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August 7, 2026 - Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers are seeking the driver of a vehicle inolved in a crash incident on State Highway 87 South near CR 3012 on Saturday, July 25, 2026.
Other drivers that discovered the crashed vehicle contacted law enforcement about the incident; however when law enforement arrived at the scene, the driver was not there.
According to DPS, the preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 7:50pm, a white 2013 Ford F-150 was traveling north. It is reported that the driver of the Ford failed to drive in a single lane, left the roadway, and struck a dirt embankment.
The driver of the Ford left the scene of the crash before emergency personnel arrived and has still not been identified at the time of this report.
According to DPS, this is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
The crash incident was investigated by DPS Trooper Matt Chandler.
August 6, 2026 – The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) today approved by resolution financial assistance in the amount of $2,655,949 to the City of Tenaha (Shelby County), in principal forgiveness, from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). The City will use the assistance for planning, design, and construction of a wastewater system improvements project.
With the assistance approved today, the City will complete improvements including converting two decommissioned lagoons into equalization basins, a lift station replacement of the existing clarifier, and a generator. The City will also develop an asset management plan.
The TWDB is the state agency charged with collecting and disseminating water-related data, assisting with regional water and flood planning, and preparing the state water and flood plans. The TWDB administers cost-effective financial assistance programs for the construction of water supply, wastewater treatment, flood mitigation, and agricultural water conservation projects.
For more information about the project, click here for the board agenda document.
August 5, 2026 - The Center Police Department has reported the arrest of two individuals with one in connection to burglary offenses and the other in hindering law enforcement’s ability to capture the first individual.
Marsh Odom
Marsh Odom, Jr., 39, of Center was arrested on a charge of burglary of a building, state jail felony - $25,000 bond; and burglary of a vehicle, misdemeanor a - $10,000 bond. The nature of the incidents these two charges stem from wasn’t further elaborated on by the Center Police Department.
Odom also had two capias warrants for failure to appear with one relating to a charge of burglary of a habitation, felony 2, from September 2025 that he was indicted for in December 2025. That indictment alleged Odom entered a building and took money bags and change.
The other charge for failure to appear was in reference to a case of burglary of a building, felony 2, that Odom was indicted on in December 2025, and referenced an incident from June 2025. The indictment for burglary of a building alleged Odom's attempt to commit or that he did commit theft of weed eaters. Both failure to appear warrants were issued on July 16, 2026, and have no bond.
Brittany Lewing
Brittany Lewing, 31, of Center was arrested for hindering apprehension or prosecution of a known felon, felony 3; and resisting arrest, search or transport, misdemeanor a. Lewing bonded out on accumulated bond of $5,000 on August 5, 2026.
According to a press release issued by the Center Police Department (CPD), they arrested Marsh Odom in connection with multiple burglary offenses following a lengthy investigation conducted by department investigators.
The press release further states the successful conclusion of the investigation was made possible through the diligence, professionalism, and proactive efforts of the CPD Patrol Division. Through attentive patrol operations, effective observation, and sound law enforcement tactics, patrol officers developed critical information that ultimately led to Odom's apprehension.
According to the press release, during the course of the investigation, Brittany Lewing was also arrested and charged with hindering apprehension or prosecution and resisting arrest for allegedly assisting Odom in avoiding apprehension by law enforcement.
The press release further says that Chief Ricky King and department leadership commend the Patrol Division and investigators for their teamwork, persistence, and commitment to protecting the citizens of Center. Their coordinated efforts demonstrate the importance of proactive policing and professional patrol practices in solving crimes and apprehending offenders.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be forthcoming.
August 5, 2026 - Allison Harbison, Shelby County Judge, announced during Commissioners' Court on August 5, 2026, that she would be putting a burn ban in place. This will give opportunity in a week's time for it to rain before the commissioners consider ratifying the ban at the next meeting.
The order prohibiting outdoor burning is as follows:
Declaration of Disaster and Order Prohibiting Outdoor Burning
Whereas, the County of Shelby is under imminent threat of severe damage, injury of loss of life or property resulting from the threat of wildfires due to extremely dry grassland fuel, drought and other weather-related conditions; and
Whereas, the County Judge of Shelby County has determined that to mitigate the hazard posed by wildfires during the current dry conditions, extraordinary measures must be taken to alleviate the suffering of people and to protect or rehabilitate property,
Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the County Judge of Shelby County:
1. That a local state of disaster is hereby proclaimed for Shelby County pursuant to § 418.108(a) of the Texas Government Code.
