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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.
July 1, 2019 - The intersection of Nacogdoches and Hurst Streets in Center was the scene of a two-vehicle crash Friday, June 28, 2019.
Center Police Officers were first dispatched to the scene of the incident and when they arrived at 4:50pm a green Ford Mustang from Center and black Mercury from Missouri were left sitting in the middle of the roadway with apparent major damage to both.
Officers had the driver and passenger in the Mercury move the vehicle to a safe location out of the intersection and the officers then attempted to open the driver door of the Mustang to gain access to the driver; however, with no success.
EMS personnel were then arriving at the location just previous to Center Fire Department firemen being requested to utilize Jaws-of-Life to assist in extricating the driver of the Mustang.
Once the firemen pried the door free of the Mustang they assisted EMS in moving the driver to an ambulance to transport him to a hospital.
The cause of the incident is unknown; however, the Mustang appeared to have been traveling east on Nacogdcohes Street while the Mercury was northbound on Hurst Street when the collision occurred.
Center Police Officer Spencer Anderson was the officer investigating the crash at the time of the incident assisted by Sgt. Ricky King and officer Brian Wright and Robert Lee. Information on this incident remains pending at the time of this report.
July 1, 2019 - Hot summer temperatures often mean high utility bills. These bills often place a strain on household budgets and especially for those who are on limited income. Saving money on energy bills makes a huge difference for families on a tight budget. Greater East Texas Community Action Program is seeking home weatherization applicants for low income households in San Augustine, Sabine & Shelby counties. The work is free to eligible households. Weatherization addresses energy saving measures in homes to make them more efficient. Generally the end result is lower utility bills. Elderly, disabled, families with young children and the working poor are the target households. Proof of household income& citizenship is required. The condition of the home is also a major consideration in order to be eligible.
The program does not provide rehab work such as roofs, plumbing, electrical and major home repair. U.S. Dept of Energy rules are followed and is research based.
Kelsey Roberts, Program Coordinator commented, “We suspect there are a lot of eligible homes in this area and we want to encourage people to apply. This program does not cost the resident anything. It saves people money on utility bills. ”
Karen Swenson, Executive Director commented, “GETCAP has been performing weatherization services since 1976. Common measures include adding insulation, assessing the efficiency & safety of heating & cooling units and air infiltration work. We know from our history weatherization works! It reduces energy bills at no cost to the resident. For those on a fixed income this is significant.”
For information call 800-621-5746 or direct at 936-585-7224. Information and the application are available on the website: www.get-cap.org. A list of GETCAP services by county is found on this website as well as more detailed information.
Greater East Texas Community Action provides weatherization services in 30 counties in rural east Texas. All GETCAP programs are available regardless of race, color, creed or national origin.
July 1, 2019 - A 30-year-old Carthage, Texas man has been convicted of federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown today.
Winfred Earl Ware, Jr. was found guilty by a jury on June 28, 2019, of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, obstruction of justice and witness tampering following a two-week trial before U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone.
According to information presented in court, from 2014 through 2017, Ware conspired with others to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The evidence presented in trial showed that pending trial for the drug conspiracy charge in August 2018, Ware created false Facebook entries purported to be from a government witness which would tend to exonerate the defendant.
By submitting those false documents to the court to be used at trial, the government had to dismiss the pending drug charge against Ware to investigate these messages. Upon examination, the government determined that the Facebook entries were created by Ware in an effort to influence the testimony of several witnesses in the original trial and to corruptly influence the due administration of justice. Ware was then indicted in Dec. 2018, on the original drug conspiracy as well as the charges of obstruction of justice and witness tampering.
Under federal statutes, Ware faces a minimum of 10 years in federal prison for the drug trafficking and tampering charges and up to 10 years in federal prison for the obstruction violation. The maximum statutory sentences prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentence will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Panola County Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Gaston and Michelle S. Englade.
July 1, 2019 - Weather statistics June 2019 are prepared and submitted by Ann Forbes, U.S. Weather Service Observer.
Highest Temp was 95 degrees on 6-21 and 6-22-2019
Highest Temp on Record was 108 degrees on 6-13-1943
Lowest Temp was 60 degrees on 6-12-2019
Lowest Temp on Record was 45 degrees on 6-01-1984
Rainfall Recorded was 8.67 inches
Average Monthly Rainfall is 5.30 inches
Above Average by 3.37 inches
Highest Recorded was 12.81 inches in 1981
Lowest Recorded for this Month was 0.00 inches in 1948 and 1954
Rainfall through June is 37.53 inches.
Have a Happy and Safe 4th of July everybody!!!
Angelina and Shelby counties to see new construction
June 28, 2019 Lufkin – Texas Transportation Commissioners on Thursday approved more than $619 million for construction projects statewide that included more than $43 million in the Lufkin District.
