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October 31, 2016 - The Shelby County Commissioners ratified the burn ban put in place by Allison Harbison, Shelby County Judge, during the Monday, October 31, 2016 meeting.
Judge Harbison stated, "I had great hopes, I saw Wednesday was 65% chance and then this weekend they moved it back down to 20%, so I just hope that we can get some rain."
A motion carried to approve ratifying the burn ban. The burn ban will remain in place until the public is otherwise notified by the county.
Judge Harbison informed the commissioners about the Shelby County Indigent Defense Grant Program, "The state sends us a little bit of money on this, so we have to pass this resolution. Clint [Porterfield] has done what he needed to do, and I have done what I needed to do with the grant."
Once it is filed with the state, Judge Harbison says the county looks to receive $24,000 to $25,000 from the state.
"This is just to help us with the indigent defense, and that's when the District [Judges] appoint and I occasionally appoint someone an attorney in criminal matters," said Harbison.
A motion carried to approve the 2017 Shelby County Resolution for Indigent Defense Grant Program.
The meeting adjourned at 9:38am.
October 15, 2016 - General Election, Shelby County Race Summary - November 8, 2016
President/Vice-President
Donald J. Trump / Mike Pence (REP)
Hillary Clinton / Tim Kaine (DEM)
Gary Johnson / William Weld (LIB)
Jill Stein / Ajamu Baraka (GRN)
U.S. Representative District 1
Louie Gohmert (REP)
Shirley J. McKellar (DEM)
Phil Gray (LIB)
Railroad Commissioner
Wayne Christian (REP)
Grady Yarbrough (DEM)
Mark Miller (LIB)
Martina Salinas (GRN)
Justice, Supreme Court, Place 3
Debra Lehrmann (REP)
Mike Westergren (DEM)
Kathie Glass (LIB)
Rodolfo Rivera Munoz (GRN)
Justice, Supreme Court, Place 5
Paul Green (REP)
Dori Contreras Garza (DEM)
Tom Oxford (LIB)
Charles E. Waterbury (GRN)
Justice, Supreme Court, Place 9
Eva Guzman (REP)
Savannah Robinson (DEM)
Don Fulton (LIB)
Jim Chisholm (GRN)
Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 2
Mary Lou Keel (REP)
Lawrence "Larry" Meyers (DEM)
Mark Ash (LIB)
Adam King Blackwell Reposa (GRN)
Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 5
Scott Walker (REP)
Betsy Johnson (DEM)
William Bryan Strange, III (LIB)
Judith Sanders-Castro (GRN)
Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 6
Michael E. Keasler (REP)
Robert Burns (DEM)
Mark W. Bennett (LIB)
Member, State Board of Education, District 9
Keven M. Ellis (REP)
Amanda M. Rudolph (DEM)
Anastasia Wilford (LIB)
State Representative District 9
Chris Paddie (REP)
Justice, 12th Court of Appeals District, Place 2
Brian Hoyle (REP)
Justice, 12th Court of Appeals District, Place 3 - Unexpired Term
Greg Neeley (REP)
District Judge, 123rd Judicial District
Leann Kay Rafferty (REP)
District Attorney
Stephen Shires (REP)
County Attorney
Gary Rholes (REP)
Sheriff
Willis Blackwell (REP)
Tax Assessor-Collector
Debora Riley (REP)
County Commissioner Pct. 1
Roscoe McSwain (REP)
County Commissioner Pct. 3
Charles Barr (REP)
Constable Pct. 1
Zach Warr (REP)
Constable Pct. 2
Jamie Hagler (REP)
Constable Pct. 3
Roy Cheatwood (REP)
Constable Pct. 4
Jacob (Jake) Metcalf (REP)
Constable Pct. 5
Robert Hairgrove (REP)
Candidates below are certified by Carlos H. Cascos, Secretary of State, State of Texas, as properly-filed declared write-in candidates for statewide offices for November 8, 2016 General Election.
