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April 6, 2023 - The month of March 2023 had 8 days of rain for a total rain fall of 6.13 inches and had 2 days of freezing temperatures.
The weather data for Center, Texas during the past month is as follows:
Lowest temperature - 27.5 on March 20
Hottest temperature - 85.3 on March 8
Number of days with rain - 8 days
Total rain fall for the month - 6.13 inches
Total rain fall YTD for 2023 - 15.97 inches
Freezing temperatures - 2 days
03/01/2023 - Low of 67.6, High of 83.8
03/02/2023 - Low of 62.4, High of 78.8, Rain 0.86
03/03/2023 - Low of 45.7, High of 65.1, Rain 1.00
03/04/2023 - Low of 41.2, High of 73.9
03/05/2023 - Low of 43.7, High of 79.7
03/06/2023 - Low of 49.3, High of 81.3
03/07/2023 - Low of 59.5, High of 83.7
03/08/2023 - Low of 62.4, High of 85.3
03/09/2023 - Low of 61.0, High of 83.7, Rain 1.19
03/10/2023 - Low of 55.9, High of 65.8, Rain 1.43
03/11/2023 - Low of 56.1, High of 79.5
03/12/2023 - Low of 50.5, High of 69.8, Rain 0.01
03/13/2023 - Low of 44.2, High of 65.8
03/14/2023 - Low of 40.6, High of 61.0
03/15/2023 - Low of 39.2, High of 66.9
03/16/2023 - Low of 53.6, High of 70.2, Rain 1.04
03/17/2023 - Low of 42.4, High of 61.9, Rain 0.13
03/18/2023 - Low of 40.5, High of 57.6
03/19/2023 - Low of 30.0, High of 54.5
03/20/2023 - Low of 27.5, High of 58.5
03/21/2023 - Low of 49.3, High of 69.1
03/22/2023 - Low of 64.6, High of 81.9
03/23/2023 - Low of 67.6, High of 83.5
03/24/2023 - Low of 63.5, High of 76.1
03/25/2023 - Low of 50.7, High of 84.6
03/26/2023 - Low of 46.8, High of 80.1, Rain 0.47
03/27/2023 - Low of 50.7, High of 77.5
03/28/2023 - Low of 56.3, High of 74.1
03/29/2023 - Low of 53.2, High of 68.2
03/30/2023 - Low of 52.0, High of 78.3
03/31/2023 - Low of 69.4, High of 85.1
April 5, 2023 - The Shelby County Commissioners designated April as Child Abuse Awareness month during their April 5, 2023, meeting and appointed a new Shelby County Local Health Authority.
During Commissioners Court held April 5, 2023, a motion carried by the commissioners to designate April as Child Abuse Awareness month. A proclamation was read aloud by Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison, and Denise Merriman, SCCAC Executive Director shared some statitics on cases in Shelby County. (See related article: SC Commissioners Designate April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month)
A motion carried by the commissioners to approve appointing Dr. Keith Miller as Shelby County’s local health authority.
Dr. Singson held the position for many years, and has since retired, making it necessary for the commissioners to appoint someone else. Judge Harbison also noted Dr. Miller is the only M.D. in Shelby County.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:13am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Approve and pay weekly expenses. 2. Proclamation declaring April as "Child Abuse Awareness Month" 3. Appoint Dr. Keith Miller as Shelby County's Local Health Authority. 4. Adjourn at 10:13am. Agenda items tabled or passed during the meeting include: 1. Commissioner Pct. 4 to purchase a Skid Steer and attachments with ARPA funds 2. Change phone/internet service for Justice of Peace Pct. 1.
April 4, 2023 - Tenaha Police Department and Tenaha Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) were dispatched to a single-vehicle crash located on U.S. Highway 84.
According to Tenaha Police Officer Jake Metcalf, investigation determined that a 2010 Ram 1500 driven by a 17-year-old driver was westbound on Highway 84 and entered a curve at an unsafe speed causing the vehicle to exit the roadway striking a road sign and a culvert.
