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November 10, 2015 - 
A new filing software for the District Attorney's office and Wildfire Protection Plan were two items of note which the Shelby County Commissioners approved during their meeting held on Monday, November 9, 2015.
Although the intent of the county was to use Fund 49 to facilitate the purchase of the IDocket software, it was determined the software did not fit within the requirements of items eligible for purchase from the fund. Allison Harbison, County Judge, stated there are ample monies available in the contingency fund according to Clint Porterfield, County Auditor.
Judge Harbison explained the IDocket software is already in use by the County Judges office, County Attorney's office and the County Clerk's office. FullCase by Justice Systems was the software the District Attorney's office employed; however, according to District Attorney Ken Florence, the software is becoming outdated and the new software will actually be less of an expense.
"We are under a mandate to do electronic filing, I thought it would be good to be on the same page as the other agencies. So, when they were training Gary [Rholes'] office to use this software I sent Marlene [Hernandez] and some of my other staff over to kind of observe it," said Florence.
The determination of Florence and his staff is the software will be very useful to his office allowing for files to be digitized and for him to have the mobility to be in the courthouse with 60-70 cases on an iPad instead of lugging around large file boxes. The software also has the potential to provide access to case information for defense attorneys during discovery and help diminish a lot of paper cost to the county.
A scanner and iPad will also be a necessary expense for the District Attorney's office and Florence expects the computer budget for the office should be able to handle that purchase. The changeover to digital mandated by the supreme court and court of criminal appeals actually went into effect on November 1, 2015 with the allowance paper filing would still be accepted after that date; however, the change to digital is encouraged.
I met with Bradley Wilburn, (Shelby County Probation Officer), last week and he says due to budget cuts we might have to start doing all the paperwork for the probation department that they've been doing, and I notice that certain of the filing codes for Lori [Oliver's] officer even talk about probation revocation paperwork being filed that way. So, it looks like we'll be able to utilize that system to do that as well," said Florence.
The cost of the software is $17,500 out of the contingency fund with an annual cost to the District Attorney's office of $2,500 which will be a $300 savings to the already budgeted $2,800 for the previous software. Rholes commented the customer support provided by IDocket has been very helpful and he stated the District Attorney's office has "got to have something."
Fund 49 is the Law Library Fund for the county, which as of September 9, 2015 had a balance of $92,790.56. Judge Harbison stated she feels the state legislature needs to do something to make these funds available for other uses as tangible books are becoming less of a useful item with the transition to digital.
"I feel like probably next session maybe I might ask the legislative council for the judges to maybe look at that and see if we can't broaden that scope, because if we've got 90-something-thousand dollars in an account that we can only use for books, imagine what counties like Dallas has and Houston," said Judge Harbison.
According to Local Government Code, Title 10. Parks and Other Recreational and Cultural Resources, Subtitle B. County Parks and Other Recreational and Cultural Resources, Chapter 323. County Libraries, Subchapter A. County Library Section 323.023 (b)(3) purchasing or leasing library materials or acquiring library equipment, including computers, software, and subscriptions to obtain access to electronic research networks for use by judges in the county.
This suggests the funds from the Law Library Fund would only have been available for a software purchase made by a judge.
A motion carried for the county to purchase the software for the District Attorney's office.
Judge Harbison stated she would like to hire someone for the Emergency Management Coordinator for Shelby County and increase the pay for the position from $200 to $1,000. According to Judge Harbison there is $10,000 in the Emergency Management Budget currently and she would like for the county to hire the coordinator on a contract basis with no retirement or insurance to their benefit, and working no more than 30 hours a week unless they are working during an emergency.
Although she has not yet accepted the position at this time, Judge Harbison stated she has been speaking with Kerri Shofner about taking on the position. Shofner was formerly the Department of Health's liaison during past hurricane issues in Shelby County and Harbison says she has shown interest in the position.
A motion was made to move forward with Judge Harbison's recommendation for the remainder of the budget year; but, for it to be re-evaluated next year before automatically budgeting for it to see how much progress has been gained. The motion carried.
During the meeting the commissioners heard from Brittany Semetko, District Forester out of San Augustine with Texas A&M Forest Service, about the Wildfire Protection Grant Program. Semetko explained how the intent of the program is to reduce the risk of wildfire and promote a healthy environment while also providing safety for residents and firefighters.
A motion was carried to apply for a $10,000 grant to establish a Community Wildfire Protection Plan. This was followed by another motion which carried to adopt a proclamation supporting a Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
Ann Blackwell, County Treasurer, provided her officers report on fees collected for the county during October. Following her report she shared she has been working at reducing the phone rates for the county. The long distance service for the county has been switched to Texann, which is a long distance service provided by the state. Blackwell shared all the land lines have been premium service and she has changed those plans as well. The savings on long distance for the county will be $2,650 a month and the savings on the land lines is going to be about $3,200 a month. This is a great savings of $70,200 a year.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:11am.