President / Vice President
Darrell L. Castle / Scott N. Bradley
Scott Cubbler / Michael Rodriguez
Cherunda Fox / Roger Kushner
Tom Hoefling / Steve Schulin
Laurence Kotlikoff / Edward Leamer
Jonathan Lee / Jeffery Erskine
Michael A. Maturen / Juan A. Munoz
Evan McMullin / Nathan Johnson
Monica Moorehead / Lamont Lilly
Robert Morrow / Todd Sanders
Emidio Soltysik / Angela Walker
Dale Steffes / Paul E. Case
Tony Valdivia / Aaron Barriere
U.S. Representative, District 1
Renee Culler
Early Voting and Election Articles
Shelby County Clerk’s Office Early Voting Hours
SC Clerk Issues Order of General Election for Nov 8th
City of Center - November 8, 2016
Council Member, At Large
Leigh Porterfield
Maelinda Swanzy
Jud Matthews
Terry Scull
Michael L. Lee
Council Member, District 4
Charles Rushing
Write-in _________________
District 4, Qualified Write-in
Randy Collard
Unopposed Candidates Declared Elected
Council Member, District 2
Jerry Lathan
November 7, 2016 - Information has been released relating to the three-vehicle crash on State Highway 7 West which resulted in a fatality on Monday, November 7, 2016.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers responded to and investigated a three vehicle crash on SH 7 about one mile East of Nacogdoches County, at approximately 4:30 p.m.
The preliminary crash investigation indicates a 2002 Ford F-150 XL pickup truck was traveling West on SH 7 when it crossed the center divider and struck a 2016 Chevrolet delivery van in the side. In an attempt to avoid the collision the driver of the Chevrolet swerved to the right and subsequently struck a 2012 Ford Escape SUV.
After the initial crash the Chevrolet and Ford Escape drove off the roadway and into the eastbound ditch where the Chevrolet overturned. The Ford pickup drove off the highway into westbound ditch where it caught fire and burned.
The driver of the Ford pickup was identified as Steven Dennis, 51, from Center. Dennis was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash by Justice of the Peace Marla Denby.
Elzie Raymond, 40, from Lufkin was identified as the driver of the Chevrolet utility van. Raymond was transported to Nacogdoches Memorial hospital with unknown injuries.
The driver of the Ford Escape was not reported as being injured and was identified as Colleen Doggett, 73, from Center.
This crash remains under investigation by Texas DPS Trooper Taylor Buster who was assisted at the scene by DPS Trooper John Hallenbeck.
West Shelby Volunteer Firemen worked traffic control at the scene for several hours. Shelby County Sheriff's Department Deputies also were on scene to assist.
Dennis was transported from the scene by Watson & Sons Funeral Home.
November 7, 2016 - State Highway 7 in Shelby County near the Nacogdoches County line is currently blocked due to a three-vehicle crash in between CR 1245 and CR 1246. Anyone traveling in this direction should take an alternate route to avoid getting in the middle of traffic which is backed up for a long distance.
Further details on the crash will be updated as they are made available by official sources.
November 3, 2016 - Early voting held at Shelby County Clerk’s Office, 124 Austin Street, Center, TX 75935.
- Monday, October 24, 7:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.
- Tuesday, October 25 – Friday, October 28th 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.
- Saturday, October 29, 10:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.
- Sunday, October 30, 12:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.
- Monday, October 31, 7:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.
- Tuesday, November 1 – Friday, November 4th, 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.
You may also apply to vote by mail through October 28th by calling the County Clerk’s office at 936-598-6361.
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November 4, 2016 -The Texas Department of Public Safety, West Shelby Volunteer Fire Department, Shelby County Sheriff's Department and Center Police Department all responded to a single-vehicle crash about five miles west of FM 711.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Taylor Buster, at 6:35pm November 3, 2016 a grey 2004 Honda Civic driven by Oscar Solis, 17, of Lufkin was eastbound on State Highway 7 when then vehicle left the roadway to the right.
The car continued for about 100 yards in the south ditch before it traveled across all four lanes of traffic and into the north ditch where the Civic flipped.
Solis was transported by private vehicle to a hospital in Lufkin. He was issued citations for no driver's license and wrong side of roadway not passing.
West Shelby Volunteer firemen worked traffic control until the scene was clear.
November 3, 2016 - The driver of a pickup truck involved in a a major single-vehicle crash on FM 947 Thursday, November 3, 2016 was flown by helicopter to a hospital in Shreveport.
