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December 5, 2024 - Emergency responders were dispatched to a major two-vehicle crash in the 1100 block of U.S. Highway 59 South outside of Timpson at around 2:42pm on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, which proved fatal to one driver.
In addition to law enforcement, Timpson Volunteer Fire Department personnel were requested to the scene to assist with an entrapment of one driver involved.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Troopers are investigating the fatal crash and a silver Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck driven by Kristen Lee, 26, of Timpson was traveling north, while a white Freightliner box truck driven by Iso Isoev, 31, of New York was traveling south. It is reported that during a period of heavy rain, the Ram hydroplaned and traveled into the oncoming lane where it was struck by the Freightliner.
Kristen Lee of Timpson, was pronounced deceased on scene by Tracy Broadway, Justice of the Peace for Precinct 5.
Isoev was transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
According to DPS, this is an ongoing investigation and no further information is available.
December 4, 2024 - The Shelby County Commissioners moved forward with a new cloud based financial software system during their meeting held November 20, 2024.
Clint Porterfield, County Auditor, then enlightened the commissioners on a written proposal from Financial Intelligence for new cloud based financial system software.
“We've had a good run for 25 years. Shelby County has used Hill Country software financial system going on 25 years. In 2018, local government solutions, LGS (Local Government Solutions) purchased all of the software rights and clientele of Hill Country Software,” said Porterfield. “In 2019, myself, the assistant treasurer, the treasurer and the assistant operator went to College Station for a meeting concerning the acquisition and the new software system that was forthcoming and there were a lot of questions at that time about this company and their software system that had purchased your country.”
Porterfield continued explaining that during the past six years, LGS has taken their software system called Financial Intelligence (FI), and they've added to it some of the nice features of Hill Country that the county has grown accustomed to and, through a blending of the two programs, have created a financial system that caters to small counties, and small to mid-sized counties.
“We were notified in October the first when we started our new year that LGS Financial Intelligence is now trying to convert the rest of the counties that they haven't converted in the last six years. We are at the end of the list. We've kind of held out and hoping we'd all get debugged before it got to us,” said Porterfield.
He explained that the intent of LGS is to have Shelby County systems converted over sometime in the summer of 2025. Porterfield said the county has been fortunate in that it has paid $4,000 a year to Hill Country for their software for 25 years. The new proposal is for $2,675 a month at a total cost of $32,000 a year.
I'm actually very pleased that's all it is, $32,000 a year. I know that we have some friends and counties around us who have gone with other software systems that cost six figures. But I will tell you that I am very confident with the FI program, even though I haven't seen the technical workings of it. I have looked at some of their reporting. I talked to Trinity County just this week. Trinity County just converted within the last three months,” said Porterfield.
Commissioner Bellmyer moved to follow the request by the auditor to move forward with the software and Commissioner Smith seconded the motion. It carried
Porterfield addressed the commissioners to talk with them about an annual expense they were presented with in their expenses regarding the 10th Administrative Judicial Region.
"We are in a judicial region with 32 other counties, and in that judicial region there are judges and those judges prepare a budget and the 32 counties share the budget of the 10th Judicial District for their actions in court and their administrative cause,” said Porterfield. “So Shelby County pays, of that $165,000 budget, Shelby County pays about 1.6% to $2,700 and that's been the same price for many years.”
A motion to pay the weekly expenses was made by Commissioner Tom Bellmyer and was seconded by Commissioner Stevie Smith.
The commissioners considered the payroll presented to them and then Commissioner Smith moved to pay the payroll, which was seconded by Commissioner Bellmyer.
A sponsorship of the Deep East Texas Legislative Reception in Austin in January was considered by the commissioners, and Commissioner Roscoe McSwain stated that normally $500 is donated and he recalled attending the event two years previous to the meeting.
“I guess it's just a partial sponsorship because I was looking at the sponsorship levels and that's below the levels. But yet, according to Lonnie, that typically what we always contribute is the $500,” said Bellmyer.
