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September 23, 2022 - Shelby County Sheriff Kevin W. Windham reports the arrest of Sahanna Stubblefield, 38, of Houston. Stubblefield was arrested in Houston on September 22, 2022, on a Shelby County warrant for Theft of Property with a Previous Conviction (F-3) in connection with the theft of a 2017 Polaris Razr that was stolen on September 2, 2022 off Highway 7 West in the Grigsby area. Stubblefield was transported from the Harris County jail to the Shelby County jail where she will be arraigned for her charge.
The SCSO is incredibly grateful for the assistance we received that made this arrest possible. Thank you, Tom Selman, Angelina County Constable Precinct 1; Sgt. James Horn, Harris County Sheriff’s Office; Barry Saucier, Lt. Investigator for the Harris County District Attorney; and Dan Shattuck.
Related article: Sheriff's Department Investigating Theft of Razr in Mt. Herman Community
September 22, 2022 – Texas Transportation Commissioners on Thursday approved more than $520.9 million in new construction projects statewide, with more than $12.4 million earmarked for projects in the Lufkin District.
Commissioners also approved more than $75.9 million in maintenance projects, which included more than $1.7 million for the Lufkin District.
Shelby County was approved for a $9.4 million construction project on US 96 that will include widening of the road and adding shoulders from 1.06 miles south of SL 500 in Center to just south of FM 417. Moore Brothers Construction Company, Lufkin, will serve as contractor. No timeline for completion has been set.
Angelina County was approved for $2.6 million in roadway rehabilitation and reconstruction on FM 326 from US 69 to one-half mile north of US 69. Moore Brothers Construction Company, Lufkin, will serve as contractor. No timeline for completion has been set.
Commissioners also approved $439,626.00 earmarked for bridge maintenance in various locations districtwide. THK Construction, Longview TX, will serve as contractor. No timeline for completion has been set.
Maintenance projects approved for the Lufkin District include more than $1 million earmarked for Angelina, Houston and Trinity counties that will used to purchase limestone rock asphalt. Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC, Birmingham AL, will furnish the materials.
More than $667,780.00 was also approved for preventative bridge maintenance in two separate contracts that is earmarked for various locations districtwide. Garret Shields Infrastructure, Garland TX, will serve as contractor.
As these projects are scheduled to begin, pre-construction meetings will be held and completion dates set. As signage and traffic control is set for these projects, motorists are urged to stay alert and obey all traffic control through and near work zones.
For more information, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or call (936) 633-4395.
September 23, 2022 - The Shelbyville Water System, ID # 2100014 will temporarily convert the disinfectant used in the distribution system from chloramine to free chlorine. The conversion will begin September 26, 2022 and continue through October 25, 2022. During this period, you may experience taste and odor changes associated with this type of temporary disinfectant conversion.
Public water systems are required to properly disinfect their water and maintain an adequate disinfectant residual in the distribution system. Chloramine, free chlorine combined with ammonia, is widely used as a disinfectant because it persists for long periods while limiting the formation o f disinfection by-product contaminants. Prolonged use of chlorarnines coupled with other factors that can affect water quality, such as high temperatures or stagnation o f water, may result in the growth and/or persistence o f organic matter within the pipes of the distribution system, which may hinder the ability to maintain an adequate disinfectant residual. A temporary conversion to free chlorine, partnered with flushing activities, helps to rid distribution pipes o f this organic matter and improve the quality of your water overall.
Shelbyville water has chosen to implement a temporary disinfectant conversion to free chlorine based on the following: ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
Share this information with all people who drink this water, especially those who may not see this notice directly.
If you have questions regarding this matter, you may contact Rodney Warr at 936 591-5338.
September 20, 2022 - Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers responded with Shelby County Sheriff's Deputies and EMS personnel to a single-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 96 North Monday, September 19, 2022, in front of the Center Country Club. During investigation the driver was determined to be intoxicated and was arrested for driving while intoxicated, misdemeanor b.
According to the DPS press release, the preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 11:15pm, a 2015 GMC pickup turned right from a private drive to travel south and failed to drive in a single lane. The pickup traveled off the road to the right and struck an embankment, at which point it overturned on its left side.
