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February 2, 2017 - The Center Fire Department was dispatched to a trailer loaded with whole frozen chicken that was ablaze at the Tyson facility located on Shelbyville Street in Center on February 1, 2017 at 3:20pm.
When the firemen arrived, the trailer load of 'hot wings' was billowing yellow smoke from within the refrigerated trailer. Firemen sprayed water within the trailer from the rear; however, the fire continued growing and according to the Center Fire Department the firemen worked to address the fire from the front side. A hole was cut into the roof of the container to gain better access to the fire.
Although the majority of the fire was able to be extinguished, the contents of the container prevented the firemen from reaching the core of the flames and they regenerated, creating an even larger fire within the vessel.
The driver of the truck was Pablo Dominguez of Florida and as he pulled away from the loading dock, he noticed the burning odor and disconnected the truck he was driving before it became involved in the then imminent fire in the trailer.
To gain a better vantage on the flames, the CFD ladder truck was brought to the scene. The fire hydrant connection at the Tyson facility was faulty and a replacement connection had to be commandeered from another hydrant further down Shelbyville Street to supply water pressure to the ladder truck.
Firemen sprayed the flames from above and at the back of the trailer and the flames were finally completely extinguished. It was determined the fire started in the motor within the trailer that keeps the climate cool in the container.
The contents of the trailer were a total loss. No injuries were reported as a result of the fire.
Center Fire Department returned to the station at 6:15pm.
February 2, 2017 - U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company (USSTC) is voluntarily recalling certain of its smokeless tobacco products, listed in the chart below, manufactured at USSTC’s facility in Franklin Park, IL. USSTC has notified the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of the recall and is working with federal authorities on this matter.
USSTC initiated the recall after receiving eight consumer complaints of foreign metal objects, including sharp metal objects, found in select cans. In each case, the object was visible to the consumer and there have been no reports of consumer injury. Complaints have been received from consumers in Indiana, Texas, North Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Ohio.
The products at issue were manufactured solely in USSTC’s Franklin Park, IL facility and distributed nationally.
The majority of USSTC’s cans are not affected, including Copenhagen Fine Cut in a fiberboard can, Copenhagen Long Cut in a fiberboard can and Copenhagen Long Cut Wintergreen in a plastic can.
USSTC is instructing wholesalers and retailers to segregate the recalled products from their inventories. USSTC’s sales representatives will assist wholesalers and retailers in returning the product.
A consumer who has any of the products listed in the table below should not open or use the product. Consumers should contact USSTC at 1-866-201-9136 to return the product for a refund.
The select cans subject to this recall:
Cope Brand Products
Long Cut Straight
This recall applies to lots with no printed code on the bottom of the can, or with codes that begin with the letters “F”, “R”, “K”, or “P”.
Copenhagen Brand Products
Extra Long Cut Natural
Long Cut Mint
Long Cut Southern Blend
Pouch Mint
Pouch Wintergreen
Long Cut (overseas military only)
Fine Cut (overseas military only)
Long Cut Straight (overseas military only)
Long Cut Wintergreen (overseas military only)
Pouch (overseas military only)
Fine Cut Plastic Can (only available in Alaska and Hawaii)
Long Cut Plastic Can (only available in Alaska and Hawaii)
Pouch Plastic Can (only available in Alaska and Hawaii)
This recall applies to lots with no printed code on the bottom of the can, or with codes that begin with the letters “F”, “R”, “K”, or “P”.
Husky Brand Products
Fine Cut Natural
Long Cut Straight
Long Cut Wintergreen
This recall applies to lots with no printed code on the bottom of the can, or with codes that begin with the letters “F”, “R”, “K”, or “P”.
Skoal Brand Products
Bandit Mint
Bandit Wintergreen
Long Cut Apple Tobacco Blend
Long Cut Berry Tobacco Blend
Long Cut Cherry
Long Cut Citrus Tobacco Blend
Long Cut Classic
Long Cut Peach Tobacco Blend
Long Cut Spearmint
Pouch Apple Tobacco Blend
Pouch Berry Tobacco Blend
Pouch Citrus Tobacco Blend
Snus Mint
Snus Smooth Mint
Xtra Long Cut Mint
Xtra Long Cut Rich Tobacco Blend
Xtra Long Cut Wintergreen
Xtra Pouch Crisp Tobacco Blend
Xtra Pouch Mint Blend
Xtra Pouch Rich Tobacco Blend
Fine Cut Wintergreen (overseas military only)
Long Cut Mint (overseas military only)
Long Cut Straight (overseas military only)
Long Cut Wintergreen (overseas military only)
Pouch Mint (overseas military only)
Pouches Wintergreen (overseas military only)
This recall applies to lots with no printed code on the bottom of the can, or with codes that begin with the letters “F”, “R”, “K”, or “P”.
Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA Center for Tobacco Products safety reporting portal: https://www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov/fpsr/WorkflowLoginIO.aspx?metinstance=709428622019F34ADAB75147856347F95FEEDC7A.
February 1, 2017 - Shelby County Sheriff Willis Blackwell reports that Deputy Mandy Fears was dispatched to a burglary in progress on County Road 4098 in Timpson on January 23.
When Deputy Fears arrived on scene, she met with the complainant who was speaking with an individual who identified himself as 41 year-old Rick Warren, of Center. The complainant advised Warren was on her property without consent.
Deputy Fears approached Warren and asked why he was on the property. Warren stated he did not have permission to be on the property but assumed it would be OK because of his past relationship with the family.
Through conversation, Deputy Fears noticed Warren appeared to be intoxicated. Consensual search of Warren’s person revealed nothing illegal.
A female passenger in the vehicle identified herself as 30 year-old Annette “Ame” Eaves, of Center. Eaves states she and Warren were in the back of the property hanging out.
Deputy Fears asked Eaves if there was anything in the vehicle that should not be, to which Eaves replied, “No.”
Deputy Fears began a search on the vehicle and discovered property in the back seat that the complainant identified as hers. The complainant told Deputy Fears the matches to the property were in a white hutch in the kitchen. Deputy Fears also located a green glass pipe in the driver’s side door panel. Deputy Fear’s advised Warren and Eaves they would both be detained. While searching Eaves, Deputy Fears located a Xanax pill on her person.
Deputy Fears went into the home with the complainant and located the matching dinnerware that was found in the truck, Deputy Fears advised Warren and Eaves they were under arrest for Burglary of a Habitation (F-2).
The complainant stated there had been other people at the location before officers arrived. Deputies searched a building on the property where the complainant stated other items had been removed.
During the investigation, a wallet was found in the vehicle that contained the driver’s license of 34 year-old John Cody McDaniel, of Center.
Further investigation revealed that while the suspects were attempting to leave the location their vehicle became stuck. After unsuccessful attempts to get the vehicle out, McDaniel and 24 year-old Kara Michelle Chambliss, of Shelbyville exited the vehicle and left the scene on foot.
All four suspects were charged with Burglary of a Building (F-4) and Burglary of a Habitation (F-2). Eaves was also charged with Possession of a Dangerous Drug (M-A).
Eaves posted bonds totaling $14,000 and was released 1/31/17.
Chambliss was arrested 1/31/17 and released the same day on bonds totaling $11,000.
Warren remains in the Shelby county jail on bonds totaling $12,000.
Active warrants are open on McDaniel. He is described as a white male, 6’0”, 170 lbs. with hazel eyes and brown hair. He has tattoos on his arms and back. Center Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information. Anyone who has information should call Center Crime Stoppers at 936-598-SAFE (7233) or submit a tip online at www.centercrimestoppers.com. Remember you don't have to give your name. All calls and cash rewards are completely anonymous. Rewards will only be paid on tips submitted through the Center Crime Stoppers system.
If a caller does not wish to remain anonymous or receive a reward, they may call the Shelby County Sheriff's Office at 936-598-5600 or 936-572-1468 and speak with Chief Deputy DJ Dickerson.
If anyone is found to be hindering the apprehension, harboring or concealing, providing or aiding with any means of avoiding arrest or effecting escape or warns McDaniel of impending discovery or apprehension, will be arrested and charged in accordance to Penal Code 38.05 Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution, a Felony 3 offense.
Submitted by Leah Chase, scsotx.org
February 1, 2017 - A section of US 59 coming out of Timpson had a speed limit change approved last year and the new signs indicating the new speed of 50mph and 65mph.
