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December 19, 2019 - Gary Rholes, Shelby County Attorney, was arrested on a charge of reckless driving, misdemeanor b, Thursday, December 19, 2019. He was booked in at the Shelby County Jail at 9:45am and was bonded out on a $2,500 bond.
The charge stems from an incident which took place one year ago.
A grand jury impaneled for the July term 2019 of the 123rd Judicial District Court indicted Rholes for driving while intoxicated - 2nd, class a misdemeanor. The indictment alleges on December 18, 2018 Rholes was driving intoxicated in an automobile with an open container of an alcoholic beverage. The document further alleges there was another container in the vehicle which had been opened and contained alcohol.
The grand jury further indicted Rholes for reckless driving, misdemeanor b. The indictment alleges on December 18, 2018 Rholes recklessly drove a vehicle in a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of person or property. The indictment further states this was done by driving on the wrong side of the road toward oncoming traffic and at an unsafe speed swerving between lanes of traffic and into a ditch.
Rholes was already arrested in 2018 for the driving while intoxicated charge; however, not the reckless driving charge. A warrant was issued for Rholes following the indictments for that charge.
December 19, 2019 - Nacogdoches-Angelina-Trinity-San Augustine-Shelby County U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that Tommy King of Nacogdoches, Charlie B Caver of Lufkin, Cecilia McSwain Boles of Center and Bennis P Steptoe of San Augustine were elected to represent their local administrative areas (LAA) during the recent county committee election.
"County Committee members are a critical component of the day-to-day operations of FSA,” said Lance Jacobs, county executive director. "They help deliver programs at the county level and work to serve the needs of local producers. All recently elected county committee members will take office in January 2020 and will be joining the existing committee.”
Every FSA office is served to by a county committee made up of local farmers, ranchers and foresters who are elected by local producers. Nearly 7,800 FSA county committee members serve FSA offices nationwide. Each committee has three to 11 elected members who serve three-year terms of office.
County committee members impact the administration of FSA within a community by applying their knowledge and judgment to help FSA make important decisions on its commodity support programs, conservation programs, indemnity and disaster programs, emergency programs and eligibility.
County committee members impact producers through their decision making and help shape the culture of a local FSA office. They also ensure the fair and equitable administration of FSA farm programs in their counties and are accountable to the Secretary of Agriculture. Members conduct hearings and reviews as requested by the state committee, ensure underserved farmers, ranchers and foresters are fairly represented, make recommendations to the state committee on existing programs, monitor changes in farm programs and inform farmers of the purpose and provisions of FSA programs. They also assist with outreach and inform underserved producers such as beginning farmers, ranchers and foresters, about FSA opportunities.
For more information, visit the FSA website at fsa.usda.gov/elections or contact the Nacogdoches-Angelina-Trinity-San Augustine-Shelby County FSA office at 936-564-5891 Extension 2.
December 17, 2019 - A Shelby County man lost his life in a structure fire in the Oakdale Community, as reported by authorities.
According to the Shelby County Sheriff's Department, at 9:45am Sunday, December 15, 2019, the Sheriff's Department was notified of a structure fire with a possible fatality involved.
Deputy Jake Gross was dispatched to the location of the home on County Road 2625 in the Oakdale Community and when he arrived a fatality was confirmed. Family members identified the individual as being Bobby Joe Cartwright.
Lt. Investigator Del Birdwell performed the fire investigation and assisted with the death investigation. He concluded the fire was accidental and most likely began in the front part of house due to a wood heater located there. Cartwright was located midway between the heat source at one end of the building and the exit to the home at the other end of the structure where he succumbed to his injuries.
The fire is believed to have occurred sometime after 12-midnight Friday, December 13, 2019. The house was situated behind other structures, secluded from immediate view. A family member who was going hunting discovered what remained of the building and contacted the Sheriff's Department.
The inquest was performed by Marla Denby, Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace, Forensic Medical in Tyler, Texas where an autopsy will be performed.
December 16, 2019 – The University of Texas at Tyler announced that it recognized more than 1,300 graduates during Fall 2019 Commencement Dec. 13–14 and three graduates were from Shelby County.
- From the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Marie Lyn Wynn of Timpson earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
- From Soules College of Business, Stephanie Merrill Lawson of Timpson earned a Master of Science in industrial management.
- From Soules College of Business, Christasha Johnson of Shelbyville earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.
Chris Glenney, senior vice president and CEO of CHRISTUS Health Northeast Texas, delivered the commencement address for the Colleges of Nursing and Health Sciences, Arts and Sciences and Fisch College of Pharmacy on Friday, Dec. 13.
Brent Jasper, president of Jasper Ventures, delivered the commencement address for the Soules College of Business and Colleges of Engineering and Education and Psychology on Saturday, Dec. 14.
President Michael Tidwell gave remarks and conferred degrees. Jason Cooper, vice president of corporate development and real estate for Brookshire Grocery Co., and Ben Westlake, project manager for FA Peinado Construction, gave alumni association presentations.
A member of the prestigious UT System, The University of Texas at Tyler focuses on student success and innovative research in the more than 80 undergraduate and graduate degree programs offered to nearly 10,000 students. Classified by Carnegie as a doctoral research institution and by U.S. News and World Report as a national university, UT Tyler has campuses in Tyler, Longview, Palestine and Houston.
December 12, 2019 - Due to the construction on the sidewalk in front of the Shelby County Clerk's Office on the downtown Center square, and for the safety of our customers, we will be locking our front door for the next two weeks, beginning today, December 12, 2019. We do have our back door unlocked, and you can park at the active courthouse and walk across the road to the back of our office, and come through the back door. We do have a sign to let you know which door to use. Thank you for your understanding and patience during this time.
