A WEAK BACKDOOR COOL FRONT MAY ENTER THE REGION BY LABOR DAY.
ISOLATED MAINLY AFTERNOON AND EVENING THUNDERSTORMS MAY DEVELOP
ACROSS MUCH OF THE AREA ON MONDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY OF NEXT WEEK.
AS TEMPERATURES WILL REMAIN UNSEASONALLY HOT...ANY STORMS THAT HAPPEN
TO DEVELOP WILL HAVE THE POTENTIAL OF PRODUCING STRONG GUSTY
WINDS.
 

On Saturday, August 23, 2013 Deputy Sheriff Jeremy Pope was on patrol on State Highway 7 West when he observed a green 4 door passenger car traveling Eastbound at a high rate of speed. During the course of the traffic stop, the driver identified as Robin Griffin, 37 ofLufkin became non-compliant. Although Ms. Griffin was instructed repeatedly, Ms. Griffin jumped into the driver’s seat of her vehicle and began to evade. Deputy Pope initiated pursuit of Ms. Griffin initiating his audible emergency siren and radioed Dispatch advising of pursuit and requesting backup. Deputy Pope pursued the vehicle from a safe distance and radioed that there was also a passenger in the vehicle with Ms. Griffin. Approximately 1.3 miles east of the initial traffic stop, Ms. Griffin entered into a shallow curve at which time Ms. Griffin apparently lost control of the vehicle and presumably rolled the vehicle several times on the grassy area of the shoulder. Deputy Pope radioed Dispatch advising of the major accident and requested EMS and Fire Personnel to his location. Deputy Pope and several bystanders who stopped sought after providing care to the injured that had both been ejected from the vehicle. The driver was treated initially by Ace EMS and then transferred to LSU in Shreveport, Louisiana by Life Air Rescue. The passenger, Kristiana Gamboa, 19 of Shelbyville perished as a result of her injuries and was pronounced by JP Pct. 1 Maxie Eaves. During the investigation of the accident, narcotics was located, being identified as PCP, Phencyclidine approximately 1.5 grams. Charges are pending for Ms. Robin Griffin.

Shelby County DPS worked a major one-vehicle accident that led to the death of a 19-year-old girl  and the serious injury of a Lufkin woman.  Troopers say the crash occurred on Highway 7 about 1.5 miles west of FM 711.  Reports say a 97 Ford Crown Victoria driven by Robin Griffin of Lufkin was traveling east on 7 at an unsafe speed when it went off the right side of the road.  Troopers say the driver then over-corrected, and began to slide .  The vehicle rolled over  and ejected  both Griffin and her passenger, Kristiana Gamboa , who was pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Maxie Eaves.

Griffin was transported to LSU Hospital in Shreveport

In cooperation with Texas Forest Country Partnership, the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce facilitated the Texas Department of Agriculture GO TEXAN Certified Retirement Community Workshop on Monday, August 19, 2013 at the John D. Windham Civic Center.

Representatives from over 20 cities throughout the state traveled to Center, Texas to learn about the certification and promotion program. An overview was presented by Richard De Los Santos, Marketing Coordinator for the Texas Department of Agriculture from Austin. He touted the benefits and marketing opportunities associated with being chosen as a Certified Retirement Community.

Andria Godfrey with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Tourism reviewed the facts and figures of the huge Texas Tourism industry and associated assets travelers bring to our communities. She demonstrated the many tools available on the Department’s web site.

Sarah Page of Sarah T. Page Consulting, on behalf of the Texas Tourism Industry Association,  gave an informative presentation of Developing a Travel Destination and the many economic benefits derived from being a hospitable city.

A Regional Economic Development and Tourism Roundtable was a great forum to explore the assets and assistance of area partnerships. This segment was led by Marty Prince, Executive Director of the Texas Forest Trail Region; Pam Phelps, Executive Director of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and Board Member and Past Chair of the Texas Forest Country Partnership; Cindy Floyd, Chairman of the Northeast Texas Economic Developers Roundtable; and Stacey Osborne, Economic Development Consultant.

Texas Department of Agriculture Field Office Representatives, Bill Hoppe, Rachel Louviere, Michelle Spodnik and Kristin Lambrecht were also in attendance.       

The Office of Workforce and Continuing Education is set to offer Beginning Dog Obedience class on Monday and Thursday evenings, beginning September 30 through October 17, 2013, 5:00 PM until 6:00 PM at the Merle Glass Building.  The cost is $65.00 and the instructor is canine enthusiast, Ms. Joy Parker.  Pre-registration is required.  For more information and to register, interested individuals should contact the Continuing Education office at 903-693-2067 or email us atce@panola.edu.

