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July 10, 2026 - The 300 block of CR 3126 was the scene of a structure and vehicle fire on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
While the Center Fire Department (CFD) was on scene for another call on Nacogdoches Street, which was a gas leak, they received a call for the structure fire west of Center on CR 3126 at 1:05pm.
As the firefighters addressed the fire, smoke billowed from within the house and surrounded the area impacting visibility and making it difficult to breathe.
According to the CFD, upon arrival they discovered a pickup truck fully involved in the fire beneath a patio covering at the front of the double-wide home on the property. After extinguishing the vehicle, it was determined the fire had traveled into the attic of the house and efforts were made to extinguish the rest of the fire that had traveled into the home. The interior of the house incurred heavy damage throughout.
After extinguishing the what remained of the fire and preventing further spread, the firefighters returned to the station at 5:30pm.
July 8, 2026 - Emergency personnel responded to FM 2694 on Friday, July 3, 2026, following a crash incident and one driver was arrested on a charge of driving while intoxicated.
Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputy Angela Neal initially responded to the scene of the incident at the intersection of FM 417, followed by Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Trooper Keith Jones.
According to DPS, at 10:08pm a 2018 Jeep Wrangler driven by Ashley Snider, 37, of Center was stopped at the stop sign on FM 417, waiting to turn onto FM 2694, while a 1993 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by Cody Clifton, 24, of Timpson was traveling north on FM 2694 while approaching the stop intersection. Clifton disregarded the stop sign at the intersection and struck the Jeep as it was turning.
Neither Snider or Clifton were reported to have been injured.
According to Shelby County Jail records Clifton was arrested for driving while intoxicated, misdemeanor b, and no insurance, misdemeanor c. He was booked in just after midnight on July 4 and released at 9am on July 5 on a $2,000 bond.
According to DPS, this is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
July 7, 2026 - U.S. Highway 96 North near CR 3770 was the scene of a two-vehicle crash incident involving a truck tractor and a passenger car on Friday, July 3, 2026.
Responding to the scene just after 12:40pm were the Center Fire Department and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Troopers.
According to the DPS, the preliminary crash investigation indicates that a red 2012 Toyota Camry driven by Joyce Moore, 58, of Center was on the north shoulder and made an unsafe u-turn. The u-turn placed the Toyota in front of a Freightliner truck tractor semi-trailer owned by 2J Transportation and driven by Jaime Alvarez-Palomo, 31, of Tyler which was also traveling north and it was struck.
Alvarez-Palomo was not injured.
Moore was transported to a nearby hospital by ambulance for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
Moore was cited for making an unsafe turn.
According to DPS, no further information is available.
Center Fire Department personnel assisted at the scene until the roadway was clear. The crash was investigated by DPS Trooper Cpl. Dustin Ramos and Trooper Matt Chandler.
July 6, 2026 - The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Southeastern De Soto Parish in northwestern Louisiana, West Central Natchitoches Parish in northwestern Louisiana, South Central Red River Parish in northwestern Louisiana, Northern Sabine Parish in northwestern Louisiana, East Central Shelby County in eastern Texas until 6:15pm CDT.
At 5:1pm CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 8 miles northwest of Converse, or 12 miles southwest of Mansfield, moving southeast at 30 mph.
Hazard: 60 mph wind gusts and small hail.
Source: Radar indicated.
Impact: Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include: Mansfield, Many, Zwolle, Converse, Oak Grove, Pleasant Hill, Huxley, South Mansfield, Noble, Pelican, Belmont, Toledo Bend Reservoir North, Rambin, Ajax, Marthaville, Evelyn, Hanna and Lake End.
Precautionary/Preparedness Actions: Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from windows. This storm is capable of producing damaging winds.
Wind damage with this storm will occur before any rain or lightning. Do not wait for the sound of thunder before taking cover. Seek shelter immediately inside a sturdy structure and stay away from windows.
