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April 17, 2025 - The Shelby County Courthouse and County Clerk's office closed early today, April 17 due to a power outage and no internet. The courthouse will be closed for Good Friday and will reopen on Monday, April 21, 2025. Have a safe and Happy Easter.
April 15, 2025 - Tom Bellmyer, Commissioner Precinct 4, announces the closure of a bridge crossing on CR 4117 until further notice as of April 15, 2025.
Barricades have been placed on the Shelby County side of the bridge to indicate closure.
Commissioner Bellmyer was recently informed of damage to the bridge and Keith Finchum, Commissioner Officer Precinct 1 for Nacogdoches, has placed barricades on the Nacogdoches County side.
A bridge crew on the Nacogdoches County side will be working on the bridge, and the Shelby County Precinct 4 crew will be working with them as needed.
April 9, 2025 - The Shelby County Commissioners recognized a proclamation declaring Texas Soil and Water Stewardship week for the week of April 27 – May 4, 2025, and approved the purchase of two trucks through Center Motor Company during their meeting held April 9, 2025.
The commissioners considered the purchase of two new vehicles for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department of in substitution of two vehicles previously approved for purchase by the Commissioners’ Court on September 4, 2024 from San Augustine Motor Company.
According to the county, San Augustine Motor Company was unable to deliver the vehicles, and said vehicles are now to be purchased from Center Motor Company in Center under the provisions of Section 262.024 of the Texas Local Government Code necessary to preserve and protect the public health and safety of the residents of Shelby County, Texas.
“I sent them a letter two weeks ago giving them until Friday to deliver those last two, and they were unable to deliver them,” said County Judge Allison Harbison
Judge Harbison shared that John Price, County Attorney, said the action was the direction to go on that subject and Price agreed, stating that the commissioners had already previously taken action issue and termination on the existing agreement with San Augustine Motor Company.
“I understand from the Sheriff two have been delivered, but the other two will not be able to be delivered,” said Price. “It has been since September of last year (2024) or so. I’m just recommending for the commission’s consideration that approval of these two new vehicles being from Center Motor Company under the provisions of Local Government Code 262.024, which gives you discretionary authority to make that decision.”
Commissioner Roscoe McSwain moved to get out of the contract with San Augustine Motor Company and move forward with Center Motor Company. the motion was seconded by Commissioner Tom Bellmyer and it carried.
Judge Harbison presented a proclamation declaring Texas Soil and Water Stewardship week for the week of April 27 – May 4, 2025.
Judge Harbison read aloud for the commissioners the following information: Since 1955, the Soil and Water Stewardship, has been an important initiative aimed at educating the public and engaging communities in conservation efforts. With over 100,000 people participating individually, this program has become one of the largest natural resource awareness events in the country. The 2025 theme, ‘Home is Where The Habitat Is,’ highlights the crucial role of both natural and managed habitats in maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem health, protecting and restoring these habitats is key to long-term health of our soil, water, and wildlife, ultimately benefiting our communities and our environments.
Commissioner Stevie Smith moved to adopt the proclamation and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Bellmyer. The motion carried.
The Commissioners approved the racial profiling report of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department and were presented with full exemption paperwork from the Constable offices of Precinct 1 and 2, because they do not work traffic, and the commissioners subsequently approved those exemptions.
During the Commissioners’ Court reports portion of the meeting Commissioner Bellmyer commented the bridge project on CR 4778 was completed on Tuesday, April 9 at 12-noon and the project went very well.
Commissioner McSwain stated Precinct 1 and Precinct 2 crews have moved the pug mill in and serviced and cleaned the old one and are in the process of seeing how they’re going to sell it.
During the meeting Judge Harbison announced to everyone that it was John Price’s birthday and she expressed how much she and the commissioners appreciate him.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:48am.
Officers reports for the month of March as presented by Ann Blackwell, County Treasurer: Fees for the month of March 2025 Officers reports for the month of January 2024 as presented by Ann Blackwell, County Treasurer: Debora Riley, Tax Assessor Collector - Property: $487,727.76; Motor Vehicle: $137,072.46; Total: $624,800.23 Jennifer Fountain, County Clerk - $42,794.40 Lori Oliver, District Clerk - $9,817.82 Donna Hughes, JP1 - $32,830.40 Marla Denby, JP2 - $836.20 Melba Rodgers, JP3 - $4,816.20 Dee Dee Green, JP4 - $3,823.20 Tracy Broadway, JP5 - $8,002.50 Zack Warr, Constable 1 - $1,170 James, Hagler, Constable 2 - $180 Taylor Fanguy, Constable 4 - $90 Sheriff’s Fees - $2,985.20 Total interest earned on investments for January - March 2025 (first quarter) $205,490.43
April 8, 2025 - Commissioner Bellmyer reports that the CR 4778 bridge re-deck project is complete.
