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January 1, 2025 - (Photo Album) - Just after midnight, January 1, 2025, Shelby County Sheriff Gerald Corbell was sworn into office along with his deputies.
Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison administered the oath of office to the sheriff and Sheriff Corbell subsequently administered oaths of office to his Chief Deputy Mike Hanson, his investigators and deputies.
Other county officials were also sworn in by Judge Harbison including Dee Dee Green, Justice of the Peace Precinct 4; Zack Warr, Constable Precinct 1; Jamie Hagler, Constable Precinct 2; Roy Cheatwood, Constable Precinct 3; and Josh Tipton, Constable Precinct 5; Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1; and Stevie Smith, Commissioner Precinct 3.
Another swearing in ceremony for officials not yet sworn in is scheduled to be held on Thursday, January 2, 2025 in the Shelby County Courthouse at 9am.
December 31, 2024 - The Shelby County Sheriff's Department reported responding to a disturbance at Williams Landing Sunday, August 11, 2024, on County Road 3490 in the Joaquin area regarding a criminal mischief incident. The report from the Sheriff's Department indicated deputies found that there was an issue between numerous individuals on the property and Shelby County Constable Precinct 3 Roy Cheatwood.
The Sheriff's Department also noted a lawsuit between the Williams family and Constable Cheatwood involving a dispute over land. According to the Sheriff's Department, there were numerous allegations made of criminal conduct against the Williams family members over tampering with a water well, and allegations of Official oppression on Constable Cheatwood.
With such allegations involving an elected official, the Sheriff's Department referred the case to the Texas Rangers to conduct an investigation.
In early September, four individuals were arrested as the result of an investigation conducted by the Texas Rangers, and those arrested include Gabriel Lamar Williams, 48, for two charges of criminal mischief, misdemeanor a; and one charge of evading arrest, state jail felony; Pamela Stotts Barnes, 63, criminal mischief, misdemeanor a; Levarie Stotts Cloudy, 67, criminal mischief, misdemeanor a; and Rosalind Lee Stotts, 65, criminal mischief, misdemeanor a.
The affidavit was initially sealed via a motion made by District Attorney Karren Price and was unavailable to the public.
After the release of the affidavit, the following information was revealed. Ranger James Hicks was requested by the Shelby County Sheriff's Department to investigate incidents occurring on August 12, 2024, at Well #2 located off CR 3490 in Joaquin. This was due to owners of land turning off water supply to several residents and camps in the community of Williams’ Landing, and a dispute between the individuals and Constable Roy Cheatwood.
In the affidavit, Ranger Hicks stated he believed that Gabriel Williams, Pamela Barnes, Levarie Cloudy and Rosalind Stotts, who are part owners of Williams Landing, were aware that the well identified as Well #2 serves multiple residences and camps. They planned among each other and encouraged and assisted each other in turning Well #2 off, which, they were aware interrupted service and denied water to residents. It also stated he believed the facts show Gabriel Williams operated a motor vehicle when he evaded arrest or detention by Constable Roy Cheatwood.
According to information in the affidavit, Barnes, Stotts, Williams and Cloudy initially shut down the well on August 9, 2024, placed a door on the well house and locked it as they left a note on the well house stating, “Due to undetermined leak, this well is off until further notice, signed by Pamela Barnes, dated 08-09-2024.”
Ranger Hicks reviewed in-car cameras and body cam and dash cam footage from Shelby County Sheriff Deputies, as well as Constable Cheatwood, and according to the affidavit he interviewed residents, campers, and those accused as a result of his investigation.
Ranger Hicks interviewed Williams and Stotts who gave corroborating statements that they were at the well site with Barnes and Cloudy on August 10, 2024. While Williams had been there on August 9, with Cloudy and Barnes, and only Williams was there on August 11, 2024. According to the affidavit, Williams, Barnes and Cloudy decided to turn off the well on August 9.
Ranger Hicks reported in the affidavit having viewed a Facebook post under Pamela Barnes’ profile which stated “Gabriel had to run from Cheatwood who was in his county vehicle.” The post had a photo from a Moultree mobile camera and was time date stamped August 11, 2024. Hicks was informed there were cameras at the entrance of Williams Landing. According to the affidavit, Ranger Hicks viewed another deputy dash camera video in which Gabriel Williams tells the deputy that he ran from Constable Cheatwood to avoid being arrested by him. Williams also stated he was responsible for the well and was going to turn off the electricity. Also identified in that video were Pamela Barnes, Rosalind Stotts, and Levarie Cloudy.
According to the affidavit, when Ranger Hicks spoke with Rosalind Stotts, she told him that on August 10, 2024, Barnes, Williams, Cloudy and herself were at the well which she identified as Well #2. Stotts stated Cheatwood had cut their lock and turned the well back on, she said that Williams disabled the pump by removing a part before he placed another lock on the well. Stotts was informed on August 11, 2024 Williams and Cheatwood had an altercation at the well.
