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October 18, 2025 - A strong thunderstorm will impact southwestern De Soto and northwestern Sabine Parishes and Shelby County until 4:15pm.
At 3:29pm CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Center, moving northeast at 35 mph.
Hazard: Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny 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, Joaquin, Shelbyville, Huxley, Stanley, James and Jericho.
Precautionary/Preparedness Actions
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening weather conditions.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.
October 18, 2025 - The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, Norman, Oklahoma issued a Tornado Watch Outline update for WT 624 at 1:20pm Saturday, October 18, 2025.
The tornado watch 645 is in effect until 9pm for the following Texas Counties: Angelina, Bowie, Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Franklin, Gregg, Harrison, Marion, Morris, Nacogdoches, Panola, Red River, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Smith, Titus, Upshur, and Wood.
October 15, 2025 - City of Center crews will be working on water main at the intersection of Wheeler Street and Hurst Street on Friday, October 17, 2025. Please use caution when traveling through the work area. Customers may experience low water pressure until repairs are finished. If you experience an outage, contact City of Center 1-936-598-2941.
October 16, 2025 - Center Fire Department personnel responded to a structure fire in the 2500 block of U.S. Highway 96 North near CR 4350 on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at around 3am.
When firefighters arrived, one building was on fire and threatening another building next to it. The other structure was also then discovered to be on fire at the back of the building.
Tenaha Volunteer Fire Department also responded to the location for mutual aid, and once the fires were extinguished and brought under control. Center Fire Department returned to the station at 7am.
Shelby County Sheriff’s Department personnel responded to the scene to determine if the State Fire Marshal’s Office would be contacted for further investigation.
The fire remains under investigation as of the time of this report.
October 16, 2025 - The Center Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire on Ballard Street in Center in the 1200 block of Ballard Street on October 11, 2025.
When firefighters and Center Police Officers arrived at the scene, ammunition could be heard igniting from the flames within the structure.
According to Center Fire Chief Keith Byndom, Center Fire Department firefighters responded to the fire at a residence at 5:40pm. When fire personnel arrived at the scene, they found a shed on the property to be on fire and getting into the house that it sat beside.
The firefighters worked to extinguish the shed and one end of the house, saving the rest of the home. Fire personnel returned to the station at 7:20pm.
A cause of the fire is undetermined at this time.
October 15, 2025 - The Shelby County Commissioners agreed to proclaim October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month during their October 8, 2025 meeting.
Lizett Mendoza with Family Crisis Center of East Texas spoke with the commissioners about the agency providing free services to Shelby County and surrounding areas.
“Some of the main services that we have, we have a 24-hour shelter and hotline in Angelina County,” said Mendoza. “We also provide legal services, helping them attain custody orders, protection orders, divorces, because all of these are very essential towards leaving a domestic violence situation and restarting fresh.”
Other services Mendoza outlined that the agency offers include support in applying for housing, helping relocate to a different city, or county, and applying for different government benefits, such as crime victims compensation, address of confidentiality program, child support, and anything a domestic violence survivor may be needing to get back on their feet.
Mendoza said they offer counseling services and that there is a Family Crisis Center office in San Augustine.
“We really just meet them wherever they are if they're having trouble in transportation. We try to meet them somewhere public,” said Mendoza.
Mendoza said they travel as far as Timpson, Tenaha, and Joaquin to provide assistance.
“More than anything, we're a support system because a lot of times they may feel embarrassed to talk to their family members, to co-workers. So just to be able to talk to someone to a third party that isn't going to make them feel judged makes a world of difference,” said Mendoza.
Mendoza thanked Shelby County, because every time the Family Crisis Center has asked for support, and either an awareness event or resolution, she said the county has always shown that support.
County Judge Allison Harbison referenced data included in the resolution stating that in 2024 43% of survivors reported stalking behaviors, 76% of women that are murdered by their current or former intimate partner reported being stalked in the year prior to their death.
“Getting help when their feeling like they're alone and someone’s stalking them could possibly save their life and I
think that's very good,” said Judge Harbison. “Everybody needs somebody to talk to besides their family because, as you said, their family may not understand or they may be embarrassed so I think that what y'all do is a great thing.”
The commissioners moved to approve the resolution proclaiming October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Shelby County with Tom Bellmyer, Commissioner Precinct 4, making the motion and Shannon Metcalf, Commissioner Precinct 2, seconding his motion, which carried.
The commissioners approved an increase to the Shelby County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) for the upkeep on the flood control structures in the County as presented by Terry Allen, SWCD board member, from $10,000 to $12,500.
