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August 10, 2017 - FM 139 was the scene of a major crash Wednesday, August 10, 2017 which ended fatally for the driver involved.
Authorities were dispatched to the scene at 9:16pm where they discovered a vehicle wrapped around a utility pole.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Dustin Ramos, Troopers were dispatched along with Shelby County Constable Precinct 2 and Sheriff's Deputies to a one-vehicle crash on FM 139 just northeast of FM 417.
Upon arrival the vehicle was identified as a grey 2002 Oldsmobile driven by Robert Jones, 28, of Shelbyville. It was determined at the scene the vehicle traveled off the roadway to the left for an unknown reason at a high rate of speed and struck a utility pole, causing major damage to the vehicle and the pole.
Jones was pronounced dead on scene by Marla Denby, Justice of the Peace Precinct 2.
Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department helped extricate Jones from the vehicle and Watson & Sons Funeral Home transported him from the scene.
At this time the crash remains under investigation. Trooper Sean Smith assisted at the scene with the investigation.
August 10, 2017 - Traffic on Hurst Street and Roughrider Drive was brought to a halt Tuesday, August 8, 2017 following a collision.
Center PD officers and ACE EMS were dispatched to the scene at 5:20pm.
According to Center Police Officer Andrew Williams, a red Kia Optima driven by Candice Carrington, 25, of Center was northbound on Hurst Street when she attempted to make a left turn onto Roughrider Drive. As Carrington turned, she failed to yield right of way to a green Honda Accord LX driven by Jessica Miller, 27, of Hemphill. The Kia struck the Honda, causing damage to both vehicles.
Miller, Carrington and her 7-year-old male passenger were all transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department for treatment of minor injuries.
CPD officers directed traffic at the scene until the vehicles could be removed by wrecker services.
Officer Williams was assisted at the scene by Officer Maegan Wright.
August 9, 2017 - Shelby County Sheriff Willis Blackwell reports the recovery of stolen property in Shelby County.
On August 7, The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) received a call for suspicious activity involving the transport of a backhoe. Blue Diamond Hot Shot (BDHS) out of Gary, Texas was contracted by Christy Borders, 46 of Center, to transport a backhoe to Shreveport, LA. During the course of setting up a location to pick up the equipment, Borders changed the location spots for different reasons. Borders also told BDHS that the equipment would need to he hauled after sunset. BDHS took possession of the equipment and became suspicious of the property when it was observed the vehicle identification number (VIN) appeared to have been tampered with. BDHS left the location spot with the equipment and immediately contacted the SCSO.
Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Del Birdwell and Timpson Police Officer Michelle Ashworth responded to the area where BDHS advised they had stopped with the equipment. BDHS had entered into Panola County. Law enforcement officers with the Carthage Police Department and the Panola County Sheriff’s Office responded to the location to assist Birdwell and Ashworth.
Birdwell identified the equipment as a 4WD John Deere 310 SJ backhoe on a trailer. Birdwell inspected the equipment and observed that the third, fifth and ninth digits on the VIN had been altered. A driver for BDHS advised Birdwell that Borders was calling him repeatedly. Birdwell advised the driver to tell Borders to come to the location in Carthage.
Borders arrived on the scene in Carthage and Birdwell questioned her about the equipment. Borders stated she was selling the equipment for an individual whose name changed several times while she was talking to Birdwell. Borders denied having any knowledge of the VIN being altered. Borders stated she had sent pictures of the equipment to the potential buyer and had not noticed anything out of the ordinary. Borders showed Birdwell the photos she sent the buyer. The picture showing the VIN plate was taken with the plate off the machine. The picture shows two rivet holes exposed with one hole having damage around the edge. Borders was extremely nervous while being questioned by Birdwell and continuously had to gather her thoughts before answering questions.
Borders was advised that the equipment would be impounded until ownership could be proven. The equipment was transported to the SCSO. On August 8, Birdwell made contact with Doggett Equipment in Lufkin. A representative of the company ran the VIN for Birdwell and it revealed the equipment belonged to Panola County Road and Bridge.
Birdwell contacted Panola County and he was advised the equipment had been sold in an auction. Panola County stated the equipment was sold to Panola Enterprises, owned by Larry Fields.
Larry Fields contacted Birdwell to inquire about the stolen equipment. Fields traveled to the SCSO and was able to positively identify the recovered property as his. Fields further stated he had filed a report with Panola County. The equipment was released to Fields.
Charges are forthcoming out of Panola County for the individuals involved with this crime.
The SCSO will seek warrants for Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity (M-A) and Tampering with Identification Numbers (M-A). Panola County will seek warrants for Theft (F-3).
