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November 7, 2019 marks grim anniversary of the last deathless day on Texas roadways
November 8, 2019 Austin – Julian Ekpanya will someday smile while reeling in his first fish. He will experience the joy of hitting his first Little League homerun, learn to ride a bike and eventually take a prideful walk across a graduation stage. But his father won’t be there for any of it.
Julian’s father, Endy, was a Pearland police officer responding to a call on a Sunday morning, when his patrol car was struck head-on by a wrong-way, drunk driver. He died on the way to the hospital. He was 31.
“Julian is five now, and he’s started asking me, ‘When is Daddy coming home? Where is Daddy?’,” said Lucy Lugo Ekpanya, Endy’s widow. “I tell him that Daddy is on a very important mission, he is protecting us, he is our hero and he lives in our hearts. He is in Heaven.”
November 7, 2000 was the last deathless day on roadways in Texas. That means for 19 years straight, at least one person has died every single day. Texas Transportation Commission and TxDOT officials held a press conference in Houston today, launching the annual #EndTheStreakTX campaign that asks all Texans to join the effort to end this deadly 19-year streak.
An average of 10 people die every day in crashes in the state, prompting Texas Transportation Commissioner Laura Ryan to issue a public challenge at today’s press conference. Announcing her “Texas Tag 10 Challenge,” Ryan urged the crowd to tell 10 people about #EndTheStreakTX, and then have each of those 10 tell another 10, causing a wave of commitment and a surge of support for ending the fatal trend.
“I want to challenge everyone here to tell 10 people right now about #EndtheStreakTX,” Ryan said. “Take out your phones and let them know that you need their help to #EndtheStreakTX. Text them this message or share it on social media and tag at least 10 people. Challenge them to share the message with 10 of their friends, and so on. Let’s not have a 20th anniversary next Nov.7th”
TxDOT is asking people to share personal stories of loved ones lost in car crashes on their social media pages using photo and video testimonials with the hashtag, #EndTheStreakTX. The agency also will post statistics for the public to repost on social media outlets to help share this important message.
“We all have the power to end the streak of daily deaths on Texas roadways,” Ryan said. “And while we are committed to invest in the best engineering practices to make our roads safe, we also need drivers and passengers to act more responsibly and help us end the streak of daily deaths on our roads to reach our goal of zero deaths by 2050.”
TxDOT will dedicate an additional $600 million for more safety improvements along Texas roadways over the next two years. The effort includes widening some roads and adding rumble strips that alert drivers if they are veering out of their lane or off the road. We will also add reinforced shoulders and select turn lanes, and deploy new technology that will increase safety on the entire system of roads.
In May, the Texas Transportation Commission approved a goal aiming to end all fatalities on Texas roads by 2050, with an interim goal to reduce them by half by 2035. Texans can play a major role in ending fatal crashes with a few simple driving habits: wear seatbelts, drive the speed limit, put away the phone and other distractions, and never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“It’s heartbreaking to know that every day for the past 19 years someone has lost a spouse, child, friend or neighbor on our state’s roadways,” said TxDOT Executive Director James Bass. “Ending this daily death streak is a shared responsibility. While we are committed to continue making improvements to our highway system, we all must work toward ending preventable crashes caused by drivers including distracted driving, speeding and drunk driving. Let’s make it a priority to be safe, focused and responsible behind the wheel. Let’s end the streak.”
Since Nov. 7, 2000, fatalities resulting from vehicle crashes on Texas roadways have numbered almost 67,000. The leading causes of fatalities continue to be failure to stay in one lane, alcohol and speed. To decrease the chances of roadway crashes and fatalities, TxDOT reminds drivers to:
- Buckle seatbelts – all passengers need to be buckled
- Pay attention – put phones away and avoid distractions
- Never drink and drive or do drugs and drive –get a sober ride home
- Drive the speed limit – obey speed limits and drive slower when weather conditions warrant
For media inquiries, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or call (936) 633-4395.
November 3, 2019 - Hurst Street in Center was the scene of a vehicle collision involving a pedestrian who was fatally injured as a result of the incident.
The Center Police Department has released follow-up information, Center Police Corporal Steve Thornburgh and Reserve Officer Kevin Sage were dispatched to a 911 Call of an Auto/Pedestrian Accident in front of Napa in the 800 block of Hurst Street on November 2, 2019 at 7:29pm. Officers arrived at the scene along with Allegiance EMS. EMTs were unable to revive the injured pedestrian who was later identified as Tamoya Gentry, 34, of Center. The driver of the Gray Ford pickup which struck Ms. Gentry was identified as Larry Sales of Coushatta, La. who remained at the scene until released by investigating Officers.
Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Jesse Fountain assisted the Center Police Department with the initial investigation. It was determined at the scene in accordance of the presence of physical evidence and eyewitness statements that Ms Gentry ran into traffic and in front of the Northbound pickup. According to the debris from the vehicle and skid marks, Mr. Sales attempted to avoid the collision with the pedestrian by slamming on his brakes and veering the vehicle to the right side of the roadway.
Marla Denby, Justice of the Peace Precinct 2, was notified and when she arrived at the scene, Ms Gentry was pronounced deceased. Ms Gentry’s family had been notified at that time and Community Funeral Home was called to transport Ms Gentry from the scene.
The Center Police Department has concluded this investigation and have determined that no charges will be filed.
To the Family and Friends of Ms Tamoya Gentry, we at the Center Police Department are deeply saddened by the loss that you and your family have encountered. Our condolences.
November 5, 2019 - Shelby County unofficial election results for November 5, 2019 Texas Constitutional Amendments are in with 9 propositions passing and 1 proposition failing.
Of the 15,215 registered voters in Shelby County, 346 ballots in person were cast during early voting and 33 by mail. Election day had 1,668 ballots cast for a total of 2,047 in all which is over two times the voter turnout of the 2017 Constitutional Amendment election with only 770.
Proposition Number 1 "The constitutional amendment permitting a person to hold more than one office as a municipal judge at the same time."
Total Ballots
For - 733
Against - 1,273
Early Voting
For - 152
Against - 223
Election Day
For - 581
Against - 1,040
Proposition Number 2 "The constitutional amendment providing for the issuance of additional general obligation bonds by the Texas Water Development Board in an amount not to exceed $200 million to provide financial assistance for the development of certain projects in economically distressed areas."
Total Ballots
For - 1,193
Against - 770
Early Voting
For - 236
Against - 138
Election Day
For - 957
Against - 632
Proposition Number 3 "The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for a temporary exemption from ad valorem taxation of a portion of the appraised value of certain property damaged by a disaster."
Total Ballots
For - 1,665
Against - 316
Early Voting
For - 319
Against - 59
Election Day
For - 1,346
Against - 257
Proposition Number 4 "The constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of an individual income tax, including a tax on an individual's share of partnership and unincorporated association income."
Total Ballots
For - 1,824
Against - 213
Early Voting
For - 334
Against - 42
Election Day
For - 1,490
Against - 171
Proposition Number 5 "The constitutional amendment dedicating the revenue received from the existing state sales and use taxes that are imposed on sporting goods to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission to protect Texas' natural areas, water quality, and history by acquiring, managing,and improving state and local parks and historic sites while not increasing the rate of the state sales and use taxes."
Total Ballots
For - 1,717
Against - 275
Early Voting
For - 322
Against - 49
Election Day
For - 1,395
Against - 226
Proposition Number 6 "The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to increase by $3 billion the maximum bond amount authorized for the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas."
Total Ballots
For - 1,291
Against - 690
Early Voting
For - 236
Against - 134
Election Day
For -1,055
Against - 556
Proposition Number 7 "The constitutional amendment allowing increase distributions to the available school fund."
Total Ballots
For - 1,414
Against - 552
Early Voting
For - 247
Against - 118
Election Day
For - 1,167
Against - 434
Proposition Number 8 "The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the flood infrastructure fund to assist in the financing of drainage, flood mitigation, and flood control projects."
Total Ballots
For - 1,396
Against - 572
Early Voting
For - 277
Against - 95
Election Day
For - 1,119
Against - 477
Proposition Number 9 "The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation precious metal held in a precious metal depository located in this state."
Total Ballots
For - 1,111
Against - 786
Early Voting
For - 216
Against - 137
Election Day
For - 895
Against - 649
Proposition Number 10 "The constitutional amendment to allow the transfer of a law enforcement animal to a qualified caretaker in certain circumstances."
Total Ballots
For - 1,825
Against - 145
Early Voting
For - 336
Against - 29
Election Day
For - 1,486
Against - 116
Early voting starts October 21, 2019 and ends November 1, 2019 between the hours of 8am and 4:30pm at the Shelby County Clerk's Office.
