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February 12, 2016 - The Shelby County Commissioners approved the full-time upgrade for Veteran's Service Officer Sherry Riley during the meeting of February 8, 2016. Several veterans from the Shelby County area spoke of the quality of her work and the benefit which she has been for the veterans.
Larry Hume, VFW Post 8904 Quartermaster, was first to speak during the public comment portion of the meeting on behalf of the VFW Post members.
"We are obviously in favor of this. Sherry has worked very hard and as you said she is very meticulous in what she does and she's been helping out San Augustine County," said Hume.
He said people come up to veterans and they say, "Thank you for your service," which he says is nice, but it doesn't help veterans in need who have to deal with the VA system. He continued by describing Sherry Riley as a champion for veterans by performing her daily duties, "You've got a good veterans service officer that knows where to go and cut through some of that red tape."
Tom Trussell, a resident of Huxley, addressed the court about Riley. He stated the average time she works on a claim for a veteran is 30 hours and he said she knows what she is doing.
Another audience member, Jimmy Eddins, stated he has been with the VA for 27 years and has been associated with four different representatives during that time. "She is the best I've ever been with. I have three life lines one of them is out of the state of California, the other one out of the state of Wisconsin and the other one is out of the old Shelby County Courthouse in Center, Texas Ms. Riley."
Robert Mooney, a Center resident and business owner, spoke of his experience in receiving help from Riley. He stated he has been in contact with her since she became the Veterans Service Officer.
"I took her a whole stack of paperwork and before I fought probably 10 years back and forth with the VA and got nothing done. She took that paperwork and went in and about six months time I had it approved," said Mooney.
A motion carried to transfer Riley to a full-time employee at $11 an hour.
"Thank you veterans for coming and speaking. Like you, I'm so glad we have somebody that can take the federal government by the horns and get you your benefits that you deserve and that you need," said County Judge Allison Harbison.
A motion was carried during the meeting to approve the Interlocal Cooperation Act Contract between UTMB and Shelby County. Judge Harbison explained the contract is for situations where there are no local doctors to take care of those who qualify through indigent health care.
"They will take anybody in this contract that needs a doctor and a health place to go," said Judge Harbison.
Judge Harbison asked Gary Rholes, County Attorney, for his opinion on the contract.
"I think it's a good deal for the county and it would be a great deal of benefit to a citizen in need of some specialized health care. I think the contract is fine," said Rholes.
A motion carried to approve the contract with UTMB.
Rodgers asked if there is any help by way of transportation for people within the indigent health care category. Judge Harbison stated the county is in contact with Brazos Transport about coming to Shelby County to provide the needed transportation. She also said she has spoken with Sherry Riley who tries to get transport for individuals if they are a veteran.
A motion was carried to renew the Garza County Agriculture, Grazing and Hunting Lease, between Shelby County and Steven A. Hill for $12,000 a year for five years. Clint Porterfield, County Auditor, made the court aware for what the lease money is used.
"We actually pay about $2,000 of property taxes on that land and then the remaining, or the net amount, which last year was about $10,000 we distribute that to our schools based on the average daily attendance of the schools in our county," said Porterfield.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:01am.
Agenda items approved include: 1. Minutes of the January 11, 2016 Regular Meeting, and the January 25, 2016, Special Meeting of the Shelby County Commissioners’ Court. 2. Pay monthly expenses. 3. Officers’ Reports. 4. Interlocal Cooperation Act Contract between UTMB and Shelby County. 5. Commercial Lease between Shelby County and Tri-County Community Action, Inc. at $2,000 per month. 6. Order Appointing a Voluntary Committee to Establish a Uniform Truancy Policy in Shelby County. 7. Racial Profiling Reports submitted to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement by Sheriff Willis Blackwell and Constable Billy F. Hearnsberger. 8. Renew the Garza County Agriculture, Grazing and Hunting Lease, between Shelby County and Steven A. Hill for $12,000 a year for five years. 9. Amend the Sheriff’s policy and fees regarding Honorably Retired Officers. 10. Make the Veteran’s Service Officer a full-time position and increase the hourly wage from $9.65 an hour to $11 an hour. 11. Adjournment at 10:01am. Fees collected per office for January 2016: Reported during February 8, 2016 meeting 1. Deborah Riley, Tax Assessor/Collector office: Property Division - $1,163,116.50; Motor Vehicle Division - $128,670.86 for a total of $1,291,787.36 2. Jennifer Fountain, County Clerk: $28,883.84 3. Lori Oliver, District Clerk: $9,022.20 4. Maxie Eaves, Justice of the Peace Precinct 1: $7,498.50 5. Marla Denby, Justice of the Peace Precinct 2: $1,459.40 6. Margie Anderson, Justice of the Peace Precinct 3: $5,666 7. Jenny Hicks, Justice of the Peace Precinct 4: $2,283 8. Mike Crouch, Justice of the Peace Precinct 5: $1,021 9. Zach Warr, Constable Precinct 1: $540 10. Jamie Hagler, Constable Precinct 2: $0 11. Billy Hearnsberger, Constable Precinct 3: $0 12. Bryan Gray, Constable Precinct 4: $90 13. Stanley Burgay, Constable Precinct 5: $90 Grand total: $1,348,341.30 CDs generated $18.28 for a total book value of $60,115.24 Money Market generated $353.43 total market value of $1,721,018.23 Total investments of $1,781,133.47
February 11, 2016 - Sheriff Willis Blackwell reports that on Feb. 8, 2016 Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sergeant Michael Griffin and reserve deputy Del Birdwell were on routine patrol in area of the new Loop 500 and FM 699 in Center. The deputies made contact with a vehicle bearing license plates and registration sticker which had been altered.
