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August 6, 2015 - Flabbergasted was the state of those attending the Special Called Meeting of the Timpson City Council on Thursday, August 6, 2015. Mayor Debra Smith, council members Yvonne Ramsey and Kyle Allen were in attendance as well as citizens of Timpson and members of the media.
Ray Marshall, a handicapped citizen of Timpson, hurried home from work in Tyler to arrive in time for the meeting only to wait in disappointment due to no quorum. Mr. Marshall was prepared to speak his opinion concerning the proposed reduction in Police Force; however, his voice couldn't be heard due to the absence of three council members: Ronnie Wolfe, Janell Baker, and George Grace who each support the reduction in force.
Three items were on the Special Called Meeting Agenda: 1) consider Reduction in Force of the Police Department from a 5-man department to a 3-man department, 2) adopt the "proposed" budget for the General Fund for the City of Timpson for 2015-2016, and 3) possible amendments to the employee handbook, changes which would be needed contingent to an approved reduced police force. The three items were at the request of the majority of the council and the majority of the council were a no show.
Where were the missing council members? The City Secretary, Leslie Leathers, attempted to contact the missing-in-action with no avail. After calling one of the absent council member's spouse, the phone was answered only to have the line go dead immediately. The very law enforcement whose jobs have hung in the balance were requested to perform welfare checks for Wolfe, Baker, and Grace. It is unknown the outcome of the welfare checks.
Why would elected officials not show up to the very meeting where the item they requested be presented for vote was on the agenda? They had the opportunity to vote for what they felt was best for Timpson; however, they chose not to make it their priority. If Wolfe, Baker, and Grace had justifiable reason for not attending the meeting, why would they not have notified the city secretary or the mayor so the meeting could be rescheduled. Why would they waste the time of the citizens of Timpson, the media, and the council who did attend?
The budget for the City of Timpson has been a near yearlong struggle among the council and mayor. One side argues the police department is costing the city too much money which they feel will leave the city destitute in the future because of the unjustifiable over expenditure. Council Member Ronnie Wolfe has remained the voice of concern demanding a reduction in force.
While on the other side of the conundrum, Mayor Smith has presented the council with a balanced budget which she feels would support the 5-man police department as well as a 4-man police department and has seen open support from Council Member Kyle Allen.
At the last meeting on July 30th which was also a Special Called meeting, Mayor Smith presented the council with a budget reflecting a 4-man police force with a reduction in force of only one. Councilman Wolfe rejected the budget along with the support of Baker and Grace demanding a 3-man police force. The majority of the council was getting their wish, an opportunity to pass a reduction in police force.
Are they alive and well? Why would they not attend? Why the no-show?
What's a no-show? According to Collins English Dictionary, a no-show is a person who fails to take up a reserved seat, place, etc, without having cancelled it. Council members are elected into office and have a reserved seat during all City of Timpson Council meetings.
August 6, 2015 - A joint operation involving the Rusk County Sheriff's Office, Henderson Police Department, Constable Precinct 3 Tim Barton, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, and the Center Police Department on August 4, 2015 resulted in the seizure of approximately one hundred (100) marijuana plants.
The marijuana plants were located growing inside a mobile home located on Rusk County Farm to Market Road 1971. During the investigation Tommie Bryce, 35, of Timpson and David Williams, 38, of Carthage were arrested. Both charged with the criminal offense of possession of marijuana, five pounds or less but more than four ounces, a state jail felony.
Law enforcement officials worked late into the night dismantling the indoor marijuana grow. The search warrant that was executed at the suspected place was issued by Rusk County District Judge Clay Gossett. Further assisting in the investigation were investigators with Child Protective Services.
The seized suspected marijuana and apparatus utilized to facilitate the cultivation of the marijuana has an estimated street value of $120,000. Both Bryce and Williams remain incarcerated in the Rusk County Jail pending arraignment.
4:44am Thursday, August 6, 2015
August 6, 2015 - UPDATED: A heat advisory is in effect from 1pm Thursday through 7pm Friday.
A building heat wave along with high humidity will combine to produce heat index values between 105 to 109 degrees across the four state area Thursday and Friday afternoons.
Precautionary/Preparedness actions
A heat advisory means a period of hot temperatures is expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses will be possible. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after exposure to the heat. When possible, stay in air-conditioning. Stay out of the sun and check on relatives, neighbors, and pets.
Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear light weight and loose fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water.
To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas. Anyone overcome by the heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an EMERGENCY..... call 911.
Texas’ Voter ID Law to Remain in Effect
August 6, 2015 - Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton today released the following statement on the ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on Texas’ Voter ID law:
“Today’s ruling was a victory on the fundamental question of Texas’ right to protect the integrity of our elections and the state’s common sense Voter ID law remains in effect. I’m particularly pleased the panel saw through and rejected the plaintiffs’ claim that our law constituted a ‘poll tax.’ The intent of this law is to protect the voting process in Texas, and we will continue to defend this important safeguard for all Texas voters.”
Texas has successfully held three statewide elections and numerous local and special elections with the Voter ID law in place – with no disenfranchisement reported.
