The story headline links to a better view of the story and share features.
News
January 12, 2016 - The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office recently received reports of possible narcotic traffic in the Haslam community leading down towards the river area. Sheriff Willis Blackwell states patrol has increased in the area due to recent burglaries.
On January 12, 2016 around 5:20 a.m. Patrol Sgt. Michael Griffin was on patrol in the Joaquin area and conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on County Road 3605 off of County Road 3315. Sgt. Griffin activated his overheads for a traffic violation of failing to signal turn. After a short period of not stopping, the vehicle came to a halt and the driver was identified a 36-year-old David Len Weaver Jr. of Center.
During the course of the investigation Sgt. Griffin asked Weaver Jr. why he did not stop when he activated his overheads to which Weaver Jr. stated he believed there were drugs in the vehicle that did not belong to him. Weaver Jr. stated that he attempted to toss them out of the window but they landed in the passenger side floor board area of the vehicle. Sgt. Griffin looked inside the vehicle and observed in plain sight a clear plastic bag that contained a clear crystal like substance believed to be methamphetamine.
At that time Weaver Jr. was placed under arrest for driving while license invalid M-B and possession of controlled substance PG1, 1>4 grams Felony-3 and transported to the Shelby County Jail.
Sheriff Blackwell would like to thank the citizens that came forward with this information leading to this arrest. Blackwell states that this area will be patrolled as well as many others as calls for service permits deputies to do so. Citizens who suspect illegal narcotic activity in their community are asked to please contact the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office at 936-598-5600. Remember you do not have to leave your name just your information.
Submitted by Leah Chase
January 11, 2016 - U.S. Highway 96 and U.S. Highway 59 outside of Tenaha were the scenes of two crashes which took place during inclement weather on Friday, January 8, 2016.
First responders were dispatched to a crash north of Tenaha on U.S. Highway 59 North where a vehicle was on its side in the median of the highway.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Trooper Taylor Buster, at 8:56pm a brown Ford Explorer driven by Anabel Stacks, 43, of Katy was traveling north on U.S. Highway 59 when she looked at her GPS. The Explorer traveled through the median into the southbound traffic lanes where Stacks over corrected to the right and flipped the Explorer onto the driver's side coming to rest facing south.
Stacks was traveling with 11-year-old female and 13-year-old male passengers. No injuries were reported as a result of the crash. A citation was issued for drive on wrong side of road divided highway.
Another crash occurring sometime before 10:15pm had emergency personnel spread out and searching until the vehicle was located. South of Flatfork Creek at the bridge after County Road 3774 was the scene of the crash. Upon arrival, no one was in the vehicle; however there was a child safety seat visible within and there was evidence someone had been injured.
According to Texas DPS Trooper Keith Jones, a tan Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck driven by Michael James Tolbert, 21, of Sarepta, LA. with passengers Victoria Lee Tolbert, 23, and a 1-year-old male passenger was traveling south on U.S. 96. As the truck approached the bridge, it began to hydroplane and left the roadway to the right through the barrow ditch. The truck was traveling backwards when it struck a tree on the driver's side bringing the truck to a stop facing the roadway.
The occupants of the vehicle walked to a nearby house in search of help and were located there by Texas DPS Trooper Taylor Buster and ACE EMS. The driver and passengers were treated for minor injuries at the scene. Tolbert was issued citations for unsafe speed and no driver's license.
Tenaha Deputy City Marshal Darren Gray assisted at both crash scenes.
January 9, 2016 - Hurst Street at the intersection with Roughrider Drive in Center was the scene of a two-vehicle crash on Thursday, January 7, 2016 where a Center Police Officer was almost struck by a vehicle.
As Shelby County Today arrived at the scene, Center Police Officer Jim Blackwell was seen directing traffic on the northbound Hurst Street outside traffic lane and adjoining Timpson Street traffic. As Officer Blackwell motioned traffic from Timpson Street onto Hurst Street, a black Mustang which had been stopped behind a patrol car in the inside traffic lane quickly pulled out into the outside traffic lane in the direction of Officer Blackwell. Before the car struck Officer Blackwell, the driver heeded his command to stop.