The driver, identified as Thomas Peace, 31, was not injured. Peace was arrested and transported to the Shelby County Jail
This is an ongoing investigation and there is no additional information available.
Shelby County Sheriff Kevin Windham has confirmed Captain Tanner Peace was involved in a one-vehicle crash incident on Highway 96 North and was subsequently arrested for driving while intoxicated.
Pictured are (from left): Mary Fausett, Gene Hutto, Joy Hutto, Theresa Hume, Carolyn Umbrell, Larry Hume, Mike Wulf and Richard Lundie.
September 20, 2022 - VFW Post 8904 and Auxiliary members assembled at the Shelby County Veterans Memorial September 16, 2022, in observance of National POW/MIA Recognition Day.
Larry Hume, Post Quartermaster, welcomed everyone to the program and VFW Post member Mike Wulf gave the opening prayer.
"There are currently over 83,000 Americans listed as missing and unnaccounted for going back to the second world war," said Hume.
Hume continued by also remembering the families of those lost who hope that one day their loved one will one day be accounted for.
"Shelby County, Texas has [had] 39 of her citizens held as prisoners of war, 35 from World War II and four from the Korean War," said Hume. "Three of these died in captivity, while the others lived through a terrible ordeal that we cannot even imagine, by the grace of God returned home but they have now passed from this life."
The group then read aloud the names of former prisoners of war, followed by the names of those missing in action.
"Currently known to us there are also 31 Shelby County veterans still missing in action from World War I, World War II, and the Korean War, and their names are carried on the Department of Defense Rolls as such," said Hume.
The first name read by Hume, John W. Temple, has been missing for 104 years according to Hume.
After the names were read, a memorial wreath was placed on the Shelby County Veterans Memorial. The VFW members then retired and replaced the POW/MIA flag that flys on the square.
Taps was then played as presented by Gene Hutto, VFW Past Post Commander.
Prisoners of War:
Harlan F. Adams, World War II - German POW
Haskell Beard, World War II - German POW
Harold F. Beasley, World War II - Japanese POW
Sharkey Brown, Jr., World War II - Japanese POW
Thermon D. Brittain, Sr., World War II – Bataan Death March, Japanese POW
Frank M. Butler, World War II - German POW
Oran J. Childs, World War II - Bataan Death March, Japanese POW
Basil A. Coats, World War II - German POW
Sam Davis, Jr., World War II - German POW
Dr. Roy L. Emken, World War II - Bataan Death March, Japanese POW
Ray Emmons, World War II - German POW
Newell Evans, World War II - German POW
Clifford Gary, World War II - German POW
Hilton Hooper, World War II - German POW
Calvin R. Hutto, World War II - Japanese POW
Audrey C. Jacobs, World War II - German POW
Jesse F. Kennedy, World War II - German POW
Johnnie M. Lee, World War II, Japanese POW - Died in Prison Camp
Dravis Massie, World War II - Japanese POW
Austin W. Mayes, World War II - German POW
Phillip E. Murphree, World War II - German POW
James H. Myers, World War II - Japanese POW
R.B. Neal, World War II - German POW
Truman B. Owens, World War II - German POW
Sherman S. Pickard, World War II - German POW
George O. Rivers, World War II - Bataan Death March, Died in Japanese Prison Camp
Charles D. Rogers, World War II - Japanese POW
George B. Stutts, Jr., World War II - German POW
Vernon B. Walters, World War II - Bataan Death March, Died in Japanese Prison Camp
Henry L. Wilburn, World War II - German POW
Hulon Williams, World War II - German POW
R.L. Williams, World War II - German POW
Levi A. Williford, World War II - German POW;
Marshall (Tex) Windham, World War II - German POW
John E. Woodfin, Sr., World War II - Bataan Death March, Japanese POW
Hubert L. Langford, Korean War - North Korean POW
Paul D. Lucas, Korean War, North Korean POW
Leonard Scott, Korean War - North Korean POW
Billy Lee Wescoat, Korean War - Chinese POW
Missing in Action:
John W. Temple, WWI - Missing July 19, 1918, France
John C.B. Alford, World War II - Missing May 7, 1942, Pacific Theater
Lloyd L. Andrews, World War II - Missing December 25, 1944, European Theater
