...LAKE WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THIS
EVENING...
...FREEZE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO
9 AM CST WEDNESDAY...

* EVENT...SUSTAINED WINDS OF 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS NEAR 30 MPH
  WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE LATE AFTERNOON AND END DURING THE
  EVENING. DURING THE EVENING WINDS WILL DECOUPLE AS THE SKY
  CLEARS...RESULTING IN LOW TEMPERATURES INTO THE LOWER TO MIDDLE
  20S OVER EXTREME NORTHEAST TEXAS...SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA...AND
  SOUTHWEST AND SOUTH CENTRAL ARKANSAS...WITH TEMPERATURES IN THE
  MID 20S TO NEAR 30 DEGREES ACROSS EAST TEXAS AND NORTH
  LOUISIANA.

* TIMING...THE STRONGEST WINDS WILL BE FELT DURING THE DAYTIME
  HOURS WINDS SUBSIDING IN THE EVENING. FREEZING TEMPERATURES WILL
  BE OBSERVED AFTER 9 PM CST ACROSS SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA...SOUTHWEST
  AND SOUTH CENTRAL ARKANSAS...AND PARTS OF NORTHEAST TEXAS...
  THEN FOR REMAINING PARTS OF EAST AND NORTHEAST TEXAS...AND
  NORTHWEST AND NORTH CENTRAL LOUISIANA AFTER MIDNIGHT.

* IMPACT...STRONG WINDS WILL EFFECT BOATERS ON AREA LAKES. SMALL
  BOATS WILL BE ESPECIALLY PRONE TO CAPSIZING. LATER TONIGHT...
  TENDER VEGETATION AND EXPOSED PIPES AND SPRINKLER SYSTEMS MAY
  FREEZE. OUTDOOR PETS MAY NEED ADDITIONAL PROTECTION FROM THE
  COLD TONIGHT AS WELL.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A LAKE WIND ADVISORY INDICATES THAT WINDS WILL CAUSE ROUGH CHOP
ON AREA LAKES. SMALL BOATS WILL BE ESPECIALLY PRONE TO CAPSIZING.

A FREEZE WARNING MEANS SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES ARE IMMINENT OR
HIGHLY LIKELY. THESE CONDITIONS WILL KILL CROPS AND OTHER
SENSITIVE VEGETATION.

 

Center versus Groesbeck at Rusk Thursday (14th) at 7:30 PM-willbe aired on KDET AM 930-92.5 FM

Joaquin versus San Augustine at Carthage Thursday (14th) at 7:30 PM-will be aired on KQBB 100.5

Garrison versus New Diana at Carthage Fri (15th) at 7:30 PM

Mount Enterprise versus Chilton at Fairfield Thurs (14th) at 7:00 PM

Alto versus Harleton at West Rusk Fri (15th) at 7:30 PM

Jasper versus Palestine at SFA Fri (15th) at 7:30 PM

Carthage versus Mexia at Rusk Fri (15th) at 7:30 PM

Kirbyville will play Harmony at Center Roughrider stadium Fri (15th) at 7:30 PM

Notice is hereby given that a Regular meeting of the Governing Body of the Shelby County Commissioners’ Court will be held on the 12^th day of November, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. in the Courtroom of the Shelby County Courthouse at 200 San Augustine Street, Center, Shelby County, Texas to deliberate and consider action on the following items:

            1.         Approve the minutes of the October 14^th, 2013 Regular Meeting and the October                                      28^th, 2013 Special Meeting of the Shelby County Commissioners’ Court

            2.         Approve Officers’ Reports

            3.         Approve and pay monthly expenses and amend budget line items accordingly.

            4.         David Chandler and Dale Alexander, owners of ACE EMS, to address the Court                          to request a temporary subsidy.  Discuss and possibly take action.

            5.         Archie Thompson to address the Court concerning the maintenance of CR 2115.

                        Discuss and possibly take action.

            6.         Sheila Lewis, District Extension Administrator, to address the Court for approval                          on the hiring of Jheri-Lynn Smith as the new Shelby County Family Consumer                                   Sciences Agent.  Discuss and possibly take action.

            7.         Record Audit Review Statement in regards to District Attorney Forfeiture Funds.

            8.         Record dates for FY2013 outside audit, conducted by Axley & Rode, as                                       December 16, 2013.

            9.         Approve the signing of 2014 Indigent Defense Grant Program Resolution

            10.       Approve CIRA (County Information Resources Agency) Services Agreement                                with Shelby County for web hosting services

            11.       Adjourn

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Center ISD will be held November 11, 2013, beginning at 6:00 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. Unless removed from the consent agenda, items identified within the consent agenda will be acted on at one time.

