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March 19, 2024 - The Shelby County Commissioners were presented with additional information during their March 6, 2024, meeting to do with emergency lighting for the courthouse.
Allison Harbison, County Judge, presented the commissioners with lighting schematics provided by Scooter Clark with 4C Electrical Services and Tom Bellmyer, Commissioner Precinct 4, reviewed them.
“I learned that the data sheets on the lights and of course the emergency lighting is substantially different than normal room lighting and it's a lot of it has to do with the battery backup and the way the circuitry is and everything, so I mean they're definitely going to be a more expensive lighting fixture,” said Bellmyer.
Bellmyer said he’s pretty comfortable with the cost, realizing they're more expensive on the per unit cost, but he felt the county needs to move forward with updating the emergency lighting.
“I really don't think that they probably ever been replaced since we've been in the building,” said Judge Harbison.
Bellmyer further explained the lights are serviceable and don’t have to be completely replaced, and he encouraged them to be added to a maintenance schedule.
Judge Harbison said she would look into that possibility.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bellmyer to move forward and for the purpose of those fixtures and installation. The motion was seconded by Jimmy Lout, Commissioner Precinct 2, and the motion carried.
The cost of the fixtures and installation came to $11,075.28.
Stevie Smith, Commissioner Precinct 3, discuss with the court purchasing “haul” trucks for each Road and Bridge precinct with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
“I think we can purchase haul trucks for each precinct [out of] ARPA funds. I think this would be a long term investment for the county,” Said Commissioner Smith.
Judge Harbison asked what kind of money the county would be looking at spending and what kind of trucks Smith was talking about, and he specified the trucks would be used to haul precinct gravel trailers and would likely cost over $200,000 per truck.
Ann Blackwell, County Treasurer, spoke about the process and paperwork necessary to accomplish what Commissioner Smith proposed and she said it would likely use the remainder of the ARPA funding.
Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, said the county has until the end of the year to spend the ARPA money and buying the trucks would be a positive 10-15 year investment for the county.
Judge Harbison said she also has an idea for the use of ARPA money for anything that’s left over and for communications.
A motion by Commissioner Smith to add the haul trucks as one of their projects, and the motion was seconded by Jimmy Lout, Commissioner Precinct 2, and the motion carried.
The meeting adjourned into an executive session at 9:40am. The meeting returned to open session at 10:32am.
Commissioner Bellmyer moved to take applications received by Judge Harbison and interview individuals that applied for 9-1-1 coordinator during an executive session on March 13 at 1:30pm, and Commissioner McSwain seconded the motion, and it carried.
Commissioner Bellmyer moved to accept the resignation of Angela Rayburn from custodian of all county office buildings, and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Smith. The motion carried.
Commissioner Bellmyer moved to pursue finding a part-time person to clean the county office buildings until someone can be hired, the motion was seconded by Commissioner Lout and the motion carried.
Commissioner Bellmyer moved to publish and go out for bids for custodial services for the county office buildings as a contract and to fulfill the current contract to the end of the budget year, the motion was seconded by Commissioner McSwain, and the motion carried.
Commissioner McSwain moved to allow Judge Harbison to contact the dumpster supplier and place one at the AgriLife building in the parking lot for clean up of the buildings at that location with funding to come out of courthouse repairs, the motion was seconded by Commissioner Smith, and the motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 10:37am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Record Racial Profiling Report for Shelby County Constable. Pct 3. 3. Additional and emergency lighting for the County Courthouse that was not included in the original quote. 4. Commissioner Pct.3 Stevie Smith to discuss with the court on purchasing Haul Trucks for each Road and Bridge precinct with ARPA funds. 5. Make a decision on issues discussed in Executive Session: 5A. Take applications received by Judge Harbison and interview individuals that applied for 9-1-1 coordinator during an executive session on March 13 at 1:30pm. 5B. Resignation of Angela Rayburn from custodian of all county office buildings. 5C. Pursue finding a part-time person to clean the county office buildings until someone can be hired. 5D. Publish and go out for bids for custodial services for the county office buildings as a contract and to fulfill the current contract to the end of the budget year. 5E. Allow Judge Harbison to contact the dumpster supplier and place one at the AgriLife building in the parking lot for clean up of the buildings at that location with funding to come out of courthouse repairs. 6. Adjourn.
March 18, 2024 - A Shelby County Grand Jury handed down 20 indictments on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. The grand jury was impaneled for the January 2024 term of the 123rd/273rd Judicial District Courts.