Cecil A. Armstreet, World War II - August 31, 1942, Atlantic Ocean
Lee O. Brunson, World War II - Missing December 8, 1944, European Theater
John B. Byrn, World War II - Missing August 24, 1943, European Theater
Philip H. Childs, World War II - Missing July 29, 1942, Pacific Theater
James A. Cleveland, World War II - Missing September 7, 1944, Pacific Theater
Lewis V. Dockens, World War II - Missing June 2, 1942, European Theater
Reed Dominy, World War II - Missing April 15, 1944, European Theater
Roy V. Duncan, World War II - Missing April 16, 1945, Pacific Theater
Hubert Haley, World War II - Missing May 14, 1942, European Theater
Pershing H. Harvey, World War II - Missing October 24, 1944
Walter B. Henry, World War II - Missing August 7, 1943, European Theater
Curtis Jolley, World War II - Missing October 24, 1944, Pacific Theater
Willie E. Lathon, World War II - Missing December 12, 1943, Pacific Theater;
James A. McDaniel, World War II - Missing April 20, 1944, Pacific Theater
Woodrow W. Moro, World War II - Missing May 5, 1942, Gulf of Mexico
Kenneth N. Nicholson, World War II - Missing October 27, 1942
Darwin Risinger, World War II - Missing September 5, 1945, Pacific Theater
John C. Scott, World War II - Missing June 19, 1944, Pacific Theater
Choron Smotherman, World War II - Missing November 27, 1943, European Theater
Johnny F. Stack, World War II - Missing November 30, 1942, Pacific Theater
Richard M. Wallace, World War II - Missing July 26, 1942, European Theater
Robert H. Wharton, World War II - Missing November 20, 1943, Pacific Theater
Marion B. Whiteside, Jr., World War II - Missing October 19, 1942
Claude M. Wilkerson, World War II - Missing May 8, 1942, Pacific Theater
Elgie P. Williams, World War II - Missing December 6, 1943, Pacific Theater
Elmer E. Williams, World War II - Missing November 8, 1942, Pacific Theater
Ray D. Williams, World War II - Missing July 11, 1944, European Theater
Willie E. Windham, Korean War - Missing August 12, 1950, Korea.
September 20, 2022 - Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers investigated a fatal motorcycle crash on County Road 2865, approximately 15 miles south of Center, that occurred Sunday, September 18, 2022.
The preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 7:45pm, a 2013 Honda dirt bike motorcycle was traveling east. It is reported that the driver lost control of the motorcycle while traveling around a left-hand curve and traveled into the ditch where it crashed.
The driver, identified as Debrodrick Jones, 20, of Center, was transported to CHI St. Luke’s Hospital for treatment; he succumbed to injuries sustained during the crash.
There is no additional information available at this time.
September 19, 2022 - During the week of September 11th through 17th the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department had 5 total calls. Here is a brief rundown of all that transpired.
The calls began Monday morning with a heart attack patient on County Road 3590. The JVFD EMR team would respond to check out the patient.
Later in the day the EMRs would return to County Road 3590, this time in response to a fall patient with potentially fractured ribs. Allegiance EMS was also advised.
The next call came in on Wednesday morning for a man having chest pains at the Joaquin Apartments. The EMRs responded as well as EMS.
Next, the Joaquin VFD responded to a tree down across FM 2428 on Friday evening to provide traffic control until TxDOT could arrive to remove the blockage.
Lastly on Saturday evening, the EMR team would be en route to a residence on Highway 84 East for a pregnant woman having severe abdominal pain.
That will bring this weeks report to a close. As always, we here at the JVFD hope everyone has a great and safe week ahead.
September 14, 2022 - Work is scheduled to begin in Shelby County this week that will rehabilitate and widen a roadway.
Crews will begin work on FM 1656/Airport Road from SH 7 to FM 699 this week through the next five weeks, weather permitting. The work will include adding an additional 8-inches of limestone to the road base while widening the pavement from the current width of 22-feet to 26-feet.
