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City of Center Lifts Burn Ban

November 6, 2024 - The city of Center is no longer under a burn ban as of November 6, 2024.

Keith Byndom
Center Fire Chief

October 18, 2024 - There is a Burn Ban for the City of Center. No Outdoor Burning.

Keith Byndom
Center Fire Chief

Shelby County Commissioners Rescind Burn Ban

November 6, 2024 - The Shelby County Commissioners approved rescinding the current burn ban during the November 6, 2024 meeting.

Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison encouraged that if members of the community decide to burn that they not just set fires and leave, but to monitor closely what they start.

November 5 General Election, City of Center Election, Center ISD Election Results (All Boxes In)

All Boxes Reported, Election Results are Unofficial until Canvassed

November 5, 2024 - All boxes are in for three elections - 2024 Presidential General Election, City of Center Election and Center ISD Election.

Shelby County voted Republican 80% plus across the board in the General Election races.

The City of Center Election saw a change in Council Members with Tracy Bolton winning the position for District 2. At Large Council Members Terry Scull and Leigh Porterfield held their positions on the City Council as the incumbents. Randy Collard, Council Member for District 4, ran unopposed.

Center ISD has three new Board of Trustee Board Members with James Ragan and Josh Burns receiving enough votes to come in 2nd and 3rd for the three open positions and Cody Miller receiving the most votes for the special election unexpired term. Casey Lout, incumbent, received the highest number of votes to retain her position on the school board.

All election results are unofficial until they have been canvassed.

City of Center Election Results

CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, DISTRICT 2 (1 Position)
Tracy Bolton *Winner EARLY 112
71.43% PRECINCT 28
  TOTAL 140
Marlene Hernandez EARLY 34
28.57% PRECINCT 22
  TOTAL 56
CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, DISTRICT 4 (1 Position)
Randy Collard EARLY 227
100% PRECINCT 51
  TOTAL 278
CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, AT LARGE (2 Positions)
Leigh Porterfield *Winner EARLY 443
33.38% PRECINCT 59
  TOTAL 502
Terry Scull *Winner EARLY 517
39.36% PRECINCT 75
  TOTAL 592
Kimberly Gardner EARLY 320
27.26% PRECINCT 90
  TOTAL 410

Center ISD Election Results

BOARD MEMBER (3 Positions)
James Paul Ragan *Winner EARLY 859
14.42% PRECINCT 197
  TOTAL 1,056
Brian Horton EARLY 744
11.83% PRECINCT 122
  TOTAL 866
Casey Lout *Winner EARLY 1,173
18.73% PRECINCT 198
  TOTAL 1,371
Kris Kirby EARLY 419
6.76% PRECINCT 76
  TOTAL 495
Josh Burns *Winner EARLY 863
14.36% PRECINCT 188
  TOTAL 1,051
Kevin Link EARLY 510
8.22% PRECINCT 92
  TOTAL 602
Colton Belrose EARLY 530
9.23% PRECINCT 146
  TOTAL 676
Phil Calvert EARLY 280
4.53% PRECINCT 52
  TOTAL 332
Jason Mitchell EARLY 735
11.91% PRECINCT 137
  TOTAL 872
SPECIAL ELECTION BOARD MEMBER, UNEXPIRED TERM (1 Position)
Cody Miller EARLY 1,444
0% PRECINCT 323
  TOTAL 1,767
Robby Dubea EARLY 825
0% PRECINCT 156
  TOTAL 981

Shelby County Election Results

FEDERAL

PRESIDENT
Donald J. Trump / J.D. Vance (REP) EARLY 5,595
81.97% PRECINCT 2,560
  TOTAL 8,155
Kamala D. Harris / Tim Walz (DEM) EARLY 1,135
17.49% PRECINCT 605
  TOTAL 1,740
Chase Oliver / Mike ter Maat (LIB) EARLY 22
0.27% PRECINCT 5
  TOTAL 27
Jill Stein / Rudolph Ware (GRN) EARLY 8
0.16% PRECINCT 8
  TOTAL 16
Write-in EARLY 7
0.11% PRECINCT 4
  TOTAL 11
UNITED STATES SENATOR
Ted Cruz (REP) EARLY 5,516
81.19% PRECINCT 2,497
  TOTAL 8,013
Colin Allred (DEM) EARLY 1,147
17.78% PRECINCT 608
  TOTAL 1,755
Ted Brown (LIB) EARLY 58
0.98% PRECINCT 39
  TOTAL 97
Write-in EARLY 2
0.05% PRECINCT 3
  TOTAL 5
UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 1
Nathaniel Moran (REP) EARLY 5,591
100% PRECINCT 2,563
  TOTAL 8,154

