In Funeral Announcements

Ric Lee, 48, of Center, passed away Tuesday at MD Anderson in Houston.  Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., today at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., tomorrow at First United Methodist Church in Center. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.

George Daniel Parker 96, passed away in Bryan, Texas on Tuesday.  Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., today at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., tomorrow at Newburn Cemetery in Center.

John Quincy Adams, Sr. 78, of Houston, passed away Wednesday at his residence.  Visitation will be today from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Mangum Funeral Home.  Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m. tomorrow at Mangum Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Smith Cemetery.

Mary Jo Adams, 84 of Garrison, passed away Tuesday in Garrison, Texas. Visitation will be held tomorrow at 9:30am to 11am at the First Baptist Church in Garrison with funeral services to follow at 11am. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Garrison.  She is survived by husband, Earnest Wade Adams of Garrison

Irene Davis, 92, of Joaquin, passed away, Wednesday at her residence.  Visitation will be tomorrow from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Mangum Funeral Home.  Funeral Services will be at 2:00 p.m. Sunday at Mangum Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Sholar Cemetery in Joaquin. She is survived by two sons Bill Davis & Kenneth Davis of Joaquin and a Daughter Carolyn McGehee of Joaquin. 

Danny Eugene Brooks, of Carthage, passed away Wednesday in Little Rock, Arkansas.  Services are pending at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.

Local Arrest Report for August 30^th

• William Durbin, 54, of Joaquin was arrested by Shelby County Sheriffs for Terroristic Threat.

• Mike Lee Glenn, 31, of Center was arrested by Center Police for Abandonment & Endangerment of a Child, Escaping While Arrested, and Resisting Arrest.

All Suspects are Innocent Until Proven Guilty Before a Court of Law

Over the next year there will be numerous short films produced in East Texas area by Quest Media Group & David Masterson Productions Inc. Open casting call will be held Wednesday, September 5th at the Shelby County Courthouse in Center from 5pm till 7pm in hopes of finding new talent.  This open casting/crew call is for anyone interested in working on short films or acting, novice or experienced. No minors unless accompanied by a parent please. At audition you will be interviewed, asked to read a few lines on camera, and get some photos taken during the process. All this will go in our database and be referenced for the upcoming films by casting directors as needed. If you are selected, you will be contacted. Online submissions are accepted – please include head shots, full body shots, and personal data. Contact David Masterson for more information at 936.591.2971.

The SFA Lumberjacks open their football season at 6 p.m. tonight at Homer Bryce Stadium taking on Southwest Oklahoma. The game was postponed from Thursday.

Last night, the San Augustine Wolves were in Tyler playing Grace Community, and the season opener went the way of Grace Community, as they took a 41-20 victory over San Augustine. The Wolves have an open date next week. 

It's the opening weekend of high school football, and tonight's schedule includes Buna at Center, Tenaha at Joaquin, Mount Enterprise travels to Shelbyville, Hemphill at Garrison, and Mansfield at Logansport. Center Broadcasting stations will have the play-by-play of the Buna Cougar and Center Roughrider game on KDET, as Rob Payne, Chris Watlington and team will describe the action from Roughrider Stadium. The stadium pre-game show begins at 7. Meanwhile, the Tenaha Tigers-Joaquin Rams' action from Ram Stadium will be on Q-100, KQBB, with Don Wall. Both broadcasts will also stream on cbc-radio.com.

An Angelina County grand jury has indicted a man late Wednesday accused of killing his girlfriend and her brother in July.  Bond for Terrance Barnes, 31, formerly of Center is set at $2 million.  Authorities believe Barnes formerly of Center stabbed his girlfriend, Rosa Pina, and her brother, Pepe Pina, to death at their residence on John Kolb Road on July 26. He was arrested in the area that night, following a massive manhunt. Authorities say he confessed to the stabbings.

An East Texas County is reporting its first West Nile death.  According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, the first West Nile death in Panola County was reported Wednesday evening.  The county has two total cases at this time, One West Nile fever and one West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease.  The total number of deaths in Texas from West Nile Virus is 34.  The total number of West Nile Virus cases in Texas is 894, over half the nationwide cases.

A tough Texas law requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls discriminates against low-income blacks and Hispanics, a federal court ruled Thursday, wiping out for the November election a measure championed by conservatives and setting up a potential U.S. Supreme Court showdown.

In Washington, a three-judge panel unanimously ruled that the 2011 law imposes "strict, unforgiving burdens on the poor" and noted that Texas' racial minorities are more likely to live in poverty.  It was the state's second major loss in court in three days, coming after a separate federal panel ruled Tuesday that Texas' Republican-dominated Legislature failed to avoid "discriminatory purposes" when drawing new maps for congressional districts and both houses of the state Legislature to reflect the Texas' booming population. The voter ID decision could set a precedent for upcoming legal challenges to similar laws in other states.

Issac has left a big soggy mess in Louisiana. Neighborhoods are underwater, and it will be a few days before the soupy brown water recedes and people who live in flooded neighborhoods can return home. New Orleans was spared any major damage, lifted its curfew and returned to its usual liveliness, although it was dampened by heavy humidity. Isaac dumped as much as 16 inches of rain in some areas, and about 500 people had to be rescued by boat or high-water vehicles. At least two deaths were reported. Isaac hit on the seventh anniversary of Katrina, a hurricane that devastated New Orleans. In Louisiana alone, the storm cut power to 901,000 homes and businesses, or about 47 percent of the state. That was down to 39 percent, or about 821,000, by Thursday evening. More than 15,000 utility workers began restoring power to customers in Louisiana and Mississippi, but officials said it would be at least two days before power was fully restored.

Those born on this date are:

They include English author Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley ("Frankenstein") in 1797; Louisiana Gov. Huey Long in 1893; journalist/author John Gunther and civil rights leader Roy Wilkins, both in 1901; actors Raymond Massey in 1896, Shirley Booth in 1898, Joan Blondell in 1906 and Fred MacMurray in 1908; baseball Hall of Fame member Ted Williams in 1918; country music singer Kitty Wells in 1919; businessman Warren Buffett in 1930 (age 82); singer John Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas in 1935; actor Elizabeth Ashley in 1939 (age 73); French Olympic champion skier Jean-Claude Killy in 1943 (age 69); cartoonist Robert Crumb in 1943; newspaper columnist Molly Ivins in 1944; comedian Lewis Black in 1948 (age 64); basketball Hall of Fame member Robert Parish in 1953 (age 49); actors Peggy Lipton in 1946 (age 66), Timothy Bottoms in 1951 (age 61), Michael Chiklis in 1963 (age 49), Michael Michele in 1966 (age 46) and Cameron Diaz in 1972 (age 40); and tennis player Andy Roddick in 1982 (age 30).

On this date in history:

In 30 B.C., Cleopatra, queen of Egypt and lover of Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, committed suicide following the defeat of her forces by Octavian, the future first emperor of Rome.

In 1780, Gen. Benedict Arnold betrayed the United States when he promised secretly to surrender the fort at West Point to the British army. He fled to England and died in poverty.

In 1941, German forces began the 900-day siege of Leningrad. When it ended, the Russian city lay in ruins and hundreds of thousands of people had died.

In 1967, the nomination of Thurgood Marshall to the U.S. Supreme Court was confirmed. Marshall was the first African-American to sit on the court.

In 1983, Guion Bluford became the first black astronaut in space.

In 1992, at least 15 people were killed and 31 wounded when an artillery shell exploded in a crowded Sarajevo market.

In 1994, the Lockheed and Martin Marietta corporations agreed to a merger that would create the largest U.S. defense contractor.

In 2003, more than 120 people, including prominent Shiite cleric Ayatollah Mohammad Baqir al-Hakim, were killed in a bombing attack on Iraq's Imam Ali Mosque.

In 2004, at least 240 people were arrested during a New York anti-Bush demonstration two days before the National Republican convention.

In 2005, on the day after Hurricane Katrina struck, 80 percent of New Orleans was under water. Electric, water, sewage, communication and transportation systems were out. Three-fourths of all houses were reported damaged or destroyed. Thousands were rescued, many plucked from rooftops and some sought shelter in the Superdome.

In other areas along the Gulf of Mexico, meanwhile, Katrina flattened much of Gulfport and Biloxi, Miss., flooded Mobile, Ala., and heavily damaged smaller towns in between. The death toll report eventually would top 1,800, most of the deaths in New Orleans, with more than $100 billion in damage.

In 2008, an estimated 2 million people from Texas to Alabama fled the Gulf Coast as Hurricane Gustav bore down on the area. The mass evacuation included many residents of New Orleans who had just observed the third anniversary of the Hurricane Katrina onslaught.

Also in 2008, thousands of residents of Mexico City, Tijuana and other cities in Mexico took to the streets to protest an epidemic of drug-related killings and kidnappings and the Mexican government's apparent inability to stop them.

In 2009, the federal government's "cash for clunkers" program, which offered rebates for those who traded in gas-guzzling cars and trucks for newer, more gas-efficient models, convinced American consumers to buy more than 690,000 vehicles.

Also in 2009, with the economy dropping and unemployment rising, Japan's ruling political party for about half a century, the Liberal Democrats, was routed in parliamentary elections by the Democratic Party of Japan.

In 2011, two senior U.S. Justice Department officials charged with overseeing the failed government gun smuggling "sting" operation dubbed "Fast and Furious" were replaced amid bitter congressional criticism of the mission. The plan was to pass thousands of weapons to suspected Mexican gun smugglers and trace them to drug leaders. But hundreds of firearms were lost, some showing up at crime scenes, including the 2010 slaying of a U.S. Border Patrol agent.

In Funeral Announcements

Ric Lee, 48, of Center, passed away Tuesday at MD Anderson in Houston.  Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., tomorrow at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday at First United Methodist Church in Center. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.

George Daniel Parker 96, passed away in Bryan, Texas on Tuesday.  Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., tomorrow at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday at Newburn Cemetery in Center.

Local Arrest Report for August 29th
 

• George Naylor Bowers, 52, of Tenaha was arrested by Center Police for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and 2 counts of Delivery of a Controlled Substance.

Over the next year there will be numerous short films produced in East Texas area by Quest Media Group & David Masterson Productions Inc. Open casting call will be held Wednesday, September 5th at the Shelby County Courthouse in Center from 5pm till 7pm in hopes of finding new talent. This open casting/crew call is for anyone interested in working on short films or acting, novice or experienced. No minors unless accompanied by a parent please. At audition you will be interviewed, asked to read a few lines on camera, and get some photos taken during the process. All this will go in our database and be referenced for the upcoming films by casting directors as needed. If you are selected, you will be contacted. Online submissions are accepted – please include head shots, full body shots, personal data. Contact David Masterson for more information at 936.591.2971.

Varsity high school football tonight, has the San Augustine Wolves on the road to Tyler to play Grace Community in a 7:30 start. Friday night’s line-up has the Center Roughriders at home to play Buna, a game that will air on KDET; the Tenaha Tigers open defense of their state championship as they make the short drive to Joaquin to play the Rams in the Shelby County Game of the Week on Q-100 KQBB; the Shelbyville Dragons are home to tangle with Mount Enterprise; the Garrison Bulldogs are home against Hemphill; and the Logansport Tigers will host Mansfield. Saturday night, the Timpson Bears travel to Tyler to play All Saints Episcopal. We do remind you the Center-Buna and Tenaha-Joaquin games can also be heard online at cbc-radio.com.

High school football tonight is kicking off, as sub-varsity teams have their openers. The Center Roughriders Freshman team will be playing Tatum at 5:30 pm. The freshman game will be at Roughrider Stadium. Center Roughriders JV football team will be facing Buna at Cougar Stadium in Buna at 5:30 pm tonight.

Stephen F. Austin State University’s season-opener football game against Southwestern Oklahoma, scheduled for tonight, has been postponed until Friday due to anticipated inclement weather related to Issac. All other game-day activities, including Freshman Tailgate and Jack Camp reunion, Veterans Tailgate, Alumni Corner tailgate, and Jacks Charge, have been moved to Friday at the same scheduled times. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Homer Bryce Stadium.

DeSoto Parish and Sabine Parish schools are closed today, due to the storms anticipated from Tropical Storm Issac. Sabine Parish schools will also be closed Friday. There are no schools in Shelby, San Augustine, or any other East Texas schools closed due to Tropical Storm Issac.

Richard Vaughn Dean appeared before the 123rd Judicial District Court yesterday morning with his attorney Douglas H. Parks. Dean pleaded guilty to the October 2011 killing of his wife and son in Shelbyville. Dean accepting a life without parole sentence as well as waived his right to a jury trial which was accepted by the District Attorney, Kenneth Florence and the Court. The Court found the defendant guilty of the offense of Capital Murder and was then sentenced to be incarcerated with Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division for a term of Life - Without Parole.

Hurricane Isaac sidestepped New Orleans on Wednesday, sending the worst of its howling wind and heavy rain into a cluster of rural fishing villages that had few defenses against the slow-moving storm that could bring days of unending rain. Isaac arrived exactly seven years after Hurricane Katrina and passed slightly to the west of New Orleans, where the city's fortified levee system easily handled the assault. The city's biggest problems seemed to be downed power lines, scattered tree limbs and minor flooding. Just one person was reported killed, compared with 1,800 deaths from Katrina in Louisiana and Mississippi. But in Plaquemines Parish, a sparsely populated area south of the city that is outside the federal levee system, dozens of people were stranded in flooded coastal areas and had to be rescued. The storm pushed water over an 18-mile levee and put so much pressure on it that authorities planned to intentionally puncture the floodwall to relieve the strain. President Barack Obama declared federal emergencies in Louisiana and Mississippi late Wednesday, according to a statement from the White House. The disaster declarations free up federal aid for affected areas. By mid-afternoon Wednesday, Isaac had been downgraded to a tropical storm. The Louisiana National Guard wrapped up rescue operations in Plaquemines Parish, saying they felt confident they had gotten everyone out and there were no serious injuries but would stay in the area over the coming days to help, according to a National Guard spokesman.

Fried cactus was announced Wednesday as one of eight finalists for the zany food of choice at the Texas state fair. Officially called "chicken fried cactus bites," thinly sliced prickly pear cactus pads will be fried in chicken batter and served with jalapeno ranch and agave nectar dipping sauces. If something sweet sounds a little better, fairgoers can try fried chocolate cake. The cake will be soaked in buttermilk batter and fried, then topped with cinnamon, whipped cream, strawberries and peaches. Other finalists from the deep fryer include jambalaya, macaroni and cheese, cinnamon rolls and pork wings. Vendors are competing in the categories of best taste and most creative. The state fair runs Sept. 28 to Oct. 21 at Fair Park, east of downtown Dallas.

Local Arrest Report for August 28th
 

• Joshua Cooley, 19, of Tenaha was arrested by Center Police for Possession of a Prohibited Weapon.

• Rachel Carmack, 21, of Joaquin was arrested by Shelby County Sheriffs for Theft.

