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November 4, 2024 - Due to a power outage, Excelsior ISD will release students at 1pm today, November 4th and buses will leave shortly after students are released.
November 2, 2024 - Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Troopers responded to a house fire on State Highway 87 North on October 16, 2024, when it was reported that an individual was trapped inside the home.
Shelby County Today recently obtained the body cam footage of the Trooper who first responded to the house fire and his heroic actions that saved the life of the young man trapped inside.
The perspective of the video shows Texas DPS Trooper Taylor Buster’s view as he first responds to the location and exits the vehicle. Flames and heavy smoke can be seen emanating from the front of the structure as Trooper Buster exits his patrol unit and begins running toward the fire, and entering the first available doorway that isn’t engulfed in flames while calling out to the occupant inside.
The first room appeared to be a utility room that didn’t provide access to the rest of the building and Trooper Buster can be seen promptly exiting that location to find another entrance. As Trooper Buster ran around to the backside of the house he can be heard shouting, “Hey, there’s somebody in here still!”
When Trooper Buster gets closer to the back door, the smoke in the air gets thicker. The caller inside the home was originally dispatched to responders as being a woman, and so Trooper Buster can be heard calling out, “Ma’am,” to try and locate the person trapped inside. Upon arriving at the back door, Trooper Buster kicked it in and shouts, “Ma’am, are you in here?!”
In response, the young man inside can be heard shouting, “Help!” He was instructed by Trooper Buster to come to the door. Trooper Buster asked the occupant if he could see him, to which he responded, “No.” That’s when Trooper Buster began to crawl into the inside of the home, as thick black smoke filled the upper area of the house. Once inside the back room of the home, it appeared there was another door that was blocked by items which Trooper Buster pulled out of the way. He then took the young man by the hand and helped him out the back doorway where Cole Milford assisted.
The young man was examined by EMS personnel at the scene and was later hospitalized for a short period of time.
Excessive damage to the home was incurred due to the fire.
Additional responders to the scene were other DPS units, Center Fire Department, Timpson Volunteer Fire Department, Shelby County Sheriff's Department, Constable Precinct 4, and Constable Precinct 3.
Related Article:
November 1, 2024 - A Shelby County Grand Jury handed down 20 indictments on Tuesday, October 22, 2024. The grand jury was impaneled for the July 2024 term of the 123rd Judicial District Courts.
Abriel Leeroy Jasso was indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on September 2, 2024, Jasso used or exhibited a 9mm Luger, and did intentionally, and knowingly threaten imminent bodly injury to Candi Sholar, J.S., and Kenny Hatchett by shooting at the vehicle they occupied. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Abriel Leeroy Jasso was indicted for abandon/endanger child or individual with imminent danger or bodily injury, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on September 2, 2024, Jasso engaged in conduct that placed a child younger than 15 years of age in imminent danger of death, bodily injury, or physical or mental impairment by shooting at the vehicle the child occupied. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Abriel Leeroy Jasso was indicted for deadly conduct discharge firearm, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on September 2, 2024, Jasso discharged a firearm at or in the direction of a vehicle, and Jasso was then and there reckless as to whether the vehicle was occupied, to-wit: firing multiple times at the vehicle while passing. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Tony Allen Tate was indicted for deadly conduct discharge firearm, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on July 2, 2024, Tate discharged a firearm at or in the direction of Penny Ramsey, Donna Higgenbotham, Kammeron Rhodes, Mary Martinez, Nayeli Bueno, Zak Vandeventer, Christian Kobus and Daniel Kobus. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Dennis James Harris was indicted for assault family violence impede breath/circulation, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on September 13, 2024, Harris recklessly caused bodily injury to Ashley Glass, a member of Harris' family, as described by 71.0021(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 Glass. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Anthony Dale Harkness was indicted for deadly conduct discharge firearm, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on August 4, 2024, Harkness discharged a firearm at or in the direction of a vehicle, and Harkness was reckless as to whether the vehicle was occupied, namely a revolver inthe the side of a truck while driving a four-wheeler. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Joshua Levi Harding was indicted for arson, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on August 11, 2024 Harding, with intent to destroy a habitation located at 706 Louisiana Street ion Center, started a fire by lighting rubbing alcohol knowing that the habitation was within the limits of an incorporated city or town, namely, Center, Texas. (273rd Judicial District Court) (Related Article: Center FD Fights House Fire on Louisiana Street