Planning is underway for the 37th East Texas Poultry Festival, which will take place October 3-5 on the downtown Center square with co-chairmen Jim Sawyer and Hollie Adams leading the steering committee. According to Polly McKissick, Arts and Crafts vendor applications are being accepted at the Shelby County Chamber office until Friday, August 30.

The fee for the rental of a 10' x 10' booth is $125.  Each booth includes a canopy and an electrical outlet.  Booths must be manned continuously during the hours of 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. all three days of the festival.  First time exhibitors are asked to send three color photographs showing representative merchandise.  At the deadline, the Arts & Crafts committee will select the vendors based on the type and quality of merchandise and notify them of their selection.

The festival season will also include the traditional Chicken Cooking Contest sponsored by Tyson Foods, a Photography Show and a Quilt Show open to all citizens. Everyone is encouraged to get their entries ready.

For an application to be received by mail or electronically or questions, call Shelby County Chamber of Commerce 936-598-3682 or email info@shelbycountychamber.com.

Center's participation in the Deep East Texas Groundwater Conservation District is the main topic at an upcoming Center City Council meeting Friday afternoon.

The council will discuss and take possible actionon a Deep East Texas Groundwater Conservation District Property Tax Election, a resolution ordering an election for the city regarding the district, and an election for charter proposition on the levy of taxes for the district.

Those items will be followed by consultation with the city attorney on pending litigation.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has added Doug Otis Sims, 32, to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders list, and a cash reward up to $3,000 is now being offered for information leading to his capture. Sims has a violent criminal past and is wanted for failure to comply with sex offender registration and burglary of habitation. All tips can be offered anonymously.

Sims has relatives and friends living in Center, Athens and Burnet, Texas; and he has been known to work in the oil drilling industry. Sims’ criminal history includes sexual assault of a child, assault, evading arrest/detention and DWI. In 2003, he was convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl nine times over a period of several months.

Sims is 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs approximately 190 pounds.  He has cut scars on his back and chest and multiple tattoos, including “Andrew Samuel” on his lower left leg and tribal art on his right hand, left arm and left leg.  For more information, see his wanted bulletin at: http://www.dps.texas.gov/Texas10MostWanted/SexOffenderDetails.aspx?id=212.

Texas Crime Stoppers, which is funded by the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division, offers cash rewards to any person who provides information that leads to the arrest of one of the Texas 10 Most Wanted fugitives or sex offenders.

There are four different ways to provide anonymous tips:

• Call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477).
• Text the letters DPS – followed by your tip – to 274637 (CRIMES) from your cell phone.
• Submit a web tip through the DPS website by selecting the fugitive you have information about, and then clicking on the link under their picture.
• Submit a Facebook tip at http://www.facebook.com/texas10mostwanted by clicking the “SUBMIT A TIP” link (under the “About” section).

All calls, texts, e-mails and Facebook messages are anonymous.

DPS investigators work with local law enforcement agencies to select fugitives for the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitive and Sex Offender lists. You can find the current lists – with photos – on the DPS website at http://www.dps.texas.gov/texas10mostwanted/.

Do not attempt to apprehend these fugitives; they are considered armed and dangerous.

The City of Timpson will receive a special train town designation tomorrow at 2 PM at the new Timpson Public Library.  The designation will be made by Union Pacific Railroad Public Affairs Director Clint Schelbitzki.  He will present the city with a Train Town sign.  The public is invited to attend. 

Panola College Workforce and Continuing Education would like to thank the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and the Center Economic Development Corporation for their support of the partnership between General Shelters of Texas, LTD and Texas Workforce Commission with the Skills Development Fund. The Skills Development Fund will provide training opportunities to the General Shelters of Texas, LTD employees to cross train and further their job set skills. 

The Center Independent School District Board will meet this evening at 6 in the Center ISD Administration Boardroom at 107 Private Road 605 in Center.

Items on the agenda will include information on overnight student activity tgrips, the approval of a Notice of Public Meeting to discuss the budget and proposed tax rate on August 30,2013.

Personnel issues  and real property will be discussed in closed session.