McSwain continued, “That says in the documentation here, if you have highlighted $500 here, we will receive all the benefits offered to our gold level sponsors.”
Commissioner Bellmyer moved to continue sponsorship of DETCOG at that legislative session, and a second was heard by Commissioner Smith. The motion carried.
Taylor Fanguy, Constable Precinct 4, addressed the commissioners about purchasing a radar for the Precinct 4 patrol vehicle. Constable Fanguy stated the radar he has ceased to function after being moved to his new unit and the company that manufactured it no longer provides support for the unit.
The radar Constable Fanguy was seeking to purchase was a newer version of the same model radar.
Commissioner Bellmyer was surprised with the unit being over 10 years old that it still functioned.
Porterfield recommended paying for the new unit out of Constable Fanguy’s budget and then any future adjustment could be made via a line-item transfer at the end of the budget year.
Commissioner Bellmyer made a motion to move forward with the purchase of the radar and charge it to the constable budget as-is, Commissioner Smith seconded the motion and it carried.
During Commissioner’s Court Reports portion of the meeting, Commissioner Bellmyer commented that Deborah Chadwick, Chamber of Commerce President, brought Leadership Class members to court for the meeting an he thanked them for their presence.
Commissioner McSwain brought up the driveway into the Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 office and preparations for work to be done.
“As the court’s aware, we've been discussing for six months to a year now. Fixing the driveway down at the Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 office. We talked about doing it in-house and the ball kind of got pushed in my corner lately,” said McSwain. “I come up with the idea last week to seek an estimate of what it would cost to have an outside contractor come in.”
Commissioner McSwain said they reached out to Cornerstone Construction and received an estimate of $10,645 from them.
With the project being a repair and just over $10,000 he said they would move forward with the project and pay for it out of Courthouse Repairs.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:29am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Weekly expenses. 2. Payroll. 3. Sponsor the Deep East Texas Legislative Reception in Austin in January. 4. Financial Intelligence written proposal for new cloud based financial system software. 5. Request from Precinct 4 Constable Taylor Fanguy to purchase a Radar for the Precinct patrol vehicle. 6. Adjourn.
December 3, 2024 - A Shelby County Grand Jury handed down 12 indictments on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. The grand jury was impaneled for the July 2024 term of the 123rd/273rd Judicial District Courts.
Christopher Lamar Pleasant was indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on July 7, 2024, Pleasant recklessly caused bodily injury to Crystal Fenley by striking her in the head with a stick, knocking her to the ground, and then choking her. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Elizabeth Ann Barton was indicted for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on October 1, 2024, operated a motor vehicle, namely a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado, without the effective consent of Tammy Steptoe, the owner. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Shaniya Dominique Moore was indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on September 14, 2024, Moore recklessly caused bodily injury to Chase Akela Carter by dragging him with her car, and Moore did then and there use or exhibit a deadly weapon, to-wit: 2011 Dodge Charger during the commission of said assault (273rd Judicial District Court)
Rodrigo Ronquillio was indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on July 3, 2024, Ronquillio recklessly caused bodily injury to Lyric Tyshea Smith by hitting her car from behind, and Ronquillio did then and there use or exhibit a weapon, to-wit; a 2004 BMW 325 during the commission of said assault.