STATE

RAILROAD COMMISSIONER
Christi Craddick (REP) EARLY 5,354
80.31% PRECINCT 2,392
  TOTAL 7,746
Katherine Culbert (DEM) EARLY 1,052
16.46% PRECINCT 536
  TOTAL 1,588
Hawk Dunlap (LIB) EARLY 149
2.50% PRECINCT 92
  TOTAL 241
Eddie Espinoza (GRN) EARLY 26
0.66% PRECINCT 38
  TOTAL 64
Write-in EARLY 2
0.06% PRECINCT 4
  TOTAL 6
JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT, PLACE 2
Jimmy Blacklock (REP) EARLY 5,463
83.00% PRECINCT 2,478
  TOTAL 7,941
DaSean Jones (DEM) EARLY 1,057
17.00% PRECINCT 569
  TOTAL 1,626
JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT, PLACE 4
John Devine (REP) EARLY 5,413
82.50% PRECINCT 2,453
  TOTAL 7,866
Christine Vinh Weems (DEM) EARLY 1,091
17.50% PRECINCT 578
  TOTAL 1,669
JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT, PLACE 6
Jane Bland (REP) EARLY 5,388
81.48% PRECINCT 2,422
  TOTAL 7,810
Bonnie Lee Goldstein (DEM) EARLY 1,053
16.84% PRECINCT 561
  TOTAL 1,614
J. David Roberson (LIB) EARLY 93
1.68% PRECINCT 68
  TOTAL 161
PRESIDING JUDGE, COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
David J. Schenck (REP) EARLY 5,423
82.39% PRECINCT 2,449
  TOTAL 7,872
Holly Taylor (DEM) EARLY 1,098
17.61% PRECINCT 584
  TOTAL 1,682
JUDGE, COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS, PLACE 7
Gina Parker (REP) EARLY 5,401
82.90% PRECINCT 2,438
  TOTAL 7,839
Nancy Mulder (DEM) EARLY 1,046
17.10% PRECINCT 571
  TOTAL 1,617
JUDGE, COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS, PLACE 8
Lee Finley (REP) EARLY 5,442
83.45% PRECINCT 2,475
  TOTAL 7,917
Chika Anyiam(DEM) EARLY 1,036
16.55% PRECINCT 534
  TOTAL 1,570
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 11
Joanne Shofner (REP) EARLY 5,641
100% PRECINCT 2,597
  TOTAL 8,238
JUSTICE, 12TH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT, PLACE 3
Greg Neeley (REP) EARLY 5,455
100% PRECINCT 2,520
  TOTAL 7,975
DISTRICT JUDGE, 123RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT
Leann Kay Rafferty (REP) EARLY 5,456
100% PRECINCT 2,529
  TOTAL 7,985
DISTRICT ATTORNEY, 123RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT
Karren S. Price (REP) EARLY 5,429
100% PRECINCT 2,523
  TOTAL 7,952

COUNTY

COUNTY ATTORNEY
John L. Price (REP) EARLY 5,495
100% PRECINCT 2,527
  TOTAL 8,022
SHERIFF
Gerald Corbell (REP) EARLY 5,562
100% PRECINCT 2,539
  TOTAL 8,101
COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR-COLLECTOR
Debora Riley (REP) EARLY 5,647
100% PRECINCT 2,549
  TOTAL 8,241
COUNTY COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT NO. 1
Roscoe McSwain (REP) EARLY 1,748
100% PRECINCT 424
  TOTAL 2,172
COUNTY COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT NO. 3
Stevie Smith (REP) EARLY 1,496
100% PRECINCT 682
  TOTAL 2,178
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, PRECINCT NO. 4 - Unexpired Term
Dee Dee Green (REP) EARLY 280
100% PRECINCT 263
  TOTAL 543
CONSTABLE, PRECINCT NO. 1
Zack Warr (REP) EARLY 2,944
100% PRECINCT 664
  TOTAL 3,608
CONSTABLE, PRECINCT NO. 2
Jamie Hagler (REP) EARLY 797
100% PRECINCT 481
  TOTAL 1,278
CONSTABLE, PRECINCT NO. 3
Roy Cheatwood (REP) EARLY 860
100% PRECINCT 562
  TOTAL 1,422
CONSTABLE, PRECINCT NO. 4
Taylor Fanguy (REP) EARLY 285
100% PRECINCT 269
  TOTAL 554
CONSTABLE, PRECINCT NO. 5
Josh Tipton (REP) EARLY 612
100% PRECINCT 571
  TOTAL 1,183