July 6, 2026 - Severe Thunderstorm Watch 467 is in effect until 10pm CDT July 6, 2026, for the following Texas Counties: Bowie, Camp, Cass, Gregg, Harrison, Marion, Morris, Nacogdoches, Panola, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Titus and Upshur.
July 3, 2026 - Another hot day can be expected for the 4th of July. There will be isolated to scattered storms around during the afternoon and evening hours. Most of this activity should have weakened or dissipated by late evening.
Today: Another typical early July day across the Four State Region with high temperatures in the 90s. Isolated to scattered afternoon and early evening thunderstorms will be possible across much of the region.
Heat Safety
Highs are expected to climb into the 90s through the weekend. While Heat Advisory criteria may not be met, it is still crucial to practice heat safety, especially during holiday festivities. For example, never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles!
Here are some helpful tips and strategies:
- Avoid overexertion and stay hydrated. Drink plenty before getting in the heat; not just while in it.
- NEVER leave people or pets in a vehicle. A vehicle can reach deadly temperatures even with the windows rolled down!
- Assist those who are at higher risk
July 2, 2026 - The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office has issued a statement via social media, and according to their information, the suspect Julio Cesar Pitalua, age 21 is still at large and the Sheriff’s Office is now asking for the assistance of the public and have provided some information about what occurred in the Neuville area.
According to the statement, early in the afternoon of July 2, 2026, they were notified of Pitalua being wanted on a felony probation violation warrant from Nacogdoches County. Upon the arrival of deputies at a residence on FM 417 approximately one mile from US Highway 96, Pitalua is alleged to have immediately fled the residence. He was wearing black pants, shirtless and clutching a black hoodie as he ran. Pitalua is alleged to have run in the direction of FM 2140 and is believed to have crossed the road, continuing east.
If anyone sees a person matching his description in the Neuville, Clever Creek, Center or Shelbyville area, please contact the Shelby County Sheriff’s office at 936-598-5601, option 1. Shelby County Sheriff's deputies will be patrolling that general vicinity throughout the night.
The statement further states they have received calls about Pitualua being one of the FBI’s Top 10 Most Wanted Fugitives; however, this is indicated as not being true. His original charge that he was on probation for was possession of a controlled substance and his history prior to that includes similar charges, according to the Sheriff's Office.
(7:03pm) - An abundance of law enforcement officials are actively working in the Neuville/Choice area in what appears to be some sort of search since sometime before 5pm.
The area of FM 417 near FM 2140 and a railroad crossing in that vicinity has been actively swarmed by members of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers and DeSoto Parish Louisiana deputies.
K9 units from DeSoto Parish appear to be working in conjunction with a helicopter unit in the area.
At this time, official details haven’t been released on the circumstances in the area. Residents in the area have contacted Shelby County Today and their belief was that law enforcement is conducting some sort of manhunt; however, this has not yet been confirmed by official sources.
July 2, 2026 - In observance of July 4th (Independence Day) all Shelby County offices including the Shelby County Courthouse will be closed, Friday July 3rd. All offices will reopen Monday at their normal time.
On behalf of Judge Harbison, Commissioners McSwain, Metcalf, Smith and Bellmyer we would like to wish everyone within the County a safe and happy 4th of July.
June 26, 2026 - East Lamar WSC's Consumer Confidence Report for January 1 to December 31, 2025 is now available. East Lamar WSC provides ground water from Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer located in Center, TX, Shelby County. To view the Annual Drinking Water Quality Report, click here.
June 26, 2026 - CR 1017 was the scene of a truck tractor fire on Friday afternoon, June 26, 2026, at around 12:40pm.
Center Fire Department personnel and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Troopers responded to the location, and were met with a truck that was fully involved in the fire.
Firefighters quickly began attacking the blaze and were able to knock out the fire, preventing further spread to the trailer the truck was pulling as well as nearby woods.
The incident is under investigation by DPS and further details will be updated when they’re available.
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