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April 25, 2025 - Amid rampant speculation by the community on Social Media regarding a search performed yesterday, April 24, 2025 on the property of Shelby County Constable Precinct 4 Josh Tipton, the Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed some basic information.
There is an investigation by the Texas Rangers in conjunction with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department which did include a dive team performing a search on the property of Constable Tipton.
When asked regarding certain Social Media posts, District Attorney Karren Price confirmed the investigation is not connected to a missing person nor was a body recovered in the search. Additionally, no arrest has been made.
Because the investigation is ongoing, no additional information is being released by authorities at this time.
Related Article:
Affidavit Reveals Additional Details Regarding Constable Property Search
April 21, 2025 - Emergency responders with multiple agencies were dispatched to a two-vehicle crash Friday, April 18, 2025, involving 18-wheeler truck tractors on State Highway 87 South (SH87).
The vehicles involved remained in the middle of the roadway and blocking traffic at the intersection of FM 414.
Submitted photo
Personnel with the Center Fire Department, Center Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, and Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department all assisted those involved.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 1:15pm, a black 2007 Peterbilt truck tractor semi-trailer driven by Christopher Jernigan, 46, of Center was traveling northwest on SH87. It is reported that a black 2019 Freightliner truck tractor semi-trailer driven by John Joplin, 59, of Garrison was at the intersection on FM 414, and failed to yield to the Peterbilt at the stop sign and pulled into its path where it was struck.
Jernigan was transported by ambulance to the Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of life-threatening injuries.
Joplin was not reported tp have been injured.
According to DPS, there is no further information available.
Related article: Crash on SH 87 South at FM 414 (Sardis Road)
April 20, 2025 - Southview Circle in Center was the scene of a two-vehicle crash on Monday, April 14, 2025 at around 6:50am.
According to the Center Police Department, a white 2016 Ford pickup truck driven by Robert Horton, 76, was northbound on Southview Circle when a 2013 Chevrolet driven by Roberto Morales, 34, fell asleep and entered the northbound traffic lane from the southbound traffic lane and struck the Ford causing damage to both vehicles.
Emergency Medical Services personnel were at the crash location and no injuries were reported of either driver.
Morales was issued citations for no insurance and no driver’s license.
Center Police Department personnel on scene included Lt. Andrew Williams, Det. John Clevenger, and Officer Garrett Rocchi.
Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers assisted with traffic control.
April 18, 2025 - A Crash involving 18 wheelers has occcurred on SH 87 at FM 414 (Sardis Road) today at 1:30 pm. Expect delays and use caution if traveling through the area as both directions of traffic are blocked.
April 17, 2025 - The Shelby County Courthouse and County Clerk's office closed early today, April 17 due to a power outage and no internet. The courthouse will be closed for Good Friday and will reopen on Monday, April 21, 2025. Have a safe and Happy Easter.
April 15, 2025 - Tom Bellmyer, Commissioner Precinct 4, announces the closure of a bridge crossing on CR 4117 until further notice as of April 15, 2025.
Barricades have been placed on the Shelby County side of the bridge to indicate closure.
Commissioner Bellmyer was recently informed of damage to the bridge and Keith Finchum, Commissioner Officer Precinct 1 for Nacogdoches, has placed barricades on the Nacogdoches County side.
A bridge crew on the Nacogdoches County side will be working on the bridge, and the Shelby County Precinct 4 crew will be working with them as needed.
April 9, 2025 - The Shelby County Commissioners recognized a proclamation declaring Texas Soil and Water Stewardship week for the week of April 27 – May 4, 2025, and approved the purchase of two trucks through Center Motor Company during their meeting held April 9, 2025.
The commissioners considered the purchase of two new vehicles for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department of in substitution of two vehicles previously approved for purchase by the Commissioners’ Court on September 4, 2024 from San Augustine Motor Company.
According to the county, San Augustine Motor Company was unable to deliver the vehicles, and said vehicles are now to be purchased from Center Motor Company in Center under the provisions of Section 262.024 of the Texas Local Government Code necessary to preserve and protect the public health and safety of the residents of Shelby County, Texas.
“I sent them a letter two weeks ago giving them until Friday to deliver those last two, and they were unable to deliver them,” said County Judge Allison Harbison
Judge Harbison shared that John Price, County Attorney, said the action was the direction to go on that subject and Price agreed, stating that the commissioners had already previously taken action issue and termination on the existing agreement with San Augustine Motor Company.
