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August 30, 2016 - (Update at 5:52pm Aug. 30): The driver of the 2008 Dodge SUV involved in the crash this date on SH 7 has been identified as 38-year-old Michael Lee Smith from Center. Smith was transported to LSU Hospital in Shreveport for treatment. Mr. Smith’s condition is unknown at this time. Shelby County DPS troopers continue to investigate the crash. No further information is available at this time.
Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers Dustin Ramos and Austin Lunsford are currently investigating a four-vehicle crash which occurred just before CR 3156.
Troopers and emergency personnel were dispatched to State Highway 7 East in reference to a four-vehicle crash on August 30, 2016 at 7:34am. Upon arrival, one vehicle was overturned, and two with major damage.
The driver of a tan Dodge Durango was flown from the scene by Life-Air Rescue to LSU Shreveport for treatment of unknown injuries. The driver of a white Nissan Rogue and a grey Saturn Ion were both transported by ACE EMS to Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital for treatment of their injuries.
The crash scene is still under investigation as troopers paint and photograph the scene.
Joaquin Volunteer Firemen and Center Fire Department firemen were on scene assisting other emergency personnel and providing traffic control.
Further information will be provided as it is made available by DPS.
(Update): Preliminary crash investigation indicates a 2008 Dodge SUV was driving westbound on SH 7 when the vehicle suddenly drove into the eastbound lanes and struck three eastbound vehicles.
The Driver of the Dodge SUV struck a 2007 Saturn passenger car, a 2014 Chrysler 200 and a 2016 Nissan SUV.
The identity of the driver of the Dodge is not available at this time; the next of kin notification has not been made. The driver was however airlifted from the scene of the crash and transported to a Shreveport Hospital for treatment.
The driver of the Saturn was identified as Randal Allen, 43, from Shreveport. The driver of the Chrysler was identified as James Daniels, 40, from Center and the driver of the Nissan was identified as Courtney Johnson, 24, also from Center.
Allen and Johnson were both transported to Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital for possible treatment while Daniels was not reported as being injured as a result of the crash.
This crash remains under investigation. No additional information is available at this time.
August 30, 2016 - Today, Jennifer Fountain, Shelby County Clerk, reminded Texans that voters who cannot obtain one of the seven forms of approved photo ID now have additional options when voting in person.
“My office is working to make sure all the voters in Shelby County are ready to cast a ballot,” said Fountain. “These new options for voters who cannot obtain photo ID are currently in place and will be used in the November Election.”
As provided by a court order, if a voter has a reasonable impediment to obtaining one of the seven forms of approved photo ID, the voter may vote by (1) signing a declaration at the polls explaining why the voter is unable to obtain one of the seven forms of approved photo ID, and (2) providing one of various forms of supporting documentation.
Supporting documentation can be a certified birth certificate (must be an original), a valid voter registration certificate, a copy or original of one of the following: current utility bill, bank statement, government check, or paycheck, or other government document that shows the voter’s name and an address, although government documents which include a photo must be original and cannot be copies. If a voter meets these requirements and is otherwise eligible to vote, the voter will be able to cast a regular ballot in the election.
The seven forms of approved photo ID are:
• Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
• Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
• Texas personal identification card issued by DPS
• Texas license to carry a handgun issued by DPS
• United States military identification card containing the person’s photograph
• United States citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph
• United States passport
With the exception of the U.S. citizenship certificate, the approved photo ID must be current or have expired no more than four years before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place.
Voters with a disability may continue to apply with the county registrar for a permanent exemption to showing approved photo ID (which now may be expired no more than four years) at the polls. Also, voters who (1) have a consistent religious objections to being photographed or (2) do not present one of the seven forms of approved photo ID because of certain natural disasters as declared by the President of the United States or the Texas Governor, may continue apply for a temporary exemption to showing approved photo ID at the polls.
Voters can learn more by visiting VoteTexas.gov or calling 1-800-252-VOTE.
Early voting for the November 8 Election begins October 24 and ends November 4.
August 26, 2016 - A construction zone just over 1 1/2 miles from FM 711 was the scene of a single-vehicle crash Thursday, August 25.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Trooper Dustin Ramos, at 5:48pm DPS drove up on a crash involving a grey 2004 Chevrolet passenger car driven by Anthony Moore, 26, of Center with a 3-month-old male child passenger.
As the Chevrolet was traveling east the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to spin and leave the roadway to the right where it traveled through a ditch and struck a tree and came to rest in the ditch with damage facing west.
Moore and the infant were transported by ACE EMS to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department.
No citations have been reported at this time and the crash remains under investigation.
Construction workers at the scene directed traffic until West Shelby Volunteer Firemen arrived and took over.
According to a witness at the scene, there was no obvious indication the infant had received injury.