Kyaw Ny was indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on January 7, 2023, Ny exhibited a deadly weapon, a knife, and threatened imminent bodily injury to Yin Win by making statements that caused Yin Win to be in fear for her life. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Ali Yazdchi was indicted for false holding oneself out as a lawyer, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on January 16, 2024, Yazdchi with intent to obtain an economic benefit for himself, hold himself out as a lawyer, to wit: by communicating to KMH Investment Recovery that he has a lawyer, an the defendant was not then and there licensed to practice law in this state (Texas), another state, or a foreign country. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Ali Yazdchi was indicted for theft of property >=$2,500<$30K, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on January 4, 2024, Yazdchi took a 2019 Jeep Cherokee valued at $2,500 or more but less than $30,000 from Nelda Gunnels, the owner, without the effective consent Gunnels, and with intent to deprive Gunnels of the property. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Brad Michael Broussard was indicted for unlawful possession of firearm by felon, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on January 1, 2024, Broussard possessed on a public road a Remington Shotgun, Ruger Handgun, Ruger 10-22 rifle, and Aero Precision rifle all after the fifth anniversary of Broussard's conviction on March 18, 2004 in Louisiana for the felony offense of simple burglary. (273rd Judicial District Court)
(Update: Case dismissed on January 16, 2025 and refiled case # 24-CR-22628) Jerry Curtis Lewis was indicted for publish/threat to publish intimate visual material, state jail felony, enhanced punishment: 2-20 years. The indictment alleges, on April 27, 2023, Lewis without the consent of and with intent to harm an individual intentionally disclosed visual material, namely photographs, depicting the individual engaged in sexual conduct and the visual material was created under circumstances in which the individual had a reasonable expectation of privacy that the visual material would remain private. The indictment further alleges, the disclosure of the visual material caused harm to the individual, namely, by disclosing the photograph to the individual's spouse and the disclosure of the visual material revealed the identity of the individual. The photograph captured the individual's recognizable facial features, and accompanying text indicated the individual's identity. In reference to the enhancements, the indictment further states Lewis was previously convicted in December 2004 in Nacogdoches County of the felony offense of driving while intoxicated 3rd or more. The indictment further presents, Lewis was previously convicted in October 2021 Navarro County for the felony offense of driving while intoxicated 3rd or more. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Justin Lee Goodman was indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury, family violence, first degree felony. The indictment alleges, on January 12, 2024, Goodman recklessly caused serious bodily injury to Nicole Clifton by punching her in the head and Goodman used or exhibited a deadly weapon, to-wit: a knife during the assault. The indictment further alleges, Goodman had a dating relationship with Clifton as described by the Texas Family Code. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Tuanterrance R Pea was indicted for theft of property >=$2,500<$30K, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on November 12, 2022, Pea took a six pack of t-shirts, 10 pack of t-shirts, one pack of socks, jacket, black Playstation 5 controllers, red Playstation 5 controllers, blue Playstation 5 controllers, 2500 PSI pressure washer, Hewlett Packard all in one computers, Playstation 4 racing wheel controller, one six-pack boxer briefs, of the value of $2,500 or more but less than $30,000 from Walmart, the owner, without consent of Walmart, and with intent to deprive Walmart of the property. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Andrew Christopher Mitchell was indicted for theft of property >=$2,500<$30K, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on November 12, 2022, Mitchell took a six pack of t-shirts, 10 pack of t-shirts, one pack of socks, jacket, black Playstation 5 controllers, red Playstation 5 controllers, blue Playstation 5 controllers, 2500 PSI pressure washer, Hewlett Packard all in one computers, Playstation 4 racing wheel controller, one six-pack boxer briefs, of the value of $2,500 or more but less than $30,000 from Walmart, the owner, without consent of Walmart, and with intent to deprive Walmart of the property. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Jamarcus Raychod Lister was indicted for theft of firearm, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on August 2, 2023, Lister took a firearm, black Glock G17, from Zyrome Khorn without Khorn's consent and with intent to deproive Khorn of the property. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Daniel Boyd Eaves was indicted for fraudulent use or possession of identifying information, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on January 2, 2024, Eaves with intent to harm another and without consent of Sky Bodily, possessed more than five but less than 10 items of identifying information of Bodily. Namely, a Texas identification card and seven debit/credit cards. (273rd Judicial District Court)
(Dates in parenthesis indicate the date of the alleged incident):
- Lester Paul Mann, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=4G<200G (phencyclidine), second degree felony (January 7, 2024). (123rd Judicial District Court)