William Barry Beasley was indicted for assault by choking, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on September 14, 2024, Beasley caused bodily injury to Annette Bratchett a person with whom Beasley has had a dating relationship, as described by Section 71.002(b) of the Texas Family Code, by intentionally, knowingly and recklessly impeding the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of the complainant by applying pressure to the throat or neck of Bratchett. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Rossell Demon Sherow was indicted for unlawful possession of firearm by felon, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on August 31, 2024, having been previously convicted of the felony offense of burglary of a habitation on October 29, 2019, in Upshur County, intentionally and knowingly possessed a firearm before the fifth anniversary of Sherow's release from confinement following conviction of the felony. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Brandy Lewis was indicted on two counts of publish/threat to publish intimate visual material, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on April 27, 2023, Count 1 and Count 2 both state: Lewis intentionally disclosed visual material, namely a photograph, depicting the complainant engaged in sexual conduct and the visual material was created under circumstances in which the complainant had a reasonable expectation of privacy that the visual material would remain private, and the disclosure of the visual material caused harm to the complainant, namely, by disclosing the visual material to the complainant's spouse. The indictment further alleges, the disclosure of the visual material revealed the identity of the complainant, namely, the photograph captured the complainant's recognizable facial features, or the accompanying text indicated the complainant's identity. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Jerry Curtis Lewis was indicted on two counts of publish/threat to publish intimate visual material, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on April 27, 2023, Count 1 and Count 2 both state: Lewis intentionally disclosed visual material, namely a photograph, depicting the complainant engaged in sexual conduct and the visual material was created under circumstances in which the complainant had a reasonable expectation of privacy that the visual material would remain private, and the disclosure of the visual material caused harm to the complainant, namely, by disclosing the visual matieral to the complainant's spouse. The indictment further alleges, the disclosure of the visual material revealed the identity of the complainant, namely, the photograph captured the complainant's recognizable facial features, or the accompanying text indicated the complainant's identity. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Kenneth Wayne Cravey was indicted for felony driving while intoxicated, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on April 4, 2024, Cravey operated a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated by not having normal use of mental or physical faculties by reason of the introduction of alcohol, a controlled substance, a drug, or a dangerous drug into the body. The indictment further states that prior to the offense, Cravey was previously convicted on July 9, 2010 for the offense relating to the operating of a motor vehicle while intoxicated; on September 3, 2002 for the offense of driving while intoxicated - 3rd degree; and on July 9, 2010 for the offense of driving while intoxicated 3rd or more, 3rd degree felony. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Charged by Information:
Jason Duane George was charged on information on December 2, 2024, for possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=1G<4G.
(Dates in parenthesis indicate the date of the alleged incident):
- Quirino Avelar Jr., possession of a controlled substance PG2 (Delta-9-THC), state jail felony. (August 22, 2024). (123rd Judicial District Court)
- Thomas Gulley, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=4G<200G (methamphetamine), second degree felony (July 4, 2024). (123rd Judicial District Court)
- April Marie Garza, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (September 17, 2024). (273rd Judicial District Court)
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.
November 26, 2024 - County Road 2110 will be closed starting Monday, December 2, 2024 due to culvert repair. Work will take place on the SH 87 S side. The road will be re-opened on Thursday, December 5, 2024. Please use FM 2975 to access County Road 2110.
November 29, 2024 - Funeral services for Jimmy Lout, Commissioner Precinct 2, were held Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home.
Lout was elected to the office of Commissioner Precinct 2 in 2002 and his term began in 2003, with County Judge Floyd A. "Dock" Watson. Following Watson, he then served with County Judge John Tomlin, County Judge Rick Campbell and County Judge Allison Harbison.
During his time as Commissioner Precinct 2, Lout has been very active in the community, serving regularly during commissioner board meetings governing the county and working with his crew on projects in his precinct.
Click here for Commissioner Lout's obituary.
November 28, 2024 - Richardson Street in Joaquin is the site of an alleged illegal dumping incident and authorities are seeking details on those responsible.
According to Joaquin Mayor Jessie Griffith, used cooking grease was discovered on November 27, 2024, and authorities with TCEQ were contacted.
Mayor Griffith reports, a cleanup operation is ongoing and is expected to take days to complete.
Any leads on who is responsible for this illegal dumping are appreciated. Mayor Griffith says they would really like some help from anyone in the community in finding out who is responsible.
The EPA is also involved, and the cleanup operation is under the direction of a HAZMAT crew.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Department is investigating, along with TCEQ, and anyone with information is asked to contact the city of Joaquin, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office or TCEQ.