August 24, 2016 - A line item transfer of $2,500 was made to the Justice of the Peace Precinct 5 budget during the Shelby County Commissioners Court meeting held on August 22, 2016.
Michael Crouch, Justice of the Peace Precinct 5, addressed the commissioners about the need for assistance regarding expenditures in his office supplies by $894. He explained the reason for the expenditure is two docket books for his court.
Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, remarked the office supply budget for JP 5 was $1,100.
McSwain asked, "So in this budget right here we're looking at he was budgeted $1,100 for last year and he's done spent $1,981?"
Clint Porterfield, Shelby County Auditor, gave some background on the JP Precinct 5 budget. He stated the outside auditor for the county challenged the county to address negative numbers in budget balances.
"I would like to just as a point of accountability and transparency, work on that a little bit more diligently starting now and in the coming year with departments, with the emphasis of looking at their budgets and being aware of negative balances and coming to court and explaining those balances if funding is needed or if line item transfers are needed," said Porterfield.
He explained in the past, line item transfers were left to the auditor's office to do at their discretion and he said it should be a department function. Porterfield stated Judge Crouch had some unexpected radio expenses at the beginning of the year. Those expenses were paid for out of the office supply budget, because there was no other way to afford the expense.
"What he's asking today is just for some additional funding," said Porterfield.
A motion carried by the commissioners to approve a $2,500 line item transfer to Crouch's budget.
The meeting adjourned at 9:55am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting: 1. Pay monthly expenses. 2. Adopt the Sheriff and Constable Fees for the 2017 fiscal year to take effect on January 1, 2017. 3. Advertise for bids on gravel, fuel, tires, janitorial services and air conditioning services for the 2016 - 2017 fiscal year. 4. Adopt the Commissioners' Court dates for the fiscal year 2016 - 2017 as the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month. 5. County Holidays for 2017. 6. $2,500 line item transfer to Justice of the Peace Precinct 5 Mike Crouch's budget. 7. Adjourn at 9:55am.
August 24, 2016 - (Editor's note: The individual who ran from the ambulance was in the custody of the Shelby County Sheriff's Department and not that of the ACE EMS personnel. While under the medical care of EMS personnel and as the amulance was en-route to the hospital, a demand was made by the individual to stop the ambulance and let him out, which the driver did. This is something EMS personnel are legally required to do if an individual being transported makes such a request.)
A man escaped from an ambulance on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 as he was being transported to the hospital.
Shelby County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to a fight on CR 1145 sometime before 9pm which resulted in the arrest of two people involved.
Taken into custody were Josh Fuller and his brother Justin Fuller, 27, both of Center. Due to an apparent medical issue, Josh Fuller was transported from the scene by ACE EMS.
As the ambulance was closing in within a mile of Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department on Loop 500, Josh Fuller escaped from the ambulance out the back door. Eyewitness accounts stated he tried to get into a vehicle that was passing by; however, ambulance personnel made them leave.
Fuller ran into a wooded area along the roadway and in the direction of Lakewood subdivision.
Law enforcement and the Center Fire Department responded to the scene and began searching for Fuller. The CPD K-9 was called in to assist in searching the area; however, Fuller had too much of a lead in his escape for him to be located.
The search of that particular area was called off at 11pm. At this time Fuller remains at large and the Shelby County Sheriff's Department is investigating the incident.
According to the Shelby County Jail log the other involved party, Justin Fuller, was charged with assault family violence, misdemeanor a.
(Update): According to the Shelby County Jail log, Joshua Fuller, 31, of Center was arrested on August 26, 2016 for assault family violencence, misdemeanor a.
August 23, 2016 - Tuesday 3:35pm to Wed 7pm Urgent - Weather message National Weather Service Shreveport LA 335 PM CDT Tue Aug 23 2016
A heat advisory is in effect from Noon until 7 PM CDT Wednesday for Northwest and Northern Louisiana and portions of deep East Texas and portions of Southern Arkansas, Union, Caddo, bossier, Webster, Claiborne, Lincoln, De Soto, Red River, Bienville, Jackson, Ouachita, Sabine, Natchitoches, Winn, Grant, Caldwell, La Salle, Shelby, San Augustine, including the cities of EI
Dorado, Shreveport, Bossier City, Minden, Springhill, Homer, Haynesville, Ruston, Farmerville, Bernice, Mansfield, Stonewall, Logansport, Coushatta, Martin, Arcadia, Ringgold, Gibsland, Jonesboro, Monroe, Many, Zwolle, Pieasant Hill, Natchitoches, Winnfield, Colfax, Montgomery, Dry Prong, Ciarks, Grayson, Columbia, Jena, Midway, OIIa, Center, San Augustine, Hemphill, Pineland.
A heat advisory in effect from Noon to 7pm CDT Wednesday. The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a heat advisory which is in effect from noon to 7pm CDT Wednesday.
