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November 20, 2015 - Lynda K. Russell was honored during the Friday, November 20, 2015 session of the 273rd District Court, Honorable Charles R. Mitchell, by Lone Star Legal Aid for her pro bono service with the 2015 Most Contested Pro Bono Cases Litigated Award. Russell was the first Shelby County attorney to be recognized when she received the Most Pro Bono Cases Litigated award in 2014.
Dana G. Bias, Private Attorney Involvement Coordinator with Lone Star Legal Aid said, "I'm pleased and proud to be here for the second year in a row to honor Mrs. Lynda K. Russell for her pro bono service. And she is going to receive an award today from Lone Star Legal Aid and Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman who is the court liaison to the Texas Access to Justice Commission. And not only does Lynda do a lot, a tremendous amount of pro bono work for us, but she also handles the hard cases, not just the easy cases. So, this year she is receiving the Most Contested Litigated Cases Handled Award."
Following presentation of the award and applause, Bias continued, "I just want to say if it were not for private attorneys like Lynda K. Russell who — because Lone Star Legal Aide can not possibly assist all of the low income individuals that come to us for legal assistance. So we depend on the private bar to assist us in our mission of helping low income Texans receive access to justice. If it were not for attorneys like Mrs. Russell, a lot more people would go unserved."
Russell expressed appreciation, "I couldn't do this without my staff I want you to know because they handle a lot of this. And they're here with me today, Sharla Foster and Brenda Windham, and trust me they are really the ones who deserve this, not me, because they handle so much of this for me." Russell also expressed appreciation to the judges who are patient with them with the pro bono cases.
"We have all kinds of interesting things that come up. But it just makes me feel good to help people because when somebody comes in and they say can you help me and they don't have money, I'll say, I can't help you unless you can get approved through Legal Aid and if they send you too me then I will help you. I always feel like that might be my cousin or my grandma, my mom, or somebody in my family that might need help and I would appreciate if somebody helped them. So that's why I probably do maybe more than I ought to but I can't help that because people are in need and I don't know, that is just my calling in life," said Russell.
Russell also recognized and gave appreciation to her family and friends who were in the courtroom: mother, Edrie Parsons; husband, Phil Hennigan; sister-in-law, Mary Ann Parsons; friends, Sammy and Barbara Dance.
Lone Star Legal Aid Pro Bono Awards recognize attorneys, law firms and community partners who donate their time and legal expertise to ensuring that all Shelby County residents have equal access to the courts. Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA), a United Way Agency, acts as a safety net for at-risk Texans, providing free civil legal services to clients facing complex legal issues with no ability to afford a private attorney. Headquartered in Houston, LSLA operates an additional 12 regional offices which cover one-third of the state, including 72 counties in the Eastern and Gulf Coast regions of Texas. Lone Star Legal Aid's Nacogdoches office serves Anderson, Angelina, Cherokee, Houston, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby and Tyler counties.
November 20, 2015 - You are invited to the Winter Musical hosted by Pastor Jeremy Moore and the Friendship Missionary Bapitst Church, Bo Bo. Special guests will be Kim Lumzy and Chosen Generation, The Thompson Brothers, Christina Leary, 200 voice Mass Choir, Stephen Johnson (Min. of Music), Pastor Joseph Hall, First Lady Donna Martin and many more.
Please contact Audria McClure at (936)332-0844 or Gail Pitts at 936-332-7756.
First Rehearsal for the Mass Choir is November 14, 2015 at 5pm at the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, Second rehearsal November 21, 2015 at 5:30pm, Third rehearsal Sunday November 29 TBA. Please bring your praise teams and Choirs as we make this experience a blessing to our community.
Winter Musical theme, "One Voice" will be performed December 12, 2015 at the Tenaha ISD Special Events Center in Tenaha, Texas at 6pm
November 20, 2015 - Notice is hereby given that a Special meeting of the Governing body of the Shelby County Commissioners’ Court will be held on the 23rd day of November, 2015 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 and pay monthly expenses.
2. Public Comments on Agenda items.
3. Approve or Reject the repair of the Duplexer used to dispatch/ page the (VFD) Local Volunteer Fire Departments.
4. Approve the purchase contract for the old Municipal Judge’s building and lot from the City of Center.
5. Discuss and possibly approve to pay a reduced membership fee of $2,875.00 for FY2015 membership in the Alliance for Interstate 69 Texas.
6. Adjourn.
November 19, 2015 - Sometime between the dates of October 10, 2015 and November 4, 2015 suspect(s) unknown burglarized the residence of the late Shorty Goings located on County Road 2517 in Shelbyville, Texas.
