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September 25, 2025 - (Update): Karren Price, 123rd Judicial District Attorney, confirms the victim in this shooting incident to be Jeremy Smith, of Timpson.
The suspects in this incident who have been booked into the Shelby County Jail on the charge of murder, felony 1, are Jorge Vazquez, 23, of Center and Jesus Flores, 28.
(September 25, 2025 - 1:02am) - A truck stop fuel station in Tenaha near the intersection of U.S. Highways 59 and 96 was the scene of a shooting incident Wednesday, September 24, 2025.
Shelby County law enforcement authorities responded to the scene sometime around 8:30pm after the altercation had occurred.
Karren Price, 123rd Judicial District Attorney, has confirmed the incident and according to details the victim was parked in a Lexus in the eastern side of the parking lot where the diesel pumps are located apparently waiting on someone. Another vehicle pulled up to the Lexus with two hispanic males inside. At some point the passenger from the second vehicle exited and proceeded to beat on the driver of the Lexus through his driver’s side window. The driver of the Lexus was somehow able to get out of his vehicle and attempted to retrieve an AR-15 style rifle from his trunk. It was at this time the driver of the Lexus was allegedly shot by one of the individuals from the other vehicle.
Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers were first on scene and the driver was transported from the scene for medical treatment of his life-threatening injuries.
The suspects fled the scene and law enforcement officials are actively seeking them. Details on the suspect vehicle are not available at this time.
Agencies on scene included the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, Shelby County District Attorney’s Office, Constable Precinct 4, Constable Precinct 5, Texas Rangers, and Texas Department of Public Safety.
September 24, 2025 - The Shelby County Commissioners announced in court on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 that it’s anticipated that CR 3689 (Cypress Creek) and CR 1440 will have barriers set September 24, and the roads are set to be closed on September 29. Those bridges on those roads that will be under construction will be demolished by October 2.
This is following a meeting with TxDOT recently about the bridges involved.
The roads will be closed for several months and this is part of a $1.6 million project.
The Straw Creek Bridge Creek project is expected to begin in February 2026.
September 23, 2025 - A Nacogdoches man has been sentenced to federal prison for a firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Adolfo Cruz, 27, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a machinegun and was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on September 22, 2025.
According to information presented in court, on April 10, 2024, local law enforcement in Lufkin conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Cruz. The officer noticed a gun case in the back seat of Cruz’s vehicle and asked Cruz what was inside of the case. Cruz reached for the case and a firearm fell out. The officer removed Cruz from the vehicle and conducted a pat-down search of Cruz. During the pat-down search, the officer found a machinegun conversion device (MCD). MCDs are small mechanisms that can be attached to the rear of the slide of a firearm, converting a semi-automatic weapon into a fully automatic machinegun. Federal law defines a machinegun as a weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger.
ATF agents later obtained a search warrant for Cruz’s cell phone. The cell phone contained messages to and from Cruz discussing the buying and selling of firearms, including MCDs.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
This case was investigated by the Lufkin Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald S. Carter.
September 17, 2025 - Nacogdoches Street was the scene of a fatal auto-pedestrian crash in Center on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
According to the Center Police Department at 4:09pm officers responded to a 911 call relating to an auto versus pedestrian collision in the 900 block of Nacogdoches Street
When officers arrived they observed a female later determined to be Valarie Marshall, 57, of Timpson and a white GMC Terrain with damage to its front bumper.
The driver of the GMC was determined to be Jose Antonio-Roldan Torres, 37, of Nacogdoches and he refused treatment at the scene.
Marshall was transported by ambulance to the Shelby Emergency Department where she was later pronounced deceased and next of kin was notified.
Witness statements indicate Marshall was attempting to run across the road.
The crash remains under investigation.
CPD officers were assisted at the scene by Texas DPS Trooper Matt Chandler and Shelby County Sheriff's Department deputies.
Brandon Creson, 33, of Pittsburg, Texas
September 17, 2025 - Center Police Department (CPD) announces the arrest of a suspect after receiving a report from a group regarding online exploitation of a minor.
CPD officers have arrested Brandon Creson, 33, of Pittsburg, Texas, in Center on charges related to the online solicitation of a minor and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Although the CPD doesn't name the organization, they attribute the arrest to information given by a group which revealed evidence of inappropriate online communications with a minor and the possession of illegal material. CPD indicates Carson was taken into custody without incident and is currently being held pending further legal proceedings.
Authorities emphasize that the protection of children remains a top priority and that all reports of online exploitation are taken seriously and thoroughly investigated.
