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Area residents helped a man narrowly escape a vehicle on State Highway 7 West when it became engulfed in flame on Friday, November 28, 2014.
Residents in the area and passersby rushed to help the driver as emergency personnel were on the way to the scene.
Jill Parker was on the phone when it happened and she described hearing a loud skid and a collision. She says she knew exactly what it was, as a crash occurred just recently on State Highway 7 near her home, "I took off and when I got down [to the wreck] he was unconscious in the vehicle, it was smoking," said Parker. She stated one of the passersby that stopped to help is an EMT, "We kind of both decided it was best, we asked him, to get him out because he was coming to."
Rachelle Bohannon and Roy Beck were driving by and Bohannon described what happened when they stopped to help, "We were driving [east] and he slams on the brakes," said Bohannon. "[Parker] was the only one [at the car] except the children that were [at the car] with her and she was all up inside the car trying to see if he was okay."
As Parker and Bohannon were trying to check on the driver, it became apparent he needed to get clear of the vehicle, "`That was my first thing is I was going to check his pulse and then I looked in the hood and saw flames, so I was like okay we've got to get him out first," said Bohannon.
Shelby County Sheriff's Deputy Adam Renfro was dispatched to the scene along with Center Police Officers Jim Blackwell, Michelle Ashworth and members of the Center Fire Department. When the firemen arrived, the vehicle was an inferno on wheels as it was completely engulfed in flames and the fire had spread to the woods. It was uncertain at that time if anyone else was involved in the crash and if they may have been inside of the car.
As the firemen began work to extinguish the flames, Jason Burch with Hughes Wrecker Service assisted them in putting water to the fire. Once the fire was extinguished the search continued to ensure no one had been inside the vehicle when it burned or ejected from the vehicle when it crashed.
Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Daniel Dellenger investigated the crash and according to him, at 7:10pm 1 mile west of FM 711 a blue 2001 Volkswagen Beetle registered to Manuel Contreras and driven by Daniel Morales Ruiz, 46, was traveling east at the time of the incident. For an unknown reason the Volkswagen traveled across the westbound traffic lanes and left the roadway before colliding with an embankment.
Ruiz was transported by ACE EMS to Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital for treatment of his injuries and alcohol is suspected to have been involved.
The crash remains under investigation.
Notice is hereby given that a Special meeting of the Governing body of the Shelby County Commissioners' Court will be held on the 8th day of December, 2014 at 9:30am in the Courtroom of the Shelby County Courthouse at 200 San Augustine Street, Center, Shelby County, Texas to deliberate and consider action on the following items:
1. Approve the minutes of the November 10th, 2014 Regular Meeting and the November 24th, 2014 Special Meeting of the Shelby County Commissioners' Court.
2. Approve Officers' Reports.
3. Approve and pay monthly expenses and amend budget line items accordingly.
4. Discuss and possibly take action on moving Indigent Health Care out of the County Judge's Office.
5. Discuss and possibly take action for the County Judge to hire employee to fill vacancy for the Indigent Health Care Office.
6. Discuss and possibly take action to approve to pay for a new computer, fax/copy machine, and a new fax line for the Indigent Office to be paid for out of the IHC Fund.
7. Discuss and possibly take action on passing a resolution in support of refundable deposits on aluminum,glass & plastic beverage container sold in the state of Texas.
8. Discuss and possibly take action to approve the 2015 Shelby County Indigent Defense Grant Program Resolution.
9. Approve bonds for newly elected officials.
10. Adjourn.
October 20, 2014 - The Center High School Alumni Association proudly announces the 2014 Hall of Honor Award recipients to be Retha Renee Swindell and J.W. (Jim) Braden. The recipients will be honored at the Center HS Annual Alumni Association Meeting on Saturday, October 25th starting at 9am at the John D. Windham Civic Center. Each will be recognized for their achievements and will be presented a Hall of Honor Award. All Center HS Alumni are invited to attend and represent their graduating class.
Retha Renee Swindell
Retha Renee Swindell attended Center HS and graduated 4th in her class in 1975. During her high school career, she earned 1st team All District, All Regional, and All State in basketball and track both her junior and senior years. She was a member of the National Honor Society 2 years and Who's Who 4 years. In 1974, Swindell set a National and State record in Triple Jump - 39 feet, 2 3/4 inches which held for 3 years. She was awarded the R.E. Malone Award for Outstanding Athlete her senior year. She was awarded a prestigious Texas Achievement Scholarship to attend the University of Texas, a 4-year full ride, based on her academic achievements.