Texas Solicitor General Scott Keller presented arguments on April 28, 2015, on behalf of the State of Texas in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
The Texas Legislature enacted Texas’ Voter ID law in 2011 through Senate Bill 14 (SB14), which requires voters to present government-issued photo ID when voting at the polls. The seven acceptable forms of photo ID include the following: a Texas driver’s license, free Texas election identification card (EIC), Texas personal identification card, Texas license to carry a concealed handgun, U.S. military identification card, U.S. citizenship certificate, and U.S. passport. Connect with us: Follow us on Twitter at @TXAG • Find us on Facebook at TexasAttorneyGeneral
August 6, 2015 - As of 6pm on August 4, 2015 a BURN BAN is in Effect in the City of Joaquin. No Outdoor Burning until further notice. This is for the City Limits Only.
Jeremy Boyett
Assistant Chief/Fire Marshal
3:50PM CDT Wednesday, August 5, 2015
August 5, 2015 - The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a Heat Advisory in effect from 1pm through 7pm Thursday.
A building heat wave and increasing humidity will result in heat index values between 103 and 108 degrees Thursday afternoon. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity values will combine to create a dangerous situation in which heat illness are possible.
Precautionary/Preparedness actions
Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities or early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear light weight and loose fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water.
Drink plenty of fluids. Stay in an air-conditioned room. Stay out of the sun. Check on relatives and neighbors.
August 5, 2015 - The Center Police Department is seeking information in regards to a missing person. Vance Ethridge, 41, of Center was last seen on July 4th at the Super 8 Motel in Center, Texas.
Ethridge was reported missing by his family and is described as a white male, 200 lbs, 5'4" tall with brown hair who walks with a limp.
If you have any information in regards to this missing person, 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.
August 4, 2015 - The intersection of State Highway 7 East and new Loop 500 West was the scene of a two-vehicle crash on Tuesday, August 4, 2015 at 9:55am.
When emergency personnel arrived, they began checking the condition of driver's and passengers involved in the crash. Once ACE EMS was on scene, it was determined the driver of a Pontiac needed treatment and she was transported from the scene.
According to Center Police Officer Jake Gross, a silver 2008 Toyota Sienna driven by Ronald Smith, 69, of Many, La. was crossing from the old Loop 500 to the newly opened section at State Highway 7 East traveling northbound.
Loretta Wheles, 36, of La. was traveling west driving a gold 2005 Pontiac Grand Am toward Center on State Highway 7 when Smith failed to yield right of way at the stop sign and drove in front of Wheles. This caused the Grand Am to strike the passenger side of the Sienna.
ACE EMS transported Wheles from the scene to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department for treatment of minor injuries. Smith and his passenger Susan Smith, 65, received no injury. Smith was cited for failure to yield right of way at a stop sign.
This is the first official crash since the new section of Loop 500 was opened. A crash occurred on the new Loop 500 section on April 30, 2015 when a truck-tractor failed to yield right of way to a vehicle crossing on FM 699. Some roadways no longer have right of way as they once did and drivers are urged to use caution when meeting new Loop 500 from adjacent roadways.
August 4, 2015 - The barricades have been removed and the Loop 500 Extension from Hwy 7E to Hwy 96N has offically opened. The signage and striping on the new roadway has been completed.
Drivers must use caution when approaching all affected intersections, especially the Loop and FM 699. Stop signs are in place at this intersection but because of the now active roadways, they may be overlooked.
August 7, 2015 - Shelby County Today was notified that according to Texas Local Government Code, Sec. 118.133, Shelby County does not meet qualifications to be able to adopt a system by which the county charges a fee for false alarms.
August 3, 2015 - In response to questions concerning the registration of home security systems with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, I would like to clarify.
The reason for the registration of your security system is to get accurate, detailed directions to your home or business should your alarm go off. Your alarm company is most likely in another city or possibly another state and the answering service that alerts the Sheriff’s office does not have the best information of how to locate you. The registration form asks for 911 address, detailed directions to your home or business, as well as contact numbers.
At this time, there is NO FEE. When county fees are set in January, the county may choose to impose that fee. But we still need you to please register your system with us for your safety and to possibly save precious time in reaching you should your alarm sound.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Sheriff Willis Blackwell
July 27, 2015 (Original release) - Due to the increasing number of security alarm calls, the Shelby County Sheriffs Office (SCSO) is requesting property owners register any security systems installed and existing in the county (outside the Center City Limits). Forms to register the systems are available at the SCSO. An initial registration fee of $30 is required to register new systems or any existing systems. Property owners will not incur any additional charges unless the SCSO responds to more than three false alarms in a calendar year. After three false calls, a fee of $30 will be charged per incident.
Shelby County Sheriff Willis Blackwell suggests property owners have their alarms adjusted to prevent alarms from being set off falsely. Blackwell said deputies respond to numerous false alarm calls per night and with no more than two deputies on duty per shift, it is difficult to cover the false calls which average more than 200 per month.
This change will not affect Life Alert systems or similar systems used by the ill or elderly citizens in the county. For more information contact the SCSO at (936) 598-5601.
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