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November 5, 2015 (Album) - Shelbyville ISD High School was host to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Passenger Safety Project representatives who were instructing students on the dangers of distracted driving on Wednesday, November 4, 2015.
Bev Kellner and Mike Guidry Passenger Safety Project visiting schools across Texas to enlighten students about the consequences of distracted driving. The program began in the Shelbyville ISD cafeteria where a slide show presentation was given by Kellner and Guidry depicting many of the causes of distracted driving and how to try and avoid such incidents.
Kellner said statistically teens are more likely to want to text than call someone on their cellular phone and studies have even demonstrated the addictive attraction of texting by monitoring the release of endorphin in someone who receives a text message. She stated teens are at the highest risk of the danger of distracted driving, but adults are also at risk. Kellner quizzed the students as to how many have parents that text and drive with a large number raising their hands to indicate they have parents who text and drive.
20% of crashes are attributed to distracted driving, statistically; however, Kellner says it is known that a large number are not reported to be crashes attributed to distraction as it isn't common for a driver to admit to an officer they were texting when driving. Also, unless the crash is serious enough, or a fatality has occurred, cellular phone records which would demonstrate a driver was texting at the time are not likely to be subpoenaed.
Someone who is distracted is likely to take twice as long to react while driving and it is 23 times more likely a crash will occur with a distracted driver than one who is not.
"Here's to me a very scary thought, that texting and driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving," said Kellner.
The prevalence of drivers texting was exampled by the commonality of students in the audience remarking, when asked, how many drivers they witnessed on their phones while they were en route to school. Kellner stated most teen deaths are the result of automobile crashes and the majority who die in crashes are not wearing safety belts.
"58% of the crashes involving teens are due to distracted driving, and that again comes to inexperience," said Kellner. "The more you drive, and if you can survive your own driving, the more you drive and the more experience you get, the better driver you'll be."
Kellner said pickup trucks are twice as likely to roll than other vehicles. More teens in a vehicle increases the possibility of a crash occurring and according to the graduated driver's license law, a teenage driver is not allowed to have more than one person in the car with them under the age of 21 unless they are a relation. A driver under the age of 18 is also not allowed to use a cellular phone. Kellner implored the students to read and learn the graduated driver's license law.
A Distracted Driving Simulator was setup in the main lobby of the high school where several students from each high school class were able to participate.
State Farm has donated the funding for the equipment through a grant allowing for the Passenger Safety Project to use the simulator to instruct students. Sandy Wheeler, local State Farm Agent, was present throughout the demonstration and she agreed the project is a worthwhile one.
"I think it's awesome, I think it shows the kids can be distracted by other things besides texts," said Wheeler.
As the students took turns using the simulator, their fellow students became active participants by pretending to be passengers in the simulated vehicle and offering the distractions which can so easily break a driver's concentration.
One student, Corey Bearden, while participating with the simulator shared with everyone that he had been involved in a distracted driving incident. He showed a picture on his cell phone of a mangled white pickup truck. Kellner and Guidry asked Bearden to share his story when they return to the school on November 17th.
The passenger safety project has been in existence for several years with their main goals being to increase seat belt use and the correct use of car seats, as well as education on the dangers of distracted driving.
"We got this idea of how we could reach the teens better with this message by giving them a hands-on experience in a safe environment, where they could see the effects immediately of when they take their eyes off the road," said Kellner. "We're also having those other teens act as if they're passengers in the car and that is the main reason for teens having crashes is other passengers in the car, followed by cell phone use."
Kellner says the program is approaching its third year running and they visit about 50 schools in a year. Along with schools, they also visit safety fairs and workplaces to educate there also.
"We've worked with some oil companies and other big employers that want to encourage safe driving to their employees, because we know that one of the most dangerous times for employees is when they're commuting to work," said Kellner.
Shelbyville ISD will be hosting a health fair on November 17, 2015 and representatives of the Passenger Safety Project will be bringing their Rollover Convincer simulator, which demonstrates a vehicle rollover with dummies to show what occurs.
