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July 10, 2017 - The Shelby County Commissioners chose to appoint Melissa Crouch to the office of Justice of the Peace Precinct 1. The office was recently vacated following the resignation of Maxie Eaves.
After a 25-minute executive session, the meeting returned to open session and a motion made by Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, carried to temporarily appoint Crouch temporary Justice of the Peace of Precinct 1 until the public can elect a permanent JP whether that be the primary or general election, the temporary appointment will run until the public has chosen a duly elected Justice of the Peace through the election process. The appointment was set to take effect July 17 at 9am.
Jake Metcalf, Precinct 4 Constable, presented the commissioners with a proposal for a new vehicle for his precinct. The 2011 truck and even older model Dodge Magnum are reported to be in disrepair and in need of replacement.
"He inherited two vehicles that have needed a lot of work," said Judge Harbison.
She shared for the court the transmission and the motor in the truck are no longer functional and the Dodge has many needed repairs. A bid was received of San Augustine Motor Co. in the amount of $9,000 for the truck and $6,000 for the Dodge toward a trade-in.
Metcalf explained the Dodge sat for 10 years before he took office and it was actually sunk into the ground.
"The pickup truck had not been maintained or maintenanced in I can't tell you how long. When I took it, I took it and the oil changed and they said it was bad oil," said Metcalf.
He elaborated the Dodge is currently a safety hazard as everything underneath it is rusted.
Metcalf has looked at a 2017 Ford Explorer which a lot of law enforcement agencies are starting to use due to economical fuel mileage. The asking price on the vehicle is $34,180 and with a discount for the county it became $29,805. The trade-in allowance of $15,000 on the two vehicles then brings the price down $14,805.
Factoring in the Precinct 4 Constable office remaining budget of $3,800, a motion carried to approve $14,000 to be paid out of the county contingency fund, which currently has $142,115.
Bridge work has been ongoing on CR 4293 at Chicken Bayou Creek and as a result of the work, some tree clearing has occurred. A brother and sister own property on either side of the bridge and in exchange for trees removed and "property damage," the siblings request $1,000 each to cover their loss or they will not sign the right of way easement; thus, preventing the project from moving forward.
A motion carried to approve issuing a check for the siblings out of right-of-way funds in the amount of $2,000.
Precinct 3 and 4 commissioners are seeking to purchase a portable asphalt zipper.
"Bradley [Allen] and I have watched a couple of these machines work. The portable type machine, so they can be moved from one job location to the other. These come on a dual tandem axle trailer, they do as good a job as far as grinding and reclaiming the road," said Charles Barr, Commissioner Precinct 3.
Barr explained they would like to seek bids for a new or used with low hours machine.
A motion was carried to seek bids on the asphalt zipper. (Related article).
The meeting was adjourned at 10:27am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include:
Minutes of the June 12, 2017 Regular Meeting, the June 19, 2017 Special Meeting, and June 27th, 2017 Special Meeting of the Shelby County Commissioners’ Court.
Pay the monthly expenses.
Officers’ reports.
Purchase of a new vehicle for Constable Precinct 4, Jake Metcalf.
Payment for timber and damages for bridge work on County Road 4293 Chicken Bayou Creek.
Advertise for bids on an asphalt zipper for Road and Bridge Precinct 3 & 4.
Appoint Melissa Crouch Justice of the Peace Precinct 1.
Adjourn meeting at 10:27am.
