed on the community development projects and the city missed the funding by one point on community development program applications this cycle.
TxDOT is planning $1million in handicap ramp and sidewalk improvements in the City of Center in areas which have already been prioritized by the council or SEDC. Nehring remarked that is much better than a grant as TxDOT is footing the entire bill, "We'll come back in and fill in some others with the downtown grant enhancement project that the council was notified of award of last year. We'll have to slow down our construction, but I don't think that's going to delay the award."
The meeting was adjourned at 5:20pm.
Items on the agenda receiving approval include: 1) Minutes of the April 13, 2015 Regular Meeting. 2) Resolution 2015-18 – Nomination of Project for 2015 TxDOT TAP. 3) Addendum to Airport Lease. 4) Drainage Improvement Construction Agreement at a cost of $36,000. 5) Appointment of Joyce Johnson as Deep East Texas Council of Governments Board Member. 6) Appointment of Keith Byndom to Center Housing Authority Board of Directors. 7) Adjournment.
April 30, 2015 - The new Loop 500 addition at the intersection of FM 699 was the scene of a two-vehicle collision on Thursday, April 30, 2015 requiring one driver to be transported to the hospital.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Anthony LaCount, at 2:30pm the crash occurred at State Loop 500 and FM 699 when a truck-tractor carrying a load of wet asphalt struck a gold Mercury Grand Marquis driven by Candy Broadus, 30, of Joaquin. The truck-tractor, a white Mack truck owned by Lone Star Location Services LLC., was driven by Michael Madison, 49, of San Augustine. As the Mercury was traveling north on FM 699 the truck-tractor was traveling west and entered the intersection where it collided with the right rear quarter panel of the Mercury causing it to spin around.
Trooper LaCount stated there is signage as far as the truck-tractors driving through on the state loop. The truck-tractors, according to TxDOT, all of them have been told they have to come to a complete stop at all of the intersections where construction is occurring on the new loop addition. The driver of the truck-tractor was coming from a road that has to yield right of way to an open road.
Broadus was transported to the Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department for treatment of unknown injuries. Madison was cited for fail to yield right of way at open intersection.
When Shelby County Today was on scene, several truck-tractors which appeared to be hauling the same material crossed through the intersection.
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