During the course of the investigation, Sergeant Griffin identified the occupants of the vehicle as David Tillotson, 47, of Joaquin and Amy Michelle Windham, 39, of Center. Due to the nervous nature of Tillotson, Sergeant Griffin asked for permission to search the vehicle and consent was given. Sergeant Griffin observed a box containing a set of digital scales in the driver’s side door, along with a cigarette box containing a homemade metal pipe and a clear plastic bag containing what appeared to be marijuana. Another cigarette box was also located that contained a clear plastic bag containing a white crystal like substance believed to be methamphetamine.
Tillotson was placed under arrest for possession of marijuana (M-B) and possession of a controlled substance (F-2). Windham was found to be in possession of a glass pipe and a Tylenol bottle holding a plastic bag containing what is believed to be methamphetamine.
Windham was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance (F-3) and forgery for an outstanding warrant out of San Augustine County.
A field test produced a positive identification for methamphetamine and the total weight of the narcotics yielded 7 grams.
Assisting in the investigation were Deputy Bradley Horton and Center P.D. Officer Scott Burkhalter. Sheriff Blackwell would like thank Center P.D. for their assistance and encourages the citizens of Shelby County to continue with the tips that are being called in. Sheriff Blackwell would like to encourage anyone that suspects illegal activity to please call the Shelby County Sheriff's Office at 936-598-5600.
Submitted by Leah Chase
February 11, 2016 - U.S. Highway 59 was the scene of a two crashes involving a horse Tuesday night, February 9, 2016. Timpson Volunteer Fireman Luke Shaddix was traveling on U.S. 59 directly following the two incidents and was first on scene. He contacted Timpson Fire Chief Patrick Hendricks who got firemen and Timpson Volunteer Ambulance Service en-route to the scene.
The first incident which directly affected the second crash involved an 18-wheeler traveling northbound. According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Dustin Ramos, at 6:50pm a blue 2016 Freightliner pulling a box trailer driven by Willam Riddle, 46, of Ohio was traveling north when it struck a paint horse which was in the roadway with the front left of the truck. The collision sent the horse into the southbound traffic lanes.
A white 2012 Nissan Armada driven by John Bradshaw, 40, of Joaquin was traveling south on U.S. 59 when it struck the then dead horse in the roadway with its front. The Armada left the roadway to the right traveling toward railroad tracks before it hit an embankment and overturned onto its driver's side.
Riddle was not reported to have received injury as a result of the crash in which he was involved. Bradshaw and his passengers Susan Bradshaw, 40,and two female minor passengers age 14 and 7 were not reported to have been injured.
No citations were issued resulting from the two incidents and the owner of the horse was unknown at the time of the crash. The incidents remain under investigation.
Timpson VFD firemen directed traffic at the scene until all vehicles were clear and cleaned the roadway of debris from the incident.
February 11, 2016 - Timpson Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) assisted with traffic control in rainy weather at a crash which occurred at 12:31pm on US Hwy 84 west of Timpson on Saturday, February 6, 2016.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Trooper Dustin Ramos, a 2005 white Chevrolet pickup was traveling west on US 84 East, less than a mile from FM 1970, pulling a horse trailer when it slowed to a stop to make a left turn into a private driveway and was rear-ended by a 2001 tan Honda van. The driver of the van attempted to avoid the collision by steering to the right; however, the van struck the back right of the trailer with its front left causing damage to both. The collision shoved the trailer into the pickup causing damage to the pickup's back right. All vehicles came to rest in the roadway.
The pickup was driven by Bryan Hawks, 51 of Timpson and the van was driven by Larry Barrett, Jr, 26 of Timpson. A passenger in the van was Sara Barrett, age 50, who was transported to Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital by ACE EMS with unknown injuries. Neither driver received injuries requiring transport by ambulance.
The Timpson VFD responded to the scene to assist with traffic control until the scene could be cleared. The pickup and trailer were able to be driven onto private property and the van was towed.
DPS State Trooper Dustin Ramos investigated the crash. Barrett, Jr. was cited for driving while license invalid and failure to control speed.
February 10, 2016 - The Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department (JVFD) and DeSoto Parish Fire District 1 fought a house fire near the Joaquin city square at 10:26am on Wednesday, February 10, 2016.