The work will require traffic control and lane closures. This work is a Shelby County Maintenance project and will require traffic control and alternating lane closures as it progresses in coming weeks. Motorists are urged to stay alert, obey all traffic control in the area and reduce speed near the work zone.
For more information, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or call (936) 633-4395. For information on projects and road closures statewide, visit drivetexas.org.
September 13, 2022 - The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating a high-speed pursuit that ended in Center on Tuesday, September 13, 2022.
What is known is Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper David Shields engaged in a pursuit of a black Hyundai Elantra on State Highway 87 North just south of Timpson. An officer initiated a pit maneuver and the vehicle was brought to a stop just before the intersection with Hurst Street and SH 87 North in Center. Officers with multiple agencies converged on the location where a male and female individuals were removed from the vehicle and taken into custody, apparently without incident.
Assisting Troopers at the scene were Shelby County Sheriff's Department Deputies, Center Police officers, Constable Precinct 5, and Texas Game Wardens.
(Update 9-14-22): According to information from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Troopers arrested two individuals after fleeing from law enforcement in a motor vehicle on State Highway 87, near County Road 4012, that occurred Tuesday, September 13, 2022.
The preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 4:21 p.m., a 2014 Hyundai passenger car was traveling south and reportedly speeding. It is reported that when the Trooper attempted to conduct a traffic stop, the passenger car began to evade from law enforcement. The passenger car finally came to a stop in Center where the two suspects were apprehended and transported to Shelby County Jail.
The driver, identified as Keavien Dtrevion McKeever, 20, of Logansport, La. was charged with the felony offense of evading in a motor vehicle and the misdemeanor offenses of possession of marijuana and no driver license. The passenger, identified as Jmya Tyashla Watts, 19, of Timpson, was charged with the misdemeanor offense of possession of marijuana.
This is an ongoing investigation and there is no additional information available.
September 13, 2022 - The Shelby County Commissioners received an update from Sherry Riley,Veterans Service Officer (VSO), on the current status of her position and the duties it includes during their September 7, 2022, meeting.
Riley explained she services veterans from both Shelby and San Augustine Counties, and due to issues with utilities in the historic courthouse where her office has been housed, she has been unable to continue providing services from there.
"When Covid began, I continued to work out of the office through about April I believe," said Riley. "At that point our numbers were getting pretty high and I deal with veterans whose health issues make them an exceptional group of the population, and we want to do everything that we can to protect their health."
During April 2020, Riley established a home office and began working from home. She said she continued to see veterans face-to-face when it was absolutely necessary to obtain signatures, medical documents or evidence to file toward their claims, and any other personal documents. She said interviews were primarily conducted over the telephone while also utilizing masks and distance following Covid protocols, and it went very well.
"On into 2021 continuing to work from a home office, see veterans here in town wherever we could meet, and then I went back to the historic courthouse," said Riley. "Well, you remember in 2021 we had a very hard freeze, a couple of them actually wreaked havoc on our county, [and] did a number on the wells at the courthouse and the plumbing."
Once Riley was moved back into the courthouse she said she then discovered there was no heat in the building, no water, and no air. After that was determined, she moved her office back to her home.
"That's where I have been working since then, is from my home office," said Riley
Riley said that recently the commissioners and county judge in conjunction with Lane Dunn, County Agent, arranged for the Veterans Service Officer to have an office space in the building that houses the county extension office. She said she would be working out of that location; however, she wouldn't be there every day.
"That's just not how the Veterans Service Office operates," said Riley. "I discovered a lot of positive things as a result of 2020. Number one, the absolute best place in the world to conduct an interview with a veteran is in the comfort of their own home, on their front porch sitting there in a rocking chair. They can tell their story in the comfort of their own environment."
She explained she can file better claims for them then, because she has better information. Riley said her plan is to be in her new office by appointment only to get signatures, medical documents, file claims, and when necessary to meet with a veteran she will be there to meet with them.
