The story headline links to a better view of the story and share features.
News
May 11, 2015 - The Shelby County Commissioners chose to sit in silence in relation to an agenda item during their meeting on Monday, May 11, 2015. Audience members looked on at the silhouette outlines of most of the commissioners as they collectively failed to make a motion relating to an item with bearing on 12 counties.
As Monday morning saw power outages in different areas of Center, the meeting progressed in a dimly lit courtroom. Everything seemed to be running smoothly until agenda item 9 referencing a resolution in support of putting in a weigh station and inspection station in Nacogdoches County and the state adding an additional 13 (state) troopers.
Allison Harbison, Shelby County Judge, presented the item to the commissioners and explained the circumstances, "Our neighboring county of Nacogdoches asked that we do a resolution supporting this. I believe they're trying to get a weigh station back on (U.S.) 59 and the judge over there just asked me if I would put it on the agenda and that's what I have done. I know with some of the things that we've been dealing with it might be nice to have a few extra available troopers in our 12 county region, but that's just whatever is your pleasure."
When Judge Harbison was met with silence, she asked the commissioners if they wished for her to read the resolution or if they had read the document. To which some gave a verbal response indicating they had read the resolution and she asked again if they wished to take action for or against the resolution.
"Obviously you don't want to take any action to give us any extra law enforcement and troopers," said Harbison.
None of the commissioners explained what they may have against the installation of a weigh station or additional state troopers as they refrained from speaking.
Devon made a donation recently of $4,000 to the Shelby County Sheriff's Department and for this donation to be accepted approval of the commissioners was necessary. Sheriff Willis Blackwell spoke on the use of the funds, "Right now we're gonna buy body cams for all of the officers, we have had them, but when we bought the first ones they were some inexpensive cameras that weren't night capable. So, we've just been without those cameras at night, you can get a little bit of a picture but the ones we're ordering are nightvision capable so we will get good video where won't get sued over something that we have a stop that we make or anything like that."
A motion was carried by the commissioners to approve the donation.
Eric Carver, Axley & Rode, LLP, gave an external audit report for Shelby County FY2014. He stated the audit went extremely well with much cooperation from Clint Porterfield, County Auditor, and other county staff, "When we looked at the government-wide statements and that when you put them all together you add the debts, you add the fixed assets the county had a really good year this year primarily due to that road grant you received. What you'll see is the overall net position of the county improved almost $3 million and most of that was that work that went in on those roads in each of y'alls different areas. Besides that you also saw your cash balance increase by about $900,000 across all the funds."
Carver stated the reason the cash increased was all the budgeted funds, general fund and each road and bridge fund exceeded budgets and revenues and fell below budgeted expense values which carried forward into the next year. Carver stated a management letter was issued which pointed out some issues the county still has with an inadequate segregation of duties in some fee offices. He also said the county has been addressing these issues.
Stephen Shires spoke on behalf of his company Disability Needs which can file for indigent health care funds on behalf of the county. Shelby County has an indigent health care fund and when individuals match certain criteria they may receive assistance from this fund.
"Part of my practice involves social security disability and the fact is once somebody becomes eligible or receives social security disability or supplemental social security income, SSD or SSI, they then become eligible for medicaid or medicare.," said Shires. "Now after that happens there is a very limited window where the county can go back and bill medicaid or medicare and get a reimbursement of those funds."
Shires said he has spoken with at least three different county judges about these reimbursement opportunities and at times the county has attempted to regain these funds; however, he thinks the county has missed out on opportunities to receive all funds it possibly could. If these funds are acquired, it feasibly replenishes the fund and allows opportunity to help others in need.
It was proposed by Shires for the county and Disability Needs to work under contract for six months to see how well the process works and Judge Harbison stated she has not yet heard from Gary Rholes, County Attorney, on the contract. The contract carries with it a contingency, if no reimbursements are acquired then no money is owed to Disability Needs. A motion was carried by the commissioners accepting the contract with Disability Needs contingent on the approval of Rholes.
Agenda items receiving approval include:
Minutes of the April 13th Regular Meeting, and the April 16th, 2015 Public Hearing Meeting, and the April 27th, 2015 Special Meeting of the Shelby County Commissioners' Court.
Pay monthly expenses.
Officers' Reports.
Treasurer Report on technology improvements for the JPs.
Approve Barbara Walton's bond and appointment as Assistant Treasurer.
Accept donation from Devon Energy to the Sheriff's Department in the amount of $4,000 for equipment.
Presentation by Eric Carver of Axley & Rode, LLP of the Shelby County FY2014 external audit report.
Appoint Allison Harbison and Ann Blackwell to the DETCOG Board of Directors, for the 2015-2016 year.
Approve an Agreement between Shelby County and Disability Needs authorizing Disability Needs to file for refunds of Indigent Health Care expenditures for the County contingent on approval of Gary Rholes, County Attorney.
Adjournment at 10:09am.
May 12, 2015 - Provisional votes are in for the 2015 City of Timpson election and they have altered the results. The ballots provided an additional two votes for both Janell Baker and George Grace. As a result Grace's gain of two votes put him over Kenny Walker by one vote and put him back in the council seat.
The new results are as follows:
City of Timpson: The three (3) council member positions were won by Kyle Allen, Janell Baker, and George Grace. Kyle Allen received 95 votes, Jannell Baker received 82 votes, George Grace received 78 votes, Linda Hancock received 74 votes, and Kenneth Walker received 77 votes.
May 12, 2015 - A dispute between neighbors ends badly with a shooting incident ending the life of one and sending another by Life Air Rescue to LSU hospital in Shreveport with a gun shot wound.
Shelby County Sheriff Department is on scene and Texas Rangers are on the way to investigate. Shelby County Today has been on scene and no additional information is available at this time. ACE EMS was on scene to provide emergency care and Joaquin VFD assisted with the landing zone and traffic control.
More information will be provided as it is made available.
May 11, 2015 - Three people were transported to the hospital following a single-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 96 North 1/2 mile north of CR 3765 which occurred at 1:35pm on Saturday, May 9, 2015.
Three passersby including two women and a man stopped to help the occupants and called 9-1-1. Once emergency personnel arrived, the Center Fire Department began working traffic control and assisting ACE EMS in loading the crash victims into an ambulance.
The vehicle, a black Chevrolet Blazer driven by Adrian Cordova-Caporali, 26, was heading southbound on U.S. Highway 96 North when the Blazer left the roadway to the right. The Blazer came back on the roadway and once in the inside lane made a hard right and began to flip. The vehicle then left the roadway again and rolled down an embankment where it came to rest facing north.
Caporali and his passengers Maria Angelica Poot-Dzib, 20, and an 11-month-old female child were all transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department for treatment of unknown injuries.
The crash is under investigation by Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Daniel Dellenger. No citations have been reported at this time. Adam Renfro, Shelby County Sheriff's Deputy also assisted at the scene.
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.
Pages
