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December 18, 2025 - The City of Center advises a contract boring crew has damaged the primary water feed through town at about 4:15pm. City utilities are responding to make the repair this evening. A boil water notice will be issued for impacted areas.
December 18, 2025 - The Center Police Department Communications Center received a call on the non-emergency line referencing a bomb threat at the Center Wal-Mart on December 18, 2025, at approximately 7:12 a.m.
Officers with the Patrol Division responded to the scene and, as a precaution, evacuated the store. Employees and shoppers were safely identified and released from the scene. Center Police Department Command Staff arrived shortly thereafter and, out of an abundance of caution, requested assistance from a bomb squad K-9 team from Barksdale Air Force Base, as well as bomb technicians from Montgomery County and Tyler, Texas.
At this time, there have been no reported injuries, explosions, or credible threats to the public. Following a thorough precautionary response, Wal-Mart has since been reopened to the public.
The Center Police Department is continuing the investigation in cooperation with the Texas Rangers and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Due to the ongoing nature of this investigation, no additional information is available at this time.
The Center Police Department would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance and cooperation: Texas DPS Troopers, Texas Rangers, DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Nacogdoches Police Department, Barksdale Air Force Base, Montgomery County Bomb Squad, Tyler Bomb Squad, Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens, Center ISD Police Department, Center Fire Department, and Allegiance EMS.
For further updates, information will be released as it becomes available.
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Update at 12:40pm:
Center Independent School District has received the all clear from city officials, and all Center ISD campuses have officially released the secure hold that was previously in place.
At no time was there a direct threat to any Center ISD campus. The secure hold was initiated as a precautionary measure due to the proximity of an off-campus incident near three district campuses. This action was taken out of an abundance of caution and in close coordination with local authorities.
The safety and security of Center ISD students and staff remain the district’s highest priority. The district would like to extend its sincere appreciation to local law enforcement officials for their ongoing communication with district administrators and for their continued commitment to ensuring the safety of our schools and community.
Center ISD also thanks parents, staff, and community members for their patience, cooperation, and understanding during this process.
Update at 10:04am:
Parents and School Community,
We are in contact with city officials and will remain in a secure hold until we receive an all clear from them. The safety and security of our students and staff remain our top priority. While the issue is not located on our campuses, we are acting out of an abundance of caution to remain diligent in keeping everyone safe. Classes are continuing as normal; however, all outdoor activities are suspended at this time. We will continue to keep you informed as more information becomes available.
December 18, 2025 - Center ISD initiated a secure hold at the high school, elementary, and primary campuses after receiving information regarding a reported threat at the Walmart in Center. Out of an abundance of caution, and to ensure the safety of our students and staff, all campuses were placed in a secure hold. Student and staff safety remains our top priority.
Law Enforcement staged at Roughrider Drive blocking the entrance into Walmart's parking lot.
December 18, 2025 - (Photo Album) (Update - 2:05pm): Businesses, including Walmart, impacted by the threat are back open again as of around 1pm. During the lockdown, employees were staged at Farmer's State Bank until the all-clear was given.
(Update - 11:41am): The Center Police Department confirms they received a phone call at 7:12am on the non-emergency line. The caller advised a bomb threat at the Walmart in Center and that the store needed to be evacuated.
No demands were made and the evacuation procedure began immediately. Barksdale Air Force Base and Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department were both called in to provide bomb sniffing dogs and their bomb squad, and DPS has also supplied drones.
As of 11:36am, bomb sniffing dogs were still in the building and have not alerted to anything by that time. Once those dogs have completed their sweep, another set of dogs will be sent in to clarify the area is clear.
FBI and Texas Rangers are actively working to trace the origin of the call. There have been no other calls since the initial call.
A large contingent of DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Department Deputies have been on scene assisting with the operation.
Driveway entrances into the location were blocked of by Center Police Department officers, Shelby County Sheriff's Department Deputies, Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers and Texas Parks and Wildlife personnel. Center Fire Department and Allegiance Mobile Health were on standby throughout.
December 18, 2025 - (Update): Air Force personnel have arrived, as of around 10:10am, with Belgian Melanois K-9 and they have entered the store with other local law-enforcement officials.