Officer Blackwell requested a license from the driver, and when he could not produce one, was ordered to exit the vehicle. Once it was determined a separate individual with a valid driver's license was in the Mustang, Officer Blackwell had that individual drive the Mustang out of the middle of the roadway so traffic could continue moving. He then placed Jose Huerta, 21, of Center in custody within a patrol car.
W
hile Officer Blackwell continued to direct traffic, Officer Steve Thornburgh investigated the crash. According to updated and corrected crash information provided by Center Police officer Steve Thornburgh, at 5:57pm a 2002 Black Expedition driven by Amy Perry, 20, of Joaquin was traveling south on Hurst Street turning left onto Timpson Street when it failed to yield right of way to oncoming traffic. At that time a 2012 Black Dodge pickup truck driven by John Boxley, 73, of Center was traveling north on Hurst Street when the Expedition struck the left front quarter panel of the Dodge, causing damage to both vehicles.
No injuries were reported at the scene and both drivers refused treatment. Perry was issued citations for no driver's license and fail to yield right of way. Huerta was cited for disregard a police officer and no driver's license.
January 8, 2016 - The Center Fire Department responded to a house fire on Lillian Street in Center at the residence of
Ceferina Barahona Gonzalez on Thursday, January 7, 2016.
Upon arrival the firemen could see mostly smoke emanating from within with some flames spotted at one location. Several of the firemen donned breathing apparatus and gained entry to the building through the front door.
Water was sprayed on fire located in the living room area at the front of the house. A chair which had been on fire was carried out of the house, as well as an audio speaker that was partially melted from the heat.
A search of the home was conducted to determine the location of any other possible hot spots within the residence. A fan was used to ventilate the building of smoke and it was determined the origin of the fire was near where the chair had been located.
Once the fire was out, smoke was clear, and no other area of the home appeared to be on fire the firemen cleared the scene and returned to the station.
January 5, 2016 - The Center Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire on State Highway 7 East in the James Community 1 mile from FM 2608 on New Years Eve December 31, 2015.
When the firemen arrived at the scene around 7:30pm, a house owned by James H. Smith was engulfed in flames and the fire was fully involved. The firemen began dragging hose and working to extinguish the fire while neighbors and passersby tried to make contact with the homeowner. Another firemen with the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department was on scene and as the CFD pumper began running low on water, he headed to Joaquin to get another truck on the way while another CFD truck en-route.
When the next CFD truck arrived, the house was emitting so much heat that the firemen had to drench the fire truck with water to prevent it from receiving damage from the fire. The firemen sprayed the home with water on the front and back and as more trucks arrived from Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department they focused on main hot spots. Until the power company could arrive to disconnect the power, firemen were stationed near the down power lines to prevent anyone stepping on them.
During the fire, contact was made with Smith and it was learned for certain no one had been in the home at the time of the fire. Once the fire was mostly under control, JVFD returned to their station. Once the CFD firemen had the fire extinguished, they returned to the station at 9:35pm. The house was a total loss due to the fire and the cause of the fire is unknown at this time.
January 4, 2016 - Huxley was the scene of a single-vehicle crash Saturday night, January 2, 2016. Upon arrival of emergency personnel, the driver of the vehicle was unable to be located and blood was visible inside the cab of the pickup truck.
A search was conducted in the woods surrounding the wrecked truck by law enforcement and area residents. ACE EMS was dispatched to the scene to provide medical care for anyone involved in the crash; however, no one could be located.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Trooper Taylor Buster, sometime before 11:30pm a silver 2011 Ford F-150 was traveling southbound on FM 3172, 3/4 of a mile from FM 2694, when the driver lost control of the vehicle and left the road to the right in a side skid and down into a low barrow ditch where it struck several trees. The truck struck a final larger tree causing major damage to the front right quarter panel and spun the truck around leaving it facing west, into the woods.