Ira Alsip was indicted for theft of property >=$150K<$300K, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on July 2, 2024, Alsip took property of the value of $150,000 or more but less than $300,000 from LineTec Services, the owner, without the effective consent of LineTec Services, and with intent to deprive LineTec Services of the property. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Curtis Bryan Estes was indicted for theft of property >=$150K<$300K, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on July 2, 2024 Estes took property of the value of $150,000 or more but less than $300,000 from LineTec Services, the owner, without the effective consent of LineTec Services, and with intent to deprive LineTec Services of the property. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Mack Hamilton was indicted for burglary of a habitation, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on July 23, 2024, Hamilton entered a habitation without the effective consent of Devonta Williams, the owner, and attempted to commit or committed theft of a Playstation 5 and two controllers owned by Williams. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Austin Aaron Gregory was indicted for theft of property >=$2,500<$30K, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on March 18, 2024, Gregory took paint and supplies of the value of $2,500 or more but less than $30,000 from Trent Wooten, the owner, without consent of Wooten and by deception with intent to deprive Wooten of the property. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Zykevious Ladarien Khourn was indicted for evading arrest with a motor vehicle, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on September 4, 2024, Khourn intentionally fled on a dirt bike from Brandon Tyler, a person Khourn knew was a peace officer who was attempting lawfully to arrest and detain Khourn. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Antonio Javaris Boykins was indicted for unlawful carry weapon with felony conviction, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on October 14, 2022, Boykins carried a handgun on or about his person and he was not on his own property or premises that was under his own control, and Boykins was not inside of or directly en route to a motor vehicle or watercraft owned by Boykins or under his control. The indictment further indicated Boykins was prohibited from possessing a firearm as he was previously convicted on April 21, 2022 for the felony offense of possession of a controlled substance in Panola County. Boykins possession of a firearm occurred before the fifth anniversary of his release from supervision under community supervision following conviction of the felony. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Adrien Lamar Ross was indicted for engaging in organized criminal activity, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on May 14, 2024, with intent to establish, maintain, or participate in a combination or in the profits of a combination Ross, Tammy Sue Sims and Jimmy Drew Harris collaborated in carrying on criminal activity. The indictment further alleges, intentionally and knowingly committing the offense of theft of property. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Adrien Lamar Ross was indicted for theft of property >=$2,500<$30K, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on May 15, 2024, Ross took an Apple iPhone 14, four chrome rims, a set of Memphis sub-woofers and, several chainsaws, red Honda motorcycle CRF450R 5000, and a blue Yamaha GT125 800 of the value of $2,500 or more but less than $30,000 from Christopher Weaver and Amanda Wright, the owner, without the consent of the owners and with intent to deprive them of the property. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Christopher Lance Askew was indicted for unlawful carry weapon with felony conviction. The indictment alleges, on July 2, 2024, Askew carried a handgun on or about his person and he was not on his own property or premises that was under his own control, and Askew was not inside of or directly en route to a motor vehicle or watercraft owned by Askew or under his control. The indictment further indicated Askew was prohibited from possessing a firearm as he was previously convicted on November 7, 2019 for the felony offense of possession of a controlled substance in Shelby County. Askew possession of a firearm occurred before the fifth anniversary of his release from supervision under community supervision following conviction of the felony. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Christopher Lance Askew was indicted for theft of property >=$150K<$300K, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on July 2, 2024, Askew took property of the value of $150,000 or more but less than $300,000 from LineTec Services, the owner, without the effective consent of LineTec Services, and with intent to deprive LineTec Services of the property. (123rd Judicial District Court)
(Dates in parenthesis indicate the date of the alleged incident):
- Christopher Lance Askew, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=4G<200G (phencyclidine), second degree felony (July 2, 2024). (123rd Judicial District Court)
- Christopher Lance Askew, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=1G<4G (methamphetamine), third degree felony (July 2, 2024). (123rd Judicial District Court)
- Antonio Javaris Boykins, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=1G<4G (cocaine), third degree felony (October 14, 2024). (123rd 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.