The affidavit indicates Roy Cheatwood, who identified himself as an owner of 10 acres of undivided interest in the Williams Landing estate, and others at the property cut the lock on the well house, repaired a leak and turned the well back on. Williams returned to the well on August 10, 2024 at around 5pm and, according to the affidavit, upon discovering the well had been turned back on he contacted Barnes, Stotts and Cloudy. They all then decided to turn the well off once again and disable it, so it couldn't be turned back on. After disabling the well, they put a lock on the well once again and left.
Cheatwood was called back to the well on the morning of August 11, 2024, and according to the affidavit it was discovered the well had been damaged including the pump points, starter mechanism and wiring which had been torn up. A pipe outside the well house had also been dug up and broken outside the well house. Cheatwood cut off the new lock and repaired the well with two other residents, one of which was an electrician, and they turned the well back on. They also discovered, behind a dilapidated mobile home, a faucet was in the on position allowing water to run, they turned it off and the well was stabilized.
Mid-afternoon on Sunday, August 11, 2024, Williams returned to Well #2 and, according to the affidavit, stated that he observed Constable Roy Cheatwood in his constable pickup truck. Williams saw Cheatwood turn on his lights, but believed that if Constable Cheatwood had a legal reason to stop him, then Cheatwood would not have sat and watched him for so long. The affidavit further states Williams admitted to eluding Cheatwood and fleeing from the Williams Landing area.
Due in part to the official capacity of Roy Cheatwood as a constable, the Texas Rangers were contacted to investigate the circumstances at Williams Landing. The resulting arrest of the four individuals, and the content of the affidavit do not suggest any wrongdoing on Constable Cheatwood's part relating to the issue with the well.
There remains a civil action between Cheatwood and the descendants of the original owners of Williams Landing involving ownership.
December 31, 2024 - The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the Sandhills PWS, 2100013, to issue a Boil Water Notice to inform customers, individuals, or employees on 12-27-2024 that due to a line break by a phone company 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 12-31-2024.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Alison Rhone at 936-332-4439.
December 28, 2024 - Due to a broken water line the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the Sandhills public water system to notify All Sandhills Customers. 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.
December 31, 2024 - The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the Paxton WSC Jackson plant public water system, 2100031, to issue a Boil Water Notice on December 27, 2024 to inform customers, individuals, or employees that due to a line break by a phone company 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 12-31-2024.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Alison Rhone at 936-332-4439.
December 28, 2024 - Due to a line break the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the Paxton PWS Jackson plant to notify Customers on CR 3000, CR 3082, CR 3177 and HWY 7 going west at the intersection of CR 3000 and 3082. 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.
December 31, 2024 - State Highway 7 (SH 7) West in the Mt. Herman community was the scene of a major crash incident, which led to a subsequent collision as traffic backed up December 30, 2024.
Emergency personnel were requested sometime after 2pm to the location in the 7000 block of SH 7 just west of CR 3082 where a NWA Logistics Peterbilt truck tractor poultry hauler out of Carthage and a black 2016 GMC Savana cargo van had collided.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Jordan Ford, a white Peterbilt truck tractor driven by Undra LeKieth Guinn, 48, of Tenaha was eastbound in the outside lane of State Highway 7 West behind a GMC Savana driven by Alfonso Solis Ibarra, 60, of Lufkin.
At that time, Ibarra attempted to make an unsafe u-turn to turn around and go westbound, and Guinn thought the GMC was making a slow right turn and moved over into the left lane and then realized the GMC was in fact making a u-turn. Guinn attempted to avoid making contact with the GMC and they collided in the westbound lane of travel.
Ibarra was transported from the scene by ambulance to Nacogdoches Medical Center for treatment of his injuries and Guinn was transported by ambulance to Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of his injuries.
Ibarra was cited for u-turn when unsafe.
Center Fire Department was initially requested to extricate one driver; however, EMS was able to move the driver before they could arrive, and both drivers were transported from the scene by ambulance.
As traffic came to a halt in both directions, a white 2007 Chevrolet Silverado pulling a trailer approached on the westbound side behind the stopped vehicles and collided with a white 2024 Chevrolet Suburban. The Suburban was pushed off onto the westbound shoulder and the truck and trailer travelled to the opposite side of the roadway where it came to rest on the eastbound side of the roadway.
Additional details will be updated once available from Texas DPS.
West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department and Shelby County Sheriff’s Department assisted at the scene with traffic control.
December 31, 2024 – Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Larry Fields as the Panola County Criminal District Attorney, effective January 1, 2025, for a term set to expire on December 31, 2026, or until his successor shall be duly elected and qualified.