• James Dewayne Standley, 49, of Center was arrested by Center Police for Aggravated Assault and Family Violence.

   

All Suspects are Innocent Until Proven Guilty Before a Court of Law

The high school football season kicks off this week, and the San Augustine Wolves play their opener Thursday night as they travel to Tyler to play Grace Community in a 7:30 start. Friday night's schedule has the Center Roughriders at home to play Buna, a game that will air on KDET; the Tenaha Tigers open defense of their state championship as they make the short drive to Joaquin to play the Rams in the Shelby County Game of the Week on Q-100 KQBB; the Shelbyville Dragons are home to tangle with Mount Enterprise; the Garrison Bulldogs are home against Hemphill; and the Logansport Tigers will host Mansfield. Saturday night, the Timpson Bears travel to Tyler to play All Saints Episcopal. We do remind you the Center-Buna and Tenaha-Joaquin games can also be heard online at cbc-radio.com.

ACE EMS is up and running as of late afternoon Tuesday. Dale Alexander and David Chandler are owners of the new ambulance service based in Center. Jessie Griffith is managing the operations of the business, located at 715 Nacogdoches St. There are crews on call now. The emergency number for ACE EMS is 936-591-9990 or call 911.

Shelby County Attorney Gary Rholes stated that his office will be on the lookout for anyone engaging in price gouging. Price gouging occurs when unreasonable prices are charged for certain necessities including gasoline, after the Governor declares a disaster. Rholes stated while he hopes and anticipates no disaster will be declared, that his office will be keeping up with the situation.

Hurricane Isaac has made landfall last night along the southern Louisiana coast, near New Orleans. Even though the official forecast from the National Hurricane Center takes Isaac up through North Central Louisiana. According to sources, East Texas could see a weakening Isaac on Thursday. If Isaac does track through the Piney Woods on Thursday, this would mean areas along and east of Highway 59 could receive several inches of rain to go along with gusty winds. It bears repeating that this is only a worst case scenario, but is one that we must take note of. Obviously, if Isaac stays in Louisiana or does not cross into Texas until it gets up towards Shreveport, then our affects locally will be minimal. A shift in the position or track of Isaac by as little as 30 to 50 miles goes a long way in to the local conditions we could experience here in Deep East Texas later this week. Rainfall potential looks to be highest along and east of Mount Enterprise to San Augustine to Hemphill line. Areas west of Highway 59 could see one to two inches of rain.

Hurricane Isaac has made landfall in Louisiana. The eye of the 200-mile wide storm hit land at Plaquemines Parish about 75 miles from New Orleans. Entergy reported 250,000 customers without power in and around the New Orleans area as of early Wednesday. But the big concern is flooding. The slow moving storm is expected to dump double digit amounts of rain on the region. Some time early this morning, the Army Corps of Engineers will be closing floodgates in Louisiana parishes as Hurricane Isaac creeps closer to the Gulf Coast. New Orleans is closing floodgates for the first time since they were built after Hurricane Katrina. The floodgates are almost a 2 mile barrier to protect New Orleans and St. Bernard Parish. President Barack Obama signed an emergency declaration yesterday morning for the state of Mississippi hours after his approval of a disaster declaration for Louisiana. Isaac appears to be following a path similar to Hurricane Katrina. It is expected to make landfall near New Orleans as a category 1 storm Wednesday - the seven-year anniversary of when Katrina tore through the city. Although only predicted to make landfall as a category 1 hurricane, federal officials are warning residents for a sizable storm. No mandatory evacuations have been ordered for New Orleans, although residents of 20 Louisiana parishes have been advised to leave voluntarily.

Federal emergency officials in Texas have begun staging supplies in Louisiana in preparation for Tropical Storm Isaac. The regional Federal Emergency Management Agency office in Denton has set up an operations center in Baton Rouge, La. Emergency response items such as meals, water, cots, blankets and hygiene kits have been placed at various points in Louisiana. Meanwhile, Texas Gov. Rick Perry placed state and local emergency management officials on alert Monday. That's as Isaac targeted a broad range of the Gulf Coast and threatened to reach hurricane strength. Also, the American Red Cross in North Texas has activated its emergency command center in Dallas.

Local Arrest Report for August 27^th

Anthony Allen Horton, 45, of Center was arrested by Center Police for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Public Intoxication.

The San Augustine County Chamber of Commerce is introducing a new raffle as one of its games in the Civic Auction that will take place on Sept. 8. There will be one winning ticket, and that winning ticket will receive all the gift certificates from 14 area restaurants. The total value of the gift certificates at the present time is $960.00. Raffle tickets will sell for $10 each. You can win almost $1000 worth in food certificates if you hold the winning ticket. Tickets may be purchased from any Director or Officer of the Chamber or see Tracy at the Log Cabin. The winner does not need to be present. Participating restaurants are: El Giro Mexican Restaurant, Zippy’s Pizza, Wing’s and Cream, Imogene’s Café, Catfish Junction, Dairy Mart, Los Jarritos Mexican Restaurant, Dairy Queen, Byrd House Family Restaurant, Jackson Hill Restaurant, Bear’s Country Diner, Pinto Pony, Mary Ann’s Country Diner, and a family picnic from  Brookshire Bros. Deli .  The chamber wishes to thank all of these restaurants for their participation in the Civic Auction. 

Shelby County Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8904 and the Ladies Auxiliary invite all Iraq War Veterans and their families to a dinner in their honor on Friday, August 31^st at 6:30 p.m. at the VFW Post Home, 617 Highway 96 North. If you are an Iraq Veteran or parent, grandparent, brother, sister or other close relative of an Iraq Veteran and would like to attend as a special guest please RSVP to Larry Hume at 936-598-2976 by August 29th.

The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors announce the expansion of Care Plus Ambulance Service to Shelby County.  Owners Brad and Traci Parsons and manager Richard Brunk invites the public to the grand opening ribbon cutting at 521 Shelbyville Street on Thursday, September 6 at 11:30 am. To receive services from Care Plus call 409-384-5590.  For more information please contact the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce at (936) 598-3682.

The last time San Augustine opened a new school was way back in the 1920s.  Never before have San Augustine school finances fallen into place like they are now.  When an offer for a federal interest free loan came along, Superintendent Walter Key said that it was almost a no brainer to build the new middle school for our community.  The brain work will be left up to the students as they're introduced to all kinds of new technology.  San Augustine Independent School District certainly isn't stopping with a new middle school.  Already on the drawing board are big plans for the athletic department.  San Augustine is looking to build a new football field, a track, which they have never had, a new field house, new home stands and if the voters approve it, a new band hall would be on the list.  Right now parents and faculty want students to realize how lucky they are to have a new school and plans for even more improvements.  In addition to the new middle school, San Augustine Elementary and High School opened following extensive renovations.  The former Lincoln Middle School will be turned into an administration building.

Isaac was on the verge of becoming a full-blown hurricane Tuesday as it rolled over the Gulf of Mexico toward Louisiana, where residents of the low-lying coast left boarded-up homes for inland shelter while people in New Orleans waited behind levees fortified after Katrina.  Forecasters predicted the tropical storm would power up to hurricane strength, which starts at winds of 74 mph, later in the day and be at least a Category 1 hurricane by the time it's expected to reach the swampy coast of southeast Louisiana early Wednesday. The forecast track has the storm aimed at New Orleans, but hurricane warnings extended across 280 miles from Morgan City, La., to the Florida-Alabama state line. It could become the first hurricane to hit the Gulf Coast since 2008.  In the Big Easy on Monday, Mayor Mitch Landrieu did not activate a mandatory evacuation.   Federal officials said the updated levees around New Orleans are equipped to handle storms stronger than Isaac but with the landfall expected Wednesday, Katrina's seventh anniversary, anxiety is high, especially in the Lower 9th Ward that was wiped out by Katrina after floodwalls burst and let the waters rush in.

It’s now time for the Center Broadcasting Community Spotlight of the week.  This Week’s Community Spotlight will be shedding light on a man who desires to impact the lives of students both on and off the field.  From San Augustine High School, we would like to highlight Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Donald Hubbard.  Coach Hubbard began his coaching career in Garrison as an Assistant coach.  However he was later promoted to the Head Coach position.  Five other schools in the state have been impacted by Coach Hubbard's dedication and passion, with the latest being George Ranch High School in Richmond.  Coach Hubbard returned to East Texas after being hired on as the Head Football Coach for the San Augustine Wolves.  Coach Hubbard has changed the face of Football in San Augustine and rejuvenated school pride.  According to sources, the San Augustine Wolves are expected to devour the competition and go far this year.  We want to thank Coach Donald Hubbard for his dedication and hard work.       

A tea party favorite who worked for the U.S. Department of Education under President George H.W. Bush was tapped Monday to become Texas' top education official, and he'll take over just weeks before the start of major litigation over the way the state funds its public schools.  On the first day of school for many students across the state, Gov. Rick Perry chose Michael Williams to lead the Texas Education Agency, which oversees Texas' 1,200 school districts and charter schools. Williams will take over the education agency just before the Oct. 22 trial in Austin for the school districts' lawsuit. School districts representing about 70 percent of Texas' 5 million public-school students sued the state after the Legislature last year cut $4 billion from public education funding and an additional $1.4 billion from grant programs even though statewide enrollment has been growing.

This week's also "Paint the Town Purple" week. Get your Rider gear out and fly your Purple Pride flag in support of the Riders. Friday's Purple Pride Day, Rider fans, be sure and wear your purple that day for the home opener against Buna.

 Local Arrest Report for August 25-26th
 

• Robert Salas, 32, of Center was arrested by Shelby County Sheriffs for Aggravated Assault.

• Freddie Marrero, 39, of Center was arrested by Shelby County Sheriffs for Terroristic Threat & Criminal Mischief.

• Oscar Smith, 43, of Logansport, Louisiana was arrested by Shelby County Sheriffs for Driving While Intoxicated.

• Cedric Mosley, 31, of Nacogdoches, was arrested by Shelby County Sheriffs for Disorderly Conduct.

• Marquies Bussey, 20, of Timpson was arrested by Timpson Police for Disorderly Conduct.

• Donnie Blanco, 21, of Center was arrested by Shelby County Sheriffs for Terroristic Threat.

• Lovely Wilson of San Augustine was arrested by San Augustine Police for Probation Violation.

• Jorge Amilla of of San Augustine was arrested by San Augustine Police for Public Intoxication.

• James Mackey of of San Augustine was arrested by San Augustine Police for Criminal Trespassing.

• Emanuel Lopez of San Augustine was arrested by San Augustine Police for No Drivers License.

• Rolando Cuevas of of San Augustine was arrested by San Augustine Police for Public Intoxication.

• M.T Tanner of San Augustine was arrested by San Augustine Police for Burglary of a Habitat.

All Suspects are Innocent Until Proven Guilty Before a Court of Law

Planning is underway for the 36th East Texas Poultry Festival on October 4-6 on the downtown Center square with co-chairmen Jim Sawyer and Hollie Adams and the steering committee. Arts and Crafts vendor applications are being accepted at the Shelby County Chamber office until Friday, August 31.

Shelby County Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8904 and the Ladies Auxiliary invite all Iraq War Veterans and their families to a dinner in their honor on Friday, August 31st, 2012, 6:30 p.m. at the VFW Post Home, 617 Highway 96 North. If you are an Iraq Veteran or parent, grandparent, brother, sister or other close relative of an Iraq Veteran and would like to attend as a special guest please RSVP to Larry Hume at 936-598-2976 or email chief@chiefimaging.com by August 29th.

Meet the Riders will be held at 7 tonight at Roughrider Stadium. The CHS Cheerleaders are also having their first Purple Pride Cookout tonight. The Shelby County Cookers will be grilling hamburgers for the event. For $6 you can get a hamburger, chips, cookies, and a drink. Meals will be served at the entrance of the stadium from 4:30-6:30. All proceeds go to benefit the CHS Cheerleaders program.

Lori Oliver, District Clerk Shelby County, Texas, announces the Jury that has been summoned for today for the 123rd District court with Honorable Guy Griffin, presiding has been canceled due to the elevator repair and other renovation. Anyone receiving a summons for that day is released from jury service until they receive a future summons.

Today is the first day of school for the kids in Shelby & San Augustines Counties. So here are some simple reminders for drivers: Slow down and be especially alert in the residential neighborhoods and school zones. Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs. Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully. Watch for children on and near the road in the morning and after school hours. Reduce any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings and put down your phone and don’t talk or text while driving. So help keep our kids safe by followings these tips.

The Northwest Louisiana Chapter of the American Red Cross deployed four volunteers Sunday to assist in the pre-landfall preparedness activities for Tropical Storm Isaac. Assistant Executive Director at the American Red Cross Michelle Davison says these four are part of a specially designed Red Cross unit to help potentially affected states stand-up their readiness in the event of a hurricane. Assuming either Mississippi or Louisiana are directly affected, they will transition immediately into the disaster relief operation. The Northwest Louisiana Chapter is maintaining its stand-by status for local volunteers, assets and shelters, to deploy as needed, and is continuing to monitor the situation.

An ammonia leak at a northeast Texas meat packing plant has sickened dozens of people. A spokeswoman at Titus Regional Medical Center in Mount Pleasant says 17 patients were transported to the hospital for examination. Spokeswoman Shannon Norfleet says the examinations were precautionary and no serious injuries or illnesses were found. She said the hospital had initially been told to expect as many as 40 people potentially exposed. The leak was reported about 2:30 p.m. Friday at the Pilgrim's Pride poultry plant in Mount Pleasant, about 110 miles northeast of Dallas. Pilgrim's Pride spokeswoman Margaret McDonald said she was gathering details on how the leak occurred.

IN FUNERAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Evelyn Sue Walker, 53, of San Augustine passed away Saturday at Memorial Health System of East Texas in San Augustine.  Visitation will be today from 12:30 until 6:00 p.m. At Garner & Son Chapel.  Then Wake will be tonight from 7-9 p.m. At the True Vine Baptist Church.  Funeral services will be tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. At the San Augustine high school gym.  Burial will follow in Mt. Zion Cemetery.  She is survived by her husband, Royce C. Walker of San Augustine along with three sons Royce Walker of Florida, Eric Walker and Charldon of San Augustine.

Local Arrest Report for August 23rd

• Joahquillian Nickerson, 30, of Mount Enterprise was arrested by Center Police for Driving While Intoxicated..

• Jonathan Williams, 20, of Tenaha was arrested by DPS for No Insurance.

• Kenneth Snyder, 25, of Center was arrested by Timpson Police for Assault and Family Violence.

• Angela Miller, 23, of Joaquin, was arrested by Shelby County Sheriffs for Assault.

• Tammy Sims, 30, of Center was arrested by Center Police for Driving While License Suspended.

• Dale Wallace, 49, of Timpson was arrested by DPS for Possession of Marijuana.

