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October 9, 2025 - Judge Jim Payne heard two pleas of guilty today, October 9, 2025 in the 273rd District Court of Shelby County, Texas. The State was represented by Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Stroud and the defendants were represented by local attorney, Stephen Shires.
James Eddy Risinger
State of Texas vs James Eddy Risinger plead to 30 years on a single charge of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a child. Risinger is in his late 70s currently and will be in his mid to late 90s when he becomes eligible for parole. Risinger’s victim is a child between 7 and 10 years of age and his plea insures this child will not be required to testify to his victimization of her.
Lloyd Christopher Belrose
In State of Texas vs Lloyd Christopher Belrose, defendant plead to 50 years on two counts of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a child. Belrose is 56 years of age currently. His victims were preschool when he began victimizing them. During the course of the investigation three (3) additional victims were located, two of whom attended the hearing today and their presence in the courtroom likely influenced the defendant’s plea of guilty. Belrose will serve 25 calendar years before he becomes eligible for parole.
Thank you to the work by the Shelby County Advocacy Center and the Shelby County Sheriff’s office and District Attorney’s Investigator, DJ Dickerson on these cases and in service to these families and victims.
October 29, 2025 - The Shelby County Commissioners decided to lift the burn ban on Thursday morning, October 30 at 8am during their meeting Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
This decision was made with continued promise of strong winds on Wednesday. (Wind Advisory Issued from Tuesday 10pm to Wednesday 7pm)
October 8, 2025 - The Shelby County Commissioners met Wednesday, October 8, 2025, and ratified the burn ban which keeps it in place until further notice.
Shelby County remains under a burn ban.
Declaration of Disaster and Order Prohibiting Outdoor Burning Effective Oct. 2nd
WHEREAS, the County of Shelby is under imminent threat of severe damage, injury of loss of life or property resulting from the threat of wildfires due to extremely dry grassland fuel, drought and other weather-related conditions; and
WHEREAS, THE COUNTY JUDGE of Shelby County has determined that to mitigate the hazard posed by wildfires during the current dry conditions, extraordinary measures must be taken to alleviate the suffering of people and to protect or rehabilitate property,
Now, THEREFORE, be it proclaimed by the County Judge of Shelby County:
1. That a local state of disaster is hereby proclaimed for Shelby County pursuant to §418.108(a) of the Texas Government Code.
2. This Declaration of a local state of disaster shall continue for a period of not more than seven days from the date of this declaration unless continued or renewed by the Commissioners Court of Shelby County.
3. All outdoor burning is prohibited in the unincorporated areas of Shelby County. This Order does not prohibit outdoor burning activities carried out by Federal Certified Agencies.
4. This Declaration of shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed promptly with the County Clerk of Shelby County.
5. This Declaration of the local state of disaster activates the Shelby County Emergency Management Plan.
This Proclamation shall take effect immediately from and after its issuance; ordered this 2nd day of October, 2025.
Official ETPF Broiler Show Auction Results; $168,499 Raised for 4-H, FFA Youth (Updated with Photos)
October 7, 2025 - (Broiler Show Photos; Broiler Sale Photos) - The 2025 East Texas Poultry Festival Broiler Show started off the day at the Shelby County Expo Center.
Seventy Shelby County 4-H and FFA youth exhibited at this year's show, with 40 pens of broilers making the sale. We would like to give special thanks to Judge Micah Osburn for taking the time to judge the show. Mr. Osburn spoke to several of the exhibitors and gave them several tips on how to grow an outstanding broiler.
The 2025 East Texas Poultry Festival Broiler Sale started at 7 P.M. under the big tent on the square. A total of $168,499 was raised for 4-H and FFA youth!
The grand champion pen of broilers was exhibited by Evan O’Rear of Shelby County 4-H and purchased by Shelby Savings Bank for $10,500.00.
The reserve grand champion pen of broilers was exhibited by Cori Lawson of Shelby County 4-H and sold to Farmers State Bank for $8,000.00.
