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March 20, 2018 - U.S. Highway 96 just north of SL 500 outside of Center was the scene of a crash incident Tuesday, March 20, 2018 involving two truck tractors and resulting in one catching on fire.
Center Fire Department firemen were first dispatched to the location where it was reported a vehicle had flipped over and was on fire. Center Police Officers and ACE EMS were also dispatched to the incident.
It was reported to Shelby County Today by an eyewitness, a southbound driver exited his vehicle, broke a window on the flaming vehicle and rescued the driver.
According to information released by the Texas Department of Public Safety, State Troopers investigated a two-vehicle major crash this morning on U.S. Highway 96 about one mile north of Center.
The preliminary crash investigation indicates approximately 10am a red 2006 Kenworth truck semi-trailer transporting timber was traveling north on U.S. 96 in the inside lane. A white 2012 Freighliner was also traveling north on U.S. 96 in the outside lane.
The 2006 Kenworth reportedly changed lanes when unsafe causing the 2012 Freightliner to drive off the roadway to the right where it struck a tree, overturned and caught fire.
Driver of the Kenworth is identified as Daniel Stanley, 53, of Huntington and the driver of the Freightliner was identified as Robert Jones.
Jones was transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of his injuries.
The crash remains under investigation. No additional information is available at this time.
March 19, 2018 - U.S. Highway 84 at the intersection of State Highway 7 was the scene of a two-vehicle crash which had fatal results for one driver on March 17, 2018.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, at 1:50pm on U.S. Highway 84 at the intersection of State Highway 7 East a black 2014 Chevrolet Camaro driven by John Ballinger, 52, of Joaquin was westbound on U.S. 84 approaching a traffic light.
A blue 2005 Freightliner owned by Cross 10 Energy of Joaquin and driven by Curtis Johnson, 31, of Center was slowing at the traffic light for a yellow light. The Camaro failed to control speed behind the Freightliner and struck the left rear of the trailer it was hauling.
The Camaro traveled off the roadway to the left and came to rest next to the traffic light pole. The Freightliner came to a stop at the traffic light.
ACE EMS arrived at the scene and transported Ballinger to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department for treatment; however, Ballinger succombed to his injuries and was deceased at the medical facility.
Johnson was not reported to have received any injuries resulting from the crash.
Joaquin Volunteer Firemen were first to respond on scene where they assisted DPS Troopers and ambulance personnel, while also diverting traffic from the location.
No further information is available at this time. The crash remains under investigation by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
DPS Trooper Sean Smith is investigating the crash, assisted by Troopers Cpl. Jimmy Faulkner and Michael Neal.
March 19, 2018 - The Shelby County Sheriff's Department has reported of a traffic stop that resulted in the discovery of narcotics.
At approximately 8pm on Saturday, March 17, a deputy with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office made traffic stop on County Road 3849 in the Joaquin area.
The deputy detected a strong odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle and advised the driver that he would be conducting a probable cause search. Prior to the search, the driver was checked for any weapons or illegal substances. During this check, the suspect was found to be concealing a box that contained a bag of crystal like substance.
The driver was placed in custody for the controlled substance. During the search of the vehicle, various drug paraphernalia was recovered including a bag of green leafy substance believed to be marijuana and a bag of pills believed to be Xanax.
The crystal like substance was field tested and returned a positive result for methamphetamines. The weight of the drug was four (4) ounces.
The driver was booked into the SCSO and charged with Possession of Marijuana (M-B) $2,000 bond; Manufacturing/Delivery of a Controlled Substance PG ¾<28G (F-4) $5,000 bond; and Manufacturing/ Delivery of a Controlled Substance PG 1>=4G<200G (F-1) $50,000 bond.
This case is still under investigation and no names will be released at this time.
Leah Chase, SCSO Media Relations
March 16, 2018 - Center Firemen were dispatched to a house fire in Land's End housing development located off FM 2026 early March 16, 2018 at 6am.
The house was located on Penny Lane at the residence of Bonnie and Maxwell Whitley, and when the firemen arrived smoke was emanating from within the structure.
Firemen got to work locating the origin of the flames and first began working to gain access to the attic at the peak of the house. Other firemen at the side of the house located flames in the garage of the home. Once able to gain access to the garage, the firemen began directly addressing the fire.