Larry Fields of Carthage is an attorney in private practice. Previously, he served as justice of the peace for Panola County and as a municipal judge for the City of Tatum. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas and a member and former president of the Panola County Bar Association. Additionally, he is a former board member and member of the Panola County Chamber of Commerce, member of the Carthage Noon Lions Club, former board member of the Rusk-Panola Child Advocacy Center, and former gubernatorial appointee and secretary of the Texas Optometry Board. Fields received a Bachelor of Applied Arts & Sciences from Stephen F. Austin State University and a Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law Houston.
December 30, 2024 - The intersection of SL 500 and FM 699 was the scene of a two-vehicle crash Wednesday, December 25, 2024, at around 5:30pm.
Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Troopers were dispatched to the scene and were assisted by Shelby County Sheriff’s Department Deputies, as well as Center Police Officers.
According to Texas DPS State Trooper David Shields, Jr., a white 2012 Buick Enclave driven by Doris Hurtado-Gonzales, 26, of Shelby County, was eastbound on FM 699 at that time a white 2009 Honda Accord driven by Oscar Andreas Galvan, 23, of Shelby County, was southbound on SL 500.
The Enclave failed to yield right of way at the stopped intersection causing a collision in the intersection of SL 500 and FM 699 and causing the Enclave to roll onto its left side. The Honda came to rest in the southbound shoulder of SL 500.
Citations were issued to Hurtado-Gonzales for failure to yield right of way at a stopped intersection.
EMS was on scene, and no injuries wee reported resulting from the crash.
December 30, 2024 - By order of a Presidential Proclamation, all United States Flags, and subordinate flags, should fly at half-staff until January 30, 2025, as a mark of respect for former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on December 29, 2024. If you have a flag that cannot be lowered, respect can be shown by tying a black ribbon or cord to the top of the flagstaff.
December 28, 2024 - Emergency responders were dispatched to a major two-vehicle crash on December 20, 2024, on State Highway 87 at the intersection of CR 3012.
Center Fire Department personnel arrived and used Jaws-of-Life to extricate the driver safely from one of the vehicles involved.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Dustin Ramos, Troopers were dispatched to a two-vehicle head-on crash at 5:32pm on State Highway 87 South.
Through investigation it was determined a silver 2018 Nissan Altima driven by Michael Carrillo, 20, of Center was southbound on State Highway 87. Witnesses on scene said the vehicle swerved around another vehicle that was in the inside lane and into the oncoming northbound traffic.
As the Altima entered the northbound lane, a white 2020 Dodge Ram pickup truck driven by Randall Metteauer, 42, of Nacogdoches was traveling north when the two vehicles collided almost head on and then traveled off the roadway at CR 3012
Carrillo was transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Medical Center in Nacogdoches for treatment of his injuries.
Metteauer and his passengers age 11 and eight were transported to Shelby Emergency Department for possible injuries.
Further details are not available at the time of this report.
December 28, 2024 - (3:15pm) - Tornado watch 720 remains valid until 9pm CST this evening for the following areas.
In Texas this watch includes five counties.
In northeast Texas: Angelina, Nacogdoches, Sabine, San Augustine, and Shelby
In Louisiana this watch includes 10 parishes.
In north central Louisiana: Caldwell, Grant, Jackson, La Salle, Lincoln, Ouachita, Union, Winn
In northwest Louisiana: Natchitoches, Sabine
This includes the cities of Bernice, Center, Clarks, Colfax, Columbia, Dry Prong, Farmerville, Grayson, Hemphill, Jena, Jonesboro, Lufkin, Many, Midway, Monroe, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Natchitoches, Olla, Pineland, Pleasant Hill, Ruston, San Augustine, Winnfield, and Zwolle.
Tornado Watch 718 remains valid through 3pm CST this afternoon for the following areas.
In Texas this watch includes eight counties.
In northeast Texas: Angelina, Cherokee, Nacogdoches, Panola, Rusk, San Augustine, and Shelby.
In Louisiana this watch includes 17 parishes.
In north Central Louisiana: Caldwell, Grant, Jackson, La Salle, Lincoln, Ouachita, Union, and Winn
In northeast Louisiana: Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, De Soto, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine, and Webster.
This includes the cities of Arcadia, Bernice, Bossier City, Carthage, Center, Clarks, Colfax, Columbia, Coushatta, Dry Prong, Farmerville, Gibsland, Grayson, Haynesville, Hemphill, Henderson, Homer, Jacksonville, Jena, Jonesboro, Logansport, Lufkin, Mansfield, Many, Martin, Midway, Minden, Monroe, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Natchitoches, Olla, Pineland, Pleasant Hill, Ringgold, Rusk, Ruston, San Augustine, Shreveport, Springhill, Stonewall, Winnfield and Zwolle.
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