The Ram came to rest in the ditch just across from the U.S. Highway 59 exit ramp and received major damage to the undercarriage along with damage to the front passenger side and the roof.
Both the driver and a 17-year-old passenger refused medical treatment on scene. The driver was issued a citation for unsafe speed resulting in a crash. The vehicle was towed from the scene by wrecker.
Assisting on the scene was Tenaha VFD and Trooper David Shields, Jr.
April 3, 2023 - The Tenaha Police Department and Tenaha Volunteer Fire department were both dispatched to the U.S. Highway 59 North ramp in response to a single-vehicle crash.
According to the investigation performed by Tenaha Police Officer Jake Metcalf, a 2018 Volvo semi truck tractor driven by Abdikadir Mohamud of Minnesota and hauling a 2019 Hyundai box trailer was traveling northbound on George Bowers Drive. The truck tractor entered the Highway 59 North ramp at an unsafe speed which resulted in the semi truck leaving the roadway to the left and striking a tree in the median.
The Volvo sustained severe front damage and was towed from the scene by wrecker.
There were no injuries reported associated with the crash.
Mohamud was issued a citation for unsafe speed and fail to drive in a single lane.
Assisting on the crash was Tenaha VFD, Tenaha PD Chief Scott Burkhalter, Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Dustin Ramos and Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputy Misty Ray.
Extrication Training
April 3, 2023 - The Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department had an exciting week as March came to a close with 3 separate calls and an extrication class held at JVFD Station 2. Here’s a summary of the week’s events.
Sunday at 12:01pm the JVFD was called to set up a landing zone at the baseball field for an Allegiance EMS patient. Per usual procedure, a hose team was deployed in the event that the incoming helicopter crashed. The LifeAirRescue helicopter arrived on scene and touched down without incident and the patient was transferred from the ambulance to the helicopter. Once the chopper was off the ground and en route to an emergency room the scene was cleared.
Wednesday morning at 6:41am a call came in regarding an elderly woman needing her blood pressure checked.
Friday evening at 8:27pm a call was received regarding a tree in the road on FM 3082. The JVFD responded to the scene but the tree had already been cleared from the roadway.
Extrication Training
The Joaquin VFD hosted an extrication class at Station 2 on Highway 7 East starting Friday evening and ending the following Sunday. Firefighters from several different departments spanning 3 different counties were in attendance to learn new techniques in extricating people involved in motor-vehicle accidents. Different ways to stabilize cars were demonstrated both with inflatable lifting bags, struts, and various forms of cribbing. Teams of firefighters were then able to utilize different hand tools and the “jaws-of-life” to cut apart the cars just as they would in the real situation. Classes such as this give firefighters the knowledge and skills to better serve their communities. The JVFD appreciates all the firefighters who were in attendance and the great instructors from MES and TEEX.
With that, this edition of the report will come to a close. The Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department hopes everyone has a great and safe week ahead.
Extrication Training
April 2, 2023 - Tornado Watch 111 is in effect until 1am CDT for the following locations - Texas counties included are: Angelina, Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Franklin, Gregg, Harrison, Houston, Marion, Morris, Nacogdoches, Panola, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Smith, Titus, Trinity, Upshur, Wood.
March 31, 2023 - Tornado Watch 95 is in effect until 9pm CDT for the following locations - Texas counties included are:
Anderson, Angelina, Camp, Cherokee, Delta, Falls, Franklin, Freestone, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Hopkins, Houston, Hunt, Kaufman, Lamar, Leon, Limestone, Marion, Morris, Nacogdoches, Navarro, Panola, Rains, Red River, Robertson, Rusk, San Augustine, Shelby, Smith, Titus, Trinity, Upshur, Van Zandt, Wood
March 31, 2023 - The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Southwestern De Soto Parish in northwestern Louisiana, Southeastern Panola County in northeastern Texas, Northern Shelby County in eastern Texas.
Until 730pm CDT.
At 641pm CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Tenaha, or 11 miles south of Carthage, moving east at 45 mph.