The majority of those flames appeared to be coming from a gas powered golf cart. Before it could be removed from the garage, a lawn mower parked behind had to be pushed out and a tow strap was attached to the golf cart so it could be pulled out using a fire department pickup truck.
Once the firemen had the fire in the garage and the attic extinguished, the remaining smoke in the structure was blown out using high powered fans.
It was discovered in the house, after the fire was out, the pop off valve on the hot water heater in the house blew and caused flooding.
The firemen returned to the station at 9:30am. The residents were not home at the time of the fire. A cause of the fire was not yet determined at that time.
David Masterson, a resident of Land's End and President of the housing committee, has property just near where the fire occurred. According to Masterson, a Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative transformer was destroyed on Sunday, March 11, and this resulted in damage to electrical systems within some homes in the housing development.
He stated, as it was his duty, he informed all homeowners within the community of what had occurred by letter and visiting them at their doors. He suggested all homeowners within Land's End need to be proactive in attention to their homes needs, including their electrical systems, as most of the homes in the community are aging.
Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative is only responsible for the power lines leading to the meter loop. Any electrical from the meter loop to the inside of the home is the responsibility of the home owner.
March 16, 2018 - The Center Fire Department was dispatched to a house fire March 6, 2018 that involved two mobile homes.
According to a family member the resident of a third mobile home at that location, Manuel Escobedo, was walking by a window in his home when he saw the flames coming from a neghboring mobile home.
Firemen were dispatched to the location on CR 1008 at 2:57am, and when they arrived the first mobile home had been mostly destroyed by flames.
The second mobile home involved was also caught on fire and the firemen worked to extinguish it and prevent further damage to the contents and the building.
Although considerable damage was incurred by the first and second building, the firemen were able to prevent total loss of the second mobile home and prevented the house which was being lived in from any damage.
The cause of the fire is unknown and the two buildings involved were being used for storage.
Firemen returned to the station at 5:30am.
March 15, 2018 - The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office expresses our thoughts and prayers for all those involved in the tragic March 6, 2018 death of Louis Troy Risinger. Peace officers hope to avoid the use of deadly force throughout their careers, but when the circumstances result in its use, the outcome is devastating. The Sheriff’s Office can confirm Sergeant Jeffrey Gogolewski, a veteran officer, was involved in the shooting. We continue to work with the Texas Rangers to ensure to a thorough and complete investigation is conducted.
Related article: Sheriff's Department Responds to Hostage Situation
National Weather Service, Shreveport, Louisiana
6:07am CDT, Thursday, March 15, 2018
March 15, 2018 - March Thunderstorms are expected to develop across the area after sunrise Friday morning. A few of these storms may become severe. A greater threat for severe weather is expected Friday afternoon and Friday evening, especially across Southern Arkansas and Northern Louisiana. A strong cap may limit thunderstorm develop Friday afternoon. However, any storms that form will likely become severe. Large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes will be possible. The severe weather threat may decrease slightly after midnight, but a threat for large hail and damaging winds will persist into the early morning hours of Saturday with any storms that develop.
Scattered thunderstorms will persist across the area Saturday and especially Sunday as a stalled frontal boundary lifts back northward as a warm front. A few severe storms will be possible late Saturday and Sunday.
Thunderstorms chances will remain in the forecast through early Monday morning until a cold front moves across the area and brings drier and cooler conditions to the region.
This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of south central Arkansas, southwest Arkansas, north central Louisiana, northwest Louisiana, east Texas and northeast Texas.
Nacogdoches S.O. reports more arrests made on car burglary suspects
March 13, 2018 - More charges have been filed in the ongoing investigation by the Nacogdoches County Sheriff Office against a theft ring that is responsible for 26 car burglaries that occurred in Nacogdoches County. The Sheriff Office has identified two more suspects that were involved in the thefts and warrants were obtained for both suspects.
Kawmain Singleton, 23 years of age from Center, Texas, has been filed on for three counts of Burglary of a motor vehicle and Engaging in Criminal Activity a 3rd felony. He was arrested by NSCO deputies on Monday 03-05-2018, and booked into the Nacogdoches County Jail.