Any other schools in Shelby County desiring the Passenger Safety Project to come to their school can contact Bev Kellner at 979-862-1782 or through the local AgriLife Extension office at 936-598-7744
The Passenger Safety Project facebook address is - https://www.facebook.com/PassengerSafetyProject
November 3, 2015 - All seven Constitutional Amendments pass with a higher than 58% 'In Favor' vote in Shelby County.
| Number of Registered Voters | 14,553 |
| Ballots Cast | 1,333 |
| Early | 263 |
| Election Day | 1,070 |
Proposition 1 – SJR 1
| In Favor | EARLY | 239 | |
| ELECTION DAY | 954 | ||
| TOTAL | 1,193 | 90.52% | |
| Against | EARLY | 21 | |
| ELECTION DAY | 104 | ||
| TOTAL | 125 | 9.48% |
“The constitutional amendment increasing the amount of the residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation for public school purposes from $15,000 to $25,000, providing for a reduction of the limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed for those purposes on the homestead of an elderly or disabled person to reflect the increased exemption amount, authorizing the legislature to prohibit a political subdivision that has adopted an optional residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation from reducing the amount of or repealing the exemption, and prohibiting the enactment of a law that imposes a transfer tax on a transaction that conveys fee simple title to real property.”
Proposition 2 – HJR 75
| In Favor | EARLY | 241 | |
| ELECTION DAY | 968 | ||
| TOTAL | 1,209 | 92.93% | |
| Against | EARLY | 15 | |
| ELECTION DAY | 77 | ||
| TOTAL | 92 | 7.07% |
“The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a 100 percent or totally disabled veteran who died before the law authorizing a residence homestead exemption for such a veteran took effect.”
Proposition 3 – SJR 52
| In Favor | EARLY | 165 | |
| ELECTION DAY | 675 | ||
| TOTAL | 840 | 66.72% | |
| Against | EARLY | 85 | |
| ELECTION DAY | 334 | ||
| TOTAL | 419 | 33.28% |
“The constitutional amendment repealing the requirement that state officers elected by voters statewide reside in the state capital.”
Proposition 4 – HJR 73
| In Favor | EARLY | 146 | |
| ELECTION DAY | 672 | ||
| TOTAL | 818 | 64.36% | |
| Against | EARLY | 103 | |
| ELECTION DAY | 350 | ||
| TOTAL | 453 | 35.64% |
“The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to permit professional sports team charitable foundations to conduct charitable raffles.”
Proposition 5 – SJR 17
| In Favor | EARLY | 179 | |
| ELECTION DAY | 765 | ||
| TOTAL | 944 | 73.58% | |
| Against | EARLY | 74 | |
| ELECTION DAY | 265 | ||
| TOTAL | 339 | 26.42% |
“The constitutional amendment to authorize counties with a population of 7,500 or less to perform private road construction and maintenance.”
Proposition 6 – SJR 22
| In Favor | EARLY | 223 | |
| ELECTION DAY | 965 | ||
| TOTAL | 1,188 | 90.96% | |
| Against | EARLY | 31 | |
| ELECTION DAY | 87 | ||
| TOTAL | 118 | 9.04% |
“The constitutional amendment recognizing the right of the people to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife subject to laws that promote wildlife conservation.”
Proposition 7 – SJR 5
| In Favor | EARLY | 219 | |
| ELECTION DAY | 838 | ||
| TOTAL | 1,057 | 82.00% | |
| Against | EARLY | 39 | |
| ELECTION DAY | 193 | ||
| TOTAL | 232 | 18.00% |
“The constitutional amendment dedicating certain sales and use tax revenue and motor vehicle sales, use, and rental tax revenue to the state highway fund to provide funding for nontolled roads and the reduction of certain transportation-related debt.”
November 3, 2015 - Emergency personnel were dispatched to a single-vehicle crash on Sunday, November 1, 2015 located on FM 417.
Shelby County Sheriff's Deputy Bradley Horton was first on scene with ACE EMS and he provided traffic control in the precarious location of the roadway while medical personnel treated the driver.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper John Hallenbeck, at 8:20pm a white 2010 Ford Fusion driven by Amber Metcalf, 31, of Center was traveling east on FM 417 when the vehicle hydroplaned following a curve in the roadway. The Fusion struck a guardrail multiple times causing damage to the vehicle and guardrail before coming to rest facing west.
ACE EMS transported Metcalf to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department for treatment. She was issued a citation for unsafe speed - traveling too fast for conditions.
November 3, 2015 - October, 2015 Center, TX Weather Report prepared and submitted by Jim and Ann Forbes, U.S. Weather Observers.
Weather Stats for October, 2015
Highest Temp was 96 degrees
Highest Temp on Record was 100 degrees on 10-01-1953
Lowest Temp was 46 degrees
Lowest Temp on Record was 26 degrees on 10-31-1993
Rainfall Recorded was 6.82 inches
Average Monthly Rainfall is 5.21 inches
Above Average by 1.50 inches
Highest Recorded for this Month was 18.94 inches in 2009
Lowest Recorded for this Month was 0.00 inches in 1952 and 2005
Total Rainfall through October is 60.69 inches
Average Rainfall through October is 43.73 inches
Record of River and Climatological Observations - Link
November 2, 2015 - Joaquin ISD will be holding a Veterans Day Program honoring our veterans on Wednesday, November 11th, 8:30 AM in the High School Gymnasium. The event is open to the public and all veterans and current service members are encouraged to attend. We will be recognizing our veterans during the event and honoring them with a breakfast reception afterwards in the Joaquin High School Library.