Officers' report
Fees collected per office for June:
Deborah Riley, Tax Assessor/Collector, office: Property: $108,886.07; Motor Vehicle: $30,229.47 for a total of $139,115.54
Jennifer Fountain, County Clerk: $37,329.16
Lori Oliver, District Clerk: $13,607.99
Maxie Eaves, Justice of the Peace Precinct 1: $14,294.00
Marla Denby, Justice of the Peace Precinct 2: $1,206.10
Margie Anderson, Justice of the Peace Precinct 3: $6,900.00
Jenny Hicks, Justice of the Peace Precinct 4: $2,794
Mike Crouch, Justice of the Peace Precinct 5: $4,316
Zach Warr, Constable Precinct 1: $715
James Hagler, Constable Precinct 2: $0.00
Roy Cheatwood, Constable Precinct 3: $90.00
Jake Metcalf, Constable Precinct 4: $170
Robert Hairgrove, Constable Precinct 5: $270.00
Grand total: $219,562.79
Money Market CD#1 generated $245.79 total market value of $427,451.55
Money Market CD#2 generated $245.36 total market value of $426,714.60
Money Market CD#3 generated $244.95 total market value of $425,978.93
Money Market CD#4 generated $279.21 total market value of $485,566.21
Shelby County Money Market generated $5.15 for a total value of $25,043.21
Total Interest earned on investments $1,020.46
Total investments of $1,790,754.50
July 9, 2017 - Emergency first responders were dispatched to a vehicle which had reportedly been swept of a roadway and an individual was still inside Saturday, July 8, 2017.
Upon arrival of Center Police Officers and Center Fire Department firemen just over five miles from the Center city limits, the driver was able to escape the vehicle which remained halfway submerged due to heavy rain leading up to the incident.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Richard Hill, at 7pm an orange 2014 Dodge Dart driven by Brittney Thomas, 21, of Joaquin was traveling toward Center on FM 699. The vehicle hydroplaned, due to water on the roadway, and left the roadway to the right and into the barrow ditch where a steady flow of runoff water was traveling.
No injuries were reported as a result of the crash.
Thomas was issued a citation for failure to control speed.
Trooper Hill was assisted with the investigation by Trooper Taylor Buster.
July 8, 2017 - The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Nacogdoches County in eastern Texas, Southwestern Shelby County in eastern Texas, Northwestern Angelina County in eastern Texas, Northwestern San Augustine County in eastern Texas, and Eastern Cherokee County in northeastern Texas until 7pm CDT.
At 532 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Nacogdoches, moving southeast at 15 mph.
Hazard: 60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.
Source: Radar indicated.
Impact: Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include Lufkin, Nacogdoches, Hudson, Melrose, Woden, Pollok, Martinsville, Douglass, Appleby, Chireno, Oak Ridge, Denning, Clawson, Central and Redland.
Precautionary/Preparedness Actions
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.
Large hail and damaging winds and continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature`s leading killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.
July 7, 2017 - Tenaha Street in Center was the scene of a two-vehicle crash Wednesday, July 5, 2017 causing damage to both vehicles and sending everyone to the hospital.
Center Police Officers responded with ambulance personnel to the scene where part of the roadway was blocked.
According to Center Police Officer Kenneth King, at around 2:40pm a black Dodge pickup truck driven by Sydney Hopson, 21, of Shelbyville with a two-year-old toddler was northbound on Tenaha Street.
At that time a maroon Buick driven by Vickie Frederick, 65, of Shelbyville was exiting a private driveway of a car wash just before Foster Street, and drove into the path of the truck, leaving Hopson unable to stop in time to avoid the collision.
All involved were transported by ACE EMS to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department for treatment of unknown injuries.
No citations were issued at the time of the crash.
July 6, 2017 - Center Police Departments K-9 Officer Steve Thornburgh and Detective Stephen Stroud conducted a traffic stop on Waterhouse Street Wednesday June 28, 2017. Officers located Drug paraphernalia on the driver, 58-year-old Curvie Brinson and discovered the passenger; 57-year-old Billy Ray McCoy both of Center, Texas were highly intoxicated.
Upon further investigation and a search of the subject’s vehicle, it was discovered the occupants Brinson and McCoy were in possession of 29.77 grams of methamphetamines and 51.17 grams of PCP along with drug paraphernalia. Brinson and McCoy were arrested on two charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance PG 1>=4G, Felony two.
Center Police Department would like to inform the drug dealers of Shelby County You're Next!