Other Shelby County 4-H and FFA members selling their pens and buyers were:
3. Avery Metcalf, Shelby County 4-H; East Texas Poultry Supply, Ace Hardware of East, and Apex Mortality; $5,000.00
4. Slade Kirby, Shelby County 4-H; Shelby Savings Bank, Shelby Insurance, General Shelters, Campbell Portable Buildings and McAdam’s Propane; $4,500.00
5. Levi McKinney, Center FFA; Trent Asby for State Senator; $3,500.00
6. Stetson Rash, Shelbyville FFA; Sand Hill Wrecker Service and Covington Lumber; $6,000.00
7. Grayson Hightower, Center FFA; Deep East Texas Electric, Joe Bill and Connie Mettauer and Lodge 159; $3,500.00
8. Caroline Ramos, Center FFA; Sand Hill Wrecker Service and Covington Lumber; $5,500.00
9. Rylan Barbee, Shelby County 4-H; CSR Rentals, and Underground Supply Solutions; $4,500.00
10. Emma Reese Whiteside, Shelby County 4-H; Shelby Savings Bank, Shelby Insurance, General Shelters, Campbell Portable Buildings and McAdam’s Propane; $3,500.00
11. Elijah Poindexter, Center FFA; Hawkeye Hunting Club; $3,500.00
12. Kenley Ramos, Center FFA; Shelby Savings Bank, Shelby Insurance, General Shelters, Campbell Portable Buildings and McAdam’s Propane; $4,000.00
13. Eli Bush, Timpson FFA; Center Tire and Haslam Tire; $4,500.00
14. Mayson Harbison, Shelby County 4-H; Shelby Veterinary Associates; $3,500.00
15. Addison Lloyd, Shelbyville FFA; Spartan Construction; $5,500.00
16. Cash Bell, Shelbyville FFA; Action Credit and Lend Mobile; $4,000.00
17. Eli Weir, Shelby County 4-H; Shelby County Farm Bureau; $4,000.00
18. Copen Hogue, Shelby County 4-H; Covington Lumber; $3,500.00
19. Kaylee Sigler, Center FFA; Bird Forestry and Terrastone Land Co.; $3,000.00
20. James Ford, Center FFA; Red Gate Farm, Rockin M Farm, United Ag & Turf, R & D Distributing, Steel Building Supply, Mathews Realty, Scull Timber, and Ward Animal Clinic; $3,000.00
21. Elly Willoughby, Shelbyville FFA; Southern Fluid Solutions and Tri-State Vacuum & Rental; $7,999.00
22. Adeline Alford, Joaquin FFA; Klein Cattle Company, K & L Contractors, and ULTRA; $3,000.00
23. Jaxson Hankins, Joaquin FFA; Brock’s Rocks, Windham Family Dental, Sabine State Bank, Bounds Insurance, Judge Allison Harbison, and Worsham’s Grocery; $3,000.00
24. Kavree Smith, Shelby County 4-H; Rayburn Inn, Toledo Town Inn, and Zwolle Inn; $3,000.00
25. Lizzie Poindexter, Center FFA; Bird Forestry and Terrastone Land Co.; $2,500.00
26. Truett Link, Shelby County 4-H; High Roller; $4,500.00
27. Clifford Cline, Timpson FFA; Shelby County Farm Bureau; $3,000.00
28. Kiptyn Phelps, Center FFA; Spartan Construction; $5,000.00
29. Karlee Sowell, Shelbyville FFA; High Roller; $4,500.00
30. Brylee Weir, Shelby County 4-H; Shelby Savings Bank, Shelby Insurance, General Shelters, Campbell Portable Buildings, and McAdam’s Propane; $2,500.00
31. Addison Boyd, Shelby County 4-H; BOM Bank, Mettauer Law Firm, Wheeler Law Office, Ihlo Sales & Imports, Elliott & Waldron Title Co., Running M Agriculture, Dairy Queen, Shoop Financial, Hardy’s Machine Shop, and Action Credit; $2,500.00
32. Sawyer Kirby, Shelby County 4-H; Despino Tire Service; $4,500.00
33. Katelan Massey, Shelbyville FFA; Alpha Energy Services and Southern Disposal Solutions; $3,500.00