Texas Elections Results, Office of the Secretary of State

SL 500, Waterhouse Street Scene of Vehicle/Pedestrian Crash Incident

November 5, 2024 - State Loop 500 (SL500) at Waterhouse Street was the scene of a vehicle versus pedestrian crash incident on November 5, 2024, in which the pedestrian succumbed to her injuries.

Emergency personnel from several agencies were dispatched to the location and when they arrived there was debris all over the middle of the roadway. The debris was determined to mostly be aluminum cans and trash bags.

According to Center Police Lt. Andrew Williams at around 6:50pm Michelle Isaac, 47, of Center was walking off Waterhouse Street and into SL500 when a red Chevrolet pickup truck driven by Tyler Burch was traveling in the direction of U.S. Highway 96 South when the truck struck Isaac in the middle of the roadway. 

Burch pulled off on the side of the roadway and went to the aid of Isaac to see if she needed help, and he then contacted law enforcement.

Donna Hughes, Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1, pronounced Isaac deceased at the scene and an autopsy has been ordered. Mangum Funeral Home transported her from the location .

Center Fire Department diverted traffic from the scene while officers investigated, and Shelby County Sheriff’s Department deputies also assisted with traffic control. Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers assisted in the investigation.

According to the Center Police Department, this incident remains under investigation.

Sample Ballot for General Election

November 5, 2024 - Today, November 5th is the last day to vote in the 2024 Presidential General Election.

Below are the names of candidates included on the ballots. The first section 'All Precincts' will be included on ALL voting precinct ballots.

Next, the voting precincts will be noted with the local county races and candidates.

The City of Center and Center ISD are also holding elections as well. Click each to view the candidate information.

Additional Information:

All Precincts

FEDERAL

President

  • Donald J. Trump / J.D. Vance (REP)
  • Kamala D. Harris /  Tim Walz (DEM)
  • Chase Oliver / Mike ter Maat (LIB)
  • Jill Stein / Rudolph Ware (GRN)
  • Write-in:

United States Senator

  • Ted Cruz (REP)
  • Colin Allred (DEM)
  • Ted Brown (LIB)
  • Write-in:

United States Representative, District 1

  • Nathaniel Moran (REP)

STATE

Railroad Commissioner

  • Christi Craddick (REP)
  • Katherine Culbert (DEM)
  • Hawk Dunlap (LIB)
  • Eddie Espinoza (GRN)
  • Write-in:

Justice, Supreme Court, Place 2

  • Jimmy Blacklock (REP)
  • DaSean Jones (DEM)

Justice, Supreme Court, Place 4

  • John Devine (REP)
  • Christine Vinh Weems (DEM)

Justice, Supreme Court, Place 6

  • Jane Bland (REP)
  • Bonnie Lee Goldstein (DEM)
  • J. David Roberson (LIB)

Presiding Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals

  • David J. Schenck (REP)
  • Holly Taylor (DEM)

Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 7

  • Gina Parker (REP)
  • Nancy Mulder (DEM)

Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 8

  • Lee Finley (REP)
  • Chika Anyiam (DEM)

State Representative, District 11

  • Joanne Shofner (REP)

Justice, 12th Court of Appeals District, Place 3

  • Greg Neeley (REP)

District Judge, 123rd Judicial District

  • Leann Kay Rafferty (REP)

District Attorney, 123rd Judicial District

  • Karren S. Price (REP)

COUNTY

County Attorney

  • John L. Price (REP)

Sheriff

  • Gerald Corbell (REP)

County Tax Assessor-Collector

  • Debora Riley (REP)

Voting Precinct 1N

County Commissioner, Precinct No. 3

  • Stevie Smith (REP)

Constable, Precinct No. 1

  • Zack Warr (REP)