November 26, 2024 - To honor and recognize the 22 years of dedication and service to Precinct 2 and Shelby County by Commissioner Jimmy Lout, the Shelby County Offices will close at noon on Wednesday, November 27th. Mr. Lout’s service will be held at Watson and Sons Funeral home on Wednesday at 2pm with visitation beginning at noon.
Mr. Lout or ‘Jimmy’ as everyone in the Courthouse called him will be remembered for his love of Shelby County and its citizens. You will never meet a more down-to-earth man, one who loved his wife, children, and especially his grandchildren, they were his pride and joy. During this Thanksgiving Holiday Season, please remember to be thankful and keep Commissioner Lout’s family in your thoughts and prayers.
The courthouse will also be closed November 28-December 1 and will reopen for business on Monday, December 2 at 8am.
November 25, 2024 - The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is stepping up enforcement for Thanksgiving to ensure Texans have a safe holiday. Texas Highway Patrol (THP) Troopers will increase enforcement efforts on the roads from Wednesday, Nov. 27, through Sunday, Dec. 1. Troopers will be looking for people not wearing seat belts, driving while intoxicated, speeding and failing to follow the Move Over, Slow Down law, among other traffic violations.
“With Thanksgiving around the corner, we remind everyone to stay vigilant on the roads,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “There can be countless distractions this time of year, but your safety and the safety of others is what matters most. Take your time, avoid distractions and let’s ensure everyone arrives to their destination this holiday season.”
Each year, DPS participates in the nationwide Operation CARE (Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort) initiative for the Thanksgiving holiday. During the 2023 Thanksgiving enforcement effort a total of 41,093 warnings and citations were issued, including 11,525 for speeding; 1,310 for driving without insurance; and 596 for seat belt and child seat violations. Last year’s enforcement efforts also resulted in 54 felony arrests, 36 DWI arrests and 18 fugitive arrests.
DPS offers the following safety tips for the Thanksgiving holiday and beyond:
- Don’t drink and drive. Make alternate plans if you are consuming alcohol. Eliminate distractions while driving, including the use of mobile devices. Texas law prohibits the use of portable wireless devices to read, write or send an electronic message unless the vehicle is stopped. If you’re using a navigation device or app, have a passenger operate it so you can keep your eyes on the road.
- Move Over or Slow Down for police, fire, EMS, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) vehicles and tow trucks stopped on the side of the road with emergency lights activated. Show the same courtesy to fellow drivers who are stopped on the side of the road. So far in 2024, there have been more than 9,284 Move Over, Slow Down violations.
- Buckle up everyone in the vehicle — it’s the law.
- Slow down, especially in bad weather, heavy traffic, unfamiliar areas or construction zones. Drive defensively, as holiday travel can present additional challenges.
- On multi-lane roads, use the left lane for passing only. Not only is it courteous driving and avoids impeding traffic, Texas law requires slower traffic to keep to the right and to use the left lane for passing only (when posted).
- Don’t cut in front of large trucks and try not to brake quickly in front of them. They can’t maneuver as easily as passenger vehicles and pickup trucks.
- If you can Steer It, Clear It: If you are involved in a non-injury crash and your vehicle can be moved, clear the traffic lanes to minimize traffic impact. Leaving vehicles in a traffic lane increases traffic congestion and leaves those involved with an increased risk of harm or a secondary wreck. On some highways, if you don’t move your vehicle when it’s safe to do so, it’s against the law.
- Keep the Texas Roadside Assistance number stored in your phone. Dial 1-800-525-5555 for any type of assistance. The number can also be found on the back of a Texas Driver License.
- Check your vehicle to make sure it is properly maintained and always ensure your cargo is secure.
- Report road hazards or anything suspicious to the nearest law enforcement agency.