The Milton and Frances Payne Endowed scholarship has been established at Panola College. The scholarship will be awarded in the spring each year to a deserving Panola College student.  Pictured from left to right are Dr. Greg Powell , Cindy Payne Stark, and Christie Payne Rose.

World War I Ends

Remembrances of the late Mrs. Mattie Dellinger, 2006

By Larry Hume, VFW Post 8904

World War I was known at the time as “The Great War”.  Fighting ceased when an armistice between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month and was regarded as the end of the war to end all wars.  The following year in 1919 the first observance of Armistice Day was observed.  The concept was for a day with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m.  Armistice day was made a legal holiday on May 13, 1938 but in 1954 congress at the urging of veterans organizations amended the Act of 1938 by replacing the word “Armistice” with the word “Veterans”.   Today Veterans Day celebrates the lives of all veterans, especially those still living.

Miss Mattie gave me a handwritten account of what she remembered from her childhood on November 11, 1918.  She said that “Miss Kate Kimbro recalled that her mother and daddy carried her down town to join the crowd of cheering people when the news of peace reached Center.  She remembered seeing Uncle Emmett and his wife, Aunt Jennie Armstrong in front of Rogers Drug Store happily telling the crowd that their son Norflete Armstrong would be coming home soon.  However Norflete was killed that very day, one of the last soldiers to be killed.  They received the sad news later.”

Miss Mattie said “her memories of that day included being woke up early by my mother telling me that the war was over and to get up and get dressed and we’d go to town.  The peace treaty was signed at 11 am, November 11th, 1918 and it was 2:30 a.m. our time when the news was received in Center by telephone.  The telegraph office at the depot was not open at that time of day.

The happy news soon spread and by daylight everybody knew something was happening.  Church bells were ringing, guns were shooting, fire crackers shot, and whistles at the saw mill, lumber yard and the ice plant were blowing.  As I can recall what I really felt about the news that day was there would be no more crying and dead people – and we wouldn’t have to eat corn bread for breakfast.

My mother’s two brothers were in training at camp Travis, where ever that was and she had cried a lot about them especially when they left Center and when she’d get letters from them.  The war was over before they saw combat.

We children went to the depot with our parents when the men were sent by train to training camps or when their bodies were returned.  That was always a sad time and lots of crying as folks hugged and clung on to their enlisted family members as they left for camp.  The men would get on the train run to the windows and the women hung on to their hands as the train slowly pulled out.  The train whistles blew and kept blowing so mournfully for miles down the track.

Norman G. Crocker, a Shelby County boy and student at Texas A & M was the first local soldier to be killed in the war with Germany.   The Center American legion post was named for him.  He was born in 1890 and his death is listed as February 5, 1918.  Norman was a Center High School graduate of 1908.  He parents were Mr. & Mrs. T. N. Crocker and one of his brothers was the father of Mrs. Dube (Reba) Taylor.

Norman Crocker along with hundreds of other soldiers was aboard the ill-fated steamship Tuscania that was torpedoed off the north coast of Ireland.  Many of the bodies washed ashore and Norman’s body was recovered the next day and together with others was buried in a long grave in Scotland.  His body was later sent back to center for burial in the Antioch cemetery. 

Clyde chance, a 27 year old 1908 graduate of Center High School was the first Center soldier to be killed on foreign soil as Crocker was killed at sea.  Clyde was killed in October just before the end of the war in November 1918.  His parents were the Phillip Chance’s and they lived in east Center on Shelbyville Street.  Mr. Chance worked for the T. Smith’s lumber company and their other children were Lester, Lucille, Eula, and Jack.  We knew the Chance family and my parents were close friends to them.  Miss Lucille later was my 4th grade teacher.

I will remember the day that the Chance family received news by telegraph that Clyde had been killed.  We could hear their screams at our home which was several blocks away.  Then there was more crying and screaming at the depot when Clyde’s remains and that of another 1908 center school graduate, John Yeary arrived on the morning train several years later in 1921.

Children were always present at the depot for those sad departures and return of the bodies.  So therefore I think we children now all in our 90’s who lived through those days could well be called World War I Vets. 

The war was not over for many of the soldiers who returned home crippled, with loss of limbs, and victims of the German poison gas.  Gus Friday who lived in our neighborhood on McKee Street was handicapped for life after being “gassed” in the war.  I’ve heard him cry with emotion while telling of some of the horrors of the fighting that he was a part of and witnessed.