Angelina County was approved for Phase III of a widening project on US 69 that will continue to widen the two-lane roadway to a four-lane divided highway from FM 1270 to the Jasper County line. Drewery Construction, Company, Inc., Nacogdoches, TX will serve as contractor for the $37.4 million project. No timeline for completion has been determined.
Phase I of this construction is an $11 million project that includes widening the roadway from the Huntington city limits to FM 844. Phase II is a $65 million construction project from FM 844 to FM 1270 in Zavalla. Both Phase I and Phase II are currently under construction.
Shelby County was also approved for a new construction project on FM 1645. The work will include rehabilitating and widening existing pavement and placing profile edge and centerline markings from US 59 to SH 87. Longview Bridge and Road, LTD., Longview, TX will serve as contractor for the $5.7 million project.
As these construction projects begin, motorists are urged to reduce speed through work zones, stay alert to workers and moving equipment and respect all traffic control in and near a work zone.
For more information, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or (936) 633-4395.
June 27, 2019 - Significant weather advisory for Southwestern Shelby County until 4:30pm
At 3:43pm CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9 miles southwest of Center, moving north at 10 mph. Pea size hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include Jericho, Stockman and Arcadia.
Precautionary/Preparedness Actions
Heavy rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
June 26, 2019 - The Shelby County Commissioners received and considered several bids for the remodeling of the Juvenile Probation building to accommodate the Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 office.
Although the bids were opened and considered, the conversation still continues as the agenda item was tabled for further consideration.
Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, opened the bids with the first being from Mike Smith at a total of $50,055 without leveling of the building. The next bid was from E-Z Way Construction for a total of $48,450 also without leveling. A third bid was from Bolton Carpentry for $40,385 with the addition of building leveling and the concrete walkway to the ramp would be $4,950 extra bringing the total bid to $45,335.
Once the bids were read the commissioners discussed the potential of taking the project in a different direction.
"I think that we need to discuss before we decide to accept one of these bids or reject all of them," said Charles Barr, Precinct 3 Commissioner. "We need to decide if we want to put this much money, I mean what's the courts opinion on that, back into a house that we've already put, if I understand last time, it was about 60 plus the purchase price. I'm just bringing that up for discussion."
McSwain said he really doesn't want to spend the projected amount of money on an old structure, "So, I'm gonna ask Mr. Bellmyer has he had an opportunity to get us any metal construction building figures or any options that we might do different than this, like on some of the other county projects."
Tom Bellmyer, Commissioner Precinct 4, explained the specifications were gathered about Melissa Crouch, Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, office space to attempt and replicate that with another building and get an estimate on cost.
"What we requested, we wanted for a turnkey building and the only thing lacking was to connect the utilities which would be the water, sewer, and electrical would have to get hooked up and to have them placed on site," said Bellmyer.
Barr said the dimensions are just a little less than 1,000 square feet. Bellmyer stated the structure itself would be 60x16.
The proposals were sought from Campbell Portable Buildings and Spartan Structures. At this time they only have a cost estimate from Spartan Structures; however, Barr assumed the amount would be competitive.
Specifications on the structures include a wheelchair access, egress windows and air conditioning.
Bellmyer expressed a desire to have a clarification from the bidders on the specific nature of their quotes and what all they included since one included a bid for leveling and at least one other said that was something he could do. If the court were to decide to go the route of building a structure, he said there are several property options they have discussed as well as the school building.
"If you don't work on that building how long is the other part of the building going to last? If it's going to fall down in three or four years, five years y'all talking about a lot of it rotting and stuff. Then, I would say let's do the construction part," said Jimmy Lout, Commissioner Precinct 2.
Another concern Bellmyer mentioned would come up either way is the Juvenile Probation building is not currently wheelchair accessible, and to be compliant that would need to be added.
Barr had additional concerns of what might be found once construction began on the house.
"Everybody here knows that's ever done any kind of construction on an old house, you find other things once you start tearing out," said Barr. "I think they've been pretty thorough, but there's still a lot of things that you can't see."
McSwain said his opinion is he would rather spend $50,000 to $60,000 on a structure that would be around for another 30 years and could be added on to rather than invest that in a building that may not last 10 years.
With the bids now being public information as originally submitted, Clint Porterfield, County Auditor, cautioned the court about visiting with the bidders before approving because the bid could potentially be manipulated to entice a bid approval. If clarification were necessary, he advised first approving one then seeking that clarification.
A motion carried to table the remodeling until the next commissioners' court meeting.
The meeting was then adjourned at 10:03am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Current payroll. 3. Adjourn. Agenda items tabled during the meeting include: 1. Sealed bids for remodeling the Juvenile Probation building to accommodate JP. 1.
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