November 5, 2019 - (Election Notice) - Notice is hereby given that the polling places listed below will be open from 7am to 7pm, November 5, 2019, for voting in a special election to adopt or reject the proposed Constitutional Amendments as submitted by the 86th Legislature, Regular Session, of the State of Texas.
(Notifiquese, por las presente, que las casillas electorales sitados abajo se abriran desde la 7am hasta las 7pm el 5 Novembre de 2019 para votar en al Elleccion Especial para adoptal o rechazar la enmiendos propuestas constitucional asi como fueron sometidas por la 86a Legislatura, de la Estado de Texas.)
Locations of polling locations
- Precinct 1 N (Center) - Polling location is at First United Methodist Church, 211 N. Porter Street, Center, Texas 75935
- Precinct 1 SO (Center) - Polling location is at Church of Christ, 110 Hurst Street, Center, Texas 75935
- Precinct 1 SE (Center) - Polling location is at Pineywoods Family Outreach Center, 255 Haley Drive, Center, Texas 75935
- Precinct 1 SW (Center) - Polling location is at Center Community House, 423 San Augustine Street, Center, Texas 75935
- Precinct 1 W (Center) - Polling location is at JOI Ranch Building, 5198 FM 2026, Tenaha, Texas 75974
- Precinct 2 (Aiken) - Polling location is at Excelsior School, 11280 St. Hwy 7 W, Center, Texas 75935
- Precinct 3 (Sardis) - Polling location is at Campti Pentecostal Church, 6153 FM 414, Center, Texas 75935
- Precinct 4 (Huxley) - Polling location is at Lydia Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 14998 FM 139, Shelbyville, TX 75973
- Precinct 5 (Joaquin) - Polling location is at First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 175 Faulkville Road, Joaquin, TX 75954
- Precinct 6 (Dreka) - Polling location is at Dreka Pentecostal Church, Fellowship Hall, 1193 FM 2427, Shelbyville, Texas 75973
- Precinct 7 (Shelbyville) - Polling location is at First Baptist Church - Shelbyville, Fellowship Hall, 5030 SH 87 South, Shelbyville, Texas 75973
- Precinct 8 (Tenaha) - Polling location is at First United Methodist Church Fellowhip Hall, 226 N. George Bowers Dr., Tenaha, TX 75974
- Precinct 9N (Timpson) - Polling location is at Texas State Bank Annex, 830 N 1st Street W, Timpson, TX 75975
- Precinct 9S (Timpson) - Polling location is at Timpson School Gym Foyer, 836 Bear Dr., Timpson, TX 75975
Early voting by personal appearance will be conducted each weekday at:
(La votacion adelantada en persona se ilevara a cabo de lunes a vienes en:)
Shelby County Clerk's Office, 124 Austin Street, Center, Texas between the hours of 8am and 4:30pm beginning on October 21, 2019 and ending November 1, 2019.
(Entre las 8 de la monana y las 4:30 de la tardeempezando el Octobre 21, 2019 y terminando el Novembre 1, 2019.)
Application for ballot by mail shall be mailed to:
(La solicitudes para boletas que se votaran adelantada por correo deberan enviarse a:)
Jennifer Fountain - Shelby County Clerk
P.O. Box 1987 or 124 Austin Street
Center, Texas 75935
Application for ballots by mail must be received no later than the close of business on October 25, 2019. (Las solicitudes para boletas que se votaran adelantada por correo recipirse para el fin de las horas negocio el Octobre 25, 2019.)
Early voting starts October 21, 2019 and ends November 1, 2019 between the hours of 8am and 4:30pm at the Shelby County Clerk's Office.
November 5, 2019 - In November 2019, Texas voters will decide on 10 proposals in a statewide constitutional amendment election. The first day of Early Voting is Monday, October 21, 2019 and ends Friday, November 1, 2019. Election day is Tuesday, November 5, 2019 with polls closing at 7pm.
- Proposition 1, Allows persons to serve as more than one appointed or elected municipal judge
- Proposition 2, Allows the Texas Water Development Board to issue up to $200 million in bonds
- Proposition 3, Authorizes temporary property tax exemption for disaster areas
- Proposition 4, Prohibits the state from levying an income tax on individuals
- Proposition 5, Dedicates revenue from the sales tax on sporting goods to parks, wildlife, and historical agencies
- Proposition 6, Authorizes the legislature to increase bonds for the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute
- Proposition 7, Increases distributions to the state school fund
- Proposition 8, Creates a Flood Infrastructure Fund
- Proposition 9, Authorizes property tax exemption for precious metals held in depositories
- Proposition 10, Allows for transfer of law enforcement animals to handlers or others if in animal's best interest
To learn more about the propositions, visit BallotPedia online at https://ballotpedia.org/Texas_2019_ballot_measures
November 1, 2019 - The Jury that was summoned for Monday, November 4, 2019, for the 123rd Judicial District Court, Honorable LeAnn K. Rafferty, presiding, has been cancelled.
