Around Town

December 23, 2016 - Cindy, Kim and I would like to give a huge thank you to everyone that helped in our County Attorney toy drive this year. We have been able to give gifts to over 650 kids at a result of the community's generosity.
Thank you all and Merry Christmas.
Gary Rholes


December 22, 2016 - Shelby County Children's Advocacy Center would like to thank CATO for the recent donation to our Toy Drive. Your support is greatly appreciated!

December 22, 2016 - Farmers State Bank would like to announce their Hours of Operation for the upcoming holidays.
We will be closed the following days:
- December 24 (Christmas Eve)
- December 26 (Christmas Day Observed)
- December 31 (New Year’s Eve)
- January 2 (New Year’s Day Observed)
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

December 22, 2016 - The Seven Sisters Red Hat group had their December meeting at Nettie's Nook, Sammich Shop.
They were treated with festive Red Hat decorations and special red velvet cupcakes and cake pops. They enjoyed a wonderful lunch and always feel so special there. Seated was member Ellen Daniels, who won the door prize, a beautiful Red Hat Lady's bowl, provided by Nettie's Nook.
After lunch, some of the ladies toured the historic courthouse to see the holiday decorations then they went to deliver gifts to a couple of the nursing homes.
December 21, 2016 - The staff at the Shelby County Children’s Advocacy Center would like to thank those of you who contributed to our annual toy drive. Your generosity allowed us to surprise 78 children in our community with Christmas cheer during a time in their lives when it was most needed. Your gifts are a reminder to them that they are loved and valuable.
Our heartfelt thanks goes out to Shelby Savings Bank, Burkes Outlet, Catos, County Attorney Gary Rholes, First United Methodist Church, New Life Church, United Pentecostal Church, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Wright Chrysler Dodge Dealership, San Augustine 4-H, Shelbyville Middle School JCC, Shelbyville High School Student Council, the Vacation Divas, Delta Gamma, and each and every individual who gave food, funds, clothing, bikes, and toys.
December 21, 2016 - Shelby Savings Bank hosted a groundbreaking ceremony in Chireno on Tuesday, December 20, 2016 for a new 'intelligent' ATM location.
Will Lucas, President of Shelby Savings Bank, said, "We want to thank everybody for coming out. We do appreciate you. We are excited to open up our new 'intelligent' ATM in Chireno." Lucas explained the capabilities of the ATM which he described as intelligent due to it not only dispersing money but accepting deposits as well.
Lucas then introduced Rick Campbell, chairman of the board, who spoke, "We certainly appreciate Chireno accepting us into this market and we look forward to doing all we can to help the folks in this community be a part of our community, we're a big family over there in Shelby County, well, of course we have a bank in San Augustine and one in Hemphill. Being a part of the community is something we strive at and we just want to say thank you for being here."
A member of the Chireno community spoke and expressed her appreciation for the bank stepping in after a previous bank in Chireno shut down leaving the area without any nearby options.
Shelby Savings Bank's main branch is located in Center along with a satellite location on the north side of Center, San Augustine, and Hemphill. The bank also has a Loan Production Office in Palestine.



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December 20, 2016 - The Pineywoods Board of Realtors gathered at the Shelby County Outreach on Tuesday, December 20th at noon. At this time they made a food donation to the Outreach. After consulting with Mrs. Sherry Harding at the Outreach, there is a large need for food donations in order to compose "food boxes" which feed local people in need. There are many many in the County that do not have the funds to properly feed themselves or their family.
The Pineywoods Board of Realtors is an association of local Realtors in Shelby County. Each year they work together and assess some of the needs in our County, in turn they try to meet the needs such as food donations and Scholarships for graduates within the County high schools.
This group of Realtors work hard to give back to their community each year and love to partner with groups like the Outreach, touching many lives throughout the year.

December 20, 2016 - Cub Scout Troop 119 visited Lakeside Village Assisted living facility on Tuesday, December 13, 2016 to visit with residents and sing Christmas carols.
Residents gathered in the main living room of the facility to meet and hear the children. Dwight Preston, Cub leader, introduced the children to the residents and he was also accompanied by Amber Preston, Den Leader, and Brent Dance, Assistant Cub leader.
The scouts then sang Jingle Bells and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer to the delight of the residents. After their performance, the scouts visited with each resident and presented them with candy canes.







December 19, 2016 - Shelby County cellular phone options continue to expand as yet another cell phone provider has moved in to Center to offer services.
Elias Loza, store manager, stated Cricket Wireless is a non contract company offering limited plans with talk and text and varying data options. He explained a customer can supply their own device, or purchase a new one from the store.
An added benefit Loza mentioned is if a customer has multiple lines they don't all share the same data and the more lines a customer has the lower the individual cost becomes.
Loza stated Cricket Wireless is a subsidiary company of AT&T since 2013 allowing users to talk off AT&T towers.
DirecTV service is also available to customers to stream through their phones and Loza explained an added benefit of this is streaming DirecTV to their TV from their cellular device via such electronic accessories as Chromecast, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire Stick.
Center staff members of the business are Elias Lazo, Johnathon Cothren, Ana Segovia, Rosa Segovia, Elizabeth Hernandez, and Miguel Mora.
Cricket Wireless is located at at 807 Hurst Street, Suite A in Center and can be reached by calling 936-598-9968.


December 19, 2016 - The drawing for the Dream Playhouse Giveaway was held Monday evening, December 19, 2016 at the ACE Hardware of East Texas on the Loop with J.J. Ford drawing the winning ticket. Congratulations to Sutton Crelia of Center!
The winner needs to contact Kenneth Robertson at ACE as soon as possible in order for the details of the delivery can be setup.
The beautifully built Playhouse was constructed by Bo Warren with quality materials from ACE Hardware.
Facebook post from ACE Hardware: Congratulations!! We want to thank every one who came out and signed-up. Also, thank you to JJ from Shelby County Today for doing us the honor of drawing for us. We love giving back to our customers and this year was no exception.