34. Addison Camille Whiteside, Shelby County 4-H; Borders Poultry Supply; $4,000.00
35. Caesyn Lee, Shelby County 4-H; Center Tire and Haslam Tire; $2,500.00
36. Caleb Sanford, Shelby County 4-H; Center Tire and Haslam Tire; $3,750.00
37. Cassie Nutt, Shelby County 4-H; Sand Hill Wrecker; $4,750.00
38. Rance Lawson, Joaquin FFA; Shelby Savings Bank, Shelby Insurance, General Shelters, Campbell Portable Buildings, and McAdam’s Propane; $4,000.00
39. Conner Nutt, Shelby County 4-H; Despino Tire Service; $4,000.00
40. Gunner Greear, Joaquin FFA; Trent Asby for State Senator; $3,000.00
Evan O’Rear, a senior at Joaquin High School, will be awarded a $500 scholarship from Shelby Savings Bank for being the highest placing senior with his pen of broilers at Joaquin’s awards ceremony.
Also contributing to the sale were: Shelby Savings Bank, Shelby Insurance, Sand Hill Wrecker, Farmers State Bank, Center Tire/Haslam Tire, Despino Tire Service, Bird Forestry, Terrastone, Covington Lumber, Deep East Texas Electric, High Roller, Southern Fluid Solutions, Tri-State Vacuum & Rental, Shelby County Farm Bureau, Borders Poultry, Tyson Foods, McAdams Propane, Hawkeye Hunting Club, Campbell Portable Buildings, General Shelters, Shelby Veterinary Associates, Ace Hardware/ETPS, Apex Mortality, Joe Bill & Connie Mettauer/Lodge 159, Prairie Creek Cattle, Zwolle Inn, Toledo Town Inn, Rayburn Inn, Spartan Construction, Alpha Energy Services, CSR Rental, Underground Supply Solutions, Southern Disposal Solutions, Running M Agriculture, Windham Family Dental, R&D Distributing, Klein Cattle Co., K&L Contractors, Shelby County Today, ULTRA, United Ag & Turf, Red Gate Farm, Boles Feed, Mathews Realty, Sabine State Bank, Scull Timber, Mettauer Law Firm, Wheeler Law Office, Ihlo Sales & Imports, Bounds Insurance, Ward Animal Clinic, Judge Allison Harbison, Worsham's Grocery, Dairy Queen, Steel Building Supply, Shoop Financial, Hardy's Machine Shop, Action Credit, Lend Mobile, Elliott & Waldron Title Co., Wayne Christian Financial, BOM Bank, Ray Jones Chevrolet, Center Motor Company, Brock's Rocks, Rockin M Farms, Rayburn Inn, Toledo Town Inn, Zwolle Inn, Trent Ashby for State Senator
We would like to take this time to say thank you from the Shelby County 4-H and FFA members and the Broiler Show Committee to all the Contributors, for their generous contributions and to the many volunteers that help make the annual “Broiler Show and Auction” the great event that it is every year!
The members of Texas A&M AgriLife will provide equal opportunities in programs and activities, education, and employment to all persons regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity and wills strive to achieve full and equal employment opportunity throughout Texas A&M AgriLife. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating
October 6, 2025 - U.S. Highway 59 north of Tenaha was the scene of a two-vehicle crash incident on Saturday, October 4, 2025, involving an 18-wheeler truck tractor and a pickup truck.
Immediately following the collision, the southbound traffic lanes were completely blocked by the large truck and trailer blocking the roadway. The pickup truck remained lodged in the left side of the truck and trailer until it could be separated by a wrecker crew.