• Kenneth Wallace, 39, of Timpson was arrested by Tenaha City Marshalls for Disorderly Conduct and Failure to ID.

• Jerald Wayne Bruton, 57 of Timpson was arrested by Timpson Police for Theft of Copper.

All Suspects are Innocent Until Proven Guilty Before a Court of Law

The San Augustine Chamber of Commerce announces a new event to be held on October 13. Crappie Fest 2012. The featured event will be a Crappie fishing tournament opened to everyone, with the weigh in on the Downtown San Augustine Square. Crappie anglers will be allowed to fish Toledo Bend, Sam Rayburn, or public waters in San Augustine County.  The Crappie tournament is sanctioned by the National Organization Crappie U.S.A. with the winners automatically qualifying for the National Championship. Anyone interested in participating or wanting additional information can contact Dennis North at 903-930-5460, Tracy Cox at The Chamber of Commerce 936-275-3610 or Terry Sympson at Jackson Hill  Marina 936-872-9266, or you can go online to the chamber's website for complete rules and entry information. The tourney is sponsored by Wulf Outdoor Sports and hosted by the San Augustine Chamber, Xtreme Crappie and Jackson Hill Marina.

Planning is underway for the 36th East Texas Poultry Festival on October 4-6 on the downtown Center square with co-chairmen Jim Sawyer and Hollie Adams and the steering committee. Arts and Crafts vendor applications are being accepted at the Shelby County Chamber office according to Polly McKissick until Friday, August 31.

Constable Shad Sparks would like to remind everyone that the School Zone in Shelbyville located on State Highway 87 will be in effect when school starts on Monday. Therefore, citations will be issued for all speeding violators as well as for people using cell phones in the school zones. There will be no exceptions. 

Lori Oliver, District Clerk of Shelby County, Texas, announces the Jury that has been summoned for Monday, August 27 for the 123rd District court with Honorable Guy Griffin, presiding has been canceled due to the elevator repair and other renovation. Anyone receiving a summons for that day is released from jury service until they receive a future summons.

Since August 13 the City of Center has increased the frequency of vector control spraying for mosquitoes from three times a week to every weekday morning. The spray hours are between 4:00 to 6:30 am when mosquitoes are less active. The amount of chemical distributed was increased by 30% in order to better treat targeted areas. Environmentally safe mosquito pellets are applied to ditch and creek water in the City in an effort to kill mosquito larva.  The City will continue to provide these measures but need help from residents. The City is asking that any rubbish such as old tires, aluminum can piles, junk, debris, excavations, or any parcel of land where the vegetation has grown over 18 inches be removed, mowed or cleaned. Any area where unwholesome, impure, stagnated or offensive water is standing should be cleared immediately. These places provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes. If there are any questions or concerns, please call City Hall at 598-2941.

A flash fire at a ConocoPhillips plant in Wyoming injured two San Augustine men Wednesday morning.  According to a press release from the company, the flash fire immediately extinguished itself around 8:30 a.m. during a planned maintenance operation at the company's Lost Cabin Gas Plant near Lysite, Wyoming.  Four contract employees, who work for Altair Strickland, were injured. According to Jeffrey Webber, president of Altair, two of the injured were Derrell Dwayne Bennett, 42, and Joey Lee Holloway, 47, both of San Augustine.  Holloway's injuries were less severe and he is being treated at a nearby hospital. The other three were taken by helicopter to a burn unit in Colorado.  According to company officials, they are working on getting their families there to see them.

The Center Volunteer Fire Department will be on the Center Square and at   Wal-Mart today from 2:00 - 5:00 and Saturday from 9:30 - 1:00. Firefighters will be filling the boot to support  the Muscular Dystrophy Association.  So come and help the Center Volunteer Fire Department fill the boot for Muscular Dystrophy.

The future home for the Shreveport Regional Arts Council will soon be ready and open for artists in the community. What used to be the Central Fire Station in downtown Shreveport is now going to be the center, or the heartbeat, of the art district in Shreveport.  The majority of the inside of the newly renovated historic building is going to be dedicated to community arts. The old engine room is now a multi-use facility. It will house artist galleries, arts business resource centers, rehearsals and production setups.   Last year the construction crew broke ground on the $4.5-million renovation. Now it is almost finished.  Out of the $6.5-million SRAC has raised for renovations to their new building and other projects in Shreveport, only $1.5-million has come from the city, state, and parish governments. The remaining $5-million came from private donors.

Officials say nobody has been hurt in a fiery wreck involving a freight train and a gasoline tanker truck in East Texas. Union Pacific spokeswoman Raquel Espinoza says the accident happened around 1:30 a.m. Thursday in Wills Point, about 45 miles east of Dallas.  Emergency crews applied foam as spilled gasoline from the truck burned for several hours. The flames were nearly out by about dawn.  Espinoza says the trucker jumped from the cab before the train hit the rig, which apparently became stuck on the tracks. Espinoza says the residential-area crossing is not equipped to handle a big tanker. She says a conductor and an engineer were on the train hauling containers with mixed freight. No hazardous materials were on board.

IN FUNERAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Ann Lowe, 80, of Joaquin, passed away Monday at Green Acres Nursing Home in Center. Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m., today at Watson & Sons Chapel. Burial will follow at Pine Ridge Cemetery in Joaquin.  She is survived by a daughter Geraldine Bridges and a son Carroll Ray Miller of Tenaha.

Clem Wilton (Willie) Patterson, passed away Tuesday in Center.  Graveside services held in Vernon, TX at Wilbarger Memorial Park, today at 2 pm. 

Jacqueline Porter, 47, of Center, passed away Sunday, August 12 in Houston. Memorial service will be held at 6:00 p.m., today at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Center.  She is survived by her Husband, Rodney Broadway of Center, sons, Randy Broadway of Center and Frank Ryan Porter of California, and a daughter, Marissa Lewis of Salisbury, Maryland.

Local Arrest Report for August 22^nd

Katrina Glenn, 25, of Center was arrested by Center Police for Assault and Family Violence.

Mike Lee Glenn Jr., 31, of Center was arrested by Center Police for Assault and Family Violence.

Bridget Magby, 26, of Center was arrested by Center Police for Driving While Intoxicated.

Benny McCoy, 48, of Center, was arrested by Center Police for Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Henry Jenkins, 31, of Center was arrested by Shelby County Sheriffs for Failure to Appear.

Byron Harris, 25, of Timpson was arrested by Timpson Police for Theft by Check.

 Jarvin Leonard Taylor, 24, of Shelbyville was arrested by Shelby County Sheriffs for Unpaid Fines.

Stacy Holmes of San Augustine was arrested by San Augustine County Sheriffs for Assault and Family Violence.

All Suspects are Innocent Until Proven Guilty Before a Court of Law

The San Augustine Chamber of Commerce announces a new event to be held on October 13. Crappie Fest 2012. The featured event will be a Crappie fishing tournament opened to everyone, with the weigh in on the Downtown San Augustine Square. Crappie anglers will be allowed to fish Toledo Bend, Sam Rayburn, or public waters in San Augustine County.  The Crappie tournament is sanctioned by the National Organization Crappie U.S.A. with the winners automatically qualifying for the National Championship. Anyone interested in participating or wanting additional information can contact Dennis North at 903-930-5460, Tracy Cox at The Chamber of Commerce 936-275-3610 or Terry Sympson at Jackson Hill  Marina 936-872-9266, or you can go online to the chamber's website for complete rules and entry information. The tourney is sponsored by Wulf Outdoor Sports and hosted by the San Augustine Chamber, Xtreme Crappie and Jackson Hill Marina.

One final tune-up before the start of the high school football season, and all local teams are involved in scrimmage action this week. Three teams will have controlled scrimmages tonight. The San Augustine Wolves are home to play Troup at 6; the Tenaha Tigers are in Lovelady at 6 tonight, and the Joaquin Rams will be in a three way scrimmage with Elysian Fields and White Oak at 5 Tonight in Elysian Fields. Friday night's scrimmages include: the Center Roughriders at home to take on Brook Hill; the Shelbyville Dragons will be in Hemphill, as they're involved in a three-way scrimmage with Hemphill and Colmesneil; the Timpson Bears go to West Sabine; and the DeSoto Parish Jamboree is tomorrow night in Mansfield where the Logansport Tigers will have their final scrimmage of the preseason.

Since August 13 the City of Center has increased the frequency of vector control spraying for mosquitoes from three times a week to every weekday morning. The spray hours are between 4:00 to 6:30 am when mosquitoes are less active. The amount of chemical distributed was increased by 30% in order to better treat targeted areas. Environmentally safe mosquito pellets are applied to ditch and creek water in the City in an effort to kill mosquito larva.  The City will continue to provide these measures but need help from residents. The City is asking that any rubbish such as old tires, aluminum can piles, junk, debris, excavations, or any parcel of land where the vegetation has grown over 18 inches be removed, mowed or cleaned. Any area where unwholesome, impure, stagnated or offensive water is standing should be cleared immediately. These places provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes. If there are any questions or concerns, please call City Hall at 598-2941.

There are now 25 confirmed West Nile cases in the East Texas region.  According to the State Health Services web sites Angelina County and Gregg County have the most confirmed cases of West Nile. A total of nine East Texas counties have patients diagnosed with either the neuroinvasive form of disease or the fever. East Texas Medical Center Emergency Room physician Chris Hable says for most people, it's hard to tell if you have West Nile because the symptoms are not specific. He says the most common symptoms are fevers, headaches, body aches, sometimes rashes and sometimes sore throats... making it difficult to distinguish between West Nile and a cold.  George Roberts, director of the North East Texas Public Health District urges people to take necessary precautions.  Roberts says there is still about six more weeks left in mosquito season.

Michaela "Mickey" Shunick's remains have been released to a funeral home.  According to sources, arrangements are being made for a private service for family members and close friends.  Shunick's father, Tom Shunick, said Tuesday a public memorial will be scheduled at a later date.  The missing Louisiana-Lafayette student's remains were found Aug. 7 buried near an old cemetery on La. Highway 10 in rural Evangeline Parish. Authorities were led to the remains after Shunick's killer, Brandon Scott Lavergne, struck a plea deal that allowed him to serve a life sentence on each of 2 counts of first-degree murder in the May 19 killing of Shunick and the 1999 killing of Lisa Pate.  Lavergne began serving his life sentence at Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola on Friday.

Gov. Rick Perry has appointed an East Texas author and junior college instructor as the new state historian.  Perry's office said Wednesday that Bill O'Neal of Carthage is slated to serve in the post until Aug. 22, 2014.  O'Neal is a nonfiction author and history instructor at Panola College in Carthage. O'Neal received bachelor's and master's degrees from East Texas State University, now known as Texas A&M University-Commerce. O'Neal completed post graduate studies at the University of Texas at Austin.  O'Neal is a board member of the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame, Texas State Historical Association, and the West Texas Historical Association Advisory Board.

 IN FUNERAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Louise B. Hooper, 86, of Timpson passed away Saturday in Nacogdoches. . Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Today in Taylor Funeral Home Chapel in Timpson. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Alton Rex Beckworth, 69, of Little Rock, AR, passed away Saturday in Little Rock, AR. Visitation for family and friends will be 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM Today at Taylor Funeral Home in Timpson. Graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM, Today at Tennessee Cemetery in Timpson.

Ann Lowe, 80, of Joaquin, passed away Monday at Green Acres Nursing Home in Center. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., tonight at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m., tomorrow at Watson & Sons Chapel. Burial will follow at Pine Ridge Cemetery in Joaquin. She is survived by a daughter Geraldine Bridges and a son Carroll Ray Miller of Tenaha.

Clem Wilton (Willie) Patterson, passed away Tuesday in Center. Graveside services held in Vernon, TX at Wilbarger Memorial Park, tomorrow at 2 pm.

Jacqueline Porter, 47, of Center, passed away Sunday, August 12 in Houston. Memorial service will be held at 6:00 p.m., tomorrow at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Center. She is survived by her Husband, Rodney Broadway of Center, sons, Randy Broadway of Center and Frank Ryan Porter of California, and a daughter, Marissa Lewis of Salisbury, Maryland.

Local Arrest Report for August 21th
 

• Robert Fountain, 24, of Center was arrested by Center Police for Possession of Marijuana.

• Jasmine Moore, 35, of Center was arrested by DPS for Forgery.

• Shannen Gore, 18, of Center was arrested by Shelby County Sheriffs for Indecency with a Child.

   

• Camelody Caraway, 28, of Nacogdoches, was arrested by DPS for Theft by Check.

All Suspects are Innocent Until Proven Guilty Before a Court of Law

One final tune-up before the start of the high school football season, and all local teams are involved in scrimmage action this week. Three teams will have controlled scrimmages on Thursday. The San Augustine Wolves are home to play Troup at 6; the Tenaha Tigers are in Lovelady at 6 Thursday, and the Joaquin Rams will be in a three way scrimmage with Elysian Fields and White Oak at 5 Thursday in Elysian Fields. Friday night's scrimmages include: the Center Roughriders at home to take on Brook Hill; the Shelbyville Dragons will be in Hemphill, as they're involved in a three-way scrimmage with Hemphill and Colmesneil; the Timpson Bears go to West Sabine; and the DeSoto Parish Jamboree is Friday night in Mansfield where the Logansport Tigers will have their final scrimmage of the preseason.

The San Augustine Chamber of Commerce announces a new event to be held on October 13. Crappie Fest 2012. The featured event will be a Crappie fishing tournament opened to everyone, with the weigh in on the Downtown San Augustine Square. Crappie anglers will be allowed to fish Toledo Bend, Sam Rayburn, or public waters in San Augustine County. The Crappie tournament is sanctioned by the National Organization Crappie U.S.A. with the winners automatically qualifying for the National Championship. Anyone interested in participating or wanting additional information can contact Dennis North at 903-930-5460, Tracy Cox at The Chamber of Commerce 936-275-3610 or Terry Sympson at Jackson Hill Marina 936-872-9266, or you can go online to the chamber's website for complete rules and entry information. The tourney is sponsored by Wulf Outdoor Sports and hosted by the San Augustine Chamber, Xtreme Crappie and Jackson Hill Marina.

The Center Volunteer Fire Department will be on the Center Square and at Wal-Mart Friday from 2:00 - 5:00 and Saturday from 9:30 - 1:00. Firefighters will be filling the boot to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Come and help the Center Volunteer Fire Department fill the boot and fight MDA.

Local schools are gearing up for the start of school Monday by hosting a "Meet the Teacher Night". Excelsior ISD Meet the Teacher is scheduled for tomorrow from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. You may bring your child's school supplies at this time. Joaquin Elementary Meet the Teacher will be held tomorrow from 5:30 until 6:30 pm. Shelbyville ISD Meet the Teacher will be held tomorrow from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Students may bring their school supplies. Following Shelbyville's Meet the Teacher is “Meet the Dragons” which begins at 6:00 p.m. at the Dragon Stadium. Tenaha ISD Meet the Teacher will also be held tomorrow from 4:30 to 6:30. Middle School and High School students may pick up their class schedule at this time also.

Notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing will be conducted by the Governing Body of the Shelby County Commissioners’ Court and will be held Friday at 9:30 a.m. in the Courtroom of the Shelby County Courthouse to deliberate and consider action on the Tax Rate.

The Caddo-Bossier Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness met Tuesday afternoon to discuss a joint effort to combat the threat of the West Nile virus. While no decisions about spraying were made, OHSEP Director, Sandy Davis said it was still beneficial. Each Parish would have to approve and provide funding for aerial spraying to kill mosquitoes. Caddo Mosquito control estimates it would cost about $45,000 to cover 70,000 acres they have identified. The meeting follows discussions at Monday night's Caddo Parish Commission meeting highlighting concerns raised in light of the recent rise in West Nile cases in the region. As of August 17th, Caddo has seen 9 cases so far this year. Six of them have been the more serious neuroinvasive form of the virus. Bossier has reported 5, but only one of them is the neuroinvasive form. Webster Parish has reported 2 cases. DeSoto and Nathcitoches Parishes have reported 1 case each. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals has not confirmed any deaths in northwest Louisiana from the virus.

A sport utility vehicle taking 10 children to a water park veered out of control and overturned on an East Texas interstate highway Monday afternoon, killing five children and injuring the other seven occupants of the vehicle. The crash happened about 2:15 p.m. Monday on Interstate 20 near the town of Van, about 70 miles east of Dallas. According to sources, a language barrier enhanced the confusion surrounding the initial investigation. Those killed were all children. Three were girls, ages 13, 6, 3 and 2. The other was a 5-year-old boy.  Five other children and two adults were taken to hospitals in Tyler and Dallas. Four children were admitted in critical condition, a 14-year-old girl was treated and released and only one of the adults was admitted to East Texas Medical Center in Tyler. No identities were released.

 IN FUNERAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Louise B. Hooper, 86, of Timpson passed away Saturday in Nacogdoches. Visitation for family and friends will be 6:00 – 8:00 pm Today at Taylor Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Tomorrow in Taylor Funeral Home Chapel in Timpson. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Alton Rex Beckworth, 69, of Little Rock, AR, passed away Saturday in Little Rock, AR. Visitation for family and friends will be 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM Tomorrow at Taylor Funeral Home in Timpson. Graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM, Tomorrow at Tennessee Cemetery in Timpson.

Clem Wilton (Willie) Patterson, passed away Tuesday in Center. Graveside services held in Vernon, TX at Wilbarger Memorial Park, Thursday at 2 pm.

Jacqueline Porter, 47, of Center, passed away Sunday, August 12 in Houston. Memorial service will be held at 6:00 p.m., Thursday at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Center. She is survived by her Husband, Rodney Broadway of Center, sons, Randy Broadway of Center and Frank Ryan Porter of California, and a daughter, Marissa Lewis of Salisbury, Maryland.

Ann Lowe, 80, of Joaquin, passed away Yesterday in Center. Funeral services are pending at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.

 Local Arrest Report for August 20th
 

• Marcus Roberts, 42, of Center was arrested by DPS for Driving While Intoxicated, Possesion of a Controlled Substance, Driving While License Suspended, and Resisting Arrest.

• Kevin Robinson, 23, of Center was arrested by Shelby County Sheriffs for Assault and Bodily Injury.

   

• Linda Gay Jones, 54, of San Augustine was arrested by San Augustine Police for Burglary of a Building.

All Suspects are Innocent Until Proven Guilty Before a Court of Law

We're just a week away from Don Wall's Coaches Show debuting for another season on Q-100, KQBB. Next Tuesday evening at 7, Don will be discussing the upcoming football season with Coach Terry Ward of the Tenaha Tigers; Coach Wayne Gandy of the Joaquin Rams, Center Roughrider head coach Kevin Goodwin; and Coach Jim Bradford of the Shelbyville Dragons. Tune in at 7 each Tuesday evening for Don Wall's Shelby County Coaches Show on Q-100, KQBB.

Center Broadcasting Company will have the play-by-play of Center Roughrider football on KDET Aug. 31 as Rob Payne and Chris Watlington and team will describe the action of the Center-Buna game. Don Wall will call the Shelby County Game of the Week on Q-100 KQBB Aug. 31, as the Tenaha Tigers travel to the Joaquin Rams. You'll be able to also hear both games online at cbc-radio.com.

One final tune-up before the start of the high school football season, and all local teams are involved in scrimmage action this week. Three teams will have controlled scrimmages on Thursday. The San Augustine Wolves are home to play Troup at 6; the Tenaha Tigers are in Lovelady at 6 Thursday, and the Joaquin Rams will be in a three way scrimmage with Elysian Field and White Oak at 5 Thursday in Elysian Fields. Friday night's scrimmages include: the Center Roughriders at home to take on Brook Hill; the Shelbyville Dragons will be in Hemphill, as they're involved in a three-way scrimmage with Hemphill and Colmesneil; the Timpson Bears go to West Sabine; and the DeSoto Parish Jamboree is Friday night in Mansfield where the Logansport Tigers will have their final scrimmage of the preseason.

School officially begins in a little less than a week on August 27th. Center Elementary School has some made times changes on the daily schedule. School will now begin at 7:45 and parent pick up will begin at 2:55.

The Elevator located in the Shelby County Courthouse has been scheduled for firefighter service and out of operation for at least 2-3 weeks. According to a state mandate, the repairs are being made to maintain compliance with state guidelines. Anyone scheduled for court during the next couple of weeks should contact the appropriate Judge’s office where the court is scheduled, in order to report any medical or handicap conditions that would require the use of the elevator. The County and Commissioners court number is 598-3863 and the District Court number is 598-9928. Your patience and consideration is greatly appreciated.

Center High School Fish Camp will be this afternoon at 2 p.m. All incoming freshmen need to attend. Students should check in at 1:30 p.m. in the high school cafetorium. They will be taken around to different informational sessions as well as getting a full tour of the high school facilities. Following the sessions, students will be allowed to go around and meet their teachers prior to the other students arrival.

It’s now time for the Center Broadcasting Community Spotlight of the week. This Week’s Community Spotlight will be shedding light on a man who has impacted the lives of students through the Science of Teaching. From Center Independent School District Administration Office, we would like to highlight Deputy Superintendent of Schools - Rayford Copelin. Copelin graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Biology and then later obtained his Masters Degree in Mid Management. Copelin has been an Educator in Shelby County for a total of 35 years. 19 were spent in Timpson as a Science Teacher at the High School and then as an Administrator. Copelin eventually transferred to Center ISD, where he has been the Deputy Superintendent for 16 years. Copelin has also served the community as the President of the Rotary Club and President of the Chamber of Commerce. We want to sincerely thank Deputy Superintendent Rayford Copelin for his dedication and selfless service within the local school systems as well as the community.

The Shreveport Police Department has identified the officers involved in Saturday's shooting of a fleeing suspect on Interstate 20. According to Shreveport Police Department, it was Officer Jennifer Monereau attempted to stop a tan-colored Lincoln Town Car just before 4 a.m. on Saturday. Police say the driver of that Town Car, identified as 22-year-old Deeric Bailey, refused to stop and attempted to elude authorities. During a brief pursuit, police say Bailey struck the vehicle of an unsuspecting motorist and continued westbound on I20 just west of the Linwood Avenue exit ramp, where he lost control and hit a concrete barrier. According to a statement released by SPD, Bailey refused to comply and then attempted to flee again in his car. Police say Officer Hai Phan then fired multiple shots at Bailey. Bailey was pronounced dead at LSU Health. Both Phan and Monereau have been placed on paid administrative leave and an investigation is still ongoing.

Gov. Rick Perry has told state agencies that the Obama administration's new program allowing some illegal immigrants to avoid deportation is "a slap in the face to the rule of law," and clarified that Texas' immigration policies won't change. Under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, students age 30 or younger who are enrolled in school on the day they apply will now be eligible for a two-year reprieve from deportation if they demonstrate they came to the U.S. before their 16th birthday; lived in the country for the past five years; and have not been convicted of certain crimes or pose a national security threat. Last week, young people around the nation formed long lines to attend information sessions and briefings on the new program. A spokeswoman for the governor, Catherine Frazier, said Monday that even though the policy won't alter state law, Perry has been very clear in opposing it.

 IN FUNERAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Alton Rex Beckworth, 69, of Little Rock, AR, passed away Saturday in Little Rock, AR. Visitation for family and friends will be 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM Wednesday at Taylor Funeral Home in Timpson. Graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday at Tennessee Cemetery in Timpson.

Louise B. Hooper, 86, of Timpson passed away Saturday in Nacogdoches. Visitation for family and friends will be 6:00 – 8:00 pm tomorrow at Taylor Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday in Taylor Funeral Home Chapel in Timpson. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Jacqueline Porter, 47, of Center, passed away Sunday, August 12 in Houston. Memorial service will be held at 6:00 p.m., Thursday at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Center. She is survived by her Husband, Rodney Broadway of Center, sons, Randy Broadway of Center and Frank Ryan Porter of California, and a daughter, Marissa Lewis Salisbury, Maryland.

Clem Wilton (Willie) Patterson, passed away Tuesday in Center. Graveside services held in Vernon, TX at Wilbarger Memorial Park, August 23, 2012 at 2 pm.

Shelby County Arrest Report for August 18-19th
 

• Bridget Magby, 26, of Center was arrested by Center Police for Driving While Intoxicated.

• Patrick Mast, 47, of Garrison was arrested by Shelby County Sheriffs for Public Intoxication.

• Michael Royce Tapley, 28, of Center was arrested by Center Police for Driving While License Invalid.

• Christopher Capps, 33, of Timpson was arrested by DPS for Theft.

   

• Bryan Green, 23, of Center was arrested by Center Police for Driving While License Invalid.

   

• Michael Jones, 20, of Center was arrested by Center Police for Sexual Assault and Failure to Appear.

   

• Luis Perez, 38 of Prinston, Louisiana was arrested by Center Police for Driving While Intoxicated.

   

• LaToya Powell, of Florien, Louisiana was arrested by a Texas State Game Warden for Possesion of Marijuana.

   

• Roland Powell, 41, of Florien, Louisiana was arrested by a Texas State Game Warden for Possesion of Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia.

• All Suspects are Innocent Until Proven Guilty Before a Court of Law

State Rep. Wayne Christian of Center was among the honorees at the Nacogdoches County Republican Party Citizen's and Statemen's Dinner held Saturday night on the SFA campus. Christian and U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison were recognized for their leadership in the political arena. Upon receiving the public service award, Christian said, I'm humbled and honored, and I will always be appreciative to you for the support and honor you extended me in my lifetime. Christian had been the state representative for 15 years in Nacogdoches County, until redistricting moved the county into a new district with Cherokee and Rusk counties. Senator Hutchison served 19 years in the senate and will be retiring at the end of the year.

Customers on the Paxton Water Supply who were without water Saturday night and Sunday due to a break in the main line are under a boil water notice until further notice.

Soldiers based out of West Monroe, Ruston, and Bossier City touched down at the Monroe Regional Airport Saturday morning after a one year deployment in Afghanistan. The 1022nd Engineer Company brought 158 soldiers home. In that group there were 40 soldiers from the Bossier City/Shreveport Area that returned. The 1022nd Engineer Company aided in the construction under the 578th Engineer Battalion/18th Engineer Brigade. This group is a part of the 40 thousand troops expected to leave Afghanistan by the end of 2012.

West Nile Virus has hit the South, hard. Dallas County — Texas’ second most populated region and the center of the nation’s deadliest West Nile outbreak this year — announced last week that for the first time in 50 years, it will allow aerial spraying of insecticide to target the mosquito-borne illness. The county also declared a public health emergency, with 89 cases of the most severe form of the illness — neuroinvasive West Nile — confirmed in the county, out of 214 such cases statewide so far. Fifteen deaths have been reported in Texas and eight are from Dallas County, according to the Texas Infectious Disease Control Unit. In total, Texas has seen 351 cases of West Nile virus, putting it on track to outpace the worst year on record: 2003, with 438 cases. Currently, there are no vaccines to prevent West Nile and no specific medications to treat symptoms. People with mild symptoms usually recover on their own, even if symptoms last several weeks. Patients with more severe cases — symptoms can include high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, convulsions, muscle weakness, blindness, numbness and paralysis — often require hospitalization for proper care and pain medication. People older than 50 and those with certain medical conditions like cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease and organ transplants are at higher risk for severe illness. Check out our website, cbc-radio.com for more information on preventing exposure.

Those born on this date:

They include French mathematician Pierre de Fermat in 1601; frontiersman Davy Crockett in 1786; movie producer Samuel Goldwyn in 1882; Jamaican black nationalist leader Marcus Garvey in 1887; actors Monty Woolley in 1888 and Mae West in 1893; Watergate figure W. Mark Felt, known as "Deep Throat," in 1913; actors Maureen O'Hara in 1920 (age 92) and Robert De Niro in 1943 (age 69); U.S. spy plane aviator Francis Gary Powers in 1929; British poet laureate Ted Hughes in 1930; Nobel literature laureate V.S. Naipaul in 1932 (age 80); pop singer Belinda Carlisle in 1958 (age 54); and actor Sean Penn in 1960 (age 52).

On this date in history:

In 1807, Robert Fulton began the first American steamboat trip between Albany, N.Y., and New York City.

In 1915, a hurricane struck Galveston, Texas, killing 275 people.

In 1961, the East German government began building the Berlin Wall.

In 1978, three Americans completed the first crossing of the Atlantic Ocean by balloon, landing their helium-filled Double Eagle II near Paris.

In 1987, kidnapped U.S. journalist Charles Glass escaped and was rescued after being held hostage for 62 days in Lebanon.

Also in 1987, Rudolf Hess, Hitler's former deputy, was found strangled in Berlin's Spandau Prison. He was 93.

In 1991, the Lebanese government granted amnesty to former Christian army commander Gen. Michel Aoun and allowed him to leave the French Embassy.

In 1992, filmmaker Woody Allen and Mia Farrow split after 12 years together. Allen said he was in love with the actress's adult daughter, Soon-Yi Previn.

In 1996, the Reform Party nominated Texas businessman Ross Perot for president.

In 1998, addressing the American people, U.S. President Bill Clinton admitted he had a relationship with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky that was "not appropriate."

In 1999, at least 16,000 people were killed and 20,000 more injured when a strong earthquake rocked Turkey.

In 2001, Ford Motor Co. announced it would dismiss up to 5,000 of its salaried employees -- 10 percent of its managers and engineers.

In 2004, eight British men arrested with reconnaissance plans for the New York Stock Exchange and other targets have been charged with conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to use radioactive material, toxic gas, chemicals or explosives.