Hot temperatures and elevated relative humidity values will combine to result in heat Index values Between 105 and 110 degrees on Wednesday.
The hottest portion of Wednesday will be Between Noon and the Early evening hours.
Heat related illnesses are possible. Caution is recommended for those who will be outdoors and for Persons without air conditioned residences.
Take Extra precautions if you work or spend Time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to Early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear Light weight and loose Fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water.
To reduce Risk during outdoor work, the occupational safety and Health administration recommends scheduling frequent Rest Breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a Cool and shaded Location. Heat stroke is an emergency, Call 9 1 1.
A heat advisory Means that a period of hot temperatures is expected. The combination of hot temperatures and High humidity will Combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible. Drink plenty of fluids, Stay in an air-conditioned room, Stay out of the Sun, and Check up on relatives and neighbors.
August 23, 2016 - The City of Joaquin will be performing necessary road repairs on East Saddle Street in Joaquin, Texas. Citizens should expect temporary traffic delays through Friday August 26, 2016 (weather permitting). We apologize for any inconvenience.
August 22, 2016 - AUSTIN – Late yesterday, U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor’s issued a nationwide injunction prohibiting the Obama administration from enforcing its bathroom directives against public schools across the country. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton represents a 13-state coalition in the federal court lawsuit in the Northern District of Texas challenging the Obama administration’s unlawful federal directive that schools allow students to use whatever bathrooms and other intimate facilities they prefer. Attorney General Paxton released the following statement after the court’s ruling in favor of the Texas-led coalition:
“We are pleased that the court ruled against the Obama Administration’s latest illegal federal overreach. This President is attempting to rewrite the laws enacted by the elected representatives of the people, and is threatening to take away federal funding from schools to force them to conform. That cannot be allowed to continue, which is why we took action to protect States and School Districts, who are charged under state law to establish a safe and disciplined environment conducive to student learning.”
The court prevented the federal government from relying on its flawed, unlawful guidance documents to schools and employers in an injunction that is effective nationwide.
To view a copy of the opinion click here:
August 19, 2016 - Emergency personnel responded to two crashes at the same scene sometime after midnight on Friday, August 19, 2016 on U.S. Highway 84 two miles west of Joaquin.
The crashes occurred as the result of a large tree falling across the roadway. Two pickup trucks were involved in the initial crash and an 18-wheeler traveling on the other side of the roadway collided with the tree in the second crash.
The roadway was blocked for several hours while Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department and Tenaha Volunteer Fire Department redirected traffic away from the scene on both sides of the incidents.
TxDOT was on scene clearing the tree debris from the roadway to assist the vehicles in being removed from the area.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Sean Smith, at 12:35am a blue 1997 Fird F-150 driven by Lea Rae Satterfield, 24, of Early with passenger Emerson Hansen was westbound on U.S. Highway 84. Multiple trees had fallen in the roadway and as Satterfield traveled through a blind curve he could not see the obstruction in time. He attempted to take evasive action by veering left; however, he struck a tree.
At that time Trevor Blain May, 19, of Joaquin with passenger Clay Adkison, 17, was eastbound in a black 2004 Ford F-150 through a blind curve and didn't have time to stop. May took evasive action verring to the right, yet struck the tree and the back left of the other pickup truck.
Trooper Smith reported the second crash to have occurred at 12:39am when a white 1999 Volvo truck-tractor pulling a trailer driven by Jeffery Lynn Buffington, 51, of Spiro, Ok. was westbound on U.S. Highway 84. Buffington traveled through a blind curve, attempted to take evasive action and unable to stop, struck the tree.
No citations were issued and no injuries were reported as a result of the crash.
August 19, 2016 - Three people involved in a crash on State Highway 7 West Wednesday, August 17 were transported to the hospital following a collision with a tree.
West Shelby Volunteer Fire Department (WSVFD) firemen were dispatched to a tree across all four lanes of State Highway 7 West at 3:45am approximately 6 miles from Center. Following the dispatch of the firemen, a collision occurred as a black Chrysler 300 struck the large tree head-on.
The Shelby County Sheriff's Department arrived at the crash scene and the Center Police Department also arrived to provide assistance. While the officers and ACE EMS personnel saw to those involved in the crash, WSVFD firemen worked to cut the tree into smaller pieces so it could be more easily cleared from the highway. The Center Fire Department also assisted in this effort.
Driver of the Chrysler was Nicole Ellington, 46, the front passenger was Louis Edwards, 64, and the back seat passenger was Joyce Edwards, 64. They all were transported from the scene by ambulance to Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital in Nacogdches.
Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Austin Lunsford led the crash investigation. He was assisted with the investigation at the scene by Shelby County Sheriff's Deputy Adam Renfro and Center Police Officer Jake Gross.
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