The story headline links to a better view of the story and share features.
News
February 5, 2025 - U.S. Highway 96 North approximately one mile from State Loop 500 was the scene of a two-vehicle crash incident on February 3, 2025.
When emergency personnel arrived at the scene, one vehicle pulling a trailer was stopped in the middle of the highway, with damage, and another vehicle was on the northbound shoulder.
While Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers investigated the incident, Center Fire Department personnel directed traffic and assisted with the vehicle in the middle of the roadway.
According to DPS Cpl. David Shields, Jr., at around 7:25am the investigation revealed a white 2004 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Matias Santana, 65, was pulling out of a private driveway onto U.S. Highway 96 attempting to travel south. When Santana entered the highway he failed to yield right of way to a green 2001 Ford Ranger that was southbound and was driven by Ulises Santos, 32, pulling a utility trailer.
No injuries were reported of anyone involved in the crash.
Citations were issued to Santana for fail to yield right of way private drive and to Santos for no driver’s license.
Cpl. Shields was assisted at the scene by Trooper Daniel Dellenger.
February 4, 2025 - A Shelby County Grand Jury handed down 22 indictments on Monday, February 3, 2025. The grand jury was impaneled for the January 2025 term of the 123rd/273rd Judicial District Courts.
Darell Antwon Barnes was indicted for murder, first degree felony. The indictment alleges, on October 22, 2024, Barnes caused the death of LaJagger Barnes by shooting him in the chest with a shotgun. (123rd Judicial District Court) (Related Article: Center PD Investigates Shooting on Rex Street; One Suspect in Custody)
Denim Smith was indicted for murder, first degree felony. The indictment alleges, on or about July 27, 2023, Smith caused the death of Camo Morton by shooting Morton in the head with a deadly weapon, a 12-gauge shotgun. (123rd Judicial District Court) (Related Article: Law Enforcement Officials Investigate Shooting Incident on CR 4855)
Kendell Mardis was indicted for murder, first degree felony. The indictment alleges, on or about August 2, 2023, Mardis caused the death of Camo Morton by shooting Morton in the head with a 12-gauge shotgun. (273rd Judicial District Court) (Related Article: Law Enforcement Officials Investigate Shooting Incident on CR 4855)
Stacey Buford Ruth was indicted for assault on a public servant, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on September 28, 2024, Ruth recklessly caused bodily injury to [Center Police] Officer Brandon Tyler by wrestling him to the ground and striking him with his fists. The indictment further alleges, Ruth knew Tyler was a public servant who was lawfully discharging an official duty, namely relocating Ruth from Detox cell to a bedded cell at which time Ruth tried to escape from the Center Police Department. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Jacoban Rondarriou Kimone Pruitt was indicted for engaging in organized criminal activity, first degree felony. The indictment alleges, on October 22, 2024, Pruitt with intent to establish, maintain, or participate in a combination or in the profits of a combination. The indictment further indicated the combination consisted of Pruitt, Jason Calloway, Chayse Duckett and M.J. Jr., who collaborated in carrying on the hereinafter described criminal activity, conspiring to commit the offense of aggravated assault from Sec. 71.02(a) by agreeing with each other that they would engage in the conduct that constituted the offense. The indictment further alleges Pruitt, Calloway, Duckett and M.J. Jr., performed an overt act in pursuance of the agreement, namely all occupants of the vehicle traveled to the scene to commit an aggravated assault on the family members located at the scene. (273rd Judicial District Court) (Related Article: CPD Details Rex Street Shooting; Possible Retaliation Attempt Garners More Arrests)
Jason Calloway was indicted for engaging in organized criminal activity, first degree felony. The indictment alleges, on October 22, 2024, Calloway with intent to establish, maintain, or participate in a combination or in the profits of a combination. The indictment further indicated the combination consisted of Calloway, Jacoban Pruitt, Chayse Duckett and M.J. Jr., who collaborated in carrying on the hereinafter described criminal activity, conspiring to commit the offense of aggravated assault from Sec. 71.02(a) by agreeing with each other that they would engage in the conduct that constituted the offense. The indictment further alleges Calloway, Pruitt, Duckett and M.J. Jr., performed an overt act in pursuance of the agreement, namely all occupants of the vehicle traveled to the scene to commit an aggravated assault on the family members located at the scene. (273rd Judicial District Court) (Related Article: CPD Details Rex Street Shooting; Possible Retaliation Attempt Garners More Arrests)