July 6, 2017 - Center Police Department served a narcotics search warrant on the residence of 32-year-old Elisha Remedies and 42-year-old Michael Garrett of Center, Texas on Thursday, June 15, 2017. After a lengthy narcotics investigation Narcotics Detective, David Haley presented his case to Judge Rafferty who issued a search warrant for the couples residence located at 365 Shelbyville Street the location of the Energy Lodge.
Upon searching the residence Detective Haley located over 5 grams of methamphetamines and drug paraphernalia used in the sale of the narcotics.
Detective Haley seized the methamphetamines and will be filing seizures on a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche and $1,100 in cash. Elisha Remedies and Michael Garrett were arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Drug Free Zone Felony One and Possession of a Dangerous Drug Misdemeanor A.
Detective Haley would like to thank The Shelby County District Attorney, Stephen Shires and District Attorney Chief Investigator Joey Haley for their unlimited assistance and support.
If you’re a drug Dealer in Shelby County you’re not safe. You’re Next!
July 3, 2017 - In observance of Independence Day the Shelby County Courthouse is closed Monday, July 3 and Tuesday, July 4. This includes the tax offices for property and motor vehicle as well as the District Clerk's office and County Clerk's office on the square.
The courthouse will re-open Wednesday, July 5 at 8am.
June 30, 2017 - Two vehicles which were traveling in opposite directions on June 25, 2017 were each brought to an abrupt halt when they met with a tree in their respective paths.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Sean Smith, sometime before 9:06pm a 2004 Dodge Dakota pickup truck driven by Rossie Ransom, 78, of Shelbyville with passenger Dawn Murphy, 43, was northbound on FM 2694 when a tree suddenly was in her path and the truck traveled over the tree.
No injuries were reported as a result of their crash.
Directly following that incident, a Chevrolet Cruze driven by Charmenia Adams, 20, of Shelbyville was southbound on FM 2694 and when approaching the tree swerved left as Adams was thinking the lesser portion of the tree was that direction and struck the tree.
ACE EMS responded to the scene and no injuries were reported from either crash.
Adams was issued a citation for no insurance.
TxDOT was dispatched to the location and and they cleared the debris from the roadway. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.
Shelby County Sheriff's Deputy Jeff Gogolewski assisted at the scene.
June 29, 2017 - The City of Center is shuting down all of Timpson Street to through traffic, from Hurst Street to Tenaha Street, to repair a main water line. The repair could take possibly 3 to 4 hours. Please adjust your driving route accordingly. Necessary traffic will be detoured through Margo Street to Pearl Street.
June 29, 2017 - The Shelby County grand jury for the January Term 2017 of the 273rd Judicial District Court met Tuesday, June 28, 2017 and indicted 41 cases on 29 individuals.
Ka Paw Htoo was indicted for murder, first degree felony. The indictment alleges on January 19, 2017 Htoo caused the death of Ka Yee by stabbing him with a knife. Htoo was also indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, second degree felony. The indictment alleges on the aforementioned date, Htoo recklessly caused bodily injury to Aung Nuing by stabbing him in the back and cutting open his face, Htoo allegedly exhibited a knife during the commission of said assault. (Related article: Center PD Investigates Multiple Stabbing, Murder Incident)
Brenda Lynn Northern was indicted for injury to a child, elderly or disabled individual, first degree felony. The indictment alleges on January 11, 2017 Northern caused serious bodily injury to Adah Elaine Phillips, an individual 65 years of age or older, by shooting her in the head with a .22 caliber pistol. Northern was also indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, second degree felony. The indictment alleges on the aforementioned date, Northern recklessly caused serious bodily injury to Phillips by threatening to hit and/or hitting her with a claw hammer, and the defendant did then and there use or exhibit a deadly weapon: a claw hammer during commission of said assault. (Related article: Sheriff's Department Arrests Buna Woman After Allegedly Shooting Elderly Person)
Tevin Terrell Garrett was indicted for burglary of a habitation, second degree felony. The indictment alleges on January 13, 2016 Garrett entered a habitation without the consent of Leonard Boehm, the owner, and attempted to commit or committed theft of property. The property included a Stihl chainsaw, Husqvarna chainsaw, Homelite 4300 generator, Troy-built pressure washer, and/or a Brute pressure washer, owned by Boehm. Garrett was also indicted for burglary of a habitation, second degree felony. The indictment alleges on July 28, 2016 Garrett entered a habitation without the consent of Arvis Moore, the owner, and attempted to commit or committed theft of a man's gold ring with the initial "M" on top, man's gold ring with large diamond, man's gold ring with small cluster of diamonds, Dj2-Disc Mixer, and/or one red and blue DJ light owned by Moore.