Swindell attended the UT of Austin from 1975 - 1979. During her sophomore year at UT, tragedy struck when her mother was killed in an auto accident. During this difficult time, Swindell continued her education as well as filling an emotional and maternal role for her siblings. After the accident, two teachers from Center ISD, Helen and Judy Bowers, gave Swindell a home base.
Swindell's achievements at UT include:
- USA / International Basketball Experience: 1978 USA Basketball Select Team. They traveled to Korea, Hong Kong, China, and Japan.
- College Basketball Honors: NWIT All-American (1977-78), No. 7 AIAW national all-time rebounding (1,759), one of only five players in AIAW history to score over 1,700 points and collect over 1,700 rebounds, and 2001 University of Texas Women's Athletics Hall of Honor Inductee.
- In the Texas Record Book: only player in Texas history to score 1,500+ points (1,795) and collect 1,500-plus rebounds (1,759), 1st, career rebounding (1,759), 2nd, career games played (151), 6th, career field goals made (770), 7th, career scoring (1,795), 1st, single season rebounds (697), 1st, single person rebound average (15.5 rpg), holds Texas single game record for rebounds (25), four-time season rebounding leader (1975-1979), and holds season records for most rebounds by a sophomore (697) and junior (466).
She graduated in 1979 with a bachelor's degree in physical education. Swindell was a UT 2001 Hall of Honor Inductee and in 2008 was presented a "T" Ring by Jody Conradt, head basketball coach at UT beginning Swindell's sophomore year. Female Athletees honored with a "T" Ring must have finished their athletic elibiblity at UT, have completed their degree, and been inducted into the Hall of Honor.
After graduating from UT, Swindell played professional basketball with the Chicago Hustle and Dallas Diamonds. She has taught and coached high school basketball in Tyler, Pineland, and Baytown, Texas. She coached at Baytown for 16 years. She has coached 4 district champions, two regional tournament finalists, and twice been named district coach of the year. Among her star prep pupils is Teresa Weatherspoon who was an all-pro with the WNBA New York Liberty and is currently head coach at Louisana Tech in Ruston.
A recent achievement is, in 2010, Swindell was selected to be featured in the University Co-op UFCU Legends Park which features legendary University of Texas men and women who have won national awards and/or have had their numbers retired. Of the 26 men and 26 women featured, Retha Swindell was selected to be among those honored with her plaque displaying - First African-American woman to play basketball at UT, member of the 1978 US Select Basketball Team, 1977-78 Women's NIT All American.
J.W. (Jim) Braden
(Submitted by Ann Harmon)
J.W. (Jim) Braden is a 1944 Graduate of Center High School. After college he worked in the Oil and Gas industry which took him to places around the world before retiring and returning to Center, Texas. His most recent achievement is being selected as a 2014 Center Alumni Association Hall of Honor recipient.
Braden's achievements:
- 2014 - Center Alumni Association Hall of Honor Award to J.W. (Jim) Braden
- 1949 to 1983 - Employed by the Gulf Oil for 34 1/2 years. During that period, he held positions in nine different locations in the United States, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
- For the past twenty-nine years, he has been a partner in Geotex Properties, a land investment and management firm with offices in Houston, TX and Louden, TN.
- 1948 - Graduated from Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene, TX, with B.S. degree in Business Management and Economics
- 1946 - Graduated from Lon Morris Junior College, Jacksonville, TX
- 1944 - Graduated from Center High School
He served three years on the Board of Directors of the Ft. Worth YMCA and many years of service to the Shriners. He received various civic awards, including two Merit Awards from the Greater Houston United Way, an award of appreciation from the Division of Professional Development at Houston Baptist University and was named “Outstanding Boss” by the Aliet Junior Chamber of Commerce.
Professionally, he was active in the Petroleum Accountants Society of Texas and Oklahoma, including one year as the President of the Midland, Texas chapter. He held offices in the Institute of Internal Auditors and the Administrative Management Society in Ft. Worth and Houston TX, Pittsburgh, PA, Atlanta, GA and London, England.
