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July 9, 2019 - The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is searching for the owner of three horses, one bay gelding and two sorrels, found in the Welcome Hall area in Shelbyville.
For more information, please contact the SCSO at 936-598-5601.
July 9, 2019 - Three traffic stops resulted in three narcotic arrests in Tenaha. This past week, two back to back traffic stops by Captain Joey Hudnall, assisted by Chief Jeremy Pope and Officer Jonathon Newton, resulted in the seizure of 15 grams of methamphetamine, scales and drug paraphernalia. Captain Hudnall conducted traffic stops on both vehicles, for minor traffic violations and became suspicious that criminal activity was taking place. Consent to search was obtained that resulted in Captain Hudnall locating a total of 15 grams of methamphetamine.
Two drivers were taken into custody and booked in the Shelby County Jail. Arrested were Zachary Copelin, charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, State Jail Felony, and Jacob Driggers, charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, 2nd Degree Felony.
On July 7, 2019, Officer Kurtes Lawrence conducted a traffic stop, in Tenaha, for a minor traffic violation. During the traffic stop, Officer Lawrence 
became suspicious that criminal activity was taking place. Officer Lawrence began to interview the driver and obtained probable cause to search the vehicle. Officer Lawrence located three ounces of marijuana, eight grams of Clonazepam and 10 grams of MDMA (ecstasy pills).
Kenneth Graves was taken into custody and transported to the Shelby County Jail and booked in for Possession of a Controlled Substance, 2nd Degree Felony; Possession of Controlled Substance, Misdemeanor (A); and Possession of Marijuana, Misdemeanor (A).
Tenaha Police Department is dedicated to enforcing drug laws and continues to work hard to ensure the safety of our city and community.
July 8, 2019 - Residents on State Highway 7 said they were alerted to a loud noise on the roadway and were even more surprised when an injured man came to their door on Monday, July 8, 2019.
The reseidents at the 5000 block of State Highway 7 took quick action and called for help, alerting the Texas Department of Public Safety to the incident.
According to Texas DPS State Trooper Keith Jones, at 10:14pm Mark Allen Beercroft, 59, of Canon City, Co. was walking east on State Highway 7 when an as yet unidentified maroon vehicle struck him. The collision caused damage to the vehicle on the right side and knocked Beercroft into a nearby ditch.
EMS personnel were on scene and transported Beercroft to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of his injuries.
Texas DPS is asking for the driver, anyone that knows the driver, or anyone with information about this incident to contact the local Texas Department of Public Safety office at 936-598-6151.
July 4, 2019 - U.S. Highway 84 was the scene of a single-vehicle crash near FM 3343 Tuesday, July 2, 2019.
Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department firemen along with Texas Department of Public Safety State (DPS) Troopers were dispatched to the crash. When they arrived an SUV was upside down in the westbound ditch and it appeared the vehicle had traveled approximately 100 yards in the ditch before crashing and coming to rest.
According to Texas DPS State Trooper Jonathan Stinson, at 9:10pm a brown 2007 GMC Yukon driven by Brittney Campbell, 29, of Center was northbound on U.S. 84 when the Yukon failed to drive in a single lane.
The Yukon traveled across the southbound lane of the highway and off the road before crossing a paved driveway and becoming airborne and crashing coming to rest on its top beside the roadway.
No injuries were reported as a result of the crash. Campbell was issued a citation for fail to drive in a single lane.
July 3, 2019 - Center Police Officers and Center Fire Department Firemen responded to the call when they received reports a man was dangling from a tree on Wheeler Street in Center Wednesday, July 3, 2019.
When the emergency personnel arrived at the house located at the 300 block of Wheeler Street they found a man suspended in the air by a rope above a pickup truck.
With the addition of EMS personnel, the crews worked together and freed the man from his predicament and safely lowered him onto the pickup truck.
After he was assessed by EMS, he refused medical treatment and appeared unharmed by the situation.
The man had been working to cut a tree branch when he became entangled in the rope, and reportedly dangled there for around 30 minutes before help was alerted.
July 3, 2019 - The Jury that has been summoned for Monday, July 8, 2019 for the 123rd District Court, Honorable Leann K. Rafferty presiding, has been cancelled. All cases have been resolved and/or settled. Anyone receiving a summons for this day is released from jury service until they receive a future summons.
The water on N.E.W. WSC no longer requires boiling.
July 2, 2019 - On June 27, 2019, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the N.E.W. Water Supply, #2030034, to issue a Boil Water Notice to inform customers, individuals or employees that due to conditions which occurred recently in the public water system, the water from this public water system was required to be boiled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
N.E.W. Water Supply has taken the necessary corrective actions to restore the quality of the water distributed by this public water system used for drinking water or human consumption purposes. We have also provided TCEQ with laboratory test results that indicate that the water no longer requires boiling prior to use as of July 2, 2019.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact the office: 220 West Columbia Street, San Augustine, Texas. 936-288-0489 or Charles Sharp 936-201-5001. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.
