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June 2, 2025 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, June 2.
Over the last year I’ve cultivated a new communication network - Pen Pals! I’ve got seven now. They include some family, a couple of friends, and a former pastor. I write about one letter a month to each of them. Some of them write back religiously (not the pastor!), some once in a while. It’s great. Writing a personal letter, or reading one, is a unique experience. A letter is to a text or email, as a fine restaurant dinner is to eating fast food in your car. It’s a blessing. It’s old school. It’s fun! I highly recommend it!
There’s one feature of letter writing that I particularly enjoy... the anticipation. Once I send a letter, it may be a week before my pen pal receives it, and the same for the trip back. So I get the time to anticipate the expression on their face when they read my words. And I get to experience that same feeling of anticipation every time I open my mailbox. Anticipation is a big reason that Christmas is most people’s favorite holiday. We enjoy Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day and the 4th of July, etc. but we don’t spend much time planning or preparing for them - at least not like we do for Christmas. As a kid it seemed like it took forever for Santa to arrive, because of anticipation.
As we grow older, often it seems like time flies by. In our busy world, one day dissolves into the next day, the next week, month, year. But a vital, personal relationship with God can bring back meaning and perspective and purpose. As we look forward to Sunday worship and our daily quiet time, as we look forward to fellowship with the Father and with His family, we can experience - we can anticipate - a life of joy.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
May 29, 2025 - The Shelby County Commissioners allowed for the purchase of cell phone data extraction equipment and the potential for countywide video monitoring during their meeting held May 14, 2025.
D.J. Dickerson, District Attorney Investigator, spoke with the commissioners about the digital system from Magnet Forensics which would allow for the extraction of cell phone data at a cost of $29,530.60 split three ways between the county, District Attorney’s office and Center Police Department.
“This system is one that's going to help analyze and extract data from cell phones, and that's one of the things that we use a lot in this county. Every law enforcement agency in the United States or abroad uses this kind of software,” said Dickerson.
Dickerson said there are currently 10 cell phones with search warrants on them; however, there isn’t anywhere to take them to access their data. They can be taken ton Lufkin, which takes two hours round trip and engages the time of one person from whatever agency for that time.
“We have 10 sitting waiting and that's on murders, that's on child sex crimes. So it's very important that we are able to do this,” said Dickerson.
He elaborated that they don’t want to backlog Lufkin PD, who has been generous and not charged anything, but that Panola County and San Augustine also have similar systems.
Dickerson further explained it would be very beneficial to manpower and in accessing the evidence needed to make cases and analyze the digital data from cell phones.
County Judge Allison Harbison stated she presented a couple of different options to the commissioners on funding, and she inquired of County Attorney John Price if they would need to find out if Karren Price, District Attorney, would like to use the forfeiture fund to pay for part of the purchase.
County Attorney Price answered to the affirmative that DA Price would be willing to do that.
“This is a vital part of law enforcement these days. It's absolutely essential for prosecutors and law enforcement to have access to this type of equipment and information and it’s becoming more and more prevalent every day,” said Price.
Judge Harbison asked Sheriff Gerald Corbell if he had any input to add on the subject.
“Just like the DA Investigator said, and of course our attorney, this is a vital part of many investigations in this county,” said Corbell. “We cannot move forward without this when technology has moved forward in such a fashion that all of our evidence that we need is within this technology and we have to have the means to obtain that evidence.”
As discussion continued over the three-way split on payment for the program, Investigator Dickerson said that he had been in contact with Nicholas Camacho at Magnet Forensics and he explained there could be a possibility of an increase in cost of 7% at the high end, but that would be unlikely.
“He said looking forward with the essentials package and also called axion it would be a total of $18,222.10 and both of those had at least a high end of 7% increase in the next budget year and that would be for the 12-month license renewal.”
Dickerson said that's what they would be looking at going forward, but that does not include any additional training packages for additional forensic examiners that would take classes.
For the training price tag of $14,000, Commissioner Roscoe McSwain asked who all would be trained in the equipment. Investigator Dickerson said that he would be trained on behalf of the District Attorney’s office and the Sheriff’s Department would choose someone from their office.
McSwain also asked how much data storage was available, what would happen if it were to be used up.
“With the system that we're, you know, potentially buying is, it's unlimited dumps,” said Dickerson. “Okay, it's unlimited. The one that we're getting is absolutely unlimited. You can get as many extractions as you want. The only thing that's limited is the number of what's called brute force extractions.”
Investigator Dickerson explained that a brute force extraction is if someone decides not to provide their passcode when a search warrant is served. Law enforcement would have 30 of what are called action credits, which cover that brute force activity. Dickerson doesn’t expect they would ever reach or exceed the 30 credits in a 12-month time period.
Clint Porterfield, County Auditor, asked if the cost would be split three ways going forward and Investigator Dickerson agreed that it would. Porterfield asked if there wouldn’t need to be some written agreement to that affect.