Shelby County Sheriff's officials are seeking the public's help in the recovery of items taken from a Joaquin church.  According to reports, an unknown person or persons broke into the Joaquin Pentecostal Church , taking three guitars.  Two of them were Fender Brands and one was an unknown brand.  Officials say any information leading to the arrest of the reponsible individual or individuals could earn you up to a $1,000 reward.  If you have any information, call Center Crime Stoppers at 936-598-7233 or send a web tip to www.centercrimestoppers.com.

The recent closure of the Shelby Regional Medical Center has resulted in other health-oriented businesses and organizations providing additional services to meet the medical needs of Shelby County residents.

Hope Clinic officials have confirmed that the clinic will soon extend it's hours.  The facility will be open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 10 PM and Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM.  Officials say that change will take place as soon as it is humanly possible and that other services will also soon be expanded to offset the impact of the shutdown of Shelby County's only hospital.

August 31^st, 2010 marked the official end to US Combat Operation in Iraq and the Veterans of Foreign Wars have added it to their commemorative calendar to insure the patriotism and sacrifices of this generation are never forgotten by the American people.

Shelby County Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8904 and the Ladies Auxiliary invite all Iraq Veterans and the public to a remembrance program to be held at the Veterans Memorial on the grounds of the Historic Courthouse, Saturday, August 31^st at 11:00 am.  Iraq Veterans are then cordially invited to a complimentary lunch at Las Margaritas.

More information contact post quartermaster Larry Hume at 598-2976 or email chief@chiefimaging.com. 

Charles “Bud” Worley has joined the staff at Panola College as Director of Institutional Advancement.  In this capacity, he will lead fundraising programs with the Panola College Foundation, coordinate the Alumni Association, and promote the College through public relations and marketing activities.

                “I am extremely proud to have Bud join Panola College as Director of Institutional Advancement,” said Dr. Greg Powell, Panola College President. “I believe his strong ties to our community will allow him to make an immediate and positive impact.”

                Worley comes to Panola College after a 30-year career with the Carthage Independent School District where he taught technology education courses and served as adviser to the Technology Students Association (TSA.) While at Carthage High School, Worley served as president of the Carthage Athletic Booster Club, developing fundraising programs to provide scholarships and assistance to CISD athletic programs. In addition, he led fundraising activities for TSA, generating enough funds to send top-ranking students to regional, state, and national competitions each year.

                For the past seven years, Worley has served as Executive Director and State Advisor for the Texas Technology Students Association. Worley was honored as State Advisor for the Year at the TSA National Convention in Orlando, Fla. this summer.

                Worley earned his associate of arts degree from Panola College, bachelor of science degree from East Texas State University, and a master’s in education from Stephen F. Austin State University.

                Worley was named Panola County Citizen of the Year in 2007.

                “I’m excited to be at Panola College.  I look forward to giving back and helping make a difference in the College’s long term success,” said Worley.

The following is the official statement CBC Broadcasting received from the Shelby County Sheriff's Department.

The Shelby County Sheriff Office on 08/12/2013 received a 911call at 852pm in reference to a 18 month old child choking  located at 1320 Shelbyville Street in Center Texas.  This call was transferred to ACE EMS who responded to that location. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office then received a 911 call at 857pm of a young child choking  located at the CVS Pharmacy on Hurst Street. That call was transferred to ACE EMS. Dispatch then notified Shelby County Sheriff Deputy, Jeremy Pope, who responded to CVS Pharmacy and initiated first aid for choking . Center P.D. Officers, Maegan Wright and Chris Wheeler arrived on scene to assist the Sheriff’s Deputy. Deputy Pope and Chris Wheeler along with the young child continuing first aid met the ACE EMS Unit at Brookshire Brothers parking lot. The EMS crew was able to remove the obstruction and insert an artificial airway at that time. Chris Wheeler then assisted the EMS crew by driving it to the San Augustine Memorial Hospital where medical personnel were unable to revive the child. The child was pronounced deceased by San Augustine County, Justice of Peace Pct. 2  Artis Moseby at 1030pm.     

Shelby County Commissioners have voted unanimously to keep an outdoor burn ban in place in the county  until substantial rainfall is received.  County Judge Rick Campbell first put the ban in place last week.

Also approved was an interlocal agreement between Shelby County and the Deep East Texas Groundwater Conservation District for election services for an election in which voters will decide whether or not to form a district , consisting of Shelby, San Augustine, and Sabine counties.

The court tabled action on a change in county sick time policies in which current, active employees would donate sick time to other current,active employees "in need."  Officials wanted more time to fine-tune the policy, defining what an "in need " employee is and what sort of limit to put on the sick time..