Walmart in Center is completely locked down as of just before 8am on Thursday, December 18, 2025.
Anyone within the store, including employees have been cleared out for unreported reason.
No official statements have been made at this time indicating what the circumstances are, but it appears that law-enforcement is working to keep the public safe as they work.
As of 9:28am, all entrances remain blocked until further notice.
Additional details will be updated when they are made available.
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Water Supply Receives Funds for Water System Improvements
December 17, 2025 – The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) today approved by resolution financial assistance in the amount of $2,262,970 to the Paxton Water Supply Corporation (Shelby County), consisting of $2,262,970 in principal forgiveness from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). The Corporation will use the assistance for the planning, acquisition, design, and construction of a water system improvement project.
With the assistance approved today, the Corporation will plan, acquire, design, and construct three new water well sites and install approximately 11,300 linear feet of water lines to connect the wells to the associated water treatment plants. The Corporation will install electrical service, access roads, site fencing, and an electrical generator at each well site, and 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.
December 17, 2025 - A Shelby County Grand Jury delivered 27 indictments, on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. The grand jury was impaneled for the July 2025 term of the 123rd/273rd Judicial District Courts.
Colby Eli Lister was indicted for capital murder, capital felony. The indictment alleges, on September 13, 2025, while acting alone or as a party Lister intentionally caused the death of Jamichael Phillips by shooting him. The indictment further alleges, Lister was then and there in the course of committing or attempting to commit the offense of robbery of Phillips. (123rd Judicial District Court) (Related article: Fourth Suspect in Custody for Shooting Incident on CR 2235 (Update))
Deterion Juvone Alexander was indicted for capital murder, capital felony. The indictment alleges, on September 13, 2025, while acting alone or as a party Alexander intentionally caused the death of Jamichael Phillips by shooting him. The indictment further alleges, Alexander was then and there in the course of committing or attempting to commit the offense of robbery of Phillips. (123rd Judicial District Court) (Related article: Fourth Suspect in Custody for Shooting Incident on CR 2235 (Update))
Rico Tyjuan Rose was indicted for capital murder, capital felony. The indictment alleges, on September 13, 2025, while acting alone or as a party Rose intentionally caused the death of Jamichael Phillips by shooting him. The indictment further alleges, Rose was then and there in the course of committing or attempting to commit the offense of robbery of Phillips. (123rd Judicial District Court) (Related article: Fourth Suspect in Custody for Shooting Incident on CR 2235 (Update))
Alijah Nicholson was indicted for capital murder, capital felony. The indictment alleges, on September 13, 2025, while acting alone or as a party Nicholson intentionally caused the death of Jamichael Phillips by shooting him. The indictment further alleges, Nicholson was then and there in the course of committing or attempting to commit the offense of robbery of Phillips. (123rd Judicial District Court) (Related article: Fourth Suspect in Custody for Shooting Incident on CR 2235 (Update))
Christopher James Gregory was indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on July 26, 2025, Gregory recklessly caused bodily injury to Kelsey Hanks by striking her in the head, and Gregory did then and there exhibit a baseball bat which is a deadly weapon during the assault. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Brad Smith was indicted for assault by choking, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, Smith recklessly caused bodily injury to Dusty Davis, a member of Smith's family or household as described in the Texas Family Code by intentionally, knowingly, and recklessly impeding the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of Davis by applying pressure to the throat or neck of Davis. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Michael James Andrews was indicted for assault by choking, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, Andrews recklessly caused bodily injury to Ashley Brackman, a person with whom Andrews had or once had a dating relationship as described by the Texas Family Code, by intentionally, knowingly, and recklessly impeding the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of Brackman by adding pressure to the throat or neck of Brackman. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Prince Earl was indicted for theft of a firearm, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on September 28, 2025, Earl took a firearm from Deirdre Taylor, the owner, without the effective consent of Taylor. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Jesse Snider Liker was indicted for evading arrest with a motor vehicle, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on July 4, 2025, Liker used a vehicle to intentionally flee Center police Officer Robert Hudnall, a person Liker knew was a peace officer attempting to lawfully arrest or detain him. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Ayona Danae Wilson was indicted for theft of property >=$2,500<$30K, stater jail felony. The indictment alleges, on July 7, 2025, Wilson took pet medication, calculators, gaming controllers, storage totes, shoe insoles and other merchandise of the value of $2,500 or more but less than $30,000 from Walmart without consent. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Jin Jacklick was indicted for burglary of a habitation, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on August 15, 2025, Jacklick entered a habitation without consent of Karla Vargas, the owner, and attempted to commit or committed theft of cash belonging to Vargas. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Joe Daniel Adams was indicted for burglary of a habitation, second degree felony - punishment enhancement: habitual 25 years to life. The indictment alleges, on May 8, 2025, Adams entered a habitation without consent of Jonathan Brooks, the owner, and attempted to commit or committed theft of guns. The indictment further shows in relation to enhancements that Adams was convicted on April 5, 2017 for assault on a public servant in Harrison County and on January 15, 2020, for driving while intoxicated 3rd or more in Hopkins County. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Joe Daniel Adams was indicted for unlawful possession firearm by felon, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on May 8, 2025, Adams possessed a firearm after previously being convicted of possession of a controlled substance on March 25, 2018, in Panola County and after the fifth anniversary of his release from supervision under community supervision, or parole, or mandatory supervision following conviction of the felony. The indictment further alleges the possession of the firearm occurred on FM 947 in Shelby County, which was a location other than the premises at which Adams lived. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Riki D'shain Dutton was indicted for burglary of a habitation, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on July 18, 2025, Dutton entered a habitation with intent to commit theft, and without the consent of Sharon Hoop Martinez, the owner. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Marsh Glenn Odom was indicted for burglary of a habitation, second degree felony - punishment enhancement: habitual 25 years to life. The indictment alleges, on June 13, 2025, Odom entered a habitation without the consent of Terena Nechelle Wyrick, the owner, and attempted to commit or committed theft of weed eaters. The indictment further shows in relation to enhancements that Odom was convicted on November 5, 2009, for burglary of a habitation in Nacogdoches County and convicted on August 24, 2023, for burglary of a habitation in Shelby County. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Marsh Glenn Odom, Jr. was indicted for burglary of a building, state jail felony - punishment enhancement: 2nd degree. The indictment alleges, on September 25, 2025, Odom entered a building or a portion of a building without the consent of Joseph Phillip Hennigan, the owner, and attempted to commit or committed theft of money bags and change. The indictment further shows in relation to enhancements that Odom was convicted on November 5, 2009, for burglary of a habitation in Nacogdoches County and convicted on August 24, 2023, for burglary of a habitation in Shelby County. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Tiffany Lynn Gabriel was indicted for credit card or debit card abuse of the elderly, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on November 3, 2021, Gabriel took a Discover card from Jane Andrews Smith, the owner, without her consent and with intent to deprive her of the property. The indictment further indicates Smith to be an individual 65 years of age or older. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Michael Anthony McWhorter was indicted for unlawful possession of firearm by felon, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on November 8, 2025, McWhorter possessed a firearm before the fifth anniversary of release from confinement following conviction of the felony offense of manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance PG1, on March 21, 2019, in Greenville County. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Michael Anthony McWhorter was indicted for tampering with physical evidence, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on November 8, 2025, McWhorter while knowing that an investigation was pending, to-wit: Texas Parks and Wildlife inspection, concealed an AR-15, with intent to impair its availability as evidence in the investigation. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Christopher Jamar Cartwright was indicted for theft of property >=150K<$300K, second degree felony - punishment enhancement: first degree felony. The indictment alleges, on March 24, 2025, Cartwright took a 2022 Ford F350 pickup truck, 2000 Falcon gooseneck, reclamation recycle water tank, two Wico power washers, and two 500 gallon water tanks of the value of $150,000 or more but less than $300,000 from Jackie McClelland, the owner, without consent. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Adrian Cole Swindle was indicted for injury to a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on October 11, 2025, Swindle caused bodily injury to A.C. Swindle, an individual 65 years of age or older, by striking him in the face. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Kennis Keith Henderson was indicted for injury to a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on September 29, 2025, Henderson caused bodily injury to a child younger than 14 by striking the child with a belt. (273rd Judicial District Court)
(Dates in parenthesis indicate the date of the alleged incident):
- Kendrick Lamon Roland, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=1G<4G (methamphetamine), third degree felony (December 4, 2024). (123rd Judicial District Court)
- Christopher Rashad Martin, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony - punishment enhancement: 2nd degree) (May 3, 2025). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Morgan Ann Magee, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony - punishment enhancement: 2nd degree) (May 3, 2025). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Larry Lydell Berg, Jr., possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=1G<4G (methamphetamine), third degree felony - punishment enhancement: 2nd degree) (May 10, 2025). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Daniel Joseph Guin, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony - punishment enhancement: third degree) (July 1, 2025). (273rd 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.