Chayse Cornell Duckett was indicted for engaging in organized criminal activity, first degree felony. The indictment alleges, on October 22, 2024, Duckett with intent to establish, maintain, or participate in a combination or in the profits of a combination. The indictment further indicated the combination consisted of Chayse Duckett, Jason Calloway, Jacoban Pruitt and M.J. Jr., who collaborated in carrying on the hereinafter described criminal activity, conspiring to commit the offense of aggravated assault from Sec. 71.02(a) by agreeing with each other that they would engage in the conduct that constituted the offense. The indictment further alleges Duckett, Calloway, Pruitt and M.J. Jr., performed an overt act in pursuance of the agreement, namely all occupants of the vehicle traveled to the scene to commit an aggravated assault on the family members located at the scene. (273rd Judicial District Court) (Related Article: CPD Details Rex Street Shooting; Possible Retaliation Attempt Garners More Arrests)
Harry Lee Allen, Jr., was indicted for theft of property >=$30K<$150K, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on February 25, 2022, Allen took 15.9 acres of land of the value of $30,000 or more but less than $150,000 from Bessie Mae Patrick, the owner, without the effective consent of Patrick and with intent to deprive Patrick of the property. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Jennifer Michelle Byrd was indicted for fraudulent use or possession of identifying information, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on September 11, 2024, Byrd with intent to harm or defraud another, and without the consent or effective consent of Jody Hooper, used less than five items of identifying information of Hooper. The indictment further alleges, Byrd used bank routing numbers and bank account numbers to pay a cell phone bill using the bank numbers acquired from Hooper's check. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Kevin Earl Robinson was indicted for assault by choking, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on December 25, 2024, Robinson recklessly caused bodily injury to Lacharah Robinson, a member of Robinson's family as described by Section 71.003 of the Texas Family Code, by impeding the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of Lacharah Robinson by applying pressure to the throat or neck and/or blocking the nose or mouth of Lacharah Robinson. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Janee Jordy was indicted for Count 1 - abandon/endangering child individual with intent to return, state jail felony; and Count 2 - abandon/endangering child individual with intent to return, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on November 26, 2024, Jordy knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence engaged in conduct that placed a child younger than 15 years of age in imminent danger of death, bodily injury, or physical mental impairment by leaving the child unattended and the child was in the middle of a high traffic highway clothed only in a tee shirt. The indictment further alleges, on November 26, 2024, Jordy knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence engaged in conduct that placed a child younger than 15 years of age in imminent danger of death, bodily injury, or physical mental impairment by leaving the child unattended and the child was in the middle of a high traffic highway clothed only in a diaper. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Allen R. Nestle was indicted for Count 1 - abandon/endangering child individual with intent to return, state jail felony; and Count 2 - abandon/endangering child individual with intent to return, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on November 26, 2024, Nestle knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence engaged in conduct that placed a child younger than 15 years of age in imminent danger of death, bodily injury, or physical mental impairment by leaving the child unattended and the child was in the middle of a high traffic highway clothed only in a tee shirt. The indictment further alleges, on November 26, 2024, Nestle knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence engaged in conduct that placed a child younger than 15 years of age in imminent danger of death, bodily injury, or physical mental impairment by leaving the child unattended and the child was in the middle of a high traffic highway clothed only in a diaper. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Chiantai Dartagnian Jordan was indicted for unlawful carry weapon with felony conviction, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on October 28, 2024, Jordan recklessly carried a handgun on or about his own person, and Jordan was not on his own premises or premises that were under Jordan's own control, and Jordan was not inside of or directly en-route to a motor vehicle or watercraft that was owned by Jordan or under Jordan's control.. The indictment further presents Jordan was prohibited from possessing a firearm under 46.04(a) of the Texas Penal Code, in that at the time of the commission of the charged offense he was previously convicted in 2016 for the felony offense of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and the possession of a firearm occurred before the fifth anniversary of Jordan's release from confinement following conviction of the felony. (273rd Judicial District Court)
James David Halbert was indicted for abandon/endanger child individual intentionally, knowingly, recklessly or with criminal negligence, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on July 21, 2024 Halbert intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence, engaged in conduct that placed a child younger than 15 years of age in imminent danger of death, bodily injury, or physical or mental impairment by having marijuana accessible to the child. (123rd Judicial District Court)