Suspect(s) unknown illegally appropriated the following property: a 2003 Honda Rubicon, a 2006 Cub Cadet Zero Turn Lawnmower, Stihl weedeater, Echo gas blower, white microwave, Mr. Coffee coffee pot, a Craftsman tool cabinet (4 drawer), a Craftsman top chest (9 drawer), miscellaneous tools, an Orion telescope, (3) battery chargers, a Huskey air compressor, various pots/pans, kitchen items, rugs, cast iron dutch oven, along with several firearms.
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 and speak with Sergeant Investigator DJ Dickerson at 936-572-1468 or Investigator Kevin W. Windham at 936.572.1972.
If anyone has any information in regards to the burglaries or if anyone has been approached to purchase items from someone please call the Sheriff's Office at 936-598-5600.
November 19, 2015 Center, Texas – Two East Texas men were arrested on November 4 and November 13, 2015 and charged with felony theft of livestock after stealing three cows from a Carthage, Texas rancher.
This case was jointly investigated by Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) Special Ranger Larry Hand and Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Investigators DJ Dickerson and Kevin Windham.
According to Hand, on Oct. 30 the victim realized that three of his cows were missing from a pasture he leases in Shelby County. The victim called TSCRA Market Inspector Pat McGuigan to share this information, and McGuigan contacted Hand who requested the victim file a report with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.
Hand maintained contact through the weekend with the victim and TSCRA Market Inspectors Mike Witcher and McGuigan. Since two out of the three missing cows were branded, Witcher readily remembered inspecting the cattle as they went through the Nacogdoches Livestock Exchange on Oct. 29.
Hand interviewed Nacogdoches Livestock Auction Exchange employees. It was revealed that the suspects Christopher Lance Askew, 30, and Derrek Monroe Hughes, 25, gave the employees inconsistent statements, so they documented the sellers in case of future problems. This documentation eventually led to the names of the suspects.
Hand gathered evidence and statements in neighboring counties while Dickerson and Windham worked through information and intelligence locally. These combined efforts led to arrest warrants being issued for Askew on Nov. 4.
After receiving a call from a citizen on Nov. 4, Hand, Dickerson, Windham and Shelby County Chief Deputy Shad Sparks responded to the scene where they found Askew passed out behind the wheel of a pickup in the middle of a public road with the engine running. After resisting arrest, the suspect was eventually placed under arrest for felony theft of livestock, felony driving while intoxicated (DWI), resisting arrests, obstruction of a passageway and four counts of felony and misdemeanor possession of methamphetamine, codeine, PCP and marijuana.
Authorities identified the trailer used to haul the stolen cows along with the collection of other evidence. This led to an arrest warrant being issued on Hughes, the second suspect, who was not immediately located. Dickerson placed Hughes on the local crime stoppers list and Hughes turned himself into deputies on Nov. 13.
Hughes was placed in the Shelby County Jail on a $10,000 bond and Askew was placed in the Shelby County jail on eight different bonds totaling $165,000. Hand coordinated with the victim to identify and photograph the stolen cattle once their location was obtained. Two of the three stolen cows were recovered and returned to the victim.
“This case provides a great example of TSCRA Special Rangers working closely with TSCRA Market Inspectors, local investigators and livestock markets to arrest thieves and return stolen cattle to the rightful owner,” said Hand. “Identification of the cows was easier in this case since two of three stolen cattle were branded. I can’t stress enough how important it is for ranchers to brand and keep a close watch over their cattle.”
TSCRA appreciates the assistance and hard work of authorities of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office: Sgt. Dickerson; Investigator Windham; Sgt. Derek Barbee; Deputy Roy Bailey; Chief Deputy Sparks; and employees of the Nacogdoches Livestock Exchange, especially Lead Clerk Lynnelle McElroy.
TSCRA has 30 special rangers stationed strategically throughout Texas and Oklahoma who have in-depth knowledge of the cattle industry and are trained in all facets of law enforcement. All are commissioned as Special Rangers by the Texas Department of Public Safety and/or the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.
TSCRA is a 138-year-old trade association and is the largest and oldest livestock organization based in Texas. TSCRA has more than 17,000 beef cattle operations, ranching families and businesses as members. These members represent approximately 50,000 individuals directly involved in ranching and beef production who manage 4 million head of cattle on 76 million acres of range and pasture land primarily in Texas and Oklahoma, but throughout the Southwest.
November 19, 2015 - Kindergarden students from Tenaha Elementary enjoyed a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving feast on Wednesday, November 18, 2015. Students were dressed as pilgrims and indians to add to the festivities!
November 18, 2015 - Travelers attempting to go around the Center square Wednesday afternoon from Shelbyville/Tenaha Street onto Nacogdoches Street saw traffic delays due to an 18-wheeler running into a barrier post located in front of Toledo Finance with its trailer.