All cases scheduled have been resolved or passed.
Anyone receiving a jury summons for this day is released until they receive a future summons.
October 30, 2019 - Precinct 4 Road and Bridge will be making repairs on Thursday, October 31 to the bridge at the spillway on E. Lake Timpson Road.
The repairs should be completed in one day. Travel will be restricted during some of the repair activities.
Wondering where your 2019 tax statements might be?
October 24, 2019 - Shelby County Tax office started collecting for the 2019 taxes as of October 8th, 2019.
Mail for our area was routed through the Houston distributing center but because of past flooding damage, our mail has been redirected to Shreveport or Dallas. This could cause some delay receiving your Shelby County Tax Statements.
We have 3 schools that offer a discount if taxes are paid early.
Excelsior ISD, Joaquin ISD and Shelbyville ISD - 3% in Oct, 2% in Nov, and 1% in Dec
We will be extending the discount for the convenience of our taxpayers.
3% Oct 8–Nov 15, 2019 | 2% Nov 16–30, 2019 | 1% Dec 2019
Options for viewing your tax statement:
1. You can view your account online to see tax amount due. https://propaccess.trueautomation.com/clientdb/?cid=73
2. E-mail with us the name on the account to be paid with your property ID #, we will email a statement back - shelbytax@co.shelby.tx.us
3. Call our office 936-598-4441 and we can get a duplicate statement out to you via mail or fax.
PAYMENT OPTIONS:
By Credit Card
May make payments through www.certifiedpayments.net with Shelby County Bureau Code #1242857. *Please note a 2.5% convenience fee is charged.
By Mail
Make check or money order to:
Debora Riley, Tax Office
200 San Augustine St. Box C
Center, TX 75935
* Please include your Property ID number on check or money order.
Debora Riley, PCAC
Shelby County Tax Assessor Collector
October 23, 2019 - Shelia Harris, District Extension Administrator, accompanied by Lane Dunn, County Extension Agent, and Feleshia Thompson, County Extension Assistant, presented Thompson to the Shelby County Commissioners at their October 9 meeting as the new Family Consumer/Family Community Health Agent, which was the position previously held by Jheri-Lynn McSwain.
"Felishia for almost three years has been working in the Shelby County Extension Office with the Better Living For Texas Program as an Extension Educator," said Harris. "So I do present her as our finalist for that position."
Harris further stated Thompson is from the area, has roots in the community. She will also continue a lot of her previous duties as well as taking on additional 4-H programs as she works with Dunn and so many more people in the county.
"I'm just pleased to present Feleshia today to be approved as the new agent," said Harris.
A motion carried to approve Feleshia Thompson to her new position as Family Consumer/Family Community Health Agent beginning October 14, 2019.
"I will serve Shelby County, I will make y'all proud, I will continue some of the programs that Jheri-Lynn started and increase some things for Shelby County," said Thompson.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Minutes of the September 4, 2019 Public Hearing, September 4, 2019 Special meeting, September 11, 2019 Public Hearing, September 11, 2019 Regular meeting, September 18, 2019 Special meeting, September 25, 2019 Special meeting, and September 30, 2019 Special meeting of the Shelby County Commissioner’s Court. 2. Pay weekly expenses. 3. Officers Report. 4. Nomination of Allison Harbison and Robin Connell as Board Members for the Shelby County Appraisal District. 5. Feleshia Thompson to her new position as Family Consumer/Family Community Health Agent beginning October 14, 2019. 6. 2020 Resolution for the Indigent Defense Grant Program. 7. Deed right away back to McAdams at CR 1039. 8. Adjourn Agenda items tabled during the meeting include: 1. Updating phone system
October 21, 2019 - The Jury that was summoned for Tuesday, October 22, 2019, for the 273rd District Court, Honorable James A. Payne, Jr., presiding, has been cancelled.
All cases scheduled have been resolved or passed.
Anyone receiving a jury summons for this day is released until the receive a future summons.
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