Shelby County Today

January 30, 2025 - Center Power Sports, Center’s newest ATV, UTV and motorcycle dealer, was honored recently by Taiwanese manufacturer Kymco in a worldwide promotion for the dependability and reliability of their products.

In the last quarter of 2024, Kymco offered with the sale of a new unit, discounted pricing on parts for the life of the ATV or UTV purchased. Designating it the “Lifetime Patriot Program,” Kymco offered a $5,000 cash prize for the most creative dealer promotion. 

Local Kymco dealer, Center Powersports, earned the award that, according to a Kymco spokesperson, was a unanimous decision by company executives who voted on the many entries submitted.

Center Powersports showroom display (pictured) promoted the legendary folklore figure known as Bigfoot, humorously suggesting that even the cultural icon relies on the reliability of Kymco products.

Kymco, founded in 1964, originally made parts for Honda but began manufacturing Kymko branded products in 1992. They produce more than 570,000 vehicles annually employing 3,000 people. Units manufactured since 1992 totals 7 million.

Center Powersports is located at 1723 Southview Circle in Center. On the web at www.centerpowersport.com. Phone 936-427-5158.

Pictured are (from left): Det. John Clevenger; Paul Ragan; Det. Sgt. Billy Lusk; Det. Jerry Payne; Lt. Andrew Williams; Sgt. Robert "Bubba" Lee; Troy Keele; Alan Ricketson; Sammy Arnold; and Officer Garrett Rocchi.

January 28, 2025 - Masons with the Sam Samford Lodge #149 in Center delivered water to the Center Police Department on Tuesday, January 28, 2025.

Representing the Sam Samford Lodge were Paul Ragan, Sammy Arnold, Alan Ricketson, and Troy Keele, who all delivered a pallet of bottled drinking water donated by H&S Grocery in Center.

Officers made quick work of offloading the pallet of cases of water and carrying the cases inside of the police department.

Clint Crocker is seen loading the pallet of water off the H&S Grocery loading dock.

January 22, 2025 - The University of Texas at Tyler announced students who were named to the fall 2024 President's Honor Roll and Shelby County had five students make the list.

• Aracely Perez Gonzalez of Center attending College of Arts & Sciences.
• Makayja Horton of Shelbyville attending the College of Education & Psychology.
• Maria Alvarado of Tenaha attending School of Health Professions.
• Stacy Campos Sandoval of Tenaha attending School of Health Professions.
• Samantha Coleman of Tenaha attending College of Education & Psychology.

To qualify for the President’s Honor Roll, a student must have completed, in one term, 12 or more credit hours of undergraduate college-level credit with a grade of A in all courses. The President’s Honor Roll is awarded only in fall and spring semesters to students pursuing a baccalaureate degree. Students named to the President’s Honor Roll are not named to the Dean’s List.

With a mission to improve educational and health care outcomes for East Texas and beyond, UT Tyler offers more than 90 undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 10,000 students. Through its alignment with UT Tyler Health Science Center and UT Health East Texas, UT Tyler has unified these entities to serve Texas with quality education, cutting-edge research and excellent patient care. Classified by Carnegie as a doctoral research institution and by U.S. News & World Report as a national university, UT Tyler has campuses in Tyler, Longview, Palestine and Houston.

January 21, 2025 - A parade and celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was held Sunday January 19, 2025, beginning at the Center square.

Although temperatures were very cold with the promise of decreasing temperatures in the coming days, many gathered on the square to begin the procession of walkers and vehicles to Abundant Love Ministries at the intersection of Shelbyville Street and Loop 500.

Pictured are (from left) Triquina Polley, Deborah Chadwick and Mayor David Chadwick.

Mayor David Chadwick was present as the group gathered before departing the Center square.

As the parade traveled Shelbyville Street, the voice of Dr. King could be heard from the lead vehicle while his famous “I Have a Dream” speech was played throughout the route.

When the parade reached its destination, participants headed inside the church for the celebration.

The program opened with music performed by the Abundant Love Ministries Youth praise group, and Triquina Polley welcomed everyone before introducing Allison Harbison, Shelby County Judge, to speak.

Judge Harbison shared some of her background, growing up in the Possum Trot community, and how many friends she has both there and in Center. She also encouraged having a future MLK event at the John D. Windham Civic Center.

“This is such a wonderful event, we need to have this next year at the civic center and invite everybody from all the churches,” said Judge Harbison. “We’re here to honor a man, if he had lived out his natural life he would have made this work a better place.”

Present for the event were members of the Miss Shelby County Court including Tiny Miss Queen - Gianna Hill; Pre-Teen Miss Queen - Madilyn Polley; Teen Miss Queen - CaLaysia Garrett; Tonya’s Tiara Recipient - Ty’ReUnnia Dock; and Miss Shelby County Queen - Ashton Watts.

Watts had the honor of reciting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

During the program the Abundant Love Ministries Youth praise group and House of Refuge Ministries praise group performed several times.

Keynote speaker for the program was Youth Minister Cameron Cloudy, Sr. who brought a message of unity, "We are one."

Joyce Johnson, Center Councilwoman, especially encouraged the young in attendance to please get involved because of the importance of the movement to everyone involved.