Rhonda Oaks, TxDOT Lufkin District Public Information Officer, reported, "The speed limit change in Timpson was the result of a speed study that we do when there is an area of concern. The speed study was requested by the City of Timpson and was performed in July and August of 2016."
TxDOT extended the current 50mph zone that ended just east of US 84 to the west of Timpson City Limits. The speed limit of this section was 60mph. The speed study showed that the reduction in speed that the City requested was warranted and an ordinance was passed by the city in August 2016.
Oaks advised the next phase of the speed change process, "The state then in turn had to pass a buffer zone of 65mph for .2 miles between the 50mph and 75mph zone because we can’t have a speed change of more than 15mph that meet. The Texas Transportation Commission passed a Minute Order setting the new speed limit on October 27, 2016. Once that is done, the new signs are ordered, built and sent to local districts. Our maintenance department in Shelby County recently placed the new signs."
She also advised local law enforcement can now begin enforcement since the signs are set.
February 1, 2017 - A short high speed chase between Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and a pickup truck ended abruptly when the truck collided with the wall surrounding SoSo Park in Timpson sometime before 7:45pm on January 31, 2017.
According to Texas DPS State Trooper Taylor Buster, a black 2002 single cab Dodge RAM 1500 driven by Tony Joshua Parker, 35, of Center was northbound on Timpson Street in Timpson attempting to evade State Troopers.
When Parker approached So So Park, he misjudged the entrance and struck a rock retaining wall surrounding the park. After the vehicle came to a stop in a ditch, Parker exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Troopers were able to catch up to Parker and detain him.
Parker was transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department by Timpson Volunteer Ambulance Service for treatment of possible injuries.
The Timpson Volunteer Fire Department and Timpson Police Department assisted at the scene, and helped search the roadway for anything which may have been thrown from the vehicle during the chase.
Once released from the hospital, Parker was arrested by Texas DPS State Trooper Dustin Ramos at 11:18pm and charged with hindering prosecution/apprehension of a felon, felony 3; violation of parole - delivery of a controlled substance, felony 2; unsafe speed, misdemeanor c; fail to maintain financial responsibility, misdemeanor c.
The wall was built as part of the federally funded Works Projects Administration (WPA) program, which helped employ millions of people during the 30s and early 40s.
January 31, 2017 - Reports of a house fire had the Center Fire Department en-route to Pine Terrace located off Arcadia Road Tuesday, January 31, 2017.
When the firemen arrived at 4:10pm in the housing development at the eastern intersection of Pine Terrace and Beverly Place it was discovered the house located on that property was not on fire, yet a group of bushes along the roadway was on fire.
The firemen quickly extinguished the flames and prevented the fire from traveling to the house on the property. A neighbor across the street called in the fire. No determination as to the cause of the fire was able to be made at the time the fire was extinguished.
January 31, 2017 - The Tenaha Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a house and grass fire off FM 947 on Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at 2:18pm.
City of Tenaha employees noticed the smoke emanating from a former sawmill worker lodging located on Old Sawmill Road and upon discovering it was on fire, contacted the fire department. The structure had almost completely burned when the firemen arrived. The property where the structure was located was once part of the local sawmill and several houses on the property were formerly used as lodging for sawmill employees; however, no one has lived in the buildings for some time and no utilities were running to the structure.
Much of the area of the building was scorched earth combined with large quantities of garbage as people in the area have apparently been using the land for a dumping ground. A large pile of utility cable was on the ground at the site of the house and appeared to have been burned during the fire.
Firemen contained the remaining fire and extinguished what remained of the building to prevent spread to nearby woods.
Jake Metcalf, Constable Precinct 4, was on scene with the firemen. According to the Tenaha Volunteer Fire Department, the cause of the fire is unknown at this time and remains under investigation.
January 31, 2017 - State Highway 7 West was the scene of a single-vehicle crash on Sunday, January 29, 2017.
Emergency personnel were dispatched to the scene of the incident in the Aiken Community including Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department (WSCVFD), Shelby County Sheriff's Department and ACE EMS.
WSCVFD directed traffic at the scene while EMS personnel examined the driver involved and DPS investigated the crash.
According to Texas DPS State Trooper Jesse Fountain, at 4:33pm a grey Chevrolet pickup truck driven by a 16-year-old driver was westbound when the driver stated a vibration occurred in the right side of the vehicle.
