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November 17, 2015 - The Center Police Department performed a raid on the Loop 500 Convenience Store on Friday, November 13, 2015 which resulted in the arrest of at least one suspect.
Shelby County Today was on scene at 9:25am as Center Police officers were removing a large number of computers and other evidence from the business while many would be customers were turned away on their arrival.
The store is currently closed for an unknown length of time and one man was escorted out of the building in handcuffs as the doors were locked. The Center Police Department has not yet shared what the arrest is pertaining to at this time.
Shady Oaks Convenience store, which is just up the road from the Loop 500 Convenience Store location was the scene of a raid on October 22, 2015 from which several gaming machines were removed from the store and three individuals were arrested.
(Update) According to a press release issued by the Center Police Department, Detective Stephen Stroud with the Center Police Department executed a Search and Seizure Warrant on the Loop 500 Convenience store on November 13, 2015 in relation to an investigation into illegal gambling.
Approximately $170,000 in cash and gambling machines were seized from the alleged illegal activities. Virendra Patel, 43, of Center; Dipa Patel, 31, of Center; and Angel Gonzalez, 26, of Center were arrested for Engaging in Criminal Activity, Keeping a Gambling Place, Promotion of Gambling and Possession of Gambling Devises. All subjects later bonded out and were released from the Shelby County Jail. Each received a combined bond amount of $20,000.
This investigation is ongoing, as the Center Police Department is investigating other possible crimes that are associated with this case.
November 17, 2015 - DETEC Reports of Outages
(Update) As of 7 PM, DETEC is reporting less than 50 meters out.
As of 4:30 PM, Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative is reporting approximately 500 outages.
Crews will continue work until all power is restored.
As of 4 PM, Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative is reporting approximately 1000 outages with the majority in south east Shelby County.
Crews will continue work until all power is restored.
As of 2 PM, Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative is reporting approximately 1500 outages. The majority of these outages are in the south east portion of the system from Shelby County to Sabine County. High winds, downed trees, and lightning have been the main causes.
Crews are continuing to work to restore power as quickly and as safely as possible.
To report an outage, please call 1-800-392-5986.
As of 9:45 AM, the transmission outage has been restored. Crews are now working to restore scattered weather related outages now.Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative is currently experiencing a transmission outage that affects the following substations:
Holly, San Augustine, Black Ankle, Pendleton, Hemphill, Six Mile
Scattered outages are also being reported in Shelby and Nacogdoches Counties.
DETEC crews are investigating the transmission outage at this time and will work to restore power as quickly and as safely as possible.
November 17, 2015 - Due to the heavy rains which have developed in Shelby County, some roadways are becoming flooded. The roads which are currently being reported as having some flooding are U.S. Highway 84 in Joaquin, U.S. Highway 84 West leaving Timpson heading toward Mt. Enterprise, and a viewer has reported State Highway 87 North heading out of Timpson.
If you know of any roadway in Shelby County that is flooded and which travelers should be aware of, please contact Shelby County Today so we may share that information.
November 17, 2015 - According to the National Weather Service, Shelby County remains under a Tornado Watch 4PM. Additional counties under watch include Angelina, Bowie, Cass, Chambers, Fort Bend, Hardin, Harris, Harrison, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Marion, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Panola, Polk, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler, Walker, and Waller.
The national weather service in Shreveport has issued a flood warning for urban areas and small streams in Shelby County remains in effect through this evening until 12-midnight. Some areas that will experience flooding include: Center, Timpson, and Tenaha. Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause ponding of water in urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage areas and low lying spots.
(Update) Through this evening excessive heavy rainfall is expected to occur as a strong upper level storm system and associated cold front advance into the four state today. A squall line of thunderstorms will bring some heavy rainfall rates while tracking eastward through the region. Total accumulations will range from near two to four inches with locally heavier amounts possible.
Do not attempt to travel across flooded roads. Find alternate routes. It takes only a few inches of swiftly flowing water to carry vehicles away. Do not drive your vehicle into areas where the water covers the roadway.
The water depth may be too great to allow your car to cross safely. Move to higher ground. To report flooding, have the nearest law enforcement agency relay your report to the national weather service forecast office.
November 16, 2015 - The City Council of Joaquin will meet in regular session Monday, November 16, 2015 6:00 p.m. at The Joaquin City Hall located at 124 North Preston, Joaquin, Texas.
ORDER OF BUSINESS
1. Call to order, establish quorum & welcome guest.
2. Invocation & Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Council approval of the previous month’s minutes.
4. Discussion & Council action on Payment of Bills.
5. Discussion & Council action approval of Joaquin Public Safety Development Corporation’s vote on proposed financial agreement.
6. Discussion & Council action on proposed financial agreement with Joaquin Public Safety Development Corporation.
7. Discussion & Council action on proposed uniform agreement.
8. Discussion & Council on proposed agreement with Intuit (Quickbooks).
9. Discussion & Council action on proposed agreement with Cellular One for water tower use.
10. Discussion & Council action on Employee Handbook.
11. Discussion & Council action on suspension of Utility Bills for the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department.
12. Executive Session-Economic Development.
13. Discussion & Council action on longevity compensation.
14. Open Forum.
15. Adjournment.
IF during the course of the of the meeting, any discussion of items on the Agenda should be held in executive or closed session, the Council will convene in executive or closed session, in accordance With the Texas Open Meetings Act, Governmental Code Section 551 and Texas Revised Civil Statutes.
Posted by Amanda Willey on November 13, 2015 at 10:54 a.m.
November 13, 2015 - Tenaha Street in front of Sonic Drive Thru was the scene of a two-vehicle crash in Center on Thursday, November 12, 2015.