Voting Precincts 1S, 1SW, 2

County Commissioner, Precinct No. 1

  • Roscoe McSwain (REP)

Constable, Precinct No. 1

  • Zack Warr (REP)

Voting Precincts 1SE, 1W

Constable, Precinct No. 1

  • Zack Warr (REP)

Voting Precincts 3, 5

County Commissioner, Precinct No. 3

  • Stevie Smith (REP)

Constable, Precinct No. 3

  • Roy Cheatwood (REP)

Voting Precincts 4, 6, 7

Constable, Precinct No. 2

  • Jamie Hagler (REP)

Voting Precinct 8

Justice of the Peace, Precinct No. 4 - Unexpired Term

  • Dee Dee Green (REP)

Constable, Precinct No. 4

  • Taylor Fanguy (REP)

Voting Precincts 9N, 9S

Constable, Precinct No. 5

  • Josh Tipton (REP)
Elections Administrator Explains "How to Know Your Voting Precinct"

November 4, 2024 - Shelby County Elections Administor Nancy Adams shares information on understanding your voter's registration card and how to know which voting precinct you are located.

"I have recently spoken with a few voters who don't understand where they are supposed to vote for the November 5 General Election," shared Adams. "One of the voters I spoke with thought she was in precinct 2 because her commissioner, justice of the peace and constable are all precinct 2. However, she actually votes in precinct 6, because she LIVES in that precinct."

The below information is to help voters better understand about precincts and voting. As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Nancy Adams office at 936-598-5340 or 936-234-2147.

You can also go online to votetexas.gov and fill out "Am I Registered?" section which will provide you with your voting precinct information.

Left Side of Card

  • VUID - your unique voter ID number
  • Precinct No - this is your voting precinct, which is based on your residential address, NOT your mailing address. The number (and letter) in this box indicates the polling location where you will vote on election day.

Right Side of Card

The first three boxes on the top are the district numbers of your U.S. representative, state representative and state senator.

  • COMM - this is your county commissioner precinct - there are only 4 precincts for commissioners - nothing to do with your voting location
  • JP - this is your justice of the peace and constable precinct - there are 5 of these precincts - nothing to do with your voting location
  • SCHOOL - this represents which school district you are in, as follows: SH30 - Center; SH31 - Joaquin; SH32 - Shelbyville; SH33 - Tenaha; SH34 - Timpson; SH35 - Excelsior; SH36 - San Augustine
  • SBE - State Board of Education
  • CITY - if you are in the city limits where you live, there will be a CY number here, as follows: CY10 - Center; CY11 - Joaquin; CY12 - Tenaha; CY13 - Timpson; CY14 - Huxley
  • SMCITY - this represents the City of Center districts

Click here to view the 2024 November 5 Election polling locations.

November 5 General Election Polling Locations

To the registered voters of the County of Shelby, Texas:

October 2, 2024 (PDF of Notice with Spanish) - Notice is hereby given that the polling places listed below will be open from 7am to 7pm, November 5, 2024, for voting in the general election to elect President/Vice President, Members of Congress, Members of the Legislature, and state, district, county, and precinct officers.

On Election Day, voters must vote in the precinct where registered to vote, unless the countywide polling place program is being used in the election.

Location of Election Day Polling Places Include Name of Building and Address:

  • Precinct 1N (Center) - First Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 211 N. Porter Street, Center, Texas 75935
  • Precinct 1S (Center) - Church of Christ, 110 Hurst Street, Center, Texas 75935
  • Precinct 1SE (Center) - Shelby County Family Life Center, 1426 Shelbyville Street, Center, Texas 75935
  • Precinct 1SW (Center) - Center Community House, 425 San Augustine Street, Center, Texas 75935
  • Precinct 1 W (Center) - JOI Ranch, 5198 FM 2026, Tenaha, Texas 75974
  • Precinct 2 (Excelsior) - Excelsior School, 11280 St. Hwy 7 W, Center, Texas 75935
  • Precinct 3 (Sardis) - Campti Pentecostal Church, 6153 FM 414, Center, Texas 75935
  • Precinct 4 (Huxley) - Lydia Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 14998 FM 139, Shelbyville, Texas 75973
  • Precinct 5 (Joaquin) - First United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall, 175 Faulkville Road, Joaquin, Texas 75954
  • Precinct 6 (Dreka) - Dreka Pentecostal Church, Fellowship Hall, 1193 FM 2427, Shelbyville, Texas 75973
  • Precinct 7 (Shelbyville) - First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 5030 St. Hwy 87 S, Shelbyville, Texas 75973
  • Precinct 8 (Tenaha) - First Methodist Church - Schiede Hall, 256 N. George Bowers Drive, Tenaha, Texas 75954
  • Precinct 9N (Timpson) - American State Bank Annex, 830 N. 1st Street W., Timpson, Texas 75975
  • Precinct 9S (Timpson) - Timpson School Gym Foyer, 836 Bear Drive, Timpson, Texas 75975