- Adlious Bryan Riggins, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=4G<200G (dihydrocodeinone), second degree felony (January 2, 2024). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Tiffany Lee Parker, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=4G<200G (methamphetamine), second degree felony (December 10, 2023). (123rd Judicial District Court)
- Ruben Menuz Soto, manufacture pr delivery of a controlled substance in penalty group 1 (methamphetamine), first degree felony (January 29, 2024). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Daniel Boyd Eaves, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (January 2, 2024). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Darius Dshun Harris, possession of a controlled substance in penalty group 2 (methamphetamine), state jail felony (December 14, 2023). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Deneisa Lynn Permenter, manufacture or delivery of substance in penalty group 1 (methamphetamine), first degree felony (November 3, 2023). (123rd Judicial District Court)
- William Ray Young, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=4G<200G (methamphetamine), second degree felony (December 30, 2023). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Brad Michael Broussard, possession of a controlled substance in penalty group 1-A (psilocin), state jail felony (December 14, 2023). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Melvin Joseph Chavis, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=1G<4G (methamphetamine), third degree felony (January 3, 2024). (123rd Judicial District Court)
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 13, 2024 - According the the National Weather Service Shreveport the chance for severe storms remains possible late this week across our Four State area. This threat will arrive Thursday afternoon, extending through the evening/overnight and early Friday morning. Large hail will be the primary threat during this event, but damaging wind gusts and a few tornadoes will also be possible. Rainfall also could be heavy at times with some localized flooding.
Climate data for March 13, 2024:
Today's High - 81
Today's Low - 66
Today's Winds - South wind 10 to 15 mph
Normal High - 70
Normal Low - 47
Record High - 89 in 1918
Record Low - 20 in 1948
Record Precipitation - 3.04
March 12, 2024 - McKee Street in Center was the scene of a structure fire March 12, 2024.
Center Fire Department (CFD) personnel were dispatched to the location on the 100 block of McKee Street at 10:10am. When firefighters arrived, the structure was fully involved and they began attacking the fire with water.
As they worked to extinguish the structure, a pickup truck parked at the back of the structure was also included in the fire.
The firefighters were able to put down the fire involving the structure and the vehicle and prevent further spread to the house on the property.
Due to the excessive heat, the residence received damage to its front, but did not catch on fire.
According to the CFD, a cause of the fire has not yet been determined. They returned to the station around 4:10pm.
There was lawn maintenance equipment nearby and a man on the property suspected the cause may have resulted from a lawn mower.
No injuries were reported due to the fire. The property is owned by Sandrel Slaughter and the resident wasn’t home at the time of the fire.
Center Police Department personnel were on scene to assist during the fire.
March 12, 2024 - Constable Josh Tipton reports the arrest of a Timpson man on school grounds following the discovery of illegal narcotics in his possession on March 12, 2024.
According to Constable Tipton, at 9am he received a call reporting an unknown individual entering school corridors and attempting to access the school by pulling on door handles.
Constables Tipton and Taylor Fanguy responded in tandem as a two-officer unit and made contact with the individual. The constables determined the identity of the suspect to be Bradlee Potter, 27, of Timpson, and according to Constable Tipton they observed potter to demonstrate behavior consistent with being under the influence of narcotics.
During further investigation, Constable Tipton states Potter admitted to having drug paraphernalia in his possession subsequently removing a methamphetamine pipe from his pocket and placing it on the ground before Constable Fanguy. A search of Potter’s person revealed 4.2 grams of methamphetamine to be in Potter’s possession in front of the Timpson middle school.
Potter was arrested and transported to the Shelby County Jail and while being booked in it was discovered he had an additional two-plus grams of methamphetamine, bringing the total to six grams.
Due to the presence of the methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of the school, the possession of a controlled substance charge against potter will be enhanced to a felony.
Constable Tipton gave a criminal trespass warning to Potter for the school grounds and he asked any citizen or school staff to contact Tipton immediately if they witness Potter on school grounds.
For the public’s knowledge, Constable Tipton provided the disclaimer this all occurred during spring break. He said this is part of the constables collective dedication to the children of Shelby County and to the schools. Constable Tipton thanks Constable Fanguy for assisting.
March 11, 2024 - FM 2140 was the scene of a single-vehicle motorcycle crash on March 8, 2024, in the Neuville area.
The driver reached out to a co-worker, Kris Risinger, as they were both driving in separate vehicles to meet their boss, Rafael Soto, to receive payment for their labor.
Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Troopers were alerted of the incident and Trooper Dustin Ramos was dispatched to the scene.
According to the Texas DPS, at 2:03pm Troopers were dispatched to the scene and upon arrival it was determined a 2001 Harley Davidson motorcycle ridden by Cody Akers, 27, of Joaquin was southbound on FM 2140 at an unsafe speed.
Akers missed the right curve and traveled off the roadway through a ditch and came to rest in a field.
Akers refused treatment by EMS and was not reported to have received any injuries. He was issued citations for unsafe speed, no insurance, and no driver’s license.
Just after Trooper Ramos issued citations to Akers he continued his investigation, while Soto and Risinger left, and following the investigation Akers was arrested.
Hughes Wrecker Service then towed the motorcycle from the location.
According to the Shelby County Jail log, Akers was arrested for possession of marijuana <2oz, misdemeanor b.
March 8, 2024 - Shelby County Sheriff Kevin W. Windham reports the arrest of Tiffany Parker, 26, of Shelbyville, and Elizabeth Barton, 27, of Shelbyville.
On March 8, 2024 at approximately 5 a.m., Deputy Cody Muse with the sheriff’s office responded to a disturbance on County Road 2799 in Shelbyville, where a vehicle had also been reported stolen by Parker and Barton. At 8 a.m., CID Lieutenant Chad Hooper and CID Sergeant Aaron Jones began working on the case.
“Due to excellent work done by Deputy Muse, by 11am, investigators were able to locate the vehicle both suspects in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, where they were arrested and taken into custody.”
Both suspects will be extradited back to Shelby County, where they face charges of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle (SJF) and Robbery (F-2).
“I would like to commend Deputy Muse, as well as Lieutenant Hooper and Sergeant Jones for their quick response time to bringing this investigation to an end.”
The SCSO would like to thank Lauderdale County for their assistance.
Two additional bridges also slated for replacement later in the year.
March 8, 2024 – Two Shelby County bridges are currently closed as work began this week to construct new bridges.
County Road 4760 at the Attoyac Bayou Relief, and CR 3047 at Prairie Creek are closed for the bridge replacement project that is scheduled to be complete by August, weather permitting.
Two additional bridges are scheduled for replacement later this year as part of the same project. Other bridges slated for replacement are located at CR 271 at Naconiche Creek and CR 526 at La Nana Bayou. Work to replace these bridges should be completed by February 2025. THK Construction, Longview TX, is serving as contractor for the $2 million bridge replacements.
As work begins at each location, motorists are urged to stay alert, plan to take alternate routes and obey all traffic control.
March 8, 2024 - A Shelby County Grand Jury handed down 19 indictments on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. The grand jury was impaneled for the January 2024 term of the 123rd/273rd Judicial District Courts.
(Update: Case dismissed on March 20, 2024 and refiled case # 24-CR-22451) In addition, a previously sealed indictment handed down July 26, 2023 from the grand jury impaneled for the July 2023 term of the 123rd Judicial District Court is included. Jerry Curtis Lewis was indicted for publish/threat to publish intimate visual material, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on April 27, 2023, Lewis without the consent of and with intent to harm an individual intentionally disclosed visual material, namely photographs, depicting the individual engaged in sexual conduct and the visual material was created under circumstances in which the individual had a reasonable expectation of privacy that the visual material would remain private. The indictment further alleges, the disclosure of the visual material caused harm to the individual, namely, by disclosing the photograph to the individual's spouse and the disclosure of the visual material revealed the identity of the individual. The photograph captured the individual's recognizable facial features, and accompanying text indicated the individual's identity. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Urias Federman Molina-Merlo was indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on November 19, 2023, Molina-Merlo threatened Dylan Molina Torrez with imminent bodily injury by using and exhibiting a deadly weapon, namely a knife.
David Morgan Creel was indicted for obstruction or retaliation, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on February 25, 2022, Creel threatened to harm another, to-wit: Gabriel Arndt, by an unlawful act, to-wit: leaving video messages to her relaying a threat to, "get back with me or I will have 15 cartel come to your house and do some vicious [expletive] to you," in retaliation for or on account of the service of Gabriel Arndt as a public servant, to-wit: Child Protective Service (CPS).