The road is now open to all traffic.
April 2, 2025 - The work proposed to be done on CR 4778 has been rescheduled due to weather forecast to take place on the originally planned weekend. Commissioner Bellmyer has updated the work plans to now reflect that they will take place on Monday through Wednesday, April 7-April 9. Commissioner Bellmyer will be informing the school and post office to allow them the ability to take that work into account.
March 26, 2025 - Tom Bellmyer, Commissioner Precinct 4, has announced that County Road 4778 will be closed April 4-April 6 for the purpose of redecking a bridge.
April 5, 2025 - Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers are investigating a one-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 96, north of Center, that occurred Thursday, April 3, 2025.
The preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 8:35am, a 1997 Dodge Ram Van driven by Luis Hernandez, 18, of Center was traveling north. It is reported that the driver of the Dodge took faulty evasive action to avoid striking a dog, left the roadway to the right, and over-turned onto its right side.
Hernandez was not injured.
This is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
April 5, 2025 - Tornado Watch 122 is in effect until 7pm CDT April 5, 2025 for the following locations.
Texas counties included are: Angelina, Nacogdoches, Panola, Sabine, San Augustine and Shelby.
April 4, 2025 - Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers are investigating a one-vehicle crash on State Farm-to-Market Road 417, east of Center, between Forest Service Road 143 and CR 2340 that occurred Thursday, April 3, 2025.
The preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 6:20am, a 2011 Jeep Patriot driven by Kenneth Smith, 18, of Shelbyville was traveling west. It is reported that the driver of the Jeep fell asleep, drove onto the wrong side of the road, entered the barrow-ditch, and struck a tree.
Smith was transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
This is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
April 4, 2025 - The National Weather Service has extended Tornado Watch 113 to include the following areas until 9pm CDT this evening.
In Louisiana this watch includes 1 parish, in northwest Louisiana: De Soto
In Texas this watch includes 7 counties:
In Northeast Texas: Angelina, Cherokee, Nacogdoches, Panola, Rusk, San Augustine, and Shelby.
This includes the cities of Carthage, Center, Henderson, Jacksonville, Logansport, Lufkin, Mansfield, Nacogdoches, Rusk, San Augustine, and Stonewall.
Photo courtesy West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department
April 3, 2025 - State Highway 7 West was the scene of a single-vehicle crash involving a motorcycle Sunday, March 30, 2025, in the Mt. Herman Community.
Emergency responders with the West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department, Shelby County Sheriff’s Department and Center Police Department arrived at the 7000 block of State Highway 7 West sometime just after 5:08pm.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 5:08pm, a 2016 Harley Davidson FLS motorcycle ridden by Paul Jones, 42, of Gary was traveling east. It is reported that for an unknown reason, the driver of the Harley lost control, laid the motorcycle down on the roadway, and the driver was thrown from the motorcycle.
Jones was transported to Louisiana State University of Shreveport 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.
Submitted photo
April 3, 2025 - Emergency personnel responded to a two-vehicle crash Friday, March 28, 2025 on State Highway 87 just south of CR 4020 which resulted in the arrest of one driver involved.
Timpson Volunteer Fire Department firefighters were on scene to aid the drivers involved in the crash and assisted EMS personnel in moving individuals from one vehicle to an ambulance. Fire personnel continued to assist law enforcement by providing traffic control.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 2:25pm, a black 2021 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Dylan Whittlesey, 24, of Center and a tan 2015 Chevrolet Traverse driven by Frank Bright, 43, of Timpson were traveling south. It is reported that Bright was slowing for inclement weather conditions, and the driver of the Silverado failed to control his speed and struck the Traverse in the rear.
Bright, along with three other passengers, identified as Karla Bright, 44, of Timpson, and two minors, also of Timpson, were transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries.
Submitted photo
Whittlesey was not injured and was subsequently arrested for Driving While Intoxicated, a misdemeanor charge, as a result of the crash.
According to DPS, this is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
The crash was investigated by DPS Trooper Matthew Chandler and DPS Trooper Josh Gradberg, assisted by Shelby County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Misty Ray.
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