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Joe Adams
June 11, 2026 - A Tenaha man has been convicted and sentenced to two life sentences following a three-day trial in the 273rd Judicial District Court with Judge Jim Payne presiding.
The majority of testimony was heard Tuesday, and the jury began Wednesday considering the guilt or innocence of Joe Adams. After only 17 minutes of deliberation, the jury returned with a guilty verdict.
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After the guilty verdicts, the trial entered the punishment phase, and testimony continued for the jury to hear. Once the jury entered deliberations following testimony, they took 43 minutes to return with the dual life sentences for burglary of a habitation and felon in possession of a firearm. Both charges carried a punishment enhancement of habitual 25 years to life, in consideration of Adams’ criminal history.
Deputies responded on May 8, 2025, to reports of a man walking down railroad tracks with two rifles and aiming them. Aaron Jones, who was a Sheriff’s Department Deputy at that time responded to Tenaha and began searching for Adams. Once he located Adams on FM 947, he ordered him at gunpoint to put the rifles down before taking him into custody without incident.
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Tenaha ISD Police Chief David Jeter arrived at the location and assisted Jones in the arrest. Meanwhile, Adams recounted to the officers how he had come into possession of the rifles. Adams shared that he had broken into the house of a friend of his and this was predicated on a claim that he had seen a white SUV leaving his friend's house and that he had heard a scream from within the residence. Jurors learned in testimony that Adams had used a piece of rebar to break a window to gain entry into the house and once inside he claimed to discover two rifles on a table, which he took in order to prevent something from happening.
A resident testified to seeing Adams point one of the rifles at her children who were playing in her back yard just previous to Deputy Jones’ arrival.
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D.J. Dickerson, Shelby County District Attorney Investigator, testified that Adams is a “danger to our community,” and “a nuisance to our society.” He also testified that law enforcement had already been looking for Adams on the day of his arrest, because of reported social media threats made by him against Tenaha ISD.
This wasn’t the first time Adams had been accused of making similar threats, as reported by Shelby County Today in 2023. (Related Article: Tenaha Man Arrested Following Alleged Threats).
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After the verdict of the jury was read aloud, Judge Payne issued judgment on case numbers 25CR22772, and 25CR22773 against Adams finding him guilty and sentencing him to life in prison in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division (TDCJ-ID). No fine was assessed by the jury, Adams was remanded to the custody of the Shelby County Sheriff for delivery to the TDCJ-ID.
June 10, 2026 - The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the Flat Fork Water Supply Corp. public water system, TX2100007, to issue a Boil Water Notice on June 3, 2026, for CR 3760 to inform customers, individuals, or employees that due to conditions which occurred recently in the public water system, the water from this public water system was required to be boiled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
The public water system has taken the necessary corrective actions to restore the quality of the water distributed by this public water system used for drinking water or human consumption purposes and has provided TCEQ with laboratory test results that indicate that the water no longer requires boiling prior to use as of June 10, 2026.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Elise Neuwirth at 936-590-6451.
June 3, 2026 - Due to a line break on CR 3760, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the Flat Fork Water Supply public water system, TX2100007, to notify all customers on CR 3760 to boil their water prior to consumption (e.g., washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc). Children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions).
To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes.
In lieu of boiling, individuals may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the public water system officials will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Elise Neuwirth at 936-590-6451.
June 8, 2026 - County Road 4745 in the Timpson area just near U.S. Highway 59 was the scene of a four-wheeler crash incident on Friday, June 5, 2026.
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Shelby County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to the scene to aid those involved in the incident and Texas DPS investigated the crash.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 12:35am, a Honda all-terrain vehicle (ATV) ridden by Derek Hendricks, 29, of Center was westbound at an unsafe speed approaching a curve when he lost control, and the ATV overturned.