Tenaha Volunteer Firemen, Texas Department of Public Safety and Tenaha City Marshal's office all responded to the scene of the crash, and once it was determined necessary a helicopter was requested and landed in a yard near the incident.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones, at 9:02am a red 2000 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Roger Dale Shoemaker, 58, of Tenaha was westbound on FM 947 when the truck traveled to the left side of the roadway on the wrong side when not passing and continued off the eastbound side. The truck traveled into the treeline, striking several trees causing major damage to the truck as well as injuries to Shoemaker due to no seat belt.
Shoemaker was issued citations for wrong side of roadway not passing, no seat belt, and possession of marijuana. The crash remains under investigation. At the time of the crash, Shoemaker was flown from the scene by Life Air Rescue and was expected to be taken to a hospital in Shreveport.
Trooper Jones was assisted at the scene by Trooper Dustin Ramos.
November 3, 2016 - According to a Facebook post on Tenaha Tiger Spirit, the school notified all Tenaha ISD stakeholders of a potential threat made earlier today which turned out to be a hoax.
Facebook Post made at 3:23pm, Thursday, November 3rd: Earlier today, officials received an anonymous threat of a potential device in the restroom. Tenaha ISD administration immediately sheltered in place, then quickly moved all students to their designated safe location inside the Tenaha Football Stadium. We are also appreciative and happy to report that both the Tenaha City Marshal and the Shelby County Sheriff's office responded quickly and assisted TISD Police Chief in clearing every room, cabinet, and area. We are pleased to report that the threat was, in fact, a hoax and TISD will be working with all relevant law enforcement agencies to try and identify the source of the alert. All TISD children are safe and have been told what occurred and are completing the school day on schedule.
November 3, 2016 - U.S. Highway 96 two miles north of Center was the scene of a two-vehicle crash on Wednesday evening.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Taylor Buster, on November 2, 2016 at approximately 6:50pm Omar Acopa-Fuentes, 22, of Center was northbound in a white 2004 Chevrolet on U.S. Highway 96 North when he failed to control speed and struck the back of a silver 2001 Buick driven by Caroline Ann Evans, 76, of Center.
The vehicles came to rest in the inside northbound traffic lane blocking traffic in front of Center Christian Fellowship. The Center Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene for traffic control. Units with the Shelby County Sheriff's Department and the Center Police Department also arrived at the scene.
Evans and her two passengers, a 13-year-old female and 4-year-old female, were transported by private vehicle to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department for possible injuries.
Acopa-Fuentes was issued a citation for failure to control speed.
November 3, 2016 - Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) Deputies Carmen Fears and Misty Ray initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for failure to display a license plate on the rear of the vehicle and no license plate lamps on Highway 84 inside the Joaquin city limits on November 3, .
Deputy Fears approached the vehicle and found Michael Harper, 34, of Shreveport, LA in the driver’s seat. Deputy Fears made contact with Harper and obtained a temporary license tag for the vehicle and his driver’s license. Fears ran the tag for the vehicle and no record of the tag was found and Harper’s driver’s license came back suspended.
At that time, Deputy Fears placed Harper under arrest for driving with an invalid driver’s license and advised a wrecker would be in route to tow his vehicle. When placed in the patrol unit, Deputy Fears informed Harper she would be conducting a standard vehicle inventory on his vehicle, at which time Harper became very distraught and demanded a supervisor and an attorney. Deputy Fears advised Harper she would contact her supervisor for him to speak with.
While inventorying the vehicle, Deputy Ray advised Deputy Fears that Harper was kicking the windows of the patrol unit. Leg irons were requested to prevent Harper from hurting himself or damaging the unit.
During the inventory, Deputy Fears found a clear glass pipe in the console. A small black carrying case was found in the driver’s side floorboard. Inside the bag were numerous baggies containing a crystal-like substance. Field-testing determined the substance was methamphetamine. The weight of the narcotics totaled 10.08 grams.
In the trunk of the vehicle, numerous bags containing clothing and personal care items were found along with scales, cell phones, tablets, butane lighters and a laptop computer. Harper’s wallet also contained numerous credit cards with names of various individuals.
Harper was booked into the SCSO for: Possession of a Controlled Substance (F4); Delivery of a Controlled Substance (F1); and Driving While License Invalid (MC).
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