October 10, 2024 - Election Day is fast approaching, and there are a few things you need to know.
Early Voting will be held at the Center Community House, 425 San Augustine Street in Center, as follows:
- Monday, October 21 through Friday, October 25; 8 am to 5 pm
- Saturday, October 26; 7 am to 7 pm
- Sunday, October 27; 11 am to 5 pm
- Monday, October 28 through Friday, November 1; 7 am to 7 pm
Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, and all polling locations will be open from 7 am to 7 pm.
Please do not hesitate to call my office at 936-598-5340 or 936-234-2147 if you have any questions.
Shelby County Elections Administrator
October 31, 2024 - This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for south central Arkansas, southwest Arkansas, north central Louisiana, northwest Louisiana, southeast Oklahoma, east Texas and northeast Texas.
Day One: Today and tonight.
Showers and thunderstorms are likely today as a cold front moves into the region. Can`t rule out an isolated strong to severe thunderstorm, but widespread severe weather is not expected at this time. We should see drier conditions in wake of the front this evening for at least the northwestern half of the region.
Days Two Through Seven: Friday through Wednesday.
Rain chances will continue through the end of the work week, into the upcoming weekend, and into early next week. At this time, strong to severe thunderstorms do not appear likely over the weekend. However, another cool front will move into the region late Monday into Tuesday of next week, bringing another chance of strong to severe thunderstorms over portions of the region. Temperatures will remain mostly above normal through the extended period despite the clouds and rainfall.
Spotter Information Statement: Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Submitted photo
October 30, 2024 - FM 147 was the scene of a two-vehicle crash October 21, 2024, that was reported to have been contributed to by nearby construction impacting visibility.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones, at 8:05am heavy dust was in the roadway causing visibility issues for drivers. The dust was the result of work being performed by Trendsetter Construction who was building a driveway on the oilfield location for Momentum Midstream.
Submitted photo
At that time, a 2020 Nissan Rogue driven by Latashia Thompson, 47, pulled from a private oil field driveway turning left onto FM 147. A Jeep Limited driven by Mary Gann Bearden, 58, was traveling behind the Nissan in the same direction and due to zero visibility, struck the rear of the Nissan and caused damaged to both vehicles.
Both Thompson and Bearden were transported by ambulance to Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of possible injuries.
Temporary Disinfectant Conversion from Chloramine to Free Chlorine
October 30, 2024 - The City of Tenaha public water system, (PWS) ID TX 2100002, will temporarily convert the disinfectant used in the distribution system from chloramine to free chlorine. The conversion will begin on November 1, 2024, and continue through November 30, 2024. During this period, you may experience taste and odor changes associated with this type of temporary disinfectant conversion.
Public water systems are required to properly disinfect their water and maintain an adequate disinfectant residual in the distribution system. Chloramine, free chlorine combined with ammonia, is widely used as a disinfectant because it persists for long periods while also limiting the formation of disinfection by-product contaminants. Prolonged use of chloramine coupled with other factors that can affect water quality, such as high temperatures or stagnation of water, may result in the growth and/or persistence of organic matter within the pipes of the distribution system, which may hinder the ability to maintain an adequate disinfectant residual. A temporary conversion to free chlorine, partnered with flushing activities, helps to rid distribution pipes of this organic matter and improve the quality of your water overall.
The City of Tenaha has chosen to implement a temporary disinfectant conversion to free chlorine based on the following:
Due to some customers experiencing discoloration in their water.
If you have questions regarding this matter, you may contact Stacy Cranford at 936-248-3841.
October 28, 2024 - The Center Police Department (CPD) communications center received a 911 call on October 22, 2024, at approximately 2:30pm regarding a shooting on Rex St. with one individual injured.