CPD expresses thanks to the group and the work they do.
The investigation is ongoing, and no further details are being released at this time.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
September 15, 2025 - State Highway 87 in Shelbyville is the scene of a truck-tractor chicken hauler rollover September 15, 2025 at around 2:40pm.
According to details from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 2:40pm, a 2018 Kenworth T880 driven by Edward Hernandez, 51, of Lufkin and towing a 2008 trailer was traveling north. It is reported that the Kenworth was approaching a left-hand curve at an unsafe speed, left the roadway to the right, and overturned.
Hernandez was not reported to have been injured.
According to DPS, this is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
Shelby County Sheriff's Department Deputies, Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department, and TxDOT assisted at the scene.
September 11, 2025 - The intersection of State Highway 87 South and CR 2110 (Cannon Cemetery Road) was the scene of a four-vehicle crash that took place on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Trooper Matt Chandler, at approximately 3:59pm, a brown 2015 Jeep SUV driven by Shauna Sims, 44, of Center and a white 2019 Dodge Ram pick-up driven by Caine Snell, 18, of Center, towing a utility trailer, were traveling south, while a 2024 Ford F150 driven by a minor driver was traveling north on SH 87.
It is reported that an unidentified vehicle was attempting to turn south from CR 2110 onto SH 87 and failed to yield the right of way to the jeep. The driver of the Jeep attempted to brake to avoid striking the unknown vehicle and was struck in he rear by the Dodge. After the Jeep was struck, it was pushed into the north lane of SH 87 where it struck the 2024 Ford. The driver of the unknown vehicle left the scene before it could be identified.
Sims was transported to Nacogdoches Medical of Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. One passenger, identified as a minor, was not injured.
Snell, and the minor driver of the Ford were not injured.
The vehicle or the driver of the unknown vehicle, have not been identified at this time.
According to DPS, this is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
September 11, 2025 - The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) confirms that Troopers are investigating a two-vehicle crash that took place on U.S. Highway 59 at the intersection of U.S. Highway 84 in Timpson on Sunday, September 7, 2025.
According to DPS, at approximately 2:30pm, a 2005 GMC 2500 driven by a 16-year-old minor driver was stopped at the stop sign awaiting to cross over U.S. 59 from U.S. 84, while a 2009 Chevrolet 1500 driven by Welton Earl Jr., 70, of Timpson was traveling south on U.S. 59. It is reported that the GMC failed to yield the right of way at the intersection and pulled into the path of the Chevrolet where it was struck.
The 16-year-old minor and a 17-year-old passenger were not injured.
Earl and one passenger, Bobbie Pace, 54, of Timpson, were transported to Nacogdoches Medial Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
According to DPS, this is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
The crash was investigated by Trooper Dustin Ramos and Trooper Keith Jones.
September 9, 2025 - The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers are investigating a one-vehicle crash on Farm-to-Market 417, south of Center, that occurred Sunday, September 7, 2025.
Alcudia was traveling at an unsafe speed for an approaching curve, left the roadway, and struck a tree.
Alcudia was transported to Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport Hospital for treatment of possible life-threatening injuries.
This is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
September 8, 2025 - Dee Dee Green was sworn in as the newly appointed Shelby County District Clerk during a swearing in ceremony held Monday, September 8, 2025.
The ceremony was well attended by the Commissioners' Court, members of the District Attorney's office, County Attorney's office, County Treasurer, County Auditor, Constable Precinct 4, and Probation office.
The oath of office was administered to Green by LeAnn Kay Rafferty, 123rd Judicial District Judge, and Green was accompanied by her husband Cade. Judge Rafferty also commended Gina Soundy for her interim management of the District Clerk's office. Judge Rafferty stated that Green was appointed Friday by herself and Jim Payne, 273rd Judicial District Judge.
Green’s appointment comes after the resignation from the District Clerk office by Lori Oliver who held the office since 2004.
Green was first appointed to a Shelby County office as Justice of the Peace for Precinct 4 following the removal of office of Josh Ritter by Karren Price, 123rd District Attorney. She then ran for office and won in the May 2024 Republican primary against Cristi Estes and then re-election in November 2024 unopposed.
Prior to appointment, Green was a legal assistant at the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office beginning in January 2023. Since 1997 she was involved with the judicial system in Gwinnett County Georgia as a Deputy Clerk of Court; Judicial Calendar Coordinator; Judicial Executive Assistant, and as a Transcript Typist.
"I wouldn't be here without all of y'all. I look forward to the challenge that is coming before me and hope to work with all of y'all in the future. Thank you very much," said Green.
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