The truck traveled off the road to the right and the driver overcorrected left causing the truck to travel across all lanes of traffic sideways and spun into a ditch where it rolled onto the passenger side where it came to rest.
No injuries were reported as a result of the crash and no citations were issued at the scene.
January 31, 2017 - Lufkin District approved for six construction and maintenance projects
LUFKIN – The Texas Transportation Commission on Thursday approved construction contracts for the state that totaled $431.3 million and additional maintenance contracts, with the Lufkin District was approved for five new construction projects that totaled $6.9 million and one maintenance project for $1.2 million.
Construction and maintenance projects were approved for Houston, San Jacinto, Shelby, Nacogdoches and Polk counties that include:
Shelby County: A $1.2 million construction project was approved for US 84 from the Rusk County line to US 59, from the end of pavement to FM 699 on US 59, at Waller Creek on US 59, at Rusk Branch in Nacogdoches County, and on US 259 from the Rusk County line to US 59 in Nacogdoches County. The work will include safety treating fixed objects that will consist of improving and replacing metal beam guard fence to design standards, updating and replacing culverts and replacing bridge and approach railings. Stateline Construction, LLC will serve as contractor. A timeline has not been determined.
Houston County: A $2.9 million construction project was approved and set to safety treat fixed objects on SH 21 from just south of SL 304 to the Cherokee County line. The work will include upgrading and replacing metal beam guard fence and culverts to design standards. L.C. Jordan & Son will serve as contractor for the project. No timeline has been determined.
San Jacinto County: A $1.5 million construction project was approved for safety treating fixed objects on FM 1127 to the end of pavement, and on FM 2666 from FM 2025 to SH 150. The work will include updating and replacing metal beam guard fence and culverts to design standards. L.C. Jordan & Son will serve as contractor for the project. No timeline has been determined.
Polk County: A $1.2 million maintenance project was approved that includes mill and inlay work on US 190 from the city of Livingston to the Tyler County line. The contract also includes a section of US 59 in Shelby County for mill and inlay work from the Nacogdoches County line to the city of Timpson in Shelby County. Moore Brothers Construction will serve as contractor. A timeline has not been determined.
A $796,806 construction project was approved on US 59 that is designed to replace bridge and approach railings at Bear Creek, Piney Creek, also includes safety treating fixed objects from the Angelina County line to US 287 in Polk County. CDM Holdings, LLC will serve as contractor. A timeline has not been determined.
Nacogdoches County: A $272,731 construction project was approved on FM 1275 (University Drive) at FM 2609 (Austin Street) and Martinsville Road and FM 2609 that is designed to improve the traffic signals at those locations. Striping Technology, L.P. will serve as contractor. A timeline has not been determined.
For more information, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or (936) 633-4395.
January 30, 2017 - Three fire departments were called out to multiple structures on fire on CR 1024 at 1pm on Monday, January 30, 2017 including Center Fire Department, West Shelby Volunteer Fire Department, and Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department.
While Center FD was en route to the blaze firemen could see a large amount of smoke from a distance indicating a large fire was rolling. Several out buildings were fully engulfed in flames and winds were moving the fire towards nearby structures including a neighboring home. Shelbyville VFD and West Shelby County VFD were both dispatched to assist.
Firemen were quick to work on stopping the flames from spreading; however, changing winds kept them running. The owner of the property is Ignacio Gonzalez and his home received exterior damage. A carport was damaged and fell partially on a vehicle parked under it. A second vehicle which was parked nearby a fully engulfed out building received damage to the rear of the vehicle as the heat from the flames caused the plastic to melt.
Three out buildings which appeared to be storage sheds and barn structures were completely or mostly burned down. A horse trailer also fell victim to the fire along with a heavy equipment boom lift and a pile of miscellaneous lumber. Heat caused the rear tire on a tractor to explode.
A neighbor, Terry Bailey, brought over a compact skid steer loader to assist by helping to dig a fire break. Close to 2pm the Texas Forest Service arrived with heavy equipment to assist as well. Jason Burch with Hughes Wrecker Service assisted firemen in dragging hose and moving debris. ACE EMS was on scene in the event anyone fell victim to the excessive heat of the flames.
A neighbor's home was saved by the firemen as flames came within 10 feet or less of the house.
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