Lindsay Leann Hughes was indicted for burglary of a habitation, second degree felony. The indictment alleges on December 9, 2016 Hughes entered a habitation without the consent of Teresa Hughes, the owner, and attempted to commit or committed theft of a Honda EB 2200X portable generator owned by Hughes. Lindsay Leann Hughes was also indicted for theft, state jail felony. The indictment alleges Hughes took car batteries valued at $100 or more but less than $750 from Teresa Hughes, the owner, without her consent.
Mistique Sifford was indicted for injury to a child, elderly or disabled individual, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on July 8, 2016 Sifford caused bodily injury to Linda Pate, an individual 65 years of age or older, by assaulting Pate with her fingernails by scratching Pate and injuring Pate's middle finger. Sifford was also indicted for possession of a controlled substance, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on July 8, 2016 Sifford possessed methamphetamine in an amount of less than one gram.
Undria Deloris Hall was indicted for theft, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on July 11, 2014 Hall took one 14 carat gold wedding band and one gold colored ring containing one white colored stone valued at $2,500 or more but less than $30,000 from Thomas Phillip Jones, Jr. without his consent.
Courtney Handlin was indicted for burglary of a habitation, second degree felony. The indictment alleges on November 4, 2015 Handlin entered a habitation owned by Ronnie Goings without his consent. The indictment further alleges Handlin attempted to commit or committed theft of a Honda Rubicon 4-wheeler, Cub Cadet zero turn lawn mower, Stihl weed eater, Echo gas leaf blower, Mr. Coffee microwave, Mr. Coffee 12-cup coffee pot, Craftsman 4-drawer tool cabinet, Craftsman 9-drawer tool chest, assorted tools, 30.06 pump rifle with wooden stock and scope, Winchester 30.30 lever action rifle with wooden stock, .22 bolt action rifle, various pots/pans, Huskey air compressor, battery chargers and/or Orion telescope owned by Goings. Handlin was also indicted for prohibited substances in an adult correctional facility, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on December 21, 2016 Handlin possessed methamphetamine, a controlled substance, while in Shelby County Jail.
Courtney Innis Handlin was indicted for hindering apprehension or prosecution, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on January 13, 2017 Handlin with intent to hinder the arrest, prosecution, conviction, or punishment of Charles Edwards for the offense of aggravated kidnapping, warned Edwards of impending discovery or apprehension.
Kursti Rae Agnew was indicted on two counts of abandoning or endangering a child, state jail felony. The indictments allege on February 2, 2017 Agnew recklessly, or with criminal negligence, engaged in conduct that placed two children younger than 15 years of age in imminent danger of death, bodily injury, or physical or mental impairment. The indictments further allege Agnew achieved this by falsely reporting an offense to authorities on February 2, 2016 that one of the children had been sexually molested, with similar reports being made on January 31, 2016 and July 25, 2016. It is also alleged in each case the children were coached into giving false statements concerning purported sexual abuse and/or physical abuse allegedly perpetrated against one of the children by a paternal relative.
Landon Yarbrough was indicted for burglary of a habitation, first degree felony. The indictment alleges on January 10, 2017 Landon Yarbrough entered a habitation without the consent of Corey Yarbrough, the owner, and attempted to commit or committed an assault against Corey Yarbrough.
William Robert King was indicted for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on June 4, 2016 King operated a motor vehicle without the consent of Vickie Tomlin, the owner.