Hazard...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.
Source...Radar indicated.
Impact...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include: Mansfield, Logansport, Tenaha, Timpson, Joaquin, South Mansfield, Gary City, Keachi, Grand Cane, Longstreet, Stanley, Woods and Paxton.
Precautionary/Preparedness Actions...
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for northwestern Louisiana and eastern and northeastern Texas.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect for the warned area. Tornadoes can develop quickly from severe thunderstorms. Although a tornado is not immediately likely, if one is spotted, act quickly and move to a place of safety inside a sturdy structure such as a basement or small interior room.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for northwestern Louisiana and eastern and northeastern Texas.
March 30, 2023 - A Shelby County Grand Jury handed down 29 indictments on Thursday, March 28, 2023. The grand jury was impaneled for the January 2023 term of the 123rd/273rd Judicial District Courts.
Carlos Manuel Caporali was indicted for murder, first degree felony. The indictment alleges, on February 8, 2023, Caporali caused serious bodily injury to Yuri Barahona and caused the death of Barahona by intentionally and knowingly committing an act clearly dangerous to human life, namely by shooting her in the head. (Related articles: Sheriff's Department, Area Law Enforcement Investigate Death of Joaquin Woman (Suspect in Custody | Sheriff Reports Additional Details on Arrest of Joaquin Murder Suspect)
Ricardo Cortes Pacheco was indicted for criminal negligent homicide, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on August 18, 2022, Pacheco by criminal negligence caused the death of Ethan Strother by swerving onto the shoulder of the road, striking Strother.
Airiel Jasmine Burleson was indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury, family violence, first degree felony. The indictment alleges, on December 2, 2022, Burleson recklessly caused serious bodily injury to Bryce Jacob Harris by causing lacerations to his head and hand. It is further alleged in the indictment, Burleson exhibited a deadly weapon: a pot, frying pan and a knife during commission of the assault against Harris, a member of her household.
Danny Ross was indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on October 5, 2022, Ross recklessly caused bodily injury to an individual by causing lacerations to the back of her throat and pulling her hair out. The indictment further alleges Ross exhibited a deadly weapon, a toothbrush, during commission of the assault.
Leslie Danielle Lowe was indicted for diversion of a controlled substance by registrants, dispensers and certain other persons, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on March 15, 2022, Lowe knowingly converted to his use or benefit a controlled substance, namely, 274 dosage units of Phentermine 37.5; 48 dosage units of Alprazolam 1 mg; 47 dosage units of Lorazepam 0.5, all schedule IV controlled substances. In addition the indictment alleges, 41 dosage units of Acetaminophen/Codeine 300-30 mg, a schedule III narcotic, to which Lowe had access to by virtue of her employment as a Pharmacy Tech at Center Texas Walmart.
Dylan Jones was indicted for burglary of a building, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on January 19, 2022, Jones entered a habitation without the effective consent of Robert Quigley, the owner, and attempted to commit or committed theft of a Playstation 3, Kendra Scott Jewelry, knives, and guns owned by Robert and Amanda Quigley.
Jorge Vazquez was indicted for violation of a protective order, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on September 2, 2022, Vazquez violated the terms of an order issued by Judge Donna Hughes, Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1, entered on June 29, 2022. The indictment further alleges Vazquez engaged in conduct two or more times that constituted an offense under Section 25.07 of the Texas Penal Code, namely: going to the protected residence on July 15, 2022, where the protected victim lived (which was a protected place), taking the keys to the home and to the protected person's vehicle, and then threatening her that he would call immigration if she called the police. The indictment further states that Vazquez returned to the protected residence where the protected person lived on July 16, 2022, and told her she had to leave the residence and that he would be coming back to make sure she was gone. All of these acts were violations of the terms of the order entered by Judge Hughes, which as still in effect.
Kevin Wayne Nelson was indicted for evading arrest in a motor vehicle, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on November 13, 2022, Nelson intentionally fled from Texas Game Wardens Austin Cryer and Sam Anderson, persons the defendant knew to be peace officers attempting to lawfully arrest or detain Nelson.