2. This Declaration of a local state of disaster shall continue for a period of not more than seven days from the date of this declaration unless continued or renewed by the Commissioners Court of Shelby County.
3. All outdoor burning is prohibited in the unincorporated areas of Shelby County. This Order does not prohibit outdoor burning activities carried out by Federal Certified Agencies.
4. This Declaration of shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed promptly with the County Clerk of Shelby County.
5. This Declaration of the local state of disaster activates the Shelby County Emergency Management Plan.
This Proclamation shall take effect immediately from and after its issuance; Ordered this 5th Day of August, 2026.
August 4, 2026 - TxDOT maintenance crews are milling and inlaying three locations along US 96 in the next two days. Weather permitting, they should be finished tomorrow, August 5.
Today, crews are working on the right-hand (outside) north and southbound lanes of US 96, approximately between the Teneha Street/96 intersection to just north of Cass-Caid Drive. The southbound lane should reopen before the northbound closure takes place. They will also mill-and-inlay along a portion of the outside, southbound lane at the Rough Rider Drive and 96 intersection.
Tomorrow's work will occur on a section of the right-hand, northbound lane of US 96 between Lillian Street and State Loop 500. That work should be completed tomorrow.
These are moving operations. Drivers should use caution, slow down, and stay alert when traveling near the work zones.
July 30, 2026 - The Shelby County Commissioners Court meeting held on July 29, 2026, maintained a level of intrigue as the executive session was time-consuming while the regular agenda was brief.
The commissioners spent almost an hour in executive session, and when they returned to open session, no action was taken.
As the agenda reached the point of entering executive session, Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison announced the original reason for the executive session had changed and they were going to skip that portion of the agenda, unless the commissioners had reason to keep the private dialogue.
Judge Harbison said, “I put an executive session on here, but some things have come up since then and it is no longer, what I had to put on there is no longer relevant so we can just pass this if you want, or would you like to meet and discuss?”
Commissioner Roscoe McSwain asked if it would cover anything they wanted. Judge Harbison said it had to do with personnel.
Commissioner McSwain requested they enter the executive session anyway, and they did so with County Attorney John Price and District Attorney Karren Price at 9:41am; however, upon returning to open session at 10:39am, no details were given and no action was taken.
During the Commissioners’ Court Reports portion of the meeting Commissioner McSwain asked the status of Sheriff Gerald Corbell, commenting on the absence of the Sheriff.
McSwain asked, “Could you give us an update on the sheriff? I mean, we haven’t seen him in court since October [2025] and you know any details to tell us about what’s going on?”
Judge Harbison commented on having seen the Sheriff on a previous day and that his procedure had taken longer than expected. The procedure in question wasn’t elaborated on for the public’s knowledge.
Judge Harbison shared some of the instances where she has been in his company recently.
“I saw him last week in a meeting with outside council. He went in Teresa [Hughes’] office, he did contact me Monday when I was gone,” said Judge Harbison.
McSwain commented that he had not checked on him personally and just wanted to know how he was doing.
“He told me that surgery was worse than he thought it was going to be, but he’s up and going, driving,” said Judge Harbison.
Judge Harbison shared that she attended the Texas Historical Commission meeting in Austin on Monday with Luciana Barr, Shelby County Emergency Management Coordinator; and Tom Bellmyer, Commissioner Precinct 4, and Delbert Jackson, a resident of Center, was also there. She stated that Shelby County was third on the list for a full restoration plan.
The Judge said she appreciated everyone’s support.
Commissioner Bellmyer shared that he and Commissioner Stevie Smith met with Brady Environmental on the condition of the elementary school house where AgriLife is located about the asbestos abatement at the facility. Estimates are expected back by the end of the month when a bid count can be conducted and preparations are moving forward.
Judge Harbison commented that she believes the vendors are TIPS (The Interlocal Purchasing System) certified, so they won’t have to go through the bid process since they are state certified.
Commissioner McSwain commented that oil production for roadway has gone very well this year. Precinct 1 and Precinct 2 have each made nine loads each, which is close to 4,000 tons each. Precinct 3 has made seven loads and next Monday they will be working on Precinct 4.
Commissioner Bellmyer commented that the Rosehill Road project crew has finished; however they were short 650 feet of footage.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:47am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Current payroll. 3. Bond for County Attorney, John Price. 4. Adjourn.
July 28, 2026 - Timpson Volunteer Fire Department firefighters responded to a trash fire on County Road 4855 at around 5:30 PM on July 28, 2026.
When the firefighters arrived at the location, the fire was threatening to ignite a mobile home on the property.