James David Halbert was indicted for abandon/endanger child individual intentionally, knowingly, recklessly or with criminal negligence, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on July 21, 2024 Halbert intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence, engaged in conduct that placed a child younger than 15 years of age in imminent danger of death, bodily injury, or physical or mental impairment by having marijuana accessible to the child. (123rd Judicial District Court)
James David Halbert was indicted for abandon/endanger child individual intentionally, knowingly, recklessly or with criminal negligence, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on July 21, 2024 Halbert intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence, engaged in conduct that placed a child younger than 15 years of age in imminent danger of death, bodily injury, or physical or mental impairment by having marijuana accessible to the child. (123rd Judicial District Court)
James David Halbert was indicted for abandon/endanger child individual intentionally, knowingly, recklessly or with criminal negligence, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on July 21, 2024 Halbert intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence, engaged in conduct that placed a child younger than 15 years of age in imminent danger of death, bodily injury, or physical or mental impairment by having marijuana accessible to the child. (123rd Judicial District Court)
(Some of the following content contained within indictments is of a sensitive nature and may not be suitable for younger viewers.)
Lloyd Christopher Belrose was indicted for sex abuse of child continuous: victim under 14, first degree felony. The indictment alleges, on December 2023, through November 2024, when Belrose was 17 years of age or older, committed two or more acts of sexual abuse against a child younger than 14 years of age. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Lloyd Christopher Belrose was indicted for sex abuse of child continuous: victim under 14, first degree felony. The indictment alleges, on December 2020, through November 2024, when Belrose was 17 years of age or older, committed two or more acts of sexual abuse against a child younger than 14 years of age. (273rd Judicial District Court)
(Dates in parenthesis indicate the date of the alleged incident):
- James David Halbert, possession of marijuana, state jail felony (July 21, 2024). (123rd Judicial District Court)
- Phillip Levi Lucas, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=1G<4G (methamphetamine), third degree felony (November 4, 2024). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Robert Neil Armagost, III, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (November 14, 2024). (123rd Judicial District Court)
Indictments and Information are not a conviction, and are a matter of public record. All individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law.
February 4, 2025 - A Shelby County Grand Jury delivered 10 indictments on Monday, January 6, 2025. The grand jury was impaneled for the January 2025 term of the 123rd/273rd Judicial District Courts.
David Aaron McMahon was indicted for aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on October 26, 2024, McMahon recklessly caused serious bodily injury to Jason McMahon by repeatedly punching him in the face, which caused serious bodily injury. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Deaundra Deshawn Dones was indicted for assault on a public servant, third degree felony, punishment enhancement: 2nd degree/2-20 years TDCJ-ID. The indictment alleges, on September 2, 2024, Dones recklessly caused bodily injury to [Center Police Officer] Michael Davidson by punching Davidson in the head, and Dones knew that Davidson was a public servant, namely a Center Police Officer. The indictment further indicates Davidson was lawfully discharging an official duty, namely on patrol. The indictment further presents Dones was previously convicted for assault intent recklessly impede breathing/circulation/PR, 2nd degree felony. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Jikei Cartwright was indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on October 5, 2024, Cartwright recklessly caused bodily injury to Or'Larryian Moore by stabbing him in his back. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Rodney Lamar Conkleton was indicted for unlawful possession of firearm by felon, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on July 22, 2024, Conkleton recklessly possessed a firearm after the fifth anniversary of his release from supervision under parole, following conviction of the felony, and Conkleton's possession of the firearm occurred in the floorboard of his vehicle, which was a location other than the premises at which Conkleton lived. The indictment further presents Conkleton was previously convicted in 1992 for the felony offense of theft in Bowie County. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Patrick Keith McLemore was indicted for evading arrest with a motor vehicle, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on September 22, 2024, while using a vehicle McLemore intentionally fled from [DPS Troopers] Jordan Ford and Dustin Ramos, persons McLemore knew were peace officers who were attempting lawfully to arrest or detain McLemore. (273rd Judicial District Court)
(Some of the following content contained within indictments is of a sensitive nature and may not be suitable for younger viewers.)