- Monitor weather and road conditions wherever you are traveling. For road conditions and closures in Texas, visit Drive Texas
DPS would also like to remind Texans about the iWatchTexas program, a critical resource for reporting suspicious activity within the community to help prevent dangerous attacks. It’s especially important to be vigilant as people gather for parades, festivals and other community events. Tips can be reported via the website, the free iWatch iOS or Android mobile app or by calling 844-643-2251. All reports are confidential. For information on how to use iWatchTexas, you can view this how-to video.
Remember, iWatchTexas is not for emergencies. If there is an emergency, call 911 immediately.
From left: (Seated) Silver Motley, Luke Motley III, (standing) Dr. Brian Morris, Vicky Hudson, Meredith Motley Morris, Luke Motley IV, Monica Motley VanSlate, Shante' McCollister, Fred Wulf, Ashley McCollister, Lisa McAdams, Jerry Pinkston, David Chadwick, and Deuce Wulf.
November 22, 2024 - Luke Motley, III and his wife, Silver Motley presented a total of $15,000 in checks to the Catherine Pinkston Roughrider Scholarship Foundation on Thursday, November 21, 2024. A presentation was made special with everyone coming together inside the former classroom of Silver Motley which is located inside what is now Roughrider Academy.
Luke Motley III welcomed everyone, “I appreciate so much for y’all attending this presentation. It’s a donation to the Catherine Pinkston Roughrider Scholarship Fund to fund two scholarships. One in the name of Mrs. Silver Bell Motley and one in the name of Luke Motley III and that’s me.”
Motley shared how this donation started many years ago, “I was at the scholarship awards program and I happened to mention to my good friend Fred Wulf that I ought to give a scholarship. Well, that’s all I had to say.” He then told about letting Wulf know he was ready and when and where he wanted to present the scholarship money, “We are going to do it on Thursday at 4 o’clock in Silver Bell’s old classroom, for those that don’t know, Silver taught in this room for many, many, many years. And many of her students work in Center, Texas and Shelby County right now and they remember her. So, we definitely want to thank her for her scholarship.”
After speaking he presented Fred Wulf with two checks, each for $7,500, “We are donating $15,000 to the Catherine Pinkston Scholarship Fund.”
Visit roughridersholarship.org if you would like to contribute to the Catherine Pinkston Roughrider Scholarship Foundation.
Luke and Silver Motley, III Family
From left: (front) Silver Motley, Luke Motley III, (back) son-in-law Dr. Brian Morris, daughter Meredith Morris, son Luke Motley IV, and daughter Monica VanSlate.
Roughrider Scholarship Foundation Mission
The Roughrider Scholarship Foundation (RSF) was created to assist graduates of Center High School (CHS) continue their education in college or trade school of their choice. Their efforts are dedicated to providing a scholarship to EVERY CHS graduating senior who applies. Graduates deserve an opportunity to succeed and the foundation helps them take the next step. Another goal is developing strong relations with the alumni associations and providing a mechanism to give back to their community.
The RSF is completely donor supported by individuals, community, and civic minded groups. Donations of any amount or kind (i.e., land, stock, guns or automobiles) can be made to the Foundation which is managed by a capable group of Board Members.
The RSF is a Charitable Organization under the IRS Tax Code 501(c) (3) making contributions fully tax deductible.
November 21, 2024 - The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the Paxton public water system, 2100012, to issue a Boil Water Notice on November 19, 2024, to inform customers, individuals, or employees that due to a line-break which occurred recently in the public water system, the water from this public water system was required to be boiled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
The public water system has taken the necessary corrective actions to restore the quality of the water distributed by this public water system used for drinking water or human consumption purposes and has provided TCEQ with laboratory test results that indicate that the water no longer requires boiling prior to use as of November 21, 2024.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Alison Rhone at 936-332-4439.
November 19, 2024 - Due to line-break, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the Paxton public water system 2100012 to notify customers in the Hanson Switch area to boil their water prior to consumption (e.g., washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc). Children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions).
To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes.
In lieu of boiling, individuals may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the public water system officials will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Alison Rhone at 936-332-4439.
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