Tramarcus Yarbrough was indicted for burglary of a vehicle with previous convictions, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on September 7, 2022, Yarbrough broke into a grey Hyundai Genesis owned by Jaekrystal Bell, without the owner's consent, and with intent to commit burglary of a building. The indictment further shows Yarbrough was twice previously convicted for similar offenses in Nacogdoches county.
David Slater was indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The indictment alleges, on January 15, 2023, Slater recklessly caused bodily injury to Joseph Nicholas Caruso by cutting his ear, and Slater did then and there exhibit a knife during the commission of said assault.
Miguel Angel Suarez was indicted for assault by choking. The indictment alleges, on September 6, 2022, Suarez caused bodily injury to Isabella Espinoza, a member of Suarez's household, by impeding the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of Espinoza by applying pressure to the throat or neck of Espinoza.
Jonathan Padron was indicted for online solicitation of a minor under 14, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on December 19, 2022, Padron being a person 17 years of age or older with the intent to commit the offense of prohibited sexual conduct, intentionally communicate by an electronic message service in a sexually explicit manner, namely by talking on Snapchat about “doing the nasty” with an individual younger than 14 years of age.
Allen Wood was indicted for abandoning or endangering a child with criminal negligence. The indictment alleges, on January 2, 2023, Wood engaged in conduct that placed a child younger than 15 years of age in imminent danger of death, bodily injury, or physical or mental impairment by firing a gun in the bedroom of the child.
Beverly Kay Hurst was indicted for abandoning or endangering a child, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on October 26, 2021, engaged in conduct that placed a child younger than 15 years of age in imminent danger of death, bodily injury, or physical or mental impairment by having a controlled substance in the presence of the child.
Allen Wood was indicted for deadly conduct discharge firearm, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on January 2, 2023, Wood threatened to commit an offense involving violence to a person or property, namely, firing a gun in the bedroom where the victims were. The indictment alleges Wood had intent to place Wilton Wood, and a child younger than 15 years of age in fear of imminent serious bodily injury. Wilton Wood and the child were members of Wood’s family.
Nakeysha Chantrell Roberts was indicted for theft of property >=$2,500<$30,000, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on November 4, 2022, Roberts took a Honda Rancher four-wheeler of the value of $2,500 or more but less than $30,000 from Thelma Jean Moore, the owner.
Jacorey Semone Johnson was indicted for evading arrest in a motor vehicle, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on February 23, 2023, while using a vehicle Johnson fled from Center Police Officer Jerry Payne, a person Johnson knew to be a peace officer who was attempting to lawfully arrest or detain Johnson.
Demarion Jerrell Latham was indicted for evading arrest with a motor vehicle, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on December 24, 2022, while using a vehicle Latham fled from Center Police Officer Brian Wright, a person Latham knew to be a peace officer who was attempting to lawfully arrest or detain Latham.
Beverly Kay Hurst was indicted for escape, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on February 21, 2023, Hurst escaped from the custody of the Shelby County Sheriff when Hurst failed to turn herself in as ordered in the Judgement Adjudicating Guilt entered by the court on February 15, 2023, convicting her of the offense of possession of a controlled substance, a felony.
(Dates in parenthesis indicate the date of the alleged incident):
- Eddie McKinley Johnson, failure to comply with sex offender registration, third degree felony (July 29, 2022). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Vanessa Kay Beeler, driving while intoxicated with a child passenger, state jail felony (September 30, 2022). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Dennis Jacoby Jackson, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (September 11, 2022). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Christopher Jernigan, possession of a controlled substance PG 1/1-B >=1G<4G (methamphetamine), third degree felony (December 12, 2022). (123rd Judicial District Court)
- Cheyenne Sanford, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (September 22, 2022). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Laci Jean Wardell, possession of a controlled substance PG 1/1-B >=1G<4G (methamphetamine), third degree felony (November 29, 2022). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Robert Paul Prichard, possession of a controlled substance PG 1/1-B >=1G<4G (methamphetamine), third degree felony (January 5, 2023). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Michael Dewayne Watts, possession of a controlled substance PG 1/1-B >=1G<4G (phencyclidine), third degree felony (January 5, 2023). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Esbeide Martinez Jaimes, felony driving while intoxicated, third degree felony (January 8, 2023). (123rd Judicial District Court)
- Beverly Kay Hurst, possession of substance in penalty group 1(methamphetamine in an amount of 400 grams or more), life or for a term of not more than 99 years or less than 15 years (October 26, 2021)
Indictments and Information are not a conviction, and are a matter of public record. All individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law.
