Shelby County Today

March 7, 2025 - Nacogdoches Street in Center at the intersection of Lillian Street was the scene of a two-vehicle crash incident Thursday, March 6, 2025.

When officers arrived, one vehicle was partially in the westbound traffic lane and on the shoulder. The other vehicle involved was on the eastbound side of the roadway in the outside traffic lane.

Center Fire Department personnel assisted those involved in the crash and provided traffic control to help prevent another incident during the crash investigation.

According to the Center Police Department, at sometime before 11:03am a tan 1997 Ford Crown Victoria driven by Chester Booth, 52, of Center was stopped in the inside westbound traffic lane preparing to make a left turn onto Lillian Street. At that time a red 1999 Dodge Durango driven by Pablo Mendoza, 67, of Center was traveling in the inside westbound traffic lane behind the Ford and failed to control speed, which caused the Dodge to collide with the Ford.

Booth was transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Medical Center in Nacogdoches for treatment of his injuries.

Mendoza denied treatment at the scene. 

Citations have not been issued at the time of this report.

The crash was investigated by Center Police Officer Donna Ruppert.

March 4, 2025 - Tornado Watch 20 is in effect until 3pm CST for the following locations:

Texas counties includes are: Angelina, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Panola, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby and Tyler.

Submitted photo

March 3, 2025 - West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department (WSCVFD) responded to a truck fire on Thursday, February 20, 2025.

When fire personnel arrived at the scene, located in the 13000 block of FM 138, a Dodge pickup truck was totally involved in flames.

The cause of the fire was unknown, and the firefighters were able to prevent further spread of the fire.

February 25, 2025 - The Shelby County Commissioners approved the purchase of a truck for the Precinct 5 deputy constable during their meeting held February 12, 2025.

After discussion, Commissioner Tom Bellmyer moved to purchase a Ford pickup truck presented by Constable Josh Tipton in the amount of $47,298.16 from Center Motor Company. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Shannon Metcalf.

Commissioner McSwain said he was going along with the purchase because it goes back to a statement he made at the meeting previous about perpetually buying junk vehicles with the cost of outfitting exceeding the vehicle value.

“Back in the same situation in six months or a year from now,” said McSwain. “If they’re going to have this position we need to support it in a positive way.”

McSwain explained the investment is positive by both eliminating the constant rotation of used vehicles, and if the position of deputy constable were to cease the vehicle could be used by the Sheriff’s Department or another agency.

The motion carried.

During the meeting Ann Blackwell, County Treasurer, presented the commissioners with a proposal from Verizon for tablets (iPads) for the use of Commissioners’ Court.

Blackwell explained the tablets are Android and would come at no cost with a service fee of $20 a month per tablet for a total nine tablets.

“We could have documents loaded and like when you table things, instead of her having to go back and re-copy the stuff you know, the documents are there and y’all can just flip back and forth to whatever you need,” said Blackwell.

Commissioner Roscoe McSwain moved to move forward with the plan, and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Tom Bellmyer. The motion carried.

The commissioners discussed the purchase and installation of a dump bed on a Mack truck for Precinct 4. Commissioner Bellmyer stated the quote to be $33,225 for a turnkey completed project. This would be for a 2011 Mack truck which has been in the precinct fleet and is well-maintained. He said it would make a good transition to becoming a dump truck and would help a lot with road and bridge work.

Commissioner Bellmyer proposed in his motion taking the $33,225 in funds from the Right of Way fund, where there is $50,000 available, to pay for the new bed and its installation. He expects to be closer to the $30,000; however, he wanted those funds available as a contingency. Commissioner Bellmyer’s motion was seconded by Commissioner Roscoe McSwain, and the motion carried.

Tanya Dora, Executive Director of Texas Forest Country Partnership, and she described the organization as being non-profit and economic development driven and they serve the counties of Angelina, Houston, Nacogdoches, Jasper, Newton, San Augustine, Polk, Sabine, Shelby, San Jacinto, Trinity, and Tyler.

“My reason for being here today is to request inclusion in a foreign trade zone that we are currently in the process of creating,” said Dora.

The commissioners took no action on the item and Judge Harbison suggested the possibility of having a workshop with the Texas Forest Country Partnership consultant.

The meeting adjourned at 10:33am.

Agenda items approved during the meeting include:

1. Minutes of: January 8 Regular Meeting, January 8 Workshop Meeting, January 15 Special Meeting, January 22 Special Meeting and January 29, Special Meeting.
 
2. Pay weekly expenses.
 
3. Pay current payroll.
 
4. Officers Report.
 
5. Acknowledge and record 2024 Certificate of Compliance Continuing Education for County Treasurer Ann Blackwell. 
 
6. Acknowledge and record 2024 Certificate of Compliance Public Funds Investment Act for County Treasurer Ann Blackwell. 
 
7. Proposal from Verizon for tablets (iPads) for Commissioners Court. 
 
8. Purchase and installation of a dump bed on a Mack truck for Precinct 4. 
 
9. Provide a patrol vehicle for the Precinct 5 Deputy Constable in the amount of $47,298.16. 
 
10. Adjourn.

Items where no action was taken during the meeting include:

1. Shelby County’s inclusion within the requested service area of the Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) for the Texas Forest Country Partnership application and authorization to expend $1,636 to pay Shelby County’s portion of the fee to the consultant.