Upon retirement from the Gulf, J.W. and his wife, the former Edna Gay of Atlanta, GA, returned to Center, where they have been active participants in the community life. He has served at the Secretary for the local chapter of Royal Arch Masons. In 1986, he received the “Outstanding Alumni Award” from Lon Morris College. In 1990, under the state program for Clean Highways, he adopted a two mile section of the Highway on 7 East near his home and was the winner of an award by the state which named him Texas #1 “Litter Gitter,” and placed plagues on each end of his two miles, designating him as such, together with being “Guest of Honor” at a banquet in Austin given by the Governor.
Throughout his career and even as a teenager, he was active in church, singing in choirs and serving the many different capacities. He has served on the Administrative Board and various commissions and committees of 8 Methodist Churches.
Today, he serves as usher and greeter at the First United Methodist Church in Center and sometimes sings at special events in the choir. He has performed with Barbershop and gospel quartets over his lifetime and has retained a lasting interest in drama, performing lead roles in the Pittsburgh, PA community theatre.
Notice is hereby given that a Special meeting of the Governing body of the Shelby County Commissioners' Court will be held on the 22nd day of September, 2014 at 9:30am in the Courtroom of the Shelby County Courthouse at 200 San Augustine Street, Center, Shelby County, Texas to deliberate and consider action on the following items:
1. Approve and pay monthly expenses and amend budget line items accordingly.
2. Wayne Stolz with Stolz Engineering to address the Court regarding the Construction Completion for the Shelby Countywide Road Improvements. Discuss and possibly take action for the Court to accept the Construction Completion.
3. Kimpton Cooper with the National Forest Service to address the Court concerning the Cooperative Forest Road Agreement between Shelby County and the Sabine National Forest Service. Discuss and possibly take action on approving the agreement.
4. Discuss and possibly take action on camera purchase for Nathan Skeen, Shelby County Game Warden.
5. Discuss and possibly take action on approving a General Order Regarding Disbursement from County Energy Transportation Reinvestment Zone Increment Fund.
6. Discuss and possibly take action for a distribution to be made from Fund 78 - Family Protection Fund for FY 2014.
7. Record Audit Review Statement in regards to District Attorney Forfeiture Funds.
8. Discuss and possibly take action to resume maintenance on CR 1230 approximately 400 ft. from intersection of CR 1234.
9. Discuss and possibly take action to extend maintenance on CR 2375 by 370 ft.
10. Accept or reject bids on the following:
A. Gravel
B. Tires
C. Fuel
D. Custodial Services11. Adjourn.
September 18, 2014 - The William Carroll Crawford Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas encourages its members and fellow citizens to reflect upon an event of historical significance that occurred during the revolutionary period leading up to Texas independence. On Saturday, September 20, Texian Navy Day will be observed as one of the ten Honor Days that receive special recognition each year.
The Texian Navy had an important role in the War for Independence. Much of the early Texas settlers’ unhappiness involved issues related to high tariffs on goods brought here by merchant ships. As discontent grew, the Texian Navy began to take shape. The first confrontation took place in September 1835 near Velasco between the privateer, San Felipe, and the Mexican cutter, the Correo Mejicano. The Mexican ship unconditionally surrendered; thus, The Texian Navy won its first battle in the War of Independence on the high seas. This event was one month before the first significant land battle of the Texas Revolution at Gonzales. The work of the Texian Navy has long been recognized as a contributing factor to the winning of the Battle of San Jacinto because it prevented the use of ships to bring supplies and men to the Mexican army in Texas.
Our Chapter goal is to inform school and community members of the significance of Texian Navy Day and its role in establishment of the Republic of Texas and the freedom we still enjoy as Texans today. Our hope is that this day, along with all Texas Honor Days, will continue to be remembered and celebrated well into the future. Events to commemorate this day will be encouraged in the Shelby County schools and community members may participate by displaying their Texas flags, discussing the importance of the day with family members and friends and by visiting their public libraries to learn more about the Texian Navy.
William Carroll Crawford Chapter
Due to water main break, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required our water System, Paxton Water/ Jackson plant, to notify customers of the need to boil their water prior to consumption. This is for the customers that were out of water on 9/16 and 9/17/2014 in the lambert hill area on hwy 7.
To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and making ice should be boiled and cooled prior to use. The water should be brought to a vigorous, rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes. In lieu of boiling, you may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source.
When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the water system officials will notify you that the water is safe for consumption. Instructions to discontinue boiling will be issued in the same manner as this notice.
If you have any questions concerning this matter, you may contact Vince Di Verdi at 936-590-9177 or 936-591-1205.
