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March 3, 2025 - West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department (WSCVFD) responded to a truck fire on Thursday, February 20, 2025.
When fire personnel arrived at the scene, located in the 13000 block of FM 138, a Dodge pickup truck was totally involved in flames.
The cause of the fire was unknown, and the firefighters were able to prevent further spread of the fire.
February 28, 2025 - Officials with the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas, Angelina Sabine Ranger District will be conducting a controlled burn today, February 28, 2025 in Shelby County.
Ignition time is 10am for a location in the Sabine Compartment 56.
- Smoke: Winds are out of the South West and drift smoke may be noticeable in Huxley
- Forest and Unit: Sabine National Forest, East Hamilton South, Block A, Compartment 56, 372 Acres
Estimated completion time is 6pm.
Smoke will impact areas around the prescribed burn, and long-range drift smoke may be present during and after ignition operations.
Please drive with caution. Ground personnel will be operating in the area and smoke may impact visibility on local roads and highways near the burn unit.
For more information, contact the Angelina Sabine Ranger District at (936) 897-1068 or (409) 625-1940.
U.S. Forest Service Prescribed Burn Tracker:
Southern Region Prescribed Burn Accomplishment Tracker (arcgis.com)
https://usfs.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=b196b595848...
February 25, 2025 - The Shelby County Commissioners approved the purchase of a truck for the Precinct 5 deputy constable during their meeting held February 12, 2025.
After discussion, Commissioner Tom Bellmyer moved to purchase a Ford pickup truck presented by Constable Josh Tipton in the amount of $47,298.16 from Center Motor Company. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Shannon Metcalf.
Commissioner McSwain said he was going along with the purchase because it goes back to a statement he made at the meeting previous about perpetually buying junk vehicles with the cost of outfitting exceeding the vehicle value.
“Back in the same situation in six months or a year from now,” said McSwain. “If they’re going to have this position we need to support it in a positive way.”
McSwain explained the investment is positive by both eliminating the constant rotation of used vehicles, and if the position of deputy constable were to cease the vehicle could be used by the Sheriff’s Department or another agency.
The motion carried.
During the meeting Ann Blackwell, County Treasurer, presented the commissioners with a proposal from Verizon for tablets (iPads) for the use of Commissioners’ Court.
Blackwell explained the tablets are Android and would come at no cost with a service fee of $20 a month per tablet for a total nine tablets.
“We could have documents loaded and like when you table things, instead of her having to go back and re-copy the stuff you know, the documents are there and y’all can just flip back and forth to whatever you need,” said Blackwell.
Commissioner Roscoe McSwain moved to move forward with the plan, and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Tom Bellmyer. The motion carried.
The commissioners discussed the purchase and installation of a dump bed on a Mack truck for Precinct 4. Commissioner Bellmyer stated the quote to be $33,225 for a turnkey completed project. This would be for a 2011 Mack truck which has been in the precinct fleet and is well-maintained. He said it would make a good transition to becoming a dump truck and would help a lot with road and bridge work.
Commissioner Bellmyer proposed in his motion taking the $33,225 in funds from the Right of Way fund, where there is $50,000 available, to pay for the new bed and its installation. He expects to be closer to the $30,000; however, he wanted those funds available as a contingency. Commissioner Bellmyer’s motion was seconded by Commissioner Roscoe McSwain, and the motion carried.
Tanya Dora, Executive Director of Texas Forest Country Partnership, and she described the organization as being non-profit and economic development driven and they serve the counties of Angelina, Houston, Nacogdoches, Jasper, Newton, San Augustine, Polk, Sabine, Shelby, San Jacinto, Trinity, and Tyler.
“My reason for being here today is to request inclusion in a foreign trade zone that we are currently in the process of creating,” said Dora.
The commissioners took no action on the item and Judge Harbison suggested the possibility of having a workshop with the Texas Forest Country Partnership consultant.
The meeting adjourned at 10:33am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Minutes of: January 8 Regular Meeting, January 8 Workshop Meeting, January 15 Special Meeting, January 22 Special Meeting and January 29, Special Meeting. 2. Pay weekly expenses. 3. Pay current payroll. 4. Officers Report. 5. Acknowledge and record 2024 Certificate of Compliance Continuing Education for County Treasurer Ann Blackwell. 6. Acknowledge and record 2024 Certificate of Compliance Public Funds Investment Act for County Treasurer Ann Blackwell. 7. Proposal from Verizon for tablets (iPads) for Commissioners Court. 8. Purchase and installation of a dump bed on a Mack truck for Precinct 4. 9. Provide a patrol vehicle for the Precinct 5 Deputy Constable in the amount of $47,298.16. 10. Adjourn. Items where no action was taken during the meeting include: 1. Shelby County’s inclusion within the requested service area of the Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) for the Texas Forest Country Partnership application and authorization to expend $1,636 to pay Shelby County’s portion of the fee to the consultant.
February 24, 2025 - State Loop 500 at the intersection with State Highway 7 East (SH7) East was the scene of a two-vehicle crash on Saturday, February 22, 2025.
When officers arrived at the scene, both vehicles involved were located in the middle of the roadway.
According to the Center Police Department, a 1999 Mercury passenger car driven by Shadondra Jenkins, 42, of Lufkin was southbound and stopped on SL 500 at the intersection of SH 7 East. At that time a tan 2001 Chevrolet Z71 pickup truck driven by Jonathan Martinez, 33, of Center approached from behind the Mercury and struck it in the rear.