The other part of the World War I years that I remember so well was that flour was taken out of the grocery store for the “war effort” for some reason.  I never have understood why.  So people who had been used to eating hot biscuits for breakfast every morning now were eating corn bread muffins instead.  But my grandmother who lived next door to us had “hoarded” some flour that she shared with my mother all along for our Sunday breakfast.”

Thank you Mrs. Mattie Dellinger for those wonderful memories of a time so long ago that you lived through.  You are missed by all in Shelby County.  The times may have been different but it is my feeling that the people who lived back then were of a much heartier stock.

Nacogdoches, TX (November 5, 2013) – Nacogdoches Medical Center continues its efforts to bring emergency medical care to residents of Shelby County and East Texas with the construction of a satellite emergency department and diagnostic imaging center.  The hospital announced its plans in July to build the $7M facility, which will function as an off campus department of NMC.  The system recently purchased property at Highway 96 and Loop 500 to construct the facility.

The building will be approximately 10,000 square feet, with 70 available parking spaces, a covered ambulance bay, backup electric generation, and a helipad. The emergency room will have 7 examination rooms, 2 triage areas, a separate trauma room, lab, pharmacy, and waiting area.  The diagnostic imaging suite will have digital X-ray, 64 slice CT, ultrasound, and a separate waiting area.

“Since we opened our doors over 30 years ago, an increasing number of Shelby County residents have trusted NMC with their medical needs,” said Gary Stokes, CEO of Nacogdoches Medical Center.  “We are proud to now provide quality care for them, even closer to home.”

“We recognized a significant need in the community, months before Shelby Regional Medical Center closed,” said Scott Sundell, Director of Business Development.  “This facility will provide a more accessible location for Shelby residents, which will ensure that the most critically ill patients have access to emergency services when they are needed most.”

The satellite emergency department will provide emergency services for adults and children 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It will be staffed by experienced, board-certified physicians with direct access to surgeons and specialty physicians.  The facility will also have a fully staffed laboratory and imaging services.  Protocols will be in place for immediate transfer of patients requiring a higher level of care, or other specialized services.

“As emergency rooms across the nation have seen an increase in traffic in the last several years, many states have implemented freestanding EDs such as this one,” adds Sundell.  “This project has received tremendous support from the community, and we’re anxious to get the construction underway.”

Construction drawings are nearing completion and will go out for bid in November. NMC hopes to have a contractor chosen in December.  A ground-breaking ceremony will take place soon thereafter. The construction timeline is expected to be 8 months, with doors opening in September of 2014.

The City of Center and Shelby County have joined San Augustine and Sabine counties in voting no on the creation of a Deep East Texas Groundwater Conservation District.

Here are the final unofficial results

In the City of Center, 289 voted against the district while 39 voted in favor.
In Shelby County, 2573 voters ...voted against the creation while 119 voted for.

In Sabine County, 1219 voted against the district while 125 voted for.

In San Augustine County, 1639 voted against the district while 206 voted for.

CBC Radio will have more on the elections and the statewide constituional amendments in our newscasts tomorrow.

Santa Claus recently delivered an invitation to Larry Hume, the recipient of the 2013 Distinguished Service Award, to serve as Grand Marshal of the 14^th annual Santa’s Christmas Parade which will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2013 beginning at 6:00 p.m. 

Hume was recognized at the annual Chamber of Commerce awards banquet for his contributions to the community for keeping the history of our armed service men and women alive in Shelby County.  He is instrumental in the Voice of Democracy program, Veteran’s programs in the school and community as well as a leader in the Shelby County VFW Post 8904. 

According to Andi Foster, Chairman, vendor space is available free to churches, civic and non-profit organizations.  Interested organizations must complete a vendor application and will be notified regarding acceptance.  Approved vendors can set up from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the day of the parade in an assigned location on the Historic Courthouse lawn.  During the parade afternoon the Daughters of the Republic William Carroll Crawford Chapter will host tours of the First Ladies in Texas Building.

Categories for the 2013 “Country Christmas” themed parade will include Individuals, Schools, Businesses, Churches and Civic Organizations.  Parade participants this year will be allowed to include their horses with special applicable rules and considerations. Judges will award cash prizes to the top three places in each category, First $100, Second $50 and Third $25 and the Overall Best in Show Float will receive $250 cash prize.

Parade float entry registration is free and completed applications must be returned to the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce office by the entry deadline on Monday, November 25, 2013.  Applications for the parade, vendor space and entry rules are now available at the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce office located at 100 Courthouse Square, A-101 on the historic downtown Center square or online at  www.shelbycountychamber.com. 

When Santa closes out the parade, he will be on hand in the Historic Courthouse until 8:00 p.m.  Photos may be made with Santa by furnishing one’s own camera. 