The Center Police Department is looking for a wanted fugitive and needing your help.  The fugitive's name is Doug Otis Sims , who is a white male, 5'10" tall with brown hair and blue eyes.

If you see or know the location of this fugitive , call the Center Crime Stoppers at 936-598-SAFE or send a web tip at www.centercrimestoppers.com.

You could earn a cash reward up to a $1,000 in cash if your information leads to the arrest of this fugitive.  You do not have to give your name.

Center City Councilmembers have voted unanimously to approve a proposed maximum property tax rate of .51 per one hundred dollars worth of property value.  That is the same rate as last year, but it is above the effective rate of 49 cents (the amount required to bring in the same amount of revenue as last year) and 50 cents which is the rollback rate .  Mayor David Chadwick emphasised that the decision last night did not indicate that would be the final rate approved, but did represent a maximum limit of what it would be. 

In other business, hte council approved a resolution ordering a municipal election for the mayors race and councilmembers in districts one (Joyce Johnson) and three(Howell Howard). 

The council also approvbed a funding agreement with TXDOT Aviation to install an automated weather observation system at the airport, sewer system improvements at lakewood subdivision, the sale of surplus property, the temporary street closure for the Homecoming Parade, and pursuing the sale of the Lake Area Art League building.

After an executive session, the council reconvened and made a motion to engage services of Bojorquez Law Firm to evaluate alternative and advise the City of Center regarding the Deep East Texas Ground Water Conservation District Property Tax Election.

Minutes of Called Meeting

The Board of Trustees

Center ISD

A Called Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Center ISD was held Monday, August 12, 2013, beginning at 12:00 PM in the Center ISD Administration Boardroom 107 PR 605 Center, TX 75935.

The Golden Harvest Ministries will hold their regular monthly meeting on Monday, August 19th at 11:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall of the First Baptist Church.  This is hte first meeting back at First Baptist after remodeling in the kitchen and Fellowship Hall.  The program will be presented by Casey Fountain, senior at Baylor University who has recently returned from six weeks in New York participating in the New York City Urban Project with the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship.  Also, at this meeting, members can sign up to receive flu shots.  The public is invited to come and enjoy a covered dish luncheon and interesting program. 

Shelby County Commissioners have voted 4-0 to approve an outdoor burn ban for Shelby County, effective until substational rains occur in the county.  This morning's action followed action taken by Shelby County Judge Rick Campbell to put such a ban in place last week.

The court voted 4-0 to table action on Sheriffs and Constable fees for 2014 and a county sick time policy which would allow current active employees to donate sick time to other current, active employees in need.

The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors along with owner, Don Walker, invite the public to join them for the Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting of Walker’s On The Square on Friday, August 16^th at 11:30 a.m.

Walker’s On The Square is located at 130 Nacogdoches Street and is currently open Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. and 5:30 until 9:00 p.m., and on Saturday from 5:30 until 9:00 p.m. They feature fine cuisine and an elegant dining experience in a casual atmosphere. Free appetizers will be offered during business hours the day of Grand Opening.

For more information please contact the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce at (936) 598-3682 or www.shelbycountychamber.com.

A Called Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Center ISD will be held August 12, 2013, beginning at 12:00 PM in the Center ISD Administration Boardroom 107 PR 605 Center, TX 75935.

The subjects to be discussed or considered or upon which any formal action may be taken are listed below.

Items do not have to be taken in the same order as shown on this meeting notice.

Center City Council members will be holding a budget workshop this afternoon at 4:40 at the John Windham Civic Center.

That workshop wil be followed by a regular meeting in which the council will approve a resoloution ordering an election approve a resolution authorizing the city to research, identify, and develop external funding sources for economic development projects, consider awarding bids for the Airport AWOS and sewer system improvements , and  the sale of surplus property, the approval of a temporary street closure for the Homecoming Parade October 12th, 2013.

Also on the agenda is general discussion on the Lake Area Art League building and retaining walls.

(AUSTIN) — Texas Comptroller Susan Combs reminds shoppers the annual sales tax holiday weekend is scheduled for this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 9-11.

Families can save money by not paying sales tax on most clothing, footwear and school supplies priced under $100. Lists of tax-free items can be found at www.TexasTaxHoliday.org.

The sales tax holiday weekend in Texas has been an annual event since 1999.

Shoppers are expected to save an estimated $78.9 million in state and local sales taxes during the sales tax holiday.

...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT WEDNESDAY...

* EVENT...HEAT INDEX READINGS FROM 105 TO 108 DEGREES ON WEDNESDAY.