In 2005, reports say three suicide car bombings in the center of Baghdad killed at least 43 people and injured 80 others. Meanwhile, a series of bombs exploded simultaneously across Bangladesh killing at least 115 people.

Also in 2005, Israeli soldiers and police began moving Jewish settlers from the Gaza Strip.

In 2006, a U.S. District Court judge in Detroit ruled that the National Security Agency wiretapping program was illegal. U.S. President George Bush ordered an appeal.

Also in 2006, several U.S. cigarette makers were convicted in a Washington civil racketeering suit of conspiring to deceive the public about the dangers of smoking.

In 2008, Iran reported it had tested a new rocket capable of carrying a satellite into orbit.

Also in 2008, at least 160 people were killed in Vietnam by torrential rain-caused flooding in Southeast Asia.

In 2009, in what prosecutors called the largest identity theft in U.S. history, three suspects were charged with the hacking theft of more than 130 million credit and debit numbers with the data shipped off to servers in California, Illinois and Europe.

In 2010, a federal court jury in Chicago convicted former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, forced out of office on corruption charges, of making false statements to federal agents, one of 24 counts against him. Jurors were deadlocked on other charges including an accusation he tried to sell U.S. President Barack Obama's vacated Senate seat to the highest bidder.

Also in 2010, a suicide bomber set off a device at an Iraqi army recruiting office, killing at least 48 recruits and soldiers and wounding 120 others.

In 2011, U.S. President Barack Obama said that politics was standing in the way of the United States moving forward and called again on Congress to act quickly on measures that would extend the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits and other legislation typically handled in a bipartisan manner.

IN FUNERAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Joe Nathan McNealy Sr., 78 of Center, passed at Holiday Nursing Home.  Visitation will be today at St. Paul Baptist Church from 4-7 p.m. Funeral services will be tomorrow at St. Paul Baptist Church at 11:00am. Burial will be at Rosemound Cemetery in Commerce, Texas.  Joe McNealy was a retired teacher and coach for Center Independent School District.   Among his survivors are his wife, Gretchen McNealy of Center, and two sons and daughters.

Clem Wilton (Willie) Patterson, passed away Tuesday in Center.  Graveside services held in Vernon, TX at Wilbarger Memorial Park, August 23, 2012 at      2 pm. 

Local Arrest Report for August 16^th

Johnny Ray king, 39, of Shelbyville was arrested by Center Police for Assault- Family Violence.

Michael Barbee, 45, of Nacogdoches was arrested by Timpson Police for Aggravated Kidnapping.

William Rowland, 34, of Center was arrested by Shelby County Sheriffs for Violation of Probation.

Debra Fabain,47, of Timpson was arrested by DPS for Driving While Intoxicated.

All Suspects are Innocent Until Proven Guilty Before a Court of Law

Shelby County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Lance Jacobs, reminds producers that the Shelby County FSA office is closed to the public as of August 24, 2012. There are 125 Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices closing nationwide, including 15 county offices in Texas.  The new headquarter office will be Nacogdoches County. Producers were given the opportunity to move their respective business records to a county of their choosing if a county other than the default headquarter location was more convenient. Producers who did not select an alternative headquarter county were automatically transferred to Nacogdoches County, the default headquarter county.  The Nacogdoches County FSA office is located at 4611 NW Stallings Drive in Nacogdoches and can be reached by phone at 936-564-5891 Extension 2.

Meet the Rams will be held at 6:30 Tonight in the Joaquin High School Gym.  The JHS Rams will be introduced and the ram Band and Cheerleaders will perform.  The Joaquin Athletic Boosters will provide the football team, cheerleaders, and band members with a Subway sandwich immediately following the program.

Meet the Rams will be held at 6:30 Tonight in the Joaquin High School Gym.  The JHS Rams will be introduced and the ram Band and Cheerleaders will perform.  The Joaquin Athletic Boosters will provide the football team, cheerleaders, and band members with a Subway sandwich immediately following the program.

The leader of a local school union is speaking out against the Louisiana Supreme Court's decision to not stop the new statewide voucher program.  On Wednesday the high court denied an injunction request by teacher unions and school boards to stall the program. The unions, which requested the injunction, say program is unconstitutional.  The injunction would have stopped the transfer of funds from public schools to private ones.  Caddo Federation of Teachers President Jackie Lansdale says she looks forward to the hearing in October. "It seems a no-brainer, public dollars should go for public schools. They should not go into private schools," says Lansdale.  Wednesday's decision upheld a lower court's ruling from just a few weeks ago.

Families will be out shopping in full force today, tomorrow and Sunday, taking advantage of the state's tax-free shopping weekend. For three days, sales tax won't be collected on purchases of many clothing items and school supplies priced less than $100, saving shoppers as much as 8.25 cents on each dollar spent, on top of other discounts being offered by merchants.  Over the course of the weekend, the state comptroller's office projects Texans will save $64.8 million in state and local taxes. To accommodate the expected rush, many area malls have extended their hours, with some stores,  staying open as late as midnight. The tax break also applies to online shopping, according to the comptroller's office, including purchases of eligible clothes and school supplies at Amazon.com, which just recently began collecting sales taxes after a prolonged battle with the state.

IN FUNERAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Hadley Lynn Davis, infant daughter of Chris & Jennifer Davis of Center, passed away Monday in Nacogdoches.  Among her survivors is her parents and one brother, Hunter Davis of Center.  Graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m., today at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.

Joe Nathan McNealy Sr., 78 of Center, passed at Holiday Nursing Home.  Visitation will be tomorrow at St. Paul Baptist Church from 4-7pm. Funeral services will be Saturday at St. Paul Baptist Church at 11:00am. Burial will be at Rosemound Cemetery in Commerce, Texas.  Joe McNealy was a retired teacher and coach for Center Independent School District.   Among his survivors are his wife, Gretchen McNealy of Center, and two sons and daughters.

Local Arrest Report for August 15^th

• Bobby Johnson, 48, of Center was arrested by DPS for Non-Payment of Child Support and No Driver's License.

• Bo Don Kunkel, 23, of Center was arrested by Center Police for Violation of Probation.

• Timothy Pina was arrested by San Augustine County Sheriffs for Traffic Violations.

• Jerry Shutter was arrested by San Augustine Police for Driving While License Invalid.

All Suspects are Innocent Until Proven Guilty Before a Court of Law

Work Force Solution is sponsoring a Job Fair today from 9 a.m.- 4p.m. at the Log Cabin located on 611 W. Columbia St. in San Augustine. For more information call 936-275-3610.  Businesses participating will be Temple Inland, A Business of International Paper, City of San Augustine, San Augustine Independent School District, Colonial Pines care Center, Bear Country Diner, Pinto Pony Cookie Factory, Clean Nation, Workforce Solutions.  Make sure you make plans the Work Force Solution Job Fair today from 9 a.m.- 4p.m. in San Augustine.

Lottery applications to launch a boat on Lake Naconiche during its first two weeks of being open are now available.  The applications are on the county's website or can be picked up at the courthouse security desk.  The application and five dollars gives East Texans a chance of being one of 30 lucky boaters to use the lake one designated day.  Jerry Don Williamson, Nacogdoches County Commissioner for Precinct 1, says the number is limited by parking space.  This weekend and next, the Naconiche park will be open to visitors however, no activities are allowed.  It's strictly an opportunity to see the lake and park.

Meet the Rams will be held at 6:30 Friday evening in the Joaquin High School Gym.  The JHS Rams will be introduced and the ram Band and Cheerleaders will perform.  The Joaquin Athletic Boosters will provide the football team, cheerleaders, and band members with a Subway sandwich immediately following the program.

Shelby County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Lance Jacobs, reminds producers that the Shelby County FSA office is closed to the public as of August 24, 2012. There are 125 Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices closing nationwide, including 15 county offices in Texas. FSA office consolidations are part of USDA's Blueprint for Stronger Service.  The new headquarter office will be Nacogdoches County. Producers were given the opportunity to move their respective business records to a county of their choosing if a county other than the default headquarter location was more convenient. Producers who did not select an alternative headquarter county were automatically transferred to Nacogdoches County, the default headquarter county.  The Nacogdoches County FSA office is located at 4611 NW Stallings Drive in Nacogdoches and can be reached by phone at 936-564-5891 Extension 2.

An early morning fire caused major damage to the Patterson Funeral Home in North Shreveport. Community members are calling the family owned business a major cornerstone in the surrounding neighborhoods, and are considering this fire a major loss for the community.  Wednesday afternoon Patterson Funeral Home owner, Brandon Patterson was allowed to go inside what was left of the building to look for anything salvageable.   According to sources, Brandon Patterson plans on rebuilding the funeral home to honor both the community and his parent's legacy.  Fire officials are still investigating what may have led to this fire.

For the past two months, the military judge presiding over the high-profile case of the Army psychiatrist charged in the deadly 2009 Fort Hood shooting rampage has said he wanted to avoid disruptions in court.  Now Hasan's facial hair has become a bigger disruption than anyone might have foreseen. At the start of Wednesday's hearing, Gross once again found Hasan in contempt of court and fined him $1,000 for disobeying orders to shave.  Hasan, 41, is charged with 13 counts of premeditated murder along with 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder.  Hasan faces the death penalty or life in prison without parole if convicted. No military death-row inmates have been executed since 1961.  The court-martial, scheduled to start Monday with jury selection will be on hold until the appeals court rules on Hasan's appeal to the judge's order to being forcibly shaved.

IN FUNERAL ANNOUNCEMENT Ervin A. "Jack" Langford, 90, passed away Friday in Nacogdoches. Funeral services are set for 2:00 p.m. Today at Cason Monk-Metcalf Sunset Chapel in Nacogdoches. Burial will follow at Old Salem Cemetery. Joe Nathan McNealy Sr., 78 of Center, passed at Holiday Nursing Home. Visitation will be at St. Paul Baptist Church Friday from 4-7pm. Funeral services will be Saturday at St. Paul Baptist Church at 11:00am. Burial will be at Rosemound Cemetery in Commerce, Texas. Joe McNealy was a retired teacher and coach for Center Independent School District. Among his survivors are his wife, Gretchen McNealy of Center, and two sons and daughters. Hadley Lynn Davis, infant daughter of Chris & Jennifer Davis of Center, passed away Monday in Nacogdoches. Among her survivors is her parents and one brother, Hunter Davis of Center. Services are pending at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.

Shelby County Arrest Report for August 14^th

Nickcolus Hubbard, 40, of Center was arrested by Center Police for Driving While Intoxicated and Driving While License Invalid.

Rodney Adams, 20, of Timpson was arrested by Timpson Police for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child.

Sheila Sankara, 39, of Nacogdoches was arrested by Shelby County Sheriffs for Violation of Probation.

All Suspects are Innocent Until Proven Guilty Before a Court of Law

Work Force Solution is sponsoring a Job Fair tomorrow from 9 a.m.- 4p.m. at the Log Cabin located on 611 W. Columbia St. in San Augustine. For more information call 936-275-3610. Businesses participating will be Temple Inland, A Business of International Paper, City of San Augustine, San Augustine Independent School District, Colonial Pines care Center, Bear Country Diner, Pinto Pony Cookie Factory, Clean Nation, Workforce Solutions. Make sure you make plans the Work Force Solution Job Fair tomorrow from 9 a.m.- 4p.m. in San Augustine.

Lottery applications to launch a boat on Lake Naconiche during its first two weeks of being open are now available. The applications are on the county's website or can be picked up at the courthouse security desk. The application and five dollars gives East Texans a chance of being one of 30 lucky boaters to use the lake one designated day. Jerry Don Williamson, Nacogdoches County Commissioner for Precinct 1, says the number is limited by parking space. This weekend and next, the Naconiche park will be open to visitors however, no activities are allowed. It's strictly an opportunity to see the lake and park.

The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors welcomes MW Rentals owned by Misty Wilburn to the Chamber community and invites the public to the grand opening ribbon cutting at the Windham Civic Center today 11:00 a.m. MW Rentals supplies linen table clothes and napkins for weddings, conferences, corporate events, showers and other events. A variety of colors, shapes and sizes are available, as well as custom orders. Several themed tables will be exhibited at the ribbon cutting. MW Rentals may be reached at 936-591-2588.

Customers on the McClelland Water Supply are under a boil water notice due to a loss of pressure on the system.Customers on the McClelland Water Supply are under a boil water notice due to a loss of pressure on the system.

The Shelby County Commissioners' Court held a special meeting of the Governing body of Shelby County on Monday afternoon. Judge Rick Campbell and Commissioners Jimmy Lout, Roscoe McSwain, and Travis Rogers were in attendance.  The first item on the agenda was the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year.  The court agreed on the budget and so was then filed at the County Clerks office Tuesday morning.  The second item up for discussion  on the agenda was the current tax rate of $0.55. Members of the court unanimously approved to pass a 3 cents tax increase with 2 cents going to Road and Bridge and 1 cent going to the general fund. The proposed tax rate would be 58 cents. A Tax Rate Public Hearing has been scheduled for Friday, August 24th at 9:30am at the courthouse. 

A Bossier City Sonic skating carhop has been named a finalist for a national competition.  Sonic Drive-In announced that James Pooser, aka "Skinny Jake," is one of seven finalists in this year's Sonic Skate-off.  It's a national competition that crowns the top sonic skating carhop in the country.  To enter, Pooser had to submit a video of his skating skills.  He was selected from more than 300 video entries submitted by carhops across the country. Among the criteria used by judges to determine the finalists were personality, carhopping and guest service skills and skating flare. Pooser will go to Oklahoma City this Friday to compete in the finals. But even if he doesn't win, each finalist gets a new pair of skates.

Military judge Col. Gregory Gross on Tuesday refused to again delay the trial of an Army psychiatrist charged in the deadly Fort Hood shooting rampage, setting up the highly anticipated court-martial scheduled to begin next week.  Maj. Nidal Hasan is charged with 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder in the November 2009 attack at the Texas Army post. Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday. Hasan faces the death penalty or life in prison without parole if convicted.  Beards are an Army violation. Hasan’s attorneys have said he won’t shave because it’s an expression of his Muslim faith. But the Judge said Hasan would be forcibly shaved at some point before the trial if he doesn’t shave the beard himself. He said he wants Hasan in the courtroom during the court-martial to prevent a possible appeal on the issue if he is convicted.

IN FUNERAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Hadley Lynn Davis, infant daughter of Chris & Jennifer Davis of Center, passed away yesterday in Nacogdoches.  Among her survivors is her parents and one brother, Hunter Davis of Center. Additional survivors will be announced at a later time.  Services are pending at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.

Ervin A. "Jack" Langford, age 90, pasted away Friday in Nacogdoches.  Funeral services are set for 2:00 p.m. Tomorrow   at Cason Monk-Metcalf Sunset Chapel in Nacogdoches. Burial will follow at Old Salem Cemetery.

Shelby County Arrest Report for August 13^th

Joe Lewis Jackson, 45, of Center was arrested by Center Police for Assault and Family Violence.