3:00pm CDT, Friday, October 30, 2015
October 30, 2015 - A flash flood watch is now in effect from 10pm this evening through 10am Saturday morning for central East Texas.
The flash flood watch includes the following counties: Angelina, Nacogdoches, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Panola, Rusk, and Smith Counties.
Widespread rain showers and scattered thunderstorms will continue to stream into the area this evening with periods of heavy rain developing late tonight and continuing through tomorrow morning, mainly south of IH20. Two to four inches of rain, with locally higher amounts, are possible across central East Texas.
A flash flood watch means conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation.
You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should flash flood warnings be issued.
October 30, 2015 - Shelbyville Athletic Booster Club is taking orders for Football Playoff T-shirts, Long Sleeve T-shirts and Hoodies. Please go to www.shelbyville.k12.tx.us (click the school website which will download the order form) for order form or stop by any campus office.
Order forms and money are due by November 3.
Register now for the float contest and vendor booths
October 29, 2015 - The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, Santa’s Christmas Parade Committee announces the 2015 parade will be held on Saturday, December 5, 2015 beginning at 6:00 p.m. The theme for the parade this year is Christmas Movies and Songs and presented by Shelby Savings Bank.
Categories for the 2015 Christmas Movies and Songs themed parade will include Individuals, Schools, Businesses, Churches and Civic Organizations. Judges will award cash prizes to the top three places in each category, First $100, Second $50 and Third $25 and the Overall Best in Show Float will receive $250 cash prize.
According to Christmas Parade chairman, Dr. Charles Collard, the committee cordially invites schools, churches and non-profit organizations to register for free vendor booth space during the parade. The number of vendor booth spaces is limited and applications are currently being accepted and must be returned to the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce office by the deadline on Monday, November 23, 2015. Vendor booth acceptance letters will be mailed to the organization upon application approval.
Parade float entry registration is free and completed applications must be returned to the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce office by the entry deadline on Monday, November 23, 2015.
Both Vendor Booth Space and Parade Float applications with entry rules are now available at the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce office located at 100 Courthouse Square, A-101 on the historic downtown Center square or online at www.shelbycountychamber.com.
In keeping with the established holiday tradition, this year’s parade guarantees a time of grand celebration with fun and excitement for everyone. The parade will feature a special Grand Marshal, sponsored by Farmers State Bank, holiday floats, marching bands, and of course, Santa Claus.
The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce is organized to promote and advance economic enrichment and development, tourism, and the social and civic interest of Shelby County and adjoining areas. For additional information, please call 936.598.3682, email info@shelbycountychamber.com or visit www.shelbycountychamber.com.
October 28, 2015 - The Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department (SVFD) was dispatched to a house fire at a residence owned by Wymon Bolton located at CR 2124 on Thursday, October 22, 2015 at 9pm. The residents, who were renting the building, were not home when the firemen arrived and one end of the house was in flames.
Moving to the back side of the house, firemen worked to extinguish the flames and prevent further spread throughout the rest of the house.
For an hour and a half attempts were made to fully extinguish the flames; however, it proved very difficult to get to the central location of the fire from the outside of the house.
Firemen were finally able to gain entry to the home through the front door, ventilate the building and reach the origin of the fire.
As there was no lighting surrounding the home, Constable Jamie Hagler and Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers Jade LaVergne, Tyler Buster and Ricardo Segura assisted in providing light for the firemen.
A neighbor to the residence, Ricky Jackson, assisted the firemen in fighting the fire by dragging hose and spraying water on the fire.
The firemen were able to prevent the house from totally going up in flames; however, extensive damage did occur within, meaning a great deal of loss for the family of four. The firemen cleared the scene at 11pm.
October 28, 2015 - The Shelby County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) is seeking the whereabouts of Norman Louis Wood. Wood is described as a white male, 5'9, 160 pounds, 47 years of age with brown hair and green eyes. His last know location of residence was the area of Highway 84 in Joaquin.
Wood is wanted by the SCSO for failure to register as a sex offender.
Anyone with information regarding his location is asked to contact SCSO Investigator Kevin Windham at (936) 598-5601.
Submitted by Leah Chase
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