Fees collected per office for October:
1. Deborah Riley, Tax Assessor/Collector office: Property Division - $352,125.34; Motor Vehicle Division - $29,634.86 for a total of $381,760.20
2. Jennifer Fountain, County Clerk: $33,548.25
3. Lori Oliver, District Clerk: $18,803.53
4. Maxie Eaves, Justice of the Peace Precinct 1: $11,689
5. Marla Denby, Justice of the Peace Precinct 2: $2,066.30
6. Margie Anderson, Justice of the Peace Precinct 3: $6,847
7. Jenny Hicks, Justice of the Peace Precinct 4: $4,242
8. Mike Crouch, Justice of the Peace Precinct 5: $7,007
9. Zach Warr, Constable Precinct 1: $1,525
10. Jamie Hagler, Constable Precinct 2: $0
11. Billy Hearnsberger, Constable Precinct 3: $180
12. Bryan Gray, Constable Precinct 4: $90
13. Stanley Burgay, Constable Precinct 5: $180
Grand total: $467,938.28
CDs generated $19.47 for a total book value of $60,060.43
Money Market generated $365.13 total market value of $1,719,934.15
Total investments of $1,779,994.58
Agenda items receiving approval include:
1. Minutes of the October 12th, 2015 Regular Meeting and the October 26th, 2015 Special Meeting.
2. Pay monthly expenses.
3. Officers’ Reports.
4. Apply for a $10,000.00 grant to establish a Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
5. Adopt a Proclamation supporting a Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
6. Purchase a new software program from IDocket for the District Attorney's office through the county contingency fund.
7. Approve the hiring of an Emergency Management Coordinator for Shelby County.
8. Adjourn.
November 11, 2015 - The Center Police Department is investigating a Robbery that took place at the Super Quick Liquor store. A Black male wearing a black jacket and a white hoodie robbed the store at gun point as the store was closing at about 9:00 P.M. on November 9, 2015. The suspect took an undisclosed amount of money from the store.
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.
November 10, 2015 - Law enforcement officials are currently investigating a robbery which took place at Super Quick convenience store on Shelbyville Street on Monday, November 9, 2015.
Center Police Officers along with members of the Shelby County Sheriff's Department and Texas Department of Public Safety scoured the area around the business at around 9pm in search of the assailant. Officers were witnessed by Shelby County Today searching further down Shelbyville Street near the Shelby County Appraisal District office, as well as behind the Super Quick location in Park East Apartments where the entry way was partially blocked by patrol cars on Bridges Road.
Officers have been witnessed on Tuesday, November 10, 2015 still searching the area near Shelbyville Street. At this time the Center Police Department has not yet revealed information pertaining to the robbery regarding what was taken or a description of any suspect or suspects.
More information will be provided on Shelby County Today as it is made available.
November 10, 2015 - The jury that has been summoned Monday, November 16, 2015 for the 123rd District Court, Honorable Charles C. “Brick” Dickerson Presiding, has been cancelled due to the scheduled cases being resolved or passed.
Anyone receiving a summons for that day is released from jury service until they receive a future summons.
November 9, 2015 - The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the whereabouts of Keifer Joel Nelson, 17, of Joaquin. Nelson was last seen November 2 at approximately 3 a.m.
Nelson is a white male, approximately 5'7 tall and weighs 162 pounds. He has brown hair, brown eyes and a small cross tattoo between the thumb and index finger.
Anyone with information regarding Nelson is asked to contact Investigator Kevin Windham at the Shelby County Sheriff's Office 936-598-5600.
November 9, 2015 - Daniel Williamson was sworn in as the City of Center’s new Court Clerk on Monday, November 9th at 10am. Daniel was sworn in by Court Clerk Donna Dugger. The ceremony was witnessed by City of Center Judge Grover Russell, Center Police Chief Jim Albers, also on hand was Daniel’s sister and brother-in-law.
Congratulations to Daniel from the Center Police Dept.
November 6, 2015 - U.S. Highway 96 North was the scene of a single-vehicle crash outside of Center on Thursday, November 5, 2015 to which State Troopers were dispatched.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Taylor Buster, at 12:10pm Bencie Allen Mancil Sr., 67, of Hemphill was traveling southbound on U.S. Highway 96, north of Loop 500, in a grey 2014 Dodge Ram 2500 pickup truck. Due to a medical issue, Mancil lost control of the truck which crossed the northbound traffic lanes and left the roadway to the left, striking a guardrail and coming to rest against some trees in a wooded area.
Mancil was determined at the scene to have not received injury from the crash. No citations were reported to have been issued at the time of the crash. Trooper Cpl. Jimmy Faulkner assisted with the crash investigation.