The Chevrolet remained at the stop sign and the Mercury traveled through the intersection before coming to a stop on the south side of the intersection.
Jenkins and Martinez were both transported by ambulance to Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of possible injuries.
Martinez was later charged by Center Police Officer Brandon Tyler with driving while intoxicated, misdemeanor b.
To claim these goats, the owners can contact Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputy Roy Bailey at 936-598-5600.
February 21, 2025 - Center Police officers switched roles to goat herders on Friday, February 21, 2025 when a call came in around 12-noon for caprine suspects causing problems on Hurst Street near Northview Circle. Officers hoofed it over to the north end of Hurst Street to find two goats running free among the traffic on 96 north (Hurst Street).
Officers corralled the two perpetrators in the O’Reilly’s Auto Parts parking lot before they were taken into custody. The two scapegoats were then transported to the Center Auction Barn to lay out their time until their owners claim them.
The goats weren’t charged with anything as they surrendered without a head-butt or fight. Friday can go down in the books to be the G.O.A.T (“Greatest of All Time”) for the officers!
To claim these goats, the owners can contact Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputy Roy Bailey at 936-598-5600.
February 20, 2025 - Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Taylor Buster has been recognized for his lifesaving efforts performed in Shelby County on State Highway 87 North on October 16, 2024.
When it was learned an individual was trapped inside a burning house, Trooper Buster was one of those who responded to the scene and being the first to arrive he acted quickly and rescued the resident.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the Public Safety Commission (PSC), along with Texas DPS Colonel Freeman F. Martin, recognized the service of several Texans at the first PSC meeting of the year [February 13, 2025] at DPS Headquarters in Austin. PSC Commissioners and Colonel Martin presented two William P. Clements Excellence Awards, two Director’s Citations, two Director’s Awards and seven Lifesaving Awards.
“Today, we proudly recognize the dedication and bravery of some of the heroes who call Texas home,” said Colonel Martin. “Their character, selflessness and unwavering sense of duty represent the best of our state and this department—it’s an honor to thank them for what they’ve done.”
Life Saving Award:
On Oct. 16, 2024, Trooper Taylor Buster (Center) was on routine patrol in Shelby County when he received radio communication about a house fire with a subject trapped inside. The subject could not exit the home due to the dense smoke and was advised to get on the floor of a bathroom until first responders arrived. Upon arrival, Trooper Buster, without hesitation, exited his patrol unit and [entered a] door of the residence while the house was fully engulfed in flames. Trooper Buster began giving callouts but did not hear any responses, so he exited the home and went to the back of the house. As he started giving callouts again, he heard a subject yelling from inside. Trooper Buster kicked the rear door open to access the home and began removing items blocking his path to the subject. Trooper Buster crawled to the subject, grabbed his arm and removed him from the house with the assistance of a nearby citizen. The subject was treated by EMS and transported to a local hospital for smoke inhalation.
In recognition of his significant and decisive response to a life-threatening situation resulting in the saving of a life, Trooper Taylor Buster was awarded the Lifesaving Award.
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February 19, 2025 - Austin Street in Center on the square is closed for repair. Drivers should be aware, as of 3:38pm Wednesday, work is in progress and a detour may be necessary.
Very cold temperatures will combine with northerly winds tonight to produce bitterly cold wind chills through Thursday morning.
February 19, 2025 - The National Weather Service, Shreveport, Louisiana has issued a cold weather advisory in effect from 9pm this evening to 10am Thursday, February 20, 2025.
Very cold wind chills as low as zero (0) expected across Southeast Oklahoma, much of East Texas, and Southwest Arkansas, and the single digits to near 10 degrees across Deep East Texas and much of North Louisiana for portions of south central and southwest Arkansas, north central and northwest Louisiana, southeast Oklahoma, and east and northeast Texas.
From 9pm this evening to 10am Thursday, impact includes frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these extremely cold temperatures and wind chills.
Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves.
February 17, 2025 - The Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers investigated a crash incident on U.S. Highway 59 just outside of Tenaha near CR 4643 on Saturday, February 15, 2025.
Both drivers involved in the incident were transported to hospitals in Nacogdoches and Tyler for treatment of their injuries.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, (DPS) Troopers investigated the incident approximately one and one-seventh of a mile northeast of the 332-mile marker. The preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 2:50pm, a Dodge Ram pickup driven by Jesus Farias, 24, of Joaquin was traveling southwest, while a GMC pickup truck driven by Roger Holley, 53, of Tenaha was traveling northeast.
It is reported that the Dodge was traveling at an unsafe speed during a period of rainy weather, lost control and skid into the oncoming lane where it was struck by the GMC.
Farias was self transported by private vehicle to Nacogdoches Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
Holley was transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center by ambulance for treatment of life-threatening injuries. He was later transported to a hospital in Tyler.
According to DPS, there is no further information available.
February 15, 2025 - The National Weather Service, Shreveport LA, issued a Tornado Watch at 4pm on Saturday, February 15, 2025. The NWS Storm Prediction Center, Norman OK advises Tornado Watch 8 is in effect until 10pm for the following counties in Texas: Sabine, San Augustine, and Shelby.
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