Center High School Class of 2000 has lost another classmate. Chris Porter, age 33, was killed in a vehicle crash in South Austin on Saturday, September 13. To read an article about the crash on KVUE.com, click here.
Link - http://www.kvue.com/story/news/local/2014/09/13/one-dead-in-south-austin...
September 2, 2014 - On Thursday August 28, 2014 at approximately 11:56pm Sgt. Ricky King with the Center Police Department attempted to make contact with a subject for a minor traffic violation. The subject, who was later identified as Justin Earl Bennett, 34, a black male of Center, Texas, jumped into his vehicle and fled from Officers.
Bennett led Center Officers on a 10 minute high-speed chase throughout the City leading to County Road 2020 where the suspect crashed into a tree. Bennett then jumped out of the vehicle leading Officers on a 250 yard foot chase where Bennett was apprehended in a wooded thicket. He was found in possession of crack cocaine.
Center Officers arrested Bennett for 1. Evading arrest/ detention with previous convictions State Jail Felony; 2. Evading arrest/ detention with a motor vehicle Felony - 3; 3. Delivery/controlled substance PG 1 <1g drug free zone Felony-3; 4. Reckless Driving misdemeanor C; 5. Fail to control speed misdemeanor C; 6. Wrong way on a one way misdemeanor C; 7. 8 counts of running a stop sign misdemeanor.
August 30, 2014 - A residence located at 4110 County Road 1024 in Shelby County was the scene of a shooting death on Saturday, August 30, 2014. Shelby County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched at around 11:15am and began investigating the scene after the shooting victim was transported from the residence.
Evidence of the incident appeared to be being gathered from the front porch of the residence by Sheriff's Department investigators.
According to a press release issued by Sheriff Willis Blackwell, on August 30, 2014 the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call indicating that there had been a shooting accident at a residence on County Road 1024 in Shelby County.
The initial investigation revealed that Bret Anderson, 25, of Center and Taylor Keele, 21, of Center were handling a firearm, a 9mm pistol, when Anderson unintentionally discharged the firearm which struck Keele in the chest.
Keele was transported by ACE EMS to the hospital in San Augustine, TX, where he was pronounced deceased after arrival. Anderson was arrested on scene and transported to the Shelby County Jail on the charge of manslaughter.
At the time of the press release the incident is believed to be purely accidental but the case is still under investigation.
July 11, 2014 - Senator Robert Nichols hosted a meeting in Nacogdoches with Railroad Commission of Texas representatives and members of the public mainly made up of residents of Timpson and the surrounding area. The purpose of the meeting was to address the concerns of residents in and around the Timpson area in relation to earthquakes that have been experienced there.
Shelby County Today was one of the only two media sources fortunate to attend the meeting, to get an understanding of the status of the situation and to hear opinions of some of those affected by the tremors. Timpson and Tenaha News being the other media from the county. In an unusual development, Milton Rister, Executive Director of the Railroad Commission of Texas, was present for the meeting and he was accompanied by Gil Bujano, Director of Oil and Gas Division, Dr. David Craig Pearson, seismologist, and Michelle Banks, Railroad Commission of Texas Communications Specialist.
"I have a bunch of experts here and we want to try to listen to what you have to say, take that back and of course answer questions if possible," said Rister.
Some of the representatives of Timpson included Mayor Debra Smith and, her husband, Paul Smith, Timpson Area Chamber of Commerce President. Representatives of the Timpson Independent School District included Mid Johnson, Superintendent; Danny Hunt, School Board member, and Vernett Richardson, High School Go Center.
Mayor Smith thanked Jesse Bounds and everyone that participated in organizing the meeting, "Larry Burns is here with me from the city, he is our emergency management coordinator and we just are real interested in hearing what everybody has to say, because it's been kind of a concern of the city," said Mayor Smith.
Bounds was one of the first Timpson citizens to speak to the panel of representatives of the Railroad Commission. He stated that everyone's hope is that a solution can be found and that those present from Timpson are not seeking to shut down the oil and gas industry. Bounds read aloud a letter which Senator Nichols wrote to Barry Smitherman, Chairman of the Railroad Commission of Texas, earlier this year asking for an investigation into the cause of the earthquakes that have been felt in Shelby County in the past few years.
Bounds asked the representatives where the Railroad Commission is at this time on the issue of the earthquakes, and the study in response to the letter. Rister responded, "In response to the letter, first off we're here to listen to y'all, and we have hired a seismologist. We're taking the issue very seriously," said Rister.