Tenaha Volunteer Fire Department personnel and Taylor Fanguy, Constable Precinct 4, controlled traffic while Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Troopers Keith Jones and Ashley White investigated the incident.
According to DPS, the preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 8:35pm, a white 2020 Freightliner truck tractor driven by Edin Kuric, 49, of Idaho Falls, Id. towing a white 2026 utility trailer was on the north shoulder and attempting to turn south. It is reported that the driver of the Freightliner made an unsafe turn in front of a grey 2008 Ford F-250 driven by Bertis Seeger, 69, of Carthage that was traveling north and was struck in the driver's side.
Kuric was not reported to have been injured.
Seeger was transported by ambulance to UT Health East Texas Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
According to DPS, this is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
Shelby County Sheriff's Department personnel were also on scene.
Tenaha on October 4, 2025 –
(Tenaha Homecoming Parade Photo Album)
A parade around the Tenaha town square at 10 a.m. this morning started off Saturday’s 2025 Tenaha Homecoming festivities. Other activities, as well as Tenaha High School class reunions are taking place during today as well. Tonight the school will crown a new homecoming queen before the Tenaha Tigers varsity football team faces the Overton Mustangs at 7 p.m.
October 3, 2025 - The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers investigated a crash on Farm-to-Market Road 1970, near County Road 4855, that occurred Friday, October 3, 2025.
The preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 5:30am, a 2023 Harley-Davidson motorcycle driven by Alexander Wright, 30, of Mesquite was traveling north. It is reported that the rider took evasive action to left to avoid striking a southbound vehicle that traveled into his lane and entered the west ditch where he was ejected.
Wright was treated and released on scene.
There is no further information available.
The crash was investigated by DPS Trooper Cpl. David Shields, Jr.
October 3, 2025 - In conjunction with the burn ban issued by the Shelby County Judge on October 2, 2025 the City of Center would like to encourage its residents not to burn until further notice.
Keith Byndom
City of Center Fire Chief
October 2, 2025 - In conjunction with the burn ban issued by the Shelby County Judge earlier today, the City of Joaquin is now under a burn ban as well. All outdoor burning is prohibited until further notice. Thank you for your cooperation.
Jeremy Boyett Fire Marshal
City of Joaquin Fire Chief
Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department
September 29, 2025 - The Shelby County Commissioners appointed Tracy Broadway to fulfill the duties of Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace, recently vacated by Dee Dee Green, in addition to his duties as Precinct 5 Justice of the Peace during their September 17, 2025 meeting.
Following an executive session which lasted from 10:02am until 10:20am Commissioner Tom Bellmyer moved to appoint Tracy Broadway, Justice of the Peace Precinct 5, as the interim Justice of the Peace for Precinct 4 until further notice. During the time he fulfills those duties, he will receive half pay for the duties of Precinct 4 in addition to his pay for Precinct 5. Commissioner McSwain seconded the motion. During discussion Ann Blackwell, County Treasurer, asked for he effective date and Judge Harbison said September 8 and the move will also include travel expense.
The motion carried.
This wasn’t an unprecedented circumstance as Broadway filled in for the position upon the passing of Jackie Kirkwood when he held the office of Justice of the Peace for Precinct 4, and then when Josh Ritter was removed from the same office.
DeeDee Green, who previously held the position of Justice of the Peace for Precinct 4, was sworn in to the office of District Clerk on September 8.
At the beginning of the meeting, the commissioners were presented with the resignation of Green from the Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 office.
Commissioner Bellmyer moved to accept the resignation and his motion was seconded by Commissioner Shannon Metcalf. The motion carried.
The commissioners then moved to approve the bond of DeeDee Green for the office of District Clerk first with Commissioner Bellmyer moving for the approval followed by a second from Commissioner McSwain. The motion carried.
