The story headline links to a better view of the story and share features.
News
April 15, 2016 - FEMA representatives will be present at the “Rio De Sabinas Heritage Fair” at the First United Methodist Church in Joaquin today, Friday, April 15th and tomorrow, Saturday, April 16th from 9am to 5pm. Anyone that hasn't registered with FEMA as a result of flood damages incurred during the March floods is encouraged to do so.
April 13, 2016 - Loop 500 at the intersection with State Highway 7 East was the scene of a three-vehicle crash Monday, April 11, 2016.
When emergency personnel arrived during heavy rain, one vehicle was located in a drainage ditch while two others remained in the roadway.
According to the Center Police Department, at 3:35pm a silver 2012 Chrysler Sebring driven by Isharica Hubbard, 22, of Center with a 1-year-old female passenger crossed State Highway 7 (SH7) East from the south side of Loop 500 to the north side of Loop 500.
As Hubbard traveled across SH7 she failed to yield right of way to a gray 2015 Toyota Tacoma driven by Justin Daniel Klein, 34, with passenger William Keith Brown, 49, both of Center causing the Tacoma to collide with the passenger side of the Sebring.
A white 2001 Chevrolet Malibu driven by Jose Luis Hernandez, 39, of Center was traveling south on the north side of Loop 500 when it also was struck. The Malibu and the Tacoma remained in the middle of the roadway while the Sebring continued traveling into a ditch where it came to rest.
Hubbard and her passenger were transported by ACE EMS to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department for treatment of unknown injuries,
Hernandez and his passengers, a 10-year-old male passenger, 11-year-old female passenger, and 2-year-old female passenger were not reported to have received any injuries resulting from the crash.
Klein and Brown refused treatment at the scene and were transported by Shelby County Sheriff Willis Blackwell.
Hubbard was issued citations for no drivers license, failure to secure child in safety seat, and fail to yield right of way leaving a stop sign at an intersection.
The crash was investigated by Center Police Officer Maegan Wright assisted by CPD Sgt. Duane Gordon, CPD Officer Jake Gross and Sheriff's Deputy Pete Davis.
April 12, 2016 - The jury that has been summoned for Monday, April 18, 2016 for the 123rd District Court Honorable Judge Charles "Brick" Dickerson presiding has been cancelled due to the scheduled cases being resolved or passed.
Anyone receiving a summons for that day is released from jury service until they receive a future summons.
April 12, 2016 - On Sunday, March 06th, 2016 Patrol Deputy Bradley Horton took a report from a Christopher Adams regarding a burglary and theft incident that had occurred at his property located on County Road 3000 in Joaquin.
The unknown suspect(s) illegally appropriated the following property: a Gravely 50” Zero Turn Mower, a Briggs/Stratton Tiller Engine, a Dewalt 1/2" impact with battery, a handheld grinder, a skilsaw and a China Cabinet.
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.
If a caller does not wish to remain anonymous or receive a reward, they may call the Shelby County Sheriff's Department at 936-598-5600 or 936-572-1468 and speak with Lieutenant Investigator DJ Dickerson.
Submitted by Lt. Investigator DJ Dickerson
April 11, 2016 - What began two weeks ago with the selection of a jury came to an official conclusion Monday, April 11, 2016 in the case of the State of Texas versus Johanna Vickers, a teacher found guilty of an improper relationship with a 16-year-old student, in the 123rd Judicial District Court with Judge Charles "Brick" Dickerson presiding. Judge Dickerson handed down the formal sentencing which was decided by a jury and Vickers was taken into custody of the Shelby County Sheriff's Department.
Concerning causes 15-CR-19554, 15-CR-19555, and 15-CR-19556, Judge Dickerson asked Seth Johnson, Attorney for Vickers, if he had anything to say. Johnson responded with an inquiry as to the Judge's ruling on merger of counts 4, counts 5, and counts 6 on all cases which were improper relationship between educator and student.
Assistant District Attorney Stephen Shires, representing the State of Texas, stated he believed each count presented different elements and therefore shouldn't be merged.
Both attorneys agreed to their knowledge there were no appellant precedents concerning the case and Judge Dickerson ruled on all cases, 15-CR-19554, 15-CR-19555, and 15-CR-19556, that counts 5 and count 6 would be merged with counts 4 with the explanation the counts related to the same incident date although in various ways.
The mergers reduced the number of counts from 17 to 11 in total.