Adam Bahena, 27, of Center was arrested by Shelby County Sheriffs for Failure to Appear for Criminal Trespassing.

All Suspects are Innocent Until Proven Guilty Before a Court of Law

Despite the dry, hot weather we've been experiencing across the deep east Texas and west Louisiana area, there's no burn ban that's presently in effect for the area. With that being said, local fire departments are urging citizens to use extreme caution with outdoor burning. Stay with your fire and keep a good water source nearby, just in case it's needed. You have to go north to Harrison County  to find the closest burn ban to our area. We do go through this week with a better than average chance of afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms, but until we get another good measurable rainfall, conditions will be only continue get dryer, especially with the summer heat. Again, there's no burn ban in effect for our immediate area.

The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors welcomes MW Rentals owned by Misty Wilburn to the Chamber community and invites the public to the grand opening ribbon cutting at the Windham Civic Center on tomorrow 11:00 a.m. MW Rentals supplies linen table clothes and napkins for weddings, conferences, corporate events, showers and other events. A variety of colors, shapes and sizes are available, as well as custom orders. Several themed tables will be exhibited at the ribbon cutting. MW Rentals may be reached at 936-591-2588.

It’s now time for the Center Broadcasting Community Spotlight of the week.  This Week’s Community Spotlight will be shedding light on a man who desires to impact the lives of students both on and off the field.  From Center High School, we would like to highlight Head Coach Kevin Goodwin.  Goodwin is a 1992 graduate of Center High School.  Goodwin moved on to Stephen F. Austin University where he was a three-time All-Southland Conference receiver.  Goodwin also helped lead SFA to the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs in 1993 and the Division I-AA semifinals in 1995.  Goodwin graduated from SFA in 1997 with a bachelor's in kinesiology.  Goodwin has coached and mentored students at Killeen Ellison High School, Texas A&M University at Commerce, Stephen F. Austin University, Central Arkansas University, Coppell High School, Anahuac High School and West Orange-Stark High School.  Coach Goodwin received his Master's degree from Texas A&M at Commerce in 2000.  On February 24, 2009 Kevin Goodwin was hired on as the Head Football Coach for the Center Roughriders.  With 16 years of coaching under his belt, Coach Goodwin has seen much success and had the opportunity to touch many lives.  Without hesitation, Coach Goodwin attributes all of his success in life and on the football field to his faith in God.  We want to thank Coach Kevin Goodwin and his team for all of their hard work.

“Humility makes great men twice honorable” - Ben Franklin

The head of the LSU System says he's talking to private hospital leaders about ways to partner and keep the university-run hospitals open despite ongoing budget woes.  William Jenkins says LSU will need to bring in private health care facilities to operate some of the public hospitals.  Otherwise, some will be closed due to budget cuts.  Because many of the hospitals care for uninsured patients, attracting partnerships will be difficult.  Budget woes also are affecting the state's Medicaid program.  Louisiana's health agency must save $56 million on drugs for Medicaid patients to help balance the state budget. But there's still no plan.  The changes will take effect October 1, but the emergency rules are due next month. State health leaders say further delays will only hurt the agency's ability to meet budget demands. And there are concerns about a lack of transparency in the process. Some lawmakers claim the fast changes could be detrimental to the patients.

A Brazos County constable was reportedly attacked as he brought an eviction notice to a house near Texas A&M University Monday. He was among three people, including a suspected shooter inside that home, killed by gunfire. According to College Station police, there were multiple crime scenes at which five people were shot. Police describe the scene as chaotic and say the shooting lasted as long as 30 minutes.  Brazos County Pct. 1 Constable Brian Bachmann and the shooting suspect, 35-year-old Thomas Caffall, were killed. Police say 43-year-old Chris Northcliff was caught in the crossfire and was also fatally shot.  The scene is a few blocks away from the campus football stadium, Kyle Field, and prompted Texas A&M officials to take action at about 12:30pm when a Code Maroon warning was issued to students.  Authorities are still trying to determine the motive behind the shooting.

Shelby County Arrest Report for August 11^th & 12^th

Rileigh Windham, 18, of Center was arrested by Shelby County Sheriffs for Public Intoxication.

Lyntel Tyrone Smith, 36, of Center was arrested by Shelby County Sheriffs for Aggravated Sexual Assault and Retaliation.

Toby Runnels, 41, of Center was arrested by Texas State Game Warden for Driving While Intoxicated.

Stephen Ray Channel, 39, of Center was arrested by Tenaha Deputy Marshall for Violation of Probation.

All Suspects are Innocent Until Proven Guilty Before a Court of Law

Center Firefighters were dispatched to a structure fire early Friday morning at 263 CR 2225, 2 tenths of a mile from Loop 500.  When the fire department arrived on scene, the home was fully engulfed in flames. Charles Hester who lives in the home was not home at the time of the fire.   Firefighters stayed on scene into the early morning hours.  While the house and contents were a total loss, No one was injured and nearby structures was not affected.

Center Police Department was dispatched to Shelbyville Street Friday afternoon concerning a naked man walking down the street in front of the NuWay gas station. Center Police arrived on scene to discover the naked man who turned out to be Larry Cartwright, 44 of Center. Cartwright was taken into custody and charged with public intoxication.

The Center City Council will meet in regular session on today at 5pm in the Council Room at City Hall.

Everyone in Center is invited to attend the next 2012 “Coffee with the Mayor” scheduled for Tuesday, August 14, 2012, at 7:30 a.m. in the lobby of the Windham Civic Center.  Not only is this a time for Center residents to hear about some of the projects going on such as the new sidewalk and trail program, the renovation and expansion of Community House, and the annual City budget but this is a great opportunity for people to directly ask questions of their elected officials. Mr. Buster Bounds completed a video of the grand re-opening of Mini Park, which will be released at this time.  “The ‘Coffee with the Mayor’ events are scheduled once a quarter and provides a means for us at the city to meet with people in the community and learn what is important to them,” stated Mayor Chadwick.  The event does not require an RSVP and is an informal come-and-go setting.

Notice is hereby given that a Regular meeting of the Governing body of the Shelby County Commissioners' Court will be held today at 9:30am in the Courtroom of the Shelby County Courthouse.  That's a Regular meeting of the Governing body of the Shelby County Commissioners' Court today at 9:30am.

The jury that has been summoned for today for the 123rd District Court Honorable Guy Griffin, Presiding has been canceled.  All cases have been passed or settled, Anyone receiving a summons for that day is released from jury service until they receive a future summons.

Two new cases of the West Nile Virus have hit the ArkLaTex, with one in Bossier Parish and the other in Caddo Parish. Health Officials are warning residents to stay clear of mosquitoes in order to avoid the potentially dangerous disease.  The confirmed case of West Nile in Caddo Parish involves a 48-year-old woman from Desoto Parish. Symptoms of the West Nile Fever are similar to a cold and can include fever, headache, and tiredness. The symptoms of the more invasive form of the disease include neck stiffness, tremors, and even a coma.  You can limit your chances of catching the virus by avoiding mosquitoes. Officials suggest not wearing perfumes or colognes, and limiting your time outside in the evenings.  There have been a total of three West Nile Cases between Caddo and Bossier Parishes this summer.

Gov. Rick Perry has dispatched two helicopters to assist 14 local and volunteer fire departments battling multiple blazes in North Texas.  The governor said in a statement Sunday that two fires burning in Palo Pinto County had charred 33,000 acres.  A third fire began burning in the Possum Kingdom Lake area, but officials and aircraft kept it from spreading.  Last year, fires twice scorched Possum Kingdom Lake, a picturesque community 75 miles west of Fort Worth. They destroyed about 160 homes there in April 2011 and another 40 homes four months later.  According to Sources, firefighters were gaining ground on the latest blazes, which have threatened at least 18 homes. No evacuations had been ordered and there were no reported injuries or damage to structures.

 IN FUNERAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Raymond Luther Morgan, 83, of Tenaha, passed away Monday at Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital. Graveside Service will be 2:00 p.m. today at Ramah Cemetery.

Devant Beard, 84, of Garrison passed away Monday at his residence. Funeral services are set for 10:00 a.m. tomorrow at Cason Monk-Metcalf Sunset Chapel in Nacogdoches. Burial will follow at Holly Springs Cemetery.

Aubrey R. King, 56, of Tenaha, passed away Tuesday at his residence. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., today at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., tomorrow at Hurst Street Church of Christ in Center. Burial will follow at Ramah Cemetery in Tenaha.

Lessie Mae Fountain, 90, of Center, passed away Tuesday at Holiday Nursing Home. Visitation will be tomorrow from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Mangum Funeral Home. Services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday at Mangum Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Old Salem Cemetery.

Mamie Dale Skillern, 87, of San Augustine passed away on Thursday in San Augustine. Memorial Services will be held on Sunday at 2 p.m. in the First Baptist Church in San Augustine.

Emeline "Nana" Thompson, 93 of Nacogdoches passed away Monday in Nacogdoches. A memorial service will be held at a later date at First Presbyterian Church in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Funeral Services are under the direction of Garrison Funeral Home in Garrison.

 Shelby County Arrest Report for August 8th
 

• Lynn Gregory, 42, of Denton, Louisiana was arrested by DPS for Failure to Appear Warrant.

• Jonathan Hill, 27, of Center was arrested by DPS for Credit Card Abuse.

   

• James Mackey was arrested by San Augustine Police for Public Intoxication.

• All Suspects are Innocent Until Proven Guilty Before a Court of Law

Freshmen Fish Camp at Shelbyville High School will be held today at 12:00 p.m. -2:00 p.m. in the Shelbyville Cafetorium. Information regarding graduation requirements for 2012-2013, incoming freshmen, the high school athletic program, band program and other high school activities available will be discussed. Lunch will be served to the students and a tour of the high school campus will be given. Please make plans to attend FISH camp! Please call the High School office for more information 936-598-7323.

Deputies with the San Augustine Sheriff's Office arrested Ricky Anthony Lara, 42, of San Augustine accused of a history of abuse of his three children Tuesday afternoon. According to Chief Deputy Gary Cunningham, a member of the extended family reported the abuse to the sheriff's office. Authorities brought in the three children, aged 15, 13 and 7, and interviewed them. The charges, third-degree injury to a child and misdemeanor A assault/family violence are in connection to an incident a week ago when Lara abused the 13-year-old son and the 15-year-old daughter. The son suffered a lacerated lip and the daughter scratches on her legs. The son also said Lara held a knife to his throat. All three children said he has physically abused them before.

Deputies with the San Augustine County Sheriff's Office arrested Vernon Jacob Hopson, 21, on Tuesday. Hopson was accused of punching his pregnant girlfriend while she was driving with their son in the vehicle early Sunday. According to the report, Hopson was a passenger in the vehicle and was intoxicated. Upon arriving to their residence, an argument ensued and according to the report, Hopson assaulted her more by slamming her head into the gravel. Hopson is charged with second-degree aggravated assault family violence, state-jail felony child endangerment and misdemeanor A deadly conduct.

A district judge has appointed counsel for an East Texas man accused of killing a Lufkin woman and her brother in July. In a hearing on Tuesday, Terrance Barnes, 31, told District Judge Paul White that he could not personally afford an attorney. Judge White made contact with Barnes' mother, who said they were hiring a lawyer for Barnes. According to White, He wasn't confident that they were going to be able to hire counsel. White has appointed Jack Stroffregen, chief public defender of the Regional Capital Public Defender Office. This will be the first capital murder case to be tried under a new agreement through the county for capital murder cases. Barnes is now being held in the Angelina County Jail, waiting indictment from the grand jury. A grand jury is likely to meet in early September. From there, Barnes will have to be arraigned.

Universal Plumbing in Shreveport is the target of another metal theft, but in this case surveillance video will play a huge role in the investigation. Over the past few months, Universal Plumbing has been the target of copper and lead theft, with over $2,000 in metal stolen from the business. In the surveillance video, the thief can be seen climbing over the fence surrounding the business before getting to work. In broad daylight, the man is caught on camera rummaging through scrap metal looking for copper and lead. Business owners point out how the thief knew exactly where he could find the metal. If you have any information on this case, call Crime Stoppers at (318) 673-7373.

An Austin lawyer has taken up the case of an ex-funeral home director convicted in a 1996 killing featured in the movie "Bernie." According to sources, attorney Jodi Callaway Cole has met with director Richard Linklater of Austin on Tuesday. "Bernie," starring Jack Black as Bernhardt Tiede, was released this year. Tiede is serving life in prison for the fatal shooting of 81-year-old Marjorie Nugent of Carthage. The wealthy widow, portrayed by Shirley MacLaine, was found dead in a freezer at her home. Cole says she told Linklater that the movie raised issues for a possible appeal. Cole, who's met with Tiede, declined to elaborate or say who hired her. Tiede is not eligible for parole until 2027.

IN FUNERAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Woodrow Wilson Pollard, age 99, of Center, passed away Sunday at Holiday Nursing Center.  Visitation will be today from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at Mangum Funeral Home in Center.  Services will be 2:00 p.m. today at the Tennessee Presbyterian Church in Tenaha. Burial will follow at the Tennessee Cemetery.

Eva Jean Jones, 86, of Center, passed away Sunday in Shreveport, Louisiana. Graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m., today at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.

Daniel Henry Folsom Jr., 60, of Center, passed away Friday in Nacogdoches. Visitation will be held from 11:00 AM to 2:00 p.m today at Watson & Sons Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m todsy at Watson & Sons Chapel. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.

Raymond Luther Morgan, 83, of Tenaha, passed away Monday at Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital.  Visitation will be today from 5: 00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Mangum Funeral Home.  Graveside Service will be 2:00 p.m. tomorrow at Ramah Cemetery.

Devant Beard,  84, of Garrison passed away Monday at his residence.  Visitation will be held today from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors.  Funeral services are set for 10:00 a.m. tomorrow at Cason Monk-Metcalf Sunset Chapel in Nacogdoches. Burial will follow at Holly Springs Cemetery.

Aubrey R. King, 56, of Tenaha, passed away Tuesday at his residence. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., tomorrow at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday at Hurst Street Church of Christ in Center. Burial will follow at Ramah Cemetery in Tenaha.

Lessie Mae Fountain, 90, of Center, passed away Tuesday at Holiday Nursing Home.  Visitation will be Friday from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Mangum Funeral Home.  Services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday at Mangum Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Old Salem Cemetery.

Mamie Dale Skillern, 87, of San Augustine passed away on Thursday in San Augustine.  Memorial Services will be held on Sunday at 2 p.m. in the First Baptist Church in San Augustine. 

Emeline "Nana" Thompson, 93 of Nacogdoches passed away Monday in Nacogdoches. A memorial service will be held at a later date at First Presbyterian Church in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.  Funeral Services are under the direction of Garrison Funeral Home in Garrison.

Shelby County Arrest Report for August 7th

Junior Williams, 63, of Joaquin was arrested by Center Police for  Fictitious Registration.