Using high pressure waterlines the firefighters were able to knock the flames back from the house; however they were not able to fully engage the origin of the fire until deep East Texas electric cooperative personnel were able to cut power to downed power lines which came down as a result of the fire.
Once clear, the firefighters moved units closer to a large pile of tires that were burning and began extinguishing them.
The majority of the blaze was extinguished and the firefighters cleared the scene at around 7:45pm.
The Shelby County Precinct 5 office was on scene to investigate the fire involving the tires.
July 27, 2026 - Commissioner Roscoe McSwain announces that County Road 1005 will be closed tomorrow, July 28, 2026, from 10am till 3pm between County Road 1024 and Short Church for culvert replacement.
This area of the roadway will be impassable until the project is complete.
Drivers are encouraged to plan a different route until that time.
July 25, 2026 - Roy Cheatwood, Constable Precinct 3, reports the recovery of the stolen property and the arrest of one individual in relation to one of and additional charges through the combined efforts of local law enforcement.
Constable Cheatwood was first contacted by the owner of a white 2021 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck belonging to Doug Shook, valued at around $40,000, after the owner discovered the theft of the truck at sometime before 9:30am on Sunday, July 12, 2026, from his yard in Shelbyville.
After reviewing security camera footage, it was determined the theft had occurred around 6:30am that morning.
Following the completion of a report for the theft that morning, Constable Cheatwood reports that while he was patrolling the area looking for the vehicle on U.S. Highway 84/Haslam Strip, Doug Shook observed the stolen vehicle coming down Haslam Strip as it turned off Haslam Strip onto CR 3590 behind Farmers State Bank at around 11:44am and blocked the vehicle's exit.
Shook contacted Constable Cheatwood who was able to quickly apprehend the driver identified as Aaron Brazzel, 29, of Joaquin. Brazzel was arrested and charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, state jail felony.
Brazzel was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was booked in at 12:25pm and was released on s personal recognizance bond just over two hours later at 2:44pm.
Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers Keith Jones and Constable Cheatwood located Brazzel on July 21, 2026, at a residence located on Faulkville Street and arrested him on a warrant for criminal trespass, misdemeanor b.
As DPS Trooper Colton Bearden arrested Brazzel, and during that time marijuana was found to be on his person and he was also found to be in possession of several pipes.
Aaron Brazzel
As of July 25, 2026, the jail booking information indicated Brazzel was charged with possession of marijuana <2oz, misdemeanor b - $1,500 bond; and possession of drug paraphernalia, misdemeanor c - no bond; and criminal trespass, $1,500 bond
The owner of a brown 1988 GMC pickup truck belonging to Julie Robinson, valued at approximately $4,000, that had been located on a property off U.S. Highway 96 reported it’s theft to Constable Cheatwood on Monday, July 13, 2026, at 2:30pm, after reporting it to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department she went to Constable Cheatwood for help.
Constable Cheatwood says that he began his investigation and he was joined by John Pope, Constable Precinct 5, in seeking the location of the truck.
According to Constable Cheatwood, by 4:30pm that day the truck was located by the officers in the on CR 3173 and in an open field.
Constable Cheatwood commented that no arrests have been made in this theft, and that it had been sold/traded four times since it was taken. He also said that although the vehicle wasn’t located with someone behind the wheel, it was safely returned to the owner without getting involved in a high-speed chase and needlessly putting others in harms way as a result.
Several pieces of equestrian riding tack belonging to Curtis Lane were reported stolen to Constable Cheatwood, also on July 12, 2026. Throughout the rest of the day, Constable Cheatwood reports that he was able to recover two saddles, bridles, and girths valued at approximately $2,500.
Constable Cheatwood said that he has been been successful through his office in Precinct 3, and around the county, as a direct result of his proactivity.
“I know the people, people trust me, I work with them,” said Cheatwood.
Constable Cheatwood thanks Constable John Pope, DPS Trooper Keith Jones and DPS Trooper Colton Bearden for their assistance in their respective cases.
July 23, 2026 - A headrest that shifts unexpectedly may increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Evenflo Company, Inc. (Evenflo) is recalling certain Reo by Revolve360 child seats in color variants Nantucket, Danvers, Chelsea, Holden, Brookline, and Lenox. Please refer to Evenflo's recall report for the specific models. In certain rear or forward-facing positions, the headrest may shift position during a crash. As such, these child seats fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 213, "Child Restraint Systems."
Remedy
The remedy for this recall is currently under development. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed August 17, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Evenflo customer service at 1-800-233-5921.
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