Judge Dickerson then recited each cause and all counts of each reiterating the sentencing given by the jury. The defendant, Johanna Vickers, was found guilty for the offenses set out in cause 15-CR-19554, counts 1 through 6 with counts 5 and 6 being merged into 4 and sentenced for each count 3 years in the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice along with a $10,000 fine per count for counts 1, 2, and 3. The defendant, Johanna Vickers, was found guilty for the offenses set out in cause 15-CR-19555, consolidated counts 1 through 6 with counts 5 and 6 being merged into 4 and sentenced for each count 3 years in the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice along with a $10,000 fine per count for counts 1, 2, and 3. The defendant, Johanna Vickers, was found guilty for the offenses set out in cause 15-CR-19556, consolidated counts 1, 3, 4 through 6 with counts 5 and 6 being merged into 4 and sentenced for each count 3 years in the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice along with a $10,000 fine per count for counts 1 and 3. The sentence is to be served concurrently for a 3 years total and the fines total $80,000.
Vickers was taken into the custody of the Shelby County Sheriff's Department until custody can be remanded to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
April 8, 2016 - Notice is hereby given that a Regular meeting of the Governing body of the Shelby County Commissioners’ Court will be held on the 11th day of April, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. in the Courtroom of the Shelby County Courthouse at 200 San Augustine Street, Center, Shelby County, Texas to deliberate and consider action on the following items:
1. Approve the minutes of the March 14, 2016 Regular Meeting, the March 17, 2016 Emergency Meeting, and the March 28, 2016 Special Meeting of the Shelby County Commissioners’ Court.
2. Approve and pay the monthly expenses.
3. Approve Officers’ Reports.
4. Public Comments on Agenda items.
5. Discuss and approve amendments to the Tri-County Community Action, Inc. commercial lease.
6. Discuss and select an elected official to serve on the Board of Directors of the Deep East Texas Council of Governments. Currently Shelby County members are Roscoe McSwain and Judge Allison Harbison.
7. Request operating funding for Precinct 3.
8. Adjourn
April 9, 2016 - Officials with the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas, Sabine National Forest, have advised a prescribed burn located in Compartments 97 & 104 (Block B & D) 1,851 acres (Yellowpine Area).
Winds are predicted from the South and Southeast to 5 mph, gusting to 9 mph.
Click image to enlarge
April 8, 2016 - The intersection of Logansport Street and Crockett Street in Center was the location of a two-vehicle crash on April 5, 2016.
According to Center Police Officer Maegan Wright, at 4:35pm Pedro Mendoza, 19, of Center was traveling east on Logansport Street in a red Dodge Dart when the vehicle was struck by a GMC Yukon. At the intersection of Crockett Street and Logansport Street, Leon Aldridge Jr., 68, of Center was driving a GMC Yukon from Crockett Street to Lane Street when he failed to yield to oncoming traffic.
Mendoza was transported by ACE EMS to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department for treatment of unknown injuries.
No citations have been issued at this time.
Officer Wright was assisted at the scene by Sgt. Duane Gordon.
Update: (April 12, 2016) Information originally included in this article pertaining to the direction of travel has been removed as it has been disputed and corrected information from the officer who investigated the crash is pending. The actions which were indicated by the officer to have caused the crash and the result remain the same.
April 8, 2016 - Hurst Street at the intersection of Wheeler Street in Center was the scene of a major three-vehicle crash on Friday, April 8, 2016.
Emergency personnel from ACE EMS, Center Police Department and Center Fire Department were immediately dispatched to the scene.
Upon arrival, a passenger car was blocking the outside southbound traffic lane of Hurst Street with the driver still inside and a black pickup truck lay upside down on FM 138 (Arcadia Road, across from Wheeler Street) with the passenger still inside and the driver attempting to free her hand which was trapped. Attempts were finally successful by use of a crow bar to pry the metal of the truck apart and free her hand.
According to Center Police Officer John Welch, at 11:30am Melvin Black, 56, was driving a black Dodge Ram 1500 on Hurst Street in the left-hand turning lane with a green arrow light. As Black was in the intersection a black Dodge passenger car driven by Dana Parker, 42, ran the red light and collided with the pickup truck flipping it and sending it into the eastbound traffic lane of Arcadia Road. The Dodge pickup truck then collided with a white Chevrolet 2500 HD 4x4 pickup truck driven by Benjamin Burns, 54, of Center.
Center firemen and Center Police Department assisted EMS in extricating Betty Griffin, 88, from the pickup truck.
Parker, Black and Griffin were all transported by ACE EMS to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department for treatment. No citations have been issued at this time and the crash remains under investigation. Officers Welch was assisted at the scene by Officer Angela Neal, Sgt. Ricky King, Lt. Jeremy Bittick and Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones.
April 7, 2016 - According to a Center Police Department press release, law enforcement are seeking information to identify three male suspects who are wanted concerning the theft of electronic merchandise.
Press Release: On March 17, 2016 three black males entered the Center, Texas Wal-Mart and went to the electronics department. The suspects then took an assortment of items from the electronics department and fled the store without paying for the items. The three suspects left the store in a light colored four door car.
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.
Click image to enlarge
Pages