During early voting, a voter may vote at any of the locations listed below:

Location of Main Early Voting Polling Place, Center Community House, 425 San Augustine Street, Center, Texas 75935

Days and hours of operation will be:

Monday, October 21 through Friday, October 25, 8am to 5pm
Saturday, October 26, 7am to 7pm
Sunday, October 27, 11am to 5pm
Monday, October 28 through Friday, November 1, 7am to 7pm

Application for ballot by mail shall be mailed to:
Shelby County Early Voting Clerk
Nancy Adams, 200 San Augustine Street, Box 9, Center, Texas 75935

Telephone Number: 936-598-5340
Email: nancy.adams@co.shelby.tx.us
Early Voting Clerk's Website: www.co.shelby.tx.us/page/shelby.Elections

Application for Ballot by Mail (ABBM) must be received no later than the close of business on: October 25, 2024.

Federal Post Card Applications (FPCA) must be received no later than the close of business on: October 25, 2024.

Issued this the 2nd day of October, 2024.

Phone Service Restored to Sheriff's Department (Update)

November 5, 2024 - Phone Service is reported to now be restored to the Sheriff's Department.

(10:40am) - The Shelby County Sheriff's Department reports there is an outage with the telephone provider and normal phone lines are down. If you need to reach the Sheriff's office and it is NOT an emergency, please call 936-234-1244.

They are still able to answer calls to 9-1-1. Please dial it only in case of a true emergency. The Sheriff's Department will notify when normal service is restored.

Excelsior ISD Early Release Today at 1pm

November 4, 2024 - Due to a power outage, Excelsior ISD will release students at 1pm today, November 4th and buses will leave shortly after students are released.

DPS Trooper Races to House Fire, Saves Resident

November 2, 2024 - Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Troopers responded to a house fire on State Highway 87 North on October 16, 2024, when it was reported that an individual was trapped inside the home.

Shelby County Today recently obtained the body cam footage of the Trooper who first responded to the house fire and his heroic actions that saved the life of the young man trapped inside.

The perspective of the video shows Texas DPS Trooper Taylor Buster’s view as he first responds to the location and exits the vehicle. Flames and heavy smoke can be seen emanating from the front of the structure as Trooper Buster exits his patrol unit and begins running toward the fire, and entering the first available doorway that isn’t engulfed in flames while calling out to the occupant inside.

The first room appeared to be a utility room that didn’t provide access to the rest of the building and Trooper Buster can be seen promptly exiting that location to find another entrance. As Trooper Buster ran around to the backside of the house he can be heard shouting, “Hey, there’s somebody in here still!”

When Trooper Buster gets closer to the back door, the smoke in the air gets thicker. The caller inside the home was originally dispatched to responders as being a woman, and so Trooper Buster can be heard calling out, “Ma’am,” to try and locate the person trapped inside. Upon arriving at the back door, Trooper Buster kicked it in and shouts, “Ma’am, are you in here?!”

In response, the young man inside can be heard shouting, “Help!” He was instructed by Trooper Buster to come to the door. Trooper Buster asked the occupant if he could see him, to which he responded, “No.” That’s when Trooper Buster began to crawl into the inside of the home, as thick black smoke filled the upper area of the house. Once inside the back room of the home, it appeared there was another door that was blocked by items which Trooper Buster pulled out of the way. He then took the young man by the hand and helped him out the back doorway where Cole Milford assisted.

The young man was examined by EMS personnel at the scene and was later hospitalized for a short period of time.

Excessive damage to the home was incurred due to the fire.

Additional responders to the scene were other DPS units, Center Fire Department, Timpson Volunteer Fire Department, Shelby County Sheriff's Department, Constable Precinct 4, and Constable Precinct 3.

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