“We have numerous flood control structures, and these structures were built in 50s and 60s, and so they're getting some age on them and the upkeep on it is costing more each year,” said Allen. “Last year we spent approximately $40,000 on the upkeep of these structures, primarily one structure due to some erosion and some fencing.”
Allen shared that there is a structure in Timpson for which the last bid in 2024 had an estimated cost for repair of $335,881. He also said the SWCD is in the process of applying for an emergency grant with the Texas State Soil Conservation Board to help pay for the repairs to the structure.
“It's a highly competitive process and hopefully we will be successful in attaining. We also work in close conjunction with the [Natural Resources Conservation Service] and fortunately Chris Crenshaw, who represents our county is an excellent representative,” said Allen. “Now he's gotten, since 2020, a little over $5,200,000 upkeep on Shelby County roads and landowner assistance for such things as tree planting, cross-fencing, grass planting, poultry carcass disposal, waterline distribution to livestock.”
Allen stated that the SWCD was asking for assistance from Shelby County to help on the repair projects they are working on and he reminded the commissioners that in the past they have contributed about $10,000 and they were requesting the increase to $12,500.
Commissioner Bellmyer moved to increase the funding to the SWCD to $12,500 and Commissioner Metcalf seconded the motion, which then carried.
Sheriff Gerald Corbell thanked the commissioners, and other involved departments, for their efforts on the Sheriff’s Office’s behalf that half gone into the 2026 Fiscal Year budget.
The meeting adjourned at 9:58am.
Agenda items approve during the meeting include: 1. Approve the Minutes of: September 3rd, 2025 Special Meeting, September 10th, 2025 Regular Meeting, September 17th, Special Meeting, September 17th, Public Hearing, September 24th, Special Meeting and September 30th Special Meeting. 2. Pay weekly expenses. 3. Pay current payroll. 4. Approve Officers report. 5. Resolution proclaiming October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Shelby County. 6. $12,500 for the Shelby County Soil and Water Conservation District for the upkeep on the flood control structures in the County as presented by Members of the Board. 7. Adjourn 9:58am.
October 14, 2025 - The jury that has been summoned for Monday, October 20, 2025 for the 273rd District Court Honorable James A. Payne, Jr. presiding has been cancelled due to the scheduled cases being resolved or passed.
Anyone receiving a summons for that day is released from jury service until they receive a future summons.
Thank you,
Dee Dee Green
District Clerk
Shelby County, Texas
October 13, 2025 - Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers are investigating a one-vehicle fatality crash on state Highway 147, south of Center, that occurred Saturday, October 11, 2025.
The preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 1:30am, a 2013 Infiniti JX35 was traveling south. It is reported that the driver of the Infiniti left the road to the left and struck a tree.
The driver of the Infiniti identified as Candy Nestle, 61, of Center, was pronounced deceased on scene by a Shelby County Justice of the Peace.
This is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
October 10, 2025 - Center Fire Department firefighters responded to a house fire on CR 1465 Thursday, October 9, 2025, and when they arrived the mobile home was fully involved in the fire.
Timpson Volunteer Fire Department personnel responded to a request for assistance bringing additional water and firefighters to the scene.
According to Center Fire Chief Keith Byndom, the fire department was notified of the fire at 2:14pm in the 400 block of CR 1465. Chief Byndom was first to arrive on scene and he found a single wide mobile home fully involved. A Center FD pumper tanker arrived shortly after and began extinguishing the fire.
Timpson Fire was notified and responded with two tankers for mutual aid and they arrived just as the fire began to flame up again before being extinguished.
The scene was cleared at 5:30pm The home was a total loss.
The cause was possibly an electrical short in the front bedroom area.
No injuries were reported resulting from the fire.
October 10, 2025 - Alijah Ja'von Nicholson, 19, was arrested by the Angelina County Sheriff’s Department officers on Thursday, October 9, 2025.
According to jail booking details he is being held on charges for murder, first degree felony, $100,000 bond; burglary of a habitation, second degree felony, $20,000 bond; and two Angelina County charges of possession of a controlled substance PG 2 >=4G<400G, second degree felony; and bail jumping and fail to appear, class a misdemeanor.
Nicholson is the fourth suspect arrested in connection with the shooting death of JaMichael Phillips.
September 17, 2025 - The Shelby County District Attorney's Office in conjunction with the Shelby County Sheriff's Department has issued the following details on Septmeber 17, 2025, in reference to the circumstances surrounding the death of JaMichael Phillips, suspects now in custody, and the one that remains at large.