March 29, 2023 - The Shelby County Historical Commission presented the Shelby County Commissioners with a proposal to move forward on previously approved work during the March 15, 2023 meeting.
Teddy Hopkins, Shelby County Historical Commission Chairperson, spoke with the commissioners about a need to remove excess concrete from the front of the Historic Courthouse Annex Building and complete the electrical services to the building.
He stated it has been almost a year since the electrical project was previously discussed, and movement was made to approve a bid from 4C to begin the work; however, it was discovered then that there was excess concrete preventing underground entrance into the building for the electrical work.
According to Hopkins, the situation then had to be reassessed to determine the best course of action to then remove the concrete.
Hopkins presented a bid proposal to the commissioners from Cox Jones Architecture & Construction in the amount of $7,715 for the concrete demolition. An adjusted bid proposal from 4C Electrical Services LLC in the amount of $32,190, minus $10,000 which has already been paid leaving a balance of $22,190, was also presented by Hopkins.
Clint Porterfield, County Auditor, requested the Cox Jones proposal be revised since it includes sales tax, and the county is exempt from that.
A motion carried to move forward with the project, with the sales tax removed from the one proposal and the remaining cost to come out of the Courthouse Repairs fund.
Halie Bever, Texas Association of Counties, Human Resources Consultant, spoke with the commissioners about potential updates to the county personnel policy handbook.
The recommended updates applied to the Equal Employment Opportunity guidelines, Personnel Files, Smoke-free Workplace guidelines, Harassment, Paid Breaks, an Addition to the current Shelby County Personnel Policy specific to restriction of pets in county offices, Returning to Work following illness or injury, Drug and Alcohol Policy as it related to CDL employees, Time Sheets, Military Leave, Paid Quarantine Leave, Federal and Medical Leave Act and Military Family Leave.
A motion carried by the commissioners to approve the updates to the Personnel Handbook Policy.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:38am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Officers Report. 3. Current Payroll. 4. Commissioner Pct. 3 to accept donation of culverts and material from Jacob Hutchins to be used as needed. 5. Commissioner Pct. 3 to clean out a ditch on Joaquin school property off of County Road 3203 to drain water from the Joaquin High School property. 6. Repairs to 2nd and 3rd floor restrooms to install handicap toilets (taller) and grab bars beside each one. 7. Record Continuing Education hours for the County Treasurer in compliance for membership in the County Investment Academy. She has successfully completed investment education that satisfies Section 2256.008 of the Texas Public Funds Investment Act. 8. Changes to the Personnel Hand Book Policy. 9. Excess concrete from the front of the HCH Annex Building and complete the electrical services to the building. 10. Resolution to designate authorized signatories for the Texas Community Development Block Grant program. 11. Resolution authorizing the submission of a Texas Community Development Block Grant program application and adopting required CDBG Civil Rights policies. 12. Consider/Approve County of Shelby and City of Timpson Interlocal Agreement to apply and get the roadway (Rosehill Road) built. 13. Accept community-wide housing analysis performed regarding impediments to fair housing for Shelby County. 14. Adjourn. Agenda items tabled during the meeting include: 1. Daily blockage of CR 2050 at the railroad tracks and possibly take action to alleviate the problem. 2. Possibly approve Commissioner Pct. 4 to purchase a Skid Steer and attachments with ARPA funds.
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