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Hendricks was transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
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According to DPS, this is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
Do Not Drive: Loss of Control from Control Arm Separation
A detached control arm can cause a loss of vehicle control increasing the risk of a crash
June 8, 2026 - Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Bronco Sport and 2022-2026 Maverick vehicles. The front lower control arm ball joints may have been incorrectly installed or incorrectly repaired at the vehicle assembly plant, allowing the control arm to disconnect from the front wheel knuckle.
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and repair the front lower control arm ball joints as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed by June 5, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S36. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 29, 2026.
June 6, 2026 - As of Friday evening June 5, 2026, the Center Police Department has yet to give any broad strokes elaboration on what may have occurred at the residence on Bolton Street.
According to Center Police Department booking information Travor D. Hubbard, 32, a resident of the house that was cordoned off with police vehicles, officers and caution tape was arrested on June 1, 2026, on warrants for violation of promise to appear - misdemeanor c; and child not secured by seatbelt - misdemeanor c. He laid out one day in the city jail and then paid a fine of $740.50 and he was released on June 2, 2026.
June 1, 2026 - Center Police Department was at a residence on Bolton Street Monday for the majority of the day. After receiving calls indicating the presence of law enforcement at the residence, Shelby County Today went to the location to determine the circumstances.
At 1:30pm, officers were at the scene where a residence had been cordoned off with yellow tape. Officers would not elaborate on the circumstances of their investigation.
According to the Center Police Department, detectives are working an active crime scene on the 1200 block of Bolton Street; however, there is no threat to the general public. It was further stated the incident was isolated and they were just waiting on some documentation to come back. No further details were available at the time of this report.
June 6, 2026 - State Highway 7 West was brought to a stop Friday afternoon, June 5, 2026, as the result of a two-vehicle crash in the middle of the roadway at CR 1140 around 4:15pm.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Ashley Hughes, a red 2005 Ford passenger vehicle driven by Marcus Lister, 50, of San Augustine was eastbound on State Highway 7 West approaching the intersection of CR 1140. At that time a blue 2006 Ford pickup truck driven by Steven Watts, 52, of Center was westbound on SH 7, and when turning onto CR 1140 failed to yield right of way turning left into the path of Lister causing the vehicles to collide.
Lister was transported from the scene by ambulance for treatment of possible injuries.
Watts was cited for fail to yield right of way.
Assisting at the scene were deputies with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department and the Center Fire Department.
Both vehicles were towed from the scene by Hughes Wrecker Service and Sandhill Wrecker.
Shelby County Sheriff's Sgt. Misty Ray is seen stopping westbound traffic at the crash scene.
June 5, 2026 - State Highway 7 West is the scene of a two-vehicle collision at CR 1140 the roadway is blocked in both directions until the scene can be cleared as of 4:37pm.
The roadway is reopened as of 5:20pm in both directions. Travelers are encouraged to use caution, especially in the inclement weather.
June 5, 2026 - U.S. Highway 96 South near FM 417 was the scene of a two-vehicle crash Thursday, June 4, 2026, during rain conditions.
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Shelby County Sheriff’s Department deputies, Center Fire Department personnel, and Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers responded to aid those involved in the crash incident.
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Extrication equipment was used by the fire department to free one driver from an SUV that was in the crash.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Matt Chandler, at 5:50pm a white Chevrolet pickup truck driven by Jimarse Hudson, 38, of Keithville, LA. was northbound during rain conditions when the Chevrolet hydroplaned and spun across the roadway into the southbound side. The right rear quarter panel of the truck then struck the driver’s side of a silver Chevrolet Tahoe driven by Demetrice Martin, 46, of San Augustine.
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Once Martin was able to be extricated from the Tahoe, both driver’s were transported to Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
Hudson was issued a citation for unsafe speed.