December 5, 2019 - A Shelby County Grand Jury indicted a former Sheriff's Department Jailer on November 25, 2019 who was arrested earlier in September 2019.
The grand jury impaneled for the July term of the 123rd Judicial District Court handed down an indictment of Jayaveon Jacoy Standley for violation of civil right of person in custody: improper sexual activity.
The indictment alleges, on September 25, 2019, Standley engaged in deviate sexual activity with an inmate who was in custody in the Shelby County Jail.
Related articles:
Former Sheriff's Department Jailer Arrested on Improper Sexual Activity Charge
December 4, 2019 - U.S. Highway 59 north of Tenaha was the scene of a major crash Wednesday, December 4, 2019 which resulted in a fatality.
It appeared the collision occurred at the intersection of FM 157 and U.S. 59 between a blue Chrysler Pacifica and a white Dodge Ram pickup truck hauling a flat bed trailer.
According to information provided by Tenaha Police Chief Jeremy Pope, the Tenaha Police Department (TPD) continues to investigate a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred on Wednesday, December 4, 2019 at approximately 9:30am. The crash occurred at the intersection of Loop 157 and US Highway 59 North.
The preliminary investigation has indicated that a blue 2017 Chrysler Pacifica driven by De'Undria Jackson, 21, of Tenaha was northbound on Loop 157, and entered the intersection at US Highway 59. While crossing the South bound lanes of traffic the vehicle collided with a white 2010 Dodge Ram pickup driven by Martin Aguilar, 50, of Brownsboro, Texas hauling a gooseneck trailer.
Jackson was pronounced deceased at the scene by Jackie Kirkwood, Justice of the Peace Pct. 4.
Tenaha Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to the scene and Woods Volunteer Fire Department assisted by using Jaws of Life to extricate the driver of the Pacifica.
The family of the deceased has been notified. This case continues to be under investigation by TPD and no charges have been filed at this time.
Three passengers from the pickup were transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department in Center for treatment of possible injuries. Those passengers were Carlos Reynoso, 28, Luis Moreno, 60, and Juan Espiriceta, 39.
December 2, 2019 - A Center man has been sentenced December 2, 2019 to 150 years imprisonment, according to information released by the Shelby County District Attorney's office.
Six cases are the total number referenced in the press release; however, only two are named. The two cases specifically referenced are from a September 11, 2016 incident in which James received two aggravated sexual assault, 1st degree felony charges.
The following information includes the charge and number of years jail time James will receive as a result of his convictions.
The first set of incidents involved two victims of James on September 1, 2016 and as a result he was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, 2nd degree felony - 20 years; and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, 2nd degree felony - 20 years.
Another incident garnered several more charges for James as on September 11, 2016 a third victim suffered unlawful restraint, 3rd degree felony - 10 years; aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, 2nd degree felony - 20 years; aggravated sexual assault, 1st degree felony - 40 years; and aggravated sexual assault, 1st degree felony - 40 years.
Due to the plea agreement, one case of assault on a public servant against James was dismissed,
According to the press release issued by the District Attorney's office, Defendant Anthony Letroy James was convicted and sentenced to a total of 150 years imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division.
James was convicted on six cases, including two charges of aggravated sexual assault for which he received two separate sentences of forty (40) years each. The matter was resolved via plea bargain reached between Shelby County District Attorney Stephen Shires and the defense counsel for Mr. James, just before a jury trial was set to begin in the 123rd Judicial District Court, Honorable Judge LeAnn Rafferty presiding.
The District Attorney appreciates the folks that reported for jury duty this morning, and their willingness to hear a difficult case. Because of that service, justice was served and the victim in the cases is now able to move forward in her life, putting this matter squarely behind her.
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December 2, 2019 - State Highway 7 East at the intersection of Loop 500 was the scene of a two-vehicle crash Monday December 2, 2019.
According to Center Police Officer Spencer Anderson, at 3:04pm a blue Ford 2011 driven by Dorothy Niemeier, 72, of Woodville, Texas was westbound on State Highway 7 when she failed to yield right of way to oncoming traffic as she turned left onto Loop 500.
At that time a white 2009 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Dwight Stevenson, 32, of Mansfield, Louisiana was eastbound on State Highway 7 and as the Ford pulled in front of him a collision occurred.
The Ford remained in the middle of the roadway and the Chevrolet continued into a nearby ditch where it came to rest.
Stevenson was transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of possible injuries. No citations were issued at the time of the crash.
Texas Department of Public Safety assisted at the scene and Center Fire Department diverted traffic around the crash scene.
December 2, 2019 - Weather statistics for November 2019 are prepared and submitted by Ann Forbes, U.S. Weather Service Observer.
Highest Temp was 80 degrees on 11-06-2019 and 11-22-2019
Highest Temp on Record was 91 degrees on 11-14-1942 and 11-11-1944
Lowest Temp was 19 degrees on 11-13-2019
Lowest Temp on Record was 12 degrees on 11-30-1976
Rainfall recorded was 1.55 inches
Average Monthly Rainfall is 5.04 inches
Below Average by 3.49 inches
Highest Recorded for this Month was 16.58 inches in 1940
Lowest Recorded for this Month was 0.46 inches in 1999
Rainfall through November is 50.32 inches
Average Rainfall through November is 48.77 inches
First Frost and Freeze was 11-01-2019
Hope your Thanksgiving was blessed and you will have a Very Merry Christmas!!!
To view full weather report, click here.
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