- James Eddy Risinger was indicted for sex abuse of a child continuous: victim under 14, first degree felony. According to the indictment, on August 1, 2023 through March 26, 2024, when Risinger was 17 years of age or older, committed two or more acts of sexual abuse against a child younger than 14 years of age. (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Jermaine Alfonzo Tutt was indicted for indecency with a child sexual contact, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on July 21, 2024 Tutt engaged in sexual contact with the complainant, a child younger than 17 years of age. The indictment further presented two enhancements referencing previous convictions for possession of a controlled substance, 2nd degree felony and possession of a controlled substance, 3rd degree felony in 2011 and 2016. (123rd Judicial District Court)
(Dates in parenthesis indicate the date of the alleged incident):
- Stoney L. Runnels, possession of a controlled substance penalty group 1/1B >=4G<200G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (June 12, 2024). (123rd Judicial District Court)
- Scott Tyler Stephens, possession of a controlled substance penalty group 1/1B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (October 14, 2024). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Rodney Lamar Conkleton, possession of a controlled substance penalty group 1/1B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (October 14, 2024). (123rd Judicial District Court)
Indictments and Information are not a conviction, and are a matter of public record. All individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law.
February 4, 2025 - Emergency responders were called to a single-vehicle crash during the early morning hours of Saturday, February 1, 2025, on State Highway 87 South.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office confirms the incident occurred in the 3000 block of State Highway 87 South.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 4:50am, a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado driven by James Sims, 22, of Shelbyville was traveling south. It is reported that the Chevrolet’s steering wheel malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to leave the road to the right, and strike a tree.
Sims was not reported to have been injured, and citation detail was not immediately available from DPS.
According to DPS, this is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
February 3, 2025 - FM 139 in the Dreka Community was the scene of a single-vehicle crash involving a utility pole Thursday, January 30, 2025.
The crash incident was approximately 3.9 miles from State Highway 87 South near the Precinct 2 Commissioner barn.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones, at 7:46am a white 2022 BMW X3 driven by Chasity Willoughby, 35, of Shelbyville was westbound on FM 139 at an unsafe speed when she lost control and exited the roadway to the left where she struck a utility pole.
Willoughby and her passengers, a 5-year-old female, and 10-year-old female went by private vehicle for medical evaluation.
Willoughby was issued a citation for unsafe speed.
Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department personnel were on scene at the location and provided traffic control until the scene was clear.
February 3, 2025 - The month of January 2025 had 11 days of rain for a total rain fall of 4.14 inches.
The weather data for Center, Texas during the past month is as follows:
Lowest temperature - 12.9 on January 22
Hottest temperature - 76.5 on January 5
Number of days with rain - 11 days
Total rain fall for the month - 4.14 inches
Total rain fall YTD for 2025 - 4.14 inches
01/01/2025 - Low of 36.1, High of 57.9
01/02/2025 - Low of 33.6, High of 61.9
01/03/2025 - Low of 47.3, High of 66.6
01/04/2025 - Low of 47.5, High of 61.0, Rain 0.03
01/05/2025 - Low of 29.7, High of 76.5, Rain 0.14
01/06/2025 - Low of 24.4, High of 41.7
01/07/2025 - Low of 27.3, High of 45.0
01/08/2025 - Low of 26.8, High of 46.2
01/09/2025 - Low of 28.9, High of 37.8, Rain 1.38
01/10/2025 - Low of 32.0, High of 37.4, Rain 0.84
01/11/2025 - Low of 25.3, High of 52.2
01/12/2025 - Low of 30.2, High of 57.6
01/13/2025 - Low of 32.5, High of 55.0
01/14/2025 - Low of 27.0, High of 54.7
01/15/2025 - Low of 34.3, High of 63.1
01/16/2025 - Low of 28.8, High of 63.7
01/17/2025 - Low of 31.3, High of 60.8, Rain 0.01
01/18/2025 - Low of 39.9, High of 61.3
01/19/2025 - Low of 24.6, High of 41.9
01/20/2025 - Low of 19.2, High of 39.2
01/21/2025 - Low of 16.3, High of 38.1, Rain 0.01
01/22/2025 - Low of 12.9, High of 45.3
01/23/2025 - Low of 22.5, High of 54.3
01/24/2025 - Low of 21.9, High of 57.6
01/25/2025 - Low of 27.3, High of 59.0
01/26/2025 - Low of 48.4, High of 50.4, Rain 1.28
01/27/2025 - Low of 41.9, High of 54.1
01/28/2025 - Low of 39.9, High of 55.0, Rain 0.17
01/29/2025 - Low of 48.7, High of 65.3, Rain 0.05
01/30/2025 - Low of 53.2, High of 71.6, Rain 0.22
01/31/2025 - Low of 45.3, High of 65.8, Rain 0.01
February 3, 2025 - (update: 8:37am) - as of 8:37 AM the roadway is open again to regular traffic.