Bids for road maintenance materials for Fiscal Year 2026 were opened and Judge Harbison read aloud each of the bids. Companies submitting bids included Attoyac Rock, LLC; Bryan and Bryan; Connors Crushed Stone; Longview Asphalt Company; Rodney Dean; Timber Wolf Lake Works and Brock’s Rocks; and Texas Materials.
Commissioner McSwain moved to accept all of the bids and Commissioner Shannon Metcalf seconded the motion, which then carried.
Commissioner Bellmyer offered up for auction a brush truck fire skid through local sources; however, locals that he knew were interested didn’t submit bids on the skid. Bellmyer moved to list the skid on Purple Wave and his motion was seconded by Commissioner Stevie Smith. It carried.
The commissioners approved a road project agreement between Shelby County and the USDA Forest Service National Forest and Grass Lands in Texas for the benefit of Commissioner Precinct 2.
“Unfortunately this is a singular project and they wanted this agreement on record,” said Judge Harbison. “It is only dealing with Precinct 2 for right now.”
Shannon Metcalf, Commissioner Precinct 2, moved to accept the agreement and a second was heard from Tom Bellmyer, Commissioner Precinct 4, and it carried.
A joint election contract between the City of Center and Shelby County was approved for the November 2025 election.
Nancy Adams, Elections Administrator, advised that it isn’t anything that requires approval of the court and that it’s an agreement that adjusts every year, depending on the number of voters and who is participating in the joint election.
“I do not have Center High School for this November election, I just have the City of Center and the county,” said Adams.
Adams presented the court with data including the number of registered voters, percentage of county voters and percentage of city voters.
This reflected 18,869 total voters with 16,138 of those being in the county and 2,731 being in the city. 85.52% of the total cost is then incurred by the county and 14.47% of the cost is incurred by the city.
Adams commented that the City of Joaquin voted at council for Adams to handle their November election.
Commissioner Bellmyer moved to approve the contract and Commissioner Stevie Smith seconded his motion. It carried.
The commissioners then approved rescheduling the Wednesday, October 1, 2025, meeting to Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 3pm to allow the accounts payable department to expedite and process all of the 2024-2025 invoices to start the new budget year.
Commissioner Bellmyer moved to approve rescheduling the meeting and his motion was seconded by Commissioner Metcalf. The motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:23am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Weekly expenses. 2. Resignation of JP PCT. 4 DeeDee Green. 3. Bond for DeeDee Green, District Clerk. 4. Sheriff's and Constables' Fees for 2026. 5. Bids for road maintenance materials for Shelby County fiscal year ending 2026. 6. Advertise Brush Truck Fire Skid offered by PCT 4 7. Road Project Agreement between Shelby County and the USDA, Forest Service, National Forests and Grasslands in Texas for the benefit of Commissioner Precinct 2. 8. Joint election contract between Shelby County and the City of Center for the November 2025 election. 9. Change the date of the last Commissioners' Court meeting of this FY from Wednesday, October, 1, 2025 to Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at 3:00 P.M. to allow the Accounts Payable Department to expediate the process all FY2024-2025 invoices. 10. Tracy Boradway to fulfill dities of Precinct 4. 11. Adjourn vat 10:23am.
September 29, 2025 - (Click here to view 2026 Budget) - The Shelby County Commissioners held a workshop September 17, 2025, during which they approved the 2026 budget, and new tax rate.
Commissioner Roscoe McSwain moved to adopt the budget with two amendments including a donation of $12,000 to Happy Tails at $1,000 a month and a nurse practitioner at $144,984 in 12 installments. Judge Harbison clarified that contract would be with Southern Health Partners. Commissioner Tom Bellmyer seconded the motion and it carried.
The commissioners discussed the tax rate and Commissioner Bellmyer moved to approve the tax rate as presented at .651300 (.5882 General; .0613 Road and Bridge) and his motion was seconded by Commissioner Shannon Metcalf. It carried.
The workshop adjourned at 11:17am.
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