William Reynolds, 23, of Center was arrested by Center Police for Violation of Probation.

Rickey Cogswell, 53, of Joaquin was arrested by Center Police for Driving While Intoxicated.

Monica Scorton, 43, of Timpson was arrested by Timpson Police for Delivery of a Controlled Substance.

The Department of Veterans Affairs now offers a free Telephone Call Center, “Coaching Into Care,” which provides assistance to family members and friends trying to encourage their Veteran to seek health care for possible readjustment and mental health issues. The Telephone Call Center is available toll-free at 1-888-823-7458, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.   If a Veteran is experiencing an acute crisis, callers should contact the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 for immediate help. “Coaching Into Care” works directly with the Veterans Crisis Line and the Caregiver Support Line to provide guidance and referrals. 

The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors welcomes MW Rentals owned by Misty Wilburn to the Chamber community and invites the public to the grand opening ribbon cutting at the Windham Civic Center on Wednesday, August 15 at 11:00 a.m.  MW Rentals supplies linen table clothes and napkins for weddings, conferences, corporate events, showers and other events.  A variety of colors, shapes and sizes are available, as well as custom orders.  Several themed tables will be exhibited at the ribbon cutting. MW Rentals may be reached at 936-591-2588. 

Freshmen Fish Camp at Shelbyville High School will be held tomorrow at 12:00 p.m. -2:00 p.m. in the Shelbyville Cafetorium. Information regarding graduation requirements for 2012-2013, incoming freshmen, the high school athletic program, band program and other high school activities available will be discussed. Lunch will be served to the students and a tour of the high school campus will be given. Please make plans to attend FISH camp!  Please call the High School office for more information 936-598-7323.

Hey Roughrider fans, reserved season football tickets are currently on sale at Center High School. You can get yours today by contacting Ms Harrison for more information, 936-598-6173.

A visiting judge signed an order Tuesday to quash an indictment against two former Nacogdoches County jailers, essentially ending the prosecution of the case involving an inmate who died in jail.  Visiting Judge Guy Griffin signed the order against Elizabeth Ann Owens, 40, of Nacogdoches, and Danny Ray Russell, 35, of Douglass, who were indicted on charges of state-jail criminal negligent homicide.  The charges were in connection to the Dec. 5 death of Edwinta Ruth Deckard, 53, of Nacogdoches.  The grand jury indicted Owens and Russell on June 18.  Griffin stepped in for Judge Campbell Cox, who recused himself from the case. 

Former Webster Parish Deputy Coroner Bobby Guin turned himself into the Webster Sheriff Department on Monday after being indicted by a Webster Parish grand jury for felony theft and malfeasance in office.  Guin is accused of stealing $93,000 from the Coroner's office by transferring the funds directly into his personal account starting back in 2009.  According to sources, Guin was over his head financially and that the stolen money was being used to pay for his daughter's horseback riding classes.  Guin was released from his position as Deputy Coroner a little over a month ago. If found guilty Guin could serve up to 15 years in prison, and the earliest the case could go to trial would be February 2013.

The state of Texas has executed a convicted killer whose lawyers say shouldn’t have been eligible for the death penalty because of his low IQ.  Marvin Wilson was executed Tuesday evening at the state prison in Huntsville. The 54-year-old was condemned for killing a police informant two decades ago in Beaumont.  Wilson’s attorneys had pointed to a psychological test that pegged his IQ at 61, below the generally accepted minimum competency standard of 70. They cited the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that banned capital punishment for the mentally impaired.  But lower courts agreed with state attorneys, who argued that Wilson’s claim was based on a possibly faulty test and that his mental impairment claim wasn’t supported by other tests.  The Supreme Court denied his request to stop the execution earlier Tuesday.

IN FUNERAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Funeral services for Mrs. Margaret Hornbuckle, 83, of Nacogdoches passed away on Friday.  Funeral Services will be held Today at 10:00 a.m at Laird Funeral Home of Nacogdoches.   Burial will follow at Gravel Ridge Cemetery. 

Woodrow Wilson Pollard, age 99, of Center, passed away Sunday at Holiday Nursing Center.  Visitation will be Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at Mangum Funeral Home in Center.  Services will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Tennessee Presbyterian Church in Tenaha. Burial will follow at the Tennessee Cemetery.

Eva Jean Jones, 86, of Center, passed away Sunday in Shreveport, Louisiana. Graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.

Daniel Henry Folsom Jr., 60, of Center, passed away Friday in Nacogdoches. Visitation will be held from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM Wednesday at Watson & Sons Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday at Watson & Sons Chapel. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.

Mamie Dale Skillern, age 87, of San Augustine passed away on Thursday in San Augustine.  Memorial Services will be held on Sunday in the First Baptist Church in San Augustine. 

Shelby County Arrest Report for August 6^th

Darryl Everett Gray, 51, of Tyler was arrested by Center Police for Evading Arrest .

Jonathan Blake Lout, 32, of Center was arrested by Center Police for Providing Alcohol to a Minor.

All Suspects are Innocent Until Proven Guilty Before a Court of Law

It’s now time for the Center Broadcasting Community Spotlight of the week.  This Week’s Community Spotlight will be shedding light on a local hero who works hard to beat the heat.  From the Center Fire Department, we would like to highlight Chief Keith Byndom.  Chief Byndom began his firefighting career in 1991 as a Volunteer and then 3 years later was offered a full-time position.  In 2004, he was appointed the Fire Chief.  He has attended both Kilgore College and Texas A&M at College Station in order to satisfy the annual 20 hours of continuing education requirement for recertification.  Now as a kid, little Keith never had aspirations to be a fireman.  However, thanks to Jim Forbes, he filled out an application and the rest is history.  Chief Byndom credits his success largely to the team of fighters around him.  Chief has been fighting fires and serving the citizens of Center for the past 19 years. 

Notice is hereby given that a Special meeting of the Governing body of the Shelby County Commissioners' Court will be held on Thursday at 10:00 a.m in the Courtroom of the Shelby County Courthouse to deliberate and consider action on the budget.

Law enforcement in the town of Tenaha are accused of forcing African Americans to forfeit cash or go to jail.  A legal step to settlement was filed in federal court in the four-year old civil lawsuit.  Under the agreement, an impartial policing policy must be adopted. Plaintiff's attorney Tim Garrigan led the effort to stop alleged racial profiling on motorists passing through the East Texas town.  The goal is complete documentation and monitoring  of traffic stops. A third party will make sure it's happening. The mayor, district attorney, investigator, city marshal and constable named in the suit have retired or resigned, but they'll be required to join the city and county in paying off plaintiff’s legal fees of $520,000.  Garrigan is representing several plaintiffs in individual civil lawsuits and the federal criminal investigation into wrongdoing continues.  The documents filed Friday indicating a settlement still must be approved by a federal judge.

A man accused of killing a Lufkin woman and her brother in July could be facing the death penalty, according to the Angelina County District Attorney Clyde Herrington.  It is a "definite possibility" that the state will pursue the death penalty for Terrance Barnes, 31, who is charged with capital murder, Herrington said.  Authorities believe Barnes stabbed his girlfriend, Rosa Pina, and her brother, Pepe Pina, to death at their residence on John Kolb Road on July 26. Barnes was arrested in the area that night, following a massive manhunt. Authorities say Barnes confessed to the stabbings.  Barnes was in District Judge Paul White's courtroom yesterday morning, where he was supposed to announce who his attorney would be but had failed to hire one at this point.  Barnes will return to court today.

Power slowly returned to the ArkLaTex customers Monday, hours after summer storms felled trees, downed power lines and left various other damage throughout northwest Louisiana and East Texas.  Shortly after 4 p.m. just about 1,500 SWEPCO customers in the ArkLaTex remained without power. About 1,145 of the outages are in Caddo Parish, while Bossier Parish has 258 customer outages remaining. Just 113 DeSoto Parish customers were without power, according to SWEPCO's outage map.  Damage from the storm was concentrated in the Shreveport area.  SWEPCO crews began working on the outages early Monday morning and hope to have everyone restored this morning.

Convicted killer Marvin Wilson is looking to the U.S. Supreme Court to keep him from the Texas death chamber.  Attorneys for the 54-year-old Wilson say he's mentally impaired and should be spared from lethal injection in Huntsville this evening. The high court has barred execution of mentally impaired people.  Texas State lawyers contend the single test that indicated mental impairment was faulty and the results are different in all other psychological testing of the Jefferson County man.  Wilson is set for execution later this evening for the abduction and fatal shooting of 21-year-old Jerry Williams, unless he determined to mentally impaired.

Shelby County Arrest Report for August 4^th & 5^th

Travis Patton Jr., 21, of Center was arrested by Center Police for evading Arrest and Possession of Marijuana.

Carla Aston, 44, of Tenaha, was arrested by Center Police for Driving While Intoxicated.

Heather Brittan, 38, of Center was arrested by Center Police for Driving While Intoxicated.

David Johnson, 36, of Center was arrested by Center Police for Possession of a Controlled Substance.

All Suspects are Innocent Until Proven Guilty Before a Court of Law

The summer vacation is over for high school athletes as today marks the beginning of practice for the upcoming football season. The first four-days of conditioning drills will give way to Friday's first day of pads and contact. Scrimmages begin the weekend of Aug. 17, with the first games set to kick-off the season Aug. 31. Center Broadcasting's coverage starts Aug. 31 when the Center Roughriders host Buna. You'll be able to hear all Roughrider games on KDET with Rob Payne and Chris Watlington starting their 21st season as the voices of Rider Football. We'll have the Shelby County Game of the Week on Q-100, KQBB, with veteran sportscaster Don Wall describing the action. First game will have intra-county rivals, the defending Class A state champion Tenaha Tigers at the Joaquin Rams on Aug. 31.

At the Dixie Youth Majors World Series in Bartow, Florida Sunday, the Center All-Stars were eliminated from contention, as North Carolina rallied for two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take a 2-1 win over the Texas State Champions. Center lost to Florida, 4-0 in Saturday's opening round. Center's season comes to an end with Sunday's setback. Congrats to the players, coaches and parents on the successful season. We're proud of you!

Early Friday morning, Firefighters from both the Center Fire Department, Volunteers, along with the the forestry service were dispatched to the scene of a forest fire off of CR 1490 between Timpson and Center. While crews were still fighting the forest fire, Center Fire Fighters were alerted of another fire off of US 96 North approximately 2.5 miles out of Center.  The business structure fire was located at a Moccasin Manufacturing business.  Crews were able to extinguish the flames quick enough to limit the damage to only the attic.

Late last week, Shelby County Sheriff Deputy Curtis Archie executed 2 Felony arrest warrants which resulted in the the arrest of 24 year old Roland Reed Young of Center.  Young was booked into the Shelby County Jail and charged with 2 counts of Delivery of Controlled Substance.  The arrest was a 

result of an undercover narcotics investigation.

Federal court filings late Friday show Tenaha and Shelby County have agreed to an "impartial policing policy" to better document and monitor traffic stops. The documents show defendants also have agreed to pay $520,000 in legal fees. The lawsuit accused former officials of shaking down innocent motorists. Former Shelby County District Attorney Lynda Kaye Russell and four other ex-law enforcement officials were named as defendants when the suit was filed.  The suit alleged that the officials forced motorists, most of them black, to forfeit their cash or face criminal charges.

Prosecutors say a Louisiana sex offender charged in the deaths of a University of Louisiana at Lafayette student and another woman may have moved their bodies. Brandon S. Lavergne, a 33-year-old from Swords, is charged in Lafayette Parish with murder in the May 19 disappearance of Mickey Shunick and the 1999 death of Lisa Ann Pate.  A court filing stated the "continued tampering" with Shunick's body was meant to hamper the investigation.  According to reports, prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty against Lavergne. 

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott asked U.S. District Judge Gregg Costa for the stay Friday in Galveston. Costa made no immediate ruling on the state's request.  On Thursday, Costa struck down five provisions of the voter registration law that the national non-partisan group Voting for America says it makes it harder to register people to vote.  The group complained that the new laws unconstitutionally restrict voter registration drives from gathering public voter information. The new laws also limit who can hand out voter registration cards and who can collect the completed registration forms.  GOP lawmakers say the new rules are necessary to prevent voter registration fraud.

Those born on this date:

They include Elisha Graves Otis, inventor of the modern elevator, in 1811; World War II correspondent Ernie Pyle and "Monkey Trial" defendant John Scopes, both in 1900; orchestra leader Ray Bloch in 1902; Mexican actor Dolores del Rio in 1905; band leader Les Elgart in 1917; authors P. D. James in 1920 (age 92) and Leon Uris in 1924; football Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy in 1925 (age 87); singer Tony Bennett

in 1926 (age 86); football Hall of Fame member Lance Alworth in 1940 (age 72); TV personality and lifestyle consultant Martha Stewart in 1941 (age 71); actors Martin Sheen in 1940 (age 72) and Jay North

in 1951 (age 61); hockey Hall of Fame member Marcel Dionne in 1951 (age 61); pro football quarterback Tom Brady in 1977 (age 35); and actor Evangeline Lilly in 1979 (age 33).

On this date in history:

In 1492, Christopher Columbus set sail from Spain for the New World with a convoy of three small ships -- the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria -- and fewer than 100 crewmen.

In 1914, Germany declared war on France and invaded Belgium. The following day, Britain declared war on Germany and World War I was under way.

In 1958, the U.S. nuclear submarine "Nautilus" crossed under the North Pole.

In 1981, U.S. air traffic controllers went on strike. The strikers were fired within one week.

In 1990, the prime ministers of East and West Germany agreed to move up unification to early fall and rescheduled all-German elections for Oct. 14.

In 1998, talks broke down between Iraqi officials and Richard Butler, the head of the U.N. team overseeing the dismantling of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.

In 2004, the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor was opened to the public for the first time since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

In 2005, in the first emergency repair conducted in space, astronauts fixed a potentially dangerous problem by removing two strips of protruding cloth from the underside of the space shuttle Discovery.

Also in 2005, South Korea scientists reported the first successful cloning of a dog, considered one of the most difficult animals to copy.

In 2006, U.S. Army Gen. John Abizaid, commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East, told Congress that sectarian violence in Baghdad was "probably as bad as I've seen it" and predicted a possible civil war.

Also in 2006, Ukrainian leaders reached a coalition agreement after President Viktor Yushchenko nominated his archrival as prime minister.

In 2007, the U.S. Congress passed a bill allowing the National Security Agency to monitor e-mail and telephone communications between the United States and foreign countries without a court warrant if terrorism was believed to be involved.

In 2008, more than 120 religious pilgrims were trampled to death and 40 more were injured during a stampede in northern India. Emergency workers said most of those killed were women and children caught in a panic caused by rumors of a landslide.

Also in 2008, once exiled Russian writer Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, whose works revealed the harshness of the Soviet penal system, died at the age of 89. The Nobel Prize-winning author of "One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich," had been reported ill for years.