Jamonie Nash, 18 years of age from Timpson, Texas, has also been identified by the Sheriff Office to being involved in these thefts. Nash was first arrested on 02-27-2018 for Theft charges, class A misdemeanor. Deputies obtained an additional warrant on the suspects involvement in the theft ring operation and Nash was arrested again on Saturday, 3-10-2018 for engaging in criminal activity a 3rd felony. Nash was booked into the Nacogdoches County Jail.
Jamarcus Suell, 23 years of age from Lufkin, who Sheriff Investigators have established was one of the ring leaders in this theft ring remains in the county jail on 20 counts of Burglary of a motor vehicle class A misdemeanor, 3 counts of theft of firearm, state jail felony. On 03-01-2018 an additional charge of engaging in Criminal Activity a 3rd felony was also file on the suspect. Suell still has several other charges pending in Sabine County as well.
The Sheriff Office has identified that this theft ring was responsible for car burglaries in Nacogdoches County, Sabine County, Shelby County, San Augustine County, and Angelina County, and may be possible linked to Newton and Cherokee county. The majority of this property that was stolen was moved back into the Lufkin area and then sold. If you have purchased any property from any of these individuals, it is highly likely that you are in possession of stolen property. Anyone that has purchased property from these individuals is encouraged to contact the Nacogdoches County Sheriff Office or your local law enforcement agency.
If you unknowingly purchased property that is stolen, and turn that property into law enforcement, no criminal penalties will be filed against you. The Nacogdoches County Sheriff Office continues to work this investigation and will continue to file charges on all those involved in this theft ring operation.
March 12, 2018 - A high-speed pursuit started around 2pm Monday, March 12, 2018 after a female fled Wal-Mart in Center and continued for over 30 miles before coming to an end in Louisiana.
The Center Police Department followed the suspect which was driving a black Chevy Impala from Wal-Mart onto US 96 North at speeds over 100 mph. Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Troopers soon joined the chase in an attempt to stop the vehicle.
Road spikes were deployed outside of Tenaha on US 96 where the speed limit changes to 55; however, the Impala entered oncoming traffic lanes to avoid the spikes. The vehicle then turned onto US 84 traveling east in the direction of Joaquin. Spike strips were again deployed by a DPS Trooper near the Crystal Lake area where the suspect was unable to avoid contact and both front tires were hit slowing down the Impala.
The vehicle, with law enforcement following, turned at the US 84 and SH 7 intersection in the direction of Louisiana, east on US 84. After crossing the Logansport bridge around 2:17pm, DeSoto Parish officers joined the pursuit which finally ended east of Stanley on US 84 almost to Mansfield.
The driver, Iesha Hubbard, age 22, was taken into custody by DeSoto Parish officers and booked into the DeSoto Parish Jail for aggravated flight from officer (Misdemeanor) and criminal damage to property-simple (Misdemeanor) with a status of not bondable.
Pending charges in Shelby County are unknown at this time.
March 12, 2018 – Emergency responders were dispatched to a fatality crash on SH 87 South near Patroon Grocery on Friday morning, March 10, 2018.
According to a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) press release, Troopers investigated a one-vehicle crash on SH 87 approximately eight miles South of Shelbyville. The preliminary crash investigation indicates at about 7am a 2003 Ford pickup was traveling north on SH 87 when the truck drove off the roadway to the right then reportedly slid back across the roadway and into a creek on the west side of the road.
The driver of the Ford is identified as Daran Oneill Jr., 31, from Lake Charles, Louisiana. Oneill was pronounced deceased at the scene by Shelby County Justice of the Peace PCT 2, Marla Denby.
Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department and Center Fire Department were both dispatched to the scene to assist with traffic control and extrication while DPS Troopers measured and investigated the crash.
Hughes Wrecker assisted with removing the pickup from the creek and David Shield towed the wreckage from the site. ACE EMS also responsed to assist if needed. Watson and Sons Funeral Home transported Oneill, Jr. from the scene.
DPS State Trooper Taylor Buster investigated the wreck and was assisted by State Troopers Jonathan Stinson, Brent Murray, Keith Jones, and Sean Smith. No additional information is available at this time.
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