The SCSO would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Carthage Police Department, Panola County Sheriff’s Office and the Timpson Police Department for their assistance in this situation.
August 9, 2017 - Statement From Tenaha ISD Superintendent Scott Tyner:
We have been informed by the TISD Chief of Police and the Shelby County Sheriff's Office that formal charges have been brought against a now former employee of the District for an improper relationship between educator and a student. Upon report, school administrators immediately contacted law enforcement to make them aware of the allegations. At that time, all matters as they relate to the employee in question have been handled as a criminal investigation in accordance with State law.
At the open of business on Monday, I accepted the employee's resignation of employment with TISD which officially ended the District's involvement in this case. I refer all questions to the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office, as well as appropriate law enforcement personnel about ongoing criminal proceedings as it relates to this case. Meanwhile, we here at TISD are devastated that something that has been a national epidemic has now hit so close to home. However, TISD is not defined by the shortfalls and choices of any one individual. Our tight knit, committed, and professional family remains united in its mission to establish, maintain, and build trust with each individual student.
We must move on, and now we turn our attention to preparing to greet our student body for what is sure to be another great school year.
August 9, 2017 - DeSoto Parish Crime Stoppers Felon of the Week Program is asking for the public’s help in locating/identifying suspect(s) wanted from DeSoto Parish Area.
Felicia A. Duncan of Mansfield, La. Duncan is wanted for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle (UUMV). Duncan is described as a black female, 5’9” tall and weighing 150lbs. Duncan is 33 years of age.
Felicia Hendrix of Mansfield, La. Hendrix is wanted for Monetary Instrument Abuse. Hendrix is described as a black female, 5’4” tall and weighing 160lbs. Hendrix is 43 years of age.
DeSoto Parish Crime Stoppers is offering a reward up to $1,000 for information that results in the suspects arrest, anyone with information is asked to call the Crime Stoppers line at 1-800-505-STOP(7867) all calls are confidential or contact the Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Office at (318)872-3956. Capt. James Clements.
August 9, 2017 - The Shelby County Sheriff's Department has reported the arrest of a Tenaha ISD teacher for improper relationship between educator and student.
According to the press release issued by the Sheriff's Department, Shelby County Sheriff Willis Blackwell reports the arrest of Cynthia Suzett Hughes, 49, of Tenaha.
On August 4, 2017, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Chad Brown was contacted by a parent of a juvenile student who attends Tenaha High School. The parent advised Brown that she believed Hughes, a high school teacher employed by Tenaha Independent School District (TISD), was communicating inappropriately with the student.
Brown and TISD Police Chief David Jeter interviewed the student who advised officers that he did receive nude photographs of Hughes.
The student also told the officers on one occasion during the summer of 2017 Hughes messaged said student and stated all of her family members were away and she would like to spend some time together.
Brown and Jeter interviewed Hughes who admitted that she sent the nude photos to the student.
Hughes turned herself in to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office on August 9 and was arrested for the offense of Improper Relationship between Educator and Student, a 2nd degree felony. She was arraigned by JP-1, Melissa Crouch.
Hughes posted $20,000 bond and was released.
Leah Chase, SCSO Media Relations
August 8, 2017 - State Highway 7 five miles west of Center was the scene of a single-vehicle crash Tuesday, August 8, 2017.
The Center Fire Department responded to the scene with Shelby county Sheriff's Deputies and Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Jimmy Faulkner, at 8:41am a silver 2009 Toyota Corolla driven by Ayan Ahmed, 30, of Nacogdoches was eastbound on State Highway 7 W five miles outside of Center.
Ahmed was traveling at an unsafe speed when she lost control of the vehicle and it traveled left across eastbound traffic lanes and left the roadway. The Toyota spun around as it traveled through the eastbound barrow ditch where it struck a tree on the right side of the vehicle.
After striking the tree, the Toyota traveled back across the highway where it overturned and came to rest.
Ahmed was transported from the scene by ACE EMS to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department for treatment of minor injuries.
She was issued a citation for unsafe speed.
Trooper Faulkner was assisted at the scene with the investigation by Trooper Keith Jones.
924 AM CDT Mon Aug 7 2017
August 7, 2017 - Showers and thunderstorms will continue to develop and spread across the ArkLaTex and Deep East Texas. A leading edge of rainfall stretches from Toledo Bend to near Natchitoches and then a much larger line of activity stretches from Lufkin to Longview and Gilmer and East into Blanchard and Benton with some heavy amounts of 1 to 2 inches per hour. A core upper low is generating some frequent lightning just South of Longview. This upper low is drifting East very slowly. Ponding of water on roads is a hazardous. If visibility drops so should your speed as hydroplaning off the road will be possible.