“I understand from the Sheriff two have been delivered, but the other two will not be able to be delivered,” said Price. “It has been since September of last year (2024) or so. I’m just recommending for the commission’s consideration that approval of these two new vehicles being from Center Motor Company under the provisions of Local Government Code 262.024, which gives you discretionary authority to make that decision.”
Commissioner Roscoe McSwain moved to get out of the contract with San Augustine Motor Company and move forward with Center Motor Company. the motion was seconded by Commissioner Tom Bellmyer and it carried.
Judge Harbison presented a proclamation declaring Texas Soil and Water Stewardship week for the week of April 27 – May 4, 2025.
Judge Harbison read aloud for the commissioners the following information: Since 1955, the Soil and Water Stewardship, has been an important initiative aimed at educating the public and engaging communities in conservation efforts. With over 100,000 people participating individually, this program has become one of the largest natural resource awareness events in the country. The 2025 theme, ‘Home is Where The Habitat Is,’ highlights the crucial role of both natural and managed habitats in maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem health, protecting and restoring these habitats is key to long-term health of our soil, water, and wildlife, ultimately benefiting our communities and our environments.
Commissioner Stevie Smith moved to adopt the proclamation and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Bellmyer. The motion carried.
The Commissioners approved the racial profiling report of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department and were presented with full exemption paperwork from the Constable offices of Precinct 1 and 2, because they do not work traffic, and the commissioners subsequently approved those exemptions.
During the Commissioners’ Court reports portion of the meeting Commissioner Bellmyer commented the bridge project on CR 4778 was completed on Tuesday, April 9 at 12-noon and the project went very well.
Commissioner McSwain stated Precinct 1 and Precinct 2 crews have moved the pug mill in and serviced and cleaned the old one and are in the process of seeing how they’re going to sell it.
During the meeting Judge Harbison announced to everyone that it was John Price’s birthday and she expressed how much she and the commissioners appreciate him.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:48am.
Officers reports for the month of March as presented by Ann Blackwell, County Treasurer: Fees for the month of March 2025 Officers reports for the month of January 2024 as presented by Ann Blackwell, County Treasurer: Debora Riley, Tax Assessor Collector - Property: $487,727.76; Motor Vehicle: $137,072.46; Total: $624,800.23 Jennifer Fountain, County Clerk - $42,794.40 Lori Oliver, District Clerk - $9,817.82 Donna Hughes, JP1 - $32,830.40 Marla Denby, JP2 - $836.20 Melba Rodgers, JP3 - $4,816.20 Dee Dee Green, JP4 - $3,823.20 Tracy Broadway, JP5 - $8,002.50 Zack Warr, Constable 1 - $1,170 James, Hagler, Constable 2 - $180 Taylor Fanguy, Constable 4 - $90 Sheriff’s Fees - $2,985.20 Total interest earned on investments for January - March 2025 (first quarter) $205,490.43
April 8, 2025 - Commissioner Bellmyer reports that the CR 4778 bridge re-deck project is complete.
The road is now open to all traffic.
April 2, 2025 - The work proposed to be done on CR 4778 has been rescheduled due to weather forecast to take place on the originally planned weekend. Commissioner Bellmyer has updated the work plans to now reflect that they will take place on Monday through Wednesday, April 7-April 9. Commissioner Bellmyer will be informing the school and post office to allow them the ability to take that work into account.
March 26, 2025 - Tom Bellmyer, Commissioner Precinct 4, has announced that County Road 4778 will be closed April 4-April 6 for the purpose of redecking a bridge.
April 5, 2025 - Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers are investigating a one-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 96, north of Center, that occurred Thursday, April 3, 2025.
The preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 8:35am, a 1997 Dodge Ram Van driven by Luis Hernandez, 18, of Center was traveling north. It is reported that the driver of the Dodge took faulty evasive action to avoid striking a dog, left the roadway to the right, and over-turned onto its right side.
Hernandez was not injured.
This is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
April 5, 2025 - Tornado Watch 122 is in effect until 7pm CDT April 5, 2025 for the following locations.
Texas counties included are: Angelina, Nacogdoches, Panola, Sabine, San Augustine and Shelby.
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