According to firemen at the scene, Dennis Leggett waved down JVFD fireman Steve Cockrell and alerted him the house was on fire located behind the Texas State Bank just off the Joaquin square. Cockrell moved quickly to the JVFD and drove a tanker truck to the scene of the fire on U.S. Highway 84 at the intersection of Jackson Street.
Cockrell contacted the Shelby County Sheriff's Department to alert additional units while he and a city employee began extinguishing flames. As Joaquin firemen arrived on scene, so did DeSoto Parish firemen due to an automatic response mutual aid agreement between the two departments. Firemen from both departments entered the home and were able to put down the fire and prevent a total loss of the house owned by Travis Rodgers.
3/4 of the house received major damage from the fire. Richard Woolf, the renter of the house, was not home at the time. The cause of the fire was suspected to have been a space heater, but could not be absolutely determined at the time the firemen were on scene. The fire remains under investigation. The firemen returned to the station at 11:19am.
An automatic mutual aid agreement means when a fire department is dispatched to a structure fire, other departments within the agreement will respond to assist them without first being paged out by a dispatcher.
February 9, 2016 - An election is hereby ordered to be held on May 7, 2016 for the purpose of electing three (3) at-large council positions for the City of Joaquin.
Early voting by personal appearance will be conducted each weekday at Joaquin City Hall, 124 N. Preston Street, Joaquin, TX 75954 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. beginning on April 25, 2016 and ending on May 3, 2016.
Applications for ballot by mail shall be mailed to:
AMANDA WILLEY
P. O. BOX 237
JOAQUIN, TEXAS 75954
Applications for ballots by mail must be received no later than the close of business April 26, 2016.
February 8, 2016 - Shelby County Sheriff Willis Blackwell reports that on February 7, 2016, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Cody Muse and Kurtes Lawrence responded to a residence on Loop 500 in Center after numerous complaints of possible drug traffic in the area.
Upon arrival deputies initiated an narcotics investigation which led to the discovery of numerous pieces of drug paraphernalia and a clear crystal substance believed to be methamphetamine.
The substance tested positive for methamphetamine and the total weight of the narcotics was 15.8 grams. Jarvis Taylor, 27, of Center was placed under arrest and transported to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office where he was charged with manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance (F1). He was arraigned by JP-1, Maxie Eaves and his bond was set at $4,000.
Sheriff Willis Blackwell would also like to thank Center P.D. Officers Jake Gross and Andrew Williams and State Trooper Dustin Ramos for assisting. Sheriff Blackwell states there are several narcotic investigations going on at this time and if anyone has any information of suspected illegal narcotic activities please contact the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office at 936-598-5600.
Submitted by Leah Chase
February 8, 2016 - The intersection of FM 3471 and FM 2694 was the scene of a single-vehicle crash involving a Jeep on Thursday, February 4, 2016. According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper John Hallenbeck, at 8:25pm Alvin Earl Smith, 50, of Shelbyville was driving a 2015 white Jeep Liberty traveling north on FM 3471 when he tried to stop at the intersection of FM 2694.
Smith stated his brakes did not work and the Jeep traveled across FM 2694 and into the north ditch where it rolled and came to rest on the driver's side, facing east.
No injuries were reported as a result of the crash. Smith was cited for driving while license invalid.
February 8, 2016 - Shelbyville Street at the intersection of Newman Street in Center was the location of a two-vehicle crash involving sidewalk construction workers and a pickup truck traveling in the northbound lane.
As the work crew was preparing the area for the addition of handicap ramps and sidewalk improvements, a grey 2009 Dodge Ram driven by James William Burr, 32, of Joaquin was traveling on Shelbyville Street when it struck a Kubota skid-steer SSV65 being operated by Robert Eugene Blanchard of Le Center, Minnesota for Ti-Zack Concrete Inc.
The collision caused damaged to the right rear tire of the Kubota and major damage to the right front quarter panel and wheel of the Dodge, removing the wheel. The truck continued to travel on Shelbyville Street without it's wheel for 100 feet before coming to rest on the right shoulder.
No injuries were reported as a result of the crash. Burr was cited for fail to control speed and driving while license suspended. The crash was investigated by Center Police Officer John Welch, assisted by Center Police Sgt. Ricky King.
February 8, 2016 - Shortly after 11:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 7th, the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a double-wide mobile home fire on U.S. Highway 84 East.
Units arrived to find smoke billowing from the structure. Homeowner Jackie Williams stated that his family was awakened by smoke detectors going off.
The JVFD deployed two two-man hose teams into the structure, wearing full bunker gear and SCBA. After a brief search, the fire was located in a bedroom on the west end of the house.
Firefighters were able to knock the fire down using less than 15 gallons of water, keeping water damage to a minimum. The fire was contained to the single room, with smoke damage to the rest of the home. A positive pressure fan was used to remove smoke from the house.
After removing all of the contents of the fire room, firefighters returned to the fire station at 12:35 a.m.
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