June 4, 2026 - Emergency responders were dispatched to the intersection of U.S. Highway 59 and U.S. Highway 84 on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, for a two-vehicle crash involving a truck tractor and a passenger car at around 8:20am.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), a white 2023 Infiniti QX60 driven by Melaney Morris, 66, of Lufkin was stopped at the sign on U.S. 84 waiting to cross U.S. 59. A two-tone blue and white 2012 Peterbilt driven by Dominique Emerson, 35, of Shreveport, La. towing a bobtail trailer was traveling south on U.S. 59. It is reported that the Infiniti failed to yield the right-of-way at the stop sign, attempted to cross U.S. 59, and was struck by the Peterbilt.
Morris, and one passenger Nancee Bennett, 65, of Lufkin were not injured. Emerson was also not injured.
DPS did not provide citation data at the time of this report.
According to DPS, this is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
The crash was investigated by DPS Trooper Jordan Ford. Timpson Volunteer Fire Department assisted at the scene of the crash.
According to TxDOT crash report data, there have been 21 crash incidents recorded in the vicinity of the intersection involved in the past four years. Four of those reported crashes occurred in 2025 and five are reported to have occurred in 2026.
June 3, 2026 - Effective Wednesday May 28, 2026
Due to computer repair/replace DETCOG will temporarily issue addresses for Shelby County: Please contact Benjamin Duncan, 409-381-5254.
Update: National Weather Service Shreveport LA issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning at 4:13pm for Northwestern Sabine Parish in northwestern Louisiana, Angelina County in eastern Texas, Nacogdoches County in eastern Texas, Northwestern Sabine County in eastern Texas, San Augustine County in eastern Texas, Shelby County in eastern Texas, and Southeastern Cherokee County in northeastern Texas until 5:15pm.
At 413 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line from over Shelbyville to 12 miles southwest of Forest, or along a line from 6 miles southeast of Center to 25 miles south of Rusk, moving southeast at 20 mph.
Radar indicated 60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. Impact includes hail damage to vehicles is expected and expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
Update: At 4:05pm a line of strong thunderstorms will impact Nacogdoches, Northwestern Angelina, Southeastern Cherokee, Northern San Augustine, and Central Shelby Counties until 5pm.
At 4:05pm, Doppler radar was tracking a line of strong thunderstorms extending from over Shelbyville to 8 miles southwest of Morrill, or extending from 5 miles east of Center to 18 miles south of Rusk, moving south at 15 mph.
June 2, 2026 - The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Southern De Soto Parish in northwestern Louisiana, Northwestern Natchitoches Parish in northwestern Louisiana, Central Red River Parish in northwestern Louisiana, Northwestern Sabine Parish in northwestern Louisiana, Eastern Shelby County in eastern Texas until 4:45pm CDT.
At 3:40pm CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line from 5 miles east of Coushatta to over Logansport, or along a line from 22 miles northwest of Natchitoches to 14 miles northeast of Center, moving south at 20 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, Coushatta, Logansport, Campti, Joaquin, Converse, Patroon, Allen, Oak Grove, Pleasant Hill, Martin, Huxley, South Mansfield, Noble, Edgefield, Powhatan, Stanley, Pelican and Rambin.
Instruction: Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from windows. These storms are capable of producing damaging winds and large hail.
A line of strong thunderstorms will impact northeastern Nacogdoches, southeastern Panola, northwestern San Augustine and Shelby counties and southwestern De Soto parish until 4pm CDT.
At 3:24pm CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a line of strong thunderstorms extending from over Joaquin to over Timpson, or extending from 12 miles northeast of Center to 14 miles northwest of Center, moving south at 20 mph.
Hazard: Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch size hail.
Source: Radar indicated.
Impact: Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.
Locations impacted include: Center, Logansport, Tenaha, Timpson, Joaquin, Shelbyville, Neuville, Patroon, Martinsville, Jericho, James, Arcadia, Paxton, Calgary, Stockman, Hurstown and Jordans Store.
Precautionary/Preparedness Actions: Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening weather conditions.
If on or near Toledo Bend Texas side, get out of the water and move indoors or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to 10 miles from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter now! Do not be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.
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