Affecting the following areas: Hempstead, Nevada, Lafayette, Columbia, Union, Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Claiborne, Lincoln, De Soto, Red River, Bienville, Jackson, Ouachita, Sabine, Natchitoches, Winn, Grant, Caldwell, La Salle, Harrison, Cherokee, Rusk, Panola, Nacogdoches, Shelby, Angelina, San Augustine. Including the cities of Hope, Prescott, Stamps, Lewisville, Bradley, Magnolia, El Dorado, Shreveport, Bossier City, Minden, Springhill, Homer, Haynesville, Ruston, Farmerville, Bernice, Mansfield, Stonewall, Logansport, Coushatta, Martin, Arcadia, Ringgold, Gibsland, Jonesboro, Monroe, Many, Zwolle, Pleasant Hill, Natchitoches, Winnfield, Colfax, Montgomery, Dry Prong, Clarks, Grayson, Columbia, Jena, Midway, Olla, Marshall, Jacksonville, Rusk, Henderson, Carthage, Nacogdoches, Center, Lufkin, San Augustine, Hemphill, and Pineland.
Hazardous Weather Outlook
Today, showers and thunderstorms will continue to spread east southeast across portions of northeast Texas, southern Arkansas, and into northern Louisiana this morning, with additional development possible across portions of deep east Texas to across central Louisiana this afternoon, along and behind a weak surface boundary and ahead of an upper level disturbance. Some of the stronger storms will be capable of gusty winds and locally heavy rainfall, posing a threat for flooding of low lying and poor drainage areas as well as localized flash flooding.
Tonight, as the upper level disturbance progresses eastward across the region, best rainfall chances will shift to portions of deep east Texas, central Louisiana and southwest Arkansas. Moderate to heavy rainfall will continue to be possible.
August 4, 2017 Lufkin — A Jasper, Texas couple and their daughter have been found guilty of federal conspiracy violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston.
Walter Diggles, 65, his wife, Rosie Diggles, 63, both of Jasper, and their daughter, Anita Diggles, 41, of Houston, have been found guilty of 28 counts including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, theft from programs receiving federal funds and engaging in monetary transactions from unlawful activity. The jury deliberated for 2 ½ hours before returning the guilty verdict late on Aug, 3, 2017, following a nine-day trial before U.S. District Judge Ron Clark.
According to information presented in court, the defendants devised a scheme to obtain and make personal use of federal block grant funds that Congress appropriated following Hurricanes Rita, Katrina, Ike, and Dolly. These funds were made available to the State of Texas, which in turn contracted with several councils of governments within the state to assist in administering and distributing the funds. Walter Diggles was the Executive Director of the Deep East Texas Council of Governments during this time and used his position to approve inflated requests for reimbursement of federal block grant funds while Rosie Diggles and Anita Diggles prepared many of the requests. Additionally, Walter Diggles engaged in activities and approved requests for block grant funds that were fraudulent in nature and all the defendants spent the excess funds on personal expenses. The Diggles were indicted by a federal grand jury on Dec. 2, 2015.
“Our Constitution provides for trial by jury for those who contest criminal charges,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston. “The jury in this case heard, viewed and studied the evidence that was presented over nine days of trial, from both the defense and the government. At the ringing of the bell, the verdict was guilty for all and on all counts. Justice for all of the DETCOG’s 12 counties and for the taxpayers has been done.”
Under federal statutes, the Diggles each face up to 30 years in federal prison. The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security / U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Texas State Auditor’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tom Gibson and James Noble.
August 3, 2017 - FM 947 outside of Tenaha was the scene of a single-vehicle crash Thursday, August 3, 2017.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Sean Smith, at 3:10pm a grey 2001 Ford F-150 driven by Edward Rawson, 53, of Tenaha was northbound on FM 947. For an unknown reason he slammed on his brakes and failed to drive in a single lane.
Rawson took faulty evasive action and turned left causing the truck to side skid and travel off the roadway into the barrow ditch where it struck a tree. The Ford came to rest facing south.
ACE EMS arrived at the scene and transported Rawson to Nacogdoches Medical Center in Nacogdoches for treatment of unknown injuries.
A citation was issued for failure to drive in a single lane and the crash remains under investigation. Trooper Smith was assisted at the scene by Troopers Jesse Fountain and Richard Hill. Deputy Tenaha City Marshal Darren Gray also assisted at the scene.
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