If a customer, individual or employee wishes to contact the executive director, please call (512)239-4691.
June 27, 2019 - Due to a break in the line at Plant 4, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required the N.E.W. Water Supply Corporation PWS #2030034 to notify all customers on FM 353, Geneva, Sexton and Hawthorne Communities. Customers are to boil their water prior to consumption (eg., washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc). Children, seniors and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions.
To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes.
In lieu of boiling, individuals may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the pub lic water system officials will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received the notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, or businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact N.E.W. Water Supply Corporation at 220 W. Columbia Street, San Augustine, Texas, 75972, or call 936-288-0489 or Charles Sharp at 936-201-5001.
July 2, 2019 - State Highway 7 East was the scene of a major two-vehicle crash Sunday, June 30, 2019.
As emergency personnel arrived at the crash scene, one vehicle remained in the westbound traffic lane while the other one involved was disabled in the eastbound shoulder.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones, at 9:28pm a silver 2016 Toyota Camry 4-door driven by Tristan Joe Hairgrove of Joaquin had slowed and stopped to turn left into a parking lot just before CR 3156.
At that time a white 2009 Lincoln MKX driven by Emma Grace Locke, 19, of Center was westbound behind the Toyota and failed to control speed causing the Lincoln to collide with the rear end of the Toyota.
The Toyota traveled off the roadway onto the eastbound shoulder where it came to rest facing the road. The Lincoln came to a stop in the middle of the westbound lane.
Locke and Hairgrove were both transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of possible injuries.
July 2, 2019 - The Shelby County District Attorney's office reports on the following hearings or trials for the Spring and Summer of 2019:
Tracy Whitaker Sentenced to Multiple Prison Stints for Crimes Committed in Timpson
On June 13, 2019, Defendant Tracy Whitaker was sentenced to multiple prison terms in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division by the Honorable Judge LeAnn Rafferty of the 123rd Judicial Court. This followed a trial conducted by District Attorney Stephen Shires. Mr. Whitaker was convicted and received the following sentences on the following matters:
Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity: 50 Years in TDCJID
Burglary of a Habitation: 50 Years in TDCJID
Burglary of a Habitation: 20 Years in TDCJID
Injury to the Elderly: 10 Years in TDCJID
Possession of a Controlled Substance: 10 Years in TDCJID
DA Report: March 28, 2019
On March 28, 2019, in the 123rd Judicial District Court, Honorable Judge Leann Rafferty presiding, 130 cases were called for status hearings, arraignments, and other various purposes. Shelby County District Attorney Stephen Shires was able to resolve and finalize 68 cases. A number of individuals were sentenced to prison, including the defendant in State v. Anderson (19-CR-21044-19-CR-21048), who received multiple sentences to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division for drug and firearm related crimes. Also sentenced was Defendant Jaron Foxworth, who received 10 years’ incarceration in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division for Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity for his part in the burglary of storage buildings in Joaquin.
DA Report: April 8, 2019
On April 8, 2019, in the 123rd Judicial District Court, Honorable Judge Leann Rafferty presiding, 108 cases were called for status hearings, arraignments, and other various purposes. Shelby County District Attorney Stephen Shires was able to resolve and finalize 19 cases on that date. A number of the other cases were tentatively resolved with a plea date to be set for a future time.
DA Report: April 18, 2019
On April 18, 2019, in the 273rd Judicial District Court, Honorable Judge James A. Payne, Jr. presiding, 19 cases were called for status hearings, arraignments, and other various purposes. Shelby County District Attorney Stephen Shires was able to resolve and finalize 8 cases. This included State v. Cartwright, Cause Number 17-CR-19963, where the defendant received two years’ incarceration the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division on a revocation of probation.
DA Report: April 25, 2019
On April 25, 2019, in the 123rd Judicial District Court, Honorable Judge Leann Rafferty presiding, 15 cases were called for status hearings, arraignments, and other various purposes. Shelby County District Attorney Stephen Shires was able to resolve and finalize 3 cases.
DA Report: May 2, 2019
On May 2, 2019, in the 273rd Judicial District Court, Honorable James A. Payne, Jr. presiding, 18 cases were called for status hearings, arraignments, and other various purposes. Shelby County District Attorney Stephen Shires was able to resolve and finalize 12 cases. This included State v. Burr, where the defendant received multiple sentences, including 6 years’ incarceration in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division for charges related to the theft of firearms.
DA Report: May 9, 2019
On May 9, 2019, in the 273rd Judicial District Court, Honorable James A. Payne, Jr. presiding, 37 cases were called for status hearings, arraignments, and other various purposes. Shelby County District Attorney Stephen Shires was able to resolve and finalize 15 cases. This included State v. Handlin, where the defendant received sentences on cases for Burglary of a Habitation and Hindering Apprehension for 10 years’ incarceration in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division.