December 13, 2025 - The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) and the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial flock (poultry) in Shelby County, Texas. This is the first confirmed case of HPAI in a commercial facility in Texas this year.
Following considerable mortality in the flock, samples were submitted to a Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory and confirmed December 11, 2025.
The TAHC is working closely with federal animal health officials on a joint incident response. State officials quarantined the affected premises, and as part of existing avian influenza response, are working to conduct surveillance in areas around the affected flock.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), H5N1 viruses circulating in birds is believed to pose a low risk to the general public in the United States. As a reminder, the proper handling and cooking of all poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165˚F is recommended as a general food safety precaution.
“All bird owners should consider how they can keep their flocks healthy through enhanced biosecurity practices,” said Dr. Bud Dinges, TAHC executive director and state veterinarian. “Ensuring barriers between wild birds are established is critical. Watch birds closely for signs of illness and report sickness or unexpected deaths immediately.”
The TAHC recommends the following animal health considerations for all Texas poultry producers:
- Closely observe and report sudden increases in the number of sick birds or bird deaths to the TAHC at 1-800-550-8242 or APHIS 1-866-536-7593.
- Practice good biosecurity with poultry and all other animals interacting with the flock.
- Prevent contact between domestic birds and wild birds. Consider bringing birds indoors to further prevent exposures.
- Avoid visits to other premises with susceptible animals and wash hands before and after handling birds.
Additional Resources
- TAHC HPAI page: https://www.tahc.texas.gov/emergency/avianinfluenza.html
- United States Detections of HPAI: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/avian-influenza/2022-hpai
- USDA Defend the Flock biosecurity on a budget webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXfCXv6OSVY
- USDA Defend the Flock biosecurity: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/defend-the-flock-program/dtf-resources/dtf-resources
December 12, 2025 - The Boles Field area on FM 2694 was the scene of a two-vehicle crash Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 11:30am.
Fire personnel with the Huxley and Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Departments were both on scene to assist those involved.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety, a Mazda CX-5 driven by Mingyuan Shi, 61, of Center was traveling east, followed by a GMC Sierra driven by Larry LeBleu, 67, of Shelbyville. It is reported that Shi, the driver of the Mazda, applied the brakes to avoid striking a dog that ran onto the roadway and the Mazda was struck in the rear by the GMC.
Shi was self-transported to her physician to be evaluated.
LeBleu was not reported to have been injured.
According to DPS, this is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
The fire department personnel cleared the scene at 12:45pm. The crash was investigated by DPS Trooper Josh Gradberg.
December 12, 2025 - Boil Water Notice for Joaquin Public Water Systems
Effecting the West Side of Joaquin
To all customers on the west side of town needs to boil their water prior to consumption (e.g., washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc). Children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions).
To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes.
In lieu of boiling, individuals may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the public water system officials will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact City of Joaquin at 936-269-3021 or 130 Steve Hughes Drive, Joaquin, TX 75954
December 12, 2025 - The Shelby County Courthouse and County offices will be closed from 12pm – 1:30pm today, Friday December 12th so that all County employees can attend our annual employee Christmas luncheon.
The Courthouse and County offices will reopen at approximately 1:30 and remain open until 4:30 pm for regular business.
Thank you for understanding.
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