Officers responded to the scene and on their arrival, it was learned that the shooter was still on scene.
Darrell Barnes
Officers were able to detain Darrell Barnes, who was identified as the shooter without incident. It was then learned that Lajagger Barnes was the victim and had been transported to the Emergency Department by a personal vehicle with a gunshot wound to the chest.
Lajagger Barnes was pronounced deceased a short time after arriving at the Center E.R. by the E.R. physician on duty.
CPD Detectives responded to the scene and began processing the scene and collecting evidence.
Darrell was arrested and charged with Manslaughter, Felony 2, transported to the Shelby County Sheriff's Office, and booked into the jail without incident.
Lajagger was transported to the Southwest Institute of Forensic Science for an autopsy.
Officers and Detectives cleared the scene at around 5:30pm. At 6:15pm, the CPD Communications received another 911 call to the shooting location regarding a disturbance with weapons.
On arrival, it was learned that a vehicle with four males arrived on the scene displaying weapons in possible retaliation for the earlier incident, but those persons had left the location before law enforcement arrived.
CPD Officers obtained a vehicle description and located it moments after it departed the scene. CPD Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle and it failed to stop for officers.
CPD Officers pursued the suspect vehicle for a short time before it pulled into the yard of a residence on Matlock St. One individual exited the vehicle and fled on foot from officers.
Jason Calloway, Jr.
Three individuals were detained on the scene. They were identified as JaCarlos Pruitt, 21, of Nacogdoches, and Jason Calloway, Jr., 21, of Timpson. All three were detained and transported to the CPD for questioning. The fourth person in the vehicle was a juvenile.
During interviews, the identity of the suspect who fled on foot was revealed to be Chayse Duckett, 18, of Nacogdoches.
Jacoban Pruitt
Officers then obtained an arrest warrant for Duckett. Pruitt, and Calloway, were taken into custody and transported to the Shelby County Sheriff's Office and booked into jail without incident.
Duckett was arrested on October 24, 2024, in Nacogdoches, transported to the Shelby County Sheriff's Office, and booked into jail on the warrant for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, without incident.
Chayse Duckett
This case is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
The Center Police Department would like to thank the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers, Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens, Shelby County District Attorney, Allegiance EMS, Shelby County Constable Pct. 5, Nacogdoches Police Department, and Shelby County Pct. 1 Judge Donna Hughes; for all their assistance in both incidents that occurred.
Related Article:
Center PD Investigates Shooting on Rex Street; One Suspect in Custody
October 25, 2024 - In the first five days of Early voting, Shelby County has had 3,419 in-person voters to check in and sign the poll pad to cast their vote as of 5pm Friday, October 25. Of the 16,355 registered voters in Shelby County, 21% of them have made sure their votes count by voting early.
This weekend has extended hours for voting in-person at the Community House, 423 San Augustine Street, Center, Texas 75935:
- Saturday, October 26, 7 am to 7 pm
- Sunday, October 27, 11 am to 5 pm
Next week, Monday through Friday, the early voting location will be open from 7am until 7pm. The last day of Early Voting is November 1st.
Be sure to take this opportunity to cast your vote!
October 22, 2024 - Center Fire Department responded to a structure fire at R&J Recycling and Disposal Transfer Station Monday, October 21, 2024, at around 5pm on FM 2468 after receiving a call from the facility and a passerby.
According to the Center Fire Department, when firefighters arrived at the location the fire was fully involved with heavy smoke emanating from within the transfer station building.
Fire appeared to be raging inside and it was confirmed there was a front-end loader that was still in the building. One individual received some minor burns to their hands trying to move the piece of machinery out. The firefighters applied water to the loader to cool it down so it could eventually be driven out of the structure.
There was a truck tractor on the right side of the building that was threatened by fire; however, the fire department confirmed the truck was eventually able to be disconnected from the trailer and it was driven out of the building.
The structure was saved and will likely need some repair.
Fire Department personnel returned to the station around 7:30pm.
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