Traffic was at a steady flow as officers worked to investigate the crash and direct traffic while medical personnel treated those involved in the crash.
According to Center Police Officer John Welch, at 3:35pm a white 2012 GMC Terrain driven by Dillon Tolleson, 23, of Center was traveling south on Tenaha Street when she struck a black Toyota Land Cruiser driven by Michaelene Walker Parker, 50, of Livermore, Colorado.
Parker was stopped with her left indicator on preparing to turn left into Sonic when Tolleson stated she began coughing and didn't see the stopped Toyota. Tolleson and Parker were both transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department for treatment of their injuries.
No citations have been issued at this time, the crash remains under investigation.
Center Police Officer Angela Nash assisted with the investigation and directed traffic at the scene.
Update: On Friday, November 13th, 2015 at 05:05pm, Derrek Monroe Hughes turned himself in at the Shelby County Sheriff's Department and was booked for the warrant of Theft of Livestock, Felony 3.
November 13, 2015 - Center Crime Stoppers is seeking information on the whereabouts of Derrek Monroe Hughes, 25, of Shelbyville. Hughes has an active warrant for Theft of Livestock, a 3rd Degree Felony.
Center Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information. Anyone who has information regarding this crime should call Center Crime Stoppers at 936-598-SAFE (7233) or submit a tip online at www.centercrimestoppers.com. Remember you don't have to give your name. All calls and cash rewards are completely anonymous. Rewards will only be paid on tips submitted through the Center Crime Stoppers system.
If a caller does not wish to remain anonymous or receive a reward, they may call the Shelby County Sheriff's Department at 936-598-5600 and speak with Sergeant Investigator DJ Dickerson.
If anyone is found to be hindering the apprehension, harboring or concealing, providing or aiding with any means of avoiding arrest or effecting escape or warns Derrek Monroe Hughes of impending discovery or apprehension will be arrested and charged in accordance with Penal Code 38.05 Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution, a 3rd Degree Felony.
November 12, 2015 - Shelbyville was the scene of a two-vehicle crash involving a van full of children on Highway 87 Thursday, November 12, 2015.
Shelby County Sheriff's Department Chief Shad Sparks; Jamie Hagler, Constable Precinct 2; and school personnel including Shelbyville ISD Police Chief Jud Matthews all responded to the scene of the crash which had one vehicle in the Family Dollar Parking lot and another in the U.S. Post Office parking lot.
ACE EMS personnel arrived on scene and began treating those involved in the crash. EMS transported the driver and front passenger of the van to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department for treatment. Six children which were in the van that crashed were moved to a Shelbyville ISD van and Elementary School Principal Mike Furlow drove them to the hospital as a precautionary measure and for treatment of some minor injuries.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Jeff Pirtle, at 7:45am a brown 2003 Ford Explorer driven by Mildreth Guerra, 21, of Center failed to yield right of way at a stop sign where FM 417 and State Highway 87 South intersect.
Demetrus Lofton, 38, of Center was traveling south on Highway 87 in a white Ford Transit 350 XLT van with front passenger Atovia Smith, 24, of Center and six children on their way to school when Guerra pulled out in front of the van, causing the two to collide. The vehicles deflected off one another sending the van into a ditch and into the Family Dollar parking lot where it came to rest. The Explorer continued into the opposite ditch, over a culvert and into the U.S. Post office parking lot where it came to rest on a curb.
Guerra refused medical treatment at the scene, she was cited for fail to yield right of way at stop sign, no driver's license, and no registration.
November 12, 2015 - Emergency first responders were dispatched to a single-vehicle crash early in the morning on Wednesday, November 11, 2015 on FM 139.
The Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department arrived at the crash scene four miles from State Highway 7 East and the driver was unable to escape from the vehicle, which was on its side. Firemen were able to cut the windshield out and free the driver.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Ricardo Segura, at 7:30am Bryon Douglas Jacobs, 25, of Center was traveling south in a white 2007 Dodge Ram pickup truck on FM 139 after dropping someone off at school. As he traveled through a curve in the roadway, Jacobs stated he believed he fell asleep.
The truck then left the roadway to the right and traveled over a culvert sending the truck slightly airborne before coming to rest on the driver's side.
Jacobs was transported by ACE EMS to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department as a safety precaution. He was issued a citation for unsafe speed.
November 12, 2015 - Emergency personnel were dispatched to a two-vehicle crash in Timpson at the intersection of U.S. Highway 84 and U.S. Highway 59 in Timpson on Saturday, November 7, 2015 which has become a regular scene for recent crashes.
The Timpson Volunteer Fire Department provided traffic control while law enforcement officials and ACE EMS personnel checked on those involved in the crash.
According to Timpson Police Officer Robert Hairgrove, at 1:10pm a green 2003 Nissan Altima driven by Patricia Martin, 63, of Tyler with passenger Rita Harp, 79, of Tyler was eastbound on U.S. 84 and stopped at the stop sign.
A red 2012 GMC Acadia driven by Georgia Sharp, 59, of Yazoo, Mississippi was southbound on U.S. 59 when the Nissan pulled out in front of Sharp. Sharp made an evasive maneuver to avoid colliding with the Nissan by swerving to the left; however, to no avail and the front right quarter panel of the Acadia collided with the Nissan.
Martin was cited for failure to yield right of way at a stop sign. No injuries resulting from the crash were reported.
Shelby County Today confirmed with the Timpson Police Department, there have been four crashes at this intersection this year including one fatality. According to TxDOT, 2013 and 2014 each had four crashes as well. Often times, out of town drivers traveling into Timpson on U.S. Highway 84 are confused by the intersection as they are presented with two stop signs when they approach U.S. Highway 59.
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