And, 11 mountain climbers were killed when a large mass of ice broke off and caused an avalanche on K2, the world's second-tallest mountain. It was the deadliest climbing accident on the northern Pakistan mountain since 1986.

In 2009, Massachusetts is the most Democratic state in the nation, topping a field of 30 states and the District of Columbia, a Gallup Poll analysis indicated. The survey said only four states -- Utah, Wyoming, Idaho and Alaska -- could be considered solidly Republican.

In 2010, a driver for a beer and wine distributorship in Manchester, Conn., allegedly caught stealing beer, went on a shooting rampage during a disciplinary hearing, killing eight people and himself.

In 2011, ailing former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was wheeled into a Cairo courtroom on a hospital bed for the beginning of his trial on charges of corruption and complicity in the killing of protesters as millions watched on television.

IN FUNERAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Vernell McKinney, 79, of Center, passed away Wednesday, at Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital.  Services will be 10:00 a.m. today at Mangum Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Old Salem Cemetery. 

Visitation for Kennon Eaden will be from 1:00 – 8:00 p.m. Today and Tomorrow from 10:00 a.m until service time at 1:00 p.m at Sid Roberts Funeral Home in Nacogdoches.  Burial will follow in the Mount Gillion Cemetery. 

Paige Rochelle Davila passed away on July 16th.  A Celebration of Paige’s life will be held  tomorrow at the Decatur Civic Center from 11am-2pm.

Shelby County Arrest Report for August 2^nd

Cynthia Miller, 30, Shelbyville was arrested by DPS for Driving While Intoxicated, No Liability Insurance, and No Registration.

Rogelio Romero, 48, of Joaquin, was arrested by Center Police for Driving While Intoxicated.

James Patrick McKee, of Nacogdoches  was arrested by Center Police for Engaging in Criminal Activity.

Billy Ray McCoy, 52, of Center was arrested by Center Police for Evading Arrest.

All Suspects are Innocent Until Proven Guilty Before a Court of Law

The Center Volunteer Fire Department will host their annual fundraiser tomorrow evening at the John D. Windham Civic Center. The event will start at 6pm. There will be free popcorn, drinks for $1. There will be raffles throughout the evening with a variety of prizes, including guns. Bingo games will be played through out the night. The last game winner will be for $1000 cash.

In addition to a substantial amount of monetary damage, copper wire thieves have created an extremely hazardous situation inside the Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative Hurstown Substation. Due to high system loading, DETEC crews are scheduled to work at the substation early this morning to remedy the situation. No outages are planned during this work. However, due to the nature of the work, a brief outage cannot be ruled out. Any potential outage would affect the Hurstown, Patroon, Dreeka, East Hamilton and Goober Hill communities as well the southern portion of the Possum Trot community.

State agencies stand ready to respond if tropical weather threatens Louisiana this year.  Public safety officials were conducting a "midseason" review of the state's hurricane preparedness efforts on Wednesday.  Officials from the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, Louisiana State Police, Louisiana National Guard, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the Louisiana Sheriffs Association met Wednesday to review the state's preparedness plans as the region enters what is considered by many to be the height of the Atlantic Hurricane season.  August and September have traditionally been active times for hurricanes to affect Louisiana. Since 2005, the state has responded to four major, destructive hurricanes at this point in the season.  Since May, there have been four named storms - Alberto, Beryl, Chris and Debby - that have threatened the Atlantic coast. The Atlantic Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30.

Six Flags Over Texas will be closing two longtime rides as summer winds down.  A statement Thursday from the Arlington amusement park says the Texas Chute Out and Flashback will be open through Labor Day.  The Texas Chute Out opened in 1976 and was modeled after the old parachute drop at Coney Island. Park officials estimate more than 29 million people have tried the ride.  The Flashback, which opened in 1989, is a boomerang-style steel coaster with a corkscrew-spiraled layout that flips riders.  An estimated 17 million people have ridden Flashback. Spokeswoman Sharon Parker declined to elaborate on the pending closure or say whether any new rides are planned.

Today is Thursday, Aug. 2, the 215th day of 2012 with 151 to follow.

Those born on this date:

They include movie French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi in 1834; executive Jack Warner in 1892; singer Helen Morgan in 1900; actors Myrna Loy in 1905 and Beatrice Straight in 1914; author James Baldwin and actor Carroll O'Connor, both in 1924; businessman and sports team owner Lamar Hunt in 1932; football Hall of Fame member Billy Cannon and musician Garth Hudson, both in 1937 (age 75); filmmaker Wes Craven in 1939 (age 73); Chilean writer Isabel Allende in 1942 (age 70); actors Peter O'Toole in 1932 (age 80), Joanna Cassidy in 1945 (age 67), Kathryn Harrold in 1950 (age 62), Victoria Jackson in 1959 (age 53), Mary Louise Parker in 1964 (age 48) and Edward Furlong in 1977 (age 35); author Caleb Carr in 1955 (age 57); and writer/director/actor Kevin Smith in 1970 (age 42).
 
On this date in history:

• In 1776, the Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, was signed by members of the Continental Congress.
• In 1923, U.S. President Warren G. Harding, on a tour of Alaska and the West Coast, died of a stroke in a San Francisco hotel at the age of 58 as rumors of a potential corruption scandal swirled in Washington. He was succeeded by Vice President Calvin Coolidge.
• In 1934, with the death of German President Paul von Hindenburg, Chancellor Adolf Hitler became absolute dictator of Germany under the title of fuehrer, or "leader."
• In 1968, a major earthquake in the Philippines rocked Manila, killing 307 people.
• In 1974, John Dean, counsel to U.S. President Richard Nixon, was sentenced to 1-to-4 years in prison for his part in the Watergate coverup.
• In 1985, 135 people are killed in the crash of Delta Airlines L-1011 jet at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
• In 1988, U.S. military investigators concluded that crew errors led to the shooting down on July 3 of an Iranian passenger jet by the USS Vincennes in the Persian Gulf.
• In 1990, Iraq invaded neighboring Kuwait after weeks of tension over disputed land and oil production quotas.
• In 1999, in a magazine interview, U.S. first lady Hillary Clinton said her husband sought to protect her when he lied about his relationship with Monica Lewinsky.
• In 2000, the Republican Party nominated George W. Bush and Dick Cheney to head its ticket for the November elections.
• In 2001, former Bosnian Gen. Radislav Krstic was found guilty of genocide in the massacre of 7,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys.
• In 2004, crude oil prices rose sharply after the terror alert in the United States was hiked over an al-Qaida threat, posting a record $43.92 a barrel before slipping back.
• In 2005, U.S. President George W. Bush signed the Central America Trade Agreement with six countries, granting greater access for U.S. products.
• In 2007, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates called the political situation in Iraq "discouraging." He said the Bush administration had "underestimated the depth of mistrust" between the Sunni and Shiite religious blocs.
• In 2008, General Motors reported a second quarter loss of $15.5 billion one week after Ford reported an $8.7 billion quarterly loss.
• In 2009, riot police in Kuala Lumpur fired tear gas and water cannons at an estimated 10,000 demonstrators protesting a Malaysian security law that allowed imprisonment without trial, authorities said. Nearly 600 protesters were arrested.
• In 2010, U.S. scientists estimated that the BP oil spill touched off by an April 20 explosion on an offshore rig leaked 5 million barrels of crude into the Gulf of Mexico, making it the world's largest oil spill of its kind.
• In 2011, U.S. President Barack Obama signed into law the cliff-hanger legislation raising the United States' debt limit and reducing the federal deficit just in time to avoid the ominous shadow of default.
• Also in 2011, U.S. auto companies Chrysler, Ford and General Motors reported sales rebounded in July but foreign giants Toyota and Honda were down.

Shelby County Arrest Report for August 1st

• Tristan Cole Reynolds, 22, of Center was arrested by Center Police for Evading Arrest.
• Edward Eugune Morman, 38, of Center was arrested by Shelby County Sheriffs for Violation of Probation.
• Roland Reed Young, of Center was arrested by Shelby County Sheriffs for Violation of Probation.
• Aubrey Shunyae Cooks, 41, of Center was arrested by Center Police for Roberry.
• Joselito Herrera Nahar, 31, of Center was arrested by Center Police for Assault.
• Travis Patton Sr., 48, of Center was arrested by Center Police for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child.

• All Suspects are Innocent Until Proven Guilty Before a Court of Law

The Center Volunteer Fire Department will host their annual fundraiser Saturday, August 4th at the John D. Windham Civic Center. The event will start at 6pm. There will be free popcorn, drinks for $1. There will be raffles throughout the evening with a variety of prizes, including guns. Bingo games will be played through out the night. The last game winner will be for $1000 cash.

The Boil Water Notice that was issued on July 27, 2012 for part of Sand Hills Water Supply that started at Clark Williams to the Attoyac River Bridge on Hwy 7 West has been lifted as of yesterday August 1st.

The Boil Water Notice that was issued on July 31, 2012 for the City of Huxley has been lifted as of yesterday August 2nd.

A broken hood latch caused a rollover on SH 7 East, 1 mile east of FM 1656, Airport Road yesterday.  At approximately 2:40pm, a 2006 Ford F250 driven by Allen Eddins, 34 of Joaquin, lost control of his truck after the pickup's hood latch broke. Eddins' view was obstructed after the wind caught the hood and slamed it into the windshield.  While trying to keep the truck from veering into oncoming traffic, the truck swayed left and right before flipping over on its side.  DPS Trooper Keith Jones responded to the scene of the accident.  No injuries were sustained nor were any citations issued in light of the unexpected vehicle malfunction.

An investigation of a stolen vehicle turned into a high speed chase yesterday when Center Police Department investigators were on the scene of a recovered stolen vehicle.  The vehicle was a brown Ford pickup found parked with three men sitting inside the pickup.  While officers were trying to investigate the situation, the parked truck fled the scene down Greer Street at a high rate of speed, however  wrecked after failing to make the turn onto Riggs Street. Darryl Gray & Billy McCoy while the third man fled the scene.  Ben McCoy, son of Billy McCoy walked onto the scene and was suspected him of being under the influence.  After failing a field sobriety test, the younger McCoy was also taken into custody.  Charges are unknown at this time.

More than 500 new laws took effect yesterday in Louisiana.  The laws were passed in the regular Louisiana Legislative Session that ended in June. Among the changes, impersonating someone on Facebook and other online sites can land someone in jail. Selling dogs and cats along roadsides or at flea markets is banned. Everyone in a sport utility vehicle must wear a seat belt. And, the pirogue is officially Louisiana's state boat.  The list includes new restrictions on abortion. The pardon and parole boards are being merged. People who report child sexual abuse to authorities now have whistleblower protection. Most noticeable to teenagers and their parents may be the boosted number of hours of training required for new drivers. Seventeen-year-olds, who previously needed six classroom training hours, now must attend a 38-hour driver education course.  The complete list of effective dates for all acts passed during the session is available on the Louisiana Legislature's website.

Texas will help process thousands of backlogged federal disability claims at Department of Veterans Affairs regional offices in Houston and Waco.  The Texas Veterans Commission in Austin announced the initiative Tuesday. Texas is committing $1.5 million to the project. So-called strike force teams, made up of eight counselors, are expected to help relieve a backlog of nearly 69,000 claims pending for more than 125 days. Additional staffers will be dispatched to Dallas, Fort Worth, Temple, Austin, Houston, San Antonio and McAllen to assist veterans in filing their claims.

 IN FUNERAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Mr. Marlin Leon Walton, age 81, of San Augustine, Texas, passed away Sunday. Funeral services will be held today at Wyman Roberts Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Liberty Hill Cemetery.

Paige Rochelle Davila passed away on July 16th. A Celebration of Paige’s life will be held Saturday August 4th at the Decatur Civic Center from 11am-2pm.

 Shelby County Arrest Report for July 31st
 

• Heather Michelle Lopez, 21, of Hudson, TX was arrested by Shelby County Sheriffs for Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle, Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon, Posession of Drug Parphanalia, and Public Intoxication.

• LaKetha Polley, 29, of Nacogdoches was arrested by DPS for Bond Forfeiture.

• Brandy Tennile Wright, 33, was arrested by Shelby County Sheriffs for Violation of Parole.

• All Suspects are Innocent Until Proven Guilty Before a Court of Law

The Center Volunteer Fire Department will host their annual fundraiser Saturday, August 4th at the John D. Windham Civic Center. The event will start at 6pm. There will be free popcorn, drinks for $1. There will be raffles throughout the evening with a variety of prizes, including guns. Bingo games will be played through out the night. The last game winner will be for $1000 cash. Everyone come out and support the fire department's fundraiser!!

Due to a recent water line break, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the system to notify customers in the Pretty Point area to boil their water prior to consumption. To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to consumption, the water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes. In lieu of boiling, you may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source.  When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, water system officials will notify you that the water is safe for consumption. Instructions to discontinue boiling will be issued in the same manner as this notice. If you have questions regarding this matter you may contact City Hall at 936-368-2266

A 25-year-old Chireno mother died Saturday following a freak tree cutting accident in Shelby County. Clara Welch was helping cut trees around 8:30 p.m. between Timpson and Garrison. According to family members, the accident happened when they were cutting a larger part of the tree, and when it came down the rope broke and it crushed her. Timpson and Garrison volunteer fire departments responded to the 911 call along with the Shelby County Sheriffs Office. Welch was transported from the scene to a Nacogdoches hospital. Welch was pronounced dead at 11:46 p.m.

Run-Off election voting took place yesterday for the Shelby County District Attorney Race. Per unoffical final results, Republican candidate Kenneth Florence has defeated Karen Price in a decisive victory. Florence had 1,223 votes to Price's 678 votes. Florence will face Democrat Stephen Shires in November. In Nacogdoches County, Nacogdoches attorney Travis Clardy defeated Incumbent Chuck Hopson in what was a winner take all contest for Texas State Representative District 11.

There is a major shake-up in the Caddo Parish District Attorney's office. According to sources, two prosecutors involved in the acquisition of automatic weapons have been asked to resign. Now-former ADAs Lea Hall and Hugo Holland confirm that they were asked to resign by Caddo District Attorney, Charles Scott Tuesday afternoon. Hall says that he was made a political scapegoat. The resignations come on the heels of an investigation into the acquisition of eight automatic weapons, an ordeal that did not sit well with the Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office. Recently, Louisiana's Inspector General's Office cleared the DA's office of violations, but inspectors did criticize the handling of the request, which was handled by prosecutors Lea Hall and Hugo Holland.

Tea party-backed attorney Ted Cruz swept past establishment Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst to win a runoff Tuesday and seize the GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate. Cruz used advantages in nearly all the state's heavily populated counties to secure the party's nod to succeed retiring Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. Henderson native Paul Sadler beat Grady Yarbrough with a convincing 63% of the votes to win the Democrat Nomination. Ted Cruz and Paul Sadler will face off in November.