November 6, 2015 - AUSTIN – Texas marks a grim milestone this weekend as at least one fatality has occurred each and every day on state roadways since Nov. 7, 2000. That’s 5,478 consecutive days with at least one fatality. In an effort to end this deadly 15-year streak, the Texas Department of Transportation, through its #EndTheStreakTX campaign, reminds drivers to stay alert, obey traffic laws and take personal responsibility behind the wheel.
“More than 50,000 people have been killed on Texas roadways over the past 15 years and that number is a sobering reminder that we must do everything in our power to stay focused and safe while driving,” said TxDOT Executive Director LtGen Joe Weber, USMC (Ret). “These crashes have killed spouses, children, friends and neighbors, and shattered the lives of those they left behind. We can stop this staggering streak if all drivers make it a priority to be safe, focused and responsible.”
Throughout November, TxDOT’s social media pages will share facts and information about the last 15 years of roadway fatalities and invite Texans to publicly show their commitment to ending the streak of deadly days by sharing these posts with the hashtag #EndTheStreakTX. TxDOT also will invite the public to share personal stories of loved ones lost in car crashes on its social media pages using photo and video testimonials with the hashtag #EndTheStreakTX.
Since Nov. 7, 2000, fatalities resulting from motor vehicle crashes on Texas roadways have numbered 51,832. A leading cause of fatalities continues to be alcohol, with distracted driving and a lack of seat belt use also being major causes.
To decrease the chances of roadway crashes and fatalities, TxDOT reminds drivers to:
- Buckle seatbelt – all passengers need to be buckled
- Never drink and drive – drunk driving kills; get a sober ride home
- Pay attention – put phone away and avoid distractions
- Drive the speed limit – always follow speed limits and drive slower speeds when weather or conditions warrant
For more information, contact Rhonda Oaks, Lufkin public information officer, at Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or call (936) 633-4395.
November 5, 2015 (Album) - Shelbyville ISD High School was host to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Passenger Safety Project representatives who were instructing students on the dangers of distracted driving on Wednesday, November 4, 2015.
Bev Kellner and Mike Guidry Passenger Safety Project visiting schools across Texas to enlighten students about the consequences of distracted driving. The program began in the Shelbyville ISD cafeteria where a slide show presentation was given by Kellner and Guidry depicting many of the causes of distracted driving and how to try and avoid such incidents.
Kellner said statistically teens are more likely to want to text than call someone on their cellular phone and studies have even demonstrated the addictive attraction of texting by monitoring the release of endorphin in someone who receives a text message. She stated teens are at the highest risk of the danger of distracted driving, but adults are also at risk. Kellner quizzed the students as to how many have parents that text and drive with a large number raising their hands to indicate they have parents who text and drive.
20% of crashes are attributed to distracted driving, statistically; however, Kellner says it is known that a large number are not reported to be crashes attributed to distraction as it isn't common for a driver to admit to an officer they were texting when driving. Also, unless the crash is serious enough, or a fatality has occurred, cellular phone records which would demonstrate a driver was texting at the time are not likely to be subpoenaed.
Someone who is distracted is likely to take twice as long to react while driving and it is 23 times more likely a crash will occur with a distracted driver than one who is not.
"Here's to me a very scary thought, that texting and driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving," said Kellner.
The prevalence of drivers texting was exampled by the commonality of students in the audience remarking, when asked, how many drivers they witnessed on their phones while they were en route to school. Kellner stated most teen deaths are the result of automobile crashes and the majority who die in crashes are not wearing safety belts.
"58% of the crashes involving teens are due to distracted driving, and that again comes to inexperience," said Kellner. "The more you drive, and if you can survive your own driving, the more you drive and the more experience you get, the better driver you'll be."
Kellner said pickup trucks are twice as likely to roll than other vehicles. More teens in a vehicle increases the possibility of a crash occurring and according to the graduated driver's license law, a teenage driver is not allowed to have more than one person in the car with them under the age of 21 unless they are a relation. A driver under the age of 18 is also not allowed to use a cellular phone. Kellner implored the students to read and learn the graduated driver's license law.
A Distracted Driving Simulator was setup in the main lobby of the high school where several students from each high school class were able to participate.
State Farm has donated the funding for the equipment through a grant allowing for the Passenger Safety Project to use the simulator to instruct students. Sandy Wheeler, local State Farm Agent, was present throughout the demonstration and she agreed the project is a worthwhile one.
"I think it's awesome, I think it shows the kids can be distracted by other things besides texts," said Wheeler.
As the students took turns using the simulator, their fellow students became active participants by pretending to be passengers in the simulated vehicle and offering the distractions which can so easily break a driver's concentration.
One student, Corey Bearden, while participating with the simulator shared with everyone that he had been involved in a distracted driving incident. He showed a picture on his cell phone of a mangled white pickup truck. Kellner and Guidry asked Bearden to share his story when they return to the school on November 17th.