The Center Police Department was dispatched to the scene at 3:43pm along with wrecker service Joey Ross Towing. Upon arrival on scene a truck-tractor driven by Lorenzo Arevalo, 32, of California, and owned by SS Trucking Lines out of California was found stuck with the concrete post caught underneath the trailer. After multiple failed attempts to maneuver off of the post, Robert Berry used the bed of the wrecker to lift the trailer high enough to have clearance over the top of the post and then pushed the rig forward until it was freed from the barrier.
The driver reported to Center Police Officer Angela Neal, he had made a wrong turn and his GPS had rerouted him to his current location on the square. The driver's destination was Tyson Foods of Center and once the truck-tractor was free, the driver was provided the best directions to safely reach his destination. Arevalo was cited for truck off of truck route due to signs posted outside of Center directing trucks to travel around Loop 500.
Officer John Welch assisted Neal with the traffic incident.
November 18, 2015 - County Commissioner Precinct 1, Roscoe McSwain, would like to notify the public that the Mill Creek Bridge on CR 1006 is now closed for repairs. The state will be building a new bridge beginning December 7th, and the construction will last about 10 weeks.
November 18, 2015 - County Commissioner Precinct 1, Roscoe McSwain, would like to notify the public that the Mill Creek Bridge on CR 1006 is now closed for repairs. The state will be building a new bridge beginning December 7th, and the construction will last about 10 weeks.
November 18, 2015 - Center Municipal Court is offering Amnesty starting Monday, November 16, 2015 through Thursday, December 31, 2015.
If you have a Citation and your name is on this list and have not paid that Citation in full, then $235 fine for your 'fail-to-appear' will be DISMISSED if you pay before December 31, 2015. Citations must be paid in full; we will NOT offer payment plans for these Citations.
You may pay in person at the Center Municipal Court located at 1020 Shelbyville Street (936-598-3080) across from Tyson Foods or pay by phone by calling 1-800-444-1187. You may also pay online at www.trafficpayment.com. Paying by phone or online, you will need the citation number, driver license number and the full name of the person who received the citation.
Any Citation not paid in full by December 31, 2015 will result in the issuing of a Warrant for Fail to Appear and You Will Be Arrested!
Payments must be paid in full, contact the court at 936-598-3080. In order to pay your warrant online you will need your citation # before you call trafficpayment.com or call 1-800-444-1187. You can come to the court to pay; you must bring the exact amount. NO CREDIT CARDS AND NO PERSONAL CHECKS.
If you feel like your name is on the list in error, contact the court and we will get the matter resolved. Disregard if you have paid and we have not taken you off the list. We will try and update the list as often as we can.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | J | K | L | M | N | P | R | S | T | V | W | Z
Almaguer, Pedro (Center TX) - $165
Angel, Giovani (Center TX) - $440
Arnold, Sara (Lufkin TX) - $190
Barahona, Arcadio (Center TX) - $220
Barahona, Arcadio (Center TX) - $220
Barnes, Tiler (San Augustine TX) - $198
Barnes, Lajagger (Center TX) - $570
Beasley, Joshua (Joaquin TX) - $680
Belorse, Zack (Center TX) - $165
Biddy Jackson, Stephanie (Center TX) - $420
Bledsoe, Steven (Logansport LA) - $915
Brinson, Curvie (Center TX) - $1,260
Brown, Shanaeta (Logansport LA) - $180
Brown, Henry (Minden LA) - $570
Brown, Lauren (Center TX) - $250
Bush, Yolanda (Center TX) - $800
Bushiey, Justin (Joaquin TX) - $180
Camarillo, Jose (Center TX) - $165
Carrell, Tommy (Buna TX) - $250
Castillo, Rosa (Center TX) - $250
Chable-Ramirez, Raul (Center TX) - $250
Charles, Catrina (Lake Jackson TX) - $345
Chisenhall, Crystal (Center TX) - $270
Claybrook, Krystal (Mansfield LA) - $180
Cleveland, Christopher (Center TX) - $150
Coleman, Brea (Shelbyville TX) - $370
Collins, Connie (Center TX) - $515