The proposed plan was for entity to pay $9,843.53. Auditor Porterfield confirmed that means 1/3 of the cost out of the Contingency fund, 1/3 out of the DA Forfeiture fund, and 1/3 from the City of Center PD.
“I see this as a good tool for transparency and privacy too, because what’s going on right now is not right,” said Commissioner McSwain. “Too much information being on Facebook and people running their mouths.”
Commissioner Tom Bellmyer moved to go into an agreement with Magnetic Forensics and pay in the way that Auditor Porterfield outlined. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Shannon Metcalf and it carried.
The Court discussed the Racial Profiling report for Constable Precinct 5, Josh Tipton, and it was confirmed he had reported in January.
Commissioner Bellmyer moved to accept the report. Commissioner Stevie Smith seconded the motion and it carried.
The court discussed lighting in the county jail, for which the state previously had written the jail up. Scooter Clark with 4C Electrical and Tiffany Ryals, Jail Administrator, explained what the project involves.
Commissioner McSwain moved to repair the light fixtures in the County Jail at an amount of $36,769.80, out of Courthouse Repairs to complete the project as quoted by 4C Electrical Services. Commissioner Bellmyer seconded the motion, and it carried.
The commissioners discussed the 2025 Shelby County Resolution on Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority which provides grant funds to law enforcement agencies for the prevention of motor vehicle theft.
“What we're looking at using this for is purchasing license plate reader cameras. You might have noticed on [US] 96 South at the county line there’s one on a pole,” said Mike Hanson, Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy. “We can sit here and talk for hours on the success stories with these cameras.”
Chief Hanson stated the grant is distributed through TxDOT, the Sheriff’s Department is planning to place 11 cameras around the county for monitoring purposes, at $3,000 each annually. Chief Hanson referenced a recent incident on U.S. Highway 96 South where an object was thrown into the windshield of a truck tractor.
Chief Hanson said there was little to go on, but once they had some detail, license plate reader located at the San Augustine County line caught two images of a suspect vehicle.
“With these cameras they don’t guaranty two lanes of pictures if it’s 70 mph or greater,” said Chief Hanson. “If it’s Farm-to-Market Road, 55 something like that they guaranty that it’ll do two lanes.”
Chief Hanson described the cameras as being able to receive input on particular vehicles, as well as the ability to share access to the cameras with other law enforcement agencies. Hanson related that the cameras have been helpful nationwide in locating murder suspects.
Rusk County recently purchased 24 cameras, according to Chief Hanson, and part of the main focus of the cameras will be in Center.
“Everybody is coming to Walmart sooner or later, or they’re going down 96 through the middle of Center, we’re looking at maybe having two cameras in Center,” said Hanson.
Commissioner Tom Bellmyer moved to go forward on the grant application requested by the Sheriff’s Office. Commissioner McSwain seconded the motion and it carried.
The meeting then adjourned into executive session at 10:25am.
Remaining with the commissioners for the executive session were Sheriff Gerald Corbell, Chief Mike Hanson, County Auditor Clint Porterfield, County Attorney John Price, and Kim Ratcliff, Sheriff’s Department Administrative Assistant.
The meeting returned to open session at 11:30am and Commissioner Bellmyer moved to approve request for a county employee to take some time out of the sick pool in the amount of 205 hours for that employee. The motion was seconded by Commissioner McSwain and it carried.
The meeting adjourned at 11:34am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Minutes of: April 2nd Special Meeting, April 9th Regular Meeting, April 16th Special Meeting, April 23rd Special Meeting and April 30th Special Meeting. 2. Pay weekly expenses. 3. Officers Report. 4. Racial Profile Report for Constable PCT 5, Josh Tipton. 5. Accept a donation of concrete from KLN Contractors for Shelby County. 6. Take action on purchasing a digital system from Magnet Forensics, to use in investigations that require extraction of phones, for the cost of $29,530.60. 7. Take action on repairing the light fixtures in the County Jail and approve the quote from 4C Electrical Services in the amount of $36,769.80, to complete the project. 8. The 2025 Shelby County Resolution of Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority which provides grant funds to law enforcement agencies for the prevention of motor vehicle theft. 9. Executive Session - request for a county employee to take some time out of the sick pool in the amount of 205 hours for that employee. 10. Adjourn 11:34am.
May 27, 2025 - Texas Rangers and Shelby County Sheriff’s Department officials served a search warrant April 24, 2025, on the residence of Josh Tipton, Constable Precinct 5, and in the absence of an official public statement this action generated speculative and unsubstantiated scrutiny in the community, which was reflected on social media.
Shelby County Today has obtained the affidavit and search warrant for that operation, which was signed by James A. Payne Jr., 273rd Judicial District Judge.