The passenger safety project has been in existence for several years with their main goals being to increase seat belt use and the correct use of car seats, as well as education on the dangers of distracted driving.
"We got this idea of how we could reach the teens better with this message by giving them a hands-on experience in a safe environment, where they could see the effects immediately of when they take their eyes off the road," said Kellner. "We're also having those other teens act as if they're passengers in the car and that is the main reason for teens having crashes is other passengers in the car, followed by cell phone use."
Kellner says the program is approaching its third year running and they visit about 50 schools in a year. Along with schools, they also visit safety fairs and workplaces to educate there also.
"We've worked with some oil companies and other big employers that want to encourage safe driving to their employees, because we know that one of the most dangerous times for employees is when they're commuting to work," said Kellner.
Shelbyville ISD will be hosting a health fair on November 17, 2015 and representatives of the Passenger Safety Project will be bringing their Rollover Convincer simulator, which demonstrates a vehicle rollover with dummies to show what occurs.
Any other schools in Shelby County desiring the Passenger Safety Project to come to their school can contact Bev Kellner at 979-862-1782 or through the local AgriLife Extension office at 936-598-7744
The Passenger Safety Project facebook address is - https://www.facebook.com/PassengerSafetyProject
November 3, 2015 - All seven Constitutional Amendments pass with a higher than 58% 'In Favor' vote in Shelby County.
| Number of Registered Voters | 14,553 |
| Ballots Cast | 1,333 |
| Early | 263 |
| Election Day | 1,070 |
Proposition 1 – SJR 1
| In Favor | EARLY | 239 | |
| ELECTION DAY | 954 | ||
| TOTAL | 1,193 | 90.52% | |
| Against | EARLY | 21 | |
| ELECTION DAY | 104 | ||
| TOTAL | 125 | 9.48% |
“The constitutional amendment increasing the amount of the residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation for public school purposes from $15,000 to $25,000, providing for a reduction of the limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed for those purposes on the homestead of an elderly or disabled person to reflect the increased exemption amount, authorizing the legislature to prohibit a political subdivision that has adopted an optional residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation from reducing the amount of or repealing the exemption, and prohibiting the enactment of a law that imposes a transfer tax on a transaction that conveys fee simple title to real property.”
Proposition 2 – HJR 75
| In Favor | EARLY | 241 | |
| ELECTION DAY | 968 | ||
| TOTAL | 1,209 | 92.93% | |
| Against | EARLY | 15 | |
| ELECTION DAY | 77 | ||
| TOTAL | 92 | 7.07% |
“The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a 100 percent or totally disabled veteran who died before the law authorizing a residence homestead exemption for such a veteran took effect.”
Proposition 3 – SJR 52
| In Favor | EARLY | 165 | |
| ELECTION DAY | 675 | ||
| TOTAL | 840 | 66.72% | |
| Against | EARLY | 85 | |
| ELECTION DAY | 334 | ||
| TOTAL | 419 | 33.28% |
“The constitutional amendment repealing the requirement that state officers elected by voters statewide reside in the state capital.”
Proposition 4 – HJR 73
| In Favor | EARLY | 146 | |
| ELECTION DAY | 672 | ||
| TOTAL | 818 | 64.36% | |
| Against | EARLY | 103 | |
| ELECTION DAY | 350 | ||
| TOTAL | 453 | 35.64% |
“The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to permit professional sports team charitable foundations to conduct charitable raffles.”
Proposition 5 – SJR 17
| In Favor | EARLY | 179 | |
| ELECTION DAY | 765 | ||
| TOTAL | 944 | 73.58% | |
| Against | EARLY | 74 | |
| ELECTION DAY | 265 | ||
| TOTAL | 339 | 26.42% |
“The constitutional amendment to authorize counties with a population of 7,500 or less to perform private road construction and maintenance.”
Proposition 6 – SJR 22
| In Favor | EARLY | 223 | |
| ELECTION DAY | 965 | ||
| TOTAL | 1,188 | 90.96% | |
| Against | EARLY | 31 | |
| ELECTION DAY | 87 | ||
| TOTAL | 118 | 9.04% |
“The constitutional amendment recognizing the right of the people to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife subject to laws that promote wildlife conservation.”
Proposition 7 – SJR 5
| In Favor | EARLY | 219 | |
| ELECTION DAY | 838 | ||
| TOTAL | 1,057 | 82.00% | |
| Against | EARLY | 39 | |
| ELECTION DAY | 193 | ||
| TOTAL | 232 | 18.00% |
“The constitutional amendment dedicating certain sales and use tax revenue and motor vehicle sales, use, and rental tax revenue to the state highway fund to provide funding for nontolled roads and the reduction of certain transportation-related debt.”
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