In a press release, Shelby County Sheriff Gerald Corbell and District Attorney Karren Price thank the community and all the responding officers for their help in this case. It is the help of so many that allowed them to work this case quickly and successfully.
At approximately 9:30am on Saturday, September 13, officers from the Shelby County Sheriff's office responded to the home of JaMichael Phillips, date of birth July 10, 1989, and found him deceased. The home was dead bolted and entry had been accomplished by a member of the family prior to notification of law enforcement.
Mr. Phillips death was the result of a homicide with what appeared to be one round to the back of his head. Further evidence appeared to support the conclusion at the scene that the shot had been fired by forcing the displacement of an air conditioner in his bedroom window, shoving it aside and firing from the outside into the interior as Phillips attempted to exit the room.
"He fortunately dead bolted all three entries to his home, they couldn't gain entry," said District Attorney Karren Price. "They jerked a air conditioner out of a window, or at least partially, stuck the gun through there. He jumps out of his bed which is right beside the air conditioner, he's trying to exit the bedroom and one round they just hit him in the back of the head."
The Shelby County Sheriff requested and received the help of two Texas Department of Public Safety Rangers to assist in the investigation. They arrived on scene within a couple of hours of the 911 call for help and completed processing the scene alongside the sheriff's office. Officers were able to obtain video evidence from the neighborhood and local businesses to aid in tracking the vehicle in which the suspects left the scene. In a few hours, four suspects were identified as assailants in what can only be described as an execution.
"There was a dice game at his house on September 11, on or about, we believe there was a dice game at his house where he took some money off of them, and that probably is what they were trying to get, but that's just speculation on our part at this point in time, we can't positively say that right now," said Price.
The four are associated with directly or are associated with others who are associated with gang activity in and around Angelina County. We requested and received four arrest warrants for murder at that time.
One of the four has direct familial connections to Shelby County. The four fled to the Houston area and with the assistance of DPS resources we were able to locate the apartment building they were in, where SWAT arrested two on Monday. Those two were transported back to Shelby County on Tuesday evening and remain in custody.
They are identified as Colby Eli Lister, 19, of Lufkin, and Deterion Alexander, 17, of Lufkin. On September 17 at approximately 10am., Rangers [James] Hicks and [Corey] Seymore arrested Rico Rose, 20, also of Lufkin. There remains one un-arrested whose name will be withheld at this time.
The motive for this crime appears to be robbery, which failed because they could not gain entry to the home. It is also most certainly related to gang activity south of us.
We expect an arrest on the fourth soon. Once the evidence establishes who did what and when we will decide how to charge them, but rest assured, the people involved will be held accountable and the person or persons directly responsible for the death of this young man will be prosecuted for murder.
September 15, 2025 - Sheriff Gerald Corbell has confirmed the deceased is JaMichael Phillips, 36, of Center and he was the victim of a shooting.
September 13, 2025 - Law enforcement officials (LEOs) responded to the scene of a reported shooting incident on Saturday, September 13, in the 100 block of CR 2235 at around 9:30am.
When officers arrived, family members were attempting to enter the home residence when officers directed them not to enter as they could potentially contaminate the scene inside.
A large crowd converged on the location and additional police were needed to control the scene. Center Police Department officers, and Texas Department of Public Safety responded to the location to assist Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies and the initially cordoned off area was extended out further to encompass the roadway to move people further away. District Attorney Karren Price supervised the officers with the investigation at the residence.
Ambulance personnel were at the residence, but once it was determined they were no longer needed they cleared the location.
Texas Ranger Corey Seymore was called in to investigate and in addition to the investigation being mainly within the home, investigators seemed to have an intense focus on an air conditioner window unit that was located on the west end of the structure and appeared to be halfway hanging.
Later in the day the Sheriff’s Department took possession of the air conditioner, apparently as evidence.
Texas Game Warden Austin Cryer and Constables Zack Warr and Roy Cheatwood were present at the entrance to CR 2235 for crowd control and to limit entry to the residence.
Donna Hughes, Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, performed the inquest of the individual and Mangum Funeral Home transported that person from the scene.
Throughout the day as law enforcement investigated, family members and friends of the deceased individual remained outside waiting and communicating with officials. As the person was removed from the house, several children in the crowd were vehemently shouting and sobbing to their “Daddy,” suggesting the person was their father.
A request for basic information on this incident, including the name of the victim, from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department has been made; however, as of 11pm details have not been given.
Details are anticipated, and will be updated when made available.
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