U.S. Highway 96 North just northn of SL 500 in Center is shut down as of 8:21am while a crash scene is cleared.
Use caution, and expect delays until the roadway is clear.
January 30, 2025 - On 1-28-2025, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the Shelbyville public water system, 2100014, to issue a Boil Water Notice to inform customers, individuals, or employees that due to conditions which occurred recently in the public water system, the water from this public water system was required to be boiled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
The public water system has taken the necessary corrective actions to restore the quality of the water distributed by this public water system used for drinking water or human consumption purposes and has provided TCEQ with laboratory test results that indicate that the water no longer requires boiling prior to use as of 1-30-2025.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Alison Rhone at 936-332-4439.
January 28, 2025 - Due to a line break, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the Shelbyville public water system 2100014 to notify customers on FM 417 East to boil their water prior to consumption (e.g., washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc). Children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions).
To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes.
In lieu of boiling, individuals may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the public water system officials will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Alison Rhone at 936-332-4439
January 30, 2025 - The intersection of SL 500 and U.S. Highway 96 North was the scene of a truck-tractor crash incident Wednesday, January 29, 2025.
When emergency personnel arrived at the scene, a Tyson Foods refrigerated truck tractor hauling chicken was on the southbound side of U.S. Highway 96 in a ditch straddling a drainage ditch.
Center Fire Department fire personnel held the scene and provided traffic control for several hours as a wrecker service extracted the truck tractor from the ditch and Texas Department of Public Safety investigated the incident.
The driver only reported sustaining minor injuries.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 8:15pm a white 2025 Volvo truck tractor driven by William Vaughn, 52 of Ft. Worth, towing a UTY trailer, was traveling west. It is reported that Vaughn disregarded the stop sign at the intersection of State Loop 500 and U.S. 96, traveled across both lanes of U.S. 96, entered the barrow ditch, and came to rest upright.
Vaughn was not injured.
According to DPS, this is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
January 30, 2025 – The City of Center received notice of a $250,000 grant award this week by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission through its Non-Urban Outdoor Recreation Grant Program. The grant funds are designated for the improvement and renovation project for American Legion Park, which includes the Community House grounds.
“We are excited about another opportunity to further enhance our park facilities and community.” said Center Mayor David Chadwick further adding, “This addition at the Community House elevates one of the city’s historic treasures used regularly for family reunions, meetings and social events.” The Community House was originally completed in 1942 as part of the Federal Government National Youth Administration (NYA) program according to March 19, 1942 edition of The Champion.
This project will expand the patio behind the Community House, adding a shade structure, landscaping, outdoor seating and adjacent areas for lawn games and similar activities. Two pickleball courts will be installed south of the existing parking lot. Additional lawn games and picnic areas will be included along accessible sidewalks and trails that traverse improved areas and connect to Field Street. Site plans and project information can be found on the City’s website. This project will begin construction within the next six to twelve months.
Over the last decade, all City parks have completed major renovations and expansions. During the 2013 Community House renovation, funding was not available to complete complimentary landscaping and additional park amenities. The 2019 Parks Master Plan identified American Legion Park adapting its focus to provide open space, trails, and adult/family amenities that complement the Community House venue. ”The City pursued this grant to provide financial resources to leverage local funds available to enhance the Community House site to provide funds all the park-related improvements,” stated Chad Nehring, City Manager.
This project is the culmination of the Park Master Plan priority for redevelopment of all existing parks. It also includes items from the ranked list of desired park features and amenities the 2019 Parks Master Plan as identified from community surveys that were not already addressed at other parks.
Additional information on this project plan and Parks Master Plan are available at the City website at www.CenterTexas.org.
Pages