The DPS Troopers, assisted by additional law enforcement units from the Shelby County Sheriff's Office, attempted to locate the driver of the vehicle for an extended period of time to confirm his condition before he was finally located. Cameron Copelin, 31, was determined to have been the driver and was later located at Nacogdoches Medical Center in Nacogdoches at around 2am on Sunday, January 3, 2016 where he was being treated for several injuries.
No citations have been reported at this time and the crash remains under investigation. DPS Trooper Buster was assisted by DPS Trooper Anthony LaCount.
January 4, 2016 - Shelby County Sheriff's Department Investigators are actively investigating several thefts and burglaries that were reported in the Joaquin area recently. Investigators are following up on all tips and information that is provided.
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.
DJ Dickerson, Sergeant Investigator
January 1, 2016 - Several changes to gun laws in Texas will go into effect on January 1, 2016. These laws are varied and are featured in nine different bills passed by the Texas House and Senate respectively.
Most notable of these changes is the allowance of licensed individuals to openly carry handguns on their hip. Until now, license holders were only allowed to carry a handgun if it was concealed and this license was called the Concealed Handgun License. The new license is called the License to Carry as it encompasses both open and concealed carriers of handguns. Unconcealed handguns, loaded or unloaded, must be carried in an approved shoulder or belt holster. (HB 910)
One change which has been directly considered in Shelby County Commissioners' Court is the prohibition of state agencies or political subdivisions from posting 30.06, which related to concealed carry, and 30.07, which relate to open carry, signs prohibiting license holders from carrying their handgun. Posting these signs make such entities subject to civil prosecution with the initial penalty being $1,000 to $1,500 and any subsequent penalty to those government agencies being a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $10,500. (SB 273)
It's important for anyone who would like to exercise their right to open carry or carry a concealed firearm in a place that is legally allowed, they first must seek a license. To do this one must first take a hangun license class and be informed of all the laws which effect those that carry firearms to prevent breaking the law.
For a list of new legislation relating to the carry of handguns, the Texas Department of Public Safety has compiled a page displaying the new changes and it can be viewed by clicking here.
House Bill 910, which is the Open Carry act, can be viewed by clicking here.
Update: January 14, 2016 - According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper - Public Information Officer - David Hendry, the Texas Rangers have completed their investigation into the death of the inmate at the Center Police Department. Hendry stated the Rangers have determined the death to have been suicide and the inmate was Sammie Smith, 39, of Logansport.
Update: January 1, 2015 - According to the Center Police Department jail log, Sammie Cole Smith, 39, of Logansport was booked in on December 23, 2015 for possession of a controlled substance. The log shows the final disposition on December 28, 2015 as deceased.
Shelby County Today will continue to seek additional information on this incident and provide it as it is either made available or is discovered.
December 30, 2015 - Unofficial reports received by Shelby County Today are that a 37-year-old man from Logansport was found dead in a jail cell at the Center Police Department due to hanging.
ACE EMS ambulances were witnessed passing the Shelby County Today office as they were en-route to the Center Police Department located at 1020 Shelbyville Street in Center at 5pm on Monday, December 28, 2015.
At this time the Center Police Department has not released any information surrounding the circumstances of the man's death and the Texas Rangers are currently investigating.
Shelby County Today will provide further information on this incident as it is made available.
December 29, 2015 - Three people involved in a single-vehicle crash were transported to the hospital on Saturday, December 26, 2015. Emergency personnel from Timpson were dispatched as well as Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Troopers.
According to Texas DPS State Trooper Cpl. Jimmy Faulkner, at 9:50am Therrin Keele, 24,of Tenaha was traveling east on FM 1645 in a blue 2003 Ford Ranger when he failed to drive in a single lane, lost control of the vehicle, and left the roadway to the right. Keele over corrected left and traveled across the westbound traffic lane before leaved the roadway on the north side overturning and striking a tree.
Keele and his passengers Tiffany Scott, 26, and a 7-year-old male passenger were transported from the scene by ACE EMS to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department for treatment of injuries.
Timpson Volunteer Firemen assisted with the vehicle and traffic control at the scene. Keele was issued a citation for fail to drive in a single lane, and driving with a suspended license.
Trooper Faulkner was assisted at the scene by Trooper Keith Jones.
Pages