* TIMING...BEGINNING DURING THE LATE MORNING HOURS AND CONTINUING

  INTO THE EARLY EVENING HOURS ON WEDNESDAY.

* IMPACT...THE COMBINATION OF HEAT AND HIGH HUMIDITY WILL RESULT

  IN AN ELEVATED RISK FOR HEAT RELATED ILLNESSES...SUCH AS HEAT

  EXHAUSTION OR HEAT STROKE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS IF YOU WORK OR SPEND TIME OUTSIDE. WHEN

POSSIBLE... RESCHEDULE STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES TO EARLY MORNING OR

EVENING. KNOW THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT

STROKE. WEAR LIGHT WEIGHT AND LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING WHEN

POSSIBLE AND DRINK PLENTY OF WATER.

TO REDUCE RISK DURING OUTDOOR WORK THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND

HEALTH ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDS SCHEDULING FREQUENT REST BREAKS

IN SHADED OR AIR CONDITIONED ENVIRONMENTS. ANYONE OVERCOME BY

HEAT SHOULD BE MOVED TO A COOL AND SHADED LOCATION. HEAT STROKE

IS AN EMERGENCY - CALL 911.

&&

Panola College is set to offer a one-day seminar, Oil & Gas 101 for the Land and Mineral Owners (including for the future land man), on Saturday, August 17, 2013 beginning at 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM at the Shelby Regional Training Center in Center, Texas.  Mr. Philip Baldwin, Attorney-at-Law, will be the instructor.  The cost will be $90.00 and pre-registration is required.  Call 903/693-2067 or 936/591-9075 for more information and to register or email ce@panola.edu.  Seminar topics include: exploration and production, basic petroleum geology and engineering, basic oil and gas law, understanding your oil and gas lease, how to protect your mineral rights, surveying and property descriptions, and many more.  DON’T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY!

Shelby County Commissioners voted 3-0 to appoint current deputy clerk Debora Reilly to be the new Tax/Assessor , replacing Pam Shofner who reportedly resigned due to family reasons.

Reilly will be eligible to run for the office in December.  The winner of that election will serve the remainder of Shofner's unexpired term.

County Commissioner Roscoe McSwain was the one commissioner absent from yesterday's meeting.

The office of Workforce and Continuing Education is set to offer the four-day AccuPlacer Prep class in the areas of math, reading or writing.  The orientation is set for Friday, August 16, 2013 at 4:00 PM. The class will begin Monday, August 19 through 22, 2013 from 5:00 PM until 8:30 PM   in the W.H. Gullette Building, Room 201, on the Panola College Carthage campus.   The cost of the class is $100.00 and pre-registration is required.  For more information and to register, contact the Continuing Education office at 903-693-2067 or email:ce@panola.edu.

Shelby County Judge Rick Campbell has put into effect an outdoor burn ban that is in effect for ninety days , unless lifted by the court before then.  County Commissioners gave Campbell the authority to do that without commissioner action a couple of years ago.  That ban went into effect just after three yesterday afternoon.

San Augustine County Judge Samye Johnson put a ban for his county in efect at eight this morning. 

A violation of these bans is a Class C Misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.00.

The orders do not prohibit outdoor burnign activities related to public health and safety that are authorized by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for firefighter training, public utility, natural gas pipeline or mining operations, planting or harvesting of agricultural crops or burns that are conducted by a prescribed burn manager certified under Section 153.048 of the Natural Resources Code and meet the standards of Section 153.047 of the code.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SHREVEPORT HAS ISSUED A HEAT
ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING.

* EVENT...HEAT INDEX READINGS FROM 105 TO 108 DEGREES WILL
  LIKELY OCCUR ONCE AGAIN TODAY IN SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA AND IN
  PARTS OF NORTH CENTRAL LOUISIANA.

* TIMING...FROM EARLY AFTERNOON THROUGH EARLY EVENING.

* IMPACT...THE COMBINATION OF HEAT AND HIGH HUMIDITY WILL RESULT
  IN AN ELEVATED DANGER TO OUR ABILITY TO FEND OFF HEAT RELATED
  ILLNESSES...SUCH AS HEAT EXHAUSTION OR HEAT STROKE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS IF YOU WORK OR SPEND TIME OUTSIDE. WHEN
POSSIBLE...RESCHEDULE STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES TO EARLY MORNING OR
EVENING. KNOW THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT
STROKE SUCH AS A LACK OF PERSPIRATION. WEAR LIGHT WEIGHT AND
LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING AND WHEN POSSIBLE...DRINK PLENTY OF WATER
BEFORE...DURING AND AFTER EXPOSURE TO THE HEAT.