Patrick Odell Session was indicted for theft, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on February 21, 2016 Session unlawfully appropriated five iPhones valued at $2,500 or more but less than $30,000 from Wal-Mart with intent to deprive the owner of the property.
Rickye Allen Welton, Jr. was indicted for tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on April 1, 2016 while Welton knew an official proceeding was in progress (pending arrest for theft) he intentionally or knowingly concealed Oxycodone Hydrochloride with intent to impair the verity, legibility or availability as evidence in the official proceeding by attempting to swallow them.
Gabino Camirillo was indicted for unlawful restraint criminal responsibility for conduct of another, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on October 28, 2016 Camirillo was responsible for the criminal conduct of another, to wit: unlawful restraint in that Camirillo encouraged and/or aided, or attempted to aid Diego Martinez who did then and there intentionally and knowingly by force, intimidation, or deception, restrain David Laboy without his consent by restricting his movements by holding a gun on him. Camirillo was also indicted for engaging in organized criminal activity, first degree felony. The indictment alleges on the aforementioned date Camirillo committed said offense with the intent to establish, maintain, or participate in a combination or in the profits of a combination consisting of Camirillo, a juvenile, Juan Lara and Diego Martinez. The indictment further alleges the group collaborated in carrying on said criminal activity and conspired to commit aggravated robbery, unlawful restraint and possession of marijuana by agreeing with each other they would engage in conduct that constituted said offense. The indictment continues Camirillo and Martinez performed an overt act in pursuance of said agreement by unlawfully retaining and robbing David Laboy and possessing marijuana in an amount of less than 50 pounds, but more than five pounds.
Camirillo was also indicted for aggravated robbery criminal responsibility for conduct of another, first degree felony. The indictment alleges on October 28, 2016 Camirillo is responsible for the criminal conduct of another, armed robbery, in that Camirillo encouraged, aided or attempted to aid Diego Martinez during the course of committing theft of property and with intent to obtain or maintain control of said property, threatened or placed David Laboy in fear of imminent bodily injury or death while exhibiting a pistol. Camirillo was indicted for possession of marijuana, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on the aforementioned date, Camirillo possessed a usable quantity of marijuana in an amount of 50 pounds or less but more than five pounds.
Hakeen Kevon Nash was indicted for tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on September 29, 2015 Nash knowing a criminal offense had been committed by possessing marijuana, concealed or destroyed a marijuana cigarette with intent to impair its availability as evidence in the investigation of the criminal offense.
Stacy Deon Jones was indicted for tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on October 17, 2015 Jones during a traffic stop intentionally or knowingly destroyed marijuana with intent to impair its availability as evidence in the resulting traffic stop.
(Dates in parenthesis indicate the date of the alleged incident)
Shonda Laree Bryce, possession of a controlled substance (Oxycontin 20mg), third degree felony (January 18, 2016).
Shonda Laree Bryce, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), third degree felony (April 1, 2016).
Mistie Elisha Flournoy, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), state jail felony (April 19, 2016).
Charles Golden, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), state jail felony (April 23, 2016).
Christopher Jamar Cartwright, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), second degree felony (March 22, 2017).
Roger Eugene Wilburn, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), third degree felony (April 4, 2016).
Paul Wayne Dickerson, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), third degree felony (April 4, 2016).
Jerome Cortez Ratcliff, possession of a controlled substance (phencyclidine), third degree felony (April 4, 2016).
Marcus Lakeithe Lister, possession of a controlled substance (phencyclidine), third degree felony (April 4, 2016).
John Wayne Bell, possession of a controlled substance (phencyclidine), third degree felony (April 4, 2016).,
Curvie Brinson, possession of a controlled substance (cocaine), state jail felony (April 14, 2016).,
Judine Marie Duren, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), third degree felony (April 30, 2016).
Spencer Smith, possession of marijuana, state jail felony (December 19, 2015).
Brian Everette Sigler, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), third degree felony (September 12, 2015)
Javier Jesus Gonzalez, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), third degree felony (April 14, 2016).
Indictments and Information are not a conviction, and are a matter of public record. All individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law.
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