According to the affidavit, the Texas Rangers were in search of cellular telephones, smart phones, computers, and electronic mobile devices capable of sending and receiving wireless internet access or ethernet connection in an effort to determine Tampering/Destroying Evidence, PC 37.09, Felony 3.
The cause for this search was in part due to a separate investigation of a 20-year-old youth pastor of a church in Shelby County, for Online Solicitation of a Minor, PC 33.021, Felony 3 and /or PC 43.24, Misdemeanor A, Display of Harmful Material to Minor. During interview of that youth pastor the affidavit alleges he admitted to sending photos of a sexual nature via Snapchat to an alleged victim, who is a minor, and that they had been communicating since January 2024.
The affidavit alleges a reluctance by Tipton to help produce the alleged victim for interview and then that victim’s cell phone. According to the affidavit, Shelby County Sheriff's Department Capt. Cameron Nichols asked Tipton to provide the cell phone, identified as evidence, to the Sheriff’s Department and that Tipton informed Nichols the phone had been destroyed. The affidavit also states Tipton later called Capt. Nichols and apologized for lying to Nichols about breaking the phone. Meanwhile, District Attorney Karren Price is also noted in the affidavit as having spoken with Tipton about providing the phone to the Sheriff’s Office as evidence and Tipton told Price, an individual whose name is redacted from the affidavit, had thrown the phone into a lake.
It was the belief of Ranger James Hicks that a search of Tipton’s residence would lead to the discovery of the phone.
The officer's return and search warrant inventory indicates that items seized during the search include four operable iPhones and one laptop computer. In addition, one broken iPhone was also seized. The document didn't indicate where any of these devices were located during the search.
With the exception of District Attorney Karren Price confirming that the search was not in connection with a missing person, and that a body had not been located, Shelby County officials have been silent on providing the community at large with an understanding of what the two investigations are about.
It’s also unknown if, and what, legal action shall be taken moving forward.
Related Article:
DPS Confirms Search at Constable Property; Social Media Rumors Unsubstantiated
May 28, 2025 - Notice is hereby given that Special meeting of the Governing body of the Shelby County Commissioners’ Court will be held on the 28th day of May, 2025 at 9:30am 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 and pay weekly expenses.
2. Public comments on Agenda item.
3. Presentation of the Shelby County Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Financial Report by Eric Carver, C.P.A with Axley & Rode, LLP.
4. Discuss and possibly authorize the grant match funds and approve the submission of a grant from the Texas Historical Courthouse Preservation Program to restore the Shelby County Historical Courthouse with the assistance of the Shelby County Historical Commission.
5. Presentation and discussion on the Kologik/CopSync software system to benefit the Sheriff’s Department.
6. Commissioners' Court Reports: These are for informational purposes only. Any action that needs to be taken on the basis of these reports will be placed on a future agenda for action.
7. Adjourn.
May 23, 2025 - Officials with the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas, Angelina Sabine Ranger District will be conducting a controlled burn today, May 23, 2025. Ignition time is at 10am in Sabine Compartment 51/52 in San Augustine County by hand ignition and is projected to be completed by 6pm.
- Smoke: Winds are out of the South and drift smoke may be noticeable in San Augustine and Center.
- Forest and unit: Sabine National Forest, Hawthorne Rx, Block B and C, Compartment 51/ 52, 522 Acres.
Smoke will impact areas around the prescribed burn, and long-range drift smoke may be present during and after ignition operations.
Please drive with caution. Ground personnel will be operating in the area and smoke may impact visibility on local roads and highways near the burn unit.
For more information, contact the Angelina Sabine Ranger District at (936) 897-1068 or (409) 625-1940
U.S. Forest Service Prescribed Burn Tracker: Southern Region Prescribed Burn Accomplishment Tracker (arcgis.com)
May 22, 2025 - The commissioners approved the appointment of Del Birdwell as a reserve deputy Constable with Jamie Hagler, Constable Precinct 2, during their May 7, 2025 meeting for the purpose of carrying Birdwell's peace officer commission.
“Mr. Birdwell was told the city was not gonna be carrying the commission any longer. So it is for carrying his commission only. There's gonna be no pay, he's just gonna be carrying his commission,” said County Judge Harbison.
There was some discussion of the intricacies of carrying a commission, and it was understood agencies do this to assist officers in retaining their peace officer’s commission whether or not they are employed by law enforcement. If an officer loses their commission, they can’t work as a peace officer for an agency.
Shannon Metcalf, Commissioner Precinct 2, moved to approve appointing Del Birdwell as reserve deputy constable and his motion was seconded by Commissioner Tom Bellmyer. The motion carried.
The commissioners considered paying an invoice from Strickland Plumbing in the amount of $6,000 for the repair of the main water line under the old Elementary School.
County Attorney John Price gave his opinion in favor of the county being responsible for the expense.