TO REDUCE RISK DURING OUTDOOR WORK THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND
HEALTH ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDS SCHEDULING FREQUENT REST BREAKS
IN SHADED OR AIR CONDITIONED ENVIRONMENTS. ANYONE OVERCOME BY
HEAT SHOULD BE MOVED TO A COOL AND SHADED LOCATION. HEAT STROKE
IS AN EMERGENCY - CALL 911.
 

Panola College Workforce & Continuing Education is set to offer a one-hour seminar focusing on Retirement and Investment Strategies on Thursday,   August 8 from 6:00 pm until 7:00 pm at the MP Baker Library on the Carthage campus. Expert Bart Blair will share tips and tricks to help you prepare for retirement.   Refreshments will be served. The cost is $25. Pre-registration is required. Call 903/693.2067 or email ce@panola.edu for more details or to register.

Shelby County Sheriffs officials confirm the drowning death of a seven-year-old child and fifty-year-old man drowned in an incident yesterday afternoon.  A press release states the office received a 911 call just before two yesterday afternoon from Gina Porterfield who said that their ATV had been ridden  off into a pond in front of their home on HIghway 96 South off County Road 1005.  Both Shelby County Sheriffs deputies and Center Police officers responded to the home where they immediately went into the water.   Sheriffs officials  say it was determined that seven-year-old Carter Amburn had ridden the ATV into the water and 50-year-old Danny Porterfiled went into the water to search for him.  The release says Porterfield was also missing by the time responders arrived.  Deputy Bobby Carlson located the seven-year-old not far from from the bank .

Responders began administering CPR and continued the process until Ace EMS arrived and transported him to San Augustine Memorial Hosplital where he was pronounced deceased. 

Officials say the sheriffs department was joined by those from the Center PD, Texas Highway Patrol, Center Volunteer Fire Department , Texas Game Wardens , the Desoto Parish dive team and a number of concerned citizens and neighbors in search for Mr. Porterfield.  The dive team recovered his body just before five yesterday afternoon. 

Shelby County Sherriff Willis Blackwell would like to thank all the agencies who responded so quickly and worked together in the tragic event. 

Shelby County Sherriff officials confirm a 77-year-old Timpson man is dead after deputies and the man’s family found him lying unresponsive on the floor of his residence with an apparent gunshot wound to the chest.  Deputies say the Lee Roy Castleberry’s family gained access to his residence after he failed to come to the door when they knocked on it last night a little after 6 on FM 415 in Timpson.  Justice of the Peace Jim Powers pronounced Castleberry dead at the scene.  An autopsy is being conducted by Forensic Medical of Tyler.

...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT THIS EVENING...

* EVENT...HEAT INDEX VALUES ARE EXPECTED TO CLIMB AND RANGE FROM
  104 AND 108 DEGREES THIS AFTERNOON.

* TIMING...THE HIGHEST HEAT INDEX VALUES ARE EXPECTED DURING THE
  MID AFTERNOON HOURS.

* IMPACT...THE COMBINATION OF HEAT AND HIGH HUMIDITY WILL RESULT
  IN AN ELEVATED DANGER FOR HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS IF YOU WORK OR SPEND TIME OUTSIDE. WHEN
POSSIBLE...RESCHEDULE STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES TO EARLY MORNING OR
EVENING. KNOW THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT
STROKE. WEAR LIGHT WEIGHT AND LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING AND DRINK
PLENTY OF WATER...BEFORE DURING AND AFTER EXPOSURE TO THE HEAT.

TO REDUCE RISK DURING OUTDOOR WORK THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND
HEALTH ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDS SCHEDULING FREQUENT REST BREAKS
IN SHADED OR AIR CONDITIONED ENVIRONMENTS. ANYONE OVERCOME BY
HEAT SHOULD BE MOVED TO A COOL AND SHADED LOCATION. HEAT STROKE
IS AN EMERGENCY - CALL 9 1 1.

&&

$$


 

A Called Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Center ISD was held Wednesday, July 31, 2013, beginning at 12:00 PM in the Center ISD Administration Boardroom 107 PR 605 Center, TX 75935.

Officials with SWEPCO have confirmed that equipment failure in a substation on the west side of Center led to a power outtage that affected 3200 customers last night in Center.  Power was out from approximately 11 PM to 1 AM.