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

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The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors will host a new member Ribbon Cutting for Here’s The Deal with owner, Sandy Mahan, Tuesday, November 12 at 11:00 a.m. at 1000 Tenaha Street in Center.

Here’s the Deal is a Resale Shop offering unique, gently-used items at a great price.

The public is invited to attend. For more information please contact the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce at (936) 598-3682 or info@shelbycountychamber.com.

The following are the items that will appear on the ballot in Shelby County in today's elections.

The creation of the Deep East Texas Groundwater Conservation District and the levy of an ad valorem tax in the District at a rate not to exceed five cents for each $100 of assessed valuation

Proposition 1-The constituional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a member of the armed services of the United States who is killed in aciton

Proposition 2-The constitutional amendment eliminating an obsolete requirement for a State Medical Education Board and a State Medical Education Fund , neither of which is  operational.

Propostion 3-The

amendment to authorize a political subdivision of this state to extend the number of days that aircraft parts that are exempt from ad valorem taxation due to their location in this state for a temporary period may be located in this state for purposes of qualifying for the tax exemption.

Proposition 4-The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of part of the market value of the residence homestead of a partially disabled veteran or the surviving spouse of a partially disbaled veteran if the residence homestead was donated to the disabled veteran by a charitable organization.  

Proposition 5-The constituional amendment to authorize the making of a reverse mortgage loan for the purchase of homestead property and to amend lender disclosures and other requirements in connection with a reverse mortgage loan.

Proposition 6-The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of  the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas and the State Water Implementation Revenue Fund for Texas to assist in the financing of priority projects in the state water plan to ensure the availability of adequate water resources.

Proposition 7-The constitional amendment authorizing a home-rule municipality to provide in its charter the procedure to fill a vacancy on its governing body for which the unexpired term is 12 months or less.

Proposition 8-The consitutional amendment repealing Sectoin 7, Article IX, Texas Constitution, which relates to the creation of a hospital district in Hidalgo County.

Proposition 9-The constitutional amendment relating to expanding the types of sanctions that may be assessed against a judge or justice following a formal proceeding instituted by the State Commission on Judical Conduct.

Today is Election Day in the Statewide Constitutional Amendment Election and in the area election in which City of Center,  Shelby, San Augustine, and Sabine County voters are deciding whether or not they want to be part of a Deep East Texas Groundwater Conservation District  and the following polling places are open from until 7 PM today.

Precinct 1N -First United Methodist Church,211 North Porter Street in Center

Precinct 1 SO-Church of Christ,110 Hurst Street, in Center

Precinct 1 SE-Senior Citizens Center, 3580 Loop 500 East in Center

Precinct 1 SW-Center Community House-423 San Augustine Street in Center

Precinct 1 W-Center Christian Family Life Center-2471 US Highway 96 N in Center

Precinct 2-Excelsior School -11270 State Highway 7 West in Aiken

Precinct 3-Sardis Cemetery Association Building,2962 FM 414 in Center

Precinct 4-Lydia Baptist Church Fellowship Hall , 14998 FM 139 in Shelbyville

Precinct 5-First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall-175 Faulkville Road in Joaquin

Precinct 6-Dreka Pentecostal Church Fellowship Hall-1193 FM 2427 in Shelbyville

Precinct 7-Shelbyville First Baptist Church-Shelbyvile Fellowship Hall 5030 SH 87 South in Shelbyville

Precinct 8-First United Methodist Church Scheide Hall 256 North George Bowers Drive in Tenaha

Precinct 9 N-Texas State Bank-830 North First Street West in Timpson

Precinct 9 S-Timpson School Gym Foyer

 Panola College Drama department will present The Civil War On Stage, a presentation of two staged plays in one evening on November 7 and 8, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. in the Studio Theatre.  The first offering presents scenes from Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, Paula Vogel’s A Civil War Christmas: An American Musical Celebration , produced by special permission from Dramatists Play Service, Inc. New York and features the Panola College Choir.  Set on Christmas Eve, 1864 in Washington D.C., the venue offers a look into the events of that last Christmas of the Civil War, highlighted by musical selections from the time period.  The second half of the program features a revival of the 1997 Panola College world premiere of Confederate Letters by Texas playwright Barre Gonzalez and guest directed by Liz Hedges.  The story depicts the struggles and consequences for the Havard family in Texas during the last summer of the Civil War. 

In addition to the two performances, the evening features a talk-back with the playwright, Barre Gonzalez.  Confederate Letters is a revival of the award-winning 1997 world premiere, which was produced by Panola College in 1997 under the direction of then drama department chair, Liz Hedges and includes original cast member, Travis Curry.