Mitchell Lynn Lawson was indicted for assault by choking, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on January 3, 2024, Lawson recklessly caused bodily injury to Jeffrey Lawson a member of the defendant's family, by impeding the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of Jeffrey Lawson by applying pressure to his throat or neck. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Benjamin Jemel Utley was indicted for fraudulent use or possession of identifying information, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on April 13, 2016, Utley with intent to defraud or harm another and without consent of LouTex, obtained and used less than five items of identifying information of LouTex, namely financial institution account number. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Andrew Taylor Potter was indicted for assault peace officer/judge, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on September 20, 2023, Potter recklessly caused bodily injury to Shelby County Sheriff's Investigator Aaron Jones by hitting Investigator Jones' hand with his head, and Potter knew Jones was a police officer and Jones was lawfully discharging an official duty, namely trying to restrain Potter. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Johnny Ray Taylor was indicted for assault family violence enhanced, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on October 11, 2023, Taylor caused bodily injury to Olivia Canipe, a person with whom Taylor has or has had a dating relationship as described by the Texas Family Code, by striking her in the eye. Before the commission of the charged offense, Taylor had previously been convicted of a similar offense under the laws of another state to-wit: Louisiana. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Andrew Taylor Potter was indicted for obstruction or retaliation, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on September 20, 2023, Potter threatened to commit an offense involving violence to a person, namely, "sick his dogs on Officer Jones," and, "you better watch your family when I get out of jail," with intent to place Aaron Jones in fear of imminent serious bodily injury, and Aaron Jones was a peace officer of the Shelby County Sheriff's Office. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Mark Dewayne Hubbard was indicted for credit card or debit card abuse, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on November 27, 2023, Hubbard knowingly used a debit card, namely, Doches Credit Union debit card with knowledge the card had not been issued to Hubbard with knowledge that said card was not used with the consent of the cardholder, namely, Kaneisha Berry/Daniels. (273rd Judicial District Court)
(Some of the following content contained within indictments is of a sensitive nature and may not be suitable for younger viewers.)
Ty Camden Spurlock was indicted for indecency with a child sexual contact, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on August 1, 2022, Spurlock engaged in sexual contact with a child less than 17 years of age with intent to arouse and gratify the sexual desire of Spurlock. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Ty Camden Spurlock was indicted for indecency with a child by exposure, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on August 1, 2022, Spurlock exposed his genitals or any part thereof knowing a child less than 17 years of age was present with intent to arouse and gratify the sexual desire of Spurlock. The indictment further presents, Spurlock caused the alleged victim to expose their genitals. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Ty Camden Spurlock was indicted for sexual assault, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on April 14, 2023, Spurlock caused the penetration of the female sexual organ of a child younger than 17 years of age and not the spouse of Spurlock by means of Spurlock's sexual organ. The indictment further alleges, Spurlock caused [oral sexual contact] of a child younger than 17 years of age and not the spouse of Spurlock. (123rd Judicial District Court)
(Dates in parenthesis indicate the date of the alleged incident):
- Gustavo Angel Pallares, possession of a controlled substance in Penalty Group 2 (PG2) (psilocin), second degree felony (January 2, 2023). (123rd Judicial District Court)
- Daniel Boyd Eaves, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=4G<200G (methamphetamine), second degree felony (June 1, 2023). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Lawrence David Pierce, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=1G<4G (methamphetamine), third degree felony (October 3, 2022). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Sherri Shires Lewing, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (October 1, 2023). (123rd Judicial District Court)
- Michael Anthony Ratcliff Jr., possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (August 24, 2023). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Juan Carlos Salvador-Perez, felony driving while intoxicated, third degree felony (October 21, 2023). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Clfford Neal Ruth, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (phencyclidine), state jail felony (November 26, 2023). (123rd Judicial District Court)
- Keith Issac Clary, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (January 6, 2024). (123rd Judicial District Court)
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 8, 2024 - Update: As of around 1:30pm, Nacogdoches Street was cleared and traffic is flowing normally again. Crews are working to clear trees, debris and power lines in Lakewood.
State Highway 87 South is also clear and traffic is operating normally again.
12:10pm: Nacogdoches Street (SH 7 West, Nacogdoches Highway) in Center is currently blocked off from Southview Circle to Loop 500 as of 12-noon due to a storm which has blown through and taken down many trees, as well as power lines.
The entrance to Lakewood is also blocked by trees. Travelers should be careful and consider taking an alternate route until Nacogdoches Street is cleared.
There are also several trees down in the roadway on 87 South as of 12-noon. Drivers should use caution and consider alternate routes until the highway is clear.
Trees across roadway on SH 87 South. (Submitted photo)
Trees across roadway on SH 87 South. (Submitted photo)
Trees across roadway on SH 87 South. (Submitted photo)
(Submitted photo)
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