Riley said there has been some curiosity of what she does in working from her home and she assured the commissioners she is working. She provided the commissioners with a geographic distribution of expenditures which is produced annually by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
From the data Riley provided, the report for 2021 indicated Shelby County had 1,411 veterans receiving benefits and San Augustine County had 710 veterans receiving benefits, totaling 2121 veterans actively receiving benefits. Riley said, in 2020 the total VA expenditures for Shelby County was $12,753,000 and in 2021 that amount was $13,269,000.
"That's an increase of over $500,000 and I work from home," said Riley. "I think the numbers speak for themselves, I'm doing my job. Veterans can't receive these benefits if they don't know that they're available, I provide information, and if claims are not filed on their behalf."
Riley continued, "So, to set everyone's mind at ease, as far as how I'm conducting business and if I'm conducting business, I can assure you I am. I take my job very seriously, I am very passionate about veterans that I serve."
Riley compared the number of veterans in Shelby County and San Augustine County that she serves to the number of veterans in Panola County and she said she serves 657 more veterans actively receiving benefits than in that county. She said her projected salary for 2023 is $31,179 annually while Panola County's VSO salary is $46,138 annually.
"That's a $15,000 difference and I think the court needs to be aware of that and I think the court needs to be aware of how important my job is to this county, whether it's me serving as the Veterans Service Officer, or someone else in the future," said Riley. "This is a very important position in this county to serve and take care of our veterans."
The docent position at the Historic 1885 Courthouse has been the responsibility of Riley since 2016 and she described how that has made her responsible for all of the inner workings of the courthouse, including hosting weddings, responding to alarm calls at all hours of night, any issues that may occur on the weekends. All of which she said receives no additional compensation.
"There's no additional pay for that, for weddings I do get comp time. When I do a weekend wedding, that involved Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I do take that as comp time, those hours as comp time," said Riles. "So at this point we're not able to use the historic courthouse, so the docent is not really an issue; however, when the historic courthouse is able to be used again for tours and weddings, and business, I can't continue to be the docent of the historic courthouse if I'm not compensated for it," said Riley.
County Judge Judge Allison Harbison shared she received a letter from the wife of a veteran who recently was trying to get benefit and she had difficulty in dealing with the VA.
"I got a really nice letter thanking the court for allowing Ms. Riley to be the VA officer, because without her she probably would have not got the survivor's benefit," said Judge Harbison.
Tom Bellmyer, Commissioner Precinct 4, thanked Riley for the effort she puts forth for the veterans.
"I understand the responsibility that is is and I know that you take it very seriously, and I appreciate the effort that you've put forward," said Bellmyer. "I am hopeful that the office at the Agrilife Extension office will work out for you."
Judge Harbison stated for the court there will be a handicap parking spot added at the front of the Agrilife Extension building to ease entry for the veterans that need that.
The county has discussed and now is budgeting in the proposed budget for a County Elections Administrator position to oversee elections in Shelby County.
"Jennifer [Fountain], Debora [Riley], and I had a meeting yesterday and kind of hashed out some of the transitions and everything, if we were to go this route on who's going to house at this point and everything, eventually we'll need to find an office for this person and for this department."
Judge Harbison said there are some formal actions that need to be taken, such as ordering the position so that the documentation can then be sent on to the Secretary of State. Then there would be a transition from both the County Clerk and the Tax Assessor/Collector to establish the office of the County Elections Administrator.
According to Judge Harbison, if the commissioners are to approve the order then a meeting of the commission would have to be scheduled and which would be made up of the County Judge, County Clerk, Tax Assessor/Collector, Democrat Chair and Republican Chair. Nominations will then be put forward from the committee on who to appoint to the position and then a formal appointment would be made.
A motion carried to approve establishing the position of County Elections Administrator to be effective October 1.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include:
1. Pay weekly expenses.
2. Adopt the Order Creating the position of County Elections Administrator.
3. Adopt County Holidays for 2023.
4. Adjourn at 10:04am
Agenda items tabled until the next meeting include:
1. Discuss the FY 2021-2022 Proposed Budget.
2. Discuss the FY 2021-2022 Proposed Tax Rate.
3. Adopt the FY 2021-2022 Proposed Budget.
4. Adopt the FY 2021-2022 Proposed Tax Rate.
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