Tickets are $8.00 for the general public.  Performances are Thursday, November 7 and Friday, November 8, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. in the Studio Theatre.  Seating is limited and reservations are highly recommended for this production.  To reserve seating, please call 903-693-2017 or email tickets@panola.edu.

--
 

The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce welcomed new Board of Directors and Ambassadors to the Chamber in the month of October.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – It is a new day for trees.

Citizens across the state were encouraged to participate in Texas Arbor Day today, for the second time this year. 

Texas State Rep. Joe Farias, Texas A&M Forest Service and Texas A&M University San Antonio held the official ceremony on the San Antonio campus celebrating Texas Arbor Day today.

 During the 83^rd Texas Legislative Session the passing of new legislation, H.B. 419, authored by Rep. Farias recognized the first Friday in November as Texas Arbor Day, As opposed to the last Friday in April when Arbor Day was previously celebrated in Texas.

“As foresters and arborists, we are excited about kicking off tree planting season in November,” Texas A&M Forest Service Urban Forestry Manager, Pete Smith said. “Fall is really the best time of year to plant trees across the state, no matter where you live.”

Planting trees this time of year gives them a better chance of surviving the Texas summers.

Texas first observed Arbor Day in 1889, celebrating the benefits that trees provide over a lifetime. The annual state celebration is held in a different city each year

The Shelbyville Dragon Band competed in the 1A Area C UIL Marching Contest on Saturday, October 26th.  The band received 1st place overall at the contest and advanced to the Texas State Marching Contest.  The state marching contest occurs every other year and includes bands from different areas across the state.  The contest is on Monday November 4th at the Alamodome in San Antonio.  The Dragon Band performs at 8:26 AM.  This is the second time in the schools history that the band has advanced to the state contest.

Dumpsters will be available Saturday, November 2nd, from 8 AM-1 PM in Precinct 1 (center) and Precinct 4(Timpson City Hall).  Please do not dump household kitchen trash, tires, paint, gas or other combustible items in the dumpsters.  For more information, please contact the Commissioners' office at 598-6136. 

A portion of County Road 1090 is closed until further notice due to a wash out,  The closure is located just past the railroad tracks after you turn off FM 2140 onto County Road 1090.  Please use alternate routes.

Magical holiday memories will be created each night as Christmas delights and the spirit of family is center stage during the 27th Annual Wonderland of Lights Festival beginning November 27 in historic downtown Marshall, Texas.

Festival goers will enjoy millions of Christmas lights and more than 400 lighted Christmas displays, including several brand new light displays. These lighted exhibits are strategically placed through downtown Marshall allowing visitors the opportunity to see the displays by horse-drawn carriage, or on a nostalgic English-style double-decker tour bus. Visitors may also tour the lights in their own vehicle in a newly designed driving route, allowing them to take in Marshall historic sites.

The “crown jewel” of the festival is the Historic Harrison County Courthouse which is adorned with 250,000 LED lights. The courthouse, built in 1901, is also the setting for nightly synchronized light and music shows to a variety of Christmas songs presented by Steve & Penny Carlile and Celebrating Home. The evening light and music shows begin each night at 6 p.m.and have become a crowd favorite during the festival.

The only open air ice skating rink in the Ark-La-Tex, the Samsung Ice Skating Rink has long been the highlight of the annual Wonderland of Lights Festival, visitors from miles around come to Marshall specifically for the experience. Families enjoy the ice skating rink which provides hours of fun for the little ones, and a challenge for adventurous adults. Couples also enjoy the experience of the ice skating rink, which has a truly romantic appeal.

One of the unique new additions to the 27th Wonderland of Lights Festival is the inclusion of steam engine 400. After years of dedicated restoration work, Marshall’s historic T&P Depot is ready to show off the historic steam engine displayed on the depot grounds. Called "The Moccasin" for its years of service pulling locomotives out of standing water, the steam engine will be decorated with sparkling Christmas lights this year.

Dozens of activities geared towards children and families round out the Wonderland of Lights Festival. Visitors will also enjoy exploring historic downtown Marshall, shopping in one-of-a-kind stores, and dining in locally owned restaurants featuring a variety of menu selections.

For complete festival information, a complete schedule of events, and purchasing tickets, go online to www.VisitMarshallTexas.org. Lodging information for visitors staying the night is also available at the same website, or by calling the Marshall Conventions and Visitors Bureau at 903-702-7777, or on Facebook.

The Wonderland of Lights Festival will open November 27 and will continue in the Washington Square District of downtown Marshall, Texas through December 31.