Cooks, Aubrey (Center TX) - $150
Cordova, Rachael (Grand Cane LA) - $180
Cowherd, Candace (Center TX) - $620
Cox, Jason (Center TX) - $240
Davis, Claressa (San Augustine TX) - $250
Doggett, Jodie (Shelbyville TX) - $250
Driver, Triston (Center TX) - $735
Evans, Haley (Center TX) - $385
Evans, Rachel (Center TX) - $435
Flournoy, Wesley (Shelbyville TX) - $735
Gann, Jesse (Center TX) - $220
Gann, Jesse (Center TX) - $270
Garduza, Jose (Center TX) - $220
Garner, Joey (Center TX) - $250
Gay, Ronnie (Center TX) - $350
George, Shaylon (Center TX) - $735
Glenn, Destini (Center TX) - $995
Green, Samuel (Mansfield LA) - $430
Greene, Raven (Garrison TX) - $250
Gregory, Austin (Tenaha TX) - $350
Gregory, Shanne (Bossier City LA) - $570
Gunter, Joseph (Glemora LA) - $196
Hall, Marcus (Center TX) - $735
Hall, Shakimberly (Mansfield LA) - $530
Handy, Quiency (Shelbyville TX) - $196
Harrington, Kristy (Benton LA) - $250
Harris, Justin (Carthage TX) - $180
Harvey, Paul (Carthage TX) - $180
Hawkins, Latoya (San Augustine TX) - $250
Hendricks, Billy (Timpson TX) - $165
Henry, Tony (Tenaha TX) - $165
Hernandez, Maria (Center TX) - $750
Hernandez, Paloma (Center TX) - $400
Hill, Donald (Logansport LA) - $220
Hodge, Sylvia (Carthage TX) - $250
Holloway, Ashley (Center TX) - $250
Holmes, Benny (Marshall TX) - $750
Huichapa, Pablo (Center TX) - $220
Hutto, Sheila (Carthage TX) - $184
Jackson, Seneca (Nacogdoches TX) - $180
Jackson, Eric (Center TX) - $165
Jackson, Rodney (Center TX) - $180
Jacobs, Yvonnie (Center TX) - $735
James, Dekota (Center TX) - $270
Jenkins, Dexter (Logansport LA) - $400
Johnson, Emmanuel (Center TX) - $430
Kiel, Mercedez (Orange TX) - $815
Landaverde, Jose (Houston TX) - $650
Lawery, Kevin (Hauthton LA) - $250
Leflett, Charles (Joaquin TX) - $188
Lister, Daraymoss (Center TX) - $180
Lovett, Tracy (Joaquin TX) - $750
Lovett, Tracy (Joaquin TX) - $400
Lutz, Evan (Shelbyville TX) - $785
Maciel, Eduardo (Center TX) - $165
Martin , Jody (Center TX) - $250
Martinez, Alberto (Tenaha TX) - $735
Mathis, Jessica (Irving TX) - $250
Mcgee, Dacory (Center TX) - $220
Moore, Michael (Lafayette LA) - $435
Moore, Billy (Shelbyville TX) - $528
Moorman, Edward (Joaquin TX) - $270
Nava-Sevastian, Indeleecio (Tenaha TX) - $220
Pacheco, Chany (Center TX) - $180
Parks, Lance (Center TX) - $250
Parks, Shanoveiah (Nacogdoches TX) - $942
Patton, Jessica (Center TX) - $350
Patton, Travis (Center TX) - $220
Payne, Michelle, Splendora TX, - $470
Pennington, Michael (Nacogdoches TX) - $515
Perez, Elizabeth (Shelbyville TX) - $735
Peterson, Gregory (Center TX) - $400
Pinkston, Kandace (Mountain Pine AR) - $500
Polley, Timothy (Mckinney TX) - $250
Polley, Sebrena (Houston TX) - $198
Polley, Adria (Center TX) - $150
Preston, Jermain (Center TX) - $165
Pugh, Curtis (Winona TX) - $250
Reyes, Ismael (Center TX) - $270
Riggs, Casey (Austin TX) - $250
Rios, Kenia (Center TX) - $250
Rios, Christian (Center TX) - $350
Robertson, Christopher (Center TX) - $165
Robertson, Christopher (Schulenburg TX) - $220
Rodriguez, Claudia (Tenaha TX) - $570
Rodriguez-Torres, Nicolas (Center TX) - $530
Ross, Shanquita (Mansfield LA) - $350
Rushing, Terrance (Center TX) - $570
Samford, Robert (Center TX) - $180
Sampson, Madison (Diana TX) - $180
Sandiego, Daniel (Center TX) - $400
Segura, Trina (Center TX) - $535
Sims, Michael (Center TX) - $820
Small, Stephanie (Center TX) - $180
Smith, Michael (Center TX) - $250
Smith, Spencer (Mesquite TX) - $250
Stanley, Colton (Center TX) - $600
Stout, Daphne (Houston TX) - $250
Suell, Elizabeth (Center TX) - $400
Taylor, Jarvis (Center TX) - $250
Thomas, Jennifer (Nacogdoches TX) - $620
Thomas, Michael (Shreveport LA) - $400
Vaughn, Samantha (Center TX) - $270
Villegas, Cristian (Houston TX) - $620
Wade, Alton (San Augustine TX) - $735
Wadkins, Kattie (Logansport LA) - $250
Wagstaff, Gloria (Shelbyville TX) - $250
Washington, Sherrel (Center TX) - $570
Weaver, Danny (Dallas TX) - $270
Weeks, Emerald (Mansfield LA) - $180
Williams, Julie (Timpson TX) - $250
Williams, Dustin (Center TX) - $665
Wright, Jeffery (Center TX) - $180
Zamora, Kevin (Timpson TX) - $250
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