“it's a bill that the county has the responsibility for in my opinion, legally, under the terms of the lease agreement, which is what I reviewed,” said Price. “Their obligation is to maintain the premises and keep the grounds up. this is a major item here and it's not directly addressed in the contract that was signed back there some time ago. I think that contract was signed back in way back in 2010 but under the terms of this lease arrangement It's my legal opinion that the county has the responsibility for repairing this problem.”
Commissioner Bellmyer moved to pay the invoice as presented by Strickland Plumbing. Commissioner Stevie Smith seconded the motion and it carried.
Judge Harbison said she was excited the expense came in at a lesser amount than what was originally quoted.
The commissioners received a racial profiling report from Roy Cheatwood, Constable Precinct 3, and Commissioner Bellmyer moved to accept the report. Commissioner Shannon Metcalf seconded the motion and it carried.
A racial profiling report from Josh Tipton, Constable Precinct 5, was discussed and Debby Snider, Administrative Assistant to Judge Harbison, informed the court Tipton believed he had already turned one in.
There was further discussion about the need to have a racial profiling report filed with the state, and Judge Harbison encouraged Price to make contact with Constable Tipton about the issue.
No action was taken.
Judge Harbison reported on attempting to make contact with American Elevators. She informed them it’s mandatory the county receives a report on the elevator work, and they informed her Shelby County is next in line. A date wasn’t provided, and a report wasn’t received before the meeting.
Discussion continued over the elevator work, and the possibility of the county seeking for the company to return money that has already been invested.
County Attorney Price was asked to make contact with the company and he said he would take care of it.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:05am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Pay current payroll. 3. Authorize Constable Jamie Hagler, Precinct 2 to appoint Del Birdwell, as a reserve deputy Constable for the purpose of carrying his peace officer’s commission. 4. Renewal and two-year contract extension of Farmers State Bank Depository Contract as authorized by Section 116.021 (a) of the Local Government Code. 5. Pay the invoice from Strickland Plumbing in the amount of $6,000 for the repair of the main water line under the old Elementary School. 6. Record Racial Profiling report for Constable Pct. 3, Roy Cheatwood. 7. Adjourn 10:05am.
May 22, 2025 - Officials with the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas, Angelina Sabine Ranger District will be conducting a controlled burn today, May 22, 2025. Hand ignition time is 10am in San Augustine County, Compartment 51/52 of the Sabine National Forest, Hawthorne Rx, Block B, Compartment 51, 720 Acres. Completion time is 6pm.
Winds are out of the East and drift smoke may be noticeable in San Augustine and Center.
Smoke will impact areas around the prescribed burn, and long-range drift smoke may be present during and after ignition operations.
Please drive with caution. Ground personnel will be operating in the area and smoke may impact visibility on local roads and highways near the burn unit.
For more information, contact the Angelina Sabine Ranger District at (936) 897-1068 or (409) 625-1940
U.S. Forest Service Prescribed Burn Tracker: Southern Region Prescribed Burn Accomplishment Tracker (arcgis.com)
May 21, 2025 - Officials with the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas, Angelina Sabine Ranger District will be conducting a controlled burn today, May 21, 2025.
Ignition time is at 10am in Sabine Compartment 51/52 in San Augustine County by hand ignition and is projected to be completed by 6pm.
Smoke: Winds are out of the East and drift smoke may be noticeable in San Augustine and Center
Forest and unit: Sabine National Forest, Hawthorne Rx, Block A, Compartment 51, 815 Acres
Smoke will impact areas around the prescribed burn, and long-range drift smoke may be present during and after ignition operations.
Please drive with caution. Ground personnel will be operating in the area and smoke may impact visibility on local roads and highways near the burn unit.
For more information, contact the Angelina Sabine Ranger District at (936) 897-1068 or (409) 625-1940
U.S. Forest Service Prescribed Burn Tracker:
Southern Region Prescribed Burn Accomplishment Tracker (arcgis.com)
May 20, 2025 - City of Center will be closing a section of Crawford Street to through traffic on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 from 7:30am until 1pm.
Barricades will be placed at Wulf Creek entrance and second bridge at Creek for water repairs. Customers will be able to have access to their residence on each side of closure. Customers in Wulf Creek will need to use SH 7 side entrance.
May 19, 2025 - The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers are investigating a one-vehicle crash on Farm-to-Market Road 3172, just north of Huxley, that occurred, May 17, 2025.
The preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 6:50 p.m., a 2024 Harley Davidson motorcycle ridden by Heath Allen, 50, of Lufkin was traveling north. It is reported that Allen was traveling at an unsafe speed for an approaching curve and left the road to the left, causing both the rider and the passenger to be thrown from the motorcycle.
Allen and his passenger Renee McAdams, 49, of Lufkin, were transported to Louisiana State University Shreveport Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
This is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
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