Shelby County Today

May 23, 2016 - Actionable agenda items receiving approval:

1. Pay monthly expenses.
2. Shelby County applied for a portion of the 2015 Unclaimed Capital Credits. The state allocated these funds last May to the County. Disbursement of $21,374.56 to the Shelby County Children's Advocacy Center.
3. Adjournment at 9:41am.

More detailed story to follow.

See full agenda here.

May 19, 2016 - The Shelby County grand jury for the January Term 2016 of the 273rd Judicial District Court met Monday, May 16, 2016 and indicted 12 cases.

Karenjana Sarao was indicted for abandoning or endangering a child, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on February 8, 2015 Sarao engaged in conduct that placed a child younger than 15 years of age, in imminent danger of death, bodily injury, or physical or mental impairment by leaving the child alone and without adequate supervision.

Martine Amaro was indicted for assault bodily injury, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on July 27, 2015 Amaro caused bodily injury to Cynthia Ann Wright, a person who Amaro had or formerly had a dating relationship, by intentionally, knowingly or recklessly impeding the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of Wright by applying pressure to the throat or neck and/or blocking the nose or mouth.

Linda Ann Parent was indicted for burglary of a building, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on September 19, 2015 Parent entered a building or a portion of a building, without the effective consent of Brooke Harrison, the owner, and attempted to commit or committed theft of a Silver Trek Hybrid bicycle.

Margie Nicole Stahl and Tia Meshelle received two equal indictments pertaining to the same incidents. The first was for delivery of a controlled substance, first degree felony. The indictments allege on February 2, 2016 Stahl and Meshelle delivered methamphetamine in an amount of four grams or more but less than 200 grams. The second indictments are for burglary of a habitation, second degree felony. The indictments allege on February 2, 2016 Stahl and Meshelle entered a habitation without the consent of Ben Cockrell, the owner, and committed theft of a small blue pry bar.

Victoria Lanette Hamilton was indicted for burglary of a building, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on January 30, 2015 Hamilton entered a building or portion of a building without the consent of Tonya Cawthorn, the owner, and attempted to commit or committed theft of a cedar chest, checkbooks, three ring pink striped notebook, belt buckle with the name Tonya Thompson on it and colored plastic totes.

Reginald Brock was indicted for assault bodily injury, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on March 9, 2015 Brock caused bodily injury to Tracy Walton, a person Brock had or formerly had a dating relationship, by recklessly impeding the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of Walton by applying pressure to the throat or neck.

Christopher Dion Williams received two indictments relating to the same date of November 10, 2014. The first indictment for possession of a controlled substance, state jail felony, alleges Williams to have been in possession of cocaine in an amount less than one gram. The second indictment for evading arrest, third degree felony, alleges Williams used a vehicle to flee from Constable Billy Hearnsberger who was attempting lawfully to arrest or detain Williams.

(Dates in parenthesis indicate the date of the alleged incident)
Marcus Hall, possession of a controlled substance, state jail felony (December 9, 2015).

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.

May 13, 2016 - This bracelet was left at a local burglary in Center, Texas. Center Police Detectives is seeking information about the red and black rubber bracelet with the writing “What kinda junkie are you?” ”Social Junkie.”

Center Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information. Anyone who has information regarding this crime 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.

May 11, 2016 - Reports to Shelby County Today (SCT) by local residents of rodent infestation at two businesses in Center have been a regular thing lately as the businesses doors have been closed for some time now.

SCT has made inquiries and has confirmed the reason for the doors being closed at Dollar General and Family dollar is due to a pest control issue involving rats.

Texas Department of State Health Services representative Chris Van Deusen confirmed for SCT that a routine inspection was performed at Dollar General on January 29, 2016 and at the Family Dollar on March 29, 2016 and evidence of rodent activity was discovered at both locations.

"It sounds like one or maybe both of them have closed. We didn't order them closed or anything like that, but we did find rodent activity, evidence of that when we did our inspections," said Van Deusen.

Van Deusen could not confirm the stores closed their doors because of the rodent activity; however, he said it would be encouraged for anyone to take whatever steps they may need to take to make the needed corrections.

Center City Manager Chad Nehring could only confirm having heard rumors, and assistance has been offered to the businesses. Both businesses abut a forested area which could be an area where rodents nest.

"The [Economic Development Corporation] has reached out to them to request whether or not, one or both, were interested in some physical improvements over there to help clean up that general area. Just business retention and development project," said Nehring.

No issues have been reported to the city for any other businesses involving rodents, according to Nehring.

Attempts to contact Dollar General and Family Dollar were made by SCT.

Family Dollar, public and media relations, responded with the following statement: "Please know the safety of our associates and customers is our first priority, and we take situations like this very seriously. At this time, we are working with the owner of the property and pest control services to address any issues. We have made the decision to self-close this location until the issue is resolved. At this time, we plan to reopen this store on May 23.
 
"In the meantime, we encourage our customers to shop at the nearest Family Dollar location at 5169 State Highway 87 S in Shelbyville."

As of the time of this report, Dollar General has not responded to SCT inquiries.

Dollar General has other stores in Shelby County whose doors are open in Joaquin, Tenaha and Timpson.