DA Report: May 13, 2019
On May 13, 2019, in the 123rd Judicial District Court, Honorable Judge Leann Rafferty presiding, 39 cases were called for status hearings, arraignments, and other various purposes. Shelby County District Attorney Stephen Shires was able to resolve and finalize 12 cases.
DA Report: May 16, 2019
On May 16, 2019, in the 273rd Judicial District Court, Honorable Judge James A. Payne, Jr. presiding, 42 cases were called for status hearings, arraignments, and other various purposes. Shelby County District Attorney Stephen Shires was able to resolve and finalize 18 cases. This included State v. Joseph Aldaco, Cause Number 16-CR-19591 where the defendant received 15 years’ incarceration in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division.
DA Report: May 28, 2019
On May 28, 2019, in the 273rd Judicial District Court, Honorable Judge James A. Payne, Jr. presiding, 9 cases were called for status hearings, arraignments, and other various purposes. Shelby County District Attorney Stephen Shires was able to resolve and finalize 5 cases.
Robert Thomason Sentenced in Sexual Assault Case
On April 29, 2019, Defendant Robert Thomason was sentenced to 6 years incarceration in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division by the Honorable Judge LeAnn Rafferty of the 123rd Judicial Court for the offense of sexual assault. In addition, Shelby County District Attorney Stephen Shires, through his investigator, has filed charges against the victim’s mother, Tabitha Hammond, alleging that she is also criminally responsible for the act.
DA Report: June 3, 2019
On June 3, 2019, in the 123rd Judicial District Court, Honorable Judge Leann Rafferty presiding, 86 cases were on the docket for status hearings, arraignments, and other various purposes. Shelby County District Attorney Stephen Shires was able to resolve and finalize 59 cases. Numerous other cases were tentatively resolved, pending a future plea date.
Shamus Ross Sentenced to 6 Years TDCJID for DUI and Drug Charges
On June 5, 2019, Defendant Shamus Ross was sentenced by the Honorable Judge James A. Payne, Jr. of the 273rd Judicial District Court on multiple cases to 6 years (each) in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division for driving while intoxicated and possession of a controlled substance case.
DA Report: June 6, 2019
On June 6, 2019, in the 273rd Judicial District Court, Honorable James A. Payne, Jr. presiding, 20 cases were called for status hearings, arraignments, and other various purposes. Shelby County District Attorney Stephen Shires was able to resolve and finalize 10 cases. Multiple individuals were sentenced the prison time, including, the defendant in State v. Macon, Cause Number 18-CR-20922 where the defendant received 10 years’ incarceration in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division for drug-related charges.
Ashley Philips Sentenced to 8 Years TDCJID for Drug Offenses
On June 6, 2019, Defendant Ashley Phillips was sentenced by the Honorable Judge James A. Payne, Jr. of the 273rd Judicial District Court to a term of 8 years’ incarceration in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division and 18 months in the State Jail Division for drug charges.
DA Report: June 13, 2019
On June 13, 2019, in the 123rd Judicial District Court, Honorable Judge Leann Rafferty presiding, 69 cases were called for status hearings, arraignments, and other various purposes. Shelby County District Attorney Stephen Shires was able to resolve and finalize 34 cases. This included State v. Wilburn, Cause Number 17-CR-20235 where the defendant received 10 years’ incarceration in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division for drug-related charges.
DA Report: June 17, 2019
On June 17, 2019, in the 273rd Judicial District Court, Honorable James A. Payne, Jr. presiding, 90 cases were called for status hearings, arraignments, and other various purposes. Shelby County District Attorney Stephen Shires was able to resolve and finalize 53 cases.
DA Report: June 18, 2019
On June 18, 2019, in the 273rd Judicial District Court, Honorable Judge James A. Payne, Jr. presiding, 26 cases were called for status hearings, arraignments, and other various purposes. Shelby County District Attorney Stephen Shires was able to resolve and finalize 8 cases. This included State v. Thompson, Cause Number 18-CR-20925, where the defendant received 2 years’ incarceration in the Texas Department of Corrections Criminal Justice Institutional Division for the charge of Felony Terroristic Threat.
July 1, 2019 - FM 147 about three miles from State Highway 87 was the scene of a single-vehicle crash Friday, June 28, 2019.
The Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to the crash at 5:14pm for traffic control and a possible entrapment.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Jonathan Stinson, at 5:20pm Albert Hemphill, 50, of Center was traveling northbound in a 1999 Ford F-350 owned by BC Operating.
Hemphill failed to drive in a single lane as he left the roadway to the right then crossed into the southbound traffic lane. The truck traveled back across into the northbound traffic lane and the Ford rolled over into the northbound shoulder and came to rest in a wood line facing south.
No injuries were reported resulting from the crash.
Hemphill was issued a citation for failure to drive in a single lane.
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