Mayor Smith inquired if the Railroad Commission would issue permits at this time for fluid injection wells in the Timpson area. Bujano addressed this question and suggested that until evidence proves that the injection wells have anything to do with earthquakes in the Timpson area permits could still be issued; however, he stated that permits are not being issued for other reasons.
"I think the best way to answer is, if the evidence leads to the existence of wells causing or enacting the seismic event then I can't see how a Railroad Commissioner would issue a permit. We're trying to figure out if that's the reason and if it comes to that conclusion, then the Railroad Commission's going to take some action, "said Bujano.
Bujano stated that permits have not been issued in Shelby, Panola and Harrison Counties and the Oil and Gas division of the Texas Railroad Commission has not issued injection or disposal well permits since 2010 for various reasons not associated with seismic activity.
"If your question is, 'would you permit it because of seismic activity?' we haven't drawn that conclusion yet. But, would you permit it period? The answer right now is, for various other reasons, no, and we have not issued a permit since 2010 in that three county area," said Bujano.
Rister elaborated further during the meeting and explained one of the reasons why more permits have not been issued, "One of the main reasons that we're not permitting out in east Texas, at this point, is there's plenty of disposal wells. In fact if you were to look at these wells back when they were originally permitted, they were accepting almost 80% more fluids than they are today."
Residents shared stories of some of the damage they received due to the earthquakes and how their insurance will not cover the damage.
Mid Johnson, Superintendent, was asked if the school had received any pipe damage as a result of the earthquakes. He stated that there was $30,000 - $50,000 worth of damage.
"Not really pipe damage, but structural damage to the walls and things like that we've already repaired of course. We don't know, we had some extra water leaks after some of that but we don't know if it's related to that or not," said Johnson.
Mayor Smith also explained some of the issues that the city has had since the earthquakes occurred. According to Mayor Smith, well #2 on the Timpson water system received $36,000 worth of damage, when the scale was dislodged and collapsed the pump filter. This meant that the screen, pumps and motors for the well had to be replaced.
"We've had about a 30% increase in joint leakage and water lines under our streets. We've probably had more bell joint leaks in Timpson than we've ever had," said Smith.
Jerry Woods, downtown property owner in Timpson, remarked that some of the commercial properties that he has are over 50 years old and earthquake insurance is not available for buildings that old.
"The folks that have insurance on their houses and have got earthquake insurance, not only do they have a huge fee to pay for it, a huge deductible but that will not cover their brick veneer," said Woods. "Insurance problems are inherent here and I think that I could own a beach house, and probably some folks here have had them through the years, you can get Texas windstorm insurance and the state of Texas helps underwrite that windstorm insurance."
Woods said that he would like to see the legislature establish an insurance program that works the same way as the windstorm insurance does, but for earthquakes in the east Texas area providing affordable and effective insurance.
"The Texas Water and Hurricane bill's probably going to be up this session and we're going to have to renew that, and there will be an opportunity in there to try and address that," said Senator Nichols.
Woods made a suggestion of a way he feels the problem could be solved "My final comment here is, we came in earlier and we talked to the seismologist and he said, 'well all this, the report you have is not conclusive we'll have to look at other things," said Woods. "I have a friend around the corner here who has a sign in her office that says, 'what is is, and what ain't ain't,' I mean you can tell us that what we've got here is not a cause and effect and we can't prove it scientifically perhaps, but I think everybody in this room here believes that we've got a problem that's being caused by that saltwater injection. We can dance around the head of a pin as long as we want to, but the fact is we've got a problem and I think there are ways to solve it. One of the ways might be to quit injecting that water in the ground near these earthquake faults."
At the completion of the meeting, Senator Nichols thanked everyone for their presence and made some final points relating to the investigation into the possibility of injection wells causing a seismic reaction in the Timpson area.
"I would hope that you would take this area of the state, and raise it up into a priority status as far as trying to come to a resolve on the seismic activity. We all think we know what causes it, you the regulatory body does, so you're the ones who are going to have to reach the scientific evidence of how it connects," said Senator Nichols. "I encourage you to do that as fast as you can. If there's something we can do, Representative Paddy and I can do in the legislature to help you all do that if you need something passed this next session where you could have the authority to modify your rules, if that's what it takes, just let us know. But I think you have all the authority you know you need if you can come up and prove the science of how it works."
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